RUSSELL TEASES HAMILTON: VIRAL VIDEO CAPTURES GEORGE RUSSELL ASKING LEWIS ABOUT KIM KARDASHIAN RUMORS
Lewis Hamilton is at Ferrari! Discover why George Russell teased him about Kim Kardashian and how the new 2026 car is performing.
Social media blew up fast after George Russell threw a cheeky question at Lewis Hamilton during F1 testing in Bahrain, asking him about his love life. All this comes as rumours swirl about Hamilton dating Kim Kardashian.
Back in early February, The Sun claimed Hamilton and Kardashian spent a “romantic weekend getaway” together in Oxfordshire. According to them, the two shared a room in the main house and had the spa and pool to themselves at night.
Not long after, people spotted Kardashian at the Super Bowl with Hamilton, who now drives for Ferrari. Neither of them has said a word about whether they’re actually dating.
Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz mentioned that, earlier this month, a journalist in Bahrain straight-up asked Hamilton if the rumours were true. Hamilton, 41, didn’t give much away: “It’s my private life; I’m not talking about that.”
Fast forward to the first day of the final 2026 test in Bahrain. All 22 F1 drivers lined up for the usual preseason group photo, and Russell Hamilton’s former teammate at Mercedes couldn’t resist teasing him. While everyone was getting ready, Russell turned to Hamilton and grinned, “All loved up or... what’s the latest?” Hamilton just smiled, and Russell burst out laughing, giving Hamilton a friendly pat on the shoulder.
Isack Hadjar and Alex Albon stood nearby, but they smartly kept out of it.
On the track, Hamilton had a solid opening day, finishing seventh in testing. Ferrari’s day went smoothly too, except for a brief spell when Hamilton stayed in the pits so his team could tinker with the car. Between Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, Ferrari racked up 114 laps, the sixth most among all the teams.
Hamilton faced the media on the first morning in Bahrain and seemed pretty upbeat about Ferrari’s new 2026 car. “With the car, I think we’ve started quite well so far,” he told Sky Sports. “It’s an exciting time with the new generation of cars, because it’s all brand new, and we’re all trying to figure it out on the go.
“Last year, we were locked in a car that, ultimately, I inherited.
“This is a car that I’ve been able to be a part of developing on the simulator, and so a bit of my DNA is within. I’m more connected to this one, for sure.”
CHECO RETURNS: SERGIO PEREZ OFFICIALLY DEBUTS FOR CADILLAC AT THE 2026 AUSTRALIAN GP
A new era for Checo: Get the report on Perez’s Red Bull exit, his year away, and his partnership with Bottas at Cadillac Racing.
Sergio Perez looks like a new man. He’s back in Formula 1 after a year away, and honestly, he seems more alive than he ever was at Red Bull. Now he’s rolling with Cadillac, who are making its debut in the sport, and you can see the energy in him; he’s excited, refreshed, and just really happy to be back.
People have been talking about his age and the time he spent away from racing, but Perez isn’t worried. He believes in what Cadillac can do, and he’s clear about what he can bring to the table. Sure, his pre-season testing didn’t exactly blow anyone away, but that’s not stopping him. After a rough stint at Red Bull, he’s ready to chase success all over again.
The pressure of Red Bull is gone, and you can tell. Anthony Davidson noticed it too. On Ted Kravitz’s Melbourne Podbook, Davidson mentioned seeing Perez smile in a way he hadn’t since before Red Bull. That says a lot. The Red Bull years really took it out of him.
Davidson said, “I haven’t seen that smile on Checo’s face in a long time. I think since before he joined Red Bull. So it’s great to see both drivers happy.” And it’s not just Perez; Rachel Brookes pointed out that his teammate, Valtteri Bottas, was also in great spirits during the media day. Bottas even joked about his championship picks, saying Fernando, Lance, and George, because, according to him, they were all sandbagging.
Brookes added that Bottas is in such a good mood now, and taking that year away really gave him a new appreciation for the sport. It’s brought out a whole new energy in him.
So here they are: Perez and Bottas, lining up for Cadillac’s first season in F1. No one’s expecting them to win a bunch of races or stand on the podium every weekend, but their job is huge. Being the first drivers for a brand-new team is a massive challenge, and they’ve got to prove that both they and Cadillac have what it takes.
Their main goal? Get points as often as possible. Perez probably feels the pressure a bit more than Bottas, but both know what’s expected of them. Cadillac wants to make a splash in its debut season, and everything depends on how Perez and Bottas perform. They’re front and centre for whatever success comes Cadillac’s way.
WHY NUMBER 3? THE HIDDEN MEANING BEHIND MAX'S NEW RACING DIGIT FOR THE 2026 SEASON
Max Verstappen is Number 3: Read about his 2026 F1 "Evolution," life as a dad, and why he’s not bothered by Lando Norris's title.
For the first time since 2021, the four-time champ kicks off the 2026 season without the number 1 on his car. Last year, Lando Norris took the title, so Verstappen is switching things up.
Still, Verstappen doesn’t seem bothered. “That’s just how it goes,” he told Kicker. “It happens in Formula 1 and everywhere else; sooner or later, someone else takes the top spot. It’s not a big deal for me. I don’t own first place.”
So, instead of the champion’s number, Verstappen’s going with number 3 in 2026.
Even though he’s known for being fiercely competitive, Verstappen says there’s something he cares about more these days: family. “I always wanted this,” he said, talking about becoming a dad. “I’d already seen how amazing it is. It’s honestly better than winning a race or a championship. Watching your kids grow up – that’s the best thing.”
He and Kelly Piquet had a daughter last year, and he has also grown close to Piquet’s daughter, Penelope, from her previous relationship.
Speaking to GQ Australia, Verstappen said his entire perspective on racing has shifted as he has grown older. “I’ve already achieved a lot, and sure, I want to keep going, but honestly, I just want to enjoy myself. That’s why I fell in love with racing as a kid. Just having fun out there, driving.”
He admits he’s changed on track, too. “When I was 17 or 18, all I wanted was to go flat out, all the time. Now, I build up to it more. With experience, you learn when to push and when to hold back.”
Thinking back to one of his best qualifying laps at Silverstone last year, he said, “After the first two sectors, I could see I was way ahead. So in the final sector, I took it a bit easier, just to avoid making a mistake.” That’s a big change from earlier in his career. “There was a lap in Jeddah in 2021 where I was flying, but I pushed too much in the final corner and hit the wall. Sometimes you just have to know your limits, maybe play it a little safe.”
Verstappen says he actually enjoys hanging out with the new wave of young drivers coming into Formula 1. “It’s kind of refreshing to talk to them. They’re all pretty friendly, and I feel like I can relate to them.”
But he’s realistic; he won’t be around forever. “I hope I’m still here to see that new generation take over Formula 1.”
When he looks ahead, Verstappen sums it up in one word: 'evolution'.
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