Electric Cars

A pivotal agreement has been reached by the FIA concerning Formula 1 teams' ability to continue their Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programs, particularly as the sport approaches the significant regulatory shifts of 2026. This development ensures that teams transitioning to new engine suppliers will still have access to current power units for testing purposes, facilitating a smoother transition and ongoing development. Nevertheless, this assurance is accompanied by a projected surge in costs for these power units, raising questions about the financial implications for teams, even if these expenses are exempt from the standard budget cap.

This new mandate underscores the FIA's commitment to maintaining competitive balance and fostering talent development within the sport. By requiring manufacturers to supply previous customers with engines for TPC, the governing body aims to prevent any competitive disadvantage stemming from contractual changes. While the financial burden on teams is expected to escalate, the fact that these costs operate outside the defined budget cap means that on-track development and junior driver programs can proceed without directly impacting primary competitive spending. This strategic foresight addresses a critical concern for teams navigating the complex landscape of Formula 1's evolving technical regulations.

Sustaining Testing Programs Amidst Engine Transitions

The FIA's latest ruling guarantees that Formula 1 teams will be able to maintain their TPC initiatives, which are vital for both junior driver development and crucial car evolution. This comes as a significant portion of the grid prepares for a change in engine suppliers in 2026, including notable shifts such as Sauber moving to Audi, Aston Martin partnering with Honda, Alpine transitioning to Mercedes power, and Red Bull, alongside Racing Bulls, developing their own new power units. The agreement ensures that despite these supplier changes, teams will still have access to the necessary power units from their former partners for two years, preventing any disruption to their established testing protocols.

TPC activities have emerged as an increasingly integral component of Formula 1 operations, allowing teams to rigorously test and refine aspects of their vehicles and assess new talent without the constraints of official in-season testing limits. Past instances, like McLaren's intensive program and Max Verstappen's development testing with a two-year-old car, have highlighted the strategic importance of these sessions. The FIA's intervention, which now caps TPC mileage for current F1 drivers at 1,000 kilometers per season, aims to standardize the practice while this new agreement addresses the unique challenges posed by significant engine supplier transitions, ensuring an uninterrupted pathway for team and driver progression.

Escalating Power Unit Costs and Budget Cap Considerations

While the FIA's agreement resolves the logistical challenges of TPC testing during engine transitions, it introduces a substantial financial consideration: the projected doubling of power unit costs. Although the governing body has mandated the supply of current engines to former customer teams for the next two seasons, it has deliberately refrained from imposing any price caps. This autonomy granted to suppliers means they are at liberty to determine their own pricing structures for these older power units. Reports from paddock sources during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend have already indicated that at least one major power unit supplier intends to double the cost of its engines compared to current prices.

However, this anticipated increase in expenditure for TPC operations is not expected to significantly burden teams' core competitive budgets. The key lies in the fact that TPC testing expenses fall outside the Formula 1 budget cap. This distinction means that teams can absorb the higher costs without compromising their primary development and operational spending for the upcoming seasons. As one team insider succinctly put it, "Any expense not included in the budget cap doesn’t seem to be an area where F1 teams are looking to save money nowadays," suggesting that teams are prepared to invest in these critical testing programs given their importance to long-term performance and driver readiness.

Austin Hill has received a one-week suspension from NASCAR, preventing his participation in the upcoming Xfinity Series event at Iowa Speedway. This disciplinary action stems from an incident at Indianapolis Motor Speedway where Hill seemingly caused a deliberate collision with Aric Almirola, resulting in a severe crash. The repercussions extend beyond a simple absence, as Hill will also lose all his accumulated and prospective playoff points, severely jeopardizing his pursuit of a championship title this year.

During the Indianapolis race, Almirola's maneuver to overtake Hill for fourth position led to an immediate reaction from Hill. Despite managing to regain control after an initial struggle, Hill then veered left, sending Almirola's vehicle directly into the outside wall at high speed. Fortunately, no injuries were reported from the dramatic collision. Race officials promptly penalized Hill for reckless driving, holding him for five laps. On his team radio, Hill expressed his extreme displeasure with NASCAR's decision, using strong language to voice his frustration.

This suspension, combined with the forfeiture of playoff points, marks a significant setback for Hill. Under NASCAR's updated waiver policy for 2025, a missed race due to suspension automatically results in the loss of all playoff points. Hill, who had amassed 21 bonus points, will now begin the postseason with a zero-point tally. While Richard Childress Racing (RCR), Hill's team, maintains that the contact was unintentional, they have opted against appealing NASCAR's ruling. Consequently, Austin Dillon, a full-time competitor in the NASCAR Cup Series for RCR, will take over driving duties for the No. 21 car at Iowa.

The official statement from Richard Childress Racing confirmed their non-appeal, reiterating their commitment to securing a championship with Austin Hill in 2025, despite the current setback. NASCAR's classification of this incident as a behavioral penalty underscores the severity of the action, aligning with Sections 4.3.A; 4.4.B & D of the NASCAR Member Code of Conduct. The impact of this decision on Hill's season and the broader Xfinity Series playoff picture will be closely monitored as the season progresses.

The racing world awaits the outcome of this disciplinary action's long-term effects on Hill's career and Richard Childress Racing's championship aspirations. The incident at Indianapolis Motor Speedway serves as a stark reminder of the intense competition and the stringent rules governing NASCAR events, ensuring fair play and driver safety.