F1 Today: Red Bull signs deal with Honda, Russell told to deploy Hamilton blueprint
Formula 1’s latest headlines bring a mix of technical developments and driver mind games, as Red Bull quietly strengthen their testing programme while George Russell receives advice inspired by one of the sport’s greatest rivals.
Red Bull strike fresh Honda agreement
In a move that may not grab headlines at first glance but carries long-term importance, Red Bull Racing have agreed a new deal with Honda. However, this is not a return to a full works partnership.
Instead, the agreement allows Red Bull and their sister team to use older Honda power units for Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) over the next two seasons. �
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This is significant because F1 regulations strictly limit testing with current cars. By accessing older engines, Red Bull can:
Run more development mileage outside race weekends
Evaluate young drivers and setups
Refine systems without risking race performance
It also highlights a lingering connection between Red Bull and Honda, despite the team’s current transition to Red Bull Ford Powertrains for the new 2026 engine era.
In simple terms, this deal is more about behind-the-scenes performance gains than immediate on-track impact—but in modern F1, those gains can be decisive.
Russell urged to copy Hamilton approach
Away from engineering, attention has turned to Mercedes driver George Russell, who has been told to adopt a familiar strategy—one used during his intense intra-team battles with Lewis Hamilton.
Former F1 driver and pundit Martin Brundle has advised Russell to approach his current teammate Kimi Antonelli with the same aggression and consistency he once showed against Hamilton. �
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The message is clear:
Treat your teammate as your main rival
Apply constant pressure across qualifying and races
Maintain a psychological edge over the season
Russell has already built a reputation as a driver who can challenge top-tier teammates, and with a rising talent like Antonelli alongside him, the internal Mercedes battle could become one of the defining storylines of the 2026 season.
What it all means for F1
While neither development is a “bombshell,” both point to deeper shifts in Formula 1:
Red Bull are quietly maximizing every technical loophole to stay competitive in a new engine era
Mercedes face an evolving driver dynamic, with Russell now stepping into a leadership role once held by Hamilton
The combination of technical preparation and psychological warfare is classic F1—and both stories underline how success in the sport is built not just on speed, but on strategy, mindset, and long-term planning.
Final word
This “F1 Today” update may seem modest on the surface, but it reflects the real nature of the sport:
small decisions behind the scenes often shape the biggest outcomes on track.
As the 2026 season unfolds, don’t be surprised if these subtle developments turn into major talking points later in the year.