The Red Flags Podcast PATREON EXCLUSIVE: This Week in F1 News
Jan 28, 2026
They break down shakedown testing highlights, including surprising lap leaders and limited data. Drivers' praise for the new car drivability gets attention. New teams and Cadillac's track time are weighed against newcomer struggles. Debate over team responsibility, infrastructure and weight/crash test problems adds heat. Hopes for an exciting 2026 season and potential title fights close out the chat.
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Early Times Mislead Championship Hopes
- Isaac Hadjar topped the shakedown timing sheets with George Russell second, but hosts stress how little testing data matters early on.
- Early session times can mislead; both drivers praised predictability rather than raw pace.
Skipping Tests Signals Long-Term Strategy
- Williams skipped on-track shakedown days to focus on sims and long-term 2026 goals, drawing criticism for absence.
- Hosts highlight tension between short-term optics and long-term planning in team strategies.
Blame Game Between Teams
- Hosts imagined swapping James Vowles into narratives usually aimed at Claire Williams to highlight biased blame.
- They contrast Cadillac and Haas reaching the track while Williams faced infrastructure excuses.