F1Weekly Podcast # 1133
…ON TODAYS PROGRAM…
MERCEDES CAUSE PANIC! RIVAL TEAMS LOOK FOR FIA INTERVENTION BEFORE START OF SEASON.
ALL EYES ON ADRIAN NEWEY AND ASTON MARTIN’S EXTREME NEWEY DESIGN BLOWING PEOPLES MIND!
WILLIAMS COULD BE SAND BAGGING… AND,
FERNANDO STILL THINKING OF THE TRIPLE CROWN!!
THIS WEEK’S NASIR HAMEED CORNER…MORE VINTAGE BANTER BETWEEN THE HOST AND NASIR…THIS WEEKS SPECIAL GUEST: OLIVIER PANIS!
Olivier Panis, originally from Oullins, Lyon, is a former French Formula One driver. Early in his career, Panis began with karting, progressing through several junior series before moving up to the French Formula 3 series. By 1990, he secured 4th place in the championship and achieved runner-up status the following year.
After karting, Panis competed in two seasons of F3000. His initial season involved challenges with the Apamotox team’s stubborn Lola car, while the second season saw him racing for the highly viewed DAMS Equipe team. His perseverance paid off when he was crowned champion, setting the stage for his entry into Formula 1 with Ligier.
At 27, Panis joined the French-based Ligier F1 team in 1994. He secured a surprise second-place finish at Hockenheim that season, ending the season 11th overall in the Drivers’ Championship. He continued to impress, securing another unexpected second place at the 1995 Australian Grand Prix, despite trailing two laps behind the leader, and finished 8th in the championship.
Panis’s most astonishing triumph came at the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix, where he drove his way to victory in treacherously wet conditions. It marked Ligier’s first win in 15 years—their last—and was the first French victory in a French car at Monaco in 66 years. However, apart from this win, Panis failed to finish higher than fifth for the remainder of the season.
In 1997, racing for Prost, who had bought Ligier, Panis showed promise, placing third in the championship standings after six races. Unfortunately, a crash in Canada broke his leg, sidelining him for eight races. He returned for the season’s last three races and finished ninth in the championship.
The 1998 season was less successful for Panis, who struggled to score points under Prost’s management. He earned only a single point across the following season, leading to the end of his relationship with the team.
Panis then considered an offer from Williams but opted to test for McLaren instead, which kept his presence in the paddock despite a full-time drive. He joined BAR in 2001, although the team didn’t meet his expectations, finishing 14th for two consecutive seasons.
In 2003, Panis moved to the new Toyota team to provide his experience and mentor his teammate, Cristiano da Matta. Although he improved in qualifying, his overall results mirrored his previous seasons, finishing 14th once again.
Panis continued with Toyota through 2004, his tenth year in Formula One. He announced his retirement in October of that year, effective after the 2004 Japanese Grand Prix. He stayed with Toyota as a test driver through 2005 and 2006, ending his F1 career at age 37, with five podiums and 76 career points from 157 starts.
Olivier Panis Formula One World Championship career.
F1 Career 1994–1999, 2001–2004
Teams Ligier, Prost, BAR, Toyota
Entries 158 (157 starts)
Championships 0
Wins 1
Podiums 5
Career points 76
Pole positions 0
Fastest laps 0
First entry 1994 Brazilian Grand Prix
First win 1996 Monaco Grand Prix
Last win 1996 Monaco Grand Prix
Last entry 2004 Japanese Grand Prix
Olivier Panis Teammates
13 Teammates Involvement First Year Last Year
Eric Bernard 13 1994
Johnny Herbert 1 1994
Franck Lagorce 2 1994
Aguri Suzuki 6 1995
Martin Brundle 11 1995
Pedro Diniz 16 1996
Shinji Nakano 10 1997
Jarno Trulli 34 1998 2005
Jacques Villeneuve 34 2001 2002
Cristiano da Matta 28 2003 2004
Ricardo Zonta 16 2004
Ryan Briscoe 5 2004
Ralf Schumacher 1 2005
HSR Pistons and Props Presented by the Alan Jay Automotive Network
Returns to Sebring February 13-15.
SEBRING, Fla. (Feb. 5, 2026) – Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) Pistons & Props Presented by the Alan Jay Automotive Network kicks-off the 2026 HSR racing season next weekend at Sebring International Raceway, Feb. 13-15. The must-attend event once again celebrates Sebring’s rich sports car racing heritage and notable aviation history with four days of on-track action and an airplane “fly-in” of retro civilian and military aircraft from the World War II era and last half century.
HSR Pistons & Props Presented by the Alan Jay Automotive Network honors the legendary Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring sports car race, which runs for the 74th time March 21, and Sebring International Raceway’s patriotic aviation history. Hendricks Field, on which Sebring International Raceway stands, was built as a United States Army Air Forces training base during World War II.
One plane scheduled to appear is a Beechcraft T-34 Mentor owned and piloted by Bob Hahnemann, who could be the first HSR Pistons & Props participant to take part in both the winged and four-wheel activity. An accomplished pilot and sports car racing competitor, Hahnemann is listed as a co-driver with his son, Matt Hahnemann, in Friday afternoon’s B.R.M Chronographes Legacy Enduro in their 2007 No. 111 Porsche 997 GT3 Cup car.
Just after the race, Bob will taxi from the adjacent Sebring Regional Airport down the raceway’s Ulmann Straight (backstretch) in the T-34, joining a quality lineup of other must-see airplanes and accomplished pilots in a parade to the paddock. Positioned inside the Sebring paddock, the planes will be on display and available for viewing from Friday at 4:30 p.m. through late morning on Sunday.
The Beechcraft T-34 Mentor was a post-World War II trainer that was a learning workhorse for thousands of cadets for more than 25 years. It was used in the Air Force until the 1960s and a go-to in the Navy well into the 1970s. The senior Hahnemann and his partner, Len Tucker, purchased the plane four years ago from legendary NASA astronaut and United States Air Force Colonel Frank Borman, Commander of Apollo 8. Apollo 8 was the first mission to fly around the Moon. Also a test pilot – and former President of Eastern Airlines – Borman put his own high-performance enhancements on the T-34, installing a Continental IO-550, which was the largest engine you could put in a Mentor. The twin “SU” lettering as the plane’s nickname – SU SU IX – also continued Borman’s tradition of using the first letters of his wife Susan’s name on his aircraft.
On the HSR competition side, a highlight of the overall entry list is a nice turnout of entries in the HSR Sasco Vintage Cup for Groups 2 and 3. Home to small-bore racing machines that deliver big-time competition, Sasco Vintage Cup features many unique and eclectic race cars.
One particularly rare entry is the Olthoff Racing 1960 No. 26 GSM Dart driven by Englishman John Spiers. The GSM was built in South Africa by Glass Sport Motor company. The company, which manufactured the Dart from 1959 until 1962, got its name – Glass Sport – given its use of fiberglass. The lightweight production sports cars were generally used for racing. The No. 26 has been modified to feature a full flip-top front end and left-hand drive. Power comes from a Ford 1600 Kent engine – produced in Kent, England – with twin side-draft carburetors.
Spiers will battle with a top trio of British-built Ginettas, including frequent HSR race winner and podium finishers Hervey Parke in his 1965 No. 11 Ginetta G4 prepared by Michael’s Vintage Racing. Michael Oritt drives a similar 1961 No. 82 Ginetta G4 while Thomas Grudovich completes the quick Ginetta contingent in his 1966 No. 425 Ginetta G4.
Another favorite small-bore British contender could be the comeback story of the weekend. Accomplished HSR driver Kenneth Greenberg was uninjured in a heavy Turn 1 accident in December’s season-ending HSR event at Sebring, but his Air Power Racing 1964 No. 324 Morgan Plus 4 was nearly a total write off. Weston Farmer and the team at Air Power quickly went to work non-stop, and Greenberg and the Morgan are entered in the Vintage Cup sprints and B.R.M Legacy Enduro.
Farmer reports many hours are still ahead before traveling to Sebring next week from the team shop in St. Augustine, Fla. after the Morgan’s frame was destroyed and even the engine block was cracked in the incident. The team bought a similar 1967 Morgan chassis as a donor car, and the roll cage was completed last week. Oil lines, fuel lines and electrical systems are going in this week and a rebuilt engine recently arrived.
For complete information on HSR Sebring Pistons & Props Presented by the Alan Jay Automotive Network, including the event schedule and entry lists, visit www.HSRrace.com/sebring-pistons-and-props. For tickets, visit www.SebringRaceway.com.
JENSON BUTTON APPOINTED TEAM AMBASSADOR FOR ASTON MARTIN ARAMCO
Silverstone, UK, 2 February 2026: The Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team has welcomed 2009 Formula One World Champion Jenson Button as Team Ambassador ahead of the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship season.
As the most recent British World Champion to retire from Formula One, Jenson brings a unique blend of credibility, global recognition and storytelling power to the role. Under a multi-year agreement, he will support the team’s media, partner and commercial programmes as Formula One prepares to enter a defining new era.
The 2026 season marks a major reset for the sport under new technical regulations and signals the beginning of the team’s works partnerships with Honda, Aramco and Valvoline. For Jenson, whose career has spanned multiple regulatory eras in Formula One, the transition represents a rare opportunity to witness and support another generational shift in the sport.
Throughout his racing career, Jenson worked very closely with Honda. He claimed his first Formula One victory at the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix with the Japanese engine manufacturer and, more recently, added to his legacy by winning the Super GT Championship in Japan with Honda. This enduring partnership has been a defining thread throughout many of his significant career achievements.
This continuity of experience and success gives Jenson a rare perspective on how great teams evolve across eras, making his move into Aston Martin’s next chapter particularly meaningful.
Jenson will also reunite with Fernando Alonso, having previously been team-mates during the 2015 and 2016 Formula One seasons, bringing together two World Champions with a shared understanding of the sport at the highest level.
As Team Ambassador, Jenson will represent Aston Martin across global events, partner programmes and media engagements, bringing his perspective, credibility and passion for the sport to the team’s growing international audience.
Jenson Button, Team Ambassador, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team: “Joining Aston Martin Aramco during such a transformative time in the team and the sport’s history is really exciting for me. Honda’s new works partnership with the team was a huge draw and I look forward to bringing my years of experience working with them to my new role as ambassador. The 2026 season is going to be fascinating and being part of such an ambitious team is a real opportunity. I can’t wait for Melbourne!”
Jefferson Slack, Managing Director of Commercial, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team: “Jenson is one of the most respected figures in modern Formula One and we are delighted to welcome him to Aston Martin Aramco as Team Ambassador. He brings World Championship pedigree, deep experience with Honda, and an outstanding ability to connect with fans and partners around the world. As we enter the sport’s defining new era in 2026, Jenson’s insight and presence will be a valuable asset as we continue building this team for long-term success.”
ASTON MARTIN ARAMCO LAUNCHES SEASON WITH LIVERY REVEAL.
The 2026 season marks Aston Martin Aramco’s first year as a full works team, entering a new regulation era with world-class partnerships including Honda, Aramco and Valvoline.
The AMR26 is the first Adrian Newey-designed car, built in the completed AMR Technology Campus at Silverstone.
The 2026 livery was revealed at the team’s launch event at Ithra in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with Title Partner Aramco.
Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso enter their fourth consecutive season as teammates, with Jak Crawford stepping into the role of Third Driver.
The AMR26 programme is the latest step in the team’s strategic journey – by design – as it builds towards competing at the very highest level.
9 February 2026: The Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team has officially launched its season with the unveiling of its 2026 livery at Ithra (King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture) in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with Title Partner Aramco.
As part of the team’s launch programme, a concept car featuring the AMR26 livery was revealed, with the AMR26 set to appear during pre-season testing in Bahrain later this week. The event included an address from Executive Chairman, Lawrence Stroll, a Q&A with the team’s working partners, a hero film, and a musical performance from The World of Hans Zimmer, performed live by Swiss cellist, Jodok Vuille.
The AMR26 marks a pivotal moment for the Silverstone-based team, as the first Aston Martin Aramco challenger shaped by Adrian Newey’s design philosophy and the first overseen by Chief Technical Officer Enrico Cardile, marking a fresh era under Formula One’s 2026 regulations. Representing the most significant overhaul the sport has seen in a generation – with new power units, aerodynamic rules, and sustainable fuels – the AMR26 is a clear statement of intent, the result of a series of decisions made by design to create a path to competing at the very highest level and, ultimately, to win.
This year also represents a significant milestone for Aston Martin Aramco, having become a full works team, opening more design freedom and opportunity under the sport’s next generation of technical regulations.
Supported by partnerships with Honda, Aramco and Valvoline, the team enters this new era with world-class expertise across power unit integration, sustainable fuels and cutting-edge lubricants.
To support this vision, the team has continued to develop the AMR Technology Campus with new additions including the state-of-the-art CoreWeave AIR Tunnel and new simulator going online last year, ensuring the team has the facilities and resources required to compete at the highest level.
Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team: “The AMR26 represents a defining step for Aston Martin Aramco as we enter Formula One’s new era in 2026. These regulations mark the biggest reset the sport has seen in a generation, and we are approaching it with clear ambition: to build a team capable of winning. Every move we make is by design – considered, deliberate and built for where we are going. This year also marks our first season as a full works team, supported by world-class partners including Honda, Aramco and Valvoline. With the AMR Technology Campus now complete, we have the people, facilities and long-term investment in place to compete with the very best. Today is another important milestone on that journey.
Adrian Newey, Managing Technical Partner and Team Principal, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team: “2026 is a rare moment in Formula One because, for the first time, the chassis and power unit regulations have changed together. With brand new regulations, the best philosophy is never immediately obvious, and your understanding evolves as the car develops. With the AMR26 we’ve taken a holistic approach: it’s not about one standout component, but how the full package works together. The focus has been on strong fundamentals, development potential, and a car that Lance and Fernando can hopefully extract performance from consistently.
Lance Stroll: “The AMR26 is the first car to come out of our completed campus and the first as a works team with Honda, so it’s a big moment for the team. Our shakedown went well, which is important with a new car, and it gave us a solid first feel for it. The 2026 regulations are a big change and a real challenge for all teams, so now it’s about building our understanding of the car with the goal of continuing to bring performance upgrades throughout the season. It’s great to be working with Adrian Newey and so many talented people at Aston Martin Aramco who are really pushing hard to make that happen. Next up is testing in Bahrain where we’ll be gathering as much information as possible ahead of the opening round in Melbourne. It should be an exciting year for the fans.”
Fernando Alonso: “This is such an exciting new chapter for Aston Martin Aramco as we adapt to the new rules, new power units, and new ideas. With Lawrence and Adrian, we have two of the most determined and competitive people I have ever met leading the team. The past few years were not easy, but we’ve learned a lot, and that experience always makes you stronger. Everybody in this team shares the same hunger to be competitive and I have seen how much effort is happening behind the scenes to give us a car we can develop across the season. I’m looking forward to getting on track and developing the car as we head to Bahrain this week. I can’t wait to push hard and help make Aston Martin Aramco stronger and more competitive.”
Consistency in the cockpit:
Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso return in 2026 for their fourth consecutive season as the team’s driver pairing, providing continuity and forming the most experienced line-up on the grid with a combined 614 Formula One race starts. Jak Crawford also steps up to the role of Third Driver, acting as the team’s reserve driver at all races this year following his second-place finish in the FIA Formula 2 Championship last season.
Stoffel Vandoorne continues supporting the team’s simulator programme, while Pedro de la Rosa combines his ambassador role with media duties as a Team Representative.
Jenson Button and Jessica Hawkins complete the team’s driver squad as ambassadors, with Mathilda Paatz representing the team in F1 Academy.
The AMR26 made its on-track debut as part of the team’s wider pre-season programme in Barcelona at the end of January. The team continues testing preparations in Bahrain across the next two weeks, ahead of the opening round of the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship in Melbourne.
