In the dim glow of the dyno cells at Brackley and Milton Keynes, alarming whispers had started circulating weeks before the Christmas lights went up in 2025. Formula 1’s 2026 power unit regulations were meant to usher in a new era: more sustainable, more electric, and—crucially—more equal.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

The FIA had dropped the geometric compression ratio of the internal compression engine portion of the overall F1 power unit from 18:1 to 16:1, a deliberate step to curb outright power from the internal combustion engine while ramping up the hybrid contribution to nearly 50/50.

But in the high-stakes world of F1 engine development, rules are never just words on paper. They are battlegrounds.

The rumor began as a quiet murmur among technicians: two power unit manufacturers—Mercedes and Red Bull Powertrains—had allegedly cracked a way to bend the new limit without breaking it.

The key? Thermal expansion.

By crafting connecting rods (or possibly other components in the piston assembly) from exotic alloys that swell dramatically when the engine hits full operating temperature, the piston could be pushed fractionally higher at top dead center during a hot run. On the cold dyno bench, where the FIA measures compression statically at ambient temperature, the ratio stays safely at 16:1.

But on track, under race conditions, that clever expansion could squeeze the combustion chamber tighter—effectively restoring an 18:1 ratio and unlocking an extra 15 horsepower, or roughly three-tenths of a second per lap.

It was brilliant, if true. And infuriating to the others.

Ferrari’s engineers, poring over their own dyno data in Maranello, were the first to raise the alarm. “If they’re doing this,” one senior figure reportedly told the FIA technical working group, “it’s not just an advantage—it’s a gulf.”

Honda, preparing to supply Aston Martin, and Audi, gearing up for their debut with Sauber, echoed the concern. They lobbied for clarification, arguing that the rules’ static measurement method—unchanged since the hybrid era—left a loophole wide enough to drive a turbo through.

The FIA’s response was measured: “The regulations clearly define the maximum compression ratio and the method for measuring it, based on static conditions at ambient temperature.”

They acknowledged thermal expansion as a natural phenomenon but noted no hot-condition testing was required, or even possible. Yet behind closed doors, discussions intensified. Some feared protests at the first race in Australia; others worried that if the “trick” was allowed, rivals wouldn’t have time to retrofit stronger pistons and rods without compromising reliability.

In the paddock, the rumor grew legs. Anonymous sources pointed fingers at Mercedes’ meticulous engineering culture and Red Bull’s aggressive development under their new in-house program. One engineer joked, “It’s like the old days of blown diffusers—clever, but someone always cries foul.” Another dismissed it as mind games: “Spread enough doubt, and you slow your rivals down chasing ghosts.”

As the first pre-season test approached in late January 2026, the tension was palpable. Teams will be arriving at Barcelona in January with engines humming at new volumes, but eyes will on the dyno logs. Would the FIA demand hot measurements? Would they close the loophole? Or would the clever ones start the season with an invisible edge?

In F1, the line between genius and cheating is often drawn in microns. And in 2026, that line just got a little hotter.

A young man and woman wearing life jackets pose together on a bright green and black Sea-Doo Spark personal watercraft on a calm lake.

Epic Boat Rentals & Motorsports Repair announces fleet expansion and service enhancements for Lake Austin and Lake Travis, including new Sea-Doo watercraft, extended hours, and professional captain services for Central Texas water sports.
Jet ski rental Lake Austin services have reached a new level with Epic Boat Rentals & Motorsports Repair’s announcement of significant enhancements to its watercraft rental operations. The company is positioning itself as a premier destination for water recreation on Lake Austin and Lake Travis. The expansion includes upgraded equipment, extended service hours, and enhanced customer accessibility, addressing the growing demand for Austin water sports rentals in the Central Texas region.

New Fleet Additions Transform Lake Austin Recreation Options

The company has introduced modern Sea-Doo watercraft to its rental lineup, featuring both the high-performance Trixx 2-seater model and the versatile Spark 3-seater option. These additions reflect Epic Boat Rentals & Motorsports Repair’s [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Epic+Boat+Rentals+%26+Motorsports+Repair/@30.296114,-97.7198925,53465m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x8644c956647d680b:0x4f61d9a883e7a25e!8m2!3d30.296114!4d-97.7198924!16s%2Fg%2F11bws8pjgz?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTIwOS4wIKXMDSoKLDEwMDc5MjA3MUgBUAM%3D] commitment to providing quality equipment for water recreation enthusiasts. The Sea-Doo Trixx caters to adrenaline seekers with trick-capable features, while the Spark model offers fuel efficiency and ease of handling for families and groups. Both watercraft models are now available for hourly, half-day, and full-day rental periods across both Lake Austin and Lake Travis locations.

Extended Hours Meet Rising Demand for Water Recreation

Responding to increased interest in Central Texas water activities, Epic Boat Rentals & Motorsports Repair now operates seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The extended schedule accommodates working professionals, weekend visitors, and tourists seeking flexible rental options. This availability positions the company competitively among Austin water sports rentals providers while serving customers who prefer early morning launches or evening lake excursions. The consistent daily schedule eliminates confusion about operational hours and allows for better trip planning.

Professional Captain Services Expand Group Activity Options

The company’s captained boat charter service has gained traction among groups seeking guided lake experiences. Epic Boat Rentals & Motorsports Repair [https://epiclakerentals.com/] operates a 21-foot Moomba ski boat that accommodates up to eight passengers, with professional captains handling navigation and safety protocols. This service appeals to bachelor and bachelorette parties, birthday celebrations, and corporate team-building events. Activities include wakeboarding, tubing, swimming, and leisure cruising to popular Lake Austin and Lake Travis destinations. The captain’s option removes the barrier of boating experience, making water recreation accessible to a broader audience.

Strategic Location Serves Two Major Central Texas Lakes

Epic Boat Rentals & Motorsports Repair’s operational area covers both Lake Austin and Lake Travis, two of Central Texas’s most frequented water recreation destinations. Lake Austin offers a more intimate setting with calmer waters, ideal for those searching for boat rentals near me with less crowded conditions. Lake Travis provides expansive open water suitable for high-speed activities and larger gatherings. The company’s ability to serve both lakes gives customers flexibility in choosing their preferred environment. Popular destinations include Devil’s Cove and Party Cove, both accessible through the rental service.

No License Requirement Removes Barriers to Water Recreation

A significant advantage of Epic Boat Rentals & Motorsports Repair’s service model is the elimination of boating license requirements for watercraft rentals. This policy opens water sports access to visitors and residents without formal boating credentials. The company provides safety briefings and operational instructions before each rental, ensuring customers understand handling procedures and lake regulations. This approach has proven effective in attracting first-time riders and tourists unfamiliar with Texas waterway requirements. The ease of access contributes to the company’s growth among Austin water sports rental options.

Combination Packages and Flexible Booking Address Customer Preferences

Epic Boat Rentals & Motorsports Repair has implemented a booking system that displays real-time pricing and availability, streamlining the reservation process. Customers can combine watercraft options with captained boat charters for comprehensive lake day experiences. The flexibility in rental duration-from two-hour minimum periods to full-day adventures-accommodates various schedules and budgets. Pricing starts at $250 for two hours on the Sea-Doo Spark 3-seater, $260 for the Sea-Doo Trixx 2-seater, and $300-$330 for captained boat charters, depending on the lake. The transparent pricing structure and online booking capability reflect industry trends toward customer convenience and accessibility, making it easier for those searching for boat rentals near me to secure watercraft without lengthy phone negotiations.

The company’s expansion reflects broader trends in outdoor recreation as Central Texas residents and visitors increasingly seek water-based activities. Epic Boat Rentals & Motorsports Repair’s investment in modern equipment and service infrastructure positions the business to meet this demand while maintaining safety standards and customer satisfaction. The combination of quality watercraft, professional captain services, and accessible booking systems creates a comprehensive offering for water recreation enthusiasts in the Austin area.

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Media Contact
Company Name: Epic Boat Rentals & Motorsports Repair
Contact Person: Mitchell
Email:Send Email [https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=epic-boat-rentals-motorsports-repair-expands-jet-ski-rental-lake-austin-operations-with-enhanced-fleet-and-services]
Phone: +17372474936
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Website: https://epiclakerentals.com/

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The Toyota GR Corolla takes inspiration from the automaker’s successful World Rally Championship (WRC) team, but the closest it’s gotten to a stage so far is the parking lot. That’s about to change, as Toyota has confirmed that a rally car based on the hot hatch will bring the Corolla name back to rallying in 2026. But instead of the WRC, the Corolla rally car will compete in the American Rally Association (ARA) championship.

Toyota showed a GR Corolla rally car concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January of this year, and finally confirmed Friday that a fully-developed version would compete in the ARA season. Officially known as the GR Corolla RC2, it will compete in the RC2 class, which Toyota describes as “roughly equivalent” to the Rally2 class in international rallying. It’ll retain the 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine used in the GR Corolla road car, but the release was otherwise light on technical details.

Toyota plans to enter a single car starting with the second round of the 2026 season, the 1000 Acre Wood Rally in Missouri. American Seth Quintero will drive while also running a Toyota-backed campaign in the World Rally Raid Championship (W2RC). His co-driver will be Finn Topi Luthtinen.

The Corolla has a long history in rallying, from Hannu Mikkola’s 1975 1000 Lakes Rally win to the 1999 WRC manufacturer’s championship. Toyota withdrew from rallying after that, returning in the late 2010s with the Yaris, which has become a dominant force in the series. The Corolla’s comeback in the ARA will help with “developing cars on North American roads and making ever-better motorsports-bred cars,” the automaker said in a statement. That’s in line with motorsports-obsessed chairman Akio Toyoda’s goal of building more cars for driving enthusiasts.

The GR Corolla RC2 will also be a gift to American rally fans. It could create a manufacturer battle between Toyota and Subaru, which (via partner Vermont Sports Car) has been the only consistent manufacturer presence in the ARA championship for some time. It’ll be great to see a remix of those 1990s WRC Corolla vs. WRX battles play out across rural America.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Every day, Gene Overcash walks around NASCAR history. 

“Oh, man, this is the best job in the world,” said Overcash, Curb Records and Motorsports manager.  

He describes it as an honor to see and touch cars with significant and unique history.

“We’ve got just like a Todd Gilliland’s car that won the championship in 2016. We got Dale Earnhardt’s first championship car. We got the Richard Pettis 199 win car,” Overcash said. 

Another special car is Greg Biffle’s Red Man-sponsored ride.

“They brought this car, and I cannot remember the day they brought it in here, but the way I understood it was that they took the backup products off of race cars. And this was one of the last cars on the track with tobacco products,” he said. 

Biffle and six others were killed in a plane crash Thursday morning.

Overcash and Biffle were also neighbors on Lake Norman. He spent three years working in the sport and says Biffle was one of the nicest people to him. Losing him is a blow for racing.

“It’s just not the sport. It’s all the contributions that he did,” Overcash said. 

Biffle was known for using his own helicopter to get supplies to western North Carolina residents after Hurricane Helene. He flew in supplies like water, food, and even medication for storm victims.

“He’s one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet,” he said. 

RFK Racing co-owner and driver Brad Keselowski suffered a broken right leg during a family ski trip on Thursday, December 18, 2025, the team announced Friday. The injury comes amid a difficult time for the organization, as the NASCAR community mourns the tragic plane crash that claimed the life of former Roush driver Greg Biffle and six others, including his wife and two children.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

In a statement released by RFK Racing, the team expressed its condolences first: “First and foremost, our hearts remain heavy with the news of yesterday’s tragic events. The RFK Racing family, as well as the NASCAR community as a whole, continues to keep those close to the Biffle family and all those affected in our thoughts.”

The team then addressed Keselowski’s injury: “Albeit untimely, we feel that in the interest of transparency we share RFK Racing co-owner and driver Brad Keselowski suffered a broken leg while on a ski trip with his family Thursday. Keselowski has successfully completed routine surgery, and doctors expect a quick and full recovery.”

Keselowski, 41, shared an optimistic update on social media, posting photos from the hospital—including an X-ray showing surgical hardware in his leg—and a video of himself walking with a walker. “Life has a way of reminding you to slow down,” he wrote. “Grateful for my family by my side, an excellent medical team, and the ability to take a few steps forward today. Focused on Daytona. Bonus – I’m now bionic!”

He added a personal statement through the team: “I’m grateful for the medical team who took great care of me and for the support system around me. My attention now is fully on recovery. I’m motivated to get back to full strength as quickly as possible and will work relentlessly to be ready for Daytona.”

Keselowski’s determination aligns with his history of resilience. He famously competed with a broken ankle in 2011, winning at Pocono just days after a testing crash. The team has not specified the exact location of the ski trip or the precise nature of the break, but reports indicate the surgery was straightforward, and medical professionals are optimistic about his timeline.

With the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season opening at the Daytona 500 on February 15—less than two months away—Keselowski is targeting a return for the event. He could potentially skip the non-points Clash on February 1 if needed, but the team expects him to be ready for the “Great American Race.”

Keselowski enters his 17th full Cup Series season with a strong track record: the 2012 champion has 36 wins in the top tier, including his first victory with RFK Racing at Darlington in 2024. He finished 20th in the 2025 standings with six top-five finishes but no wins.

The NASCAR community has rallied around Keselowski, with well-wishes pouring in from drivers and fans. Comparisons have been drawn to Chase Elliott’s 2023 snowboarding injury, which sidelined him for six races—though Keselowski’s goal is to avoid missing any starts in what could be a pivotal year for RFK Racing.

RFK Racing will provide further updates on Keselowski’s progress as they become available. For now, the focus remains on recovery—and the road to Daytona.

Few partnerships have generated the level of engagement that followed Lewis Hamilton’s contract agreement with Ferrari. Understandably, this driver-team duo was one of the biggest talking points heading into last season.

Inevitably, this anticipation is a double-edged sword. For all the initial excitement surrounding this move, it did not take long before criticism began to emerge. This is particularly true for Hamilton’s side of the garage.

Several areas, including Hamilton’s communication with his race engineer Riccardo Adami, have been under the microscope.

Team principal Fred Vasseur believes all areas, including Hamilton’s race engineer, must be reviewed to ensure a smoother 2026.

Vasseur says Ferrari must understand Hamilton better

Overall, much like the previous fifteen seasons, Ferrari’s biggest limitation in 2025 was car performance – as opposed to their driver line-up.

This is not to say Hamilton was been anywhere near his best level. The 7-time Champion regularly found himself a few steps behind Charles Leclerc on both qualifying and race day.

Still, even at their best, neither Ferrari driver had the opportunity to fight for victory this season. The closest they came to a race win was Hungary, only for plank wear concerns to force Leclerc into lifting and coasting.

Speaking of lift and coast, it was Ferrari’s double-DSQ in China that forced the Scuderia to change their calculations and be more conservative with the SF-25. Among other factors, this was one of the team’s limitations in their search of lap-time.

Returning specifically to Hamilton, there were occasional highlights – most notably his Sprint Race win in Shanghai.

Still, as quoted by Corriere, Fred Vasseur says Ferrari underestimated how difficult the adaptation process would be:

“I underestimated the extent of the change. For 20 years, he was tied to the Mercedes world. For him, everything was different – culture, methods, software, components, people.

“And if you’re not always at the top in every area, you leave tenths on the table. The difference between a 5th and 15th place this year was minimal.”

“We need to improve our collaboration. He needs to try to get more out of the car he has. Every detail counts.

“It’s also about understanding each other better. We know each other better on the other side of the garage (Leclerc’s) about knowing what Lewis needs, what he wants. I also need to understand what he wants.”

When asked specifically about changing Hamilton’s race engineer, Vasseur replied – “We’re evaluating all options.”

A test for driver and team

Given that Ferrari rarely ever change race engineers, the fact Vasseur is even open to making an adjustment speaks volumes about the team’s willingness to adapt.

Of course, potentially replacing Adami is only one small consideration in a far bigger picture. On a more macro level, the Scuderia are working to ensure Hamilton properly integrates into the team for 2026.

Putting this to one side, the foundation for any meaningful Ferrari campaign will be next year’s package. It remains to be seen whether the team hit the ground running with the new regulations – or if they find themselves on the defensive.

Speculation is only intensifying as the winter break continues and the first tests of 2026 come closer. For Fred Vasseur, the preference will be to maintain a low profile and avoid the high expectations that typically accompany the team.

Until now, it is Mercedes – at least on the engine front – who are seen as favourites.

Still, regardless of who are designated as pre-season favourites, Ferrari must hit the mark on both their power unit and aerodynamic concept over the winter.

READ MORE: Pierre Gasly – “There was no support” when I was at Red Bull

Main photo: Ferrari Media Gallery