The countdown to Formula 1’s landmark 2026 season is intensifying, with teams deep into development of cars built around a new set of technical regulations. A recent BBC Radio 5 Live broadcast, “F1: Chequered Flag – Back At Base,” offered a glimpse behind the scenes at Mercedes, Haas, and Cadillac as they prepare for the sport’s evolving landscape.
The program highlighted the dual focus within teams: wrapping up the 2025 season and simultaneously laying the groundwork for 2026. Haas driver Ollie Bearman was featured as he traveled to the final three races of the 2025 championship, contemplating the challenges of a rookie season and preparing for a more substantial campaign in 2026. His race engineer, Ronan O’Hara, also reflected on the lessons learned during Bearman’s initial foray into Formula 1.
Mercedes is also looking ahead, with a particular emphasis on nurturing its next generation of talent. Team principal Toto Wolff paused his birthday celebrations to discuss the development of Kimi Antonelli, a teenage driver poised to become a future race winner. The broadcast included insights from Antonelli’s race engineer, Pete Bonnington – known as “Bono” – who previously enjoyed a highly successful partnership with seven-time World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton. Bonnington shared his observations on the differences between working with a seasoned champion and a rookie entering the sport.
Perhaps the most significant development detailed in the broadcast was the progress of Cadillac’s preparations for its 2026 entry into Formula 1. The American marque is currently less than 100 days away from joining the grid, and team principal Graeme Lowdon is feeling the mounting pressure. The program offered a look at Cadillac’s shakedown at Silverstone, where Sergio Perez, returning to F1 with the team, was the first driver to test the 2026 car. Perez expressed confidence in Cadillac’s potential to “do great things” upon its arrival in the sport.
The broadcast also touched upon the historical significance of Cadillac’s entry, noting that nearly half a century has passed since an American driver – Mario Andretti in 1978 – last won a Formula 1 World Championship. Andretti has reportedly been offering guidance to the Cadillac F1 team as they navigate their debut season.
Beyond the on-track preparations, the program provided a rare look inside the Mercedes factory during its busiest day of the year. F1 experts Sarah Holt and Holly Samos were given a guided tour by Chief Operating Officer Rob Thomas, showcasing the intense effort being invested in the development of the 2026 car. The new technical regulations are expected to significantly shake up the competitive order, making this period of development crucial for all teams.
The “Back At Base” series, hosted by Rosamund Pike and co-hosted/executive produced by Holt and Samos, is providing an intimate look at the complexities of modern Formula 1. The program’s focus on the behind-the-scenes work, the challenges of developing young talent, and the pressures of entering a new era of the sport offers a compelling narrative for fans and provides a deeper understanding of the dedication and innovation required to compete at the highest level.
The broadcast also briefly mentioned the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where Mercedes’ Antonelli took a gamble on tyre strategy, and the Abu Dhabi finale, where Bearman and O’Hara reflected on their rookie season. These moments served as bookends to the broader narrative of preparation and anticipation for the 2026 season.
With the Cadillac team’s debut looming and established teams like Mercedes and Haas pushing the boundaries of innovation, the 2026 Formula 1 season promises to be a pivotal moment in the sport’s history. The groundwork being laid now will determine which teams and drivers are best positioned to succeed in this new era.
