Hamilton's Manager Joins Cadillac as Williams Hides Suspension Secrets: F1 Roundup

Lewis Hamilton has split with manager Marc Hynes, who is set to take a role with the Cadillac F1 team, while Williams employed clever tactics to conceal its 2026 car's unique suspension design. Meanwhile, Aston Martin and Adrian Newey face mounting pressure over the delayed and troubled Honda power unit as the new season approaches.

Why it matters:

These developments highlight the intense off-track maneuvering and technical secrecy that define the pre-season period. A key figure in Hamilton's camp moving to a rival operation signals shifting alliances, while Williams' design secrecy underscores the competitive value of every technical innovation. The uncertainty surrounding Aston Martin's engine package could derail the highly anticipated debut of Newey's first car for the team, impacting the competitive order before the first race even begins.

The details:

• Hamilton's Managerial Shift: Marc Hynes, who rejoined Hamilton's inner circle ahead of the 2025 season, is parting ways with the seven-time champion to take a new position with the Cadillac F1 project. Hynes also manages Cadillac reserve driver Zhou Guanyu, solidifying his ties to the American brand's entry.
• Williams' Hidden Innovation: At the launch of its FW48, Williams presented the car with several suspension arms deliberately missing. This was a tactical move to hide its confirmed unique split setup, which utilizes both pushrod and pullrod suspension configurations—a design detail rivals are keen to analyze.
• Norris's Champion Mentality: Fresh off his 2025 title win, Lando Norris admits he is still targeting areas for improvement, specifically citing traits he admires in rival Max Verstappen as he prepares his title defense for 2026.
• Aston Martin's Dual Challenge: The team is grappling with a significant development delay and engine reliability concerns. Adrian Newey revealed the AMR26 project started four months behind competitors, contributing to its late and limited pre-season testing in Barcelona.
  • The larger worry is the Honda power unit, with HRC President Koji Watanabe recently admitting development is "not everything is going well," casting a shadow over the car's potential.

What's next:

The focus now shifts to the final pre-season test and the opening race, where these storylines will converge on the track. Williams' hidden suspension will be fully revealed under scrutineering, the performance of the Honda PU will be critically assessed, and Hamilton will begin his second season at Ferrari without his recent manager in the paddock. These behind-the-scenes moves will soon translate into on-track performance, setting the early narrative for the 2026 championship.