Sky Sports Adjusts Bahrain Test Coverage as Horner Reflects on Ricciardo's Potential

With just four weeks until the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, the F1 news cycle is accelerating. Key developments include a change to Sky Sports F1's pre-season testing broadcast schedule and former Red Bull boss Christian Horner's reflection that Daniel Ricciardo could have been a world champion with more competitive machinery during his tenure at the team.

Why it matters:

Pre-season testing is a critical window for teams and fans to gauge early performance, making broadcast access important. Meanwhile, Horner's comments add a poignant 'what-if' layer to Ricciardo's career narrative as the Australian aims to rebuild his standing at Visa Cash App RB. These stories collectively set the stage for the impending 2026 season.

The details:

• Broadcast Change: Sky Sports F1 has confirmed a deviation from its recent pre-season testing format for the upcoming session in Bahrain. Specific details of the change were not in the provided text, but it indicates adjusted coverage plans for the crucial three-day test.
• Horner's Claim: Christian Horner, Ricciardo's former team principal at Red Bull, stated the eight-time Grand Prix winner had the talent to secure a world championship. Horner suggested that a lack of consistently competitive cars during Ricciardo's peak years at Red Bull (2014-2018) was the primary factor that prevented him from claiming the ultimate title.
• Other News Briefs:
  • McLaren's Lando Norris predicted the new 2026 cars could lead to more "chaotic" races.
  • The FIA's Nicolas Tombazis addressed concerns that the new 2026 power units could create a performance gap similar to the Mercedes-dominated 2014 season, downplaying the likelihood.
  • The article also noted the anniversary of Robert Kubica's 2011 rally crash and mentioned McLaren CEO Zak Brown's interest in reuniting with Fernando Alonso for the Indy 500.

The big picture:

As winter testing approaches, these stories highlight the intersecting narratives of preparation, legacy, and anticipation that define the pre-season period. Broadcast adjustments aim to better serve fans hungry for the first real track action, while retrospective discussions about driver legacies remind us of the fine margins between greatness and what might have been. All eyes now turn to Bahrain, where the first true clues about the 2026 competitive order will emerge.