Toto Wolff insists Max Verstappen flirt was “just a coincidence”
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff believes he handled the 2026 Formula 1 driver market “in the most straightforward and fair way”. That’s despite Wolff wooing four-time world champion Max Verstappen until it emerged that the Red Bull driver would be unable to activate a performance clause to exit his Red Bull contract early; the speculation cast doubt on incumbents George Russell…
Pokémon, sports trading card boom boosts Target, Walmart ahead of holiday season
Trading cards of the game "Magic" are located in a shop where a "Magic" tournament is taking place. Frank Rumpenhorst | picture alliance | Getty Images As screentime soars and technology races ahead, a low-tech pastime is back in a big way: collecting trading cards. The cardstock depicting everything from NFL standouts to Pokémon and even Taylor Swift is one of the hottest toy categories…
Stellantis teams up with Pony AI to develop robotaxis in Europe | Madconsole
Automaker Stellantis and Chinese autonomous vehicle company Pony.ai have signed a nonbinding agreement to build robotaxis for deployment in Europe. The collaboration will integrate Pony’s self-driving software into Stellantis’ electric medium-size van platform, which is built with advanced sensors to support autonomous vehicles. The companies plan to first deploy test vehicles based on the…
Johann Zarco abandons new Honda MotoGP parts in Australia amid ongoing struggles
Johann Zarco has discarded some new parts on his Honda MotoGP bike during the Australian Grand Prix sprint as he continues to struggle to regain form in the second half of the 2025 season. The Frenchman had been Honda’s top performer ever since joining the Sakura-based manufacturer in 2024 after a two-year stint at Pramac Ducati, with a victory in the rain-hit French GP in May being the…
Hyundai only has one option for WRC 2027, here’s how it could play out
Hyundai’s only option to continue its participation in the World Rally Championship in 2027 will be to field an upgraded Rally2 car, according to team principal Cyril Abiteboul. The Korean marque’s future in the WRC beyond the end of the season has been unclear as it continues to weigh up its options regarding its factory motorsport programmes. Hyundai has been among the most vocal about the…
Max Verstappen versus Lando Norris: the data behind the “crazy” last corner in Austin
Max Verstappen topped the times at the Circuit of the Americas on Friday in the first of two Formula 1 qualifying sessions this weekend – another sign of Red Bull's recent progress with the RB21. Heading into the race weekend, team boss Laurent Mekies suggested that Austin’s medium-speed corners would suit McLaren better, saying McLaren “killed” Red Bull in Zandvoort…
Thank you to our Disrupt 2025 sponsors | Madconsole
Madconsole Disrupt 2025 wouldn’t be what it is without the incredible companies that power the innovation behind the scenes. From headline partners to emerging collaborators, our sponsors help make Disrupt the ultimate destination for founders, investors, and visionaries shaping the future of tech. Their insights, technologies, and support bring each stage, session, and startup moment to life — turning bold ideas into…
Marco Bezzecchi was “quite scared” after seagull strike in Australian GP sprint
Marco Bezzecchi has admitted that he was “quite scared” that he had damaged his Aprilia MotoGP bike after an unfortunate collision with a seagull on the warm-up lap of the Australian Grand Prix sprint. A flock of seagulls gathered on the start/finish straight before the formation lap got under way at Phillip Island, with Bezzecchi striking a wayward bird as he set off from pole position.
Sebastien Ogier crashes out of Central European Rally
World Rally Championship leader Sebastien Ogier has crashed out of the Central European Rally in what could be a pivotal moment in the title race. The eight-time world champion had just lost the lead of the 18-stage asphalt event by 0.7s to Toyota title rival Kalle Rovanpera in Saturday’s first test, before drama struck in stage 10 . Pushing hard in wet conditions, Ogier ran wide onto the leaves and went off the…
McLaren won’t prioritise a driver in F1 title fight despite “too close” Max Verstappen
McLaren boss Zak Brown has rejected claims his team will favour either one of Oscar Piastri or Lando Norris in the 2025 Formula 1 title fight - claiming Max Verstappen is “too close for comfort”. The British outfit has dominated the season and it clinched the constructors’ crown with six rounds remaining by finishing third and fourth last time out at the…
