BBC Sport runs down the key things to look out for in the 2026 season, including fresh regulations, a new team and a British rookie joining the grid.

If you spot a car covered in thousands of multicolored Christmas lights cruising through Olney this week, you are not imagining things. You have found 22-year-old Daniel Geller, a lifelong Olney resident who has turned his Honda Accord into one of the brightest and most joyful holiday displays in Montgomery County.

What started as a passion for car modification has become a festive tradition aimed at spreading cheer during a year Daniel says has been especially hard for many people. Beginning at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17, he will be driving throughout Olney playing Christmas music and lighting up neighborhood streets. He is also taking requests from residents who want the display to pass by their homes.

Daniel says the idea grew from a mix of online inspiration and a moment shared with his father. Videos of cars wrapped in Christmas lights caught his attention, but the project truly took shape when he and his dad decided it would be their next project together. “I love working on my car with my dad,” he said. “He likes making people happy just like I do, so he inspired me to bring some joy to the community.”

He, his father, and his girlfriend spent six and a half hours installing more than 2,000 lights on the vehicle. The most challenging part was taping down each individual bulb, a task that required patience and precision. This is Daniel’s first full holiday-light display, but he has been modifying his car for two years. Earlier projects included rainbow grille lights, custom headlights and taillights, door lighting, a sporty spoiler, and engine upgrades. His interest in electronics goes back to childhood, when he used to install rainbow lights inside gaming controllers.

All of the Christmas lights run through wiring he routed into the car’s cigarette port. Despite the complexity, the setup has held strong through rain and snow. The reactions he receives on the road have made every hour of work worth it. “A man stopped me at a traffic light and told me the lights made his whole day better,” Daniel said. “That meant the world to me.”

Families often smile, wave, and take photos as he drives by. Sometimes Daniel turns the moment into something interactive. “If I see someone looking at my car, I will ask their favorite color and change the lights to match,” he said. He has also built a large online following, with more than 15 million views of his car on social media. “It is always nice when someone messages me later to say they saw me on the road and it brightened their day.”

Growing up in Olney played a major role in shaping his creativity, Daniel said. He remembers many opportunities in the community that encouraged imagination and hands-on projects. More than anything, he hopes the car brings people a moment of joy during a tough year. “I hope people feel a little extra happiness when I drive through their neighborhood,” he said. “This year has been stressful for many people. I want everyone to look forward to the holidays.”

Daniel will be playing a variety of Christmas music during his drives, including his favorite holiday song, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee. He will begin his holiday route at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17, and encourages anyone who wants him to drive through their street to reach out. “I just want to do my part in making these holidays fun and enjoyable for all,” he said.

A traditional Japanese festival is being adapted for poodles and Pomeranians, amid a booming pet industry and a dearth of children.

Uchiko, the nationally acclaimed sister concept to Austin’s award-winning Uchi, is officially moving forward with its first Maryland location in Bethesda. According to county records, the restaurant has received its permit to begin a $4.6 million interior build-out at 7315 Wisconsin Avenue, the former Ruth’s Chris Steak House space. The 9,000 SF restaurant is now slated for a mid-2026 debut, marking one of the region’s most anticipated culinary arrivals.

Hai Hospitality, the group led by James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole, first confirmed plans for Uchiko Bethesda in 2025. The concept, which translates to “child of Uchi,” blends Uchi’s refined approach to Japanese cuisine with a slightly more playful and modern edge. Uchiko has earned national recognition since launching in 2010, including being named Best New Restaurant in America by GQ that same year.

Chef Tyson Cole, one of the few American sushi masters, spent over a decade training in Tokyo, New York, and Austin under two different sushi masters before opening the original Uchi in 2003. His dedication to the craft quickly earned widespread acclaim. In 2005, Food & Wine named him one of its Top Ten Best New Chefs, and in 2011 he received the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest. Uchi went on to be named one of Bon Appétit’s Top Ten Sushi Spots in the U.S. in 2009.

Today, Uchi and Uchiko operate in several major cities across the country, with Bethesda joining the next wave of Hai Hospitality’s expansion. The company has described Uchiko as an evolution of the original concept, a space where culinary experimentation continues to grow while remaining rooted in traditional Japanese technique and hospitality.

With the multi-million-dollar fit-out now underway, Uchiko Bethesda is expected to become one of the most high-profile restaurant openings in the region next year, bringing a nationally celebrated dining experience to downtown Bethesda.

Confirmed flu cases among adults and children across Northern Ireland have more than trebled in the last two weeks.