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F1 cars to roar down Marina Boulevard this Saturday

The demonstration will feature Oracle Red Bull Racing reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda.

News

Don&#x27;t be surprised if you see — or hear — some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Formula 1 cars" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/23/axios-house-davos-2026-racing-regulation-formulaone-redbull-carlyle" data-vars-content-id="f4e26a41-14d1-48cf-b7cb-9eef17a28dcc" data-vars-headline="F1 cars to roar down Marina Boulevard this Saturday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/23/axios-house-davos-2026-racing-regulation-formulaone-redbull-carlyle" target="_self">Formula 1 cars</a> racing across Marina Boulevard this weekend.Driving the news: Red Bull, the energy drink company known for its extreme sports series, is hosting a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Formula 1 demonstration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.redbull.com/us-en/events/red-bull-showrun-san-fran" data-vars-content-id="f4e26a41-14d1-48cf-b7cb-9eef17a28dcc" data-vars-headline="F1 cars to roar down Marina Boulevard this Saturday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.redbull.com/us-en/events/red-bull-showrun-san-fran" target="_blank">Formula 1 demonstration</a> on Saturday that guarantees you&#x27;ll feel the adrenaline up close.

SF Zoo names Cassandra Costello CEO after turbulent stretch

The nearly 100-year-old zoo intends to boost animal care, conservation and public trust.

The San Francisco Zoo named Cassandra Costello as its new CEO on Wednesday, ending a six-month interim period following the retirement of its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="embattled longtime director" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/zoo-ceo-tanya-peterson-20406340.php" data-vars-content-id="29f10f61-769c-4688-bf82-4b5af6376d69" data-vars-headline="SF Zoo names Cassandra Costello CEO after turbulent stretch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/zoo-ceo-tanya-peterson-20406340.php" target="_blank">embattled longtime director</a>.Why it matters: Costello inherits an institution still working to repair its reputation and operations. The zoo has faced years of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="public scrutiny and turmoil" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/zoo-city-criticism-20354057.php" data-vars-content-id="29f10f61-769c-4688-bf82-4b5af6376d69" data-vars-headline="SF Zoo names Cassandra Costello CEO after turbulent stretch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/zoo-city-criticism-20354057.php" target="_blank">public scrutiny and turmoil</a> over its management, making her appointment a pivotal moment for the nearly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="100-year-old institution" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sfzoo.org/the-history-of-the-san-francisco-zoo/" data-vars-content-id="29f10f61-769c-4688-bf82-4b5af6376d69" data-vars-headline="SF Zoo names Cassandra Costello CEO after turbulent stretch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sfzoo.org/the-history-of-the-san-francisco-zoo/" target="_blank">100-year-old institution</a>.

How much Californian families spend on health care

Premiums and deductibles now take a significant share of median family income.

Health insurance costs ate up 11% of median family income in California in 2024, according to a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2026/is-employer-coverage-affordable-how-states-stack-up" data-vars-content-id="428c78af-8894-4176-9ca9-bba4c3d7548b" data-vars-headline="How much Californian families spend on health care" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2026/is-employer-coverage-affordable-how-states-stack-up" target="_blank">analysis</a>. Why it matters: The findings show how tough it can be to afford health care, even with insurance, for many of the estimated 167 million Americans who get coverage through an employer.

Alysa Liu's journey from Oakland ice to Olympic gold

Fans are calling for the Bay Area to host a parade for the 20-year-old skater after her gold medal win in Milan.

Sports

The Bay Area erupted in raucous cheers this week after hometown hero Alysa Liu ended a 24-year U.S. drought in women&#x27;s figure skating at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Milan Olympics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/04/olympic-village-2026-milan-cortina" data-vars-content-id="9538a457-a674-4ff7-b1fd-8882e4b52fde" data-vars-headline="Alysa Liu&#x27;s journey from Oakland ice to Olympic gold" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/04/olympic-village-2026-milan-cortina" target="_self">Milan Olympics</a>.Why it matters: Liu, a Richmond native who grew up skating in Oakland and San Francisco, is bringing home gold as the first American Olympic champion since Sarah Hughes in 2002.

Central Subway debate returns during a shaky moment for transit

Supervisor Danny Sauter is leading a renewed push to extend the subway to North Beach and Fisherman's Wharf.

Can the promise of a Central Subway extension help anchor the campaign to save <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Francisco public transit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/09/10/bay-area-transit-bart-muni-sf-loan-negotiations-newsom" data-vars-content-id="443affb5-6114-4416-9a47-9f7885eb5947" data-vars-headline="Central Subway debate returns during a shaky moment for transit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/09/10/bay-area-transit-bart-muni-sf-loan-negotiations-newsom" target="_self">San Francisco public transit</a>? That was the question hanging over a city hearing in which officials estimated the cost could near $2 billion.The big picture: District 3 Supervisor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Danny Sauter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/12/23/danny-sauter-district-3-supervisor" data-vars-content-id="443affb5-6114-4416-9a47-9f7885eb5947" data-vars-headline="Central Subway debate returns during a shaky moment for transit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/12/23/danny-sauter-district-3-supervisor" target="_self">Danny Sauter</a> is leading a renewed push to extend the Central Subway to North Beach and Fisherman&#x27;s Wharf as the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) faces route and service cuts amid <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$300 million annual deficits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sfmta.com/project-updates/sfmtas-financial-crisis" data-vars-content-id="443affb5-6114-4416-9a47-9f7885eb5947" data-vars-headline="Central Subway debate returns during a shaky moment for transit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sfmta.com/project-updates/sfmtas-financial-crisis" target="_blank">$300 million annual deficits</a>.

How SF is navigating a pivotal year in transportation

Budget gaps, robotaxi concerns and safety fixes are converging this year as the Bay prepares to host major global events.

San Francisco&#x27;s transportation landscape is entering a consequential year as regional transit systems teeter on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="brink of fiscal collapse" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/09/11/newsom-support-public-transit-muni-bart-rescue-loan-california" data-vars-content-id="bf50cd58-8121-4adb-bc9a-677c835494b5" data-vars-headline="How SF is navigating a pivotal year in transportation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/09/11/newsom-support-public-transit-muni-bart-rescue-loan-california" target="_self">brink of fiscal collapse</a>.Why it matters: The crisis comes as the Bay Area prepares for an international spotlight — and an influx of thousands of people — as the host of the Super Bowl and multiple World Cup events this year.

Where SF Lime scooter rides end up most

The city's Lime ridership doubled in 2025, with thousands ending trips at major transit hubs.

If <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lime trips" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/06/03/lime-spin-sf-operating-permits-granted" data-vars-content-id="7770e09d-e4b0-4b12-afeb-6f5e1e5d24d5" data-vars-headline="Where SF Lime scooter rides end up most" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/06/03/lime-spin-sf-operating-permits-granted" target="_self">Lime trips</a> had a final stop in San Francisco last year, odds are it was Pier 39, the Ferry Building or the 4th and King Caltrain station, per company data first shared with Axios.Why it matters: These numbers obviously don&#x27;t tell us rider intent, but the concentration of trip endpoints around transit hubs is an interesting data point in the ongoing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="conversation around San Francisco transportation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/transit" data-vars-content-id="7770e09d-e4b0-4b12-afeb-6f5e1e5d24d5" data-vars-headline="Where SF Lime scooter rides end up most" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/transit" target="_self">conversation around San Francisco transportation</a>.

SF launches street safety overhaul as traffic deaths climb

24 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes last year, the highest since 2007.

Mayor Daniel Lurie unveiled a citywide overhaul of street safety strategies this week, amid upticks in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="traffic-related injuries and fatalities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/04/29/most-dangerous-intersections-sf" data-vars-content-id="f6111e27-cb9b-4338-a9cd-a27a1ff225d1" data-vars-headline="SF launches street safety overhaul as traffic deaths climb" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/04/29/most-dangerous-intersections-sf" target="_self">traffic-related injuries and fatalities</a>.The big picture: San Francisco previously committed to zero traffic deaths by 2024, but the street safety plan <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expired last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/05/21/san-francisco-vision-zero-push-pedestrian-deaths" data-vars-content-id="f6111e27-cb9b-4338-a9cd-a27a1ff225d1" data-vars-headline="SF launches street safety overhaul as traffic deaths climb" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/05/21/san-francisco-vision-zero-push-pedestrian-deaths" target="_self">expired last year</a> without success.

Zoox's self-driving cars hit San Francisco streets

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waymo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/05/28/waymo-san-francisco-driverless-car" data-vars-content-id="0175a25c-c184-4d19-b20a-9f30f3054a99" data-vars-headline="Zoox&#x27;s self-driving cars hit San Francisco streets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/05/28/waymo-san-francisco-driverless-car" target="_self">Waymo</a>, you&#x27;ve got competition. Zoox&#x27;s cute little carriages are now available for free rides in the SoMa, Mission and Design District neighborhoods.The big picture: The Bay Area-headquartered company, owned by Amazon, is rolling out service in San Francisco at no cost to early users. The feedback will allow Zoox to adjust the design and technology as it looks to scale up its operations.

Here's how much time Bay Area drivers spend stuck in traffic

Commuters are losing more time in traffic than ever before, new data shows.

One thing Bay Area residents love is complaining about traffic, and now, we have some hard data to back the griping.The big picture: The average car commuter in the San Francisco metro area is spending a record 134 hours annually <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stuck in traffic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/08/slowest-driving-cities-america-list" data-vars-content-id="71f8cf01-bb44-4782-bd45-5f27d69669df" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s how much time Bay Area drivers spend stuck in traffic" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/08/slowest-driving-cities-america-list" target="_self">stuck in traffic</a>, amid changes in when and why we drive, a new report finds.

Muni unveils colorful new holiday bus design

A new vibrant design turns Muni's 49 Van Ness line into a festive rolling canvas.

Muni&#x27;s 49 Van Ness is getting a makeover.The big picture: Following in the footsteps of the beloved psychedelic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Grateful Dead bus wrap" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/07/23/sf-muni-honors-grateful-dead-with-psychedelic-art-designs" data-vars-content-id="09755d55-5fcc-4295-9e3a-288cea3fdc97" data-vars-headline="Muni unveils colorful new holiday bus design" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/07/23/sf-muni-honors-grateful-dead-with-psychedelic-art-designs" target="_self">Grateful Dead bus wrap</a>, this year&#x27;s Muni <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="holiday sweater design" data-vars-click-url="https://themunistore.com/products/patchwork-holiday-pullover" data-vars-content-id="09755d55-5fcc-4295-9e3a-288cea3fdc97" data-vars-headline="Muni unveils colorful new holiday bus design" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://themunistore.com/products/patchwork-holiday-pullover" target="_blank">holiday sweater design</a> is being blown up and wrapped around buses along the 49 Van Ness route, adding a splash of color ahead of seasonal festivities.

Uber to launch robotaxis in San Francisco in 2026

Testing has started in San Francisco as Uber preps for a 2026 robotaxi rollout.

Transit

Uber is now testing robotaxis in San Francisco with plans to roll out the service in the Bay Area in late 2026, the company announced Wednesday.<ul><li>The &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Uber-exclusive robotaxi" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/Uber/status/1983539541635191040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1983539541635191040%7Ctwgr%5E2165419096b166acb563bd7e7ce11618c892bfc5%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fembeds.sfstandard.com%2Fembed%3Fid%3D03845465-d85e-4ce1-94a6-e283ff0df957" data-vars-content-id="8a41abbd-25a8-4e2c-aabd-99d51d5cfc15" data-vars-headline="Uber to launch robotaxis in San Francisco in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/Uber/status/1983539541635191040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1983539541635191040%7Ctwgr%5E2165419096b166acb563bd7e7ce11618c892bfc5%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fembeds.sfstandard.com%2Fembed%3Fid%3D03845465-d85e-4ce1-94a6-e283ff0df957" target="_blank">Uber-exclusive robotaxi</a>&quot; will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="launch" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/17/uber-robotaxi-lucid-nuro" data-vars-content-id="8a41abbd-25a8-4e2c-aabd-99d51d5cfc15" data-vars-headline="Uber to launch robotaxis in San Francisco in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/17/uber-robotaxi-lucid-nuro" target="_self">launch</a> in partnership with autonomous vehicle firm Nuro and electric vehicle maker Lucid.</li></ul>

San Francisco adopts new street safety plan to reduce fatal crashes

The plan calls for more speed‑humps, daylighting and pedestrian islands to improve safety.

San Francisco&#x27;s Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously passed a new street safety plan with sweeping measures designed to reduce severe and fatal traffic crashes.Why it matters: 12% of San Francisco&#x27;s streets account for 68% of the city&#x27;s most severe and fatal traffic collisions, with excessive speed as the leading cause of injury and death, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="SFMTA" data-vars-click-url="https://sfgov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&amp;ID=14222500&amp;GUID=E4EC2191-19D6-41D3-95C8-01F0A889A5DB" data-vars-content-id="8b5b3029-5107-49b1-a408-7e1fea3021ad" data-vars-headline="San Francisco adopts new street safety plan to reduce fatal crashes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sfgov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&amp;ID=14222500&amp;GUID=E4EC2191-19D6-41D3-95C8-01F0A889A5DB" target="_blank">SFMTA</a>.

Waymo approved to launch robotaxis at SFO

Travelers could soon hail Waymo robotaxis at SFO under a phased rollout approved this week.

Waymo will begin the first phase of rolling out its robotaxis at San Francisco International Airport in the coming weeks, a spokesperson confirmed to Axios Tuesday. Why it matters: San Francisco is positioning itself as a leader in autonomous transit, using robotaxis to modernize travel and boost its appeal to visitors.

Transit 🚗

Central Subway debate returns during a shaky moment for transit

How SF is navigating a pivotal year in transportation

Where SF Lime scooter rides end up most

SF launches street safety overhaul as traffic deaths climb

Zoox's self-driving cars hit San Francisco streets