Max Verstappen has publicly endorsed his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase's decision to join McLaren in a senior role, confirming Lambiase sought his blessing first. Verstappen called it an "incredible opportunity" and insisted their strong bond and friendship would endure beyond their working partnership at Red Bull.
Martin Brundle says Mercedes driver George Russell must now focus on teammate Kimi Antonelli, who after his Japan win leads the title and sits nine points ahead of Russell heading into the Miami Grand Prix.
F1 analyst Karun Chandhok warns that Red Bull Racing's 'brain drain' of top talent, including Adrian Newey, points to a deeper cultural problem that success on track cannot fix. Team principal Laurent Mekies faces the critical task of making the team attractive again to stop the exodus, which coincides with a poor start to the 2026 season.
Romain Grosjean's F1 career was a testament to resilience, featuring a premature debut, a race ban, a transformation into a podium contender, and a miraculous survival from a horrific crash in Bahrain. His journey from 'first-lap nutcase' to respected Haas team leader, followed by a successful move to IndyCar, paints a picture of a driver who continually evolved and overcame extreme adversity.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has responded to Max Verstappen's harsh critique of current F1 regulations, which the champion compares to 'Mario Kart.' Verstappen calls the racing artificial and 'a joke,' prompting a public debate on the sport's direction as it balances entertainment with sporting purity.
Mercedes' George Russell enters the Miami GP feeling confident after a five-week break served as a 'good reset.' He aims to rebound from a tough Japan race, relying on the team's strong car package, while his teammate Kimi Antonelli leads the championship.
George Russell says he would understand if Max Verstappen left F1, noting the champion has achieved everything and may now seek racing that "puts a smile on his face." While hoping Verstappen stays, Russell acknowledges the sport is bigger than any one driver.
Red Bull promoted Ben Waterhouse to chief performance‑design engineer, hired Andrea Landi as head of performance and announced Gianpiero Lambiase will depart in 2028, to rebound from a sixth‑place start.
Oliver Bearman confirmed he’s recovered from a high‑speed Suzuka crash, noting only minor knee swelling and a quick return to simulator work, while labeling Franco Colapinto’s move “unacceptable” and urging tighter driver‑respect rules.
F1’s 2026 technical regulations have sparked debate, with Max Verstappen decrying lift‑and‑coast measures while CEO Stefano Domenicali urges a balanced, constructive dialogue and hints at rule tweaks.
Former world champion Damon Hill criticised ex‑FIA chief Max Mosley, saying his intelligence was wielded to sow hatred and division, recalling Mosley's safety reforms and controversial decisions that polarise F1.
Former F1 driver Karun Chandhok warns Red Bull that a wave of senior departures—from Adrian Newey to Gianpiero Lambiase—risks derailing the title bid, urging a hire to halt the brain drain and rebuild culture.
