James Vowles, former Mercedes strategist, reveals Lewis Hamilton's remarkable leadership and composure immediately after losing the 2021 title in Abu Dhabi, calling his dignified response the hallmark of a "true champion."
During F1's April break, Mercedes and McLaren conducted an intensive two-day Pirelli tyre test at the Nürburgring. Their drivers, including George Russell and Lando Norris, completed hundreds of laps to develop next-generation compounds, providing crucial data and enjoying a return to the historic circuit.
In 2006 Paul Di Resta clinched the Formula 3 Euro Series title, out‑qualifying and out‑racing peers like Sebastian Vettel, Kamui Kobayashi and Romain Grosjean – a feat that hinted at his future.
Lando Norris, while still frustrated by the 2026 F1 car's complex energy management, now sees promise in the regulations. He praises the raw, challenging drive but argues software fixes are needed to stop the power unit from punishing aggressive cornering, hoping to unlock the rules' full potential.
Mercedes and McLaren completed a two-day Pirelli tyre test at the Nürburgring, with all their race drivers logging laps to help develop compounds for the 2026 F1 season. Alpine also ran a separate filming day at Silverstone. The tests provide valuable extra track time and shared data for future development.
Haas F1 driver Oliver Bearman reports he is fully recovered from a 50G crash at the Japanese GP, returning to simulator work within days. The incident, caused by a misjudged overtake, highlights ongoing safety concerns about closing speeds with current car regulations.
Sky F1 commentator Martin Brundle has reassured fans he is not stepping back, confirming he is contracted for 16 races per season. He dismissed reports of a major change as "clickbait," while stand-in pundit Jenson Button distanced himself from being labeled Brundle's "natural successor."
Alpine kept busy during F1's unexpected April hiatus by running a filming day at Silverstone with Franco Colapinto. The session provided valuable track time and data as the team looks to build on its strong start to the season, which has been boosted by its new Mercedes power unit.
Red Bull is targeting a Miami GP upgrade to cure its RB22's critical handling flaw: unpredictable suspension behavior under load. The fix focuses on better aeromechanical integration and weight loss, not engine power, as the team seeks a stable platform to challenge consistently again.
Liam Lawson's 2026 F1 season has begun with greater stability and points finishes, marking a positive turnaround. Racing Bulls boss Alan Permane acknowledges the driver's speed but stresses that eliminating mistakes and achieving consistency is the essential next phase for Lawson to fully deliver on his potential.
F1 legend Juan Pablo Montoya suggests Max Verstappen should consider a move to Mercedes, calling it a "perfect opportunity" amid Red Bull's struggles. Separately, drivers George Russell and Oscar Piastri have endorsed bringing the historic Nürburgring circuit back to the F1 calendar, praising its classic challenge during a tire test.
The sudden death of designer Harvey Postlethwaite in 1999 led to the immediate cancellation of Honda's factory F1 team, costing test driver Jos Verstappen a prime seat and leaving the promising RA099 car as a historical footnote.
