Max Verstappen astounded his Mercedes GT3 teammate Dani Juncadella with a 'special trick' for following closely in turbulent air during a race at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Juncadella, a GT veteran, was so impressed he kept the technique a secret, highlighting Verstappen's instant adaptation and racecraft in his first real GT3 battle, heavily aided by his sim racing experience.
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has voiced serious safety fears over F1's new 2026-spec power units, citing Oliver Bearman's high-speed crash in Japan and unpredictable car behavior under partial throttle as critical issues that require immediate review by the FIA and teams.
Lewis Hamilton and Kim Kardashian star in a fast-paced, cinematic video shot in Tokyo, styled after the *Tokyo Drift* franchise. The viral social media clip, created with photographer 13thwitness, highlights the intersection of F1 and mainstream pop culture.
Lewis Hamilton appeared to confirm rumors of a relationship with Kim Kardashian by posting an Instagram video of them driving together in Tokyo. This marks the first time either has publicly acknowledged the connection, fueling speculation that has followed them since the beginning of the year. The news emerges as Hamilton builds momentum with Ferrari, having just secured his first podium for the team in China.
Lewis Hamilton will get his first taste of a Ferrari F1 car this week during a Pirelli tire test at Fiorano. The session, which also features Charles Leclerc, is a key early step in Hamilton's integration with the team ahead of his blockbuster move for the 2025 season.
Williams boss James Vowles says the team's major car upgrades are coming after F1's summer break, with recent races being used unconventionally as live aerodynamic tests to fast-track development and escape their current Q1 exit cycle.
F1 veteran Riccardo Patrese has bluntly told Fernando Alonso to "shut up and drive" following the Spaniard's public criticism of Aston Martin's struggling car. Patrese acknowledged the car's problems but said a champion should defend his team. The rebuke comes as analyst Jolyon Palmer said Alonso's role has been reduced to that of a test driver due to the car's severe lack of pace.
Martin Brundle argues that F1's current power unit software, which can override driver input on energy deployment, may violate the long-standing rule that drivers must control their cars 'alone and unaided'. The issue, spotlighted by Lando Norris's experience of an unwanted overtake, raises fundamental questions about the balance between human skill and machine automation in the sport.
Haas rookie Oliver Bearman escaped a 50G crash at Suzuka with just a bruised knee and is set to return for Miami. The accident, caused by a huge speed differential with a car ahead, has forced F1 to urgently examine safety risks posed by the new-generation cars' hybrid systems.
F1 analyst Jolyon Palmer claims Fernando Alonso's role at Aston Martin has diminished to that of a 'test driver' due to the team's severe lack of competitiveness. With the car uncompetitive and unreliable, Alonso is reduced to gathering data with no chance to fight for points, highlighting a dramatic fall from the team's 2023 form.
Nico Hülkenberg explains that modern F1 is a tactical battle with energy systems, where a driver's success hinges on strategic resource management. He describes the constant calculation of when to deploy electrical energy as both engaging and frustrating, creating a significant gap between the on-screen spectacle and the driver's reality of calculated risks and severe penalties for error.
McLaren and Mercedes will run a Pirelli tyre test at Germany's Nürburgring in April, marking F1's first on-track activity in the country since 2020. The test is a nod to Germany's rich F1 history and part of Pirelli's ongoing development work, as the tyre supplier also looks to secure its future in the sport beyond 2027.
