Helmut Marko urges the FIA to scale back hybrid systems and refocus on the internal‑combustion engine after Max Verstappen doubts his F1 future, citing battery reliance and the RB22’s handling woes.
McLaren boss Andrea Stella praises Oscar Piastri's mental strength, calling him the "strongest" he's ever been after the driver overcame a start to 2026 that saw him fail to start the first two races. Stella highlighted Piastri's leadership in lifting the team, culminating in a near-victory performance in Japan that has surprised even McLaren themselves.
Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda, now Red Bull’s reserve after a brief senior seat stint, vows to stay in F1, emphasizing his peak fitness and readiness for a surprise race‑seat call‑up.
Sergio Perez has pushed back against criticism from Mario Andretti that he is 'rusty,' defending his own performance level in Cadillac's difficult debut F1 season. While acknowledging the car's significant pace deficit, Perez cited progress in Japan and is now pinning hopes on a major upgrade for the Miami GP to close the gap to the midfield.
Against all preseason expectations, Haas F1 holds fourth place in the championship. Team boss Ayao Komatsu, while delighted, says the goal is not to protect that spot but to improve processes and performance. Rookie Oliver Bearman has been key to their points haul but is recovering from a crash in Japan.
Fernando Alonso shares the name of his first child, Leonard Alonso Jiménez, after receiving a personalized paddock pass from Formula 1. The Aston Martin driver, 44, became a father just before the Japanese GP and revealed the news via social media.
A Williams junior driver averted a potentially massive crash during a Formula 2 session hit by treacherous, sudden rain. The skillful avoidance highlights the intense risks in driver development and the critical composure needed to handle extreme conditions on the path to F1.
F1 veteran David Coulthard warns George Russell he must psychologically challenge the rising confidence of rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli, who leads the championship after a stunning start. Coulthard argues Russell needs to 'erode' Antonelli's self-belief to regain control within Mercedes, highlighting the delicate balance between competition and team harmony.
Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies reveals Max Verstappen's key leadership strength lies in his consistent, disciplined ability to unify and motivate the entire engineering team after every session, driving collective effort towards solving performance limitations.
Jacques Villeneuve reveals he was never intimidated by Michael Schumacher, crediting his IndyCar background and famous surname. In a candid reflection on their fierce rivalry, he details their distant off-track relationship and how his fearless, hold-strong approach in battles was something Schumacher wasn't used to, exemplified by his legendary outside pass at Estoril in 1996.
Pierre Gasly acknowledges the problems with F1's 2026 qualifying format but warns against excessive negativity, arguing it undervalues driver skill. He joins the grid in calling for a return to flat-out racing as stakeholders prepare for a crucial rule review.
A poll of over 2,000 F1 fans shows 93% believe regulations must change after Oliver Bearman's violent Suzuka crash, caused by a dangerous 50kph speed differential. The incident has intensified the debate over safety risks in the sport's new technical era, putting pressure on the FIA ahead of scheduled review talks.
