Long‑time Red Bull mechanic Ole Schack, key to Verstappen’s four titles, has resigned as the team faces staff exits and a weak start to 2026, sitting sixth in the constructors’ standings.
Formula 1's planned debut in Vietnam, set for April 2020, was first postponed by the pandemic and then permanently canceled following the arrest and imprisonment of a key political backer on corruption charges, abandoning a specially built $600 million circuit.
Ole Schack, Max Verstappen's front-end mechanic and a Red Bull fixture since its 2005 inception, is leaving the team. His departure, motivated by a changed atmosphere post-Christian Horner, is part of a wider exodus of experienced personnel as Red Bull navigates internal restructuring and on-track performance struggles.
Pierre Gasly calls for less negativity around the 2026 F1 regulations, stressing driver skill remains vital despite concerns over energy management. He reflects on his Suzuka battle with Max Verstappen and Alpine's much-improved form this season.
Fernando Alonso delivers a damning assessment of F1's 2026 rules, claiming high-speed corners have become mere 'charging stations' for battery energy, stripping away the driver skill that once defined the sport. He argues the focus has shifted entirely to energy management, making iconic challenges like Suzuka's 130R corner manageable for non-drivers and fundamentally altering F1's competitive essence.
Jacques Villeneuve warns Mercedes should be concerned about McLaren's pace after the Japanese GP, suggesting their early 2026 advantage may be fragile. While Mercedes leads the standings, McLaren's strong performance on a car-dependent track like Suzuka signals a potentially tighter fight ahead, with team orders looming as an internal challenge for Toto Wolff.
Mercedes phenom Kimi Antonelli is shattering F1's age records, having already become the youngest polesitter, championship leader, and hat-trick scorer. He's on a path to challenge for the title of youngest world champion by 2029, though records for youngest winner and points scorer remain with Max Verstappen.
Ex-F1 driver Johnny Herbert cites Lola's new sustainable fuel V8 sports car as a blueprint for F1's future, criticizing the current hybrid engines. He reveals whispers of a possible return to sustainable-fuel V8s by 2030, arguing it offers a better blend of sustainability, sound, and simplicity for the sport.
Martin Brundle has dismissed Max Verstappen's ongoing criticism of F1's new regulations as "boring," but this view overlooks a key fact: Verstappen is the most prominent voice for a widespread lack of driver enjoyment. The debate highlights a core conflict between the sport's commercial image and addressing genuine concerns that could influence the future of its top stars.
Ex-F1 driver Timo Glock says Ferrari must set clear rules for Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after their close fights in China and Japan. He argues the team needs to prevent points loss from their battles, even as he praises Hamilton's return to top form alongside the consistently fast Leclerc.
While Formula 1 takes a break, April offers a full roster of premier motorsport events. Fans can follow the Bathurst 6 Hour, a Supercars double-header in New Zealand, IndyCar at Long Beach, the start of the FIA WEC season at Imola, MotoGP in Jerez, and key NASCAR races, featuring stars like Shane van Gisbergen and Marco Bezzecchi.
In a candid reflection, Daniel Ricciardo details the emotional process behind his F1 retirement, urging drivers to make the decision alone by removing "fairytales" and ego. He emphasizes brutal self-honesty over external encouragement, drawing from his own experience of being replaced after a hoped-for Red Bull comeback failed to materialize.
