Toto Wolff admits F1 misses the "controversial" personality of Christian Horner but doubts they could ever be allies, as rumors swirl about Horner seeking a team ownership stake to return to the sport. Wolff dismissed any link between Mercedes' own interest in Alpine and Horner's potential involvement.
Red Bull Racing is nearing a major apparel deal with Adidas, set to begin in 2027. The three-year contract is estimated to be worth €27 million per season, marking a significant commercial upgrade from current supplier Castore and expanding Adidas's presence in F1.
Oscar Piastri and McLaren showed unexpected race-winning pace at the Japanese GP, leading until a mistimed Safety Car handed victory to Mercedes. While a win was lost to circumstance, the performance marks a dramatic and positive turnaround for the struggling team in the 2026 season.
Max Verstappen's intense frustration with F1's 2026 'anti-racing' car regulations has him questioning his future in the sport. This prompted a warning from ex-driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen that competing without motivation is dangerous, highlighting a major crisis of confidence between the champion and the direction of Formula 1.
Oscar Piastri earned top marks in a dramatic Japanese GP, where Kimi Antonelli became F1's youngest championship leader despite a flawed drive. The race was punctuated by strategic twists, technical retirements, and a heavy crash for Oliver Bearman, highlighting a mix of standout performances and frustrating weekends across the grid.
Max Verstappen's frustrated radio messages during the Japanese GP, where he could not pass Pierre Gasly's Alpine, highlighted a critical Red Bull weakness. The champion cited poor battery deployment calibration after a failed overtake, admitting the car's energy management is not on par with Mercedes and is costing them in race conditions.
Pierre Gasly's defensive perfection for Alpine tops Edd Straw's performance rankings for Japan, ahead of a stellar Oscar Piastri and race-winner Kimi Antonelli. The list evaluates who truly excelled beyond the race results, with notable weekends for Esteban Ocon and a subdued performance from Max Verstappen.
Jacques Villeneuve has criticized Franco Colapinto for causing Oliver Bearman's scary 50G crash in Japan, blaming a late defensive move combined with the dangerous speed differentials of F1's new power units. The incident was compounded by a failure of the car's mandatory warning lights, reigniting safety debates.
David Coulthard endorses Jonathan Wheatley for a team principal role at Aston Martin, following Wheatley's exit from Audi. Coulthard highlighted Wheatley's fighter mentality, fueling speculation about a move that Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll has denied. The rumors put a spotlight on leadership structures within F1 teams.
Max Verstappen has raised the possibility of retiring from F1 at season's end, citing a lack of enjoyment and calling the current racing feel "unnatural." The Red Bull star, frustrated with the new regulations and a poor start, stressed that passion, not money, will dictate his future in the sport.
Will Buxton has slammed Aston Martin's frequent management changes, likening it to a chaotic football club and warning it harms team culture. This comes after Andy Cowell's short stint as team principal and Adrian Newey taking over for 2026, with rumors of further change already swirling.
Kimi Antonelli's victory in Japan made him F1's youngest-ever championship leader, opening a nine-point gap over Mercedes teammate George Russell and solidifying his status as a future star within the team's hierarchy.
