GPDA chief Alexander Wurz urges the FIA to ban sudden high‑speed deployment spikes after Oliver Bearman's near‑fatal Suzuka crash, proposing a standardized software fix to prevent similar rear‑end collisions.
Bottas’s rapid‑fire Q&A crowned Verstappen the most naturally gifted driver, gave Hamilton top marks for travel and gym habits, and added playful rankings on fashion, cooking and dancing, sparking a fan poll.
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur is not worried about Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc's hard racing, praising their respect and team-first attitude. He sees their battles as positive competition, crucial as Ferrari consistently scores podiums and fights McLaren for position in the championship.
Aston Martin's Mike Krack insists relations with engine supplier Honda are strong, despite their 2026 car suffering from crippling reliability and a severe lack of performance. The team celebrated a first race finish in Japan but remains far from competitive, facing a 'big mountain to climb' to salvage their works partnership ambitions.
Martin Brundle says former Audi boss Jonathan Wheatley, who left after two races, could join Aston Martin. His connection with Adrian Newey may add the stability AMR needs amid its early‑season woes.
Juan Pablo Montoya has fired back at Max Verstappen's criticism of F1's 2026 rules, telling the reigning champion to 'shut up' and arguing his frustration is due to Red Bull's current car, not the regulations. Montoya emphasized that no driver is bigger than the sport, warning that if Verstappen leaves, F1 will move on without him.
Max Verstappen enjoyed testing a Super GT Nissan but says the Japanese series' lack of a single marquee event, unlike the historic Suzuka 1000km, makes a guest race entry difficult. While a wildcard spot at Sepang in 2026 is a remote possibility, his participation depends on calendar alignment and his evolving F1 career plans.
Max Verstappen will trade the F1 paddock for the Nürburgring Nordschleife this month, competing in the 24 Hours qualifying races. He teams up with Lucas Auer in a Mercedes-AMG GT3, aiming to gain crucial night-driving experience ahead of the full endurance classic in May.
Charles Leclerc says Ferrari must find "huge gains" in all areas—power unit, chassis, aero, and tyre management—to catch Mercedes, emphasizing that holistic development, not just engine power, is the key to becoming a consistent title contender in the 2026 Formula 1 season.
George Russell remains unconcerned after losing the early championship lead to Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, attributing the points swing to race circumstances like Safety Car timing. He believes his underlying speed is strong and views the upcoming four-week break as a perfect reset in the long 22-race season.
Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli has won two of the first three races in 2026, leading the championship and being labeled a title favorite by rivals. His performances have sparked a major shift in team dynamics, placing established teammate George Russell under immediate pressure.
David Coulthard has told George Russell to see the Mercedes title fight as a 'war zone' after falling behind rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli in the standings. Coulthard argues Russell must abandon a friendly approach to challenge the teenager's early season momentum, while also questioning if Antonelli can maintain his pace over a full Grand Prix season.
