Audi must find a new team principal after Mattia Binotto opted against the permanent role, while Mercedes and Haas have shown off special car designs for the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, highlighting key team operations and marketing efforts.
Honda heads to its home race in Japan with its 2026 power unit still crippled by mysterious vibrations. While fixes have prevented battery failures, the core issue remains unsolved, leaving Aston Martin desperate for reliability at the punishing Suzuka circuit.
Cadillac's new F1 team has prioritized reliability in its first two races, with drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas now setting a target of scoring championship points by the summer break. They cite a steady pipeline of performance upgrades and the team's deep reservoir of experience as reasons for optimism despite currently having the slowest car on the grid.
Max Verstappen's Winward Racing team lost a Nürburgring victory due to a disqualification for using an extra set of tires. Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher blasted the error as a "huge beginner's mistake," criticizing the team's professionalism and lack of focus given Verstappen's involvement.
Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar says the canceled Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GPs are a 'disadvantage,' as the team needs maximum track time to develop and understand its struggling 2026 car with a brand-new power unit.
Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad, the only rookie on the 2026 F1 grid, has made a stunning debut by scoring points in Australia. His manager, Oliver Rowland, praises the 18-year-old's composure as "beyond his years," highlighting a natural maturity that has been evident since childhood and is now translating to immediate on-track success with Racing Bulls.
Audi's search for a team principal is back to square one after interim appointee Mattia Binotto made clear he does not want the role permanently. Following Jonathan Wheatley's surprise exit, Binotto will fill the gap temporarily but aims to return to his factory-based duties, forcing Audi to find a new long-term solution for this critical leadership position.
A minor throttle lift by Charles Leclerc during Chinese GP qualifying exposed how the 2026 F1 cars' complex energy management rules can 'confuse' the power unit, forcing drivers to adopt a counterintuitive, conservative approach that clashes with the traditional 'flat-out' qualifying ethos.
Cadillac's new F1 team is focusing its strategy on winning over the estimated 80% of American F1 fans who don't currently support a specific team. The General Motors-backed outfit will base itself in Indianapolis to strengthen its US identity and plans to grow its fanbase before actively seeking a title sponsor.
On March 24, 2013, Sebastian Vettel blatantly ignored Red Bull's "Multi 21" team order, overtaking teammate Mark Webber to win the Malaysian GP. The act of insubordination shattered their partnership, sparked a legal threat, and became one of F1's most infamous controversies.
Charles Leclerc admits Ferrari trails Mercedes on outright pace but believes the team can still challenge its rivals through race strategy and on-track pressure, with upgrades in development to close the performance gap.
After Max Verstappen dominated a Nürburgring qualifying race, a TV commentator suggested he might be the 'weakest link' in his car's lineup for the upcoming 24-hour race due to inexperience. Teammate Dani Juncadella quickly fired back on social media, defending Verstappen by detailing his immediate speed and impressive racecraft during the event.
