Mar.27 (GMM) Max Verstappen refused to begin his Suzuka media session on Thursday until a British journalist left the room, in an extraordinary press conference standoff. The Red Bull driver singled out Giles Richards of The Guardian, telling the gaggle of reporters: “I’m not speaking before he’s leaving.” And after an extended back-and-forth, Verstappen snapped: […]
Hulk shocked by Wheatley exit, teammate hints at reasons
Mar.27 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg admits he was taken completely by surprise by former team boss Jonathan Wheatley’s sudden departure – learning of the news from an unlikely source. “I was in the simulator that day,” the German said at Suzuka. “Between two runs I looked at my phone – and my mother had sent me […]
Tension grows over Aston-Honda issues amid Suzuka strain
Mar.27 (GMM) Confusion and tension appear to be growing between Aston Martin and engine partner Honda, as both sides offered conflicting views on reliability ahead of Suzuka. At Honda’s home race, chief engineer Shintaro Orihara insisted progress has been made on the severe vibration issue that plagued the car in China and Australia. “From a […]
Sainz stunned by slump, Norris backs McLaren recovery
Mar.27 (GMM) Carlos Sainz admits he has been left shocked by Williams’ dramatic drop in form at the start of the 2026 season. Having joined Williams from Ferrari after 2024, the Spaniard had expected progress following a reasonably promising debut year – but instead finds himself fighting at the back of the field. “Honestly, we […]
Russell shrugs off Mercedes scrutiny as rivals push back
Mar.27 (GMM) George Russell says growing scrutiny of Mercedes’ early-season dominance is simply “how the sport works”, amid fresh technical controversies in Suzuka. Rival teams – led by Ferrari – have so far raised questions over Mercedes’ engine behaviour and now the active front wing system, prompting both rule tweaks and clarification requests. But Russell […]
Hamilton and Verstappen ‘stirring things up’ – Steiner
Mar.27 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he is enjoying Formula 1 more than ever under the controversial 2026 regulations – despite ongoing criticism from Max Verstappen. While Verstappen has repeatedly slammed the new era for its heavy energy management and lift-and-coast characteristics, Hamilton says the on-track product reminds him of his early racing days. “If you […]
Perez rejects ‘rusty’ claim as Cadillac duo settle in
Mar.27 (GMM) Sergio Perez has pushed back at suggestions he and teammate Valtteri Bottas are “rusty” after their return to Formula 1 with Cadillac. The ‘rusty’ comment came from F1 legend Mario Andretti, the team’s ambassador, amid a difficult start to the 2026 season for the new outfit. But former Red Bull driver Perez insists […]
Alonso late at Suzuka as fatherhood news emerges
Mar.26 (GMM) Fernando Alonso was absent from media duties ahead of the Japanese GP at Suzuka on Thursday – with strong reports in Spain indicating he has just become a father for the first time. Aston Martin said only that the 44-year-old would arrive “slightly later this weekend for personal family reasons”, insisting “all is […]
Monza test talk fades, FIA tweaks energy rules
Mar.26 (GMM) Talk in the Suzuka paddock about a potential Ferrari-organised test at Monza is already fading, amid resistance from rival teams and fresh intervention from the FIA over Formula 1’s controversial 2026 rules. With April’s Gulf races cancelled, an unexpected gap has opened up in the calendar – prompting speculation Ferrari could use the […]
Leclerc downplays Ferrari-Merc fight despite early battles
Mar.25 (GMM) Charles Leclerc has played down the apparent closeness between Ferrari and Mercedes, insisting the gap at the front is “not as close as it looks”. Although Ferrari has emerged as the clear second team behind the dominant Mercedes outfit after the opening two races of 2026, Leclerc says the on-track battles have been […]
Mercedes tweaks front wing after Ferrari query
Mar.26 (GMM) Mercedes has reportedly made subtle changes to its much-discussed front wing design at Suzuka, following Ferrari’s queries about its behaviour in China. Ferrari had approached the FIA for clarification over what it believed could be a “two-phase” transition in the wing’s operation – raising questions about whether it fully complied with the intent […]
Leclerc plays down Suzuka energy tweak impact
Mar.26 (GMM) Charles Leclerc does not expect Formula 1’s new qualifying rule tweak to make a major difference, amid ongoing concerns about the 2026 regulations. The FIA confirmed ahead of practice at Suzuka that the maximum permitted energy recharge for qualifying has been reduced from 9 megajoules to 8, in a bid to limit excessive […]
Wolff dismisses freshest Verstappen rumours
Mar.25 (GMM) Toto Wolff has brushed aside fresh speculation linking Max Verstappen with a move to Mercedes, insisting he has no reason to consider a driver change. Rumours have suggested Verstappen – publicly enraged with the 2026 regulations and uncompetitive at Red Bull – could be a target for 2027. It is said he would […]
Wolff hits back as Marko reveals 2026 concerns
Mar.25 (GMM) Toto Wolff has defended Formula 1’s controversial 2026 regulations amid renewed criticism from Dr Helmut Marko, as the debate over the new era continues to intensify. When asked about the growing backlash, the Mercedes boss insisted the picture is not as one-sided as some suggest. “Not everyone’s complaining, but some drivers are having […]
Newey ‘not doing well’ as crisis deepens – Marko
Mar.25 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has revealed he has been in contact with Adrian Newey – and says his former colleague is struggling amid Aston Martin’s troubled start to 2026. “I’ve been in contact with him,” the now-retired Red Bull advisor Marko told Osterreich. “He’s not doing well. There are problems with this project that […]
Domenicali admits 2026 rules tweak possible
Mar.25 (GMM) Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has acknowledged that changes to the controversial 2026 regulations may be needed – but insists any adjustments must be made “in a constructive way”. Amid ongoing criticism from drivers including Max Verstappen, Domenicali made clear the door is not closed to refinements. “What I’ve told him is to […]
Herta gives debut ‘C-minus’ as F2 start shows gaps
Mar.25 (GMM) Colton Herta has rated his first Formula 2 weekend a modest “C-minus” as the American begins his high-risk push toward Formula 1. The 25-year-old, who left a race-winning IndyCar career to pursue an F1 seat with Cadillac, endured a mixed debut in Melbourne – one that underlined both the challenge and the potential […]
Schumacher links Krack to Audi as problems emerge
Mar.25 (GMM) Ralf Schumacher has suggested Aston Martin’s Mike Krack could emerge as a candidate for a senior role at Audi following Jonathan Wheatley’s sudden departure. Wheatley’s exit – amid reports he now faces a year of gardening leave – has left Audi reshaping its leadership structure under Mattia Binotto, with questions already emerging about […]
Ferrari queries Mercedes ‘two-phase’ front wing
Mar.25 (GMM) Ferrari has approached the FIA for clarification over Mercedes’ controversial front wing behaviour, which rivals believe may not operate as smoothly as the rules intend. The system, already dubbed a “two-phase” wing, attracted attention during the Chinese GP. According to Italian reports, Ferrari suspects the transition from ‘straight mode’ to ‘cornering mode’ does […]
Stroll blasts Aston car as Honda hopes muted for Suzuka
Mar.24 (GMM) Lance Stroll has been captured venting his frustration at Aston Martin’s troubled 2026 car as the team prepares for Honda’s home race in Japan. Footage from the Chinese GP weekend has emerged showing the Canadian – the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll – fuming over team radio. “This is the worst piece […]