Luca di Montezemolo, former Ferrari chairman, states the team's podium finishes are not enough and demands a championship-capable car, while Ralf Schumacher suggests Lewis Hamilton's improved 2026 form is tied to greater contractual control and number-one status within the team.
Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff says drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell are free to race for now, but team orders could be implemented later in the 2026 season depending on the championship standings, echoing past management challenges from the Hamilton-Rosberg era.
Demolition has commenced on the Albert Park pit building, initiating a phased redevelopment of the Australian GP venue. The project aims to replace the 1996-era facilities with modern infrastructure, using a mix of temporary and permanent solutions for the 2026 race before a full permanent upgrade in 2027.
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri says Mercedes' early 2026 Formula 1 lead is built on superior grip and downforce, not a secret innovation. After analyzing data, he notes McLaren loses time everywhere and must find broad improvements to challenge the reigning champions.
F1 journalists debate Netflix's 'Drive to Survive,' criticizing its scripted, reality-TV style for compromising authenticity. While some see it as a successful but manufactured advertisement for the sport, others argue it presents a fundamentally altered version of F1 that undermines true storytelling.
Red Bull's Laurent Mekies says F1 is united in wanting to bring back true flat-out qualifying, where drivers push at 100% without energy management. He calls for a proper fix by 2027, arguing that restoring Saturday's pure speed will also improve Sunday's racing by reducing excessive strategic 'gaming'.
Ex-F1 driver Eddie Irvine forecasts an inevitable on-track clash between Mercedes teammates George Russell and Kimi Antonelli if they fight for the title, stating Toto Wolff will be unable to control the high-stakes rivalry, drawing comparisons to past Mercedes conflicts.
The 2009 Malaysian Grand Prix was abandoned due to a torrential monsoon, with Jenson Button taking a fortuitous half-point win. Years later, it was revealed his Brawn GP car had a critical failure during the red flag and would not have restarted, nearly costing him precious points in his championship year.
Lewis Hamilton's first Ferrari podium in China was followed by a weekend in Japan where he was outperformed by teammate Charles Leclerc, leading to criticism from former driver Eddie Irvine. While questions remain about Hamilton's consistency, Ferrari's 2026 car shows clear progress, positioning the team as Mercedes' nearest challenger.
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.
Laurent Mekies says Red Bull Powertrains' RB22 will meet the FIA’s ADUO threshold, earning one upgrade before the Canadian Grand Prix. The boost will shrink the gap to Mercedes as Red Bull trails.
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.
