Aston Martin F1 ambassador Pedro de la Rosa has confirmed Adrian Newey remains team principal and that Jonathan Wheatley is not joining the team, aiming to end speculation and stabilize leadership amidst a troubled start to the season plagued by Honda engine vibration issues.
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are being investigated by the FIA after a near-miss in Japanese GP practice. Verstappen, on a fast lap, had to swerve to avoid a slow-moving Hamilton at Turn 15, leading to an angry radio message and a formal stewards' inquiry.
Sergio Perez and Alex Albon collided during FP1 at Suzuka, leading to an FIA investigation. The incident occurred as Albon attempted a pass at Turn 16, with Perez turning in unaware. The clash caused substantial damage to Albon's Williams and brought out red flags.
Lewis Hamilton is under investigation for an off-broadcast incident with rival Max Verstappen during Japanese GP practice. They are two of six drivers summoned by stewards, with Carlos Sainz, Liam Lawson, Alex Albon, and Sergio Perez also involved in separate on-track incidents.
Mercedes topped a tight first practice at Suzuka, with George Russell leading rookie teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli. McLaren and Ferrari were close behind, while Red Bull's Max Verstappen finished a concerning seventh, over seven-tenths off the pace.
Mercedes set the early pace in Japanese GP practice with George Russell leading a 1-2, while Alex Albon's session ended under investigation after a clash with Sergio Perez. Lando Norris recovered to third for McLaren in a disrupted opening hour at Suzuka.
Mercedes locked out the top two spots in Japanese GP practice, with George Russell leading Kimi Antonelli. The major surprise was Red Bull's struggle, as Max Verstappen finished seventh and over seven-tenths off the pace despite running a significant car upgrade, raising immediate questions about their competitiveness.
Honda's F1 chief has suggested Aston Martin's chassis is partly to blame for the severe vibrations affecting their 2026 car, stating the power unit met acceptable levels before integration. This public dispute highlights major technical hurdles for the new works partnership.
First practice for the Japanese Grand Prix is underway at Suzuka, giving teams their first track time to dial in setups on the iconic and demanding circuit under the standard weekend format.
George Russell led a Mercedes 1-2 in Japanese GP FP1, but McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finished within a tenth of a second, emerging as the closest challengers. Max Verstappen's Red Bull was over seven-tenths back in seventh, indicating a potentially competitive weekend ahead at Suzuka.
The 2026 F1 season continues at the demanding Suzuka Circuit with the first practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix. Mercedes seeks to maintain its recent winning form, while Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull use the crucial track time to find answers and challenge for the top spots.
F1 legend Mario Andretti voices deep respect for American driver Colton Herta's decision to leave IndyCar for an uncertain Formula 1 pursuit, calling it a sacrifice driven by pure passion. Herta now serves as test driver for Andretti Cadillac while racing in F2 to prove his worth for a future F1 seat.
