F1 2026: Japanese GP - Suzuka (Mar 29)

[RichardInCA]

Originally Posted by Car-Addicted

Sure dosen't sound like a guy thinking of a payday?

Max Verstappen reflecting on his future in Formula 1:
"I personally also have a lot of things to figure out - About life. About life here.

"I do enjoy working with everyone, Everyone is obviously doing their best. It’s just that a lot of things are coming together right now that make it not so much fun for me anymore. That has nothing to do with the people in the team. I know they are working extremely hard and doing everything they can to give me the best chance."

Verstappen indicates that he will look to the FIA before making a decision
"It depends on what they decide for next year. For this year, I know they are doing their best, but it is also a political story. I fully understand that from the other manufacturers, because that is fair enough. I’m not bothered by that either.

“It’s not even about fighting for positions seven to twelve. I just hope the cars become fun to drive again. This year it’s only about very small changes that won’t make a big difference,” he says about possible tweaks for Miami, where battery power might be reduced. “I just hope the changes next year are big enough.”

"People are not trying to silence me. In the end, I say what I think about the situation because I care a lot about the sport. That’s fine too. I say what I have to say and then I go home, but at the moment it is not really a nice situation. It is what it is. We just continue and keep trying.

Attachment 3930801

This might be the best RBR meme yet.

[RichardInCA]

Some great performances (for whatever those are worth in quali right now) - Kimi - boy, he’s coming on strong, sorry George! - Hadjar, Bortoleto (boy Wheatley, what ARE you thinking?), Lindblad. Hopefully we’ll have a great race, but yeah quali is just odd right now.

[///M4Lou]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Should I stay...or should I go

Dont' think you should cue "London Calling" - but maybe
"Mercedes Calling"

[M3WC]

Originally Posted by Car-Addicted

Two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso feels Suzuka's driving challenge is "gone" with the 2026 regulations as they are.

ccording to veteran Alonso, that means Suzuka's unique driver challenge is now nowhere to be found.

"It's gone," he said. "I told you in Bahrain, the chef could drive the car in Turn 10/11. Maybe not the chef, but 50% of the team members, I think, at least can drive in Suzuka. Because, as I said a few times already, high-speed corners now become the charging station for the car.

"You go slower, you charge the battery in the high-speed [sections], and then you have the full power on the straight. So, driver skill is not really needed anymore. You just need to back off the throttle or turn down the battery and you charge the thing. So, yeah, no more challenge in the high-speed."

He made a comment in spanish interview. Every corner that made F1 famous...has now disappeared.

FIA knows it looks bad. TV cut just about every on-board in FP3 and Quali after Spoon. They would show entire lap through Spoon Curve and poof...cut out of on-board. They did not want viewers to see clipping through 130R and down to Casio Triangle...it looks and sounds terrible.

[Davil]

Yesterday I did not order a Piastri burger before qualifying. Every time I eat one something bad happens. It’s the curse of the Piastri burger. Eating them last year coincided with the slump.

So it was good to see him get his mojo back. Of course he does have to make it the start for the first time this year.

Antonelli is really riding on a high. It will be an interesting tussle between him and George.

Meanwhile all the way back at the special Olympics battle between Aston and Cadillac I’m hoping we can see Aston get a result but I expect nothing.

Race coverage starts at 2:30pm Sunday for me. Doesn’t get much better than that.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by M3WC

Watch this video to give an idea of whats going on during Quali.

just tried to watch - i don't understand. i'll just take what Alonso said.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by m5rick

i'm sure max realises 'that's life', have to take the rough with the smooth just like hammy did '21-'25.

Formation lap (!)

[///M Power-Belgium]

The Lights....

[GuidoK]

wow what a start from PIA!

[///M Power-Belgium]

1 - Piastri
2 - Charlie
3 - Norris

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

wow what a start from PIA!

Antonelli overtook LEW . It was like LEW was standing still. WOW the Benz is super fast (!)

MAX is P9 and Hadjar is P11.

[afadeev]

Dejavu - Mercs have bad starts, then slice through the field for 1-2. Except RUS is now ahead of ANT.

Here is hoping that Piastri can make it interesting…

[///M Power-Belgium]

LAP 12/53 - Piastri : Graining left front (!)

[afadeev]

Piastri dropped RUS outside 1.0 second pass boost zone, and thinks he can keep Mercedes behind him !

It’s up to Kimi to make the move …

[///M Power-Belgium]

LAP 19/53 : MAX is P5.

[///M Power-Belgium]

LAP 22/53: Bearman crash in the wall (!)

His right leg ...Or foot .

SAFETY CAR (!)

[afadeev]

Wow, Kimi and Ham are about to be gifted stops under Yellow … courtesy of Haas!

a

P.S.: Bearman is limping out of the wreckage…

[RichardInCA]

Hope Bearman is OK - this SC should shake the order up. Piastri looked like he was comfortably keeping George at bay - he’s gotta overcome Kimi now which might be a big ask.

[afadeev]

Kimi is gone, pulling 2+ seconds in 1st on restart.

Everyone else is now battling for 2nd, and Hamilton is now pressuring Piastri ! RUS is also in contention from 4th, will probably claim 3rd before too much longer


Meanwhile, Stroll Jr is quitting …

a

P.S.: Bearman took 50G impact, seams OK-ish

[///M Power-Belgium]

Bearman got 50 G (!) But he's fine

[afadeev]

Wow, Leclerc caught RUS napping, now 4-5.

[GuidoK]

Very nice overtake from LEC on HAM.
Does Hammy have technical problems?
Or a lapse of concentration? RUS overtaking him too without fight....