F1 2026: Japanese GP - Suzuka (Mar 29)

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

As the Bahrain race is canceled : MAX already got a (big) major RB22 upgrade package that actually was planned to get it at Bahrain.
Hadjar did not get this major RB22 upgrade package at Suzuka .

It's a new design front wing with new supports and a new nose with 2 oval holes.
The suspension got an upgrade to improve the cars balance in the fast Suzuka corners.
The RB22 Ford battery got a new upgraded electrical steering system and software to improve battery charging.
It's very clear , this major RB22 upgrade package s@cks even more (!)
I think , that's why MAX is now even more disappointed in the car. Because the prospects are hopeless (!)
Laurent Mekies confirmed already yesterday : The 2026 RB22 has a fundamental design issue...

It's like the 2025 season all over again ....
And the Frenchman Pierre Waché still s@cks (as usual)!

RUS won't get a new 2027 Mercedes contract from Toto Wolff.
If MAX doesn't leave the F1 . Then that 2027 Mercedes contract will be for him (!)

I'm hoping it won't come to that.

[3798j]

"Someone said that the Max discussions will eventually come back on the table again. But no, there are not any Max discussions."
“I could not be happier with the two drivers that we have. The positioning of the two, with the age gap and how it aligns well with our strategy, means there are not any discussions.” - - - Toto Wolff
https://www.planetf1.com/news/max-ve...-wolff-russell

[3798j]

The FIA predicted before the season started that the new, low downforce formula would be slower than the past ground sucking formula...so most aren't surprised that today's cars lap slower.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

I'm hoping it won't come to that.

Same here my friend ...Too bad .

But it would be better than leaving F1 for us and MAX.
The French idiot just can't fix his electric RB22 wheelchair creation..
It won't be for in this season and in the next season , knowing that the Benz car has an advantage from at least 2 seasons.
Then we know it , where the place to be is ...
Honestly .I would be very happy to see MAX in black ...
If not ...WTF wants to drive backwards ?
And then he's gone (!)

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

MAX has never raced for the money.

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

As the Bahrain race is canceled : MAX already got a (big) major RB22 upgrade package that actually was planned to get it at Bahrain.
Hadjar did not get this major RB22 upgrade package at Suzuka .

It's a new design front wing with new supports and a new nose with 2 oval holes.
The suspension got an upgrade to improve the cars balance in the fast Suzuka corners.
The RB22 Ford battery got a new upgraded electrical steering system and software to improve battery charging.
It's very clear , this major RB22 upgrade package s@cks even more (!)
I think , that's why MAX is now even more disappointed in the car. Because the prospects are hopeless (!)
Laurent Mekies confirmed already yesterday : The 2026 RB22 has a fundamental design issue...

It's like the 2025 season all over again ....
And the Frenchman Pierre Waché still s@cks (as usual)!

RUS won't get a new 2027 Mercedes contract from Toto Wolff.
If MAX doesn't leave the F1 . Then that 2027 Mercedes contract will be for him (!)

Originally Posted by afadeev

Super impressive job by Antonelli, good for him.
And byPiastri (3rd), Leclerc (4th) Gasly (7th), Hadjar (8th), Gabriel Bortoleto (9th). and Lindblad (10th).
All of the above measurably out-qualified their team mates!

It will be interesting to see if Ferraris can reprise monster-starts and rocket to 1st again by the first corner.



If the above was true, he would walk away right now.
Instead, he is sticking around to complain while getting paid, and getting out-qualified by his near-rookie team mate. Again.

I feel somewhat bad for him. But the amusement we all get from watching a few of you warship this under-performing Debbie Downer is almost worth it!



Oh really, then what is he racing for in F1 now?!
Answer: $$$$. Nothing else!



Now that is interesting.
Maybe they should have installed the upgrades on Hadjar's car?!



Not true.
Russell's contract is 1+1 with second year being Russell's option (based on Merc performance guarantees), not Toto's.

The way VER is driving and behaving, I don't see many teams interested in his services. Well, maybe Cadillac.

https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/4...edes-f1-future

All we can see from your side is MAX hate (!)
I've already posted this for you...Just wait for it (!)

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

All we can see from your side is MAX hate (!)
I've already posted this for you...Just wait for it (!)

Somethings got to give at RBR., just two races gone and it looks like a boring s#t show already forming.

[3798j]

"Verstappen's surprise admission he must 'figure out' F1 future."
"Max Verstappen has suggested for the first time that he has to make a decision about leaving Formula 1."
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/m...or-first-time/

[M5Rick]

I would make MAX's mind up for him

[M5Rick]

BTW...I have a song for MAX's situation ,

[M5Rick]

Should I stay...or should I go

[G30M]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

He has enough money. He's getting paid 70 million/year or so, and I think roughly the same amount in personal sponsorship/merchandise/etc

TBH I don't think he really cares about money. His wife's rich too. (daddy Piquet>200 million, I assume his daughter is in his will....)

i don't believe for a second when he says he doesn't care about money. rich people love money more than poor people.

all his sponsorship and merch is tied to F1. his GT3 team, wife, yacht and jet are not cheap to run.

he will stay. RB, Mercedes, whoever that will pay him. rich people don't stay rich by saying no to 100 million annual salary and race GT3 for 1 million.

just like Alonso and Ham doing their sabbatical so will Max

but Max has options. Toto is buying Alpine so he can have Max, Kimi and George ... one of them is going to Alpine

Max is welcome to prove me wrong, and distribute is 100M salary to other drivers, but until then, that's my take on this

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by G30M

i don't believe for a second when he says he doesn't care about money. rich people love money more than poor people.

all his sponsorship and merch is tied to F1. his GT3 team, wife, yacht and jet are not cheap to run.

he will stay. RB, Mercedes, whoever that will pay him. rich people don't stay rich by saying no to 100 million annual salary and race GT3 for 1 million.

just like Alonso and Ham doing their sabbatical so will Max

but Max has options. Toto is buying Alpine so he can have Max, Kimi and George ... one of them is going to Alpine

RUS

[Car-Addicted]

Well got to watch FP3 on SkySports but recorded version was only the Apple talking idiots, Skysports version no where to be found. Mute works in preshow and they can't "f"up the racing that much. Sorry for using that work "racing".



Congratulation to Mercedes Formula One for winning the Energy Deployment award

[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.

[M5Rick]

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

I'm sure MAX realises 'that's life', have to take the rough with the smooth just like Hammy did '21-'25.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by M3WC

Max can't get it through his thick head, he needs to drive slower. It is what Albon was complaining about. Same thing Leclerc said in China.

You can't attack high-speed corners. The battery needs to harvest.

there are a few issues i think

the RB PU (it's not Ford it's RB making it) it not as strong as Merc
the RB chassis is not as fluid as Ferrari / Merc
the RB car is overweight

and Max is driving it like a drift car. he wants to do his V shaped corner with rears sliding to turn the car. these cars seem to reward smooth drivers. but that's my very uneducated guess. every time i see Max onboard he's wresting with the steering wheel like grabbing a bull by its horns.

IF RB manages to give Max the car he wants Hadjar will suffer lol. right now he's having the time of his life!

[M3WC]

Originally Posted by G30M

there are a few issues i think

the RB PU (it's not Ford it's RB making it) it not as strong as Merc
the RB chassis is not as fluid as Ferrari / Merc
the RB car is overweight

and Max is driving it like a drift car. he wants to do his V shaped corner with rears sliding to turn the car. these cars seem to reward smooth drivers. but that's my very uneducated guess. every time i see Max onboard he's wresting with the steering wheel like grabbing a bull by its horns.

IF RB manages to give Max the car he wants Hadjar will suffer lol. right now he's having the time of his life!

Not just RB. Slower drivers are actually getting rewarded. Known good qualifiers like Leclerc, Max, or even Albon today...you can't push.

The harder you push in high-speed corners, the more you super-clip on straights. It is counter intuitive to how these kids learned how to drive. In karting you push every lap, every corner(especially in quali).

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

[M3WC]

Leclerc:

“I honestly cannot stand these new rules for qualifying… it’s a f**king joke!” he said.

“I go faster in corners, get on throttle earlier…

“For f**k’s sake, I’m losing everything on the straight!”

https://www.planetf1.com/news/charle...uote-explained

[Artemis]

2025:

(source: HERE)

[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."

[G30M]

Originally Posted by Car-Addicted

"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."

ah so, slow is fast in 2026 ! the mind boggles ...

[RichardInCA]

Originally Posted by M3WC

Not just RB. Slower drivers are actually getting rewarded. Known good qualifiers like Leclerc, Max, or even Albon today...you can't push.

The harder you push in high-speed corners, the more you super-clip on straights. It is counter intuitive to how these kids learned how to drive. In karting you push every lap, every corner(especially in quali).

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWnTFd7wdHo

Great analysis - it is bonkers really.