FIA Holds Sporting Regulations Meeting on Energy Management Safety Fixes as April 20 Deadline Looms
The FIA convened a Sporting Regulations meeting Wednesday as part of a push to address the energy management problems that have plagued the 2026 season. The agenda covered Section B changes needed to underpin forthcoming technical amendments, with a follow-up technical session scheduled for Thursday. A high-level stakeholder meeting on April 20 will settle preferred options before an FIA World Motor Sport Council vote. The process was triggered by Oliver Bearman’s 50G crash at Suzuka, where a 45 km/h closing-speed differential — caused when Bearman’s Haas hit full electrical deployment while Alpine’s Franco Colapinto was regenerating — exposed the dangers of uncoordinated energy deployment across rival power units.
Sources: Motorsport.com, GPFans
McLaren Technical Failure Limits Piastri to 65 Laps as Russell Clocks 127 for Mercedes at Nürburgring
Oscar Piastri’s Pirelli tyre development test at the Nürburgring was cut short by an undisclosed technical issue with his MCL40, restricting him to 65 laps against George Russell’s 127. Russell topped the day’s timesheet with a 1:33.899, a full second clear of Piastri’s best of 1:35.096. The two-day outing replaced the cancelled Bahrain test and focused on evaluating prototype tyre constructions for the 2027 regulations. Overnight rain restricted early running to intermediate compounds before conditions improved for slick work. Lando Norris and Kimi Antonelli were due to take over from their respective teammates on Wednesday.
Red Bull Concedes Fundamental RB22 Concept Error Has Left Verstappen Stuck in the Midfield with 12 Points
Red Bull has acknowledged a fundamental design miscalculation with the RB22, having prioritised drag reduction over downforce to a degree that left Max Verstappen ninth in the championship with 12 points from three rounds. Verstappen has described persistent race-start difficulties — “the engine is not there” at the clutch-release moment — as a consistent problem costing positions off the line. A coolant-system failure at the Chinese Grand Prix further compounded a difficult opening leg. The departure of key technical staff in recent years has worsened wind-tunnel correlation problems, as data has repeatedly failed to translate to competitive performance under the new 2026 regulations.
Sources: Sky Sports F1, PlanetF1
Domenicali Says Verstappen’s Voice “Has to Be Listened To” While Citing 25% Viewership Rise to Defend 2026
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali acknowledged Max Verstappen as a credible voice on the 2026 regulation debate, saying the four-time champion’s input “has to be listened to” while cautioning that public criticism carries consequences for the sport. Domenicali said conversations with Verstappen behind closed doors have been consistently constructive. He also pointed to positive commercial momentum: all three opening rounds sold out, with average TV viewership in F1’s main markets up 25% year on year. Team principals meet April 20 to agree on preferred energy management adjustments before the Miami Grand Prix.
Sources: Motorsport.com, Autosport
Russell and Piastri Back German Grand Prix Return After First F1 Running at Nürburgring Since 2020
George Russell and Oscar Piastri both endorsed a German Grand Prix restoration after completing the Pirelli tyre test at the Nürburgring — the track’s first competitive F1 running since the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix. Russell said the circuit’s mix of high-speed flowing sections and technical changes offers a challenge no current calendar venue replicates. Piastri added that the atmosphere around the test underscored the venue’s appeal to fans and drivers alike. Germany has been without a permanent race slot since the 2019 Hockenheim Grand Prix, and both drivers suggested the Nurburgring session had strengthened the case for a return.
Sources: Read Motorsport
Russell Confirms Mercedes Working “Behind the Scenes” on Race Start Problem Ahead of Miami Sprint Round
George Russell has confirmed Mercedes are using the April break to address their persistent race-start weakness. Despite securing four front-row lockouts across the season’s opening three weekends, neither Russell nor Kimi Antonelli has led after the opening lap in any Grand Prix, forcing the team to fight back through raw pace. Russell said the team are working through data to pinpoint the shortfall, with limited track time making live practice difficult during the break. Mercedes have won all three Grands Prix so far, but the vulnerability remains a meaningful risk heading into the sprint-format Miami round on May 1–3.
Sources: Sky Sports F1
Mansell Tips “Reinvigorated” Hamilton for Eighth Title as 41-Year-Old Rediscovers Form at Ferrari
Nigel Mansell has backed Lewis Hamilton to win a record eighth world championship, calling the 41-year-old visibly reinvigorated in his second Ferrari season after a difficult 2025 debut. Mansell said Ferrari “has done a fabulous job over the winter” and that Hamilton’s renewed drive is clear to observe. Hamilton’s Chinese Grand Prix podium — his first for Ferrari and first top-three finish in 16 months — was cited as the turning point. With 41 points and fourth in the standings, Hamilton trails championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 31 points with 19 races remaining.
Antonelli’s Nine-Point Lead over Russell Sparks Internal Questions About Mercedes’ Title Favourite
Kimi Antonelli’s back-to-back victories in China and Japan have opened a nine-point gap over Mercedes teammate George Russell, and reports suggest Mercedes staff no longer view Russell as the team’s default title favourite. At 19, Antonelli became the youngest championship leader in Formula 1 history after Suzuka, where he won by 13.7 seconds. Russell took the Australian Grand Prix season opener but has been outscored in both subsequent rounds. The Briton has publicly maintained a collaborative stance, but the intra-team dynamic is expected to intensify as the season’s competitive picture sharpens beyond the Miami sprint weekend on May 1–3.
Sources: PlanetF1, Yardbarker
Drivers' Championship
1. Kimi Antonelli — 72 pts
2. George Russell — 63 pts
3. Charles Leclerc — 49 pts
4. Lewis Hamilton — 41 pts
5. Lando Norris — 25 pts
6. Oscar Piastri — 21 pts
7. Oliver Bearman — 17 pts
8. Pierre Gasly — 15 pts
9. Max Verstappen — 12 pts
10. Liam Lawson — 10 pts
11. Arvid Lindblad — 4 pts
12. Isack Hadjar — 4 pts
13. Gabriel Bortoleto — 2 pts
14. Carlos Sainz — 2 pts
15. Esteban Ocon — 1 pts
16. Franco Colapinto — 1 pts
17. Nico Hülkenberg — 0 pts
18. Alexander Albon — 0 pts
19. Valtteri Bottas — 0 pts
20. Sérgio Pérez — 0 pts
21. Fernando Alonso — 0 pts
22. Lance Stroll — 0 pts
Constructors' Championship
1. Mercedes — 135 pts
2. Ferrari — 90 pts
3. McLaren — 46 pts
4. Haas — 18 pts
5. Alpine — 16 pts
6. Red Bull Racing — 16 pts
7. Racing Bulls — 14 pts
8. Audi — 2 pts
9. Williams — 2 pts
10. Cadillac — 0 pts
11. Aston Martin — 0 pts
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