Driver Juha Miettinen Dies After Seven-Car Crash Halts Nurburgring NLS4 Race
A seven-car accident on the third lap of Saturday's NLS4 race at the Nurburgring 24h Qualifiers claimed the life of Finnish driver Juha Miettinen, 66. The incident occurred at the exit of Klostertal during the ADAC Endurance Series event. Miettinen was extracted from his car and transported to the Medical Centre but could not be saved. The race was immediately suspended and not restarted, with no result declared. Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen was among the competitors, driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 with Lucas Auer for the Winward Mercedes team. A minute's silence was observed on Sunday's grid before the NLS5 race as a tribute.
Sources: Motorsport.com, Sky Sports F1
FIA and F1 Evaluate Six Energy Management Fixes as April 20 Summit Aims for Miami Rule Changes
Formula 1 and the FIA are reviewing a package of proposed regulation fixes targeting the 2026 power unit formula's energy management issues, with a decision summit scheduled for April 20. Among the measures under consideration is a significant reduction in electrical energy deployment — potentially to as low as 6MJ per lap — which engineers believe would allow drivers to hit the recharge threshold without lift-and-coast or super-clipping. The changes follow Oliver Bearman's 50G crash at Suzuka, where the Haas driver closed on Alpine's Franco Colapinto at an estimated 31mph speed differential due to differing energy modes. Any agreed changes must pass FIA World Motor Sport Council ratification before Miami.
Sources: The Race, Motorsport.com
Domenicali and Verstappen Hold Constructive Talks Over 2026 Rules Ahead of Key Decision Day
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali confirmed productive discussions with Max Verstappen about the sport's contested 2026 power unit regulations this week. Verstappen, who has publicly called the new rules anti-racing and likened them to Formula E on steroids, participated in technical meetings and was described by Domenicali as very keen to offer suggestions. The F1 boss expressed hope that Verstappen will remain in the sport and urged all parties to avoid public confrontation, stating negative commentary does not help the sport. A team principal summit with FIA and F1 management is set for April 20, where energy management tweaks are expected to be voted upon ahead of Miami.
Sources: Motorsport.com, Motorsport.com
Aston Martin Vibration Crisis Unlikely to Have Quick Fix Before Miami, Brundle Warns
Aston Martin's troubled start to the 2026 season is unlikely to be resolved quickly, with Sky F1 analyst Martin Brundle warning of a prolonged recovery ahead. Both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll have been restricted in consecutive running due to severe powertrain vibrations in the AMR26, with drivers warning previously that extended stints risked permanent nerve damage. Honda, the team's works engine partner, is working with the Silverstone outfit to isolate and cure the problem. Adrian Newey, who joined ahead of the 2026 campaign, is also involved in the effort. Aston Martin has yet to score a point from three races and faces mounting pressure to show progress before Miami.
Sources: Sky Sports F1
Ferrari Books Monza Filming Day for April 22 to Validate Miami Upgrade Package
Ferrari has scheduled a 200km filming day at Monza on April 22 to validate the upgrade package it plans to bring to the Miami Grand Prix. The Scuderia has identified a power unit deficit of approximately 20 brake horsepower compared to Mercedes and is confident it qualifies for additional development allocation under the FIA's Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities framework. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will share driving duties at Monza. Ferrari sits second in the Constructors' Championship with 90 points, 45 behind Mercedes, with Leclerc third in the Drivers' standings with 49 points, four clear of Hamilton.
Sources: The Race
F1 Returns to Miami with Championship Lead of Nine Points and Six Weeks of Development Added
Formula 1 resumes May 1 at the Miami International Autodrome, where the season's first sprint weekend arrives with the championship unusually close after three rounds. Kimi Antonelli leads George Russell by nine points, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton third and fourth. The 5.41-kilometre Miami circuit within the Hard Rock Stadium complex hosts free practice, sprint qualifying, the sprint race, grand prix qualifying, and the main race over three days. Miami has hosted sprint formats in each of its last two editions. The enforced April break, following the cancellation of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, means all teams arrive having had nearly six weeks to develop their cars.
Sources: Sky Sports F1, Formula 1
Verstappen's Nurburgring NLS5 Run Ends with Splitter Damage After Rising to Second
Max Verstappen's participation in Sunday's NLS5 race at the Nurburgring ended prematurely when his Mercedes-AMG GT3 sustained splitter damage that forced the team to retire. The four-time Formula 1 world champion had driven strongly after qualifying fifth, advancing to second position and briefly pressuring the race leader before the damage required an unscheduled pit stop. Once in the garage, the team determined the car could not continue, ending Verstappen's bid for a result at the ADAC 24h Nurburgring Qualifiers weekend. Verstappen has been a regular Nordschleife entrant during the 2026 Formula 1 season's spring break, competing alongside Austrian co-driver Lucas Auer.
Sources: GPFans
Ferrari Claims NLS5 Pole as Nurburgring Weekend Resumes in Tribute to Miettinen
Sunday's NLS5 race at the Nurburgring 24h Qualifiers proceeded as a tribute to Juha Miettinen following Saturday's fatal accident. Ferrari claimed pole position in changeable Nordschleife conditions, with Max Verstappen's Winward Mercedes qualifying fifth. A minute's silence was held on the grid before racing began, with all competitors paying their respects. The ADAC 24h Nurburgring Qualifiers serve as key preparation for June's main 24-hour endurance race, drawing GT3 teams and manufacturers from across Europe. Several top-line endurance teams used Sunday's event to develop racecraft and car setup in the aftermath of Saturday's tragic events.
Sources: Motorsport.com
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. Esteban Ocon — 1 pts
12. Franco Colapinto — 1 pts
13. Nico Hülkenberg — 0 pts
14. Gabriel Bortoleto — 0 pts
15. Alex Albon — 0 pts
16. Carlos Sainz — 0 pts
17. Isack Hadjar — 0 pts
18. Arvid Lindblad — 0 pts
19. Valtteri Bottas — 0 pts
20. Sergio 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 — 12 pts
7. Racing Bulls — 10 pts
8. Audi — 0 pts
9. Williams — 0 pts
10. Aston Martin — 0 pts
11. Cadillac — 0 pts