Former Formula 1 driver Timo Glock has warned Ferrari management they must intervene to control on-track battles between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to prevent a collision this season.
The two prominent drivers have already engaged in several fierce, wheel-to-wheel duels during the opening rounds of the new campaign.
Recent races at the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix saw the pair racing side-by-side, creating thrilling spectacles for fans but raising concerns over potential team detriment.
“The line should be drawn very clearly as soon as the team experiences a disadvantage,” Glock told Sky Deutschland.
Fears of a gravel pit collision
While the seven-time world champion secured his first podium for the Scuderia in China, it was his Monegasque team-mate who claimed the top-three finish during their subsequent scrap in Japan.
Glock believes team principal Frederic Vasseur must establish clear boundaries when inter-team fighting drains battery power or costs valuable track position.
“If the two get in each other’s way and lose battery power, and the team ends up losing positions because of that, then the team management has to intervene,” the German added.
The former Toyota driver expressed concern that without firm guidelines, the intense rivalry will inevitably result in a damaging incident.
“Based on my feeling, I think that sooner or later we will see these two back in the gravel pit after a collision.”
Vasseur welcomes healthy competition
Despite outside concern and minor contact between the cars in recent weeks, Ferrari’s hierarchy remains outwardly relaxed about the dynamic.
Hamilton notably struggled with a lack of outright speed during the Japanese Grand Prix, finishing sixth while watching the sister car battle Mercedes driver George Russell for the podium.
However, Vasseur insists he is perfectly content with his drivers pushing each other to the absolute limit.
“As long as we have the two cars at the end, yes, I’m happy,” the Frenchman explained.
The team boss emphasised that having both vehicles fighting near the front of the grid is a welcome problem for the Italian constructor.
“I’m very pleased with this – they have huge respect between them and they know perfectly that it’s Ferrari first.”
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen could forfeit up to £226m in earnings if he decides to walk away from Formula 1 amid a frustrating start to the 2026 season.
The four-time world champion currently sits ninth in the Drivers’ Championship after a disappointing eighth-place finish at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Speculation over his future intensified after the 28-year-old missed Red Bull’s dry-weather tyre testing sessions earlier this week.
However, his early return to Monaco was pre-planned, with reserve driver Isack Hadjar always scheduled to cover the testing duties.
Financial cost of an early exit
Despite the planned absence, the Dutchman has repeatedly voiced his displeasure with the new RB22 car and recent technical regulations.
These mounting frustrations have led to credible suggestions he could terminate his contract prematurely.
Professor Wilson from the University Campus of Football Business estimates a sudden departure would cost the driver a staggering amount of money.
“If Verstappen walked away from F1 with two years left on his current Red Bull deal, then we’re realistically seeing him forfeit between £151m and £189m total earnings.”
The financial expert noted that this figure includes a £45m annual base salary, alongside lucrative performance incentives and bonuses.
“His personal sponsorship income sits at £19m annually but at peak dominance, it’s natural that number climbs much higher to £38m.”
Wilson added that a lack of weekly global exposure would likely halve his current endorsement value over time.
Questioning the commitment
The reigning world champion has previously hinted that the demanding calendar and new rules might push him toward an early retirement.
“I’m thinking about everything inside this paddock.”
He stated his priorities are shifting following the difficult race at Suzuka.
“You also wait for 24 races, and then you just think about is it worth it?”
The frustrated star admitted he frequently questions whether he would prefer to spend more time at home with family and friends instead of continuing on the grid.
George Russell says he feels early-season technical issues are disproportionately affecting his Mercedes car after losing the 2026 Formula 1 championship lead to teenage team-mate Kimi Antonelli.
The British driver won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix before enduring consecutive setbacks in China and Japan.
Those struggles have allowed his Italian stablemate to establish a nine-point advantage at the top of the standings ahead of a five-week break before Miami.
Technical gremlins hinder title favourite
The 28-year-old began the campaign as the presumptive primary challenger given his vast experience advantage over the rookie.
However, a mechanical fault during Shanghai qualifying restricted his run plan and allowed his garage rival to secure a maiden pole position and subsequent race victory.
The former Williams driver then suffered from an unsuccessful setup gamble at Suzuka, further compounding his early-season frustrations.
During Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix, an ill-timed safety car intervention enabled the highly rated prospect to inherit the race lead while the Briton fell backwards.
Battery problems compound Japanese misery
“I’m not feeling too lucky. This is racing.”
“Over the course of a year, sometimes it goes for you, sometimes it goes against you.”
“It’s annoying that I missed out on the podium because at the safety-car restart I couldn’t charge my battery, so we got overtaken by Lewis [Hamilton].”
“And then another problem with Charles [Leclerc], with the battery. It’s still very complicated, these cars, it’s still very early, and you have to make these mistakes to learn.”
“But it feels like at the moment all the issues are coming on my side, so that is pretty frustrating, to be honest.”
Pivotal momentum shift before Miami
The reigning Australian Grand Prix winner had looked imperious during the opening sprint events of the year.
Yet the rapid teenager has clearly been boosted by his recent success, notably outpacing the veteran in practice sessions across the Suzuka weekend.
With an extended pause in the calendar now underway, the Brackley-based squad must investigate these reliability disparities before the championship resumes in Florida.
Mercedes teenager Kimi Antonelli has become the youngest driver in Formula 1 history to lead the world championship following his victory at the Japanese Grand Prix.
The 19-year-old Italian secured back-to-back wins for the 2026 season by finishing ahead of team-mate George Russell in Suzuka.
Driving the dominant new W17 car, he has now claimed pole position and recorded the fastest lap in both Japan and China.
Proving early doubters wrong
Silver Arrows team principal Toto Wolff raised eyebrows when he selected the teenager to succeed seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve was among the prominent voices questioning the rookie’s readiness for the premier class last year.
The 1997 title winner had suggested the promotion might have been premature following a difficult Formula 2 campaign.
“It’s too much too soon,” Villeneuve previously stated.
“Kimi Antonelli had a terrible season in Formula 2. Is it because he was already signed for F1 and the pressure got the better of him, who knows?”
Mastering the new regulations
Formula 1’s sweeping technical regulations for 2026 appear perfectly suited to the characteristics of the latest Mercedes challenger.
It is highly significant that the young prodigy is currently outperforming the experienced Russell in identical machinery.
Villeneuve had previously questioned whether the two drivers would work together or demand entirely different development directions.
“He seems to be capable of taking risks and pushing the car, but then feeling where that edge is, we don’t know yet,” the Canadian added.
With two flawless race weekends completed, the current championship leader is already answering those questions emphatically on the track.
Max Verstappen has endured a remarkably difficult start to the 2026 Formula 1 season following intense complaints regarding the unpredictable driveability of his new car.
The reigning world champion has frequently vocalised his frustration over the team radio during recent race weekends.
It’s completely undriveable!
That blunt assessment highlights the steep learning curve facing the sport’s dominant force as he battles uncharacteristic handling issues.
Frustrations mount amid sweeping changes
The Dutchman is attempting to navigate a challenging transition period brought on by the massive aerodynamic and engine regulation changes introduced this year.
Such profound technical shifts appear to have severely compromised the usually flawless balance he has enjoyed throughout his recent championship campaigns.
Rather than fighting comfortably at the very front of the grid, the deeply competitive racer currently finds himself scrapping for points in unfamiliar territory.
Engineering solutions required immediately
Paddock observers have noted that the 2026 regulation overhaul was specifically designed to disrupt the established competitive order.
It appears that objective has been met, with the multi-time title winner currently lacking the mechanical harmony necessary to extract peak performance.
Fans and technical pundits alike will now be watching closely to see if his garage can rapidly unlock the necessary upgrades to rescue this challenging campaign.
Max Verstappen has a specific timeframe to activate a significant exit clause in his Red Bull contract amid ongoing frustrations regarding his Formula 1 future.
The reigning world champion has been increasingly outspoken about his current situation with the Milton Keynes-based outfit.
Verstappen has openly admitted that he is carefully evaluating his long-term prospects within the premier motorsport series.
Speculation has mounted in recent weeks regarding the exact terms that would allow the Dutchman to leave before his current deal expires in 2028.
Growing frustrations at Red Bull
The three-time title winner has cut a frustrated figure throughout the latter stages of the current campaign.
Red Bull’s early-season dominance has rapidly evaporated, leaving them highly vulnerable to sustained challenges from rival constructors.
This drop in car performance is widely believed to be the catalyst behind the 27-year-old evaluating his ongoing commitment to the project.
It is understood that a narrow window now exists for his management team to legally execute a high-profile departure.
Evaluating future options
Rival teams across the paddock are naturally monitoring the unfolding situation with intense interest.
Any potential move would require careful navigation of the complex legal agreements currently binding the driver to his employers.
The championship leader recently expressed deep dissatisfaction with the current developmental trajectory of his machinery.
Time will tell whether the former Toro Rosso prospect decides to exercise his right to walk away from the team that secured his maiden title.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff believes former Red Bull boss Christian Horner will struggle to secure a return to Formula 1 after leaving behind significant controversy.
The 52-year-old was dismissed from his long-standing position in July following a period of declining team performance and intense internal disputes.
Prior to his exit, the British executive faced accusations of sexual harassment and coercive behaviour from a female employee, though he was twice cleared following investigations by independent lawyers.
“He has broken quite a lot of glass, and these things have repercussions in our microcosm.”
Toto Wolff speaking to the Press Association
A controversial legacy
The pair endured a fierce rivalry over the past decade as they battled for motorsport supremacy.
Under Horner’s stewardship, the Milton Keynes-based outfit secured eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships.
This success included Max Verstappen’s run of four consecutive drivers’ crowns from 2021 to 2024, which famously ended a dominant era for Lewis Hamilton and the Silver Arrows.
“I said to Fred Vasseur that it needs the good, the bad, and the ugly, and it is now only the good and the ugly left,” Wolff admitted.
“The sport is missing personalities, and his personality was clearly very controversial and that is good for the sport.”
Alpine investment rumours
Recent speculation has linked the former championship-winning principal with a potential move to Alpine.
The French constructor confirmed in January that the unemployed manager was among multiple interested parties discussing potential investment opportunities.
Mercedes are simultaneously exploring the purchase of a 24% stake in Alpine currently held by private investment firm Otro Capital.
However, the Austrian billionaire firmly denied any collaborative intentions, stating it would be quite sad if a joint venture was considered.
“Would I consider that he could ever be an ally or someone that shares objectives?” Wolff questioned.
“I don’t think so,” the Mercedes chief concluded.
Unfinished business
Despite the bitter history between the two executives, Wolff acknowledged his rival’s undeniable achievements.
“Over those years it was just too intense, too fierce, and things happened which even today I cannot comprehend why he has done them,” Wolff explained.
“I certainly don’t wish him bad, and we need to give each other credit as there are not many team principals who have done what he has done.”
The ousted Red Bull leader has previously insisted he has unfinished business in the paddock, despite being overlooked for a vacancy at Aston Martin last year.
Italy’s Marco Bezzecchi claimed a dominant victory at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, to secure his third consecutive win of the MotoGP season.
The Aprilia rider seized the lead on the opening lap at the Circuit of the Americas and never relinquished his position.
Adding to his recent triumphs in Thailand and Brazil, the 27-year-old has now topped the podium in five successive races dating back to last year.
Record-breaking dominance in Texas
This flawless performance allowed the Italian to set a new MotoGP record for consecutive laps led, taking his remarkable tally to 121.
He easily surpassed the previous benchmark of 103 consecutive laps, which was established by Jorge Lorenzo during the 2015 campaign.
The commanding ride provided perfect redemption for the championship leader after he crashed out of Saturday’s sprint race.
“I’m happy. I’m very happy. Yesterday I made a mistake so it was very important to make a good race today.”
Martin and Acosta complete the podium
Jorge Martin, who secured victory in the weekend’s earlier sprint event, followed his stablemate home to finish second.
Pedro Acosta crossed the line in third position, while defending world champion Marc Marquez was forced to settle for fifth.
These latest results leave the soaring race winner at the summit of the MotoGP standings with 81 points.
He currently holds a narrow four-point advantage over second-placed Martin ahead of the upcoming round in Jerez, Spain.