Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya believes four-time world champion Max Verstappen will leave Red Bull to join Mercedes at the end of the current season.
Montoya is convinced that discussions between the 28-year-old and the Silver Arrows are already actively taking place.
The reigning constructors’ champions have endured a difficult start to their campaign, leaving them trailing significantly behind the frontrunners.
This poor form has fuelled intense speculation regarding the Dutch driver’s long-term future with the Milton Keynes-based outfit.
Wolff denies transfer rumours
Despite Montoya’s claims, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has moved to firmly deny any ongoing pursuit of the superstar driver.
Wolff insisted he is perfectly content with his current driver pairing of George Russell and highly-rated rookie Kimi Antonelli.
“Someone said that the Max discussions will eventually come back on the table again, but no, there are not any Max discussions.”
The Austrian executive highlighted that the age gap between Russell and Antonelli aligns perfectly with the team’s long-term strategy.
“I could not be happier with the two drivers that we have.”
Red Bull’s desperate retention bid
Mercedes originally attempted to sign the prodigious talent before his Formula 1 debut, but Red Bull ultimately secured his coveted signature.
Montoya now feels the reigning champions are incredibly vulnerable to losing their prized asset.
“I think Red Bull are in a position where whatever Max wants, they’ll say yes to make sure they don’t lose him.”
The Colombian told Spanish publication AS that a change of scenery is now almost inevitable.
“Now, I actually believe that whatever happens, they’re going to lose him.”
Clear contracts in place
Wolff remains completely resolute that his team’s driver line-up is permanently settled for the foreseeable future.
“The Max to Mercedes thing for now is not on.”
He added that George Russell has been part of their setup since 2017 and sees no reason why that relationship will not continue.
“The situation is completely transparent, and we have clear contracts with both drivers.”
Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso continues to battle severe cockpit vibrations at the Japanese Grand Prix, extending a torrid start to the 2026 Formula 1 season.
The Silverstone-based outfit have struggled immensely with their new AMR26 challenger since the opening race in Australia.
Recent onboard footage from practice sessions indicates the car remains incredibly difficult and physically taxing to handle.
Physical toll and injury fears
Team principal Adrian Newey previously warned that the violent shaking could cause permanent nerve damage to the drivers’ hands.
The veteran Spaniard reportedly felt he could not safely complete more than 25 consecutive laps under such brutal conditions.
His Canadian team-mate, Lance Stroll, faced an even lower threshold of just 15 laps before the discomfort became overwhelming.
Consequently, neither man managed to complete the full 58-lap race distance during the season opener in Melbourne.
Desperate measures in China
Similar reliability and handling issues plagued the British constructor during the subsequent race in Shanghai.
Footage from Alonso’s onboard camera showed the 44-year-old taking his hands off the steering wheel on straight sections simply to find temporary physical relief.
“From lap 20 to 35, I was struggling a little bit to feel my hands and my feet.”
The two-time world champion explained to the media that the shaking was worse than in any previous session.
“We were one lap behind, we were last, and there was probably no point to keep going.”
No quick fix for Honda
Aston Martin and engine supplier Honda have clearly failed to identify the root cause of the problem during the two-week break before Japan.
Fresh footage circulating online from practice starts confirms the violent shuddering remains a significant hurdle.
The ongoing crisis leaves the ambitious racing team facing the grim prospect of another heavily compromised Grand Prix weekend.
Lewis Hamilton is searching for a setup breakthrough with his Ferrari after struggling for pace during Friday practice at the Japanese Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion finished sixth in both sessions at Suzuka, trailing eight-tenths behind the benchmark set by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
He visibly battled with oversteer throughout the day, a handling issue that also heavily affected his team-mate Charles Leclerc.
During the longer runs towards the end of the second session, the British driver admitted over team radio that he had no confidence in the car.
Seeking a north star for qualifying
Despite the difficult running, the 41-year-old remains optimistic about finding a solution ahead of Saturday’s crucial qualifying session.
He noted similarities in the car’s handling to setup issues he experienced last year, providing a potential direction for overnight engineering changes.
“I feel I’ve got a bit of a north star, it’s just how we get there, so I’m going to try to figure that out,” Hamilton explained.
“It’s an awesome circuit but you need to be able to sit in the rear and be comfortable it will stay with you and today I had the snaps.”
The Ferrari driver confirmed the team will dive deeply into overnight simulator data to close the performance gap to their rivals.
McLaren surprise championship leaders
At the front of the field, McLaren emerged as genuine contenders for pole position to challenge the recently dominant Mercedes team.
Championship leader George Russell finished two-tenths behind Piastri in second practice.
The Mercedes driver, who currently holds a slender four-point championship lead over team-mate Kimi Antonelli, admitted his surprise at McLaren’s blistering pace.
“McLaren were pretty fast, a little bit of a surprise, so we still have some improvements we need to do tonight,” Russell said.
However, it was not a completely smooth day for the Woking-based squad.
Lando Norris was forced to miss 20 crucial minutes of the afternoon session following a costly hydraulics leak.
The British driver conceded the lost track time leaves him on the back foot heading into the remainder of the race weekend.
Lewis Hamilton will face no further action from the FIA stewards following a near-miss with Max Verstappen during opening practice at the Japanese Grand Prix.
The flashpoint occurred between turns 14 and 15 at Suzuka when the seven-time world champion was accused of driving erratically while on a slow lap.
Verstappen rapidly approached in his Red Bull during a flying lap, forcing the Dutchman to dart down the left side of the track to avoid Hamilton’s Ferrari.
The incident immediately sparked a furious reaction from the reigning world champion, who voiced his explicit frustration over the team radio.
FIA clears Hamilton of dangerous driving
Following a review of video footage and radio communications, the sport’s governing body determined that no penalty was necessary for the alleged impeding.
The stewards noted that Hamilton had received no prior warning from his pit wall regarding the rapidly approaching car.
As Car 3 closed on Car 44, Car 44 made an initial movement suggesting a move to the left, but ultimately remained to the right-hand side of the track.
Officials confirmed that Verstappen was able to pass the slower vehicle without being required to brake, lift, or deviate from his intended racing line.
Red Bull downplay Suzuka incident
Despite his initial outburst over the radio, Verstappen’s own camp ultimately helped to defuse the situation during the subsequent hearing.
A representative for the 26-year-old informed the stewards that the situation was not considered dangerous from his perspective.
In this case, the Stewards are satisfied that, although Car 3 was momentarily influenced by the positioning of Car 44, it was not forced to take evasive action.
While avoiding sanctions, Ferrari were reminded of their obligation to ensure timely warnings are provided to their drivers regarding approaching traffic.
Verstappen was also required to visit the stewards for a separate incident involving Franco Colapinto during the eventful second practice session.
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton has described the new Formula 1 regulations as the most enjoyable of his career following a thrilling multi-lap battle at the Chinese Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion compared his recent on-track duel with team-mate Charles Leclerc to his famous 2014 rivalry with Nico Rosberg.
His positive assessment arrives amid ongoing paddock debate regarding the profound impact of the newly introduced car and engine rules.
The sport’s updated hybrid power units now feature an equal split between internal combustion and electrical power.
The rise of ‘yo-yo racing’
These energy-starved powerplants force drivers to constantly manage battery levels throughout a lap.
This dynamic has led to what critics have dubbed “yo-yo racing” during the opening two grands prix of the season.
Competitors frequently pass and re-pass each other across multiple laps as their systems deploy varying levels of electrical energy.
However, the 39-year-old insists this strategic energy management mirrors the pure, close-quarters competition found in grassroots motorsport.
“If you go back to karting, it’s the same thing. People going back and forth, back and forth, you can never break away,” Hamilton explained.
“No one ever has ever referred to go-karting as yo-yo racing. It’s the best form of racing, and Formula 1 has not been the best form of racing in a long, long time.”
Aerodynamic gains and qualifying concerns
Beyond the engine regulations, the former Mercedes star highlighted the significantly improved aerodynamic characteristics of the current machinery.
The British veteran noted that these lighter, more nimble cars finally allow drivers to follow closely through high-speed corners without suffering a sudden loss of downforce.
Despite his undeniable enthusiasm for Sunday race days, he acknowledged the inherent paradox created during Saturday qualifying sessions.
The intense need to harvest electrical energy leaves the cars feeling under-powered during a single flying lap, effectively reducing the ultimate driving challenge.
Pushing for improvements ahead of Miami
While the experienced racer admits to disliking both the power deployment and straight-line modes, he remains convinced the overall package benefits the sporting spectacle.
Governing body the FIA recently met with team bosses to rigorously assess the current qualifying limitations.
Officials are attempting to find actionable improvements before the upcoming Miami Grand Prix in five weeks’ time.
Furthermore, immediate regulatory tweaks have already been implemented for this weekend’s race in Japan to slightly reduce the total volume of energy cars are permitted to recover.
Reigning Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris believes McLaren will develop the best car on the grid this season despite a challenging start to his title defence.
The British driver suffered a Did Not Start in China due to an electrical failure and finished fifth at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
Those results leave him 36 points adrift of early championship leader George Russell ahead of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.
McLaren target podium return
The Woking-based team are already facing a significant constructors’ deficit, sitting 80 points behind early leaders Mercedes.
Despite the initial setback in the new 2026 regulation era, the 26-year-old remains highly optimistic about their development pipeline.
He pointed to his team’s impressive mid-season turnaround in 2024 as definitive proof of their recovery capabilities.
“I can’t remember how many points we were behind in 2024 from Mercedes and Red Bull, Ferrari, but I think we were over 150 points or something behind and we still managed to come back and win the Constructors’,” Norris said.
Patience required in development race
“What we are thinking of is getting on the podium first of all, and then just returning to winning races,” he added.
“The points then take care of themselves and we’ll see what we can claw back.”
While the exact cause of the recent power unit failure remains undisclosed, engine supplier Mercedes have reportedly identified and resolved the issue to prevent any recurrence.
McLaren have established a formidable reputation in recent years for delivering effective mid-season upgrades without compromising reliability.
Focusing on the bigger picture
The sweeping 2026 aerodynamic and engine regulation changes have reshuffled the competitive order, temporarily leaving the defending champions playing catch-up.
Teammate Oscar Piastri shares the internal optimism as the garage prepares for crucial practice sessions at Suzuka.
“I want to say I think we’re confident as a team and we believe in ourselves that we’ve won the last two championships,” Norris explained.
“The real question you probably ask is would I rather be here and have won last year, or would I rather have a slightly better car now and not have won last year, and I think you know what my answer would be.”
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen refused to answer questions and ejected a journalist from his press conference at the Japanese Grand Prix on Thursday over lingering anger from a previous interview.
The four-time Formula 1 champion declined to start his written media session at Suzuka until the reporter had left the room.
His frustration stems from a question posed at the season finale in Abu Dhabi last December.
Tensions spill over from title heartbreak
During that previous exchange, the journalist had questioned the Dutchman about an intentional collision with George Russell at last year’s Spanish Grand Prix.
The ensuing 10-second time penalty cost the 28-year-old nine crucial points.
In hindsight, that penalty proved decisive as the Red Bull talisman narrowly missed out on securing a fifth world championship by just two points.
When asked if he regretted the incident in Abu Dhabi, he had delivered a sharply critical response.
“You forget all the other stuff that happened in my season. The only thing you mention is Barcelona. I knew that would come. You’re giving me a stupid grin now.”
Suzuka standoff halts media session
Recognising the Guardian newspaper’s F1 correspondent in the room at Suzuka, the reigning championship contender immediately halted proceedings.
“I’m not speaking before he leaves.”
The surprised reporter asked if the demand was seriously due to the question regarding Spain from last year.
“Get out.”
When the journalist questioned if he was genuinely still upset by the exchange, the response remained entirely blunt.
“Yeah, get out.”
Once the reporter exited the facility, the driver visibly relaxed and told the remaining gathered press that they could begin.
Championship struggles compound frustration
The dramatic confrontation follows a difficult start to the new campaign for the typically dominant racer.
He currently trails the lead in the drivers’ championship standings by a considerable 43 points.
That deficit follows a mechanical failure at the Chinese Grand Prix, which compounded a modest sixth-place finish at the season opener in Melbourne.
Championship leader George Russell has accused rivals of attempting to slow Mercedes down after the team’s front wing came under scrutiny ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
The Brackley-based outfit have dominated the start of the 2026 Formula 1 season, with the British driver and his team-mate Kimi Antonelli securing a victory each.
However, opposing teams raised concerns following the recent race in China after video footage suggested Antonelli’s front wing did not fully close under braking.
Active aerodynamics under the microscope
Under the new 2026 technical regulations, cars feature active aerodynamics where front and rear wings open on designated straights before closing when the driver brakes.
The governing body mandates that the transition time between these aerodynamic states must not exceed 0.4 seconds.
Footage from the Shanghai circuit appeared to show the Italian teenager’s wing remaining partially open beyond the permitted timeframe.
The FIA has subsequently held discussions with the Silver Arrows regarding the aerodynamic mechanism.
‘No advantage’ for championship leaders
Russell, who currently holds a four-point advantage at the summit of the drivers’ standings, insists the delay is an operational flaw rather than a deliberate performance enhancement.
“It wasn’t intentional, and I don’t think it’s not an advantage, for sure,” said the current championship leader.
“It’s actually a problem, so something we’re trying to solve.”
“It isn’t a straightforward solution, but there is definitely no advantage to that because when we brake, the front wing is still open.”
“Kimi had the lock up towards the end of the race, and I think this was a contribution to the front wing, so it’s definitely not intentional.”
Wolff warns of political knives
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff had already anticipated backlash, warning of political manoeuvres being aimed at his garage.
The Ferrari duo of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton remain the closest challengers to the current constructors’ leaders but have admitted they face a significant pace deficit.
In a separate development ahead of qualifying in Suzuka, the FIA has implemented a late rule tweak regarding power unit energy recovery.
The permitted energy recharge has been reduced from 9.0 megajoules to 8.0 megajoules in an effort to limit electrical clipping at the end of long straights.