2026 Japanese GP: Bearman's 50G Crash Ollie Bearman, the Haas driver, faced a dramatic setback during the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix after crashing heavily during qualifying. The incident, described as a 50G crash, marked a significant moment in the race weekend, leaving Bearman to reflect on his early exit from the session. Despite a strong start to the season, Bearman was unable to match the pace of his competitors, ultimately qualifying in 18th position for the race. The crash occurred during the first qualifying session, where Bearman struggled to find the necessary speed to progress further. In a post-qualifying interview, Bearman admitted he “just didn’t find any pace,” highlighting the challenges he faced on the Suzuka circuit. His exit from Q1 was unexpected, given his previous performances, and raised questions about his ability to adapt to the demanding conditions of the Japanese track. Meanwhile, the race itself saw several key moments. Lewis Hamilton secured third place on the restart following a Safety Car period, overtaking George Russell in a thrilling maneuver. The restart provided a crucial opportunity for Hamilton to move up the order, showcasing his experience and ability to capitalize on race strategy. The race start was equally dramatic, with Oscar Piastri taking the lead into Turn 1. The McLaren driver demonstrated strong pace from the outset, setting the tone for what promised to be a competitive race. Piastri’s early advantage put pressure on the field, particularly on the leaders, who had to navigate the tight and high-speed nature of Suzuka’s layout. Qualifying highlights from the event revealed a tightly contested session, with Antonio Giovinazzi securing pole position after a dramatic final lap.#lewis_hamilton #ollie_bearman #haas #suzuka #japanese_gp
Max Verstappen Calls Red Bull Car 'Undriveable' After Poor Qualifying at Japanese GP Max Verstappen expressed frustration with his Red Bull car’s performance, calling it “undriveable” after the four-time world champion qualified 11th for Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix. The Dutchman, who has dominated Suzuka in recent years, struggled with handling issues during qualifying, marking another challenging start to the 2026 season. Verstappen crashed out in the third qualifying session, adding to his difficulties following a crash in the season opener in Australia. The 28-year-old driver criticized the new Formula One regulations, which mandate a 50-50 split between conventional and electrical power. “The car never turns mid-corner, but at the same time this weekend, it’s just oversteering a lot on entry. It’s really difficult, unpredictable,” Verstappen told Sky Sports F1. He noted that the team had made adjustments during third practice but claimed the car remained problematic during qualifying. “We thought we’d fixed it a little bit in FP3, but there was still a lot of understeer in the car. Now in qualifying, it was again undriveable, so that’s something we need to look at.” Verstappen, who finished sixth in Australia and retired from the Chinese Grand Prix two weeks prior, admitted he could not explain the car’s issues in detail. “In qualifying, it just came back to a point where it became undrivable,” he said. His frustration extended beyond the track, as he was involved in a public confrontation on March 26, 2026, when he ejected a reporter from his news conference. The incident highlighted tensions amid his ongoing struggles with the Red Bull’s performance.#red_bull #max_verstappen #formula_one #suzuka #japanese_gp
Japanese GP: Oscar Piastri fastest as McLaren outpace Mercedes in Practice Two but difficulties for Ferrari, Red Bull McLaren dominated the second practice session at Suzuka, with Oscar Piastri setting the fastest time of 1:30.133. The team outperformed Mercedes, who had led the first session, as Piastri finished 0.092 seconds ahead of Kimi Antonelli and 0.205 seconds faster than George Russell, the championship leader. McLaren’s improved pace marked a significant turnaround after struggling in the first two races of the 2026 season. Lando Norris, the world champion, finished fourth but faced challenges due to a hydraulic leak that disrupted his session. Despite missing part of the practice, Norris still managed to finish ahead of Ferrari and Mercedes’ closest rivals. Ferrari’s performance remained inconsistent, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finishing fifth and sixth respectively, over 0.7 seconds slower than Piastri. Hamilton admitted to lacking confidence in the car during race simulations, though his time on soft tires was only 0.134 seconds slower than Leclerc. Red Bull, the previous four-time winners of the Japanese Grand Prix, struggled significantly, with Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar finishing 10th and 15th. The team’s RB22, which received upgrades, appeared to lack grip on Suzuka’s technical layout, leaving them enveloped by the midfield. The session highlighted broader challenges for Red Bull, as they finished 1.4 seconds slower than in the first practice. Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg, Williams’ Alex Albon, and Haas’ Oliver Bearman completed the top eight, while Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad was restricted to a single lap due to a gearshift issue. Gabriel Bortoleto of Audi also completed only 10 laps due to mechanical problems.#ferrari #oscar_piastri #mercedes #japanese_gp #mc_laren
Formula 1 Japanese GP The Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix is set to take place, drawing attention from fans and drivers alike. The event features a variety of teams and drivers, including Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull Racing, and Williams. Among the notable participants are Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, and Lando Norris. The race is expected to be highly competitive, with each team striving for a strong performance. The event includes a range of drivers from different teams, such as Alexander Albon, Carlos Sainz, and Pierre Gasly. Additionally, there are young talents like Oliver Bearman and Andrea Kimi Antonelli who are making their mark in the sport. The presence of experienced drivers like Nico Hulkenberg and Valtteri Bottas adds to the depth of competition. The Japanese Grand Prix is known for its challenging track, which tests both the drivers and the cars. The race will be a test of skill, strategy, and endurance. Fans can expect an exciting display of speed and precision as the drivers battle for position throughout the race. The event also highlights the global appeal of Formula 1, with fans from around the world coming together to support their favorite drivers and teams. The Japanese GP is a significant part of the Formula 1 calendar, offering a unique blend of high-speed racing and cultural excitement. As the race approaches, anticipation is building, and the stage is set for an unforgettable event.#ferrari #mercedes #formula_1 #red_bull_racing #japanese_gp
