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I don't know why Caddy doesn't at least incorporate the V color onto at least a portion of the F1 car. The various Caddy sports car teams all have them on at least the fin.
I feel bad for Alonso. He has so much talent but has chosen the wrong car at the wrong time the majority of his career.
I was a big Alonso fan in the 2000's, overall great package of a driver. As time has gone on, I've realized Alonso self-sabotaged his own career. Later learned about the mind games he tried to play with Hamilton at McLaren, Spygate/Crashgate (he was indirectly involved where Dennis called his bluff), his moodiness which confused Ferrari engineers (he'd tell them the car was fine yet later told Luca di Montezemolo the car was bad). Overall not only he made bad choices, he also made poor choices within the teams he was at. At the end of the day, Alonso made his own "bad luck". He's still a very quick driver and there are those that worked with him multiple times (i.e. Bob Bell) but most teams realize Alonso is the juice that's not worth the squeeze.
There's a reason none of the big teams called when they were searching for a "number two driver." RBR never called when they were finding a suitable number two to Verstappen, same with Mercedes. Even Ferrari could have called him back for a second go-around, but didn't.
The only big team who took Alonso was McLaren/Honda in 2015 when both parties had grand illusions of the late 80s early 90s McLaren/Honda success. Surprisingly he stayed there for four seasons, I'm surprised Dennis was even interested in McLaren/Alonso 2.0.
Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, have announced a small modification to the energy management parameters for Qualifying at this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.
The FIA, all 11 Formula 1 teams and the Power Unit manufacturers held talks regarding energy deployment following feedback from the drivers after the first two Grand Prix weekends of the season.
The power unit manufacturers – Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull Ford, Audi and Honda – unanimously agreed to a reduction of the maximum permitted energy recharge for Qualifying at Suzuka from 9 megajoules to 8 megajoules.
The governing body said this would "ensure the intended balance between energy deployment and driver performance is maintained".
The change means drivers will harvest less energy to charge the battery on the straights in Qualifying, which in turn means they will spend less time on part throttle and perform less lifting and coasting.
The FIA said in a statement on Thursday ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix: "This adjustment reflects feedback from drivers and teams, who have emphasised the importance of maintaining Qualifying as a performance challenge.
"The FIA notes that the first events under the 2026 Regulations have been operationally successful, and this targeted refinement is part of the normal process of optimisation as the new regulatory framework is further validated in real-world conditions.
"The FIA, together with F1 teams and Power Unit Manufacturers, continues to embrace evolutions to energy management, with further discussions scheduled in the coming weeks.”
The change means drivers will harvest less energy to charge the battery on the straights in Qualifying, which in turn means they will spend less time on part throttle and perform less lifting and coasting.
Unless I'm reading it wrong, they can harvest less on the straights, so wouldn't they lift & coast more/earlier, to get more charge into the batttery?
Granted, Suzuka only really has the back straight, so maybe they don't need as much charge capacity, but I imagine these rules are going to take a few further tweaks throughout the season.
Instead of focussing on the AMG M17 E Performance power unit inside the W17, all eyes are now on the aerodynamics of the 2026 car’s front wing. After the Chinese Grand Prix, teams were required by regulation to make their designs public, allowing the FIA – as well as rival teams – to review the concepts developed on the new single-seaters. This same process occurs regularly through the season to ensure transparency on the grid.
After this process, the Mercedes front wing raised several eyebrows on the grid. However, the team is not under investigation by the FIA for its movable front wing, which has been described as having a two-phase operating concept.
Instead, technical checks are being carried out as part of the ongoing development of the 2026 regulations and are currently under review. According to the FIA, aerodynamic characteristics of this kind fall within this category of assessment.
The closing movement of the wing reportedly occurs in two stages: the first complies with the 400-millisecond limit set by the 2026 regulations, satisfying the sensor used to monitor movable aerodynamics. However, there is a second command – bringing the wing elements to full closure – and this extends the closing time beyond the 400-millisecond allowance.
After this process, the Mercedes front wing raised several eyebrows on the grid. However, the team is not under investigation by the FIA for its movable front wing, which has been described as having a two-phase operating concept.
Instead, technical checks are being carried out as part of the ongoing development of the 2026 regulations and are currently under review. According to the FIA, aerodynamic characteristics of this kind fall within this category of assessment.
The closing movement of the wing reportedly occurs in two stages: the first complies with the 400-millisecond limit set by the 2026 regulations, satisfying the sensor used to monitor movable aerodynamics. However, there is a second command – bringing the wing elements to full closure – and this extends the closing time beyond the 400-millisecond allowance.
Collaboration and consensus are always the goal in matters such as this, with the FIA and teams in regular dialogue either individually or through the Sporting Advisory Committee, the Technical Advisory Committee, the F1 Commission or the PUAC.
I don't agree to almost all of these. I think this is internet rage bait.
10 has a halo
9 just looked out of proportion with the narrow rear wing, super wide front wing
7 had the ugly droopy nose.
3 had the ugly sail fins
Not a big fan of the Lotus
Only cars I from this list that are true beauties are the 2005 Renault, 1992 Williams, 1991 Jordan. No mention of any cars before 1985. I'd include some of the 60's Eagles and Lotuses. Some of the 70's Ferraris.
Did anyone else stay up last night to watch P3 and/or qualy at Suzuka? I watched P3, but just didn't have the energy (long workweek) to stay up until 2 am for qualy.
I absolutely love this track, but don't think I'll be able to stay up and watch the actual race from 1 - 3 am. Although ... I could catch a few hours of sleep from 10 pm - 12:30 am and then get up to watch. The spouse may not be very happy, but we'll see.
Felt really bad that Lando was stuck in the garage for the first half of P3, but at least he (miraculously) got on track for the final 25-30 min. of the session. Apparently his battery was bricked due to a coding/software error? WTF?
Do you guys think AMG HPP be held responsible for any of MCL's reliability issues?
Kimi, man. Wonder how George is feeling about his teammate's surge in form? Certainly gonna be fun and interesting to watch.
Max's RB22 looked like it was snapping all over the place (in P3), and he was not happy ... at all.
At this point in the season, I'm actually pulling for Arvid Lindblad. He seems to be on it thus far--outpacing Lawson (and Max?!?), even though he's never actually run at Suzuka before this. I'm impressed and now emotionally invested in the rook and his VCARB 03.
So, what does a "successful" season for Caddy look like? Gradually dialing in the chassis and taking positive steps in development of their own PU while running Ferrari's for their maiden campaign? Making good progress in refining processes at the new factory?
Obv AM's just a dumpster fire and will be anchored at the back for the foreseeable future. I cannot imagine how physically punishing it must be to pilot that car.
In any case, after tomorrow's gp, everyone will have a good, long time to take stock and give it a think.
Anyone think they'll make any changes to the regs/rule-set when they come back in 4-5 weeks?
Did not know the chief designer of the 2026 Mercedes car stepped down in January. Also did not know that Simone Resta (former Ferrari and Alfa Romero technical engineer) is now the deputy TD at MB to James Allison being the TD. Ironically Allison has been very quiet in the news this season despite clearly having the best car on the grid.
Watched Q3 this morning, haven't had time for quali yet.
These cars take away some of the thrill of Suzuka...slowing/derating for 130R used to be flat out
Was this a 
to Toto's ego???
The spouse may not be very happy, but we'll see.
Wonder how George is feeling about his teammate's surge in form? Certainly gonna be fun and interesting to watch. 
used to be flat out
