2026 - Race 3 [Japan]

[F1nKS]

We have Japan in two weeks. What craziness will it throw at us before the early-season break?

[Steve Boyd]

We have Japan in two weeks. What craziness will it throw at us before the early-season break?

I don't mind a bit of craziness - it all adds to the fun - as long as the weather isn't like the infamous Hunt/Lauda showdown!

[Nitrodaze]

I don't mind a bit of craziness - it all adds to the fun - as long as the weather isn't like the infamous Hunt/Lauda showdown!

A bit of rain might be good. These cars were not tested for wet racing as the scheduled test was cancelled due to the situation in Iran. Hence, no one knows what these cars are like in wet conditions. I am curious to see how the cars behave during electric power deployment and wing flap up on ther approach to the corners.

[Steve Boyd]

I'd be OK with a bit of rain - just not a full blown monsoon!

Seeing the difficulties with power delivery that some cars have experienced, a wet or damp race could prove very interesting. I wonder how much adjustment there is in the management systems over how the power is deployed. They're all "drive by wire" so we may see who has the best handle on that part of the software in a low grip race.

[F1nKS]

Rumors of Aston Martin restructuring, and Newey will step down as team principal, or might be completely out. Of course, Aston Martin says nothing is going on.

[Nitrodaze]

Rumors of Aston Martin restructuring, and Newey will step down as team principal, or might be completely out. Of course, Aston Martin says nothing is going on.

Nah, Newey is in Aston Martin for the long term. He is a partner, not an employee. He did not join Aston Martin to be a team leader; that role was thrust upon him by Stroll. Which, in hindsight, was the wrong idea. Aston always needed someone dedicated to managing the operations. You would not find any top team with someone running the technical strategy and daily operations. Two skillsets in one individual is the sort of thing you would find with privateer teams, where resources are very limited. Such that everyone must wear two hats to carry the team forward. Aston Martin is a big team, though pulling under its weight at the moment. It is unreasonable to expect Newey to perform both of those roles. Besides, he lacks operations management experience. Other people have carried that responsibility everywhere he has worked in the past.

[Nitrodaze]

I'd be OK with a bit of rain - just not a full blown monsoon!

Seeing the difficulties with power delivery that some cars have experienced, a wet or damp race could prove very interesting. I wonder how much adjustment there is in the management systems over how the power is deployed. They're all "drive by wire" so we may see who has the best handle on that part of the software in a low grip race.

I lied a bit. There was some wet running at the Barcelona preseason testing l recall. Some teams have wet experience. McLaren, Williams, Aston Martin and possibly Redbull did not do much wet running in the test. I am not sure LeClerc and the Mercedes pair had any wet running either. It would be interesting for sure if it rains at Suzuka.