Simone Scanu - Formula Live Pulse Blog

March 30, 2026

George Russell "going through pain" after Mercedes issues

George Russell admits he is "going through pain" after qualifying issues and an ill-timed safety car in Japan cost him victory, as Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli took the championship lead.

March 29, 2026

Verstappen vs. The Press: why Suzuka media ban is a bad for F1 transparency

Analysis of the escalating tension between Max Verstappen and the F1 media corps. We examine the fallout of the Giles Richards ban at the 2026 Japanese GP and the FIA's call for dialogue.

March 29, 2026

Is Max Verstappen’s really retiring at the end of 2026?

Max Verstappen questions his Formula 1 future after criticising the 2026 regulations and Red Bull’s struggles, raising the possibility of retirement or a shock move.

March 29, 2026

Why Oliver Bearman was so much faster than Franco Colapinto when he crashed

Ayao Komatsu defends Franco Colapinto after Oliver Bearman’s 50G crash at the Japanese GP, highlighting a 45km/h closing speed caused by differing energy deployment tactics under F1’s new regulations.

March 29, 2026

Franco Colapinto denies triggering "really dangerous" Japanese GP crash

Franco Colapinto denies causing Oliver Bearman’s heavy Japanese GP crash, pointing to a 45-50kph speed difference and energy deployment as the key factor behind the dangerous incident.

March 29, 2026

Norris and Verstappen criticise "yo-yo" battery effect after frustrating Suzuka race

Lando Norris and Max Verstappen criticise the ‘yo-yo’ battery effect at Suzuka, arguing that energy deployment rules undermine overtaking and leave drivers without enough control.

March 29, 2026

Bearman’s 50G crash puts F1’s energy rules under immediate safety scrutiny

Oliver Bearman’s 50G crash at the Japanese Grand Prix has intensified scrutiny of F1’s 2026 energy regulations, with drivers and the FIA set to review dangerous closing speeds.

March 29, 2026

Piastri's "what if": did the Safety Car rob McLaren of a Japanese GP win?

Oscar Piastri secures a brilliant P2 in his first F1 start of 2026. Analysis of the strategic heartbreak at Suzuka and whether McLaren truly had the pace to beat Mercedes.

March 29, 2026

Leclerc's "sweaty" Suzuka podium: how Ferrari defied the Safety Car trap

Charles Leclerc admits surprise at his P3 finish in the 2026 Japanese GP. We break down Ferrari's tyre strategy and the late-race defensive masterclass against Mercedes.