#F1 @Aramco #JapaneseGP 2026 Preview.
Formula 1 Lenovo Japanese Grand Prix 2025 Race Start, Suzuka International Racing Course, Suzuka, Japan. Image credit to Mark Thompson/Getty Images. 2026 Japanese GP Preview, Japanese Grand Prix Preview, F1 2026 Japan Preview, F1 Suzuka 2026 Preview.
2026 Japanese GP Preview – After Andrea Kimi Antonelli scored his maiden Grand Prix victory at the Shanghai International Circuit ahead of team-mate George Russell in a Mercedes one-two as the latter also took the win in the first Sprint of the campaign, round three of the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship returns to the famous Suzuka International Racing Course this weekend for the Formula 1 Aramco Japanese Grand Prix 2026. This will be the 49th Japanese Grand Prix, the fortieth edition as part of the Formula 1 World Championship since the sport began in 1950 and the thirty-fifth time the event has been held at Suzuka.
2026 Japanese GP Preview – A look at the Suzuka International Racing Course
Suzuka circuit is a permanent racing circuit located Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture, Japan and operated by the Mobilityland Corporation a subsidiary of Honda Motor Co. Ltd. Located in a theme park with the big wheel dominating the Suzuka Skyline, the circuit was designed as a test track for Honda in 1962 by John Hugenholtz (most notable designer of the Zandvoort, Zolder, Jarama and the stadium section of the Hockenheimring circuits), Suzuka is one of the few circuits in the world to have a figure-eight layout with the 1.2km back straight passing over the front section by an overpass. The circuit features some of the most challenging corners on the calendar including the Esses, the high-speed 130R and the famous Spoon Curve. The circuit has been modified four times during its time.
In 1987, having hosted sportscar racing and Formula 2 and having lost out initially to Fuji Speedway in the race to host the Japanese Grand Prix, Honda finally succeeded, and Formula 1 had a new Japanese home (2007-2008 aside when the race was held at Fuji Speedway), the circuit has stayed ever since and has provided the scene for many nail-biting title deciding finales including the famous collisions between Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna in 1989 and 1990. These moments added to Suzuka’s appeal with fans around the world and of course the circuit is a favourite amongst the drivers due to its difficult and demanding challenges. Suzuka is also one of the most demanding circuits on tyre wear.
The Suzuka Circuit is 5.807km (3.609 miles) in length with 18 corners and runs uniquely in both a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction.
Race distance is 307.471km (109.062 miles) in length with 53 laps in total.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli holds the fastest lap record with a 1:30.965 set in 2025 in his Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team F1 W16.
Michael Schumacher holds the record for most victories at the Japanese Grand Prix with six.
McLaren are the most successful constructor at the Japanese Grand Prix with nine victories.
2026 Japanese GP Preview – Onboard Pole Lap of Suzuka
Here is the onboard pole lap of Suzuka set at the 2025 event by Max Verstappen in his Oracle Red Bull Racing Honda-RBPT RB21 racer. The four-time World Champion posted a 1:26.983. You can watch the video right here at the link: Max Verstappen’s Pole Lap | 2025 Japanese Grand Prix | Pirelli
2026 Japanese GP Preview – The Last Five Winners
2025: Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing. 2024: Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing. 2023: Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing. 2022: Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing. 2021-20: Not Held. 2019: Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes AMG F1.
2026 Japanese GP Preview – Tyres
Pirelli will be bringing with them to Suzuka, the white side-walled C1 Hards, the yellow-marked C2 Medium tyres and the C3 red-branded Soft rubber along with the green-branded Intermediate and blue-marked Full Wet tyre compounds in case of rain.
2026 Japanese GP Preview – Overtake & Straight Mode Zones
At the Japanese Grand Prix 2026, the deployment of Formula One’s new overtaking system at Suzuka Circuit is not limited to the main straight alone. While the primary overtaking opportunity remains unchanged in principle, the circuit now features multiple Straight Mode zones to maximise efficiency and tactical variation.
The main sequence still defines the key passing chance. Detection occurs at the final corner, where the system determines whether a chasing driver is within one second. If so, Overtake Mode can be activated at the start-finish line, combining added electrical power with Straight Mode down the pit straight toward Turn 1.
However, Suzuka also includes a secondary Straight Mode zone between Turns 12 and 13, on the run through the fast left-hand sweepers leading toward Spoon Curve. Unlike the main straight, this section does not serve as a primary overtaking activation point but instead allows cars to switch into low-drag configuration to carry higher speed through one of the circuit’s longest acceleration phases.
In effect, this additional zone plays a supporting role. It improves overall lap efficiency and can subtly influence positioning—helping a driver close the gap ahead of the final sector, where the crucial detection point determines access to Overtake Mode.
Taken together, the system creates a layered approach: a mid-lap Straight Mode zone to build momentum, followed by a final-corner detection, and then a main-straight activation where overtaking is most likely to occur.
2026 Japanese GP Preview – Qualifying Energy Change
At the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix, Formula 1 introduced a last-minute tweak to qualifying energy management to improve on-track action. The FIA reduced the maximum energy recovery limit from 9MJ to 8MJ per lap, meaning drivers harvest less electrical energy. This cuts the need for “super clipping” and excessive lifting and coasting, allowing drivers to push more consistently. While overall power and speeds are slightly lower, the change prioritises driver performance over energy saving, aiming to restore qualifying as a flat-out, competitive shootout rather than a strategic energy management exercise.
2026 Japanese GP Preview – Pitlane Speed Limits
Pitlane speed limits will be 80km/h during practice, qualifying and the race.
ICYMI: Antonelli cruises to maiden victory at Chinese GP
19-year-old Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli survived an early battle with Ferrari’s Sir Lewis Hamilton and dominated from there to clinch his maiden Formula 1 victory at the Chinese GP ahead of team-mate George Russell in a Mercedes one-two as Hamilton completed the top three to take his first podium for the Prancing Horse.
Antonelli became the second youngest driver in Formula 1 history to score victory and the first Italian to win a Grand Prix since Giancarlo Fisichella done so for Renault back at the 2006 Malaysian GP.
During the sighting lap and practice start period before heading to the grid, some work was going on around reigning world champion Lando Norris’ McLaren a little earlier before the pit lane opened.
“We had identified an issue on the electronics side, which is why we had removed the floor and checked a number of parts. We believe we have rectified the issue and the team are now in final preparations for the race,” McLaren said at the time.
But the Briton is still in the garage as it stood – and the pit lane exit was closed… Norris was getting out of the car. If they could fix the issue, it looked like he would be starting from the pit lane.
There were issues on the grid too, the engine cover was off on Verstappen’s Red Bull RB22 as his crew worked to fix an issue. His car remained on the grid.
Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies reported on the Dutchman’s car: “[Verstappen] is going to be alright, we had a small issue with the rear wing coming to the grid, it has been replaced now.”
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri had his MCL40 wheeled off the grid also, with six minutes to go until the Formation Lap.
Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto and Williams’ Alexander Albon also were to start in the pit-lane.
When the 56-lap Chinese GP began, pole-sitter Antonelli got a great start as behind him Hamilton also had a great launch and made his way around the outside of the Mercedes into turn one as Leclerc ran wheel-to-wheel with the Italian, but the latter kept the Ferrari behind.
Behind them, there were some incidents, looked like Perez had spun and Lindblad also had a moment too.
And Hadjar got past Bearman and spun. This sent Bearman wide to avoid the spinning Red Bull.
Also, neither McLaren, nor Albon or Bortoleto have emerged to start this race and were forced to retire.
Hadjar had to pit for some more tyres after flat-spotting his first set of rubber.
On the second lap, Hamilton held a 0.541 second lead over Antonelli with Leclerc third, Russell fourth, Gasly fifth, Colapinto sixth, Lawson seventh, Ocon eighth, Lindblad ninth as Sainz rounded out the top ten runners.
On the back straight, Antonelli with Straight and Overtake mode made his way ahead of Hamilton to take the lead and on the main straight, Russell jumped Leclerc on the inside into the turn one right-hander to move up into third on the beginning of lap three.
There was an intra-team collision down at Cadillac, which caused Perez’s opening lap spin.
Hadjar switched to the harder tyre in his pit stop and was last and quite a way off.
In the fight for second on lap four, with Straight mode, Russell breezed his way past Hamilton to move up into second place to make it a Silver Arrows one-two.
On the fifth tour, Antonelli’s lead was at one second over team-mate Russell with Hamilton third, Leclerc fourth, Gasly fifth, Colapinto sixth, Lawson seventh, Ocon eighth, Lindblad ninth as Verstappen completed the top ten.
The incident involving both Cadillacs was deemed with no further action necessary.
On the seventh tour – The situation at Ferrari was that Hamilton just cannot keep up with his former team ahead. And as such, he now had team-mate Leclerc for company. The top four had a little bit of a gap to Gasly, who was nearly four seconds off.
Gasly also had some space, as Colapinto was a few seconds back down the road.
The eighth lap – Antonelli had to work for it on the opening couple of tours, but now he had settled down into the lead on the medium compounds. Russell was 1.3 seconds back and likewise seemed set to play the long game here, with the pit window not yet open.
On lap nine – RB’s Lawson was in trouble here; he had Lawson right behind and Verstappen was a few tenths further back. Lindblad made his move, but locked-up and Lawson got back past his team-mate.
Those three-battling meant Bearman had caught up and would also have ‘Overtake Mode’ at his disposal.
On the 10th lap, Antonelli held a 1.5 second lead over team-mate Russell with Hamilton further back in third, Leclerc fourth, Gasly fifth, Colapinto sixth, Ocon seventh, Lindblad eighth, Bearman ninth as Hulkenberg rounded out the top ten.
Lawson pulled into the pits – Verstappen followed him in. Sainz had also pitted.
And Stroll suffered a spin.
The safety car was brought out on lap 11 after Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll was seen pulling off the track at turn one.
All of the front runners pitted, with both Mercedes and Ferrari double stacking. Gasly also stopped. Colapinto remained out, so he was second and Ocon was up to third.
The order under the safety car was Antonelli had a margin to come back out in the lead, ahead of Colapinto, Ocon and Russell. Hamilton was next ahead of Lindblad, Leclerc, Hulkenberg and Gasly.
Bearman pitted and was tenth – but those who stopped the tour before had fallen back, Lawson was 13th and Verstappen in 14th.
Hadjar pitted for a second time and it was a slow stop for the Red Bull driver.
After Stroll’s AMR26 entry was cleared and the safety car came in on lap 14th – race leader Antonelli pulled comfortably away on Colapinto and Ocon.
Ocon had a look on the Alpine driver into turn one but could not make his way ahead.
Further back on the exit of turn six, Hamilton jumped Russell to move up into fourth place.
Hamilton also on the back straight with both Straight and Overtake mode, overtook Ocon to jump into third place as behind them his Ferrari team-mate also made his way in-front of both Lindblad and Russell to move up into fifth place.
Hamilton once again was on a charge, and the seven-time world champion breezed his way past Colapinto to go up into second place.
On the 16th lap, Leclerc also followed his team-mate and made his way in-front of Colapinto to get up into third place as Hamilton was keeping a close eye on Antonelli out-front.
Russell behind them was also on the move passing both Ocon and Colapinto to try and keep in-touch with the two Ferrari’s and leading team-mate Antonelli ahead.
Lap 17 – Stroll suffered a reliability issue that caused him to stop – the team suspected a “battery issue.”
Meanwhile, race leader Antonelli was holding Hamilton at bay pretty comfortably despite his rival having Overtake Mode.
The 18th lap – The yellow flags came out in sector three of the lap for some debris. Meanwhile, with two different strategies in play, the top 10 had a mixed feel.
Antonelli was leading Hamilton, Leclerc and Russell whilst then came Colapinto and Ocon who were yet to pit at this stage of proceedings.
Bearman was seventh, Gasly eighth with those two swapping since the opening part of the race.
Verstappen had just overtaken Lindblad, who also was yet to stop.
The 19th tour – Hamilton reported to his team to find him some “more power,” as he continued to drop behind Antonelli.
Leclerc was 1.5 seconds further back, but Russell had warmed his tyres up and was under a second behind the Ferrari.
Further back, Ocon and Colapinto were having a big battle, and Bearman was in that fight too. There were five cars fighting it out, all trying not to hit each other.
The 20th lap – Bearman picked off his team-mate Ocon in that little squabble, as Verstappen moved past Gasly. Colapinto remained at the front of that group in fifth. Big points available for the midfield runners.
Hulkenberg had managed to get ahead of Lindblad for tenth, those two on their original harder tyres.
Lap 21 – We were watching Bearman v Colapinto, but up-front, Antonelli was now 1.5 seconds in-front of Hamilton. Leclerc was 1.12 seconds back, but he had Russell crawling all over the SF-26 entries rear wing.
That fight up-front meant they had over 11 seconds over the field.
The 22nd tour – Bearman finally got Colapinto, who had done impressively considering the age of his tyres. Verstappen was seventh ahead of Ocon, and Gasly had dropped a place to Hulkenberg.
Gasly was furious – he felt he was run-off the road when Verstappen overtook him.
Lap 23 – The situation was Antonelli was leading, and he was nearly two seconds in-front of Hamilton whilst Russell remained a bit stuck behind Leclerc.
Lap 24 in the fight for second, Leclerc made a move on the inside of team-mate Hamilton into the turn 14 right hander to move up into the place.
On the beginning on the 25th tour, both Leclerc and Hamilton ran wheel-to-wheel into turn one, but the former managed to keep the Briton behind.
Russell also had a look on Hamilton into the turn six right hander, but the Briton shut the door on the championship leader.
Lap 26 – All this battling between Leclerc, Hamilton and Russell was only aiding race leader Antonelli, who was minding his own business and looking after his tyres.
Hamilton closed the door into the opening corner on Russell, and he too had Overtake Mode to use on Leclerc.
Lap 27 – The Ferrari battle intensified with Hamilton leading down the main straight, but this one was still ongoing. Hamilton took the racing line into the opening corner, but Leclerc retook the position into turn two.
They continued to fight wheel-to-wheel and Hamilton was back ahead briefly and then Leclerc swept past into turn eight.
The 28th tour – Hamilton used all his battery attacking and fighting Leclerc, and he was a sitting duck as Russell finally pounced and passed his former team-mate. The Briton grabbed third, and split the two SF-26’s.
The yellows flags were out – Lindblad had a spin at the hairpin. Replays showed he just lost the rear of his VCARB02 into turn 14, braking a tiny bit late and lost grip on those 27-lap old harder tyres.
The 29th lap – Russell was trying to pick off Leclerc, as the race win was driving away from him at this stage of proceedings. Race leader Antonelli was already 7.3 seconds ahead.
“Man, they are just fast in all the right places,” Russell said on the radio.
Hamilton was starting to drop back from this battle.
Lap 30 – Russell finally had enough charge in his battery to make a move, and he overtook Leclerc into the turn 14 hairpin and starts the 31st tour in second place.
The Briton now needed to set about chasing down his leading team-mate, whose tyres were in better condition running in clear air.
Ocon finally stopped for the first time, putting on a set of mediums. The Frenchman dropped down to 16th.
The 31st lap – Hulkenberg and Colapinto were both in the top 10, and neither had pitted at this stage of the Grand Prix. Looking to where Ocon had just dropped to, both could try and remain out hoping for another Safety Car.
All of which could even promote Hadjar back into the points, despite two pit stops and a spin.
The 32nd tour – Antonelli was 8.1 seconds ahead of team-mate Russell – Leclerc had dropped off the back of Russell’s Silver Arrow, as Hamilton began to chase back to his team-mate.
Leclerc was told on lap 33 that “Plan C” could potentially come into play.
Lap 34 – Colapinto pitted and was very squirrely out of the pits. Ocon was behind, he saw an opportunity whilst his rival was on colder rubber. Ocon attempted to send it up the inside, backed out but too late as the pairing made contact, both spinning round and shedding some debris.
The stewards were currently investigating the incident between both Ocon and Colapinto.
The 35th tour – Ocon had apologised over the radio, although it could be seen as a racing incident.
Meanwhile, Alonso was the sixth retiree from the race for Aston Martin.
Lap 36 – “I have no power… I come out of the last corner; I have no power!” Hamilton said.
Ferrari told Hamilton they were looking into the issue, but he found enough power to get back into third as Leclerc locked up and opened the door for his team-mate to take the place.
Leclerc had a look into the opening corner, but Hamilton held the inside line and remained in-front.
The 37th tour – The situation was Antonelli 7.5 seconds in-front of Russell, Hamilton was a further 5.8 seconds back in third with Leclerc right behind him.
Bearman was now fifth, ahead of Verstappen, Gasly, Lawson, Hadjar and Sainz. Lindblad in 11th was still on his original tyres, the only driver who had not pitted yet.
Colapinto fell to 12th after that collision and Ocon 13th with the latter hit with a 10-second-timed-penalty for causing a collision.
The 38th lap – Antonelli, who was prone to a few mistakes last campaign, had been sensational so far.
The Italian remained comfortably out-front, seven seconds ahead of Russell. His team-mate Russell was eating into the lead ever so slightly, but he had used far more of his tyre life.
Lap 39 – But Russell had not given up the fight just yet, he eked another two tenths out of that gap to his leading team-mate.
The 40th tour – The Ferrari duo had been slugging it out all weekend long. Leclerc made the move into the turn 14 hairpin, but Hamilton wasn’t giving up. Into the opening corner, he fought back alongside and was back in front of the Monegasque driver
Those two were battling for a podium – Hamilton was holding third.
The 41st lap – Russell’s tyres were holding on – like Hamilton, he could have been able to drive through any graining. The championship leader just took out half-a-second on that last tour, but would he run out of time to catch up and make a move was the question.
Antonelli had been picking off tailenders too, which would have cost the Mercedes driver some time.
Lap 42 – “That is actually quite a fun battle,” said Leclerc, who was complaining yesterday about his team-mate’s moves but seemed much happier compared to the Sprint.
Those two remained closely matched, as Hamilton targeted a first Ferrari podium.
The 43rd tour – Russell lost time lapping the Cadillac pairing and dropped 7.4 seconds behind his team-mate.
“This traffic is so bad,” explained Antonelli, who was now coming up behind Hulkenberg and Ocon.
Lap 44 – Lindblad had finally came in to switch his original hard tyres and bolted on some medium compounds. The Briton dropped to 15th, in between the two Cadillac entries but had fresh rubber with which to push.
The 45th tour – Lindblad completed 44 laps on his C3 hard tyres – and the front runners needed to complete a similar amount. So, it is doable, and unless their tyres fall off the cliff, they should be able to pull off a one-stopper.
Lap 46 – Four-time world champion Verstappen was told to retire his Ford-RBPT-powered entry. The Dutchman was slowly crawling back to the pits and made it back on the 47th tour.
This promoted Hadjar to eighth, Sainz to ninth and Colapinto back into the points.
Lap 47 – Antonelli’s lead over Russell was at 8.6 seconds, but there could yet be late drama. Verstappen made it back to the pits to retire, the seventh car out of the Grand Prix.
There were now five midfield cars in the top 10.
The 48th lap – “Not exactly sure what it is, just know it is an electrical issue, something to do with the PU,” explained Piastri in the media pen. “It has been a while since I have watched two F1 races from the sidelines.”
Ocon did pit and served his penalty, the team had some work to do on the side of his VF-26 entry where he collided with Colapinto, and he eventually returned at the rear.
Lap 49 – Antonelli lead from Russell, Hamilton and Leclerc – the Ferrari duo had finally stopped fighting each other.
Bearman could potentially be ‘best of the rest’ as he did in Australia, he was fifth. Gasly held sixth, in-front of Lawson, Hadjar, Sainz and Colapinto.
Colapinto was catching Sainz rapidly. Hulkenberg was a long way back in 11th place.
Lap 50 – The situation with race leader Antonelli was hehad to work for it at the beginning thanks to Hamilton snatching the lead and Leclerc trying to squeeze past the Mercedes driver too, but since Antonelli got back past both Ferrari’s, he was unstoppable.
He now led by 9.5 seconds, and team-mate Russell behind reported his rear tyres were gone.
The Mercedes were still lapping faster than the Ferrari pairing, so they could try and limp home regardless.
The 51st lap – Antonelli was 26.3 seconds ahead of Hamilton, and 29.4 seconds in-front of Leclerc so he had plenty of breathing space. Russell slightly less so, as he was nine seconds back on his Italian team-mate.
The man on the move behind was Colapinto, who was about to break into the one-second mark and get ‘Overtake Mode’ as he chased Sainz for ninth place.
Lap 52 – Leclerc had just locked-up by the way – that gave Hamilton a few more tenths in their battle.
The 53rd tour – Race leader Antonelli suffered a big lock-up into the turn 14 right-hander and lost a bit of time to second-placed team-mate Russell. “Let’s just get this thing home,” Bono told the youngster.
Lap 54 – Antonelli still held a 7.6 second lead, losing a couple of seconds. These tyres were ragged; no one was finding it easy to maintain temperature and find the grip levels on what was very worn rubber. Leclerc behind was also struggling and had fallen 3.6 seconds behind Hamilton.
Antonelli crossed the line to clinch his maiden Grand Prix victory in China ahead of team-mate Russell by 5.515 seconds to complete a Silver Arrows one-two whilst Hamilton captured his first podium for the Scuderia and was a further 25.267 seconds adrift of the Italian.
Haas’s Bearman came home an impressive fifth and in-front of Gasly who took sixth and RB’s Lawson who followed in eighth.
Sainz survived a final lap wheel-to-wheel battle with Colapinto to settle for ninth place.
2026 Japanese GP Preview – The Situation
Round three of the 2026 Formula 1 campaign heads to the legendary Suzuka International Racing Course this weekend for the Japanese GP.
Whatever the era of regulations, driver skill and the performance of the car are put to the ultimate test around the figure-of-eight Suzuka track, which features some of the most famous corner sequences in the sport.
After scoring one-two finishes at each of the season’s first two races, Mercedes will be pushing for their third consecutive win with Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Formula 1’s newest Grand Prix winner after taking the honours in Shanghai, with the Bologna-born Italian looking to see if he can build on the momentum against fellow championship-leading team-mate George Russell.
Ferrari will most likely again be the Silver Arrows’ threat as they attempt to improve on their three-four finishes at Albert Park and Shanghai in search of their first victory since 2024 – and a first since the golden era of Michael Schumacher in 2004.
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen is undefeated at Suzuka in both qualifying and the race since F1 returned to Japan after the coronavirus pandemic in 2022, but the Dutchman will have a tough task to get anywhere near that this time with Red Bull off the pace so far in this 2026 campaign.
The same performance gap applies to defending World Constructor’s Champions McLaren, who will be aiming to just make the race start in Japan after a disastrous double DNS at the Shanghai International Circuit.
With the Japanese Grand Prix now serving as the final race of Formula 1 action for five weeks following the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix in April.
Russell returns to the “Land of the Rising Sun” sitting on top of the World Driver’s Championship with 51 points and a four-point advantage over Mercedes team-mate Antonelli who is second on 47 points whilst Leclerc is third and a further 17 points behind the Briton on 34 points.
Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team returns to Japan on top of the Constructors Championship with 98 points and a 31-point lead over nearest rivals Scuderia Ferrari who are second on 67 points whilst McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team are a further 81 points behind the Brackley based-outfit in third on 18 points.
2026 Japanese GP Preview – Newey steps down as Team Principal for Aston Martin whilst Jonathan Wheatley resigns as Audi Team Principal
In a major leadership shake-up ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season, Adrian Newey is set to step down from his role as Team Principal at Aston Martin F1 Team, marking a strategic shift for the ambitious British outfit. The legendary engineer, widely regarded as one of the greatest car designers in Formula 1 history, will instead refocus on his core strength in a hands-on technical role. Team owner Lawrence Stroll reinforced Newey’s continued importance, stating, “Adrian Newey is my partner and an important shareholder,” highlighting that his influence will remain central despite stepping back from day-to-day management.
Newey’s decision follows a challenging start to the 2026 campaign, with performance inconsistencies prompting a rethink of the team’s structure. By stepping away from the Team Principal position, Newey is expected to concentrate fully on car development, an area where he has historically delivered championship-winning success.
At the same time, Jonathan Wheatley has stepped down from his role as Team Principal of Audi F1 Team, officially citing “personal reasons.” However, his departure has quickly fuelled strong speculation that he is poised to join Aston Martin as their new Team Principal. Reports suggest the move could reunite key figures from Red Bull’s dominant era, bringing proven leadership to a team in transition.
Meanwhile, Mattia Binotto will continue to lead Audi’s Formula 1 project and is now expected to take on expanded responsibilities, including stepping into the Team Principal role following Wheatley’s exit. This internal promotion ensures continuity for Audi as they prepare for their full Formula 1 entry, maintaining stability during a critical development phase.
If Wheatley’s move to Aston Martin is confirmed, it would complete a significant reshuffle of the Formula 1 leadership landscape, with teams positioning themselves for success under the new 2026 regulations.
Click here for the 2026 Formula 1 World Driver’s (Top 10) and Constructor’s Championship Standings
The Formula 1 Aramco Japanese Grand Prix 2026 weekend begins Friday March 27 with Free Practice 1 and 2, followed by Free Practice 3 and Qualifying Saturday March 28 and the 53 lap Race Sunday March 29.
