Welcome to Friday’s edition of the RaceFans round-up.
Comment of the day
Formula 1 has previously had to change a season finale venue — but how feasible is it to find a replacement circuit in December?
I guess the 1997 example shows how history can change (and perhaps become less exciting) if a scheduled venue is replaced, as Estoril was by Jerez. It would make sense to keep a couple of European circuits on standby as backups that teams can reach easily, even if last-minute ticket sales become difficult.
If the finale turns into a non-event, that damage could be worse than missing out on a hosting fee for a race or two.
Martin (@F1hornet)
Social media and links
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali (Class CNBC)
‘We have to cancel the first two races that were, as you said, in Bahrain and Jeddah. But of course, now we need to wait because we have the two races at the end of the year that is Qatar and Abu Dhabi. So as you can imagine, we need to wait and see. We have a trigger time where we need to decide if the situation will allow us to go. Hopefully so, as can imagine for the bigger picture. But on the other hand, it is our duty as a global, worldwide sport to have a different option in place. And that’s what we have, of course. But as I said now The biggest hit that we had in terms of our business is really the race of cost of fuel, the logistics. We are a worldwide sport and we travel around the world, that’s the main things that we have to face today.’
- The problem looming if Trump’s Iran war forces Formula 1 to cancel more races
F1’s Albon on getting ready for the Miami GP – and his 14 cats (BBC)
‘I think you’re going to get a lot of overtakes.’ The 30-year-old believes the changes should ‘fix the majority of the issues’, adding the first three races felt ‘tricky’. ‘It’s maybe not what drivers or fans wanted,’ he says. ‘It might not be a total fix but I think all of the drivers think it’s a step in the right direction.’
Brundle on Hamilton’s start to season, Ferrari upgrades and F1 season ‘relaunch’ (Sky)
‘Lewis obviously prefers this type of car to the seasons we had with the ground-effect cars that were smashing against the ground and were quite brutal things, it didn’t seem to suit his style.’
Secretary of State Peter Kyle MP visits the AMR Technology Campus (Aston Martin)
‘The Secretary of State was also invited to take part in hot laps over the road at Silverstone Circuit, with Aston Martin Head of F1 Academy and Driver Ambassador Jessica Hawkins at the wheel of an Aston Martin Vantage, and sampled the skills required of our trackside team with a pitstop challenge at the AMR Technology Campus.’
The ‘Temple of Speed’, the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, achieves top three-star FIA road safety rating (FIA)
‘Developed by the FIA, with the support of the FIA Foundation, the FIA Road Safety Index gives organisations worldwide a data-driven methodology to assess, manage, report, and improve their road safety footprint. The Index helps organisations turn road safety commitments into measurable action and accountability by identifying risks, implementing targeted improvements, and strengthening transparency in ESG reporting.’
Schumacher already up for the next level after first runs on the Indy oval (Racer)
‘When I got the first time into a Formula 1 car, that was impressive, like just seeing the things pass by so quickly. Whereas here, everything’s very big and you have a lot of space, so visually, it’s not as impressive. But you know, I think once we get into the quali power, it will be quite different, so looking forward to experiencing that.’
After a lifetime dedicated to racing, 2026 will mark my final season as a professional racing driver.
Not the end of the journey, but the beginning of a new chapter.
Motorsport has been my life for as long as I can remember. It gave me discipline and grit before I knew why I… pic.twitter.com/zKCVKnitxH
— Lucas Di Grassi (@LucasdiGrassi) April 30, 2026
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Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Ivan!
On this day in motorsport
- 32 years ago today Ayrton Senna was killed in a crash during the San Marino Grand Prix
- 10 years ago today Nico Rosberg recorded his seventh consecutive win at the Russian Grand Prix, while Daniil Kvyat caused a first-lap collision that eliminated Sebastian Vettel.
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