Oscar Piastri topped the only practice session in Qatar, while Red Bull failed to extract performance from the soft tyres. Max Verstappen placed sixth and Yuki Tsunoda fell to thirteenth after traffic and poor sector one execution.
Fernando Alonso says Aston Martin does not need more senior figures despite speculation around Christian Horner. His comments reflect trust in the current leadership and concern that Adrian Newey must be allowed to focus on the work that actually moves performance forward.
Yuki Tsunoda heads into the Qatar Grand Prix with his future at Red Bull still uncertain, admitting he has “no plan B” and hinting that “most people probably know” where things stand. With Red Bull expected to finalise its 2026 line-up after the weekend, Qatar may be Tsunoda’s final chance to secure his seat.
Max Verstappen says he is “all in” for the final stretch of the 2025 season as he aims to overturn Lando Norris’s 24-point lead and claim a fifth straight F1 title. With 58 points remaining, the Red Bull driver is prepared for an “all-out battle” after a strong late-season comeback.
Williams team principal James Vowles will stay in Abu Dhabi after the 2025 F1 finale to compete in the Gulf 12 Hours, driving a McLaren 720S GT3 Evo with Garage 59. It marks his first return to racing since becoming team boss and follows previous outings in the 2022 Asian Le Mans Series.
Aston Martin has appointed Adrian Newey as team principal from 2026, reshaping the structure ahead of the Honda works partnership. Andy Cowell moves into a new Chief Strategy Officer role as the team aligns its leadership to Newey’s vision.
Helmut Marko says Lando Norris was the major talent Red Bull failed to sign and explains why many young drivers fail to progress in the Red Bull system. Marko emphasises that “talent alone is not enough,” highlighting the mental demands and pressure that define Red Bull’s driver philosophy.
Mick Schumacher will join Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing for the full 2026 IndyCar season, including the Indy 500. Driving Honda-powered machinery, he will race with number 47 in tribute to his father. Schumacher says he was drawn to American racing culture and looks forward to a new chapter.
