Formula 1

McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella has set out the factors that he believes helped the squad to “stay in the race” in Japan, with the Italian admitting that there is one particular area where the team “have to improve”.

Why are there no races in April? How is the break in the calendar different to the enforced summer and winter ‘shutdowns’? What will the teams be working on during this period? F1.com answers all of these questions and more in a special explainer…

With Alpine climbing from the bottom of the pack in 2025 to battling with Red Bull during the opening rounds of 2026, F1.com takes a closer look at the factors behind their upward trajectory.

He was a clear favourite to win the F1 Drivers’ Championship in the summer.

Carlos Sainz admitted he was “satisfied” with his 15th place finish in the Japanese Grand Prix, with his Williams not capable of finishing any higher on a day where only two cars retired. With Alex Albon coming home in 20th, it meant no points for Williams as their early season struggles continue – something James Vowles called “painful.”

Aston Martin F1 driver Lance Stroll will take on the opening round of the 2026 GT World Challenge Europe season later this month, making the most of a gap in the F1 calendar.

Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto missed out on the opportunity to score points in the Japanese Grand Prix.

Charles Leclerc believes that the key area Ferrari need to focus on improving going forwards is the power unit, with the Monegasque suggesting that it remains the team’s “main weakness” after the opening three races of the season.

A handful of F1 teams are still due to be in action across April, with tyre supplier Pirelli continuing their development testing programme.

An impressive start to the 2026 season leaves Bearman knocking on the so-called ‘Big Six’ door.

The Italian teenager has enjoyed a sensational start to 2026 and now leads the F1 Drivers’ Championship.

Kimi Antonelli's victory last weekend in the Japanese Grand Prix moved the Italian teenager to the top of the Drivers' Championship for the first time, and in the process, break yet another record.

Cadillac may not have any points to show for their efforts, but they have already ticked off several milestones in the opening races.

Think you know Formula 1 inside out? Test your knowledge with our Trivia Challenge and try to guess the mystery F1 figure we're talking about.

Haas reserve driver Jack Doohan has confirmed his racing plans for 2026, with the Australian due to take on the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) endurance competition.

Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies is Tom Clarkson’s guest on this week’s Beyond The Grid podcast.

Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad have reflected on a mixed Japanese Grand Prix for Racing Bulls, which resulted in another points finish for the team last weekend.

This year’s London Marathon will feature a legendary F1 personality as Sebastian Vettel puts on his running shoes around the English capital.

Kimi Antonelli recently became the second-youngest driver to win a Formula 1 Grand Prix, behind Max Verstappen.

Laurent Mekies watched his team score just four points in Japan, as Max Verstappen finished eighth and Isack Hadjar was outside the points in P12. The team have a best finish of sixth so far this season – not the return they hoped for from the first three races of the year.