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00:11The 2026 Japanese Grand Prix, held at the technical and demanding Suzuka circuit, was
00:17not just a race, it was a turning point.
00:20If the first two rounds of the season had hinted at uncertain balances, what we saw
00:25at Suzuka has given the championship its first real shape, and that shape today is clear.
00:31A new generation is ready to take over.
00:33The face of the weekend is Kimi Antonelli.
00:36His victory in Japan is not just a significant result in terms of points, it is a statement
00:42of maturity.
00:43After already showing glimpses of his potential in the opening races, Antonelli took another
00:48step forward, delivering a veteran-like performance on a circuit that traditionally punishes even
00:54the smallest mistakes.
00:55Mercedes, often inconsistent in recent seasons, seems to have rediscovered a solid technical
01:01foundation.
01:03More importantly, it has found a leader, unexpected in timing, but entirely credible in performance.
01:09Behind him, Oscar Piastri continues to grow, securing a second place that carries more
01:14weight than the result alone suggests.
01:16The Australian gave McLaren what had been missing in the first races, composure in decisive moments.
01:22Third place went to Charles Leclerc, confirming a Ferrari that is less flashy but more rational.
01:28The Suzuka podium was not built on isolated brilliance, but on a controlled and disciplined
01:34weekend, a sign that Marinello is focusing on consistency rather than one-off peaks.
01:39If there is one key theme emerging from the Japanese Grand Prix, it is the evolution of McLaren.
01:45In the first two races of the season, the British team had shown speed but struggled to convert
01:50it into full results.
01:52Between imperfect strategies and some race management issues, the feeling was of untapped potential.
01:58Suzuka changes that narrative.
02:01Piastri's second place, combined with a much cleaner overall team performance, tells the
02:05story of a squad that has started to find order.
02:08The McLaren seen in Japan looked more aware, less frantic, more precise, and above all, better
02:13at reading the race.
02:15Lando Norris, even without a standout result, contributed to the solidity of the weekend.
02:20The internal battle with Piastri remains open, but for the first time, it feels like the
02:24team can rely on two truly complimentary drivers.
02:27The most interesting detail, however, is this.
02:30In the first two races McLaren was chasing.
02:33At Suzuka, for long stretches, it looked like part of the fight for victory.
02:37It is not yet a definitive shift in hierarchy, but it is a strong signal.
02:42The most surprising chapter concerns Red Bull racing.
02:45After years of dominance, the Japanese weekend exposed clear cracks.
02:50Max Verstappen, never truly in contention, finished far from the front, and above all, never
02:55gave the impression he could recover.
02:57It is not just about the result.
02:59It is the lack of control over the race that stands out.
03:03Suzuka, historically favorable territory, turned into hostile ground.
03:08And, in championship terms, that matters more than a simple off weekend.
03:13A more nuanced situation surrounds the other Mercedes driver, George Russell.
03:17The result is solid, but the direct comparison with Antonelli highlights an unexpected gap.
03:23In a team that is winning again, internal hierarchies could soon become a talking point.
03:28Also struggling was Aston Martin, with Fernando Alonso never truly in the mix.
03:35Suzuka reinforces doubts about the project's real competitiveness.
03:39After three races, the 2026 championship has already changed its skin.
03:45The Japanese Grand Prix does not just deliver a winner.
03:48It outlines a new hierarchy in the making.
03:51Mercedes is back at the center, but with a new face.
03:55McLaren is no longer a question mark, and becomes a real contender.
03:59Ferrari remains balanced, ready to capitalize on any opportunity.
04:04Red Bull, meanwhile, is called to respond, and quickly.
04:08And then, there is Antonelli.
04:10Until yesterday, he was the future.
04:13Today, he is the present everyone has to deal with.
04:29With the Japanese Grand Prix, Kimi Antonelli secured his second career victory, and became
04:34the leader of the Formula One World Championship with 73 points, nine more than his teammate Russell.
04:41At this point, the balance of power within Mercedes could genuinely shift, as Toto Wolff holds Antonelli's
04:47young age, growth potential, and room for improvement in very high regard.
04:51However, the Italian driver still needs to refine certain aspects to deliver
04:55perfect race weekends.
04:57Antonelli needs to improve his race starts.
04:59He has an exceptionally clean driving style, which allows him to make the most of the new
05:03generation of cars, with a 50% hybrid component.
05:07The car is set up around his driving style, favoring high mid-corner speed that requires
05:11strong downforce and the most neutral aerodynamic balance possible, in order to exploit the rake setup of
05:17the W17. This helps generate significant downforce and distribute traction efficiently from mid-corner
05:24to corner exit. This technical configuration allows the W17, combined with his driving style,
05:30to optimize the performance of a car that is currently outstanding in terms of chassis, aerodynamics,
05:36and especially the engine, making it the technical benchmark of the new generation.
05:42Ferrari achieved its third consecutive podium, this time with Leclerc, shifting the competitive dynamics
05:49in Formula One as well. While Mercedes used to be much faster in the second half of races,
05:55Ferrari has now managed to close the gap and improve its pace in the latter stages of the Grand Prix,
06:00Ferrari, by working extensively on setup and aerodynamic balance.
06:04Vassur was very clear. Starting from Miami, it will be a new championship and the season is still
06:10very long. The upcoming tests at Monza will not focus on engine hardware, but rather on optimizing
06:17the distribution of electric torque along the straights. This is currently Ferrari's weak point,
06:22as they need to improve in this area to compete with Mercedes engines, which deliver electric energy
06:27more consistently over time. Ferrari's engine, in addition to being reliable, also consumes less
06:33fuel compared to Mercedes and others. Therefore, it becomes crucial to use the MG UK to burn fuel in
06:40order to generate electrical energy, not just during braking and deceleration, but also under full throttle
06:46at corner exit. In this way, the MG UK acts as a system to absorb energy from the internal combustion,
06:54V6, recharge the batteries and allow longer deployment of electric power on straights.
06:59This is extremely important, but not the only factor. We have already seen in practice the full
07:05aerodynamic package above the air scoop, designed to channel more air toward the rear wing to maximize
07:11downforce. The SF26 is essentially a research and development laboratory for aerodynamics, where the
07:17floor and its interactions are constantly evolving. The side deflectors and fins near the gearbox ensure
07:24continuity of airflow exiting the diffuser, linking the extractor with the wing downstream of the exhaust.
07:31This system uses exhaust gas flow to trigger aerodynamic interactions that enhance load and downforce.
07:39So Ferrari's improvements may seem almost invisible, but they are real. Based on lap time data from the second
07:46half of races in Australia and China, Ferrari is now capable of competing with the benchmark cars,
07:52namely Russell's. McLaren appears to have come out of its difficult phase. There is satisfaction from
07:59Andrea Stella and both drivers, as the car has finally demonstrated its full technical potential in
08:04terms of chassis and aerodynamic balance. Most importantly, Mercedes support has started to come through
08:11unlocking much of the power and effectively giving McLaren access to the full capability of the
08:17German power unit. The results were evident, with Piastri securing a second place finish after a difficult
08:24start to the season. McLaren has continued its development path in this early phase of the championship,
08:30introducing continuous updates and optimizing all areas with small aerodynamic refinements to make the
08:36entire package work more efficiently. In fact, several previously critical areas have now been corrected.
08:43Tire wear, especially front graining, had penalized them in the earlier races with limited mileage.
08:49At Suzuka, a high downforce circuit, McLaren introduced a specific nose design with revised flap geometry.
08:57By increasing load on the tires, the carcasses operate at the correct slip angle, creating a larger contact
09:03patch and greater grip through corners. This proved crucial in solving understeer and graining issues
09:08from the first two races, improving race pace and overall performance. Now, with a month-long break,
09:14McLaren can further fine-tune all the critical areas that emerged in the opening races. However,
09:19Ferrari may be the team that makes the biggest leap, as it will conduct 200 kilometers of filming day
09:24running at Monza, the most demanding circuit for battery regeneration. Ferrari will therefore carry out
09:31the most significant and radical work on optimizing the hybrid system. By Miami, many new elements will
09:37be introduced, starting with electronic strategies, which are currently their weak point. These could
09:42allow Leclerc and Hamilton to take a major step forward in performance.
09:55Every major return to Formula One begins long before it becomes visible. Toyota's is no exception.
10:03While officially nothing was happening, beneath the surface the project was steadily taking shape.
10:08Japanese drivers spread across the junior categories, technical partnerships with Haas,
10:13carefully selected test drivers, sponsors and key executives placed in strategic positions.
10:20It was not coincidence. It was a plan. And today, piece by piece, that plan appears close to being fully
10:28revealed.
10:31Looking at the developments of the past two years, Haas' transition into TGR Haas F1 team comes as no surprise.
10:39On the contrary, it feels like the natural culmination of a path that began the moment Ayao Komatsu was appointed
10:47team principal.
10:48His presence, Japanese and deeply rooted in the country's engineering culture, opened the door to an immediate alignment with Toyota,
10:56Japan's largest automotive manufacturer, acting as the glue that brought everything together.
11:01From that point on, what initially looked like a simple technical collaboration evolved into something far more structured.
11:08First came the engineering partnership, then the TPC program, and finally the role of main sponsor and title partner.
11:15Each step clearly pointed in a defined direction.
11:19Komatsu brought with him not just a methodology, but a bridge to a Japanese ecosystem already prepared to integrate into
11:27the project.
11:28Further reinforcing this interpretation is the steady arrival of drivers and technical figures from Toyota's sphere.
11:38Ryo Hirokawa, Ritomo Miyata, Shotsu Boy, and Kamue Kobayashi have all been involved in the TPC program, contributing directly to
11:47the development of both the car and the organization.
11:50From both a sporting and managerial perspective, the team has increasingly begun to speak Japanese, while officially remaining an American
11:59outfit.
12:00This growing Japanization, driven by both Komatsu and Toyota's direct investment, points to a strategic movement that goes well beyond
12:09simple sponsorship.
12:10It signals that the Japanese manufacturer is laying down solid foundations within the paddock.
12:19What is unfolding is difficult to ignore.
12:22A partnership that began as technical support has now become a genuine alliance, bearing all the hallmarks of a gradual
12:29preparation for Toyota's return to Formula One as a full works team.
12:34Recent motorsport history shows that when a manufacturer invests in driver development programs, engineering support, infrastructure, and title partnerships, the
12:43next step is often direct entry as an official team.
12:46The broader context also supports this scenario.
12:49With Cadillac as new Formula One team, a new balance of power is emerging, one in which Japan may also
12:55seek to reassert a direct presence, capable of representing its technological and sporting heritage.
13:02Cadillac's arrival paves the way for a renewed American identity at the top level.
13:06At the same time, the rise of TGR Haas F1 team marks a transformation that is pushing Haas toward an
13:14increasingly hybrid identity.
13:16American roots, but a Japanese technical soul.
13:22It would not be surprising to see Toyota use this platform to prepare its return as an official constructor.
13:29A comeback that could create a compelling dualism between two automotive superpowers, Detroit on one side, Tokyo on the other.
13:37And it is precisely this dynamic that, in the long term, could reshape the global balance of Formula One.
13:57The reigning world champion team in both the Constructors' and Drivers' Championships has had a rather difficult start to the
14:04season.
14:05In Melbourne, the two papaya-coloured cars did not shine.
14:09They qualified on the third row.
14:12Piastri did not take part in the race after going off track during the formation lap, and reigning champion Lando
14:18Norris could do no better than fifth place.
14:21In China, things went even worse.
14:25Aside from the modest consolation of fourth and sixth place in the sprint race, the McLaren drivers again qualified on
14:32the third row for the Grand Prix.
14:34However, the real disappointment came in the race, where neither driver was able to start due to power unit issues,
14:41which appear to be the weak point of the car.
14:44The aerodynamic configuration of the MCL-40 is sound and responds very well to both high downforce Z-mode and
14:53X-mode with a lowered flap.
14:56In both configurations, airflow is channelled into the floor, ensuring sufficient air volume to generate ground effect and prevent drastic
15:04losses of downforce.
15:07A refined solution for managing external airflow is an adjustable fin, which, depending on the circuit, can be modified in
15:15its angle to reduce the impact of air on the wheel.
15:19This solution redirects airflow into the channel between the side pod and the floor, accelerating the flow ahead of the
15:26wing and enhancing both downforce and floor extraction.
15:32The side pod and engine cover configuration is designed to create a clear separation between the upper aerodynamics, clean and
15:39free of turbulence, and the underbody.
15:42Vortices along the floor edges reduce air leakage and ensure high levels of ground effect.
15:51We now arrive at the third round of the World Championship at the Suzuka circuit.
15:57Qualifying tells a slightly different story.
16:00Lando Norris lines up on the third row, but Oscar Piastri secures the third fastest time and starts from the
16:07second row.
16:09The McLaren driver gets off to a strong start and takes the lead of the race, maintaining it until Behrman's
16:15accident brings out the safety car, allowing Antonelli to take first place and win the race.
16:22Piastri finishes second.
16:24Now all teams have a long break to try to regain competitiveness.
16:30Miami will tell us whether Piastri's second place was just a one-off or a clear sign that the McLaren
16:36MCL40 has rediscovered its competitive edge.
16:51In 1949, BRM gives birth to an ambitious project with the collaboration of no less than 350 British companies.
17:00The P-15 is a mix of industry excellences, having the latest metallurgical technology and aeronautical skills acquired in World
17:09War II available.
17:11A revolutionary design that oozes innovation with a V-16, supercharged engine that at 10.500 revolutions per minute delivers
17:20520 horsepower.
17:22Tilted by 6.5 degrees, it moves the transmission to the side of the seat, lowering the driver as well
17:29as the center of gravity and improving aerodrag.
17:33The P-15 is designed around an unprecedented engine.
17:38The 16-cylinder layout features two separate V-8 units of 750 cubic centimeters each, connected by a gear cascade
17:47valve train arranged in the center of the engine block.
17:53In such a high-tech context, Rolls-Royce designs a centrifugal compressor derived from Merlin fighter jet engines, which takes
18:01the V-16 BRM forced induction to 4.5 atmospheres.
18:06Thanks to a regime of 10.500 revolutions per minute and an output of 520 horsepower, fuel consumption drops to
18:14800 meters per liter, making necessary a first-side tank with a capacity of 195 liters anchored directly to the
18:22chassis.
18:25In order to have more autonomy, an additional 25-litre fuel tank has been installed behind the driver, anchored just
18:32behind the seat.
18:33On paper, the first BRM P-15 proves to have an enormous potential, but due to poor reliability, it will
18:42never be able to express it on the track.
18:44The BRM car takes to the track at Silverstone at the 1950 F1 World Championship Grand Prix, but does not
18:52run the race.
18:53The same year Reg Parnell wins a non-championship race at Goodwood.
18:59The BRM P-15 Type 1 is a true ongoing project in preparation of the definitive F1 single-seater.
19:07The radiator is downsized, imperoving the engine cooling, as the new intake increases the airflow to the centrifugal compressor.
19:17Short manifolds with outward direct blow modified with an 8-in-1 exhaust line positioned on both sides.
19:24High-speed makes a wider windscreen extended up to the rear-view mirrors indispensable, reducing the impact of the air
19:31on the driver.
19:33Drum brakes immediately prove to be inadequate for a 520 horsepower car.
19:38Reduced braking power and overheating problems are overcome by introducing girlings, specifically designed disc brakes.
19:46An innovation that increases braking power and ensures better sensitivity under braking.
19:53The Type 15 debuts in Formula 1 in 1951 at Silverstone driven by English drivers Reg Parnell and Peter Walker.
20:02Parnell achieves 5th place, his teammate is 7th.
20:05The following year, the change of regulations prevents participation for 16-cylinder engines and BRM gives up competing in the
20:14Formula 1 World Championship for years.
20:17The BRM P-15 project dates back to 1949, but the idea of a 16-cylinder engine is from 1945.
20:26It's an ambitious project for which Rolls-Royce uses its aeronautical experience.
20:30The decision was made for a 135-degree architecture balancing forces and moments of inertia without resorting to heavy counter
20:38-rotating shafts.
20:42The 80-degree valve angle compacts the cylinder heads and reduces the power unit volume, which is built using the
20:48twin-block technique by coupling two twin 8-cylinder units in series.
20:59Arranged in the centre, the valve train cascade becomes the link point for the two units.
21:03It serves the camshafts, the dry sump lubrication system, and in the lower part it connects the two water pumps,
21:10satisfying the engine cooling.
21:13A central lay shaft, equipped with reduction gears, connects the centrifugal compressor located in front of the engine.
21:20The forced induction system is derived from the Merlin engines used for fighters.
21:24It works at an average pressure of 4-5 atmospheres, and in order to ensure the maximum forced induction, a
21:31front intake is placed above the radiator,
21:33making the nose of the P-15 V-16 unique and unmistakable.
21:5550 years ago, debuted in Formula One the new Formula One French team, Ligier.
22:02It's 1973 when Guy Ligier decided to take the leap into F1.
22:06At that time, the Ligier squad was not prepared for it.
22:10Sponsors, engine, and engineers were missing.
22:14But in less than two years, even if with small numbers, the team was created, making their debut in 1976.
22:21The car is the JS5, famous for its big air intake, chosen by its engineer, Gérard Ducarouge.
22:30Characterised by bizarre and unconventional shapes involving also the nose, it presents an integrated solution with the aero bodywork provided
22:38by ducts, useful for cooling the front brakes.
22:42A solution that ensures a good air quantity to the discs, thanks to low drag.
22:47Pretty interesting is the use of deflectors as front wheel protection, reducing the air impact and the negative effects of
22:54the turbulences produced by the rolling.
22:57As it is quite innovative, the adjustable door can choke the cooling flows on the radiators depending on the air
23:03temperature.
23:04In the MS73 version, the 60-degree Matra V12 releases 500 horsepower up to 11.600 revolutions per minute.
23:14External dampers and onboard brakes on the gearbox characterise the rear end of the JS5, ensuring performance and reliability of
23:23a project, able to bring new ideas and interesting technical starting points.
23:27The single-seater immediately proves to be competitive, and in the third race at the Long Beach street circuit, Jacques
23:34Lafitte gains an encouraging fourth place.
23:37The team has decided to enter only one car to the championship, but in his first year, the French driver
23:44is able to get an impressive pole position in Monza.
23:50Astonishing Lauda and the home team Ferrari, whose 12-cylinder was considered to be the most powerful engine of that
23:56time.
23:58Ligia can count on its formidable V12 Matra, powerful and elastic, but with a precarious reliability.
24:06The Matra used in F1 is one of the most long-running engines.
24:11Its debut is in Holland in 1968, and it ends its career in 1982 in the Ligia JS17.
24:19The MS-76 version equips the F1 Ligia in the GPs of the 1976 season.
24:26Cylinder heads and engine block lightened by magnesium alloy have a gap in the cylinder banks with a 60-degree
24:33angle, representing the classic Matra configuration.
24:37Thanks to the close camshafts and a valve incline of just 56 degrees, the intake and discharge fluid dynamic is
24:45improved.
24:47The multi-disc clutch, reduced in its diameter, can limit the weights and the rotating masses.
24:52With the aim to also reduce the bank, strengthened titanium connecting rods are introduced, thanks to their favorable strength-to
25:00-weight ratio.
25:02This factor increases the rotational speed from 11.600 up to 12.300 revolutions per minute, enhancing by 20 horsepower
25:12the maximum power of the already powerful V12 Matra.
25:19In its first season, the team gains 20 points and a fifth position in the championship.
25:25A result that rewards Guy Ligia's passion for motor racing as a former F1 driver in the 60s and a
25:32Constructors Vice World Champion in 1980.
25:46A result of the
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