MotorsportsNews

Fernando Alonso will miss media day ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka as he prepares for the birth of his first child. Aston Martin confirmed the absence is for personal reasons, with Alonso still expected to return for race weekend sessions. The unexpected news adds another storyline to an already busy F1 weekend.

Formula 1 testing in Bahrain has wrapped up, revealing early winners, quiet concerns, and major questions ahead of the 2026 season. While teams like Mercedes and Ferrari showed confidence and reliability, others leave searching for answers as focus shifts from testing programs to real race performance.

Formula 1 faces growing pressure after the 2026 race start procedure raised safety and consistency concerns during Bahrain testing. With teams divided and drivers uneasy, the FIA is now under scrutiny to act before the season opener in Melbourne.