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Tension between Formula One drivers and the media is nothing new, but a striking moment unfolded at the Japanese Grand Prix when Max Verstappen refused to begin his press conference until a specific journalist left the room.

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George Russell was quickest ahead of Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli and the McLaren of world champion Lando Norris on Friday in the only practice session of the Chinese Grand Prix weekend in Shanghai.

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Max Verstappen’s attempt to reset after a difficult start to his Formula One season ended in frustration after he was disqualified from a race he had convincingly won at the Nürburgring. The Dutch driver, a four time Formula One world champion, had taken part in a four hour endurance event in Germany on Saturday, only to see his victory overturned due to a technical violation involving tyre usage.

Verstappen, competing in the GT3 class, delivered a strong performance from the outset. Driving on the demanding 24.358 kilometre configuration of the Nürburgring, he secured pole position by a margin of nearly two seconds, underlining his pace and adaptability outside Formula One machinery. Sharing driving duties with French driver Jules Gounon and Spaniard Daniel Juncadella, Verstappen helped guide their Mercedes car, run by the Winward team and featuring Red Bull branding, to what initially appeared to be a dominant win.

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Four-time world champion Max Verstappen said Thursday he was not having much fun driving the new era of Formula 1 cars, joking he was “practising with Mario Kart” because it was more realistic than his simulator.

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Kimi Antonelli secured the first victory of his Formula One career after winning the Chinese Grand Prix and leading teammate George Russell to a Mercedes one-two finish in Shanghai.

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Mercedes driver George Russell has accused Ferrari of acting "selfish" and "silly" by blocking a proposed rule change aimed at improving safety during Formula 1 race starts.

The issue emerged during last week's season opening race in Australia, where several drivers experienced significant differences in start performance. One moment in particular raised safety concerns when Alpine driver Franco Colapinto narrowly avoided crashing into the back of Liam Lawson's slow moving Racing Bulls car at high speed. The close call highlighted how uneven launch performance across the grid could lead to dangerous situations.

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A fuming Max Verstappen said Friday was “a disaster” after torrid practice and sprint qualifying sessions at the Chinese Grand Prix.

Verstappen’s Red Bull was almost two seconds behind championship leader George Russell’s Mercedes as he finished in eighth place in both sessions in Shanghai.

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Finland’s Valtteri Bottas will not be beginning the Cadillac era of his Formula 1 career with a five-place grid penalty, after an offence from 2024 has been ruled no longer valid.