Mat Coch

@NL66_ Impression is Newey never wanted the role per se, has just taken it on out of necessity.

@matcoch So he gets the TP fired to take the role then flubs it and doesn’t like it and now wants someone else to take over. Good management

Adrian Newey is in the process of recruiting his replacement as Team Principal at Aston Martin. That's been ongoing for some time but there are a couple of names that are emerging as favourites. Newey is currently acting in the TP role but he's basically a caretaker TP. #F1 1/3

@balnaincat Fascinating proposal. Not one I'd considered.

@matcoch Is there a possibility of a mixed scenario - Seidl as caretaker to free up Newey (god knows he needs to focus on the car), and wait for Wheatley's gardening leave to run out?

Suggestion from our sources is it's not that close. Seidl is one name, Jonathan Wheatley is the other. GP Lambiase was approach but wants to stay at Red Bull. #F1

@austinpanter_ There's a degree of logic there, but my understanding is he isn't one of the front runners.

@matcoch What about Horner? Any chance that happens?

Seidl is a free agent. He's the ex Porsche team boss with 919 project, headed McLaren before Stella and spent some time at Sauber. There are other names too. #F1 Full story: planetf1.com/news/adrian-ne… 3/3

Jonathan Wheatley and Andreas Seidl are favourites for the role full time. Wheatley and Newey worked together at Red Bull. There's suggestions JW wants out of Switzerland for personal reasons, but likely comes with lengthy gardening leave. Aston need him sooner. #F1 2/3

In that instance, teams can spend an additional $1.8 million per event. The Power Unit cost cap is the same, but set at $130 million. That includes any ADUO development costs... #F1 3/3

The F1 Financial Regulations set out a maximum spend for teams on key areas of $215 million '24 Competitions or fewer'. There is no facility to adjust that downwards. Only if the calendar exceeds 24 races does that figure get adjusted. #F1 2/3

The cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi GP (even if FOM hasn't used those specific terms just yet) does not have any cost cap implications despite there being two fewer races. Here's why. #F1 1/3

@dr_obbs I agree. Football is the beautiful game because of the moments of utter brilliance juxtaposed by the imperfect. We want to be able to relate, to imagine ourselves in the thick of it, only to be left in awe as these incredible athletes show us we mortals don't have a chance!

I agree with your points. But I’ll do you one step more. The decline began with the first hybrid engines in 2014. Since then the justification of these decisions has been “innovation” and being at the cutting edge of technology. But everyone ignores that when technology is introduced, we oftenlose something in the process. And whether it is racing or innovative industry, what we seem to be losing the most is the human element. The thing that makes sport imperfect and exciting is the human element. The moments of human brilliance that defies the statistical “right move” determined by control algorithms. Yes innovation is technology unchained, but in the process we are losing the defining artistry of the individual that we came to love so much. I love technology, but only when it enhances the skill of the human…not when it minimizes them.

Max Verstappen's comments about those who like F1 2026 racing shows they don't understand racing cuts to the core of modern F1. Is it a sport, or is it entertainment? On balance, one has to say entertainment for a few reasons. #F1 1/3

The introduction of DRS set us down this path, what we have now is just the latest version of that. F1 2026 has been (to me) hugely entertaining, but it's also a million miles from what F1 was. The question is: has F1 moved the needle too far towards entertainment? #F1 3/3

If it was pure sport, there would be few regulations, and none designed to keep teams within a window of performance. Sporting regulations wouldn't include mechanisms to allow cars a performance gain over rivals to increase track action, aka DRS or Boost Mode. #F1 2/3

@TheRoboteer @Planet_F1 You're right. Good pick up.

@matcoch @Planet_F1 McLaren had a double DNQ at Monaco 1983

A really tough one for McLaren and Oscar Piastri. First time there has been no McLaren on track since San Marino 1982 (not counting US 2005). Before that, Belgium 1966. But it's worse for Piastri - he is the first driver in F1 history to DNS from consecutive races. #F1

@CowboyFan105d You're right. But where on the calendar could they be squeezed? Requires a significant change with regulatory impacts. And comes with high human toll that isn't popular within the paddock. My sources said the races are off, won't be rescheduled. The rest appears to be PR. #F1

@matcoch From what I’ve seen the word canceled was not used. Only they will not take place as scheduled.

The cancellation of Bahrain and Saudi GPs was inevitable and predictable. The decision not to hold replacement races is a financial decision. After losing out on the hosting fees from those events, any replacements would be a cost, not profit, to all involved. #F1 1/3

@vincenzolandino Exactly. It does create an awkward gap just as the season was building momentum, but sometimes events just dictate things. They'd never choose this schedule, but it is what it is now.

@matcoch Yup! And all those comparing it to COVID, I wrote this is today’s dispatch

With no need to run events to meet broadcast agreements minimums, no revenue, and increased costs, replacement events simply weren't viable. And after a busy start to 2026, the paddock is tired and could use the break. #F1 Here's the full story: planetf1.com/news/bahrain-s… 3/3

Racing with no hosting fee means F1 covers all costs. Rather than making money, it is spending it. For the teams, no income for FOM means the prize money fund reduces as there's no revenue. That means these races would be an outright cost to teams, too. #F1 2/3