The crowd in Mexico City greeted Carlos Sainz with a rapturous ovation.
Formula 1 drivers often complain that the burden of taking part in various promotional and sponsor events is too high, and that it can even affect their results on track. On the one hand, they are perhaps right; on the other, what could be nicer than thousands of fans applauding you — that’s exactly what happened at Carlos Sainz’s meeting with the Mexican public, organized in Mexico City by the local branch of Puma, one of the Williams team’s partners. The meeting also included Selma del Toro, whose blog is dedicated to Formula 1 — she aspires to be one of the local influencers. She has known the Spanish driver at least since his win at last year’s Mexican Grand Prix.
Formula 1 drivers often complain that the burden of taking part in various promotional and sponsor events is too high, and that it can even affect their results on track. On the one hand, they are perhaps right; on the other, what could be nicer than thousands of fans applauding you — that’s exactly what happened at Carlos Sainz’s meeting with the Mexican public, organized in Mexico City by the local branch of Puma, one of the Williams team’s partners. The meeting also included Selma del Toro, whose blog is dedicated to Formula 1 — she aspires to be one of the local influencers. She has known the Spanish driver at least since his win at last year’s Mexican Grand Prix.
The ten richest Formula 1 drivers
World in Sport journalists like to count the money in athletes' pockets. In their latest ranking — the top ten richest Formula 1 drivers…
1. Lewis Hamilton: 320 million pounds
Main sources of income: team salary, endorsement deals, fashion and real estate.
Sir Lewis once again tops the ranking. With seven titles and a move to Ferrari, Hamilton's brand is unrivaled in Formula 1. Successful partnerships with Tommy Hilfiger, Mercedes‑Benz and IWC Schaffhausen add millions to his annual income. He owns properties in Monaco, London and New York and invests in startups in sustainable technologies.
2. Fernando Alonso: 270 million pounds
Main sources of income: team salary, endorsement deals, personal business.
At 44, Alonso is still in great shape. He continues his career and has strong business acumen. Fernando is co‑owner of the fashion brand Kimoa and holds stakes in various Spanish tech companies.
3.
World in Sport journalists like to count the money in athletes' pockets. In their latest ranking — the top ten richest Formula 1 drivers…
1. Lewis Hamilton: 320 million pounds
Main sources of income: team salary, endorsement deals, fashion and real estate.
Sir Lewis once again tops the ranking. With seven titles and a move to Ferrari, Hamilton's brand is unrivaled in Formula 1. Successful partnerships with Tommy Hilfiger, Mercedes‑Benz and IWC Schaffhausen add millions to his annual income. He owns properties in Monaco, London and New York and invests in startups in sustainable technologies.
2. Fernando Alonso: 270 million pounds
Main sources of income: team salary, endorsement deals, personal business.
At 44, Alonso is still in great shape. He continues his career and has strong business acumen. Fernando is co‑owner of the fashion brand Kimoa and holds stakes in various Spanish tech companies.
3.
Last year Alex Albon made it to the qualifying final in Mexico, but retired from the race, and now hopes to build on that success…
Alex Albon: "I think the Mexico track suits our car — there are more stop‑start corners where the FW47 looks pretty good. Honestly, I'm expecting more pace than the team's calculations suggest. Maybe this time I'm more optimistic than they are, which rarely happens.
But I really do think this is a good track for us. It's important how you enter the first corner. In this race a lot depends on the start, since track position is very important. Last year I had a good start. Maybe even too good, which led to my retirement."
Alex Albon: "I think the Mexico track suits our car — there are more stop‑start corners where the FW47 looks pretty good. Honestly, I'm expecting more pace than the team's calculations suggest. Maybe this time I'm more optimistic than they are, which rarely happens.
But I really do think this is a good track for us. It's important how you enter the first corner. In this race a lot depends on the start, since track position is very important. Last year I had a good start. Maybe even too good, which led to my retirement."
McLaren left the Austin collision without consequences.
McLaren have decided to leave the collision between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the Saturday sprint of the United States Grand Prix without consequences.
According to Daily Mail Sport, the team recently held an internal investigation involving team principal Andrea Stella and both drivers. As a result, it was decided not to escalate tensions within the team, not to impose sanctions on the drivers and to "start with a clean slate."
With five Grands Prix remaining in the season, McLaren have decided to focus on trying to prevent Max Verstappen from pulling ahead in the drivers' championship.
A source at McLaren told the publication: "There was a very constructive conversation within the team, at which it was decided that the best course of action would be to start with a clean slate. We have a common 'opponent', and stopping him is the main priority.
McLaren have decided to leave the collision between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the Saturday sprint of the United States Grand Prix without consequences.
According to Daily Mail Sport, the team recently held an internal investigation involving team principal Andrea Stella and both drivers. As a result, it was decided not to escalate tensions within the team, not to impose sanctions on the drivers and to "start with a clean slate."
With five Grands Prix remaining in the season, McLaren have decided to focus on trying to prevent Max Verstappen from pulling ahead in the drivers' championship.
A source at McLaren told the publication: "There was a very constructive conversation within the team, at which it was decided that the best course of action would be to start with a clean slate. We have a common 'opponent', and stopping him is the main priority.
Isack Hadjar's contract for 2026 has not yet been officially confirmed, but Helmut Marko has repeatedly said he is pleased with the French driver's performances. In Mexico, Isack himself already confirmed that he will remain in Formula 1 next season.
"The truth is that 12 months ago I wasn't sure about my future," says the Racing Bulls driver. "This year I'm in a better position. I know that I'll stay in Formula 1 next year, whereas at this time a year ago I didn't know what awaited me. So, you could say that I'm panicking less now."
Answering the question of what he thinks about the prospect of finding himself behind the wheel of Red Bull Racing already this year for the last three Grands Prix of the season, Isack said: "That would mean I would have to do two more races with my team. But that won't happen. I'm happy at Racing Bulls, I work for the team and must secure sixth place in the Constructors' Championship for them."
"The truth is that 12 months ago I wasn't sure about my future," says the Racing Bulls driver. "This year I'm in a better position. I know that I'll stay in Formula 1 next year, whereas at this time a year ago I didn't know what awaited me. So, you could say that I'm panicking less now."
Answering the question of what he thinks about the prospect of finding himself behind the wheel of Red Bull Racing already this year for the last three Grands Prix of the season, Isack said: "That would mean I would have to do two more races with my team. But that won't happen. I'm happy at Racing Bulls, I work for the team and must secure sixth place in the Constructors' Championship for them."
Next season Sergio Pérez will return to Formula 1 as part of Cadillac. As part of the preparations for their debut season, the American team has reached an agreement with Ferrari to carry out TPC tests (Testing of a Previous Car, "tests of a previous-year car") in November.
The Scuderia will provide the car, engineers and mechanics, who will work alongside Cadillac specialists, and Sergio Pérez will take the wheel.
Sergio Pérez: "No matter how much I train, I need time and I need to put in miles behind the wheel, because certain muscle groups can only be trained in the car. I have two days of testing at Imola ahead of me that will help a lot. But our preparations are already in full swing."
When Perez was asked which Ferrari he would be testing, Sergio replied: "I think it will be the 2023 car."
The Scuderia will provide the car, engineers and mechanics, who will work alongside Cadillac specialists, and Sergio Pérez will take the wheel.
Sergio Pérez: "No matter how much I train, I need time and I need to put in miles behind the wheel, because certain muscle groups can only be trained in the car. I have two days of testing at Imola ahead of me that will help a lot. But our preparations are already in full swing."
When Perez was asked which Ferrari he would be testing, Sergio replied: "I think it will be the 2023 car."
Oliver Bearman regrets that he will miss the first practice — Rio Hirakawa will take the wheel of his car on Friday, but he agrees that losing one session at the Mexican circuit is not that critical…
Oliver Bearman: "This circuit is rarely used and is often dirty in the first practice, then its condition improves as the weekend goes on. Besides, nine out of ten teams will put young drivers behind the wheel straight away, so I won't really lose much.
Mexico City is a logical choice for working with young drivers. No, it's not a good thing to miss a practice, but here it will have minimal impact, so if you had to choose, I'd pick Mexico City too.
I handed my car over in Bahrain; I agreed because we were doing tests there, but compared with the tests it was much hotter, and when I returned behind the wheel in the second practice the balance had changed."
Oliver Bearman: "This circuit is rarely used and is often dirty in the first practice, then its condition improves as the weekend goes on. Besides, nine out of ten teams will put young drivers behind the wheel straight away, so I won't really lose much.
Mexico City is a logical choice for working with young drivers. No, it's not a good thing to miss a practice, but here it will have minimal impact, so if you had to choose, I'd pick Mexico City too.
I handed my car over in Bahrain; I agreed because we were doing tests there, but compared with the tests it was much hotter, and when I returned behind the wheel in the second practice the balance had changed."
Pierre Gasly: Everyone on the team must work together.
On Thursday in Mexico City Pierre Gasly commented on the actions of his teammate Franco Colapinto in the closing laps of the race in Austin, when he failed to follow a team order and overtook him. The French Alpine driver shares the same view as the management, which held an explanatory talk with Franco after the finish.
"We discussed what happened, so there's no point in talking about it here," Gasly said before the start of the race weekend in Mexico City. "Everything that needed to be said has been said. Both the team and I are not in the most pleasant of situations, so we need to act together, stay united. That is exactly what we want.
I am much more concerned with how to make sure we don't lose an extra three seconds on pit stops because of delays. In the race, on the second stint I lost ten seconds, and that is what led to that situation.
On Thursday in Mexico City Pierre Gasly commented on the actions of his teammate Franco Colapinto in the closing laps of the race in Austin, when he failed to follow a team order and overtook him. The French Alpine driver shares the same view as the management, which held an explanatory talk with Franco after the finish.
"We discussed what happened, so there's no point in talking about it here," Gasly said before the start of the race weekend in Mexico City. "Everything that needed to be said has been said. Both the team and I are not in the most pleasant of situations, so we need to act together, stay united. That is exactly what we want.
I am much more concerned with how to make sure we don't lose an extra three seconds on pit stops because of delays. In the race, on the second stint I lost ten seconds, and that is what led to that situation.
Liam Lawson has no contract for next season, but he believes he has nothing to reproach himself for...
Liam Lawson: "We all understand that this is an important part of the season — results are being summed up, contracts are being signed, but in fact it has been like this before, so the approach doesn't change. Looking back, you can always draw conclusions. I'm not perfect, and there are things I will remember, but I believe I did everything I could.
In Austin the car was quick in qualifying, but there were difficulties in the race. We always try to get the maximum, but in Austin it didn't quite work out. I hope it will work out here."
Liam Lawson: "We all understand that this is an important part of the season — results are being summed up, contracts are being signed, but in fact it has been like this before, so the approach doesn't change. Looking back, you can always draw conclusions. I'm not perfect, and there are things I will remember, but I believe I did everything I could.
In Austin the car was quick in qualifying, but there were difficulties in the race. We always try to get the maximum, but in Austin it didn't quite work out. I hope it will work out here."
Yuki Tsunoda intends to take points off rivals and thereby help his teammate Max Verstappen win the title. The Japanese Red Bull Racing driver hopes this will help him keep his seat with the team next season.
Yuki Tsunoda: "The weekend in Austin was mixed for me, but I had a good sprint and race and scored points. I'm definitely on the right track and have improved in many areas. I am confident in what I'm doing and continue to attack to keep scoring points.
I believe we have the potential to finish second in the Constructors' Championship, and Max has the potential to become world champion. So I will try to get ahead of his rivals and help as much as I can.
As I said, I am confident in what I'm doing and in the situation I'm in. I'm trying to give my maximum to become better and score points. So I keep doing what I'm doing.
The team will choose the driver line-up it wants, but I think I've already improved a lot and continue to prove that I deserve to be in this team or another team next year."
Yuki Tsunoda: "The weekend in Austin was mixed for me, but I had a good sprint and race and scored points. I'm definitely on the right track and have improved in many areas. I am confident in what I'm doing and continue to attack to keep scoring points.
I believe we have the potential to finish second in the Constructors' Championship, and Max has the potential to become world champion. So I will try to get ahead of his rivals and help as much as I can.
As I said, I am confident in what I'm doing and in the situation I'm in. I'm trying to give my maximum to become better and score points. So I keep doing what I'm doing.
The team will choose the driver line-up it wants, but I think I've already improved a lot and continue to prove that I deserve to be in this team or another team next year."
Nico Hülkenberg is pleased with Sauber’s solid form in Austin, but not sure it will help in the tight fight among the midfield teams in Mexico…
Nico Hülkenberg: “In Austin it was one of those weekends when the car is fast from the first lap. Sometimes that happens, and it’s very pleasant. I’m glad everything went well and we managed to take something away from that weekend.
Saturday was tough because of the incident, but I’m glad that in the end I scored points again. That lifted our spirits ahead of Mexico, but we won’t get anything for free this weekend. We’ll have to fight for everything. Let’s see what the situation will be on Friday.
I don’t think anyone in the midfield has an advantage. The results are very close, and the balance of power depends on the circuit and getting the setup right. The main thing is to have a clean weekend and make the most of our potential.”
Nico Hülkenberg: “In Austin it was one of those weekends when the car is fast from the first lap. Sometimes that happens, and it’s very pleasant. I’m glad everything went well and we managed to take something away from that weekend.
Saturday was tough because of the incident, but I’m glad that in the end I scored points again. That lifted our spirits ahead of Mexico, but we won’t get anything for free this weekend. We’ll have to fight for everything. Let’s see what the situation will be on Friday.
I don’t think anyone in the midfield has an advantage. The results are very close, and the balance of power depends on the circuit and getting the setup right. The main thing is to have a clean weekend and make the most of our potential.”
Oscar Piastri: My approach hasn't changed
At the FIA press conference in Mexico, Oscar Piastri said that after everything that happened in Austin, McLaren intend to start the final part of the season with a clean slate. He also admitted that some of the responsibility for the incident at the start of the sprint last Saturday lies with him.
Oscar Piastri: "We have analyzed everything again, because we do that after every weekend regardless of what happened. In what happened in the sprint, a certain responsibility lies with me as well, and this weekend we are starting everything from a clean slate.
To be honest, my approach doesn't change. Of course, everyone knows that the lead in the championship was large and has now narrowed somewhat, but I always focus on showing the maximum possible pace each weekend and achieving the highest possible results.
Sometimes we manage it, sometimes we don't.
At the FIA press conference in Mexico, Oscar Piastri said that after everything that happened in Austin, McLaren intend to start the final part of the season with a clean slate. He also admitted that some of the responsibility for the incident at the start of the sprint last Saturday lies with him.
Oscar Piastri: "We have analyzed everything again, because we do that after every weekend regardless of what happened. In what happened in the sprint, a certain responsibility lies with me as well, and this weekend we are starting everything from a clean slate.
To be honest, my approach doesn't change. Of course, everyone knows that the lead in the championship was large and has now narrowed somewhat, but I always focus on showing the maximum possible pace each weekend and achieving the highest possible results.
Sometimes we manage it, sometimes we don't.
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Carlos Sainz: The penalty won't change my approach
After an emotional meeting with fans before the start of the weekend, on Thursday Carlos Sainz was in a good mood…
Carlos Sainz: "A five-place grid penalty won't change my approach to the weekend. It's important to start as high up as possible to give myself the best chance in the race.
I'm really hoping for a clean weekend. Yes, I managed to fight through the pack in Singapore after starting from 19th. I hope to start higher up here. In Mexico we should be competitive, as in Vegas. I hope we can score points both here and there.
Last year I won in Mexico, driving for Ferrari. This year the Scuderia hasn't been winning; it's been a difficult season for them, but I have no doubt they'll be winning races again soon. For me that win was one of the last opportunities to win a race before moving to Williams.
After an emotional meeting with fans before the start of the weekend, on Thursday Carlos Sainz was in a good mood…
Carlos Sainz: "A five-place grid penalty won't change my approach to the weekend. It's important to start as high up as possible to give myself the best chance in the race.
I'm really hoping for a clean weekend. Yes, I managed to fight through the pack in Singapore after starting from 19th. I hope to start higher up here. In Mexico we should be competitive, as in Vegas. I hope we can score points both here and there.
Last year I won in Mexico, driving for Ferrari. This year the Scuderia hasn't been winning; it's been a difficult season for them, but I have no doubt they'll be winning races again soon. For me that win was one of the last opportunities to win a race before moving to Williams.
Kimi Antonelli: Carlos and I have different opinions.
In Austin a collision occurred between Carlos Sainz and Kimi Antonelli, as a result of which the Williams driver was penalized. In Mexico, at the FIA press conference, Kimi said that he and Carlos have different opinions about what happened.
Kimi Antonelli: "It's unfortunate that this happened, because we both had good positions, but the contact between the cars effectively ended the race for both of us. You know, Carlos has his own take on the collision, and mine is different. What's done is done — now we move on.
In Austin, despite the difficult circuit, I picked up speed fairly quickly, but I wasn't able to put everything together in the final stage of qualifying. On the first lap I hit a kerb, and because of that the DRS didn't open when I pressed the button.
As a result I lost a few positions at the start, so it was a bit frustrating.
In Austin a collision occurred between Carlos Sainz and Kimi Antonelli, as a result of which the Williams driver was penalized. In Mexico, at the FIA press conference, Kimi said that he and Carlos have different opinions about what happened.
Kimi Antonelli: "It's unfortunate that this happened, because we both had good positions, but the contact between the cars effectively ended the race for both of us. You know, Carlos has his own take on the collision, and mine is different. What's done is done — now we move on.
In Austin, despite the difficult circuit, I picked up speed fairly quickly, but I wasn't able to put everything together in the final stage of qualifying. On the first lap I hit a kerb, and because of that the DRS didn't open when I pressed the button.
As a result I lost a few positions at the start, so it was a bit frustrating.
Fernando Alonso: It won't be any easier for us in Mexico
Fernando Alonso said the 2025 season is not worthy of being remembered; the Spanish Aston Martin driver was not particularly optimistic about his team's prospects at the Mexico round.
Fernando Alonso: "I want to say that we are very critical of our work. For almost the entire 2025 season we've been performing poorly and we don't hide that we are not fast enough — that's a fact. But at the same time, every weekend we make every possible effort, using the machinery available to us.
We try to achieve some results, and in Austin that was 10th place — so we scored one point. Sometimes we manage to pick up a couple of points, but I don't think there's anything to be happy about. The season is proving difficult, and the rest of it will be the same.
It won't be any easier for us in Mexico.
Fernando Alonso said the 2025 season is not worthy of being remembered; the Spanish Aston Martin driver was not particularly optimistic about his team's prospects at the Mexico round.
Fernando Alonso: "I want to say that we are very critical of our work. For almost the entire 2025 season we've been performing poorly and we don't hide that we are not fast enough — that's a fact. But at the same time, every weekend we make every possible effort, using the machinery available to us.
We try to achieve some results, and in Austin that was 10th place — so we scored one point. Sometimes we manage to pick up a couple of points, but I don't think there's anything to be happy about. The season is proving difficult, and the rest of it will be the same.
It won't be any easier for us in Mexico.
Two teams are suspected of violating the regulations.
Two Formula 1 teams are suspected of breaching the financial regulations and possibly exceeding the permissible spending in 2024.
Under the regulations, last season each team could spend no more than $135 million, but accounting for inflation and other factors that amount rose to nearly $165 million. All teams submit financial reports to the FIA, following which the federation issues certificates stating that the expenditures are within the permitted limits.
Usually these certificates are issued in September, but this year that did not happen. The last time there was a delay in issuing the certificates was in 2021, when Red Bull exceeded the permissible budget by 1.6% and were fined $7 million for it. In addition, the team had their wind-tunnel time reduced.
Two Formula 1 teams are suspected of breaching the financial regulations and possibly exceeding the permissible spending in 2024.
Under the regulations, last season each team could spend no more than $135 million, but accounting for inflation and other factors that amount rose to nearly $165 million. All teams submit financial reports to the FIA, following which the federation issues certificates stating that the expenditures are within the permitted limits.
Usually these certificates are issued in September, but this year that did not happen. The last time there was a delay in issuing the certificates was in 2021, when Red Bull exceeded the permissible budget by 1.6% and were fined $7 million for it. In addition, the team had their wind-tunnel time reduced.
Max Verstappen, speaking to the press in Mexico, in his usual manner said that he would not be upset if he did not win the title this year, although he has been world champion for the previous four years and knows what it takes.
Max Verstappen: "I want to say that in the worst case I'll finish third, which is where I am now, so nothing would change for me. I just want to try to keep winning the races that remain this season.
I hope that every weekend I'll have the opportunity to fight for victory, although that's not certain yet. But we've had a decent run of performances, and our whole team understands that we must be perfect until the end of the season to have a chance at the title. And if we manage it — well, great! It would be an incredible story about how we came back.
If not — then we just have to keep working. I suppose we can be proud of how we're finishing this season and of the sharp improvement we've achieved, but it's better to put all the worries about this off until Abu Dhabi.
Of course, we want to win, we want to win this championship. Naturally, I've won championships before; I've managed to clinch the title both at the very end of a season and early. This season, of course, has unfolded completely differently, because, to be honest, for a large part of it our situation was much worse. And it's very surprising that I'm still a title contender, but I accept it.
As I said, to win we have to be perfect in everything, and if I'm feeling pressure now, it's positive pressure. I love what I do. When you have a competitive car at your disposal, racing in it is much better than when the car lacks pace."
Max Verstappen: "I want to say that in the worst case I'll finish third, which is where I am now, so nothing would change for me. I just want to try to keep winning the races that remain this season.
I hope that every weekend I'll have the opportunity to fight for victory, although that's not certain yet. But we've had a decent run of performances, and our whole team understands that we must be perfect until the end of the season to have a chance at the title. And if we manage it — well, great! It would be an incredible story about how we came back.
If not — then we just have to keep working. I suppose we can be proud of how we're finishing this season and of the sharp improvement we've achieved, but it's better to put all the worries about this off until Abu Dhabi.
Of course, we want to win, we want to win this championship. Naturally, I've won championships before; I've managed to clinch the title both at the very end of a season and early. This season, of course, has unfolded completely differently, because, to be honest, for a large part of it our situation was much worse. And it's very surprising that I'm still a title contender, but I accept it.
As I said, to win we have to be perfect in everything, and if I'm feeling pressure now, it's positive pressure. I love what I do. When you have a competitive car at your disposal, racing in it is much better than when the car lacks pace."
After the team's decent results in Austin, Lewis Hamilton is feeling positive...
Lewis Hamilton: "We're still trying to get more out of this car, and in the last race something worked. There are hidden reserves in the car that reveal themselves from track to track, it always behaves a little differently, and you don't know how strong everyone else will be or what the balance of power will be.
Last year Ferrari won in Mexico, I hope we can use that experience and achieve a good result this weekend. I expect the feel of the car to be completely different compared to what I experienced here last year and in previous years.
This weekend I'll miss the first practice, giving the car to Antonio Fuoco, so it's extremely important to feel confident straight away in the second one."
Lewis Hamilton: "We're still trying to get more out of this car, and in the last race something worked. There are hidden reserves in the car that reveal themselves from track to track, it always behaves a little differently, and you don't know how strong everyone else will be or what the balance of power will be.
Last year Ferrari won in Mexico, I hope we can use that experience and achieve a good result this weekend. I expect the feel of the car to be completely different compared to what I experienced here last year and in previous years.
This weekend I'll miss the first practice, giving the car to Antonio Fuoco, so it's extremely important to feel confident straight away in the second one."
Speaking about the lineup for next year, Red Bull Racing's head Laurent Mekies admitted that this season Yuki Tsunoda has not been fast enough…
Laurent Mekies: "We always want more. I can't tell you that Yuki's results are enough to extend his contract. No one thinks so, Yuki doesn't think so.
Two point-scoring races, two very good starts, two very good opening laps – that's progress compared to what he had shown earlier this year. Is that enough? No, I won't lie to you. And Yuki wouldn't like me to say that it's enough.
But Tsunoda can play his part in the remaining races. First of all, we're fighting in the Constructors' Championship. Wins are no longer in sight for us, but the battle for position continues. Secondly, the faster Yuki is, the more testing we can split between the cars. It's important for us that Yuki is fast. Perhaps, with improved results we may at some point be able to fight rivals two-on-two."
Laurent Mekies: "We always want more. I can't tell you that Yuki's results are enough to extend his contract. No one thinks so, Yuki doesn't think so.
Two point-scoring races, two very good starts, two very good opening laps – that's progress compared to what he had shown earlier this year. Is that enough? No, I won't lie to you. And Yuki wouldn't like me to say that it's enough.
But Tsunoda can play his part in the remaining races. First of all, we're fighting in the Constructors' Championship. Wins are no longer in sight for us, but the battle for position continues. Secondly, the faster Yuki is, the more testing we can split between the cars. It's important for us that Yuki is fast. Perhaps, with improved results we may at some point be able to fight rivals two-on-two."