Formula One

Lewis Hamilton believes Charles Leclerc has usurped four times world champion team mate Sebastian Vettel as Ferrari's favourite.

Formula One drivers at this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix said they trust race organisers to make the right call regarding any changes to the event schedule, with Typhoon Hagibis threatening to disrupt Saturday’s qualifying session at Suzuka.

Ferrari Formula One team mates Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel played down talk of a rift between them, saying tensions that threatened to boil over at the Russian Grand Prix had cooled.

Organisers of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix said on Thursday they are keeping a close eye on the advance of Typhoon Hagibis and are working to minimise any disruption to this weekend’s schedule.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen said the team has plenty of room for improvement as they seek to rediscover their mid-season form heading into the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend.

Honda-backed Japanese Naoki Yamamoto will take part in a Formula One grand prix weekend for the first time on Friday when he drives a Toro Rosso in opening practice at his home Suzuka circuit.

Formula One has played down talk of new teams lining up on the starting grid in 2021, saying there were currently 'no serious discussions' about such a move.

Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc are a "potentially explosive combination" who need to be handled with care by Ferrari, the team's former technical director Ross Brawn said on Tuesday.

The Toro Rosso name could disappear at the end of the Formula One season with the Italy-based team seeking to race in future as Alpha Tauri, a fashion brand also owned by Red Bull.

New engine deals with McLaren and Williams are not linked to Mercedes's future in Formula One as a works team and the brand's involvement in the all-electric Formula E series, motorsport head Toto Wolff has said.