Mat Coch
@matcoch.bsky.social
Editor of PlanetF1.com | Australian 🦘🇦🇺
I read a lot of nonsense about conspiracy theories and bias against Oscar yesterday. I asked Thomas Maher to have a look at it all. Here is his superb, level headed look at the situation. #F1
Oscar Piastri penalty a microcosm of playing it safe in McLaren's polite title fight
Oscar Piastri's penalty in Brazil isn't quite the final nail in the coffin of his championship, but he needs some fortune for a turnaround.
www.planetf1.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:05 PM
I read a lot of nonsense about conspiracy theories and bias against Oscar yesterday. I asked Thomas Maher to have a look at it all. Here is his superb, level headed look at the situation. #F1
FIA have issued a penalty correction from the Sprint. Liam Lawson picked up 5s and 2 penalty points for his incident with Oliver Bearman. That's been amended to 5s and 1 penalty point. #F1
November 9, 2025 at 9:19 PM
FIA have issued a penalty correction from the Sprint. Liam Lawson picked up 5s and 2 penalty points for his incident with Oliver Bearman. That's been amended to 5s and 1 penalty point. #F1
Oscar Piastri picks up two penalty points for his clash with Kimi Antonelli. He's now on 8 of 12 for the rolling 12-month period. More importantly, 24 points between him and Norris with three races (and a Sprint) remain. Not impossible, but it's a big ask from here. #F1
November 9, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Oscar Piastri picks up two penalty points for his clash with Kimi Antonelli. He's now on 8 of 12 for the rolling 12-month period. More importantly, 24 points between him and Norris with three races (and a Sprint) remain. Not impossible, but it's a big ask from here. #F1
Pit lane start, plus a puncture, and Max Verstappen is still on the podium. Incredible drive, one of his very best. He is without question the best driver in F1. #F1
November 9, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Pit lane start, plus a puncture, and Max Verstappen is still on the podium. Incredible drive, one of his very best. He is without question the best driver in F1. #F1
A poor qualifying for Max Verstappen opens up the chance to take a cheap PU penalty. How important might that be? Critical race coming up for his title chances - can't afford to lose much more ground. Pit lane start coming up. #F1
November 9, 2025 at 4:34 PM
A poor qualifying for Max Verstappen opens up the chance to take a cheap PU penalty. How important might that be? Critical race coming up for his title chances - can't afford to lose much more ground. Pit lane start coming up. #F1
Pole for Norris, fourth for Piastri, and p-nowhere for Verstappen. Transformative changes in Italy, not so much in Mexico for Red Bull - the team's first ever upgrades not overseen by Christian Horner. #F1
November 8, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Pole for Norris, fourth for Piastri, and p-nowhere for Verstappen. Transformative changes in Italy, not so much in Mexico for Red Bull - the team's first ever upgrades not overseen by Christian Horner. #F1
Suggestions Bortoleto suffered a 34G impact, then 57G in his crash. Initial loss of control apparently at 339km/h. Not expected he'll take part in quali - he's fine, a new chassis is being built up. #F1
November 8, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Suggestions Bortoleto suffered a 34G impact, then 57G in his crash. Initial loss of control apparently at 339km/h. Not expected he'll take part in quali - he's fine, a new chassis is being built up. #F1
Bortoleto update: "Following precautionary checks at the circuit’s Medical Centre, we are pleased to report that Gabriel Bortoleto is ok and uninjured.
"The team would like to thank the circuit marshals, F1 and the FIA and the Medical Centre staff for their superb care." #F1
"The team would like to thank the circuit marshals, F1 and the FIA and the Medical Centre staff for their superb care." #F1
November 8, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Bortoleto update: "Following precautionary checks at the circuit’s Medical Centre, we are pleased to report that Gabriel Bortoleto is ok and uninjured.
"The team would like to thank the circuit marshals, F1 and the FIA and the Medical Centre staff for their superb care." #F1
"The team would like to thank the circuit marshals, F1 and the FIA and the Medical Centre staff for their superb care." #F1
The most worrying element of the Gabriel Bortoleto crash was that his car became airborne on the lip of the Turn 1 banking. Don't know the solution there, but that was frightening. #F1
November 8, 2025 at 3:25 PM
The most worrying element of the Gabriel Bortoleto crash was that his car became airborne on the lip of the Turn 1 banking. Don't know the solution there, but that was frightening. #F1
Pit lane starts are far too common. Given there's no real need for the parc ferme regs, it's time they're done away with so we get every car on the grid. #F1
November 8, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Pit lane starts are far too common. Given there's no real need for the parc ferme regs, it's time they're done away with so we get every car on the grid. #F1
Terry Pratchett wrote it best: A lie has run around the world before the truth has got its boots on. It's in F1's best interest to open the first 2026 test up, in a tightly controlled manner, as Thomas Maher points out. #F1
Why F1 should rethink closed-door policy for 2026 secret shakedown test
F1's first test of the new regulation cycle is set to take place behind closed doors at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in January.
www.planetf1.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Terry Pratchett wrote it best: A lie has run around the world before the truth has got its boots on. It's in F1's best interest to open the first 2026 test up, in a tightly controlled manner, as Thomas Maher points out. #F1
Jos Verstappen suggests Mark Webber get tough with McLaren re Oscar Piastri, per De Telegraaf. “I would bang my fist on the table internally. Because now everyone is wondering whether he can handle the pressure. And that’s not good for your own name, Piastri’s in this case.” #F1
November 6, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Jos Verstappen suggests Mark Webber get tough with McLaren re Oscar Piastri, per De Telegraaf. “I would bang my fist on the table internally. Because now everyone is wondering whether he can handle the pressure. And that’s not good for your own name, Piastri’s in this case.” #F1
Williams kicking some goals lately. The new/old logo was a good start, but now running the Gulf colours again... That design is peak race car livery. There are none better (especially when on a 917!). #F1
November 6, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Williams kicking some goals lately. The new/old logo was a good start, but now running the Gulf colours again... That design is peak race car livery. There are none better (especially when on a 917!). #F1
Boring but important news: John Malone stepping down as chairman of Liberty, which owns F1's commercial rights. Has been a huge player but will be replaced by Robert Bennett, who has been part of an F1 executive committee. So big change but no real impact expected. #F1
October 29, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Boring but important news: John Malone stepping down as chairman of Liberty, which owns F1's commercial rights. Has been a huge player but will be replaced by Robert Bennett, who has been part of an F1 executive committee. So big change but no real impact expected. #F1
Incredible development in the FIA presidential race. Laura Villars has confirmed to me that she is taking court action against the FIA. Deadline for nominations has passed and only Mohammed Ben Sulayem was able to submit a complete Presidential List. #F1
October 29, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Incredible development in the FIA presidential race. Laura Villars has confirmed to me that she is taking court action against the FIA. Deadline for nominations has passed and only Mohammed Ben Sulayem was able to submit a complete Presidential List. #F1
Speculation a team overspent the cost cap was rampant over the last week. Sources in the last 24 hours admit surprise at the FIA findings. There need to be further transparency around the cost cap, as breach rumours do nobody any good. #F1
Why rumours of alleged cost cap breach highlight need for greater FIA transparency
The FIA's announcement of the 2024 cost cap findings contradicted strong allegations within the F12 paddock, and raised serious questions.
www.planetf1.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Speculation a team overspent the cost cap was rampant over the last week. Sources in the last 24 hours admit surprise at the FIA findings. There need to be further transparency around the cost cap, as breach rumours do nobody any good. #F1
Paddock reaction to this has been palpable. The speculation hasn't gone away, even if the 'substantial' breach seemingly has. #F1
FIA confirms Aston Martin as sole team in cost cap breach despite paddock rumours
Aston Martin has been revealed as the team to have committed a "very minor" procedural breach of the Formula 1 cost cap
www.planetf1.com
October 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Paddock reaction to this has been palpable. The speculation hasn't gone away, even if the 'substantial' breach seemingly has. #F1
10s penalty for gaining an advantage for Lewis Hamilton is fair. No additional penalty points based on penalty guidelines so the time penalty is the sum of it. #F1
October 26, 2025 at 8:30 PM
10s penalty for gaining an advantage for Lewis Hamilton is fair. No additional penalty points based on penalty guidelines so the time penalty is the sum of it. #F1