Ayao Komatsu: ‘For instance, the famous incident in Suzuka where he drove into Mark Webber, then Mark Webber came after the race to Romain (Grosjean)’s room, punching and kicking every single panel you can think of and then stormed off and then Romain (was) crying on the floor. (…) For me, if I was Romain, even if I was at fault, if somebody came kicking down all my panels, I would kick this guy out, right? But he couldn’t do that. But then in that emotional state, I didn’t know what’s the best way for me to help him. I didn’t tackle it head-on.’<\/p>\n
Microsoft clicks on Formula One grid with new Mercedes deal (Sky)<\/a><\/p>\n ‘Microsoft, the $3.4 (trillion) computing behemoth, will this week unveil a partnership with the Mercedes Formula One team that will underline the sport’s resurgent appeal among the world’s biggest technology companies.’<\/p>\n Doriane (Pin) graduates to development driver role (Mercedes)<\/a><\/p>\n ‘As development driver, Doriane will form part of the team\u2019s roster of drivers who work across simulator development and additional activities at the factory and trackside. On track, Doriane will split her development driver duties with a soon-to-be-announced racing programme.’<\/p>\n Ford Hypercar programme ‘great timing’ for Sargeant (Sportscar 365)<\/a><\/p>\n ‘Sargeant was initially announced as part of Genesis\u2019 \u2018Trajectory Program\u2019 with IDEC Sport in December 2024 but dropped out several months later ahead of the European Le Mans Series season opener. ‘When that whole thing happened, I wasn\u2019t signed to anyone. There was just an announcement that, truthfully, was pushed on to me; I didn\u2019t really have a choice.”<\/p>\n ECR focuses on organisational growth as the team enters season 15 (Carpenter)<\/a><\/p>\n ‘With Barnes assuming management of the engineering department, Quentin Montigaud has been promoted to race engineer of Alexander Rossi\u2019s number 20 Chevrolet. Montigaud, from France, began his engineering career nine years ago in Formula E. He has spent his entire IndyCar career with ECR and was most recently performance engineer on the number 20.’<\/p>\n When US Customs confiscated a Red Bull F1 turbo, a Ford engineer had to come to the rescue (The Drive)<\/a><\/p>\n ‘I got the call and they said, ‘How do we get this back?\u2019 I said, \u2018I don\u2019t know, but we\u2019re gonna figure it out.\u2019<\/p>\n Ford are sensitive to claims (from GM, no less) that their Red Bull F1 deal is just a branding exercise.A story that US customs stopped a Ford engineer because hadn’t they completed a manifest for a Red Bull turbocharger they were shipping in from Milton Keynes certainly helps address that.#F1<\/p>\n \u2014 Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine.bsky.social)<\/a> 2026-01-21T09:12:16.633Z<\/a><\/p>\n A season like no other \ud83c\udf7f Formula 1: Drive To Survive returns for Season 8<\/p>\n Launching February 27 on Netflix \ud83c\udfc1#F1<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/0vpjFmwaZb<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Formula 1 (@F1) January 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n RaceFans always endeavours to credit original sources. Want to share a relevant motorsport link with us? Send it in via the contact form<\/a>.<\/p>\n Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free<\/a><\/p>\n Happy birthday!<\/p>\n Happy birthday to Nathan and Salut Gilles!<\/p>\n Born today in 1993: Rio Haryanto<\/a> Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free<\/a><\/p>\n
\nOn this day in motorsport
\n![\"Rio](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Rio-Haryanto.jpg\")
<\/a>33 today: Rio Haryanto<\/p>\n
\n70 years ago today Juan Manuel Fangio won the Argentinian GP, catching and passing Stirling Moss, after taking over his team mate Luigi Musso\u2019s Lancia-Ferrari <\/p>\n