Wednesday\u2019s fast-paced F1 news includes the FIA making a change ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka as popular Sky F1 presenter Natalie Pinkham prepares to return from major surgery.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s fly through the day\u2019s main headlines at the speed of light\u2026<\/p>\n
FIA adds extra active aero zone for Japanese Grand Prix<\/p>\n
The FIA has revealed that F1 drivers will be able to activate \u2018straight mode\u2019 on the approach to Suzuka\u2019s notorious 130R corner at the Japanese Grand Prix.<\/p>\n
Only one DRS zone, located on the main straight, has been available at Suzuka over recent years.<\/p>\n
Unlike DRS, which only applied to the rear wing, active aero sees both the front and rear wings open to reduce drag, enhancing speed on the straights.<\/p>\n
Read more: FIA makes surprise decision for Japanese Grand Prix as key change emerges<\/a><\/p>\n Sky F1 presenter Natalie Pinkham to make long-awaited return at Suzuka<\/p>\n Popular Sky F1 presenter Natalie Pinkham is to make her long-awaited return at this weekend\u2019s Japanese Grand Prix following major surgery last year.<\/p>\n It comes after the television star told PlanetF1.com of her \u201cagony\u201d after suffering a slipped disc in her neck, leaving her on the sidelines for six months.<\/p>\n Pinkham has not attended a race since last year\u2019s Italian Grand Prix at Monza, with the 48-year-old briefly having her voicebox removed during surgery.<\/p>\n Read more: \u2018It was agony\u2019 \u2013 Sky F1 presenter details \u2018gross\u2019 surgery ahead of Japanese GP comeback<\/a><\/p>\n Fernando Alonso to travel \u2018slightly later\u2019 than planned to Japan<\/p>\n Aston Martin has announced that Fernando Alonso will travel to the Japanese Grand Prix \u201cslightly later\u201d than planned due to \u201cpersonal family reasons.\u201d<\/p>\n The team has insisted that \u201call is well\u201d and that the two-time world champion will be at the Suzuka circuit \u201cin time for Friday.\u201d<\/p>\n Aston Martin confirmed earlier this week that third driver Jak Crawford will drive Alonso\u2019s car in FP1.<\/p>\n Read more: Aston Martin issues Fernando Alonso statement ahead of Japanese Grand Prix<\/a><\/p>\n Jonathan Wheatley reveals Audi F1 PU \u2018area of focus\u2019<\/p>\n Jonathan Wheatley declared prior to his Audi F1 exit that no engine manufacturer \u201cwants to lose a month\u201d of development under the FIA\u2019s ADUO scheme in F1 2026.<\/p>\n It came after the former team principal revealed that Audi\u2019s power unit has become an \u201carea of focus\u201d following a \u201clong conversation\u201d with Mattia Binotto.<\/p>\n Wheatley parted company with Audi last week ahead of an expected move to Aston Martin.<\/p>\n