Verstappen present at press conference, rival Sainz too

Next Thursday traditionally marks media day in Formula 1. This weekend will see the Japanese Grand Prix, so several drivers will join the press conference on Thursday. Among them is Max Verstappen. Together with Carlos Sainz and four others, he will be put through his paces for next weekend.

In Australia, the Dutchman was not present at the press conference, but this weekend the three-time world champion does join in. In addition to Sainz, Pierre Gasly, George Russell, Yuki Tsunoda and Alexander Albon will also be at the press conference. With Verstappen, Tsunoda and Albon, there might be some interesting questions about next year's Red Bull seat. Perez currently drives alongside Verstappen at Red Bull, but his contract expires at the end of the season.

On Friday, between the first free practice and the second free practice, the team bosses' press conference is scheduled. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is in Japan this weekend after all, despite earlier communication that it was not. Things are not yet going great for Mercedes this year, having already fallen 71 points behind Red Bull Racing in just three races. Williams' James Vowles joins Bruno Famin (Alpine), Ayao Komatsu (Haas) and Wolff on Friday.