Author Profile: Leopold Pleijsier

Leopold Pleijsier

Leopold Pleijsier

F1 Journalist

30356 published articles
16 Oct 2026 latest publication

Leopold Pleijsier founded F1-Fansite.com in 2001 and has followed Formula 1 since the early 1980s. He writes about daily F1 news, race weekends, drivers and the sport’s history.

Latest story: Court order pulls Mercedes into Antonelli's contract fight

Report: New 2030 V8 plan has twin turbos & smaller hybrid?

Formula 1's 2030 V8 could carry twin turbochargers and a hybrid cut to around 100kW, a report says, just as Sepang's formation-lap chaos fuels...

4 comments  | 
6 Oct 2026

Mekies admits Red Bull's first engine win was a surprise

Red Bull expected a fight at Sepang, not a first win with its own engine. Laurent Mekies explains the surprise and credits Dietrich Mateschitz...

0 comments  | 
6 Oct 2026

Leclerc's flight reportedly turns back as Bottas cycles to Singapore

Charles Leclerc's flight to Singapore missed its landing window and turned back, while Valtteri Bottas swapped the plane for a 350-kilometre gravel ride.

1 comments  | 
6 Oct 2026

Alonso reportedly set for Dakar return with Aston Martin

Fernando Alonso promised 'surprises' at Sepang. A Spanish report now links him to a Prodrive-built Aston Martin at the 2027 Dakar Rally, with Marc...

1 comments  | 
6 Oct 2026

McLaren eyes early Lambiase arrival amid upgrade doubts

Zak Brown wants Gianpiero Lambiase in papaya as early as next year, but McLaren's latest upgrade has drawn fire from Ralf Schumacher, who calls...

0 comments  | 
6 Oct 2026

Honda confirms Watanabe exit and new HRC boss from January

Honda's HRC president Koji Watanabe will retire on 1 January, handing over to Keiichi Yasuda, as Aston Martin's Sepang points offer a rare glimmer...

0 comments  | 
6 Oct 2026

Williams to carry new chassis into next 2027 season

Williams will keep its lighter chassis for 2027 after a costly 2026, with James Vowles admitting performance was left in the wind tunnel to...

1 comments  | 
6 Oct 2026

Vigna insists Ferrari united after turbulent Sepang weekend

Ferrari's CEO says the team is united, yet Leclerc's praise for Red Bull and Vasseur's slick-tyre defence show the Sepang strategy questions have not...

1 comments  | 
5 Oct 2026

Wolff admits Mercedes could revert upgrade after Sepang setback

Mercedes expected three tenths from its Sepang package and found a step backwards instead, just as Russell's power unit failure handed Antonelli a bigger...

0 comments  | 
5 Oct 2026

Tombazis admits wet software was barely tested before Sepang

A software error left cars unable to accelerate on the formation lap, and drivers from Hamilton to Sainz now question whether F1's 2026 rules...

2 comments  | 
5 Oct 2026

Pourchaire wants F1 car time after Sepang reserve duty

The 2023 Formula 2 champion is part of Mercedes' race weekends but says simulator nights are not enough, and next year looks his likelier...

1 comments  | 
5 Oct 2026

Malaysia opens new talks with F1 on a permanent return

Malaysia's prime minister has opened the door with Domenicali, but a packed calendar, contractual commitments and the cost of hosting mean any return will...

1 comments  | 
5 Oct 2026

Race Report & Results 2026 Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix

Event: Bahrain Grand Prix Track: Sepang International Circuit Weather:   Cloudy & dry  33°C / 92°F Tarmac: damp/dry  33°C / 92°F Humidity: 79% Wind:...

4 comments  | 
4 Oct 2026

Horner plays down Ferrari uproar after Brundle call

Horner says his Ferrari 'dream' remarks were meant politely, and Brundle calls the row overblown. Hamilton, Leclerc and Vowles are all backing Vasseur.

0 comments  | 
4 Oct 2026

Mercedes Sepang upgrade backfires as W17 loses straight-line speed

Mercedes expected three tenths from its Sepang package and found it went backwards. Wolff sees no race chance, while Antonelli wants Singapore before judging...

0 comments  | 
4 Oct 2026

Verstappen hits back at Russell over Sepang heat

Russell wants the FIA to free up cooling vest development. Verstappen, on pole, says he does not need one and that drivers simply have...

0 comments  | 
4 Oct 2026

Verstappen and Wolff accept Qatar and Abu Dhabi decision

Domenicali says the original calendar stands, with Abu Dhabi 99 percent sold. Verstappen and Wolff accept the assurances, though Wolff calls the region volatile.

0 comments  | 
4 Oct 2026

Toyota rules out Ocon WEC move for 2027

Toyota's Alexander Wurz says its 2027 WEC lineup is full, closing one door for Ocon. Villeneuve says the Haas exit should make him rethink...

0 comments  | 
4 Oct 2026

Starting Grid 2026 Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix

Event: Bahrain Grand Prix Track: Sepang International Circuit Starts at: 18:00 Local | 09:00 CET | 08:00 UK | 00:00 LA | 16:00 Tokyo...

1 comments  | 
3 Oct 2026

Qualifying Report & Results 2026 Bahrain F1 Grand Prix

Event: Bahrain Grand Prix Track: Sepang International Circuit Weather: Partly cloudy & dry  33°C / 91°F Tarmac: dry  58°C / 136°F Humidity: 49% Wind:...

1 comments  | 
3 Oct 2026

Vasseur rejects Hamilton hint about people above him at Ferrari

Hamilton suggested the problem sits above the team principal. Vasseur says his bosses are not the issue, and that a divided Ferrari is the...

1 comments  | 
3 Oct 2026

Extreme tyre wear leaves Sepang race wide open

Three different drivers topped practice at Sepang, but the surface is chewing through tyres. Whoever manages degradation best may win in the Malaysian heat.

0 comments  | 
3 Oct 2026

F1 confirms Qatar and Abu Dhabi will end 2026 season

After months of uncertainty, Formula 1 has settled its closing chapter. Qatar and Abu Dhabi stay on the calendar, and Imola's contingency role is...

3 comments  | 
3 Oct 2026

Komatsu says Ocon exit was about the overall picture

Ocon insists his pace was not the issue. Komatsu praises his speed but will only say the whole picture pointed to a change, and...

1 comments  | 
3 Oct 2026

Briatore closes Colapinto chapter after costly Baku crash

Briatore admits he was upset by Colapinto's Baku mistake, but says the team has moved on. The Italian also used the stage to criticise...

0 comments  | 
3 Oct 2026

Alonso teases surprises as Verstappen denies GT3 link-up

Alonso promised surprises and Verstappen promptly closed one door. The Spaniard still wants racing beyond F1, and his next move remains an open question.

0 comments  | 
3 Oct 2026

Bottas says Imola tax comments were taken out of context

Bottas says his Imola remarks were framed as unfavourably as possible. His complaint is not paying tax, but a large bill reaching back years...

0 comments  | 
3 Oct 2026

Sepang fans stranded as shuttle chaos hits Friday

Formula 1's return to Sepang has drawn big crowds, but getting home is the problem. Fans describe long waits, poor signage and kilometres on...

0 comments  | 
3 Oct 2026

Third Free Practice Report & Results 2026 Bahrain F1 Grand Prix

Event: Bahrain Grand Prix Track: Sepang International Circuit Weather: Partly cloudy dry  32°C / 89°F Tarmac: dry  56°C / 132°F Humidity: 53% Wind: 3.9...

1 comments  | 
3 Oct 2026

Hamilton backs Vasseur but says Ferrari's problems go higher?

Hamilton shields Vasseur at Sepang, yet his message is pointed: Ferrari's long-standing structure may need review, and the people above the team principal are...

0 comments  | 
2 Oct 2026