Author Profile: Leopold Pleijsier

Leopold Pleijsier

Leopold Pleijsier

F1 Journalist

30146 published articles
18 Sep 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: Hamilton: I never asked Ferrari to replace anyone

Rebuilding a DAMAGED F1 Car | Williams Racing

Ben Howard, Chief Mechanic, offers an insight into how the team pulled together to get Logan Sargeant's FW45 race-ready for the FW45 in under...

1 comments  | 
29 Sep 2023

My Job in F1: Lewis | Formula One Driver

Pushing the car to its limits and extracting the maximum from it, every race weekend. Meet Lewis Hamilton, one of our two ​⁠Formula 1...

4 comments  | 
29 Sep 2023

Top secret access to Mission Control during F1 Qualifying

Over 9,000km away… but still an integral part of our team. Go into Mission Control at the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) with the strategy...

0 comments  | 
29 Sep 2023

ALL ACCESS F1 | From Japan with love Japanese GP

Back on familiar grounds, Yuki Tsunoda had the chance to show teammate Liam Lawson around Tokyo before our most recent race in Japan. From...

0 comments  | 
29 Sep 2023

Lawson to Steer AlphaTauri in Qatar as Ricciardo Eyes F1 Comeback

Sep.29 - Daniel Ricciardo says his broken hand is getting "better and better". That is despite the fact that sources are reporting this week...

1 comments  | 
29 Sep 2023

Andretti's F1 Dream Becomes Reality as Competitors Fall Short

Sep.29 - The signs are becoming ever-clearer that Andretti-Cadillac has received the green light to enter Formula 1 by the sport's governing FIA. We...

1 comments  | 
29 Sep 2023

Perez Aiming for Solo F1 Victory in Mexico Amid Red Bull Dynamics

Sep.29 - A well-known Formula 1 commentator has played down the recent controversy surrounding Dr Helmut Marko's words about Sergio Perez. Red Bull team...

5 comments  | 
29 Sep 2023

Sargeant's F1 Future Hangs in the Balance Amid Steady Progress

Sep.28 - Williams has given another clear indication that Logan Sargeant will not be ousted at the end of the season. The race seat...

1 comments  | 
28 Sep 2023

Alpine's Bruno Famin Calm Amidst Turmoil: No Rush for New Team Principal

Sep.28 - Alpine's interim boss Bruno Famin insists he is under no pressure to find his full-time replacement. Just ahead of the summer break,...

3 comments  | 
28 Sep 2023

Jessica Hawkins completes debut F1 test with AMF1 Team

AMF1 Team Driver Ambassador Jessica Hawkins completed her first F1 test piloting the AMR21 in Budapest last week. Showcasing a strong performance, Jessica achieved...

1 comments  | 
27 Sep 2023

Wallpaper Photos 2023 Japanese F1 Grand Prix

Wallpaper photos of the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix driven around the Suzuka circuit, This Grand Prix was won by Max Verstappen with the Red...

0 comments  | 
27 Sep 2023

Perez's Battle Beyond the Track: The Mental Coach Helping him Stay in F1

Sep.27 - Sergio Perez admits he hired a "mental coach" this year as the pressure of being dominant Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen's teammate...

1 comments  | 
27 Sep 2023

Piastri's Formula 1 Triumphs Spark Red Bull's Interest in Young Talent

Sep.27 - As Oscar Piastri soared to his first front-row qualifying effort and podium at Suzuka, the superlatives are now flowing. "It wasn't my...

4 comments  | 
27 Sep 2023

Adidas in the Fast Lane: Sportswear Titan's Potential F1 Debut

Sep.27 - Adidas has refused to deny speculation it could take over the naming rights at Red Bull-owned AlphaTauri from 2024. Earlier, it was...

2 comments  | 
27 Sep 2023

Adrian Newey 2023 Beyond the Grid Podcast interview

Adrian Newey stands as one of the monumental figures in Formula 1 designing. During his stints with powerhouses like Williams, McLaren, and Red Bull...

0 comments  | 
27 Sep 2023

F1 Nation: 2023 Japanese F1 Grand Prix Review Podcast

Last week, Max Verstappen expressed to F1 Nation his strong desire to clinch the Japanese Grand Prix with a 20-second lead, following a challenging...

0 comments  | 
27 Sep 2023

Navigating the High-Speed Gambit: Risk and Reward Dynamics in F1 Racing

Racing F1 cars at speeds of over 200 mph on tight and twisty circuits is a challenge. Especially when you add the unpredictable weather...

0 comments  | 
26 Sep 2023

Red Bull's Horner Backs Struggling Perez: "He'll Bounce Back Strong"

Sep.26 - Sergio Perez is at Red Bull to finish in "second place" behind teammate Max Verstappen. That is the claim of none other...

3 comments  | 
26 Sep 2023

Vettel's Racing Renaissance: LMP2 Drive at Le Mans 2024 in the Cards?

Sep.26 - Sebastian Vettel is reportedly poised to launch a comeback as a racing driver. The quadruple world champion, who quit Formula 1 at...

2 comments  | 
26 Sep 2023

Ferrari and Mercedes Express Concern Over McLaren's Rapid Rise in F1

Sep.26 - Two of F1's absolute top teams - Ferrari and Mercedes - admit to being "worried" about being left behind by the rapidly-improving...

3 comments  | 
26 Sep 2023

Top gear on screen: exploring the best Formula 1 movies of all time

Formula 1, often hailed as the pinnacle of motorsports, has consistently captivated both racing enthusiasts and movie aficionados. Its blend of lightning-fast speed, fierce...

0 comments  | 
25 Sep 2023

Schumacher's Says WEC Move: Not a Done Deal Yet

Sep.25 - A confused-looking Mick Schumacher on Sunday had to deny that his move to world endurance sportscar racing is already set in stone...

1 comments  | 
25 Sep 2023

Verstappen's Suzuka Triumph Marks His Resurgence, Casting Shadows on Perez?

Sep.25 - As Max Verstappen celebrated his return to form and Red Bull celebrated the 2023 constructors' title on Sunday, a new dark cloud...

9 comments  | 
25 Sep 2023

Race Report & Results 2023 Japanese F1 Grand Prix

Event: Japanese Grand Prix Track: Suzuka Circuit Weather: dry  27°C Tarmac: dry  39°C Humidity : 42% Wind : 1 km/h S Pressure: 1013 mbar...

10 comments  | 
24 Sep 2023

Verstappen: Suzuka F1 Win Proves Flexi-Wing Critics Wrong - "They Can Go Suck on an Egg

Sep.24 - Max Verstappen left no doubt about it at Suzuka - the Singapore performance crisis is over. The Dutchman was not just seven...

5 comments  | 
24 Sep 2023

Sargeant's Suzuka Nightmare: Is His F1 Future in Jeopardy?

Sep.24 - Logan Sargeant may have ended his Formula 1 career at Suzuka. Although the well-financed Felipe Drugovich, Mick Schumacher and Red Bull-backed Liam...

4 comments  | 
24 Sep 2023

Toyota's Grand Return: Japanese Giant Set to Rejoin F1 in 2024

Sep.24 - Wild new rumours at Suzuka suggest Toyota could be on the way back into Formula 1. McLaren stunned the Japanese GP paddock...

5 comments  | 
24 Sep 2023

Photos Practice & Quali 2023 Japanese F1 GP

Below you can find photos made during the practice sessions and qualifying on Friday and Saturday before the 2023 Japanese Formula One Grand Prix.

0 comments  | 
23 Sep 2023

George Russell Draws Suzuka F1 Track....BLINDFOLDED?!

Suzuka. A tricky track layout to drive, and to draw. ✏️ How do we rate George's effort, out of 10? 🤔

0 comments  | 
23 Sep 2023

Red Bull's Suzuka Redemption: Verstappen Shows RB19 F1 Car is Working Again!

Sep.23 - Singapore was just a mysterious blip in Red Bull's otherwise dominant 2024 season. That is now clear, as Max Verstappen has dominated...

1 comments  | 
23 Sep 2023