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Ralf Schumacher refused to pick Aston Martin as the ‘biggest flop’ in favour of the ‘real flop’.
There have only been two race weekends in the 2026 Formula 1 season, with there being headlines up and down the grid.
However, the spotlight at the back of the grid has been focused on Aston Martin as the team have had a difficult start to the year and have not scored points in Australia or China.
After the Japanese Grand Prix, there will be a lengthy gap due to the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, which could give the team a chance to catch up with its rivals.
But another team other than Aston Martin have also been drawing attention, as they expected to be at the sharp end in 2026 after sacrificing the development of their 2025 car.
The plaudits go to Kimi Antonelli, but who else in the top 10 impressed you at the Chinese Grand Prix?
Let us know in the comments below!
Ralf Schumacher calls Williams the ‘real flop’ not Aston Martin
After only two Grands Prix weekends, Ralf Schumacher was asked for his flop of the early stages of the 2026 Formula 1 season on Backstage Boxengasse.
The former Formula 1 driver overlooked Aston Martin as he labelled them as the ‘simple’ choice, and instead went on to claim that Williams are the ‘real flop’.
Schumacher said, “This long break is actually quite interesting. We’ve never had one like this before.
“Of course, there are teams that are struggling right now – Williams, for one – and this presents a huge opportunity for them to make the most of the time. Aston Martin, too, and obviously Honda with the issues they’re facing. So these teams naturally have a huge opportunity.”
He added, “It sounds harsh, but I think it’s almost that simple to call Honda that. I’d say Williams is the biggest flop. When you consider what sort of engine is in the back and what’s being made of it at the moment, I have to say that Williams, with a car that’s apparently almost 30kg too heavy, is a real flop.”
Disaster for Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Alex Albon and Gabriel Bortoleto as they fail to start the Chinese Grand Prix!
Alex Albon failed to start the Chinese Grand Prix
The 2026 Formula 1 season saw Williams fail to score points at the opening Grand Prix of the year at the Australian Grand Prix, with Alex Albon finishing 12th and Carlos Sainz 15th.
However, issues continued at the Chinese Grand Prix, despite Sainz scoring Williams’ first points of the season with a ninth-place finish at the Shanghai International Circuit, Albon did not start the Grand Prix.
The pair of drivers were both knocked out in the first Qualifying session on Saturday afternoon, after failing to score points in the Sprint Race on Saturday morning.
The reason that Williams gave for Albon’s failure to start the second Grand Prix of the season was a ‘hydraulic issue’.
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