Business
Mercedes Dominance Tested at Iconic Suzuka Under New Regulations
SUZUKA, Japan — Formula 1 heads to the revered Suzuka International Racing Course this weekend for the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix, the third round of a season already shaped by major technical regulation changes and Mercedes’ early dominance, with questions swirling about tyre management, energy deployment and whether challengers can disrupt the silver arrows’ stronghold.

The Japanese Grand Prix, traditionally one of the calendar’s most demanding tests, takes on added significance in 2026 as the first visit to Suzuka under the new formula. Teams and drivers will grapple with reduced downforce, altered power units and active aero systems on a circuit famous for its high-speed corners, figure-eight layout and punishing tyre demands.
As of late March 2026, Mercedes leads the constructors’ standings with 98 points, powered by strong performances from George Russell and rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli. Russell sits atop the drivers’ championship with 51 points, just ahead of teammate Antonelli on 47. Ferrari trails in second with 67 constructors’ points, led by Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.
2026 Regulations Reshape Suzuka Challenge
The 2026 rules have introduced smaller, lighter and more agile cars with significantly less downforce — reportedly around a 55% reduction in some areas — alongside new power unit specifications that place greater emphasis on electrical energy management. These changes promise closer racing in theory but have already exposed challenges in energy harvesting and deployment, particularly on circuits like Suzuka with long-duration corners and limited heavy braking zones.
Tyre strategy will be pivotal. Pirelli has brought its hardest compounds — C1, C2 and C3 — for the weekend. Historically, Suzuka’s high-speed Esses, Degner curves and Spoon Corner have inflicted heavy thermal degradation, often dictating a two-stop race. Under the new regs, the balance between front and rear axle demands could shift, potentially altering pit strategies and making one-stop attempts more viable or risky.
In a late tweak ahead of the weekend, the FIA reduced the maximum permitted energy recharge for qualifying from 9 megajoules to 8 MJ per lap. The adjustment aims to minimize excessive “lift-and-coast” tactics and energy management, ensuring drivers can push closer to the limit during the all-important session and improving the spectacle at a track where qualifying lap times matter immensely.
Additional circuit modifications, including fresh resurfacing on sections of the track and tweaks to active aero deployment (particularly approaching the high-speed 130R corner), could further influence car behavior and overtaking opportunities on the narrow, driver-focused layout.
Mercedes vs. Ferrari: Early Season Battle Intensifies
Mercedes has won both opening races of 2026, with Russell and Antonelli each claiming a victory. The team’s consistency and pace have set a high bar, but Suzuka — a circuit where Lewis Hamilton has enjoyed historic success — will test their adaptability to the new aero and power characteristics.
Ferrari arrives motivated after strong showings from Leclerc and Hamilton. The Scuderia sits second in constructors’ points and will look to exploit any weaknesses in Mercedes’ package around Suzuka’s flowing, high-commitment corners. Hamilton, returning to a track he knows intimately, could provide crucial feedback as the team fine-tunes its setup.
McLaren, the reigning constructors’ champions, has struggled so far with just 18 points. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will hope the technical demands of Suzuka play to their strengths, while Red Bull Racing — once dominant — sits fifth with only 12 points amid ongoing adaptation challenges for Max Verstappen and his teammates.
Emerging stories include Haas F1 Team’s impressive start (fourth in constructors with 17 points, thanks in part to Oliver Bearman) and the performances of young drivers like Antonelli and rookies such as Arvid Lindblad, who has already made headlines with bold qualifying runs.
Key Storylines and Predictions
Suzuka has long rewarded precision and bravery. With reduced downforce, cornering speeds through the S-curves may drop, potentially opening passing zones while increasing the importance of mechanical grip and tyre preservation. The figure-eight layout and elevation changes will amplify any handling imbalances caused by the new regulations.
Weather forecasts suggest cool conditions in the high teens Celsius, which could further influence tyre warm-up and degradation. Rain has often featured in Japanese Grands Prix, adding another layer of unpredictability.
Paddock talk centers on whether Mercedes can maintain its unbeaten streak or if Ferrari, McLaren or even surprise packages like Haas can mount a challenge. Analysts predict tight battles in qualifying, with Russell, Antonelli, Leclerc and Hamilton likely contending for pole. Verstappen, starting from lower grid positions in recent events, may need trademark recovery drives.
The weekend also marks the last race before a break, with the cancellation of Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds shifting focus to this high-stakes Japanese event.
Schedule and How to Follow
Practice sessions begin Friday, March 27, with FP1 and FP2 offering early clues on setup and tyre performance. Saturday features FP3 and qualifying, while the 53-lap race starts Sunday, March 29, at 14:00 local time (early morning in many international markets).
Fans can follow live on official F1 platforms, Sky Sports F1 and local broadcasters. Practice and qualifying highlights, along with post-session analysis, will be available shortly after each session.
Suzuka remains one of F1’s most beloved venues, blending raw driver skill with technical demands. In 2026, it serves as a critical early litmus test for the new regulations: Will the changes deliver the promised closer racing, or will they expose further teething problems that require mid-season adjustments?
As teams unpack at the Honda-owned circuit, the focus remains on extracting maximum performance from cars that look and behave differently from their 2025 predecessors. Mercedes enters as favorites, but history shows Suzuka rarely delivers predictable outcomes.
Whether a veteran like Hamilton adds to his Suzuka legacy, a young gun like Antonelli stamps his authority, or an underdog rises, the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix promises drama, high speeds through 130R and strategic battles that could reshape the championship narrative heading into the April break.
Business
Federal Realty Stock: A Dividend King Built For Market Volatility (NYSE:FRT)
I am Gen Alpha. I have more than 14 years of investment experience, and an MBA in Finance. I focus on stocks that are more defensive in nature, with a medium- to long-term horizon. I provide high-yield, dividend growth investment ideas in the investing group iREIT®+HOYA Capital. The group helps investors achieve dependable monthly income, portfolio diversification, and inflation hedging. It provides investment research on REITs, ETFs, closed-end funds, preferreds, and dividend champions across asset classes. It offers income-focused portfolios targeting dividend yields up to 10%. Learn more.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of FRT either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
I am not an investment advisor. This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute as financial advice. Readers are encouraged and expected to perform due diligence and draw their own conclusions prior to making any investment decisions.
Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Business
The Briefing Room – Why is youth unemployment in the UK so high?
Available for over a year
It’s a tough time for any young person looking for a job at the moment. While overall unemployment is running at just over 5 percent, there’s particular concern about a large group of 16 to 24 year olds – almost a million of them (12.8%) who are not in employment, education or training. And that includes recent graduates in that age bracket. They’re known as NEETS. David Aaronovitch and guests discuss why they’re in this situation – is it down to the state of the economy, their own ability to work or that ever present fear – AI?
Guests:
Jack Kennedy, Senior Economist, Indeed Hiring Lab
Lindsay Judge, Research Director, The Resolution Foundation
Xiaowei Xu, Senior Research Economist, Institute for Fiscal Studies.
John Burn-Murdoch, Chief Data Reporter, The Financial Times
Presenter: David Aaronovitch
Producers: Caroline Bayley, Nathan Gower, Kirsteen Knight
Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele
Sound Engineer: James Beard
Editor: Richard Vadon
Business
Markets Now See Zero Chance of Fed Interest-Rate Cuts This Year
Financial markets have fully abandoned bets on rate cuts from the Federal Reserve this year, with the war in the Middle East set to drive up inflation.
Derivatives markets show zero odds of a rate cut this year, down from 1.3% on Thursday, according to CME Group data. Markets are pricing a 54% chance of at least one hike.
The energy price shock unleashed by the conflict has dramatically altered the outlook for central banks around the world, which now face both higher inflation and slower growth. As disruptions to energy markets grow, so do the risks that inflation pressure spill over into broader price pressures.
Business
Parag Parikh Liquid Fund among top 5 low cost and high return funds in 1 year
Parag Parikh Liquid Fund ranks among the top low-cost funds delivering strong one-year returns with high liquidity and stability.
Business
FIIs sell Indian equities worth Rs 1.14 lakh crore in March; 2026 outflow balloons to Rs 1.27 lakh crore
This has turned out to be the worst month so far, as foreign investors continue pulling out from their Indian investments amid the Iran-Israel war.
Commenting on the current trends, Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments said the weakness in global equity markets following the war in West Asia, the steady depreciation of the rupee, fears of decline in remittances from the Gulf region and concerns surrounding the impact of high crude price on India’s growth and corporate earnings contributed to the sustained selling by FPIs.
“It is important to understand that FPIs were sellers in other emerging markets, too, like Taiwan and South Korea. There is a risk-off trend in equity markets, globally after the war broke out in West Asia. The poor returns from India vis-a-vis other markets – both developed and emerging- during the last eighteen months is the principal reason for FPI’s indifference towards India. If their sustained selling strategy is to change, there should be an end to the hostilities in West Asia and decline in crude prices,” Vijayakumar said.
On Friday, FIIs sold domestic shares at Rs 4,367.30 crore while DIIs were net buyers at Rs 3,566.15 crore.
Indian frontline indices ended their two-session rally amid sharp cuts as a failure in the Iran-US negotiations dented the market mood. Elevated energy prices and a plunging rupee aggravated troubles for domestic investors. Amid high volatility, markets were mainly dragged by financials, auto and consumer stocks. Nifty settled at 22,819.60, falling by 486.85 points or 2.09% while the BSE Sensex closed at 73,583.22, declining 1,690.23 points or 2.25%.
FIIs in 2026
Foreign investors turned net buyers in February, buying shares worth Rs 22,615 crore in the domestic markets so far. In January, they sold Rs 35,962 crore worth of shares.
In 2025, the FIIs buying trends remained patchy, but the overall trend was bearish. They took Rs 1,66,286 crore from Indian markets as trade deal delay and premium valuations weighed on the sentiments.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times)
Business
Comex Report: Ignore The Paper Price And Watch The Physical Metal
asbe/iStock via Getty Images
The CME Comex is the exchange where futures are traded for gold, silver, and other commodities. The CME also allows futures buyers to turn their contracts into physical metal through delivery. You can find more detail on the CME
Business
Current Lines Short with Average Waits Under 15 Minutes
AUSTIN, Texas — Travelers asking about TSA wait times at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) on Saturday, March 28, 2026, can expect relatively smooth security screening for most of the day, with average waits under 15 minutes at many times, though early morning peaks and occasional spikes up to 30-35 minutes remain possible amid ongoing spring break and high passenger volumes.

As of late morning into the afternoon, multiple real-time trackers reported standard security lines averaging around 0-12 minutes, with TSA PreCheck lanes often clearing in 5 minutes or less. However, airport officials continue to urge passengers to arrive 2.5 to 3 hours before domestic flights — and even earlier for international departures — due to the busy travel season that has strained operations in recent weeks.
Austin-Bergstrom, the primary gateway to the Texas capital known for its live music vibe and “Keep Austin Weird” spirit, has seen significant passenger surges this March. The airport warned of “high passenger volume days” stretching from mid-March through early April, coinciding with spring break for many school districts and lingering effects from major events like South by Southwest.
On peak days earlier in the month, such as March 13-16, security lines spilled outside the terminal doors, with some travelers reporting waits of 45 to 90 minutes during the busiest pre-dawn hours between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. Videos and social media posts showed long queues snaking through the check-in areas and onto sidewalks, prompting airport alerts and media coverage of the chaos.
Officials emphasized that the extended lines were driven primarily by record-breaking passenger numbers rather than TSA staffing shortages alone, though a partial government shutdown affecting federal agencies added pressure with higher callouts reported nationwide. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and airport representatives noted that TSA screening itself was not the core bottleneck; instead, the sheer volume of travelers checking bags, returning rental cars and navigating parking contributed to the backups.
Checkpoint operations at AUS typically begin around 3 a.m., with multiple lanes opening progressively. Checkpoint 2 often serves as the main hub, while others provide overflow capacity. On Saturday, data from trackers like OnAirParking and iFly showed fluctuating hourly averages: as low as 0 minutes in some slots, climbing to 27-33 minutes during traditional rush periods like 5-7 a.m. and 10-11 a.m. Afternoon hours have generally trended lighter.
TSA PreCheck and CLEAR members continue to enjoy significantly shorter experiences, often bypassing standard lines entirely. Enrollment in these programs has proven especially valuable during busy periods, with PreCheck waits frequently under 10 minutes even when general lines lengthen.
The MyTSA app remains a recommended tool for real-time crowd-sourced updates, though some users note that official estimates can lag during disruptions. Third-party sites such as Takeoff Timer and FlightQueue provide supplementary live data, showing standard security around 11-35 minutes depending on the exact moment of check. Travelers are advised to cross-reference multiple sources and monitor the official @AustinAirport social channels for alerts.
Airport management has increased staffing where possible and adjusted lane configurations to handle demand. Despite the challenges, flight operations have largely remained on schedule, with only minor delays reported on most days. FAA data indicated low airborne and gate delays as of late March.
For those departing today, the busiest window remains early morning departures. Travelers with flights before 9 a.m. should plan conservatively, factoring in parking, bag drop and potential rental car returns. Midday and evening flights have seen more predictable flows in recent reports.
AUS offers several amenities to ease the journey, including diverse dining options featuring local Austin flavors — from barbecue to breakfast tacos — and shopping that highlights Texas artists and musicians. Free Wi-Fi, charging stations and family-friendly areas help passengers pass the time if they arrive with extra buffer.
The surge reflects broader trends in Texas aviation. Austin’s rapid growth as a technology and music hub has driven consistent increases in enplanements, making AUS one of the faster-growing medium-sized airports in the country. Officials expect the high-volume period to ease after early April as spring break concludes for most districts.
Passengers can further speed their experience by preparing in advance: removing liquids and electronics from carry-ons, wearing slip-on shoes, and ensuring ID and boarding passes are readily accessible. The TSA’s 3-1-1 liquids rule remains strictly enforced, and prohibited items can cause secondary screening delays.
International travelers face additional considerations, with longer recommended arrival windows to account for customs and immigration on return, though outbound international security follows similar domestic protocols at AUS.
Looking ahead, the airport continues infrastructure improvements to handle future growth. While Checkpoint 3 remains closed through parts of 2026 for upgrades, the remaining facilities have proven resilient during the current busy stretch.
Travelers with disabilities or needing assistance can request expedited or accessible screening through TSA Cares. Families with young children benefit from dedicated lanes when available.
As Saturday evening approaches, lines are expected to remain manageable unless a late surge occurs. Real-time conditions can shift quickly with flight banks or unexpected events, so checking 30-60 minutes before heading to the airport is wise.
Austin-Bergstrom’s convenient location just minutes from downtown continues to make it a favorite for both business and leisure travelers. Its compact layout generally allows efficient movement once past security, with gates easily accessible.
In summary, while TSA wait times at AUS are currently short for much of Saturday, March 28, the lesson from recent weeks is clear: build in extra time during this high-volume spring travel season. Arriving early ensures a smoother experience and reduces stress, allowing passengers to enjoy the airport’s unique Austin character rather than worrying about missing their flight.
For the absolute latest updates, consult the MyTSA app, third-party wait time trackers, or the airport’s official website and social media. Safe travels to all departing from Austin-Bergstrom today and throughout the busy period.
Business
US carrier Ford arrives in Croatia for repairs

US carrier Ford arrives in Croatia for repairs
Business
Paramount-Warner Bros. movie slate needs animation to rival Disney, Universal
Source: Warner Bros. | Paramount
When Paramount Skydance combines with the Warner Bros. film studio, it’ll have a deep bench of marquee franchises and established prestige. What the powerhouse duo will be missing is an animated film slate that could rival Hollywood giants like Disney and Universal.
The combined entity, which is still awaiting regulatory approval, has a stacked slate of tentpoles including DC superhero fare, a Minecraft sequel, another Sonic the Hedgehog film and new entrants from The Lord of the Rings universe. Not to mention, Warner Bros. just tied the record for the most Academy Award wins for a single studio earlier this month.
But it’s been kid-friendly animated content that is increasingly driving families to the theater — and neither studio has excelled in this area in the last decade.
Since 2016, Paramount and Warner Bros. have each released eight animated features on the big screen, with Paramount generating $1.1 billion in total global ticket sales from the category and Warner Bros. tallying $1.3 billion, according to data from Comscore.
During that time, only one Paramount animated film has generated more than $200 million globally — 2023’s “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie” — and only one Warner Bros. animated title has scored more than $300 million globally — 2017’s “Lego Batman.”
For comparison, in the last decade Disney released 21 theatrical animated features, collecting $14.1 billion from the films; Universal released 23 animated movies to the tune of $10.7 billion; and Sony released 16, bringing in $4.6 billion in ticket sales.
Disney has seen seven animated features generate more than $1 billion globally during that time, and Universal has seen two.
These figures do not include live-action films with animated elements like Paramount’s Sonic franchise, Universal’s “Gabby’s Dollhouse,” or Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which the studio considers a live-action film. They also don’t include animated films released to streaming during the pandemic that were later brought to theaters like Disney’s “Soul,” “Luca” and “Turning Red.”
“When the moviegoing world is operating at or near peak efficiency, it’s virtually always because of a diverse release slate that includes one or more movies catering heavily to kids and families,” said Shawn Robbins, director of analytics at Fandango and founder of Box Office Theory. “Animation, in most cases, directly serves that audience while providing an anchor for studios and cinema owners to rely on.”
Together, Paramount and Warner Bros. accounted for 27% of the domestic box office in 2025, just shy of the 28% market share held by Disney.
“As Paramount and Warner Bros. merge, it becomes even more essential for their combined resources to be strategically directed toward developing a robust animated film portfolio,” said Paul Dergarabedian, head of marketplace trends at Comscore.
“Animated film releases are crucial for any movie studio, requiring a well-thought-out strategy whether the projects are original works, extensions of existing intellectual property, or reboots of beloved legacy franchises,” he added.
In the last two years, family-friendly fare with a PG rating has won at the box office, outperforming PG-13 and R rated films, Comscore data shows.
“This rating is significant because it allows these films to attract a broader audience, making them true four-quadrant releases with the highest box office potential of almost any genre in today’s movie marketplace,” Dergarabedian said.
Additionally, animated features are not usually front-loaded at the box office, Robbins noted, meaning they steadily generate ticket sales over the course of their run in theaters, gaining word of mouth.
A typical Hollywood film will see a 50% to 70% drop in sales from opening weekend to the second weekend after the rush to the theater fades. Animated features don’t always experience the same cliff.
For Disney’s “Hoppers,” for example, the opening week dropoff was less than 37%, and the second week drop was less than 38%.
“Not all animated releases are as successful as others, but they can be incredibly valuable with their potential for long-tail grosses alongside ancillary revenues via merchandising, down-window rentals and purchases, and other non-theatrical financial opportunities,” Robbins added.
Working in Paramount’s and Warner Bros.’s favor: They already have lucrative animated IP. The combined library features SpongeBob SquarePants, Smurfs, Paw Patrol, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and DC superheroes.
Disney and Universal have been successful in the last decade balancing new titles with sequels. For Disney, it has introduced stories like “Coco,” “Zootopia” and “Encanto” alongside “Frozen II,” “Toy Story 4” and “Inside Out 2.” At Universal, it’s had newcomers like “Sing,” “The Secret Life of Pets” and “Migration” arrive at the box office and returning favorites like “Kung Fu Panda 4,” “Despicable Me 4” and “The Bad Guys 2.”
“It will be important for a freshly minted Paramount/WBD combo to not only expand on these brands but also to develop new animated properties to have the best shot at capturing their share of the massive potential box office for this extremely popular and competitive category of film,” Dergarabedian said.
Disclosure: Versant is the parent company of CNBC and Fandango.
Business
Gambling.com: More Risks Are Surfacing (Rating Downgrade) (NASDAQ:GAMB)
Full-time Equity Analyst and part-time retail investor with a bias for high quality stocks trading at discounted prices. over the past 5 years I’ve been retail investing and learning more about how the stock market works, following the work of Ben Graham and Joel Greenblatt. Equity Markets are fascinating as they give us an analytical overview of how global markets are performing. Seeking Alpha is an incredible platform for me to share my research and analysis with fellow investors and analysts.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
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