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  • A look into London

    We are now onto the final stretch of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship with the 2022 SABIC London E-Prix taking place this weekend at the ExCeL in the city’s historic docklands.

    Formula E made its first trip to the venue last season, and in a first for an international race series raced on an indoor/outdoor circuit layout which offered up a completely unique challenge for drivers and teams.

    The top four, are only split by fewer points than are on offer in any single Formula E round, and with the two races in London followed by a double-header in Seoul still to come, the season may be heading towards its climax but there’s still time for it to change…

    There will be a strong British presence both when the cars line up on the grid and in the garages supporting them. Six of the 22 drivers will be competing on home soil, with a full complement of fans in the grandstands for the first time after COVID restrictions affected the Season 7 event.

    The Circuit-

    We’re heading back to East London’s historic docklands and the ExCeL exhibition centre and circuit designed by British architect, Simon Gibbons in collaboration with the FIA and Motorsport UK.

    The 2,141km, 22 turn track is tight and twisty with a slicker, less grippy surface indoors and asphalt outside, with plenty of elevation changes. Regen is high with the new for Season 8 chicane complex between Turns 10 and 13 replacing last year’s double hairpin, and there is plenty of opportunity for overtaking.

    16x9-01

    Times for the weekend-

    Friday 29th July-

    • Free Practice 1: 17:15pm (BST)

    Saturday 30th July-

    • Free Practice 2: 09:00am (BST)
    • Qualifying: 10:40am
    • Round 13: 15:00pm

    Sunday 31st July-

    • Free Practice 3: 08:30am (BST)
    • Qualifying: 10:40am
    • Round 14: 15:00pm.

  • Alpine bolster leadership team

    Alpine have announced the appointment of Jason Somerville as their new Deputy Technical Director, in a move that further strengthens the team’s technical leadership group.

    Somverville was previously a key member of the Ensotne based operation’s Aerodynamics Department between 2010 and 2011, when they competed under the Renault name.

    He first worked in F1 with Williams in 1999, before joining Toyota in 2003, where he went on to become Deputy Head of Aerodynamics.

    Following his two-year stint at Enstone, Somerville returned to Williams to leader their Aerodynamics Department, before working for Formula One Management and helping to develop the 2022 technical regulations. He later moved to the FIA in 2022 as Head of Aerodynamics.

    I am really excited to be returning to Enstone and working with Flavio [Briatore, Alpine Executive Advisor], Steve [Nielsen, Alpine Managing Director], and David in this new role. I have been away from the competitive side of motorsport within a team environment for a few years now and I’m relishing the opportunity to be back in the thick of it, hunting milliseconds and fighting our rivals for points and hopefully silverware. I am looking forward to getting underway and joining the superb team of engineers, designers, and aerodynamicists at the factory and hopefully contributing to some of the team’s success in the not too distant future.
    Somerville on the news.

    We are thrilled to have someone of Jason’s calibre and experience joining the team and to continue our sustained level of progress. The work the team has already done this season has been extraordinary, but we all know that is just the beginning of the job and not one team member is resting on their laurels. Adding Jason to our technical team will allow us to take even further steps to better our performance in the latest Formula 1 development race.
    Sanchez added.

  • Citroen announce Pin as Gen4 Development Driver

    An exciting young talent, Doriane Pin will support the development of Citroen Racing’s Gen4 package.

    The young French driver has already achieved a lot in her racing career, including the 2022 Ferrari Challenge Europe title, a class win at the 2022 24 Hours of Spa and most recently, the F1 Academy title in 2025.

    Her new role with Citroen Racing will see Doriane support the team in the development and refinement of the team’s Gen4 package, helping to optimise performance, energy management systems, and software calibration ahead of next season.
    As such, the team have confirmed that the 22 year old will have multiple opportunities to get behind the wheel of Formula E machinery in the coming months.

    The news follows a strong run of form for the Citroen squad, who have already accomplished a race win, a pole position and multiple podiums in the first half of their debut season.

    This year, Doriane is competing in the European Le Mans Series with Duqueine, alongside her duties as a Development Driver for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team and Development Driver for Peugeot Sport Hypercar program.

    I’m really looking forward to this new role and to joining this project. Formula E is a rapidly growing championship, and it’s both exciting to watch and to drive. I’ve already started working on the GEN4 simulator with the team, which has been a great way of understanding the systems and the driving approach. As a French driver, it’s a special feeling to join Citroën. It’s a brand with a strong motorsport heritage, and being part of that story means a lot. I’m excited to get started and to build something together.
    Doriane Pin, Citroen Racing Development Driver.

    Doriane is one of the most promising and complete young drivers we have seen in recent years. Beyond her results, she brings strong technical insight and a clear ability to translate feedback into performance gains, which is critical in Formula E where we have limited development time. Her involvement in the refinement of our GEN4 package will be extremely valuable as we prepare for the future of the championship. Just as importantly, having a talented young French driver join the team is a proud moment for all of us.
    Cyril Blais, Team Principal Citroen Racing.

  • Lucas di Grassi announces retirement

    Formula E veteran, Lucas di Grassi, will call time on his Formula E career at the end of the 2025/26 season.

    Back in 2014, Lucas became the first driver to commit to the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, quickly becoming one of the most vocal advocates for the series – as well as the first-ever race winner.

    Since then, Lucas has gone on to become one of the most successful drivers in Formula E history, with 13 race victories, 41 podiums, 4 pole positions and 1077 championship points.
    His greatest achievement came in 2017, when he was crowned Formula E champion after an incredible title fight with Sebastien Buemi.

    Away from the track, Lucas’ technical insight and expertise has been invaluable in supporting the development of the championship, with the Brazilian driver playing a key role in the development of the original prototype that was used as a proof-of-concept for the GEN1 car.

    After a lifetime dedicated to racing, 2026 will mark my final season as a professional racing driver and the beginning of a new chapter. Motorsport has been my life for as long as I can remember, giving me discipline and grit before I knew why I needed them, and purpose in moments when the road ahead was far from clear. From the suburbs of São Paulo to Monaco, racing shaped my life in ways I could never have imagined. It changed me profoundly as a driver, person, father, and human being. I gave everything I had to this sport, and in return, it gave me a life beyond anything I could have dreamed of.  I am deeply grateful to my family, who supported me from day one through every sacrifice, difficult decision, victory, and defeat. Without their love, patience, and belief, none of this would have been possible. It is with them, especially my wonderful wife and children, that I have made this decision. I’d like to say a very special thank you to Formula E, where I have spent the last fourteen years surrounded by extraordinary people, people who started writing on napkins and created an amazing championship that I now consider my home. This decision comes with emotion, but also with peace. Every great race has a final lap, and I want mine to be driven with the same intensity, commitment, and love that brought me here. I will give everything in my final races and I will share more news with you soon about the bright future ahead.
    Di Grassi on the news.

    Lucas is not just a driver; he is part of the Formula E family. From the inception of Formula E, which he helped shape, and the very first race in Beijing in 2014, Lucas has been a strong competitor and a fundamental part of the championship’s growth. His passion for electric racing has been invaluable to the series. While we will miss seeing him behind the wheel, his legacy as a World Champion and passion for innovation in sustainability lives on in Formula E. We wish him nothing but the best in his next chapter, and I have no doubt he will continue to be a driving force in the future of motorsport.
    Alejandro Agag, co-founder and chairman of Formula E.

  • Round 5 – Canadian Grand Prix

    Kimi Antonelli has taken victory in a dramatic Canadian Grand Prix, and extended his championship lead to 43 points in the process, after Mercedes team mate George Russell was forced to retire on Lap 30 following a power unit issue on his car.

    The early stages of the race were dominated by a thrilling battle for the lead between Russell and Antonelli, with some contentious moments between them as the pair swapped positions on numerous occasions.

    But the duel came to an end in heartbreaking circumstances for Russell when the Briton suffered a sudden technical issue that forced him to stop on track.
    A virtual Safety Car was deployed and much of the field pitted, with Antonelli left holding a solid lead over second-placed Verstappen.

    From there the Italian was untroubled at the front, crossing the line with a margin of 10.7 seconds to seal his fourth consecutive win. Lewis Hamilton took a strong second place for Ferrari, the seven-time World Champion overtaking the Red Bull of Max Verstappen in the final laps.

    The full top 10 are- P1: Antonelli, P2: Hamilton, P3: Verstappen, P4: Leclerc, P5: Hadjar, P6: Colapinto, P7: Lawson, P8: Gasly, P9: Sainz and P10: Bearman.

    A great result for Antonelli, it wasn’t easy for the young Italian, having to fight his teammate for quite a while, unfortunate for Russell to DNF but they gave us an entertaining battle whilst it lasted!

    Excellent result for Hamilton, just what he would’ve wanted and needed going into the weekend, the seven time world champion had a few lovely battles on the way to his podium spot.
    As for his teammate, Leclerc finished 4th, a decent result and points but he didn’t have as much pace as his teammate.

    Third for Verstappen, the Red Bull Racing driver had an excellent race with some battles and he was rewarded with the podium. As for his teammate, Hadjar finished 5th, a decent result for him!

    Big points for Colapinto! It’s great to see him in battles and staying out of trouble, but also being more consistent!

    A weekend to forget for McLaren, Norris DNF’ed and Piastri finished outside the points. They started on the wrong tyres, which then caused them both to pit early. It really was just a horrible weekend.

    It was a really fun battle to be fair with George. We were pretty much in the limit and it was not easy today with the wind. Very gusty, Turn 10 was very difficult. I think one lap he locked up and then I went in front and locked up. It was very close and it was a shame for him to have he failure because it would have been a very cool battle but, I mean, we take it. Another win and I’m very happy, and a massive thanks of course to the team.
    Antonelli on the win.

  • F2 – RND 3 – Day 1

    Practice-

    Alexander Dunne started the Montreal weekend on the front foot, topping the times with a 1:22.524.
    He led Rodin Motorsport teammate Martinius Stenshorne by a slender 0.012s, while Campos Racing’s Nikola Tsolov completed the top three just over a tenth behind the Alpine Academy driver.

    With preparation laps complete, Joshua Duerksen set the opening time of the session on a 1:25.319 for Invicta Racing.

    Trident’s Laurens van Hoepen then lowered the fastest lap to a 1:24.100, while Duerksen filtered through on his next attempt just 0.066s behind in P2.

    Stenshorne then broke into the 23s as the Rodin driver logged a 1:23.888 to take P1 from van Hoepen with just over half an hour to go.

    The track continued to rubber in quickly as the Paraguayan driver took top spot back on his next lap on a 1:23.519, while the other Rodin of Dunne jumped up to second, 0.296s down.

    That was until Tsolov put Campos Racing top of the pile with a 1:23.124, before van Hoepen edged ahead by just 0.019s.

    Nico Varrone put Van Amersfoort Racing into the top five just and was followed across the line by Tsolov, who moved the goalposts once more.
    A 1:22.625 was enough to retake P1 and leave him a tenth clear of Dunne before the Irishman followed up with his own improvement to go fastest of all on a 1:22.524.

    Into the final 10 minutes and Colton Herta moved Hitech up to fourth, leaping up the order with the track continuing to improve.

    Varrone went within 0.177s of Dunne’s earlier time to move VAR into third place briefly, before Stenshrone restored the Rodin 1-3 on his next lap.
    Rafael Villagomez brought out the yellow flags briefly with a spin at the final corner.

    Qualifying-

    Laurens van Hoepen earned his maiden Aramco Pole Position Award, taking the top spot with his final lap and a 1:21.442 for Trident.

    Rafael Camara rebounded from mid-session contact with the wall to take P2 ahead of Alexander Dunne in third.

    Ritomo Miyata was first across the line to set a competitive lap, but his initial effort was quickly beaten as Joshua Duerksen recorded a 1:22.914 to go fastest.

    Gabriele Mini took over P1 on his first attempt with a 1:22.615 to go 0.2s clear, with Kush Maini also going quicker than Duerksen.
    Rafael Camara then closed that deficit down to just 0.005s as he filtered through to go P2.

    After opting for an extra preparation lap, Nikola Tsolov went to the top of the timing screens but Nico Varrone then bettered that effort, a 1:22.078 the new benchmark time by the Van Amersfoort Racing driver.

    Camara delivered a purple first sector and two personal bests to then take P1, 1:22.025 leaving him 0.053s ahead of the Argentinian driver.

    Van Hoepen made an improvement of his own to go third fastest for Trident as the session approached the halfway stage.

    Drivers then returned to the pitlane for fresh Supersoft tyres and headed back out onto circuit for the final 12 minutes of running.

    As the next set of laps were set to begin, Oliver Goethe tapped the outside wall at Turn 4, causing session-ending suspension damage and bringing out the Red Flag.

    The session resumed and drivers returned to the track with eight minutes to go for their final attempts, but a second red flag followed with Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak hitting the wall at Turn 4.

    Back underway, Noel Leon recorded the new fastest time only for teammate Tsolov to take P1 back on a 1:21.789.
    Stenshorne set a lap good enough to usurp the Bulgarian and a 1:21.744 put the Norwegian top of the pile with just over a minute to go.

    Teammate Dunne then made a final improvement to record a 1:21.709 and take provisional pole position.
    Championship leader Tsolov improved on his last attempt but couldn’t better Dunne, but Camara and van Hoepen did, with the latter taking his maiden F2 pole position,

  • Round 5 – Canada Sprint

    George Russell resisted incredible pressure to hold on to the lead of the Canada Sprint, beating Lando Norris and a fiery Kimi Antonelli to victory after clashing with his Mercedes teammate.

    For the first time this season, Russell and Antonelli held position on the opening lap, but it was far from a straightforward win for the Briton.
    He endured a tight battle with the 19 year old, who repeatedly darted off track and was forced to settle for third place behind a rapid Norris, despite multiple calls for Russell to be penalised after the pair banged wheels and the Italian was pushed onto the grass.

    The full top 10 are- P1: Russell, P2: Norris, P3: Antonelli, P4: Piastri, P5: Leclerc, P6: Hamilton, P7: Verstappen, P8: Lindblad, P9: Colapinto and P10: Sainz.

    A great result for Russell, exactly the result he would’ve wanted going into the Sprint, he kept it out of trouble and was rewarded with the best outcome possible. As for Antonelli a great result for the team, he had a bit of a scrap with his teammate but it didn’t go the way he wanted and started to moan over the radio which didn’t end well…

    A great result for Norris, a position made up and more points in the bag, even with the Mercedes bringing a big upgrade it’s good to see the McLaren’s close by! As for Piastri, he ended P4, points for the Australian driver.

    5th and 6th for the Ferrari driver’s, a decent result for both Leclerc and Hamilton, not as much pace as previous weekends.

    P7 for Verstappen, not the best result for the Dutchman, seems like he has struggled so far this weekend with the car and how it is handling at the track.

    Points for Lindblad, a great result for him! Will be interesting to see how he handles the rest of the weekend.

  • Fisher confirmed as Wild Card

    F1 Academy has announced that Autumn Fisher will drive as the Wild Card entry at Round 2 of the season representing Standard Chartered, the series’ Official Wealth Management Partner and Official Corporate & Investment Banking Partner.

    The 18 year old took part in last year’s inaugural rookie test in Navarra where she earned the opportunity to compete on an F1 Academy weekend.
    She will now get to make her debut around the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in the #77 car, featuring a bespoke Standard Chartered race suit and brand livery.

    Joining F1 Academy as an Official Partner of the series earlier this year, Standard Chartered’s support displays the bank’s commitment to championing female talent and helping develop the next generation in motorsport, supporting pathways for women and girls to participate perform and step into their full potential.

    We were proud to welcome Standard Chartered to F1 ACADEMY earlier this year, and their support of our Wild Card entry in Montreal shows that commitment in action. Creating opportunities that expand the pathway is at the heart of what we are building, and partnerships like this help turn ambition into access. The Wild Card initiative exists to give emerging talent the platform to step up, and we look forward to seeing Autumn make the most of her debut weekend on the F1 ACADEMY stage.
    Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 Academy.

    We’re incredibly proud to support Autumn as the Standard Chartered Wild Card for Montreal, leveraging our global brand to champion female talent in motorsport through F1 ACADEMY. When we invest in women and girls through sport, we’re reshaping what leadership, performance and possibility look like for the next generation. Now is her time! I look forward to joining my Standard Chartered colleagues globally in cheering her on.
    Tanuj Kapilashrami, Chief Strategy & Talent Officer, Standard Charter.

    I’m incredibly excited to be joining the F1 ACADEMY grid in Montreal. This is a huge moment for me, and I’m grateful to F1 ACADEMY and Standard Chartered for the opportunity. I can’t wait to get on track and make the most of the weekend
    Fisher on her opportunity.

  • Round 10 – Monaco E-Prix

    The pair that ended Round 9 in contact led the pack away with double Monaco polesitter Ticktum heading Jaguar’s da Costa through St Devote.

    Vergne, meanwhile, made a move fro third at the Nouvelle Chicane with da Costa spinning out of second spot in contact with Mortara and all the way down to P15 at the same spot – no luck for the Jaguar driver.

    Over the line on Lap 2, Mortara swept by Ticktum for the race lead with Citroen’s Vergne following. The Mahindra driver flew to a two-second lead with Citroen’s Vergne behind with Mortara looking to make the pace in his car – as shown by teammate de Vries’ Round 9 win on Saturday – count.

    It was short lived for Mortara, though, with the stewards slapping him with a 10 second time penalty for that contact on lap 1.

    Nico Mueller in the Porsche was the first to jump for the initial of his two 50kW all wheel drive Attack Mode boosts on Lap 4. He made use to fire to provisional lead.

    Mueller led Mortara, Ticktum, Vergne, Rowland, Evans, Drugovich, de Vries, Barnard Marti and Dennis were top 10. Jaguar’s Evans used six minutes of Attack to slice to the race lead at Mirabeau on Lap 11 – some move from the Kiwi at the same spot as his famous overtake in Season 7.

    The Andretti’s were next to move for Attack and clambered into the top six. Vergne took his second trip through the activation zone on Lap 12 to match the yellow cars ahead.

    Mortara barged by Mueller at Turn 1 on Lap 14, with Drugovich able to follow and leapfrog the pair of them up the hill to steal P2. Ticktum finally jumped for his first Attack Mode on Lap 15 – the Cupra Kiro driver down the order in P8 at the time.

    The polesitter was able to force the issue to climb to an eventual second as the group ahead fought between themselves – sweeping by net leader Evans at Tabac on Lap 17 with P1 Mortara to serve his time penalty post-race.

    Pepe Marti and Nick Cassidy came together at Rascasse on Lap 19 – Cassidy managing to reverse out of the scene of the accident while Marti’s stuck car demanded a full course yellow for it to be cleared.

    Da Costa had hit the front under Attack Mode in the meantime with Mortara, Ticktum, Drugovich, Evans, Rowland, Barnard, Dennis, Wehrlein and Guenther the top 10.

    Rowland made a move for P1 at the chicane that same lap and looked to be in a good spot on energy, and with no driver behind having an overlap in Attack.

    Barnard’s busy race came to an end in the wall at Portier after an overambitious move on da Costa went awry on Lap 26. Another brief Full Course Yellow for Rowland to navigate but the Nissan driver was able to convert from there to lead the field home.

    The full top 10 are- P1: Rowland, P2: Drugovich, P3: Da Costa, P4: Evans, P5: Mortara, P6: Mueller, P7: Erikkson, P8: De Vries, P9: Di Grassi and P10: Maloney.

  • Round 9- Monaco E-Prix

    It was a fairly sensible start to the race with polesitter Ticktum leading the pack away and down to Turn 1. However, the calm was short lived and by Lap 4 we had our first Safety Car of the race with Nick Cassidy and Jake Dennis finding trouble.

    Upon the restart on Lap 6, the race nearly witnessed a case of deja vu with Joel Eriksson and Nico Mueller coming close to contact – the tight Monaco streets requiring every ounce of driver of driver concentration.
    A few laps later, Mueller found himself in the midst of drama again, this time with Porsche teammate Wehrlein, the Swiss driver colliding with the rear of his German teammate.

    Both drivers were forced to pit due to damage from the incident, Wehrlein with a puncture and Mueller missing the front portion of his Porsche machine. On the same lap, Oliver Rowland also suffered a puncture, the inevitable pit stop sending him to the rear of the field and killing his hopes of a points finish.

    PIT Boost stops began on Lap 15, with Eriksson and Mueller the first to make the mandatory stop. De Vries followed them into the pits a lap later, and came back out in 7th, the cars ahead still needing to pit.
    As the Pit Boost cycle played out it was da Costa who found himself with the race lead on Lap 20, albeit with de Vries and Evans hot on his heels, the pair both using Attack Mode to challenge the Porsche driver.

    As de Vries made the overtake and resumed the race lead, polesitter Ticktum returned to the podium positions with a move on da Costa, but reported on team radio that he was struggling for pace in the closing laps.

    The close battle between the pair came to a head on Lap 28 with a dramatic crash into Turn 10 which saw da Costa lose a wheel and come to a stop at the side of the track.

    Following the incident, the race returned to green flag racing for one final lap, but nobody could catch the Mahindra of de Vries, who had established a comfortable gap at the front of the field.

    The full top 10 are- P1: De Vries, P2: Evans, P3: Marti, P4: Drugovich, P5: Buemi, P6: Eriksson, P7: Barnard, P8: Di Grassi, P9: Cassidy and P10: Gunther.

  • Evans to leave Jaguar TCS Racing

    Mitch Evans and Jaguar TCS Racing will part company at the end of the season, following a successful ten year partnership.

    New Zealand-born Evans joined Jaguar back in 2016, when both driver and manufacturer made their debut in Formula E.
    Since then, he has been a driving force behind the team’s development and success in the world’s leading all-electric championship.

    In his second season with the team (2017/18), Evans put in several promising performances including Jaguar’s first podium finish in Hong Kong ad a Julius Baer Pole Position in Zurich.
    Another significant milestone came the following year, when the Kiwi driver secured both his and Jaguar’s first Formula E victory in Rome.

    Since those early seasons, Evans has rarely been out of title contention, most notably in the 2021/22 season which proved to be his best yet in terms of points.
    Evans’ 180 points was a remarkable 75 better than his prior benchmark effort in his third campaign, bolstered by seven trips to the podium, including three wins.

    The Kiwi took the title challenge right to the final weekend, but a gutting retirement in London meant he had it all to do to overturn Stoffel Vandoorne come the Seoul finale.
    He did all he could with a win in the opener but it wasn’t enough and Evans was forced to settle for second in the final standings.

    The partnership between Jaguar TCS Racing and Mitch has been synonymous with the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. Through his huge successes achieved with the team over the course of the past decade, Mitch has cemented his place in Jaguar’s motorsport history. Both Mitch and the team have reached this decision together and, with 11  races still remaining in our partnership, we will be doing everything we can at Jaguar TCS Racing to ensure we continue to support Mitch’s efforts in the Drivers’ World Championship, as well as our fight for the Teams’ and Manufacturers’ World Championships. Throughout my time in Formula E Mitch has been a formidable competitor and superbly gifted racing driver. His record-breaking number of wins have all been achieved with Jaguar, so on behalf of the whole Jaguar TCS Racing team, I’d like to thank Mitch and wish him all the best for the future.
    Ian James, Jaguar TCS Racing Team Principal.

    To have been with Jaguar TCS Racing right from the beginning and achieved so much success throughout the last ten years in Formula E has been incredible. It has been a memorable experience and there have been so many highlights throughout our journey together, but the time is right to embark on a new challenge for next season. I am grateful to Jaguar for the opportunity to race for such an iconic brand and will be giving my all to win the Drivers’ World Championship this season while working closely with my team-mate and friend António [Félix da Costa] as we battle for the Teams’ and Manufacturers’ World titles.
    Mitch Evans, Jaguar TCS Racing driver.

  • F1 returns to Istanbul Park from 2027

    Formula 1 have announced that the Turkish Grand Prix will return to the FIA Formula One World Championship from 2027, with Istanbul Park confirmed on the calendar through the 2031 season following a new agreement with Turikye’s Ministry of Youth and Sports.

    The Turkish Automobile Sports Federation (TOSFED) will be Formula 1’s delivery partner for the future events.

    The Turkish Grand Prix was last staged in 2020 and 2021 with Lewis Hamilton securing his seventh Drivers’ Championship at the venue in 2020 – equalling Michael Schumacher’s all-time record.

    Istanbul Park first joined the Formula 1 calendar in 2005 and quickly earned a reputation as one of the championship’s most technically demanding tracks. The 5.33 kilometre layout features dramatic elevation changes that challenge both driver skill and car performance.

    The multi-apex Turn 8 is an incredible test of driver precision and commitment, challenging their ability to maintain speed and balance through its long, sweeping left-hander.

    The most recent winner at Istanbul Park was Valtteri Bottas in 2021 with Mercedes who, alongside Hamilton, is one of only two current drivers to have won the Turkish Grand Prix.

    Formula 1 ranks among the world’s foremost sporting events, distinguished by its spectacle, its young fan base, and its leadership in automotive technologies. In our country, too, Formula 1 enjoys a broad following across all age groups – especially among our youth – with a truly passionate fan base. The races reach nearly 19 million people in our country, while around 7.5 million follow them closely on social media. We have hosted Formula 1 a total of nine times: seven races between 2005 and 2011, and two races during the COVID period in 2020 and 2021. Istanbul Park – particularly famous for its Turn 8 and a favourite among racing enthusiasts – will, Inshallah, once again host five seasons of exciting, high-quality races between 2027 and 2031.I regard Türkiye’s return to the Formula 1 calendar as a clear reflection of the strong confidence placed in our country – in our robust organisational capacity, in our modern sports and healthcare infrastructure, and, of course, in the renowned hospitality of the Turkish Nation. As Türkiye, we will once again fulfil this trust by delivering a flawless organisation in every respect, just as we have done in the past. I extend my sincere congratulations to everyone who has contributed to bringing Formula 1 back to our country and to Istanbul. I hope that Türkiye’s partnership with Formula 1 – as a country of motorsport – will continue to grow stronger in the years ahead.
    President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkiye.

    We are delighted to be returning to the incredible and vibrant city of Istanbul from 2027 to thrill all our fans in Türkiye and around the world on one of the most exciting and challenging circuits in Formula 1. As a city, Istanbul represents a cultural gateway between Europe and Asia, offering a unique blend of history and tradition with a forward-thinking approach to sport, business, and entertainment. I want to thank His Excellency President Mr Erdoğan, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Turkish Automobile Sports Federation for their support in securing Formula 1’s return. Many memorable moments have been made in our sport’s history at Istanbul Park and I’m excited to begin the next chapter of our partnership, giving fans the opportunity to experience even more incredible racing in a truly fantastic location.
    Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.

  • Round 7 – Berlin E-Prix

    Mortara led the pack down to the hairpin from pole, with Rowland jumping Wehrlein for P2 off the line.
    Energy looked to be critical, with temperatures also a push – drivers and engineers looking to conserve from the off.

    Zane Maloney hit the front on Lap 6 for the first time in his Formula E career, with the Lola Yamaha ABT driver keen to press on while others conserved – Lucas di Grassi found himself fifth from 19th on the grid at lights out.

    The lead changed hands by the turn early on, with Guenther cycling to P1 – the DS driver gaining 10 spots from his starting position.

    In the energy stake a third into the race, the Porsche pair had a percent or so in-hand on the leaders as Mortara headed Rowland, Maloney, Cassidy, Guenther, di Grassi, Barnard, Ticktum, Wehrlein and Mueller on Lap 9.

    Di Grassi then jumped four drivers in one move at Turn 1 to lead on Lap 11, with Maloney following his veteran teammate’s lead to take P2. The Brazilian approaching the halfway stage, sat among the best in terms of remaining energy.

    The Lola’s did cycle back into the pack while Cassidy and Rowland elbowed their way to the front.

    Ticktum, Da Costa, Drugovich and Wehrlein all pitted for their mandatory PIT BOOST stop – yielding 10% extra usable energy for the drivers to use. The Porsche driver’s stop, however, was enforced with what looked like a puncture leaving him at the back of the pack.

    Rowland was one of the last to pit, and the overcut handed him the race lead on Lap 26 by half a second over Cassidy as he made his exit from the pitlane.

    Mueller started his charge from sixth on Lap 28, with four percent energy in hand on those ahead and six minutes of his 50kW Attack Mode boost to use.
    Come Turn 1 on Lap 29, he’d sliced by Rowland, Mortara, Barnard and Maloney for P1 as it stood.

    Cassidy followed with his jump for Attack and mirrored Mueller’s progress to take second while the Porsche driver stretched a three second advantage out front.

    Lap times tumbled under the minute mark as the drivers teed up a sprint finish. Mueller headed Cassidy, Rowland, Mortara, Evans, Da Costa, Barnard, Marti, Maloney and Dennis the top 10 on Lap 31.

    Two missed Attack Mode activation attempts for Dennis ruined what looked like a shot at silverware – with the Brit having managed energy well.

    Mueller had four second on Cassidy while Rowland and Mortara in third and fourth held two more minutes of their 50kW, Attack Mode boosts remaining.

    The Porsche driver was able to make that advantage count in the run to the flag, heading Cassidy and Rowland home for his first Formula E victory.

  • Round 4 – Miami Grand Prix

    Kimi Antonelli has taken victory in an action packed Miami Grand Prix, the Italian resisting pressure from Lando Norris to seal his third consecutive win of the season.

    A dramatic start ensued when the race got underway, with polesitter Antonelli facing a three-way scrap alongside Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc before both the Mercedes and Red Bull cars locked up into the first corner.
    Verstappen then dropped down the order after spinning out shortly after.

    The lead changed hands numerous times from there, with Antonelli later taking over Leclerc while Norris, Oscar Piastri and Verstappen all enjoyed stints at the front.
    Separate crashes for Isack Hadjar and Pierre Gasly, meanwhile, saw the Safety Car deployed in the opening laps.

    But it would ultimately prove to be a two-horse battle between Antonelli and Norris as the race wore on, the McLaren remaining on the tail of the former during the latter stages.
    Despite that tension, Antonelli held on to score his third victory of the campaign, making history as the first driver to convert their maiden three pole positions into wins.

    The full top 10 are- P1: Antonelli, P2: Norris, P3: Piastri, P4: Russell, P5: Verstappen, P6: Hamilton, P7: Colapinto, P8: Leclerc, P9: Sainz and P10: Albon.

    What a result for Antonelli, unfortunate he locked up at the start, but he kept his Mercedes out of trouble and had a little fight with the McLaren of Lando Norris but managed to come out on top. P4 for Russell, after late battles with Verstappen and Leclerc.

    McLaren’s have improved massively! Great to see them fighting at the top again, Norris especially with Antonelli and then Piastri being there waiting to see if he can capitalise on anyone’s mistake which he was able to and the team came home with a double podium!

    5th for Verstappen, with a 5 second time penatly, which I do think he was very lucky to only get that, as some of his moves were a bit controversial… As for his teammate, Hadjar, a weekend to forget, from being disqualified in qualifying and then crashing out the race at Turn 14, he will want to keep his eyes focused on the next round.

    As for the Ferrari’s, unfortunate for Hamilton to get damage with Colapinto at the start, but he did well to manage it and still finish 6th, so some decent points considering. As for his teammate, Leclerc had a 20 second time penalty for leaving the track on multiple occasions and got dropped down to 8th, not good at all, considering the McLaren’s and Red Bull’s have improved since the start of the season.

    Colapinto finished 7th! A great result for the Alpine man, he deserved a points finish after having a great weekend, qualifying well!

    A double points finish for Williams rounds out the top 10! A good result for the team, they capitalised on others not finishing and keeping themselves out of trouble.

    The start was not as bad as yesterday – it was a little bit better. I didn’t expect Charles to brake that early, so to avoid him I locked up. I was a bit lucky with what happened in Turn 2. I did a little mistake with the energy management, trying to overtake Charles, then I lost a place to Lando. But then the pace was strong, I was able to stay close, and then the team did a great strategy. We did a massive undercut, and we managed to bring it home, even though it was not easy.
    Antonelli on the win.

    Now next up, we have a little break (but not too long) as we head to Canada for Round 5 on May 22nd – 24th and it is another sprint race!

  • Allan McNish announced as Racing Director

    Audi have appointed former Formula 1 racer Allan McNish as Racing Director, with the Scot beginning his role heading up trackside operations from the Miami Grand Prix onwards.

    The German manufacturer have been evaluating their senior leadership structure following Jonathan Wheatley’s departure from his role as Team Principal just under a year since he joined the team.

    Audi, who made the Sauber outfit their factory team for their debut in F1 this year, have opted to promote from within, moving McNish into the newly created role, reporting to CEO and Team Principal Mattia Binotto.

    McNish, who accumulated 17 starts with Toyota in 2002, has long been a part of Audi’s motorsport activities, including being involved with the Formula 1 project from the beginning.

    The Scot has had several roles with Audi in recent times, including director of coordination for Audi Group Motorsport and Team Principal of their Formula E project.
    Most recently, he headed up the Driver Development Programme – a role he will dovetail with his new responsibilities.

    McNish will have oversight of sporting matters, engineering coordination, driver management, race strategy and garage operations, as well as on track media and partner activities.

    He enjoyed plenty of success behind the wheel of endurance racing machinery, including multiple wins in the Le Mans 24 Hours plus a title in the World Endurance Championship.

    Allan brings an exceptional combination of racing experience, technical understanding and leadership to this role. He has been a central part of the motorsport structure of Audi for many years and, in his roles within Audi Revolut F1 Team since its start, has played a key role in shaping our preparation for Formula 1, not least with his work around technical partnerships. This appointment strengthens our trackside leadership at a crucial stage of our project. Allan’s ability to connect all performance-related areas – from sporting operations to driver development – will be fundamental as we continue to build our team.
    Binotto on the news.

    It is a privilege to take on the role of Racing Director for Audi Revolut F1 Team: this is a marque that means a lot to me and it is an honour to be able to represent Audi and our partners on the most prestigious stage in motorsports. This is an exciting challenge at a pivotal moment in the history of Audi and Formula 1, and I am looking forward to contributing even more directly to our trackside performance. The project we are building is ambitious, and my focus will be on ensuring that all aspects of our race operations are delivering at their most competitive level and continuously improving. Together with our Driver Development Programme, to which I remain fully committed, my focus will be on implementing the building blocks for our success, under the direction of Mattia and the Board of Directors.
    McNish added.

  • F2 – RND 2 – Day 1

    Practice-
    Colton Herta got his home weekend in Miami off to the perfect start, topping Free Practice for Hitech on a 1:40.320.

    Kush Maini followed in second for ART Grand Prix ahead of TRIDENT’s Laurens van Hoepen.

    Installation laps were interrupted early on after a spin for Noel Leon at Turn 7 brought out the Virtual Safety Car, with his Campos Racing car needing to be recovered.

    The return to green flag conditions didn’t last long as teammate and Championship leader Nikola Tsolov also stopped on track, bringing out the Red Flags.

    Running resumed with 25 minutes to go and everyone was eager to get out on track to maximise the remaining time.

    Van Hoepen had led the way initially but Alexander Dunne delivered a 1:40.999 to go fastest for Rodin Motorsport with more laps on the board.

    Gabriele Mini usurped his Alpine Academy stablemate, going quickest briefly before a flurry of further improvements put van Hoepen back on top with a 1:40.480.

    Maini then put ART P1 on the leaderboard with a 1:40.336, 0.144s ahead of the TRIDENT driver in second with a little over 10 minutes remaining.
    Herta then moved himself into the top three, just a fraction slower than van Hoepen, but then went quickest of all in the final two minutes on a 1:40.320.

    Nobody could find a better effort, and a yellow flag late on for van Hoepen, who went off the track at Turn 8 prevented any more changes in the order.

    Qualifying-

    ART Grand Prix driver Kush Maini came out on top of a tightly fought Miami Qualifying, taking the Aramco Pole Position Award ahead of Rafael Camara and Martinius Stenshorne.

    Maini completed a 1:39.888 with his final lap of the day to beat Camara to the top spot by just 0.033s with Rodin Motorsport’s Martinius Stenshorne in P3.

    It was Camara that set the pace early with a 1:40.411, the Invicta Racing driver over a tenth ahead of the Rodin’s Alexander Dunne and Stenshorne in P2 and P3 respectively.

    Several drivers were able to push on and improve on their second laps with the supersoft tyres, including Rafael Villagomez, who went from eighth to fourth ahead of Maini in fifth.

    While the majority of the field pushed on for a third attempt, many chose to return to the pitlane for a new set of tyres ahead of their final laps of the day.

    The drivers returned to the track with just over 11 minutes to go, and once the flying laps begun, the fastest time changed several times.

    But it was ultimately Maini that was quickest on a 1:39.888 with the top three, including Camara and Stenshorne covered by just 0.050s.

    ART opted to bring Maini back into the pitlane as the rest of the field continued looking to improve their times.

    But those runs were curtailed by a yellow flag at Turn 16, with Stenshorne having pulled over to with an issue, leaving Maini on pole ahead of Camara.

    Dunne wound up in P4 for Rodin behind Stenshorne, with Gabriele Mini in fifth for MP Motorsport.

  • Round 4 – Miami Qualifying

    Kimi Antonelli has clinched pole position for the Miami Grand Prix in style, setting a magnificent lap to edge out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to the honour.

    The Mercedes driver was consistently towards the top of the times throughout qualifying and, although he couldn’t improve on his final lap, an earlier effort proved to be unbeatable as he ended the session on a time of 1m 27.798s.

    Verstappen looked close to piping Antonelli to pole position at the last second with rapid sectors at the Miami International Autodrome, but he ultimately lost out by just over a tenth and will line up on the front row ahead of Leclerc.

    The full top 10 are- Pole: Antonelli, P2: Verstappen, P3: Leclerc, P4: Norris, P5: Russell, P6: Hamilton, P7: Piastri, P8: Colapinto, P9: Hadjar and P10: Gasly.

    A lovely result for Antonelli, Pole for the Italian, just what he would’ve wanted, he will be looking to go for the win without any challenges. As for Russell, a little further back, his got his work cut out as he has Hamilton just behind and Norris just infront.

    A great result for Verstappen, seems like the Red Bull has improved since last time out, which we like to see as it brings the fight closer together and more action on track.

    A decent result for the Ferrari’s with Leclerc in the mix in third, he will be wanting to fight the Red Bull and McLaren for a podium and get those all important points needed.

    McLaren qualified 4th and 7th for Norris and Piastri, a decent result for them, a bit more work to do for Piastri having to pass through some drivers for better points.

    A really good result the Alpine’s, Colapinto in 8th, he has started to become more consistent this season, hopefully he can turn that P8 start to some good points. His teammate, Gasly starts in 10th, so will be looking for a double points finish.

    No real surprises out of qualifying, so will be an interesting race if anything happens, weather wise which can change strategies.

    The race has moved forward due to potentially having a storm coming in, so start time is now 6pm (BST).

    It’s been an amazing day, to be on pole again. It was obviously a difficult start of the day with the Sprint, where it didn’t go our way, but I’m super happy with the recovery. It was a good Qualifying. I got a little bit too excited on the last lap of Q3, but the first lap was good enough, and I’m really happy with that.
    Antonelli on pole.

  • Round 4 – Tyre Selection

    The first stars and stripes race of the season will take place this weekend in Miami. With F1 having observed a lengthy break following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and resumes it championship campaign on the street circuit in Florida.

    The Miami Grand Prix is held on a track built specifically for the event around the Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins.
    The layout which runs through sections of public roads and the stadium’s parking areas, measures 5.412 kilometres and is raced over 57 laps.

    To tackle the 19 corners and three long straights of the Miami International Autodrome, as it was named for its inaugural race in 2022, teams will have access to the three softest compounds in Pirelli range: C3 (Hard), C4 (Medium) and C5 (Soft).

    Last year’s Grand Prix, won by Oscar Piastri, was very straightforward from a strategic point of view. At the start, drivers spilt between those who opted for the Mediums and those who chose the Hards, keeping their options open in case of a neutralisation or a sudden change in weather conditions.

    One interesting characteristic that emerged last year was how quickly the circuit dried. This was clearly demonstrated during the Sprint, the short race that will also feature this season, when drivers switched from intermediate tyres to slicks during the 19 laps.

  • Miami FP1 session extended

    It has been announced that Free Practice 1 at the upcoming Miami Grand Prix will be extended to 90 minutes when the season resumes following a five-week break.

    The session during the Miami weekend – which takes place across May 1-3 will no run from 1200 to 1330 local time, meaning that all other track sessions scheduled prior to FP1 will also move forward by 30 minutes.

    The remainder of the event will run as originally planned, with Sprint Qualifying being held at 1630 local time later on Friday before the second Sprint of the season takes place at 1200 on Sunday.

    Qualifying follows at 1600 on Saturday, while the Grand Prix itself gets underway on Sunday at 1600.

    The Miami Grand Prix marks the fourth round of the campaign, with Kimi Antonelli currently heading he Drivers’ Championship standings while Mercedes are on top of the Teams’ standings.

    This decision has been taken in recognition of the gap since the last Grand Prix, the recently announced regulatory and technical adjustments, and the fact that as the Miami Grand Prix operates under the Sprint format which reduces the amount of practice time available over the course of the weekend.
    A statement from the FIA confirming the news.

  • Cadillac reveal special home race livery

    Cadillac have unveiled a special livery for the Miami Grand Prix, and event that will be the team’s first home race in Formula 1.

    The one-off design – presented by the team’s primary partner TWG AI – integrates the Stars and Stripes motif into Cadillac’s signature black and white colour scheme, while the front wing includes 50 stars, one to represent each American state.

    There is also a touch of colour on the rear wing, which feature the word ‘USA’ alongside shades of red, white and blue in honour of Cadillac and TWG AI’s American heritage.

    As well as racing in a newly liveried car, Bottas and Perez will sport special race suits for the Miami weekend which also nod to the American identity of the team.

    The Cadillac Formula 1 Team’s special Miami Grand Prix livery is a natural extension and speaks without excess. It’s deliberate and confident. This is our first home race, and it mattered to us that fans still recognize what they’ve come to know. I can’t wait for the crowd to see it on track for the first time. There’s no place like home.
    Cassidy Towriss, Chief Brad Advisor for Cadillac.

    Miami is a big moment for the team, and we’re proud to have our name on the car for it. This new livery for the first American race is more than just a design – it’s a statement of identity and intent. It celebrates the shared heritage of two American brands coming together, united by a relentless drive to push boundaries and innovate. That synergy is what makes this partnership so special, and this livery is a bold reflection of the ambition and forward-thinking spirit that TWG AI brings to the team.
    Drew Cukor, President of TWG AI.

  • Herta to take part in four FP1 sessions

    Cadillac have announced that Colton Herta will make his practice debut with the team at the upcoming Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

    American Herta, 26 is currently combining an F2 race seat with a test driver role at Cadillac’s new for 2026 outfit, as the former IndyCar racer pushes towards a planned F1 debut in the future.

    After appearing in FP1 at the Spanish venue, Herta will tackle three other Friday sessions – in place of regular drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez 0 over the course of the season.

    Herta will be back in action at the upcoming Miami Grand Prix weekend, with F2 being added to the schedule for the event – as well as the Canadian F1 round that follows.

    I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team car for the first time. I am looking forward to working closely with the team in a full Grand Prix environment and am fully focused on learning from every appearance. I hope I can contribute to the overall race weekend and help the team, Checo [Sergio] and Valtteri as much as possible.
    Herta on the news.

    Colton is a top talent, which he has not only proved by building an impressive resume in the NTT IndyCar Series before joining us, but also with a strong start to his Formula 2 season. Completing all four of our young driver FP1 sessions is a natural next step in his test driver role, and I look forward to seeing what he can bring in terms of development and focus.
    Graeme Lowdon, Cadillac’s F1 Team Principal.

  • Red Bull announce organisational changes

    Red Bull have announced a series of organisational changes within their technical department.

    Several key figures have left Red Bull in recent years, including long-time boss Christian Horner, Motorsport Advisor Helmut Marko, Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley, Chief Engineering Officer Rob Marshall, Head of Race Strategy Will Courtenay and Chief Designer Craig Skinner.

    Most recently, it was confirmed that Max Verstappen’s race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, will leave Red Bull for rivals McLaren when his contract expires at the end of 2028.

    With immediate effect, Ben Waterhouse takes on an expanded leadership role as Chief Performance and Design Engineer, with “overarching responsibility” across Design and Vehicle Performance – reporting to Technical Director Pierre Wache.

    Waterhouse joined the Red Bull family from BMW Sauber back in 2014, initially serving as Deputy Technical Director at Scuderia Toro Rosso, and since 2017 has been Head of Performance Engineering at the main outfit.

    Meanwhile, from July 1st, Andrea Landi will join Red Bull as Head of Performance reporting to Waterhouse.

    Landi has previously acted as Deputy Head of Vehicle Performance at Ferrari and Deputy Technical Director at Racing Bulls.

  • Williams sign long-time Mercedes engineer

    Williams have announced the appointment of Dan Milner from rivals Mercedes to act as their new Chief Engineer – Vehicle Technology.

    Milner joins Williams after a 20 year association with Mercedes, including a 14 year stint at the Brackley-based team across their Honda, Brawn GP and Silver Arrows eras.

    During his time at the F1 operation, where he progressed from simulation and design roles into senior leadership, Milner played his part in multiple World Championship triumphs – including eight consecutive Constructors’ titles.

    After several years heading up powertrain integration and transmission design, Milner most recently served as Chief Engineer for R&D (Research & Development).

    Outside of F1, he has held senior design roles in the America’s Cup sailing competition with Ineos Britannia, and has also worked in the defence sector.

    Williams explained that Milner “will be accountable for Vehicle Technology, driving on and off car performance through complex, integrated technology programmes”.

    I’m thrilled to be joining Atlassian Williams F1 Team as Chief Engineer across Vehicle Technology. After 20 years of association with Brackley, it’s the right moment to take on a new challenge. Williams has a clear, ambitious plan to move forward, and I’m looking forward to bringing my experience and knowledge to help accelerate that journey. I can’t wait to meet the team, learn the organisation and get to work converting ideas into performance on track.
    Milner on the news.

    Dan brings broad experience and clear leadership. He has led major programmes across R&D and powertrains, turning ideas into performance, and he knows how to bring teams together to deliver. Dan will be central to our vehicle technology plan and to converting innovation into consistent performance gains on track, so we’re thrilled to have him on board as we continue our plans of bringing Atlassian Williams F1 Team back to the front of the grid.
    Matt Harman, Williams Technical Director.

  • Lambiase to leave Red Bull for McLaren in 2028

    Max Verstappen’s long-time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase will leave Red Bull when his current contract expires in 2028, with the Briton joining McLaren as Chief Racing Officer.

    Lambiase – known to many as GP – has worked alongside Verstappen since the Dutchman was promoted to the team from the then-named Toro Rosso outfit in 2016, the pair going on to experience many highs and lows together in the years since.

    Starting his F1 career as a data engineer for the Jordan team in 2005, Lambiase went on to become a race engineer during the squad’s guise as Force India before later moving to Red Bull in 2015.

    Initially acting in the same role for Daniil Kvyat, it was in 2016 when Verstappen joined that Lambiase’s partnership with the four time World Champion began.
    More recently he also took on the role of Head of Racing at Red Bull while continuing to race engineer Verstappen.

    However, his time at the team will soon be coming to a close with Red Bull first confirming he would be departing in 2028 before McLaren also confirmed he would be joining the Woking based team.

    Lambiase is not the only figure from Red Bull to join McLaren in recent times, with Rob Marshall becoming Technical Director, Engineering & Design, in 2024 while Will Courtenay started in the role of Sporting Director at the beginning of 2026.

    When Lambiase joins McLaren he will take on the role of Chief Racing Officer with a view to freeing up some of the duties managed by Team Principal Andrea Stella.

    Oracle Red Bull Racing confirms that Gianpiero Lambiase will leave the team in 2028, when his current contract expires. ‘GP’ is a valued member of the team, which he joined in 2015. Until his planned departure, ‘GP’ continues in his roles as Head of Racing and as Race Engineer to Max Verstappen. The team and he are fully committed to add more success to our strong track record together.
    A Red Bull statement read.

    McLaren Racing is pleased to announce that Gianpiero Lambiase will join the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team as Chief Racing Officer, reporting into Team Principal, Andrea Stella. The role of the Chief Racing Officer already exists within the team’s structure with overall leadership of the race team. These duties are currently managed by Andrea Stella in addition to his role as Team Principal. Lambiase is the latest hire designed to strengthen and support the talent pool that exists at McLaren Mastercard, while also reaffirming the team’s long-term commitment to confirming its position as a Championship-winning team. The team’s ability to attract and secure top talent, like Lambiase, and previously Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay, alongside the retention and promotion of highly-talented people already within the team, is a testament to the strategic vision and culture that are integrally embodied in the McLaren Mastercard F1 Team under the leadership of Zak Brown and Andrea Stella, who are also both on long-term contracts. The team look forward to welcoming Gianpiero Lambiase when his existing contract ends, no later than 2028.
    A McLaren statement read.

  • Miami & Montreal to host rounds

    FIA Formula 2 announce that Miami and Montreal will be hosting Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 calendar, alongside Formula 1 – the first time the Championship will race in North America.

    The opportunity for Miami and Montreal to join the F2 calendar has come about following the news that the Sakhi and Jeddah rounds will not take place in April.

    The FIA Formula 2 Championship will go to Miami, USA on May 1st – 3rd for what will be the second round of the 2026 season, followed by Montreal, Canada on May 22nd – 24th, as Round 3, before returning to Europe, starting with Monte-Carlo, Monaco on June 4th – 7th.

    While it has not been possible to go ahead with the two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia this month, and we look forward to being back with our passionate fans there as soon as possible, it is great news for our fans, the drivers and the teams that Formula 2 will be racing in Miami and Montreal. Bruno and the whole F2 family have done a great job, working closely with us, the FIA, and the Miami and Montreal promoters, to ensure we limit the gap in racing for the championship this season and I want to thank them for making this possible. It is going to be fantastic to restart the racing in a few weeks’ time and to have F2 alongside Formula 1 as we return to the US for the first time this season.
    Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1.

    Following the necessary changes to the calendar at the start of the season, the addition of these new rounds ensures the FIA Formula 2 Championship remains strong and balanced, and able to deliver for our teams, drivers and fans. Bringing the championship to North America via Miami and Montreal for the first time marks an important step in its continued global growth, strengthening the pathway alongside Formula One and connecting with new audiences. I thank all those who worked tirelessly to make these rounds possible. Our thoughts remain with all those affected by the ongoing events in the Middle East and we continue to hope for a swift return to stability. We look forward to racing in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia very soon
    Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President.

    We always love to race in Sakhir and Jeddah, and we wish them well and look forward to returning to both as soon as circumstances allow. We are now going to Miami and Montreal for the second and third rounds of the 2026 season, respectively. I would like to thank Stefano Domenicali and Formula 1 for their support in making this possible, and also the FIA, the promoters of the Miami and Canadian Grands Prix, and of course my team, who have worked hard to put in place two new Rounds in such a short amount of time. It was not an easy thing to do, but bringing F2 to North America for the first time is really fantastic. It’s something we have been wanting to do for a long time, and it enables us to ensure we’re back racing as quickly as possible. It will be a great new challenge for our teams and our drivers, who have all welcomed the news with enthusiasm. I am certain that the quality of racing will bring a lot of excitement to the fans and to everyone attending both Grands Prix.
    Bruno Michel, FIA Formula 2 CEO.

  • Lawrence joins Aston Martin Academy

    Aston Martin have welcomed F1 Academy Discover your Drive karter, Ava Lawrence to their academy.

    At just 11 years old, Lawrence has already shown promise. Competing across Rotax, IAME and FIA aligned categories, she has claimed multiple podium finishes. The Australian-born karter made histroy as the first female MENA Cup Champion, the first female winner of a Mini race in ROK Cup Italy, and the first female driver to achieve a podium in the Mini class of the COFTA International Series.

    Lawrence, who races under an Emirati licence is currently competing as an F1 Academy Discover Your Driver karter in the OK-N junior class of the British Champions of the Future Academy Program. She previously represented the initiative in the Mini class of the International Series.

    Lawrence joins F1 Academy driver Mathilda Paatz as a member of the Aston Martin Aramco Driver Academy, and is the second F1 Academy Discover Your Drive karter to be part of an F1 driver development programme.

    I’m really excited to join the Aston Martin Aramco Driver Academy. It’s going to be such a huge step to help me improve my driving and become even better on track. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone on the team and learning from them. Getting to visit the AMR Technology Campus (AMRTC) for my announcement was so cool. My favourite part of the day was seeing the different materials they use on the Formula One cars and actually getting to touch parts of the car. It was so interesting to see how it’s all made!
    Lawrence on the news.

    Bringing in talent at a junior level is an important part of our strategy, and Ava and Roland are excellent examples of the calibre of young driver that we want to bring in the programme. Both drivers have already shown impressive potential on the international stage, with strong performances in highly competitive categories. Having the opportunity to contribute to a driver’s development from such an early stage is incredibly important, allowing us to help shape their progression both on and off the track as they continue to grow in the sport.
    Nuno Pinto added.

  • Sophia Florsch joins Opel as Test & Development Driver

    Opel has signed Sophia Florsch as Test and Development Driver as it enters the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

    The 25 year old will make her first public appearance on April 21st and 22nd, when the new Gen4 cars of the all-electric series will be officially presented in France.

    Florsch began her career in karting before moving up to motor racing in 2015 and making a splash in the British Ginetta Junior Championship as the youngest winner.

    Through stints in ADA Formula 4, the European Formula 3 Championship and the Formula Regional European Championship, she established herself in single-seater racing and made history by becoming the first woman to score points and podium finishes in both the German Formula 4 and later in the FIA Formula 3 Championship.

    In the years that followed, she successfully continued her career in prototype and GT racing, finished on the podium in the European Le Mans Series, finished in the top 10 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship and the German Touring Car Masters (DTM) – and is now considered among the most prominent women in international motorsport.

    With Sophia’s signing, we at Opel are sending a clear signal for the consistent promotion of young talents in electric motorsport. Her precise technical feedback as well as her analytical way of working in the simulator and on the track will play an essential role in the further development of our GEN4 package. At the same time, her fresh approach fits perfectly with our OMG! GSE campaign, with which we present the emotional side of our all-electric high-performance models. We combine targeted talent promotion with high sporting standards and thus strengthen the visibility of a new generation in motorsport that combines sporting performance with public presence.
    Jorg Schrott, Team Principal.

    Formula E is currently the toughest racing series in the world – and that’s exactly where Opel and I are now competing together. The fact that a brand with 125 years of motorsport DNA is now taking the step into a world championship is impressive. As a German driver, being part of this factory team is more than a privilege for me. The GEN4 car is a thoroughbred race car: over 800 hp, all-wheel drive, ultra-fast. I can’t wait to go into depth with the engineers, understand this car and get the maximum out of it. Together, we want to show what true teamwork can do – achieve sporting success and win the hearts of motorsport fans for Opel and Formula E.
    Florsch on the news.

  • F1 Academy introduces two, three race weekends

    F1 Academy has announced the introduction of a new three-race weekend format for select events in 2026 and beyond, debuting at Round 2 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal and returning at Round 5 at the Circuit of the Americas, Austin.

    The new format introduces a brand new ‘Opening Race’ and restores the 2026 calendar t 14 races, following confirmation that the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will no longer take place in April.

    The opening race brings a new strategic opportunity for teams and drivers while offering fans even more racing action.
    Sitting at the start of the series’ weekend racing schedule, it forms a dynamic trio of formats, alongside the Reserve Grid Race and the Feature Race.

    The grid for the opening race will be set using each driver’s second fastest Qualifying time, adding a tactical element to the sole 30-minute qualifying session. The opening race will award full points and contribute to both the Drivers’ and Teams’ Standings. One point will be awarded for the fastest lap, with no points awarded for pole.

    Introducing the Opening Race at select rounds underscores our commitment to building a platform where the most talented can thrive by maximising competitive track time. As F1 ACADEMY continues to grow on and off the track, I am continually looking for ways to elevate our race weekends. I’d like to thank our promoters for their support and enthusiasm for this dynamic new format, which will deliver additional on track action in Montreal and Austin and provide a compelling schedule for fans and drivers alike.
    Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 Academy.

    The Opening Race gives us an opportunity to evolve the race weekend while protecting the sporting integrity of the series. By setting the grid using each driver’s second fastest qualifying time, we’re adding another layer of strategy to the weekend. This approach also provides the flexibility to replace a postponed race if needed and allows us to make the most of any additional track time available on the Grand Prix weekend schedule.
    Delphine Biscaye, Head of Race Operations.

  • Citroen Racing commits to Gen4

    Citroen Racing are the latest team to commit to Formula E’s Gen4 era.

    The historic French manufacturer, who joined the all-electric championship at the start of this season, has already made a lasting first impression with their competitive performance over the opening six rounds.

    Nick Cassidy picked up a podium in Citroen Racing’s first race during the season opener in Sao Paulo, followed by a win in just their second race in the championship back in Mexico City.
    Id Madrid, Round 6 of the 2025/26 season he ticked another box, after securing the Julius Baer Pole Position.

    Citroen made the announcement of their Gen4 commitment during the Madrid E-Prix weekend, with their decision reinforcing Formula E as a central pillar of Citroen’s electrification and performance strategy.

    At a race day media round table, the French team reinforced the importance of Formula E in helping the manufacturer achieve their electrification goals, calling the championship “the ultimate platform” for the “humble but ambitious” team.

  • Wheatley to leave Audi with immediate effect

    Audi have announced that Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley is leaving the organisation with immediate effect, just under a year after his arrival.

    Former Red Bull stalwart Wheatley stepped up to F1 team boss duties last April with a switch to Kick Sauber – the team Audi took over the 2026 season.

    Whealtey made a strong start to his tenure, overseeing plenty of points finishes – including a breakthrough maiden podium finish for Nico Hulkenberg at Silverstone – and a move off the foot of the Teams’ Championship standings.

    He then spearheaded Sauber’s transition to the works Audi effort over the winter, bringing the German manufacturer to the sport for the first time, and marking the moment with a debut points finish.

    However, just two rounds into the campaign, and all F1’s all new era of regulations, it has been confirmed that Wheatley is stepping away from his role and departing Audi due to personal reasons.

    Head of Audi F1 project, Mattia Binotto, will take on Wheatley’s responsibilities, with more information on the team’s future structure to follow in due course.

    Wheatley’s career in F1 started with Benetton in the early 1990s, where he worked his way up the ranks to become Chief Mechanic and stayed there through the team’s Renault gise.

    He joined Red Bull’s new squad in 2006, and went on to enjoy plenty of success – including six Teams’ and seven Drivers’ titles – as Sporting Director before joining Sauber ahead of their Audi transformation.

    As it continues its journey towards the front of the grid, Audi Revolut F1 Team will implement significant changes to its senior management structure. Due to personal reasons, Jonathan Wheatley will depart the team with immediate effect. The team thanks Jonathan for his contribution to the project and wishes him the best for his future endeavours. Mattia Binotto, Head of Audi F1 Project, will continue leading the team while taking over additional responsibilities as Team Principal. Since joining at the helm of the project in 2024, Mattia has been in charge of the transformation of the team as Audi prepared for and ultimately entered F1 as a chassis and power unit manufacturer. The team’s future structure will be fully defined at a later stage, as the organisation continues to adapt to the evolving environment of Formula 1. With the unwavering commitment of AUDI AG, Audi Revolut F1 Team will continue progressing towards challenging for championships by 2030.
    A statement read.

  • Haas reveal special livery

    Haas have unveiled a special Godzilla-themed livery for this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.

    The design was revealed during a major activation in Tokyo Midtown Hibiya, with Haas recently announcing a season-long collaboration with TOHO CO LTD, the iconic Japanese entertainment studio and home of Godzilla.

    Sticking to Haas’ core colour scheme of white, black and red, the striking special livery incorporates the ‘King of the Monsters’ into the design across the engine cover.

    It will be shown on both Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman’s Haas’ across the whole weekend, where they hope to continue scoring points again.