Van Amersfoort Racing have confirmed that Rafael Villagomez will return with the team for the 2025 FIA Formula 2 campaign.
The Mexican driver finished his rookie season in the Championship last year with 24 points and a best finish of seventh in the Melbourne Feature Race.
It continues his affiliation with the team after spending three season racing with them in FIA F3, having also finished eighth in 2021 edition of the Euroformula Open in VAR colours.
Speaking about his confirmation for the 2025 season, Villagomez said he was excited to continue the work he and VAR have done in F2 so far.
I’m extremely excited to stay and carry on in Formula 2 with VAR. Important year for myself and the team. Towards the end of the year things started shape up better so I’m looking forward to carry on. A lot of work has been done over the winter so I’m looking forward to start testing and Barcelona. Villagomez on the news.
We’re excited to have Rafa stay with our FIA Formula 2 team for the upcoming season. He made significant progress last year, and we’re excited to continue working together to further his development. We’re confident he’ll build on his performances and achieve better results. Brad Joyce, Van Amerfoort Racing Team Principal.
Tina Hausmann will be returning for a sophomore F1 Academy campaign after Aston Martin confirmed the 18 year old is to continue representing the team in 2025.
Once again driving with PREMA Racing, Hausmann clinched a top 10 finish in the Drivers’ Standings last season. The Swiss racer ended 2024 on top form, scoring her best result of fourth in the final race of the year at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.
Speaking about her re-signing with the team, Hausmann said she’s eager to carry on the development she’s made and progress further this year.
Continuing to support Hausmann across her second year, Jessica Hawkins will remain in her role as Aston Martin’s Head of F1 Academy.
Looking back on the incredible opportunity of competing in the 2024 F1 ACADEMY series for Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team with PREMA Racing, countless precious and unforgettable moments come to mind. Being behind the wheel and pushing the limits on seven iconic racetracks around the world felt like a dream came true. The learning curve was steep and culminated in a strong result in the final race. Aston Martin Aramco supported me throughout the journey like a true family. Being behind the wheel and pushing the limits on seven iconic racetracks around the world felt like a dream came true. The learning curve was steep and culminated in a strong result in the final race. Aston Martin Aramco supported me throughout the journey like a true family. Representing Aston Martin Aramco and PREMA in the series is a huge honour and I’m very proud of it. On this global platform you are in the spotlight as an athlete and as an individual, but I feel fully supported in all situations by both teams. Everyone involved does an incredible job and is driven to perform. Hausmann on the news.
I am really excited to continue working with Tina in 2025 as she embarks on her second year in F1 ACADEMY. Over the past season, she has grown tremendously, gaining valuable experience and developing both her skills and confidence on track. I have no doubt that she will take everything she has learned and channel it into a strong, competitive campaign this year. I look forward to seeing her achieve new milestones as she builds on the solid foundation she has already established. Hawkins on the news.
Rodin Motorsport have finalised their line-up for the upcoming Formula 2 season with Alexander Dunne set to race alongside Christian Mansell for them in 2025.
Dunne steps up to F2 after a rookie year in Formula 3 which he achieved two podiums, coming in the Barcelona and Monza Sprint Races, going on to finish 14th in the Drivers’ Championship.
Prior to that, the McLaren Development Driver Programme member won the 2022 British F4 title and also finished as runner-up in Italian F4 that year and in the 2023 GB3 Championship.
The Irishman will now be moving up to Formula 2 with Rodin Motorsport in 2025 having driven for the team on all three days of post-season testing in Abu Dhabi last year.
I’m pleased to be able to confirm my plans for the 2025 season, which will see me joining Rodin Motorsport and participating in Formula 2. I’m looking forward to the upcoming season and thankful for everyone’s support in getting me to this stage – I can’t wait to hit the ground running. Dunne on the news.
We are delighted to welcome Alex to Rodin Motorsport. Alex’s talent, dedication, and passion for racing align perfectly with our team’s values and ambitions. We are confident that he will make a significant impact in the upcoming season and know that he is capable of enjoying a really great season with the team. Benn Huntingford, Rodin Motorsport Sporting Director and Team Manager.
Ferrari have announced the return of Zhou Guanyu as a reserve driver for the 2025 season, adding to the team’s back-up pool alongside incumbent Antonio Giovinazzi.
It officially ends the speculation over the Chinese racer’s immediate future, following Kick Sauber’s decision to overhaul their driver line-up and part ways with both Zhou and teammate Valtteri Bottas.
Zhou spent four years as part of the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy from 2015 to 2018, rising through the Formula 4 and Formula 3 single-seater ranks with the Maranello-based operation.
He progressed to Formula 2 after leaving the academy, and having won multiple races, secured promotion to Formula 1 with Sauber’s team then backed by Alfa Romeo for the 2022 season.
He remained there through the 2024 campaign, when the team transitioned to their Kick Sauber guise, reaching 68 Grand Prix starts and topping up his points tally to 16 before leaving the grid.
Zhou will provide support to Ferrari’s full time drivers in his new role, with the famous marque this year fielding a revised lineup as seven time World Champion Lewis Hamilton joins Charles Leclerc.
Ferrari have announced that Maya Weug will once again represent the team, with the Dutch racer switching to compatriots MP Motorsport for the 2025 F1 Academy season.
Weug returns for her sophomore campaign in the series after achieving eight podiums last year, including her maiden single-seater victory in Race 3 at Yas Marina, on her way to finish third in the Drivers’ Standings.
The 20 year old joins the previously announced Alba Hurup Larsen at MP and the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy member expressed her delight at teaming up with the Dutch team.
I can’t wait to get started with MP Motorsport for my second season in F1 ACADEMY. We’ll be working hard all year and fighting for more wins. Super proud to be racing in Ferrari colours again for 2025! It’s actually the first time in my motorsport career that I will represent a Dutch team, so that alone is quite special. MP have done well in the first two F1 ACADEMY seasons, always running up front and taking their share of wins, and it’s definitely my goal to add to those wins and challenge for the title. I very much look forward to competing in this year’s 14 races supporting the Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends and showing the world what we’re made of. Maya Weug on the news.
Aurelia Nobels has become the 11th full-time driver to be confirmed for the 2025 season, with the Brazilian continuing with F1 Academy Official Partner PUMA.
Nobels joined F1 Academy after campaigns in Brazilian F4 in 2022, followed by the Italian F4 and Euro 4 Championships in 2023.
The Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy prospect went on to achieve six points finishes last year which includes a best result of fifth in Zandvoort.
Finishing the season 12th overall, Nobels will be eyeing more success as she finalises ART Grand Prix’s roster for the upcoming season. The 18 year old will race alongside Williams’ Lia Block and newcomer Courtney Crone for Haas.
I’m thrilled to announce I will be continuing my journey in F1 ACADEMY with ART Grand Prix in 2025. Partnering with Puma is an incredible honour and I’m grateful for their belief in me. I’m ready to embrace the challenges, push boundaries and make 2025 unforgettable! Nobels on the news.
Mercedes have confirmed that their 2025 F1 car will be revealed to the world on February 24th, just a few days after the team unveil their livery during the inaugural season launch event at London’s 02.
The squad’s challenger for the campaign ahead – the Mercedes-AMG F1 W16 E Performance is set to break cover ahead of what will be a new era for the Silver Arrows driver-wise, with rookie Kimi Antonelli joining the incumbent George Russell following Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari.
Details have not yet been revealed about where the car launch will take place, but the event will come just under a week after Mercedes join the other nine teams on the grid for the F1 75 launch event in London.
The livery that will adorn the W16 will be unveiled during the special event, with Toto Wolff recently stating that the squad will continue to use black on their car, a colour scheme that Hamilton was instrumental in introducing back in 2020.
Mercedes are the latest team to announce a reveal date for their car: Williams on 14th, Haas 16th for a filming day at Silverstone, Ferrari on the 19th.
All 10 teams will head to the Bahrain International Circuit for pre-season testing for three days from February 26th – 28th ahead of the season opening Australian grand Prix.
Van Amersfoort Racing have confirmed that Santiago Ramos will race for the team in the 2025 Formula 3 season, completing their lineup for the upcoming season.
Ramos who will race alongside Theophile Nael and Ivan Domingues, returns for a second F3 season after finishing the 2024 campaign 16th in the Drivers’ Championship with 44 points.
The Mexican driver achieved one podium which came at the final round of the season in Monza where he finished second in the Sprint Race, as well as a pole position at Imola with Trident.
He is now set to race for Van Amersfoort Racing in 2025 and following the announcement the 20 year old is delighted to return for a second season.
I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be joining Van Amersfoort Racing for the upcoming FIA Formula 3 season. After showing some strong pace last year, I’m confident that with VAR’s support and expertise, we’re set for an incredible season. I can’t wait to get back in the car and fight for great results together! Ramos on the news.
We are delighted to welcome Santiago to our FIA Formula 3 team for the upcoming season. We’ve followed his progress over the years and have been impressed by his skills and determination. Santiago showed great potential during his rookie F3 campaign, and we are confident that, with the right support and environment, he will be able to reach his full potential with us. We look forward to working with him and helping him continue advancing in his racing career. Van Amersfoort Racing Team Principal, Brad Joyce.
Former Kick Sauber Team Representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi will be joining McLaren Racing as their new Chief Business Affairs Officer.
In the newly created position, which he started on the 1st February, Alunni Bravi will provide executive leadership skills “across a range of McLaren Racing business matters, including legal, driver development, commercial, driver contract management and rights holders/governing body management”.
He will also take over the running of McLaren’s Driver Development programme, which transitions across from Stephanie Carlin, who is assuming additional responsibilities within the F1 outfit run by Team Principal, Andrea Stella.
Alunni Bravi, who will report directly to CEO Zak Brown and sit as part of the McLaren Racing Executive Team, brings more than two decades of motorsport and business leadership experience to the squad, most recently at Kick Sauber.
The Italian served as Managing Director of the Sauber Group and Team Representative for Kick Sauber, adding to previous leadership roles with racing teams and companies such as ART Grand Prix, Trident Racing and SPARK Racing Technology.
I’m delighted to have Alessandro joining us with his extensive expertise and motorsport background. Alongside managing our legal and driver development functions, he will also provide invaluable support on all professional driver business management matters, racing governance activities across our various rights holders and governing body relationships and broad business support to all our racing series as needed. Brown on the news.
McLaren is a team I have been a huge fan of my whole life, and it therefore sparks special emotions personally to have the opportunity to now work with such an amazing group of people. I’m so grateful to be joining such a great organisation with the values and culture that are so clear to see from the outside. I want to reward the trust and confidence that Zak and the Board have put in me by giving my full dedication and effort to help contribute to the continued success, as I believe teamwork is key to everything. I am so happy to be joining a team that I truly believe sets the benchmark in F1 both on and off the track, and I can’t wait to get started at the beginning of February. Alunni Bravi on the news.
Williams Racing have announced the signing of Oliver Turvey as their new Test and Development Driver, providing additional support to full-time racers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz.
British racer Turvey, 37, brings some 15 years of experience across F1, Formula E and sportscar racing to Grove, where “he will play a pivotal part in advancing Williams’ development programmes and simulator operations”.
This will include helping to develop a state of the art driver in loop (DIL) Simulator, which is set to become operational later this year, as Williams continue their quest to climb the F1 pecking order.
Alongside a racing career that includes wins in a host of single-seater championships and victory at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, Turvey has spent the last 15 years in a test and development role at McLaren.
It’s an honour to have the opportunity to join such an historic and successful team. I have long admired Williams and watching Damon Hill win the World Championship for them is a moment that inspired me as I began my own racing career in karting. The ambition and determination driving this project are incredibly inspiring, and I’m excited for the challenge ahead to help bring the team back to the top. It is a privilege to work alongside Alex and Carlos, who I consider two of the best drivers in F1. I look forward to using my experience as both a driver and engineer to work closely with the team at Grove to enhance the car’s performance in the simulator and support the race team. I would like to thank James, Sven [Smeets, Williams Sporting Director], and the Board for putting their trust in me. I will give everything I have to help the team achieve success. Turvey on the news.
We’re very happy to welcome Oliver to the team. He brings a vast amount of experience and expertise that will be invaluable to our progression as we continue to strengthen the team across the board. The role of a test and development driver is vital to our journey back towards success, and I am confident that Oliver, who will join Harrison Scott, will result in a strong team developing the current and future cars. Smeets added.
Haas have promoted Laura Mueller to the role of Race Engineer for new recruit Esteban con with Carine Cridelich set to join as Head of Strategy from rivals Racing Bulls as part of a wider strengthening of the structure.
Haas finished seventh in the constructors’ championship last year, their best finish since 2018, and are looking to build on that this year with a new line-up that features race winner Ocon and Ferrari junior Ollie Bearman.
Mueller headlines the raft of changes, earning promotion for her role as Performance Engineer to become the first full-time female to take on the high-profile position of Race Engineer.
A race engineer is one of the most senior trackside roles for a team as they are the main link between a driver and the team, both on-track through radio communications, and off it in the pursuit of performance.
She’s a pretty determined character. And then she’s very hardworking. Her work ethic is really, really good. She’s going to be Esteban’s Race Engineer. In terms of looking at it personality-wise, Esteban is a pretty determined character as well. So that side, I think the driving force, I think that personality matches pretty well. And then what she’s really good at is, when she sees a problem, she digs deep, and she doesn’t stop at the first answer. Some people, when they find the answer, first answer, they stop there. They think, ‘Oh, great, I found the solution, move on’. She has a good work ethic such that when she finds the first solution, she knows that there’s 10 things, now you’ve got new questions to answer. Her determination is the one that impresses me the most. Komatsu on the news.
Formula E’s most recent race winner continued his strong pace and topped the timesheets for FP1 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Nissan’s, Oliver Rowland was quickest in the Free Practice session in Jeddah, with his teammate Norman Nato taking second. It’s a promising start for the Nissan powertrains, especially with McLaren’s Sam Bird finishing the season in fourth.
There was early drama between Pascal Wehrlein and Oliver Rowland as the two came close to contact as they scoped out the circuit.
Jake Hughes set a great lap halfway into the session, going over a second and a half quicker than Rowland who was in P1 before the Maserati MSG Racing driver knocked him off the top spot.
Zane Maloney and Lucas di Grassi received a drop of 20 grid positions for breaking the seal on their respective MGUS after Lola Yamaha ABT sought permission to perform checks and resolve a technical issue post round 2.
FP2-
TAG Heuer Porsche’s Antonio Felix da Costa was quickest in the Free Practice 2 in Jeddah, as the grid prepared for the first qualifying session at the new Saudi Arabian circuit. Maximilian Guenther finished second for DS PENSKE and Maserati MSG Racing’s Jake Hughes third.
Just under 10 minutes in, and it was Lola Yamaha ABT’s Lucas di Grassi who was top of the timesheets with a 1m17.150s. However, the session was brought to a brief halt after Robin Frijns was forced to come to a stop at Turn 13. The Dutchman mentioned troubles with rear brakes on team radio with yellow flags deployed for his Envision, which became a red flag.
Once the session got going again, it was Maximilian Guenther and his DS PENSKE who was quickest, taking a second a half out of di Grassi’s previous lap.
With 10 minutes to go, da Costa had set the benchmark with a 1m15.470s. His time wasn’t beaten after another red flag was deployed in the final minutes of the session due to a clash with Mahindra’s Nyck de Vries and Maserati’s Stoffel Vandoorne coming together. The former teammates had a misunderstanding on track, with de Vries on a faster lap clipping Vandoorne’s car and ending up in the barrier.
Qualifying-
Maximilian Guenther achieved his first Julius Baer Pole Position since singing for his new team DS PENSKE, as he lined up alongside TAG Heuer Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein.
Taylor Barnard had a fantastic session for NEOM McLaren as he started on the second row of the grid next to Nissan’s Oliver Rowland.
The full top 10 are- Pole: Guenther, P2: Wehrlein, P3: Rowland, P4: Barnard, P5: Evans, P6: De Vries, P7: Hughes, P8: Ticktum, P9: Cassidy and P10: Vergne.
Mahindra Racing’s Edoardo Mortara failed to set a time after a technical failure, so he had a lot of work to do in the race, apart from that there wasn’t too much drama in the qualifying session.
Round 3-
Polesitter Guenther led the field away through the tight left right of Turns 1 & 2 while Rowland edged by Wehlrein at Turn 4 with the Porsche slipping wide of the apex.
Things would go from bad to worse soon afterwards for the reigning champion as the front wing of Mitch Evans’ Jaguar came into contact with Wehrlein’s rear tyre.
With the debut of PIT BOOST and the 10% additional energy that brings, the field spaced out – Guenther racing to a two second lead come Lap 4 over Rowland.
Guenther started to save energy as he brought the four behind him into play, all running in a pack with a gap back to Vergne in 6th. However, on Lap 8, the safety car bunched everyone back up together again.
The German led the field away again on Lap 9 as things were. De Vries made moves for third at Turn 14 on Taylor Barnard on Lap 10. A lap later and Guenther ceded the race lead on track to Rowland at the same corner – the DS PENSKE driver looking to save up some energy having led from the front.
Lap 14 brought about the first ever PIT BOOST stops. Hughes, Barnard and da Costa were the first to make the leap – looking to undercut with some flat out laps under ATTACK MODE following their 10% energy boosts.
Rowland headed the way by some four seconds in had with less than 10 laps to go, from de Vries, Guenther, Hughes, Barnard, Mortara, Vergne, da Costa, Dennis and Buemi.
De Vries drew that gap to Rowland down to two seconds by Lap 26, though as the leaders set about their second and final 50kW ATTACK MODE boosts and it was Guenther that leapt into second to spearhead the charge after the lead Nissan.
From there, it was four lap duel to the chequered flag for the win but Barnard joined the fun on the final tour having dispatched de Vries a lap earlier.
Guenther jumped Rowland on the way into the final chicane, energy in had with Rowland having to back off. The lead four fired to the line which was led by the German for his first win since Tokyo last season.
The full top 10 are- P1: Guenther, P2: Rowland, P3: Barnard, P4: De Vries, P5: Hughes, P6: Vergne, P7: Mortara, P8: Bird, P9: Da Costa and P10: Vandoorne.
AIX Racing has confirmed Cian Shields for the 2025 FIA Formula 2 season.
Shields raced for AIX Racing in the two final rounds of the 2024 season, as he got his preparations for his step up to F2 early. He will continue with the team alongside Joshua Duerksen, who was confirmed in mid-December.
Last season, Shields completed his rookie campaign in FIA Formula 3, securing a best finish of 14th. Overall he finished 30th out of 30 drivers.
Back in 2023, he took part in the Euroformula Open Championship, where he finished as runner-up where he grabbed four wins and 10 podiums from 23 races.
I’m super excited to be competing in FIA Formula 2 with AIX Racing for 2025! I can’t wait to get started and push myself to new limits this season and super excited to get to work, we worked very well together at the end of last year. A huge thank you to the team for believing in me and giving me this incredible opportunity to race under their colours. Cian Shields on the news.
Ivan Domingues will step up to FIA Formula 3 with Van Amersfoort Racing. The team confirmed their second driver for the upcoming campaign, with the Portuguese driver joining the Dutch team after a year in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine.
Domingues made the move to single seaters in 2022, racing in the Italian and UAE Formula 4 Championships, finishing 15th and 16th respectively.
He did improve to 11th the following year in Italian F4 and matched that overall finishing position in the Euro 4 Championship which was a dual campaign that year, racing with Van Amersfoort in both.
Domingues then made the step up to FRECA last season, remaining with the team and achieved two podiums en route to finishing 10th in the Drivers’ Standings.
I feel very positive and confident about racing with VAR for the 2025 season in the FIA F3 Championship. It will be my third year with the team and I can’t wait for the start of this new challenge! Domingues on the news.
We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Ivan to our F3 Team for the upcoming season. Ivan has been a part of our family participating in our F4 and FRECA Team already. He has shown great results and determination. We’re confident he‘ll be a fantastic addition to our lineup and we’re excited to work together to achieve more good results on track again and be part of his development. VAR Team Principal, Brad Joyce.
DS PESNKE has singed Daniil Kvyat for the Jeddah Rookie Free Practice Session.
The former Formula 1 driver has taken part in a rookie session before, with NIO 333 at the Berlin rookie test. The Russian is now set to take the wheel of the DS E-TENSE FE25 during the FPO session at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Kvyat, 30, is an accomplished driver with extensive experience in top-tier motorsport. Having competed in multiple Formula 1 seasons with teams such as Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso.
I am very excited to join the team for the Rookie Free Practice. It is my first time driving a Formula E new-generation GEN3 Evo car, and I am eager to get a feel for it on track. I already know some of the faces in the team, which makes this experience even more exciting! I cannot wait to get started and see where this test will take us. Kvyat on the news.
We’re delighted to have Daniil join us for FP0 in Jeddah. His background in Formula 1 and his proven ability to perform at the highest level will provide invaluable insights for our team. We are looking forward to seeing how Daniil adapts to the demands of the track and contributes to our overall weekend preparations. Deputy Team Principal, Phil Charles.
NEOM McLaren have confirmed Alex Dunne for the Jeddah Rookie Free Practice session, ahead of the 2025 Jeddah E-Prix.
Dunne, from Ireland, made his single-seater racing debut in 2021, competing in the Spanish F4 Championship and finishing third in his first race. After moving to Formula 4, Alex continued to deliver impressive results, becoming the 2022 British F4 Champion as well as the Italian F4 vice-champion.
Dunne’s 2023 campaign saw his finish second in the GB3 Championship with five victories and eight podiums across the season. In the same year he also made his Macau Grand Prix debut, finishing second in the qualifying race.
Since then, as well as joining the McLaren Driver Development programme, he raced with MP Motorsport in the 2024 FIA Formula 3 Championship, scoring two podiums and a further seven top 10 finishes. Dunne’s 2025 race programme, which he will contest alongside his Formula E duties, he is taking a step up to FIA Formula 2 for 2025 with Rodin Motorsport.
I’m looking forward to getting my first chance to drive the GEN3 Evo for the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team next week in Jeddah. To have this opportunity through the McLaren Driver Development programme feels incredible, and I’m so grateful to the team for putting their trust in me. I’ve been working hard in the simulator and with the team to prepare for this test, and I can’t wait to get out to Jeddah. Dunne on the news.
I’m very pleased that Alex will have the chance to test with the team at next week’s Rookie Free Practice Session. As our Reserve and Development Driver, Alex has already been playing a key role within the team and has been supporting us through his work in the simulator. Throughout his junior career, Alex has shown great promise, and I know he’ll make the most of this opportunity. Ian James, Team Principal.
Mikkel Jensen to represent CUPRA KIRO in Formula E’s Rookie Free Practice ahead of the 2025 Jeddah E-Prix, 13th February.
Sportscar racer, Jensen started his professional career in 2013 and transitioned from single-seater racing to prototype and GT competition in 2016 after finishing on the podiums in his European Le Mans Series (ELMS) debut at the Circuit Paul Ricard.
Since making the switch, Jensen has forged a strong reputation in endurance disciplines, racking up 18 wins and 38 podiums over the past nine years, alongside class championship titles in ELMS and the IMSA Sportscar Championship in the USA.
The Dane, who most recently raced at the 2025 edition of the Daytona 24 Hours, will bring a diverse perspective to cockpit in Jeddah, says the team, alongside extensive manufacturer experience as part of Peugeot’s FIA World Endurance Championship Hypercar program.
FP0 in Jeddah will mark the first time I’ve driven a single-seater racing car since racing in European Formula 3 in 2016, and I’m looking forward to the experience of driving a Formula E car for the first time. Formula E has interested me for a while now, and from my time preparing in the simulator, the car feels completely different to anything I’ve experienced before in my career. I would like to thank CUPRA KIRO for giving me this opportunity – I can’t wait to get started. Jensen on the news.
I’m delighted to welcome Mikkel to CUPRA KIRO for Formula E’s upcoming FP0 rookie test in Jeddah. Mikkel is one of the best sportscar drivers of our generation and has consistently proven himself across WEC, IMSA, and ELMS in recent seasons. Alongside his strong natural instincts, which are important for any racing driver, Mikkel has good technical awareness and understanding, and holds extensive experience working with manufacturers at a World Championship level. His perspective and experiences will be important for FP0, which will be crucial to the continued development of our technical package for this season. I’m very excited for him to have his first experience of Formula E in Jeddah, and I can’t wait to see what he can do. Alex Hui, Team Principal, Cupra Kiro.
Envision Racing has singed British racing driver Zak O’Sullivan for the Rookie Free Practice in Jeddah, as part of a new role that will see him also become a simulator driver.
O’Sullivan boasts and impressive racing CV to date – with numerous wins in karting before stepping up to single seaters.
In 2020, the 19 year old narrowly missed out on the British Formula 4 title, finishing runner-up before going onto win the GB3 Championship the following year.
Two seasons for FIA Formula 3 followed and after stepping onto the podium twice in his rookie campaign in 2022, he became a title contender the following year – taking four wins and settling for the runner-up spot in the championship.
Most recently, he has competed in the FIA Formula 2 Championship where he took a sensational win in Monaco, before stepping onto the top step once again in Spa-Francorchamps. However, he was unable to complete the full season due to funding obstacles.
However, his plans for this year has already been announced and the Brit is competing in the highly competitive Japanese Super Formula Championship for the 2025 season.
I’m very excited to be going to Jeddah to test a Formula E car for the first time. It is going to be a new challenge for me. The session itself will provide a good opportunity for me to learn the car and I will also be making sure I spend as much time with the team as possible across the race week, so I absorb as much as I can. O’Sullivan on the news.
We are thrilled to have Zak joining the team and drive in the first rookie session of the year. We have been very impressed with his results to date and look forward to watching how he adapts to Formula E and integrates within our team. Sylvain Filippi, Managing Director & CTO.
Mahindra has announced Indian driver Kush Maini for the Rookie Free Practice in Jeddah on 13th February.
The 24 year old, served as the team’s official reserve driver during Season 10, getting his first taste of action behind the wheel in the FIA’s all-electric series in May at the annual Berlin Rookie Test.
In parallel, Maini also impressed in FIA Formula 2, claiming victory plus four further podiums in his sophomore season, and will also be returning again this season for a title fight.
Mahindra Racing have enjoyed a strong start to Season 11, making the qualifying duels and scoring points at both rounds in Sao Paulo and Mexico City. The team currently sit fifth in the standings heading to Saudi Arabia next week with 22 points already – almost half the team’s total from last season.
I’m excited to be back with Mahindra Racing for the Rookie Practice in Jeddah this month. I was very impressed with my first experience of Formula E in Berlin last season, and the new GEN3 Evo car is clearly another step up from that. I’ve been watching closely across the first two races this season and can’t wait to get behind the wheel for myself. The team has had a very strong start to the season, with a lot of the hard work from last year coming to fruition. It’ll be great to be back in that environment, and I’m sure with Mahindra’s ongoing support, we can have a productive session and build on the learnings from last year. Maini on the news.
Kush impressed everybody at the team in his role as our Reserve Driver last season, and it was a no-brainer to continue that relationship for the Rookie Practice in Jeddah. We’ve made a strong start to the season with our new car, but it’s important we make use of all the track time available to us to keep progressing. Kush’s work ethic, diligence and skill make him the perfect choice to slot into the team for the session, especially on what will be a new circuit for all the teams. Frederic Bertrand, Mahindra Racing CEO and Team Principal.
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will introduce a Rookie Free Practice session as part of the Jeddah E-Prix, specifically designed for drivers who have never raced in the Championship.
The 40 minute session, scheduled for Thursday 13th February, will provide experienced racing talent from other motorsport championships valuable track time to discover the new groundbreaking technology of Formula E’s GEN3 Evo car.
The rookie free practice is only open to experienced racing drivers from other series, with a free practice only e-licence. It offers hand on experience with the latest Formula E technology, capable of 0-100km/h in 1.82s.
Teams must nominate a driver and allocate a race car number seven days prior to the event, with the teams announcing drivers already.
This initiative follows the successful inaugural Women’s Test in Madrid in October, and further emphasises Formula E and the FIA’s dedication to creating diverse and inclusive pathways for the next generation of racing drivers.
Following on from the success of our Official Women’s Test in November, we’re thrilled to introduce this dedicated Rookie Free Practice session at the Jeddah E-Prix. It’s a crucial next-step in fulfilling our commitment to nurturing the next generation of racing talent, including young women. This opportunity to drive the cutting-edge GEN3 Evo car will provide invaluable experience for these young drivers, and we believe it will significantly contribute to developing the future stars of Formula E and motorsport as a whole. Alberto Longo, Co-Founder and Chief Championship Officer.
It’s crucial for the FIA to allow drivers to develop their careers through FIA World Championships, and the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship has one of the most competitive grids around. Many of its current stars gained their first Formula E experience in one of these rookie sessions or tests, and to provide such opportunities for the next generation of promising talents to discover the specifics of Formula E and EV racing – and adapt their driving style accordingly – is essential for the championship’s continuing growth. Pablo Martino, Head of Formula E Championship, FIA.
Kick Sauber have confirmed that Alessandro Alunni Bravi will leave his position as Team Representative and Managing Director at the end of January 2025.
After first joining the squad in 2017 as General Counsel and Board Member, Alunni Bravi became Managing Director in 2022 – focusing on marketing, communications, sales and other departments before taking the position of Team Representative in 2023 in all official functions at race weekends and away from the track.
Now the Italian is set to move onto new prokects and admitted in a statement that seeing his journey with the team come to an end has been “emotional”.
The news marks another change for Kick Sauber ahead of their transition into becoming Audi’s works outfit in 2026.
As well as developments in the wider structure, the squad will field an all new driver line-up in 2025, with Nico Hulkenberg joining from Haas and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto making the step up after winning the 2024 Formula 2 Championship.
Since I joined in 2017, I have seen this team grow and change beyond what anyone could have imagined. This organisation went through exciting and difficult times alike, all without ever losing its spirit and its commitment, which is something I find inspiring, and I was proud of being able to represent the team as its public face in the last two years. As I move on to a new project, I want to thank Finn Rausing, all those who put so much trust and faith in me at Sauber and Audi, and all the colleagues I have been working with for the last eight years. This team is a family and has a bright future ahead. Alunni Bravi on the news.
Having worked closely with him in the months since my arrival to Hinwil, I want to pay tribute to Alessandro, a true team player who came to embody the essence of Sauber throughout the years. Alessandro played a wide range of roles within the team, steering it through difficult and exciting times alike. As he moves onto a new venture, the whole company would like to thank him for all his energy and contributions over the years and wish him the best for the future. Mattia Binotto, Chief Operating and Chief Technical Office at Sauber Motorsport.
DAMS Lucas Oil have confirmed that Christian Ho will race for the team in the 2025 Formula 3 season, completing their lineup for the upcoming campaign.
He joins the team from the Eurocup-3 2024 season in which he achieved five victories with nine podiums in just 16 races.
Prior to that, the 18 year old finished second in the 2023 edition of the Spanish F4 Championship, scoring 13 podiums which included five wins.
Ho will now step up to F3 with DAMS, meaning he is their third confirmed driver after Matias Zagazeta and Nicola Lacorte. Ho is set to be the first Singaporean driver in Formula 3 history.
I’m proud to be the first F3 driver from Singapore, it feels amazing to join DAMS Lucas Oil and I’m raring to go. I’ve had a strong season Eurocup-3, and I’m aiming to carry this form into 2025. My target is to be competitive in the Championship, which is one of the toughest in the world, so I’ll work with the team to deliver the best possible results. Ho on the news.
We’re delighted to have signed Christian, his pace during the test days was impressive and he has a great racing CV. It’s amazing for him to be the first driver from his nation to compete in F3. We’re pleased to now have our 2025 line-up confirmed and we’ll continue working hard to be in good shape when we arrive in Melbourne. Charles Pic, DAMS Lucas Oil Team Owner.
NEOM McLaren has signed Alex Dunne as the team’s Reserve and Development Driver for the 2024/25 season of the FIA ABB Formula E World Championship.
In his role, Dunne will work directly with the team in Bicester and Woking, contributing to the team’s development, while growing his knowledge and experience within the series. Alex has been part of the McLaren Racing family since May 2024 when he joined the Driver Development programme.
Dunne from Ireland, began his racing career at eight years old, before securing his first European karting title in 2019. In 2021, he made his single-seater debut competing in the 2021 Spanish F4 Championship, and securing a combined 16 race wins across the British, UAE and Italian Formula 4 Championships while racing for Hitech Grand Prix and US Racing.
Dunne was crowned the 2022 British F4 Champion as well as the Italian F4 Championship runner-up.
In 2023, Dunne was runner-up in the GB3 Championship with five victories and eight podiums. Last season he competed in the FIA Formula 3 Championship with MP Motorsport while continuing his development with the support of the McLaren Driver Development programme.
I’m excited to be joining the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team as Reserve and Development Driver. Working with NEOM McLaren as part of my experience in the McLaren Driver Development programme is an excellent opportunity to hone my skills. I’m looking forward to doing what I can to support the team and learn as much as possible. Alex Dunne on the news.
I am delighted to welcome Alex to the team as the team’s Reserve and Development Driver. Alex is an up-and-coming talent in single seater motorsport and has been part of the McLaren Driver Development programme since last season, through which we have been able to follow his progress and development. The team are looking forward to working with him in 2025. Alex will play an important role within our team, adding value to the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team with his drive and talent, while also gaining experience himself along the way. Ian James, Team Principal.
Aston Martin have announced that Andy Cowell will assume the role of Team Principal alongside his position as CEO with immediate effect, with Mike Krack moving to the position of Chief Trackside Officer as part of an organisation restructure.
In a shift towards a flatter structure, Cowell – who previously joined the squad in October as CEO – will also become Team Principal, with the squad’s Aerodynamics, Engineering and Performance Departments both trackside and at the AMR Technology Campus reporting into him.
Krack – who has held the role of Team Principal since 2022 – will focus on getting the most performance out of the car at the track in his role as Chief Trackside Officer.
The AMR Technology Campus-based team, meanwhile are set to be led by new Chief Technical Officer Enrico Caridle, while Tom McCullough will remain with the group in a leadership position.
Cardile will oversee the architecture, design and build of new race cars, having joined the team after leaving his position as Technical Director Chassis and Aerodynamics at Ferrari last year.
McCullough who held the position of Performance Director and has worked with the team for 11 years – is set to play a role in the expansion of the team’s broader range of racing catgeories.
I have spent the last three months understanding and assessing our performance, and I’ve been incredibly impressed by the dedication, commitment and hard work of this team. With the completion of the AMR Technology Campus and our transition in 2026 to a full works team, alongside our strategic partners Honda and Aramco, we are on a journey to becoming a Championship-winning team. These organisational changes are a natural evolution of the multi-year plans that we have scheduled to make and I’m incredibly excited about the future. Cowell on the restructure.
Franco Colapinto will join Alpine as one of their reserve drivers in 2025, it has been announced with the Argentinian racer further bolstering the team’s back-up pool for the season ahead.
Colapinto burst on the F1 scene last year when Williams drafted him in to replace Logan Sargeant who was struggling for form in his second season – from the Italian Grand Prix weekend.
Stopping his first full term in F2, which had yielded a breakthrough victory, the 21 year old immediately looked at home behind the wheel of F1 machinery, reaching Q3 and scoring points at only his second race weekend in Azerbaijan.
Colapinto bagged another point at the United States Grand Prix and while subsequent incidents took the shine off his arrival, he had turned heads in the paddock and drew plenty of praise from Team Principal, James Vowles.
Colapinto’s initial performances saw him linked with several rival teams over a potential 2025 race seat, but none of these ultimately materialised, while Williams had already signed Carlos Sainz to partner Alex Albon.
Now following plenty of media reports, the next chapter of a rollercoaster F1 journey so far will see Colapinto to join Alpine’s reserve roster.
I am super excited to have the opportunity to join BWT Alpine Formula One Team. First of all, I want to say thank you to Williams for all their support from the moment I joined the Academy until the last race in Abu Dhabi. They turned my dream of racing in Formula One into reality, and I will always be grateful for that. Now, it is time for a new chapter, and to take on this challenge with BWT Alpine Formula One Team is truly an honour. A huge thank you to Luca [de Meo], Flavio [Briatore] and Oliver [Oakes] for believing in me and welcoming me into the team with open arms. I cannot wait to get started and see where this journey takes us. Also, a massive thank you to all my sponsors and partners who stood by me through the challenges of the 2024 season. Your support made it all possible, and to my incredible fans in Argentina: ‘Muchas gracias!’ Your passion and encouragement mean the world to me. Let’s aim for even greater things in 2025 and beyond. Colapinto on the news.
We are very pleased to come to an agreement with Williams Racing to sign Franco Colapinto. Clearly, Franco is among the best young talents in motorsport right now. It is fair to say his appearance on the Formula One grid last year caught many, me included, by surprise and his performances have been very impressive for a rookie driver. We have an eye on our future and his signing means we have a great pool of young drivers to call upon and work with in developing the team for future success. Flavio Briatore, Executive Advisor at Alpine.
Williams have announced that they will unveil their 2025 Formula 1 car on February 14th, with the FW47 being revealed in a bespoke one-off livery before the race livery for the campaign is unveiled during F1’s season launch event at London’s O2.
As part of a special promotional event at Silverstone, the Grove outfit’s new challenger will break cover in front of fans, partner and media.
It marks the beginning of a highly anticipated new era for Williams, with Carlos Sainz joining Alex Albon in their driver line-up as the squad look to work their way towards the front of the field.
Williams are not the only team to announce their launch date, as Sainz’s former squad, Ferrari have confirmed that their 2025 challenger will be revealed on February 19th.
There is a tremendous amount to look forward to for Williams in 2025 – we have fantastic race drivers in Alex and Carlos, top engineers joining from across the grid and new facilities becoming operational at our Grove HQ. As part of our comeback plan, we have been working on our 2025 car for some time and I can’t wait to see it at Silverstone on February 14. Everyone in the team is giving everything to get this team back where it belongs as we head towards the major rule changes for 2026. It’s going to be an exciting year. James Vowles, Team Principal.
Everyone at the factory is working hard to get our car ready for the new season. Launching on February 14 should be a great way to start an important year for us as a team, fighting as hard as we can with both cars from the outset this year and looking forward to opportunities ahead in 2026. I can’t wait to see the results of the teamwork and dedication that makes this team so special. Albon on the news.
It’s an important time for the team and we are all going to push to bring Williams back to the front of the grid as soon as possible. I was very impressed with the team back in Abu Dhabi. After a long year, it was great to watch the motivation and effort that everyone put in at such an important test. Thanks to that, we’ve been able to put together a solid plan and we have already started working on it to make sure we are as prepared as possible ahead of the pre-season test and first race. We’re not far away from the Silverstone car launch and I can’t wait to see my new ride! 2025 will be an exciting year and we are fully committed to putting together a strong season. VAMOS! Sainz on the news.
Alpine have announced that Japanese racer, Ryo Hirakawa will be added to the team’s test and reserve driver pool for the 2025 season, joining confirmed Paul Aron.
Hirakawa will bring wide-ranging motorsport experience to Alpine, having competed in various single-seater and endurance championships, as well as testing Formula 1 machinery with McLaren and Haas.
Not only this, he also claimed overall victory at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022 and is a two-time Hypercar champion in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2022 and 2023!
The Japanese drivers role at Alpine will involve him participating in the team’s Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme and supporting with car development and technical understanding via their simulator. After a maiden practice run with McLaren in Abu Dhabi last year, and an appearance at the post-season test with Haas, the 30 year old will also get an FP1 outing on his home soil at the Japanese Grand Prix in April.
It is an honour to be joining BWT Alpine Formula One Team as a Test and Reserve Driver for the 2025 season. As always, the opportunity of track time in Formula 1 machinery is the pinnacle for race drivers and I am excited to drive in Free Practice 1 in front of my home crowd at the Japanese Grand Prix, as well as working with the team testing previous cars. It is a great opportunity to be working with such a dedicated team that utilises the breadth of experience of its driver pool and I look forward to playing a part in making 2025 a positive year together. Hirakawa on the news.
It is great to bring Ryo on board with the team for 2025 and have him step in to take over driving duties for FP1 in Japan in front of his home crowd. His addition brings a diverse range of racing experience to our current roster and expands the pool of talent available to call upon throughout the season. Oliver Oakes, Team Principal added.
Formula 1 has agreed a multi-year extension with the Belgian Grand Prix that will see the sport race at the iconic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in four of the next six years.
The extension, which includes Grand Prix in the 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031 seasons, follows significant investment at the circuit in recent year, including the addition of two new grandstands which increased capacity by 10,000 and enhancement of the off-track entertainment and fan experience.
The Wallonian circuit is celebrated by fans and drivers alike for its mixture of long straights and challenging fast corners, including one of the most famous sections of racetrack in the world as drivers power through Eau Rouge and Raidillon, then on to the Kemmel straight.
This year, the Belgian Grand Prix welcomed 380,000 fans across the race weekend in a gripping three days of action which saw Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton claim his second win of the season and his fifth at Spa.
Built in 1921, Spa-Francorchamps was one of just seven circuits to be part of Formula 1’s maiden championship in 1950 and has since hosted 57 Grands Prix. Spanning 7.004km, it’s the longest circuit on the Formula 1 calendar and has seen some of the sport’s most decorated drivers, including Aryton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Niki Lauda and Sebastian Vettel win there.
The Belgian Grand Prix was one of the races that made up our maiden Championship in 1950, so as we kick off our 75th anniversary year it is fitting that we can share the news of this important extension. Spa-Francorchamps is rightly lauded by drivers and fans alike as one of the finest racetracks in the world and it has played host to some incredible moments over its many seasons in Formula 1. In recent years it has undergone significant work to improve the facility and overall fan experience, and I would like to pay tribute to the promoter and the Government of Wallonia for their dedication and passionate support for Formula 1 in Belgium. Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.
I am delighted that the Belgian Grand Prix – a must-attend event for Wallonia – has been confirmed on the F1 calendar for several years. The circuit provides the Region with high-quality sports infrastructure capable of hosting exceptional events, and thanks to the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, Spa-Francorchamps, and through it, Wallonia, is placed at the centre of global attention. In addition to this international showcase, the event generates significant economic benefits for Wallonia, as well as for Belgium. The extension of this relationship over several years will also allow the circuit teams to plan for the future, which is hugely positive. Pierre-Yves Jeholet, Vice President of the Walloon Government and Minister of the Economy.
John Bennett will be stepping up to FIA Formula 2 this season with Van Amersfoort Racing the team has confirmed.
Bennett took part in the final two rounds of the 2024 season for the Dutch team, he scored points in Lusail and then drove for the team during post-season testing around the Yas Marina Circuit.
The British driver made his single seater debut in 2022, racing in the GB3 Championship before making his Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine bow in 2024. Bennett also drove for VAR during the post-season Formula 3 tests in October.
Speaking about his step up to Formula 2 for 2025, the British driver said he was raring to get going.
I am delighted to be racing with VAR in Formula 2 for 2025. Since my first day testing in F3, it has been a great environment to work in. Thank you to the team for all their support, and I cannot wait to get started next year! Bennett on the news.
We are delighted to welcome John to our full-time Formula 2 line-up for 2025. His progression through the final rounds of the 2024 season demonstrated his ability to quickly adapt in challenging conditions. The team is certain that he is ready for this next step. We look forward to supporting him throughout the season as he continues to grow and compete at one of the highest levels of motorsport. Brad Joyce, Van Amersfoort Team Principal.
Isack Hadjar will be making his Formula 1 debut this year as he takes the final seat on the grid after agreeing a deal to become Yuki Tsunoda’s teammate at RB.
Red Bull Junior, Hadjar impressed in his second season in Formula 2, he finished as runner-up to Kick Sauber bound Gabriel Bortoleto with Campos Racing.
After Sergio Perez was confirmed to be parting ways with Red Bull ahead of the 2025 season, Liam Lawson stepped up from RB in his place meaning there was a vacancy at RB for Hadjar. Red Bull opted to make Hadjar the 19th driver promoted to F1 from their junior programme, which began back in 2001.
He follows in the footsteps of four time world champions Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel as well as eight time race winner Daniel Ricciardo.
I’m very excited to step into my new role at VCARB. This is huge for myself, my family and all the people who have believed in me from the beginning. The journey from karting through the ranks in single-seaters, to now being in Formula 1 is the moment I’ve working towards my whole life – it is the dream. I feel like I’m stepping into a whole new universe, driving a much faster car and racing with the best drivers in the world. It’ll be a huge learning curve, but I’m ready to work hard and do the best I can for the team. I look forward to working with and learning from Yuki. I’ve always looked up to him, he went through the Red Bull junior programme like myself and we’ve shared a similar path to F1. He’s very experienced and will be good to learn from. Hadjar on the news
We’re excited to have Isack with us next year, bringing a new and fresh dynamic to the team alongside Yuki in 2025. His journey to Formula 1 has been nothing short of outstanding. He has shown remarkable growth, with a series of impressive results in the junior single-seater ranks. He has the talent and drive necessary to compete at the highest level, and we have every confidence that he will adapt quickly and make a significant impact. I believe Isack and Yuki will make a great team. Yuki brings invaluable experience to the team. He’s shown incredible resilience and maturity, which will be crucial for the team as we strive to hit all our aims and objectives in 2025. Team Principal, Laurent Mekies.
Firstly, we must congratulate Liam for his step up to Red Bull Racing. As a sister team and as an incubator for Formula 1 talent, our strategic objective is to foster and nurture our drivers in preparation for this next step. With his move and by bringing Isack into VCARB, it’s a testament to our longstanding commitment to develop the best young drivers in motorsport, as well as proof of concept of the Red Bull junior programme. Having a younger driver supports our mission to speak to a younger audience, so we look forward to bringing new and existing fans on the journey with us. CEO, Peter Bayer.
Jordan's Track Talk 