Blog

  • AIX Racing confirm Shields for rest of season

    AIX Racing have confirmed that Cian Shields will see out the rest of the Formula 2 season with the team, replacing Niels Koolen for the Lusail and Yas Marina rounds.

    Shields steps up to F2 after a single season in Formula 3 where he achieved a best result of 14th at the Barcelona Sprint Race.

    Prior to that, the 19 year old finished as the runner up in the 2023 Euroformula Open Championship thanks to 10 podiums which included four wins.

    He is now set to step up to Formula 2 for the final two rounds of the season with AIX, an opportunity he is delighted to be getting.

    I’m super excited to be joining AIX Racing for the final two rounds of the FIA Formula 2 Championship in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. I’m looking forward to this fantastic opportunity and ready to make an impact with the team, giving it everything in these last races.
    Shields on the news.

  • Alisha Palmowski confirmed as Wild Card

    Alisha Palmowski will line up on the F1 Academy grid as the Wild Card entry for Round 6 of the 2024 season in Qatar.

    The British racer will take to the track at the Lusail International Circuit off the back of a successful debut season in single-seaters.

    Competing in the 2024 GB4 Championship, the 18 year old clinched the Vice Champion honours with three wins, two pole positions and 11 podiums – more than any other driver in the field.

    Palmowski will be in action in the number 6 F1 Academy Discover Your Drive – liveried car, operated by PREMA Racing, to highlight the success of the global programme which aims to increase the talent pool of young women entering motorsport.

    So far, four Wild Cards have featured on an F1 Academy grid – Reema Juffali, Courtney Crone, Nina Gademan and Ella Lloyd, with the drivers gaining valuable experience and exposure from the series’ global platform.

    I’m very excited to be the Wild Card Entry in Qatar, it’s an incredible opportunity and one I never could have dreamt of 12 months ago. This will be my first race outside of the UK, and for it be on the F1 ACADEMY grid as a support series to Formula 1 is a dream come true. I’d like to say a huge thank you to the team at F1 ACADEMY, and of course Susie Wolff, for giving me this opportunity to learn and hopefully secure a seat on the grid for next year.
    Palmowski on her F1 Academy debut.

    Our global F1 ACADEMY DISCOVER YOUR DRIVE programme identifies, supports and nurtures future talent, both on and off track. On track, the programme provides opportunities for talented young drivers to develop their skills and performance, as well as a platform to showcase their potential on an international stage. We’re delighted to welcome Alisha as our Round 6 Wild Card, and we look forward to seeing her in action in the F1 ACADEMY DISCOVER YOUR DRIVE livery.
    Katie Denver, F1 Academy Driver Development Lead.

  • Max Esterson to finish 2024 with Trident

    Trident have confirmed that Max Esterson will drive for the team for the remainder of the 2024 Formula 2 campaign.
    The American driver steps up from Formula 3 and replaces Richard Verschoor for the Lusail and Yas Marina Rounds.

    Esterson made his full-time Formula 3 debut this year with Jenzer Motorsport, securing a front row start at Silverstone as well as two points-scoring results across the season.

    Prior to F3, Esterson began his racing career on iRacing, before making the switch to Formula Ford in the UK and winning the Formula Ford Festival in 2022.

    It’s great to be making the step up to Formula 2, even if it’s a little sooner than I had imagined. Just two years ago I was running a Formula Ford and winning the FF Festival, and now I’m about to make my debut in Formula 2. It’s all happened quickly but the people closest to me are all confident about my ability to successfully make the jump. I’ve been working hard with the team at Trident and feel I’m well prepared and ready to go. I want to give a special thanks to Maurizio Salvadori and Giacomo Ricci for making this happen, and to the rest of the Trident team for making me feel so welcome.
    Esterson on the news.

    We are excited to finally be working with Max in a race situation. We first met him over two years ago when he was still driving Formula Fords and have closely followed his progress since then. He had some very strong outings this year in FIA Formula 3, his first year in international competition, especially as he was with one of the smallest teams, and on circuits which were almost all new to him. He is smart and has a mature, calm personality; he is hard working, and while he has already shown great pace, he is only in his fourth full year of racing and still learning – so we’re excited to see his progress this year.
    Trident Team Manager, Giacomo Ricci.

  • Verschoor switches to MP Motorsport

    MP Motorsport have announced that Richard Verschoor will complete the 2024 FIA Formula 2 season with the team, and confirmed he will race for them in 2025.

    The Dutch driver returns to the team he made his Formula 2 debut with back in 2021, replacing Dennis Hauger for the final two rounds of the current season.

    Verschoor has achieved four race wins across his F2 career, and earned a further eight podium finishes, with four of those coming in 2024.

    Previously, the Dutch combination won the Macau FIA F3 World Cup back in 2019 and ahead of his return to the MP cockpit in Lusail.

    Signing up with MP for more Formula 2 feels like coming home. I spent half of my entire racing career with MP, so it means a lot to me that we are able to move forward together for 2025 while also adding the two final 2024 rounds at Losail and Yas Marina. It’s been a partnership that has led to success in Formula 4, Formula 3 and Formula 2, including that legendary victory at Macau. I can’t wait to travel to Qatar and go back to working with the team once again.
    Verschoor on the news.

    I’m extremely happy to welcome back Richard for another season in Formula 2. We have celebrated many wins together, so it’s a true privilege to tap into his wealth of Formula 2 knowledge as we head towards a new season. Richard returning to the MP fold is testament to the way we go racing as a family, and he has always fitted right in. Meanwhile, I would like to thank Dennis for his huge contribution to the team in the past two F2 seasons. Three wins, nine podiums and two poles is no mean feat, and I am certain that he will take his career to a new level in North America.
    MP Motorsport Team Principal, Sander Dorsman.

  • DAMS Lucas Oil confirm Beganovic for rest of season

    DAMS Lucas Oil have confirmed that Dino Beganovic will replace Juan Manuel Correa for the final two rounds of the 2024 Formula 2 season.

    Beganovic steps up to the second tier fresh from a Formula 3 campaign in which he fought for the Championship until the final round, finishing the season in sixth in the Standings, with two victories and an additional two podiums.

    Prior to F3, the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy prospect won the 2022 Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine after also enjoying a trophy-laden karting career.

    Beganovic will now graduate to F2 with DAMS, replacing Correa in Lusail for Round 12 and at the season finale in Yas Marina.

    I can’t wait to make my Formula 2 debut with DAMS Lucas Oil, who has so much history as well as tremendous drive to achieve great results. This feels like the natural next step in my career, and I’m ready for the challenge in an extremely competitive championship. My aim for these two races is to learn as much as possible and to be scoring points in my first F2 action in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
    Beganovic on the news.

    We’re excited to take on a talent like Dino for the remainder of the season. It’s a step up from Formula 3 and a very competitive championship, but we’re confident that with the help of the team Dino can be competitive in these final two rounds. He has an excellent racing CV, and we believe he has what it takes to fight for strong points. I would also like to thank JM for his efforts this season, it was a pleasure to work with him and we wish him all the best for the future.
    DAMS Lucas Oil Team Owner, Charles Pic.

  • RW 22 – Las Vegas

    Max Verstappen became a four-time world champion with an assured drive to fifth place during Saturday night’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, while pole sitter, George Russell and the charging Lewis Hamilton earned a one-two finish for Mercedes!

    Verstappen entered the 50 lap encounter knowing that all he needed to do was keep title rival Lando Norris behind him to secure another title, which the Dutchman achieved by holding position into the first corner and gradually pulled away from the British driver.

    Having held a podium spot after the second round of pit stops, Verstappen opted against a fight when the Ferrari’s arrived at the rear of his Red Bull in the closing laps – both Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc finding a way past before the chequered flag.

    At the front, Russell expertly managed a tricky race in cool, slippery conditions, keeping a fast-starting Leclerc at bay in the early laps – the latter running into tyre troubles as a result of that aggression – and controlling proceedings thereafter.

    The full top 10 are – P1: Russell, P2: Hamilton, P3: Sainz, P4: Leclerc, P5: Verstappen, P6: Norris, P7: Piastri, P8: Hulkenberg, P9: Tsunoda and P10: Perez.

    What a result for Mercedes, 1-2 for the team!! Coming into the weekend I would’ve been surprised however because they’ve had a very strong weekend it wasn’t too much of a shock.
    George kept his cool and grabbed the win from pole position and Lewis just had a superb drive from P10 to P2, it does make you think if he had qualified well, could he of got this win?
    An overall note though from the race is that the Mercs were just flying and no-one could really challenge them so it will be interesting to see if this happens again in the final two races…

    A very good result for Ferrari especially with the battle of the Constructors’ Championship still to win. Sainz finished 3rd and Leclerc 4th! There was a few words said after the race from Leclerc with the radio message. It will be interesting to see how the team goes forward with two races left.

    P5 for Verstappen, I think in an ideal world he would’ve loved to win the race and claim his fourth Championship. However, he got it done with two races left! A big congratulations to Max and Red Bull for a fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship it’s not an easy task!
    His teammate had made some good overtakes in the race to finish 10th so his managed to score a point, but it’s still very dissapointing.

    A not so good weekend for McLaren, they were kind of nowhere, didn’t really do anything amazing as the pace just wasn’t there. Norris finished 6th and Piastri in 7th, so still a decent haul of points but still not good enough.

    A very good result for both Hulkenberg who finished in P8 and Tsunoda who finished P9, it will help the teams massively in the Constructors’ and with two races left they will be trying to grab as many points as they can.

    A disappointing race for Pierre Gasly, as he DNF’ed from starting P3. He had smoke exiting the rear of his pink Alpine, he was forced to pit lane and retire from the race.

    We don’t have too long to wait till the next race as its this week! And it is the return of the Sprint in Qatar…

  • RW 22 – Las Vegas Qualifying

    Mercedes driver George Russell, stormed to pole position for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, edging out Ferrari rival Carlos Sainz and the flying Alpine of Pierre Gasly in Friday night’s pulsating qualifying session.

    Having topped final practice and led the way after the first Q3 runs, Russell posted a time of 1m 32.312s on his final lap to secure the top spot and end a run of Ferrari and McLaren poles stretching back to his P1 at Silverstone in July.

    Sainz was a tenth of a second back, while Pierre Gasly and Alpine built on their sensational double podium finish last time out at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix to deliver another eye-catching result in third place.

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

    A lovely little result for Russell and Mercedes, especially as they have been having good results all weekend so far in the practice sessions. It’s a shame for Lewis to have a lap time deleted as it looked like he would of been top 3 if he carried on the way the practice sessions went.

    What a result for Mr Pierre Gasly!! They have clearly brought upgrades before Brazil and they clearly work or it’s just their car suiting these last few tracks. Who knows but they may aswell keep enjoying it!

    A good qualifying for Ferrari! P2 for Sainz and P4 for Leclerc. They will be hoping for a good result for both drivers as they have got the Constructors’ fight to think about..

    A not so good result for both Verstappen and Norris, P5 and P6 respectively. It will be an interesting race, as Verstappen can win his fourth world championship this weekend! Norris will need to pull something special out the bag in the race to keep the fight going for another week!

    A good result for Tsunoda! P7, what a lovely result! As well as Hulkenberg who qualified P9 too, they will both be wanting to grab some points this weekend!

    A disappointing result for Perez who has qualified in P16, this isn’t what the team needs unfortunately, they are going to be losing so much ground in the Constructors’ with these awful results… He needs to get in the points this weekend to make it a better weekend.

    Awful qualifying for Aston Martin, P20 for Stroll and P17 for Alonso, I still don’t understand to this day how they done so well last year compared to how bad they’ve done this year, it’s just so strange.

    It feels incredible to be back on pole. We’ve been so quick all weekend and I just knew coming into that last Q3 lap… that’s going to be the one that counts. It doesn’t matter what’s happened before then. I had a bit of a moment on my first run and we had to change the front wing, so there was a moment when I thought we weren’t going to make the flag. I’m just so happy. We’ve got to do some deep diving to understand why we’ve been so quick so far this weekend because it was a real surprise.
    Russell on pole.

  • Kick Sauber confirm Bortoleto for 2025

    Brazilian racer Gabriel Bortoleto will be making his Formula 1 debut in 2025 after signing a multi-year deal with Sauber / Audi, with the team confirming that they are parting ways with Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu.

    Bortoleto fended off competition from 10 time race winner Bottas to secure the seat alongside Nico Hulkenberg in an all new lineup for the Hinwil based team next season and in 2026 when the team become Audi’s work squad.

    The 20 year old reigning F3 Champion from 2023 is currently leading the F2 Championship with two rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi to go.

    He signed for Fernando Alonso’s driver management company A14 in 2022 and last year joined the McLaren driver programme, which gave him his first taste of F1 machinery with a test at the Red Bull Ring in a 2022 spec McLaren.

    Bortoleto has impressed with his consistency in F2 this year with Invicta Racing, scoring two wins and three further podiums to lead Isack Hadjar by 4.5 points.

    His Sauber/Audi deal will make him the fourth full-time rookie on the 2025 grid, joining Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, Alpine’s Jack Doohan and Haas’ Ollie Bearman.

    He is also the first full time Brazilian Grand Prix driver since Felipe Massa, who retired at the end of 2017. His appearance comes after countryman Pietro Fittipaldi subbed in for Romain Grosjean for two Grands Prix in 2020.

    Gabriel has already demonstrated in the junior categories that he has what it takes to be a winning driver. We are very pleased that he will become a team member of Sauber and Audi. Together with Gabriel, we are on a journey towards success, and we will evolve into a unified force to shape a new era for Audi in motorsport. Nico and Gabriel represent the ideal combination of experience and youth, positioning us strongly for the future.
    Sauber COO and CTO, Mattia Binotto.

    This is one of the most exciting projects in motorsport, if not in all of sports. Joining a team that combines the rich motorsport history of Sauber and Audi is a true honour. Beyond simply being a member, I aim to grow with this ambitious project and reach the pinnacle of motorsport. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity given to me by the team and for the chance to work alongside an experienced driver like Nico. Both programs have a proven track record of nurturing young talent, and I am confident that together, we will write our own success story.
    Bortoleto on the news.

    Led by Mattia, Audi’s Formula 1 project is making great progress in many areas. The signing of the second driver is another milestone. We are currently witnessing a generational shift in Formula One, with young drivers immediately making an impact. By signing Gabriel Bortoleto, we have secured one of these top talents. His signing underscores Audi’s long-term strategy and commitment to Formula 1.
    Chairman of the Board of Sauber Motorsport AG Gernot Dollner.

  • RW 22 – Tyre Selection

    The Las Vegas Grand Prix is the third round this year to be held in the United States, following on from Miami and Austin.

    After the 7.004 kilometre-long Spa-Francorchamps circuit, the Nevadan track is the second longest on the calendar at 6.201 kilometres.
    It features 17 corners, tackled over 50 times in the race. It is a high speed venue, with three straights and top speeds that hit 350 km/h last year.

    Once again this year, track action begins with two free practice sessions getting underway on Thursday, leading up to the race on Saturday night, run entirely under the floodlights.

    As has become the normal for street circuits, Pirelli has selected the three softest compounds in the race – C3 (Hard), C4 (Medium) and C5 (Soft).

    The main challenge on the tyre front will be the warm up, especially during qualifying and for the front axle in particular. Drivers will have to be careful to bring the tyres up to temperature without overworking them, avoiding any lock-ups at the heaviest braking points.

    Furthermore, low temperatures lead to reduction in grips and that can cause increased graining.
    These factors could lead to a speeding up of the wear process, which suggests a two-stop strategy, which was in fact the most popular choice last year.
    However a one-stop can still be quite competitive, especially if the driver gradually brings the tyres up to temperature, prolonging its life over a long stint.

    As always on a street circuit, red flags and Safety Cars are a strong probability with all the unknowns that can bring, including a restart in terms of tyre temperature management.

  • Andretti sign Jak Crawford as Reserve

    Andretti have announced that Jak Crawford has joined the team as its official Reserve and Development Driver for Season 11 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

    Crawford joins Season 9 World Champion Jake Dennis and Formula E veteran Nico Mueller to complete Andretti’s lineup for Season 11.

    Crawford returns to the team after an impressive Formula E debut at the 2024 Berlin E-Prix Rookie Test where he demonstrated a strong understanding of the Andretti Porsche 99X Electric finishing the day second overall in classification.

    The American has quickly climbed the motorsport ranks from winning multiple karting championships to competing in Formula 2 with DAMS Lucas Oil and becoming part of the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One team’s Young Driver Development program this year.

    Building on his experience, Crawford will play an integral role in the team’s Gen3 Evo development through simulator development and setup testing at Andretti Formula E’s Banbury headquarters.

    I’m very excited to be the official Reserve and Development Driver for the Andretti Formula E team in Season 11. Growing up in America, Andretti is such a household name in motorsports so it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to be part of the team. I’m keen to learn as much about the car as possible from both Jake and Nico, and to play a role on the development side through simulator work. I’m looking forward to getting started and to hopefully have the chance to get more experience in the car.
    Crawford on the news.

    We are very pleased to announce that Jak is taking a more permanent role with the Andretti Formula E team as our Reserve and Development Driver. His debut with us at the Berlin Rookie Test was very impressive and he immediately showed strong pace. When the opportunity of a Reserve and Development Driver arose, Jak was immediately of interest. He has demonstrated a mature approach through his second season in Formula 2, and since his appearance with us, has already achieved a win and three additional podiums. We look forward to his contributions in helping improve the team’s performance though his active role driving the simulator.
    Team Principal, Roger Griffiths.

  • Campos Racing sign Tsolov for 2025

    Campos Racing have finalised their driver lineup for the 2025 Formula 3 campaign having confirmed that Nikola Tsolov is set to race for the Spanish team next season.

    Tsolov returns for a third year in Formula 3 and after a campaign in which he achieved three victories and finished 11th in the Drivers’ Championship with ART Grand Prix.

    But he reunites now with Campos, where he has enjoyed previous success having won the Spanish F4 Championship with the team back in 2022.

    Tsolov was part of Alpine’s junior programme for two seasons. The Bulgarian announced the news on his socials.
    And since he has made a deal with Red Bull, becoming one of their junior drivers and joins the likes of Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda and Isack Hadjar.

    I couldn’t be happier and more thankful for joining Campos Racing again in FIA F3 for next year. Great opportunity for me as I have a successful past with the team winning in F4 Spain so it feels like going back home again. We target to continue our dominant history together!
    Tsolov on the news.

    It is a pleasure to reunite with Nikola, a driver we have excellent memories of. He took his first steps in single-seaters with Campos Racing, winning the title in his first experience with us, and did so in an overwhelming manner. In the post-season tests we have conducted, we performed at a very high level in Jerez and Barcelona. I am confident that we are on the verge of a great year together.
    Team Principal, Adrian Campos Jr.

  • Roman Bilinski completes Rodin Motorsport’s lineup

    Rodin Motorsport have confirmed that Roman Bilinski will race for the team next season, completing their driver lineup for the 2025 Formula 3 campaign.

    Bilinski makes the step up to Formula 3 after winning the 2024 Formula Regional Oceania Championship thanks to his six victories and 12 podiums in total.

    He also took part in 12 races of this year’s Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, achieving one podium and eight points paying results in total in a season affected by injury.

    Not only this, the 20 year old has previously taken part in two seasons of FRECA and prior to that competed in the 2020 and 2021 editions of the British F4 Championship.

    In 2021, he also raced in the GB3 Championship where he secured three wins, and four podiums to finish seventh in the Standings.

    His teammates for 2025 will be Louis Sharp and Callum Voisin, having also taken part in both post-season tests in Jerez and Barcelona.

    This is really a great opportunity for me and I am looking forward to starting the new season. Rodin has shown that it is an excellent platform for a young driver to be and I intend to make the most of this opportunity, while doing the best possible job for the team. I want to thank everyone in the team for giving me the chance to prove myself at the maximum level and my sponsors and my family for supporting me again.
    Bilinski on the new seat.

    We are pleased to welcome Roman to the Rodin Motorsport team and look forward to working with him next season. He’s already been testing with us in Jerez and Barcelona and has been not only fantastic to work with, but a driver who has really impressed us since he stepped in the car – I can’t wait to hit the ground running next season with him on board.
    Sam Waple, Rodin Motorsport Team Manager.

  • Rafaela Ferreira signs with RB

    RB have announced that they will be fielding Brazilian driver Rafaela Ferreira for the 2025 F1 Academy season.

    Ferreira stepped up to single seater after achieving karting success in her home country, becoming the first women to score a pole position in the 2022 Copa Brasil de Kart, where she finished fourth in the Championship.

    The following year she secured one podium in the F4 Brazilian Championship, racing at the Interlagos Circuit during the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend.

    Returning for a second campaign this year, she made history as the series’ first female winner and currently sits fourth in the Championship, with two wins and a further five podiums to her name.

    The team also took the opportunity to thank current driver, Amna Al Qubaisi for her hard work this season, with the Emirati driver set to depart F1 Academy as she reaches her maximum two-season stint.

    I’m extremely happy to be driving for the Visa Cash App RB Academy Programme in F1 ACADEMY in 2025. This opportunity represents a big step in my career, and is a dream come true to work with a team that has so much talent. I’m determined to give my best and go after great results. It’ll be something new for me, but I’m confident that we will achieve a lot together. I’m already preparing and am excited for next year!
    Ferreira on the news.

    Everyone at the Team is hugely excited to welcome Rafaela to the VCARB family. Rafaela is an exceptional emerging Brazilian talent, and we’re pleased to share this global, and empowering, platform to compete, race, and grow together. F1 ACADEMY has been a great success this season, the exposure that it’s generated for women’s motorsport is revolutionary. I hope we can continue to inspire the next generation of female talent in motorsports, and we look forward to seeing Rafaela grow and flourish as a driver. The Team would also like to thank Amna for her commitment across the season, we look forward to watching her progress and wish her the best of luck in the next phase of her career.
    RB Team Principal, Laurent Mekies.

    We’ve been impressed by Rafaela’s performance this season and are very pleased to welcome her to the Team and work with her in F1 ACADEMY in 2025. Rafaela has great talent and potential and has already cemented herself as a race winner in Brazil. I’m looking forward to supporting her development and am excited to see what next season brings.
    Red Bull Academy Programme Manager, Sarah Harrington.

  • Nicola Lacorte joins DAMS for 2025

    DAMS Lucas Oil has confirmed their second driver for the 2025 FIA Formula 3 season with Nicola Lacorte joining the team.

    The Alpine Academy driver joins the French team for what will be his rookie campaign after competing in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine in 2024.

    Lacorte also raced in the Formula Regional Oceania Championship this season, where he secured a race victory and podium finish.

    Prior to that, the 17 year old raced in the Euro 4 and Italian F4 Championships. He is the second confirmed driver at DAMS after Matias Zagazeta’s signing was announced.

    Speaking about joining DAMS, Lacorte said that he was looking to take what he’d learned in FRECA and apply it to F3 next year.

    I’m delighted to sign for DAMS Lucas Oil for next season, considering their great history in Formula 2. I’ve learnt a lot from my experiences of 30 car grids in FRECA this year, which will be important with a similar size field in F3. My goal for the campaign is to maximise my performance and look to score points whenever possible.
    Lacorte on the news.

    It’s great to have Nicola on board for 2025 following the tests in Jerez and Barcelona earlier this month. We’re looking forward to seeing him develop throughout the campaign. With the team’s proven methods in other series, we’re aiming to help one another to achieve great results.
    Charles Pic, DAMS Team Owner.

  • Callum Voisin sticks with Rodin

    Rodin Motorsport have confirmed their second driver for the 2025 FIA Formula 3 season, with Callum Voisin re-signing with the team for next year.

    The British driver completed his rookie campaign in the Championship this year, securing a maiden victory in the Spa-Francorchamps Feature Race, along with a pole position and one further podium, as well as six top 10 finishes in total.

    Prior to Formula 3, Voisin won the GB3 Championship in 2023 and also competed in the Ginetta Junior Championship in 2021 where he finished sixth.

    He joins the previously announced Louis Sharp as a confirmed Rodin driver for 2025.

    I am absolutely delighted to be teaming with Rodin Motorsport once again for the 2025 FIA F3 season. It will be my fourth year in this team so it really does feel like a second home. We made a huge amount of progress last year including winning and taking pole position at the Belgian Grand Prix last year. Going into my second season of F3 there is only one goal in mind and I will give it everything to make sure we achieve that. I would like to thank RDA UK and Edge Management for their continued support, As well as Rodin Motorsport for once again putting their trust in me.
    Voisin on the news.

    We are so pleased to have Callum back with the team for another season. This will be his fourth season as part of the wider Rodin Motorsport family and we are really looking forward to continuing to work with Callum and his team. Having that continuity will be a great help in getting used to this new F3 chassis and I have no doubt that he’ll be a strong contender for this upcoming season.
    Sam Waple, Rodin Motorsport F3 Team Manager.

  • Bruno Del Pino joins MP for 2025

    MP Motorsport have confirmed their second driver for next season, with Bruno Del Pino joining the Dutch team for the 2025 season.

    Del Pino took part in post-season testing for the team, finishing the second test in Barcelona seventh overall and as the lead MP driver.
    He joins Tim Tramnnitz as being confirmed for the 2025 season.

    Del Pino raced for MP in the Eurocup-3 series for the past two years and is currently third in the Standings with seven race victories to his name along with one pole position and three fastest laps.

    Speaking about his promotion to F3 with the team, Del Pino said he was very excited to get started on a new challenge.

    It’s fantastic news that I’m graduating to Formula 3, and it couldn’t be with a better team than MP Motorsport. In my two years with the team, they have made me feel at home in an environment that has helped me to get the best out of myself. It was wonderful to bag our first wins together this season, and it’s with these positive conditions that we will continue our successful collaboration, as we embark on a fresh challenge in F3.
    Del Pino on the news.

    I’m delighted to welcome Bruno in our in our 2025 FIA F3 line-up to partner Tim. Bruno deciding to stay us is testament to the family atmosphere at MP, and further proof of our motto of accelerating talent. This year, he has been a revelation in Eurocup-3, and it’s our goal to transfer that form to the new F3 car for 2025. In the process, Bruno has shown that Eurocup-3 is a viable route into Formula 3, where I’m certain he will flourish.
    MP Motorsport Team Principal, Sander Dorsman.

  • Zagazeta becomes first DAMS driver for 2025

    DAMS Lucas Oil have confirmed that Matias Zagazeta will drive for the team in what will be the team’s maiden campaign in the FIA Formula 3 Championship.

    The Peruvian driver completed his rookie season in F3 this year, achieving a best result of P3 in the Silverstone Sprint Race.

    Prior to his step up to F3, Zagazeta competed in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine and the British F4 Championship in 2021, where he finished as runner-up in the Standings.

    Speaking about his move for 2025, Zagazeta said that he was excited to join a team with so much success for the new era of F3.

    I’m very happy to join a team with such a rich history in motorsport, which has been a leading outfit in Formula 2 for several years. It’s a new environment for everyone in the series with the updated car, but I hope that my knowledge will help us to achieve great results together.
    Zagazeta on his news.

    After the testing days in Spain earlier this month we’re thrilled to confirm Matías for the 2025 season. It was always important for us to have a driver with experience in the Championship. We’re hopeful that Matías can provide us with a great insight along with our team’s proven methods that have served us well in recent years, helping us to start our F3 journey as best we can.
    DAMS Team Owner, Charles Pic.

  • Tramnitz stays with MP for 2025

    MP Motorsport have confirmed their first driver signing for the 2025 FIA Formula 3 season with Tim Tramnitz set to race for the team in what will be his second campaign in the Championship.

    Tramnitz stepped up to Formula 3 last year after an impressive 2023 Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, in which he finished third in the Standings.

    He then made a bright start to his rookie campaign this year with MP, where he finished third at the season-opener Sakhir Feature Race.

    The Red Bull Academy driver prospect went on to achieve three more podiums in 2024, which includes a maiden victory at the final Sprint Race of the year in Monza.
    He ended up finishing the season ninth in the Standings with 81 points and following the confirmation of his return with MP, is already eyeing more success in 2025.

    I’m very pleased to continue with MP Motorsport for my second year in Formula 3. My rookie season contained many highlights, including my first F3 victory, and now our goal must be to improve our consistency and add more wins to our tally. The team and I have managed to create a strong relationship in 2024, and I’m looking forward to use that as a platform for more success in 2025, getting as much out of the new car as we can.
    Tramnitz on the news.

    It’s wonderful that Tim has decided to stay with us for another go at the FIA Formula 3 Championship. I’m happy to know that he has found a true home at MP, and we will continue to provide the family atmosphere in which our drivers revel and thrive. This year, Tim has had a fantastic rookie season in F3 and we aim to build on that for 2025. It’s our plan to be frontrunners at every race.
    Sander Dorsman, MP Motorsport Team Principal.

  • Season 11 Calendar

    The final calendar for Season 11 is here, following ratification at the FIA’s October meeting of the World Motor Sport Council.

    It marks 16 races across 10 locations around the world with exciting destinations on the horizon – including a return to Miami and double headers in Tokyo and Monaco as well as a first time trip to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

    RoundLocationDate
    1Sao Paulo7th December
    2Mexico City11th January
    3Jeddah14th February
    4Jeddah15th February
    5Miami12th April
    6Monaco3rd May
    7Monaco4th May
    8Tokyo17th May
    9Tokyo18th May
    10Shanghai31st May
    11Shanghai1st June
    12Jakarta21st June
    13Berlin12th July
    14Berlin13th July
    15London26th July
    16London27th July

    However the action for Season 11 will kick off with pre-season testing over four days from Tuesday 5th – Friday 8th November in Madrid, Spain.

    This will be the first time we will see all the teams on track with their new GEN3 Evo machinery, putting that rapid race car.
    There is also the inaugural Women’s Test to look forward to, where a grid full of the world’s foremost racers on the planet will test current-gen Formula E machinery in a dedicated session.

    We are excited to deliver the calendar of 16 Formula E races in Season 11 that was announced earlier this year – the same number that led to record-breaking fan and broadcast audience growth globally. Across 10 events we’ll race at several long-standing favourites, with upgrades to double-headers in some locations and some fantastic new venues in key markets. With the arrival of the new GEN3 Evo technology putting our drivers behind the wheel of the fastest cars ever raced in Formula E, we can’t wait to get the season started and couldn’t be more excited about the potential the championship has to thrill and attract new fans. Work is already underway to build and maintain engagement with fans all season long, with more details to be announced in the coming months.
    Spokesperson for Formula E.

  • Fastest lap point to be scrapped in 2025

    The fastest lap point is to be dropped from the 2025 season following a meeting of the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council.
    They convened on Thursday before USA Grand Prix with minor changes to the existing Sporting and Technical regulations being approved.

    Chaired by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, with member joining in person at the FIA offices in Paris and via video conference.

    Changes for the 2025 season include the removal of the bonus point awarded for setting the fastest lap in a Grand Prix, along with an increase in the requirement of fielding a ‘young driver’ during free practice from once per season to twice.

    Meanwhile, a “significant update” to the 2026 regulations was presented, including a reorganisation of the way the regulations are laid out, which will be divided into thematic sections for clarity and consistency and is set to be concluded in the next few months.

    The 2026 Technical Regulations, which were originally approved in June, have been subject to “extensive enhancements” in terms of aerodynamics, thanks to effective collaboration between the FIA, F1 and F1 teams.
    These adjustments will lead to higher car performance “while maintaining management of the wake characteristics to promote close and exciting racing”.

    The regulation changes for Formula 1 in 2026 will ensure the sport remains financially robust and has greater road relevance, alongside the introduction of upgraded safety features that do not compromise exciting racing. My thanks to [F1 President & Chief Executive Officer] Stefano Domenicali for our continued partnership as we progress the first joint strategy for the future of Formula 1.
    Ben Sulayem after the meeting.

  • Forest Road purchases Formula E Team

    The Forest Road Company – a Los Angeles-based investment firm – has acquired 100% of the ERT Formula E Team, which becomes Kiro Race Co from Season 11.

    Forest Road brings a wealth of experience investing, operating and advising in industry sectors experiencing growth and transformation.
    As an opportunistic investor with a proven track record in both media and renewable energy, Fore Road is well-positioned to drive significant value for the team and Formula E.

    With the backing of Forest Road, as well as David Kaplan and Bennett Rosenthal, Co-Founders of Ares Management, Kiro Race Co is strategically placed for the long term and will be focused on driving sustained growth.

    David Kaplan will act as managing partner of the team, capitalising on his decades of investing and operating experience to achieve world-class performance.
    Together, this new ownership group brings a unique perspective to Formula E and is eager to leverage its extensive network to attract new partners and increase awareness of electric racing in the United States and around the world.

    The team also announced a technical partnership with Porsche Motorsport. The collaboration will see Kiro Race Co equipped with Porsche’s championship-winning powertrain technology.

    This is truly a historic moment for our team. Bringing a US-based asset management group like Forest Road into Formula E is a testament to the series’ growth and our team’s potential. Their investment allows us to build with confidence for the future and compete at the highest level. We are excited to work with them and Porsche Motorsport to achieve our goals.
    Alex Hui, Team Principal of Kiro Race Co.

    We are thrilled to enter The Formula E World Championship and start our journey as Kiro Race Co. The Championship is at a pivotal moment of maturation from a macro and micro perspective. As the world embarks on a massive transition to electric vehicles, the race product has achieved a significant breakthrough in technology with the fastest accelerating single-seater cars. We are committed to helping Kiro become a leading force in the industry.
    Jeremy Tarica, Managing Director of Forest Road.

    This is a fantastic development for Formula E and for Kiro Race Co. It marks the entry of a sophisticated investor group with a strong track record in the sports and entertainment industry. This investment in the team and its ambitious new owners will help us continue to grow the Championship and make it more attractive to fans and partners around the world.
    Jeff Dodds, CEO of Formula E.

  • PREMA sign Noel Leon for 2025

    Noel Leon will be moving to PREMA Racing for the 2025 FIA Formula 3 season, the Italian team has confirmed.

    The Mexican driver completed his rookie campaign this year with Van Amersfoort Racing and managed to earn four podiums and a further seven top 10 finishes across the year.

    Prior to his step up to F3, Leon achieved the 2019/20 NACAM Formula 4 Championship title and the 2021 US F4 Championship the following year.
    He then went on to race in the Formula Regional European Championship in 2022, where he scored 3 points.

    In 2023, Leon took part in the Euroformula Open Championship where he won the title. He grabbed 7 wins, 5 poles and 394 points.

    Leon recently took part in post-season testing with PREMA at Jerez, achieving the 12th fastest time across the two-day event in Spain.

    I am super happy and proud to join PREMA Racing for my second FIA Formula 3 season. I’m very thankful for their trust, and I can’t wait to start working with the team and prepare for the season. I will give my absolute best to fight for both championships.
    Leon on the news.

    Noel put up some impressive showings this year, and we are happy to welcome him for the season. He has valuable experience in the series and great room for further improvement. Having already worked together in the Jerez test, we think he will be a good fit within our team, and we look forward to continuing the work.
    Rene Rosin, PREMA Racing Team Principal.

  • James Wharton confirmed by ART Grand Prix

    ART Grand Prix have confirmed that James Wharton will drive for the team next season in FIA Formula 3, completing the French outfit’s 2025 line-up.

    The Australian took part in post-season testing with the team in Jerez, while he is active in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, where he currently sits second in the Standings.

    Previously, Wharton achieved top five finishes in the UAE Formula 4, Italian and ADAC Formula 4 Championships in 2022, and went on to claim the UAE F4 title in 2023.

    He was also runner-up in Euro 4 in 2023 aswell, looking to this season currently he has taken four wins, five poles and eight podiums in FRECA.

    It won’t be Wharton’s first time in a Formula 3 car as he made his FIA F3 debut at Silverstone in July, where he raced for Hitech Pulse-Eight.

    I can’t thank ART Grand Prix enough for this incredible opportunity. This is undoubtedly the most significant step in my racing career so far, and I deeply appreciate the trust they’ve placed in me and my potential. I’m eager to start working with one of the most prestigious teams on the grid, and we’ll put in the hard work this winter to be fully prepared when the season kicks off.
    Wharton on the news.

    We are very pleased to welcome James Wharton to ART Grand Prix for the 2025 FIA Formula 3 Championship. James has shown impressive results in FRECA, currently sitting in second place in the standings, and we believe he has all the qualities to succeed in Formula 3. His performance this season has been outstanding, and we are confident that he will be a strong contributor to the team as we move forward.
    Sebastien Philippe, ART Grand Prix Team Principal.

  • Ten teams selected for 2025-2027 Formula 3 season

    The FIA Formula 3 Championship promoters are pleased to confirm the ten teams that have been selected for the 2025 -2027 seasons.

    For the next three-year cycle, nine teams who completed in the 2024 season have been retained, while newcomers DAMS complete the F3 grid.
    Each team will enter three cars as usual, making it a 30 car field.

    Below is the teams for the 2025 – 2027 FIA Formula 3 Championship seasons:

    TeamsLicense
    AIX RacingGermany
    ART Grand PrixFrance
    Campos RacingSpain
    DAMSFrance
    HiTech Grand PrixGreat Britain
    MP MotorsportNetherlands
    PREMA RacingItaly
    Rodin MotorsportNew Zealand
    TridentItaly
    Van Amersfoort RacingNetherlands

    For the next three-year cycle, we have retained nine of our current teams. Their level of professionalism and expertise guarantee the best preparation for the young drivers who aspire to progress to the highest levels of motorsport. To complete the grid, we welcome DAMS to the list of selected teams. We know them very well from the FIA Formula 2 Championship. Their pedigree and level of performance make them the perfect addition to the F3 field. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Andreas Jenzer and everyone at Jenzer Motorsport for their commitment to Formula 3 since the beginning of the category. They have left their mark in the Championship, and I completely respect their decision to focus now on new challenges.
    FIA Formula 3 CEO, Bruno Michel.

  • Envision Racing confirm Palmowski & Powell

    Envision Racing have announced Alisha Palmowski & Alice Powell to join the team for the official ABB FIA Formula E Women’s test session in Madrid.

    Palmowski, 18, has excelled in junior categories during her fledgling career to date, winning the Ginetta Junior Scholarship in 2022 and clinching the Vice-Champion spot in the GB4 Championship this year – where she took home 11 podiums, three race wins and two pole positions during the year.

    Driving alongside Palmowski will be Alice Powell, who has been part of the Envision Racing team since 2021.
    Powell has completed a successful test for them in Berlin during Season 10, completing a huge number of laps to provide crucial data to the team.

    Powell, is the teams Test & Development driver since 2021/22 season. Stepping into the new Gen3 Evo machinery for the first time and Powell’s experience and expertise will provide important baseline information.

    I cannot wait to join Envision Racing for the all-women’s Formula E test this month in Madrid. The car will be both faster and much different to anything I’ve previously driven so it is a great opportunity for me to learn and will be an amazing experience. I cannot thank everyone at Envision Racing enough for the opportunity, and I am also looking forward to working alongside Alice who has some great experience with these cars that I can hopefully learn from.
    Alisha Palmowski on the news.

    I am very happy to be back in a Formula E car for the second time in 2024, after participating in the Berlin rookie test earlier this year. I’m looking forward to getting more laps in and helping the team as much as I can going forward into Season 11 and the GEN3 Evo era of the series. I am very grateful to the team for another chance to drive the car and the trust they continue to put in me.
    Alice Powell on being back with Envision.

    As a team we have never been shy of supporting talented women, and so we are very pleased to see the championship take this step forward in providing a platform for women racing drivers. We’re excited to see Alisha step into Formula E for the first time after a hugely successful season for her, and equally to see Alice back in the car, who is very experienced within our team and the sport. Alisha caught our attention with her strong performances this past season and we are excited to see what she can do in a Formula E car – with Alice alongside her to provide experience and insight, we are sure it will be a rewarding session for all involved.
    Sylvain Filippi, Managing Director & CTO.

  • Toyota returns to F1 with Haas

    Toyoto are returning to Formula 1 for the first time since 2009 after signing a technical partnership with the Haas F1 Team that begins immediately.

    The Japanese manufacturer spent eight seasons in Formula 1 as a works team and engine supplier, scoring 13 podiums and achieving a best finish of fourth in the constructors’ championship.

    As part of the multi-year agreement, Haas and Toyota – through their motorsport and R&D division Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) – will share expertise and knowledge as well as resources.

    The deal will also run alongside their arrangement with Ferrari, whom Haas have worked with since they entered the sport in 2016.

    TGR will be providing design, technical and manufacturing services to Haas, while Haas will offer technical expertise and commercial benefits in return.
    The aim is for Haas to improve their development and competitive standing within the sport with Toyota developing their own knowledge and skills through Formula 1.

    I’m hugely excited that MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and Toyota Gazoo Racing have come together to enter into this technical partnership. To have a world leader in the automotive sector support and work alongside our organization, while seeking to develop and accelerate their own technical and engineering expertise – it’s simply a partnership with obvious benefits on both sides. The ability to tap into the resources and knowledge base available at Toyota Gazoo Racing, while benefiting from their technical and manufacturing processes, will be instrumental in our own development and our clear desire to further increase our competitiveness in Formula 1.In return we offer a platform for Toyota Gazoo Racing to fully utilize and subsequently advance their in-house engineering capabilities. I’m naturally pleased that we’ve had the support of the likes of Formula 1 and our long-term partner, Scuderia Ferrari – who we announced our further continuation with earlier in the season, in the formation of this new technical partnership – designed to achieve continued success in our Formula 1 endeavours. Everyone at MoneyGram Haas F1 Team is looking forward to the collaborative results of this new relationship, we can’t wait to get started and fulfil our combined ambitions.
    Ayao Komatsu, Haas boss.

    We are pleased to announce that MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and Toyota Gazoo Racing have concluded a basic agreement to enter a technical partnership such as Haas vehicle development. We would like to express our gratitude to Mr. Gene Haas, Mr. Ayao Komatsu, Mr. Stefano Domenicali (CEO – Formula 1), Mr. Fred Vasseur (Team Principal – Scuderia Ferrari), and all our existing partners of the team for their exceptional cooperation and understanding in this collaboration. By competing alongside MoneyGram Haas F1 Team at the pinnacle of motorsports, we aim to cultivate drivers, engineers, and mechanics while strengthening the capabilities of MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and Toyota Gazoo Racing, and we desire to contribute to motorsports and the automotive industry.
    Tomoya Takahashi, President of Gazoo Racing Company.

  • RW 21 – Brazil

    Max Verstappen has stormed to a remarkable victory in a frenetic Sao Paulo Grand Prix, the Dutchman climbed through the field from an original starting position of P17 to score his first race win since June amid changing weather conditions and huge drama along the way – which saw Alpine score a double podium result.

    The chaos started before the event had even got under way after Lance Stroll spun off during the formation lap, leading to some confusion over the aborted start procedure as pole sitter Lando Norris led a number of cars away while others stayed on the grid.

    When the Grand Prix did begin, Russell enjoyed a stronger launch and led from Norris while Verstappen worked his way through the pack in the early stages.
    As the event unfolded amid changing levels of rainfall, a red flag was thrown on Lap 32 following a crash for Franco Colapinto in the Williams – shortly after Russell and Norris had lost out by pitting just as a Virtual Safety Car period ended.

    The full top 10 are- P1: Verstappen, P2: Ocon, P3: Gasly, P4: Russell, P5: Leclerc, P6: Norris, P7: Tsunoda, P8: Piastri, P9: Lawson and P10: Hamilton.

    What a drive by Max Verstappen! P17 to First! The best result for the Dutchman, especially in him wanting to retain his title. He capitalised on the red flag whereas Norris and McLaren made the wrong strategy call… It was a proper champion drive from Max and this might be the race which changes it all!
    However, Perez finished P11 – so after all the red flags, yellow flags and safety cars he still didn’t get any points even though he started above Verstappen so he should’ve really got points…

    What a result for Alpine! P2 and P3 a double podium for the team, which is just wow they now have made a jump from ninth to sixth in the constructors’ standings! They now are in a fight for for P6 in the standings with Haas and RB.

    A good result for Russell, P4 for the Brit, obviously a podium would of been what they were aiming for but with everything which went on during the race they still finished a decent position.
    Not the best race for Hamilton, he finished P10, he really struggled with the car, which is a shame as I think everyone knows he loves the wet weather and Brazil in general.

    A bad result for McLaren, Lando finished sixth and lost a lot of ground to Verstappen in the Championship, he will now have a lot of work to do in these coming races to try and get the championship back in his court, but it’s not looking good…
    His teammate finished 8th after a penalty for causing a collision with Lawson, he crossed the line in 7th. This isn’t good for McLaren at all for the constructors’ they only have a 36 point lead from Ferrari and 49 to Red Bull in third. They need a couple of good races from both drivers to secure it.

    A double points finish for RB! Tsunoda 7th and Lawson 9th! Which is what they expected especially after their amazing qualifying session!

    Sainz and Colapinto both recorded retirements following their separate crashes, while Nico Hulkenberg was given a black flag just prior to the restart after the Haas driver received assistance from marshals when returning to the track following an earlier off.

    Now our next race is in a few weeks and it will be our final triple header of the 2024 season, we start of with Las Vegas on the 21st to 23rd for round 22!

    My emotions today have been a rollercoaster, with qualifying being really unlucky with that red flag. Starting P17, I knew that it was going to be a very tough race but we stayed out of trouble, we made the right calls, we stayed calm and we were fine. All of these things together of course made that result possible. I mean, unbelievable to win here from so far back.
    Verstappen on the win.

  • New start times for rescheduled Sao Paulo Grand Prix

    The FIA and Formula 1 have confirmed rescheduled timings for both qualifying and the Sao Paulo Grand Prix itself after Saturday’s qualifying session was postponed due to poor weather conditions.

    The session had been due to run at 1500 local time on Saturday afternoon at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, but the start of Q1 was postponed when torrential rain – along with thunder and lightning – arrived, resulting in pools of water forming on the track.

    With the session unable to take place on Saturday, it has now been confirmed that qualifying will take place today at the new time of 7:30 local time (10:30am GMT) and the Sao Paulo Grand Prix itself brought forwards to 12:30 local time (15:30pm GMT).

    Following the conditions in São Paulo today the decision was taken not to proceed with Qualifying due to poor visibility, standing water on the track and fading light. Safety is always the paramount consideration in such circumstances and while as much time as possible was given to allow conditions to improve they sadly did not. We have huge appreciation for all the fans that stayed at the circuit in hope of seeing cars on track today. Therefore the decision has been taken, after consultation with the stewards, to schedule Qualifying for 07:30 local time on Sunday morning ahead of the Grand Prix at 12:30 local. This will ensure we maximise the chances of providing the fans with a day of racing action, given the ongoing weather forecast for tomorrow afternoon, and both the FIA and Formula 1 believe this time change is necessary and the right thing to do for all our passionate fans. We thank everyone for their patience today including the fans, drivers, teams, marshals, circuit staff and media and hope to give everyone an exciting event on Sunday.
    An FIA and Formula 1 statement.

  • Magnussen out, Bearman in for Sao Paulo

    Haas have announced that Kevin Magnussen will not be returning to action for the rest of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend, meaning that Ollie Bearman will again race for the team.

    Prior to today’s action getting underway at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, the news came that Magnussen would not participate in the day’s running after feeling unwell, with Bearman stepping in for free practice, Sprint Qualifying and Saturday’s Sprint.

    However, in the hours after Sprint Qualifying, a further announcement was made that Magnussen would not return to compete in Saturday’s qualifying or Sunday’s Grand Prix.
    Bearman will continue his substitute duties for the remainder of the weekend.

    Despite receiving a call just hours before jumping in the car today, the Brit put in an eye-catching performance as he made his third stand in appearance of the season, having previously raced for Ferrari in Saudi Arabia and then getting behind the wheel for Haas in Azerbaijan after Magnussen was hit was a one-race ban.

    Bearman progressed to SQ3 of Friday’s Sprint Qualifying – outperforming team mate Nico Hulkenberg who qualified in P12.

  • Formula E moves pre-season test

    Formula E has cancelled its Valencia pre-season test in the light of the horrific flash flood in the region and will instead head to fellow Spanish circuit Jarama.

    At least 155 people have died in Valencia and its surrounding areas since the devastating floods hit parts of Spain on Wednesday, with that total expected to rise further.

    Valencia’s Circuit Ricardo Tormo has hosted Formula E’s pre-season tests since 2017 and this year was due to host the first public outing for the Gen3 Evo car design that will be used for the next two seasons.

    But the damage to some of the circuit’s facilities – notably its main access road – and consideration for the wider situation meant it soon become clear that holding the test there was impossible.

    Its place will instead be taken by the Jarama circuit, approximately 20 miles north of Madrid.
    Running at the former Formula 1 grand prix venue, which is now primarily used for testing and national series, will still take place across four days but commence a day later, running from November 5th to 8th.

    We have all been monitoring the tragic situation in Valencia, where flash floods have devastated the region and claimed many lives. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by these terrible events and we at Formula E are looking at how we can practically support the region during this awful time. Following consultation with local authorities, the FIA and our colleagues at Circuit Ricardo Tormo, we have decided not to proceed with our pre-season test in Valencia, planned for 4-7 November. While it may have been possible to go ahead logistically, it is important not to create any distraction or use valuable resources that are much better served supporting the local community. We have a number of Formula E team members who have been working on the ground in Valencia over the past week, and we want to personally thank them for everything they’ve done, and continue to do, to support the area.  The pre-season test is an important moment in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship calendar ahead of Season 11 starting in Sao Paulo on 6-7 December, as it allows us to check the new Gen3 Evo cars for safety, and also to establish that we can safely and effectively deploy new technologies. We have also planned for the first-ever women’s test to take place during this event. Therefore, we have taken the decision to secure an alternative location, and Circuit del Jarama in Madrid will host both the FIA Formula E Official Test and the Women’s Test next week, scheduled for Tuesday 5 to Friday 8 November. The full event schedule will be confirmed in due course, as we navigate a number of logistical and operational challenges which will determine if it’s possible to move our test operations to Madrid within this timeframe. Our first thoughts are with the community of Valencia. The city has a special place in our hearts: it has been ever-present on our calendar since 2017 and we have recently moved our operations base there. It is like a second home for Formula E. We will support the community to recover from these tragic events in any way we can, and ensure that while our testing continues in Madrid, it is done with the utmost sensitivity.
    Formula E’s statement.