Hitech Pulse-Eight have announced that Luke Browning will race for the team in Formula 2 next season, their first confirmed driver for 2025.
Browning made the step up to F2 earlier this season in Baku after a stellar 2024 campaign with Hitech in F3 in which he fought for the title until the final race of the year.
The Williams Racing Driver Academy member finished the year with three podiums, including two Feature Race victories in Sakhir and Spielberg.
He goes into the 2025 season having accumulated F2 experience this year, taking part in the final three rounds of the year in Baku, Lusail and Yas Marina, scoring points across the six races.
I’m so happy that I’ll be racing in F2 with Hitech next season. I’ve been through every category of single seater racing with this team and to be able to complete the ladder with them is incredibly important and special for me. I would like to thank Oliver Oakes in particular for his support throughout the last three seasons. There is nothing I want more than to win the F2 Championship with this group of people around me, and that is our goal for 2025. Browning on the news.
After three seasons with Hitech, Luke has worked closely with the team at every stage of his journey up the single-seater ladder. We’re extremely proud of his progression to F2, and to see him get his competitive F1 debut last week in Abu Dhabi. With Luke getting the opportunity to step up to Formula 2 for the final three rounds of the current season, coupled with the experience he has gathered from his Formula 1 Free Practice, and the Young Driver Test this week, we couldn’t have wished for better preparation for his 2025 campaign. Luke and Hitech share the same objective for 2025 – to win the Formula 2 Championship – and we have no doubt that he will be fighting for victories every step of the way. Clive Hatton, Hitech Team Manager.
Invicta Racing have confirmed the signing of Roman Stanek for the 2025 Formula 2 season, completing their driver lineup for this year following the announcement of F3 Champion Leonardo Fornaroli.
Stanek returns for a third season in F2 having previously won the 2024 Melbourne Sprint Race having also achieved a further eight point finishes across his previous two seasons.
Prior to that, the Czech driver fought for the title until the final round of the 2022 Formula 3 Championship, winning one race and achieving a further three podiums.
Speaking following the announcement, Stanek was excited to have the opportunity to race for the 2024 Champions.
I can’t wait to drive for Invicta Racing in 2025. The team has been fighting at the front of the field all season, achieved some really great results and is undoubtedly one of the most desirable options in the paddock for next year. That means there’ll be some pressure for Leonardo (Fornaroli) and I, but I think we’re up to the challenge. I’m ready for whatever F2 throws at me in 2025. Stanek on the news.
We’re thrilled to have Roman onboard for 2025. His experience of F2 in recent years, as well as the other series he’s raced in will be invaluable to Invicta Racing in 2025. I see the partnership between himself and Leonardo (Fornaroli) being extremely fruitful as well. That mix of approaches from a driver who knows the ropes and one fresh to the series will push the team forward, of that I have no doubt. Andy Roche, Invicta Racing Team Principal.
Lia Block will be back for more in 2025, as Williams have announced that the American driver will continue to represent them next season. The 18 year old’s sophomore campaign also sees her drive with ART Grand Prix again.
This season, Block has taken the transition from rallying to single-seaters in her stride. Building confidence and strengthening her skills round-by-round. She finished eighth in the Drivers’ Standings with two P4 finishes which was her best finish.
Alongside representing them on the grid, Block will remain a member of the Williams Racing Driver Academy and she is thrilled at continuing their partnership for another year.
I’m excited to be racing with Williams Racing and ART Grand Prix for the 2025 season, and I’m looking forward to working with everyone in the Driver Academy for another year. We’ve made so much progress, and I can’t wait to hit the track again in Shanghai. This time we fight for wins! Block on the news.
We’re thrilled to have Lia racing with us in F1 Academy for 2025. Lia has shown impressive improvement throughout her first season of open-wheel racing, progressing race after race to end the year in a great position. We’ll be closely watching her continued growth in the coming year. Sven Smeets, Sporting Director at Williams Racing.
Formula 1 has announced a five-year extension with the Chinese Grand Prix that will see the Shanghai International Circuit remain on the calendar through the 2030 season.
The extension follows Formula 1’s successful return to China in 2024 after a five-year absence, where 200,000 fans attended the race to see Max Verstappen take victory in both the Sprint and the Grand Prix.
In the 20 years since its first race, the 5.45km Shanghai International Circuit has established itself as a favourite of drivers and fans alike. The drivers relish the unique challenge the circuit provides, including the ever-tightening Turns 1 and 2, and high g-force Turns 7 and 8.
Since Rubens Barrichello’s victory in the inaugural race, the Chinese Grand Prix has seen nine other winners, including six victories from Lewis Hamilton and two from Fernando Alonso from the current grid.
This extension marks Formula 1’s continued growth in China as the sport’s popularity and audience continue to increase. The sport has seen its fanbase in China climb to over 150 million, with more than half of this group starting to follow Formula 1 in the last four years.
The Chinese Grand Prix will be the second round on the 2025 calendar, taking place on March 21st – 23rd and will host the first F1 Sprint event of the season, as well as the first round of F1 Academy.
Our return to China this season for the first time since 2019 was a fantastic moment for the sport, and it is incredible to see the levels of support that we enjoy in the country continuing to grow year-on-year. Shanghai is an incredible city, and the racetrack is a wonderful test for our drivers, so I am delighted that Formula 1 will continue its successful partnership with the Chinese Grand Prix for a further five years. I want to thank our promoter for their continued commitment and passion, and I look forward to returning to Shanghai in the new year. Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.
For many years, Jiushi Group and our subsidiary, Juss Sports, have always adhered to our original intention to strive for the excellence in event organization, and this renewal is a testament to that. It is excellent news for fans in China and is a perfect platform to showcase Shanghai to the world as millions tune in on TV globally. Looking ahead, we will continue to work closely with all partners, further strengthen our engagement with international audiences through the event platform, consistently improve the event quality, and better present the city charm of Shanghai. We fully understand that a successful Grand Prix is not only an exciting race event, but also a driving force for the whole society to develop in a more positive direction. In the future, we will continue to optimize the event experience through innovation and achieve a sustainable contribution to the society. Guo Jianfei, Chairman of Shanghai Jiushi Co the promoter of the Chinese Grand Prix.
F1 Academy has announced that Hitech Grand Prix will join the grid and operate three cars from the 2025 season, expanding the grid to 18 cars.
The expansion of the grid in the third season of F1 Academy reflects the series’ rapid growth since it was founded in 2022 and the increasing talent pool of young female drivers. The increase will create additional opportunities for progression for emerging talents who are ready to make the next step into F1 Academy.
The British team, which currently compete in the GB3 Championship, British Formula 4 and Formula Winter Series, will operate two cars with full time drivers, and a third car which will host the Wild Card entry.
Six Wild Card entries have featured on the F1 Academy grid in 2024, with three previous Wild Cards, Courtney Crone, Ella Lloyd and Nina Gademan having secured full time seats for 2025.
HiTech Grand Prix joins five existing teams, ART Grand Prix, Campos Racing, Rodin Motorsport, MP Motorsport and PREMA Racing, with each team set to field three cars for the 2025 season. All six teams have an established history in junior racing including the FIA Formula 3 Championship and FIA Formula 2 Championships.
We are proud to be expanding the F1 ACADEMY grid to 18 cars in just our third season of racing. It’s clear to us that change is already in motion, and this expansion reflects not just the growing talent pool of drivers ready to make the step up but also the incredible growth of F1 ACADEMY as a platform to develop female talent. Hitech Grand Prix have an impressive history in the junior formula, including FIA Formula 2 and Formula 3 and we are pleased to welcome them to our grid from 2025. Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 Academy.
I’m delighted to confirm Hitech’s participation in F1 ACADEMY from the 2025 season. A platform that inspires and supports young girls and women to embark on their motorsport journey is one that we have always fundamentally believed in and the opportunity to translate support into positive action by entering a team in F1 ACADEMY is really important to us. We applaud the commitment and determination of Susie Wolff as the force behind the change that the series is driving. Oliver Oakes, Owner of Hitech Grand Prix.
MP Motorsport have confirmed that Oliver Goethe will continue racing for them in Formula 2 next season, completing their driver lineup for 2025.
Goethe stepped up to F2 with MP at Monza as a replacement for Franco Colapinto after a title-contending season in Formula 3. He achieved one victory and two further podiums on his way to finishing seventh in the standings.
Since his call up, the German driver has scored 12 points for the team, which all came in the Feature Race at Lusail, where he finished fourth.
He will now step up to F2 full-time next season partnering Richard Verschoor and speaking about his confirmation, Goethe says his experiences in 2024.
I’m truly delighted to continue with MP Motorsport in 2025. It’s the logical thing to do – my four F2 rounds with MP this season will provide me with valuable experience working with the team and with Richard too, as we use that as a stepping stone towards next year’s full-season Formula 2 effort together. I’ve enjoyed many good times with the team when I started out in single-seaters five years ago, and on my return at Monza I was made to feel at home immediately. I can’t wait to go racing one more time in Abu Dhabi before preparing for our 2025 challenge. Goethe on the news.
It was great news that we were able to welcome Oliver back in the team at Monza, and its great news yet again that he is staying on for more Formula 2 in 2025. Oliver fitted right back in as soon as he rejoined our team and we look forward to repeating the strong results we gained in our time together in Spanish F4 and, of course, only recently at Macau in the FIA FR World Cup. Along with Richard, we have two very familiar faces in our team, and we aim to build on their close bond with the team to finish this season on a high and come out strong in 2025. Sander Dorsman, MP Motorsport Team Principal.
Former Marussia Sporting Director Graeme Lowdon has been announced as the Team Principal of General Motors’ F1 project, ahead of the manufacturer potentially joining the grid in 2026.
On November 25th, it was announced that Formula 1 had reached an agreement in principle to support General Motors/Cadillac joining the grid as an 11th team in 2026.
Now it’s been announced that Lowdon will oversee the project, with the Brit having last seen active on the pit wall with Manor Marussia in 2015 in his role as the team’s Sporting Director.
Lowdon has most recently played a part in the management of China’s first ever full-time F1 racer Zhou Guanyu, who has departed Kick Sauber this year, alongside his work as an executive advisor for the General Motors project.
I’m truly honored to be appointed as the Team Principal of this exciting new team and I would like to thank everyone involved for placing their trust in me. I believe that Formula 1 is the greatest team sport in the world, and teams are all about people. This is a team with a real love for, and desire to go, racing, and we have the experience and expertise to do just that. Racing is at the very heart of everything that we do. This is what I want to see in a team, and I really want to be part of it. I don’t underestimate the task ahead and I have the utmost respect for the competition. I look forward to the challenge of racing. In the meantime, our work continues at pace. Lowdon on the news.
Graeme has been a pleasure to work with over the past two years and we’re excited he will lead our journey to the 2026 Formula 1 grid as Team Principal. He has great racing expertise, he knows how to assemble a high-performing team, and he embodies the values the Cadillac Formula 1 Team will represent in all its endeavors, on or off the track. General Motors President, Mark Reuss.
Graeme has been advising our team for the last two years as we have built out our operations; his experience on both the technical and managerial sides of Formula 1 and other motorsports ventures will serve him well as he builds the Cadillac Formula 1 team. Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Global’s Motorsport business.
Trident have announced that Max Esterson will continue racing with the team for the 2025 Formula 2 campaign, which is their first confirmed driver signing for next season.
Esterson stepped up to F2 in Lusail with Trident after completing his first full season of Formula 3 with Jenzer Motorsport.
He achieved two-point scoring finishes across the campaign, including in his debut Sprint Race in Sakhir, also achieving a front row start at Silverstone.
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.
I am thrilled to be able to compete in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with Trident Motorsport. Participating in the Lusail race last weekend and the Abu Dhabi final are very useful in this regard. I think I have already understood many aspects of the category. Together with the technical staff, I will work hard this winter to make 2025 a great year. I would like to thank the team, my fans and my family for all their work and support that have allowed me to be where I am today. Esterson on the news.
We are very pleased to announce that Max Esterson will compete in the 2025 FIA Formula 2 Championship with Trident Motorsport. He is a driver we met two years ago, we have followed him very carefully and we have seen him making remarkable progress. This year, Max has proven to be extremely competitive in his debut in the FIA Formula 3 Championship. I am confident that he has all the qualities to do a good job with the technical staff and be competitive in 2025. Giacomo Ricci, Trident Team Manager.
Nina Gademan will be making her full-time F1 Academy debut this year, with Alpine announcing that the Dutch racer will be representing them on the grid.
The 21 year old becomes the third Wild Card driver to make the step up after an impressive performance during Round 4 in Zandvoort. Gademan secured P4 and P10 finishes, earning her 13 points on home soil – the first Wild Card entry to do so.
Prior to this, she won the 2019 FIA Motorsport Games Karting Slalom Cup for Team Netherlands. This year saw Gademan make her single-seater debut competing in the F4 British Championship, scoring her first rookie podium during Round 4 at Thruxton.
I am incredibly proud to be representing BWT Alpine Formula One Team in the 2025 F1 ACADEMY season. This is a moment I once thought might never come, and it is a dream come true. Having the support of a team with such an incredible legacy means the world to me. I am deeply grateful for Alpine’s trust and belief in me, and I can’t wait to make the 2025 season an unforgettable chapter in this journey. Gademan on the news.
We are happy to have Nina coming on board as our F1 ACADEMY driver selection for the 2025 season. It was great to see her step up into single seaters at the start of 2024 and to claim points on her F1 ACADEMY debut as the Wild Card in Zandvoort. We are excited to see what she can do in the series next year. Nina will be a fantastic addition to our line-up of junior drivers, and we look forward to working with her throughout 2025. Oliver Oakes, Alpine Team Principal.
HiTech Pulse-Eight have confirmed Joshua Dufek for the 2025 FIA Formula 3 season. He joins Martinius Stenshorne and Gerrard Xie and completes the team’s line up for next season.
The Austrian driver completed his rookie campaign with AIX Racing in 2024, finishing the year with a best-finish of 10th.
Dufek took part in post-season testing with Hitech, finishing eighth fastest in Jerez and fifth in Barcelona on the second and final day of the respective tests.
Prior to F3, Dufek raced in Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, and race in the EuroFormula Open Championship in 2023.
Moving up to my second full season of F3 with Hitech is a fantastic next step in my career. The team is really strong and we’ve seen this year that they were always in the fight for the title. I think it will be the perfect environment for me to build on my 2024 experience and achieve some good results. I’m really excited about this opportunity and I’m looking forward to getting to work with the team and with a brand-new generation of F3 car. Dufek on the news.
We’re very happy to welcome Joshua back to Hitech after he was part of the team’s Formula Regional Asian campaign in 2022. He knows Hitech well and that familiar environment will be of benefit to him as he embarks on his second full season in Formula 3. He drove for us in the end of season tests in October and we were very pleased with his performances. Together with Martinius Stenshorne and Gerrard Xie I think we can make another strong bid for both Championship titles. Hitech F3 Team Manager, Paul Bellringer.
Formula 1 and the Dutch Grand Prix promoter have announced a one-year contract extension which will see Circuit Zandvoort remain on the Formula 1 calendar through the 2026 season.
After much consideration and discussion, the decision has been taken by the promoter not to remain on the calendar after 2026.
The past few years have seen some great action in the Dutch Grand Prix after the sport’s long break from racing in the Netherlands.
The event has become known for its fans experience, with Dutch fans and International visitors alike gathering to watch Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3, F1 Academy and more, battling around the iconic banked corners of the circuit.
It has also established itself as a leading sustainable sporting event, pioneering technologies that are now used across the Formula 1 calendar.
The return of the Dutch Grand Prix in 2021, coincided with a period of dominance for local hero Max Verstappen, who has won the race three times.
I am incredibly grateful for the work that the team at the Dutch Grand Prix have done in recent years. They raised the bar for European Grands Prix in terms of event spectacle and entertainment, supported the development of young talent by hosting F2, F3 and our F1 ACADEMY series, and have also pioneered sustainable solutions that have inspired our events around the world as we drive towards being Net Zero by 2030. All parties positively collaborated to find a solution to extend the race, with many options, including alternation or annual events on the table, and we respect the decision from the promoter to finish its amazing run in 2026. I want to thank all the team at the Dutch Grand Prix and the Municipality of Zandvoort who have been fantastic partners to Formula 1. Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.
The Dutch Grand Prix is the result of a unique collaboration between SportVibes, TIG Sports, and Circuit Zandvoort, who shared the ambition of bringing the race back to the Netherlands. What we have achieved so far is undoubtedly a huge success. The appreciation from our visitors, drivers, and teams has been unprecedented, and we are incredibly proud of that. While today’s announcement signals the end of a monumental era, we are confident there is plenty more for fans to look forward to at the Dutch Grand Prix in 2025 and 2026, including the Sprint in 2026. We are a privately owned and operated business, and we must balance the opportunities presented by continuing to host the event, against other risks and responsibilities. We have decided to go out on a high with two more incredible Dutch Grands Prix in 2025 and 2026. We wanted to take this step, while our event is adored and supported by passionate fans, residents, and the Formula 1 community. I want to thank Stefano Domenicali and all the team at Formula 1 for the hard work that has seen multiple contract extensions realised and the Dutch Grand Prix be such a success. Robert van Overdijk, Director of the Dutch Grand Prix.
Alessandro Giusti will race with MP Motorsport in 2025, joining Tim Tramnitz and Bruno Del Pino at the Dutch team and completing their line-up for next season.
The Williams Academy member moves up from the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, where he finished fourth overall, taking two race victories and a further five podiums.
Prior to FRECA, the Frenchman raced in the French F4 Championship where he won the title in 2022 during his second campaign in single seaters.
Giusti took part in the F3 post-season test with MP, finishing eighth overall in Jerez and 12th in Barcelona as he got his first taste of F3 machinery ahead of his debut next year.
I’m excited to step up to Formula 3 with MP Motorsport. Our first tests together at Jérez and Barcelona were highly promising which is a good sign for my rookie season in the category. It’s my aim to know the team better as we head into the coming season, especially with the new F3-2025 car. I can’t wait to make my F3 debut at Melbourne in March! Giusti on the news.
It’s wonderful to be able to announce Tim, Bruno and Alessandro at such an early date. This will allow our FIA F3 squad to focus on a productive winter of development with the new Dallara F3-2025 car while forging a cooperative bond between our drivers. Alessandro has proved to be a hugely talented driver who I’m sure will quickly find his feet in this highly competitive feeder series on the road to Formula 1. As we have seen in Formula 2 this year, a new car will be a bonus for the championship’s rookies, as it will provide a level playing field for all. I’m confident that Alessandro will be among the drivers to benefit from that. Sander Dorsman, MP Motorsport Team Principal.
Nissan have signed Brazilian, Sergio Sette Camara as the team’s Reserve and Simulator Driver for Season 11.
The Brazilian has been a full-time racer in the series for the last four seasons, putting in several strong performances.
Previously he took multiple victories and podiums in FIA Formula 2, before making the switch to the all-electric championship midway through Season 6 (2019/20).
The 26 year old will work closely with Oliver Rowland and Norman Nato throughout the new campaign to ensure that the Japanese outfit remains a strong contender in the championship.
His experience will be very valuable not only in the simulator for event preparation, but also to help the team with its continuous development of the Nissan e-4ORCE 05 Gen3 Evo car.
I’m thrilled to join Nissan. It’s always been a goal of mine to work with a big manufacturer in the series, and Nissan took a big step forward in Season 10. I believe that, with my experience, I can help the team to keep this momentum going. I’m pleased to become the reserve and simulator driver and contribute to developing the car in the right direction as we enter the GEN3 Evo era. I can’t wait to get started and be in attendance at my home E-Prix this weekend with the squad. Sette Camara on the news.
We’re delighted to welcome Sérgio as our reserve and simulator driver for Season 11. He has plenty of experience in the championship and is a very talented racer, so it was a clear choice for us to sign him. Regardless of ability, it’s tough to jump in a Formula E car and be competitive straight away, given its complexity, so we were keen to recruit an experienced driver and ensure we don’t miss any chance to score points in the season, no matter the circumstances. We’ll also benefit from his extensive knowledge of the series in our race preparation, which is always key. I am convinced he will be a great asset to the team and help us achieve our full potential. Tommaso Volpe, Managing Director and Team Principal of Nissan.
AIX Racing have confirmed that Javier Sagrera will be driving for them in FIA Formula 3 next year, becoming their first driver signing for the 2025 season.
The Spanish driver makes the step up to F3 following a strong campaign in the 2024 Eurocup Championship during which he claimed four victories with 10 podiums in total.
The 20 year old also previously took part in the Spanish F4 and GB3 Championships, achieving podium finishes in the latter.
Sagrera will now graduate to F3 with AIX having also taken part in both post-season tests in Jerez and Barcelona with the team.
I am really happy to be joining AIX Racing for the 2025 season. I couldn’t be more excited and motivated to see what comes ahead next year. And I am for sure more than confident that, together with the team, we can put on a big challenge and we are going to make sure to work as much as we can this winter to do so. I believe in every single individual of this team and I am just really grateful and excited for this opportunity. Sagrera on the news.
Warm welcome Javier. I was following Javier now for two years and his 2024 campaign winning the Eurocup-3 Championship on track, convinced us to test him at the F3 Postseason Testing 2024. Also here he showed directly the necessary potential with his speed, driving and working attitude. Beside that his personality is well matured, grateful and just sympathetic. We are convinced about his talent and are sure to achieve successful results next season, and surprising a lot of people. AIX Racing Sporting Director, Roland Rehfeld.
Theophile Nael will be stepping up to FIA Formula 3 next season with Van Amersfoort Racing the team have confirmed.
Nael took part in post season testing with the team and makes the jump up from Formula Regional European Championship.
The Frenchman began his racing career by winning multiple karting titles in France before moving into single seater in 2022. He won the 2023 Spanish F4 crown in style, winning eight race and taking pole five times across the season, earning 14 podiums overall.
This year, he raced in the Formula Regional Middle East and European Championships, claiming wins in both and finishing 11th and ninth overall respectively.
I am delighted to join Van Amersfoort racing for the F3 season in 2025. This new adventure fills me with ambition. I can’t wait to take on this challenge with the new F3 car. It’s an honour to work alongside such a talented and historic team. Together, we will give our best on track and aim for great results! Nael on the news.
We are delighted to welcome Théophile to our Formula 3 team for 2025! He has already shown exceptional potential and a professional approach during the post season test days with us. Stepping into Formula 3 is a significant challenge, but we believe in his ability to adapt and thrive. We look forward to helping him grow and achieve success in the upcoming season. Rob Niessink, Van Amersfoort CEO.
Alpine have confirmed that Formula 2 racer Paul Aron will join the squad as their 2025 F1 reserve driver.
The 20 year old has just competed in his first F2 Championship with Hitech Pulse-Eight and finished the season in third where he grabbed the second-best rookie.
He added a dominant pole in Qatar and the feature race win as well but unfortunately it was not enough to grab the Drivers’ Championship.
Aron is a driver Alpine’s Team Principal, Oliver Oakes knows well, with the British boss having previously been in charge of Hitech before he joined the Enstone outfit in August this year.
It’s incredibly special to be joining BWT Alpine Formula One Team. It is clear that this is a great place to be for any young driver and I’m really pleased that Flavio [Briatore] and Oliver [Oakes] have given me this opportunity. Before 2025 and the hard work that will come with being the team’s Reserve Driver, I have a Championship to focus on for the remainder of this year and I will be giving it my all to compete for the title. I’m looking forward to really beginning the work and continuing my career pathway in motorsport. Aron on the announcement.
We are very pleased to have Paul join BWT Alpine Formula One Team as our 2025 Reserve Driver. There is a generational shift in Formula 1 at the moment, as we see with many young drivers coming into the sport and making an impact. We believe Paul is one of the best talents and we look forward to developing him into an F1 driver. Flavio Briatore, Alpine Executive Advisor.
Mercedes have confirmed that Mick Schumacher will leave his role as the squad’s reserve driver at he end of 2024 following two years with the team.
Schumacher joined the Brackley team ahead of the 2023 season – off the back of a two-season stint on the grid with Haas – and has since gone on to perform simulator work for the Silver Arrows as well as providing feedback during tests and races.
Alongside this position, Schumacher has also competed for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and now looks set to pursue new opportunities in 2025 following news of his exit from Mercedes. With Alpine also confirming the German driver will again be one of their six drivers for the 2025 campaign.
Mick’s hard work, diligence, and determination in his role as Reserve Driver has been vital for the team over the past two years. From his work in the simulator, testing of various cars, and being part of the trackside team, we couldn’t have asked for any more from him. From day one, he fitted into the team with ease and has become an incredibly well-liked colleague for everyone at Brackley and Brixworth. However, Mick is first and foremost a racing driver. We have seen from both his time in F1, and this year with his performances in the World Endurance Championship, that he is a racer of an incredibly high calibre and one that deserves to be competing in the very best championships. As he moves on to his next challenge, I would like to thank Mick personally for his contribution to our team and we all wish him the very best in his future endeavours. Wolff on the news.
I am grateful to Toto and the entire Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team for the insight I have gained over these two years. They have undoubtedly made me a more experienced racing driver because I have got to know the engineering side better. But watching these cars race and not sitting in the cockpit myself is tough. I want to get back to focusing 100% on racing. I want to be fully committed to the sporting side of motorsport. Ultimately, it is racing that you want to do as a driver, it is racing that gives you that feeling you love. Schumacher on leaving the team.
Formula 1 has announced that the Italian Grand Prix will remain on the calendar until 2031 inclusive as part of a new six-year extension to the existing agreement, which runs through 2025.
The new deal follows significant upgrades to the Autodromo Nazionale Monza ahead of the 2024 Grand Prix, where 335,000 fans attended across the weekend to see Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc take the chequered flag.
Built in 1922, Monza – also known as the Temple of Speed – has hosted a Grand Prix every year since the inaugural World Championship in 1950, apart from 1980 when the circuit was closed for renovations. Located just north-east of the historical city of Milan, one of the cultural and fashion capitals of the world, the 5.8km circuit boasts one of the fastest laps on the Formula 1 calendar with the drivers on the throttle for 80% of the lap.
In 2020, Monza was the site of the fastest ever F1 lap in terms of average speed, when Lewis Hamilton took pole position for the 2020 Italian Grand Prix with a qualifying time of just 1m 18.887s.
I am delighted that the Italian Grand Prix will remain on the calendar until 2031. Monza is at the very heart of Formula 1 history and the atmosphere each year is unique as the Tifosi gather in huge numbers to cheer on Ferrari and the drivers. The recent upgrades to the circuit’s infrastructure and the planned investment show a strong commitment to the long-term future of Formula 1 in Italy, and I want to thank the President of the Automobile Club d’Italia, the Italian Government, and the Lombardy Region for their continued passion and commitment to our sport. I also want to pay tribute to our incredible fans across the country who support Formula 1 so passionately. Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.
It’s a great honour for us, the Automobile Club of Italy (ACI), to have succeeded in guaranteeing the hosting of six more Italian Grand Prix F1 seasons at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza after 2025. We must thank the valuable and decisive contribution of the current President and CEO of Formula 1 Group, Stefano Domenicali, who made this contract extension possible. Much as we should, certainly, thank the Italian Government, the Lombardy Region, and all the local institutions that have allowed the Italian Grand Prix to attract, during the last editions, an ever-increasing number of enthusiastic fans. In particular, I want to emphasize the key contribution of the Italian Government and the Lombardy Region, which have invested resources in this centenarian circuit and funded the works carried out this year. As we all know, Monza is the oldest racetrack in the world to host a race of the World Championship, and it is also the longest-running event on the World Championship calendar. We are all aware that history is no longer enough. Following the resurfacing of the track and underpasses to improve the safety on track and for the fans, we are now faced with a new challenge in 2025: improving the quality and quantity of hospitality offerings. With this goal in mind, we are already working to keep ahead of the standards required by modern Formula 1. Angelo Sticchi Damiani, President of the Automobile Club d’Italia.
Maserati has committed to a further four years and then then Gen4 era of Formula E as a manufacturer. This landmark decision ensures Stellantis-powered cars will remain on the Formula E grid until Season 16 (2029/30).
With a rich legacy spanning over a decade, Stellantis Motorsport has been at the forefront of developing cutting-edge, high-efficiency powertrains for Formula E teams DS PENSKE and Maserati MSG Racing through GEN3 and into the GEN3 Evo era.
MAserati’s continued involvement into GEN4 reinforces their dedication to leveraging Formula E as a platform for advancing road-relevant electric technologies, ensuring that the championship remains a proving ground for sustainable innovation and performance.
Since joining Formula E as Maserati MSG Racing in Season 9, the Modena-based team have already established themselves as a formidable force in the championship. Their impressive track record in the last two years includes six podiums, two pole positions and two race wins.
We are delighted to announce Stellantis Motorsport’s commitment to Maserati in the upcoming Gen4 of Formula E. For over 10 years, we have been developing high-efficiency powertrains for DS and Maserati, and will continue to work on these road-relevant technologies in as competitive and promising a championship as Formula E. The conditions of engagement of other Stellantis Brands will be specified later. Jean-Marc Finot, Senior VP Stellantis Motorsport.
We welcome Maserati’s commitment to the next era of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. This is a brand with a long and proud history in motorsport, and one that has achieved a great deal of success since joining the grid in Season 9. To extend its involvement until at least 2030 – alongside Nissan, Jaguar, Porsche and Lola, with more manufacturers still to be confirmed – is a clear sign of the value that Maserati derives from its participation in the championship and the relevance of Formula E’s technical roadmap. As we prepare for the competitive debut of GEN3 Evo while continuing to work tirelessly in the background on the development of GEN4, we can look forward to the future of the series with a great deal of confidence. Marek Nawarecki, Senior Circuit Sport Director, FIA.
Formula 1 has announced that it has reached an agreement in principle with General Motors (GM) to support bringing GM/Cadillac as the 11th team to the Formula 1 grid in 2026.
Formula 1 has maintained a dialogue with General Motors, and its partners at TWG Global, regarding the viability of an entry following the commercial assessment and decision made by Formula 1 in January 2025,
Over the course of this year, they have achieved operational milestones and made clear their commitment to brand the eleventh team GM/Cadillac, and that GM will enter as an engine supplier at a later time. Formula 1 is therefore pleased to move forward with this application process and will then provide further updates.
With Formula 1’s continued growth plans in the US, we have always believed that welcoming an impressive US brand like GM/Cadillac to the grid and GM as a future power unit supplier could bring additional value and interest to the sport. We credit the leadership of General Motors and their partners with significant progress in their readiness to enter Formula 1. We are excited to move forward with the application process for the GM/Cadillac team to enter the Championship in 2026. Greg Maffei, President and CEO of Liberty Media.
General Motors is a huge global brand and powerhouse in the OEM world and is working with impressive partners. I am fully supportive of the efforts made by the FIA, Formula 1, GM and the team to maintain dialogue and work towards this outcome of an agreement in principle to progress this application to bring a GM/Cadillac branded team on the grid for the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship. All parties, including the FIA, will continue to work together to ensure the process progresses smoothly. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA.
As the pinnacle of motorsports, F1 demands boundary-pushing innovation and excellence. It’s an honor for General Motors and Cadillac to join the world’s premier racing series, and we’re committed to competing with passion and integrity to elevate the sport for race fans around the world. This is a global stage for us to demonstrate GM’s engineering expertise and technology leadership at an entirely new level. Mark Reuss, President of General Motors.
Tommy Hilfiger have announced that Alba Hurup Larsen will be representing the F1 Academy Official Partner on the 2025 grid.
The Danish driver won the 2023 edition of the FIA Girls on Track Rising Stars programme and has already made her single-seater debut, scoring points in the Indian F4 Championship this year.
Hurup Larsen, who will be 16 at the start of next year’s campaign, will be taking to the track in a suit and car livery featuring the brand’s iconic red, white and blue colour scheme.
For the upcoming season, Tommy Hilfiger will also dress the F1 Academy management team, leveraging its global platform to boost awareness and support for young drivers, auto engineers, and managers, many of whom are women entering the sport for the first time.
I’m deeply honored that Tommy has entrusted me to fly his flag in the F1 ACADEMY. Having this support at such a pivotal stage in my career means the world to me. I’m excited to represent the Tommy Hilfiger brand as we dream big, show what’s possible and drive change. Hurup Larsen on her step up to F1 Academy.
This partnership underscores our commitment to innovation and inclusivity in motorsports. With F1 ACADEMY, we’re breaking barriers and paving the way for a more inclusive and dynamic future in racing. Supporting young talents like Alba Hurup Larsen motivates us to challenge limits and redefine possibilities within the sport. Tommy Hilfiger on the news.
We are proud to have Tommy Hilfiger as an Official Partner. As an inaugural partner to F1 ACADEMY and a true first mover in blending lifestyle and motorsport, Tommy Hilfiger’s globally renowned brand values, commitment to innovation, and passion for driving change closely match our own. We look forward to seeing Alba racing in the brand’s unmissable signature colorway in 2025. Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 Academy.
Courtney Crone will be making a full-time step up to F1 Academy, with Haas selecting the American driver to represent them on the 2025 grid.
The 23 year old becomes the second Wild Card entrant to join next year’s field for the seven-round campaign, after narrowly missing out on points during her debut weekend at Round 2 in Miami.
Crone is currently competing in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North American Championship and has previously raced across multiple disciplines such as speedway motorcycles, dirt and pavement USAC Midget and Sprint Cars, LMP3 prototypes, and various junior Formula Cars.
Her achievements include winning the 2023/24 IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship and the 2021 Gorsline Company Scholarship. She is also a three-time winner of the Women’s Sports Foundation / Project Podium with Lyn St. James award and a three-time VMB Driver Development scholarship winner.
Haas took the opportunity to thank outgoing driver Chloe Chambers – who will be representing Red Bull Ford for 2025 – for her hard works across the season, which also includes her maiden victory in Barcelona Race 2.
I’m incredibly honoured to be joining the MoneyGram Haas F1 Team for the 2025 F1 ACADEMY season. Representing America’s F1 team is a dream come true, and I’m beyond grateful for this opportunity. Ever since I competed with the F1 ACADEMY at the Miami Grand Prix as a Wild Card entrant, it’s been a goal of mine to race full-time in the series. That experience gave me a taste of the challenge and devotion it will take to become a championship contender. Making the most of this incredible opportunity is my number one priority and together with MoneyGram Haas F1 Team, I feel I have the best chance for success. Crone on the news.
I’m delighted to welcome Courtney to the MoneyGram Haas F1 Team family. As F1 ACADEMY approaches the crescendo of its first season racing on the Formula 1 calendar, it’s been astonishing to see the increased interest and popularity of the category – that’s testament to the hard work put in by Susie Wolff and the F1 ACADEMY team to provide greater opportunities for female racers. Courtney is an ambitious and dedicated racer, something that when looking for an ambassador for our team was crucial. We’ll provide access, support, and opportunities to learn within a Formula 1 organization, and in turn, we look forward to seeing another F1 ACADEMY recruit thrive on the world’s stage. Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal of MoneyGram Haas F1 Team.
Rodin Motorsport have announced their first driver singing for the 2025 Formula 2 campaign, with Christian Mansell set to race for the team next year.
Mansell has enjoyed a stellar 2024 season in Formula 3, fighting for the title until the final round before ending up fifth in the Standings thanks to his five podiums.
The 19 year old then stepped up to F2 with Trident in Baku and scored points in both races on his debut weekend and is now currently set to see out the rest of the season with the Italian team in Lusail and Yas Marina.
The Australian driver will then return to Rodin full time in 2025, a team where he had previous success having achieved multiple race wins and podiums for them across the 2020 British F4 and 2021 GB3 Championships.
I am thrilled to be returning to Rodin Motorsport for the 2025 season. The team has always been supportive, and I am excited to build on our past successes together. I look forward to the challenges ahead and am ready to give my best on the track. Mansell on the news.
We are pleased to welcome Christian back to the team here at Rodin Motorsport. We’ve been impressed watching his step up to the Formula 2 championship and know how great he is to work with from our previous seasons together. I’m looking forward to seeing him get behind the wheel of the car in Abu Dhabi with us and getting our season underway. Benn Huntingford, Rodin Motorsport Team Manager.
F1 Academy has announced the calendar for the 2025 season featuring seven rounds in support of the FIA Formula One World Championship, and three new venues, including Las Vegas where the series will reach its finale.
The 2025 season will open in China, which joins the calendar for the first time, before returning to Jeddah and Miami. The iconic circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal joins the F1 Academy calendar for the first time to host Round 4, before the series takes to the sand dunes of Zandvoort and the streets of Singapore. The series will reach its conclusion on Las Vegas Strip Circuit as the first single seater support series to race on the streets.
The 2025 season will feature 14 races across seven rounds, and as part of the series’ commitment to offer extensive seat time the calendar will be supported by a comprehensive 15 day testing programme.
Since its launch in 2022, F1 Academy has seen significant growth and global interest, with the series broadcast in 160 territories and a docuseries set to be released on Netflix in 2025.
Canadian Grand Prix organisers are supporting Formula 1’s efforts to rationalise the race calendar and make it more sustainable by agreeing to host future editions of the event earlier than has been in recent years.
The race promoter, Octane Racing Group, along with key stakeholders from the Canadian Government, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, the City of Montreal, Tourism Quebec, Tourism Montreal and Parc Jean-Drapeau, were all involved in the process.
With renewed commitment and collaboration from the 2026 season, the Grand Prix is set to be scheduled on the third or fourth weekend of May each year, with all future Formula 1 calendars subject to confirmation by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council.
The move will allow the European leg of the F1 season to be consolidated into one consecutive period over Europe’s summer months and is planned to remove an additional transatlantic crossing by the F1 community each year.
The announcement builds upon the changes already made to the calendar by F1 in recent years to create a more rationalised schedule.
The Japanese Grand Prix is one which has moved to the spring to align with races in the Asia Pacific region, Azerbaijan has moved to the autumn as the championship turns east to Singapore and Qatar has moved to be closely aligned with Abu Dhabi at the end of the season.
I am incredibly grateful to the promoter and all of the government stakeholder partners involved in the Canadian Grand Prix, from the local, to the provincial and national government. We applaud the tremendous effort from all involved to accelerate the temporary build of the event, to be ready to host the Formula 1 community earlier than in the past. The change will make the future flow of our calendar not only more sustainable, but logistically more sensible for our teams and personnel. We applaud the tremendous effort from all involved to accelerate the temporary build of the event, to be ready to host the Formula 1 community earlier than in the past. Our Net Zero by 2030 commitment continues to be a priority for us as a sport and it is thanks to changes like this that we are on track to hitting our goal. Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1.
This change in the schedule is a major step in our commitment, as well as Formula 1’s, toward a more sustainable future. It demonstrates our desire to combine sporting performance and event organization with environmental responsibility. We are determined to offer our fans, our communities, and our loyal audience a unique and enriched experience, in addition to extending the summer season for Montreal. The date change thus fully integrates into the dynamic strategic vision put in place by our team, with the collaboration of our stakeholders, which is fully focused on delivering an amazing Canadian Grand Prix experience in a more sustainable and inclusive environment. Jean-Philippe Paradis, CEO of Octane Racing Group.
The first practice session of the new season saw plenty of action but it was Oliver Rowland and Norman Nato who made it a Nissan one-two result ahead of race day.
Jake Dennis also looked rapid in his Andretti to go third. It was an impressive session for NEOM McLaren newbie Taylor Barnard, who finished the session in fifth as he gets ready to embark on his first full-time season in Formula E.
Jaguar’s Nick Cassidy was the first driver out on track quickly followed by both Lola Yamaha ABT cars of di Grassi and rookie Maloney. The first time on the board was a 1m 13.951 from di Grassi but the benchmark was soon matched as drivers started to get familiar with the track and their new GEN3 Evo car.
Several drivers used the practice session to test the limits of their cars, with the likes of Envision’s Robin Frijns, Porsche’s Wehrlein and Jaguar’s Mitch Evans all going wide into Turn 1 early on in the session.
There was trouble for Andretti, as over 15 minutes into the session their new signing Nico Mueller made contact with the wall and was forced to limp back to the pit lane.
Oliver Rowland also had a brief scrape with the barriers, but emerged unscathed as he pushed his Nissan to the limits.
Frijns looked comfortable at the top of the timings for most of practice, but with seven minutes to go Mitch Evans went quickest. The times kept tumbling as the grid got to grips with the incredible all-wheel drive.
FP2-
Jake Dennis set the pace in the final Free Practice session in his Andretti, clocking in 1m 09.617s – the fastest time of the weekend so far. It was a clean but close 40 minute session, with the top 17 cars all separated by less than a second.
TAG Heuer Porsche’s Antonio Felix da Costa finished the session in second, with Nissan’s Oliver Rowland in third.
It was a clean first half of the session, with all of the grid heading out and getting laps in as they made the most of the final practice session before qualifying.
Reigning World Champion Wehrlein was the first driver to reach the 1m 09s. However it wasn’t long before his teammate Antonio Felix da Costa made it a Porsche one-two as he went two-tenths quicker to top the timesheets.
Nick Cassidy had a moment with the NEOM McLaren of Barnard, with the two going almost wheel to wheel into Turn 1 with six minutes left on the clock.
Sam Bird also had a big lock-up as he started one of his final laps. The Brit then radioed that he had a problem with the front right of GEN3 Evo, the same palace where he had the issues before.
Qualifying-
TAG Heuer Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein took the first Julius Baer Pole position of Season 11, with the reigning champion starting then GEN3 Evo era in the best way possible. He will line up alongside the Nissan of Oliver Rowland of Round 1 in Sao Paulo,
It wasn’t the best session for Jaguar TCS Racing, with none of their powertrains making it into the Duels and Mitch Evans having big problems early on. The Kiwi brought the session to a halt when he had a brake system warning in the group stages, and was forced to pull over and stop resulting in a red flag. He failed to set a time and will start at the back of the grid, with his teammate Nick Cassidy qualifying in 10th.
The full top 10 is – Pole: Wehrlein, P2: Rowland, P3: Dennis, P4: Gunther, P5: da Costa, P6: Nato, P7: Mortara, P8: Vergne, P9: Vandoorne and P10: Cassidy.
Round 1-
After a short delay with Robin Frijns’ Envision stranded on the grid, and the team informing him there was no time to power cycle, the field eventually reformed and flew away as the lights went out.
The Nissan of Oliver Rowland got the edge into Turn 1 on polesitter and reigning champion Wehrlein, with Max Guenther in the DS PENSKE squeezing by at Turn 2. The pack was three wide through the chicane midway around the lap and the major beneficiary on Lap 1 looked to be Mitch Evans – the Jaguar driver climbing seven spots from 22nd and last to 15th.
Cassidy, Vandoorne, di Grassi and Barnard too the opportunity to take the first of their two mandatory 50kW ATTACK MODE boosts, driving through the activation zone which in GEN3 Evo, also unlocks four-wheel drive.
Those that went early looked to be profiting, with Vandoorne climbing to third. On Lap 9, Guenther made the jump for his first boost with the Porsche pair following a lap later.
Cassidy led Dennis, ROwland, Evans, Guenther, Werhlein, da Costa, Buemi, Vandoorne and Vergne formed the top 10 on Lap 13, with energy remaining among each of them looking pretty even – except Rowland who was 1.6% up on the lead Jaguar. The Nissan driver hit the front again on Lap 14, bypassing Cassidy before taking a first two-minute ATTACK MODE on Lap 16.
Only two laps later, though the Porsches had worked their way in tandem to the front – Wehrlein refusing to yield to his teammate with both in ATTACK as the pair filtered through the first sector.
Rowland was the one to watch as the race headed into its final third, with six minutes of Attack Mode to make use of with the benefit worth more than two seconds a lap. It took him just half a lap to slice by both Porsche’s and retake the lead on Lap 22 down the pit straight.
Again, Rowland fired away to blast pass da Costa to retake the lead off the line on the restart to a 1.1 second lead on Lap 26 but a penalty of overpower hanging over the Nissan. Rowland had pulled a three-second lead but that penalty would come back to haunt him – a drive through penalty left Cassidy first and Evans second on Lap 30 of 35. However, Evans unreal journey from last on the gird was topped off as he fired to the front past his teammate into Turn 1.
A lap later, da Costa managed to spoilt the Jaguar party and split the pair but contact between Cassidy and Wehrlein on exit of Turn 2 left the champion’s car on its side and in the wall but thankfully okay – another Red Flag with six laps to run.
On the restart, Evans and da Costa led away a rolling start with the McLarens of Barnard and Bird next up – the former almost 4% up on energy to those around him.
The full top 10 are- P1: Evans, P2: da Costa, P3: Barnard, P4: Bird, P5: Mortarra, P6: De Vries, P7: Buemi, P8: Ticktum, P9: Vergne and P10: Vandoorne.
Formula 1 will continue to race around the streets of Monaco until 2031 inclusive, following a six year extension to the existing agreement.
Part of the first Formula 1 World Championship calendar back in 1950 and present since 1955, the Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most famous sporting events in the world and the ultimate test for F1 drivers with pure concentration and skill needed,
Located on the banks of the French Riveria, the field must navigate the scenic streets of Monte Carlo, tackling the slowest corner on the F1 circuit, the Loews Hairpin, and the iconic Casion Square and Swimming Pool sections.
Five of the current F1 grid sit alongside legends including Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher and Niki Lauda in having triumphed around the 3.3km circuit.
As F1 experiences significant growth around the world, the appeal of the Monaco Grand Prix continues to be felt. The 2024 weekend, was watched by a cumulative audience of over 70 million fans.
The 2025 Monaco Grand Prix will be taking place from May 23rd to 25th next year and will mark the 75th anniversary of the race’s official F1 debut, while from 2026, the event will be contested on the first full weekend in June each year.
I’m delighted that Formula 1 will continue to race in Monaco until 2031. The streets of Monte Carlo are unique and a famous part of Formula 1, and the Monaco Grand Prix remains a race that all drivers dream of winning. I would like to extend a special thanks to H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, Michel Boeri, President of the Automobile Club of Monaco and everyone involved in the extension of this important partnership. This agreement signals a new era of partnership and innovation between Formula 1 and Monaco. It is the future focused leadership of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco which will allow us to create an optimised calendar, which reduces pressure on logistics, and to decrease the environmental impact of our global championship, as we continue the path towards our Net Zero goal by 2030. Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.
I would particularly like to thank H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, Stefano Domenicali, and everyone involved in the extension of this contract. The signing of this new agreement with the Formula One Group until 2031 not only confirms the strength of our relationship but reaffirms our commitment to offering all visitors an unrivalled, first-class experience at race weekends. The Monaco Grand Prix is the most important sporting event here and continues to attract hundreds of thousands of spectators to the Principality and millions of global television viewers worldwide. Michel Boeri, President of the Automobile Club of Monaco.
FIA Formula 1 Race Director, Niels Wittich has left his role with immediate effect.
Wittich has been in the job since 2022, initially sharing it with Eduardo Freitas as dual replacements for Michael Masi before taking on the job full time in 2023.
But, the FIA announced Wittich had stepped down and will be replaced by Rui Marques he started from the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Marques has significant motorsport experience, having been a track marshall, scrutineer, national and international steward, Deputy Race Director and Race Director in various championships. Recently, he was Formula 2 and Formula 3’s Race Director.
The FIA can confirm that Niels Wittich has stepped down from his position as F1 Race Director to pursue new opportunities. Niels has fulfilled his numerous responsibilities as Race Director with professionalism and dedication. We thank him for his commitment and we wish him the best for the future. The FIA in a statement.
Alpine have secured a deal with Mercedes to run the German manufacturer’s power unit from 2026 until at least the end of 2030.
The deal also involves taking a supply of their gearbox from the start of 2026 – though sources say Alpine are planning on producing their own gearbox in-house at Enstone from 2027.
Last month, Alpine confirmed they will shut down their works engine programme at the end of next season as part of their ‘Hypertech’ transformation project.
The team had already been in talks with other manufacturers about a customer engine supply, with Mercedes emerging as the team to strike a deal first.
Alpine will continue to manufacturer their own power units through the 2025 campaign before switching in 2026, when new power unit rules come in to play – that feature a greater focus on the battery and use of 100% sustainable fuels.
Alpine secured their biggest points haul of the season with a remarkable double podium finish last time out in Brazil. Which catapulted them up three places to sixth in the constructors’ championship with three Grands Prix to go.
The multi-year agreement will see Mercedes-Benz supply Alpine with Power Units for the duration of the new regulations era, from 2026 until at least 2030. Alongside the Power Unit, Alpine will also be supplied with Mercedes gearboxes from the 2026 season. The team remains focused on performing in the strongest way possible in the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Alpine’s statement.
Lando Norris has brought the 2024 season to a close in style by winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in dominant form, the Brit put in an assured drive to claim victory and also help McLaren to clinch their first constructors’ championship since 1988.
It was a strong start to the race for pole-sitter Norris amid chaos behind him with Verstappen and Piastri making contact in a battle for second, which saw the four time champion receive a penalty and Piastri drop down the order.
And while various other fights played out across the field – which saw a solid performance from McLaren’s title rivals Ferrari – Norris kept a cool head up front to triumph, taking the chequered flag by five seconds from former team mate Carlos Sainz, which confirmed that the constructors’ crown has gone to the papaya squad.
The full top 10 are- P1: Norris, P2: Sainz, P3: Leclerc, P4: Hamilton, P5: Russell, P6: Verstappen, P7: Gasly, P8: Hulkenberg, P9: Alonso and P10: Piastri.
WOW, what a result for Mr Lando Norris, a very dominant drive to the chequered flag, and what a way to end the season! It confirmed that McLaren is officially the Constructors’ Champions after a very long wait to be number one again! And I have to say I believe the best team one, the most consistent with BOTH drivers always wanting to score as many points as possible and the strategy has nine times out of ten always been perfect – so in my eyes it’s fully deserved!
A very good result for Ferrari, a double podium to close out the season, just falling short of the Constructors’ however, they should still be proud of what they’ve achieved this year as it’s not an easy thing to compete for. Obviously the race meant it was Carlos Sainz last race in Red and what a few years it’s been with the Spanish driver, 4 wins, 6 poles and 25 podiums all in four years!
Now onto Mercedes, what a recovery drive for Sir Lewis Hamilton, P4! Now that’s a Champions drive coming from the back to P4, it was a shame he just missed out on a podium however he’d be proud of what he done. It was his last race in Mercedes and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t emotional because I am… It’s sad to see such an iconic partnership part ways after so long however all good things just come to an end and I can’t wait to see Hamilton in red! As for George, its been a pretty decent season, he ended the race in 5th – obviously the car has been a bit temperamental this season so I think if they iron out a few problems, next year they will be battling for more wins, podiums, poles etc!
A bit of a meh result for Verstappen, P6, it definitely could’ve been better but with penalties and faster cars you’ve gotta pick and choose your battles wisely and he had already secured the Drivers’ championship. As for his teammate, was this his last race in Red Bull colours? Sergio Perez suffered a spin on lap 1 following contact with Bottas and could no longer continue. It’s definitely been a shocker of a season for the Mexican driver and his had a big part to play in with Red Bull not retaining their Constructors’ crown and finishing third overall!
A decent result for Gasly, P7! That result secure Alpine P6 in the Constructors’ championship after a long and hard season for the team. Doohan had a decent race with the team, he did finish 15th but he stayed out of trouble and got some mileage under his belt before his first season in F1 next year.
It feels incredible, not for myself but for the whole team. The team have done an amazing job this year to come from where we were at the beginning. I’m so proud of everyone – it’s been a lovely journey, and to end the season like this is perfect, so just a congrats and big thank you to everyone in McLaren, everyone in papaya, everyone who supported us this year because it’s been a tough one. For us to win a constructors’ after 26 years is pretty special. Norris on the win.
Now the race is over, there’s still cars returning to the Yas Marina Circuit next week for post-season testing on December 10th.
Jordan's Track Talk 