Abbi Pulling is returning for her sophomore F1 Academy season next year, with Alpine announcing that their Academy driver will be continuing to race with Rodin Carlin.
In the series’ inaugural season, Pulling brought home seven podiums, two pole positions and four fastest laps on her way to finish fifth in the Standings.
The Alpine Junior’s single seater career began in 2018, before going on to secure sixth in British F4 in her debut campaign two years later. From there, she entered W Series midway through the 2021 campaign and returned for a full season the following year. She went on to finish fourth in the Standings with two podium finishes, she went on to become a full Alpine Academy member in 2023.
I am very grateful to be coming back for another year as an Alpine Academy driver, and I am honoured that BWT Alpine F1 Team are entrusting me as their driver selection for the 2024 F1 Academy season. This will be my third season in the team’s driver development programme, it’s amazing to be a part of the Alpine Racing family and have such incredible access and support from a Formula 1 team. I am looking forward to competing in the F1 Academy series for a second season and to be racing with Rodin Carlin again. I’m hoping to have a successful year and bring in some good results for the team. I am excited to head into another season of racing on the Formula 1 support bill, the atmosphere is going to be incredible.
Pulling on the news.
We are pleased to announce Abbi as our BWT Alpine F1 Team driver selection for F1 Academy’s 2024 season. This will be her third season as a member of the Alpine Racing family as an Alpine Academy driver, and she has shown some great progress over the course of her time with the team, both on and off the track. She is a fantastic example of how the Academy programme aims to help develop our drivers and support them in the progression of their career, both as drivers and as people. She will be competing in F1 Academy for a second consecutive season and will be supported by the Academy programme and wider BWT Alpine F1 Team throughout her campaign.
HiTech Pulse-Eight have retained Luke Browning for the 2024 Formula 3 campaign, announcing that the Williams Academy driver will spend his second season in the Championship with them.
2024 will be Browning’s third year in the Hitech fold, having achieved the GB3 Championship title with them in 2022. Earning his promotion to F3 this year, the Brit went on to score one podium finish in the Barcelona Sprint Race, overall he finished 15th in the Standings. Alongside this, Browning stormed to a lights to flag victory in the Macau Grand Prix last month.
Browning’s racing career began in saloon cars in 2019, before joining the British F4 grid in 2019. His follow up season included seven wins, 16 podiums and six pole positions to bring home the title. He then went on to finish third in the ADAC Formula 4 Championship the next year, in addition to three-race appearances in Italian F4 and GB3 Championship.
Completing a full campaign in GB3, Browning was crowned Champion with five victories and 13 podiums to his name. Not only this, he went on to win the BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award, completing his prize in an F1 car with Aston Martin and followed that up by earning a spot in the Williams Driver Academy this year.
I am super excited to announce I’ll be joining the grid with Hitech Pulse-Eight for the 2024 Formula 3 season. I have an abundance of faith in the team around me, with the things we learned throughout the season last year I believe we will be able to build on our skills and ability to execute which we showed a glimmer of most recently in Macau. This Championship will never be easy with the standard of drivers but also with just the nature of the Championship. However, having visited all of the tracks we’re going to next year once before, I believe puts us in a great position to score points in every race weekend going forward. I’m super grateful to Williams Racing and Hitech Pulse-Eight for their support going into the new season. Consistently delivering is the goal, and one I look forward to achieving next year.
Browning on the news.
We are delighted to have Luke racing with the team again in his second season of FIA Formula 3. We are confident in his ability to fight for wins and come away with a consistent set of results. Following our win in Macau together last month, we are eager to be fighting upfront from the get-go when the 2024 season commences in February.
Van Amersfoort Racing have announced that race winner Enzo Fittipaldi will be joining the Dutch team for the 2024 Formula 2 season.
Having already gotten behind the wheel for VAR at the Yas Marina post-season test, the Red Bull Junior driver says he’s hugely looking forward to the next chapter in his career as he prepares to put his experience to good use when adapting to the new F2 cars.
After making his racing debut in 2016, Fittipaldi went on to secure the 2018 Italian F4 title in his second campaign, in addition to third in the ADAC F4 Championship. Stepping up to the Formula Regional European Championship the following year, he brought home two wins and 13 podiums on his way to second in the Standings.
Two campaigns in Formula 3 followed in 2020 and 2021, where the Brazilian driver achieved his first podium finish in Budapest Race 2. This helped Fittipaldi earn a mid-season Formula 2 call up in 2021 with Charouz Racing System. Returning for a full campaign the following year, he became one of the standouts of the season, grabbing six podium finishes to claim eighth in the Drivers’ Championship.
This season, he added to that tally, triumphing in the Sprint Race at Spa-Francorchamps for his maiden victory. Securing a further four podium finishes with Rodin Carlin, Fittipaldi went on to finish seventh in the Drivers’ Standings.
I am very excited to be a part of Van Amersfoort Racing. The team and I had a positive first experience working together during the F2 post-season test in Abu Dhabi last week. Right now, I am looking forward to next season, which will be a new challenge for all. Racing in the new 2024 F2 cars will be exciting, and I am confident that the team and I will have a great season together.
Fittipaldi on the news.
During the F2 post-season test, we have experienced that Enzo is a great character to work with. He is a great fit for our team, and his experience in F2 will be beneficial as we head into a new era of Formula 2. We’re thrilled to have him on board and look forward to the upcoming season together.
Reigning ABB FIA Formula E World Champion Jake Dennis has secured a multi-year contract extension to continue racing for Andretti Formula E through Season 11 and beyond.
Back for his fourth season in Formula E, Dennis will be the driver with the target on his back in Season 10 and the #1 on his Andretti after a record-breaking year that saw the British Driver score two wins, 11 podiums and two Julius Baer Pole Positions on his way to being number 1.
Dennis first made his debut in Formula E with Andretti in 2021, ahead of Season 7, quickly showcasing his skills with two victories and challenging for the title in what was one of the most successful rookie seasons to date.
In addition to his Formula E success, Dennis serves as a development driver for the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team and is also a BMW Factory driver.
I began my Formula E journey with Andretti, and I’m excited to continue working with the team that has supported my career in this series. I’ve got immense respect for this team, and it will be an honour to continue as a driver for Andretti Global. The GEN3 era is an exciting time for us with the relationship with Porsche supplying the powertrain, which I won the championship with last season. I’m super motivated for next year and feel certain that with the dedication, teamwork and investment I’ve seen over the past three years in the team that we’ll be able to fight for more wins and success in the future.
Dennis on the news.
Jake has played a pivotal role in our Formula E team’s recent success. Securing Jake’s commitment underlines our shared vision for consistently competing for victories and championships, and we are confident that this extension will further strengthen our position on the global stage. We look forward to breaking more records and achieving new milestones together in the seasons ahead.
Andretti Global CEO and Chairman, Michael Andretti.
We are super excited to be able to announce the multi-year extension of Jake’s contract. Jake has been an integral part of the Andretti Formula E team for three seasons now and has proven time after time that he is one of the most competitive and talented drivers on the Formula E grid. His dedication, commitment and focus has been one of the key components contributing to the ongoing success of our Formula E program and we are all excited for what’s to come in the seasons ahead!
The next phase of progress and evolution of Formula E came one step closer as the FIA confirmed the choice of suppliers for the Gen4 race car, which is due to debut in Season 13 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in 2026/27.
While Formula E is only nine seasons old, the on-track technology is ever-evolving and has undergone revolutionary changes in that short spell. We’ve come a long way since we made our debut back in 2014.
Informed by the boundary-pushing GENBETA and the pioneering Gen3, the next evolution for Formula E is set to be GEN 3.5, which will hit the track in Seasons 11 and 12.
Activation of the front powertrain in drive and use of four-wheel drive in certain scenarios, softer compound, ultimately quicker tyres and bodywork/aero tweaks are all on the table as possibilities, with lap times projected to be several seconds faster than is currently possible with Gen3 as it stands.
Beyond that, Gen4 will bring the next major leap for the series, ensuring Formula E remains at the bleeding edge of world championship electric motorsport.
Gen4 will be a net zero race car by design, like its predecessor but the boundaries of what is possible in this space are to be pushed yet.
Chassis: Spark Racing Technology will continue to supply the chassis’ to Formula E, as it has done since our inception.
Batteries: Podium AT – an Italian company with success across a variety of motorsport projects, will step up to become an FIA World Championship single supplier for the first time.
Front powertrain: Marelli – extending the Italian brand’s longstanding working relationship with the FIA.
Tyres: Bridgestone – marking the manufacturer’s return to an FIA World Championship for the first time in a decade and a half.
Formula 1 has announced the six venues that will host F1 Sprint events during the 2024 season.
F1’s Sprint Calendar is designed to feature circuits which encourage overtaking and make for closer and entertaining racing.
Since its introduction in 2021, the Sprint format has had a positive impact on audience figures, especially on a Friday compared to the normal regular practice sessions, and has also provided promoters and fans with extra competitive on-track action at the six events.
Brazil is set to host its fourth Sprint weekend, with Austria to host its third, Austin and Qatar return for a second year and China and Miami join the line-up for the first time.
During discussions at the F1 Commission meeting in November, there was overall support for an update to the Sprint Format for 2024 to further rationalise the weekend by separating Sprint activities from those for the Grand Prix.
The Sporting Advisory Committee will work through specific details, particularly regarding timing and parc ferme regulations, for a final proposal to be presented to the F1 Commission for the first meeting of 2024. Following that meeting, any potential changes to the Sprint format will be announced.
I am delighted to announce six exciting venues for next season’s F1 Sprint events, including two new hosts China and Miami, both of which will be fantastic additions and provide great racing for all our fans at the race and watching at home. Since its creation in 2021, the Sprint has been consistent in delivering increased audiences on TV, more on track entertainment for the fans at events and increased fan engagement on social and digital platforms, and we are looking forward to the exciting events next year.
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.
I’m pleased to confirm the six Sprint events for next season and am looking forward to the return of four host venues that have provided some thrilling action in the Sprints this year. The addition of Shanghai will be a challenge for the teams and drivers as Formula 1 heads back to China for the first time since 2019, while a Sprint in Miami will add a new dimension to an enthralling weekend. We must continuously develop and adapt to ensure we are doing what is best for the sport, and as such we are working with FOM and the teams to define the future direction of the Sprint format.
Oliver Goethe will be back for a second FIA Formula 3 campaign with Campos Racing. The Red Bull Junior is the first of the Spanish outfit’s three drivers confirmed for the 2024 season.
The 19 year old makes the switch from Trident, with whom he finished eighth in the Drivers’ Championship this year. He earned his maiden victory in the Silverstone Feature Race, alongside a podium finish in the opening Feature Race in Sakhir.
Goethe’s single-seater career kicked off in 2019 when he made a one round appearance in the Spanish F4 Championship. Returning for a full season the next year, he earned one wins and six podiums on his way to fifth in the Standings.
From there, he went on to compete in the 2021 Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine. After racing in the Formula Regional Asian Championship at the start of 2022, Goethe triumphed in the Euroformula Open Championship, achieving 11 wins and a further seven podiums on his way to the title.
That same year, the German-Danish driver made his Formula 3 debut with Campos securing a best result of fourth across his four race appearances. He reunited with the Spanish team during post-season testing this year and went on to go fastest on Day 1 in Jerez and Day 2 in Barcelona, before finishing ninth in the Macau Grand Prix last month.
I am excited to be back with Campos Racing for a full season! They helped to make my entrance to FIA F3 as smooth as possible back in 2022. This year we completed a successful post-season testing programme and the Macau GP together which makes me feel positive about what’s coming next. My goal is to fight for wins and podiums from the start and be consistent. That’s what matters the most in this Championship.
Goethe on the news.
Ollie made his debut in the series with us and he is now further stronger and experienced as already seen in Macau making an amazing recovery drive in such difficult urban circuit. Hopefully we have an exciting, successful campaign ahead together.
Trident have confirmed that Leonardo Fornaroli will be sticking with the team for his second FIA Formula 3 season in 2024.
The Italian driver finished the 2023 season 11th in the Drivers’ Championship where he took one pole position and three podiums in his rookie year.
When Fornaroli arrived in F3 he had plenty of seasons-worth of single-seater experience under his belt. He achieved a top 10 finish in each of his first three years in car racing, ending ninth in Italian F4 in 2020 before following that up with P5 in 2021 before finishing the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine eighth in 2022.
Ahead of his 2024 campaign with Trident, Fornaroli said he was very excited to be continuing his F3 career with the team.
I am obviously very excited to be staying with Trident Motorsport for another season. This team became like a family for me where I could find the highest culture of motorsport. This is a great slot for me because Trident Motorsport has shown many times that it is one of the best places for a young driver to be in FIA Formula 3, and I intend to make the most of this opportunity while doing the best possible job for the team.
Fornaroli on the news.
We are delighted to confirm Leonardo Fornaroli in our FIA Formula 3 Championship lineup. For the Piacenza-born driver, it will be the third season with us and the confirmation of a positive collaboration that will have increasingly ambitious goals. In the past season, Fornaroli has been one of the best rookies of the series. He delivered a solid performance and consistent growth. The goal for him will be to raise the level and compete at the top of the series.
Logan Sargeant will keep his spot at Williams in 2024, the Grove outfit have announced, with the American driver earning an extension following his rookie season.
Sargeant stepped up to F1 as a race winner in Formula 4, Formula 3 and Formula 2, where he placed fourth in the 2022 standings behind Red-Bull backed Liam Lawson, Sauber’s Theo Pourchaire and Aston Martin reserve, Felipe Drugovich.
While his first campaign in the top echelon brought several incidents and plenty of scrutiny, the 22 year old made gains as the year went by, this was enough that Williams ultimately decided to keep faith and retain him alongside the already-confirmed Alex Albon.
Sargeant claimed one point over the course of the 2023 season, combined with the 27 points scored by team mate Albon, was enough for Williams to rise from the bottom of the F1 Constructors’ standings to seventh position.
Williams confirmation stated that Sargeant had “demonstrated the fundamental speed required to perform at the highest level, building on these foundations race by race”.
I am thrilled to be continuing with Williams Racing for the 2024 season. It has been an incredible journey with the team so far, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue developing as a driver within such a talented and dedicated group. We have exciting plans for the future, and I can’t wait to contribute to the team’s success in the coming year.
Sargeant on the news.
I am pleased to continue our journey with Logan into the 2024 season. Logan has demonstrated immense skill whilst under the pressure of the world stage, making him a perfect fit for our team. We have great confidence in his abilities and believe that together we can achieve even greater success in the upcoming season.
McLaren has announced that Stephanie Carlin is to join the team as it’s Formula 1 Business Operations Director next year.
Carlin who was team principal of Rodin Carlin’s Formula 3 and F1 Academy Teams as well as fulfilling a similar role at Team X44 in Extreme E, will oversee a range of activities in support of McLaren’s F1 operations.
Her position will also include involvement in McLaren’s participation in the 2024 F1 Academy season. She starts in January will report directly to McLaren team principal Andrea Stella.
Carlin is very well known within international motor racing circles, having operated across many different championship’s before moving into a senior management role.
Having originally worked in press and marketing, in 2011 she became commercial manager at Carlin, which was run by husband Trevor. The in May 2022, she stepped up to the overall deputy team principal role, and took specific responsibility for running the squad’s efforts in multiple series’.
Throughout last year, the team participated in British F4, FIA F3 and FIA F2, along with British GB3 and raced in F1 Academy and Spanish F4 for the first time.
Carlin is one of the most successful racing teams outside of F1, having claimed over 470 race victories and 30 titles since 1999 across F4, F3, F2, Indy Lights, IndyCar, ELMS and Asian Le Mans Series. Not only this, but the team has helped promote more than 30 drivers to F1.
Hitech Pulse-Eight have become the latest Formula 2 team to finalise their driver line-up for 2024, announcing that Paul Aron and Amaury Cordeel will race for them next season.
Cordeel joins the team for what will be his third season in FIA Formula 2, having completed this season with Invicta Virtuosi Racing.
He is aiming to make another step forward with the team in 2024 having achieved multiple points finishes once again at the tail end of the season.
Aron will be making the step up to the Formula 2 Championship full time after competing in his maiden F3 season in 2023. The Estonian finished third in the Drivers’ Standings, picking up one race victory and four podium finishes, before making his F2 debut at the season finale in Yas Marina.
The 19 year old has achieved multiple top three finishes on his way up the junior categories, finishing third overall in Italian F4, Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine and FIA F3 so far in his career.
I’m really pleased to be joining Hitech in F2 for 2024. It will be a really important step in my career, coming off a strong rookie season in F3 where I took third overall. I’m looking forward to developing my skills with the Hitech team and I am confident we can hit the ground running next year.
Aron on the move.
I am excited to be staying in Formula 2 for another season, this time joining Hitech on the grid. I’m ready to take on the challenge and write the next chapter of my racing journey with this incredible team. I am so grateful for the opportunity and look forward to the start of the new season in February.
Cordeel on the news.
As a team we are enthusiastic to work with our 2024 FIA F2 drivers, Amaury Cordeel and Paul Aron. Amaury has 2 years’ worth of experience in FIA F2. Showing a rise in performance in recent rounds we hope to build on this in post season testing and into next season. Paul has proved himself to be a championship contender last year in FIA F3, and the previous 2 years in FRECA. We are eager to see them both working with the team, performing on track and fighting for victories.
Porsche motorsport legend, Andre Lotterer and David Beckmann will support TAG Heuer Porsche as its Test and Reserve Drivers for the 2023/24 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
With Lotterer, Porsche celebrated a successful Formula E debut in November 2019, when he took second place with the Porsche 99X electric at the opening round in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.
After a season competing for the new Porsche customer team Avalanche Andretti, the three time Le Mans winner’s main priority in 2024 will be the FIA Endurance World Championship with the Porsche Penske Motorsport team.
For Beckmann, Season 10 will be his second as a test and reserve driver for the Porsche works team in Formula E.
He turned his first laps on the racetrack with the Porsche 99X Electric in Calafat, Spain in autumn 2022 and took part in the official Rookie Test in sprint 2023 as part of the Berlin E-Prix weekend. As a reserve driver for the Porsche customer team, Avalanche Andretti, he celebrated his Formula E race debut in June at the double-header in Jakarta.
Next season, our team will benefit from André’s wealth of Formula E experience. With David, we also have a young driver that we know well. He can also support us with the skill and experience he gained with our Porsche 99X Electric.
Florian Modlinger, TAG Heuer Porsche’s Director of Factory Motorsport.
After 26 years in single-seater racing, I have decided to close this chapter of my career and concentrate on the challenge of winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship with the Porsche 963. At the same time, I’m excited to continue supporting Porsche with my Formula E experience.
Lotterer on the news.
I’m looking forward to continuing my work with Porsche and supporting the team in this challenging and diverse racing series. It’s a great job. I can better familiarise myself with the Porsche 99X Electric and gain crucial experience for further career steps in Formula E.
The unmissable German round on the calendar is getting a big shake up for the new season, with a new layout and a new test to tackle at Tempelhof from the 11th to 12th May 2024.
Berlin has been the only location to have featured every season on the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship Calendar, soon entering its 10th season.
Aside from a street circuit in the country’s capital, used in Season 2, the all-electric championship has raced around the iconic Tempelhof Airport on 17 occasions, on a variety of layouts. As well as being host to the Berlin E-Prix, the venue became a unique destination for the championship when it held six races during nine days over the pandemic at the end of Season 6.
The most recent layout used in 2023 was a 2.355km track that generated an incredible 362 overtakes over the two days of racing – including eight different race leaders which was a new record for Formula E. But things, are now becoming bigger and better, with a longer circuit and even more corners for this new season.
Over the two days of action, Formula E will be racing on the modified 2.585km layout with 15 stunning corners and several longer straights. The changes have been brought in as a result of development work at the Tempelhof Airport, with Formula E’s track designers seizing the opportunity to create a new layout for the circuit.
The circuit is already a challenge for the drivers due to the abrasive track surface, meaning they really have to nurse their tyres on the asphalt.
The new Berlin Tempelhof layout retains all the soul of the old circuit, while presenting new challenges for drivers and teams – putting skill behind the wheel as well as efficiency and energy consumption truly to the test. The combination of fast, medium and slow-speed corners will give rise to a number of different set-up choices, handing the advantage to different drivers in different parts of the lap, while two major overtaking zones mean exciting races are guaranteed!
Pablo Martino, Formula E Head of Sporting Matters, FIA.
In the history of Formula E, the Berlin E-Prix and its iconic location at Tempelhof Airport has always been a great and firm asset to our championship. In the history of Formula E, the Berlin E-Prix and its iconic location at Tempelhof Airport has always been a great and firm asset to our championship. As always, on the sporting event preparation and delivery, Formula E will continue to be supported by the DMSB and the professional sporting club ADAC, which we take the opportunity to thank for their loyalty and affection to our electric series.
Rodin Carlin have finalised their driver lineup for the 2024 Formula 2 campaign, with Zane Maloney returning to the British outfit for a second season, joined by Japanese driver Ritomo Miyata.
Maloney joined the F2 team after finishing the 2022 Formula 3 campaign third overall, having put on a late season charge up the Standings. In 2023, the Bajan driver secured 10th in the Drivers’ Championship, earning four podium finishes across the season.
For Miyata, 2024 will be his first taste of F2 action, switching from Super Formula to join the British outfit. Miyata was Champion in Super Formula this season, taking two race victories and six podium finishes in his crowning campaign.
Alongside his Super Formula success, Miyata also claimed the Super GT title in 2023, with three race wins and four podiums.
I’m really pleased to be remaining with the team for the 2024 season. I feel as though I’ve learned so much this year on track and I really believe we’re in a good place to hit the ground running next year. I’ve been with the team for three out of my five years in single seaters so it’s like a family here; I’m looking forward to continuing that relationship and going for the championship together in 2024.
Maloney on the news.
I’m excited to join Rodin Carlin and participate in FIA F2 for the 2024 season. Rodin Carlin has lots of experience and have achieved great things in the series. For me, it is my first time driving a Formula 2 car and the tracks on the calendar, so I have a lot to learn but I’m really looking forward to working with the team. I would like to thank Morizo-san, TGR staff, all the partners and Rodin Carlin who created this opportunity and supported me to race in FIA F2 this season. I will do my best to meet everyone’s expectations.
Campos Racing have confirmed Isack Hadjar and Josep Maria Marti as their driver line-up for the 2024 Formula 2 campaign.
Hadjar joins Campos for his second F2 campaign after completing his rookie season with Hitech Pulse-Eight. The Red Bull Junior driver secured a maiden podium result in 2023, finishing the Spielberg Sprint Race in third position.
For Marti, 2023 will be his rookie campaign and fourth consecutive season in Campos Racing colours, The Spaniard has raced with the team every year since he began racing in single seaters, most recently achieving three race victories en route to fifth overall in the 2023 F3 Drivers’ Standings.
Marti said that the latest step up in his career was made all the more special as he continued his journey with Campos in F2.
I am really looking forward to start working with the team. I now have a year of experience in the F2 championship and with the potential of the Campos team, we will reach the top!
Hadjar on the news.
It’s a dream come true to jump into a Formula 2, it’s another step in my journey and learning to reach Formula 1 in the future. As well with Campos Racing, the team which I’ve been with through all my single seater career, it’s a very special opportunity to test here at Abu Dhabi and I’m looking forward to learning quickly and enjoying every lap! Thanks to the team, my parents and the Red Bull Junior Team for making it happen, see you on Wednesday!
Marti on the news moving up.
We are proud to have a driver line-up consisting of two Red Bull junior drivers for the 2024 FIA Formula 2 season. Isack and Pepe are two very young pilots but their skills and talent allow them to make rapid progress in every category. It will be a huge pleasure to work together and we will give our maximum to achieve the best possible results. I have no doubts that 2024 promises to be an exciting season for Campos Racing. The next season has already begun for us. Let’s rock!
Jak Crawford will be returning for a second Formula 2 campaign next year, partnering up with DAMS for the 2024 season.
The 18 year old became an F2 race winner in his rookie year, taking the Spielberg Sprint Race victory for Hitech Pulse-Eight. He went on to finish 13th in the Drivers’ Standings with a further four podium finishes and a pole position to his name.
Crawford’s single-seater career began in 2018 when the American driver finished second in the NACAM Formula 4 Championship. From there, he moved over to racing in Europe, claiming five wins and further seven podiums on his way to second in the 2020 ADAC Formula 4 Championship, alongside sixth in Italian F4.
Graduating to Formula 3 in 2021 with Hitech, he earned his maiden podium in Spa. At the same time, he achieved third in Euroformula Open, despite only racing in 16 out of the 24 races.
Returning for a second campaign the following year with Prema Racing, Crawford kept himself in title contention until the final round, eventually finishing seventh overall with one win and four more podiums before stepping up to F2 this season.
I’m very excited to be joining DAMS for 2024. I believe the team is the best place for me to be for the coming season to get the most out of myself as a driver in my second season of Formula 2. I’ve been impressed by the work ethic and achievements of the squad. I believe that together, we can achieve strong results in next year’s campaign. Our goal for next year is to make the absolute most of every race weekend. I’m looking forward to joining up with DAMS in the post-season test to begin working with them ahead of next season.
Crawford on the news.
We’re delighted to have such a young talent in Jak driving for us in next season. He has already demonstrated his ability and dedication throughout his career, and showed he is ready to compete at the front in F2 with his victory and podiums this year. We’re excited to work with him during post-season testing at Abu Dhabi and to deliver a strong 2024 campaign together.
Invicta Virtuosi Racing have confirmed their line-up for the 2024 Formula 2 season with Alpine junior Kush Maini and 2023 Formula 3 Champion, Gabriel Bortoleto joining the team.
The Indian driver competed this year with Campos Racing in what was his rookie campaign. He achieved 12 points finishes and a podium in the Melbourne Sprint Race during an impressive season.
Starting out in single seaters in Italian F4 in 2016, Maini claimed podium finishes in the series before moving up to British F3 where he finished third and second overall in 2018 and 2020 respectively. He moved up to F3 in 2022 and finished 14th before graduating to Formula 2 this year and impressing in his first full season.
Bortoleto became the first Brazilian to win the F3 title, where he took two feature race wins and a further four podiums en route to the Championship. He failed to score on just three occasions during the ’23 season, achieving an unmatched level of consistency with 15 scoring results from a possible 18.
Prior to winning the F3 title, the 19 year old achieved wins in Italian F4 and Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine between 2020 and 2022 before his move to F3.
I am very excited to announce that in the 2024 season, I will be competing with Invicta Virtuosi Racing in FIA Formula 2. They have a winning history, having secured the runner-up position in the team championship three times, and together, our goal will be to aim for the best positions for the team. In 2023, they achieved pole positions and victories, and I hope to build a strong and consistent story with them throughout the year. We will have a new car in the championship, and our first challenge will be to adapt quickly and efficiently to start the year on a high note. I am coming from a season of significant personal growth, culminating in the FIA F3 title. I hope to continue this process of evolution as a driver in 2024 and naturally become a victorious driver in the next stages of my career.
Bortoleto on moving up.
I’m super excited and grateful to be joining Invicta Virtuosi Racing for the 2024 FIA Formula 2 championship. They have a great pedigree in Formula 2 and, prior to that, in GP2, and I am looking forward to growing further as a racing driver with the team. A massive thank you to Invicta Virtuosi for putting their trust in me and to the Alpine Academy and my management team for their support. I’ll do my best to hopefully bring many trophies back to the workshop.
Maini on the switch.
We’re delighted to have Gabriel Bortoleto joining us for his debut season in Formula 2. His consistency throughout his rookie campaign in Formula 3 impressed everyone and earned him a convincing and thoroughly deserved championship victory. This was acknowledged by the world of F1 as he became a McLaren Development Driver. Gabriel has visited us at our base in Norfolk and kept in touch since his signing. He’s left a good impression on everyone here and has quickly become part of the team. We were impressed by his adaptation to Formula 3 and, like everyone, are excited to see what he can do in 2024 as he continues to hone and add to his already admirable skillset. Kush has had a solid debut season in Formula 2. He got up to speed immediately and was able to produce good results in 2023. We’ve already spent considerable time with Kush since he first signed for the team and his mentality and approach align well with ours. He has shown dedication and an impressive work effort, and we look forward to helping him add to his F2 podium tally as he continues to improve as a racing driver. He joins Gabriel Bortoleto at the team for 2024, and we are expecting to achieve big things with such a strong duo at the wheel.
McLaren have opted for continuity and stability by extending their deal to run Mercedes power units until 2030.
The British team have run Mercedes power since 2021 and previously between 1995 and 2014 – and already had an arrangement that run until 2025.
However, with new power unit regulations – with an enhanced focus on electrical power looming in 2026, McLaren and Mercedes have moved to get a deal done quickly.
After returning to Mercedes following a disappointing partnership with Honda, followed by three seasons of Renault power, McLaren have since won the 2021 Italian Grand Prix – the most recent win for any customer team in F1.
They have also had 15 podiums in that period, plus pole at the F1 Sprint in Brazil and pole and a victory in the F1 Sprint in Qatar earlier this year – and they have emerged as the second-fastest team on pure pace behind Red Bull in the second half of this season.
Mercedes-Benz have been a brilliant and reliable partner of the McLaren Formula 1 team. The extension signifies the confidence that our shareholders and the wider team have in their powertrains and the direction we’re taking with them into the new era of regulations ahead. We have been successful together, both in the last three seasons and when they previously powered the team, so we look forward to the success to come as we continue our journey to fight consistently at the front of the grid.
Zak Brown, McLaren Racing CEO.
We are pleased to confirm a long-term renewal of our power unit deal with Mercedes-Benz into the new era of regulations. We have great confidence in Mercedes and our relationship with them. They’ve supported our journey back to the front of the grid so far, and the security and stability this partnership brings is vital in ensuring we remain on this upward trajectory. I would like to thank them for their collaboration so far and we look forward to the years to come.
Andrea Stella, McLaren Team Principal.
It has been a cornerstone of our motorsport strategy to work with strong customer teams. This has many advantages. It gives a clear competitive benchmark, accelerates our technical learning, and strengthens the overall F1 business case for Mercedes-Benz. McLaren have been fierce and fair competitors since 2021, especially in the second half of this season. McLaren’s strong performances underline the importance of transparent and equal supply to all customer teams in the sport, if we wish to achieve the goal of 10 teams capable of fighting for podium finishes.
Tina Hausmann has become the third driver announced for the 2024 F1 Academy season, as Aston Martin have revealed that the Swiss racer will representing them in the all-female series next year, competing for PREMA Racing.
Hausmann, first began karting aged seven, going on to compete in the Swiss Rotax Mini and finishing fourth in the OK-Junior series before progressing to Germany’s DKM and ADAC Masters Championships.
This season saw her graduate to single seaters, earning a podium on her debut weekend in the Formula Winter Series and going on to finish 10th in the Standings. Furthermore, she claimed overall victory in the Italian F4 Championship’s female category.
Additionally, Aston Martin Driver Ambassador Jessica Hawkins is expanding her role with the team, becoming their Head of Racing for F1 Academy. In September, Hawkins became the first woman to drive a modern F1 car in almost five years.
As part of her new role, Hawkins will be working closely with Hausmann to provide mentorship and support both on and off the track.
F1 Academy is an incredible opportunity for me; it’s an amazing series that I’m proud to be a part of. I know I’ll learn so much that will really help me as a driver, including the experience I’ll gain from racing at seven new tracks in front of big crowds. It’s going to be a whole new world, but I’m so excited to get started. Representing the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team in the series is a huge honour. My first day at the AMR Technology Campus showed me just what an incredible team it is. I am already so comfortable there and can feel everybody’s full support. Having Jessica Hawkins as a mentor is a real benefit, too; she has so much valuable advice to share. Inspiring the next generation of female drivers is something that’s incredibly important to us both. I’m also very proud to be competing with PREMA Racing. PREMA is a team that every young driver hopes to race for – they’re the best at what they do – and I know that they’ll help me develop as I continue in my motorsport career. There is so much to look forward to, and I want to thank everybody who has made it possible.
Hausmann on the news.
We are extremely delighted to move one step closer to the 2024 season by announcing Tina as a driver for the upcoming series. She showed great promise moving her first steps in Formula 4, and we are convinced that with the support of our team, F1 Academy and the Aston Martin Formula One Team, she will make more progress to become a high-profile contender.
Mexican driver, Pato O’Ward has earned a promotion to McLaren’s reserve driver pool for the 2024 season, dovetailing the role with his driving duties for Arrow McLaren in IndyCar.
O’Ward has steadily been increasing his experience with F1 machinery, taking part in several development tests in the MCL35M as well as driving in the 2021 young driver test in Abu Dhabi and FP1 at last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
After finishing fourth in this year’s IndyCar championship with seven podiums, he accrued enough points to qualify for a Super Licence that paved the way for him to step up into the reserve role for McLaren.
The 24 year old, who first joined the McLaren Racing family in 2020, will join Le Mans 24 Hours winner Ryo Hirakawa in the papaya team’s reserve pool for 2024. They will be available to step in if regular race drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are unable to drive.
The McLaren Formula 1 team are pleased to welcome Pato O’Ward to our pool of reserve drivers for the 2024 season. Pato had an impressive season in the NTT IndyCar Series and has performed well in his Driver Development tests, so it felt natural to take this next step now he’s been granted an FIA Super Licence. With the expansive calendar, it’s prudent to ensure we have a wide pool of drivers that we can call upon if required. We look forward to seeing him progress in this new role.
Andrea Stella, McLaren Team Principal.
Pumped to take on this new role within the McLaren Racing family. I’ve spent a lot of time with the F1 team having driven previously in free practice and taken part in a few tests. I’ve always said it’s never a bad day when you get to jump into an F1 car, so I look forward to joining the reserve driver pool for next year alongside my driving duties with Arrow McLaren. Thank you to Andrea and Zak for this great opportunity.
Formula E confirms the full calendar for Season 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship with Italy’s Misano World Circuit hosting a Formula E race for the first time, and Portland expanding to a doubleheader weekend to create a 17 race season, the biggest calendar to date.
The FIA World Motor Sport Council approved the addition of Misano to the Formula E schedule, which makes it the third new venue alongside Tokyo and Shanghai.
The Misano track is located close to the Rimini beach resort in the historic Emilia-Romagna region on the northern Adriatic coast. It is a popular venue in the MotoGP World Championship and the home circuit of legendary rider Valentino Rossi. Formula E will race at Misano on Saturday 13th April and Sunday 14th April.
The debut race at the Portland International Raceway last season was seen as an experiment for Formula E, offering a wide, open track compared to the compact street circuits that remain the hallmark of Formula E racing.
The race was hailed a success by fans, race teams and organisers alike as tickets sold out and the 22 drivers were able to showcase the potential of their revolutionary GEN3 race cars in a completely new environment, delivering a record-breaking 403 passes in the 32 lap race.
Portland’s double header will be on Saturday 29th June and Sunday 30th June, the penultimate race weekend of the season.
Formula E is a great opportunity for our country and after many wonderful years in Rome, the next Italian E-Prix will be held in Misano in 2024. It is important that Italy welcomes this event that promotes sustainable mobility and has an extraordinary charm. Motorsport holds a special place in the heart of Italians, and we have learned to appreciate these new cars that bring hope for the future and deliver a legacy of cutting-edge technology.
Andrea Abodl, Minister of Sport.
The choice of Misano to be the Italian stage of Formula E is another recognition of the extraordinary teamwork that has made Emilia-Romagna the Italian region with the highest number of sporting events in the country. Particularly in motorsport, this event adds to the return of Formula 1 to Imola, and MotoGP and Superbike which have all taken place on the circuit. Congratulations to the organizers for this new milestone, it sends a very important message beyond its sporting value: Formula E is the first and only sport to be certified net zero carbon since inception and reminds us how the fight against climate change is the priority in this historical moment.
Stefano Bonaccini, President of the Emilia-Romagna region.
We are excited to race at the historic Misano track for the first time and introduce the huge local motorsport fanbase to Formula E’s uniquely competitive racing. Everyone associated with the track and region has been incredibly enthusiastic in welcoming Formula E to the area, and I would like to thank them for their support. The same message goes to the local promoter and officials in Portland, we cannot wait to return for a full weekend of racing and entertainment in the City of Roses.
Alberto Longo, Co-Founder & Chief Championship Officer, Formula E.
Formula E delivers street racing better than anyone, and our final Season 10 calendar presents the ultimate challenge for teams and drivers in the second year of the GEN3 race car with the perfect blend of iconic street circuits and established tracks. Misano will be a great new experience for everyone, while the additional race in Portland signifies our ongoing commitment to the US market alongside the potential for growth in the region.
Mick Schumacher has announced he will be racing for Alpine in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) next season – his first foray into racing outside of single seaters.
Schumacher has been serving as Mercedes’ reserve driver during the 2023 campaign, having lost his place on the F1 grid after two seasons with the Haas team in 2021 and 2022.
With Williams the only outfit year to confirm their full line-up for 2024, Schumacher has been weighing up his options outside F1, which included a recent test at the wheel of the A424 hypercar Alpine have been preparing.
Having impressed the team, the 24 year old German has been named as part of Alpine’s line-up, which also includes French racers, Nicolas Lapierre, Matthieu Vaxiviere, Charles Milesi amd Paul-Loup Chatin, and Austrian Ferdinand Habsburg.
Following Alpine’s announcement, Mercedes confirmed that Schumacher will continue as their F1 reserve driver for 2024, providing support to regular racers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell in a combined programme.
A new chapter is beginning for me with Alpine in the FIA WEC hypercar category. The car is impressive, and I can’t wait to get started. I’ve grown up with single-seaters, so driving a car with a closed cockpit and covered wheels is a great opportunity to hone my driving skills. I sorely missed racing this year; it’s what I’ve loved to do since I was a kid, and it was sometimes difficult to watch the other drivers take to the track. Endurance racing is a new challenge for me, and I’m sure we will share great moments together next year with Alpine.
Schumacher on the news.
With [Team Principal] Philippe Sinault, we wanted drivers who are not only fast and reliable, but also showing a real team spirit and good racing acumen to best represent the Alpine colours in the premier category of the World Endurance Championship. It might be [Schumacher’s] first foray into endurance, but his enthusiasm for the project and his will to join us are palpable. I’m sure he will be a real asset.
Getting a better launch off the line, Vesti stole the inside line into Turn 1 and went side by side with Fittipaldi, though the Rodin Carlin driver emerged out of Turn 3 ahead.
Capitalising on their duel, Hadjar and Verschoor made it four wide down the back straight. Both managed to slip past either side of Vesti and demote the title contender to fourth. In contrast, Championship leader Pourchaire was already on the cusp of points, climbing from P14 to ninth.
The Safety Car was deployed at the end of the opening lap after Juan Manuel Correa spun at Turn 3. Victor Martins found himself caught up in it leaving him with nosecone damage and forcing him to pit for repairs.
Back to racing conditions on lap 6, Fittipaldi aced his restart, immediately pulling half a second clear of Hadjar. Vesti wasted no time making up for lost ground, squeezing up alongside Verschoor down to Turn 6 to snatch third.
On the fringes of the points, Jack Doohan steadily made his way up from P10, swooping ahead of Ayumu Iwasa after the DAMS driver went wide out of Turn 9. Meanwhile Pourchaire was trying to put together a charge of his own, going late on the brakes to wrestle eighth from Kush Maini and nosing his own way past Iwasa for 7th.
Told to push for the fastest lap, Vesti began hunting down Hadjar and was on the Hitech Pulse-Eight driver’s tail by the time they reached Lap 10. Hadjar opted to go early on the defence but couldn’t stop the Mercedes junior’s charge, as Vesti took third around the outside of Turn 9.
Vesti loomed large in Fittipaldi’s mirrors and was eyeing up moves for the lead. A lock up by the Rodin Carlin car handed Vesti a chance, but he too locked up through the Turn 5 hairpin. Fittipaldi tried to break the tow, but another mistake at the same corner three laps later was the moment for Vesti.
Benefitting from better grip, he dived up the inside of the Brazilian into Turn 6 to snatch the lead. Instantly breaking free of Fittipaldi behind, Vesti pulled out of the DRS window and reached the chequered flag a comfortable 3.8 seconds clear of the Red Bull Junior.
Day 3-
Doohan held the lead comfortably at lights out while Kush Maini cleared Martins to take second, with the latter opting for mediums for the start. Further back, Vesti was up to eighth at Turn 1, passing Richard Verschoor having also started on the yellow-walled tyres.
Starting on the softs, Pourchaire was on the cusp of the points by the end of the opening lap, but an opportunistic Oliver Bearman snatched 10th from the ART driver to leave him 11th going into lap 2.
Those on softs nursed their tyres in the early stages, and Iwasa was in as soon as the pitstop window opened on lap 7, he was joined by Pourchaire both swapping to the medium compound tyres and rejoining in 19th and 20th respectively.
Zane Maloney, Isack Hadjar and Dennis Hauger made their way to the pits on lap 9 for their mandatory stops, but a slow release for the Hitech driver dropped him behind the Norwegian on pit exit. Pourchaire was ahead of all three after a dive to the inside of Hauger at Turn 5 as he continued to make the most of his fresh rubber.
Having led from the start, Doohan relinquished the lead on lap 10 to fit the mediums. The Australian was back out in 12th position, three seconds clear of Maini, who found himself under pressure from Iwasa.
Now in clear air, Vesti set about closing the gap to new leader Martins who was six seconds up the road. That gap was down to four seconds by lap 15 as the PREMA driver took a minimum of two-tenths of a second per lap out of the Alpine Junior’s advantage.
After forcing Iwasa to depend one lap earlier, Maloney was pressuring the Dams for P5 on the road as the Japanese driver desperately attempted to keep him back. The Rodin Carlin man fought his way by at Turn 6 and was late on the brakes at Turn 9 in his efforts to keep the position, but Iwasa bravely fought back around the outside to hold on.
On lap 26, Vesti managed to pass Pourchaire into Turn 6 and once again, Pourchaire slipstreamed his way past by Turn 9. It was third time lucky for Vesti as he waited for DRS out of Turn 8 to clear his championship rival and claim fifth position.
Entering the final lpa of the season, Vesti drew to within DRS range of Maloney in the fight for third. The Bajan driver went defensive into Turn 6 opening up the chance for Vesti on the run to Turn 9. The pair banged wheel on corner exit, sending Maloney into a spin and leaving the PREMA driver in third.
Doohan secured a comfortable victory by 3.8s from Martins with Vesti rounding out the podium, but it was Pourchaire and ART Grand Prix’s day, as they secured the double with the Drivers’ and Teams’ titles.
The 2023 season is officially over which means Round 23 is done! Let’s take a look at how it went in Abu Dhabi…
Max Verstappen once again converted pole position to victory, where he made it win number 19 of the season. Charles Leclerc grabbed P2 and George Russell P3, after Sergio Perez had a five second time penalty due to a clash with Lando Norris which promoted both drivers up a spot.
The full top 10 is: P1: Verstappen, P2: Leclerc, P3: Russell, P4: Perez, P5: Norris, P6: Piastri, P7: Alonso, P8: Tsunoda, P9: Hamilton and P10: Stroll.
A great result for Red Bull, having Max win the final race of the season, ideally they would have wanted Perez on the podium too but with the penalty looming over his head they probably knew they weren’t going to get there.
Leclerc, the only Ferrari in the points, unfortunately it wasn’t enough to beat Mercedes to P2 in the Constructors. Carlos Sainz ended up finishing in 18th due to the alternative strategy which caused him to do a late pit stop which ruined his chance of points.
Overall a strong result for McLaren, a double points finish! I still find it crazy to see that they ended P4 in the Constructors after a shocking start at the beginning of this season, but it makes you think, what can they do next season with a car which is great from the start…
Points for Tsunoda, but it wasn’t enough to grab P7 in the Constructors, they were only 4 more points away and they would’ve been successful.
Alonso came out on top for the fight for P4 in the Driver Standings with 206 points, Leclerc finished P5 with 206 points but Alonso just ahead with higher finishes. Norris in 6th on 205 points and Sainz 7th with 200 points.
Now we have a bit of a wait till the next race… It’s only 97 days away until the new season starts and we have cars back on track!
The last qualifying session of the season is done with a few drivers out of place, so let’s take a look at how it went down!
Max Verstappen claimed another pole position, with Charles Leclerc claiming P2 and Oscar Piastri rounded out the top three.
The full top 10 are- P1: Verstappen, P2: Leclerc, P3: Piastri, P4: Russell, P5: Norris, P6: Tsunoda, P7: Alonso, P8: Hulkenberg, P9: Perez and P10: Gasly.
The only team which had both drivers do well i’d say is McLaren both in the top 5, where as Ferrari and Mercedes one driver is outside the top 10 and the other driver inside the top 10.
Piastriiii, what a result from the Australian driver, a nice way to end the season for him and the team, he will be hoping to grab a podium in the race, and help McLaren in their fight for P4 in the Constructors standings with Aston Martin.
A lovely result from Leclerc and Russell, just what the teams would want from them, however with both their teammates starting outside the top 10 they have a lot of work to do, and will be wanting to score as many points as available. Hamilton starts 11th and Sainz 16th.
A really good result from Tsunoda, P6! That equals his best qualifying result in his F1 career. The team will be wanting him to secure points so that they get that P7 in the constructors.
Nicoooo Hulkenbergggg! A lovely little P8 from the Haas driver, he will have high hopes to score points so Haas don’t finish the season at the bottom of the Constructors.
A bit of a rough one from Aston Martin, P7 for Alonso which isn’t too bad, but Lance Stroll 13th, quite a bit of work to do from the Canadian driver if he wants to score some decent points.
Battles to look out for-
As it’s the last race of the season, there will be a lot to look out for the fight in the constructors, so here are the main ones…
Mercedes VS Ferrari for P2
McLaren VS Aston Martin for P4
Williams VS AlphaTauri for P7
Alfa Romeo VS Haas for P9
Sainz, Alonso, Norris and Leclerc all fighting for 4th in the Driver standings.
Andretti Global has announced that Zane Maloney has been names as Andretti Formula E’s Reserve and Development Driver for Season 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
Maloney joins full-time teammates, reigning World Champion Jake Dennis and Formula E race winner, Norman Nato to complete Andretti Formula E’s Season 10 line-up.
The Formula 2 and Red Bull Junior Team driver made his Formula E debut with Andretti at the 2023 SABIC Berlin E-Prix rookie session, finishing the day with the third quickest time overall.
Maloney earned another opportunity with the team in a Free Practice session at the 2023 Hankook Rome E-Prix, as well as a rooking outing at the official Season 10 test in Valencia.
The Barbadian will actively support the team in his official role with simulator development work at Andretti Formula E’s Banbury headquarters and will attend race events throughout Season 10, starting at the Formula E opener in Mexico City on January 13th.
Joining Andretti Formula E as the official reserve and development driver is an incredible opportunity. I’m grateful for the trust the team has placed in my abilities, and I’m determined to support Jake and Norman as best I can. The Andretti name has such a rich history in motorsport, so it’s a pretty surreal moment for me in my career. I’m looking forward to contributing to the team’s continued success in Season 10.
Maloney on the news.
We’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Zane, and his dedication, talent and enthusiasm really stood out to us. Not only has he proven himself in other racing series, but also on multiple occasions during the rookie sessions where he demonstrated an excellent understanding of our GEN3 car. We are delighted to have Zane join us as our Reserve and Development Driver and look forward to working closely with him throughout the coming season.
Victor Martins left it until the last minute but was the man to beat in the final Free Practice of the 2023 Formula 2 season. The ART Grand Prix driver ended the first session of the weekend on top after setting a 1:37.389.
Zane Maloney put Rodin Carlin second with a late effort of his own while Theo Pourchaire kicked off a potentially title-winning weekend as third quickest. Title rivals Ayumu Iwasa and Frederik Vest finished seventh and ninth respectively.
Newcomers Paul Aron and Franco Colapinto were on the track early to get some mileage under their belts ahead of their debut. The latter suffered a spin coming through the right-hander of turn 11 in the early running but was able to avoid the barriers and continue on his way.
After a relatively quiet start to the session, the circuit filled up quickly approaching half an hour remaining as the majority of the field headed onto track. Nissany lowered the time to beat to a 1:38.492 on his next flying lap to lead by 0.6s from Maloney. The red flags were out soon after as Arthur Leclerc came to a halt in his DAMS between turns 1 and 2.
Doohan briefly went to P1 after running resumed, but it was beaten in quick succession. Pourchaire was pipped by teammate Martins by 0.022s with the rookie setting a 1:38.219 to take the spot from the Championship leader.
The full top 10 are- P1: Martins, P2: Maloney, P3: Pourchaire, P4: Doohan, P5: Verschoor, P6: Boschung, P7: Iwasa, P8: Correa, P9: Vesti and P10: Maini.
Qualifying-
Invicta Virtuosi Racing’s Jack Doohan secured the final pole position of the season with a 1:35.567, beating out Alpine Academy drivers Victor Martins and Kush Maini.
In the title fight, Theo Pourchaire has a difficult weekend ahead of him after missing the top 10 and ending qualifying down in 14th position. Direct rival, Frederik Vesti will start tomorrow’s Sprint Race from the reserve grid front row after ending the session in ninth.
Trident’s Roman Stanek was the first to get a time on the board with a 1:37.591. His effort didn’t stay top for long as Ayumu Iwasa went quickest with a 1:37.181, three tenths ahead of Amaury Cordeel.
Martins jumped straight back into things after topping Free Practice, launching himself 0.489s clear of the DAMS’ driver on a 1:36.692. Doohan sliced the ART Grand Prix driver’s advantage to two tenths, as Ralph Boschung and Maini slotted both Campos Racing cars inside the top four.
After a brief break in the pitlane, the field were back out with 16 minutes remaining. Iwasa regained the fastest time on a 1:36.085, and Martins’ response left him 0.008s adrift of the DAMS driver.
However, Doohan was on a charge, breaking into the 1:35s and rocketing up into provisional pole, two tenths ahead of Maini. Martins and Iwasa tried to find an answer for the Australian but couldn’t. Doohan showed no signs of slowing down, bettering his previous effort to snatch pole by over two tenths.
The full top 10 are- P1: Doohan, P2: Martins, P3: Maini, P4: Maloney, P5: Iwasa, P6: Hauger, P7: Verschoor, P8: Hadjar, P9: Vesti and P10: Fittipaldi.
Jak Crawford has announced that he will leave the Red Bull Junior Team in 2024, but has already secured his racing future with a second season in Formula 2.
The 18 year old became a Red Bull junior in early 2020, and that year he finished second in the ADAC Formula 4 Championship. He was Euroformula race-winner in 2021, took a first FIA Formula 3 Championship win in his second there last year then became a winner on his 13th F2 start in Austria.
He currently sits in 13th in this season’s F2 standings ahead of this weekend’s season finale, and has so far stood on the podium five times and claimed a pole position.
Crawford has been racing for HiTech Pulse-Eight this year, and has not indicated if his 2024 F2 deal is with the British outfit or a different team.
We are thankful for the Red Bull funding for four years, and honestly, we could not have done much of it without their substantial support. We were wanting to make key decisions and we let them know mid-year. After that, they didn’t pick up my fifth and final year, so we are in control now. I truly appreciate everyone at Red Bull, especially Rocky [Guillaume Rocquelin]. I really enjoyed the last two years with him at the factory. Everyone has a different path, but mine has been to be moved up fast and to a different team every year. In two years, I will be only 20 years old, so we are going to slow it down and work a more thoughtful plan. That is all I can say about our plans at this point in time. Again, I am grateful for Red Bull for four years of support.
Crawford in a statement issued by the Sunday Group Management firm.
Trident has confirmed that Paul Aron will race with the team at the final round of the 2023 season at Yas Marina.
The Estonian is fresh from completing his rookie season with PREMA Racing in FIA Formula 3, where he claimed one race win and a further three podiums en route to third in the Drivers’ Championship.
Prior to his F3 campaign, Aron competed in the Italian F4 Championship in what was his maiden campaign of single seater racing. He took two wins and a pole position, finishing that year third in the Drivers’ Standings.
He followed that up with a campaign of Formula Renault Eurocup before he moved on to the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, where he took two wins and seven podium finishes on the way to third in the Championship.
He then had a follow up season of FRECA where he claimed six race victories, seven pole positions and eight podiums as he finished third in the 2022 season, before moving on to FIA F3 in 2023.
I’m very excited to be on the Formula 2 grid at the end of this year and I’m very grateful to Trident for giving me this opportunity. It will be a big step in my career, Formula 2 is the highest level of junior single seater racing. I think getting early experience will be key, it will not be an easy weekend as I’ve never been in a Formula 2 car, and we only have one very short Practice session before getting into the car for Qualifying. I’m very excited for the challenge and I’m sure that Trident will help me do the best job possible.
Aron on the news.
It’s with great pleasure that we announce that Paul Aron will make his debut under the Trident Motorsport banner in the FIA Formula 2 Championship next weekend in Abu Dhabi. The team will make its best effort to help him gain confidence in the new category, as this will certainly be an important step for his career. We can’t wait to start working with Paul, who will replace Clément Novalak. As he has long been part of the Trident Motorsport family, we wish the Frenchman the best for his future endeavours.
Mahindra Racing has signed Indian driver Kush Maini as a reserve driver for Season 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
The 23 year old from Bangalore joins the team after an impressive rise through the FIA single-seater pathway over the past seven years.
He started in Italian F4 back in 2016, where he subsequently enjoyed success in British Formula 3, the Formula Renault Eurocup, FIA Formula 3 and at present, competes in FIA Formula 2 and scored his first podium in Melbourne, Australia this year.
Maini, a protege of two-time Formula 1 champion Mika Hakkinen will work closely with Edoardo Mortara and Nyck de Vries and closely in conjunction with fellow reserve driver, Jordan King. His role will involve simulator sessions, attendance at selected at selected E-Prix to support the team, and possible opportunities to test the team’s M10Electro race car in the future.
It’s a huge honour to be joining Mahindra Racing, being an Indian driver, and the team being Indian, it feels in many ways like coming home. A lot of my work will be concentrated on the simulator, and hopefully getting in the car for the Rookie Test. I’m just going to try and learn as much as I can, it’s a different style of racing. I’ll be doing as much work as possible on the sim with the engineers to try and be helpful for both Edoardo and Nyck, and to try and help push the team forward on-track. Mahindra is a huge manufacturer, so for me, it’s a massive deal to be signing with them. Being an Indian brand, it’s the cherry on top of the cake. I’m super excited to get started.
Maini on the news.
We are excited to welcome Kush to Mahindra Racing as a Reserve Driver. He has a great record that speaks for itself in the junior formulae and is an exciting talent to add to our driver lineup. We are a very future-focussed team, so the opportunity to support new and emerging talent, such as Kush, is one we are naturally keen to explore. We’ve been watching him in FIA Formula 2 this season, and believe he has all the key skills and attributes to help Mahindra Racing push on for greater success in the future. His synergy with Edoardo, Nyck and Jordan will play an important role in the team’s continued push for better performance on-track, and off-track he is a superb ambassador for India within motorsport.
Jordan's Track Talk 