Van Amersfoort Racing have confirmed their first driver signing of the 2026 season, with Jesse Carrasquedo set to join the team next year.
The Mexican driver has previous experience in Formula 3 having competed in two rounds already this year in Barcelona and Spielberg, achieving a best result of P13 in the latter’s Feature Race.
Carrasquedo also previously took part in both 2024 post-season tests in Jerez and Barcelona.
Prior to that, the 18 year old made the step up to single seater racing in 2022 in the Spanish and Italian F4 Championships. Since then, Carrasquedo has competed in the Formula Regional Middle East and European Championships, as well as the Eurocup-3 category.
He is now set to graduate to Formula 3 full time in 2026, and at the announcement, Carrasquedo spoke of his excitement at the chance to join VAR.
I’m very excited to join VAR for my first full F3 season. They’re a very professional team, and I’ve participated with them before in FRECA, so I’m quite happy with this move. I hope this season will go very well with them. Carrasquedo on the news.
We’re proud to have Jesse back with the team and excited to work with him again. His talent and determination have been clear to see, and now that we will work together full-time, we can build on the progress he’s already made. The upcoming post-season F3 testing will help him get more familiar with the car and prepare him to thrive over a full season. Together, we’re aiming for strong results and continued growth in the year ahead. Brad Joyce, Van Amersfoort Racing Team Principal.
TRIDENT have confirmed the signing of Matteo De Palo for the 2026 FIA Formula 3 campiagn.
The 17 year old graduates from the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, where he is currently competing with Trident and sits second in the standings with two rounds remaining. He has taken four race wins so far in 2025, and a further four podium finishes.
Prior to this season, De Palo raced in the Spanish F4 in 2023, finishing fifth overall before moving up to FRECA in 2024.
The Italian is Trident’s second confirmed driver for next season after Freddie Slater was announced earlier in the month. De Palo said he was excited to be stepping up with Trident in 2026.
I am very happy to continue my collaboration with TRIDENT Motorsport as I make my debut in the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Championship. It will be a huge challenge, and I will give my utmost to make it an unforgettable season. De Palo on the news.
We are extremely proud to announce that Matteo De Palo, currently fighting for the title with TRIDENT in Formula Regional, will race under TRIDENT Motorsport colours in the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Championship. This is a great source of satisfaction for us because, just like Leonardo Fornaroli before him, Matteo will continue his career path within TRIDENT Motorsport. It will be a significant step for him, as the cars are very different, but we will have the time to prepare him thoroughly. Matteo has already shown, in his second year in Formula Regional, that he is an extremely competitive and consistent driver – qualities that are essential for success in the FIA Formula 3 Championship. Giacomo Ricci, Team Manager.
George Russell has claimed a dominant victory in the Singapore Grand Prix, the Mercedes driver converting pole position into a flawless win ahead of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, while McLaren scored enough points to seal the 2025 Teams’ Championship.
Russell had led cleanly away from P1 on the grid as the race got underway, while the battle behind saw Norris clip the rear of Verstappen’s Red Bull and bang wheels with team mate Oscar Piastri, the Briton subsequently getting past his teammate in a close scrap.
While Piastri voiced his unhappiness at how the incident had played out, Russell continued to lead up ahead in a commanding performance, the Silver Arrows driver proving unchallenged as he stormed to his second win of the season and fifth career triumph.
The full top 10 are- P1: Russell, P2: Verstappen, P3: Norris, P4: Piastri, P5: Antonelli, P6: Leclerc, P7: Alonso, P8: Hamilton, P9: Bearman and P10: Sainz.
What a result for Russell! A very dominating drive by the Mercedes man, he will be hoping the result will gain him a contract extension with the Silver Arrows. As for his teammate, a good race for him too finishing P5 for the young Italian.
P2 for Verstappen, a really good weekend for him, the car seems to have a bit of pace now, which is needed in his late charge of the title battle. He didn’t really do much wrong during the race, just Russell was zooming ahead.
A great result for Norris P3 for the Championship contender, a bit of a controversial move on his teammate at the start of the race. And Piastri was not happy at all, but Norris kept his pace up and came home with that all important podium finish. Obviously, the team have now officially won the Constructors’ Championship! Now they can fully focus on getting a potential 1-2 finish in the Drivers’ Championship.
An okay result for Ferrari, they seemed to have more pace before the race. Leclerc finished P6 and Hamilton P8 after an 5 second penalty was applied to Hamilton after the race for exceeding track limits.
P7 for Alonso, a good result for him and Aston Martin. It’s been a few weekends since his been in the points but good for the team.
Points for Bearman! A really good result for him in the Haas, again it’s been a few races since his been in the points so a really good showing from the young Brit.
P10 for Sainz! What a drive from the Williams driver, from being disqualified from Qualifying to getting back in the points, which is a really good result.
It feels amazing, especially after what happened a couple of years ago. That was a bit of a missed opportunity, but we more than made up for it today. I’m so grateful for the team, they did an amazing job this whole weekend. We don’t really know where this performance came from, but I’m really happy. Russell on the win.
Lola Yamaha ABT has confirmed it will retain the same driver line-up for the 2025/26 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, with both Lucas di Grassi and Zane Maloney continuing to compete for the team.
The British manufacturer, in partnership with Yamaha and ABT, entered Formula E in Season 11 as part of the Gen3 Evo era.
Despite facing the steep learning curve of competing in a championship with no prior experience, the squad made steady progress throughout its debut campaign.
The team’s highlights included a surprise podium finish in Miami, where veteran di Grassi secured second place in only Lola Yamaha ABT’s fifth race.
In total, the team scored 32 points in its inaugural season, with di Grassi’s expertise proving critical in helping the team move from the back of the grid towards the midfield.
I’m pleased to confirm a second season with Lola Yamaha ABT in Formula E. Our first season was very positive with a podium in Miami and 32 points scored. We’ve worked extremely hard this summer and added reinforcements to the team to ensure our second season is even better. The long-term view and dedication of people from Lola, Yamaha and ABT to put this team where it deserves to be, winning races and fighting for championships, gives me so much motivation. I really enjoy working with the team and truly appreciate all the effort they’ve put in, which will hopefully result in many more successes in the future together. Di Grassi on the news.
I’m very excited to be continuing with Lola Yamaha ABT for Season 12. Last year was mine and the team’s rookie season and I think we developed very well. I’m looking forward to working with Lucas and the entire team to continue that development into next season. Of course, it’s going to be a tough year but the more that we can carry on working hard and making progress with the car, while I continue to improve as a driver, the better we can do. Thank you to the fans for all the support and we look forward to seeing you all next season. Maloney on the news.
Lola, Yamaha and ABT have all been working extremely hard to apply the learnings from our first season to put ourselves in the best possible position for Season 12 and we are thrilled that Zane and Lucas will be continuing to drive this progress forwards. The benefit of having a new driver to the series, along with one of the most experienced, has been clear from day one and their feedback and dedication is invaluable to the team. Mark Preston, Motorsport Director, Lola Cars.
Formula 1 has announced that the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will remain on the race calendar for a further four years, securing the future of the event until 2030 inclusive.
Located on the shores of the Caspian Sea, the six-kilometre Baku City Circuit tests drivers with a combination of tight, technical corners and wide, sweeping straights. As the circuit winds through the Icheri Sheher old town, the castle section hosts on of the narrowest turns on the F1 Calendar, which tests the drivers’ nerve and skills to the limit.
The circuit debuted on the Formula 1 calendar in 2016 as the European Grand Prix, before becoming a permanent fixture on the calendar in 2017 as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. In 2024, the race weekend welcomed fans from over 70 countries and delivered strong viewership figures, with a global TV audience of more than 66 million.
With seven different winners across eight editions, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has become one of the most open contests on the calendar.
There’s an incredible energy to the city of Baku and since our first Grand Prix here in 2016 Formula 1 has consistently received a warm and enthusiastic welcome from the people of Azerbaijan. The circuit is unique, with technical sections and long straights that run through the stunning shoreline and historic old town, delivering an eventful and entertaining race every year. This renewal reflects the strong trust and commitment between Formula 1, the Azerbaijani Government, and the promoter, and paves the way for an exciting future in the country. I would like to thank President Ilham Aliyev and Minister Gayibov for their continued investment and commitment to evolving the event; Anar Alakbarov and the Azerbaijan Automobile Federation for championing Formula 1 in the country; and the team at Baku City Circuit for their year-round efforts in delivering an exceptional experience for our fans, drivers, and teams. Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1.
The extension of our partnership with Formula 1 reflects the vision and direction of Azerbaijan’s leadership, ensuring that our country continues to stand as a global hub for major sporting events while leaving a lasting legacy of inspiration for future generations through the power of sport. Over the years, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has grown into one of the most anticipated races on the F1 calendar, showcasing not only thrilling on-track action but also the beauty, energy, and hospitality of our capital. This extension reaffirms our commitment to hosting world-class events and further strengthens Azerbaijan’s position on the international stage. Together, we will continue to present Baku as a vibrant, world-class sporting destination, welcoming fans from across the globe to experience both the excitement of Formula 1 and the unique spirit of our city and country. Dr Farid Gayibov, Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
French automotive giant Citroen have secured two top talents for their debut campaign in the 2025/26 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship campaign.
Jean-Eric Vergne makes the move from DS PENSKE after an eight-season affiliation with the DS brand, with which he sealed his second Formula E Drivers’ title to become the only two-time and consecutive champion in the series’ history.
JEV’s record speaks for itself as one of the OG drivers from Formula E’s very first season. The 35 year old is second in the all time Formula E entry list, has the most consecutive starts – all 144 of those entries – and is sixth in the all-time wins table.
Vergne dovetails Formula E with a seat in the FIA World Endurance Championship with Peugeot, and he has also drove for Toro Rosso in Formula 1 prior to his decade-plus in Formula E.
Nick Cassidy joins the fold alongside Vergne, with the New Zealander also among the most successful drivers in the paddock with 10 wins and 20 podiums to his name. He was runner-up in the Drivers’ World Championship in 2022/23 and third in 2023/24 after two close run shots at top spot.
Porsche have announced that Antonio Felix da Costa will leave the team ahead of Season 12.
Da Costa is one of a handful of drivers to have competed in Formula E from the very first season back in 2014/15. The season 6 champion celebrated five race wins and helped the German manufacturer to the Teams’ and Manufacturers’ World Championship in Season 11.
Highlights include his unforgettable move in Cape Town, 2023, which sealed his first win with Porsche. In 2024, he clinched Porsche’s first home victory at the Berlin E-Prix. That same season, after an early setback, the 34 year old impressively fought back and claimed four wins – more than any other driver on the grid.
With these performances, da Costa played a significant role in all three titles won by the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team.
I’m happy that it happened instead of being sad that it ends. I raced for one of the most prestigious brands in the world – that’s an honour for me, and I’m proud that this will forever be a part of my career. I’ve been part of the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team for its three most successful years, and I want to thank every single person that I got to work with during this time. This includes the management with Thomas and Florian, as well as the board. A special thank you goes out to my mechanics and my engineers, who accompanied me on this road. Obrigado! Da Costa on the news.
After the title wins in London in July, Porsche has reached the pinnacle of electric motorsport – and that is very much thanks to António’s performances. He played a decisive role in enabling us to reach that achievement. Moments like his overtaking manoeuvre in Cape Town and our first home victory in Berlin will remain in our memories and are part of Porsche’s history in Formula E. We’re proud of all of this, and I’d like to thank him for it. I also greatly appreciated his consistently positive and relaxed manner. I hope to meet António again soon in paddocks around the world and wish him all the best for his future. Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport.
In three very intense years with us, António proved his class – with five victories in the Porsche 99X Electric. He impressed everyone in the team above all with his racecraft, how he could read the race and work his way forward. I thank António for his achievements, but also for his direct and transparent approach, as well as the appreciation he showed to every single person in the team. My thanks also go to his mechanics and engineers; they worked extremely hard to help him regain his qualifying strength. Only then were we able to become Teams’ and Manufacturers’ World Champions in July. We wish António all the best. Florian Modlinger, Director Factory Motorsport Formula E.
Campos Racing have announced their first driver signing for the 2026 Formula 2 season, with Nikola Tsolov set to race for the Spanish team next year.
The 18 year old makes the step up to F2 after a stellar Formula 3 career, during which he secured five wins, the most by any driver in the Championship’s history.
Two of those victories came with Campos this season and with another four podiums, he went on to finish second in the Drivers’ Championship.
Prior to this year though, the Tsolov and Campos partnership proved to be a title-winning one when in 2022, the Bulgarian won the Spanish F4 Championship thanks to his 13 wins in 21 races.
The Red Bull junior is now set to step up to F2 next season and he is delighted to be doing so with Campos.
I am extremely happy to take the next step in my career and move up to FIA Formula 2 with Campos Racing once again. Together we have worked very hard and achieved success in both F4 Spain and FIA Formula 3, which gives me great confidence heading into next season. This is another step closer to my dream, and I will be pushing harder than ever to deliver strong results. Tsolov on the news.
We are extremely proud to continue working with Nikola for another year. He is very much one of our own, having taken his very first steps in single-seaters with Campos Racing. In the two seasons he has raced with us, he has been a champion and a runner-up, which are clear credentials of his outstanding talent. A Formula 2 car is, of course, another level, but despite his youth he already has a wealth of single-seater experience, displays great maturity, and we are confident he will also make his mark in FIA Formula 2. Adrian Campos Jr, Campos Racing Team Principal.
Formula 1 and the FIA have announced the six venues that will host F1 Sprint events during the 2026 season, including three new sprint locations.
The 2026 season will introduce a new era of regulations to the sport and host its sixth year of the Sprint format. The first F1 Sprint of 2026 will take place in Shanghai, followed by Miami, with both Grands Prix hosting a Sprint weekend for the third consecutive year.
Silverstone returns to the Sprint Calendar for the first time since the format’s inaugural event in 2021 and Montreal, Zandvoort and Singapore are all set to host their first ever Sprint weekend.
Sprint qualifying takes place on Friday following FP1, with the Sprint and Grand Prix Qualifying on Saturday, before the weekend culminates with the Grand Prix on Sunday.
The format has continued to prove popular among fans across the world, leading to strong attendance and viewership figures across broadcast, digital and social platforms.
The F1 Sprint has continued to grow in positive impact and popularity since it was introduced in 2021. With four competitive sessions rather than two during a conventional Grand Prix weekend, F1 Sprint events offer more action each day for our fans, broadcast partners, and for the promoters – driving increased attendance and viewership. We’re also proud to have welcomed Gatorade as an Official Partner of F1 Sprint, demonstrating the huge interest in the event from an iconic global brand. The 2026 season will usher in a new era of regulations, so having three new Sprint venues will only add to the drama on track. I want to thank the FIA, all the promoters, our partners, marshals, volunteers, and local sporting clubs for continuing to make the Sprint a big success and we all look forward to giving our fans more incredible racing and excitement in the 2026 season. Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.
The Sprint format has become an increasingly exciting part of the FIA Formula One World Championship, delivering high-intensity racing and added entertainment for fans around the world. As we look ahead to a landmark 2026 season featuring a new generation of cars and regulations, I’m pleased to see the Sprint evolving alongside our broader ambitions for the sport. The inclusion of new venues alongside returning favourites reflects the continued enthusiasm from promoters, teams and fans alike. We will continue to work closely with FOM, the teams, our officials, and the drivers to ensure the Sprint format enhances the championship. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA.
DS PENSKE have confirmed rising star, Taylor Barnard will race for the team in the 2025/26 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship alongside seasoned race winner Maximilian Guenther.
Brit, Barnard is fresh off the back of one of the best rookie season in Formula E history. He stood in for an injured Sam Bird at NEOM McLaren for his debut in Monaco and Berlin, Season 10, where he became the youngest-ever points scorer in the series’ history.
In his first full campaign, he became the youngest driver to make the podium in Sao Paulo to open Season 11, before adding youngest polesitter to his list in Jeddah.
The 21 year old has established himself as one of the hottest talents in motorsport, and team boss Jay Penske is more than happy with his capture.
The team also confirmed that they will be retaining the services of Formula E’s youngest-ever race winner – Maximilian Guenther.
The German driver is now an experienced head and multiple race winner – not least in Jeddah and Shanghai this year, the latter seeing Guenther head home an emotional DS one-two – the perfect complement to Barnard’s raw talent.
I am thrilled to welcome Taylor to DS PENSKE. At just 21-years-old, he has already demonstrated remarkable speed, composure, and race craft, rewriting the record books and establishing himself as the most successful rookie in Formula E history. His talent, determination, and maturity make him one of the most exciting prospects in motorsport today. Penske on signing Barnard.
I’m buzzing to be joining DS PENSKE for season 12. The team has a fantastic history in Formula E, and I an excited to work alongside Max to push for strong results. Formula E is such a unique challenge, and I feel ready to keep building on what I have achieved so far and fight at the front of the grid. Barnard on the news.
AIX Racing have confirmed that Brad Benavides is set to return to the team for the 2026 Formula 3 season – completing their driver lineup for the upcoming campaign.
Benavides had a stellar 2025 F3 campaign with AIX, achieving two pole positions in Spa-Francorchamps and Monza, achieving a best finish of P4 at the Italian venue’s Feature Race.
This came a year after the American driver won the 2024 Euroformula Championship thanks to his 19 podiums, which included nine wins.
Benavides is now set to return for another campaign in Formula 3 with AIX, and at the announcement, he thanked the team for their support.
Can’t thank AIX enough for their continued support. Can’t thank God enough for not giving up on me/my love for racing. One truth is reality, and another truth is that dreaming is always worth it. With only Love, BB. Benavides on the news.
Very proud to close off our driver line-up for 2026 and to do so with Brad is the cherry on top! Brad brings to the team many fine qualities as a driver and is a real team player who has supported his team mates previously and has a very strong work ethic. I’m stoked to have him as my brother again for another season and look forward to working hard over the winter together to convert that qualifying pace that we know Brad can deliver into a strong and consistent race performance as we all witnessed in Monza. Kenny Kirwan, AIX Racing Team Manager.
Max Verstappen claimed a lights-to-flag victory in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, while Lando Norris closed the gap to title rival Oscar Piastri to 25 points after the Drivers’ Championship leader crashed out on the opening lap.
Verstappen was never headed on the streets of Baku, leading all 51 laps and winning by over 14 seconds from Mercedes’ George Russell and Carlos Sainz who claimed his first podium for Williams having just lost out on pole position.
The full top 10 are- P1: Verstappen, P2: Russell, P3: Sainz, P4: Antonelli, P5: Lawson, P6: Tsunoda, P7: Norris, P8: Hamilton, P9: Leclerc and P10: Hadjar.
What a result for Max Verstappen, he done no wrong this weekend and his reward from that is he is starting to come into this title fight with Piastri and Norris. A few more races like that for the Dutchman and McLaren will start thinking they are in trouble (if they are not doing that already). As for Tsunoda, he finished 6th! A good result for the Japanese driver, he had a good weekend overall, he needs to start putting in performances like this to make sure he has a seat next year.
P2 for Russell! A great result for the Mercedes man, they had the pace this weekend which was good, they also got to capitalise on McLaren and Ferrari not being in the top five. This has benefited the team massively in the Constructors’ Championship as they move up a spot. A good result for Antonelli, P4, a shame for him to miss out on the podium but still a really good result.
P3 for Mr Carlos Sainz! What a result for Sainz and Williams, this just shows how much work they have put into the past couple of years and with Sainz you could see the result coming but he just had to work for it. This helps the team massively in the constructors putting them in fifth on 101 points, with a 29 point gap to Racing Bulls.
Talking of Racing Bulls, P5 for Liam Lawson. A good result from him, it’s a shame he couldn’t hold onto a podium position but still a really good showing from him.
A weekend to forget for McLaren, especially Piastri, hitting the wall in Qualifying and then crashing out on Lap 1 and ending his race there. As for Norris he had a bad race, not many moves being made.
Not a very good weekend for Ferrari either, P8 for Hamilton and P9 for Leclerc, they will be looking forward to Singapore as normally the Ferrari’s do well there.
I think this weekend has been incredible for us. Of course, last weekend was already great, but for us to win here again is just fantastic. I think also in the race, the car was working really well on both of the compounds. We had clean air all of the time and then you could look after your tyres, and it was pretty straightforward. Of course, it’s not easy around here. It was very windy today, so the car was always moving around a lot, but of course, I’m incredibly happy with this performance. Verstappen on the win.
French automotive giant Citroen has announced that it will join Formula E with Citroen Racing set to take to the grid from season 12.
Citroen says its entry into Formula E provides a “new challenge” in “an electric, innovative and passionate adventure that embodies our values and our vision for the mobility of tomorrow.”
Citroen Racing is a motorsport powerhouse which has won titles in every form of racing it has entered to-date.
The storied outfit can count victories at Dakar, nine FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) Drivers’ titles for its famed Sebastien Loeb/Daniel Elena partnership, eight WRC Manufacturers’ titles, three FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) Drivers’ titles, three WTCC Teams’ World Championship victories and even more title winning success in the FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup to its name.
Citroën is returning to motorsport, an arena that shaped its history and legend – motorsport in its most visionary form: an 100% electric, responsible and committed competition with popular races in the heart of cities, a young, committed, connected audience and a technological, international showcase for the future of mobility. Citroen on the news.
Trident have announced that Freddie Slater will be driving for the team next season – their first confirmed signing for the 2026 Formula 3 campaign.
Slater is set to step up to F3 full-time after competing in two rounds in 2025 at Sakhir and Spa-Francorchamps, finishing second in the Sprint Race at the Bahrain International Circuit.
In addition to that, the 17 year old has been taking part in a dual campaign in GB3 and Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine in 2025, winning eight races across both categories, and he i currently leading the standings in the latter.
Slater also finished second in this year’s edition of the Formula Regional Middle East Championship, after also becoming the 2024 Italian F4 and UAE Formula 4 Champion.
The Briton is now set to step up to Formula 3 full-time with Trident and following the announcement, he spoke of his excitement ahead of the new season getting underway.
It’s really exciting to start a new journey with a new team. TRIDENT has had a lot of success in recent years, so to be jumping into a team like this, I’m really grateful for the opportunity. Hopefully we’ll have a good season together. Slater on the news.
We are very pleased to announce our agreement with Freddie Slater for the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Championship. Freddie is an exceptionally talented driver who has consistently shown himself to be among the very best, in every category he has raced, from karting to single-seaters. It is a source of great pride for us to welcome him into the team, and we are convinced that a driver of his calibre will bring significant value to the entire organisation. Trident Team Manager, Giacomo Ricci.
Following the world-first debut ahead of Season 11 last year, the dedicated Women’s Test returns with double the track time available for up to 20 elite women drivers and all 10 Formula E Teams taking part.
Each driver will run the current GEN3 Evo race car, as raced by official Formula E drivers and supported by the same team infrastructure.
The initiative underscores Formula E and the FIA’s long-term commitment to accelerating diversity and equality in motorsport, from grassroots to the highest level.
Each team is required to field at least one woman driver for the full-day session, with the option to enter two – all competing in current-season cars. The test attracts the very best talent from across world motorsport.
Last season’s inaugural test created meaningful pathways, with five women going on to secure team roles, with three moving into permanent ongoing positions with Formula E outfits.
We’re pleased to be returning with our second all-women’s test. Last year’s event was a landmark moment and its success has laid a foundation for what comes next. This year, with double the track time, we’re offering an even greater platform for elite women drivers to demonstrate their talent in our cutting-edge GEN3 Evo race car. Unlike other series where women drivers have to use old or restricted machinery, they’ll be using the state-of-the-art GEN3 Evo car that accelerates 30% faster than an F1 car, just as our Championship drivers do. We’ve already seen this initiative lead to real career progression for multiple drivers, and we expect this year’s test to open even more doors. Jeff Dodds, CEO of Formula E.
Following the success of the inaugural Formula E Women’s Test, we are delighted to be offering talented female racers another invaluable opportunity to gain experience and showcase their skills in the series. The feedback from teams and participants last year was positive, and there has already been a tremendous level of interest in next month’s test. At the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, we are committed to fostering greater diversity and equality in motorsport, and with a number of the women who tested the Formula E car last year having since gone on to establish themselves in some positions in the championship, we have no doubt that it is only a matter of time before we see one of them joining the grid. Pablo Martino, Head of Formula E at the FIA.
MP Motorsport has confirmed that Alessandro Giusti will be returning with the team for a second season of FIA Formula 3 in 2026.
Giusti raced with the Dutch team for his rookie campaign this year and achieved two podiums as well as several points finishes on his way to finishing 10th in the Drivers’ Championship.
Prior to his 2025 campaign, the Williams Racing Driver Academy prospect finished fourth in the 2024 edition of the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine and also became French F4 Champion in 2022.
Giusti is now set to return for a second campaign with MP and following the announcement, he expressed his delight at the opportunity.
I’m extremely happy to stay with MP Motorsport for a second season in FIA Formula 3. I feel really comfortable in this team, having built a very good relationship over the past year. I feel confident for the future as I found a family there. We will keep working hard during the winter to come back even stronger in 2026. I can’t wait to be back behind the wheel already! Giusti on the news.
It’s wonderful to be able to announce Alessandro for 2026 straight after our 2025 Formula 3 season ended at Monza this weekend. His debut year in F3 has shown all the hallmarks of a quick learner who is set to shine in the all-important second season in the category. This year, we have built a strong foundation with Alessandro and I look forward to seeing our work bear fruit in 2026. Along with Mattia, we now have two immensely talented young drivers on our FIA F3 squad for next season that will help us to retain our position in the top ranks of the Teams’ championship. Sander Dorsman, MP Motorsport Team Principal.
Pierre Gasly has committed his long-term future to Alpine by signing a contract extension that will see him race for the French manufacturer until at least the end of the 2028 campaign.
The 29 year old joined Alpine ahead of the 2023 season and has since scored two podiums while also playing a key role in helping the team secure sixth place in the Teams’ Championship last season.
Gasly’s previous contract wasn’t due to expire until the end of next season but both sides were keen to extend that deal by a further two years and so put pen to paper before the Italian Grand Prix.
Alpine are having a challenging season as they are last in the F1 Constructors’ Championship, but Gasly had largely been the lead driver above Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto, scoring the team’s only points in Bahrain, Spain, Great Britain and Belgium.
Next year sees a new set of car regulations, and Alpine have decided to not use their own Renault engines, instead taking Mercedes’ power units.
I’m thrilled to commit my long-term future to Alpine. As a Frenchman, especially, driving for a French car company, it makes me feel very proud. Since I joined in 2023, I have always felt that this team is the right place to be for the future. Flavio’s support and belief in me, Francois’ commitment to the Formula 1 project, as well as the people we have in Enstone made this a natural decision and I want to be here in years to come and deliver on our joint objective: to win races and World Championships. We’re all in this together and I look forward to continuing this special story. Gasly on the news.
Since I returned to the team, I have always stated how important it is to build and grow the competitiveness of BWT Alpine Formula One Team. We’re well prepared for the new era of Formula 1, beginning in 2026, and now we have our lead driver confirmed to bring us well into the future. Pierre has been an immense asset for the team during this challenging period. I have been very impressed with his attitude, dedication and talent and we look forward to continuing this project together for a long time. Briatore on the news.
F1 has announced an extension of the Monaco Grand Prix until 2035 inclusive, building on the existing agreement with the Automobile Club of Monaco that runs through the 2031 season.
One of the sport’s most enduring races, having featured on the World Championship calendar in F1’s inaugural year in 1950, the Monaco Grand Prix has played host to plenty of memorable moments over the years.
Monte Carlo’s tight, twisty streets mean the Grand Prix demands maximum skill and concentration from the drivers, while its glamour and unique setting make it one of the most famous sporting events in the world.
In 2024, hometown hero Charles Leclerc created history when he became the first Monegasque in F1 history to win the Grand Prix, and this year Lando Norris secured his first-ever win in the Principality.
From the rest of the current F1 grid, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have all won multiple times on the streets of Monaco. They join legends including Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher, Niki Lauda, Sir Jackie Stewart and Graham Hill, who have all triumphed around the 3.3 kilometre circuit.
The streets of Monaco have been echoing with the sound of Formula 1 since the earliest days of the sport, so I’m delighted to announce the extension of this fantastic event to 2035. It is an iconic race that is loved by all drivers and fans, with a unique vibe thanks to its location on the world’s most glamorous Principality. I would like to say a special thank you to His Royal Serene Highness, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Michel Boeri, President of the Automobile Club of Monaco and everyone involved in securing the long-term future of this historic partnership. F1 President & CEO, Stefano Domenicali.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco for his unwavering support, as well as to Stefano Domenicali for his continued trust. The Automobile Club de Monaco is delighted with this four-year extension, which reflects the strong and enduring relationship between Formula 1 and the Principality of Monaco. This agreement reaffirms, more than ever, our commitment to delivering an exceptional, unmatched, and world-renowned race weekend to the passionate fans who travel from all over the globe to attend the Monaco Grand Prix, first held in 1929. I would also like to acknowledge the outstanding work of the F1 community and all the volunteers, as well as that of the Monegasque institutions, whose involvement is essential to the success of this extraordinary event. Michel Boeri, President of the Automobile Club of Monaco.
Swedish driver Joel Eriksson has secured a full-time seat with Envision Racing, as he signs a multi-year deal with the Silverstone-based team to race alongside champion Sebastien Buemi.
The 27 year old stepped in for Envision Racing during Season 10 at the Berlin E-Prix and demonstrated his talent and ability instantly, scoring points during his debut weekend for the team.
Eriksson experienced his first taste of Formula E back in 2018 with Envision Racing during the Rookie Test in Marrakesh – after a successful early career in Formula 4 and Formula 3.
Following the test, he participated in eight races of Season 7 with Dragon/Penske Autosport, stepping up from a reserve role.
Since then, he has remained a part of the paddock and has completed extensive simulator and development work over the past three seasons, yielding a strong understanding of the complexities of electric racing and how maximise performance in the car.
I am delighted to have signed with Envision Racing, it is a huge moment in my career and one that I have been working towards for a while. I am very thankful to the team for their trust, and I can’t wait to get started for my first full season of Formula E. Eriksson on the news.
We are very excited to announce Joel as our newest driver. We have known Joel for a number of years now, going back to his first ever Formula E test with us, and racing for us last season in Berlin. On both occasions he proved to us how talented he is and adapted very quickly to the Formula E style of racing in Berlin, delivering points on debut. With Joel’s extensive knowledge and experience working on the simulator with Jaguar, we are confident that he will deliver for us, and we will be doing all we can to help him hit the ground running. Sylvain Fillip, Envision Racing Management Director & CTO.
Hot on the heels of the announcement of their driver line-up of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez for 2026, Cadillac have revealed that IndyCar racer Colton Herta will fulfil the role of test driver at the team.
American driver Herta, whose name had been spoken of in relation to a seat at Cadillac before the Bottas/Perez line-up announcement came on August 26th, was the youngest ever IndyCar winner back in 2019, and has nice victories and 16 pole positions to his name from his 116 career starts in the series.
Herta has previous F1 experience, having tested a 2021 spec McLaren MCL35M at Portimao back in 2022.
Meanwhile, the move will mark a return to European racing for Herta, who competed on the continent from 2015 – 16, including time as Lando Norris’ team mate in the 2015 MSA Formula Championship, before returning stateside.
This is a dream opportunity, and one I’ve been working towards for a long time. To be part of Cadillac F1’s entry at such a pivotal time is something I couldn’t pass up. My dream has always been to race in Formula 1, and I see this move as a huge step towards that goal. For now, my focus is on giving everything I can to Cadillac F1, helping build a competitive team. Herta on the news.
Colton is an exceptionally talented racer with proven speed, race craft, and maturity well beyond his years. His experience in top-level American motorsport as part of the TWG Motorsport family makes him an ideal fit for this role, and he will bring valuable and fresh insight, perspective, and energy to our team as we continue to build for the future. Having an American driver join an American Formula 1 team is a hugely significant moment, not only for our team, but for American motorsport as a whole. Colton represents the passion, ambition, and competitive spirit that define the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, and we are proud to have him carry the American flag with us on the world stage. Graeme Lowdon, Cadillac’s Team Principal.
Fernando Barrichello will race for AIX Racing for the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Season.
The United Arab Emirates-based outfit confirmed the Brazilian as their second driver for next season after the news Yevan David would be stepping up to F3 earlier in the month.
Barrichello, son of former Formula 1 driver Rubens, stepped up to single seaters in 2022 in Brazilian F4, finishing seventh in his rookie season.
He moved on to Spanish F4 in 2023, and most recently raced in the Euroformula Open Championship in 2024, finishing third overall. He also took part in the season finale in Monza with the team to start getting ready for the season.
Extremely grateful for this opportunity – so much hard work has gone into reaching this moment! I’m excited to join AIX Racing and fight for big things. Que honra poder representar o nosso Brasil em algo tão grande – what an honour to represent Brazil on such a huge stage. Vamos com tudo!!! Barrichello on the news.
Super excited to welcome Fernando to our team from Monza onwards. We will be throwing him into the deep end a little, however the experience will prove invaluable for his preparations for the upcoming 2026 campaign. I believe that we can develop Fernando even further and we look forward to his valuable team contribution and shared future success. Kenny Kirwan, AIX Racing FIA Formula 3 Team Manager.
Sebastien Buemi and Envision Racing have come to a multi-year agreement to extend the Swiss’ deal with the team in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
Buemi, who is tied for the most wins in Formula E history (14) has driven for Envision Racing since Season 9. In that time he secured six podiums, two poles and one win, as well as contributing to Envision’s first Teams’ World Championship in his first season with the team.
Despite a more challenging season than anticipated in Season 11, Buemi delivered consistent points and strong performances: most notably that Monaco win, which he followed up with further podiums in the remainder of the season in Jakarta and at the London finale.
These results took Buemi’s all-time stats to 14 wins, 35 podiums and 16 Julius Baer Pole Positions – as well as, of course, the Season 2 Drivers’ crown for a driver that is an ever-present from Formula E’s very first race in Beijing to present day.
I’m super happy to re-sign with Envision Racing. We have enjoyed plenty of great moments and results together over the past three seasons, and I am very excited and motivated to add to this. Season 11 was a good year for me personally, achieving the win in Monaco and podiums which have been a great boost for us to keep working hard and achieve more this season. Buemi on the news.
We’re delighted to confirm that Seb will remain part of the team. His experience and technical insight have been instrumental in advancing both our car and our overall performance. We’re confident he will continue to drive us forward and deliver strong results. Sylvain Fillippi, Envision Racing Managing Director & CTO.
It was a great start from P2 for Stenshorne as he got ahead of pole-sitter Laurens van Hoepen on the run to Turn 1. The ART Grand Prix driver was keen to retake the position but ran too deep into the Turn 4 chicane, allowing his Hitech TGR rival to keep the place.
The Safety Car was then deployed following an incident on the opening lap that caused Ivan Domingues to crash into the barrier at Turn 1.
As the Van Amersfoort Racing car was being cleared away, AIX Racing’s Brad Benavides was given a 10 second time penalty for causing a collision, as he had hit the rear of Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak’s car at the Ascari chicane.
Racing resumed on Lap 5 of 18 and Tramnitz immediately went side by side with Van Hoepen through the first sector, with the MP Motorsport driver taking P2 at the entry of Turn 4.
Behind them, Maria’s Zagazeta was showing some good form, as he overtook Tuukka Taponen for fourth place on the run down to Turn 1.
The ART driver’s struggles continued on Lap 6, as he lost out to Alessandro Giusti, Bilinski and Ugo Ugochukwu, dropping the Finn to P8.
Bilinski’s charged continued as he overtook both Giusti and Zagazeta to get up to fourth down the main straight on Lap 8.
Tramnitz then took the lead from Stenshorne as they went wheel-to-wheel, with the German getting ahead at Turn 1. Bilinski did the same just behind, this time overtaking Van Hoepen to put him in P3.
Zagazeta’s P5 was then coming under pressure from the PREMA Racing pair of Ugochukwu and Neol Leon on Lap 10, but the DAMS Lucas Oil driver held them off.
Leon then used the DRS and slip stream to get ahead of Ugochukwu into Turn 1 on Lap 12, while up the road, Bilinski and Stenshorne had gone side by side into the same corner.
The HiTech driver did however go to deep into the corner and by doing so, he kept the place, with his team then coming onto the radio to tell him to give the position back to his rival.
Behind them, in trying to avoid hitting the rear of his teammate, Ugochukwu took to the grass and then the Turn 1 run off, dropping him to 12th.
Onto lap 15 of 18, and Tramnitz had pulled out a 2.8s gap out in front, as Bilinski and Stenshorne continued to battle for position.
However the MP driver’s lead was taken away as the Saftey Car was needed for a collision between Leon, Brando Badoer and Charlie Wurz.
The Safety Car came in on the penultimate lap, giving us one racing lap. However Tramnitz had an excellent restart and kept the lead into Turn 1.
The MP driver then pulled off into the distance as he went on to win the Monza Sprint Race for the second consecutive year. Bilinski wound up in P2 after holding off Stenshorne across the line.
The full top 10 are- P1: Tramnitz, P2: Bilinski, P3: Stenshorne, P4: Van Hoepen, P5: Zagazeta, P6: Boya, P7: Giusti, P8: Tsolov, P9: Leon and P10: Stromsted.
However, after the race Tramnitz was given a 10 second time penalty for not engaging the start procedure setup correctly, meaning he loses the race win and Bilinski is promoted to P1.
Day 3
It was an even start at the front for pole sitter Brad Benavides and front row starter Ugo Ugochukwu, as they maintained their positions, while Leon and Inthraphuvasak went side-by-side into Turn 4 for P3.
The Campos driver took P3, but while they were battling for position, TRIDENT’s title hopes took a massive hit, as Charlie Wurz stopped on track with damage.
This brought out the Safety Car, but racing resumed on Lap 3 of 22, with Tsolov the next Campos to get past Leon, this time for P4 and into Turn 1.
Up ahead, Ugochukwu was right on the back of Benavides and the pair went wheel to wheel into Turn 4. The AIX driver ran wide at the corner though, and while he maintained the position, he was told to give his American counterpart the place.
Benavides did so heading into the final corner, which allowed him to get the run on Ugochukwu down the main straight. He used this to retake the lead into Turn 1, as Inthraphuvasak followed him through.
However, onto lap 4 and Ugochukwu went around the outside of his Campos rival for P2 at Turn 4, putting him back up to second.
The Safety Car was back out to recover Fernando Barrichello’s car from the Ascari chicane. The Green Flag was waved to kick off racing on Lap 7, Inthraphuvasak was struggling and dropped to third behind Tsolov and Leon.
Benavides was resisting each one of Ugochukwu’s attempts to overtake, both into Turn 1 and Turn 4. However, the PREMA driver’s race soon ended at the Ascari chicane, as a slight touch with the gravel sent him into a spin and knocked him out of the running, bringing out the Safety Car.
Back to racing on Lap 11 and Benavides once again had a good restart, as Tsolov came under pressure from Leon.
The Bulgarian quickly turned to defence to attack though and was right on the back of Benavides heading into the final corner and took the lead into Turn 1.
However, the AIX driver was refusing to give up on a maiden win and went around the outside of Tsolov at Turn 4 to take back P1.
Inthraphuvasak was on the charge and got ahead of Leon for third at the start of Lap 14. However, TRIDENT was now back in play for the title, as Noah Stromsted climbed up to sixth while Rafael Camara was 10th, having started last.
That was aided by Matias Zagazeta stopping on track with front wing damage. The DAMS Lucas Oil driver collided with Martinius Stenshorne and the Tukka Taponen, which sent him off at Ascari and forced him to spot at the final corner.
Inthraphuvasak though clearly had eyes on a third win of the season as he dived to the inside of his teammate for P2 as the Ascari chicane, although the Bulgarian took it back at Turn 1 on Lap 16.
Behind them, Camara charged up to sixth, despite going on the grass briefly on the run down to the final corner, as he got past Taponen, Giusti and Stromsted.
At the start of Lap 17, Tsolov was having a look at Benavides but then came Inthraphuvasak, who rounded them both into Turn 1 to take the lead.
Benavides was keen to get the place back but ran too deep into Turn 1 on the following lap, and while he came out in front, he gave the positions back.
Behind them, Camara was well within DRS range of the top five, and as Lap 19 of 22 got underway the Champion dived to the inside of Roman Bilinski at Turn 4, and after running wide at the corner, the Rodin Motorsport driver let Camara through a few corners later.
Onto the penultimate lap and after biding his time, Tsolov looked to make a move on Inthraphuvasak. The race leader shut the door, but this gave Benavides the run on the P2 driver, although he ran slightly off-line into Turn 4, allowing Leon through for third.
Their squabbling for P3 allowed the Campos duo to go clear as Inthraphuvasak led Tsolov home in a one-two for the team, giving the Spanish outfit for the 2025 FIA Formula 3 Teams’ Champiosnhip.
The full top 10 are- P1: Inthraphuvasak, P2: Tsolov, P3: Leon, P4: Benavides, P5: Camara, P6: Stromsted, P7: Bilinski, P8: Giusti, P9: Boya and P10: Tramnitz.
Red Bull driver, Max Verstappen converted pole position into victory during Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix, leading home McLaren pair Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri after a dramatic start and end to proceedings at Monza.
Verstappen and Norris went wheel to wheel almost immediately when the lights went out, getting close to each other down the start/finish straight before the Dutchman skipped the first chicane to keep the lead.
Although Verstappen gave up the position to Norris at the start of the second lap to avoid a potential penalty, he was soon back on his rival’s tail and took only a couple more tours to reclaim P1 and surge clear.
From there, Verstappen appeared to have everything under control, managing the gap back to both McLarens across their opening stints, pitting earlier than Norris and Piastri to strengthen that advantage and then cruising to the chequered flag.
The full top 10 are- P1: Verstappen, P2: Norris, P3: Piastri, P4: Leclerc, P5: Russell, P6: Hamilton, P7: Albon, P8: Bortoleto, P9: Antonelli and P10: Hadjar.
What a result for Max Verstappen, a lovely weekend for the Dutchman, pole and the race win plus the Red Bull had some pace this weekend, which makes up for a disappointing home race.
Good result for McLaren, P2 for Norris and P3 for Piastri, unfortunate that they didn’t have the pace to battle Max, but also, the battle between themselves over the radio, I believe tensions are high now between the two drivers, which is not good at all.
P4 for Leclerc and P6 for Hamilton, a decent day for the Ferrari team on home soil, a shame they couldn’t get on the podium, but a good result for Hamilton, as he managed to get higher up than what he started.
P5 for Russell, nothing major from the Brit, but still a good amount of points in the bag, which is good as the team currently sits third in the Teams’ standings, and only 20 points away from Ferrari.
A good result from Albon, he started P14 and finished P7, a great day for him as his weekend wasn’t the best but he made up for it.
An unfortunate day for Nico Hulkenberg, he did not start, as he pilled into the pitlane on the formation lap as his car had a suspected hydraulic leak, big shame for him, he will be looking towards Baku.
Now we have a little break before the next round, which is Azerbaijan on the 19th to 21st September!
Ugo Ugochukwu was the one to beat in the final Practice session of the season, the PREMA Racing driver’s last lap of the session putting him on top of the timesheets.
The American’s 1:38.473 was quickest of all, over a tenth clear of Campos Racing’s Nikola Tsolov and PREMA teammate Noel Leon.
The session got underway with Theophile Nael setting a 1:41.780, putting him over a tenth ahead of home favourite Brando Badoer. But then came the Italian’s teammate Ugochukwu and Leon, with the former going to P1 on a 1:40.455, while the latter settled for second, 0.229s behind.
Nael then took P1 back with a 1:40.084, eclipsing Leon’s improved time by 0.116s as MP Motorsport’s Alessandro Giusti rounded out the top three.
However, with nearly 20 minutes gone in the session and after setting the fastest first sector, Roman Bilinski spun into the barrier at the Ascari chicane, bringing out the Red Flags.
Running resumed with 16 minutes to go and there were several changes near the top of the field as Rafael Camara went fastest on a 1:39.346, with Martinius Stenshorne following him across the line to end up 0.242s off the 2025 Champion.
The Hitech TGR driver then improved to a 1:39.189 on his next lap to go fastest. But just as he did that, many of the teams opted to bring their drivers into the pitlane to swap the carry-over Medium tyres to the Softs.
On the first runs it was Callum Voisin that went fastest on a 1:38.721, with Nael and Nikola Tsolov in second and third all within a tenth of the Rodin Motorsport driver.
But they were able to push on for another lap on the Softs and this time it was Ugochukwu that took P1 on a 1:38.473, beating Tsolov by 0.128 with his teammate Leon in third.
Qualifying-
Group A
Nikita Johnson and Roman Bilinski were the first ones out of the pitlane at the green light, with the rest of the field joining them out on track with over five minutes to go.
Rafael Camara’s only lap put him P1 with a 1:38.520, just 0.093s clear of Ugo Ugochukwu, with Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak in third.
Alessandro Giusti, Tim Tramnitz and Callum Voisin, having been at the front of the field, were the only ones able to continue on for a second lap. But just as they did that, Camara’s time was deleted for exceeding track limits at Turn 5.
Giusti then completed his lap to go P4 ahead of his MP Motorsport teammate, while Voisin wound up 10th in the group.
This let Ugochukwu on top of the group and on provisional pole with a 1:38.613. Inthraphuvasak was 0.013s behind in second, with Bilinski third.
Group B
The next set of 15 made their way out on track immediately at the green light with 1:38.613 the time to beat for pole.
Noah Stromsted was quickest after the first set of laps on a 1:38.647, just 0.014s ahead of PREMA’s Noel Leon with Theophile Nael in P3.
Mari Boya then went to P1 but was quickly beaten by Charlie Wurz and then Tuukka Taponen, who was on provisional pole with a 1:38.502s, as Martinius Stenshorne went 0.058s behind in P2.
The Hitech TGR driver was the only member of the field not able to push on for a third lap and there were several improvements, before Benavides took a second pole of the season with a 1:38.120s.
Leon was second in the group ahead of Nikola Tsolov, and Matias Zagazeta, as Taponen and Stenshorne slipped to fifth and sixth respectively.
The Monza event is always special but this year, it is even more so. It will be the 75th time that the Autodromo has hosted a Formula 1 World Championship race, more than any other circuit in the history of motor racing’s blue riband category.
The Monza track holds the record for the highest average race speed, courtesy of Michael Schumacher in a Ferrari with a figure of 247.586 km/h in 2003, as well as the fastest average speed of 264.362 km/h for a qualifying lap, set by Lewis Hamilton at the wheel of a Mercedes in 2020.
Last year pole went to Lando Norris with an average speed of 263 km/h. Easy to understand therefore why the venue is universally known as the Temple of Speed.
The 5.793 kilometre track has 11 corners and drivers spend 80% of the lap at full throttle, the cars running the lowest aero downforce level of the season with the aim of reducing drag to a minimum. In this context, stability under braking and traction out of the corners is key, especially at the chicanes such as the Prima Variante and the Variante Ascari, where the drivers need to scrub off speed very rapidly. Lateral forces come into play at the fastest corners, such as Biassono and the legendary Parabolica, now renamed in honour of Michele Alboreto.
After the track was completely resurfaced in 2024, this year Monza has concentrated on improvements to the public areas.
There is no change in compounds compared to last year, when the track had just been resurfaced for the Italian Grand Pri at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza. The C3 (Hard), C4 (Medium) and C5 (Soft).
Twelve months on, inevitably the surface will have aged, but it is unlikely to have any significant effect on the range of possible strategies at this circuit, where cars run in the lowest aerodynamic downforce configuration of the season.
It is likely that the most popular choices for the race itself will be the Hard and Medium. One can assume that the level of graining will be lower than last year as the track will now be bedded in.
It is difficult to overtake at Monza, primarily because of the reduced effectiveness of the DRS, with the cars running minimum aero downforce levels. This too tends to swing the balance in favour of a one-stop strategy.
The Monza event is always special but this year, it is even more so. For Pirelli, this weekend marks the end of celebrations for having taken part in 500 #F1 Grands Prix, a milestone reached at Zandvoort last Sunday. Read the full story here 👉 https://t.co/tXJqCpcJtV#ItalianGPpic.twitter.com/O7f2QUxVho
Ireland’s Alex Dunne will return to drive for McLaren in first practice at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza on Friday.
Dunne, 19, starred in his debut practice outing earlier this year in Austria when he was fourth in the session and within one tenth of Oscar Piastri in equal machinery.
The teenager was the first Irish driver to compete in an F1 weekend in 22 years and will also continue his Formula 2 campaign in Monza, where he is fifth in the standings.
All 10 Formula 1 teams must run a rookie in at least four practice sessions this season. McLaren have already announced IndyCar star Pato O’Ward will get an outing at his home event in Mexico City in October and are likely to complete the rookie requirements in Abu Dhabi with a driver yet to be confirmed.
Ferrari have revealed the special livery that Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton’s SF-25s will wear at this year’s Italian Grand Prix – the first race at Monza for the seven-time World Champion Hamilton since joining the Scuderia.
Featuring a more prominent white on the engine covers, alongside retro numbers and wheel covers, the car pays homage to the colourway of the Ferrari 312T that Niki Lauda took to the 1975 Drivers’ Championship, and which earned the team the Constructors’ title in the same year.
At the time, a third place finish had been enough for the 26 year old Austrian to be crowned with one grand prix remaining, such was his advantage over McLaren’s Emerson Fittipaldi and Brabham’s Carlos Reutemann. Ferrari team-mate Clay Regazzoni gave the tifosi another reason to celebrate with victory on their turf.
Ferrari head to Monza off the back of a tough outing at the Dutch Grand Prix, with both Hamilton and Leclerc retiring after crashes – although the drivers had been buoyed by the improved pace of their car as the weekend progressed.
Cadillac have signed Grand Prix winners Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas to be their drivers when the team joins the Formula 1 grid for the first time in 2026.
The American team, who are backed by General Motors and will be led by former Marussia Sporting Director Graeme Lowdon, will become the sport’s 11th team next season.
Cadillac have opted for experience with their line-up, signing Checo Perez and Mercedes reserve Bottas – who boast 527 Grand Prix starts and 16 Grand Prix wins between them – on multi year deals.
It marks a remarkable return for the veteran duo, both 35, after they lost their respective F1 race seats at the end of last season.
Perez took some time out consider his future goals and spend time with his family after leaving Red Bull, while Bottas stayed in the paddock as reserve for Mercedes following his Sauber exit.
Mexican Perez brings immense F1 experience, having competed for Sauber, McLaren and Force Indian/Racing Point before moving to Red Bull, where he helped the team win the Teams’ Championship in 2022 and 2023.
Finland’s Bottas enjoyed incredible success at Mercedes, playing a key role in the Silver Arrows winning the Teams’ Championship every year from 2017 to 2021.
Signing two very experienced racers like Bottas and Checo is a bold signal of intent. They’ve seen it all and they know what it takes to succeed in Formula 1. But more importantly, they understand what it means to help build a team. Their leadership, feedback, race-hardened instincts and of course their speed will be invaluable as we bring this team to life. A big thank you to the team at Mercedes for their co-operation and understanding. Lowdon on the news.
Joining the Cadillac Formula 1 Team is an incredibly exciting new chapter in my career. From our first conversations, I could sense the passion and determination behind this project. It’s an honor to be part of building a team that can develop together so that, in time, we will fight at the very front. Cadillac is a legendary name in American motorsport, and to help bring such a fantastic company to Formula 1 is a huge responsibility, one I’m confident of taking on. I’m proud to be part of such an ambitious and meaningful project from the very beginning. I’m really pleased to be part of such a dynamic line-up, and together I believe we can help shape this team into a real contender, the team of the Americas. We’re counting on support from across the continent – and we want to make everyone proud. Perez on the news.
From the moment I began speaking with the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, I felt something different – something ambitious but also grounded. This isn’t just a racing project; it’s a long-term vision. It’s not every day that you get a chance to be part of something being built from the ground up and helping shape it into something that truly belongs on the F1 grid. I’ve had the honor of working with some of the best teams in the world, and I can already see the same professionalism and hunger here. This is an iconic brand with a big legacy in American motorsport, and to be a part of the story as it enters the world stage of F1 is incredibly special for me. I’m looking forward to representing the American spirit of racing on the greatest circuits in the world. I’d also like to thank Mercedes for their unwavering support and sportsmanship in facilitating such an exciting step. Bottas on the news.
Bottas and Checo bring the perfect balance of talent, maturity, and drive. They’re not just accomplished racers, they’re builders, collaborators, and professionals who will help define what the Cadillac Formula 1 Team stands for. This moment marks more than just a line-up announcement. It’s the beginning of a bold new chapter in American motorsport. CEO of Cadillac Formula 1 Team & TWG Motorsport, Dam Towriss.
MP Motorsport have confirmed that Mattia Colnaghi will race with the team in FIA Formula 3 next season.
The Italian driver will also be joining the Red Bull Junior Team programme as he moves up to F3 in 2026.
Currently, the 17 year old is leading the Eurocup-3 Championship, with four race wins so far in 2025 along with a further two podium finishes.
Prior to this season, the future MP F3 driver debuted in single-seaters in the Formula winter Series in 2024, winning the Spanish F4 Championship later in the year and finishing runner up in the Eurocup-3 Spanish Winter Championship earlier this year.
Speaking on his promotion to F3, Colnaghi said he was very excited at the prospect and him joining Red Bull.
I’m super excited about the opportunity handed to me by MP Motorsport and the Red Bull Junior Team. Joining the Grand Prix weekends as a Formula 3 driver is a dream come true, and I’m looking to forward to building on the amazing working relationship that MP and I have developed in the past two seasons. I’m truly grateful to Helmut Marko and Red Bull for allowing me to demonstrate my racing skills in FIA F3, while staying with MP is the obvious choice. They have become my family in the past two years and have helped me grow as a driver. I believe that working with them in Formula 3 will be just as enjoyable and successful. Colnaghi on the news.
Moving up to FIA F3 with Mattia is a proud moment for us as a team. We immediately recognised his talent when he joined us as a young teenager in the winter of 2023-’24, and it was a joy to see that talent truly accelerate in Spanish F4, resulting in title-winning glory in his first year out of karts. This year, he has been outstanding again, also proving his qualities as a sportsman when the going got tough. We will continue to work hard for our Eurocup-3 title contenders this year, including Mattia, before we head towards the 2026 season with the confidence that his immediate future is now firmly set in stone. MP Team Principal, Sander Dorsman.
Jordan's Track Talk 