Jordan's Track Talk

Category: 2024

  • Arvid Lindblad completes PREMA’s F3 line-up

    PREMA Racing have announced that Red Bull Junior, Arvid Lindblad will round out their line-up for the 2024 FIA Formula 3 campaign, joining returnees Dino Beganovic and Gabriele Mini at the Italian outfit.

    Lindblad makes the step up off the back of a successful first full season in single-seaters. After finishing fifth in the F4 UAE Championship, the 16 year old took six wins, 10 podiums and two pole positions on his way to securing third in Italian F4 alongside claiming fourth in the Euro 4 Championship.

    The British born racer, enjoyed plenty of success in karting, achieving the WSK Super Masters OK Junior in 2020 and followed that up with the WSK Euro Series title the next year.
    From there, he made his single-seater debut in 2022 with a three-round appearance in Italian F4 where he earned a best result of seventh, before partnering up with PREMA for the dual campaign this year.

    Lindblad has already gotten his first taste of F3 machinery during the six days of post-season testing. Getting 414 laps under his belt, he netted four top 10 finishes, including the sixth-fastest time of the opening afternoon in Imola.

    Super excited to be continuing with PREMA for 2024 in FIA Formula 3. We had a great year in Formula 4 together, leading and competing for both Championships for the whole season. PREMA has been very strong in F3 this year, and that’s why I’m really excited and honoured to have the opportunity to continue and move up the ranks with them. We had positive post-season tests together with good progression and steps made, and I can’t wait for the season to get started.

    Lindblad on the news.

    We were deeply impressed by Arvid this year, and we think he has the potential to succeed a Formula 3 level as well. We will work as hard as possible to ease his transition to such a challenging environment and allow him to be successful as soon as possible. Our driver line-up for 2024 is now complete, and I could not be happier with the team we put together.

    Rene Rosin, Team Principal.

  • Colapinto graduates to F2

    MP Motorsport have announced that Franco Colapinto will make his Formula 2 debut with them in 2023 season finale at Yas Marina this month, ahead of a full campaign with the Dutch team next year.

    Colapinto steps up off the back of a second successful year in Formula 3, earning two wins and five podiums for MP. The Williams Racing Academy driver ended up fourth in the Drivers’ Championship.

    The Argentine racer is already well acquainted with MP. After storming his way to the 2019 Spanish F4 title in his debut season in single-seaters, Colapinto partnered up with the Dutch team the following year in Formula Renault Eurocup. He secured two wins and nine podiums, he finished his rookie campaign in third.

    Remaining with them for another season, he achieved sixth in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine. From there, he graduated to F3 with Van Amersfoort Racing, taking two wins on his way to ninth in the Drivers’ Standings in 2022 before reuniting with MP for the 2023 campaign.

    I’m absolutely thrilled to be moving up to Formula 2 with MP. MP are proven race winners in the category, and staying with them feels absolutely right. It’s a familiar atmosphere for me, and it will be to our advantage that we know each other so well as I enter my debut season in the category. I’m very much look forward to the fresh challenge of a new series, with a brand-new car to help develop. I can’t wait to get in the car in Abu Dhabi and then work with the team to be ready for a long and challenging 2024 season.

    Colapinto on the news.

    It’s great news that we are able to announce Franco’s promotion to our F2 team so early. This will give us a headstart in our preparations for an exciting 2024 F2 season in which we all start from zero, with the new F2 car offering everyone a new baseline to work from. Retaining Franco helps us to maintain stability in that transition, apart from the fact that he’s become a member of the MP family and is an extremely quick and talented driver.

    Sander Dorsman, MP Team Principal.

  • Gabriele Mini switches to PREMA

    Gabriele Mini will return for a second Formula 3 season in 2024, switching to reigning Teams’ Champions PREMA Racing.

    A two-time race winner after scoring victories in the Monte Carlo Feature Race and Budapest Sprint, Mini rounded out his rookie campaign seventh in the Drivers’ Standings for Hitech Pulse-Eight.

    Participating in the three two-day post-season tests with PREMA, the Alpine junior put together an impressive showing. The 18 year old topped the timing sheets across both days in Imola and earned a further three top two worthy times in Barcelona and Jerez.

    Next season, Mini reunite with the team that helped take him to glory in Italian F4 in 2020. From there, the Italian racer finished seventh in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine.
    Returning for a second campaign, he earned the runner-up honours, just behind eventual Champion and 2024 teammate Dino Beganovic.

    I’m very happy to join PREMA Racing for the 2024 season. The team had a very strong season last year, and we had some very promising tests together at Jerez and Barcelona. Our only goal will be to fight for the title, and I cannot wait to hit the track and start the new season! I would like to thank the Alpine Academy and All Road Management for their strong support to make it happen.

    Mini on the news.

    We are really proud to have Gabriele back with us. We thoroughly enjoyed working with him back in 2020 and we are happy to do it again now. We are extremely delighted by how our 2024 line-up is coming together as we have proven winners with high potential and great experience on our side. We cannot wait for the new season to start, and we look forward to the preparation work ahead.

    Rene Rosin, Team Principal.

  • Hauger to split from RB Junior Team

    Dennis Hauger is to part company with the Red Bull Junior Team but will continue racing in Formula 2 in 2024.

    The Norwegian’s second season in F2 has not lived up to expectations, leaving him eighth in the points before the final round in Abu Dhabi this month.
    He won the sprint races in Melbourne and at the Hungaroring but has not finished on the podium in a feature race, despite having joined the MP Motorsport team that took Felipe Drugovich to the 2022 title.

    Hauger has had more of an on-and-off relationship with Red Bull compared to most of its junior drivers, benefitting from strong personal sponsorship from Norway while his career has been guided heavily by experienced countryman Harald Huysman.

    He joined the Junior Team for his move from karts into British Formula 4 in 2018, but his switch to Italian F4 the following year was instigated by Hauger’s management group rather than Red Bull, which would have rather moved him up a level. He raced in the black and orange of his Van Amersfoort Racing team instead of the blue of the energy drink firm.
    Having won that title, he was back in full Red Bull colours for his step up to F3 in 2020, but a difficult rookie season with Hitech – he finished 17th in the standings – this led him to be only a Red Bull supported driver than a full junior in 2021, when he again became champion with Prema.

    Red Bull has had six junior drivers racing in F2 this year but there has been speculation about how many will remain with the programme next year.
    It has already announced Pepe Marti and Tim Tramnitz as new additions to its roster ahead of 2024.

  • Andrea Kimi Antonelli promoted to Formula 2

    PREMA Racing have announced that Andrea Kimi Antonelli will be graduating to Formula 2 with the team, becoming the first driver announced for the 2024 campagin.

    The 17 year old Italian racer steps up as the reigning Champion of the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine. Earning five victories and a further six podiums on his way to claiming his fifth title in two years.

    The Mercedes junior made his step up to single seaters with the Italian team in 2021, making a three-round appearance in Italian F4.
    A full season followed the next year alongside a campaign in German F4, securing the Drivers’ title in both Championships with a combined total of 22 wins. Additionally, he won the gold medal in the FIA Motorsport Games Formula 4 Cup.

    From there, Antonelli earned three wins and seven podiums on his way to the Formula Regional Middle East Championship title, before going on to triumph in FRECA during his rookie season.

    Antonelli will get his first taste of Formula 2 action during the post-season test at Yas Marina from November 29th to December 1st.

    I’m very happy for this opportunity. From Formula Regional to Formula 2, it will be a huge jump. I’m aware that it will be very challenging because the level is really high there. It will be a new car, for me and the others as well but it’s still going to be tough. I don’t want to set expectations, I will try to learn as much as possible in testing to be ready for the first race, have fun as always, and do a good job. I’m delighted to continue with PREMA as I started my single-seater career with them and they are my second family and I love working with them.

    Antonelli on the news.

    We are proud to welcome Kimi to our FIA Formula 2 Championship team. He has been with us since the very beginning so not only do we know him well, but we are also particularly proud of what he was able to achieve in his first two years full-time in single seaters. Kimi is a gifted racer and a great team player, so we cannot wait to see what the 2024 season will bring and we are focused on helping him make the step in the smoothest possible way.

    Rene Rosin, Team Principal.

  • NIO 333 starts new era as ERT Formula E team

    ERT Formula E Team comes after the seven-season partnership with Chinese car manufacturer NIO draws to a conclusion as the long-standing team heads towards their 10th season with ambitious plans for this new chapter.

    The outfit are coming off the back of one of their best seasons in recent years. In the hands of Dan Ticktum and Sergio Sette Camara, who will continue with team in Season 10, the combined effort saw one of the team’s best seasons in recent years.

    The pair demonstrated an impressive one-lap pace with 10 Duels appearances, converting these top 10 starting positions into nine point-scoring finished and ending the season in ninth in the overall Teams’ standings.

    Based out of their headquarters at the Silverstone Race Circuit, as part of the ERT ‘rebirth’ the team will look to commercialise their technology and IP and apply this on track learning to road products, along with supporting the wider industry to push sustainable transport solutions.

    ERT have been in the series since the dawn of Formula E, with Nelson Piquet Jnr taking the inaugural Drivers’ title with the team in the 2014/15 season. There have been a few name changes since then with NIO joining the squad in Season 3.

    We are proud to unveil our new identity as the ERT Formula E Team, it is an exciting step in our journey. As the only manufacturer Formula E team that is not currently tied to an OEM, our powertrain and software development has been done independently, putting us in a unique position. Utilising what we have learnt on track, we have already identified that we have a lot to offer in terms of improving electric vehicle performance, not just in relation to powertrains but whole vehicle engineering support and solutions, something which is already proving of interest within the automotive and motorsport industries. It is a natural progression for us to move forward commercialising this knowledge with the increasing global adoption of EVs, particularly as Formula E provides such a strong platform for OEMs and as such our conversations with partners in this arena are already advanced.

    Alex Hui, Team Principal for ERT.

  • China and India join USA & Japan to stage Formula E races

    The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship today announced a return to China and India for the milestone 10th season, which makes it the only motorsport to stage events during 2024 in the world’s three most populous countries: China, India and USA.

    Shanghai and Hyderabad were confirmed as host cities in Season 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship following approval at the FIA World Motorsport Council meeting on 19th October.

    Formula E will race for the first time in Shanghai at the Shanghai International Circuit with a double-header of races on Saturday 25th May and Sunday 26th May 2024.
    The first ever Formula E race was held in Beijing on 13th September 2015 with a second instalment following a year later. Sanya then hosted the most recent Chinese E-Prix in 2019, with Formula E also racing in Hong Kong on four occasions over three seasons between Seasons 2 and 5.

    Hyderabad will host Formula E again on Saturday 10th February 2024, with the support from the Telangana Government and Minister K. T. Rama Rao and following the 31,000 capacity sold out-debut race in February this year.

    There are two more updates to the Season 10 calendar. The event planned for Jakarta on Saturday 8th June will not go ahead following the announcement of a campaigning period in the Indonesian presidential elections during most of June.
    This would impact the logistics of delivering a race on the streets of the capital city at the same time.

    The second update is a likely venue change in Italy for Rounds 7 and 8. This follows a review by experts at Formula E and the FIA into the Season 9 races in Rome, where the new faster cars reached the limits of the narrow, sharp turning circuit in Rome.
    Formula E is exploring alternative venues, including permanent circuit to maintain an event in the key Italian market. An update on the venue is expected before the end of the year.

    Without doubt our Season 10 calendar is the most compelling yet for drivers, teams, fans and viewers around the world. We are taking Formula E to Shanghai for the first time and are honoured to return to India thanks to the support of the Telangana Government and Minister K. T. Rama Rao. The combination of street circuits, which is in Formula E’s DNA, and established race tracks will allow drivers to push the capabilities of the GEN3 car harder and further after a first season that beat all expectations with triple-digit overtakes in most races and the world championship titles decided on the final weekend.

    Alberto Longo, Co-Founder & Chief Championship Officer, Formula E.

    Formula E will lead global motorsport next season as the only world championship to race in the three biggest markets of China, India and the USA. Together with our debut on the streets of Tokyo and races in other major global markets like Brazil, Germany, Saudi Arabia and the UK, we have built a calendar that has the potential to engage billions of people in the exciting, entertaining, electric future of motorsport.

    Jeff Dodds, CEO, Formula E.

  • PREMA retain Beganovic for 2024

    Dino Beganovic will be returning to Formula 3 with PREMA Racing, becoming the first driver announced for the 2024 campaign.
    The Swede made his F3 debut this year with the Italian team, finishing his maiden campaign in sixth in the Drivers’ championship.

    The partnership between Beganovic and PREMA is a longstanding one, with the 19 year old having first raced for the team back in 2020 when he claimed P3 in Italian F4.

    He continued with PREMA in 2020 and 2021, moving up to the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, achieving a P13 finish before winning the series in ’21 taking four victories and a further 10 podiums along the way.

    In 2023, the Ferrari Academy junior, scored four podium finishes in F3 and a further six top 10 finishes. Beganovic said that he was pleased to a continuing with the team next year having achieved so much already in PREMA colours.

    During post-season testing, Beganovic was the fastest driver at Jerez finishing the second day with a 1:29.900. He also ended the Barcelona test on top leading the afternoon session on Day 2.

    I’m super happy to confirm that I’m staying for another year with my team, PREMA Racing, in Formula 3. It’s very nice to stay with the team as it will be our fifth year together. I cannot wait to continue the work we have done together throughout the years, starting from Formula 4. Our targets are clear and have been set high, but they are achievable. We will continue to focus on the testing sessions to prepare as much as possible for the first race next year.

    Beganovic on the seat.

    We always enjoyed working with Dino. He is a quick and knowledgeable driver and works really well in our team’s environment. With the experience gained this year, he will make his challenge even more solid and by what we saw so far in testing, there is great promise for sure. We are very happy to continue the path we started together in 2020, and we look forward to seeing what the future will bring.

    Rene Rosin, Team Manager.

  • McLaren sign F1 Academy’s Bianca Bustamante

    F1 Academy racer, Bianca Bustamante has become the newest addition to the McLaren Driver Development programme, with the 18 year old making history as the first female driver to join the British team’s development programme.

    Born in the Philipines, Bustamante made her single-seater debut in 2022, competing in W Series, where she claimed the top rookie honours. This year, she joined the grid for the inaugural F1 Academy season with PREMA Racing, earning two wins and two podiums.

    As part of the programme, Bustamante will represent McLaren on the 2024 F1 Academy grid and run their livery, switching to race with ART Grand Prix.

    Her involvement in the McLaren Driver Development programme, led by Emanuele Pirro, will see her join the team’s talent pipeline which has an overarching aim to help drivers progress towards Formula 1, IndyCar and Formula E.

    This is such an unreal moment in my career, to sign with McLaren and ART Grand Prix is way beyond anything I could’ve ever imagined growing up racing karts in the Philippines. I still have a hard time seeing my name next to McLaren without getting emotional, as the history and heritage linked to this team leaves me truly speechless. I’m so grateful for this opportunity as I believe I now have the best possible development structure around me to take the next step up in my career, and for this I am so thankful. 2023 was all about improving my speed which I demonstrated across several races this year, but in 2024 my aim is to establish consistency and improve my mental strength in order to make a title challenge in the coming F1 Academy season. For now, my focus is to finish off the F1 Academy season strongly here in Austin, but we’ll get to work immediately on the 2024 season. I’ve never been more motivated in my life! A big thanks goes to Susie Wolff and the team at F1 Academy for fighting so hard for us girls and to give us this opportunity to be the best we can be. Additional thanks go to Zak Brown, Andrea Stella, Emanuele Pirro, Sebastian Philippe, my sponsors, and all my supporters for believing in me and making this all possible. I am full of gratitude, and I promise to give it my all.

    Bianca on the news.

    The team are delighted for Bianca to join us, and for McLaren to be involved in F1 Academy. It’s a core principle of ours to be a diverse and inclusive team, so we’re pleased to be so involved in Formula 1’s work on the important topic of improving gender diversity within motorsport. We also look forward to seeing Bianca grow and progress within the McLaren Racing Driver Development programme under Emanuele’s guidance.

    Andrea Stella, McLaren’s Team Principal.

    I’m pleased that Bianca is joining our Driver Development programme. She’s a promising young talent who has a brilliant work ethic and is aligned closely to our team’s values. I look forward to working with Bianca on her development as a racing driver. We’re also excited for Bianca to be representing the team in the F1 Academy series and we look forward to seeing her race in papaya in 2024.

    Emanuele Pirro, Director of the McLaren Racing Driver Development.

  • Porsche confirm driver line-up

    There’s no change at TAG Heuer Porsche for Season 10 as the factory team retains the race-winning services of both Pascal Wehrlein and Antonio Felix da Costa in 2024, completing the grid for the historic tenth season of Formula E.

    Season 9 was TAG Heuer Porsche’s best season in Formula E to date as the legendary marque wrapped up four wins and a total of seven podiums, and the factory outfit will keep what’s working with the drivers Pascal Wehrlein and Antonio Felix da Costa continuing behind the wheel of the Porsche 99X Electric.

    Wehrlein also rounded out one of his best in Formula E last season, the German was atop of the standings for the first half of the season after a commanding double-header domination in Diriyah at the start of the year. Adding a further victory in Jakarta and then ended up fourth overall.

    Former champion Da Costa joined Porsche ahead of Season 9 and after a somewhat unassuming start with the German outfit, he scored a debut podium in Hyderabad and the followed that up with an absolute overtaking masterclass in Cape Town with a daring move in the dying moments to take his first victory.

    The Portuguese driver had a rollercoaster season, ending up ninth overall but is ready to get back to work in the Valencia pre-season test.

    The test in Valencia marks the start of the new season. We’ve been busy with preparations for weeks, and we’ve already done stints in the simulator. I’m certain we’ve made further progress. Last season we learned a lot, which we can build on now. For Valencia, it’s important to be well prepared to be able to roll out our test programme without any issues and gain further insights. There are some minor changes for the new season. Valencia will certainly help us to fully understand them. Then, we can get stuck in.

    Wehrlein on the news.

    I’m looking forward to Valencia. The test is always cool because all of the teams and drivers are there. This gives us a chance to show where we stand against the competition, to see where we’re already strong and where we might need to make some improvements. The preparation for Season 10 is going much better for me than last season’s preparation. I was new to the team last year and getting used to the car. This time everything is easier. I used the Formula E break to contest endurance races in the Porsche 963, spend time with my family and friends and prepare myself mentally and physically for the new season.

    Da Costa on the news.

  • F1 Academy announces 2024 calendar

    F1 Academy has announced a seven-round calendar for the 2024 season, with every event featuring on the Formula 1 support bill.

    Following on from this year’s inaugural season, the all women series’ second campaign will begin in Saudi Arabia on March 7th and finish in Abu Dhabi on December 8th.

    In addition to the hosts of the opening and closing rounds, Miami, Qatar, and Singapore will all join the calendar for the first time, with Zandvoort and Barcelona returning for a second year.

    The calendar has been designed to span three continents – Europe, Asia and North America – and will feature a mix of street circuit and traditional circuits, with the racing to be supplemented by an extensive official testing calendar that will be announced in due course.

    The announcement follows news last month that F1 Academy will be supported by all 10 F1 teams, who will each provide a driver to the series and have their livery on one car.

    I am delighted to announce our seven-round season for 2024. This calendar cements our ambition to become a truly global series, expanding our reach and improving visibility for our mission. We want to inspire young girls and women across the globe and show them that there’s a place for them in our sport, and racing alongside F1 will help us achieve this. I want to thank all seven promoters for supporting us in our mission and embarking on this journey with us in 2024.

    Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 Academy.

    It is fantastic to welcome F1 Academy onto seven rounds of the F1 calendar next year. This global platform, combined with the support of all 10 F1 teams, will take the series to the next level, providing not only the opportunity for the drivers to develop their skills on F1 tracks, but to inspire young girls around the world to pursue a future in motorsport. I want to thank our promoters, our F1 teams, and the wider motorsport community for their support of F1 Academy as we move towards our exciting second season.

    Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.

  • DS Penske reveal Season 10 livery

    DS PENSKE is the first Formula E team to unveil their Season 10 livery, with it being “more golden” than their Season 9 livery which kicked off the Gen3 era.

    For the 2023/24 campaign, DS Penske has ditched a lot of the black from last season and replaced it with some more gold. They’ve essentially reversed where the chrome and black were last season which should make the DS E-TENSE FE23 glisten under the lights.

    The black and gold look first came about when the Techeetah link-up first started. The design is certainly more eye-catching than last season’s which was actually a fan favourite.

    Penske, and the drivers, are keen on the new season bringing a step up in performance befitting the multiple Drivers’ and Teams’ champions.
    The start of the Gen3 era was tough with Porsche and Jaguar power reigning supreme, but the work has been relentless in driving a turnaround for the new season.

    Unveiling the new livery is a very exciting moment because it marks the official start of a new adventure, a new challenge and a new season. We’re starting Season 10 with a new-look DS E-TENSE FE23, which is even better looking than last year’s car. It’s not only more beautiful, but also more visible – that’s what motorsport is all about.

    Eugenio Frazetti, Director of DS Performance

    Unveiling the new look of the car is always an exciting time of year for the team and I share everyone’s enthusiasm. This livery is undoubtedly more modern, more golden. Most importantly It is a checkpoint in the pre-season calendar, we are two weeks away from the official test days in Valencia, the whole team has been preparing very hard for this event and I can’t just wait to get started!

    Double Champion, Jean-Eric Vergne.

    I like this new livery, it looks fast and aggressive! We head into a new season and our ultimate goal is to deliver strong performances and return to points-paying finishes. Racing at the front requires resilience, hard work and determination, I will leave no stone unturned in the chase for every millisecond and get our black and gold car back in front!

    Season 8 Champion, Stoffel Vandoorne.

  • Williams want Sargeant next year

    James Vowles has backed Logan Sargeant as the Williams Team Principal insists they want the American driver in the car next season.

    Sargeant made the step up from Formula 2 to Formula 1 this year with Williams but has so far struggled, as he is the only full-time driver on the grid yet to score a point – with all of William’s 21 points this year coming from Alex Albon.

    The American’s place at the team is the only spot on the grid which is yet to be confirmed for next season.
    Vowles has moved to end any speculation of the team replacing Sargeant, saying Williams must shoulder some of the blame for his patchy form.

    Due to the realities of being one of F1’s smaller teams operating within the budget cap, Williams has been unable to introduce its upgrades to both cars at the same points this season.
    That means Sargeant’s teammate Alex Albon has often run the most up-to-date version of the car.

    Do you think the American deserves the seat for next year? Or should Williams look at other drivers?

    Logan has very clear targets of what he has to hit before the end of the season, and we are working with him continuously. And that’s the important point, we are working with him. We want him to succeed, and we want him in the car next year. This is very much on us as well. We have taken someone straight from Formula 2, without any significant testing, put him a day and half in Bahrain in this car, and then wished them well on a season that has been awfully challenging for rookies, full stop. There were some very positive signs to take out. First and foremost, Logan is not on the same aerodynamic specific as Alex was. We have updates that are on Alex’s car that are not on Logan’s, due to the amount of attrition we have had this year. So, often when you see a performance offset it is not quite what it may seem on the timing pages. Furthermore, to that, if you look at the case of Suzuka, he did a build up across the weekend, as he went into FP3, he did a time that matched Alex.

    James Vowles on Logan.

  • Di Grassi to drive for ABT CUPRA

    Lucas di Grassi will be returning “home” to the team he won the Formula E Drivers’ title with back in Season 3 as ABT CUPRA confirmed he’ll be racing for the squad alongside the returning Nico Mueller in Season 10.

    Di Grassi is among the most successful drivers in ABB FIA Formula E World Championship history and is an ever-present in the series, and ABT – under the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler guise – was the team that helped steer him to the top spot in the Drivers’ table back in 2016/17.

    The Brazilian returns to the squad where he enjoyed a successful seven-year spell for the second Gen3 campaign and CUPRA’s second season in partnership with ABT, after a spell at Mahindra Racing in Season 9 and at Venturi prior to that.

    The 39 year old’s Formula E CV is as strong as it gets. Di Grassi has won the most trophies of all Formula E drivers (40), taken the most victories (13) and the most TAG Heuer Fastest Laps (12) plus he is one of only two drivers to have been on the podium at least once in every season.

    Lucas will be competing alongside Nico Mueller for the first time for his new old team at the official ABB FIA Formula E World Championship tests in Valencia. All drivers of the championship will meet in Spain from 23rd to 27th October to prepare for the upcoming season.

    It just feels great to be back with ABT. Not only did I win two titles with this team, but I also have endless memories with all the people who work there with so much passion. I couldn’t be more excited to return after two years and I’m really looking forward to working together. Together, we will give our all to get back, step by step, the results that the whole team deserves.

    Di Grassi on the move.

    We know about the great challenge of battling against international competition as a small customer team. That’s why experience, technical know-how and full passion for the joint project count all the more for us – with Lucas, we have the perfect man on board for the future.

    Thomas Biermaier, ABT CEO and Team Principal.

  • Vergne & Vandoorne extend DS PENSKE deals

    Formula E champions, Jean-Eric Vergne and Stoffel Vandoorne are set to continue with DS PENSKE through Season 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

    Vergne has been part of the DS axis since his second title-winning year in 2018/19 and moved to his current team in 2023 after the Stellantis brand parted ways with Techeetah and joined forces with the Dragon/Penske Autosport operation.

    The Frenchman scored DS PENSKE’s sole victory of 2023 in Hyderabad en route to fifth in the drivers’ standings, behind championship protagonists Jake Dennis, Mitch Evans and Nick Cassidy as well as Porsche’s early title contender Pascal Wehrlein.

    Vandorne headed into Season 9 as reigning champion but couldn’t string the momentum together for a successful title defence at the beginning of the Gen3 era.
    He ended up finishing 11th overall in the standings, with a best finish of fourth in Monaco.

    I’m very happy to continue the adventure with DS PENSKE. As one chapter closes, we have to focus on what is ahead. I love racing, and above all, I love winning. It’s a very special feeling that I want to live again with the team. I have a real relationship of trust with the engineers and the mechanics, their dedication and hard work is truly inspiring. I want to reward the belief that Jay Penske and the rest of the team placed in me. At a start of a season, all the points start back to zero. With Stoffel, we form a solid duo. We had a couple of good races and we are working extremely hard to come back to the top.We just got to try and do better, we will not stop until we do. My absolute focus and determination are at the highest, my motivation totally intact, even greater than the years before to bring some new titles with the team.

    Vergne on staying with the team.

    I am delighted to continue the journey we started a year ago with the team. Consistency and stability will be the foundations of our future success. JEV and I are one of the best duos on the set. We have made some significant steps over the last season and we are getting stronger together. Consistency in performance is our aim for this upcoming season. The ultimate goal is to win the championship. I am excited to help continue to build on that momentum and pick up plenty of trophies with the team!

    Vandoorne on the news.

    I am very excited to continue with Jean-Eric Vergne and Stoffel Vandoorne behind the wheels of our GEN3 car. It was a straightforward decision for the team to keep intact what is unquestionably one of the strongest pairings on the grid. Season 9 was one of growth and we have learned from every success but also every setback. None of us were satified with finishing fifth in the championship. We know we can do better and with JEV and Stoffel bringing an incredibly high racing IQ combined with an unwaivering desire to win we intend to be challenging for the World Championship in Season 10.

    Jay Penske, Owner and Team Principal.

  • Daruvala & Gunther to drive for Maserati

    Maserati MSG Racing have confirmed the signing of Jehan Daruvala alongside the returning Maximilian Gunther for Season 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

    Daruvala is well acquainted with Formula E, and after making two Rookie Test appearances in 2023 already, he will step up for a full time race seat next season.

    A breakthrough 2019 season, which saw him emerge as a key title protagonist in FIA Formula 3, facilitated Jehan’s progression to Formula 1 feeder category, FIA Formula 2 in 2020 – where he scored four wins and 18 podiums.

    The former Mahindra Racing Reserve Driver made an official outing in the team’s M9Electro at the Berlin Rookie Test – with the 24 year old Indian driver finding himself inside the top six runners at that day long two session test.

    Race winner Gunther extends deal, the 26 year old is a fixture on the Formula E grid, and despite his relatively young age, he’s among the most experienced as a result.

    Gunther became Formula E’s youngest race winner in just his 13th E-Prix and two Julius Baer Pole Positions, four podiums and Maserati’s first victory in World Championship single-seater motorsport since Juan Manuel Fangio won for the Italian marque in Germany 1957, means a well-earned return to the team for Season 10.

    That Jakarta win followed Berlin podiums and early season pressure yielded what looked like a nailed-on seat for the German in 2023/24.

    Formula E is a championship that I have admired for a long time, and after taking part in two test sessions, I’m very happy to have the opportunity to step up to a full-time race seat. From my experiences so far, the GEN3 car is completely unique to drive, but I’ve found it to be a very rewarding experience. I would like to thank James (Rossiter, Team Principal) and Maserati MSG Racing for giving me this chance and I can’t wait to learn more about the car and get to know the team better in pre-season testing, before hitting the ground running in Mexico City in January.

    Daruvala on the move to Formula E.

    I’m very proud to continue with Maserati MSG Racing. We had a great first season together, particular the momentum we build in the second half of the year with one win, four podiums and two poles. Continuing to build on this base is something that I‘m very much looking forward to in 2024, same as working with Jehan as my new teammate. After seeing our performance trajectory unfold this year, I‘m confident we can go on to achieve bigger and better things in the future.

    Gunther on sticking with Maserati.

    We’re excited about our driver lineup for Season 10, and we’re confident that the blend of Max’s experience with Jehan’s determination will prove to be a competitive combination. Max impressed us throughout the 2022/23 season, and continuing our relationship was a natural decision. He has brilliant speed, a strong understanding of Formula E’s Gen3 package, and with five seasons of experience – despite being aged only 26 – has an impressive amount of knowledge. That experience will be invaluable for Jehan, who has already shown good promise in his two rookie test outings with Mahindra earlier this year. Over the past four years, he has shown hunger and determination in Formula 2, and has clearly demonstrated that he has what it takes to win races. Now, Jehan is ready to do the work it takes to succeed in Formula E. In Season 9, we faced many highs and lows, but we learned a great deal from every scenario we faced. After making some positive performance gains over the Summer, we’re looking forward to getting Season 10 underway, and with our lineup, we’re confident that we can be in a position to fight at the front of the grid.

    Team Principal, James Rossiter.

  • Mahindra announce Season 10 drivers

    Mahindra Racing has announced Season 7 ABB FIA Formula E Drivers’ World Champion, Nyck de Vries and multiple race winner, Edoardo Mortara as their all new driver line-up on multi-year contracts.

    De Vries will be making a return to Formula E after a spell in Formula 1 with Williams and Scuderia AlphaTauri which followed the Dutchman’s run to becoming the series’ inaugural World Champion in Season 7.

    Mahindra see de Vries, a champion and four-time race winner, as an “essential asset” in driving the team back towards title contention over the seasons to come.

    Also key to its push towards the front of the grid will be the team’s second new signing Edoardo Mortara.

    The Swiss-Italian made his Formula E debut in Hong Kong back in 2017, and made an immediate impact where he scored a podium with second place on his first weekend in the category.
    He took a maiden victory at the same venue a year later and has since added five further triumphs plus six additional podiums to his CV.

    Mortara most recently race for Maserati MSG Racing, scoring seven points finishes across the inaugural Gen3 campaign and on the way to 14th in the Drivers’ standings.

    It’s really exciting to be joining such a major automotive manufacturer as Mahindra, and to represent them in Formula E. I’m particularly excited about the future plans for the team. The basis is already strong, and the team has all the attributes to succeed. I believe going forwards, we will be able to extract even more potential from the project and the organisation – to be a part of that process was very appealing for me. I think it’s no secret that the team has had a bit of a rough start to GEN3, although there were positive signs of improvement during the second half of last season. I believe the team can continue to build on those learnings, and with the additional changes and plans in place for the future, we can make even greater steps forward in performance at the start of our new journey together. Coming back to Formula E will feel like coming home. I’ve been part of the Formula E family for three seasons, I know everybody very well. I’m looking forward to being back in a familiar environment, and to be back somewhere where ultimately, I’ve always enjoyed my racing.

    De Vries on his return.

    I’m extremely excited to be joining Mahindra Racing. It’s a team that I’ve been looking at for several years now, they have been in Formula E since the beginning of the Championship, so there’s a lot of experience there. What I could also feel from the people here is that we share the same values. We have a great project in front of us, but I can see a lot of determination and motivation from everyone in the team, and this is so important. Mahindra is also such a big automotive manufacturer, with a worldwide reputation. I’m extremely proud to join and be a representative of this prestigious group. I can’t wait to get started, and I’m sure that, if we put in the necessary amount of work, we will be able to be successful in this very competitive championship in the future.

    Mortara on the news.

    I am delighted to welcome Edo and Nyck to the Mahindra Racing family. As a team, we are all embarking on a journey to bring Mahindra Racing back to the front of the grid in the coming years. With their speed and experience, Nyck and Edo will play a key role in driving the team towards that goal, and I know everybody is feeling very motivated to work with them. Equally important for the team are the drivers’ appetites for a long-term project, which makes them the perfect fit for Mahindra Racing at the beginning of this journey. We anticipate next year will be another year of development and progress, and in a championship like Formula E, success is impossible to achieve overnight. But the signing of Nyck and Edo, along with new recruits within the wider team, puts down a solid foundation on which we can build. Much as Mahindra Automotive seeks to lead a revolution in the commercial space, we aim to match that ambition and innovation on the track. The support and synergy across the brand between both programmes will be invaluable as we aim to similarly make progress on-track.

    Fred Bertrand, Mahindra Racing CEO.

  • Di Grassi & Mahindra part ways

    Mahindra Racing has announced that Lucas di Grassi will be leaving the team ahead of the 2023/24 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

    Lucas di Grassi, Formula E’s record appearance maker with 115 starts to his name from the very first race of the Gen1 era.

    The Season 3 champion is also Formula E’s joint-record race winner-tied with Sebastien Buemi on 13. His win percentage is right up there too, being third in the overall charts. He also won the series’ first rave in Beijing back in 2014.

    After winding up fifth, having challenged for the title in Gen2’s swansong season, di Grassi switched to Mahindra for the inaugural Gen3 campaign.

    A strong start with pole and third position come the opening round in Mexico City would be his high for the season, with just two points finishes following.

    He outscored his teammates, however with Oliver Rowland leaving the outfit mid-season being replaced by Roberto Merhi. Mahindra Racing ended the season in 10th in the Teams’ World Championship.

    I want to express my gratitude to all our team members for the experiences we shared during what proved to be a challenging year. This decision ultimately benefits us both, as our perspectives and visions have diverged. I wish Mahindra Racing the brightest future ahead!

    Di Grassi on the news.

    On behalf of everybody at Mahindra Racing, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Lucas for his contribution to the team over the past year. Lucas has played a valuable and integral role since joining us ahead of the GEN3 era, but both parties feel the time is right to pursue other options for the future. He will always remain part of the Mahindra Racing family, and leaves with nothing but our best wishes for his future endeavours.

    Fred Bertrand, Mahindra Racing CEO.

  • McLaren announce reserve driver for 2024

    McLaren have announced that Japanese driver, Ryo Hirakawa will join their Driver Development programme for 2024, while also becoming a reserve driver for the team.

    Hirakawa claimed the 2022 Hypercar World Endurance Drivers’ Championship title with Toyota – including taking victory in that year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans – while he currently leads the 2023 championship, having just won the 6 Hours of Portimao race.
    Not only that, but the Japanese driver also has experience in his nation’s Super GT and Super Formula categories.

    McLaren confirmed that the 29 year old will run laps in the team’s 2021-spec MCL35M as part of a testing programme, while also completing simulator work at the McLaren Technology Centre in the UK alongside his role with Toyota.

    I’m happy to have joined the McLaren F1 Team as a reserve driver. It’s an exciting prospect to work with such a respected team and I’m grateful to Zak [Brown, McLaren Racing CEO] and Andrea [Stella, McLaren Team Principal] for the opportunity. I’ve already met the team and experienced the simulator at MTC which has allowed me to hit the ground running. I’m now fully prepared and focused for the remainder of 2023.

    Hirakawa, on the news.

    I’m pleased to welcome Ryo to McLaren Racing as a Formula 1 reserve driver to further strengthen our growing support driver pool. We are thankful to TOYOTA GAZOO Racing for their collaboration by allowing Ryo to take on the new role alongside his driving duties. He has an impressive record on track, winning Le Mans as well as the FIA World Endurance Championship. We look forward to working closely with Ryo, who has already spent time on the simulator at MTC. His wealth of experience will benefit the team in a number of areas as he joins our strong stable of drivers.

    McLaren Team Principal, Andrea Stella.
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  • NIO 333 confirm drivers for Season 10

    Dan Ticktum and Sergio Sette Camara have agreed deals with NIO 333 to race with the team in Season 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

    Brit, Dan Ticktum ended 2022/23 with a run of three points finishes, capping off a season in which he made good ground on what was a promising rookie campaign in 2021/22.

    Seventh and ninth in the London finale saw NIO cement its progress at the start of the Gen3 era with a finish ahead of both Mahindra-powered teams in Mahindra Racing and ABT CUPRA.

    Seven points finishes from a possible 16, a pair of top sixes and a string of three top 10’s to round out the campaign is no mean feat, particularly given NIO is the only one on the grid without a customer for its powertrain.

    Brazilian driver, Sette Camara wound up with two points finishes this season – a best of fifth in Hyderabad and eight in race one from Rome in what he sees as a year of education with Gen3 breaking cover.

    I am now going in to my third year with the team. Season 9 was a lot better than Season 8 for us, and we have done pretty well with the package that we have. At the start of GEN3 I think the pace of our car has been very strong. So, hopefully, we can build on that this year, maybe with some alternative strategies, and optimising our package even more, we can achieve some more points in Season 10. I think it’s going to be challenging season for us because the regulations don’t allow us to change much, however I’m looking forward to being on FE grid again with NIO 333 Racing and going some cool new venues. I think Tokyo is going to be a highlight for me and overall, I can’t wait to get back racing!

    Ticktum on the news.

    Season 9 was a time of growth and learning for me, with the highlight undoubtedly being our performance in India, where we secured our best race result. That moment stands as my favourite from the season, showcasing the potential we have as a team. While we faced challenges, including a disappointing penalty in London, we demonstrated our resilience by bouncing back and overtaking Mahindra the following day. It was a testament to our team spirit and the determination to succeed, even when faced with setbacks that felt unjust. In the off-season, I took the opportunity to recharge at home in Brazil before jumping right back into preparations for the upcoming season. Just a month after the finale, we were back here, putting in the work and gearing up for what lies ahead. As we approach Season 10, I am filled with anticipation and excitement. Having spent a year with the NIO 333 Racing team, I have forged strong bonds with everyone and feel a sense of continuity and momentum as we carry forward the lessons and experiences from Season 9. I am eager to build on what we have achieved and look forward to hitting the tracks with renewed energy and determination.

    Sergio Sette Camara.

    It’s a pleasure to be working with Dan and Sérgio again for Season 10. Their talents and commitment to the team are critical factors in our continued progress. Furthermore, their collaborative approach and dedication to overall progress are clear assets as we pursue our ambitious goals. Season 9 has shown the potential we have and highlighted what we need to work on, we are eager to embrace the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

    COO and Deputy Team Principal, Russell O’Hagan.

  • AlphaTauri confirm drivers for 2024

    Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo will form AlphaTauri’s driver line-up for 2024, with Liam Lawson set to fulfil reserve driver duties for the Italian squad and sister team, Red Bull.

    Tsunoda, who made his debut for the team in 2021 impressed the team with his “undoubtful natural talent and constant improvement” and “ability to integrate into the team”.

    The Japanese driver, will be joined by Aussie, Daniel Ricciardo who is currently on the sidelines with a broken hand but impressed the team when he raced for them in Hungary and Belgium before the summer break.

    AlphaTauri said Ricciardo’s “personal attitude and racing experience will be precious assets in 2024” the Australian having raced for the team in 2012 and 2013 when they were formely known as Toro Rosso and has since gone on to secure eight Grand Prix wins!

    Liam Lawson, has delivered three strong Grand Prix as a super sub for Ricciardo, including his first points last time out in Singapore but missed out on a full time race seat with the team for the 2024 season.

    Ricciardo is continuing his fight to return to full fitness and while he is unlikely to return next time out in Qatar, the plan remains for him to come back at some point this season but only when he feels ready.

    Meanwhile, Lawson will remain in position while Riccairdo recovers and in 2024, the New Zealander will focus on testing, simulator sessions and attending all the races full-time in his role as reserve.

    Looking at the grid for next season, there is only one seat available now and that is over at Williams alongside Alex Albon as Logan Sargeant is trying to fight and show he should have the seat.

    Next year, the technical regulations remain largely unchanged and it was therefore logical to go for continuity in our driver line-up too. I am very pleased with the development that Yuki has shown over the last two and a half years with our team and with Daniel’s great race-winning experience we will have one of the most competitive driver pairings on the grid in 2024. Peter [Bayer, AlphaTauri’s new CEO] and Laurent [Mekies, AlphaTauri’s incoming Team Principal] will have a great duo to start the new season in the right direction. As for Liam, who has impressed everyone in his races so far, he will definitely help the team in his development role as a third driver, and I’m sure he will have a future in Formula 1 soon.

    Team Principal, Franz Tost.

    I’m so happy to announce that I will be staying with Scuderia AlphaTauri for the 2024 Formula 1 season. I’m looking forward to continuing to fight and collaborate with the team and Daniel. Obviously, I’ll push as much as possible for the rest of the season and beyond, to progress as a driver. I’m grateful for Red Bull and Honda, for continuing to support and believe in me, and very happy and thankful to continue the partnership.

    Tsunoda on the news.

    I’m stoked to be driving with Yuki again next year and continuing the journey with Scuderia Alpha Tauri. Following the progress we have already made and the plans for the future, it’s an exciting time for the team. We are building and it is a great feeling. There is a lot of work to do, but we are heading in the right direction and there is a lot to look forward to. Bring on 2024!

    Ricciardo on returning to the grid.

    We are in a privileged position, where we have access to multiple great talents from the Red Bull world. This is a credit to the work that Dr [Helmut] Marko [Red Bull Motorsport Adviser] has been doing for many years. Both Daniel and Yuki have not just shown fantastic race craft but are also great global ambassadors for our team and our sport. Liam put himself in the spotlight of F1 in only three races and I am very happy that we can continue to prepare him for his future.

    Bayers on the drivers contracts.

  • Mortara leaves Maserati

    Maserati MSG Racing have announced that the team and Edoardo Mortara have parted ways.

    Mortara joined the team in 2017 under its previous guise as Venturi, and after finishing on the podium in only his second E-Prix start, kick-started an acclaimed six-season collaboration which would become one of the longest-standing and most successful driver-team partnerships in the series.

    Mortara won six races, scored 13 podiums, and secured two pole positions to collect 422 points with the team and in Season 7, finished runner-up in the Drivers’ World Championship, before challenging right to the finale the following campaign.

    However, his most recent campaign has been difficult, as he failed to finish on the podium across the 16-race season and he finished 14th in the drivers’ standings – 62 points behind teammate Maximilian Guenther.

    Mortara is yet to announce what his plans are for the 2024 season, whether he will remain in Formula E is unknown at this time.
    While Maserati MSG is expected to announce it’s driver line-up later this month.

    The past six years of my career have been quite a journey, and it has been an honour to represent the team during this time. Since 2017, we have experienced a lot together, it’s been a rollercoaster at times and by learning from the tough moments we faced, we grew to become a competitive outfit, fighting for race wins and World Championships. I’m proud of the role I played in this. I want to take this opportunity to thank the team for their trust in me and their support, I wish them the best of luck for the future.

    Mortara on leaving the team.

    We would like to thank Edo for his efforts and success over the past six seasons. His experience, knowledge, and expertise have been pivotal in our journey and development as a team. On a personal note, it has been a privilege to work with him and we all wish him every success for the future.

    Team Principal, James Rossiter.

  • Norman Nato joins Andretti

    Andretti have announced that Norman Nato will be joining Drivers’ World Champion, Jake Dennis at the team for Season 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

    The Frenchman finished Season 9 in strong form, scoring a season-best result with second for Nissan in Rome and consecutive point scoring outings in the last six races of the 2022/23 campaign.

    His impressive season finale, and a fourth-placed finish helped Nissan outscore their customer team, NEOM McLaren in the standings, while also securing a top 10 finish in the drivers’ world championship standings.

    Across his 33 Formula E starts, Nato has scored one win – the Berlin finale in Season 7, while at Venturi – two podiums and has led 36 laps.
    He made his way into Formula E via FIA Formula 2 then GP2 series and has previously raced in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in the USA as well as the FIA World Endurance Championship.

    I am thrilled to be a part of the Andretti Formula E family for Season 10. It’s highly exciting to be given the opportunity to have a car capable of winning. I’m looking forward to working with the team and contributing to the team’s long history of success.

    Nato on his new seat.

    I’m confident of the direction that Andretti Formula E is heading as we gear up for Season 10. The addition of Norman to our roster reflects our shared mindsets for the pursuit of victory and passion for winning. Norman brings great experience and skill with him, and he caught our attention with his progress throughout the season. After Jake’s remarkable victory in the Driver’s Championship this year, the bar has been set high, and we’re hungry for more.

    Michael Andretti, CEO and Chairman of Andretti Global.

    We are embarking on an exciting journey with Norman Nato as part of the Andretti Formula E team for Season 10. Norman’s proven skillset and passion for racing align with our passion for victory. He is highly determined, and we are confident that his contribution will play a pivotal role in taking the team to new heights in the upcoming season.

    Team Principal, Roger Griffiths.

  • Zhou signs for 2024!

    China’s first full-time F1 driver, Zhou Guanyu has signed a new deal to extend his stay with Alfa Romeo into the 2024 season with Valtteri Bottas.

    Zhou first made his debut with the Sauber-run Swiss team in 2022, scoring a point on debut in Bahrain and has then shown strong progress since.

    This contract extension means, that the Zhou will have the opportunity to race on home soil for the first time in F1, with the Chinese Grand Prix returning to the calendar next year.

    This move gives the team stability as the 24 year old’s teammate, Bottas has already got a contract for 2024, which he signed a multi-year deal that comes to a conclusion at the end of next season.

    The team has also announced F2 Championship leader, Theo Pourchaire will continue in his role as the reserve driver in 2024.

    Signing again with the team is always a great feeling, especially when we know how things are shaping up. I am proud to be part of Alfa Romeo and grateful for their trust. I have been working extremely hard since day one and there is an incredible level of motivation to keep doing so every day forward. My relationship with Valtteri is really good, and we are working closely together and with the team to push everyone forward. I am also very excited about the opportunity to finally race with my team in China, in front of my home crowd. It will be a great moment and I’m proud to be able to share it with all those who have supported me.

    Zhou on the announcement.

    The decision to continue our journey with our driver line-up unchanged is testament to the investment we have made in our project. Nothing in Formula 1 changes overnight, and we have taken a conscious decision to focus on stability and to keep building our team up together as we embark on an important period of transition. Valtteri and Zhou are drivers of known talent and skill and they work really well together: they are well-matched and can push each other. Valtteri has taken a real leader’s role within the team, pushing us all to give our best; Zhou has made impressive steps forward in the last two years and we expect him to continue on this trajectory in 2024. Now the baton is back to us – we have to give both drivers a good car and put them in the best conditions to perform.

    Team Representative, Alessandro Alunni Bravi.

    Over the years, the team has become a family to me and, therefore, I am really happy and grateful to continue my journey with Alfa Romeo and the Sauber Academy. The support I have received from everyone in the team has been outstanding, and I’m proud to be able to contribute to the growth of the whole operation.

    Pourchaire sticking with his role.

  • Lotterer leaves Formula E

    Andre Lotterer’s raced his last E-Prix and will say goodbye to the Formula E family with the German sportscar legend set to close the book on his single-seater racing career ahead of Season 10.

    The German driver who is a multiple Le Mans winner and FIA World Endurance Champion hailed a life-changing time in Formula E, rating the series as the “most challenging and fun championship” he’s raced in.

    Lotterer started out at TECHEETAH, in 2017 double-header in Hong Kong and celebrated a maiden podium at just his fourth race in a memorable battle with teammate Jean-Eric Vergne.

    Eight podiums, two Julius Baer Pole Positions and three TAG Heuer Fastest Laps were his haul but he never quite managed to convert the win in electric racing’s top tier.

    A move to the factory TAG Heuer Porsche squad on the German giants’ Formula E debut in Season 6 followed before Lotterer headed to Andretti for the first Gen3 campaign.

    It’s time for me to close my 26 year-long chapter in formula racing. I’ve decided to no longer take part in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in order to fully concentrate on my challenge with Porsche Penske Motorsport at Le Mans (for the fourth time) and in the FIA WEC. I would like to thank the people who helped me to join this innovative and exciting championship: Leo Thomas, Julian and Alexander Jakobi, JEV and the TECHEETAH team! The experiences together were great! I would like to personally thank Alejandro Agag, his team and the FIA ​​for bringing Formula E to life. It has been a fantastic journey, and you have changed the lives of many of us. Formula E was the most challenging and fun championship I have ever taken part in! I’m extremely grateful and proud to have driven in Formula E, to have promoted sustainable technologies and to have met the amazing people in this paddock, some of whom are now my best friends. Thank you all for the amazing support in all these years. A big thank you also to TAG Heuer Porsche for giving me the opportunity to lead the team on its Formula E debut in Season 6! Last but not least, I would like to thank my engineer, Fabrice Roussel, who supported me from the start and throughout has been incredibly supportive throughout the three Formula E teams, as well as the Avalanche Andretti for their confidence in Season 9.

    Lotterer took to Instagram to break the news.

  • Hamilton signs new deal and Russell extends

    Lewis Hamilton has put pen to paper on a new Mercedes contract that will keep the seven-time world champion onboard through the 2025 season, with George Russell also retained for the same period.

    Hamilton, was in his final year of his existing Silver Arrows deal and has been in talks with team boss Toto Wolff for several months, with those discussions eventually resulting in fresh terms.

    It comes halfway through Hamilton’s 11th season for Mercedes having joined the Brackley team back in 2013 and gone on to set a host of record, from championship wins to pole positions, race wins and so much more!

    Hamilton and Mercedes are currently working hard to return to the front of the F1 grid, their respective title winning runs having come to an end in 2021, but both sides are confident that the renewed partnership will yield further success.

    We dream every day of being the best and we have dedicated the past decade together to achieving that goal. Being at the top does not happen overnight or over a short period of time, it takes commitment, hard work and dedication and it’s been an honour to earn our way into the history books with this incredible team. We have never been hungrier to win. We have learnt from every success but also every setback. We continue to chase our dreams, we continue to fight no matter the challenge and we will win again. I’m grateful to the team who have supported me both on and off the track. Our story isn’t finished, we are determined to achieve more together and we won’t stop until we do.

    Hamilton on the new contract.

    I have grown up with this team ever since joining as part of the junior programme back in 2017. It’s my home and it feels fantastic to extend our special relationship through 2025. After stepping up to the Mercedes race seat last year, I wanted to reward the trust and belief that Toto and the rest of the team placed in me. Taking my first pole position and race win last year was an unforgettable feeling. More importantly though, it’s been great to work with everybody at Brackley and Brixworth to make progress with our car and push forward our development. Their loyalty, vision and hard work is inspiring. We have made some significant steps over the last 18 months and are only getting stronger as a team. I’m excited to help continue to build on that momentum as we progress into 2024 and 2025 as we continue to focus on returning to the very front of the pack

    Russell on extending his contract.

    Continuing with our current driver line-up was a straightforward decision. We have the strongest pairing on the grid and both drivers are playing a crucial role in the team to move us forward. The strength and stability they provide will be key building blocks for our future success. Our partnership with Lewis is one of the most successful in the sport’s history. It was always a formality that we would continue together – and it’s energising for us all to be confirming that publicly. His qualities as a pure racing driver are illustrated by his remarkable track record; but over our years together, he has grown to become a pillar and leader of our team. Those leadership qualities are crucial as we focus on fighting for world championships again. As F1’s biggest global star, he has also played a key role in shaping our commitments to diversity, inclusion and sustainability, that will be foundations for our success in the years ahead. George is a leading light of his generation. He has repaid the faith we showed in him when promoting him to a race seat in 2022. His maiden pole position in Hungary and first Grand Prix victory in São Paulo were standout moments last season. As a driver, he combines razor-sharp speed with the tenacity of a true fighter. But he brings, too, an intelligence and attention to detail that will help him to continue to grow, develop and improve further. He is a natural fit to the team and we are delighted to have extended the relationship for the coming years.

    Toto Wolff on the news.

  • Oliver Rowland returns to Nissan

    Nissan will field the returning Oliver Rowland for the 2023/24 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, as he partners Sacha Fenestraz after an impressive rookie season.

    Rowland first joined Nissan as a rookie in 2018, the same year the Japanese manufacturer debuted in Formula E. He raced for the team between Seasons 5 and 7, taking five pole positions and five podiums, including a victory in Berlin back in 2020.

    The 31 year old driver from Barnsley has a strong racing CV in addition to his Formula E success, taking the 2015 Formula Renault 3.5 Series title, along with a third placed finish in the 2017 FIA Formula 2 championship.

    Meanwhile, Fenestraz will continue his development with the Nissan Formula E team after a promising Season 9.

    During his rookie the year, the 24 year-old impressed many with his ability to adapt to Formula E machinery, claiming pole position and the fastest Formula E lap of all time at the Cape Town E-Prix in his fifth race with the team.
    He also set the fastest lap of the race in Monaco and regularly fought at the front of the field.

    I’m really excited, it’s a bit of a homecoming for me, back to the place I started my Formula E journey and somewhere I had a lot of success. The team has been on a great trajectory over the last year, with performances improving. I’m confident Sacha and I will make a strong pairing, he showed incredible speed in his first season. I’m looking forward to getting back to work, ready to go and can’t wait to see what we can do as a team.

    Rowland on returning.

    I’m extremely excited to continue my journey with Nissan Formula E Team. I’ll attack this season with a new approach as it will be my second year in the championship, so we’re aiming to hit the ground running immediately. I’m looking forward to building on our strong maiden year together and fighting for positive results throughout the season. I’m also very happy to welcome Oli back to the team. He knows most of the crew so I’m sure he will settle in really quickly and we can work well together to help the team move forwards. I can’t wait to be back on track soon and hoping for another great year together with Nissan!

    Fenestraz on staying with Nissan.

    We’re very happy to welcome Oliver back, we know his talent and experience and we’re sure he will contribute significantly to the future success of the team. He will complete a strong pairing with Sacha, who proved his raw talent since he joined. He’s shown to be excellent in qualifying and has huge potential to grow and become a major force in the championship. We’re continuing to work hard at the factory and with the drivers so we can be ready to attack the season straight away in Mexico City. It’s going to be our second year racing as Nissan Formula E Team in the series, we’ve learned a lot already and will look to make more positive steps on our Formula E journey. At the same time, we also want to wholeheartedly thank Norman Nato for all his hard work and efforts throughout Season 9. Without him and his strong performance during the final few races of the year, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve our final position in the teams’ standings. It has been a pleasure to work with Norman, and we wish him all the best for his future career.

    Team Boss, Tomasso Volpe.

  • F2 reveal next generation car

    The FIA Formula 2 Championship has unveiled the F2 2024 car to the international media in the F1 paddock in Monza on Thursday 31st August.

    The design philosophy of the new car, which will be raced in the 2024, 2025 and 2026 seasons, is to give young drivers who aspire to race in Formula 1 the best preparation by making it as close to an F1 car as possible in terms of safety, look, systems, performance, sustainability.

    Moreover, the nose, front wing and rear wings and floor have been designed to encourage wheel to wheel racing, which will lead to thrilling on track action.

    The new car, which features the latest FIA safety innovations, is powered by a 3.4 litre turbo-charged Mecachrome engine and includes some new features to accommodate the Aramco synthetic sustainable fuel that will be introduced in 2025.

    The F2 2024 car has also been designed to comply with the FIA 2024 specifications in terms of braking, steering effort and ergonomics to accommodate a wide range of drivers and make the championship as accessible as possible.

    The car systems will still include marshalling such as Virtual Safety Car and optimised Drag Reduction System whilst the electronics have been enhanced with a new Marelli Vehicle Control Unit.

    The car completed a successful shakedown in July with former F2 driver Tatiana Calderon at the wheel. Following the unveiling, the development programme will continue over a number of tests across the remainder of the year with several different drivers including 2022 FIA Formula 2 Champion, Felipe Drugovich.

    F2 consistently delivers excellent racing and acts as an important training ground for future members of the Formula 1 grid, and by bringing the design philosophies of the two cars closer together we will support this development further. The new F2 car is also an important symbol for our sustainability journey as the series continues to pioneer advanced sustainable fuel which will become a part of F1 from 2026. I want to pay tribute to Bruno and his team as well as the FIA for our continued strong collaboration in this category. I can’t wait to see the car on track next season.

    Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.

    I’m very proud to present our new F2 car, which will race for the next three years. Together with the FIA, we’ve designed a powerful, challenging and safe car that will prepare young drivers for F1, and that will continue to provide great racing and a lot of overtaking opportunities, something that the fans expect from F2. It has been designed also to fit all types of drivers, taking into account FIA’s consideration regarding the steering effort. This is obviously key to making our sport more inclusive, by enhancing our car’s driveability and comfort. One of our main focuses remains costs control. So, we have kept the same engine and gearbox, and there are a lot of carried-over parts from the previous car. Finally, we made sure that the teams can manage this new car with 12 operational people, as per the Sporting Regulations. I want to thank our partners Aramco, Pirelli, Dallara and Mecachrome, who are key in making this car safe, reliable and the best racing machine to prepare our drivers for Formula 1.

    FIA Formula 2 Championship CEO, Bruno Michel.

  • Haas retain Magnussen & Hulkenberg for 2024

    Haas have opted for continuity next season, as they have announced that Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen will continue to race for them for a second successive season in 2024.

    Hulkenberg has been impressive on his full-time racing return to Formula 1 this season, the German driver had reached Q3 six times in 12 races and scoring the team’s best finish of seventh in the Australian Grand Prix.

    Magnussen has scored two of the team’s three points finishes – a brace of 10th places in Saudi Arabia and Miami – in his sixth season with Haas.

    Between the two drivers, they have 346 Grand Prix starts, and it is that experience Haas will hope can help take the team to the next level.
    The American team currently sit eighth in the constructors’ championship, the same position they ended in 2022 season.

    I think it’s safe to say that we’ve had an extremely solid driver pairing this season in Formula 1 and ultimately there was no reason to look to change that moving forward. Kevin is obviously a very well-known quantity to us, and I’m delighted he’ll return for what will be his seventh season in Haas colours. With 113 starts for our team alone, we know where his strengths lie and his knowledge and experience of our organisation pairs very well with that too.On the other side of the garage, Nico’s simply slotted in without fuss or fanfare and proved himself to be a valuable member of the team. He’s approaching 200 starts in Formula 1 and we’re very happy to be the beneficiary of that experience behind the wheel. We’ve had to tackle our issues this season with regards to the VF-23, we don’t hide from that, but we’ve been extremely fortunate to have had two drivers whose feedback is invaluable in assisting our engineering objectives. Kevin and Nico gelled well right from the get-go and together they’ve both scored points, and in particular, Nico has excelled in qualifying – getting into Q3 on six occasions. In turn, now it’s down to us as a team to look ahead to 2024 and ensure we have a car that’s capable of scoring points consistently.

    Team Principal, Guenther Steiner.

    I’m obviously very happy to see my relationship with MoneyGram Haas F1 Team extended once again. My return in 2022 had been unexpected but was filled with numerous highlights, and although this season hasn’t gone quite as we’d hoped, we’ve still managed to get into the points and shown potential in the package we have. There’s plenty of racing remaining in 2023 and we’ve got a lot of work to do to continue to understand the VF-23 – that learning can be applied into the 2024 car. My thanks, as always, go to Gene Haas and Guenther Steiner for giving me the opportunity to keep racing in the sport I love.

    Magnussen on the news.

    It’s nice to get things sorted early for next season to just keep the focus on racing and improving performance. I enjoy being part of the team and share Gene and Guenther’s passion for it. We’re competing in a very tight midfield and I’m looking forward to building on what we’ve done together so far and taking that forward into 2024.

    Hulkenberg added.

  • Sam Bird joins NEOM McLaren

    NEOM McLaren has announced that Sam Bird will be lining up for the team in the 2023/24 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

    Bird will be competing alongside Jake Hughes, who extended his stay at the outfit last week, McLaren will now have an all British line-up.

    The 36 year old has raced in Formula E since the very first campaign and Season 1. He is one of the most successful drivers on the grid, claiming 11 wins, 26 podiums and six Julius Baer Pole Positions over the nine seasons.

    He left Jaguar TCS Racing after a three-season spell at the end of 2022/23 and says his move to McLaren – one of the most recognisable and successful names in motorsport history – is a “special” one.

    Bird began his single seater racing career in Formula BMW in 2004, coming runner up in the series in 2005. He has competed in Formula Renault and various Formula 3 and GP2 Series seasons, before holding a number of Formula 1 roles including Williams Racing and Mercedes AMG Petronas.

    Since 2014, he has also competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Highlights including winning the LMP2 class in 2014 with G-Drive Racing and finishing second in the LMGTE Pro Class with AF Corse in 2016.

    I’m super excited to get going with the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team. Becoming part of a team with so much heritage and prestige as the McLaren Racing family feels special. We know there is some work to do ahead of Season 10, to ensure we get to where we want to be, which is at the front of the Formula E pack. It feels great to be part of the team and I can’t wait to kick off the season preparations, I’m super motivated and driven to deliver success with the team in Season 10.

    Bird on the move.

    It’s great to be able to share the news that Sam will be joining the team for Season 10, alongside Jake. Sam is a proven force in Formula E, as well as other categories of racing, and his experience and determination will fuel the team ahead of an exciting season to come. As soon as the deal was done, his first question to me was when he could come into the office to start the preparations for Season 10 – this clearly shows his hunger and commitment to making Season 10 a success for the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team. Having both Sam and Jake on board has already instilled confidence in the team.

    Ian James, Managing Director and Team Principal.

    It is a pleasure to welcome Sam to the McLaren Racing family. Throughout his time in Formula E, Sam has proven himself to be an impressive talent, and we are eager to leverage his experience and expertise to help bring the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team further success in Season 10. Alongside Jake, I’m confident that we have one of the strongest pairings on the Formula E grid. Bring on Season 10!

    Zak Brown, McLaren Racing CEO