Design legend, Adrian Newey will become Team Principal of the Aston Martin at the start of next year, as part of an extension of his role as Managing Technical Partner.
Newey began working with Aston Martin on March 1st earlier this year, having spent the best part of two decades with Red Bull.
As part of his revised role, Newey will guide the technical team, including trackside operations of the car.
Andy Cowell, who has spent the last year as Team Principal and CEO implementing structural changes to aid the squad’s transition to a full works team next year, will become Chief Strategy Officer.
His focus will be on optimising the technical partnership between the team, works engine supplier Honda, fuel supplier Aramco and lubricant parter Valvoline. Aston Martin says the leadership structure change is designed to focus on Newey and Cowell’s “individual strengths and expertise, ensuring organisational efficiency”.
Newey has been working on next year’s design, which will be built to sweeping new chassis and power unit regulations, since he joined in March – with the team hoping to herald a new era and step up the order.
Over the last nine months, I have seen great individual talent within our team. I’m looking forward to taking on this additional role as we put ourselves in the best possible position to compete in 2026, where we will face an entirely new position with Aston Martin now a works team combined with the considerable challenge faced by the new regulations. Andy’s new role, focusing on the integration of the new PU with our three key partners, will be pivotal in this journey. Newey on the news.
Having implemented much needed structural changes as we transition to a full works team and set the foundations for Adrian and the wider organisation, it is an appropriate time for me to take a different role as Chief Strategy Officer. In this role, I will help to optimise the technical partnership between the Team, Honda, Aramco and Valvoline and to ensure the seamless integration of the Team’s new PU, fuel and chassis. Cowell on the change of role.
Formula E has announced that Mahinra Racing has committed to an additional four years in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship as a manufacturer, securing its participation in the highly anticipated GEN4 era.
The news extends a strong, long-term relationship between Formula E and the Indian manufacturer, stretching back to 2013 when Mahindra became a founding team from the first season of Formula E and the first OEM to commit to the championship at its inception.
That journey is now set to continue until at least 2030, building on a transformative 18 months that has seen Mahindra Racing rise from the back of the grid to become regular podium contenders under CEO and Team Principal Frederic Bertrand and with the valuable support of the wider Mahindra Group.
This commitment also gives Mahindra Racing the opportunity to continue to use Formula E – a place where sport, human ingenuity and cutting edge technology intersect – as a platform to take learnings from the track into a wide range of markets.
The vision as Mahindra Racing develops its GEN4 contender is clear – to keep building momentum, chase marginal gains and become an established contender for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in the near future, competing on a global stage against world-class manufacturers.
DAMS Lucas Oil have confirmed the signing of Roman Bilinski for the 2026 Formula 2 season – completing their lineup for next year following the announcement of Dino Beganovic.
Bilinski steps up to F2 after a strong season in Formula 3 during which he achieved one victory in the Monza Sprint Race, as well as an additional two podiums, finishing 11th in the Standings.
Prior to that, the Polish driver won the 2024 Formula Regional Oceania Championship with 12 podiums, which included six victories.
Bilinski will now be graduating to F2 next year with DAMS in 2026, and at the announcement expressed his delight at the chance to step up with the French team.
Joining such a historic team as DAMS Lucas Oil is a real honour. Formula 2 is an incredible challenge, and I’m ready to give everything to represent the team at the highest level. I’ve learned a lot over the past few years and can’t wait to turn that experience into results on track. I’d like to thank DAMS Lucas Oil for giving me this opportunity and for their trust. Bilinski on the news.
Roman brings a very balanced profile, quick, smart, and consistent. His success in Oceania confirmed both his potential and his professional approach. He joins DAMS Lucas Oil with great energy and a strong desire to progress. We’re looking forward to supporting him as he takes this important step in his career. DAMS Lucas Oil Team Owner, Charles Pic.
PREMA Racing have announced the signing of Mari Boya for the 2026 FIA Formula 2 season.
Boya makes the step up after a strong 2025 campaign in Formula 3, in which he fought the title having achieved five podiums in total, including a victory at the Silverstone Feature Race.
The Spaniard wound up third in the Standings before competing in the 2025 Macau Grand Prix, where he finished second.
The Aston Martin Driver Academy member will now step up to Formula 2 with PREMA, and speaking at the announcement, Boya expressed excited he was to get started with the team.
Super excited about joining PREMA for my rookie FIA Formula 2 season. Really eager to start working with the team. I feel I have a great opportunity, and I’m looking forward to seeing how things go. I’m particularly happy to have longer races than in F3, which I really like, and also pit-stops and tyre deg to deal with. Let’s hope for a good season. Boya on the news.
We are happy to welcome Mari to the team. If we look at his career, we see a strong progression, and in addition to his speed skills, we know he is a smart and hard-working driver. We are looking forward to seeing how these skills will mix with the team, and we are confident he will continue his form to bring home positive results. Rene Rosin, PREMA Racing Team Principal.
Gatorade has announced its sponsorship of F1 Academy rookie driver Lisa Billard, marking its mission to make performance support accessible.
Lisa Billard, viewed as one of the sport’s new rising talents, has shown impressive potential at just 16 years of age. She became the Women’s Champion at the 2025 French F4 Championship at Le Mans, and the first female to win a race in the French Junior Karting Championship, earning her a Wild Card entry for Round 6 of the F1 Academy season in Singapoe.
The partnership underlines Gatorade’s ‘Fuel Tomorrow’ commitment to supporting young people’s participation in sport, amplifying the voices of young female athletes and fueling their performance through science-driven hydration, nutrition and resoucres.
Crucially it leverages the expertise of the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI) to generate invaluable insights into the specific hydration needs of young women, to feel confident, empowered and fully optimised for success.
Gatorade is also an official partner of F1 Academy for the 2026 season and beyond, supporting its overarching mission to increase female participation of women in motorsport, both on and off the track.
Single-seater racing pushes your body to the limit. You can lose up to 4kg of fluid, burn huge amounts of calories, and race in hot temperatures. So, working with a brand like Gatorade and GSSI to understand my hydration and recovery couldn’t be more important. I’m so excited to take on my first season of F1 ACADEMY in 2026, with the support of Gatorade behind me. Lisa Billard, F1 Academy Gatorade driver.
We are setting a precedent for young female athlete support and showcasing how when athletes get the right resources at the right time, everything changes. This partnership exemplifies the Gatorade ‘Is It In You?’ philosophy: to spark performance by leverage our knowledge and understanding of the science of hydration. By ensuring Lisa has access to science-backed resources and tailored performance support at this pivotal stage of her career, we’re empowering her to reach her potential and inspire the next generation. Erick Scheel, President of PepsiCo Latin America Beverages.
Alisha Palmowski and Rafaela Ferreira will be returning for their sophomore F1 Academy seasons next year, with the Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Academy Programme and the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Academy Programme announcing that they have renewed the pair’s contracts.
Palmowski has enjoyed a strong rookie season, winning the opening race of the season in Shanghai. From there, the 19 year old British racer has scored three further podiums and is on course to finish fifth in the Drivers’ standings.
Ferreira’s first season racing outside Brazil has seen the 20 year old deliver five points-scoring finishes, including a best result so far of P5 in Shanghai Race 1.
We’re very excited that Alisha will be continuing her journey in F1 Academy with Red Bull Racing. She has had a very promising rookie season and is going from strength to strength. She embodies the Red Bull spirit and is a fantastic flagbearer for Red Bull Racing in F1 Academy. Laurent Mekies, CEO and Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing.
I’m really excited to continue my F1 Academy journey with Red Bull Racing. I’ve loved being part of the Team this last year and can’t wait to continue working hard next season. Alisha Palmowski, Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Academy Programme driver on the news.
Everyone at VCARB is thrilled to have Rafa represent our team for another season. She has become a big part of our family over the last year, and both Alan and I are excited to see how she continues to develop going into her second season. Peter Bayer, CEO of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls.
Returning for another season in F1 Academy will give me the chance to further develop my skills as a driver and I’m honoured to represent the VCARB family in the series. Rafaela Ferreira, Visa Cash App Racing Bulld Ac
Nissan has announced that Sam Bird will be the squad’s Reserve and Development Driver for the 2025/26 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
Bird has been ever-present on the Formula E grid since its maiden race in 2014 and has taken wins across all three generations of car in the championship.
A title contender in several Formula E seasons, Bird claimed victory in the series’ second-ever race in Putrajaya, Malaysia and has competed in 144 races, scored 27 podiums and claimed 12 wins – the fourth highest in Formula E history.
His most recent victory came at Sao Paulo in Season 10 (2023/24), when he crossed the finish line first in the Nissan e-4ORCE 04 for NEOM McLaren Formula E team, who were then a Nissan customer team.
The team say Bird’s extensive knowledge of the Nissan Formula E powertrain will be a major asset to the squad throughout Season 12, as he works alongside Oliver Rowland, Norman Nato and Abbi Pulling to push the team forward.
I’m extremely happy to be joining Nissan Formula E Team. I’ve worked closely with Nissan over the past two seasons, so I feel prepared as I know the Nissan Formula E powertrain well. I’ve got a great relationship with both Oli and Norman and they are two drivers I respect very highly. I’ll help them in any way possible trackside and by aiding to further develop the current GEN3 Evo and future GEN4 car. The knowledge I have built up over the last two years will mean I can jump straight into the simulator and give feedback instantly, supporting the squad to build on its recent success in Season 11. Bird on the news.
We’re very happy to welcome Sam as our Reserve and Development Driver for Season 12. He is one of the most experienced and successful drivers in the championship and has competed with our powertrain for the past two seasons, so there was really no question that he would be a great fit for the team. He will play an important role as we look to keep consistently fighting at the top in the upcoming campaign while we get ready for GEN4. Tommaso Volpe, Managing Director and Team Principal, Nissan Formula E Team.
The LEGO Group and F1 Academy have announced an exciting multi-year partnership to inspire young fans, especially girls, through creative play and representation.
As part of this collaboration, the LEGO Group will be represented on the F1 Academy grid starting with the 2026 F1 Academy season, with Lego Racing piloted by driver Esmee Kosterman at the wheel.
In 2026, Kosterman will serve as the premiere driver for Lego Racing during her first full season in F1 Academy. The 20 year old Dutch driver has a rich history in the kart racing circuit and became the first woman to win in the Ford Fiesta Sprint Cup series in 2023, before going on to finish second in the Junior Cup and third in the overall standings.
In 2024, Kosterman moved into single seaters with Indian F4 and made her F1 Academy debut as the Wild Card entry at Round 5 of the season in Zandvoort, her home race.
We’re so proud to welcome the LEGO Group as an Official Partner of F1 ACADEMY. This collaboration isn’t just about the possibility of building an F1 ACADEMY LEGO car, it’s about building belief in what’s possible. With our first partnership product, fans will be able to create something that stands for opportunity and representation. We hope every young girl who picks up these bricks sees more than just a model, she sees herself, her potential, and her place in the world of motorsport whether as a fan, engineer, driver or leader. Together, we’re challenging outdated perceptions of who belongs in motorsport and empowering the next generation of young women to build their own paths. Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 Academy.
F1 ACADEMY is levelling the playing field in motorsport, giving young female athletes a clear pathway to achieve their dreams in the top tiers of the sport. We can’t wait to see LEGO Racing join the F1 ACADEMY grid and are so excited to have Esmee as our driver. For the first time, fans can hold their favourite F1 ACADEMY LEGO car in their hands, and I’m thrilled that we’re securing female representation in racing toys for young girls. We hope the infusion of LEGO play and creativity to this exciting sport inspires the next generation of young women in motorsport, as well as the female builders of tomorrow, that anything is possible. Julia Goldin, Chief Product & Marketing Officer of the Lego Group.
To be the first driver for LEGO Racing is such an exciting opportunity, and I can’t wait to continue my racing journey with F1 ACADEMY. I’ve long been a fan of the LEGO brand, its creativity and what it stands for and to bring it to the track from the 2026 season onwards is incredible. I hope this inspires future generations of female drivers, that with hard work and determination, anything is possible! Esmee Kosterman, Driver for Lego Racing.
ART Grand Prix has announced the signing of Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak for the 2026 FIA Formula 2 season.
The Thai driver is set to make the step up from FIA F3 next season with the French team after finishing seventh in the Drivers’ Standings. He claimed three race victories across the season, along with a further two top five finishes.
He also took part in the FIA Formula 2 Season Finale in Abu Dhabi with Trident, so has had his first weekend in the Formula 2 car.
I’m very proud to finally announce that I will be joining ART Grand Prix for my rookie season in Formula 2. The team has proven over the years with its great successes, so I’m confident it’s the right environment for me to take this next step. I’m excited to start this new chapter and to work with everyone in the team ahead of the season. Inthraphuvasak on the news.
Tasanapol delivered a solid season in FIA F3, with three wins and some strong performances. He now has the opportunity to take on the next step in Formula 2, and we look forward to seeing how he adapts to this new challenge. Sebastien Philippe, ART Grand Prix Team Principal.
Porsche Motorsport has announced that from Season 13 (2026/27) onwards, the German manufacturer plans to field two teams under its own marque, to compete in the Formula E World Championship marking its ambitions in top-level motorsport.
With the two additional cars raced by Porsche, plus a customer team, a total of three teams would be supported by the Porsche 99X Electric package, demonstrating the German manufacturer’s commitment to the championship and furthering the development of electric technology.
Porsche’s additional entry would consolidate the grid for the beginning of the Gen4 era, where they would be joined by four other confirmed manufacturers – Jaguar, Nissan, Stellantis and Lola Cars – a strong indicator of the health of the Formula E Championship.
Porsche’s success in the all-electric series can also be seen in the transfer of race to road technology, with improvements in direct oil cooling and energy recuperation developed in Formula E deployed in their Porsche Cayenne road car.
Porsche has competed in Formula E since Season 6 (2019/20). It’s factory team has since secured 13 wins and 32 podiums as well as a Drivers’ and a Teams’ World Championship.
Motorsport shapes our brand. Our heritage in traditional motorsport is unique and is reflected in every Porsche. In the future, we want to be able to say the same about electric motorsport. Compared to other racing series, Formula E offers a very attractive balance between effort and return. It also gives us the opportunity to further develop technical solutions that are relevant to our production sports cars. Among other things, we want to use this adaptation to find and promote new talent at all levels, not just drivers. In marketing the additional cars, we want to create as much independence as possible and not simply expand our existing presence. Next year marks 75 years of Porsche Motorsport – a success story that shall be shaped by a wide variety of stories from electric motorsport in the future. Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President of Porsche Motorsport.
The commitment by Porsche to acquire an additional license from Season 13 (2026/27) of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship demonstrates significant strength in our series and its dedication to innovation and electrification at the pinnacle of motorsport. Porsche has been an important part of the Formula E family since 2019, during which time they have been successful in securing Teams’, Manufacturers’ and Drivers’ World Championships. They are a proven success in transfer of race to road technology, with their road cars boasting innovations that have been developed directly from the race track in Formula E. With the significant performance advancements planned for the GEN4 cars, the grid for the 2026/27 season is already looking strong. Jeff Dodds, CEO of Formula E.
McLaren have announced that two drivers will be representing the team on the 2026 F1 Academy gird, with Ella Lloyd retained for her sophomore campaign alongside Ella Stevens, who joins their Driver Development Programme.
Lloyd has enjoyed a successful rookie season with five podiums, including one win to her name. The Welsh racer finished the season in 4th, scoring 109 points in total.
Stevens recently became the Vice-Champion in the 2025 British KZ2 Karting Championship and is the only woman to win in the UK’s premier karting class. In September, she topped the timesheets in the inaugural F1 Academy Rookie Test.
McLaren’s added commitment to the series will be delivered in collaboration with long-standing partner NEOM, the development taking shape in northwest Saudi Arabia.
The second McLaren Racing entry piloted by 19 year old Stevens will be known as F1 Academy McLaren Oxagon, and both cars will be operated by Rodin Motorsport.
While I recognise that more remains to be done to increase female representation in motorsport, I’m immensely proud of the progress we’ve made in this space. I hope this signals to all the amazingly talented female karters, drivers, engineers, mechanics, marketeers and accountants out there that our sport is open to all and deeply committed to keeping up the incredible momentum we have seen over the past few years. There are so many opportunities both at and away from track and I want to thank NEOM for partnering with us in this space to help us open more pathways for women. To now have three talented young female drivers in our Driver Development Programme is really exciting, and I cannot wait to see them hit the track. Zak Brown on the news.
In a landmark agreement, F1 Academy and Formula 1 have announced that all 10 current Formula 1 teams have reaffirmed their commitment to sponsor an F1 Academy livery and driver in the all-female series as part of a multi-year partnership.
Cadillac Formula 1 Team, who are joining the grid next year, have also confirmed that they will join the F1 Academy grid as a sponsor from 2027.
The agreement not only reiterates the sport’s deep commitment to increasing female participation in motorsport, on and off the track, but also reflects the rapidly expanding and highly competitive pool of drivers competing for a seat in the all-female F4 level series.
In addition, with a focus on deeper talent development, from 2027, drivers who have competed in the two previous seasons may be granted an exemption to race in the series for a third season, in accordance with the updated 2027 regulations.
This new provision reflects a tailored approach to nurturing talent and will be granted exclusively to drivers whose performance indicates strong potential for continued growth throughout a third campaign.
The commitment of long-term support from all ten current Formula 1 teams, and the addition of Cadillac to our grid from 2027, sends a powerful message about the future of F1 ACADEMY. We’re not just providing a platform for the current generation of female drivers; together, we’re building a pathway to support generations of talent to come. We continue to be impressed by the depth of female talent coming out of the world of karting and are encouraged by the growth and strength of the emerging talent pool. A sharpened focus on individualised talent development, including the opportunity for drivers with high potential to compete in up to three seasons, will give stand out drivers the support and platform needed to fully realise their potential, while ensuring that the F1 ACADEMY grid consistently features the very best female talent. Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 Academy.
Red Bull and Racing Bulls have announced a joint season launch alongside Ford ahead of the 2026 campaign.
At the United States home of Ford in Detroit, Michigan on January 15th, the two teams will unveil their respective liveries for the next generation of cars, a season in which Red Bull Ford Powertrains will debut as both squads’ power unit manufacturer.
Red Bull have chosen Detroit to pay homage to Ford’s heritage ahead of the partnership’s maiden season together.
The launch of the Red Bull Ford Powertrains era represents not only a bold step into the future, but a powerful expression of what’s possible when world-class engineering, innovation, and passion come together. To see the energy, precision, and scale behind this project is inspiring. It’s the culmination of several years of collaboration between two great names in motorsport. We’re incredibly excited to begin this new chapter, driven by the same determination and excellence that defines both Ford and Red Bull. Laurent Mekies, CEO & Team Principal of Red Bull Racing.
Since we announced our return to F1 with Red Bull, the Ford team have been working night and day to get ready for 2026. But this is about so much more than just the racing. It is about how we use our learnings from F1 to make our cars and trucks better for our customers. What we will learn together with Red Bull will define the technologies of the future and that is what excites me most about this relationship. Jim Farley, President & CEO of Ford Motor Company added.
We’re incredibly excited to welcome Ford back into the world of Formula 1. With over 125 years of heritage, innovation, and absolute dedication to performance, Ford embodies the same competitive spirit that drives our team. This partnership brings together global brands united by a love of racing and a commitment to pushing boundaries. As a member of the Red Bull family and together with our title partners, Visa and Cash App, we see huge opportunities to join forces and connect with a new generation of fans and showcase the future of performance and mobility on a global stage. Launching this new era in Detroit, the birthplace of Ford, makes it all the more special. Peter Bayer, CEO of Racing Bulls.
ART Grand Prix have confirmed the signing of Taito Kato for the 2026 FIA Formula 3 season, completing their line-up for next year.
Kato will drive alongside the previously confirmed Kanato Le and Maciej Gladysz, with all three set to embark on their rookie campaigns in 2026.
The Japanese driver race in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine this year with the French squad, finishing seventh in the Drivers’ Standings with two podiums and five top five finishes across the season.
Prior to this year, he made his single-seater debut in 2024 in the French F4 Championship, winning the title with an impressive five victories and six further podiums.
Kato said he was pleased to be stepping up with ART for another campaign with a team he knows well.
I’m genuinely excited about the new challenges awaiting us next year. I’m really thrilled to be driving for ART GP in F3 next year and to be driving with the same team as I did in FRECA. Kato on the news.
Taito integrated perfectly into the team this season in FRECA. He showed strong adaptability, great discipline, and a lot of potential that is just waiting to be fully expressed at the highest level. Moving up to FIA F3 is the natural next step in our collaboration. He’s still young, but he has already demonstrated real maturity in his driving and a clear desire to improve with every session. We’re excited to continue this journey together in 2026. Sebastien Philippe, ART Team Principal.
McLaren Racing have announced that Matteo De Palo has joined the McLaren Driver Development Programme, adding to its stable of young talent.
The 18 year old, started karting in 2016, progressing through junior karting series with success across 60 Mini, OK-Junior and OK, with top finishes in WSK Super Master Series and the FIA Karting Academy Trophy.
The Italian, from Rome, made his single-seater debut in 2023 with Campos Racing in the Spanish F4 Championship. A successful season saw him secure a race win and three additional podiums, finishing fifth in the Championship overall.
He also took part in rounds of the Italian F4 and British F4 Championships. In 2024, he stepped up into the Formula Regional European Championship, with one race win and one second place finish.
This year, Matteo competed in FRECA with Trident Motorsport, winning four races and visiting the podium on another seven occasions, securing second place in the Championship.
The team also confirms that Ugo Ugochukwu, Martinius Stenshorne and Brando Badoer will not continue with the McLaren Driver Development Programme past the end of the year.
The McLaren Driver Development Programme is pleased to welcome Matteo. He is an exciting young talent who has made great progress over the past seasons, showing adaptability, consistency and growth. We look forward to supporting his development across driving, as well as the wider aspects of being a professional driver, within our programme pathway. We also thank Ugo, Martinius and Brando for their contribution to McLaren and wish them the best for the future. Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Chief Business Affairs Officer.
Joining the McLaren Driver Development Programme is a great honour. The team have a fantastic track record for developing talent, so I am excited to grow across all elements of being a racing driver. Thank you to Zak, Alessandro and the entire McLaren team. I am excited to get out on track in papaya. Matteo on the news.
Franco Colapinto will complete Alpine’s driver line-up alongside Pierre Gasly in 2026, the team have announced.
The 22 year old joined Alpine in January as a reserve driver on a multi-year deal before earning promotion to a race seat after six races as a replacement for Jack Doohan.
The Argentine endured a difficult start to his time at the team with Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore conceding in August that he was not happy with Colapinto’s performance.
However, Colapinto went on to up his game and in the last six Grands Prix has been competitive relative to team mate Gasly, who in September committed his future to the team until at leas the end of 2028.
The improved form – in what is the slowest car on the grid – made him favourite to keep his seat for 2026, with the team believed to have narrowed the choice down to him or fellow reserve Paul Aron.
I’ve been following Franco’s progress throughout his time in Formula 1 and I have always believed that he has the right attributes and potential to be a top driver who can grow with the team. Our decision to continue together for 2026 is a clear indication of our commitment and strong support for Franco as he develops as a race driver. It has been a tough year for the whole team, and it hasn’t been the easiest scenario to perform in, however both Franco and Pierre have done their best to help put the team in the best possible position for next season. With the line-up of Pierre and Franco, we have a good blend of experience, speed and talent that will help drive the team forward and hopefully give our fans something to cheer and shout about next season. Briatore on the news.
I am very grateful to Flavio and the entire team for their belief in me to help drive the team forwards in the future. Ever since I made my Formula 1 debut, I knew, given the circumstances at play, it would be a huge challenge to keep my place in this sport. It has been a long and tough road, and I am very proud for the opportunity to drive with this team again in 2026, alongside Pierre, who has been a great team mate and will undoubtedly be someone I can continue to learn from. Finally, it is very special and timely to make this announcement here in Brazil this weekend. Being so close to my home country of Argentina and an event that feels like a home race for me where I have so much support. To have so many fans on this journey with me and the team is why we go racing and next year, when there should be a reset in Formula 1, we can hopefully give every single person who cheers for us something to truly smile and celebrate. Vamos Alpine! Colapinto on the news.
Williams Racing will become Williams F1 Team from next season as a part of a refresh of the iconic British squad’s identity.
The Grove-based team is among the most successful Formula 1 teams of all time, with nine Teams’ Championships, seven drivers’ titles and 114 Grand Prix wins.
Williams are well into a rebuild phase under the ownership of Dorilton Capital and leadership of James Vowles and are set to finish an impressive fifth in the teams’ standings this year having scored 121 points to date, which is more than their tally accrued in the last seven seasons combined.
In line with the introduction of sweeping new chassis and power unit rules next season, Williams have opted to revise their team name, which they say “connects the team’s glorious legacy to its bold and ambitious future” and team logo.
The team say their existing “W” logo will be replaced by a 21st century reimagining of team founder Frank Williams’ famous ‘Forward W’ first introduced in our founding year of 1977.
I am proud that from next year we will be known as Atlassian Williams F1 Team and carry a logo on our car inspired by our founder Sir Frank Williams and deeply connected with our decades of success. As a team we are inspired by our past but excited about our future and committed to writing a new Championship-winning chapter in Williams’ history. This evolved team identity reflects who we are, where we are going, and reintroduces our title-winning legacy to a growing F1 audience that was not following the sport when we were last dominant. Vowles on the news.
Invicta Racing have confirmed the signing of the 2025 Formula 3 Champion Rafael Camara for the 2026 season, completing their line-up for next year.
After a stellar campaign in F3, during which he achieved four victories, five pole positions and podiums in total on his way to winning the title with a round to spare, Camara will now step up to Formula 2 with Invicta.
Camara graduates to the second tier with an impressive record in single seater racing having won the 2024 Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine and finished third in the Middle East equivalent that same year and in 2023 also.
The Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy member will now step up to Formula 2 with Invicta, racing alongside Joshua Duerksen.
I’m very proud to be joining Invicta Racing for my first season in Formula 2. Over the past few years, this team has become the top target for any driver who wants to race in F2 and has shown time and again that it knows how to develop young drivers. To follow Gabriel Bortoleto and Leonardo Fornaroli in making this step as Formula 3 Champion is a huge honour. After an incredible season in F3 this year, I feel ready for the next challenge, and I can’t wait to get started with the team. Camara on the news.
We’re thrilled to welcome Rafael to Invicta Racing for 2026. At every stage of his career to date, he’s shown pace, consistency, and maturity, delivering outstanding results that really speak for themselves. To have the reigning Formula 3 champion join the team for a third consecutive season underlines our commitment to providing the very best young talent with a platform to perform at the highest level, and we’re very excited to see what Rafael can achieve next season. James Robinson, Invicta Racing Team Principal.
Lando Norris soaked up the pressure of a nervy Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to finish on the podium and in turn secure the F1 Drivers’ Championship for the first time – following rivals Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri home.
Norris started the title-deciding race from second on the grid, between Red Bull racer Verstappen and McLaren teammate Piastri, knowing that finishing in the top three places would be enough to put the 2025 crown beyond doubt.
A bold Piastri move demoted Norris to third on the opening lap, before attacks from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, a spell in traffic after his first pit stop and wheel-to-wheel moment with the other Red Bull of Yuki Tsunoda put the Brit under pressure.
Norris, though, dealt with everything that was thrown at him to cross the line in third and clinch the title over Verstappen and Piastri, who both delivered flawless races en route to the win and second position respectively.
At the end of it all, just two points separated Norris and Verstappen at the top of the World Championship standings, given the 10 point swing at the Yas Marina Circuit, with Piastri finishing further 11 points back.
The full top 10 are- P1: Verstappen, P2: Piastri, P3: Norris, P4: Leclerc, P5: Russell, P6: Alonso, P7: Ocon, P8: Hamilton, P9: Hulkenberg and P10: Stroll.
What a season for Mr Lando Norris aka the new WORLD CHAMPION!!!!! A really good race from the Brit, he kept it all cool, calm and collected exactly when he needed to, and most importantly trusted the process! A decent result from Piastri, unfortunately it wasn’t enough to get the championship but a really strong season he should be proud of!
A lovely result from Max, a win to round out the season, which has been a tough one for himself and the team but they really did turn it round, but maybe it was a little too late in the end… As for his teammate, Yuki’s last race in F1, the team used him with orders to slow Norris down but they just made themselves look bad with the un-sportsman like behaviour….
P4 for Leclerc, a good result to round out a difficult season, they seemed to have some pace during the race aswell. As for Hamilton a really good race up in the points again after a difficult starting position. It will be a season of lots of learning and where to go from here for next season for both drivers!
A decent result for Russell, seems like he dropped off in the race compared to his pace in qualifying, but the points helped solidified P2 in the Constructors.
P6 for Alonso, a great way to round out the season, especially with their performance over the last couple of races! The sames goes to Lance Stroll as he finished 10th so a double points finish for the team. Is this a sign of things to come in 2026?!
Oh God! I’ve not cried in a while. didn’t think I’d cry but I did. It’s a long journey. First of all, I want to say a big thanks to my guys, everyone at McLaren, my parents… I’m not crying! My mum, my dad, they were the ones who supported me since the beginning. It feels amazing. Now I know what Max feels like a little bit, and I want to congratulate Max and Oscar, my two biggest competitors all season. It’s been a pleasure to race against both of them, and I’ve learnt a lot from both of them as well. I’ve enjoyed it, it’s been a long year, but we did it, and I’m so proud of everyone. Norris on winning the Drivers’ Championship.
Now, that was our last race of the year in the world of Formula 1 and we do not have another race now until 6th to 8th of March but keep coming back for more updates!
Aston Martin have confirmed that Formula 2 Championship hopeful Jak Crawford will become their third driver for the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Crawford has been a member of the team’s Young Driver Development Programme since 2024, accumulating over 2000km in Formula 1 machinery since then.
The 20 year old took part in the end-of-season test in Abu Dhabi last year and made his Grand Prix weekend debut in Mexico City just a few weeks ago.
Crawford is in the midst of a tightly fought Formula 2 title battle, sitting second in the Drivers’ Championship on 169 points – just 19 points behind leader, Leonardo Fornaroli heading into the final two rounds of the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
The young American is now set to take up a full-time Formula 1 role with Aston Martin, and expressed how delighted he was to be given the opportunity.
I’m incredibly proud to be confirmed as the Third Driver for 2026. It’s a huge moment in my journey with Aston Martin Aramco and a big motivation to keep learning and contributing. Over the past two seasons, I’ve learned so much from being in the Formula 1 environment, both at the factory and trackside. I’ll be doing everything I can to support the team and continue developing as a driver. Crawford on the news.
It is great to see Jak progress to become our Third Driver for 2026. Over the past two years, he has shown his value as a key member of our driver squad and built up a valuable bank of experience and test mileage. Jak has impressed in the simulator, having completed regular sessions at the AMR Technology Campus to support our race operations and car development. Jak’s performances in Formula 2 have also been outstanding, and we are excited to continue supporting his growth as he takes on a bigger role. Andy Cowell, Aston Martin Team Principal.
Abu Dhabi hosts the last Grand Prix of the season and it will also be the final appearance at a race weekend for the size of tyre Formula 1 has used since 2022.
Yas Marina has hosted the final race of the Formula 1 season, 13 times. It is a modern, cutting-edge facility, the track is 5.281 kilometres long and features 16 corners.
The drivers know it well as it has long been the venue for the post-season test session. Designed by Hermann Tilke, the track underwent an overhaul four years ago, which slightly reduced its length, while making it faster and more flowing, producing more overtaking opportunities, especially on the 1.2 kilometre long straight between the slow turns 5 and 6.
Another interesting section is to be found through turns 10, 11 and 12, where drivers have to brake hard, thus generating heavy lateral loads on the car. The track surface is made with aggregate imported from England and provides medium levels of abrasiveness and grip.
To iron out some bumpy sections, the surface was redone this year from Turn 1 to Turn 4. As at all night races, there will be a significant drop in temperature between the first and last sessions. Track conditions can change according to when the cars are on track and they will also be affected by how much it rubbers in thanks to the support races, including Formula 2.
Pirelli is sticking with the usual selection of compounds for the last race of the season, namely the C3 (Hard), C4 (Medium) and C5 (Soft). Historically, the Yas Marina track sees graining on the tyres, but as from last year this phenomenon seems to be relatively limited and the greater resistance of the current tyres could reduce it to such an extent that even the Soft, usually only used in qualifying, could be a tyre around which to put together a race strategy.
In Yas Marina last year, 19 drivers fitted the Medium for the start, the sole exception being Hamilton who went with the Hard. The one-stop was the quickest strategy, using the hard for the second stint.
Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi will be racing for DAMS Lucas Oil in the 2026 Formula 3 season, the team confirmed.
The Thai driver graduating from karting in 2022 and achieved his first podium in single seaters in the next season on his debut in the Formula 4 CEZ Championship.
Since then, Bhirombhakdi has competed in two seasons of the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, achieving several points finishes in 2025.
The 19 year old has spent the last few weeks taking part in the post-season tests in Jerez, Barcelona and Imola with DAMS and at the announcement talked about how happy he was to be joining the French team.
I’m really excited to be joining DAMS Lucas Oil for the FIA F3 next year. I want to thank the team for giving me this opportunity and can’t wait to get started. Bhirombhakdi on the news.
We are very pleased to welcome Jem to the DAMS Lucas Oil family. He’s shown great potential and a strong work ethic for his age. We look forward to supporting his progression as he takes on the challenges of FIA Formula 3 next season. Charles Pic, DAMS Lucas Oil Team Principal.
Jaguar TCS Racing has today announced Stoffel Vandoorne will join the team as Reserve Driver for Season 12, alongside long-serving simulator and reserve driver Tom Dillmann.
Vandoorne, the 2022 ABB FIA Formula E Drivers’ World Champion, joins the team after a year at Maserati MSG Racing.
With more than 100 Formula E race starts to his name, the Belgian brings a wealth of experience and momentum from an impressive 2024/25 season – capped by his performance in Tokyo that lead Maserati to its sole victory in the GEN3 Evo era.
His Formula E journey spans seven seasons and includes a standout rookie year with HWA Racelab, a three year tenure at Mercedes-EQ Formula E team, where he secured the Drivers’ world title and two seasons with DS PENSKE before his move to Maserati.
He joins Tom Dillmann, Jaguar TCS Racing’s long-serving simulator and reserve driver, who enters his sixth year with the team. Together, Vandoorne and Dillmann will play a pivotal role in shaping the team’s technical development – contributing both on track and behind the scenes as they help develop a competitive GEN4 contender for the 2026/27 season.
I’m thrilled to be joining Jaguar TCS Racing as reserve driver for the upcoming season. It’s a team I’ve long admired for its performance and professionalism, and I’m excited to contribute to their continued success. I’m looking forward to supporting the team both on and off the track and helping push the Jaguar I-TYPE 7 to its full potential. Vandoorne on the news.
It’s a real pleasure to be continuing with Jaguar TCS Racing for my sixth season. Over the years, I’ve seen the team grow into a true championship contender, and I’m proud to have played a part in that journey. There’s a great energy heading into this season, and I’m looking forward to what we can achieve together. Dillman on the news.
We’re proud to welcome Stoffel Vandoorne to Jaguar TCS Racing as our reserve driver for the upcoming season. Stoffel’s credentials speak for themselves – a former Drivers’ World Champion with over 100 race starts and a wealth of experience across seven seasons. We’re also glad to retain Tom Dillmann, who has been a hugely valuable member of Jaguar TCS Racing for the past six years. His dedication and technical expertise have played a key role in our development, and we’re grateful for his continued support as we prepare for Formula E’s most exciting era of racing yet. Ian James, Jaguar TCS Racing Team Principal.
Leonardo Fornaroli kicked off his Lusail weekend in strong form, setting the fastest time of the free practice session with a 1:38.656. The Invicta Racing driver completed that time with his final lap of the 45 minute outing, with Hitech TGR’s Dino Beganovic in second and Rodin Motorsport’s Alexander Dunne in third.
After the first set of laps though, it was MP Motorsport’s Richard Verschoor who topped the timesheets with a 1:41.163, with Fornaroli in second, over two-tenths behind.
Fornaroli then led the way with a 1:40.342, but it was close at the top, as Verschoor and Victor Martins went to within 0.080s off the Italian’s leading time.
Luke Browning then took over at the top on a 1:39.701, while Verschoor made things even closer, going to within 0.009s of his title rival, as Fornaroli settled into P3.
Browning lowered the time to beat on his next attempt with a 1:39.285, and this time he was followed by the Invicta pairing of Fornaroli and Roman Stanek. The Hitech TGR driver then ducked into the pitlane after that lap but the Championship leader continued on and went fastest on a 1:39.064.
Browning had then been on a quicker lap but ran wide in the final sector. However, his teammate Beganovic continued to fly the Hitech flag going to P2, 0.044s off Fornaroli’s time.
As the session entered its final stages, the drivers were still finding time on their hard tyres, with Dunne jumping up to third. Fornaroli continued to set the standard and improved to a 1:38.656 on his final lap, although Beganovic closed to the gap to 0.102s moment later.
Qualifying-
Oliver Goethe claimed his maiden FIA Formula 2 Aramco Pole Position Award, logging a 1:36.115 for MP Motorsport.
Championship leader, Leonardo Fornaroli had been fastest for much of the qualifying session but was bested by just 0.040s to wind up second, ahead of ART Grand Prix’s Victor Martins in third.
PREMA Racing’s Sebastian Montoya set the early pace before the Invicta Racing duo of Roman Stanek and then Fornaroli went quicker still. The pair were split by Jak Crawford, but it was the Championship leader that went P1 on a 1:37.850 after the first laps.
Martins delivered a 1:37.512 to go to the top on his second attempt, until MP Motorsport teammates Oliver Goethe and Richard Verschoor went 1-2.
Stanek put Invicta back on top with a 1:37.189, but teammate Fornaroli once again went quickest of all, this time laying down on a 1:36.996. Several drivers began to peel into the pitlane to bring their first run to a close, but Goethe went to within 0.075s of Fornaroli on his third flying lap, improving to P2.
Into the final 10 minutes and everyone returned to the track with fresh Soft tyres and Dino Beganovic delivered a time good enough for provisional pole on a 1:36.826.
Fornaroli was flying behind though, and he went back to P1 on a 1:36.307. Stanek cut the gap down to 0.214s in P2, while Goethe delivered the third-quickest time to go ahead of Beganovic.
Goethe though found enough time to go in front of Fornaroli as both drivers improved on their final attempts, just 0.040s between them in favour of the MP driver as he set a 1:36.115.
However, Goethe was handed a grid penalty following the conclusion of qualifying, as he impeded Martinius Stenshorne at Turn 6. It then promotes Leonardo Fornaroli for pole position in the feature race.
Sprint Race-
Duerksen got the best launch from the front row to take the lead from Verschoor, while Nikola Tsolov slotted into third place on the run to Turn 1.
Championship leader, Leonardo Fornaroli went wheel-to-wheel with teammate Roman Stanek on the opening lap and attempted a move on the second tour, though was unable to clear his teammate as the Invicta Racing pair fought over seventh place.
Onto Lap 4, and with DRS enabled, Verschoor had clawed his way back to within a second of Duerksen and he swept back into the lead at Turn 1.
The MP title-hopeful was comfortably the fastest driver on track in the following laps, extending his advantage over the pack to two seconds.
Further back, a wide moment at Turn 4 on Lap 12 lost Victory Martins P11 to Dino Beganovic and on the following tour he was passed by Gabriele Mini, dropping him to 13th.
Lap 14 and a collision between TRIDENT teammate Laurens van Hoepen and James Wharton left the latter beached in the gravel at Turn 1. It brought out the Safety Car and wiped out race leader Verschoor’s four-second advantage.
Stanek opted to pit, the only driver from inside the top 10 to fit the softs, while Arvid Lindblad, Oliver Goethe, John Bennett, Luke Browning, Cian Shields and Kush Maini also fitted the red-marked tyres. The DAMS Lucas Oil driver did however come to a halt before racing resumed, extending the Safety Car period.
Racing resumed entering Lap 17 with Verschoor retaining his lead over Duerksen with seven laps to go. By Lap 20, the advantage was back out to 2.4s with Tsolov trailing by a further second in P3.
A spin for Shields on the exit of Turn 5 brought out the Safety Car once more, bringing the pack back together and setting up a final lap shootout. Verschoor got things back underway and the fight for the podium places heading into Turn 1 was on.
Tsolov was rounded by Villagomez, who ran wide ahead of Turn 2 but claimed the place, whilst the Bulgarian driver went wide himself and fell from third to 10th.
The Dutch driver was untroubled though, taking the Lusail Sprint Race victory ahead of Duerksen and Villagomez after his final lap pass on Tsolov.
Feature Race-
It was a great start from Martins, taking the lead from Fornaroli going into Turn 1, while Dunne took P4 for Oliver Goethe at Turn 3.
The Rodin driver was chasing Roman Stanek for third, but ran wide at the final corner. It allowed Goethe and Nikola Tsolov to close in, although Dunne was able to hold off the chasing pair.
Martins then set the fastest lap and by the start of lap 3, he had built up a 1.7s gap to Fornaroli, with the Italian coming on the radio to complain of his soft tyres to his Invicta tam.
Further behind them, Sebastian Montoya used the DRS to good effect to get ahead of Tsolov for P6 into Turn 1. Martins was 4.1s clear of Fornaroli by the start of Lap 5, and it looked like Invicta were struggling on the soft tyres, as Dunne overtook Stanek for P3 into Turn 1.
The pit window opened up at the end of Lap 6 and Fornaroli, Dunne, Montoya, Verschoor and Duerksen came in to swap to the Hard tyres.
The race leader was in on the next lap, joined in the pitlane by Goethe and Stanek. It was a slow stop for Martins, but he was still able to come back out ahead of Fornaroli and Dunne.
At the front of the field, Dino Beganovic was the lead driver on the alternative strategy and by the end of Lap 10, he had built a 7.1s lead to Arvid Lindblad.
But in the battle for the net race lead, Fornaroli and Dunne were closing in on Martins, the Championship leader 1.4s behind by the start of Lap 11. Verschoor was looking to fight his way through the field and having overtaken Villagomez, he bided his time before overtaking Stanek, putting him in a net P7.
The Safety Car was then deployed on Lap 15, with Oliver Goethe having stopped on track, just as Dunne and Tsolov were given five-second time penalties for an unsafe release in the pitlane.
Racing resumed on Lap 17 of 32, and Beganovic once again was showing good pace, and had built a 1.7s lead to teammate Luke Browning by the start of the next lap.
Martins was now up to fifth, leading the drivers who had pitted, but he was struggling to overtake Laurens van Hoepen, allowing Fornaroli to close in on the Frenchman.
Beganovic was 4.2s clear of Browning at the start of Lap 22, while Fornaroli was now 1.1s behind Martins, just as Lindblad on his Soft tyres, continued to reduce the gap.
But by Lap 25, the option tyre runners were starting to struggle, as Dunne closed in on Lindblad for seventh on the road. However, the Campos Racing driver held him off at Turn 1.
In the battle for the net race lead, Fornaroli was now within DRS range of Martins, while Dunne went to the inside of Lindblad at Turn 1 to take seventh place.
After a superb stint, Beganovic was called in to fit the softs at the end of Lap 27, coming back out in P12. Browning and Bennett then pitted on Lap 29, leaving Martins and Fornaroli to fight for the race win.
However the ART driver was 1.1s clear of Fornaroli, as Dunne closed in, looking to build the five second gap he needed to keep third ahead of Lindblad. But out in front, Martins had done enough to win the Feature Race, but the day belonged to Fornaroli, as he claimed the 2025 FIA Formula 2 title by finishing second.
Max Verstappen claimed a crucial victory in the Qatar Grand Prix from Oscar Piastri, with the title battle set to go down to the final round as Championship leader Lando Norris could only finish fourth.
Verstappen’s unlikely win was courtesy of McLaren’s alternative strategy which came as a consequence of an early Safety car intervention and an enforced 25 lap maximum stint level on all Pirelli tyre sets.
The Red Bull driver jumped Norris on the run to the first turn from P3 on the grid and shadowed poleman Piastri in the opening laps before a clash between Nico Hulkenberg and Pierre Gasly at Turn 1 several laps later turned the race on its head.
While all drivers pitted for the first of two mandatory pit stops in the 57 lap race, both Piastri and Norris remained out on track, which ultimately put them behind Verstappen in the final order.
The full top 10 are- P1: Verstappen, P2: Piastri, P3: Sainz, P4: Norris, P5: Antonelli, P6: Russell, P7: Alonso, P8: Leclerc, P9: Lawson and P10: Tsunoda.
What a result for Verstappen! This is what he needed to continue the championship fight and that he has done so, with a perfect strategy he absolutely stole the show and now the fight continues until the final race weekend!
A disappointing result, for Piastri, a weekend where he had everything together but got done over in the race by strategy, horrible weekend for him, and now his behind in the championship fight. As for Norris, another bad result for McLaren, he lost out to Verstappen at the start and then a bad strategy aswell meant he could only do the best finish of P4.
What a result for Carlos Sainz! P3 for the Williams driver, this confirmed their fifth place in the Constructors’ after a strong season so far! A brilliant drive from Sainz after qualifying really well.
A decent result for Mercedes, P5 for Antonelli and P6 for Russell, not the best result for them but still very good points in the bag for them!
P7 for Alonso, a decent points finish for the Spaniard, a pretty good weekend overall for the Aston Martin driver, it will be interesting to see how he does in the last race of the year!
Another disappointing weekend for Ferrari, P8 for Leclerc and P12 for Hamilton after making up quite a few spots since his qualifying position. This isn’t the end of the season the Italian team would’ve wanted.
This was an incredible race for us. We made the right call as a team to box under the Safety Car. That was smart. Of course, I’m super happy to win here and stay in the fight until the end. Incredible. I think [the pace] was a little bit offset because of it all, but for us I think it was a very strong race on a weekend where it was a little bit tough. We still won the race and that was the most important thing. Verstappen on the win.
Oscar Piastri claimed a crucial pole position for the Qatar Sprint, beating George Russell and McLaren team mate Lando Norris to the top spot.
The Australian set the pace when it mattered most in Friday’s SQ3, sitting at the top of the times after both his flying laps, with his final benchmark of 1m 20.055s leaving him just 0.032s clear of Mercedes’ Russell.
Norris who holds a 24 point lead over Piastri and Max Verstappen ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix, which means he can claim a maiden Formula 1 title this weekend, finished two-tenths further back after running wide at the last corner on his final effort.
The full top 10 are – Pole: Piastri, P2: Russell, P3: Norris, P4: Alosno, P5: Tsunoda, P6: Verstappen, P7: Antonelli, P8: Sainz, P9: Leclerc and P10: Albon.
What a result for Piastri! Exactly what he would’ve wanted going into this weekend, this will give him the momentum to continue the weekend strongly. A very good result for his teammate, Norris in P3, they both did well to beat Verstappen.
As for the Dutchman, he had been out-qualified by Tsunoda. The four time world champion qualified 6th and Tsunoda finished 5th. A decent result, but still a lot of work to do for Verstappen.
A great result for Russell, P2 for the Mercedes man, as for his team mate 7th for Antonelli, not the best result for the Italian but still a good enough result to get some good points!
P4 for Alonso! A great result for the Aston Martin driver, some good performances from Aston Martin over the past few race weekends!
A day to forget for Ferrari, Leclerc qualified 9th and Hamilton 18th. A horrible result for Hamilton, a lot of work for the Brit to do, whereas for Leclerc still in a good position to make some moves and be rewarded with points.
It’s been a good day, which is nice for a change. It’s been a day where things have clicked from the start and I think the Sprint Qualifying session went really well. I had a pretty big moment on my lap but it was just enough in the end so thanks to the team – it’s a great car and it’s looked really good this weekend so far. I’m pretty happy with that. Piastri on pole position.
The Qatar Grand Prix is the penultimate race of the season and the last to be run to the Sprint format. It comes just one week on from Las Vegas, 13,000 kilometres as the crow flies from this week’s venue in Lusail. Both races and indeed the final one in Abu Dhabi, take place at night, but the weather could not be more different.
Conditions were cold on track in the Nevadan desert, but in Qatar drivers will have to deal with heat and humidity similar to that experienced in Singapore. The Middle Eastern track is particularly demanding for the tyres and that has led to the introduction of an exceptional measure.
The three hardest compounds in the Pirelli range have been selected for Doha. The C1 (Hard), C2 (Medium) and C3 (Soft) are the obvious choice at a track where tyres are subjected to energy levels similar to those experienced in Suzuka and indeed, these are the only compounds that have ever been run at the this Grand Prix.
The majority of the corners at the Lusail track are high speed, which means the tyres have little time to recover and the section which works them the hardest is from turns 12 and 14. The track surface which is quite smooth has usually led to graining which contributes to producing a high wear rate on the tyres.
The Lusail circuit was originally conceived as a motorcycle racing track, which is clear from its rather unique layout; fast and twisty with a straight that is over a kilometre in length. The circuit on the outskirts of Doha, presents the drivers, cars and tyres with some unusual challenges. It boasts 16 corners, ten of them right handers while its desert location means that sand often gets blown onto the track, inevitably influencing track evolution. In an effort to prevent this, there are several areas of artificial grass around the circuit.
All drivers started the Qatar Grand Prix on the Medium tyre with the exception of Nico Hulkenberg who opted for Hards. The one-stop strategy proved the most popular, with drivers looking to extend the first stint on the yellow-banded tyre, managing to make it last well past the half race distance.
Van Amersfoort Racing have confirmed that Nicolas Varrone will be driving for the team in the 2026 Formula 2 season.
The Argentine driver has been racing in sports cars since going over to Europe in 2018, and has won several trophies, including winning the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LMGTE Am class. Prior to that, he also finished third in the 2021 Le Mans Cup in the LMP3 class.
Varrone now makes the switch to single seater racing, but does have previous experience in an F2 car having driven on the final day of post-season testing in Abu Dhabi last year.
At the announcement, the 24 year old spoke of how excited he was at the chance to race with VAR in 2026.
I’m super excited to be joining Van Amersfoort Racing for the 2026 F2 season. A very professional team with a lot of history and success. Can’t wait to get behind the wheel and start working with them. Thankful to everyone who believed in me all these years. Varrone on the news.
We’re very pleased to welcome Nico to Van Amersfoort Racing for our 2026 FIA Formula 2 campaign. His experience and achievements in endurance racing, including his success at Le Mans, speak for themselves. Stepping into Formula 2 will be a new challenge, but with his talent and technical understanding, we’re confident he will adapt quickly to the environment. We’re looking forward to working with him and believe his arrival will bring great value to the team as we take on the season together. Brad Joyce, Van Amersfoort Racing Team Principal.
Invicta Racing have announced that Joshua Duerksen will be racing for the team in the 2026 Formula 2 season.
Duerksen is set to return for a third season in the Championship, having achieved two victories and four podiums in his rookie campaign in 2024, finishing 10th in the standings with 87 points.
So far this season through the first 12 rounds of his second year in F2, Duerksen has one win and five podiums in total.
Prior to his stint in Formula 2, finished second in the 2019 Formula 4 UAE Championship and sixth in the 2020 ADAC F4 and 2021 Italian F4 seasons.
I’m incredibly proud to be representing Invicta Racing and Paraguay for the 2026 Formula 2 season. The team has shown over several years that it’s one of the very best in the championship, and I’m excited to seize this huge opportunity. I’ve learned a lot during my time in F2 so far, and I feel ready to fight at the very front every weekend and to show what Paraguay is capable of. I’m really looking forward to starting work with everyone in the team, and I’m confident that we can achieve great things together next year. Duerksen on the news.
Joshua has been one of the standout performers in Formula 2 over the past couple of seasons and we’re very excited to welcome him to Invicta Racing for 2026. He’s a proven race winner with not only the speed, but the mindset to fight at the sharp end of the grid. Joshua’s ability to extract performance under pressure and his commitment to constant improvement have immediately impressed us, and I’m confident that we will deliver some strong results together next year. James Robinson, Invicta Racing Team Principal.
DAMS Lucas Oil have announced their first driver signing of the 2026 season, with Dino Beganovic set to race for the team next year.
Beganovic is in the midst of his first full campaign in Formula 2 and is currently eighth in the Drivers’ Standings with one victory and pole position, as well as four podiums in total.
Prior to that, the Swede competed in the final two rounds of the 2024 F2 season with DAMS, achieving a third-place finish in the Yas Marina Sprint Race.
The Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy member also achieved nine podiums, which included two wins during his two seasons in Formula 3.
Beganovic also won the 2022 Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine after finishing third in the 2020 Italian F4 season.
I’m extremely happy to return to DAMS Lucas Oil for another season in Formula 2. I felt an instant connection with the team last year — both on a professional and human level — and we showed great potential together, including a podium in Abu Dhabi. I’m grateful for the trust they’ve placed in me, and for the continued support from the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy. The goal now is to build on the progress we’ve made and fight consistently at the front. Beganovic on the news.
We were impressed by Dino’s maturity and professionalism during his first outings with us. His work ethic, technical understanding and consistency perfectly match the values of our team. We’re thrilled to welcome him back for this next step in his career, and we’re confident we can achieve great things together. Charles Pic, DAMS Lucas Oil Team Owner.
Jordan's Track Talk 