Jordan's Track Talk

Category: Formula One

  • Williams confirm Martins for Test & Development Driver

    Williams have announced that their Driver Academy graduate, Victor Martins, will step into a new role as Test and Development Driver for the 2026 season, dovetailing those Formula 1 duties with a drive in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Alpine.

    French driver Martins, 24, joined Williams’ Driver Academy at the start of 2025, having previously won the Formula Renault Eurocup series in 2020, the FIA Formula 3 title in 2022 and then finished as top rookie in the 2023 FIA Formula 2 season.

    He secured multiple race wins and podium finishes across his three F2 campaigns with ART Grand Prix, most recently taking victory in the 2025 Qatar Feature Race.

    Martins will now graduate to a Test and Development Driver role at Williams alongside Oliver Turvey and Harrison Scott, where he will – as per a release – play a crucial role in advancing the team’s development programmes to support our F1 drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz as the sport enters an unprecedented change in technical regulations.

    Duties will include refining Williams’ state of the art diver in loop simulator, which came online at the end of 2025, while he will also be involved in developing a dedicated Driver Academy DIL to support young talent on their path to F1.

    Williams is an iconic team with an incredible history and I’m excited to be part of the project to bring this team back to the front of the grid. I’ve already had experience working with Alex and Carlos during race weekends, and I’m looking forward to continuing this work with the team in 2026. hanks to [Team Principal] James Vowles, Sven [Smeets, Sporting Director] and everyone at Williams for the opportunity.
    Martins on the news.

    Victor is a talented driver who has consistently given invaluable guidance and feedback to the team, improving our on-track performance and supporting Alex and Carlos throughout the 2025 season. His recent experience driving the FW47 in Barcelona FP1 and supporting the TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) programme gives him the real-world context to make real impact on the development of the FW48 and future car programmes.
    Smeets on the news.

  • F1 Car Launches

    Formula 1 is poised to begin a new era of much changed cars and engines in 2026, making launch season one of the most eagerly anticipated in years.

    With pre-season testing beginning at the end of January, initially with behind-closed-doors running in Barcelona, teams will start to show off their 2026 looks and cars several weeks earlier than recent years as they ramp up preparations for the 24 race campaign from March.

    All 11 teams including the new Cadillac team have now confirmed their respective launch dates.

    January 15th – Red Bull & Racing Bulls

    The two Red Bull teams have kicked of their new engine era at the Detroit headquarters of partners Ford by revealing their respective 2026 car liveries.

    January 19th – Haas

    Haas originally scheduled their launch for Friday January 23rd but the changed it to avoid a clash with Ferrari and Alpine.

    They have moved it a few days earlier to the 19th January, when the livery for their 2026 car, will be unveiled online.

    January 20th – Audi

    They aren’t a brand new team like Cadillac, but Sauber’s transition to Audi will become official when the German team hold a “global launch” event in Berlin.

    The team’s 2026 livery will be revealed, while they’ll extend the event into the following day to allow F1 fans in the German capital to come and have a look.

    January 22nd – Mercedes

    Mercedes will show off the first renders of their latest challenger, the W17, on January 22nd ahead of a season in which they bid to get back to title-contending ways after disappointment in the ground-effect rules era.

    After the behind-closed doors Barcelona test on January 26th-30th, the team will then host a season launch event online featuring drivers, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, team boss Toto Wolff and the W17 itself on Monday February 2nd.

    January 23rd- Ferrari

    After the disappointment of their winless 2025 season, Ferrari will officially launch what they hope will be a big bounce back year for them on Friday January 23rd – three days before the behind closed doors test.

    The Scuderia have given little away so far about the exact nature of the launch.

    January 23rd- Alpine

    Alpine have promised “we’ve got something to show you” when they too hold an event on Friday January 23rd from Barcelona.

    The team aiming for a big step forward in F1’s new era having slipped to last in the 2025 constructors’ standings amid an early focus shift to 2026, with Alpine also swapping their own works Renault engines for a customer supply of a Mercedes power unit that is expected to be strong.

    February 3rd – Williams

    Williams unveil what they say will be a “new look” for the team when they launch the livery for their 2026 car, the FW48, on Tuesday 3rd February.

    The car will have run in a special one off fan-designed livery before then for the first test in Barcelona.

    February 8th – Cadillac

    The team’s maiden car livery will be shown in a TV advert during the Super Bowl, which this year is being staged at California’s Levi’s Stadium on Sunday February 8th.

    February 9th – McLaren

    Defending world champions Mclaren will reveal their 2026 car livery to the world on Monday February 9th, two days before the first public test of pre-season begins in Bahrain.

    New World Champion, Lando Norris will be present at an online event from the Bahrain International Circuit alongside team-mate Oscar Piastri and team chiefs Zak Brown and Andrea Stella, which starts at 3pm UK time.

    February 9th – Aston Martin

    The eagerly anticipated unveiling of the first Aston Martin car designed by the legendary Adrian Newey will break cover on Monday February 9th, the same day as McLaren.

    The new AMR26 will also be the first of the team’s car to be powered by Honda.

  • Williams announce car livery reveal date

    Williams are the latest Formula 1 team to confirm a livery reveal date for their 2026 challenger.

    Coming swiftly after Mercedes’ own announcement, Williams have announced that the “striking” new livery for the FW48 will be unveiled on Tuesday, February 3rd.

    That falls between F1’s private pre-season test in Barcelona from January 26th-30th and two subsequent sessions in Bahrain from February 11th – 13th and February 18th – 20th.

    Williams will be looking to build on a much-improved P5 classification in the Teams’ Championship – their best since 2017 – as the sport enters an all new era of regulations this year.

    Carlos Sainz, who arrived in 2025 and scored two Grand Prix podiums, remains alongside long-time Williams Alex Albon, with James Vowles continuing to lead the team’s resurgence as Team Principal.

  • Zhou joins Cadillac as Reserve Driver

    Cadillac have announced that Zhou Guanyu has joined the team as their reserve driver ahead of their debut season in Formula 1.

    Zhou – who raced for the Alfa Romeo/Kick Sauber outfit between 2022 and 2024 – is the latest name to be confirmed as part of the American squad’s line-up, with Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez acting as the team’s race drivers while former IndyCar racer Colton Herta will fulfil the role of test driver.

    During his time on the grid, Zhou competed in 68 Grand Prix and scored points on seven occasions, including on his debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2022. The 26 year old also claimed Kick Sauber’s only points finish of 2024 in Qatar.

    After leaving the team at the end of that season, Zhou – China’s first and so far only F1 driver – joined Ferrari in a reserve role, carrying out trackside and simulator work as well as participating in their Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programmes.

    I am delighted to join the Cadillac Formula 1 Team as a Reserve Driver ahead of its Formula 1 debut. This is one of the biggest and most exciting new projects that the sport has ever seen. I have worked with both Graeme [Lowdon] and Valtteri for many years in various capacities, so joining the team feels like rejoining family. Having had recent experience on track and in developing the cars off track, I know I can add huge value to the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, and I am looking forward to supporting them the best way that I can.
    Zhou on the news.

    Our process for selecting a Reserve Driver has been as thorough as the search for our Race Drivers. We wanted a candidate who had recent F1 driving experience, is prepared to work hard as part of a team and understands the challenges of developing a car throughout the season. Zhou fits the bill perfectly. He will be a great asset to us as we go racing in 2026 and we look forward to him being an integral part of our team.
    Graeme Lowdon, Team Principal.

    I’m excited to welcome Zhou to Cadillac Formula 1 Team. He will be an excellent addition to complement Valtteri and Checo; talented, personable and respectful of the hard work and commitment it will take for us to achieve our ambitions. I’m excited by our complete driver line-up – alongside Colton, we have a hungry, fast and collaborative group to make our 2026 debut.
    Dan Towriss, CEO of Cadillac Formula 1 Team Holdings.

  • Ferrari confirm launch date

    Ferrari will launch their 2026 Formula 1 campaign on January 23rd, just three days before the private pre-season testing begins at Barcelona.

    The Scuderia remained tight-lipped about their plans for the launch, but Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur confirmed the date during his annual Christmas end of season press conference at Fiorano, Italy.

    The Ferrari launch will be on the same day as Alpine kick off their season with an event in Barcelona and Haas reveal their with a digital launch.

    Ferrari will be looking to hit back in 2026 after a difficult 2025 campaign that yielded no wins and P4 in the Teams’ Championship, behind champions McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull.

    That came a year after they had pushed McLaren all the way to the decider in the fight for the Teams’ Championship.

    The Italian team will field an unchanged line-up of Charles Leclerc and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton who will contrast their eighth and second seasons respectively for the Italian team.

    Nobody is conservative or aggressive or taking risks, it’s quite often when you discover what the others did, that you say, ‘oh I was mega aggressive’ or ‘I was mega conservative’. But honestly today…I can’t speak about the others, I don’t know about the others, but it’s true that we will have the picture, not in Barcelona I don’t think, so let’s say Bahrain, and you will see that different teams took different directions, sometimes perhaps a bit 180 degrees, but we don’t have the feeling to be aggressive or not. What is aggressive is to postpone the release of drawings at max, to arrive in the last minute in Barcelona or in Bahrain with a car that will be assembled in the garage. This is aggressive. If you want to finish one month before, it’s not aggressive at all, it’s conservative. On this we will be aggressive for sure, because we were always. We will finish the assembly of the car the day before the launch, the launch will be the 23rd January, which means we will finish the car on the 22nd, and this is to be aggressive. But everybody will do the same, now we have a convergence in the approach of the season, and everybody will do the same.
    Vasseur on whether Ferrari is going “full risk”.

  • Mercedes confirm launch date

    Mercedes have set a date for the reveal of their 2026 Formula 1 car, the Mercedes-AMG F1 W17 E Performance.

    Renders of the design – made to F1’s all new regulations – will be released across Mercedes’ digital channels on Thursday January 22nd, shortly before the private pre-season test in Barcelona.

    A dedicated 2026 digital season launch show will follow on Monday February 2nd, ahead of back-to-back test sessions in Bahrain.

    The season launch – which will be streamed via Mercedes’ social media pages – is set to feature Silver Arrows CEO and Team Principal Toto Wolff, continuing drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, as well as insight on the sweeping technical changes from senior team members.

    Mercedes are pushing to get back to title-challenging ways after failing to win a championship under F1’s recent ground-effect era – the outfit placing third in 2022, second in 2023, fourth in 2024 and second in 2025.

  • F1 to return to Portugal

    Formula 1 has announced that it will return to Portugal in 2027 and 2028 as part of a two year agreement with the Portuguese government, Turismo de Portugal and promoter Parkalgar, Parques Tecnologicos e Desportivos, S.A.

    The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, more commonly known as Portimao, last hosted F1 events in 2020 and 2021, and was a key venue in the sport’s return to racing during the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Set in the idyllic Algarve in Portugal’s southernmost region, known for its spectacular beaches and historic charm, the 4.6km circuit offers drivers a technical challenge, with dramatic elevation changes culminating in a plunge down to the final right hander leading back to the pit straight.

    Portugal has a prestigious history in Formula 1, hosting its first Grand Prix in Porto in 1958, as well as holding race weekends in Monsanto and Estoril across the sport’s 75 years.
    Some of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 have reached the top step on the podium in Portugal including Stirling Moss, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell.

    More recently, Portimao was the circuit where Lewis Hamilton surpassed Michael Schumacher’s record of all-time wins after he secured his 92nd victory in 2021. Hamilton remains the only driver on the current grid to win at the circuit, having also taken the chequered flag in 2020.

    I’m delighted to see Portimão return to the Formula 1 calendar and for the sport to continue to ignite the passion of our incredible Portuguese fanbase. The circuit delivers on-track excitement from the first corner to the chequered flag, and its energy lifts fans out of their seats. The interest and demand to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix is the highest that it has ever been, so I would like to thank Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, the Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion of Portugal, Manuel Castro Almeida, the Secretary of State for Tourism, Commerce and Services, Pedro Machado, President of Turismo de Portugal, Carlos Abade, President of the Algarve Tourist Board, Andre Gomes and CEO and Chairman of the Algarve International Circuit, Jaime Costa, for their support in bringing F1 back to Portugal.I look forward to working together again to ensure that Portimão returns to the calendar in emphatic style.
    Stefano Domnenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1.

    Portugal is back on the Formula 1 map. The F1 Grande Prémio de Portugal will have a direct impact on economic activity, generating opportunities throughout the economic chain – from tourism to trade, and services to SMEs – projecting the country as a competitive and reliable destination. Hosting the Grand Prix in the Algarve reinforces our regional development strategy, enhancing the value of the territories and creating opportunities for local economies. This will be an event that, in addition to being a source of prestige for our country, will enhance Portugal’s image throughout the world.
    Manuel Castro Almeida, Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion of Portugal.

    We are thrilled to welcome Formula 1 back to Portugal and to the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve. The Portuguese Grand Prix will showcase the excellence of our circuit and the passion of our fans, delivering a powerful boost for our tourism, region, and community. This achievement was only made possible with the continuous support – since the beginning – of the Portuguese Government. Portimão’s unique “rollercoaster” layout will challenge the best drivers in the world and create a spectacle that fans will love. We look forward to creating unforgettable moments and setting new standards of excellence on and off the track.
    Jaime Costa, Chairman and CEO of Autodromo Internacional do Algarve.

  • Audi announce team name & launch date

    Audi have revealed their official team name, logo and date for a spectacular immersive launch intended to show the world their 2026 livery as they prepare to take over Kick Sauber’s spot on the grid.

    The German automative powerhouse, who declared their intention to join F1 back in 2022, have worked alongside Sauber to gradually improve their facilities and ensure they are in the mix from the get-go at the upcoming 2026 season opener in Australia.

    Having enhance their bases across Germany, Switzerland and the UK, they have now announced that their full team name will be the Audi Revolut F1 Team – the title partnership with the financial technology company was previously confirmed in July of this year.

    Audi are aiming for consistency with their key figures, with Jonathan Wheatley set to continue in his role as Team Principal while Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto from their line-up.
    Mattia Binotto, who previously worked for Ferrari, holds the role of Head of the Audi F1 project.

    Today, our project takes on its official identity. The Audi Revolut F1 Team name is a symbol of the combined strength of our teams in Germany, UK and Switzerland, together with our partners. It provides a banner under which we all unite as we build towards 2026. This is a crucial milestone that energises the entire project and makes our long-term ambition tangible for everyone involved.
    Wheatley on the news.

  • Marko to leave Red Bull

    Red Bull’s Motorsport Advisor, Helmut Marko has left his role with the Formula 1 team, the energy drinks firm has confirmed.

    Marko has played a key role in the Red Bull Junior Programme and advised the operation regarding which drivers to bring through to Formula 1 with Racing Bulls and subsequently Red Bull.

    During his two-decade affiliation with the company, he has overseen the progression of 20 drivers to Formula 1, including Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel who went on to win eight world titles between them when driving for Red Bull.

    Arvid Lindblad is the most recent graduate, with the British racer stepping up to F1 with Racing Bulls this season.

    It is very sad news that Helmut is leaving us. He has been such an integral part of our team and of Red Bull’s entire motor racing programme for more than two decades. This is therefore the end of a remarkably successful chapter. His departure will leave a void, and we will truly miss him. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for his unwavering support, not only over the past months, but also during my early days at Scuderia Toro Rosso. On a personal note, Helmut, along with [CEO] Oliver Mintzlaff, was the driving force behind bringing me back into the Red Bull family, first in Faenza and then this summer in my current role in Milton Keynes. Helmut is a real racer at heart, always pushing us to the limit, always prepared to take risks in pursuit of our goals.
    Laurent Mekies, Team Principal.

    I have been involved in motorsport for six decades now, and the past 20-plus years at Red Bull have been an extraordinary and extremely successful journey. It has been a wonderful time that I have been able to help shape and share with so many talented people. Everything we have built and achieved together fills me with pride. Narrowly missing out on the World Championship this season has moved me deeply and made it clear to me that now is the right moment for me personally to end this very long, intense, and successful chapter. I wish the entire team continued success and am convinced that they will be fighting for both world championship titles again next year.
    Marko on the news.

  • Toyota Gazoo Racing to become title sponsor of Haas

    Toyota will strengthen their relationship with the Haas F1 Team in 2026 when they become title sponsor of the American team, replacing digital payment firm Moneygram.

    The Japanese manufacturer returned to the sport for the first time since 2009 last year with Haas as part of a technical partnership through their motorsport and research and development division Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR).

    A key element of the multi-year partnership, which was signed in 2024, was the creation of Haas’ first Testing of Previous Car (TPC) programme that launched in 2025.

    Over the course of 14 days, Japanese racers Ryo Hirakawa, Ritomo Miyata, Sho Tsuboi and Kamui Kobayashi all had outings through their TGR associations.
    The deal has also allowed for the installing of their first-ever personal simulator at the team’s UK base in Banbury, which is set come online next season.

    Our working relationship to-date has been everything we hoped it would be. It’s been evidenced through our successful TPC running this season but there’s been so much more going on behind the scenes too – including the development and installation of the simulator at our Banbury facility for 2026. The cultivation of personnel, all working collaboratively between Haas F1 Team and TGR, has benefited us greatly and that’s something that will only increase as our partnership matures. We’re excited to further grow with the likes of our driver program too, and it’s been encouraging to see the depth of talent TGR is backing in that process.
    Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal.

    Throughout our challenges in the 2025 season, I witnessed young TGR drivers and engineers begin to believe in their own potential and set their sights on even greater dreams. Seeing this transformation moved me deeply. And today, I can say this with confidence, Toyota has finally begun to move – really move. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Gene Haas and Ayao Komatsu for standing alongside our young members, believing in their potential, and facing the future with the same passion and perspective. By taking our partnership with Haas another step forward next year, TGR’s ‘People, Product, Pipeline’ mantra – will accelerate in a way we have never seen before. The time has come for the next generation to take their first steps toward the world stage. Together with Gene Haas, Ayao, and everyone at TGR Haas F1 Team, we will build both a culture and a team for the future. Toyota is now truly on the move.
    Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation Akio Toyoda.

  • Cadillac to reveal livery during Super Bowl

    Cadillac are set to present the livery for their debut Formula 1 car during a television advert at February’s Super Bowl.

    The American team, who are backed by General Motors and led by former Marussia Sporting Director Graeme Lowdon are preparing to becoming the sport’s 11th team next season.

    Multiple Grand Prix winners, Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez were recently confirmed as their two drivers, with IndyCar star Colton Herta taking on a testing role.

    As per a special graphic and accompanying news story, Cadillac will show off their 2026 colours on February 8th during coverage of the Super Bowl – the annual league championship game of the National Football League (NFL).

    Cadillac’s livery reveal will follow on from a private test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya between January 26th-30th, where teams will run their 2026 challengers – built to all new regulations – for the first time.

    Test two will be held at the Bahrain International Circuit between February 11th-13th, with another test coming at the same venue from February 18th-20th.

  • Hadjar earns Red Bull seat as Lindblad joins Racing Bulls

    Isack Hadjar will be stepping up to Red Bull in 2026 to partner Max Verstappen, with Arvid Lindblad making his Formula 1 debut with Racing Bulls alongside Liam Lawson.

    Red Bull and Racing Bulls were the only teams to have free seats for 2026, though Hadjar has long been expected to replace Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull alongside four-time World Champion Verstappen after a stellar rookie season.

    Hadjar has scored points in 10 Grands Prix this season, including a superb maiden podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix.

    Red Bull junior, Lindblad emerged as a candidate for promotion to Formula 1 with Racing Bulls after delivering some strong races in feeder series F2 and impressing when driving a Red Bull in Free Practice 1 outings at Silverstone and in Mexico.

    That left Tsunoda and Lawson to fight for the remaining seat at Racing Bulls, with the latter coming out on top to secure a second full campaign with the team – Lawson having replaced Daniel Ricciardo at the team midway through 2024.
    While Tsunoda loses his seat on the grid, he will remain part of the family as a reserve driver for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls in 2026.

    Yuki has raced in Red Bull colours for seven years now and I have had the pleasure of working with him at both Red Bull teams. Through his five seasons so far in Formula One, Yuki has matured into a complete racer, good over a single lap on Saturday and capable of exceptional starts and excellent race craft on Sunday. Everyone in the sport would agree it is impossible not to like Yuki, his personality is infectious, and he has become a very special part of the Red Bull family. On behalf of everyone at Red Bull, I thank him for what he has contributed so far and we know he will provide invaluable support to the 2026 projects moving forwards. As for Isack, in his first F1 season, he has displayed great maturity and proved to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has demonstrated the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe Isack can thrive alongside Max and produce the magic on track! 2026 will be a huge challenge for the Team and for Red Bull Ford Powertrains, these are exciting times, and I am looking forward to seeing what we can do together.
    Laurent Mekies, CEO and Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing.

    I’m so grateful to Oracle Red Bull Racing for giving me the opportunity and trust to race at the highest level of Formula One. After all the hard work I have put in since joining the Junior Team, it’s such a great reward. I’ve had many ups and downs throughout my career, and they kept believing and pushing me. This year with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls has been absolutely amazing, I’ve learnt a lot and secured a maiden podium. I feel I’m much better as a racing driver and a person, due to the Team‘s support and preparation. I feel ready to go to Oracle Red Bull Racing and I am happy and proud they feel the same. It’s an awesome move, to work with the best and learn from Max is something I can’t wait for.
    Isack Hadjar on the promotion.

    Firstly, a huge congratulations to Isack. He has delivered a truly outstanding season, demonstrating exceptional race-craft and consistency well beyond his experience. He has fully earned his step up to Red Bull Racing and we wish him nothing but the best as he takes on this exciting new challenge in his career – we are proud to have been part of the journey. Liam has shown impressive performance and professionalism throughout this year, he has excelled when conditions have been at their hardest and we look forward to building on this in 2026, while Arvid’s rapid progression marks him as one of the standout young talents in the sport. Together, they form a strong and dynamic pairing, one that embodies the ambition and youthful spirit of VCARB as we enter a transformative new era for Formula 1.
    Alan Permane, Racing Bulls Team Principal.

    I’d like to thank everyone at VCARB for the opportunity. Since I started this journey at five years old, it was always my goal to be in Formula 1 so it’s a proud moment to take this step. I’m extremely grateful to the Red Bull Junior Programme and my personal team for their guidance, mentorship and belief; none of this would have been possible without their support. 2026 will be a big challenge and I know there’s a lot to learn, but I’m ready to work closely with the team and rise to it. I can’t wait to get started, it’s going to be an exciting year!
    Lindblad on joining Formula 1.

  • Alpine confirm 2026 launch date

    Alpine have become the latest team to announce details of their launch ahead of the 2026 season.

    The Enstone-based squad took to social media to reveal that the event will take place in Barcelona on January 23rd, just days before the first pre-season test gets underway at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from January 26th – 30th.

    While the date and location were confirmed, Alpine did not reveal any further information about the nature of their launch but added the caption: “We’ve got something to show you…”

    The team will be hoping for a better season ahead in 2026, having found themselves at the bottom of the Teams’ Championship during the 2025 campaign.

    They will field an unchanged driver line-up next year with Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto both remaining with the team.

  • Fornaroli signs to McLaren Driver Devleopment Programme

    Newly crowned Formula 2 Champion, Leonardo Fornaroli has become one of three new signings to the McLaren Driver Development Programme, with the Italian joining alongside fellow F2 racer Richard Verschoor and 2025 FIA European Karting Champion Christian Costoya.

    Fornaroli sealed the F2 title during the Feature Race in Qatar, the Invicta Racing driver taking P2 in the event to confirm his championship triumph following a season in which he has claimed four victories and five podiums.

    It also marks back-to-back titles for the 20 year old, who emulated the likes of Oscar Piastri and Gabriel Borotleto by winning the the F2 Championship off the back of doing the same in Formula 3 one year earlier.

    Now becoming part of the McLaren family, Fornaroli will take on a test and development role within the F1 team’s structure.

    Also joining the programme is Verschoor, who finished third this season in the Formula 2 Championship. The 24 year old from the Netherlands has won four races during the current campaign.

    Another signing by McLaren is 15 year old Costoya. The Spanish teenager has claimed multiple karting championships and is set to make his single seater debut in the 2026 F4 Middle East Championship at the Yas Marina Circuit on January 16th – 18th.

    McLaren Racing are delighted to welcome two of Formula 2’s current leading drivers in this year’s Champion Leonardo Fornaroli and former Championship contender and fellow front-runner Richard Verschoor, as well as proven karting champion, Christian Costoya, to the McLaren Racing Driver Development Programme. All three talented drivers have shown great race craft with multiple wins this season, alongside a number of impressive performances in their respective championships. By welcoming Christian to the programme alongside long-standing member, Dries Van Langendonck, we now also have two of the most promising drivers coming out of karting. It is a key priority that we continue to develop our talent pipeline to provide options for all of our expanding racing teams. We look forward to working closely with all our drivers in 2026 as they continue their individual development at various stages of their career with the support of the programme through a wide range of testing and progression opportunities across all of our racing series.
    Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Chief Business Affairs Officer, McLaren Racing.

  • Aston Martin announce launch date for 2026

    Aston Martin have become the latest time to reveal their launch date ahead of the 2026 season.

    Just before the season finale in Abu Dhabi, the Silverstone-based team confirmed that they will unveil next year’s car – the AMR26 – on February 9th.

    While further details about the nature of the launch have not yet been revealed, Aston Martin teased the news on social media by sharing an image of the car’s name seemingly being drawn with a pencil.

    The reveal comes after it was announced that Adrian Newey will become Team Principal of the squad in 2026, having previously joined as Managing Technical Partner back in March following his exit from Red Bull.

    For a fourth consecutive season, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will again form the team’s driver line-up as the sport enters into a new era amid the introduction of the latest phase of technical regulations.

    It comes after the Red Bull stable became the first to confirm their 2026 launch date last month, with Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls set to hold a joint event alongside Ford on January 15th.

  • Newey to become Aston Martin Team Principal

    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.

  • Red Bull & Racing Bulls reveal launch date

    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.

  • McLaren sign Matteo de Palo to Driver Development Programme

    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.

  • Colapinto confirmed for 2026

    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 unveil new logo and identity from 2026

    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.

  • R24 – Abu Dhabi

    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 confirm Crawford as third driver

    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.

  • R24 – Tyre Selection

    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.

    24-AE25-Preview-EN

  • R23 – Qatar

    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.

  • R23 – Qatar Sprint Qualifying

    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.

  • R23 – Tyre Selection

    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.

    23-QT25-Preview-EN

  • Norris & Piastri disqualified from Las Vegas

    McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have been disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix after both their cars were found not to comply with the technical regulations.

    Post-race, the rearmost skid wear on both Mclaren MCL39 machines was found to be below the minimum 9mm thickness by technical delegates on inspection.

    The matter was referred to the stewards, who subsequently disqualified both cars from the official result, with Norris having finished second and Piastri fourth.

    As a result, race winner Max Verstappen has made a significant gain with regards to the 2025 Drivers’ Championship, as the Red Bull man now sits level on points with Oscar Piastri on 336.
    Lando Norris is 24 points ahead on 390 at the top of the standings with just two rounds of the season to go.

    McLaren are not the first team to fall foul of skid block infringements this season, with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Hulkenberg also disqualified from the Chinese and Bahrain Grand Prix respectively for similar transgressions.

    With two Grand Prix and one Sprint remaining, there are 58 points on offer over the next two weekends to determine the outcome of the 2025 title.

    Confirming the disqualifications of the McLaren pair, the stewards’ document stated that the skid blocks on both cars were “measured and found to be below the minimum thickness of 9mm specified under Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations. The rear skids were re-measured in the presence of the Stewards and the three McLaren representatives, and those measurements confirmed that the skids did not comply with the regulations. The relevant measurements were even lower than those measured originally by the Technical Delegate. It was also confirmed that McLaren had argued “mitigating circumstances existed in that there was additional and unexpected porpoising at this event, limited opportunity to test due to the weather on Day 1, and shortened practice sessions. While the stewards dismissed this, they added “the FIA noted that it strongly held the view that the breach was unintentional and that there was not a deliberate attempt to circumvent the regulations”.
    The Stewards’ document.

  • R22 – Las Vegas

    Max Verstappen claimed an impressive victory in the Las Vegas Grand Prix, denying Lando Norris and reducing the McLaren driver’s lead in the standings to 42 points as Oscar Piastri finished fourth.

    Verstappen was left in control of the 50 lap race on the streets of Las Vegas after the opening corners, passing poleman Norris when the Drivers’ Championship leader ran wide through Turn 1 having initially chopped across his title rival off the line.

    Norris also slipped behind George Russell and only re-passed the Mercedes driver in the latter stages but was unable to mount a challenge on Verstappen, eventually limping home nearly 21 seconds adrift after nursing a late problem.

    The full top 10 are- P1: Verstappen, P2: Norris, P3: Russell, P4: Piastri, P5: Antonelli, P6: Leclerc, P7: Sainz, P8: Hadjar, P9: Hulkenberg and P10: Hamilton.

    What a result for Verstappen, this is what he would’ve wanted going into the race today! The minute he took the opportunity to lead he was gone and didn’t look back.

    P2 for Norris and P4 for Piastri, a decent result for McLaren. Unfortunate for Lando to loose out on a couple of positions at the start of the race, but he did well to keep the momentum going and grab another position back. As for Piastri, a decent race, nothing amazing, he gained an extra place as Antonelli had a penalty which pushed him down to 5th and Piastri up to 4th.

    For the Mercedes duo, a really good result for Russell, P3 for the Brit, which is needed in the fight in the constructors. As for Antonelli, what a drive by the Italian! Starting 17th to finish 5th! Honestly a really good drive, unfortunate for the penalty but one of the best drives his done so far.

    P6 for Leclerc, a decent result but wasn’t anything wow, main thing was he kept out of trouble and still scored points. As for his teammate, Hamilton had a good drive to get into the points from starting 19th.

    P7 for Sainz, a lovely result for him especially after starting third. A good result for the team especially as they fight it out for P5, which they have now built a 31 point gap between themselves and Racing Bulls in 6th.

    We had 3 retirees, Alex Albon having collided with the back of Hamilton which required a new front wing, while Gabriel Bortoleto and Lance Stroll retired with damage after contact at Turn 1 on the opening lap.

    In the race I think everyone was just trying to find a rhythm and see how much you could push, especially in the first stint because being on the more fragile tyre. It worked really well, normally the race is always a tough one for us – we are normally not that great on tyres, but today it seemed like we had that a little bit more under control and I could push a little bit more and that unlocked a bit more pace. I could stay out a bit longer and split basically the race in half. It definitely helped a lot and the car was working pretty well, much more to my liking and it was at the end quite a decent gap. It was just every lap feeling comfortable and not taking too much out of the tyre.
    Verstappen on the win and race.

  • R22 – Tyre Selection

    The Las Vegas Grand Prix is the last of three rounds of this year’s world championship to be held in the United States, before the season comes to a close with the final two races in the Middle East.

    The race is run over 50 laps of the Las Vegas circuit, which has 17 corners and is unique because of the speeds attained and its technical layout.
    At 6.201 kilometres, it is the second longest on the calendar after Spa and one of the fastest in terms of average lap speed.

    In 2024, Alex Albon in his Williams hit the highest top speed of the season (368 km/h) on the straight between turns 12 and 14. At the latter corner, drivers experience very strong deceleration when braking and it is one of the best overtaking opportunities.

    Almost 80% of the lap is spent at full throttle, the cars passing famous landmarks such as the Venetian and Casears Palace, which hosted the first two Las Vegas GPs.

    For the third consecutive year, the compounds chosen for the Las Vegas street circuit are the C3 (Hard), C4 (Medium), C5 (Soft). One of the main challenges will be tyre temperature management especially during qualifying.

    The fact the sessions are running earlier this year will help the drivers, as conditions won’t be quite as cold, thus helping tyre warm-up.
    However, the preparation lap prior to the flying lap will still be crucial to get the tyres up into the right temperature window. Furthermore, this year’s tyres have improved mechanical properties, which should see a reduction in degradation, which was particularly noticeable on the medium compound last year.

    All but four drivers chose to start on the medium, Fernando Alonso went for the soft, while Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas and starting from pitlane Franco Colapinto, preferred the hard.
    The two-stop was the preferred strategy, drivers pushing tyres to the limit rather than having to manage them carefully.

    22-LV25-Preview-EN

  • F1 announces extension of the US Grand Prix

    Formula 1 has announced that the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, is set to remain on the calendar until the 2034 inclusive.
    The new deal secures the long-term future of the event as Formula 1 continues to experience significant growth across the United States.

    Since its debut on the Formula 1 calendar in 2012, the United States Grand Prix has evolved into one of the sport’s biggest spectacles, drawing over 430,000 fans to the Circuit of The Americas in recent years.
    Renowned for its thrilling on-track battles and vibrant off-track entertainment, the venue blends world-class racing with performances from global and local music artists.

    The 5.5 kilometre circuit starts with an iconic uphill run into Turn 1, before drivers take on the famous high-speed through Turns 3 to 6.
    The circuit has thrilled fans with wheel to wheel racing and overtaking since the first Grand Prix there 13 years ago, and COTA has delivered six different winners in that time, including Lewis Hamilton who holds a record five victories at the venues.

    In 2024, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc claimed his first win at COTA, breaking Max Verstappen’s three year winning streak there, as the Scuderia sealed a 1-2 result, with Carlos Sainz second.

    Since 2012 the United States Grand Prix has continued to grow in strength and popularity, and I want to thank the City of Austin and Travis County for hosting us. Each year, the event at the Circuit of The Americas stands out as a true highlight for fans, drivers, and teams alike, drawing hundreds of thousands of passionate supporters who come to witness the thrilling on-track action and soak up the vibrant energy of the circuit and the city. As Formula 1 continues to grow and thrive in the United States, we are proud to extend our partnership with Bobby Epstein and his outstanding team in Austin, as well as with Governor Abbott, whose leadership has been instrumental in supporting the sport’s development in Texas and beyond. Both have shown unwavering commitment to F1, and their shared vision and investment have played a vital role in establishing the strong foundation we now enjoy in the US.
    Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1.

    We’re glad Formula 1 has found a home in Texas, and are grateful to the fans, teams, and the entire F1 community who have consistently supported us and made the United States Grand Prix a favourite stop on the global calendar. Equally, we’re proud of – and appreciate – the people of Central Texas who have been such welcoming hosts! With this contract, COTA will overtake Watkins Glen as the longest serving Formula 1 track in the United States. Thanks to the great support and a wonderful host city, the United States Grand Prix has grown to be one of the world’s biggest single weekend sporting events – with an unrivalled annual economic impact.
    Bobby Epstein, Chairman of Circuit of the Americas.