It’s officially race weekend (finally) and the 2025 season is here, we are back in Australia for Round 1.
The track surface has not changed since it was renewed in 2022 and is not too harsh on the tyres. The only modification to the track layout, which features some sections made up of roads usually open to normal traffic, comes at Turn 6 and 7 where the barriers and kerbs have been modified.
5.278 kilometres long, the circuit combines both fast straights with low to medium speed technical corners and some heavy braking points.
Summer is sliding into autumn at this time of year in Australia and the weather can be very changeable, with big swings in temperature from one day to the next and rain has been known to put in an appearance.
Having softened up its compound choices last year, Pirelli has confirmed the same compounds for the opening round, with the trio of C3 (Hard), C4 (Medium), C5 (Soft). However, compared to a year ago the tyres have evolved in terms of the characteristics of both construction and compound.
Last year, the most popular strategy was a two-step, with the Hard tyre doing most of the work, completing 80% of all the laps, with an average stint length of 22 laps. Only three drivers opted to start on the Soft, while two drivers lined up on Hard tyres, making Medium the most popular compound on the grid.
Alpine Academy driver, Kush Maini will expand his role with the team in 2025 by becoming Test and Reserve Driver, with the Indian racer set to take on the additional duties alongside competing in Formula 2 with DAMS.
Maini first joined the Alpine Academy in October 2023 before going on to race in the 2024 F2 season, during which he scored five podiums including a race win in Budapest.
As he enters into his third Formula 2 campaign, Maini will also take on the position of Test and Reserve Driver for the Alpine F1 Team.
As part of his role, the 24 year old will use the driver-in-loop simulator at the squad’s Enstone base to support their car development and set up objectives as well as participating in the TPC programme (Testing of Previous Cars) to continue to improve his skills.
Maini joins a pool of reserve drivers at Alpine that also includes Paul Aron, Ryo Hirakawa and former Williams super-sub Franco Colapinto.
I am delighted to step up to the role of Test and Reserve Driver for BWT Alpine Formula 1 Team this season. Since joining the Alpine Academy ahead of last year, I have been incredibly welcomed in the entire Alpine family and I am thankful to Flavio [Briatore] and Oliver [Oakes] for their continued support. I am looking forward to getting more track time in Formula 1 machinery in this role and to build on what I have already learned with the team in 2024. I’m very excited to begin the role as soon as possible but for now my focus is on my third season in Formula 2 kicking off this weekend in Australia. Maini on the news.
We are very happy to announce the expansion of Kush’s role in the Alpine Academy to include Test and Reserve Driver duties for the team this season. Kush has impressed the team across his TPC performances and Formula 2 results whilst we have been working with him and we expect he will continue to do so in 2025. His wider role allows us to further expand our pool of driving talent who can provide support and resources to the whole team during the busy season. Julian Rouse, Alpine Academy Director.
Racing Bulls have announced that their Technical Director, Jody Egginton, will be leaving the team after more than 10 years as part of the operation.
Egginton is taking on the new role of Engineering Director at Red Bull Advanced Technologies, with that new appointment due to come into force from April 1st this year.
Egginton’s F1 career began back in 1996 as a Junior Designer with the Tyrrell team followed by stints at Midland (which morphed into Spyker and Force India) and Team Lotus. He then moved to Toro Rosso in 2014 as Head of Vehicle Performance, becoming Deputy Technical Director in 2017 and then onto Technical Director in 2019.
Egginton’s role at Racing Bulls will now be covered between Chief Technical Officer Tim Goss and Deputy Technical Directors Guillaume Cattleani (Car Performance) and Andrea Landi (Car Design).
Being part of this team for over 10 years has been a fantastic experience for me, providing some very memorable moments. But after almost 20 years of focusing solely on Formula 1, I feel it’s time for a change. I will have a great remit as Engineering Director of Red Bull Advanced Technologies and the company currently has an exciting list of projects, so I can’t wait to get started on this new challenge. Egginton on the news.
As our long-serving Technical Director, he has been instrumental in driving innovation and fostering team growth. I want to thank Jody for his expertise and the important contribution he has made to the team and the company’s upward trajectory. We wish him all the best for this new challenge within the Red Bull family. Laurent Mekies, Racing Bulls Team Principal.
It has been confirmed that the Cadillac Formula 1 Team have received final approval to join the sport, with the team – who are backed by TWG Motorsports and General Motors (GM) – set to be part of the F1 grid in 2026.
The announcement comes after appointments were confirmed across recent months, including former Marussia Sporting Director Graeme Lowdon joining as Team principal and industry veteran Russ O’Blenes becoming CEO of TWG GM Performance Power Units, which will contribute towards Cadillac becoming a “full works” team by the end of the decade.
The Cadillac outfit – which has bases in Fishers, Indiana; Charlotte, North Carolina; Warren, Michigan; and Silverstone, England – have assembled a team of over 200 people working on aerodynamics, chassis and component development, software and vehicle dynamics simulation since the team’s bid to enter Formula 1 was announced, with development work continuing at pace ahead of joining the grid in 2026.
As we said in November, the commitment by General Motors to bring a Cadillac team to Formula 1 was an important and positive demonstration of the evolution of our sport. I want to thank GM and TWG Motorsports for their constructive engagement over many months and look forward to welcoming the team on the grid from 2026 for what will be another exciting year for Formula 1. Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.
Today marks a transformative moment, and I am proud to lead the Federation in this progressive step for the championship. The FIA Formula One Championship’s expansion to an 11th team in 2026 is a milestone. GM/Cadillac brings fresh energy, aligning with the new FIA 2026 regulations and ushering in an exciting era for the sport.The Cadillac Formula 1 Team’s presence in the paddock will inspire future competitors and fans. Their entry strengthens our mission to push motorsport’s boundaries at the highest level. FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
For the past year, we have worked hand in hand with GM, to lay a robust foundation for an extraordinary Formula 1 entry. Now, with 2026 in our sights after today’s final approval from the FIA and Formula One Management, we’re accelerating our efforts—expanding our facilities, refining cutting-edge technologies, and continuing to assemble top-tier talent. Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsport.
I couldn’t be prouder of the effort put in thus far by the entire Cadillac Formula 1 team. This announcement is the next step in getting on the grid and continued work toward building a full-works team. Through the long and thorough application process, we never lost pace in planning or belief in our mission. We can’t wait to go racing and give fans a new team to cheer for. Lowdon on the news.
The FIA World Motor Sport Council have approved proposals for a mandatory two-stop strategy to be implemented at the Monaco Grand Prix.
It comes following a meeting between stakeholders, coinciding with the start of pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit.
The change, which will apply to both wet and dry races, has been pushed through “with the primary intent of improving the sporting spectacle” of the event.
Drivers will now be required to use at least three sets of tyres in the race with a minimum of two different tyre compounds to be used if conditions are dry.
The 2024 Monaco Grand Prix saw the top 10 start and finish in the same positions, with a red flag on the opening lap taking out any strategic element.
Since 2010, F1 rules state that at least two dry tyre compounds must be used in a Grand Prix if the conditions are dry, therefore each driver must complete a pit stop, unless there is a red flag which allows you to change tyres.
F1 and the Monaco Grand Prix have agreed a new deal last year that will see the event remain on the calendar until at least 2031, so efforts to make the race better have taken place.
Ferrari have announced the return of Zhou Guanyu as a reserve driver for the 2025 season, adding to the team’s back-up pool alongside incumbent Antonio Giovinazzi.
It officially ends the speculation over the Chinese racer’s immediate future, following Kick Sauber’s decision to overhaul their driver line-up and part ways with both Zhou and teammate Valtteri Bottas.
Zhou spent four years as part of the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy from 2015 to 2018, rising through the Formula 4 and Formula 3 single-seater ranks with the Maranello-based operation.
He progressed to Formula 2 after leaving the academy, and having won multiple races, secured promotion to Formula 1 with Sauber’s team then backed by Alfa Romeo for the 2022 season.
He remained there through the 2024 campaign, when the team transitioned to their Kick Sauber guise, reaching 68 Grand Prix starts and topping up his points tally to 16 before leaving the grid.
Zhou will provide support to Ferrari’s full time drivers in his new role, with the famous marque this year fielding a revised lineup as seven time World Champion Lewis Hamilton joins Charles Leclerc.
Mercedes have confirmed that their 2025 F1 car will be revealed to the world on February 24th, just a few days after the team unveil their livery during the inaugural season launch event at London’s 02.
The squad’s challenger for the campaign ahead – the Mercedes-AMG F1 W16 E Performance is set to break cover ahead of what will be a new era for the Silver Arrows driver-wise, with rookie Kimi Antonelli joining the incumbent George Russell following Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari.
Details have not yet been revealed about where the car launch will take place, but the event will come just under a week after Mercedes join the other nine teams on the grid for the F1 75 launch event in London.
The livery that will adorn the W16 will be unveiled during the special event, with Toto Wolff recently stating that the squad will continue to use black on their car, a colour scheme that Hamilton was instrumental in introducing back in 2020.
Mercedes are the latest team to announce a reveal date for their car: Williams on 14th, Haas 16th for a filming day at Silverstone, Ferrari on the 19th.
All 10 teams will head to the Bahrain International Circuit for pre-season testing for three days from February 26th – 28th ahead of the season opening Australian grand Prix.
Former Kick Sauber Team Representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi will be joining McLaren Racing as their new Chief Business Affairs Officer.
In the newly created position, which he started on the 1st February, Alunni Bravi will provide executive leadership skills “across a range of McLaren Racing business matters, including legal, driver development, commercial, driver contract management and rights holders/governing body management”.
He will also take over the running of McLaren’s Driver Development programme, which transitions across from Stephanie Carlin, who is assuming additional responsibilities within the F1 outfit run by Team Principal, Andrea Stella.
Alunni Bravi, who will report directly to CEO Zak Brown and sit as part of the McLaren Racing Executive Team, brings more than two decades of motorsport and business leadership experience to the squad, most recently at Kick Sauber.
The Italian served as Managing Director of the Sauber Group and Team Representative for Kick Sauber, adding to previous leadership roles with racing teams and companies such as ART Grand Prix, Trident Racing and SPARK Racing Technology.
I’m delighted to have Alessandro joining us with his extensive expertise and motorsport background. Alongside managing our legal and driver development functions, he will also provide invaluable support on all professional driver business management matters, racing governance activities across our various rights holders and governing body relationships and broad business support to all our racing series as needed. Brown on the news.
McLaren is a team I have been a huge fan of my whole life, and it therefore sparks special emotions personally to have the opportunity to now work with such an amazing group of people. I’m so grateful to be joining such a great organisation with the values and culture that are so clear to see from the outside. I want to reward the trust and confidence that Zak and the Board have put in me by giving my full dedication and effort to help contribute to the continued success, as I believe teamwork is key to everything. I am so happy to be joining a team that I truly believe sets the benchmark in F1 both on and off the track, and I can’t wait to get started at the beginning of February. Alunni Bravi on the news.
Williams Racing have announced the signing of Oliver Turvey as their new Test and Development Driver, providing additional support to full-time racers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz.
British racer Turvey, 37, brings some 15 years of experience across F1, Formula E and sportscar racing to Grove, where “he will play a pivotal part in advancing Williams’ development programmes and simulator operations”.
This will include helping to develop a state of the art driver in loop (DIL) Simulator, which is set to become operational later this year, as Williams continue their quest to climb the F1 pecking order.
Alongside a racing career that includes wins in a host of single-seater championships and victory at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, Turvey has spent the last 15 years in a test and development role at McLaren.
It’s an honour to have the opportunity to join such an historic and successful team. I have long admired Williams and watching Damon Hill win the World Championship for them is a moment that inspired me as I began my own racing career in karting. The ambition and determination driving this project are incredibly inspiring, and I’m excited for the challenge ahead to help bring the team back to the top. It is a privilege to work alongside Alex and Carlos, who I consider two of the best drivers in F1. I look forward to using my experience as both a driver and engineer to work closely with the team at Grove to enhance the car’s performance in the simulator and support the race team. I would like to thank James, Sven [Smeets, Williams Sporting Director], and the Board for putting their trust in me. I will give everything I have to help the team achieve success. Turvey on the news.
We’re very happy to welcome Oliver to the team. He brings a vast amount of experience and expertise that will be invaluable to our progression as we continue to strengthen the team across the board. The role of a test and development driver is vital to our journey back towards success, and I am confident that Oliver, who will join Harrison Scott, will result in a strong team developing the current and future cars. Smeets added.
Haas have promoted Laura Mueller to the role of Race Engineer for new recruit Esteban con with Carine Cridelich set to join as Head of Strategy from rivals Racing Bulls as part of a wider strengthening of the structure.
Haas finished seventh in the constructors’ championship last year, their best finish since 2018, and are looking to build on that this year with a new line-up that features race winner Ocon and Ferrari junior Ollie Bearman.
Mueller headlines the raft of changes, earning promotion for her role as Performance Engineer to become the first full-time female to take on the high-profile position of Race Engineer.
A race engineer is one of the most senior trackside roles for a team as they are the main link between a driver and the team, both on-track through radio communications, and off it in the pursuit of performance.
She’s a pretty determined character. And then she’s very hardworking. Her work ethic is really, really good. She’s going to be Esteban’s Race Engineer. In terms of looking at it personality-wise, Esteban is a pretty determined character as well. So that side, I think the driving force, I think that personality matches pretty well. And then what she’s really good at is, when she sees a problem, she digs deep, and she doesn’t stop at the first answer. Some people, when they find the answer, first answer, they stop there. They think, ‘Oh, great, I found the solution, move on’. She has a good work ethic such that when she finds the first solution, she knows that there’s 10 things, now you’ve got new questions to answer. Her determination is the one that impresses me the most. Komatsu on the news.
Kick Sauber have confirmed that Alessandro Alunni Bravi will leave his position as Team Representative and Managing Director at the end of January 2025.
After first joining the squad in 2017 as General Counsel and Board Member, Alunni Bravi became Managing Director in 2022 – focusing on marketing, communications, sales and other departments before taking the position of Team Representative in 2023 in all official functions at race weekends and away from the track.
Now the Italian is set to move onto new prokects and admitted in a statement that seeing his journey with the team come to an end has been “emotional”.
The news marks another change for Kick Sauber ahead of their transition into becoming Audi’s works outfit in 2026.
As well as developments in the wider structure, the squad will field an all new driver line-up in 2025, with Nico Hulkenberg joining from Haas and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto making the step up after winning the 2024 Formula 2 Championship.
Since I joined in 2017, I have seen this team grow and change beyond what anyone could have imagined. This organisation went through exciting and difficult times alike, all without ever losing its spirit and its commitment, which is something I find inspiring, and I was proud of being able to represent the team as its public face in the last two years. As I move on to a new project, I want to thank Finn Rausing, all those who put so much trust and faith in me at Sauber and Audi, and all the colleagues I have been working with for the last eight years. This team is a family and has a bright future ahead. Alunni Bravi on the news.
Having worked closely with him in the months since my arrival to Hinwil, I want to pay tribute to Alessandro, a true team player who came to embody the essence of Sauber throughout the years. Alessandro played a wide range of roles within the team, steering it through difficult and exciting times alike. As he moves onto a new venture, the whole company would like to thank him for all his energy and contributions over the years and wish him the best for the future. Mattia Binotto, Chief Operating and Chief Technical Office at Sauber Motorsport.
Aston Martin have announced that Andy Cowell will assume the role of Team Principal alongside his position as CEO with immediate effect, with Mike Krack moving to the position of Chief Trackside Officer as part of an organisation restructure.
In a shift towards a flatter structure, Cowell – who previously joined the squad in October as CEO – will also become Team Principal, with the squad’s Aerodynamics, Engineering and Performance Departments both trackside and at the AMR Technology Campus reporting into him.
Krack – who has held the role of Team Principal since 2022 – will focus on getting the most performance out of the car at the track in his role as Chief Trackside Officer.
The AMR Technology Campus-based team, meanwhile are set to be led by new Chief Technical Officer Enrico Caridle, while Tom McCullough will remain with the group in a leadership position.
Cardile will oversee the architecture, design and build of new race cars, having joined the team after leaving his position as Technical Director Chassis and Aerodynamics at Ferrari last year.
McCullough who held the position of Performance Director and has worked with the team for 11 years – is set to play a role in the expansion of the team’s broader range of racing catgeories.
I have spent the last three months understanding and assessing our performance, and I’ve been incredibly impressed by the dedication, commitment and hard work of this team. With the completion of the AMR Technology Campus and our transition in 2026 to a full works team, alongside our strategic partners Honda and Aramco, we are on a journey to becoming a Championship-winning team. These organisational changes are a natural evolution of the multi-year plans that we have scheduled to make and I’m incredibly excited about the future. Cowell on the restructure.
Franco Colapinto will join Alpine as one of their reserve drivers in 2025, it has been announced with the Argentinian racer further bolstering the team’s back-up pool for the season ahead.
Colapinto burst on the F1 scene last year when Williams drafted him in to replace Logan Sargeant who was struggling for form in his second season – from the Italian Grand Prix weekend.
Stopping his first full term in F2, which had yielded a breakthrough victory, the 21 year old immediately looked at home behind the wheel of F1 machinery, reaching Q3 and scoring points at only his second race weekend in Azerbaijan.
Colapinto bagged another point at the United States Grand Prix and while subsequent incidents took the shine off his arrival, he had turned heads in the paddock and drew plenty of praise from Team Principal, James Vowles.
Colapinto’s initial performances saw him linked with several rival teams over a potential 2025 race seat, but none of these ultimately materialised, while Williams had already signed Carlos Sainz to partner Alex Albon.
Now following plenty of media reports, the next chapter of a rollercoaster F1 journey so far will see Colapinto to join Alpine’s reserve roster.
I am super excited to have the opportunity to join BWT Alpine Formula One Team. First of all, I want to say thank you to Williams for all their support from the moment I joined the Academy until the last race in Abu Dhabi. They turned my dream of racing in Formula One into reality, and I will always be grateful for that. Now, it is time for a new chapter, and to take on this challenge with BWT Alpine Formula One Team is truly an honour. A huge thank you to Luca [de Meo], Flavio [Briatore] and Oliver [Oakes] for believing in me and welcoming me into the team with open arms. I cannot wait to get started and see where this journey takes us. Also, a massive thank you to all my sponsors and partners who stood by me through the challenges of the 2024 season. Your support made it all possible, and to my incredible fans in Argentina: ‘Muchas gracias!’ Your passion and encouragement mean the world to me. Let’s aim for even greater things in 2025 and beyond. Colapinto on the news.
We are very pleased to come to an agreement with Williams Racing to sign Franco Colapinto. Clearly, Franco is among the best young talents in motorsport right now. It is fair to say his appearance on the Formula One grid last year caught many, me included, by surprise and his performances have been very impressive for a rookie driver. We have an eye on our future and his signing means we have a great pool of young drivers to call upon and work with in developing the team for future success. Flavio Briatore, Executive Advisor at Alpine.
Williams have announced that they will unveil their 2025 Formula 1 car on February 14th, with the FW47 being revealed in a bespoke one-off livery before the race livery for the campaign is unveiled during F1’s season launch event at London’s O2.
As part of a special promotional event at Silverstone, the Grove outfit’s new challenger will break cover in front of fans, partner and media.
It marks the beginning of a highly anticipated new era for Williams, with Carlos Sainz joining Alex Albon in their driver line-up as the squad look to work their way towards the front of the field.
Williams are not the only team to announce their launch date, as Sainz’s former squad, Ferrari have confirmed that their 2025 challenger will be revealed on February 19th.
There is a tremendous amount to look forward to for Williams in 2025 – we have fantastic race drivers in Alex and Carlos, top engineers joining from across the grid and new facilities becoming operational at our Grove HQ. As part of our comeback plan, we have been working on our 2025 car for some time and I can’t wait to see it at Silverstone on February 14. Everyone in the team is giving everything to get this team back where it belongs as we head towards the major rule changes for 2026. It’s going to be an exciting year. James Vowles, Team Principal.
Everyone at the factory is working hard to get our car ready for the new season. Launching on February 14 should be a great way to start an important year for us as a team, fighting as hard as we can with both cars from the outset this year and looking forward to opportunities ahead in 2026. I can’t wait to see the results of the teamwork and dedication that makes this team so special. Albon on the news.
It’s an important time for the team and we are all going to push to bring Williams back to the front of the grid as soon as possible. I was very impressed with the team back in Abu Dhabi. After a long year, it was great to watch the motivation and effort that everyone put in at such an important test. Thanks to that, we’ve been able to put together a solid plan and we have already started working on it to make sure we are as prepared as possible ahead of the pre-season test and first race. We’re not far away from the Silverstone car launch and I can’t wait to see my new ride! 2025 will be an exciting year and we are fully committed to putting together a strong season. VAMOS! Sainz on the news.
Alpine have announced that Japanese racer, Ryo Hirakawa will be added to the team’s test and reserve driver pool for the 2025 season, joining confirmed Paul Aron.
Hirakawa will bring wide-ranging motorsport experience to Alpine, having competed in various single-seater and endurance championships, as well as testing Formula 1 machinery with McLaren and Haas.
Not only this, he also claimed overall victory at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022 and is a two-time Hypercar champion in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2022 and 2023!
The Japanese drivers role at Alpine will involve him participating in the team’s Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme and supporting with car development and technical understanding via their simulator. After a maiden practice run with McLaren in Abu Dhabi last year, and an appearance at the post-season test with Haas, the 30 year old will also get an FP1 outing on his home soil at the Japanese Grand Prix in April.
It is an honour to be joining BWT Alpine Formula One Team as a Test and Reserve Driver for the 2025 season. As always, the opportunity of track time in Formula 1 machinery is the pinnacle for race drivers and I am excited to drive in Free Practice 1 in front of my home crowd at the Japanese Grand Prix, as well as working with the team testing previous cars. It is a great opportunity to be working with such a dedicated team that utilises the breadth of experience of its driver pool and I look forward to playing a part in making 2025 a positive year together. Hirakawa on the news.
It is great to bring Ryo on board with the team for 2025 and have him step in to take over driving duties for FP1 in Japan in front of his home crowd. His addition brings a diverse range of racing experience to our current roster and expands the pool of talent available to call upon throughout the season. Oliver Oakes, Team Principal added.
Formula 1 has agreed a multi-year extension with the Belgian Grand Prix that will see the sport race at the iconic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in four of the next six years.
The extension, which includes Grand Prix in the 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031 seasons, follows significant investment at the circuit in recent year, including the addition of two new grandstands which increased capacity by 10,000 and enhancement of the off-track entertainment and fan experience.
The Wallonian circuit is celebrated by fans and drivers alike for its mixture of long straights and challenging fast corners, including one of the most famous sections of racetrack in the world as drivers power through Eau Rouge and Raidillon, then on to the Kemmel straight.
This year, the Belgian Grand Prix welcomed 380,000 fans across the race weekend in a gripping three days of action which saw Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton claim his second win of the season and his fifth at Spa.
Built in 1921, Spa-Francorchamps was one of just seven circuits to be part of Formula 1’s maiden championship in 1950 and has since hosted 57 Grands Prix. Spanning 7.004km, it’s the longest circuit on the Formula 1 calendar and has seen some of the sport’s most decorated drivers, including Aryton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Niki Lauda and Sebastian Vettel win there.
The Belgian Grand Prix was one of the races that made up our maiden Championship in 1950, so as we kick off our 75th anniversary year it is fitting that we can share the news of this important extension. Spa-Francorchamps is rightly lauded by drivers and fans alike as one of the finest racetracks in the world and it has played host to some incredible moments over its many seasons in Formula 1. In recent years it has undergone significant work to improve the facility and overall fan experience, and I would like to pay tribute to the promoter and the Government of Wallonia for their dedication and passionate support for Formula 1 in Belgium. Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.
I am delighted that the Belgian Grand Prix – a must-attend event for Wallonia – has been confirmed on the F1 calendar for several years. The circuit provides the Region with high-quality sports infrastructure capable of hosting exceptional events, and thanks to the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, Spa-Francorchamps, and through it, Wallonia, is placed at the centre of global attention. In addition to this international showcase, the event generates significant economic benefits for Wallonia, as well as for Belgium. The extension of this relationship over several years will also allow the circuit teams to plan for the future, which is hugely positive. Pierre-Yves Jeholet, Vice President of the Walloon Government and Minister of the Economy.
Isack Hadjar will be making his Formula 1 debut this year as he takes the final seat on the grid after agreeing a deal to become Yuki Tsunoda’s teammate at RB.
Red Bull Junior, Hadjar impressed in his second season in Formula 2, he finished as runner-up to Kick Sauber bound Gabriel Bortoleto with Campos Racing.
After Sergio Perez was confirmed to be parting ways with Red Bull ahead of the 2025 season, Liam Lawson stepped up from RB in his place meaning there was a vacancy at RB for Hadjar. Red Bull opted to make Hadjar the 19th driver promoted to F1 from their junior programme, which began back in 2001.
He follows in the footsteps of four time world champions Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel as well as eight time race winner Daniel Ricciardo.
I’m very excited to step into my new role at VCARB. This is huge for myself, my family and all the people who have believed in me from the beginning. The journey from karting through the ranks in single-seaters, to now being in Formula 1 is the moment I’ve working towards my whole life – it is the dream. I feel like I’m stepping into a whole new universe, driving a much faster car and racing with the best drivers in the world. It’ll be a huge learning curve, but I’m ready to work hard and do the best I can for the team. I look forward to working with and learning from Yuki. I’ve always looked up to him, he went through the Red Bull junior programme like myself and we’ve shared a similar path to F1. He’s very experienced and will be good to learn from. Hadjar on the news
We’re excited to have Isack with us next year, bringing a new and fresh dynamic to the team alongside Yuki in 2025. His journey to Formula 1 has been nothing short of outstanding. He has shown remarkable growth, with a series of impressive results in the junior single-seater ranks. He has the talent and drive necessary to compete at the highest level, and we have every confidence that he will adapt quickly and make a significant impact. I believe Isack and Yuki will make a great team. Yuki brings invaluable experience to the team. He’s shown incredible resilience and maturity, which will be crucial for the team as we strive to hit all our aims and objectives in 2025. Team Principal, Laurent Mekies.
Firstly, we must congratulate Liam for his step up to Red Bull Racing. As a sister team and as an incubator for Formula 1 talent, our strategic objective is to foster and nurture our drivers in preparation for this next step. With his move and by bringing Isack into VCARB, it’s a testament to our longstanding commitment to develop the best young drivers in motorsport, as well as proof of concept of the Red Bull junior programme. Having a younger driver supports our mission to speak to a younger audience, so we look forward to bringing new and existing fans on the journey with us. CEO, Peter Bayer.
Mercedes have announced that Valtteri Bottas will return to the team as a reserve driver for the 2025 season, after the Finn and Kick Sauber parted company following the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Bottas drove for Mercedes for five seasons alongside Lewis Hamilton from 2017 – 2021, securing all 10 of his career wins with the Silver Arrows, as well as his 20 pole positions in Formula 1.
He would then join Sauber, known as Alfa Romeo at the time for the 2022 season after Mercedes chose to promote George Russell in his place, the Finn enduring mixed fortunes with the Swiss team ranging from a strong 10th in 2022 to failing to score at all in 2024.
When Kick Sauber opted not to re-sign Bottas for 2025 – instead choosing a new combination of Nico Hulkenberg and Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto – the Finn began talks with Mercedes about a reserve role in a bid to stay in the conversation as he pursues a racing return next season.
His reserve role will involve him attending most, if not all, the Grand Prix and supporting George Russell and debutant Kimi Antonelli.
Returning home to the Mercedes family as third driver for 2025 is what’s next and I couldn’t be more pleased. I want to thank Toto [Wolff, Mercedes team boss], the team at Brackley, and everyone at the three-pointed star for welcoming me back with open arms.Despite the challenges of the past few years, I know that I’ve still got so much more to contribute to F1. Since I was a five-year-old kid growing up in Nastola, Finland, my focus has been on achieving success in the top tier of motorsport. I’ve been fortunate to have enjoyed many incredible moments in my 12 years of racing in F1 so far. As I return to the place where so many of those moments were achieved, I’m looking forward to using all the knowledge I’ve gained to help the team to perform and progress towards our goal of fighting for world championships. Bottas on the news.
Welcome home, Valtteri! It’s great to have you back. His impact and contribution in the five years he was with us previously as our race driver was immense. Along with scoring multiple Grands Prix wins, he played a vital role in five of our championship victories. His technical feedback and input were important in helping us to those successes and pushing the team forward. Not only that, but he was also a fantastic colleague and team member. His dry sense of humour and personable nature made him a firm favourite with everyone at Brackley and Brixworth. In his role as Reserve Driver, all those qualities will be incredibly important in helping us compete for world championships and supporting both George and Kimi on track. Toto Wolff on the news.
Red Bull have chosen Liam Lawson to replace Sergio Perez and become Max Verstappen’s team mate this year.
Just before Christmas it got announced that Sergio Perez will be leaving the team with immediate effect after agreeing a deal to part ways with the team despite having two years left on his contract.
When Red Bull opted to make a change with Perez, they narrowed down the shortlist to either promoting Lawson or his RB teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
New Zealander, Lawson got the nod after impressing in two super-sub stints with Red Bull’s sister team – first when he replaced the injured Daniel Ricciardo for five races towards the end of 2023, and second when he replaced Ricciardo from the United States Grand Prix onwards in 2024.
To be announced as an Oracle Red Bull Racing driver is a lifelong dream for me. This is something I’ve wanted and worked towards since I was eight years old. It’s been an incredible journey so far. I want to say a massive thank you to the whole team at VCARB for their support, the last six races have played a huge part in my preparation for this next step. I also want to thank, Christian [Horner, Red Bull boss], Helmut [Marko, Red Bull Motorsport Adviser] and the whole Red Bull family for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I am super excited to work alongside Max and learn from a World Champion, I have no doubt I will learn from his expertise. I can’t wait to get going! Lawson on the news.
I’m delighted to announce that Liam Lawson will join the team in 2025. Liam’s performances over the course of his two stints with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls have demonstrated that he’s not only capable of delivering strong results but that he’s also a real racer, not afraid to mix it with the best and come out on top. His arrival continues the Team’s long history of promoting from within the Red Bull Junior Programme and he follows in the footsteps of championship and race-winning drivers such as Sebastian Vettel and of course, Max Verstappen. There’s no doubt that racing alongside Max, a four-time champion and undoubtedly one of the greatest drivers ever seen in F1, is a daunting task, but I’m sure Liam can rise to that challenge and deliver some outstanding results for us next year. Christian Horner on the news.
Sergio Perez and Red Bull have reached an agreement to part ways with immediate effect.
Last year, Perez signed a new deal to race for the team until the end of 2026 – on the back of his strongest season ever in 2023, when he finished second to team mate and champion Max Verstappen.
However, his form wasn’t the same after signing that deal, the Mexican driver scored only nine points in the last eight Grand Prix weekends of the 2024 season.
He finished the season in eighth in the drivers’ championship with Red Bull failing to defend their constructors’ championship and seeing out the season in P3 behind champions McLaren and runners-up Ferrari.
Throughout the difficult period and many rumours, Perez remained resolute that he would race for the team this year, but following discussions with Red Bull they’ve agreed to split after four years together.
During his time at Red Bull Perez secured five wins, including victory in Monaco, over 90 starts with the team and also played a key role in Red Bull winning the constructors’ championship in 2022 and 2023.
I’m incredibly grateful for the past four years with Oracle Red Bull Racing and for the opportunity to race with such an amazing team. Driving for Red Bull has been an unforgettable experience and I’ll always cherish the successes we achieved together. We broke records, reached remarkable milestones, and I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people along the way. A big thank you to every person in the team from the management, engineers and mechanics, catering, hospitality, kitchen, marketing and communications, as well as everyone at Milton Keynes, I wish you all the best for the future. It has also been an honour to race alongside Max as a team mate all these years and to share in our success. A special thank you to the fans around the world, and especially to the Mexican fans for your unwavering support every day. We’ll meet again soon. And remember… never give up. Perez on the news.
I would like to thank Checo for all he has done for Oracle Red Bull Racing over the past four seasons. From the moment he joined in 2021 he proved himself to be an extraordinary team player, helping us to two constructors’ titles and to our first one-two finish in the drivers’ championship. His five wins, all on street circuits, were also a spectacular mark of his determination to always push to the limit. While Checo will not race for the team next season, he will always be an extremely popular team member and a treasured part of our history. Thank you, Checo. Christian Horner on the news.
Lewis Hamilton’s first Ferrari Formula 1 car will break cover on February 19th, a day after the sport’s inaugural season launch at London’s O2 to mark its 75th anniversary.
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur revealed the date during the Italian team’s annual Christmas media event, where it was held at their Fiorano test track.
Vasseur also confirmed the team will run the 2025 car on February 19th but did not give any more details as to who will drive, nor any information on what the launch will look like.
Following their event at Maranello, Ferrari will head straight to Bahrain for three days of testing, which begins on February 26th at the Bahrain International Circuit. Hamilton and new team mate Charles Leclerc will get one and a half days of running between them at the desert venue before the season opener in Melbourne, Australia.
We will have a couple of test days with TPC [testing of previous cars] and Pirelli [tyre test running] before Bahrain. It’s a very short period. At the end of the day, you have launch of the car on Feb 19 – and then we are going directly to Bahrain for the first test and to Melbourne. It means this will be a rush, but I’m not worried at all. He [Hamilton] is coming with experience of this. He did almost 20 seasons in F1 – and he will manage perfectly this period. We know that we will have a lot of procedures to assimilate during these couple of days, but I think he is experienced enough to do it. We’ll have the advantage to have the simulator. Obviously he will be able to do a race simulation, quali simulation into the simulator, and to be fully prepared with the steering wheel and the particularities of the race. But honestly, I’m not worried about this. It’s not the biggest challenge. Vasseur on Hamilton and testing.
Ferrari have announced that they have entered into an agreement with the General Motors/Cadillac F1 project to supply the team with power units and gearboxes starting in 2026, the year in which the manufacturer could potentially join the grid.
It was confirmed in November that Formula 1 had reached an agreement in principle to support bringing GM/Cadillac as the 11th team in the field in 2026, while news followed in early December that former Marussia Sporting Director Graeme Lowdon had been appointed Team Principal.
Now Ferrari have confirmed a technical collaboration agreement with GM/Cadillac, subject to the team receiving confirmation from the FIA and F1 that their entry to the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship has been accepted and approved.
It’s great to see the commitment of another American team, backed by one of the most highly respected marques in the motor industry, at a time when Formula 1 is increasing in popularity in the United States. We are delighted therefore that we will be supplying the team with our power unit and gearbox as the basis of this technical collaboration. It means we will continue to have two ‘customer teams’ in the championship with all the benefits this brings in terms of technical development within Ferrari. Fred Vasseur, Team Principal at Ferrari.
We are thrilled to partner with Ferrari as the power unit and gearbox supplier for our Cadillac team, bringing together two remarkable legacies. Choosing the right power unit partner is crucial, and we trust in Ferrari’s passion, excellence and the exceptional capabilities of their people. Graeme Lowdon on the news.
Formula 1 has announced a five-year extension with the Chinese Grand Prix that will see the Shanghai International Circuit remain on the calendar through the 2030 season.
The extension follows Formula 1’s successful return to China in 2024 after a five-year absence, where 200,000 fans attended the race to see Max Verstappen take victory in both the Sprint and the Grand Prix.
In the 20 years since its first race, the 5.45km Shanghai International Circuit has established itself as a favourite of drivers and fans alike. The drivers relish the unique challenge the circuit provides, including the ever-tightening Turns 1 and 2, and high g-force Turns 7 and 8.
Since Rubens Barrichello’s victory in the inaugural race, the Chinese Grand Prix has seen nine other winners, including six victories from Lewis Hamilton and two from Fernando Alonso from the current grid.
This extension marks Formula 1’s continued growth in China as the sport’s popularity and audience continue to increase. The sport has seen its fanbase in China climb to over 150 million, with more than half of this group starting to follow Formula 1 in the last four years.
The Chinese Grand Prix will be the second round on the 2025 calendar, taking place on March 21st – 23rd and will host the first F1 Sprint event of the season, as well as the first round of F1 Academy.
Our return to China this season for the first time since 2019 was a fantastic moment for the sport, and it is incredible to see the levels of support that we enjoy in the country continuing to grow year-on-year. Shanghai is an incredible city, and the racetrack is a wonderful test for our drivers, so I am delighted that Formula 1 will continue its successful partnership with the Chinese Grand Prix for a further five years. I want to thank our promoter for their continued commitment and passion, and I look forward to returning to Shanghai in the new year. Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.
For many years, Jiushi Group and our subsidiary, Juss Sports, have always adhered to our original intention to strive for the excellence in event organization, and this renewal is a testament to that. It is excellent news for fans in China and is a perfect platform to showcase Shanghai to the world as millions tune in on TV globally. Looking ahead, we will continue to work closely with all partners, further strengthen our engagement with international audiences through the event platform, consistently improve the event quality, and better present the city charm of Shanghai. We fully understand that a successful Grand Prix is not only an exciting race event, but also a driving force for the whole society to develop in a more positive direction. In the future, we will continue to optimize the event experience through innovation and achieve a sustainable contribution to the society. Guo Jianfei, Chairman of Shanghai Jiushi Co the promoter of the Chinese Grand Prix.
Former Marussia Sporting Director Graeme Lowdon has been announced as the Team Principal of General Motors’ F1 project, ahead of the manufacturer potentially joining the grid in 2026.
On November 25th, it was announced that Formula 1 had reached an agreement in principle to support General Motors/Cadillac joining the grid as an 11th team in 2026.
Now it’s been announced that Lowdon will oversee the project, with the Brit having last seen active on the pit wall with Manor Marussia in 2015 in his role as the team’s Sporting Director.
Lowdon has most recently played a part in the management of China’s first ever full-time F1 racer Zhou Guanyu, who has departed Kick Sauber this year, alongside his work as an executive advisor for the General Motors project.
I’m truly honored to be appointed as the Team Principal of this exciting new team and I would like to thank everyone involved for placing their trust in me. I believe that Formula 1 is the greatest team sport in the world, and teams are all about people. This is a team with a real love for, and desire to go, racing, and we have the experience and expertise to do just that. Racing is at the very heart of everything that we do. This is what I want to see in a team, and I really want to be part of it. I don’t underestimate the task ahead and I have the utmost respect for the competition. I look forward to the challenge of racing. In the meantime, our work continues at pace. Lowdon on the news.
Graeme has been a pleasure to work with over the past two years and we’re excited he will lead our journey to the 2026 Formula 1 grid as Team Principal. He has great racing expertise, he knows how to assemble a high-performing team, and he embodies the values the Cadillac Formula 1 Team will represent in all its endeavors, on or off the track. General Motors President, Mark Reuss.
Graeme has been advising our team for the last two years as we have built out our operations; his experience on both the technical and managerial sides of Formula 1 and other motorsports ventures will serve him well as he builds the Cadillac Formula 1 team. Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Global’s Motorsport business.
Formula 1 and the Dutch Grand Prix promoter have announced a one-year contract extension which will see Circuit Zandvoort remain on the Formula 1 calendar through the 2026 season.
After much consideration and discussion, the decision has been taken by the promoter not to remain on the calendar after 2026.
The past few years have seen some great action in the Dutch Grand Prix after the sport’s long break from racing in the Netherlands.
The event has become known for its fans experience, with Dutch fans and International visitors alike gathering to watch Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3, F1 Academy and more, battling around the iconic banked corners of the circuit.
It has also established itself as a leading sustainable sporting event, pioneering technologies that are now used across the Formula 1 calendar.
The return of the Dutch Grand Prix in 2021, coincided with a period of dominance for local hero Max Verstappen, who has won the race three times.
I am incredibly grateful for the work that the team at the Dutch Grand Prix have done in recent years. They raised the bar for European Grands Prix in terms of event spectacle and entertainment, supported the development of young talent by hosting F2, F3 and our F1 ACADEMY series, and have also pioneered sustainable solutions that have inspired our events around the world as we drive towards being Net Zero by 2030. All parties positively collaborated to find a solution to extend the race, with many options, including alternation or annual events on the table, and we respect the decision from the promoter to finish its amazing run in 2026. I want to thank all the team at the Dutch Grand Prix and the Municipality of Zandvoort who have been fantastic partners to Formula 1. Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.
The Dutch Grand Prix is the result of a unique collaboration between SportVibes, TIG Sports, and Circuit Zandvoort, who shared the ambition of bringing the race back to the Netherlands. What we have achieved so far is undoubtedly a huge success. The appreciation from our visitors, drivers, and teams has been unprecedented, and we are incredibly proud of that. While today’s announcement signals the end of a monumental era, we are confident there is plenty more for fans to look forward to at the Dutch Grand Prix in 2025 and 2026, including the Sprint in 2026. We are a privately owned and operated business, and we must balance the opportunities presented by continuing to host the event, against other risks and responsibilities. We have decided to go out on a high with two more incredible Dutch Grands Prix in 2025 and 2026. We wanted to take this step, while our event is adored and supported by passionate fans, residents, and the Formula 1 community. I want to thank Stefano Domenicali and all the team at Formula 1 for the hard work that has seen multiple contract extensions realised and the Dutch Grand Prix be such a success. Robert van Overdijk, Director of the Dutch Grand Prix.
Alpine have confirmed that Formula 2 racer Paul Aron will join the squad as their 2025 F1 reserve driver.
The 20 year old has just competed in his first F2 Championship with Hitech Pulse-Eight and finished the season in third where he grabbed the second-best rookie.
He added a dominant pole in Qatar and the feature race win as well but unfortunately it was not enough to grab the Drivers’ Championship.
Aron is a driver Alpine’s Team Principal, Oliver Oakes knows well, with the British boss having previously been in charge of Hitech before he joined the Enstone outfit in August this year.
It’s incredibly special to be joining BWT Alpine Formula One Team. It is clear that this is a great place to be for any young driver and I’m really pleased that Flavio [Briatore] and Oliver [Oakes] have given me this opportunity. Before 2025 and the hard work that will come with being the team’s Reserve Driver, I have a Championship to focus on for the remainder of this year and I will be giving it my all to compete for the title. I’m looking forward to really beginning the work and continuing my career pathway in motorsport. Aron on the announcement.
We are very pleased to have Paul join BWT Alpine Formula One Team as our 2025 Reserve Driver. There is a generational shift in Formula 1 at the moment, as we see with many young drivers coming into the sport and making an impact. We believe Paul is one of the best talents and we look forward to developing him into an F1 driver. Flavio Briatore, Alpine Executive Advisor.
Mercedes have confirmed that Mick Schumacher will leave his role as the squad’s reserve driver at he end of 2024 following two years with the team.
Schumacher joined the Brackley team ahead of the 2023 season – off the back of a two-season stint on the grid with Haas – and has since gone on to perform simulator work for the Silver Arrows as well as providing feedback during tests and races.
Alongside this position, Schumacher has also competed for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and now looks set to pursue new opportunities in 2025 following news of his exit from Mercedes. With Alpine also confirming the German driver will again be one of their six drivers for the 2025 campaign.
Mick’s hard work, diligence, and determination in his role as Reserve Driver has been vital for the team over the past two years. From his work in the simulator, testing of various cars, and being part of the trackside team, we couldn’t have asked for any more from him. From day one, he fitted into the team with ease and has become an incredibly well-liked colleague for everyone at Brackley and Brixworth. However, Mick is first and foremost a racing driver. We have seen from both his time in F1, and this year with his performances in the World Endurance Championship, that he is a racer of an incredibly high calibre and one that deserves to be competing in the very best championships. As he moves on to his next challenge, I would like to thank Mick personally for his contribution to our team and we all wish him the very best in his future endeavours. Wolff on the news.
I am grateful to Toto and the entire Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team for the insight I have gained over these two years. They have undoubtedly made me a more experienced racing driver because I have got to know the engineering side better. But watching these cars race and not sitting in the cockpit myself is tough. I want to get back to focusing 100% on racing. I want to be fully committed to the sporting side of motorsport. Ultimately, it is racing that you want to do as a driver, it is racing that gives you that feeling you love. Schumacher on leaving the team.
Formula 1 has announced that the Italian Grand Prix will remain on the calendar until 2031 inclusive as part of a new six-year extension to the existing agreement, which runs through 2025.
The new deal follows significant upgrades to the Autodromo Nazionale Monza ahead of the 2024 Grand Prix, where 335,000 fans attended across the weekend to see Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc take the chequered flag.
Built in 1922, Monza – also known as the Temple of Speed – has hosted a Grand Prix every year since the inaugural World Championship in 1950, apart from 1980 when the circuit was closed for renovations. Located just north-east of the historical city of Milan, one of the cultural and fashion capitals of the world, the 5.8km circuit boasts one of the fastest laps on the Formula 1 calendar with the drivers on the throttle for 80% of the lap.
In 2020, Monza was the site of the fastest ever F1 lap in terms of average speed, when Lewis Hamilton took pole position for the 2020 Italian Grand Prix with a qualifying time of just 1m 18.887s.
I am delighted that the Italian Grand Prix will remain on the calendar until 2031. Monza is at the very heart of Formula 1 history and the atmosphere each year is unique as the Tifosi gather in huge numbers to cheer on Ferrari and the drivers. The recent upgrades to the circuit’s infrastructure and the planned investment show a strong commitment to the long-term future of Formula 1 in Italy, and I want to thank the President of the Automobile Club d’Italia, the Italian Government, and the Lombardy Region for their continued passion and commitment to our sport. I also want to pay tribute to our incredible fans across the country who support Formula 1 so passionately. Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.
It’s a great honour for us, the Automobile Club of Italy (ACI), to have succeeded in guaranteeing the hosting of six more Italian Grand Prix F1 seasons at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza after 2025. We must thank the valuable and decisive contribution of the current President and CEO of Formula 1 Group, Stefano Domenicali, who made this contract extension possible. Much as we should, certainly, thank the Italian Government, the Lombardy Region, and all the local institutions that have allowed the Italian Grand Prix to attract, during the last editions, an ever-increasing number of enthusiastic fans. In particular, I want to emphasize the key contribution of the Italian Government and the Lombardy Region, which have invested resources in this centenarian circuit and funded the works carried out this year. As we all know, Monza is the oldest racetrack in the world to host a race of the World Championship, and it is also the longest-running event on the World Championship calendar. We are all aware that history is no longer enough. Following the resurfacing of the track and underpasses to improve the safety on track and for the fans, we are now faced with a new challenge in 2025: improving the quality and quantity of hospitality offerings. With this goal in mind, we are already working to keep ahead of the standards required by modern Formula 1. Angelo Sticchi Damiani, President of the Automobile Club d’Italia.
Formula 1 has announced that it has reached an agreement in principle with General Motors (GM) to support bringing GM/Cadillac as the 11th team to the Formula 1 grid in 2026.
Formula 1 has maintained a dialogue with General Motors, and its partners at TWG Global, regarding the viability of an entry following the commercial assessment and decision made by Formula 1 in January 2025,
Over the course of this year, they have achieved operational milestones and made clear their commitment to brand the eleventh team GM/Cadillac, and that GM will enter as an engine supplier at a later time. Formula 1 is therefore pleased to move forward with this application process and will then provide further updates.
With Formula 1’s continued growth plans in the US, we have always believed that welcoming an impressive US brand like GM/Cadillac to the grid and GM as a future power unit supplier could bring additional value and interest to the sport. We credit the leadership of General Motors and their partners with significant progress in their readiness to enter Formula 1. We are excited to move forward with the application process for the GM/Cadillac team to enter the Championship in 2026. Greg Maffei, President and CEO of Liberty Media.
General Motors is a huge global brand and powerhouse in the OEM world and is working with impressive partners. I am fully supportive of the efforts made by the FIA, Formula 1, GM and the team to maintain dialogue and work towards this outcome of an agreement in principle to progress this application to bring a GM/Cadillac branded team on the grid for the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship. All parties, including the FIA, will continue to work together to ensure the process progresses smoothly. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA.
As the pinnacle of motorsports, F1 demands boundary-pushing innovation and excellence. It’s an honor for General Motors and Cadillac to join the world’s premier racing series, and we’re committed to competing with passion and integrity to elevate the sport for race fans around the world. This is a global stage for us to demonstrate GM’s engineering expertise and technology leadership at an entirely new level. Mark Reuss, President of General Motors.
Canadian Grand Prix organisers are supporting Formula 1’s efforts to rationalise the race calendar and make it more sustainable by agreeing to host future editions of the event earlier than has been in recent years.
The race promoter, Octane Racing Group, along with key stakeholders from the Canadian Government, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, the City of Montreal, Tourism Quebec, Tourism Montreal and Parc Jean-Drapeau, were all involved in the process.
With renewed commitment and collaboration from the 2026 season, the Grand Prix is set to be scheduled on the third or fourth weekend of May each year, with all future Formula 1 calendars subject to confirmation by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council.
The move will allow the European leg of the F1 season to be consolidated into one consecutive period over Europe’s summer months and is planned to remove an additional transatlantic crossing by the F1 community each year.
The announcement builds upon the changes already made to the calendar by F1 in recent years to create a more rationalised schedule.
The Japanese Grand Prix is one which has moved to the spring to align with races in the Asia Pacific region, Azerbaijan has moved to the autumn as the championship turns east to Singapore and Qatar has moved to be closely aligned with Abu Dhabi at the end of the season.
I am incredibly grateful to the promoter and all of the government stakeholder partners involved in the Canadian Grand Prix, from the local, to the provincial and national government. We applaud the tremendous effort from all involved to accelerate the temporary build of the event, to be ready to host the Formula 1 community earlier than in the past. The change will make the future flow of our calendar not only more sustainable, but logistically more sensible for our teams and personnel. We applaud the tremendous effort from all involved to accelerate the temporary build of the event, to be ready to host the Formula 1 community earlier than in the past. Our Net Zero by 2030 commitment continues to be a priority for us as a sport and it is thanks to changes like this that we are on track to hitting our goal. Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1.
This change in the schedule is a major step in our commitment, as well as Formula 1’s, toward a more sustainable future. It demonstrates our desire to combine sporting performance and event organization with environmental responsibility. We are determined to offer our fans, our communities, and our loyal audience a unique and enriched experience, in addition to extending the summer season for Montreal. The date change thus fully integrates into the dynamic strategic vision put in place by our team, with the collaboration of our stakeholders, which is fully focused on delivering an amazing Canadian Grand Prix experience in a more sustainable and inclusive environment. Jean-Philippe Paradis, CEO of Octane Racing Group.
Jordan's Track Talk 