Jordan's Track Talk

Tag: 2026

  • Who could Cadillac pick for 2026?

    With having Cadillac joining the grid next year, there are two new spots which need to be filled but who is going to fill them?

    As you’d expect the American squad have been inundated with calls from drivers and managers enquiring about a job and that led to the team compiling a long-list that ran to 15 names at one point.

    That list, has slimmed down to just a handful, and while the team aren’t in a rush to confirm their line-up, they are starting to zero in on what they want, so whose in the running?

    Valtteri Bottas

    Bottas is a driver who could bring a wealth of experience to the Graeme Lowdon-led team from 2026 onwards.
    The Finnish driver made his F1 debut in 2013 with Williams after serving as the test and reserve driver for the Grove outfit since 2010.

    He moved to Mercedes in 2017 for a successful five-year stint with the Brackley squad, driving alongside seven-time champion, Lewis Hamilton.
    2021 saw Bottas join Alfa Romeo / Sauber where he stayed for three seasons.

    He currently serves as Mercedes reserve driver, with Team Principal Toto Wolff sharing his support for Bottas to return to a full-time racing seat.

    Sergio Perez

    The Mexican driver was replaced at Red Bull at the end of 2024 by Liam Lawson, who stepped into the RB21 seat alongside Max Verstappen for 2025 but was replaced by Yuki Tsunoda after two race weekends.

    In addition to his four-year stint with Milton Keynes team, Perez has previously driven for Sauber, McLaren and Force India after making his debut in 2011.

    The 35 year old has been keen to return to the championship after his Red Bull exit, albeit only “for the right project”. Over his 14 year career in F1, he collected six grand prix wins, three pole positions, 39 podium finishes and 12 fastest laps.

    Mich Schumacher

    Schumacher has also been linked to the Cadillac team. The German driver previously drove for Haas in 2021 and 2022 before moving to Mercedes to serve as the reserve driver in 2023 and 2024.
    He now races in the World Endurance Championship with Alpine.

    Alex Dunne

    Most recently, Dunne has been linked to one of the Cadillac seats too. With the McLaren junior taking part in FP1 back in Austria where he ended up fourth fastest and within a tenth of Piastri.

    He is quickly becoming one of the brightest talents outside of F1 currently, and with both Piastri and Norris locked in for long-term contracts, McLaren must be looking else where for the junior.

    The Irish driver is currently competing in Formula 2 where he is 5th in the championship with 4 rounds left and 30 points between him and the championship leader…
    Dunne has also took part in Formula E as he has been McLaren’s reserve driver since January 2025 and taking part in the rookie practice at the Jeddah E-Prix and then the Berlin Rookie Test in July.

    Jak Crawford

    If Cadillac want to sign an American driver, it would be 20 year old Jak Crawford, who is enjoying his best Formula 2 campaign where he currently sits second in the championship!

    Hopefully it won’t be too long until we have at least one driver announced for the new team.

  • Formula E extends London E-Prix

    Formula E has announced it will continue running the London E-Prix around the Excel exhibition centre until at least 2026, with the indoor/outdoor spectacle allowing both parties to drive their commitments to sustainability and the environment.

    Formula E brings a global television audience to Excel London, a unique event for the exhibition centre as it is the only one of over 300 events held annually to utilise its entire 125,000 square metres of space.

    The race itself catches the eye as it passes through the exhibition space while also running externally parallel to the building, allowing Formula E to stage a race in the capital of the United Kingdom, just a stone’s throw away from the centre of London.

    But, for all of those shared positives, the alliance – which has now been extended until at least 2026 and the end of the series’ GEN3 Evo cars – also sees the all-electric series align with the Excel London on their shared green ambitions.

    The first race at the Excel took place in during season seven, a double-header in July 2021 that marked Formula E’s return to London following a five-year absence, having previously been located in Battersea Park.

    Formula E has formally announced the extension of its contract with Excel London until at least 2026, allowing the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship to continue using the world’s first and only indoor-outdoor racetrack until the end of its GEN3 Evo era. The extension means that the East London location is predicted to host the final race of the season 12 calendar, where 22 world-class drivers will compete for the coveted drivers’, teams’ and manufacturers’ world championship trophies. The contract extension also means fans will be able to see the full GEN3 Evo lifespan race as this generation of car will take to the track for the final time in the UK ahead of the much-anticipated all-new GEN4-spec car in late 2026.
    A statement confirming the deal.

    We’re pleased to extend our relationship with Excel London, which has been a perfect home for Formula E over the last few years. Its unique track conditions and event space offers fans and drivers the very best of our sport, bringing the best racing and entertainment together in a truly unique venue at the heart of the capital, while all delivered sustainably.
    Alberto Longo, Formula E Chief Championship Officer.

  • Graeme Lowdon announced as GM F1 Project Team Principal

    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.

  • Dutch Grand Prix extended until 2026

    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.

  • Ten teams selected for 2025-2027 Formula 3 season

    The FIA Formula 3 Championship promoters are pleased to confirm the ten teams that have been selected for the 2025 -2027 seasons.

    For the next three-year cycle, nine teams who completed in the 2024 season have been retained, while newcomers DAMS complete the F3 grid.
    Each team will enter three cars as usual, making it a 30 car field.

    Below is the teams for the 2025 – 2027 FIA Formula 3 Championship seasons:

    TeamsLicense
    AIX RacingGermany
    ART Grand PrixFrance
    Campos RacingSpain
    DAMSFrance
    HiTech Grand PrixGreat Britain
    MP MotorsportNetherlands
    PREMA RacingItaly
    Rodin MotorsportNew Zealand
    TridentItaly
    Van Amersfoort RacingNetherlands

    For the next three-year cycle, we have retained nine of our current teams. Their level of professionalism and expertise guarantee the best preparation for the young drivers who aspire to progress to the highest levels of motorsport. To complete the grid, we welcome DAMS to the list of selected teams. We know them very well from the FIA Formula 2 Championship. Their pedigree and level of performance make them the perfect addition to the F3 field. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Andreas Jenzer and everyone at Jenzer Motorsport for their commitment to Formula 3 since the beginning of the category. They have left their mark in the Championship, and I completely respect their decision to focus now on new challenges.
    FIA Formula 3 CEO, Bruno Michel.

  • Audi announce Binotto as new F1 boss as Seidl departs

    Audi have announced former Ferrari Team Principal, Mattia Binotto is returning to Grand Prix racing as the new leader of their Formula 1 project.

    Earlier this year German car maker Audi took full ownership of the Sauber team, which will be run under the Audi banner from 2026, with an all-new power unit currently being developed in-house in Germany.

    Binotto, 54, will assume leadership of the operation on August 1st, as Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer based at the Sauber factory in Hinwil, Switzerland and will report directly to the board of directors.

    As part of a restructure, former McLaren Team Principal Andreas Seidl – who joined Sauber in January 2023 and was CEO of the Audi team – is leaving alongside Audi executive Oliver Hoffmann, who was overseeing the project.

    Binotto was Chief Technical Officer at Ferrari until being promoted to Team Principal in 2019. He left Maranello in 2022 after three years in the job, and having been with the Scuderia since the mid-1990s.

    The first driver confirmed to be part of Audi’s new F1 project is Nico Hulkenberg, who will make the switch to Kick Sauber from Haas at the end of the season in what the German described as an “interesting” and “very exciting” move.

    Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas and Chinese racer Zhou Guanyu have represented the Hinwil team since 2022, but the futures of both drivers are unknown beyond the end of the current campaign.

    I am delighted that we have been able to recruit Mattia Binotto for our ambitious Formula 1 project. With his extensive experience of more than 25 years in Formula 1, he will undoubtedly be able to make a decisive contribution for Audi. Our aim is to bring the entire Formula 1 project up to F1 speed by means of clear management structures, defined responsibilities, reduced interfaces, and efficient decision-making processes. For this purpose, the team must be able to act independently and quickly. I would like to thank Oliver and Andreas for their important work in establishing our entry into Formula 1 and their commitment in preparing it.
    Audi CEO, Gernot Dollner.

  • FIA unveils regulations for 2026

    Formula 1’s governing body the FIA has unveiled the “agile, competitive, safer and more sustainable” set of regulations that will define the sport from 2026 and beyond.

    Revised aerodynamic regulations will work in tandem with new power unit rules, which include increased battery power and the use of 100% sustainable fuels.

    From 2026 onwards Formula 1 will have:

    • More agile cars, which are 30kg lighter and thus better to battle on track.
    • A redesigned power unit featuring increased battery power and an even split between internal combustion engine and electric power plus the use of 100% sustainable fuels.
    • Active aerodynamics in the form of moveable front and rear wings to allow for closer racing.
    • Increased overtaking opportunities through the introduction of a new system that gives drivers a short burst of additional battery power when within one second of the car in front.
    • Improved safety through stronger structures and even tougher tests.
    • Commitment from a record number of six power unit manufacturers.

    The revised technical regulations have been set out by the FIA, paving the way for them to be revealed before this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.
    The 2026 regulations are now set to be ratified by the World Motor Sport Council on June 28th.

    With this set of regulations the FIA has sought to develop a new generation of cars that are fully in touch with the DNA of Formula 1 – cars that are light, supremely fast and agile but which also remains at the cutting edge of technology, and to achieve this we worked towards what we called a ‘nimble car’ concept. At the centre of that vision is a redesigned power unit that features a more even split between the power derived from the internal combustion element and electrical power. On the chassis side we have managed to reduce the size and weight of the car by 30kg resulting in a much more dynamic car. In addition we are introducing two exciting new features to enhance racing – active aerodynamics to achieve very low drag on the straights and the Manual Override system that will provide drivers with an on-demand burst of battery power when close enough to the car ahead of them. Lighter, more powerful and more focused on driver skill, the 2026 FIA Formula One Technical Regulations have been designed to provide closer racing among drivers, increase the competition between teams and to improve the spectacle. In addition, we have opted for a higher electrical component of the power unit, a more efficient car overall, and fully sustainable fuels, as part of our drive towards a more sustainable future for our sport.
    Nikolas Tombazis, FIA Single Seater Technical Director.

    Today, the FIA is defining a hugely exciting future for the pinnacle of motorsport with the launch of a comprehensive new set of regulations for the 2026 FIA Formula One Championship and beyond. Following the publication of 2026 power unit regulations two years ago we have we have taken opportunity to redefine the chassis regulations to match the energy requirement of the new power units. Collaborating with our partners at Formula 1 and with the assistance of the sport’s 10 teams and all our stakeholders this represents a unique revision that will ensure our premier championship is even more relevant to what is happening in the world. The power unit regulations have already resulted in a record number of PU manufacturers committing to the sport. And now, in tandem with chassis regulations that provide for lighter, more agile cars featuring innovative aerodynamic solutions, we have created a set of regulation designed to not only improve racing but also to make the championship even more attractive to PU manufacturers, OEMs and existing competitors. The key features of the 2026 F1 Regulations are advanced, sustainability technology and safety. Our aim, together with Formula 1, was to produce a car that was right for the future of the sport’s elite category. We believe we have achieved that goal.
    FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

  • Perez signs two year contract extension

    Sergio Perez will continue as a Red Bull Racing driver through the 2026 season after the Milton Keynes team confirmed a multi-year extension to the Mexican’s contract.

    Perez’s existing deal – which he signed in 2022 – was set to expire at the end of this season, but Red Bull have moved to keep him onboard for at least the next two seasons.

    It comes amid a particularly busy driver market, with most outfits yet to confirm their full driver line-ups and plenty of conversations taking place behind the scenes.

    Perez, will be extending his stay at Red Bull into a landmark fifth season and beyond having joined the squad from Racing Point – which is now Aston Martin – back in 2021.
    Since then Perez has taken five Grand Prix victories – spread across 2021, 2022 and 2023 and bagged three pole positions, claimed over the latter two years.

    The Mexican finished a career-best second behind teammate Max Verstappen in the championship last season, helping Red Bull achieve a maiden one-two result alongside the constructors’ title.

    Perez currently sits fifth in the standings after eight of this season’s 24 rounds, behind Verstappen, the two Ferrari drivers and McLaren’s Lando Norris, while Red Bull lead the Scuderia by 24 points in the constructors’ battle.

    I am really happy to commit my future to this great team. It is a challenge like no other racing for Oracle Red Bull Racing, both on track and off track. I am delighted to be staying here to continue our journey together and contribute to this team’s great history for two more years. Being part of the team is an immense challenge, and one I love. We have a great challenge this year and I have full trust in the whole team that the future is bright here and I am excited to be part of it. I want to thank everyone for all the trust they are putting in me, it is a lot and I want to pay it back with excellent results on track, and off track. I think we have a lot of work to do, we have a lot more championships to win together.
    Perez on the news.

    Now is an important time to confirm our line-up for 2025 and we are very pleased to continue working together with Checo. Continuity and stability are important for the team and both Checo and Max are a successful and robust partnership, securing our first ever one-two finish for the team in the championship last year. Checo has had a strong start to 2024 with second places in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Japan and then his podium in China. The past few races have been tough, there is convergence on the grid, but we are confident in Checo and look forward to his return to proven form and performance, that we so often see. Last year was a unicorn season and we will need to work hard to retain our titles, but we are assured in our line-up and with the team as a whole, which is imperative in what is shaping up to be a close fought championship this year.
    Horner on the news.

  • Alonso signs new contract with Aston Martin

    Fernando Alonso will continue to race in Formula 1 with Aston Martin next season after the team announced that he has signed a fresh deal to keep him onboard into 2026 and the sport’s next regulatory cycle.

    Alonso made the move to Aston Martin from Alpine for the 2023 season and the two parties enjoyed a strong start to their partnership by bagging six podium finishes across the first eight races of last year’s campaign.

    Highlights included P2 finishes in Monaco, Canada and the Netherlands, as the Spanish driver helped the team rise from seventh to fifth in the constructors’ standings under team owner Lawrence Stroll’s push to turn Aston Martin into a title-contending team.

    Amid relatively stable regulations and a converging field, Aston Martin have experienced a solid but unspectacular start to the 2024 season, remaining in fifth position behind Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes with a series of top 10 finishes.

    Following on from Lewis Hamilton’s shock move to Ferrari, there was speculation over Alonso’s future, initially regarding whether or not he would commit to another stint in F1 and if he did, would it be with Aston Martin?
    But the team was quick to confirm that, and lock down the world champion!

    Securing Fernando’s long-term future with Aston Martin Aramco is fantastic news. We have built a strong working relationship over the last 18 months and we share the same determination to see this project succeed. We have been in constant dialogue over the last few months and Fernando has been true to his word: when he decided he wanted to continue racing, he talked to us first. Fernando has shown he believes in us, and we believe in him. Fernando is hungry for success, driving better than ever, is fitter than ever, and is completely dedicated to making Aston Martin Aramco a competitive force. This multi-year agreement with Fernando takes us into 2026 when we begin our works power unit partnership with Honda. We look forward to creating more incredible memories and achieving further success together.

  • Honda to make full scale F1 return, joining forces with AM

    Japanese manufacturer, Honda will launch a full-scale return to Formula 1 in 2026 as the works power unit supplier to Aston Martin. Honda left F1 at the end of 2021, after a seven-year stay in the sport that culminated in a drivers’ World Championship victory through Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

    They continued their relationship with Red Bull through a power unit support deal, which is still set to run until the end of 2025.

    When F1 first unveiled its new engine regulations for 2026, Honda were enticed by the requirement to use 100% sustainable fuels and the greater focus on electrical power, as it delivered synergies with the automotive company’s goals.

    But with Red Bull pursuing their own path with an in-house power unit devision, aided by their new partner which they announced at their car launch, Ford. Honda then had to look somewhere else – and so they signed a deal with Aston Martin.

    Mercedes who have been a partner of the Silverstone-based team since 2009, will continue to supply Aston Martin with power units, plus the gearbox and rear suspension, until the end of 2025.

    One of the key reasons for our decision to take up the new challenge in F1 is that the world’s pinnacle form of racing is striving to become a sustainable racing series, which is in line with the direction Honda is aiming toward carbon neutrality, and it will become a platform which will facilitate the development of our electrification technologies. Honda is a company that has a history of growing by taking on challenges and winning world-class races. With the new 2026 regulations, the key for winning will be a compact, lightweight, and high-power electric motor with a high-performance battery capable of handling high and swift power output, as well as the energy management technology. We believe that the technologies and know-how gained from this new challenge can potentially be applied directly to our future mass production electric vehicles, such as an electric flagship sports model, and electrification technologies in various areas, including eVTOL which is currently under research and development. Honda and our new partner, the Aston Martin F1 Team, share the same sincere attitude and determination to win, so starting with the 2026 season, we will work together and strive for the Championship title as Aston Martin Aramco Honda.Honda has the utmost respect for the FIA, which made a bold decision to introduce these new and challenging regulations to ensure the sustainability of both racing activities and the global environment, and for the Formula 1 Group, which has been enhancing the brand value of F1 and ensuring F1’s evolvement as the most prestigious automobile racing in the world.

    Honda CEO, Toshihiro Mibe.

    We share a mutual drive, determination, and relentless ambition to succeed on track. Honda is a global titan and its success in motorsport is longstanding and incredibly impressive.

    Aston Martin owner, Lawerence Stroll.

    The new 2026 F1 power unit regulations are a huge and important change, but one which we are confident we can navigate successfully together. Jointly with our strategic partner Aramco, we can look forward to open collaboration towards a common goal. Our future works partnership with Honda is one of the last parts of the jigsaw puzzle slotting into place for Aston Martin’s ambitious plans in Formula 1. Finally, I would like to pay tribute to our current power unit supplier who we will continue to partner with for the next few seasons.

    Group CEO of Aston Martin Performance Technologies, Martin Whitmarsh.

  • Audi & Sauber to join forces in 2026

    Audi have reached an agreement with Sauber to make the Swiss Formula 1 operation their works team from 2026.

    The German manufacturer announced in August that they will be joining F1 as a power unite supplier, when new regulations that feature increased electrical power and 100% sustainable fuels will be introduced in four years time.

    Ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend, Audi said Sauber – who are currently running under the Alfa Romeo banner – will become their “strategic partner” for their F1 programme and that the automotive company plans to acquire a stake in the Sauber Group.

    Audi will create their power unit at their base in Neuburg in Germany where already more than 120 people are working on the project – while Sauber will develop and manufacture their race car at their headquarters in Hinwil, Switzerland. Sauber will also be responsible for planning and executing the race operations.

    Ahead of Audi’s arrival, Alfa Romeo will end their title sponsorship of Sauber a the end of the 2023 campaign. The Swiss team will continue to use Ferrari power units through to the end of 2025, before taking on Audi power for the following campaign.

    Audi who are apart of the Volkswagen Group – say expansion of their Neuburg facility in terms of personnel, buildings and technical infrastructure should “be largely in place for 2023”. They intend to do their first tests of the 2026 power unit in an F1 test car in 2025.

    We are delighted to have gained such an experienced and competent partner for our ambitious Formula 1 project. We already know the Sauber Group with its state-of-the-art facility and experienced team from previous collaborations and are convinced that together we will form a strong team.

    Oliver Hoffmann, Audi AG Board Member.

    The partnership between Audi AG and Sauber Motorsport is a key step for our team as we continue to make progress towards the front of the grid. To become Audi’s official works team is not only an honour and a great responsibility: it’s the best option for the future and we are fully confident we can help Audi achieve the objectives they have set for their journey in Formula 1.

    Sauber Motorsport CEO and Team Principal, Fred Vasseur.

    It is great news to hear that Audi will have a partnership with Sauber for their entry into Formula 1 in 2026. The combination of those two names is a very exciting prospect for our sport. It highlights the strong momentum that Formula 1 has and the belief in our strategy to further grow and enhance the sport while delivering on our sustainability plans to be Net Zero Carbon by 2030 with advanced sustainable fuels in the cars in 2026. We look forward to seeing their progress over the coming years and the car on the grid for the team’s first race.

    Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of F1.

  • F2 & F3 to use sustainable fuels from 2023

    Formula Motorsport Limited (FML) have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Formula 1 Global Partner, Aramco to introduce the use of sustainable fuels in both championships from 2023.

    It demonstrates how the FIA Forula 2 and Formula 3 Championships are pioneers in this important area of development, whilst continuing to bring the FIA Formula One World Champions of the future through the single-seater pyramid.

    The agreement is subject to FIA World Motor Sport Council approval. It will form part of the wider sustainability strategy announced by the FIA and Formula 1 which will see the sport become net zero carbon by 2030.

    By 2026, all FIA Championships will be required by regulation to power their cars with 100% sustainable fuels. A key milestone in the journey will be the introduction of a 100% sustainable fuel from the 2026 F1 season, alongside the next generation hybrid power units.

    Sustainability is at the top of the global motor sport agenda, and it is vital to see this work not only going on in Formula 1, but also in Formula 2, Formula 3 and throughout the entire ecosystem. Our sport is developing and evolving rapidly and it will continue to lead the way, pioneering the technologies, including sustainable fuels, that will be crucial to tackle climate change. We are a key part of the solution to the problems we are facing worldwide, and the partnership is going to bring huge benefits to the sport and to the wider industry.

    Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President.

    Aramco is a leader in this space and, subject to the approval of the FIA World Motor Sport Council, will deliver our sustainable fuel ambitions, working closely with our colleagues in F2 and F3, who not only bring through the drivers of the future but offer a superb testing ground for the latest engineering in motorsport. In 2026, F1 will move to zero-emission sustainable fuel that offers a game-changing solution for the automotive sector and beyond. With the support of Aramco and all our manufacturers, we can accelerate the sector’s move to net zero.

    Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO Formula 1.

    Sustainability is a top priority in today’s world, and we have been working on making our sport more sustainable for some time now. The goal to switch to synthetic fuel can only be achieved through the partnership with a company of the scale of Aramco, which is determined to produce advanced sustainable fuel in the near future. It’s easier to implement such a significant change in F2 and in F3, as they are single-make categories with single suppliers. We’re very happy to undertake an innovation role – as we did last season with the introduction of the 18-inch tires now used in F1 – and take the first steps towards synthetic sustainable fuel.

    Bruno Michel, CEO FIA Formula 2 and Formula 3.

  • Audi to join F1 in 2026

    German manufacturer, Audi will be joining the Formula 1 World Championship from the 2026 season as a power unit supplier.

    The announcement comes after new power unit regulations, designed specifically to make it possible and attractive for newcomers to join the sport at a competitive level, were published earlier this month.

    The 2026 power units, will maintain the current V6 internal combustion engine architecture but they feature increased electrical power and 100% sustainable fuels, which are the two factors Audi say were key to joining the sport.

    Audi – who are part of the Volkswagen Group – added that it also supports F1’s future plans to be more sustainable and cost efficient, with a cost cap for power unit manufacturers introduced in 2023 as well as F1 setting a target of being Net Zero Carbon by 2030.

    Audi Sport’s facility in Neuburg will be where the power unit is developed, marking the first time in more than a decade that F1 powertrain will be built in Germany.

    Audi say there are already test benches for F1 engine testing as well as for electric motor and batter testing in their Neuburg base. They are now currently working on getting personnel, buildings and technical infrastructure in place by the end of the year.

    Adam Baker, who has held several senior positions for manufacturers and teams in motorsport whilst also spending three years with the FIA, he will now run the Formula 1 project as CEO.

    I am delighted to welcome Audi to Formula 1, an iconic automotive brand, pioneer and technological innovator. This is a major moment for our sport that highlights the huge strength we have as a global platform that continues to grow. It is also a big recognition that our move to sustainably fuelled hybrid engines in 2026 is a future solution for the automotive sector. We are all looking forward to seeing the Audi logo on the grid and will be hearing further details from them on their plans in due course.

    F1 President and CEO, Stefano Domenicali.

    Motorsport is an integral part of Audi’s DNA. Formula 1 is both a global stage for our brand and a highly challenging development laboratory. The combination of high performance and competition is always a driver of innovation and technology transfer in our industry. With the new rules, now is the right time for us to get involved. After all, Formula 1 and Audi both pursue clear sustainability goals.

    Markus Duesmann, Chairman of Board of Management of Audi AG.

  • FIA approve PU regulations for 2026

    The FIA World Motorsport Council has approved power unit regulations set to come into effect for the 2026 season with increased electrical power and 100% sustainable fuels two of the key aspects of the newly-approved rules.

    The 2026 power units will maintain the current V6 internal combustion engine architecture, with the FIA setting out four key pillars of the new regulations, which are:

    • Maintaining the spectacle – the 2026 power unit will have similar performance to current designs, utilising high-power, high-revving V6 internal combustion engines and avoiding excessive performance differentiation to allow for improved raceability.
    • Environmental sustainability – the power unit will include an increase in the development of electrical power to up to 50% and utilise a 100% sustainable fuel.
    • Financial sustainability – financial regulations regarding the power units will reduce the overall costs for competitors whilst retaining the cutting edge technological of Formula 1.
    • Attractive to new power unit manufacturers – the new regulations are intended to make it possible and attractive for newcomers to join the sport at a competitive level.

    The regulations will see the current Motor Generator Unit Heat or MGU-H element removed whilst the power output on the power units’ Energy Recovery Systems will be increased to 350 kilowatts.

    The FIA continues to push forward on innovation and sustainability – across our entire motor sport portfolio – the 2026 Formula 1 Power Unit Regulations are the most high-profile example of that mission. The introduction of advanced PU technology along with synthetic sustainable fuels aligns with our objective of delivering benefits for road car users and meeting our objective of net zero carbon by 2030. Formula 1 is currently enjoying immense growth and we are confident these regulations will build on the excitement our 2022 changes have produced. I want to thank all of the FIA management and technical staff involved in this process for their diligence and commitment in working together with all of our Formula 1 stakeholders to deliver this. I also want to thank our WMSC members for their consideration and approval of these regulations.

    FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

    2022 & 2023 porpoising and roll hoop regulations approved-

    The WMSC also approved changes to the 2022 and 2023 Technical Regulations, designed to address both the issue of aerodynamic porpoising and of safety standards for roll hoops.

    With regards to porpoising, it has now been approved that from this months Belgian Grand Prix until the end of the season, there will be changes to re-define the stiffness requirements of the plank and skids around the thickness measurement holes on the cars.

    From 2023, meanwhile the following changes will be made:

    • The floor edges will be raised by 15mm
    • The diffuser throat height will be raised
    • The diffuser edge stiffness will be increased
    • An additional sensor will be mandated to monitor the porpoising phenomenon more effectively.

    Additionally, follow Zhou Guanyu’s crash at the 2022 British Grand Prix, the following changes surrounding safety standards for the roll hoops on F1 cars were also approved to become of the 2023 Technical Regulations:

    • A rounded top will now be required on the roll hoop, which will reduce the chance of it digging into the ground during an incident.
    • A change will be made to ensure a minimum height for the point of application of the homologation test.
    • There will be a new physical homologation test where the load pushes the roll hoop in the forward direction.
    • There will be a definition of new tests, to be carried out by calculation.

  • Audi & Porsche to enter Formula 1

    After months of speculation, Volkswagen’s chief executive, Herbert Diess has confirmed that Audi and Porsche will be entering Formula 1 in 2026.

    It seems that Porsche’s plans are a little more certain at this early stage- which may see them link up with Red Bull for an engine programme.

    Since last summer when both became involved in talks over F1’s next generation of engines from 2026, Audi and Porsche who are both apart of the Volkswagen group have been linked with joining the grid quite a lot.

    Unofficial confirmation occurred in early April, as reported by Reuters, who are now attributing the official word to chief executive Diess in a Youtube video. There were not however any specific details although Reuters reported that Porsche “intends to establish a long-term partnership”.

    Reuters are also sticking to their story from March that Audi have out a bid of 500 million euros for the McLaren team, which if accepted would enable them to enter Formula 1 as a constructor rather than an engine manufacturer. But Zak Brown shut down the not for sale talks but that ‘vert preliminary’ talks with VW had taken place.

    McLaren aren’t the only potential option for Audi, Sauber operators of the Alfa Romeo branded team were close to selling to Andretti Autosport last year and already have a connection to Audi whose Le Mans cars were developed in the wind tunnel at Hinwil. It is also feasible that Williams’ owners Dorilton Capital could be interested in a deal.