Jordan's Track Talk

Tag: 2030

  • F1 to race in Azerbaijan until 2030

    Formula 1 has announced that the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will remain on the race calendar for a further four years, securing the future of the event until 2030 inclusive.

    Located on the shores of the Caspian Sea, the six-kilometre Baku City Circuit tests drivers with a combination of tight, technical corners and wide, sweeping straights.
    As the circuit winds through the Icheri Sheher old town, the castle section hosts on of the narrowest turns on the F1 Calendar, which tests the drivers’ nerve and skills to the limit.

    The circuit debuted on the Formula 1 calendar in 2016 as the European Grand Prix, before becoming a permanent fixture on the calendar in 2017 as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
    In 2024, the race weekend welcomed fans from over 70 countries and delivered strong viewership figures, with a global TV audience of more than 66 million.

    With seven different winners across eight editions, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has become one of the most open contests on the calendar.

    There’s an incredible energy to the city of Baku and since our first Grand Prix here in 2016 Formula 1 has consistently received a warm and enthusiastic welcome from the people of Azerbaijan. The circuit is unique, with technical sections and long straights that run through the stunning shoreline and historic old town, delivering an eventful and entertaining race every year. This renewal reflects the strong trust and commitment between Formula 1, the Azerbaijani Government, and the promoter, and paves the way for an exciting future in the country. I would like to thank President Ilham Aliyev and Minister Gayibov for their continued investment and commitment to evolving the event; Anar Alakbarov and the Azerbaijan Automobile Federation for championing Formula 1 in the country; and the team at Baku City Circuit for their year-round efforts in delivering an exceptional experience for our fans, drivers, and teams.
    Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1.

    The extension of our partnership with Formula 1 reflects the vision and direction of Azerbaijan’s leadership, ensuring that our country continues to stand as a global hub for major sporting events while leaving a lasting legacy of inspiration for future generations through the power of sport. Over the years, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has grown into one of the most anticipated races on the F1 calendar, showcasing not only thrilling on-track action but also the beauty, energy, and hospitality of our capital. This extension reaffirms our commitment to hosting world-class events and further strengthens Azerbaijan’s position on the international stage. Together, we will continue to present Baku as a vibrant, world-class sporting destination, welcoming fans from across the globe to experience both the excitement of Formula 1 and the unique spirit of our city and country.
    Dr Farid Gayibov, Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

  • F1 to race in Shanghai until 2030

    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.

  • Zak Brown signs new contract with McLaren

    McLaren have confirmed that Zak Brown has extended his contract as the team’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), with the new deal seeing him stay in the role until 2030.

    Brown first joined McLaren back in 2016 as the Executive Director of McLaren Technology Group before going on to become CEO in April 2018.

    Since assuming his position, Brown has overseen operations across all of McLaren’s race teams and has shaped the strategic direction of McLaren Racing, as well as driving the outfit’s marketing and commercial development.
    McLaren are now involved in IndyCar, Extreme E, Formula E and obviously Formula 1.

    The American has been crucial to the regeneration of the team including hiring a number of top-end staff such as Ferrari’s David Sanchez and Red Bull’s Rob Marshal. As well as opening their new windtunnel at their factory in Woking last year.

    Earlier this year, Brown secured the future of Lando Norris on a new multi-year deal, while Oscar Piastri is also tied down for many years to come.

    Zak has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and has been instrumental in driving McLaren Racing forward. His extension reflects our confidence in his ability to lead the team to even greater success in the years to come.

    Paul Walsh – McLaren Group’s Executive Chairman.

    I am thrilled to continue leading McLaren Racing and to be a part of such a historic race team. It is a privilege to work alongside the talented men and women across McLaren Racing’s different race series. Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of motorsport and strive for the highest performance on and off the track.

    Brown on the news.

  • McLaren agree extension to use Mercedes power until 2030

    McLaren have opted for continuity and stability by extending their deal to run Mercedes power units until 2030.

    The British team have run Mercedes power since 2021 and previously between 1995 and 2014 – and already had an arrangement that run until 2025.

    However, with new power unit regulations – with an enhanced focus on electrical power looming in 2026, McLaren and Mercedes have moved to get a deal done quickly.

    After returning to Mercedes following a disappointing partnership with Honda, followed by three seasons of Renault power, McLaren have since won the 2021 Italian Grand Prix – the most recent win for any customer team in F1.

    They have also had 15 podiums in that period, plus pole at the F1 Sprint in Brazil and pole and a victory in the F1 Sprint in Qatar earlier this year – and they have emerged as the second-fastest team on pure pace behind Red Bull in the second half of this season.

    Mercedes-Benz have been a brilliant and reliable partner of the McLaren Formula 1 team. The extension signifies the confidence that our shareholders and the wider team have in their powertrains and the direction we’re taking with them into the new era of regulations ahead. We have been successful together, both in the last three seasons and when they previously powered the team, so we look forward to the success to come as we continue our journey to fight consistently at the front of the grid.

    Zak Brown, McLaren Racing CEO.

    We are pleased to confirm a long-term renewal of our power unit deal with Mercedes-Benz into the new era of regulations. We have great confidence in Mercedes and our relationship with them. They’ve supported our journey back to the front of the grid so far, and the security and stability this partnership brings is vital in ensuring we remain on this upward trajectory. I would like to thank them for their collaboration so far and we look forward to the years to come.

    Andrea Stella, McLaren Team Principal.

    It has been a cornerstone of our motorsport strategy to work with strong customer teams. This has many advantages. It gives a clear competitive benchmark, accelerates our technical learning, and strengthens the overall F1 business case for Mercedes-Benz. McLaren have been fierce and fair competitors since 2021, especially in the second half of this season. McLaren’s strong performances underline the importance of transparent and equal supply to all customer teams in the sport, if we wish to achieve the goal of 10 teams capable of fighting for podium finishes.

    Mercedes boss, Toto Wolff.

  • F1 to race in Sao Paulo until 2030

    Formula 1 has announced that the Sao Paulo Grand Prix will remain on the F1 calendar until 2030 inclusive following a five-year extension.

    The Interlagos circuit, officially known as the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace after the 1975 race winner, has featured on the Formula 1 schedule for over 50 years and is one of the most iconic racetracks in the world.
    Featuring 15 corners over 4.3kms, the circuit’s design originally took inspiration from racetracks in the UK, the United States and France, but has since had part of the track, including the famous Senna ‘esses’ replicated at other venues.

    With its carnival atmosphere, Interlagos has been the scene for some of the most memorable moments in Formula 1 history including Ayrton Senna’s emotional home victory in 1991, Kimi Rakkonen clinching the World Championship in 2007 and Lewis Hamilton’s enthralling battle with Max Verstappen in 2021.

    The 2022 Grand Prix welcome 235,000 fans across a dramatic race weekend as George Russell won both the F1 Sprint and the Grand Prix, taking the top step of the podium for the first time in his F1 career. Kevin Magnussen also secured a shock first Pole Position of his career for the F1 Sprint, as Interlagos again delivered an entertaining weekend of racing action.

    The extension of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix follows recent significant investment by Sao Paulo Mayor Nunes’ administration, as the city looks to upgrade the Interlagos circuit into a venue suitable for hosting wider entertainment events, including music concerts.

    In addition, the Grand Prix continues to evolve under the leadership of the promoter MC Brazil Motorsport, backed by Mubadala, who have closely with the City of Sao Paulo to enhance the fan experience and have placed an increased focus on environmental, social and governance initiatives, including the upskilling of 100 women from vulnerable backgrounds to become qualified mechanics, all of whom graduated in a special ceremony at the circuit last week.

    I am delighted to announce we will be staying at Interlagos until 2030, and I can’t wait for many more years of the wonderful atmosphere that the Brazilian fans bring. Brazil has such a rich racing heritage, and this iconic circuit is a favourite of drivers and fans around the world. It embodies everything that is great about racing, and we look forward to seeing how it develops over the years to come to create an even better experience.

    Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1.

    The extension of the contract for the Formula 1 Grande Premio de Sao Paulo, broadcasted in approximately 180 countries, solidifies our city as a global leader in hosting major events with economic and social impact, generating jobs, revenue, and opportunities. Each year, we also advance our sustainability agenda, incorporating innovations to overcome challenges and bring more benefits to the city of Sao Paulo and Brazil.

    Ricardo Nunes, Mayor of Sao Paulo.

    It is a great honour to have the contract extension that ensures Sao Paulo’s place on the Formula 1 calendar. This is the recognition of the work we have been doing, with the crucial support of the Sao Paulo City Hall. Continuing to be a partner of Formula 1 is a matter of great pride. Now, we will immediately start planning for the years ahead so that we can have even better Grand Prix editions in the coming years.

    Alan Adler, CEO of Sao Paulo Grand Prix.