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Vowles supports the transition to two-day F1 weekends.
"That's a significantly different idea."
26 September 2025 - 12:17

Williams team principal James Vowles advocates for the abolition of Fridays in Formula 1, suggesting a two-day event format instead. As Liberty Media considers increasing the current sprint race slots from 6 to 12 weekends in 2027, there is also discussion around implementing reverse grids and shorter Sunday races.

On the Business of Sport podcast, Vowles mentioned that shorter weekends could alleviate pressure on teams while enhancing the entertainment value. "I don’t believe we have too many races, but I wouldn’t advocate for increasing our current count," he stated. "We’re asking people at home to engage for half a year, with Formula 1 occupying half their weekends.

"I think we are nearing the limits of what is feasible," he continued.
Formula E: Andretti have signed a contract with Drugovich.
Andretti has confirmed that Felipe Drugovich will be Jake Dennis’s team-mate in the new season — the 2022 F2 champion and Aston Martin F1 reserve driver, whose collaboration with that British team will soon come to an end.

“I’m very pleased to announce that I will be joining Andretti in Formula E, and I’m truly excited about what lies ahead,” said the 25-year-old Brazilian. “I’ve been in contact with Andretti since I won the Formula 2 title — overall, it’s great that we’ve managed to keep in touch all this time, and in the end an opportunity to work together appeared.
I’ve been out of racing for too long, so I’m incredibly motivated and really want to get back on track. It’s very important to me to know that I will be competing in every session, and not just performing reserve duties, which I did for several previous years.
WEC: Ford Racing decided to rely on its own resources
The Ford Racing team in the Hypercar category of the World Endurance Championship will operate entirely independently. The team will be led by Dan Sayers, and it will have two bases located in the United States and the United Kingdom. However, the development and construction of the chassis will in any case be entrusted to the French company ORECA.

"Our Hypercar program will be executed by Ford Racing, which is in line with our core values," Racer quotes Mark Rushbrook, director of Ford Performance Motorsport, as saying. "It will also allow us to more effectively apply advanced technologies in the production of road cars.
Romain Grosjean returned behind the wheel of a Haas during tests at Mugello. For the driver it was his first time piloting a Formula 1 car since the crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix. Five years ago, on the first lap of that race, Grosjean collided with Daniil Kvyat and slammed into the safety barrier. The car split in two on impact and caught fire. The driver spent 27 seconds in the flames but managed to escape with burns to his hands. Since then Grosjean had not driven a Formula 1 car, but today, thanks to Haas and the TPC programme (Testing of a Previous Car), the driver returned to the track behind the wheel of the VF-23. The car carried the number 8, the number Grosjean raced under in Formula 1.
The American company Groq, which specializes in artificial intelligence technologies, has become the new official partner of McLaren Racing.
Groq will provide technological support to McLaren, taking on the adaptation of its AI developments to the tasks the team faces in Formula 1.
As McLaren said in its press release, in particular Groq’s technologies will be applied to tactical calculations, as they allow comprehensive real-time analysis that takes into account numerous factors, making the process more efficient.
Nick Martin, Commercial Director: “In Formula 1 you have to deliver results under pressure, so we are very pleased to begin our partnership with Groq, which will help us quickly make the necessary decisions to support our efforts to remain at the front.”
Groq logos will appear on McLaren’s cars starting from the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix.
Charles Leclerc against a reverse starting grid
Charles Leclerc is not enthusiastic about Formula 1 management’s plans to increase the number of sprint rounds in the medium term. The Ferrari driver also doesn’t like the reverse grid, but he is ready to support the return of naturally aspirated V8 engines to Formula 1.

“My view is this: at the moment we have a sufficient number of sprint rounds, and I wouldn’t want them increased,” Charles Leclerc said during the race weekend in Baku. “As for a reverse grid, I don’t know… At least, not on a regular race weekend. That option could be considered for a sprint, but in my opinion it shouldn’t become part of Formula 1. I think Formula 1 should remain as it is now. We don’t need to invent anything.

“But I would gladly return to V8 or V10 engines, because I want the cars to be louder.
Formula 3 team Van Amersfoort Racing has announced the name of the second driver who will race for them in 2026. Jesse Carrasquedo’s teammate will be 18-year-old Hiyu Yamakoshi.
The Japanese driver is set to make his Formula 3 debut. In 2025 he is competing in the European Formula Regional by Alpine. He has two podium finishes and eighth place in the drivers’ standings to his name.
Hiyu Yamakoshi: “First of all, I want to thank everyone who gave me this opportunity. This will be my third year working with Van Amersfoort Racing, and I think that experience will really help me in my first season in Formula 3.
I’m looking forward to the first tests and my first race weekend in Formula 3. See you at the official tests in Jerez.”
The Formula 3 tests at the Spanish circuit in Jerez are scheduled for October 7 and 8.
Hamilton addressed fans in a difficult moment.
Lewis Hamilton is going through a difficult time not only because his results on the racetrack have been disappointing.

Everyone knows about his attachment to his four-legged companion, the bulldog Rosco, who is already quite old by dog standards. Rosco joined Lewis in 2013 and has often appeared in the paddock with his owner since then. But recently the dog has had serious health problems, and Rosco was once again in a veterinary clinic, after which Hamilton addressed his fans via social media.

"Please keep Rosco in your thoughts. I want to keep you all updated," writes the seven-time world champion. "Rosco has pneumonia again; he was struggling to breathe. He is now at the clinic where they put him into a medically induced sleep, but during an examination his heart stopped.

The vets managed to resuscitate him; he is now in a coma, but we don't know if he will wake up.
Vowles proposes shortening the race weekend to two days.
James Vowles has suggested rethinking the race weekend format, cutting it down to two days. The Williams team principal believes such a decision would make on-track racing more unpredictable and would allow a few more rounds to be added to the calendar.

“I don’t think we’re running too many races, but I wouldn’t go beyond the current calendar, because we’re already asking fans to spend half their weekends at home to watch Formula 1,” James Vowles said on the Business of Sport podcast. “I think we’ve already reached the limit with that.

“I would change the length of the race weekend, cutting it down to two days — Saturday and Sunday. Then we could hold more races. Yes, I just said that 24 rounds is the maximum, but we’re dropping Friday. And if we add two extra rounds, the season’s length in terms of days would remain unchanged.
Claire Williams: I know, Frank Williams would be very proud!
Carlos Sainz continues to receive congratulations for the first success he achieved with Williams in Baku, and among those writing about his podium on social media is Claire Williams, the daughter of the British team's founder, who served as deputy team principal until September 2020.
"Huge congratulations to Carlos Sainz and the whole Williams Racing team on their podium!" Claire commented on social media. "I know Frank Williams would be very proud, and I'm proud of you too!"
Last spring, in an interview with the championship's official website, she said that she had tried to negotiate with Carlos about a possible contract, but those talks were unsuccessful.
"The fact that Carlos Sainz became a Williams driver is a wonderful story. At the time I tried to invite him to our team when I was in its leadership," Claire recalled.
DRS loses its effectiveness as cars become increasingly efficient.
"Cars have become progressively more efficient."
26 September 2025 - 16:27

Formula 1 drivers are growing increasingly frustrated as overtaking has become more challenging again, and engineers have acknowledged that the once-effective DRS (Drag Reduction System) is now diminishing in its impact. At Baku, which features a 2.2-kilometre stretch for high-speed driving, only 24 overtakes occurred over the course of 51 laps, with seven of those happening during the restart. After that, the race experienced little movement, even the faster McLarens and Ferraris struggled to navigate through the field.

The ground-effect regulations implemented in 2022 were intended to facilitate closer following, and they initially succeeded in doing so.
Tsunoda to Pilot Honda’s Initial Winning F1 Car at the Location of Its Historic Victory 60 Years Ago
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Current Red Bull Racing driver—though it’s uncertain for how long—Yuki Tsunoda will drive Honda’s first-ever Formula 1 winning car at the Mexico City Grand Prix in October. The Japanese driver will take the renowned RA272 around the Circuito Hermanos Rodríguez in an exhibition to commemorate Honda’s inaugural F1 victory, which occurred at this very location 60 years ago.

The RA272, which I have extensively covered and had the chance to see up close last year, was driven to its victory by American racer Richie Ginther during the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix.
Today at the Italian circuit in Mugello Romain Grosjean drove a Haas car, although not a current one, as part of the tests of previous years' cars (TPC). Romain got behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car for the first time since that memorable day in late November 2020, when almost immediately after the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix he was involved in a horrific crash at the Sakhir circuit and miraculously survived, suffering burns to his hands. After several months of recovery he continued his career in the IndyCar series.

At the tests today he wore a helmet whose design his children came up with five years ago — it was the helmet he was supposed to wear in Abu Dhabi in his last Grand Prix, but fate had other plans. Also at the circuit today were Fred Vasseur, Ferrari team principal, and Aio Komatsu, head of Haas F1, who had previously been Grosjean's race engineer.

"It's been five years since that Bahrain Grand Prix, and here we are in Mugello," Romain said as he climbed out of the cockpit. "Many thanks to the Haas F1 team, this is a special day! Of course, I'm grateful to Gene Haas and Aio Komatsu, because they are the ones who made these tests possible.

"It was raining today, but there's a saying: 'If a wedding takes place in the rain, it's a happy wedding' — so the day was rainy but joyful. At first I felt a little out of shape, but then all the right sensations came back. I even managed a standing start, and you know what I want to say? The last time I did a standing start was in Bahrain in 2020. This time it went much better!

"It was a completely unique opportunity to drive a current-generation car, and also to see some of the people who worked at the 2016 Australian Grand Prix, Haas's very first race in Formula 1. It's simply wonderful, I am very, very grateful; I can't find any other words.

"By the end of the day I even got emotional! I had to lower my visor, but when I was returning to the pits, all the staff from Ferrari, Red Bull and, of course, Haas F1, as well as people from Pirelli, came out onto the pit lane and gave me a small ovation. It was what I expected in Abu Dhabi in December 2020, but I think today's impression was even stronger."
The Ferrari team completed tyre tests at Mugello
On Friday at Mugello the two-day Pirelli tests, held as part of preparations for the 2026 season, concluded. Today Pirelli worked with the Ferrari team, represented by Charles Leclerc and Scuderia’s reserve driver Guanyu Zhou.

Leclerc and Zhou were scheduled to test prototypes of the hardest compounds, but rain, at times quite heavy, altered the on-track programme. In the morning Charles completed only 25 laps – all on intermediate tyres. The Monegasque’s best time on the wet track was 1:34.914.

In the afternoon Zhou replaced Leclerc at the wheel of the upgraded SF-25. The Chinese driver also began the tests on intermediate and wet tyres, but when the surface had dried sufficiently he switched to slicks. He completed a total of 75 laps with a best time of 1:22.012.
Button hinted at a possible return to NASCAR.
This weekend Jenson Button will, for the penultimate time, take the start as a factory Cadillac driver: together with his teammates in car No. 38 he is preparing for the 6 Hours of Fuji.

This year Jenson plans to end his top-level motorsport career, but that does not mean the 2009 world champion intends to hang up his helmet for good. We have mentioned more than once that he enjoys racing historic cars and takes pleasure in competing in them. But here is what he told journalists gathered for a press conference at the Fuji Speedway in Japan.

Jenson Button: "I have many wonderful memories of competing in Japan, whether in Formula 1 over 16 years, the Super GT series for several seasons, or, of course, the WEC. I always love coming back here. There are so many motorsport enthusiasts and incredibly devoted fans in this country.
Trident, the team competing in Formula 3, announced the extension of Noah Stromsted's contract for the next season.
In 2025, the 18-year-old Danish driver completed his first full season in Formula 3. His best result was a victory in the Saturday sprint at Spa. In the drivers' standings Noah finished sixth.
Noah Stromsted: "I am very happy to continue racing for Trident in Formula 3 in 2026. Having completed my first full season with the Italian team, I look forward to building on the experience we've gained together, starting with the upcoming tests in Jerez.
Our goal is to fight for wins and the title throughout the season. The knowledge I gained this year is very important. We'll be working hard over the winter to prepare for 2026."
Mick Schumacher will take part in IndyCar testing for the first time.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL), which competes in the American IndyCar series, announced today that Mick Schumacher will pilot its car in tests to be held on October 13 at the Indianapolis road course.
This is a road circuit that hosted the United States Grand Prix from 2000 to 2007, and Michael Schumacher, Mick’s father, won it five times. However, the 2005 victory has a separate story, but that’s not the point now.
“I’m really looking forward to my first IndyCar tests,” Mick commented. “I’m grateful to the RLL team for giving me this opportunity. It will be my first time driving this kind of car at the Indianapolis road course, a circuit with such a rich history where my father once raced.
Negotiations between Barcelona and FOM continue.
Contrary to rumours that the Barcelona circuit will remain on the World Championship calendar beyond 2026, the Spanish press reports that no formal agreements with FOM have yet been signed.
At the same time, it is said that the Catalan circuit could host Formula 1 races every two years alternating with the Spa circuit.
“We continue to try to reach the best possible agreement for the coming years,” the newspaper Marca cites a source as saying, calling him “close to the circuit’s management.”
The scenario under which the mentioned two-year cycle could be implemented has been discussed for several months, but it is emphasised that this is only one of the possible options.
Capito cautions F1 against sacrificing its authenticity for the sake of spectacle.
27 September 2025 - 13:49 Former Williams team principal Jost Capito has cautioned Formula 1 against overstepping with proposals to incorporate additional entertainment-focused elements. With Liberty Media advocating for an increase in sprint races beyond 2026 and even suggesting ideas such as shorter grand prix distances or reversed grids, Capito told Sky Deutschland that it’s essential to safeguard the sport's fundamental identity.

"I believe the sport is in a strong position. Caution is necessary regarding further advancements,” he remarked. “It’s genuinely one of the few motorsports without a balance of performance, where the best actually wins and isn’t hindered. To me, that’s true motorsport, and it must be preserved in F1.
Montezemolo: Even the best driver doesn't win alone.
The London premiere of the documentary about Luca di Montezemolo, the former president of Ferrari, brought together many prominent figures from the world of Formula 1.

We wrote about the new work by British directors Christopher Armstrong and Manish Pandi a couple of weeks ago, but judging by the scale of the presentation that took place on Thursday evening in London at the Everyman cinema near Hyde Park, this event served as the main premiere of the film Luca: Seeing Red.

The title can be translated as “Luca: Seeing Red,” but, of course, it should not be taken literally, since it is based on an English idiom that signifies the display of strong emotions such as fury and anger.

They say there were more Ferrari sports cars parked around the cinema than at the Milan premiere held a couple of weeks earlier.
Elbon: Piloting new machines in the simulator is not easy.
In 2026 drivers will have to adapt to next‑generation cars that will differ significantly from the ones they have been racing for the fourth season. These cars will be powered by entirely new power units with a more powerful and efficient hybrid system, and, according to Alex Albon, the process of driving them will require greater psychological strain.

This is partly because the driver's role in optimally using the power unit’s energy will increase noticeably. If the hybrid system currently delivers around 120 kW, next year that figure will grow almost threefold.

“After Monza I drove next year’s car in the simulator, and it wasn’t easy,” Motorsport‑magazin.com quotes the Williams driver as saying.