Pierre Gosselin, the newly elected president of French motorsport, has made it clear that bringing back the French Grand Prix and the World Rally Championship are top priorities for his term. Despite challenges like government funding and the shifting Formula One landscape, Gosselin is optimistic about the return of both events to France.
Toyota, a powerhouse in motorsport, is making a grand return to Formula One through a multi-year technical partnership with the Haas team. The partnership, which begins immediately, involves knowledge sharing, technical expertise, and manufacturing services, offering both parties substantial benefits. This move marks Toyota’s first direct involvement in F1 since 2009, while Haas continues to use Ferrari power units.
Renault will cease production of Formula One engines at its Viry-Chatillon factory after the 2025 season, with its Alpine team set to adopt power units from a different manufacturer. The French carmaker plans to transform the facility into an engineering hub, while the employees will be offered new positions within Alpine Hypertech. While the announcement did not mention a specific engine supplier, speculation points towards Mercedes.
Daniel Ricciardo has left Visa Cash App RB, ending his second Formula One stint. He is replaced by Liam Lawson for the remainder of the 2024 season. Ricciardo’s career highlights include eight race wins, three pole positions, and 17 fastest laps. Lawson, a Red Bull reserve driver, takes over from the US Grand Prix onward.
Will Courtenay, Red Bull’s Head of Race Strategy, is moving to McLaren as their Sporting Director after 20 years with the team. This follows a series of departures from Red Bull, including Adrian Newey, who joined Aston Martin. Courtenay will report to McLaren’s Racing Director Randeep Singh, but the exact date of his move is unclear.
Lando Norris secured a dominant victory at the Singapore Grand Prix, taking the chequered flag from pole position. His win narrows the gap to championship leader Max Verstappen, who finished second. McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri’s third-place finish extends their lead in the constructors’ championship.
Williams Racing boss James Vowles has expressed support for Franco Colapinto, the team’s Argentine rookie, and indicated that Williams would be open to discussions with Sauber regarding a potential race seat for Colapinto next season. The Swiss-based team, which will become Audi’s factory team in 2026, is yet to confirm their second driver for next season, with Colapinto among the contenders.
Max Verstappen has criticized the FIA’s attempt to curb foul language in Formula One, arguing that the governing body is fighting a losing battle and that the sport should simply stop broadcasting team radio. The reigning champion’s comments come after FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem compared drivers to foul-mouthed rappers and called for a reduction in swearing on television.
Thailand is gearing up for a tourism boom with the reintroduction of the 300 baht tourism tax, aiming to generate significant revenue and boost economic growth. This move is part of a broader strategy to reach 3 trillion baht in tourism earnings this year. The government is also exploring hosting a Formula One race in Thailand, believing it would showcase the country’s unique charm and bring economic benefits. Concerns over price-dumping tours are being addressed, with measures being taken to curb illegal operators.
Bahrain will host three days of Formula One pre-season testing in February 2025, marking the return of testing to the Sakhir circuit. The testing will take place before the 2025 season kicks off in Australia, with the Bahrain Grand Prix being the fourth race of the season due to the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The test will feature a number of drivers with new teams, including Lewis Hamilton in Ferrari red overalls.
