The Belgian Grand Prix is set to become part of Formula One’s rotating schedule, as the organizers sign a new four-year contract extension. The deal will see the Belgian Grand Prix hosted at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in 2026, 2027, 2029, and 2031. This new deal leaves space for a rotating round of the championship in 2028 and 2030. With many new venues interested in hosting the sport but the calendar at the theoretical maximum length, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali hinted at rotating races during a financial call with Liberty Media late last year. The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is a classic, first hosting a race in 1925, it was one of the seven championship races during Formula One’s inaugural 1950 season. During the ’70s and early ’80s, the circuit was put on hiatus due to safety concerns, returning in 1983 with the dangerous 14km layout converted into its more modern 7km layout. It has been a staple on the calendar every year since, missing only 1984, 2003, and 2006.
Franco Colapinto has joined Alpine as one of the team’s reserve drivers for 2025. The Argentine was a member of the Williams Driver Academy, where he eventually earned his debut replacing the underperforming Logan Sargeant in the closing half of the 2024 season. But with no vacant seats on the 2025 grid, Colapinto had been forced to take a seat on the sidelines. Williams agreed to release the rookie from his driver academy contract so that he could have the best possible future career. Colapinto’s signing adds further fuel to the rumours that he could replace Jack Doohan on the team as early as 2025. Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore did not rule out a mid-season driver change in comments made to the media late last year.
Alpine has signed Ryo Hirakawa as one of their test and reserve drivers for 2025. The deal will see the 24 Hours of Le Mans winner participate in a practice session at his home Japanese Grand Prix. He will also gain experience through Alpine’s simulator and testing of previous cars programmes. Hirakawa, who most recently participated in Abu Dhabi practice with McLaren and the post-season test with Haas, has raced in numerous disciplines over the past 15 years. Much of his experience comes from sports cars in Super GT and the World Endurance Championship, but he also has open-wheel experience in Super Formula. Hirokawa was previously part of the McLaren Driver Development Programme and has ties with Toyota through his WEC career.
Aston Martin has appointed Andy Cowell to the role of team principal, replacing Mike Krack as part of a management restructuring. Cowell worked with the Mercedes power unit department up until leaving the project in 2020. Krack, who took over the reins in 2022, has been demoted to Chief Trackside Engineer as the team aims to create strong trackside and factory-based divisions. With his role essentially being replaced by Krack, it’s unclear where performance director Tom McCullough will work, but he will “remain in the Group in a leadership position”. Former Ferrari technical director Enrico Cardile, who was recruited last summer, will take leadership of the factory-based teams once his gardening leave ends.
TWG Motorsports and General Motors have created a new joint company that will build its future Formula One engines. TWG Motorsports is the primary owner of the newest F1 team, originally pitched by Andretti Global, which will compete in F1 under the Cadillac brand from 2026. The team is on track to become a “full works” team by “the end of the decade”, according to a team press release. Russ O’Blenes has been appointed CEO of the newly formed GM Performance Power Units LLC company, having previously worked as director of GM’s motorsports engine projects which includes their sportscar efforts. A new engine facility is planned for 2026, located near GM’s current technical centre in North Carolina. Ferrari has already signed a deal to supply the team with power units until the GM engines are ready. This was initially expected to be in 2028.
Williams has become the latest team to reveal a car launch date ahead of Formula One’s global launch event at the O2 Arena on February 18. The team will unveil their 2025 challenger, the FW47, during a February 14 event in Silverstone. However, the new car will be wearing a “bespoke one-off livery” for Valentine’s Day. The car’s real livery will not be shown until the O2 Launch event, which will feature all ten teams.
It can be challenging for even the most avid fans to keep up with the fast-paced world of Formula One. The Weekly F1 Recap is a series published each Monday that breaks down the action, both on and off the circuit, into bit-sized pieces. It's perfect for casual and experienced fans alike.
