Zhou Guanyu has lost his seat as a Ferrari reserve driver ahead of the 2026 season. The Chinese driver, who raced with Sauber between 2022 and 2024, joined Ferrari as a reserve driver for 2025, hoping this would help him secure a seat at the new Cadillac team for 2026. Zhou was previously a Ferrari Driver Academy member from 2014 to 2018. With Cadillac opting to sign Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, it’s unclear where his racing career will take him next. He will likely take a reserve driver role at Cadillac, as the team shared a teaser on social media featuring the number 24, which is Zhou’s number. The image teased an announcement set for Monday.
Max Verstappen’s race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, may be leaving Red Bull amidst interest from other teams. Rumours of Lambiase’s planned departure have been swirling since the season finale in Abu Dhabi, fueled by Verstappen saying “We showed them one final time who’s boss” on the team radio after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Lambiase began working in F1 with Jordan in 2005, remaining with the outfit while it eventually rebranded to Force India. In 2015, he moved to Red Bull, serving as Daniil Kvyat’s race engineer and sticking with Verstappen after he replaced the Russian. He was recently promoted to head of racing at Red Bull, but has now been linked to a potential move to either Aston Martin or Williams. According to reports, there are open negotiations with both teams.
Liam Lawson raised more than NZ$50,000 (US$28,800) for breast cancer research. The event was organized by Highlands Motorsport Park by its chief executive, Josie Spillane, who lost her friend, Louise Scott-Gallagher, to the illness. Fans had the opportunity to bid in a silent auction, where the winner would be taken on hot laps around the circuit by Lawson in various supercars, including the Aston Martin Vulcan and a Porsche GT3. The raised funds were donated to Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.
Gamers can now claim a free Williams livery in the F1 25 game until January 6. The team’s “Driven by Words” blue and orange livery used at the 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix included nearly 500 words that fans associated with Williams and Gulf. Players can claim the livery via the in-game mailbox until January 6 for free.
Motorsport fans will get a chance to own a piece of the iconic Suzuka Circuit, although the cost is still unknown. As reported in last week’s Weekly F1 Recap, the circuit is undergoing resurfacing ahead of the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix. The circuit officially announced plans to sell portions of the old asphalt to fans, also sharing pictures of the extraction process. However, they stated that more details, like price, will be announced at a later date.
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.
