The Red Bull contingent arrive at the O2 launch event
The booing of Max Verstappen and Red Bull boss Christian Horner at the F175 season launch event at the O2 is likely to be raised at next week’s virtual meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council.
Verstappen was booed when introduced at the start of the evening by host Jack Whitehall.
Horner received a similar response when he took to the stage later on to introduce Red Bull Racing’s launch segment.
Verstappen and his team mate Liam Lawson appeared on stage, but they were the only drivers not to actually speak, possibly preventing a repeat of a negative reaction for the Dutchman.
The showing of an FIA logo during a reference to the volunteers who keep the sport going was also booed.
The negative crowd reaction comes at time when the FIA is keen to address online abuse.
“Great rivalries throughout the history of motorsport have contributed to making it such an exciting experience for fans,” said an FIA spokesperson.
“But what underpins sport at all levels is a culture of respect. As such, it was disappointing to hear the crowd’s tribalist reaction to FIA F1 World Champion Max Verstappen and his Red Bull Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner, at the F1 launch in London.
“Max and Christian have both contributed greatly to the sport we love. In the season ahead we should not lose sight of that.
“As part of the FIA’s commitment to protect the integrity of the sport, we are leading a coalition tackling online abuse in sport under the banner of our United Against Online Abuse campaign.
“We stand with all of our competitors, officials, volunteers, and fans to unite against this growing threat. We urge the sporting community to consider the impact of their actions both online and offline.”
The Atlassian deal is the biggest in the history of the Williams team
Williams Racing Formula 1 team principal James Vowles believes that his company’s recently announced partnership with Australian AI software giant Atlassian is a clear indication of the current strength of the sport.
Vowles says that the deal is not just the biggest in the history of Williams, but also among the most significant in F1, with Atlassian joining the likes of Oracle, HP, Aramco, Moneygram, Visa and CashApp as title sponsors who have attached their brands to team names.
After an unpredictable 2024 season another closely-fought contest is anticipated this year, with Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari adding interest.
Meanwhile the Brad Pitt F1 film will hit the screens in June, and extend the reach created by Netflix hit Drive to Survive.
It’s in that context Atlassian founder Mike Cannon-Brookes, who has stakes in NBA and Australian Rugby League teams, has opted to invest in F1.
Vowles, who took the reins of the then struggling team at the start of 2023, agreed that it’s a vote of confidence for F1.
“If you look at Atlassian, they already sponsor other organisations,” he said when asked by this writer what the deal said about the sport.
“And our competition isn’t nine other teams, it is roughly 30 other sports organisations. Because ultimately, you’re looking for where your eyeballs go, and who is there.
“For me, F1 is in the best health it’s ever been. We have an F1 film coming out that is I think going to be excellent. We have Netflix that’s still growing year-on-year and not shrinking.
“And we have a fan base that’s growing year-on-year as well, with a sport where I can’t predict who’s going to win or even be the top five this year. That’s brilliant. That’s how it should be. And by the way, it’ll get more and more that way.
“So I think we have a sport that’s healthy with investment that’s the highest level it’s ever been, with a competitive field.”
Vowles is coy about the size of Atlassian’s commitment, and he insists that there’s more to the deal than hard cash.
“The numbers are one part of it,” he said. “What’s really important to me is that Atlassian absolutely believe in the journey we’re on. They’re also a challenging brand in what they do, they use teamwork and collaborations as their two roots, which if you ever listen to me, you’ll hear that I just harp on about it every day of the week.
“We have shared values. When I met Mike back in Austin last year we just gelled, because fundamentally, we’re two completely different organisations built up on exactly the same belief.
“And the next element I’ve always said all the way through is in modern F1, I don’t think it’s going to be about replicating the same R&D assets that you had before. It’s about being clever, and making sure we’re pushing the boundaries of technology.
“Atlassian have done that in the world. To have a partner on board like that is incredibly important to me, and to our brand.”
“So the importance is three-fold. One, there’s a financial element. Two, I have a company that could have gone to a number of different areas, to be completely clear, but they believe in what we’re doing, they have trust and faith in what we’re doing.
“That’s really important to me. And the number three is they are experts in the technologies that I need in order to be successful within the sport.
“And they bring that to the party. And that’s a core part of the deal. It’s not a sticker on the car. It is transformative in terms of what we’re doing.”
Williams has finally announced its long-rumoured title sponsorship from AI software giant Atlassian – and confirmed that the deal is the biggest in the team’s history.
In addition to being title partner the Australian company is also the team’s official technology partner and official collaboration software partner.
Williams says that Atlassian’s presences is “another vote of confidence in the team’s comeback plan”, adding that the company “will play a major role in accelerating that transformation with its system of work for technology-driven companies: a deliberate approach to teamwork that emphasises connecting all teams, and leveraging AI to maximise impact and innovation.”
Team principal James Vowles said: “Attracting a title partnership of this size and significance is a momentous day in our team’s illustrious history and a major milestone in our comeback transformation.
“We are putting in place all the right ingredients to get this team back to the front of the grid, and in Atlassian we have a partner that through its technology and tools will help unleash our full potential by improving teamwork and collaboration right across the organisation.
“Our values and ambition align perfectly, and I’m excited about what we can achieve together.”
Atlassian CEO Mike Cannon-Brookes added: “Formula 1 is the ultimate team sport. It’s where engineers, developers, commercial teams, pit crews and countless others work together in real-time at incredible speeds to race for a podium finish.
“Atlassian shares Williams’ deep belief in the power of teamwork. We know that when great teams have the right tools and practices, they can achieve things that would be impossible alone.
“As one of the first global technology companies out of Australia, we understand what it’s like to have passion, drive and the belief that you’re building something great. This team has been through a remarkable transformation, and I believe Atlassian Williams Racing has all the foundations for a renewed era of greatness.”
Peter Crolla is on his way from Haas to the new Cadillac team
Former Haas team manager Peter Crolla is to join the new Cadillac Formula 1 operation in a similar role.
Hitherto the Silverstone-based operation has been focussed on building up its design and engineering departments.
However with formal confirmation of the acceptance of its 2026 entry expected soon and its first race now a little over 13 months away the organisation formerly known as Andretti is starting to build up its race team operation.
Crolla, who will officially join the team on April 1, was a key player at Haas from its own early days. He thus brings useful experience of helping to put together a start-up operation.
He started in May 2015 during the build-up to the first season in 2016, initially as race team coordinator, working alongside the then team manager and sporting director Dave O’Neill.
After O’Neill left Crolla was named Haas team manager in late 2017, before switching to the trackside operations manager title in early 2021. He became team manager once again in July 2022, before officially leaving last month.
Prior to joining Haas Crolla had a stint at McLaren, having previously worked outside F1 with spells at Team Dynamics in the BTCC, and Fortec in F3.
Haas meanwhile recently unveiled a revamped structure that no longer includes the team manager title.
Crolla’s previous responsibilities will be split between Mark Lowe in the newly-created role of sporting director, and trackside operations manager Neil Hanley.
Former Renault and Alpine engineer Pierre Genon has joined the Haas Formula 1 team as its Toyota project manager.
The Belgian will in effect be the liaison between the UK-based team and the Toyota Gazoo Racing operation in Cologne following the announcement of their technical collaboration late last year.
Genon went to Enstone in 2012 as the head of vehicle performance group at what was then the Lotus team, prior to its return to Renault identity.
He became the team’s head of performance systems group in 2014, and maintained the same role into the Alpine era, until going onto gardening leave last year.
Previously he worked for Prodrive’s Subaru WRC team, and on the Peugeot LMP1 programme, which included a Le Mans win in 2009.
“I am extremely excited to finally join Moneygram Haas F1 team this coming week as Toyota project manager, with the key accountability to drive the collaboration between Haas F1 and Toyota Gazoo Racing,” he said.
“I have everything to learn about the team, the project, and the partner, and the state-of-charge is at 100% for a challenge which will be quite different from the previous one.
“I am eager to meet my new team mates and to contribute to the next steps in the progress of the team via this new project.”
Genon also paid tribute to his former colleagues at Alpine, including the PU personnel whose F1 role ends this season.
“A big thank you to all those I had the pleasure of working with in the past 12 years, whether they are still there, or have moved on. Thank you for the support, the collaboration… And the laughs.
“I also spare a thought for Viry-Chatillon where I always felt very welcome. There are many good people there and so much heritage. For those wishing to continue in top level motorsport, I hope that you find what you want.
“I have no doubt that Enstone is also still full of talent and will provide fierce competition in my next adventure.”
Sauber has confirmed that team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi will leave the Hinwil outfit at the end of this month.
Since the departure of Fred Vasseur to Ferrari the Italian has been the main public face of the organisation, although it was always seen as a temporary arrangement as he didn’t actually hold the team principal title.
He maintained the role even after Andreas Seidl joined as CEO and again for the first few months after Seidl was kicked out and Mattia Binotto replaced the German. With former Red Bull man Jonathan Wheatley arriving as team principal in a few months Audi has clearly decided to rationalise the management team heading towards its official arrival in 2026.
A lawyer by training and previously manager to drivers such as Stoffel Vandoorne Alunni Bravi joined Sauber as general counsel and board member in 2017. He was appointed managing director in 2022.
“Having worked closely with him in the months since my arrival to Hinwil, I want to pay tribute to Alessandro, a true team player who came to embody the essence of Sauber throughout the years,” said Binotto.
“Alessandro played a wide range of roles within the team, steering it through difficult and exciting times alike. As he moves onto a new venture, the whole company would like to thank him for all his energy and contributions over the years and wish him the best for the future.”
Alunni Bravi added: “It is an emotional time as my journey with Sauber reaches its end. Since I joined in 2017, I have seen this team grow and change beyond what anyone could have imagined.
“This organisation went through exciting and difficult times alike, all without ever losing its spirit and its commitment, which is something I find inspiring, and I was proud of being able to represent the team as its public face in the last two years.
“As I move on to a new project, I want to thank Finn Rausing, all those who put so much trust and faith in me at Sauber and Audi, and all the colleagues I have been working with for the last eight years. This team is a family and has a bright future ahead.”
Andy Cowell has taken over the team principal role
The Aston Martin Formula 1 operation has announced a major restructure that sees CEO Andy Cowell assume the role of team principal as previous incumbent Mike Krack moves into a new role.
The changes reflect the ongoing efforts by owner Lawrence Stroll to find the ideal organisation after a string of high-profile hirings ahead of the arrival of Adrian Newey.
Last year the team finished a distant fifth in the World Championship and it was evident that Stroll would make changes over the winter.
The team has split its trackside and factory operations “for clarity of leadership and as part of a shift to a flatter structure” with their respective bosses reporting to Cowell.
Krack has now been given the title of chief trackside officer, while the incoming Enrico Cardile will be chief technical officer.
Meanwhile performance director Tom McCullough has been moved into an unspecified job where he will “play a critical role in the expansion of the team’s broader range of racing categories.”
He follows Andy Green and Dan Fallows as the latest key player to be moved out of the F1 programme.
Former HPP boss Cowell was announced as the future CEO in July, and officially started the job on October 1.
He was ostensibly hired to replace then CEO erstwhile Martin Whitmarsh, who played a key role behind the scenes as the Silverstone operation was expanded.
However, Whitmarsh never had the team principal title, and he kept a low profile at the track and with the media.
“I have spent the last three months understanding and assessing our performance,” said Cowell. “And I’ve been incredibly impressed by the dedication, commitment and hard work of this team.
“With the completion of the AMR Technology Campus and our transition in 2026 to a full works team, alongside our strategic partners Honda and Aramco, we are on a journey to becoming a championship-winning team. These organisational changes are a natural evolution of the multi-year plans that we have scheduled to make and I’m incredibly excited about the future.”
Liberty Media has a new CEO with a strong background in sports and media
Formula 1 owner Liberty Media has named Derek Chang as its new its new president and CEO and replacement for Greg Maffei, who left the role at the end of last month.
Chang will start his new job on February 1, with chairman John Malone holding the role on an interim basis until then.
He has been a director of Liberty since March 2021, and thus already has an understanding of the business, including its F1 interests.
Chang has worked for a variety of media, sports and entertainment companies, and his CV includes spells with EverPass Media, DIRECTV, Scripps, Charter and TCI. He holds an MBA from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree in history from Yale.
He was the CEO of NBA China from 2018 to 2020, running offices in Shanghai and Beijing, suggesting that he will play a role in increasing F1’s footprint in the country.
“I am thrilled to welcome Derek as the CEO of Liberty Media,” said Malone. “His expertise in both operating and investment roles, extensive understanding of our industries and familiarity with Liberty make him the ideal leader for Liberty’s next chapter.
“Personally, I have worked with Derek for over 25 years and am consistently impressed by his leadership style, breadth of expertise and global perspective. I look forward to supporting him and the Liberty management team as they continue to drive shareholder value.”
Chang said: “I have had the privilege of working with John Malone and the Liberty team for many years during my time at TCI and DIRECTV and later as a board member of Starz and Liberty, and I have long admired their track record of value creation for investors and partners.
“Our current focus is clear: optimising the portfolio structure with the split-off of Liberty Live and supporting the growth of our attractive operating assets, including F1 and MotoGP post-acquisition, to continue their momentum and invest for the future.
“Looking further, Liberty has always been long-term minded in its investment mandate yet nimble to move quickly on new opportunities. Both of these things will remain true in our strategy going forward.”
The future of the Belgian GP has been secured with a rotation deal
The future of the Belgian GP at Spa-Francorchamps has been secured – but only with a rotational deal that means that the race will take place in four of the next six seasons.
The new arrangement guarantees that the event will happen in 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031, with another European event set to take its place in 2028 and 2030.
Spa was one of the last races on the current Formula 1 calendar that did not have a deal running beyond 2025, with many GPs now secure until well into the 2030s.
The event’s longer term prospects have been under question for years. However recent major upgrades to the venue reflected a renewed effort by the local authorities to secure its future.
In addition the recent confirmation that the Dutch GP will be dropped after 2026 gave Spa extra momentum as the closest thing to a home race for Max Verstappen and his legions of fans.
“The Belgian Grand Prix was one of the races that made up our maiden Championship in 1950, so as we kick off our 75th anniversary year it is fitting that we can share the news of this important extension,” said F1 boss Stefano Domenicali.
“Spa-Francorchamps is rightly lauded by drivers and fans alike as one of the finest racetracks in the world and it has played host to some incredible moments over its many seasons in F1. In recent years it has undergone significant work to improve the facility and overall fan experience, and I would like to pay tribute to the promoter and the Government of Wallonia for their dedication and passionate support for F1 in Belgium.”
Pierre-Yves Jeholet, vice president of the Walloon Government and minister of the economy, added: “The circuit provides the region with high quality sports infrastructure capable of hosting exceptional events, and thanks to the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, Spa-Francorchamps, and through it, Wallonia, is placed at the centre of global attention.
“In addition to this international showcase, the event generates significant economic benefits for Wallonia, as well as for Belgium. The extension of this relationship over several years will also allow the circuit teams to plan for the future, which is hugely positive.”
Mercedes has confirmed that Valtteri Bottas will be back in the Formula 1 paddock in 2025 as reserve driver.
Although the team has given no details on his duties there will be a more extensive Pirelli test programme in preparation for 2026, and thus the Finn is likely to get some mileage doing via that.
It remains to be seen how many of the 24 races he will attend. Usually reserves have to be on site at flyaway races, but can wait at home on standby in Europe.
Bottas had high hopes of being retained by Sauber/Audi until the Swiss outfit confirmed that that it had opted for youth in Gabriel Bortoleto.
“I’m happy to finally answer the question I’ve posed over the past month,” he said. “Returning home to the Mercedes family as third driver for 2025 is what’s next and I couldn’t be more pleased. I want to thank Toto [Wolff], the team at Brackley, and everyone at the three-pointed star for welcoming me back with open arms.
“Despite the challenges of the past few years, I know that I’ve still got so much more to contribute to F1. “I’ve been fortunate to have enjoyed many incredible moments in my 12 years of racing in F1 so far.
“As I return to the place where so many of those moments were achieved, I’m looking forward to using all the knowledge I’ve gained to help the team to perform and progress towards our goal of fighting for world championships.”
Wolff, who managed the early career of Bottas before he was obliged to step aside, has made his admiration clear.
“His impact and contribution in the five years he was with us previously as our race driver was immense,” said the Austrian.
“Along with scoring multiple Grands Prix wins, he played a vital role in five of our championship victories. His technical feedback and input were important in helping us to those successes and pushing the team forward.
“Not only that, but he was also a fantastic colleague and team member. His dry sense of humour and personable nature made him a firm favourite with everyone at Brackley and Brixworth.
“In his role as reserve driver, all those qualities will be incredibly important in helping us compete for world championships and supporting both George and Kimi on track.”
Adam Cooper F1 