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Williams Racing will become Williams F1 Team from next season as part of a refresh of the iconic British squad's identity.
The Grove-based team is among the most successful Formula 1 teams of all time, with nine Teams' Championships (putting them third on the all-time list), seven drivers' titles and 114 Grand Prix wins.
Williams are well into a rebuild phase under the ownership of Dorilton Capital and leadership of James Vowles and are set to finish an impressive fifth in the teams' standings this year having scored 111 points to date, which is more than their tally accrued in the last seven seasons combined.
In line with the introduction of sweeping new chassis and power unit rules next season, Williams have opted to revise their team name, which they say "connects the team's glorious legacy to its bold and ambitious future", and team logo.
The team say their existing "W" logo will be "replaced by a 21st century reimagining of [team founder] Frank Williams' famous 'Forward W', first introduced in our founding year of 1977".
Vowles said: “I am proud that from next year we will be known as Atlassian Williams F1 Team and carry a logo on our car inspired by our founder Sir Frank Williams and deeply connected with our decades of success.
“As a team we are inspired by our past but excited about our future and committed to writing a new Championship-winning chapter in Williams’ history.
“This evolved team identity reflects who we are, where we are going, and reintroduces our title-winning legacy to a growing F1 audience that was not following the sport when we were last dominant.”
Alex Albon is enjoying his most competitive season since 2020 to sit eighth in the drivers' standings while his team mate Carlos Sainz gave Williams their first podium since 2021 with a brilliant drive to third in Baku.
Ahead of this weekend's Sao Paulo Grand Prix, the squad sit fifth in the teams' standings, 39 points clear of Racing Bulls with four Grand Prix weekends – two of which are Sprints – left to go.
The FIA is in discussions to change the F1 rules, and some argue that it would improve "the show," while others claim that the action would remain the same.
Over the weekend, several outlets confirmed that FIA officials will discuss the idea of mandating two pit stops during every F1 race at this week’s Sporting Advisory Committee and the Formula 1 Commission meeting. The idea follows in the footsteps of a rule applied at this year’s Monaco Grand Prix, where all drivers had to stop at least twice. It appears that, if the details can be ironed out in time, it could take effect for the 2026 season.
Aston Martin's latest financial filings have shed rare light on Lance Stroll's pay - confirming that the team owner's son received compensation worth US $12.3 million for the 2024 season.
I remember a few years ago [2019 or so], the lowest paid driver was 250k.
Curious what the lowest is now.
I'd gladly wear a pink race suit & drive in circles for 250k
Wouldn't the lowest be technically "negative" for paid drivers? Obviously, those drivers would have other deals that would pay him back.
I assume that's how someone like Perez operated. His Mexican sponsors would pay $$$ to RBR for car decals, and in return Perez would be the driver and RBR would then pay him $.
Franco Colapinto will complete Alpine’s driver line-up alongside Pierre Gasly in 2026, the team have announced.
The 22-year-old joined Alpine in January as a reserve driver on a multi-year deal before earning promotion to a race seat after six races as a replacement for Jack Doohan.
However, Colapinto went on to up his game and in the last six Grands Prix has been competitive relative to team mate Gasly, who in September committed his future to the team until at least the end of 2028.
“Franco has shown promise and potential with gradual improvement across the season and has also developed a positive relationship with the team and engineers,” said Alpine.
That improved form – in what is the slowest car on the grid – made him favourite to keep his seat for 2026, with the team believed to have narrowed the choice down to him or fellow reserve Paul Aron.
On Friday, ahead of this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix – that will feature a large contingent of fans from Colapinto’s native Argentina – Alpine moved to confirm Colapinto for 2026, when they will switch from works Renault power to customer Mercedes power units.
“I’ve been following Franco’s progress throughout his time in Formula 1 and I have always believed that he has the right attributes and potential to be a top driver who can grow with the team,” said Briatore.
“Our decision to continue together for 2026 is a clear indication of our commitment and strong support for Franco as he develops as a race driver.
“It has been a tough year for the whole team, and it hasn’t been the easiest scenario to perform in, however both Franco and Pierre have done their best to help put the team in the best possible position for next season.
“With the line-up of Pierre and Franco, we have a good blend of experience, speed and talent that will help drive the team forward and hopefully give our fans something to cheer and shout about next season.”
Colapinto added: “I am very grateful to Flavio and the entire team for their belief in me to help drive the team forwards in the future.
“Ever since I made my Formula 1 debut, I knew, given the circumstances at play, it would be a huge challenge to keep my place in this sport.
“It has been a long and tough road, and I am very proud for the opportunity to drive with this team again in 2026, alongside Pierre, who has been a great team mate and will undoubtedly be someone I can continue to learn from.
"Finally, it is very special and timely to make this announcement here in Brazil this weekend. Being so close to my home country of Argentina and an event that feels like a home race for me where I have so much support.
“To have so many fans on this journey with me and the team is why we go racing and next year, when there should be a reset in Formula 1, we can hopefully give every single person who cheers for us something to truly smile and celebrate. Vamos Alpine!”
Each tyre set will be limited to a maximum of 25 laps across the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix weekend due to tyre wear concerns, Pirelli has announced.
Following a decision in agreement with the FIA, F1 and the teams, each tyre set has been given the distance restriction of 25 laps of the Losail International Circuit after an analysis from the 2024 event.
It means the 57-lap Qatar GP will force drivers into a minimum of a two-stop race, but the sprint race won’t need to be interrupted by pitstops given the 19-lap length.
A Pirelli statement read: “This measure has been deemed necessary, following analysis of the tyres used in 2024. Last year, several tyres, particularly the left front, had reached the maximum wear level. These conditions, combined with the high lateral energy had increased the structural fatigue of the construction.”
Pirelli also explained the issue is different from the 2023 Qatar GP that also saw mandated maximum tyre stint lengths, because that was caused by the kerbs creating micro-lacerations in the tyres’ sidewalls. Subsequent modifications to the kerbs, plus gravel traps around them, avoided a repeat of this situation last year.
All laps in practice, sprint qualifying, the sprint race, grand prix qualifying and the grand prix itself will be counted per tyre set, including laps completed under a safety car or a virtual safety car.
The only exclusions will be laps to the grid, formation laps and laps completed after the chequered flag in the sprint race and the grand prix.
Before the start of the grand prix, Pirelli will also inform the teams how many laps are still available for each set each driver has left remaining.
Pirelli has selected its hardest compound range for the Qatar GP: C1 as the hard, C2 as the medium and C3 as the soft. Under the sprint weekend regulations, each driver will be supplied with two sets of hards, four sets of mediums and six sets of softs for the entire race weekend.
At late last week's F1 Commission meeting in London, chaired by Nikolas Tombazis and Stefano Domenicali, the FIA confirmed that teams will be required to paint or sticker at least 55 percent of their cars' surface area - from side and top views - from next year.
The move aims to curb the trend of bare carbon-fibre cars and improve visual distinction on track.
The Commission also backed a change to the long-standing driver numbering rules, with drivers now permitted to change their permanent race number during their career - the first adjustment to the system introduced in 2014.
However, the debate over race format changes remains unresolved. A mandatory two-stop rule - along with proposals concerning tyre-life limits and obliging drivers to use all three compounds in a grand prix - drew mixed responses based on analysis from teams and Pirelli.
No agreement was reached, and discussions will continue into the 2026 season.
The Commission also discussed possible redesigns to driver cooling systems for 2026, with feedback to be gathered through the GPDA before any mandate is considered.
Agree with covering up more of the carbon fibre and letting drivers change numbers.
Didn't realize they were stuck with the number they chose. Curious who has wanted to change.
Also, think 0, 1 and 2 should be reserved numbers. 1 obviously is, for the reigning WDC, but 0 & 2 should be too, in the even their teammate wants to take 2, or the WDC leaves & the incoming replacement takes 0.
Didn't realize they were stuck with the number they chose. Curious who has wanted to change.
Also, think 0, 1 and 2 should be reserved numbers. 1 obviously is, for the reigning WDC, but 0 & 2 should be too, in the even their teammate wants to take 2, or the WDC leaves & the incoming replacement takes 0.
Max Verstappen is considering changing his F1 race number - providing he is allowed.
The Red Bull driver has sported the #1 for since the start of the 2022 season as a result of winning the past four world championships, but Verstappen appears set to revert to his number of choice for 2026 with his chances of winning this year’s world title fading.
Since 2014, F1 drivers have been allowed to choose a personal number to keep throughout their careers. Verstappen picked 33 and would automatically switch back to that next year, assuming he does not pull off a miraculous championship triumph in the final three races of the season.
However, Verstappen has revealed that he would like to exchange his current number for the #3, which was most recently used by former Red Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo.
For this to happen, special dispensation would need to be granted.
When asked what number he will race with next year, Verstappen told Dutch media in Las Vegas: “That’s a very good question!
“I will look at it over the winter, but my favourite number is #3. We just need to see whether that is actually possible.”
F1 driver number choices expire once they have not competed in the world championship for two seasons, which is not yet true for Ricciardo, who last raced at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.
Verstappen would need the FIA to agree to such a switch, given the circumstances. His bid may be boosted by the fact that Ricciardo has already announced his retirement from motorsport, ruling out a possible return to F1.
“I actually wanted #69, but my dad said ‘that’s not a good idea’,” Verstappen added. "But that number always looks the same, no matter how you look at the car!
“#69 would be very good for the photos and marketing, and for the caps as well. It doesn’t matter how you wear them, it always stays #69. In that respect it would be a good marketing tool.
“I also like #27, but Nico already has that. I think #2 and #7 look really nice together in terms of shape. So #3 is my favourite number, but there are several numbers I find cool.”
Driver numbers were brought up at the latest meeting of the F1 Commission.
“Changes to the regulation on permanent competition numbers for drivers, introduced for the 2014 season, were discussed," the FIA revealed. "It was agreed that a proposal for drivers to change their numbers during their career would be permitted.”
I think Lando just keeps his nose clean, as long as he finishes well, he doesn't have to win the last 3 to get the WDC.
Oscar needs to take some risks, comparatively, to keep ahead of Max & whittle the gap to Lando.
Based on the last 5 races (not counting LV), Norris has podiumed in all of them. So that's a good sign that Norris should have the pace to just follow Verstappen without needing to battle hard. However, if you look at the 5 races before that, he had a 7th in Baku and a car failure in Zandvoort.
If VER wins the WDC this year, NOR needs to eat these words: “He's in a car which should win every race, basically.He has to beat one or two other drivers, that's it."
If VER wins the WDC this year, NOR needs to eat these words: “He's in a car which should win every race, basically.He has to beat one or two other drivers, that's it."
#GoOscar!!
Max will need more help from the McLaren team to wind the WDC, but they have helped him for the past two races..
Originally Posted by F-C
What was that, McLaren?
I'm not complaining. What could have been a boring season is turning out to be a classic.
100% agree. A lot of the GPs this season have been snooze-fests.
Originally Posted by 00TL-P3.2
Not an exciting race, but makes the finale quite spicy.
Max will need more help from the McLaren team to wind the WDC, but they have helped him for the past two races..
True, so much so that I have a couple of random conspiracy theories; one of which is Mclaren not wanting either driver to win just so neither overshadows the team....ZAC BROWN'S TEAM! (It's a reach but, eh! Stranger things have happended. )
I'm a HAM fan but my money has been on Max winning the WDC since Oscar began his decline (pre-Qatar). Would love to see Oscar on a competent team (sorry Ferrari, you're not one them) which gives him equal billing if not prioritizes him.
Horner's return!
Not an exciting race, but makes the finale quite spicy.
Yes, the finale should be very interesting!!
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