Audi sells minority stake in F1 team to Qatar fund, Who's in the running to be Verstappen's teammate?, and other big updates

Audi sells minority stake in F1 team to Qatar fund

Audi plans to sell a small part of its Formula 1 team to Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, which also invests in Volkswagen and Porsche. The money from this deal will help Audi expand its facilities in Hinwil, Switzerland, including improving infrastructure and hiring more staff. Audi has permission to operate with a higher budget cap due to the higher salaries in Switzerland compared to other F1 team locations. Even with this sale, Audi remains committed to F1 and will officially join as a full team in 2026, rebranding the Sauber team under the Audi name.

Click here to read the full article by Michelle Foster (planetf1.com)

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Who's in the running to be Verstappen's teammate?

Max Verstappen's teammate at Red Bull in 2025 is unclear, as Sergio Perez has struggled with poor results, earning only eight points in the last five races. Perez still has a contract, but Red Bull may decide to pay him off. Liam Lawson is a strong choice to replace Perez, but his lack of experience could be a problem. Other possible options include Yuki Tsunoda, Franco Colapinto, and Carlos Sainz, but each has its own challenges.

Click here to read the full article by Pepijn van der Hulst & Nick Golding (racingnews365.com)

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Inside Aston Martin's toughest season

Aston Martin has had a tough 2024 season and lost the strong form it showed earlier in the year. Their dry race pace has been the slowest, and although they've fixed some wet-weather problems, the overall performance is still bad. The team has tried different floor designs but hasn't found a clear solution yet, focusing more on learning for 2025. Despite the struggles, Aston Martin is working on their new car and plans to use what they've learned to improve next season.

Click here to read the full article by Jonathan Noble (motorsport.com)

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Abbi Pulling shines at Formula E’s first all-female test

Formula E held its first test for female drivers at Jarama, with 17 women testing the new Gen3 Evo cars for the 2024/25 season. Abbi Pulling posted the fastest lap at 1m30.889, beating Jamie Chadwick by 0.3 seconds, and impressed Nissan with her speed and consistency. Miki Koyama, Lena Buhler, and Beitske Visser also finished in the top six, with Ella Lloyd in seventh. The session had a few problems, with Jessica Edgar spinning, Simona de Silvestro damaging her car, and Lilou Wadoux unable to complete a lap due to seat issues.

Click here to read the full article by Sam Smith (the-race.com)

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How Bortoleto revived his F2 season

Gabriel Bortoleto bounced back from a tough start in F2 after learning he was on track for an F1 seat with Audi in 2026. Despite a slow beginning, Bortoleto won races and climbed the standings, eventually leading the F2 championship. Bortoleto was also confirmed for Sauber’s 2025 F1 team, where he will race alongside Nico Hulkenberg. He is focused on winning the F2 title and is excited about his F1 future, with strong support from his Brazilian fans and manager, Fernando Alonso.

Click here to read the full article by Andrew Lewin (f1i.com)