Alpine confirmed Franco Colapinto as their new reserve driver

This week, Alpine announced Franco Colapinto as their reserve driver for the 2025 season. The Argentine, who made his F1 debut with Williams last year, quickly impressed by scoring points in Azerbaijan and the U.S.  

Colapinto's move has generated excitement in Argentina, where he’s become a rising star, supported by new sponsors. The team from Enstone reportedly paid a lot od money for him as they hope to get as much as possible from his rising popularity especially in South America .

However, the signing also adds pressure on rookie Jack Doohan, as Colapinto now stands ready to step up if an opportunity arises.

Ryo Hirakawa became another Alpine reserve driver

Before confirming Franco Colapinto as their 2025 reserve driver, Alpine first announced Ryo Hirakawa as their test and reserve driver earlier this week. The Japanese driver, celebrated for his success in endurance racing, will contribute through simulator work and Alpine’s Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme.  

Hirakawa’s impressive résumé includes victories in Super Formula and Super GT, two FIA WEC titles, and a 2022 Le Mans triumph with Toyota. He is set to drive in FP1 at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, showcasing his skills at home while gaining valuable F1 experience.  

With prior testing roles at McLaren and Haas, Hirakawa brings a wealth of expertise to Alpine, adding strength to the team’s expanding lineup.

Aston Martin appointed Andy Cowell as team principal

Another big surprise of the week was Aston Martin's announcement of a major shake-up in its Formula 1 leadership to strengthen its competitive edge. Andy Cowell, previously the CEO, is now both CEO and Team Principal, taking over from Mike Krack. Cowell, known for his success at Mercedes, will lead the team both on and off the track.  

Following a disappointing 2024 season with just 94 points, down from 280 the previous year, Aston Martin restructured its operations. The team split its aerodynamics, engineering, and performance work into two groups: one focused on trackside operations and the other based at their Silverstone factory.  

Mike Krack has been appointed Chief Trackside Officer, focusing on improving trackside performance, while Enrico Cardile, who joined from Ferrari, becomes the new Chief Technical Officer, overseeing the design and construction of race cars.

Valentino Rossi's 100km of Champions 

Valentino Rossi’s annual 100km of Champions event in Tavullia ended with a surprising outcome as Diogo Moreira and Thomas Chareyre claimed victory, beating Rossi and his half-brother, Luca Marini. The pair finished with an impressive time of 1:43:59:623, marking a memorable moment in the event's history.  

Rossi and Marini, the reigning champions, were expected to dominate the dirt track at the VR46 Ranch but had to settle for second place, unable to match Moreira and Chareyre's pace. Elia Bartolini and Lorenzo Baldassarri rounded out the podium in third. Francesco Bagnaia and Marco Bezzecchi finished sixth, falling short of expectations.  

The event, which draws a mix of MotoGP stars and rising talents, saw American duo JD Beach and Sammy Halbert finish eighth, while British pair Davey Todd and Ryan Vickers placed 17th. One of the biggest shocks came from MotoGP prodigy Pedro Acosta and Isle of Man TT legend Michael Dunlop, who finished last.  

The weekend kicked off with Friday night’s Americana race, where Luca Marini claimed victory with a lap time of 46.032 seconds, ahead of Franco Morbidelli and Rossi. Rossi, on course for second, crashed dramatically at the final corner, finishing third.  

The 2025 edition of the 100km of Champions will be remembered for its unexpected twist, as Moreira and Chareyre dethroned the event’s iconic duo in stunning fashion.

Belgian GP renewed contract with F1 but only on rotational basis

It was also revealed that the Belgian Grand Prix will remain on the Formula 1 calendar until 2031 thanks to a new multi-year deal. Spa-Francorchamps, renowned for its high-speed straights and iconic corners like Eau Rouge, continues to be a favorite among fans and drivers.  

However, the race will follow a rotational schedule, hosting events in 2026, 2027, 2029, and 2031, with no races in 2028 and 2030. This marks the first time since 2006 that Belgium will miss a season.  

Spa’s future had been uncertain due to the expanding F1 calendar and the sport’s focus on new markets. While there were talks of a rotation with Zandvoort, the Dutch GP will leave the calendar after 2026, ensuring Spa’s place, though less frequently.  

Recent investments, including two new grandstands and improved fan facilities, have helped secure Spa’s future. The new agreement is reportedly less costly than deals with newer venues like Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Sergio Perez to make decision about his racing future within 6 months

This week, Sergio Perez broke his silence after parting ways with Red Bull at the end of 2024. His departure followed a challenging season where his performance dropped dramatically, scoring only 48 points in the final 18 races and leaving a 285-point gap to teammate Max Verstappen.  

Perez had started the year strong, securing four podiums in the first five races, but struggled with the RB20’s tricky balance in the latter half of the season. Red Bull’s hopes for a turnaround after his mid-season contract extension never materialized, leading the team to replace him with Liam Lawson for 2025.  

Speaking in León, Mexico, Perez shared his thoughts on leaving Red Bull and his plans for the future. He announced a six-month break from racing to spend time with his family and explore his next steps, leaving his Formula 1 return uncertain.  

"My priority is to enjoy myself, to do things I haven't done before, to be with my family," Perez said. "In the next six months, I will make a decision about what I want for the next step in my career."  

He expressed excitement about being more present in his children’s lives, highlighting how the demands of F1 left little time for family. Perez also revealed plans for a football tournament with his son and a trip around Mexico.

Dorna confirmed progress in MotoGP U.S. push

Dan Rossomondo, Dorna Sports’ Chief Commercial Officer, shared that MotoGP is making progress in expanding its presence in the United States. Since joining Dorna in 2022, Rossomondo, who previously worked at the NBA, has played a key role in efforts to engage more American motorsport fans.  

MotoGP currently has one race a year at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas, down from three U.S. races in 2013. Discussions are ongoing to add a second U.S. race, though MotoGP’s strict safety requirements have slowed the process.  

Rossomondo pointed out that awareness of MotoGP is growing in the U.S., with more people tuning in to the sport. Additionally, MotoGP introduced a new logo last year and is planning a 2025 season launch event in Thailand to continue strengthening its global brand.  

In 2024, U.S.-owned Trackhouse Racing joined the MotoGP paddock, marking another step in its American expansion. Rossomondo remains optimistic about the future, stating that fans will begin to see the results of these efforts in 2025.