Antonelli takes championship lead with victory in Japan

Kimi Antonelli took his second win in succession becoming the youngest driver to lead the World Championship in the process with victory in Japan ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc. The young Italian benefited from a safety car allowing him to pit and retain the lead with his teammate George Russell left frustrated with a fourth place finish ahead of reigning champion Lando Norris. Lewis Hamilton finished sixth while Alpine’s Pierre Gasly held off the Red Bull of Max Verstappen for a respectable P7 finish at Suzuka.

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Jonathan Wheatley leaves role as Audi team principal

Audi team principal Jonathan Wheatley has left the team with immediate effect. The development comes a day after news broke that the 58-year-old Englishman had been approached by Aston Martin to be their team principal. A statement from Audi said Wheatley was leaving for “personal reasons”. Mattia Binotto will take over the responsibilities of team principal in addition to his role as head of the Audi F1 project.

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Alpine to use Mercedes power units and gearboxes from 2026

The Renault-owned Alpine team will use Mercedes engines in Formula 1 from the 2026 season. The deal, which follows the decision in September to end Renault’s own engine programme in 2025, runs until at least the end of 2030. Alpine will also use Mercedes-supplied gearboxes from 2026, although the team are exploring their options to design these in-house from 2027.

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Sauber sign Gabriel Bortoleto as Bottas and Zhou depart

Brazilian racer Gabriel Bortoleto will make his Formula 1 debut in 2025 after signing a multi-year deal with Sauber/Audi, with the team earlier confirming they were parting ways with Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu. Bortoleto fended off competition from incumbent and 10-time race winner Bottas to secure the seat alongside Nico Hulkenberg in an all-new line-up for the Hinwil-based team next season and in 2026 when the team become Audi’s works squad.

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Jonathan Wheatley to leave Red Bull and become Audi Team Principal

Jonathan Wheatley is to leave his role as Red Bull sporting director to become Audi’s Formula 1 team principal. The 57-year-old Briton has been at Red Bull for 18 years and will stay until the end of this season. The move was initially announced by Red Bull to the surprise of Audi, which confirmed Wheatley’s appointment more than three hours later.

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