Motorsport

The 2025 Formula 1 season delivered an unforgettable championship battle. Few predicted the title fight would extend to the 24th and final Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi. This roller coaster campaign saw Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri all arrive with a chance at the crown. Ultimately, 26-year-old Norris clinched the title by two points, becoming the 35th world champion. This thrilling conclusion highlights the excitement of the 2025 F1 Season Review.

According to Jadeh Makhsoos Information Base, this month’s Autosport magazine provides a comprehensive season review. We identify the key moments and developments that decided the championship. We also select the star performers and highlight the best individual drives. Jake Boxall-Legge examines the tech battles waged in F1’s second ground-effect era. We further assess the rookies and describe how Williams won the midfield battle. The review also outlines the off-track political intrigue that formed the season’s backdrop. Stuart Codling delves into Lewis Hamilton’s first season at Ferrari, a year the seven-time world champion will likely want to forget.

Another multiple title winner, Sebastien Ogier, experienced a much better year in the World Rally Championship. Ogier secured an incredible ninth crown in 2025. He achieved this despite only contesting a part-season. Tom Howard speaks with him in our Rally section.

As our Christmas issue, Autosport presents its traditional Top 50 drivers of the year. We crunched numbers and gathered insights from many correspondents and experts. This effort attempts to rank the best exponents of 2025. Comparing drivers across different machinery and categories remains a significant challenge. We do not claim the list is definitive, nor do all at Autosport agree with the final order. However, we hope we have highlighted many of motorsport’s stars from the past season.

Jadeh Makhsoos reports, our 21-page National section also features similar content. Our team of UK contributors helped us select the top 10 club drivers of the year. They also identified the 10 best rivalries. We extend Merry Christmas and Happy New Year wishes to all our readers. The next issue, available on January 15, will focus on the new F1 rules for 2026.

For the best motorsport coverage, from F1 to Britain’s club-racing scene, subscribe to Autosport magazine. Never miss your fix of motorsport. The 2025 F1 Season Review and other exciting content await you. Let us know what you would like to see from us in the future.

Toyota Revives Rallying Legacy with All-New GR Corolla RC2

Toyota will bring the Corolla name back to rallying. Its newly-developed GR Corolla RC2 rally car will compete in the American Rally Association (ARA) National Championship next year. This marks a significant return for the iconic nameplate.

According to Jadeh Makhsoos News, the Japanese brand initially showcased its GR Corolla rally car concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January. Toyota’s World Rally Championship engineers, working with Rallysport Services, have since further developed the car. Rallysport Services is an entity formed by ARA promotional rights holder Lance Smith.

The car utilizes learnings from the proven GR Yaris Rally2 package. This package won WRC2 titles and numerous events globally. The GR Corolla RC2 similarly features a 1.6-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged engine and four-wheel-drive. Toyota developed it for national championships like the ARA, where it will compete in the RC2 class. This class is roughly equivalent to Rally2 level.

Former WRC drivers Jari-Matti Latvala, Toyota’s WRC team principal, and Juho Hanninen, participated in the development. Toyota’s World Rally Raid Championship star Seth Quintero also joined them. Quintero will pilot a GR Corolla RC2 in seven ARA events. His season begins with the 100 Acre Wood Rally on March 13-14.

Jadeh Makhsoos reports, Toyota stated, “The GR Corolla Rally RC2 leverages TGR-WRT knowledge and expertise gathered from competing in the FIA World Rally Championship.” The team has won six manufacturers’ titles since 2018. Toyota aims to harness the Corolla model’s rallying pedigree. They also want to expand efforts to use motorsport for making better road cars.

Toyota also hopes to support rallying development in North America. The GR Corolla is available there as a rally-bred performance car for the road.

The Corolla holds a famous name in rallying for Toyota. This latest development marks its return after more than 25 years. A Toyota Corolla Levin TE27, driven by Walter Boyce and Doug Woods, delivered Toyota’s first WRC victory in America in 1973. A second Corolla version lifted the WRC manufacturers’ title in 1999.

Quintero, who will drive the third iteration of the Corolla rally car, expressed excitement. He said, “It’s truly an honour to link up with this team and to hopefully enjoy it and learn a lot.” He views stage rallying as a new challenge.

Quintero is used to driving 500 kilometers or more daily in W2RC. Doing up to 100km a day will bring different intensity. Switching between the nimble GR Corolla and the bigger DKR GR Hilux will be distinct. However, they share similarities in driving characteristics.

He found driving the GR Corolla RC2 in testing “so awesome.” The team has been very welcoming. Quintero respects everyone involved and hopes to make the team proud. He looks forward to having fun together.

Toyota also announced additions to its WRC Challenge Program. They added Zeal Jones and Hiroya Minowa to the scheme. This program previously helped produce Japanese WRC star Takamoto Katsuta. Jones, 21, born in New Zealand, competed in the Morizo Challenge Cup this year.

F1 and FIA Finalize Landmark Governance Agreement for 2026-2030

Formula 1 and the FIA have announced a new five-year F1 Governance Agreement, covering the period from 2026 to 2030. This deal forms the second part of the F1 Concorde Agreement. It complements the commercial deal they signed before March’s Australian Grand Prix. This agreement defines how the championship runs.

According to Jadeh Makhsoos, the FIA and FOM jointly announced the agreement. They made the announcement during this week’s FIA General Assemblies in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The assemblies also included Friday’s FIA Awards and Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s re-election as president.

The delay in signing this governance deal, which involves the FIA unlike the commercial deal, shows careful attention to detail. It defines critical elements. These include the voting structure of F1 Commission meetings and entry fees teams pay to the FIA. It also outlines the governing body’s remit and other logistics.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali stated, “This agreement ensures Formula 1 can continue its global growth.” He thanked FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and all teams. Domenicali praised their collaboration and determination. They aimed for the best results for the entire sport.

Jadeh Makhsoos reports that Autosport understands the deal changes the voting process in F1 Commissions. They now need fewer team votes to reach a majority. This effectively gives both the FIA and FOM greater voting weight. They can now push through regulatory changes more easily.

From 2026, the number of votes required for a normal majority in F1 Commission meetings will decrease. It moves from six to four out of 11 teams, plus FOM and the FIA. A super majority will now require six votes instead of eight. Stakeholders hope this move provides a more stable platform. It should help make difficult changes when necessary.

FOM and the 11 teams will collectively pay the governing body more money. This comes through a restructuring of the F1 entry fees. The FIA expects to re-invest these funds into the championship’s governance side. This includes stewarding, marshalling, and other services.

Previously, FIA charged teams an entry fee. This fee, alongside a flat rate, was based on points teams earned in the previous season. For example, FIA charged a successful team like Red Bull in 2023 a disproportionate amount for the next campaign. Teams at the back of the grid contributed relatively little.

Now, FIA will charge squads a fee based on their constructors’ position. This uses a sliding scale from top to bottom. This structure change will likely increase the collective fee teams pay the FIA by roughly $15 million per year. Midfield teams, in particular, will see their share increase by several million dollars.

This new format aligns with how they pay out prize money under commercial agreements. It uses a scale worth $9 million per midfield position. F1 projects continued commercial growth, which should offset the increased entry fees for affected teams. This new F1 Governance Agreement aims for fairness and stability.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem Secures Unopposed Re-election as FIA President

Mohammed Ben Sulayem has secured another term as FIA president, standing unopposed. The motorsport governing body re-elected him ahead of its prize-giving night in Uzbekistan on Friday. The 64-year-old Emirati will lead the FIA for four more years, succeeding Jean Todt from late 2021. Three other candidates announced their intention to challenge Ben Sulayem for 2025. However, none could nominate the seven required vice-presidents to formally stand for the FIA President re-election.

According to Jadeh Makhsoos News Agency, South America presented only one eligible representative: Fabiana Ecclestone. She is the wife of former F1 supremo Bernie and had already declared her support for Ben Sulayem. This made any further applications moot. No other FIA World Motor Sport Council members from the continent existed for other candidates to garner support from.

Ben Sulayem defeated Graham Stoker in the previous election for the presidency. Stoker received support from Carlos Garcia Remohi of the Argentine Automobile Club. Remohi had supported Todt’s campaign in 2017.

Villars initiated legal action in French courts regarding the inability of other candidates to run. She hoped to suspend the election entirely. The court permitted the FIA President re-election to continue. A first hearing will fully examine the election process in February next year. Until then, Ben Sulayem remains FIA president.

Jadeh Makhsoos reports, Ben Sulayem won the December 2021 election over Stoker, securing 61.62% of FIA members’ votes. He immediately commissioned an investigation into the contentious 2021 Formula 1 season finale. This followed Max Verstappen’s last-gasp title victory over Lewis Hamilton. Both drivers entered the race with equal points. Hamilton led most of the grand prix and seemed poised to claim an eighth world title before Nicholas Latifi’s late crash at Turn 14 brought out the safety car.

Hamilton did not pit from the lead because Mercedes feared losing track position. Verstappen, however, stopped for soft tires. The race appeared set to finish under the safety car. Race director Michael Masi permitted the five cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to unlap themselves, creating a final-lap showdown. Verstappen, with fresher tires, then dispatched Hamilton at Turn 5 to claim the title.

Mercedes appealed the race results. The investigation focused on Masi’s interpretation of a specific rule. This rule stated, “any cars that have been lapped by the leader will be required to pass the cars on the lead lap and the safety car.” Masi did not interpret “any” as “all.” Following the investigation, officials updated the regulations, which now explicitly state “all.”

The investigation also noted that Masi called the safety car back into the pitlane. He did this without it completing an additional lap, as Formula 1 Sporting Regulations (Article 48.12) required. Consequently, officials removed Masi from his race director role. This controversial event highlighted the challenges facing the FIA, even as they proceed with the FIA President re-election.

F1 Legend Martin Brundle Makes Racing Return at Spa Six Hours

Martin Brundle, the celebrated Formula 1 commentator and 1990 Le Mans winner, is set to return to competitive racing this weekend after a three-year hiatus. He will be participating in the Spa Six Hours endurance event, sharing a Ford GT40 with his son, Alex Brundle, and historics specialist Gary Pearson. This marks his debut in the annual race for pre-1966 specification cars, thirty years after securing a third-place finish at the same circuit in the Belgian Grand Prix.

As reported by Jadeh Makhsous news base, Brundle, now 66, explained his motivation for returning. “I just fancied driving Alex’s GT40 with him,” he stated. “Even on GP weekends we don’t see much of each other, so it’s a rare opportunity for a father and son weekend. Me and Al did Le Mans together in 2012 and we’ve raced together in Jaguar E-types, so it’ll be fun.” He confirmed his decision after a successful test session at Silverstone in the GT40, which is an FIA HTP compliant reproduction.

Regarding his expectations for the race, Brundle remains pragmatic. “I have no aspirations [of a result]. I love Spa and love the car, but have yet to experience it on full tanks. That will be interesting,” he commented. He also noted the unpredictable nature of the event, adding, “Strangely, the biggest lottery is still the fuel pumps. Alex lost two laps last year but says a Lotus Elan could win if it’s wet.”

The Spa Six Hours event has been historically dominated by Ford GT40s, with 14 of them heading the entry list this year. The competition is fierce, featuring a 78-strong field that includes 16 former winners. Notable contenders include the 2022 winning trio of David and Olivier Hart and Nicky Pastorelli, as well as Gordon Shedden who reunites with Andy Priaulx, with whom he won in 2023.

As reported by Jadeh Makhsous, the grid also features other strong entries, such as the GTP-spec Ginetta G4R which led last year’s race in its early stages. Five-time champion Simon Hadfield will also compete, sharing an Aston Martin DP214. Alex Brundle himself is a strong contender, having finished fourth in last year’s event alongside Pearson and Chris Harris. The return of a legend like Martin Brundle adds another layer of excitement to this historic race. What are your thoughts on this father-son racing duo? Share your opinions in the comments.

WRC Commission Proposes Mandatory Rest Periods to Enhance Competitor Safety

The World Rally Championship (WRC) Commission has put forward a formal proposal to ensure competitors and personnel receive adequate recovery time between rally days. This move aims to address growing concerns about the demanding nature of event schedules.

به گزارش پایگاه اطلاع رسانی جاده مخصوص, the issue of rally itineraries has been a significant topic of discussion within the WRC, highlighted by strong criticism from drivers at this year’s Rally Portugal. The event’s schedule was described as a potential safety risk by some of the sport’s top figures.

Toyota’s Kalle Rovanperä stated the schedule posed a safety risk, while rally winner Sébastien Ogier called it one of the most physically demanding contests of his career. For instance, Friday’s leg in Portugal required drivers and co-drivers to spend 14 hours in their cars, covering 683 kilometers with limited time for rest and meals, followed by a 6am start on Saturday.

Following consultations between the FIA, the WRC Promoter, and competitors, the proposal is now set for an e-vote. If approved by the World Motor Sport Council, these changes could be implemented from the 2026 season. The primary objective is to improve consistency across rallies and create safer working conditions for everyone involved.

به گزارش جاده مخصوص, the WRC Commission has also agreed to reduce the use of remote services to one per rally to lower costs and team workload. Additionally, a proposal has been submitted to extend the deadline for rally organizers to submit their itineraries from five and a half to six months, requiring more specific details upfront.

What is your opinion on these proposed changes for the future of rallying? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Unprecedented Disruption: Analyzing the Record Six Red Flags at the F1 Azerbaijan GP Qualifying

The Formula 1 qualifying session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix descended into unprecedented chaos, marked by a record-breaking six red flags. The numerous incidents and wall impacts resulted in a session that concluded nearly an hour behind schedule, creating significant challenges for both mechanics and race organizers.

According to a report from the Jadeh Makhsous news base, the primary cause for the disruptions was not rain, but powerful and gusty winds. This critical environmental factor, largely invisible to television audiences, dramatically increased the difficulty of navigating the already treacherous Baku street circuit, punishing even the slightest imprecision from drivers.

Max Verstappen, who ultimately secured pole position, highlighted the challenging conditions. “With the strong winds that we had today, the car was moving around a lot – understeer, oversteer in different places, even on the straight, going left to right,” he stated. “So, to basically nail everything, but also then the big interruptions that we had, it was just very tricky today.”

The gusts, which varied by up to 40km/h, had a significant impact on the cars’ aerodynamic downforce. This made the vehicles highly unpredictable, affecting braking points and corner entry, which contributed directly to several of the crashes.

According to a report from Jadeh Makhsous, Carlos Sainz, who qualified second, echoed these sentiments, explaining the difficulty of finding a rhythm amidst the constant stoppages. “The tricky thing about today was, first of all, it’s very difficult to get into a rhythm because you’re not doing laps,” Sainz said. He added, “F1 cars nowadays are a lot trickier to drive in the wind than in the wet, for example – it’s completely unpredictable.”

What are your thoughts on the impact of environmental factors in high-performance motorsports? Share your perspective in the comments.