Japanese Ryo Hirakawa has joined Alpine as one of their two test and reserve drivers this year. The 30-year-old, who was a development driver for McLaren in 2024, will take part in first practice at the Japanese Grand Prix for the team on 4 April.

Alpine has announced a new test and reserve driver for 2025. Ryo Hirakawa moves to the French team where he will do simulator work but will also be in action during the first free practice of the Japanese Grand Prix.

The extension will bring the F1 grid to Spa in four of the next six seasons, with the Belgian Grand Prix now scheduled for 2026, 2027, 2029, and 2031. The Be

Formula 1 has extended its contract with the Belgian Grand Prix but one of the sport’s most established races is set to be dropped from the schedule in 2028 and 2030.

The Belgian Grand Prix will appear on the F1 calendar for four of the next six seasons after 2025, taking place in 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031. It marks a first step from F1 to introduce circuit rotation to its calendar amid sizable demand from countries around the world to host a grand prix.

It can also suit the promoters. Zandvoort’s decision to stop hosting F1 after 2026 points to the pressures — and costs — involved in staging a race. Spa looked in serious doubt just a few years ago, and while the interest from the local stakeholders has certainly taken an uplift since then, a couple of off years may actually suit the track.

We're a week into 2025, and with preseason testing still seven weeks away, ESPN unpacks the storylines that will define Formula 1 this year.

Max Verstappen has suffered a blow in comparison to his Formula 1 rival Lewis Hamilton following his Ferrari signing. Verstappen and Hamilton are the two names that have dominated the sport and the drivers' championship in recent history,