On-track

• Verstappen’s Homecoming Amid Zandvoort’s Final Years: Verstappen returns to a sea of orange with his Red Bull future now secured through 2027, but the pressure’s on to close the gap to McLaren. Meanwhile, the Dutch GP begins its final chapter. With Formula 1 confirming Zandvoort will exit the calendar after 2026, this weekend marks one of only two remaining chances to see the Dutch hero race at home.
• No 1 or No 1? McLaren’s Unlikely Dilemma: Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris return from the break just nine points apart, leaving McLaren with two No 1 calibre drivers in one title fight. Piastri says there’s “no tension at all,” but with cracks already showing at Silverstone, the following races could put that to the test.
• FIA Raises Pit-Lane Speed Limit at Zandvoort: The FIA has increased the pit-lane speed limit from 60 to 80 km/h for this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, potentially reducing pit stop time. Pirelli has also opted for softer compounds (C2–C4) to encourage two-stop strategies on the narrow, twisty layout.
• Rain threat returns: The Dutch GP is notorious for weather swings, and forecasts again suggest showers across the weekend. After Spa’s delay drama, the FIA is expected to scrutinise wet-weather procedures closely, balancing race spectacle against race safety.

Off-track

• McLaren Rebrands for 2026: From 2026, McLaren will race under a new name, the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team, after signing a record-breaking $100 million-per-season title sponsorship deal. Unveiled in Amsterdam ahead of the Dutch GP, the partnership marks McLaren’s first naming-rights sponsor since Vodafone (2007–2013) and the largest commercial agreement in team history. CEO Zak Brown positioned the move as a fan-first initiative, promising to “bring them even closer to the team.” McLaren will retain its current name for the rest of 2025 as the team continues its pursuit of back-to-back Constructors’ Championships.
• Perez and Bottas Confirmed as Cadillac’s Debut Line-Up: It’s official: Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas will return to the grid in 2026 as the first driver pairing for Cadillac’s new F1 entry. The two veterans bring over 500 race starts and 106 podiums between them, with Cadillac praising their experience, leadership and technical feedback as key to building the team from scratch. The team will run Ferrari engines until 2029, when GM plans to debut its own power unit.
• Pirelli marks 500th Grand Prix: F1’s official tire supplier, Pirelli, celebrates its 500th Grand Prix at Zandvoort. The milestone will be marked with a special logo on all slick compounds across the weekend. Pirelli first supplied F1’s debut race at Silverstone in 1950 and has served as sole supplier since 2011.
• Ex-F1 Driver Champion at 53: Former Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello has claimed his first major racing title at age 53, winning the 2025 NASCAR Brazil Series. A late-career triumph for one of Formula 1’s most experienced drivers, the 11-time Grand Prix winner sealed the championship with a victory at Autódromo Velo Città.

KEY FORMULA 1® ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX NARRATIVES:

• Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to close F1 season in 2026: Formula 1 will close out the 2025 season at Yas Marina Circuit from December 4-6, marking the 17th time Abu Dhabi hosts the final chapter of the calendar. With McLaren’s title fight gaining traction and only a few points separating Piastri and Norris, Yas Island could once again set the stage for a title-deciding showdown. Abu Dhabi has crowned first-time champions before (from Vettel in 2010 to Rosberg in 2016), could Norris or Piastri be next?
• All-in access with every Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ticket: For the first time, ticket holders can visit Teamlab Phenomena Abu Dhabi as part of their race weekend access. It joins a growing list of complimentary experiences that already includes Qasr Al Watan, Louvre Abu Dhabi, and a choice of one Yas Island attraction such as Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, Yas Waterworld, or SeaWorld. With on-track action and the Yasalam concert series also included, it is shaping up to be another blockbuster year. Terms and conditions apply.
• Garden on Yas: Last-chance General Access for Race Week: One of the last remaining General Admission options, Garden on Yas offers circuit views, live DJs, food experiences, and After-Race Concert access. Located beside the W Hotel Abu Dhabi and available for any one day of the weekend, it’s a lively way to experience the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix atmosphere. Tickets via: com.
• The Pit Talk podcast: Missing the race? The Pit Talk podcast is back Monday with straight talk and sharp takes from Zandvoort. Robert Doornbos and Chris McHardy unpack every headline. Stream it on Dubai Eye 103.8FM, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more. Powered by Ethara.
• Sustainability alignment with F1 targets: Yas Marina Circuit, a holder of the FIA Three-Star Environmental Accreditation, continues to lead the region in sustainable motorsport practices. Solar-powered energy systems, LED track lighting, and zero-plastic hospitality zones support F1’s Net Zero by 2030 ambition. Water-saving initiatives and atmospheric water generators are also in place, making the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix one of the most future-forward events on the circuit.
• Media Accreditation: The deadline to submit media accreditation requests is November 3, 2025. Please send all requests to adgp-pr@wearetheromans.com. Accreditation process and guidelines will be shared accordingly.

DUTCH GP SCHEDULE

HUNGARIAN GP RACE RESULTS

 *Full grid results here.

Current F1 Driver Standings: W/C 25 August

Current F1 Constructor Standings: W/C 25 August

No.	Team		Drivers	Points
1		McLaren Racing Limited	Oscar Piastri Lando Norris	559
2		Scuderia Ferrari HP	Charles Leclerc Lewis Hamilton	260
3		Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team	George Russell Kimi Antonelli	236
4		Oracle Red Bull Racing	Max Verstappen Yuki Tsunoda	194
5		Atlassian Williams Racing	Alexander Albon See Also Nepal orders blocks on major social platforms Carlos Sainz	70
6		Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team	Lance Stroll Fernando Alonso	52
7		Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber	Nico Hulkenberg Gabriel Bortoleto	51
8		Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team	Liam Lawson Isack Hadjar	45
9		MoneyGram Haas F1 Team	Esteban Ocon Oliver Bearman	35
10		BWT Alpine F1 Team	Pierre Gasly Franco Colapinto	20

RELEVANT LINKS:

• Abu Dhabi GP Ticket Launch Press Kit – Click Here to View Link
• Abu Dhabi GP Website – Click Here to View Link