Now that the Formula E and IndyCar seasons have come to a close, here is a brief summary of each series to bring you up to speed on the events of the past month and the upcoming season.
Formula One
We have received news that the Cadillac F1 Team has chosen Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas as its two full-time drivers for the 2026 season. It was also announced that IndyCar driver Colton Herta will be their test driver for the same season, while speculation about the future of the 25-year-old continues. Meanwhile, Pierre Gasly has signed with Alpine until 2028.
As of early September, six more seats still need to be filled for the 2026 season: These are the two Mercedes seats, the two Racing Bulls seats, one Alpine seat and one Red Bull seat. Following Verstappen’s confirmation that he will continue with Red Bull, rumours are circulating that both Mercedes drivers, George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, will drive with Mercedes next year. While the majority of the grid will continue into 2026, it will be interesting to see what decisions the teams make and whether any young drivers from Formula 2 will step up.
Formula Two
Rumour has it that IndyCar driver Colton Herta will compete in Formula Two in the 2026 season in order to acquire his super licence, as he has not yet reached the full 40 points required for Formula One. Only time will tell if this will come to fruition, as joining the Formula One grid has been Herta’s dream.
In other news, Richard Verschoor has changed cars with MP Motorsport because his car will exceed the weight limit. Verschoor has followed Formula Three driver Ugo Ugochukwu in changing the livery to black, but he must also watch his weight, as the standardised limit throughout all series is 795 kg, including the driver’s weight. This ensures a level playing field and prevents teams from gaining an advantage by having a lighter car.
VAR celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Van Amersfoort Racing was founded by Frits van Amersfoort in the Netherlands in 1975. The team has many successful alumni, including the father-and-son duo Jos and Max Verstappen, as well as Franco Colapinto, Ollie Bearman, Liam Lawson, Mick Schumacher and Charles Leclerc, to name but a few.
On 13 September, ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Trident let go of Max Esterson and Sami Meguetounif, replacing them with Formula Three drivers Martinius Stenshorne and Laurens Vanhoepen.
Formula Three
Before the final round of the season, it was announced that VAR and Santiago Ramos had decided to part ways. VAR selected James Hedly for the final round in Monza, while Fernando Barrachello, son of former Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello, will drive for AIX Racing in the final round and will also drive the AIX car in 2026.
On 11 September, Trident announced that Freddie Slater would be joining the team for the 2026 season. Brad Benavides will remain with AIX Racing for the 2026 season.
Formula One Academy
Formula One Academy has announced that it will be conducting a rookie test for 18 women aspiring to compete in the Academy. The women will drive at the Circuito de Navarra this week.
IndyCar Series
Two days after the final round of the NTT IndyCar season, it was announced that Will Power would be leaving Team Penske after 17 years with the team. It has since been confirmed that Power will drive the number 26 car for Andretti Global, replacing Colton Herta. Rumour has it that David Malukas will take Power’s seat at Penske. Meanwhile, Dale Coyne Racing announced that Rinus Veekay had left the team after one year. Rumour has it that Veekay will take Malukas’ seat at A.J. Foyt Racing, but confirmation of these potential moves is still pending. As previously mentioned, Colton Herta left the 26 car after five years with Andretti Global to pursue his Formula One dream, joining Cadillac F1 Team as a test driver with the aim of stepping into Formula Two.
IndyNXT
After claiming the title in his rookie season, Dennis Hauger’s future is under much speculation; it is rumoured that he will either drive for Andretti Global or Dale Coyne Racing. This is because of Herta’s departure from Andretti and Veekay’s departure from Dale Coyne Racing. As for returning drivers, Abel Motorsports confirmed that Miles Rowe will continue with the team, in the 99 Force Indy car for the 2026 season but the news about Rowe got properly confirmed on the 5th September. On the 8th September it was announced that Juncos Hollinger Racing will come back to INDY NXT for the 2026 season.
Formula E
A month after the end of the 2024/25 Formula E season, it was confirmed that Robin Frijns is leaving Envision Racing, while his teammate Sebastian Buemi will stay with the team on a multi-year deal. Envision Racing also confirmed that Joel Eriksson will drive for them full-time in season 12, on a multi-year deal. Eriksson was previously a test driver for Jaguar TCS Racing.
Nick Cassidy left Jaguar TCS Racing at the end of the 2024/25 season. Meanwhile, Nissan Racing kept both their drivers, Norman Nato and Oliver Rowland, for the 2025/26 season. Following NEOM McLaren’s departure from Formula E, Sam Bird’s future in the series is uncertain. However, some teams are considering Taylor Barnard, who had an impressive rookie season with NEOM McLaren, for the 2025/2026 season.
DS PENSKE has announced that Barnard will drive for them in the 2025/26 season. Formula E has announced that it will hold a women’s test on 31 October 2025 at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain.
Featured Image Credit: Formula One
Written by Ellie.
Edited by Jessica.
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