From Monza’s fallout to fresh moves shaping Formula 1’s future, this week delivered headlines with both immediate impact and long-term implications. Max Verstappen is set for a surprise Nürburgring debut, Ferrari faces a major engine department shake-up, and South Africa edges closer to hosting an F1 race again, plus sponsorship deals, rookie showcases, and looming penalties. Here’s everything you need to know in this week’s roundup.
Verstappen Set for Nürburgring GT Debut with Lionspeed
This weekend, Max Verstappen will debut in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS), the endurance championship that races exclusively on the legendary Nordschleife. The four-time world champion will drive for Lionspeed GP in two Porsche 718 Cayman GT4s.
His goal is not victory but qualification. Verstappen must complete two classified results to obtain the Nordschleife’s Permit A, which is required before a driver can compete in top-class GT3 machinery. By racing two cars, he can meet the mileage requirement in a single weekend.
Due to licensing rules, Verstappen’s Cayman will run in “Permit B spec,” limited to just over 300 hp. This prevents him from challenging for class wins but ensures he gains the experience needed.
The Nordschleife system forces every driver to race in slower cars before moving up. Critics argue it is too strict, while supporters believe it has improved safety and respect on track.
For Verstappen, this is a stepping stone toward his expected GT3 debut later this year.
Ferrari Suffers Engine Blow as Audi Poaches Zimmermann
Ferrari’s 2026 Formula 1 project has taken a major hit. Veteran engine chief Wolf Zimmermann and his deputy Lars Schmidt have both left Maranello to join Mattia Binotto at Audi.
Zimmermann joined Ferrari from Mercedes in 2014 and designed the “Superfast” power unit. He was leading development of Ferrari’s next-generation engine for the 2026 regulations. Italian media describe him as a genius and a central figure in the hybrid era.
Their departure comes just months before the FIA’s homologation deadline, with Ferrari yet to bench-test a complete engine. Team principal Frédéric Vasseur insists the exits are part of “normal turnover,” but the timing raises serious doubts.
Audi, meanwhile, gains two proven experts as it prepares to debut as a works team in 2026 with a brand-new German-made power unit.
The move underscores how competitive the battle for engineering talent has become. In modern Formula 1, victories are decided as much in the factory as they are on the track.
Photo Credit: Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber
Audi Strikes Adidas Deal Ahead of F1 Entry
Audi’s Formula 1 project has secured a landmark partnership with Adidas, confirming the German sporting goods giant as its official apparel and merchandise partner. The multi-year agreement strengthens Audi’s preparations for its 2026 debut, when the brand will enter the grid as a works team.
The collaboration extends far beyond standard team uniforms. Together, Audi and Adidas will develop high-performance equipment tailored for drivers, mechanics, and engineers, ensuring comfort and precision in the most demanding conditions. Adidas will also design a full fan-focused collection that merges motorsport culture with its signature three-stripe style.
Gernot Döllner, CEO of Audi AG, emphasized the partnership’s symbolic weight: “Adidas and Audi share decades of collaboration built on performance and innovation. Together, we are shaping the next chapter of motorsport.”
Sauber Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley, who will oversee the transition into the works Audi F1 Team, echoed the sentiment. He stressed that the partnership will equip personnel with elite gear while engaging fans globally through bold activations and new experiences.
Adidas CEO Bjørn Gulden described the tie-up as both historic and forward-looking, highlighting the chance to connect with a new generation of motorsport supporters.
With Audi also recruiting Ferrari’s top engine minds, the deal underlines the company’s intent to arrive in Formula 1 with impact, brand strength, and serious technical ambition.
Ferrari Chairman Elkann Settles €183m Tax Dispute
Ferrari chairman John Elkann has settled a long-running tax dispute with Italian authorities. Together with his siblings, he has agreed to pay €183 million to close the case linked to the inheritance of their grandmother, Marella Caracciolo.
The settlement ends a criminal investigation into alleged undeclared assets worth around €1 billion. Elkann will also complete one year of community service, though his lawyer stressed this does not imply guilt.
“This outcome represents closure without admission of responsibility,” the attorney said, noting the charges will be dismissed once the probation period is completed.
For Ferrari, the resolution provides stability. Elkann remains in full control of the company and its Formula 1 program. His influence has been decisive, including in securing Lewis Hamilton’s arrival for 2025.
As chairman of Stellantis, Elkann also oversees a wide portfolio of automotive brands. With this legal chapter behind him, he can now focus on his leadership roles in both industry and motorsport.
Bearman on the Brink After Monza Clash with Sainz
Oliver Bearman’s rookie Formula 1 season hit turbulence in Monza, where his collision with Carlos Sainz left him just one penalty away from a race ban.
Running just outside the points, Bearman defended aggressively into Variante della Roggia. Contact with Sainz sent both cars spinning, ruining their hopes of scoring on Italian soil. The stewards reviewed footage and ruled Bearman at fault, handing him a 10-second penalty and three licence points. He eventually finished 12th, behind Sainz.
The penalty leaves Bearman on 11 points, only one short of the 12-point threshold that triggers a one-race suspension. Kevin Magnussen became the first driver banned under the penalty-points system in 2024. Bearman could now join that unwanted list.
Post-race, Bearman admitted he had not reviewed the footage, saying:
“It’s tough until you watch it back without emotion.”
Despite the setback, Bearman’s performances have been encouraging. He recently scored a top-10 finish at Zandvoort and often matched teammate Esteban Ocon’s pace. Haas currently sits ninth in the Constructors’ standings, with Bearman seen as a rare highlight.
To avoid a ban, however, the 19-year-old must drive cautiously in the coming rounds. Another incident could halt his momentum at a crucial point in his F1 career.
Sainz Cleared as Stewards Overturn Dutch GP Penalty Points
Carlos Sainz has been cleared of blame for his clash with Liam Lawson at the Dutch Grand Prix, after stewards accepted Williams’ right of review and reclassified the incident as a racing incident.
Sainz was initially handed a 10-second penalty and two penalty points for contact at Zandvoort’s Turn 1, where the Ferrari driver attempted to overtake Lawson around the outside before both cars tangled. The penalty left Sainz furious, calling the decision a “complete joke.”
Ahead of Monza, Williams submitted new evidence, including 360-degree footage from Sainz’s car, Lawson’s rear-facing onboard, and fresh driver testimony, that was unavailable during the original hearing. After reviewing the material, the stewards acknowledged Lawson had suffered a snap of oversteer and that no driver was “wholly or predominantly to blame.”
While the two penalty points have been removed from Sainz’s superlicence, his race result remains unchanged, as the 10-second penalty was already served. Still, the ruling marks a rare but significant reversal, reinforcing ongoing scrutiny of F1’s stewarding consistency.
South Africa’s Kyalami Gains Government Support for F1 Bid
The long-discussed return of Formula 1 to South Africa took a step forward this week, with the government officially backing the Kyalami F1 project. Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni confirmed that the bid led by Tom Pearson-Adams, CEO of the Kyalami 9 Hours, has been nominated as the preferred proposal.
The project already carries FIA approval for circuit upgrades to achieve Grade 1 status, the key requirement for hosting F1. Crucially, it is supported financially by private investors rather than the state. While this backing helps its credibility, F1’s commercial rights holder, Liberty Media, has historically prioritised bids with significant government funding.
Not everyone is convinced by the process. Cape Town Grand Prix CEO Igshaan Almay criticised the system, claiming organisers required a R10 million deposit for consideration and allowed bidders less than 10 days to prepare a full submission. He labelled the procedure “flawed” and argued it excluded otherwise competitive proposals.
Despite controversy, Kyalami’s nomination gives it an edge over rival projects within South Africa. However, being “preferred” does not guarantee success, especially with strong global competition. Thailand is preparing for a Bangkok street race in 2028, Portugal has revived interest in returning to the calendar, and Turkey is also in contention.
With the F1 calendar capped at 24 races, every new venue must either replace or rotate with an existing one. Spain, Belgium, and Azerbaijan are seen as vulnerable. Africa remains a strategic priority for Liberty, but whether Kyalami overcomes its financial and political hurdles remains uncertain.
F1 Academy Rookie Test Breaks New Ground in Spain
F1 Academy has confirmed its first rookie test, set for September 17–18 at Circuito de Navarra. The event will feature 18 selected female drivers aged 15 to 21, all competing under equal conditions and identical machinery.
The goal is to provide a fair stage for the best talent to prove they deserve a seat in the 2026 grid or even a Wild Card entry. Day one will see the rookies shadow official testing, attend engineering briefings, and complete physical and cognitive assessments delivered by More Than Equal.
These evaluations will give each participant detailed insight into her own strengths and areas for growth. They will also contribute to a wider database aimed at improving support for female drivers.
On the second day, the drivers will spend six hours on track in official F1 Academy cars.
The F1 Academy rookie test at Navarra is not the only milestone for women in motorsport this season. Formula E has confirmed the return of its groundbreaking Women’s Test, doubling track time and giving up to 20 elite drivers the chance to run current GEN3 Evo machinery alongside all 10 teams. Unlike many junior programmes where female drivers use outdated cars, this initiative puts them in state-of-the-art machinery identical to that of the series’ stars. Last year’s debut led to five women securing team roles, proving its value as a genuine career pathway.
Together with F1 Academy’s rookie showcase, these efforts highlight a growing commitment across motorsport to expand opportunities, create visibility, and accelerate the journey of female talent toward Formula 3, Formula E, and beyond.
Feature Image Credit: AUDI AG