F1Weekly Podcast # 1143
ON TODAYS PROGRAM…
WITH GIANPIERO LAMBIASES LEAVING RED BULL THE MAX ERA IN F1 COMING TO AN END…
WHEN FERRARI PLAY CATCH UP…WELL WE’VE SEEN THAT COMEDY OF ERRORS BEFORE
MERCEDES WILL NEVER SHOW ALL THEIR CARDS AND…
FERNANDO KNOWS THE FAT LADY IS ABOUT TO SING!
THIS WEEK’S NASIR HAMEED CORNER WE HAVE: ZACK BROWN before he joined McLaren and BOB BONDURANT…
AND YES….OUR BONUS IS HIRO MATSUSHITA OF FORMULA 1 AND CHAMP CAR FAME!
Bob Bondurant was one of America’s most influential racing figures — a driver who succeeded on the world’s greatest circuits, competed for legendary teams including Shelby American, Ferrari, and Eagle, and ultimately shaped generations of racers through education.
Rising from the fiercely competitive Southern California road racing scene of the 1950s, Bondurant achieved significant success on both sides of the Atlantic and became a pivotal ambassador for American road racing. His enduring legacy lives on through the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, which trained hundreds of thousands of drivers — from future professionals to Hollywood royalty.
Career,
Bondurant was born in Evanston, Illinois, but his competitive instincts emerged early and loudly. As a teenager, he raced Indian motorcycles on dirt ovals, learning car control the hard way. By 1956, he shifted his focus to sports cars, initially racing a Morgan, and soon made his mark by winning the West Coast “B” Production Championship in a Chevrolet Corvette, claiming an extraordinary 18 victories in 20 races.
His growing reputation caught the attention of Santa Barbara Chevrolet dealer Shelly Washburn, who hired Bondurant in 1961 to drive his #614 1959 Corvette. Over the next several seasons, Bondurant became a dominant force on the West Coast. His on-track rivalry with David McDonald produced some of the era’s most memorable Corvette battles. At the 1962 L.A. Times Grand Prix, Bondurant debuted Washburn’s new 1963 Corvette Z06 Stingray, and between 1961 and 1963, he won an astonishing 30 of 32 races in Washburn’s Corvettes.
Shelby, Europe, and international success
In 1963, Bondurant joined Carroll Shelby’s Ford Cobra team, immediately delivering results. He won his first race for Shelby at Continental Divide Raceway in Colorado, followed by an overall GT victory at the L.A. Times Grand Prix at Riverside later that year.
The following season propelled him onto the global stage. After finishing second in GT at Sebring, Bondurant spent 1964 racing in Europe, campaigning Shelby’s new 289 FIA Cobras at iconic events including the Targa Florio, Spa-Francorchamps, and the Nürburgring. His most celebrated triumph came at the 1964 24 Hours of Le Mans, where he and Dan Gurney won the GT class in the revolutionary Cobra Daytona Coupé.
Bondurant reached the peak of his international racing career in 1965, when he played a key role in Shelby American and Ford winning the FIA Manufacturers’ World Championship. He won seven of ten races, defeating the class-dominant Ferrari 250 GTOs across Europe. That same year, Bondurant expanded his résumé further, driving a works Ferrari Formula One car at the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen, followed by a start in a Lotus 33 for Reg Parnell at the Mexican Grand Prix.
Formula One, film, and defining moments
In 1966, Bondurant’s expertise took him beyond the racetrack. He served as technical consultant for John Frankenheimer’s film Grand Prix and personally trained lead actor James Garner to drive Formula cars for the movie’s racing scenes.
That same year, Bondurant was involved in one of the most consequential moments in motorsport safety history. Alongside Graham Hill, he helped extract Jackie Stewart from his fuel-soaked wreck during the 1966 Belgian Grand Prix — an incident that directly inspired Stewart’s later campaign for improved safety standards.
Bondurant also competed in five Formula One Grands Prix with Team Chamaco Collect, driving BRMs and achieving an impressive fourth-place finish at Monaco. He rounded out his Formula One involvement in North America with two races driving an Eagle for Dan Gurney’s Anglo American Racers.
The crash that changed everything
In 1967, Bondurant competed in the Can-Am series and returned to Le Mans in a Corvette L88 Coupé, leading the GT class until a wrist pin failure ended his race in the early morning hours. Later that year, disaster struck at Watkins Glen. While driving a McLaren, a steering arm failed at approximately 150 mph approaching the Loop-Chute section (today’s Turn 5). The car flipped eight times, leaving Bondurant with severe injuries to his ribs, legs, feet, and most critically, his back. Doctors warned he might never walk again.
Bondurant refused to accept that verdict. Through determination and relentless rehabilitation, he recovered — and in the process, envisioned a new chapter.
LAMBIASE TO LEAVE ORACLE RED BULL RACING IN 2028
Oracle Red Bull Racing confirms that GianPiero Lambiase will leave the Team in 2028, when his current contract expires. “GP” is a valued member of the Team, which he joined in 2015.
Until his planned departure, “GP” continues in his roles as Head of Racing and as Race Engineer to Max Verstappen.
The Team and he are fully committed to add more success to our strong track record together.
Miami and Montreal to host FIA Formula 2 Championship Rounds in 2026
FIA Formula 2 announce that Miami and Montreal will host Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 calendar, alongside Formula 1 – the first time the Championship will race in North America. The opportunity for Miami and Montreal to join the F2 calendar has come about following the news that the Sakhir and Jeddah Rounds will not take place in April.
The FIA Formula 2 championship will go to Miami, USA, on May 1-3 for what will be the second Round of the 2026 season, followed by Montreal, Canada on May 22-24, as Round 3, before returning to Europe, starting with Monte-Carlo, Monaco, on June 04-07.
Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1, said: “While it has not been possible to go ahead with the two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia this month, and we look forward to being back with our passionate fans there as soon as possible, it is great news for our fans, the drivers and the teams that Formula 2 will be racing in Miami and Montreal. Bruno and the whole F2 family have done a great job, working closely with us, the FIA, and the Miami and Montreal promoters, to ensure we limit the gap in racing for the championship this season and I want to thank them for making this possible. It is going to be fantastic to restart the racing in a few weeks’ time and to have F2 alongside Formula 1 as we return to the US for the first time this season.”
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President, said: “Following the necessary changes to the calendar at the start of the season, the addition of these new rounds ensures the FIA Formula 2 Championship remains strong and balanced, and able to deliver for our teams, drivers and fans. Bringing the championship to North America via Miami and Montreal for the first time marks an important step in its continued global growth, strengthening the pathway alongside Formula One and connecting with new audiences. I thank all those who worked tirelessly to make these rounds possible.
“Our thoughts remain with all those affected by the ongoing events in the Middle East and we continue to hope for a swift return to stability. We look forward to racing in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia very soon.”
Bruno Michel, FIA Formula 2 CEO, said: “We always love to race in Sakhir and Jeddah, and we wish them well and look forward to returning to both as soon as circumstances allow. We are now going to Miami and Montreal for the second and third rounds of the 2026 season, respectively. I would like to thank Stefano Domenicali and Formula 1 for their support in making this possible, and also the FIA, the promoters of the Miami and Canadian Grands Prix, and of course my team, who have worked hard to put in place two new Rounds in such a short amount of time. It was not an easy thing to do, but bringing F2 to North America for the first time is really fantastic. It’s something we have been wanting to do for a long time, and it enables us to ensure we’re back racing as quickly as possible. It will be a great new challenge for our teams and our drivers, who have all welcomed the news with enthusiasm. I am certain that the quality of racing will bring a lot of excitement to the fans and to everyone attending both Grands Prix.”
Revised 2026 FIA Formula 2 Championship Calendar
Date Venue
06-08 March Melbourne, Australia
01-03 May Miami, USA*
22-24 May Montreal, Canada*
04-07 June Monte-Carlo, Monaco
12-14 June Barcelona, Spain
26-28 June Spielberg, Austria
03-05 July Silverstone, Great Britain
17-19 July Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
24-26 July Budapest, Hungary
04-06 September Monza, Italy
11-13 September Madrid, Spain**
24-26 September Baku, Azerbaijan
27-29 November Lusail, Qatar
04-06 December Yas Island, UAE
ASTON MARTIN ARAMCO FORMULA ONE™ TEAM EXPANDS DRIVER ACADEMY LINE-UP, WELCOMING AVA LAWRENCE & ROLAND NAGY
AMRTC, UK, 9 April 2026: The Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team is pleased to announce the expansion of its Driver Academy, welcoming DPK Racing karters Ava Lawrence and Roland Nagy to the programme. The team’s latest signings reflect its ongoing commitment to identifying, supporting, and developing the next generation of motorsport talent.
The team’s Driver Academy offers a clear pathway to the highest levels of racing, supporting drivers both on and off the track. It helps them develop, learn and grow, while providing the opportunities needed to succeed. The programme focuses on building long-term partnerships and actively scouting the brightest young talent across all levels of motorsport.
At just 11 years old, Australian born Ava Lawrence has established herself as a rising force in international karting. Competing across Rotax, IAME and FIA-aligned categories, she has claimed multiple podium finishes and broken new ground as the first female MENA Cup Champion, the first female winner of a Mini race in ROK Cup Italy, and the first female driver to reach the podium in the Mini class of the Champions of the Future Academy.
Ava, who races under an Emirati licence, was recently selected to represent F1 ACADEMY DISCOVER YOUR DRIVE in this year’s British Champions of the Future Academy (COTFA) Programme having also been chosen to represent the initiative over the previous two seasons in the international series.
13-year-old Roland Nagy has emerged as a standout competitor in the premier OK-Junior category, making his mark on the international karting scene. Roland, from Hungary, is a regular contender in the sport’s most prestigious series, including the FIA Karting European Championship and the WSK Super Master Series. He has demonstrated his exceptional race craft and speed, notably securing heat victory at the opening round of the Champions of the Future Euro Series at La Conca.
Roland frequently qualifies for highly competitive finals, marking him as one of the most promising young Hungarian talents as he continues his progression toward the higher echelons of professional motorsport.
The Aston Martin Aramco Driver Academy’s strategic partnership with DPK Racing, the official team of FA Alonso Kart chassis, provides access to a combined wealth of karting expertise and a global network, including that of Fernando Alonso. This collaboration strengthens the Academy’s ability to identify and nurture promising young talent from the earliest stages of their motorsport careers, and reflects the trust placed in the team’s karting expertise to help identify and develop these young drivers as they progress through the ranks.
Nuno Pinto, Racing Director, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team Driver Academy: “Bringing in talent at a junior level is an important part of our strategy, and Ava and Roland are excellent examples of the calibre of young driver that we want to bring in the programme. Both drivers have already shown impressive potential on the international stage, with strong performances in highly competitive categories. Having the opportunity to contribute to a driver’s development from such an early stage is incredibly important, allowing us to help shape their progression both on and off the track as they continue to grow in the sport.”
Ava Lawrence, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team Driver Academy: “I’m really excited to join the Aston Martin Aramco Driver Academy. It’s going to be such a huge step to help me improve my driving and become even better on track. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone on the team and learning from them.
“Getting to visit the AMR Technology Campus (AMRTC) for my announcement was so cool. My favourite part of the day was seeing the different materials they use on the Formula One cars and actually getting to touch parts of the car. It was so interesting to see how it’s all made!”
Roland Nagy, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team Driver Academy: “I’m really pleased to be a part of the Aston Martin Aramco Driver Academy. The team will be giving me a lot of support, which will be really important for my career, and I’m excited to learn as much as I can from everyone I meet inside the team.
“It was really cool to visit the AMRTC. I really liked how it looks, both outside and inside – it’s very futuristic. My favourite part was seeing how the cars are made. It’s amazing seeing Formula One cars up close and what they look like on the inside.”
Ava and Roland join current Aston Martin Aramco Driver Academy members Mari Boya, competing in FIA Formula 2, and Mathilda Paatz, F1 ACADEMY driver.
Back to the Future: Everything you need to know about the first-ever GT3 Revival Series weekend
- Retro series debuts at Circuit Paul Ricard with 31-car field featuring nine brands
- Opening round supports GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS
- Entry List: Round 1
The cars that started a racing revolution will return to action next weekend (11–12 April) when the GT3 Revival Series stages its debut event at Circuit Paul Ricard.
Created by SRO Motorsports Group and Peter Auto, the new championship caters for the first generation of GT3 cars and coincides with the 20th anniversary of the category’s inaugural race at Silverstone in May 2006.
But this is not a museum display. A highly competitive 31-car field will contest the opening round, with a wide variety of machinery tackling a pair of 50-minute races. Here’s everything you need to know about the inaugural event.
Who can compete in the GT3 Revival Series?
All of this weekend’s entries were homologated between 2006 and 2013. The field is split into two classes, with seven Pro-Am entries and a massive 24-car Am grid.
The Pro-Am crews are largely composed of one professional (classified Gold or Silver by the FIA) alongside an amateur (classified Bronze). There is also one solo Bronze+ driver competing in Pro-Am. The Am field consists of eight two-driver crews and 16 solo drivers.
In addition to class honours, 19 cars will be eligible for the Iron Cup. This will be awarded to the best-finishing crew with a combined age of 100 and over, or to the best solo driver aged 60 and over.
Which cars will be on-track at the opening round?
GT3 has always been about diversity, and that tradition has been maintained with nine manufactures set to feature at Circuit Paul Ricard.
The Audi R8 is the most popular with seven entries. This model is synonymous with GT3, achieving more GT World Challenge victories than any other manufacturer and claiming four wins at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa between 2011 and 2017.
There will be five examples each of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage and the Porsche 997 GT3 R. Ferrari is another popular choice among Revival racers with five cars: four 458s and one F430.
The grid also features three BMW Z4s – a model that won Spa in 2015 – and two examples of the Ford GT. Solo entries for Corvette (Z6), Lamborghini (Gallardo) and Mercedes (SLS AMG) complete the first-ever field.
Who’s driving at Circuit Paul Ricard?
There are plenty of experienced campaigners on the grid this weekend. Pierre Hirschi will compete in the same BMW Z4 that he raced in GT World Challenge and the FFSA GT Championship (below) along with son Pierre, while Jean-Luc Beaubelique brings his Ferrari 458 to share with regular co-driver Jim Pla.
Other familiar names include British GT race winner Adam Balon, GT4 Europe class champion Pascal Huteau, and Spark Models founder Hughes Ripert. There are also a handful of family pairings such as Michel and Anne-Sophie Nourry, Benjamin and Mauro Ricci, and Jacques and Emil Caumes.
As for the pro drivers, Alvaro Parente is well known for a career that included several major GT3 wins. The same can be said for Phil Keen, who is among the all-time greats of British GT. And, in her first season outside North America, Lindsay Brewer will form an all-female line-up with Iron Dame Célia Martin. For a full rundown of who is competing, check the entry list.
What’s the schedule for the opening event?
The weekend will begin with two 45-minute sessions. Free Practice runs at 18:30 on Friday evening, while Pre-Qualifying takes place at 11:10 on Saturday. The latter can be used to set the grid if Qualifying cannot run.
Qualifying is scheduled for 16:40 on Saturday and will be split into two 15-minute sessions. In two-driver crews, each driver must qualify once and will start the corresponding race; solo drivers will qualify twice and start both races. Each class polesitter earns a point towards their respective championship.
Both races take place on Sunday. Each will last 50 minutes with a mandatory pit stop between the 20th and 30th minute during which there must be a driver change (except in the case of one-driver entries). Cars must meet a minimum pit stop time, while the top three finishers from the previous race will be required to serve an additional success penalty
Each race will award points on the standard basis of 25 for the winner down to one point for 10th spot. You can expect to see a similar format at each round, though the session timings will vary. Check the GT3 Revival Series website for the latest timetables.
What else is coming up this season?
This is the first of five rounds. The opener is followed by appearances at two major historic events: Spa Classic (22–24 May) and Le Mans Classic (3–5 July). The final two meetings take place as part of GT World Challenge Europe weekends, with the Nürburgring playing host on 29–30 August, followed by the finale at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on 3–4 October.
Where can we watch the races?
Very simple: every race will be streamed live on the GT World YouTube channel. As with all things GT World, this is free to view and available wherever you are. As an added bonus, the series’ first-ever Qualifying will also be streamed live from Circuit Paul Ricard.
Damon Hill, James Vowles, Luke Browning and Jamie Chadwick to make hillclimb run in FW18 at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2026
- Atlassian Williams F1 Team confirms Damon Hill, James Vowles, Luke Browning and Jamie Chadwick will drive the iconic FW18 at the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed
- The appearance celebrates 30 years since Damon Hill’s 1996 World Championship, with the FW18 returning to the hillclimb driven by past, present and future Williams representatives
- Damon Hill: “It’s a privilege to be driving the FW18 with Williams after achieving so much together in 1996. To see the car return to Goodwood 30 years later, and to share that moment with the fans, is truly amazing”
- James Vowles: “To see Damon reunited with the FW18 as we mark 30 years since his World Drivers’ Championship is hugely meaningful for the team and for motorsport fans”
Atlassian Williams F1 Team is pleased to announce its driver roster for the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed, with Damon Hill, James Vowles, Luke Browning and Jamie Chadwick set to take on the hillclimb in the championship-winning FW18.
The iconic event will see Williams Ambassador Damon Hill reunited with the car that carried him to the 1996 FIA Formula One Drivers’ World Championship, secured in unforgettable fashion at the Japanese Grand Prix. As part of the festival celebrations, Damon will be honoured on the balcony of Goodwood House on Saturday 11th July, marking 30 years since his historic title triumph.
After driving Mansell’s FW14B at last year’s event, Team Principal James Vowles returns to the Festival of Speed to drive one of the most dominant cars in Formula 1 history. The FW18 secured 12 wins out of 16 races, shared between Damon and his teammate and Williams Ambassador Jacques Villeneuve, delivering Williams’ eighth World Constructors’ Championship. It is returning to the track following an extensive restoration carried out by Williams F1 Team – Heritage, bringing it back to its period-correct specification.
Vowles will be joined by Atlassian Williams F1 Team Reserve Driver Luke Browning, who makes his hillclimb debut at Goodwood. Alongside his reserve duties, he is competing in Japan’s premier racing series, Super Formula, where he impressed in the opening round by charging from P21 to P4. The performance builds on a strong 2025 Formula 2 campaign, in which he fought for the championship throughout the season and finished fourth overall.
Ambassador and F1 Academy Adviser Jamie Chadwick also makes her return to the Festival of Speed, having previously taken to the wheel of the FW08 in 2023 and the FW14B in 2025. Since her last appearance at Goodwood, Jamie has competed in the European Le Mans Series in LMP2 where she became the first female racer to secure an outright victory in ELMS.
James Vowles, Team Principal, Atlassian Williams F1 Team: “Goodwood is an incredibly special event that showcases the best of British motorsport, and it’s an honour to be taking on the hillclimb alongside Damon, Jamie and Luke this year. To see Damon reunited with the FW18 as we mark 30 years since his World Drivers’ Championship is hugely meaningful for the team and for motorsport fans. Moments like these bring together our past, present and future, and that’s something we’re proud to celebrate.”
Damon Hill, Brand Ambassador, Atlassian Williams F1 Team: “I am delighted and very excited to be reunited with my championship-winning FW18 and Williams who made it all possible at this summer’s Festival of Speed. To see the car return to Goodwood 30 years later, and to share that moment with the fans, is truly amazing. Thanks to the team at Grove for their work in getting the FW18 back on track. I’m looking forward to getting back behind the wheel!”
The Duke of Richmond, CBE DL, founder of the Festival of Speed: “Formula 1 has been an essential part of the Festival of Speed since the very early days, and Williams were one of the first teams to appear, way back in 1994. Our fans are passionate about modern F1, but also knowledgeable about the sport’s history, and I know they’ll be delighted to see Atlassian Williams F1 Team across the weekend. It will be fantastic to see James, Jamie and Luke in action, but the most special moment for me will be honouring Damon, on the 30th anniversary of his World Championship. Damon has been an ambassador since the first Festival of Speed and remains one of Goodwood’s most loyal supporters. I am immensely grateful to Williams F1 Team – Heritage for their support in restoring and preparing the FW18 for this special moment.”
