Business in the Formula 1 paddock between the double-header Grand Prix weekends at Imola and Monaco has been a busy one.
From Aston Martin’s dynamic public debut of the Valhalla hypercar with Fernando Alonso at the wheel, to McLaren Racing’s significant strides in sustainability, the sport is showcasing innovation on all fronts.
Oracle Red Bull Racing has deepened its partnership with Visa, unveiling new branding at the iconic Monte Carlo circuit, while Aston Martin Aramco has teamed up with CoreWeave to integrate advanced AI cloud computing into its engineering operations.
Meanwhile, Apple Maps has launched a custom 3D Monaco guide to support the Grand Prix and promote F1 The Movie, which has expanded its fan-first IMAX screenings worldwide.
Formula 1 itself is pushing forward with its alternative fuel strategy across Europe, reinforcing its Net Zero 2030 target through green logistics and paddock power systems.
Valhalla makes global dynamic debut at Monaco
Aston Martin’s Valhalla hypercar made its dynamic global debut on the Monaco Grand Prix circuit, with Fernando Alonso behind the wheel. The 1079PS hybrid-powered supercar completed its first public running around the Monte Carlo streets ahead of F1 practice.
Finished in Podium Green with Lime Green accents, the car represents Aston Martin’s first production mid-engined hybrid supercar, merging cutting-edge technology with Formula 1 performance DNA. Developed in close collaboration with Aston Martin Performance Technologies, Valhalla boasts a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine paired with an e-motor and all-wheel drive system, featuring a new 8-speed DCT and front axle torque vectoring.
Only 999 units will be produced, with deliveries beginning in the second half of 2025. Alonso said the drive was "a fantastic moment for both myself and the brand," praising the supercar’s dynamic capabilities and emotional impact. Aston Martin CEO Adrian Hallmark added that Valhalla’s dynamic bandwidth set a new benchmark for the brand’s engineering and design teams.
This historic showcase marks a major milestone in Aston Martin’s 112-year history and signifies its growing synergy between road car innovation and its Formula 1 programme.
CoreWeave named Aston Martin Aramco’s AI Cloud Partner
Aston Martin Aramco has partnered with AI cloud provider CoreWeave in a multi-year deal that positions the tech company as the team’s Official AI Cloud Computing Partner. CoreWeave will support Aston Martin Aramco’s move from in-house servers to a scalable cloud environment, enabling greater agility and accelerating design workflows.
The partnership aims to unlock AI-powered engineering performance, enhancing car development and reducing component design time. CoreWeave’s infrastructure will support simulation and development work, further modernising Aston Martin’s technical capability. The wind tunnel opened in March will now carry CoreWeave branding and be named the CoreWeave Wind Tunnel.
Branding will also appear on the AMR25 starting from this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix. Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman of Aston Martin Aramco, described the partnership as a game-changer: "AI cloud computing infrastructure is a decisive edge." CoreWeave’s CSO Brian Venturo called the collaboration a natural fit, noting that Formula 1 exemplifies the intersection of ambition, talent, and technology.
The partnership underscores the sport’s growing reliance on advanced computing and signals Aston Martin’s commitment to leading with innovation both on and off the track.
Visa branding debuts on Red Bull’s RB21 at Monaco
Visa has expanded its partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing, with Visa Infinite branding debuting on the front wing of the RB21 at the Monaco Grand Prix.
The new branding will also feature on the halo and driver polo shirts throughout the remainder of the 2025 season. The move follows the earlier success of Visa’s 2024 title partnership with the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls and their junior academy.
The partnership deepens the alignment between one of the world’s top fintechs and the six-time Constructors’ Champions. Christian Horner said: “Visa has been a fantastic Team Partner, and we are thrilled to continue our valued partnership in an enhanced capacity.”
He added that the collaboration reflected trust in the team’s culture and performance. Visa’s Global Head of Consumer Products, Mark Nelson, noted that Visa Infinite offers premium global experiences, and Formula 1 provided the ideal platform to showcase those values.
The Monaco Grand Prix was chosen as the launch venue given its prestige and global reach, reinforcing Red Bull’s commitment to elite partnerships. The branding rollout is expected to become a visual hallmark at future key races across the Formula 1 calendar.
Fan-first IMAX screenings expand for ‘F1 The Movie’
Due to overwhelming demand, Warner Bros. and Apple Original Films have expanded the fan-first IMAX premiere screenings of F1 The Movie to 400 theatres globally.
The one-night event takes place on 23 June, with general release following on 25 June internationally and 27 June in the US. Directed by Joseph Kosinski and starring Brad Pitt, the film follows fictional driver Sonny Hayes, a former star returning to Formula 1 for one last shot with a struggling team owned by Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem).
He races alongside rising talent Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) as the story explores rivalry, redemption, and resilience. Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Lewis Hamilton, and others, the film was shot on location during real F1 race weekends and features additional stars including Kerry Condon and Tobias Menzies. Cinematography is by Claudio Miranda, with music by Hans Zimmer.
The film blends Hollywood storytelling with the authenticity of F1’s competitive world. With Hamilton involved in production, aims to deliver both drama and realism. Tickets go on sale from 21 May for all showtimes. The global fan response positions the film as one of the most anticipated motorsport cinema events of the year.
McLaren Racing highlights major sustainability gains in 2024
McLaren Racing has published its 2024 Sustainability Report, showcasing a major investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuel certificates (SAFc) and continued progress in carbon reduction, circularity, and inclusion.
Backed by Ecolab, McLaren funded one million US gallons of SAF, offsetting 100% of business air travel emissions. Combined with improvements in logistics and infrastructure, the team cut overall emissions by 8.6% and achieved a 23% per-race emissions reduction compared to 2023. McLaren also recorded 37% material circularity in car chassis construction, guided by its FIA-commissioned Circularity Handbook.
This figure provides a baseline for future regulations and industry benchmarking. Internally, McLaren opened its Optimum Nutrition Performance facility at the MTC to support staff health and wellbeing. Diversity milestones included 43% of new hires from underrepresented backgrounds and 30% female representation in early careers.
Zak Brown credited collaboration and innovation for the year’s impact: "In the same year as winning the Constructors’ Championship, we’ve made real progress in environmental and social sustainability."
Director of Sustainability Kim Wilson said high performance and sustainability go hand in hand, with data-driven decisions shaping their long-term impact. The report positions McLaren as a leader in sustainable motorsport, with clear targets for decarbonisation and cultural inclusivity.
F1 expands sustainable fuels and logistics for European season
Formula 1 has launched its most extensive sustainability push yet for the European leg of the 2025 season, with renewable fuels, centralised energy systems, and biofueled logistics forming a core part of its Net Zero by 2030 strategy.
The 2025 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix will be the first of nine European races to use a new low-carbon energy system that centralises paddock power using hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), solar panels, and battery energy storage. Supplied by Aggreko, the rollout follows successful trials from 2023 and 2024. DHL will once again provide 37 biofuel-powered trucks to transport freight across Europe, after last year’s trial yielded an 83% emissions reduction versus traditional logistics.
Meanwhile, F2 and F3 will continue to run on 100% sustainable fuel supplied by Aramco, ahead of F1’s own transition to the fuel in 2026. Formula 1 also reported a significant reduction in aviation emissions through its investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuel, in partnership with DHL and Qatar Airways.
Head of ESG Ellen Jones said: “We remain on track to be Net Zero by 2030, and it is new technologies and innovations such as this that will see us hit our goal.” The strategy reflects F1’s drive to decarbonise without compromising spectacle.
Apple Maps unveils Monaco Formula 1 experience for Grand Prix week
To coincide with the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix and the upcoming launch of F1 The Movie, Apple Maps has introduced a new Detailed City Experience for Monaco. The update gives users an immersive, 3D-guided look at key landmarks such as the Monte Carlo Casino, Formula 1 Paddock Club, and the race circuit itself.
The mapping enhancement features precise visuals for road markings, bus and bike lanes, crosswalks, and turn lanes, with a night mode that casts Monaco in a moonlit glow. Users can also access a windshield navigation view and a custom F1 race guide highlighting famous corners and grandstand locations.
For fans attending the event, the app provides real-time advisories such as road closures and access routes. In celebration of F1 The Movie
Apple’s Eddy Cue added that Apple Maps enhances the way fans explore the race and its surrounding cityscape. The launch merges Apple’s mapping technology with Formula 1’s growing entertainment profile, offering a high-tech companion to the sport’s most glamorous event.
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