F1 Paddock News: Fanzones, mental health, tequila & other stories
F1 NewsTuesday, 14 October 2025 at 07:30
Formula 1 teams and partners marked a busy week of announcements across technology, wellness, fan engagement, and brand collaborations.
Williams Racing confirmed its Fan Zone World Tour will return to Austin from 13–20 October, offering fans simulator challenges, heritage exhibits, and appearances from Alex Albon, James Vowles, and Jenson Button.
BWT Alpine used World Mental Health Day to highlight its ongoing partnership with JAAQ, providing mental health support to team staff and fans. Pierre Gasly shared personal insights on the pressures of elite racing, now available on the JAAQ platform.
Luxury brand Volcan de mi Tierra became Formula 1’s Official Tequila under LVMH’s 10-year agreement, expanding its presence across Paddock Club hospitality after debuting at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Aston Martin Aramco completed its full migration to NetApp data infrastructure, integrating AI-powered systems to speed up simulations and race strategy analysis.
Meanwhile, TAG Heuer launched its fifth-generation Connected Calibre E5 smartwatch, blending Swiss craftsmanship with digital innovation, and announced a collaboration with New Balance on a limited-edition watch and running shoe.
Mercedes F1 Team hits 99% biofuel coverage across 2025 European season logistics
The Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team has achieved 99% sustainable fuel coverage across its European race and marketing truck logistics for the 2025 season.
Working with Petronas and logistics partners, the team used HVO100, a second-generation biofuel that cuts emissions by up to 81% compared to standard diesel.
Since first trialling HVO100 in 2022, Mercedes says it has avoided over 1,190 tonnes of CO2 equivalent across its European operations. The programme, part of the team’s Net Zero roadmap, builds on its 2024 sustainability milestones and aims to extend HVO100 use to non-European events.
The team also completed its first long-distance journey using the all-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, transporting F1 cars 673 km from Brackley to Zandvoort for the Dutch Grand Prix. The e-truck can reduce lifecycle CO2 emissions by up to 80%.
Head of Sustainability Alice Ashpitel said every kilometre powered by biofuel “moves us closer to Net Zero by 2040,” reinforcing the team’s goal of full emissions neutrality across all operations.
Haas F1 Team partners with Finland’s Vellamo Water
MoneyGram Haas F1 Team has announced a new multi-year partnership with Vellamo Water, a Finnish premium natural mineral and spring water brand, which joins as the team’s Official Hydration Partner from the 2025 United States Grand Prix in Austin.
Vellamo sources its water from the Salpausselkä Ridges in Heinola, Finland — a glacial formation over 10,000 years old — known for its exceptional purity, high alkalinity (pH 8.3) and rich electrolyte content. The partnership links Formula 1 performance with Finnish precision and innovation, as Vellamo branding will appear on the VF-25, driver helmets, water bottles, and within the team’s hospitality areas.
Team principal Ayao Komatsu said: “Vellamo Water is a fantastic addition to our partner portfolio. Their premium water, sourced from Finland’s Ice Age aquifers, aligns with our pursuit of excellence. Hydration is critical in our sport, and Vellamo’s pure, electrolyte-rich water will help our drivers and team personnel perform at their best.”
Vellamo CEO Teemu Oksa added: “Formula 1 demands peak performance, and Vellamo’s pure, mineral-rich water, nurtured by Nordic nature, is perfectly suited to fuel the team’s success.”
Round 19 of the 2025 Formula 1 season takes place at the Circuit of The Americas from October 17–19.
Atlassian Williams Racing Fan Zone heads to Austin
Williams Racing will bring its Fan Zone experience back to Austin next week as part of the 2025 Atlassian Williams Racing Fan Zone World Tour presented by Kraken.
The free-to-enter event will run from 13–20 October at 800 Congress Avenue in downtown Austin, offering fans interactive exhibits, esports simulators, and appearances from key team figures including Alex Albon, James Vowles, and Jenson Button.
Visitors can test their reflexes on batak machines, explore the team’s history in the Heritage Zone, view the FW47 show car, and try challenges hosted by partners such as Kraken and Komatsu. Official team merchandise, including an Austin-exclusive collection, will also be available.
Fans must register via the Atlassian Williams Racing app to receive a digital Driver Card for entry. A physical Grid Pass is available through the Kraken Exchange app, offering discounts and prize opportunities.
The 2025 Fan Zone Tour continues Williams’ effort to make Formula 1 more accessible, with last year’s events attracting over 200,000 visitors worldwide and earning recognition as Best Live Experience at The Race Awards.
Alpine marks World Mental Health Day with JAAQ partnership
BWT Alpine Formula 1 Team reaffirmed its commitment to mental health awareness on World Mental Health Day, highlighting its collaboration with official partner JAAQ (Just Ask A Question).
The partnership, launched in 2023, provides Alpine staff with access to personalised mental health support via the JAAQ at Business platform, including internal stories from team members and Formula 1 driver Pierre Gasly. Gasly’s own experiences with the psychological pressures of racing are now available on JAAQ.org, alongside expert-led content on more than 100 mental health topics.
Gasly said the platform “allows the freedom to feel the way you are,” stressing that mental health improvement is a personal process where “each individual is unique.”
Alpine continues to integrate mental health initiatives at its Enstone base and on race weekends, with JAAQ representatives providing in-person guidance throughout the year. The team encourages fans to visit JAAQ.org for support resources and educational material.
Volcan de mi Tierra becomes Official Tequila of Formula 1
Luxury Tequila brand Volcan de mi Tierra has signed a multi-year global partnership with Formula 1, becoming the sport’s Official Tequila as part of parent company LVMH’s 10-year agreement with the championship.
Following its previous appearances as Official Tequila Partner of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Volcan de mi Tierra will expand its presence across F1-operated hospitality venues, including the F1 Paddock Club, for the remainder of the 2025 season.
The brand, founded by Mexico’s Gallardo family and LVMH, blends traditional craftsmanship with modern luxury. CEO Santiago Cortina Gallardo said both brands “champion those who rise to every challenge and push past their limits.”
F1’s Chief Commercial Officer Emily Prazer welcomed the collaboration, noting that Volcan’s “innovation, craftsmanship and sophistication” align closely with Formula 1’s global image.
Aston Martin Aramco completes full data migration to NetApp
The Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 Team has completed its transition to run 100% of its data storage on NetApp, the intelligent data infrastructure company.
The partnership enables Aston Martin Aramco to integrate AI-driven workflows, accelerating design, simulation, and trackside analysis with real-time insights. NetApp’s StorageGRID provides scalable object storage for the team’s vast datasets, while BlueXP ensures unified control across cloud and edge environments.
Team CIO Fabrizio Pilotti said NetApp’s infrastructure supports Aston Martin’s pursuit of “a winning car and a winning team,” managing petabytes of data from the CoreWeave Wind Tunnel to trackside telemetry.
NetApp CMO Gabie Boko described Formula 1 as “one of the most demanding technical environments,” adding that Aston Martin’s trust validates NetApp’s ability to deliver data-driven decision-making at scale.
TAG Heuer launches new Connected Calibre E5 and partners with New Balance
TAG Heuer has unveiled the Connected Calibre E5, the fifth generation of its luxury smartwatch series, combining Swiss watchmaking craftsmanship with advanced digital performance.
Available in 45mm and 40mm sizes, the Calibre E5 introduces a refined case design, new strap system, and the largest range of watch faces yet, inspired by TAG Heuer’s Carrera, Aquaracer, and Formula 1 collections. Powered by TAG Heuer OS, it offers faster navigation, improved battery life, and enhanced fitness tracking.
In parallel, TAG Heuer announced a collaboration with New Balance to release the Connected Calibre E5 x New Balance Edition and FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 running shoes. The devices synchronise via the TAG Heuer Connected app, providing real-time coaching and performance feedback.
Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, ambassador for both brands, said the partnership “brings together tools built for athletes who want to stay accountable, trust their plan, and keep pushing for better every single day.”
Latest News
Loading
