F1 Today | Alpine announced Gucci deal, Montoya responds to Verstappen

Alpine will have a new title sponsor starting in 2027: Gucci. The team will be renamed Gucci Racing Alpine Formula One Team, replacing BWT. Gucci also launched Gucci Racing, a platform focused on performance, precision, discipline, and excellence at the intersection of luxury and sport. This agreement expands the presence of luxury brands in F1 and marks the first time a fashion house has served as a team's title sponsor.

Francesca Bellettini, president and CEO of Gucci, emphasised that the partnership reflects the brand’s ambition and its vision for F1, noting that Gucci Racing is an expression of its identity and where they want to take the brand. Luca de Meo underlined that F1 is a global platform of great reach, creativity, and excellence, ideal for building brand value and desirability. Flavio Briatore welcomed the alliance and the team’s momentum, noting Alpine’s strong start to the season.

GPblog understands that FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem will propose at the General Assembly on June 26 in Macau to abolish the limit of a maximum of three terms for the FIA president and to allow re-election up to the age of 70. The proposal is expected to pass thanks to broad support, especially from smaller members. Currently, a term lasts four years with a maximum of three terms (twelve years). Ben Sulayem, who succeeded Jean Todt in 2021 and was re-elected at the end of 2025. At the time of a third election, the Emirati would be 69 years old, after which he could potentially remain in office for another four years. Current rules state that a candidate may be no older than 69 at the time of the election in order to serve a full term.

In 2025, other candidates included Carlos Sainz Sr. and former steward Tim Mayer. In addition, Laura Villars attempted to run for office, but she says the current rules made it impossible to meet all the requirements, so she filed a lawsuit. Candidates must choose vice presidents from all continents from a list approved by the FIA; for South America, only Fabiana Ecclestone is on the list, and she had already pledged her support to Ben Sulayem.

Juan Pablo Montoya downplayed suggestions of a rift with Max Verstappen after his controversial comments during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend. The former F1 driver had called for penalties against Verstappen for criticising the current regulations, even proposing to add penalty points to his licence.

Amid the paddock reaction, Montoya told Sky Sports he wasn’t surprised by the response. After the race, he clarified there is no bad relationship with Verstappen: he said that if the Dutchman was offended, “he’d have bigger problems,” and noted they greet each other in the paddock, including with Jos Verstappen. He explained that his stance was general: drivers who publicly discredit F1 should receive points or be disqualified, and that when asked if this included Max, he said yes.

Verstappen, for his part, replied in De Telegraaf that he doesn’t care about those who “talk so much nonsense” and questioned why people like Montoya continue to be hired by F1 management. He added that he doesn’t want someone like that in the paddock, though he said it doesn’t affect him and he will carry on with his life.

In Canada, Verstappen claimed his first podium of the 2026 campaign with a third-place finish after battling Lewis Hamilton, and again criticised the regulations, saying the show on display could have been replicated even in a rental car.