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Michael Masi will be replaced as Formula 1 Race Director and offered a new position within the FIA as part of a series of changes following the governing body’s analysis into last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas, who have recently worked in the World Endurance Championship and DTM respectively, will alternate the Race Director role.
They will be assisted by Herbie Blash – who returns to F1 having previously acted as deputy to Masi’s predecessor Charlie Whiting, as permanent senior advisor.
The new race management trio will begin their new roles in Barcelona next week, when three days of pre-season running take place.
Newly-elected FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said that Masi “accomplished a very challenging job for three years as F1 race director following Charlie Whiting”.
Regarding the structural changes, Ben Sulayem said a Virtual Race Control Room will be created to assist the Race Director.
“Alike the Video Assistance Referee (VAR) in football, it will be positioned in one of the FIA Offices as a backup outside the circuit. In real-time connection with the FIA F1 race director, it will help to apply the sporting regulations using the most modern technological tools,” he said.
“Direct radio communications during the race, currently broadcast live by all TVs, will be removed in order to protect the race director from any pressure and allow him to take decisions peacefully. It will still be possible to ask questions to the race director, according to a well-defined and non-intrusive process.
“Unlapping procedures behind Safety Car will be reassessed by the F1 Sporting Advisory Committee and presented to the next F1 Commission prior to the start of the season.”
He added: “I presented this complete plan to the members of the World Motor Sport Council and the Senate who gave their full support.
That is great news! Getting rid of the direct communication (presumably not safety related) will hopefully provide better racing and avoid last season's conflicts.
FWIW Herbie Blash and Charlie Whiting were both at Brabham during Bernie's ownership. From what I've read, they were lifelong friends as well, both low-key personalities.
Love the deep red color on the Ferrari. Is this the first Ferrari in decades that does not have Marlboro sponsorship? Maybe that's why the color is now a more traditional red.
It was always disconcerting when I saw a Michael Schumacher Ferrari in person for the first time an realized that the paint scheme was dayglo orange rather than red.
It's going to be really interesting seeing that there are basically three main designs. AMR and Ferrari with the wide thick sides and louvers and then RBR and AT where they have the front bulge and a rear bulge that creates an aero channel between the two on the way to the rear and then everyone else. Wonder who has it right. It could be just the lighting though but the Merc and McLaren has a much less pronounced version of the second design in my opinion. All most no aero channel. I assume AMR and Ferrari are doing a similar thing with the channel but its underneath with the exit being the louvers.
Reigning world champions Mercedes have revealed the car that Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will drive in this season's championship – the W13 – which is built to sweeping new technical rules.
Mercedes have won the constructors’ title for eight successive seasons, but they relinquished the drivers’ championship as Max Verstappen snatched the crown from Hamilton on the final lap of the 2021 season.
Mercedes junior Russell has been promoted to a race seat, replacing Valtteri Bottas after three impressive seasons at Williams, peaking with his first F1 podium in Belgium last year.
"It just takes you back to being a kid," said Hamilton at the launch. "I think it’s always exciting watching, I mean with this new era of car, we’ve never seen such a drastic change, right?
"So it’s such a huge change in so many ways, that it’s just been really interesting seeing the designers and everyone coming together to find the best ways of creating a masterpiece."
Russell added: “It feels incredible, obviously Lewis and I have driven so many laps in the simulator of this. We’ve seen all the drawings, we’ve had so many meetings and presentations about it, but suddenly seeing it all come together, seeing all of the men and women who have put so much hard work and grit into making this, and coming together here, I think it looks incredible.
“And I think the silver [coming] back, we’ve had an incredible livery with the black in the past couple of years – but the silver back on track I think is going to look incredible."
The W13 will hit the track for the first time later on Friday, when Mercedes complete the first of their two permitted filming days at Silverstone.
Hamilton and Russell will share driving duties, with running limited to 100km.
Hamilton explained: "We have no idea how it’s going to handle; we have driven laps in the simulator, but making sure that we make the right correlation, that’s why – I think George is out first today – I think I’ll be after him!"
The car will then travel to Barcelona for three days of pre-season running next week, to be followed by official pre-season testing in Bahrain next month, ahead of the first race of the season at the same venue.
Formula 1 is has announced a five-year extension until 2026 inclusive of its agreement with the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas.
The announcement follows continued momentum that Formula 1 has in the United States, the motorsport having returned to the USA in 2021 following an enforced break due to the global pandemic
A record-breaking crowd of 400,000 witnessed the Grand Prix at Austin in 2021, as Max Verstappen took his maiden win on American soil. The first race at COTA took place in 2012 with 100,000 fans in attendance to witness Lewis Hamilton take victory with McLaren.
Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1, said: “We are thrilled to be announcing the extension with the Circuit of The Americas ahead of the exciting new 2022 season. I want to thank the promoter for their ongoing dedication and enthusiasm for Formula 1 where together we are continuing to grow the excitement around our sport in the US following the huge success of Netflix, the work of ESPN, and the incredible season we had in 2021. Austin is a great city, and the track is a favourite for all the drivers, and we cannot wait to be back in October for more action and entertainment."
Bobby Epstein, Founding Partner at Circuit of The Americas, said: “The Formula 1 United States Grand Prix has become one of the biggest and greatest events in the world. We are extremely proud it has found a home in Texas - at Circuit of The Americas – and are grateful to the millions of fans who visited us over our first decade.
“We knew Austin, along with our neighbours in San Antonio and beyond, would be welcoming hosts – and they proved it! Thanks to everyone in the Formula 1 community for supporting our endeavours and rewarding our hard work. We are glad to have renewed our commitments and look forward to many more years of World Championship racing, entertainment, and fun.”
A couple differences with the real car. Stars seem to blend slightly better than in the renders, maybe cause the Petronas blue pops more in natural light.
*Does the forum not support IG posts? Guess I'll screenshot it.
I have seen articles on several sites about drivers complaining about the size of the 18in wheels and the effects on visibility. I thought they were just moving to 18in wheels but the tire circumference would be the same so you were just ending up with smaller side walls. The way the drivers seem to be talking about it is they are much bigger. Is the issue the tires or the aero piece over the tire?
That is great news! Getting rid of the direct communication (presumably not safety related) will hopefully provide better racing and avoid last season's conflicts.
FWIW Herbie Blash and Charlie Whiting were both at Brabham during Bernie's ownership. From what I've read, they were lifelong friends as well, both low-key personalities.
They didnt get rid of direct communication, they just got rid of us being able to listen to it.
As long as it doesn't involve adding moving chicanes to the grid.
If we can add 2 competitive cars, then let's do it. Otherwise, I could see them trying to buy out a team to get on the grid. Andretti/Mazepin F1 to replace Haas F1
Alpine have become the ninth Formula 1 team to launch their 2022 challenger – the A522 – with a live show from Paris.
The French manufacturer secured their first victory under the Alpine banner when Esteban Ocon won in Hungary last season, and they ended the campaign sixth in the constructors’ standings.
Ocon will partner double world champion Fernando Alonso for a second successive year, with F2 champion Oscar Piastri fulfilling reserve duties.
Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo and Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi led the presentation with new Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer, who takes up the reigns of running the F1 operation having left rivals Aston Martin in January, making his first live appearance in Alpine colours.
Alpine will run a striking new livery that is predominantly blue but features pink highlights in a nod to their new title sponsor BWT.
But on Monday night they also presented a ‘flipped’ livery with pink becoming the most prominent colour. This special design, which you can see in the gallery below, will be used in the first two races of the year – Bahrain and Saudi Arabia – before reverting.
“It’s with great pleasure that we launch our A522 to the world today, marking the next chapter in Alpine’s Formula 1 journey,” said Rossi. “We have a clear plan and vision in place at Alpine and we have some of the best people in the business to help drive us forward and realise our ambitions. Our team is stronger now and, we hope, future-proof.
Ocon said: “I’m very excited, of course, to not only see the A522 for the first time but to drive it for the first time this week. It’s always a privilege to drive a new Formula 1 car for the first time, as you know all the hard work that has gone on behind the scenes at both factories in Enstone and Viry from all of the many talented people working in the different departments there.
“That feeling and responsibility is truly unique and very special. I feel prepared, I feel ready physically, so let’s hit the track and see what we’ve got in our hands this year."
Alonso added: “It’s good to be back and I’ve been working hard to be ready for the new season. The build-up has been a long time coming after the rule change was delayed due to the pandemic. The car looks fantastic with the new regulations in place and I like the new livery.
“We have a new engine and we’re confident we had a good development in place for this new generation of car. We won’t know where everyone stands until Bahrain, but we’re excited to take the car for its first spin in testing this week. I hope the new regulations have worked and we get more exciting wheel to wheel racing this year.”
00TL-P3.2[/color]]Hey at this point anything to possibly increase the grid size I will put my vote behind as a good thing for the sport.
We are already seeing the current teams start to grumble. Because more teams mean more teams to share the same amount of money.
Originally Posted by CCColtsicehockey
As long as it doesn't involve adding moving chicanes to the grid. If we can add 2 competitive cars, then let's do it. Otherwise, I could see them trying to buy out a team to get on the grid. Andretti/Mazepin F1 to replace Haas F1
I don't agree to this. Nothing at all wrong with moving chicanes. It creates chaos, and that's what you want to create unpredictability. Controversy is good for the sport.
Sebastian Vettel will boycott Russian GP if Sochi F1 race is not cancelled
Sebastian Vettel says he is prepared to boycott the Russian Grand Prix if Formula 1 does not cancel the Sochi race following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russia launched an invasion on Ukraine on Thursday when president Vladimir Putin ordered a military assault on its neighbour. According to the Ukrainian government, at least 40 people have been killed following missile strikes and explosions in major cities.
F1 said it is “closely watching” developments amid growing doubt over whether the Russian Grand Prix will take place this year.
Speaking in a press conference on Thursday, Aston Martin driver Vettel spoke eloquently about the crisis and challenged F1 bosses to cancel the Sochi race, which is scheduled for September 25.
“In my personal opinion, obviously I woke up again to this morning’s news and I was shocked,” Vettel said of the situation.
“I don’t know. I think it’s horrible to see what is happening and obviously if you look at the calendar we have a race scheduled in Russia.
“For myself, my opinion is I should not go, I will not go. I think it’s wrong to race in the country.
“I’m sorry for the innocent people that are losing their lives, that are getting killed for stupid reasons and a very, very strange and mad leadership.
"I’m sure that is something we will talk about, but as I said on behalf of the GPDA we haven’t come together yet. But personally I’m just really shocked and sad to see what’s going on.
“We will see going forward, but I think my decision is already made.”
Reigning F1 world champion Max Verstappen said: "I think when a country is at war it’s not correct to race there, that’s for sure.
"But it’s not only what I think, it’s also how the whole paddock is going to decide what we do next.”
If the FIA has any sense of decency, I would expect them to cancel this event from the schedule. If not, we'll get to watch Mazepin circle Sochi 53 times solo although more than likely he'll just crash into [insert whatever here] resulting in both a DNF and a win.
Cool and curious to see how different from a technical approach some cars have taken from aero, suspension, cooling,...
Amusing to see how some teams have flipped their suspension types (McLaren 2021 : front pushrod rear pullrod, McLaren 2022 front pullrod rear pushrod)
The RB rear is interesting with their beam wing diffuser extension approach.
A number of outfits have faced challenges during the opening two days of action at Barcelona in Spain with the consequences of ‘porpoising’ - where the car bounces up and down on its suspension after it hits a certain speed on the straights.
Porpoising was something that was commonplace during F1’s previous ground effect era, and it is triggered by the under floor downforce sucking the car down more and more as it accelerates down the straights – before the airflow suddenly stalls through either a change in air pressure or the floor hitting the ground.
Once that happens, the car suddenly loses the extra downforce and the car briefly rises up again, before it once again starts being sucked down to begin the cycle again.
As well as porpoising being uncomfortable for drivers, it can also be a major problem in high speed corners if it strikes and cars suddenly lose downforce.
A number of cars have been suffering from the problem, and Binotto suggests that it is something few teams had been expecting after their work on CFD and in windtunnels.
“I think most of us at least underestimated the problem, in terms of [being] on track and bouncing more than expected,” said Binotto when asked by Motorsport.com about the problem.
“When you're setting these cars up with the ground [effect] floor, the situation it's different. It's a learning process.”
Binotto said that getting rid of the porpoising entirely was a relatively easy thing to do, as it could be doing by simply raising the ride height.
However, the situation is complicated by teams knowing that there are good performance gains to be had by running as close to the ground as possible – which then leaves them exposed to the problem returning
“I think that solving it can be quite straightforward,” said Binotto. “Optimising the performance, because it should not be a compromise, you should try to avoid the bouncing by getting the most of the performance of the car. But that could be a less easy exercise.
“I am pretty sure that at some stage the team will get to the solution. How long it will take? The ones that will get there sooner will have an advantage at the start of the season.”
The porpoising problem is believed to be one of the key issues that has hurt Alfa Romeo’s preparations at the test, with it again having limited running on Thursday.
The Swiss team’s boss Fred Vasseur was hopeful a solution could be found by the next test in Bahrain, as he backed up Binotto’s view that getting on top of the problem could unlock some good lap time gains.
“Some elements are not easy to evaluate in the windtunnel and the simulator, and we are all facing the same issue,” he said.
“To fix the problem is not the biggest issue, but then to be efficient will be the key. How quickly the team will react will the key for the first races.”
HAAS has dropped Uralkali for the time being, car will be all white for Day 3.
But the team issued a statement on Thursday saying it would be completing the final day of testing in Barcelona without the Uralkali branding, running a plain white livery.
“Haas F1 Team will present its VF-22 in a plain white livery, minus Uralkali branding, for the third and final day of track running at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Friday 25 February,” the team said.
“Nikita Mazepin will drive as planned in the morning session with Mick Schumacher taking over in the afternoon.
“No further comment will be made at this time regarding team partner agreements.”
02-17-2022, 08:27 AM
Masi
