F1 2020
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1%er
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3 more races can canceled
Formula 1 has today announced that the Azerbaijan, Singapore and Japanese Grands Prix have been officially called off due to varying COVID-19 developments in the countries concerned. The sport has earlier confirmed the opening eight grands prix of the heavily-revised 2020 F1 calandar that features two sequences of races taking place on three consecutive weekends. The sport has re-arranged the calendar in order to get the action up and running after the long delay. The non-European races have been left out as the sport is still working with promoters and authorities on the feasability of those events.
By now, three races, the Australian, the French and the Monaco Grands Prix, have been cancelled for 2020 with their return expected next year. Formula 1 has now communicated that three other races have been cancelled after the promoters in Azerbaijan, Singapore and Japan have taken the decision to cancel their events for the 2020 season. In Singapore and Azerbaijan the long lead times required to construct street circuits made hosting the events during a period of uncertainty impossible and in Japan, ongoing travel restrictions also led to the decision not to proceed with the race,” the statement read.
Formula 1 has also confirmed that it sill intends to establish a calendar featuring between 15-18 races. It has also been communicated that the plan has remain to finish the disrupted season in Abu Dhabi in mid-December. The new calendar could feature new venues after new promoters have expressed their interest in hosting F1 races during the 2020 season. It is believed that the finalised calendar would be introduced before the season starts in Austria on July 5.
Imola renews FIA Grade 1 license
Officials at Imola say they are “in a position” to welcome Formula 1, should the circuit be required, after renewing its FIA Grade 1 license. Formula 1 is moving towards holding further grands prix in Europe at new or former venues, prior to the final rounds in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, as it seeks to finalise a calendar featuring at least 15 events. It is understood that the majority of non-European events are likely to be cancelled, with Azerbaijan, Singapore and Japan formally called off on Friday. The Ferrari-owned Mugello circuit, which has never held a Formula 1 race, is a front-runner to host a grand prix in mid-September, a week after the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
Another of Italy’s circuits, Imola, has now thrown its hat into the ring as a potential venue for Formula 1. The venue confirmed on Friday that it has renewed the Grade 1 license required by the FIA to host Formula 1 events. Its previous license was due to elapse next week. Imola held Formula 1’s San Marino Grand Prix from 1981 through 2006.
The circuit has undergone minor tweaks since Formula 1’s most recent visit 14 years ago, with the modifications concentrated around the start/finish area and paddock infrastructure. “With the renewal of the homologation, we are in a position to also host a Formula 1 grand prix,” said Imola chief Uberto Selvatico Estense. “We hope that this dream can become reality with the teamwork of institutions and territory.”
Formula 1 has today announced that the Azerbaijan, Singapore and Japanese Grands Prix have been officially called off due to varying COVID-19 developments in the countries concerned. The sport has earlier confirmed the opening eight grands prix of the heavily-revised 2020 F1 calandar that features two sequences of races taking place on three consecutive weekends. The sport has re-arranged the calendar in order to get the action up and running after the long delay. The non-European races have been left out as the sport is still working with promoters and authorities on the feasability of those events.
By now, three races, the Australian, the French and the Monaco Grands Prix, have been cancelled for 2020 with their return expected next year. Formula 1 has now communicated that three other races have been cancelled after the promoters in Azerbaijan, Singapore and Japan have taken the decision to cancel their events for the 2020 season. In Singapore and Azerbaijan the long lead times required to construct street circuits made hosting the events during a period of uncertainty impossible and in Japan, ongoing travel restrictions also led to the decision not to proceed with the race,” the statement read.
Formula 1 has also confirmed that it sill intends to establish a calendar featuring between 15-18 races. It has also been communicated that the plan has remain to finish the disrupted season in Abu Dhabi in mid-December. The new calendar could feature new venues after new promoters have expressed their interest in hosting F1 races during the 2020 season. It is believed that the finalised calendar would be introduced before the season starts in Austria on July 5.
Imola renews FIA Grade 1 license
Officials at Imola say they are “in a position” to welcome Formula 1, should the circuit be required, after renewing its FIA Grade 1 license. Formula 1 is moving towards holding further grands prix in Europe at new or former venues, prior to the final rounds in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, as it seeks to finalise a calendar featuring at least 15 events. It is understood that the majority of non-European events are likely to be cancelled, with Azerbaijan, Singapore and Japan formally called off on Friday. The Ferrari-owned Mugello circuit, which has never held a Formula 1 race, is a front-runner to host a grand prix in mid-September, a week after the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
Another of Italy’s circuits, Imola, has now thrown its hat into the ring as a potential venue for Formula 1. The venue confirmed on Friday that it has renewed the Grade 1 license required by the FIA to host Formula 1 events. Its previous license was due to elapse next week. Imola held Formula 1’s San Marino Grand Prix from 1981 through 2006.
The circuit has undergone minor tweaks since Formula 1’s most recent visit 14 years ago, with the modifications concentrated around the start/finish area and paddock infrastructure. “With the renewal of the homologation, we are in a position to also host a Formula 1 grand prix,” said Imola chief Uberto Selvatico Estense. “We hope that this dream can become reality with the teamwork of institutions and territory.”
1%er
Well-Known Member
F1 Calendar news
Portugal
Officials at the Algarve circuit in Portugal have confirmed that they are in discussions with Formula 1 for the organisation of races this year. As reported on Sunday morning, the Algarve circuit in Portugal has a good chance of being on the F1 calendar in 2020 according to Portuguese media outlet which indicates that a first race, to be called the Portuguese Grand Prix, could take place on September 27th in Portimao.
According to reports, the circuit might not just hold one race, but two, but this time called the Algarve Grand Prix on October the 4th. A spokesman for the Portuguese circuit has now confirmed to Autosport that discussions are underway with F1, saying there is “a lot of willingness” on the part of the teams to choose the circuit. “We are in contact with the FOM and have solid negotiations.” confirmed the spokesman for the Algarve circuit. “At the moment nothing is confirmed, but we know there is a lot of willingness among the teams to have Portugal chosen for the calendar and we are working very hard and doing everything we can to have F1 on our race track. We are the option that everyone wants, the location, the track, large facilities that allow for greater safety distance, climate, hotels and reduced impact in the country of COVID-19”.
Earlier this week, Formula 1 championship technical director Ross Brawn confirmed that the Formula 1 championship is in discussions with several European circuits for the organisation of races from September onwards. In addition to the Algarve circuit, Imola, Hockenheim and Jerez would be serious candidates to host F1 before the end of the year.
Hockenheim
Bosses at the Hockenheimring have told Formula 1 that they must decide soon whether or not they want to race at the circuit in 2020. Initially the track had been on standby should the British Grand Prix at Silverstone fall through, but a deal was agreed to hold two races at the Northamptonshire track with the government giving their approval. But that doesn't mean Hockenheim fell away from consideration. Australia, Netherlands, France, Monaco, Azerbaijan, Singapore and Japan have all cancelled their races for 2020, and F1 bosses remain in talks with promoters of tracks not originally on the F1 calendar as they try to bolster the 2020 season which currently stands at eight races. The final calendar for the 2020 season has not yet been published. Only the first eight rounds of the year, all of which will be contested in Europe and behind closed doors, are known at the moment.
China
The Chinese GP, which was the first race to be called off earlier this year, had always hoped to get a slot later in the campaign and talks are now going on with F1 owners Liberty Media about what will happen. Shanghai Sports Bureau Director Xu Bin said on Monday that the city was keen to host a grand prix this year rather than wait until 2021, and it was pondering if it wanted to go ahead with the offer of a double-header. Speaking to Shanghai People's Radio he said: "International sport organisations care a lot about these world-class sport events in China and Shanghai. Despite a lot of changes of our events due to the pandemic, we have received support from international sport organisations and national associations for some of our events. We would be allowed to hold the events in Shanghai at a suitable time in the second half of the year, depending on the situation of the pandemic."
Asked about the possibility of back-to-back races, Mr Xu said: "No decision has been made yet. It's proposed by FOM. F1 has announced they will resume the opening eight European races, without any round in Asia. The event originally scheduled, has been postponed to the second half of the year. During the discussion, FOM asked whether we could host two races in Shanghai. It's not been decided. It will depend on the situation of pandemic."
Portugal
Officials at the Algarve circuit in Portugal have confirmed that they are in discussions with Formula 1 for the organisation of races this year. As reported on Sunday morning, the Algarve circuit in Portugal has a good chance of being on the F1 calendar in 2020 according to Portuguese media outlet which indicates that a first race, to be called the Portuguese Grand Prix, could take place on September 27th in Portimao.
According to reports, the circuit might not just hold one race, but two, but this time called the Algarve Grand Prix on October the 4th. A spokesman for the Portuguese circuit has now confirmed to Autosport that discussions are underway with F1, saying there is “a lot of willingness” on the part of the teams to choose the circuit. “We are in contact with the FOM and have solid negotiations.” confirmed the spokesman for the Algarve circuit. “At the moment nothing is confirmed, but we know there is a lot of willingness among the teams to have Portugal chosen for the calendar and we are working very hard and doing everything we can to have F1 on our race track. We are the option that everyone wants, the location, the track, large facilities that allow for greater safety distance, climate, hotels and reduced impact in the country of COVID-19”.
Earlier this week, Formula 1 championship technical director Ross Brawn confirmed that the Formula 1 championship is in discussions with several European circuits for the organisation of races from September onwards. In addition to the Algarve circuit, Imola, Hockenheim and Jerez would be serious candidates to host F1 before the end of the year.
Hockenheim
Bosses at the Hockenheimring have told Formula 1 that they must decide soon whether or not they want to race at the circuit in 2020. Initially the track had been on standby should the British Grand Prix at Silverstone fall through, but a deal was agreed to hold two races at the Northamptonshire track with the government giving their approval. But that doesn't mean Hockenheim fell away from consideration. Australia, Netherlands, France, Monaco, Azerbaijan, Singapore and Japan have all cancelled their races for 2020, and F1 bosses remain in talks with promoters of tracks not originally on the F1 calendar as they try to bolster the 2020 season which currently stands at eight races. The final calendar for the 2020 season has not yet been published. Only the first eight rounds of the year, all of which will be contested in Europe and behind closed doors, are known at the moment.
China
The Chinese GP, which was the first race to be called off earlier this year, had always hoped to get a slot later in the campaign and talks are now going on with F1 owners Liberty Media about what will happen. Shanghai Sports Bureau Director Xu Bin said on Monday that the city was keen to host a grand prix this year rather than wait until 2021, and it was pondering if it wanted to go ahead with the offer of a double-header. Speaking to Shanghai People's Radio he said: "International sport organisations care a lot about these world-class sport events in China and Shanghai. Despite a lot of changes of our events due to the pandemic, we have received support from international sport organisations and national associations for some of our events. We would be allowed to hold the events in Shanghai at a suitable time in the second half of the year, depending on the situation of the pandemic."
Asked about the possibility of back-to-back races, Mr Xu said: "No decision has been made yet. It's proposed by FOM. F1 has announced they will resume the opening eight European races, without any round in Asia. The event originally scheduled, has been postponed to the second half of the year. During the discussion, FOM asked whether we could host two races in Shanghai. It's not been decided. It will depend on the situation of pandemic."
1%er
Well-Known Member
FOM have now suspended that regulations for 2020. Iirc the regulations state that there must be at least eight Formula 1 races on three different continents for a racing season to be an official World Championship.
Andy Cowell to leave Mercedes
Mercedes engine boss Andy Cowell is to step aside from his position at the end of this month. As the managing director of Mercedes' High Performance Powertrains arm since 2013, Cowell oversaw the development of the V6 hybrid power unit that has powered the Brackley-based team to six consecutive double championships since its introduction in 2014. Back in January, however, he informed the company of his decision to leave after 16 years, with Mercedes taking advantage of his departure to conduct a leadership shakeup. Hywel Thomas will assume the role of managing director and take control of the Formula 1 engine project, Adam Allsopp will focus on the Project One road car, while Pierre Godof will remain head of the Formula E operation.
Cowell is to remain part of Mercedes in an advisory role to Thomas on what the team calls a "major future project" until 2021. “Andy’s leadership of the team at HPP has been a key factor in our championship success in recent seasons," team boss Toto Wolff commented. "He has made an outstanding contribution to our motorsport legacy and I have valued and enjoyed our working relationship since 2013; I am sure he will enjoy great success in the next challenge he decides to take on. Our philosophy has always been that a winning team is a dynamic organisation, and that change is a natural part of every company’s development," the Austrian noted. "I am particularly pleased that we have been able to work together to create a new leadership structure, by building on the strength in depth of the team in Brixworth. It puts us in a very strong position for the years ahead, as we aim to set new benchmarks in Formula One and Formula E.”
As for Cowell, he explained the time was right to move from Mercedes. “After 16 enjoyable years working for HPP, I have decided that now is the right time to move on from my role and seek a new engineering business challenge," he said. "I have appreciated the opportunity to work with Markus and Toto in defining the future leadership structure of the company and I have every confidence in the ability of Hywel and the team to lead the company forward. It has been an absolute honour to work for Mercedes and especially to be Managing Director of HPP for seven years. Thank you to everyone who has provided me with such amazing opportunities and enjoyable challenges, especially Ola Källenius who had the courage to support me back in 2006.”
[I wonder where he'll turn up next, I wouldn't be surprised if it was Aston Martin]
1%er
Well-Known Member
Is McLaren Racing really looking to sell a 30% stake in the team
McLaren Racing, which oversees the manufacturer's involvement in F1 and in IndyCar, is reportedly considering an equity sale to raise funds to help secure its future. Gossip is that McLaren has initiated discussions about such a plan with its advisers this week, insisting the idea is at "a conceptual stage" and is being weighed alongside alternative funding options such as "raising capital from existing bondholders". Formula 1's current economic downturn sparked by the coronavirus pandemic that has disrupted the 2020 season has hit teams hard, but especially the sport's midfield outfits which must contend with a massive shortfall in revenue.
F1 commercial rights holder Liberty Media has implemented a series of measures for this year and for 2021 to dampen the effects of the financial crisis.
But raising funds to weather the storm would perhaps add another level of protection for McLaren Racing, whose parent company, the McLaren Group has recently cut staffing levels and is in the process of seeking up to £275m in liquidity to weather the storm in the global automotive industry. McLaren Group's current shareholders include Bahrain sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat which owns a 56% stake in the company, historic shareholder Mansour Ojjeh who owns 14% and Canadian businessman Michael Latifi how holds a 10% stake, with the remaining 20% in the hands of various minority shareholders.
On paper, Latifi is considered as a prime candidate to provide funding directly to McLaren Racing. However, the father of Williams driver Nicholas Latifi is also financially involved with the Grove-based outfit, having provided a loan to Williams Grand Prix Holdings, and is seen as a potential suitor for the team which the Williams family has put up for sale.
McLaren Racing, which oversees the manufacturer's involvement in F1 and in IndyCar, is reportedly considering an equity sale to raise funds to help secure its future. Gossip is that McLaren has initiated discussions about such a plan with its advisers this week, insisting the idea is at "a conceptual stage" and is being weighed alongside alternative funding options such as "raising capital from existing bondholders". Formula 1's current economic downturn sparked by the coronavirus pandemic that has disrupted the 2020 season has hit teams hard, but especially the sport's midfield outfits which must contend with a massive shortfall in revenue.
F1 commercial rights holder Liberty Media has implemented a series of measures for this year and for 2021 to dampen the effects of the financial crisis.
But raising funds to weather the storm would perhaps add another level of protection for McLaren Racing, whose parent company, the McLaren Group has recently cut staffing levels and is in the process of seeking up to £275m in liquidity to weather the storm in the global automotive industry. McLaren Group's current shareholders include Bahrain sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat which owns a 56% stake in the company, historic shareholder Mansour Ojjeh who owns 14% and Canadian businessman Michael Latifi how holds a 10% stake, with the remaining 20% in the hands of various minority shareholders.
On paper, Latifi is considered as a prime candidate to provide funding directly to McLaren Racing. However, the father of Williams driver Nicholas Latifi is also financially involved with the Grove-based outfit, having provided a loan to Williams Grand Prix Holdings, and is seen as a potential suitor for the team which the Williams family has put up for sale.
1%er
Well-Known Member
More races?
For some time now there has been talk of a Formula 1 race on the circuit of Portimao in Portugal. Although nothing is certain yet, confirmation of this news seems to be getting closer and closer. Robert Doornbos tells in 'Formula 1 Café' on Ziggo Sport that the date on which the Portuguese Grand Prix will be held is already known. "I spoke to someone in the hotel business and he has been instructed to open his hotel there anyway, because September 27th would be the date that the Formula 1 will be held. So I dare to tick it off."
Tom Coronel has also heard these rumors up close. He was on the circuit of Portimao last weekend for a 24 hour race. This made him one of the first to race again in Europe, but around the circuit people mainly talked about Formula 1. "I absolutely dare to tick it off, when I was there the rumour was already going around that they were talking about Formula 1 and not about one, but two races. It is such a cool circuit. It goes up, down and there are a number of big turn where you seriously start to feel the neck". The conclusion at the table is that it is going to be a very European Formula 1 season. According to Coronel there is no choice at this moment. The question whether intercontinental travel is possible (to countries where the coronavirus is more prevalent) simply cannot be answered yet.
Mugello and Portimao seem to be the biggest contenders to organize Grands Prix. According to the mayor of Florence it is almost certain that Formula 1 race for the first time in September at Mugello. "It is almost certain that we will organize a second Italian Grand Prix this year", says mayor Dario Nardella. "It would be an historic moment. Not only for motor racing, but also for Florence. We'll keep our fingers crossed since we've never been this close to a Formula 1 race at Mugello." This is accompanied by the news that Formula 1 has signed a declaration of intent with the circuit. This news came out on June 19th according to Corriere dello Sport. According to the Italian medium the race at Mugello is scheduled for September 13th, one week after the race at Monza. A race at Mugello could mean that Ferrari will possibly run its 1000th race in Italy. The team will have a total of 999 races after the race at Monza. Mugello is owned by Ferrari.
COVID_19 rules
The FIA World Motor Sport Council has approved Formula 1’s new COVID-19 protocols which will begin from the Austrian GP next month. One of the biggest changes comes with the grid and podium procedures. F1 managing director Ross Brawn spoke previously about both topics and said that the busy grids before a race and usual podium routine could no longer happen this year. Autosport report that “grid, race suspension/resumption and podium procedures have all been adapted to deal with the new protocols as expected, while curfew rules have been adjusted to allow for the social distancing rules.”
The World Motor Sport Council have approved the changes so full details on how the Austrian Grand Prix and future events in 2020 are going to work will be announced soon. Also Pirelli’s request for tyre allocations to be standardised to deal with the busy calendar has been approved. The changes also state that stewards can “operate remotely in exceptional circumstances, should the conditions require it”. Formula 1 had also announced plans to freeze development on some car parts and a token system for development for 2020 and 2021 in a bid to reduce costs. The list of homologated components, which was announced last month, has now been given a few tweaks and approved. Autosport also state that a new rule has been added related to the “partial-load fuel mass flow rate” as F1 ups its policing of fuel usage.
Finally, two changes have been made to the technical regulations. Teams will now have a limit imposed on the number of software versions they can use in a year. There will also now be a limit to the number of fuel formulations and engine oil specifications that can be approved in a year.
Alex Zanardi in serious accident
Alex Zanardi health condition remains serious after the Italian had surgery on Friday night for injuries suffered in a handbike accident. The former F1 driver underwent an operation for severe head injuries after he was airlifted to Siena’s Santa Maria alle Scotte hospital. It is believed that while taking part in the ‘Obiettivo tricolore’ handbike relay race on Friday, Zanardi slipped off his lane and had a head-on collision with a road vehicle. The 53-year-old's surgery lasted three hours, after which he was transported to an Intensive Care Unit.
On Saturday morning, the hospital released a fresh statement in which it declared that Zanardi's condition remains serious, but he is showing stable parameters. “Regarding the clinical conditions of the athlete Alex Zanardi, hospitalized from 18:00 June 19 in very serious conditions at the Santa Maria alle Scotte polyclinic following a road accident occurred in the province of Siena, the Aou Senese Health Directorate informs that the patient, subjected to a delicate neurosurgical intervention on the evening of June 19, and subsequently transferred to intensive care, has stable hemodynamic and metabolic parameters. “He is intubated and supported by artificial ventilation while the neurological picture remains serious.”
During his racing career, Zanardi competed in 44 F1 grands prix with Jordan, Minardi, Lotus and Williams. In the United States, he found success racing in the CART championship, winning titles in 1997 and 1998. In 2001, Zanardi was involved in a major collision at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz, which resulted in his two legs being amputated. Since then, he has become a successful Paralympian, winning gold medals in London and Rio de Janeiro.
For some time now there has been talk of a Formula 1 race on the circuit of Portimao in Portugal. Although nothing is certain yet, confirmation of this news seems to be getting closer and closer. Robert Doornbos tells in 'Formula 1 Café' on Ziggo Sport that the date on which the Portuguese Grand Prix will be held is already known. "I spoke to someone in the hotel business and he has been instructed to open his hotel there anyway, because September 27th would be the date that the Formula 1 will be held. So I dare to tick it off."
Tom Coronel has also heard these rumors up close. He was on the circuit of Portimao last weekend for a 24 hour race. This made him one of the first to race again in Europe, but around the circuit people mainly talked about Formula 1. "I absolutely dare to tick it off, when I was there the rumour was already going around that they were talking about Formula 1 and not about one, but two races. It is such a cool circuit. It goes up, down and there are a number of big turn where you seriously start to feel the neck". The conclusion at the table is that it is going to be a very European Formula 1 season. According to Coronel there is no choice at this moment. The question whether intercontinental travel is possible (to countries where the coronavirus is more prevalent) simply cannot be answered yet.
Mugello and Portimao seem to be the biggest contenders to organize Grands Prix. According to the mayor of Florence it is almost certain that Formula 1 race for the first time in September at Mugello. "It is almost certain that we will organize a second Italian Grand Prix this year", says mayor Dario Nardella. "It would be an historic moment. Not only for motor racing, but also for Florence. We'll keep our fingers crossed since we've never been this close to a Formula 1 race at Mugello." This is accompanied by the news that Formula 1 has signed a declaration of intent with the circuit. This news came out on June 19th according to Corriere dello Sport. According to the Italian medium the race at Mugello is scheduled for September 13th, one week after the race at Monza. A race at Mugello could mean that Ferrari will possibly run its 1000th race in Italy. The team will have a total of 999 races after the race at Monza. Mugello is owned by Ferrari.
COVID_19 rules
The FIA World Motor Sport Council has approved Formula 1’s new COVID-19 protocols which will begin from the Austrian GP next month. One of the biggest changes comes with the grid and podium procedures. F1 managing director Ross Brawn spoke previously about both topics and said that the busy grids before a race and usual podium routine could no longer happen this year. Autosport report that “grid, race suspension/resumption and podium procedures have all been adapted to deal with the new protocols as expected, while curfew rules have been adjusted to allow for the social distancing rules.”
The World Motor Sport Council have approved the changes so full details on how the Austrian Grand Prix and future events in 2020 are going to work will be announced soon. Also Pirelli’s request for tyre allocations to be standardised to deal with the busy calendar has been approved. The changes also state that stewards can “operate remotely in exceptional circumstances, should the conditions require it”. Formula 1 had also announced plans to freeze development on some car parts and a token system for development for 2020 and 2021 in a bid to reduce costs. The list of homologated components, which was announced last month, has now been given a few tweaks and approved. Autosport also state that a new rule has been added related to the “partial-load fuel mass flow rate” as F1 ups its policing of fuel usage.
Finally, two changes have been made to the technical regulations. Teams will now have a limit imposed on the number of software versions they can use in a year. There will also now be a limit to the number of fuel formulations and engine oil specifications that can be approved in a year.
Alex Zanardi in serious accident
Alex Zanardi health condition remains serious after the Italian had surgery on Friday night for injuries suffered in a handbike accident. The former F1 driver underwent an operation for severe head injuries after he was airlifted to Siena’s Santa Maria alle Scotte hospital. It is believed that while taking part in the ‘Obiettivo tricolore’ handbike relay race on Friday, Zanardi slipped off his lane and had a head-on collision with a road vehicle. The 53-year-old's surgery lasted three hours, after which he was transported to an Intensive Care Unit.
On Saturday morning, the hospital released a fresh statement in which it declared that Zanardi's condition remains serious, but he is showing stable parameters. “Regarding the clinical conditions of the athlete Alex Zanardi, hospitalized from 18:00 June 19 in very serious conditions at the Santa Maria alle Scotte polyclinic following a road accident occurred in the province of Siena, the Aou Senese Health Directorate informs that the patient, subjected to a delicate neurosurgical intervention on the evening of June 19, and subsequently transferred to intensive care, has stable hemodynamic and metabolic parameters. “He is intubated and supported by artificial ventilation while the neurological picture remains serious.”
During his racing career, Zanardi competed in 44 F1 grands prix with Jordan, Minardi, Lotus and Williams. In the United States, he found success racing in the CART championship, winning titles in 1997 and 1998. In 2001, Zanardi was involved in a major collision at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz, which resulted in his two legs being amputated. Since then, he has become a successful Paralympian, winning gold medals in London and Rio de Janeiro.
1%er
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Could Renault go with young driver
Renault won’t necessarily turn to a big name to replace Daniel Ricciardo with Cyril Abiteboul saying Guanyu Zhou or Christian Lundgaard could be “fantastic” options. Renault is in the hunt for a new driver for the 2021 season after Ricciardo’s announcement that he’s off to McLaren. Even though not a single race has been run in 2020, Ricciardo made an early call to swap teams come the end of the season, a move that Abiteboul has publicly questioned. World Champion drivers Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso have been linked to Ricciardo’s vacant seat, however, Renault is in no rush to sign the Aussie’s replacement.
Instead Abiteboul says he wants to see how Renault’s juniors, Zhou and Lundgaard, perform in this year’s Formula 2 championship. “We want to see what’s the pace of Guanyu Zhou, what’s the pace of [fellow Renault junior and F2 racer] Christian Lundgaard, their competitiveness. They could be fantastic options,” the Renault F1 managing director told reporters. “As we speak now, it’s a bit audacious to think that, but who knows? With one more season of F2 for them, it could be the right thing to do. And that’s typically the sort of thing that we could not decide when the decision had to accelerate with Daniel.”
As for Zhou, he believes he has what it takes to become China’s first F1 driver. “I do,” he said. “I think no one else [from China] has achieved such results. I made the Chinese national anthem play in European F3 before and now we have seen the Chinese national flag flying in F2. I really feel proud about it as it shows what Chinese people are capable of. I believe what really matter is that result speaks itself in any sport. As long as you have the result, people will know Chinese [drivers] could do well in motor racing.”
This season’s campaign will mark the 21-year-old’s second year in Formula 2 where he is chasing his first race win. Last year he bagged five podiums on his way to seventh in the standings. “My goal is to finish the season in the top three, top four will be fine, as long as I could get the points I need for a superlicense,” he said. “Should any chance arise, I don’t want to miss it.”
Two parts to F1 component freeze
Formula 1 will be freezing parts in two batches this season, those at the start of the championship and a second batch at the end of September. With the start of the Formula 1 season delayed when the Australian Grand Prix was cancelled, the sport went on an extended hiatus. That cost the teams an estimated $2 million per race missed. Many of the UK based teams put staff on furlough, reduced drivers’ salaries and some, such as McLaren, announced redundancies. Since then McLaren has revealed it is looking to sell a stake in its F1 team to find money while the Williams F1 team in its entirety is up for sale. With other teams also reportedly in trouble, Formula 1 is taking steps to reduce costs, one of which is by freezing components.
That will be done in two parts, according to reports. The publication reports that the new homologated components appendix to the technical regulations, reads that some components will be frozen from the first race of the season, “R1-2020” and others will be frozen at a second point that it labels “Mid-2020.” That mid point is 30 September. Deadlines have also been set for teams to inform the FIA of their intention to use two development tokens with the teams having to let motorsport’s governing body know by 5 August. On that date they must “provide the FIA with a full specification of the intended changes of the HC and any affected components”. While teams were initially permitted to return to past homologated components if the updates they failed, they now have to revert within five races.
Could Red Bull's ServusTV win F1 TV rights
Where in England Formula 1 rights are fixed for a longer period of time at Sky Sports, abroad there is more bickering about the contracts. In Austria, for example, Red Bull is hunting for the images from 2021 onward. In Austria the Formula 1 images are currently provided by ORF, but the contract expires at the end of 2020. The unique commentary by Alexander Wurz and Ernst Hausleitner could therefore simply disappear from the image, although ORF is still in the process of renewing the contract. ''We're still talking,'' ORF told reporters. If these contract negotiations are not successful, however, there will be a hijacker on the coast. Red Bull's ServusTV platform already broadcasts MotoGP in Austria and recently also managed to seize the Champions League. Although Dietrich Mateschitz says he doesn't fully focus on broadcasting sports, he doesn't rule out the chance of F1 footage either. ''The Formula 1 rights are of course always interesting for a broadcaster, but we can't say anything about that at the moment. We have to wait and see how the situation develops with ORF and Sky. We have to see what the market is doing and will of course always keep an eye on that'', concludes the Red Bull top man.
Renault won’t necessarily turn to a big name to replace Daniel Ricciardo with Cyril Abiteboul saying Guanyu Zhou or Christian Lundgaard could be “fantastic” options. Renault is in the hunt for a new driver for the 2021 season after Ricciardo’s announcement that he’s off to McLaren. Even though not a single race has been run in 2020, Ricciardo made an early call to swap teams come the end of the season, a move that Abiteboul has publicly questioned. World Champion drivers Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso have been linked to Ricciardo’s vacant seat, however, Renault is in no rush to sign the Aussie’s replacement.
Instead Abiteboul says he wants to see how Renault’s juniors, Zhou and Lundgaard, perform in this year’s Formula 2 championship. “We want to see what’s the pace of Guanyu Zhou, what’s the pace of [fellow Renault junior and F2 racer] Christian Lundgaard, their competitiveness. They could be fantastic options,” the Renault F1 managing director told reporters. “As we speak now, it’s a bit audacious to think that, but who knows? With one more season of F2 for them, it could be the right thing to do. And that’s typically the sort of thing that we could not decide when the decision had to accelerate with Daniel.”
As for Zhou, he believes he has what it takes to become China’s first F1 driver. “I do,” he said. “I think no one else [from China] has achieved such results. I made the Chinese national anthem play in European F3 before and now we have seen the Chinese national flag flying in F2. I really feel proud about it as it shows what Chinese people are capable of. I believe what really matter is that result speaks itself in any sport. As long as you have the result, people will know Chinese [drivers] could do well in motor racing.”
This season’s campaign will mark the 21-year-old’s second year in Formula 2 where he is chasing his first race win. Last year he bagged five podiums on his way to seventh in the standings. “My goal is to finish the season in the top three, top four will be fine, as long as I could get the points I need for a superlicense,” he said. “Should any chance arise, I don’t want to miss it.”
Two parts to F1 component freeze
Formula 1 will be freezing parts in two batches this season, those at the start of the championship and a second batch at the end of September. With the start of the Formula 1 season delayed when the Australian Grand Prix was cancelled, the sport went on an extended hiatus. That cost the teams an estimated $2 million per race missed. Many of the UK based teams put staff on furlough, reduced drivers’ salaries and some, such as McLaren, announced redundancies. Since then McLaren has revealed it is looking to sell a stake in its F1 team to find money while the Williams F1 team in its entirety is up for sale. With other teams also reportedly in trouble, Formula 1 is taking steps to reduce costs, one of which is by freezing components.
That will be done in two parts, according to reports. The publication reports that the new homologated components appendix to the technical regulations, reads that some components will be frozen from the first race of the season, “R1-2020” and others will be frozen at a second point that it labels “Mid-2020.” That mid point is 30 September. Deadlines have also been set for teams to inform the FIA of their intention to use two development tokens with the teams having to let motorsport’s governing body know by 5 August. On that date they must “provide the FIA with a full specification of the intended changes of the HC and any affected components”. While teams were initially permitted to return to past homologated components if the updates they failed, they now have to revert within five races.
Could Red Bull's ServusTV win F1 TV rights
Where in England Formula 1 rights are fixed for a longer period of time at Sky Sports, abroad there is more bickering about the contracts. In Austria, for example, Red Bull is hunting for the images from 2021 onward. In Austria the Formula 1 images are currently provided by ORF, but the contract expires at the end of 2020. The unique commentary by Alexander Wurz and Ernst Hausleitner could therefore simply disappear from the image, although ORF is still in the process of renewing the contract. ''We're still talking,'' ORF told reporters. If these contract negotiations are not successful, however, there will be a hijacker on the coast. Red Bull's ServusTV platform already broadcasts MotoGP in Austria and recently also managed to seize the Champions League. Although Dietrich Mateschitz says he doesn't fully focus on broadcasting sports, he doesn't rule out the chance of F1 footage either. ''The Formula 1 rights are of course always interesting for a broadcaster, but we can't say anything about that at the moment. We have to wait and see how the situation develops with ORF and Sky. We have to see what the market is doing and will of course always keep an eye on that'', concludes the Red Bull top man.
1%er
Well-Known Member
McLaren could be insolvent by 17 July
McLaren is worried it may soon run out of money. Although the famous British team has signed up Daniel Ricciardo for 2021, McLaren has now said in a filing at London's High Court that it needs a ruling "to ensure that the Group can continue as a going concern into 2021". The company has already laid off a quarter of its workforce, and now it is suing to have the security in its factory and historic F1 car collection released in order to raise over $300 million in loans.
The High Court papers say a ruling in McLaren's favour will work by "preventing a cash flow crisis and a value destructive insolvency", the crisis has emerged because McLaren was unable to sell enough sports cars during the pandemic (If you recall I posted about this about a month ago). McLaren needs the funding by 10 July, which is between the forthcoming first and second races in Austria. The defendant's lawyer reportedly told McLaren earlier in June that the lawsuit will not be successful because it "will not be concluded before the Group runs out of cash". And if the cash does run out, the lawyer predicted that McLaren "will then have no realistic prospect of avoiding an insolvent liquidation". A trial will begin in London's High Court on 2 July. [what is going on is that McLaren want to get a 300 million UK pound loan using their factory and car collection as collateral, but some investors are claiming they have already lent McLaren money and were given the factory and car collection as a guarantee. Things are not looking good for the McLaren group and it looks like it is there own fault, as I posted before they were selling cars and giving a very high guaranteed residual value and that I believe is coming back to bite them now. For more information see my post 337 through to Limejuice post 342]
ROKiT moving to Mercedes
Mercedes is closing in on a new sponsorship agreement with ROKiT that could be in place for the start of the new Formula 1 season. ROKiT previously served as Williams' title sponsor from the start of the 2019 Formula 1 season, only for the deal to be terminated by the team at the end of May. But ROKiT is now on course to become a sponsor of the Mercedes F1 team ahead of the new season, with confirmation of the deal understood to be imminent. A Mercedes spokesman said the team "can't offer comment on any confidential commercial discussions, be they with ROKiT or any other brand". The ROKiT group covers a series of brands, including its own in-house phone company and the ABK brewery in Germany, the logos for both being carried on Williams' car through the 2019 season and 2020 pre-season testing.
Following the split with Williams, ROKiT stressed it remained committed to its motorsport activities, enjoying involvement in Formula E as the title sponsor of Venturi, as well as sponsoring all of the W Series cars. Williams is understood to have informed ROKiT that it terminated the agreement on the day of the announcement, coinciding with the team confirming plans to find a new buyer or fresh investment in the coming months. ROKiT will bolster Mercedes' raft of sponsors, joining companies such as title sponsor Petronas, Bose, Monster Energy and INEOS, the last-named becoming its new principal partner at the start of the season.
The arrival of ROKiT will support Mercedes' push to make its F1 operation more profitable in the future ahead of the arrival of the $145 million cost cap in 2021. Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff said in February that making the team profitable was "exactly what we have as our target", aiming to make funding the operation a "no-brainer" for parent company Daimler. "The marketing is huge and the return on investment should be the icing on the cake, we see that in the American sports leagues that most of them, the NFL or the NBA, are profitable franchises. This is my personal aim and my personal contribution with our partners to turn this into such a corporate company, so that from a service standpoint it becomes a no brainer to participate" Wolff said.
Are Renault working against McLaren (or is it Renault want the money upfront, see story above)
McLaren and Red Bull Racing cannot test endlessly with old cars because they still contain engines from a previous collaboration with Honda and Renault. According to Ted Kravitz, however, McLaren is being held back twice. To get ready for the start of the Formula 1 season, the teams have a few options. For example, they can test cars that are at least two years old or use one of their two possible test days during the season to drive 100 kilometres under the banner of a film day. While Red Bull uses the latter option to get Max Verstappen and Alexander Albon to make some meters, McLaren is said not to have that option either. The team from Woking cannot test with an old car because it still has a Honda engine in it, but won't get a 2020 engine from Renault either.
'It is not officially confirmed by McLaren, but from the Vodcast with Andreas Seidl it became clear that Renault is not yet able or willing to supply them with engines. That's why McLaren couldn't schedule a movie day and had to do it with a test at Carlin, where Renault appeared on the Red Bull Ring with the 2018 car'', says Ted Kravitz in his vlog for Sky Sports. If it's 'don't want to' at Renault, that's the first break in the descending relationship before the start of the season. At the end of 2020 McLaren will switch to Mercedes engines and take over top driver Daniel Ricciardo from their current engine supplier. In the battle for fourth place in the standings, Renault might currently benefit from the lack of a test day for McLaren.
McLaren is worried it may soon run out of money. Although the famous British team has signed up Daniel Ricciardo for 2021, McLaren has now said in a filing at London's High Court that it needs a ruling "to ensure that the Group can continue as a going concern into 2021". The company has already laid off a quarter of its workforce, and now it is suing to have the security in its factory and historic F1 car collection released in order to raise over $300 million in loans.
The High Court papers say a ruling in McLaren's favour will work by "preventing a cash flow crisis and a value destructive insolvency", the crisis has emerged because McLaren was unable to sell enough sports cars during the pandemic (If you recall I posted about this about a month ago). McLaren needs the funding by 10 July, which is between the forthcoming first and second races in Austria. The defendant's lawyer reportedly told McLaren earlier in June that the lawsuit will not be successful because it "will not be concluded before the Group runs out of cash". And if the cash does run out, the lawyer predicted that McLaren "will then have no realistic prospect of avoiding an insolvent liquidation". A trial will begin in London's High Court on 2 July. [what is going on is that McLaren want to get a 300 million UK pound loan using their factory and car collection as collateral, but some investors are claiming they have already lent McLaren money and were given the factory and car collection as a guarantee. Things are not looking good for the McLaren group and it looks like it is there own fault, as I posted before they were selling cars and giving a very high guaranteed residual value and that I believe is coming back to bite them now. For more information see my post 337 through to Limejuice post 342]
ROKiT moving to Mercedes
Mercedes is closing in on a new sponsorship agreement with ROKiT that could be in place for the start of the new Formula 1 season. ROKiT previously served as Williams' title sponsor from the start of the 2019 Formula 1 season, only for the deal to be terminated by the team at the end of May. But ROKiT is now on course to become a sponsor of the Mercedes F1 team ahead of the new season, with confirmation of the deal understood to be imminent. A Mercedes spokesman said the team "can't offer comment on any confidential commercial discussions, be they with ROKiT or any other brand". The ROKiT group covers a series of brands, including its own in-house phone company and the ABK brewery in Germany, the logos for both being carried on Williams' car through the 2019 season and 2020 pre-season testing.
Following the split with Williams, ROKiT stressed it remained committed to its motorsport activities, enjoying involvement in Formula E as the title sponsor of Venturi, as well as sponsoring all of the W Series cars. Williams is understood to have informed ROKiT that it terminated the agreement on the day of the announcement, coinciding with the team confirming plans to find a new buyer or fresh investment in the coming months. ROKiT will bolster Mercedes' raft of sponsors, joining companies such as title sponsor Petronas, Bose, Monster Energy and INEOS, the last-named becoming its new principal partner at the start of the season.
The arrival of ROKiT will support Mercedes' push to make its F1 operation more profitable in the future ahead of the arrival of the $145 million cost cap in 2021. Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff said in February that making the team profitable was "exactly what we have as our target", aiming to make funding the operation a "no-brainer" for parent company Daimler. "The marketing is huge and the return on investment should be the icing on the cake, we see that in the American sports leagues that most of them, the NFL or the NBA, are profitable franchises. This is my personal aim and my personal contribution with our partners to turn this into such a corporate company, so that from a service standpoint it becomes a no brainer to participate" Wolff said.
Are Renault working against McLaren (or is it Renault want the money upfront, see story above)
McLaren and Red Bull Racing cannot test endlessly with old cars because they still contain engines from a previous collaboration with Honda and Renault. According to Ted Kravitz, however, McLaren is being held back twice. To get ready for the start of the Formula 1 season, the teams have a few options. For example, they can test cars that are at least two years old or use one of their two possible test days during the season to drive 100 kilometres under the banner of a film day. While Red Bull uses the latter option to get Max Verstappen and Alexander Albon to make some meters, McLaren is said not to have that option either. The team from Woking cannot test with an old car because it still has a Honda engine in it, but won't get a 2020 engine from Renault either.
'It is not officially confirmed by McLaren, but from the Vodcast with Andreas Seidl it became clear that Renault is not yet able or willing to supply them with engines. That's why McLaren couldn't schedule a movie day and had to do it with a test at Carlin, where Renault appeared on the Red Bull Ring with the 2018 car'', says Ted Kravitz in his vlog for Sky Sports. If it's 'don't want to' at Renault, that's the first break in the descending relationship before the start of the season. At the end of 2020 McLaren will switch to Mercedes engines and take over top driver Daniel Ricciardo from their current engine supplier. In the battle for fourth place in the standings, Renault might currently benefit from the lack of a test day for McLaren.
1%er
Well-Known Member
McLaren looking for a £150m loan from National Bank of Bahrain
McLaren are set to address their financial worries by arranging a loan from the National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) to provide a £150m cash injection next month. Autosport are reporting the move would allow the company to obtain at least the first stage of the required refinancing from a ‘friendly’ organisation that shares a significant part of its ownership with McLaren itself. The NBB is 44% owned by the Mumtalakat Holding Company, Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, which also owns 56% of McLaren. A loan between the two parties would be on more favourable terms than those available on the financial markets.
Court documents have indicated McLaren are seeking £280m altogether and that new funding is required by mid-July as the impact of the global health pandemic hits the company hard. Forbes reported this week that McLaren’s financial troubles could be worse than initially thought with the Group facing insolvency by July 17, which is the Friday of the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. But the latest news appears to dilute that claim.
McLaren Holdings recently launched a legal action in order to free up its Woking properties and collection of historic cars to help raise cash via mortgages or a sale of the latter. However, reports that any such move has been blocked by a group of bondholders who have security over the key assets and do not want to release them to be used to raise new funding. The legal challenge is not, however, expected to impact the NBB loan. McLaren, who declined to comment on the latest developments, have been forced to lay off more than a quarter of their workforce since the start of the pandemic, which has drastically altered the 2020 F1 schedule that now gets under way in Austria with the opening race on July 5.
Weather looking bad for 1st GP
Yes, it's still very early, but the weather forecast for next week in Spielberg doesn't lie. Today it's already raining in Austria and that doesn't seem to stop in the coming weeks. It is indeed still a week and a half before the first Grand Prix of the Formula 1 season in 2020, but that makes everyone looking forward to it now. So the weather can already be watched closely, because in Formula 1 weather conditions can completely change a race.
For the time being, according to Weather.com, rain showers and thunderstorms are planned for the next two weeks. It will only rain on Sunday in Austria, after which there will finally be days of sunshine in the following week. Now it's still a week and a half until the start of the season, so anything can still happen. However, the fact that it's this kind of weather for two weeks means that it has to turn around completely in order to get even better weather, or the period of rainfall should be over sooner. [Kind of non-story but a lack of news
]
McLaren are set to address their financial worries by arranging a loan from the National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) to provide a £150m cash injection next month. Autosport are reporting the move would allow the company to obtain at least the first stage of the required refinancing from a ‘friendly’ organisation that shares a significant part of its ownership with McLaren itself. The NBB is 44% owned by the Mumtalakat Holding Company, Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, which also owns 56% of McLaren. A loan between the two parties would be on more favourable terms than those available on the financial markets.
Court documents have indicated McLaren are seeking £280m altogether and that new funding is required by mid-July as the impact of the global health pandemic hits the company hard. Forbes reported this week that McLaren’s financial troubles could be worse than initially thought with the Group facing insolvency by July 17, which is the Friday of the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. But the latest news appears to dilute that claim.
McLaren Holdings recently launched a legal action in order to free up its Woking properties and collection of historic cars to help raise cash via mortgages or a sale of the latter. However, reports that any such move has been blocked by a group of bondholders who have security over the key assets and do not want to release them to be used to raise new funding. The legal challenge is not, however, expected to impact the NBB loan. McLaren, who declined to comment on the latest developments, have been forced to lay off more than a quarter of their workforce since the start of the pandemic, which has drastically altered the 2020 F1 schedule that now gets under way in Austria with the opening race on July 5.
Weather looking bad for 1st GP
Yes, it's still very early, but the weather forecast for next week in Spielberg doesn't lie. Today it's already raining in Austria and that doesn't seem to stop in the coming weeks. It is indeed still a week and a half before the first Grand Prix of the Formula 1 season in 2020, but that makes everyone looking forward to it now. So the weather can already be watched closely, because in Formula 1 weather conditions can completely change a race.
For the time being, according to Weather.com, rain showers and thunderstorms are planned for the next two weeks. It will only rain on Sunday in Austria, after which there will finally be days of sunshine in the following week. Now it's still a week and a half until the start of the season, so anything can still happen. However, the fact that it's this kind of weather for two weeks means that it has to turn around completely in order to get even better weather, or the period of rainfall should be over sooner. [Kind of non-story but a lack of news
]
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
Nice paint job but modern F1 cars still universally look awful.
Limejuice
Well-Known Member
A propos the financial problems teams face, I wonder if soon we'll see F1 cars sporting logos for the receivers handling the team's disposal?
Maybe cars whizzing around with 'for sale' signs on them?
'Buy one, get a nose-cone free! Buy two, get a ride in Martin Brundle's helicopter!'
'Four tyres and a Ted Kravitz air freshener with every purchase!'
* gets coat *
Maybe cars whizzing around with 'for sale' signs on them?
'Buy one, get a nose-cone free! Buy two, get a ride in Martin Brundle's helicopter!'
'Four tyres and a Ted Kravitz air freshener with every purchase!'
* gets coat *
MrCurry
right after this urgent rest
I quite like the look of that williams livery. Perhaps the blue highlighting could be a bit more prominent, but understated is probably the right style for a car which is likely to be at the tail end of the field. Save a more aggressive livery for when you’re competitive again.
MrCurry
right after this urgent rest
Is it too soon to get over-excited about the return of F1 to our screens next weekend? My god I’ve missed my favourite sport!
Such a shame I can’t see the future. Would’ve been so fun to sign off the F1 2019 thread saying I’ll see you lot in seven months time for the opening race of the 2020 F1 season in Austria! Would’ve made me look like a right Nostradamus.
Such a shame I can’t see the future. Would’ve been so fun to sign off the F1 2019 thread saying I’ll see you lot in seven months time for the opening race of the 2020 F1 season in Austria! Would’ve made me look like a right Nostradamus.
1%er
Well-Known Member
McLaren’s financial problems solved it seems
McLaren’s financial problems “have been solved”. That is the claim of team supremo Zak Brown, mere days after it emerged that McLaren was actually looking towards a July hearing in the London High Court to avoid insolvency. Shortly after that news, rumours that McLaren could be rescued by a loan from the National Bank of Bahrain emerged. When asked about the alarming situation at Woking, Brown said: “The problems have been solved. You will hear positive news from us in the next few days.” McLaren will then be well position for the future with the budget cap coming in for 2021 and beyond, he added. “We are able to make full use of the cost cap and do our program as planned. With a strong driver duo, this will put us back on the road to victories and titles,” said Brown.
However, it has been rumoured that the financial problems were so dire that construction of a new wind tunnel and simulator were scrapped. Brown insisted: “When the virus broke out, all programs were stopped. Our shareholders first wanted to see how the situation would develop. With the financial problem sorted out, these programs are slowly starting up again. We are still careful because we don’t know how many races or Formula 1 earnings there will be this year, or if there will be a second wave of infections. But we are back in business,” Brown said. “In five years, McLaren Racing will be worth a lot more money than it is today.”
[Not so sure myself but I hope so, the financial problems are not really with the F1 side of the business, it is the car maker side that has the problem and unless McLaren change the way they sell cars they will have just pushed the problem down the road for a while].
Wolff looking into space
At a time most of those around him are looking ahead to a season which could witness yet another brace of titles, the Austrian is looking a little further afield. While rivals are struggling financially, having to take full advantage of the taxpayer-funded furlough scheme as well as looking to sell off the family silver, the Brackley-based outfit is flourishing, meaning that not one of its 968 staff was put on the scheme. However, at a time McLaren reveals that it will have to lay-off 70 staff next year, as part of a drive to reduce its Group workforce by as many as 1,200, so too Mercedes will have to reduce its headcount, courtesy of the budget cap.
However, in a bid to ensure that as few personnel are laid off as possible, the German team is looking at alternative projects and seemingly nothing is off the table. "Space is a very early-stage discussion," he tells reporters. "We are not going to build a rocket," he adds, "but we might provide services to somebody who wants to build a rocket." Though he is not prepared to give much away, at a time Elon Musk's SpaceX is in the headlines, the first time NASA astronauts to go into orbit using a commercially built and operated spacecraft and the likes of (Amazon founder) Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, and Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic are vying to send people into space, including, hopefully, paying customers, Wolff sees this as a significant opportunity and admits that a space travel operator has already expressed an interest in partnering with his team to apply its F1 know-how to such a programme. "We see ourselves as a high performance engineering boutique," he says. "What we do is enhance performance on land, sea, air and possibly space. The cost cap means there will be redundancies," he admits, "but we are giving it our utmost efforts to find interesting opportunities for the people we won't be able to accommodate."
Back on terra firma, the Austrian is fully confident moving forward, though he is unsure that the 2020 race schedule will witness anything like the sort of numbers F1 is looking for. "I think we are going to get to 15 races," he says, revealing that as long as there are at least 12, parent company Daimler will not need to inject any further cash. "Discussions that we are having with potential sponsors are at a high," he says, confirming that not a single sponsor has pulled out since the pandemic brought the season to a screeching halt. That said, despite the negativity surrounding the car manufacturing industry and the pandemic, Wolff can see some positives.
"What we are seeing in the auto industry with Covid-19 is that the youth who normally say, 'I don't need my own car, I can rent one or I will take public transport' are now saying, 'I don't want to go on any public transport and I don't want to take a plane to fly somewhere. It is almost like being back in the 1970s where owning a car meant freedom," he adds. "And there is a pretty big chance that these potential clients are looking for a Mercedes because it is winning in Formula 1."
A message to Bernie "stop digging"!!!!!!!!!
McLaren’s financial problems “have been solved”. That is the claim of team supremo Zak Brown, mere days after it emerged that McLaren was actually looking towards a July hearing in the London High Court to avoid insolvency. Shortly after that news, rumours that McLaren could be rescued by a loan from the National Bank of Bahrain emerged. When asked about the alarming situation at Woking, Brown said: “The problems have been solved. You will hear positive news from us in the next few days.” McLaren will then be well position for the future with the budget cap coming in for 2021 and beyond, he added. “We are able to make full use of the cost cap and do our program as planned. With a strong driver duo, this will put us back on the road to victories and titles,” said Brown.
However, it has been rumoured that the financial problems were so dire that construction of a new wind tunnel and simulator were scrapped. Brown insisted: “When the virus broke out, all programs were stopped. Our shareholders first wanted to see how the situation would develop. With the financial problem sorted out, these programs are slowly starting up again. We are still careful because we don’t know how many races or Formula 1 earnings there will be this year, or if there will be a second wave of infections. But we are back in business,” Brown said. “In five years, McLaren Racing will be worth a lot more money than it is today.”
[Not so sure myself but I hope so, the financial problems are not really with the F1 side of the business, it is the car maker side that has the problem and unless McLaren change the way they sell cars they will have just pushed the problem down the road for a while].
Wolff looking into space
At a time most of those around him are looking ahead to a season which could witness yet another brace of titles, the Austrian is looking a little further afield. While rivals are struggling financially, having to take full advantage of the taxpayer-funded furlough scheme as well as looking to sell off the family silver, the Brackley-based outfit is flourishing, meaning that not one of its 968 staff was put on the scheme. However, at a time McLaren reveals that it will have to lay-off 70 staff next year, as part of a drive to reduce its Group workforce by as many as 1,200, so too Mercedes will have to reduce its headcount, courtesy of the budget cap.
However, in a bid to ensure that as few personnel are laid off as possible, the German team is looking at alternative projects and seemingly nothing is off the table. "Space is a very early-stage discussion," he tells reporters. "We are not going to build a rocket," he adds, "but we might provide services to somebody who wants to build a rocket." Though he is not prepared to give much away, at a time Elon Musk's SpaceX is in the headlines, the first time NASA astronauts to go into orbit using a commercially built and operated spacecraft and the likes of (Amazon founder) Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, and Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic are vying to send people into space, including, hopefully, paying customers, Wolff sees this as a significant opportunity and admits that a space travel operator has already expressed an interest in partnering with his team to apply its F1 know-how to such a programme. "We see ourselves as a high performance engineering boutique," he says. "What we do is enhance performance on land, sea, air and possibly space. The cost cap means there will be redundancies," he admits, "but we are giving it our utmost efforts to find interesting opportunities for the people we won't be able to accommodate."
Back on terra firma, the Austrian is fully confident moving forward, though he is unsure that the 2020 race schedule will witness anything like the sort of numbers F1 is looking for. "I think we are going to get to 15 races," he says, revealing that as long as there are at least 12, parent company Daimler will not need to inject any further cash. "Discussions that we are having with potential sponsors are at a high," he says, confirming that not a single sponsor has pulled out since the pandemic brought the season to a screeching halt. That said, despite the negativity surrounding the car manufacturing industry and the pandemic, Wolff can see some positives.
"What we are seeing in the auto industry with Covid-19 is that the youth who normally say, 'I don't need my own car, I can rent one or I will take public transport' are now saying, 'I don't want to go on any public transport and I don't want to take a plane to fly somewhere. It is almost like being back in the 1970s where owning a car meant freedom," he adds. "And there is a pretty big chance that these potential clients are looking for a Mercedes because it is winning in Formula 1."
A message to Bernie "stop digging"!!!!!!!!!
1%er
Well-Known Member
Mercedes to run all black livery to combat racism and promote diversity
Mercedes is to run in a striking all-black base livery for the 2020 Formula 1 as part of its plan to combat racism and promote diversity. Mercedes has revealed that only three per cent of its workforce belongs to minority ethnic groups and 12% are women. The new livery is what the team has described as 'a public pledge to improve the diversity of our team and a clear statement that we stand against racism and all forms of discrimination'. The call to 'End Racism' is to feature on the halo of both cars, while the recently launched F1 initiative #WeRaceAsOne will be on the mirrors of the W11. Drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas will also race in black overalls this season, with both also adapting their helmet designs.
Notably, As part of its commitment for greater inclusivity, before the end of this season, the team will announce a 'Diversity and Inclusion programme'. This will include but not be limited to: continuing to listen to and raise the awareness of its team members; forensic analysis of its recruitment and development processes; collaboration with the sport's key stakeholders to improve accessibility to F1t; and targeted education initiatives to encourage and support talented people from under-represented backgrounds who aspire to reach F1. To help combat the issue, six-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton recently launched 'The Hamilton Commission', a research partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering dedicated to exploring how motorsport can be used to engage more young people from black backgrounds with STEM subjects to employ them on Mercedes' teams or in other engineering sectors.
Regarding the project, six-time F1 champion Hamilton said: "It's so important that we seize this moment and use it to educate ourselves whether you are an individual, brand or company to make real meaningful changes when it comes to ensuring equality and inclusivity. I have personally experienced racism in my life and seen my family and friends experience racism, and I am speaking from the heart when I appeal for change. When I spoke to Toto [Wolff] about my hopes for what we could achieve as a team, I said it was so important that we stand united. I would like to say a huge thank you to Toto and the Mercedes Board for taking the time to listen, to talk, and to really understand my experiences and passion, and for making this important statement that we are willing to change and improve as a business. We want to build a legacy that goes beyond sport, and if we can be the leaders and can start building more diversity within our own business, it will send such a strong message and give others the confidence to begin a dialogue about how they can implement change."
Wolff added: "Racism and discrimination have no place in our society, our sport or our team: this is a core belief at Mercedes. But having the right beliefs and the right mindset isn't enough if we remain silent. We wish to use our voice and our global platform to speak up for respect and equality, and the Silver Arrow will race in black for the entire 2020 season to show our commitment to greater diversity within our team and our sport. We will not shy away from our weaknesses in this area, nor from the progress we must still make; our livery is our public pledge to take positive action. We intend to find and attract the very best talents from the broadest possible range of backgrounds, and to create credible pathways for them to reach our sport, in order to build a stronger and more diverse team in the future."
Mercedes new livery
Mercedes is to run in a striking all-black base livery for the 2020 Formula 1 as part of its plan to combat racism and promote diversity. Mercedes has revealed that only three per cent of its workforce belongs to minority ethnic groups and 12% are women. The new livery is what the team has described as 'a public pledge to improve the diversity of our team and a clear statement that we stand against racism and all forms of discrimination'. The call to 'End Racism' is to feature on the halo of both cars, while the recently launched F1 initiative #WeRaceAsOne will be on the mirrors of the W11. Drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas will also race in black overalls this season, with both also adapting their helmet designs.
Notably, As part of its commitment for greater inclusivity, before the end of this season, the team will announce a 'Diversity and Inclusion programme'. This will include but not be limited to: continuing to listen to and raise the awareness of its team members; forensic analysis of its recruitment and development processes; collaboration with the sport's key stakeholders to improve accessibility to F1t; and targeted education initiatives to encourage and support talented people from under-represented backgrounds who aspire to reach F1. To help combat the issue, six-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton recently launched 'The Hamilton Commission', a research partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering dedicated to exploring how motorsport can be used to engage more young people from black backgrounds with STEM subjects to employ them on Mercedes' teams or in other engineering sectors.
Regarding the project, six-time F1 champion Hamilton said: "It's so important that we seize this moment and use it to educate ourselves whether you are an individual, brand or company to make real meaningful changes when it comes to ensuring equality and inclusivity. I have personally experienced racism in my life and seen my family and friends experience racism, and I am speaking from the heart when I appeal for change. When I spoke to Toto [Wolff] about my hopes for what we could achieve as a team, I said it was so important that we stand united. I would like to say a huge thank you to Toto and the Mercedes Board for taking the time to listen, to talk, and to really understand my experiences and passion, and for making this important statement that we are willing to change and improve as a business. We want to build a legacy that goes beyond sport, and if we can be the leaders and can start building more diversity within our own business, it will send such a strong message and give others the confidence to begin a dialogue about how they can implement change."
Wolff added: "Racism and discrimination have no place in our society, our sport or our team: this is a core belief at Mercedes. But having the right beliefs and the right mindset isn't enough if we remain silent. We wish to use our voice and our global platform to speak up for respect and equality, and the Silver Arrow will race in black for the entire 2020 season to show our commitment to greater diversity within our team and our sport. We will not shy away from our weaknesses in this area, nor from the progress we must still make; our livery is our public pledge to take positive action. We intend to find and attract the very best talents from the broadest possible range of backgrounds, and to create credible pathways for them to reach our sport, in order to build a stronger and more diverse team in the future."
Mercedes new livery
MrCurry
right after this urgent rest
I completely misread that story at first glance, and jumped to the conclusion they’re doing a special livery just for Austria, but now I see it’s for the whole season.
Leaving aside for a moment the question of how much this kind of gesture achieves, or whether it’s primarily motivated by a desire to gain good PR, I do have to say I love the look of the car in black. Very sexy and cool looking. Or as Badgers put it far more succinctly -
Leaving aside for a moment the question of how much this kind of gesture achieves, or whether it’s primarily motivated by a desire to gain good PR, I do have to say I love the look of the car in black. Very sexy and cool looking. Or as Badgers put it far more succinctly -
cybershot
Well-Known Member
And finally, for the first time this season, it's time togowatch racing!
Austria. This weekend's timings are (UK times):
Fri 3 July
FP1 - 10:00
FP2 - 14:00
Sat 4 July
FP3 - 11:00
Qual - 14:00
Sun 5 July
Race - 14:10
Thank fuck for this, cricket back the following weekend too.
1%er
Well-Known Member
Did Mercedes have to change all their engines
Max Verstappen is a big favourite for the Austrian Grand Prix and his chances have only increased according to Jack Plooij [some Dutch bloke and the only sourse for this story]. He received news about the engines of Mercedes. This weekend the engines of the Formula 1 teams will be restarted for the first time for the Austrian Grand Prix. With this the Formula 1 season will finally start again and with Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton as big favourites. Plooij sees Verstappen winning in Austria, but also has other news. "There's a very good chance he'll win. On the way here I got a call and I understood that the engines at Mercedes have to be taken out. A mistake would have been found in the engine of Mercedes and now all engines, including those at the customers, have to be swapped. So the weekend already starts quietly'', Plooij reports.
Still it's racing and it remains to be seen whether this will have an impact on the weekend. Who knows, maybe Mercedes already has a new engine ready and the problem has already been solved. ''Sport remains very simple and Max is focused. Whatever happens, he is really only working on one thing: 'Be the fastest in each session, because then I win'', concludes the pit reporter of Ziggo Sport.
Hamilton want $50 million a season
Lewis Hamilton wants $50 million a year to renew his contract with Mercedes, according to Britain's Daily Mail newspaper. The news, reportedly confirmed by a "source close" to the six-time world champion, comes after team boss Toto Wolff revealed that Hamilton was behind the decision to switch from a silver to black livery for 2020. Both Hamilton and teammate Valtteri Bottas' contracts expire this year, and the Daily Mail said the 35-year-old Briton wants 40 million pounds sterling each season.
A pay-rise amid the global corona and economic crisis might seem unlikely, but Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko thinks Mercedes will make it happen. Told that Mercedes will be unwilling to shell out more for Hamilton amid the downturn, Marko said this week: "Then someone else will pay it. Petronas only has to transfer a little less to the team and send it to Hamilton instead." The German news agency DPA is reporting ahead of the 2020 season re-start in Austria that Hamilton appears to want to stay at Mercedes for the foreseeable future. "We want to build a legacy together that goes beyond sport," he is quoted as saying.
Max Verstappen is a big favourite for the Austrian Grand Prix and his chances have only increased according to Jack Plooij [some Dutch bloke and the only sourse for this story]. He received news about the engines of Mercedes. This weekend the engines of the Formula 1 teams will be restarted for the first time for the Austrian Grand Prix. With this the Formula 1 season will finally start again and with Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton as big favourites. Plooij sees Verstappen winning in Austria, but also has other news. "There's a very good chance he'll win. On the way here I got a call and I understood that the engines at Mercedes have to be taken out. A mistake would have been found in the engine of Mercedes and now all engines, including those at the customers, have to be swapped. So the weekend already starts quietly'', Plooij reports.
Still it's racing and it remains to be seen whether this will have an impact on the weekend. Who knows, maybe Mercedes already has a new engine ready and the problem has already been solved. ''Sport remains very simple and Max is focused. Whatever happens, he is really only working on one thing: 'Be the fastest in each session, because then I win'', concludes the pit reporter of Ziggo Sport.
Hamilton want $50 million a season
Lewis Hamilton wants $50 million a year to renew his contract with Mercedes, according to Britain's Daily Mail newspaper. The news, reportedly confirmed by a "source close" to the six-time world champion, comes after team boss Toto Wolff revealed that Hamilton was behind the decision to switch from a silver to black livery for 2020. Both Hamilton and teammate Valtteri Bottas' contracts expire this year, and the Daily Mail said the 35-year-old Briton wants 40 million pounds sterling each season.
A pay-rise amid the global corona and economic crisis might seem unlikely, but Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko thinks Mercedes will make it happen. Told that Mercedes will be unwilling to shell out more for Hamilton amid the downturn, Marko said this week: "Then someone else will pay it. Petronas only has to transfer a little less to the team and send it to Hamilton instead." The German news agency DPA is reporting ahead of the 2020 season re-start in Austria that Hamilton appears to want to stay at Mercedes for the foreseeable future. "We want to build a legacy together that goes beyond sport," he is quoted as saying.
souljacker
innit
Not again surely? They ballsed up the cooling last year.
Limejuice
Well-Known Member
Well, Sky's coverage is a bit clunky. Some of the commentary bods seem to be in the UK. Brundle is interviewing Hammy from about 4 metres away with both of them in masks.
Now we have Lazenby, Brundle and Button are doing the talking-head thing from the paddock-ish zone, all a few metres apart. Everyone's in masks.
I mean I get what's going on (something to do with flu, I hear...), it just looks a tad unfriendly.
No sign of Ted Kravitz so far.
Now we have Lazenby, Brundle and Button are doing the talking-head thing from the paddock-ish zone, all a few metres apart. Everyone's in masks.
I mean I get what's going on (something to do with flu, I hear...), it just looks a tad unfriendly.
No sign of Ted Kravitz so far.
Limejuice
Well-Known Member
Yes, the trio were behind the garages somewhere.
