MrCurry
right after this urgent rest
How times change. He wasn’t popular in Sao Paulo in 2008.
F1 2022
- Thread starter 1%er
- Start date
1%er
Well-Known Member
The F1 engine row triggered by Porsche/Audi plans
Red Bull wants a more generous concession for new Formula 1 engine manufacturers from 2026 but rivals are more concerned about how an unprecedented entry plan from the Volkswagen Group could materialise. After the successful introduction of the team budget cap in 2021, F1 plans to limit spending for engine manufacturers alongside its new technical regulations in 2026. There is a June target for finalising the first draft of these regulations but until then an initial framework has been drawn up. This is set to include concessions for ‘new’ manufacturers, which would be Red Bull Powertains and potentially Porsche and Audi from the VW Group.The current framework is said to give the new manufacturers an extra $10million for their first two seasons and $5m in the third, plus a $15m allowance for capital expenditure projects and extra dyno time. Red Bull believes the concessions should go further, specifically regarding capital expenditure projects. “I think the framework that actually exists within the power unit regulations is reasonable from a newcomer status perspective, which obviously Red Bull Powertrains will be for 2026,” said Red Bull Racing CEO Christian Horner when asked by The Race about the proposed concessions. “It’s modest hours, and it’s a modest I think $10m in the first two years and $5m in the third year as an allowance for a newcomer. The thing that is the most restrictive that needs to be looked at is from a CapEx perspective, because essentially, there’s only $15m worth of capital expenditure allowed on equipment from when the cap comes in. Now, when you look at our competitors, that in some cases have obviously had 70 years of investment on the engine side, to think that you can have a facility fully operational and equipped within the next eight months, is unrealistic. I think that’s something that needs to be looked at.”
Red Bull is only weeks away from moving staff into the new factory in Milton Keynes, where dynos and other equipment have been installed in recent months. It is already planning an expansion of the new building having recognised the need for further space and intends to add more manufacturing facilities. n addition, Red Bull is expected to strike a deal with Porsche to collaborate on the 2026 power unit. And this is where the row is brewing. F1’s existing manufacturers are already wary of giving the likes of Red Bull, Porsche and Audi more resources for the new engine rules. They feel dropping the MGU-H from the complex energy recovery systems has levelled the playing field already, so fear a competitive advantage will be given to new manufacturers.
Of greater concern are the question marks that remain over exactly how Porsche and Audi potentially entering F1 will work in practice, and what the regulations will allow them to do. While Red Bull is likely to work with Porsche, Audi could enter F1 with its own standalone project. If both Porsche’s and Audi’s plans materialise, then a pair of engine projects from within the same group is an unforeseen and unusual challenge for the rulemakers to try to accommodate. “It’s not clear yet who actually enters as a power unit supplier and who declares themselves as newcomers,” said Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff. “It could well be that there are three companies from the same group that are entering as newcomers. The picture is still very unclear and whether $15m CapEx is enough or not enough, there are much bigger topics that we need to agree on which we haven’t.”
The concern is that if manufacturers must adhere to dyno limits and a budget cap, a joint project could benefit from combining two allowances, either by design, or by accident if the rules are unclear or not policed effectively. For example, Red Bull and Porsche could both be considered new manufacturers and therefore receive a full allowance each, even though they may work on the same project. The Race has been told this arrangement, which would give the engine project more than double the initial resource of existing manufacturers, is a possibility.
Then there is a separate issue of Audi potentially running its own engine separately, based on the abandoned V6 that Porsche developed before scrapping a potential F1 entry plan in 2018. This would mean knowledge of two different engine projects would exist within the VW Group. It has been broadly agreed that keeping intellectual property separate is important to guarantee but again the worry is how that would be properly policed. “We’re very happy for Porsche and Audi to join F1,” said Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto. "That’s great for F1. It’s very great for us, as well to compete with those brands. On the regulations, we know that the objective is to try and finalise by June. There are no new discussions relating to that, [but] there are still open points overall, which are financial regulations. We need to consider what we define what is a newcomer and what are the benefits of a newcomer? All that needs to be clarified and defined. There is also the IP transfer. IP transfer should not be possible, that was agreed. How we translate that into a wording needs to be decided. There are points on the technical side that are still open discussions, still many things that need to be moved forward and analysed. Time is certainly very short, so we need to work on it as a high priority.”
1%er
Well-Known Member
The 'enormous' work Mercedes are doing ahead of Imola
Mercedes will undergo an "enormous" amount of work ahead of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix as they look to keep pace with Ferrari and Red Bull. The Brackley-based team have kept themselves in the World Championship fight with a string of impressive results, despite their car being much slower than their direct rivals. Both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have stood on the podium during the early rounds, with Russell now second in the Drivers' Championship standings, behind Charles Leclerc. But there is still plenty for the reliable Mercedes to do before they can challenge for race wins, the team have wholeheartedly admitted. "I think often people see the race team on TV and think that's the entire team. It's not. We are fortunate to have a base in Brackley, and in Brixworth, with hundreds of people working every hour they possibly can to make this racing car fast, competitive and a championship winner," Mercedes' Chief Strategist, James Vowles, explained. "The work that goes on between races is enormous. There is a turnaround of components, there are upgrades, there is an understanding of problems that we have and how do we move the performance forward both on the PU side and also on the chassis side."
After races in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Australia, F1 will now return to Europe for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, held at Italy's famous Imola circuit. The first European event of the season promises to see several teams bring upgrades as the race to stay ahead intensifies. Vowles has made clear that for Mercedes it will be no different, with the team looking to ensure Ferrari and Red Bull do not extend their gap at the front. And there will be big points up for grabs to the team that get their first upgrades of the season right, with Imola chosen as one of three Sprint events on the 2022 calendar. Vowles continued: "I suspect you will see an evolution of our competitors. We need to make sure we, at the very minimum, keep up with that. So, the work that takes place now is a review of what has happened in Melbourne and an understanding of what we need to do going forward into Imola, and progress the car into a championship winner."
Limejuice
Well-Known Member
Svegliatevi, tutti! Imola calling.
Or rather Emilia-Romagna is calling, whoever she is. And it's one of those sprint-fangled weekends.
Here are the UK times (yes, every slot is at a different time to ensure the race happens at a time of day the teams have no experience of
):
Fri 22 Apr
FP1 - 12:30
Qual - 16:00
Sat 23 Apr
FP2 - 11:30
Sprint - 15:30
Sun 24 Apr
Race - 14:00
Speriamo che le Red Bull esplodano.
Or rather Emilia-Romagna is calling, whoever she is. And it's one of those sprint-fangled weekends.
Here are the UK times (yes, every slot is at a different time to ensure the race happens at a time of day the teams have no experience of
):Fri 22 Apr
FP1 - 12:30
Qual - 16:00
Sat 23 Apr
FP2 - 11:30
Sprint - 15:30
Sun 24 Apr
Race - 14:00
Speriamo che le Red Bull esplodano.
1%er
Well-Known Member
More brain drain at Mercedes – aerodynamicist defects to Ferrari
Mercedes have been losing team members to rivals since 2021. The result has been loss of expertise to rival teams. There has now been more brain drain at Mercedes in 2021, as an aerodynamicist has recently defected to Ferrari. All teams are struggling with the complex new technical regulations, as ground effect makes a comeback. This has led to high demand for aero expertise. Ferrari are the latest to bolster their technical team to keep their advantage. Ferrari has spent the last two seasons preparing for the new 2022 regulations, enjoying a dominant start to the 2022 season. Adding an aerodynamicist from F1’s most dominant team from the last decade will only help them going forward.Formula1News is reporting that aerodynamicist Gianluca Romani has already left Mercedes. Romani joined the Silver Arrows as a graduate in 2019. He was then promoted to full-time aerodynamicist during the 2021 season. Romani has returned to his home country of Italy last month to start work for the Scuderia. Via a post on LinkedIn, Romani confirmed his move in a short statement: “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Aerodynamicist at Ferrari.”
Romani’s departure will be another blow to Mercedes who are continuing to fight off rival teams as their dominant team continues to disband. Red Bull have been the most active in recruiting from the Mercedes. They have lured away several of the team’s engineers for their new powertrains division. Team advisor Dr Helmut Marko has said the team’s recruitment drive has seen around 50 people move to their Powertrains division. Ferrari have also taken several team members from Mercedes in recent months, as rivals look to end Mercedes’s unbroken run of nine straight constructor championship wins.
Ferrari have yet to comment on their successful scoop.
1%er
Well-Known Member
Why Audi 'has confused itself' in search to buy an F1 team
It's all but certain that Porsche and Audi will compete against each other in Formula 1 if Audi can decide on a team to take over, with multiple options still remaining. The recent confirmation from the VW Group that its Porsche and Audi brands are coming to F1 in 2026 generated as many questions as it answered, specifically concerning what current teams are set to benefit. In fact no definitive decisions have been announced and, at least in the case of Audi, a variety of outcomes still appear to be in play. Contrary to what was originally envisaged by rival manufacturers this will not be a badge engineering exercise, with Porsche and Audi fielding their own versions of the same power unit. The two marques are set to compete against each other, just as they did in WEC and more recently in Formula E.Porsche’s intentions are at least clear, even if not yet confirmed. The Stuttgart company is set to join forces with Red Bull by taking on the project that is being put together in Milton Keynes by the new Red Bull Powertrains division, and which is headed by a group of key players headhunted from Mercedes HPP in Brixworth. The new engine will be used by both Red Bull Racing and AlphaTauri, allowing the latter to enjoy the same sort of benefits that it does now when sharing Honda power with the senior team, such as a common gearbox. At one stage rivals thought that RBR would be the Porsche team and AlphaTauri Audi, but that won’t now be the case.
For its own project Audi intends to acquire and rename an existing team as a full works outfit, which will use a bespoke power unit that will be developed and built in Germany. Inevitably the identity of that team is the source of much speculation, and all the other non-Red Bull and non-works teams on the grid have to be considered as potential candidates. Audi wants to hook up with a team that has established facilities and good people, and yet still have obvious potential to improve within the scope of the budget cap that now regulates the sport. It’s no secret that Audi has been in discussion with McLaren for some time, and that those talks appear to have stalled. In some ways McLaren is the perfect candidate, in that it is has been in the top four for the past couple of seasons, and is clearly in good shape technically. But it is also a complex organisation with a road car company and IndyCar team attached to it, as well as a variety of shareholders who might not all be on the same page. And does the VW Group need another premium sportscar brand in its roster? The high asking price and question marks over keeping the McLaren name also appear to have contributed to the deal not progressing. BMW is now being mentioned in connection with the Woking outfit, but an F1 return for the Bavarian marque would seem to be unlikely.
If not McLaren, then who? The Aston Martin name has emerged in recent weeks, and if that seems a little odd given the strong existing links between the British marque and Mercedes, you are right. However, if you think of the organisation not as Aston Martin but as ‘Team Silverstone’ or even ‘Stroll F1’ then the possibility of a future Audi link starts to make more sense. Is there a scenario Lawrence Stroll continues to use the Aston brand until 2025, and then his team becomes a full works Audi operation? It might be struggling now, but Stroll has hired some good people from RBR and Mercedes, and the new campus that is being built adjacent to the Silverstone base will be the most modern in the sport, so there is obvious appeal to Audi. However the years of transition would be politically complicated to say the least, with Mercedes so closely linked to a team that would be set to morph into Audi. It’s also said that Audi isn’t too keen on the long-term Aramco deal that Stroll has in place.
In contrast to McLaren and Aston Martin, Williams would be a pretty straightforward arrangement. The team may have been at the back of the grid in recent years, but it is still a large and well-equipped organisation, with a good facility in Grove that has the space to expand. It also has a very VW-friendly management team led by Jost Capito and technical director Francois-Xavier Demaison. Capito has made no secret of his interest in an engine deal, but he downplays the suggestion that Williams could be for sale. However, owners Dorilton Capital didn’t buy the team out of altruism, and they are in it to make money in the long-term. Will they ever find a better buyer than Audi? Or is too soon and Dorilton will opt to hold on as the value of F1 team franchises continues to rise?
The other serious contender is Sauber, and some sources say it is now the most likely choice. The company began its growth three decades ago with Mercedes support, and was later further expanded on BMW’s dollar. It then became a private team and a Ferrari engine and gearbox customer once more. It currently runs under the Alfa Romeo name, but that is essentially a sponsorship deal. For Audi a Swiss-based German-speaking team has obvious appeal, just as it did for BMW when it decided to move away from Williams. However Swiss employment laws complicate matters, and over the decades it has always proved difficult for Sauber to tempt top technical talent away from the British teams. Those who do give it a try often only stay in Hinwil for a year or two before they decided they’ve had enough, and head back home. Nevertheless Sauber remains a top-class facility, and there’s an existing relationship, as Audi hired the wind tunnel for its WEC programme.
Owner Finn Rausing rejected Michael Andretti’s attempts to buy the team last year, preferring to retain a hand-on involvement in the sport, and the Swedish billionaire certainly doesn’t need to sell. However Audi’s offer may be bigger and better, and ultimately prove to be too tempting. The only other private team on the grid is Haas. However, its business model is built on its close relationship with Ferrari, and in essence it represents an entry ticket with a decent race team and a small group of designers, and little else. Audi needs a fully-staffed proper facility with wind tunnel and manufacturing facilities and so on already in place. If Gene Haas is tempted to sell then Andretti is a more likely buyer.
Some sources say that Audi has confused itself with the available choices, and that the top management genuinely don’t know which route to take. An added complication is that it will have to buy, or commit to buy a team, sooner rather than later. There will follow an interim period of some three seasons during which the team concerned will carry on under its existing name, and with its current engine supply arrangements. At what stage will Audi take proper control and put in place any planned changes?
It will be fascinating to see what the company ultimately decides to do.
1%er
Well-Known Member
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Weather
This weekend's race could see similar conditions to what unfolded during last season's Grand Prix at Imola, with showers and thunderstorms forecast to hit at different times over the event. Friday will likely be the wettest of the three days, with rain of between 10 and 20 millimetres expected to fall. The timing of this in relation to qualifying is unpredictable; the likelihood though is that the circuit will be dry, or drying, by the time the session starts. By Saturday, the rain is forecast to have moved east, but an occasional shower could occur during the afternoon and evening. Throughout the day, temperatures will be reasonably warm with 20 degrees Celsius at its peak, and some moderate wind coming from the south. For Sunday's race day, the risk of rain showers increases, although most bursts are expected to pass by the circuit. The chance of a dry race is around 30 percent, with sun breaking through the clouds on occasion to raise the temperature to around 20 degrees. The wind is expected to be quite weak, with little effect on the cars.
This weekend's race could see similar conditions to what unfolded during last season's Grand Prix at Imola, with showers and thunderstorms forecast to hit at different times over the event. Friday will likely be the wettest of the three days, with rain of between 10 and 20 millimetres expected to fall. The timing of this in relation to qualifying is unpredictable; the likelihood though is that the circuit will be dry, or drying, by the time the session starts. By Saturday, the rain is forecast to have moved east, but an occasional shower could occur during the afternoon and evening. Throughout the day, temperatures will be reasonably warm with 20 degrees Celsius at its peak, and some moderate wind coming from the south. For Sunday's race day, the risk of rain showers increases, although most bursts are expected to pass by the circuit. The chance of a dry race is around 30 percent, with sun breaking through the clouds on occasion to raise the temperature to around 20 degrees. The wind is expected to be quite weak, with little effect on the cars.
1%er
Well-Known Member
Charles LeClerc’s Richard Mille RM 67-02 Stolen During Autograph Signing
Just a day after news surfaced of boxer Amir Khan being robbed of his Franck Muller at gun point another high profile sportsman also had his watch stolen on Monday 18th. Charles Leclerc, the current leader of the Formula 1 world series lost his Richard Mille RM67-02. Fortunately for Leclerc, his experience was less traumatic than Khan or even fellow F1 star Lando Norris who also was robbed of a Richard Mille last year, both of whom were either mugged or robbed at gun point. Leclerc was a victim of a classic pickpocket, removing the watch from his wrist without him being aware of it. The incident happened in Versilia, Italy, where Leclerc is preparing for the Emilio Romagna Grand Prix at Imola this weekend. Reportedly, he was approached by a swarm of fans seeking autographs and signings and in the crowd the thief struck. It was only later that Leclerc realised he had been robbed and filed it with police. Adding insult to injury, the watch lost was a custom RM 67-02 personalised for Leclerc as part of Richard Mille’s partnership with Ferrari, the team he races for. Its value is estimated around the €300,000 mark (approx. £250,000). Hopefully it won’t affect his performance later this week.
1%er
Well-Known Member
F1 alters configuration of Imola’s DRS zone again
Formula 1 has changed the configuration of the single DRS zone at Imola for the third year running since the track returned to the calendar. The high-speed circuit offers few locations where a DRS zone of significant length could be incorporated safely. It is, therefore, one of a handful of venues on the calendar which has just one DRS zone. The zone runs from the start/finish line towards the braking zone for Tamburello, which is officially known as turn two. As was the case last year the activation point will be 60 metres before turn 19, the final corner on the track.However the detection point for the corner has been moved. It was previously situated 20 metres before Rivazza 1 (turn 17) but is now some 385 metres before the corner instead. The new detection point is therefore around halfway between the Variante Alta chicane and Rivazza 1. The DRS zone was extended following F1’s return to the track in 2020. The activation point was originally situated at the finishing line, after turn 19, and the detection point was first positioned 40 metres after turn 18. Last year race winner Max Verstappen said F1 should add a second DRS zone on the run from Variante Alta to Rivazza 1. “That would help a lot because then you get a bit closer for the last two corners,” he said. “Because you lose so much time in the last two corners that even when you put the DRS a bit earlier, you will not arrive in time for turn one.”
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
Number 1 really pushing the definition of “turn” there 
souljacker
innit
That may well be with €300k but it will be a bitch to sell.
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
Google “Apollo Robbins”, he’s insanely good
Ax^
Silly Rabbit
he'll be able sell it but not for anything likes its worth
1%er
Well-Known Member
Sainz signs new F1 deal with Ferrari until 2024
Carlos Sainz Jr. signed a new contract with Ferrari on Thursday until 2024, ahead of the Italian team’s home Formula One race this weekend. Sainz joined Ferrari from McLaren in 2021 on a two-year contract. “I have always said that there is no better Formula One team to race for and after over a year with them, I can confirm that putting on this race suit and representing this team is unique and incomparable,” Sainz said. “My first season at Maranello was solid and constructive, with the whole group progressing together. The result of all that work has been clear to see so far season.”Ferrari leads the constructors’ championship after two wins for Sainz’s teammate, Charles Leclerc, in the opening three races. Sainz, who has never won an F1 race, finished second in Bahrain and third in Saudi Arabia but the Spanish driver crashed out of the last grand prix in Australia. The 27-year-old Sainz is third in the drivers’ standings, 38 points behind Leclerc and four below George Russell. “I feel strengthened by this renewed show of confidence in me and now I can’t wait to get in the car, to do my best for Ferrari and to give its fans plenty to cheer about,” Sainz added. “The F1-75 is proving to be a front-runner, which can allow me to chase my goals on track, starting with taking my first Formula One win.”
The next race is this weekend’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, which is at Imola, on a track named after the Italian team’s founder and his son: Enzo and Dino Ferrari. Ferrari has not won a race on home soil since 2019 at Monza by Leclerc in the Italian GP. “I have said several times that I believe we have the best driver pairing in Formula One," Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said, "and so, with every passing race, it seemed a completely natural step to extend Carlos’ contract, thus ensuring stability and continuity. In his time so far with the team, he has proved to have the talent we expected from him, delivering impressive results and making the most of all opportunities. … Together, we can aim for ambitious targets.”
1%er
Well-Known Member
Lewis Hamilton and Serena Williams join Broughton Chelsea consortium
Martin Broughton believes his bid to buy Chelsea would offer the biggest immediate cash injection into the Stamford Bridge club. Lewis Hamilton and Serena Williams have bolstered Broughton’s bid to buy Chelsea, with the former British Airways chairman among the final three consortiums vying for the west London club. Seven-time Formula One champion Hamilton and 23-time tennis Grand Slam winner Williams are understood to have been on board in Broughton’s consortium for several weeks.American private equity billionaires Josh Harris and David Blitzer would hold the controlling stake in Broughton’s bid, it is understood. The duo would need to divest their minority shareholding in Crystal Palace before completing a deal, but Eagles chairman Steve Parish has already revealed a relaxed position on securing replacement investment for the Selhurst Park club. Canada’s Rogers family and Taiwan’s Tsai family, owners of the Taipei Fubon Braves and Fubon Guardians baseball teams are also involved in the Broughton consortium.
Broughton is understood to be confident that his group of investors would hand Chelsea access to the most capital of the three consortiums competing to buy the Stamford Bridge club. A spokesperson for Formula One star Hamilton confirmed the 37-year-old’s involvement in Broughton’s bid. “We can confirm that Lewis has joined the Sir Martin Broughton bid,” a spokesperson for Hamilton said. Broughton has partnered with Lord Sebastian Coe on their bid to buy Chelsea, with both lifelong Blues fans determined to take the Stamford Bridge helm. World Athletics president and London 2012 chief Coe’s presence adds political and sports administration clout, with Broughton having held a short chairmanship at Liverpool to help the Reds transition to their current owners.
Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly and Boston Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca head up the other two consortiums left in the running to buy Chelsea from Roman Abramovich. Russian-Israeli billionaire Abramovich put Chelsea up for sale on March 2nd, amid Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine.
The 55-year-old was then sanctioned by the UK Government on March 10th, with Downing Street claiming to have proven his links to Vladimir Putin. Chelsea have been granted a special Government licence to continue operating, although under strict terms. Abramovich cannot profit from Chelsea’s sale, but had already vowed to write off the club’s £1.5billion debt. New York merchant bank the Raine Group must select a preferred bidder in the race to buy Chelsea, with the Government then to grant a new licence for the sale to complete the process.
[Buying a debt free Premiership football club is a great investment but Lewis will not get much for a £10 million investment for sure]
dessiato
🇪🇸 my spirit is crying for leaving
FP2 is when I go for beer and tapas! If I go later I’ll miss the huevos rojos I love! It’s good because the waitress knows I like it so I get two per beer, and she always gives me a cheeky wink as she does so. I could make my own I suppose, but that’s not the same.Svegliatevi, tutti! Imola calling.
Or rather Emilia-Romagna is calling, whoever she is. And it's one of those sprint-fangled weekends.
Here are the UK times (yes, every slot is at a different time to ensure the race happens at a time of day the teams have no experience of
Fri 22 Apr
FP1 - 12:30
Qual - 16:00
Sat 23 Apr
FP2 - 11:30
Sprint - 15:30
Sun 24 Apr
Race - 14:00
Speriamo che le Red Bull esplodano.
No wonder I couldn’t find a list of live F1 races on channel 4 when I googled it.
Limejuice
Well-Known Member
It's chucking it down this morning in Monza.
Standing water all over the track.
The F2 practice has been rescheduled.
The safety car was ambling round more slowly than an arthritic tortoise.
If this weather continues, it may lead to a tapas-friendly gap in proceedings...
#glasshalffull
Standing water all over the track.
The F2 practice has been rescheduled.
The safety car was ambling round more slowly than an arthritic tortoise.
If this weather continues, it may lead to a tapas-friendly gap in proceedings...
#glasshalffull
MrCurry
right after this urgent rest
Interesting. If it’s a wet race I wonder how the pecking order will be affected. Always sprinkles a little random effect which might not be welcomed by mr LeClerc.
Limejuice
Well-Known Member
Wet races nullify the advantages of speed and grip, and play into the hands of experience.
I'd imagine Hammy, Vettel, Alonso and so on would do well if they can stay on track and intact.
dessiato
🇪🇸 my spirit is crying for leaving
I might have an amontillado with my tapas.
Sasaferrato
Super Refuser!
£1,5Bn debt. Bloody hell!
Sasaferrato
Super Refuser!
Hamilton is the best driver in wet conditions by a country mile.
