F1 2023

[spitfire]

2023 F1 calendar

(as of 12th December 2022)

Date	Grand Prix	Venue
February 23-25	Pre-season testing	Sakhir
March 5	Bahrain	Sakhir
March 19	Saudi Arabia	Jeddah
April 2	Australia	Melbourne
TBC	TBC	TBC
April 30	Azerbaijan	Baku
May 7	Miami	Miami
May 21	Emilia Romagna	Imola
May 28	Monaco	Monaco
June 4	Spain	Barcelona
June 18	Canada	Montreal
July 2	Austria	Spielberg
July 9	United Kingdom	Silverstone
July 23	Hungary	Budapest
July 30	Belgium	Spa
August 27	Netherlands	Zandvoort
September 3	Italy	Monza
September 17	Singapore	Singapore
September 24	Japan	Suzuka
October 8	Qatar	Lusail
October 22	USA	Austin
October 29	Mexico	Mexico City
November 5	Brazil	Sao Paulo
November 18	Las Vegas	Las Vegas*
November 26	Abu Dhabi	Yas Marina

2023 Formula 1 driver line-ups

(as of 12th December 2022)

Team	2023 Drivers
Red Bull	Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez
Ferrari	Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz
Mercedes	Lewis Hamilton, George Russell
Alpine	Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly
McLaren	Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri
Alfa Romeo	Valtteri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu
Aston Martin	Lance Stroll, Fernando Alonso
Haas	Kevin Magnussen, Nico Hulkenberg
AlphaTauri	Yuki Tsunoda, Nyck de Vries
Williams	Alex Albon, Logan Sargeant

Seven technical rule changes in 2023 in F1​

FIA makes changes for the upcoming 2023 season with six sprint races.​

After the new regulations for 2022, the FIA is making a few changes for 2023 to make it easier for the teams. There already have been significant changes called in for the next year. Say, the number of sprint races will increase from three to six in 2023. Following the grid penalty chaos at Monza, the governing body decided to refine the grid penalty patterns to help determine the starting positions with fewer complications.

Aerodynamic changes to combat porpoising​

This term may have vanished over time, but the most major changes for the 2023 F1 season relate to the floor of the cars and aim to get rid of porpoising once and for all. The FIA argued safety was the main driver for these changes, but that argument was questioned by several teams. The parties have since reached a compromise and the rule changes have been approved by the World Motor Sports Council.

Floor changes to assist the above​

The FIA initially wanted to increase the floor edges by 25 millimetres, but it has since been clarified that this has been reduced to 15 millimetres. This was after loud protests from F1 teams who had already dealt with porpoising and were therefore simply able to adjust the ride height lower.

Minimum weight slightly increased​

The minimum weight of the cars will go down slightly. A minimum weight of 796 kilograms will apply in 2023, down from 798 kilograms in 2022. This change comes after the minimum weight for the 2022 F1 season was revised upwards as the majority of teams struggled to get the car to weigh.

Williams apparently was ready to strip the paint so that it could weigh less.

Role Bar changes for safety purposes​

Following Guanyu Zhou’s terrifying accident at the British Grand Prix, modifications to the rollbar were deemed necessary after the component proved unable to withstand the impact of the crash and broke off as a result. The part must be able to withstand heavier loads and be able to withstand an impact of 15G with the ground. Also, from 2023, the roll bar must be able to withstand both forward and rearward forces. Another change in terms of safety will be made to the mirrors. The surface area of the mirrors will be increased to provide better “blind-spot” visibility and improvement of brake circuit definition.

Fuel Temperature​

After fuel temperature issues arose several times during the 2022 F1 season, the FIA decided to make a rule change. Whereas in 2022 the fuel must not be colder than 20 degrees Celsius, from 2023 the temperature must not be more than 10 degrees below the ambient temperature. In cold weather, an overall minimum temperature of ten degrees Celsius will apply. The ambient temperature will be recorded one hour before a practice session or three hours before the race by a weather service designated by the FIA.

Tyre use during qualifying​

Things are also going to change during two qualifying sessions next year. As a test, drivers will be required to use specific tyre types during each part of the qualifying session in question. This will reduce the total number of tyre sets allowed during a race weekend from 13 to 11. During the two qualifying sessions in which this test is conducted, drivers will be given four sets of softs instead of eight, while the number of mediums and hards will be increased from three to four. During each stage of qualifying, drivers have to use a different compound: In Q1 it is the hard tyre, in Q2 the medium tyre and in Q3 the soft tyre.

Retuned grid penalty format​

Changes to the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations have also been made, now the procedure to determine grid positions after multiple penalties have been applied has been clarified. Article 28.3 of the sporting regulations now no longer mandates that a driver must start from the back if they incur 15 places of grid penalties. This has been amended after a Ferrari changed multiple elements on Charles Leclerc’s power unit at different times during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, in an attempt to avoid a ‘back of the grid penalty. Now the regulation states if a driver has: “accrued more than 15 cumulative grid position penalties, or who have been penalised to start at the back of the grid, will start behind any other classified driver.”

Any drivers with 15 or fewer grid penalties are ‘filled in’ based on their results in qualifying. If two drivers end up in the same position with a penalty, the fastest based on their qualifying time is moved forward one place.

 

[spitfire]

First bit of news.

Team Principal Jost Capito and Technical Director FX Demaison to leave Williams ahead of 2023 season | Formula 1®

Williams Team Principal Jost Capito and Technical Director FX Demaison are to leave the team, the British squad have announced...

www.formula1.com

 

[souljacker]

Lets hope for a better season this time. Verstappen can't have his own way again.

I'm looking forward to seeing what Piastri can do in the McLaren. Surely they can get more out of their car than Ricciardo did last season.

 

[spitfire]

Lets hope for a better season this time. Verstappen can't have his own way again.

I'm looking forward to seeing what Piastri can do in the McLaren. Surely they can get more out of their car than Ricciardo did last season.

Hope he does it for Badgers.

 

[MrCurry]

Ferrari deny Mattia Binotto will be replaced as team principal by Fred Vasseur​

Gazzetta dello Sport reported Binotto would pay the price for a 2022 season which Ferrari began with big leads in both World Championships after three rounds but quickly fell away as Red Bull got on top. The Italian publication claimed Vasseur is held in high esteem by the Stellantis group and that he would replace Binotto from January. But Ferrari responded by issuing a statement in which they categorically stated no such move was in the pipeline. “In response to speculation in certain media regarding Scuderia Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto’s position, Ferrari state these rumours are totally without foundation,” read the team’s statement.

Operational and strategy errors during races this season have been a large part of Ferrari’s undoing and pressure has inevitably built on Binotto, the man at the top. The report claimed Vasseur, 54, was first considered by the Scuderia last summer because of his vast racing experience, having worked his way up to F1 from managing teams in junior formulas, which gives him a different skill-set to the more technical knowledge offered by Binotto. The Alfa Romeo team run by Vasseur are the Sauber operation based in Switzerland and they have engines supplied by Ferrari. A move for the Frenchman would make sense considering Sauber are set to strengthen links with Audi over the next few years before the German manufacturer enter as an engine supplier in 2026, which could have put Vasseur’s position in jeopardy. Alfa Romeo are on course to finish a fine sixth in this season’s Constructors’ Championship, which represents a big improvement on the last few campaigns. If they can hold off Aston Martin, who are five points behind, at the concluding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, it would be Sauber’s year position-wise since 2012 when they were also sixth.

Although Ferrari won two of this season’s first three grands prix through Charles Leclerc, their season began to unravel from the moment the Monegasque crashed during the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and fell from third place to sixth. Since then, the Italian giants threw away several potential victory chances due to strategy blunders, car breakdowns and driver mistakes. They have added only two more wins since Leclerc’s in Australia on April 10. Leclerc triumphed in Austria and his team-mate, Carlos Sainz, in Britain. Binotto has been team principal since January 2019 when he succeeded Maurizio Arrivabene. Born in Switzerland, the 53-year-old has worked for Ferrari since soon after he left university with a Masters in motor vehicle engineering. He worked for Ferrari during their golden era in the first few years of this century, became head of the engine department in 2013 and then chief technical officer in 2016 after the departure of James Allison.

Hmmm…

 

[Limejuice]

Ferrari really have to practise their team denials more.

They suck at it,

 

[1%er]

McLaren boss Seidl poised to join Sauber​

McLaren Team Principal Andreas Seidl is set to leave the Woking outfit and is poised to join Sauber in a move that should be announced imminently.
Australian sources familiar with the matter that the German will join Sauber in the role of CEO, in a move influenced by Audi's recent strategic buy-in to the team ahead of its 2026 entry into F1.

Seidl would replace Frederic Vasseur, whose departure from Sauber is likely to be confirmed shortly. The Frenchman has been linked with the vacant Team Principal post at Ferrari, after Mattia Binotto resigned from the role last month. Seidl has previous work experience at a Volkswagen Group-run motorsport programme, having been Team Principal of Porsche's LMP1 outfit when the German marque won three Le Mans titles in a row from 2015 to 2017.

The German is also known to Audi executives, including the firm's CEO Markus Duesmann, as the two previously worked together at Sauber in the 2000s, when the Swiss-based team was run under the aegis of BMW.

 

[1%er]

Stella appointed team principal at McLaren​

McLaren has announced that following Andreas Seidl's departure, Andrea Stella will move from executive director to F1 team principal with immediate effect.

Stella has a wealth of F1 experience and has proven successful both on and off the track. He has been a key member of the McLaren F1 team since 2015, working as Head of Race Operations, Performance Director and since 2019 as Executive Director, Racing. Andrea began his career with 15-years at Ferrari, including as Performance Engineer for Michael Schumacher and Kimi Räikkönen (2002-2008) and then as Race Engineer for Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso (2009-2015). Andrea has a degree in Aerospace Engineering, and subsequently completed a PhD in Mechanical Engineering.

"I'm delighted that Andrea Stella will step into the Team Principal role and lead our F1 technical and operational programme," said Zak Brown. "Andrea is a highly talented, experienced and respected member of our team with a strong track record of leadership and success in Formula 1. His move into this role is a great example of the strength in depth we have in our team, and I'm excited to be working more closely with him with a joint focus on moving up the grid and winning races.

"I've really enjoyed working with Andreas," he added. "He has provided great leadership for the team and has played a significant part in our F1 performance recovery plan and ongoing journey to return to the front of the grid. I thank him for the transparency throughout the process which gave us time to plan accordingly."


"I feel privileged to take on the Team Principal role as the next stage of being part of the McLaren F1 Team," said Stella. "I am grateful to Zak and the Shareholders for their trust in me and to all my colleagues and those who have supported me throughout my F1 career.

"We are realistic about the amount of work ahead of us to move back up the grid, but I am excited and encouraged that I am in this journey together with a team full of talent, experience, racing spirit and dedication. I look forward to working closely with each of them, Lando and Oscar, to together achieving great success and enjoying the journey."

"I joined McLaren in 2019 and have really enjoyed working with Zak and the team," said Seidl. "We have achieved some good results, and I will always have fond memories, with Monza being a personal and career highlight.

"The team is on a great trajectory, and I would like to thank everyone for their support, trust and commitment. Thanks to Zak and the shareholders for their understanding of my personal decision to move on to another challenge. I wish Andrea and the team all the best for the future."

 

[1%er]

Seven technical rule changes in 2023 in F1​

FIA makes changes for the upcoming 2023 season with six sprint races.​

After the new regulations for 2022, the FIA is making a few changes for 2023 to make it easier for the teams. There already have been significant changes called in for the next year. Say, the number of sprint races will increase from three to six in 2023. Following the grid penalty chaos at Monza, the governing body decided to refine the grid penalty patterns to help determine the starting positions with fewer complications.

Aerodynamic changes to combat porpoising ​

This term may have vanished over time, but the most major changes for the 2023 F1 season relate to the floor of the cars and aim to get rid of porpoising once and for all. The FIA argued safety was the main driver for these changes, but that argument was questioned by several teams. The parties have since reached a compromise and the rule changes have been approved by the World Motor Sports Council.

Floor changes to assist the above ​

The FIA initially wanted to increase the floor edges by 25 millimetres, but it has since been clarified that this has been reduced to 15 millimetres. This was after loud protests from F1 teams who had already dealt with porpoising and were therefore simply able to adjust the ride height lower.

Minimum weight slightly increased ​

The minimum weight of the cars will go down slightly. A minimum weight of 796 kilograms will apply in 2023, down from 798 kilograms in 2022. This change comes after the minimum weight for the 2022 F1 season was revised upwards as the majority of teams struggled to get the car to weigh.

Williams apparently was ready to strip the paint so that it could weigh less.

Role Bar changes for safety purposes ​

Following Guanyu Zhou’s terrifying accident at the British Grand Prix, modifications to the rollbar were deemed necessary after the component proved unable to withstand the impact of the crash and broke off as a result. The part must be able to withstand heavier loads and be able to withstand an impact of 15G with the ground. Also, from 2023, the roll bar must be able to withstand both forward and rearward forces. Another change in terms of safety will be made to the mirrors. The surface area of the mirrors will be increased to provide better “blind-spot” visibility and improvement of brake circuit definition.

Fuel Temperature​

After fuel temperature issues arose several times during the 2022 F1 season, the FIA decided to make a rule change. Whereas in 2022 the fuel must not be colder than 20 degrees Celsius, from 2023 the temperature must not be more than 10 degrees below the ambient temperature. In cold weather, an overall minimum temperature of ten degrees Celsius will apply. The ambient temperature will be recorded one hour before a practice session or three hours before the race by a weather service designated by the FIA.

Tyre use during qualifying ​

Things are also going to change during two qualifying sessions next year. As a test, drivers will be required to use specific tyre types during each part of the qualifying session in question. This will reduce the total number of tyre sets allowed during a race weekend from 13 to 11. During the two qualifying sessions in which this test is conducted, drivers will be given four sets of softs instead of eight, while the number of mediums and hards will be increased from three to four. During each stage of qualifying, drivers have to use a different compound: In Q1 it is the hard tyre, in Q2 the medium tyre and in Q3 the soft tyre.

Retuned grid penalty format ​

Changes to the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations have also been made, now the procedure to determine grid positions after multiple penalties have been applied has been clarified. Article 28.3 of the sporting regulations now no longer mandates that a driver must start from the back if they incur 15 places of grid penalties. This has been amended after a Ferrari changed multiple elements on Charles Leclerc’s power unit at different times during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, in an attempt to avoid a ‘back of the grid penalty. Now the regulation states if a driver has: “accrued more than 15 cumulative grid position penalties, or who have been penalised to start at the back of the grid, will start behind any other classified driver.”

Any drivers with 15 or fewer grid penalties are ‘filled in’ based on their results in qualifying. If two drivers end up in the same position with a penalty, the fastest based on their qualifying time is moved forward one place.

 

[Ax^]

Ferrari really have to practise their team denials more.

They suck at it,

practising pits stops would be more useful

 

[spitfire]

Seven technical rule changes in 2023 in F1​

FIA makes changes for the upcoming 2023 season with six sprint races.​

After the new regulations for 2022, the FIA is making a few changes for 2023 to make it easier for the teams. There already have been significant changes called in for the next year. Say, the number of sprint races will increase from three to six in 2023. Following the grid penalty chaos at Monza, the governing body decided to refine the grid penalty patterns to help determine the starting positions with fewer complications.

Aerodynamic changes to combat porpoising ​

This term may have vanished over time, but the most major changes for the 2023 F1 season relate to the floor of the cars and aim to get rid of porpoising once and for all. The FIA argued safety was the main driver for these changes, but that argument was questioned by several teams. The parties have since reached a compromise and the rule changes have been approved by the World Motor Sports Council.

Floor changes to assist the above ​

The FIA initially wanted to increase the floor edges by 25 millimetres, but it has since been clarified that this has been reduced to 15 millimetres. This was after loud protests from F1 teams who had already dealt with porpoising and were therefore simply able to adjust the ride height lower.

Minimum weight slightly increased ​

The minimum weight of the cars will go down slightly. A minimum weight of 796 kilograms will apply in 2023, down from 798 kilograms in 2022. This change comes after the minimum weight for the 2022 F1 season was revised upwards as the majority of teams struggled to get the car to weigh.

Williams apparently was ready to strip the paint so that it could weigh less.

Role Bar changes for safety purposes ​

Following Guanyu Zhou’s terrifying accident at the British Grand Prix, modifications to the rollbar were deemed necessary after the component proved unable to withstand the impact of the crash and broke off as a result. The part must be able to withstand heavier loads and be able to withstand an impact of 15G with the ground. Also, from 2023, the roll bar must be able to withstand both forward and rearward forces. Another change in terms of safety will be made to the mirrors. The surface area of the mirrors will be increased to provide better “blind-spot” visibility and improvement of brake circuit definition.

Fuel Temperature​

After fuel temperature issues arose several times during the 2022 F1 season, the FIA decided to make a rule change. Whereas in 2022 the fuel must not be colder than 20 degrees Celsius, from 2023 the temperature must not be more than 10 degrees below the ambient temperature. In cold weather, an overall minimum temperature of ten degrees Celsius will apply. The ambient temperature will be recorded one hour before a practice session or three hours before the race by a weather service designated by the FIA.

Tyre use during qualifying ​

Things are also going to change during two qualifying sessions next year. As a test, drivers will be required to use specific tyre types during each part of the qualifying session in question. This will reduce the total number of tyre sets allowed during a race weekend from 13 to 11. During the two qualifying sessions in which this test is conducted, drivers will be given four sets of softs instead of eight, while the number of mediums and hards will be increased from three to four. During each stage of qualifying, drivers have to use a different compound: In Q1 it is the hard tyre, in Q2 the medium tyre and in Q3 the soft tyre.

Retuned grid penalty format ​

Changes to the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations have also been made, now the procedure to determine grid positions after multiple penalties have been applied has been clarified. Article 28.3 of the sporting regulations now no longer mandates that a driver must start from the back if they incur 15 places of grid penalties. This has been amended after a Ferrari changed multiple elements on Charles Leclerc’s power unit at different times during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, in an attempt to avoid a ‘back of the grid penalty. Now the regulation states if a driver has: “accrued more than 15 cumulative grid position penalties, or who have been penalised to start at the back of the grid, will start behind any other classified driver.”

Any drivers with 15 or fewer grid penalties are ‘filled in’ based on their results in qualifying. If two drivers end up in the same position with a penalty, the fastest based on their qualifying time is moved forward one place.

I've added this to the OP.

 

[a_chap]

Minimum weight slightly increased
The minimum weight of the cars will go down slightly.

Glad to see the FIA being crystal clear as ever...

 

[MrCurry]

Glad to see the FIA being crystal clear as ever...

The headline is the rule change issued to Mercedes, the subtitle is the one the FIA sent to Ferrari

 

[1%er]

Jost Capito leaves team after two years along with Francois-Xavier Demaison​

Jost Capito is stepping down as Williams CEO and team principal after two years in the role. The 64-year-old joined Williams in December 2020, but leaves along with technical director Francois-Xavier Demaison. Williams finished last in the 2023 Formula 1 constructors' championship with just eight points - 27 behind nearest rivals AlphaTauri.

Capito in a statement: "It has been a huge privilege to lead Williams Racing for the last two seasons and to lay the foundations for the turnaround of this great team. I look forward to watching the team as it continues on its path to future success." Williams were bought by Dorilton Capital in the summer of 2020 and finished eighth in the constructors’ championship in 2021. Williams had Alex Albon and Nicholas Latifi in the cockpit this season. Latifi will be replaced by American Logan Sargent in 2023.

Dorilton Capital chairman Matthew Savage added: "We would like to thank Jost for his hard work and dedication as we embarked on a major transformation process to begin the journey of reviving Williams Racing. We’re grateful that Jost postponed his planned retirement to take on this challenge and now he will pass the reins on for the next part of this staged process. We would also like to thank FX for his contribution and wish him all the best for his future as he moves on."

[Interesting that Dorilton Capital chairman Matthew Savage intermates Jost Capito is retiring, are they sure these two are not on their way to Audi (Alfa Romeo)]

 

[1%er]

Is Susie Wolff the perfect F1 team principal for Williams?​

With vacancies at Alfa Romeo and Williams, who could become their new team bosses for F1 2023? It’s been a crazy couple of days in F1 with a series of big announcements. It was all started by Williams’ announcement on Monday, announcing the departures of Jost Capito and technical director FX Demaison. Capito and Demaison’s departures from Grove caught everyone off guard.

It’s still unclear whether it was their own decision or the owner’s - Dorilton Capital - who may have grown frustrated by Williams’ lack of progress in 2022. Regardless, there are very few obvious candidates to replace Capito. One name that springs to mind is Susie Wolff. Wolff spent a number of years at Williams as their test and reserve driver, participating in a number of FP1 sessions between 2014 and 2015. Since then, she has held roles as team principal of the Venturi Formula E team, guiding the team to P2 in the drivers’ championship with Edo Mortara.

Wolff moved to a CEO position after the 2020-21 Formula E season before leaving the team following Maserati’s takeover. Her experience in both F1 and management roles makes her a suitable candidate. Whether she’d want to commit her time to 24 races on the road is another question. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has already admitted that he will “skip a few races” during F1’s record-breaking 23-race season in order to “survive”.

 

[1%er]

Saudi Arabia To Host F1 Season Opener In 2024​

The 2024 F1 season will run its first Grand Prix on the streets of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. The decision to move the inaugural race, which has been held mostly in Australia since 1996, is dictated by the respect of the Ramadan period. No early wake-up call for the first race of the season in 2024. While confirming the extension of Melbourne’s contract with F1 until 2037, it was also announced by the Victorian government that the inaugural race of the 2024 season will be hosted at the beginning of March in Saudi Arabia.

Furthermore, while the previous contract, which run until 2035, granted Albert Park the opening race in both 2024 and 2025, the new contract now confirms the Australian GP for two years more with four guaranteed inaugural races in Melbourne. On their side, Saudi Arabia had already confirmed its intention to commit to an important partnership with Formula 1: “We want to grow with the sport, we know the importance of F1 and we want to be part of the international community. We want to be present, we want everyone to come to Saudi Arabia and feel like as if they’re going anywhere else in the world.”

 

[1%er]

Ford tipped for possible F1 comeback in Red Bull engine tie-up​

American auto giant Ford is mulling a surprise return to Formula 1 with Red Bull Racing. According to Autosport, Ford has emerged as a candidate to partner the reigning constructors champion on its in-house power unit project for the new engine rules in 2026. Red Bull Racing is investing in its engine-building capability in a bid to become a self-sufficient works constructor, having been reliant on customer motors for its entire 17-year history.

It had originally intended to inherit Honda’s power unit technology from this season after the Japanese company moved to withdraw from the sport. But Sakura has been gradually shuffling back from the exit, and Red Bull Racing has continued to use Honda motors as a customer only, albeit with its own branding. Porsche then emerged as a possible partner once Volkswagen made clear it intended to field at least one brand in the sport, but a long-expected deal to join forces foundered at the final moment. The German marque had intended not only to become an equal partner in the engine-building business but also to buy 50 per cent of the race team, and Red Bull Racing decided the prestige of the partnership wasn’t worth the loss of autonomy.

Ford is now reportedly evaluating a tie-up with the constructors champion. Though it has no appetite to return to Formula 1 as a constructor, Ford is reportedly interested in the marketing potential of a partnership with Red Bull Racing in what could amount to essentially a high-profile badging exercise on a Red Bull-built power unit. With interest in Formula 1 booming in the United States and globally, Ford would be able to benefit from a connection to one of the sport’s highest profile teams, while Red Bull Racing would be able to add another blue-chip business to its burgeoning portfolio of US partners. While Ford has no interest in becoming an engine builder in its own right, Autosport has reported Ford could also supply technical assistance to the engine project where appropriate.

Though Red Bull has insisted that it will have the capability to build its 2026-spec motor entirely in-house — and it has already run its first internal combustion engine on the dyno — it will likely need to lean on a third-party provider for support with the energy recovery elements of the power unit. The 2026 Formula 1 power unit will boost electrical output to 350kW, almost three times as much as that produced by the current engine. Last year Ford published its electrification plan, which will see it invest US$50 billion (A$72.8 billion) in the five years from 2021 with the aim of selling more than two million electric cars annually by 2026.

Ford has an understatedly long history in Formula 1 as an engine supplier, having backed British company Cosworth’s construction of F1 engines between 1967 and 2003. Cosworth motors won 176 races in that time, putting it third on the victory list behind only Ferrari and Mercedes. A partnership with Red Bull Racing would also represent a reunion of sorts, with Ford having owned the team under the Jaguar brand from between 1999 and 2005, when it was sold to the Austrian energy drinks giant. Ford and Red Bull also have existing sponsorship connections in the World Rally Championship via the M-Sport team

A Red Bull Racing partnership with Ford would turn the spotlight back on Honda with the clock counting down to the new rules in 2026. The Japanese marque has been conspicuous in its long exit from Formula 1, and new management has heavily implied that it considers the decision to withdraw from the sport as a mistake, particularly given it powered Max Verstappen to the championship shortly afterwards and followed that with a driver-title double this year. Sticking with Red Bull Racing as a technical partner on the new engine project would be the easiest way to keep a foot in the door given their existing collaboration, and Honda has been considered the frontrunner to ink a deal ever since the Porsche talks collapsed.

But a Red Bull Racing-Ford tie-up would close the door on a renewed relationship. In this context it’s interesting to note that Honda this week registered its interest in becoming a 2026 engine supplier with the FIA independent of Red Bull Powertrains. Registering interest creates no binding requirement to enter the sport in 2026, but it does keep Honda in discussions with the governing body and other prospective engine builders about the regulations between now and 2026. Honda is clearly interested in remaining in Formula 1, though it has remained deliberately ambiguous about what form that interest could take. It could range from playing a minor technical role in an engine program through to returning as an independent engine builder, and there have long been rumours it could make a comeback as a full works constructor too.

AlphaTauri has been floated as a possible purchase opportunity given the strong relationship with Red Bull. A new entry with Andretti Autosport could also be possible — the two companies are already partners in IndyCar, and giving Honda a route back into the sport as a constructor would surely meet the high threshold set by the teams and Formula 1 to approve an 11th licence.

 

[1%er]

Mercedes announce Mick Schumacher as 2023 reserve driver after Haas axe​

Mick Schumacher, son of legendary driver Michael, has been announced as Mercedes' reserve driver for the 2023 season after he was dropped by Haas. It will come as a big relief for Schumacher, whose F1 future looked uncertain after Haas let him go and his contract with Ferrari as part of their driver academy was terminated. Schumacher, 23, has parted ways with Ferrari after four years working together, but he now joins one of their biggest rivals in Mercedes - who have an interesting team on their hands with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell their main drivers.

 

[1%er]

F1 2023 calendar: Car launch dates, pre-season testing​

The new regulations did not quite fully deliver in 2022, but no matter, F1 2023 gives new hope as the teams put that learning to use. Working in tandem with the budget cap, the fresh Technical Regulations that were rolled out for 2022 are designed to make the cars easier for another driver to follow, thus boosting overtaking opportunities. And with less design freedom and budget disparities, the goal is for a tight, overtaking-mad grid. The 2022 cars did seemingly allow for better overtaking action, though the grid spread out from what we saw in 2021. Nonetheless, that was to be expected at the start of such an extensive new regulatory cycle, so the hope is that 2023 will see the pack start to converge once more. Red Bull and Ferrari aced the new rules, Red Bull making best use of that achievement to record a comfortable title double, but with their even more restricted wind tunnel time as a result of a budget cap breach in 2021, this could well prove a tricky season in their bid to cling on to top spot.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of the F1 2023 season…

When are the F1 2023 car launch dates?
The new Formula 1 season always feels a lot more real when the teams start unveiling the challengers which they will contest it with, or at least the liveries! With the regulations now a year old, we should see more teams revealing their actual cars on launch day. Aston Martin stepped up to the plate as the first team to confirm their F1 2023 car launch date:

Aston Martin: February 13
Red Bull: TBC
Ferrari: TBC
Mercedes: TBC
Alpine: TBC
McLaren: TBC
Alfa Romeo: TBC
Haas: TBC
AlphaTauri: TBC
Williams: TBC

What are the F1 2023 cars called?
The car names chosen by teams are often rather predictable, the trusted pairing of the chassis abbreviation and number, that goes up by one each year, doing the trick. We can expect some variations to that though, Alfa Romeo gave us the C42 last season, and Ferrari the F1-75 as they celebrated their 75th anniversary. It was a car very much worthy of that iconic badge.

Mercedes: F1 W14
Aston Martin: AMR23
Haas: VF-23
Red Bull: TBC
Ferrari: TBC
Alpine: TBC
McLaren: TBC
Alfa Romeo: TBC
AlphaTauri: TBC
Williams: TBC

When is F1 2023 testing and is it on TV?
With testing action amounting to six days last season as the teams got a feel for these all-new rules, the 2023 schedule will see that allotted time slashed in half with only three days set to take place. Bahrain is place to be for the sole pre-season F1 2023 test, that taking place from February 23-25, the week prior to the season getting underway with the Bahrain Grand Prix at the same venue. It is expected that the usual style of two four-hour intervals per day will be used for the test, with teams allowed to run just the one car on the track at any given time. Confirmation has not yet arrived on whether the test will be televised, but last season the Bahrain test was shown in the UK and Ireland on Sky Sports F1, and in territories where access to F1TV Pro is available.

The Bahrain test schedule is as follows:
Thursday, February 23 – Day 1 – Bahrain International Circuit
Friday, February 24 – Day 2 – Bahrain International Circuit
Saturday, February 25 – Day 3 – Bahrain International Circuit

Who is favourite for the F1 2023 title?
4/5 – Max Verstappen
5/2 – Lewis Hamilton
6/1 – Charles Leclerc
8/1 – George Russell
22/1 – Carlos Sainz
33/1 – Sergio Perez
100/1 – Lando Norris

 

[MrCurry]

Mercedes announce Mick Schumacher as 2023 reserve driver after Haas axe​

Mick Schumacher, son of legendary driver Michael, has been announced as Mercedes' reserve driver for the 2023 season after he was dropped by Haas. It will come as a big relief for Schumacher, whose F1 future looked uncertain after Haas let him go and his contract with Ferrari as part of their driver academy was terminated. Schumacher, 23, has parted ways with Ferrari after four years working together, but he now joins one of their biggest rivals in Mercedes - who have an interesting team on their hands with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell their main drivers.

I wonder how much motivation Mick has to work towards helping Lewis take away his father’s record of most successful driver ever, by winning another WDC? Not much, I suppose.

 

[MrCurry]

Who is favourite for the F1 2023 title?
4/5 – Max Verstappen
5/2 – Lewis Hamilton
6/1 – Charles Leclerc
8/1 – George Russell
22/1 – Carlos Sainz
33/1 – Sergio Perez
100/1 – Lando Norris

I struggle to see Ferrari mounting a successful challenge next year, when they managed to trip themselves over this time with a car advantage which will probably have ebbed away from them by then.

Mercedes are another story, with this being their chance to correct the step in the wrong direction which put them at such a disadvantage this year. I would be tempted to put something on both Lewis and George, as it’s hard to say which of them might get the best out of next year’s car.

Max should be favourite, but 4/5 odds? That suggests a level of certainty which doesn’t seem to exist IMHO, so he’s poor value for a bet.

 

[1%er]

Red Bull open to selling Formula 1 team (Toro Rosso)​

2022 was an incredibly mixed year for the Red Bull family in Formula 1, with the official Red Bull outfit having enjoyed considerable success, following the team’s first Constructors’ Championship since 2013 and Max Verstappen’s second consecutive Drivers’ Championship. Whilst the team were also able to celebrate their 17 victories in 2022, the main side endured some difficulties, all of which occurred towards the end of the season. The Austrians were, of course, deemed guilty by the FIA for having breached the 2021 budget cap, something which resulted in a fine of $7 million and a 10-percent reduction in permitted aerodynamic research. This was all made public at virtually the same time as Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz’s tragic death, following a bout of illness. His death caused understandable heartache amongst the energy drink company and Formula 1, with him having played a huge role in the modern history of motorsport.

He famously introduced the Red Bull junior academy, something which has seen the likes of Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, Carlos Sainz and, of course, Verstappen break into F1. Most Red Bull drivers were introduced into the championship through AlphaTauri, the team formerly known as Toro Rosso. Up until 2005 this was the Minardi outfit, until Mateschitz bought the team, and rebranded them as Toro Rosso for 2006, also known as the Red Bull sister team. It has commonly been a team for young Red Bull drivers to develop, before moving into the main Austrian side or going elsewhere.

AlphaTauri, though, endured a terrible 2022 campaign, with the side having slumped to ninth in the Constructors’ Championship. With that in mind, the future of the team is being considered by new Red Bull F1 CEO Oliver Mintzlaff, who held a meeting with Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko, who admitted that the pair “are analysing everything”. “It was not the first time we spoke, but it was the first conversation about the future and how we want to approach it,” Marko explained to Austrian publication Kleine Zeitung. “We have the same base in mind and he has again learned a lot about the team. We are analysing everything and we will see how to chart the course for the future. There is always something to do. We live by the motto: ‘To stand still is to go backwards’. Continuity is certainly a very important ingredient for success, even if AlphaTauri’s performance this year was not satisfactory.”

 

[1%er]

Porsche CEO says 'we'll see' to new F1 talks​

Porsche CEO Oliver Blume has said "we'll see" to speculation the famous Volkswagen-owned German sports car maker may still enter Formula 1. The FIA declared recently that following the breakdown of takeover talks with Red Bull Racing, Porsche is now looking into opportunities elsewhere in the pitlane for the new 2026 engine rules. "The talks actually went very well," CEO Blume is quoted as saying by Speed Week when asked about the Red Bull speculation that ended in September. "A deal was agreed with a handshake but at the last moment it wasn't completed," he revealed. "We wanted to be an equal partner." Indeed, Red Bull bosses Christian Horner and Dr Helmut Marko have explained that the energy drink company ultimately decided it wanted the Formula 1 team to maintain its full independence.

Blume says he has no problem with that. "Everyone has to decide for themselves whether they want to sell shares," he insisted. "That's ok with us. We behaved fairly. Now we'll see what happens in the future and what will be attractive. We have a huge (motorsport) program ahead of us that we're looking forward to." Blume had been speaking at Porsche's traditional end-of-season party held at the Porsche Casino Weissach in Germany, where Fritz Enzinger was farewelled as head of the marque's motorsport activities. Speed Week correspondent Gerhard Kuntschik claims Enzinger had led Porsche's failed talks with Porsche this year. "Enzinger let it be known that if the deal hadn't collapsed, he would probably have continued to work for the VW Group," Kuntschik said.

 

[1%er]

Reported F1 2022 driver salaries ​

Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) - $40m

Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - $35m

Fernando Alonso (Alpine) - $20m

Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin) - $15m

Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) - $15m

Lando Norris (McLaren) - $15m

Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - $12m

Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) - $10m

Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo) - $10m

Sergio Perez (Red Bull) - $10m

George Russell (Mercedes) - $5m

Esteban Ocon (Alpine) - $5m

Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) - $5m

Kevin Magnussen (Haas) - $5m

Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo) - $1m

Mick Schumacher (Haas) - $1m

Nicholas Latifi (Williams) - $1m

Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) - $750k

 

[Limejuice]

Oi, Lewis. Lend us a tenner?

 

[1%er]

Governing body puts mufflers on F1 drivers​

Formula One drivers will need prior written permission from the sport’s governing body to make “political statements” from next season after an update of the International Sporting Code. The 2023 version of the code, which applies to all series sanctioned by the International Automobile Federation (FIA), was published on the governing body’s website with changes highlighted. The FIA added a new clause regarding “the general making and display of political, religious and personal statements or comments notably in violation of the general principle of neutrality promoted by the FIA under its statutes”.

Drivers who make such statements will now be in breach of the rules unless the FIA has granted previous approval in writing. Mercedes’ seven-times world champion, Lewis Hamilton, and now retired four-times champion Sebastian Vettel have been among those making political statements at races in recent seasons. Hamilton, who has been an outspoken campaigner for human rights and diversity, wore a black T-shirt at the 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix with the words “Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor” on the front. The shirt also had a photograph of the black medical worker, who was shot dead in her Louisville, Kentucky, apartment by police officers, with “Say her name”.

The FIA set out new pre- and post-race rules for driver attire after that incident. Hamilton has also called for more change in Saudi Arabia, saying this year that he was shocked to hear of mass executions, and has raced in the Middle East with a rainbow helmet in support of LGBTQ+ rights. Vettel used his platform to highlight issues ranging from LGBTQ+ rights to climate change. This year he wore a shirt proclaiming “Stop Mining Tar Sands” and “Canada’s Climate Crime” at the Canadian Grand Prix. In 2021 he wore a rainbow-coloured T-shirt in Hungary with the message “same love” to protest anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.

An FIA spokesperson said the update is “in alignment with the political neutrality of sport” as enshrined in the International Olympic Committee code of ethics.

 

[1%er]

Hamilton hints at career documentary in F1 season verdict​

Lewis Hamilton has declared the first winless season of his F1 career "a breeze" in comparison to past campaigns whilst also hinting at a future project. The seven-time champion endured his first year without either a race win or a pole position since making the step up to F1 with McLaren in 2007. Despite this, Hamilton dismissed the notion it had been his hardest campaign to date when speaking with Channel 4. "I don't really remember all of the other years because I have a really bad memory," said the Mercedes driver. "I wouldn't say it has been the hardest year, no. There has definitely been a year in the past that has been the hardest year of my life, from a personal place, and so this year has been a breeze compared to that one. You will have to read my book or something! Maybe it will come out in my documentary."

Until the chequered flag fell in Abu Dhabi in mid-November, Hamilton held the unique distinction of being the only driver in F1 history to have scored a win in each season he had driven. But asked if he cared about stats and records, Hamilton said: "Not particularly, no. I have had a pretty amazing 15 years, I am just living in gratitude. In 20 years' time, I am not going to be whining about whether or not I won a race every single year. I will be thinking of the championships. I will be looking back and thinking how fortunate I was to work with great people, the success we had, the trials and tribulations. Those are the things I will be looking back on and I will not be whining about whether or not I won one race in every season, or being the youngest. All these records will have zero meaning to me. It is more the journey, the times with the great people, the great friendships I have made, and the values that I have tried to stick to."

 

[1%er]

FIA issue clampdown over movement of personnel​

A revision to FIA regulations will prevent senior figures from motorsport's governing body from being hired by F1 teams within six months of leaving the FIA. The new article 9.17 of the International Sporting Code includes restrictions that apply to FIA presidents and deputy presidents of sport who leave their posts. "A competitor entered in a FIA championship may not engage or use the services of a former president of the FIA or a former FIA deputy president for sport (whether as an employee, independent contractor, consultant, or otherwise) until six months have elapsed since the date that they ceased to hold the post of president or deputy president for sport (as applicable), and in any event the aforementioned competitor may not, without time limit, obtain, benefit from or use confidential information obtained by a former president of the FIA or a former president-delegate for sport of the FIA during their mandate," reads the amendment.

Jean Todt is the only living former FIA president, having stood down at the end of 2021 after 12 years in the role. Prior to his stint as FIA president, Todt served as Team Principal and later CEO at Ferrari, with the team winning 14 Drivers' and Constructors' championships under his leadership. The FIA's updated International Sporting Code, which takes effect from January 1st, 2023, also includes a ban on the unauthorised display of "political, religious and personal statements" by F1 drivers.

 

[1%er]

Ferrari second team to reveal F1 2023 launch plans with Valentine's Day reveal​

Ferrari’s latest F1 challenger - which is going by the project number 675 - will be revealed on Tuesday February 14. The Valentine’s Day launch is nine days before F1’s pre-season test in Bahrain, which takes place on February 23-25 at the Bahrain International Circuit. The F1 2023 season will then kick-off with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 5. Ferrari are the second team to confirm their launch plans, with their reveal coming one day after Aston Martin on February 13.

That week is likely to be a busy one for F1 car launches. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will once again form Ferrari’s driver line-up, with next season marking the first under new team principal Frederic Vasseur. Ferrari will be hoping to finally end their long wait for F1 title success in 2023 after a catalogue of failures enabled Red Bull to run away with both world championships in 2022 and led to Mattia Binotto’s departure.

 

[1%er]

Former F1 driver Streiff dies aged 67​

Former Formula One driver Philippe Streiff has died at the age of 67, F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said in a statement on Saturday. Frenchman Streiff started 53 F1 Grand Prix and raced for Renault, Ligier, Tyrrell and AGS during his F1 career, which began in 1984. He earned his only podium finish in 1985 with Ligier. A pre-season testing crash in Brazil in 1989 left him paralysed and curtailed his racing career. "He showed incredible guts and determination throughout his life. The way he overcame his accident and rebuilt his life was inspirational," Domenicali said.