Month: April 2023

27 Apr 2023

F1’s new sprint format will rob teams of key long run data

Following approval at this week’s F1 Commission meeting, this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix will witness a revamped schedule. Saturday’s running will be completely standalone from the rest of the weekend, with there being a sprint shootout qualifying session in the morning followed by the short race in the afternoon. The change means that teams will […]

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27 Apr 2023

F1 abandons LED wheel cover plan for 2024

The idea of cars running LED wheel covers to display extra information to fans has been considered for several years, and the option was even there in the rules for them to be introduced for racing if the technology was ready. As long ago as the 2021 post-season test in Abu Dhabi, McLaren trialled the […]

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27 Apr 2023

The rule details that will define F1’s new sprint format plans

So, with F1 having approved plans on Tuesday for an overhaul of its sprint race weekend format, teams will be studying the revised regulations to ensure that they are on the front foot and ready to go into battle in Baku this weekend. While the FIA has announced outlines for the revised sprint weekend format […]

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26 Apr 2023

Why Aston Martin Red Bull copy claims are wrong

Indeed, even F1’s pacesetting team itself joined in the fun when its motorsport director Helmut Marko joked earlier this year that it has been nice to see ‘three Red Bulls’ on the podium. While such comments are easy to make, and have certainly been fuelled by the team’s technical director Dan Fallows having previously worked […]

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26 Apr 2023

Kazakhstan axed from 2023 MotoGP calendar with circuit not ready

This year was meant to mark a record-breaking year for MotoGP, as it embarked on what was supposed to be its longest season ever at 21 rounds. MotoGP added two new events to the provisional schedule for 2023, pending final sign-off at the track homologation stage, with Kazakhstan and Indian rounds joining the fray. The […]

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26 Apr 2023

De Vries has delivered on F1 development expectations

De Vries was brought in for the 2023 F1 season alongside Yuki Tsunoda to replace the experienced Pierre Gasly, who was tapped up by Alpine. De Vries is an F1 rookie, with just one previous grand prix start to his name, when he stood in for the injured Alex Albon at last year’s Italian Grand […]

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26 Apr 2023

Super Formula eyes slot on F1 Japanese GP support bill

Kondo, who took over the chairmanship of Super Formula promoter JRP this month, made the comments in an informal media gathering held ahead of last weekend’s Suzuka race. The former racing driver and current team owner, whose Kondo Racing squad competes in both Super Formula and Super GT, said previous attempts to arrange such an […]

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26 Apr 2023

Time at Mercedes didn’t give “full picture” of team principal role

Until his 2023 appointment at the helm of Williams, Vowles served two decades at Brackley, rising to the ranks of Mercedes chief strategist and latterly its motorsport strategy director. Beyond influencing in-race strategy, Vowles co-managed the Three-Pointed Star’s junior driver roster in his former position and steered the manufacturer’s presence in other categories. He was […]

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