2023 Formula 1 Preview & Review.

Alpine end F1 2023 launch season with an all-French flavour in London.
Alpine will bring F1 2023 launch season to a close on Thursday evening with a London unveiling of the A523, but their new line-up will no doubt bring plenty of national pride from across the English Channel.
16 Feb 2023 6:00 AM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

After the drama that surrounded Fernando Alonso’s departure, Oscar Piastri being named an Alpine driver, then legally not becoming an Alpine driver, France’s Formula 1 constructor will be fielding an all-French line-up as Esteban Ocon is joined by long-time racing rival Pierre Gasly.

The next challenge for them now will be to produce a more reliable power unit in the A523, with the team having openly admitted last year they were looking for peak performance in designing their 2022 engine and looking to add reliability later – much to Alonso’s chagrin, after his multiple retirements in his final season with Alpine.

But in terms of colour scheme, Alpine – as they prepare to launch their third Formula 1 car under Renault’s sporting moniker – teased a blue front wing picture on social media on Wednesday, with tinges of the exposed carbon with which we have become accustomed to seeing on the 2023 cars, done in pursuit of weight saving.

‘All-French flavour’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/alpine...aunch-preview/


Gasly gives initial feedback after Alpine shakedown
15/02/2023 at 08:17
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

Pierre Gasly offered a positive first impression of Alpine's new A523 after sampling his new mount at Silverstone on Monday ahead of the car's official presentation on Thursday. Alpine completed a 100 km 'filming day' at Silverstone to conduct a systems check and shake down of its 2023, with both Gasly and team mate Esteban Ocon taking to the track onboard the new machine.

Together, the French duo completed an aggregate 17 laps of Silverstone, with Alpine reporting that the outing had gone "without any issues". "It’s a fantastic feeling to be driving again, especially in my new colours of Alpine," commented Gasly who joined the Enstone squad after six seasons with the Red Bull family.

"Today was about getting an initial feel for the car and it felt very good on the laps I drove. "I know everyone at the team has worked tirelessly to develop the car over the winter and it’s a proud moment to drive it today and see everyone’s faces in the garage.

‘Initial feedback’;

https://f1i.com/news/465851-gasly-gi...shakedown.html


2023 Alpine F1 car launch: live stream from 8pm
February 16th 2023
Author Motor Sport
Motor Sport Magazine

2023 Alpine launch date: February 16 Alpine will reveal its 2023 entry on February 16 in London, alongside its all-French driver line-up of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly.

The team followed up a promising season in 2021 with an even better one in 2022, finishing ahead of McLaren in the constructors’ standings but still trailing a struggling Mercedes.

Ocon and former team-mate Fernando Alonso were involved in several heated exchanges toward the latter end of the 2022 campaign, thought to be one of multiple factors that led to the Spaniard’s move to Aston Martin for 2023.

‘Alpine F1 car launch’;

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...3&nowprocket=1


How to watch Alpine launch their 2023 F1 car
16 February 8:55AM
Author Jake Nichol
RacingNews365

The final 2023 F1 car launch is upon us, as Alpine unveil the A523. Here's how you can watch it live. The class of 2023 is nearly complete as the final Formula 1 car launch is upon us. Alpine have seen the other nine cars revealed, either through liveries (looking at you, Red Bull) or the actual real thing (most of the others).

The A523 is set to be driven by Esteban Ocon and new teammate Pierre Gasly, who joins from AlphaTauri in what promises to be an interesting dynamic. Both drivers have already had a taste of their 2023 machine during a recent shakedown at Silverstone, with 17 laps completed. For the record, Ocon logged nine laps and Gasly eight...

‘The final launch’;

https://racingnews365.com/how-to-wat...ir-2023-f1-car


Alpine shakes down 2023 F1 car ahead of launch
Feb 13 2023
By Scott Mitchell-Malm
The Race

Alpine has completed a shakedown of its 2023 Formula 1 car ahead of launching the A523 this week. The Renault works team is revealing the car on Thursday evening at an event in London. Ahead of that, it joined Williams on Monday in shaking down its 2023 challenger at Silverstone.

Esteban Ocon and new signing Pierre Gasly split the 100km running between them on the filming day – one of two such promotional events afforded to teams each season. Alpine claims the car ran “without any issues”, as Ocon drove first before Gasly took over, while technical director Matt Harman called it “another milestone ticked”.

“I’m pleased the day ran so smoothly,” said Harman. “Esteban drove first in the morning to check all the systems were working properly as well as completing the usual install programme for the car. Pierre was then in the car in the afternoon for the first time in the A523 and completed eight stable laps to get an initial feel in his new surroundings.”

‘Alpine shakes down;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/alpin...ead-of-launch/


No problems for Alpine in pre-launch shakedown for new A523 2023 F1 season
Posted on 13th February 2023, 18:12
Written by Keith Collantine
RaceFans

Alpine ran its new A523 for the first time today at Silverstone. The team confirmed it encountered no problems with its latest car. The A523 is due to be presented in a launch event in London in three days’ time. Esteban Ocon and his new team mate Pierre Gasly shared driving at the track which plays host to the British Grand Prix. As the shakedown run constituted one of the team’s designated filming days the pair were limited to a maximum of 100 kilometres of running.

“I’m pleased the day ran so smoothly,” said the team’s technical director Matt Harman. “Esteban drove first in the morning to check all the systems were working properly as well as completing the usual install programme for the car. Pierre was then in the car in the afternoon for the first time in the A523 and completed eight stable laps to get an initial feel in his new surroundings.”

“These days are of course limited and not representative, but we’ve certainly had a great day and we now look forward to testing in Bahrain where we expect to continue our learning of the 2023 car.”

‘Pre-launch shakedown’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/02/13/...-for-new-a523/

Alpine close out launch season by unveiling two liveries.
At a live event in London, Alpine unveiled the A523 in a regular livery as well as a special all-pink version that they’ll start the season with.
17th February 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy

As they did last year, Alpine will run their BWT pink version of the car at the first three rounds of the year – Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Australia – before changing to their official blue and pink version. There’re a lot more black areas on this season’s design, as with most other cars this year as teams leave areas unpainted to save a little bit of weight.

Alpine’s Technical Director, Matt Harman, then gave a thorough run down on what the team has changed from last year’s A522 to create the A523 for the upcoming season. Working his way from front to back, Harman gave a fascinating five minute summary of what had been done which included big changes to the heat rejection system, aka cooling, and rear suspension which helped them to achieve an underweight car.

“We’ve taken some of the cooling system that we’ve normally had on the centerline and we’ve reduced it because we want to try and control some of this mass flow going to the rear of the car. Normally we would just take that amount of face area and we’d put it in the side pod, but actually the teams have worked really aggressively at improving the efficiency of that system.

‘Thorough run down on what the team has changed’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/alpine-clo...liveries-80942


How Alpine’s changed its F1 car design for 2023
23:44 Thu, 16 Feb 2023.
By Edd Straw
The Race

The highlight of Alpine’s 2023 Formula 1 car launch was the appearance of technical director Matt Harman. Even though the cars he was walking around on stage were a show car and a largely 2022-based model (the renders Alpine released online being the more representative indication of the 2023 design), his talk through the key areas of change on the A523 gave us plenty to go on, along with our own observations from the shots released of the car shaking down at Silverstone on Monday.

The car does feature some striking changes. The nose has changed structurally, which Harman said was to offer more freedom to change elements of the front wing – both in terms of speed and how the airflow is fed to the suspension behind.

“We’ve looked quite extensively at changing the nose concept,” said Harman. “There’s a very different structure in here which gives us more freedom to change more elements of the front wing, particularly more quickly, and allow us to control that airflow more consistently into the front suspension area.”

‘Changed its F1 car design’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/alpin...sign-for-2023/


AS IT HAPPENED: Watch Alpine pull the covers off the new A523 at the final car launch of 2023
16 February 2023
Formula One - Official Site

Alpine brought the 2023 launch season to an end on Thursday evening when they presented their new contender, the A523, at a special event in London.

Esteban Ocon and new Alpine arrival Pierre Gasly were both be on hand for the reveal at the Printworks venue, which follows a successful shakedown at Silverstone earlier in the week.

Alpine’s presentation is the 10th and final launch event of the year, with pre-season testing and the opening round of the campaign at the Bahrain International Circuit drawing ever closer...

‘Final car launch’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...sbwfBArqf.html


Alpine duo deliver positive first impression of 2023 F1 car
13:37 Thu, 16 Feb 2023.
by Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon have spoken positively about Alpine’s prospects for 2023 after testing the team’s new car for the first time at Silverstone this week.

Unlike other teams on the Formula 1 grid, the Anglo-French outfit elected to conduct an outing with its latest iteration of machinery before the official launch event, scheduled to take place in London on Thursday.

As per the regulations, Alpine was only entitled to complete up to 100km of running as part of a combined shakedown and filming day at the British venue, with Gasly and Ocon sharing the responsibility in the cockpit of the A523.

‘Positive first impression’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...f-2023-f1-car/


Alpine’s 2023 F1 car has one acceptable aim. Is it achievable?
13:13 Thu, 16 Feb 2023.
By Scott Mitchell-Malm
The Race

At the end of last season, Alpine Formula 1 team boss Otmar Szafnauer set a clear target for 2023: “We need to be closer to third than fifth.” For a team that edged out McLaren for fourth by just 14 points and was 342 points behind the third-placed team (Mercedes), this is a hugely ambitious target.

But it’s also the only acceptable aim that Alpine can set. As F1’s ‘other’ works team it has potential that its recent midfield rivals lack. Eventually, Alpine’s aim is to be on a par with Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes. And Red Bull is ‘only’ a de facto works team. So, there’s an argument that the Renault F1 entry is one of only three with this kind of opportunity.

“We have to take a step closer to being able to win a championship,” said Szafnauer last November. “That 100-race plan [set by Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi] started at the beginning of this year, so it’s less than 80 [races] from now on. So, for us to be able to do that, we’re right now fourth, marginal to fifth, we need to do the same but be closer to third next year. We need to be closer to third than we are fifth next year. So even if we stay fourth, we’ve got to make progress.”

‘Is it achievable?’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/alpin...it-achievable/


Reliability fixes, efficiency gains and weight loss: Alpine explain key A523 changes
2023 F1 season
Posted on 16th February 2023, 22:5516th February 2023, 22:55
Written by Keith Collantine

Alpine’s A522 showed flashes of promise last year, including an appearance on the front row at the Canadian Grand Prix. The car was quick enough to comfortably finish fourth in the constructors championship, but they ended up prevailing in a close fight with McLaren, largely because of the number of points lost due to reliability problems.

At the launch of its successor, the A523, technical director said the team “set ourselves some aggressive targets” to improve in 2023. “Targets that were going to challenge us, but were going to deliver what we need to do to compete at the right level.”

The team has focussed its attention not only on the reliability problems it encountered, but suspension and aerodynamics changes aimed at improving the car’s efficiency. Facing the same weight-saving problems the entire grid has grappled with, Alpine claim to have been successful, and got the A523 beneath the minimum weight limit of 798kg.

‘Efficiency gains and weight loss’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/02/16/...-a523-changes/


Podcast: What we learned from Alpine’s 2023 F1 car launch
Feb 17 2023
The Race

Alpine held the final event of the 2023 Formula 1 launch season and The Race F1 Podcast was there. Scott Mitchell-Malm and Edd Straw bring you their account of what it was like at the event and their impressions of the new car.

Although the launch cars on stage were just show cars, there were also images of the real car available and technical director Matt Harman’s run through of the car was the most revealing part. We discuss the key talking points from the launch and what to expect from Alpine this season.

‘What we learned’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/podca...f1-car-launch/

Meet All The Contenders For F1's 2023 Championship Battle.
The 2023 Formula 1 season kicks off on March 3 at the Bahrain International Circuit. If you're a die-hard fan, testing begins a week earlier at the same circuit, and Drive to Survive has been scheduled to go live as pre-season testing starts.
Feb. 17, 2023 1:54 PM ET
Gerhard Horn Formula One /
CarBuzz

The various constructors started the season earlier this year with regards to unveiling the cars. Red Bull wanted to be first, but Haas scooped everyone in the days leading up to RB19's reveal. This year, the French were last.

Since all the details are available, we decided to share all the cars in one place for ease of reference. The order was determined by how the teams finished last year, and we're including the number of points scored so you'll know who needs to catch up, and by how much. As a bonus, we also include an image of last year's car so that you can spot the differences.

‘Meet All The Contenders’;

https://carbuzz.com/features/the-for...-class-of-2023


How to watch Bahrain testing 2023: Live stream for free from anywhere
17 Feb 2023
James Dielhenn
Crash.Net

F1 Bahrain testing is February 23-25 and is the first time we'll see every 2023 car on track. This is how to watch the Bahrain testing from anywhere - including ways to get a free Bahrain testing live stream. We’ve also listed the Bahrain testing start times below.

All 10 F1 teams have launched their 2023 cars - with some revealing more information than others. But there can be no hiding place when the season begins.

In advance of the first grand prix of the season in Bahrain, all 20 drivers will be in action for three days of testing. It is the final chance to iron out problems with their cars before the real competition begins.

‘Live stream for free from anywhere’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/102044...-free-anywhere


When does the new F1 season start in Bahrain?
18:30 Fri, 17 Feb
Sports Staff
The Independent

F1’s record 23-race calendar for this year begins with the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit

When does the 2023 F1 season start? The first race of the season, the Bahrain Grand Prix, takes place from Friday 3 March - Sunday 5 March at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir. Qualifying on Saturday 4 March starts at 3pm (GMT) with the race on Sunday also at 3pm (GMT).

When is pre-season testing? Pre-season testing takes place at the Bahrain International Circuit the week before the first race, from Thursday 23 February - Saturday 25 February. Running will take place between 7am and 4:30pm (GMT) on each of the three days. There will be an hour’s break midway through each session for lunch. Each driver will have one-and-a-half days worth of time in the car.

‘Thursday 23 February - Saturday 25 February’;

https://www.independent.co.uk/f1/whe...-b2284564.html


F1 2023 Bahrain pre-season test: Haas first to confirm driver schedule
17 Feb 2023 11:52 AM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

Time is of the essence in 2023 as the teams look to extract every bit of data possible from a three-day Bahrain pre-season test. Last season teams had the luxury of two pre-season tests, with an unofficial shakedown in Barcelona followed by the official pre-season outing in Bahrain as they put the 2022 challengers through their paces.

That season marked a new era in Formula 1 after an overhaul of the Technical Regulations saw ground-effect challengers return to Formula 1. But with the reveal of all 10 successors to those cars now complete, the next step for the teams is to take them to Bahrain for what will be the only pre-season test of 2023.

The test will run from February 23-25 at the Bahrain International Circuit, also host of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix which then takes place on the following weekend. Three days is not long at all for the teams and drivers to get to grips with their new creations. Mercedes have already expressing concerns that the restricted schedule may not allow for all potential issues to be detected before lights-out on March 5.

‘Teams look to extract every bit of data possible from a three-day Bahrain pre-season test’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/f1-202...test-line-ups/


Webber delivers verdict on 2023 F1 title contenders
Saturday 18 February 2023 08:22
Jack Walker
GPFans

Former Red Bull driver Mark Webber believes Red Bull Racing are still the team to beat despite its aerodynamic testing restrictions. The Milton Keynes-based outfit stormed to both titles last year as Max Verstappen won a record-breaking 15 races.

But the team was punished with a 10 per cent reduction in ATR time as well as a $7million fine for breaching 2021’s budget cap. But despite the reduced development scope, Webber still believes his old employers remain the ones to catch.

"Red Bull is still the most dangerous team coming out of the blocks," Webber told Autosport. "I don't think anyone knows really how much that [the penalty] is going to impact them, but I'm sure they've got enough creative people there to keep it going.”

‘Webber delivers verdict’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...nship-verdict/

Why no team wants to be top of the timesheet in F1 pre-season testing.
It is a unique part of the F1 season, when hope springs eternal or for as long as your team isn’t the one that’s just caused the latest red flag stoppage.
20 Feb 2023 6:00 AM
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com

Pre-season testing is the time of year when Formula 1 most resembles cricket, a sport normally at the opposite end of the speed spectrum. Days can be drawn out and boring, only occasionally punctuated by moments of genuine drama and curiosity that suddenly make the long periods of nothingness seem worth it all along.

The fortunes of teams and individuals rise and fall from day to day, sometimes session to session, as the picture of the new season is formed piece by piece. The key to success is scoring hundreds – 100-plus laps a day keeps the media glare away – and at the halfway point of each day’s action they pack everything away for an hour to have a spot of lunch.

For outside observers, the golden rule of testing is constantly repeated and always ignored. Don’t read too much into the headline times. Don’t read too much into the headline times because the teams, in their determination to keep secrets, cannot be trusted. There are just too many variables in play – fuel loads, tyre compounds, track conditions and, in the days testing took place in Barcelona, wind – to make accurate assessments.

‘Unique part of the F1 season’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/no-tea...eason-testing/


2023 F1 Pre-season Testing: Dates, Times, and How to Watch Live!
20th February 2023
by Aron Day
FormulaSpy

This timing takes the session beyond sunset, reflecting the night-time conditions during the opening race of the season due to be held on Sunday, 5th March.

The schedule is as follows:
Thursday 23 February
Session 1 – 07:00am-11:00am
Session 2 – 12:00pm-4:30pm
Friday 24 February
Session 1 – 07:00am-11:00am
Session 2 – 12:00pm-4:30pm
Saturday 25 February
Session 1 – 07:00am-11:00am
Session 2 – 12:00pm-4:30pm

‘The schedule’;


https://formulaspy.com/f1/2023-f1-pr...tch-live-81428


Mercedes chief worried F1 testing is "not enough" to fix issues with Lewis Hamilton's car
Mercedes spent most of the 2022 season fixing problems with their W13 rather than actually developing the car, and will be desperate to avoid several more months of the same
22:16, 17 Feb 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer
The Mirror

Mercedes spent most of the 2022 season fixing problems with their W13 rather than actually developing the car, and will be desperate to avoid several more months of the same. Pre-season testing will not provide enough time on track for Mercedes to identify any major issues with their new car, according to their concerned technical director.

Mike Elliott and his team spent much of last year putting out fires and fixing issues on the W13, such as the porpoising problem which was destroying their season – and Lewis Hamilton's back.

The Silver Arrows – back in black for 2023 – will be desperate to avoid a repeat performance. But the W14 did not exactly get off to an auspicious start as it hit the Silverstone track for a demo run earlier this week, with a few "niggles" cropping up.

‘F1 testing is "not enough" to fix issues’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...ilton-29247074


Drive to Survive producer says the hit Netflix show wouldn't have existed without Daniel Ricciardo: 'I felt very emotional with him leaving'
• Drive to Survive producer praises Daniel Ricciardo
• Paul Martin says Aussie carried the smash-hit show
• Martin says Ricciardo may show up more in series
By James Cooney For Daily Mail Australia
Published: 04:56, 20 February 2023
Mail Online

Drive to Survive executive producer Paul Martin believes the wildly popular documentary series wouldn't exist without Aussie Daniel Ricciardo, and he was sad to see him leave.

Ricciardo, 33, became one of the most popular characters in the smash-hit show, but now that the Aussie has failed to secure a seat on the 2023 grid, it's unlikely fans will be seeing much more of him in the show. 'Without Daniel I think there probably wouldn't have been a Drive to Survive,' Paul Martin told The Post.

‘Drive to Survive’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...Ricciardo.html


Andretti unfazed by Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s step back from F1
19 Feb 2023 2:00 PM
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com

1978 F1 World Champion Mario Andretti doesn’t think Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s step back from F1 will have any effect on Andretti’s F1 entry prospects.

Andretti outlined how he doesn’t believe the FIA President’s step back will have any impact on the team’s prospective entry. “I don’t think so,” he told PlanetF1.com.

“I mean, with the FIA, we have everything in place, they obviously have officially opened up the prospects of teams joining, and they’re evaluating every aspect of that part.”

‘Andretti unfazed’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/andret...em-retreat-f1/

Honda considering formal return to coincide with new engine regulations!


Honda says it is considering a formal return to Formula 1 to coincide with the new engine regulations that will be introduced in 2026.

The company officially pulled out of F1 at the end of 2021, although its engines are still used by the two Red Bull teams and will be called Hondas again in 2023.

"For the time being, we would like to keep a close eye on where F1 is going and just see how things go," Honda president Koji Watanabe said.

"We don't have any concrete decisions on whether we will be going back."

The new F1 engine regulations will see the sport continue with 1.6-litre turbo hybrid engines, but with a change in architecture to simplify the technology. There will be a significant increase in the proportion of power provided by electricity, and the use of carbon-neutral synthetic fuels.

Honda has not yet formally committed to entering F1 from 2026 but Watanabe said the new rules were appealing as they aligned with Honda's corporate strategy.

Speaking at an official Honda news conference on Monday, Watanabe said: "Formula 1 is greatly shifting towards electrification. Given that, carbon neutrality is our corporate-wide target at Honda so we think F1's future direction is in line with our target. That is why we have decided to register as a manufacturer of a power-unit.

"We are curious about where F1 is going and how is that going to look with more electrification happening.

"We would like to keep a very close eye on that and that is why we have decided to register as a PU manufacturer. And after we made the registration, we have been contacted by multiple F1 teams."

The outline of the 2026 engine regulations was finalised in August last year, but they remain a work in progress as details continue to be ironed out.

McLaren are among the teams said to have contacted Honda about a supply in 2026, but the Japanese company would likely be of interest to many teams given that they have won the world title for the last two years with Red Bull.

Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, Alpine and Audi are all committed to their own engine projects, but the Aston Martin, Haas, McLaren and Williams teams are all yet to sign up to power-unit partners from 2026.

Honda's decision to officially withdraw from F1 at the end of 2021 was made on the basis that it wanted to divert resources towards pursuing carbon-neutrality through "future power-unit and energy technologies, including fuel-cell vehicle and battery technologies".

But since then, Honda has had a new president, and more clarity has emerged on the 2026 rules.

Honda was named as one of six companies that had officially registered as a power-unit supplier for the period 2026-2030 by governing body the FIA this month. The others are Alpine, Audi, Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull Ford.

Red Bull is switching partners to Ford from 2026 as the US giant joins forces with the new engine plant created by the soft drinks company at their F1 base, Red Bull Powertrains.

The Honda name is formally returning to F1 this year after a season's absence, with the engine used by Red Bull officially titled a Honda RBPT.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/64704532

BREAKING NEWS: Lance Stroll set to miss entirety of F1's pre-season testing in Bahrain after bicycle crash while training in Spain: Canadian Aston Martin driver suffered 'minor injuries'.
Lance Stroll was cycling in Spain when he crashed and sustained minor injury
Published: 16:07, 20 February 2023
By Jake Fenner For Dailymail.Com
Mail Online

Canadian Formula One driver Lance Stroll will miss the whole of preseason testing after a 'minor accident' on a bicycle in Spain. In a statement, the Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One team confirmed the incident and it's impact on testing.

'Whilst pre-season training on a bicycle in Spain, Lance Stroll was involved in a minor accident and sustained injuries which will result in him sitting out the pre-season test in Bahrain,' the team's statement read.

'Lance is however expecting a quick recovery and return to driving duties. His fitness to return to the cockpit will be assessed daily and the team will issue an update ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix. The team wishes Lance a speedy recovery and looks forward to his usual energy and commitment within the team.'

‘Set to miss entirety of F1's pre-season testing’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...ash-Spain.html


Stroll to miss F1’s Bahrain test after ‘minor accident’
20/02/2023, 15:40
By Valentin Khorounzhiy
The Race

Aston Martin Formula 1 driver Lance Stroll will miss the Bahrain pre-season test ahead of the 2023 campaign.

The team did not announce how it would allocate driving duties in Bahrain now that Stroll is sidelined. Offering all three days up to new signing Fernando Alonso, who was just recently lamenting a limited testing allowance he saw as “a little unfair”, seems logical, while the team also has the likes of new reserve drivers Felipe Drugovich and Stoffel Vandoorne on the books, though the latter will be in Cape Town for Formula E this weekend.

The season opener will take place on the March 3-5 weekend, likewise in Bahrain. Aston Martin says that it will “issue an update” ahead of the opener regarding Stroll’s fitness, and that it will be “assessed daily” in the meantime.

‘Stroll to miss F1’s Bahrain test’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/strol...inor-accident/


Mystery of the RB19, the W14’s crunch moment, and Ferrari hype: F1 Bahrain testing talking points
20 Feb 2023
Lewis Larkam
Crash.Net

It’s nearly time for the class of F1 2023 to hit the track for the first collective running of the year with three days of pre-season testing in Bahrain, but what can we expect to see? Red Bull’s RB19 to finally break cover.

There will be great anticipation surrounding Red Bull when the light goes green on Thursday for the opening day of action, given we are yet to see the team’s actual 2023 car in the flesh. The RB19 has been shrouded in secrecy so far this winter, with Red Bull unveiling their new livery on a showcar at their New York season launch.

Red Bull ran the car for the first time in a shakedown at Silverstone, but unlike their rivals, the world champions were very specific about what they did, or more to the point, didn’t reveal. Red Bull offered no publicity images from the event and only released a short video clip on their social media channels in which the car could not be seen clearly.

‘Mystery of the RB19’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/feature/102...talking-points


What to expect from the 10 teams in F1 2023…in their own words
20 Feb 2023 5:00 PM
Toby Miles
PlanetF1.com

It’s almost time to put the off-season rumours to bed. Some slight evidence of our F1 2023 challengers’ winter progress is just around the corner. Lights out is less than two weeks away, with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 5 following a brief three-day pre-season test at the Round 1 circuit.

While some teams opted for low-key launches that only revealed their liveries in pre-season, the likes of Ferrari were bullish in showing off what they spent the winter grafting to produce.

Each team has faced their own unique challenges in developing a 2023 challenger, but some are sounding more confident about their Bahrain pace than others.

‘Let’s take a look at the 10 Formula 1 teams’ assessment of their new machines…’

https://www.planetf1.com/news/what-t...team-analysis/


Several F1 Teams Want Honda to Produce Their Engines Starting in 2026
20 Feb 2023, 14:26 UTC • By:
Mircea
autoevolution

Fans across the globe are eagerly waiting for the debut of the 2023 Formula 1 season, which is scheduled for March 5. In the meanwhile, several teams are making sure they will have a future in the sport by closing supplying deals with manufacturers. For instance, Honda registered as one of six power unit suppliers from 2026 to 2030.

The question is: Who will Honda build engines for starting in 2026? Or better yet, will Honda continue its journey in Formula 1? Koji Watanabe, Honda Racing Corporation’s president, told reporters in a Zoom briefing today that several Formula One teams have contacted the company.

This year, according to Reuters, Red Bull’s power unit will feature the Japanese carmaker’s name, changing from RBPT to Honda RPBT. Tetsushi Kakuda, Honda’s F1 project leader and executive chief engineer, declared that Honda had worked to address reliability issues for 2023.

‘Several F1 Teams Want Honda’;

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/s...26-210619.html

Everything you need to know about F1 pre-season testing
21 February 8:00AM
Author Jake Nichol
Co-author Marnik Kok
RacingNews365

Nearly three months after the 2022 finale, Formula 1 is back this week with pre-season testing in Bahrain. Three days of action are planned at the Bahrain International Circuit, which will also host the season-opener next weekend, with the race on 5 March.

But first across Thursday 23 February - Friday 25 February, the 10 teams and 20 drivers will be pounding around, logging crucial data as they look to understand their brand-new designs.

Testing is a unique time in F1 with something we seldom see in the remainder of the season, so here is RacingNews365.com's guide to everything you need to know from 2023 Formula 1 pre-season testing.

‘F1 pre-season testing’;

https://racingnews365.com/how-do-for...ork-in-bahrain


Five key questions ahead of F1 2023 pre-season testing in Bahrain
21 Feb 2023 7:00 AM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

Warning shot or poker face from the big three? That being said, with Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes expected to remain the leading trio, with many hoping for a three-way title fight, just how much potential are they willing to put on show for their rivals? And will they be able to hide any wounds?

Will any midfield contenders emerge for the title battle? Aston Martin also have their eyes on the ‘best-of-the-rest’ tag, while there is confidence over at the AlphaTauri camp of a far improved campaign. McLaren optimism, or lack of? The thing is, McLaren have a question mark of their own hanging over them going to Bahrain, as over in Woking the talk has been about an MCL60 that is not quite where they want it to be yet.

What about porpoising? This time last year, teams were plagued by pesky bouncing as they gathered data on these very raw new challengers, porpoising proving to be a particularly severe, long-lasting handicap for Mercedes. How will the rookies fare? With some of the experienced racers feeling the squeeze of such a short pre-season testing window, only three days, we now wait to see how the rookies are going to cope with that.

‘Five key questions’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/five-k...-bahrain-test/


Ranking the 2023 F1 driver line-ups
As the start of the new 2023 Formula 1 season closes in, which team has the best driver line-up this year?
February 20, 2023
By Nigel Chiu
Total Motorsport

The strength in depth of the 2023 Formula 1 grid is excellent, no matter who you like or dislike in this year’s field, with plenty of young talent and multiple champions in Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.

Just four teams have kept the same driver pairing from last year for 2023 as the driver market had a big shake-up following confirmation of Sebastian Vettel‘s retirement, which triggered a series of moves.

Three rookies have joined the F1 field, Oscar Piastri, Nyck de Vries and Logan Sargeant, so which team has the best driver line-up?

‘2023 F1 driver line-ups’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/ran...iver-line-ups/


Formula 1 2023 rookies: Oscar Piastri, Nyck de Vries and Logan Sargeant set to embark on debut campaigns
Last Updated: 20/02/23 7:42pm
By Matt Morlidge
Sky Sports

With the start of Formula 1's biggest-ever season approaching, it is time to meet the three much-talked-about rookies who will be joining the 2023 grid.

F1 is about to embark on what promises to be a thrilling 23-race campaign, and the intrigue is only increased by the presence of three new faces.

Australian Oscar Piastri is one of the most-highly-anticipated additions to the grid in a long time, while Nyck de Vries and Logan Sargeant are also out to prove they belong at motorsport's top table.

‘Formula 1 2023 rookies’;

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12...ebut-campaigns


Aston Martin 'make Mick Schumacher decision' as Lance Stroll ruled out through injury
Stroll will miss the entirety of pre-season testing in Bahrain this week after suffering an accident while training for the new Formula 1 campaign on a bicycle in Spain
19:06, 20 Feb 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer

The Canadian suffered "a minor accident" while cycling in Spain. His team confirmed that the Canadian would be forced to miss out on pre-season testing in Bahrain later this week, though the extent of his injuries are not currently public knowledge.

Aston Martin might be able to call upon Mick Schumacher through their relationship with engine suppliers Mercedes, but BILD reports that the German is not an option to fill in at testing. Mirror Sport has asked Aston Martin for an update on their testing plans.

‘Aston Martin Decisions’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...acher-29267565

Aston Martin confirms Stroll F1 testing replacement.
Aston Martin has confirmed reserve driver Felipe Drugovich will step in to replace Lance Stroll during F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain this week.
Wednesday 22nd February, 2023 - 2:16pm
By Mat Coch
Speedcafe

The Brazilian won the FIA Formula 2 Championship last year before joining Aston Martin in support of Stroll and Fernando Alonso for 2023.

Stroll suffered a biking incident which has meant he will miss the three days of testing, beginning on Thursday. Uncertainty initially surrounded who, or even if the Canadian would be replaced, or whether Alonso would complete all three days of running.

The team has now confirmed that Drugovich will take the wheel on Thursday morning in Sakhir. The 22-year-old will complete the morning’s running before handing the AMR23 over to Alonso for the afternoon.

‘Felipe Drugovich will step in’;

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/02/22...ch-f1-testing/


What to expect from F1 pre-season testing
What is F1 testing? How much can you read into pre-season testing from Sakhir ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix?
February 21, 2023
By Nigel Chiu
Total Motorsport

Formula 1 2023 is here and if you are not excited already, you almost certainly will be by Saturday evening because pre-season testing will have concluded and the Bahrain Grand Prix will be eight days away.

There might be no points or silverware up for grabs this week in Sakhir but testing is just as important as any F1 event. Max Verstappen and Red Bull are the bookies favourites but that could all change after testing.

What happens in F1 testing? It might not look like much is happening when you’re watching F1 testing from your home, but there is a lot going on and eight-and-a-half hours of running over three days is not much to play with. First of all, the teams want reliability.

‘How much can you read into pre-season testing’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/wha...eason-testing/


FIA takes action with new rule as F1 drivers complain of burnout over 23-race season
For the first time, a winter shutdown is set to be put into place forcing F1 teams to take some time off during the off-season as a method of combatting staff burnout
19:14, 21 Feb 2023
By Daniel MoxonF1 Writer
The Mirror

The FIA has announced a mandatory winter shutdown for Formula 1 teams amid concerns over the impact longer seasons are having on staff. This year, the F1 circus will make an unprecedented 23 stops around the globe – beginning in Bahrain for pre-season testing this week before concluding in Abu Dhabi in November. The plan was to have 24 races, but the Chinese Grand Prix originally scheduled for mid-April has been cancelled.

The off-season provides respite for some, including the drivers and some other staff members not required for a while. But team factories remain a hive of activity with most staff members working flat out on preparations for the following year including car development.

In response to concerns over staff burnout, a new winter shutdown period will be introduced. Similar shutdowns in the summer have been practiced before in F1, but this will be the first time an enforced limit has been put in place over the off-season. The FIA has yet to confirm the proposed length of the shutdown, which will affect power unit production programmes as well as the teams themselves. The move is also subject to approval by the governing body's World Motor Sport Council.

‘Response to concerns over staff burnout’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...-rule-29277091


F1 teams have suspicions about new Ferrari car as 'FIA asked about its legality'
Ferrari's new car have been questioned by their F1 rivals.
00:01, Wed, Feb 22, 2023
By Jack McEachen
Daily and Sunday Express

F1’s governing body the FIA have been reportedly asked to clarify one aspect of Ferrari’s new car and its legality ahead of the upcoming season. As each team have now unveiled their new machines before the curtain raiser in Bahrain, Ferrari’s new SF-23 was tested in front of a live audience and the team appeared proud of their innovations.

Ferrari have tweaked the S-Duct concept in order to create better airflow to the rear of the car low down and at the rear wing. However, according to Italian outlet Formu1a, several of their rivals have noted the change and requested clarification over whether the switch is legal.

Requests are not uncommon as teams often attempt to find loopholes in the technical rules, though Ferrari are said to be "certain that the solutions adopted on the SF-23 are fully within the rules". Their rivals would struggle to replicate Ferrari’s S-Duct as it concerns the design of the chassis and internal aspects of the car, while also challenges the fundamental concept of the single-seater.

‘Suspicions about new Ferrari car’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...s-Red-Bull-FIA


F1 to introduce new wet-weather tyre among other key tweaks to the regulations
22:04 Tue, 21 Feb 2023.
By Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

The Formula 1 Commission held their first meeting of 2023 in London on Tuesday ahead of the start of the new Formula 1 season, as regulatory changes including a new wet-weather tyre compound, circuit changes and other technical and financial matters were discussed.

Wet tyres and wet weather package Following successful testing by Pirelli, with the support of teams, Pirelli have arrived at a wet weather tyre which is much more performant than the previous specification – this tyre does not require the use of tyre blankets. This new tyre construction will be available from the 2023 FIA Formula 1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Work on the wet weather aero package, which was announced last year, continues, with teams able to work on the package outside their Aerodynamic Testing Restriction (ATR) limits and outside the cost cap. Testing for the new aero kit, which is being constructed to limit water spray, is to take place in Q2 or Q3 of 2023.

‘New wet-weather tyre’;

https://www.f1technical.net/news/23943

Three reasons Red Bull could be ‘nigh on unbeatable’ in F1 2023.
Sky Sports F1 pit lane reporter Ted Kravitz believes Red Bull will be “nigh on unbeatable” in 2023 for three reasons.
22 Feb 2023
Lewis Larkam
Crash.Net

A lightweight chassis. Red Bull’s RB19 has so far been shrouded in mystery but Kravitz has provided some detail about their latest challenger. Kravitz has claimed Red Bull will finally introduce the lightweight chassis that was rumoured to have been developed last season but never raced.

Cost cap penalty yet to ‘bite'. Despite being hit with a 10 percent reduction on their aerodynamic testing allowance as punishment for breaching the F1 cost cap in 2021, Kravitz said Red Bull won’t feel the full impact of their penalty until later in the year, or even 2024.

The strongest driver line-up. Finally, Kravitz believes Red Bull boasts the strongest driver line-up on the entire grid, including F1’s most in-form driver, Verstappen.

‘Nigh on unbeatable’

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/102057...atable-f1-2023


Newey’s lack of "technical arrogance" in F1 a great strength, says Fallows
22/02/2023, 10:38
By: Jonathan Noble
Motorsport.com

Formula 1 design genius Adrian Newey’s attitude in not being "technically arrogant" has been singled out as one of the main traits that has made him so good. Despite many decades of involvement in F1, Newey remains at the top of his game and he has most recently helped play a role in Red Bull’s title successes last season.

Aston Martin’s new technical director Dan Fallows worked alongside Newey for many years at Red Bull Racing, and says it was an eye-opening experience for him seeing how he operated. Fallows reckons that it was Newey’s mindset in not believing that he had the answers to everything that was central to him adapting so well to the changing nature of F1.

"I’m one of the fortunate people to have worked under Adrian and seen his methods," explained Fallows. "He has a very clear approach to the way he designs and develops a car, particularly from the aerodynamic side of things.

'Lack of technical arrogance';

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/a...ngth/10434765/


McLaren considering shock F1 engine deal with Red Bull
22 February 2:00PM
Author Jake Nichol
Co-author Luke Murphy
RacingNews365

McLaren are said to be considering forming a Formula 1 alliance with Red Bull to use their power units from the 2026 season. As previously written by RacingNews365 and now by The Independent, McLaren CEO Zak Brown visited the Red Bull Powertrains facility in Milton Keynes earlier in February with initial talks over a supply being held.

Red Bull's power units are currently supplied by Honda, but after the Japanese manufacturer decided to withdraw, Red Bull opted to form RBPT with the division set to be supported by Ford, who announced their comeback to F1 to as technical partner for the project.

Honda currently have no teams lined up to supply in 2026, although it is understood that Brown has held talks about the two reuniting - which would be nine years after they parted company. McLaren's current supply of Mercedes power units is set to run until the end of the 2025 season - the final one under this current generation of power unit rules.

‘McLaren considering shock F1 engine deal’;

https://racingnews365.com/mclaren-co...-with-red-bull


CHRISTIAN HORNER: ADRIAN NEWEY IS ONLY PART-TIME IN F1
Adrian Newey first started his career in Formula One with the March team in 1988, before moving to Williams in 1991. Newey also worked with McLaren before heading to Red Bull Racing, where he has been since 2006. Now aged 64, Newey is taking an increased step back in Formula One
February 21, 2023
Rhiannon Temporal
FormulaNerds

Adrian Newey is one of the most renowned technical geniuses in Formula One history. Newey has most recently helped Red Bull Racing achieve six drivers’ world championships and five constructors. Before his time with the Milton Keynes-based team, he had already won three drivers’ championships and four constructors’ with Williams. As well as two drivers’ championships and one constructors’ at McLaren.

He has worked with some of the most historic and successful Formula One teams and collaborated with a selection of the world’s best-ever drivers. From Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill and Ayrton Senna to Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen, Newey has worked with many former World Champions.

Now, at the age of 64, Newey seems to be stepping back from Formula One. Red Bull Racing’s Team Principal, Christian Horner, spoke to Auto Motor und Sport about Newey’s role at the Milton Keynes team going forward.

‘One of the most renowned technical geniuses in Formula One history’;

https://www.formulanerds.com/news/ch.../?nowprocket=1


Christian Horner delivers bad Adrian Newey news to Red Bull’s rivals
Adrian Newey will be taking a step back from his involvement with Red Bull this season.
20 February 2023
by Jack Devonport
Formula1News

Newey will be stepping away from some of his involvement with Red Bull, as he chooses to pursue some of his other interests and projects. While many teams may be licking their lips at the chance to capitalise on Red Bull’s loss making them weaker, team principal Christian Horner has claimed that his team will actually be stronger than ever this season.

“In recent years, Adrian has stepped away from day-to-day responsibility in Formula 1 and splits his time between Red Bull Advanced Technology and Formula 1,” he told Auto Motor und Sport. “He has encyclopaedic knowledge and what we’ve seen over the last few years, how fantastic it is that the technical team led by Pierre [Wache] with Enrico Balbo, Ben Waterhouse and Craig Skinner have really stepped up.

“I really think it’s the strongest technical team we’ve ever had and that’s what allowed Adrian to do the Valkyrie project and now the RB17. Of course Adrian is still there, but not all the days. Maybe 50 percent of your time is focused on Formula 1. You are probably in the office a few days a week on average. If your attention is needed, the technical team can call you.”

‘Bad Adrian Newey news to Red Bull’s rivals’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/christian...-bulls-rivals/

Aston Martin trigger first red flag of F1 2023.
F1 testing lasted just nine minutes before a red flag was triggered by Aston Martin.
Thursday 23 February 2023
Ewan Gale
GPFans

Reserve driver Felipe Drugovich was behind the wheel deputising for Lance Stroll, who was injured in a cycling accident in Spain ahead of the beginning of the pre-season test.

This wasn't the first time the AMR23 hit the track with all teams completing a 100km shakedown in the build up to the test, but track action for the Silverstone-based outfit could not have started worse. Reigning F2 champion Drugovich had only just exited the pits for the first time when grinding to a halt on the exit of turn four, though there was no indication of what the failure could be.

As this is testing, the car can be recovered to the pits to be worked on and can be run once the team is confident any issue is fixed.

‘Trigger first red flag’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ag-of-f1-2023/


First look at 2023 Red Bull F1 car with dramatic sidepods
Feb 23 2023
By Scott Mitchell-Malm and Matt Beer
The Race

Champion team Red Bull’s RB19 2023 Formula 1 car has been revealed ahead of pre-season testing beginning in Bahrain. The RB19 was finally brought into the Sakhir pitlane ahead of the test beginning on Thursday morning, revealing a dramatic undercut tunnel on its sidepods.

Our technical consultant Gary Anderson said the RB19 had the “same suspension philosophy as 2022, a pullrod front with lots of stagger on the inboard pick-ups of the top wishbone, and a pushrod rear.”

Of the floor, he added: “It’s the first car where we can see the detail along the floor edge, and there is lots of this. It’s a very important area because of the rule changes raising this section of the floor.”

‘Red Bull F1 car with dramatic sidepods’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/first...atic-sidepods/


First pictures: Alpine A523 hits the track in pre-season test
2023 F1 season
Posted on 23rd February 2023, 7:16
Written by Ida Wood

The Alpine A523 appeared on-track for the first time this morning as Formula 1 pre-season testing began at Bahrain International Circuit.

Alpine launched their 2023 contender in London last week, with a shakedown taking place at Silverstone a few days prior in secrecy. While the car was spotted at the circuit, it was unclear at the time whether it was the design the team would take to testing.

The A523 retains the notably wide air intake of its immediate predecessor, and Alpine have gone aggressive with the design of their exhaust housing at the rear of the car, with the sidepods dropping underneath it. Like other teams it has followed the trend of removing the supporting struts for the front wing and having it connected directly to the nose cone.

‘First pictures: Alpine A523’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/02/23/...e-season-test/


Live: F1 2023 pre-season testing from Bahrain
February 23rd 2023
Motor Sport
Motor Sport Magazine

This is a live article and will be updated regularly.

Pre-season testing for the 2023 F1 season is underway, with all ten teams taking to the track in Bahrain ahead of the first grand prix of the season on March 3.

Testing sessions are split over three days, beginning on today and ending on Saturday with on-track access between 7am – 11am GMT and 12pm – 4.30pm GMT.

To find out how to watch the on-track action, click here for Motor Sport’s full breakdown of F1’s 2023 pre-season test, including some intriguing storylines to watch out for over the coming days.

‘Updated regularly’;

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...3&nowprocket=1


Pictures: 2023 F1 pre-season testing day one: Bahrain
F1 pictures
Posted on 23rd February 2023, 7:2023rd February 2023, 8:25
Written by Keith Collantine
RaceFans

Pictures from the first day of testing for the 2023 F1 season at the Bahrain International Circuit.

‘More images will be added here’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/02/23/...y-one-bahrain/