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Current Driver Line-up the Preferred Choice for Sauber F1 Team in 2024 – Alunni Bravi.
Alessandro Alunni Bravi has hinted that both Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu are the preferred choice to remain as drivers for what will become the Sauber F1 Team next year.
August 4, 2023
By Paul Hensby
The Checkered Flag
The team have not had the strongest of seasons so far and currently sit ninth in the Constructors’ Championship with only nine points to their name, with their last top ten finish coming in the Canadian Grand Prix back in June. Bottas scored the teams’ best result of the year in the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix when he took eighth place, while Zhou has a pair of ninth place finishes as his best finish of the year in Australia and Spain.
Alunni Bravi, the Team Representative at Alfa Romeo, says the team would prefer to have continuality in its driver line-up next year, although where that leaves current FIA Formula 2 championship leader and long time Sauber Junior driver Théo Pourchaire is unclear.
“Of course, we always said that stability for us is important,” Alunni Bravi is quoted as saying by Motorsportweek.com about its planned driver choices for 2024. “We are a team that is in a transformation process, and we try to be as much stable as possible in all areas.”
‘Preferred Choice’;
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...-alunni-bravi/
Alfa Romeo reveal 'target' for F1 2024 driver line-up
5 Aug 2023
Harvey Orgill
Crash.Net
Alfa Romeo currently have no plans to change their driver line-up for the 2024 F1 season. Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu are in their second season together as teammates at the Hinwil-based outfit and both are likely to be retained.
Bottas signed a multi-year deal, believed to run until the end of 2024, following his departure from Mercedes and has established as Alfa Romeo’s team leader. Sauber junior Theo Pourchaire could potentially put himself in the running for a 2024 F1 seat if he goes on to win the F2 championship, which he currently leads.
Alfa Romeo team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi: “There will be time after the summer shutdown to sit down with Zhou and look at what will be the best solution for both of us. Our target is to keep both drivers in our team next year but, of course, there must be all the elements in place to have a win-win situation.”
'Target';
https://www.crash.net/f1/news/103281...-driver-lineup
Bottas banking on Alfa Romeo F1 upgrades to inspire 2023 upturn
11:36 Wed, 02 Aug 2023.
by Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week
Valtteri Bottas has revealed that Alfa Romeo will introduce upgrades after the summer break that he hopes will return the team to points-scoring contention. Alfa Romeo has struggled considerably throughout the 2023 Formula 1 season, having only scored nine points across the first 12 races to languish ninth in the Constructors’ Championship.
The Italian marque proved uncompetitive around the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, with Bottas and team-mate Zhou Guanyu qualifying 14th and 17th respectively. Despite introducing updates at Silverstone designed to improve the performance of its C43 car in high-speed corners, Alfa Romeo arrived in Spa expecting to struggle.
While both drivers made strong progress to climb the order in the race, Bottas, who took the chequered flag in 12th, asserts that he extracted the maximum result possible. However, Bottas concedes he was pleasantly surprised by Alfa Romeo’s pace compared to its immediate rivals within the midfield.
‘Alfa Romeo F1 upgrades’;
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...e-2023-upturn/
Difficult for Alfa Romeo to make Spa Progress with Similar Pace Across Many Cars – Bottas
August 4, 2023
By Paul Hensby
The Checkered Flag
Valtteri Bottas acknowledged that the Belgian Grand Prix was always going to be a difficult race for Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake, especially when starting amongst a group of cars who are very equally matched. The Finn started thirteenth but was able to make very little progress across the forty-four lap race at Spa-Francorchamps, with Bottas finishing twelfth, just under five seconds away from the top ten.
“We can say today has been a solid race, I was happy with our pace and with the strategy we chose,” said Bottas. “Overall, it has been pretty much a straightforward one, with nothing much happening after the start, when I went slightly off on the grass to avoid Yuki [Tsunoda], who was heading right. Of course, with the pace being very similar for so many cars in the field, it was going to be a bit difficult to make progress, especially taking into consideration how this track hasn’t suited our car best and our starting positions.”
‘Difficult to make Spa Progress’;
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...ltteri-bottas/
Bottas: Alfa Romeo have ‘lots of things we need to do better’ when the season resumes
30 Jul 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
Valtteri Bottas has called on Alfa Romeo to improve the pace of the car, but also tighten up operationally after a tricky first half of the season concluded with a P12 for the Finn at Spa.
‘Lots of things we need to do better’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...294267048.html
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Alex Albon 'has turned heads in F1 paddock' as ex-Red Bull star targets race wins.
Alex Albon has been linked to rival F1 teams after a string of solid performances at Williams.
10:40, Thu, Jul 27, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express
Alex Albon has impressed rival team bosses with the ex-Red Bull driver starring at Williams since his F1 return. According to ESPN, at least two teams showed a serious interest in signing Albon for the 2023 campaign.
However, the constructors were unable to negotiate a deal with Williams holding onto the services of the 27-year-old. There were even paddock rumours that he turned down the opportunity to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull earlier this season. However, the claims are likely false with Albon denying a move was on the cards.
But he stressed the links showed his talent had shone through since his F1 comeback. He explained: “Yeah. Weird! The only thing that's nice about rumours is it's clearly showing things are going well. They're nice rumours as well. I see some bad ones. It's always my friends sending me this absolute garbage, like, 'Is this true!?'"
‘Turned heads in F1 paddock';
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ian-grand-prix
F1 team principal blames 'BROKEN CAKE TINS' for major problems in Spa
Saturday 5 August 2023 09:12
Matthew Hobkinson
GPFans
Williams F1 team principal James Vowles has claimed that 'broken cake tins' are to blame for their severe tyre degradation at Spa, something that potentially cost them a points-finish at the Belgian Grand Prix.
Both Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant were in the mix for a possible top 10 finish after making a strong to start to the final race before the summer break. Yet after pitting for a set of fresh medium tyres, the pair tumbled down the order, with Albon and Sargeant eventually crossing the line in 14th and 17th respectively.
And after both drivers complained about severe tyre degradation, their team principal has now offered an explanation as to exactly what went wrong, including some non-culinary 'cake tins' being broken.
"So this is an interesting question, because actually what caused the degradation issue wasn't anything that we would have learnt in any of the practice sessions. It's actually a problem that happened in the race," he said in the latest episode of 'The Vowles Verdict'.
'BROKEN CAKE TINS';
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...-james-vowles/
‘Broken cake tins’ impaired Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant
Williams team principal, James Vowles, came up with an interesting excuse as to why his drivers underperformed at Spa.
7 August 2023
by Robert Collins
Formula1News
Williams’ teammates Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant both had the chance to get in the top 10 of the Belgian GP – but were jeopardised by tyre issues. They ended up finishing in 14th and 17th place, respectively, which came as a shock to their fans.
It was apparent that both drivers struggled in Sector 2, as sliding around the track with degraded tyres was surely a tricky task. The ‘cake tins’ in question refer to the carbon surrounds inside the wheels attached to the car (also called nozzles). These tins serve the purpose of regulating the heat flow between the scalding brake disc and the tyres.
Without proper carbon surrounds, or with broken ones, the temperature of the tyre rises rapidly which causes extreme degeneration. Vowles addressed the issue, saying: “Their cake tins were broken, broken probably during a pit stop, but it’s very difficult to pinpoint exactly where. I’m fairly convinced that that’s part of the reason why we suddenly had very significant degradation.”
‘Broken cake tins’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/broken-ca...ogan-sargeant/
Alex Albon laments trouble with tyre degradation in Spa: “The whole weekend was tricky, and the race was just the same”
August 5, 2023
By Ashley Cline
The Checkered Flag
Williams Racing’s Alex Albon struggled with tyre degradation throughout the Belgian Grand Prix, citing the effect of FW44’s low downforce set-up through the twisty second sector of Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps as the primary culprit.
In the end, Albon finished the race in fourteenth place after taking three pit stops rather than the expected two, and having to carefully manage his tyres, particularly in the middle stints on the medium compound.
“I had a good start today; however, I was almost surprised I fell out of the points in the mid stint, but I was just struggling so much with degradation. The whole weekend was tricky, and the race was just the same. We’re running low downforce, which is fun but going through sector two, it degs the tyres so much.”
‘Whole weekend was tricky’;
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...just-the-same/
Albon FIRES Williams warning after slipping down the pack
Thursday 3 August 2023 17:12
Joe Ellis
GPFans
Alex Albon is very concerned that Williams' lack of pace at Spa could dent its hopes of a big points haul at Monza. Traditionally, Williams has been one of the fastest teams in a straight line which makes them very tough to pass and a real threat at high-speed circuits.
Monza is as fast as they come and Williams claimed points courtesy of Nyck de Vries in 2022, but Spa was a different animal in 2023. Albon dropped out of the points and couldn't lay a glove on the top 10 on a track where his car should have thrived.
‘Albon FIRES Williams warning’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...an-grand-prix/
Albon: Williams' 'great fun' turned into 'vicious circle'
01 August 11:40AM
Author Jake Nichol
RacingNews365
Alexander Albon has detailed how Williams' Belgian Grand Prix turned into a "vicious circle" and "wake-up call" despite "great fun" with the FW45. The slippery Williams machine was expected to be a points contender at Spa-Francorchamps owing to its prodigious straight-line speed, but Albon could only manage 14th in the Grand Prix with teammate Logan Sargeant 17th.
The main limiting factor for Williams was overheating its tyres with a lack of downforce in the second sector proving a weakness Albon was not able to overcome and just made his race worse. "I was almost surprised that I fell out of the points in the mid-stint, and don't know where everyone leapfrogged me," Albon told media including RacingNews365.
"At the end of the stint, we were struggling with tyre degradation and it was a tricky race because we are running the low downforce. That is great fun in some ways, but through Sector 2, it is not so fun anymore. We are just degrading the tyres so much, and we even saw it on the Wet tyres.”
'Great fun turned into vicious circle';
https://racingnews365.com/albon-will...vicious-circle
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Hulkenberg: No quick fix to Haas 'complex' tyre issues.
Nico Hulkenberg says Haas knows what it has to do to solve its car's complex tyre degradation issues, but unfortunately a solution "doesn't just lay on the street".
03/08/2023 at 14:39
Michael Delaney
F1i.com
Haas' VF-23 has demonstrated impressive speed on Saturdays, with Nico Hulkenberg qualifying among the top-ten in four of the last six races. However, it's been a different story for the US outfit on Sundays with tyre degradation systematically undermining both Hulkenberg and teammate Kevin Magnussen's efforts.
Haas' engineers have been on their car's case for months, but elaborating a solution has turned into along haul process according to Hulkenberg. "I think we understand the cause and what happens and why it happens," stated the Hulk last weekend in Spa where he finished 18th, while Magnussen complted his race 15th.
"But fixing it and bringing loads of performance, it doesn't just lay on the street, it's a bit more complex. I think we can still improve the situation this year. To what extent, that's TBC, it's down to us, and we have to prove it. But yeah, it's a longer-term thing."
‘No quick fix’;
https://f1i.com/news/483229-hulkenbe...re-issues.html
Hulkenberg pinpoints Haas positive after 'nasty' Spa
01 August 3:15PM
Author Jake Nichol
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365
It was a bad weekend for the German in Belgium, but could there be light at the end of the tunnel? Nico Hulkenberg has spotted light at the end of the tunnel for Haas despite a "nasty" Belgian Grand Prix.
"We understand the cause, what happens and why it happens, but fixing it and bringing loads of performance, it doesn't just lay on the street," Hulkenberg told media including RacingNews365. "It's a bit more complex. We can still improve the situation this year, but to what extent, that's TBC. It's down to us and we have to prove it.”
"What we really need are some upgrades, some real performance to help. Obviously, this track exposes the weaknesses of our car very much. It is why we've not been competitive in any session, on any lap. There is a lot of work to do. Let say that this weekend is over and done with is good, it's been a pretty grim weekend.”
‘Haas positive after 'nasty' Spa’;
https://racingnews365.com/hulkenberg...fter-nasty-spa
‘We need some performance on the car ASAP’ – Hulkenberg’s verdict on Haas after the Belgian GP
30 Jul 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Nico Hulkenberg finished P18 and last at Spa, and said afterwards it was a race weekend to “forget about quickly” for Haas.
‘Performance ASAP’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...737183790.html
How Haas runs its F1 operation across three countries
Saturday 5th August, 2023 - 5:05pm
By Mat Coch
Simone Resta, technical director at Haas, has explained how the operation functions across three different facilities, in three different countries. The American registered team has its formal headquarters in Charlotte, in the United States. From there, the administration of the team is managed.
In the United Kingdom, the race team is based out of a factory in Banbury, previously occupied by the Manor F1 team. Resta, and the design staff, are based in Italy, working from an office in Maranello within the confines of Ferrari’s sprawling facility.
It creates a complex web, with the team spread across three timezones – and that’s before considering Dallara’s input into the team (it’s based in Parma, an hour or more from Maranello, in Italy). Simone Resta: “Speaking about most of the teams, and if not all of the teams… … You can have a coffee with a mechanic and they can tell you how shit a certain part of the car is to mount, or stuff like that.”
‘F1 operation across three countries’;
https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/08/05...ree-countries/
Guenther Steiner breaks silence on Daniel Ricciardo rejection
Haas signed Nico Hulkenberg for 2023 after Daniel Ricciardo rejected their offer to replace Mick Schumacher.
6 August 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News
Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has admitted that there’s no hard feelings with AlphaTauri driver Daniel Ricciardo, who rejected a move to the American side last season.
Steiner hasn’t got any issues with Ricciardo following his decision to reject Haas, with the Italian noting that the 34-year-old is a “very good guy” and has “talent” despite his poor 2022 campaign. “I think Daniel is a very good guy and he’s won races. He had a tough season last year, not an easy one the year before, and sometimes you need to take a step back to [make] two forward.”
“Everybody needs to do a decision they want to make. We did one last year, everybody has got an opinion on what we did when we didn’t extend one of our drivers,” the Haas boss explained. “If a team decides that is the best way to move forward for them? I have no opinion on it. They know what they’re doing. I think they are fully qualified to do it.”
‘No hard feelings’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/guenther-...rdo-rejection/
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David Coulthard picks out worse-performing driver than Nyck de Vries.
13-time F1 race winner David Coulthard says while Nyck de Vries understandably found out Formula 1 is a “stopwatch” game, he feels that applies even more to Logan Sargeant.
24 Jul 2023 1:30 PM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com
The Hungarian Grand Prix marked the first stop on the F1 2023 calendar where De Vries was not present, the Dutchman having been given the boot from Red Bull’s sister team AlphaTauri after an underwhelming 10-race stint in his rookie season.
That is the belief of former Red Bull driver Coulthard, who when using his “stopwatch” theory to assess how each driver is performing, highlighted that Williams’ American rookie Sargeant is half-a-second slower than his team-mate Alex Albon, the biggest discrepancy he sees on the current grid.
But, he says Sargeant is being “given space” for his slow start to F1 2023 because of his nationality and the income he is generating for Williams. Formula 1 has experienced rapid popularity growth in the United States, which Coulthard says helps Sargeant since he hails from the nation, while he then in-turn claims that the Williams Academy graduate is bringing vital funds into the team.
‘His “stopwatch” theory’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/david-...nyck-de-vries/
Former F1 star issues DAMNING verdict over current driver WORSE than axed De Vries
Wednesday 26 July 2023 10:57
Harry Smith
GPFans
Former F1 driver David Coulthard has questioned the long-term future of Logan Sargeant, who he suggests is performing worse relative to his team-mate than Nyck de Vries. The young American has failed to score a point to date, while team-mate Alex Albon has notched up 11 points for the team.
"I actually don’t think it’s a matter of time, it’s a matter of pace, Coulthard told Channel 4 (via the Mirror) when asked about Sargeant's long-term F1 future. "This is a stopwatch championship, so you either deliver the lap time or you don’t. He was on average within about two-and-a-half tenths of Yuki Tsunoda, which actually, the worst-performing person on average is Logan Sargeant in the Williams.”
"He’s half a second away from Alex Albon. He’s bringing money to the team and given a bit of space, American, that fits I guess the overall growth of F1 right now. So I think we should only ever look at the lap time rather than... this isn’t a personality competition."
‘DAMNING verdict’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ms-alphatauri/
David Coulthard suggests F1 driver should be immediately fired
Nyck de Vries was recently axed by Red Bull to make way for the returning Daniel Ricciardo.
26 July 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News
Ex-Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has admitted that Logan Sargeant is at risk of being dumped by Williams, following AlphaTauri’s “brutal” sacking of Nyck de Vries. When asked if De Vries’ sacking was fair, Coulthard pointed out that the ex-AlphaTauri driver wasn’t even the “worst-performing person”.
Coulthard revealed that Sargeant is half-a-second slower than Williams team-mate Alex Albon per lap this season, whereas De Vries was on average two-and-a-half tenths slower per lap than Yuki Tsunoda prior to his firing. The American desperately needs a points finish to warrant his stay in F1, given that the likes of Mercedes reserve Mick Schumacher are currently on the bench.
‘Logan Sargeant is at risk of being dumped’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/david-cou...diately-fired/
2023 Belgian GP FP1: Sargeant hits the wall and brings out red flags in wet first practice at Spa.
28 Jul 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
Rain was falling from the get-go when FP1 began at Spa – and after a couple of near misses from other drivers, Williams rookie Logan Sargeant was the first to crash, causing a red flag.
‘Sargeant hits the wall’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...483035633.html
Sargeant reckons he would have made SQ3 without spin on his push lap in the Sprint Shootout
29 Jul 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
Logan Sargeant said he was on “the best lap I’d driven all weekend” in SQ2 when he spun – with a red flag then robbing him of a chance to set another time, as he dropped out win P13.
‘Would have made SQ3 without spin on his push lap’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...447340431.html
Williams ‘left the first stop too late’ on ‘tough day’ at Spa – Sargeant
30 Jul 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
Logan Sargeant finished 17th in the Belgian Grand Prix, and said after the race the timing of his first pit stop hindered his race.
‘Left the first stop too late’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...297685605.html
Sargeant wants more progress: Not where I want to be
04 August 10:00PM
Author Rory Mitchell
RacingNews365
Logan Sargeant has conceded that he would like to see more progress from himself in his rookie Formula 1 season. This is why Sargeant is expecting more when discussing his form with media, including RacingNews365: "I'm making steps in the right direction, but I'm still not where I want to be.”
"There's plenty of work to still be done. But I see the progress. I see it's moving in the right direction and that's what matters. But yeah, I'm still striving to be better."
ROOKIES HEAD-TO-HEAD
Driver Best Finish Worst Finish (not including mechanical failure) Points after 12 races
Logan Sargeant P11 - British GP P20 - Spanish GP 0
Nyck de Vries P12 - Monaco GP Retirement - Azerbaijan GP 0
Oscar Piastri P4 - British GP P19 - Miami GP 34
"I'm making steps”;
https://racingnews365.com/sargeant-w...e-i-want-to-be
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Security forced to step in as F1 star MOBBED by fans in return to home country.
Zhou posted a video on his Instagram stories of him arriving at Shanghai airport with security having to create a path through the hundreds of adoring fans waiting for him.
Monday 7 August 2023 20:12
Joe Ellis
GPFans
Zhou Guanyu has used the F1 summer break as a chance to return to China after several years away. The Alfa Romeo driver lives in the UK and has done since his school days as a result of pursuing motorsport as a career.
‘F1 star MOBBED’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ecurity-china/
PALMER: How did Alfa Romeo’s brilliant Saturday turn into such a disappointing Sunday in Hungary?
26 July 2023
Jolyon Palmer
Former F1 Driver
Formula One - Official Site
Alfa Romeo missed a golden opportunity to bag some big points on Sunday, given their strong pace and lofty Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying positions. For teams further down in the championship the opportunity to start fifth and seventh doesn’t come along too often, so their rivals will be breathing a sigh of relief that the Swiss squad couldn’t add to their points tally in Budapest.
But how did such a promising Saturday turn into such a disappointing Sunday? For Zhou Guanyu – who had qualified a career-best P5 for this race – it began with bad luck. His car had a software override for a brake issue, which cut the engine power just before the lights went out.
Everything had seemed normal on the grid for the Chinese racer, but as the fourth light came on and he was holding his pre-start revs the power died which left him having to re-engage the clutch and pull away with a flood of cars passing on either side. From the cockpit this is a scene of mild panic and immense frustration as you realise your whole weekend's work has gone out of the window.
‘Software override’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...BrOAwa8MT.html
Exclusive: Zhou Guanyu on F1 future and Audi dreams as contract ticks down
31 Jul 2023 3:45 PM
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com
Zhou Guanyu is optimistic of securing a new long-term deal with the Alfa Romeo-Sauber team, and is eyeing up staying on for Audi. Speaking to PlanetF1.com during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, Zhou said his main priority at the moment is to stay racing with Sauber on into 2024 and beyond in a bid to race for Audi in 2026.
“I’m happy for the next few years before Audi take over to stay here,” he said. “And now, obviously knowing the team turns into a manufacturer team, there’s no better place to be. We need to see and, obviously, my priority is to stay here and to go all the way to the Audi times because that’s where I think we’ll be making a huge difference in the regulations – 2026 with all the changes though, of the team, of the cars – it’ll be another story and a mixed up grid.”
With contract negotiations coming up as the time looms to make a decision for 2024, is Zhou chasing a multi-year deal, or is he happy to take it a year at a time? “Yeah, I’d prefer to have a long deal,” he said.
‘Optimistic of securing a new long-term deal’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/underr...-new-contract/
Zhou Guanyu never expected Alfa Romeo would be 'fighting for the top five' last time out
27 Jul 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
Speaking ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Alfa Romeo's Zhou Guanyu reflects on his up and down weekend in Budapest and expresses surprise the team were able to challenge so effectively in Qualifying.
'Fighting for the top five';
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...472261849.html
Alfa Romeo make Zhou Guanyu decision with crunch meeting scheduled
Zhou Guanyu has been pushing to extend his F1 career with Alfa Romeo into 2024 and beyond.
10:43, Fri, Aug 4, 2023
By Harry Smith
Daily and Sunday Express
Alfa Romeo look set to hand a new contract to Zhou Guanyu with team principal Alessandro Alunni Bravi revealing the team’s desire to retain both the Chinese driver and team-mate Valtteri Bottas for the 2024 season.
The Italian outfit’s driver line-up has been a topic of contention ahead of the summer break and the start of F1’s ‘silly season’. Many expected Zhou’s seat to be one of the few up for grabs for F1 hopefuls this summer, but the 24-year-old looks set to retain his place in the team for at least another season.
Team boss Alunni Bravi explained his plans for Alfa Romeo’s 2024 driver line-up to Motorsport.com, stating: "We have always said that stability is important to us. We are a team in the process of transformation and we are trying to be as stable as possible in all areas. Of course, we are looking for improvement and opportunity.”
‘Crunch meeting scheduled’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...eo-Zhou-Guanyu
Exclusive Q&A with Zhou Guanyu: The struggle for success, Valtteri Bottas, and a future with Audi?
04 Aug 2023 8:15 AM
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com
Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu sat down with PlanetF1.com for a wide-ranging interview during the Belgian Grand Prix. The first-ever Chinese Formula 1 driver has proven himself a solid pair of hands in the midfield as Alfa Romeo have struggled to compete as a regular points-scoring outfit during his 18 months in the sport.
PF1: 18 months in Formula 1, and you’re well settled in with Alfa Romeo at this stage. How do you look back over the last season and a half? Do you feel like you’re now underlining your place in the sport? GZ: “I feel like, in general, there are obviously up and downs. But, overall, I’m quite happy with the way I was able to put myself in this F1 world and show worldwide what I’m capable of doing as a driver.”
PF1: You stepped up to F1 after quite a long run in Formula 2. Has F1 been an even bigger challenge than perhaps you were expecting at the time? GZ: “Of course, I was expecting it to be very difficult. I was actually thinking maybe the results will come later than the first race or at the beginning.”
‘Exclusive Q&A’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/exclus...yu-belgian-gp/
ZHOU GUANYU PROVIDES CONTRACT UPDATE AND HOPES FOR 2026
The Chinese driver is competing in his second season in Formula One and currently sits P16 in the drivers' championship having scored 4 points this season so far
August 1, 2023
Rhiannon Temporal
FormulaNerds
China’s first-ever Formula One driver is currently competing in his second season at the pinnacle of motorsport. But Zhou Guanyu is yet to race at his home Grand Prix, which he expects to change in 2024. However, he needs a contract for next season before his dream can become reality.
When pressed for further details surrounding the desired length of his contract, the Chinese driver responded: “Yeah, I’d prefer to have a long deal. I’m definitely trying to have more than a one-year deal and then to be having an open mind for 2026.”
The 2022 rookie was asked whether there has been any progress in contract talks. Zhou confirmed that, while negotiations have begun, he tends to keep out of the talks. He revealed: “Yeah, of course, we’ve been already talking about it. I leave it to my manager to do that. But the team is happy with my job on track so far.” He continued, “So we’re just going to continue working to finish off before the summer break on a high and then the rest of the season will come.”
‘Prefer to have a long deal’;
https://www.formulanerds.com/news/zh...opes-for-2026/
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MAGNUSSEN ON ‘FRUSTRATING’ 2023 SEASON WITH HAAS’ PERFORMANCE DROP.
Danish driver Kevin Magnussen has scored two points so far in his 2023 Formula One campaign. The Haas driver finished P10 in Saudi Arabia and Miami earlier in the year, and he currently trails his teammate Nico Hulkenberg by seven points in the drivers' championship.
08:35 Tue, 08 Aug 2023.
Rhiannon Temporal
FormulaNerds
The first half of the 2023 Formula One season has been lacklustre for Haas. The American team has recently been leapfrogged by Williams in the constructors’ championship, a team they outscored in 2022. Both Haas drivers are also demanding more from their team. Kevin Magnussen has complained about the difficulty Haas is facing when fighting for a points-scoring position. While Nico Hulkenberg is also hoping for race pace improvements.
During the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, Magnussen opened up about his feelings regarding Haas’ performance in 2023 so far. The Danish driver said: “Well, I don’t know. I think it’s frustration. It’s of course building when you see other teams developing and making big gains and we haven’t seemed to make that big step yet. But I still have all the faith in the team that we can turn it around, eventually.”
‘HAAS’ PERFORMANCE DROP’;
https://www.formulanerds.com/news/ma...formance-drop/
Magnussen still has faith that Haas can 'turn it around'
08/08/2023 at 10:54
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com
Kevin Magnussen has denied that he is "disheartened" by Haas' disappointing results this season, although he admits that the team's underperformance is "frustrating". So far the US outfit has only put eleven points on the board in 2023, which puts it eighth in F1's Constructors' standings just ahead of Alfa Romeo and AlphaTauri.
"I think it's frustration," he said when asked if he felt disheartened. "It's of course building when you see other teams developing and making big gains and we haven't seemed to make that big step yet. But I still have all the faith in the team that we can turn it around eventually.”
"It's not going to be immediate but I think we're doing the groundwork to be able to bring that step later on in the year. It's of course frustrating when you don't have it and we want to be up there scoring points and doing well and at the moment it's a bit hard. We have made some progress. Overall, our performances have dropped compared to our main competitors."
‘Still has faith’;
https://f1i.com/news/483468-magnusse...it-around.html
Kevin Magnussen: “We still have way more degradation than everyone else”
August 7, 2023
By Paul Hensby
The Checkered Flag
Kevin Magnussen felt he had the pace to challenge for the top ten during the Belgian Grand Prix at the beginning of each stint, but the tyre degradation of his MoneyGram Haas F1 Team car put paid to his chances of scoring points.
“I felt there was a little more to fight for this race, I had a bit more competitiveness,” said Magnussen. “We still have way more degradation than everyone else, which I think is the main differentiator today. Pace-wise at the beginning of the stints it felt like we could fight for the top ten but didn’t have the degradation to keep fighting to the end.”
“I think we’re getting a good understanding of what we need to do and I’m looking forward to the second half of the year, looking forward to some upgrades, and making some changes to the car. Hopefully we can get back in the game, we’re still P8 in the Constructors’ Championship and that’s our aim as a team to gain another position from last year. We’ve got everything to play for.”
“more degradation than everyone else”;
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...everyone-else/
Magnussen rejects 'disheartened' claims over Haas failure
07 August 7:45PM
Author Jake Nichol
RacingNews365
Kevin Magnussen has rejected suggestions that he is 'disheartened' as Haas's form in Formula 1, but admits he is frustrated. "We have made some progress. Overall, our performances have dropped compared to our main competitors.”
"But Qualifying versus Race, I think that that has improved. Unfortunately, some of the cars that we used to be racing at the beginning of the year have just become much faster overall and that's why we don't see that gain so much.”
"But yeah, as I said, we're working super hard. The whole team is really working hard and I think there's still reason to be optimistic for the remainder of the year."
'Disheartened claims rejected’;
https://racingnews365.com/magnussen-...r-haas-failure
Magnussen admits 'frustration building' at Haas but says there is 'reason to be optimistic'
07 August 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Kevin Magnussen has “faith” that Haas can return to form in the second half of the season, despite admitting that “frustration” is building within the team after having not finished in the top-10 of a Grand Prix since May.
Part of Haas’ issue this season has been their inability to transfer their strong qualifying pace to Sunday’s race. However, Magnussen believes the team have made strides in that area and can be “optimistic” about their performances for the rest of the year.
Magnussen also gave an update on his contract situation with the team heading into the summer break. The Dane’s current contract with Haas is set to expire at the end of 2023, and while Magnussen says there is no news of an extension to report, he says he is “pretty happy” where he is. “I don't really know what's going on. I feel like the team is pretty happy, but you never know with these things, and I'll take it one day at a time.”
'Reason to be optimistic';
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...OPvldhdrE.html
Magnussen says Haas got their strategy all wrong after they called him in for new tyres on a quick lap in SQ1
29 Jul 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
Kevin Magnussen says he was on course to progress from the first part of the Sprint Shootout but his team called him in for a new set of tyres – and then he hit traffic on his next attempt, and was out in P18.
‘Haas got their strategy all wrong’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...381109621.html
Magnussen hoping Haas can get ‘back in the game’ after the summer break
30 Jul 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
Kevin Magnussen finished outside the points in 15th place in the Belgian Grand Prix, and said after the race he’s looking forward to getting some upgrades on the car once the season resumes at Zandvoort after the August break.
‘Back in the game’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...695058020.html
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Mazepin clears HUGE hurdle in bid to make controversial F1 return.
Nikita Mazepin is now cleared to return to F1 after the EU court ruled to suspend sanctions in regard to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Tuesday 1 August 2023 11:27
Joe Ellis
GPFans
The 24-year-old was prevented from racing in F1 at the start of 2022 as the war began because of close connections between him and Vladimir Putin. After a second court session, it was ruled that Mazepin can return to racing in F1 if he can find a seat.
He has already negotiated with some teams over a potential deal when he was granted access to the European Union back on 2 March. "In the new round, the Court upheld Nikita again, as there remains a need for interim measures to be taken to prevent serious and irreparable damage to the athlete," Mazepin's legal team said to TASS.”
"The Council of the EU did not provide convincing evidence to the contrary. Nikita Mazepin remains entitled to enter the EU to qualify for teams, participate in the Formula 1 series and other competitions. He can also receive income in connection with racing activities and negotiate with sponsors."
‘Now cleared to return to F1’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ruling-banned/
Court says Mazepin free to return to Formula 1
07:17 Tue, 01 Aug 2023.
ANDREW MAITLAND
Grandpx.news
A top European court has confirmed that sacked Nikita Mazepin is now free to race in Formula 1. Earlier this year, the same court temporarily lifted European sanctions on the Russian former Haas driver that had been imposed at the outset of the Ukraine conflict.
“The court was not satisfied that the restrictive measures against the applicant were based on a sufficiently solid factual basis,” Mazepin’s lawyers told Tass news agency. They added that Mazepin, 24, is a “young sportsman who was in no way involved in the events in Ukraine and does not carry out any activity in the sectors of the economy that would bring substantial income to the Russian government”.
Without the court’s intervention, Mazepin is exposed to “serious and irreparable damage to the athlete”. “The EU council has not provided convincing evidence to the contrary,” the lawyers continued. Mazepin therefore now has the right to enter Europe “to negotiate with Formula 1 teams” and race in other series, including receiving “income in connection with racing activities and negotiations with sponsors”.
‘A top European court has confirmed that sacked Nikita Mazepin is now free to race in Formula 1’;
https://grandpx.news/court-says-maze...-to-formula-1/
Court ruling allows Nikita Mazepin to return to Formula 1
Nikita Mazepin is no longer under sanctions in Europe and is able to return to Formula 1.
3 August 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News
Ex-Formula 1 driver Nikita Mazepin is officially free to talk to teams in the paddock about a potential return; however, Russian sports lawyer Anna Antseliovich isn’t sure if he’ll be able to.
Mazepin is allowed to travel and work in Europe once again, after his sanctions on the continent were lifted. The former Haas driver had been sanctioned in Europe for his links to the conflict in eastern Europe, which caused him to be axed by Haas in the first place ahead of the 2022 season.
‘Return to Formula 1’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/court-rul...-to-formula-1/
The EU Court ruling which could pave way for Nikita Mazepin’s F1 return
01 Aug 2023 6:00 PM
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com
Nikita Mazepin’s lawyers have successfully managed to have sanctions against the Russian racer overturned. Sanctions against former F1 driver Nikita Mazepin have been overturned by the Court of Justice of the European Union, according to a spokesman for the Russian driver.
Earlier this year, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled to allow Mazepin to enter the EU to allow for negotiations with F1 teams, and enabling him to participate in F1 and/or other racing series provided he could reach agreement with their governing body. The Council of the European Union ignored the rules of the CJEU to extend sanctions against Mazepin, which was then challenged by Mazepin’s lawyers.
“In the new round, the Court upheld Nikita again, as there remains a need for interim measures to be taken to prevent serious and irreparable damage to the athlete,” his representation said, as quoted by Russian publication TASS. “The Council of the EU did not provide convincing evidence to the contrary. Nikita Mazepin remains entitled to enter the EU to qualify for teams, participate in the Formula 1 series and other competitions. He can also receive income in connection with racing activities and negotiate with sponsors.”
‘Pave way for Nikita Mazepin’s F1 return’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/eu-cou...pin-f1-return/
Lawyer questions Mazepin’s freedom to return to F1
August 2, 2023
BaylaSportsF1
According to prominent Russian sports lawyer Anna Antseliovich, Nikita Mazepin may not be entirely free to negotiate his return to Formula 1. “It is difficult to say whether Mazepin will now be able to negotiate with Formula 1 teams,” she told RT.
“The rules there are not quite the same as in other sports. After all, we are talking about commercial competitions, not representing the Russian national team,” Antseliovich added. There are apparently some agreements in Formula 1 that other athletes are not subject to.”
Despite this uncertainty, Antseliovich believes that the European court’s repeated rulings in favor of Mazepin set a positive precedent for other athletes. “It is no secret that legislators in most countries, including those in the EU, pay attention to these verdicts in similar cases,” Antseliovich said. “Let’s not forget that he was on the sanctions lists.”
‘Lawyer questions Mazepin’s freedom’;
https://baylasportsf1.com/lawyer-que...-return-to-f1/
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Former Ferrari chief Binotto could make METEORIC return to Formula 1.
Mattia Binotto may be making a return to the Formula 1 paddock following substantial rumours that the vacant team principal seat at Alpine could be his in the very near future.
Wednesday 9 August 2023 06:57
L.A. Wilshaw
GPFans
The former Ferrari boss has been the most popular name on the list of contenders since Otmar Szafnauer parted ways with the team immediately after the chequered flag was flown at the Belgian Grand Prix.
Adding fuel to the rumours of his appointment, Binotto was spotted at the Spa circuit post-Belgian Grand Prix, at a private test for Pirelli. F1i has posted about Binotto’s move to Alpine on their X account.
‘METEORIC return’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ne-f1-ferrari/
OPINION: Binotto would be wise to steer clear of Alpine omnishambles
03 August 3:35PM
Author Jake Nichol
RacingNews365
The ex-Ferrari boss has been tipped as a potential replacement for Otmar Szafnauer at Alpine, but would be wise to avoid. The first mistake made by Renault upon its return to Formula 1 in 2016 was to commit to winning the World Championship in one of those five-year plans the suits tend to like.
That immediately puts a hard deadline in place with tangible progress needing to be evidenced year-upon-year for any chance of meeting the goal.
Come 2022, and yet more senior management changes were in the offering as Budkowski (who it had worked hard to extract from the FIA) and Alain Prost were out with Otmar Szafnauer drafted in as Team Principal. After good progress in 2022, the team is currently in disarray having lost its CEO Laurent Rossi, Team Principal and experienced Sporting Director Alan Permane in the space of a week.
Whatever way you look at it, this is not the way to run a Formula 1 team. The hopes of Renault seeing Alpine challenging for wins and titles can now be wiped out until certainly the latter half of the decade. It is why Mattia Binotto, who has been linked with the vacancy, should clear and avoid the mess.
‘Alpine omnishambles’;
https://racingnews365.com/binotto-wo...e-omnishambles
Rumours intensify with ex-F1 team boss set for very quick return
08 Aug 2023 12:00 PM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com
Rumours surrounding Mattia Binotto becoming Alpine team principal are intensifying, with multiple reports claiming he has agreed to join the Enstone-based team as Otmar Szafnauer’s replacement.
The former Ferrari team boss was spotted in the paddock at the British Grand Prix in July, and has been the name most consistently linked with the now-vacant position at Alpine since it became available last week, with Szafnauer agreeing a ‘mutual’ termination of his deal with the French team, along with long-serving sporting director Alan Permane.
A report from L’Auto Journal in France claims that Binotto was at the Belgian Grand Prix weekend and stayed for the post-race Pirelli tyre test, and they claim he has already agreed terms to become Alpine team boss, following conversations with Renault CEO Luca de Meo.
‘Rumours intensify’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/mattia...urs-intensify/
Mattia Binotto 'set for F1 return' as former Ferrari chief plots his "revenge".
Binotto has been out of a job since he resigned as Ferrari team principal at the end of last season, feeling he had lost the full backing of the iconic brand's top brass.
17:57, 8 Aug 2023
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
The Mirror
Mattia Binotto has been strongly tipped to become the new Alpine team principal. The Renault-backed squad is in need of a new leader following the axing of Otmar Szafnauer at last month's Belgian Grand Prix. Both he and long-serving sporting director Alan Permane left Enstone by mutual consent.
Reports claim Szafnauer's successor has already been secured. According to French outlet L'Auto Journal, Renault chief executive Luca de Meo has chosen Binotto as his preferred choice for the role. It remains to be seen when the Italian would be free to take over if he accepts the job.
If he does accept, it will be Binotto's first Formula 1 role outside of Ferrari. He spent more than two decades rising through the ranks to become team principal, spending four years in that role before he left at the end of last year. … and he was the one to pay the price as the brand's board members continued their trend of being impatient for success.
‘Plots his revenge’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...rrari-30658674
Martin Brundle taken aback by ‘brutal’ Alpine sackings as Mattia Binotto links continue
02 Aug 2023 12:00 PM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com
Brundle was shocked, calling the oustings “brutal”. “I’m still taken aback by their wholesale forced departure of experienced F1 folk, and apparently with more to come,” he wrote in his post-Belgian GP column for Sky Sports. “I must assume there are wise and knowledgeable people incoming that we’ve yet to hear about. “Publicly binning team boss Otmar Szafnauer and sporting director Alan Permane mid-event while they still had a job to do on the pit wall was brutal even by F1’s less-than-impressive standards in this respect.”
Looking ahead to Alpine’s future, the former driver turned TV pundit says there are already rumours former Ferrari team boss Binotto is being lined up for the team principal job. “I’ve heard the rumour,” he said on Sky Sports. “This is a funny old place as you know, you can start a rumour just for fun and see how quickly it comes back to you as fact. But it’s not out of the question.”
“Binotto has got a lot of experience, obviously in the Ferrari system, and knows about running a Formula 1 team. Obviously, it didn’t work out for him at Ferrari otherwise he’d still be there. But I wouldn’t be surprised if that was announced, no.”
‘Brutal even by F1’s less-than-impressive standards’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/martin...pine-sackings/
Mattia Binotto tipped for swift return as new boss of Alpine
8 Aug 2023
James Dielhenn
Motorsport Week
The ex-Ferrari boss has been picked by Renault CEO Luca De Meo to take the reins at Alpine, according to L’Auto Journal. Binotto, who became the latest victim of Ferrari’s ruthlessness last season and was replaced by Fred Vasseur, was spotted recently in the paddock at the F1 British Grand Prix.
Leo Turrini, an Italian journalist with ties to Ferrari, wrote in Quotidiano: “In France they say that Binotto already has the agreement with Alpine. I wouldn't be surprised and I wrote it. I have known Mattia for almost 30 years. He is a smart guy, perhaps undermined by an excess of self-esteem.”
“He had the Ferrari [team] in hand for a few years, it was his dream come true. Other dreams, however, have failed, also due to his own responsibility. He made mistakes, but he wasn't always helped. He trusted the wrong friends and in communication it was a disaster. Some of his utterances cry out for revenge. But, for the avoidance of doubt, he is a smart person. If he finds a mentor in De Meo and learns to listen more, he could do very good things.”
‘Swift return’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/news/103308...urrent-f1-team
Ex-Ferrari boss Binotto tipped for shock F1 return with Alpine
13:51 Wed, 09 Aug 2023.
by Sam Tomlinson
Motorsport Week
Former Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto has been selected as Alpine’s new Formula 1 Team Principal, according to L’Auto Journal. The French outlet reports that Renault Groupe CEO Luca de Meo has chosen Binotto to take the reigns from Otmar Szafnauer who left Alpine after the Belgian Grand Prix as part of a mass exodus of senior staff. Alpine currently finds itself sixth in the Constructor’s standings on 57 points, some 46 points adrift of next best McLaren.
It’s reported that Binotto has already accepted the offer of Alpine Team Principal from De Meo, his role could include a wider focus. It is understood that the former Ferrari man would only entertain offers that would allow him to restructure a team as he sees fit. Renault’s existing leadership hierarchy would make such a feat difficult for Binotto without some form of carte blanche.
‘Binotto tipped for shock F1 return’;
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...n-with-alpine/
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David Croft calls out Formula 1 fans who complain about Max Verstappen’s dominance.
Croft maintains that the thrilling performances by Verstappen and Red Bull are worth appreciating and celebrating, urging fans to focus on the incredible feats on display rather than lamenting the lack of suspense in the title race.
August 6, 2023
BaylaSportsF1
Speaking alongside ex-F1 racer Karun Chandhok on the Sky F1 podcast, he said:
“All I would say is if you think the sight of cars going at 200 miles an hour plus, or doing 170 miles an hour through Maggotts and Becketts, or showing the most supreme engineering challenge, in the hands of some of the most talented human beings ever to grab hold of a steering wheel, where we’re at tracks where you’re millimetres away from ruining your afternoon for 70-odd laps in a race, if you think that’s boring, I can’t help you. I really can’t.”
“It is so so easy to run with the herd here and say ‘oh it’s boring because Max keeps winning’. Why not marvel at the record? At the excellence, at the consistency and to be that good for so long. I couldn’t do it. Karun couldn’t do it. You know what it takes Karun to be that good and appreciate what we’re seeing, because we’re not going to see it forever.”
“I can’t help you. I really can’t”;
https://baylasportsf1.com/david-crof...ens-dominance/
David Croft vehemently defends Max Verstappen
Red Bull's Max Verstappen is closing in on the top-three on the all-time F1 winners list.
8 August 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News
Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft has jumped to the defence of reigning World Champion Max Verstappen, who’s been accused by several fans for making the sport “boring”. Many have shared their frustrations online about Verstappen’s current dominance, with the Dutchman being in a complete league of his own.
The two-time World Champion is all but set to become a three-time World Champion very soon, as he boasts a ridiculous 125-point lead over Sergio Perez. Verstappen could effectively miss the next five races and still lead the championship.
He’s now claimed 45 wins in his F1 career and is closing down on four-time World Champion Alain Prost’s 51 wins. “It is so so easy to run with the herd here and say ‘Oh, it’s boring because Max keeps winning’,” Croft said on the Sky Sports F1 podcast.
‘Closing down on four-time World Champion Alain Prost’s 51 wins’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/david-cro...ax-verstappen/
Sky F1's David Croft shows his stripes in rant over Max Verstappen's Red Bull dominance
Red Bull have won all 12 races so far this season and Max Verstappen has taken 10 of those victories, leading to some F1 fans criticising the sport for its lack of competitiveness
16:21, 8 Aug 2023
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
The Mirror
David Croft questioned how Formula 1 fans can complain about Max Verstappen's remarkable success so far this season. But not everyone shares that opinion. Sky Sports commentator Croft is clearly among the latter group, as evidenced by his criticism of the sport's boo boys in the midst of this remarkable Red Bull dominance.
While it may be boring for some fans, safe to say everyone involved with Red Bull feels very differently about the situation. That includes Verstappen, who dismissed the suggestion that even he might be getting bored with how easy some of his victories have been this year. "That actually doesn't make it boring. That's why I'm here. I want to be here. I want to win," he told reporters.
"To be up front. It's what makes it a lot more enjoyable to come to a race weekend. Knowing that you can't win, you have no chance – that's boring for me. This is the opposite. "I just put a lot of pressure on myself to try to deliver what I can. The team does that as well, they always want to be as good as they can be. Some races look easier than others, sometimes it just clicks a bit easier. I think that is the strength of the team, we always want to do the best we can, we always want to improve. That's why we are doing so well at the moment."
‘Croft shows his stripes in rant’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...y-sky-30657728
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff flat-out disagrees with David Croft over Max Verstappen
Toto Wolff and David Croft have differing opinions on the dominance of Max Verstappen.
10:05, Mon, Aug 7, 2023
By Harry Smith
Daily and Sunday Express
Mercedes boss Wolff has not been impressed by the entertainment value of Verstappen’s domination, stating: “I don’t know whether our dominance was similar or less as I think we had years where we did it in the same way, but at least we had two cars that were fighting each other.”
“So that caused a little bit of entertainment for everyone, and that’s not the case at the moment,” Wolff continued. “It is what it is and I often say that it’s a meritocracy and it’s up to us to fight back.”
The Austrian team principal’s viewpoint has been shared by fans this season, but exacerbated by the relative struggles of his team. Mercedes have been forced to feed off scraps in 2023 with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton collecting four podiums and George Russell stepping onto the podium only once.
‘Toto Wolff flat-out disagrees with David Croft’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ff-David-Croft
David Croft urges F1 to scrap cost cap model and proposes simpler solution
07 Aug 2023 5:15 PM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com
Sky F1 commentator David Croft believes the FIA can help itself and the Formula 1 teams by simplifying the current cost cap procedure which he questions whether anyone “truly understands”.
Croft believes that the cap in its current form should be axed, with a more understandable system introduced whereby a set limit is imposed above the base cost cap level to cover all additional expenditure currently not included or being directed and hidden elsewhere by the teams, and make any breach sanctions severe.
“The cost cap is limiting many things in Formula 1,” said Croft on the Sky Sports F1 podcast. “Staff recruitment is being affected by it, because teams just can’t pay the money that businesses outside of Formula 1 can pay, because the cost cap isn’t going up and inflation is quite high. There is a brain drain as it were in Formula 1 with people leaving the sport to go and work elsewhere.”
‘Current cost cap procedure which he questions whether anyone “truly understands”!’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/david-...-cap-solution/
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Mercedes boss Wolff REVEALS Hamilton contract length.
"It's simply minor details that need to be resolved in the contracts," Wolff clarified to motorsport-total.com.
Thursday 10 August 2023 13:57
Jay Winter
GPFans
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has stated that seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will continue racing for "many years" to come. Wolff reassured Silver Arrows fans that the delay in the new contract is simply down to ironing out minor details, quashing any speculation about his retirement or shift to an ambassadorial role in the near future.
The focus, he asserted, remains firmly on securing Hamilton's presence as a driver. "No, we're not discussing an ambassador role after his retirement," stated the Austrian. "That's also not part of the contract negotiations. I believe he has many years ahead as a driver in this team, so it's just about clarifying things in the contract."
Navigating the delicate balance between contractual formalities and anticipation, Wolff refrained from providing a definitive date for contract completion. "I don't want to give a date, as it's lawyers talking to lawyers," he explained. "There are no material issues anymore, but you have to give the matter time, and I don't want to commit to a date."
‘Wolff REVEALS’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ntract-length/
Toto Wolff’s concerning Mercedes comments as Lewis Hamilton talks drag on
George Russell has lacked confidence in the W14 and sits 49 points behind Lewis Hamilton in the championship.
10 August 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has admitted that the W14 has proven to have “no sweet spot”, with the Austrian labelling it as a reason why George Russell has struggled this season. Whilst the W14 is better than the team’s 2022 car, Russell has been weaker this year and finds himself behind team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
Russell appeared to suit the W13 better than the W14, whereas Hamilton struggled to adjust to the 2022 car. “I don’t know. These cars are on the knife’s edge,” Wolff explained ahead of the summer break. “You can quickly fall off it and lose the confidence. On the other side, if you’re within that corridor of sweet spot… having said that, that car has no sweet spot!”
“I don’t know”;
https://formula1news.co.uk/toto-wolf...talks-drag-on/
Wolff warns F1 faces 'catastrophe' over engine measures
05/08/2023 at 09:31
Andrew Lewin
F1i.com
Mercedes team principal and executive director Toto Wolff has come out strongly against any suggestions that F1 should introduce a new engine equalisation clause that would impose limits on the entire field.
“Entertainment follows sport, and why the sport is so credible is because you have just got to work hard to be successful,” Wolff is quoted as saying by Motorsport.com this week. “If you're falling back as an engine supplier, and your engine isn't as performant as others, that's obviously everybody's problem," he acknowledged.
"At the same time, with a frozen engine, we don’t want to lose out on giving someone opportunities," he stressed. “But it needs to be done in a meritocratic way. For that, we have a rule in the 2026 power unit regulations that if one power unit will drop out of three per cent below the top power unit, then the teams would sit down in good faith and debate what could be done.”
“Entertainment follows sport”;
https://f1i.com/news/483318-wolff-wa...-measures.html
Toto Wolff blasts selfish Williams rivals for ‘jumping on the bandwagon’
08 Aug 2023 5:15 PM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com
Toto Wolff is unimpressed with Williams’ rivals for “jumping on the bandwagon” to try to gain leeway with their capital expenditure and hopes a “solution for Williams” can be found.
Williams team boss James Vowles recently revealed that a lot of Williams’ infrastructure hasn’t been updated in almost two decades with the Briton asking for a bit of freedom in the team’s capital expenditure.
He raised Williams’ plight at July’s F1 Commission meeting but found his rival team bosses not only calling for more room for their teams but also for the $36m limit to be raised.
‘Selfish Williams rivals’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/toto-w...iams-recovery/
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff suffers nasty injury while on holiday with family during F1 break
The 2023 F1 season is currently in the midst of a summer break, with drivers and team members jetting off on holiday before the next Dutch Grand Prix from August 25-27
09:57, 7 Aug 2023
By Fraser Watson
The Mirror
Susie took to Instagram on Sunday morning to share some snaps of the couple enjoying themselves with their young son Jack, but the final picture showed her partner holding his son's hand with his left arm in a full-length cast. It strongly implied the chief of the Silver Arrows had suffered a notable injury.
“Action-packed start to the summer holidays," wrote Susie, who also included images of a family karting session. "Last picture shows how the downhill mountain biking ended for Toto…”
According to Planet F1 , Mercedes have since confirmed that Wolff has fractured his elbow last Monday, just a day after the race at Spa-Francorchamps. However, he's expected to make a full recovery during the current recess period.
‘Toto Wolff suffers nasty injury’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...-news-30644016
Toto Wolff suffers injury while mountain biking on his family holiday
6 Aug 2023
James Dielhenn
Crash.net
Toto Wolff was pictured with his arm in a cast while on a family holiday. His wife, Susie Wolff, revealed that the injury was caused while mountain biking. “Action-packed start to the summer holidays,” Susie posted to social media. “Last picture shows how the downhill mountain biking ended for Toto…”
It is not the first time that Wolff's arm has ended up in a sling after a day of cycling. In 2014, it was again his wife who revealed via social media that he had fallen and injured an arm.
‘Downhill mountain biking’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/news/103298...family-holiday
