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FIA bans drivers from making ‘political statements’ without permission.
Formula 1 drivers and other participants in FIA events have been banned from making “political statements” without the permission of the governing body.
2023 F1 season
Posted on 20th December 2022, 7:1520th December 2022, 8:24
Written by Keith Collantine
RaceFans
The FIA has banned “the general making and display of political, religious and personal statements or comments notably in violation of the general principle of neutrality promoted by the FIA under its Statutes, unless previously approved in writing by the FIA for International Competitions, or by the relevant ASN for National Competitions within their jurisdiction.”
The FIA has previously taken steps to prevent F1 drivers from using the attention races attract to highlight causes which concern them. Drivers were prevented from wearing T-shirts during the podium ceremony after Lewis Hamilton displayed one bearing the message “Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor” after winning the 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix.
Other drivers have made political statements using their race wear. Sebastian Vettel was criticised by Canadian politicians when he wore a helmet featuring the messages “Stop mining tar sands” and “Canada’s climate crime” at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve this year. He did not wear the design for the grand prix.
‘FIA bans drivers from making political statements’;
https://www.racefans.net/2022/12/20/...ut-permission/
FIA President warns social media abuse could damage sport 'beyond repair'
16 December 9:50AM
Author Anna Francis
RacingNews365
Several months on from F1 launching the Drive it Out initiative – aimed at tackling any form of abuse in the sport – FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has reiterated that he is determined to fight "toxic" social media abuse, having warned of the consequences of ignoring it.
Speaking at the FIA and FIM Women in Motorsports Conference, the President voiced his concerns of "toxic" abuse on social media. "I'm going to fight it, and I'm going to fight it with all the power that I have," he told media, including RacingNews365.com, at the event.
"We are getting the support. One of our stewards from Spain was abused on social media – that cannot be accepted. "If we allow this to happen, it's only a matter of time [until] the damage to our sport will be beyond repair."
‘I'm going to fight it with all the power that I have’;
https://racingnews365.com/fia-presid...-beyond-repair
Ex-FIA race director Michael Masi secures new motorsport role for 2023
Thursday 15th December 2022 10:27 AM
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com
Former FIA Race Director Michael Masi has secured a new appointment for the upcoming 2023 motorsport season.
Having left the FIA earlier this year, Michael Masi’s return to his native country has meant the former FIA Race Director has focussed on securing roles on the motorsport scene in Australia.
Having been the catalyst behind the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale in 2021, Masi was not retained in his position of FIA Race Director for 2022 as FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem introduced sweeping changes for this season.
‘Sweeping changes’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/michae...role-for-2023/
FIA presses ahead with plans for wet weather wheel arches
18/12/2022 at 13:03
Andrew Lewin
RaceFans
The FIA's single-seater technical director Nikolas Tombazis has been giving more details about the governing body's plans to introduce new wet weather wheel arches - possibly as early as the second half of the 2023 season.
The initiative is in response to the embarrassing events of last year's Belgian Grand Prix, where rain made it impossible to hold the race in safe conditions and the event terminated after a handful of laps behind the safety car.
"Spa in 2021 still left scars on the sport because it was very unfortunate circumstance," Tombazis acknowledged. "It would have been ten times worse, I think, if we'd gone all the way to Japan and had to pack up and come back.
‘FIA presses ahead’;
https://f1i.com/news/462964-fia-pres...el-arches.html
FIA re-assessed after Yuki Tsunoda black and orange flag ‘overreaction’
Sunday 18th December 2022 8:00 PM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com
The FIA will reduce the use of black and orange flags after the sporting body’s technical chief admitted there had been an “overreaction” following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Yuki Tsunoda was shown the flag, often dubbed the ‘meatball’ flag, after only one half of his rear wing opened in the DRS zone in Baku.
The FIA deemed this to be unsafe so ordered Tsunoda into the AlphaTauri pits where the team used tape to tie down the wing.
‘Meatball flag’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/fia-re...k-orange-flag/
FIA developing ‘prototypes’ in unprecedented solution for heavy rain
The 2021 Belgian Grand Prix was stopped after a couple of laps, due to the intensity of the rain and the conditions of the circuit.
18 December 2022
by Nick Golding
Formula1News
FIA single-seater technical director Nikolas Tombazis has confirmed that wheel arches are being considered going forward when heavy rain appears, in order for the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix to never be repeated. For a sport deemed to be the pinnacle of motorsport, the championship has looked embarrassing in recent years when met with a wet race.
At the Japanese Grand Prix towards the end of the most recent season, a lengthy red flag interval was required whilst heavy rain pounded the Suzuka International Circuit. The Monaco Grand Prix was also red flagged for a considerable amount of time, again as a result of rain.
‘Pinnacle of motorsport, looked embarrassing in recent years’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/fia-devel...or-heavy-rain/
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Haas hit “significant landmark” with their F1 2023 car.
Haas have become the first team to announce that they have passed the FIA’s safety tests for F1 2023.
12 Dec 2022
Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net
Like in 2021, Haas have been quick to announce this “significant landmark” as they prepare for next year. All teams are required to pass the FIA's safety and crash tests in order for them to be officially homologated ahead of the new campaign.
The American team announced the news on Twitter: “The chassis and nose for the VF-23 have passed their FIA tests and are officially homologated - a significant landmark in the development of our 2023 car.” The VF-23 will be Haas’ eighth car having made their F1 debut back in 2016.
After a disappointing campaign in 2021, where they failed to score a single point, Haas pinned their hopes on 2022. They started the season strongly with Kevin Magnussen finishing fifth at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix. Things quickly tailed off as they fell down the order as Haas struggled to develop their car.
‘Haas have become the first team’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/news/101824...ir-f1-2023-car
Haas beat F1 rivals to important milestone
12 December 12:00PM
Author Michael Butterworth
RacingNews365
Haas say the nose and chassis for their 2023 car have been homologated after passing FIA safety tests.
This would make Haas the first Formula 1 team to have received the green light from motorsport's global governing body to proceed with their 2023 challenger.
‘Haas F1 Green Light’;
https://racingnews365.com/haas-beat-...tant-milestone
Haas’s sacrificial F1 gamble paid off – but it still underdelivered
Dec 12 2022
By Mark Hughes
The Race
Haas came back into respectable contention this season, having effectively sacrificed the 2020 and ’21 seasons as placeholders while it awaited the opportunity provided by the new regulations. It no longer invariably propped the rest of the grid up and returned to something more like the competitive level it had previously enjoyed.
But from the perspective of a car which could regularly make Q2 and occasionally Q3, just eight points finishes (with a total score of 37, for eighth in the constructors) must count as slightly disappointing.
The results didn’t do full justice to the Ferrari-powered and influenced VF22’s competitiveness, largely because the team’s still-small budget didn’t allow for any significant development and because the second car, driven by Mick Schumacher, scored only twice amid a series of expensive accidents.
‘The team’s still-small budget’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/haass...nderdelivered/
Guenther Steiner says Haas would not sell ‘hot property’ F1 spot to Andretti
Saturday 3rd December 2022 7:30 PM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com
Guenther Steiner has confirmed Gene Haas is not interested in selling his team to any interested buyers, especially now that owning a team is “hot property”.
The popularity of Formula 1 has increased significantly in the period since Haas joined the grid in 2016, with the entertainment on track and the release of Netflix’s Drive to Survive helping cultivate a new audience for the sport.
Combined with the new cost cap era in Formula 1, limits on team spending are now in place to try and curb unlimited amounts of money being poured into car development on grounds of both competitive fairness and financial stability.
‘Would not sell ‘hot property’’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/guenth...-hot-property/
Mick Schumacher slams F1's 'lack of patience' after son of icon Michael axed by Haas
Mick Schumacher will not be on the grid in 2023 but could find himself in a reserve role as he tries to save his F1 future.
07:38, Fri, Dec 9, 2022
By Luke Chillingsworth
Mick Schumacher has criticised Haas for having a lack of patience and not letting him develop into a top driver. The German was axed by the American squad ahead of the final race of the season after just two years in the cockpit.
Experienced former F2 star Nico Hulkenberg will take his drive with Schumacher possibly eyeing up a test driver role at Mercedes. However, the 23-year-old claims he should have been given one more season for the chance to show off his real skills.
‘Mick Schumacher slams F1's 'lack of patience';
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...al-news-latest
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Red Bull verdict on main 2023 F1 title threat.
Red Bull motorsports advisor Helmut Marko has outlined Mercedes and "special" Lewis Hamilton as the biggest threat to the team ahead of the 2023 season.
Tuesday 20 December 2022 16:00
Ewan Gale
GPFans
The Austrian underlined Lewis Hamilton's effect on the Silver Arrows despite the Briton experiencing the first winless year of his F1 career this year.
In contrast, Red Bull waltzed to a first title double since 2013, with Max Verstappen beating Ferrari's Charles Leclerc by 146 points in the drivers' standings, whilst the Scuderia finished a staggering 205 adrift in the constructors'.
Asked who he felt would be the main challenger to Red Bull next year, Marko told AMuS: "Definitely Mercedes. They are the more stable team and they have Hamilton.”
‘Mercedes and "special" Lewis Hamilton’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/98...n-2023-threat/
Brazil clash ‘set a marker’ between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen for 2023
Wednesday 21st December 2022 7:00 AM
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com
The collision between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen at last month’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix set the tone for the potential resumption of their rivalry in the 2023 Formula 1 season. That is the opinion of respected F1 reporter Mark Hughes, who believes Verstappen and Hamilton both race differently against other drivers on track.
The pair clashed in the early laps of the penultimate race in Brazil, with Verstappen incurring a five-second time penalty before claiming Hamilton had no intention of leaving him space at the Senna S.
Appearing on Motor Sport Magazine’s season review podcast, Hughes said it is noticeable that Verstappen races differently against other drivers, such as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, and pointed out that Hamilton is also inconsistent in combat against his 2021 title rival.
‘Set a marker’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/lewis-...brazil-marker/
Max Verstappen fires warning to Sergio Perez with comment on Valtteri Bottas
Max Verstappen issued some comments that may rile up Sergio Perez, as well as former Mercedes star and now Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas.
21:00, Tue, Dec 20, 2022
By Liam Llewellyn
“Every year he starts fresh,” Verstappen said of Bottas. “But after a few races you realise it’s not going to happen again and you accept your role. He still finished on podiums, he won a few races and took pole positions.”
“You just have to accept that the driver next to you is just a bit better. That’s fine, that can happen. It’s important that he accepted it. Some drivers can’t do that and then it goes completely wrong.”
“Then they don’t survive for very long. I’m not going to name names, but you have to accept your role. You can’t live in a fairytale world.” Verstappen’s comments could also be seen as a thinly-veiled dig at Red Bull teammate Perez, who he refused to give up a position for at last month’s Brazilian GP.
‘Max Verstappen fires warning’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...Bottas-f1-news
Red Bull look back at stellar year - but something controversial is missing
Tuesday 20 December 2022 14:55
Ewan Gale
GPFans
During Red Bull's video, numerous moments are recounted, such as the title-clinching highs in Japan and the United States, as well as Verstappen's best wins and Perez's finest moments. But it is during the review of the Mexican's triumphs that there is a startling omission.
Perez's greatest achievement in F1 to date, winning the Monaco Grand Prix, is omitted other than a single clip of him jumping into the pool in celebration and a dubbed-over piece of team radio from Horner. This only adds fuel to the fire of what is perceived to be a falling out between Perez and Verstappen during that weekend that ultimately led to the team orders furore in Brazil.
During the review, as a clip shows Perez standing in celebration at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Verstappen says: "That's Saudi, the pole." "It was a great lap, a massive lap," adds Perez, before Horner describes it as the "best lap of your career".
‘Startling omission’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/98...-prix-missing/
Ninth place “not acceptable” for AlphaTauri – Marko
RaceFans Round-up
Posted on 21st December 2022, 0:0120th December 2022, 19:11
Written by Ida Wood
RaceFans
AlphaTauri sank to ninth in the championship this year, its worst result since 2018 when it competed as Toro Rosso. Marko said the team were “beaten below their value” in an interview with Auto Motor und Sport.
“For the potential, technically and financially, ninth place is not acceptable,” said Marko. “They made a lot of mistakes in strategy. The car had too little downforce. At the moment we are in the process of taking stock and looking at which screws we have to turn.”
Oliver Mintzlaff, who has taken charge of Red Bull’s sports division following the death of Dietrich Mateschitz in October, sees the need for improvement at the team, said Marko.
“Not acceptable”;
https://www.racefans.net/2022/12/21/...nd-up-21-12-5/
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FIA hit with scathing attack - "a meddlesome bloated bureaucratic quagmire".
The FIA has been labelled a "bloated bureaucratic quagmire" by IndyCar driver Dalton Kellett following the announcement that drivers will need prior written consent before making a political stand.
Wednesday 21 December 2022 11:05
Ewan Gale
GPFans
F1 drivers, led in large by Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, have made their voices heard in recent times, with t-shirts adorned with slogans becoming more and more frequent.
The FIA has addressed such protests with an amendment of the regulations to bring them more in line with the International Sporting Code and the International Olympic Committee's charter, with drivers now obliged to seek consent in writing before taking any stands. This has been met with a backlash from fans and voices from within the paddock, though none as scathing as that from Kellett.
The Canadian said in a Twitter post: "When I started in racing, the FIA seemed like a necessary [even commendable] organization that strove to improve safety and protect fair competition. "These days, it’s become a meddlesome and bloated bureaucratic quagmire.”
‘FIA meddlesome bloated bureaucratic quagmire’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/98...alton-kellett/
'Shame on the FIA': F1 drivers urged to fight free speech ban
14:37, Dec 21 2022
Jeremy Wilson and Luke Slater
Stuff.co.nz
Rob Koehler, the chief executive of Global Athlete, said that the FIA had no moral authority to limit drivers’ free speech. “Without athletes, the sport does not exist,” said Koehler. “It is blatantly hypocritical to tell athletes to stick to their sports and stay out of politics while the FIA consistently leverage politics to their advantage.
“Freedom of expression is a basic fundamental human right and sport rules cannot supersede human rights. Many people look up to athletes as agents of change. The example set by the FIA is that every child, youth and adult watching the sport should remain silent on social justice issues. It is simply wrong. Shame on the FIA. Athletes are humans first, athletes second.” Koehler then also highlighted how Olympic and Paralympic athletes had stood up to governing bodies.
“It is also clear that the FIA is taking a page out of FIFA's playbook to silence athletes,” he said. “In 2020 athletes took a stand against the IOC and IPC to force them to relax their rules on freedom of expression. I hope the drivers do the same. This is brutal.”
'Shame on the FIA';
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/motors...ree-speech-ban
FIA political demand a damaging mistake
Tuesday 20 December 2022 11:40
Sam Hall
GPFans
The FIA has taken further steps to muzzle drivers racing in sanctioned competitions by now demanding written permission before they can make political statements during race weekends. Freedom of speech is a basic human right and although there will be those that welcome the FIA's move to distance sport and politics, there are undoubted negative consequences.
It is unclear why the FIA has chosen now as the moment to ban unapproved political messaging, but it is possible one of the motivating factors could be the increase in grand prix venues deemed to be controversial choices. Bahrain has long been viewed in this category but the recent additions of Saudi Arabia and Qatar have caused eyebrows to be raised.
It has led to suggestions that F1 is being used for sports-washing purposes given the atrocious human rights records of these countries. Is it also coincidental the FIA has made its move just days after the conclusion of the highly successful but controversial FIFA World Cup in Qatar?
‘Damaging mistake’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/98...aging-mistake/
FIA sets time limit on when former presidents may join F1 teams.
The new article 9.17 of the International Sporting Code defines restrictions in activities that are applied to its presidents and deputy presidents of sport once they leave their posts.
2023 F1 season
Posted on
21st December 2022, 8:1421st December 2022, 7:33 | Written by Ida Wood
The rule is intended to prevent any team gaining the benefit of confidential information such individuals might have gained during their time at the sport’s governing body. The FIA’s higher officers are privy to sensitive details concerning the activities of teams, such as the disclosures made in their budget cap submissions.
The new rule states: “A competitor entered in a FIA championship may not engage or use the services of a former president of the FIA or a former FIA deputy president for sport (whether as an employee, independent contractor, consultant, or otherwise) until six months have elapsed since the date that they ceased to hold the post of president or deputy president for sport (as applicable), and in any event the aforementioned competitor may not, without time limit, obtain, benefit from or use confidential information obtained by a former president of the FIA or a former president-delegate for sport of the FIA during their mandate.”
Jean Todt, who was replaced by current FIA president Muhammed ben Sulayem 12 months ago, is the only living person to formerly occupy the role and is also the FIA’s honorary president. He continues to work on many of the non-racing matters he was previously responsible for, concentrating his efforts on leading the United Nations’ work on improving road safety.
‘FIA sets time limit’;
https://www.racefans.net/2022/12/21/...join-f1-teams/
Ben Sulayem confident FIA diversity work is on 'right track'
21 December 5:05PM
Author Anna Francis
RacingNews365
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem included a focus on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion as part of his manifesto when running for the role one year ago. The President is pleased with the work that the governing body has done since in this area.
"I was a driver for 20 years and I think we took our sport for granted in a good way, that we never looked at there [being] a difference between men and women there," he told media, including RacingNews365.com.
"I had a British female co-driver with me. We didn't win very much because the car was not good, but we never thought we [had] to go and do extra to have women [involved], because we were mixed together in the organisation side, [as well as with] the stewarding and drivers, co-drivers, marshaling.”
‘FIA diversity’;
https://racingnews365.com/ben-sulaye...on-right-track
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Szafnauer makes bold Alpine development claim.
Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer has outlined the rapid-fire changes he made to halve the development time of upgrades.
Wednesday 21 December 2022 15:40
Sam Hall
GPFans
Szafnauer joined Alpine in February as part of a management restructuring exercise for the F1 team. Taking on the manufacturer's 100-race plan to become regular podium contenders, the 58-year-old acted quickly to identify and rectify what he viewed to be key problems holding the team back.
Speaking to selected media, including GPFans, Szafnauer said: “One of the big things I did when I first got here was to look at how long it takes us to bring upgrades to the track, and it took us a long time, longer than I was used to at other places.
“We had just a bit of a sub-group to look at how we can do things differently simultaneously, release things a little bit early from the tunnel, start the engineering work early at the expense of sometimes having to re-do it because things change, but most of the time not, and just saving time.”
‘Bold Alpine development’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/98...e-development/
The F1 engine ‘headache’ Alpine couldn’t solve in-season
10:02 Wed, 21 Dec 2022.
By Scott Mitchell-Malm
The Race
Alpine’s reliability problems with its 2022 Formula 1 engine were mainly rooted in “auxiliary” components including one that caused a “headache all season long”. The Renault works team overhauled its power unit ahead of the engine freeze that kicked in this year, having had a performance deficit in recent seasons.
That involved such a high workload and a late sign-off for the final 2022 design that Renault cut short the usual full validation process, willingly risking problems if it meant extra performance because the engine freeze does allow changes to address reliability concerns.
his manifested itself in several race-ending or weekend-compromising problems for the Alpine team over the course of the year, mostly on Fernando Alonso’s car – much to the two-time F1 world champion’s irritation, which he voiced more loudly as the season progressed.
‘F1 engine headache’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/the-f...lve-in-season/
Alpine Beating McLaren Shows Importance of Both Drivers Scoring Heavily – Szafnauer
December 22, 2022, 07:18
By Paul Hensby
The Checkered Flag
Otmar Szafnauer says the BWT Alpine F1 Team finishing fourth in Constructors’ Championship during the 2022 FIA Formula 1 World Championship showed just how essential it is to have two drivers scoring heavily.
When comparing his Alpine to the McLaren F1 Team, Szafnauer admitted it was pleasing that both Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso were regular top ten finishers during 2022, with the former scoring fifty-three per cent of the points total.
This compared to Daniel Ricciardo scoring just twenty-three per cent of McLaren’s total, with the majority of their points going the way of Lando Norris.
‘Both Drivers Scoring Heavily’;
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...ily-szafnauer/
Parc Ferme: Lies, damn lies and Alpine statistics
21 December, 2022
Sean Stevens
Grand Prix 247
A few years down the line people may glance at the historical standings in the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship and conclude that the BWT Alpine F1 Team made progress in 2022 by securing fourth place – a slot higher than in 2021. So much so that the French team‘s CEO Laurent Rossi seemed to think this was all progress but I’m not so sure.
Statistically, this would be an accurate assertion. However, like many things about the team, it flattered to deceive. In 2021 they actually won a Grand Prix and got on the podium at another. This year the closest they came to silverware was fourth. The Alpine A552 wasn’t a bad car, well at least the chassis wasn’t. It was slippery in a straight line and often run with low downforce wing settings, enhancing this attribute further. However, despite having good mechanical traction, it was not able to generate Ferrari, Red Bull, or even Mercedes levels of floor aero grip.
Its biggest weak point though was its Power Unit (PU) a bomb, but not in a good way. Frequently unreliable, it precipitated a whole host of DNF’s throughout the season. While avoidance may not have pushed them higher than their final finishing position in the championship, it would certainly have enabled them to definitively beat McLaren. Instead, they barely scraped ahead.
‘More bomb and less boom’;
https://www.grandprix247.com/2022/12...ne-statistics/
Ocon: Renault engine one of Alpine's 'good assets'
20/12/2022 at 13:06
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com
Esteban Ocon believes that Alpine's Renault power unit was one of the French outfit's best assets during the 2022 season. At the end of last year, following a season in which the Renault power unit had been the weakest of the four engines on the grid and ahead of a PU regulation freeze, Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi directed Renault to go all-in on the development of its 2022-spec engine.
Engineers at Viry-Châtillon were ordered to prioritize performance over reliability in a bid to bridge the power gap with its rivals. The result was a much more competitive car and engine for Alpine, which finished fourth in F1's Constructors' standings, although reliability issues weighed at times on results, especially on Fernando Alonso's side of the garage.
‘Alpine's 'good assets';
https://f1i.com/news/463082-ocon-ren...od-assets.html
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A warning shot sent to underperforming AlphaTauri with changes hinted at.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko is not happy with how sister team AlphaTauri performed in 2022, with the next steps now being considered.
Wednesday 21st December 2022 12:59 PM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com
2021 served as seemingly the perfect base for AlphaTauri to step up to new heights as they scored their highest points tally for a season with 142, in the same year that Red Bull returned to the title fight as Max Verstappen secured his first World Championship.
But while Red Bull maintained such heights in 2022 at the start of the new regulatory era, recording a comfortable title double, AlphaTauri slipped to P9 in the Constructors’ standings, finishing with just 35 points and ahead of only Williams. And this could spell trouble for some of the AlphaTauri personnel. Marko was asked by Auto Motor und Sport whether Red Bull would be impacted by the recent swarm of team boss changes in Formula 1?
He said all was stable at Red Bull, but then shifted to AlphaTauri, where he believes change is needed. “Everything remains calm for us,” said Marko. “There have been initial talks with our new boss [following the passing of Dietrich Mateschitz], Mr Mintzlaff, and there is agreement that it would not make sense to restructure a successful package like Red Bull Racing.
‘A warning shot’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/helmut...tauri-changes/
Helmut Marko disappointed with AlphaTauri's 2022 performance
Published: 21 Dec 2022, 11:30
By George Dagless
Give Me Sport
“For the potential, technically and financially, ninth place is not acceptable,” said Marko to AMuS. “They made a lot of mistakes in strategy. The car had too little downforce. At the moment we are in the process of taking stock and looking at which screws we have to turn.
“Initial talks have been held with our new boss, Mr Mintzlaff, and everyone agrees that it wouldn’t make sense to rebuild a successful package like Red Bull Racing. “Where there is a need, there is AlphaTauri. This was not satisfactory in the past year.”
Typically frank words from Marko and we’ll soon see what AlphaTauri can do in 2023 to try and start climbing the standings once more.
‘Helmut Marko disappointed’;
https://www.givemesport.com/88096787...22-performance
Helmut Marko outlines plans for major changes at F1 team ahead of 2023
Helmut Marko has hinted at major changes at one F1 team next season.
09:34, Wed, Dec 21, 2022
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express
Helmut Marko has confirmed one of Red Bull's two F1 teams will be set for major changes after an unsatisfactory season. The Red Bull chief confirmed sister team AlphaTauri may have to rebuild after struggling in 2022. The team dropped from sixth in the Constructors’ Championship in 2021 to P9 last season.
AlphaTauri scored over 100 fewer points with drivers Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda unable to consistently challenge. Marko fired the threat when asked if there would be any changes to another team after the appointment of new boss Oliver Mintzlaff.
Gasly has stressed the car’s weight was a major issue for their lack of success. However, he admitted the team’s performance did not meet his expectations coming into the campaign. He commented: "I really thought we would have our chance with the budget cap coming in, so we would have no reason not to outperform all the midfield teams.”
‘Plans for major changes at F1 team’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ri-news-latest
Red Bull are ‘not interested’ in AlphaTauri sale to Andretti
Thursday 22nd December 2022 9:00 AM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com
Michael Andretti said Red Bull have no interest in selling AlphaTauri to them despite reports the team is up for sale. Given F1’s popularity, there would presumably be no shortage of owners willing to buy AlphaTauri and in Andretti it seemed like the perfect customer, but Michael Andretti has revealed Red Bull are “not interested”.
“No, they’re not interested,” Andretti told IndyStar of Red Bull’s willingness to hold talks on Alpha Tauri. “But we’re working every day (to earn clearance for their own team). I’m still confident. We’re getting close. We haven’t gotten the ‘OK’ yet, but we’re getting really close.”
AlphaTauri and before that Toro Rosso was used as a springboard for young drivers in the Red Bull academy to earn their stripes before a move to the senior team but it has been a long time since that has happened. Alex Albon was the most recent Red Bull academy graduate to be given a shot but he lasted a year and a half before being turfed out for the experienced Sergio Perez.
‘Not interested in AlphaTauri sale’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/red-bu...sale-andretti/
‘Shocked’ Franz Tost Defends Pierre Gasly Amid Penalty Points Dramas
December 22, 2022
By Paul Hensby
Franz Tost has defended Pierre Gasly after the Frenchman picked up ten penalty points during the 2022 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season, with the Scuderia AlphaTauri Team Principal insisting the Frenchman is far from a dangerous driver. A driver will automatically be banned from a Grand Prix should they acquire twelve penalty points, and Gasly is only two points away from that, with none of those points dropping off until after the sixth round of the 2023 season.
Only five of Gasly’s points were on-track clashes with other drivers, with two for a clash with Lance Stroll in Spain, another for forcing the same driver off track in Mexico City, and two for a collision with Sebastian Vettel in Austria. He earned two more for speeding under a red flag during the Japanese Grand Prix, two for failing to stay within ten car lengths of the car in front during the United States Grand Prix, and one more for track limit offences in Austria.
‘Franz Tost has defended Pierre Gasly’;
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...points-dramas/
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Sergio Perez class act as Mexican sends Christmas present to all 1,400 Red Bull employees.
To show his appreciation, the driver gave a Mexican-inspired gift to every one of his colleagues by giving each a bottle of Tequila.
15:29 Wed, 14 Dec 2022.
Daily and Sunday Express
Sergio Perez has shared his festive spirit, sending a Christmas present to all 1,400 Red Bull employees. Perez played an important role in Red Bull’s first Constructors’ Championship in nine years, after finishing second behind teammate Max Verstappen in the drivers’ standings.
The Mexican star has been quick to recognise that the team’s success has not just been down to the work of himself and teammate Verstappen on the track. As a result, Perez also had every other Red Bull employee in his thoughts following a year to remember. To show his appreciation, the driver gave a Mexican-inspired gift to every one of his colleagues by giving each a bottle of Tequila.
The Tequila is produced by Patron, a company Perez has a brand deal with. Along with the bottle of booze, the gift bag also came with a message from the 32-year-old. It read: “Thank you for all of your hard work and support this season. I'm so proud to be part of the Red Bull family. Wishing you a wonderful holiday. Enclosed, please enjoy a bottle of the number one super premium tequila in the world, Patron tequila. Looking forward to next season. Salud! Checo Perez.”
‘Christmas present to all 1,400 Red Bull employees’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...loyees-F1-news
Perez targeting more success in 2023 after 'intense' start at Red Bull
11:50 Thu, 22 Dec 2022.
Author Anna Francis
Co-author Dieter Rencken
RacingNews365
As he prepares to enter into his third season with Red Bull, Sergio Perez has spoken of his confidence that things are heading in the "right direction". Sergio Perez admits that he is feeling "more prepared" for 2023 as he becomes increasingly comfortable at Red Bull following an "intense" start.
"It started very difficult, with the reliability [problems] that we had early on in the beginning of the season," Perez told media, including RacingNews365.com, at the FIA Prize Giving ceremony. "But I think, later on, we were quite competitive. We were very consistent. Then we [had] a few bad races that put us behind Max, but we still managed to get some good points, good podiums, a few wins.”
"I think we got our season back on track for the final eight or so races, so it was an intense battle towards the end with Charles [Leclerc] and Ferrari [for P2 in the World Championship]. It was a lot better [in 2022]," Perez explained when asked how much more comfortable he had been at Red Bull during his second year at the squad.
‘Confidence that things are heading in the "right direction".’;
https://racingnews365.com/perez-feel...rt-at-red-bull
Perez’s apparent slump was really about Verstappen’s rise
Dec 22 2022
By Edd Straw
The Race
The intra-team battle between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez at Red Bull in 2022 is an illuminating case study in what makes the greatest Formula 1 drivers so remarkable. For while the Red Bull RB18 was unquestionably the best car of the season, it ultimately required Verstappen’s brilliance to extract the most from it.
Early in the season, when the car was understeer-limited, particularly in the slower corners, the gap between Verstappen and Perez was far smaller than expected. Perez bagged pole position in Jeddah and was denied a shot at victory by the safety car being deployed just after he had made his first pitstop, then he won on the streets of Monaco.
As late as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on the streets of Baku in June, he beat Verstappen to pole position. However, come Sunday Verstappen’s race pace was markedly better so even though he was instructed not to make his team-mate’s life too difficult, Perez was always destined to lose that race. So what went wrong for Perez? Partly, that’s the wrong question. Really, we should ask what went right for Verstappen.
‘Intra-team battle’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/perez...stappens-rise/
F1: Sergio Perez unfazed by Daniel Ricciardo's arrival at Red Bull
15:35 Thu, 22 Dec 2022.
By George Dagless
Give Me Sport
2023 is going to be a fascinating year at Red Bull as they look to defend their Constructors’ crown, whilst both drivers go in hunt of the title.
Daniel Ricciardo is also back in the mix in Milton Keynes, too, with him taking on a reserve driver role that will see him undertake sim duties and marketing obligations.
It’s the beginning of the Aussie’s year away from the F1 grid where he looks to discover just how much he is missing the sport and, indeed, whether he wants to get back in to it for 2024.
‘Unfazed by Daniel Ricciardo's arrival’;
https://www.givemesport.com/88097239...al-at-red-bull
Report: Red Bull not putting pressure on Perez - Marko
05:57 Thu, 22 Dec 2022.
By GMM F1
Sports Mole
Dr Helmut Marko has denied that Red Bull is "trying to put pressure" on Sergio Perez. Towards the end of the season, it became clear that the relationship - or the appearance of a relationship - between Max Verstappen and Perez was breaking down.
Fairly promptly after that, it emerged that McLaren refugee Daniel Ricciardo was reuniting with Red Bull for 2023 in a third driver role - with some wondering if Mexican Perez was now on notice despite his two-year contract extension. However, top team official Marko said Australian Ricciardo has mainly been brought on board in a marketing role.
"We must not forget that we are a very, very big team," said the Austrian. "We have more sponsors than any other team and that comes with a lot of obligations. We also want to increase our market share in America and who better to do that than Ricciardo. He has a big smile and his 'shoey' is known everywhere.”
‘Red Bull not putting pressure on Perez’;
https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/formula...0.html?newsnow
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Ferrari to unveil its new F1 car for 2023 on Valentine’s Day.
The team become the second of the ten on the grid to confirm their launch date for next year’s car. Aston Martin’s AMR23 will appear the day prior to Ferrari’s launch, on Monday 13th February.
2023 F1 season
Posted on 22nd December 2022, 12:45
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans
Ferrari have announced their new car for the 2023 Formula 1 season will be unveiled on Valentine’s Day, Tuesday 14th February. While the official designation of the 2023 car is yet to be announced, Ferrari revealed that their upcoming model has the internal code number of 675. This year’s Ferrari F1 car was designated the ‘F1-75’ to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Ferrari racing in Formula 1-level competition.
‘Valentine’s Day Launch’;
https://www.racefans.net/2022/12/22/...alentines-day/
Leclerc expects three-way F1 title fight in 2023 as he predicts Mercedes' resurgence
15:16 Thu, 22 Dec 2022.
GMM
Wheels24
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc anticipates Mercedes will step back up to the plate in 2023, though he is not seeing another team who could tag along with them. The new-for-2022 Technical Regulations, working in tandem with the budget cap, was to create a more level pack competing in overtaking-friendly challengers.
However, the grid actually spread out slightly for that first season, Red Bull and Ferrari establishing themselves as the pacesetters, with Mercedes only challenging on occasion, their highlight being a one-two finish in Sao Paulo - their only victory of the season.
So as the regulations head into their second season and hopefully set about converging the grid somewhat, Ferrari driver Leclerc expects Mercedes to bring themselves back into play. Still, looking at the midfield outfits, he does not see another team ready yet to step up.
‘Three-way F1 title fight in 2023’;
https://www.news24.com/sport/motorsp...gence-20221221
Ferrari F1 2023 launch date set
Friday 23rd December, 2022 - 9:23am
By Damion Smy
Speedcafe
Ferrari will launch its 2023 Formula 1 car on February 14. Internally known at Maranello as Project 675, the car replaces the F1-75 which saw the Scuderia’s drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz secure second in the Constructors’ World Championship for the team, holding off a resurgent Mercedes although more than 200 points adrift of victors Red Bull Racing.
Ferrari confirmed the Valentine’s Day date via its social media channels, with the design of its 2023 contender again set to benefit from legendary designer, Rory Byrne, who continues as a consultant to the team.
‘Legendary designer’;
https://www.speedcafe.com/2022/12/23...unch-date-set/
Ferrari power unit to be upped by 30hp for 2023 – report
Friday 23rd December 2022 11:45 AM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com
Ferrari will reportedly be able to extract 30 horsepower extra from their power unit as they take another shot at title glory.
The 2022 campaign did not exactly go to plan for Ferrari. Initially it was doing, as they began the season with an F1-75 clearly capable of championship success, but things would soon unravel.
As Ferrari shot themselves in the foot with strategy and reliability issues, plus some rather costly driver errors, like Charles Leclerc crashing out of the lead in France, Red Bull took it all in their stride as they turned the campaign into a one-horse race.
‘Extract 30 horsepower extra’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/ferrar...it-extra-30hp/
Charles Leclerc set for boost to 2023 title hopes with Ferrari set for major upgrade
13:03 Fri, 23 Dec 2022.
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz could chase down Max Verstappen in 2023 with the team set for a major power unit upgrade. Ferrari could be set for a 30bhp boost for next season, according to reports from SoyMotor. Engine developments have already been frozen until F1’s new rules come into effect from 2026.
However, extra pace can be found through improved reliability which is the focus of Ferrari’s plans for the winter. Italian journalist Leo Turini claims Ferrari were not running their car at full power all season due to reliability concerns.
‘Major upgrade’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...-upgrades-news
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AlphaTauri to unveil 2023 livery in New York City.
AlphaTauri will reveal their new livery for the 2023 season in an unveiling in New York City in the United States, the team have announced.
2023 F1 season
Posted on 23rd December 2022, 17:11
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans
The Red Bull junior team confirmed that they will hold a livery reveal in the financial capital of the United States on Saturday 11th February. In a post on social media, the team confirmed the date of the unveiling, but marked the event as a “livery launch”, suggesting the team’s 2023 chassis would be officially made public at a later date.
The team shared no details about the livery launch event or if it would be a public event that fans could attend. AlphaTauri are the third team to announce a launch date for the 2023 car or livery, after Aston Martin and Ferrari. Yesterday, Mercedes posted a video teaser of their W14 being fired up for the first time.
AlphaTauri’s announcement appears to confirm that their 2023 car will be designated ‘AT04′, continuing the convention of all their cars since being rebranded to AlphaTauri in 2020.
‘New York City Launch’;
https://www.racefans.net/2022/12/23/...new-york-city/
AlphaTauri to launch 2023 car in New York
24/12/2022 at 10:21
Michael Delaney
F1i.com
The Faenza-based squad has chosen New York Fashion Week in the Big Apple to pull the covers off its 2023 livery. While the presentation will take place in parallel with the launch of AlphaTauri's latest line of fashion wear, the team will likely roll out its new AT04 just before the start of pre-season testing in Bahrain on February 23.
AlphaTauri is the third team to announce its 2023 season presentation, with Aston Martin and Ferrari set to unveil their contender on February 13 and 14 respectively.
The team has undergone a driver change with long-standing team member Pierre Gasly moving to Alpine and replaced by F1 rookie Nyck de Vries who earned his spot with AlphaTauri thanks to his remarkable one-off and top-ten finish with Williams in last September's Italian Grand Prix at Monza. On the other side of the AlphaTauri garage, 22-year-old Yuki Tsunoda will embark on his third F1 season.
‘Launch 2023 car in New York’;
https://f1i.com/news/463288-alphatau...-new-york.html
AlphaTauri announce 2023 livery launch date – and confirm name of new car
23 December 2022
Formula One - Official Site
AlphaTauri have announced they will be holding a launch event in New York City to reveal their new livery for the 2023 season. The new car will be raced by Yuki Tsunoda, who will be competing in his third season in Formula 1, and rookie Nyck de Vries, who replaces the Alpine-bound Pierre Gasly.
Former Formula 2 and Formula E champion De Vries was a Mercedes reserve driver and stepped in at the last minute to replace Williams driver Alex Albon when he was struck down with apendicitis at the Italian Grand Prix in September.
De Vries immediately looked at home, qualifying P13 and racing to a points finish of P9 on his debut – a performance so impressive that shortly afterwards he was signed up for a full-time seat for next season alongside Tsunoda.
‘2023 livery launch date’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...ZPjkryBvy.html
Nyck de Vries makes first big decision of F1 career as he targets Sergio Perez seat.
Nyck de Vries will make his full-time F1 debut with Alpha Tauri in 2023.
15:17, Fri, Dec 23, 2022
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express
De Vries is known for working without a manager and running his own accord but stressed engagements have surged since he penned the deal. The former Formula E champion commented: “I was just looking for someone I trust and know well. In addition, I did not want management that is very outspoken and visible.
“For me, the relationship between the team and myself is very important. Guillaume will therefore not sit in between. But he will relieve me of all kinds of things that play in the background.”
“If there's one thing I've learned in the last two or three weeks, it's that you suddenly have a lot of friends, people you've never really heard of before. Everyone offers you all sorts of things, everyone wants to be involved in the story.”
‘Targets Sergio Perez seat’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ez-alpha-tauri
De Vries signs up business manager for F1 career
23/12/2022 at 16:36
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com
For the first time in his motorsport career, Nyck de Vries has entrusted his affairs to a business manager, the AlphaTauri F1 rookie signing up Frenchman Guillaume Le Goff to look after his affairs.
Le Goff is no stranger to the F1 paddock as the former ART Grand Prix engineer's company - named The Grid - also handles the interests of Pierre Gasly, the man de Vries is replacing at AlphaTauri.
But de Vries is also well acquainted with Le Goff, having worked alongside the latter during his Formula Renault days.
‘De Vries signs up business manager’;
https://f1i.com/news/463265-de-vries...f1-career.html
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Watch: Mercedes 2023 F1 car fires up.
Mercedes have shared their first broadcast of their 2023 car, the W14, firing up for the first time.
22 December 7:29PM
RacingNews365
The team from Brackley are aiming to recover from a below-par season and return to championship-challenging form for 2023.
Their shared social media footage shares the soundtrack of their latest Mercedes power unit, one which they hope will power them to victories next year.
‘The W14’;
https://racingnews365.com/watch-merc...1-car-fires-up
Mercedes' F1 2023 car tipped to look ‘quite different’ after getting 2022 concept "wrong"
22 Dec 2022
Lewis Larkam
Crash.Net
Speaking in Sky F1’s 2022 season review, Chandhok tipped Mercedes’ car to look the most different at pre-season testing in Bahrain.
“They got the concept wrong, they’ve been very open about it,” Chandhok said. “For me, one of the most intriguing things when we all go to Bahrain pre-season testing next year, is what does the 2023 Mercedes look like?”
“Because out of the cars that have run this year, they are the ones that will look quite different.”
‘W13: Got the concept wrong’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/news/101845...different-2023
Mercedes fire up Lewis Hamilton's 2023 F1 car for first time as Brit prays for better
Lewis Hamilton is hoping for a better car in 2023 after being plagued by issues throughout 2022.
07:12, Fri, Dec 23, 2022
By Fraser Watson
Daily and Sunday Express
Mercedes have released a video of engineers firing up their new car ahead of the 2023 season. The Silver Arrows endured a torrid time for much of 2022, with both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell plagued by the issue of porpoising for the early parts of the campaign. Hamilton even failed to make it out of Q1 in Saudi Arabia, and his struggles prompted rumours he was considering retiring at the end of the year.
Fans of the Silver Arrows seemed to approve, with the video racking up just short of 5,000 likes in a matter of hours. But many were left hoping the launch didn't flatter to deceive like it did in 2022: "As I said last year for the W13, let's hope this is the sound of success... Hope It doesn't age badly this time," wrote Red Carter.
Victor Marucci wrote: "Welcome W14! I Wish you a World Championship in 2023! Keep Pushing guys!" while Gonzalo Palafox added: "Last year this moment was very exciting, the season was disappointing so congratulations on the W14 but let's see what happens this season."
‘Brit prays for better’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...23-F1-car-news
Mercedes fires up new W14 F1 2023 car
09:37 Fri, 23 Dec 2022.
By: Jonathan Noble
Motorsport.com
Shortly before factory staff disappeared for the Christmas break, Mercedes hit its target of getting the W14 fired up at Brackley before the holidays. In a short video published by Mercedes, the team teased the firing up of the car – but made sure to reveal no clues about potential changes to its design. Mercedes is coming off the back of a disappointing F1 season, where it failed to win a world championship title for the first time since the turbo hybrid era began in 2014.
Towards the end of the season the team was much more on top of what it needed to do, and a final push of updates from the United States Grand Prix helped it eventually claim a 1-2 finish in Brazil. The W13 stood out from its rivals in having a ‘zero-pod’ concept, but its main Achilles heel was that it had been designed to produce maximum downforce as close to the ground as possible. That choice proved unworkable in the real world, thanks to the impact of bumps and porpoising with the new ground effect models. Mercedes has duly had to change tact.
Speaking recently, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said analysis of what had gone wrong with the W13 had prompted a change of direction for the team in 2023. “The DNA of the car is going to change for next year, that’s clear,” said Wolff. “It doesn’t necessarily mean that our bodywork is going to look very different. But certainly what is part of the DNA of the car, the architecture of the car, will change for next year.”
‘W14 DNA Changer!’;
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/m...-car/10414074/
Lewis Hamilton can finally win eighth F1 title in 2023 due to Red Bull and Ferrari issues
Lewis Hamilton might just be able to roll back the years in 2023 after failing to compete for Grand Prix victories over the last 12 months.
05:30, Sun, Dec 25, 2022
By Archie Griggs
Daily and Sunday Express
Lewis Hamilton is still waiting for his next realistic opportunity to become the most decorated Formula One driver of all time by winning a record-breaking eighth Drivers' Championship title after failing to set the milestone this year. The 37-year-old was simply unable to compete with Max Verstappen over the course of the campaign, with Mercedes lacking pace in comparison to the likes of Red Bull and Ferrari in a surprising twist after their eight-year stronghold at the top of the pecking order.
The likes of Christian Horner and Adrian Newey have already warned that Red Bull could lose up to five-tenths of lap time as a result of the sanctions that were handed down to them by the FIA after a lengthy investigation process earlier this year. This could allow Mercedes to force themselves back into the equation in terms of battling for the end-of-season honours, especially if they manage to get their own house in order between now and the start of the 2023 campaign.
‘Can finally win’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...errari-F1-news