Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali says interest in hosting races is so high the series could hold 32 grands prix. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free The 2023 F1 calendar was originally supposed to include 24 races, the maximum permitted under the current agreement between the teams, F1 and FIA. However the cancellation of the Chinese Grand Prix cut the number to 23. A job advert posted by F1 last year indicated the series is looking at a potential future expansion to 25 rounds. Speaking at the SportNXT conference in Melbourne this week, Domenicali indicated the series would be able to accommodate more than the current maximum. “We could have already today more than 30, even 32 grands prix, because everyone wants one,” Domenicali claimed. However he said the series is satisfied with the current limit of 24 rounds. Part of the calendar expansion has come about because F1 has added a third race in America this year. A new race on the Las Vegas Strip Circuit … [Read more...] about F1 ‘could have 32 grands prix today because everyone wants one’ – Domenicali · RaceFans
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Mercedes made more progress since season began than during winter – Russell · RaceFans
Mercedes driver George Russell believes the team have gained more performance since the start of the season than throughout the entire winter. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free The team has endured a frustrating start to 2023 championship, running behind rivals Red Bull for the second year in succession and being beaten by power unit customers Aston Martin. Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, Russell admitted Mercedes had been forced to re-evaluate what it expected to get out of the 2023 season following their slow start to the year. “I think it’s a case of managing expectations and just focusing on yourself and that development,” Russell said. “We all believed over the winter what we were doing was correct because it was an evolution of what we did throughout last year. And we all saw the improvements we made as a team throughout last year to win a race at the end of the year and be fighting at the front. It caught us by surprise to … [Read more...] about Mercedes made more progress since season began than during winter – Russell · RaceFans
Sabbatical or retirement? Ricciardo returns to F1 paddock – and questions over his future · RaceFans
Daniel Ricciardo has returned to the Formula 1 paddock at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix in his new role as Red Bull’s third driver. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free After losing his McLaren seat for 2023, Ricciardo signed to rejoin Red Bull last November. So far the team has only shown him acting in a promotional capacity, including recently driving a Red Bull RB7 around Australia. But when he is trackside he will serve the same function as Liam Lawson and Dennis Hauger, the two Red Bull juniors sharing the reserve driver role and doing simulator work at the team’s F1 base in Milton Keynes, in that he will be ready to race should Max Verstappen or Sergio Perez be unable to. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said Ricciardo will attend several races this year as reserve, and “probably do a bit of tyre testing” in the current RB19 car as well as simulator work. But his main duties, due to Ricciardo now being based in the USA, will be … [Read more...] about Sabbatical or retirement? Ricciardo returns to F1 paddock – and questions over his future · RaceFans
“Very frustrating” Australian GP showed where Red Bull had gone wrong – Verstappen · RaceFans
Red Bull left Australia 12 months ago at a low ebb after seeing rivals Ferrari claim another win while both their cars lagged off the pace and one didn’t even reach the chequered flag. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free But the team transformed its fortunes over the remainder of the season and now finds itself in a position of clear superiority. In the 21 races since the last Australian Grand Prix, Red Bull has only been beaten three times. Max Verstappen recalled how challenging last year’s race was for the team during today’s press conference in Melbourne. Following last year’s race the eventual champion languished sixth in the standings, 46 points behind Charles Leclerc, who had just scored his second win in three races. “Last year our car was very heavily overweight at this stage of the season, so that didn’t help,” said Verstappen. The team was also grappling with handling problems. “We had a big shift in balance between qualifying and the race, so … [Read more...] about “Very frustrating” Australian GP showed where Red Bull had gone wrong – Verstappen · RaceFans