Formula 1

The flexi-wing drama that's been bubbling away over the last few races should see a line drawn underneath it at Paul Ricard, as the FIA introduces new tests to prevent teams from circumventing the load and deflection tests that were already in place. Teams have had around a month to prepare themselves for the new test conditions, which require the designers to comply with new values and mean that they have a rotation component to deal with rather than just a deflection. The new guidelines suggest that bodywork may rotate no more than one-degree about an axis normal to the centreplane when two 750N loads are applied rearward. Furthermore, bodywork may not rotate more than one-degree about an axis normal to the centre plane when two 1000N loads are applied in a downward direction. Ferrari SF21 rear wing qualification and race, Azerbaijan Grand Prix Photo by: Giorgio Piola However, even with the new rear wing tests scheduled to be introduced at the French Grand … [Read more...] about F1’s flexi-wing controversy faces end game in France

Tyre failures or punctures have been part of the scene since the dawn of motor racing. Sadly, over the decades many drivers have lost their lives as a result of tyre issues, or presumed tyre issues. It used to be that suspension or wing breakages were just as much of a concern, but they are rare at F1 level in the modern era, such is the technical competence of the teams. When they get into their cockpits drivers have total faith that the car has been put together properly. Tyres are the one part of the car over which teams do not have complete control; complete because Pirelli has made it clear that the current controversy involves how teams operate their tyres, and thus they do have an input into how they behave. The technical directive issued by the FIA this week was designed to close any loopholes and ensure that tyres are always operated to the parameters that are prescribed by Pirelli. That initiative has been welcomed by the drivers, who can only see safety … [Read more...] about Have F1 drivers lost faith in Pirelli after Baku failures?

Mission Winnow, an initiative started by Philip Morris as part of a move to a non-tobacco future, has been title partner of Ferrari since it was first launched at the 2018 Japanese GP. Its logos have been prominent on the Ferrari engine cover, as well as the wording appearing on the rear wing and other areas of the car. However, there have been periods where the Mission Winnow logos have been taken off because Philip Morris wanted to avoid any controversy amid increasing government scrutiny about whether or not it breached tobacco advertising laws. It was absent for a number of races in 2019 and did not appear at all during the shortened 2020 campaign. For this year, however, the Mission Winnow logos returned in a bright green colour in a bid to raise further awareness for the campaign. But ahead of this weekend's race at Paul Ricard, Philip Morris said that its logos would no longer feature at any races within the EU. The company also confirmed that it did not … [Read more...] about Ferrari removes Mission Winnow logos for EU F1 races

The Cross-Country World Championship will become a reality for the first time in history after years of negotiations and behind-the-scenes work between Dakar's promoter and the governing body of motorsport. The proposal, as Motorsport.com has learned, was discussed extensively by ASO and the FIA since last winter and was put to a e-vote by the World Motor Sport Council last week. The world championship will debut next year and will have ASO as its sole promoter for the first five seasons. The Dakar Rally will be the first round of the championship with a maximum of four more events to be announced in the coming months. Up until now, the cross-country discipline has had a World Cup and a Bajas World Cup, but manufacturers and drivers haven't been too committed to them. Participation in these events was done on a discretionary basis, mainly as preparation for the following year's Dakar event. Three-time Dakar champion Nasser Al-Attiyah was one of the selected drivers to … [Read more...] about FIA, ASO launch new Cross-Country World Championship around Dakar