The 2022 Formula 1 season was full of drama on track and in the paddock, some of it leftover from the previous year’s controversies. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free With all that going on, it was easy to overlook some of the strange and surprising stories of the last 12 months. Red Bull ‘launched’ a show car Formula 1 car launches always attract huge interest as they can give the first indication of how the teams will compare against each other for the season ahead with any innovative designs. That was especially the case this year as teams produced their first designs for radically new regulations. Preferring not to give the opposition an early peek at their real RB18, Red Bull instead presented a repainted show car at their launch on February 9th. The real thing, which appeared in testing two weeks later, looked very different. Red Bull presents first images of new car for 2022 F1 season Magnussen’s F1 return has big repercussions After … [Read more...] about Helmet rows, hot mics and more forgotten motorsport stories from 2022
Alpine
FIA president Ben Sulayem stresses his commitment to “diversity and inclusion”
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has stressed his commitment to encouraging diversity in Formula 1 after comments attributed to him in a recent interview were interpreted as being critical of drivers promoting such causes. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free Asked what he feels motorsport should not become, Ben Sulayem was reported to have said : “ Niki Lauda and Alain Prost only cared about driving. Now, Vettel drives a rainbow bicycle, Lewis [Hamilton] is passionate about human rights and Norris addresses mental health. “Everybody has the right to think. To me, it is about deciding whether we should impose our believes [sic] in something over the sport all the time. “I am from an Arabian culture. I am international and Muslim. I do not impose my believes [sic] on other people? No way! Never. If you look at my operation in the UAE: 16 nationalities! Name me one federation that has that many nationalities. “On top, there are over 34% women and seven … [Read more...] about FIA president Ben Sulayem stresses his commitment to “diversity and inclusion”
Ferrari power unit reliability concerns “a little bit bigger” after Monaco – Steiner
In the round-up: Haas team principal Guenther Steiner says that concerns over the reliability of the Ferrari power unit grew after the Monaco Grand Prix In brief Ferrari PU reliability concerns “a little bit bigger” after Monaco – Steiner Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free Haas team principal Guenther Steiner says that concerns over the reliability of the Ferrari power unit grew after the Monaco Grand Prix. The team had to retire driver Kevin Magnussen’s car during the race due to a water leak with his car’s ERS. Two days earlier, Valtteri Bottas had missed almost the entire first practice session due to a Ferrari power unit problem in his Alfa Romeo. Steiner says that following the multiple problems in Monaco, concerns about the reliability of the Ferrari power units has grown. “Obviously we had some issues, mainly in Monte Carlo – before we didn’t have any big issue with it – but Monte Carlo, there were issues for us and Alfa [Romeo], so … [Read more...] about Ferrari power unit reliability concerns “a little bit bigger” after Monaco – Steiner
First pictures from the 2022 Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend
Pictures from the build-up to the 2022 Azerbaijan Grand Prix . Alfa Romeo has revised its livery this weekend and will race in the colours of the Italian flag. Its engine cover has been coloured green and features graphics reflecting the headlights of the company’s new Tornale road car. Other teams including Mercedes and Alpine have added special graphics reflecting their support for LGBTQ+ including as part of pride month. Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free F1 pictures 2023 Japanese Grand Prix in pictures 2023 Japanese Grand Prix qualifying day in pictures 2023 Japanese Grand Prix practice in pictures First pictures from the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix weekend 2023 Singapore Grand Prix in pictures View more F1 pictures 2022 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Browse all 2022 Azerbaijan Grand Prix articles … [Read more...] about First pictures from the 2022 Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend
Jean-Pierre Jabouille, 1942-2023
Jean-Pierre Jabouille, whose victory for Renault in the 1979 French Grand Prix heralded a new era of turbo-powered Formula 1 cars, has died at the age of 80. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free It was a deserved breakthrough victory, the culmination of years of development work and repeated failures of turbo engines. While it came in Jabouille’s third season with the team, it was only their second points-scoring finish. Alpine, the F1 team run by Renault, issued a statement expressing that it was “incredibly saddened” by Jabouille’s death. “A humble racing driver, brilliant engineer, and a pioneer of our sport. Jean-Pierre was a true racer,” Alpine said in the statement. “He spearheaded Renault’s journey into F1 in 1977 with his resilient and dare to do attitude. He was Renault’s first Grand Prix winner in 1979, a landmark moment in Renault’s journey in Formula 1. His determination and dedication to succeed inspired many, and these values remain central to … [Read more...] about Jean-Pierre Jabouille, 1942-2023
Entriamo nella fabbrica dove sta nascendo la nuova Renault 5
All'interno del Technocentre di Renault , il grande centro di ricerca e sviluppo che il gruppo francese gestisce vicino a Parigi, c'è una piccola linea di produzione auto chiamata Prototype Build Centre che come spiega bene il nome è destinata alla produzione dei prototipi dei futuri modelli Renault. Si tratta di un impianto produttivo in miniatura, segreto e altamente tecnologico dove può entrare solamente il personale autorizzato di Renault e dove gli smartphone sono vietati. In queste linee di montaggio sperimentali nascono oggi i primi esemplari della Renault 5 , la nuova compatta elettrica che possiamo per la prima volta vedere in forma di scocca nuda . Un linea di montaggio in miniatura per la Renault 5 Lo scopo di questo mini fabbrica è quello di far sì che la nuova Renault 5 sia pronta per la produzione su larga scala nello stabilimento di Douai , nel nord della Francia, conforme al progetto e rappresentativa del modello di serie che deve rispettare … [Read more...] about Entriamo nella fabbrica dove sta nascendo la nuova Renault 5