Two statistics lay bare the astonishing impact Covid-19 has had on Formula 1. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free First, since the pathogen intensified its spread across world in March almost half this season’s scheduled 22 races have been cancelled or (optimistically, in the view of some) postponed. Second, the obligatory annual team shutdown – usually a three-week break in summer – has now been in place for three times as long. Although speculative calendars are increasingly doing the rounds, these count for nought as long as authorities restrict the movement of people across the world. What use is a calendar which schedules races in countries which refuse to admit foreigners or make concessions for sport activities? The pandemic’s effect on the 10 teams has been disastrous . Most have furloughed staff, some are expected to be ‘retrenched’, ‘de-hired’ or similar, while a number of independent teams have availed themselves of advances on future F1 revenues … [Read more...] about Why the pandemic’s economic impact on F1 goes far beyond a disrupted calendar · RaceFans
Europe
2024 Mercedes eSprinter Debuts With Nearly 250 Miles Of WLTP Range
Mercedes originally announced the eSprinter five years ago for European markets but the electric van never made it to the North America. That will change in the second half of 2023 when the EV workhorse will be launched in the United States to fight the Ford E-Transit. Unveiled today, the production-ready model may look familiar on the outside but it actually rides on a new "Electric Versatility Platform" developed after a €350-million investment. To be sold in Canada as well from H2 2023, the second-generation eSprinter is motivated by an electric motor mounted at the back. Mercedes-Benz Vans will offer a base version with 134 horsepower (100 kilowatts) and a more potent configuration with 201 hp (150 kW). Tipping the scales at about 286 pounds (130 kilograms), the e-motor will generate a maximum torque of 295 pound-feet (400 Newton-meters). 2024 Mercedes eSprinter 20 Photos … [Read more...] about 2024 Mercedes eSprinter Debuts With Nearly 250 Miles Of WLTP Range