F1 budget cap

Ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season, most of the teams will carry out at least one ‘filming day’ to shakedown their new machines. Haas became the first of the 10 teams to reveal their 2023 look earlier this week, with the American-based squad showing off the livery their VF-23 will race with. However, the VF-23 itself won’t be shown off until after the team have taken to the track with the car for the first time – Haas will hold a ‘shakedown’ of the car at Silverstone on February 11th. Most of the teams will elect to hold a shakedown of their new cars before the start of official pre-season testing in Bahrain in late February, as such shakedowns allow for any unforeseen mechanical or technical issues with the build of the new cars to be spotted and ironed out before the start of the critical three days of track testing. But how do these shakedowns fit into the current rules – how are teams able to carry out private track testing with a current car? F1 teams make use of an FIA … [Read more...] about What are F1 teams permitted to do with their cars on ‘filming day’ shakedowns?

Mercedes have offered a unique demonstration of how the pedals and drinks systems work in a Formula 1 car. Over the course of a dramatic Formula 1 Grand Prix, it’s easy to forget that the modern-day gladiators piloting the Formula 1 cars are mere humans and, as a drawback of that, have human needs such as basic hydration. During a tough Grand Prix, particularly in the hot sweaty climes of the likes of Singapore, drivers can lose several kilos during the race – it’s critical that drivers are able to have as much fluid as they can drink during the ordeal. Kimi Raikkonen may have become a meme in the final years of his F1 career after suffering a few ‘drinks bottle’ failures, ie. “No, Kimi, you will not have the drink”, but it’s a potentially serious failure if a driver was to suffer from complete dehydration. Of course, the cars aren’t literally fitted with a drinks bottle, nor with refrigeration. The fluids are put into what is essentially a bag, with a tube linking the bag to … [Read more...] about Mercedes give fans rare insight into how F1 pedals and drinks system work

Guenther Steiner has no intention of spending money on “other stuff”, the Haas team boss adamant their only investment right now is “in the car”. Haas unveiled their new-look 2023 livery , the American outfit swapping out last year’s white for a predominantly black car that is sponsored by MoneyGram. It’s Haas’ third title sponsor in the team’s brief Formula 1 history having previously partnered Rich Energy and Uralkali, neither of which ended on a good note. That has at times left the team in a financial hole, but it’s one Steiner says was never as bad as it was made out to be. “I’d say we were never in a bad position,” he told Motorsport.com in an interview when asked if MoneyGram’s arrival had put the team in a better position. “2020 was not an easy position, because of the pandemic when that broke out. But I think yes, it puts us in a very solid position.” PlanetF1 recommends Ranked: The 10 possible F1 2024 destinations for Daniel Ricciardo in order of … [Read more...] about Guenther Steiner vows all resources will be invested into striking new VF-23

With a new American sponsor behind them, it seems Haas are finally embracing their American heritage. Although Haas have been established since 2014 and have always branded themselves as the ‘American team’ it is not until now that statement seems justified. Of course, their base is in North Carolina but with offices also in the UK and Maranello, it is understandable that some American fans have felt no great affinity towards their supposed team. Team boss Guenther Steiner has suggested moving the team away from their European bases and to America would actually set them back but there are other parts of their operation which suggest they are trying to appeal to their home country a bit more. For starters, out goes the Russian Urakali and in comes the American MoneyGram, a move that will have won them support in the US and it comes at a time when Formula 1 is exploding in the region including three races Stateside in 2023. Perhaps then it was once Andretti began threatening … [Read more...] about Haas are now starting to embrace American roots with Andretti-Cadillac bid developing