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In the hands of Fernando Alonso , Aston Martin has been the surprise package of the 2023 F1 season, with Alonso sitting third in the standings behind Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez . The two-time world champion also kept Aston Martin one point ahead of Mercedes in the constructors' championship with five podiums in sixth races. Last weekend, only a stunning final sector allowed Verstappen to keep Alonso from pole. In a mixed-weather race, the Spaniard looked to retain an outside chance to beat Verstappen until a wrong tyre call cemented Verstappen's advantage, keeping Red Bull's clean sweep of 2023 race wins intact. According to Red Bull advisor Marko, Aston Martin's impeding reduction in CFD and wind tunnel time could impact its ability to keep up the pressure in the second half of the season. "If Aston Martin stay second in the championship there will be a reset of the amount of wind tunnel time around the middle of the championship," Marko told Motorsport.com. … [Read more...] about Red Bull: Mid-season aero reduction might impact Aston Martin’s F1 2023 bid

The 2019 world champion has been struggling to unlock the set-up sweet spot in his Puma this season which has hampered the Estonian's pace outright pace. In Portugal last month, Tanak identified that the car's suspension was an area earmarked for improvement. Since the event, M-Sport's suspension supplier Reiger has provided upgraded components which were run for the first time during the team's pre-event test last week. While Tanak is unsure if the new developments had solved all of his issues, the 35-year-old is confident his Puma has made a step forward. "I really needed this test. Reiger brought some updates and it worked quite okay," Tanak told Motorsport.com. "We have made some steps since Mexico but in Portugal, the biggest struggle was with suspension and they have come up with some new solutions, so we have definitely made the first step and it felt better [in the test]. "It is a bit early to say if we are completely there. We have definitely improved." The … [Read more...] about Suspension upgrade gives Tanak renewed hope in WRC Sardinia

Last year's runner-up to Red Bull has now slipped behind Aston Martin and Mercedes to fourth in the constructors' championship ahead of this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix. Unlike rivals who chose to bring major upgrade packages anyway to the unrepresentative Monaco lap following the cancellation of the Emilia Romagna GP, Ferrari instead opted to hold off its bodywork upgrades scheduled for Imola until the coming Barcelona event. But by not delaying, Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was a representative second in Monaco while the revised Alpine ran to third in the hands of Esteban Ocon . Meanwhile, the Mercedes drivers were content with the performance of upgrades as they ran to a 4-5 finish. Ferrari's top finisher in the principality was home hero Charles Leclerc , who recorded sixth as a legacy of a five-place grid penalty for blocking Lando Norris in qualifying. Speaking to select media, including Motorsport.com, Vasseur said it "would be a mistake to compare … [Read more...] about Ferrari “pushing like hell” to address F1 2023 form

The new tyres are a reaction by Pirelli to increasing downforce levels and cornering loads, and represent a fast-tracking of a construction that was originally intended for 2024. Some teams have already tried the new spec in 'blind' 2024 testing, but Barcelona will be an opportunity for everyone to run the definitive versions, with each driver getting two extra sets of C1s to be deployed at any point in FP1 or FP2. They will be used for a full weekend for the first time at the British GP. "We already tested this new material that we were planning to introduce in 2024," Pirelli F1 boss Mario Isola told Motorsport.com. "We are using the same compounds, no change in profiles. "We tested this material, with some fine-tuning, starting from last year. The idea was if we move to no blanket tyres in 2024, we need a construction with a higher resistance to fatigue, because we have to start at a lower pressure. And so we started to test this new material. "And we tested in many … [Read more...] about F1 teams set to trial new Pirelli tyre in Barcelona

With Honda now confirmed at Aston Martin, seven teams either have an internal supply or a works partner, counting both Red Bull and AlphaTauri as recipients of the Ford-backed unit being developed by Red Bull Powertrains. There are no works deals left for McLaren , Williams or Haas to take. Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack cautioned recently that a works partner would be crucial in 2026 as the complexity of the engine package means that it will be essential that there is full integration with the chassis side. Stella says he's not worried about McLaren being a customer as long as it can have a close relationship with a supplier. The team is currently free to shop around for the best package and is not committed to being a Mercedes customer. "You definitely have to monitor that in making deals for 2026. That as a chassis manufacturer, like McLaren, you have enough room for influencing the power unit design, so that you are not left behind from a … [Read more...] about McLaren: Lack of works F1 engine in 2026 not a handicap

The manoeuvre first appeared in 2019, when Simon Pagenaud used the tactic to keep his rivals at bay on the way to victory for Team Penske . In recent years, it has become more prevalent – with some drivers swerving wildly off Turn 4 and into the pitlane entrance to deter those following from using their slipstream. Josef Newgarden used the move to help him to defeat Marcus Ericsson on the final lap on Sunday. The cars then swerve to rejoin the racetrack just ahead of the pitwall attenuator, which is viewed as one of the most dangerous areas on the legendary 2.5-mile oval. The moves are not against IndyCar rules, as the leading car is the instigator of the change of direction rather than making a reactionary blocking move, and there are no track-limit rules at IMS. One driver, who did not wish to be named, told Motorsport.com: “Going down into the pitlane… You know, with the leaders, everyone has a clear view, it's fine. “But imagine a bit further back with cars … [Read more...] about Drivers divided on Indy 500 ‘dragon weave’ and pitlane entry usage

This season has seen Red Bull dominate the front of the field and there is little to suggest things will be different when F1 heads to Barcelona, a place that usually rewards the best cars more than most. Its mix of long straights and varied corners suits a well-balanced package but this season a couple of changes could have an effect. Barcelona is usually used as a pre-season testing venue, but not this season. In the past, that testing session has allowed teams to tune up their machines to their limit, making it easier to get on the pace for the race weekend. This time, the teams will have a few more question marks than before. Another potential challenge is the removal of the final chicane, replaced by a sweeping right-hand bend to make up the final corner. This configuration was last used in 2006 – so the only driver on the grid who has experienced this layout in the past is Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso. Barcelona is traditionally where we see the first big car … [Read more...] about F1 Form Guide: Spanish Grand Prix

The rulemakers revealed their intent to revise the BoP for the double-points round of the World Endurance Championship to the manufacturers on Wednesday, Motorsport.com has learned, just four days before the cars are due on track for the official Le Mans test day on Sunday. It is understood the changes were presented by the FIA and the ACO as a fait accompli and there was no attempt to gain the unanimous agreement that in theory was necessary to make revisions outside the prescriptions of a new Hypercar system introduced for 2023. As the ultimate arbiters of the series through a body known as the WEC Committee, the FIA and the ACO have exercised their right to make unilateral changes to the BoP. This was tacitly acknowledged in a joint statement from the FIA and ACO released on Thursday morning, which described the new BoP table for Le Mans on 10/11 June as a “correction”. It explained that it was necessary because the differences in the performance of cars built to the … [Read more...] about Le Mans BoP changes imposed without manufacturer agreement

The Italian outfit is bidding to turn around a disappointing start to the campaign where it has especially struggled with the race pace of its new SF-23 car. But as it gets ready to introduce a raft of updates for this weekend's race at Barcelona, sources have revealed that one key area of change will be in its sidepod concept. The team has made good use of an inwash solution since the launch of the ground-effect cars in 2022, and continued to pursue it for this season despite most of the grid adopting the Red Bull downwash style. However, having seen Red Bull's clear advantage this season, the squad now appears ready to change its philosophy as part of a push to get answers to its problems. While the new sidepods may not appear to be a direct copy of the Red Bull version, it is understood that they will mark a notable change of direction from what Ferrari has run up until now. The change may suggest that the team has concluded that the tyre issues it is suffering in … [Read more...] about Ferrari poised for Red Bull-style F1 sidepod switch