Oscar Piastri recently took in his first official day of work at the McLaren Technology Centre, and the team released a behind-the-scenes video of what he got up to. The young Australian rookie arrived to have been given his pass to enter the team’s factory, as well as a new company car – a McLaren Artura, prices of which start from £185,000 with an engine capable of 671bhp and a top speed north of 200mph. Greeting him upon entry to the MTC was a statue of team founder, Bruce McLaren, and although he came from New Zealand with Piastri a near neighbour Down Under, he’s ready for the journey to begin. He said: “60th year of racing here at McLaren this year. So for me, it’s pretty special to be starting my journey with McLaren in such a historic year. I won’t hold the fact that he was a Kiwi against him, but that’s okay…” PlanetF1.com recommends Daniel Ricciardo discusses the ‘panic’ he felt after learning of McLaren axe Max Verstappen corrects Helmut Marko’s ‘absurd’ claim … [Read more...] about Watch: Oscar Piastri’s first day: McLaren Artura and a podium tease from Zak Brown
Oscar piastri
Daniel Ricciardo ‘not foaming yet’ to be back on F1 grid, may know more in Melbourne
Daniel Ricciardo has told PlanetF1.com he’s feeling “content” with his current third driver role at Red Bull, and will know more about how much he misses Formula 1 when he heads to his home race. The Australian moved back to his former team in a reserve role after his struggles at McLaren in 2022 saw him replaced by young compatriot Oscar Piastri for the year ahead. While he admitted that caused a feeling of “panic” at the time when he first found out the news, he opted not to take a race seat for 2023 and headed back to Red Bull for the year in a reserve capacity, with a view to finding a race seat again in 2024. He said last year that he wouldn’t know until the cars got going again to see if it would make him start “foaming at the mouth” because he was missing out on racing in Formula 1 for the first time in over a decade. Speaking after Red Bull launched their 2023 livery in New York City, the eight-time race winner said he has been enjoying having a more relaxed time over … [Read more...] about Daniel Ricciardo ‘not foaming yet’ to be back on F1 grid, may know more in Melbourne
Verstappen explains “absurd” F1 sim in private jet story
Listen to this article Red Bull motor sport advisor Marko made the claim in a recent TV interview while discussing the Dutchman’s appearance in the Virtual Le Mans 24 Hours and his dedication to driving whenever he can. The simulator in a plane story was subsequently widely reported, but Verstappen says what he actually told Marko last year was that he will have one installed in the new motorhome that he is taking to races in Europe this season. “That was Helmut I think who said that, but I think he misunderstood, because I was talking to him last year,” said Verstappen. “I'm building a new motorhome for travelling through Europe to the F1 races and I said I will install one there because I just can keep on driving when I'm back in the evening. “Because I like it, it's my hobby in a way, and it just keeps you sharp as well. So I think he misunderstood, and he said plane! So I'm not installing one in my plane. I think that will be a bit absurd." Daniel Ricciardo, … [Read more...] about Verstappen explains “absurd” F1 sim in private jet story
Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu meet with new boss Andreas Seidl for the first time
Valtteri Bottas has recalled his first meeting with new Sauber Group CEO Andreas Seidl, saying the “nice guy” is “really motivated”. Seidl’s move from McLaren to Sauber came as one of the bigger surprises as Formula 1’s team management played their own round of silly season late last year. Kicked off by Mattia Binotto’s resignation as Ferrari team principal, Fred Vasseur was soon announced as his replacement with Seidl leaving McLaren to take up the reins at Sauber. But, rather than take the team boss title, he is the Sauber Group’s CEO with managing director Alessandro Alunni Bravi named as the team representative. Seidl’s main task is preparing the team for Audi’s arrival in 2026, the German carmaker having recently completed the first buy-in with a reported 25 percent stake in Sauber. Bottas, who plans to “stick around” to enjoy the “huge opportunity” that Audi presents, met his new boss two weeks ago. So far, so good. PlanetF1.com recommends Valtteri Bottas: … [Read more...] about Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu meet with new boss Andreas Seidl for the first time
Ricciardo: Australian GP buzz will tell me a lot about F1 comeback
Listen to this article After McLaren decided last summer to replace him for 2023 by rookie Oscar Piastri , Ricciardo's chances of landing a solid seat for this season were dwindling when the Australian decided to take a sabbatical instead. Ricciardo said he wanted to use 2023 to take a break and mentally reset after two punishing years with McLaren, in which he failed to get to grips with the car and was outshone by teammate Lando Norris . His third driver role at his old Red Bull team was designed to give him that chance, with his focus initially more on marketing and simulator work than driving. The 33-year-old says his first grand prix appearance this year, when he attends his home race in Melbourne at the end of March, will probably give him a good indication on whether the fire is still burning to come back, or whether he is satisfied with life outside Formula 1. "I'll be watching the first race from likely television, so I think that'll start to maybe warm … [Read more...] about Ricciardo: Australian GP buzz will tell me a lot about F1 comeback
Sargeant was ‘100% sure F1 dream was dead’ in 2021 · RaceFans
Williams rookie Logan Sargeant believed his dream of racing in Formula 1 was “dead” when he returned to Formula 3 for a third year in the category two seasons ago. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free However the 22-year-old will make his Formula 1 debut for Williams this year. He has been promoted to the top flight following a single season in Formula 2 with Carlin. Sargeant almost won the FIA F3 title in 2020 racing with Prema. He lost out to team mate Oscar Piastri by just three points in the final round after being involved in an accident in the final race. In 2021 Sargeant returned to F3 with Charouz but was not a championship contender, taking just a single race win on his way to seventh in the standings. He competed in endurance races in the European Le Mans Series and the Le Mans Cup in the same year and admits that he did not believe he would ever reach Formula 1 at the time. “I was 100% sure it was dead at that point, to be honest,” Sargeant … [Read more...] about Sargeant was ‘100% sure F1 dream was dead’ in 2021 · RaceFans