Scott Dixon is one of the most decorated IndyCar drivers of all-time, and the Kiwi says he has no regrets about not driving in Formula 1. Dixon secured his fifth IndyCar Championship at Sonoma on Monday, and his five is now second only to AJ Foyt’s seven titles in the series. The 38-year-old also sits in third on the all-time wins list, with his 44 victories only behind Mario Andretti (52) and Foyt (67). Back in 2000, there were high hopes that he would become the first New Zealander to race in Formula 1 since Mark Thackwell in 1984. Read more: Confirmed deals for the 2019 season Dixon had just got the move up to ChampCar, which was seen as the second division of single-seaters, behind F1. However, his first real opportunity did not come until 2004, the year after he won his first IndyCar title, when he tested with the BMW Williams team. “We had a good test with Williams but it was a bit of a funky time,” Dixon admitted to Stuff NZ. “I’d just won my first … [Read more...] about ‘Zero regrets’ for Scott Dixon over not choosing F1
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Verstappen: Red Bull have best car in F1
Max Verstappen firmly believes that Red Bull have the best car on the grid and hopes Honda can keep building the momentum from next season. The Dutchman was hugely impressive in Singapore as he managed to qualify ahead of a Mercedes and both Ferrari cars in qualifying before finishing a well-earned P2 on race day. The strength of that performance has left Verstappen in no doubt that the RB14 chassis is more than a match for their closest rivals. “I think we have the best car in the field, as we found out in Singapore,” said Verstappen. “Of course we hope that next year with a new engine supplier it will continue in the right direction. “We already have the right people on board, but the whole package is not yet right. That will also be difficult next year, but I hope we will have a real chance the following year.” Verstappen’s confidence is also down to the fact that new partners Honda will have bigger resources at their disposal compared … [Read more...] about Verstappen: Red Bull have best car in F1
‘Not enough people applying for top F1 jobs’
Susie Wolff has suggested there is a jobs crisis in Formula 1 with not enough people “applying for the top positions”. Susie Wolff has said this is what is being currently experienced at Mercedes, where her husband, Toto, is team principal and CEO of the team. Susie Wolff said that the shortage was not because of any form of discrimination, rather people are just not putting themselves forward for the more advanced roles. “They’re very conscious of the fact that there’s not enough people applying for the top positions,” Wolff told Forbes magazine. “The Head of HR at Mercedes is also very aware of that and is trying to change the situation. “[Toto] is not concerned about what gender they employ. “He’s just concerned about the level of talent. “He will always pick the best candidate for that role, regardless of gender.” Mercedes currently boast the biggest workforce on the Formula 1 grid but, with a budget cap on the … [Read more...] about ‘Not enough people applying for top F1 jobs’
Todt: All-electric F1 rumours are ‘nonsense’
There have been recent claims that Formula 1 could be going electric in the future, but FIA president Jean Todt has rubbished those claims. The former Ferrari team boss has confirmed what Alejandro Agag, the boss of Formula E, has said. This comes after Todt admitted there would be no new manufacturers entering the sport in 2021. Agag claimed that Formula E had an exclusive agreement to be the only all-electric single seater category in motorsport. Todt backed up that claim, admitting that there was an “exclusive agreement” for a “certain amount of years” with Formula E. “It would be nonsense to say in the coming future Formula 1 is going to be electric, it’s not going to happen. Simply you could not do it,” Todt said. Ross Brawn has previously made comments about comparing the two categories, saying that it is pointless to do so. Todt agrees with his former colleague, saying that Formula E does not have the performance of Formula 1. “At … [Read more...] about Todt: All-electric F1 rumours are ‘nonsense’
F1 to finalise 2021 plans ‘in coming months’
Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey thinks the plans for 2021 and beyond can be finalised within the “coming months”. Talks are continuing at the highest level as current owners Liberty attempt to improve the racing spectacle by trying to eliminate the two-tier system that currently exists in the sport, all while bringing costs under more control. Formula 1 have only revealed generic blueprints about their vision for the sport, but Carey believes they will be in a position to reveal some more substantial guidelines in the not-too-distant future. “We’ve introduced some recent regulation changes for next season,” said Carey via Motorsport.com. “And we’ll introduce a larger list of sporting regulation changes in the coming weeks to further improve the sport. “Most importantly we continue to move forward with a broader set of changes to cost structures, revenue distribution, regulations and governance – the so-called Concorde Agreement. … [Read more...] about F1 to finalise 2021 plans ‘in coming months’