Mercedes have headed to Paul Ricard for a two-day test of Pirelli’s 2023 tyre compounds, with both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton in action. Paul Ricard plays host to the first meaningful track action of the 2023 Formula 1 season, as Pirelli are carrying out the first of three planned tyre tests ahead of the start of official pre-season testing. As revealed in November 2022, Pirelli have worked with the FIA to put together some additional tyre testing for their 2023 compounds, having been unable to fit in enough sessions during the frantic second half of the 2022 schedule. All 10 F1 teams are offered the opportunity to carry out tests on behalf of Pirelli over the course of the season, with Mercedes carrying out a two-day test at Paul Ricard on February 1st and 2nd. George Russell will take the wheel of the Mercedes W13 for Wednesday’s track time, with seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton getting the opportunity to blow off the winter cobwebs on Thursday. Pirelli’s … [Read more...] about George Russell and Lewis Hamilton kick off 2023 track action with tyre test
Pre employment testing
Hazelwood reflects on maiden Gen3 test
Listen to this article Blanchard Racing Team made Supercars history at Winton today by becoming the first team to shake down its Gen3 race car . The CoolDrive-backed Mustang cut its first laps with team co-owner Tim Blanchard behind the wheel this morning, before new signing Hazelwood took over the rest of the day. According to Hazelwood his starring role in the test came with an unexpected level of pressure given all eyes were on the BRT Ford. That was combined with it being this first day on the job with the single-car team since his off-season move from Matt Stone Racing. Given the attention on the car, Hazelwood was thrilled to finish a full day without any major issues. "It was a weird pressure that I didn't anticipate, to be honest," he told Motorsport.com. "You know, when it's your first day with the team you always want to do the best job possible. And for me it was the first time I had ever had a brand new chassis at my disposal. "So you've got the … [Read more...] about Hazelwood reflects on maiden Gen3 test
What are F1 teams permitted to do with their cars on ‘filming day’ shakedowns?
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?
Facelifted Audi Q8 Spied In Standard An SQ8 Trims
The Audi Q8 family currently represents the flagship SUV range from Ingolstadt, which includes conventional, electrified, and fully electric models. The E-Tron electric SUV joined that lineup last year when it was comprehensively refreshed, and now it’s time for the combustion and hybrid models to get a mid-cycle facelift. We have new photos showing different members of the Q8 portfolio spied hiding some visual and mechanical revisions. The gallery below contains photos taken in Germany and Sweden during the refreshed Q8's pre-production evaluations. We’ve seen the model on the streets before and we know the refresh will bring some notable visual changes. These include new bumpers front and back, a new radiator grille, tweaked LED lights, and new side skirts. The highlight of the new design touches has to be the new grille pattern with larger holes featuring a slightly different shape than before. Gallery: Audi Q8, SQ8 facelift new spy photos 18 Photos … [Read more...] about Facelifted Audi Q8 Spied In Standard An SQ8 Trims