Rules deal or no deal

The Russian Grand Prix promoter credits Bernie Ecclestone for helping to extend the race’s contract to 2025. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free The event, which has taken place at the Sochi Autodrom since 2014, already has a longer contract than the majority of rounds on the 2019 F1 calendar . Russia’s last contract extension was announced in March 2017, a few weeks after Ecclestone was replaced as CEO of F1 by Chase Carey of Liberty Media . But race promoter Sergey Vorobyov stressed Ecclestone’s input had been vital. “It’s been an interesting situation,” he told RaceFans in an exclusive interview. “We started talking about the extension of the contract with Bernie and he did help us to find the proper way to [get] Russian sponsors to the event. “The Russian Grand Prix is sponsored by VTB and Lukoil, the official event sponsors, and he did propose the way how to make it so that it’s beneficial for everyone – the sponsor and for the promoter. I’m not in … [Read more...] about Ecclestone made new Russian GP deal more “efficient” · RaceFans

Alfa Romeo is ending its current title arrangement with Sauber at the end of this season and has not yet finalised whether or not it will continue any involvement in F1. At the Monaco Grand Prix, a meeting between Haas team boss Gunther Steiner and Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato prompted suggestions that the team and carmaker were set for a title sponsorship arrangement in 2024. Speaking ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, Steiner said that talk of a deal was premature, even though it would obviously be an attractive thing for Haas. Asked by Motorsport.com if the team would be sponsored by Alfa Romeo in 2024, Steiner said: "A lot of people are telling that to me, but the only ones who haven't told me that yet are Alfa Romeo. "Obviously they are looking at what they are doing in the future, and they came to see us, to see how we are doing. It was an introduction, nothing else. "I had never met the CEO before in my life and we just got introduced Obviously there was … [Read more...] about Haas open to Alfa Romeo F1 deal but no offer yet

As high as the stakes are in modern Formula 1, the battle for the sport’s future which raged at the dawn of the eighties was fought with particular ferocity. The political fall-out even led to some races being cancelled. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free But, as a trove of documents unearthed by @DieterRencken reveals, this fraught period in the sport’s history played a unique role in shaping modern F1. In early 1980 Formula 1 was a battleground. The lines were drawn between the mostly British teams, dubbed ‘garagistes’ by Enzo Ferrari on account of building cars using proprietary components from suppliers (Cosworth engines, Hewland gearboxes), and their opponents headed by FISA, then the sporting arm of the FIA. The FISA-aligned teams ‘grande’ teams included manufacturers Ferrari, Renault and Alfa Romeo, who surveyed the ongoing skirmishes nervously, and periodically switched allegiances according to their agendas. The ‘garagistes’ battled under the … [Read more...] about WPDC: Ecclestone’s breakaway threat which set the template for modern F1 · RaceFans

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

Haas team boss Guenther Steiner and Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato held introductory talks in Monaco, leading to suggestions that the brands could partner up as of F1 2024. Alfa Romeo are moving towards the end of their partnership with Sauber Motorsport, which sees their team operated by the Swiss brand, but run under the Alfa Romeo name. But, with Sauber preparing to become the Audi works team as of 2026, it was confirmed that 2023 would be the final year of this Alfa Romeo-Sauber alliance, with Alfa Romeo’s plans from that point on not yet clear. Could it involve Haas? Team principal Steiner confirmed ahead of the Spanish GP that he was introduced to Alfa Romeo CEO Imparato at the last round in Monaco, the brand plotting their next move in Steiner’s opinion, though talks did not reach a stage where any offers were put on the table. On the subject of possible Alfa Romeo sponsorship come 2024, Steiner, as per Motorsport.com , said: “A lot of people are telling that … [Read more...] about Current F1 team emerges as potential new Alfa Romeo partner after introductory talks

Sochi Autodrom is expected to hold the Russian Grand Prix for the final time next year, RaceFans has learned. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free The venue in the Black Sea resort has held the Russian Grand Prix since it was added to the calendar in 2014. Two years ago the race promoted signed a new deal, extending its contract to 2025. However development plans in the area have prompted moves to relocate Russia’s round of the world championship. Sochi’s circuit is formed using roads which were part of the site which hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics. But the track hosts few major races aside from its annual grand prix. Source have indicated plans are being made to develop areas of the site for other purposes. The construction of a new concert hall for 2021 will force changes to the track’s configuration, shortening it to just over two kilometres. This would make it too short for Formula 1, though the venue’s rumoured Formula E race would still be able to go … [Read more...] about F1: Russian Grand Prix to leave Sochi after 2020 | RaceFans

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