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A number of different F1 teams reportedly have “issues” with the leadership style of FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Ben Sulayem took to Twitter last month to openly question a reported Saudi Arabian backed takeover bid of the sport which was rumoured to be around the $20 billion mark. The Emirati said “the FIA as custodians of motorsport” had concerns over the bid and also said the figure was “inflated”. It was the latter that drew the ire of Liberty Media, who reportedly sent a letter to the FIA in which they described the comments of Ben Sulayem as a “major overstep”. There were even rumours that sport’s commercial arm was seeking to have the 61-year-old replaced despite only being a little over a year into his four-year term as president. Sky Sports are reporting that the strained relationship has been patched up and said that “positive conversations” had taken place between the two parties but that a significant number of “high ranking individuals” at the teams … [Read more...] about F1 teams have ‘issues’ with ‘personal style of leadership of Mohammed Ben Sulayem’

Mercedes have offered a unique demonstration of how the pedals and drinks systems work in a Formula 1 car. Over the course of a dramatic Formula 1 Grand Prix, it’s easy to forget that the modern-day gladiators piloting the Formula 1 cars are mere humans and, as a drawback of that, have human needs such as basic hydration. During a tough Grand Prix, particularly in the hot sweaty climes of the likes of Singapore, drivers can lose several kilos during the race – it’s critical that drivers are able to have as much fluid as they can drink during the ordeal. Kimi Raikkonen may have become a meme in the final years of his F1 career after suffering a few ‘drinks bottle’ failures, ie. “No, Kimi, you will not have the drink”, but it’s a potentially serious failure if a driver was to suffer from complete dehydration. Of course, the cars aren’t literally fitted with a drinks bottle, nor with refrigeration. The fluids are put into what is essentially a bag, with a tube linking the bag to … [Read more...] about Mercedes give fans rare insight into how F1 pedals and drinks system work

With a new American sponsor behind them, it seems Haas are finally embracing their American heritage. Although Haas have been established since 2014 and have always branded themselves as the ‘American team’ it is not until now that statement seems justified. Of course, their base is in North Carolina but with offices also in the UK and Maranello, it is understandable that some American fans have felt no great affinity towards their supposed team. Team boss Guenther Steiner has suggested moving the team away from their European bases and to America would actually set them back but there are other parts of their operation which suggest they are trying to appeal to their home country a bit more. For starters, out goes the Russian Urakali and in comes the American MoneyGram, a move that will have won them support in the US and it comes at a time when Formula 1 is exploding in the region including three races Stateside in 2023. Perhaps then it was once Andretti began threatening … [Read more...] about Haas are now starting to embrace American roots with Andretti-Cadillac bid developing

Listen to this article Earlier this weekend, Martin had showed promising pace in the Aspar Mahindra, finishing ninth quickest in FP3. However, in qualifying, he couldn’t keep up with the leading pack, setting a time that was 1.3 seconds off pole-sitter Brad Binder. The Spanish rued the gearbox issue for the lack of pace in qualifying. "I was hoping for a good qualifying but we were denied by a problem with the gearbox," he said. "And I lost three or four tenths on my best lap. Without that we could have been starting from eleventh or twelfth, which would have been an acceptable position." Alexis Masbou was the highest classified non-factory Mahindra rider in 22nd place, with his Peugeot Saxoprint teammate John McPhee finishing in 28th position. Meanwhile, Qatar podium finisher Francesco Bagnaia was involved in a multi-bike pile up at turn 2, leaving the Italian driver a disappointing 24th with a time of 1m51.408s. Along with Bagnaia, the other Mahindra riders to … [Read more...] about Argentina Moto3: Martin leads as several Mahindra riders fall

Listen to this article Oettl, contesting his fourth full season in Moto3, posted the benchmark in the opening minutes of the session and could subsequently sit back and relax as raindrops did the rest of the job. With damp patches on the track surface at the start of the session after rain had arrived late during Moto2 practice, a number riders opted to do their recon laps on wets. But the track was more than good enough for the dry compound right away, Oettl setting the early pace on slicks. The German continued to gradually improve with each lap, holding on to the top spot by halfway into the session, at which point the rain suddenly returned. As the rain flags made their appearance, Estrella Galicia's practice pacesetter Jorge Navarro was among the last riders to improve, moving to within six tenths of Oettl and just 0.011s ahead of fellow Honda rider Enea Bastianini. Just as quickly as the rain arrived, it was gone again. With 10 minutes to go, riders began to … [Read more...] about Austin Moto3: Oettl tops rain-affected qualifying

Listen to this article Fenati converted a second row grid slot into third at the end of the first lap, and made short work of poleman Phillip Oettl on the second tour before setting about closing on early leader Navarro. The Estrella Galicia man, who has yet to win a grand prix, had established a cushion of 1.6s after two laps, but was soon reeled in by Fenati as Oettl fell into the clutches of a fast-starting Fabio Quartararo further back. The decisive moment of the race arrived on lap 8, just shy of mid-distance, as Navarro ran wide at Turn 1 to allow Fenati into a lead he would never relinquish. By lap 13, the gap between the duo had grown to three seconds, Fenati going on to take his seventh race victory in Moto3 by 6.612s at the chequered flag. Leopard Racing's Quartararo had been on course for the final podium place before he was slowed by a late mechanical problem, meaning the fight for third was between Oettl and points leader Brad Binder (Red Bull Ajo KTM). … [Read more...] about Austin Moto3: Fenati denies Navarro maiden race victory

Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur believes the current furore surrounding FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem will soon fade away. The FIA President has found himself at the centre of a media storm in recent weeks, due to a series of incidents that have attracted the ire of Formula 1. The most egregious incident occurred when Ben Sulayem took to Twitter to offer his thoughts on the report from US publication Bloomberg that Liberty Media had turned down a $20 billion bid from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund to purchase the sport. “As the custodians of motorsport, the FIA, as a non-profit organisation, is cautious about alleged inflated price tags of $20bn being put on F1,” Ben Sulayem tweeted. “Any potential buyer is advised to apply common sense, consider the greater good of the sport and come with a clear, sustainable plan – not just a lot of money. “It is our duty to consider what the future impact will be for promoters in terms of increased hosting fees and other … [Read more...] about Fred Vasseur predicts Mohammed Ben Sulayem storm will ‘disappear’ when F1 returns

On the evening of November 27th in Yas Marina, when we tot up the totals and figure out who has become the 2016 drivers’ champion, how dearly will Nico Rosberg’s decision to let his team mate past in Monaco have cost him? Formula One Management did not broadcast any of the radio discussions between Mercedes and their drivers as the position swap was orchestrated. According to Lewis Hamilton he did not ask to be let past even as race leader Daniel Ricciardo pulled away at over two seconds per lap . “It came to the point where we told Nico he would either need to pick up the pace or let Lewis past,” Lowe explained. “One lap later, he hadn’t managed to find that extra pace, so we asked him to move aside – which he did immediately.” While Lowe applauded Rosberg for “his team ethic and playing for the overall team result”, it begs the question whether Hamilton would have done the same in identical circumstances. Or, more to the point, whether Hamilton would have ended up in … [Read more...] about Hamilton’s championship fightback begins · RaceFans

Ten of the best pictures which tell the story of the 2016 Monaco Grand Prix weekend. Felipe Massa The FIA relaxed its ban on drivers changing their helmet designs during the season – surely the most petty rule ever conceived – and Felipe Massa was one of several to sport a special design for the Monaco Grand Prix weekend. The artwork was created by OS Gemeos and depicts Massa’s son and wife on the top. Sebastian Vettel After a quiet Thursday Sebastian Vettel propelled Ferrari to the top of the times in final practice. But once again the team struggled in qualifying and he had to settle for fourth on the grid, where he finished the race. Daniel Ricciardo Daniel Ricciardo was flying all weekend, the Red Bull RB12 kicking up showers of sparks at the bumpy exit from the tunnel. Start A pre-race downpour meant the 2016 Monaco Grand Prix began behind the Safety Car. Jolyon Palmer Soon after the race got underway Jolyon Palmer spun his … [Read more...] about Top ten pictures from the 2016 Monaco Grand Prix · RaceFans