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
Sebastian vettel lewis hamilton
Alonso “wouldn’t accept” continuing in F1 at less than 100%
Listen to this article Alonso returned to F1 with Alpine in 2021 after taking a two-year break to race in the FIA World Endurance Championship, the Indy 500 and the Dakar Rally. Alonso's third stint at the Enstone outfit got off to a slow start but once he got back up to speed the Spaniard re-found his old form, frequently suggesting he was driving at his best-ever level in 2022, a season which was blighted by reliability issues. For 2023, Alonso jumped ship to Aston Martin, which struggled last year to finish seventh in the constructors' championship. While the team is a step down from Alpine in the short term, the Lawrence Stroll-led outfit managed to convince Alonso with its long-term project, answering to Alonso's desire to stay in F1 for years to come. And the 41-year-old says he wouldn't have accepted to continue if he didn't think he was still capable of performing at his peak, or if he wasn't convinced that Aston can close the gap while he is still around. … [Read more...] about Alonso “wouldn’t accept” continuing in F1 at less than 100%
Mercedes give fans rare insight into how F1 pedals and drinks system work
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
Ferrari need to pick Charles Leclerc as No.1 driver, or risk losing him to a rival team
Even before a single lap has been run in the 2023 Formula 1 season, never mind a race result decided, Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur has twice been asked to pin his colours to the mast – Charles Leclerc or Carlos Sainz. He went with neither, adamant it’s too early to back one driver over the other. “But,” he wrapped up the first time around, “if at one stage we have to take action, I will take action.” The second time, he ended with “and if at one stage I have to take action for Carlos or for Charles, I will do it.” It’s an action that, should it come, will have long-term consequences. Team-mates at Ferrari for the first time in 2021 it was widely-speculated that Leclerc could have the measure of Sainz, but that wasn’t to be with the Spaniard winning the first round – although only by 5.5 points. However, that was a season in which Ferrari were still trying to get their horse (powers) into order in the wake of their 2019 engine scandal. Once they’d sorted that out, … [Read more...] about Ferrari need to pick Charles Leclerc as No.1 driver, or risk losing him to a rival team
Ex-Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat makes the switch to WEC after landing Prema seat
Former Red Bull and Toro Rosso driver Daniil Kvyat will make the switch to endurance racing in 2023, after landing a seat with Prema. Daniil Kvyat has landed his first full-time racing seat since the end of his Formula 1 career in 2020, with the Russian racer landing a seat with Italian team Prema for their LMP2 efforts in the World Endurance Championship. Kvyat lost his seat with AlphaTauri at the conclusion of the 2020 Formula 1 season, and switched to Alpine as a reserve driver for the 2021 season. The Russian driver was due to make the switch to the WEC in 2022, having signed a deal to race with Russian team G-Drive. But, following the commencement of economic and sporting sanctions on Russian competitors in the wake of Russia’s commencement of military action in neighbouring Ukraine, G-Drive withdrew from the championship. PlanetF1.com recommends George Russell and Lewis Hamilton kick off 2023 track action with tyre test Former F1 engineer questions Nico Hulkenberg’s … [Read more...] about Ex-Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat makes the switch to WEC after landing Prema seat
James Vowles’ departure for Williams came as ‘quite a surprise’ to Toto Wolff
Toto Wolff was not expecting James Vowles to hand in his resignation, but says being a team boss was always a “goal” for the former Mercedes’ chief strategist. Last season Mattia Binotto kicked off a round of silly season moves for F1’s team management, the Italian tendering his resignation. Shortly after Williams announced CEO Jost Capito was out while McLaren revealed Andreas Seidl would be heading to Sauber to replace the Ferrari-bound Fred Vasseur. The only question left to be answered was who would replace Capito at Williams. That turned out to be Vowles. Williams announced mid-January that the Mercedes’ chief strategist would take up the reins on February 20, Vowles bringing to an end his career in Brackley which began in the BAR/Honda days. Wolff wasn’t expecting that. PlanetF1 recommends Mercedes share behind-the-scenes images as Mick Schumacher completes seat fit Ranked: The 10 possible F1 2024 destinations for Daniel Ricciardo in order of likelihood … [Read more...] about James Vowles’ departure for Williams came as ‘quite a surprise’ to Toto Wolff
Watch The Mercedes-AMG One Tackle The Track From Third-Person View
Racing games give players new perspectives not always available to drivers in the real world. The third-person view behind a car is a genre staple, giving racers a broader view of the track and their competitors. A new video recreates this perspective, dangling a camera off the rear of a Mercedes-AMG One. It highlights the supercar’s stunning backside and captures its raucous exhaust note. Powering the AMG One is a Formula One-derived turbocharged 1.6-liter V6 engine paired with four electric motors. The total system output is 1,049 horsepower (782 kilowatts). It can propel the supercar to 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) in just 2.9 seconds. A run to 124 mph (200 kph) takes 7.0 seconds, topping out at 219 mph (352 kph). Gallery: Mercedes-AMG One deliveries start 3 Photos Mercedes first revealed the One at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, calling it Project One. It wouldn’t be until June 2022 when the … [Read more...] about Watch The Mercedes-AMG One Tackle The Track From Third-Person View