Why does red bull have 2 f1 teams

Sergio Perez was left confused and rather unhappy with Red Bull’s radio communication in Jeddah, but Max Verstappen feels there was no communication breakdown. In the closing stages of the Saudi Arabian GP at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Perez was leading and was on for the fastest lap bonus point as well, and with team-mate Verstappen in P2, it meant Perez was on course to lead the World Championship for the first time in his career. Perez was managing the pace to bring home that win and head the one-two finish, but Verstappen, having been told by Red Bull that the fastest lap was not of interest as he had complained about further driveshaft issues, nonetheless went on to set it on the final lap, thus ensuring that he goes into the Australian Grand Prix as Championship leader. Perez was understandably frustrated and felt that different information had been given to him and Verstappen, though by the time he arrived in Melbourne, his stance had changed. “[Things] are great, we … [Read more...] about Max Verstappen clear there was no ‘miscommunication’ with Red Bull over Sergio Perez

Red Bull left Australia 12 months ago at a low ebb after seeing rivals Ferrari claim another win while both their cars lagged off the pace and one didn’t even reach the chequered flag. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free But the team transformed its fortunes over the remainder of the season and now finds itself in a position of clear superiority. In the 21 races since the last Australian Grand Prix, Red Bull has only been beaten three times. Max Verstappen recalled how challenging last year’s race was for the team during today’s press conference in Melbourne. Following last year’s race the eventual champion languished sixth in the standings, 46 points behind Charles Leclerc, who had just scored his second win in three races. “Last year our car was very heavily overweight at this stage of the season, so that didn’t help,” said Verstappen. The team was also grappling with handling problems. “We had a big shift in balance between qualifying and the race, so … [Read more...] about “Very frustrating” Australian GP showed where Red Bull had gone wrong – Verstappen · RaceFans

Daniel Ricciardo has returned to the Formula 1 paddock at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix in his new role as Red Bull’s third driver. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free After losing his McLaren seat for 2023, Ricciardo signed to rejoin Red Bull last November. So far the team has only shown him acting in a promotional capacity, including recently driving a Red Bull RB7 around Australia. But when he is trackside he will serve the same function as Liam Lawson and Dennis Hauger, the two Red Bull juniors sharing the reserve driver role and doing simulator work at the team’s F1 base in Milton Keynes, in that he will be ready to race should Max Verstappen or Sergio Perez be unable to. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said Ricciardo will attend several races this year as reserve, and “probably do a bit of tyre testing” in the current RB19 car as well as simulator work. But his main duties, due to Ricciardo now being based in the USA, will be … [Read more...] about Sabbatical or retirement? Ricciardo returns to F1 paddock – and questions over his future · RaceFans

Listen to this article Just like in any other sport, in Formula 1 if drivers don't follow the rules set out by the FIA, then they can be penalised for it. However, it isn't rare for drivers to find themselves victims of bizarrely harsh penalties which sometimes don't even seem to make sense - like the infamous 65-grid penalty Stoffel Vandoorne suffered in Spa in 2017. F1 can be a complicated form of motorsport and sometimes penalties confuse viewers because of their technicality. What is the reason behind a penalty? Why are there different types of penalties? Here's what penalties occur in F1, what different punishments drivers are given, how teams may also be penalised and how it can lead to a race ban. The FIA stewards dish out the penalties Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images What are F1 penalties? There are a range of F1 penalties, depending on the severity of the driver's or team's action. Warnings Starting with warnings, which are the … [Read more...] about F1 penalties: What penalties can drivers receive and how do they get banned?

Former F1 driver Anthony Davidson has urged Lewis Hamilton not to make a rash decision over his future with Mercedes. Hamilton is out of contract with the Mercedes team at the end of F1 2023, and while in the build-up to the season it seemed almost a matter of time before Hamilton signed fresh terms, now the situation is not so clear. The 2022 campaign was a story of recovery for Mercedes as they battled back from a poor start to the new regulatory era, but rather than taking that next step into F1 2023 and returning to the conversation for wins, the team has instead slipped all the way back to scrapping for a podium spot. They have not achieved that honour yet two rounds into the campaign, with P4 for George Russell the team’s best result so far. And Mercedes have written off the unique concept for their W14 already, while Hamilton has been critical of the team, as he believes they did not listen to his feedback on last season’s issue when creating this new challenger. … [Read more...] about Lewis Hamilton told not to make Fernando Alonso-style ‘knee-jerk’ team swap

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali says interest in hosting races is so high the series could hold 32 grands prix. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free The 2023 F1 calendar was originally supposed to include 24 races, the maximum permitted under the current agreement between the teams, F1 and FIA. However the cancellation of the Chinese Grand Prix cut the number to 23. A job advert posted by F1 last year indicated the series is looking at a potential future expansion to 25 rounds. Speaking at the SportNXT conference in Melbourne this week, Domenicali indicated the series would be able to accommodate more than the current maximum. “We could have already today more than 30, even 32 grands prix, because everyone wants one,” Domenicali claimed. However he said the series is satisfied with the current limit of 24 rounds. Part of the calendar expansion has come about because F1 has added a third race in America this year. A new race on the Las Vegas Strip Circuit … [Read more...] about F1 ‘could have 32 grands prix today because everyone wants one’ – Domenicali · RaceFans

Listen to this article In the wake of penalties given out to Alonso and Alpine's Esteban Ocon in the opening two races of the season for starting outside their markers, the FIA has widened the grid boxes in Melbourne. But despite an extra 20cm of space, plus the trial of a new guidance line to help drivers line up, Alonso is sceptical of them being enough to assist with the difficulties being faced. In particular, he says that drivers face the double whammy of seeing very little as they line up in position while also having to be totally focused on a separate yellow line that they cannot start in front of. "It is difficult and we are very concentrated on the yellow line to not go too far forward," he said. "So, you approach not looking at the box, you are looking on one side of the cockpit. So maybe that's a bit of a distraction." Asked if the new dimension and sighting line would be a help, Alonso said: "The central line? I don't think so. "Because, as I … [Read more...] about F1 grid box tweaks will not eradicate problems, says Alonso

Listen to this article F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali thrust the sanctity of free practice into the limelight in an interview last weekend with SportTV . He said: "I am a supporter of the cancellation of free practice sessions, which are of great use to the engineers but that the public doesn't like." Arguments in favour of slashing the three one-hour sessions include taking away data from engineers and drivers to increase the likelihood of entertaining mistakes. Mercedes driver Russell reckons experienced F1 drivers did not need the extra laps, so the F2 and F3 support categories should pick up the extra track time. In response to being asked whether three practice sessions were necessary, Russell said: "I think no is the answer. Obviously, the more practice you do, the more up to speed you'll be, the more comfortable you'll be with the car. "I don't think it's right that Formula 1 has three times the amount of practice that you have in the F3 and F2 categories. "They … [Read more...] about Russell, Norris back calls to reduce F1 practice time

Listen to this article The man who heads race promoter Saudi Motorsport Company, and who is largely responsible for the success of the event, is Briton Martin Whitaker. Prior to becoming involved in the circuit and event operation business Whitaker's career followed an unusual path that saw him working for bosses as diverse as Bernie Ecclestone, Jean-Marie Balestre, Max Mosley and Ron Dennis. Along the way, he's experienced the sport from every possible angle, including that of manufacturer and entrant in F1 and the WRC. His CV is one of the busiest of any top executive in motorsport, and yet he claims never to have needed to compose one as he's never had a job interview – instead people come and find him. From a family background of fruit farming and winemaking in Gloucestershire, Whitaker got his start as a junior reporter for Motoring News. Journalism wasn't his thing however, and in 1985 he switched to become press officer for the RAC MSA, which saw him involved in … [Read more...] about Martin Whitaker: From working with Senna to running the Saudi Arabian GP