General F1 news

[Duke]

BREAKING: Daniel Ricciardo to replace Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri for the rest of the 2023 season

Wow!!!
I thought he was paid not to drive this year by McLaren obviously not???

[durbster]

Not a huge surprise they dropped De Vries but I didn't expect RIC to take the spot. Good to have him back.

[Big Kev]

Don't think RBR have anyone else in the pipeline with enough super licence points so Ricciardo was their only choice. With Williams finding their feet and Alfa Romeo and Haas having fairly steady drivers who pick up points every 2-3 races, Alpha Tauri are easily last in the constructors at the moment so they need someone who has a better chance of some points to get them back in it. Be interesting to see how he does.

[Duke]

Shouldn't Liam Lawson as the RBR reserve driver have a super licence?
Even so he didn't get the AT seat for some reason as I presume they want an old head in AT for the rest of this season.

I also think it is a warning shot to Checo that he needs to improve otherwise he may find they swap seats next year... :d

[Big Kev]

I guess they think DR has a better chance of some points than trying to get a new driver up to speed.

Dead right on Perez. If DannyRic outdrives that car then I think he's in there next season.

[Big Kev]

Williams unveils the special livery they will use for the Singapore, Japan and Qatar GP.

[Duke]

Oh now that is cool, a Gulf livery with understated Gulf logos.

[durbster]

Yep, it does very much look like getting things in place for 2024.

Does it even matter how how Perez does this year? RBR are going to win the constructors. Max is almost certainly going to win the majority if not all the races this season and the rest of the points are being divided between several teams. We're halfway through the seasons and RBR already have more points than the next two teams combined.

[Big Kev]

There are rumours that three teams exceeded the budget cap in 2022.

Stefano Domenicali says any team that breaches the limit should face sporting sanctions.

[Duke]

Cheeky Buggers.
RBR are certainly ahead of the others when it comes to the new regs.

[Big Kev]

First image of the proposed rail guards for F1 to reduce spray

[durbster]

If that's designed to direct the water sideways, what happens to an overtaking car? Do they get hit by a concentrated jet of water?

[Big Kev]

I'm guessing more to direct it back on to the tarmac but then I suppose the problem is the track will take longer to dry out.
I also wonder if they can remove them in a pit stop if it dried enough for inters or slicks.

[Duke]

I believe the plan is to make the easily installed / removed in a pitstop.

Although I don't see the point of having them, cars can hardly pass in the dry without DRS assistance, sure they can run closer together but they still can't pass easily. So the point of reducing the spray to increase the vision of the car behind by having fenders is mute, is it not?

[Big Kev]

I think it's more for visibility after the Bianchi accident and Alonso's near miss at Suzuka last year too. But to be honest for me that's more to do with marshal's vehicles not being lit up like a Christmas tree in the rain and drivers doing very little to slow down in yellow flag zones other than a slight lift to lose 0.2secs on their sector time. I've done karting many years ago where the karts cut their speed automatically in a yellow zone and then reactivated when we got to a green zone. Surely F1 can do that for safety. Le Mans does the same.

[Big Kev]

[Duke]

^ is very good (again)!!!

[Big Kev]

This isn't going to end well

Lawyers for former Ferrari driver Felipe Massa have started legal action against Formula 1 bosses and the governing FIA seeking substantial damages resulting from an alleged 'conspiracy' that denied him the 2008 championship

[Big Kev]

Haas are keeping Kmag and the Hulk next season

[Big Kev]

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will continue as Mercedes' driver line-up for at least the next two years.

[Duke]

[durbster]

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will continue as Mercedes' driver line-up for at least the next two years.

Fair enough. Toto said it was the strongest pairing on the grid which is arguably true (Ferrari and McLaren are the other contenders for me).

That comment probably stings a bit for Bottas but given how he's performed at Alfa Romeo since the move, it's hard to imagine Mercedes are regretting their decision.

[Big Kev]

The F2 car looks interesting. Especially that rear wing. I assume they're looking to flick the trailing air much higher to reduce following turbulence.

[Big Kev]

All Formula 1 teams complied with the sport's cost cap in 2022, governing body the FIA has said.

The FIA added the 10 teams had all been issued certificates of compliance with the $140m (£112m) cap after "an intensive and thorough process".

[Big Kev]

BREAKING: Oscar Piastri extends McLaren contract until end of 2026