F1 driver George Russell’s message to Williams after Mercedes move
Lewis Hamilton is back, for now, with the seven-time world champion returning to the Mercedes factory ahead of the 2022 Formula 1 season after weeks of uncertainty surrounding a commitment to seek redemption.
An agonising loss to Max Verstappen of Red Bull in the thrilling 2021 title race in Abu Dhabi cast doubts over the Briton’s future, with the involvement of race director Michael Masi still a sore point for the Silver Arrows.
But Hamilton appears primed for another roll of the dice, despite new rules potentially opening up the title race to more rivals. The machinery will be unveiled for each team in the coming days, including Red Bull’s car later today.
There is no guarantee Hamilton will race this season, but visiting the Mercedes factory is essentially a box-ticking exercise at the very least to enable him to race, including numerous pre-season tasks. The 37-year-old is putting in the work physically too, but an actual green light on committing to take up one of the Mercedes seats, alongside a new teammate in George Russell, may hinge on the inquiry into last season’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
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Lando Norris had interest from rival teams before McLaren extension
Lando Norris has hinted that he had interest from rival teams before putting pen to paper on a new deal with McLaren.
Committing to four more years, Norris is eager to eventually compete for a title.
And it appears as if Mercedes and Red Bull made enquiries about a future move, only for the Briton to decline in favour of continuing his journey with McLaren.
Jack Rathborn9 February 2022 18:40
Red Bull want Juri Vips to show he is ‘F1 worthy’
Red Bull junior driver Juri Vips has revealed that the team want him to show he is worthy of competing in Formula 1.
The Estonian racer will race in Formula 2 with the Hitech team and will look to build on his two race wins in 2021, while improving his P6 in the final Drivers’ standings.
And the 21-year-old has detailed the targets laid out to him by the Austria-based company.
“I don’t have a certain set goal from Red Bull that I have to win the title or anything. I just have to prove I am F1 worthy,” he told the Formula 2 website. “At the test, it was cool to see the difference between the two Red Bull cars, the changes and the improvements they made between the two years.
“Any day you drive an F1 car – especially a championship-winning one – is amazing. It felt very surreal because it was only a couple of days after they won the championship. It felt very special.
“Those days are very important because it is a direct communication to the team of what your performance is like.
“Of course, they can judge you in F2, but when you drive the F1 car they have the exact details and can really tell how good or bad you are.”
Jack Rathborn9 February 2022 18:20
Max Verstappen put through his paces by Red Bull in early pre-season training
Max Verstappen is already back training with Red Bull putting him through his paces.
The immense stress on the body throughout each race can be seen in the latest exercises designed to measure the Belgian-Dutch driver’s core strength.
Jack Rathborn9 February 2022 18:00
Formula 1 schedule 2022
March 20 – Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir. March 27 – Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Jiddah, Saudi Arabia. April 10 – Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne. April 24 – Imola Grand Prix, Imola, Italy. May 8 – Miami Grand Prix, Miami, Florida. May 22 – Spanish Grand Prix, Barcelona. May 29 – Monaco Grand Prix, Monte Carlo. June 12 – Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku. June 19 – Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal. July 3 – British Grand Prix, Silverstone. July 10 – Austrian Grand Prix, Spielberg, Austria. July 24 – French Grand Prix, Le Castellet. July 31 – Hungarian Grand Prix, Budapest. Aug. 28 – Belgian Grand Prix, Spa-Francorchamps. Sept. 4 – Dutch Grand Prix, Zandvoort, Netherlands. Sept. 11 – Italian Grand Prix, Monza. Sept. 25 – Russian Grand Prix, Sochi. Oct. 2 – Singapore Grand Prix, Singapore City. Oct. 9 – Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka. Oct. 23 – United States Grand Prix, Austin, Texas. Oct. 30 – Mexican Grand Prix, Mexico City. Nov. 13 – Brazilian Grand Prix, Sao Paulo. Nov. 20 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Jack Rathborn9 February 2022 17:45
Ferrari and Qualcomm team up for tech projects for road, racing cars
Ferrari said on Tuesday it would partner with Qualcomm Technologies to use the San-Diego based group’s premium product, the Snapdragon chipsets, to accelerate the sports carmaker digital transformation.
The deal will involve both its road cars and its Formula One racing team and the first common projects, including the so-called digital cockpit, have been already identified, the Italian group said in a statement.
Ferrari’s new CEO Benedetto Vigna – a technology industry veteran – said in November Ferrari would seek technology partnerships as it moves ahead with transition toward cleaner mobility and in order to pivot technologies that require high investments.
“Innovation requires market leaders working together. Thanks to this agreement … we expand our knowledge in digital technologies and web 3.0, areas with great potential for automotive and motorsport,” Vigna said in the statement.
The Snapdragon logo will make its debut on the F1-75 racing model, the Ferrari single-seater which will be unveiled at the company’s headquarters in Maranello on Feb. 17.
Jack Rathborn9 February 2022 17:30
McLaren delight at securing Lando Norris’ future on road to world championship
McLaren’s Team Principal Andreas Seidl has expressed his delight at securing Lando Norris’ future as they plot a route towards world championship contention.
Seidl said: “The opportunity to extend our relationship with Lando reflects not only our commitment but our belief and confidence in his talent. It is also a strong sign of trust and commitment from Lando in us as a team and our journey to world championship contention.
“Lando has shown impressive growth as a Formula 1 driver over the past four years and has been an instrumental part of the team’s momentum and performance trajectory.
“We are still on our journey to fight at the front and Lando is a key element of our plan, so to lock him into place, alongside Daniel and our senior leadership, gives us stability and continuity as we build towards our ultimate shared goal of world championships.”
Jack Rathborn9 February 2022 17:15
Lando Norris reacts to signing new four-year contract with McLaren
Lando Norris is eager to challenge for titles in the future after committing his future to McLaren with a new four-year deal.
He said: “Teams are about people, and I love the people and feel at home at McLaren. I have grown up in this team and I’m part of this journey we’re all on.
“Last season was another great step, both in my career and the team’s performance, and I see and feel all the work, investment, and commitment for the team to be in a position to challenge for wins and titles in the future.
“This all gives me huge confidence looking forward, so it was a natural decision to extend our relationship for the next few years.”
Jack Rathborn9 February 2022 17:00
Alfa Romeo react to speculation of 2022 car being late
Alfa Romeo have moved to allay fears that a post-Barcelona test launch date does not mean problems ahead for their 2022 challenger.
Some talk has suggested this date now means the car is running late ahead of the new era in Formula 1.
Alfa Romeo revealed that the covers will be taken off their C42 on 27 February, two days after the first period in the famed Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from 23-25 February, though a brief statement has put any speculation to bed.
“There will be a test drive before the full debut on Sunday 27th,” the statement read.
Jack Rathborn9 February 2022 16:45
FIA ‘aware’ of Red Bull team radio messages pressuring Michael Masi
The FIA has said that it is aware of radio transmissions that appear to evidence suggestions that Michael Masi was influenced by Red Bull over race radio during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Race director Masi’s role in the season-ending race at Yas Marina Circuit has been heavily criticised since Max Verstappen was afforded the opportunity to pass title rival Lewis Hamilton on the final lap in the United Arab Emirates.
Masi allowed lapped cars between Verstappen and Hamilton to unlap themselves before allowing racing to restart, clearing the way for the Red Bull driver to pass the seven-time world champion on fresher tyres and claim his first world title.
The events are being investigated by the FIA, with a report due to be released ahead of the start of the 2022 season in Bahrain in March.
In audio from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley is heard giving Masi apparent advice on the process of restarting the race.
Karl Matchett9 February 2022 16:30
Red Bull reveal 2022 car
Here it is. The RB18 that Max Verstappen hopes will guide him to a successful defence of his world title.
Ben Burrows9 February 2022 16:26