Formula One 2021

[Lineker]

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Formula 1 chiefs are weighing up the possibility of starting the 2021 season with a double-header in Bahrain if the coronavirus situation scuppers plans for a race in Portugal.

The current schedule is for the season to start in Bahrain on 28 March, with a race at Imola scheduled to follow on 18 April.

That would then be followed by a race on 2 May which was at a venue yet to be confirmed, but was widely expected to take place at Portimao in Portugal.

However, hopes of that happening are fading with the country facing a fresh coronavirus outbreak amid growing concerns in Europe over the spread of variant strains of the disease.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali is due to hold lengthy talks with various race promoters over the next few days to try to better gauge the situation before making a decision about how the season will start.

While he is hopeful that the current dates can still work, and he is adamant Imola is not under threat, Domenicali has said that contingency plans are ready to be rolled out if necessary.

One of the options is for Bahrain to host two events back-to-back at the start of the season, with the Imola race then being moved back by one week.

Speaking to selected media including Autosport, Domenicali said about the calendar situation: "There is a TBC date there, and if it will be Portugal, it will be written as Portugal.

"The reason why it's not written [as] Portugal, is because the situation is still not closed yet. As soon as we can, we will be able to announce something - and that will be in the next days, not in the next two months.

"I've got personal meetings during this weekend to understand what is the state of the situation, and one of the possible plan Bs could be a double race in Bahrain. But this is one plan and nothing is confirmed. We're focusing to try to keep the calendar as it is."

Despite ongoing uncertainty over the development of coronavirus around the world, Domenicali remains hopeful that F1 can still pull off a full 23-race calendar.

"Everyone was thinking that this year would have been easier if you imagine the situation, and it is not," he said.

"We are totally confident that we can achieve the number of races that are on the calendar.

"It's a challenge, but we are confident that, with the relations we have, this can really happen. But as you can imagine we are fluid and flexible to be ready with other possibilities.

"We have already a different plan: B, C, D, A [are] in place in case and the things that are fixed today can be different tomorrow. That's why we are in contact with all the organisers every day."

 

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Nikita Mazepin looks set to race under a neutral flag for the next two years following confirmation that an anti-doping ruling against Russia would extend to Formula 1.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced in December that it had upheld a ban on Russia from competing at world championship sporting events, relating to state-sponsored doping and cover-ups at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

CAS confirmed that it had cut the four-year ban proposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to two years, meaning there will be no dedicated Russian team at the upcoming Olympic Games or the next FIFA World Cup in 2022.

The Russian Automobile Federation has now announced that it received clarifications from the FIA concerning the CAS ruling this week, confirming it would impact drivers competing in world championship series.

It means that Mazepin, who will make his F1 debut this year with Haas after stepping up from F2, will be forbidden from racing under the Russian flag for the next two seasons.

Russian drivers in all of the FIA's world championships - including Formula E, WRC, WEC and WRX - will also be prohibited from using national emblems, flags or symbols, as well as the word "Russia" or "Russian".

Drivers will be permitted to call themselves a "neutral athlete from Russia" or be listed as "Russia. Neutral athlete", and use the word "Russia" on any clothing so long as it is given equal prominence to "neutral athlete".

They may also use the acronym RAF, which stands for 'Russian Automobile Federation', and they can still use the colours of the Russian flag.

The decision also forbids the playing of the Russian national anthem at FIA events, meaning it will not be played ahead of the grand prix in Sochi, nor for any Russian victory during the podium ceremony.

Spectators will still be permitted to bring Russian flags into official FIA competitions, while Russian officials are also still permitted to attend sporting events. President Vladimir Putin was a regular guest at the F1 race in Sochi when it was added to the calendar in 2014.

It would appear that Ferrari junior driver Robert Shwartzman will be permitted to still race under the Russian flag in Formula 2 as it is not an FIA world championship, putting it outside of the CAS ruling.

The CAS decision is valid from the initial ruling date, and lasts two years until 16 December 2022.

The Russian Grand Prix is set to be unaffected by the ruling despite a previous WADA ban on the country hosting sporting events during the sanction period, should the race not be cancellable due to contractual clauses.

The race organiser, Rosgonki, said following the initial WADA ruling in December 2019 that its contract was in place until 2025, and that it was "confident that the Russian Grand Prix will take place in 2020 and subsequent years".

The FIA has been contacted for comment regarding the RAF statement.

 

[METALMAN]

What if neutral doesn't want to be associated with Mazepin?

[Chris2K]

1 hour ago, Lineker said:

 

The race organiser, Rosgonki, said following the initial WADA ruling in December 2019 that its contract was in place until 2025, and that it was "confident that the Russian Grand Prix will take place in 2020 and subsequent years".

Oh. Yaaaaay.

[Chris2K]

What the... I have to assume this is a wind-up, but if it turns out I've gone back in time to 2019 I think I need to get on a plane to China and have some words with a few people.

[Lineker]

I really fucking hope not.

[MJB]

Lewis Hamilton has officially signed a contract to race for Mercedes in 2021. 

Nothing confirmed past that, let the speculation for 2022 begin!

[Chris2K]

Sprint races on Saturday are the next plan for "greater entertainment" at race weekends and increase viewership. Qualifying for the sprint race would move to Friday, a superb idea to boost viewership when everyone is at work/school at 2pm, and the sprint races would be worth half the points of a standard race.

This constant need to try and change what isn't broken is becoming absurd. If they want better entertainment, don't price out new teams and bring in specifications that encourage close racing. If you want to increase viewership don't sell the rights to the highest bidders, all of which are subscription-based channels. Just leave qualifying and the races alone.

[Gazz]

Absolutely guarantee the sprint races will be 25 lap processions because no one will want to try an overtake that might have the slightest chance of you ending up with a DNF and the back of the grid on Sunday.

[Lineker]

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Formula 1 has given the green light for the Portuguese Grand Prix to take the vacant slot on the calendar, Autosport can reveal, with teams to be informed on Thursday.

Following some weeks of uncertainty about the make-up of the opening rounds of the 2021 schedule, the difficult coronavirus situation in Portugal had prompted doubts about whether or not the race could secure a slot on the schedule.

But following talks between F1 and race organisers over recent days to get a better understanding of the situation in the country, it is understood that both parties are happy that the event can go ahead.

Sources with good knowledge of the situation say that F1 has committed therefore to Portugal taking the 'TBC' slot in the calendar that has long been scheduled for May 2.

The decision on Portugal means that it is now official that Bahrain will hold the season opener on March 28, with Imola hosting the second round on April 18.

It is understood that teams will be formally informed of the calendar plans in a meeting of the F1 Commission that will take place on Thursday.

The Portuguese decision is not without its complications, though, because of the new quarantine restrictions that have been introduced in the United Kingdom.

Portugal is currently on the UK's 'red list' of countries where anyone returning from must quarantine in a hotel for 10 days.

With it understood that no exemption on the 'red list' matter is being granted for elite sports, it means UK-based F1 team personnel will be unable to return home from Portugal before the Spanish Grand Prix on May 9.

The back-to-back nature of the Portuguese and Spanish rounds made it unlikely that many staff would have returned home anyway.

It does mean though that, with a 10-day lock-out period for anyone returning to the UK from Portugal, any staff leaving the country on the Monday after the race will not be able to go back to the UK immediately after Spain because of the requirement to isolate in a hotel.

It therefore means teams may potentially have to stay in Europe longer to continue racing.

Had the Portuguese GP not been able to go ahead then it was possible that F1 could have gone for holding two rounds in Bahrain.

However, while such a plan was an option, it is understood that talks never seriously advanced on this front and the Portuguese plan was always the priority.

As well as Thursday's F1 Commission meeting set to finalise the calendar plans, it is also expected to debate and vote on a host of important topics for the sport.

Of key interest to fans is the potential trial of sprint races at some events in 2021, plus whether or not to go ahead with an engine freeze from 2022.

 

[Chris2K]

On 09/02/2021 at 18:52, Chris2K said:

Sprint races on Saturday are the next plan for "greater entertainment" at race weekends and increase viewership. Qualifying for the sprint race would move to Friday, a superb idea to boost viewership when everyone is at work/school at 2pm, and the sprint races would be worth half the points of a standard race.

This constant need to try and change what isn't broken is becoming absurd. If they want better entertainment, don't price out new teams and bring in specifications that encourage close racing. If you want to increase viewership don't sell the rights to the highest bidders, all of which are subscription-based channels. Just leave qualifying and the races alone.

Jesus, all the teams have actually gone and approved it in principle. Utter madness.

[Lineker]

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Two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso has been involved in a road incident, the Alpine F1 Team confirmed on Thursday.

Alonso, 39, was cycling in Switzerland at the time of the incident. The team said in a statement: "Fernando is conscious and well in himself and is awaiting further medical examinations tomorrow morning.

"Alpine F1 Team will not make any further statement at this point in time. Further updates will be given tomorrow."

Alonso signed with Alpine (formerly Renault) to make an F1 comeback in 2021 after two years out of the sport.

 

[Lineker]

Rough translation of Gazzetta: 

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Cycling accident for Fernando Alonso. The Spanish driver of the Alpine Renault is said to have been hit by a car while training by bike on Swiss roads near Lugano. He was immediately rescued and taken to a local hospital, but initial X-rays showed possible fractures. Alonso, two-time Formula 1 world champion with Renault in 2005 and 2006, may have to miss the start of the 2021 season

It could be a broken jaw - apparently.

 

Also, plans for an engine freeze from 2022 have been approved. That should lead to Red Bull going ahead and buying the Honda IP.

[Lineker]

 

[Gazz]

So who do you think tried to run him over? Hulk or Grosjean?

[JasonM]

19 hours ago, Gazz said:

So who do you think tried to run him over? Hulk or Grosjean?

Jolyon Palmer with a candlestick

[Rich]

Broken Jaw, does this mean we won't be hearing him open his mouth?

[Lineker]

 

 

[Chris2K]

I'm looking forward to seeing which bizarre Red Bull owned entity they name the engines after. Might I suggest "Hangar 7" after their museum in Salzburg.

[Lineker]

8 minutes ago, Chris2K said:

I'm looking forward to seeing which bizarre Red Bull owned entity they name the engines after.

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Red Bull has revealed that its future Formula 1 engines will take the moniker of the energy drinks company, as it ruled out selling on the naming rights.

The Milton Keynes-based team has agreed a deal to take on the Honda engine project for next year as part of a move that has led to the creation of Red Bull Powertrains.

While the team has in the past rebadged engines - most famously with TAG-Heuer taking the name of its Renault customer units from 2016-2018 - such a plan has been ruled out this time.

Speaking about the plans for the future name of the Honda engines, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said: "It will be a Red Bull engine. So it will be, as Mercedes is a Mercedes, it will be an incorporated part of the car. So it will be a Red Bull."

Asked if Red Bull was looking for a potential partner or manufacturer to help in its project: "I think we won't be beholden on having a partner, so we've got the independence to do it ourselves.

"If an exciting partner comes along, then of course it would make sense to look at it very seriously, whether that be an OEM or another type of partner, a battery manufacturer or whatever. It really depends what the engines are."

Horner explained that Red Bull had now begun a recruitment drive to ramp up its facilities at Milton Keynes as it looked to create the right structure around its plan.

"Obviously we will inherit the vast majority of HRD UK, which is the operational side of Honda, based in Milton Keynes," he explained. "So that gives us a standing start, in that already all the people that we already know and interface with, we'll look to take under the new company.

"Then we are in the process of setting out some of the other roles that will be filled in the next coming weeks and months. But I think the agreement that we've achieved with Honda just buys us time to assemble the right group of people."

Although Red Bull is now on the look out for an individual to head up its engine division, Horner has ruled out early talk that it could swoop for former Mercedes chief Andy Cowell.

Asked whether he could be part of the project, Horner said: "What he's achieved obviously in the recent 10 years of the sport has been mightily impressive. He was obviously a linchpin of what Mercedes and HPP have delivered.

"I think that he's obviously chosen to pursue I think other activities outside of Formula 1. But of course, as far as engines are concerned, he's been the guy that has delivered year on year. But my understanding is that his interests currently lay outside of Formula 1."

As an official engine manufacturer, Horner also confirmed that Red Bull would be obliged to provide customer engines to another outfit outside its current family if required by the regulations.

"By taking on the obligations of an engine manufacturer, you're bound by those regulations of obligation to supply, so that would be no different to any other manufacturer."

 

[Lineker]