Formula One 2023

[Chris2K]

If they want F1 23 to be a realistic simulation game then they should probably remove MyTeam as a game mode, because the concept of a new team joining the grid (let alone with a driver that has no personal sponsorship) is evidently not a realistic event.

[Lineker]

Di Resta also dropped.

[Chris2K]

I always liked Johnny as a driver and as a personality, but I think the time has probably come where his punditry isn't going to be missed.

I wonder if these empty spaces will be filled by a more-active Nico Rosberg now he's no longer banned from the paddock, but I'm more hoping a certain more-recently retired German world champion might try his hand in front of the camera...

[Lineker]

Think it's fair to say that Robert Kubica's F1 is finally at its end - Orlen have moved their title sponsorship to AlphaTauri. Alfa Romeo have replaced them with Stake (of Everton and Watford fame).

[JasonM]

Honestly, the writing was on the wall for Kubica two seasons ago. The fact he got to have one whole season in 2019 with Williams and two appearances deputizing for Alpha in 2021 is honestly as close to a fairytale ending as this sport tends to have for old hands.

I can see him show up at Le Mans, though. He continues to be a great driver, and his team won ELMS with the LMP2 class in 2021. He's got plenty to offer.

[Lineker]

Quote

Andretti is the only potential new Formula 1 entrant to have expressed an interest to the FIA in joining the grid, according to Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

FIA president Ben Sulayem tweeted at the start of the month that he wanted to explore the possibility of expanding the F1 grid by calling for expressions of interest from potential new teams. 

This was soon followed by Andretti announcing a new partnership with General Motors to form Andretti Cadillac Racing and join the F1 grid in the future. 

Andretti’s plans have so far been met with a lukewarm reaction from the F1 paddock, with F1 itself issuing a statement saying there were other less visible parties who were also interested in joining the grid. 

Speaking to Autosport at the Rallye Monte Carlo about the reaction to his call for expressions of interest, Ben Sulayem said: “To us directly, it’s Andretti,” clarifying that it was “up to now” the only party to have come forward.

Ben Sulayem held meetings with Andretti Global chief, Michael Andretti, and his father, 1978 world champion Mario, about their F1 plans last year, and said he was “very clear” that they needed to work with a major car manufacturer.

While the addition of GM to Andretti’s F1 plans has resulted in some encouragement, with the likes of Mercedes F1 chief Toto Wolff calling it a “statement”, doubts remain over just how involved the American car maker would be in F1 through the partnership. 

But Ben Sulayem revealed he had a “good meeting” with the president of General Motors, Mark Reuss, ahead of the manufacturer’s board of directors giving the go-ahead, and questioned how such a big brand could be denied a place on the grid.

“How can we say no to a big manufacturer?” he said. “We talk about the United States, we have three races there, it’s very healthy. But I am elected not to make money, I’m elected to sustain motorsport, clearly.”

Ben Sulayem has been clear in his desire to bring new teams into F1, believing that an expansion of the grid would be beneficial to the series. But concerns remain from many of the existing teams over the impact adding teams would have on their prize money payouts.

“They might say, ‘oh it’s taking our piece of the cake,’” said Ben Sulayem.

“Yes, to them - but what do you want? Maybe kick [out] five teams, and then you have more money? You can take it both ways.

“I want them to succeed, but to get more money and less money… I mean the cost cap was effective, and we’re trying to make it more effective. Imagine if you are having 145 [million] on everyone.

“But I cannot be blocking a manufacturer. Imagine me doing that. It’s wrong.”

Tensions have also grown in recent days after Ben Sulayem questioned a rumoured $20 billion valuation of F1, which he claimed was “exaggerated”. 

It prompted F1 management to send a legal letter to the FIA accusing Ben Sulayem of “interfering” with the commercial rights of the series. 

 

[Toe]

Haas is the first team to release their new livery for 2023 with a digital render on last years car.

[METALMAN]

Palm Angels. Is this a wanking club?

[Chris2K]

I think it looks alright, but then it isn't the vehicular personification of the Russian flag, so the bar to clear is pretty low. 

[Lineker]

Will be interesting to see how Haas do this year. Two very experienced drivers llus the Moneygram deal will allow them to operate at the cost cap. No more excuses for them there.

[Meacon Keaton]

I think fifth is very unlikely, assuming McLaren has their shit together and Renault figures out their reliability issues (lol?).

At best they're competing for sixth against Aston Martin? 

[METALMAN]

I'm going to be honest, I'm not sure you're going to be seeing much of me in this thread. Post-Vettel F1 is one thing, but I don't think I'm ready for post-Latifi F1...

 

   

[Lineker]

Quote

The FIA has revealed that six manufacturers have signed up for the next generation of Formula 1 engine regulations starting in 2026, including Red Bull Ford, Audi and Honda.

F1 is set to debut its next generation of power units in 2026, placing a heavy emphasis on the use of sustainable fuels and greater electric power in a bid for improved sustainability whilst not impacting the on-track spectacle.

Talks with both existing and potential new manufacturers have been ongoing for some time regarding the regulations, but the FIA revealed on Friday that six parties have completed their registration.

This includes Audi, who announced back in September that it would be entering F1 for the first time in 2026 as an engine supplier to Sauber, and Red Bull Ford, whose partnership was also revealed on Friday.

Although Honda's existing relationship with Red Bull will come to an end in 2026, the Japanese manufacturer has also signed up for the cycle that runs from 2026 to 2030 – despite not having an affiliation with a team in place.

It means that with the existing power unit suppliers, the registered companies are:

• Alpine Racing
• Audi
• Ferrari S.p.A.
• Honda Racing Corporation
• Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains Ltd.
• Red Bull Ford

"These companies will supply the next generation of Formula 1 Power Unit set out in the 2026 FIA Formula 1 Sporting and Technical PU regulations that are published on the FIA website," adds the statement from the FIA.

"The confirmation that there will be six Power Unit manufacturers competing in Formula 1 from 2026 is testament to the strength of the championship and the robust technical regulations that have been diligently created by the FIA in close collaboration with Formula 1 and the Power Unit manufacturers," said FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

"The Power Unit is at the forefront of technological innovation, making the future of Formula 1 more sustainable while maintaining the spectacular racing.

"I am grateful for the confidence of world-leading automotive manufacturers demonstrated by their commitment to Formula 1."

The growth in manufacturer interest comes at a time when F1 has been enjoying a global boom, particularly in the United States, and other parties are known to be interested in a future entry.

General Motors announced plans to embark on an F1 partnership with Andretti Global at the start of January, but revealed their initial plan - if granted a place on the grid - would be to collaborate with an existing engine manufacturer.

Porsche was also heavily involved in talks with Red Bull about a possible partnership that would see the German manufacturer design its own engine, only for negotiations to break down over the summer.

 

Quote

NEW YORK, United States -- Ford has confirmed it will return to Formula One in 2026 as it joins forces with world champions Red Bull.

The American automotive giant announced its return to the sport on Friday morning at Red Bull's launch event in New York.

The deal will see Ford team up with Red Bull's recently-formed engine company, Red Bull Powertrains, which is based at the F1 team's factory in Milton Keynes, England and is already working on a power unit to meet F1's new engine regulations for 2026.

Ford's involvement has been labelled as a strategic partnership and "will provide expertise in areas including battery cell and electric motor technology as well as power unit control software and analytics" and "combustion engine development."

Red Bull decided to set up its own power unit facility in 2021 after current engine supplier Honda showed uncertainty about its long-term commitment to F1. Red Bull and its sister team AlphaTauri will continue to use Honda engines until the end of the current regulation cycle in 2025

The new power unit regulations for 2026 will see F1 cars continue to be powered by V6 turbo-hybrids, but with increased electrical power and the use of sustainable synthetic fuels in the internal combustion engine.

"The news today that Ford is coming to Formula One from 2026 is great for the sport and we are excited to see them join the incredible automotive partners already in Formula One," F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said. "They are a global brand with an incredible heritage in the racing and automotive world and they see the huge value that our platform provides with over half a billion fans around the world.

"Our commitment to be Net Zero Carbon by 2030 and to introduce sustainable fuels in the F1 cars from 2026 is also an important reason for their decision to enter F1. We believe that our sport provides the opportunity and reach unlike any other and we cannot wait for the Ford logo to be racing round F1's iconic circuits from 2026."

Bill Ford, the car manufacturer's executive chair, added: "Ford is returning to the pinnacle of the sport, bringing Ford's long tradition of innovation, sustainability and electrification to one of the world's most visible stages."

The Ford deal will mark the American manufacturer's first involvement in F1 since it sold its Jaguar team to Red Bull for a nominal fee in 2004. It also coincides with the booming popularity of the sport in the United States.

Reigning champions Red Bull are still based at the same factory Ford helped set up in 1996 as the main backer of the then Stewart Grand Prix team.

Ford has a rich history in F1, most notably through its funding of Cosworth's development of the legendary DFV engine in the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s. The Cosworth DFV remains the most successful engine in F1 history, powering a number of different teams to 155 victories over a period of 16 years.

Following Ford's announcement, F1's governing body, the FIA, confirmed six engine manufacturers are lined up to power the grid under the new regulations in 2026, including Red Bull's current supplier Honda.

The news is significant as Honda had initially planned to leave F1 to focus on all-electric technology. Ford and Honda will join existing manufacturers Ferrari, Mercedes and Alpine, as well as new entrant Audi.

Ford's return to F1 also comes at the same time as its historic rival in the U.S. automotive sector, General Motors, attempts to enter its Cadillac brand for 2026.

GM has joined forces with Andretti Autosport in the hope of setting up an entirely new team, but its entry is dependent on it succeeding in a formal selection process that was launched on Thursday.

 

[FestiveJack]

 

[Lineker]

It's a show car. They were never going to share the real thing now! What is notable is that they will run three fan designed liveries in the three United States races.

 

 

[Lineker]

Quote

Nyck de Vries has won his legal dispute over a €250K loan from a benefactor who had been a long-standing supporter of his racing career.

De Vries had been accused of withholding financial information and breaching the terms of a loan agreement with the Dutch financier Jeroen Schothorst's investment company Investrand.

Dutch newspaper Financial Dagblad reported last month that Investrand provided de Vries with a personal loan of €250,000 to help the latter secure his seat with Italian outfit Prema in the 2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship.

According to the report, de Vries was charged three per cent annual interest on the loan and was obligated to hand back half of any income related to F1 - but that this would expire if de Vries failed to secure an F1 drive for 2022.

De Vries went on to win the F2 title in 2019, and then switched to the ABB FIA Formula E championship, which he won in 2021 before setting his sights on F1 again with free practice appearances in 2022 for Mercedes, Aston Martin and Williams.

That led to de Vries making his maiden Grand Prix appearance at Monza when Williams driver Alex Albon fell ill with appendicitis the day before the Italian GP. De Vries stood in, and managed to finish in the points.

The legal situation with Investrand subsequently came to a head after de Vries went on to secure a full-time f1 race seat with AlphaTauri for 2023 as a result of his stand-in success.

De Vries was under the assumption that the loan had expired after he failed to to secure a full-time spot on the grid last year, while Schothorst argued that the Dutch driver's reserve and testing role constituted 'entering F1 in 2022'.

The case was held at a court in Amsterdam, with the judge coming down on de Vries' side of the technical argument.

"It is true that he participated in F1 on 11 September 2022 at the Italian Grand Prix," stated the summary judgement released on Friday. "But he did so as a reserve driver.

"He was not contracted as a race driver at that time, he was merely filling in for another driver with appendicitis.”

The judge also rejected Schothorst's argument that de Vries had failed to provide financial information needed to keep them informed about relevant developments concerning his driving career, including copies of various contracts.

The judge said that Schothorst had agreed to a payment of €114,361 being paid over the period up to and including 2021, and not protested a payment in two parts of €75,000 for 2022 when de Vries earned €150,000 as a test and reserve driver for Mercedes.

De Vries was able to demonstrate regular contact with Schothorst and Investrand between 2017 and 2022, and submitted a 26-page printout of a related WhatsApp conversation between the parties.

De Vries was also accused of withholding a 2018 agreement with McLaren for €56,000, but the court ruled that this was a sponsorship deal not a driving contract and as such outside the terms of the loan agreement.

Arguing that his deal with Investrand had now lapsed, de Vries declined to share the terms of his 2023 driver contract with AlphaTauri.

"I have fulfilled all my obligations towards Investrand under the loan agreement and have always provided him with all the information he was entitled to under the loan agreement," de Vries said in a statement.

"As far as I am concerned, the fact that the judge ruled in my favour was in line with my expectations," he told Motorsport.com. "Hopefully things will now die down so that I can focus on preparing for the Formula 1 season."

His lawyer Jeroen Bedaux referred to the "positive verdict" and added: "yck is obviously not surprised, but pleased that the judge also [fully] endorses Nyck's view."

De Vries has been spending Saturday at Paul Ricard undertaking a wet weather Pirelli tyre test for AlphaTauri's. He can then focus on the launch of the team's 2023 AT04 car next weekend on February 11.

That will be followed by three days of pre-season testing at Bahrain International Circuit from February 23 to 25. The first race of the new season will be in Bahrain on March 5, with de Vries racing alongside team mate Yuki Tsunoda.

 

[Lineker]

 

[Chris2K]

Huh. They have both Duracell and Gulf as sponsors, both of which have iconic colour schemes that could be integrated into the livery, and they just stick with "lots of different types of blue". Bit disappointed to be honest.

 

I've just seen Duracell's "battery" colouring at the top, which means they had the thought to do that, but not to extend it to more of the car...

[Lineker]

 

[Meacon Keaton]

I like the black and red much more than the white and red.