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  • Williams announce Merc strategy chief, James Vowles as TP

    Williams have revealed that Mercedes, strategist James Vowles will take the place of Jost Capito as their new team boss.

    Capito and Technical Director FX Demaison both left Williams in December, following a 2022 season in which the team placed at the bottom of the F1 constructors’ standings having scored just eight points.

    Vowles has enjoyed a 21-year career in F1, representing the Silver Arrows since 2010 and serving as their Motorsport Strategy Director over the last four years. He previously held key engineering and strategy roles at Mercedes, Brawn GP, Honda and BAR.

    Vowles, who also worked with Williams Brand Ambassador Jenson Button during their title-winning days at Brawn, will be joining the Grove operation on February 20th ahead of the 2023 season opener i Bahrain.

    I cannot wait to start with Williams Racing. It’s an honour to join a team with such an incredibly rich heritage. The team is an icon of our sport, one I greatly respect, and I am very much looking forward to the challenge. Williams Racing have placed their faith and trust in me, and I will do the same in return. The team has tremendous potential, and our journey together starts in a matter of weeks.

    Vowles on his new role.

    We are delighted to welcome James to Williams Racing. He is one of the most highly respected talents in Formula 1 and will bring performance. He has been a key part of some of the most impressive feats in the sport over the past 15 years. As we continue our relentless pursuit for results, we believe that the appointment of James reinforces our dedication to ensuring we have energetic, experienced, and strong leadership as we move into the next phase of transforming Williams Racing.

    Matthew Savage, Dorilton Capital Chairman.

  • 15.02.23

    Mercedes have confirmed when their 2023 F1 car will be launched, with the Silver Arrows pushing to return to their regular winning ways.

    Mercedes racked up seven drivers’ titles and eight constructors’ titles from 2014 to 2021, having initially mastered the turbo-hybrid regulations, but major changes to the 2022 technical rules, saw them struggle with a trouble W13 package.

    It took the team most of the season to get on top of porpoising, and to get on terms with rivals Red Bull and Ferrari, allowing George Russell to lead home Lewis Hamilton in a break through one-two at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

    After a busy winter, Mercedes will be hoping they can score consistent wins with the new W14, which will be launched on February 15th, one day after rivals Ferrari.

    Russell and Hamilton will continue as team mates for a second season in 2023, whilst Mick Schumacher takes up the reserve driver role.

    At the end, it comes back to the sentence, ‘The days we lose are the days our competitors will regret’, because we learn the most. Hopefully the future will be proof of that. With our learnings, the values in the team, the empowerment and the no blame culture, I think we will be back in a more potent form next year – hopefully winning races on merit and fighting for the championship. But is it a given? Certainly not.

    Toto Wolff, speaking on the Beyond The Grid podcast.

  • Mexico City Preview

    The season opener is finally here as we head to Mexico for Round 1 of Season 9; the 2023 Hankook Mexico City E-Prix, where we are jumping into the Gen3 era!

    Mexico has always been a mainstay on the Formula E calendar, since its initial appearance. With the first race taking place in Season 2, Mexico City has been on the calendar every season since apart from Season (with Puebla filling the gap).

    The 19 turn, 2.630km circuit is a perfect mix of long, fast straights and a technical infield section that passes right through the legendary Foro Sol stadium – housing tens of thousands of fans.

    With race-ready surface and long corners, Mexico City is not only of the fastest tracks on the calendar but its also the highest at 2,250m above sea level.

    The Mexico City E-Prix will be running on a new track layout with a chicane being added after Turn 8, down the back straight. The 19 turn layout will be the fourth different configuration across the seven Mexico City E-Prix.

    Last years visit to Mexico saw Pascal Wehrlein claim his maiden Formula E victory, with the German leading home Andre Lotterer for a Porsche 1-2.

    The last three Julius Baer Pole Positions in Mexico City have been claimed by German drivers, however pole position isn’t always the spot to be in Mexico, with three of the six pole sitters having failed to make it to the chequered flag.

    Weekend Schedule-

    Friday 13th January-

    • Free Practice 1- 22:30pm – 23:00pm (GMT)

    Saturday 14th January-

    • Free Practice 2- 13:30pm – 14:00pm (GMT)
    • Qualifying- 15:40pm – 16:55pm
    • Race- 20:03pm – 21:00pm

  • 06.02.23

    Williams have shared plans for a season launch – during which they will be showing off their 2023 livery – as the team looks to climb off the foot of the F1 standings this year.

    Amid a challenging run of form, Williams have classified last in four of the last five seasons (P8 in 2021 being the exception), with the 2022 campaign yielding only eight points.

    Looking towards 2023, the Grove operation will stage a pre-season launch event on their official website at 14:00 GMT of February 6th, in which Alex Albon and new team mate, Logan Sargeant will be on hand to show off the team’s 2023 colours.

    Williams are one of the several squads to field a revised driver line-up this year, with the American rookie, Sargeant replacing Nicholas Latifi after finishing fourth in the 2022 F2 standings.

    Alongside a revised driver pairing, Williams will head into 2023 under a new team boss, with Jost Capito having departed late last year amid a merry go round of managerial changes – though his replacement is yet to be announced.

    It’s a huge honour and a dream come true to be given this opportunity to compete in Formula 1 with Williams Racing. A massive thank you to every person at Williams Racing and (owners) Dorilton Motor Sports for the support they’ve given me since the day I first joined the team at the 2021 United States Grand Prix. Being a part of the Williams Driver Academy for the past year has given me an important platform to develop as a driver and prepare me for this next chapter. I’m ready and excited to be a part of this journey as the team looks to progress up the grid.

    Logan on his F1 seat.

  • Collet completes VARs line-up

    Caio Collet will be joining Van Amersfoort Racing for his third season in Formula 3, as the Brazilian racer makes the switch from MP Motorsport.

    The 20 year old, first made his F3 appearance in 2021, scoring two podiums, including one on debut in Barcelona.

    After a successful rookie season, Collet put in more strong performances in 2022 earning sprint race wins in Budapest and Zandvoort where he went on to finish eighth in the Drivers’ Championship.

    Prior to his move to F3, Collet secured the 2018 French F4 title in his maiden season in single-seaters. There he achieved an impressive 11 podium finishes which included seven victories.

    The following year saw him finish fifth in Formula Renault Eurocup, claiming six podiums along the way. He then returned for a second campaign in 2020, Collet took five wins and seven further podiums on his way to finish second in the Championship.

    Exciting times are coming as I am extremely motivated to get started with Van Amersfoort Racing. During their first year in F3, the team proved to everyone how much potential they have. From my side, I am very confident going into the new season. I have used the winter period effectively and feel ready, more than I ever did. I have set high goals for myself, and the team is as motivated as I am to take the maximum out of this year, so let the games begin!

    Collet on his move.

    Caio has shown in the past how fast and talented he is, making it extremely exciting to have him as part of our F3 driver line-up this year. Caio brings valuable experience to the team, which will help us to grow at an even higher pace than last year. Clearly, he is determined to perform strong this year, and so do we as a team. Our motivation levels are really high, the least said, and our crew is very much looking forward to working with an experienced driver as Caio!

    Rob Niessink, VAR CEO.

  • Williams sign Colapinto

    Franco Colapinto has become the latest signing to the Williams Driver Academy.

    The Argentine competed in his rookie FIA Formula 3 campaign last year, finishing 9th in the drivers’ championship with Van Amersfoort after several stand-out performances across the season, including his debut in Bahrain.

    The 19 year old captured the Spanish F4 title in his first full season of single-seater racing in 2019, where he took 11 race wins. He drove in both Formula Renault Eurocup and Toyota Racing Series in 2020, finishing third in both series with three victories and 17 podiums combined.

    For his second FIA F3 season, Colapinto switches from VAR to reunite with MP Motorsport. The 19 year old took part in the post season test with the team last year, achieving 248 laps at Jerez and ending the test with the fastest time on the third and final day.

    It’s a real honour to join Williams Racing as an Academy Driver. They are one of the most successful teams in Formula 1 history and I am looking forward to following in the footsteps of my fellow countryman Carlos Reutemann. It’s an incredible opportunity for which I am forever grateful. Thanks to everyone at Williams for putting their trust in me. I am also excited to announce that I will be back with MP Motorsport for the 2023 FIA F3 season. I really enjoyed my time with the team in Eurocup and FRECA and we achieved some great results together. The goal is to reach even higher this time. My first year in FIA F3 was all about learning and I will use all the knowledge I’ve gathered to aim for the title next year. I am grateful to everyone who made this possible. Bullet Sports Management, YPF, ROFGO Racing, and of course, my beloved country Argentina. Thank you for all the support. I can’t wait to get the season started.

    Colapinto on joining the Academy and his new seat.

    We’re delighted to welcome Franco to the Williams Racing Driver Academy. His career achievements since starting karting highlight Franco’s natural ability behind the wheel and what he’s capable of in the years to come. He had a standout rookie season in Formula 3 with several strong performances that led to podiums and wins. We look forward to working closely with Franco to support and nurture his development as a driver.

    Sven Smeets, Sporting Director at Williams Racing.

  • Colapinto switches to MP Motorsport

    Franco Colapinto has switched to MP Motorsport for his second campaign in FIA Formula 3.

    A standout performer of the 2022 season, as Colapinto scored pole position on his and Van Amersfoort Racing’s debut weekend in Sakhir before going on to take two wins and a further three podiums.

    Having made his single-seater debut in 2019, Colapinto immediately set out to make his mark by achieving the Spanish F4 title at the first time of asking.

    Progressing up to Formula Renault Eurocup the following year with MP, the Argentinian secured third in the standings. Embarking on a campaign in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine with the Dutch squad in 2021, he closed his season in sixth with two wins and two further podiums.

    Alongside his running in FRECA, he gained additional experience in endurance racing, taking home a victory in the European Le Mans series LMP2 class and finishing seventh in his first 24 hours of Le Mans.

    I’m so pleased to have signed with MP for my second season in FIA Formula 3. I only have fond memories of my years in Formula Renault and Formula Regional with the team, a cooperation that resulted in many wins and pole positions. I’m eager to resume the run of success that we have had and fully intend to expand on it. Next year is going to be great!

    Colapinto on his seat.

    It’s so good to be able to welcome Franco back into the MP fold. He’s been outstanding in his two years with us, and in his other two seasons since his promotion from karts Franco was always among our most daunting rivals! With a first season of FIA F3 under his belt, he now carries the weight needed for a consistently frontrunning campaign – and we’re here to help him achieve that.

    Sander Dorsman, MP Motorsport Team Principal.

  • Villagomez sticks with VAR

    Van Amersfoort Racing has confirmed that Rafael Villagomez will be racing with the team in 2023 in his third FIA Formula 3 campaign.

    Villagomez began his single seater career back in 2020, winning the Richard Mille Young Talent search and racing in British and French F4, consistently scoring points in both that season.

    Graduation up to Euroformula Open in 2021, with VAR brought four podium finishes and P8 in the championship, he also paired that campaign with his rookie season in FIA Formula 3, driving for HWA Racelab.

    Last season, his focus was solely on a follow-up F3 campaign, and he will be sticking with VAR for this year’s Championship.

    I am really excited about competing in Formula 3 again. Both myself and the team have grown a lot last year and it’s great to be able to continue working together in 2023. I have used the winter period to fully prepare myself physically, and I am really excited to be already racing in January in FRMEC. It feels like this is the best approach to get fully ready for the season and I can’t wait for it to finally kick off again!

    The 21 year old said.

    It is great to continue working with Rafael this upcoming season. Rafael is very dedicated to his goals, which makes him an absolute pleasure to work with. Having a driver in the team for multiple seasons has clear benefits. Due to the intense contact, you grow stronger as a team, which ultimately is key for performing well on track. Our crew is very committed to support Rafael in progressing both on- and off the circuit and all are fully dedicated to book strong results this season!

    Rob Niessink, CEO of Van Amersfoort Racing.

  • 13.02.23

    McLaren will launch their next Formula 1 challenger in mid-February after hiding the news in an image on social media.

    The team that finished fifth in the 2022 constructors’ champion will unveil their 2023 car due to be driven by Lando Norris and rookie, Oscar Piastri on February 13th at the McLaren Technology Centre.

    McLaren’s former Team Principal, Andreas Seidl left the team at the end of the 2022 season to join Sauber as Chief Executive Ofdicer, whilst Andrea Stella steps up to the role.

    The outfit announced the news of the car launch on Twitter having hidden the date on a sticky note in one of their images…

    I’m looking forward to being able to show what I have, but also there’s undoubtedly going to be things to learn along the way, and I think Lando’s a very strong team mate to be able to learn from. I think it’ll be a good working relationship. We’re both quite similar in age, we’ve got a few friends in common, like I said, so I’m confident that we’ll be able to work well together and hopefully bring the whole team more towards the front of the grid – that’s the aim.

    Piastri on his teammate.
    https://www.instagram.com/reel/CnFDZ-Drvrr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

  • Andretti & Cadillac announce F1 entry plans

    Andretti Global and General Motors have announced plans to enter a new Formula 1 team in the coming years under the latter’s Cadillac brand.

    Andretti revealed last February that it was planning to open an F1 operation in the future, and spent much of the 2022 season discussing the possibility of expanding the field with the existing 10 teams.

    The FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem revealed on Twitter last week, that he had asked his team to look at starting the process for expressions of interest from potential new F1 teams, marking a first step to expanding the current 20 car grid.

    In an announcement made last Thursday, Andretti and General Motors revealed their plan to enter an “all-American team” in response to the FIA’s calls for expressions of interest as an Andretti Cadillac team.

    The potential team would initially receive a power unit supply from another engine manufacturer, but both Andretti and Cadillac are set to offer technical support as part of a collaboration.

    The team would operate chiefly out of the new Andretti Global headquarters that is under construction in Fishers, Indiana due to start operations in 2025. A satellite facility would also operate out of Europe for the team, as well as aiding with Andretti’s other racing interests.

    F1 has not had a new team since Haas joined the grid in 2016, but there is understood to be interest from a number of parties about joining the field in the future.

    The process for Andretti and Cadillac to join the grid is one that requires the support of F1 itself and the current teams, only two of which have been publicly supportive of Andretti’s plans amid concerns of the potential financial impact.

    Any new teams which join the F1 field is required to pay a $200 million fee as a dilution fund that is split between the current grid to make up for splitting the teams’ payouts with another entrant.

    Since first discussing plans to join the F1 grid, Andretti has been vocal about wishing to field an American driver in one of its seats, namely Colton Herta who races for Andretti Autosport in IndyCar.

    We are continuing to grow Andretti Global and its family of racing teams and always have our eyes on what’s next.  feel that we are well suited to be a new team for Formula 1 and can bring value to the series and our partners, and excitement for the fans. I’m proud to have GM and Cadillac alongside us as we pursue this goal. GM and Andretti share a legacy born out of the love of racing. We now have the opportunity to combine our motorsport passions and dedication to innovation to build a true American F1 bid.

    Michael Andretti, the chairman and CEO of Andretti Global.

  • 16.02.23

    Alpine have announced the launch date for their 2023 Formula 1 car, which will be called the A523.

    The Enstone/Viry-based constructors fourth in the championship with their 2022 car, the A523 and will field an all-French line-up this season with Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly at the wheel – as Fernando Alonso has departed for Aston Martin.

    This year’s Alpine, A523 will be launched on February 16th in London with the team confirming on social media.

    Gasly who joins from AlphaTauri, tested the A522 at Yas Marina Circuit after the 2022 season had concluded and said at the time : “Firstly, thanks to the entire team for making me feel so welcome over the last two days and I’m feeling ready to begin this next chapter in my career. I’m looking forward to visiting everyone at Viry and Enstone, debriefing on this test, before working towards our objectives alongside Esteban for the 2023 season.”

    The team’s CEO Laurent Rossi said that their P4 in the standings in 2022 was an important step for the constructors as they look to push on towards fighting for the championship. “I mean, it’s always better to finish P4 than P5, no doubt. At the beginning of the season, the goal was to put a new structure in place, which we did, that structure was supposed to deliver innovations, upgrades throughout the entire season, to be more competitive, which we did, which culminate, ultimately in a better position, which we are very close to be doing. So, it is important, not just financially but also for the momentum. We said we would try and progress every year to catch up as much as we can with the top teams. It’s important not to miss the first step. Hopefully, we’re going to get there.”

  • 11.02.23

    Alpha Tauri have announced they will be holding a launch event in New York City to reveal their new livery for the 2023 season.

    Alpha Tauri are the third team to announce as Aston Martin and Ferrari have confirmed their launches for their new challengers – but Alpha Tauri will be the first out of the teams to show the car’s colour scheme at least.

    The AT04 will be raced by Yuki Tsunoda, where it will be his third year in Formula 1 and rookie Nyck de Vries who replaces Alpine-bound Pierre Gasly.

    Former Formula 2 and Formula E Champion, De Vries was Mercedes reserve driver and stepped in last minute to replace Williams driver, Alex Albon when he was struck down with apendicitis at the Italian Grand Prix.

    De Vries immediately looked at home, qualifying P13 and racing to a points finish of P9 on his debut – a performance so impressive that shortly afterwards he was signed up for a full time seat alongside Tsunoda.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CmhIYuqqYRA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

  • Edgar switches to MP Motorsport

    Jonny Edgar will be returning for a third Formula 3 season, making the switch from Trident to MP Motorsport for the 2023 campaign.

    The 18 year old finished his sophomore season strongly, scoring four top five finishes in the final six races to take 12th in the Standings, despite missing two rounds early on due to health problems.

    Edgar already has four years of single-seater experience under his belt, where he progressed up to Italian F4 in 2019 after a successful karting career. From there, he stormed to the 2020 ADAC Formula 4 title, claiming six wins, 11 podiums and five pole positions across 21 races.

    Making his F3 debut in 2021, for Carlin the British racer took five points-scoring finishes before moving to Trident the following year.

    First linking up with MP during post-season testing in Jerez, Edgar clocked in 259 laps across the three days and will be continuing his partnership with the Dutch team alongside Spanish rookie, Mari Boya.

    I’m really happy to become part of the MP family for 2023. The team are proven race winners in FIA Formula 3, a fact that they have consistently showed over the past few seasons. It was great to get a headstart with the team at Jérez and meet up with Mari and all the guys. This year has been difficult with my health issues, but I have fought back and really worked on my fitness in the car. So now I’m relishing the thought of a fresh attack on FIA F3, as it feels like unfinished business to me. I can’t wait to get going!

    Edgar on his new seat.

    We are truly pleased to welcome Jonny in our FIA F3 team. He is an outstanding driver with loads of natural talent, his titles in karting and Formula 4 vouch for that. We look forward to having a hand in rebooting his promising career by providing him with a competitive F3 car. We enjoyed working with him at Jérez and aim to help him convert all of his obvious raw speed into strong results. Bring on 2023!

    Sander Dorsman, MP Team Principal.

  • 14.02.23

    Ferrari have became the second team to announce the launch date for their 2023 Formula 1 car.

    Aston Martin was the first F1 squad to confirm when the covers would be coming off their new car, and now have revealed their 2023 challenger will be unveiled to the world on February 14th.

    The car currently goes by project number 675 but has no official name yet.

    Ferrari’s last car the F1-75 returned the team to winning ways after a fallow couple of the season for the team. The Scuderia had not won a race since 2019 but Charles Leclerc took two victories from the first three races in 2022 to put himself and the team right back in title contention.

    Ultimately, that challenge fell short as Max Verstappen and Red Bull swept to victory in the drivers’ and constructors’ championships.

    Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will continue as team mates at Ferrari for the third consecutive season, but it’s all change at the top after Scuderia recently appointed ex-Sauber head, Frederic Vasseur as Team Principal.

    The Scuderia last won the constructors’ championship in 2008 and have since finished runners up six times.

  • Smith joins VAR

    Tommy Smith will be making his Formula 3 debut for Van Amersfoort Racing next year, as the Dutch team confirms the Australian racer as their first signing for the 2023 campaign.

    The 20 year old steps up off the back of his first full season in the GB3 Championship, where he took a maiden victory at Spa-Francorchamps.

    A consistent performer, Smith would finish eighth and seventh in the standings across his two seasons in the Championship. Alongside this, he gained further experience in both the 2019 Toyota Racing Series and the F3 Asian CHampionship, finishing 10th in his sophomore Asian F3 campaign at the beginning of 2020.

    After almost a year out, Smith dovetailed a full season in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine with a three round appearance in the GB3 Championship. Remaining in GB3 for the 2022 season, the Australian went on to achieve 18 points-scoring finishes in 24 races, including one victory and a further podium finish.

    I am absolutely thrilled about this opportunity. Having raced in both FRECA and GB3 championships, stepping up to the FIA F3 feels like the right next move. I’m certainly aware that it will be a challenging season in which I will have to learn and adapt continuously, but I am convinced I am taking on this challenge with the right team. VAR’s achievements already in their first year competing in FIA F3 are a clear indicator of their level of commitment, and I look very much forward to get started with them and the championship!

    Smith on his move to F3.

    We are excited to have Tommy as part of our driver line-up. He is new to the FIA F3 Championship, but Tommy’s time spent in FRECA and GB3 will certainly help him to pick up quickly. Tommy is very eager to learn and quickly book progress. He showed this positive attitude already in the past and that will help both Tommy and the crew to jumpstart the season. We look very much forward to supporting him in this important next step of his career!

    Rob Niessink, Van Amersfoort CEO.

  • Frederick completes ART line-up

    Kaylen Frederick will return for a third Formula 3 campaign in 2023, switching to ART Grand Prix after a season with Hitech Grand Prix.

    The American is the French team’s third and final signing for the 2023 season, alongside returnee Gregoire Saucy and Spanish F4 Champion, Nikola Tsolov and joins off the back of his strong season in the third tier to date, scoring seven points-scoring finishes in the first 10 races.

    Initially making his F3 debut in 2021 with Carlin Buzz Racing, Frederick scored points in his rookie campaign before making the switch to Hitech for the 2022 campaign. After a promising start to the season, he struggled for points in the latter half of the year and finished 17th in the standings.

    Participating in two days of post-season testing at Jerez with ART, the 20 year-old put in an impressive showing, finishing all four sessions inside the top 10 including topping Day 1’s afternoon running.

    I am very happy to be joining ART GP for the 2023 FIA F3 season. It’s extremely exciting to be a part of such a prestigious team, and to see what the future holds for our collaboration. A big thank you goes out to my team and sponsors for making this possible, and to everyone at ART for welcoming us into their team. Our performance and relationship have been promising from our first on track outings and I can’t wait to build on this over the winter and throughout the coming season.

    Frederick on his seat.

    Kaylen confirmed the talent we thought he had during the Jerez tests, and we are confident in his ability to exploit his full potential with ART Grand Prix. English F3 champion, Kaylen already has the experience of managing a championship where you are racing in the lead and his qualities as a driver are undeniable. He will therefore be a double asset in a long and complex season, during which the team will aim to confirm its good results in 2022.

    Sebastien Philippe, Team Principal.

  • JMC to return to F2 with VAR

    Juan Manuel Correa will be returning to Formula 2 full time for the 2023 season with Van Amersfoort Racing, completing the team’s line-up alongside Richard Verschoor. It will cap off his remarkable and hard-earned comeback following the major injuries he sustained at Spa-Francorchamps in 2019.

    His confirmation comes after a one-off race weekend appearance at the final round of last season at Yas Marina with the team. Correa also took part in post-season testing with VAR following the final weekend, ending up with 222 laps under his belt.

    The 23 year old has plenty of single-seater and sports car experience to rely upon in his relatively short career already. Starting his open-wheel racing in ADAC and Italian Formula 4 in 2016, Correa graduated to GP3 and Toyota Racing Series for full seasons in 2018, finishing 12th and 4th overall.

    He then made the move to FIA Formula 2 in 2019 and scored two second place finishes that season before the tragic events in Belgium. After an extensive period of rehabilitation and training, Correa returned to racing in the FIA Formula 3 Championship this year. He earned a memorable podium in the Zandvoort Sprint Race en route to P13 in the Drivers’ Championship.

    Being back full-time in Formula 2 means more to me than most people can imagine. It is not just an achievement in itself to be on this grid, but it also is a realization of a goal that has been the epicenter of my efforts for the last three years, so it is a very emotional achievement. I am super grateful for the opportunity that Van Amersfoort Racing is giving me. I am very hungry, I am very motivated, and I know the team is as well. I am sure together we, the team and my teammate Richard, will make a great line-up and create a great working environment for everyone. We will be pushing each other to continuously improve, because we all want to do well this upcoming season. F2 is a competitive category, and I think Van Amersfoort Racing has done a really good job in their first year in the championship. With the little experience they had, they’ve put on a very impressive performance. I am looking forward to seeing how I can help the team improve and work together with them in this very exciting season!

    Correa on returning to F2.

    We are excited to have Juan Manuel on board for our second season in the FIA F2. We have had many drivers in the past, but I have to say that the level of commitment that Juan Manuel shows is simply incredible. Besides that, his experience is valuable and will help to further develop both driver and team into the championship. You can imagine we are very eager to start the season in F2 and with the driver line-up we have, our staff is extremely motivated to progress at a high pace. We are convinced that Juan Manuel and Richard will complement each other massively, both on- and off the track, which we see as a strong asset. For now, we make full use of the winter stop, allowing the drivers and crew to further connect and prepare for the season opener at Bahrain!

    Rob Niessink, Van Amersfoort Racing CEO.

  • Yeany switches to Carlin

    Carlin have announced Hunter Yeany as their first signing for the 2023 Formula 3 season, with the American making the move over from Campos Racing for next year.

    Having made his F3 debut in 2021 with a two-round appearance for Charouz Racing System, Yeany’s full time move to the championship for 2022 was curtailed after he suffered a broken wrist during the Spielberg Sprint Race, forcing the 17 year old to miss out on seven races.

    Bouncing back from the injury, he returned for the final round in Monza and followed that up with two days of running for Carlin at the post-season test in Jerez in late September.

    Prior to moving over to the European racing scene, Yeany made a name for himself back on home turf. In 2020, he claimed the F4 USA Championship title in a dominant fashion, snatching eight wins and a further six podiums – on his way to being their youngest-ever Champion.

    From there, he made the step up to Formula Regional Americas CHampionship, alongside gaining single-seater experience in the Indy Pro 2000 Championship, as well as the GB3 Championship in the UK.

    I’m really excited to announce that I will be racing with Carlin in Formula 3 next year. Carlin was the first team I ever tested with in Europe, so it feels like a bit of a coming home! Let’s rock it in 2023!

    Yeany on his move.

    We are really happy to be able to confirm that Hunter will join the team for the 2023 FIA F3 season. We thoroughly enjoyed working with Hunter in the post-season test, it was nice for us to have a driver with some experience of the FIA F3 car to give us some direction, so I look forward to continuing that relationship. We feel Hunter has far more potential than he has shown, especially because he missed a handful of races due to injury last year. I know that we will be able to hit the ground running come pre-season testing in Bahrain.

    Trevor Carlin, Team Principal.

  • Nikola Tsolov joins ART

    ART Grand Prix have confirmed that Nikola Tsolov will drive for the team in FIA Formula 3 next season. The Bulgarian drove for the French team during post-season testing at Jerez earlier this year and will now step up to F3 full-time.

    Tsolov started racing in karting at 9 years old, winning the Bulgarian Republic Championship in back-to-back seasons in 2016 and ’17. Then in 2019, he claimed the WSK Open Cup the following year before going on to take second in the Italian Karting Championship and WSK Final Cup in 2021.

    The Bulgarian then graduated to single seaters for 2022, dominating the Spanish F4 Championship, where he took 13 victories on the way to the title.

    It’s a pleasure for me to be stepping up to FIA F3 next year with ART Grand Prix. They’ve been very successful in every championship they’ve competed in and a lot of F1 drivers have been a part of the team. So, I’m super happy to start our journey!

    Tsolov on his seat.

    Although it was his debut in F3 and with ART Grand Prix, during the Jerez test Nikola confirmed his ability to adapt quickly and well to a new environment as well as getting the most out of the car. His natural speed is reinforced by a great thirst for learning and by remarkable seriousness and determination for such a young age. Nikola fits the profile of the young drivers ART Grand Prix takes under its wing and, in the wake of the team securing the FIA Formula 3 with Victor Martins, we want to lay the foundations for a strong line-up, one that is capable of fighting for victory from the very first race of 2023.

    Sebastien Philippe, Team Principal.

  • Verschoor joins VAR

    Van Amersfoort Racing has confirmed that two-time race winner, Richard Verschoor will be driving for the team in next season’s Formula 2 Championship.

    Verschoor, tested with the team at the post-season test at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi, finishing the first day in the car as fastest overall.

    The Dutch driver will now link up with his compatriots at VAR for next year, a prospect that Verschoor says he is hugely looking forward to already.

    Debuting in single seater racing back in 2016, Verschoor has shone at multiple levels since. He won at Formula 4 level before graduating to Toyota Racing Series in 2017, where he finished third overall with three victories. He went one better the following season with P2 in the series before moving into FIA Formula 3 in 2019. He was victorious in Macau that season and after two season in F3, graduated to F2.

    I am extremely excited to return to the F2 grid again in 2023 and I am really happy to do so with Van Amersfoort Racing. It is special to be able to announce this on my 22nd birthday as well! As both myself and VAR have grown a lot during last year in F2, I feel very confident about the upcoming season. For me, testing with VAR during the post-season test at Abu Dhabi instantly confirmed their extreme determination to further grow, and that suits my attitude very well! It will be an exciting year and I especially look forward to racing in Melbourne, not to mention Zandvoort. I’m ready for another year of F2 excitement!

    Verschoor on his new seat.

    Of course, it is special to have a talented, Dutch driver like Richard as a part of our 2023 F2 line-up. It might be needless to say that we, as a Dutch team, enjoy very much the opportunity of having a countryman as part of our driver line-up, especially at this high level of racing. Last year we went on a huge learning streak, which for sure will continue into the new season. Richard brings, besides his raw talent and race craft, valuable F2 experience to the team and that will surely benefit us when it comes to further developing the car. He impressed strongly during the post-season test with us at Abu-Dhabi, setting the fastest overall time on the first day out on track. As last year, 2023 is going to be another exciting year for all of us and we look forward to the moment the lights go out for the first time in Bahrain!

    Rob Niessink, VAR CEO

  • 13.2.23

    Aston Martin has become the first Formula 1 team to announce the launch date for their new 2023 car.

    The 2022 season might have finished only a few weeks ago but the teams are already working hard on preparations for next year, with the new cars having been in development for months now.

    And Aston Martin are the first to announce when the world will get the first glimpse of their new challenger, which will be called the AMR23 on Monday, February 13th at 7pm GMT.

    Aston Martin have finished seventh in the constructors’ championship in the last two seasons, and will be hoping for a big step forward in 2023, especially with a host of new personnel bedding in at the team.

    The AMR23 will be the first Aston Martin to be piloted by Fernando Alonso, with the two time world champion joining the team for next year after two seasons at Alpine. The Spaniard will partner team mate Lance Stroll and replaces Sebastian Vettel who spent two years with the team after leaving Ferrari.

  • F1 Academy announces five teams

    The all woman F1 Academy series have confirmed the team line-up for the inaugural campaign in 2023.

    Five veteran outfits in junior categories have confirmed their entries for next year with ART Grand Prix, Campos Racing, Carlin, MP Motorsport and PREMA Racing fielding three cars each to comprise the 15 car grid.

    Each team has an established history in junior racing including the Formula 2 and Formula 3 Championships, and will now be adding the all-women driver category to their motorsport setup from next year.

    F1 Academy focuses on young women drivers emerging in the junior ranks and aiding them in progressing to the higher levels of single seater racing.

    The first season will include seven events and with such experienced teams forming the ’23 line up, the drivers will gain vital experience both in and out of the car, helping each achieve their full potential.

    It is exciting to be able to announce the five teams that will be racing in the F1 Academy for next year and who will be providing this fantastic opportunity to the young and talented women to begin their journey into competitive motorsport. We believe it is important that everyone has the chance to follow their ambitions and get the support and guidance needed to progress and excel. The F1 Academy is an important part of our plan to increase diversity and representation in motorsport and we are looking forward to the first season in 2023 and stay tuned for more news in this area.

    Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.

    I am very pleased to reveal the five teams entering the F1 Academy for the next three-year cycle, starting from 2023. We know them very well and we have been collaborating with each one for many years. They are well-known for their experience and expertise in nurturing and developing young drivers. I fully trust that they will give the drivers competing in the F1 Academy the keys to grow technically, and that they will help them with the physical and mental preparations for the journey ahead.

    Bruno Michel, General Manger of the 1 Academy.

  • Schumacher joins Mercedes as Reserve

    Mercedes have confirmed that Mick Schumacher will be taking on the role of reserve driver for 2023, following his departure from Haas.

    2020 F2 Champion Schumacher, contested two seasons with Haas, but was moved aside in favour of Nico Hulkenberg for 2023 – the team preferring the 181 Grand Prix worth of experience of Schumacher’s compatriot to help them move further up the midfield.

    Following the news of Schumacher’s exit from Haas, Mercedes Boss Toto Wolff was open about wanting to “look after” the German as he pointed to his family’s links to Mercedes.

    With both of Mercedes reserve drivers, Nyck de Vries and Stoffel Vandoorne having found berths at Alpha Tauri in a race seat and Aston Martin as a reserve for next year, it was the given that the team would be needing a new reserve driver.

    It had been thought Daniel Ricciardo might take up the role, before it was confirmed in November that the Australian would return to the Red Bull team.

    Meanwhile, Ferrari announced that they are ending their collaboration with Schumacher after four years, having joined the driver academy of the team his father won five of his seven world titles for, back in 2019.

    Mick is a talented young driver and we’re delighted to have him join the team. He is a hard worker, has a calm and methodical approach and is still hungry to learn and improve as a driver. These are all important qualities, and we’re excited for him to help us develop the W14. We also know that with two years of experience racing in Formula 1 under his belt, he will be ready to step into the car at short notice to replace either Lewis [Hamilton] or George [Russell], should that need arise.

    Toto Wolff on signing Mick.

    I am thrilled to be part of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team as their reserve driver for 2023, and I am committed to give it my all to contribute to their performance in this very competitive and professional environment. I take this as a new start, and I am just excited and grateful to Toto and everybody involved for putting their trust in me. F1 is such a fascinating world, and you never stop learning, so I look forward to absorbing more knowledge and putting in all my efforts for the benefit of the Mercedes team.

    Mick on his new role.

  • TAG Heuer Porsche announce test & reserve drivers

    David Beckmann has joined the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team as its Test and Reserve driver for Season 9, whilst Simona de Silvestro also makes a return in the role.

    Beckmann contested the FIA Formula 2 Championship in 2022 and was Test and Reserve Driver for Avalanche Andretti through Season 8, which will be using Porsche powertrains as a customer outfit in 2022/23.

    He will retain his role this season and Porsche’s factory Formula E squad can now also draw on his expertise.

    We’re delighted that David will be joining our TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team as a test and reserve driver. He has spent a considerable part of his young career in single-seaters and has also gained Formula E experience with Avalanche Andretti. We’re excited to benefit from his input and expertise.

    Florian Modlinger, Director Factory Motorsport.

    Beckmann’s colleague Simona de Silvestro joined Porsche in 2019 and will continue as a Test and Reserve driver in Season 9.

    Throughout her career, the Swiss driver has competed in numerous international racing series. After claiming her first single-seater successes in Europe, she then moved to the USA at the age of 18, where she ended up in the IndyCar Series via Formula BMW and Formula Toyota Atlantic.

    Simona de Silvestro has also contested Formula E, driving for Michael Andretti’s team in the 2015/2016 season. In 2014, she was part of Sauber’s Formula 1 team.

  • Turvey joins DS Penske

    DS Penske have announced that Oliver Turvey would be staying in Formula E as a Reserve Driver and Sporting Advisor, having left long-time team NIO 333 at the end of Season 8.

    Turvey, one of the most experienced heads in Formula E, with 90 races under his belt which places him in sixth on the all time table for entries, will join double champion Jean-Eric Vergne and reigning champion Stoffel Vandoorne in pushing the team forward.

    Having been around from Gen1 and Season 1 all the way through to Gen3, Turvey brings immense experience to the table and the team feels he adds considerable weight and know-how to an already strong line-up.

    Oliver not only brings incredible credentials to the team, but an acute racing intellect. He has all the qualities we were looking for with this role. He is experienced and has demonstrated his racecraft throughout the last seasons. We look forward to working with Oliver in Season 9 and beyond.

    Jay Penske, owner and team principal.

    I am delighted to be joining DS Penske as Reserve Driver and Sporting Advisor. It is a real privilege to join a championship-winning team and one of the most successful manufacturers in Formula E history. I am looking forward to working closely with both JEV, Stoffel, and the whole team, using my experience in the series to help them challenge for another championship at the beginning of the Gen3 era.

    Turvey on his new role.

  • Andrea Stella, McLaren team principal

    McLaren have promoted from within by handing Executive Director of Racing Andrea Stella the role of Team Principal for 2023, following the departure of Andreas Seidl to the Sauber Group.

    Stella has been with McLaren since 2015, first working as Head of Race Operations before being promoted to Performance Director and then his most recent role as Racing Director.

    Before joining McLaren, Stella worked at Ferrari for 15 years, taking on the role of performance engineer for Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen and then racing engineer for Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso.

    I’m delighted that Andrea Stella will step into the Team Principal role and lead our F1 technical and operational programme. Andrea is a highly talented, experienced and respected member of our team with a strong track record of leadership and success in Formula 1. His move into this role is a great example of the strength in depth we have in our team, and I’m excited to be working more closely with him with a joint focus on moving up the grid and winning races. I’ve really enjoyed working with Andreas. He has provided great leadership for the team and has played a significant part in our F1 performance recovery plan and ongoing journey to return to the front of the grid. I thank him for the transparency throughout the process which gave us time to plan accordingly.

    Zak Brown, on the latest news.

    I feel privileged to take on the Team Principal role as the next stage of being part of the McLaren F1 Team. I am grateful to Zak and the Shareholders for their trust in me and to all my colleagues and those who have supported me throughout my F1 career. We are realistic about the amount of work ahead of us to move back up the grid, but I am excited and encouraged that I am in this journey together with a team full of talent, experience, racing spirit and dedication. I look forward to working closely with each of them, Lando and Oscar, to together achieving great success and enjoying the journey.

    Stella on his new role.

  • Seidl appointed CEO of Sauber Group

    McLaren Team Principal, Andreas Seidl will become Sauber’s new Chief Executive Officer in January.

    Fred Vasseur is set to vacate the role, which he dovetailed with his duties as Team Principal of Alfa Romeo, to take over from Mattia Binotto at Ferrari.

    Once Seidl is in place, Sauber who will become Audi’s factory team in 2026 – say he will focus on working on the appointment of the squad’s new team principal.

    Seidl returns to Sauber, having worked their previously as Head of Trackside Operations for several years. He subsequently won several World Endurance Championship titles with Porsche as Team Principal before joining McLaren in 2019.

    It is great to join the Sauber Group from January: this is a team with a rich history in Formula 1 and an organisation I know really well from my time working and living in Hinwil for four years. I can’t wait to join the team and work with all the colleagues at the Sauber Group on the ambitious goals we have set together. I want to thank Finn Rausing and everyone at the Sauber Group for their choice: I am looking forward to repaying their trust with my work.

    Seidl on his move.

    It is an immense pleasure to welcome Andreas Seidl back to Hinwil as CEO of the Sauber Group. Andreas’s experience is second to none and he brings to Sauber Group a clear understanding of what is required to achieve sustained success. He takes over a company on an upward path and he shares our commitment to keeping our organisation growing: I look forward to many years of success together.

    Sauber Holding AG Chairman of the Board of Directors, Finn Rausing

  • Iwasa sticks with DAMS

    Ayumu Iwasa has re-signed with DAMS for a second Formula 2 season, with the French team confirming that the Japanese racer will be competing for them alongside, Arthur Leclerc for the 2023 campaign.

    The Red Bull junior and Honda Formula Dream Project driver sticks with the squad off the back of an impressive rookie season that saw the 21 year old net two wins, a further four podium finishes and two pole positions on his way to finishing fifth in the championship.

    He’ll be hoping to use the benefit of a familiar environment to continue his momentum towards a potential title fight next year, after he closed out 2022 with the final Feature Race win at Yas Marina.

    I’m really happy with my first F2 season, I learned a lot during the year, and we were able to improve at each race. It’s a great feeling to continue with DAMS for another year, I feel at home in the team, and we work well together. Everyone was on the same page and that helped us secure plenty of strong results. It’s going to be helpful to come into the new campaign in a familiar environment, along with my experience of several tracks that were new to me in 2022. My target is to challenge for the F2 title in 2023. We know we have the potential to achieve it, but we’re not looking too far ahead yet, instead concentrating on being ready for the start of the season. Thanks to DAMS for their faith and support and I can’t wait to get started in 2023!

    Iwasa on the news.

    We were all impressed with Ayumu’s performances in 2022, especially with the victories at Paul Ricard and Yas Marina, so we were very keen to keep him for 2023. It’s great for us to continue our relationships with Red Bull and Honda, they trust in our methods, and we’ll do our best to succeed together. Ayumu proved that he has the potential to fight for the title, he was a major competitor in the second half of the season, and we hope he can use this experience to kick on in 2023. We’ve got a strong lineup with Ayumu and Arthur, so we’re hoping they can push each other to improve throughout the year.

    Charles Pic, DAMS Team Owner.

  • Vasseur leaves Alfa Romeo, joins Ferrari

    Fred Vasseur will be leaving his role as Alfa Romeo Team Principal and Sauber Motorsport CEO in January 2023, after six years with the Swiss operation.

    Vasseur first joined Sauber in 2017 with the team 10th and last in the constructors’ championship, and set about rebuilding and growing the famous marque.

    They’ve taken on Alfa Romeo as a title sponsor and secured the team’s best constructors’ championship finish in a decade with sixth this season.

    The Frenchman, also played a key role in the deal that will see Audi enter Formula 1 in 2026 by making Sauber their factory team.

    As I prepare to bring my adventure at Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN to an end, I can look back fondly at these six years together. I owe a debt of gratitude to every single employee of the team, as they are the ones who got this team back on their feet and climbing the ladder of our sport. I am proud of the job we collectively have done as a team and a company, and even more so of the strong foundations we have laid for what’s to come next: but what I am the proudest of is the people that made this all possible, which in time have become friends. This team will always feel like home and I’ll be rooting for it wherever I go. I have learnt so much during my stint as a CEO and Team Principal and I feel each day has equipped me for what is to come. I know Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN will keep going from strength to strength and I’m looking forward to seeing them compete at the business end of the grid in the next few years.

    Fred Vasseur on leaving the team.

    Ferrari have appointed Fred Vasseur as Team Principle with the Alfa Romeo boss and Sauber Motorsport CEO replacing Mattia Binotto from January 2023.

    Following weeks of discussions, Vasseur decided to end his six year tenure at Sauber and join Ferrari in what is one of the biggest – if not the biggest job in motorsport.

    Vasseur brings with him more than two decades’ worth of motorsport experience, including a stint as team boss at Renault during the 2016 campaign.

    We are delighted to welcome Fred Vasseur to Ferrari as our Team Principal. Throughout his career he has successfully combined his technical strengths as a trained engineer with a consistent ability to bring out the best in his drivers and teams. This approach and his leadership are what we need to push Ferrari forward with renewed energy.

    Ferrari CEO, Benedetto Vigna.

    I am truly delighted and honoured to take over the leadership of Scuderia Ferrari as Team Principal. As someone who has always held a lifelong passion for motorsport, Ferrari has always represented the very pinnacle of the racing world to me. I look forward to working with the talented and truly passionate team in Maranello to honour the history and heritage of the Scuderia and deliver for our Tifosi around the world.

    Fred Vasseur on his new role.

  • Fornaroli completes Trident line-up

    Trident have announced that they have signed Leonardo Fornaroli for the 2023 Formula 3 season.

    Completing their driver line-up, the Italian racer will be competing alongside Oliver Goethe, and fellow Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine graduate, Gabriel Bortoleto.

    The 18 year old joins F3 off the back of a successful maiden FRECA campaign with the Italian team, scoring 15 points finishes in 20 races. His consistency was well rewarded, finishing eighth in the Drivers’ Championship and taking the honours as the rookie of the year.

    Having made his single-seater debut in 2020, Fornaroli dovetailed his rookie season in Italian F4 with a three race stint in ADAC Formula 4. Returning for a second campaign in Italian F4 last year, he seized one victory, seven podiums and two pole positions on his way to fifth in the standings.

    Progressing up to FRECA in 2022, he also made a three round appearance in the Formula Regional Asian Championship at the start of the year.

    Featuring for Trident at the post-season test in Jerez, Fornaroli notched in over 180 laps across the three days and made two top six appearances during the second day of running.

    I’m happy to continue my journey with Trident Motorsport, after this year’s success in Formula Regional with the team. I believe Trident is the best place to keep growing and learning and to be able to debut in Formula 3 with them is a great opportunity for me. For these reasons, I would like to thank Maurizio Salvadori and his team for the trust and confidence they have in me. I also would like to thank my family, my manager, my coach and my sponsors for their ongoing support and help.

    Leonardo Fornaroli on his move.

    Leonardo Fornaroli is without a doubt a promising young driver and we are proud to be with him in his debut in Formula 3. The path followed by Leonardo testifies the great work value made by Trident Motorsport to help young talents grow in minor categories with the goal of helping and preparing them for a future in Formula 1.

    Giacomo Ricci, Tridents team manager.