Jordan's Track Talk

Category: 2023

  • Gabriele Mini to drive for HiTech

    HiTech Grand Prix have confirmed that Italian driver, Gabriele Mini will be competing with the team in next season’s FIA Formula 3 Championship.

    Mini, took part in the post-season test at Jerez with the team, setting the fastest time on the opening day at the Spanish circuit.

    His debut season racing in single-seaters was capped off with the Italian F4 title, which included foure wins and 12 podiums by the end of the campaign. The 17 year old has previously driven for Hitech, competing in the Formula Regional Asia series earlier this year, finishing fourth in the standings.

    This season, Mini finished second in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, taking three wins and six podiums along the way.

    After two seasons in FRECA, FIA F3 is the logical step for me and I’m delighted to be joining Hitech for the 2023 season. We already worked together last winter in Formula Regional Asia and enjoyed strong results. The team did a solid job last season fighting for the driver’s title until the last round so I’m confident they will perform at the highest level. Testing in Jerez last month went well and I cannot wait to be back in the car next year.

    Mini on his new new seat.

    I have been following Gabriele’s career for some time through Karting, then into F4. We had the pleasure to work with him earlier this year in Asian F3 with good results, seeing first-hand his commitment and talent. He has had an impressive season in FRECA and he was instantly up to speed during the FIA F3 post-season testing in Jerez, so we look forward to seeing him with Hitech in 2023.

    Team Principal, Oliver Oakes.

  • Formula 3 reveal 2023 Calendar

    FIA Formula 3 has announced the calendar for the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship. With next season having a total of 10 rounds, all support events of the FIA Formula One World Championship and the FIA Formula 2 Championship.

    Teams and drivers will contest a total of 20 races across the 10 rounds, and over three continents. With two new prestigious tracks been added to the calendar, with Melbourne in Australia and Monte Carlo in Monaco.

    F3’s fifth season will again begin at the Bahrain International Circuit on March 03 – 05 with the final round in 2023 taking place in Monza, Italy on September 01 – 03. The season will include one triple header and two double-headers.

    RoundDateLocation
    103 – 05 MarchSakhir, Bahrain
    231 March – 02 AprilMelbourne, Australia
    319 – 21 MayImola, Italy
    425 – 28 MayMonte Carlo, Monaco
    502 – 04 JuneBarcelona, Spain
    630 June – 02 JulySpielberg, Austria
    707 – 09 JulySilverstone, Great Britain
    821 – 23 JulyBudapest, Hungary
    928 – 30 JulySpa-Francorchamps, Belgium
    1001 – 03 SeptemberMonza, Italy

    It’s great news to be able to confirm the Formula 3 calendar for 2023 for hopefully another thrilling season. There is no doubt that in its fifth year we can expect drama, action and some of the most exciting battles on track to date. We’re looking forward to seeing the talent of the future take to the track at 10 rounds of the Championship, and visiting two exciting new venues in Melbourne, Australia and Monte Carlo, Monaco, for the first time.

    Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.

    As the final two steps on the junior single-seater pathway, I am pleased that in 2023 FIA Formula 2 and FIA Formula 3 continue to race alongside the FIA Formula One World Championship. There is no better preparation than to compete on these gold-standard grand prix circuits, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the next generation of drivers take on a new challenge with the addition of a round in Australia next year.

    Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President.

    I am very pleased to present the 2023 calendar. It features two brand-new circuits, Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne and Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo, which is really amazing. These two very prestigious tracks are the first street circuits to be added to the F3 calendar. They will offer the teams and the drivers an exciting new challenge, and I’m sure that the fans will love seeing the F3 cars race on both layouts. Formula 3 will be present at ten Formula One Grand Prix in 2023, one more than in 2022. The Championship will also visit three continents next year, more than any season previously. Despite the increase of the number of races, we keep specific attention to the teams’ budgets, and notably we will cover the freight costs to ensure that their budgets do not escalate.

    Bruno Michel, FIA Formula 3 CEO.

  • Beganovic makes the step up to F3

    PREMA Racing have announced that Dino Beganovic will be graduating to FIA Formula 3 with the team next year, off the back of his title-winning season in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine.

    The 18 year old made his single-seater debut with the Italian squad in 2020, finishing third in Italian Formula 4. Moving up to FRECA the following year, Beganovic took one podium during his maiden campaign before returning for a second outing this season.

    Dominating the start of the campaign, Beganovic claimed four victories on his way to being crowned Champion at the penultimate race in Mugello.

    The Ferrari junior had a successful showing for PREMA in his first outing in F3 machinery during the post-season test in Jerez last month, clocking in the second fastest time of Day 1’s afternoon session.

    I am extremely happy to be racing with PREMA, my team, in the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship. It will be our fourth year together, and I’m very proud to continue working together. PREMA has an amazing history in Formula 3 and won at least one championship per year there. I think it is definitely a step in the right direction for my future and for the team, as we have been working for a long time together. Testing in Jerez put us in a good position with the preparations for next year, and we want to continue from that.

    Dino Beganovic on his new seat.

    We have been working with Dino since the very beginning of his single seater career, and we are elated to continue for 2023. We went through Formula 4 and Formula Regional with increasingly impressive results together, and his run in FRECA shows how competent and outstanding he has become as a driver. The 2023 season will be a key step in shaping the rest of his career and there is great promise. We are willing to support Dino in making a positive impact right from the start, and we will work as hard as possible throughout the winter months.

    Rene Rosin, PREMA Racing Team Principal.

  • Formula 2 reveal 2023 Calendar

    FIA Formula 2 have announced the calendar for the 2023 FIA Formula 2 Championship. Next season will comprise a total of 14 rounds, all support events of the FIA Formula One World Championship, as per the 2022 season.

    The teams and drivers will contest a total of 28 races, across 13 different countries in 2023. With Formula 2 also visiting a new continent for the first time in its history, with the addition of the iconic Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Australia.

    The seventh season of Formula 2 will begin at the Bahrain International Circuit on March 3rd to 5th, with the season concluding at the Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi on November 24th to 26th.

    RoundDateLocation
    103 – 05 MarchSakhir, Bahrain
    217 – 19 MarchJeddah, Saudi Arabia
    331 March – 02 AprilMelbourne, Australia
    428 – 30 AprilBaku, Azerbaijan
    519 – 21 MayImola, Italy
    625 – 28 MayMonte Carlo, Monaco
    702 – 04 JuneBarcelona, Spain
    830 June – 02 JulySpielberg, Austria
    907 – 09 JulySilverstone, Great Britain
    1021 – 23 JulyBudapest, Hungary
    1128 – 30 JulySpa-Francorchamps, Belgium
    1225 – 27 AugustZandvoort, Netherlands
    1301 – 03 SeptemberMonza, Italy
    1424 – 26 NovemberYas Island, Abu Dhabi

    “We are pleased to confirm the Formula 2 calendar for 2023 and look forward to another exciting season where the drivers will battle it out for the title and the chance to reach the highest level of motorsport. The Championship continues to play a hugely important role in nurturing the talent of the future and we are excited to see the next generation of F1 stars take to the track at 14 rounds of the 2023 season, visiting fan-favourite circuits and also travelling to the iconic Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne for the first time.

    Stefano Domenicali, President ad CEO of Formula 1.

    The 2023 F2 calendar will have 14 rounds, the same amount as the current one. In 2022, we’ve enjoyed more action than ever, with a total of 28 races, and we wanted to keep this for next season. The good thing is that there are a lot of tracks who would love to add F2 to their race weekend programme, but we always keep in mind the costs related to more racing. So, we have decided to limit the number of rounds to 14 again for 2023, and we will keep helping the teams to ensure their budgets remain at a proper level. As announced previously, we have added Melbourne to the calendar, a fantastic venue both for our teams and drivers, but also for everyone watching and enjoying F2. It will be very interesting to see our cars battling on those streets.

    Bruno Michel, FIA Formula 2 CEO.

  • Vandoorne joins AM as test & reserve driver

    Aston Martin has announced that reigning Formula E World Champion, Stoffel Vandoorne will be joining the team as test and reserve driver for the 2023 season.

    The Silverstone based team, revealed that he will be sharing duties with Formula 2 Champion, Felipe Drugovich who joined the team’s driver development programme back in September – with Aston Martin saying that Vandoorne will undertake an intensive simulation and development programme at the team’s Silverstone factory.

    Vandoorne is a former GP2 winner and has made 41 Grand Prix starts – all for McLaren from 2016 to 2018. The Belgian driver has also been the Mercedes reserve driver since 2019, whilst also racing in Formula E – where he won the championship earlier this year.

    Vandoorne will be conducting his role with Aston Martin alongside his commitments in Formula E where he will be racing for the DS Penske team for the 2022/23 season.

    It is incredibly exciting to be stepping into a reserve-driver role in Formula 1 – and I’m delighted to be doing it with Aston Martin. I’ve watched with great interest how the team has developed and expanded operationally, and I know how incredibly determined it is to make progress in every area. Joining Fernando [Alonso], who I already know from my Formula 1 racing career, and Lance [Stroll], to help them develop and improve next year’s car will be a terrific job, and I’m really looking forward to the challenge – and reward – of working together with the whole organisation at Silverstone.

    Vandoorne on his new role.

    Stoffel has all the capabilities we need for this new and expanded role within the team: he is fast, analytical, hard-working and a fantastic team player, and will fit perfectly into our growing organisation, working alongside our other test driver, Felipe Drugovich. The whole team is hugely motivated for next year, and the appointment of Stoffel, alongside Fernando, Lance and Felipe, gives extra depth to our fantastic driver line-up. This will be a significant role for Stoffel, and we will be reliant on him to work hard with both our track and simulation and engineering teams to improve our performance for 2023 and beyond.

    Mike Krack, Aston Martin Team Principal.

  • Sargeant to race for Williams if enough SL points

    Team Principal of Williams, Jost Capito has said that Logan Sargeant will be racing for the team, alongside Alex Albon in 2023 IF he manages to get the requisite Super Licence points in the final Formula 2 round later this season.

    Sargeant replaced Nicholas Latifi in the Williams FW44 during last Friday during free practice 1 at Austin, and in doing so became the first American driver to run in an F1 session since 2015.

    On Saturday, Capito announced that the American driver will step up to a full-time race seat with Williams if he gets his F1 super licence.

    The 21 year old currently sits in third in the 2022 Formula 2 standings, behind Theo Pourchaire and Champion Felipe Drugovich, Sargeant needs to finish fifth in the standings, or sixth provided he gains the two extra points for completing the season without receiving any penalty points, in order to acquire the 40 Super Licence points needed to make it to F1.

    Yeah, we feel he’s ready to race. under the condition that he has enough Super Licence points after Abu Dhabi, he will be our second driver next year. He’s had one season in F2, and I’m a fan of getting young drivers as quick through as possible into Formula 1 because the series below, the cars compare to Formula 1 cars… so get him in as quick as possible and find out if he’s capable of staying in Formula 1 for a long time, which we believe he is. And his first year in F2, and he won races, and he has been qualifying very strong all these years in his career – and we believe he’s absolutely ready to get into Formula 1. Yeah, I think we can have a rookie because with Alex we have a still young, but also very experienced driver. He is established so well in the team, fantastic results, he’s working well with the team – so we can put the rookie alongside him

    Jost Capito.

    FP1 Sessions-

    Logan will be borrowing Albon’s car in Mexico and Latifi’s in Abu Dhabi as well as getting a full day in the car at the Young Driver Test at Yas Marina Circuit.

    Williams also say he will be completing a number of private testing days and extensive simulator work adding to the development work he has already carried out as part of his Williams Academy role.

    I’d like to start by saying thank you again to Williams Racing and Dorilton Motor Sports for giving me the opportunity to drive on home turf yesterday (Friday) here at COTA. It was one of the most enjoyable moments of my career so far. I’m very grateful to be given further time in the FW44 at Mexico and Abu Dhabi. My aim is to make the most of every minute in the car and with the team to build on the progress I’ve made in Austin and throughout my time on the simulator at Grove. Of course, my focus is on finishing my Formula 2 season in Abu Dhabi in the best position possible, and I’m sure my time in the FW44 will keep me sharp and ready for the F2 finale.

    Logan Sargeant on the latest news.

    Logan showed a high level of understanding during his FP1 debut in Austin and provided useful feedback to help in the team’s preparations for the rest of the weekend. We are providing Logan further opportunities in Mexico and Abu Dhabi to integrate himself with the team trackside in both free practice sessions and the Young Driver Test as we work hard to support Logan in his efforts towards earning the FIA Super Licence. It’s great that as a team we can provide invaluable time for Logan to get behind the wheel of the FW44 to continue his development as a Williams Academy Driver and harness his talents. We’re looking forward to seeing how Logan progresses this season and finishes out his last race of the season in Formula 2.

    Williams Sporting Director, Sven Smeets.

  • Moneygram Haas F1 Team

    American Formula 1 team Haas have signed a deal with MoneyGram which will see the digital payment firm become the title sponsor from next season and beyond.

    Haas have been on the look out for a new lead partner after terminating their contract with Russian company Uralkali and Russian driver Nikita Mazepin ahead of this season.

    After months of talks, Haas announced a multi-year agreement at the Circuit of The Americas ahead of the United States Grand Prix last week – that includes team naming rights. The livery will also be revised to incorporate the new partner and unveiled ahead of the 2023 season.

    We are pleased to welcome an incredible brand like MoneyGram as our new title sponsor. Since our entrance into the F1 World Championship in 2016, Haas F1 Team has earned a reputation of strength, agility and resilience. MoneyGram brings a similar drive to the world of financial services, and we’re ready to work together to maximize results on and off the track.

    Owner, Gene Haas.

    MoneyGram is a global leader in fintech and payments and is always setting out to push the boundaries of technology. It’s that eagerness for innovation that really drew us to partner with MoneyGram, and we’re confident that we will continue to grow together and reach our full potential.

    Team Principal, Guenther Steiner.

  • Singapore track changes

    Singapore’s Formula 1 track layout is being changed temporarily for 2023 to help accommodate the construction of a new events venue.

    Work on redevelopment of the float area at Marina Bay into a new entertainments and stage area means the previous section of the circuit from Turns 16 to 19 cannot be used next season. This section of the circuit is most famously known as the scene of Nelson Piquet Jr’s deliberate crash in 2008 that helped teammate Fernando Alonso win that years grand prix.

    Work on what is to be ‘NS Square’ will begin in March next year and it means for next year’s Singapore GP, the track will be missing the entire section. Instead, the circuit will now feature a flat-out section from the right hander at Turn 14, which will incorporate a new 379.3 metre long straight from Turn 15 to the new tight Turn 16.

    Early simulations of the changes to the track estimate that the lap time will drop dramatically down to 1m 27.7 seconds. This year’s Singapore GP, Charles Leclerc took pole position with a lap time of 1m 49.412s.

    As the result of the revisions, which will reduce the track length to 4.928 kilometres, the number of laps will be increased to 63 from its current 61.

    Whilst the changes have been sorted with local architects and approved in principle by F1, they are still subject for formal approval from the FIA’s world motorsport council. It is anticipated that the track will revert back to its traditional layout for 2024 once the new NS Square is complete.

  • Ticktum sticks with NIO 333

    Dan Ticktum will be competing for a second year in Formula E with NIO 333, with the driver signing on for Gen3’s bow and Season 9 with the Anglo-Chinese team.

    Ticktum impressed in his debut campaign, regularly mixing it with outgoing teammate Oliver Turvey. His high of the season came in Rome with points and 10th spot.

    The British driver revealed over social media that he too had been in the car since the Seoul finale, and was at the team’s Silverstone HQ for a seat fit on Tuesday morning.

    I’ve been in the car a couple of times and it’s a big step forward from Gen2; I have to say, I’ve really enjoyed it so far. I’m really looking forward to getting cracking with this new era of electric racing.

    Ticktum on his new contract.

    Sergio Sette Camara singed for NIO 333 in September and has since tested the teams ER9 Gen3 in both Italy and England as the team steps up its preparations for Season 9 and Formula E’s new era.

    With the announcement that Ticktum would join him, one of Formula E’s longest-standing and most experienced racers, Oliver Turvey says his goodbyes to the team – having been a part of the squad from the inaugural 2014/15 campaign.

  • Aron to PREMA 2023

    PREMA Racing has confirmed one driver for their Formula 3 2023 season, with Paul Aron making the step up to the series.

    The Mercedes Junior driver, has driven for PREMA almost exclusively since his single-seater debut in Italian F4 back in 2019. Since then, he returned to the outfit for his Formula Regioanl European Championship by Alpine efforts in 2021 and ’22, most recently achieving a P3 finish in the drivers standings last season.

    The 18 year old, currently sits third in the Championship on 176 points, with four victories and a further two podium finishes to his name in 2022.

    As a member of the Mercedes F1 Junior driver set-up, Aron will complete the remaining races of the 2022 FRECA campaign before turning his attentions to F3 and the 2023 season with the PREMA team.

    I am very, very happy, excited, and thankful to join a team like PREMA in the FIA Formula 3 Championship for the 2023 season. They proved themselves year after year, always having three cars on top and showing great pace. I am delighted to spend another year with them, and I am confident they will give me the best possible package to fight for the win. I am really looking forward to seeing what we will be able to achieve next year.

    Aron said.

    We are extremely delighted to continue working with Paul. We have always been aware of his winning potential, and we think he will keep producing impressive runs in the future, even in a very competitive and highly-challenging environment like Formula 3. It will be a learning year, but we are sure there will be many chances to challenge for high-profile results, so our goal is to push right from the winter preparations to be ready for 2023.

    Team Principal, Rene Rosin.

  • Bortoleto graduates to F3

    Trident has confirmed Gabriel Bortoleto as their first recruit for the 2023 FIA Formula 3 campaign, with the rookie joining off the back of a successful post-season test with the team in Jerez and is the first driver to be announced for next season.

    Currently competing in Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, the 17 year old has one win, three podiums to his tally across the first eight rounds. Earlier this year he also took home a victory in Formula Regional Asian Championship at Yas Marina.

    Prior to stepping up to FRECA, Bortoleto finished fifth in Italian F4, claiming one win, five podiums and two pole positions along the way.

    Topping the time sheets on Day 2 of post-season test for the Italian team, Bortoleto also recorded the fastest overall time from the three-day event around the Spanish circuit.

    I am extremely delighted for the chance to compete in the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship with a high-level team like Trident Motorsport. I would like to thank every member of the team for the warm welcome I have been given. I feel ready for a new chapter in my career and to move to a higher series in single-seaters. I will put my best effort to make the most of this great opportunity.

    Bortoleto on his move.

    We are proud to welcome a promising driver like Gabriel Bortoleto to our line-up. He needs no introduction as he has been extremely competitive since his karting days and is now collecting impressive results in the FRECA championship as well. We are sure that by joining the Trident Motorsport family, Gabriel will receive solid support from every team member and prove his value and qualities.

    Giacomo Ricci, Team Manager.

  • De Vries to AT

    Alpha Tauri have announced that Nyck de Vries will be joining the team from 2023, following the news that Pierre Gasly will be moving to Alpine to partner Esteban Ocon next season.

    De Vries has been enjoying his FP1 outings for Mercedes, Aston Martin and Williams in 2022, giving him plenty of mileage in the new generation of Formula 1 machinery.

    The Dutchman then stepped in for Alex Albon when he was ruled out of the Italian Grand Prix. De Vries impressed the paddock with a mature drive to P9 on his maiden outing. With Alpha Tauri didn’t waste anytime in obtaining the signature of the 2019 Formula 2 champion once it became clear that Gasly was moving to a different team.

    I’m extremely excited to be joining Scuderia AlphaTauri for 2023 and I want to thank both Red Bull and the team for giving me the opportunity to drive in F1. After Formula 2, I took a slightly different path with motorsport, but F1 has always been my dream and I’m grateful to be able to fulfil it. I’ve had a lot of chances to experience the 2022 car this year and I think that has put me in a great position for the upcoming season, I hope this has helped to prepare me for what is to come. Having spent most of my teenage years in Italy for karting, I’ve always felt at home there, so for me it’s great to be joining an Italian team, that already has a real family feel, and I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and to start to build our relationship before the next season.

    Nyck de Vries on stepping up to a full-time F1 race seat.

    Scuderia AlphaTauri had a very successful time with Pierre. We will never forget his fantastic victory in Monza and his podium finishes in Brazil and Azerbaijan. I want to thank Pierre for all the effort he’s put into the team in the last years, and I wish him all the best for his future. Now, we are pleased to start a new chapter with Nyck, who’s very much welcome at Scuderia AlphaTauri. He is a very high skilled driver, as he won in all the categories he competed in, with many races and championships under his belt. His last big success was winning the Formula E World Championship, and this is clear evidence that he is a very competitive driver, who deserves a seat in F1. I am looking forward to seeing him in our car and I’m confident that with Yuki and Nyck we will have a very strong driver line up for 2023.

    Franz Tost, Alpha Tauri Team Principal.

  • Gasly to Alpine 2023

    Pierre Gasly is the final piece in the puzzle as he forms an all-French line-up with Esteban Ocon at Alpine from the 2023 season, after he signs a multi-year deal.

    The 26 year old, was contracted to Alpha Tauri for 2023 but Red Bull – who have supported him for the past nine years – agreed to release him early if they find a suitable replacement.

    Gasly has been keen to secure a drive after having rebuilt his reputation at AlphaTauri following his demotion from Red Bull in 2019.

    When Fernando Alonso announced he was leaving for Aston Martin and Alpine’s reserve Oscar Piastri chose McLaren, Alpine marked Gasly as their number one target.

    I am delighted to join the Alpine family and begin this new chapter in my Formula 1 career. Driving for a team that has French roots is something very special. I know the strengths of Alpine having raced against them over the past couple of years and, clearly, their progress and ambition is very impressive. I wish to thank Red Bull as this marks the end of our nine-year journey together. It is thanks to their trust and support that I became a Formula 1 driver, and what we’ve achieved with Scuderia AlphaTauri over the last years has been very special. Looking ahead, I want to give the maximum and utilise all my experience to fight for podiums and ultimately contribute to Alpine’s fight for championships in the future.

    Pierre Gasly on his move.

    I’m very happy that Pierre will be joining the team for 2023 and beyond. He is already a proven talent within Formula 1, and we are looking forward to harnessing that within the team. Our team has several objectives for the coming seasons and I firmly believe our driver line-up is a great reflection of the team’s high ambitions. I trust Pierre and Esteban can, together, motivate the team to continue its progress towards these goals. We would also like to thank Red Bull for agreeing the terms to allow Pierre to take this step.

    Alpine Team Principal, Otmar Szafnauer

    I would like to welcome Pierre to the Alpine family. He is a talented and motivated driver who will contribute positively to our objectives in Formula 1. Pierre is completely aligned with the ambition and progression that has, to date, been a hallmark of the Alpine project. As a young, but highly experienced and successful driver, his trajectory is on course with our own, and we look forward to growing together.

    Laurent Rossi, Alpine CEO.

  • Buemi joins Envision

    Envision Racing has just signed Sebastien Buemi on a multi-year deal, starting with the inaugural Gen3 campaign in Season 9, racing alongside Nick Cassidy at the outfit.

    The Season 2 champion, has joined the British-based team after having a long association with both Nissan and Renault, run by e.dams which stretched back all the way back to Formula E’s very first 2014/15 campaign.

    Buemi is one of the most experienced and successful drivers on the grid with 98 race starts, 13 wins, 29 podium and 14 Julius Baer Pole Positions in his Formula E career so far.

    Envision are hoping, Buemi – who is also a four-time Le Mans winner will lead the team heading into Formula E’s new era with the 33 year-old having his eyes on the sharp end of the grid.

    It’s an interesting time to be part of Formula E and I can’t wait to start driving for Envision Racing next season. I have always had a huge amount of respect for the team, and I believe they’ve done a great job in maximising results over the years. The new Gen3 era is hugely important for the sport and presents a new challenge, with a faster, lighter and more powerful car. My objective is to fight at the front, so I’m looking forward to start testing and preparing myself ahead of the first race in Mexico City.

    Buemi on his move to Envision.

    As a team, we’re always aiming to be as competitive as possible. In Sebastien we’re confident that we have one of the fastest, most experienced, and ambitious drivers on the grid, which gives us great confidence going into the new season. We believe that alongside Nick Cassidy, we have two drivers that can help us to compete at the front of the grid and challenge for both team and driver championship titles next season.

    Sylvain Filippi, Managing Director

  • Hankook becomes Tyre Supplier to Formula E

    Hankook will be the new and exclusive Technical Partner and Tyre Supplier of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

    At an event in the Swarovski Crystal World in Austria, Hankook officially presented the newly developed Hankook iON race tyres to guests and representatives of Formula E.

    The new tyres has been developed in close cooperation with the racing series and is particularly aimed at meeting the sustainability needs of Formula E and the future of e-mobility. Nearly 30% of the new tyre, which is specially tailored to the third generation of Formula E race cars, is made of sustainable materials.

    The Formula E teams currently have access to a tyre variant that can be used in both dry and wet conditions, in order to further save resources.

    Furthermore, the long durability of the tyre is another pioneering step. After the respective race weekends, Hankook completely recycles every set of tyres ensuring the championship is as sustainable as possible.

    We are thrilled to welcome Hankook to the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. We are proud to partner with a global player recognised as a top tyre manufacturer that lives and breathes motorsport as a fundamental aspect of its corporate philosophy. Hankook’s vast experience working with race teams at circuits around the world, its pioneering innovation and commitment to sustainability make it a perfect match for the championship and our new Gen3 car.

    Formula E CEO, Jamie Reigle.

  • Williams waiting on Sargeant

    With the F1 driver market hotting up, Williams look like they are set to rely on Logan Sargeant qualifying for a superlicence as the last pieces of the 2023 driver market, begins to fall into place.

    There has only been two main names that has been linked to the seat which is currently occupied by Nicolas Latifi, those being Sargeant and De Vries.

    However, De Vries has also put himself in the frame elsewhere, as he has recently met with Helmut Marko with the view of driving for Alpha Tauri next season. The Dutchman is a logical candidate as the intention is for the seat to go to someone who could one day move to Red Bull as a partner to Max Verstappen.

    If De Vries did join the RB camp, then the full focus of Williams will be on Sargeant, who has enjoyed a strong rookie year in the F2 Championship and is scheduled to drive the FW44 in FP1 at his home race in Austin.

    However, the American has to emerge from the final event in Abu Dhabi in November placed fifth or higher in the championship order to guarantee that he will get an FIA superlicence that will allow him to race next year.

    He currently lies third on 135 points, but could tumble down the order if he suffers misfortune in Abu Dhabi, the final round of the season. If Sargeant doesn’t get the required licence points then Williams will have to look elsewhere.

    There’s a good choice of drivers. It’s a good choice of young drivers, there’s still some experienced drivers there as well. And so I think it’s quite different philosophies, different strategies. In the situation of the team we can work on different strategies. We are not so much in the front that we need two very experienced drivers, so we can experiment a bit, and get young drivers in. So we’ll see what turns out to be best.

    Jost Capito, making it clear Williams is open to taking on a rookie.

  • F1 to feature six sprints from 2023

    Plans have been approved for additional Sprint sessions to be staged during the 2023 Formula 1 season and beyond, with the number of events that will feature the format increasing from three to six.

    Sprint sessions were first introduced to F1 in 2021 and proved a popular addition to the usual weekend format, with qualifying moving to Friday and the extra 100km race slotting into Saturday’s schedule to set the grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

    On Tuesday, the World Motor Sport Council rubber-stamped the move to six Sprint events, with confirmation of the venues at which they will take place to follow in due course.

    Looking at 2021, Silverstone, Monza and Interlagos played host to the first of Sprint events, with Imola, Red Bull Ring and Interlagos selected for this season.

    I am pleased that we can confirm six Sprints will be part of the Championship from 2023 onwards, building on the success of the new format introduced for the first time in 2021. The Sprint provides action across three days with the drivers all fighting for something right from the start on Friday through to the main event on Sunday, adding more drama and excitement to the weekend. The feedback from the fans, teams, promoters, and partners has been very positive and the format is adding a new dimension to Formula 1, and we all want to ensure its success in the future.

    Formula 1 President and CEO, Stefano Domenicali.

    The confirmation that six race weekends featuring Sprint will take place from the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship season onwards is another example of the continued growth and prosperity at the highest level of motor sport. Thanks to close collaboration with Stefano Domenicali and our colleagues at FOM, we concluded a thorough analysis on the impact of additional Sprint sessions and have adjusted relevant parameters of our work to ensure that they continue to be regulated at the very highest level. Sprint sessions provide an exciting dynamic to the race weekend format and have proven to be popular over the past two seasons – I am sure that this positive trend will continue and am pleased that the World Motor Sport Council has today given its approval for them to go ahead.

    FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

  • Zhou stays with Alfa Romeo

    Alfa Romeo have announced that Zhou Guanyu has a fresh new deal, that will keep the Chinese driver at the team for 2023, alongside Valtteri Bottas.

    Zhou hit the ground running by scoring a point on his debut in Bahrain and then followed that up with two more points finishes, at Canada and Italian Grand Prix. In total, Zhou has scored six points so far this season, compared to Bottas’ tally of 46, however its felt internally that tally would be much higher had he not suffered a series of mechanical problems.

    The strong relationship built up between the team mate Bottas, who is on a multi-year deal played a part in opting to give Zhou a second season.

    The team, have been impressed by his “commitment and attitude” as well as displaying “levels of maturity and race craft that belie his young age”.

    I am looking forward to continuing working with Zhou. From day one with the team, at the Abu Dhabi test last year, he has impressed me with his approach to work and this is always a very positive trait. We knew he was quick, but the way he adapted to Formula 1 in such a short time has been one of the best surprises of our season. He is a very nice guy, everyone in the team likes both his personality and attitude. He has had the humility to ask questions and learn, from the engineers as well as Valtteri, and the intelligence to apply all the information he got to improve race after race. He will have this experience to draw on next season, and I am sure he will make another step forward as we continue to grow our team

    Alfa Romeo boss, Fred Vasseur.

    I am happy and grateful to Alfa Romeo F1 Team for the opportunity to be part of the team for another season. Making it to Formula 1 was a dream come true and the feeling of competing for the first time in a race will live with me forever: the team has been incredibly supportive, welcoming me from day one and helping me adapt to the most complex series in motorsport. There is more that I want to achieve in this sport and with the team, and the hard work we have put together since the start of the year is just the first step towards where we want to be next season. There is still a lot to learn, a lot to develop but I am confident in our work: I am looking forward to the next chapter of our story together.

    Zhou Gunayu on his new contract.

  • Tsunoda stays with AT for 2023

    Alpha Tauri have confirmed that Yuki Tsunoda will remain with the squad for the 2023 season, which will be the Japanese driver’s third year with the Italian team.

    Tsunoda joined Alpha Tauri at the start of the 2021 season, and has spent two years to date alongside Pierre Gasly, netting 43 points in that time (32 of which were earned last season) alongside a best race finish of fourth – claimed at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

    The 22 year old finished last season in 14th, he currently sits in 16th after scoring 11 points in the opening 16 races, with 6 remaining.

    The identity of Tsunoda’s team mate is less clear, with AT and Red Bull having publicly stating that they would be prepared to release Gasly to another team if they found a suitable replacement – with Tost admitting that Indy Car driver Colton Herta was of interest to the team.

    I want to say a huge thank you to Red Bull, Honda and Scuderia AlphaTauri for continuing to give me the opportunity to drive in F1. Having moved to Italy last year, to be closer to the factory, I really feel part of the team and am glad that I get to carry on racing with them in 2023. Of course, our 2022 season isn’t over yet and we’re still pushing hard in the midfield battle, so I’m fully focused on finishing it on a high and then we will look forward to next year.

    Tsunoda speaking on his deal.

    As we’ve seen since he joined us last year, Yuki is a very talented driver and has improved a lot this season. The pace he has shown recently is clear evidence of a steep learning curve, which proves he deserves a seat in F1, and I still expect some strong results from him in the last six races of 2022. As I always say, a driver needs at least three years to fully get to grips with Formula 1, so I’m pleased he’s been given the time to show his full potential. In addition, it’s a testament to Dr. Marko [Red Bull Motorsports Adviser] and his driver programme that we’re able to bring these young talents up from the junior categories and develop them. I’d like to join Yuki in thanking Red Bull and AlphaTauri, as well as Honda, for their continuous support and for allowing him to stay with us for another year.

    Teamboss, Franz Tost on Tsunoda’s re-signing.

  • 2023 Race Calendar revealed

    Formula 1 has announced the calendar for the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship, which has been approved by the World Motor Sport Council.

    Once again, the season will be kicking off in Bahrain but an earlier date of March the 5th, and concluding in Abu Dhabi on November 26th, with the season featuring a record-breaking 24 races, with China and Qatar set to return and Las Vegas arriving as the penultimate round for a Saturday night race.

    The summer break will remain in August, although there is changes to race dates, which see Belgium move to the end of the July as a back-to-back with Hungary, whilst the Netherlands is twinned with Italy just after the break.

    DateGrand PrixVenue
    March 5thBahrainSakhir
    March 19thSaudi ArabiaJeddah
    April 2ndAustraliaMelbourne
    April 16thChinaShanghai
    April 30thAzerbaijanBaku
    May 7thMiamiMiami
    May 21stEmilia RomagnaImola
    May 28thMonacoMonaco
    June 4thSpainBarcelona
    June 18thCanadaMontreal
    July 2ndAustriaSpielberg
    July 9thUnited KingdomSilverstone
    July 23rdHungaryBudapest
    July 30thBelgiumSpa
    August 27thNetherlandsZandvoort
    September 3rdItalyMonza
    September 17thSingaporeSingapore
    September 24thJapanSuzuka
    October 8thQatarLosail
    October 22ndUSAAustin
    October 29thMexicoMexico City
    November 5thBrazilSao Paulo
    November 18thLas VegasLas Vegas*
    November 26thAbu DhabiYas Marina
    *Subject to FIA circuit homologation

    We are excited to announce the 2023 calendar with 24 races around the world. Formula 1 has unprecedented demand to host races and it is important we get the balance right for the entire sport. We are very pleased with the strong momentum Formula 1 continues to experience and it is great news that we will be able to bring our passionate fans a mix of exciting new locations such as Las Vegas to the Championship with much loved venues across Europe, Asia and the Americas.

    Formula 1 CEO and President, Stefano Domenicali.

    The presence of 24 races on the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar is further evidence of the growth and appeal of the sport on a global scale. The addition of new venues and the retention of traditional events underlines the FIA’s sound stewardship of the sport. I am delighted that we will be able to take Formula 1’s new era of exciting racing, created by the FIA’s 2022 Regulations, to a broader fan base in 2023. In framing the 2023 F1 calendar, WMSC Members have also been mindful of the timing of the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.

    FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem

  • Race weekend shake-up looming

    Stefano Domenicali insists the controversial ‘sprint race’ format is not the end of his efforts to spice up race weekends in Formula 1.

    Domenicali, F1 CEO, wants the sprint race format to be expanded from three rounds in 2022 to at least six rounds next year. But he also sees other ways to make the weekends more exciting.

    We will address the issue in the next F1 Commission meeting. The fans, the organisers, everyone wants it. The sprint race was just the first example of what could be improved. We are putting a lot of things on the table, many say no, but we have seen on some occasions the beauty of having a reshuffled race. We have an obligation to try, at least.

    Stefano Domenicali.

    As for the 2022 world championship, Formula 1 will almost certainly not get a 2021 style close title finale in Abu Dhabi this year due to Max Verstappen’s dominance.

    But looking into a little more detail on what Domenicali said, will reverse grids actually change anything? Obviously it depends on what tracks, as somewhere like Monaco it would not be beneficial.

    At Spa, Verstappen still won the race by 18 seconds despite starting 14th, he also won the Italian GP from P7, and was set comfortably to do so even if the race had not ended behind the safety car.

    But the question is, will teams who are spending millions to put a fast car on the track agree to the idea of having their car start at the back of the grid to then be taken out? Most definitely not, so I think Domenicali might want to keep on brain storming more ideas…

  • Sette Camara joins NIO 333

    NIO 333 Formula E team officially welcome, Sergio Sette Camara to the China and Silverstone based squad for the start of the new Gen3 era.

    Sergio will be making his track debut in the teams NIO 333 ER9 electric challenger at the Autodromo di Varano in Italy this week.

    The Brazilian joins the team after several impressive performances during Season 8 including reaching the Qualifying Duels, at the Berlin, New York, London and Seoul event and scoring a 9th place at the 2022 London E-Prix.

    It is unsure yet who will be his teammate for the next season, it would be wise to keep someone who knows the team but the Gen3 era is a fresh start.

    I am very happy to join the NIO 333 family and I want to thank everyone in the team who believed in me for this opportunity. I have been very open about my wish to remain in the Formula E championship, and I am super excited about the new Gen3 car.

    Sergio Sette Camara.

    We are delighted to be able to bring Sergio onboard. He is a fantastic talent and we have been hugely impressed by his approach already. Securing his services completes another part of the NIO 333 Formula E team jigsaw progressing further up the Formula E grid. We are heading towards Season 9 with a lot of motivation and some very positive momentum.

    Alex Hui, Team Principal.

  • F2 & F3 to use sustainable fuels from 2023

    Formula Motorsport Limited (FML) have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Formula 1 Global Partner, Aramco to introduce the use of sustainable fuels in both championships from 2023.

    It demonstrates how the FIA Forula 2 and Formula 3 Championships are pioneers in this important area of development, whilst continuing to bring the FIA Formula One World Champions of the future through the single-seater pyramid.

    The agreement is subject to FIA World Motor Sport Council approval. It will form part of the wider sustainability strategy announced by the FIA and Formula 1 which will see the sport become net zero carbon by 2030.

    By 2026, all FIA Championships will be required by regulation to power their cars with 100% sustainable fuels. A key milestone in the journey will be the introduction of a 100% sustainable fuel from the 2026 F1 season, alongside the next generation hybrid power units.

    Sustainability is at the top of the global motor sport agenda, and it is vital to see this work not only going on in Formula 1, but also in Formula 2, Formula 3 and throughout the entire ecosystem. Our sport is developing and evolving rapidly and it will continue to lead the way, pioneering the technologies, including sustainable fuels, that will be crucial to tackle climate change. We are a key part of the solution to the problems we are facing worldwide, and the partnership is going to bring huge benefits to the sport and to the wider industry.

    Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President.

    Aramco is a leader in this space and, subject to the approval of the FIA World Motor Sport Council, will deliver our sustainable fuel ambitions, working closely with our colleagues in F2 and F3, who not only bring through the drivers of the future but offer a superb testing ground for the latest engineering in motorsport. In 2026, F1 will move to zero-emission sustainable fuel that offers a game-changing solution for the automotive sector and beyond. With the support of Aramco and all our manufacturers, we can accelerate the sector’s move to net zero.

    Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO Formula 1.

    Sustainability is a top priority in today’s world, and we have been working on making our sport more sustainable for some time now. The goal to switch to synthetic fuel can only be achieved through the partnership with a company of the scale of Aramco, which is determined to produce advanced sustainable fuel in the near future. It’s easier to implement such a significant change in F2 and in F3, as they are single-make categories with single suppliers. We’re very happy to undertake an innovation role – as we did last season with the introduction of the 18-inch tires now used in F1 – and take the first steps towards synthetic sustainable fuel.

    Bruno Michel, CEO FIA Formula 2 and Formula 3.

  • Piastri confirmed for 2023

    Oscar Piastri will be racing for McLaren, alongside Lando Norris for 2023 on a multi-year deal, following a decision of the Contract Recognition Board (CRB), which ruled that the young Australian has a valid contract with the team.

    The CRB met on Monday in relation to a dispute between McLaren and Alpine over which of the two teams held a valid contract for Piastri, the reigning F2 champion and current Alpine reserve driver- with Alpine having claimed, following the departure of Fernando Alonso to Aston Martin August that Piastri would drive for them in 2023, only for Piastri to refute that claim.

    Ahead of Friday’s free practice 2 session for the Dutch Grand Prix, the FIA announced that the tribunal had “issued a unanimous decision is that the only contract to be recognised by the board is the contract between McLaren Racing and Mr Piastri dated 4th July 2022”

    The ruling also added that: “Mr Piastri is entitled to drive for McLaren Racing for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.”

    Just after the ruling, McLaren confirmed Piastri would indeed drive for the team in 2023 on a multi-year deal in place of Ricciardo who agreed terms to leave McLaren at the end of 2022.

    I’m extremely excited to be making my F1 debut with such a prestigious team as McLaren and I’m very grateful for the opportunity that’s been offered to me. The team has a long tradition of giving young talent a chance, and I’m looking forward to working hard alongside Lando to push the team towards the front of the grid. I’m focused on preparing for my F1 debut in 2023 and starting my F1 career in papaya.

    Oscar Piastri on his move to the British team.

    The entire team is delighted to welcome Oscar to McLaren for the 2023 F1 season. He has an impressive racing career to date, and we are sure that together with Lando, he will be able to help us move another step forward towards our ambitions. We still have an important job to do this season which the team remains focused on, before we will then ensure Oscar is integrated into the team as quickly as possible and ready for the challenges ahead. We look forward to preparing for an exciting 2023 season together.

    Andreas Siedl on the move.

    BWT Alpine F1 Team thanks the Contract Recognition Board (CRB) for convening on Monday and we acknowledge the decision they have made. We consider the matter closed on our side and will announce our full 2023 driver line-up in due course. Our immediate focus is the Dutch Grand Prix and securing points in our fight for fourth in the Constructors’ Championship.

    Alpines statement on the CRB’s decision.

  • Seats left for 2023

    Seeing as we are past the halfway point of the 2022 season as well as having had an exciting start to the summer break and ‘silly season’ lets take a look at what seats are actually left, before we get back racing again!

    Alpine-

    Technically, Alpine’s seat is ‘taken’ due to them announcing Piastri at the start of the month, but since then we’ve had nothing from the French team, not even an acknowledgement on Piastri saying he hasn’t signed a contract.

    But if Piastri is a definite no, then who could take the seat alongside Esteban Ocon? Well, if Piastri went to McLaren the first option would be Ricciardo. Zhou Guanyu, was an Alpine Academy member last year, but got released so he could driver for Alfa this year, could he possibly take the seat? If not their really only other option would be an F2 driver.

    Alfa Romeo-

    Valtteri Bottas has a multi year contract, so his seat is very much safe, but is Zhou Guanyu’s ? He hasn’t had the easiest season, and its not so much crashes but mechanical issues.

    If he doesn’t get re-signed, he could be replaced by Sauber junior, Theo Pourchaire he is a favourite for the seat. If not Mick Schumacher possibly? Alfa Romeo still have a Ferrari engine and with Mick still linked to the FDA this could be possible…

    Haas-

    K-Mag came back this year and got that multi year contract sorted straight away, where as Mick has been on a 1 year contract both years his been in the sport. But are Haas happy with him?

    But who could possibly take the seat? I personally don’t see them replacing Mick, I think they’ll re-sign him, it would be a step back for the American team…

    Alpha Tauri-

    Pierre Gasly sticks with Red Bulls sister team, but who could possibly join him next season? For the past two years the Frenchman has been paired with Yuki Tsunoda, but has he impressed enough to keep his seat?

    If not who could replace him? Well Red Bull have a few junior drivers, one in particular stands out to me is Liam Lawson, I’d say all he needs to do is for the rest of his F2 season is just score lots of points.

    Williams-

    Williams already has Alex Albon secured for the 2023 season. But the British team has a few options for the second seat, as of right now, I don’t think the team is interested in keeping Latifi for next season…

    But Williams have a few options and they are… Oscar Piastri, if they are still interested in him after the whole McLaren/Alpine situation. If not Nyck de Vries, he took the car out in an FP1 session earlier on in the season and he impressed a lot.

    But I think, Williams are going to head to their Academy, and get F2 Junior, Logan Sargeant in that seat next year, he has impressed in F2 in his rookie season, and his now getting treated to an FP1 session at his home GP in America

    Since this was posted Alex has been confirmed!

  • Alonso signs multi-year deal with Aston Martin

    It’s the first morning of summer break and silly season has officially started… Aston Martin have moved swiftly to announce a replacement for Sebastian Vettel, swapping one world champ for another. Fernando Alonso joins the team in 2023 on a multi-year deal.

    Alonso returned to Formula 1 in 2021 with Alpine after a two year sabbatical and has delivered a string of impressive drives alongside Esteban Ocon, especially helping his teammate get his first win last year in Hungary!

    When Vettel announced he was retiring last Thursaday, Alonso emerged as the favourite to replace him given his wealth of F1 experience as well as the two World Championships he has.

    The news comes less than 24 hours after Alpine F1 boss, Otmar Szafnauer expressed confidence that Alonso would stay with the team for 2023 and beyond, predicting talks would be “very straightforward”.

    Alpine were trying to find a seat for reserve driver Piastri and looked set to loan him out to Williams next year, but with Alonso’s exit it looks like the Aussie will step up and join Esteban Ocon at the team from 2023.

    This Aston Martin team is clearly applying the energy and commitment to win, and it is therefore one of the most exciting teams in Formula 1 today. I have known Lawrence and Lance [Stroll] for many years and it is very obvious that they have the ambition and passion to succeed in Formula 1. I have watched as the team has systematically attracted great people with winning pedigrees, and I have become aware of the huge commitment to new facilities and resources at Silverstone. No one in Formula 1 today is demonstrating a greater vision and absolute commitment to winning, and that makes it a really exciting opportunity for me. I still have the hunger and ambition to fight to be at the front, and I want to be part of an organisation that is committed to learn, develop and succeed. We all appreciate that there is much to be done to get to the front, and that we must apply all our energies in working together to find performance. The passion and desire to perform that I have witnessed convince me to maintain my enjoyment and commitment to the sport. I intend to win again in this sport and therefore I have to take the opportunities that feel right to me.

    Alonso on his move to AM.

    I have known and admired Fernando for many years and it has always been clear that he is a committed winner like me. I have set out to bring together the best people and develop the right resources and organisation to succeed in this highly competitive sport, and those plans are now taking shape at Silverstone. It seemed natural therefore to invite Fernando to be part of the development of a winning team, and we very quickly established in our recent conversations that we have the same ambitions and values, and it was logical and easy to confirm our desire to work together.

    Lawrence Stroll on signing the 2 times world champ.

  • Gasly to remain with Alpha Tauri

    AlphaTauri have confirmed that Pierre Gasly will be remaining with the team for the 2023 season, ending speculation that the Frenchman might depart for new pastures at the end of the season.

    Following confirmation that Sergio Perez is staying on at Red Bull until 2024, and thus blocking Gasly’s route to the team he drove 12 races for in 2019. Gasly has always been open about wanting to have conversations with Red Bull’s motorsports advisor, Dr Helmut Marko regarding where his future is.

    Gasly made his F1 debut with the team, then known as Toro Rosso, at the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix, and has subsequently taken three podiums with the squad including his win at the 2020 Italian Grand Prix.

    We are really pleased to confirm that Pierre stays with us in 2023. He is definitely in the group of the best and most competitive drivers in F1 and has proven his abilities during all the time he has spent with us. Undoubtedly, Pierre can play a major role in the team having a successful season next year and it will be down to us to provide him with a competitive car, so that he can continue to deliver excellent results.

    Franz Tost, Team Boss of AlphaTauri.

    “I have been with this team for five years now and I am proud of the journey we’ve been through together and the progress we have made. I’m happy to remain with my Scuderia AlphaTauri team. This year’s new regulations have created new challenges for us and being able to plan our development with the team for the next 18 months is a good working basis for the future.

    Pierre Gasly on signing another year.

    My Opinion-

    We all knew this was going to happen, especially because Pierre is still contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2023, and in all honesty they (Red Bull) wouldn’t let him go to another team until that time is up.

  • Nissan to supply powertrains to McLaren

    Nissan and McLaren Racing has announced today a multi-year technical collaboration, which will commence at the beginning of the 2022/23 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship season.

    With McLaren Racing confirming its participation in the championship from Season 9, the partnership will see the Japanese automaker supply its Nissan EV powertrain to the British team for the entirety of the Gen3 era.

    This agreement with McLaren is in addition to Nissan’s direct involvement in the highly anticipated Gen3 homologation of the sport. As a world leading expert in the design and manufacture of exciting all-electric vehicles, and following the recent acquisition of e.dams, Nissan will also continue to compete in Formula E with its own factory team.

    Through this relationship, Nissan and McLaren will be working closely together as they compete with other successful brands in one of the most challenging and technically advanced racing series in the world.

    Our new partnership with McLaren Racing will be a powerful one, as the association will inspire collaboration and knowledge sharing. The pioneering spirit and drive to innovate are characteristics Nissan and McLaren Racing share, making them an ideal partner for us in Formula E and as we continue to electrify our vehicles.

    Ashwani Gupta, Nissan’s Chief Operating Officer.

    As we are shaping the team for its first season as McLaren in Formula E, we are naturally seeking the best partnerships and opportunities on every front – with the technical aspect being one of the key areas. Nissan have proven their knowledge, craft and commitment over the last four seasons in Formula E, and heading into the Gen3 era, we have full confidence that the collaboration will bring both parties much success. This will be a true partnership that will drive both the team’s performance and the development of the Nissan Formula E powertrain technology.

    Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing.

    We are proud to announce this multi-year deal with a great motorsports brand such as McLaren Racing. Our partnership begins next season with Formula E’s exciting new Gen3 regulations, which will see the performance of the all-electric race cars reach incredible new heights. At Nissan, we are in Formula E not only to race, but also to showcase to a diverse range of viewers just how impressive, powerful, and efficient our electric vehicles are. And our collaboration with McLaren will provide us with even more opportunities to accelerate the development of our technology and showcase it to fans all over the world.

    Tommaso Volpe, General Manager, Nissan Formula E and Managing Director, Nissan e.dams Formula E team.
    https://www.instagram.com/p/CfI–ZOLttg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

  • F2 & F3 to race in Melbourne from 2023

    Following Formula One’s announcement that the Australian Grand Prix will stay in Melbourne until 2035, the FIA Formula 2 and FIA Formula 3 promoters have announced that from 2023 both championships will feature the Albert Park circuit on their calendars, subject to World Motor Sport Council approval.

    The surprise announcement was made as part of the new deal, since F1 has been racing at the Albert Park circuit in 1996, it has never been joined by its main support series.

    The trip to Melbourne will be the furthest either championship has ventured from their European heartlands.

    F2’s predecessor GP2, previously reached the Pacific region with rounds at Sepang in Malaysia and Singapore’s Marina Bay Circuit. F3 was scheduled to debut in the United States in 2021 but the event was cancelled because of logistical issues.

    This great news for Formula 2 and 3, as well as fans! I feel like both series’ are getting more and more fans, as they both race on the same weekends as F1 and it’s shown by them going further afield and securing their place in motorsport.

    I am extremely happy to add Melbourne to both F2 and F3 calendars from 2023. It further enhances the international aspect of both our championships, having them race on a new continent. It also shows that more and more circuits believe that F2 and F3 are an added value to the Formula 1 Grand Prix experience, showcasing the next generation of drivers.

    FIA Formula 2 and Formula 3 CEO, Bruno Michel.

  • F1 set to group races by region

    Formula 1 is planning to group races by region in 2023 in an effort to improve its sustainability credentials by reducing freight movements and personnel travel.

    The strategy was revealed by F1 boss, Stefano Domenicali during the Spanish GP weekend, with a meeting with the team principals.

    In 2019, Liberty announced a plan to make F1 carbon neutral by 2030, and rationalising the calendar is seen as a key part of that ongoing commitment. At the same time, a more efficient schedule will tackle the dramatic rise in freight costs that has impacted both the F1 organisation itself and the teams.

    Whilst some races have traditionally been grouped together, there are anomalies in the calendar in the way some flyaway races are placed. This season, Miami was a standalone race involving a North American trip for just one race weekend, whilst the upcoming races in Baku and Montreal in June are back to backs but far apart geographically.

    Although, Domenicali did not go into extensive detail in the meeting of what could change, its understood that Baku could be grouped in a run of races with Shanghai and Suzuka. One complication that F1 still faces is the COVID-19 situation in China still remains unclear, and moving it towards the end of the season creates some extra breathing space.

    Another option that could potentially happen, is to pair Miami and Montreal, which means that one or the other will have to move from its 2022 date by a month. Monaco’s traditional end of May date reduces F1’s flexibility at that time of year.

    The Middle Eastern races could also be paired together, with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia together at the start of the year, and Qatar and Abu Dhabi towards the end of the season.

    My Opinion-

    About time they did this, it doesn’t make sense for us to go from Italy to the US and then to Spain. As well as the cost, you’ve got to think of the teams, as F1 wants a big calendar grouping races together will make it easier for teams.