Jordan's Track Talk

Tag: 2023

  • 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.

  • Alfa Romeo to end Sauber contract in 2023

    Alfa Romeo say they will end their title sponsorship of Sauber when their current arrangement expires at the close of the 2023 Formula 1 campaign.

    The famous Italian marque returned to Formula 1 in 2018 through a technical and commercial partnership and in the summer of 2021 announced a multi-year extension with “year assessments”.

    Last month, the opted to continue into 2023 “given the promising results f the first half of the season, both in terms of performances, marketing and positive collaboration with the team”.

    But ahead of this weekends Belgian Grand Prix, with around a season and a half to go on the current agreement, Alfa Romeo took the opportunity to put an end date on their relationship.

    Alfa Romeo, who currently run Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu are currently sixth in the constructors championship (they ended last year ninth) with 51 points.

    Since the economic and industrial turnaround of the brand will be achieved in 2022, Alfa Romeo will now evaluate among the many opportunities on the table, and decide which will be the best one to sustain the long term strategy and the positioning of the Brand.

    The team on leaving their contract with Sauber.

  • Ricciardo to leave McLaren

    McLaren and Daniel Ricciardo have “mutually agreed” to terminate his contract one year early, meaning the eight-time race winner will depart at the end of 2022.

    The Australian joined McLaren in 2021, on a three year deal where he would race alongside Lando Norris – even though he secured the team’s first win since 2012 at Monza last year with Norris second – he has struggled to match his team mate’s impressive pace.

    McLaren say they will announce who will partner Norris in 2023 “in due course”. Ricciardo will do the same regarding his own future plans but suggested that he’s keen to stay in F1.

    Ricciardo is currently sat 12th in the drivers standings on 19 points, 57 adrift of Norris after 13 grand prix. His best finish of the year so far, was sixth in Australia.

    It’s been a privilege to be a part of the McLaren Racing family for the last two seasons but following several months of discussions with Zak [Brown, McLaren CEO] & Andreas [Seidl, Team Principal] we have decided to terminate my contract with the team early and agree to mutually part ways at the end of this season. I’ll be announcing my own future plans in due course but regardless of what this next chapter brings, I have no regrets and am proud of the effort and work I gave McLaren, especially the win in Monza, last season. I’ve enjoyed working with everyone at McLaren both trackside and back in Woking and will be giving my all on and off track as we enjoy the remainder of the season together. I’ve never been more motivated to compete and be a part of a sport that I love so much and look forward to what comes next.

    Daniel Ricciardo on leaving McLaren.

    I would like to thank Daniel for his dedication and contribution over the last two seasons so far. Despite the shared challenges, he has always turned up with a fighting spirit and positivity and helped the entire team to always keep pushing forward. We will never forget that memorable race win in Monza which was a great boost for the whole team. We still have an important battle in the constructors’ championship ahead of us for the remainder of the season and we look forward to battle this out with Daniel and Lando.

    Andreas Siedl

    Daniel has been a great addition to McLaren, and it’s been a pleasure working with him. I’d like to thank him for all of his efforts over the last two seasons both trackside and back at base. It’s no secret that we hoped we could achieve more together but seeing him stand on the top step of the podium as a McLaren driver was a highlight. We wish him well for the future and let’s go enjoy the rest of the season together

    Zak Brown on Ricciardo.