2021 F1

F1 Wings Battle Heating Up in Baku

Published

2 years ago

June 2, 2021

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2021 F1 car Flexi wing questions heating up at Baku as competitors disappointed with the FIA’s delayed test schedule. Mercedes and McLaren strongly oppose the Red Bull Flexi-rear wing usage.

At the same time, Red Bull points the finger back at Mercedes W12’s front wing. Mercedes has reacted by saying that the Red Bull front wings are the same and could also be protested.

Initially, Lewis Hamilton raises the Red Bull flexi rear wing violation. The Brit claims Red Bull gained their cars three-tenths of a second per lap in Barcelona, which would be extra advantageous in the Baku street circuit with its long straight [2.2 kilometers]. Mercedes emphasize the video evidence showing the entire structure of the wing flexing downwards on the straights, providing an aerodynamic advantage.

The rules (Article 3.8 of the Technical Regulations specifically) dictate that all components influencing a car’s aerodynamic performance – such as front and rear wings – must be “rigidly secured to the entirely sprung part of the car” and “remain immobile in relation to the sprung part of the car”.

In other words, moveable (or flexible) aerodynamic devices are not allowed – save for the DRS – because in theory they can offer a performance gain.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff labeled the technical directive “half-baked”, saying the delay in introducing the new tests created “a legal vacuum and leaves the door open for protests”.

“It is incomprehensible that within four weeks, you can’t stiffen up a rear wing for the track that is probably most affected by a flexible rear wing,” said Wolff in Monaco.

“It leaves us in no-mans-land because the technical directive says that the movement of some rear wings has been judged as excessive,” he stated.

“Delaying the introduction for whatever reason leaves us in a legal vacuum and leaves the door open for protests. It’s not only us but probably two other teams that are most affected, maybe more.

“And then probably a protest could end up in the ICA [The FIA’s International Court of Appeal], and that is a messy situation that can take weeks before we have a result, and we should not have ended in this situation.”

Red Bull, Ferrari and Alpine bosses admitted they would have to “slightly adapt” their cars to pass the new F1 tests from June 15.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner told Sky F1: “The car passes all the legality tests and that’s what the car has to do. So they’ve changed the test, and that’s well within the rights of the FIA to do, so we will have to modify the components to make sure they meet the new test.

“I don’t think ‘spirit of the rules’ exists. It’s either black or it’s white, it either complies with the rules or it doesn’t. And that’s how you design your cars. It’s difficult to quantify,” he added. “But I’d be surprised if it was a tenth.”

McLaren Team Principal Andreas Seidl also hits out the Red Bull’s illegal flexible rear wing advantages. He told reporters it was pretty clear what was going on with rival’s (Red Bull) cars at the previous race in Barcelona.

“We strongly disagree with the timing of the introduction,” Seidl said.

“For us there is no reason why it has been delayed for a further two races and give the guys that have designed their cars in order to have these fl exi-wings two more races to have the benefit of it, because from our point of view, what these guys are using is clearly against the regulations.

“We are having dialogue with the FIA at the moment and it’s a good opportunity for the FIA to show a strong hand here and not accept this anymore from today onwards.”

Attack over Mercedes front wing

Video of the Mercedes’ W12 from the Emilia Romagna GP seemed to indicate the team’s front wing flaps moving up and down.

“It’s a competitive business,” said Horner. “You’ve only got to look a bit of the footage from Imola, when we’re talking about flexibility, I think it’s very unfair to point it at one direction at the rear of the car when you should also perhaps be looking at the front of the car.

“I think if the camera was facing the other way on our rivals’ side they’d be having the same discussion with you, 100%.”

Wolff responded “will need to modify our wing, we will need to soften it.”

“Our wing is extremely rigid, complying to the famous article 3.8 that it must remain immobile,” he added.

“The new test that has been introduced is a half-baked solution which is giving us an opportunity, so the whole thing can soften and can bend more in the future.

“We had a flexible wing situation last summer without receiving any feedback and we understand some of the teams’ frustration that when making the concept of this year’s car, that was an area that should have been tackled much earlier.”

2021 F1

What penalty do Red Bull face for breaching F1 cost cap?

Published

6 months ago

October 10, 2022

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FIA recently confirmed that, Red Bull Racing have been found guilty of violating Formula 1 budget cap for 2021.

The Official confirmation by FIA said that a “minor” breaking of the budget cap. As resulted exceeding the budget by less than 5% or $7.25m – could have big consequences if the FIA decide to punish them.

Max Verstappen, who won a second F1 championship in weird conditions in Japan on Sunday, clinched the 2021 F1 title after late and controversial drama involving the safety car in Abu Dhabi.

The cost cap breaches penalty ranges from a public reprimand to a financial penalty or secondary level sporting penalties.

• Public reprimand
• Deduction of Constructors’ Championship points awarded for the Championship that took place within the Reporting Period of the breach;
• Deduction of Drivers’ Championship points awarded for the Championship that took place within the Reporting Period of the breach;
• Suspension from one or more stages of a Competition or Competitions, excluding for the avoidance of doubt the race itself;
• Limitations on ability to conduct aerodynamic or other Testing; and/or
• Reduction of the Cost Cap

Red Bull hint they will appeal FIA decision

The statement, released on their social meadi page read: “We note the findings with surprise and disappointment. Our 2021 submission was below the cost cap limit so we need to carefully review the FIA’s findings as our belief remains that the relevant costs are under the 2021 cost cap amount.

“Despite the conjecture and positioning of others, there is of course a process under the regulations with the FIA which we will respectfully follow while we consider all the options available to us.”

2022 F1

Verstappen won his second F1 World Championship

Published

6 months ago

October 9, 2022

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Max Verstappen won the rain hit Japanese Grand Prix and he secure his second world title as well. The Dutchman takes the full 19 points and his teammate Sergio Perez made second place, following the Charles Leclerc receives five seconds penalty, who crossed the line just ahead of Perez… but final corner cutting was given his time penalty.

Verstappen: It’s crazy

“It’s crazy. Very mixed emotions,” he said.

“Looking back, what a year we’ve had so far. It’s been incredible. It’s something I could never have imagined. After last year, fighting until the end, and then having such a good car again this year. I’m so thankful to everyone who has been contributing to this success.”

… More to follow

2023 F1

Nyck de Vries secures 2023 AlphaTauri F1 race seat

Published

6 months ago

October 8, 2022

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The Dutch racing driver Nyck de Vries sealed AlphaTauri F1 racing seat as replaced the Alpine-moved Pierre Gasly for 2023 F1 season.

27 years old, former F2 and Formula E world Champion’s demand has been raised, after he made an extraordinary performance at Monza for Williams racing team, who finished ninth on his F1 debut.

“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,” the Dutchman said.

“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.”

“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.

“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,” he added.

“I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and to start to build our relationship before the next season.”

AlphaTauri team head Franz Tost also gave his full care to De Vries, point out: “We are pleased to start a new chapter with Nyck, who’s very much welcome at Scuderia AlphaTauri.

“He is a very highly 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 lineup for 2023.”

The Austrian also paid praise to Gasly, who has spent at least part of every season at the team since his debut in 2017.

“AlphaTauri had a very successful time with Pierre,” he said.

“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.”