That contract is so odd. The Norris family don’t need the money and he’s tied himself long term to a team that there’s no reason to believe will move from mid grid for the duration of the contract.
Aston Martin are the team to set the ball rolling,confirming 13th February as the launch date of their 2023 chalenger,it will be called the AMR23.Only one test session,to take place in Bahrain from 23rd to 25th February,one week before the first Grand Prix,at the same venue.
Devil is in the detail, Norris could well have release clauses built in depending on McLaren performance, who approaches for him, etc.
Nothing more than wild speculation at the moment, but there may be a consideration of a McLaren Honda reunion for 2026. - Honda want into the new regs in 2026 as the new regs are more closely aligned with their wider company goals- which was not originally what they thought would happen -Honda and Red Bull divorce by end of 2025 as RBR have their own engine facility (and also in advanced talks with Ford re: badging of the engine) -Honda not wanting the cost of investing into their own full works team. Helmut Marko has ruled out Honda buying into Alpha Tauri, so with RBR, Merc, Ferrari, Alpine and Audi all “works” teams, Aston Martin closely linked to Toto Wolff, there really only appears to be McLaren, Williams, and Haas to choose from. Interesting to keep an eye on the media soundbytes as we go through the season and hear more from Red Bulls plans.
The idea of Honda back with Mclaren, maybe. It still sticks in my throat how Honda were treated when returning to F1. RBR continue to lack any sense of loyalty, Renault and now maybe Honda but perhaps Honda triggered that. Is testing to be televised this coming year?
Not quite sure how red bull get a dig when Honda were the ones who pulled the plug (but then were good enough to continue on in come manner)
The Red Bull PU is an interesting one. First off they where buying Honda's IP, then Honda developed their PU into a 2022 version before the PU freeze and some Honda type advertising re appeared on the Red Bulls. It now appears that Honda are keeping their options open by 'registering their interest' for the 2026 PU regs. So have Red Bull actually designed a brand new PU from scratch and are currently developing it? I have my doubts, as Merc say it cost them $1.4 Billion! Plus they have sold it to customers! I am wondering if there is some smoke and mirrors about Red Bulls PU. Somehow I think they are trying to gain an advantage, maybe having extra development time as they would be a new PU supplier and are really using the Honda as a base PU. I can't see how they see the numbers stacking up - maybe as a PU supplier they can spend more $$$ on the car. I just don't get Red Bull building a PU from scratch!
As I wrote that sentence I thought I was perhsps being unfair and added that perhaps Honda triggered it. My negativity about RBR is more about Horner. Otherwise, I would have little to complain about. I also accept the way Horner is may be the reason RBR are so good. But Horner defends the undefendable. I am not sure Marko is the driver of the negativity, he was keen to keep Alex Albon in the stable as I recall. I am sure all team bosses defend the undefendable but not in the way or circumstance that Horner does.
Do you guys think we will get much quicker cars this year? Were we around 2s slower than the 2021 cars this year? Mario Isola of Pirelli says they’ve built more resilient tyre profiles to cope with the extra speed - although at the same time have managed to add grippier front tyre profiles (ironic that Danny Ricc leaves just before tyres that would likely suit him better!) Minimum car weight is reduced by 2kg, and we may see some PU reliability fixes to help engines be enabled to run at full power- two in particular we know about are Renault (new water pump) and Ferrari (not sure of the specific fix but they are expecting to be able to run at full tilt again -30HP additional- having detuned for the season after the Baku and Barcelona failures). Mercedes already introduced a crankshaft fix towards the back end of 2022 which they were happy with, although not sure if it generated any extra performance). Honda had a pretty great year anyway and they may have the best ERS deployment too. Massive year this year to see if these PUs are indeed closely matched or whether there is advantage/disadvantage between them. For the chassis side, I’m fascinated to see if teams can achieve or surpass the Red Bull efficiency of drag v downforce - I’m hoping teams kept back solutions for 2023 because of the budget cap as opposed to not knowing how to do it, if that makes sense. In terms of little tidbits I’ve read through the off season: Alpha Tauri Pierre Gasly reckons the AT engineers told him before he left that this is the best car they’ve ever made and that they have an outside chance of competing at the front few rows- but caveated against not knowing what the other teams gains have been. Alpine Esteban Ocon made confident rumblings about a step forward for Alpine too, and also talked about being happy with their PU. Ferrari Andrea Stella, who has stepped up to fill the vacant Team Principle seat left by Andreas Seidls departure to Alfa Romeo (soon to be Audi), says that his ex colleagues at Ferrari are extremely happy with their new car and he expects them to be fighting at the front with the big three. McLaren Not sure if any of you use the F1 Technical forum - I enjoy reading tidbits as a casual (I’m not at all someone who can understand the technical topics) but their team threads indicate that McLaren might be behind the 8 ball on this years car- some slightly subdued atmospheres and also comments from Andrea Stella who appears to be targeting the second half of the season for big steps as opposed to making gains at the initial launch. To try and explain the reliability of the source over there- that person said in off season 21 that McLaren were extremely excited about their car for Monza that year, which they of course qualified well and won the race, and had usually been very accurate around upgrades albeit at a more general level. (Credit to the guys over there for that info)
Get well soon Jenny Jennie Gow: BBC F1 broadcaster suffers serious stroke Published 2 hours ago Share please log in to view this image Image caption, Jennie Gow said she was "desperate" to make a full recovery from her stroke two weeks ago The BBC sports broadcaster Jennie Gow has said she is recovering from a serious stroke. The 45-year-old, who covers Formula 1 for Radio 5 Live, wrote on social media that she had been treated at hospitals in London and Surrey, and her recovery "might take some time". Ms Gow said the stroke two weeks ago had affected her speech. Dozens of fellow broadcasters and motorsport firms have tweeted messages of support. Announcing her condition on Twitter and Instagram, the presenter said: "My husband is helping me type this, as I'm finding it hard to write and my speech is most affected. "I'm desperate to make a full recovery and return to work. "Thank you to the medical teams at Frimley and St George's, and my family and friends who've got me through the last fortnight." please log in to view this image IMAGE SOURCE, GETTY IMAGES Image caption, Ms Gow has reported on motorsport events for the BBC and other broadcasters In response, Formula 1 Racing tweeted: "Thinking of you Jennie, and wishing you all the very best with your recovery." The McLaren racing team said: "The entire team sends their love and strength as we look forward to seeing you back in the paddock." Broadcasters Hazel Southwell, Laura Winter and Dan Walker are among those who have tweeted messages of sympathy. Jennie Gow has covered Formula 1 and other motorsport events for the BBC, ITV, Netflix and Sky TV. The Southampton-born presenter, who grew up in Wargrave, Berkshire, began her broadcasting career at BBC Radio Solent before working for commercial radio stations in the south of England.
So James Vowles is moving from Merc (strat director) to Williams (team principal) and says it doesn't mark an extension of ties to Merc but there seems to be no mention of any 'Gardening leave'! When Paddy Lowe left Merc for Williams he was on 3 months gardening leave but maybe he was more involved in the design of the car? I do wonder if this is somehow Merc testing Vowles to see if he would be up to taking over from Toto in future years?
Didn’t see this coming- interesting move for both parties! Good pedigree coming in to Williams and crucially winning mentality. Surely both won’t make same mistakes as Paddy Lowe relationship
Very sad to read this, particularly at this age. But, with support and determination it is hopefully possible for Jennie to make a comeback to her role. These things can take time but never give up.
1 month to go before the test. 2023 F1 car launch dates Team Date Location Williams February 6 Online AlphaTauri February 11 New York City Aston Martin February 13 Silverstone McLaren February 13 McLaren Technology Centre Ferrari February 14 TBC Mercedes February 15 Silverstone Alpine February 16 London Red Bull February 3 New York Alfa Romeo TBC TBC Haas TBC TBC We all know these will be fake cars and all that good stuff but its actually only a couple weeks til the fun starts here. Are we going to do the same thread by team thing or use last years ones?
Aston Martin are launching the real thing- il share a great article from Eric Blandin later on (albeit perhaps without any intricate floor detail) and McLaren will highly likely do the same. Agree many others will be digital renders (RBR, Alpha Tauri, Williams usually begin that way!) We can make new 2023 team threads if we want the car launch pictures at the top of the thread, or if that doesn’t bother anyone we can continue on top of the existing threads? (I might be able to edit the first post and bring in the 2023 car pictures?) What you reckon?
