Laurent Mekies, a Ferrari engineer, has stated that the team’s development of the 2021 car is now almost complete, with focus focused totally on the new age of F1 when it dawns in 2022. However, he adds that this does not imply they have stopped working on the SF21’s shortcomings.
This season, the million-dollar issue is: When should teams start thinking about next year’s car, when the significant set of rule changes take effect? However, other teams, like Ferrari, have had to balance development on this year’s car with that of next year’s machine. For Haas, the solution was to focus immediately on next year’s rules at the expense of this season.
Mekies, a Ferrari Racing Director and Head of Track Area, explained that the Scuderia has made the switch and is not continuing to develop this year’s car at Paul Ricard in front of this weekend’s French Grand Prix.
“From an automotive development standpoint, we have already taken our selections,” he declared. There won’t be a significant upgrade to address these issues [on the SF21] until 2022 at the earliest.
The Frenchman clarified that Ferrari will continue to work on understanding the problems with the SF21 even though they are not evolving it in the conventional sense of frequently producing new parts.
But you can always work on [the problems] by simply understanding them better, and if you understand them better an either because you correlate them better or you simply understand what are the reasons why we are performing a little less in those circumstances an it can open the door to solutions that you can already apply.
And because of this, coming here after a few races in which we experienced a lot of slow-speed bends is still a nice test for us. We want to assess how we improved and whether we gained any new knowledge. And this is the strategy we’re using to fight this weekend.
In the standings heading into the French Grand Prix, Ferrari is only two points ahead of McLaren, but their drivers are anticipating a return to “reality” following surprise pole positions for Charles Leclerc in Monaco and Baku, as well as a podium finish for Carlos Sainz in the Principality.
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Leaving Formula One: McLaren
Daniel Ricciardo is ending his McLaren chapter despite still having one more year left on his contract.
The Woking-based squad announced on Wednesday that the Australian will be leaving at the conclusion of the 2022 season and that his contract had been “mutually agreed” upon early termination.
It has been a privilege to be a part of the McLaren Racing family for the past two seasons, but after several months of talks with Zak and Andreas, Ricciardo and the team have chosen to end his contract early and come to an amicable agreement to part ways at the end of the current season. I have no regrets and am pleased of the effort and work I gave McLaren, especially the win in Monza last season. I’ll be announcing my own future intentions in due course, but regardless of what this new chapter brings, I have no regrets. I’ve loved working with everyone at McLaren, both on the racetrack and back in Woking, and I’ll be giving it everything I’ve got on and off the track as we enjoy the rest of the season together.
I’ve never felt more driven to participate in a sport that I adore and look forward to what lies ahead.
There are “no limits on where he may race,” according to reporter Chris Medland, and McLaren paid for the remaining year of Ricciardo’s deal.
With the Woking squad, he endured a turbulent period during which he was repeatedly questioned about his future at McLaren and in Formula 1. He stated again that he is “committed to McLaren till the end of next year and am not going away from the sport” prior to the French Grand Prix.
On the track, Ricciardo has had difficulty as well. Due to four top 10 finishes this season, he has accumulated 19 points. In Hungary, the 33-year-old displayed glimmers of his previous form by double-overtaking both Alpine drivers.
In 2020, a season impacted by COVID-19, the eight-time race winner was one of the strongest drivers on the grid. In his first season with Renault, Ricciardo finished in the top 10 in 14 of the 17 races, finishing the season with 11 straight finishes in the points.
Following the Hungarian Grand Prix, as Formula One entered its summer vacation, speculation over Daniel Ricciardo’s future at McLaren reached a new level. According to ESPN, team owner Andreas Seidl informed the 33-year-old that McLaren intended to replace him that Sunday night.
The following day, Aston Martin announced Fernando Alonso would replace Sebastian Vettel as their driver in 2023. The four-time world champion said that he would leave Formula One at the end of the current campaign.
Following Alonso’s unexpected decision to leave Alpine, the team announced that reserve driver Oscar Piastri would compete in Formula One alongside Esteban Ocon in 2023. The 21-year-old later clarified, “I understand that, without my consent, Alpine F1 have put out a press release late this afternoon stating I am driving for them next year,” in a statement sent on Twitter a few hours later. This is false, because Alpine and I have not agreed to a deal for 2023. Next year, I won’t be a driver for Alpine.
Are Lamborghini’s F1 days numbered?
In contrast to Formula One, Winkelmann told TG, “endurance racing and the LMDh has a lot to do with how we can convert the technology into the street-legal cars.” Indeed, the company’s next hybrid supercars, which will begin to be released from next year with the debut of the next-generation Aventador, will be tested on those Lambo hypercar racers.
But aside from the tech move, Winkelmann’s crew is simply overly busy. He referred to the company’s first excursion into motorsport back in 2009, saying, “We started with a one-make racing series, and at the time that was a major step for us.” “This one [the next LMDh entry] is eating up all the staff and development resources we have.
There is no longer any intention to enter Formula One, he continued, “along with all the adjustments we’re having on the regular line-up. What a shame. It would have been quite awesome to see a Lamborghini illuminate the F1 grid.
What F1 team is quitting?
Alfa Romeo has declared that it would exit motorsport and sever connections with Sauber after the conclusion of the 2023 season in a brief statement following the announcement that Audi will enter Formula One in 2026.
According to the corporation, Alfa Romeo “communicates that its association with Sauber Motorsport will cease by the end of 2023.”
Alfa Romeo announced its return to Formula One in 2017 with a long-term strategy. In July 2022, it announced its decision to extend its partnership with Sauber through 2023. This decision was made in light of the season’s first half’s encouraging performances, marketing efforts, and productive working relationship with the team.
Alfa Romeo will now assess the many alternatives on the table and choose which will be the best to continue the long-term strategy and the positioning of the brand because the brand’s economic and industrial turnaround will be completed in 2022.
Will BMW ever return to the F1?
BMW claims that the reason for its lack of involvement in the racing is the F1 organizers’ tardiness in implementing electrification technology.
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BMW doesn’t appear to be prepared to return to Formula One. Frank Van Meet, head of BMW M, stated that the carmaker has no desire to compete in Formula One. When it comes to its goals in motorsports, the automaker is instead expressing a greater interest in the Le Mans Daytona hybrid, or LMDh, according to BMWBlog.
BMW left the Formula One sport in 2009 after splitting with Sauber. Since then, rumors have circulated that the carmaker might return to the premier racing venue. However, with Meel’s explanation, the rumour comes to an end. He stated that in order for the business to accept the shift as quickly as possible, it is crucial to concentrate on electrification. “The laws pertaining to electrification are still being discussed in Formula 1. Therefore, it was extremely evident to us. Let’s move quickly to that section, “Added he.
Will Porsche ever make an F1 debut?
The Supervisory Board of VW Group authorized Porsche and Audi’s ambitions to enter Formula 1 in April. Porsche’s chairman announced in May that the company had begun working on an engine for the racing circuit.
Volkswagen: F1 entry?
How the two brands will work with already active Formula 1 teams is still unclear.
When new rules are adopted in 2026, according to the CEO of Volkswagen, the company’s Porsche and Audi brands will start racing in Formula 1.
Formula 1 is trying to lure new manufacturers, most notably VW, to join its existing pool as it introduces altered engine regulations starting in 2026. The 10 teams on the grid are currently supported by powertrains from Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault, and Red Bull.
The 2026 regulations’ basic structure has been established for some time. The little particulars are still being arranged. Officials from VW have already stated that the firm was anticipating that time.
For the first time, Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess stated in a question-and-answer session posted on YouTube on Monday that the company’s two premium brands will compete in Formula 1 starting in 2026. Diess cited the expansion of Formula 1 in important areas like the United States and China, the increased interest of younger viewers, and the possibility presented by the engine regulations of 2026.
How the two companies will collaborate with current Formula 1 teams is still unclear.
Red Bull Powertrains, which was established for 2022 in order for Red Bull’s two teams—Red Bull Racing and AlphaTauri—to continue using Honda’s powertrains after the Japanese manufacturer’s official exit, has been strongly linked to a partnership with Porsche.
Porsche’s most prosperous period in Formula 1 occurred in the middle of the 1980s when it partnered with McLaren as an engine supplier and entered their cars under the TAG logo. It last appeared in 1991, during a disastrous alliance with the Footwork-branded Arrows team that lasted barely a few races.
Despite the manufacturer being associated with various teams recently, Audi’s plans are still unclear.
Why did Porsche quit Formula One?
Porsche left Formula One at the end of the season due to exorbitant expenditures after recently purchasing the Reutter facility. F1 was too far removed from road cars for Volkswagen and German suppliers to be interested in making a commitment. Up until 1964, Privateers kept using the old Porsche 718 in Formula 1.
Is Ricciardo being let go by McLaren?
After reaching a mutual decision, Daniel Ricciardo announces he will leave McLaren at the conclusion of the 2022 season, but he vows to “never forget Monza.”
After agreeing to a mutual early termination of his contract, Daniel Ricciardo will depart McLaren at the conclusion of the current campaign.
Although Alpine is still adamant they have a contract for its wantaway youth to stay, the confirmation of the early separation opens the door for Oscar Piastri to join the Woking team.
Eight-time race winner Ricciardo, who joined McLaren in 2021 but has battled for form, said it has been a honor to be a part of the team for the past two seasons.
We chose to finish my contract with the squad early and come to an understanding to part ways at the end of this season after several months of conversations with Zak & Andreas.
I have no regrets and am happy of the time and energy I put into McLaren, notably the win in Monza last season. I’ll be announcing my own future intentions in due course, but regardless of what this new chapter brings.
Take a look back at Daniel Ricciardo’s finest race triumphs for Red Bull as his future at McLaren appears to be in doubt.
After joining McLaren, Ricciardo signed a three-year contract. He was adamant that he would stay, even posting a message on social media in July before the Alpine-Piastri controversy started. His contract did extend through 2023.
However, an unprecedented transfer story expedited his leaving when he had terrible performance on the track.
Early in August, Fernando Alonso announced he would be leaving Alpine for Aston Martin in 2023. Alpine then appeared to act quickly by naming their current reserve Piastri.
Oscar Piastri’s refusal of a position with Alpine for the upcoming season surprises Paul Di Resta, who believes the young Australian has another position set up for 2022.
In a now-famous social media post, F1 prospect Piastri, however, disputed his team’s assertion and stated he will be competing elsewhere in 2019.
The team that is rumored to have an agreement with Piastri is McLaren, who has been planning to part ways with Ricciardo for months.
Given that Alpine claims to have a contract with Piastri and the Australian is confident he has a leave-of-absence clause, Piastri is anticipated to join McLaren, if the FIA’s Contract Recognition Board approves the move.