F1 News

Mercedes are set to bring their first major upgrade of the season at this weekend’s race in Imola, and the team’s Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin has revealed how these updates should get them back on the path to fighting with Red Bull.

McLaren brought significant floor upgrades to Baku and Miami in an attempt to claw back some performance. But what do these upgrades consist of? Mark Hughes explains, with a technical illustration from Giorgio Piola.

Formula 1 heads to Italy for the first time in 2023, as the drivers get set to go racing at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, and here’s how you can watch all the action unfold on F1 TV.

Go behind the scenes at F1's studio shoot, where the drivers and team principals capture the opening titles, greenscreen sequences and pose for some photos in the photography studio.

Lance Stroll has enjoyed working alongside his new Aston Martin team mate Fernando Alonso so far this season, as he praised the two-time world champion's commitment to getting the best out of himself and the team each weekend.

Pirelli have announced which tyres they will be bringing to this weekend’s 2023 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – matching the choice of compounds last seen in Azerbaijan.

Formula 1 heads to Imola for round six of the 2023 season, and how and when you can catch the drivers do battle at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend.

Teams will have two fewer sets of slick tyres to use over the 2023 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix weekend as part of an innovation introduced by Pirelli, with a view to improving sustainability…

AlphaTauri have become the latest Formula 1 team to receive Three-Star Environmental Accreditation – the FIA’s highest level of environmental recognition.

The legendary Italian circuit at Imola has hosted incredible battles ever since it staged the Italian Grand Prix back in 1980, and this year's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix sees two Red Bull drivers going in with the title in mind, while Mercedes and Ferrari look to claw back some performance.

Formula 1 fan favourite, and eight-time Gran Prix winner, Daniel Ricciardo believes an F1 return is imminent.

The Aussie has been a Red Bull reserve driver for the current season after his strenuous two-year tenure at Mclaren came to an end.

Aside from an Italian Grand Prix victory in his first season, accolades were hard to come by.

At McLaren, Ricciardo was consistently bettered by teammate Lando Norris, who lacked the same experience and success as the Australian. Eventually, Ricciardo lost his seat to F1 rookie and fellow compatriot Oscar Piastri.

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Daniel Ricciardo’s long-awaited return to the track will be in Red Bull’s RB19, as he recently revealed.

“I’ve been in the simulator, but I will drive the RB19 in July after the Silverstone race. I’m getting a Pirelli test,” he said.

“Then maybe I’ll get another one after Monza as well in September. A couple of months away (and) I’ll get to feel what it’s like.”

“But I’m just excited to drive again and to just try to remind a team obviously I once had a lot of success with that I can still turn a fast lap.

“Right now, I do want to get back on the grid next year. I do feel like there’s certainly some unfinished business. I’m staying like in the loop and staying prepared and whatever.”

Christian Horner breaks silence on Max #Verstappen breaching contract to retire https://t.co/ZbnoLdZtdO

— Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) May 10, 2023

READ: Ex-engineer breaks silence on Red Bull developing car only for Max Verstappen

With a reluctance to accept offers from teams lower down the pecking order, the chances of competing in the 2023 season were slim.

Ricciardo’s decision to depart Red Bull for Renault marked a journey of difficult decisions that didn’t pay off.

He never quite hit the same heights as he had with the now reigning champions Red Bull. Nonetheless, F1 fans around the world will be eagerly anticipating Daniel Ricciardo’s return to the sport.

The post Daniel Ricciardo reveals his plan to return to Formula 1 in 2024 appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

In the round-up: Rain disrupts F1 preparations at Imola and washes out Indianapolis 500 practice • Alpine drivers test Pirelli's wet weather tyres

Logan Sargeant, the American rookie, is struggling to make an impact in his debut F1 season racing for Williams.

The American has failed to score a point so far this season, unable to improve on a 12th-placed finish in Bahrain during the opening weekend.

Sargeant has been given time to turn things around provided he shows promise in Italy, Monaco, and Spain. A failure to do so will result in his contract being “reevaluated.”

Such a poor run of form has attracted Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff to give his verdict.

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Toto Wolff wants Mick Schumacher to replace Logan Sargeant

The Mercedes boss has a long-term confidante in Williams’ team principal James Vowles and believes Mick Schumacher is the man to take Sargeant’s seat.

Schumacher has had to sit back and watch on as a Mercedes reserve this season, having been dropped by Haas last year after a fractured relationship with Haas team principal Guenther Steiner came to an end.

Haas opted to replace Schumacher with experienced veteran Nico Hulkenberg for the 2023 season as Schumacher failed to impress over two years.

The 23-year-old, and son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher, has shown glimpses of real potential, but evidently not enough to convince Haas.

Schumacher was scoreless in his debut season in F1 but consistently outperformed ex-teammate Nikita Mazepin.

However, the 2022 season proved sporadically opulent, as Schumacher scored points in Britain and Austria – finishing eighth and sixth respectively.

Unfortunately for Schumacher, the season was hampered by accidents, costing Haas a fortune.

For Logan Sargeant, he will have to improve drastically in order to eradicate speculation and silence critics such as Wolff.

#RedBull admit they considered selling #AlphaTauri as they provide new update https://t.co/VesCGQXTsA

— Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) May 15, 2023

READ: Lewis Hamilton warned he wouldn’t perform better than Charles Leclerc

Toto Wolff will be keen to find Schumacher a seat for the season but one thing is for certain – it won’t be with AlphaTauri.

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko swiftly shut down interest in Schumacher.

“He’s a Mercedes driver and he’s not in our plans. Accordingly, Toto Wolff is responsible for him,” he said.

The post Will Mick Schumacher be a Williams driver after 3 races? appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has provided a recent update on seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton’s future at the team.

However, Wolff’s words appear to bring no closure to the situation and instead give birth to more speculation.

“I want the best for him, but in this role, I need the best for the team. It may be the only time in our ten or eleven years that we’re together and our goals diverge,” Wolff stated.

If those words are anything to go by then the chances of Hamilton getting a “multi-year” deal with Mercedes are slim, opening the gates for an imminent move to rivals Ferrari.

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Lewis Hamilton has failed to win a race since December 3rd 2021, which came at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

For the 2023 season, Hamilton has endured a rocky start, finding himself limited to one podium finish.

The severity of Red Bull’s pace has made competition an insurmountable task and it’ll certainly sting the Briton.

The Australian GP is as close as Hamilton has come to tasting victory this season, losing out to Max Verstappen.

Verstappen, the reigning World Champion, surged past Hamilton to claim his second win of the season which further conveyed the gulf in difference regarding pace and consistency.

Will Hamilton seek greener pastures?

The question as to whether Hamilton needs to move on in order to compete has been up for much discussion, but Eddie Jordan is one man that strongly feels a new challenge is needed for the former World Champion.

Moreover, Sky Sports host Martin Brundle believes there is “one more roll of the dice” for Hamilton, further suggesting a break up from a very successful partnership may be best for all parties.

Max #Verstappen reveals hilarious gift from #RedBull after DRS woes https://t.co/u5nqObreN1

— Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) May 16, 2023

READ: Daniel Ricciardo claims Charles Leclerc has a better chance of dating Taylor Swift

Toto Wolff recently likened contracts talks to having an awkward conversation with a friend, stating:

“It’s super embarrassing. Every three years, we know that we have this moment. And it’s like negotiating the financial terms with your best friend with a close friend. How do you go about it?”

So far Lewis Hamilton has remained loyal, ultimately pledging his allegiance to the Silver Arrows – the team that has provided him the platform to win six World Championships.

The post Toto Wolff raises eyebrows with Lewis Hamilton contract remark appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

Formula One driver Mario Andretti has claimed that Lewis Hamilton still has more to give, even though he is struggling to find his way back to the top of the podium.

Mercedes has found themselves off the pace of their rivals in the new era of regulations, as they struggle to find the right approach to the car’s aerodynamics.

Having failed to secure a victory during the season for the first time in his Formula 1 career, Hamilton also found himself being outscored by his teammate George Russell.

With speculation swirling over Hamilton’s future in Formula 1 and conversations about the pecking order at Mercedes, Andretti believes Hamilton is far from being past his peak.

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“I don’t think Hamilton is past his peak. But the difference between him and George Russell is that Russell has never driven a car that is as competitive as the Mercedes,” Andretti told PlanetF1.com.

“And Lewis Hamilton has never driven a car that’s as uncompetitive as Mercedes is at the moment. 

“Lewis has always had the blessing of being with an extremely competitive car. Look at the McLaren times, when McLaren was at its peak – there he was. 

“Now he has to fight a little bit harder to achieve what was easier to achieve.”

“So he’s having a tough time just really getting that last bit out of it, whereas George has never really experienced a car just as strong that’s still able to run up front. 

“So there’s the difference – you can draw your own conclusions, but I wouldn’t write off Lewis by any means at this stage.”

Christian Horner reveals how #RedBull ‘p***** off’ other teams https://t.co/FB8dHnOr02

— Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) May 15, 2023

READ: FIA criticised after tow truck appears on track mid-race in Miami

While some have claimed that Hamilton could be on the brink of retirement and others believe he is preparing to swap teams, the seven-time world champion has stated that he is still committed to Mercedes.

Hamilton has found himself in a relatively consistent position throughout the 2023 season, having finished in 5th place in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and 6th place in Azerbaijan and Miami.

The Brit secured the only podium of the season so far for Mercedes in Australia, finishing in P2, behind Max Verstappen and ahead of Fernando Alonso.

The post Lewis Hamilton struggling without his ‘blessing’ appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

Max Verstappen has reaffirmed his skill as a driver in the real world and online, as he showed off his trademark overtaking abilities during the virtual 24 Hours of Nürburgring.

Competing for Team Redline around the digital circuit, Verstappen lined up in P7, moving through the grid to P2, thanks in part to an impressive double overtake.

The Red Bull driver’s fearless approach to his online race left his teammates and those watching at home in shock.

Unfortunately, Verstappen was hit by some technical issues, impacting the team’s progress through the pack, leaving them a lap behind the leader in P3.

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This isn’t the first time that Verstappen has found his virtual performance hurt by a poor connection, with the two-time world champion having launched into a rant earlier this year when he was forced to retire from the 24 hours of Le Mans Virtual race.

Verstappen labelled the situation a “clown show” after technical issues forced him out of a race that he had been leading, as part of a team with Jeffrey Rietveld, Luke Browning and Diogo Pinto.

Valtteri #Bottas became ‘angry’ with Lewis #Hamilton https://t.co/R6Zr32nSu2

— Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) May 14, 2023

READ: Lando Norris and George Russell give brutally honest take on Miami GP

The event would be red flagged multiple times because of the technical issues, with Verstappen claiming it would be the last time he’d ever participate. 

Verstappen’s ability to easily overtake rivals was on show in the real world around Miami, as he performed a double overtake on Charles Leclerc and Kevin Magnussen with the help of the RB19’s strong DRS.

The Dutchman continued his charge through the field to take victory in Florida for the third time this season, extending his lead at the top of the Drivers’ Standings.

The post Max Verstappen shocks team-mate with overtaking skills appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

Lewis Hamilton has become known for his stylish outfits as much as his impressive performance around the racetrack, unveiling another eye-catching fit at a recent NBA game.

Joining Hollywood A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio on the front row, Hamilton donned a stunning double green denim outfit, topped off by a $300,000 Patek Philippe Nautilus Flyback Chronograph Date watch.

Hamilton isn’t the only driver to have been spotted with the stylish watch, as Daniel Ricciardo, currently Red Bull’s reserve driver, was seen wearing one during an interview in 2020.

The watch was a departure from Hamilton’s usual choice, as the Brit normally wears a IWC Schaffhausen timepiece due to his partnership with the company.

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With Hamilton currently heavily involved in a major Hollywood film starring Brad Pitt, it’s no surprise to see the seven-time world champion alongside Oscar winner DiCaprio.

The pair sat next to each other as they enjoyed a match between two of the top teams in the NBA, as the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors squared off in the conference semifinals.

The sporting event will have been a chance for Hamilton to relax ahead of his return to the grid in Imola, where he will be hoping Mercedes can revive their season after a rocky start.

With Mercedes having struggled to adapt to the new era of regulations, the team is introducing a substantial upgrade package in Imola in a bid to fight for victory again.

Stefano Domenicali breaks silence on calls for #FIA to end #RedBull’s success https://t.co/iGFL2WxEEG

— Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) May 15, 2023

READ: Red Bull admit they considered selling AlphaTauri as they provide new update

The upgrades are set to focus on addressing the team’s aerodynamic failures, which have left them far off the pace of their Red Bull rivals.

Red Bull currently holds a 122 point lead in the Constructors’ Championship, with Aston Martin in P2 and Mercedes close behind in P3.

The title fight looks to be Red Bull’s to lose but, so far, no one has managed to come close to unseating the reigning champions.

The post Lewis Hamilton spotted with Leonardo DiCaprio with $300k watch appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

Max Verstappen is in the prime of his career, having secured two consecutive Drivers’ Championships for Red Bull, as well as securing three victories so far this season for the team.

The Dutchman’s dominance in the sport has given him a 14 point lead over his teammate Sergio Perez and a 44 point lead over his nearest non-Red Bull rival Fernando Alonso.

If Verstappen were to win a third consecutive crown, he would equal the number of titles secured by some of the sport’s greatest drivers, including Ayrton Senna, Niki Lauda and Jackie Stewart.

There are only five drivers who have won more than three trophies – Sebastian Vettel and Alain Prost, who both won four, Juan Manuel Fangio, who secured five championships, and Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher who are tied on seven titles.

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With Red Bull looking set to continue its dominance in the sport for years to come, former Formula 1 team owner Eddie Jordan believes that Verstappen could become one of the greatest legends to ever grace the sport.

Speaking on the Formula for Success podcast, Jordan said: “For me, I really do believe in time, he will turn out to be the greatest driver of all time, subject to him being safe and well for a very long time.

“Because he has such a phenomenal attitude in the car. He’s aggressive when he needs to be aggressive. He’s tough when he needs to be tough. But he’s clever as well. He knows how to look after the car.”

#Formula1 CEO fires shot at Bernie Ecclestone https://t.co/I7qxCCbWyP

— Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) May 16, 2023

READ: Toto Wolff makes admission about upgrades that will worry Lewis Hamilton

“Another thing in his favour, he has to hope, particularly after the death of Dietrich Mateschitz of Red Bull that the team stays as strong as it is. With the people like Christian [Horner] and Adrian Newey there, I see no real problem in the short term.

“I see Max going from strength to strength, and I would not like to be a driver in Formula 1 at the moment hoping to become a world champion, because I don’t know where it’s going to come from.”

Verstappen’s rivals might be disappointed to hear such a claim from an experienced figure in Formula 1, as they had hoped to challenge the Dutchman when teams bring upgrade packages ahead of Imola.

The post ‘No problem’ for Max Verstappen in the short term at Red Bull appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

The new slate of regulations, brought in at the start of 2022 with the aim of bringing the field closer together, has seen Red Bull run away from the pack.

In this era, Lewis Hamilton has found himself far off the pace of his former rival Max Verstappen again this season, sparking frustration at Mercedes and among fans, who want to see someone fight Red Bull for victory.

“I’m challenged every single day to get back to the front, so it’s definitely not boring from my perspective,” Hamilton said.

“But as a racing fan watching, I can understand because there’s not as much competition as there perhaps is in the NFL or the NBA at the moment.

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“That’s not my doing. As a sport they have already tried to bring the teams closer but it never seems to work. All I can say is that we’re working as hard as we can to close up and get back and give them more of a fight.”

However, despite the obvious challenges with the car’s performance, the seven-time world champion has not allowed his spirits to be dampened as he seek to find his way back to the front of the grid.

Verstappen has led the way so far, taking the lead in the championship standings, 14 points ahead of his teammate and over 40 points clear of his nearest non-Red Bull rival.

#RedBull admit they considered selling #AlphaTauri as they provide new update https://t.co/VesCGQXTsA

— Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) May 15, 2023

READ: Lewis Hamilton warned he wouldn’t perform better than Charles Leclerc

The Dutchman has taken three victories, while Sergio Perez has secured the remaining two, giving Red Bull success in every round of the 2023 season so far.

Ahead of Imola, Mercedes, Aston Martin and Ferrari are looking to find a way to mount a challenge to the dominant title-holders with a series of upgrades on the way.

Hamilton will be looking at his own team’s changes, as he still remains set on securing a record eighth world championship, surpassing the number held by Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher.

The post Lewis Hamilton refuses to take responsibility for fans’ boredom appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

Sergio Perez believes the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari could play a part in his fight against Max Verstappen for the championship this season, should the two sides improve.

Mercedes could be set to improve as soon as this weekend at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, where the Germans will be introducing their new concept.

Whilst team principal Toto Wolff has tried to manage people’s expectations, many believe it to be the Germans final hope should they wish to be amongst the title fight, with Perez being aware of the impact it could have on his title chances.

Should Mercedes improve considerably in Imola, then Lewis Hamilton and George Russell could intervene in Perez’s title fight against Verstappen, something which could see the Mexican lose touch with his team-mate.

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Ferrari are also set to introduce several upgrades over the coming races as are Aston Martin, meaning Red Bull’s healthy advantage could suddenly take a significant hit.

As a result, Perez knows he can’t “make mistakes” going forward, given that it’ll become harder to fight through the field if the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari discover more pace.

“Yeah. The margins are very close, particularly on Saturdays,” Perez told RacingNews365.com.

“On Sunday, it depends a bit circuit to circuit, so it’s important not to make mistakes.”

So far this season, Red Bull have been a country-mile ahead of everybody else, with the Austrians having claimed four 1-2 finishes from the opening five races.

They’re actually the only team to have won a race this season, something which has seen them build a 122-point lead in the Constructors’ Championship.

With Red Bull being so superior, the team have allowed Perez and Verstappen to fight, something they’re yet to really do whilst on the same strategy.

Christian Horner reveals how #RedBull ‘p***** off’ other teams https://t.co/FB8dHnOr02

— Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) May 15, 2023

READ: Stefano Domenicali breaks silence on calls for FIA to end Red Bull’s success

Even if Mercedes or Ferrari do improve, Perez doesn’t see the team changing their approach anytime soon, with the 33-year-old believing that Red Bull will continue to let him fight Verstappen throughout the season.

“I think the level of respect between Max, myself, the engineers, is really high, although people might think differently, but it’s extremely high,” Perez said.

“And I’m sure that the team feels super confident to let us race as hard as we’ve been doing.”

The post ‘People might think differently’: Sergio Perez on Max Verstappen ‘respect’ appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.