In the round-up: Red Bull won’t show their 2023 Formula 1 car at their launch event on Friday but rumours are growing they will reveal a new deal with a major American car manufacturer.
In brief
Ford considering F1 return with Red Bull – report
The “new car” Red Bull will present at its launch event on Friday will not be its RB19 chassis but a presentation of its livery for the 2023 F1 season, RaceFans understands.
However rumours are growing the world championship will announce a tie-up with Ford. The American motoring giant’s long history in Formula 1 ended in 2004, when it sold its Jaguar team to Red Bull and withdrew as an engine supplied to Jordan.
According to The Mirror, a deal between Red Bull and Ford is expected, with a possible announcement coming during the team’s launch event.
Red Bull have set up their own powertrains division following Honda’s official withdrawal from F1 at the end of 2021. However, Honda continue to manufacture the power units that RBPT run and maintain.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Vasseur prepared to “fight like hell” against friend Wolff
New Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur says he is prepared to “fight like hell” against his friend Toto Wolff, team principal of Mercedes, during his first season with the team.
Vasseur joined Ferrari at the end of last year replacing Mattia Binotto after multiple years leading the Sauber team, currently operating as Alfa Romeo. Asked about his friendship with Wolff, Vasseur says he sees his good relationship with Wolff as a positive.
“I know that we will fight on-track,” Vasseur said. “We will fight to the stewards, we will fight in the FIA, we’ll fight for the Concorde Agreement. And this is life.
“At the end of the day, I think for the global picture it’s an advantage also to have a very good collaboration between teams and on this side when the common interest of the teams, of the F1, will be to have discussion and to find an agreement. I think it will be a huge advantage for a good relationship.
“But as you know I have also a good relationship with a couple of other of my colleagues. And I think this is always good that then we have to be clever enough to speak completely our life and be sure that I will fight like hell with Toto on-track and out of the track.”
Bedrin becomes Jenzer’s second F3 entrant
Jenzer Motorsport announced that 17-year-old Nikita Bedrin will be their second driver in this year’s FIA Formula 3 championship.
Bedrin finished fourth in the UAE and German F4 championships last season, with a single race victory at Lausitzring. He also tested with the team during the post-season F3 test held at Jerez, covering 184 laps over three days.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Links
Motor racing links of interest:
Lando Norris a ‘franchise’ driver for McLaren, says Zak Brown (ESPN)
“Lando’s a franchise driver. Lando’s one of those guys if we put everyone in a dirt buggy and we put all the F1 drivers in a race, he’d be at the front because he’s got that kind of natural talent. He’s a total star. And he’s pushing us.”
Michael Andretti calls Formula 1 teams ‘greedy’ for resisting growth; is he right? (Indy Star)
“Teams will undoubtedly negotiate a far higher anti-dilution fee within the next Concorde Agreement given F1’s success; so what might they be asking for? Let’s estimate what a few more years of 25% growth would do to F1’s revenues. If the sport ended 2022 around the projected $2.7 billion in revenue and saw three more years of similar growth, annual F1 revenues will be hitting $5 billion by 2025. That’s nearly 150% growth in just four years and doubling in just three.”
What Lando Norris Can’t Live Without (New York Magazine)
“We asked Formula One racing driver Lando Norris — who recently launched a campaign with luggage brand TUMI — about his favorite camera, comfortable beanie, and the nostalgic drink he freezes to make ‘ice lollies.'”
Quiz: Can you remember our biggest team launch moments? (McLaren)
“From the insane to the mundane, we’ve produced a variety of car launches throughout our history in Formula 1. For every experimental festival in Europe, there’s a much more modest launch with just the drivers posing in front of their new car. But even the subtler unveilings produce standout moments, whether through innovative tech, a fresh paint job, or a newly signed driver. We’ve gone back through the years and selected our favourite facts to put your memory to the test.”
Maloney: This is where I need to show what I’m capable of (F2)
“Hopefully we’ll be winning some races this year and just doing the best job that we can. I’m sure that they’re gonna give me a great car. I can’t wait because I keep stepping up in my career and this is where I really need to show what I’m about and what I can do. This is the year that I need to do that so I’m looking forward to getting started.”
F1 Drink System | How It Works (Mercedes via YouTube)
“In this episode of #HowItWorks we shine a spotlight on the drinks system in Formula One.”
We always endeavour to credit original sources. If you have a tip for a link relating to single-seater motorsport to feature in the next RaceFans round-up please send it to us via the contact form.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Cliffery, Kutigz and Pmelton!
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
