In the round-up: The FIA’s investigation into him and and his wife did “great damage”, says Toto Wolff
In brief
FIA’s short-lived investigation did “great damage” – Wolff
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said an investigation into him and his wife Susie which the FIA opened and quickly dropped last year is “not what you expect from the world of F1 in general.” The FIA announced last month it was looking into whether confidential information had been exchanged between an F1 team principal and a member of Formula One Management, then two days later declared no investigation was taking place.
“The investigation opened and closed in two days has caused great damage,” Wolff told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “If we want to make sport more and more professional, we must try to bring transparency where there is none and establish standards of the highest possible level.
“My position is this. I can’t speak for Susie but she is someone who doesn’t give up, she has a steely determination. It’s not the first time he has faced difficulties, and he will get to the bottom of every court. If one types ‘Susie Wolff’ on the web today, the investigation comes out as the first news: the bullet came from the rifle and can no longer go back inside.”
Newey ‘surprised’ by domination
Red Bull chief technology officer Adrian Newey admits he is surprised by his team’s dominance in recent seasons.
Red Bull’s cars, designed by Newey, have won 38 of 44 grands prix in the two seasons since the ground effect regulations revolution in 2022. However, Newer admits he did not expect the RB19 to be as dominant as it was.
“It’s a complete surprise,” Newey told Top Gear. “For the ’22 season we had the biggest regulation change on the chassis side since 1983, in terms of going back to venturi cars.
“We thought as we headed into the second year, with almost no regulation change over the winter and us running what is in effect an evolution car, that our advantage would be diminished, if not eradicated. Clearly that’s not how it’s panned out.”
RB20 rebrand wide of the mark
A report by a publication owned by Red Bull claiming they will rename their new car for the 2024 season in honour of Dietrich Mateschitz was retracted yesterday. SpeedWeek claimed the successor to the dominant RB19 will be called the DM01 as a mark of respect for their founder, who died in October 2022.
However the story was subsequently edited to remove references to the new name and social media posts referring to it were deleted. The article now refers to the car instead as the RB20, the same name Red Bull is using for it on social media.
Red Bull has been approached for comment.
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Links
Motor racing links of interest:
Former Alpine chief set for F1 return with new team (Independent)
‘Former Alpine sporting director Alan Permane is reportedly set to join AlphaTauri ahead of the new F1 season. Permane would work under new AlphaTauri team principal Laurent Mekies, formerly of Ferrari, and alongside the driver pairing of Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda.’
Shed that produced Tyrrell F1 winners is dismantled for Goodwood move (Motor Sport)
‘The humble birthplace of Ken Tyrrell’s first Formula 1 grand prix-winning machines, as well as the current Mercedes team, is the stuff of legend. It remains in exactly the same spot where it has stood for more than 70 years — but only for a few more days. Last week, work began to dismantle the building and move it to Goodwood, a rescue mission that saves the historic shed from the threat of demolition.’
New film goes behind-the-scenes in Formula E World Championship (FIA)
‘The latest episode of FIA Insights – entitled ‘Race To Road Tech: Mastering Energy in Formula E’ – is now available to view, shining a spotlight on technology transfer from race to road, energy management and telemetry in the electric single-seater series.’
Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe confirm leadership reshuffle (Daily Sportscar)
”As a first step, an updated top management organisation has been implemented, led by President Masato Hirai, Vice Chairman Kazuki Nakajima and Managing Director Rob Leupen. A process is underway to further develop an efficient management organization and empower the next generation of leaders. David Floury has accepted a role as acting Technical Director, reporting to Rob Leupen. The positions of John Litjens and Norio Aoki, respective project leaders of WEC and WRC Engine, are unchanged and both will now report to David Floury.”
Will a woman ever race in F1 again? Female drivers are challenging racing’s status quo (LA Times)
Bianca Bustamante: ”There’s always that one comment where they’re just like, ‘Girls can’t drive. You crash way too much.’ Or you should go back to the kitchen and cook something. Those comments, I’m not even affected by it anymore. At this point, that’s funny.”
Whatever it Takes (McLaren via YouTube)
McLaren hype up the launch of their 2024 car next month in this stylishly produced video.
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Happy birthday to Dave and Daniel Martinez!