In the round-up: Haas driver Kevin Magnussen says drivers should have the freedom to express their views after the FIA announced new restrictions on competitors making political statements.
In brief
Freedom for drivers to speak minds an “essential value”- Magnussen
Haas driver Kevin Magnussen believes that drivers having the freedom to express their beliefs and values is “essential”.
The FIA has amended its International Sporting Code to forbid participants in its events from making “political statements” without the governing body’s permission. Magnussen is the latest driver to criticise the move.
“I still need to understand it,” Magnussen told Sky. “I guess many of us still need to understand what that means.
“I grew up in a country where we’re all free to express our views and religions and are free to speak our mind. I think that is a value that I appreciate and would like to see in Formula 1 as well. So I’m curious to see how those conversations are going to go.
“It’s just not great. I would like to have the freedom – not that I necessarily plan to do anything – but I think that freedom is an essential value.”
Silverstone protesters guilty of public nuisance offence
A group of protesters who invaded the Silverstone race track during the start of the British Grand Prix have been convicted of causing a public nuisance at Northampton Crown Court.
The six protestors of group Just Stop Oil were arrested after walking onto the live race track soon after the race began. However, the race was coincidentally neutralised due to the violent accident involving Zhou Guanyu seconds earlier.
The BBC reports that judge Mr Justice Garnham warned the protesters that they might face jail time. All six were released on bail and will be sentenced on 31st March.
Wehrlein taken to hospital for checks after practice crash
Formula E championship leader Pascal Wehrlein was taken to hospital after suffering a heavy crash in bizarre circumstances during practice for today’s Hyderabad Eprix.
The Porsche driver crashed at the final corner coming to start his first flying lap of the session, spinning and hitting hard into the barrier. Wehrlein was heard claiming that his throttle had been stuck open over team radio and as the session resumed, both Porsches and Porsche-powered Andretti cars sat out the session while the team investigated the accident.
In a statement later posted on social media, Porsche announced that “Pascal is okay but has gone to the hospital for some precautionary checks.”
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Links
Motor racing links of interest:
“Yes, a breach did happen, and vehicles were on the racetrack, and it was very chaotic. The police removed the barricades and there was vehicular movement on the track. Although higher authorities got involved and the situation was resolved, there is absolutely no coordination between the organisers and the police.”
The finishing touches of car build (McLaren)
“Having spent the best part of three decades painting, he’s in a good position to compare the two methods. Ahead of Monday’s team launch, we joined Darren during the vinyl wrapping process and watched as he made it look both ridiculously simple and supremely fast.”
Ford’s corporate approach at Jaguar ‘like a virus that spread’ says Herbert (Motor Sport)
“While all these management changes were happening, the team was going nowhere. All that corporate mess that was going on sort of just filtered into the factory – it’s like a virus that spreads, and from there everything just gets worse.”
Potential for immediate F2 performances – Isack Hadjar (F2)
“Isack Hadjar is undoubtedly quick and the excitement from within Red Bull ranks about his potential for the future is a strong indicator of just how talented he is. After achieving multiple wins in his rookie F3 campaign and mounting a title charge, his graduation to Formula 2 for 2023 is more than deserved and one of the more intriguing prospects of the new season.”
Piotr Wiśnicki completes PHM Racing by Charouz’s line-up for 2023 (F3)
“PHM Racing by Charouz have confirmed the completion of their 2023 FIA Formula 3 driver line-up, announcing that Polish racer Piotr Wiśnicki will be joining Sophia Flörsch and Roberto Faria at the German team.”
Cohen completes Rodin Carlin FIA F3 line-up (Carlin)
“Rodin Carlin is pleased to announce that Ido Cohen will complete the team’s line-up in the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship. The Israeli racer makes a welcome return to the team he raced with in 2020 and 2021 and joins already announced teammatesOliver Gray and Hunter Yeany. “
Di Grassi: ‘We’re going to push 100%’ for Mahindra’s home race (Formula E)
“Formula E is the future, it’s electric and Mahindra is already producing electric vehicles here in India, including a new SUV that was launched last week. There’s a whole momentum for electric cars here, even electric tuktuks! Electric mobility spans from micro mobility all the way up to trucks. There is a lot of potential here in India, but for us of course it is extra special for us, Mahindra is the only Indian manufacturer on the grid. We’re going to push 100% to have the best possible race that we can.”
Live Company Group PLC Formula E Update (ADVFN)
” Live Company Group Plc are pleased to provide an update on the Formula E Race which is due to take place in Cape Town in 15 days’ time. Currently over 15,000 tickets so far have been sold from the potential total of 21,000 which is already 70% of the tickets sold and the expectation is to sell out prior to the event on 25(th) February.”
Motorcycle road racing in Northern Ireland cancelled for 2023 (BBC)
“All motorcycle road racing, short circuit racing and trials in Northern Ireland have been cancelled for 2023. After an emergency meeting, the organising clubs deemed it impossible to run events because of soaring insurance charges. Quoted costs for public liability insurance for 2023 have tripled, amounting to more than £400,000. Cancelled events include the North West 200, Northern Ireland’s biggest outdoor sporting event. Other cancelled events include the Cookstown 100, Tandragee 100, Armoy Race of Legends, Ulster Grand Prix, and Sunflower trophy at Bishopscourt.”
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Social media
Notable posts from Twitter, Instagram and more:
New RB19 @redbullracing #F1 #F12023 #redbullracing #RedBull pic.twitter.com/Fr0zgrrEaq
— TORNADO (@otabil_fernando) February 10, 2023
Fresh for 2023 🔥
Introducing our new @pumamotorsport team kit for this season 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/ZcVU44BAGs
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) February 10, 2023
Monaco Hotel, yes @Charles_Leclerc is Monagasque but this mural proves he is the ‘cats whiskers’! Weird. pic.twitter.com/l7OXMPqOLK
— Tony Jardine (@tony_jardine) February 10, 2023
droppin’ in on the Red Bull fam at the @newyorkredbulls jersey launch 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6LdyCSnI5a
— Scuderia AlphaTauri (@AlphaTauriF1) February 10, 2023
🚨Driver Announcement🚨 #NereaMartí joins campos for the first season of @f1academy 🔥 pic.twitter.com/zlQzNNbIxh
— Campos Racing (@CamposRacing) February 10, 2023
Ferrari have launched a new app in which you can select your favourite of their drivers.
Can’t argue with the inclusion of names like @Charles_Leclerc, @Carlossainz55, @schumacher, Raikkonen, Villeneuve, Lauda, Surtees, Ascari or Gonzalez.
But no Vettel or Alonso?#F1 pic.twitter.com/g2mI0d662O
— Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) February 10, 2023
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Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Willis, Tom.Y, David Benford, Markie and Pete!
On this day in motorsport
- 50 years ago today home favourite Emerson Fittipaldi beat Jackie Stewart to win the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos