In the round-up: Williams team principal James Vowles says Formula 1 needs to discuss whether it wants to encourage the tactics used by rivals Haas in last weekend’s race.
In brief
F1 should discuss Haas tactics – Vowles
Haas’ decision to use Kevin Magnussen to slow down a queue of cars in order to help his team mate Nico Hulkenberg score points was strongly criticised by RB. Vowles admitted he didn’t like to see such tactics.
“Those questions on whether or not those tactics are viable or not, or unsportsmanlike, let’s review that as an organisation and a sport going forward,” he said in a video published by Williams. “My opinion from it is that’s not how I want to go racing.”
Andretti revamps plan for new headquarters
Andretti Global released images of revised plans for the new headquarters it is building in Indiana. It intends to move from its current Zionsville Road premises to its new location next year.
“Since ground-breaking, we’ve taken time to really evaluate and dive deep into every aspect of the project,” said chairman and CEO Michael Andretti. “Our goal remains to create a healthy workplace and culture for employees and a campus that can be a destination for the community, while focusing on enhanced performance and competition capabilities for our race teams. The updated designs and direction accomplish all those things and I’m so proud of what we are building.”
Andretti’s application to enter F1 as an 11th team was approved by the FIA last year but turned down by Formula One Management in January.
F1 “in a tricky moment” – Leclerc
Charles Leclerc acknowledged F1 is “in a tricky moment” when asked whether the sport should race in regimes such as Saudi Arabia. Saturday’s grand prix was F1’s fourth in the country, which has been criticised for failing to protect human rights, frequently using the death penalty, discriminating against women and its LGBTQ community, forbidding protests and other acts of repression.
“As a sport, and we’ve always said that, I think we need to bring the values of the sport in those countries in order to open the minds of people,” said Leclerc. “Having said that, obviously we are in a very tricky moment for our sport.
“I think, yes, we should focus on sharing the good values and there’s a lot of work still for us to do on that, as we are seeing at the moment. But I will stay on the line that I believe that we are 20 drivers showing good values, respect, and we need to keep going to those countries in order to hopefully open minds and for them to have a better future and also to inspire young people in order to follow their dream. And I still believe that this is a good thing anyway.”
Kvyat gets second-tier NASCAR drive
Daniil Kvyat will race in NASCAR’s second-tier series next week. The former Red Bull driver will contest the fifth round of the championship at the Circuit of the Americas in a Chevrolet run by SS-Green Light Racing. Kvyat previously contested three round of the Cup series in 2022.
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Social media
Notable posts from X (formerly Twitter), TikTok and more:
|@olliebearman was back behind the wheel of a @scuderiaferrari today.
He drove a 2022-specification F1-75 at the team’s Fiorano test track.#F1 pic.twitter.com/auLivIaz0A
— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) March 13, 2024
Bringing the outback vibes to Melbourne 🦘🌅 pic.twitter.com/62oKdmadnE
— Oscar Piastri (@OscarPiastri) March 12, 2024
Tonight in Daytona I had the absolute honor of presenting Paul Newman into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. Accepting on his behalf and pictured here with me, Paul’s daughter Clea Newman Soderlund. pic.twitter.com/5qWskudujp
— Mario Andretti (@MarioAndretti) March 13, 2024
Watched The Lionheart. It is a tough and emotional watch but has a lot of highlights.
For those there in Vegas that day… reliving it is very hard in all aspects.
But the bright future of the Wheldon boys and Susie’s strength shines through.
— Tony DiZinno (@tonydizinno) March 13, 2024
As we approach Race Week at Albert Park. it’s important to remember that Motorsport is inherently dangerous, and safety measures are in place for your protection, and that of drivers and personnel.
Please keep out of restricted areas including the track and marshal zone at all… pic.twitter.com/99FN8IENCu
— F1 Australian Grand Prix (@ausgrandprix) March 13, 2024
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Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Patrickl and Chapmankillie!
On this day in motorsport
- 60 years ago today Innes Ireland gave the British Racing Partnership team their only grand prix victory in a rain-lashed non-championship race at Snetterton, after Graham Hill, Jim Clark, Jack Brabham and others all hit trouble