In the round-up: Haas team principal Guenther Steiner proposes a new schedule for F1’s sprint race weekends.
In brief
Steiner suggests revising sprint race weekends
Following Formula 1’s decision to increase the number of sprint races next year from three to six, Steiner proposed a change to how the weekends are structured. At present Friday’s qualifying session sets the grid for Saturday’s sprint race, which in turns decides the starting order for the grand prix.
“What I’d like even more is having qualifying for the sprint on Friday and qualifying for the main race on Saturday morning, as the free practice currently isn’t very meaningful for anyone,” said Steiner. “Then on Saturday afternoon you have the sprint, followed by the main event on Sunday.”
Steiner believes the new format, which has been used six times since it was introduced last year, is an improvement on the whole.
“This year in Austria we scored points in both the sprint and in the main race so for sure, I liked that,” said the Haas team principal.
“It’s a race like any other but it’s shorter and with eight drivers rather than 10 scoring points. I’m in favour of more sprints as it makes the overall race weekend interesting by having qualifying on Friday.”
McLaren moves Formula E team to Bicester
McLaren’s new Formula E squad will not be based out of the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking alongside the rest of the brand’s operations, but instead from a unit at the Bicester Heritage site.
The former RAF base has become the base of several motorsport companies in recent years, utilising small buildings and hangars that have been operational since World War Two.
McLaren will race in FE for the first time next year, as the series introduces its new, ‘Gen3’ car design.
“It’s an exciting time for the team and the sport,” said Ian James, the managing director of McLaren’s FE team.
“We are embarking on a new chapter, as part of the McLaren Racing family. Basing ourselves at the unique location of Bicester Heritage, we have the advantage of being surrounded by people who are as passionate about motorsport as we are.”
Mark Blundell protege to race in British F4
Kanato Le, a protege of former McLaren Formula 1 driver Mark Blundell, will race for Hitech GP in British Formula 4 next year.
The Japanese teenager spent 2022 racing in the Ginetta Junior championship, where Lando Norris started his car racing career, and won two races. In karting he won the 2021 IAME Euro Series and came second in the IAME Winter Cup for X30 Junior karts.
Recently he has tested with multiple teams in F4, before deciding on signing with Hitech for a campaign that will begin on the support bill of this month’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and then incorporate the British and United Arab Emirates F4 series in 2023.
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Links
Motor racing links of interest:
How Qatar hacked the World Cup (The Bureau of Investigative Journalism)
‘Private investigators linked to the City of London are using an India-based computer hacking gang to target British businesses, government officials and journalists. The hackers broke into the email inboxes of F1 bosses Ruth Buscombe, the head of race strategy at Alfa Romeo, and Otmar Szafnauer, who was chief executive of the Aston Martin team.’
Lance Stroll confident of Aston Martin direction (Speedcafe)
‘Lance Stroll believes Aston Martin has the building blocks of a successful team as it looks to recover from a turbulent period in its Formula 1 history.’
Correa’s reinvention is complete (FIA Formula 3)
‘For Juan Manuel Correa, being on the grid this season was achievement in and of itself. Continuing his recovery from the serious injuries he sustained during the 2019 crash in Spa, the American opted to remain in F3 for a second campaign.’
EA dropping Project Cars (Gamesindustry.biz)
‘The series was launched in 2015, with EA confirming today that it has made the decision to ‘stop further development and investment’ in the franchise. The announcement was made internally and it’s unclear at this stage to which extent staff could be affected.
Pourchaire ready to find the limit in F2 after ‘crazy’ FP1 debut for Alfa Romeo (Formula 2)
‘Theo Pourchaire was on cloud nine as he took to the track for Alfa Romeo, as one of three Formula 2 stars in action during free practice at the United States Grand Prix. A monumental moment for the ART Grand Prix racer, Pourchaire was understandably grinning from ear to ear as he soaked up every second of his F1 weekend debut in Austin.’
The Winter Olympic sport with single-seater racing’s athletic challenge (Formula Scout)
‘What if there was a high-speed Olympic sport perfectly suited for drivers to adopt, and already has a strong connection to big racing brands?’
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 in via the contact form.
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