The newly-modified Albert Park track will feature five new grandstands when the Australian Grand Prix comes back to Melbourne after a two-year hiatus. PHOTO F1.com

BRENDAN LINES January 31, 2022

FIVE brand-new grandstands will be added to a newly-modified Albert Park track ahead of the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, when it returns from its two-year hiatus in April.

One of the new grandstands will offer fans views of the never-before-seen high speed zone between the new Turn 8 and the new Turn 9, created as a result of removing the chicane on the Lakeside Drive portion of the circuit.  

The Waite Grandstand will also be expanded cater for “the surge in demand for the 2022 race” an Australian Grand Prix Corporation spokesperson said.

“We’re blown away by the incredible enthusiasm ahead of this year’s event is on track to be the best Melbourne has ever seen and we cannot wait to welcome crowds back to Albert Park,” the spokesperson said. 

“Not only will these additional Grandstands allow more people to experience the Australian Grand Prix 2022’s electrifying atmosphere, they also offer new and exciting views of a faster and more competitive Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit.”

Other new grandstand locations include Turn 5, Turn 8, Turn 11 and Turn 12.

The additional grandstand tickets will go on sale at 10:00am Tuesday, 8 February 2022 AEDT.

Australian Grand Prix CEO Andrew Westacott said there would be “zero chance of cancellation” of the 2022 race at Albert Park. PHOTO: AGPC 

BRENDAN LINES January 21, 2022

AUSTRALIAN Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) CEO Andrew Westacott assured there would be “zero chance of cancellation” of this year’s Formula 1 race at Albert Park.

Westacott gave the assurance when presenting a first look of the newly resurfaced Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on Friday.

It would mean an end to the long-awaited return of the Australian Grand Prix to the Formula 1 calendar after its two-year hiatus.

The cancellation of the  2020 Albert Park race would be notoriously remembered when thousands of fans were left stranded at the gates on the opening morning of the race, the first world-class event to be a casualty of the Covid-19 pandemic.

But nearly two years on, 39 successful grands prix have been held across the pandemic-stricken world, with varying local testing and border controls.

Mr Westacott stressed the AGPC and Victorian Government had an “underlined and defined position” the race would go ahead as a double-vaccinated event and would be avoiding any kind of exemption.

In the wake of the Australian Open tennis saga ending in the Australian Government’s deportation of Novak Djokovic “there won’t be exemption sought for anyone, from anyone,” Mr Westacott said.

“Formula 1 has always recognised around the world it needs to comply with the rules for the borders of the jurisdictions in which they race.

“They’ve raced in 41 locations since Melbourne in 2020.

“We’re going to be welcoming them back in the country and they know the rules and we’re comfortable with that.”

The promise of a race finally returning to Albert Park was aimed at fans twice-bitten by the 2020 and 2021 cancellations.

“People should be confident to come out and purchase tickets…” Mr Westacott said.

“I really did feel disappointed for those fans who were at the gate on the morning of the Friday, 13th of March. And we want to make sure we’re welcoming them back here for a great weekend of entertainment.”

Work building grandstands and facilities around the circuit for the race in April will begin on February 1.

With the freshly laid asphalt and upgrades to the track surface now complete, significant changes include modifications to seven corners, in the hope of faster and more competitive racing.

The Australian Grand prix will be held from April 7-10, 2022.

Former Red Bull aerodynamics chief Dan Fallows will join Aston Martin as its technical director in 2022. PHOTO: Red Bull content pool

BRENDAN LINES January 19, 2022

ASTON Martin confirmed it has reached an agreement with Red Bull regarding the notice period of chief aerodynamics engineer Dan Fallows on Tuesday.

The agreement comes after Red Bull announced Fallows would leave the team in June last year.

Fallows will join Aston Martin as its technical director on April 2, 2022 — earlier than his Red Bull contract expires — until then “he remains a Red Bull Technology employee” the statement said.

Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing’s team principal and CEO, said: “We would like to thank Dan for his many years of excellent service and wish him well for the future.”

A mainstay at Red Bull since 2006, Fallows rose through the ranks of the Milton-Keynes-based team during its Sebastian Vettel-led dominance across the V8-era, winning four drivers’ and constructors’ championships from 2010-14.

Martin Whitmarsh, group CEO of Aston Martin, said: “We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Red Bull which releases Dan early from his contract and are looking forward to him joining the team.”

Fallows, said: “I’ve enjoyed many happy years at Red Bull Racing and am proud of what we achieved. I am looking forward to next season and a new challenge.”

The news comes after raft of management changes at the Silverstone-based team led by billionaire Lawrence Stroll, including the recent appointment of former BMW motorsport head Mike Krack as team principal.

BRENDAN LINES January 18, 2022

FOUR-time Formula 1 world champion Alain Prost has unceremoniously split from Alpine criticising the team and its announcement, potentially making way for a key appointment as the team’s preseason management re-shuffle continues.

Prost had joined the Enstone-Viry based team as Renault in an advisory role in 2017, the Frenchman remained with the team when it re-branded as Alpine for the 2021 season.

It was reported by the F1.com website, senior management had decided against renewing the deal, although Prost claimed he had rejected an offer by the team.

“I am very disappointed how this new has been announced today!” Prost said on his social media.

“It was agreed that we would announce together with Alpine.

“No respect sorry! I have refused the offer made to me in Abu Dhabi for the 2022 season because of a personal relationship and I was right! 

“To the Enstone and Viry team I will miss you.”

The 66-year-old had been with the team during his Formula 1 driving career from 1981 to 1983.

Prost’s departure is part of a revolving door in the team’s management structure as executive director and acting team principle Marcin Budkowski left just days before — almost a year to the day of former team principal Cyril Abiteboul’s exit.

Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi is reported to have stepped into the role of team principal for the interim.

Recently departed Aston Martin team principal Otmar Szafnauer has been linked to Alpine as Budkowski’s replacement. 

Szafnauer could bring Aston Martin and its former guise Racing Point title sponsor BWT with him.