Brendan Lines

February 20, 2020

Daniel Ricciardo is smiling after his first pre-season test in his new Renault R.S.20 yesterday at Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona in the build up to the Australian Grand Prix in March.

A smiling reaction for Ricciardo – Image: Renaultsport

After a difficult first season with the French team, the Australian is back and feeling good about his first impressions of the new car.

“It feels awesome to be back driving a Formula 1 car,” Ricciardo said.

“I had a big smile on my face leaving the garage as it’s been a while since I’ve had my own race car. It’s really cool to think about the thousands of hours which have been put into creating this car and then feeling it come alive on track. In terms of our programme, we’ve made a solid start and we have a good base to work from. We know we have to keep working this week and make some improvements ready for the first race. We have to be precise in our work and make everything count. I’m looking forward to continuing the progress through the week.”

Limited to just a 56-lap stint on Day 1 of testing, Ricciardo finished 7^th in the standings with a best time of 1:17.873s.

Finishing ahead of his new team mate Esteban Ocon in 8^th, the first impressions of the new R.S.20 was enough to put an all too familiar smile on the Aussie’s face.

The day also saw Ricciardo sporting his ‘Honey Badger’ helmet design for 2020, but as modern F1 drivers go, helmet design is a moving space throughout the season.

Through the speed traps the new Renault was fourth fastest, just pipping the Mercedes, but the comparison is heavily depended on aero simulations and fuel load, rather than outright pace.

As rendered images were teased of the R.S.20 at its launch in Paris last week, the R.S.20 took to the track in its stealthy black testing livery.

Daniel Ricciardo at the wheel of his new R.S.20 – Image: Renaultsport

But the team insists that its 2020 challenger will be back in its familiar yellow and black colours very soon.

Ricciardo will resume his seat in the R.S.20 for the morning test session on Thursday.

Brendan Lines

February 18, 2020

Racing Point is again sporting a distinctive pink livery on its 2020 challenger the RP20 at a media launch hosted at title sponsor BWT’s picturesque Lake Mondsee headquarters in Austria.

RP20 on the Lake Mondsee waterfront Austria – Image: Racing Point

Today’s reveal also marked Racing Point’s increased involvement with the Austrian water technology company.

A partnership that aligns both Racing Point and BWT’s sustainability goals, especially in the area of limiting single use plastics.

For now, the team is keeping its cards close to its chest about the development phase that went into the RP20. However it will be powered by the new spec Mercedes-AMG F1 M11 EQ Power+ 1.6L V6 Turbo.

Covers come off the RP20 – Image: Racing Point

Speaking at the event Team Principle Otmar Szafnauer had some bold predictions about the race performance of his drivers Lance Stroll and Sergio Perez who were in attendance.

“I predict before the race they’ll be drinking water, and after the race, this year both of them will be on the podium at least once drinking the champagne,” he said.

Szafnauer’s predictions may have pointed to immediate results at Albert Park in March, but the team has plenty of room for improvement.

Otmar Szafnauer (left) Lance Stroll (middle) Sergio Perez (right) with the RP20 – Image: Racing Point

Last year’s Australian Grand Prix was a mixed bag for racing Point as Stroll finished in the points in 10th, yet Perez who qualified well in the top ten, finished the race in 13th.

Senior driver at the Team, Perez said he is quite optimistic about the season ahead.

“Feet on the ground, but yes optimistic about this year definitely, I think we are in the best scenario we have ever been, so hopefully we can have very successful year,” he said.

But before the team can pop a bottle of Champers, Szafnauer said there is still the first round of testing to come.

“Well the proof is in the pudding until we run the car on track its really hard to say, we’ve got a lot of work to do and although I’m confident, like I say the proof will be when we put the car on track and the stop watch will tell us how successful we’ve been,” he said.

The RP20 will make its track debut on Wednesday, February 19, at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain.

Brendan Lines

February 17, 2020

Williams are the latest team to lift the covers off its 2020 challenger the FW43 with an online reveal today from its factory in Wantage, UK, ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in March.

Williams 2020 challenger the FW43 – Image: WilliamsF1

Described by the team as a evolution of the 2019 FW42, the FW43 will have to make up for a lot of lost ground from the aerodynamic deficiencies of the ’42 that left Williams languished with only a single Championship point last season.

Team Principle Claire Williams said the new look of FW43 is a fresh start for the once dominant team.

“This year marks a fresh start for the team. We have spent time addressing our areas of weakness and have ensured that we have the right people, structures, procedures and resource in place to deliver competitive race cars. We are all committed to re-building Williams and returning the team to competitiveness. As such, our 2020 campaign is about making progress. The fighting spirit is still very much alive, and this year, everyone will continue that fight until we get back to where we want to be,” she said.

With a driver line up that sees rookie Nicholas Latifi join George Russell, who in just his second season of Formula 1 becomes the teams default leader on track.

The team will rely on Russell’s familiarity and carry over performance from last years car, as Williams make use of the current stability in regulations from 2019 to 2020.

Williams 2020 challenger the FW43 – Image: WilliamsF1

Chief Engineer Adam Carter says the stability in regulations meant less resources to new design concepts.

“The decision to retain some of the core architecture of the FW42 means there has been less resource invested in developing new concepts, which in turn has rewarded the design team with greater bandwidth to optimise their work, evident in both packaging and component detail. By preserving some key parameters, it has allowed for an uninterrupted development programme within Aerodynamics in order to maximise the efficiency of the resources. As we head towards the pre-season tests and then onto the race season, the most important measure will be the progress relative to our peers, along with our intention of continuing our recent record of reliability,” he said.

Last years Australian Grand Prix did not start well for the UK outfit as George Russell said there was a ‘fundamental problem’ with the car on its very first put laps around Albert Park.

George Russell and former Williams, now Renault test driver Robert Kubica 15th and 16th place a whopping three laps off the pace set the tone for Williams’ 2019 season.

But with further sponsor dollars visible on the FW43 there is a breath of confidence around the FW43 for much better results in 2020.

The FW43 will turn a wheel for the first time at pre-season testing at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on February 19th.

Brendan Lines

February 15, 2020

Alpha Tauri unveiled its AT01 at a lavish ceremony at Red Bull’s Hangar-7 in Austria last night, this is the first look at an all new outfit that will make its debut at Albert Park in March.

ATO1 breaks cover at the Hangar-7 launch – Image Red Bull

Its an all new look, or more accurately a re-branding we have known about for months as parent company Red Bull aligned what was its sister team Toro Rosso, with its new clothing brand Alpha Tauri.

But apart from the look of the new livery, Team Principle Franz Tost says nothing has changed.

“The name change has no effect on the way we operate as a Formula 1 team at the race track or our facilities in Faenza and Bicester” Tost said.

“This launch has been one of the most exciting and en-tertaining I have ever experienced in Formula 1. There has been a special atmosphere in Hangar-7 in Salz-burg and all the elements have come together to launch our team, Scuderia AlphaTauri, and to witness the AlphaTauri fashion collection. It has been a unique event where fashion has met Formula 1, with AlphaTau-ri’s clothing and our new racing car being revealed globally. Our team says a big thank you to all the guests who have joined us to celebrate our new beginning with AlphaTauri. We are very much looking forward to the new season starting in Australia and I’m convinced we’re going to have a successful future together.”

Franz Tost speaking at the event with Danil Kyvat (right) and Pierre Gasly (left) – Image: Red Bull

The height of anticipation for the arrival of the AT01 was met with a glitzy fashion parade hosted by ex-Red Bull driver and ‘elder statesman’ of Formula 1 David Coulthard.

Alpha Tauri retains its drivers Daniel Kyvat and Pierre Gasly, who are aiming to build on the teams most successful season taking two podiums in 2019.

With stable regulation carrying over from 2019, Driver Daniel Kyvat said to F1.com the team’s evolution is directly tied to last years car.

“It’s a big thing going on here tonight,” said Kvyat.

“New name for the team, new livery. Of course technically, the team is going to continue the evolution from last year. I would say it was a strong year in terms of the team’s performance last year.,” he said.

As Alpha Tauri remain close with Red Bull for technical support, the low front high rake chassis is a giveaway.

ATO1 new livery – – Image: Red Bull

But it is a crucial partnership nonetheless as the team will need every edge it can get to fight against McLaren and Renault in the tight mid-field battle.

Last years Australian Grand Prix was the launch pad for then Toro Rosso’s best year, as Kyvat scored points for his 10th place and rookie Alex Albon came home 14th in his first race.

The AT01 will get a full shakedown at Misano, Italy, before heading to Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona for pre-season testing.

Brendan Lines

February 14, 2020

Mercedes conducted its first shakedown of the Mercedes AMG F1 W-11 EQ Performance today at Silverstone, this is the first physical look of the car that will head to Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix in March.

Simply called the W-11, its launch also marked the beginning of Mercedes’ tenth year as a Formula 1 team, quite fittingly Michael Schumacher’s W-01 was trackside.

Mercedes W-11 at Silverstone – Image: Mercedes

Team principle Toto Wolff and six-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton were in attendance, but it was Driver Valtteri Bottas who had the honours taking the wheel of the W-11.

The W-11 on track with Valtteri Bottas – Image: Mercedes

For Bottas it is the first time he has seen the car in its complete form.

“Its all completely new machinery, nothing is the same as previous cars, to get to know it feels, how the car handles, the aero feeling and how the engine feels, it’s exciting because this is going to be the weapon we are using this year,” he said.

Valtteri Bottas at the wheel of the W-11 Shakedown – Image: Mercedes

Despite being eager to throw the W-11 flat-out into Abbey on the first lap, Bottas said the day is not quite about testing the limits of the car — yet.

“It takes some time obviously and the shakedown is more about de-bugging things and seeing how things actually run and getting the data out of it, and the real work with the car starts then next week,” he said.

Testing of the W-11 will commence at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya next week.

Brendan Lines

February 14, 2020

The MCL35 broke cover last night at the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) in Woking, England, live around the world showcasing McLaren’s new machinery and hopes to consolidate its place as a top four team for 2020.

MCL35 – Image: McLaren Media

As the covers came off the MCL35 with an impressive light show, it was the culmination of a sustained social media campaign teased with the teams #fearlessly forward hash-tag.

Once again McLaren has gone with its traditional papaya and blue livery, the colours first chosen by founder Bruce McLaren 57 years ago.

Described by the team as the essence of ‘form and function,’ the MCL35 striking looks are hoped to be matched by its performance.

In a stunning climax to the reveal, live pictures were broadcast across Nasdaq Tower, but its just the beginning of the real work says Team Principle Andreas Siedl.

“Today is another step on our journey. It is important not to be complacent, this will be a tough season. Nothing comes easy in Formula 1 and the competition at the head of the midfield will be intense. We have six days of testing to prepare for the start of the new season and Carlos, Lando and the whole team here at the MTC and at track are ready. We go again,” he said.

MCL35 Live across Nasdaq Tower NYC – Image: McLaren Media

2019 was the teams first phase in its recovery program, which saw McLaren hit its target of securing fourth in the Constructors Championship and take a podium at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown at the event said McLaren wants to take that momentum forward on 2020.

“I’m immensely proud of the entire team today. Last season we delivered what we set out to do – secure a hard-fought fourth in the Constructors’ Championship. Our positive on-track momentum and the renewed energy in the team has seen us grow our valued partner family and global fan base and we look forward to a hugely competitive season. While we are enjoying going racing again, we remain measured and focused, and all of us at McLaren keep pushing fearlessly forward,” he said.

Drivers Carlos Sainz (left) and Lando Norris (left) with the MCL35 – Image: McLaren Media

Drivers Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris had a mixed bag of results last time out at Albert Park with a retirement and 12th place respectively.

Now that the covers are off Sainz says he’s biting at the bit to build on 2019.

“The solid jump forward we made last season was a huge motivation but, at the same time, a strong reminder of how tight the fight continues to be in the midfield. We can’t afford to sit back in 2020 if we want to close the gap to the top. The ambition is to push myself and the team to take another step forward this season, and I’m looking forward to Barcelona testing and continuing the positive momentum we started last year,” he said.

As there is still plenty to play out at pre-season testing under the MCL35 bodywork, but the MCL35 that the world has just seen will be pretty close to what will line up at Albert Park in March.

Brendan Lines

February 13, 2020

We’ve finally got a brief glimpse of the car Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo will race at Albert Park as Renault held its season opener at Groupe Renault’s flagship store, L’Atelier Renault yesterday in Paris.

It was the first time Ricciardo was presented alongside new team mate Esteban Ocon and new Technical Director Pat Fry.

Images of the the R.S20 were teased in its test livery, but the stealthy look of the R.S.20 did not give a lot away — fans will have to wait for the car to break cover fully at pre- season testing in Barcelona on February 16th.

Above: The R.S.20 in stealthy test livery – Image: Renault Sport

2020 will be Ricciardo’s second season with the french outfit, looking his always happy go lucky self at the event, Ricciardo says he is more at ease with his team and focused on the season ahead.

“I’m looking forward to blending into the team better on the back of having a full season behind us – so things are going to be easier in that sense. I learnt a lot about myself and obviously a lot about the team. One of the most important learnings for me was that it’s not just about having the smartest guy in the Formula 1 paddock – you need every individual across the team getting the most out of themselves. With the people I work closest with it’s about trying to find a way they work best, trying to help them be their best selves, and then also figuring out where I can perform the best on the day. I’ve enjoyed this experience so far and building something with Renault,” he said.

Dan Ricciardo speaking at Renault’s season launch with Esteban Ocon (left) and Alain Prost (far right) – Image: Renault Sport

Renault who invested and expanded heavily over the past two season, is now at its consolidation phase in F1.

Team Principle Cyril Abiteboul said at the event its vital Renault claim back fourth spot in the Constructors Championship, after being pipped by the resurgent McLaren in 2019.

“Taking back fourth position in the Constructors’ Championship remains the objective over a season that will be more hotly-contested than ever.

“For the coming season, we must respect the three priorities identified during the off-season: reliability from the get-go; ensure a high level of development very early in the season and have a good conversion rate on track. However, we also need to regain confidence and reinforce team spirit to get the best from everyone, and to maximise our chances each race weekend during this unprecedented long and challenging season.

“2020 is also a pivotal year that marks the end of one cycle and the preparatory phase of another. This year must see us setting the best possible course for the major regulation changes of 2021. The organisational changes made in the second half of 2019 are with this firmly in mind.”

After a disappointing retirement on the first lap at his home Grand Prix last year Ricciardo’s hopes are now pinned on the R.S.20 being the machine to right the wrongs of the past after his disqualification from second place at Albert Park in 2014.

Just exactly what version of the R.S.20 lines up on the grid remains to be seen after testing begins on February 16th.

Brendan Lines

February 10, 2020

Mercedes have unveiled their 2020 livery ahead of the Australian Grand Prix at an event in London to coincide with a five-year deal with new principle partner INEOS.

A splash of red – Image: Mercedes AMG Petronas.

Retaining the iconic silver arrows livery with green striping, Mercedes have added a splash of red to highlight the INEOS partnership.

Yet despite the new look livery, Mercedes featured its new paint work on the 2019 World Championship winning W10 for the event.

Mercedes Team Principle Toto Wolff said the new partnership is a ‘perfect fit.’

“It is a very proud moment for us to welcome INEOS to Mercedes in their new capacity as Principal Partner. The company’s ambition, dynamism and entrepreneurial flair are a perfect fit for the spirit of Mercedes-AMG Petronas.

“Both companies share a restless desire to improve every day and a strong commitment to achieving the very best results. Our partnership will be defined by tackling great challenges together – on the race track, on water and on the stages of the Grand Tours – and we will be aiming to raise the bar in each of them,” he said.

Lewis Hamilton’s W10 in red – Image: Mercedes AMG Petronas.

Amid recent doubts over Mercedes ongoing committment to Formula 1, the new deal demonstrates the teams long term vision says Wolff.

“Furthermore, this new partnership is an important cornerstone of our future plans in Formula One. It once again serves to demonstrate the attraction of the sport for ambitious, global brands with a long-term vision for success,” he said.

Mercedes’ dominance of the Turbo-hybrid era continues to sew the seed of Mercedes being one of world sports most attractive brand partners.

As the reigning world champions retain the super-star talents of six time champ Lewis Hamilton, and the re-booted ‘Valterri 2.0’ Bottas for 2020 — Mercedes are likely to be outright favourites to finish on the podium at Albert Park.

Mercedes is set to launch its 2020 car on Feburary 14th.