BRENDAN LINES  February 6, 2024

STAKE F1 Team broke cover on its 2024 challenger the C44, with a launch underlined by a statement of intent by parent owner Sauber towards a new identity – post its Alfa Romeo-era – that will bridge its eventual transition into Audi for 2026.

In one of the few live unveilings, so far this F1 launch season, the C44 was slated by the team as “a marked departure” in both its cosmetic and technical approach.

Noticeably the fluorescent green-clad livery – previously unseen in Sauber’s offerings – was the eye-catcher at the centre of the London Guildhall stage as the covers were rolled off by drivers Zhou Guanyu and Valterri Bottas.

In his third year at the Hinvil-based team, Bottas emphasised “nothing else matters” in comparison to the team’s focus towards extracting the best performance possible from its new machinery.

Stake has pinned its hopes on the C44, opting for a slew of changes under the direction of its newly-appointed Technical Director and ex-McLaren designer, James Key.

Key described the design of the C44 as ‘ambitious’ in the team’s effort to challenge F1’s top pecking order by rising above the over-crowded midfield of budget-stretched teams.

“The C44 is virtually a completely new car, with a few carry-over areas at the rear of the car,” he said.

“There are many mechanical changes, some of which you can’t see at all, but some are very visible. 

The front suspension is completely new, a tough and ambitious project for a team of our size, there are many aerodynamic changes, too, as would be expected given that this remains the primary area of development – so, overall, the car will really look quite different to last year’s car. 

“We took a lot of new, exciting directions, all of which appear to hold quite a bit of potential, so we’re looking forward to seeing them on track.”

Blending with its new front aerodynamics, The C44’s suspension has been changed to a pullrod from its pushrod design in 2024.   

Stake F1 will have a shakedown of the C44 on a filming day this Friday, before three days of testing in Bahrain later in February.

Daniel Ricciardo announced he would leave McLaren a year early of his contract on Thursday. PHOTO: McLaren

Brendan Lines August 25, 2022 

Australian Daniel Ricciardo confirmed he will exit McLaren at the end of the 2022 season.

The eight-time grand prix winner – including McLaren’s first win since 2012 at Monza last year – and the Woking-based team agreed to terminate his contract a year early, it’s understood Ricciardo’s contract was heavily weighted towards the Australian having the final call.

After nearly two seasons of mixed results, Ricciardo’s exit loomed after McLaren CEO Zak Brown’s admission the team and its driver “had not met expectations” ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix in May.

Recent speculation suggested McLaren had been working on an agreement with Ricciardo’s fellow countryman and Alpine reserve driver Oscar Piastri, after Piastri’s revelation he had no contract to drive for the French team next year.

Ricciardo said he is yet to make any announcement on his future. 

“It’s been a privilege to be a part of the McLaren Racing family for the last two seasons but following several months of discussions with Zak & Andreas we have decided to terminate my contract with the team early and agree to mutually part ways at the end of this season,” Ricciardo said. 

“I’ll be announcing my own future plans in due course but regardless of what this next chapter brings, I have no regrets and am proud of the effort and work I gave McLaren, especially the win in Monza, last season. 

“I’ve enjoyed working with everyone at McLaren both trackside and back in Woking and will be giving my all on and off track as we enjoy the remainder of the season together. I’ve never been more motivated to compete and be a part of a sport that I love so much and look forward to what comes next.”

Team principal Andreas Seidl had been a supporter of Ricciardo, said the Australian was committed to helping the team finish the season strongly.  

“I would like to thank Daniel for his dedication and contribution over the last two seasons so far. Despite the shared challenges, he has always turned up with a fighting spirit and positivity and helped the entire team to always keep pushing forward,” Seidl said.

“We will never forget that memorable race win in Monza which was a great boost for the whole team. We still have an important battle in the Constructors’ Championship ahead of us for the remainder of the season and we look forward to battle this out with Daniel and Lando.”

Brown said it was “no secret that we hoped to achieve more” but the Monza win would be the highlight of Ricciardo’s tenure with the team.

“Daniel has been a great addition to McLaren, and it’s been a pleasure working with him. I’d like to thank him for all of his efforts over the last two seasons both trackside and back at base,” Brown said.

“We wish him well for the future and let’s go enjoy the rest of the season together.”

At this stage, there are slim opportunities in the Formula 1 driver market for Ricciardo, with most drivers contracted until next year, except for Mick Schumacher at Haas.

A return to his old team Alpine, formerly Renault, is open after current driver Fernanado Alonso surprised the team with a shock exit to Aston Martin to replace the retiring Sebastian Vettel just after the Hungarian Grand Prix last month

Kevin Magnussen will resume his Formula 1 career with Haas after leaving the team at the end of 2020, replacing ousted Russian driver Nikita Mazepin. PHOTO: Haasf1media

BRENDAN LINES MARCH 10, 2022

KEVIN Magnussen has re-signed with Haas on a reported multi-year deal replacing ousted Russian driver Nikita Mazepin on Wednesday.

The US-based team expectedly cut itself from its Russian ties after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, ending a title sponsorship deal with Uralkali, a company owned by Mazepin’s father who has been linked to Vladimir Putin. 

A raft of names has since then been speculatively linked to the team including Ferrari reserve driver Antonio Giovinazzi, super-sub Nico Hulkenberg and Alpine reserve driver Oscar Piastri.

Magnussen (29) was a pragmatic choice according to Haas team principal Guenter Steiner.

“When looking for a driver who could bring value to the team, not to mention a wealth of Formula 1 experience, Kevin was a straightforward decision for us,” Steiner said.

“Kevin’s immediate availability means we can tap into him as a resource for pre-season testing alongside both Mick Schumacher and Pietro Fittipaldi. 

“Pietro’s going to be first in this week with half a day’s running at the test on Thursday – that’s a great opportunity for him, with Mick and Kevin doing the rest ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix.”

Steiner continued; “Kevin was a key component in our previous successes – not least when we both scored our best finishes in Formula 1 back in 2018. 

“He continued to show last year that he’s an elite race car driver adding wins and podiums to his resume. 

“As a veteran presence in both the garage and the engineering room, he’ll provide a solid benchmark for us with the on-going development of the VF-22.”

Magnussen had spent 2021 away from Formula 1 continuing to prove his racing pedigree in sports cars and IndyCar. 

A race winner in the IMSA SportsCar Championship with Chip Ganassi Racing, the Dane added four more podium finishes to his maiden campaign in the United States. 

The 2021 season also included a race debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans competing for High Class Racing in the LMP2 category alongside his father Jan Magnussen, and a one-off IndyCar start for Arrow McLaren SP at Road America.

Magnussen conceded the “surprise” offer to rejoin the team was “simply too appealing” in resuming his Formula 1 career, which meant ending deals with Peugeot and Chip Ganassi Racing.

“I was obviously very surprised but equally very excited to receive the call from Haas F1 Team,” Magnussen said.

“I was looking in a different direction regarding my commitments for 2022 but the opportunity to return to compete in Formula 1, and with a team I know extremely well, was simply too appealing.”

Alpine revealed the A522 as its 2022 challenger featuring its new specification RE22 power unit on Monday. PHOTO: Alpinef1.com

BRENDAN LINES FEBRUARY 22, 2022

Alpine’s A522 will turn a wheel for the first time at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya later today, after its 2022 challenger was revealed in an online presentation on Monday.

The A522 has been a ground-up effort delivering an all-new design after Alpine’s 2021 car was a carryover from its previous Renault design team.

A new design philosophy and the arrival of a new title sponsor BWT is hoped to usher a new era for Alpine according to CEO Laurent Rossi.

“We have a clear plan and vision in place at Alpine and we have some of the best people in the business to help drive us forward and realise our ambitions,” Rossi said.

“Our team is stronger now and, we hope, future-proof.”

Alpine’s off-season reshuffling of its technical department has culminated with the A522 release, which was a sign the Franco-British team was among the ranks of Ferrari and Mercedes as a fully-fledged factory team.

The presentation of Alpine’s second ever Formula 1 car was led by Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi, CEO Renault Group, Luca de Meo, as well as newly appointed Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer. 

Drivers Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso were also on hand to reveal the much anticipated A522 to the world. While 2021 F2 champion Oscar Piastri is the team’s official Reserve Driver for 2022 after graduating from the Alpine Academy last year.

The A522 keeps its traditional Alpine blue livery, coupled this year with the pink colours of BWT. Alpine presented a ‘flipped’ livery with pink becoming the most prominent colour. This unique livery will be used for the first two races of the season.

The renderings of the A522 show a main plane of the front wing detached from the inboard side without a pylon, which maybe an oversight. 

But the flatter profile of the four planes might be rooted in its real-world design that will be seen on track later on Tuesday.

Alpine has thrown another concept into the sidepod discussion this launch season, with a wide radiator opening and reasonable undercut. Rather than a smooth sweep of the sidepod into the engine cover area, the A522’s sidepods follow their own taper into the coke bottle area.  

It’s believed a new specification RE22 power unit was housed under the A522’s bodywork at the launch. Signalling a closer working relationship between its Enstone and Viry bases under former Peugeot-man, Bruno Famin, Alpine’s executive director. Famin was tasked with maximising engine performance and integration into the A522’s chassis.

An Alpine spokesperson hinted the engine specification and packaging has allowed the team some “extra freedom in shaping the rest of the car to better exploit the latest technical regulations and adjust for the new fuel specification, E10, as the next step to sustainable fuels in Formula 1”. 

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso said the addition of the RE22 was a confidence boost for the team though “we won’t know where everyone stands until Bahrain”.

“But we’re excited to take the car for its first spin in testing this week.”

FERRARI’S 2022 challenger— the F1-75 — was unveiled online in a presentation made from its Maranello based on Thursday. PHOTO: Ferrari.com

BRENDAN LINES February 18.2022

Ferrari’s F1-75 will make its on-track debut on Friday at Fiorano in a demonstration event before a filming day in Barcelona next Tuesday.

The car is the 68th that the company has built to compete in the Formula 1 world championship and  features a brand new shade of red, especially developed by the Ferrari Style Centre.

While its name reflects the company is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its founding this year. The anniversary is reflected in the celebratory logo, alongside the Italian flag, which has been a long-time feature on Ferrari Formula 1 cars.

The F1-75 has a completely new look, as a result of the Maranello engineers’ interpretation of the new technical regulations from this year.

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto hoped the F1-75 would recapture hearts and minds of its loyal Tifosi.

“I would like the F1-75 to be the car that allows our fans to once again be proud of Ferrari. Our goal is to reignite the Prancing Horse legend and we can only do that by winning again,” Binotto said.

Notably, the lower nose, and the side pods were the areas of particular attention to the packaging of the power unit.

The nose is a departure from the wide shovel-like noses of recent seasons, aimed at promoting airflow to the leading edge of the car’s Venturi-tunnelled floor.

Among the seven designs unveiled so far — if Red Bull’s dressed-up concept car counts — Ferrari’s narrow nose design signifies a clear tangent from its rivals.

While its sidepod design has added another level of intrigue to the teams various efforts.

It’s wide mouth extending from the crash zone area forward of the cockpit tapers back with a concave top surface.

Two right-angled winglets extending either side of the triangle-shaped airbox is a peculiar addition, unseen across the other offerings by the teams.

Once again, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will lead the charge for the prancing horse, with Antonio Giovinazzi and Mick Schumacher as reserve drivers. Robert Shwartzman takes on the role of test driver and will take part in two Friday free practice sessions during the course of the season.

Formula 1 race director Michael Masi has been offered a new position in the FIA after being stood aside for the 2022 season. 

BRENDAN LINES February 18, 2022

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has delivered on his promise of ‘structural change’ and an ‘action plan,’ ousting race director Michael Masi amid sweeping changes to the sport’s “refereeing and race direction” on Friday.

Masi, was the target of heavy criticism in the wake of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix’s controversial restart, just three years after he stepped in following the death of Charlie Whiting on the eve of the Australian Grand Prix.

Masi’s application of the safety car rules when restarting the final lap of the title-deciding race prompted Mercedes’ stiff protests, while a subsequent public outcry seemingly tarnished Formula 1’s image. Removing Masi might have been the only medicine the FIA could offer.

Sulayem defended Masi’s tenure saying he had “accomplished a very challenging job,” as race director. However his role will now be shared between Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas will act alternatively as race director, assisted by Herbie Blash as permanent senior advisor — comprising a newly-formed race management team.

Blash, a former sidekick to Whiting, stepped away from Formula 1 to concentrate on his engineering business, but has seemingly been brought out of retirement, adding an experienced head to the new refereeing structure.

Sulayem presented his three-point plan which is headed by the creation of a virtual race control room, which he likened to “the Video Assistance Referee (VAR) in football”. 

He later said the control room would be set up off-site at the FIA offices connected in real-time to the circuit “it will help to apply the sporting regulations using the most modern technological tools”.

The president has muted direct radio communications during the race, which Sulayem said would “protect the race director from any pressure and allow him to take decisions peacefully”.

But it will be possible to “questions to the race director, according to a well-defined and non-intrusive process,” Sulayem said.

He later concluded the changes announcing “unlapping procedures behind safety car will be reassessed by the F1 Sporting Advisory Committee and presented to the next F1 Commission prior to the start of the season”.

The FIA stopped short of issuing a public apology towards of the Abu Dhabi furore that instigated the review. But Sulayem acknowledged the changes were “crucial” in enabling Formula 1 to be “ even more loved and respected”.

The new race management team will be in place when preseason testing commences in Barcelona next week.

Former Aston Martin member Otmar Szafnauer was appointed Alpine’s team principal on Thursday. PHOTO: Alpineracing.com

BRENDAN LINES February 18, 2022

OTMAR Szafnauer expected Alpine to fight for the championship “within the next 100 races,”  when he was appointmented team principal on Thursday.

A designated team principal is a departure from Alpine’s 2021 structure and was among a raft of appointments that completes the Franco-British team’s management reshuffle over the off-season on.

Szafnauer, had been linked to the top job at Alpine after his departure from Aston Martin after the 2021 season, which coincided with BWT pulling its sponsorship deal.

“I am thrilled to join BWT Alpine F1 Team and ready to get to work with everyone to achieve our challenge: bring the team to fight for the championship within the next 100 races,” Szafnauer said.

“My attention is focused on preparing for the start of the season in Bahrain. As one of the three car manufacturers involved in Formula 1, Alpine is fully armed to achieve its ambition, I can’t wait to start the journey!”

When BWT was named Alpine’s title sponsor just days out from the launch of Alpine’s 2022 car — the A522 — it was a clear signal Szafnauer’s arrival was imminent. 

Previously it was CEO Laurent Rossi, Davide Brivio and former executive director Marcin Budkowski who shared the role, after Cyril Abiteboul’s exit after 2020.

The appointment of Szafnauer was the headline appointment to Alpine’s management structure for the 2022 season, which included the addition of Bruno Famin, executive director (replacing Budkowski), Davide Brivio taking on director of racing projects.  

Szafnauer, Kamin and Brivio are members of the Alpine Management Committee, led by Laurent Rossi, Alpine CEO.

It has been  turbulent past few months which saw an unceremonious exit of three-time world champion Alain Prost from his advisory role, plus Budkowski.

Rossi said each one of the new appointments would play a part in the team’s on-track, technical and talent development efforts.

“With Otmar and Bruno joining the team, we move to a new level for 2022,” Rossi said.

“Otmar will bring his unique experience in motorsports and his uncompromising desire to win, while Bruno’s proven track record in building technologies that make a difference in competition and their subsequent transference to road cars is critical for our project as a sports team and as a brand. 

“Over the past year I have seen Davide’s talent to identify the best in people, and to make them perform as well as they can. I am delighted to utilize this unique skill across all existing Alpine assets and new ones we are just starting to explore. Our band of racers is complete and ready to bring the team towards its ambitious objectives in 2022.”

Brivio, will oversee talent identification and development in all categories. In parallel he will lead special projects to aid Alpine exploring new motorsport categories.

Famin, will be based at the team’s Viry-Châtillon headquarters and will be responsible for the development of the Power Unit and chassis.

Alpine will launch its 2022 car on February 21.

Williams’ FW44 made its on track debut in a wet shakedown session at Silverstone on Tuesday. PHOTO: Williamsf1.com

BRENDAN LINES FEBRUARY 16, 2022

Williams revealed its FW44 staging a simultaneously timed on-track shakedown and an online livery reveal on Tuesday.

The genuine FW44 turned a wheel for the first time in a wet shakedown session at Silverstone, while an all-new livery was displayed on what appeared to be the Formula 1 2022 concept car.

Aside from its fresh look, the FW44 heralds a fresh approach in design amid the new regulations, and a new driver with the arrival of former Red Bull podium-winner Alex Albon joining third-year driver Nicholas Latifi.

But Tuesday’s shakedown session was more than just for show, the Grove-based team went straight to work understanding its new machinery ahead of offical testing starting in just one week.

Albon said the team would need to be “efficient” ensuring it can deliver a competitive package.

“We don’t have many days before our first race and so we quickly need to understand which areas of the car are strong and where we need to make improvements,” Albon said.

“I’m sure it will be a little bit of a learning curve as we all try to learn how to get the most out of the new regulations, but the objectives and the way that we focus on this car is very much the same as in previous years.

“Ultimately, we’re all still trying to get a racing car around a track as quickly as possible.”

The FW44 rounds Luffield in the wet at Silverstone on Tuesday. PHOTO: Williamsf1.com

On first look, the FW44 appears to borrow from the McLaren/Aston Martin philosophy of a gap running the full-width between the first and second elements with the former running under the car’s nose.

Sidepods are the area that has yielded curious intrigue across the various offerings of each of the teams. And Williams have almost completely shaven the rear section of its sidepods almost to the bare bones of its gearbox and rear suspension.

A square air intake sits atop the driver’s head, where the other teams have gone a more circular route.

Unique to the FW44 is its convex nose cone shape, where other designs so far have gone with a flatter section like the Formula 1 concept car.

Latifi said the fast-approaching Barcelona test session would be an opportunity to “push and see what the car can do”.

The F1 Commission confirmed sprint races for the Emilia Romagna, Austrian and Brazilian Grands Prix in 2022 on Monday. PHOTO: F1.com

FORMULA 1’s Sprint races have undergone a shake-up after the FIA and F1 Commission met in London on Monday.

After a review of the three sprint events that took place in 2021 three Sprint events were proposed for the Emilia Romagna, Austrian and Brazilian Grands Prix in 2022.

The FIA acknowledged “this as a sensible number in light of the pressures already on the teams for this season with the introduction of major changes to the regulations”.

Based on feedback of fans, media and teams the Fia unanimously approved the races with format changes to the points allocation.

Among the key changes, pole position will now be awarded to the fastest driver in qualifying on Friday, while the rest of the field will race for remaining spots determining Sunday’s grid.  

World Championship points will be awarded to the top-eight finishers with eight points for the winner down to one point for eighth position.

Following the fallout from the weather-affected 2021 Belgian Grand Prix, the Commission approved proposed updates to the Sporting Regulations.

No points will be awarded unless a minimum of two laps have been completed by the leader without a Safety Car and/or Virtual Safety Car intervention.

If the leader has completed more than two laps but less than 25 per-cent of the scheduled race distance, the top five finishers will be awarded points as follows:

1^st – 6 points

2^nd – 4 points

3^rd – 3 points

4^th – 2 points

5^th – 1 point

If the leader has completed 25 per-cent but less than 50 per-cent of the scheduled race distance, points will be awarded as follows:

1^st – 13 points

2^nd – 10 points

3^rd – 8 points

4^th – 6 points

5^th – 5 point

6^th – 4 points

7^th – 3 points

8^th – 2 points

9^th – 1 point

If the leader has completed 50 per-cent but less than 75 per-cent of the scheduled race distance, points will be awarded as follows:

1^st – 19 points

2^nd – 14 points

3^rd – 12 points

4^th – 9 points

5^th – 8 point

6^th – 6 points

7^th – 5 points

8^th – 3 points

9^th – 2 points

10^th – 1 point

Cap: FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is expected to present his analysis of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix review later this week. PHOTO: Fia.com

BRENDAN LINES FEBRUARY 15, 2022

NEWLY-elected FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is expected to present news outlining “structural changes and (an) action plan” in response to the F1 Commission’s review of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix later this week.

In January, the FIA announced Sulayem had asked Secretary General Sport and recently-appointed Single-Seater Director Peter Bayer “for proposals to review and optimise the organisation of the FIA F1 structure for the 2022 season”.

The FIA said on Monday Sulayem had “led detailed discussions” and feedback from the commission around the controversial season-ending title decider would be incorporated into his analysis “in the coming days” — which may decide if Lewis Hamilton could end the silence around his 2022 plans.

The fate, or most likely the reformation of Michael Masi’s role as race director might also be known. After questions were raised over Masi’s role prompted by Mercedes’ post-race protest when Max Verstappen pipped Hamilton for the 2021 on the final-lap restart.

The much-anticipated news of the findings from the Abu Dhabi race headlined Monday’s meeting which was attended by Mercedes’ Toto Wolff and Red Bull’s Christian Horner in London.