Formula 1

The sudden exit of former Renault/Alpine team principal Cyril Abiteboul has left Formula One fans and pundits with many questions.It seems that, for Alpine F1, presenting a new name and livery was not enough of an overhaul, a restructuring at the top of the organisation was also necessary. Although it is still unclear how and by whom Abiteboul’s duties as team principal will be carried out in 2021, speculation about the reason for his departure is already intense, especially as the decision seemed to have fallen from the sky without warning. The main reason is the failure of Renault’s long-term plans; a podium in 2018 and a role as a serious contender for the constructors’ title in 2020. However, the team could not fulfil these ambitions, Barretto knows: “The team, led by Abiteboul, missed out on both those by quite some way. Their first podiums didn’t come until 2020 – albeit they managed three of them – and they are quite some way from becoming title challengers.” Nevertheless, it is still a shock that the man who had been with the team since 2001 now seems to have been shown the door without mercy. The appointment of Luca de Meo as CEO of Renault Group and the subsequent overhaul of the company’s racing division will most likely be the second reason. Abiteboul is not the only senior figure to announce his departure, Jerome Stoll, who was in charge of Renault Sport Racing, also tendered his resignation late in 2020.

McLaren has already given a small hint on Monday afternoon about what the new livery will be. In the photo the Woking-based team shared on social media, the recognizable Papaya orange color that the team has been driving with for a few years is clearly visible. The MCL35M will also probably feature the colors black and blue again. Last year Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris drove with the same colors. That Daniel Ricciardo will start his 2021 season at McLaren with different colors thus seems out of the question. Although, the blue that can be seen in the photo is just tape and does not necessarily have to become the paint color. How the proportions of the color palette will look is not shown in the photo. It’s just a little hint. Check out the photo below.

You can say what you like about Nikita Mazepin, but not that he is a colourless addition to Formula 1. Because of the controversy surrounding his person, many people have strong opinions about the Russian. On the Russian Match TV, he now speaks out for the first time about the issue that got him in the news. It is now more than a month since a video of Mazepin seemingly grabbing a woman by the breasts uninvited caused a stir among F1 followers. The woman in question was quick to say it was a joke and they are good friends. However, doubts soon arose about the authenticity of that statement. Mazepin feels that he has been treated unusually harshly for this incident, among others, and therefore does not care much about it. “There are certain reasons, which have nothing to do with the racing world, why I am treated differently. I’m used to criticism and I don’t have any problem with that.” Mazepin said in an interview on Match Tv. According to him, there is another reason why people are so critical. His Russian predecessors had the same experience. “They were all top racers, professionals through and through, but some things that were said about them were not deserved. But that’s life. That the Russians are treated differently doesn’t surprise me.” But even within this anti-Russian sentiment, he feels he is being treated extra harshly. “I think there’s hardly a Russian driver who gets so much fuss and hate. Am I prepared for it? It is part of life. If you want to race, you have to face something like that.”

Mercedes Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas claimed sixth place in the overall results during his latest foray into rallying in his native Finland. Bottas uses rally driving to remain sharp away from Formula 1 and has participated in the Arctic Lapland Rally since 2019. Bottas, driving a Citroen DS3 WRC, finished sixth overall in the event, 3:48 down on rally victor and former WRC podium finisher Juho Hanninen. Bottas was again co-driven by the experienced Timo Rautianen, who won 30 rallies and two world titles alongside Marcus Gronholm. He was third in the LK6 class, which featured only four entrants, with the rally taking place across seven icy and snowy stages, reduced from the planned 10 courses. He finished fifth in 2019 and ninth last year.

Red Bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko says he encouraged Sebastian Vettel to sit out the 2021 season in order to return to F1’s drivers’ market “at the right time”. Vettel was unexpectedly given notice by Ferrari back in May of 2020 that he no longer figured in the Scuderia’s future plans. As Vettel pondered his future, and ahead of his decision to join Aston Martin for 2021, the former Red Bull driver sought advice from Marko who urged the German to enjoy a year on the sidelines. Speaking to F1-Insider, the Austrian explained why at the time he encouraged the four-time world champion to take a sabbatical. “It was clear [at the start of 2020] that Sebastian would have another difficult season with Ferrari,” Marko said. “I didn’t want him to act rashly, but to wait. “Because it was clear to me that fundamental things would change in the driver market for 2022. For example, I was sure that there would be a vacancy at Mercedes then. But not only there.” “That also included Red Bull. I just wanted him to still be on the market at the right time so he could take the best possible offer. Above all, I didn’t want a four-time world champion to say goodbye to Formula One like that. Not as a friend, and not as a Red Bull man.” Marko says that initially, he never considered a return to Red Bull for Vettel as all signs at the time were pointing to a status quo at the Milton Keynes-based outfit for 2021. “When Ferrari gave him notice, we had no place left for 2021,” added the 77-year-old. “At the time, we firmly assumed that Alexander Albon would develop positively, so that he would also be able to drive alongside Max Verstappen in 2021. That’s what I told Sebastian. “Unfortunately, we were wrong. When we had to act, Sebastian was no longer on the list because he had made a long-term commitment to Aston Martin. Therefore, Sergio Perez was the logical decision for us.” Vettel is on the eve of opening a new chapter of his career with Aston Martin. Marko says he understands his former driver’s choice, and even hopes he’ll prove to be a worthy opponent this season with Team Silverstone although he admits that’s a tall order. “Aston Martin was very tempting,” he said. “The name is cult, the close cooperation with Mercedes promised a sporting perspective. I can understand him, even if I personally would have waited. “I hope he finds his old form again. He knows that the last two years were not his best. For whatever reason. But I don’t think he can be dangerous to us. “In 2020 his new team was too far away from us for that. And that’s despite the fact that Perez was extremely strong, especially in the second half of the season. “Even if Sebastian is in top form every race, as a driver he can’t make up for the gap the team had on us. But maybe I’m wrong.”

Following weeks of rumours, Alpine have confirmed that former Moto GP boss Davide Brivio has joined their Formula 1 operations. Davide Brivio, the former boss of the Suzuki Ecstar Moto GP team, has joined Formula 1 bu signing a deal to become Alpine’s Racing Director. Brivio oversaw Suzuki’s successful championship win with Joan Mir last season, having been in charge of the team for the past seven seasons. Last week, Suzuki confirmed Brivio had departed the team as rumours swirled that he was set for a shock move to Formula 1. Renault held a major event in Paris on Thursday, outlining the future plans for their marque. This included details of the new Alpine F1 outfit, but Renault CEO Luca de Meo and newly appointed Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi made no mention of Brivio joining the F1 team. However, just a few days later, Alpine have now confirmed that he will be added to the team’s senior management as their Racing Director. There is still no word on who will replace Cyril Abiteboul as Team Principal. Brivio will report directly to Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi, but his exact role and responsibilities are yet to be outlined. The launch event in Paris saw Rossi reveal an interim liveried 2021 car, which will be renamed the Alpine A521 for this season. The race livery for the year will be revealed at a launch event in February. Fernando Alonso returns to the Enstone team, replacing the McLaren-bound Daniel Ricciardo. Esteban Ocon retains his seat in the second Alpine cockpit.

Formula One’s 2021 calendar already suffered a number of blows earlier this month, when it was confirmed that the Australian GP would be postponed and the Chinese GP was facing cancellation. And now, it has been reported that three grand prix in May and June, including the prestigious but often lacklustre Monaco GP, will also be cancelled. Specifically, the cancellation of the street races in Monaco, Azerbaijan and Canada will be announced next month, according to reports. “Monaco (May 23), Azerbaijan (June 6) and Canada (June 13) will, insiders say, fall off the calendar just like last year. Announcement of that news is expected next month,” online Dutch magazine Formule1.nl has reported. The publication noted that Canadian authorities have closed the country’s “borders to foreigners for a while” and they have “a very strict COVID-19 policy.” Organisers need several weeks to construct street streets ahead of F1 grand prix, so it’s understandable that they don’t want to spend millions of dollars on preparations only for an event to be cancelled at the last-minute. This, in particular, is why the aforementioned grand prix – in addition to the already-delayed Australian Grand Prix – are set to be cancelled or delayed until much later in the season.

With talks of Alfa Romeo (formerly Sauber) leaving F1 at the end of 2021, it appears that paddock rumour sees Renault taking an interest in joining the Swiss-based team as a possible ‘B’ team. Much depends on the forthcoming decisions at the board level taken by the Stellantis group. Indeed the merger of the PSA (Peugeot) and FCA (Fiat-Chrysler) groups will have a huge impact as to what to do with their Formula 1 investment. Uniting Fiat Chrysler brands including Alfa Romeo with Peugeot names like Citroen, Opel and Vauxhall, calling themselves Stellantis, thus creating the 4th largest group in the world, means that hard choices might be made when it comes to current investments in motorsport, including the title sponsorship of Sauber with the Alfa Romeo branding. “In the plans of the new global auto giant, which will arise from the merger between FCA and PSA, there will also be a redefining of the sporting activities of the group’s brands,” confirms Luigi Perna from the Italian press. “This will start with Alfa Romeo, sponsor of the Sauber team, and whether or not to maintain the historic brand in Formula 1. This will depend on the new industrial plans resulting from the merger of the two groups PSA and FCA, negotiations on which have lasted more than a year”. Alfa Romeo has had a very checkered history in Formula 1, with some incredible success in the early years, continuing on from their pre-war successes in Grand Prix racing. Alas, since several attempts to rejoin as a successful constructor and engine supplier in F1, rarely has there been anything close to what was achieved with Giuseppe Farina and Juan Manuel Fangio in 1950 and 1951.

Aston Martin have teamed up with American multinational IT brand Cognizant to become the title partner for the 2021 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. The team will be officially known as Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team. It came to light in late December that the team were in talks with the American IT Firm and the announcement was officially made on 7 January 2021. Chairman Lawrence Stroll is proud of this new chapter in Formula 1 and plans to make Aston Martin a great in the F1 world. Stroll said: “The return of Aston Martin to Formula One after more than 60 years away is a landmark moment in the history of the sport. Everyone knows what Aston Martin stands for, but the Formula One team will allow us to take the essence of the brand to new places, building on the strong foundations laid by the previous iterations of the team. “I’m hugely proud that we can start this new chapter with the support of Cognizant. In today’s world, as the digital revolution continues, I can’t think of a more suitable or valuable partner to work with us as we strive to make Aston Martin one of the greatest teams in the sport.” Brian Humphries, CEO of Cognizant, is excited by the ‘deep’ partnership the two will form. “We are absolutely thrilled to be the title partner of Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team. Our global brands have much in common. We are both innovative, forward-looking firms that like to move fast, stay focused, and lead from the front. We understand the incredible power of today’s advanced technologies and how to harness them to engineer unique customer experiences. We’re excited by the promise of this deep and mutually beneficial partnership.” said Humpries.

The sponsorship deal that got Ferrari into trouble in 2019 may make a return on the 2021 Scuderia car, a spokesman for the company in question has revealed. In 2018, the Mission Winnow logo was on several areas of the Ferrari, as well as on the outfits of its drivers. However, criticism followed, as Mission Winnow is an initiative of tobacco giant Philip Morris International, and tobacco advertising is not allowed on an F1 car. Tomasso di Giovanni, a spokesman for Philip Morris International, told Racefans.net that the Mission Winnow logo may return to the Scuderia starting in 2021. Di Giovanni states that Mission Winnow “is not meant to ‘promote’ any product or brand … [but] to encourage dialogue around positive change; our own and that of others.” In this way, di Giovanni argues that PMI and Mission Winnow should be considered as separate, thus legitimizing the sponsorship deal. Di Giovanni continued: “Through Mission Winnow, we want to let the world know how we have changed; to share our pride in the transformation that the people of PMI have achieved and continue to work for.” However, di Giovanni also confessed that the sponsorship deal between Mission Winnow and Ferrari is dependent on regulations in the countries where racing will take place. “Decisions about our approach to single events or races are based on a number of factors, including but not limited to regulations in place in the country and the environment in which the race takes place. We will announce plans for the next season and specific races in due course,” said di Giovanni.

Lewis Hamilton has been tipped to demand a clause in his new Mercedes contract that will allow him to choose the team’s second driver after 2021. The Brit is yet to sign a new deal with the Silver Arrows. However, they’re unconcerned and are still convinced he’ll sign on the dotted line. Hamilton was in outrageous form in 2020, with the Brit cruising his way to a seventh F1 Drivers’ Championship. That saw him draw level with the iconic Michael Schumacher, who dominated the sport during his time with Ferrari between 2000 and 2004. Mercedes told Express Sport earlier in the month that contract talks with Hamilton were going well, and that news of the 36-year-old had four demands was wide of the mark. But Italian journalist Alessandro Gargantini, writer for Autosprint, has claimed the Brit might demand a say over who races for the team after 2021. He thinks George Russell is a problem, saying: “It would not surprise us if Hamilton wants to play an active role in the choice of the second driver after 2021.” Hamilton enjoys his partnership with Valtteri Bottas. The Finn usually does the dirty work on the track to ensure the 36-year-old pick up the plaudits. But Russell is developing nicely and, having filled in for Hamilton at the Sakhir Grand Prix, has been tipped to join the Silver Arrows. This would supposedly suit Williams, who would be happy to let the 22-year-old jump ship. But what happens with Hamilton’s contract remains to be seen, with an agreement still appearing to be some way off. Meanwhile, Sky Sports’ Martin Brundle recently expressed a belief that Hamilton will call time on his F1 career at the right time – unlike Schumacher. “My gut feeling is he’ll stop a year early rather than a year late,” he said. “He’s not going to hang on until the bitter end for a few more dollars, or just to be a Formula 1 driver, and nor will he need to. “He’s obviously got other ambitions in his life, but I can’t imagine why he would stop in the next five years, or certainly three. Why would he?” Brundle can’t see any signs of deterioration in Hamilton, saying: “His eyesight, his reactions, nothing has fallen away. “If you’re going to start fading, you’re on a gentle slope. And he doesn’t appear to have started that slope yet. “Michael was in his 40s when he retired and he started making a lot of mistakes, and most of us did – you start having crashes at the end and you don’t know why that happened. That’s what it looks like Sebastian is to me, right now. “Lewis has not got to that point, and nothing has been his match.”

The updated calendar which was presented by the FIA this week has apparently not been to everyone’s liking. The updated schedule, which was made in light of the corona pandemic and the strict measures put in place in many countries, was not supported by McLaren, which believes that the more hectic schedule is detrimental to health and safety. After the cancellation of the season opener in Melbourne, the FIA presented an adjusted schedule for the 2021 season this week. The races will, like in 2020, come to follow each other more quickly, and the triple header also makes a comeback. If the revised schedule is to be followed, the coming season will see twelve Grands Prix organised in a span of sixteen weeks. McLaren is the only team that voted against the adjusted calendar, according to Motorsport.com. The team is said to be concerned about the health and safety of its staff in the midst of such a hectic schedule. The team has, however, declined to confirm its position to Motorsport.com, citing confidentiality. Not only the extensive travelling is reported to be a problem for McLaren, but the many different time zones also demand a lot from the people on the grid, especially during the triple headers.

Charles Leclerc is self-isolating at his home in Monaco after testing positive for Covid-19, saying he is feeling okay and is only experiencing mild symptoms. The Ferrari driver revealed on social media that he had come into contact with someone who had tested positive, and subsequently took a test that came back positive. “I hope you are all staying safe,” he wrote. “I want to let you know that I have tested positive for Covid-19. “I am regularly checked according to my team’s protocols. Unfortunately I learned that I have been in contact with a positive case and immediately went into self-isolation, notifying anyone I had contact with. “A subsequent test I took has come back positive. I am feeling OK and have mild symptoms. I will remain in isolation in my home in Monaco in compliance with the regulations set by the local health authorities. Stay safe and take care.” Leclerc will be partnered by new team mate Carlos Sainz this season, in what will be the Monegasque’s third campaign with the Prancing Horse. He becomes the fifth F1 driver to contract the virus. Sergio Perez, Lance Stroll and Lewis Hamilton all missed races in 2020 after testing positive, while Lando Norris is currently isolating in Dubai after his positive test.

Alex Albon’s DTM appearances during 2021 are set to be at the wheel of a Ferrari 488 GT3 as Red Bull return to the series. The London-born Thai driver will gain further experience in the touring car category this year while he serves as the reserve to Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez in F1, along with his testing and sim duties. Motorsport.com report that although it is so far unofficial which car Albon, along with Red Bull junior driver Liam Lawson, will drive in DTM, their understanding is that it will be the Ferrari 488 GT3. Lawson, the 18-year-old New Zealander who won the 2019 Toyota Racing Series, will contest the full DTM series as well as the Formula 2 Championship with Hitech. It has yet to be confirmed who will share the DTM drive with Albon but Motorsport.com report that a leading contender is Nick Cassidy, another New Zealander who is set to drive in Formula E this year. A decision regarding which team will run the two Ferrari GT3 cars has yet to be made, but AF Corse appears the obvious choice for Red Bull. The Italian outfit has strong links with Ferrari and also runs its factory programme in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Asked if a DTM programme with Red Bull funding is conceivable, AF Corse sports director Batti Pregliasco told Motorsport.com: “Never say never, but that would be very difficult for us because we are pretty much busy with our other programmes.” Motopark, Carlin and DAMS, all of which have a history of supporting Red Bull-backed drivers in junior formulae, have denied their interest in the project. Dr Helmut Marko, head of Red Bull’s driver development programme, previously said he thinks DTM is a good opportunity for Albon to reassert the talent that took him into F1 with Toro Rosso in 2019 and promotion to the senior team only halfway through that season. “The DTM, with a high-class field and GT3 sportscars, is an interesting platform and a real challenge, both for successful race drivers like Alex Albon and for our Red Bull junior driver Liam Lawson,” said Marko. “Formula 1 drivers like Alex Albon, DTM stars like three-time champion René Rast, GT professionals and young talents like Liam Lawson…that is a high-class driver mix the way I would like it for the 2021 DTM season.”

The Alpine Formula 1 team has revealed a first look at its rebrand with an interim livery on a 2020 Renault, ahead of the full launch of its new ‘A521’ car next month. For the sixth season of Renault’s works entry, it has opted to give its niche performance sub-brand Alpine the full F1 treatment as part of a major restructuring of the company and its assets. The so-called winter livery can not count on much support, however of course the drivers were very enthusiastic, but many Formula 1 followers do not like it. After all, it is the black Renault, with only the accents of a French flag. Fans of the team expected more, especially with the return of Fernando Alonso. The Mild Seven blue of 2005 and 2006 will not return, but Will Buxton for example let it be known that he hopes Alpine will come up with something better at the start of the season. Erik van Haren is also happy that the livery will change and Joe Saward calls the livery “rubbish”. Alpine will have to come up with something better to convince the crowd.

Renault has presented a new plan for the future and an important part of that plan is the Alpine Formula 1 project. The first images of the new livery now appear online. In 2021, Renault will no longer be at the start of the Formula 1 season, but it will be Alpine F1 that will have to uphold the honour of the French manufacturer. On Thursday morning, Renault already presented the new plan for the future, where Alpine will have to provide innovative sports cars for the highest segment. For those who hoped for a blue car that reminded of the time Fernando Alonso won with Renault, there is disappointing news. The 2021 car will remain predominantly black, but there are blue accents, in the French flag that is visible on the car. Whether the model shown by Formula 1 journalist, Thomas Maher, will actually become the livery or whether this is a first concept by Alpine, is not yet clear.