Racetrackmasters

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Ares Management will invest £400m into the Surrey-based automotive giant. Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund is in advanced talks to acquire a stake in McLaren Group as part of a fresh shake-up at the British supercar manufacturer and Formula One (F1) team-owner. Sky News has learnt that the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) is to participate in a £550m equity-raise which could be unveiled by McLaren within days. Banking sources said the deal would include £400m of new capital from PIF and Ares Management, a major global investment firm, with £150m being injected into the company by McLaren’s existing shareholders – who include Mumtalakat, the sovereign investment fund of Bahrain. The equity-raise was still being finalised on Friday and could still be delayed, the sources cautioned. If completed, however, it would represent a major vote of confidence in McLaren’s strategy under the leadership of Paul Walsh, the former Diageo chief who joined last year as executive chairman. AdvertisementThe Woking-based company endured a torrid start to the pandemic as it sought a government loan to shore up its balance sheet. It was also forced into a restructuring of its workforce which saw hundreds of jobs axed.

Spa-Francorchamps, the fabled host of this year’s Belgian GP next month, is currently closed. The circuit was already battered by flooding recently, and now it has been hit with another round of abysmal weather. In a statement, Spa-Francorchamps admitted that “the related infrastructures of the circuit” have been damaged, including the “collapsed” paddock access road and “impassable” tunnels. While the “track itself has not been impacted”, races have been called off for now because of fallen trees, damaged safety fences and downed “digital infrastructure”. “Our teams are already at work in order to be able to resume activities from this weekend, and to restore all the safety conditions required for the circuit’s customers,” a spokeswoman confirmed.

Three members of the McLaren Formula One team have tested positive for Covid-19, including chief executive officer Zak Brown, the British outfit announced Thursday, ahead of the British GP in Silverstone. “Neither of our drivers are close contacts,” McLaren said of Briton Lando Norris, currently fourth in world championship standings, and Australian Daniel Ricciardo, standing 8th before the season’s 10th race. “All three cases are unconnected and now isolating in accordance with government guidelines. The team’s operations for the British Grand Prix are unaffected,” they added. Brown tweeted that he had “notified all my close contacts and isolating in accordance with govt guidelines”. “I’ll still be connected to and supporting the team safely from home.” The British GP will go ahead in front of 140,000 fans around the Silverstone track. From Monday, the British government will lift most restrictions on public gatherings in England and allow businesses such as nightclubs to reopen, to the concern of scientists who say it is too soon with the Delta variant still spreading rapidly.

Formula One offered fans a glimpse of the future on Thursday with a presentation of what cars will look like next season when the sport undergoes a rules revamp to make racing closer and more exciting. The concept car, revealed ahead of Sunday’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone, features larger 18 inch wheels with covers and simpler and ‘more neutral’ front and rear wings designed to make it easier for drivers to follow and overtake. The floor shape is also different and using ground effect for more downforce but the cars will be heavier than this year’s models. A side-by-side comparison of the 2021 and 2022 cars on F1’s website and this video on Formula One’s YouTube channel outlines all the changes: “The new cars will be elegant, streamlined and designed for racing to the limit,” said Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali. The cars raced by teams are sure still to differ individually. The rule changes were meant to take effect this year but were delayed as part of cost-saving measures in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. “There is huge excitement ahead of this new era, and while 2021 has been a great battle we still have cars struggling to follow each other during the race,” said Formula One’s motorsport managing director Ross Brawn. “The regulations for 2022 will address this problem. “We want the best drivers to win, we want much closer competition, we want them battling wheel to wheel.” Nikolas Tombazis, the governing FIA’s head of single seaters, cautioned that it would still take time for closer racing to emerge if some teams get their initial designs wrong. “It won’t happen overnight. We will obviously study what solutions the teams produce and we will keep working at it to improve. “But we believe over time the racing will improve very sizeably.” Drivers reacted positively to the idea of a more level playing field. “If it enables us to follow and race like it’s planned to, then I think it will be amazing for the fans and the sport,” said Mercedes’ seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton. “It is very different to what we are used to,” said Red Bull’s championship leader Max Verstappen. “The most important is that we improve the racing, that we can race closer and if this is the way forward, of course I am for that.” McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo said the rear actually looked “pretty old school”. “The front is very different but the more you stare at it, the more normal it will start to look.”

Aston Martin have continued their recruitment drive, appointing former Honda man Mark White as operations director. The British team recently announced they were going to restructure their existing staff and increase the total size of their workforce considerably. They didn’t hang about in doing so, with Alfa Romeo’s Luca Furbatto signed to be engineering director and Red Bull pair Andrew Alessi and Dan Fallows being made head of technical operations and technical director respectively. The list of new personnel has now been added to again, with White coming aboard as operations director after spending years working at Honda. “I am hugely proud to be joining the talented men and women at Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team this September,” he said. “I have been extremely impressed by the passion and desire of the leadership team, and I believe the roadmap ahead, including the new factory build, will allow the team to be truly competitive in the years to come. “I will do all I can to contribute towards the team’s journey to the front of the grid.” Specifically, White will be responsible for the production control, quality assurance and manufacturing departments at the team, and will start on September 1. Team boss Otmar Szafnauer says the cost cap being introduced was a big reason for his appointment. “Mark White’s arrival at Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team will be a key appointment and add valuable expertise to our factory operations,” he said. “Mark’s experience of the automotive world will be especially relevant as the cost cap comes into force with greater emphasis on containing manufacturing expenses. “He will also continue our push to improve quality and efficiency in our production and manufacturing systems. It is yet another demonstration of our desire to strengthen the team in all areas with another experienced senior leader.”

partnership with Sauber will continue for another few seasons, with the Italian car manufacturer continuing to invest into the Swiss team. The Alfa Romeo/Sauber contract was up for renewal at the end of the 2021 season, but both parties have agreed terms to continue the partnership that grants Alfa Romeo naming rights over the Sauber team. The new medium-term deal allows both sides to continue working together, with a statement from the F1 team reading, “This will allow the two parties to develop their vision for the future in a stable environment, enabling Sauber Motorsport and Alfa Romeo to work on growing their success both on and off the track.” Having rejoined Formula 1 in 2018 with Sauber, Alfa Romeo have solidified their position in the midfield with drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi. The team are yet to confirm their driver line-up for 2022, the start of a new regulatory cycle which the team say represents a huge opportunity for them to make a big step forward. “We are delighted to be announcing the extension of this partnership,” said Alfa Romeo team boss Frederic Vasseur. “Alfa Romeo have been an incredible companion over the last few years, and we are even more excited about the chapters that are yet to come. “The new regulations are giving us the chance to make another step forward and I firmly believe we are perfectly placed to make big gains together. We are looking forward to the next three seasons together and to keeping moving towards the front of the grid. “This relationship is also very important for our company as a whole, beyond the track: the work we have done in the automotive world has shown the extent of the technology and manufacturing skills of Sauber Engineering and we are confident we can continue working for Alfa Romeo on new and exciting projects that will shape the future of the car industry.” Now under the Stellantis umbrella, Alfa Romeo has already begun positioning itself for an electric future on the roadcar front, and claims that Formula 1 represents the best testing ground for this technology shift. “Alfa Romeo is now writing its future and designing its long-term plan,” said a team statement. “With a very distinctive and inspiring Italian heritage, the Brand will remain true to its roots even through the paradigm shift that electrification represents. The pleasure of the driver and passion will remain at the centre, but electrification will give the Brand the opportunity to redesign sustainable performance. “The brand’s presence in Motorsport, and in particular in F1, will continue to play a key role in the future, always interpreted with a feeling of Italian noble sportiness, the Alfa Romeo DNA from 1910. “F1 is the ultimate laboratory of change, and therefore a key territory for Alfa Romeo on its path-to-electrification, with its pioneering Hybrid Strategy, sustainable technology and endless pursuit of efficiency. On top of that, it is a crucial global marketing platform.”

Alpine will field a brand-new chassis for Esteban Ocon at Silverstone in a bid to help the Frenchman improve his performances after a series of difficult races. Ocon failed to exit Q1 in both of F1’s rounds held at the Red Bull Ring where he was comprehensively outpaced by teammate Fernando Alonso in qualifying and on race day. Ocon concluded his Styrian Grand Prix a lowly P14 but didn’t make it beyond the opening lap in the Austrian Grand Prix after he was sandwiched at the start between Mick Schumacher and Antonio Giovinazzi. After assessing his recent slump, the Alpine charger reckoned there was something wrong going on under the skin of his A521 and he requested a major overhaul of his car to try and get to the bottom of his performance issues. But Alpine has gone one better and simply replaced Ocon’s chassis for this week’s British Grand Prix. “Esteban had two difficult races in Austria and we’re still investigating whether there are any technical reasons behind it,” explained the team’s executive director Marcin Budkowski; “To eradicate any doubt, the team has made the decision to make extensive changes to his car for Silverstone, including a new chassis. “Esteban performed very strongly at the start of the season and qualified the car on the third row of the grid on merit at two races in a row just a few weekends ago, so we are working together to make sure he bounces back, and this weekend is the perfect opportunity to do that.” Ocon sees next weekend’s round at Silverstone – a very different layout compared to Austria – as a welcomed reset and an opportunity to get his 2021 campaign back on track. “It’s good that we’re heading to a completely different circuit, taking on a new challenge and having a reset,” he said. “The team and I have been working very hard behind the scenes to see what we can do to improve our performance. “I know we’ll come back to the level we had at the start of the season and the hard work will only continue until we achieve that and even go beyond. I’m really motivated for a good result this weekend.” On the topic of Saturday’s Sprint Qualifying event, Ocon says the short race will undoubtedly “bring a new dynamic” to the weekend. “I’m interested to see how it will unfold,” he said. “Before that, though, we have to plan a productive Free Practice and then make sure we’re as far up the grid as possible in qualifying on the same day. “It’s going to be different to usual, but I like the idea and I’m looking forward to seeing how it will go.”

Reb Bull team principal Christian Horner has insisted that his relationship with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is “absolutely fine”.The pair have been engaged in something of a war of words so far this season with their teams involved in a tense battle for much of the early part of the campaign. However, Red Bull appear to hold the advantage heading into the British Grand Prix at Silverstone having won the last five races in a row, with Max Verstappen totally dominant in the recent double-header at the Red Bull Ring. Mercedes have won the last seven drivers’ and constructors’ championships, with Red Bull last winning in 2013. Looking back at Wolff’s stint with Mercedes, which began in 2013, Horner said that the Austrian was facing a “new situation” coming from behind. “My relationship with Toto is absolutely fine,” he told BBC Radio 4. “I respect him for what he has achieved with Mercedes. This, of course, is a new situation for him. “He has never been under pressure. He acquired a winning team so it is a different position for him to be under pressure and it is a question how you deal with pressure.” Asked if he felt Wolff was unable to handle the pressure that Red Bull were applying, Horner added: “Not at all, it is great to see them finally pressurised and it is great to see that it is us that is enabled to take the fight to Mercedes.”

There’s always an air of excitement around a new chapter in F1 and 2022 has a lot of anticipation as it’s hoped it’s going to generate closer racing and shake up the running order after the turbo-hybrid era and Mercedes’ dominance of it. Certainly, everyone wants to see more teams up near the front – it’s why Red Bull’s charge this season has been so refreshing – and hopefully 2022 can provide plenty more of that, though Mercedes are obviously going to want to try and remain one of the teams to beat. Excitingly, they’ve dropped some teaser images on their social media of how the new model is going to look for next season and for the years to come, and you can just about make out the outline with some pretty dramatic changes of note, particularly around the rear-wing section.

F1 fans will get their first taste of the look of 2022, when a full-scale model is revealed at Silverstone this weekend. Though the 2021 championship is still underway, teams, even the big guns are turning their attention to next season, as the sport undergoes one of the biggest changes in its history. In a bid to spice up the action whilst levelling the playing field, the aero rules have undergone a massive overhaul, which, among other things, will seriously reduce the effects of dirty air. Though the first cars won’t be revealed until February, at Silverstone this weekend fans will get a sneak preview of the look of 2022. On Thursday, fans will witness F1 One Begins, which according to the sport’s official website, is a “dynamic launch event that will take fans on a journey through the ages before arriving at the most futuristic racing car of all-time. “Fans will not only get to see a life-size 2022 F1 car for the first time,” it adds, “they’ll also be talked through the machine’s revolutionary design by a panel of experts, who will explain the thinking behind the new concept, which will enable drivers to race each other harder than ever before.”

Sergio Perez will remain at Red Bull for 2022, with the possibility of this going into 2023, according to reports. Whilst there has been no official confirmation as of yet, Spanish newspaper Marca claims that talks to renew Perez’s contract are well under way, and that the only thing that is uncertain is whether the contract will be just for one year – which is reportedly the wish of Red Bull – or for two years, supposedly the preference of Perez. It is unclear when a deal might be announced, but Perez has previously spoken about his desire to start contract discussions as soon as possible. “I see it as a natural thing,” the Mexican told RacingNews365.com and other select media. “Once you’re comfortable in a team, working with them and the team working with you, it’s something that naturally should happen very smoothly.” Perez has fitted in well with the Milton Keynes-based outfit since joining them for the 2021 season, and has developed a good working relationship with teammate Max Verstappen. With Verstappen’s previous teammates Pierre Gasly and Alexander Albon struggling to match his level of performance, Perez has been able to play the team role which has enabled Red Bull to lead the Constuctors’ Championship with an impressive 44-point advantage over nearest rivals Mercedes. Perez also secured his first win for the team at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, meaning they were able to pull back some points following Verstappen’s sudden exit from the race due to a tyre failure. The Mexican has additionally showed his skill at adapting to different strategies, and is particularly strong when it comes to managing the tyres over a long stint. Team boss Christian Horner recently spoke about how pleased he has been with Perez since the 31-year-old joined the team. “Really since Daniel [Ricciardo] left, obviously we had drivers come in very young, and Max was running solo,” Horner told the Beyond The Grid podcast. “And it’s only really since Checo [Perez] has now arrived [that has changed]. “He’s a great team player. He was out at the end of last year, he would have been unlikely to find a seat, certainly not a competitive seat, so I think he’s enormously grateful for this opportunity, grabbing it with both hands. “He’s a really rounded guy, a lot of experience, and he’s playing the team role fantastically well.”

There has been plenty of rumours that George Russell will be confirmed as a Mercedes Formula 1 driver this weekend at the British Grand Prix, but according to Russell himself, it’s nothing more than speculation. Russell is in the running to partner Lewis Hamilton at the reigning championship-winning team after the seven-time champion signed a new two-year deal, confirming his seat until at least 2023. However the identity of who will sit on the opposite side of the Mercedes garage remains up in the air, with Valtteri Bottas’ under pressure following a disappointing start to his 2021 campaign. Russell is believed to be favourite for the seat, leading to speculation that an announcement could be made this weekend at Russell’s home race, but he confirmed that won’t happen as nothing has been agreed yet. “I signed with Mercedes five or six years ago now, that is 100 per cent true, as everybody knows they look after me,” he told the F1 Nation podcast. “With regards to my drive for next year, nothing has been signed or sealed and nothing will be announced in Silverstone so I can let you know that.” The Briton is looking forward to racing in front of his home crowd, with an expected 140,000 capacity crowd on Sunday, but denied the extra support gives a driver a performance boost. “I always think, when people say ‘I’m going to try a bit more’, well, why weren’t you trying a little bit more the previous week? There’s nothing more I think a driver can give purely because it’s a home race, because you’re giving your absolute maximum,” added Russell. “But I think that additional excitement of your home race does naturally give you a bit more enthusiasm. So maybe that’s where the extra performance comes from. “The difficult bit, I guess, is there’s a lot of media scrutiny and a lot of activities going on during that week. And just balancing that out, really, because it is the biggest from a marketing perspective, the biggest event of the year for us. But ultimately, we can’t let that have an effect on the racing. So it’s just finding that right balance.”

Lewis Hamilton has announced the findings of his commission investigating how to improve diversity in motorsport.The seven-time Formula One champion Hamilton established the Hamilton Commission last year, in partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering, to investigate why there are few black people entering motorsports.The report released by the commission on Tuesday titled “Accelerating change: improving representation of black people in UK motorsport” identifies areas where long-term changes are needed. The report calls for F1 teams to adopt a diversity and inclusion charter, for teams and motor racing businesses to offer more apprenticeships, as well as scholarship programmes to help black students transition into motorsport.The report also urges the need for a fund to address the factors for why black students are excluded from school, approaches to increase the number of black teachers in STEM subjects as well as supplementary schooling led by black community groups to promote greater interest in STEM subjects.“Through the commission’s research, we can see there are clear meaningful steps the motorsport industry needs to take towards creating a more inclusive environment where diversity can thrive,” said Hamilton. “But also we must tackle the barriers facing black students that exist throughout their educational journey.“Our findings have opened my eyes to just how far-reaching these problems are. Now that I’m armed with the commission’s recommendations, I am personally committed to ensuring they are put into action.”Stefano Domenicali, F1’s president and CEO, said in a statement: “The Hamilton Commission has delivered a comprehensive and impressive report that shows the passion Lewis has for this very important issue.“We will take the time to read and reflect on all of the findings, but we completely agree that we need to increase diversity across the sport and we have taken action to address this and will be announcing more actions in the coming days.”