Former Mercedes tech boss Paddy Lowe has now been confirmed as Williams new technical officer, a role he assumes immediately. Lowe will take on “overall management responsibility for the engineering operation”, and will also sit on the company’s board of directors as an active shareholder. “I’ve always had a deep respect for Williams – my…
Month: November 2019
Alonso ‘the animal’ muscles his way to 13th!
Qualifying 13th may not sound impressive, but McLaren-Honda’s Fernando Alonso drove like ‘an animal’ to get there this afternoon in Shanghai. By his own admittance, the Spanish driver was surprised by his performance given his car’s inherent weakness and power deficit. Alonso clocked in 10th at the end of Q1, ensuring his passage to the…
No track time for Button before Monaco
Jenson Button won’t spend any time on track in the MCL32 before the Monaco Grand Prix. It was confirmed on Friday that Button will return to Formula 1 for a one-off appearance next month. He will be sitting in for Fernando Alonso, who is taking part in the Indianapolis 500 on the same day. Button…
Formula 1 to balance pay TV with free digital offerings
Formula 1’s new commercial boss Sean Bratches says the future of Grand Prix racing is achieving the right balance between pay TV and free-to-air broadcasts. The Ecclstone era essentially grew the sport’s top line through hugely profitable network pay TV packages which quickly became F1’s cash cow. While Liberty Media has every intention of pursuing…
Finders keepers? Alonso will get to keep his Indycar
Fernando Alonso will get to keep his McLaren-Honda-Andretti Dallara after the Indy 500 as part of his deal to race at the Brickyard on May 28. The papaya orange machine, which hopefully will emerge intact from its 500 miles at the Speedway, will find its way to Alonso’s museum in Asturias, in Spain. “After the…
Hamilton admits to ‘toxic’ relationship with Alonso
Lewis Hamilton says that the his troubled co-existence at McLaren with Fernando Alonso back in 2007 was based on a ‘toxic’ relationship, and one which affected the whole team. As pundits continue to speculate on the McLaren drivers’ future, the prospect of seeing Alonso move to Mercedes has emerged. But a rekindled Hamilton/Alonso pairing could…
Vettel aiming to beat Mercedes ‘at all tracks’
Sebastian Vettel says Ferrari is aiming to make its SF70H the all-round best car this season, and gain an edge on Mercedes at every single track. The current leader of the world championship is giving the Silver Arrows outfit a run for its money this season thanks to the Scuderia’s impressive turnaround since the 2017…
Red Bull buyout by Porsche thesis gathers pace
Rumors are ramping up that Porsche is seriously contemplating a buy-out of Red Bull Racing to enter Formula 1 as a fully fledged works team in 2021. In July, Porsche announced its departure from the LMP1 category in the World Endurance Championship and its commitment to the burgeoning all-electric Formula E series in 2019. But…
Guess what’s on Carlos Sainz’s bucket list?
Carlos Sainz is one of Formula 1’s most promising talents, which is why he’s on many teams’ short-list for the future. A well-rounded and educated young man, the Toro Rosso driver opened up to Formula1.com and made a few surprising confessions. Sainz isn’t easily impressed or affected, as long as he keeps a firm grasp…
Bubbles in the Sea, Craters in Earth Spark New Methane Worries
The headline in Nature World News on Tuesday was not subtle. ‘We’re F’d,’ it stated caustically. The subject? Methane plumes rising from the seabed witnessed by ocean researchers in the Arctic in recent weeks. Seen by a team of international scientists led by Professor Örjan Gustafsson from Stockholm University travelling in the Eastern Siberian Arctic…