February 2021

Daniel Ricciardo believes a repeat of his Renault tattoo bet will be off-limits at McLaren, but has set his sights on a wager surrounding Zak Brown’s classic car collection. Seven-time grand prix winner Ricciardo has joined McLaren on a three-year contract ahead of the 2021 season following a two-year stint at Renault. When Ricciardo signed for Renault, he agreed with team principal Cyril Abiteboul to get matching tattoos when he scored his first podium, which was achieved at last year’s Eifel Grand Prix. Ricciardo had hoped to meet up with Abiteboul before the end of last year to get the tattoos, but revealed on Monday that they are still yet to do so. “You will definitely know when I get done with Cyril,” Ricciardo said. “Unfortunately, it hasn’t happened yet. But it will, it will. And we certainly left on the terms that there was still some unfinished business, that business being the tattoo. “I hope it does happen. Obviously sooner rather than later, but it definitely will.” “Actually, we were only a couple of hours ago having some lunch with Zak and he mentioned something about him hating needles, so I can’t see the tattoo thing happening with Zak but we’ll think of something else. “I know he has got a pretty good car collection so maybe we can just bet one of those cars or something.” Ricciardo is now part of the fifth Formula One team of his career and his third in four years as he continues his so far elusive hunt for a world championship. McLaren are not expected to mount a serious challenge this season despite switching to Mercedes power units, but when the new rule changes arrive in 12 months Ricciardo believes they will be in the best position to take advantage of them at the front of the field. “We don’t have a crystal ball, leaving Red Bull and leaving Renault, it’s what I feel is right. Do I know 100 per cent how it is going to turn out? No, I don’t,” Ricciardo said. “But I certainly feel like McLaren have done the right things, particularly the last few years to set themselves up for these rules changes coming up in 2022. “The next era of F1 has the ability to turn the field around a little bit and everything I have seen … up until now really excites me about where McLaren is heading. “They are doing what it takes to now be a real contender in the championship. “I see (Ayrton) Senna’s car downstairs and it’s wild, it’s wild to see it and be a part of it.”

The 2021 Formula 1 season suddenly felt much more real as Lando Norris put McLaren’s new challenger, the MCL35M, through its paces. The British driver is entering his third year with the team and is joined this year by Daniel Ricciardo, the Australian moving from Renault on a three-year deal. While changes aesthetically are hard to come by on the MCL35M compared to its predecessor, McLaren will be hoping that the combination of a return to Mercedes power and regulation changes around the floor to reduce downforce, will allow for them to build further on their P3 finish in the 2020 Constructors Championship. The MCL35M is McLaren’s first car since renewing its partnership with power unit supplier Mercedes after six-years apart and Norris was the first to sample new machinery. The MCL35M was presented by McLaren on Monday night in front of a live virtual audience, and on the following morning it was over to Norris to put the first laps on McLaren’s new challenger around a damp Silverstone. Ricciardo will sample the MCL35M for the first time later today as McLaren begins to step up its preparations for pre-season testing and the first race of the season, both of which will take place in Bahrain.

McLaren has become the first Formula 1 team to launch its 2021 car ahead of the new season, unveiling the new Mercedes-powered MCL35M at its base in woking. The event marks the return of the McLaren-Mercedes partnership that previously ran from 1995-2014, winning three drivers’ championships and one constructors’ crown. Having endured a three-year spell with Renault following its acrimonious split with Honda in 2017, McLaren has switched to Mercedes power as it bids to continue its recent resurgence. In order to accommodate the Mercedes power unit, McLaren has been forced to spend its two permitted development tokens, resulting in a new rear-end on the this year’s car. The 2021 challenger retains the papaya orange livery that McLaren readopted in 2017, hailing back to the iconic colour scheme it previously ran in the 1960s and early 1970s. “All of us at McLaren are ready and determined for another season of intensely competitive Formula 1 racing,” McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl said. “The entire team has worked hard over the short winter, together with our colleagues from Mercedes-AMG, to produce the MCL35M and provide a strong car for our drivers to race this year. “This has been no small challenge, and I want to thank every member of our team, whether at the MTC or working remotely, for the massive effort they’ve put in.” McLaren is hoping to build on a strong 2020 campaign that saw it claim third place in the constructors’ standings, its highest finish since 2012. The Woking-based outfit’s last victory was with Mercedes power, when Jenson Button won the 2012 season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix. It will also run a revised driver line-up this year with the arrival of Daniel Ricciardo to replace Ferrari-bound Carlos Sainz. The Australian, winner of seven grand prix’s, partners young British ace Lando Norris, who enters his third season with McLaren. The MCL35M will make its on-track debut in a shakedown at Silverstone next week before the start of pre-season testing in Bahrain on March 12.

Fernando Alonso has been discharged from hospital after suffering a fracture of his upper jaw in a cycling accident last week. The two-time Formula 1 world champion, 39, collided with a car while on a training ride near his home in Lugano, Switzerland, on Thursday. His Alpine team said Alonso will now have “a short period of complete rest”. He will then “progressively resume training in preparation for the start of the season”. Pre-season testing takes place in Bahrain from 12-14 March, before the first race at the same track on 26-28 March. Alpine, the former Renault team, said last week that they “expect him to be fully operational to undertake preparation for the season”. Alonso said on social media last week: “I’m OK and looking forward to getting 2021 under way. Let’s go.” Alonso is returning to F1 this season after a two-year absence in which he explored other motorsport ambitions. He added a second Le Mans win, the World Endurance Championship title, competed twice in the Indianapolis 500 and once in in the Dakar Rally. He has said he is returning to F1 because he loves competing and driving, and he hopes Alpine will be competitive with the advent of new technical rules being introduced in 2022.

Red Bull has confirmed it has reached an agreement with Honda to take on its Formula 1 engine technology from the beginning of 2022. The Milton Keynes-based outfit has been without a future engine deal since Honda announced it would be quitting F1 at the end of 2021. Having endured a successful relationship with the Japanese manufacturer since joining forces in 2019, Red Bull felt its best option going forward was to inherit Honda’s IP. But in order for this to come to fruition, Red Bull pushed for a freeze on engine development to come into effect from 2022, which was initially met with opposition from rivals teams. Following a vote last week, it was universally agreed F1 would adopt an engine freeze from next year, enabling Red Bull and sister team AlphaTauri to use Honda’s power unit technology until the end of 2024. The deal will run will conclude prior to the next generation of engine regulations being enforced in 2025, when Red Bull could decide to build its own power units. To make the project a reality, Red Bull has formed a new company named Red Bull Powertrains, which will be based at the team’s base in Milton Keynes. “This agreement represents a significant step for Red Bull in its Formula One journey,” Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said. “We were understandably disappointed when Honda made the decision to leave the sport as an engine manufacturer, as our relationship yielded immediate success, but we are grateful for their support in facilitating this new agreement. “Honda has invested significantly in hybrid technology to ensure the supply of competitive power units to both teams. We now begin the work of bringing the power unit division in-house and integrating the new facilities and personnel into our Technology Campus. “In the meantime, we are fully focused on achieving the best possible results in what will be Honda’s final season as an official power unit supplier.” Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko added: “We have been discussing this topic with Honda for some time and following the FIA’s decision to freeze power unit development from 2022, we could at last reach an agreement regarding the continued use of Honda’s hybrid power units. “We are grateful for Honda’s collaboration in this regard and for helping to ensure that both Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri continue to have competitive power units. “The establishment of Red Bull Powertrains Limited is a bold move by Red Bull but it is one we have made after careful and detailed consideration. We are aware of the huge commitment required but we believe the creation of this new company is the most competitive option for both teams.”

McLaren will launch its 2021 Formula 1 car the MCL35M on Monday evening and you can follow the event live on Racetrackmasters from 7pm GMT. The first Mercedes-powered McLaren since 2014 will be unveiled alongside its new signing Daniel Ricciardo, who has moved from Renault to partner Lando Norris this season. McLaren is streaming its launch live and you can watch it right here when it begins at 7pm UK, including interviews with Ricciardo, Norris and McLaren’s senior management.

Kevin Magnussen doesn’t want to be on Haas’ contact list should they require a substitute driver in 2021. The Dane has already begun life after Formula 1, finishing a frustrating fifth at the Daytona 24 Hours having looked on course to win until a puncture struck with just seven minutes left. However, Haas chief Guenther Steiner didn’t rule out calling on his former drivers should there be a need to replace Nikita Mazepin or Mick Schumacher this season. “I think we have to take a third driver this year, as we did last year, because of Covid-19,” he told Motorsport.com. “You never know when it hits you. If you ever need a third driver on the track, it’s now. “There’s no rush to name anybody. We are talking with Pietro [Fittipaldi], obviously, but there is no big rush from our side and not from his side. “I wouldn’t mind if they [Romain Grosjean and Magnussen] were free, I think they’d love to come back. I didn’t ask them, but I don’t think they have any bad feelings.” In response, however, Magnussen was pretty clear. “Guenther is a good friend, as are many people in the Haas F1 team, but any talk about racing, like a one-off race, I don’t have much interest in that,” he said. “I like to be fully focused on what I am doing and I miss winning. I’ve done seven years of F1, [so] doing one more race, I don’t think is that interesting.” At the same time… “If Mercedes came and asked me if I wanted to drive, I think everyone would look at that very seriously,” he added. “[But] I have given F1 a very fair shot; I think I have done my best to try to be successful. “I’ve done it and feel like I’m ready to go and win some stuff again — that’s really where I’m at.” In addition to his Chip Ganassi seat in IMSA, Magnussen was also recently confirmed as part of Peugeot’s new WEC Hypercar team for 2022. K-Mag will race alongside fellow ex-F1 drivers Paul di Resta and Jean-Eric Vergne as well as Loic Duval as part of a six-man line-up across the two cars.

The start of the 2021 Formula 1 season is closing in and the teams and drivers are preparing for huge season. Even though the major overhaul of regulations have been postponed by a year to 2022, there are some important new rules and restrictions which could level the playing field. Plenty of news has been announced so in case you missed any of it, here is everything you need to know before the racing gets underway. Budget cap. Formula 1’s revolutionary new technical rules have been pushed back to 2022 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The introduction of a budget cap for 2021 and beyond has been vital for teams to remain on the grid. This year, the cap is €120 million for 21 races. Every additional round will see €1 million more to spend. In 2022, the cap will decrease to €115 and in 2023 it will be €108. The new financial restrictions could see the field close up as it levels the playing field which is good news for fans. Less time in the wind tunnel. From this year, the best teams will spend less time in the wind tunnel than the worst teams. It’s a move that should help the teams at the back of the grid including Williams and Haas. Renault finished fifth in the constructors’ championship in 2020 and can spend 100% of the allotted time in the wind tunnel. They are the ‘base’ team. Aston Martin get 2.5% less time than Renault because they finished fourth last year, McLaren are awarded 2.5% less than Aston Martin and so on. The teams that finished behind Renault receive 2.5% more time. It means Williams who finished last in the constructors’ championship 112.5% of the base time in the wind tunnel. Technical changes. The biggest technical change in Formula 1 this year is the new restrictions to the floor. Teams will have to deal with a narrower rear floor which should result in less downforce and slower laptimes. Last season saw record-breaking speeds so the FIA have stepped in to try and slow the cars down. Pirelli have made changes to the structure of the tyre which will be crucial for the teams. Finding the optimum tyre working window will play a significant role during the season. The teams and drivers that can get on top of this quickly will have an advantage. There have also been small changes to the diffuser to further slow the cars down but it is expected the teams will find a way of getting close to the 2020 laptimes despite the FIA’s efforts of tackling the speed of the cars. Limited pre-season testing. There are just three days of testing before the season-opener in Bahrain. Compare this to eight days in 2019 and six days in 2020, the teams will be under pressure to get through their programmes. Pre-season testing will take place in Bahrain this year on March 12-14. Formula 1 plan to have 23 Grand Prix in 2021, the most races in a season the sport has seen. Beginning in Bahrain on March 28 and ending in Abu Dhabi on December 12. Saudi Arabia is scheduled to make its debut on December 5 with a new street circuit in the city of Jeddah. The Dutch Grand Prix returns to the calendar at a newly reprofiled Zandvoort. A banked turn has been made to aid overtaking down the main straight. Format changes. Friday’s practice sessions have been reduced from 90 minutes to one hour. The FIA have restricted the maximum race time to three hours, previously it was four hours. It means when there are red flags or weather delays, the Grand Prix will finish three hours after the scheduled starting time. The race start time has moved from 15:10 CET to 15:00 for the European races. All Grand Prix will start at the top of the hour rather than ten minutes past. All teams must close their factories for two weeks in the summer break between the Hungarian Grand Prix on August 1 and the Belgian Grand Prix on August 29. This ensures that team members are not overworking and get a break away from F1. Two new teams. The entry list looks like it features two new teams. Gone are Renault and Racing Point, in come Alpine and Aston Martin. Renault have been rebranded as Alpine to increase the profile of the French sportscar manufacturer. Aston Martin have taken over Racing Point and are expected to run a classic British racing green livery on their 2021 machine. DAS banned. Mercedes’ revolutionary DAS (Duel Axis Steering) system has been outlawed for 2021. The defending champions grabbed the headlines last year with a concept that allowed the drivers create heat in the front tyres by moving the steering wheel. The FIA has also introduced rules to prevent teams from copying entire development philosophies after the controversial 2020 Racing Point machine which was remarkably similar to Mercedes’ car from the year before.

Mick Schumacher says travel restrictions have stopped him from making his first visit to the base of his new team, Haas. Schumacher, the reigning Formula 2 champion, makes his debut in Formula 1 this year after the Ferrari Driver Academy member landed a seat at Haas for the 2021 Formula 1 season. But the global pandemic continues to cause problems for the teams in the off-season, and Haas are one of those really feeling the strain. They have been unable to fire up their new challenger due to Ferrari mechanics not being allowed to come and facilitate that because of travel restrictions, while Schumacher has revealed the same restrictions mean all he can do is train since he cannot yet link up with his new team. “Because of the Covid situation, I can’t do very much other than train,” he told Sky Sport. “My preparation is going well on the physical side and I feel ready too. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to travel to England and the team yet, which would have happened many times in a normal year. But I hope there will be a chance to get there in the next few days.” Thankfully, Zoom is allowing Schumacher to work with his group of engineers virtually until he can be on-site. “It’s been in place for a few weeks and I’m very happy. I’m happy we’ve already been able to work through Zoom and that we’ll continue this work in the next few days,” he explained. “I haven’t had the chance to work with the team on-site yet, as I would have liked to do otherwise. Accordingly, we have to wait a few more days.” Schumacher has already had some time behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car in 2021 after taking part in a Ferrari test at Fiorano, but when asked if he could do any Haas simulator work through Ferrari, Schumacher explained it is not so easy. “Even then it is difficult for us to get into Italy. But of course it’s a lot easier than in England,” he said. “Yes, there are a few tests to be done, but the simulator there is used a lot by Ferrari drivers. I basically get the remaining days. Still, any preparation I can get is good for me.”

Nico Hulkenberg is set to be confirmed as an Aston Martin test and reserve driver, according to a report. The German would be continuing his links with the Silverstone-based team for whom he raced in 2011-12 and again from 2014-16 when they were known as Force India. In addition, Hulkenberg made a couple of ‘guest appearances’ for the team under the Racing Point banner last season when their regular drivers were suffering from illness. The 33-year-old deputised for Sergio Perez in the two races at Silverstone in August after the Mexican contracted COVID-19, and then again for Lance Stroll in the Eifel Grand Prix at the Nurburgring when the Canadian was forced to pull out with an illness that resulted in him also subsequently testing positive for the coronavirus. Hulkenberg holds the Formula 1 record for the highest number of grands prix driven without a podium finish having made 179 starts, his best position being P4 on three occasions, two of which were in Belgium. Aston Martin team principal Otmar Szafnauer recently said “watch this space” with regard to Hulkenberg being given a role with Lawrence Stroll’s rebranded operation. And now F1 Insider report ‘The Hulk’ “is on his way to Aston Martin as a test and reserve driver”. They add that “the plan is for Hulkenberg not to be on site at every race but to have a standby line just in case”.

Mercedes engine boss admits to having ‘some issues’ with the 2021 power unit. This comes as the German outfit is set to supply three customer teams with power unit not forgetting its works team. Other than its own (multi) championship winning team, and customers Aston Martin and Williams, this season sees Mercedes re-partner with McLaren. While most believe the German team is heading for its eight successive brace of titles, many want to see it face a serious, consistent challenge. Whether it is the German outfit reverting to its customary underdog stance or whether there really is glimmer of hope for its rivals remains to be seen, but as the launch season gets underway, engine boss, Hywel Thomas admits that the 2021 engine has encountered some early issues. “In terms of readiness, we’ve got plenty of engines in build at the moment getting ready for the new season,” says Thomas in a pre-season video by Mercedes. “We have already got some of them together and we have also got engines running on the dynos right now, doing their durability runs. “There are also engines for our customers too,” he adds, “which are already with them and either in the back of their chassis and fired up, or in the process of doing so. “We have got some issues with the power units,” he admits, “we know we have issues but we have plenty of plans in place to fix all of those issues. I’m sure it will all be ready for the first race.” In addition to those unspecified issues, Mercedes, like its rival manufacturers, has to contend with the fact that only upgrade allowed over the course of the season – not to mention the subsequent freeze – has had to alter its approach. “It’s the first winter where we have prepared for only one single upgrade for the whole season,” he said. “So, we have to get all of our performance into the first power unit that goes to the first race, whereas in previous seasons we have been able to split that up into different packages for each power unit that gets introduced. “So, with that challenge, we have to get absolutely everything there for the first race and make sure it’s completely reliable. “Also, there are more races this season and the same number of power units, which means that each individual power unit needs to run across more races. We just have to make sure that we are ready for that and focus even more on reliability. “We also have the challenge of a pretty short winter, as we didn’t finish racing until the middle of December and now, we’re straight back into it. So, if anything, we’ve had more to do and less time to do it in.” Of course, having won 103 (74%) of the 138 Grands Prix held since the introduction of the hybrid formula in 2014, whatever the issues or reliability concerns, Mercedes remains the hot favourite.

Max Verstappen’s performance clause means the youngest race winner in the sport’s history is free to leave Red Bull if he cannot compete at the front, Helmut Marko has confirmed. With Mercedes dominating the sport in recent years, Max Verstappen must be wondering if Red Bull is the right team to help him achieve his ambition of winning a world championship. The Dutchman does have certain performances related clauses inserted into his contract which means he could potentially leave Red Bull if they fail to provide him a car capable of running at the front of the field. “Yes, there is a performance clause,” Marko told F1-insider.com. “I don’t want to go into details, but it more or less says that Max can compete for race wins and the world championship on his own merits. If he can do that, his contract is extended. If not, he would be free.” Marko however believes that clause won’t need to be activated because the Milton Keynes-based outfit themselves are pushing flat to return to winning ways. “That’s our goal and I believe in it, not only because of Max, but because it’s in our DNA that we want to win,” Marko stated. It will be interesting to see how the upcoming 2021 Formula 1 season unfolds. Both Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas are out of contract with Mercedes heading into 2022 and if Red Bull does fail to meet Verstappen’s requirements, perhaps we could potentially see the Dutchman at the German team.