Racetrackmasters

Honda’s head of engine development, Yasuaki Asaki, has criticised McLaren and the “cheating team” as he reflects on Honda’s latest journey in Formula 1. As Honda embark on what will be their final season in Formula 1 at least in the short term, the head of their engine development Yasuaki Asaki looks back on the Japanese brands six years in the sport. “I was close to retirement, but then we got the full brunt of McLaren,” Asaki said in a press conference scheduled by Honda. “I was worried that if it continued like this, Honda would get out of the sport without winning a race. Then I looked back on my long career as a Honda engineer and he thought, ‘How did I manage before? “When I joined the team earlier, we fought with and won against Porsche, BMW, Ferrari and Renault. That thought gave me confidence and I was able to overcome all setbacks.” Asaki also appreciated the highs that came when Honda began supplying engines to Red Bull and AlphaTauri (formerly Toro Rosso). “We finally managed to win again,” Asaki said. “It was great to see AlphaTauri triumph as well, as they were the ones who knocked on our door to enter into the partnership while McLaren made us completely black.” Asaki finally highlighted how despite not being affected by the new rule implemented after Ferrari’s fuel-flow scandal affected, the Japanese supplier is still suspicious of their Italian rivals. “I’m not going to say who, but was there a team that cheated on fuel flow?” Asaki concluded.

Honda’s technical head Toyoharu Tanabe believes the Japanese brand’s 2021 Formula 1 engine has surpassed the levels reached by Mercedes in the previous year. With Red Bull and AlphaTauri topping the timesheets during the recently concluded pre-season F1 test, Toyoharu Tanabe, the technical of Honda says the performance of the Japanase manufacturer’s power-unit has eclipsed that of previous year’s Mercedes. Mercedes engines have pretty much dominated the V6 Turbo Hybrid era in Formula 1. The German giants have racked up seven constructor’s titles on the trot and their power-units have been the envy of the grid with Ferrari, Honda and Renault failing to match them so far. This fact, however, could be about to change based on recent evidence. “I believe we exceeded last year’s Mercedes,” Tanabe told The Race. “It depends on the conditions but I hope we will be in a position to fight for the championship against Mercedes.” Tanabe however is cautious about predicting this year’s running order as it is likely that Mercedes have made progress on the engine front too. “We have no idea how much improvement has been done in this off-season on Mercedes’ side. We will see when we start qualifying and after the race it’s a little bit too early to say something after the three-day test. “I know very much how strong Mercedes are in terms of technical [knowledge], chassis side, PU side, drivers, teamwork. “Last year, we saw a big step in their development it’s very hard to guess what’s going on and the result of their development. We have no answer yet.” Tanabe did however seem extremely satisfied with the progress Honda have made, saying the recently concluded test was, “definitely better than previous years,” and that Honda were “happy with our result.” The Japanese engineer also highlighted Honda’s reliability stating that “the number of problems is lower than I expected,” which emboldened his belief that it was, “a good sign for reliability.” Honda will leave Formula 1 at the end of the current campaign. The Japanese marque are keen on ending their latest stint in F1 on a high and have invested heavily in the development of their power-unit during the off-season.

Silverstone has announced it is giving away 10,000 tickets to its three main events this summer, including Formula 1 and MotoGP’s British Grand Prix, to NHS key workers in recognition of their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tickets will be given away for F1 and MotoGP’s British GP and the Silverstone Classic. Silverstone is teaming up with Blue Light Tickets, a sister company of the Blue Light Card discount scheme set up to reward workers in the NHS, emergency services, armed forces and social care sectors. Anyone holding a Blue Light Card will be able to enter the ballot in hope to win tickets for Silverstone’s biggest events this summer. 3500 tickets are available for F1’s British Grand Prix on July 16-18, while 3000 are available for the Silverstone Classic on July 30 and August 31. Like F1, the allocation for MotoGP on August 27-29 is 3500, with 300 being available for race day. Speaking of the announcement, Silverstone managing director Stuart Pringle said: “Working with Blue Light Card gives us the reassurance that our tickets will reach those we are all so indebted to and we hope as many as possible can join us this summer to experience live motorsport, something we have all missed over the past 12 months. “The last year has been a challenge for everyone but particularly for those working on the frontline, putting their lives at risk, to keep our country and population safe under very difficult circumstances. “I hope that this gesture goes some way to demonstrating to this community that their work is very much appreciated.” The deadline for entry for F1 is May 25, for Silverstone Classic, June 27, while the MotoGP ballot will close on July 25.

Drive to Survive season three is now available on Netflix. The camera crews have had the chance to go behind the scenes of Formula 1 for another year, and the result is some great footage. The first two seasons of Drive to Survive gave Formula 1 fans their first look behind the scenes of the sport. On race day itself, the focus is usually on the people at the front, but Drive to Survive got a good look at the underdogs. For example, what’s the story of Haas? In season two, Mercedes and Ferrari finally came into the picture where they had avoided competing in the first season. In season three, all teams are on show again. There are again ten episodes lasting between 30 and 45 minutes and they are titled as follows: It’s all about money: Preparing for the season Back on the track: The start of the season Second fiddle: Focus on Valtteri Bottas We need to talk about Ferrari: Dramatic season at Ferrari The end of a relationship: Ricciardo away at Renault The comeback: Pierre Gasly hits back Guenthe’s choice: Haas line-up for 2021 No regrets: Sainz to Ferrari On fire: Grosjean crash To the end: End of the season

Toto Wolff has argued that Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner is often vocal about his opinions, but they are not big fans of that at Mercedes. Wolff said this in the third season of Netflix’s Drive to Survive. The German racing team says it has a different approach. “Christian likes to rumble around a little bit, but I think we are doing it a bit different,” Wolff said in a preview of the Formula One documentary. “We concentrate on ourselfs. We don’t look to much left and right. We do the talking on the track.” On Friday morning, the third season of the successful series will be released on Netflix. It will feature ten episodes of more than half an hour each.

The Ferrari SF90, created to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Scuderia designed and built by Enzo Ferrari, was the Prancing Horse’s last competitive car in Formula 1, winning a few races with Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel before its decline with the 2020 car, the SF1000. Now, the SF21, the car created to redeem a bad year, will be driven by Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. However, an unauthorised fibreglass replica of the SF90 from Brazil was confiscated in La Spezia by the Guardia di Finanza and the Customs Office at the port of La Spezia. The 1:1 scale single-seater was without mechanical and electrical parts and was discovered in a container which arrived in Italy directly from Brazil and was then sent to a car dealer in Tuscany. Investigators sent photographic evidence of the reproduction to Ferrari SPA, which in turn confirmed that the reproduction was of a protected model registered as a Community design. The livery is devoid of any kind of sponsors or logos, but the reference to the SF90 is quite clear, which is why the seizure was made by the police led by Major Luigi Mennella. The car is not the only unauthorised reproduction that has been seized by the police, in fact, alongside the Red, a McLaren MP4/4, one of the most extraordinary Formula 1 cars in history, was recovered. The car that raced in the 1988 season and gave rise to one of motorsport’s greatest rivalries, that between Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna. It was also the first car to give the late Brazilian driver, who died in Bologna on 1 May 1994, his world championship title.

Haas F1 driver Mick Schumacher recollects an incident that occurred in the pitlane, where the German driver drove out of his pit box with one of the jacks still on his car. Mick Schumacher had a largely low-key preseason test in Bahrain with the German completing 181 laps and setting the 19th quickest lap time. One incident however stands out for the young Schumacher. “I was really scared because suddenly I didn’t know what was going on, whether I did something wrong or not,” Schumacher told RacingNews365.com among others. “In the end, it was a misunderstanding.” The Haas F1 team have a history of pitstops issues with their most unfortunate incident occurring at the 2018 Australian Grand Prix. The reason for this mishap is similar to what happened in Australia three years ago with a jammed wheel nut on the front left tire sparking the debacle. Team principal Guenther Steiner was largely understanding of the incident saying the rookie equipped himself well. “Mick reacted very well,” Steiner explained. “When the radio message came that he should stop, he stopped immediately. This did not cause any damage. I could say now it was part of his training because we have already hit so many pit stops but it wasn’t like that.”

F1 and Saudi Arabia have revealed the layout of the Jeddah Street Circuit, which will be the second longest track on the 2021 calendar and among the fastest. The circuit has been designed with close collaboration with Tilke GmbH & Co. KG and the Formula 1 Motorsport team under Ross Brawn to “ensure exciting racing for our fans and the drivers”, according to today’s press release. Located in the Corniche area on the Red Sea, approximately 7 miles (12 km) geographically north of Jeddah’s centre, the circuit will be 3.837 miles (6.175 km) long, the second longest on the Formula 1 calendar, after Spa Francorchamps at 4.352 miles (7.004 kms). The circuit, which is due to host the inaugural event on 5 December, will have 27 corners and has the potential for 3 DRS zones, increasing the ability to overtake and close-up on cars in front. Average speeds are estimated, in simulation, to be around 155 mph (250 km/h) and the fast-flowing layout with high speed esses and chicanes, as well as long full throttle sections, will make it the fastest street circuit in Formula 1 as well as one of the fastest circuits on the Formula 1 calendar, with Monza the fastest at 164.2 mph (264.4 km/h). “It’s always very exciting to release the details of a new circuit,” said Ross Brawn, Formula 1 Managing Director Motorsport, “and the Saudi Arabia Street Circuit is no exception. “We have worked very closely with the team at Tilke and with the promoter to ensure we have a track that provides exciting wheel-to-wheel racing for our fans and challenges all of the drivers. The design brings out the best of a modern street circuit but also has fast paced free flowing areas that will create fast speeds and overtaking opportunities. “The setting is incredible, on the Red Sea, and we can’t wait to see the cars on the track in December.” “We are looking forward to welcoming motorsport fans to Saudi Arabia,” added HRH Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Faisal, President of the Saudi Automobile & Motorsport Federation (SAMF). “Next December will be a huge moment, when we host the biggest event in Motorsports (Formula 1). “This is a continuation of the endless support that sports in general, and Motorsport in particular, is receiving from His Royal Highness King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Prime Minister, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. “Even though this is the first time we will host a Formula 1 Grand Prix, delivering such important international events is further confirmation of the Kingdom’s ability to manage and organise these events to the highest standards for our fans and growing young population.”

Nikita Mazepin will not get preferential treatment at Haas this season, team boss Gunther Steiner insists. Mick Schumacher may be the more famous and popular Haas rookie for 2021, but the company headed by Mazepin’s billionaire father Dmitry is the team’s new title sponsor. “Both drivers are equal in the team,” Steiner insisted to the German broadcaster n-tv. “Mr (Dmitry) Mazepin also said: ‘My son has no advantage’.” Steiner said that position is also backed up by the contracts signed between Haas and the Russian fertiliser producer Uralkali. “Uralkali is the main sponsor, but with no rights to have an advantage,” Steiner said. “It’s not sporting and we wouldn’t do that anyway. That’s what I stand for.” Steiner said he has been pleasantly surprised so far by the professionalism of Haas’ all-rookie lineup. “We have never had young drivers at Haas, so I’m all the more surprised at how well prepared they are,” he said. Steiner said Haas had a good pre-season test in Bahrain, although he has acknowledged that the American team could actually be dead last by the end of the season. “We’re not at the front,” he smiled, “but we already knew that.” Steiner has ordered that Haas should focus all of its resources on the 2022 car, declaring that he hopes to give the drivers “sharper weapons” next year. Nikita Mazepin is not complaining. “This is simply the situation,” said the 22-year-old. “Whatever the team’s plans are, it is the driver’s job to maximise the results. “I think I am at a good point to start my Formula 1 career,” the young Russian added. “The team has also been extremely helpful in helping a young driver like me, which is not something I would have assumed.”

Dr Helmut Marko does not think Red Bull newcomer Sergio Perez will need five races to start driving and racing his 2021 car at full speed. 31-year-old Mexican Perez, with almost 200 grands prix and a maiden win in 2020 under his belt, has joined Max Verstappen at the team following the ousting of Alex Albon. He said after the Bahrain test that he is not yet “on top of the car”. “Once we go to very different races with different conditions, you understand the car and the team a lot better,” said Perez. “I think five races, proper races, and then we should be good.” However, Red Bull’s notorious driver program manager Dr Marko doesn’t think Perez will need that long. “His long run was the fastest as far as I saw,” said the Austrian. “He has already fully lived up to his reputation as a tyre specialist and at the same time as a fast driver.” As for Perez’s five-race prediction, Marko added: “I don’t think it will take that long. Maybe for a qualifying lap, but in the race he will certainly be there from the first grand prix.”

Organisers of the grand prix at Sochi are pressing ahead with preparations for the race in September, despite Russia’s anti-doping ban from international sport. There is already controversy over Haas’ new ‘Russian flag’-style 2021 livery, while Nikita Mazepin is unable to display the Russian flag on his overalls or car. Sochi GP promoter Alexey Titov told Tass news agency that he is still in talks with the FIA about how the anti-doping bans will affect the September race. “We are still figuring out what will happen. The FIA are yet to release the details for all of the events,” he said. “We have answers about the drivers, which is understandable, but the work on the organisational side is still underway.” However, Titov said it is clear that the anti-doping ban will affect the Russian GP in certain ways. “Obviously our anthem will not be played at the beginning of the grand prix,” he said. “And there will be no Katyusha either, but I think it’s actually good that we won’t have a song instead of the anthem. “Our athletes are still able to win, so let everyone understand that we cannot be defeated by the absence of the anthem.” Titov also told the Ria Novosti news agency that the anti-doping ban cannot compel race organisers or the FIA to drop the official name of the Russian GP. “From the point of view of the name, there will be no restrictions,” he insisted. “They have no legal ability to do this because the commercial rights belong to Formula 1. Everything is clearly stated that we are called the grand prix of Russia,” Titov said.

Mercedes’ disappointing performance during the winter tests in Bahrain is the talk of the towb, but Red Bull’s Christian Horner doesn’t believe that Mercedes are really as bad as they seem. Mercedes are now known for the so-called sandbagging. Making themselves look worse than they actually are in order to pull the wool over the eyes of the competition. Horner therefore believes that Mercedes do not have as many problems as is now being said. “Two years ago they also had problems with testing,” Horner told Speedweek.com. Horner is referring to Mercedes’ disappointing performance during the 2019 winter tests. Of the eight test days, Mercedes were not fastest once. At the time, all hopes were pinned on Ferrari, who were very strong during the winter tests, to finally break the dominance of Mercedes. “We all know what happened then,” Horner concluded, referring to Mercedes simply winning both championships again.

Toto Wolff provided an apt, if unappetising, analogy for Mercedes’ pre-testing troubles as he said the Bahrain sessions had proved crucial in highlighting the problems with the new W12 car – and given the team a chance to fix them before the season itself gets underway. Gearbox issues for Valtteri Bottas and the Finn’s indictment of the W12 as “snappy and unforgiving” were followed by a spin for Lewis Hamilton on day two that brought out red flags, and a further spin at the end of day three. It was far from the smooth sailing that we’ve come to expect from the dominant force of the turbo-hybrid era – but team boss Wolff said he would be worried regardless of Mercedes’ mixed showing at the test. “I always worry, sometimes for the right reasons, sometimes for the wrong reasons, but pre-season testing is always exciting because you always find the hair in the soup, things that are not good and we had quite some struggle in the first few days,” he said. Reigning champion Hamilton and trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin also warned that Mercedes have their work cut out after the last three days of testing – and Bottas hinted that he’d have preferred Mercedes to have completed a shakedown of their car ahead of testing to flag up out any reliability issues – but Wolff said the team had not become complacent, nor did they regret forgoing a shakedown. “It’s not a matter of complacency,” continued Wolff. “There’s a reason why there are not many teams winning World Championships or doing it with consecutive championships. It’s an organisation that needs to stay energised and motivated at all times, and that’s not trivial. “The shakedown, if it’s done in the right conditions, allows you to understand a little bit more, but our failures in the first days were not down to doing or not doing a shakedown,” he added. With two weeks remaining until the first race of the season, Wolff explained the next steps for the Silver Arrows to ensure they start the season on the front foot against a resurgent Red Bull. “On the job list is that we will crunch the data,” he said. “Try to understand where we performed well, and where not, where we had good correlation to our simulations and the tunnel and where not, and just generally, it’s like sleeping overnight on an idea. Next day you wake up more intelligent.” Given the Silver Arrows’ remarkable run of seven consecutive world championship doubles in the past seven years, it would perhaps be foolhardy to write them off entirely after this test, but we’ll only get a true picture of where they stand at the first race of the season – the Bahrain Grand Prix at the end of March.

The unpredictability of NASCAR’s 2021 race winners was finally met with familiarity on Sunday when Martin Truex Jr. won the Instacart 500 at Phoenix. Truex led the final 25 laps of the race, separating himself from second place finisher Joey Logano by 1.7 seconds at the checkered flag. The victory marks Truex’s 28th career Cup win, and his first victory at Phoenix Raceway. He had the pole position for the spring race in 2018, but finished in fifth. Truex’s Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin finished third. Truex made contact with the wall in the opening 20 laps and his No. 19 Toyota suffered early damage, but the team made adjustments and Truex was leading laps by early in the final stage. “At the beginning of the race I thought we were going to run 15th or so,” Truex said on FOX. “I just can’t really believe it. I’m kind of speechless.” He beat out Logano for the lead off the final restart, but Logano said Truex probably would have caught up with him eventually. “He was fast,” Logano said. “It started to show at the end of the second stage…We’re just not fast enough right now.” While it wasn’t Phoenix titan Kevin Harvick whose name dominated the leaderboard Sunday, familiar frontrunners still took up top spots throughout the 312-lap race. Former Cup champions made up the top five finishing spots, including Brad Keselowski and Chase Elliott, for the first time this season. Truex became the fifth different winner in the first five races of the season. He joins Michael McDowell, Christopher Bell, William Byron and Kyle Larson. Logano said after the race that he believed the return of regular leaders was because the 750 horsepower rules package used for the track is harder to drive. “I think experience probably comes out more,” Logano said. “There are different techniques that I think the experienced guys have learned over the years racing cars that don’t have much downforce, don’t have horsepower.” For the past two weekends at Homestead and Las Vegas, NASCAR elected to use the 550 horsepower, high downforce NA18D rules package, but Phoenix marked a change. Denny Hamlin said that the same package, including changes to the spoiler height, was last used in 2017, which gave more experienced teams and drivers an advantage. “We’ve all been through tire changes, car changes, aerodynamic changes, track changes that we’re ahead of the game I guess you could say,” Hamlin said. “Especially since we have no practice, it lends itself more to experience.” Martin Truex Jr. is one of those experienced veterans, but the 2017 Cup champion earned just one victory in the series last season. He earned 14 top-five finishes last year and was a consistent field leader, but his best finish this year prior to Sunday — when he snapped a 29-race winless streak — was third at Homestead. Truex, who was jubilant after the race, couldn’t pin down the exact change that allowed for his win at Phoenix after 31 starts, but said the No. 19 team focused closely on the specific package and track. “I’ve probably had cars that felt better than what I had today,” Truex said. “But with the track being the way it is, this tire wearing out and the track getting as slick as it is, we were good enough to win. And that’s really what it’s all about.” “It’s definitely a moving target in this sport,” he continued. “Everywhere we go, every week it’s different.”