F1 2016 Tag

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor With the Strategy Group and the F1 Commission both meeting today in a series of last ditch efforts to draft new rules for 2017, 2018 and beyond; a series of announcements are set to stream out of Geneva over the following days that will have massive implications for the sport. The first of these broke today with changes to the now, well established qualifying format. What replaces the tried and true system is a gimmicky scheme that surely has Bernie Ecclestone rubbing his hands with glee. QualifyingRead More

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor The second day of running in Barcelona once again saw Sebastian Vettel top the session for Ferrari. The four time champ lowered his best time from yesterday by two seconds after slapping on a set of Pirelli’s new ultra-soft compounds. Daniel Ricciardo had the second best time for Red Bull, also on the ultra-softs, but near 3/4th’s of a second behind the Ferrari. Sergio Perez validated Force India’s performance by putting in the third best lap of the day on the super-softs. Nico Rosberg took overRead More

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor Williams has revealed the first images of its 2016 design, the FW38. While it appears to be a clear evolution of its successful predecessor, major changes have taken place under the skin to help the team hold onto its new found place at the sharp end of the field, including improvements for slow speed cornering and running in the wet. Despite finishing third in the Constructor’s Standings in 2014 and 2015, Williams enters 2016 on defense. A resurgent Ferrari has supplanted them as Mercedes’ strongest challenger,Read More

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor Renault is back in Formula One as a full time constructor for the first time since 2011. The historic marque launched its new campaign today from Paris where Nissan-Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn and other VIP’s debuted the stunning RS16 in a temporary black livery. Kevin Magnussen’s place in the team was also confirmed at the launch after much speculation. Magnussen will race alongside Joylon Palmer in an all new line up for the team after Romain Grosjean’s move to Haas and Pastor Maldonado’s recent departure from the sport. Esteban OconRead More

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor The recent rumors of Pastor Maldonado leaving Lotus/Renault have been confirmed today. The Grand Prix winner made the announcement via social media with the following statement: “Today with the utmost humility I inform you that I will not be present at the starting grid for the 2016 F1 season. Thanks for all your messages of support, passion and concern for my future.” It has yet to be confirmed if ex-McLaren man Kevin Magnussen will replace him, but sources expect a Magnussen announcement alongside Renault’s launch of theirRead More

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor The U.S. Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas will know its fate by the end of February, according to circuit chairman Bobby Epstein. This follows news from early November that the future of the race is at stake due to issues with funding from the State of Texas. The original deal between the track and the state had annual contributions from the government coming in at $25,000,000 per year through 2022. However new leadership in the State comptroller’s office and a new formula applied toRead More

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor With the Venezuelan economy in tatters and his reputation at an all time low, it was only a matter of time before oil giant PDVSA pulled the plug on Pastor Maldonado’s backing. It now appears the writing is on the wall and the F1 rumor mill is going full tilt, pointing directly to ex-McLaren man Kevin Magnussen. With PDVSA’s financial backing run dry, Maldonado’s options to remain in F1 for a sixth season seems slight at best. Meanwhile, Magnussen will be inheriting a lead driver roleRead More

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel has topped the time sheets at the close of Pirelli’s pre-season wet weather tire test at Paul Ricard. His best lap of 1:06.750 was just shy of a tenth better than Danil Kvyat managed in the Red Bull. The circuit which hasn’t hosted a Grand Prix since 1990 has evolved into one of the premier test circuits in the world. Pirelli chose it for this and made use of the onsite sprinkler system to test multiple sets of unmarked prototype intermediate and fullRead More

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor Formula One’s four engine manufacturer’s: Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault and Honda, have finally agreed to a season cost cap for their customer teams after months of speculation, argument and strife. The soon to be announced deal comes on the heels of two days of meeting in Geneva for the Strategy Group and the F1 Commission. The plan proposed by the engine manufacturer’s calls for a cost cap of €12,000,000 per season for each of their customer teams. It is a significant reduction compared to current costs which haveRead More

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor With regulations regarding testing growing ever tighter, F1 will feature just two in season tests in 2016. The first will take place at Catalunya following the Spanish Grand Prix on May 17th and 18th. The second test will take place at Silverstone following the British Grand Prix and will be run on July 12th and 13th. As per the regulations, two of these four days must be dedicated to a young drivers test, meaning that the other two days will be of immense importance as theRead More