Today's F1 News Delivered Faster Than a Pit Stop
F1 risks "catastrophe" with engine equalization, Mercedes junior set for F1 debut in Mexico, and other big updates from around the world of Formula 1.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff warns that Formula 1 risks catastrophe if it uses the Balance of Performance approach to equalize engines, expressing concerns about impacting the sport's meritocracy. The FIA is evaluating options to balance engine performance to assist Renault, which faces a significant performance gap due to the engine freeze. Wolff emphasizes that actions taken should not universally impact all teams' performance, stressing the need to maintain a meritocratic system. Alpine acknowledges its engine's lag behind rivals and supports the equalization push due to the cost cap limitations.
Click here to read the full article by Jonathan Noble (autosport.com)
Frederik Vesti, a current Formula 2 racer, will debut in Formula 1 for Mercedes at the Mexico City Grand Prix in October, where he will drive the Mercedes W14 as part of the mandatory young drivers in the FP1 rule introduced in 2022. Vesti had already driven last season's Mercedes in the 2022 young driver test in Abu Dhabi. The new rule requires each driver to hand their car over to a young or rookie driver for one free practice session, and these young drivers must not have competed in more than two Grand Prix. Vesti is currently second in the F2 standings and is excited about the opportunity to drive for Mercedes in an official F1 session. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff praised Vesti's impressive Formula 2 campaign and believes he will perform well in the FP1 session.
Click here to read the full article by Jake Nichol (racingnews365.com)
During the Belgian Grand Prix, Lando Norris faced disaster as his McLaren Formula 1 car proved slow on the straights, confirming his worst fears. McLaren's rear wing choice caused more drag than expected, leading to a significant performance issue. Norris struggled through different strategies, including a hard tire stint, but the rain ultimately saved him by allowing him to climb from 16th to 7th place. Despite salvaging a decent result, McLaren acknowledges the need for urgent improvements, particularly in preparing a low-drag rear wing for the upcoming Italian Grand Prix.
Click here to read the full article by Scott Mitchell-Malm (the-race.com)
Sprint qualifying turned out to be quite turbulent, with Verstappen having a disagreement with his race engineer, Wolff mentioning that Hamilton had the potential for pole position, and an altercation occurring between Perez and Verstappen, among other incidents.
Toto Wolff advises prioritizing your interests and intuition over the pursuit of finding a specific purpose. He contends that taking risks isn't truly risky if you can handle the worst possible outcome, as it then becomes a calculated risk.