In the round-up: Renault CEO Luca de Meo says foremr Suzuki Moto GP boss Davide Brivio, his new appointment as racing director of the Alpine F1 team, will easily manage the switch from two wheels to four.
Links
More motor racing links of interest:
"Of course he is the defending world champion in Moto GP, for Suzuki, on two wheels. But it doesn’t matter if there are four wheels on this side. He is an excellent professional, he knows the taste of a track, the importance of having a team, giving everyone a specific role, he knows how to organise the work."
Vettel back to Red Bull? That’s why Marko asked for a sabbatical (F1 Insider)
"I advised Sebastian to take time off. But that also included Red Bull. I just wanted him to still be on the market at the right time so he could take the best possible offer."
Carlin convinced Tsunoda could have won 2020 F2 title (Formula Scout)
"I think if the first round in Bahrain had gone smoother for Yuki, then we could have been looking at him on the top step of the prize giving ceremony."
Australia unlikely to fully reopen borders in 2021 as coronavirus cases slide (The Straits Times)
"Victoria, which is hosting the Australian Open, reported four positive cases in overseas travellers, all associated with the tennis, taking the total to nine."
Roman Staněk joins Hitech GP in the 2021 Formula 3 and Asian F3 championship (Hitech GP)
"Czech driver Staněk will join Red Bull juniors Jak Crawford and Ayumu Iwasa in Hitech’s 2021 Formula 3 campaign. He will also partner Reece Ushijima and Iwasa in the Asian Formula 3 Championship, set to take place in the UAE later this month."
'There's no room for mistakes in F2' assesses Zendeli ahead of MP debut (F2)
"It was amazing to see the difference between getting a clean lap and even making one or two small mistakes, you could lose as much as six or seven tenths. That was something that we never experienced in F3. There is no room for mistakes in F2. I feel like I have already learned a lot."
Australian F1 hopeful receives Sir Jack Brabham Award (Speedcafe)
"To win this award is a massive honour. Not just because of the award in general, but also having Sir Jack’s name attached to it. It’s very special."
Full backing for Aliyvah and Yasmeen Koloc over abusive comments they received (FIA ETRC)
"The FIA ETRC condemns the racist and sexist comments directed at ETRC truck racing driver Aliyyah Koloc and her sister Yasmeen, which were made by a driver and a mechanic of a competitor team during the Rallye Dakar."
F1 2020 patch notes v1.15 (Formula 1 Game)
"Addressed an issue where Artem Markelov would be quicker than intended."
Spyker revival put on ice as CEO files for bankruptcy (Autocar)
"It even had ambitions to re-enter motor racing; the erstwhile Spyker F1 team was created in 2006 but managed just one season before it was sold and renamed Force India."
Brexiters are waking up to the damage they've done (The Guardian)
"The cost of taking UK showjump horses across the Channel is prohibitive for their British owners. Motorsport faces similar fees for cars shipped to EU races."
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Social media
Notable posts from Twitter, Instagram and more:
Juju Noda will take on the American challenge by racing in @F4Championship in 2021. She will join @FollowJHDD with the support from @Rokit.
Looking forward to it! 💪#NODARacing #JujuNoda #Juju10 #JN10 pic.twitter.com/NIjTQs3o6b
— Juju Noda (@JujuNoda_Racing) January 18, 2021
🔍🧐#MCL35M pic.twitter.com/wFfFVMXe8r
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) January 18, 2021
Its beyond words to describe my excitement to join @FerrariEsports
I seriously couldn't be here without the support I have, I'm eternally grateful ❤️
Let's get on track and put lap times on the board 💪#FerrariEsports pic.twitter.com/uvs6lqRWZu
— Brendon Leigh (@BrendonLeigh72) January 18, 2021
I have to say this is looking a bit like a sticking point. What @MercedesAMGF1 have to negotiate with though is a massive chip called Lewis Hamilton's 8th FIA World Drivers' Title. Its just sitting there waiting to be claimed. How much is it worth though? #f1 https://t.co/wVcU5WP90O
— Damon Hill (@HillF1) January 18, 2021
- Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory
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Comment of the day
Lance Stroll featured in the latest instalment of the 2020 F1 driver rankings yesterday. Adam gives his assessment of the Aston Martin driver:
I think it’s fair to say he’s not a terrible F1 driver. There have certainly been worse. Personally I find the nepotism and money that has oiled his career a bit distasteful but he’s obviously got a decent ability.
He has no consistency. He has a good race where he performs well and then a few races where he achieves little. That’s not bad though, a lot of F1 drivers are simply ‘good’ – they plug away, get good points, have anonymous weekends and then have one or two fantastic results. Stroll seems to fall into this category. The only thing that bugs me is that there are drivers that are categorically superior in ability while he’s largely hung around in a seat that’s almost totally guaranteed for him regardless of whether he finishes first or last.
Specifically this year, he had the car but didn’t get the best use of it. I think he threw away a lot of good positions, and had too many weekends where he just didn’t show up. He’s been around long enough not to give him the rookie excuse.
Adam (@Rocketpanda)
From the forum
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Markg!
If you want a birthday shout-out tell us when yours is via the contact form or adding to the list here.
David (@djarvis)
19th January 2021, 0:12
Brexit may be a pain but hey, blue passports! (that are made in Europe)
On a more serious note, would this be advantageous to the likes of Ferrari who are based within the EU in regards saving money with freight going through countries? (I have no idea if transport costs are included within the cost cap)
Jack (@jackisthestig)
19th January 2021, 7:47
Ferrari already have lots of advantages which they never seem able to make use of.
Calum
19th January 2021, 0:32
Brexit is going to be an extra hassle for normal people and lower category motorsports, but F1 and friends will get rushed through any legalities or red-tape easily. We’ve seen with COVID travel already.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
19th January 2021, 1:20
Picture above, when an f4 car looks cooler than an f1 car.
I think it is a matter of time until a quick lady shows up, that lady might be Juju Noda, imagine Juju 40-45 kg on an f1 car, the extra ballast, nobody would pass on that, talking about horse racing, f1 could end up dominated by super lightweight people.
frood19 (@frood19)
19th January 2021, 7:39
@peartree I thought they changed the rules on that – the ballast all goes into the seat, so the driver + seat weighs 80kg for everyone.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
20th January 2021, 0:45
@frood19 you are correct, from 2019 the driver+seat has to weigh at least 80 kg, but having a lighter driver is still an advantage because of the center of gravity. It could also help any team struggling with the minimum weight, though that has not been a problem for the past couple years.
@HoHum (@hohum)
19th January 2021, 1:31
IMO the question is not whether Brivio can be successful in F1, but whether Renault/Alpine can improve their cars as much as Suzuki improved their bikes.
Jack (@jackisthestig)
19th January 2021, 2:23
You would think racing teams and show jumpers never travelled outside the UK before 1975. Is it really so difficult to get a Carnet?
Jay Menon (@jaymenon10)
19th January 2021, 5:17
brace yerself mate.
Jimmi Cynic (@jimmi-cynic)
19th January 2021, 5:19
Depends on the vintage. Getting a 2009 La Tour Carnet is almost impossible here.
frood19 (@frood19)
19th January 2021, 7:40
It’s not 1975 any more.
ColdFly (@)
19th January 2021, 9:05
cheers ;)
anon
19th January 2021, 8:05
@jackisthestig that would be 45 years and nearly two generations ago – not exactly the most recent reference for most.
@HoHum (@hohum)
19th January 2021, 11:36
No Anon, not recent but entirely relevant even though border controls lasted well into the 80’s. There is always google for reference.
ColdFly (@)
19th January 2021, 12:39
So they can ask their grandparents.
anon
19th January 2021, 16:22
Even if we take the 1980s as a reference, you’re still suggesting a timeframe in the order of 35 years ago.
That is still a pretty poor frame of reference, considering that there will also be 35 years worth of change in terms of technology, economic development and legislative changes. After all, there are multiple nation states that didn’t even exist back in the 1980s that you are now dealing with.
Jack (@jackisthestig)
19th January 2021, 18:37
I was under the impression that since the end of the transition period, temporary exports such as racing team’s cars and equipment (excluding ham sandwiches, of course) would require their own ‘passport’ if you like, that used to be called a Carnet, I presume they still are.
Rapid
19th January 2021, 3:51
Oof…
Jere (@jerejj)
19th January 2021, 8:35
I thought I was the only one who had issues recently when driving an F2 car in Bahrain on the time trial. Trackside sponsor ads but also the boards that show the distance to the upcoming corner apex.
COTD: A fair assessment.
ColdFly (@)
19th January 2021, 9:10
Is 35M only Ricciardo’s salary, or does it include Norris?
cduk_mugello (@cduk_mugello)
19th January 2021, 9:56
Why the link to the Polly Toynbee opinion article? Her one sentence mention of motorsport is a link to an autosport piece
Adam (@rocketpanda)
19th January 2021, 12:39
COTD, ty :)
ruliemaulana (@ruliemaulana)
19th January 2021, 15:39
That’s a heartwarming bromance of Marco & Vettel.
Balue (@balue)
19th January 2021, 16:55
Very interesting Marko article. He is basically saying they would have Vettel for this year and might for next (I suppose if Perez underdelivers), although I doubt he would go there anyway.
Balue (@balue)
19th January 2021, 17:02
Cute with the political Brexit article. Could just have linked to the Autosport one that’s quoted in The Guardian, but there was obviously more that wanted to be said even if it’s completely irrelevant here.