In the round-up: Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff hopes Porsche finds a way into Formula 1, after the brand confirmed its talks with Red Bull over a tie-up were off.
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In brief
Big brands like Porsche “important for F1”
An entry by Porsche would “definitely be accretive to Formula 1”, said Porsche, after its plans to enter with Red Bull in 2026 fell through. “They just need to figure out if there’s another interesting project, whether they can buy a team,” he said. “Maybe that’s not ’26, maybe that’s ’27 or ’28, but it would be a great addition to the region overall.”Manufacturers like Porsche are more likely to add value to their participation in F1, said Wolff. “Every large corporation, especially auto companies – not only all of the companies because Red Bull is also pretty good at that – that not only buys a racing team and invests large amounts of money into running it, but invests even more into activation is beneficial for Formula 1.
“If a brand like Porsche that is known all over the world puts their marketing dollars into activating Formula 1, we will all be benefitting. And I think this is the important part – not just having a team and running it but in all the markets that we race, big advertising, big campaigns, putting the brand out there that. That’s why having these big brands in Formula 1 is important.”
Alonso was the “villain” when I watched F1 – Stroll
Stroll admitted to Alonso “he was like he was like the bad guy in my eyes – I was like six like in the movies, the villain.”
“But I always knew he was always very, very exciting and fun to watch,” Stroll added. “And still is. One of the best drivers out there. And he’s still hustling at 42 or whatever he is. So, you know, no pressure.”
FIA appoints first CEO
The FIA has appointed its first ever CEO. Natalie Robyn will join the governing body of motorsport “in the near future”, it says. She was previously the CEO and managing director of Volvo Switzerland and before that worked for Nissan and Daimler.
“The appointment of Natalie Robyn as our first ever CEO is a transformative moment for our federation,” said FIA president Mohamed Ben Sulayem. “Her extensive experience and leadership will be crucial to improving our finances, governance and operations.
“She has a proven track record of delivering diversification and growth, as well as developing executive leadership capabilities which will be an extremely valuable asset to the FIA and our Members and I welcome her to the team.”
Blakeley adds another F1 Esports win
McLaren’s Lucas Blakeley repeated his win from the opening round of the F1 Esports series, beating Red Bull pair Marcel Keifer and Frederik Rasmussen at Imola.
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Links
Motor racing links of interest:
Megtudtuk a mogyoródi Alpine-teszt időpontját (Formula Hu - Hungarian)
Alpine is reported to be planning a test for junior driver Jack Doohan, Williams reserve driver Alexander Albon and IndyCar race winner Colton Herta at the Hungaroring next week as the team considers options to fill the seat Fernando Alonso will vacate at the end of the season.
F1 unlikely to return to Malaysia anytime soon: SIC chief (New Straits Times)
'At this juncture, the answer is no, not for the time being. Perhaps in another two to three years when the economy has stabilised.'
Hauger: My Greatest Influences (Formula 2)
'Michael Schumacher was a bit before my time, but I always watched old videos. I remember when I was smaller his days when he was in Ferrari. I think the very first memories I had from F1 was when Sebastian Vettel was driving at Red Bull.'
IndyCar set to return to Texas (Racer)
'Negotiations between IndyCar and Speedway Motorsports Inc. have produced a new contract for the open-wheel series to return to Texas Motor Speedway.'
Fans who attended the Italian Grand Prix and purchased tokens to use at the food stalls will be able to claim a reimbursement for any they did not use.
Porsche is worth much less than what is being touted, analysts say (Automotive News Europe)
'Dietrich Mateschitz, the billionaire founder of energy drink brand Red Bull, also held talks about buying stock in the offering, the people said. However, he is no longer likely to proceed with an investment after the collapse of a potential Formula 1 partnership between Porsche and Red Bull, two of the people said.'
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Social media
Notable posts from Twitter, Instagram and more:
I don’t know why people don’t like the F-35 lightning sound pic.twitter.com/Lx3IcxSRc5
— Lucas Di Grassi (@LucasdiGrassi) September 15, 2022
We're sorry some fans are experiencing problems purchasing tickets for the F1 British Grand Prix. We're experiencing unprecedented traffic on our site causing delays, we want to get your booking on track as quickly as possible, we're doing all we can to solve this & cut wait time
— Silverstone (@SilverstoneUK) September 15, 2022
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- Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory
Comment of the day
Rom is not impressed by Alpine:
I might just be me but I’ve never seen a factory outfit lacking ambition as today’s Renault/Alpine. With Alpine I only get a feeling they’re just kind of there as a forgotten manufacturer.
Multiple massive rule changes and in all of them haven’t made a single step forwards to the other top three teams in years as a factory outlet. Compare that to Ferrari who in 20 and 21 were on the same midfield level, threw all their weight in the new rules and build a completive car in the new regulations. Sure Ferrari failed miserably in many things this year but you at least get a clue an effort was made and they want to compete at the front.
Alpine are still hanging around the midfield when with all the resources and factory backing they have, should have broken out a long time ago. I at least expect them to be somewhere in the chasm of top three and the rest but it never seems to get there.
Add in the losing Alonso to a Aston Martin, the Piastri/McLaren debacle and that upcoming Hungary test where everyone with a helmet can participate and a power unit that’s still the worst on the grid…
What exactly is Alpine’s F1 goal cause for the life of me I can’t figure it out.
Rom
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Adam Milleneuve (F1 Badger), Joao Pedro Cq, Handcart and Discotheque!
On this day in motorsport
Gabriel (@gabf1)
16th September 2022, 0:34
Toto is up to something… An unprovoked intervention on Porsche, willing them into F1. My money is on him working them into partnership with Williams. Perhaps in the process also saving Merc some money.
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
16th September 2022, 7:44
Spot on ! He must have an interest praising Porsche…
anty
18th September 2022, 18:41
Yeah. That’s what came up in my mind aswell. Williams Porsche. Sounds like a plan.
Mayrton
16th September 2022, 12:48
+1
bernasaurus (@bernasaurus)
16th September 2022, 14:19
+1 Toto / Christian / Tost / Binotto / Briatore / Chapman / Enzo and everyone else ever – never speaks like that unless there is something in it for them.
Tristan (@skipgamer)
16th September 2022, 0:42
Accretive! That’s a new word for me… rising from the 60’s and peaking in usage in the year two thousand. Sounds like investment mumbo jumbo. Guess that’s what Wolff is best at, behind the scenes.
I was a fair bit older than stroll at that point, but never saw Alonso as the villain, a breath of fresh air and someone to cheer for when he came about.
Tristan (@skipgamer)
16th September 2022, 0:43
PS Sad news about Malaysia, loved that track.
S
16th September 2022, 7:53
Likewise – Sepang was one of F1’s best modern circuits, IMO, and further proof that Tilke can make decent tracks when the customer wants one.
But, unfortunately, the Malaysian economy can’t afford F1 anymore.
Pedro Andrade
16th September 2022, 2:56
“Money, money, money, so much funny, in a rich man’s world” – Toto Wolff
I may have misread it, but that’s pretty much how it looked.
grat
16th September 2022, 3:23
Sorry, Toto, but on this one, we totally disagree. I know you’re heartbroken, since you have no idea who I am, and won’t read this, but… The auto manufacturers are too beholden to their stockholders and the whims of the board of directors.
Porsche, Renault, Alfa Romeo, Honda, BMW, Toyota, Jaguar– they come, they go. Honda and Renault both have revolving doors, for cryin’ out loud. Neither Porsche nor Audi want a separate team– they just want to milk an existing team. And if Ross hadn’t had such a brilliant design for the last Honda F1 car AND been forced to switch to Mercedes power, Mercedes wouldn’t even be in the sport. As it is, the moment Dieter Zetsche left, everyone assumed Mercedes was done with F1– and when that didn’t happen, well, rumors have been swirling about Mercedes leaving for years.
Haas, meanwhile, has been in the sport as long as Toyota, and probably scored more points. Sauber, McLaren, Williams– they’ve been around for decades, regardless of what badge is on the car. Red Bull might be a “fizzy drinks” company, but they’ve poured money into their F1 project, and have reaped the rewards (as has Mercedes, to be fair).
Alpine/Renault/Lotus/Renault can’t make up their minds, Honda isn’t interested if it isn’t 1989 again– Aston-Martin’s here, but how long after Lance Stroll loses his seat will they continue to compete as Aston-Martin?
At this point, it’s even money if Audi can find a team willing to sell out– Porsche thought they could steamroll Red Bull into giving them the Honda engine with a Porsche badge– and look how that worked out.
No, sorry– Manufacturers add very little over the long haul. Determined private teams like Andretti will bring more long term value to F1 than any major manufacturer– Instead of a $200 million “antediluvian” fee (intentional), try a 7 year contract with any auto manufacturer that wants to come in.
GechiChan (@gechichan)
16th September 2022, 6:56
Yes, that is about right, completely agreed. Most manufacturers, with the exception of exotics like Ferrari and McLaren, don’t really have the drive to stay in F1 more than the advertising and brand benefit extends. When that fizzles out, they get out.
I actually thought RedBull would leave as well after winning 4 championships in a row and then going a bit sour in the Merc hybrid era. To their credit, not only they have stayed, but also got into what seems to be a legit PU development effort. Not the most likeable team, but hats off for that!
MacLeod (@macleod)
16th September 2022, 8:00
@gechichan – I always thought that McLaren would build his own engine first as they were the bigest & richest team around. Manufactures aren’t reailable for F1 they always have more important things to worry about.
But Red Bull is now the one building his own engine for 2026 and beyond. (They had too do it as noone wanted to give their engines to Red Bull)
jff
16th September 2022, 7:38
Are Mercedes really still in F1 as much as make us believe? They are merely a minority shareholder in the F1 team with naming rights (just a tad better than Alfa Romeo).
Their HPP business can easily move on to just suppling teams which aren’t Mercedes like they did in the past.
grat
16th September 2022, 16:07
The F1 team, as far as I can tell, is still 33% Mercedes, 33% Toto, and 33% INEOS. Who owns the missing 1%, I have no idea.
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
16th September 2022, 7:53
COTD !
TurboBT
16th September 2022, 8:47
It is all about motivation. RedBull is in F1 for their marketing, as Ferrari. Mercedes doesn’t really benefit from it as it has already established themselves in luxury and lower class road car business. They might remain as engine supplier in the future, but they don’t lose anything if they leave unlike ferrari/redbull, as it is just a hobby for the manufacturer.
Robbie (@robbie)
16th September 2022, 15:11
Mercedes doesn’t really benefit from it? You must be kidding. Don’t lose anything if they leave? Sorry, but they’ve been gleaning billions worth of marketing value by being in F1. Just a hobby? Come off it.
Mayrton
16th September 2022, 12:52
I agree F1 should try to make the formula without manufacturers. The engine should be something you buy of the shelve as pretty standard component. The design of the car and the driver should be what this sport is about. Financially undoable or very hard to do (RB does it, sort of) in these times though
Qeki (@qeki)
16th September 2022, 5:27
I think the very first memories I had from F1 was when Sebastian Vettel was driving at Red Bull.’
I don’t feel old but my god how young are these guys
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
16th September 2022, 8:03
Ahah, indeed, for me it was the year 1999.
HAL
16th September 2022, 8:59
1987 for me… The last year of Senna at lotus sporting the colors of camel… my god, am I that old ;-)
Bippy
16th September 2022, 9:44
Ah you’re all young…1976 for me…watching James Hunt win the British Grand Prix at my uncle’s house…aged 7!
Codger
16th September 2022, 14:00
Over a decade after me. I started following F1 in 1962 and saw Jim Clark win with a BRM H-16 behind him at the first Grand Prix I attended in 1966 at age 17!
SteveP
16th September 2022, 17:02
The teddy on the Hesketh car appealed more to the girlfriend than me.
I recall a visit out from work (Towcester) one lunchtime to the estate with a coworker who lived on the estate (his father was an estate employee)
I recall forgetting why we were there when I spotted the car in the frontage of an open building.
Donkey
20th September 2022, 21:36
Only 10,000 years behind me. I watched Eve take victory in the -8000 Apple Grand Prix with Adam finishing a close second.
SadF1fan
16th September 2022, 8:22
This is quite a load.
Traditionally car companies see F1 as a marketing vehicle. Win on Sunday, sell on Monday.
And the moment the financial results of said marketing is unsatisfactory, the car companies are the first to run away as far away as they can.
If anything its car companies that through those business decisions detract value from F1 both in the short and long term.
F1 is better of with dedicated teams. Like every competition is.
Jere (@jerejj)
16th September 2022, 8:52
Zero mention of Albon in the article, but why would he join this test as a full-time driver for another team anyway?
Not to mention he’s already under contract for next season. Seriously, though, how many different drivers will join this Hungaroring test after Doohan, Herta, & reportedly also De Vries & Gio?
COTD couldn’t be more accurate.
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
16th September 2022, 14:25
I agree @jerejj. This does not make sense as far as Albon is concerned. Why would he want to test for Alpine. There is also the fact that following his emergency surgery last weekend, there has been talk that he may not have recovered enough to take part in the Singapore race. So I cannot imagine he is going to be available to test for Alpine in mid-week, next-week.
It all seems an unlikely turn of events.
Jere (@jerejj)
16th September 2022, 14:33
@phil-f1-21 Indeed
Brownerboy (@brownerboy)
16th September 2022, 9:12
Any chance we could have some exposure on Silverstone’s disgusting actions of increasing the prices of tickets for next years GP by around 10% WHILST people were queuing to buy them. Nothing but pure greed after seeing the the demand for tickets on the website traffic.
Fab
16th September 2022, 9:18
Soon a Mercedes Porsche 😁
Gubstar
16th September 2022, 12:32
Andretti Porsche has a great ring to it. Lets try and make that happen so Toto has to eat his words!!!
SteveP
16th September 2022, 17:09
I don’t believe he would change tack. Porsche would be working with Andretti knowing they Andretti were likely in it for the longer haul and therefore worth investing in engine production from scratch, assuming they want to make the effort.
If you want the cynical side then consider why Porsche were so interested in RBR, which would have come with all the engine tech knowledge acquired from Honda, which handily add to the available tech to go in Porsche road cars.
Adam (@rocketpanda)
16th September 2022, 12:33
Heavily disagree with Wolff. Brands, especially car brands bring little to the sport. They arrive under lots of fanfare, make everything corporate, bland and dull, whinge to have the rules changed to make it easier for them despite having more money than most small countries and then leave when either they don’t win or it’s not profitable to them.
F1 needs to encourage more independent teams that are here because of racing and the want to win than a car manufacturer that wants to sell a couple more 4×4’s or sports cars 95% of the audience will never afford.
SteveP
16th September 2022, 17:10
I didn’t think Horner worked for a car company…
Dom (@3dom)
16th September 2022, 17:33
@keithcollantine @willwood have you been hearing about the disgrace being experienced when trying to book tickets for the 2023 British GP? The comments section on the post on Silverstone’s Facebook page says it all.
Silverstone have introduced repulsive dynamic pricing, that increases seemingly by the minute. After being in a virtual queue for hours yesterday, we got to the paying stage and the system crashed when we tried to pay. Silverstone suspended the ticket sale until today, saying that the booking system was fixed. We have managed to book the exact same seats that we had selected yesterday but are now have to pay an extra £200 for our tickets just because the booking system is not fit for purpose. Appalling!!!
Surely the price changing in this way is against our consumer rights!
The difficulty booking was bad enough, but the “dynamic pricing” during the day is disgusting! I could understand prices changing after days or weeks of being able to purchase, but to do this to fans when we’re queuing for tickets because the booking system can’t keep up leaves an incredibly bad taste.
We have been attending the Grand Prix for years but after this we’re going to have to seriously think about whether we will again.
We should be excited about having booked, that’s the way we’ve felt in the past. Instead we feel shafted.