In the round-up: Williams have set up a new company to apply Formula 1 technology to other sectors
In brief
Williams launch new tech company
Williams have announced the launch of a new company intending to apply their technology and solutions developed for racing in Formula 1 to other industries.
Williams Grand Prix Technologies will be based at the team’s factory in Grove and will offer services to support other motorsport series, as well as automotive, aerospace and defence sectors among others.
After being bought by Dorilton Capital, Williams sold their former company, Williams Advanced Engineering – which performed similar services – in early 2022.
Indy 500 test rained off
The second day of the open test for the Indianapolis 500 was cancelled due to reletless wet weather.Following Wednesday’s first day featured a session for rookies and returning veterans, a second day of running was scheduled at the speedway open to all drivers. However, continuous rain forced the day to be cancelled by IndyCar.
Alpine demo hydrogen concept at Spa
Alpine will demonstrate a hydrogen concept car at the Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in May.
Alpine currently sits in fourth place in the hypercar constructors championship with its number 35 and number 36 cars combining for 15 points in the opening round in Qatar in early March.
Rasmussen, Opmeer close on Ronhaar
Jarno Opmeer and Frederik Rasmussen have both closed on F1 Simracing championship leader Thomas Ronhaar as Opmeer and Bari Boroumand took the wins in rounds four and five of the championship.
Mercedes driver Opmeer won the opening race at Silverstone, while Boroumand passed former team mate Lucas Blakeley around the outside of Blanchimont on the final lap to win race five.
Championship leader Ronhaar scored only two points with an eighth and 13th place finish in the two races, leaving him just four points ahead of Rasmussen and six ahead of Opmeer in third. The final two races of the second event in the championship at Zandvoort and COTA will take place today.
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Links
Motor racing links of interest:
Will Ferrari regret letting Carlos Sainz go? (Sky)
'Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 podcast, Martin Brundle assesses Ferrari's decision to replace Carlos Sainz with Lewis Hamilton next season.'
Wolff ‘keen and happy’ to see Antonelli in an F1 car as he prepares to test Mercedes machinery (F1)
'I’m really keen and happy to see him in a Formula 1 car. He’s been with us since he was 11. I have a picture of him standing next to me on the centre console as a baby boy in go-karting, and now to witness that development into a Formula 1 driver is something that I’m really proud of.'
''A typical visitor to Las Vegas spends about $1,200 per person per trip. A typical visitor that came for Formula 1 spent $4,100 per person per trip, which helped elevate the market overall.''
'Among the enthusiastic crowd were father Lawrence S Stroll, owner of the Aston Martin F1 team and part owner of Aston Martin; brother Lance Stroll, driver for Aston Martin F1; and husband Scotty James, the Australian Olympic snowboarder.'
What if the F1 champions was banned like F2? A new history (Mr V's Garage via YouTube)
YouTuber Mr V looks at who would be champion each season if the reigning champion was ineligable to participate.
We always endeavour to credit original sources. If you have a tip for a link relating to single-seater motorsport to feature in the next RaceFans round-up please send it to us via the contact form.
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Social media
Notable posts from X (formerly Twitter), TikTok and more:
Belief. pic.twitter.com/CR9doU2JTN
— Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) April 11, 2024
I’ve always found running around a track before race weekends incredibly energising and calming. Whilst we didn’t get the results we were aiming for in Japan, it was a pleasure seeing this iconic track from all angles.
Excited to be back next year 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/ehqi0n9oWW— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) April 11, 2024
Track Talk continues 🏁#GuentherTakesF1Miami pic.twitter.com/hxtm3JbQhP
— F1 Miami Grand Prix (@f1miami) April 11, 2024
#ThrowbackThursday – April 1929, Monaco has reverberated to the roar of engines for the first time in its history. This Grand Prix, now a legend, was born in the heart of the twenties. Celebrating 120 Years (1904-2024) #FIA120 pic.twitter.com/MaGJqoNIUY
— FIA (@fia) April 11, 2024
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- Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory
Comment of the day
After Aston Martin confirmed that Fernando Alonso will remain with the team into 2026, Phil Norman isn’t expecting any fireworks when it comes to the remaining seats in the 2025 driver market…
Unfortunately I don’t the changes in personnel are going to be very exciting. I don’t think Mercedes are interested in Carlos Sainz Jnr for some reason. I think they will go with Kimi (Mk. 2) [Antonelli] if he is at all near ready.
I doubt Aston will drop Lance Stroll, so Sainz will have no option but at Sauber/Audi. Which means he’s likely to spend the next three seasons at least after this one not achieving very much.
I would love to Carlos anywhere but at Audi. I think he’ll be wasted there. I cannot see Red Bull dropping Sergio Perez now though and whilst I would hope he could still go to Merc, I don’t think its very likely.
Phil Norman
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Amy, Ben Thomas and Kyle Puttifer!
notagrumpyfan
14th April 2024, 10:23
I don’t think any of the big teams outside McLaren has dropped a new talent straight into the main team. And even that was either when unlimited testing was still allowed or when the team was so far behind that they could experiment whilst having a WDC in the other car.
I don’t think Mercedes should do this now: Not good for the team (need expertise), not good for Kimi (needs time to grow), not good for (testing) Russell (is he the right team leader).