In the round-up: FIA president Jean Todt says F1 has not received any new requests from potential new teams to enter.
Official 2017 F1 season review video
The official 2017 F1 season review video will go on sale on December 18th on DVD and Blu-ray. The run time of this year’s review is hour fours.
You can pre-order your copy here:
Links
Your daily digest of F1 news, views, features and more from hundreds of sites across the web:
‘I can do without being the president of FIA,’ says Todt (Gulf News)
"So far there has been no request even though we feel it would be a strong event where we have 12 teams."
Plans for historic six-race women-only motor racing championship drawn up (The Mirror)
"A number of leading women drivers - racing in Britain, Europe and America - have been approached by organisers about the series, but some are understood to be sceptical and believe a women's-only championship may harm and undermine their position within the industry."
British supercar firm Aston Martin will 'probably' enter sport in 2021 (BBC)
"The issue is making the sport entertaining again. Which means put the driver back at the centre of the sport, whereas today we are talking about a turbocharger being the centre of the sport. I'm an engineer and I love the technology, but it's nuts."
Alfa Romeo en passe d’être confirmé avec Sauber? (Auto Hebdo - French)
Sauber's Ferrari engines are expected to be branded as 'Alfa Romeo' units next year.
Kubica's confidence in 2018 drive growing after Abu Dhabi test (ESPN)
"Of course I'm starting nearly from scratch because Formula One has changed so much in the last seven years that it's like nearly starting from zero, but my experience which I gained in the years I was racing in Formula One helped me to get on top of the learning process quicker than it used to be in the past. But still, it's like being the first year in school."
F1's owners have plenty of work to do (Reuters)
"That has led to a drop in earnings which has hit revenue payouts to the 10 teams with payments, at $273 million in the third quarter, 14 percent lower than the same period last year. That has raised concerns but Carey said it was all part of growing a business. 'Realistically, to grow things, usually there’s no free lunches.'"
Sirotkin deserves F1 drive, says Renault's Permane (Motorsport)
"If you look at his lap time, certainly compared to (Jolyon) Palmer in Malaysia in the wet and compared our immediate competitors, he does a good job for someone who doesn’t drive the car very much, he was very quick."
F1’s owner Liberty makes a good start but still has much to prove (The Guardian)
"The full picture has yet to emerge and Liberty has made a point of not doing business in public or via the press. Expecting a complete overhaul in so short a time would be unfair. It revealed a new logo for the sport in Abu Dhabi, not well-received by fans or drivers, but that is a storm easily weathered. With the honeymoon period now over, expectations remain high and Liberty still has much to prove."
Podcast: Johansson, life and career, part 1 (Racer)
"Before putting the engine cover on, (Honda's engine tuner) gave it a couple turns extra (of turbo boost). And of course the thing f****** blew to pieces after three laps..."
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Social media
Notable posts from Twitter, Instagram and more:
This guy went completely crazy when I took photos of the returned car. Have never ever seen such an aggressive mechanic. If they don't want to show their car they should stay at home. He took away my phone for no reason. Who do they think they are??? pic.twitter.com/1PDbLDj4up
— Christian Menath (@MSM_Christian) November 28, 2017
guys this headline is complete rubbish. how should i know how long lewis still wants to drive?! He can still win a couple of championships https://t.co/85AeheqfRF
— Nico Rosberg (@nico_rosberg) November 28, 2017
Next time in an @F1 car is winter testing in February… 😢😢😢
— Romain Grosjean (@RGrosjean) November 28, 2017
Santander quits Ferrari no surprise. Had struggled to get how this frm CMO Keith Moor in Jan related to top-end F1; "We all know we need to rebuild trust and be more transparent. We also need to show people that banks have a bigger role to play in society than just make money."
— Matthew Glendinning (@mattglen) November 28, 2017
- Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory
Comment of the day
Has F1 fixed one problem and given itself a new one with its new logo?
Now that all those people know where the ‘1’ was on the old logo they can spend the next 25 years looking for the ‘F’ in the new one.
@Hohum
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Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
29th November 2017, 0:12
Funny, I thought Johansson was talking about McLaren’s test in Abu Dhabi back in 2014, not the old Spirit F2 car!
Scalextric (@scalextric)
29th November 2017, 0:19
14 or 15 teams would be awesome. Pre-qualification was a horrible mess but more backmarkers and more crowded tracks were a lot more fun to watch at the track. No 30 to 45 second gaps waiting for the next car to come into view.
Strontium (@strontium)
29th November 2017, 0:51
I’ve often thought 15 teams / 30 cars would be perfect, and it’s the amount most modern pit lanes are designed to hold
Phylyp (@phylyp)
29th November 2017, 4:40
Can the Monaco pit lane take that many cars? Or might this be a good reason to actually ditch that GP?
Jere (@jerejj)
29th November 2017, 7:20
@scalextric @strontium I disagree. I don’t think that many cars on the grid would be necessary. With that many cars, there’d be just more moving chicanes to lap for the leaders, LOL.
Christopher Rehn (@chrischrill)
29th November 2017, 8:26
I agree, however with a reservation. First, we need to level the playing field. If you’re 4 seconds behind the fastest cars, you’re lapped after 18-20 laps which helps nobody. If the slowest car is within 1-2 seconds of the leader, then a larger grid makes lovely sense. 15 teams, 30 cars? Sure, I’d be ok with that. 13 teams and 26 cars perhaps more reasonable though, and it is what F1 is limited to these days.
Then again, Todt just said no new potential teams have come forward recently.
@HoHum (@hohum)
29th November 2017, 0:42
Get real Aston Martin, a company that is buying in its new engines from MB-AMG to replace its old engines from Ford is not likely to be competitive as an engine supplier no matter how basic the specification.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
29th November 2017, 2:24
@hohum Indeed, by the way that’s a mega cotd.
@HoHum (@hohum)
29th November 2017, 3:12
@peartree @phylyp,Thank you, I am not worthy.
ruliemaulana (@ruliemaulana)
29th November 2017, 6:31
No. You are. The comment was too true.
Jimmi Cynic (@jimmi-cynic)
29th November 2017, 0:57
As can we.
@HoHum (@hohum)
29th November 2017, 5:01
K-ching!
Roth Man (@rdotquestionmark)
29th November 2017, 7:58
Teehee spot on!
Jimmi Cynic (@jimmi-cynic)
29th November 2017, 1:04
So…will Aston Martin use the same engine supplier for F1 as the their road cars? And RB finally gets a Merc motor?
socksolid (@socksolid)
29th November 2017, 5:31
Mercedes will never sell their engines to red bull. Mercedes is too afraid of being beaten by them.
TribalTalker (@tribaltalker)
29th November 2017, 7:28
@socksolid – When Mercedes has had enough publicity from running a team, then we may see them as an engine supplier interested in whatever Red Bull is called by then.
Phylyp (@phylyp)
29th November 2017, 2:31
Aston Martin in 2021 – are they planning to come in as a new constructor, or will they just take over an existing team? Has Mr. Dietrich Mateschitz figured out Aston Martin are his best shot at a profitable exit strategy?
Phylyp (@phylyp)
29th November 2017, 2:48
@hohum – brilliant COTD – it had me laughing yesterday and still makes me chuckle when I read it.
SK Chow (@fluxus)
29th November 2017, 3:51
Todt is wrong. Zoran Stefanović is always requesting to join F1.
praxis (@praxis)
29th November 2017, 6:09
@Hohum, that was probably the most brilliant COTD of this year!
That fella who took offense from McLaren mechanics trying to not let any pictures being taken, I’m kind of disagreeing with him. I wouldn’t think allowing pictures of parts of next year’s car falls under the category of fan inclusion.
BasCB (@bascb)
29th November 2017, 7:21
An accredited fotographer taking pictures at an official F1 test session SHOULD take pictures @praxis. It is literally his JOB. And we should all be upset about any teammembers getting agressive at that
praxis (@praxis)
29th November 2017, 7:27
@bascb,
I didn’t realized that he was an accredited photographer, should’ve checked his twitter profile. I’m going to make a 180° turn on my previous comment then.
Then McLaren mechanics need to explain their action and make a formal apology if necessary.
BasCB (@bascb)
29th November 2017, 10:08
:-)
Egonovi
29th November 2017, 10:43
I thought he was a journalist and not an ‘accredited photographer’; at least I hope so, because his pictures are very average ;)
Jere (@jerejj)
29th November 2017, 7:25
@praxis The car was fully covered anyway, so that’s why I think the mechanic over-reacted a bit too much.
praxis (@praxis)
29th November 2017, 7:28
Yeah, an inappropriate reaction most likely.
ruliemaulana (@ruliemaulana)
29th November 2017, 6:27
It gonna bigger drop at last quarter. Following the logo change F1 share is down 4.2% that’s $355 million more.
BasCB (@bascb)
29th November 2017, 7:22
That has nothing to do with what the teams get though @ruliemaulana. That is “just” the stock trading price, it matters for those holding stock, not for teams getting paid according to how much money the sport makes.
Egonovi
29th November 2017, 10:54
Share price is actually up 20% this year.
But unfortunately for the teams share price has nothing to do with team pay-outs.
It would be a great idea though to pay the teams (in part) in non trading stock:
– Less cash-out for Liberty, which they can invest in growing the sport;
– teams have direct partnership in the sport, more interested in its growth, and less likely to leave/close shop.
BasCB (@bascb)
29th November 2017, 7:26
That daily mail article really is up to their own standard. They take “a proposal that circulated earlier this year” mention “then F1 Boss Bernie” being in favour, cite that age old Jorda interview (about said proposal) and finish off by listing female racers. But they haven’t even asked any of them (most likely because apart from Jorda none of those listed are interested or think it’s a good idea.).
TribalTalker (@tribaltalker)
29th November 2017, 7:42
I think I must be alone in preferring the new logo.
The old one looked very 1980’s to me. It was simultaneously too clever with its use of negative space and yet too flashy with the cartoon speed effects.
The new one looks more 1920’s to me, it’s cleaner and simpler. I think someone tried a bit too hard to make it look like a chunk of road though.
I do take issue with the text which can be used under the new logo. The over-stylised letter “a” in the word “Formula” is jarringly out of place and draws my eye. It looks like a failed attempt to inject some modernity.
Ninjenius (@ninjenius)
29th November 2017, 9:40
@tribaltalker Although I don’t think it’s a bad logo there are a couple of small alterations I think they should make. I think the gap between both parts of the “F” and between the “F” and the “1” are too small. It’s okay at a large resolution but when it’s made smaller, which will often be the case on the broadcast overlays/bugs and social media avatars, it’s too close to looking like one big block. Increase the gaps by 50-100% I reckon. It’ll allow for less of a cluttered overlap when turned into a 3D object too (as seen on the Abu Dhabi podium).
That, and having the F and 1 be different colours, or at least adding some kind of texture or visible gradient, so it’s not as flat.
Deej92 (@deej92)
29th November 2017, 9:45
That “a” is also bothering me a lot more than it should.
Phylyp (@phylyp)
29th November 2017, 10:44
@tribaltalker @deej92 – don’t get me started on that lowercase A’s angled stroke. The last time I saw such a design was probably in some 80s sci-fi movie that needed a “computery” typeface.
TribalTalker (@tribaltalker)
29th November 2017, 11:07
@phylyp – I’m glad it’s not just me…
See: Creative Review for lots of detail on the design process.
Interestingly they say “the identity (logo and type included) certainly shares an aesthetic with the sci-fi racing world that the studio designed for the classic mid-90s video game, Wipeout.”
You were pretty much spot on.
Ju88sy (@)
30th November 2017, 9:33
@tribaltalker It’s my preference as well, for those us using the F1 App it already updated on iOS and looks so cleaner and better than the old one.
TribalTalker (@tribaltalker)
29th November 2017, 7:45
@HoHum – thoroughly deserved COTD! Drier than a spy’s Martini.
Roth Man (@rdotquestionmark)
29th November 2017, 8:06
I’m against positive sexism but I could see how a women’s only series would be a good springboard for attracting women to the sport and giving them a platform to perform at a higher level. Then again if you are promoting people into fast machinery on gender over skill then that could be very dangerous.
We will also need a gender neutral series!!!
Jimmi Cynic (@jimmi-cynic)
29th November 2017, 8:44
Agree. The FIA/FOM want to neuter the cars, why not drivers?
Joao (@johnmilk)
29th November 2017, 9:38
@rdotquestionmark most sports have different categories or men and women, I honestly think there isn’t really a big deal, in some men perform better, in others the women are the standard.
A separate championship would give them the opportunity of driving in a competitive setting, I think that is their dream after all, to race with that sort of machinery. If they use the same circuits (which I hope they do) we would have a proper term of comparison, and if they are competitive then we can talk about a gender neutral series, or maybe they can perform better than men, and a gender neutral series wouldn’t make sense as well.
This miss-conception that we are all the same, regardless of gender, believes, race, etc, is wrong, we aren’t, but it is about time that we accept and respect those differences, if a set of individuals is better at doing something, so be it, lets see where the other set of individuals excels, instead of forcing the idea that we can all do the same with the same results.
Roth Man (@rdotquestionmark)
29th November 2017, 9:59
Yes I fully agree, good comment @johnmilk
I suppose the only difference here to other sports is that F1 isn’t technically a male only category, that’s just how it works out. But I think that’s fairly trivial.
I will say one thing! I’d definitely watch it.
Joao (@johnmilk)
29th November 2017, 10:42
Yup, me too
Aaditya (@neutronstar)
29th November 2017, 11:18
@johnmilk I’ve always thought that racing was a platform where both men and women could perform equally well. Unlike sports such as cricket and football, racing doesn’t require brute force and outright physical strength, but rather, good reflexes and extreme fitness (which can be achieved irrespective of gender).
I’m not sure whether some other natural factor can stop women from doing well in racing, but it’s hard to be sure because of the meager amount of women drivers seen so far. Is it because of their natural lack of talent in racing, or because of the lack of exposure to it as a consequence of that very perception?
I’m not saying it’s either, since I don’t know myself. That being said, I agree that a women-only racing series can prove to be beneficial in the sense that it will paint a clear picture of how capable women are in racing. Suppose the series runs in parallel to men’s F1, and both the series are provided with equal cars, then comparison between the two over a few years can lead to two conclusions:-
1.) Women are on an average slower than the men in their respective series. Then it will become clear that they indeed lack the natural talent. The women’s series can be continued and stay separate from the men’s series like it is in other sports.
2.) Women are on par with men on average (or faster). That would mean that given the proper opportunity and resources, women can be as competitive as men in F1. This would make it a lot easier for an such a F1 series to exist, where women and men can compete together on equal footing.
Either way, a women-only series will paint a clear picture in terms of their abilities if they are provided the same cars as in men’s F1. Of course that would be very expensive, but it’s worth consideration in my opinion.
Joao (@johnmilk)
29th November 2017, 11:28
@neutronstar completely agree
I would add a third option, if turns out that women are better than men, and we don’t know it yet because historically they haven’t had the opportunities or the same effort invested in the development of their attributes and careers, we would still need a separated championship where women are the standard.
Regardless of what turns out to be I will watch it anyway
Leo B
29th November 2017, 12:05
Isaac Newton taught us that it doesn’t matter if you are applying a force on the world, or the world is applying a force on you. The direction may be opposite, the load is the same.
So imagine a 60kg woman trying to lift a 240kg weight at 1G (applying a force on the world) and compare that to the same woman racing through a corner at 4G (the world applying a force on her). In both cases the load on her body is 240kg. I’m aware that the application of the load (and how she’s anchored to the world) differs, but it’s not correct to say that racing requires no physical strength because you can’t see the apllied force.
Aaditya (@neutronstar)
29th November 2017, 12:41
Leo, I’m aware of the loads and g-forces the drivers experience, but I chose not to mention it because as far as I’m aware, it’s not a point of concern anymore. That’s what I meant by extreme fitness…I think drivers like Susie Wolff have showed us that women can become fit enough to withstand the forces experienced when driving an F1 car.
Aaditya (@neutronstar)
29th November 2017, 12:56
Although, it is a fact that men are physically stronger than women, so how much of an effect the loads have on women in comparison is yet a mystery, I think. There’s not enough information/evidence, yet, to conclude whether the lack of physical strength actually contributes to a loss in speed.
Roth Man (@rdotquestionmark)
29th November 2017, 12:53
Great point @neutronstar
BasCB (@bascb)
29th November 2017, 10:16
As many actual racing woman pointed when the proposal the Daily dug out was first touted (was it march? or the summer months?) @rdotquestionmark, @johnmilk, such a series in a sport where there is no reason not to have mixed competition is only going to make things worse. Such a series will be run as a gimmick, and I doubt it would achieve anything but segregation in racing.
Instead of that, it would be far cheaper and more effective to put up a stipend program for promising female racers to help their careers and allow them to race. Exactly such a fund was set up in the USA earlier this year with support from Powell. And if you look at Calderon, for example, she doesn’t look like she can’t compete. And diSilvestro and others.
Roth Man (@rdotquestionmark)
29th November 2017, 10:25
That would be the equality way of doing it. I suppose it’s all about broaching the extremely volatile subject over whether men and women are competing at a level playing field. My understanding from a scientific point of view is men have evolved the greater special awareness and reaction times, women would be lighter though.
Joao (@johnmilk)
29th November 2017, 11:30
@rdotquestionmark the equality way of doing it would be for a female racer to have a rich father that could buy her way into the series, preferably named after a retired F1 driver
Roth Man (@rdotquestionmark)
29th November 2017, 12:51
True
Bullfrog (@bullfrog)
29th November 2017, 13:02
All that’s missing is a pink, fluffy logo for the series…
Balue (@balue)
30th November 2017, 15:44
Agree with @rdotquestionmark @johnmilk and others. A women series is a good idea that will benefit all.
Ninjenius (@ninjenius)
29th November 2017, 8:59
Well, ‘Artwork in Progress’ is still better than ‘They Did Their Best’.
Joao (@johnmilk)
29th November 2017, 11:28
@neutronstar completely agree
I would add a third option, if turns out that women are better than men, and we don’t know it yet because historically they haven’t had the opportunities or the same effort invested in the development of their attributes and careers, we would still need a separated championship where women are the standard.
Regardless of what turns out to be I will watch it anyway
AS
29th November 2017, 12:58
What is that photo of Todt mean to be?
Was he asked to be as smug as possible while contemplating why teams don’t want to enter F1 to spend 200 million pounds a year to run 4th at best while making you wear a crash helmet named Halo??
Liberty are doing some great work and I don’t think they have the power to move on this Muppet running FIA, but they really need to. He worse than BE to be honest!
charliex (@photogcw)
29th November 2017, 15:45
So is Jean Todt impatiently waiting by the phone to ring and refreshing his email box for new team inquiries?