In the round-up: Following Racing Point’s rebranding as the official Aston Martin Formula 1 team, CEO Otmar Szafnauer says they will do justice to the luxury car brand’s name.
What they say
Aston Martin also revealed the logo for its F1 team yesterday.
We’ve had almost a year of preparation to reach this point and we’re really looking forward to seeing the reaction when we finally unveil our new identity as the Aston Martin Formula 1 Team.
Representing such an iconic brand is a huge privilege for every member of the team. We’ve earned a well-deserved reputation for punching above our weight, so we’re confident we can do the Aston Martin name proud right from the get-go.
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Social media
Notable posts from Twitter, Instagram and more:
JACK & JONES takes distance from the behavior of upcoming Haas F1 Team driver Nikita Mazepin in the video posted on social media earlier this month. Our partnership with Haas F1 Team was always due to end at the conclusion of the 2020 season. No further comments shall be made.
— JACK & JONES (@JackandJonesTM) December 31, 2020
- Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory
Links
More motor racing links of interest:
Lessons of flexibility, co-operation helped IndyCar succeed in unique 2020 season (IndyCar)
"Look at the crystal ball and what 2021 looks like, to me this could be a couple-year recovery. Hopefully, we go to St. Pete and the vaccine will work, and we can get back to normal. But we have tried to become more efficient. We operated in 2019, then came 2020, and 2021 will be a hybrid of the two. "
Verstappen: ’Ik zeg waar het op staat, maar ik zeg niet alles wat ik denk’ (De Telegraaf - Dutch)
"I'm not concerned with the followers. Even though I have over 20 million, what do I care? Who knows, once I'm done racing, that I will press the delete button and not be heard much more."
Hamilton: Brundle, Hill congratulate new F1 knight (Sky)
Hill: "He is standing up for issues that are close to his heart and affect everyone, and in our sport it's very rare for a driver to get involved in anything that's outside of Formula 1."
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Comment of the day
Dave is concerned the season-opening race may not be able to go ahead as scheduled:
I’m sceptical about Australia actually happening. Assuming it needs crowds to go ahead or funding is impossible, beach parties on Christmas day in Oz were cracked down on heavily. I hope their numbers get under control by March to allow it but if the UK is anything to go by, Christmas and New Year numbers won’t be known for a couple of weeks and folks, they’re going to be big!
I’m already being called in off leave because track and trace has decimated two out of four watches. Welcome to 2020 the sequel.
Dave (@davewillisporter)
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Euro Brun (@eurobrun)
2nd January 2021, 0:17
Regarding COTD, likewise I have massive doubts on Melbourne happening. I’d be tempted to say that the delayed Australian Open Tennis will be the trial event, but realistically even that will likely be too late to make a call, as the track build will need to commence soon. I don’t think that the state of Victoria can afford any further expense after the loss of money last year. There isn’t any wiggle room for a last minute cancellation, and I can’t see that race being viable without a crowd.
Scottie (@scottie)
2nd January 2021, 2:44
The thing that may save it is it being an outdoor event.
With Covid transmission being much lower in outdoor spaces, and the Grand Prix being held in a wide open park, they may accept that distancing can be achieved and the event can go ahead.
The real test I guess will be the public transport system, and keeping people safe as spectators come and go.
Tommy C (@tommy-c)
2nd January 2021, 2:48
Exactly. Call it early so the championship can replace the slot with a decent race somewhere else.
Jere (@jerejj)
2nd January 2021, 7:43
@eurobrun The track build-up will commence around the 12th or 13th, so yes, relatively soon, although some delay for this might be possible and still get everything ready in time, albeit at max a few days. Crowd indeed is a must as the track is temporary, but it’d have to be locals only as no one would travel to the country should the 14-day quarantine requirement still be in place in March.
@scottie @tommy-c
DB-C90 (@dbradock)
2nd January 2021, 21:53
The major block to the event is not crowds. It’s the fact that all international travellers must quarantine for 14 days.
I can’t see F1 being able to do that at their own expense – nor can I see them not recording positive cases whilst in quarantine given our current experience with the extremely limited numbers of ex pats arriving.
jasper
2nd January 2021, 2:56
If I believed in such things, one of my NY resolutions might have been to be less cynical. How is a covering the Mercedes badge with an Aston Martin sticker …
Thomson (@fish123)
2nd January 2021, 4:58
Sebastian Vettel on the podium in first race! Im calling it…
But yes if the Australian GP is called of early then F1 can replace it with maybe Sepang… That would be a great race to star the season
Leroy (@g-funk)
2nd January 2021, 6:14
I think Ricciardo has a better shot in the Merc powered McLaren for the last podium spot. It would be nice to see him break his home curse. I’m expecting Hamilton and Bottas on the top two steps as usual since not enough has changed to make me think their dominance will be affected.
ColdFly (@)
2nd January 2021, 8:42
China might want to organise the opening race.
They are good at starting these global events.
Dave (@davewillisporter)
2nd January 2021, 16:55
@coldfly if you want to go into the weeds on that one, the US conducted not one but two exercises in late 2019 on the effects of a covid related outbreak and a flu related outbreak. The actual study reports are available online. The US does a lot of biological experimentation in China due to the more lax restrictions. One of those places is in Wuhan.
???
NewVerstappenFan (@jureo)
2nd January 2021, 9:00
Calling it aswell. Vettel has a point to prove after last years.
If there is something in his tank left, he will deliver it this season.
Balue (@balue)
2nd January 2021, 8:32
Mazepin and Verstappen bad – Hamilton good
Ok, got it
NewVerstappenFan (@jureo)
2nd January 2021, 9:01
No, no no.
Hamilton good, Verstappen bad, Mazepin ugly.
Dave
2nd January 2021, 11:08
Mazepin and Verstappen should be sacked from their teams.
NewVerstappenFan (@jureo)
2nd January 2021, 14:45
Why Verstappen?
Dave
2nd January 2021, 18:40
Didn’t apologize enough.
Dave
17th January 2021, 9:41
Forgot one more detail: Portugal incident, said slurs, said a statement, but not a proper apology.
erikje
2nd January 2021, 20:57
He had Hamilton by the balls
ColdFly (@)
2nd January 2021, 8:45
Of course after the introduction of the budget cap there won’t be any weight classes.
Maybe a few teams will carry over some excess muscle weight, but other than that a level playing field.
Coventry Climax
2nd January 2021, 19:29
Dream on. Ineos is doing research outside of Mercs budget. Then sells their findings cheap.
TW is as smooth as an eel in a bucket of snot. (Dutch saying.)
One can only hope more teams do the same, otherwise we’ll have another seven years of boring Merc dominance.
Badger74 (@badger74)
2nd January 2021, 8:58
Jack & Jones has always gone along with Magnussen, in the same way that Estrella (until this forthcoming season it seems) has supported Sainz. They were always going to leave Haas when left. Much easier for Jack & Jones to take a position on Mazepin in that context
Patrick (@paeschli)
2nd January 2021, 10:11
Thanks for the background @badger74. Kinda sad that I had to scroll down to the comments to find some though…
Moi
2nd January 2021, 10:47
So Verstappen is basically saying that social media is just a part of his job (and a part which he doesn’t care for much).
Good on him, let racers do the talking on the track.
Matthew Nowell (@diogenese)
2nd January 2021, 11:10
But saying F you to his followers is going to upset any sponsors he has, what a dumb thing to say…
Wybe
2nd January 2021, 12:15
Ok Matthew, tell me, are you a native Dutch speaker? In which line is he using the F-word? Basicly he says; live and let live.
I have seen the dutch documantary on him and his family. They are racers and they have had only one goal for Max, that is to become an F1 driver. The social media hype around these people is only extra weight they have to carry because they are in this position.
And of you look from a marketing perspective, bad publicity is still more valuable then no attention at all.
ColdFly (@)
2nd January 2021, 13:38
Of course for living to continúe you have to.
NewVerstappenFan (@jureo)
2nd January 2021, 18:02
Max gets publicity because he is an allmighty driver.
Impolite, spoiled brat, you name it, not an obstacle for fans of fasr driving.
Look at Lewis, he wants us all to go Vegan and we still like his speed.
Dave
2nd January 2021, 11:08
If Mazepin gets fired from his team, I think he’ll continue doing trash things until Twitter suspends him.
Dave (@davewillisporter)
2nd January 2021, 17:02
Personally don’t blame Max for expressing those views. Not a fan of social media myself. Some love it, some hate it, some are addicted to likes which is incredibly damaging. I don’t believe he’s equating his fans with a social media account. He loves the orange army. He just prefers it in the real world. Nothing wrong with that take.
Ancient1 (@ancient1)
4th January 2021, 4:01
Re: CotD – OzGP
+1 from another Oz revhead.
I deem you as a front line worker dealing with those disrespectful people, many of whom are outright liars.
IMHO, take them to court to receive a criminal record. If they are not genuine Aussies, DEPORT them. If they are, have them do humiliating community work.
Stay safe, mate.