Entirely agree. F1 is a highly controlled and protective bubble. Once they step outside they are just like the rest of us. Exposed.
Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi has confirmed Daniil Kvyat will be the team's official reserve driver for the forthcoming Formula 1 season. Kvyat has raced in six of the past seven F1 seasons with Red Bull and Toro Rosso/AlphaTauri. In 2018, the Russian spent a year as the Ferrari reserve driver after losing his Toro Rosso seat to Brendon Hartley.
Juan Montoya hurt his arm playing tennis. Schumacher told him not to play tennis while driving a motorcycle.
A touch surprised this functional shift has taken so long. Renault evaluating switch to Mercedes F1 engine design concept Mar 3, 2021, 12:12 PM Renault is evaluating a switch to the Mercedes concept of a split turbo and compressor on its Formula 1 power unit as part of an engine overhaul for 2022.
New management, new name, new driver, new livery, etc ... Alpine, a team in search of identity. PS: Don't mention Renault !!!
Better late than never....... Renault could adopt Mercedes-style F1 engine concept for 2022 Image Unavailable, Please Login Renault says it is open to overhauling its power unit concept when it introduces a new engine in Formula 1 next year. Renault, which now only supplies the Alpine team following McLaren’s return to Mercedes, decided during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic not to introduce a new power unit for 2021. Instead it is using an upgraded version of its 2020-spec power unit. Formula 1 is overhauling its technical regulations for 2022 but the current power unit technology will remain in place until 2025. A freeze on engine development had initially been planned for 2023 but this has now been brought forward to 2022. Mercedes pioneered a split turbo/compressor concept at the start of Formula 1’s hybrid era in 2014 while Honda followed suit in 2017. On whether Renault could adopt that approach in 2022 its engine chief Remi Taffin said: “Simple answer is yes. We could be going down that route. We are evaluating [it].” Taffin added that “the decision we made in 2020 [not to introduce a new engine for 2021] was driven by the fact that we would actually put everything into 2022. “We had in mind we’d have an evolution for 2023, that we would make the best out of the new baseline we have in 2022, which is now not the case any longer as we don’t have [the] 2023 [upgrade]. “But, actually, we’re quite happy [as] we can do a big push for 2022. We are trying [to] push forward even some of the evolution we had [planned] for 2023 into 2022.” On the modifications Renault has made for 2021 Taffin explained that “[we did] bring a bit of performance but the main focus was on reliability, making sure we get consistency, so there were a few updates. “In terms of performance, it’s more like a step you’d do in-season, not a massive step, it’s an evolution of what we did last year. “The main reason is we had to make this decision last year when we had shutdown for more than two months and had to re-plan. “We took the decision in March last year. We will work and build on what we have done last year. “I would have preferred to have the ‘21 engine that we now have for ‘22 but at some point you have to make some plans and follow them, and that’s the case.” https://www.motorsportweek.com/2021/03/04/renault-could-adopt-mercedes-style-f1-engine-concept-for-2022/?feed_id=15232
BUUUUUUUT, back in 2017 Renault opted NOT TO COPY the Mercedes design regarding the split turbo. Incidentally, Ferrari has yet to copy the split turbo design from Mercedes. Renault: 'No good reason' to copy Mercedes' split F1 engine design Renault has ruled out following Mercedes' concept of adopting a split turbo on its Formula 1 engine, saying it sees "no good reason" to overhaul its design https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/renault-no-good-reason-to-copy-mercedes-split-f1-engine-design-5000217/5000217/
https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/alonso-will-require-further-jaw-surgery-after-2021-f1-season/5696155/?nrt=54 Having undergone a jaw operation at the time to repair the damage, Alonso revealed on the first day of pre-season testing that he will need a further visit to hospital after the end of the 2021 campaign. "I don't expect any issues honestly," said Alonso, when asked about how his preparations for the campaign had been impacted by the crash. "I've been training for I think three weeks or two weeks, absolutely normal and I've been in the simulator as well, Monday and Tuesday, so you know the preparations were not affected too much. "I missed only a couple of marketing days and filming days which I was happy with in a way. And then, I recorded everything yesterday afternoon, so I had a very intense day on marketing activities. But yeah I feel fine, obviously. "One thing is the professional side and driving side, which is 100%. On the personal side, obviously I will have to remove two titanium plates that I have on the upper jaw, that will be removed at the end of the season. "So, there is still something going on after the championship finishes but, as I said, they will not affect my professional life."
He is the best on the grid!! Alpine F1 team "blown away" by Alonso's race craft Aug 18, 2021, 5:00 AM Alpine Formula 1 executive director Marcin Budkowski says the Enstone team has been "blown away" by Fernando Alonso's race craft across the first half of the 2021 season.
If Fernando had kept his cool, he would have logged 2 more years in F1 and likely 1 more title. But NO
Alpine and Alonso parade at Circuit de la Sarthe (LeMans 2021) Tweet— Twitter API (@user) date Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Tweet— Twitter API (@user) date Tweet— Twitter API (@user) date Tweet— Twitter API (@user) date
LMP1 class is running a hydrogen powered car......just reminder of where car technology is headed. It seems the LMP1 class is at the "pinnacle of motorsport" with regards to motorsport technology.
If hydrogen power was receiving as much help and financial incentive as electric power, it would win hands down. Instead it will probably be stillborn for lack of support in high places.
Alonso gets a contract extension for 2022. https://www.alpinecars.com/en/news_f1/alpine-f1-team-confirms-fernando-alonso-for-2022/ Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Alonso on his lap in Le Mans. "Unfortunately it was only a demo lap, not a push lap. Simulations say in a F1 car you can go something under 3 minutes." Pole lap of Toyota was 3:23.9 min this year (2021).
FINALLY!!!!! Cyril Abiteboul honoured his bet with Daniel Ricciardo by taking this tattoo. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Prost to depart Alpine F1 advisory role; Szafnauer, BWT set to join By: Adam Cooper Jan 17, 2022, 6:52 AM Four-time Formula 1 champion Alain Prost has left his advisory role with the Alpine team as part of the ongoing management shake-up.