#BelgianGP FP1: @Carlossainz55 leads @CharlesLeclerc in @ScuderiaFerrari one-two. #F1

Sainz Belgian GP FP1 – Carlos Sainz headed the time-sheets from team-mate Charles Leclerc in FP1 at the Belgian GP with points leader Max Verstappen rounding out the top three for Red Bull.

 

 

Following a busy three-week summer break, Formula 1 returned to action at the Circuit De Spa-Francorchamps with a foggy backdrop of the Ardennes Forest.

 

After slight drizzle during the previous FIA Formula 2 practice session, the threat of rain was large, but the slightly damp Spa circuit allowed a busy phase on slicks.

 

Sainz opened the proceedings with a 1:51.622 on the C2 white-branded harder compounds. The Spaniard is the Scuderia’s target point man this weekend as team-mate Leclerc is set to start from the back of the pack due to an engine change penalty.

 

His effort was rapidly beaten by McLaren pairing Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo, with the former leading the way on a 1:49.712 on the C4 red-branded softs before Alpine’s Esteban Ocon split the duo.

 

Reigning world champion Verstappen, who is also faced with a grid penalty after an engine change to his RB16B racer, gained over two seconds to Norris and claimed P1 with a 1:46.755.

 

Norris and Ocon will also join the championship contenders at the back of the field due to a flurry of power-unit component changes.

 

Before the midway point, Williams Racing’s crazily porpoising Alexander Albon made a surprise jump to second on the classification, indicating the quick track evolution as the Circuit De Spa-Francorchamps rubbered down.

 

With his effort of a 1:48.112, Albon relegated Mercedes’ Sir Lewis Hamilton to third.

 

As the teams were keen to increase their running given Spa’s unpredictable climate, the usual mid-session lull was much shorter.

 

As the second half hour clicked in, Sainz reclaimed top spot on a 1:46.538 beating Verstappen’s time by two tenths, Leclerc followed his team-mate through taking second and 0.069 seconds behind.

 

But the session was soon red flagged after Haas F1 Team’s Kevin Magnussen came to a stop coming out of turn one’s La Source hairpin.

 

Magnussen’s suspected engine problem brought a long stoppage as the marshals removed the VF-22 racer, leaving nine minutes left on the clock as the lights went green.

 

Haas explained that the stoppage was due to a high voltage system issue.

 

At the restart, the drivers reported of rain at various parts of the circuit, which halted a flurry of late improvements and with five minutes remaining a usual local downpour hampered any fastest lap attempts.

 

This meant Sainz was secure in top spot, ahead of team-mate Leclerc and Verstappen.

 

Mercedes’ George Russell was fourth and in-front of Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll with the aforementioned Albon sixth.

 

Ricciardo followed seventh for McLaren, with AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda in eighth as Hamilton and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez completed the top 10.

 

Williams Racing’s Nicholas Latifi finished FP1 11th in the order and ahead of Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu who took 12th and McLaren’s Norris who placed 13th.

 

BWT Alpine F1 Team’s Fernando Alonso and Ocon ended opening practice in 14th and 16th places respectively with Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel splitting the duo in 15th.

 

Haas F1 Team pairing Magnussen and Mick Schumacher were 17th and 18th respectively as AlphaTauri’s reserve Liam Lawson (filling in for Pierre Gasly) and Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas brought up the rear.

 

Bottas ended his session early after encountering some technical issues.

 

You can see the full Formula 1 Rolex Belgian Grand Prix 2022 Free Practice 1 Results Classification at the link: https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2022/races/1118/belgium/practice-1.html

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Audi to enter Formula 1 in 2026

 

 

German manufacturing giant Audi will join the FIA Formula One World Championship from 2026 onwards as a power-train supplier.

 

It comes after the news broke of the new power-unit regulations, designed to make it attractive for new manufacturers to join the sport at a competitive level, were released earlier this month.

 

the 2026 power-trains will retain the 1.6L V6 Turbocharged Internal Combustion Engines but features increased electrical power and 100% sustainable fuel, two factors Audi say were key in their decision.

 

Audi – who are part of the Volkswagen Group – added that it support’s Formula One’s plans to be more cost efficient and sustainable, with a cost-cap for power-train manufacturers introduced in 2023 and F1’s set target to be Net Zero Carbon by 2030.

 

Audi announced its plan for entry in 2026 at a press conference at the Circuit De Spa-Francorchamps, ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, which featured Chairman of the Board of Management at Audi AG Markus Duesmann, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development Oliver Hoffmann, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

 

The German powerhouse said they will announce a decision on which team they will be lining up with at the end of this year.

 

Audi Sport’s Neuburg facility will be where the power-train will be developed, marking the first time in more than a decade that an F1 power-train will be built in Germany.

 

“Motorsport is an integral part of Audi’s DNA,” explained Duesmann. “Formula 1 is both a global stage for our brand and a highly challenging development laboratory. The combination of high performance and competition is always a driver of innovation and technology transfer in our industry. With the new rules, now is the right time for us to get involved. After all, Formula 1 and Audi both pursue clear sustainability goals.” Duesmann concluded. Credit to Audi for the quote.

 

Hoffmann added: “In view of the major technological leaps that the series is making towards sustainability in 2026, we can speak of a new Formula 1. Formula 1 is transforming, and Audi wants to actively support this journey. A close link between our Formula 1 project and AUDI AG’s Technical Development department will enable synergies.” Hoffmann concluded. Credit to Audi for the quote.

 

Audi said that there are already test benches for F1 engine testing along with electric motor and battery testing at their Neuburg base. They are currently working on gaining personnel, buildings and technical infrastructure in place by the end of the year. The German manufacturer will then have three year to fine tune it’s power-train before entering the sport in 2026.

 

Adam Baker, who has held a few senior positions for manufacturers and teams in motorsport whilst also spending three years at the sport’s governing body, the FIA, will run the Formula 1 project as CEO.

 

With that, it has been announced today also that Alfa Romeo will end it’s partnership with Sauber at the end of the 2023 season. You can read more about this at the link: https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.alfa-romeo-to-end-sauber-partnership-at-end-of-2023-season.4bKd4sn2aDCTbpbCAQWeGQ.html

 

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