#F1 Newsbites – First of 2020. @F1
Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2019 Race Start, Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain. Image credit to F1.com. F1 Newsbites.
We’re back with the first F1 Newsbites for 2020! Here is the latest news from the world of Formula 1 as we head towards the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
2020 Bahrain GP to be held behind closed doors
We kick off F1 Newsbites with a breaking story that the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2020 will be staged without fans in attendance due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The Grand Prix is set to held from March 20-22, a week after this week’s season-opening Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2020, but with coronavirus cases growing in the Gulf Kingdom, Bahrain’s race organisers said that it will only be a televised event.
“In consultation with our international partners and the Kingdom’s national health Taskforce, Bahrain has made the decision to hold this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix as a participants-only event,” a statement read today. “As an F1 host nation, balancing the welfare of supporters and race goers is a tremendous responsibility. Given the continued spread of Covid-19 globally, convening a major sporting event, which is open to the public and allows thousands of international travellers and local fans to interact in close proximity would not be the right thing to do at the present time.”
“But to ensure that neither the sport, nor its global supporter base, is unduly impacted, the race weekend itself will still go ahead as a televised event.”
“Aggressive social distancing measures have further increased the effectiveness of preventing the virus’ spread, something that would clearly be near impossible to maintain were the race to have proceeded as originally planned.”
“We know how disappointed many will be by this news, especially for those planning to travel to the event, which has become a cornerstone event of the international F1 calendar, but safety has to remain our utmost priority.” The statement concluded. Credit to SkySports F1 for the quote.
The Italian government however, added further restrictions on Saturday night when they announced anyone living in the northern regions would be quarantined and will put on more concerns for Formula 1’s opening races.
Team personnel from those areas need to be granted special permission to travel until March 3 – and Ferrari are based in Modena, one of the worst-affected regions from the virus.
The Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2020 will go ahead as planned from March 13-15 with spectators in attendance.
FIA vs Teams War on Ferrari’s Power-Train
Next on F1 Newsbites, we take a look at the current battle between the sport’s governing body, the FIA and the seven non-powered Ferrari teams about Ferrari’s power-train. This is how it unfolded:
On the final day of Formula 1’s 2020 pre-season test at the Circuit De Barcelona-Catalunya, The FIA, released a statement regarding Ferrari’s power-train stating it reached a settlement with the Maranello-based outfit, and the specifics of the agreement were kept with both parties.
“The FIA and Scuderia Ferrari have agreed to a number of technical commitments that will improve the monitoring of all Formula 1 Power Units for forthcoming championship seasons as well as assist the FIA in other regulatory duties in Formula 1 and in its research activities on carbon emissions and sustainable fuels.” Credit to the FIA for the quote.
On Wednesday, the seven non-powered teams lead by World Champions Mercedes sent out this statement in “shock” of what it learned about the Scuderia Ferrari power-train investigation and the results not being made public:
We, the undersigned teams, were surprised and shocked by the FIA’s statement of Friday 28 February regarding the conclusion of its investigation into the Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 Power Unit.
An international sporting regulator has the responsibility to act with the highest standards of governance, integrity and transparency.
After months of investigations that were undertaken by the FIA only following queries raised by other teams, we strongly object to the FIA reaching a confidential settlement agreement with Ferrari to conclude this matter.
Therefore, we hereby state publicly our shared commitment to pursue full and proper disclosure in this matter, to ensure that our sport treats all competitors fairly and equally. We do so on behalf of the fans, the participants and the stakeholders of Formula One.
In addition, we reserve our rights to seek legal redress, within the FIA’s due process and before the competent courts.
McLaren Racing Limited
Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Limited
Racing Point UK Limited
Red Bull Racing Limited
Renault Sport Racing Limited
Scuderia Alpha Tauri S.p.A.
Williams Grand Prix Engineering Limited
Credit to Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport for the statement. https://www.mercedesamgf1.com/en/news/2020/2020-03/mercedes-amg-petronas-f1-team-statement/
The FIA reacted two days later in response to the seven non-powered Ferrari teams explaining the process by which, the FIA had reached it’s decision:
The FIA has conducted detailed technical analysis on the Scuderia Ferrari Power Unit as it is entitled to do for any competitor in the FIA Formula One World Championship.
The extensive and thorough investigations undertaken during the 2019 season raised suspicions that the Scuderia Ferrari PU could be considered as not operating within the limits of the FIA regulations at all times. The Scuderia Ferrari firmly opposed the suspicions and reiterated that its PU always operated in compliance with the regulations.The FIA was not fully satisfied but decided that further action would not necessarily result in a conclusive case due to the complexity of the matter and the material impossibility to provide the unequivocal evidence of a breach.
To avoid the negative consequences that a long litigation would entail especially in light of the uncertainty of the outcome of such litigations and in the best interest of the Championship and of its stakeholders, the FIA, in compliance with Article 4 (ii) of its Judicial and Disciplinary Rules (JDR), decided to enter into an effective and dissuasive settlement agreement with Ferrari to terminate the proceedings.
This type of agreement is a legal tool recognised as an essential component of any disciplinary system and is used by many public authorities and other sport federations in the handling of disputes.
The confidentiality of the terms of the settlement agreement is provided for by Article 4 (vi) of the JDR.
The FIA will take all necessary action to protect the sport and its role and reputation as regulator of the FIA Formula One World Championship.
Credit to FIA for the statement. https://www.fia.com/news/fia-statement-following-communication-seven-formula-1-teams
This response left by the FIA has definitely raised doubts as to how they will control the sport going forward after admitting they were unable to prove whether or not the Ferrari power-train was legal.
The seven teams however, will also be unhappy that the FIA restated that the agreement between them and Ferrari will remain confidential – as they want transparency. We now wait for the seven non-Ferrari powered squads to respond, with little to this response suggesting they will cease on this issue.
On Friday, the World Motor Sport Council showed it’s unanimous support towards the FIA on it’s settlement agreement with Ferrari:
“The Council expressed unanimous support for the FIA President and the FIA Technical Department in regard to the overall management of the case, and strongly opposed any comments that undermine the reputation and image of the FIA and the Formula One World Championship.” Credit to the FIA for the statement.
After seeing the World Motor Sport Council’s support thrown behind the FIA’s handling of the situation, the subject will be a major talking point in the Albert Park paddock, heading into this week’s season-opening Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2020.
2020 Rules and Regulation Changes
FIA announced World Motor Sport Council approvals on Friday regarding further rules and regulation tweaks for the 2020 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season.
For the 2020 technical regulations, the council approved an increase of the car’s minimum weight from 745 kg to 746 kg due to the addition of new sensors to monitor the power-unit components.
Another change to the 2020 sporting regulations sees unrestricted variations to helmet designs for drivers between Grands Prix.
Also, it was clarified by the World Motor Sport Council that the post-Abu Dhabi Grand Prix test will see teams using the 18 inch Pirelli 2021 tyres.
2021 Rules and Regulation Updates
Also on Friday, the FIA and World Motor Sport Council released updates on the new rules and regulations that will also come into effect for the 2021 season.
- Front wing profiles will be changed to prevent down-wash, which would have resulted in a big compromise to the major objectives in allowing the cars to race closer.
- Front wing end-plates, top bodywork and rear wing end-plates have all been modified to allow teams more commercial space.
- Drastic improvements to the strength and energy absorption of the chassis in front, lateral and rear impacts.
- A vast number of updates to improve electrical (high voltage) safety on the cars.
- Tethers will be mandated for the rear wing and rear impact structures.
Kulite has been appointed as the official supplier for power-unit component pressure and temperature sensors from 2021-2023 seasons.
Changes to the Financial Regulations to the 2021 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season will allow monitoring activities to be performed by Cost Cap Administrators at any time, either away or at each of the Formula 1 teams’ bases. You can download the full details of the 2021 Financial Regulations at the link: https://www.fia.com/multimedia/publication/2021-formula-1-financial-regulations-2020-03-06
Renault to release 2020 livery in Melbourne
Renault F1 Team will unveil it’s 2020 race livery on their new contender, the R.S.20 this Wednesday at 5pm in Melbourne.
The French manufacturer’s car, was unleashed in a matte-black livery during Formula 1 pre-season testing at the Circuit De Barcelona-Catalunya, but will likely return to the traditional black and yellow colours ahead of this weekend’s season-opening Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2020.
In testing, Daniel Ricciardo took the third best-time overall, behind Mercedes’ pace-setter Valtteri Bottas and Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen.
The Perth-born Australian was satisfied with the R.S.20’s progress leading into Melbourne.
“We’ve improved the overall balance of the car, worked through some set-up changes and our reliability has been strong,” explained Ricciardo. “I believe we’ve cranked up more kilometres on the engine tests back at Viry than we’ve ever had before, so this combined with our results over the two tests are ultimately encouraging signs ahead of the start of the season in Australia.” Ricciardo concluded. Credit to Renault Sport for the quote.
Ricciardo is joined for the 2020 campaign at Renault F1 Team by returning driver and Frenchman Esteban Ocon.
Your guide to the @F1 @ROLEX @ausgrandprix 2020. #F1 #AusGP
https://termiontrack.com/2020-f1-chinese-gp-postponed-due-to-coronavirus-outbreak/
https://termiontrack.com/f1-newsbites-2021-rules-regulations-edition/
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