#F1 Newsbites – Mid-Week News Report. @F1
Antonio Giovinazzi, #99, Alfa Romeo Racing C38, Formula 1 2019 Pre-Season Test Two Day One, Circuit De Barcelona-Catalunya, Montmelo, Barcelona, Spain. Image credit to Alfa Romeo Racing.
F1 Newsbites – Mid-Week Report
F1 Newsbites Mid-Week report is here! Let’s catch up on the latest news from the Formula 1 paddock right here at TermiOnTrack including Antonio Giovinazzi confirmed to continue racing for Alfa Romeo in 2020, F1 could potentially return to Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Renault F1 Team announce a restructure to it’s aerodynamic department and the signing of Pat Fry.
F1 Newsbites – Giovinazzi confirmed for Alfa Romeo Racing in 2020
We start off F1 Newsbites with the news that Antonio Giovinazzi has been confirmed by Alfa Romeo Racing to continue racing for the Hinwil-based squad in the 2020 FIA Formula One World Championship season.
The 25-year-old will compete in his second full season with the team that gave the Italian his debut in the sport back in 2017.
Giovinazzi impressed the team with his maturity, enthusiasm and talent as well as the rate of his improvement and positive attitude.
The Italian, the first from his country to compete in Formula 1 full season since Jarno Trulli in 2011, worked really hard to return to Grand Prix racing after two years of working in the simulator along with adapting and learning, providing the engineers with great feedback on the Ferrari-powered C38 and regaining the racecraft, which helped Giovinazzi to finish runner-up in the 2016 GP2 Series.
After scoring his first ever points for the team at the Austrian Grand Prix, Giovinazzi established himself as a competitive racer, matching his 2007 World Champion team-mate Kimi Raikkonen and battling for points on several occasions, claiming points at his home Grand Prix in Monza and Singapore.
You can read the full statements from Giovinazzi and Alfa Romeo Racing Team Principal Federic Vasseur at the following link: https://www.sauber-group.com/motorsport/f1-news/alfa-romeo-racing-and-antonio-giovinazzi-to-continue-together-in-2020/
ICYMI: Hamilton secures sixth title despite Bottas winning US GP
Next on F1 Newsbites, catch up on the Formula 1 Emirates United States Grand Prix 2019 Race Report at the following link, which saw Lewis Hamilton wrap up his sixth World Driver’s Championship despite Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas winning the race: @LewisHamilton champion for sixth time despite @ValtteriBottas snatching #USGP win. #F1
Formula 1 could return to Indianapolis
News on F1 Newsbites, yesterday news broke that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IndyCar Series were bought by the Penske Corporation in a huge move that sees the Hulman family relinquish the legendary speedway after 74 years, and newly-announced Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Roger Penske wants to evaluate a potential return of Formula 1 to the venue.
The United States Grand Prix was held on the old IMS road course from 2000-2007 before falling off the calendar with the iconic’s low-point being in 2005 when only six cars started the race over tyre safety concerns from Michelin.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway redesigned it’s road course to host MotoGP (which has since moved to Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas) and for the NTT Data IndyCar Series as a prelude to the iconic Indianapolis 500.
Formula 1 and Liberty Media are looking to expand further into the US with a potential race in Miami at Hard Rock Stadium, the home of the Miami Dolphins alongside the current home of the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas after a deal was agreed in principle.
However, a race in Miami has been dealt with a set-back after locals voted in favour of measures that could complicate plans.
Protestors complained that the Grand Prix will cause pollution and impact quality of life for local residents.
If the Miami deal falls through this could open the door for Indianapolis to step up as the seconds race in the United States.
“We look at the Speedway itself, the investment with the $100m that was put in a few years ago before the 100th [running of the Indy 500 in 2016], I think you’ve seen a tremendous change, and we want to add capability.” explained Roger Penske.
“What can we use this for? Can we run a 24-hour race here? Can we run a Formula 1 race here? What are the things we can do? This is a great asset.” Penske concluded.
“I am of the opinion that Formula 1 at IMS works. I think they’ve changed the configuration of the track a little bit,” McLaren Racing’s Executive Director Zak Brown said back in 2017.
“I think it makes sense for Formula 1 to be at the world’s greatest racetrack. I think the city of Indianapolis is well catered to take care of Formula 1, just like it did in the past, and the Super Bowl.” Brown concluded.
Renault undergo aerodynamic restructure and hire Fry
Next on F1 Newsbites, Renault F1 Team have announced a string of changes to their aerodynamic apartment with the re-hiring of Dirk De Beer and Pat Fry to the Enstone-based French manufacturer squad.
De Beer spent five years with the Renault/Lotus team from 2008 before stints at Ferrari then later Williams, where he was Head of Aerodynamic from 2017.
That is the role De Beer will be taking on when he re-joins Renault – who have been on a signing spree in recent seasons as well as updating and increasing the capacity of it’s factory – ahead of the 2020 campaign replacing Peter Machin who has left the squad with immediate effect.
Vince Todd will be interim Deputy of Aerodynamics until Fry joins from McLaren next year.
Renault’s Principal Aerodynamicist James Rodgers, who is in charge of future car projects, has promoted to become the Chief Aerodynamicist, responsible for the outfits aerodynamic performance development.
Former McLaren and Ferrari chief Fry, helped the Woking-based squad turn their fortunes around and emerge as the fourth-best team on the grid, before agreeing to part-ways with the British team this year.
It was Fry’s second stint with McLaren, and followed previous roles at Manor and Ferrari, the latter where he held the role as Technical Director from 2010-2015 with the Maranello-marque.
“I am delighted to be able to work with Pat again,” explained Renault F1 Team Executive Director Marcin Budkowski. “His arrival is yet another step as we build and improve our team structure. Pat’s experience, talent and determination will be additional assets as we continue our progress.”
The French manufacturer said Fry will join the team in 2020 “following the end of his current contractual obligations”.
Renault are currently fifth in the Constructors Championship on 83 points, 38 off of McLaren and 18 in-front of Toro Rosso.
Petrobras and McLaren end sponsorship deal
Lastly on F1 Newsbites, McLaren have confirmed that it’s sponsorship deal with Brazilian fuel and oil company Petrobras has ended with immediate effect.
Less than two weeks away from the Brazilian Grand Prix, both parties have agreed to terminate what was a five-year partnership.
The Petrobras logos will be removed from both Renault-powered MCL34 racers for the race at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace.
You can read the full statements from Petrobras Chief Executive Officer Roberto Costello Branco and McLaren Racing Chief Executive Officer Zak Brown at the following link: https://www.mclaren.com/racing/inside-the-mtc/petrobras-and-mclaren-conclude-partnership-agreement-positive-results/
