#Formula1 #Newsbites – News round-up of the latest from the paddock.

Formula 1 Newsbites is back! We take a look at a round-up of the latest round-up news coming out of the Formula 1 Paddock.

ROKiT Williams Racing extend power-unit partnership with Mercedes Benz until 2025

We start newsbites off with ROKiT Williams Racing extending their power-unit deal with Mercedes Benz in a long-term partnership until the end of the 2025 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season.

Williams have been with the Silver Arrows since the start of the 2014 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season.

The Grove-based squad will continue to be supplied with Mercedes Benz power units (Internal Combustion Engine and Energy Recovery Systems) by Mercedes Benz AMG High Performance Power-Trains (HPP) located in Brixworth, United Kingdom for a further five campaigns from 2021, following conclusion from their current deal.

Williams will continue to make and develop it’s own transmission. The 2014 regulations saw a major shift with 2.4L Normally Aspirated V8 engines being switched to 1.6L Turbocharged V6 Hybrid power-trains and the Grove-based outfit has enjoyed some success with Mercedes-Benz scoring third in the Constructors Championships in 2014 and also the 15 campaign.

You can read the full statements from Williams Team Principal Claire Williams, Mercedes AMG-HPP Managing Director Any Cowell and Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport CEO and Team Principal Toto Wolff at the link: https://www.williamsf1.com/racing/news/2019/09/power-unit-extension

Renault and Mercedes complete respective 2021 18-inch and 2020 13-inch tyre tests for Pirelli at Paul Circuit

Renault F1 Team and McLaren Racing reserve driver Sergey Sirotkin completed 213 laps of mileage running the 2021 18-inch Pirelli P Zero prototype rubber at the Circuit Paul Ricard in a mule Renault R.S.18 racer.

There will be another two test days this year with McLaren and Mercedes both running two days each with their 2018 mule machines in October and December respectively.

The 18-inch tyre testing programme will be taken to the next level with 25 test days shared amongst the 10 teams on the grid, using either the 2018 or 19 mule machinery, before the tyres are run in a three-day post-Abu Dhabi Grand Prix tyre test at the Yas Marina Circuit.

In line with the 18-inch test, Esteban Ocon ran one lap less than Sirotkin in a current Silver Arrow as Pirelli completed what is to be it’s final test for the 13-inch 2020 compounds.

You can read the full statement on the 18-inch and 13-inch tyre test from Pirelli Head of F1 and Racing Mario Isola at the link: https://press.pirelli.com/paul-ricard—18-inch-tyre-test/

F1 Esports returns in style

In the next part of Newsbites, the 2019 F1 New Balance Esport Pro Series kicked off midweek with a bang as the first live event provided thrills, controversy and intense action.

After 2018 saw Mercedes AMG Petronas Esports’ Brendon Leigh crowned champion for a second successive time, the grid has gotten more competitive than ever before.

With a full grid of 10 teams, each with three talented drivers, the racing level is at an all-time high. The season began with Bahrain rather than Melbourne, as Shanghai and Baku returned to complete the first event.

David Tonizza got his F1 Esports career off to an impressive start, scoring two victories and a podium on debut as Ferrari proved to make the right choice in signing the skilful Italian as first pick during the F1 2019 Esports Pro Series Draft.

You can read the full race reports of the first three rounds at event one right here at the link: https://f1esports.com/news/2019-event1/

Remembering Anthoine Hubert

During the week, we said farewell to a brilliant man and a talented driver in Anthoine Hubert. You can read this amazing tribute from Renault Sport right here at the link: https://www.renaultsport.com/tribute-to-anthoine-hubert.html?r=331

The Debrief – Top Three Driver Quotes Post-Italian GP

Winner – Charles Leclerc, #16, Scuderia Ferrari, SF90: “There are no words to describe the emotions I felt during the race, after the race, or on the podium. It felt ten times stronger than anything I have ever experienced in my whole career. It was very special. When I arrive at a race weekend, I usually don’t think about winning, I just try to do the best job possible and tell myself that the results will come. But to be honest, seeing all of the support from our tifosi here in Monza this weekend, the only thing I could think of was winning and that’s what we did, so I am very happy. The race was exciting. The first stint was quite controlled, but the second stint was a bit less strong on my side, because I had to focus on the car behind me a lot as the gap was closing. It was very difficult and I had a lot of pressure on me. I’d like to thank the whole team for all their hard work. Nothing would be possible without them. It was a shame for Seb, who definitely had the potential to be on the podium with me. For the next few races, we have to keep our focus, our motivation, and hopefully the results will follow.”

P2 – Valtteri Bottas, #77, Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport, F1 W10 EQ Power+: “I was trying everything to get close enough to Charles to make a move on him in the final laps, but the Ferraris were very quick on the straights this weekend, so it was difficult to get close enough. I was pushing as hard as I could, but every time I got really close, I started to lock-ups the fronts. While it’s disappointing that we didn’t win, our performance today was actually quite promising. We came to Monza expecting this to be one of the most difficult races of the season for us, but we could really challenge the Ferraris, so that’s good to see. It was a good race overall from that perspective and I think we can leave Italy with a positive feeling. On paper, the upcoming races should play a little more towards our strengths and I’m looking forward to a good fight with Ferrari and Red Bull over the next weeks.”

P3 – Lewis Hamilton, #44, Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport, F1 W10 EQ Power+: “Congratulations to Charles today, he did a great job, especially considering the pressure Valtteri and I were putting on him. The Ferrari was very quick in a straight line, so it was difficult to stay close to them. I think it just wasn’t our day today, it’s always disappointing to follow another car so closely but not be able to take the lead. But in the end, we’re leaving Italy with more points in the Constructors’ Championship and ultimately that is what matters. I’m not looking to the next race thinking it will be easy for us; instead we’re going to go to the factory next week and go through the same process, looking for ways to improve our car, improve our processes over a race weekend, and I hope that I can do a better job in Singapore. I personally cherish this battle between Ferrari, Red Bull and us, so I want it to continue.”

Want to relive the Italian Grand Prix? You can read the race report here at the link: @Charles_Leclerc takes @ScuderiaFerrari to triumphant #ItalianGP victory. #F1