#TermiOnTrack #F1 Monthly News.

We’re back with a new feature TermiOnTrack F1 Monthly News, let’s take a look at what has happened in the paddock this month.

Tuscan GP Rewind – Hamilton wins chaotic race

Lewis Hamilton clinched his 90^th-career victory in a hectic Tuscan GP, which was interrupted by two red flags and three safety cars.

The Briton finished ahead of Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas and Red Bull Racing’s Alexander Albon who claimed his maiden podium in a race that saw only 12 cars finish.

Despite losing the lead at the start of the Grand Prix, Hamilton managed to grab the place back from Bottas following the first red flag and kept calm to take his sixth victory of the season.

Hamilton extended his World Driver’s Championship lead to 55 points with eight races remaining, after pinching the fastest lap bonus point in the closing stages. You can read the full report at the link: https://termiontrack.com/race-report-hamilton-claims-victory-in-chaotic-tuscan-gp-f1/

Official: Vettel joins Aston Martin Racing from 2021 onwards

Last week before the Tuscan Grand Prix, it was announced that four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel will be joining Aston Martin Racing for 2021 and beyond.

The signing of Vettel is a statement of the Silverstone-squad’s ambition to establish itself as one of the most competitive names in the sport of Formula 1.

Four-time world champion Vettel brings a fresh mindset to the outfit as he is one of the most accomplished and respected drivers in the motorsport world and knows how to win at the highest level.

The German is a 53-time Grand Prix winner, third on the all-time list and a further 67 podiums to his name.

He has started on the front row 101 times throughout his career with 57 pole positions.

Having scored four consecutive World Driver’s Championships from 2010-13 and 14 victories with Ferrari since joining the Maranello marque in 2015, Vettel’s experience and leadership abilities makes him the perfect driver to help Aston Martin Racing achieve it’s ambitions.

“Everybody at Silverstone is hugely excited by this news,” explained BWT Racing Point F1 Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer. “Sebastian is a proven champion and brings a winning mentality that matches our own ambitions for the future as Aston Martin F1 Team.”

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“On a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, Sebastian is one of the best in the world, and I can’t think of a better driver to help take us into this new era. He will play a significant role in taking this team to the next level.” Szafnauer concluded. Credit to Racing Point for the quote. https://www.racingpointf1.com/news/announcement-sebastian-vettel-signs-up-for-2021-and-beyond-bwt-racing-point-f1-team

Vettel added:

“I am pleased to finally share this exciting news about my future. I’m extremely proud to say that I will become an Aston Martin driver in 2021. It’s a new adventure for me with a truly legendary car company. I have been impressed with the results the team has achieved this year and I believe the future looks even brighter.”

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“The energy and commitment of Lawrence [Stroll] to the sport is inspiring and I believe we can build something very special together. I still have so much love for Formula 1 and my only motivation is to race at the front of the grid. To do so with Aston Martin will be a huge privilege.” Vettel concluded. Credit to Racing Point for the quote.

Perez: “Nobody told me anything”

Sergio Perez was left shocked that he would be leaving BWT Racing Point F1 Team at the end of the 2020 season after receiving the confirmation of his departure last Wednesday and now has to think about where his next destination would be.

“I got a call from Lawrence [Stroll, team owner], he called me yesterday – that they were going into another direction… nobody told me anything [before that] but I already knew and figured out a couple of things and the final confirmation came yesterday,” Perez said. “Seven years with the team and… everything has a beginning and also an end, and we still have nine races to make each other very proud.”

The Mexican joined Force India from McLaren in 2014 and scored five podiums with the team now known as BWT Racing Point F1 Team, finishing in the top ten in the championship in every season with the Silverstone-squad.

But after it was confirmed that Sebastian Vettel would be joining the team in 2021, Perez said he was surprised to be leaving after receiving strong feedback from the Silverstone based-outfit that his long-term deal – which he signed only last season, would be fulfilled.

“Yeah there was feedback that I was getting, that everything was looking that the team wanted me, to keep me, and so on,” Perez continued. “There were some discussions in the background about contracts and so on that I am not willing to disclose… but there were a couple of things in the contract that we went through and in the end they officially told me yesterday that I am not continuing. I didn’t expect that, but it is how it is.”

Perez thought he would be staying with the outfit that will become Aston Martin Racing next season and did not give any thought about a plan B by signing with another team.

“Probably a bit more clarity would have helped regarding my future as well because I would’ve looked for a Plan B,” the Mexican added. “I mean I’ve been long enough in this business, it’s part of this crazy world called F1.” Perez concluded.

Ferrari bringing upgrades to Sochi for Russian GP

Ferrari’s 1000th Grand Prix saw the Maranello-marque score with both cars their third double-points finish of the 2020 season.

As the Formula One circus heads to Russia this weekend, the Scuderia are looking to bring new upgraded parts to their struggling SF1000 racers – though Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto warned it would not have any impact on the car’s drawbacks.

“There will be small upgrades, but this will not change the big picture,” Binotto explained. “I think we are at the moment out of pace in the race, and we are somehow wearing too much the tyres. So the upgrades will not be the ones that address it. I think on our side we need to review the projects, with the view of 2021. I think it will take some more time to do it.”

Ferrari’s attempt to push back to the front of the field is made somewhat more of a challenge with the 2020 chassis carrying over into the 2021 campaign – a regulation introduced this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Binotto stated back in April that while he supported the decision, he expected it to hurt the Scuderia, though the Italian said that the team would have at least a new power-train for next year, with the Prancing Horse’s lack of power it’s achilles heel this season.

Ferrari finished third at the Russian Grand Prix last year with Charles Leclerc, despite claiming pole position and third on the grid and leading for 25 laps.

The team scored two podiums this campaign, courtesy of Leclerc – but have not finished higher than seventh in the last four Grands Prix.

Renault to be re-branded as Alpine F1 Team in 2021

Renault F1 Team have chosen to re-brand it’s name to Alpine F1 Team from 2021 onwards and opted to put the colours of French excellence at the heart of Formula One.

Already recognised for it’s success in endurance and rallying, Alpine naturally finds it’s place in the high standards, prestige and performance of F1.

Alpine brands itself as a symbol of agility, elegance and sporting prowess, which will be designated to the chassis and pay tribute to it’s A110 sportscar.

For Alpine, Formula One is a key step to speed up the development and influence of the brand.

The team’s power-train will continue to benefit from Groupe Renault’s expertise in hybrid engines and it’s e-Tech name would be retained.

After the signing of the Concorde Agreements, budget capping and implementation of the new rules and regulations from the 2022 FIA Formula 1 World Championship onwards, confirms the outfit’s push to return to the podium and win under it’s new branding and colours.

“Alpine is a beautiful brand, powerful and vibrant, that brings a smile to the faces of its followers,” explained C.E.O of Groupe Renault, Luca De Meo. “By introducing Alpine, a symbol of French excellence, to the most prestigious of the world’s automotive disciplines, we are continuing the adventure of manufacturers in a renewed sport.”

 

“We are bringing a dream brand alongside the biggest names, for spectacular car races made and followed by enthusiasts. Alpine will also bring its values to the F1 paddock: elegance, ingenuity and audacity.” De Meo concluded.

Renault F1 Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul added:

“This change comes at a key moment in the trajectory of the team and the sport. Alpine brings a new meaning, new values and colours to the paddock with the spirit of competition from other worlds and French creative agility. These will be assets in the preparation of 2022 deadlines. The new regulatory and financial framework will establish the conditions for a fairer motor sport in its redistribution of revenues; simpler and progressive in its governance. The implementation of the “budget cap” will put an end to the expense race and will allow the signatory teams to be measured for their sporting value. Alpine has its place in Formula 1 and can challenge for victory.” Credit to Renault Sport for the quotes.

The newly-branded Alpine F1 Team will have two-time Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso partnering Esteban Ocon.

#TuscanGP Qualifying Report: @LewisHamilton claims 95th-career pole. #F1

#TuscanGP FP2 Report: @ValtteriBottas leads @LewisHamilton in @MercedesAMGF1 one-two. #F1

#TuscanGP FP1 Report: @ValtteriBottas quickest ahead of @Max33Verstappen. #F1