#TermiOnTrackF1 Monthly News – The latest from the world of #F1.

We’re back with TermiOnTrack F1 Monthly News! Let’s dive into the latest news from the world of Formula 1 in this February Edition.

 

TermiOnTrack F1 Monthly News – McLaren unveil their Mercedes-powered MCL35M

 

 

McLaren Racing have revealed their 2021 challenger, the Mercedes-powered MCL35M and their team driver line-up to a live global audience ahead of the 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship season.

 

Lando Norris, enters his third season in Formula 1 with the Woking-based squad, following his achievement of a breakthrough maiden podium in the 2020 campaign. In 2021, the Briton will be joined by seven-time Grand Prix winner Daniel Ricciardo, who joins from a two-season spell at Renault (Now Alpine F1 Team).

 

Last year, McLaren reached third place in the Formula 1 World Constructors Championship standings amid tough competition from a tight midfield, and the logistical challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

The rivalry between all ten teams is expected to intensify into the 2021 season as the technical regulations remain stable, further compressing competition between the outfits, and financial regulations come into force to provide a sustainable platform for the sport now and into the future.

 

Alongside it’s fresh driver live-up, the team released it’s new contender, the MCL35M, an evolution of it’s predecessor, the MCL35, which benefits from the aerodynamic and chassis developments made by the team throughout the winter. Alongside these developments, comes the introduction of the of a new power-train, supplied by Mercedes.

 

The Mercedes-AMG M12 E-Performance was blended into the design of the MCL35M racer by the team with the assistance of Mercedes High Performance Power-Trains and is one of the significant main changes to the car as part of it’s evolution into the MCL35M.

 

McLaren maintained it’s traditional papaya orange and blue, the popular colours first used by the team in the 1960’s, with team founder, Bruce McLaren.

 

Norris and RIcciardo will test drive the MCL35M for the first time today in as part of the team’s pre-season filming days.

 

The Woking-based outfit will make it’s first outing at the Bahrain International Circuit on March 12 for pre-season testing, with the team also returning to Sakhir for the season-opening Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2021 from March 26-28.

 

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TermiOnTrack F1 Monthly News – Hamilton extends deal with Mercedes for 2021

 

After waiting months and months, on February 8, Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes finally announced a new contract, with the seven-time world champion agreeing to sign a one-year deal with the Brackley-based squad for the 2021 campaign.

 

In what was a highly unusual situation, Hamilton entered the year without a contract set in stone to compete in 2021, though the Briton and Mercedes insisted that it would be when, not if, a deal would be locked in.

 

Time was a crucial factor, with interference from the coronavirus plague making it difficult to meet face-to-face, then both Hamilton and Mercedes putting talks off to focus on both championships and the former being hit with COVID-19, which delayed things further.

 

But finally, Hamilton and Mercedes chief Toto Wolff sorted the finer details of the contract, paving the way to announce the new deal, three weeks before the Anglo-German outfit unveil their 2021 contender.

 

Mercedes said a major part of the new agreement built upon the joint commitment to greater inclusion and diversity in motorsport, which was made both by the Brackley-based squad and the Briton last year. This will be in the form of a charitable foundation, and will have the mission of supporting greater diversity and inclusion in all forms of motorsport.

 

“I am excited to be heading into my ninth season with my Mercedes team mates,” explained Hamilton. “Our team has achieved incredible things together and we look forward to building on our success even further, while continuously looking to improve, both on and off the track,”

 

“I’m equally determined to continue the journey we started to make motorsport more diverse for future generations and I am grateful that Mercedes has been extremely supportive of my call to address this issue. I’m proud to say we are taking that effort further this year by launching a foundation dedicated to diversity and inclusion in the sport. I am inspired by all that we can build together and can’t wait to get back on the track in March.” Hamilton concluded.

 

Hamilton will team alongside Valtteri Bottas, whose one-year contract extension was announced last summer, for a fifth season with the Silver Arrows. 2021, however, will be Hamilton’s ninth season with Mercedes.

 

The confirmation of Hamilton’s deal means the grid is fully complete, with the Briton in the hunt for his record eighth World Driver’s Championship crown – and what would be his seventh in eight years.

 

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TermiOnTrack F1 Monthly News – F1 2021 Car Launch Dates

 

 

Team	Car name	Launch
Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team	Mercedes F1 W12	Tuesday March 2
Red Bull Racing	Red Bull RB16B	TBA
McLaren F1 Team	McLaren MCL35M	Monday February 15
Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team	TBA	Wednesday March 3
Alpine F1 Team	Alpine A521	TBA
Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow	Ferrari SF21	Wednesday March 10
Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda	AlphaTauri AT02	Friday February 19
Alfa Romeo Racing Orlen	Alfa Romeo C41	Monday February 22
Haas F1 Team	TBA	TBA
Williams Racing	Williams FW43B	Friday March 5

 

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TermiOnTrack – 2021 Formula 1 Grand Prix Start Times

 

 

The Formula 1 race start times were released with Grands Prix starting on the hour instead of ten minutes past, as was the case the past few years.

 

The 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship campaign begins with the Bahrain Grand Prix from March 26-28 with Friday’s opening practice session 1430 local time. Traditionally both FP1 and FP2 have been 90 minutes long, but from this season onwards they have been cut back to an hour each – the same as Saturday’s Free Practice 3 session.

 

The hour reduction in practice time will see teams forced to jam in more on-track running to get their cars’ setup in the sweet-spot for qualifying and the race.

 

Race Start Times

GRAND PRIX	DATE	Local Time	UTC
Bahrain Grand Prix	March 28	1800	1500
Italy – Imola	April 18	1500	1300
TBC**	May 2	TBC	TBC
Spanish Grand Prix	May 9	1500	1300
Monaco Grand Prix	May 23	1500	1300
Azerbaijan Grand Prix	June 6	1600	1200
Canadian Grand Prix	June 13	1400	1800
French Grand Prix	June 27	1500	1300
Austrian Grand Prix	July 4	1500	1300
British Grand Prix	July 18	1500	1400
Hungarian Grand Prix	August 1	1500	1300
Belgian Grand Prix	August 29	1500	1300
Dutch Grand Prix	September 5	1500	1300
Italian Grand Prix	September 12	1500	1300
Russian Grand Prix	September 26	1500	1200
Singapore Grand Prix	October 3	2000	1200
Japanese Grand Prix	October 10	1400	0500
United States Grand Prix	October 24	1400	1900
Mexican Grand Prix	October 31	1300	1900
Brazilian Grand Prix	November 7	1400	1700
Australian Grand Prix	November 21	1700	0600
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix	December 5	1900	1600
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix	December 12	1700	1300

** Portuguese Grand Prix final agreement still subject to contract with promoter.

https://www.formula1.com/content/dam/fom-website/manual/Misc/FIA-F1-2021-Start-Times.pdf

 

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TermiOnTrack F1 Monthly News – F1 Commission Meeting

 

 

On Thursday February 11, the first meeting of the Formula 1 Commission took place in an online format. The FIA and Formula One officials confirmed that talks were positive on several key topics relating to future, Sporting, Technical, and Financial regulations along with the future direction of the Power-Train regulations.

 

2021 Calendar

 

The group was updated on whom will fill the TBC slot on the 2021 FIA Formula 1 World Championship calendar. It is the sport’s intention to fill the vacant place with a race at Portimao in Portugal on the dates already locked in on the schedule. The final agreement is subject to contract with the promoter.

 

Robust COVID-19 protocols enabled the sport to run a 17 round calendar last season and will enable them to run a World Championship again in 2021. Whilst changing circumstances, which may require flexibility, the FIA and Formula One are working on all levels ranging from government to local organisation to ensure the calendar runs smoothly as planned.

 

Proposed Regulation Changes

 

The sport’s governing body, the FIA, following the request of Pirelli, proposed to increase the number of test days allocated from 25 days to 30 and took into account the consideration of the challenges of it’s program due to the move to 18 inch tyres and the coronavirus pandemic. This was approved unanimously.

 

Overview of Next-Gen F1 Car and Power-Unit Objectives and Anticipation to 2025

 Also, a vote on freezing Power-Unit development was undertaken during the meeting, which was agreed by all teams and engine suppliers. As such, engine development will be frozen from the start of the 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship season.

 

A high-level working group was established including current and potential new power-train suppliers and fuel suppliers.

 

The definition of the goals for the next generation of Formula 1 cars and power-trains are at the utmost importance to the FIA and the sport, along with the teams and engine suppliers, are all aligned together to achieve it’s main objectives – reducing costs and reaching carbon neutrality.

 

The Main Objectives for the 2025 Power-Trains Are:

• Environmental Sustainability, social and automotive relevance.
• Fully sustainable fuel.
• Creating a powerful and emotive power-train.
• Significant cost reduction.
• Attractiveness to new engine suppliers.

 

Environmental Accreditation

 

The FIA gave praise to the sport and several teams that achieved the highest level of FIA Environmental Accreditation. This was discussed during the meeting, with a path outlined for all outfits to reach the highest level of Accreditation over the years ahead, with this objective being added to the Sporting Regulations.

 

Cost Control

 

With 2021 seeing the introduction of a cost-cap for the first time in the history of the sport, various topics on controlling costs and hot it can be achieved in the coming years were tabled during the Commission.

 

A working group will be established, which includes the drivers and teams – to discuss the topic of driver and senior team management contracts.

 

Race Weekend Formats

 

All teams recognised the major goals of engaging and attracting new fans to the sport of Formula 1 with innovative ways to ensure an exciting Grand Prix weekend. There was, some support from all parties present at the meeting for a new qualifying format at some races, with a working group being set to make a plan with the aim of reaching a final decision before the start of the 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship campaign.

 

All regulatory changes are subject to approval from the World Motor Sport Council.

 

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TermiOnTrack F1 Monthly News – Alonso discharged from Hospital

 

 

Just four days after a road cycling accident left Alpine F1 Team driver Fernando Alonso in hospital, the Spaniard has been discharged and can continue his recovery at home, the team said.

 

The double World Champion – who returns to the sport racing for Alpine in the 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship season, was involved in a accident whilst cycling in Switzerland on February 11.

 

The Spaniard underwent surgery for a jaw fracture, after where he remained in hospital for observation.

 

On Monday in a statement by the team, it was announced that Alonso had been discharged from hospital after a 48-hour observation period.

 

Alpine F1 Team Statement pic.twitter.com/B4v0SETlHy

— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) February 15, 2021

 

The team said last Friday that Alonso will be fully fit ahead of the new season, while the Spaniard himself posted that he was “ok and looking forward to getting the campaign underway” via Twitter.

 

Alpine F1 Team will reveal their new challenger, the Alpine A521 – soon, after unveiling their interim livery in January.

 

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TermiOnTrack F1 Monthly News – Red Bull agree to run Honda power-unit technology until 2025

 

 

Following Honda’s decision to leave Formula One as power-unit supplier at the end of the 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship season, Red Bull Racing reached an agreement with Honda Motor Company Ltd. to use Honda Formula 1 power-train technology from the beginning of the 2022 campaign.

 

This announcement comes after the FIA’s introduction of a power-unit development freeze, which will take effect from the start of next season. The Red Bull Racing/Honda agreement covers the duration of the development freeze, allowing the use of Honda power-train technology in both Red Bull Racing and sister-outfit, Scuderia AlphaTauri’s cars until the new generation of power-units will be brought in for 2025.

 

A new company named Red Bull Power-Trains Limited has been established in order to run the project. This division will be housed and operated from the team’s home-base on the Red Bull Technology Campus in Milton Keynes.

 

Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner explained:

 

“This agreement represents a significant step for Red Bull in its Formula One journey. We were understandably disappointed when Honda made the decision to leave the sport as an engine manufacturer, as our relationship yielded immediate success, but we are grateful for their support in facilitating this new agreement. Honda has invested significantly in hybrid technology to ensure the supply of competitive power units to both teams. We now begin the work of bringing the power unit division in-house and integrating the new facilities and personnel into our Technology Campus. In the meantime, we are fully focused on achieving the best possible results in what will be Honda’s final season as an official power unit supplier.”

 

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#F1Newsbites – January 2021 Edition featuring @AlpineF1Team and more. #F1