TermiOnTrack #Formula1 News – Round-up of the latest. #F1

We are back with TermiOnTrack Formula 1 News, after a bit of a break, we take a look at the round-up of the latest in the world of F1.

TermiOnTrack Formula 1 News – WMSC approve changes to F1 2020, 21 and 22 regulations

The World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) have approved further changes to the FIA Formula One World Championship’s Sporting, Technical and Financial regulations via e-vote mainly due to the ongoing need to reduce costs and safeguard the sport in the midst of the current coronavirus pandemic.

After the initial agreement to postpone it’s 2021 technical regulations to 2022 (approved back on March 30), further revisions of the 2020, 21 and 22 Sporting, Technical and Financial regulations have been made, receiving unanimous support amongst the ten Formula 1 teams and were rubber stamped by the WMSC.

The summary of the raft of changes are as follows:

Technical Regulations:

• Freezing of a large list of components between 2020 and 2021. The list includes the chassis, gearbox, a number of mechanical components and impact structures. A token system has been devised to permit a very limited number of modifications in accordance to the competitors’ specific needs.
• From 2020, limitations to Power Unit upgrades.
• For 2021, changes to the plan-view trim and simplification of the floor ahead of the rear tyres in order to moderate the increase of downforce between 2020 and 2021.
• For 2021, minimum mass increase to 749kg.

Sporting Regulations:

• For 2020, provisions for “closed” and “open” events and the relevant regulatory structure for each (e.g. personnel at the paddock), depending on whether such events permit spectators.
• For 2020, various updates relating to tyre regulations, with provisions to allow for tyre testing during Free Practice 2 should it be necessary to approve a new tyre specification by Pirelli and the extended use of P140 tyres in the case of a wet Free Practice 1 session.
• For 2020, a reduction in aerodynamic testing (ATR) and the introduction of Power Unit test bench restrictions for cost reasons.
• For 2021, a further reduction in aerodynamic testing, and the introduction of a bias between championship position and ATR limitations. The ATR bias will be linear between P1 and P10.
• For 2022, a number of key specific aspects of the regulations have been set out, including curfews, restricted number components (RNCs), scrutineering, and parc fermé prescriptions. These regulations work as a package together with the 2022 Technical Regulations that were approved by the World Council on 30 March 2020 and will be part of an ongoing review and refinement process throughout 2020 and 2021.

2021 Financial Regulations:

• Reduction of the Cost Cap level to $145M for 2021, $140M for 2022 and $135M for 2023-2025, based on a 21-Competition season.
• The following amendments/additions will be made to the exclusions currently provided for in the Financial Regulations:

1. Increase of Year-End Bonus exclusion cap for exceptional sporting results from $10M to $12M and Social Charges for Year-End Bonus.
2. Threshold for calculation of exclusion for Social Charges on Salary paid to staff lowered from 15% to 13.8%.
3. Costs incurred for staff entertainment (capped at $1M).
4. Wellbeing of employees: exclusion of costs incurred for medical programs (e.g. vaccination, eye tests, hearing tests) made available to all relevant employees.
5. Sustainability costs incurred for environmental initiatives.
6. Maternity/paternity/shared parental/adoption leave, exclusion for Salary costs.
7. Sick leave and long term sick leave: exclusion for Salary costs.
8. Projects undertaken to assist the FIA.

• Concurrently with these regulation changes, the Notional Values for Transferable Components (TRCs) have been defined by the FIA for 2021, which is of increased importance considering the reduced Cost Cap level. It has been reaffirmed that the concept of the Notional Values (subject to their correct and fair setting), achieves the following:

1. Enables smaller teams to avoid the necessity to establish and maintain a capability to design, develop and manufacture the parts that have been designated as TRCs (Transferable Components)
2. Prevents project “flipping” (a small team supplying a big one to circumvent the Cost Cap restrictions).
3. Enables small teams to make genuine savings.

Credit to the FIA: https://www.fia.com/news/world-motor-sport-council-approves-changes-2020-2021-and-2022-fia-formula-1-regulations

The cost cap was already agreed to by the teams, Formula 1 and the FIA, but after Wednesday’s e-vote, the cap for 2021 will be lowered from the original $175 million per year to $145 million, with further reductions in the years that follow.

The new reduced budget cap were brought in due to the result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed the start of the FIA 2020 Formula 1 World Championship season, which has made a significant impact on the finances of all the teams.

The other huge announcement in the amendments were a brand new sliding scale for aerodynamic development, which will be introduced next season.

In the agreement, the lowest a team finishes in the World Constructors Championship, the more time that outfit will be allowed to use the wind tunnel to develop their car the following campaign.

It is hoped we will see the field tighten up to produce closer racing and prevent the bigger teams from gaining a huge advantage over those with lesser resources.

The FIA also approved to limit downforce on the cars in 2021 with key parts – such as chassis and suspension – staying frozen from 2020-21 – meaning teams will have to cut part of the floor to reduce downforce created, mostly so a newer tyre compound would not be needed for next season, before a switch to 18 inch rubber in 2022.

Dutch GP organisers confirm race will not be held

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, organisers of the Dutch Grand Prix have confirmed their returning Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix has been postponed until 2021.

The organisation of the Dutch Grand Prix who underwent ongoing discussions with Formula 1 officials, concluded that it would be no longer possible to hold a race with fans present this season – meaning it’s return to the sport will now take place next campaign.

Dutch Grand Prix Sporting Director Jans Lammer stated the following:  “We were completely ready for this first race and we still are. An unbelievable achievement has been made thanks to all the fans, the companies and the governments involved. We and  Formula 1 have investigated the potential to hold a rescheduled race this year  without spectators, but we would like to celebrate this moment, the return of Formula 1 in Zandvoort, together with our racing fans in the Netherlands. We ask everyone to be patient. I had to look forward to it for 35 years, so I can wait another year”. Credit to Dutch GP for the quote. https://dutchgp.com/en/first-formula1-heineken-dutch-grand-prix-officially-postponed-to-2021/

Organisers have made clear that any fans who purchased tickets for the 2020 race would be able to use them when it takes place in 2021 – while refunds are still available.

The tight and winding Zandvoort circuit, which was massively reworked for it’s return to the Formula 1 calendar, underwent changes with a number of corners being banked to better accommodate the speeds of modern Grand Prix cars.

But although home favourite and Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen and the entire Formula 1 grid will have to wait another year for the Dutch Grand Prix, they can at least become more familiar with the track on Formula 1’s Official 2020 game made by Codemasters.

McLaren Group made 1,200 staff redundant as brand undergoes restructure

McLaren Group are set to make 1,200 staff redundant in a move widespread across their technology, automotive and racing departments as the brand restructures due to the ongoing coronavirus plague and the budget cap implementation in Formula 1 from 2021 onwards.

Half of the Formula 1 grid have placed it’s staff on furlough because of COVID-19, with teams also shutting their factories down in a mandatory shutdown, as part of the sport’s strategy to reduce costs until the 2020 campaign can finally get underway.

The budget cap has been officially set at $145 million (rubber stamped on Wednesday) by the World Motor Sport Council, which means some teams would have to restructure their businesses to comply.

McLaren stated on Tuesday:

Due to the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the new Formula 1 cost cap to be introduced for the 2021 season, luxury automotive, motorsport and technology company McLaren Group has commenced a proposed restructure programme as part of a wider business plan to ensure its long-term future success.

 

“Subject to employee consultation, the proposed restructure is expected to result in around 1,200 redundancies across the Group’s Applied, Automotive, and Racing businesses, as well as support and back office functions.”

 

Regarding the figure of around 1,200, it is understood approximately 70 of those will be from the Formula 1 side of the business, but discussions are ongoing and details are yet to be finalised. Credit to McLaren for the quote.

TermiOnTrack Formula 1 News – Ferrari Driver Academy partner with Motorsport Australia

Ferrari Driver Academy and Motorsport Australia have agreed to establish an Asia-Pacific base in Sydney, Australia.

The FDA will soon be part of the new Motorsport Australia Centre of Excellence at Sydney Motorsport Park where aspiring Formula 1 drivers will have a great opportunity to become part of Scuderia Ferrari’s global driver development program.

Plans for the new facility are well underway for it’s construction to begin in the months ahead.

The Australian-based zone of the Ferrari Driver Academy will be the FDA’s Asia Pacific/Oceanian selection zone, encompassing a big amount of countries.

Motorsport Australia President Andrew Papadopoulos said the agreement with Formula 1’s most prestigious outfit would give drivers in our region of the world, particularly those in Australia, an exciting opportunity to join Ferrari’s Driver Academy development pathway.

“Our up-and-coming open wheel drivers will now have an even better opportunity to be part of the Formula 1 system at an early age,” explained Papadopoulos. “Australians have proven throughout history that they can compete with the best in the world – and ultimately we believe this program will help us find the next Daniel Ricciardo or Mark Webber, and hopefully the next Australian FIA Formula 1 World Champion.”

“Ferrari has a proud and wonderful history in motorsport and are arguably the team most young drivers aspire to be a part of. We are delighted to be partnering with FDA and look forward to developing a strong relationship between our two organisations.”

“We can also confirm we will be making use of our existing Formula 4 cars here in Australia for this program for development and assessment purposes, given the ultimate prize is a Formula 4 drive in a European Championship with FDA.”

“This partnership with Ferrari Driver Academy is a historic moment for Motorsport Australia and certainly a significant boost to the development opportunities that exist here in Australia.” Papadopoulos concluded. Credit to Motorsport Australia for the quote. https://motorsport.org.au/media/news/detail/2020/05/28/ferrari-driver-academy-comes-to-australia

Ferrari’s Head of Driver Academy Laurent Mekies added:

“Today’s signing with Motorsport Australia, after the partnerships already established with the Italian Motoring Federation ACI and with Karting world powerhouse TonyKart, is a key step forward in our Scouting Strategy in order to ensure that we continue to secure the best talent of the future.”

 

“We have a long standing relationship with our friends at Motorsport Australia, and we trust that together we will build a fantastic selection program for the region that will inspire and attract many young drivers.” Mekies concluded.

Motorsport Australia will be running initial stages of the development program in Australia each year, with drivers aged 14-17 allowed to take part.

Drivers from the countries named below are eligible to participate, but will need to travel to Australia at their own costs to enter in any assessments.

The best drivers selected from the initial group will then be able to progress to the next stages of the development program, where the Ferrari Driver Academy and Motorsport Australia will meet together to determine the top two talents from the Asian-Pacific-Oceanian region.

Those top two drivers would then be invited to Ferrari’s La Pista Di Fiorano circuit in Italy, where they will compete with the best drivers from all regions around the world.

The winning driver from the various academies will be awarded a race seat in the FDA in a European Formula 4 Championship.

Countries that are eligible to partake in the Oceania Ferrari Driver Academy based in Australia are: Australia, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Philippines, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and China.

Former Ferrari Head of Simulator Development Tortora joins Mercedes as Deputy Chief Designer

Former Ferrari Head of Simulator Development Giacomo Tortora will be operating as Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport Formula 1 Team’s Chief Deputy Designer.

Tortora was let go by the Maranello marque over a year ago after last year’s Monaco Grand Prix where he had been placed in the “freezer” of Racing Department where he remained without duties until he opted to leave and join the Brackley-based outfit.

The ex-Ferrari head of simulator development was wanted by James Allison, in an ever-growing list of engineers who have left the Scuderia.

From July 1, the Italian Technician will begin his new adventure in Brackley as deputy chief designer, joining the six-time consecutive World Driver’s and Constructors Champions since the 1.6L V6 Turbocharged-Hybrid era began in 2014, extending the list of engineers who have left the Prancing Horse and joined the Silver Arrows.

Tortora was wanted by Allison, Mercedes’ Technical Director in the staff of boss Toto Wolff, as the Englishman had the opportunity to appreciate the Italian during their time together at Ferrari and Allison persuaded Tortora who’s stint lasted eight years at the Maranello-based outfit, where he came from McLaren due to Pat Fry’s interest in him.

Tortora is yet another Scuderia engineer who walks out from the Sport’s Management after receiving an offer from Mercedes.

After an eight-year long journey in Maranello, the technician who was working on simulator development found a new home in Brackley where he will take up a much important role, becoming one of the main engineers of John Owens, chief designer of the Silver Arrows.

Tortora’s name adds onto the list of big names who departed Ferrari to join Mercedes, which started with Aldo Costa then Allison and chief engine designer Lorenzo Sassi.

These talented technicians who fell out of favour with the Scuderia to join the dominant Silver Arrows whom have great team chemistry and structure within all departments, while not many have moved the other way.

Official: @CarlosSainz55 will drive for @ScuderiaFerrari on a two-year deal. #F1

Official: @McLarenF1 announce the signing of @danielricciardo for 2021. #F1

Official: #Vettel to leave @ScuderiaFerrari at the end of 2020 season. #F1

TermiOnTrack #F1 News – Round up of the latest. #Formula1