F1 driver George Russell’s message to Williams after Mercedes move
The 2022 F1 season is creeping up on us with car launches and practice next up in the weeks ahead after an exhilarating season battled out between world champion Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
The Briton is yet to confirm his status for the upcoming season with Mercedes, as George Russell prepares to team up with the seven-time world champion after succeeding Valtteri Bottas, who left the Silver Arrows after five seasons to join Alfa Romeo.
Under the radar Verstappen’s long-term future is high on Red Bull’s to-do list, with the Belgian-Dutch driver’s salary demands likely to rocket after claiming his maiden world title.
But there is also uncertainty surrounding the future of race director Michael Masi, whose decisions in Abu Dhabi will be debated for many years to come, and his status in the sport may influence Hamilton’s decision to return. Opinions are divided, with Karun Chandhok claiming Masi was “screwed over”: “I think what happened was Latifi crashed and Masi had a choice, at that point you do a Safety Car or red flag. He looked at the incident and thought, ‘that should be relatively quick to clear up’. I think where he got a bit screwed over really is that the brakes caught fire on the car as they were trying to take it off the track.
Here’s the very latest news as the new season prepares for the opening weekend in Bahrain on 20 March. Follow all the F1 news updates below:
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Haas F1 Team react to new car unveiling
“This is probably the most complex project the Uralkali Haas F1 Team has dealt with to-date for many reasons,” Simone Resta, Technical Director of Uralkali Haas F1 Team, said. “It’s a completely new set of regulations and this season we’ve brought in a new team to manage the creation of the VF-22.
“Not everyone is new but a good chunk of people have joined with a revised structure now in place. I consider this as a great success in the process.
“We’re still early in the project and going through a transitional season of working together on a car for a full year, but if we look back where we started, this team is already a success.”
Jack Rathborn4 February 2022 12:40
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Haas F1 Team react to new car unveiling
“It’s exciting to be at the point where we know the VF-22 will be on-track shortly,” said Guenther Steiner, Team Principal – Uralkali Haas F1 Team.
“We all know what the team is capable of, we’ve proved that in the past, and with this new car – born out of a completely new set of regulations and with our new design team in place, I’m confident we can showcase once again that we can compete on weekends.
“It’s been a tremendous effort by everyone involved and now comes the fun part of getting the new car to the circuit and dialing in all the elements. Last season was a long one but I’m confident that 2022 will see us back in the mix with the VF-22.”
Jack Rathborn4 February 2022 12:30
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Haas F1 Team react to new car unveiling
VF-22 Gene Haas, Founder of Haas Automation and Chairman of Uralkali Haas F1 Team, said: “It’s that time of year where you’re naturally optimistic that the hard work and effort of everyone will translate to a competitive entry on track.
“We made the decision back in 2020 to really channel time and resources into the VF-22, before doing anything track-related for 2021 – which wasn’t easy to watch. Hopefully that decision bears fruit and we return to challenging for points and taking something from the weekends.”
Jack Rathborn4 February 2022 12:20
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Haas F1 Team become first team to reveal new car images
Jack Rathborn4 February 2022 12:14
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Valtteri Bottas labeled a ‘loser’ at overtaking by Red Bull chief Helmut Marko
In contrast, Bottas was stuck in the midfield throughout the race and had little impact on Hamilton’s bid to win in Abu Dhabi.
Jack Rathborn4 February 2022 11:20
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Felipe Massa ‘not surprised’ by Ferrari’s downfall in Formula One
Ferrari had their worst season for 40 years in 2020 but they improved upon that in the 2021 campaign with drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. But Massa says Ferrari’s problems are down to the car, not the drivers.
“That didn’t surprise me,” he told Spanish daily AS. “Ferrari’s best years were with [Michael] Schumacher, then 2006, 2007, 2008.
Jack Rathborn4 February 2022 11:05
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Why Max Verstappen won’t appear in Drive to Survive season 4
The new season of Drive to Survive will be released soon but Red Bull driver Max Verstappen will not be part of it.
Netflix bosses will focus on the pair who headed into the final race of the season on equal points to set up a thrilling end to the campaign in Abu Dhabi.
Jack Rathborn4 February 2022 10:50
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George Russell enjoys ‘eye-opening’ first trip to Mercedes after F1 switch
George Russell has described his visit to the Mercedes Formula 1 factory as an “eye-opening” experience as he prepares for his first season with the team.
The British driver has joined the German manufacturers from Williams, replacing Valtteri Bottas.
With three weeks to go until the first round of testing in Barcelona, Russell has visited Mercedes’ F1 manufacturing hub at Brixworth in Northamptonshire, along with the outfit’s headquarters in Brackley.
And the 23-year-old was glad to see the inner workings of the team that has helped Mercedes to eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships.
Jack Rathborn4 February 2022 10:35
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Lewis Hamilton faces ’emotional’ test in F1 return ‘to climb back up the mountain’
Lewis Hamilton will find it difficult to continue in Formula One if his Mercedes car is not competitive next season, according to two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen.
Hamilton’s future in the sport remains in doubt following the controversial end to last season which saw the 37-year-old miss out on a record-breaking eighth world championship to Max Verstappen on the final lap of the year.
With Mercedes unveiling their new car this month ahead of the first round of pre-season testing, Hamilton is still to break his silence following the end to last campaign, with his only quotes coming through a team press release.
Jack Rathborn4 February 2022 10:20
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Haas 2022 car launch countdown
Jack Rathborn4 February 2022 10:06
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https://formulaone.news/haas/aston-martin-partners-aramco-and-other-f1-sponsorship-news
