In the round-up: Esteban Ocon says drivers will face a challenge from being able to judge their gaps to the walls around the Jeddah Corniche Circuit due to the larger wheels on F1 cars this year.
In letter
Driver visibility at Jeddah will be “tricky” with 18 inch wheels, says Ocon
F1 tires have increased in height this year, from 690mm to 720mm, and the new rules have added bodywork over the top of them as well. Drivers have predicted this will make visibility a problem when F1 visits street circuits, as it will do for the first time this year on Friday.
Ocon said drivers may find it more difficult to judge how close they are to the walls. “It’s going to be tricky for sure,” Ocon explained in response to a question from RaceFans. “The first time we are going to be in real conditions and trying to get close to the rails it’s going to be a challenge, but we’re ready to take it.”
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix promoters previously announced changes to the circuit to improve sight lines for drivers.
Chadwick retained at Williams Driver Academy for 2022 season
Chadwick will continue with WilliamsTwo-time W Series champion Jamie Chadwick will continue with the Williams Driver Academy for the 2022 season, her fourth year with the programme.
Chadwick, who recently announced she would be returning to W Series for its third season after she was unable to secure a financial package to compete in either Formula 2 or FIA Formula 3, will continue a simulator program with the team this season.
“I’m delighted to continue working with the Williams team,” said Chadwick.
“I’ve had a lot of support from everyone there throughout the last three years and the simulator work I’ve done has been hugely valuable for my race preparation. I’m looking forward to continuing my program throughout the 2022 season and I know that the team will be cheering me on during my upcoming 2022 W Series campaign; I’m really proud to continue representing the Williams name on the grid.”
Williams also confirmed Jack Aitken will continue as his reserve driver. The Formula 2 race winner, who was injured in a GT crash at Spa last year, made a single start for the team in the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, standing in for George Russell.
Vettel debriefed with Aston Martin from quarantine – Krack
Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack says Sebastian Vettel took part in the team’s Bahrain Grand Prix debrief as he continued his recovery from Covid.
Vettel was forced to miss the season opening race after testing positive for the coronavirus, with Nico Hulkenber stepping in. Krack says that Vettel is still able to play a role in the team from quarantine.
“He was participating in the debrief now,” said Krack. “He was sounding less rough than he was sounding a couple of days ago. But we don’t know. We need to see how he goes for the next days. We hope he will be back soon.”
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social media
Notable posts from Twitter, Instagram and more:
No matter what is thrown at us, we will continue to do what we do best: push as hard as we can and never give up. Thanks for your incredible support, even in these tough situations. For now, we’re going to regroup, come back next week in Saudi and give it our best. cheers
— Zak Brown (@ZBrownCEO) March 21, 2022
Laura’s at the wheel! 
#HaasF1 #BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/qWuzFbmBV1
— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) March 21, 2022
Good hustling out there 
@HulkHulkenberg
— Lance Stroll (@lance_stroll) March 21, 2022
Left
Motor racing links of interest:
Five things we learned at the Bahrain Grand Prix (Williams)
“Alex was calm and collected throughout the race and he has had an excellent start to his Williams career. Qualifying and racing with a new team is never straightforward as there are so many procedures to learn and relationships to form. However, after solid simulator and winter testing programs, he was able to acquit himself very well all weekend.”
Honda just built the world’s most advanced wind tunnel in Ohio (Ars Technica)
“Despite the sport’s well-funded emphasis on air flow, F1 is no longer the last word in rolling road wind tunnels. Now that honor belongs to Honda Automotive Laboratories of Ohio, where a new $124 million, 192 mph (310 kph) facility is about to commence operations.”
This Alpine A4810 concept is powered by hydrogen (Top Gear)
“The Alpine A4810 concept is a two-seater berlinette with aerodynamics heavily influenced by Formula 1 and afternoons spent doodling through double maths.”
(Video) George Russell replies to fans on the internet (British GQ)
“On this episode of Actually Me, F1 racer George Russell goes undercover on the Internet and replies to real comments from fans on Twitter, Instagram, Quora, Wikipedia, Reddit, YouTube and TikTok.”
We always endeavor to credit original sources. If you have a tip for a link relating to single-seater motorsport to feature in the next RaceFans round-up please send it in via the contact form.
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Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday to Hamilton Wc 09, Juan Pablo Heidfeld, Shaneb457, Chris and Mike Shefford!
On this day in motorsport
Nigel Mansell won the last Mexican Grand Prix to feature the ‘full Peraltada’ today in 1992
