2020 F1 News and Prediction Tournament

[pharvey]

This "quarantine" is ridiculous IMO - a) Why bring it in at this late stage? b) How in God's name can it possibly be policed?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/52723200

British Grand Prix: no F1 Race Without Quarantine Exemptions

"Formula 1 says it would be unable to hold a British Grand Prix if personnel are not given exemptions from plans to quarantine international travellers.

The UK government will "soon" impose a requirement on all arrivals from abroad to self-isolate for 14 days.

An F1 spokesman said: "A 14-day quarantine would make it impossible to have a British Grand Prix this year.

"Additionally, it has a major impact on literally tens of thousands of jobs linked to F1 and supply chains."

A spokesman for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport said no decisions on exemptions had yet been reached.

F1 has drawn up plans to ensure its races are coronavirus-safe as much as possible.

Teams will be kept apart from each other at the tracks, and stay in separate hotels, to which they will be driven in buses. In addition, all personnel would be tested before travelling and every two days while at the races."

[pharvey]

Taken From: - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/52723209

Formula 1 Teams Agree Cost-cutting Package

"Formula 1 teams have agreed to a package of cost-cutting changes to help the sport ride out the coronavirus pandemic, BBC Sport can reveal.

Teams voted to accept a plan to lower the budget cap to be introduced next year by $30m to $145m (£114m).

This will be reduced again to $140m in 2022 and $135m for the period 2023-25.

This is one of a series of measures aimed at reducing costs and levelling the field, including a research-and-development handicap system.

The package still needs to be officially approved by F1's legislative body, the world motorsport council of governing body the FIA. Its vote will take place next week and is expected to be a formality."

[Nereus]

F1 season to open in Austria after government backs Spielberg double act

https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/19268 ... t#cxrecs_s

VIENNA - Formula One's truncated coronavirus-hit season will finally get underway with the Austrian Grand Prix on July 5, the Austrian government announced on Saturday.

The Spielberg circuit has also been given the green light to stage a second race the following weekend.

"The two Formula One races on July 5 and 12 at Spielberg will be staged without spectators," announced Austrian Health Minister Rudolf Anschober.

He said that the two races had been approved after F1 organisers "had presented a complete and professional plan" to combat the spread of COVID-19.

The F1 season was thrown into chaos with the cancellation of the traditional curtain-raising Australian Grand Prix in March only hours before practice was due to begin.

Melbourne was one of 10 races either cancelled or postponed, yet F1 boss Chase Carey believes a 15-18 race season is still possible.

But Silverstone's hopes of also staging back-to-back races after Austria are in the balance after the British government insisted that all arrivals in the country undergo a two-week quarantine period.

Anschober added a caveat to Saturday's statement, insisting the season's belated restart would only go ahead if all the health assurances made by F1 were fulfilled.

"In addition to strict hygiene measures the plan also involves regular testing and health check-ups for teams and all the other employees," he said.

"The crucial element will be the close coordination between the organisers and the regional and local health authorities"," he added.

Its remote location made the Red Bull Ring circuit a "logical" location to stage the season's first two races, F1 managing director Ross Brawn said this month.

With a local airport, the races can be held in an isolated environment, essential in the fight against the pandemic that has killed less than 700 people in Austria, and more than 364,000 worldwide.

- 'Austria fits the bill' -

"One of the logistical challenges is getting everyone tested and cleared to enter the racing environment," Brawn explained in an F1 Nation podcast.

"Once we do that, it's very attractive to keep everyone in that environment, within that biosphere that we want to create, for another race.

"Austria fits that bill very well. It has a local airport right next to the circuit, where people can charter planes into. It's not too close to a metropolis."

The 2020 F1 season was to have featured a record 22 races, now it is set to be one of the shortest campaigns for over a decade.

Carey outlined the blueprint for the rehashed season this month, involving additional European races through the traditional August break.

"We will then plan to race in Asia and the Americas in September, October, November before finishing in the Gulf in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi in December," he said.

He added: "We expect the early part of the calendar to be races without fans, but we hope to be able to allow fans to attend in the latter part of the year."

F1's tentative emergence from coronavirus lockdown follows the path trodden cautiously by other sports.

Germany's Bundesliga became the first of Europe's top football leagues to return this month with Spain's La Liga, Italy's Serie A and England's Premier League kick-starting their interrupted seasons over the next few weeks.

While there may have been no racing up to now there has been plenty going on behind the scenes, with Carlos Sainz replacing Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari for 2021 and Daniel Ricciardo joining McLaren.

Given the massive financial hit teams have taken and the worry that some might go bust, the proposed all-new technical landscape due to be implemented next season has been pushed back to 2022.

And a spending cap of $145 million has been introduced for next year in an attempt to stem the bleeding, with teams like McLaren making significant job cuts.

One man itching for the season to begin is Lewis Hamilton, who is hoping to equal Michael Schumacher's record of seven world titles.

[pharvey]

I thought this idea had been binned - looks like it's back for discussion.....

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/ ... opposition

F1 Plan for Qualifying Race With Reverse Grid Faces Mercedes Opposition

"Formula One is looking at using a reversed grid qualifying session as part of a new format for racing’s resumption this season. Formula One Group has already discussed the proposal with the teams and the governing body, the FIA, and it is understood it has broad support but that the world champions, Mercedes, oppose the concept. A formal vote and decision will be made early this week.

F1’s proposal is specifically targeted at events where one circuit would host two races. The sport is expected to announce the European leg of its rescheduled calendar on Monday. It will open with two back-to-back races at the Red Bull Ring in Austria and is also set to include two races at Silverstone, subject to coronavirus restrictions.

The intent is to enliven interest in the second race taking place within seven days at the same venue, with broadcasters understood to be concerned at a potential drop in interest in identical races. The format would feature a standard race weekend for the first meeting. On the following Saturday a 30-minute race with a grid ordered in reverse championship standings would be held to decide qualifying positions for the second race.

F1 believes the concept would distinguish the second race from the first and is likely to present a far more varied grid. A detailed proposal has been sent to team principals. For it to be adopted all 10 teams would have to agree and they will vote this week. A majority including Ferrari are believed to support it."

[pharvey]

Breaking: - Formula 1 Season to Start With Eight Races in Europe

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/52883244

[PeteC]

Hamilton sounded so pissed off about current racial issues I wouldn't be shocked if he just didn't show up this season. His words yesterday were that of a disgusted man.

[pharvey]

Hamilton sounded so pissed off about current racial issues I wouldn't be shocked if he just didn't show up this season. His words yesterday were that of a disgusted man.

Certainly not a happy man that's for sure. Good to see several other drivers coming out in support.

[PeteC]

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[pharvey]

15 - 18 races this year? That's got to be a tough ask.....

Full Article: - https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/ ... otor-sport

Japanese, Singapore and Azerbaijan GPs Abandoned by F1 for 2020

"The Japanese, Singapore and Azerbaijan grands prix will not take place this year, Formula One has announced. All three meetings were under consideration to be part of the season’s flyaway rounds when the sport leaves Europe. F1 remain confident, however, that they will still be able to host between 15 and 18 races this year.

The sport made the announcement that the meetings would not form part of the new calendar on Friday morning. F1 intends to publish its full, revised race schedule for 2020 before the Austrian Grand Prix opens the season on 5 July."

[PeteC]

They would be foolish to schedule anything for North or South America as well. Keep it all in Europe and the UK this season IMO.

[PeteC]

This is what Superbru is listing at the moment..... from Pharvey's article above we can eliminate some of them.

Austrian GP
4 - 5 Jul

Styrian Grand Prix
11 - 12 Jul

Hungarian Grand Prix
18 - 19 Jul

British Grand Prix
1 - 2 Aug

70th Anniversary Grand Prix
8 - 9 Aug

Spanish Grand Prix
15 - 16 Aug

Belgian Grand Prix
29 - 30 Aug

Italian Grand Prix
5 - 6 Sep

Canadian Grand Prix
13 - 14 Sep

French Grand Prix
26 - 27 Sep

Austrian Grand Prix
3 - 4 Oct

British Grand Prix
17 - 18 Oct

Hungarian Grand Prix
31 Oct - 1 Nov

Belgian Grand Prix
3 - 4 Oct

Italian Grand Prix
11 Oct

Singapore Grand Prix
24 - 25 Oct

Russian Grand Prix
31 Oct - 1 Nov

Japanese Grand Prix
14 - 15 Nov

United States Grand Prix
29 - 30 Nov

Mexico City Grand Prix
6 - 7 Dec

Brazilian Grand Prix
20 Dec

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
26 - 27 Dec

[pharvey]

What impact is this going to have longer term? Short term not a great setback it seems, but time will tell.

Taken From: - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/53054422

Mercedes Formula 1 Engine Boss Andy Cowell is to Leave the Company

"Cowell led Mercedes High Performance Powertrains through the development of the turbo hybrid engine with which the team have dominated F1 for seven years.

The 51-year-old is leaving Mercedes to "seek a new engineering challenge".

Cowell will leave his role at the end of June, after which he will work alongside his replacement Hywel Thomas to help the transition to a new leadership.

Mercedes said Cowell would "consult on a major future project until at least early 2021".

And a new leadership team has been put in place under Thomas.

Cowell has been managing director of Mercedes HPP for the past seven years, and has worked for the company in a senior role for 16.

He was instrumental in the development of the turbo hybrid engine, versions of which have now won a world record seven consecutive drivers' and constructors' championships.

The engine was by far the best in F1 from 2014-16 and has remained the standard by which all others are judged as other manufacturers have closed up in terms of performance and efficiency in the past four seasons."

Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff said: "Andy's leadership of the team at HPP has been a key factor in our championship success in recent seasons.

"He has made an outstanding contribution to our motorsport legacy."

Cowell said: "I have decided that now is the right time to move on from my role and seek a new engineering business challenge.""

[PeteC]

Need to shake the dust off of this thread. First race of the new/revised season coming up this weekend. Check Superbru.

[pharvey]

Austrian GP Qualifying - Details at link https://www.formula1.com/en/results.htm ... fying.html

Mercedes dominant with Botas pipping Hamilton to Pole......

Poor performance from the Scuderia. Will we be seeing a different Ferrari in Hungary? Regardless, Mercedes have moved further ahead IMHO. Strange that the new steering system can be used this year, but will be banned from 2021.....

"Ferrari made a huge admission on Tuesday, on the eve of the Formula 1 2020 season restart, when they said the team are taking “a significant change of direction in terms of development” after analysing testing data.

That means the car that they will race in the first two rounds in Austria will be the same as that with which they tested in Barcelona, back in February. Their updated car will then break cover at round three in Hungary.

As well as racing the same package in Austria, it is understood they will be using the same power unit, too, which means as per new regulations for this year, that engine will be largely frozen, with only one update permitted to the ERS elements or changes across the unit for reliability reasons pending approval from the FIA."

Full Story: - https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/arti ... 3XXFI.html

[PeteC]

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