Month: February 2020

Formula One Testing has begun in Barcelona, with supporters and motorsport experts getting their first look at the capabilities of new F1 Cars. Throughout the 2nd day of testing, nine outfits were shocked to notice that Racing Point’s new vehicle for 2020 is identical to Mercedes AMG-Petronas’s 2010 championship car. Comparisons between the RP20 and W10 are uncanny, with Racing Point receiving a noticeable boost in speed. Sergio Perez maintained the highest lap times during the 2nd day of testing, which comes through the unique suspension layout that was directly copied from Mercedes. Eight teams expressed their concern for this level of comparison, claiming that the FIA should ban the RB20 before March 15th.

The Technical Chief of Development for Racing Point, Andy Green, provided insight to motorsport reporters regarding the similarities. Green revealed that Racing Point has exclusively used the wind tunnel operated by Mercedes, while also expanding their customer-acquisition deal with AMG-Petronas. Andy Green noted that under these two conditions, both the transmission and engine components used for the W10 were implemented into the RB20. This extends to last years suspension, not the newly formed D-AXIS Suspension created by Mercedes for 2020. Andy’s statements explained that the testing procedures and tools at this wind tunnel are tailored to Mercedes-designed F1 cars. It made the most sense for Racing Point to follow their 2019 concepts.

Andy Green finished these remarks by noting that numerous elements of the RB20 have been restructured, making it different from the Mercedes W10. Formula One Teams and their group of motorsport experts immediately noticed minimal changes, expressing to various outlets that the difference for the RB20 is purely aesthetics. The internals remain identical, with Sergio Perez maintaining a pace faster than Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas. This would’ve been impossible for Perez in 2019.

The Stroll Family Controversy

There’s been continuous controversy surrounding the Stroll Family, who originates from Canada. They’ve spent exponential sums of money to acquire championship contention in Formula One, often breaking the respect and unexpressed rules between various outfits in this motorsport. It’s prompted for Lance Stroll, the son of Lawrence Stroll, to become one of the most hated drivers on the grid. The RB20 will add to the increasing level of hatred towards this family, who have been urged by experts to leave Formula One. It’s ultimately impossible for drivers like Lance Stroll and Sergio Perez to compete with the likes of Lewis Hamilton.

Formula one outfits have begun releasing their liveries and updated cars for the upcoming 2020 season. The latest comes from McLaren after Ferrari, Mercedes, Hass, Renault and Red Bull. It’s expected that the remaining teams will publicly announce their upgrades before February 29th. When it applies to McLaren, their latest model is named the MCL35 and follows their historic colour schemes. The Papaya Orange & Dark Blue combination has been re-implemented since the 2017 season, with the 2020 model having noticeable changes. Matte finishes and alterations in the colour schemes layout have allowed for the MCL35 to look more aggressive than its predecessor.

This isn’t primarily because of the new colour scheme implementations, but the noticeable alterations to the MCL35s aerodynamics. The pinched rear is complemented with a narrow nose, which is extended to new layouts in the wings and chassis. McLaren believes that it’ll allow them to maximise on downforce in comparison to the competition. It should be noted that McLaren is the only outfit to alternate the physical design of their vehicles, with all previous unveilings looking identical to last years model.

Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz will take their respective vehicles towards the podium throughout 2020. Engineers with the program believe that their drivers won’t have a consistent opportunity to win until the 2023 season, with both Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris expressing otherwise. Sainz acquired the first podium for McLaren since 2014, which was accomplished with a car meant for mid-grid competition. The champion skillsets displayed by Sainz and the new downforce capabilities of the MCL35 could see McLaren acquire multiple podiums this season. However, just like with the Honda – Red Bull partnership in 2019, there’ll be team doubters until the goal is accomplished.

Lando Norris

Britain is infamous for providing the most iconic formula one drivers, with the most recent being Lando Norris. He’s become famous throughout social media communities for his young age, humorous behaviour and capability to perform with older champions like Sebastian Vettel. The dedication that Norris displays towards McLaren is incredible, with the driver moving less than three minutes from the McLaren F1 Factory. This means that Lando Norris is the only driver on the 2020 grid that lives near their constructor’s factory, with all others living in Monaco. Lando Norris stands at twenty-years-old, and there’s always the chance that he’ll move locations once becoming an adult. There’s still the point where you grow older and desire a more relaxing lifestyle.

Christian Horner from the Red Bull – Aston Martin F1 Team, has expressed that the partnership with Honda is indicating significant breakthroughs after winter testing. This follows after Honda Racing became the engine supplier for Red Bull – Aston Martin in 2019, which saw Max Verstappen acquire a podium for the Japanese manufacturer. It marked their first podium since 2006, with Max earning two more podium finishes in 1st place and many others in lower positions. It meant that Honda Racing became the most successful engine supplier other than Mercedes AMG-Petronas since 2015.

Horner being the team principal, is often asked personal questions regarding engine development, which he’s expressed is showing positive feedback. Engineers are continually making progress towards enhancements in our evolution. Horner anticipates that the next step in their strategy is shortly upon them, which will make their turnaround on the grid phenomenal. Christian Horner noted that when you look to Honda Racing in Formula One back in 2015 to 2020, the engine supplier is entirely different and made multiple improvements. Most of these improvements were also limited by the demanding actions of McLaren, which was the previous team that operated under Honda Racing.

It was when Honda Racing partnered with Toro Rosso in 2018 that these improvements began rapidly. Their agreement with Red Bull’s sister team also enabled them to open the door towards the 2019 Engine Supplier Contract. The advances displayed by engineers with Honda Racing has allowed for Red Bull to acquire championship contention against Ferrari and Mercedes, which hadn’t been possible for more than six seasons. The last time that Red Bull dominated was when Sebastian Vettel competed.

Verstappen has become the new leader of this formula one team, with his expectations always being met with Honda Racing. However, Max Verstappen can leave Red Bull if Honda pulls out of Formula One in 2021. Concerns for the future of Red Bull – Aston Martin are growing, there’s the chance that Honda Racing will leave following the 2020 season and Aston Martin has been purchased by Racing Point starting 2021. It’ll go the outfit being entirely different than prior seasons over the last decade.