Category: General

The Black Lives Matters Movement prompted Formula One’s exclusive African-European to demand equality throughout the motorsport. Most have agreed with Lewis Hamilton’s stance on Anti-Racism, with some like Bernie Ecclestone indicating otherwise. Most have moved on from the Ecclestone Era & Hamilton revoked his friendship with Bernie, a man who’ll be a father near Ninety Years of Age.

Anti-Racism Protocols have begun being issued throughout the Formula One Paddock. One recommendation the FIA has made to viable drivers is kneeling during the Austrian National Anthem, showing their support for the BLM Movement. This isn’t being forced onto the Formula One Grid & instead optional for drivers, with some competitors significantly disrespecting their nation by kneeling. One such competitor would be Daniil Kvyat from Russia.

The Austrian Grand Prix Weekend began on July 3rd, with Valtteri Bottas obtaining Pole Position for the Sunday race. Before Bottas could get 1st Position on the grid, himself & all other F1 Competitors delegated during a joint briefing, some drivers indicated their uncomfortableness with kneeling during the anthem, indicating that historical events have prompted this action to become disrespectful in their culture.

Romain Grosjean, one of three leaders in the Grand Prix Directors Association, clarified that multiple drivers wouldn’t participate in kneeling. Grosjean iterated that fifteen nationalities are supported in the Formula One community, surging a difference of opinion amongst certain groups. France is another nation that’s historically abolished the action of kneeling, meaning Esteban Ocon & Pierre Gasly might stand for the anthem. This could extend towards Romain Grosjean, who’s also French.

Hamilton Losing Grid Loyalty

Most anticipated that Lewis Hamilton would understand the predicaments of specific drivers from different nationalities. However, the reactions shown by the British-born Champion indicated a lack of understanding. Considering that Hamilton claims to be respectful of all nationalities, results confirmed by Lewis were that of a hypocrite. The only statement given by Hamilton over the briefing was, “We all spoke a bit during the drivers meeting”.

Lewis Hamilton should reconsider his anger towards Formula One & aggressive claims that they’re not an inclusive sport. Maintaining international motorsport with fifteen different nationalities, including Alex Albon from the Philippines, shows F1 is an inclusive sport. When accounting for the drivers in Formula Two, this point is made tenfold.

The Team Boss for Renault Racing in Formula One has spoken about his relationship with Daniel Riccardo. These discussions follow after the Australian Honey Badger determined that McLaren Racing was better suited for his talents, ditching Renault after guarantying them years of service. Promises made by Team Boss Cyril Abiteboul of Renault wasn’t ever met for Daniel Riccardo, prompting the former Red Bull Driver to switch teams.

Cyril Abiteboul has continuously been questioned about Riccardo since he announced switching to McLaren, with a seat becoming available to the Australian after Carlos Sainz was confirmed to be driving with Ferrari for 2021. This means Sebastian Vettel has lost his position with Scuderia Ferrari & won’t race in F1 Grand Prix’s after the short-lived 2020 season.

The Renault Team Boss provided insight into the role that Daniel Riccardo will play, clarifying that his position for car development will be crucial until the final moment of his contract. Cyril has strategized that he’ll make the absolute most of Daniel’s capabilities & knowledge before his contract expires, which means the Australian will be overworked for the short period that Formula One is available in 2020.

When questioned if Esteban Ocon will receive better strategies & favouritism over Daniel Riccardo, Cyril Abiteboul disregarded these sentiments. He noted that French Auto Manufacturers don’t work with grudges in mind, focusing on the racing at hand. The Honey Badger will still be given every opportunity to obtain championship position for Renault, with Cyril still believing his outfit is capable of competing against Red Bull & McLaren. They are not.

The Token System

Cyril is counting on the “Token System” implemented for 2021, which limited what’s possible with altering Formula One Cars. Renault believes the changes they’re implementing through this specialized token system will allow them to compete against McLaren and Red Bull.

That’s because both competing outfits must focus their tokens on Stability & Suspension, with those having already been mastered by Renault. Their tokens can focus on engine improvements & possibly create faster speeds down the straights. Motorsport analysts reflected on the sentiments from Cyril Abiteboul, mentioning how the Renault Team Boss has often bolstered of his team’s capabilities & then never seen his promises through.

The 2020 Formula One Season resumes on July 5th in Austria, exciting both supporters & drivers alike. Multiple competitors in the F1 2020 Grid have begun providing their thoughts on the upcoming season, including Daniel Ricciardo. The Honey Badger believes that egos will factor into the skillsets shown by drivers, with this often being a factor that supports don’t notice during critical times in multiple Grand Prix’s.

Sentiments from Daniel Ricciardo come after the Renault Driver had his 1st testing sessions since COVID-19 delayed the Formula One 2020 Season. These tests were conducted at the Austrian Red Bull Ring with the 2018 Renault RS18. Daniel looked formidable on the circuit, unlike other competitors that struggled to locate grip under unfavourable weather conditions. Ricciardo had the advantage after working out daily during the coronavirus pandemic. He infamously said weeks ago that competing in Virtual Grand Prix’s doesn’t maintain an F1 Driver, that consistent efforts to improve physical conditioning implicates stronger skillsets. It should be clarified that this mindset is similar to Michael Schumacher’s & Lewis Hamilton’s, the greatest champions in Formula One history.

Smaller outfits in F1 like Williams Racing & Alpha Romeo could find themselves unable to maintain testing sessions before July 5th. That’s because testing time is awarded on last years position in the championship, with Alpha Romeo ranked 9th and Williams Racing listed at 10th. Daniel Ricciardo & other drivers on the grid are concerned that these two outfits will prompt significant crashed during the Austrian Season Opener. Ricciardo expects that lower-rated drivers will regain their skillsets during the first half of this upcoming race, with the Renault Driver planning to position himself high on the grid during qualifying. It will allow Daniel to avoid any crashed from Williams or Alpha Romeo.

The Future of Daniel Ricciardo

The Honey Badger has struggled to find a new home in Formula One, which follows after he left Red Bull Racing in 2018. Jealously towards Max Verstappen saw Ricciardo move to Renault F1, who promised the Australian Driver a championship car. Daniel has decided to proceed with McLaren Racing in 2021 after Renault couldn’t deliver on their promise.

The Formula International Association regrettably confirmed that three Grand Prix’s had been confirmed cancelled for 2020. Initially, these venues had entered postponement status, meaning their circuits would be revised into the 2020 season. The coronavirus pandemic is forcing those locations to enter cancelled status, with the Japanese and Singapore Grand Prix’s confirmed to be terminated. This extends towards the Azerbaijan GP also being shut down for 2020.

F1 Supports showing favouritism towards these circuits expressed their disappointment. However, most understood the conditions for Formula One is facing & are grateful for the eight Grand Prix’s confirmed for 2020. The initial two races for this season will be held in Austria at the Red Bull Ring. Races will be spread out considerably more than in previous years, resembling a historical version of the motorsport instead of its modern counterpart.

That’s because the financial & logistical challenges with maintaining safe conditions at individual tracks would be impossible. Singapore, Japan, and Azerbaijan account for those three locations. Motorsport analysts that cover Formula One are now questioning if additional venues will be cancelled before their rescheduling can be legally permitted by government entities.

The Statement

F1s Chief Executive Officer issued a formal statement regarding these cancelled venues. Chase Carey clarified that continuous challenges from COVID-19 in Singapore, Japan, and Azerbaijan had forced this decision. Details on these logistical challenges were provided by the CEO, noting that street circuits require construction & deconstruction to host Formula One.

Staffing to complete these jobs isn’t available to standards, making it impossible for F1 Organizers to guarantee completion for the slated venue date. Any possible errors in construction are avoiding by placing these circuits into cancellation status. Chase Carey mentioned that locations that’ve been confirmed for 2020 could be postponed or terminated, which is entirely dependent on the travel restrictions in that nation. Drivers & team personnel unable to enter that nation makes it impossible to drive.

Chase Carey didn’t want supporters concerned that progress wasn’t fast-moving, with it being confirmed that new promoters are being inquired to support additional venues under the 2020 schedule. It’s rumoured that the Mugello Italian Grand Prix will be given to Formula One, leaving MotoGP to cancel their respective race at this venue. Details on additional locations for the 2020 season are slated to be announced by July 1st.

Desperate times often call for drastic measures, with that sentiment becoming true for Williams F1. This follows after the Formula One Racing Outfit announced they’d hired a new Managing Technical Director for F1 Operations. This means that Claire Williams has lost her primary position maintaining the internal strategies with her father’s team. Claire remains onwards as the Deputy Team Principal but has minor influence over the technical operations moving forward. It’s speculated that Sir Frank Williams, her father, forced this decision onto his daughter.

Sir Frank Williams would’ve been prompted towards this decision after Claire couldn’t perform as Managing Technical Director. Two back-to-back seasons where Williams F1 couldn’t obtain more than six constructors points influenced this decision. This team’s livelihood is on the line, prompting the Knighted Team Owner to demand changes. It wasn’t known how the internal management for Williams F1 would be altered when it was announced that the team was for sale. However, it’s been clarified that Simon Roberts has been hired at the Managing Technical Director for Williams Formula One.

The team isn’t for sale any longer after Toto Wolff purchased an additional 5% stake into the outfit. Toto now maintains 20% ownership, enough of a stake to enforce his notable talents onto the team. With the combination of Simon Roberts & Toto Wolff, advancements in Williams F1 are possible. However, a large portion of the Mercedes AMG-Petronas team bosses time will be spent engaging with Aston Martin.

Simon Roberts

McLaren F1 previously employed Simon Roberts, where he maintained a lengthy career & earned a substantial reputation to reviving a lost team. That’s what prompted his drafting towards Williams F1, which implemented their Recovery Plan in late May. Claire Williams was questioned on her mindset behind this decision, with the Deputy Team Principal remarked that Simon is a fantastic addition to Williams F1. She noted that his coordinated efforts would create new developments for her outfit, strengthening their position on the grid. Under this new Technical Directive & Leadership, Williams can return as one of the most pivotal teams in Formula One.

Mercedes AMG-Petronas has shown their true colours again in the Formula One Community. While most teams in F1 are working towards revitalizing the sport after COVID-19, Mercedes is doing everything possible to hold onto their championship status. It doesn’t matter if Formula One negatively benefits from Mercedes continue to oppose advancements in the motorsport.

Previous oppositions included dropping the capped cost of F1 Cars to $145 Million, implementing the new rule changes for 2020, and using new fuel methods to increase speed. Every one of these oppositions if approved by the FIA, would’ve allowed opposing teams to better compete against Mercedes. It shows an evident fear of losing their Championship Status, which will inevitably come with the growth of Ferrari and Red Bull. The status will be terminated after Toto Wolff leaves Mercedes AMG-Petronas for Lawrence Stroll’s Aston Martin F1 Team.

The latest opposition shown by Mercedes AMG-Petronas relates to a Reverse Grid Order. Other teams in Formula One & the FIA are determining how to keep fans excited with back-to-back Grand Prix’s. One way to accomplish this would be implementing the Reverse Grid Order, which would put teams like Mercedes and Ferrari at the very back. Williams and Haas would stand at the front of the grid. This unique approach would create exciting elements of driving that would bring F1 Fanatics back for the 2nd Grand Prix.

The Reasoning for Reverse Grid Orders

This strategy follows after Carey Chase confirmed that Austria would have two confirmed Grand Prix’s, with Silverstone slated to follow under the conditional approval of the United Kingdom Parliament. Nine teams in Formula One approve the Reverse Grid Order, with the 10th and exclusive opposing outfit being Mercedes AMG-Petronas. Shockingly, Mercedes is taking this approach, with their vehicles being formidable enough to reach the top podium placement from the back of the grid. Refusal to participate has made some analysts wonder if Lewis Hamilton & Valtteri Bottas aren’t up to the task in their older ages.
It should be mentioned that the concept of a Reverse Grid Order has been discussed multiple times in recent years. Every incarnation of this strategy is opposed by Mercedes AMG-Petronas, the team that cries Wolff to the FIA whenever everything isn’t exclusively in their favour.

An influential force in the Formula One Community has announced his public criticism against the Paddock & Grid. This follows after Toto Wolff noticed an evident level of self-interest, which during a period where humanity is meant to come together, the German has found incredibly offensive.

The COVID-19 Lockdown of Formula One was meant to be an opportunistic period for the Paddock & Grid. Reductions in the cost of operating these vehicles were maintained to $145 Million for 2021, with updated aerodynamic regulations also being approved for the 2022 F1 Season. Several other changes less significant have also been made to the sport. All these alterations benefit the Mid-Grid and Low-Grid, with the top three teams feeling the blunt effects of these updated F1 Laws.

Toto Wolff of Mercedes AMG-Petronas wasn’t upset by the updated regulation, unlike Mattia Binotto from Scuderia Ferrari. He believes outfits like Ferrari are using the COVID-19 Lockdown as the perfect time to implement their agendas. This means Formula One isn’t moving in the same direction. Toto Wolff clarified that the manipulative environment of F1 hasn’t changed since he joined Williams in F1. Wolff expected this to change when the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded worldwide.

Ignore the Ego

However, it appears that other outfits outside of Mercedes aren’t concerned about the upcoming races but are instead working towards advancing their interests. This often means destroying another team for personal glory, which goes against the core interests of sportsmanship. Toto Wolff warned his fellow competitors that this behaviour could become the demise of Formula One.

Toto Wolff is now looking forward to the return of racing. He noted that when the lights go green, all the manipulation and control is thrown out the window. It becomes up to the drivers entirely. The fact that team personnel think their influence makes a significant difference over how these drivers complete is a foolish mentality. These men don’t even have to start the car if they decide, leaving all that manipulation to backfire on those responsible. It appears Toto Wolff knows this behaviour to be pointless, with the proof being shown with Lewis Hamilton. The Mercedes Team Boss often lets his primary driver compete in anyway Hamilton deems necessary.

Rumours regarding the future of Sebastian Vettel were confirmed earlier this week. It was revealed that Vettel hadn’t accepted a contract offer from Ferrari for the 2021 Season, with the German-born Driver believing his respective payday should’ve been higher than what his employer was offering. Both Vettel & Ferrari determined that they’re not suited for one another, prompting Sebastian to be terminated after the 2020 season. Replacing Vettel will be Carlos Sainz from McLaren, with Ferrari acquiring the Spanish-born Driver within 24 hours after Sebastian left. Details on Carlos’s contract hasn’t been made public.

Carlos Sainz leaving McLaren came as disappointing news for fans of this outfit. Sainz and Lando Norris have become close friends, with the McLaren supporters often requesting more details on their friendship. It’s being speculated that Zac Brown will try to replicate the hilarious nature of Sainz & Norris with Daniel Riccardo, who will be replacing Carlos in 2021. Daniel is the best choice next to Carlos Sainz for Lando Norris. Riccardo is known for having a cheerful and comedian personality, similar to that of Lando.

Carlos Reflects on McLaren Career

Ferrari selected Carlos Sainz after the Spanish Driver acquired his 1st podium victory, placing third against Lewis Hamilton. It’s his most notable finish yet and proved his capabilities in Formula One. Sainz would go-on to acquire 6th in the Driver’s championship, creating interest from other teams like Ferrari. Carlos would be questioned on his future with Scuderia Ferrari, where Sainz noted his excitement for the future. However, Carlos revealed his main focus is completing the 2020 season with McLaren and saying his goodbyes to this loyal team.

The New Era

Mattia Binotto revealed that acquiring Carlos Sainz introduced a “New Era” for Ferrari, which focuses on young drivers. Ferrari hopes to replicate similar performance improvements seen with Red Bull – Aston Martin Racing, which is known for employing young drivers. It’s lead to world champions multiple times. Ferrari hopes to make Carlos Sainz or Charles Leclerc into a world champion by latest 2022. New regulations in Formula One could make this goal challenging to accomplish for Scuderia Ferrari. However, selecting Carlos Sainz means picking someone up for the task.

Not every driver on the Formula One Grid has participated in the Virtual Grand Prix’s. They’ve instead selected to continue their regular training, allowing them to remain physically fit for the inevitable 2020 season. This includes Daniel Ricciardo, who has provided insight into how the first Grand Prix will be chaotic this year. The Australian driver noted that nobody had gotten in their cars since February, which was when F1 Competitors were permitted to compete in Winter Testing, which lasts one week. What this all means is that everyone will be rusty and not performing at their best.

Daniel Ricciardo made these remarks after Formula One announced that the 2020 Season would begin with back-to-back Grand Prix’s in Austria. These races will be held in early July, with the Australian Honey Badger expecting these venues to become chaotic. Multiple crashes could unfold, or drivers will spinout, with this being nearly unavoidable after not being familiar with their respective vehicles. Ricciardo also noted that every driver would be emotionally excited and eager to compete, including himself. This will create an occasional hiccup in their separate strategy for the Grand Prix. Though this will create lots of action for supporters, it’ll also create an unpredictable outcome for the F1 teams.

The Honey Badger mentioned that adrenaline would feel fresh for F1 Competitors, forcing some on the grid to make mistakes by trying bold overtakes in unexpected corners. It’ll be moments like this that prompt crashes and what Ricciardo expects to be an almost endless number of safety cars.

Horner Agrees

Surprisingly, Christian Horner agreed with the sentiments from Daniel Ricciardo. Horner was the former Team Principal for the Honey Badger, with both leaving on bad terms when Christian selected Max Verstappen over Daniel Riccardo.

Christian Horner mentioned that this is the longest time F1 Drivers haven’t competed in their lifetime, that it’ll prompt multiple issues because of delayed reactions. Horner believes this will be healthy for Formula One and create unexpected grids, with Christian not denying that there’ll be incidents prompting the safety car in July. It should be noted that it won’t take drivers like Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, and Daniel Ricciardo to reobtain their skillsets.

Formula One fanatics can rejoice after continuous announcements regarding delays and cancellations. F1 Organizers confirmed that the Hungarian Grand Prix would take place in 2020. However, this venue will be held without the attendance of supporters. Confirmations on the 1st official Grand Prix for the late 2020 season follows after the F1 CEO worked towards revising the calendar. It’s speculated that back-to-back Grand Prix’s will be held at Austria and Silverstone as well.

The refinement of the 2020 Formula One Season was prompted after the COVID-19 Pandemic broke out worldwide, prompt nearly all locations where Grand Prix’s are held to introduce social distancing measures. F1 wasn’t the exclusive sporting association affected by this virus. Organizations like the NBA, MLS, MLB, NFL, and NHL were also forced to cancel their respective seasons as well. Formula One hopes they can be the 1st international motorsport to return to live races, with this dependent on countless factors.

Restricted movements of global civilians have continued to be enforced, with nations like Great Britain and Canada extending their lockdown periods. This prompted the Canadian Grand Prix to be cancelled for 2020, with some motorsport analysts worried that the Silverstone GP Strategy won’t be possible by July. Though it should be noted that British GP Officials confirmed that if Silverstone does take place, it’ll be a closed-door venue similar to Hungary. Those wanting to witness the Hungarian Grand Prix have to wait until August 2nd, with this marking the 35th occasion an F1 race has been held at this location. It’ll mark the 1st time that spectators weren’t permitted.

Refund or Transfer

Officials with the Hungaroring Committee provided a formal statement regarding their announcement. Clarification indicated that they’d waited until the final moment to make their decision, hoping that something would happen to define the difference between spectators being permitted or banned. It was ultimately determined that attendees being prohibited was for the safety of Drivers and F1 Personnel. This statement revealed that anybody who purchased tickets for this year’s venue would be permitted a Transfer or Refund. Selecting the transfer will enable this 2020s tickets to move into 2021.