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Category: Formula 1
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F1 to fight against racism; pledges to increase diversity and opportunity in sport
Paris, 22 June 2020: Formula 1 today launched a new initiative call “We Race As One” in support of “Purpose Driven” movement last week by FIA, the governing body of Motorsports in the World.
“As Formula 1 returns after a four-month break, we believe we must return with added purpose and determination to tackle the major issues that we as a sport, but also society, are facing,” began a Press Release from Formula 1.
The release added: Those issues are important to the longer-term future of our sport, but equally have a major impact on the communities we race in and countries around the world. Last November we launched our sustainability strategy to make our sport net zero carbon by 2030, improve diversity and inclusion in Formula 1 and to support communities. Recent events have reinforced the importance of those issues and the need for us take action to make our sport better, improve opportunity and to have a positive impact on the world we live in.
In recent months, the whole world has come together as one collective community in the fight against COVID-19 and it has brought out the best in human nature. In recent weeks people from all walks of life have united in their condemnation of racism and inequality, something that has no place in our modern world.
We believe that as the first international sport to return we can make a difference and use our voice to address these vital issues. As a member of the global FIA motorsport family, we acknowledge its Fundamental Principles Statutes, including the fight against any form of discrimination.
That is why today, ahead of our season start, Formula 1 announces our new #WeRaceAsOne initiative, in support of the #PurposeDriven Movement launched by the FIA last week. This initiative will be the platform for the priorities set out above and is aimed at tackling the biggest issues facing our sport and global communities. It will not be a one week or one-year theme that disappears as issues disappear from headlines, it will underpin the Formula 1 strategy to make a tangible difference in our sport and society.
Recognising the two major issues dominating society’s consciousness at this time, COVID-19, and inequality we will use our opening race to thank people around the world for the incredible strength and fortitude they have shown against a global pandemic. Everyone from key workers through to families and individuals that have endured lockdown to tackle the virus deserve our thanks and gratitude. Equally we want to use our restart to show that we as a sporting community stand united against racism and are doing more to address inequality and diversity in Formula 1.
Therefore, ahead of our first race in Austria on 3-5 July and with the support of the teams and our partners Formula 1 will be saying thank you to key workers and individuals around the world by displaying rainbows on the Formula 1 cars and around the race circuit with the hashtag #WeRaceAsOne. The rainbow has been chosen as it has become a symbol used internationally in the recent crisis to bring communities together. We believe this important gesture will encourage our fans to join us in saying thank you. The rainbow initiative will continue throughout the season.
During the race weekend in Austria we will take a stand against racism. This will include visual displays of support in the fight against racism. In addition to the visual display of support we will also announce later this week clear pledges to increase diversity and opportunity in our sport. This will include setting up a Formula 1 Task Force that will listen to people from across the paddock, including the drivers, as well as externals and make conclusions on the actions required to improve the diversity and opportunity in Formula 1 at all levels. Further details of the Task Force will be set out in the coming weeks and the visual displays of support at the first race will be seen for the first time during the race weekend.
We Race As One logo released by F1 Chase Carey, Chairman and CEO of Formula 1, said: “Our first race in Austria at the start of July is a big moment for our sport after nearly four months of no racing. While it is an important moment for the Formula 1 community it is also a time to recognise the issues that are bigger than any one sport or country.
“The #WeRaceAsOne initiative we have launched today, in support of the #PurposeDriven Movement launched by the FIA last week, is our way of saying thank you to the bravery and unity everyone around the world has shown during this unprecedented time. It will also be a platform for Formula 1 to come together and achieve results against the most important issues facing us as a sport and the world. That is why at our first race in Austria Formula 1 will stand united to say loud and clear that racism must end. We will show our full support in fighting inequality throughout the weekend and accelerate our own efforts to make Formula 1 more diverse and inclusive. As a global sport we must represent the diversity and social concerns of our fans, but we also need to listen more and understand what needs to be done and get on with delivering.”
Jean Todt, President of the FIA, said: The “New Deal” I propose for motor sport in the context of COVID-19 pandemic means laying the foundations for the recovery and a sustainable future for Formula 1 and other disciplines. It includes new rules to reduce costs as well as initiatives to increase the popularity and accessibility of motor sport. Importantly, it shall also harness the positive contribution motor sport brings to society, covering all sectors from health, safety, economy, environment, education, inclusion and diversity.
“This is the intention of the #PurposeDriven Movement we launched last Thursday, and I am very pleased to welcome the #WeRaceAsOne initiative as part of this collective effort. With Formula 1, we have already been committed for many years to helping to protect the environment with, for example, hybrid engines and the signing of the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework. The FIA is guided by the Fundamental Principles of its Statutes, including the fight against any form of discrimination and notably on account of skin colour, gender, religion, ethnic or social origin. We must promote diversity in motor sport.”
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Sound of the SF1000 paraded by Charles Leclerc wakes up Scuderia Ferrari 2020 season
Maranello, 18 June 2020: Maranello was woken at the crack of dawn today by a very special sound, as Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow’s 2020 Formula 1 season is finally underway again. To mark this special occasion, which comes after some dreadful months due to the pandemic, came the sound of the SF1000 paraded by Charles Leclerc on a truly unique route.
After 110 days. Three and a half months on from the final day of testing at the Barcelona track, 110 days ago to be precise, the Scuderia crew fired up the SF1000 engine before it set off from the Officina Classiche, in the heart of the historic Maranello factory, where, some time ago, the racing department was based. Leclerc therefore emerged through the same gate that Enzo Ferrari used on 12 March 1947, in the first car to bear his name, the 125 S.Iconic locations. After crossing a deserted Via Abetone Inferiore, the SF1000 passed in front of the Gestione Sportiva in Via Enzo Ferrari 27, where all the Scuderia’s Formula 1 cars have been designed, built and developed since 2015. Charles then drove on past the Maranello Museum, another significant building for enthusiasts, which is home to some of the most beautiful Ferraris built over the past 73 years.
Image courtesy Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow F1 team. Finish line. Leclerc is the first driver of the modern era to have driven a Formula 1 car though the streets of Maranello and he ended his run taking Via Gilles Villeneuve on his way to the legendary Fiorano Track. This is the track where every road going Ferrari since 1972 is driven for the first time and, until testing restrictions were introduced, it was also the proving ground for every Formula 1 car to come out of Maranello.
Austria. The long enforced break is finally over: the SF1000 is up and running again. The next time the 2020 F1 engines will be heard will be on Friday 3 July, during the first free practice session for the Austrian Grand Prix.Charles Leclerc, #16, says: “I don’t normally like getting up early, but this morning there was a great reason to do so. Maybe it woke a few people up, but it was great to drive through the streets of Maranello in the SF1000.
“It was exciting to get back in the car today, particularly on such a special route. Being back in the cockpit felt like coming home again. It seemed like a fun way of saying we are ready to get back on track. Now I can’t wait to drive the SF1000 in Austria.” -
Formula 1 races in Azerbaijan, Singapore and Japan stand cancelled
Paris, 12 June 2020: Following the announcement earlier this month confirming the opening eight races of the Formula 1 calendar, Formula 1 is working with all partners to finalise the remaining calendar for the season.
We are confident in our plans to have between 15-18 races by the time our season concludes in Abu Dhabi in mid-December and expect to publish the finalised calendar before we start our season in Austria.
As part of the discussions to finalise our calendar, we have maintained close dialogues with our promoters and authorities and continue to monitor the specific and varying COVID-19 developments in each country. At all times we will ensure the safety of the Formula 1 community and the communities we visit is the number one priority.
As a result of the ongoing challenges presented by COVID-19, we and our promoters in Azerbaijan, Singapore and Japan have taken the decision to cancel their races for the 2020 season. These decisions have been taken due to the different challenges our promoters face in those countries. In Singapore and Azerbaijan the long lead times required to construct street circuits made hosting the events during a period of uncertainty impossible and in Japan, ongoing travel restrictions also led to the decision not to proceed with the race.
At the same time we have made significant progress with existing and new promoters on the revised calendar and have been particularly encouraged by the interest that has been shown by new venues in hosting a Formula 1 race during the 2020 season.
We appreciate this is still a time of uncertainty and complexity around the world and will continue to ensure we proceed with the 2020 season in a cautious and flexible way. We have detailed and robust safety plans in place to ensure we begin our season in the safest possible way.
About Formula 1
Formula 1 racing began in 1950 and is the world’s most prestigious motor racing competition, as well as the world’s most popular annual sporting series. The 2020 FIA Formula One World Championship™ runs from March to November and spans 22 races in 22 countries across five continents. Formula One World Championship Limited is part of Formula 1 and holds the exclusive commercial rights to the FIA Formula One World Championship. Formula 1 is a subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation. The F1 logo, F1 FORMULA 1 logo, FORMULA 1, F1, FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, GRAND PRIX, PADDOCK CLUB and related marks are trademarks of Formula One Licensing BV, a Formula 1 company.
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Formula 1 to return with 8 ‘closed’ races
Paris, 2 June 2020: Formula 1 on Tuesday has announced the opening eight races of the 2020 calendar following the postponement of the 2020 FIA Formula 1 World Championship due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The calendar has been approved by the FIA. The Formula 2 & 3 opening race calendar has also been published alongside with full details available on the Formula 2 and Formula 3 websites.
Over the past two months Formula 1 has been working closely with all partners, authorities, the FIA and the ten teams to create a revised calendar that will allow a return to racing in a way that is safe for the communities we visit and the entire Formula 1 community. We have now completed the agreements with our promoters, and are able to publish the opening 2020 schedule that will begin in Austria on 3-5 July.
Due to the ongoing fluidity of the COVID-19 situation internationally, we will be finalising the details of the wider calendar and hope to publish that in the coming weeks with an expectation of having a total of 15-18 races before we complete our season in December.
As stated previously we currently expect the opening races to be closed events but hope fans will be able to join our events again when it is safe to do so. The opening calendar will include holding two consecutive events at the same circuit one week apart as well as a number of back to back events.
The health and safety of all involved will continue to be priority number one, with Formula 1 and the FIA having a robust and detailed plan to ensure our races maintain the highest level of safety with strict procedures in place.
The revised opening 2020 calendar is as follows:
S.No. Dates 2020 Grand Prix Name Venue 1 July 3-5 Rolex Grosser Preis Von Osterreich (Spielberg, Austria) 2 July 10-12 Pirelli Grosser Preis Der Steiermark (Spielberg, Austria) 3 July 17-19 Aramco Magyar Nagydij (Budapest, Hungary) 4 July 31 – Aug 2 Pirelli British Grand Prix Silverstone, UK 5 August 7-9 Emirates F1 70TH Anniversary GP Silverstone, UK 6 August 14-16 Aramco Gran Premio de Espana Barcelona, Spain 7 August 28-30 Rolex Belgian Grand Prix Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium 8 September 4-6 Gran Premio Heineken D’Italia Monza, Italy Chase Carey, Chairman and CEO of Formula 1, said: “In the past weeks we have been working tirelessly with all our partners, the FIA and the teams to create a revised opening 2020 calendar allowing us to restart racing in the safest possible way.
“We are pleased to be able to set out our opening eight race calendar today and look forward to publishing our full calendar in the coming weeks. I want to thank every promoter and partner for their support and ongoing commitment to Formula 1.
“While we currently expect the season to commence without fans at our races we hope that over the coming months the situation will allow us to welcome them back once it is safe to do, but we know the return of Formula 1 will be a welcome boost to sports fans around the world.”
File photo of Ferrari launch of SF1000 at Villa theatre in Feb 2020. A Scuderia Ferrari image -
Carlos Sainz to race for Scuderia Ferrari in 2021 and 2022
Maranello, 14 May 2020 : Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow is pleased to announce that Carlos Sainz will drive for the team in the 2021 and 2022 seasons of the Formula 1 World Championship.
Mattia Binotto, Managing Director Gestione Sportiva and Team Principal, said: “I’m pleased to announce that Carlos will join Scuderia Ferrari as from the 2021 championship. With five seasons already behind him, Carlos has proved to be very talented and has shown that he has the technical ability and the right attributes to make him an ideal fit with our family.
“We’ve embarked on a new cycle with the aim of getting back to the top in Formula 1. It will be a long journey, not without its difficulties, especially given the current financial and regulatory situation, which is undergoing a sudden change and will require this challenge to be tackled in a different way to the recent past.We believe that a driver pairing with the talent and personality of Charles and Carlos, the youngest in the past fifty years of the Scuderia, will be the best possible combination to help us reach the goals we have set ourselves.”
Charles Leclerc (in pic) will have the company of
Carlos Sainz from 2021. A file photo by
Scuderia Ferrari Press OfficeCarlos Sainz said: “I am very happy that I will be driving for Scuderia Ferrari in 2021 and I’m excited about my future with the team.
I still have an important year ahead with McLaren Racing and I’m really looking forward to going racing again with them this season.”Born in Madrid on 1st September 1994, Carlos already has plenty of Formula 1 experience, having taken part in 102 World Championship Grands Prix, over five seasons. In 2019, he finished sixth in the Drivers’ Championship, his best ever result, in a year when he also made it to a podium position for the first time, finishing third in Brazil.
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Daniel Ricciardo for McLaren from 2021; Sainz moves to Ferrari
Woking (England), 14 May 2020: McLaren Racing announced today that it has signed Daniel Ricciardo to a multi-year agreement to race for the team in the Formula One World Championship from 2021.
Meanwhile, at Maranello, Scuderia Ferrari has announced that Carlos Sainz will join the team in 2021 following the decision to let go of Sebastian Vettel after this season.
Ricciardo, 30, from Perth, Australia, will join Britain’s Lando Norris, 20, who will start his third season at McLaren in 2021. Carlos Sainz will leave the team at the end of the 2020 season after two years with McLaren.
Daniel Ricciardo image by McLaren Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, commented:
“Signing Daniel is another step forward in our long-term plan and will bring an exciting new dimension to the team, alongside Lando. This is good news for our team, partners and of course our fans.
“I also want to pay tribute to Carlos for the excellent job he has been doing for McLaren in helping our performance recovery plan. He is a real team player and we wish him well for his future beyond McLaren.”
Andreas Seidl, Team Principal, McLaren F1, commented:
“Daniel is a proven race-winner and his experience, commitment and energy will be a valuable addition to McLaren and our mission to return to the front of the field. With Daniel and Lando as teammates, I believe we have two racers who will continue to excite our fans and help the team grow.
“Carlos is a true professional, a pleasure to work with and we will continue to enjoy going racing with him this year. We all wish him good luck for the next stage in his career when he leaves McLaren.”
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Ferrari, Sebastian Vettel decide not to extend contract beyond 2020
Maranello, 12 May 2020: Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow and Sebastian Vettel have jointly decided not to extend the current contract covering Sebastian’s services as a driver with the team, beyond its current expiry date of the end of the 2020 Formula 1 season.
Mattia Binotto, Managing Director Gestione Sportiva and Team Principal
“This is a decision taken jointly by ourselves and Sebastian, one which both parties feel is for the best. It was not an easy decision to reach, given Sebastian’s worth as a driver and as a person. There was no specific reason that led to this decision, apart from the common and amicable belief that the time had come to go our separate ways in order to reach our respective objectives.
Sebastian is already part of the Scuderia’s history, with his 14 Grands Prix wins making him the third most successful driver for the team, while he is also the one who has scored the most points with us. In our five years together, he has finished in the top three of the Drivers’ Championship three times, making a significant contribution to the team’s constant presence in the top three of the Constructors’ classification.
Ferrari Logo “On behalf of everyone at Ferrari, I want to thank Sebastian for his great professionalism and the human qualities he has displayed over these five years, during which we shared so many great moments. We have not yet managed to win a world title together, which would be a fifth for him, but we believe that we can still get a lot out of this unusual 2020 season.”
Sebastian Vettel, #5
“My relationship with Scuderia Ferrari will finish at the end of 2020. In order to get the best possible results in this sport, it’s vital for all parties to work in perfect harmony. The team and I have realised that there is no longer a common desire to stay together beyond the end of this season. Financial matters have played no part in this joint decision. That’s not the way I think when it comes to making certain choices and it never will be.
What’s been happening in these past few months has led many of us to reflect on what are our real priorities in life. One needs to use one’s imagination and to adopt a new approach to a situation that has changed. I myself will take the time I need to reflect on what really matters when it comes to my future.
Scuderia Ferrari occupies a special place in Formula 1 and I hope it gets all the success it deserves. Finally, I want to thank the whole Ferrari family and above all its “tifosi” all around the world, for the support they have given me over the years. My immediate goal is to finish my long stint with Ferrari, in the hope of sharing some more beautiful moments together, to add to all those we have enjoyed so far.
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7 UK-based F1 teams start Project Pitlane, to make ventilators
Silverstone, 27 March 2020: As confirmed on Friday by The UK Government, during the past two weeks a collective of seven UK-based Formula 1 teams,* their respective technology arms and Formula 1 has made significant progress in defining and coordinating its response to the UK Government’s call for assistance with the manufacture of medical devices to help in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.
The seven teams’ combined efforts, termed ‘Project Pitlane’, are part of a UK industry-wide effort to manufacture and deliver respiratory devices to support the national need.
Following decisions taken this week by the UK Government, Project Pitlane is focussed on three workstreams. These workstreams vary in scope from reverse engineering existing medical devices, to support in scaling the production of existing ventilator designs as part of the VentilatorChallengeUK consortium, to the rapid design and prototype manufacture of a new device for certification and subsequent production.
In each instance, Project Pitlane will pool the resources and capabilities of its member teams to greatest effect, focusing on the core skills of the F1 industry: rapid design, prototype manufacture, test and skilled assembly. F1’s unique ability to rapidly respond to engineering and technological challenges allows the group to add value to the wider engineering industry’s response.
The focus of Project Pitlane will now be on coordinating and answering the clear challenges that have been set. The seven teams remain ready to support in other areas requiring rapid, innovative technology responses to the unique challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.F1 teams to support Covid supplies through Project Pitlane. A Sahara Force India image for representative purpose only -
BWT Racing Point F1 Team Update from Otmar Szafnauer
Silverstone, 26 March 2020: In an unprecedented time for the sport, Otmar Szafnauer provides an update on Racing Point F1 team’s current state of play Otmar, it’s been a difficult few weeks – not just for motorsport, but communities across the globe. How is morale in the team? “Our first concern at a time like this is the physical and mental wellbeing of our team-mates, their families and friends. We have everybody back home in the UK now and adjusting to this new reality – but it’s certainly not easy for anybody. We’re obviously disappointed not to be able to race for the foreseeable future but, ultimately, we all understand the significance of the situation. The challenges the world is currently facing are unlike anything I’ve known in my lifetime and clearly transcend the sport, so the decisions that have been made are the correct ones.” Is the factory still operational at this point? “In light of the latest guidance from the UK Government we shut down on Wednesday evening, our doors will be closed for at least three weeks. As things currently stand – and it’s important to stress that this is a constantly evolving situation – we’ll be returning to work on Thursday 16 April. We’ve also worked extremely hard over the last few weeks to ensure that all staff who can work from home have the equipment they need to set up home offices.” Racing Point F1 team image How will this affect preparations for 2021? “This is an unprecedented situation – one that is changing by the day. Right now, we simply cannot say with any degree of certainty when we’ll be back to normal. There are so many factors that are not under our control. With that in mind, another decision taken between the teams and the FIA has been to delay the introduction of the new regulations until 2022. From both a logistical and a cost perspective, this makes absolute sense. Of course, that doesn’t mean we can afford to take it easy when we return to work. When we do eventually get back on track, we need to be in a position to compete – whatever the regulations. There’s still plenty of work ahead and we’ll be ready to tackle it when the time comes.” What message do you have for the fans of the team and the sport? “On behalf of everybody in the team, I’d like to thank our fans for their support at this challenging time. I’d also like to recognise the commitment and positivity of our commercial partners. As soon as it is safe to do so, we will get back to the racing. In the meantime, there are some excellent efforts going on with F1 Esports and our drivers will be involved in those online events in the weeks ahead. My final thought is to reinforce the government’s advice to stay at home and act responsibly; the more we all follow the guidelines, the quicker we will be back racing. It’s important we all stay united through these unusual times and stay safe and healthy.”
