In the round-up: McLaren team principal Andrea Stella says his team should have their new wind tunnel fully operational by June.
In brief
McLaren to have new wind tunnel active by June – Stella
McLaren suffered a frustrating start to the season in Bahrain with no points after a difficult pre-season testing. The team are working on major upgrades to their factory facilities, including a new simulator and wind tunnel, which Stella says is in the process of calibration.
“We are hopeful to have the car in the wind tunnel – which should be at that stage the new car – in June,” Stella said.
“Once the tunnel is going through this calibration process, and we have done this coordination exercise with the same model in the two wind tunnels, I would hope that in the space of a couple of weeks, we are ready to go for development. Like I say, the plan is to have development starting in June.”
Red Bull’s title defence won’t be “walk in the park” – Button
Jenson Button is unconvinced Red Bull and Max Verstappen will enjoy an easy romp to this year’s world championship titles despite their dominant victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix.
“I know that a lot of drivers have said, ‘well, it’s going to be an easy championship for Red Bull and Max’, but how can you say that?,” Button told media including RaceFans. “We’ve only tested at one track. We’ve only raced at one track.
“We all know that Bahrain is very unique in the way that the cars work there. It’s a heavy braking traction circuit – it’s not so much about high speed. So we can’t say that. I think we’ll understand a bit more after Saudi, which is more of a fast flowing track, and also when we get to the European races.”
“So no, it’s not a walk in the park for Red Bull and Max. It’s a great start to the season and very different to what they had last year, but I still think we’re going to have some very, very close fights and I don’t think it’s going to be a straightforward win for Red Bull and Max.”
Correa claims FIA offered him “zero support” after Hubert crash
Formula 2 racer Juan Manuel Correa says he feels he had “zero support” from the FIA after suffering severe injuries in the crash at Spa-Francorchamps in 2019 that claimed the life of Anthoine Hubert.
Asked on the Track Limits podcast, if he felt the F1 community and the FIA helped him in his recovery from his injuries, Correa said “if I’m honest, not at all.”
“I was alone,” Correa continued. “I had my family, my friends, my people, but there was zero support from the FIA. That was pretty bad, to be honest. It was sad, because I almost felt I was used, you know? Because when you’re putting on a show, they’re the first ones to benefit from that.”
It is not the first time Correa has been critical of the FIA’s response to his injuries. In 2020, comments by Correa on German television were responded to by chief medical doctor Christian Wahlen, who told RaceFans at the time that he had “remained in constant contact” with Correa and the hospital that received him in the days after the accident.
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Links
Motor racing links of interest:
Disgraced F1 legend ‘faces £1.6million fine’ over racist abuse of Lewis Hamilton two years ago (Sun)
“Piquet made the disgraceful jibe during an appearance on a podcast in Brazil, where he’s facing a civil suit. According to O Globo, the former Williams ace is facing a £1.6million lawsuit from the National LGBT+ Alliance and other groups. Brazil’s Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Federal District has also joined the campaign to have the 70-year-old reprimanded.”
“I loved every single second of my first F1 race weekend. If you had given me that sort of weekend before it had happened, I would have said yes to it. To have a smooth race, from the pit stops to the Virtual Safety Car, and finish 12th gives me a good baseline to work with.”
Bruno Michel’s Debrief: The makings of a thrilling season (F2)
“When Théo Pourchaire announced that he was returning to F2 for a third season, the objective was very clear: the Frenchman is in it to win it. And so is ART Grand Prix. People expect the driver and the team to fight for the Championship, but we know it is won through performance and consistency, which they lacked from time to time in 2022.”
IndyCar Aeroscreen – Racecar Engineering (Racecar Engineering)
“The windscreen’s performance objectives were clear. Foremost, it had to withstand debris flying at velocities exceeding 220mph. Protecting against an airborne 22lb (approx. 10kg) tyre and wheel assembly would be difficult on a practical level, but handling lighter, more common track debris was not.”
Bridgestone Motorsport Awarded FIA highest rank Environmental Accreditation (FIA)
“Bridgestone was awarded the best practice Three Star as it ”Demonstrate best practice and commitment to seek continual improvement through the implementation of an environmental management system.””
AFBE UK: Marking our Mentorship Programme (Mercedes via YouTube)
“Last week, as part of our Accelerate 25 diversity and inclusion programme, we brought together our Team mentors and their AFBE-UK mentees for the closing ceremony to their six-month mentoring scheme.”
INSIDER Stories: Fernando Alonso’s 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix Podium (Aston Martin via YouTube)
Behind-the-scenes footage of Aston Martin garage celebrations after securing a podium to start the season.
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