F1 strugglers Renault and McLaren could be forced to form an alliance to try and keep up with the sport’s leading teams, it has been claimed.
Renault managing director Cyril Abiteboul says a “crazy arms race” is underway in F1, with Ferrari and Mercedes leading the way. He said that F1 was now “a different sport – a different universe”.
According to website Grandpx.news he said: “Our plan was to operate at the level of the top teams. But they have continued to grow… with such crazy numbers that we cannot and do not want to go with them.”
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Each of the sport’s major players now has a ‘B team’, adds the website. Ferrari has Haas and Alfa Romeo, Red Bull has Toro Rosso and Mercedes is moving closer to Racing Point.
“Soon, you will not be able to win if you don’t have a B team,” said Abiteboul.
“Before I can beat Ferrari, I first have to beat Haas. And the harder that is, the harder it is to get more prize money or sponsors.
“We see this situation as very serious and it’s not just a problem for Renault, but for anyone who cannot afford this model.
“I don’t know how to stop this arms race, and these satellite teams are a part of that. The FIA must recognise it.”
Asked how to counter it, he said: “Perhaps we will have to talk to McLaren at some point, but this alliance could never be at the level of Ferrari and Haas, Mercedes and Racing Point, Red Bull and Toro Rosso.”
Paddy Lowe leaves Williams
Williams’ chief technical officer Paddy Lowe has taken a “leave of absence” from the team after a disastrous start to the new F1 season, reports ESPN.
The team missed the opening two and a half days of testing because the new car was not ready, and deputy team principal Claire Williams described the delay as “embarrassing”.
That came after Williams finished bottom in 2018, with seven points from 21 races
On Wednesday it was revealed that Lowe was “taking a leave of absence from the business for personal reasons”. It is not clear how long he will be away, but it is widely believed that Lowe will be stepping down from his role.
The new season begins with Australia Grand Prix next week, where Williams will debut their new line-up of Robert Kubica and George Russell.
Chemical Brothers create 'sonic identity'
F1 has a “new global sonic identity” thanks to the Chemical Brothers.
The three-second long clip is taken from a new track called ‘We’ve got to try’ and has been given the snappy title: WGTT15000BPM F1 NEEEUM MIX
F1 said the band had “transformed a brand-new track into the iconic sound of an F1 car roaring past at high speed”.
Described as “the fastest remix of all time", the clip has a speed of 15,000 beats per minute to match the 15,000rpm of current F1 engines, notes Autosport.
