F1 2023 Season

WTF messing about with something that wors just fine as it is.


F1 stakeholders have rubber-stamped plans to test a “revised qualifying format” at up to two events in 2023, for the purpose of “evaluating whether the revisions are suitable for subsequent championships”.
At these trial events, drivers must use the hard compound in Q1, the medium compound in Q2, and the soft in Q3. If a session is declared wet, any compound may be used.
The intention is also to reduce the number of tyres used on a grand prix weekend, as the events with the revised qualifying format will cut the mandated tyre allocation from 13 sets of slick tyres to 11 sets.

Within this allocation each driver will have an extra set of hard tyres (up to three) and an extra set of medium tyres (up to four), but lose three sets of soft tyres (down to four).
The number of intermediates (four sets) and wets (three sets) will remain unchanged.
Not a fan of this at all. Removing strategy is the last thing F1 should be thinking of.

If they want to limit tyres then do just that, give them less sets to use.
 
They won't shuffle anything, they'll retain the dates on all races and have the 3 week gap between Melbourne & Baku. Teams will be in support of the gap as well.

Chinese GP won't be replaced and we'll now have a 23 race season.
 
New 2023 Race Calendar.
New 2023 Race Calendar.
skysports-formula-1-calendar_6021660.png
 
Why has Belgium been pushed backwards by a month?

They want to only have one triple header in the calendar, so moving races in Europe is easier and Belgium (which was negotiating a contract extension) will form a double header with Hungary before the shutdown in the Summer.
 
They really couldn't find something to put between rounds 3 and 4? 4 weeks between races is crazy.
 
They really couldn't find something to put between rounds 3 and 4? 4 weeks between races is crazy.

Initial discussions with the Azerbaijan promoters didn't go far as they didn't want to pull the race forward due to weather. Portimao was mentioned as an alternative but they never got to a discussion with promoters about putting a race on there.
 
Looking forward to another year of Ferrari strategy comedy.
 
Looking forward to another year of Ferrari strategy comedy.
We'll also have the in fighting as sainz will be relegated to no2 under vasseur and will have to move out of leclercs way.

"...leclerc is faster than you..." (code for no1 driver coming through, move out of the way).
 
We'll also have the in fighting as sainz will be relegated to no2 under vasseur and will have to move out of leclercs way.

"...leclerc is faster than you..." (code for no1 driver coming through, move out of the way).

About time they did this tbh. Sainz is solid but not a team leader (unless he makes a big step up)
 
Alpine are unhappy. Alledgly ferrari have found an extra 30bhp through reliability. Mercedes 16bhp and RedBull 10bhp. Alpine? 0bhp.

Tbh, not sure how anyone could possibly know what performance gains have been made through "reliability".

https://www.planetf1.com/news/alpine-reportedly-suspicious-rivals-find-horsepower/
You can turn the power up essentially.

If you've got an engine that is capable of 30bhp more but is only reliable at 80% power, that's not good.
 
You can turn the power up essentially.

If you've got an engine that is capable of 30bhp more but is only reliable at 80% power, that's not good.

https://racingnews365.com/how-f1-teams-have-found-power-increases-despite-regulation-freeze/

"...It is, in fact, what we have mentioned several times with regard to Ferrari, whose power unit 066/7 had highlighted serious reliability problems especially with the turbocharger and the MGU-H, problems which it seems were induced by an imperfect operation of the TJI (Turbulent Jet Ignition) system, implemented under the supervision of Rolf Zimmermann.

Once the causes have been ascertained, as we already wrote at the end of 2022, it seems that the increase in power, compared to the figures during the course of the last season, would be close to 30 bhp. If this leap forward seems to be a record, we can say it has not been isolated..."

"......At Brixworth, in the engine department, the interventions would have concentrated on the reduction of internal mechanical friction. This would be achieved through machining processes on the main bearings and on the crankshaft as well as on the connecting rods.

Furthermore, a new formulation of lubricants would have made it more possible to achieve the goal of reducing "friction". A new Petronas fuel, on the other hand, would be the one that would have allowed a tangible improvement in combustion efficiency. The horsepower gain would be around 16 bhp.

The road followed by Honda is interesting. In particular, without being able to modify the project, since they were already homologated, the MGU-H and the MGU-K were analysed, with modifications that were aimed only at reliability, but also, according to our sources, proved to be extremely positive in terms of reducing energy wastage.

Equally interesting is the modification of the auxiliary pumps of the internal combustion engine, where the qualitative improvements of some internal components have improved reliability. Adding up the two breakthroughs, there is around a 10 bhp increase.."
 
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https://the-race.com/formula-1/where-performance-gains-can-be-made-despite-f1s-engine-freeze/

"...Alpine executive director Bruno Famin, head of the engine base in Viry-Chatillon in France that produces the Renault power unit, explains, while you cannot directly improve the performance there are “very small margins” where packaging can be improved.

The nine frozen parts of the power unit and related items are the V6 engine, turbocharger, MGU-H, MGU-K, energy store, control electronics, exhaust system, fuel and engine oil, with the deadlines for the final specification kicking in variously in March and September last year. That means these cannot change for the remainder of the current rules cycle, which runs to the end of 2025.

“There is no real margin to be honest because, by rule, you cannot improve the performance of the engine,” said Famin when asked how much margin there is for improving the power unit.

“What we can do is try to improve the performance of the car, and the possibility we still have as per the regulation is the packaging.
“This is where we are working. We’re working of focus in the use of the energy management, but here again we are going to be very limited as we’re going to have only one software version per year now. We are pushing like that, but it’s more on the on the drivability.

“We are going through the ideas to progress, which is very small margins. It’s not pure performance, it’s more drivability and integration/aero gains.”

The regulations also allow for what are called “minimal incidental changes” to be made, but these are tightly controlled and only apply to seven areas. This is defined as “for car installation purposes”.

These apply to wirings, the exhaust system (“provided the key defining parameters remain fundamentally unchanged”, the turbo-compressor position (“within 20mm from the original position relative to the ICE”) as well as turbo clocking and turbo supports, the position of wastegates with housings and pipes, the position of the pop-off valves housing and pipes and minor details of the air inlet system.

While none of these make a massive difference, they can be used to make tiny tweaks to the packaging of the power unit for potential marginal performance gains...."
 
I think the PU upgrades are sketchy at this point. Almost as if anything goes as long as you can link it to improved reliability.
 
Anyone come across any rumours as to why Sky F1 have dumped Paul DiResta and Jonny Herbert for next season onwards?
 
Anyone come across any rumours as to why Sky F1 have dumped Paul DiResta and Jonny Herbert for next season onwards?

I thought Di Resta was one of the better voices on their coverage. Just delivered things straight and got his information/insight out without getting overly matey like most of the others.
 
Anyone come across any rumours as to why Sky F1 have dumped Paul DiResta and Jonny Herbert for next season onwards?

I would suggest probably because they're both sh*te. The logical answer, and not my personal opinion, is that Rosberg is now allowed back in the paddock this season. So they'll probably promote him to do more races. Although a bit of a conspiracy thought from me, both Herbert & Di Resta are the worst for bias on their line up so it wouldn't surprise me if they're trying to get some balance back into their reporting of races for next season.
 
I thought Di Resta was one of the better voices on their coverage. Just delivered things straight and got his information/insight out without getting overly matey like most of the others.
Apart from his agenda against Lewis and always talking shit about him
 
Apart from his agenda against Lewis and always talking shit about him

Fair enough. Can't say I've seen enough of the pre/post race stuff to know.

His input during the actual races always seemed on-point to me.
 
Never a fan of Herbert, not fussed he has gone.
PDR I thought was OK when his hate for Lewis was kept in check, his race analysis was always spot on for me.
The prospect of more Rosberg is disturbing
 
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Meh, not bothered really in the slightest. I’d consider them as two pundits from the tail end of the spectrum of those on Sky.
 
Interesting news and a smart move from Andretti in teaming up with GM, this should get at least one more engine manufacturer (or even constructor) from the States into the sport as well.

Plenty of rumours going around that Ford will partner up with Red Bull when the car is announced this weekend in NYC.
 


Never thought I would ever see a Schumacher in a McLaren.
 
First race in a month? That's great. :drool:
 
It's presentation day for Red Bull, and the championship winning outfit will reportedly unveil in New York on Friday an engine branding deal with American automotive giant Ford.
The rumors of a tie-up between Red Bull and Ford have been swirling for weeks, but according to a report from the BBC, a deal between the F1 team and the Blue Oval is signed and sealed.
Watch LIVE from 2pm, Sky Sports F1 and Red Bull YouTube channel

Red Bull set to announce F1 partnership with Ford (f1i.com)
 
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All we are really seeing at these launches is livery in essence anyway. No one will reveal the best bits of their car.
Yeah it's just a sponsor hype more than anything. Still, just means we are that 1 step closer
 
So why was Porsche's deals with RB collapsed before? Ford seems wrapped it up fast and its an engine deal too. Could be interesting if Andretti & GM come to materialised too.
 
So why was Porsche's deals with RB collapsed before? Ford seems wrapped it up fast and its an engine deal too. Could be interesting if Andretti & GM come to materialised too.
Rumour is Porsche wanted to have a real say in the team and Ford is alright with letting Red Bull control things