In the round-up: Gasly is braced for a bumpy ride at the Circuit of the Americas.
In letter
Gasly expects challenge for 2022 F1 cars with COTA bumps
AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly thinks Circuit of the Americas will pose a greater set-up challenge with this year’s Formula 1 cars due to the track’s bumpiness.
“The track has always been very bumpy, and I think with this generation of car, it’s going to be very complicated in terms of ride,” he said.
“This year’s cars are very stiff and so it’s going to be a big challenge for everyone, although I understand they resurfaced some sections earlier this year in time for the Moto GP race there, so let’s hope it’s an improvement.”
The FIA introduced a technical directive in August to limit how much F1 cars bottom out, and therefore to reduce the problem of porpoising that has occurred with cars being run low to the ground this year.
F1 Arcade to launch in London
The first official F1 Arcade will open next monthThe first official F1 simulator arcade racing center will open in London at the One New Change shopping center behind St. Paul’s Cathedral.
There will be 60 simulators in F1 Arcade, though rather than base itself around existing F1 video games there will be “a newly created gameplay experience” on the rFactor2 simulator software that “will allow guests to choose from a variety of racing modes to compete against each other individually, in team-based groups, or as part of all-venue racing formats”.
Visitors will be able to create their own “personal driver profiles” and collect an “experience currency” that will “be used to enhance guests’ experiences by offering unique prizes, activities in venue, and once-in-a-lifetime competition entries” .
On grand prix weekends there will be “enhanced experiences” taking place at F1 Arcade.
De Vries could see “limitations” of Mercedes ties when looking elsewhere
Nyck de Vries says he had to clarify his relationship with Mercedes when looking for a 2023 Formula 1 seat after his starring debut at the Italian Grand Prix at Williams.
De Vries was a McLaren junior from 2010 to 2019. He joined Mercedes after winning the Formula 2 title in 2019, though not as a junior driver and initially part of their new Formula E programme. Since then he has become one of their F1 reserve drivers, separate from Mercedes’ junior team, and has driven this year with engine customers Williams and Aston Martin.
“I won Formula 2 and I started building up a relationship at Mercedes,” he told the official F1 website. “I think in the public eye I was also always very much perceived as a Mercedes driver.”
“Although our relationship was formally limited to FE contract and a reserve driver contract. Now obviously we were building up a friendly relationship here up together with everyone in the team, but I think I was always seen as a Mercedes driver. And I think that Monday evening after Monza made me understand that that could have its limitations. So it was important to clarify my situation to the people that make the calls.”
One of those people was Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko, who convinced de Vries to sign him to AlphaTauri for 2023.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Left
Motor racing links of interest:
In full: Brown’s letter to the FIA (Speedcafe)
‘McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has written a letter to FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem regarding potential punishments for the teams which were not compliant with the 2021 Formula 1 Financial Regulations.
Roberto Moreno and Marc Goossens to race in the 2022 FFord Festival (Formula Scout)
‘Past Formula Ford Festival winners Roberto Moreno and Marc Goossens are the biggest names on the entry list for this year’s event, which takes place this weekend. Moreno won the Brands Hatch-based event in 1980,’ and Goossens won in 1991.
Marino Sato: A race in my words (Formula 2)
‘The Japanese racer picked out his most recent F2 effort, not because of a memorable overtake or funny anecdote, but because of the hard work that he and his team put in to producing visible and tangible gains.’
Radford Racing helping transition drivers from karts to cars in US F4 (FR Americas)
‘Radford Racing School, an authorized racing school of the United States F4 championship, is set to host a two-day school for scholarship winners to assist their transition from karts to cars. Scheduled for December 2-3, with the option to participate in additional training on December 4, the school will take place at Radford Racing School’s facility in Chandler. Six scholarship recipients from some of the world’s top karting programs are expected to participate.’
Evolving from rookie to title protagonist, now Oliver Bearman’s coming of age (FIA Formula 3)
‘Laughing and joking around with his fellow drivers and team in the paddock – on the face of it, Oliver Bearman is in every way a regular teenager. Yet his rookie Formula 3 season has seen the 17-year-old truly come of age, going from an up-and-coming talent on the Formula 4 scene to a force to be reckoned with in the third tier.’
Sette Camara, di Grassi on Gen3 and Formula E’s first trip to Sao Paulo (Formula E)
‘Sergio Sette Camara and Lucas di Grassi were on-hand to show off the plans for the series’ inaugural trip to Brazil, and a return to South America, in front of media and fans last week.’
How COTA helped F1 regain its US credibility (Racer)
‘When the concept of COTA in Austin was raised, with the idea of it becoming the home of F1 in the USA, it was a big, big gamble.’
We always endeavor to credit original sources. If you have a tip for a link relating to single-seater motorsport to feature in the next RaceFans round-up please send it in via the contact form.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday to Danthorn, Shaggymike, F1Yankee and The Abbinator!