18 August 2022
❖ Former F1 engine manufacturers Porsche have confirmed their intent to return to Formula 1 after filing a patent for the word ‘F1nally. Porsche is set to join forces with Red Bull in 2026 alongside the new engine regulations.
❖ It’s complete bull****’!: Toto Wolff quashes talk of replacing Lewis Hamilton with Sergio Perez. Wolff says he had conversations with Lewis about staying at Mercedes for another ‘five or ten years.’
❖ Daniel Ricciardo looks set to lose his McLaren seat at the end of the 2022 season, having struggled to live with the pace of teammate Lando Norris. Ricciardo is set to be replaced by Oscar Piastri.
❖ Formula 1 has undergone its most significant regulatory overhaul in recent history for the 2022 season. After criticism for the original directive, it has been agreed upon that 2023 cars will have their floor edges raised by 15 mm to help mitigate porpoising in the name of safety.
❖ Toto Wolff said he studied Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United side in order to learn what prevents successful teams from maintaining their winning form. Wolff and Ferguson are two of the most successful managers ever in their respective sports.
❖ Alpine is looking for a driver after Fernando Alonso decided to sign for Aston Martin and Oscar Piastri’s rejection of a race seat after holding talks with McLaren. Mick Schumacher has triggered speculation he could replace Fernando Alonso in the Alpine F1 team.