Horner: F1 needs a US racing hero to ignite American interest

Key Motorsport Updates: From Driver Prospects to Pre-Season Shakedowns

The 2023 Formula 1 season is rapidly approaching, and the paddock is buzzing with activity. Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has shared his insightful perspective on the prospects of American drivers influencing F1’s popularity in the USA, emphasizing the need for a truly competitive national hero. Meanwhile, teams like Aston Martin and Mercedes are taking to the track for their inaugural shakedowns, marking a pivotal moment in their preparations. Additionally, the junior categories, Formula 2 and Formula 3, have commenced their crucial pre-season testing, setting the stage for an exciting year of racing.

Horner: America Needs an “American Max Verstappen” to Ignite F1 Fervor

Christian Horner, the seasoned team principal of Red Bull Racing, has voiced his opinions on the trajectory of Formula 1’s popularity in the United States, particularly in relation to American drivers. While acknowledging the presence of Logan Sargeant on the 2023 grid with Williams, Horner expressed reservations about the extent of impact Sargeant might have on the sport’s burgeoning fan base in his home country. He stated, “It’s great to have him there and he’s a talented young guy [but] he’s going to be limited in what he can do,” he told the New York Post, referring to Williams’ performance, which saw them finish last in the 2022 championship.

Horner elaborated on the crucial missing ingredient for F1 to truly capture the American imagination: a competitive national driver at the sharp end of the grid. He drew parallels with the profound effect drivers like Fernando Alonso had in Spain or Sergio Perez in Mexico, where their success fostered immense national pride and dramatically boosted the sport’s following. “The problem is, if you’re finishing 14th or 15th it doesn’t really turn people on,” he explained, highlighting that consistent midfield or backmarker finishes, while admirable for the driver, simply don’t generate the widespread excitement necessary to convert casual viewers into fervent fans.

The Red Bull chief envisions a transformative scenario: “I think if he was fighting at the front in a competitive car, then you’d see [something like] what happened with Fernando in Spain, or Checo [Perez] and the reaction in Mexico.” This vision underscores the symbiotic relationship between driver success and national engagement. For F1 to truly embed itself in the American sports landscape, transcending its current niche appeal, it needs a homegrown superstar. “Imagine if there was an American Max Verstappen,” Horner mused, emphasizing the dream scenario for the sport’s growth across the Atlantic. “What we need is a young, talented, competitive American driver,” he concluded, laying out a clear blueprint for F1’s aspirations in the crucial U.S. market.

Logan Sargeant’s debut is undoubtedly a significant moment, marking the first full-time American F1 driver since Alexander Rossi in 2015. However, the expectations placed upon him are tempered by the realities of F1, where car performance is paramount. While his talent is recognized, his ability to consistently challenge for points and podiums in his rookie season with Williams, a team undergoing significant rebuilding, remains a formidable challenge. The narrative of F1 in America will continue to evolve, with the search for that truly competitive American icon continuing to be a focal point for the sport’s stakeholders.

Aston Martin AMR23 and Mercedes W14 Hit the Track for First Shakedowns

A significant milestone in the 2023 Formula 1 pre-season calendar arrived as the new Aston Martin AMR23 was seen on track for the first time. The Silverstone-based team conducted its inaugural shakedown of its 2023 F1 contender at the iconic Silverstone circuit, directly across the road from its factory. This crucial initial run allows teams to verify basic systems functionality, conduct filming for promotional purposes, and ensure that all components are working as intended before more extensive testing begins.

Aston Martin’s 2023 campaign is marked by high anticipation, especially with the arrival of two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, who partners with Lance Stroll. The team is keen to build on its gradual improvements and aims to climb further up the constructors’ standings. The AMR23’s initial shakedown represents the first real-world test of their design and engineering efforts, offering valuable early data and an opportunity to identify any immediate issues.

Adding to the excitement, rivals Mercedes also conducted their shakedown at Silverstone on the same day, debuting their new W14 challenger. This simultaneous track action provided an early, albeit brief, glimpse of two of the sport’s prominent teams in their 2023 machinery. Aston Martin became the eighth team to get their 2023 car on track, with five of those having performed their shakedowns at Silverstone. The Italian teams traditionally utilize their local tracks for initial runs, while Switzerland-based Alfa Romeo opted for Barcelona to launch and debut their car.

These shakedowns, often limited to 100km on special Pirelli tyres, are not about outright performance but rather about functionality and ensuring the car is safe and ready for the official pre-season testing in Bahrain. For Aston Martin, the AMR23’s debut signals the start of what they hope will be a competitive and rewarding season, propelled by a new driver lineup and a clear ambition to challenge the established front-runners.

Robert Shwartzman Confirmed for Two F1 Practice Sessions in 2023

Ferrari’s new reserve driver, Robert Shwartzman, revealed exciting news about his 2023 involvement during the highly anticipated launch of Ferrari’s SF-23 challenger. Shwartzman confirmed that he would be participating in two Formula 1 practice sessions for the Scuderia this season, a significant opportunity for the young driver to gain crucial F1 experience.

Expressing his enthusiasm at the car’s unveiling, surrounded by the passionate Tifosi, Shwartzman remarked, “It’s the best feeling ever [being here with the Tifosi].” He acknowledged his new role and the challenges ahead, stating, “Coming back here as a new role, new challenge. It’s very interesting, there’s a lot of new things coming so I’m going to be travelling with the team this year. Obviously simulator work, very important, and also two FP1s with the SF-23. So I’m really looking forward to it.”

This opportunity is particularly meaningful for Shwartzman, whose F1 practice debut was initially slated for 2020 but was delayed. He finally got his chance to drive an F1 car during a Grand Prix weekend at last October’s United States Grand Prix. This was followed by another practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, fulfilling the team’s regulatory obligation to dedicate up to two practice sessions per season to drivers with fewer than three F1 race starts. As a former Ferrari junior driver, these consistent outings are vital for Shwartzman to remain sharp, contribute to team development, and demonstrate his potential for a future full-time F1 seat.

Formula 2 and Formula 3 Kick Off Pre-Season Testing in Bahrain

The future stars of motorsport have begun their preparations for the 2023 season, with Formula 2 and Formula 3 commencing their crucial pre-season testing in Bahrain. Both series hit the track for two sessions each on Tuesday, marking the first official track action for many drivers and teams.

ART Grand Prix emerged as the dominant force in the opening day, setting the fastest times across all sessions. Gregoire Saucy topped the F3 timings, showcasing strong pace, while Theo Pourchaire, the 2022 F2 runner-up, led the F2 field. The testing format, which provides each driver with a limited number of tyre sets for the entire three-day test, dictated a strategic approach to track running. This meant that fewer laps were completed at full representative pace, as teams conserved tyres for critical setup work and performance runs. The first F2 session also experienced a red flag stoppage, briefly interrupting the proceedings.

In Formula 3, Saucy demonstrated his capabilities by being fastest in the morning session, narrowly beating Taylor Barnard (Jenzer Motorsport) by 0.044 seconds. He further improved his performance in the afternoon, extending his lead to 0.326 seconds over his closest rival, Paul Aron (Prema), by the end of the day. His consistent pace suggests ART Grand Prix could be a strong contender in the upcoming F3 season.

Theo Pourchaire, a highly-rated prospect and last year’s F2 runner-up, also displayed impressive form. He held a significant 0.348-second advantage over Jehan Daruvala (MP Motorsport) in the morning session. In the afternoon, Pourchaire further lowered his lap times by an impressive three seconds, though the gap to the next-best driver, Richard Verschoor (Van Amersfoort Racing), tightened to just 0.128 seconds. These early results from Bahrain provide an exciting preview of the competitive battles expected in both Formula 2 and Formula 3 throughout the 2023 season, with ART Grand Prix appearing to be in excellent early form.

Links: Expanding Horizons in Global Motorsport

Beyond Formula 1 and its direct feeder series, the world of motorsport is constantly evolving with news from various championships and emerging talents. Here’s a round-up of other interesting motor racing links:

Paretta Searching for New IndyCar Partner Team for 2023 (Racer)

‘Paretta Autosport team owner Beth Paretta is facing challenges in finalizing plans for the upcoming IndyCar season. Since its debut in 2021, the women-led team has found that progress can be slow. While Paretta aims to work with Ed Carpenter Racing again in the future, staffing changes mean continuing their program with ECR in 2023 is not feasible, prompting a search for a new partner to continue their pioneering efforts in the series.’

Cassidy to Test IndyCar for Ganassi (Speedcafe)

‘Formula E driver Nick Cassidy is set to make a foray into IndyCar, confirming he will test for Chip Ganassi Racing. The 28-year-old New Zealander, fresh off a podium finish in the Hyderabad E-Prix, had a seat fitting with the Ganassi team late last year, signaling potential future ambitions in the American open-wheel series and highlighting the increasing crossover between top-tier motorsport disciplines.’

Karting Starlet Harry Burgoyne Jr Graduates to GB4 with Graham Brunton Racing (GB4)

‘Fifteen-year-old Scottish karting sensation Harry Burgoyne Jnr is making the jump to single-seater racing, confirmed as Graham Brunton Racing’s first driver signing for the 2023 GB4 championship. Burgoyne Jnr is a highly decorated young talent, having claimed multiple titles and competed at a world level in karting in recent years, making his transition to GB4 an eagerly watched development in junior motorsport.’

Hillspeed and Hitech Start Partnership in GB3 (GB3)

‘Hillspeed has announced a fresh driver line-up for its 2023 GB3 Championship campaign, forging a new partnership with the Hitech GP Academy. Chinese F4 champion Gerrard Xie and British F4 graduate Daniel Mavlyutov will join the team in a two-car entry, aiming for strong performances in one of the UK’s premier junior single-seater championships, reflecting a strategic alliance between two prominent teams.’

Carrie Schreiner to Drive with ART GP in F1 Academy (ART GP)

‘ART Grand Prix proudly confirmed German racer Carrie Schreiner will join Léna Büher in the inaugural F1 Academy championship season. Schreiner brings a wealth of experience from British and German Formula 4 series, as well as GT and endurance championships, including multiple Nürburgring 24h appearances, highlighting the depth of talent entering this groundbreaking new women’s racing series.’

Chatting with Charles Pic: 2023 Season Preview (DAMS)

‘Former F1 driver Charles Pic, who took over DAMS 12 months ago, reflects on his first year at the helm and looks ahead to the 2023 season. While not involved in day-to-day operations, Pic’s influence has been significant throughout the squad. This interview provides insight into his vision for the team’s future and its ambitions in the upcoming campaign and beyond, demonstrating the continued evolution of junior team leadership.’

We always endeavour 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 to us via the contact form.

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Social Media Highlights from the Paddock

Stay connected with the pulse of Formula 1 and junior categories through notable posts from Twitter and Instagram:

|@Carlossainz55 hitting the track for the first time in the new Ferrari.#F1 pic.twitter.com/u9NoYQOLZ2

— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) February 14, 2023

New livery, same @TPourchaire 👊💥

How are we liking the Frenchman’s new Sauber Academy colours? 🧐#F2 #F2Testing pic.twitter.com/2hI4qfhMhZ

— Formula 2 (@Formula2) February 14, 2023

Although people may think it’s a step backwards for Abbi, there are plans in the pipeline to make the jump to F3 in 2024. Still a long way to go though (£££).
However, Abbi works incredibly hard on & off the track & is working alongside a fab team at @CarlinRacing 💙. #f1 https://t.co/IebyVUfdlB

— Alice Powell (@alicepowell) February 14, 2023

Our turn again! 👋

We’re green for our second session of the day 🚦

Live timing 👇#F3 #F3Testing

— Formula 3 (@Formula3) February 14, 2023

|@MercedesAMGF1 have done the ‘launch and immediate first run’ thing before. But @scuderiaferrari made it special by having fans and media present. They’ve set a new standard by which future launches will be judged – and shown up those passing off show cars as the real thing. #F1

— Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) February 14, 2023

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• Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory

These posts provide a dynamic snapshot of the F1 community’s engagement and ongoing discussions as the 2023 season looms. From driver updates to team observations, social media remains a vital source for immediate motorsport news.

Debating F1’s Entry Fee: Franchise Value vs. Approval Cost

A contentious topic in Formula 1 continues to be the substantial entry fee new teams are required to pay to join the world championship. Currently set at $200 million (£164m), this fee is distributed among the existing ten teams, ostensibly to compensate them for any potential reduction in their earnings stemming from an expanded grid. McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown recently weighed in on the debate, defending the hefty sum as “good value for money.”

Brown articulated his perspective by framing F1 teams as valuable franchises, akin to those in major American sports leagues. “I mean, these franchises are worth quite a bit of money,” he stated. “So it’s an investment as opposed to a fee because these franchises, if not already worth billions, certainly will be in the not-too-distant future like other major sports.” His argument suggests that paying the entry fee is not merely an expense but an acquisition of a stake in a rapidly appreciating asset.

However, Brown’s comments did not resonate with all RaceFans readers, prompting a robust counter-argument:

No, it’s definitely a fee and it all goes straight to the existing participants. A new entrant is not investing in their competitors – they are buying their approval.

I think I’d be much more appreciative, or at least accepting, of the existing teams’ stance on this if they’d all paid the same (or equivalent) franchise fee too. But none – not a single one – of the teams currently in F1 has paid even a cent to their competitors to be granted access to F1. And yet they’ve all awarded themselves the power (with Liberty’s blessing as a co-conspirator) to force others to do so. It’s a disgrace.

At least under Bernie and Mosely, it was clear to all new entrants that they wouldn’t be paid for the first 3 years unless they finished in the top 10 in the championship. No payments to competitors required.

Even Brown is exposing the dark reality in F1 here – even though he supports new entrants, it’s on the condition that his own team makes a financial profit from it.
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The reader’s powerful counter-argument highlights a perceived hypocrisy within the current F1 framework. The criticism centers on the fact that no existing team paid such a fee to enter the sport, yet they now collectively impose it on aspiring entrants. This raises questions about whether the fee genuinely serves as compensation or if it acts as a barrier to entry, protecting the financial interests of the current participants. The comment also recalls a different era under Bernie Ecclestone and Max Mosley, where new teams faced performance-based payment criteria rather than an upfront cash sum to their rivals. This debate underscores the ongoing tension between expanding the F1 grid and safeguarding the financial stability and exclusivity of the established teams, a crucial discussion as potential new entrants like Andretti Global eye a spot in the pinnacle of motorsport.

Happy Birthday!

A very happy birthday to our fellow motorsport enthusiasts: East Londoner, Ives F1, Mouse_Nightshirt, Tim P, Tom, and Enigma! We hope you have a fantastic day celebrating.

On This Day in Motorsport

• Born on this day in 1998: George Russell, the talented British Formula 1 driver currently competing for Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team.