Daniel Ricciardo is set for his first outing in Red Bull’s 2023 car this week. Ricciardo re-joined Red Bull as its third driver this year, after leaving McLaren, and will participate in the post-British Grand Prix tire test on Tuesday.
Red Bull, Haas and Williams teams have remained at Silverstone for the test, in which Pirelli dictates the run plan. Upgraded components are not permitted. Mercedes and McLaren will return to the circuit on Thursday to trial the prototype wheel covers that have been designed to reduce spray in wet conditions.
“It’s going to be great seeing him where he’s at,” said Red Bull boss Christian Horner. “Both on pace and mentally, physically and to get his feedback on this car as well. So I think it’s a good opportunity for him to get back behind a wheel of a car that’s just won the British Grand Prix.
Horner stressed that a race return for Riccardo “is not something that we’re planning, that’s for certain,” with Sergio Perez under contract for 2024.
APX GP, Brad Pitt Get in the Mix
It was an occasional head-scratcher seeing unfamiliar faces in new team kit and new overalls at Silverstone, but that was because of the new Apple/Bruckheimer film that began production.
APX GP, the fictional 11th team, firmly embedded itself within Silverstone’s paddock, with its own garage, two evolved Formula 2 cars, and motorhome. Brad Pitt, the star of the as-yet-untitled film, even took part in the drivers’ briefing on Friday night—mainly to provide an update on the production to the current field—while he and co-star Damson Idris were on the grid during the national anthem.
The two cars were also positioned at the rear of the regular grid in the race build-up, with Formula 1 personnel going about their usual business. Pitt revealed to Sky Sports at Silverstone that Javier Bardem is also part of the cast. Pitt and the production’s stunt drivers used gaps in the schedule during the weekend to carry out filming in the black-and-gold liveried machines.
New Aston Martin F1 Factory Opens
Aston Martin held its first event in its new factory—officially called the Technology Campus—on Thursday.
The impressive facility was recently opened, with Lance Stroll marking the occasion by driving a Formula 1 car through the central boulevard around which the design offices and various departments are located. The state-of-the-art structure was constructed adjacent to the old factory at Silverstone and the entire team has now moved into its new environs. Demolition is due to get underway on the old facility today (Monday), with a second building to house Aston Martin’s staff restaurant and fitness center to be constructed.
Development on the third building, which will house the team’s new wind tunnel, is already underway and expected to be operational in late 2024.
“It was fascinating to see the facilities, all the people there in the same room, manufacturing our own parts of the car.,” said Fernando Alonso. “It's a step forward, I think, we will need couple of years to settle down everything and to maximize the potential. But obviously it shows the ambition of Aston Martin and we have to be proud.”
Button Wide-Eyed at 1992 F1 Car
At Silverstone, Williams began celebrations of its 800th Grand Prix with a special livery and a host of events.
Part of those involved Jenson Button demonstrating Williams’ title-winning 1992 car, the FW14B, ahead of the race on Sunday morning. The FW14B, regarded as one of the most iconic Formula 1 machines, dominated the 1992 season in the hands of Nigel Mansell. Button, who made his debut in Formula 1 for Williams in 2000 and is now an ambassador for the team, was wide-eyed after the experience.
“It was unbelievable,” Button said. “It was pretty emotional to drive the car that really was the car from my childhood. I remember sitting on the sofa with my old man watching all the races and seeing Nigel clinch the title, and this was the car he won that championship for Williams in. Once you get on track, the sound of that engine is so beautiful. You never know what to expect driving a heritage car—this one is 31 years old—but it’s very quick! The high speed is sensational and far beyond what I expected.”
And keep an eye out on Williams’ various social media channels—on Tuesday it will be revealing the Gulf-inspired livery that it will run at Grands Prix in Singapore, Japan and Qatar later this season.
Formula 2 Battle Tightens
There are only five rounds remaining in this year’s 13-event Formula 2 championship and the fight for the title is heating up.
Mercedes-backed Frederik Vesti was involved in a collision in the main Feature Race on Sunday, putting him out of proceedings, allowing Sauber junior Théo Pourchaire to move to within six points after classifying third.
The Feature Race was dominated by Alpine protégé Victor Martins, who overcame a time penalty to take victory from pole position.
In Formula 3, Gabriel Bortoleto, a protégé of Fernando Alonso, holds a healthy 36-point advantage over Pepe Marti, who is also part of Alonso’s A14 Management scheme, with only three rounds remaining. Bortoleto was second at Silverstone in a race won by Oliver Goethe.
