re: 2023 Formula 1 season Thread

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Joe Saward: "Informed sources suggest that there is a provision in Ricciardo’s contract for him to switch into Red Bull Racing after the early races next year if Sergio Perez does not up his game."

He also adds that in this case Ricciardo's salary would triple and Liam Lawson would replace him at AT

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?? As per a report in the Business F1 magazine, at the 2022 Singapore GP Toto Wolff received confidential info from within the FIA and leaked 2021 cost cap results to the media before any team including Red Bull had seen the results It was later revealed that Shaila Ann Rao (FIA Interim Secretary General) at the time leaked the information to Toto Wolff. Team Principals are also concerned that Toto has access to confidential information since Susie Wolff is employed by the Formula 1 Group A former team principal said: "Imagine that Geri Horner or Raquell Stroll were appointed to head up F2 or get a job at Liberty...." [Business F1]

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The report also explains why these discussions have been suddenly sparked: At the last meeting Toto Wolff had advanced information about a topic that came up which surprised a number of team principals. According to a person in the meeting, Toto Wolff immediately realised that he 'overspoke' and his 'uncomfortable' body language immediately aroused suspicion.

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Ferrari News
@FanaticsFerrari
| Gazzetta reports that Ferrari and Charles Leclerc have agreed a 5-year contract extension until 2029.

The official announcement is imminent.

There are some doubts regarding Carlos Sainz’ situation. Carlos would like to renew for at least 2 years, but Ferrari could opt for a 1-year extension only, to continue monitoring opportunities in the driver market (e.g., Lando Norris’ contract with McLaren expires in 2025).

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The FIA have opened a compliance investigation into a potential conflict of interest between Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff and his wife Susie.

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FOM said it believes the FIA’s statement is not correct. “We note the public statement made by the FIA this evening that was not shared with us in advance,” it said in a statement. “We have complete confidence that the allegations are wrong, and we have robust processes and procedures that ensure the segregation of information and responsibilities in the event of any potential conflict of interest.

“We are confident that no member of our team has made any unauthorised disclosure to a team principal and would caution anyone against making imprudent and serious allegations without substance.”

Mercedes said it had received no communication from the FIA’s Compliance Department regarding any investigation, and claimed the subsequent media coverage of the story had cast aspersions on Wolff.

“We note the generic statement from the FIA this evening, which responds to unsubstantiated allegations from a single media outlet, and the off-record briefing which has linked it to the team principal of Mercedes-AMG F1,” said Mercedes’ statement.

“The team has received no communication from the FIA Compliance Department on this topic and it was highly surprising to learn of the investigation through a media statement.

“We wholly reject the allegation in the statement and associated media coverage, which wrongly impinges on the integrity and compliance of our team principal.

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