Alvin's Formula One Blog

A look back at the 2016 F1 season in numbers with Pirelli. I know some of it is unnecessary but it's interesting that they keep track of so many things. "This has been an incredible season both on and off the track," says Pirelli Motorsport Director, Paul Hembery, as the Italian manufacturer reflects on the busiest F1 season ever. "So here are a few facts and figures as a souvenir of a year that will go down in history. "Pirelli has introduced a brand new compound - the ultrasoft - and also new regulations that allowed teams to use three compounds during each race, selected in advance. This extra tactical intrigue proved to be a highlight of the year, enhancing the show still further. "We also had the final season of tyres with a deliberately high level of degradation, as from next year we adopt a new philosophy in line with the latest direction for the sport. "At the same time as completing this season, we were testing for the next one: both...

Formula One racing’s governing body the FIA has released a revised provisional schedule for next year’s world championship, with the season set to get underway in Australia in March, not in April as previously indicated. A record 21 races remain on the calendar, with the brand-new event in Baku, Azerbaijan taking place the week after Canada - one of six back-to-back Grand Prix weekends. Also announced at Wednesday’s World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) meeting in Paris were new rules to increase the noise of cars. From 2016, all cars must have a separate exhaust wastegate tailpipe through which all and only wastegate exhaust gases must pass. This move will not have any significant effect on power or emissions. Several other changes were announced to the F1 regulations. They were: Cars must now comply with all cockpit and safety equipment requirements during testing; such as the position of the driver’s head, all headrest padding, cockpit padding and ease of driver egress. Sport...

The Monaco Grand Prix (French: Grand Prix de Monaco) is a Formula One motor race held each year on the Circuit de Monaco. Run since 1929, it is widely considered to be one of the most important and prestigious automobile races in the world, alongside the Indianapolis 500, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The circuit has been called "an exceptional location of glamour and prestige." The race is held on a narrow course laid out in the streets of Monaco, with many elevation changes and tight corners as well as a tunnel, making it one of the most demanding tracks in Formula One. In spite of the relatively low average speeds, it is a dangerous place to race. It is the only Grand Prix that does not adhere to the FIA's mandated 305 kilometres (190 mi) minimum race distance. The first race in 1929, was organised by Antony Noghès under the auspices of the "Automobile Club de Monaco", and was won by William Grover-Williams driving a Bugatti. The event was part of the pre-...

2015 is here and we're 2 months away from the first race. It's been a nice short winter to be honest, I didn't really feel the withdrawal symptoms much this time. The new cars have been launched fast and simple, no big launches with fancy settings and the such. All 8 teams have showed their cars and run them at the first test of the year in Jerez, Spain. Ferrari seem to be topping the time sheets but as usual testing times are not representative of anything. Or are they? If you know what to look for you'd know that Mercedes are still strong and probably not concerned about fast times. They are reliable, qualifying times can always be worked out later. McLaren's troubles are expected, we'll see how good Honda really is soon. Engine Manufacturer Test Mileage - Jerez Engine Manufacturer Miles Kms Mercedes 2707.4 4356.98 Ferrari 2011.3 3236.74 Renault 14...