In the round-up: FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is open to continuing F1’s grid expansion after the series dropped its opposition to an 11th team joining.
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In brief
F1 could have 12th team – Ben Sulayem
Last month Formula One Management confirmed it had reached an agreement in principle for Cadillac to enter the series as an 11th team, having previously opposed expansion of the grid.
The FIA rules allow more than 11 teams to participate, however, and Ben Sulayem says he is open to admitting another. “It’s about doing the right thing,” he told Reuters. “So why do we have an option of 12 if we are going to say no, no, no?”
“With me it is very clear it is a win for everyone with the 11th team.”
F1 last had 12 teams during the 2012 season, before HRT folded.
F1 Academy adds race
F1 Academy has added an extra race to its final round at Yas Marina this weekend. The double-header will therefore become a triple-header.
Its three races will take place at 12:15pm and 8:15pm local time on Saturday and 11:15am on Sunday. The grids will be decided by a single qualifying session with the fastest time deciding starting positions for race one, second fastest for race two and third for race three.
The series is making the addition due to the cancellation of last weekend’s second race at the Losail International Circuit due to barrier damage caused by another series.
Williams place Giusti in F3
Williams junior driver Alessandro Giusti will move from the Formula Regional European championship to Formula 3 next year. He will drive for MP.
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Links
FIA seeks rule changes after president allegations (BBC)
‘These would ensure that any ethics complaints were overseen by the FIA president and president of its senate, rather than the senate itself. And they would remove the power of the audit committee to investigate financial issues independently.’
Brands flock to F1 as female engagement soars (Financial Times)
‘The rise in female F1 fans creates new commercial opportunities for brands that traditionally cater to women. Rimmel, one of the UK’s biggest make-up brands by sales, owned by beauty company Coty, has partnered with racing experience F1 Arcade in July to promote its latest mascara. Amaury De Vallois, general manager of Coty UK&I, attributes the deal to F1’s changing fan demographics.’
Christian Mansell’s Lusail weekend in his words (Formula 2)
‘I’m really proud that I can back myself and I back them. I got lucky with a Safety Car, there’s no denying, but I wouldn’t have been in that position if I didn’t box earlier, and that was a call from myself, so I made that call first, they backed it up and followed it through. It’s definitely a well-earned result from both sides.’
A new era of sustainable fuel: FIA introduces major step to provide certified 100% sustainable fuel for all (FIA)
‘The FIA has collaborated with Zemo Partnership, an independent provider of assurance services, to develop the Sustainable Racing Fuel Assurance Scheme (SRFAS). This scheme employs a robust third-party verification process to guarantee that all Formula 1 racing fuel meets the FIA’s criteria for blended fuel composition and the sustainability of its advanced sustainable components (ASCs).’
What are the marshal safety buttons on an F1 car? (Mercedes via YouTube)
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On this day in motorsport
- Born 80 years ago today: Francois Migault, who started 13 grands prix in the seventies and achieved a best finish of 14th in his home race at Dijon in 1974, driving a BRM P160E.
