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Racing Point, formerly known as Force India, will reveal a new name and their 2019 Formula 1 car at the Canadian International Autoshow in February.

The Silverstone-based outfit was given a new lease of life after being taken over by billionaire businessman Lawrence Stroll this past summer, following a period of financial problems brought on under Vijay Mallya.

And though Racing Point was the name under which a new entry was lodged following the change in ownership, it has been confirmed that will not be the official name of the F1 team.

That, along with their car, will be unveiled in Toronto on February 13th, just four days ahead of the first pre-season test in Barcelona.

Lance Stroll has now followed his father from Williams to Racing Point and will partner Sergio Perez, who starts his sixth season with the outfit.

Both drivers will look to lead the team back to the 'best of the rest' position they lost to Renault in 2018 and potentially, thanks to their new investment, begin closing the gap to the top three.

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Certainly, it's a significant turnaround in expectations compared to this past year with team boss Otmar Szafnauer reflecting on the issues they faced.

“It was a season where eventually our performance was pretty good,” he said.

“It started off slow because of our financial lows, then the administration process was also disruptive, as you can imagine, and full of anxiety and uncertainty."

After it was all resolved, however...

“We brought an upgrade to Singapore, which worked well,” he added. “But that upgrade should have been on the car around Spa, if not Hungary.

“[If so, it] probably would have allowed another upgrade to come in Singapore, so we were like one upgrade behind but it is what it is.”

Eventually, they would end the year seventh in the Constructors' standings with only their points from Spa counting, combined Force India and Racing Point would have beaten Haas to fifth.

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Daniel Ricciardo admits he was surprised how well he and Max Verstappen got on while teammates at Red Bull.

The Dutchman was thrust up alongside the Australian at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix and during their near-three season partnership became known for their antics off the track while being serious on it.

“I’d say the relationship with Max and myself went better than, I’ll be honest, I thought it would go," Ricciardo stated.

“Unless we’re battling for the same bit of tarmac, that could always spice it up!"

Indeed, the spell as teammates wasn't always great with the pair colliding in Hungary 2017 and Baku 2018 but it was their epic wheel-to-wheel battle in Malaysia in 2016 which set the more common tone.

Explaining why he didn't think he'd get on so well with Verstappen though, the Honey Badger continued: “Just our personalities and our self-belief. I really believe he thinks he’s the best in the world and I believe I am.

“So, that can obviously clash, but we always managed at least 99% of the time managed to keep that in its own little place.

“It was cool, it was a good, hard fight with him and I enjoyed it.”

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As a line-up, many consider Ricciardo and Verstappen as perhaps the strongest on the grid and the 29-year-old agrees both were good for the other.

“There’s a lot of potential for sure some potential greatness for Max,” Daniel believes.

“I think it’s all about the trajectory. He was quick from day one but I’m convinced he’s a lot quicker than his first win for Red Bull.

“So, I’m sure he’ll keep improving, but it’s probably going to be more of a scenario/situation if he’s going to be in a car that’s capable.

“He’s obviously very talented and I’ve enjoyed the challenge with him, the rivalry. I think we’ve both grown as drivers – it’s been beneficial to both of our careers.”

As for Verstappen, he enjoyed the atmosphere Ricciardo created at Red Bull and hopes that will continue with his new teammate in 2019.

“Daniel is, in general, a very positive person and always smiling,” Max said. “It’s a good atmosphere to be around him. It’s better than having a grumpy teammate who doesn’t always speak to you.

“That’s maybe not a lesson but having a good atmosphere in the team is important so I’ll take that on board and try to create that with Pierre [Gasly].”

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A rare update has reportedly been given on the state of Michael Schumacher with the Daily Mail claiming he is no longer confined to his bed.

Later this month will mark five years since the German Formula 1 legend suffered severe head injuries in a skiing accident in the Alps with his recovery taking place at great expense to the family at his home in Switzerland.

Very little is known officially about Schumacher's condition with the family and manager Sabine Kehm keen to maintain his privacy albeit to the unhappiness of his many fans.

Recently though, a German bishop has claimed Michael can 'sense loved ones' around him and FIA president Jean Todt revealed he watched the Brazilian Grand Prix with the 49-year-old last month.

Now comes this latest claim from the UK newspaper that the seven-time F1 champion "is not bed-ridden. Nor is he existing on tubes. Yet it is believed he is receiving extensive nursing and therapy care, which has been estimated to cost more than £50,000 a week."

There was earlier speculation Schumacher could move to Majorca, which was refuted, while German media has reportedly claimed he could be heading to America for specialist treatment.

None of the Daily Mail's report is confirmed, but if true it would mark a great step forward so all we can say to that is #KeepFightingMichael.

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Romain Grosjean has hailed Haas' attitude toward racing and does think the team could one day fight at the front of the Formula 1 grid.

The Frenchman has been with the American squad since the start in 2016, memorably scoring top six finishes in their first two races that year, and has helped them rise to a fifth place finish in this year's Constructors' Championship.

Looking back on those early days, however, he recalled the utter madness at the first race.

“We didn’t get a lot of laps in pre-season testing so we had barely any info on the car going into Melbourne and then it rained on Friday, so no laps. We didn’t even know if the radio worked!" he was quoted by PlanetF1.

“On Saturday, we finally got out of the garage and someone hit us in the pit lane. We had to change the floor of the car and we missed even more time.

“Then qualifying was a disaster because F1 had implemented that new, ridiculous elimination-style quali that ended up getting removed a few weeks later, he added.

“But then Sunday happened and the race ended, and we were in sixth place. P6. In the points. Unbelievable. Truly amazing.

“When I look back on my career, I’ll think of that day right away. I love that story. I loved that weekend.”

That was the start of his love affair with Haas, a team which has an ethos which Grosjean wishes others would follow.

“Haas is one of the things that make F1 great,” he claimed. “The team is filled with determined goal-setters, out-of-the-box technical thinkers – and yes, even crazy dreamers!

“I’m lucky to be a part of this team. F1 needs more teams like Haas.”

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Though they are currently stuck in the midfield and some way off the big-three teams, Grosjean is confident that ambition will push the team forward.

“We know, at Haas, how tough the task is in the next few years if we want to be up there with the big dogs,” he explained.

“But I know this: Gene Haas isn’t in F1 to finish in the middle and that’s why I’m so excited about our future.

“I’m excited about this winter, for testing, to see the new car because I believe in us.”

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2019 McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz have backed the possibility of Fernando Alonso testing the new car in Barcelona next February.

Though the two-time world champion called time on his Formula 1 career at the end of this past season, he is still expected to stay close to the British team as he'll contest the Indianapolis 500 in papaya orange next May.

Given his wealth of knowledge and experience then, the new era line-up at Woking admit they'd be crazy not to use it if the offer was there.

"I think [Alonso's input] will be very valuable," Norris stated. "He's got the best idea how the car's changed over the years, the best experience of what's good and what's bad, a lot more than I do.

"I don't know what's going to happen or if he's still going to be part of much. He's still part of McLaren. It's up to him.

"It would be cool. Of course, I would like to have as many days [in the car] as possible but if everyone comes to a decision and thinks it's for the good of the whole team and his feedback will be just as important as mine or Carlos', then I think it's a good thing."

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Sainz echoed his new teammate adding: "It's something that for sure is in McLaren's interests, or also Fernando's interests to keep himself active.

"It's a decision more up to the management than to ourselves, but I wouldn't see it with bad eyes.

"I would see it as a good thing to have a driver like Fernando comparing cars."

With McLaren keen to avoid a repeat of the problems from this past season and challenge in the midfield, almost not seeing Alonso at least get one day in February would probably be a surprise.

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Williams has already fixed the problems which led to their disastrous 2018 Formula 1 campaign, technical chief Paddy Lowe has claimed.

An attempted change in philosophy led to a flawed car design which left the British team stuck at the back of the grid through this past season, ending at the bottom of the Constructors' Championship with just seven points to their name.

Some progress was made during the year without yielding any improvement in results, however, the former Mercedes boss is sure that enough has been done to avoid a repeat next season.

“2018 was an extremely difficult year for Williams,” Lowe admitted. “But the good thing is people have recognised the problems and are working hard on them.

“I’m not going to make pinpoint predictions and say we will improve in the World Championship, but I know we will be better. We have already completed the turnaround.”

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Several key names have left including the heads of both design and aerodynamics while Rob Smedley has also stepped away from his position as head of performance engineering.

For 2019, Williams will also feature an all-new driver line-up in F2 champion George Russell and former Grand Prix winner Robert Kubica yet Lowe has indicated more changes in personnel should be expected.

“You need changes in the organisation, but these do not take effect immediately,” he continued.

“We are the third oldest team in Formula 1 and some employees have been with us for many, many years.

“Sometimes you need a little fresh blood. We have to make sure that we have the skilled workers with the right knowledge to plot a new approach.

“We are currently on this journey.”

Indeed, much like McLaren, another team Lowe formerly worked with, he believes the problems have built up over multiple years.

“Our last victory was back in 2012 with Pastor Maldonado in Spain and the last victory before that was in 2004. That was a long time ago,” he said.

“My conclusion: our performance has been poor for years."

However, he does think the foundations are in place to once again become a competitive force.

“We have experienced and loyal people, we have a great racing car factory, we own our own land and all the buildings, which is not the case with all racing teams,” he said.

“We have a first-class wind tunnel. All the ingredients are there, now it’s all about how we use them.”

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European Formula 3 champion Mick Schumacher was never an option to partner Daniil Kvyat at Toro Rosso next season.

The young German amazed everyone with a streak of five consecutive wins at one stage which catapulted him to the top in the junior category, overhauling a Red Bull junior in Dan Ticktum.

Now, Schumacher will compete in F2 in 2019 with Prema but at the time of his success, some were wondering if the Austrian company would make a move for the son of seven-time F1 champion Michael.

"He was never on our radar," advisor Helmut Marko told Motorsport-Magazin.

"He is well looked after in his own environment. That's why we have never interfered or shown any interest."

Indeed, his future has always been linked to one of his father's former teams, either Ferrari or Mercedes, with recent reports he has chosen the Scuderia.

"It is obvious that for him the Maranello door will always be open," said Maurizio Arrivabene.

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A former Toro Rosso boss Gerhard Berger also recently talked up Mick's progress at an awards event in Germany.

"Mick Schumacher will be at Ferrari in two years," the Austrian predicted. "But I do not know yet if he will drive the motorhome or in Formula 1!

“Seriously, Michael's son in the second part of the season has impressed me," he added. “They say he went strong because he had the best material, but I saw him winning in the wet too.

"He has the opportunity to grow in F2. Obviously, everyone's dream is that in a couple of years he can sit behind the wheel of his father's car."

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Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has explained why the company doubts Renault will ever close the gap to Mercedes and Ferrari.

The senior team cut their 12-year long ties with the French manufacturer at the end of the 2018 season after an increasingly difficult and tense four years during the turbo-hybrid era.

It came after initial attempts to do so failed in 2015 with their main rivals saying no and with Honda well behind, however, now the Japanese brand has caught up, they have given Red Bull an outlet to act on their belief.

“For us, it was clear at one point that Renault could not deliver us a victorious engine,” Marko told Motorsport Magazine.

“With their budget, you can not expect them to fight against Ferrari and Mercedes. It was clear that we had to do something.

“Now, for the first time in our history, we have a factory engine [in Honda]. There is a good development, and all that has happened so far is good for Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso for next season.”

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In the months following their decision to change supplier, expectations have gradually grown as Honda have continued to improve and Red Bull has talked up their potential.

Still, there are still some questions over reliability at least after both Toro Rosso took multiple grid penalties but Marko played that all down.

“The Honda engine has been improved generally, many penalties have been taken into account because we have always wanted to bring something new,” he noted.

“According to our simulations, we would have a much better appearance with the current Honda engine but we do not need to think about that, [Renault F1 chief] Mr [Cyril] Abiteboul does, and next year we will see.”

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A Mexican official has refuted a report in which she was quoted as saying bribery had been responsible for bringing Formula 1 back to the country in 2015.

With a new government in control in the country, Ana Gabriela Guevara, the head of Mexico's Sports Commission, appeared to put the future of the Grand Prix at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez into doubt citing the cost to the taxpayer.

However, she rejected the biggest claim made, which French publication AutoHebdo has also now retracted pointing to an unreliable source, that a shady deal had been done.

“I do not know who wrote those words and who put them out there," she told RACER.

“I did not make those statements. I would never go against an event that is positive for our country.”

Even so, while that has been resolved, the main story does appear to be true pointing to a reduction in government support for the race in Mexico City.

“We are very proud of what we have achieved since the Mexican Grand Prix returned to the Formula 1 calendar in 2015," a statement from the promoters read.

"Our contract runs until 2019 and we look forward to commencing discussions regarding the renewal with all stakeholders in due course.

“These conversations must and will take place in private."

As for the integrity of the event, the promoter insisted everything was above board.

"We run our event through strict governance, compliance and with full transparency," the statement continued. "We will maintain this way of working and ensure that we continue to promote our country in a positive manner.

“Formula 1 Gran Premio de México has proven to be an invaluable platform to boost tourism and convey a positive image of Mexico to the world.

"In addition, it helps create economic growth as well as thousands of direct and indirect jobs for Mexicans."

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Team boss Maurizio Arrivabene believes Sebastian Vettel is yet to be at his absolute best behind the wheel of a Ferrari.

The German has taken the fight to Lewis Hamilton for the championship over the past two seasons, however, both times, a number of errors have been made which have gifted the Briton the world title.

In 2018, a number of spins after contact only added to the frustration of crashing out while leading at Hockenheim and Arrivabene made light of those moments in comments quoted by PlanetF1.

“Maybe we will give Sebastian elbow pads to fight back better when things get tough with his rivals,” he said. "[But] no, seriously – we are pursuing the same goals as Seb."

Should the mistakes be erased, the Italian also thinks that can be the difference to finally ending Mercedes' run of success.

“Seb has to show his best at the wheel of a Ferrari. Of course, we have to give him the foundation, with a good car and impeccable work," Arrivabene continued.

“If we can do that, and he does too, then I know that Vettel will get an extra portion of performance that will help us achieve big things.”

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Within the Scuderia there was also some lingering problems, as development slipped and a number of strategic errors played a part during this past year.

But the team also had to deal with some other internal problems during 2018.

“We had the incident involving our mechanic Cigarini [in Bahrain], then our president [Sergio Marchionne], who wanted me in Ferrari, passed away, leaving a big gap. Then on the eve of Austin, we lost one of our engineers,” Arrivabene told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“So many things outside our control happened which went beyond racing. It is my wish that luck will help us a little more in the coming season.”

Maurizio also hopes a new arrival can bring fresh impetus for next year.

“In arranging the team going forward I am working more with a foil than a sword,” he added. “Even if focusing on a young man like [Charles] Leclerc is in itself a revolution.”

 

         

 

 

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