In the round-up: The 2026 power unit regulations are unlikely to be changed, says Otmar Szafnauer
In brief
Szafnauer not expecting 2026 power unit rules to change
Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer says that he does not expect F1’s new power unit regulations set to be introduced in 2026 to be changed despite criticism from some.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has called for F1 to change the planned power units set to be introduced for the 2026 season as they risk producing “Frankenstein” cars that his driver Max Verstappen labelled as “terrible” after early simulator analysis. However, Szafnauer says Alpine and Renault are content with the regulations as planned.
“Speaking to the powertrain guys, we want to keep it as is,” Szafnauer told media including RaceFans. “I don’t deeply follow it – I wasn’t involved in the negotiations and the reasons why – but I asked them those questions and we’re happy to keep it as is.”
Asked if he expected that there would be enough appetite to change the regulations, Szafnauer said “I would imagine it’s going to be unlikely to be changed.”
Haas have upgrades for Hungary – Steiner
Haas team principal Guenther Steiner says his team will introduce upgrades for the following round next weekend at Hungary.
Haas sit eighth in the constructors’ championship, equal on points with Williams who overtook them at the last race at Silverstone due to Alexander Albon’s seventh place from Canada being the best result for either team.
“We have got some little bits coming for Hungary,” said Steiner. “We have nothing for Spa, but then after the summer break, we’ll have some upgrades coming.”
Drugovich fastest in Formula E rookie session
Reigning Formula 2 champion Felipe Drugovich was the fastest driver in the special Formula E practice session for rookie drivers in Rome prior to the weekend’s two races.
Each of the 11 teams fielded one rookie driver in the half-hour session, with the Aston Martin junior driver setting the quickest time for Maserati ahead of Sheldon van der Linde in the Jaguar. Luca Ghiotto was third fastest for Nissan, with F2 racer Zane Maloney sixth for Andretti and former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat seventh for Nio. Jehan Daruvala and Adrien Tambay were both unable to complete a timed lap due to problems with their Mahindra and Abt Cupra, respectively.
Zhou named Special Olympics ambassador
Alfa Romeo F1 driver Zhou Guanyu has been named as a global ambassador for the Special Olympics, an international organisation that holds sporting competitions for athletes living with intellectual disabilities.
“I’ve recently met with and watched several athletes from around the world compete,” said Zhou. “To learn more about their passion for their sport and see the friendship and warmth that they show for their competitors in their Special Olympics family, was inspiring. Everyone deserves the right to shine and to fulfil their potential and I’m thrilled to become part of such a great sporting and inclusion movement.”
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‘This comes after the college formed a pioneering partnership with the Gene Haas Foundation. The link-up will see the college awarded £500,000 to develop its engineering facilities and employer-focused curriculum, aimed at growing the number of skilled manufacturers in the local area and beyond.’
Red Bull Racing Is The Enzo Ferrari Of Modern Formula 1 (Jalopnik)
‘Enzo Ferrari’s mindset sounds a whole lot like what Red Bull Racing’s modus operandi — as if Helmut Marko and Christian Horner have taken a page out of Ferrari’s psychological warfare playbook. But Red Bull has admittedly refined the formula. Many of the key facets of Enzo Ferrari’s beliefs as a team owner are replicated on a larger scale with Red Bull Racing, AlphaTauri, and the Red Bull Junior Program. The Junior Program not only seeks out the best talent available, but it hones and refines that talent in young drivers as early as 11 years old. ‘
F1 23 supports BBC Children in Need’s Sim Rig Tour (VideoGamer)
‘The racing rigs are dedicated to the charity’s fundraising challenge, where participants aged 16 or over are invited to set their fastest lap time on the virtual Silverstone circuit. The fastest 50 entrants will then enter a ballot and could win the chance to race on a live show during BBC Children in Need’s 2023 Appeal.’
Isotta Targeting 15,000km in Testing Before Homologation (Sportscar 365)
Isotta Fraschini managing director Claudio Berro: ”At the moment we have done 4,000km. Our target, minimum in, in three tests is another four or five thousand.I don’t think we will arrive at 10,000km before the (end of the) summer period, but then we have to go another six or seven thousand before homologation. 15,000 km in total.”
Bearman on why he’s keeping it simple in his rookie Championship attack (Formula 2)
‘I feel like it’s been a season of highs. Of course, I’ve had two pole positions and won three races, but I think the problem is the lows, the fact that I’ve only had three podiums in F2 and they’ve all been Race wins. It looks good on the surface, but I want some podiums as well. I’m not saying I don’t want to win races, but I want to be there in P2 and P3. That’s the story of winning the Championship – you need to be consistent and that’s something that we’ve missed so far. So, I’m still working on it, it’s a work in progress.’
Wehrlein and Porsche set early pace in Rome (Formula E)
‘Porsche’s Pascal finished the session on top, slotting in a time of 1m39.632s in the final moments of the session. An altercation between Mitch Evans and the Mahindra of Roberto Merhi also occurred at the end of the session, as the Mahindra driver impeded Evans on his final flying lap. The Kiwi was keen to let his feelings known, sending the Spanish driver a hand gesture once he eventually got past. Evans was also under investigation for a technical infringement at the end of the practice.’
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