F1 News Today | 23 September, 2021

Hello and welcome to F1 News Today with Tillie! 

Let’s take a look at what’s making news in the world of Formula 1 today…

1) Charles Leclerc to start from the back of the grid at Russian GP in Sochi

2) Honda reveal ‘final major development’ to power unit

3) Daniel Ricciardo says Monza win was ‘the boost we all needed’

4) Renault ‘no longer’ have Power Unit credibility with customers

We’re powered by the F1 Chronicle, make sure you visit f1chronicle.com for more news ahead of the 2021 Russian Grand Prix, and subscribe to the F1 Chronicle YouTube channel so you never miss an episode of F1 News Today. 

See you tomorrow for the next update! 

---

Download This Episode

---

Visit the Grid Talk store ► 

https://f1chronicle.com/store/

Subscribe ►

YouTube | Apple | Spotify

Follow ►

Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr

Artwork ►

Avatar by Chereverie

Twitter @mewdokas | Tumblr: chereverie | Instagram: chereverie.art

---

Transcription ►

Hello and welcome to F1 News Today with Tillie! 

Let’s take a look at what’s making news in the world of Formula 1 today…

First up is bad news for Scuderia fans, as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will start Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix from the back of the grid due to a change of power unit! the Italian team said on Wednesday.

Ferrari said they would be introducing an updated hybrid system in Sochi, mainly to gain experience with it for the 2022 car project.

A spokesperson for the team said…

“A great deal of effort has gone into this… both technically and logistically… and so as to be able to use it as soon as possible, its introduction will be staggered between the drivers.

“Charles will be the first to have the new hybrid system. 

“This decision is a precautionary measure relating to the potential risk of using the battery pack damaged in his Hungarian GP accident.

“In Sochi, Leclerc will have a brand new power unit and will therefore start from the back of the grid.”

Speaking of engines, Honda has revealed they have released their final major upgrade to their engine for the season, as the team looks to beat Mercedes to the 2021 Constructor’s Championship.

Honda’s final season in Formula 1 has seen them bring forward their 2022 engine by a year in a bid to help Red Bull win a first championship title since 2013.

Yasuaki Asaki, Honda F1’s head of Power Unit development, explained: “This new E.S has been developed in a project that has taken several years, with an aim to combine improvements in energy efficiency, with significant reductions in weight.

“In what will be the company’s final season in the sport, Honda F1 has managed to introduce the new E.S – fitted with a lighter, low-resistance, highly efficient and ultra-high power battery cell – just in time for the start of the second half of the season.

“In order to achieve the ultimate goal of defeating Mercedes and winning the championship before leaving F1 at the end of the 2021 season, we recognised the need to enhance performance.

“As such, the development plan for the new E.S was brought forward substantially from the original goal of 2022, to introduction during the 2021 season.”

Moving on to McLaren ace Daniel Ricciardo, the Monza winner was thrilled to get his first win in three years as he led the team to a 1-2 finish in Italy.

However, the affable Aussie insists he has turned the page and has his sights set firmly on further success in Russia.

Speaking ahead of the Sochi weekend, Ricciardo said

“A week on from Monza, it still feels good thinking about being back on that top step of the podium.

“We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect way to end a triple-header.

“I loved competing at the front of the grid and having the chance to fight for the win.

“The one-two finish is a product of hard work throughout the team and from myself.

“Since the start of my journey with McLaren I’ve been working through the challenges that come with adapting to a new car, but the team has been really supportive throughout.

“It’s great to have a result that completes that picture, and to have the team back in the winner’s circle has been a ride and I’ve only been a part of it for six months.

“It’s been the boost we all needed.

“I’ve definitely taken time to enjoy the moment but now it’s time to focus on Russia.

“I want to build on my Monza performance this weekend and will be pushing to score important points to keep up the fight with our competitors.

“Sochi can be a tricky circuit to make a move, so it’s important to make the most of qualifying to give us the best chance for points come Sunday!”

Finally, Renault have admitted to scoring an own goal in recent years, and that their self-made problems mean they do not currently supply any engines to other teams on the grid!

Speaking to Auto Motor und Sport, Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi said

“It is a sign.

“Apparently, we no longer have any credit on the scene.

“You have to look at it soberly.

“Our engine was no longer attractive to customers.

“In the past, we often scored an own goal from a technical point of view because we adapted our drive units too closely to the wishes of the customers for their chassis.

“This has led to friction losses and tied up capacities.

“If then the customer was not satisfied, we developed in two directions, with which we harmed ourselves.

“In an ideal world, you should build an engine and customers have to live with that.

“Then the factory team also has a benefit because it receives more data.

“Right now we benefit from focusing on ourselves.

“Once everything has worked out, it would be interesting to have one or two customers again.”

That concludes this episode of F1 News Today with Tillie.

We’re powered by the F1 Chronicle, make sure you visit f1chronicle.com for more news ahead of the 2021 Russian Grand Prix, and subscribe to the F1 Chronicle YouTube channel so you never miss an episode of F1 News Today. 

See you tomorrow for the next update!