Sidepodcast - All for F1 and F1 for all

Filed under F1 Big Picture

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I find your lack of pace disturbing

Renault join forces with Star Wars to celebrate 40 years

Sidepodcast: I find your lack of pace disturbing

by Christine

We've often seen film and F1 tie-ups in the Monaco paddock, but this year it was Renault that went all Hollywood ahead of the race, joining forces with Disney to celebrate a joint 40th anniversary. Both the Renault team and the Star Wars franchise are enjoying four decades of existence this year, with the first star wars film released in May 1977, and Renault breaking ground with their F1 car arriving July the same year at Silverstone.

Stroll on

Williams suffer a disjointed start to pre-season testing

Sidepodcast: Stroll on

by Christine

It’s a difficult year to be a rookie entering Formula One, and Lance Stroll is bearing the brunt of the regulation changes. The Williams driver was back in the car today, despite Felipe Massa originally being scheduled to test, but Lance suffered two more red flag incidents that brought his tally up to three crashes in two days.

First contact

The Sauber C36 makes its track debut

Sidepodcast: First contact

by Christine

Sauber released images of their new car on Monday, and have now unleashed the real thing out on track. Undertaking a filming day at the Circuit de Catalunya, Marcus Ericsson got a taster of what his new car can deliver, although of course we won't know any details until testing gets underway next week.

Factory reset

Renault launch the R.S.17 and prepare for a full season assault

Sidepodcast: Factory reset

by Christine

The Renault squad have been the first to offer 2017 a full on car launch, with drivers on hand to pull off the covers and a variety of fresh faces getting chatty about the machinery. The team are putting a lot of pressure on themselves this year, as they consider it their first full year as a works team, rather than coming out from underneath what Lotus left behind.

Full circle

Nico Rosberg wins 2016 World Championship

Sidepodcast: Full circle

by Christine

Nico Rosberg celebrated his second place finish in Abu Dhabi with a handful of donuts, throwing up tyre smoke and putting down rubber as he whooped over the radio. An over-reaction for a second place, perhaps, but the German secured his first ever F1 world championship, holding off a charging Ferrari and staying put behind a slowing fellow Mercedes to get the necessary points for his first title.

Snapped chat

Hamilton airs frustration at press conferences and media

Sidepodcast: Snapped chat

by Christine

Lewis Hamilton is never far away from the headlines and this weekend in Japan, he's turned on the reporters who write about him so often. The situation kicked off when Hamilton was playing with his phone during the FIA-mandated Thursday press conference, sharing pictures and jokes on social media.

Deal with it

Nico Rosberg secures two year contract extension at Mercedes

Sidepodcast: Deal with it

by Christine

Nico Rosberg's future was never really in doubt, but Mercedes have made it official and given the German driver and current championship leader a two year contract extension. The deal will see him remain at the team until the end of 2018, bringing him level with teammate Lewis Hamilton's contract which was confirmed last year.

Big yellow taxi

Renault reveal yellow livery for 2016 works team return

Sidepodcast: Big yellow taxi

by Christine

Adding a splash of colour to a muted livery palette this season, Renault revealed their official paint job for the 2016 season, bringing back their yellow branding in style. The launch of the livery was undertaken with a litany of Australian stereotypes - the car was revealed perching on a surfboard, and the drivers appeared in shorts and flip flops - but even so, it was a refreshing glimpse of colour to add to the grid this weekend.

Edge of tomorrow

FW38 revealed ahead of Barcelona testing

Sidepodcast: Edge of tomorrow

by Christine

Williams have revealed their 2016 challenger today, the FW38, with a set of moody photos and some interviews with top team names. The new car looks very similar to its 2015 predecessor, but a lot of work has gone on under the hood. Chief Technical Officer Pat Symonds says: "The FW37 was a pretty effective car and so we concentrated on understanding the areas where we could improve it without losing the attributes which made it effective."

Night watchman

Carlos Sainz Jr unhurt after huge Sochi smash

Sidepodcast: Night watchman

by Christine

Carlos Sainz Jr suffered a huge crash in final practice for the Russian Grand Prix on Saturday, but the Spaniard escaped with no injuries and only needs a simply overnight stay in hospital for observation. The incident looked far more serious at first, with the Toro Rosso car buried underneath the Armco, the driver strapped to a stretcher before being airlifted to hospital for checks.

Design for life

FIA clarify helmet colour clampdown rule changes

Sidepodcast: Design for life

by Christine

The FIA's recent revelation that they're set to clampdown on drivers changing their helmets too often was met with mixed responses - some keen on the idea of easier identification, others upset at the lack of creativity inspired by the governing body. Now, the FIA have clarified exactly what the stipulations will be regarding this particular piece of regulation.

McBusted

The Woking team rack up just 100 laps over three days in Barcelona

Sidepodcast: McBusted

by Christine

Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso are desperately trying to keep their spirits high despite the disappointments of testing in Spain so far. After a slow first week in Jerez, the McLaren team were hoping Barcelona would deliver better things. Unfortunately, their running was curtailed on Thursday due to a faulty part, and the replacements didn't arrive until Saturday. When they did, it turned out not to be the solution the car required, and more engineering is needed.

Smooth operator

Hamilton brings to a close successful Jerez test for Mercedes

Sidepodcast: Smooth operator

by Christine

Lewis Hamilton finished the Jerez test for Mercedes with over 100 laps and the third fastest time of the eight runners out on track. The team haven't been aiming for top speeds, though, instead focusing on reliability, learning about the car and proving their pace over longer runs. Mercedes managed to complete 516 laps across the four days, which is over 100 more than next in line Sauber.

Window shopping

McLaren, Williams and Force India shore up sponsorship deals

Sidepodcast: Window shopping

by Christine

McLaren have signed a new multi-yerar sponsorship deal with CNN, the international news broadcasters, from 2015 onwards. CNN have previously sponsored Caterham but are moving up the grid to join the McLaren-Honda team in a new partnership. McLaren had been without a title sponsor since the departure of Vodafone to Ferrari, and although CNN aren't signed as title partners, it's a big deal for both.