The BBC are reporting that next April's Chinese GP has already been cancelled, because they expect to be under another COVID lockdown by then. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/63831931
I think there are ton of isolation rules etc. Why even risk dealing with that the PR fallout, cost to the teams showing for nothing and refunds. Either that or F1 are secretly spreading COVID and the Chinese government is on to them On other news Williams get a small cash injection: https://racingnews365.com/williams-awarded-ps26-million-in-court-case-against-former-sponsor/amp
The article does say that the FIA are looking to replace Shanghai with somewhere like Portugal or Turkey.
What is the impact for Williams going forward? I get impression this will cause a fairly large amount of waves
Rumours are the siedl is going to move to sauber now to start the Audi project, although McLaren seem to have "leaked" it themselves?
McLaren have confirmed it - https://www.mclaren.com/racing/team...a-stella-new-team-principal-immediate-effect/ I thought the former-Williams pair would be going to soon-to-be-audi given iirc both have worked with VW [in WEC] in the past. EDIT: So looks like Seidl is the new Sauber Group CEO, so Capito and de Maison could still join the race team. EDIT 2: Ferrari confirm Vasseur - Tweet— Twitter API (@user) date
I thought Seidl would go the Porsche, or help Porsche get involved with McLaren, but as porsche's F1 entry has stalled, the other VAG lot have nabbed him.
With Capito leaving I wonder if Alan McNish or Amiel Lindesay will be drafted in to bring Porsche onboard with Williams
https://www.planetf1.com/news/mercedes-announce-arrival-of-mick-schumacher-in-reserve-role-for-2023/ Sprogmacher officially Merc reserve driver.
I expect they all quite like the idea of having Schumacher jr drive for them, purely from a public relations standpoint. But nobody's really sure whether he's got it or not after 2 years driving for Haas. Giving him some sim time and maybe a race or two is a low stakes way of testing him out. Sir Lewis has anothe rcouple of years in him at most, if Mick turns out decent Merc have their German driver.
With dorrington capital (or whoever it is) already getting itchy feet at the money put in Vs distinct lack of progress, Porsche should be able to get in I would have thought.
I could see mini mcnish ending up as TP at Saudi, given he was TP of their f-e team [and seidl is ceo, not TP, though Vasseur was both].
