Bumps will make COTA a “big challenge”

In brief

Gasly expects challenge for 2022 F1 cars with COTA bumps

AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly thinks Circuit of the Americas will pose a greater set-up challenge with this year’s Formula 1 cars due to the track’s bumpiness.

“The track has always been very bumpy, and I think with this generation of car, it’s going to be very complicated in terms of ride,” he said.

“This year’s cars are very stiff and so it’s going to be a big challenge for everyone, although I understand they resurfaced some sections earlier this year in time for the Moto GP race there, so let’s hope it’s an improvement.”

The FIA introduced a technical directive in August to limit how much F1 cars bottom out, and therefore to reduce the problem of porpoising that has occurred with cars being run low to the ground this year.

F1 Arcade to launch in London

The first official F1 simulator arcade racing centre will open in London at the One New Change shopping centre behind St. Paul’s Cathedral.

There will be 60 simulators in F1 Arcade, though rather than base itself around existing F1 video games there will be “a newly created gameplay experience” on the rFactor2 simulator software that “will allow guests to choose from a variety of racing modes to compete against each other individually, in team-based groups, or as part of all-venue racing formats”.

Visitors will be able to create their own “personal driver profiles” and collect an “experience currency” that will “be used to enhance guests’ experiences by offering unique prizes, activities in venue, and once-in-a-lifetime competition entries”.

On grand prix weekends there will be “enhanced experiences” taking place at F1 Arcade.

De Vries could see “limitations” of Mercedes ties when looking elsewhere

Nyck de Vries says he had to clarify his relationship with Mercedes when looking for a 2023 Formula 1 seat after his starring debut at the Italian Grand Prix at Williams.

De Vries was a McLaren junior from 2010 to 2019. He joined Mercedes after winning the Formula 2 title in 2019, though not as a junior driver and initially part of their new Formula E programme. Since then he has become one of their F1 reserve drivers, separate from Mercedes’ junior team, and has driven this year with engine customers Williams and Aston Martin.

“I won Formula 2 and I started building up a…