Improvements to the Spanish Grand Prix

Sunday, March 5, marks the first race of the 2023 Formula One season. Drivers are preparing for the Bahrain GP. Before the season starts, it’s always fun to keep up a grand prix blog. We’ve got the latest Formula One news for you so you’re all caught up.

Overtaking should be easier at GP Spain

This idea has been around for a while, but before the start of the 2023 season, the adjustments will actually be made. At issue is the last chicane on the Circuit. This disappears completely creating a long spin through toward start/finish. Overtaking should be encouraged by this.

The chicane was added in 2007 to increase track safety. However, drivers find it a hindrance, eliminating build-up and overtaking. As a result, the long piece comes off less well. There will be a fast double right turn as a replacement. On June 4, 2023, the new track will be raced.

Verstappen struggles with new Red Bull RB19

Formula One drivers are incredibly fit. This must be because of the forces that are all on the body. Still, Verstappen regularly comes out stiff from the new RB19 model. So how does this come about? The Dutch driver has driven a lot on the first days of testing and cannot deny that he feels it in his body. It will remain so for the next few days. Verstappen feels it mostly in his neck, shoulders and around the collarbone.

“You always feel such a first day of testing and it doesn’t matter on which track you drive those laps or how many laps you drive. After the very first time in the car you are always stiff,” said the Dutchman.

Ricciardo back at Red Bull

The driver previously raced at Red Bull, but made the move to a number of other teams such as McLaren. In the end, his contract was not renewed there and he came back to Red Bull. However, not as a Formula One driver. Ricciardo will work more behind the scenes and help test the new cars. Still, he hopes to eventually get back on the track.

Verstappen and Sergio Perez remain the regular duo to race next season. Ricciardo is traveling with the team to do various jobs. Whether this is an intermediate step toward a full Red Bull Racer is in doubt. It does not appear that the team plans to replace Perez with Ricciardo.

Despite the fact that Perez and Verstappen can be quite in each other’s way, Checo is a brilliant flank for Verstappen. He can win races and is a strong teammate. In addition, Checo Perez brings in good sponsors and knows what he signed for. The arrival of Ricciardo is not going to change this. Red Bull doesn’t want that either. They won the world championship for the second time and are going to try to get the third one again as well. So for now, everything remains the same, Christian Horner and Adrian Newey are still there.