FEBRUARY 15, 2022

Editor-in-Chief's Note: I could have predicted how this F1 vs. Michael Andretti contretemps would go down. Michael blasted the F1 powers that be for being "greedy" while throwing up obstacles to prevent the Andretti-led F1 team - with GM's Cadillac Division - involvement in F1. As Chris Medland reported in Racer magazine: “First of all, we are very welcoming of everyone that is bringing value to the racing,” Domenicali told Sky Sports F1. “I know them very, very well of course – Michael and Mario for many years – that is not a problem of not welcoming, that has been a wrong wording. I think we need to respect everyone. There are teams like Mario Andretti and Michael Andretti being very vocal about their will to enter Formula 1 – in my view (it is) not smart to say that teams are greedy to protect themselves, but that’s my opinion. But there are others that are much less vocal that would like to come into Formula 1. So there is a process to respect and we will make sure together with the FIA that the process will be respected. And if all the elements are there, they will be very welcome. There are a lot of dimensions to consider and we don’t have to overreact because someone is pushing the system." What a bunch of unmitigated bullshit. Michael has it exactly right; F1 is a greed-fest collectively run by a bunch of arrogant blowhards who don't want to share the spoils from their "golden calf" with anyone, especially an American-led team that wants in. The powers that be in F1 are fine with milking as much ca$h-ola as they can drag out of three U.S. F1 events, but when it comes to allowing in an American-based F1 team, all of a sudden the whole charade becomes a calculated dance of principles and process. Respect? They don't deserve any. Period. What a complete joke. Domenicali can prattle on as much as he wants about the "purity" of the F1 concept, but the teams, the FIA and F1 are nothing but a bunch of carpetbagging mercenaries hell-bent on keeping their grift alive for as long as possible. And the very last thing they want is an American interloper with serious manufacturer backing to disrupt their party. It's disgusting and despicable, but that's the current state of F1. And the more Domenicali et al. talks, the worse it gets. -PMD

(McLaren images)
McLaren unveiled its 2023 F1 car at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, England. The MCL60 - an evolutionary development of the MCL36 - is named as part of the company's celebration of the 60th Anniversary of its founding in 1963. Drivers include the returning Lando Norris and new man Oscar Piastri. 

(Aston Martin)
And here is Aston Martin's F1 challenger for the 2023 season, the AMR23. 

(Ferrari images)
Ferrari unveiled the new SF-23 at Maranello on Tuesday (February 14), the Scuderia's new challenger for the 2023 F1 season.
Carlos Sainz, new team principal Frederic Vassuer and Charles Leclerc.

(Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team images)
And the Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E PERFORMANCE for the 2023 Grand Prix season.

(@AlpineF1Team images)
The Alpine F1 Team unveiled the 2023 F1 liveries of its Alpine A523 in London. Similar to last year, the team will run its hot pink livery - for title sponsor BWT - in the opening three rounds of the season at Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Australia, then it will switch to blue - with pink accents - for the rest of the season. Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly are the Alpine F1 Team drivers.

Editor's Note: You can access previous issues of AE by clicking on "Next 1 Entries" below. - WG