The world of Formula 1 never sleeps, and this week is proof of that, as there are some important topics ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
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| Photo: Clive Rose |
The race weekend in Baku, Azerbaijan, is the first of the so-called "triple-header", as another two races are planned over the next two weeks. However, the weekend format of this week's race is quite different.
This time, we will race on the streets of Baku on Saturday instead of Sunday, and that's because of Remembrance Day of Azerbaijan's offensive to Karabakh, which is celebrated on Sunday. Therefore, the weekend will start on Thursday with two free practice sessions, then qualifying is scheduled for Friday, and the race itself will be on Saturday.
Thursday, 24 September
FP1: 10:30–11:30
FP2: 14:00–15:00
Friday, 25 September
FP3: 10:30–11:30
Qualifying: 14:00–15:00
Saturday, 26 September
Race: 13:00
Seat alongside Ollie Bearman at Haas for next season
Esteban Ocon's time at Haas is coming to an end, this information has been speculated about for quite some time, but the reliable Italian website Autorace.it intensified these reports this weekend. According to them, Rafael Camara is expected to replace Ocon next season.
Camara is an Italian driver who is currently racing in Formula 2, where he is fighting for the championship title. In March, he sat in the cockpit of a Formula 1 car for the first time, and last season he won the Formula 3 title, so he has more than enough talent. But he is not the only one who could appear alongside Bearman. Leonardo Fornaroli is also an option, according to the Italian website. Last year's Formula 2 champion is now working with McLaren, but they don't have a free seat for him, as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are doing an amazing job at the Papaya team.
Even Esteban Ocon confirmed during the media day ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix that he is now a "free agent for next year".
"At the moment, I'm definitely a free agent for next year," Ocon told the media. "There are things in discussion that are out of my control.
"There are certain topics that are out of my control. So, I will keep pushing until the end of the year and see how it goes."
Hadjar back in the game
Before the Dutch Grand Prix, Isack Hadjar injured his wrist and was forced to skip the races in Zandvoort, Monza and Madring, but his injury seems to be fine, and Red Bull has confirmed his participation in Baku. The team has also published Hadjar's contract extension.
"The last time I touched a steering wheel was in Budapest, so it's been a very long time. It's definitely a challenging track to come back to, but I'm excited. It's also good to have [the contract] announced now. Everything is great.
"It's still going to be painful for a while, but it's going to be six weeks soon, and it's strong enough at the moment to resist the tension," said Hadjar.
Shortened races from the 2027 season
The Formula 1 Commission has agreed to shorten the races from the current 305 km to 290 km. The reason for this decision is as follows: the fuel flow for next year will be higher to improve combustion and the electric engine ratio. But with higher fuel flow, you also have higher fuel consumption, and extending the fuel tanks is not possible, as they are designed to fit into the monocoque. So, you would have to change the monocoque and then the fuel tank. But this option is very expensive, as we have a budget cap.
So Formula 1 came up with the idea of shortening the races so the cars will have enough fuel to finish the race. The standard race length is 305 km, and next year it will be 290 km. So, compared to this season, the races will have around two or three laps less than now.
Will we see V8 engines in the future again?
Formula 1 stakeholders are expected to have agreed on the main aspects of the future engine regulations. One of the biggest changes is the return of V8 engines, which we could see, or better yet hear, in the 2000s. The entire engine should be 3 litres, while the turbocharger, which wasn't part of the engine unit back then, is expected to remain.