Formula1 Archives - Octane Photography

Mar 08

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: Formula1, Red Bull, Tsunoda

Honda distances itself from Tsunoda

The manufacturer has clarified that Tsunoda is “fundamentally an independent driver” with sponsorship from Honda, and that it no longer needs to negotiate deals for him. If Yuki Tsunoda and his new management were hoping to receive a helping hand from Honda as Tsunoda builds a case to remain in Formula 1, the mood music coming from HQ isn’t promising. As a member of Honda’s driver programme, Tsunoda was fast-tracked through the European junior single-seater ladder, making his F1 debut in 2021 with the team then known as AlphaTauri. At the time it was politically expedient for Red Bull to take a Honda-supported driver since it was trying to keep the manufacturer engaged in F1 after an expensive spend to reach competitiveness – and much bad PR during its abortive comeback with McLaren. But now the landscape has shifted: Honda is realigning itself with Aston Martin, Red Bull is pivoting back towards building its own engines, albeit with Ford sponsorship, and Tsunoda is entering his fifth season in F1 having failed to convince Red Bull he is worth promoting to partner Max Verstappen in its senior team. And the message to him from Honda is: you’re on your own. “He [Tsunoda] needs to […]

Feb 21

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: Formula1, Gunther

Guenther Steiner ends suit against former racing team

Former Formula One Haas team principal Guenther Steiner voluntarily dismissed his lawsuit against Haas Formula racing team Wednesday, after coming to an agreement in mediation proceedings. Steiner sued the Formula One team in April 2024, claiming that it failed to pay him commissions from 2021 to 2023 and that the team had continued to use his name and likeness in promotional materials and to sell merchandise after it declined to renew its contract with Steiner. Steiner dismissed the case with prejudice, so he cannot refile, after parties spent more than 28 hours in mediation. Before Superior Court Judge Richard Gottlieb could decide on the parties’ requests for judgment; they reached an agreement, which was not made public Wednesday. The case, which was deemed “exceptional” by the superior court in Charlotte, has largely proceeded through heavily redacted documents as attorneys work to prevent the financial details of the disagreement from becoming public. Steiner helped to build Haas’ Formula One team, recruiting sponsors and crew members and helping to keep the team financially viable in the beginning. He served as team principal from 2014 to 2023, and debuted the team in 2016. In January 2024, it was announced that team owner Gene […]

Oct 16

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: Formula1, Haas, Toyota

Haas for Sale

Haas’ new partnership with Toyota that begins in Austin is a “clear sign” that the American team is “for sale”, says Ralf Schumacher. Haas and Toyota announced on Friday that Toyota Gazoo Racing, the Japanese company’s motorsport competition arm, would become Haas’ official technical partner in a multi-year deal. The deal effectively brings Toyota back to the F1 grid from the next race of 2024, the United States Grand Prix, with Toyota Gazoo president Tomoya Takahashi describing it as “competing” alongside Haas. While the F1 team will benefit from Toyota’s resources in the form of design, technical, and manufacturing services, including using their simulator expertise and wind tunnel, Haas will give Toyota Gazoo access to their F1 team with drivers, engineers and mechanics participating in Haas’ TPC [testing of a previous car] outings. But while the new partnership will have no impact on Haas’ current relationship with Ferrari, who supply the American team with engines and other parts for the car, it is expected to grow in the coming years at Toyota Gazoo personnel will be involved in aerodynamics development. Toyota though, were adamant there’s no background talk about becoming an engine supplier or even running a team, which they […]

Oct 05

by darren in Crash 0 comments tags: Formula1, Silverstone

Zhou Guanyu Crash Silverstone 2022

Zhou Guanyu's high speed crash after Pierre Gasly and George Russell came together on Lap 1 at Silverstone, the rookie driver’s Alfa Romeo flipping and skidding across the track before being thrown into the barriers beyond the Turn 1 run-off area.

Sep 22

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: Formula1, RB, Ricciardo

Writing on the wall for Ricciardo after Singapore Qualifying Disaster

Daniel Ricciardo may be preparing for the final race of his F1 career on Sunday after another nightmare performance in qualifying. If the rumours weren’t already loud enough, it looks like there’s nothing left that will save Daniel Ricciardo’s career after another disastrous qualifying session at the Singapore Grand Prix. The promising signs for a good weekend for Ricciardo on the first day of practice, which saw him finished seventh in FP1 and sixth in FP2 evaporated on Saturday, going 17th fastest in FP3 before yet another Q1 exit from qualifying. The Aussie qualified 16th for Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix in yet another disappointing performance. Only this one came at the worst possible time with the whispers of him being replaced by Liam Lawson taking over the grid this weekend. Red Bull is reportedly set to drop the axe on Ricciardo after the weekend with a four-week break between Singapore and the United States Grand Prix in Austin. “We have an idea, but we have to wait until Singapore,” Red Bull supremo Helmut Marko told Viaplay. “It is still September, but from Singapore, we will have a precise idea. It will be quite clear as to what will happen with […]

Apr 13

by darren in Track 0 comments tags: Formula1, Redbull, Verstappen

Verstappen Pole Lap 2023 Australian GP

Onboard lap with Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen as he takes pole during the 2023 Australian Grand Prix for the first time.

Feb 03

by darren in Crash 0 comments tags: Bahrain, Formula1, Grosjean

Grosjean Fireball 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix

Roman Grosjean escaped death amid a horror Bahrain crash at the 2020 Grand Prix.

On November 29, 2020, Romain Grosjean escaped what was close to being a fatal accident at the Bahrain Grand Prix. The French driver made contact with the AlphaTauri of Daniil Kvyat on the opening lap and broke through the track barrier at close to 120 miles per hour.

The car was immediately broken in two and erupted into a ball of flames.

Grosjean was trapped in the flaming car for 28 seconds before freeing himself from the constraints inside the cockpit, he hoisted himself out of the fire and climbed over the guardrail to safety.

Aug 26

by darren in Crash 0 comments tags: Formula1, Leclerc, Sauber

2018 Belgian Grand Prix First-Turn Crash

At the first turn of the opening lap of the 2018 Belgian Grand Prix, Sauber's rookie driver Charles Leclerc suddenly found the top of his car being used as a skateboard rail by Fernando Alonso's airborne Renault. Both drivers subsequently walked away from their smouldering wrecks.