Latest F1 news in brief

More power from the Renault engine in 2018

Renault wants to halve gap to top teams
Marlboro will be advertised on the 2018 Ferrari car
Mercedes 2018 car breaks cover
Russian Mazepin will debut new Force India F1 car

Renault wants to halve gap to top teams
(GMM) Renault has confirmed reports it has made progress with its F1 engine ahead of the 2018 season.

Late last year, the French marque encountered reliability problems and a shortage of parts.

But customers Red Bull and McLaren have suggested progress has been made over the winter.

"Last year, we could not exhaust the engine's potential because of fears about reliability," Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul told Auto Motor und Sport.

"But now we can."

Works Renault driver Nico Hulkenberg is also confident, after his bright yellow and black 2018 car was launched.

"The top three teams will continue to be at the front," he said. "Then I hope it is us and McLaren and it will be interesting to see what Force India can do again.

"If we manage to cut the gap to the top teams in half then we will have done a good job."

Abiteboul also said he is not worried Renault may be making a strategic mistake by having teams as strong as Red Bull and McLaren as customers.

"We cannot run away from these teams if we want to be world champions," he insisted.

"We can also learn from our customers: Red Bull in aerodynamics and organisation, and McLaren on the mechanical side."

And Hulkenberg said the challenge of Red Bull and McLaren's impressive driver lineups – including stars Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso – must also be embraced.

"We are not bad ourselves," he smiled. "I don't think we have to hide from them."

On the topic of Alonso, Hulkenberg – the 2015 Le Mans winner – said he wishes the Spaniard well for his Toyota adventure this year.

"It's not just the extra races, Fernando has to test and also be in the factories — both Toyota and McLaren. It will be quite a nice burden for him but I didn't want to do it that extremely myself," said the German.

Marlboro will be advertised on the 2018 Ferrari car

IQOS will advertise on the 2018 Ferrari

Ferrari confirms that the partnership with Marlboro’s parent company, the tobacco giant Philip Morris will continue, clearing the way for advertising the e-cigarette IQOS on the Ferrari’s of Vettel and Raikkonen.
TJ13 first brought this news to the attention of fans back in December 2017 after current key sponsor, the Spanish bank Santander pulled the plug with Ferrari. It was rumored in Maranello that long time partner Phillip Morris will likely step in, making up the shortfall.

The previous contract with Phillip Morris would have expired at the end of 2018. The Scuderia is silent about the new duration but Phillip Morris claims it’s until 2021. It’s known to TJ13 that current spend per annum with Ferrari is in the region of â‚¬160 million despite zero advertising on the cars or team branding.

The reason? IQOS…

The brand message of Phillip Morris is ironically one of smoking cessation and this gives the decisive clue where Ferrari’s partnership goes when, on February 22, in Maranello the new car is revealed – on the cars of Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen for the e-cigarette IQOS will be advertised, albeit inconspicuously.

Phillip Morris themselves have issued an statement revealing:

In some countries IQOS is sold like packs of cigarettes

“Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) and Scuderia Ferrari are extending their 40-year partnership successfully until 2021 and are realigning it. From now on, the collaboration focuses exclusively on getting closer to the goal of a smoke-free world. To achieve this goal, smokers should be convinced of a switch from cigarettes – and thus the most harmful form of nicotine consumption – to scientifically based, potentially less harmful alternatives."

" We want to give the world’s 1.1 billion smokers the chance to make better and more informed decisions, “says PMI CEO André Calantzopoulos. “We are committed to driving this revolutionary transformation forward with all the means at our disposal – including our motorsport activities – for adult smokers, public health and society at large. We really appreciate the support of Scuderia Ferrari in this matter. "

“It is vital to raise awareness around the world about the opportunities innovation, science and technology bring to achieving a smoke-free future. In addition to PMI’s clear commitment to this goal, it is fundamental that governments, public health experts, academics and society as a whole face this challenge and help develop a reasonable regulatory framework. "

Scuderia Ferrari is the perfect partner for achieving this goal, as the company always combines pioneering spirit, technology and innovation, and tirelessly pursues great goals. As part of the partnership, PMI therefore does not plan to place product-specific messages on the advertising media of Scuderia Ferrari. Details about the messages, especially those on the cars of the Scuderia Ferrari, should be announced in the coming months."

Couple this news with Ferrari’s recent alteration to their famous logo back in January, removing the Marlboro esq. looking logo, the way is paved for a more modern branding to be incorporated into the Ferrari theme. The Judge13

Mercedes 2018 car breaks cover

The latest Aldo Costa creation – the Mercedes W09 with Bottas at the wheel

The Mercedes' W09 has broken cover a little earlier than planned with a photograph of the new car leaked on social media.

Just a day after Toro Rosso's STR13 was unveiled through a leaked photo, Mercedes's W09 has greeted the world in a similar fashion.

The new car, which will be officially unveiled at 7:10 ET at Silverstone, features a tweaked livery and the controversial Halo.

Unfortunately for Mercedes, Sky Sports are reporting that the car didn't get very far on its first run, breaking down in the pit lane.

Mercedes are conducting a day of filming during the unveil meaning they can cover a maximum of 100kms.

Russian Mazepin will debut new Force India F1 car

Nikita Mazepin

Force India’s Russian development driver Nikita Mazepin will be first to drive the Formula One team’s new car when testing starts in Barcelona next Monday.

Force India published its schedule on Wednesday, with race drivers Frenchman Esteban Ocon and Mexican Sergio Perez taking over for the following two days before handing over to Canadian reserve Nicholas Latifi on Thursday.