Renault F1 engine chief Remi Taffin believes that the impending engine development freeze will be a good thing for the sport and for the Alpine F1 team.

All of the sport’s power unit suppliers agreed the move as a cost cutting measure, and to allow Red Bull and AlphaTauri to continue using legacy Honda engines when the Japanese manufacturer bows out at the end of 2021.

That’s forced the other engine suppliers to adjust their strategic approach to development over the next few seasons – and Taffin says that it may end up benefitting his team.

• Read also: Budkowski ‘inspired’ at Alpine by Ferrari golden era experience

He said they would be bringing forward developments originally planned for 2023 to beat the introduction of the freeze next year. Among the planned changes are adopting a split turbo and compressor approach in the style of Mercedes.

“The ’21 engine was not actually driven by what’s happening in ’22 or ’23,” Taffin explained.

“The decision we have made back in 2020 was driven by the fact that we would actually put everything on ’22, having in mind that we would have another revolution in ’23.

“We could make the best out of the new baseline we had for ’22, which is now not the case anymore, because we haven’t got ’23.

“But actually we’re quite happy,” he insisted. “We can have actually a big push for ’22, so we are even pushing further forwards some of the evolution we had for ’23 into ’22.

©Alpine.

The FIA has announced that Pirelli’s exclusive contract to supply tyres to teams on the Formula 1 grid has been extended through 2024, with the decision confirmed by the World Motorsports Council on Friday.

Pirelli has been the sport’s exclusive tyre supplier since 2011. Tyre suppliers have in the past received three-year contracts, but Pirelli were handed a four-year deal covering 2020 to 2023 when it was last renewed in order to allow additional time to develop new 18-inch tyres.

The official announcement stated that one-year extension was in recognition of the unforeseen hard work and disruption caused by the coronavirus epidemic, which has forced the sport to delay the introduction of those new tyre regulations from 2021 to 2022.

• Read also: Pirelli unveils 18-inch test schedule for 2021

“The World Council has agreed to grant a one-year extension to the existing exclusive tyre supply contract with Pirelli to reflect the original intention of the 2018 tyre tender.

“{It will] remain within the overall technical framework in the best interests of all relevant stakeholders,” the statement added.

“The COVID-19 pandemic obliged the FIA and F1 to implement emergency measures that included the cancellation of tyre development tests last year and the postponement of planned new technical regulations – which included 18-inch tyres – from 2021 to 2022.

“As a result, 13-inch tyres will be used during the 2021 season, with a move to 18-inch tyres in 2022.”

Pirelli has already resumed testing of the new 18-inch tyres, beginning with a three-day pre-season session with Ferrari at Spain’s Jerez circuit last week.

The decision to extend Pirelli’s contract was welcomed by new F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.

“The pandemic caused disruption across the world and F1 was not immune from that,” he explained. “We therefore took the necessary measures last year to defer the regulations by one year to 2022.

“We are very proud of our partnership with Pirelli and grateful to them for their constructive approach to this timing change,” he continued. “Pirelli are very conscious of the strategic role that the tyres have in F1.

“We know that they are working very hard to make sure that their products will represent the best balance between performance and durability in the new technical context.”

FIA president Jean Todt added: “I want to thank F1 and Pirelli for their collaboration, flexibility and commitment to our sport during this most difficult period.

“COVID-19 has presented us with significant challenges across all aspects of our businesses, but by working together in a sensible, pragmatic way, we have been able to ensure that the long-term stability and strength of F1 remains undiminished.

“The shift to 18-inch wheels and tyres will certainly provide a more exciting image for F1 cars,” he added. “But it has also presented a significant technical challenge requiring a lot of investment and development on behalf of Pirelli as they continue to deliver tyres that will perform at the highest level.

“In light of this, and the necessary postponement of the new regulations as a result of the pandemic, it is only logical to extend the supply of tyres accordingly.”

“We’re obviously pleased to have reached this agreement that will extend our presence at the pinnacle of world motorsport until 2024,” Pirelli CEO Marco Tronchetti Provera responded.

“Pirelli has been alongside Formula 1 for more than 70 years, since the very first race in 1950,” he continued.

“The company continues to invest in the highest technological levels of research and development, as shown by the introduction of 18-inch tyres from next year.

“Motorsport forms part of our DNA and Formula 1 represents an open-air laboratory that allows us to apply the know-how gained on track into our road car tyres.”

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Image: WWE

Royal Rumble winners Edge and Bianca Belair both appeared on SmackDown last night — but neither announced which title they’ll be challenging for at WrestleMania 37.

Universal Champion Roman Reigns opened last night’s show by calling out Edge. When he didn’t come to the ring, Reigns said he wanted Edge’s decision by the end of the night.

Edge and Reigns both appeared at the end of the show. After Edge mocked him for bringing backup, Reigns sent Jey Uso away. Reigns wanted Edge to acknowledge him as the main event of WrestleMania, but Kevin Owens came into the ring from behind and laid out Reigns with a stunner.

Belair’s appearance on last night’s SmackDown was interrupted by Carmella’s sommelier Reginald. Carmella and SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks then both came to the ring. Banks said she’s seen how Belair is the strongest and the fastest, but Belair isn’t the best. Banks said Belair has it all — but she doesn’t have the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Reginald told Belair that she got lucky at the Royal Rumble and would lose to Banks if she challenges her. The segment then ended with Belair attacking Reginald with her braid.

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More coverage from last night —
Drew McIntyre segment announced for WWE Raw
WWE 205 Live results: Jake Atlas vs. August Grey
Seth Rollins returning to WWE SmackDown next week
WWE SmackDown live results: Royal Rumble fallout
WWE SmackDown video highlights —

Roman Reigns wants Edge’s decision by the end of the night

Dominik Mysterio vs. Baron Corbin

Daniel Bryan vs. Cesaro

Ruby Riott vs. Bayley

Women’s Royal Rumble winner Bianca Belair appears

Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode vs. Otis & Chad Gable

Hogan talks the 33rd anniversary of his match against Andre the Giant on The Main Event

Big E vs. Apollo Crews vs. Sami Zayn for the Intercontinental title

Men’s Royal Rumble winner Edge appears, Kevin Owens stuns Roman Reigns

SmackDown fallout: Sasha Banks will be the honorary starter for the Daytona 500

SmackDown fallout: Apollo Crews doesn’t know what it’ll take to win the IC title

SmackDown fallout: The Mysterios are ready to go again whenever Baron Corbin wants

Aston Martin team boss Otmar Szafnauer says his team will be listening to all of Sebastian Vettel’s “wants and needs” this year in order to get the best out of the four-time world champion.

Vettel’s move to Aston Martin from Ferrari opens a new chapter for the German driver, one in which the 33-year-old will be seeking a turn around of his fortunes after a difficult past two years spent with the Scuderia, practically in the shadow of teammate Charles Leclerc.

Szafnauer reiterated his belief that Aston Martin can offer a new home to Vettel and a fresh environment in which the 53-time Grand Prix winner can regain his composure and fight at the front of the grid.

• Team launch gallery: Aston Martin AMR21

“I’ve always said, and will continue to say so, at 33 years old you don’t forget how to drive a Formula 1 car fast,” Szafnauer told the media on Wednesday following the team’s 2021 launch.

“So it’s got to be other things. And we will work tirelessly to make sure that we don’t introduce those things, and actually alleviate them.

“An arm around the shoulder means that everybody’s listening to his wants and his needs. And we’ll work hard to make sure the car is to his liking and the setup is like he wants it.

“We’ve got two drivers to look after. And if we treat them equally, which in the past we’ve been really good at doing and I anticipate we’ll do that in the future as well, I think that’s all it takes with Seb.

“And then if he doesn’t overdrive the car, drives like he can, and we will definitely get the best out of him.”

Vettel’s presence at Aston Martin will require teammate Lance Stroll to “work hard” to rise to the challenge provided by his new benchmark. But Szafnauer is confident that the young Candian, who embarks on his fifth year of F1, can fulfill expectations.

“To beat Sebastian Vettel, you’re gonna have to work hard,” said Szafnauer. “Sebastian’s got a great work ethic. And we’re working really hard to make sure that Sebastian feels comfortable at our team, and we get him back up to his best. So it’ll be very interesting.

“Does [Lance] have the wherewithal to do it? Absolutely.

“But, like I said, it’s going to take a lot of hard work. And I would imagine Sebastian is going to also try to beat his teammate.”

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The Mercedes team’s Twitter account released on Saturday afternoon a sneak peek at the all-new livery of its 2021 charger, the W12.

The rendering appears to show the new car’s base scheme, with a fade from black to silver and a turquoise swoosh, while the W12’s airbox features a red space likely devoted to team partner – and 33% new shareholder – Ineos.

According to Mercedes, the “amazing” livery was created by Daimler chief design officer Gorden Wagener who admitted the leak wasn’t “showing everything.”

“One very crucial part is not shown yet, so you need to stay tuned for the reveal,” Wagener said.

So tune in on Tuesday, March 2, when Mercedes pulls the covers off the W12 that may power Sir Lewis Hamilton to a record eighth world title this year.

Sorry. Just couldn’t wait. 😘 See the W12 revealed LIVE on Tuesday! pic.twitter.com/XrgQTt9jWX

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) February 27, 2021

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NJPW has announced that Hiromu Takahashi will miss the Monday, February 22 Road to Castle Attack event at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.

Hiromu suffered a shoulder injury in a tag match on the February 19 Road to Castle Attack event Morioka and has not wrestled since. 

Hiromu had been scheduled to team with BUSHI and Shingo Takagi against Bullet Club’s El Phantasmo, Taiji Ishimori and Yujiro Takahashi. Instead, Shingo and BUSHI will now face Phantasmo and Ishimori in a tag. 

Hiromu and BUSHI are currently slated to face Phantasmo and Ishimori for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles on Thursday’s Road to Castle Attack event, also set for Korakuen. He is also scheduled to defend the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title against Phantasmo on night two of Castle Attack on Sunday, February 28 at Osaka-Jo Hall. 

Hiromu is the second prominent NJPW star to miss multiple shows on the Castle Attack tour due to injury. Los Ingobernables de Japon stablemate Tetsuya Naito is also off the Monday show due to injury. 

Sergio Perez says his first experience of driving a Red Bull car offered him some insight into the reasons why his predecessors struggled to adapt to the machine’s design.

Perez enjoyed his maiden outing with his new team this week at Silverstone, extensively sampling Red Bull’s RB15 and undertaking a shakedown along with teammate Max Verstappen of the Milton Keynes-based outfit’s new RB16B.

Verstappen’s previous two teammates, Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, struggled to match the Dutchman’s blindingly fast pace but also failed to perform consistently at the wheel of Red Bull’s high-rake designs that have often been described as “twitchy” or “nervous”.

After spending a day onboard Red Bull’s RB15, and considering the knowledge he has gained so far in the team’s simulator, Perez admitted the car was a very different beast compared to most of the machines he has experienced in the past.

“It is quite different, I can already spot the differences,” said the Mexican.

“[You can feel] the strong front end that the car has and so on, those are things that as soon as you jump into the car and the simulator. You can spot them out fairly quickly.

“I think it’s obviously a car [that] I can see why not every driver can adapt to it.

“I can already spot that. In terms of the timing that I need, to know exactly where to set up the car, where to take the final tenths out of it.

“That comes with experience in the car and learning how to make the most out of it. That’s something that will come just once I fully understand. I hope it doesn’t take me too long.”

Read also: Experience a ‘big’ benefit in battle against Verstappen – Perez

Perez only enjoyed a brief stint onboard his new mount, the RB16B which Red Bull kept out of the public eye at Silverstone. But the Mexican came away from the short test with a good impression.

“It’s a filming day, so it’s all about trying to get myself comfortable in the car,” he said. “I can kind of already see that there is potential in it, and I can spot some of the differences.

“It’s on test tyres and so on, so I don’t want to draw any conclusions. But I can just see there is some good potential in the car.”

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Spanish fashion label Desigual is celebrating its 10th anniversary collaborating with French designer Christian Lacroix with a new collection.

The collaboration between the two began after the acclaimed French designer saw a Desigual coat on the streets of Paris, he initially believed the design came from someone who was part of his own design team. A few months later, he joined the brand as a designer, and now, in 2021, the two are celebrating a decade of collaboration.

For spring/summer 2021, the Spanish brand is launching a celebratory collection dubbed ‘Desigual x Monsieur Christian Lacroix Forever: 10 Years Together’.

The collection takes inspiration from the Mediterranean and the Far East, which are fused in a variety of illustrations, feminine patterns and prints based on nature featuring birds and flowers with a romantic touch. Featuring violet, purple and lavender tones, the collection draws from the colours inspired by Lacroix’s home in Arles.

Desigual adds that this is a collection featuring dresses and jumpsuits is “undoubtedly an ode to Provence” where the tulle comes to the forefront due to its delicateness.

Thomas Meyer, Desigual founder, said in a statement: “We had a great respect for one another from the very beginning, and this has blossomed into a professional collaboration and a friendship. Ten years… twenty seasons. He comes to us once a month, more or less, or sometimes we go to him. And this doesn’t seem like it’s going to end anytime soon. At least for Desigual, Lacroix’s fashion will always endure.”

Images: courtesy of Desigual

Ferrari is reportedly set to stage a test session at Jerez next week, focusing on the new 18-inch wheels that will be introduced in 2022.

Formula 1 currently uses 13-inch tyres provided by Pirelli. The planned change is part of a new set of technical specifications being introduced next year to help boost on-track competition.

The new rules and regulations were originally expected to be brought in for 2021, but that was pushed back by a year because of the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

However F1 director of motorsports Ross Brawn is insistent that whatever happens this season, there will be no further delay and that the changes would definitely be implemented in 2022.

• Read also: Pirelli reveals tyre compounds for 2021 F1 season

To help ensure this happens on time, the FIA has agreed to increase the number of testing days Pirelli can have with all the teams in 2021 to 30.

Motorsport.com is reporting that Ferrari will be first up, carrying out the first 18-inch tyre test on Monday February 22 in Spain.

With Jerez not equipped to facilitate simulated wet weather conditions, the team will be limited to running the slick versions of the prototype tyres. It’s not yet known which driver will be behind the wheel.

Last year Charles Leclerc took on the role, but this time it could provide a good opportunity for Carlos Sainz to get some extra experience ahead of his maiden outing for the team following his transfer from McLaren over the winter.

Ferrari will be using a specially adapted version of their 2019 contender, the SF90. Only once the season gets underway in Bahrain at the end of March will teams be allowed to use their current cars in subsequent tyre tests.

That concession is partly due to McLaren’s switch to Mercedes engines this season, meaning they can no longer run older cars designed to accomodate Renault power units.

Pirelli has also announced the tyre selections that it will be offering to teams in 2021, with drivers once again not getting to make an individual choice in compounds because of the schedule uncertainty arising from coronavirus.

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