F1 Fast Five: Alpine unveils F1-inspired electric SUV concept, Williams Racing reveals fan-designed rear wing, and other big updates

Alpine unveils F1-inspired electric SUV concept

Alpine, a division of the Renault Group, has revealed the A390_β concept, which marks its first entry into the SUV market. The production version, the A390, will go on sale next year, keeping about 85% of the concept's design, although some features will be simplified. It will use Renault's AmpR electric platform and have three electric motors with a four-wheel-drive system for better performance. Inside, the car will have an F1-inspired cockpit that starts with an ice crystal and a premium audio system to enhance the driving experience.

Click here to read the full article by Steve Fowler (independent.co.uk)

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Williams Racing reveals fan-designed rear wing

Williams Racing and Kraken have revealed the fan-chosen rear wing design for the FW46 cars, which will be featured at the upcoming United States Grand Prix. The FW46 cars, which will be driven by Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto, will display six digital characters from the Williams Racing Cosmos Collection, designed by artist Candy Apple. Fans participated in the Rear Wing Takeover contest and cast over 35,000 votes to select the final design that reflects Williams' rich history. The winning design will be prominently displayed during the race and is part of a larger initiative to engage fans through innovative technology and digital collectibles.

Click here to read the full article at sportnetwork.net

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Why Ben Sulayem should stay out of F1

The former Haas team principal, Guenther Steiner, said FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem "sometimes gets involved too much in the sport" and should let others handle daily operations. Ben Sulayem mentioned that the FIA "never gets the credit" for Formula 1's recent success and has criticized drivers for swearing on team radio. Steiner acknowledged that he has a good relationship with Ben Sulayem but believes his involvement in sports matters isn’t helping him as president. He pointed out that public figures need to be ready for both praise and criticism and can’t expect everyone to be their friend.

Click here to read the full article by Henry Valantine (planetf1.com)

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Toyota has no plans for an F1 engine

Haas announced a new partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing, where Toyota will help with things like wind tunnel access, aerodynamics, and a new simulator. Toyota won’t be making engines for Haas since Ferrari will stay as their engine supplier until 2028. Toyota is focused on helping Haas by providing young engineers and drivers, but they don’t plan to start their own F1 team again. Haas also said their title sponsor, MoneyGram, will stay the same, and Toyota’s role is only for technical support.

Click here to read the full article by Dan Lawrence (motorsportweek.com)

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Red Bull's RB21: An evolution in the making

Red Bull plans to make improvements to its RB20 car for 2025 instead of doing a complete redesign. They want to save money and focus on the new rules coming in 2026, when they will have their own engine. With a close fight against McLaren for the championship, they know they need to make good progress this winter to avoid a tough season next year. Team boss Christian Horner said their old wind tunnel is holding them back, and a new one won’t be ready until 2026, but they believe investing in their engine division will help in the long run.

Click here to read the full article by Jonathan Noble (motorsport.com)