Lights Out: Ferrari renew quit threat, McLaren misery

Lights Out: Ferrari renew quit threat, McLaren misery

Originally written by Joas van Wingerden. This version is a translation.

Wednesday 7 March 2018 09:00

It's sure to be a running theme of Formula 1 in 2018, Ferrari's unhappiness at Liberty Media once again prompted the Scuderia to threaten to quit the sport. McLaren might wish to hide, just for a while, after another testing nightmare. It's lights out for Wednesday morning!

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Ferrari have not exactly hidden their unhappiness about Liberty's proposed changes to (deep breath) engine-regulation changes, the structure of bonus payments, a budget cap and just about anything else.

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Sergio Marchionne says Liberty have until the end of the year to bend to his will, otherwise the red cars will be off.

It was happier on the track for Ferrari on the first day of the second pre-season test. As teams completed long runs galore, Sebastian Vettel not only put in the fastest time, but completed 171 laps, more than anyone else.

It was a miserable time for McLaren, though. Three separate issues meant Stoffel Vandoorne came to a halt three times and completed a paltry number of laps.

McLaren will also have to handle Fernando Alonso's packed F1-WEC schedule in 2018 - a calendar that looks "impossible" to one of his rivals on the grid.

There was conversation and controversy alike sparked as Carmen Jorda suggested women cannot compete in F1 due to "physical issues". The former Enstone development driver's comments were criticised by 2009 world champion Jenson Button.

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Carmen Jorda said women face a “physical issue” in #F1 and shouldn’t try to make it. Thoughts?
A post shared by GP Fans Global (@gpfansglobal) on Mar 6, 2018 at 10:52am PST