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Valtteri Bottas wakes up Milan

F1 star Valtteri Bottas has helped Alfa Romeo celebrate its 112th anniversary with a unique stunt.

The Flying Finn drove his Alfa Romeo Formula One car around the most iconic streets of Milan at 5.30am this morning.

Starting from Piazza Duomo and passing through Piazza San Babila, Porta Nuova, the majestic Central Statio and then the City Life district, he ended his city tour at Gattamelata – a place of strong historical significance.

Valtteri Bottas in Milan with Alfa Romeo F1

Here in 1910 was Portello, Alfa Romeo’s first production site, which is now home to the brand’s new flagship store – the first showroom in the world to introduce Alfa Romeo’s new Brand Identity.

There is an extremely close bond with Milan and Alfa Romeo. It was in Milan, 112 years ago, under the name Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili, that the brand was introduced to the world. The rest is history.

Happy Birthday Alfa Romeo!

Tags Alfa Romeo Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili F1 Formula One Milan Valtteri Bottas

Gareth is a versatile journalist, copywriter and digital editor who’s worked across the media in newspapers, magazines, TV, teletext, radio and online. After long stints at the BBC, GMTV and ITV, he now specialises in motoring.

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Valtteri Bottas wakes up Milan

Gareth Herincx

2 weeks ago
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F1 star Valtteri Bottas has helped Alfa Romeo celebrate its 112th anniversary with a unique stunt.

The Flying Finn drove his Alfa Romeo Formula One car around the most iconic streets of Milan at 5.30am this morning.

Happy Birthday Alfa Romeo!

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It’s Official: Audi is Coming to Formula 1

Audi Formula 1

Right now, fans of the Four Rings still have more questions than answers — but Audi is headed to Formula 1.

Late last year, AudiWorld posted that Ingolstadt was poised to announce a Formula 1 program. Well, in the months since, things have been relatively quiet on the F1 front. But today, Volkswagen Chief Executive Herbert Diess made it official, telling Reuters that both Porsche and Audi are headed to the pinnacle of motorsport. Here’s some relevant bits from our friends at the international news agency:

Discussions by the board of directors about the two brands’ plans had created some divisions, said Diess at an event in Wolfsburg, where the German carmaker is headquartered.

Diess said on Monday that Porsche’s preparations for entering Formula One were a little more concrete than Audi’s.

Audi is ready to offer around 500 million euros ($556.3 million) for British luxury sports carmaker McLaren as a means to enter, a source told Reuters in March, while Porsche intends to establish a long-term partnership with racing team Red Bull starting in several years’ time.

Oh, to be a fly on the wall at the meeting where the “divisions” between the two brands were aired! That had to be one hell of a discussion, because the decision means that not only will Audi and Porsche be going up against the rest of the grid — they’ll be competing against each other in a multi-million dollar game of family feud. Why on earth that idea wasn’t nipped in the bud is anyone’s guess, but it does speak to fantastic visibility that running in the series provides.

At this point, we still have more questions than answers about what each of the Volkswagen Group’s teams will look like. And while there are sure to be more details trickling out in the coming months, forthcoming engine regulations mean we won’t see an Audi or Porsche-branded car on the grid until the 2026 season. Until then, fans will have to make due with watching what’s already been one of the most exciting seasons in ages.

Because after years of domination, Lewis Hamilton and the Mercedes team have fallen off the pace. The seven-time world champion has struggled mightily this year, and is currently seventh in the points standings. In a shocking development, his teammate George Russel has be consistently upstaging the champion, and currently sits forth in the standings, behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, and McLaren’s Lando Norris. The next race is set for this Sunday in Miami — on a new street course that’s sure to create drama. Stay tuned for more news on Audi’s entry into Formula 1!

Photos: Audi

Click HERE to join the AudiWorld forums!

Audi Poised to Announce an F1 Program

Audi F1

What Audi’s F1 effort would look like is uncertain, but an official announcement should come soon.

If you’re a Formula 1 fan who’d like to cheer for a car wearing the famous Four Rings, it sure sounds like you’re in luck. Because a new report from out friends over at Autocar says that Ingolstadt is set to announce an F1 program, as forthcoming changes to the rulebook will put a focus on sustainable fuels and electric powertrains. While those rules don’t take effect until 2026, and the deal has yet to be approved by the Volkswagen Group brass, it sounds like fans have every reason to be encouraged. Here’s what Audi CEO Markus Duesmann recently wrote to FIA president Jean Todt:

Thanks to your efforts we are now close to the finish line. Recently, we saw another milestone being reached – the first draft of the technical, sporting and financial regulations… We believe that it contains satisfying solutions for all the objectives.

We look forward to working with you and your team, to complete this important process and to confirm our Formula 1 entry early next year

At this point, exactly what an F1 effort from Audi would look like is uncertain. As rumors have swirled about the company taking the plunge into motorsport’s top tier series, there’s been speculation that it could involve a partnership with McLaren, a role as an engine supplier, or even a traditional factory team. Further complicating any move are rumors that corporate cousin Porsche is also mulling a Formula 1 campaign. Given how expensive a presence in the sport is, the big question is how much money Volkswagen Group would be prepared to spend to have two of its marque properties battle each other.

As foggy as the outlook might be, however, it does seem like a good time to start planning for an Audi F1 campaign. Right now, arch rival Mercedes is on its heels after Red Bull driver Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton in a historic showdown at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix earlier this month. Verstappen’s victory broke an amazing seven-year run for the Mercedes team, and may very well mark a changing of the guard in the long-stagnant series. Fortunately, since 2022 is right around the corner, we’ll have more news soon. So stay tuned!

Photos: Audi

Click HERE to join the AudiWorld forums!

Jenson Button tests new Radford Lotus Type 62-2

Gareth Herincx

1 day ago
Auto News

Jenson Button takes Radford Lotus Type 62-2 for final development track test

Ex-Formula One Champion Jenson Button has taken the Radford Lotus Type 62-2 through its final phases of pre-production testing.

The dynamic track test of the prototype John Player Special model was conducted by Jenson at the home of Lotus, on the test track facility at its headquarters in Hethel, Norfolk.

“To finally drive the type 62-2 for the first time was obviously a very special moment, the cockpit already feels like home!” said Jenson.

“The car felt great, well balanced in high and low-speed corners and ran faultlessly all day which is the perfect base for the months of setup tweaking that will follow for me.

“We want to ensure that this car is a pure driver’s car that pays both due respects to the DNA of Lotus, but also delivers the luxury of a Radford.”

Jenson’s role as test driver plays a crucial part in the final stage of development, having been involved from the outset in the design, development and engineering of the Lotus Radford Type 62-2.

On-track during testing, the prototype delivered an electronically limited top speed of 186mph and a 0-62mph acceleration time of 2.9 seconds. The car produces 600bhp from a supercharged 3.5-litre V6 and has a dry weight under 1,000kg.

The mid-engined two-seater coupe is based on Lotus technology that has been re-engineered throughout including upgraded pistons, con-rods and camshafts, adjustable coil spring suspension driven through a 6-speed manual transmission.

The carbon fibre body panels and interior sit on an ultra-lightweight aluminium chassis, in keeping with the Lotus philosophy of “Simplify and add lightness”.

After the first customer deliveries in 2022, all of the Radford Type 62-2 owners will be invited to attend an exclusive one-day track event to get behind the wheel alongside Jenson, who will demonstrate how drivers can get the most out of their car on the racetrack.

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