2024 Formula 1 Season thread

[Glideslope]

Interesting admission from Newey on the High Performance podcast as to why he went to Aston Martin, they have not been successful in the past and that has was his criteria for picking his next challenge. It seems Ferrari was not enough of a challenge but taking AM (Jordan) to the title is a huge pull for him. I'd imagine Eddie would have played a part in convincing him too as he'd be a part of that story.

Agreed. I think Jordan was a huge influencer. At least IMO, in the PC he did seem to spend allot of time discussing how Lawerence is "The Last of the True Owners." I think Adrain was very attracted to the Management Team that Lawerence has put in place at ARM, and its structure.

 

[CWallace]

Agreed. I think Jordan was a huge influencer. At least IMO, in the PC he did seem to spend allot of time discussing how Lawerence is "The Last of the True Owners." I think Adrain was very attracted to the Management Team that Lawerence has put in place at ARM, and its structure.

I was listening to Peter Windsor's livestream commentary of the announcement and during the Q&A section with the community, he mentioned that Lawrence is about as "far away from a classic team owner as you can get".

 

[Glideslope]

I was listening to Peter Windsor's livestream commentary of the announcement and during the Q&A section with the community, he mentioned that Lawrence is about as "far away from a classic team owner as you can get".

Yea. I heard that. I can only go by what Adrian said in the PC. You should catch the Performance Podcast if you haven’t yet. Very good stuff.

He really reinforces allot of my feelings toward Max being not understood like Sebastian. Also how the Nationalistic Attitude of Sky Sports distorts reality much of the time. I was impressed by his honesty.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I spent most of last night watching Adrian Newey being interviewed on the High Performance podcast and I have to say its probably his most in-depth interview he's ever given. Since the news yesterday of him joining Aston Martin, I've seen so much rubbish on social media about him only 'going for the money' and 'selling out' and it shows a distinct lack of intelligence amongst fans in this new age. Sky F1 made a big fuss about the cost of his contract through their articles and ironically Newey made reference to Sky F1 and their nationalistic and tabloid style sensational reporting.

Listening to the man, he's basically got 5 years left in the sport. He met with most teams in the paddock to discuss opportunities and Aston Martin who he has worked with in the past when they were title sponsor at Red Bull, offered something where he could see scope for him to make a difference. They have invested heavily and have given him a platform where he won't be wasting time trying to build from the very ground up. Williams was too much work and Ferrari have their ways and of course have been too successful in the past to entice Newey it seems.

Aston Martin just need 2 world class drivers now in seats now as Fernando can't do it all at his age. When is George Russell's contract up at Mercedes?

 

[cyb3rdud3]

I spent most of last night watching Adrian Newey being interviewed on the High Performance podcast and I have to say its probably his most in-depth interview he's ever given. Since the news yesterday of him joining Aston Martin, I've seen so much rubbish on social media about him only 'going for the money' and 'selling out' and it shows a distinct lack of intelligence amongst fans in this new age. Sky F1 made a big fuss about the cost of his contract through their articles and ironically Newey made reference to Sky F1 and their nationalistic and tabloid style sensational reporting.

Listening to the man, he's basically got 5 years left in the sport. He met with most teams in the paddock to discuss opportunities and Aston Martin who he has worked with in the past when they were title sponsor at Red Bull, offered something where he could see scope for him to make a difference. They have invested heavily and have given him a platform where he won't be wasting time trying to build from the very ground up. Williams was too much work and Ferrari have their ways and of course have been too successful in the past to entice Newey it seems.

Aston Martin just need 2 world class drivers now in seats now as Fernando can't do it all at his age. When is George Russell's contract up at Mercedes?

Max and Alonso would work...but I'd settle for Max and George

 

[pachyderm]

I spent most of last night watching Adrian Newey being interviewed on the High Performance podcast and I have to say its probably his most in-depth interview he's ever given. Since the news yesterday of him joining Aston Martin, I've seen so much rubbish on social media about him only 'going for the money' and 'selling out' and it shows a distinct lack of intelligence amongst fans in this new age. Sky F1 made a big fuss about the cost of his contract through their articles and ironically Newey made reference to Sky F1 and their nationalistic and tabloid style sensational reporting.

Listening to the man, he's basically got 5 years left in the sport. He met with most teams in the paddock to discuss opportunities and Aston Martin who he has worked with in the past when they were title sponsor at Red Bull, offered something where he could see scope for him to make a difference. They have invested heavily and have given him a platform where he won't be wasting time trying to build from the very ground up. Williams was too much work and Ferrari have their ways and of course have been too successful in the past to entice Newey it seems.

Aston Martin just need 2 world class drivers now in seats now as Fernando can't do it all at his age. When is George Russell's contract up at Mercedes?

I love that he wanted to go somewhere that hasn't been at the pinnacle of this sport.

I just Minardi or some similar* team was still int the game.



*Yes, yes, I'm sure AM is close enough but I'm not fan of daddy or baby.

 

[Glideslope]

Max and Alonso would work...but I'd settle for Max and George

It will interesting to see how this plays out. I'm fairly certain that there are ongoing discussions between Max's Team, Mercedes, and AMR. I just don't see Lawerence sending Lance to another series without at least 2 seasons in a Newey chassis. I think we need to try and understand what the "Management Opportunities" in Fernando's contract are as well. I don't believe anyone can dismiss Fernando being out of the car in 2026. Just seems like there is allot of buzz from him lately over needing to take better care of himself........ I'm probably stretching.

All things falling into place my bet is George to AMR in 2026 and Max to Mercedes. I'd prefer Max at AMR, and I believe Newey would as well given the accolades he bestowed on Max in his interviews.

Whatever happens it will be interesting. I believe Toto can easily be Lawerence's equal in landing Max.

 

[Zest28]

If McLaren does throw Oscar to the wolves, they best start looking for who will drive for them alongside Lando in 2026 as I do not see Oscar accepting a "second driver" role Ala the Schumacher Years at Ferrari and the Verstappen Years at Red Bull.

Doubly so if Lando ends up not winning the WDC this year and Piastri drops to 5th in the WDC behind Sainz. That is going to do wonders for their 2025 campaign...

This is nothing like Schumacher. Even if Schumacher was leading the championship in a Ferrari that was 1 second a lap faster than any other car, Rubens still had to move over for Schumacher.

Oscar helping Lando is just common sense, because Max has build up a huge lead in the championship early in the season when Red Bull was still a rocketship. Lando will not win the WDC if Oscar keeps messing with him, Oscar is literally helping Red Bull and Max rather than his own teammate.

Basically Oscar is not a teammate of Lando when he prevents Lando from winning the WDC this year. Max and Red Bull must be laughing like crazy of what Mclaren is doing.

 

[Zest28]

Every move Lawrence Stroll has made - including this one - is for Lance. He truly believes his son can be WDC if given the right equipment and staff and facilities behind him.

If Alonso starts winning with the AMR25 and AMR26 and Lance does not, you will see the car changed to suit Lance's driving style, even if that means Alonso's performance suffers because of it.

This what F1 is. Anyone can be WDC if you have a rocketship and your teammate is terrible.

But what you are saying about Lawrence Stroll is not true. Lance Stroll will never become WDC as long as Alonso is his teammate. Even if Alonso is a mummy, he will still beat Lance Stroll no problem.

It's more likely that Lawrence Stroll wants to win the driver championship with Alonso and his son is there for the ride to help secure the Constructors title.

If Lawrence Stroll is serious about his son winning the WDC, he has to fire Alonso and hire Perez.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

It will interesting to see how this plays out. I'm fairly certain that there are ongoing discussions between Max's Team, Mercedes, and AMR. I just don't see Lawerence sending Lance to another series without at least 2 seasons in a Newey chassis. I think we need to try and understand what the "Management Opportunities" in Fernando's contract are as well. I don't believe anyone can dismiss Fernando being out of the car in 2026. Just seems like there is allot of buzz from him lately over needing to take better care of himself........ I'm probably stretching.

All things falling into place my bet is George to AMR in 2026 and Max to Mercedes. I'd prefer Max at AMR, and I believe Newey would as well given the accolades he bestowed on Max in his interviews.

Whatever happens it will be interesting. I believe Toto can easily be Lawerence's equal in landing Max.

Actually, it wouldn't surprise me if Max retires from F1. He doesn't need to prove anything any more, and has plenty of other interests.

 

[Glideslope]

Actually, it wouldn't surprise me if Max retires from F1. He doesn't need to prove anything any more, and has plenty of other interests.

Very true.

 

[pachyderm]

This what F1 is. Anyone can be WDC if you have a rocketship and your teammate is terrible.

But what you are saying about Lawrence Stroll is not true. Lance Stroll will never become WDC as long as Alonso is his teammate. Even if Alonso is a mummy, he will still beat Lance Stroll no problem.

It's more likely that Lawrence Stroll wants to win the driver championship with Alonso and his son is there for the ride to help secure the Constructors title.

If Lawrence Stroll is serious about his son winning the WDC, he has to fire Alonso and hire Perez.

I don't believe that is exactly what he was saying.

He was simply stating that Daddy is trying to make sure Baby has all the toys he needs to be successful, and that Daddy errantly believes baby can be WDC.

Sorry for the italics... lol.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Honda and Alpine breach cost cap rules is being reported on the BBC.


Engine manufacturers Honda and Alpine have both committed a “procedural breach” of the Formula 1 cost-cap regulations, says governing body the FIA.
Honda is the partner of world champions Red Bull while Alpine is the supplier for the Renault-owned team of the same name.
A statement from the FIA did not detail the specifics of the breaches, which took place in the 2023 season, but said neither had exceeded the spending limit.
A procedural breach typically would revolve around discrepancies in the filing of financial information.
The FIA said that both Honda and Alpine had “acted at all times in good faith” and were “co-operating” with the FIA’s cost-cap administration team “to finalise the matter”.
The FIA said it was proposing that both enter into a so-called ‘accepted breach agreement’, meaning the competitor agrees they have broken the rules and accepts some form of sanction.
A Honda spokesperson said: "We would like to discuss the details of the matter after the ABA is disclosed by the FIA.
"In any case, it was a simple procedural mistake and not at all intentional. Furthermore, even including this procedural error, we have not exceeded the cost cap."
An Alpine spokesperson said: “The breach in question is directly in relation to Alpine Racing SAS (Viry-Chatillon) and relates to an administrative issue, and is in no way associated to financial overspending.
"We acknowledge and accept the findings of the review process and remain in regular dialogue with the FIA to ensure future compliance.”
Honda has been contacted for comment.
The statement added that all 10 teams had been found in compliance with the cost cap on their chassis-manufacturing side.
Last year was the first season in which the cost cap applied to engine manufacturers as well as teams.
In 2022, the FIA found that Red Bull had overspent by more than £1.8m in the first year of the cost cap the previous season. The team were fined $7m (£5.35m) and given a 10% reduction in their permitted aerodynamic research time.
In the same year, Aston Martin were found to have committed a procedural breach and were fined $450,000 (£344,000).

 

[avro707]

I've seen so much rubbish on social media about him only 'going for the money' and 'selling out'

It's Formula 1, they've got to play up controversy and the fans of Red Bull naturally will be fuming.

This now lets us see if Red Bull can perform without Newey or will they fall to the back. Herr Dr Marko can than play his power games at a different level.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

It's Formula 1, they've got to play up controversy and the fans of Red Bull naturally will be fuming.

This now lets us see if Red Bull can perform without Newey or will they fall to the back. Herr Dr Marko can than play his power games at a different level.

Huh!? What am I fuming about? Or any other fan of Red Bull / Max Verstappen?

 

[JustinePaula]

The cost cap is a joke, why is there no WAC, World Accountants Championship, cause Dollars to Doughnuts, the bean counters are sharp enough to be able to hide over expenditure in a creative way.. Every team cheats on the filing, but how many have been caught???

F1 should be budgets, you set your budget, and if you cannot compete, you get replaced, think of the budget as a points system, if you run out of money, you are relegated out of the formula, someone else comes in.. Teams are bought and sold, gamblers at a certain point don't care, they just want the high of the game..William's is an example of "gamblers" buying, we call them VC, venture capitalists, investment whatwhat.. They have money to burn, and the thrill of the formula attracted them...

Let the strong thrive, let the weak whither and die on the vine, if you have money, come, if not, play pickleball, or chess.. If your PHD's find a loophole in the regs, Congrats on the double, WDC, CDC.. The only condition is that at the end of the season, all CAD/PDF's for the teams are traded, you can buy them and proceeds go to help injured drivers in lower leagues with pensions/medical costs..

Stop the stupid mid race/season/3rd Wednesday drama banning of this or that tech.. If your PHD goons are stupid, fire them.. If they are smart, pay them a bonus..

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

It's Formula 1, they've got to play up controversy and the fans of Red Bull naturally will be fuming.

This now lets us see if Red Bull can perform without Newey or will they fall to the back. Herr Dr Marko can than play his power games at a different level.

The Helmet has already made a comment that Newey was important early on but has now built a technical department that no longer need him. He’s either right or playing down the blow due to his own ego. Time will tell and in fact it appears to be in recent races considering their decline coincided with Newey not having involvement in the F1 team since the end of May.

 

[avro707]

Huh!? What am I fuming about? Or any other fan of Red Bull / Max Verstappen?

No, not you, just random folk on social media.

Time will tell and in fact it appears to be in recent races considering their decline coincided with Newey not having involvement in the F1 team since the end of May

Indeed - and will that track-day V10 supercar project continue moving forward with Newey not being around.

Stop the stupid mid race/season/3rd Wednesday drama banning of this or that tech..

That's always happened, rules were defined to only allow cars with four wheels (not 6). - sorry Tyrrell, March and Williams.

Then the rules got toughened to make sure no fan-devices could help downforce even though they were 51% for "cooling" purposes. And then the multiple chassis idea was stopped before it could go too far.

And the Van Doorn CVT was also stopped when it started to look extremely promising with Williams with some huge advantages in smooth power progression out of corners and also under brakes and on corner entry.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

As bad as this is for Piastri and his morale, from a team management point of view its the only strategy to secure both titles. I hate team orders and sort of hope Verstappen and Norris have a couple of DNF's and we get a three way title fight. Maybe Oscar is being offered a bonus or a promise for next season? Whatever, its not a nice request to make on a driver who is as good as his teammate.

McLaren ask Oscar Piastri to back Lando Norris F1 title bid

McLaren are to prioritise Lando Norris over team-mate Oscar Piastri in their bid to win both Formula 1 world championships this year, team principal Andrea Stella tells BBC Sport.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[pachyderm]

Honda and Alpine breach cost cap rules is being reported on the BBC.


Engine manufacturers Honda and Alpine have both committed a “procedural breach” of the Formula 1 cost-cap regulations, says governing body the FIA.
Honda is the partner of world champions Red Bull while Alpine is the supplier for the Renault-owned team of the same name.
A statement from the FIA did not detail the specifics of the breaches, which took place in the 2023 season, but said neither had exceeded the spending limit.
A procedural breach typically would revolve around discrepancies in the filing of financial information.
The FIA said that both Honda and Alpine had “acted at all times in good faith” and were “co-operating” with the FIA’s cost-cap administration team “to finalise the matter”.
The FIA said it was proposing that both enter into a so-called ‘accepted breach agreement’, meaning the competitor agrees they have broken the rules and accepts some form of sanction.
A Honda spokesperson said: "We would like to discuss the details of the matter after the ABA is disclosed by the FIA.
"In any case, it was a simple procedural mistake and not at all intentional. Furthermore, even including this procedural error, we have not exceeded the cost cap."
An Alpine spokesperson said: “The breach in question is directly in relation to Alpine Racing SAS (Viry-Chatillon) and relates to an administrative issue, and is in no way associated to financial overspending.
"We acknowledge and accept the findings of the review process and remain in regular dialogue with the FIA to ensure future compliance.”
Honda has been contacted for comment.
The statement added that all 10 teams had been found in compliance with the cost cap on their chassis-manufacturing side.
Last year was the first season in which the cost cap applied to engine manufacturers as well as teams.
In 2022, the FIA found that Red Bull had overspent by more than £1.8m in the first year of the cost cap the previous season. The team were fined $7m (£5.35m) and given a 10% reduction in their permitted aerodynamic research time.
In the same year, Aston Martin were found to have committed a procedural breach and were fined $450,000 (£344,000).

WOW.

They overspent by $1.5 Million and paid a fine of $7 Million!?!? And that's fair because...?

 

[pachyderm]

As bad as this is for Piastri and his morale, from a team management point of view its the only strategy to secure both titles. I hate team orders and sort of hope Verstappen and Norris have a couple of DNF's and we get a three way title fight. Maybe Oscar is being offered a bonus or a promise for next season? Whatever, its not a nice request to make on a driver who is as good as his teammate.

McLaren ask Oscar Piastri to back Lando Norris F1 title bid

McLaren are to prioritise Lando Norris over team-mate Oscar Piastri in their bid to win both Formula 1 world championships this year, team principal Andrea Stella tells BBC Sport.

www.bbc.co.uk

It really is unfair but necessary. Took them long enough. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if the shoe is on the other foot next season.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Indeed - and will that track-day V10 supercar project continue moving forward with Newey not being around.

Adrian has said he will still be working on the Red Bull car project into next year and will be there for testing next summer alongside his role at Aston Martin. It is separate to the F1 project so its obviously been negotiated.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

WOW.

They overspent by $1.5 Million and paid a fine of $7 Million!?!? And that's fair because...?

I would imagine the 10% reduction is wind tunnel time is more of a kicker for them. It didn't affect Red Bull as much as they had a strong evolution of winning cars to continue from, but Alpine are back of the grid and need all the aero development resources they can get.

 

[headlessmike]

I would imagine the 10% reduction is wind tunnel time is more of a kicker for them. It didn't affect Red Bull as much as they had a strong evolution of winning cars to continue from, but Alpine are back of the grid and need all the aero development resources they can get.

It doesn't sound like this current breach will result in the same levels of fines or wind tunnel limitations as Red Bull's infringement did in 2022. Aston Martin received a $450,000 fine for a similar offense. The current situation with Honda and Alpine is different too because it is the powertrain manufacturers that broke the budget cap, not any particular teams.

 

[pachyderm]

dang it!
diznee(the great satan) is still in a dispute with our cable provider so I won't get to watch the race this weekend unless it's on my espn app...