[Other Sport] F1 2024

A1X said:

So is it safe to say that, bar unexpected twists, Lawson will be on the grid next season, it’s just a question of which team?

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Personally: yes, safe assumption. Think he's done enough already in the 3 races so far.

My prediction:

- Perez sees out the season.

- Post-season announcement that he's leaving the team and won't drive in 2025. Red Bull will give him the opportunity to frame it as retirement, but if he doesn't take that they'll axe him.

- I think Red Bull have negotiated a deal with Williams for Colapinto that just needs signatures. I think those signatures appearing on the deal will depend on what Lawson does in the remaining races:
a) If Lawson clearly bests Tsunoda, he gets the Red Bull seat; IMO this is probably written into his current contract (based on what was said in the aftermath of Lawson replacing Ricciardo, and what was said about Ricciardo's contract when he replaced De Vries). VCARB seat goes to Hadjar, and Colapinto deal doesn't get signed.
b) If Tsunoda ahead of Lawson, Lawson stays at VCARB. Colapinto deal is activated and he gets the Red Bull seat. Hadjar misses out.

I don't see Red Bull buying out Colapinto to place him at VCARB. Not for the sums of money that have been rumoured ($20m).

F1 is having an active news day:

1. Alpine have confirmed they will use Mercedes power units from 2026 onwards, with Renault's PU program being shut down.

[Aside: it's been rumoured that Cadillac have bought the IP for the 2026 Renault unit and may seek to use that as leverage in the ongoing Andretti Cadillac team entry fight with the FOM].

2. Dan Fallows, Aston Martin Technical Director (who was poached at great effort from Red Bull 2 years ago), is being removed from his role with the F1 team. He'll remain "part of the group" but won't continue with the F1 team after this month.

3. F1 FIA Race Director Neils Wittich has stood down with immediate effect and will be replaced by a former F2/F3 race director from the Las Vegas race onwards.

... and David Croft is hinting that there's more to come, suggesting there's embargoed news yet to drop.

And the embargoed news was confirmation of a poorly kept secret: there will be an F1 season launch event in London on February 18, attended by all 10 teams and all 10 race drivers. Tickets will be available for fans (bet those won't be cheap).

Audax said:

F1 is having an active news day:

1. Alpine have confirmed they will use Mercedes power units from 2026 onwards, with Renault's PU program being shut down.

[Aside: it's been rumoured that Cadillac have bought the IP for the 2026 Renault unit and may seek to use that as leverage in the ongoing Andretti Cadillac team entry fight with the FOM].

2. Dan Fallows, Aston Martin Technical Director (who was poached at great effort from Red Bull 2 years ago), is being removed from his role with the F1 team. He'll remain "part of the group" but won't continue with the F1 team after this month.

3. F1 FIA Race Director Neils Wittich has stood down with immediate effect and will be replaced by a former F2/F3 race director from the Las Vegas race onwards.

... and David Croft is hinting that there's more to come, suggesting there's embargoed news yet to drop.

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Wittich says he was sacked not stood down. There's a story there for someone to find...

The FIA have been a total shambles under Bin Salayem - starting from the Abu Dhabi 21 cover up.

JackB247 said:

Wittich says he was sacked not stood down. There's a story there for someone to find...

The FIA have been a total shambles under Bin Salayem - starting from the Abu Dhabi 21 cover up.

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Yep. From what I saw last night (after I posted) it sounds like the relationship between Wittich and MBS has been sour for a while, and MBS has simply been waiting for an opportunity to get rid. Brazil weekend gave him the opportunity potentially - the delay to getting the VSC out in the Sprint race might have given a justifiable reason to sack.

Did anyone get any tickets for that F1 75 thingy at the 02 in Feb?
In the queue for over a bastard hour then to be told it sold out(I felt like an Oasis fan)

the wife n boy really want to go, so as the old Scousers used to shout on Wembley way “I’ll take any spares”