[Other Sport] F1 2024

[Audax]

If Newey does go I wonder whether Max might be agitating to follow him out the door?

Can't see Ferrari ditching Leclerc any time soon, I think it's more likely Max ends up at McLaren with Lando moving on (Mercedes?)

Jos Verstappen has dropped a hint that Max might be available for 2026. The hot rumour at the moment is a move to Mercedes, taking Marko (whose leaving Red Bull would trigger an exit clause for Verstappen) and as many RBR engineers as possible.

A Verstappen / Norris swap is an interesting option, though. McLaren are better than Mercedes currently, and Red Bull have already tried to tempt Norris away from McLaren. We could see a 2026 grid looking something like:

Red Bull - Norris, Perez / Ricciardo / Lawson
Ferrari - Leclerc, Hamilton
McLaren - Piastri, Russell / Pato O'Ward
Mercedes - Verstappen, Russell / Antonelli
Aston Martin - Alonso, Stroll

 

[Audax]

Oh wow ... they didn't wait until after the Senna anniversary was behind us. Official confirmation now, Newey will leave Red Bull:



Other sources have confirmed that he ceases work for the Formula 1 team with immediate effect, however he will continue to work with Red Bull on their RB17 Hypercar project until early 2025. He will then be free to join another F1 team - no gardening leave (he's effectively serving out his F1 gardening leave while working on the RB17).

 

[AstroSloth]

Hamilton very lucky to avoid any action from the stewards after attempting a turn 1 divebomb leading to a safety car.

 

[Audax]

I'm a little suspicious of Norris (sprint Q) and then Ricciardo (race Q) having sets of softs in qually sessions that just had no grip. Quality control issue at Pirelli?

 

[Guinness Boy]

Cracking race this. The Boy’s commentary just now was “K-Mag’s been driving like an Al Queda recruit all weekend”.

 

[A1X]

Come on Lando, not been this nervous about a race for f***ing ages

 

[Peacehaven Wild Kids]

Come on Lando, not been this nervous about a race for f***ing ages

Personally couldn’t give a toss, but the wife n boy are on the edge of their seats as I type

 

[doogie004]

Agree fingers crossed come on lando

 

[Normal Rob]

Well that makes a change.

 

[Simonf93]

bloody epic, well done lando throughly deserved, incredible drive and made the tyres work, nice long stint at the start

 

[A1X]

GET IN

 

[doogie004]

Get in Lando brilliant drive piss Hamilton you are finished

 

[Guinness Boy]

YES Lando!

What a great day for sport.

 

[Peacehaven Wild Kids]

Personally couldn’t give a toss, but the wife n boy are on the edge of their seats as I type

Edit that, I’m actually quite pleased for him and his fans now

 

[Pavilionaire]

Has there been a more popular debut winner? Lando was superb, the McLaren was superb. Finally we see real competition to Red Bull in terms of pace and power.

A coincidence that Newey announces he is leaving and Red Bull have their worst weekend for ages?

Lastly - I'm not a Max fan - but credit where it is due, he was gracious and, dare I say, almost classy in defeat.

 

[helipilot]

I was lucky enough to have been there today cheering Lando on, great win and hopefully a new lease of life to the sport this year from now on.

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

Well done Lando!

That was a pleasant surprise to wake up to. Doubly so as it was a deserved win. Yes he got a bit of luck with the safety car but he won with pace and skill.

Lets hope that we can have a few more races with a bit of jeopardy for Max. Maybe even having him finish outside the podium

 

[Audax]

2. At least 3 different teams win at least 1 race each. I'll even take a stab at who: Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren

And done .

Think Norris could take a couple more this year. They had the first significant upgrades on Norris' car this weekend. Piastri gets them for the next race. Norris looked a lot closer to Red Bull all weekend other than that rogue set of softs for the sprint Q3

 

[Audax]

10. The Andretti entry continues to be a thorn in the FOM's side, and by the end of the season their entry for 2026 has been accepted.

The thorn has become a whole lot more thornier. Ahead of the Miami race weekend, a bipartisan group of 12 US congress politicians sent a letter to FOM / Liberty demanding an explanation on why Andretti Cadillac's entry had been refused and accusing them of anti-competitive / cartel behaviour. This was a significant move, as US law has scope to make FOM / Liberty's lives very, very difficult. But, while significant, that letter wasn't really binding - more of a warning shot.

Since then, however, the warning shot has been escalated. A new letter has been sent, this time from the head of a congressional committee that has oversight on anti-competitive behaviour issues and does have the power to compel a response from FOM / Liberty. That letter demands the response be received before 21st May, and demands significantly more paperwork than the original letter.

This potentially spells trouble for FOM / Liberty. Once US politicians sink their teeth into something like this, with the stated aim of protecting the legitimate interests of an American company, they don't tend to let go. Liberty won't want this. Congress will give them bigger headaches than the existing 10 teams can, this could be the turning point. Or it could be Liberty dig their heels in. It will depend on how much of the Andretti refusal was based on appeasing the existing 10 teams vs genuine FOM/Liberty-only reasons.

 

[Audax]

Ferrari have a big upgrade package coming for Imola. There's a few photos emerged as they've used a filming day to give it a shakedown. They've switched to Red Bull 2024 style sidepod inlets (having started the season with Red Bull 2023 inspired inlets).