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Hamilton and Russell have both expressed satisfaction of the revised W15 car changes from both races. From what I read there have been several "come to Jesus" meeting at MB where Allison wanted the aero and chassis mechanical engineering teams to come together to find the best compromise solution that the performance engineering team felt gave the best overall track improvement. Supposedly Wolff stayed out of the many meetings to avoid his presence putting unneeded pressure on the engineers.
From the IG wording
Since making this change, Mercedes has won all the races: what is it?👀
In Austria, a ‘bulge’ appeared on the W15’s nose: it is needed to accommodate the new third element (heave spring + damper), which allows the team to use a softer, more damped setup
This choice has some clear drawbacks: the bulge disrupts the airflow (more drag, less downforce), and the softer suspension prevents the floor from working as close as possible to its ideal height
In practice, though, porpoising (which does not appear in the wind tunnel, as the airflow is too slow for that) disrupts all that performance. After struggling for over two years, Mercedes went for a total change of approach - and the improvement has been massive since!
In Technical Director James Allison’s words: ‘How could we have been so dumb?’💡
We're at exactly the halfway point of the season. Which car do you think is the best one in F1 right now? I can't tell anymore. I don't think Silverstone provided any useful information because of the changing conditions.
A month ago, a Swiss arbitration court ruled that Haas needed to return some of the sponsorship money paid by Uralkali for the 2022 season.
Both the Russian fertiliser giant and the driver Uralkali backed, Nikita Mazepin, were axed by Haas at the very outset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict early that year.
Part of the Swiss court's ruling was that Haas must send a 2021 Mazepin-raced Haas car to Uralkali, with Tass news agency declaring earlier this month that the deadline for the returned sponsorship and the car's delivery was July 13.
Uralkali has now declared that Haas ignored the deadline.
Regretfully, a spokesman for the Russian company said, "neither the money - plus interest plus costs - has been paid, nor the race car delivered by the required deadline.
A letter sent by Uralkali to Haas in early July providing options for the delivery of the race car to take place went unanswered, the Uralkali official added. Further interest on the awarded sum continues to accrue.
The company said Haas is guilty of a flagrant violation of the Swiss tribunal's ruling.
This gives new meaning to the expression 'unsportsmanlike conduct', said Uralkali. "Uralkali will use all means provided for under the law to see that the ruling is implemented.
Let all current and potential Haas sponsors be aware of the kind of treatment that may await them.
Kevin Magnussen will vacate his race seat with Haas when the Dane’s contract expires at the end of the season – although boss Ayao Komatsu says he hopes they can “find a way to keep working together in some capacity”.
Magnussen is currently in his seventh season with Haas, split across two spells (2017-2020 and 2022-2024), and has scored five points to team mate Nico Hulkenberg’s 22 this season.
Sources say Esteban Ocon is favourite to join the team – though Haas have made no reference to their plans for the second seat.
“I’d like to thank Kevin for everything he’s given us as a team – both on and off the track,” said Komatsu. “He’s truly been a bedrock of our driver line-up over the years. Nobody’s driven more races for us and we’ve had some memorable highlights together – not least a remarkable fifth place finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2022 when Kevin returned to start his second spell with the team.
“He wasn’t expecting to be driving a Formula 1 car that weekend, but he put in a remarkable performance that was a tremendous boost to the entire organization and once again showcased his own talents behind the wheel.”
He added: “There’s plenty of racing to go this year so I’m looking forward to seeing what else we can achieve with Kevin as we push together in the championship.
“Beyond that, and with Kevin’s special relationship with the team, I’m hoping we can find a way to keep working together in some capacity.
“We can hopefully define that in the near future, but his extensive experience in Formula 1 and knowledge of our working operations are undoubtedly of value in our on-going growth and development.”
The former McLaren and Renault driver secured a career-high ninth in the standings for Haas in 2018 when he scored points in 11 of the 21 races that season, as the American team finished a best-ever fifth in the constructors’ championship.
Just weeks after Haas announced Ollie Bearman would make his full-time racing debut with the team in 2025, and on the eve of the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest, they have revealed Magnussen will not be partnering him.
Should Magnussen take up such a role, it would suggest he will not continue to race in Formula 1 – however he could compete in another racing series.
“I’d like to extend my thanks to everyone at MoneyGram Haas F1 Team – I’m proud to have raced for such a great team of people these last few years,” said Magnussen.
“In particular I’d like to thank Gene Haas for his commitment to me, notably in bringing me back once again in 2022 when I thought, at that time at least, my time in Formula 1 had ended. I’ve enjoyed some great moments with this team – memories I’ll never forget.
“While I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my racing career, I remain fully focused on giving everything I’ve got for the rest of 2024 with MoneyGram Haas F1 Team.”
^ KMag has one of the strangest driving record where he scored only one podium ever which happened on his 1st race where he got 2nd place in 2014 Australia.
1 podium, 2 fastest laps & has only finished in the top 10 overall once [2018]
It'll be interesting to see who Haas picks up for the 2nd seat, and if KMag finds another seat or sits out another season ala 2021.
Didn't that happen to his dad as well? Jan came out of the gate super hot and flamed out almost instantly.
Quick wiki search.
WDC in British Formula 3 in 94
Jan scored points once in his 3rd/last season [98], in his last race [6th/1pt]
Only finished 5/17 races in his first full season [97]
Quick wiki search.
WDC in British Formula 3 in 94
Jan scored points once in his 3rd/last season [98], in his last race [6th/1pt]
Only finished 5/17 races in his first full season [97]
Much more successful in IMSA/24hrs
My recollection was that Mika Hakkinen got sick. As the 3rd driver at McLaren, Jan filled in for him. Without practice, he got a top 10 finish in his debut race. Ron praised him immensely. But that was it.
Lotta changes for the RB20 this weekend, the rear cannons are gone from the side of the power unit bodywork. Many teams have lots of additional louvers for cooling
I caught part of the RB changes pre FP1. Sauber has a fair bit on 77 [engine cover, floor, mirrors, driver 'horseshoe'], we'll see if that translates to some improved race pace; only team with no points so far.
nside Piastri's DRAMATIC Win In Hungary! | Jolyon Palmer’s F1 TV Analysis | Workday
Pretty good analysis of the McLaren driver strategy and "awkward" was the Sesame Street word of the day.
Also loved the rather curt radio messages to Max from his race engineer from the overtake on lap 1, then the bouncing over Hamilton's front tire at the end with RBR telling Max "I'm not even going to get into a radio fight with the other teams, Max"
Audi have announced former Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto is returning to Grand Prix racing as the new leader of their Formula 1 project.
Earlier this year German car maker Audi took full ownership of the Sauber team, which will be run under the Audi banner from 2026, with an all-new power unit currently being developed in-house in Germany.
Binotto, 54, will assume leadership of the operation on August 1, as Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer based at the Sauber factory in Hinwil, Switzerland, and will report directly to the board of directors.
As part of the restructure, former McLaren Team Principal Andreas Seidl – who joined Sauber in January 2023 and was CEO of the Audi team – is leaving, along with Audi executive Oliver Hoffmann, who was overseeing the project.
Binotto was Chief Technical Officer at Ferrari until being promoted to Team Principal in 2019. He left Maranello in 2022 after three years in the job, and having been with the Scuderia since the mid-1990s.
“I am delighted that we have been able to recruit Mattia Binotto for our ambitious Formula 1 project,“ said Audi CEO Gernot Dollner.
“With his extensive experience of more than 25 years in Formula 1, he will undoubtedly be able to make a decisive contribution for Audi.“
Explaining the restructure, Dollner added: “Our aim is to bring the entire Formula 1 project up to F1 speed by means of clear management structures, defined responsibilities, reduced interfaces, and efficient decision-making processes. For this purpose, the team must be able to act independently and quickly.
“I would like to thank Oliver and Andreas for their important work in establishing our entry into Formula 1 and their commitment in preparing it,“ he said.
The first driver confirmed to be part of Audi’s new F1 project is Nico Hulkenberg, who will make the switch to Kick Sauber from Haas at the end of the season in what the German described as an “interesting” and “very exciting” move.
“It’s really a white piece of paper [for the 2026 regulation changes], and on one side I think that’s good,” said Hulkenberg, whose team mate for 2025 and beyond has yet to be confirmed by the operation.
“It’s not a new team but it’s going to be labelled a new team because probably all the know-how and advantage that current teams have, it’s wiped away a little bit, and it’s more a level playing field, [or] starting playing field for everyone.
“I think that offers a good opportunity to be competitive straight away, but expectations are always to be successful as quickly as possible.”
Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas and Chinese racer Zhou Guanyu have represented the Hinwil team since 2022, but the futures of both drivers are unknown beyond the end of the current campaign.
The Formula 1 Commission met for the third time in 2024 on Tuesday, with the headline outcomes including ruling out changes to the world championship points system and agreeing nine days of pre-season testing for 2026 to coincide with new regulations.
A proposal to hand out points beyond 10th place was discussed at the meeting in London, which was chaired by F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA Single-Seater Director Nikolas Tombazis.
The FIA said in a statement that it was “unanimously agreed” that there will be no changes to the distribution of championship points.
With new aerodynamic and power unit regulations being introduced for 2026, which include the use of 100% sustainable fuels and a greater focus on electrical power, teams will be given significantly more days of pre-season testing.
The current allocation of three days will be increased to nine, split across three days, to give the teams a chance to iron out any niggles with their all-new machines. The locations and dates are still to be determined.
The Commission also agreed that the minimum weight for a driver will be increased by 2kg to 82kg “in the interests of well-being”. That means the minimum weight of the car without fuel will be increased to 800kg for 2025.
The FIA added the strategic objectives of the 2026 regulations were “reiterated setting out that the overriding aim is to achieve fast and closer racing that will continue to engage and excite fans”.
The governing body added: “An update was provided on the timeline of the 2026 Regulations covering Technical, Sporting, Financial and Environmental matters and that the ongoing collaboration led by the FIA with all the teams was on track to meet the objectives and moving in the right direction for the finalisation of the regulations.
“Following further discussions during upcoming Technical and Sporting Advisory committees, an update on the 2026 Regulations relating to sporting and technical regulations will be presented at the World Motor Sport Council on October 17. An extraordinary F1 Commission meeting will take place on October 2 to discuss 2026 matters.”
Regarding the financial regulations, it was agreed costs relating to maternity or paternity leave, sick leave and team entertainment will “remain excluded” from the cost cap.
As always, these changes are subject to the approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council but that process is typically a formality.
Thinking back to Hungary, I think the worst part of the McLaren thing was that I don't think Piastri himself felt that he deserved his win. His body language right after the race lacked excitement, and looked more embarrassed than anything.
Haas have signed Alpine’s Esteban Ocon on a multi-year contract to partner rookie Ollie Bearman in 2025.
The team announced last week that Kevin Magnussen would be leaving at the end of the season, leaving a vacant seat that was widely believed to have been allocated to 27-year-old Ocon.
On Thursday in Belgium, ahead of the final race before the break and at the track where Ocon made his F1 debut in 2016, Haas announced Ocon would become the first Grand Prix winner to race one of their cars since they entered the sport in 2016.
Ocon has 146 career starts under his belt and has driven for Manor, Force India, Renault and Alpine – scoring 425 points in that period including three podiums, one of which was his maiden win in Hungary in 2021.
The Frenchman has previous with Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu, as the Japanese boss engineered Ocon in his first F1 test back in 2014 with Lotus (which now operates under the Alpine banner) at Valencia.
“I’m delighted we’ve secured Esteban Ocon’s services for Haas,” said Komatsu. “I’ve obviously been aware of his talents for a long time and our personal history dates back to Esteban’s maiden run in a Formula 1 car – I was his race engineer that day with Lotus.
“He displayed his talents back then coming off the back of strong performances in the junior categories – he’d just won the 2014 European Formula 3 Championship.
“Esteban’s gone on to become an established talent in Formula 1 and of course a Grand Prix winner. The experience he brings, not just from his own talent base but also from working for a manufacturer team, will be advantageous to us in our growth as an organisation.
“It was vital we had a driver with experience in beside Oliver Bearman next year, but Esteban’s only 27 – he’s still young with a lot to prove as well. I think we have a hungry, dynamic driver pairing and I look forward to welcoming Esteban into Haas for 2025.”
Owner Gene Haas added: “It was important to me that we have a driver with a known pedigree in Formula 1, and as a Grand Prix winner, Esteban undoubtedly fits that brief.
“Esteban’s proved himself in the teams he’s raced for as someone who’s continually in the mix and scoring points – it’s that continuity we’re keen to capitalise on as we look for increased performance gains on-track. We have a blend of youth and experience in our future driver line-up and I’m excited to see the results.”
Ocon said: “I’ll be joining a very ambitious racing team, whose spirit, work ethic, and undeniable upward trajectory has really impressed me.
“I’d like to thank Gene Haas and Ayao Komatsu for their trust and support, and for our honest and fruitful discussions these last few months. On a more personal note, I’m very happy to be working with Ayao again, as he’s been a part of my debut when I first stepped into a Formula 1 car during my Lotus Junior days more than 10 years ago.
“Haas has exciting plans and clear targets for the future, and I’m very much looking forward to working with everyone in Kannapolis, Banbury and Maranello, and being part of this great project.”
IIRC Haas, or was it Fred, said they wanted an experienced driver to partner Bearman, so he could get settled into F1.
I suppose Ocon is experienced, as long as OB doesn't just take away how to run the car into your teammate
I think this is a good move by Haas. They've got nothing to lose really. Ocon is a fast race winner. Bearman needs someone experienced to partner with. If drama does ensue, that's Haas's specialty, so they can deal with it.
Bruno Famin will move away from his role as Alpine Team Principal, the team have announced.
The Frenchman had been confirmed as the Enstone-based outfit’s Team Principal before the start of the current F1 season, following an interim period in charge after the departure of previous team boss Otmar Szafnauer at last year’s Belgian Grand Prix.
Now, at this year’s Belgian Grand Prix weekend, it has been announced that Famin will move away from his role by the end of August and will be in charge of all other Motorsport activities of the Renault Group at Viry-Chatillon.
Alpine also said in a statement that “a new Team Principal will be announced in due course.”
The news comes after several changes at Alpine across recent months, with the squad undergoing a technical restructure that saw Technical Director Matt Harman and head of Aerodynamics Dirk de Beer leave earlier in the year.
David Sanchez was then appointed as Executive Technical Director in May, having previously worked for the outfit earlier in his career. He was later joined by Michael Broadhurst and Vin Dhanani as Chief Aerodynamicist and Head of Vehicle Performance respectively.
In June, Flavio Briatore became Executive Advisor at Alpine, with the remit of his role being to "predominantly focus on top level areas of the team", it was stated at the time.
This would include “scouting top talents and providing insights on the driver market, challenging the existing project by assessing the current structure and advising on some strategic matters within the sport”.
On the driver front, changes are ahead for 2025, with Esteban Ocon's impending departure at the end of the season confirmed in June. While Pierre Gasly has signed a multi-year extension to remain with the squad, his identity of his team mate has not yet been revealed.
07-12-2024, 09:07 AM
Ocon, I was hoping he would be out altogether.
