Formula One: 2024 Season News and Discussion Thread
#561
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Barely halfway through the season. Fair odds there could be more penalties for Max by the end of the season.
#562
Senior Moderator
How many senior leaders have Alpine cycled through over the last few years? It's ridiculous. I wonder how long Briatore will last.
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civicdrivr (07-26-2024)
#563
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exactly what I thought as I watched Famin being interviewed yesterday regarding his departure from the post.
#564
AZ Community Team
Absolutely brilliant race strategy (early 1 stop strategy to hards) and tire management by Russell, lasting 34 laps of Spa on hards holding off Hamilton was quite a testament to his race craft.
Last edited by Legend2TL; 07-28-2024 at 09:39 AM.
#565
Whats up with RDX owners?
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Good race from George. Dirty air had a big impact today though - Hamilton was struggling within a second, MCL couldn't close the gap, same for RB. But good driving from George to make the hards last that long.
#566
AZ Community Team
noooooo, Russell's car is 1.5kg underweight, no extra lap to pick up marbles off the racing line and one stop strategy with long 2nd stint may have caused it.
Last edited by Legend2TL; 07-28-2024 at 11:19 AM.
#567
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the team made an error with fuel removal it sounds like
#568
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Unbelievable...
#569
Senior Moderator
Wolff showed almost no emotion when Russel won the race. Almost as if he knew something...
#570
AZ Community Team
Disqualified George Russell data emerges with simple Hamilton question answered
https://www.planetf1.com/features/di...stion-answered
Pretty good data analysis why Russell and not Hamilton did the 1-stop strategy. Didn't realize Alonso also did a 1-stop.
Pretty good data analysis why Russell and not Hamilton did the 1-stop strategy. Didn't realize Alonso also did a 1-stop.
#571
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Disqualified George Russell joins very exclusive club after deleted Belgian GP win
#572
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If Sauber could've made the 1 stop work, they would've been 9th [after the GR DQ], assuming his tires wouldn't have gone off too much at the end.
#573
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#574
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#575
Whats up with RDX owners?
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https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...6D7H2akmtW9uXe
Carlos Sainz has committed his future to Williams with the Spaniard agreeing a multi-year deal to race alongside Alex Albon.
Carlos Sainz has committed his future to Williams with the Spaniard agreeing a multi-year deal to race alongside Alex Albon.
#576
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Good for Sainz to get a drive, but that's a pretty big seat swap, though Albon has been able to get some decent performance out of the car.
Wonder if this is to Sargent, then
I believe that leaves 4 open seats:
Mercedes: Hamilton
Alpine: Ocon
Sauber: Zhou/Bottas
RB: Ricciardo
And that's if there isn't an escape clause in Perez's renewed deal, which could really spice up the remainder of silly season, especially with the summer break.
Last edited by 00TL-P3.2; 07-29-2024 at 10:10 AM.
#577
AZ Community Team
There's been alot of technical hiring at Williams lately, Vowles has hired 26 engineers from MB, RBR, Ferrari,... mostly in aero. I have a gut feeling 2026 could see the resurgence of Williams, Vowles has been overhauling alot of the design/development/operations process there. Could be a good place for Sainz and Albon to be in 26.
#578
Whats up with RDX owners?
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I see Williams on an upward trajectory, especially with Sainz and Albon.
And yes, it hasn't exactly been a secret that Sargent is done after this season.
And yes, it hasn't exactly been a secret that Sargent is done after this season.
#579
Whats up with RDX owners?
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There was also a meeting between DR, Mekkies, and Horner after yesterdays race in which DR walked away with a big smile. Lots of people are speculating Perez is out after the break.
#580
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^ If so, wonder if it's a seat swap ala Kvyat, or if it's Perez out, RB driver promotion, Lawson in at RB.
#581
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#582
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I want to know the details of the Sainz contract and if there are escape clauses.
#583
AZ Community Team
Last edited by Legend2TL; 07-29-2024 at 01:01 PM.
#584
AZ Community Team
San Marino 1985: The GP won by a driver who didn't lead a lap
FWIW, later on John Barnard determined the amount of wear on the carbon brake pads and discs due to the heavy braking of the circuit.
https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/sa...82810/4982810/
https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/sa...82810/4982810/
#585
Senior Moderator
Don't abide by the rules and black flags lose 2nd place, pretty simple. However I don't agree with the subsequent two race ban for ignoring the black flags, that was Bernie trying to inject excitement into the miserable 1994 season. Had Schumacher just gone in for the black flag when he was shown it and it woulda been a 5 sec. stop/go and nothing after that. Pretty good synopsis of the violation and penalty
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DoD...=AidanMillward
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DoD...=AidanMillward
People pass each other on the formation lap all the time. I can guarantee that it was only called on Schumacher because of the corrupt stewards in Silverstone. This whole season was stacked against Benetton, but that only made the title win more special at the end.
#586
AZ Community Team
Quite stupid of Benetton to then ignore the black flag despite the calls to the pits, in all it was a silly move by Schumacher and Benetton which cost them dearly in terms of the risk/reward ratio, the season shoulda been a cake-walk with the driver/car combination.
I think Schumacher deserved the 1994 championship, but he was not a sportsman by driving into Hill in Adelaide. Had Hill been able to finish the race ahead of Schumacher's points, he would not have deserved the WDC. Schumacher has a long list of unsportsmanlike driving, brilliant driver and leader but there's also a dark side to him. Even at MB when Rosberg was outdriving him, Schumacher would still try silly mind games using the restroom before the start of the race. Rosberg talks about that in one of his video's
Last edited by Legend2TL; 07-29-2024 at 02:39 PM.
#587
Senior Moderator
It was one bad call after another by people to conspire against Schumacher and Benetton. The British fans and media and the Senna fans were pulling for Hill. The F1 establishment were also against the upstart Benetton team. You can sense that Schumacher felt like everyone was against him. That resentment bubbled to the top at the final race. I won't lie, I was jumping up and down when Hill's car pulled into the pits for a DNF. Although it wasn't sporting, it felt like deserved justice.
I equate it like a football match, where the ref makes a horrendous call in one half, but then makes up for it in the second half with a bad call on the other team to equal it.
I equate it like a football match, where the ref makes a horrendous call in one half, but then makes up for it in the second half with a bad call on the other team to equal it.
#588
AZ Community Team
Sergio Perez to remain with Red Bull after crunch F1 talks
#589
Senior Moderator
Ridiculous! If RB loses the constructors title, it's on Perez and Horner.
#590
AZ Community Team
Strange factoid from Belgium Grand Prix, the top 10 drivers all won a F1 race before. According to a Instagram F1_statistics channel, that has never happened before. Had Russell not been disqualified, it woulda been 11.
Last edited by Legend2TL; 07-30-2024 at 11:31 AM.
#591
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https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...wT7dQFR6meVwdd
Jonathan Wheatley will leave his role as Red Bull’s Sporting Director to become Team Principal of the Audi F1 Team.
Wheatley has become a significant senior figure during nearly two decades with the organisation and played a key role in winning 13 World Championships.
“It has been a long and successful relationship with Jonathan, over 18 years,” said Red Bull boss Christian Horner.
“His contribution to six World Constructors’ Titles and seven World Drivers’ Championship, first as Team Manager and latterly Sporting Director will forever be a marker in our Team history.”
Red Bull say Wheatley will remain in his position until the end of the 2024 season, before entering a period of gardening leave in 2025.
The team added: “Everyone at Oracle Red Bull Racing and Red Bull Technology wish him all the best in his new role and would like to place our thanks to Jonathan.
“Red Bull Racing have tremendous strength and depth and this provides opportunity to elevate others within the Team. We will announce a new Team structure in the coming weeks.”
Audi also later confirmed the appointment with Gernot Dollner, CEO of AUDI AG, saying: "I am delighted that we have been able to gain Jonathan Wheatley as Team Principal for our future Formula 1 team.
"Jonathan has played a major part in many Formula 1 race victories and World Championship titles in his Formula 1 career so far, and has extensive experience in the paddock. He is a very valuable addition to our team."
The news comes just over a week after it was announced Audi CEO Andreas Seidl and Audi executive Oliver Hoffman were leaving the project with ex-Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto arriving to head it up.
Binotto’s official title is Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer with Audi saying he and Wheatley will together head the new management team at Sauber Motorsport AG. In their new positions, both will report directly to Dollner.
Wheatley said: “I am extremely proud to have been a part of the Red Bull Racing journey over the last 18 years and will leave with many fond memories. However, the opportunity to play an active part in Audi’s entry into Formula 1 as head of a factory team is a uniquely exciting prospect, and I am looking forward to the challenge.
"Also I am glad to be working together with Mattia, whom I have known for many years and who is the right person to collaborate with in this exciting project."
Binotto said: “I have known Jonathan for many years and rate him highly as an experienced and committed motorsport expert. 2026 is not a long time away now, and I’m looking forward to setting up the new racing team for Audi along with Jonathan and leading it to success."
Dollner added: "With the appointment of Jonathan and Mattia we have taken a decisive step towards our entry into Formula 1.
"I am convinced that with the two of them, we have been able to combine an extremely high level of competence for Audi. Their experience and their ability will help us to get a foothold quickly in the tough competitive world of Formula 1."
Wheatley is the second major player to this year announce their departure from Red Bull, with design guru Adrian Newey set to leave after almost 20 years with the team.
Wheatley has become a significant senior figure during nearly two decades with the organisation and played a key role in winning 13 World Championships.
“It has been a long and successful relationship with Jonathan, over 18 years,” said Red Bull boss Christian Horner.
“His contribution to six World Constructors’ Titles and seven World Drivers’ Championship, first as Team Manager and latterly Sporting Director will forever be a marker in our Team history.”
Red Bull say Wheatley will remain in his position until the end of the 2024 season, before entering a period of gardening leave in 2025.
The team added: “Everyone at Oracle Red Bull Racing and Red Bull Technology wish him all the best in his new role and would like to place our thanks to Jonathan.
“Red Bull Racing have tremendous strength and depth and this provides opportunity to elevate others within the Team. We will announce a new Team structure in the coming weeks.”
Audi also later confirmed the appointment with Gernot Dollner, CEO of AUDI AG, saying: "I am delighted that we have been able to gain Jonathan Wheatley as Team Principal for our future Formula 1 team.
"Jonathan has played a major part in many Formula 1 race victories and World Championship titles in his Formula 1 career so far, and has extensive experience in the paddock. He is a very valuable addition to our team."
The news comes just over a week after it was announced Audi CEO Andreas Seidl and Audi executive Oliver Hoffman were leaving the project with ex-Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto arriving to head it up.
Binotto’s official title is Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer with Audi saying he and Wheatley will together head the new management team at Sauber Motorsport AG. In their new positions, both will report directly to Dollner.
Wheatley said: “I am extremely proud to have been a part of the Red Bull Racing journey over the last 18 years and will leave with many fond memories. However, the opportunity to play an active part in Audi’s entry into Formula 1 as head of a factory team is a uniquely exciting prospect, and I am looking forward to the challenge.
"Also I am glad to be working together with Mattia, whom I have known for many years and who is the right person to collaborate with in this exciting project."
Binotto said: “I have known Jonathan for many years and rate him highly as an experienced and committed motorsport expert. 2026 is not a long time away now, and I’m looking forward to setting up the new racing team for Audi along with Jonathan and leading it to success."
Dollner added: "With the appointment of Jonathan and Mattia we have taken a decisive step towards our entry into Formula 1.
"I am convinced that with the two of them, we have been able to combine an extremely high level of competence for Audi. Their experience and their ability will help us to get a foothold quickly in the tough competitive world of Formula 1."
Wheatley is the second major player to this year announce their departure from Red Bull, with design guru Adrian Newey set to leave after almost 20 years with the team.
#592
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Thread Starter
Bonno not following LH to Ferrari
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...qft902W2ZMbbBX
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...qft902W2ZMbbBX
Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer Pete Bonnington has committed his future to Mercedes after securing a promotion to Head of Race Engineering.
Bonnington has worked with Hamilton since the seven-time world champion joined the team in 2013, the duo winning six world titles together.
When Hamilton announced he would be joining Ferrari next season, it remained unclear whether Bonnington – often referred to as Bono – would follow or stay with Mercedes.
However, ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, a Mercedes spokesperson confirmed to Formula1.com that Bonnington will assume his new role with immediate effect. Bono will dovetail that role with continuing to race engineer Hamilton for the remainder of the season.
He will then continue to race engineer one driver next year, though it remains unclear whether that will be George Russell or Hamilton’s replacement. Mercedes protégé and F2 racer Kimi Antonelli is favourite to get the nod.
It is a similar arrangement to what Red Bull have, with Gianpiero Lambiase working as Head of Race Engineering while also continuing to race engineer reigning world champion Max Verstappen.
Bonnington’s new arrangement continues a stint with the squad that began when they were Honda and continued when they became BrawnGP and then Mercedes.
During that time, he’s worked with the likes of world champions Michael Schumacher and Jenson Button and built up a wealth of experience trackside.
Bonnington has worked with Hamilton since the seven-time world champion joined the team in 2013, the duo winning six world titles together.
When Hamilton announced he would be joining Ferrari next season, it remained unclear whether Bonnington – often referred to as Bono – would follow or stay with Mercedes.
However, ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, a Mercedes spokesperson confirmed to Formula1.com that Bonnington will assume his new role with immediate effect. Bono will dovetail that role with continuing to race engineer Hamilton for the remainder of the season.
He will then continue to race engineer one driver next year, though it remains unclear whether that will be George Russell or Hamilton’s replacement. Mercedes protégé and F2 racer Kimi Antonelli is favourite to get the nod.
It is a similar arrangement to what Red Bull have, with Gianpiero Lambiase working as Head of Race Engineering while also continuing to race engineer reigning world champion Max Verstappen.
Bonnington’s new arrangement continues a stint with the squad that began when they were Honda and continued when they became BrawnGP and then Mercedes.
During that time, he’s worked with the likes of world champions Michael Schumacher and Jenson Button and built up a wealth of experience trackside.
#593
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https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...0vxJoZK8wWoMPj
Williams have announced that academy driver and F2 racer Franco Colapinto will contest the remainder of the season with the squad, replacing Logan Sargeant as Alex Albon’s team mate from the Italian Grand Prix.
Colapinto joined the Williams Racing Driver Academy in early 2023 and made his FP1 debut with the F1 team at this year’s British Grand Prix – giving him an initial taste of the FW46.
A race winner in an array of categories on the junior single-seater scene, the 21-year-old had been contesting his second season in the F2 feeder championship, holding sixth in the 2024 standings with a race win and two second-place finishes to his name.
He will become the first Argentine driver in F1 for 23 years, after Gaston Mazzacane’s last appearances for Prost back in 2001, and only the second Argentine to drive for Williams, following on from his countryman Carlos Reutemann.
In their press release, Williams took the opportunity “to thank Logan Sargeant for his hard work and contribution over the past two seasons”, adding he “will remain in the Williams family and we will support him to continue his racing career”.
It comes after a particularly challenging run for the American, who crashed his updated Williams at last weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, a few weeks on from confirmation that he will be replaced by Carlos Sainz next year.
“It is an honour to be making my Formula 1 debut with Williams – this is what dreams are made of,” Colapinto said of the news. “The team has such amazing history and a mission to get back to the front which I can’t wait to be part of.
“Coming into F1 mid-season will be an enormous learning curve but I am up for the challenge, and I’m fully focused on working as hard as I can with Alex and the team to make it a success.”
Williams Team Principal James Vowles added: “To replace a driver mid-season is not a decision we have taken lightly, but we believe this gives Williams the best chance to compete for points over the remainder of the season.
“We have just brought a large upgrade to the car and need to maximise every points-scoring opportunity in a remarkably tight midfield battle.
“We also believe in investing in our young drivers in the Williams Racing Driver Academy, and Franco is getting a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate what he is capable of across the final nine rounds of the season.
“This is undoubtedly incredibly tough on Logan, who has given his all throughout his time with Williams, and we want to thank him for all his hard work and positive attitude. Logan remains a talented driver and we will support him to continue his racing career for the future.
“I know that Franco has great speed and huge potential, and we look forward to seeing what he can do in Formula 1.”
Colapinto joined the Williams Racing Driver Academy in early 2023 and made his FP1 debut with the F1 team at this year’s British Grand Prix – giving him an initial taste of the FW46.
A race winner in an array of categories on the junior single-seater scene, the 21-year-old had been contesting his second season in the F2 feeder championship, holding sixth in the 2024 standings with a race win and two second-place finishes to his name.
He will become the first Argentine driver in F1 for 23 years, after Gaston Mazzacane’s last appearances for Prost back in 2001, and only the second Argentine to drive for Williams, following on from his countryman Carlos Reutemann.
In their press release, Williams took the opportunity “to thank Logan Sargeant for his hard work and contribution over the past two seasons”, adding he “will remain in the Williams family and we will support him to continue his racing career”.
It comes after a particularly challenging run for the American, who crashed his updated Williams at last weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, a few weeks on from confirmation that he will be replaced by Carlos Sainz next year.
“It is an honour to be making my Formula 1 debut with Williams – this is what dreams are made of,” Colapinto said of the news. “The team has such amazing history and a mission to get back to the front which I can’t wait to be part of.
“Coming into F1 mid-season will be an enormous learning curve but I am up for the challenge, and I’m fully focused on working as hard as I can with Alex and the team to make it a success.”
Williams Team Principal James Vowles added: “To replace a driver mid-season is not a decision we have taken lightly, but we believe this gives Williams the best chance to compete for points over the remainder of the season.
“We have just brought a large upgrade to the car and need to maximise every points-scoring opportunity in a remarkably tight midfield battle.
“We also believe in investing in our young drivers in the Williams Racing Driver Academy, and Franco is getting a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate what he is capable of across the final nine rounds of the season.
“This is undoubtedly incredibly tough on Logan, who has given his all throughout his time with Williams, and we want to thank him for all his hard work and positive attitude. Logan remains a talented driver and we will support him to continue his racing career for the future.
“I know that Franco has great speed and huge potential, and we look forward to seeing what he can do in Formula 1.”
#594
Moderator
Thread Starter
Bit of a slap to Antonelli & Mick.
If Antonelli is due a seat for 2025, I'd think some experience would be valuable & I've seen talk of Mick 'deserving' the Williams seat as well [from Toto, IIRC].
If Antonelli is due a seat for 2025, I'd think some experience would be valuable & I've seen talk of Mick 'deserving' the Williams seat as well [from Toto, IIRC].
#595
Moderator
Thread Starter
A bit more on it
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...2kaYg3Pj4fdnAK
Williams wanted Lawson, but RBR didn't want to give him up. Mick wasn't a contender.
Nothing in there about Antonelli being in the running for it.
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...2kaYg3Pj4fdnAK
Williams wanted Lawson, but RBR didn't want to give him up. Mick wasn't a contender.
Nothing in there about Antonelli being in the running for it.
#596
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Naaah, it allows Williams to get a driver in there with no future commitments to him. Mick is still tied in with MBZ no?
#597
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Yeah he is; though Williams is still tied to MB, so...
#598
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But fair point, to not pull in someone with a pretty heavy assumption to be on the grid in 25 (Antonelli)
#599
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I have to imagine Mick would've been looking for long term and Williams couldn't offer it given the fact they just signed Carlos.
#600
AZ Community Team
How Formula 1 Pistons Are Made (I went to the factory)