When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Some very interesting stats from testing, as expected the RBR are not only fast but maintain great pace with low degradation. There are some amazing stats from testing on some F1 instagram postings for lap time graphs over time and laps run
I didn't get to watch FP1 yet but I was following the live timings this morning - the results are not exactly what I expected, but I also don't know what programs the teams were running. I'm just hoping for a more competitive season
I just realized that the first and second rounds are Saturday night races. Qualy will take place Friday. Dunno how I missed that earlier.
Originally Posted by 00TL-P3.2
Was coming to post this today. It's been mentioned a few times in testing coverage.
Something to do with ME [Bahrain/Saudi] race timing? @F-C almost time to get the 2024 Fantasy League posts up
I had a similar reaction.
That said. the Sauber looks decent on track, with 40min gone from FP1.
The Alpine & Haas though Not looking like a positive start.
Still figuring out the F1TV interface.
Realized about halfway through FP1 where the buttons were for the different view options: F1TV, Int'l [SkyF1?] feed, track map feed, sector timing & driver onboards.
Just finished FP1. Running as usual except the RBs being at the top, and 1 Sauber [soft tire] in the top 10.
Not shocked to see Haas at the bottom, but Alpine is not looking good & Williams didn't make a big leap forward after their promising progress in '23.
Also interesting that Williams finally joined the rest of the grid with the new steering wheel. They've had their dash display mounted to the chassis since I started back to watching seriously in 2014.
It seems like most references on F1's website refers to the team formerly known as Scuderia Toro Rosso to be "RB" rather than "VCARB". I'm glad that's now resolved.
More surprised to see a Haas in Q3
Thought the Sauber & Haas would've been reversed in Q1 from what we'd seen so far.
Q1 split from P1 to P20 was just over 1 sec, with the top 19 being under 1 sec split.
More surprised to see a Haas in Q3
Thought the Sauber & Haas would've been reversed in Q1 from what we'd seen so far.
Q1 split from P1 to P20 was just over 1 sec, with the top 19 being under 1 sec split.
This race may be an outlier for the rest of the year. Only the second week these cars are running. Night race. Desert.
Aston Martin is bringing innovation to the front of the Formula 1® grid in 2024 with its most driver-focused Vantage ever. Perfectly tuned and uniquely equipped to lead the pinnacle of motorsport around the Grand Prix™ circuits of the world, the new Vantage is ready to take up its leading role as an Official FIA Safety Car of Formula 1®.
A specially equipped version of the high-performance Vantage will lead all 20 F1® cars on the formation lap for this weekend's FORMULA 1® STC SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX 2024, before taking its place at the exit of the pit lane, ready to roar into action should it be required to intervene and control the pace of the F1® race.
The new Vantage is an authentic, unadulterated celebration of pure performance, engineered to deliver maximum thrills with maximum confidence and perfectly reflects the most dynamic period in Aston Martin's 111-year history.
Marco Mattiacci, Global Chief Brand and Commercial Officer of Aston Martin, said: "Vantage is the very essence of the Aston Martin brand, so to see the fastest, most driver-focused Vantage yet play such an important role in the prestigious FIA Formula One World Championship™ is a source of great pride for us. For brand awareness, there is no global, high-octane sporting series that can match F1®. Building on the natural synergies between the sport and Aston Martin, racing fans will not only see the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team AMR24's on track but also two of our most exciting performance models, Vantage and the award-winning DBX707."
Powered by a potent, hand-built 4.0 Twin-Turbo V8 engine, the new Vantage is the fastest of its breed, delivering a 30% increase on power over the previous model, ensuring the Vantage Safety Car is quick off the line, every time. Such is the performance of the new road-going Vantage, it required no engine upgrade, no changes to its cooling system and no upgrade in braking performance to adapt it for its role as FIA Safety Car. It was born for this role.
Bernd Mayländer, FIA Safety Car Driver, commented: "It is a pleasure to drive the Aston Martin Vantage. The car comes from an incredible bloodline and this newest version is the fastest yet. My first impressions were very positive as I could immediately feel the improvement in handling and, of course, power. We need a car that is fast and focused so we can respond quickly and safely when we receive the call for on-track deployment and Vantage provides that. I have enjoyed driving Vantage during the past three seasons and I'm happy to now be one of the first to drive the new Vantage and experience its full performance pedigree on the world's greatest circuits."
The new Vantage, the most sporting model in Aston Martin's portfolio, has gone through a rigorous process to become an Official FIA Safety Car of Formula 1®. To provide maximum attack on the race track, this unique car has additional, modified underfloor aerodynamics, along with an extended and profiled front splitter. For extra downforce a new rear wing has been specifically fitted in a bespoke position with a tuned Gurney. The FIA lightbar has also received new aero-profiling as every millisecond of performance is vital whilst leading the pack of F1® cars with rapidly cooling tyres.
Inside the Vantage Safety Car sits a plethora of systems to assist the driver and passenger in their roles. The production seats have been replaced by Pole Position Seats to keep FIA Safety Car driver, Bernd Mayländer and his passenger firmly in place as they circulate at speed. A bespoke centre console is fitted with switchgear to work the FIA systems, along with screens showing live lap times, the track positioning of all of the cars and a rear-view camera. Although functional, the Safety Car is still an Aston Martin so the interior has been finished in a unique Lime Essence trim in a nod to the marque's own racing colours.
Roberto Fedeli, Group Chief Technology Officer of Aston Martin, added: "Every thought, every idea, every piece of technology and every stroke of the designer's pen that went into Vantage can now be enjoyed by the fans of F1®. This new car is already the fastest and most driver-focused Vantage yet, which makes it perfect for this unique job so to turn it into an Official FIA Safety Car of Formula 1® was primarily a task of adding all of the FIA equipment. Of course, it has additional aero not found on the road car to make sure it can attack the race track and showcase the capabilities of our newest ultra-luxury high-performance car."
For those wanting to keep track of all the rumors:
1. Back in 2023, there were rumors of a power struggle between Horner and Marko.
2. Horner may have tried to buy Red Bull Racing with the help of outside investors and the approval of Chalerm Yoovidhya, who owns 51% of Red Bull GmbH. This would effectively allow Horner to fire Marko.
3. If 2 was true, this infuriated the Red Bull Austrian faction, including Mark Mateschitz. However, Mark Mateschitz only owns 49% of Red Bull GmbH, so he's stuck with Horner.
4. Marko's contract is extended for a few more years. (It appears that Verstappen has a release clause in his contract that he can leave the team if Marko is not longer at RBR) 5. During the off season, an investigation is launched due to a complaint by a female RBR employee over inappropriate conduct by Horner. Was this a plot by Mark Mateschitz to get rid of Horner?
6. Internal investigation by Red Bull GmbH clears Horner. Did Chalerm Yoovidhya hire the "independent" investigator!?!?
7. After Horner was cleared, leaked documents of the "evidence" were sent throughout the F1 paddock. Did the Austrian faction leak it?!?!?
I'm writing this down so I can understand it myself. All or none of the above may be true.
Newey has been quiet so far, but he may be the key to which faction wins. If #2 above happens, Horner and Yoovidhya may offer Newey ownership equity to get him to stay.
Daylight session not overly indicative of race pace/conditions, but surprised the Alpines look decent in Saudi FP1.
Haas back at the bottom, about as expected.
Williams midfield, which bodes well for them.
Lots of changes in the top 10 over the session. Track evolution & drivers getting their eye in, I'm assuming.
We'll see how FP2 shakes out.
Carlos Sainz will take no further part in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend after being diagnosed with appendicitis that requires surgery, with Ferrari reserve driver Oliver Bearman stepping in to replace him.
Sainz had skipped his pre-weekend media duties at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, before taking part in Thursday’s FP1 and FP2 sessions.
Having described the outing as his “toughest” in an F1 car to date, Ferrari confirmed on Friday morning that the Spaniard has been ruled out of action, and that F2 racer Bearman will take his spot alongside Charles Leclerc from FP3 onwards.
“Carlos Sainz has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will require surgery,” read a brief statement issued by Ferrari, who wished their driver “a speedy recovery”.
“As from FP3 and for the rest of this weekend, he will be replaced by reserve driver Oliver Bearman. Oliver will therefore take no further part in this round of the F2 Championship.”
Appendicitis is the same condition that affected Alex Albon ahead of the 2022 Italian Grand Prix, with the Williams driver also having to undergo surgery as Nyck de Vries jumped in to substitute for him.
Bearman, 18, got his first taste of F1 machinery with Ferrari towards the end of last year, in preparation for a pair of FP1 outings for Haas at the Mexican and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix.
He has since completed several more F1 test runs with the Scuderia and is currently competing in F2 with the Prema Racing team, having won four races and placed sixth in the feeder series standings last year.
After a tough start to the 2024 campaign for Prema in Bahrain, Bearman struck back to claim pole position at the high-speed Jeddah track but, as Ferrari touched on, he will no longer take part in the F2 race weekend.
German manufacturer Audi have moved to accelerate and expand their commitment to Formula 1 by choosing to take a 100% stake in Swiss operation Sauber, ahead of their arrival in the sport in 2026.
In 2022, Audi – part of the Volkswagen Group – announced they would join F1 as a power unit supplier when sweeping new regulations that feature increased electrical power and 100% sustainable fuels will be introduced in two years’ time.
They opted to partner with Sauber – one of the longest-standing teams in Formula 1 – and planned to acquire a stake in the Sauber Group. However, they have now chosen to complete a full takeover of the business.
Andreas Seidl, who joined from McLaren to take the role as CEO of the Swiss operation at the start of 2023, will become Audi F1 Team CEO.
Audi say Seidl will oversee the running of the Formula 1 project and act as the “face of the future Audi Formula 1 Team”.
Seidl said: “[I] am looking forward to leading Audi into Formula 1 together with a highly motivated team as CEO of the Audi F1 Team. We have a clear roadmap for how we want to become competitive in Hinwil as well as in Neuburg [Audi’s F1 Power Unit facility].
“We have ambitious goals. Realisation of them is in progress and will be further accelerated through the complete takeover of Sauber by AUDI AG.”
Oliver Hoffmann, who is currently heading Audi’s Technical Department, will move into a newly-created position of General Representative.
He’ll be responsible for knitting together the Formula 1 team, the development of the new Audi Power Unit, the “strategic steering and activation of the programme by Audi”.
He will also become Chairman of the Board of Director of all Sauber companies.
Hoffman said: “Formula 1, is my big passion. I am convinced that by bundling responsibilities and taking over 100% of Sauber Group, we will further accelerate our preparations for the launch in 2026.
“I am pleased we were able to secure the services of Andreas Seidl as Audi F1 Team CEO. He is exactly the right man for our ambitious plan. Thanks to his broad experience from leadership roles on the manufacturer and Formula 1 team side, he will make a significant contribution to Audi’s Formula 1 project.”
Hoffman has substantial motorsport experience, having held the role of Head of Audi Sport. He oversaw international wins and championships in DTM and Formula E while Audi became the first manufacturer to win the famous Dakar Rally with an electrified drivetrain earlier this year.
Helmut Marko is the latest figure in the spotlight at Red Bull Racing after saying he is subject to an investigation from Red Bull GmbH following the controversy surrounding Christian Horner.
The Red Bull team principal was investigated as a result of an allegation of inappropriate behavior, but the grievance from a female colleague was dismissed just over a week ago. The complainant has now been suspended by Red Bull, and Marko suggests he too could be suspended after revealing he is being investigated himself for what RACER understands to be matters relating to leaks of information.
“It’s difficult to judge,” Marko told ORF on whether he’ll be present at the next race in Australia in his role. “But at the end of the day, I’ll decide for myself what to do … There is always the theoretical possibility (of being suspended).”
Marko later told Sky Germany that he is set to have a meeting with the CEO of Red Bull’s corporate projects, Oliver Mintzlaff, on Saturday, but threw further doubt on his future by adding: “Everything has to be right so that I want to continue working there.”
My fingers and toes are crossed that nothing is right and he leaves.
+1, would like to see Marko leave. IMO, Horner is the reason for more of RBR success than Marko who's main role is to make short sound bites to diss other teams and personel.
Originally Posted by civicdrivr
Fantastic drive from Bearman. I hope the kid gets another shot at a seat in F1.
+1, he drove a extrememly composed mature race for a 18 year old in his first F1 race. Didn't get rattled when he got passed by two cars at the start, waited then made his move later in the race.
I'm surprised as I thought the return of James Allison in the spring '23 as TD was gonna retify the aero problems. Kinda surprised MB haven't resolved the porposing in pre-season testing and first race. Hamilton looks wise to make the jump to Ferrari for '25. I wonder if MB have tried the rear floor raised side vanes that RBR is using for their floor that probably manage the porpoising ride height by diverting away the low pressue air flow from the rear as the floor gets closer to the ground.
02-29-2024, 05:29 AM
Posted twice on this page
Not looking like a positive start.
Quite the shakeup
I'm writing this down so I can understand it myself. All or none of the above may be true.
+1, he drove a extrememly composed mature race for a 18 year old in his first F1 race. Didn't get rattled when he got passed by two cars at the start, waited then made his move later in the race.