2024 Formula 1 Preview & Review.

[Fortitude]

Briatore furious when he realised Alpine crisis.
“And when I arrived at Alpine, many things made me furious”, he admits. "There was neither presence of mind nor motivation.”
16 Sep 2024
GrandPrix.com

The 74-year-old Italian guided the team to world championship glory no less than four times - twice with Michael Schumacher as Benetton in the mid-90s, and again with back-to-back glory with Fernando Alonso at the wheel of the works Renault a decade later.

Flavio Briatore says he was "furious" when he realised just a few months ago just how far Formula 1's Enstone based team had fallen. “Now I'm here I will keep everyone on their toes, even if it's impossible to do worse than this. We are in the process of restructuring”, said Briatore, who was instrumental in selecting 36-year-old Oliver Oakes, known for leading the Hitech F2 team, to be the new Alpine team boss.

Briatore has denied that he was behind the decision to probably scrap Renault's F1 engine program to save costs, but he emphasised: “I have always won world championships with 30 percent less budget than the competition and I have not forgotten the magic formula.”

‘Briatore furious’;

https://www.grandprix.com/news/briat...ne-crisis.html


Alpine reveal crucial F1 advantage with controversial Briatore hire
Hardly surprising that working with Flavio Briatore has been described as "intense".
14 Oct 2024
Ian Parkes
RacingNews365

New Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes has described working with Flavio Briatore as "intense" but has quickly realised why the former boss has been hired. Briatore, who was the managing director of Benetton in the 1990s and team principal of Renault from 2000 to 2009, returned to Enstone as executive advisor in June, shortly before Oakes' appointment.

As to what he feels Briatore has brought to the party over the past few years, Oakes was complimentary. "He was a winner in F1, he's successful with his businesses out of F1 so you very quickly know he's somebody who's committed, who's pushing, and I wouldn't say doesn't accept a compromise, but you've got to be on it," said Oakes, in an interview with RacingNews365.

"For me, I like that. At the end of the day, day-to-day working with him is intense, but it's good because I've got someone there who thinks the same, who challenges ideas. He brings a lot more than people realise, purely because he's got so much vested interest in Enstone, and it's great for me because you've always got someone by your side, helping you, I wouldn't say, fight battles, but just pushing things along with you, which I think is important.”

“Intense";

https://racingnews365.com/alpine-rev...-briatore-hire


‘Did not go well’: Flavio Briatore reveals what happened when he ‘tried to sign’ Adrian Newey and Carlos Sainz
19 Sep 2024
Rory Mitchell
F1 Oversteer

Alpine talks with Carlos Sainz and Adrian Newey ‘did not go well’. Briatore is known for being a businessman in the F1 paddock and is said to be one of the main instigators behind abandoning Alpine’s engine project at Viry Chatillon in favour of a switch to Mercedes power units for 2026.

Having successfully negotiated driver contracts before, including working alongside Fernando Alonso, it was slightly harder to convince both Newey and Sainz that Alpine would be a worthwhile gamble in the short term.

“We already have good and fast drivers, the problem is the car. I’m not one to buy drivers, I always like them to grow up at home. I did that with Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso,” said Briatore. “I believe and hope that Doohan can give us guarantees in 2025. I tried to hire Carlos Sainz and Adrian Newey, but the negotiations did not go well.”

‘Did not go well’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/fla...-carlos-sainz/


Eddie Jordan reveals Flavio Briatore ‘promise’ for Alpine success in ‘magic wand’ verdict
26 Sep 2024
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

Former F1 team principal Eddie Jordan revealed Flavio Briatore’s “promise” that Alpine will be back on the podium by the 2026 or 2027 season, having struggled in 2024 so far. “No doubt about Alpine,” Jordan told the Formula For Success podcast when asked about which teams could be in among the front-runners in the coming seasons.

“I could be having a meeting with one of my major sponsors, or my bank manager or whoever, and Flavio just burst in. That’s the way he was – but that was reciprocated, I would do the same, and that doesn’t happen now, but Flavio was a very special man in my time in Formula 1.”

“Some things I hated him for, and some things I loved him for, but you know what he will do, and he gave me his word: ‘I promise you, Eddie, by ’26 or ’27, Alpine will be on the podium.’ I’m not going to stand up and say I disagree, because I actually do agree. He has a magic wand that is able to make things happen.”

‘Flavio was a very special man’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/eddie-...uccess-promise


‘Band back together’: Ted Kravitz says Flavio Briatore has just signed a former key Bernie Ecclestone ally for Alpine
24 Sep 2024
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Flavio Briatore recruits David Warren for Alpine. Speaking about the Alpine F1 team, Kravitz said: “Flavio Briatore is well and truly putting the band back together because David Warren, who if you’re a sort of lifer in or know about the commercial side of Formula 1 was a guy who was a key Bernie Ecclestone lieutenant. He was actually a Team GB athlete in the Moscow Olympics, friend of Frank Williams.”

“David Warren, a sort of long-time key commercial guy in F1 history is back and he’s back with Flav at Alpine. So, Flav is really getting some of the old big names back together.” Warren started life as a middle-distanced runner and as Kravitz alluded to, competed for Great Britain at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. He then went into sponsorship and worked for Camel and Canon – the latter being a principal partner of Williams – before being recruited by Benetton.

Warren went into the team as their new director of marketing and happened to be working with Briatore from 1997 onwards. Benetton were still a strong force within Formula 1 but had just lost world champion Michael Schumacher to Ferrari. It created a partnership between Briatore and Warren that the Italian is now calling upon once again. Alpine need all the help they can get both on the track and off it and if Warren can help bring in some extra cash to fund the necessary improvements to the car – and Alpine’s potential engine deal with Mercedes – then that would be very beneficial.

‘Band back together’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/ted...ly-for-alpine/


‘We’ll be there’: Flavio Briatore hints Alpine could axe Pierre Gasly or Jack Doohan if one driver is available for 2026
10 Oct 2024
David Comerford
F1 Oversteer

Flavio Briatore says Alpine door remains open for Carlos Sainz. Briatore’s top target had been Carlos Sainz, who lost his Ferrari seat to Lewis Hamilton. Alpine were involved in a three-team battle with Williams and Sauber/Audi. It briefly looked like Alpine were set to sign Sainz, but Williams eventually prevailed. The Spaniard may have been put off by the instability at his former team.

But if the 21-year-old impresses, then he could leave Briatore and co. with a dilemma. Gasly is a proven performer but Doohan could have a higher ceiling. “We are very happy with Gasly,” Briatore said, as quoted by Motorsport-Magazin. “And now we have a young driver [in Doohan]. If Carlos wants to in 2026, we’ll be there.”

‘Alpine door remains open for Carlos Sainz’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/fla...able-for-2026/


Alpine sale and Briatore exit theory met with emphatic Renault response
8 Oct 2024
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

The Alpine Formula 1 team is not for sale and reports claiming that former Renault team boss Flavio Briatore was brought back to facilitate a sale are “completely false”. That’s according to Renault chief executive Luca de Meo, who said the French manufacturer would be “stupid” to sell the Formula 1 team.

De Meo said reports of selling the team weren’t true in July, and they’re not true today either. “I read that he [Briatore] was supposed to repackage the project in order to sell the team in the end,” de Meo told L’Equipe. “It’s completely false. I didn’t bring him in to get out of Formula 1.”

“I see the advantages for us of being in Formula 1. Flavio is at the heart of this revitalisation of the project. We are reorganising the team and we are focusing on Enstone. Every fortnight I get calls from financiers, eccentrics, who want to enter F1. They know that after 2026 it will be much more expensive.”

‘Emphatic Renault response: ‘Non’!’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/alpine...theory-quashed

[Fortitude]

This team cannot afford another disastrous year: 'We want to win'.
It has been a year since Sauber scored a point in Formula 1. For now, it doesn't look like Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou's team will be picking up any points anytime soon, such is the gap with the teams ahead of them.
14 Oct 2024
Matt Gretton
GPblog.com

Binotto didn't have to think long about whether Sauber can afford another season languishing at the back of the grid. "Certainly not. We cannot afford it," said the Italian. "This is the team that has to become in the future, the winning team. And the only way to do that is starting moving up, progressing. We need to train our muscles for the future."

Binotto went on to list some reasons why success in the short term is necessary: "That's important for ourselves. That's important for the team. It's important for the brand. It's important for our partners. We cannot not somehow accept the current position. But that's a matter of fact where we are and we can not even hide behind the finger."

‘Train our muscles for the future’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/30603...ad-season.html


Binotto admits turning Audi into F1 winners will be ‘like climbing Everest’ as he sets out timeline for success
15 Oct 2024
Formula One - Official Site

“It’s not only climbing a big mountain, it’s climbing Everest,” Binotto told BBC Sport. “It will take several years. Our objective is by the end of the decade to be able to fight for the championships.” Binotto served as Ferrari’s team boss until 2019, after three years in the job, having been with the Scuderia since the mid-1990s and gradually worked his way up the ranks.

“Certainly the gap and the differences are many and the gap is big. It’s big because of dimensions, because of number of people, because of mindset, because of tools, facilities. Whatever you look around, it is really comparing a small team to a top team. When Audi bought some shares and had the programme to become the full owner in the future, internally some plans have been done, some strategic plans have been discussed and established but not yet come to execution,” he commented.

“So Sauber have been remaining in a limbo for a while. Second, certainly let’s say some of the focus and energies were put towards 2026, to try to make sure Audi was ready to start in 2026, and that took off some energy on the normal development path for 2024 and 2025.”

‘Like climbing Everest’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...Q0ctpIlq95FOW5


'Clearly state': Mattia Binotto makes Audi F1 ‘commitment’ claim amid Volkswagen conflict
14 Oct 2024
Rory Mitchell
F1 Oversteer

Mattia Binotto assures that Audi wants to win championships. Nobody expects Audi to be competitive out of the box when they produce a new engine and chassis for the 2026 regulations. This is due to Sauber’s ageing facilities and overall lack of competitiveness in the last few years, with it unlikely to score any points this season on merit.

Audi could pull the plug if they continue this form, but Binotto has claimed they are in F1 in the long haul and want to win titles. “We can clearly state there are no risks and the F1 programmes really fit with the Audi brand and vision,” said Binotto. “We are in F1 until we win and after. It is a long-term commitment.”

“We have joined F1 to be here and stay here. We intend to become a winning team and set the benchmark and stay then. It is not a joining and leaving. F1 is the pinnacle of the motorsport, it is great Audi is part of it finally and they are simply committed to stay.”

‘Audi F1 ‘commitment’ claim’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/mat...agen-conflict/


Mick Schumacher still in contention for 2025 Sauber seat
Oct 12, 2024
Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
Last Word On Sports

Sauber are the only team without a confirmed driver line-up for next season. Since announcing Nico Hulkenberg’s contract in April, the Hinwil-based squad have assessed many drivers that could drive alongside him 2025. According to Mattia Binotto (Chief Technical Officer) discussions have taken place with Mick Schumacher about a potential deal.

In a recent interview, Mattia Binotto told Corriere that Mick Schumacher is also being looked at: “[Is Mick Schumacher] an option? Definitely, we are evaluating it. I met him and spoke with him. I have known him for a long time, having been part of the Ferrari Driver Academy – I know his strengths and weaknesses. He is one of the names we have in mind.”

‘Still in contention’;

https://lastwordonsports.com/motorsp...5-sauber-seat/


Binotto confirms Schumacher option for Audi F1 seat
Mick Schumacher has been absent from the F1 grid since the end of the 2022 campaign - however Mattia Binotto has suggested he could make a return next year.
13 Oct 2024
Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365

Audi chief operating officer and chief technical officer Mattia Binotto has confirmed Mick Schumacher is still an option for the team. With the eight other teams teams already making their decisions, Binotto asserted it is in no rush to decide on its second driver.

“We have the luxury of not being in a hurry, as all the other teams have decided on their line-up,” he said. “There are two essential aspects: on the one hand, experience to set the course for growth. On the other, a young, talented player to accompany us on the path to the top.”

‘Schumacher option’;

https://racingnews365.com/binotto-co...r-audi-f1-seat


Mick Schumacher could be handed F1 lifeline: ‘We are evaluating him’
Schumacher has been on the sidelines for two years but still has hope of securing a seat next year
15 Oct 2024
Kieran Jackson
The Independent

Mick Schumacher is being “evaluated” for the second seat at Sauber next year and is on Mattia Binotto’s shortlist.

Binotto, who knows Schumacher well from his time at Ferrari, revealed to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport that Schumacher is on his shortlist to be Nico Hulkenberg’s team-mate next year.

‘Shortlist’;

https://www.independent.co.uk/f1/mic...-b2629460.html


Zhou Guanyu wants to keep the door to F1 open
With doubts surrounding whether he will still have a place for 2025, Zhou Guanyu wants to keep his options open.
October 12, 2024
Fleur Rogerson
FormulaNerds

2024 has not been the season Zhou Guanyu expected. Joining F1 with Alfa Romeo soon to be Stake F1 in 2022, there were high hopes surrounding the Chinese driver. However, the last three years have not been easy. Stake F1 has struggled and left Zhou without many options for his future in F1.

Zhou Guanyu told media: “Yeah, it’s really difficult because I feel like at the beginning year, the car was performing reasonably quite good in that midfield battle,” claimed Zhou. “Obviously, we had this issue during the [pit]stops, which affects massively the timings. I think otherwise, it would – at least two times we could score. I think Valtteri would score in Australia. I would probably score in Jeddah and vice versa. So, things like that can easily bring us some points, which then on the table, it won’t look as bad as where we have been struggling now. But in fact, it just seems in the wrong time that it happens that we are losing one performance on the others.”

Although F1 might not be a possibility for the Chinese driver for 2025 he has admitted he’s open to heading to another series, even admitting to receiving offers from some. He said, “At the moment, all I can say is that there are already several very good, let’s say, chances teams in other series for a drive for next year” However, He doesn’t want to give up on the Sauber seat, with that remaining his priority. Zhou also admitted even if he leaves he wants to keep the door open for F1. He said, “But at the moment, of course, I want to still get the Sauber seat. And if by any chance I don’t have that, we have to think about the rest.”

‘Wants to keep the door to F1 open’;

https://www.formulanerds.com/news/zh.../?nowprocket=1

[Fortitude]

'It is allowed': The changes Red Bull are bringing to the US Grand Prix as part of ‘magical’ RB20 upgrade.
The paddock has been aware for weeks that Red Bull would be bringing upgrades after the mini-autumn break to the United States Grand Prix.
15 Oct 2024
Shay Rogers
F1 Oversteer

Red Bull will change ‘just about everything’ in COTA. Speaking on the RacingNews365 F1 podcast, journalist Ruud Dimmers revealed that the team is bringing an effective B-Spec car to COTA.

“It’s starting to go six races finally, a little more than 50-point lead. Will it work [an upgrade] or will it not. The magical update from Red Bull. “This is the moment in the season coming, maybe this weekend though everything can change in the next three weeks. They have just about everything I think, it is now becoming an RB20-B.”

What will Red Bull change on the RB20 for the rest of the 2024 season? Dimmers among colleague Tom Coronel also pointed out that both the floor and front wing of the Red Bull will be upgraded. It’s a major development for the Milton Keynes-based outfit who are bringing their car more in line with their papaya rivals.

‘An effective B-Spec car: RB20-B’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/the...-rb20-upgrade/


Max previews GP in Austin: 'Worked hard on our performance'
15 Oct 2024
Niels Hendrix
Verstappen.nl

“We have had a few weeks away from racing, giving us time to refocus and to work hard on our performance ahead of the United States Grand Prix. We have made some changes to the car to hopefully better suit this circuit, so will see if this makes us more competitive when we head out on track.”

“This week will be another hectic sprint race weekend, with a lot planned over the weekend. Austin is a really cool city and the atmosphere at the track is like no other. I will be back in my US helmet for this race, which is a tribute to the passionate fans here and features the skyline of all three US cities that we are racing in. We have a lot of good memories here, so we are looking forward to heading back and racing there this week.”

‘Worked hard on our performance';

https://news.verstappen.com/en/article/5619/


Perez "training hard" to perform well at his 'home race'
15 Oct 2024
Olly Darcy
GPblog.com

Sergio Perez is looking forward to one of his "favourite races" of the season at the United States Grand Prix. In what has been another tricky season for the Mexican at Red Bull, he will be hoping to put in a good performance to help his team cut the 41-point deficit to McLaren in the constructors' championship, saying he has been putting in the work back home in Mexico to prepare for this weekend.

"It feels like we have had a long time away from racing! It’s nice to be back and to be heading to one of our favourite races of the season," started Perez. "It’s a special race for me, everyone jokes I have so many home races, but Austin always feels like one for me and the support is really nice. I have been training hard back home in Mexico and in regular touch with the Team back in the UK."

"We are looking to come into Austin in a better place with the car," continued Perez. "We have made some changes in the break, aimed at improving the pace and we will see how competitive we are in Austin. It being a Sprint race makes things a little tricky, because we have one practice session to get the car right before it counts but that’s where working as a Team comes in and that’s what we excel at."

‘Training hard back home in Mexico’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/30624...rand-prix.html


‘He’s learned’: Martin Brundle suggests Lando Norris ‘underestimated’ one thing when fighting Max Verstappen this season
15 Oct 2024
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

The Austrian Grand Prix highlighted what happens when Norris and Verstappen get too close on track. Frustratingly for Norris, he was forced to retire and missed out on scoring points entirely, while Verstappen overcame a ten-second penalty to further extend his lead over the Brit.

Asked how important the experience is that Norris has gained this season, Brundle said: “[It’s] massive, I think. In Austria, we saw they tripped over each other. Lando underestimated his mate Max as to how aggressive he would be in combat. I think he’s learned from that. He’s still on a slope like that [goes upwards] I think in terms of his learning.”

“So, winning races consistently, he’s just started to do that now, leading from pole at the end of the first lap, he’s got that sorted out and just the way he won in Holland [at Zandvoort] and the way he won in Singapore was just incredible. So, all of those things will give him confidence.”

‘Underestimated’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/mar...n-this-season/


Jenson Button tells McLaren how to use Oscar Piastri to help Lando Norris beat Verstappen
Jenson Button has urged McLaren to change their approach to help Lando Norris.
Oct 15, 2024
Archie Griggs
Daily and Sunday Express

Jenson Button believes McLaren need to start using team orders to give Lando Norris the best chance of winning this year's Drivers' Championship title. "If Lando has any opportunity of becoming a world champion, he needs every single point.”

“That's even using Oscar to grab the fastest lap if Max has got it. It's a really tricky situation for drivers and teams but it's got to happen. That's the reason why Ferrari won so many world championships with Michael Schumacher and, in a way, it was why [Sebastian] Vettel was able to win so many championships [at Red Bull].”

"I think sometimes you've got to bite the bullet and favour one driver, especially at this point in the season. Oscar has done an amazing job this year but Lando has more points. If the team want to win, that is what is going to have to happen."

‘Needs every single point’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...Max-Verstappen


McLaren to run ‘fan-favourite’ Chrome livery for F1 US GP
15 Oct 2024
Jack Oliver Smith
Motorsport Week

McLaren has announced that it will once again run its “fan-favourite” Chrome livery on its Formula 1 cars at this weekend’s United States Grand Prix. McLaren says that the livery embraces “a modern twist to represent the team’s enduring legacy, with the enhanced chrome representing the two brands’ pursuit of innovative design.” “Touches” of chrome will also feature on the race suits worn by its drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

It is the fourth special livery the team has used in 2024, with special one-offs used for Japan [designed by Japanese artist MILTZ], Singapore [which referenced McLaren’s much-loved Marlboro livery of the 1970s, 80s and 90s] and, in Monaco, which used the colours of the helmet worn by one of its most notable drivers, Ayrton Senna.

‘CEO Zak Brown: “Racing fans absolutely love McLaren’s classic chrome livery”.’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/...-for-f1-us-gp/


Ferrari: Leclerc will deliver once given a title pedigree F1 car
Charles Leclerc's Ferrari coach Jock Clear thinks his driver has shaken off his 'unfair' reputation of having a race performance weakness
15 Oct 2024
Filip Cleeren
Motorsport.com

Ferrari driver coach Jock Clear is adamant Charles Leclerc is ready to deliver a world championship as soon as the team gives him the car to do it.
"He's got what it takes to be a world champion," Clear said. "He's got the qualifying pace. My god, I honestly think he's the best qualifier we've seen. It's difficult to go back as far as Michael [Schumacher] and Mika [Hakkinen] and people like that, but he is the best qualifier for sure.”

“And his race management, if you look at Monza, it's just exceptional. When everything's lined up, he can deliver. "Charles hasn't been in that situation yet. Was 2022 genuinely a chance for Ferrari to win a world championship? You have to say it was, because at one point we were 40 points ahead. But we weren't ready as a team and Red Bull outdeveloped us by the end of the year.”

"Certainly, there were things that Charles would say were not at championship level during that year, but that is exactly the point. You're not going to win a championship until all of you are at that level.”

‘Leclerc will deliver’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f...-car/10662768/


Mercedes gearing up for final upgrade of 2024 at US GP
15/10/2024
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

As the Formula 1 season enters its final stretch, Mercedes is pulling out all the stops, with the Brackley squad introducing at this week’s US Grand Prix in Austin its final upgrade package of the year. “Although we are not in contention for the championships, there is still plenty to fight for and the opportunity to create a few highlights along the way,” Wolff said.

“We want to end this year as strongly as possible, build momentum for 2025, and bid farewell to Lewis in the best way possible. We have therefore been hard at work since Singapore analysing our performance and how we can improve. We bring our final update package of the season to Texas and our aim is to close the gap to the front,” the Austrian added.

‘Final upgrade’;

https://f1i.com/news/521402-mercedes...-at-us-gp.html

[Fortitude]

‘Totally new’: COTA boss shares why track changes have been made after ‘pretty poor’ Max Verstappen review.
Track limits were a hot topic at last year’s race after several instances of drivers going all four wheels off track, with Haas filing a right to review multiple drivers that should have been sanctioned.
8 Oct 2024
Rory Mitchell
F1 Oversteer

Organisers for the United States Grand Prix have made several changes to the Circuit of the Americas in a bid to help reduce problems that led to Max Verstappen branding it ‘pretty poor’ last year. Circuit of the Americas organisers detail track changes for the US GP.

After the situation that occurred last year, a series of modifications have been made to prevent a repeat including the narrowing of the asphalt verges by 1.5 metres and replaced with astro turf. Changes have also been made at the exit of Turn 11, which have now been fitted with ‘fake gravel’ to act as a deterrent for drivers without risking stones from being brought back onto the track and potentially damaging tyres.

The track has also been resurfaced which should smoothen the surfaces, after Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were both disqualified due to their cars hitting the bumps and wearing down the skid blocks.

‘Track changes’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/cot...tappen-review/


Adjustments will be made to COTA for the US GP after previous problems
8 Oct 2024
Toby Nixon
GPblog.com

Formula One's next Grand Prix will be in Austin, Texas, at the Circuit of the Americas. It has undergone some modifications to improve the quality of racing after many issues with track limits in 2023. As well as these modifications, the track has also been resurfaced due to previous complaints from drivers. See the full list of the changes made here.

Last season, many drivers made track limits infringements. The corner cuts were so frequent that Haas requested a 'right to review', which meant that drivers' specific breaches would be looked at in detail. This was necessary, according to the American team, because several drivers had to be penalised due to their infringements during the race. In the end, other teams also complained about the lack of action from the race management and the stewards.

Last season's problems, therefore, have led the circuit itself to make adjustments, reports Motorsport.com. For example, the asphalt verges at Turn 6, Turn 13, Turn 14 and Turn 15 have been narrowed by 1.5 metres and replaced with turf. The hope is that drivers are no longer tempted to go over the white line due to the turf. Cameras have also been installed in 'strategic places' to help check for potential track limits issues.

‘Turn 6, Turn 13, Turn 14 and Turn 15 narrowed’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/30510...for-us-gp.html


Last Time Out In COTA
October 15, 2024
Nicole Powell
15 Oct 2024
Last Word On Sports

Miami Grand Prix 2023: Hamilton and Leclerc’s cars breached Article 3.5.9 e) of the 2023 FIA Formula One Technical Regulations, which states that: “The thickness of the plank assembly measured normal to the lower surface must be 10mm ± 0.2mm [plus or minus 0.2 millimetres] and must be uniform when new. A minimum thickness of 9mm will be accepted due to wear, and conformity to this provision will be checked at the peripheries of the designated holes.”

COTA’s bumpy nature alongside the Sprint weekend’s complicated schedule definitely played a part, but the FIA did not make a move to check other cars and decided to stick to the “standard penalty” – disqualification for both drivers.
“Talking of this season and Max and Lando, it’s unfolding. We’re entering a really crucial phase in the USA and Mexico and Vegas.” – former Williams and McLaren driver Juan Pablo Montoya speaking to Gambling Zone.

McLaren are expected to be the fastest, as they have been since Miami. However, a battle is still expected. Red Bull and Verstappen are still capable of winning races, should the car handle well enough for the Dutchman. Ferrari are also capable of winning races, with a few surprise boosts in pace at some rounds this season. Ferrari and Red Bull may manage a miracle in a few days time.

‘Last Time Out’;

https://lastwordonsports.com/motorsp...e-out-in-cota/


Miami GP circuit announces dramatic expansion to appeal beyond F1
27 Sep 2024
James Phillips
Motorsport Week

The Miami International Autodrome, home of the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, has announced significant changes as it seeks to become a circuit for other motorsport ventures. The circuit has now announced four new configurations, varying in length from a 19-turn 2.8-mile version to a shorter 1.43-mile loop. Negating the need for road closures, the new configurations are designed to attract more local events to the circuit, while not impacting local businesses.

“Our investment into the facility and construction of the inner loop creates five track configurations worthy of the world’s most elite drivers and allows us to engage with the growing motorsports community of South Florida while also respecting the impact to local residents and businesses.”

“There’s a thriving car culture here in South Florida and this investment enables us to better serve this growing group of automotive enthusiasts, as well as utilizing our campus for more community programming, including education and career opportunities for local youth and students.”

‘Appeal beyond F1’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/...eal-beyond-f1/


F1 Today | Steiner exclusive, and Red Bull make changes for US GP
15 Oct 2024
Olly Darcy
GPblog.com

The anticipation for the first race since the month-long autumn break is building up, with teams saying changes have been made to their cars for the United States Grand Prix, includuing Red Bull and Mercedes. New liveries will also be seen on the grid for the race weekend at the Circuit of The Americas, and there is also more from GPblog's exclusive interview with former Haas team boss Guenther Steiner.

Both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have said in their preview of this weekend that 'changes have been made' to their cars for the sprint weekend, hoping to take advantage of the extra points on offer. But it is not just Red Bull that are changing their car for this weekend, as Mercedes look to be bringing upgrades to Austin, Texas to try and add to their three wins this season. "We bring our final update package of the season to Texas and our aim is to close the gap to the front," said team boss Toto Wolff.

GPblog spoke exclusively with former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner, and the Italian has spoken about the tough year that Red Bull and Christian Horner have had in 2024. After dominating in 2023, 2024 has been a major disaster. But Steiner quickly dismisses the idea of getting rid of Horner: "I would not suggest that Christian has done a bad job... I think let's see if they can recover."

‘The anticipation’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/30624...the-us-gp.html


Verstappen comes to Austin with "changes made" to his RB20
15 Oct 2024
Olly Darcy
GPblog.com

Max Verstappen will be hoping to make the most of the added points coming from the sprint race weekend, hoping to increase his 52-point gap over Lando Norris in the drivers' championship. However, Norris and McLaren dominated proceedings last time out at the Singapore Grand Prix, with the Brit winning by nearly 21 seconds around the Marina Bay Street Circuit, highlighting the pace the papaya-coloured team have at the moment.

The consistency from McLaren has also allowed them to pull a 41-point gap over Red Bull in the constructors' championship, a lead that has continued to grow since being overtaken. Norris will be looking for another victory to close the gap to Verstappen, while also taking a big step towards securing McLaren's first team title since 1998.

‘Hoping to make the most of the added points comin’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/30623...rand-prix.html

[Fortitude]

McLaren could have another nightmare, like 2007, with Norris and Piastri.
In 2007, the same kind of scenario happened to the Woking-based team with Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, resulting in them coming up empty-handed at the end of the season. Could this nightmare scenario be repeated?
16 Oct 2024
Jeroen Immink
GPblog.com

In 2007, Alonso and Hamilton both joined McLaren. Alonso was the champion in Formula 1 at the time, having knocked Michael Schumacher off the throne with Renault. Hamilton was a rookie with high expectations. The two drivers put the heat on each other from the first race in Australia. Tensions continued to rise, resulting in Alonso stopping Hamilton in the pit lane during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix. From then on, the two drivers didn't get on.

In the final race of the season in Brazil, there were three drivers left who could become F1 world champions: Hamilton, Alonso and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen. Some mechanical problems deprived Hamilton of his first title in his debut year; Alonso came third, and Raikkonen won the race and took the title. Ferrari became the constructors' champion in the process, and McLaren was disqualified with spy gate. Alonso left McLaren after a year, as the relationship with Hamilton was no longer tenable.

McLaren's situation in 2007 seems similar to 2024. Lando Norris has been driving for the British team for almost six years. But Piastri is an up-and-coming talent who has previously indicated he would not shy away from a title battle. McLaren forced Norris to let Piastri overtake him in Hungary to take his first F1 win. Has McLaren learned from the past, though? Or is the same scenario as in 2007 hanging over the British team? This weekend, the F1 season resumes in the United States, where Verstappen, Norris, and Piastri will race for their own interests.

‘Another nightmare, like 2007’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/30634...r-piastri.html


'Very simple': McLaren boss Zak Brown is now getting ‘increasingly fed up’ every time he’s asked one question
16 Oct 2024
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Journalist Ian Parkes was speaking to the RacingNews365 Podcast and admitted recently speaking to Brown about McLaren’s championship credentials. He suggested that Brown was getting more and more annoyed about the constant questioning about whether McLaren felt they were going to win the title. His answer tells us a lot about the mindset within McLaren heading into the final six races of the year.

Zak Brown ‘increasingly fed up’ with questions about McLaren’s title hopes. Talking about how McLaren are now the favourites to win their first championship this century, Parkes said: “I spoke to Zak Brown recently the McLaren chief executive and he mentioned to me that he was becoming increasingly fed up with people pretty much saying that to him.”

“It’s a case, a very simple case and one adopted by the team principal Andrea Stella that, and we hear it in football as well, one game at a time, this is simply one Grand Prix at a time. As we’ve just discussed, right now, we do not know how that Red Bull is going to perform with its new floor in Austin. It holds a huge significant key to unlocking what is going to follow over the five Grand Prix that will then take place after Austin.”

‘Zak Brown is now getting increasingly fed up’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/mcl...-one-question/


Dr Marko Accelerates Red Bull-McLaren Rivalry Ahead Of US GP
Oct 16, 2024
F1 Chronicle

This weekend, Red Bull Racing’s 2024 car will have a significant upgrade, including a new floor, and Marko said: “The circuits coming up now clearly suit him (Perez) better and we hope that he will stabilise.” But could another driver also be in the running to potentially replace the Mexican? “I do not think it’s impossible that Oscar Piastri will go to Red Bull next year to replace Sergio Perez,” former F1 driver Christian Fittipaldi said on the Pelas Pistas podcast.

“Piastri may be getting a bit tired of the situation at McLaren,” he added. Indeed, Marko has been openly talking about “all top drivers” having exit clauses in their contracts lately – and Piastri, 23, is managed by Mark Webber – who remains close to the Red Bull family. This week, Marko questioned the “mental” strength of Piastri’s teammate Lando Norris, who is Max Verstappen’s closest rival for the 2024 title.

Marko admits that Piastri’s role in supporting Norris is a disadvantage for Red Bull and Verstappen. “Unfortunately, that is true,” said the 81-year-old Austrian. “He can take a lot of points from Max, while people expect less from Checo. But I am not so sure that Piastri is very happy with his role as second driver and whether he wants to simply accept that,” added Marko.

‘Red Bull-McLaren Rivalry’;

https://f1chronicle.com/dr-marko-acc.../?nowprocket=1


Former McLaren driver sees issue with the team: 'They might regret that'
16 Oct 2024
Kada Sarkozi
GPblog.com

Entering the final six Grands Prix of the season, it's make it or break it for Max Verstappen and Lando Norris in terms of the drivers' championship, with the latter chasing the Dutchman in the standings. Former Formula One driver Gerhard Berger also believes it will be a tight battle, but favours the Red Bull driver to come out on top.

The gap between the two drivers currently stands at 52 points, with two tripleheaders remaining on the calendar. Berger believes the Formula One will have another title decider in Abu Dhabi, similarly to the 2021 season. "I expect a very close championship and I think Norris will be a contender for the world title with Verstappen until the last race," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"There will be no room for error. Max has a lot of potential and experience, and Red Bull are only focusing on him, so I have a feeling that he can save this world championship in the end," the Austrian continued. "If the drivers' championship is decided by a few points, McLaren might [as] well regret [their previous] decisions," Berger concluded his verdict.

"There will be no room for error”;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/30637...does-know.html


F1 returns with a massive, and unexpected, battle for the world championship
Formula 1 returns as Max Verstappen and Lando Norris battle for the world championship
16 Oct 2024
Michael Doyle
ABC Online

When Max Verstappen claimed four of the opening five races of this year's Formula 1 championship, it appeared all but certain that the flying Dutchman was going to win four world titles in a row. The triple-world champion heads into the final quarter of the season with a genuine challenger and the United States Grand Prix is a race that Norris is highlighting as a massive opportunity for points.

"It's a great race to start the final leg of the season after a few weeks off," he said. "It's also a sprint weekend, which means there are more points on the table. I've spent some time back at the [team facility] in the sim preparing for the upcoming triple header. The next two months are going to be incredibly busy, but also exciting."

There is a maximum of 180 points to be won for a driver in the remaining six grands prix, and three sprint races, with Norris needing to score an average of 8.66 points more than Verstappen each weekend. While Norris is a genuine challenger, he will need to be near-perfect and have Verstappen falter in the season's final quarter.

‘Massive, and unexpected, battle’;

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-...ship/104338022


'That moment': Martin Brundle shares what we still ‘don’t know’ about Lando Norris’s F1 championship credentials
15 Oct 2024
Rory Mitchell
F1 Oversteer

Martin Brundle highlights ‘unknown’ for Lando Norris. The Briton has forfeited a lot of points this season after making mistakes either during starts or when racing wheel-to-wheel with Verstappen on track. Norris admitted that starts are the ‘number one’ thing he wants to improve after the summer break, while former driver Damon Hill believes much of Norris’ mistakes are down to the pressure from Piastri.

Brundle thinks there is still an unknown aspect of Norris on track in how he deals with pressure when trying to win a title, having not been in the position before in his F1 career. “He’s got the speed; the team has certainly got a great car. I think Lando is growing and learning and getting more confident,” said Brundle. “Chasing and being chased are two completely different stories in sport. So if he gets near to winning a world championship, how strong is his head going to be? We don’t know yet until that moment arrives.”

Helmut Marko shared ‘certain weakness’ he’s seen in Lando Norris. Although Red Bull’s car upgrades may end up playing a role in Verstappen’s late title defence, given McLaren is reluctant to make any significant changes to their car, Helmut Marko believes the Dutchman is superior to Norris. Marko identified several ‘weaknesses’ that he thinks Norris has which Verstappen can exploit in the final six races of the season. He believes Verstappen’s mental strength is stronger than Norris and that his ‘rituals’ pre-race get him into the zone better than the Briton, who always seems to fumble at starts.

‘Lando Norris: How strong is his head going to be?’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/mar...p-credentials/

[Fortitude]

Why Austin will reveal if Ferrari's progress is real or fake.
Ferrari’s United States Grand Prix performance will be a key indicator on whether it’s on the right track technically, even though it doesn’t have any significant upgrades to introduce.
Oct 17, 2024
Edd Straw
The Race

“Since Singapore, we have been working flat out and the high-speed turns at this track will provide a useful test for the upgrades we introduced at previous races,” said Vasseur. “As is always the case at a sprint weekend, the work carried out at the factory prior to the event takes on greater importance, with only one hour of free practice before immediately going into the competitive part of the event.”

Ferrari’s main weakness this season has been on high-downforce tracks, particularly those with longer corners – especially faster ones. However, it has also struggled when there has been a wide range of corner speeds. That makes Austin a good test of its car as although it’s a track with plenty of faster turns, there’s also some slower content.

There’s a very interesting pattern in Ferrari’s single-lap pace across the season. The Race’s supertimes metric, which utilises each car’s fastest single lap of a race weekend expressed as a percentage, shows a clear pattern when you arrange the tracks visited so far this season in pace order.

‘Key indicator’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/f...es-grand-prix/


Vasseur warns Verstappen and Norris: 'Leclerc and Sainz are prepared'
16 Oct 2024
Estéban den Toom
GPblog.com

Much of the attention is on Red Bull and McLaren in the Constructors' Championship, but Ferrari are still knocking on the door. Team boss Fred Vasseur believes the gap is bridgeable. The team boss looks ahead to the US Grand Prix.

Leclerc and Sainz prepared for COTA: In any case, Vasseur is already warning the competition. "Charles and Carlos and the whole team are well prepared and keen to go racing again, as always, looking to get every last bit of performance out of our package. We have to be on top of our game, as the leading teams are very evenly matched and there is still everything to play for in the championship," the French team boss of the Italian Scuderia concluded.

'Leclerc and Sainz are prepared';

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/30635...rand-prix.html


Charles Leclerc: The Monegasque Marvel’s Relentless Pursuit of Excellence
Oct 16, 2024
F1 Chronicle

The year was 2018… Just when his team asked him to return to the pits during the fading moments of Q3, the then 21-year-old was unbothered by the team’s instruction. It wasn’t arrogance. Anything but; it was pure confidence that Charles Leclerc had in himself. He relented and said, “No.. no.. no one more lap. Let’s see what we get!” The result was a fighting P8, and that too, in a Sauber, a team that, with much due respect to its illustrious past in Formula 1 racing, had been a backmarker.

Perhaps Brundle was echoing the sentiment of hundreds of thousands of Ferrari fans. A few months later, having switched from his white and red racing overalls at Sauber to fully red racing colors at Maranello, Charles Leclerc welcomed a new chapter of his life. Many, you’d think, would love to part with any luxury of life to simply get an opportunity to become a Formula 1 driver. But here was a young driver, not yet 22, who had signed a long-term contract with Ferrari.

A great future beckons: And one shall also wait for that day when F1’s Iceman, the king of laconic expressions known as Kimi Raikkonen, will sport a broad smile to congratulate Charles Marc Hervé Perceval Leclerc upon breaking his record by lifting the world title for Ferrari and thereby becoming the first since Kimi in 2007 to do so. It’s been a long time. It’s been more than a while. But truth also is that the future belongs to those who persist today. Leclerc certainly is. May he go and win many a mile. Happy 27th Charles Leclerc from the F1 Chronicle family.

‘Relentless Pursuit of Excellence’;

https://f1chronicle.com/charles-lecl.../?nowprocket=1


'Makes a difference': Carlos Sainz names which race is Ferrari’s next ‘big chance’ to win a Grand Prix
16 Oct 2024
Rory Mitchell
F1 Oversteer

Formula 1 teams head into the final six races with everything to play for, with Ferrari now close to leapfrogging Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship. A strong finish for the Ferrari in the last few races has put them to within 34 points of Red Bull, who are banking on an upgrade in Austin to keep their Constructors’ title chances alive.

Helmut Marko is optimistic they will be able to produce a better car in Austin, following their disaster weekends in Monza and Azerbaijan whereby both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez missed out on crucial points. Ferrari’s most recent car upgrade came at the Singapore Grand Prix with a tweak to their front wing, having introduced most of them at their home race in Monza.

Sainz is cautious about Ferrari’s chances until he sees their new package on normal circuits, but expects Vegas to be the next big opportunity for them. “What we need to see is if it makes a difference in Austin and Brazil, all the more old-school normal tracks, basically. And then Vegas I think is our next big chance.”

‘Las Vegas’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/car...-a-grand-prix/


Sainz quiet over explosive Binotto comments
16 Oct 2024
GrandPrix.com

Carlos Sainz is keeping his lips zipped after a prominent Formula 1 personality said he would not have replaced the Spaniard with Lewis Hamilton.

“No”, said former Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto when asked if he would have ousted Sainz for 2025 and instead paired Charles Leclerc with seven time world champion Hamilton. “If Leclerc is the talent, then in my opinion he should be the driver that is supported to achieve the goal and take the credit”, added the Italian, who is now in charge of Audi in F1.

When asked about Binotto's explosive opinion that he would have stuck with Sainz instead of signing up Hamilton, Sainz opted to maintain a strategic silence. “Binotto said he wouldn't sign Lewis? I don't interfere in that”, Sainz responded. I'll keep my opinion to myself and tell you over dinner one day. Lewis and Charles are two great drivers, and I'm sure they will do well.”

‘Lips zipped’;

https://www.grandprix.com/news/sainz...-comments.html


What Mattia Binotto really thinks of Fred Vasseur’s impact at Ferrari
14 Oct 2024
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Ferrari may be on the up under Fred Vasseur’s leadership but former team principal Mattia Binotto does not believe the Frenchman has “revolutionised” the team, rather he’s built on what Binotto left behind. According to Binotto, today’s performance isn’t Vasseur’s success story alone.

Asked by Corriere dello Sport what he sees in ‘Vasseur’s Ferrari’,” Binotto replied: “I would rather say what I saw in Ferrari. “Fred was able to continue the project in the name of continuity, he did not revolutionise a structured and functional organisation. He also made his own choices.”

“If Ferrari wins I am happy because I know the team and I know how much effort was spent to bring it to a certain level. Since I was a child I have supported Ferrari. At home I still have many photos and objects, the past cannot be erased,” he said. “Then there are professional choices, things must remain separate. Today I am still happy when I see the Reds win, I am happy above all for that team that I know thoroughly and to which I believe I have made a contribution.”

‘Today’s performance isn’t Vasseur’s success story alone’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/what-m...impact-ferrari


‘Focus on other drivers’: Former Ferrari boss says Hamilton move risks destabilising Maranello
Oct 17, 2024
Michael Lamonato
Fox Sports (Australia)

Former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto wouldn’t have signed Lewis Hamilton had he still been in charge, believing the Briton risks destabilising the team’s long-term championship plan centred around Charles Leclerc. The allure of Hamilton’s statement signing proved too great for Vasseur, whose team will boast arguably the strongest line-up on the grid next season.

Binotto, who has since taken the reins at Sauber ahead of its transition to the Audi works team, doesn’t see the same appeal, telling Italy’s Corriere della Sera that bringing Hamilton into the team risks disempowering Leclerc as Ferrari’s long-term leader. “Ferrari must focus on other drivers,” he said. “And if the talent is Leclerc, he is the one who in some way I believe should be accompanied to the goal.”

The former boss said he wouldn’t have pursued Hamilton, though he thinks the seven-time champion has made the right call by moving to Maranello. “No [I wouldn’t have signed him],” he said. “But he did very well to go to Ferrari. I agree with his decision.”

‘Disempowering Leclerc’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...ea0afd9a228c3e

[Fortitude]

US GP Preview | Who will make the most out of the extraordinary weekend at COTA?
What makes the US GP stand out? After the summer break, McLaren could have the biggest smile on their faces. Red Bull is eager to finally fix its issues with the RB20, which especially hurt Verstappen at the Italian and Azerbaijan Grands Prix.
16 Oct 2024
Kada Sarkozi
GPblog.com

After a four-week break, the 2024 Formula One season is now entering the final two tripleheaders on its calendar. With a Sprint on the schedule, the US Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas could turn out to be either the most exciting, or the most feared event of the year.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri won three out of the four Grands Prix from Zandvoort until Singapore. Moreover, when Lando Norris won in the Netherlands and on the Asian street circuit, on both occasions he finished more than 20 seconds ahead of his title rival Max Verstappen. Since then, teams have had the autumn break to work on their cars, with all four of the top teams expecting to improve. McLaren is not laying back for now and will come with an updated package for the weekend, Norris' team announced in Singapore.

Toto Wolff said leading up to the weekend that Mercedes will bring their final updates for the current season in Austin, Texas. Moreover, Frederic Vasseur's Ferrari has previously made changes to its cars, but it now hopes to fully understand how those changes work on track in order to maximise its performance.

‘Who will make out the most?’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/30638...ip-battle.html


Will new-look COTA help or hinder Norris? 2024 US GP preview
October 17th 2024
Cambridge Kisby
Motor Sport Magazine

A resurfaced Circuit of the Americas could play a part in the drivers' title battle. Here's everything to watch out for at the 2024 United States Grand Prix and sprint race. The Circuit of the Americas (COTA) is renowned for its undulating topography and overtaking opportunities, which have staged many a battle in previous seasons.

This year, it should reveal what’s in store for the rest of the season, as all of the teams are expected to bring upgrades. Will the McLaren remain at the head of the pack, or will Norris and Oscar Piastri face a closer fight for the top honours on the recently resurfaces asphalt? The smoother track surface will demand a different set-up to previous years, and with just a single practice session to adapt before the competitive action begins with sprint qualifying, teams could easily get it wrong.

Verstappen is also not only driver Norris needs to be wary of. Ferrari has been a thorn in McLaren’s side in recent races and its drivers, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are in the hunt for more race wins — particularly as Ferrari still has a chance of winning the constructors’ championship. With Mercedes also looking to return to the front, could we see another four-way battle for victory?

‘2024 US GP preview’;

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...?nowprocket=1#


F1 News: Red Bull “optimistic” about COTA upgrades
Oct 17, 2024
Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
Last Word On Sports

COTA the first litmus test for RB20 upgrades: Speaking ahead of F1’s return this weekend, Helmut Marko said Red Bull are optimistic about their next updates: “We are clearly on an upward trend,” he told OE24.

“However, I have to admit, we have recently had the same problems as Ferrari and Mercedes. Sometimes it [the upgrade package] works, then it doesn’t – although we don’t know why that is.”

“McLaren is consistently fast. But they probably waited too long to make a clear commitment to Norris. So he is still far behind Max, who we hope will now be able to give a car that he has more confidence in. Our technicians have new parts, and are optimistic.”

“Optimistic”;

https://lastwordonsports.com/motorsp...cota-upgrades/


‘Must not forget’: F1 expert ‘very sceptical’ about what Red Bull plan to do at the US Grand Prix
17 Oct 2024
Kyle Archer
F1 Oversteer

Christian Danner is ‘very sceptical’ about Red Bull’s upgrades for the US Grand Prix. Verstappen has also been increasingly frustrated with Red Bull’s car at recent races, dubbing it an ‘undrivable monster’ at the Italian Grand Prix. The Dutchman would not bite his tongue over the RB20’s balance problems at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix or Singapore Grand Prix, too. So, Red Bull utilised the autumn break to produce upgrades for the US Grand Prix they hope will help bring the front-end bite Verstappen craves back.

Christian Danner, who entered 47 Grand Prix between 1985 and 1989, is sceptical about the gains the upgrades will offer Red Bull and Verstappen at COTA. So, the ex-Arrows F1 ace feels Red Bull need to split their set-ups in practice with the US Grand Prix a Sprint weekend. “I am very sceptical as to whether Red Bull’s upgrade for Austin, the changes to the car, will bring any results,” the RTL commentator told sport.de.

“You must not forget – in Austin, you only have an hour to set up the car in practice and then you have to qualify for the Sprint. Actually, Red Bull need to split things up. But whether you can change that in two hours between practice and Sprint qualifying [is uncertain]. If the driver’s feedback doesn’t match the data, the driver is of course right because he is ultimately driving the car. To understand that in one hour, you have to look very closely.”

‘Very sceptical’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/f1-...us-grand-prix/


Max Verstappen confirms Red Bull ‘changes’ on the way in US Grand Prix update
16 Oct 2024
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Team boss Christian Horner had previously called the update “something important”, saying Red Bull had “worked hard to understand the problems and solve them and, if everything goes well, to remedy the situation already from Austin.” The new package is expected to include a revised floor, Red Bull having learnt from their wayward Hungarian Grand Prix floor that unsettled the balance of the RB20.

‘Red Bull ‘changes’ on the way’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/max-ve...nd-prix-update


F1 2024 race schedule: Start time and how to watch US Grand Prix
F1 heads to the Circuit of the Americas in Austin after a four-week break for round 19 of the 2024 season
17 Oct 2024
Kieran Jackson
The Independent

Friday 18 October
All times BST

• Free practice 1: 6:30pm
• Sprint qualifying: 10:30pm

https://www.independent.co.uk/f1/f1-...-b2631083.html

[Fortitude]

US GP FP1 Results | Ferraris lead, Verstappen ahead of Norris.
The US Grand Prix weekend begins positively for the Tifosi in Austin, Texas. Carlos Sainz managed to top FP1 on the soft tyres with a lap time 1:33.602, with Charles Leclerc just finishing behind his teammate. Max Verstappen rounded off the Top 3 in the only practice session of the day.
18 Oct 2024
Kada Sarkozi
GPblog.com

McLaren opted for using the soft tyres late in the session only, and Lando Norris finished in P4. The Briton has struggled so far in Turn 12, making errors twice in that corner. It has also been a challenging day for the Mercedes drivers. Lewis Hamilton has spun in Turn 4 but had enough space not to crash his car, while George Russell made mistakes into Turn 1. The two-time Grand Prix winner has also spun in the aforementioned corner.

‘Positive for the Tifosi’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/30686...of-norris.html


United States GP: Free Practice 1 Results
19 Oct 2024
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Full results from Free Practice 1 from the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas.

Pos Num Driver Team Laps Best Diff
1 55 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 24 1:33.602
2 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 26 1:33.623 0.021
3 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 22 1:33.855 0.253
4 4 Lando Norris McLaren 24 1:33.868 0.266
5 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren 25 1:33.908 0.306
6 44 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 21 1:33.963 0.361
7 63 George Russell Mercedes 26 1:34.093 0.491
8 20 Kevin Magnussen Haas 24 1:34.096 0.494
9 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 23 1:34.112 0.510
10 22 Yuki Tsunoda RB 20 1:34.313 0.711

‘Full results’;

https://speedcafe.com/united-states-...ice-1-results/


Verstappen pleased with upgrades in P3, as Norris finishes just behind
18 Oct 2024
Matt Gretton
GPblog.com

Carlos Sainz and Ferrari impressed by securing the fastest time in the first free practice session for the United States Grand Prix. Max Verstappen will be pleased with his Red Bull updates as he beat Lando Norris in the opening session.

‘Verstappen pleased’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/30685...ts-norris.html


F1 - 2024 United States Grand Prix - Thursday Press conference transcript.
PART ONE – Carlos SAINZ (Ferrari), Esteban OCON (Alpine), Kevin MAGNUSSEN (Haas)
PART TWO – Alex ALBON (Williams), Liam LAWSON (RB), Lando NORRIS (McLaren)
17.10.24
FIA (Press Release)

Q: Carlos, why don't we start with you? how was the break? I gather you've been comparing yourself on a bike to the world number one? Carlos SAINZ: Comparing, I don't think it's the right word. I've been suffering next to the world number one, that by the way is in incredible form and an incredible moment for Tadej Pogacar, now that he's killing it in cycling. And I had the brilliant idea to go on a recovery ride for him. For me, it was the toughest ride of my life. He was on recovery mode after winning the world champs. And yeah, his recovery ride is still my zone five heart rate, zone four, zone five. So it just shows the difference. I mean, we are athletes in our sport. Obviously what we do is special in terms of reflexes and car handling and skills, but what he does on top of a bike is just incredible. And anyone who's been on a bike before, I cannot imagine how much this guy pushes on a bike.

Q: Alright, well, good luck with that. Thank you. Esteban, let's come to you now. First of all, how was the break? Are you feeling refreshed? Any cycling for you? Esteban OCON: It was good, thank you. Cycling, not as hard probably as Carlos, but, yeah, trained well, rested well, spent time with family and friends and, yeah, ready to go again. I mean, it can sound silly, but, you know, it makes a difference to how ready and how much energy all the team have coming into these last races and we'll see hopefully how that goes for us.

Q: Now, Haas has new parts here this weekend. It seems that medium downforce tracks suit your car as well. So do you enter this weekend with quite a lot of confidence? Kevin MAGNUSSEN: I think this year we've been pretty strong at most circuits. There has been a little bit more of a competitive edge at medium downforce tracks. This one is kind of close to high downforce, so we're not so sure what we're going to run. It's not a bad track for us, I think. There's some upgrades on the car and we're excited to see if they're going to be good again. I think this year we've brought a few upgrades that have been working, so that's been a really good trend. We're in a tight fight with RB for P6 in the Constructors’ and we're very motivated to take that battle to them and see if we can. If we can beat them, you know, Williams are not that far behind us as well. So there's, you know, we're focused both in front and behind. So it's pretty interesting.

Q: Liam, let's start with you. Welcome back to the FIA Press Conference. Good to see you again. Now, how has the past month been for you since it was announced that you were going to replace Daniel Ricciardo? Full of anticipation, I would imagine. Liam LAWSON: Yeah, it's just been busy, I would say. It was strange to have a gap at this point of the year, I think. Obviously, the gap for me was filled up with quite a lot of stuff. So yeah, it's just preparing as much as possible. It's a difficult time to come into the season. Obviously, Sprint weekend this weekend, new track, end of the season. So yeah, just trying to be as ready as possible.

Q: Alex, why don't we come to you next? The tonne is up. 100 races in Formula 1. Many congratulations. Lots of memories, I'm sure. Is there one race or two races that... stand out? Alex ALBON: Not really. The first race. The first race is always a big moment. And then my first podium is always nice. But yeah, it's strange. I feel like 100 races. when we do so many races a year now, it doesn't actually take a lot. It's four years now in Formula 1, four and a half. It's gone by very quickly. I think somebody told me that I've overtaken Sir Jackie Stewart, which is a pretty strange feeling.

Q: Lando, I'll bring it on to you now. Can I ask you about the break, first of all, the long break, the four weeks that we've had since Singapore? How did you use that time? Was it a frustrating time? You just wanted to keep the momentum going from the last race? Or did you use it for a time for reflection or improving the car? Just tell us a little bit about what you've been doing. Lando NORRIS: A little bit of everything, honestly. I mean, after Singapore, I just wanted to keep going. We were in a good rhythm. I think we still are in a good rhythm and have been for quite a while. So a little bit of that. But everyone needs a break. And it's not just for me, but for my whole team, the whole team around me, everyone back in the factory. It's nice to kind of regroup and put our heads down again. Yeah, a mixture of things. Obviously, getting ready for the next few races and the end of the season, but also getting some time to relax and spending some time with my friends.

‘Press conference’;

https://www.fia.com/news/f1-2024-uni...nce-transcript


Max Verstappen protest to continue at F1 US GP, hints how FIA can end it
18.10.24
James Phillips
Motorsport Week

Max Verstappen will continue his vow of silence during FIA Formula 1 media sessions at the United States Grand Prix – but he has implied a way out of the situation. Verstappen has since confirmed he will continue to speak less and hold his own private roundtables, in a further blow to the governing body’s credibility.

He also revealed how his standoff with the FIA could end, calling on President Mohammed Ben Sulayem to contact him for a conversation, which has yet to happen. “I have not heard anything [from the FIA], so for me it doesn’t really change anything,” Verstappen told media including Motorsport Week. “With the situation. I mean, I also have to talk less, so it is fine for me,” said Verstappen.

“At the end of the day, everyone has their own opinion, but it is quite clear that, like I said already it was silly stuff.”

“Talk less, fine for me”;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/...ia-can-end-it/


Sergio Perez comes out swinging to shut down 'false information'
Sergio Perez's Red Bull future has been in doubt after an underwhelming season.
Oct 18, 2024
Jack McEachen
Daily and Sunday Express

Sergio Perez has furiously claimed that he will “100 per cent” be at Red Bull next season and shut down "false information" suggesting otherwise, despite a host of young drivers vying for his spot alongside Max Verstappen. There had even been whispers around the paddock that Perez would retire from F1 this season and announce his intentions to do so at his home race, the Mexican GP at the end of the month.

But he has hit back at the suggestion that he is going anywhere. “Sometimes people just link these rumours and a lot of people pick it up, especially back in Mexico, with the Mexican Grand Prix coming up I didn’t want my fans to be misled into false information,” he said. “I just wanted to make it clear that I 100 per cent will be here next year. I have my contract and I will fulfil it and that’s not in my mind. In my mind is to sort out the issues we have for the moment with the car.”

“100% will be here next year”;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...future-F1-news