2024 Formula 1 Preview & Review.

[Fortitude]

Hamilton reveals how Mercedes improved the balance of his W15 during the race.
Having battled with his team-mate George Russell all through the second half of the race, Lewis Hamilton has revealed that a tweak to the front wing of his car completely changed his feeling behind the wheel of his W15.
28 Oct 2024
Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

Reflecting on his race, Hamilton noted: "We ultimately moved forward and brought home good points today for the team. We weren’t looking so racy in the first stint; I didn’t have enough front-wing in the car and was suffering with lots of understeer.”

"We were able to improve the balance at our second stop and our pace got better. Even if we had enjoyed that speed in the first stint though, we still wouldn’t have had the pace to challenge those ahead for the podium. P4 and P5 is still slightly better than we predicted today though so we can be pleased with our afternoon.”

"This hasn’t been the smoothest weekend for the team, but we’ve gathered a lot of information across both specifications. We can now analyse that data and evaluate the best way forward for next weekend in Brazil and the rest of the season. Hopefully we can get the car in a slightly better spot for Interlagos and take the fight to the Ferraris and McLarens."

‘Improved the balance of his W15’;

https://www.f1technical.net/news/25729


Lewis Hamilton blames front wing misjudgement for “really bad” opening stint
Lewis Hamilton reflects on a "fun" race at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
28 Oct 2024
Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net

Reflecting on the race in Mexico, Hamilton said: “Yeah, it was fun. I had fun today. I had a good start, I had a really bad first stint, took too much front wing out of the car, I had massive, massive understeer.”

“I was like, damn. Because you have to basically guesstimate where you're going to be with the front wing, and I had a lot less than George [Russell]. But the laps to the grid, it felt like it was the right thing, and it was clearly not.”

“And after my stop, I was able to rectify it, and then after that I had a much better pace, and I was able to push and keep going, and we stopped a little bit early as well, compared to what I had planned and stuff. We got good points.”

‘Front wing misjudgement’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/105921...-opening-stint


Russell’s race performance compromised by front wing damage
28/10/2024
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

Mercedes’ trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin reckoned that a bump hit by Russell had caused the collapse of one of the wing’s flaps. “George was hindered when the front wing flap collapsed after he hit a bump during an overtake at the start of the second stint,” Shovlin explained.

“Despite that, he still maintained good enough pace to bring it home in fifth. We let the drivers race each other throughout, but that meant that Lewis’ tyres were past their best once he made it into clear air.”

‘Performance compromised’;

https://f1i.com/news/523122-russells...ng-damage.html


Transcript: Toto Wolff, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team
October 28, 2024
Barry Ritholtz
The Big Picture (Weblog)

00:00:15 [Speaker Changed] What can I say about this week’s guest, Toto Wolf. Principal, CEO of Mercedes Formula one race team. What an incredible career. From a winning racer to an investor and venture capitalist to a, a person who just kind of became a principal at Williams. And then eventually after that team, surprisingly began to win, got recruited over to Mercedes where he has put together a fantastic track record.

00:01:40 [Speaker Changed] So yeah, I was born and raised in Vienna and went to the Vienna University of Economics, but actually raced in junior formulas at the time and wanted to be a race driver. And when that ended abruptly run out of money and we had a very bad spell of accidents in Formula One. So I lost a sponsor. I decided I’m gonna quit both. I’m gonna quit Uni Uni and I’m gonna quit racing and launch myself into, you know, working.

‘Put together a fantastic track record’;

https://ritholtz.com/2024/10/transcr...olff-mercedes/


Lewis Hamilton makes confession after Mexico GP with Mercedes off Ferrari pace
Lewis Hamilton qualified sixth and finished fourth at the Mexican Grand Prix, benefitting from penalties for Max Verstappen before overtaking Mercedes team-mate George Russell
28 Oct 2024
Daniel Moxon
The Mirror

Lewis Hamilton: "I am really grateful for that and happy with the performance in general. I got a good start and then I had a lot of understeer because... my fault, but I took too much front wing out of the car. And I had knocked out the front tyres basically in that first stint. After the changes, after the pit stop, [it was] much, much better.”

"But it was a really, really insightful and informative race because I could feel exactly where the car was working and where it was not. It is very, very clear in my mind where the car is giving up and I could see the difference between George and I when I am behind.”

"So it will be interesting to see... they have now all of this information from both of our cars running. So good points, good data for both of us and hopefully [it will] put us in a better position for the next race."

‘Confession’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...ssell-33984725


Lewis Hamilton: Mercedes Mexico battle highlighted F1 package differences
28 Oct 2024
Dan Lawrence
Motorsport Week

“We got a lot of information,” Hamilton told select media including Motorsport Week post-race. “I could see on his car where he was better than me, and I’m sure hopefully he’ll be able to see where he’s better than me.”

“Package-wise, hopefully [the team has] lots of data, so we’ll figure out who starts what next race.” The past two weekends have been difficult for Mercedes to gauge where the upgrades are.

‘Package differences’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/...e-differences/

[Fortitude]

How Ayao Komatsu is leading a Haas renaissance.
Currently 6th in the standings, Haas are on track for their best F1 season since 2018. In less than a year since becoming team principal, Ayao Komatsu has transformed Haas into one of the best midfield teams.
Oct 28, 2024
Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
Last Word On Sports

Speaking after Magnussen and Hulkenberg’s fantastic results in Mexico (P7 and P9 respectively) the Japanese team principal gave his verdict: “I don’t know what to say, it’s another amazing result for this team. I’m so happy that everyone’s hard work is paying off, with the updates and the car getting better.”

“I’m so happy for Kevin, he drove very well in Austin, but we couldn’t quite deliver on Sunday. But this weekend he had an amazing qualifying – today everyone delivered. His pace in the second stint was unbelievable, he was catching Verstappen in his Red Bull and was finishing just four seconds behind.”

“That was probably the best I’ve seen Kevin drive, I’m so happy for him. In a way, Nico being disappointed with P9 is a great sign for the team as well.”

“So happy that everyone’s hard work is paying off”;

https://lastwordonsports.com/motorsp...s-renaissance/


‘I’m finding my rhythm again’ – Magnussen overjoyed with ‘perfect day’ in Mexico after Haas secure double points finish
28 Oct 2024
Formula One - Official Site

Speaking after the race, Magnussen said: “It was a perfect day really, we got everything right. The balance in the car was just in that sweet spot and I was able to just really manage the tyres and push hard – manage the tyres when I needed to and push them when I needed to as well.”

“P7 was better than we could have hoped for because we had Piastri cruising through the field and it didn’t happen, so I was able to just about manage to keep him behind. The last year or so has been tough. I feel like I’m finding my rhythm again here and it’s nice. Hopefully we can finish off this year and just really nail some points finishes in these last four races.”

‘Rhythm again’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...2XZLm42FWOpnNs


Mexico City Grand Prix: Race Recap
Oct 27, 2024
Haas F1 Team - Official Site

MoneyGram Haas F1 Team finished with Kevin Magnussen seventh and Nico Hulkenberg ninth, at the Mexico City Grand Prix, Round 20 of the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, held Sunday at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

Magnussen started from a season-best seventh on the grid on Pirelli P Zero Yellow medium tires and preserved his position throughout the course of the opening stint. Magnussen remained in sight of the Mercedes drivers before coming in on lap 30 of 71, switching onto White hard tires, cycling back through into seventh once the rest of the pack also stopped. Magnussen faced pressure from the recovering Oscar Piastri in the closing stages but kept the McLaren driver at bay to record seventh place – collecting his best result of the 2024 campaign.

Hulkenberg took the start from 10th on the grid and avoided a collision that accounted for Yuki Tsunoda and Alex Albon to slot into eighth place. Hulkenberg came in for his sole pit stop on lap 29, taking on hard tires, and worked back through to eighth, before ceding a spot to Piastri. Hulkenberg nonetheless came home in ninth to secure a double points finish for MoneyGram Haas F1 Team.

‘Race Recap’;

https://www.haasf1team.com/news/mexi...x-race-recap-2


‘It was a perfect day’ – Magnussen beaming after P7 in Mexico
27 Oct 2024
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

Kevin Magnussen sealed his best F1 result in two years in Mexico for Haas and said his P7 was “better than we could have hoped for.”

‘Perfect day’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/video/it...08202371816246


Magnussen was catching Verstappen at end of “unbelievable” drive – Komatsu
28th October 2024
Keith Collantine
RaceFans

Komatsu said he was “so happy for Kevin,” who will leave the team at the end of the season and doesn’t have a drive for next year yet.
“He drove very well in Austin, but we couldn’t quite deliver on Sunday, but this weekend he had an amazing qualifying,” said Komatsu. “Today everyone delivered.
“His pace in the second stint was unbelievable, he was catching Verstappen in his Red Bull and was finishing just four seconds behind. That was probably the best I’ve seen Kevin drive, I’m so happy for him.”
Magnussen was also quick enough to prevent Oscar Piastri from catching him before the end of the race.

“Unbelievable”;

https://www.racefans.net/2024/10/28/...drive-komatsu/


São Paulo Grand Prix: Race Preview
Oct 29, 2024
Haas F1 Team - Official Site

Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal: “Interlagos is a very technical and dynamic circuit which has a great flow to it. The location has amazing history and atmosphere, and the racing is often great. Of course, being a part of MoneyGram Haas F1 Team, Interlagos is also special as this is the track where we qualified on pole for the Sprint with Kevin in 2022. We’re looking forward to coming back to Brazil and conclude this triple-header with another strong points finish.”

Nico Hulkenberg: “The São Paulo Grand Prix is steeped in history, it’s everywhere, and that’s still very special to experience as a Formula 1 driver. The Senna S down to Turn 4 is phenomenal to drive and the Brazilian carnival environment all weekend, is a highlight at the end of a triple-header. It’s been a run of four consecutive points-scoring races for me with the Sprint, so I’m looking to extend that in Brazil.”

Kevin Magnussen: “Of course I’ve got some good memories from Brazil. The pole position we got there in 2022 is always going to be very clear in my mind and it’s probably the best day at work I’ve had in Formula 1. I love the location and the atmosphere. Every place we go to has a unique feel with the fans, but in Brazil there’s the football stadium nearby and that culture is engrained in them, so when fans go to the Formula 1 race, you feel that atmosphere.”

‘Race Preview’;

https://www.haasf1team.com/news/sao-...x-race-preview

[Fortitude]

Max Verstappen Set For Five-Place Grid Drop In Brazil.
On top of his Mexico GP penalties and lagging car pace, championship leader Max Verstappen’s troubles are about to get even worse.
Oct 29, 2024
F1 Chronicle

It is now almost certain that the Red Bull driver will need to move down the grid at the Brazilian GP this weekend due to needing a fresh power unit. Verstappen, whose lead points lead over Lando Norris shrunk from 57 to 47 points on Sunday, suffered engine trouble in both practice sessions in Mexico.

The team had to change that engine and replace it with another from his official allocation. “The engine we put in it was no longer suitable for racing,” revealed Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko. “We were so slow on the straights. So we will take an extra engine,” he told ORF. “This will most likely happen in Brazil.”

‘Five-Place Grid Drop’;

https://f1chronicle.com/max-verstapp.../?nowprocket=1


Lando Norris given F1 title boost with Max Verstappen set for Brazil Grand Prix grid penalty
Oct 28, 2024
Callum McAvoy
Metro.co.uk

‘We were nowhere near the two front teams, and I guess part of the problem is that Friday, we couldn’t drive because of the engine problems,’ Marko said. ‘We have to do something, that’s clear. We also will have a change the engine because we had been so slow on the straight.’

‘This engine, which was in the car, was not supposed to be in the car, so most likely Brazil could happen. The engine we had in there was no longer intended for the race, and the older an engine gets, the more its performance diminishes.’

‘The penalty would be five places. That wouldn’t be so severe in Brazil, for example, where you can overtake relatively easily. But we saw that we were missing three to eight km/h on the straights.’

‘Lando Norris given F1 title boost’;

https://metro.co.uk/2024/10/28/lando...o=newsnow-feed


Marko says drastic decision might be made at 'difficult' Brazilian GP
29 Oct 2024
Nicole Mulder
GPblog.com

Marko confirms: 'Possible grid penalty for Verstappen in Brazil': Red Bull had to change Verstappen's engine for a previous one in Mexico City after FP2, as the Dutch driver had issues. As a result, Verstappen was slower during the rest of the weekend, Marko told Sky Sports DE.

"The engine setting was not optimal and we did not have the full power from the battery. We were generally slow on the straights. We missed three to five km/h. It was a very old engine and the older the engine, the more the power decreases. However, the biggest problem was that we couldn't get the tyres to the right temperature," the Austrian advisor explained.

‘Drastic decision’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/30972...erstappen.html


Wolff pessimistic about Mercedes' chances in Brazil: "It will be difficult"
30 Oct 2024
Olly Darcy
GPblog.com

Previewing the penultimate sprint weekend of the 2024 season at Interlagos, Wolff admitted to some lacklustre performances since returning from the autumn break: "The past two races in Austin and Mexico City have not been our cleanest so we are aiming for a smoother weekend at Interlagos. Despite the challenges in the US and Mexico, we have furthered our learning with the W15. Whilst we are still focused on maximising our results each and every weekend, testing and learning will be valuable in setting us up strongly for 2025. We will continue that approach this weekend in Brazil."

So with one eye set on testing and data collecting for next season, will we see any improvement in closing the gap to the front of the grid? "We know it will be difficult to challenge the Ferraris and the McLarens who have looked strong in recent races. We will still be working hard to do so though, and will see where our relative performance is over the weekend," Wolff concluded.

‘Wolff pessimistic’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/30977...-mercedes.html


Schedule F1 Brazilian Grand Prix 2024
This weekend, the Formula 1 São Paulo Grand Prix will take place. Want to know exactly what time the sessions start in São Paulo? Check below.
29 Oct 2024
RacingNews365 Staff
RacingNews365

The schedule of the F1 Brazilian GP is automatically adjusted to your time zone.
Timetable Mexican GP
Session Date Time
Free practice 1 Friday 25 October 20:30 - 21:30
Free practice 2 Saturday 26 October 00:00 - 01:30
Free practice 3 Saturday 26 October 19:30 - 20:30
Qualification Saturday 26 October 23:00 - 00:00
Race Sunday 27 October 21:00 - 23:00

‘Brazilian Grand Prix’;

https://racingnews365.com/schedule-f...rand-prix-2024


F1 2024 Brazilian GP Schedule and F1 Start Times
Find out when the 2024 Brazilian GP takes place, including the F1 session times for practice, sprint qualifying, the sprint race and the Grand Prix
29 Oct 2024
Brandon Sutton
Total Motorsport

Interlagos is notorious for impacting title dreams—often throwing curveballs that shake up the standings from late-season drama to unexpected upsets and the Brazilian GP could well throw the F1 2024 title where every point counts, and every lap is a showdown.

The Brazilian GP isn’t just another race; it’s an event where legends are born, rivalries are cemented, and history is made so get ready to witness one of the most thrilling races of the year in a high-stakes setting where anything can happen.

Find out the F1 session times for the 2024 Brazilian GP for fans living in the UK, USA and Australia.
Session Day UK (GMT) USA (ET) USA (PT) Australia (AEST)
FP1 Fri 14:30-15:30 10:30-11:30 07:30-08:30 01:30-02:30*
Sprint Qualifying Fri 18:30-19:14 14:30-15:14 11:30-12:14 05:30-06:14*
Sprint Race Sat 14:00-15:00 10:00-11:00 07:00-08:00 01:00-02:00*
Qualifying Sat 18:00-19:00 14:00-15:00 11:00-12:00 05:00-06:00*
Grand Prix Sun 17:00 13:00 10:00 04:00*
* indicates the following day.

‘Schedule and F1 Start Times’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...e-start-times/


What happened last time out in Brazil? Recap a record-breaking 2023 race
29 Oct 2024
Olly Darcy

With just four more races remaining in the 2024 Formula 1 season, the F1 circus will arrive in Sao Paulo for the always-entertaining Brazilian Grand Prix. This year's Grand Prix will also be a sprint race weekend, as was last year's, which saw a surprise as to who took pole. However, for the rest of the weekend, it was dominated by the man who dominated proceedings in 2023: Max Verstappen.

Thanks to Lando Norris, the Grand Prix at Interlagos was not a total clean sweep by Verstappen. In fact, a Carlos Sainz P1 in the only practice session of the weekend meant that Verstappen would not have a total clean sweep straight away. However, the Dutchman turned it on for qualifying later in the day. In a rain-affect session, he finished three-tenths clear of Charles Leclerc in P2, with the Aston Martin of Lance Stroll coming in third in front of teammate Fernando Alonso.

However, in the sprint shootout on Saturday, Verstappen could not get to the front of the grid as he was beaten out by +0.061 of a second by Norris to give himself P1 for the sprint race later in the day. The Red Bulls of Verstappen and Sergio Perez came next, and then George Russell and Lewis Hamilton took P4 and P5, respectively.

‘Recap a record-breaking 2023 race’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/30978...sao-paulo.html

[Fortitude]

F1 drivers to face 'completely unknown' factor in Brazilian GP.
Pirelli believes F1 drivers will be facing an "unknown challenge" in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix after the Interlagos track was resurfaced and water-blasted.
30 Oct 2024
Jake Nichol
RacingNews365

The 4.3km track has undergone a complete resurfacing ahead of the 2024 race, which is also a sprint weekend, but to avoid the side-effects of a brand-new track surface - the oils, or bitumen, it has been water-blasted.

This has increased the abrasiveness of the track surface, with Pirelli set to bring its C3-C4-C5 tyres to act as the hard, medium and soft compounds. This is a step softer than in the 2023 season when the C2-C3-C4 rubber was brought.

"Unknown challenge";

https://racingnews365.com/f1-drivers...n-brazilian-gp


Two F1 manufacturers found guilty of breaching rules as punishment handed ahead of Brazil GP
30 Oct 2024
Tom Jenkins
SPORTbible

Honda and Alpine have been found guilty of breaching the FIA's engine cost cap rules with both manufacturers handed an immediate punishment. Both Alpine and Honda submitted totals under the $95m (£74m) limit for 2023, the first year that the regulations have been in place, however, they have now accepted they breached the cost cap rules.

Honda currently supplies power units to both Red Bull and RB but will exclusively become Aston Martin's engine supplier in 2026 when the new regulations come into play. Meanwhile, Red Bull will partner with Ford in 2026 and Alpine will stop making engines altogether and become a customer team to Mercedes if reports are to be believed.

The punishment for both manufacturers is already confirmed with Honda paying a $600,000 fine (£462,000), while Alpine's fine amounts to $400,000 (£308,000). This comes after both manufacturers settled for a so-called 'Accepted Breach Agreement with the FIA.'

‘Guilty of breaching rules’;

https://www.sportbible.com/f1/manufa...82061-20241030


Lewis Hamilton hints at Mercedes swap offer that could change his fate at Brazilian GP
Lewis Hamilton has indicated Mercedes could be prepared to make a significant change for the F1 Brazilian Grand Prix.
Oct 30, 2024
Joe Krishnan
Daily and Sunday Express

Lewis Hamilton has indicated Mercedes are preparing to give his upgraded car to George Russell for the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos this weekend. Russell crashed in qualifying at the last United States Grand Prix and his shunt caused damage to the new W15 parts he had fitted. As a result, Mercedes were forced to send the upgrades back to the Brackley factory to repair them and had only one other spare set to fit.

And with only one set of parts available, Russell remained on the same package that was brought to Silverstone earlier this season. They opted to not to fit the repaired parts for the Mexican GP, while Hamilton enjoyed the new specification as he claimed fourth place ahead of his team-mate.

But Mercedes chief Toto Wolff hinted Hamilton felt more comfortable using the previous setup, which could see them swap heading to Brazil for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this weekend - something Hamilton expected after their enticing battle in Mexico City.

‘Mercedes swap offer’;

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


Max previews Brazilian GP: 'Need to do everything we can'
30 Oct 2024
Niels Hendrix
Verstappen.nl

Max Verstappen, who finished sixth in Mexico, reflects on last weekend and says: “Mexico was a race to forget, but we know that we can do better and are working hard to figure out what went wrong so we can improve our form for the final few races. We need to do everything we can to be more competitive and come back stronger to a place and to where we know we can be.”

Looking forward to the upcoming weekend, the Dutch Oracle Red Bull Racing driver adds: “Brazil is the final race for us of a long triple header and obviously another sprint weekend so will be very busy, but an opportunity to score points. Interlagos is a cool track to drive with a lot of history and is also quite technical, with all the elevation changes. I am looking forward to going back to Brazil and racing in front of the passionate fans.”

‘Need to do everything we can';

https://news.verstappen.com/en/article/5642/


THIS WEEK IN F1: 10 quiz questions on the Mexico City Grand Prix – and F1 history in Brazil
30 Oct 2024
Rob Burnett
Formula One - Official Site

Carlos Sainz stormed to what proved to be an emotional victory in Mexico City in Sunday, with the Spaniard's family watching on from the Ferrari garage as he edges closer to the end of his time with the Scuderia.

And there was plenty of other action on track at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, with another clash between title rivals Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, a Lap 1 crash that took out Yuki Tsunoda and Alex Albon, and plenty of overtaking up and down the field.

‘10 quiz questions’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...ljLAjDBNWn90dy

[Fortitude]

Will wet weather shake up the F1 pack in Sao Paulo? 2024 Brazilian GP preview.
An action-packed race in Mexico City has breathed life back into the drivers’ world championship, with Max Verstappen‘s lead over Lando Norris now cut to 47 points heading into the 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
30 Oct 2924
Cambridge Kisby
Motor Sport Magazine

The McLaren driver has an extra opportunity to move closer to the title in Brazil, as it’s a sprint weekend, with an extra eight points on offer to the winner of Saturday’s shorter race, but he’ll need to find a way to escape the aggressive manoeuvres of Max Verstappen, which have stymied his progress in the past two grands prix.

It may be easier said than done given that the Interlagos circuit has been a crucible of controversy in previous years, fuelled by long flat-out sections to set up a pass; corners that invite bold moves; and tight infield switchbacks that are perilous to drivers running side by side. This year, you can add to that the close competitive order and the continuing fight for the championship, as well as the prospect of wet weather shaking up the competitive order.

‘2024 Brazilian GP preview’;

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


Alonso delays arrival in Brazil after medical treatment
Oct 31, 2024
The Straits Times

SAO PAULO - Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso has delayed his arrival at the Brazilian Grand Prix after feeling ill in Mexico and seeking specialist treatment in Europe, the Formula One team said on Wednesday.

Aston Martin said the 43-year-old double world champion, who celebrated his record 400th grand prix last Sunday in Mexico City, will miss his Thursday media commitments for the second race in a row.

"Fernando had suffered with an intestinal infection in the lead up to the Mexico City Grand Prix," the team said in a statement. He returned to Europe to receive further treatment from a specialist. The extra day of treatment has delayed his travel plans to Brazil but ensures he will be ready for this weekend's racing."

‘Fernando Alonso has delayed his arrival’;

https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/f...ical-treatment


These milestones and records could be achieved at the Brazilian Grand Prix
30 Oct 2024
Matt Gretton
GPblog.com

After Fernando Alonso competed in his 400th Grand Prix weekend in Mexico, the Formula 1 drivers in Brazil can achieve more milestones and records. This includes milestones for Max Verstappen and Ferrari.

Verstappen will start his 206th consecutive race in Formula 1, dating all the way back to his debut in 2015. This equals Nico Rosberg's run of races between 2006 and 2016, which puts the Dutchman level with third place on the all-time list. Only Daniel Ricciardo (2011-2022) and Lewis Hamilton (2007-2020) have had longer streaks. Valtteri Bottas is one race behind Verstappen's tally.

Milestones for Ferrari in Brazil. Ferrari are making a surge in the Constructors' Championship. The gap between leaders McLaren and Ferrari now sits at 29 points with 3 races remaining. This is partly thanks to the fact the Italian team won in Austin and Mexico. If they win the third race in the triple header, it will mark their first run of three wins since 2019 when Sebastian Vettel and Leclerc were teammates. If they are to complete the hatrick of wins, a Ferrari engine will win a race for the 250th time.

‘Milestones and records’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/30992...rand-prix.html


Lewis Hamilton to reunite with McLaren at Brazilian GP for Ayrton Senna tribute
30 Oct 2024
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com

Lewis Hamilton is poised to drive Ayrton Senna’s title-winning 1990 McLaren F1 car at this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix in a tribute to the late three-time World Champion. The F1 2024 season marks 30 years since Senna was killed in an accident during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola in one of the most seismic moments in the sport’s history.

A number of tributes have been paid to Senna by the F1 community across this year, with four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel driving Senna’s 1993 McLaren – a car personally owned by the German – when F1 visited Imola for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in May. That came after Vettel led a track run at Imola on the eve of the race weekend, with the F1 2024 drivers encouraged to wear Senna-themed t-shirts and balaclavas underneath their race helmets for the occasion.

McLaren also paid tribute to Senna at the Monaco Grand Prix, an event won by the Brazilian legend on no fewer than six occasions, by running a one-off yellow, green and blue livery inspired by Senna’s helmet design at the principality.

‘Ayrton Senna tribute’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/lewis-...-senna-tribute


Verstappen set for Brazilian GP grid penalty
Max Verstappen will be hamstrung in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos with a grid drop.
30 Oct 2024
Jake Nichol
RacingNews365

The Dutchman comes into the Sao Paulo weekend leading the world championship by 47 points from Lando Norris, with 34 up for grabs across the sprint weekend in Brazil and 120 left in the season.

Verstappen suffered with an engine problem throughout practice in Mexico that curtailed his running, with the Dutchman also suffering a failure in practice in Canada. He took a fresh engine and penalty in the Belgian Grand Prix, setting the fastest time in qualifying before dropping to 11th on the grid.

It will be the sixth internal combustion engine Verstappen will have used in the season, with only four permitted. The penalty will only apply to the main grand prix on Sunday and not affect the sprint race, as happened to Liam Lawson in the United States Grand Prix.

‘Max Verstappen will be hamstrung’;

https://racingnews365.com/breaking-v...p-grid-penalty


Verstappen and Hamilton both present at Brazil GP press conference
30 Oct 2024
Olly Darcy
GPblog.com

Max Verstappen has been invited to the FIA press conference on Thursday at the Brazilian Grand Prix, along with Lewis Hamilton. The Dutchman will no doubt be asked about the Mexican Grand Prix last weekend where he received two ten-second time penalties for forcing Lando Norris off the track.

‘Brazil GP press conference schedule’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/30996...onference.html

[Fortitude]

Will Verstappen penalty hand Norris an open goal? Six Brazilian GP talking points.
This weekend could be a pivotal one for Lando Norris’ prospects of catching Max Verstappen in the championship battle. Not only will the sprint race offer extra points, but Sunday’s grand prix could be critical if the championship leader has to start from the midfield.
31st Oct 2024
Will Wood
RaceFans

Verstappen’s grid drop: One of the major plot points of last weekend was that Verstappen appears to be facing considerable trouble with his power unit allocation once again.
Racing rules row rumbles on: As much of a shame as it is, it’s starting to feel that the first championship battle to still be alive at Interlagos since 2021 will again be dominated by discussions over the rules of racing.

Piastri’s poor tour of the Americas: In the first two rounds of the triple-header weekend in the United States and Mexico, Piastri has not had a particularly consistent showing.
Lawson not making friends: He started off getting criticism from Fernando Alonso for his aggressive racing in the Austin sprint race, then was called an “idiot” by Sergio Perez multiple times during the Mexican Grand Prix after the pair of them clashed while battling early in Sunday’s race.

Colapinto’s ‘home’ grand prix: As an Argentinian driver, Colapinto naturally does not have a home grand prix of his own on the calendar. However, this weekend in Brazil will be the closest round to his native Argentina…
Taking the ‘esports’ line: Carlos Sainz Jnr’s pole-winning lap last weekend in Mexico was notable not just because the Ferrari driver beat both main championship protagonists to the top spot on the grid, but because he chose not to follow the traditional racing line exiting the final corner on the run to the line.

‘Six Brazilian GP talking points’;

https://www.racefans.net/2024/10/31/...alking-points/


FIA ignores Jos Verstappen's appeal: Herbert is a steward at Brazilian GP
31st Oct 2024
Ludo van Denderen
GPblog.com

The FIA has so far ignored the criticism of Johnny Herbert, the steward who has come under fire for allegedly being biased against Max Verstappen. The former British F1 driver was one of the stewards in Singapore and Mexico who punished Verstappen and gave hefty penalties. He has been appointed a steward for this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix. Herbert defended the allegations and explained how there couldn't be British bias because there is a group of stewards from around the world.

Herbert was part of the stewards who gave Verstappen a ten-second penalty in Mexico, whereas a similar set of stewards handed out Lando Norris a five-second penalty for a similar incident. Jos Verstappen, among others, called for a change. "The FIA should take a good look at the staffing of the stewards, who they put there and whether there is no appearance of a conflict of interest. From former drivers, for example, who have more sympathy for certain drivers."

Without directly mentioning his name, Verstappen senior was referring, among others, to Herbert, who, like Norris, is from Britain. Verstappen suggests Herbert can directly influence the outcome of the world championship and can, therefore, favour his compatriot in his decisions.

‘Conflict of interest’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/30998...ard-again.html


Helmut Marko suspects F1 Brazil GP will pose a ‘real problem’ to Red Bull
31st Oct 2024
Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has appeared to rule out the team winning the Formula 1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix as he suspects this weekend will pose a “real problem”.

Marko has conceded that it is crucial that Red Bull avoids a repeat of its Mexico showing, though he does not envisage an upturn in competitiveness coming in Brazil. “We cannot afford another race like this,” Marko told Sky Germany.

“It will certainly be very difficult, because the circuit in Brazil has very slow corners and that will also be a real problem for us. But Qatar is also coming up and I think we still have a chance of a victory there.”

‘Brazil GP will pose a ‘real problem’ to Red Bull’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/...m-to-red-bull/


Verstappen addresses his driving behaviour ahead of Brazilian GP
31st Oct 2024
Jeroen Immink
GPblog.com

Max Verstappen has addressed his driving style ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix. The Dutchman has been in the spotlight since he got two ten-second penalties in one lap in the battle against Lando Norris. Subsequently, the three-time world champion received a lot of criticism for his actions. As soon as he arrived in Brazil, Verstappen addressed whether he will adjust his driving.

Verstappen: 'I've been in F1 for ten years, I know what I'm doing'. Verstappen qualified on the front row of the grid each of the past three races, but came up short against Ferrari and McLaren in the race. "Well this has been a little bit the case for most of the season lately. It's a bit difficult to explain why that is. I don't think it's just entirely up to us but we'll see. We'll try to be as competitive as we can be. every track is a bit different. Also here, new tarmac so again it's a few question marks," Verstappen said.

'I've been in F1 for ten years, I know what I'm doing';

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/31012...formula-1.html


Wolff and Mercedes give up on 2024 F1 season: But why?
31 Oct 2024
Brandon Sutton
Total Motorsport

Toto Wolff effectively gives up on the 2024 F1 season as the Mercedes team principal admits they will struggle to challenge Ferrari and McLaren ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace. “Given our position in the championship,” Wolff told Mercedes in a press release. “We have been able to test things by paying a small price.”

“Even though we are still focused on maximising our results each weekend, testing and learning will be invaluable in order to better prepare for 2025. We will continue to follow this approach in Brazil. Interlagos is a real driver’s circuit,” Wolff said to Mercedes. “It has many undulations and a challenging mix of low, medium and high-speed corners.”

“As it is the penultimate Sprint format of the year, we will have to act effectively from the first session to get the car into a good window. We know it will be difficult to challenge the Ferraris and McLarens, who have appeared strong in recent races. However, we will continue to work hard for it and see what our performance will be.”

‘Testing and learning will be invaluable in order to better prepare for 2025’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/why...024-f1-season/


Lewis Hamilton complains his 'emotional' Ayrton Senna tribute was leaked at Brazilian GP
Lewis Hamilton will be involved in a memorable Ayrton Senna tribute in Interlagos this weekend.
Oct 31, 2024
Harry Smith
Daily and Sunday Express

Lewis Hamilton vented his frustrations ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix after secret plans for an Ayrton Senna tribute were leaked in Interlagos. Shedding some light on the tribute ahead of the race in Sao Paulo, Hamilton said: "I never in a million years thought I'd ever get to drive Senna's car here.”

"So when... I remember my manager told me about it and I jumped at the opportunity. Back in the day when I was at McLaren, I did get the chance to drive the MP44 around Silverstone, which was incredible. But just the thought of driving that car around here... I remember the races when he finally won here and held the flag. It will definitely be quite an emotional experience and I hope people are here to see it.”

"I had a helmet made, just his helmet made for me but I don't know if we're using that one tomorrow. I think the initial hope was for it to be a surprise. [I would wear] an all-white suit and his helmet and you'd go out and drive the lap and it would just look like it was him out there. But somehow it got out there. It's impossible to keep things quiet."

'Emotional Ayrton Senna tribute’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ian-Grand-Prix

[Fortitude]

F1 - 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix - Thursday Press Conference Transcript.
PART ONE – Lance STROLL (Aston Martin), Lewis HAMILTON (Mercedes), Franco COLAPINTO (Williams)
PART TWO – Oscar PIASTRI (McLaren), Max VERSTAPPEN (Red Bull Racing), Yuki TSUNODA (RB)

Q: Why don't we start with the honorary citizen of Brazil. Lewis, you're back in a country you love, at a circuit you love, where you've had a lot of success in the past. Just how excited are you ahead of this Grand Prix? LEWIS HAMILTON: Good afternoon, everyone. I love coming here. I've been really excited about the trip and just getting back. Every opportunity I have to spend time here. You learn more about the culture. You are able to engage more. I know the Senna Foundation did an amazing event last night with all the great work that they're doing. And it's just the colours, it's Ayrton, it's the culture, the people. So you really vibe off that through the whole weekend.

Q: Franco, coming to you now. Would you fancy a run in Senna's old McLaren? Franco COLAPINTO: I would. I'm not as good as Lewis in the heel and toe part, but I'll try to do my best. It would be amazing, and I think it's an incredible opportunity that any driver in this world would love to have. Of course, Lewis is the right person to get that chance and to do it here in Interlagos in such a special year for Ayrton, it's, I think, a very unique moment for all the Brazilian fans, for Lewis, for all of us, the drivers, to enjoy the moment together, and keep doing this tribute to Ayrton that he really deserves it. He was my idol and hero since I was very, very young. That's why I started to look at Formula 1 and, you know, watching the movie, reading all the books and the history.

Q: Lance, let's come to you now. Both you and Fernando had a good run here last year, third and fifth in the Grand Prix. Does that give you some confidence coming into the weekend? Lance STROLL: I mean, not really, because we're in a different situation to where we were last year. You know, we had a good car here last year, so when the car's good, those results come. When the car's less competitive, it naturally just becomes harder for those results to come. Let's see, though. It's a great track. I always enjoy coming here. It's got a great rhythm and flow, and it's a lot of fun to drive. And maybe a bit of weather to mix things up, which always makes it interesting and presents opportunity.

Q: Max, why don't we start with you? After the race on Sunday in Mexico, you said your main concern was the pace of the car. Have you and the engineers discovered anything this week that can help you here at Interlagos? Max VERSTAPPEN: Yeah, I think overall the pace over the weekend plus missing of course most of Friday didn't help. And yeah, you know, Mexico is quite sensitive also to the tyre behaviour. So I hope that we understood a little bit more from that what we can do to be more competitive basically on all tyres.

Q: Oscar, coming to you now. Great recovery. drive by you in Mexico last weekend. Were you happier with the car there than you were in Austin? Oscar PIASTRI: Yeah, quite a lot happier. I think in Austin we had a car that was quick but very, very difficult to drive. And I think in qualifying, especially, it was tough to get the most out of it. In the race, just going a bit slower with the lap times, it's maybe a little bit easier to get the pace out of it. But I was much happier in Mexico, which obviously the results don't reflect. But yeah, felt much more comfortable and, yeah, kind of made qualifying even more of a shame, really.

Q: Yuki, let's go to you now. Now, it's been a very frustrating run of races for you recently. Do you feel you need a change of luck? Yuki TSUNODA: Yeah, I think, well, it's just a part of the career and you have good moments and obviously it's always bad moments. Yeah, it's been not helpful from that perspective. Yeah, I try to minimise the distraction and try to focus on the racing. I'm trying to hope that I get luck from that. But yeah, so far it's not the races I'm having. But every race is a new race week. Not thinking anything about the previous race weeks. Just having a Sprint qualifying race. And yeah, we just focus now on beating Haas.

‘Press Conference Transcript’;

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


Lando Norris in last chance saloon but odds stacked against Max Verstappen in Brazilian GP
Lando Norris arrives at the Brazilian GP knowing he needs to score 48 points in four races to overhaul Max Versatappen and become world champion
1 Nov 2024
Adam Dickinson
Total Motorsport

A fourth title to equal Prost is far from confirmed as Verstappen has averaged 14.2 points per weekend since the summer break rather than 25.3, having last stood atop an F1 rostrum in June. Verstappen‘s finished off the podium altogether as many times this campaign as he did between the 2019 Mexican GP and the end of the 2023 season, a stretch of almost 1,500 days.

He remains the favourite for the championship holding a healthy 47-point lead over Norris with four races to go but the Dutchman endured a woeful weekend in Mexico City on all fronts, the Brazilian GP may present his most vulnerable weekend left on the calendar. Norris recovered well to claim second in Mexico after Verstappen‘s antics earlier in the race, meaning ahead of the Brazilian GP at Interlagos he must average 12 more points per weekend than the Dutchman to overhaul him.

The reality is that Norris needs wins, and lots of them. He’s had the superior car to Verstappen since the halfway mark of the season but only has three victories to seven for his rival. With the goalposts shifting around wheel-to-wheel action, many have questioned whether Norris needs to be more aggressive when battling Verstappen, but the man himself had a quiet rebuttal of that claim.

‘Lando Norris in last chance saloon’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...ilian-gp-2024/


Major setback for Perez ahead of Brazil GP
31 Oct 2024
Tim Kraaij
GPblog.com

Sergio Perez does not have access to the newest Red Bull floor at the Brazilian Grand Prix. Although that is a disadvantage, by his own admission, he claims it will not prevent him from making the most of his package.

"No, we don't have it at the moment. Hopefully for Vegas, now that there will be a little bit more time, I will have it," Perez said during his media session in Brazil. "There's something in it. Also a bit of weight. We're carrying a little bit of weight and so on. It's not ideal but obviously the team is doing the best they can. We've been affected also with so many incidents for now. The team is pushing flat out," Perez said.

‘Newest Red Bull floor: Hopefully for Vegas’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/31021...brazil-gp.html


Race guide for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix
1 Nov 2024
Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

Prost as the benchmark in Brazil: Alain Prost holds the record for most wins in Brazil. Taking six victories in total, the Frenchman was victorious with three different teams. In 1982, the Brazilian Grand Prix took place as the second round of the championship and Prost, after opening the season with a triumph in South Africa, continued to set the pace with taking another win Brazil with Renault. The following years saw Prost dominating the Brazilian Grand Prix as he secured four wins with McLaren and a single victory for Ferrari.

A true rollercoaster. The 4.309km Interlagos track presents a totally different set of requirements to those seen in Mexico a week ago. Finding the perfect set-up usually proves to be quite tricky as the slow- and medium-speed sections require higher levels of downforce while the high-speed parts including the long start-finish curvature present a desire for low drag.

Following the extremely long main straight, drivers arrive to an exciting section where finding the right lines and good rhythm is of key importance. This combination of three bends known as Senna-S comprise the only high-speed corners of the entire circuit. The rear stability is tested by the elongated Turn 3 which then leads onto the second-longest straight of the circuit.

‘Race guide’;

https://www.f1technical.net/news/25742


How a New Darker Track Surface Could Define the Entire Brazil GP - F1 Media Day Reaction
31 Oct 2024
Motorsport.com

F1's Brazillian Grand Prix is here, and with it comes a sprint weekend, a new track surface, the tension between many drivers, and more. With the new track surface bringing the extra heat, can the F1 teams, and their Pirelli tyres, cope with the additional sprint race laps? What about Max Verstappen and Lando Norris' title fight? Or Liam Lawson and Sergio Perez's on-track repercussions?

‘New Darker Track Surface Could Define the Entire Brazil GP’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/video/...action/656420/


Start time for the F1 Brazilian GP sprint qualifying 2024 today
1 Nov 2024
RacingNews365 Staff
RacingNews365

The schedule of the F1 GP in São Paulo is automatically adjusted to your time zone.
Timetable Brazilian GP
Session Date Time
Free practice 1 Friday 1 November 15:30 - 16:30
Sprint qualifying Friday 1 November 19:30 - 20:14
Sprintrace Saturday 2 November 15:00 - 16:00
Qualification Saturday 2 November 19:00 - 20:00
Race Sunday 3 November 18:00 - 20:00

‘The schedule’;

https://racingnews365.com/start-time...ing-2024-today