With the start of the season right around the corner Red Bull F1 team has released their livery design for the new RB20. The team is riding ahead full steam after a dominant performance in 2023 winning both the constructors and securing a 1-2 in the drivers championship. Verstappen said at the launch: “It does look a bit different. I think the team definitely pushed on quite a bit from last year and I think that’s very positive. I’m just looking forward to get to Bahrain, start testing and really see what the car is capable of.”
Early Testing Weathers Leaves Room For More
Verstappen had the opportunity to test the car at an early season testing event but the weather did not cooperate and heavy rain fell. He had the following comments regarding the test, “Unfortunately it was quite wet so you’re only driving on rain tires, but everything was working very well and I think that’s always great,” the 26-year-old explained. “You drive out of the box and there are no problems and you just do what you have to do before you get to Bahrain.”
Teammate Sergio Perez had the following comment regarding the launch, “You can see that the team has done an incredible job. We’ve gone very aggressive with the concept, so I’m looking forward to it.
I find it great from Red Bull that we’ve had such a dominant car last year, that we just changed completely our concept. It’s something that I think requires a lot of hunger in the team, to keep pushing all the boundaries. [It] will be interesting to see how everything feels on track.”
Red Bull Content Pool
Red Bull Content Pool
Red Bull Content Pool
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Red Bull Content Pool
Red Bull Content PoolToday Formula 1 announced that the British Grand Prix will remain on the Formula 1 calendar for the next 10 years. Silverstone and its owner, the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) will continue to deliver the legacy of racing that has seen 74 years of Formula 1 action. The 2024 British Grand Prix will take place July 5-7 where Max Verstappen will attempt to defend his win from last year’s dominant performance.
“I am delighted to announce that the British Grand Prix will remain on the calendar for 10 more years with this agreement. Silverstone is an iconic venue at the heart of F1 history and as it approaches its ninth decade hosting Grands Prix, the event continues to attract fans from around the world for fantastic racing on track and the amazing fan experience off it.
I would like to thank Peter Digby from the BRDC, Stuart Pringle and the whole Silverstone team for their hard work and dedication to take the British Grand Prix to new heights and I look forward to working closely with them as they look to further improve the facilities and fan experience over the next 10 years.”
Peter Digby, Chairman of the British Racing Drivers’ Club
“I am delighted we have secured a 10-year extension to host the Formula 1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. This contractual security will provide a solid base for the further development of the venue as we continue to improve and transform the circuit into a year-round international motorsport and leisure destination.
Digby Continued
“This long-term commitment reflects the importance of the British Grand Prix to Formula 1 and their acknowledgement of our ability to deliver a world-class experience for the British fans who are among the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable in the world,” added Stuart Pringle, Chief Executive Officer, Silverstone.
“The cheers of support for the home teams, and particularly for the British drivers on the grid, makes the Silverstone atmosphere unique and I am looking forward to harnessing this passion for our sport and taking the event to the next level in the coming decade.”
Red Bull Racing has confirmed that there is an investigation underway regarding team principal Cristian Horner and allegations of inappropriate behavior. The investigation is being carried out by an external specialist. Red Bull released the following statement
“After being made aware of certain recent allegations, the company launched an independent investigation. This process, which is already under way, is being carried out by an external specialist barrister. The company takes these matters extremely seriously and the investigation will be completed as soon as practically possible. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”
As of now Horner will remain as team principal, and continue as chief executive of Red Bull Racing, while the investigation is carried out. The source of these allegations is not yet known. Horner has denied all allegations.
The 50-year-old has been Red Bull team principal since it entered Formula 1 as a full constructor in 2005. With Red Bull he has won six constructors’ championships and seven drivers’ championships.
Kick Sauber F1 Team released their new livery for the 2024 season which sports a fluorescent green with black combo that is sure to catch the eyes of spectators. Formerly known as Alfa Romeo the Sauber team has undergone a complete rebrand with their new title sponsors Stake.
Team Representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi said, “The new car we unveiled today, the C44, is a tribute to the work done by James Key and the technical team, and to every man and woman in Hinwil, who all contributed to the car we see today. Witnessing the launch of a new car is always a special moment, and even more so when it marks the start of a new era, that of Stake F1 Team. We have a fresh new identity and we are excited about everything we have planned, on and off the track: today, though, it is all about the C44 and its potential.
We are confident about this car and our team: we won’t speak about specific targets, because it’s always difficult to put commit to numbers, but our targets are clear – to improve the performance of our car and our package.
By package, I mean every area, from the race team to the operations on track, the pit stops, the strategy: it’s more than just the car performance, and we are committed in all departments to make this step, this is the target. Then, we will see where our position will be as the season progresses: but the key target is to improve this year and to deliver a better job than we did in 2023.
It is the season of speculation regarding driver contracts, team principal shifts and final personnel changes as the teams finalize their preparations for the 2024 F1 season. After multiple rumors had flown around social media regarding Lewis Hamilton and a potential move from Mercedes to Ferrari. The rumors have been confirmed by Ferrari via a statement released on social media.
The move doesn’t come as a major surprise. Hamilton hasn’t been in championship winning form since the controversial finish to the 2021 season that saw Max Verstappen crowned world champion. It will be the end of an era however. Hamilton and Mercedes have a long legacy to be proud of. There is still a chance for Hamilton to achieve his 8th world championship in 2024 with the team. He won 6 world championships with Mercedes AMG F1 team with the first coming in 2014.
Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO
“In terms of a team-driver pairing, our relationship with Lewis has become the most successful the sport has seen, and that’s something we can look back on with pride; Lewis will always be an important part of Mercedes motorsport history. However, we knew our partnership would come to a natural end at some point, and that day has now come. We accept Lewis’s decision to seek a fresh challenge, and our opportunities for the future are exciting to contemplate. But for now, we still have one season to go, and we are focused on going racing to deliver a strong 2024.”
Lewis Hamilton
“I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I’m so proud of what we have achieved together. Mercedes has been part of my life since I was 13 years old. It’s a place where I have grown up, so making the decision to leave was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. But the time is right for me to take this step and I’m excited to be taking on a new challenge. I will be forever grateful for the incredible support of my Mercedes family, especially Toto for his friendship and leadership and I want to finish on a high together. I am 100% committed to delivering the best performance I can this season and making my last year with the Silver Arrows, one to remember.”
Today F1 announced there will be 8 major rule changes to the regulations previously set forth in the 2023 guidelines, Here we outline the changes.
No. 1 Review Time Changes
The FIA has introduced a new time table regarding the ability to appeal FIA decisions after a race. previously a 14 day grace period was allowed for protests. However, that period has now been shifted to 96 hours or 4 days. There is potential for an additional 24 hour extension in extreme/special circumstances. Teams will also have to pay a deposit for all appeals. The money will only be returned if the appeal is successful or the FIA judges that “fairness requires” it to do so. The teams must also specify the elements that are significant, relevant and new ahead of any hearing. Previously teams would try to argue points for the first time during a hearing.
No. 2 Increased Fines
Previously, the maximum fine that the stewards could impose under the International Sporting Code was €250,000 (£215,000, $270,000) but that amount has been quadrupled this year to €1million. Its obvious that the teams and driver will have an issue with this regarding the spending cap and the questionable nature of many of the FIA decisions over the course of the season. We will see how this all plays out in 2024.
No. 3 A Reduction in Power Unit Reserve Components.
This year, the teams will only be allowed to use three of each of the following: the internal combustion engine (ICE), motor generator unit – heat (MGU-H), motor generator unit – kinetic (MGU-K), and turbocharger (TC) before they would pick up a grid penalty. The tighter regulations will make navigating potential issues even more difficult because resources will be reduced. With grid penalties looming this decision could potentially make a huge impact on race outcomes.
No. 4 Increase Pre Season Testing Distance
Previously teams were limited to 100 km of pre season testing distance for their cars. That testing distance has been double allowing for more robust preseason testing.
No. 5 Changes to Testing Car Rules
Teams are allowed to run cars that are at least two years old as part of a testing program. It has been clarified that all components must have been used at least once either in an official testing session or race weekend to then be allowed on a previous car. The rule change is designed to prevent teams from testing items during a run that then could make their way onto the current car in development.
No. 6 Increase Capital Expenditure Limit
Cost caps were introduced in 2021 to prevent bigger teams from gaining an advantage purely based on having larger pools of money available to them. The CapEx limit of $45m (£35m, €41m) for the rolling four years has been increased to $65m (£51m, €60m).
No. 7 Increased Standards for Roll Hoop Safety
While the Halo has received the most recent acclaim as a safety feature of the modern F1 car. The Roll Hoop is the primary rolling structure of the car located behind the driver’s head. After Zhou GuanYu’s crash at Silverstone. The FIA decided to increase the allowable force threshold for Roll Hoops to prevent failures in future crashes. The exact specifications for 2024 were not available at the time of this article’s writing.
The end of the 2023 season saw a large number of supporters who favored changes to the Sprint Race format. Hwoever, no official changes have occurred as of yet so this point is still speculation. It is possible we will see another announcement regarding potential changes before the season begins.
Formula One has officially rejected the Andretti and General Motors collaborative bid to join the F1 grid in 2025 or 2026. The blow to the Andretti project comes after a long awaited decision regarding the commercial bargaining agreement with the FOM. Andretti Global was the last prospective team to be considered for such a bid. Formula One appears to have kept the door open for a 2028 bid but questions will arise as to whether Formula One could possibly make any different conclusion. The Bid was rejected due to Formula One concluding that the Andretti brand would not bring value to Formula One and that thei car would not be competitive.
While the assessment feels brash its clear that money is an issue and the concerns that were raise with profit sharing with an 11th team continue to linger. Additionally, without any formal test competitiveness cannot truly be assessed. With a power unit in development it is possible that Formula One wants to see a car in action before formally making any concessions. Andretti fans will have to wait 4 more years for a possible entry. Given the status of some of the current teams on the grid could look completely different in 4 years which could sway the FOM committees decision. The statement reads:
Summary and conclusions of commercial assessment process
January 2024
Introduction
1. On 22 March 2023, the FIA published an invitation (the Invitation) to apply to participate in the FIA Formula One World Championship (the Championship), to which four applicants responded, among them Andretti Formula Racing, LLC (the Applicant). The FIA conducted an initial assessment process, which included both a written question and response element and an in-person meeting.
2. The FIA announced on 2 October 2023 that they were satisfied that the application submitted by the Applicant (the Application) fulfilled their selection criteria in all material respects, and that accordingly, the FIA considered that the Applicant should progress to the next stage of the agreed process as set out in the Invitation, being an assessment by the Commercial Rights Holder of the Applicant’s value to the Championship. The process set out in the Invitation provides that both the FIA and the Commercial Rights Holder must consider an application suitable in order for a new entrant to be selected.
3. The FIA had previously shared with us the materials submitted by each of the four applicants in response to the Invitation, which we had studied. Following the FIA’s announcement, we wrote to the Applicant on 10 October 2023, setting out the assessment process, and details of the considerations and decision-making process pursuant to which we would conduct our commercial assessment (the Process Letter). The Process Letter contained a list of questions for the Applicant, to which the Applicant provided responses on 24 October 2023.
4. Having had the opportunity to consider the Applicant’s responses together with our own deliberations, we subsequently wrote to the Applicant on 12 December 2023 extending an invitation to an in-person meeting at our offices in order for the Applicant to present its application, but the Applicant did not take us up on this offer.
5. This document summarises our review process and the key conclusions arising from it.
CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – OCTOBER 20: Michael Andretti during the United States GP at Circuit of the Americas on Friday October 20, 2023 in Austin, United States of America. (Photo by Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images)Review process
6. As contemplated by the Process Letter, we took account of the broad range of ways in which value could be provided, including value to fans, the prestige and reputational value of the sport, the competitive balance of the Championship and the sustainability goals of the sport. The key areas of review were:
a. consideration of the likely competitiveness of the Applicant’s entry, and its impact on value;
b. consideration of the Applicant’s arrangements with respect to the supply of Power Units and the impact that those arrangements would have on the Applicant’s competitive performance;
c. research into the potential benefits the Applicant might bring in terms of fan growth, and fan engagement, as well as a review of the equivalent materials prepared by C|T Group on behalf of the Applicant;
d. consultation with key stakeholders to understand their view of the value that the Applicant would bring;
e. consideration of the operational impact on our existing circuits of adding an 11th team;
f. consideration of the likely impact of the Applicant’s entry on the Commercial Rights Holder’s financial results as an indicator of value; and
g. consideration of the Applicant’s financial sustainability based on the materials provided.
7. Our assessment did not involve any consultation with the current F1 teams. However, in considering the best interests of the Championship we took account of the impact of the entry of an 11th team on all commercial stakeholders in the Championship.
General
8. Our assessment process has established that the presence of an 11th team would not, in and of itself, provide value to the Championship.
9. Any 11th team should show that its participation and involvement would bring a benefit to the Championship. The most significant way in which a new entrant would bring value is by being competitive, in particular by competing for podiums and race wins. This would materially increase fan engagement and would also increase the value of the Championship in the eyes of key stakeholders and sources of revenue such as broadcasters and race promoters.
10. The Application contemplates an association with General Motors (GM) that does not initially include a PU supply, with an ambition for a full partnership with GM as a PU supplier in due course, but this will not be the case for some years. Having a GM PU supply attached to the Application at the outset would have enhanced its credibility, though a novice constructor in partnership with a new entrant PU supplier would also have a significant challenge to overcome. Most of the attempts to establish a new constructor in the last several decades have not been successful.
11. 2025 will be the last year of the current regulatory cycle and 2026 will be the first year of the subsequent cycle, for which an entirely different car to the previous cycle will be required. The Applicant proposes, as a novice constructor, to design and build a car under the 2025 regulations, and then in the very next year to design and build a completely different car under the 2026 regulations. Further, the Applicant proposes to attempt this with a dependency on a compulsory supply from a rival PU manufacturer that will inevitably be reticent to extend its collaboration with the Applicant beyond the minimum required while the Applicant pursues its ambition of collaborating with GM as a PU supplier in the longer term, which a compulsory PU supplier would see as a risk to its intellectual property and know-how.
12. We do not believe that there is a basis for any new applicant to be admitted in 2025 given that this would involve a novice entrant building two completely different cars in its first two years of existence. The fact that the Applicant proposes to do so gives us reason to question their understanding of the scope of the challenge involved. While a 2026 entry would not face this specific issue it is nevertheless the case that Formula 1, as the pinnacle of world motorsport, represents a unique technical challenge to constructors of a nature that the Applicant has not faced in any other formula or discipline in which it has previously competed, and it proposes to do so with a dependency on a compulsory PU supply in the initial years of its participation. On this basis, we do not believe that the Applicant would be a competitive participant.
13. Coming to the sport as a new PU manufacturer is also a huge challenge, with which major automotive manufacturers have struggled in the past, and one which can take a manufacturer a number of years of significant investment in order to become competitive. GM have the resource and credibility to be more than capable of attempting this challenge, but success is not assured.
Conclusions of commercial assessment
14. Our assessment process has established that the presence of an 11th team would not, on its own, provide value to the Championship. The most significant way in which a new entrant would bring value is by being competitive. We do not believe that the Applicant would be a competitive participant.
15. The need for any new team to take a compulsory power unit supply, potentially over a period of several seasons, would be damaging to the prestige and standing of the Championship.
16. While the Andretti name carries some recognition for F1 fans, our research indicates that F1 would bring value to the Andretti brand rather than the other way around.
17. The addition of an 11th team would place an operational burden on race promoters, would subject some of them to significant costs, and would reduce the technical, operational and commercial spaces of the other competitors.
18. We were not able to identify any material expected positive effect on CRH financial results, as a key indicator of the pure commercial value of the Championship.
19. On the basis of the application as it stands, we do not believe that the Applicant has shown that it would add value to the Championship. We conclude that the Applicant’s application to participate in the Championship should not be successful.
20. We would look differently on an application for the entry of a team into the 2028 Championship with a GM power unit, either as a GM works team or as a GM customer team designing all allowable components in-house. In this case there would be additional factors to consider in respect of the value that the Applicant would bring to the Championship, in particular in respect of bringing a prestigious new OEM to the sport as a PU supplier.
Alan Permane has officially been announced as the Racing Director of the rebranded Alpha Tauri side now known as Visa Cash App RB. Permane will work in conjunction with new Team principal Laurent Mekies to alleviate the issues at the Red Bull sister team that finished 8th in the constructors championship in 2023. Permane brings with him a plethora of experience as one of the longest standing veterans of Formula 1.
“After a few months of downtime, it’s great to return to racing again with the Visa Cash App RB team. From long experience, I know how professional, driven and competitive the people within this race team are and I can’t wait to see where that spirit can take the team in the future,” said Permane. Permane with a number of other new leaders kick off 2024 with a new face, a new name and a new attitude for 2024. The team released a mini documentary on Youtube that can be seen here.
The 2024 car reveal is scheduled for February 8th. The Official Press Release can be found below:
Visa Cash App RB
With more than 350 race starts and counting, Red Bull’s Italian Formula 1 team has been one of the sport’s most consistent and important competitors since 2006. Launched as Scuderia Toro Rosso and charged with bringing future champions to the grid, the team was successful in launching the top level careers of a generation of drivers who have gone on to win races and world championships in Formula 1 and beyond. The success continued following the teams’ 2020 rebrand as Scuderia AlphaTauri, with victory at the Italian Grand Prix in its first season. Now reborn with an expanded mission to battle for the sport’s biggest prizes, Visa Cash App RB team is powering into a new era of competition at the pinnacle of motor sport.
Are you having Formula One withdrawals yet? It has been 60 days since we last saw live Formula One action. Today Netflix announced that they would be giving us the opportunity to relive the 2023 season. Netflix announce that Formula One: Drive to Survive season 6 will be released on February 23rd, 2024. This release will coincide with the end of pre season testing at Bahrain International Circuit.
James Gay-Rees, Executive Producer of Drive To Survive
Gay-Rees had the following words in an exclusive interview with Formulaone.com. “Genuinely, we are enormously proud to be a part of it [referring to the Drive to Survive series],” he said. “There’s also a lot of satisfaction at being first with these things, and I think that it kind of does feel like the first main access show – certainly out of the UK anyway – that has had this profound effect.
We’ve all had the statistics about the changing, younger demographic, and it’s tough out there for anybody, for any big organization, to hold its ground given the amount of choices that are out there for the consumer.
Bringing such a big new audience to a sport – which obviously was deserved, it just needed somebody to open it up – is massively satisfying.
The fact that it wasn’t a fluke, the fact that it’s grown [with every season]… It’s a real honor and we love it. It’s a very difficult show to make, but we love the process, we love the world. Long may it continue!”
Today Formula One announced that the Spanish Grand Prix will not longer be held at the seasoned Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona after 2025. Instead it will be held in Madrid from 2026 to 2035 following an agreement with IFEMA MADRID to bring an all-new circuit to the Spanish capital, incorporating both street and non-street sections. The circuit will include 20 corners and is expected to host 110,000 fans per day with the potential to expand to 140,000.
“Madrid is an incredible city with amazing sporting and cultural heritage, and today’s announcement begins an exciting new chapter for F1 in Spain”.
“I would like to thank the team at IFEMA MADRID, the Regional Government of Madrid and the city’s Mayor for putting together a fantastic proposal. It truly epitomizes Formula 1’s vision to create a multi-day spectacle of sport and entertainment that delivers maximum value for fans and embraces innovation and sustainability.”
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA Stated
“Modern Formula 1 cars racing on a new circuit in the Spanish capital city of Madrid is an enticing prospect.
“As we build towards the introduction of the FIA 2026 Formula One regulations, which have been framed with Net Zero carbon by 2030 in mind, it is pleasing to see that the local organizers have placed a sharp focus on environmental sustainability in their plans for the event.
“As is customary, the proposed circuit will be subject to FIA homologation and safety checks and calendar approval by the World Motor Sport Council.”
“It is with great satisfaction that we announce Formula 1 is coming to the Community of Madrid, to a region and a capital that inspires openness and confidence within and beyond our borders. We are the main engine of Spain’s prosperity and progress.
“This event, which we expect to be followed on a global scale by 70 million people, will represent an increase of more than 450 million euros in Madrid’s GDP per year and the creation of 8,200 jobs.
“The Community of Madrid is a region with a great international projection, open, plural, and competitive, and F1 will contribute to further consolidate the Madrid brand among the best in the world.”