Christian Horner Faces Investigation

🌎 Around Formula 1

🤯 Christian Horner Faces Investigation - Red Bull Racing's team principal since 2005, is under internal investigation following allegations of inappropriate behavior. Red Bull's senior management, including CEO Oliver Mintzlaff, is treating the matter seriously. Horner denies the claims, and an external lawyer is conducting the ongoing independent investigation. More. As of this writing (Friday morning), Horner is set to have an internal hearing later today.

🚨 New F1 Rules - Formula 1 introduced significant changes for the 2024 season. The Sprint weekend format will be revised, with Free Practice 1 and Sprint Qualifying on Friday, the Sprint and Grand Prix Qualifying on Saturday, and the Grand Prix on Sunday. These changes await approval from the World Motorsport Council on February 28. Additionally, drivers will receive an increased Power Unit allocation, now four per driver for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. The DRS activation for races will now occur one lap after the start or a Safety Car restart, instead of two. More

📊 Pre-Season Testing Details - Pre-season testing for 2024 is set for 21-23 February at Bahrain International Circuit, just before the season-opening Bahrain GP. Teams will test their new car setups, parts, and programs, focusing more on knowledge gain than speed. All teams retain their 2023 driver lineups, with sessions split between drivers. Weather forecasts predict hot and sunny conditions, ideal for testing. While lap times from testing are not definitive indicators of season performance, they offer insights into team strengths and potential sandbagging strategies. More

🛞 Drivers

😢 Sainz Ready for Last Hurrah - Has candidly expressed that losing his Ferrari seat to Hamilton for the 2025 season was “not the best feeling.” Despite this setback, Sainz remains committed to performing at his best in his final season with Ferrari. He acknowledged the unpredictability of Ferrari's decisions but is not disheartened. Sainz is confident in his value as a driver and is optimistic about his future, potentially with Sauber, which will transition to the Audi team in 2026. As he approaches his 30s, Sainz feels like he’s still progressing in his racing career. More

🛞 Ocon to Mercedes a Possibility? - Has confirmed he is still managed by Mercedes and is part of their driver roster, amidst the vacancy created by Hamilton's move to Ferrari for 2025. Ocon, while focused on his current commitment to Alpine, acknowledges his strong ties with Mercedes. His performance on the track is crucial for future opportunities. The early start to the 2024 driver market, triggered by Hamilton's surprise decision, is expected to cause a ripple effect of uncertainty regarding driver contracts. More

🏎 Teams

🤫 Aerodynamics Secrets - Teams use flow-vis paint (that neon green stuff above) and aero rakes during pre-season testing and practice sessions to analyze aerodynamic performance. Flow-vis paint, a mixture of fluorescent powder and paraffin oil, is applied to car parts to track airflow patterns at high speeds, revealing crucial data about air direction and surface flow. Aero rakes, metal structures fitted onto cars, use sensors to measure air pressure and velocity, helping teams optimize aerodynamic setups. Both tools are essential for understanding airflow separation and downforce, especially with restrictions on wind-tunnel testing. More

🤑 Sauber to Swap Sponsors in Restricted Countries - The Sauber F1 team, now known as Stake F1 Team, will alternate its branding with sister company Kick in countries where gambling promotions are restricted. Last year, the team adapted its livery and name in certain races due to local laws against gambling advertising. This year, with Alfa Romeo's departure, the issue is more pronounced. Sauber's representative confirmed compliance with local laws, using Kick branding where necessary. The team's new identity, emphasized by a fluo green livery and a major launch event, marks a transitional phase before partnering with Audi. More

🧐 Red Bull's Dual Team Ownership Under Scrutiny - F1 is considering measures to prevent common ownership of multiple teams, with a focus on Red Bull's ownership of two teams. This move, discussed during the 2026 Concorde Agreement negotiations, aims to maintain sporting integrity by eliminating conflicts of interest and collusion risks. While not forcing Red Bull to sell, F1 might encourage a fair sale to a quality buyer. McLaren's Zak Brown and others have voiced concerns about the potential unfair advantages of such ownership structures. More

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