Commentator Crofty Wants FIA & F1 to Breakup
F1 sponsorships are getting pricey | Why is team domination easy | Nico's impressive record | Leclerc shuts down rumors | Crashgate won't go away
Hey guys, we’re in the home stretch of summer break. I know some of you, myself included, are barely hanging in there. This time next week the race weekend will be starting up. You can do it, one more week!!!
Here’s what we got this week:
🌎 Around Formula 1: F1 sponsorships are pricey | Team dominance easy now? | Total reveals managing challenge | Crofty thinks FIA & F1 should break up | Crashgate case ain’t over
🛞 Drivers: Nico’s impressive record | Checo puts Red Bull on Vegas roof | Leclerc shuts down rumors
🏎 Teams: Otmar speaks out against Alpine | Williams gets sued for $100m | AlphaTauri seat isn’t safe for Danny
📧 F1 fans are also reading
• Sweaty Startup → Breaking down real estate deals 🏗️, walking through business principles, and much more.
• Boardroom → Boardroom covers the business of sports, music, and entertainment. 🏟️
• Curiosity Chronicle → Actionable ideas💡 to help you build a high-performing, healthy, wealthy life.
🌎 Around Formula 1
🚀 F1 Sponsorships Are Getting Expensive - Chipotle revealed they couldn't afford an F1 deal with Red Bull due to their high price tag. They eventually were able to enter F1 but had to settle for Haas. MoneyGram pays Haas $20 Million a year for their sponsorship. It’s safe to say that F1’s growing U.S. popularity is increasing sponsorship dollars. Read more
🏆 Why is it Easier to Dominate Now? - Dominance in F1 isn't new, but its nature has changed. Red Bull's current phase marks the fourth era of supremacy since 2000. Regulations, technological progress, and increased consistency contribute to modern dominance. Past eras were less sustained due to tech limitations and team variability. While efforts to level the field exist, teams continue to have success in F1's ever-evolving landscape. Read more
👷♂️ Toto Reveals Managing Challenge - Wolff highlights the challenge of balancing different aspects of the organization as the hardest part of his role. He led Mercedes to dominant F1 success from 2014 to 2021 and values people interaction on the job. Read more
💔 FIA & F1 Breakup Suggested - Sky F1 commentator David Croft's suggestion to remove the FIA from F1's rule-making process is criticized as preposterous. The FIA's crucial role in safety and governance, including its neutral oversight, is highlighted. There’s a risk for prioritizing "show and spectacle" when commercial rights holder Liberty Media gains more control is emphasized, potentially compromising safety. Croft's proposal is seen as headline-grabbing rather than a well-founded solution. The FIA's involvement in F1 administration is deemed essential to prevent scripted outcomes. Read more
💥 Crashgate Case Isn’t Over - Former F1 driver, Felipe Massa, lawyers have initiated legal action against Formula 1 bosses and the FIA, claiming substantial damages for an alleged 'conspiracy' that cost him the 2008 championship. A formal Letter Before Claim was sent, alleging that F1 and FIA ignored the misconduct that denied him the title. Read more
🛞 Drivers
📊 Nico’s Impressive Record - Despite never standing on an F1 podium, Nico Hülkenberg views his record-setting 193 starts without one as reflective of his racing skills. His career, mainly with midfield teams, yielded near misses and missed opportunities, which he attributes partly to his height affecting cockpit requirements and weight. Read more
❤️ All Love at Ferrari - Charles Leclerc dismisses suggestions of tension with teammate Sainz, stating that radio messages highlighting disagreements are blown out of proportion. Leclerc acknowledges their competitiveness but emphasizes their strong off-track relationship and shared goals within the team. Read more
🌆 F1 Car on Casino Roof - Checo tests Red Bull’s F1 car in the Las Vegas streets ahead of the new Grand Prix. Unexpectedly, the car ends up on Caesars Palace's roof, adding to Red Bull's wild videos they are constantly creating. Watch video
🏎 Teams
📣 Alpine Former Boss Speaks Up - Otmar Szafnauer Criticizes Renault's strong control over Alpine Formula 1 team, citing interference in marketing, HR, and finance. Departing as team principal, he blamed Renault's impatience for rapid success, highlighting challenges in turning teams around and the need for realistic plans. Read more
💰 Williams Gets Sued - Williams faces a $100 million lawsuit from ex-marketing executive Claudia Schwarz, who accuses them of damaging her reputation through false allegations and avoiding contractual obligations. Williams countersues, claiming Schwarz defrauded them of $6.9 million and engaged in improper spending, toxic workplace behavior, and favoritism towards personal connections. Read more
🔒 AlphaTauri 2024 Not Locked Up - Helmut Marko hints at Daniel Ricciardo's 2024 status with AlphaTauri, suggesting he needs to prove his commitment. While backing Ricciardo for a full-time 2024 seat, Marko warns of alternatives, mentioning Liam Lawson. Ricciardo's performance and motivation are evaluated, keeping Red Bull's options open. Read more
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