Ferrari Eyes Red Bull’s Newey

🌎 Around Formula 1

👀 Ferrari Eyes Red Bull’s Newey - Ferrari is actively pursuing Adrian Newey, Red Bull Racing's renowned chief technical officer, amidst Red Bull's internal discord. This strategic maneuver by Ferrari, which enjoys relative internal stability compared to its rival, aims to capitalize on the unsettled atmosphere at Red Bull. The Italian team is reportedly ready to meet Newey's demands, offering him a conducive environment that respects his need for creative freedom and aligns with his distinguished career in F1. More

💰 F1's Billion-Pound Grid - McLaren’s Zak Brown asserts that all F1 teams are now valued over £1 billion, highlighting the sport's financial growth under Liberty Media's stewardship. Recent investments in Alpine and Aston Martin support this valuation, reflecting the sport's lucrative appeal and stability due to equitable financial distributions and cost cap regulations. More

💨 Allison Critiques F1's Dirty Air Fixation - James Allison, Mercedes' technical director, criticizes F1's regulatory focus on reducing dirty air through ground-effect regulations, suggesting it was a misguided effort. Despite the intention to enhance racing and competitiveness, the dominance of Red Bull persists, and overtaking challenges remain. Allison argues that the obsession with wake management overshadowed other crucial aspects like tire behavior, contributing to the sport's current predicaments. He advocates for a more balanced approach in future regulations, particularly concerning the cars' ground-hugging characteristics and the significant influence of rear ride height on performance, hoping for adjustments before the 2026 rule changes. More

🛞 Drivers

👍👎 Magnussen’s Tactics or Unfair Play? - Kevin Magnussen's role in the Saudi Arabian GP, potentially aiding teammate Nico Hulkenberg by holding up rivals, has sparked debate on its sportsmanship. This strategic move, seen by some as unsportsmanlike, helped Hulkenberg secure a crucial point for Haas, raising questions about the fairness and tactical nuances in F1 team strategies. More

💺 Sainz's Mercedes Move - Carlos Sainz’s team is in discussions with Mercedes for a potential 2025 Formula 1 seat, amidst uncertainty at Ferrari following Lewis Hamilton's signing. Sainz's management engaged with Mercedes' Toto Wolff, exploring options as his Ferrari contract ends. Speculations also involve Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen as potential Mercedes candidates, highlighting a pivotal moment for driver transfers and team strategies in F1's evolving landscape. More

💪 Revitalized Perez - His recent upturn in performance is attributed to a strategic shift in his approach, focusing on enjoying the race and taking it one event at a time, rather than the pressure of consistently outperforming Max. Despite the high benchmark set by Verstappen, Perez has started the 2024 season strong, securing second-place finishes in both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. His renewed mindset, coupled with a stable support team in his garage, has contributed to his improved form, demonstrating the importance of mental strategy in achieving racing success. More

🎖️ Hamilton's Sportsmanship - John Elkann praised Lewis for his sportsmanship towards Ferrari newcomer Oliver Bearman after his impressive F1 debut in Saudi Arabia. Hamilton's warm post-race embrace highlighted his commendable character, significantly impacting Bearman's memorable experience, which also included special acknowledgment from his idol, Sebastian Vettel. More

🏎 Teams

🏎 Red Bull's Dominant Design Strategy - The RB20's exceptional performance was hinted at in last year's simulator sessions, with junior driver Liam Lawson noting significant gains. The car's design, particularly its innovative sidepods and underfloor, has been pivotal in maintaining Red Bull's dominance, with Verstappen and Perez securing top finishes in the season's opening races. The RB20's efficiency and adaptability across different tracks highlight its advanced engineering and aerodynamic stability. More

🧐 Ricciardo Reveals RB’s Flaws - He reports that RB's VCARB 01 has specific flaws affecting its efficiency and grip, which hindered its performance in Saudi Arabia. Despite a challenging race, finishing 16th, he remains hopeful for improvements. The team identified issues with the car's efficiency and a notable lack of grip, which couldn't be immediately fixed due to parc ferme regulations. They’re anticipating that identified car issues will be addressed and rectified for better performance in future races, starting with the upcoming Melbourne GP. More

🥶 Red Bull's Cooling Ingenuity - They showcased a unique cooling strategy in Jeddah, contributing significantly to its top-speed advantage. The team experimented with bodywork adjustments to minimize cooling output, enhancing aerodynamic efficiency and speed. Innovations included adjustable louvered panels and diverse heat rejection options, complemented by a lower-downforce rear wing tailored for reduced drag, all integral to their dominant performance. See pics

📊 Standings

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Highlights

• Red Bull's Continued Dominance: Red Bull secured another one-two finish, with Verstappen leading and Perez following, showcasing their ongoing superiority in the 2024 season.

• Bearman's Impressive Debut: Oliver Bearman, stepping in for Ferrari, delivered a remarkable performance, securing a points finish and earning the Driver of the Day accolade.

• Alpine's Struggles: Alpine faced another challenging weekend, with both cars underperforming and Gasly retiring early due to a gearbox issue.

• Haas' Strategic Success: Haas executed a smart strategy, enabling Nico Hulkenberg to score a point, highlighting the team's improved competitiveness.

• Mercedes' Setback: Mercedes struggled with pace, particularly in high-speed corners, finishing as the fifth-fastest team and facing challenges ahead.

• Alonso's Consistency: Fernando Alonso extracted the maximum from his Aston Martin, securing a solid fifth-place finish and continuing to impress with his skill and experience. More

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