FIA is Cracking Down on Teams

Bold sprint race revamp? | Horner questions Mercedes | What’s a superlicense? | Alonso's F1 journey of triumphs and sacrifices | Alpine’s €200M deal with US investors

Here’s what we got this week:

  • 🌎 Around Formula 1:

    • Bold sprint race revamp?

    • FIA introduce surprise audits

    • FIA tightens review process

  • 🛞 Drivers:

    • What’s a superlicense?

    • Alonso's F1 journey of triumphs and sacrifices

    • Ricciardo's F1 resurgence

  • 🏎 Teams:

    • Red Bull's wind tunnel project

    • Alpine’s €200M deal with US investors

    • Horner questions Mercedes

Who has the longest current tenure as F1 principal?

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🌎 Around Formula 1

🕵️‍♂️ FIA Introduce Surprise Audits - They plan to conduct surprise, zero-notice factory inspections to ensure teams comply with regulations. This move, aimed at preventing concealment of non-compliant practices, will involve immediate access to facilities like wind tunnels. Regular bi-weekly checks by an expanded team of inspectors will uphold the sport's integrity and fairness. Read more

🤔 Bold Sprint Race Revamp? - Zak Brown is suggesting mandatory pit stops and super soft tires for Sprint races to add more strategy and excitement to them. His proposal aims to revitalize the format, making these mini Grand Prix events more unpredictable and engaging for fans. Read more

🔧 FIA Tightens Review Process - Updating its International Sporting Code, tightening the right of review process in F1. Teams now have a reduced 96-hour window to submit requests, accompanied by a fee, forfeited if the case fails. Higher fines and stricter rules on fireworks and misconduct are also introduced. Read more

🛞 Drivers

🪪 What’s a Superlicense? - Is essential for F1 drivers to confirm their eligibility to race. Verstappen's 2023 season, with 575 points, results in a staggering €1.2 million superlicence fee for 2024, calculated at €2,100 per point. Red Bull shoulders this cost, reflecting the financial impact of F1 success. Read more

😤 Alonso's F1 Journey of Triumphs and Sacrifices - Opening up about the personal sacrifices made during his two-decade F1 career. Despite missing family time and delaying starting his own family, he has no regrets, feeling fulfilled by his success, especially with his recent move to Aston Martin. Read more

🎢 Ricciardo's F1 Resurgence - After replacing Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri, is optimistic about winning again in F1. Despite a hand injury setback, his strong performance in Mexico rekindled his competitive spirit, readying him for a promising 2024 season with renewed energy. Read more

🏎 Teams

💨 Red Bull's Wind Tunnel Project - Is set to begin construction on a new, state-of-the-art wind tunnel in 2024, replacing their current "Cold War relic" near Bedford. This significant upgrade, located closer to their Milton Keynes factory, aligns with F1's future ban on wind tunnels and is strategically timed for developing their 2027 car. Read more

💰Alpine’s €200M Deal with US Investors - Finalizes a €200 million deal, selling a 24% stake to a US investor group, valuing the team at $900 million. The group includes actor Ryan Reynolds. Read more

😳 Horner Questions Mercedes - Surprised at Mercedes sticking with their 'zeropod' concept in 2023, a design that underperformed in 2022. Despite a strong start, Red Bull remained cautious, waiting for more races to assess their car's overall performance, especially at historically challenging circuits like Melbourne. Read more

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Last Week’s Trivia Results

Who holds the record for highest speed in F1 race?

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ K-Mag (19%)

🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨 Hamilton (25%)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Bottas (24%)

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ Max (17%)

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Alonso (15%)

The right answer was…. Bottas. In the Mexican Grand Prix, Valtteri Bottas (officially) reached a top speed of 231.46 mph, and the FIA even unofficially claimed he hit 231.95 mph. He is thus the first F1 driver to surpass the 230 mph mark in a Grand Prix.