Horner's New Leaked Messages
Leclerc confident in Ferrari | Ricciardo cools VCARB hype | Red Bull's ingenious engineering | Schumacher's F1 dreams crushed by Alpine | Alonso's Future
The time is finally here! The first race of the 2024 season kicks off tomorrow, yes Saturday, in Bahrain.
Hereโs what we got this week:
๐ Around Formula 1:
Horner's new leaked messages
F1 abandons 'Sprint Shootout'
F1 elevates 2024 viewing
๐ Drivers:
Alonso's future
Schumacher's F1 dreams crushed by Alpine
24-race season sparks concern
๐ Teams:
Red Bull's ingenious engineering
Leclerc confident in Ferrari
Ricciardo cools VCARB hype
๐ง๐ญ Bahrain GP Preview
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๐ Around Formula 1
๐คฏ Horner's New Leaked Messages - Christian Horner faces intense scrutiny as intimate WhatsApp messages with a female Red Bull employee are leaked, casting shadows over his recent exoneration from misconduct allegations. Despite Red Bull's internal investigation clearing him, the leaked communications have stirred the F1 community, with key figures and sponsors now reassessing their ties. The controversy unfolds as Red Bull displays a united front, but the leaked messages threaten Horner's standing, hinting at internal conflicts and challenging his long-standing leadership. The situation remains fluid, with the F1 world watching closely as Red Bull navigates this unprecedented crisis. More
๐ซ F1 Abandons 'Sprint Shootout' - Formula 1 has discarded the "sprint shootout" term, reverting to "sprint qualifying" for sessions determining sprint race grids. The 2024 rules align sprint races with Saturday mornings, shifting GP qualifying to Saturday afternoons. This adjustment is part of ongoing tweaks to the sprint format, now entering its fourth year with six events planned. More
๐ฅ F1 Elevates 2024 Viewing - Formula 1's 2024 TV coverage will feature enhanced team radio clarity, innovative rear-facing cameras, and improved replays. New systems will streamline radio broadcasts, while gyroscopic and rear light cameras offer fresh perspectives. Augmented reality and updated graphics will enrich the viewing experience, highlighting key race developments and data more effectively. More
Who's going to win Bahrain GP? |
๐ Drivers
๐ฎ Alonso's Future - Debate swirls around Alonso's recent hints at possibly leaving F1, with opinions divided on whether it's a genuine contemplation or a strategic move in contract talks. While some see it as a negotiation play, others believe Alonso's reflections on his lengthy career and life beyond racing are sincere. More
๐ค Schumacher's F1 Dreams Crushed by Alpine - They confirmed Mick Schumacher will solely focus on their World Endurance Championship team, dismissing speculation about him testing their F1 car. Despite his ongoing role as Mercedes' reserve, Alpine's commitment is strictly to endurance racing, with Jack Doohan remaining their F1 reserve. Alpine remains content with current F1 drivers Ocon and Gasly. More
๐ก 24-Race Season Sparks Concern - Verstappen criticizes F1's 24-race calendar as unsustainable, fearing it may shorten careers. Echoed by Alonso and Sainz, they argue for maintaining the sport's exclusivity and reducing frequency to enhance viewer anticipation. Hamilton emphasizes sustainability, suggesting a focus on quality over quantity in the expanding schedule. More What do you think?
๐ Teams
All Red Bullโs secrets I heard are in this bookโฆ
๐จโ๐ฌ Red Bull's Ingenious Engineering - Showcasing a bold evolution, distinct from Mercedes' designs, focusing on a responsive front-end and compact internals. The car's extensive redesign, emphasizing aerodynamics and a low center of gravity, hints at further aggressive updates, transcending simple "zero-pod" comparisons and underscoring Red Bull's innovative approach in F1's 2024 season. More.
๐ Leclerc Confident in Ferrari - Charles is confident in Ferrari's progress, emphasizing a deepened understanding of their car rather than mirroring Red Bull's radical changes. Despite Red Bull's testing secrecy, Leclerc highlights Ferrari's advancements post-Zandvoort, focusing on internal developments to enhance performance, aiming for consistent competitiveness and seizing win opportunities in 2024. More
๐ฅถ Ricciardo Cools VCARB Hype - Tempering expectations for Visa Cash App RB, clarifying that the team's progress isn't mirroring the top squads despite a strong finish in 2023. Acknowledging modest gains from last year, he emphasizes realistic goals, focusing on midfield battles rather than top-tier contention, following a smooth but revealing pre-season test. More
๐ง๐ญ Bahrani GP Preview
Circuit Snapshot:
A track of 5.412km where Pedro de la Rosa's 2005 McLaren MP4-20 still holds the fastest lap. Icons Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel share the honor of most poles, with Hamilton clinching the highest wins.
Track Analysis:
Renowned for its demanding Turn 10 braking and the pivotal fast Turn 11, the circuit tests tire endurance and car equilibrium. Prime overtaking zones are stationed at Turns 1 and 4, with the day-to-night shift significantly enhancing track conditions.
Contemporary Form:
Red Bull is tipped to lead the pack, with Mercedes showing strong race pace, suggesting an intensely competitive season opener. The Grand Prix is a commemoration of past thrilling encounters, setting the stage for the new season. More
๐ฆ Bahrain Drain Cover Problem - To address the drain cover issue, a concrete fill replaces the problematic drain near Turn 11, with extensive welding securing others. This proactive measure follows disruptions during testing, attributed to cars exploiting run-offs due to improved aerodynamics and setup, enhancing safety for the season opener. See pics
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Last Weekโs Poll Results
Who will be better this year?
๐จ๐จ๐จโฌ๏ธโฌ๏ธโฌ๏ธ Mercedes (34%)
๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฉ Ferrari (66%)