Max and Checo on a Collision Course for Championship

In this week’s email:

• Should F1 Make Races More Entertaining?: Toto sounds off on boring Baku race

• Porsche Limited Formula 1 Stint Revisited: Joining at a challenging time

• Miami GP: New event changes from last year

• Standings: Red Bulls on a collision course

• Meme of the Week: I thought you were financially stable

Should F1 Make Races More Entertaining?

Lackluster Baku race stirs up debate

Toto Wolff has urged F1 to take action and prevent uneventful races like the recent Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which he dubbed "boring." The difficulty of overtaking in Baku contributed to a largely processional race, with Red Bull's Checo taking the win, followed by teammate Max and Ferrari's Leclerc.

The new sprint format weekend introduced a sprint race that, aside from George Russell's early skirmish with Verstappen, was similarly lackluster. Wolff emphasized the need for exciting battles and close racing to keep the sport engaging for fans. He acknowledged the challenges of overtaking in Baku and called for a thorough analysis of the weekend's events to identify possible improvements.

Despite the introduction of new regulations in 2022 aimed at improving passing by reducing dirty air from cars, drivers report that the situation has worsened. Wolff believes that the lack of excitement in Baku should prompt F1 and the teams to examine which aspects of the current rules are not working.

As the F1 community gears up for the next meeting in Miami, Wolff suggests that the focus should be on understanding why recent races have been less entertaining and finding ways to adjust accordingly. While he acknowledges that the 2023 cars may not be delivering the anticipated improvements, Wolff doesn't believe an entirely new set of rules is necessary. Instead, further analysis and adjustments based on data from upcoming races should pave the way for more thrilling Formula One experiences.

Porsche Limited Formula 1 Stint Revisited

The legendary manufacturer got unlucky in F1 entry

Porsche, a legendary name in motorsports, had a relatively brief involvement in Formula One, spanning just four seasons from 1961 to 1964. Despite their lasting impact on the sport, the German manufacturer eventually withdrew due to various challenges.

Porsche entered F1 during a period of significant change, with the introduction of the 1.5-liter engine regulations. They competed with their own chassis and a flat-eight engine, which was powerful but complex and unreliable. Their first season showed promise, but they soon struggled to keep up with dominant teams like Ferrari and Lotus.

By 1964, Porsche's fortunes in F1 reached a low point, with ongoing reliability issues and a lack of development resources. Rising costs and the acquisition of the Reutter factory led the company to leave F1 and focus on other racing categories.

In early 2022, Red Bull Racing announced a partnership with Porsche, but the deal fell through by September 2022. Instead, Red Bull partnered with Ford for 2026, leaving Porsche's F1 comeback uncertain.

Porsche remains a prominent part of Formula E racing and the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours racing. Their innovative approach to chassis design influenced future generations in F1 and beyond, and their reputation as one of the most successful manufacturers in motorsports remains unchallenged.

Their departure from F1 was disappointing but served as a reminder of the challenges and opportunities of competing at the highest level of motorsports. Their experience illustrates the complexities that new entrants faced, even in the 1960s when motorsports was not yet a global phenomenon.

Miami GP

What’s different from last year?

We have some back-to-back racing this weekend. Fresh off of Baku we head to Miami for the 5th race of the season. Since last year there have been a few changes to the Grand Prix.

They have expanded the Miami International Autodrome to accommodate the high ticket demand, adding more grandstand seats, new hospitality suites, and an updated 'Campus Pass' for general admission spectators.

With an additional 3,000 grandstand seats, bringing the total to 56,000, an expanded Yacht Club at the MIA Marina, larger Hard Rock Beach Club spaces, 61 new hospitality suites, and two luxurious club spaces – The Vista at Turn 1 and The Boathouse at MIA Marina – the 2023 edition promises to be quite an event. The final general admission ticket release offers an upgraded three-day 'Campus Pass', giving fans the opportunity to explore unique locations around the venue and immerse themselves in the Miami experience.

An all-new 'Team Village' will be located on the pitch inside the stadium, housing the hospitality units for all F1 teams and freeing up space in the original paddock. Fans who purchase general admission Campus Pass tickets can access the 300 level of Hard Rock Stadium and look directly into the village.

As for the track, renowned circuit designers Tilke Engineers & Architects repaved the entire 3.36-mile layout, with a view to promote closer racing, opening up overtaking opportunities. A new, permanent three-tiered Paddock Club building will also be introduced, which can house more than 6,000 guests in premium suites and a luxury rooftop club.

Tyler Epp, President of the Miami Grand Prix, expressed excitement about the upcoming event: "After an incredible debut race, we have been working flat-out to ensure the 2023 event is an even greater experience for everyone visiting Miami."

The first Miami Grand Prix contributed $350 million to the local economy, and this year's race aims to continue supporting the community through various programs, such as an expanded Formula 1 in Schools initiative and collaborations with local Miami Gardens restaurant partners.

Standings

Red Bull extended their lead at the Azerbaijan GP, starting with the sprint where Checo finished first for 8 points and Max secured third place for 6 points.

On race day, Red Bull achieved another 1-2 finish. The circuit remained uneventful after the early safety car. Max was leading when his pitstop timing proved unfortunate, allowing Checo to take the lead and capitalize on the safety car pitstop. For the rest of the race, Checo remained unchallenged, continuing his dominance on circuit tracks.

Checo's win narrowed the gap in the Drivers' Championship, with only 6 points separating him from his teammate Max. This sets up an exciting battle between the two drivers. While they publicly prioritize the team, it's clear that each of them wants the championship. Past teammate battles, such as Rosberg beating Hamilton in 2016, have ended dramatically.

As the rivalry heats up, watch out for how the drivers react to team orders. There may come a point when drivers prioritize their own chances over the team's best interests. If Max and Checo continue their 1-2 streak, tensions could flare. This raises questions about Checo's future with Red Bull – could they consider bringing back Danny if the situation becomes too intense?

Meme of the Week