Are Teams Using Illegal Wings?

🌎 Around Formula 1

✈️ Crackdowns on “Illegal” Front Wings - Teams face tighter flexi-wing rules after Italian GP, FIA's directive targets designs exploiting 'localized compliance' for aerodynamic gain. Teams must submit drawings by September 8 to ensure compliance by Singapore GP, while Monza's race retains current designs. Read more

📈 F1 Ticket Demand Growing - Tickets for the 2024 Formula One Australian Grand Prix race day have sold out in two hours, with demand surging. Over 100,000 pre-registered for early access, hinting at a potential record crowd. Read more

🛞 Drivers

🤝 Verstappen + Norris = Teammates? - They’ve discussed a possible F1 teammate scenario. Norris, contracted with McLaren until 2025, expresses openness to comparing performances with Verstappen in the same car, calling him one of the best drivers in F1 history. Read more

👀 Stroll Not Going Anywhere - Aston Martin confirms Stroll's F1 future, dismissing doubts. Team principal, Mike Krack, assures Stroll's presence for 2024. Krack emphasizes Stroll's commitment and hard work, stating team aims to bridge the gap with improved strategies and performance analysis. Read more

🚫 Charles Hasn’t Re-Signed - Leclerc denies signing £160 million Ferrari deal amid rumors. No "serious talks" about a new contract yet. There was also some wild speculations he was going to replace Hamilton if he didn’t re-sign with Merecedes. Read more

🎯 Yuki Claims Unfair Targeting by F1 Stewards - This is after receiving penalties during the Dutch GP, including a five-second penalty and grid drop. He disagreed with the penalty for a clash with George Russell and expressed frustration with his treatment. Read more

🏎 Teams

🐎 Ferrari's Flaws Revealed - They’ve become "even clearer" after setup experiments at the Dutch GP. The team used Friday's practice to address weaknesses in their car. Leclerc's challenging weekend, including a crash and floor damage, emphasized the car's unpredictability as a major issue, affecting cornering and balance. Read more

🔒 Mercedes Locks Down Drivers - Hamilton and Russell extend Mercedes contract to 2025. Their 2-year deals align with current regulations. Russell continues a promising start. The team cites strong pairing and leadership as key factors. Read more

🏎 Aston Martin Using Future Insights - The team employs insights from 2024 F1 car development to upgrade the current AMR23 model throughout the season. FIA cost cap drives early focus on new cars. Lessons from AMR24 influence AMR23 upgrades, aligning with budget margins to push updates deep into the season. Read more

🇮🇹 Italian GP Preview

Monza, the legendary "Temple of Speed" in Italy, hosts the 2023 Italian Grand Prix this weekend. Monza’s rich legacy extends to 1950, a history book studded with historical battles. The track's 5.793km length with a lap record of 1m 21.046s by Rubens Barrichello (2004). Lewis Hamilton has a total of 7 poles here.

Fun fact: The Italian Grand Prix has adorned F1 calendars since its inception, with Monza as its steadfast home, except for a solitary year in… trivia question end of email… when Imola hosted.

Former Renault F1 driver Jolyon Palmer shares insights into Monza’s intricacies. The circuit's unique character is unveiled: the vital art of braking into chicane, navigating the Lesmos, mastering Turn 8/9/10 at Ascari, and blazing through the exhilarating Parabolica.

Bernie Collins, former Aston Martin F1 strategist, reveals Monza’s demand for minimal drag and the hunt for optimal straight-line speeds. Red Bull's speed supremacy beckons attention, especially with the DRS open. The Alternative Tire Allocation's return sparks curiosity, with drivers wielding 11 sets of slick tires. Read more

Teams prepared for the Italian Grand Prix with technical adjustments:

•Ferrari: Trimmed top front wing, low downforce rear wing, double pillar design.

•Alpine: Internal beam for rear floor, ride height sensor on front wing, front brake with teardrop-shaped outlets.

•Aston Martin: Segmented AMR23 front wing, elements for downforce balance.

•Mercedes: Caliper positioning, drilled disc pattern, low downforce wing with trimmed upper flap.

•Red Bull: Multiple rear wing options with varying flaps, Gurney presence, V-groove cut-out, strakes on brake duct.

•AlphaTauri: Flat mainplane low downforce rear wing with arched upper flap.

See images

📊 Standings

The battle for second in the constructors is heating up. Only 54 points separate Ferrari in fourth from Mercedes in second. Alonso is chomping at the bit to get a win this season, racking up podiums along the way. Even though first is locked up, the battle for second is making the races exciting to watch.