Top Teams Reveal Their New 2024 Cars

🌎 Around Formula 1

💰 Teams' Entry Fees Tied to Their Success - For the 2024 season, entry fees are directly tied to the teams' performance in the previous year. The fees range from $737,000 for Haas to a record $7,450,000 for Red Bull. The total for all teams is $23,857,000. According to the 2013 Concorde Agreement, the base fee is $657,837, with an additional $6,575 per point scored. However, the constructors' champion pays a higher rate of $7,893 per point. This pricing structure underscores the significant financial commitment required to compete in F1, with costs escalating based on success. More

🤯 Did You Know of the 107% F1 Rule?

1. Qualifying Requirement: Drivers must set a qualifying lap within 107% of the fastest Q1 time. For instance, a 1:30.0 fastest lap sets the 107% cutoff at approximately 1:36.3. Exceeding this limit can lead to disqualification from the race.

2. Safety Focus: Introduced in 1996, the rule aims to prevent much slower cars from racing, addressing potential safety risks.

3. Steward's Discretion: Stewards can waive the rule in special situations like bad weather or if a driver shows competitive times in practice sessions, as seen in the 2016 Hungarian GP.

4. Recent Application and Flexibility: At the 2023 Saudi Arabian GP, Logan Sargeant was allowed to race despite not meeting the 107% time, thanks to satisfactory practice times. This shows the rule's flexibility and focus on overall safety and competitiveness. More

🛞 Drivers

😤 Alonso Criticizes Limited Pre-Season Testing - He’s expressed dissatisfaction with the current pre-season testing format, labeling it "unfair" for drivers. The testing, now reduced to a single three-day session in Bahrain, limits drivers to only one and a half days each to adapt to new cars. Alonso questions why F1, with its significant resources and emphasis on fan engagement, doesn't allow more comprehensive preparation, suggesting a four-day split or two-car testing. More

😳 Leclerc Knew Hamilton to Ferrari Before Contract - He was aware of Ferrari's discussions with Hamilton about a 2025 Formula 1 deal before he signed his new contract. Leclerc, who recently announced a long-term deal with Ferrari, was not surprised by the news of Hamilton joining next year. He’s viewing Hamilton's arrival positively, citing the seven-time world champion's experience and success. Leclerc's contract negotiations were unaffected by Hamilton's potential arrival, focusing instead on what was best for him. More

🏎 Teams

🏎 Red Bull Unveils New Car - They revealed their RB20, a groundbreaking design for their 20th season. The RB20, developed under technical director Pierre Waché and CTO Adrian Newey, showcases continuity with bold innovations. Notable features include long cooling gulleys along the engine cover and a more undercut sidepod radiator inlet. The floor design is simplified, possibly to conceal advanced elements. The RB20's livery remains consistent with previous Red Bull cars. More

🤫 Aston Martin Reveals AMR24 - Unveiling their new car, featuring significant upgrades for the 2024 season. The AMR24 is an advanced evolution of its predecessor, the AMR23, with a focus on improving all aspects of the car's performance. Key changes include a redesigned front nose and wing, and altered bodywork for better aerodynamics. Under the hood, the car boasts several enhancements kept confidential to maintain a competitive edge. Team Principal Mike Krack emphasized the comprehensive development approach, targeting improvements in operations, reliability, and overall car performance. More

🫤 Inside Mercedes' W15 Challenges - The W15 faced development limitations due to two significant factors, as explained by Technical Director James Allison. The team, hoping to rebound from a winless 2023 season, introduced a completely new car concept for the W15, including a new chassis and gearbox. However, these major changes, standard in pre-budget-cap times, have now consumed a significant portion of the team's financial resources under the current budget cap regulations. This financial strain meant that Mercedes had to limit development in other areas of the W15. More

🐎 Ferrari's Fresh Design to Challenge Red Bull - Their latest car for the season, showcases a comprehensive overhaul in design and engineering. The car features a striking new livery with yellow and white stripes, but the most significant changes are under the hood. The SF-24 has been reimagined in every aspect, with a focus on improving driveability and maximizing performance. Key updates include a redesigned nose and sidepods, and a reworked bodywork that differs significantly from last year's model. The car aims to be less sensitive and easier to handle, allowing drivers to push it to its limits more effectively. It was developed with extensive driver feedback, hoping wind tunnel results translate to on-track performance. More

🫣 McLaren's Stealthy Approach with MCL38 Launch - McLaren launched with a deliberate effort to hide specific aerodynamic details. Lando emphasized the importance of not revealing too much too soon in the highly competitive F1 environment. The team chose to release only select images of the new car, keeping key aerodynamic features a secret. This cautious approach reflects McLaren's strategy to protect its intellectual property and maintain a competitive edge. Team principal Andrea Stella supported this decision, noting the convergence of car designs in the new regulations era and the significance of minute details in gaining performance advantages. More

🚀 We also love this newsletter!

Techpresso → ☕️ Gives you a daily rundown of what's happening in tech and what you shouldn't miss. Read by professionals from Google, Apple, OpenAI. One Click Subscribe

📣 ^{Want to advertise in The Racing Recap? Learn more here}