Worst F1 Driver Moves of All Time

What if F1 had NASCAR playoffs? | Top duels of the year (watch) | Why Ferrari stalled out in 2023 | Drive to Survive insane numbers

Author

Ryan McCarroll
December 15, 2023

Hey guys, Ryan here, this week we’re covering Formula 1 from all angles, it’s going to be a good one so let’s dive in!

Here’s what we got this week:

  • 🌎 Around Formula 1:

    • 'Drive to Survive' tops charts

    • What if F1 had NASCAR playoffs?

  • 🛞 Drivers: 

    • Worst F1 driver moves of all time

    • Top duels of the year (watch)

    • Drivers workout routine

  • 🏎 Teams:

    • Why Ferrari stalled out in 2023

    • Aston Martin rebrands

    • AlphaTauri's leap from junior to contender

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🌎 Around Formula 1

F1 drivers if they drove NASCAR credit: Picasa

👀 What if F1 Had NASCAR Playoffs? - Imagine F1's 2023 season with NASCAR's playoff system (first half of season is qualifying then rest is playoffs essentially). After Spa, the top 16 drivers enter a 10-race showdown. The first three races (Round of 16) eliminate the lowest scorers. The next three (Round of 12) cut more drivers. The final four races (Round of 8) decide the top contenders.

In Abu Dhabi, Verstappen, Leclerc, Norris, and Perez vie for the title. Verstappen still wins, but the journey's packed with drama, like Hamilton's Austin disqualification scare and Perez's narrow escape. Obviously, this is so far outside of what F1 does but it’s interesting to think of what it would look like if there was some kind of playoff like this. Read more

🚀 'Drive to Survive' Tops Charts - Netflix's "Drive to Survive" docuseries, showcasing the inner workings of Formula 1, ranks as the most-watched sports docuseries with 90.2 million hours viewed in the first half of 2023, according to Netflix's engagement report. Read more

🛞 Drivers

Worst F1 Driver Moves of All Time

- Ricciardo: Red Bull to Renault (2019) - Switching from Red Bull to Renault in 2019 didn't yield the expected results. Despite a few podiums, he couldn't match Red Bull's performance.

- Alonso: Ferrari to McLaren (2015) - Moving to McLaren-Honda in 2015 was ill-fated. Plagued by power unit issues and chassis problems, he endured a frustrating period, far from championship contention.

- Villeneuve: Williams to BAR (1999) - Transitioning to BAR in 1999 after a successful stint at Williams led to a sharp decline in performance, with no wins or poles thereafter.

- Mansell: Williams to McLaren (1995) - Mansell's brief stint at McLaren in 1995 was marked by compatibility issues and poor results, leading to an early exit.

- Alesi: Tyrrell to Ferrari (1991) - Decision to join Ferrari instead of Williams in 1991 resulted in a career with only one win, missing out on Williams' dominant years. Funny how the times have changed

- Fittipaldi: McLaren to Fittipaldi (1976) - Went to his brother's Copersucar team in 1976 saw a decline in F1 results, although he later found success in CART. Read more

🤺 Top Duels of the Year - Relive the 2023 F1 season's top 10 battles, featuring intense on-track duels like Perez vs. Piastri in Hungary and the Ferrari showdown at Monza. Watch them 

💪 Drivers Workout Routine - Lando Norris has a unique fitness routine that strengthens his body against the intense demands of racing. Focusing on areas like shoulders, chest, lower body, and especially the neck, Norris uses exercises like rowing, cycling, squats, and resistance training to build endurance and withstand high G-forces. See video

🏎 Teams

✋ Why Ferrari Stalled Out in 2023 - Despite early promise, the car struggled with aerodynamics, particularly on high-downforce tracks. Chassis limitations, especially around the sidepods, restricted further improvements. Chassis technical director explained that the car's design, including the placement of electronics and side impact structures, became a constraint, preventing a mid-season overhaul. This led Ferrari to focus on their 2024 car, aiming for a design that's not just faster but also more consistent across various conditions. Read more

🚨 Aston Martin Rebrands - The team rebrands as Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, reflecting an extended title partnership with Saudi energy giant Aramco. Read more

👑 AlphaTauri's Leap from Junior to Contender - Ricciardo sees AlphaTauri evolving beyond its 'junior team' status. Teaming up with Tsunoda, Ricciardo believes 2024 will showcase the team's competitive growth and ambition, aiming to prove their capabilities on the track with new strategies and a refreshed outlook. Read more

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Last Week’s Trivia Results

Which team holds the record for most Constructors' Championships?

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Ferrari (172)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ McLaren (58)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Mercedes (60)

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Red Bull (25)

Ferrari holds the lead at 16 with McLaren and Merecedes at 8 and Red Bull 6.