2024 Formula 1 Preview & Review.

[Fortitude]

New arrival on F1 2026 calendar as Mercedes W15 drivers face nervy wait – F1 news round-up.
Mercedes technical director James Allison has said both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell are in a pattern of keeping in touch with the team where they can, but all they can do for now is keep ‘observing’ until the W15 is ready to drive.
23 Jan 2024 10:00 PM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

“Both drivers, their role over the winter is very largely to look after their physical condition,” he said, as quoted by Motorsport.com. “[To] make sure that they’re mentally prepared, and just stay in touch with us about our successes and failures as we are going through the hoops of getting the car specified, built, tested, and ready for them.”

“It isn’t really a part of the year where they can have other than an observing role with what we’re doing. Once the car is running and once the car is talking to us, the person that is the interpreter is the driver, and then their voices start to have much greater weight. So over the winter, it’s just getting themselves ready for the new challenge.”

‘New arrival on F1 2026 calendar’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/f1-new...es-drivers-w15


F1 expert says one team’s aero department aren’t putting their drivers’ best interests first
Tue 23 January 2024 16:00
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Speaking on The Race Podcast, F1 expert Gary Anderson is concerned with the team’s aerodynamics department and the progress they’re making. Anderson is now concerned that Alpine are producing results in the wind tunnel that might be pleasing the management team but not the drivers. Speaking about Alpine’s development, Anderson said: “These cars don’t just go in straight lines, they do go around corners and I’ve never heard of a driver complain of understeer and oversteer in a straight line, it’s usually around a corner. So, you need to get your aerodynamic package to cope with all of that stuff. And that’s where I think that I’m a bit cautious in saying that Alpine seem to not be able to take in the big picture so much.”

“I think they run under a little bit of a strange thing where it’s more important to find points of downforce in the wind tunnel to make their management happy than it is to find points of consistent downforce in the wind tunnel that will make the driver happy. There are teams that are like that, you’ve got to go back and show your big boss, look at how good we are in the wind tunnel and it’s wrong. Sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards and it’s very important to do that.”

“The driver can only drive what is the confidence the car gives him and if it gives him confidence he will push harder. I question I suppose, Alpine’s aerodynamic ability to lay out an aero profile that they try and pursue in the wind tunnel. I think they go at it just week in, week out trying to improve the car but it’s very easy to dig a bigger hole for yourself than the one you’re in by just making your problems bigger.”

‘Producing results in the wind tunnel that might be pleasing the management team’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/f1-...terests-first/


Racing ID: Palmer dissects the driving styles of the 2024 F1 grid
23 Jan 2024
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

In this new F1 TV show, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer jumps in the sim to dissect the driving techniques and styles of the 2024 F1 drivers.

‘Racing ID: Palmer dissects the driving styles’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...826282386.html


The Drive to Excel: Top Five F1 Teams Facing a Crucial 2024
Posted: Jan 23, 2024 | Updated: Jan 23, 2024
By Aaron Teasdale
World In Sport

This season is crucial for several teams who are under the spotlight to demonstrate their capabilities. Let’s delve into five teams that are particularly under pressure to prove their worth this year.
Aston Martin: With substantial investment and a state-of-the-art facility in the making, Aston Martin is expected to break out of the midfield and challenge the top teams.

McLaren: The 2024 season is pivotal for McLaren to re-establish themselves as a top-tier competitor.
Alpine: h a strong driver lineup and a renewed focus on technological advancement, the team is under pressure to return to the forefront of the grid and live up to its name.

Williams F1 Team: The 2024 season is crucial for Williams to demonstrate that they can recapture some of their past glory.
Haas F1 Team: The 2024 season is a crucial year for Haas to prove that they can be more than just an occasional points scorer.

‘F1 Teams Facing a Crucial 2024’;

https://worldinsport.com/the-drive-t.../?nowprocket=1


F1 chiefs ‘green light’ sprint race changes: Will we see reverse grids?
January 23, 2024
By Joe Krishnan
Total Motorsport

Formula 1 chiefs are ready to make further changes to the current format of the F1 Sprint to ensure the divisive race format is accepted on a wider scale by fans, drivers and teams. Sprint races have changed the face of F1 to bring in more racing action for the new influx of fans, but not everyone is satisfied with the way the format has altered the fabric of motorsport’s most esteemed racing series.

According to German magazine Motorsport Aktuell, the idea of swapping the F1 Sprint to Saturday morning and scheduling Qualifying for Sunday’s race on Saturday afternoon has received the green light. Under this proposal, teams would be allowed to break parc ferme rules without receiving a sanction and offering spectators some variety in the main event.

This will please Max Verstappen, who has been one of the most vocal critics of the format, despite amassing the most points from the sprint since its inception in 2021. The Dutchman believes that practice is more important for teams to set up their cars and thinks sprint races should be abolished completely. “We should just get rid of the sprint weekend and then everyone can just set up their cars normally,” Verstappen told reporters in October.

‘F1 chiefs ‘green light’ sprint race changes’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-green-light-sprint-race-changes-reverse-grids-2024/


VIDEO: Whatever it Takes, the AlphaTauri F1 documentary
The world of motor racing is all about speed, adrenalin and incredible stories and our team is no exception.
24 January 2024
by Speedcafe.com
Speedcafe

Franz Tost, Pierre Gasly, Yuki Tsunoda, Jody Egginton and Peter Bayer talk you through the beating heart of the AlphaTauri F1 team in the ‘Whatever it Takes' F1 documentary. Going behind the scenes as never before in Formula 1, the film delves into the secrets of the Faenza factory in Italy and the Bicester wind tunnel in the UK.

It's a story that goes back to the Scuderia Toro Rosso days, which included its first-ever win at Monza in 2008 and the challenges it faced in the years that followed. It also features the team's drivers over the past 20 years, such as Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, as well as covering the change to Scuderia AlphaTauri in 2020, with new facilities, more ambitious goals and another win.

‘Speed, adrenalin and incredible stories’;


https://speedcafe.com/video-whatever...1-documentary/

[Fortitude]

Haas new boss admits 2024 car likely to be slowest.
There's less than a month left until pre-season testing, so I think the car we'll take to Bahrain will still be at the bottom”, Ayao Komatsu said.
JANUARY 23, 2024
GrandPrix.com

The new team boss is an internal promotion, with engineering chief Ayao Komatsu stepping up to the top job. Komatsu says the goal for 2024 is moving up to eighth overall, which he admits may sound modest but is actually “a big deal” when it means beating teams like Sauber, Alpha Tauri or Williams.

“I think it will be difficult for us to overtake two teams on our own, rather than relying on others, he said. "Both Alfa Romeo (Sauber) and Williams have better budgets and systems than us.”

"And Alpha Tauri has also improved significantly and it is said that they will strengthen their partnership with Red Bull this year, so there is a possibility that we will not be able to compete.”

‘2024 car likely to be slowest’;

https://www.grandprix.com/news/haas-...e-slowest.html


Guenther Steiner points finger at Ferrari for sudden Haas pre-pandemic slump
20 Jan 2024 8:00 PM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

Guenther Steiner has detailed the drop in performance of the Ferrari power unit as one of the reasons behind Haas not achieving as much in his tenure as he had hoped. Ferrari had arguably the most powerful engine on the grid in 2018 and 2019, though rivals questioned the potential legality of it at the time.

There were suspicions that the Scuderia had managed to circumvent fuel flow sensor restrictions to be able to extract more power from their engines, and eventually came to a private settlement with the FIA which did not clarify whether or not their power unit was legal.

“The FIA announces that, after thorough technical investigations, it has concluded its analysis of the operation of the Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 power unit and reached a settlement with the team,” the FIA’s statement at the time said. “The specifics of the agreement will remain between the parties.” What did change afterwards, however, was Ferrari’s power unit competitiveness – in that it noticeably worsened the following season, according to Steiner.

‘Drop in performance of the Ferrari power unit’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/guenth...erformance-dip


Gary Anderson: This is what will make or break Komatsu's Haas
Jan 20, 2024
by Gary Anderson
The Race

New Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu is right when he says "the key word is communication" as he tries to work out ways to make what the 2023 points table says is the worst team in Formula 1 work better. You need to get everyone to buy into the big plan. In Haas’s case, those in the team will have a good idea of what is possible and Guenther Steiner believed more investment was needed to have the chance to deliver on the owner's long-term objectives.

Komatsu will need to convince his subordinates there's a clear pathway forward - which is also simply part of that process of building Gene Haas’s confidence that the team is now capable of spending his money wisely to improve performance and not just spending it to exist. There’s also the risk posed by having the team boss role effectively split. Komatsu says he will focus on his area of expertise, with a chief operating officer due to join the team to oversee marketing and commercial matters and some of the other functions of the team.

As far as Haas is concerned, last year it had a reasonably quick car in qualifying but faded dramatically over a race stint. Often, a Haas started in the top 10 but before you knew it was running 15th or 16th and making an earlier pitstop than others. The solution to that isn’t simply adding downforce, it’s about how the car is treating the tyres. Those problems can be aerodynamic, mechanical, or a combination of both. Internal communication will have been critical to set the direction for recovery. And it seems that side of things wasn't perfect - as Komatsu has admitted, communication played a part in the lack of development last year.

‘What will make or break Komatsu's Haas’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/g...-boss-cant-do/


New Haas boss believes driver will benefit from 'improved' car
Sunday 21 January 2024 17:57
Tyler Rowlinson
GPFans

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu believes that the team’s new car will better suit Kevin Magnussen and his driving style compared to its predecessor.

Komatsu: We have improved 2024 car: Speaking with f1i.com, the Japanese engineer said: “I wouldn’t say eliminated, that’s a big word,” the Japanese engineer said when asked about Magnussen’s driving woes. “But certainly, we have improved on it. He’s a driver who needs good entry stability and consistent [handling] through a corner.”

‘Driver will benefit from 'improved' car’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...oved-car-2024/


F1 boss tells owner his team should be embarrassed after viral comments
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has taken over from ousted chief Guenther Steiner, after which owner Gene Haas declared himself "embarrassed" by the team's results
07:10, Tue, 23 Jan 2024.
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
The Mirror

Ayao Komatsu insists the owner of the Haas Formula 1 team has every right to be embarrassed by their results in recent years. "We have been using a lot of their hardware. It works really well. They really do help us. I'm embarrassed that we haven't been able to do better with it but, going forward, I want to take advantage of good equipment that a lot of other teams don't have."

The word "embarrassed" was picked up on the most and prompted some people to question how the team's staff would take hearing that from their employer. But new chief Komatsu, who has worked for the team since 2016, insists the owner is justified in his strong comments.

"Gene at the moment, he wants to get off the back of the grid," said the Japanese engineer. "You saw and heard how unhappy Gene was. I mean, of course, who's going to be happy competing in last place? It is embarrassing. It really is embarrassing.”

‘Should be embarrassed after viral comments’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...ssing-31943260

[Fortitude]

Lando Norris to Red Bull F1 transfer fee revealed by McLaren boss.
McLaren F1 CEO Zak Brown has told Red Bull that there is no amount of money that the team would accept to part ways with Lando Norris after questions of a £100million price-tag were put to him.
Monday 22 January 2024 08:27
Matthew Hobkinson
GPFans

Brown: Forget about Norris F1 price-tag: Yet McLaren chief Brown has now issued somewhat of a hands-off warning to Christian Horner's outfit, stating that there is no figure that the team would consider parting ways with Norris.

“I don’t know enough about soccer to know what the economics are!" Brown joked to Sky Sports when asked if Norris would be worth £100million in the football transfer market. He’s quite a valuable racing driver, a great asset to the racing team. There is no number that we would be interested in trading him for.”

‘No amount of money’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ax-verstappen/


McLaren issue firm 10-word response to Red Bull as Lando Norris rumours persist
17 Jan 2024 5:00 PM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

Should Red Bull at any stage decide they were to turn interest in Lando Norris into an attempt to sign him, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has warned “there’s no number we’d be interested in trading him for.”

Brown stressed targeting Norris would be pointless as he is priceless to the team. “He’s a great asset to the racing team,” Brown said of Norris when speaking to Sky Sports F1. “There’s no number we’d be interested in trading him for.”

‘10-word response’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/mclare...norris-rumours


McLaren determined to hold on to Norris whatever the cost
20/01/2024 at 10:13
Andrew Lewin
F1i.com

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has stated his intention to hold on to the services of lead driver Lando Norris, even if rival teams come calling with big money offers. Norris is currently contracted to remain with the team until the end of 2025, but there have been recurring reports that other teams like Red Bull have made their interest in signing in the 24-year-old Briton known.

“He’s quite a valuable racing driver, a great asset to the racing team," Brown said. “There is no number that we would be interested in trading him for.” According to business magazine Forbes, Norris received $5m in salary from McLaren in 2023, plus an additional $10m in performance bonuses, making him the sixth-highest earner on the grid.

‘Determined to hold on to Norris’;

https://f1i.com/news/498118-mclaren-...-the-cost.html


Is McLaren yet to unlock Norris's full F1 potential?
McLaren is confident Lando Norris's potential has not been maximised yet as its star driver keeps chasing an elusive maiden Formula 1 win.
UPDATED JAN 21, 2024, 10:42 PM
AUTHOR Ben Vinel
Motorsport.com

Off the back of his most successful season in F1, Norris has strengthened his status as the Woking-based squad's lead driver, having scored more than twice as many points as rookie team-mate Oscar Piastri and achieved seven podium finishes – more than in his first four campaigns combined.

Albeit scoring points consistently, Norris alternated podiums with lower-key results and made a few costly mistakes: clipping the wall in Q1 at the Saudi Arabian GP, colliding at the start at Barcelona and crashing out of the inaugural Las Vegas GP.

Asked where Norris's mistakes came from, Stella said: “I don’t think there is a single element that one should identify on the track. I think that when you deal with champions, when you deal with delivering at such a high level in professional sport, you need to look at opportunities very holistically.”

‘Clipping the wall, colliding at the start, crashing out’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/m...tial/10567505/


McLaren certain Norris is “ready” to claim first F1 win in 2024
McLaren team boss Andrea Stella is confident Lando Norris is capable of taking his maiden F1 victory in 2024 should he be given the machinery to do so.
18 Jan 2024
Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net

Despite being one of F1’s top performers since the start of 2021, a first victory has eluded Norris. Norris famously went close at the 2021 Russian Grand Prix, but failure to stop at the right time for intermediates handed the victory to Lewis Hamilton.

Since then, McLaren’s competitiveness - combined with Max Verstappen’s utter dominance - has meant that winning a grand prix hasn’t been a realistic goal. With McLaren expected to reduce the deficit to Red Bull over the winter, it could be Norris’ time to finally win a race.

‘Capable of taking his maiden F1 victory in 2024’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/104360...st-f1-win-2024


Lando Norris issues typical one-word verdict after McLaren reveals 2024 Formula 1 livery
Wed 17 January 2024 09:00
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

McLaren shocked the Formula 1 world by revealing their livery for the 2024 season ahead of their official car launch and star driver Lando Norris has now reacted to the car he’ll be driving this season. The start of the F1 season is fast approaching and McLaren jumped the gun on their rivals to reveal the car they’ll be showcasing around the world this season.

Norris was straight into the replies and when he saw the car, he said: “Lesgggoooo.”

“Lesgggoooo”;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/lan...mula-1-livery/

[Fortitude]

Ferrari F1 star signs BUMPER contract extension.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc has signed a new contract with his Ferrari team, easing fears about the Monegasque drivers' future.
Thursday 25 January 2024 15:06
Sam Cook
GPFans

Leclerc, like his team-mate Carlos Sainz, was only contracted until the end of 2024, and rumours had started to creep in that the Monegasque driver wasn't happy with his team's short-term chances of challenging Red Bull for championship titles. However, a recent statement on both drivers' futures eased concerns, and this new announcement comes as a big boost ahead of the upcoming 2024 season.

It was reported last month that Leclerc was close to signing a contract until the end of 2029, but that date has not been confirmed by the team. "I’m very pleased to know that I will be wearing the Scuderia Ferrari race suit for several more seasons to come," Leclerc delightedly told Ferrari's official website.

"To race for this team has been my dream since I was three years old: I used to watch the Monaco Grand Prix from the window of a friend’s apartment at Ste. Devote corner and I would always look out for the red cars. This team is my second family ever since I joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016 and we have achieved a lot together, fighting through thick and thin over the past five years.”

‘BUMPER contract’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...act-extension/


Charles Leclerc’s ‘likely’ length of new contract reported as he extends Ferrari deal
Thu 25 January 2024 15:00
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Charles Leclerc has become the first of 15 drivers whose contracts expire at the end of 2024 to sign a new deal as he extends his time with Ferrari. The Formula 1 driver market is expected to be incredibly active in 2024 after every single driver was retained for this season, but Ferrari have already set the ball rolling on retaining one of the fastest drivers on the grid.

The team released a statement on Thursday afternoon confirming the news about the Monegasque driver, who shared that the ‘dream continues’ on his personal social media accounts. Talking about his new deal, Charles Leclerc said: “I’m very pleased to know that I will be wearing the Scuderia Ferrari race suit for several more seasons to come.

Gazzetta’s report is backed up by journalist Diego Mejia who said on X: “Ferrari announces the long-awaited renewal of Charles Leclerc’s contract for several seasons before starting their sixth year together in #F1. “There is talk of an agreement until 2029, with an option to exit before the final two years. Will they achieve the desired title?”

‘Length of new contract reported’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/cha...-ferrari-deal/


Leclerc teases 'best is yet to come' as he commits to F1 title fight with Ferrari
25 January 3:15PM
Author Rory Mitchell
RacingNews365

Leclerc himself was happy to continue his partnership with the team, despite the on-track troubles that plagued his 2023 season. "I’m very pleased to know that I will be wearing the Scuderia Ferrari race suit for several more seasons to come," said Leclerc.

“I believe the best is yet to come and I can’t wait for this season to start, to make further progress and be competitive at every race. My dream remains that of winning the World Championship with Ferrari and I’m sure that in the years ahead, we will enjoy great times together and make our fans happy."

'Best is yet to come';

https://racingnews365.com/leclerc-te...t-with-ferrari


Charles Leclerc is gambling his F1 legacy with latest Ferrari contract
25 Jan 2024 4:00 PM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com

It is sometimes easy to forget just how difficult it is to become the F1 World Champion. Of the 770 drivers to have started a championship race, only 111 of them have won a grand prix. Just 34 have won a championship.

Leclerc is heading into his seventh season of competition and, at 26, is entering what many would consider the prime of his career. And yet, what does he have to show for it so far? Five victories has him tied with the likes of Keke Rosberg and John Watson who, good drivers that they are, are not the level of driver Leclerc was being predicted to emulate.

To make matters worse, a man just 17 days younger than him is competing for what many suspect will be his fourth World Championship. Leclerc and Max Verstappen’s talent may not be poles apart – but their teams certainly are. Red Bull are a brutally efficient machine, Ferrari are never too far away from the wheels falling off.

‘Scuderia Ferrari: Never too far away from the wheels falling off’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/charle...rrari-contract


Ferrari would be negligent to let Sainz slip despite Leclerc deal
Jan 25, 2024
by Edd Straw
The Race

It’s puzzling that Ferrari’s formal confirmation of Charles Leclerc’s long-touted new deal to drive for the team in Formula 1 hasn’t been accompanied by the announcement that Carlos Sainz is also staying on. Ferrari must prioritise getting a signature on that new contract, too, given it has a formidable driver line-up.

Ferrari will never say it, but Leclerc is regarded as the number one driver. That’s not because of being given better equipment or any nefarious activities, simply that he’s reckoned to be the faster of the two. However, Sainz is not far behind and is far from slow. While Leclerc offers that extreme speed, to the point where some regard him as the fastest driver in F1, Sainz offers a different skill set and makes a formidable technical contribution.

Plus, there are times when the car characteristics aren’t as hoped, such as if it has to be a little more understeery, where he can get more out of it than Leclerc. Sainz's desire for stability doesn't necessarily mean he needs a five-year mega contract - it seems probable that a traditional ‘2+1’ deal (two years and an option) would work for him and that should work for Ferrari, too. While there are tempting options elsewhere who might become available, it would be risky to lose a driver who offers so much for the team.

‘Carlos Sainz: Formidable technical contribution’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/f...ract-priority/


Marko: Red Bull pulled Verstappen and Sainz apart over 'toxic' relationship
23 January 4:30PM
Author Jan van der Burgt
RacingNews365

Red Bull Motorsport Advisor Helmut Marko has revealed Carlos Sainz's time as part of the team's stable of drivers was ended due to a "toxic" relationship with Max Verstappen. Asked why his time as part of the Red Bull programme came to an end, Marko told Marca: "The atmosphere between those two was quite toxic at Toro Rosso.

"With the team composition as it was then, I saw no way we could keep Carlos for us. So that's how he ended up at Ferrari via Renault and McLaren. He is undeniably a great driver. He was almost on the same level as Max in that Toro Rosso, but his bad luck was that precisely - Verstappen was his teammate."

"For a long time, he lived in the shadow of his father. He was unfairly labelled a spoiled rich kid, that while he has had to constantly struggle to get where he is today. In the junior categories, he was already dead fast and in his first F1 test at Silverstone, from the start, he was just a bit faster than Sebastian Vettel in the fast corners at the time when Seb was the benchmark for us."

‘Carlos Sainz: He is undeniably a great driver’;

https://racingnews365.com/marko-red-...c-relationship


Max Verstappen dealt F1 rival Carlos Sainz brutal blow as Red Bull reunion considered
Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz have been F1 team-mates before when they raced for the Toro Rosso feeder team, and rumours suggest the Spaniard could be a target for Red Bull
17:51, Tue, 23 Jan 2024.
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
The Mirror

Max Verstappen ended Carlos Sainz's chances of earning a Red Bull promotion years ago - as rumours swirl that they could be reunited again. Gazzetta dello Sport reports Red Bull could also make a move. The 29-year-old is said to be on the champions' shortlist of potential replacements for Sergio Perez. The Mexican struggled last season and is fighting for his future with the team - his current contract expires at the end of this year.

Such an outcome would see Sainz paired once again with Verstappen. And Red Bull would hope that things between them go a lot better than they did last time, when things got out of hand as they competed to outshine each other at Toro Rosso early in their respective F1 careers. Verstappen clearly won that battle - he is now the Red Bull poster boy with three world titles and 54 race wins to his name, while Sainz's career has been akin to that of a journeyman.

He left Toro Rosso for Renault and later joined McLaren, working his way up the grid to the Ferrari seat he holds today. As has been the case for many years, Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko has been in charge of the development of the company's younger drivers. So he had a front-row seat to the internal battle between Verstappen and Sainz at Toro Rosso and, reflecting on that period, feels the Spaniard never stood a chance.

‘Red Bull reunion considered’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...-2025-31950546

[Matthew]

After Leclerc's new long term contract with Ferrari, I wonder what would be the future of Carlos at Ferrari?

[Fortitude]

Wolff offers first feedback on Mercedes' W15 after simulator runs.
"He was driving Melbourne [in the sim] and he said: 'The car feels like a car for the first time in two years'," Wolff said of Davidson's development work to The Telegraph.
20 January 2:30PM
Author Jake Nichol
RacingNews365

Toto Wolff has offered an encouraging first update on the Mercedes W15 after simulation runs. As part of the development, former F1 racer, turned WEC champion turned Sky pundit Anthony Davidson has been completing simulator work at the squad's Brackley base, with Wolff revealing Davidson has been impressed by what he has felt.

Toto Wolff: "Obviously, I would love this to correlate to the track but we've seen in the last two years that this was not always the case. [I] always believe it's possible [to develop and catch Red Bull]. You cannot start the season with an attitude of: 'This is not going to be possible.'

"We saw last year with McLaren what a huge step they made with a single upgrade. We've signed a two-year deal with Lewis, and we owe it to him, to George and to all the team to give it our full attention in 2024 and 2025. I think it's possible."

‘Feedback on Mercedes' W15’;

https://racingnews365.com/wolff-offe...simulator-runs


Sky F1 pundit test hints strong Mercedes W15 title potential
Thursday 18 January 2024 09:57
Dan Ripley
GPFans

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff claims that early reports over the team's 2024 F1 car have been highly encouraging. After a mistake in a development path heading into 2022, the team have struggled since and are now trying to get back to winning ways.

Mercedes W15 showing good signs in simulator: Now Wolff has revealed that in simulation tests carried out virtually at the Albert Park street circuit by former F1 driver and current Sky pundit Anthony Davidson, the latest Mercedes, thought to be called the W15, is back to its swaggering ways that helped them towards world championships.

‘Strong Mercedes W15 title potential’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ar-toto-wolff/


Wolff reveals Mercedes improvement ahead of new F1 season
17 January 4:30PM
Author Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has revealed that his squad is looking to tighten up their pit stop procedures for the 2024 Formula 1 season. Mercedes was left languishing in the bottom half of the standings, indicating that its pit stops were not up to scratch during the campaign.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Wolff explained that Mercedes has focused on improving “areas such as wheel-locking mechanisms and axle materials” for its pit stops. “I think the regulations, how they were laid out a few years ago, we interpreted them in a very conservative way,” he stated. “And we’ve seen other teams doing it differently. So watch this space. I think it’s going to be very different.”

Although it is enduring a dip in form, Wolff is confident that Mercedes can deliver Hamilton a record-breaking eighth World Championship before he retires. “The answer is clearly yes in capital letters,” he said. “There is a reason Lewis is a seven-time world champion, and has broken all the records… his ability is on a different level. If we are able to give him a car that he actually feels, that drives in a way that he can trust, he will be on the level that’s needed to win the championship. 39 is no age.”

‘Mercedes improvement’;

https://racingnews365.com/wolff-reve...-new-f1-season


Toto Wolff shares one aspect of Mercedes performance that will be ‘very different’ in 2024
Mon 22 January 2024 20:00
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff believes that the team’s pitstops in 2024 will be much sharper than in previous seasons. Fans of Formula 1 during the refuelling era would be shocked at the idea of McLaren completing a pitstop in Qatar in 1.80 seconds.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Toto Wolff shared more details about what to expect from the Silver Arrows this year. Mercedes may have finished runner-up to Red Bull last year, but Christian Horner’s team were in a different league. They finished more than 450 points behind the Austrian team and Max Verstappen would have quite easily beaten their tally on his own.

Lewis Hamilton went a second straight season without a win while George Russell struggled compared to his debut season in Mercedes back in 2022. Hamilton did well to challenge Sergio Perez for much of the year but in the end, the raw speed of the Mexican was too much for the seven-time champion. However, a small improvement Wolff hopes Mercedes can make this year is their pitstops.

‘Very different’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/tot...erent-in-2024/


Mercedes will drop ‘conservative’ approach
Mercedes have identified improving their pitstops as something which must happen to compete for wins.
24 January 2024
by Nick Golding
Formula1News

In order to take the fight to Red Bull and fight for victory, Mercedes must improve in all areas, with pitstops being one of them. To become faster, the Silver Arrows have put more resources into wheel-locking mechanisms and axle materials, with Wolff promising that the outfit won’t be as “conservative” in 2024.

He admits that the team didn’t take any risks when it came to pitstops when the new regulations were introduced, something which has to change to be truly competitive at each Grand Prix. If Mercedes are able to produce pitstops around the two-second mark on a regular basis in 2024, then this will work massively in their favour.

However, for it to be truly effective, they need to have a competitive car. Mercedes are very optimistic about their 2024 challenger – the W15 – which will be introduced on February 14. An entirely new concept based on what they’ve learnt from their mistakes has been developed by the German manufacturer, who are desperate to return to winning ways this year.

‘To be truly effective, they need to have a competitive car’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/mercedes-...tive-approach/

[Fortitude]

Big Aston Martin breakthrough as AMR24 build plans come to light.
“I think now we can go to any track and we know what parts to put together to be the best on that track,” Tom McCullough.
25 Jan 2024 11:30 AM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com

Performance director Tom McCullough suggests they “know what parts” to bring to a circuit. “We want to build a car that doesn’t need to change the setup so much to always be strong.”

It has also been a period of immense change at their Silverstone HQ with their new factory being unveiled ahead of the British Grand Prix last season. But even if the doors have now been opened, the factory is still being renovated. “We are still in the process of every time I go back, the factory’s changing,” McCullough said.

‘Big Aston Martin breakth’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/aston-...24-build-plans


The Alonso factor powering Aston Martin into new F1 season
It cannot be understated the impact Fernando Alonso had on Aston Martin last year.
24 January 2024
by Ian Parkes
Speedcafe

“We had a driver where you would have thought it was his first season (in F1),” said team principal Mike Krack concerning a man who undoubtedly belied his 42 years of age. Outlining that Alonso did not simply join Aston Martin for the pay cheque, Krack said: “A lot of drivers go to smaller teams, and they try to take what they can through to the end of their career. This is not what we have seen with Fernando. Actually, it's completely the opposite.”

“We had a driver where you would have thought it was his first season. He was full of energy, not only driving us on but also driving himself on. He really led by example, being the first in the office. You arrive in the morning, and he is sitting there. He would (jokingly) say, ‘Good afternoon guys'. This leading by example has affected the team, pushed the team, and we have a much better team now than 12 months ago.”

“Obviously, this is also credit to others, not only to Fernando, but this has made us improve much, much more than we would have if he was not here.” Unfortunately for Aston Martin, it was unable to maintain the dizzying heights reached in those early grands prix.

‘The Alonso factor’;

https://speedcafe.com/the-alonso-fac...new-f1-season/


Alonso: Unyielding in the pursuit of success
11:58 Wed, 24 Jan 2024.
F1i.com

On social media, Fernando Alonso entitled this close-up shot of himself in Aston Martin’s simulator, “Locked in. No distractions”. And that’s exactly what the picture conveys: a laser-focused F1 driver, ensconced in his team’s sim, his eyes fixed on the virtual track unfolding before him.

Aston and Alonso’s preparations for 2024 are in full flight. Team and driver face the big task of recapturing their early-season form from last year and re-establishing themselves as proper contenders for podiums and hopefully victories.

At 42, Alonso’s determination remains unwavering, his hunger for victory undimmed. But the road ahead is fraught with obstacles, and the path to success will require not only individual brilliance but also collective effort. Bring it on!

‘Bring it on!’;

https://f1i.com/images/498273-alonso...f-success.html


‘There’s always another question’ – Krack reveals how ‘prowling’ Alonso’s commitment is shining through at Aston Martin
24 January 2024
Formula One - Official Site

Aston Martin team boss Mike Krack has opened up about Fernando Alonso’s “outstanding” contribution to the squad during his first season onboard, describing his experience and commitment as “invaluable”. “What Fernando has brought us is just outstanding,” said Krack. “He drives us on and makes us better – it’s that simple really.”

“He is hugely ambitious and wants to be fighting for podiums every weekend. “The experience he brings is invaluable, but also the commitment. He isn’t one of these drivers who turn up on a race weekend, does their thing and then disappears. There’s always another question, another WhatsApp message pinging in, constantly looking for things we could improve.”

“Having him prowling around behind you provides all the motivation anyone could need. I’m looking forward to what he can do in 2024 now that he’s had a year to fully bed into Aston Martin.”

‘There’s always another question’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...Ao04UShPC.html


Aston’s Krack: ‘Having too much on our plate doesn’t matter’
23/01/2024 at 15:21
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack dismissed any notion that the team's move into its new factory last season was the cause of its mid-season slump, insisting the Silverstone-based outfit never had “too much on its plate”. Aston Martin emerged at the outset of the 2023 Formula 1 season as a surprise contender, closely challenging Red Bull and securing six podiums in the first eight races, courtesy of Fernando Alonso's impressive performances.

Krack acknowledged that the team had anticipated a decline in competitiveness but admitted that it came sooner than expected. “At the beginning of the year, when we had these good results, I always had my finger up and said: ‘We will have more difficult times’. And they came, unfortunately, much quicker than we wanted them,” Krack told Autosport.

‘Sooner than expected’;

https://f1i.com/news/498241-astons-k...nt-matter.html

[Fortitude]

Final F1 2024 launch confirmed as Haas give short notice for VF-24 reveal.
Haas have announced that the VF-24, their 2024 challenger, will be launched on Friday 2 February – becoming the first F1 car to be launched ahead of the new season.
26 Jan 2024 2:19 PM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

Haas are the final team to confirm their launch date but will be the first team to break cover on their car for 2024. A time of 9am EST [2pm GMT] has been confirmed for the Haas launch, which will be the team’s first of the post-Guenther Steiner era.

Haas finished bottom of the Constructors’ standings last season as their 2023 car struggled to maintain its tyre life during races, despite promising one-lap pace.

F1 2024 launch dates in full
Haas: February 2
Williams: February 5
Stake F1: February 5
Alpine: February 7
Visa Cash App RB: February 8
Aston Martin: February 12
Ferrari: February 13
McLaren: February 14 [car launch, livery revealed on January 16]
Mercedes: February 14
Red Bull: February 15

‘VF-24 reveal’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/haas-f...unch-confirmed


Haas to reveal F1 2024 livery next week
14:40 Fri, 26 Jan 2024.
AUTHORMatt Kew
Motorsport.com

Haas, which finished bottom of the constructors' championship last season, has revealed on social media that it will show off its colour scheme on 2 February. It will use computer renders to do so.

In previous seasons, Haas has tended to go earlier than its rivals by releasing digital images of its livery for the forthcoming campaign.

Haas had already revealed that its new car would run for the first time at Silverstone on 11 February as part of a double shakedown plan ahead of pre-season testing in Bahrain.

‘Computer rendered colour scheme reveal 2 February’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/h...week/10569428/


Haas announce launch date for 2024 F1 car
26 January 3:12PM
Author Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365

The Haas Formula 1 squad has announced when it will launch its 2024 car the VF-24, pulling the wraps of its challenger on February 2. It will be the first team to unveil its new car ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Haas finished bottom of the Constructors' Championship for the second time in three years in 2023 as it endured a difficult campaign. The US-owned squad is entering a new era this year with Ayao Komatsu at the helm of the squad following the dismissal of Guenther Steiner.

“The 2024 car is a clear step,” Komatsu said prior to the launch of the car. “But whether it is good enough against the competition to start off with? I don’t believe so, because we started so late.”

‘Launch date’;

https://racingnews365.com/haas-revea...for-new-f1-car


The thorny geographical issue hanging over new Haas boss
It was a problem identified by former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner, and now one that hangs over his successor, Ayao Komatsu.
26 January 2024
by Ian Parkes
Speedcafe

How to get the best out of a team operating out of three different countries has long been an issue for Haas, one which has become a geographical thorn in its side the longer time has gone on. Its primary base is in Kannapolis, North Carolina, where administrative matters are overseen, and whilst not directly involved in the function of the race team, still plays a vital role in the day-to-day running of the entire operation.

The UK base at Banbury houses logistics, electrical engineering, vehicle science, control systems, vehicle performance and programme management, as well as race team support and communications department. Its Maranello base in Italy, situated close to the factory of power unit supplier Ferrari, houses the design office and includes the aerodynamics, CFD and R&D departments.

Haas maintains there is “constant communication and collaboration” between sites, yet in an interview I conducted with Steiner before the summer break last year, he remarked at the time that the only issue was “conversation, communication”. Asked if there were delays in communication, he replied: “More than delay. Sometimes no communication. Things are forgotten.”

‘Thorny geographical issue’;

https://speedcafe.com/the-thorny-geo...new-haas-boss/


New Haas boss believes driver will benefit from 'improved' car
Sunday 21 January 2024 17:57
Tyler Rowlinson
GPFans

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu believes that the team’s new car will better suit Kevin Magnussen and his driving style compared to its predecessor.

Haas have worked extensively during the off-season to rectify the issues that hindered performance last season and Komatsu believes that the adjustments made to the VF-24 will benefit Magnussen’s driving experience and improve performance.

Komatsu: We have improved 2024 car: Speaking with f1i.com, the Japanese engineer said: “I wouldn’t say eliminated, that’s a big word,” the Japanese engineer said when asked about Magnussen’s driving woes. “But certainly, we have improved on it. He’s a driver who needs good entry stability and consistent [handling] through a corner.”

‘Benefit from 'improved' car’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...oved-car-2024/


Steiner’s encore: Former Haas team boss working on second book
24/01/2024 at 15:09
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

In the wake of his abrupt departure from Haas F1, former team principal Guenther Steiner has revealed that he has dived back into the world of motorsport literature with a second book about his life and times in Formula 1.

Steiner’s previous work, ‘Surviving to Drive’, chronicled Haas’ tumultuous 2022 season and provided an insider's look at the Italian's colorful personality and management style, leveraged to perfection by the producers of the popular Netflix docu-series 'Drive to Survive’.

Steiner and Hogg had already initiated their second volume when Haas announced the former's exit from the team earlier this month, so recent events will only enrich the works’ content. The upcoming book will inevitably delve into the aftermath of Steiner's dismissal from Haas, providing an unfiltered account of his experiences and reflections on the highs and lows of his Formula 1 career.

‘Steiner’s encore’;

https://f1i.com/news/498285-steiners...cond-book.html

[Fortitude]

Lando Norris commits to McLaren until 2026 and targets tilt at Formula One title.
Lando Norris has signed a new multi-year contract with McLaren under which the British driver will remain with the Formula One team at least until the end of the 2026 season.
26 January 2024 at 5:51 pm
Giles Richards
Yahoo! Sport

In staying with McLaren, Norris expressed his confidence that the team would offer the opportunity to compete for a world championship. “There are not many other things you can be guaranteed or assured of with any other teams,” he said. “It comes back to where will I be happiest and where will I be most confident I can achieve the world championship. Now I am more confident than ever in saying it’s going to be McLaren.”

The team’s resurgence was key in his decision to commit. “The turnaround was a big part of it,” he said. “Of course, over the last few years there have been a lot of tough ones. I have still enjoyed it, but every now and then you have that little question of: ‘Is this the place to be to achieve that next goal?’ But with how we and Andrea turned things around and how the whole environment is at McLaren currently, that’s a big thing which swings it in the direction at McLaren because it is also results-led.”

‘Commits to McLaren’;

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/lan...n6hHq85DU6esL0


Lando Norris new contract: McLaren fire warning shot to F1 rivals with ‘best driver lineup’
26 Jan 2024 5:30 PM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

Zak Brown believes McLaren have the best driver combination in F1 in Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri – and is hopeful the pair can “knock the winners off their perch” in the coming years. “I’m very excited. I think we have the best driver line-up,” Brown said at McLaren’s recent launch of the livery of the MCL38.

“I love their age and their experience and how well they work together, so I’m looking forward to watching them race McLarens for hopefully a long time and we’re working hard to give them the equipment to be able to win races, because no doubt both drivers are very capable of that.”

“So as we put together the building blocks, you need to have a great team principal, you need to have a great technical team, a great pit crew, a great finance department, a great marketing team, a great HR department. It all comes together and I think we have the people and now it’s just about bringing it all together and trying to knock the winners off their perch.”

‘McLaren fire warning shot to F1 rivals’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/lando-...1-best-drivers


Mark Hughes: Why Norris picked McLaren over Red Bull
Jan 27, 2024
by Mark Hughes
The Race

Lando Norris has made a brave call here. But when you talk with the senior people at McLaren, it’s easy to see why the team has inspired such confidence within him; it feels like a team going places, with a vision and a clear idea of how to achieve it. Also it has been his home for all these years, he feels great loyalty to the people and the idea of turning his back on all that probably didn’t give him a nice feeling.

But is that same nice guy persona the reason he has not ruthlessly gone for a seat alongside Verstappen in the team generally recognised as the best? Is that not what any hard-headed, psychologically airtight competitor would do if the opportunity was there? Would they not go in there, confident they can beat anyone and that the only reason they are not already a world champion is they’ve never had the equipment? Maybe, and maybe that’s where they would come undone.

For being measured against Verstappen in his own environment, regardless of how confident and how good you are, would be an extreme test. Maybe, just maybe, Norris’ decision reflects a shrewder intelligence unrelated to self-confidence. He perhaps feels his own potential can be more readily accessed in the McLaren environment.

‘Why?’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/m...over-red-bull/


Why Norris didn’t “even have a proper look at another team” besides McLaren
Formula 1
Posted on 27th January 2024, 9:13
Written by Keith Collantine
RaceFans

Lando Norris says talks with rival teams did not reach a serious stage before he decided to commit to McLaren for the long term. Although Norris is yet to win a grand prix since making his debut for the team in 2019, he said he is “convinced” they are on course to compete for world championships. “As a team, we have everything we need in order to achieve that goal,” said Norris. “As far as the team’s goal and also just the personal goal that I’ve always had.”

However Norris said that was only part of the reason why he decided to extend his stay at the team. “I don’t think it’s just last year and how we turned things around,” he said. “I don’t think that’s the only thing that I would say has convinced me more. It’s just everything that goes on day-to-day, the people that are here, the work ethic, the mentality, the approach to everything.”

‘Didn’t “even have a proper look at another team”’;

https://www.racefans.net/2024/01/27/...sides-mclaren/


Norris: Race wins, not F1 title, the realistic goal before 2026
08:59, 27th January 20-24.
AUTHORJonathan Noble
Motorsport.com

The Briton has just signed a new contract extension at McLaren, keeping him at the Woking-based squad until 2027 at the earliest, which he hopes will put him on the path to achieve his world title dream. But while McLaren has made` rapid progress with its car to emerge as a challenger to Red Bull last year, Norris is cautious about expecting too much in the short term.

And he thinks that while McLaren has the potential to build on its multiple podium-finishing form in 2023, he is equally not getting carried away that it will be in a position soon to launch a full-on title challenge. "[There were] moments we were close to winning races last year, and a few races we were not miles away from a Red Bull," he said. "And, when you think of it, it was the most competitive car ever in F1.”

"So, with the knowledge of, if you want to win one race, we are the closest we've ever been since I've been here at McLaren and for many, many years. But fighting for a championship is a bigger step. If you asked me, 'Do you think you can win races this year?' I'd probably be more inclined to say yes.”

‘RB19: The most competitive car ever in F1’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/n...2026/10569511/

[Matthew]

Ferrari names 18-year-old Oliver Bearman as new reserve driver for 2024 F1 season. He will join Antonio Giovinazzi and Robert Shwartzman in the shared role.