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Guenther Steiner and Haas Parting Ways, the Beginning of the End?
In my opinion, Guenther Steiner and Haas parting ways is the beginning of the end. He put his life and soul into the team, travelling across countries and continents for the team to run as well as it possibly could.
Jan 12, 2024
By Alastair Smith
World In Sport
As seen before, getting a team into Formula 1 is nearly impossible. The fact that Haas became a Formula 1 team is a miracle in itself. Was this down to Gene Haas, well partly but a huge thanks has to be to Guenther Steiner. The parting of ways of Guenther Steiner and Haas will not bring on a new dawn for the team, nor will it be a positive turning point for the team. Steiner was the backbone of that team and a major reason that they could even compete.
I don’t think the higher-ups in the team have necessarily thought about the position that the team is in and what the NEED for Guenther Steiner is for them to progress in the sport. While I see where Gene Hass is coming from, I don’t think Steiner is to blame.
Guenther Steiner brought the glue to a team that needed it. A new team on a low budget and a new business model were always going to be risky and it worked early on. But regulations changed and this business model just couldn’t keep up. Ultimately it is up to Gene Haas to provide adequate funding to put a car on the grid that performs in the way he expects.
‘Beginning of the End’;
https://worldinsport.com/guenther-st.../?nowprocket=1
F1 fans deliver verdict on Steiner's Haas departure
12 January 2:00PM
Author Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365
Formula 1 fans have delivered their verdict on Haas' decision to part ways with Guenther Steiner ahead of the 2024 Formula 1 season.
RacingNews365 asked fans to vote on the decision and it certainly seems to have divided opinion. Although more fans voted in favour of change, it wasn't by a strong majority. See the full results of the poll below.
Did Haas make the right decision with Guenther Steiner?
Option Votes Percent
Yes - It was time for change 845 58.43%
No - He should have stayed in his position 601 41.51%
‘Verdict’;
https://racingnews365.com/f1-fans-de...haas-departure
Heartbreaking details from shock Guenther Steiner departure revealed – F1 news round-up
11 Jan 2024 10:00 PM
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com
With Steiner and Haas going their separate ways, details on the nature of the split have started to emerge. According to Sky Sports News journalist Craig Slater, the decision to split may have been made during December and, as a consequence of Steiner living in the United States, he didn’t get the chance to say goodbye at the factory to the team he’s worked with for almost a decade.
“I learned about this at the weekend, but some people I’ve spoken to say they’ve known about it for a couple of weeks now,” said Slater. “As far as I can glean, a surprise to him that he would not be getting his contract renewed. We can’t say he’s been sacked, because his contract had come to an end and Gene has decided not to renew that.”
Gene Haas has admitted his main concern at this point of the season is ensuring the new VF-24 isn’t compromised by the time F1 lands in Bahrain ready for the season to begin. “My biggest concern is when we go to Bahrain, we need to show up with a car that is ready to go,” he said in an interview for the Formula 1 website.
‘Steiner will definitely still be appearing at the show on January 13th where he’ll field questions from Sky F1’s David Croft in a ‘not to be missed’ interview!’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/f1-new...iner-departure
Why Steiner exit could spell disaster for F1
12 January 12:30PM
Author Ewan Gale
RacingNews365
Guenther Steiner's shock split from Haas has led to an outpouring of support from fans across social media in recent days. The former Team Principal has gathered a cult following since the first season of Netflix docuseries Drive to Survive aired, with Steiner becoming one of the faces of the series because of his outspoken personality.
Steiner's departure will spark concerns for F1 and Netflix as he was the cult hero. Ever since he made his 'we look like a bunch of w******s' quip in Australia during season one of DTS, fans latched onto his infectious personality. His interactions with his drivers have gone down infamously and allowed a new generation of F1 fans to fall in love with a specific aspect of the sport, broadening gateways to increase viewership. The reaction across social media since the announcement that Steiner had departed has been highly negative.
It gives a new breed of viewer a reason to turn off from the sport, if their favourite personality is no longer available to view. During a time when there is a dispute over whether audience numbers are continuing to grow or not as Red Bull cleans up the competition, this is nothing short of a nightmare for F1. Steiner's popularity was such that he was guest commentating on NASCAR races - creating access for non-traditional American F1 fans - he has released a best-selling book based on the 2022 F1 season and he was appearing on American talk shows.
‘Outpouring of support from fans’;
https://racingnews365.com/why-steine...isaster-for-f1
Simone Resta tipped for new role as abrupt Haas exit explained
12 Jan 2024 11:30 AM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com
Simone Resta, who departed the Haas technical director role on the same day as Guenther Steiner’s shock exit, will reportedly return to Ferrari, with speculation over a clash with Gene Haas addressed.
The official Formula 1 website is now reporting that rather the loan arrangement for Resta between Haas and their technical partner for Ferrari has expired, with Resta therefore returning to the Italian outfit. It is added that Resta’s currently unspecified role with Ferrari will not involve him working with their Formula 1 team.
The upheaval in their senior staff ranks comes at a crucial time for Haas, Gene admitting his “big concern” is now getting their VF-24 ready for the season ahead, though ultimately performance was just not good enough in his eyes, the team returning to the bottom of the Constructors’ Championship in 2023.
‘“Big concern” is now getting their VF-24’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/simone...s-exit-details
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Exclusive: Guenther Steiner’s ‘no regrets’ mindset over leaving Haas and F1 future hint.
Scheduled and confirmed as being in attendance at the Autosport International Show in Birmingham on the weekend of January 13th and 14th…
12 Jan 2024 5:45 PM
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com
Having achieved so much – getting Haas off the ground and onto the grid, scoring the team’s first points, weathering the COVID-19 pandemic and coming out the other side with a competitive car in a 2022 campaign that even netted them their first pole position, had Steiner set himself an end goal he wanted to achieve before leaving F1 behind?
“No, I never set… you know, some things – if they’re over, they’re over and it’s fine. I never set points in my life where I wanted to be the team principal of a team,” he said, when asked about whether he’d marked out a point at which he’d achieved what he wanted with the team.
“I never set this point. I got here in my own way, and I will go in my own way. When I don’t have the enthusiasm to do this anymore and the drive, I know when to stop. When I get up in the morning and I don’t have the drive that I want to get up to do this, then I stop, because… I’m fine to stop.
‘No regrets’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/guenth...g-haas-f1-team
New Haas boss warned he faces ‘huge challenge’
13 January 2024
by Ian Parkes
Speedcafe
Speaking during an IndyCar media day ahead of the new season that will see him drive for Juncos Hollinger Racing after two years with Andretti Autosport, Grosjean initially conceded to being in the dark regarding Steiner's departure. “I don't know what happened,” said Grosjean. “I don't know more details than you do, but I wish Guenther all the best in his next chapter.”
“He's definitely a man that's got a lot of ideas and things to do, but for me, the main thing is [I'm] very happy for Ayao.” Komatsu, however, faces an uphill task in resurrecting the fortunes of a team that finished at the foot of last year's constructors' championship for the second time in three years.
Assessing the role ahead for Komatsu, Grosjean said: “First of all, he's a very good friend of mine. I competed in every one of my 181 Formula 1 (grands prix) with him working on my car. His kids are the same age as my kids, so we've been very good friends, and I'm excited for him. It's a huge challenge in front of him but I'm excited for him.”
‘Faces huge challenge’;
https://speedcafe.com/new-haas-boss-...uge-challenge/
Guenther Steiner's replacement sent ominous warning by former Haas F1 star
Guenther Steiner was axed by Haas this week and replaced by Ayao Komatsu, with American owner Gene Haas favouring an engineering-led approach to their future efforts
20:23 Fri, 12 Jan 2024
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
The Mirror
Former Haas driver Romain Grosjean gave the seal of approval to the team's new boss Ayao Komatsu. But the Frenchman has also warned his former Formula 1 colleague that leading the team will be a "huge challenge". Komatsu has been promoted to team principal following the surprise axing of popular chief Guenther Steiner.
The 58-year-old has led the Haas team since its inception, having first pitched the idea to Gene Haas who provided funding. But the American businessman put all sentiment aside as he decided a change at the top was required.
‘Guenther Steiner's replacement sent ominous warning’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...matsu-31871605
Caption Competition 231: Steiner’s send-off
Caption Competition
Posted on 13th January 2024, 8:30
Written by Will Wood
Nico Hulkenberg will have a new team principal at Haas this season after Guenther Steiner was relieved of his duties earlier this week. But what departing words did Hulkenberg have for his former boss before Steiner was shown the door? Can you come up with the best caption for this picture? Post your funniest suggestion in the comments below.
Gilles Amon (@gillesamon)
Come on, we need upgrades, not new fancy glasses.
Or: Told you, we would have needed upgrades, not just new fancy glasses.
Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
“Guenther – please don’t sneeze like that.
It always does this to my hair and glasses”
Jeanrien (@jeanrien)
You could have used less colorful language when telling Hass what we need to improve!
‘Caption Competition 231: Steiner’s send-off’;
https://www.racefans.net/2024/01/13/...ners-send-off/
Haas send message to Michael Andretti about selling F1 team after Guenther Steiner exit
Suggestions that Michael Andretti should buy the Haas F1 team have been made in recent days, since owner Gene Haas fired popular and long-serving team principal Guenther Steiner
17:40 Fri, 12 Jan 2024.
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
The Mirror
Gene Haas has made it clear he has no interest in selling his Formula 1 team to Michael Andretti. And he doesn't want to let it go to anyone, for that matter. The American businessman, 71, insists he is in F1 for the long haul despite sacking team principal Guenther Steiner, with whom he set up his racing outfit a decade ago, this week.
"I didn’t get into F1 to sell [the team], I did it because I wanted to race. Guenther had the same perspective," he told the F1 website. "We're not here to cash out, we want to race and be competitive. If you look at any team, historically, they have had a lot of good years and a lot of bad years.”
"Surviving is one of the characteristics of getting better. As long as you can survive, you always have another year to prove your worthiness. This is a big change. Losing Guenther is going to cause the team to have to focus on other aspects. We will hopefully come out better for it."
‘In F1 for the long haul’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...einer-31870604
Andretti buy-out hope fades as Gene Haas reveals Hollywood approach – F1 news round-up
12 Jan 2024 10:00 PM
Oliver Harden
Gene Haas has made it clear he is not willing to sell his team, reaffirming his commitment and intention to stay in the sport for the next decade. The departures of team principal Guenther Steiner and Simone Resta have raised major questions over Haas’s trajectory in F1, with fellow American outfit Andretti – keen to secure an F1 entry – mentioned as potential suitors should Haas choose to walk away.
However, Mr Haas has issued a firm response to suggestions that he may seek a way out…
Long before he became a star of stage, screen and bookshelf as Haas F1 team boss, Steiner was involved in the early development of Red Bull’s Formula 1 project. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has revealed why Steiner was moved on, featuring a remarkable parallel to his departure from Haas. “Guenther was and is a character but it was obvious he was not a technical leader,” Horner said.
‘Andretti buy-out hope fades’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/andret...-news-round-up
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Guenther Steiner axed in brutal Haas phone call as sacked F1 chief speaks for first time.
Gene Haas axed Guenther Steiner over the phone during the Christmas period, as fresh details about his exit have emerged.
12:16, 13 Jan 2024
By Tom Blow Sports Writer
The Mirror
Steiner confirmed that he received a phone call from Gene Haas, the team's owner, between Christmas Day and New Year's Day about his future. Steiner was told that his contract was not being renewed into 2024, ending his 10-year spell in charge.
"I don’t know Gene Haas's plans for the future. He didn’t share them with me, he doesn’t have to, by the way. I’m actually not really interested in it anymore."
‘Axed in brutal Haas phone call’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...ained-31873715
Steiner: I’m not interested in Gene Haas’ F1 plans
Guenther Steiner spent eight seasons in charge of the Haas F1 team
January 13, 2024
By John Smith
Total Motorsport
“I don’t know Gene Haas‘ plans for the future,” Steiner said at Autosport International. “He didn’t share them with me, and he doesn’t have to by the way, I want to make that clear as well.”
“I’m actually not really interested in it anymore. On the other side, I see where other people are going and the model we started the beginning, I think it was a very good model, but maybe it’s not time relevant anymore. But who am I to say that?”
‘Not really interested in it anymore’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...ne-haas-plans/
Guenther Steiner not ‘interested’ in Haas future as brutal departure details emerge
13 Jan 2024 10:23 AM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com
“I don’t know Gene Haas’s plans for the future. He didn’t share them with me. He doesn’t have to, by the way. I’m actually not really interested in it anymore.”
As for his own plans for the future, Steiner said he would spend some time with the family but was insistent he has more to offer in F1. “I don’t know if Formula 1 wants me!” he joked. “Now at the moment, I’m very chilled out about the situation.”
“I’m not unhappy and I know a lot of people, I’ve got a lot of friends and for me just hanging around for a year doing the odd job, that does it for me. If something interesting comes along which challenges me, yes, but just staying in Formula 1 just to do a job, maybe is not what I want to do.”
“I don’t know if Formula 1 wants me!”;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/guenth...tion-departure
Steiner: "Stung" not to say proper farewell to Haas F1 team
12:07, 13th Jan 2024.
AUTHORJake Boxall-Legge
Motorsport.com
Speaking at Autosport International 2024 at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, Steiner confirmed that he was given the news by Haas between Christmas and New Year, and his abrupt departure meant that he was not given a proper send-off by the team.
“Can I start with just something off for my side?” Steiner interjected while speaking to Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft on the main stage on Saturday morning. “I didn't have the chance to say thank you to a few people when I left Haas F1. I would just like to thank all the team members who I couldn't give a proper goodbye to when I left.”
“So I’ll do it this way. And I want to say also to all the fans who supported us while I was there, it’s fantastic - thank you to everybody for the support I got and I am getting, so I'm mega appreciative. Yeah, it stung [not to be able to say goodbye] but they all know me and they all know that I appreciate what they did. It's always best to say it to them, it would be nice to say, ‘hey guys, thanks for what you did for the team.’”
‘It stung’;
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/s...team/10565375/
Guenther Steiner responds to Gene Haas ’embarrassing’ results criticism
13 Jan 2024 1:15 PM
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com
Guenther Steiner has responded to Gene Haas’s remarks that he was embarrassed by the team’s results, admitting “nobody in the team was proud” to finish bottom of the Championship in F1 2023. In his first public appearance since his exit at Autosport International, witnessed by PlanetF1.com’s Sam Cooper, Steiner was invited to respond to Haas’s comments.
“If he feels like this, that’s his feeling and he can say it,” he said. “Obviously, nobody in the team is proud to be 10th. We didn’t have a good season in ’23, we all know that. But in my opinion, when you’re down it’s not how you get down [but] how you get up again. That’s just my life motto and that is what you have to think about: to not be embarrassed about anything, just keep on going and make it better.”
‘How you get up again’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/guenth...assing-results
Steiner hints costly reason behind Haas exit
Saturday 13 January 2024 13:57
Dan Ripley
GPFans
Steiner though defended his record running the team and admits he was surprised by his sudden departure, hinting that the negative results could have been from a lack of investment to compete with rival teams.
“It was a bit of a surprise,” Steiner said at Autosport International. “Gene felt that is the way he wants to take the team forward. It’s his decision, not my one. He owns the place and if you own something, you have got the right to do what you want.
Steiner admits pain at nature of Haas exit: “It stung to not say bye. But they all know me and know that I still appreciate what they did. It’s always best to say it to them vocally but it would be nice to say ‘hey guys, thanks for all what you did for the team’. It was a team that was very small and ran on adrenaline a lot of times. They did a good job and I want to say thank you to them. It doesn’t make you happy not saying thank you.”
‘Surprised by his sudden departure’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ent-gene-haas/
Steiner's response to Haas F1 exit has a telling undertone
Jan 13, 2024
by Jack Cozens
The Race
There was also an undertone to Steiner's most eloquent comments that only reinforces the consensus about where his and Gene Haas's views on the team's direction diverged to the point of no return. This centres around what it will take for Haas to keep up in the ever-escalating arms race F1 currently represents. Haas himself is adamant more can be achieved with the current means; he used his media address earlier this week to say explicitly that the decision to jettison Steiner, who's been replaced by the team's engineering figurehead Ayao Komatsu, "came down to performance".
Steiner was widely understood to have been pushing for greater investment, lest the team - already a minnow in F1 terms - be cut off, unable to keep up with the pace of change. His answer on whether the team's current model is fit for purpose only reinforced that understanding. "Since we had this model 10 years ago when we started, Formula 1 has changed a lot," he said. "You guys have seen how much Formula 1 changed after the COVID period, how much it grew, how much bigger it got, how much different it got; how we use the budget cap to get ideas on how to do things.”
Steiner, of course, has his fingerprints all over that part-sharing, outsourcing model as one of the founding members of Haas F1. It was one spotted by him and largely shaped in his vision. But the very nature of the F1 beast is that it's ever-evolving, and its the one who's reticent to acknowledge that, to lift a phrase from The Race's Ben Anderson, who's most likely to be left shuffling deckchairs on the Titanic.
‘A telling undertone’;
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/g...ing-undertone/
Guenther Steiner hints at key issues surrounding Haas’ approach to F1
13 Jan 2024 11:47 AM
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com
Guenther Steiner has questioned whether Haas’ F1 model of buying as many components as possible for racing is the right path forward. With Steiner now the ex-team boss of Haas, the Italian was much more vocal in pointing out where he feels his former team are falling short relative to their competition in Formula 1.
Haas are unique on the F1 grid in that they are not a chassis constructor in their own right. Since entering the sport in 2016, Haas have developed chassis in collaboration with Italian manufacturer Dallara and worked with Ferrari to purchase transferable components such as rear suspensions, crash structures and gearboxes – as well as buying the Scuderia’s power supply.
It’s a model that yielded instant reward in the team’s early years, with points finishes aplenty and rising as high as fifth in the Constructors’ Championship in 2018. But the fact none of the other teams employ that model has meant increased scrutiny when things stopped working quite as well and, following disagreement with team owner Gene Haas on the direction of the team, Steiner and the American squad have parted ways.
‘Hints at key issues’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/guenth...approach-to-f1
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'I didn't see it coming,' admits Steiner after Haas F1 axe.
Guenther Steiner admitted Saturday that his sacking as Haas F1 team principal came as a shock, claiming "I didn't see it coming".
Issued on: 13/01/2024 - 22:43
London (AFP)
France 24
The colourful 58-year-old was axed by owner Gene Haas following a 2023 season which saw the team finish 10th and last in the world championship.
"Obviously nobody was happy with the results in 2023 but I didn't see this coming," Steiner told Sky Sports News. "I knew that the renewal of my contract was coming up and then when a renewal is coming up it can be that it's not getting renewed."
Steiner said that he had no regrets over his unlikely starring role in the "Drive to Survive" series. "I didn't get up in the morning to be a celebrity," he said. "I get up in the morning to work. But I think it worked a lot in favour of the team because without that maybe it would have been closed before."
'I didn't see it coming';
https://www.france24.com/en/live-new...er-haas-f1-axe
Guenther Steiner: I didn't see Haas F1 exit coming | 'I have to respect the decision'
17:47 Sat, 13 Jan 2024.
Sky Sports
In a Sky Sports exclusive, former team principal Guenther Steiner explains how his departure from Haas came about and admits he has to accept the decision.
'I have to respect the decision';
https://www.skysports.com/watch/vide...t-the-decision
Guenther Steiner’s first verdict after his exit from Haas
13 Jan 2024
James Dielhenn
Crash.Net
Guenther Steiner has addressed his departure from Haas for the first time. The popular team principal surprisingly left his role earlier this week, ahead of the 2024 F1 season. He reportedly did not see eye-to-eye with owner Gene Haas over the future strategy for the team, so his contract was not renewed for this year.
Steiner conceded he is “not interested” in the future direction of Haas, whose new team principal will be Ayao Komatsu, when speaking at the Autosport International event to Sky’s David Croft.
‘Guenther Steiner’s first verdict’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/news/104337...-his-exit-haas
Steiner addresses Haas exit, the moment that ‘stung’ and his future F1 plans
13 January 2024
Mike Seymour
Staff Writer
Formula One - Official Site
Guenther Steiner has spoken publicly for the first time since it was announced that he and the Haas F1 Team had parted ways with immediate effect, revealing more of the background to the news, sharing his message for the squad’s employees and pondering his own future plans.
On Saturday, Steiner made an appearance at the Autosport International Show in Birmingham, UK and offered his initial thoughts on the reshuffle – the popular Italian and Drive To Survive star receiving a warm reception from the gathered crowd.
“It was a phone call,” Steiner stated. “Gene called me and said that he doesn’t want to extend the contract which was up at the end of the season, and that was it. I don’t know [if it was a surprise]. It’s always a little bit of a surprise, but then in the end, he owns the team, he can do what he wants and it’s his decision.”
‘Steiner addresses Haas exit’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...hnG7nlFyy.html
Guenther Steiner shows true colours after speaking out on Gene Haas' F1 plans
Guenther Steiner has spoken out after he was released by Haas during the Christmas break, having spent 10 years with the team.
17:07, Sat, Jan 13, 2024
By Charlie Parker-Turner
Daily and Sunday Express
Guenther Steiner has claimed that he has ‘no interest’ in Gene Haas’ Formula One plans after he was not given a new contract by the team for 2024, and he doesn't expect to be informed of them either. The former team principal was told of the decision via a phone call during the Christmas period, with Ayao Komatsu succeeding him in the role.
Steiner spent 10 years with Haas, building the team up with his business model to be able to compete on the biggest of stages. However, with his contract expiring, a decision was made by owner Gene to take the team in a different direction. The shake-up has left many questioning how Haas will operate going forward, and Steiner is not even aware of what to expect from the team. Speaking about his exit at Autosport International, the Italian explained:
“Since we have had this model, Formula 1 has changed a lot. We saw during COVID how much bigger it grew. How much different it got with the budget cap, how we used the budget cap. If you look at all the other teams, they were all gearing up. They are not gearing up now. They started to gear up, some three years ago, some years ago, some last year. I don’t know Gene Haas’s plans for the future. He didn’t share them with me. He doesn’t have to, by the way. I’m actually not really interested in it anymore.”
‘Not really interested in it anymore’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...-Haas-F1-plans
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Red Bull driver tells rivals to pack bags after testing 2024 car.
Red Bull development driver Jake Dennis foresees another season of domination as he gives insight into what to expect from the defending Champions.
January 14, 2024
James Fiorucci
FormulaNerds
Not many people are better poised than sim driver Dennis to give us an idea of what to expect from the Red Bull RB20. Speaking to Mirror Sport ahead of Round 1 of the 2024 Mexico City E-Prix, which he finished in ninth position, Dennis was full of confidence that Red Bull would win the Constructors’ Championship again this year.
He said: “I would expect us to become champions again, unless someone like Ferrari or Mercedes somehow manages to find about a second overnight. We didn’t do any development on the 2023 car after Singapore.”
‘Pack bags’;
https://www.formulanerds.com/news/re...ting-2024-car/
Lewis Hamilton blow as RB20 driver makes formidable F1 2024 prediction
14 Jan 2024 2:00 PM
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com
Lewis Hamilton has been told to forget about challenging for the F1 2024 title, with Red Bull simulator Jake Dennis warning it could be another “dull season” dominated by Max Verstappen.
Allison also claimed that Mercedes have established a “pretty ambitious” program for the new W15 chassis, which is expected to be a significant departure from the team’s last two cars under F1’s ground effect rules.
He told the Mirror: “We’ve got an extremely fast race car again at the Red Bull team. I would expect us to become Champions again, unless someone like Ferrari or Mercedes somehow manages to find about a second [per lap] overnight. I think it’s going to be quite a dull season in Formula 1 with Max probably dominating.”
‘Lewis Hamilton blow’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/lewis-...024-prediction
Red Bull driver testing 2024 F1 car gives verdict on Lewis Hamilton's title chances
Formula E champion Jake Dennis is also a Red Bull development driver and has been on the simulator in recent months helping the team to create their 2024 RB20 car
14th January 2024, 11:02
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
GPFans
Red Bull simulator driver Jake Dennis has told Lewis Hamilton to forget about renewing his Formula 1 title rivalry with Max Verstappen this year. The Formula E champion has helped to develop Verstappen's machine for the new season and doesn't think Hamilton should get his hopes up for a title tilt in 2024.
Asked by Mirror Sport what F1 fans can expect from the RB20 having driven the developing car on the simulator, he said: "We've got an extremely fast race car again at the Red Bull team.”
It is an ominous situation for Red Bull's rivals who face another season of being unable to take the fight to the defending champions. Dennis, 28, has been a development driver for the team since 2018 and so would love to see his prediction come true.
‘Forget about renewing Formula 1 title rivalry’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...appen-31872246
Red Bull send clear warning to F1 2024 rivals taking RB19 copycat route
13 Jan 2024 4:00 PM
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com
Red Bull’s technical director Pierre Wache has a word of warning for any rivals seeking to copy aspects of the RB19 for the F1 2024 season. While it may be tempting for other teams to simply try copying Red Bull’s design by poring over photos and recreating as much as possible, Wache believes that without a proper understanding of the philosophy behind the design those teams would be on a hiding to nothing.
“I think it’s possible to copy, but in every business in the world, when it’s technical, the ‘how’ is one aspect,” he told Autosport. “The most important aspect is ‘why’. If you don’t know ‘why’, you can copy whatever you want, but it’s better to stay with what you understand. We also copy some stuff,” he said. “We [might] copy the wrong thing, but you [also] inspire yourself based on what you see from others.”
“It’s like a Darwin effect, this business. You see something from others, you add another idea to it and you develop and you grow your concept, your strengths, and your capacity. But every time it has to be on the understanding aspect. If you just copy for copying’s sake, it doesn’t work. You [need to] have the knowledge and also what you want to achieve. If you don’t have the same golden aim of characteristics, it doesn’t bring anything.”
‘RB19 copycat route’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/red-bu...g-rb19-in-2024
Former F1 Team Principal doubts Verstappen can be matched in same team
13 January 2:30PM
Author Rory Mitchell
RacingNews365
Former AlphaTauri Team Principal Franz Tost is doubtful that Max Verstappen can be matched in the same team. Before joining Red Bull, Verstappen was at sister team Toro Rosso for a season and a half under the wing of Tost. When asked if he thinks any driver could challenge Verstappen in the same car, the former Team Principal had his doubts.
“If Max continues to have a good car, he will win many more races and titles,” Tost told F1 Insider. “He’s still not at his limit and will get even better. No driver who is or will be his teammate will ever progress beyond the role of number two driver.” Tost believes Verstappen managed to exhibit natural talent the first time he got into the car, which helped him get up to speed while still a teenager.
‘Natural talent’;
https://racingnews365.com/former-f1-...d-in-same-team
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Hamilton admits greater Mercedes role in bid to develop W15.
Lewis Hamilton and the Mercedes F1 team are intensifying efforts to ensure the W15 model delivers strong performances in the upcoming 2024 season.
Monday 1 January 2024 17:57
Cal Gaunt
GPFans
This pre-season is pivotal for Mercedes, as they strive to rebound from two lacklustre years and design a car capable of competing for championships. This must be done quickly, too, with the impending 2026 regulatory changes, necessitating meticulous preparation for the new car well in advance.
Toto Wolff's team faces a significant challenge of swift improvement with the existing cars to catch up with Red Bull this season, as a failure to do so would diminish their prospects for 2025. With Hamilton's contract expiring in 2025, the seven-time champion is banking on a rapid turnaround.
The lessons learned from last year's campaign are expected to inform the development of a largely new car for the 2024 season, signalling a departure from the 'zeropod' philosophy acknowledged by James Allison's return to the team.
‘Hamilton admits greater Mercedes role in bid to develop W15: Signalling a departure from the 'zeropod' philosophy’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...actory-visits/
Big Mercedes W15 question posed with engine power strength assessed
09 Jan 2024 5:00 PM
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com
A former F1 driver has questioned whether Mercedes’ car-making capabilities were masked by a superior engine during their dominance. With eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships between 2014 and ’21, the might of Mercedes’ juggernaut was halted in 2022 as Red Bull’s RB18 eclipsed the rest of the field during the first year of the new technical regulations.
Former F1 and DTM racer Christijan Albers, now a part of Viaplay’s punditry team, said he wonders whether Mercedes’ performance levels during their years of dominance came about as a result of a vastly superior power unit and not thanks to superior car designs. “The question is whether Red Bull can [be] challenged [by] Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, or maybe Aston Martin next year,” he said in his column for De Telegraaf.
With the W14 going without a race victory – the first winless Mercedes design since 2011 – the new path for the 2024 W15 means all eyes are on the car Brackley rolls out for this season. But Albers has big questions about what is currently being manufactured in their factory. “I wonder if Mercedes can still build a really good car at all,” he said.
‘Mercedes’ juggernaut was halted in 2022’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/merced...riority-theory
Hamilton given big Mercedes boost with crucial W15 change
Saturday 6 January 2024 17:57
Sam Cook
GPFans
New Mercedes technical director James Allison has ripped up his predecessor's concepts, providing the Brackley-based team with a car more suited to Lewis Hamilton's requests.
The seven-time world champion had asked for the cockpit position to be further back on the new W15 and, according to Motorsport.com Italia, that wish has been granted, while the new car will have no aerodynamic design link with the W14 from 2023.
Team principal Toto Wolff had previously said that the 2024 challenger would be 'completely different' to the 2023 car, after suffering yet another season with a car incapable of challenging for regular race victories. Now, those initial claims appear to be true, with the car's gearbox also reportedly set to be smaller and lighter, and the rear bodywork more compact.
‘James Allison has ripped up his predecessor's concepts’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...pit-requested/
How Mercedes W15 can vindicate James Allison’s sacrifices after critical role swap
06 Jan 2024 9:15 AM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com
Mercedes technical director James Allison said the team “moving in a better direction” will give him the reward for sacrificing his “self-indulgent time” by returning to the role.
One of the most successful F1 designers of all-time, Allison moved to the Mercedes chief technical officer role in 2021, this coinciding with a move away from full F1 focus by taking on the same position with Ineos Team UK Britannia’s America’s Cup team.
Allison had swaped roles with Mike Elliott, though this was reversed during 2023, Allison returning to the technical director position as Mercedes strive to escape an alarming slump in form, having gone winless in F1 2023 for the first time since 2011.
‘W15 can vindicate James Allison’s sacrifices’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/merced...nical-director
George Russell thinks Mercedes "rushed" F1 car development as Brit gives 2024 W15 update
George Russell, like team-mate Lewis Hamilton, hopes Mercedes will be able to provide him with an F1 car capable of winning races against Max Verstappen and Red Bull in 2024
06:09 Fri, 05 Jan 2024.
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
The Mirror
George Russell said his Mercedes team "rushed" its 2023 car design as he expressed his confidence that the team will learn from its mistakes this winter. Team principal Toto Wolff has already made it clear his team is essentially starting from scratch on the W15 with a brand new concept and design from front to back.
And Russell is pleased with the "due diligence" he has seen from colleagues when it comes to designing his new racing machine. "I think last year it was all a little bit rushed," he told Autosport. "We didn't have all the information to hand, we may have jumped to a couple of conclusions without thoroughly going through the consequences.”
"And we learned when the car hit the ground this year that we made a step forward in some regards, but it came with a lot of baggage and we hadn't taken that into consideration. So, I think we've done a great job to truly understand what we need.”
‘Team is essentially starting with a brand new concept and design from front to back’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...ssell-31809749
Major Mercedes W15 concept admission delivered by George Russell
05 Jan 2024 10:45 AM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com
George Russell is hoping Mercedes will not fall into the same mistakes as they prepare to unveil their 2024 challenger. “[I am] more confident going into this break,” he said before the 2023 season ended, according to Autosport. “[We have been] working on the new concept for a long time and there’s been so much due diligence gone into that concept.”
“Whereas I think last year it was all a little bit rushed. We didn’t have all the information to hand, we may have jumped to a couple of conclusions without thoroughly going through the consequences.”
“And we learned when the car hit the ground this year that we made a step forward in some regards, but it came with a lot of baggage and we hadn’t taken that into consideration. So, I think we’ve done a great job to truly understand what we need.”
‘Mercedes W15 concept admission’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/merced...george-russell
Bernie Ecclestone gives 10-word response to Lewis Hamilton 2024 F1 title question
Lewis Hamilton is without an F1 race win in more than two years as Mercedes have struggled in comparison to their Red Bull rivals, with Max Verstappen dominating the sport
16:34 Thu, 04 Jan 2024.
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
The Mirror
Despite recent public clashes between them, former Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone still wants Lewis Hamilton to win the title again. Not only does Ecclestone, 93, want Hamilton to add to his 103 career wins, but he would like to see him finally claim that elusive eighth title before retiring. "I hope he makes it. He would then make history," he said.
Regardless of what anyone hopes for Hamilton in 2024, the reality is Verstappen and Red Bull will be favourites again for the title. They were so dominant last year that the team got a significant head-start on its rivals in terms of developing its new car, sparking fears of another performance chasm.
After watching Verstappen at his very best, Ecclestone was remined of Michael Schumacher - but still thinks there is one thing that sets them apart. He added: "Max Verstappen has a bit of him in him. "Max isn't as merciless as Michael was, because Michael didn't even think about making compromises."
‘10-word response: "I hope he makes it. He would then make history"’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...stone-31808162
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Toto Wolff shows true colours as Lewis Hamilton told this could be his last Mercedes deal.
Asked by The Telegraph whether or not he believes that Hamilton can win his eighth World Championship in 2024, Wolff insisted the British star wouldn't need another contract to fulfil his dream and could do it in the next two years.
14:09, Mon, Jan 15, 2024
By Harry Smith
Daily and Sunday Express14:12
Toto Wolff has showcased his ambition and optimism ahead of the 2024 campaign, stating that he believes it is possible that Lewis Hamilton could win his record-breaking eighth World Championship, despite the considerable advantage held by Red Bull heading into the winter break. He said: “Always believe it’s possible. 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 [of] the team to give it our full attention in 2024 and 2025. I think it’s possible.”
A title triumph in 2024 or 2025 would provide the perfect note on which Hamilton could bring his stellar F1 career to an end. Now 39 years of age, the legendary Brit is willing to stick it out until the opportunity presents itself for him to fight for the Drivers’ Championship crown.
‘A title triumph in 2024 or 2025’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...on-Mercedes-F1
Co-owner Toto Wolff sure he remains the best person to lead Mercedes
Monday, 15 Jan 2024 11:57
RTE
Toto Wolff is to remain as Mercedes team principal and chief executive after signing a new contract covering the next three seasons.
The 52-year-old, who guided Mercedes to eight successive Constructors' Championships from 2014-21, told the Daily Telegraph: "At the end of the day, as a shareholder myself, I want the best return on investment. And the best return on investment is winning.”
"I’m not going to try to hang on to a position that I think somebody is going to do better than me. I make sure that I have people around who can tell me otherwise. In the end the three of us decided: 'Let’s do it again’.”
‘Best return on investment is winning’;
https://www.rte.ie/sport/motorsport/...lead-mercedes/
F1 team boss insists Hamilton STILL the greatest driver
17:44 Sat, 13 Jan 2024.
Tyler Rowlinson
GPFans
‘STILL the greatest driver’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...eatest-driver/
Mercedes will change 'almost every component' on 2024 car to take fight to Red Bull, says Wolff
11 January 2024
Formula One - Official Site
Toto Wolff believes Mercedes could "have a chance" in their quest to challenge Red Bull with "almost every component" set to be changed on the 2024 car. “I have never in my life felt optimistic about anything!” he said. “Which makes me sound a little bit miserable, but it has protected me about managing my expectations and just pushing harder, because I think it's never good enough.”
“That's why, also today, I sit here with a bittersweet feeling: we've won P2 [in 2023 but] we've lost P1. We're changing the concept, we're completely moving away from how we laid out the chassis, the weight distribution, the air flow. Literally, there's almost every component being changed, because only by doing that, I think we have a chance.”
“We could get it wrong also. So, between not gaining what we expect, to catching up and making a big step and competing at the front, everything is possible. If you ask me today, as always, scepticism, but that's the mentality of the team that pushes us forward, to never give up.”
“I think we have a chance”;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...QdodRRzIr.html
Mercedes given permission to grow Brackley HQ after "opposition" from locals
12 Jan 2024
James Dielhenn
Crash.Net
West Northamptonshire Council have granted Mercedes’ request and claimed the plan would bring "significant economic development benefits" to Brackley. Mercedes intend to increase the size of their workforce in Brackley from 1,400 to 1,900 people over the next five years, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Wolff will hope that investing in the facilities and the employees in Brackley will aid the on-track performance of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. Their 2024 F1 car, the W15, will soon be unveiled ahead of the new season.
‘Given permission’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/news/104334...osition-locals
‘Bullet out of the gun’ – Toto Wolff’s defiant message to FIA after ‘damaging’ investigation
15 Jan 2024 12:00 PM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com
Toto Wolff has issued a warning to the FIA that the “bullet went out of the gun” after they opened an investigation into his and wife Susie’s relationship within F1. Speaking for the first time publicly since the affair, Wolff told Gazzetta dello Sport that “the bullet went out of the gun and cannot come back in.”
“We have millions of people watching us, we have to be examples for what we say and do,” he said. “The investigation – opened and closed in two days – has done a lot of damage, and it’s not what you expect from the F1 world in general. If we want to make the sport more and more professional, we have to try to bring transparency where there is none and set standards of the highest possible level. My position is this.”
“I can’t speak for Susie but she is a fighter, she has a steely determination. This is not the first time she has faced difficulties, and she will go all the way in every court of law. If someone types Susie Wolff on the web today, the investigation comes up as the first news item: the bullet went out of the gun and cannot come back in.”
‘Bullet out of the gun’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/toto-w...-investigation
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Vasseur reveals Ferrari talks: 'I am not happy'.
"Nobody can be happy with what we did at the beginning of the season," added Vasseur, who joined Ferrari from Sauber last winter.
06 January 6:00PM
Author Ewan Gale
RacingNews365
Ferrari finished third in last season's F1 Constructors' standings, just a year after CEO Benedetto Vigna suggested that second was the first of the losers. But Team Principal Fred Vasseur has insisted he does not need to be told to be upset over the team's shortcomings.
"We had too many issues with reliability and I was the first one upset with this - and performance. But I think, more than everything, that the reaction of group, the reaction of the team, the fact we were able to... I am not a big fan of statistics, but we had something like five pole positions out of the last eight events, the fact we were able to fight with Max on some occasions during the races also was a good step forward.”
"Even if we are not happy - and again, I am the first one, I do not need Mr Vigna or Mr Elkann telling me, I am not happy with P3, this is clear - but I am more than happy with the reaction of the team and I think this feeling is the same for everybody."
'I am not happy';
https://racingnews365.com/vasseur-re...i-am-not-happy
VASSEUR: 2024 FERRARI F1 CHALLENGER WILL BE ‘95%’ NEW
The Scuderia suffered a backwards step in 2023, only managing to achieve one race victory in Singapore through Carlos Sainz
January 3, 2024
Nathan Hartley
FormulaNerds
The French boss described the work going into the 2024 car as a “revolution” as the team tries to return to the top. “Revolution – I don’t know if it is the right word because we have the same regulation now three years in a row that you can’t change massively the situation. Again, it’s a matter of tenths of seconds. It means it’s all 0.1 or 0.2% performance that we are looking for. It’s not five [percent].”
‘95%’ NEW’;
https://www.formulanerds.com/news/va...ill-be-95-new/
Ferrari worries rise as new F1 2024 ‘danger’ identified amid staff exodus rumours
07 Jan 2024 11:30 AM
Oliver Harden
New AlphaTauri team principal Laurent Mekies has been highlighted as “dangerous” to Ferrari in F1 2024 amid fears that he could persuade staff at Maranello to follow him to Red Bull’s sister team.
According to Italian publication Corriere dello Sport, Mekies has wasted little time in persuading former Ferrari colleagues to join him at AlphaTauri with Marco Matassa, the head of the Ferrari Driver Academy, agreeing to switch to Faenza. The signing of Matassa – whose responsibilities will be assumed by Jock Clear on an interim basis – has been described as particularly “disturbing” for Ferrari given Mekies’ intimate knowledge of the team and their workforce.
The report claims Mekies not only has “a detailed and precise picture of the crucial men” at Ferrari, but “all their phone numbers too” – sparking fears that he could yet persuade more Ferrari staff to follow him. Those fears are heightened given that Ferrari and AlphaTauri are the only Italian-based teams on the grid, potentially making it easier for Mekies to convince Ferrari staff and their families to make the move.
‘Ferrari worries rise’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/ferrar...danger-rumours
Ferrari’s most ‘important investments’ revealed ahead of renewed F1 2024 push
31 Dec 2023 4:00 PM
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com
The former Alfa Romeo/Sauber team boss had to take over a team that had developed a reputation for a lack of clarity on the strategic side, and former F1 team founder Giancarlo Minardi has evaluated the progress Vasseur has made over the last 12 months.
Speaking in an interview with Italy’s Gazzetto dello Sport, Minardi was asked to assess Vasseur’s first year in charge of the Gestione Sportiva, with Minardi saying Vasseur’s hiring of more staff during 2023 was a necessary step. “He found everything done. The good stuff comes now,” he said. “Everyone tells me, and Fred himself has said, that major investments have been made in terms of men and manpower, so we’ll see what and how many grafts will come in.”
‘Important investments’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/ferrar...tment-manpower
'Will the real number one driver at Ferrari please stand up?'
22 December 2023
Author Jesse Janse
RacingNews365
Who is the leader at Ferrari? Frederic Vasseur of course, but which of the two drivers is the number one? Former F1 driver Christian Klien answers that question in conversation with RacingNews365. Klien believes Ferrari has one of the strongest driver lineups on the grid in Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, especially considering it was looking like the latter was not delivering during the 2022 season.
"This year Carlos has shown what he has to offer. Ferrari has a good lineup. The two drivers get along well. They push each other because they have different strengths. Leclerc has a bit more natural speed, but Carlos is a very hard worker. That dynamic works pretty well," explains Klien. But who is the real leader within the team? Leclerc came through their junior driver programme, while Sainz behaves like a true leader on the track by engaging in discussions with his team and opposing them.
"I have exactly the same feeling. I don't think there is a number one driver at Ferrari," says KIien. "If it is about pure speed, then maybe Leclerc, because he is the Ferrari driver at the moment. Both drivers are very good in my opinion. If you ask the team, there is no number one driver, because they both have other strengths. Sainz also needs them. He gives very good input and is really a fighter, a smart guy. Also behind the scenes, with the help of his father, they have positioned Carlos 'politically' well within the team. So I don't think there is a number one driver at the moment," concludes Klien.
‘Don't think there is a number one driver’;
https://racingnews365.com/will-the-r...lease-stand-up
Vasseur defends Ferrari F1 strategy calls in 2023
19 December 2023
Author Fergal Walsh
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365
Vasseur highlighted that Ferrari is constantly vying to improve its pit wall operation as he pointed to the Austin race as an example of a mistake slipping through. “We always have to improve and always try to do a better job,” he told media including RacingNews365.
“I think honestly, this season, the strategy went very well. You can discuss Austin, for example, when Charles did one stop. But it was more [about] the choice on the tyres than something else.”
Despite being unable to consistently challenge at the front of the grid, Vasseur stated that Ferrari was able to deliver on strategy when its car was fast at certain weekends. “Strategy is when you're making a mistake because sometimes a safety car happens two laps after [a pit stop] and you don't have the crystal ball. But I think I'm quite pleased with the operation, I'm quite pleased with the support from the factory and what we are doing on the pit wall.”
‘Vasseur defends Ferrari F1 strategy calls’;
https://racingnews365.com/vasseur-de...-calls-in-2023
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McLaren confident of development trajectory and closing Red Bull gap in 2024.
Towards the end of the 2023 F1 season, McLaren looked to have the second or third quickest car on the grid.
January 16, 2024
By John Smith
Total Motorsport
Team principal Andrea Stella has overseen the turnaround, alongside McLaren CEO Zak Brown, with both men optimistic they can close the gap to F1’s dominant team – Red Bull – over the course of 2024, especially given their rate of car development which could well continue into the new season.
“We saw that last year we had a period of plateauing and we needed to change from a conceptual point of view the direction such that we could recover this momentum in terms of development,” Stella told the press.
“This year, we haven’t experienced this kind of plateauing in the development tracker and gradient, and at the same time from a conceptual point of view, we see the concepts we had establishing the CSR add quite a lot more to offer, just incremental gains that you can cache.”
‘McLaren confident’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...-gap-red-bull/
Upbeat McLaren has seen no “diminishing returns” on F1 2024 car gains
UPDATEDJAN 16, 2024, 5:34 PM
AUTHORJonathan Noble
Motorsport.com
Asked by Motorsport.com for some feedback on the steps McLaren has been able to make this winter, Stella said: "So far, I have to say we don't see the diminishing returns. We saw that last year we had a period of plateauing and we needed to change, from a conceptual point of view, the direction such that we could recover this momentum in terms of development.”
"This year we haven't experienced this kind of plateauing in the development tracker and gradient, and we see the concepts we had established in last year's car had quite a lot more to offer, just in incremental gains that you can cash in. So a completely different scenario."
Beyond the launch spec, Stella also suggests that McLaren is already unlocking even more gains that will be realised in upgrades that should be on tap early in the campaign. "In the background, we are already starting to work on the further developments that we hope to bring relatively soon in season, and they also seem to be quite interesting," said Stella.
‘McLaren has seen no “diminishing returns” on F1 2024 car’;
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/m...ains/10566285/
Mark Hughes on McLaren's worrying Red Bull theory
Jan 16, 2024
by Mark Hughes
The Race
In assessing McLaren’s 2024 season prospects at McLaren's surprise early 2024 launch, Andrea Stella sounded a note of caution regarding Red Bull. For one very specific reason: he fears that although Red Bull produced relatively few updates last year on its record-busting RB19, it may have been continuing to develop it in the virtual world.
The cost cap restrictions – infamously breached by Red Bull in 2021 – and the superiority of the car meant Red Bull saw no need to produce a constant stream of updates through the season. There were just two major bodywork changes, both around the radiator inlet area, through the season: these appeared in Azerbaijan in April and Hungary in July.
“When we think specifically about Red Bull,” said Stella at McLaren’s livery launch, “there's one element that obviously I think puts everyone in doubt as to what's going to happen in 2024 - and it's the fact they haven't developed their car very much. So the question is have they cashed in, accumulated development that they will capitalise onto next year's car? This is my theory. I can't think that Red Bull were not in condition to develop their car - but they might have decided not to deliver upgrades.”
‘McLaren's worrying Red Bull theory’;
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/m...-bull-warning/
Six takeaways from McLaren's early F1 2024 launch
Jan 16, 2024
by Scott Mitchell-Malm, Ben Anderson
The Race
ITS PREPARATION IS VASTLY DIFFERENT: At last year’s launch, new team principal Andrea Stella wanted to front up to the problems McLaren had faced in its development of its 2023 car, and make it clear it had low expectations for the start of the year.
IT FINALLY HAS SOMETHING WORTH HIDING: The circumstances of 2022/2023 meant McLaren didn’t have a problem putting the real thing on display at its launch a year ago because it wasn’t very happy with what it had.
ITS OLD EXCUSES ARE GONE: One of the things this era of McLaren leadership had already moved away from last year was blaming the existing infrastructure for its shortcomings.
ITS NEW RECRUITS ARE ALREADY MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Having restructured the technical department in the fallout of the underwhelming start to 2023, McLaren hired Marshall from Red Bull, and Sanchez from Ferrari, as key recruits to fill leadership roles within that new structure.
IT’S NOW A PROFIT-MAKER: Before Christmas, McLaren confirmed its main shareholder - the sovereign bank of Bahrain - had taken back full control of the business and given it a fresh cash injection.
BUT IT DOES FEAR ‘UNPLEASANT’ SURPRISE: Stella has warned that Red Bull should make a “large step forward” for the start of 2024, which could just keep it out of everybody else’s reach for another year.
‘Six takeaways’;
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/m...six-takeaways/
ANALYSIS: As McLaren reveal their new livery, are they the team set to take the fight to Red Bull in 2024?
16 January 2024
Lawrence Barretto
F1 Correspondent & Presenter
McLaren won the race to kick off launch season with the unveiling of their 2024 livery, just two weeks into the new year and around a month before their real car (the MCL38) will break cover with a shakedown at Silverstone. They have a new wind tunnel (McLaren had previously done all off their wind tunnel running off-site at Toyota’s facility in Germany which led to logistical challenges and impacted the timeframe of developments) up and running, with the 2024 car the first project to benefit from this enhancement.
They have a new simulator on-site, too, bringing them in line with the very best technology run by their biggest rivals. And there was no late change in concept – as was the case last year that meant their launch car was something of a compromise.
“The preparations so far have been relatively smooth I would say, well smooth in the F1 sense, which means pushing everything to the last minute, to the limit,” says Team Principal Andrea Stella ahead of his second full season in the role. “So far we are on plan.
‘McLaren: The team set to take the fight to Red Bull in 2024…’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...zowJtYUzm.html
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Fallows: Another performance leap for Aston ‘absolutely possible’.
Aston Martin technical director Dan Fallows is confident that the Silverstone-based outfit can repeat its impressive winter development process from last year and take another significant step forward in performance in 2024.
12/01/2024 at 14:08
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com
In a recent interview with the New York Times, Fallows believes that Aston can deliver the goods once again. “It's absolutely possible,” the British engineer told F1 reporter Ian Parkes.
“We've seen with what we did at the beginning of the season that there are still opportunities to make a big step forward. But it's a relative game. It depends on what other people are doing.”
“For us, the most important thing is that we're making that big step forward. We have our internal targets. We have things that we want to achieve, and as long as we achieve that, then we'll be happy. Where that sits us on the grid will play out according to what our competitors do.”
‘Performance leap for Aston ‘absolutely possible’’;
https://f1i.com/news/497737-fallows-...-possible.html
Aston Martin boss shares “nail-biting” nerves over rivals’ winter development
14 Jan 2024
James Dielhenn
Crash.Net
Aston Martin have confessed to “nail-biting” over the potential progress of the likes of Mercedes. It has left Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack pondering what his fellow frontrunners might have in store for the 2024 season.
“We're up against formidable competitors, and the big question mark over the winter is always what kind of job other teams have done,” Krack said. “There's a lot of nail-biting. You're always asking yourself: 'Have we done enough?'”
“Whatever happens, it always results in the same loop: if the cars roll out and we haven't done enough, then we have to work hard to improve. If we have done enough, then we have to work hard to improve further. That's the only recipe that works in Formula One.”
‘Rivals’ winter development’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/news/104322...er-development
Aston Martin: ‘Truth’ the best way to handle Alonso and Stroll
Alonso outscored Stroll significantly in the drivers' championship with the Spaniard constantly outperforming the Canadian throughout 2023
January 14, 2024
Nathan Hartley
FormulaNerds
Aston Martin believes speaking the “truth” was the best way to effectively handle the dynamics between Formula 1 teammates Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll in 2023. Team principal Mike Krack explained that the team went through many internal discussions, regarding the best way to deal with the new dynamic. The discussions were prior to the Spaniard’s arrival. However, the 51-year-old said that the approach required was pretty simple.
Whilst speaking to Motorsport.com, Krack revealed the team’s mindset of handling both drivers. “We have a particular situation, obviously, because one of the drivers is the son of the owner and the other is an experienced mature driver. So, you need to think: what are the dynamics and how are they going to be evolving?”
“When Fernando joined us, many people were warning us he can be difficult, so we tried to prepare ourselves. We had to think, what is our approach – and this was not only me, it was the sporting director, and performance director – and how are we going to manage the media? But we needed to be aware that both Fernando and Lance had known each other forever – already from the Ferrari times. So when it started, we took the approach that we have to be open, honest and transparent with both at all times.”
‘Truth’;
https://www.formulanerds.com/news/as...so-and-stroll/
F1 team boss makes 'nail-biting' confession over rival development
Monday 15 January 2024 14:57
Matthew Hobkinson
Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack has admitted that there is 'a lot of nail-biting' as the Silverstone-based outfit wait to see if their 2024 challenger will be good enough to compete against their Formula 1 rivals.
And although taking the fight to Red Bull may be out of Aston Martin's realistic achievements for next year, Krack has admitted that he is still nervous when it comes to taking on the rest of the competition next year.
“We're up against formidable competitors, and the big question mark over the winter is always what kind of job other teams have done,” Krack told the team's in-house media.
‘'Nail-biting' confession’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...iting-mclaren/
Formula 1 development race more 'cutthroat' than ever – Collins
12/01/2024 at 08:12
Michael Delaney
F1i.com
Former Aston Martin strategist and current Sky F1 contributor Bernie Collins has observed that the development race seen during the 2023 F1 season was a “cutthroat” affair that kept the teams more than ever on their toes from beginning to end. “It's been a year where the development race has been more cutthroat than it has been in other years,” she observed.
“We see McLaren at the start of the year, really poor performance compared to what I certainly expected from them in the opening races, and there was really aggressive upgrades, really bringing the car forward, which is, at the end of the year, it's pretty much always on the podium,” Collins explained.
“Then, the opposite appearing to be true of, like, Aston Martin, where they started the year so strongly and then it appeared that the upgrades weren't working and through the middle of the year had this massive slump. So the development race in these regs seems to be really tight, and it seems to be really close between teams getting the car right, and in the right working window, or the car totally not working at all.”
‘Development race 'cutthroat'’;
https://f1i.com/news/497715-formula-...r-collins.html
