F1 2024 -Watchalong thread

[Brazilianadventure]

Happy New Year.

Thought I would start the 2024 thread given there is more political intrigue with the FIA.

2 resignations and one person choosing to not renew their contract. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/67906883

Plus allegedly another ex-Red Bull employee moving to the FIA. https://x.com/silverarrowsnet/status/1744375322131231089?s=46&t=lJm6-66fq4MtGcwwAsK6Kg

I'm hoping that Lando will finally win a race.

Oh, and that DS2 learns how to sleep so that I can actually watch...

I don’t know if any of you watch P1 with Matt & Tommy but the amount of black carbon fibre on most cars launched so far means any team (VCARB) with paint gets an OTT reaction.

Just over a week to testing - yay.

I ❤❤❤Matt & Tommy. They have really left the WTF1 team in their wake and while it was a brave move for them to go out on their own and do their own Podcast and social media channel, it has stood them in good stead. They are well respected in the paddock and just so terribly funny when it comes to their live streams during a race.

Long may their coverage of F1 continue.

I can't get over how much black carbon fibre is on show. They are looking very samey. I really like the Aston Martin cars though (doesn't look terribly different from last year) but their launch was very underwhelming.

I still laugh every time I see Matt’s reaction to Charles crashing the Ferrari on the warm up lap. 😂

Thank god, the Ferrari has plenty of red paint - I could see it just having black carbon and red accents.

I said to DS it's a very dark grid. Although the no paint thing isn't new. That's why the mercs were the silver arrows as they didn't paint the cars to keep them lighter

@gingercat02 just seen the merc, mainly black with silver down the top of the nose and the symbol on the rear sides.

It’s going to be very difficult to tell cars apart when racing - Ferrari, McLaren, VCARB and Williams are distinctive. AM’s Green under the light looked black last year. RB are the last to launch.

Just a week to testing!

Can't wait for the season to start, hurry up!!

It feels like it's a longer than normal off season. I normally don't bother re-subbing to Now sport until the first day of qualifying, but I'm tempted to do it a bit earlier this year just so I can watch testing 😶

Anyone watching the Red Bull launch?

Christian looks really different, like he's a bit broken, aged 15 years since November.

Also Adrian Newey, suddenly looks very old.

Christian has definitely shrunk.

Just caught up with the launch and Christian does look like he has aged, I think he has lost weight and that may be why.

CH does look like recent weeks have taken a toll in the laucnh video.

But, on the flip side... doesn't DC look like he's living the good life in his semi retirement. Monaco living and good investments are clearly good for you!

I haven't seen the launch but I was listening to the Racef1 podcast and I'm now a bit concerned that Red Bull are going to be even further in front than they were last year.
It's funny that they have gone with some of the concepts that Mercedes originally had but ditched. Mercedes could see the numbers were good but couldn't get it to work. Maybe Red Bull can, given how well they understand these ground effect regs.
They joked on the podcast that all the other teams have shifted towards the Red Bull RB19 approach and now Red Bull have gone and changed things up completely!
I hope for our viewing pleasure that the pack has tightened up though. Last year was a bit boring in parts.

I do love when Newey pulls a Newey and does something unexpected! But yes I suspect we'll be paying the price with another dominant year.

I saw the F1 Academy has partnered with Charlotte Tilbury. Then this cringe post from Susie Wolff - love, nobody cares that your husband prefers you fresh faced. Urgh.

Er...
https://twitter.com/ErikvHaren/status/1758493483168321547?s=20

Did I read that right, the allegations against Horner are of a "sexual nature"?

I know a real silver fox. Although he needs to take the tan down one level.

I had to use the translate function but that is what it appears to be saying.

I also caught part of an interview on BBC News where he denied the allegations. When subsequently asked if he was innocent he said I refer you to my previous answer which surprised me.

I hope for everyone concerned they wrap up the investigation asap.

There's no way this wasn't the case, to be fair.

When it first came out and was described an ‘inappropriate behaviour’ I thought that had to mean either sexual harassment or bullying.

I would’ve guessed bullying based on what we know of him but then who knows what he’s really like.

When it first broke I read that it was inappropriate behaviour and that there was evidence, which seemed to point to dick pics. But then the wording seemed to row back from that so who knows. Well, I guess we will in time! These things do always leak eventually.

If it's dick pics he's a massive fucking idiot.

Rumours are circulating that he offered to give her £650000 to pay her off and stop the investigation.