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 really enjoyed it and have binge watched them all over the weekend.

It hadn't clicked but it makes sense - DH was saying that a few of the drivers are really only there because they come with so much financial backing from some very very rich people or sponsors. Yuki for one and also Checco.

They are 2 seats which I really don't understand. I like them both but there are better people for the seats.

I hope Liam Lawson gets a seat soon. He reminds me of a young Michael Schumacher.

I enjoyed DTS, I hadn’t appreciated just how Otmar was dismissed during the weekend. He literally had to pack and walk out of the paddock in front of everyone. That was unnecessary.

The Gasly Ocon rift is very long standing as I think they were both fighting for the top spot from carting onwards.

Last series they were criticised for not enough female voices so Danica, Clare & Susie’s inclusion makes sense. There is a lot of hate for Danica on X and other forums which I don’t think is fair.

@spottedinthewilds you missed Lance 😀. It’s always been the same even Niki Lauda was a pay driver at first. Checo’s funding has definitely kept him in the sport in the past e.g. Force India, but he was also the one that forced them into bankruptcy to make sure staff got paid.

Haha yes of Course Lance was the obvious one!

Last series they were criticised for not enough female voices so Danica, Clare & Susie’s inclusion makes sense. There is a lot of hate for Danica on X and other forums which I don’t think is fair.

Oh I know that, it's just so depressing that they have to go for "former" to have female voices. They can only do what they can with the sport as it is, but it really brought it home to me.

I would be interested to see how the relationship between Fred and Toto has changed (if it has) following the Lewis thing.

They were/are very close apparently.

I don't think Yuki deserves his place, and would have kept Liam Lawson over him.

He's not exactly blazing a trail, and to me he's also just really immature, in the car and out.

If he comes with money then yes, it does all suddenly make sense...

I think Yuki also gets his seat because of the Honda relationship- they've probably really pushed for a Japanese driver. It does get me angry when you see all the great drivers coming through the ranks who just don't fit politically or commercially who therefore never get a chance.

Pay drivers have always been a thing, if anything they're much higher quality than they used to be! Typically, the very talented youngsters attract sponsorship and young driver programmes. Michael Schumacher got into F1 because Mercedes paid for his seat, it's pretty typical for them to have backing by the time they get to F1.

It's more that they keep the seat even though they are a bit rubbish. I'm amazed that Checco still has the RB seat this year. He has made so many mistakes.

Exactly. If they don't perform then don't hold up potential new talent.

It's a common strategy to have a solid number two rather than a contender alongside the great (Irvine and Barichello at Ferrari, Coulthard at McLaren, Webber at Red Bull, Bottas at Mercedes). It tends to work well and reduces the drama. The second Red Bull seat is particularly tricky and has ended or interrupted more than one career, especially alongside Max who has an unusual preference for set up. I don't know how many would actually want it and also be better than Checo.

Having said that, it's Red Bull, so fully expect him to be fired some time this year.

Agree completely about Red Bull. Checo made mistakes but he still finished P2 and hasn't expressed a desire to be World Champion. To me, he's the perfect 2nd driver.

It beats me why DR wants to go back- yes, he's older but surely the reason that he left in the first place won't have changed.

I assumed DR wanted a shot at redemption after the McLaren debacle. I don't think he'll have any chance of winning a world championship at Red Bull, but if he manages to challenge Max a bit then that's a much better story for him as a driver. And no one else wanted him I guess!

Lack of options in his case I guess. No going back to McLaren or Alpine.

I understand why DR wanted to stay in F1 and RB was the only credible option. What happened at McLaren was sad as I thought he was a good fit. DR didn’t turn into a crap driver he was faced with a car he had to drive against his natural style and lost his way.

Remember Kimi went from Ferrari to Sauber and everyone asked why - to me it was obvious they are drivers/racers and there is nothing like driving an F1 car. So they want to do it for as long as possible.

Redbull are expected to announce the outcome of the investigation on Horner as early as tomorrow afternoon.

I'm flying to Bahrain tomorrow and will let you all know if I spot him at the airport

Oo are you going to the race? Have fun! I'm very jealous!

Oh amazing!

I thought they'd stand him down before the first race tbh. Although who they'd install as TP I don't know.

@witte have a fantastic time.

They’ve got to let him know (if not the rest of us) by today otherwise how does he know if he’s getting on a plane tomorrow?

I can’t get on board with DtoS. It’s last season so we already know the outcome of everything and some things look ridiculous now, such as the Hamilton contract negotiation episode. I don’t quite see the point of it!

Decision late today announcement tomorrow I guess?

News today is saying the report on CH is complete and is now with the Red Bull board

I guess but it won’t take long to leak once he himself is informed. Especially if is bad news for him - travels faster than good news.

Agreed, nothing in F1 stays quiet for long