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

Just realised my last post was a bit misleading (accidentally). I meant driver as in, the person driving this - not an actual F1 driver

Someone had all the right contacts to get this leak out to everyone in one go. If the leak is real.

I’ve seen some of the messages. Don’t see how he’s going to come back from this. It may not have been controlling behaviour but certainly seems he’s been having an affair.

Having an affair is not necessarily a disciplinary matter though. It obviously is in some roles like teachers and students or the armed forces between ranks and so on but in most normal jobs you can’t be sacked for it per se.

Illegal to have an affair with an employee? No.
Unethical and immoral? Highly. Especially for someone in his position.
Saying that, I still think he'll keep his job.

Although it's consensual there's a power differential that could negate consent.

Well the PR from this will be difficult to get over.

He may have got a disciplinary over it which would be proportionate I guess.

@MercedesLeftWheelNut I understood it as you intended.

This is a developing story and it isn’t clear if the documents have been verified as genuine. There are also questions about GDPR and who had access to a email list with so many F1 people e.g. TP, Media, FIA etc.

whoever said they thought this one would run and run was not wrong.

Well Max and RB not topping P3 but not too far away.

It’s weird having qually on a Friday, as normally it means sprint race tomorrow. Hopefully it will be a clean qually so we get a good idea of the true pace of each car. Obviously the race will give us a better idea of competitiveness.

@witte hope you are safely in Bahrain and have a good seat.

Here for the quali...

I know it will end in crushing disappointment, with Max on pole by a second, but I'm looking forward to qualifying. Won't be watching til the kids are in bed so will be avoiding spoilers. Enjoy all!

Whoooppeeeee - let's gooooooooooooo!!!!

@witte I hope you are having fun and bought a nice warm cardigan?

Me and the kids have a special dance that we do for the F1 anthem. Just done it with them. I've really missed it!! 😅

We've missed it too!

Got home early from work to watch qualifying. Even got snacks and beer!!

Happy for George

Also happy for George!

I do feel that Verstappen did that very easily and Red Bull are sandbagging a little even with pole.

@Sulusu I agree about RB.

The rest of the grid looks close.
Interesting to see their race pace tomorrow.

disappointed to see Max on pole but pleased it wasn’t by much!

Disappointed for Lewis but having a brilliant time, I'd highly recommend coming here for anyone who wants an easy GP. It's easy to get around and everyone's so friendly.

We're on a corner with a view of a straight bit the other way, we went for the cheapest but very happy with them.

@witte I had forgotten you were there. Fab seats. Great result for George ad decent for Lando. Lewis was gutted in the interviews.
Is it as cold as the Sky team are saying?

It's boiling in the day time and I have to find a shady area but as soon as the sun goes down it's freezing. There's a gulf stream that blows across the track (it's in the middle of no where in a desert area) I'm glad I bought my big coat with me.

@witte thanks for the photo, so glad you are enjoying the F1. You can’t replicate the sound on TV.

I must admit, I did quite like CH, and had done even since the early days.

But reading those messages! Yuck!

I expect he will lose his job at some point in the next couple of months.

I also expect him and Geri will split despite her apparently knowing about it all before now. I wonder when she knew.

I saw a funny meme about how a man with flirting skills like his could pull a spice girl 😂😂

I think Horner’s job depends entirely on who wins the internal power struggle at Red Bull. The vacuum left by Dietrich Mateschitz’s death is why this has kicked off.

none of them actually give a shit about the woman involved. Shes just collateral damage.

Completely agree with this - Horner isn’t popular at RB, there’s so much more to this.

Hoping we’re not back in an 8 year stint of one untouchable team - as much as I love Hamilton it did get burning for the sport. I’m so hoping Ferrari can pick their feet up this year.