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

Well done Ollie Bearman. But oh my the off track drama. Apparently Helmut Marko is being forced out at Red Bull. Verstappen has been pretty clear in the past about his loyalty to Marko. What happens now!

I can't keep up with the drama! Someone check on the Drive to Survive producers, they might be overcome. 😱

Where are you reading this?

Thought Alonso had a great quali, and am absolutely loving watching Piastri too.

If Marko was behind the leak to try and oust Horner it’s not surprising is his “advising” is no longer wanted.

i wonder if he had designs of taking over the team himself with Max’s support

I wish Christian would just fuck off now and let the racing be the focus again.

twitter.com/FastestPitStop/status/1766154601068220818?s=19

Hopefully this works - twitter post about Helmut Marko

The irony is not lost on
me that Simon, Naomi and Bernie are talking about International Women’s Day and women getting into Motorsport.

Marko survived the racist comments against Checo was that because of the alleged clause in Max’s contract?

Matthew Syed was right in his article when he said CH is good at playing the victim whilst being the aggressor.

I still believe the PA is a pawn in a much bigger game.

Max making it quite clear to the media that if Marko goes, he goes.

Neverending this! I’ve followed F1 for decades and I’ve never known so much drama, especially for something entirely off-track.

I'm looking forward to the race, but I can't approve of ME influence on the sport.
The irony of IWD in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia wasn't lost on me (and the RBR bs)
I'm trying not to let CH, Marko, etc, get in the way of the racing, so I'm trying to ignore it (and Max whizzing off into the distance by 17:05)
Delighted for Ollie, shame he missed Q3, but brilliant all the same. His Dad was funny.

There is an article in Autosport saying that Wolff has suggested Marko could take up a non-exec role at Mercedes like the one Niki Lauda used to have. Slightly tongue in cheek perhaps, but...? What are the odds that Marko does end up at Mercedes and Max fills Lewis's seat at Mercedes next year when Lewis decamps to Ferrari? Some slick engineering going on behind the scenes there? (And would I dislike Max a little less if he was no longer at Red Bull?!)

The PA has been used by them all.

I’d be very curious to know if there’s any coincidence in the rumours that she was “spending time” with Jos Verstappen and her decision to complain about Horner.

I fear she’s been absolutely manipulated by the Joa Verstappen, Marko, Austrian side of the power battle in their bid for control.

I really hope for her sake that the press can not digging around her left and hounding her; I can imagine someone's mental health spiralling in such a difficult and complicated situation, especially if you realise in retrospect that you'd been used by more than one gross powerful privileged man.

Ollie is doing great

Amazing drive Ollie Bearman!!!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Ollie Bearman 👏👏👏👏

KMag 👏👏 really played the team game.

Is Geri channeling Princes Leia?

Odd race. Very good from Bearman on his debut. Otherwise quite dull. I hardly saw the two Red Bulls, Le Clerc, Alonso or Russell.

The big sponsors of Red Bull can't be too impressed with how little actual camera time they are getting in races being so far ahead. Never mind all the off track drama being a very negative image for them. Ford and Oracle must be wondering about their investment right now.

Yes with a very fixed smile.

I enjoyed the racing down the field.

But OMG Danny Ric is in trouble, he should not be consistently be behind Yuki. It has to be either the ground effect cars or the tyres not suiting his driving style. Seb had a similar struggle when the regs changed and he went to Ferrari. For such a talented driver at RB and Renault to becoming so bad in McLaren and VCARB. He was good in Mexico last year but my prediction of him being in the RB by summer break is laughable.

I thought it was more like a smug smirk. She annoys me almost as much as Horner does.

Absolutely agree. If I were sponsoring and the lead car had so little time on screen I'd be a bit miffed too!!

Bearman did really well bless him, and his Dad was so living every moment.

I also think I might like Max a bit more if he didn't drive for Red Bull.

I genuinely don't understand how he can be 8 seconds ahead of the pack in what is otherwise such a tight pack.

Well done Ollie Bearman , move aside lou lou and let the young talent through

Geri is unbearable

We watched late as DS was out and clashed with the rugby.
Really pleased for Ollie, his dad is a brilliant watch. Good to see Carlos there.
Think McLaren screwed up, not stopping Lando under the safety car.
Danny Ric's days must be numbered, especially if CH does go (which I still can not see). Liam Lawson deserves a chance.
Didn't watch any post race stuff as generally cba, which is sad as I loved all the analysis and chat.

@billysboy why should Lewis move aside? He kept Oscar behind for lap after lap even though Oscar had better tyres and a better car through the fast corners. Lando got a black and White flag as that was the only way he could stop Lewis overtaking on that one lap.

I think it will be interesting to see what Lewis can do in a Ferrari. I don’t expect him to beat Charles in 2025 but 2026 when there is a change of regulations he will have had a year in the team and helped with the car development.

Is Lewis as quick over one lap as he was - no, but with 104 pole positions he has nothing to prove.

Agreed! And tbh there are plenty of middling drivers taking up seats that could move aside to let young talent in long before the likes of LH or Alonso. It's not about age, it's about talent.

I'd be really disappointed if Toto Wolff let Helmut Marko anywhere near Mercedes, it would feel so counter to the way they've conducted themselves over the last few years and the brand they've built with LH.