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

Agree. There was an early DtS episode with him and Nico H and he was just really hamming it up, while Nico skulked around feeling awkward.

Obviously clever editing, and they are very different people, but I didn't like it - he came across as a bit of a smiling mean boy.

Not strictly F1, congratulations to Carlos Sainz Snr who has won the Dakar Rally for the 4th time. Carlos Jnr and the family all flew out to congratulate him.

I always think of him as the Dad of the F1 paddock like John Button - he seems to have a good relationship with quite a few of the younger drivers. He just seems a nice man with a lovely family & very supportive of Carlos.

Really enjoying the rebirth of McLaren on social media - the new livery looks awesome and they're having a lot of fun with being the underdog.

🤞the car drives as well, if not better, than last year.

Really
hope so 🙏🏻

Just seen from 2026 Madrid will host the Spanish GP. I hope it’s not another street track.

It's a bit of a hybrid of a street & non street circuit apparently...

Slightly optimistic about it I think, I don't particularly enjoy street tracks as much, but I can't say Barcelona has given many amazing races either🤷🏼‍♀️

Hi 🖐Can I join in? Been a F1 fan since watching Prost, Senna et al battling it out when I was young. Long time Williams fan so can't wait to see Albono this season and whether he decides to stay put for 2025 or look to one of the top teams.

My DH can't stand it but I've managed to get both the kids obsessed!

Welcome @Exhaustedpenguin. James Allison does seem to be making a difference at Williams.

Once we get into Feb pre season testing won’t be long.

For all you Ferrari fans you might want to know that Charles Leclerc has signed a new deal to stay at Ferrari from 2024 and beyond.

They haven't indicated an end date though in the announcement.

Wonder how long the contract is for, if there is an exit clause in the contract that says if the team don't produce X results, then he can leave or anything like that. With the new regulations coming in in 2026, this is quite interesting as it may take him out of the driver market if Ferrari are doing well or it might throw him into the pool of drivers wanting to make a move at the end of 2025.

There are a lot of contracts up for renewal at the end of 2024 but I'd wonder how many will sign for just a 1 year extension so that all seats are up for grabs when the new regulations kick in.

Oh Charles. Some therapist is going to get very rich out of that contract.

I'd so love to see them do it, but...

I think a lot will be watching the rebranded VisaCashnotgotaclueRB team formerly known as Alpha Tauri. If, as Zac Brown suspects, they will take as much as they can from RB and effectively be a B spec team. Danny Ric should be able to put it through its paces and others will watch with interest.

There is also potentially 2 more seats when/if the Andretti team join the grid.

I remember seeing images of all the 2023 steering wheels a few weeks ago with their gazillion buttons, and the Red Bull and Alpha Tauri were identical. It seemed so obvious that they'd be the same but it just made me realise how many more of the specifications they can just copy from RB.

They legitimately buy parts - not all but there is a list that can be sourced. Haas do this with Ferrari but obviously not to the same extent.

This conversation comes up every couple of years, and has done since they bought Minardi, so over 15 years of it.

I think it's not just Zak and Gunnther's comments that have drawn attention this time though. Half the AT/Racing Bulls/ Chip and Pin Whatever team are moving to Milton Keynes and they're being open about using same suspension design etc.

It's different to Haas/Ferrari because with them, ultimately you've still got 2 teams fighting each other for the win on track. I'm not sure that is always the case at Red Bull.

PMSL - I'm cracking up at your comment about the renamed AT team.

They should give their two drivers nicknames in the renamed Alpha Tauri team - one being Chip and the other one PIN 😆

So Lando has extended his contract with McLaren - for them a sensible decision. For Lando, I’m not so sure. I understand why going up against Max in a RB is a no go. However, how long can Lewis go on for and the Mercedes seat is desirable.

I don’t think Lando is scared of racing Max I think he knows it takes at least a full season to fully get to grips with a new car and team. Yes they can all jump in a car and do well, but to squeeze out the last 0.01% you need the mileage.
RB, in particular Christian and Marko, have not demonstrated an ability to let their drivers race, there is always a favourite e.g Seb over Vettel, Max over DR and everyone else. Plus Christian wants to take Lewis’ and Mercedes records, he is driven and it’s personal.

Yes Lewis and Toto/Mercedes want to win and it’s personal but they want to beat everyone, where as with Christian he has a real issue with Mercedes. I think deep down he knows AD2021 will always have a ?

@LookItsMeAgain Chip = Yuki PIN = DR. 😂

Yuki would totally be Chip! 😂

I find it really surprising that Lando's extended his contract now. I don't think there was ever a risk of him leaving McLaren but given what a terrible start they made with last year's car, I'm amazed he didn't want to wait to see how competitive this year's is before committing.

@Brazilianadventure I agree with you about the Mercedes seat potentially being available in a few years and surely Norris would have wanted to at least keep his options open.

I think he's being really honest about how much the uncertainty and rumours was affecting him and the team.

I agree he is being really loyal to McLaren.

I'm sure DR could press your buttons any day 😍😉😉😍

😂