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

Was that national anthem auto tuned?!

And wasn't the female racer a brilliant pit walk interview?

*grid walk

That safety car timing has really stitched up poor Lando.

F1 need to do something about this issue, it happens too often that it ruins someone's race.

What can they do? the worst safety car was AD 2021.

I don't know what they can do. Probably nothing.

It just seems really unfair that if a safety car comes out too late for the lead car to pit, but in time for P2 onwards, then the lead car is completely stitched up.

2021 was obviously completely ridiculous.

Another race ruined by that damned safety car. Lando was flying before then. I never want Max to win but I begrudge his victories even more when it's after a helping hand. Bah.

Yeah but the safety car won the race for Lando in Miami. Sometimes it works for you, sometimes it works against you.

That was the most exciting race in a while. Bit gutted for Russell but a podium is a good step forward for Mercedes. It was a damn hard race as a Williams fan though, poor Albon was a just a passenger when Sainz spun, he was in the points too 😕

Norris can't complain about the safety car, as the safety car in Miami helped him him win, this time it helped Verstappen win. Just how it goes.

Occon was my driver of the day, he quietly had a pretty amazing race even though the cameras never noticed.

My god what a farce that night was, terrible

I know this is F1 thread but great news Jamie Chadwick got pole and won Indy NXT. Apparently the first female winner of a road track. I’m not into Indy but this has to be a good step towards a female F1 driver.

Abbi Pulling is also doing well in Formula 4. She got another podium this weekend.

Definitely. It wasn't a lucky win. She started on pole, then led the entire race until a red flag with 2 laps to go bunched the field up. She then kept everyone behind her for those 2 laps to take the win.

Yes very delighted for Jamie when she won! She was so dominating in the W series. I think it's a shame she has never had a try out for F1. I wonder if at 26, she might still be able to get a super license to try for F1. Would love Williams to at least give her an opportunity in the future.

Business F1 magazine is reporting that Adrian Newey has signed with Ferrari.

businessf1magazine.com/june-2024-issue/

I am absolutely LOVING the location of the story about Horner in that magazine - it's on page 44 if you could believe it!!! Of all of the pages to start a story about Horner and the story is called "Horners Dreams Will Die First" and it's on 44. Someone in Business F1 has a sense of humour!!!

Is Business F1 the tabloid style magazine that broke all the allegations last time or is this one a bit more upmarket?

I don't think it's particularly reputable, some dodgy stuff in the past I think. But any story involving EJ could crop up anywhere.

And I think everyone expects it to go that way so it's not a big call either.

Sure where would we all be without the antics of EJ 😆😂😆

Autosport reporting that the FIA have reduced the age to hold a super licence to 17. So does that mean that Logan might be booted out mid season to give Kimi Antonelli a bit of a practice before he signs for Mercedes?

I think that is a strong possibility @Exhaustedpenguin. If I was a TP I would want to test out Kimi if I could before signing him to fill Lewis’s seat.

Hola.

Off track
Adrian Newey is being courted by several teams and is taking his time to decide.
KMag at the press conference said Carlos is holding up the driver market. Carlos said a decision is close but still seems to be undecided as the choice is limited.
Flavio is back at Alpine as an advisor!

On track Lando just ahead of Max in FP1. Weather forecast is dry but very slight chance of showers.

I just watched the Schumacher film. So moving towards the end. And the racing back then looked great too, faster somehow; I didn't watch it back then sadly.

@YouAreAllMySymmetry I’m glad you enjoyed it.

I did watch F1 at that time and, whilst it took me back, I did find it a little sanitised. This is not surprising given the Schumacher family’s involvement and his tragic accident. The Schumacher Hill rivalry was quite brutal at times.

Michael was an amazing but flawed driver. I was lucky enough to go to a few races, Spa 2002 was a stand out. The sound of the engines was awesome.

I loved the Schumacher documentary. All my friends had boy band posters on their walls, I had Michael. A very dear friend from those days is no longer with us and it took me right back (but she was a Villeneuve fan, so much as I love her, she had questionable taste ). Probably more about nostalgia for me than the content iykwim.

I thought Corrina came across brilliantly, an absolute tower of strength. I noticed she mixed her tenses when she spoke of him - Michael was funny, Michael is strong. So heartbreakingly sad.

Yes @ColleenDonaghy I noticed that too. He's physically there but that's it, is the sense I got. Terrible, they seemed to have such fun and interesting lives, obviously had money to do what they wanted, and lovely children.

Only saw a little bit of FP1 today, anyone else catch any more?