Today's F1 News Delivered Faster Than a Pit Stop
Michael Masi, the former F1 race director, may make a comeback to the sport over two years after his controversial decisions at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as hinted by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Despite Masi's resignation and criticism from Mercedes, Ben Sulayem defends Masi, expressing willingness to bring him back if the FIA deems it necessary. Since leaving F1, Masi has taken up roles in Australia, including "independent chairman of the Supercars Commission" and a position on the board of directors of Karting Australia, citing the need for mental health support due to online abuse and the challenges of relocating.
Click here to read the full article by Brandon Sutton (total-motorsport.com)
Charles Leclerc's Formula 1 season had two distinct phases, with a crucial Ferrari upgrade during the Japanese Grand Prix significantly improving his performance. Despite Ferrari downplaying it as a "small upgrade," the changes to the front floor, floor fences, mid-floor, and diffuser sidewall, along with a redesigned sidepod undercut, enhanced aerodynamic efficiency. This modification, aimed at managing loss and improving load distribution, transformed Leclerc's comfort and driving consistency. The season-long effort to make the SF-23 more predictable culminated in a marked improvement post-Japan, where Leclerc felt more at ease with the car and achieved better results, including three poles and podium finishes. The performance shift highlighted the importance of a car's compatibility with a driver's preferred style, demonstrating Leclerc's resurgence once the car aligned with his driving preferences.
Click here to read the full article by Scott Mitchell-Malm (the-race.com)
The F1 2024 driver lineup has been finalized, detailing the contract situations for each driver. Notably, Red Bull's Max Verstappen has a secure position until the end of 2028, while teammate Sergio Perez's contract extends to 2024. Mercedes has secured Lewis Hamilton and George Russell until the end of 2025, resolving uncertainties about Hamilton's future. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are contracted for 2024, with a priority on extending Leclerc's deal amid speculations of potential moves to other teams. Other teams, including Alpine, McLaren, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Haas, AlphaTauri, and Williams, have also confirmed their driver lineups for the 2024 season.
Click here to read the full article by Lewis Larkam (crash.net)
Yuki Tsunoda, who enjoys both fast racing and good food, rated American dishes on a scale of one to ten. This included items like cheeseburgers, hotdogs, s'mores, peanut butter, and jelly sandwiches, among others. Interestingly, Tsunoda hadn't tasted some of them but gave the highest rating to a different dish.
Formula 1 suspensions are quite impressive, effortlessly handling a load of a 900-kilogram car speeding over 200 miles per hour, navigating curbs, and taking on challenges like Eau Rouge, all while enduring over five tonnes of peak downforce. But why do all F1 cars use the same double wishbone suspension setup when regular road cars have different setups?