Today's F1 News Delivered Faster Than a Pit Stop
Contrary to claims that Max Verstappen's Formula 1 dominance is turning off fans, statistics indicate a surge in popularity for the sport. Since Liberty Media took over in 2018, US viewership has nearly tripled, reaching over 1.2 million viewers. The "Drive to Survive" docudrama, introduced in 2019, has contributed to this surge, exemplified by record attendance of 440,000 fans at the Circuit of the Americas last October. While Verstappen's recent dominance is notable, historical instances of driver dominance, such as Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton, did not lead to a decline in fan interest. Claims of a declining fanbase are dismissed as unfounded and potentially propagated by those with personal biases against Verstappen, as the sport continues to enjoy strong television ratings and track attendance.
Click here to read the full article by Asher Fair (beyondtheflag.com)
Fernando Alonso, with 377 Grand Prix starts, aims to reach 400 next season, displaying "extreme self-confidence" in his performance. Despite his determination, he hints that the demanding F1 schedule, with 24 races in 2024, might influence his decision to retire. Reflecting Max Verstappen's concerns, Alonso acknowledges the toll on drivers and suggests external factors, not his driving ability, could lead him to retire.
Click here to read the full article by Jake Nichol & Aaron Deckers (racingnews365.com)
Ferrari Driver Academy's Oliver Bearman aims to capitalize on his 2023 progress, drawing inspiration from Oscar Piastri's F1 journey. Bearman, third in last year's F3, secured four F2 wins and FP1 outings with Haas. Learning from Piastri, Bearman emphasizes the importance of preparation and hopes for more FP1s and private testing before entering F1, acknowledging the challenges of rookie competition. The post-season test and FP1 appearances serve as crucial opportunities, with the 2022 cars becoming available for private outings from 2024, aiding Bearman's F1 preparation.
Click here to read the full article by Andrew Lewin (f1i.com)
Max Verstappen, Checo Perez, and Christian Horner team up with Rokt CEO Bruce Buchanan at the Red Bull Technology Campus for a lighthearted series of challenges. The first task involves one member from each team donning a blindfold and racing a radio patrol car around a small track. The friendly competition aims to determine the winner of the Rokt Star Championship.
F1 drivers join in on Pirelli's 'say the driver without saying the driver' challenge. In this light-hearted activity, one driver casually shares some comments about another driver, possibly based on personal experiences or observations. Verstappen, for example, jokingly mentioned a suspicion that a certain driver might be from Texas rather than Australia before passing the Pirelli cap to Ricciardo. The playful banter then continued with the next driver.