Today's F1 News Delivered Faster Than a Pit Stop
Lance Stroll faced controversy during the Qatar Grand Prix qualifying when he appeared to push his personal trainer. His poor season continued as he was eliminated in Q1, finishing P17 well behind teammate Fernando Alonso. Stroll's frustration was evident as he ignored an employee's direction to be weighed and possibly pushed him, though this is unconfirmed. In a terse interview, Stroll expressed disappointment and offered no clear solution for his struggles, leaving the team reliant on Alonso for good results.
Click here to read the full article by Nick Golding (formula1news.co.uk)
Formula One's four lowest-ranked teams - Williams, Haas, Alfa Romeo/Sauber, and AlphaTauri - will receive a $20 million increase in capital expenditure, bringing their total to $65 million for the 2024 season, as per new financial regulations by the FIA. The top three teams, Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari, will receive an extra $6 million, raising their allowance to $51 million, while middle-tier teams like McLaren, Alpine, and Aston Martin can now spend $58 million each, a $13 million boost. These allowances were determined based on championship standings from 2020 to 2022, aiming to level the playing field among teams with varying budgets. Williams welcomed the increase, considering it a step in the right direction.
Click here to read the full article on espn.com
The FIA is concerned about potential safety risks due to damage caused by curbs at the Lusail circuit. During Free Practice 1, analysis by Pirelli revealed sidewall separation in tires used for approximately 20 laps, which could lead to air loss with more laps. The issue is likely exacerbated by the 50mm 'pyramid' curbs and riding them. To address this, track limits at Turns 12-13 will be revised, a Practice Familiarisation Session will be held, and extensive tire analysis will follow the Sprint. If the problem persists, new tire limits and mandatory pit stops will be enforced for the Grand Prix. Pirelli and the FIA will conduct research to prevent future occurrences reminiscent of the 2005 United States Grand Prix tire controversy and address Yuki Tsunoda's concerns about the aggressive curbs.
Click here to read the full article on pitpass.com
Ferrari and Williams team bosses are unhappy with Andretti Global's potential entry into F1, as the FIA approved them to progress in the selection process. Williams argues against adding an 11th team, citing financial instability in the sport. Ferrari's Fred Vasseur also opposes it, emphasizing the need to be cautious given past financial troubles in F1. While McLaren supports Andretti's entry, the teams' opinions won't determine its fate, and Andretti must prove it can add commercial value and share in the sport's growth to justify the addition of another team.
Click here to read the full article by Mat Coch (speedcafe.com)
Apple is apparently considering a $2 billion annual offer for the exclusive global broadcasting rights of Formula 1. While there are some hurdles to overcome, such as the extended durations of many of F1's current TV contracts extending beyond five years, this partnership could be a significant win for Apple for various reasons. Joe Pompliano has outlined some factors that make this potential collaboration promising, including Formula 1's exceptional global reach and the valuable intellectual property that Apple could leverage.