🍂 F1 Autumn Break - Week 2 of 3
Ric
04.10.2024
Hey, it's Friday again!
Although there isn’t much to celebrate, as there still won’t be any Formula 1 this weekend.
The next Grand Prix will be held in Austin on October 20th, but luckily, there is still some news to report.
RACE TIME
There is no race this weekend.
NEWS
🏆 Año con más ganadores
With 6 races left, the 2024 season could set a new record for the most different race winners. The current record is from 2012, when 8 different drivers won a race. In 2024, we have already seen 7 different winners (Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Leclerc, Sainz, Hamilton, and Russell). Only Pérez from the top 4 teams still needs to win to tie the record and one more driver could break it.
🆕 Alpine Mercedes
The long history of Renault engines in Formula 1 is ending. Renault confirmed it will shut down its F1 engine factory by the end of 2025, so Alpine will become a customer team in 2026 and will be powered by Mercedes. The numbers speak for themselves: buying a Mercedes engine costs about $20 million per season, but developing an engine from scratch costs over $100 million.
📈 Final upgrades
By this point in the season, teams usually focus almost entirely on next year’s car. But with Verstappen’s fourth world championship at risk, Red Bull is still developing their current car and will bring a new floor and front wing to Austin. At the same time, Ferrari will also bring upgrades as they still think that finishing second in the Constructors' Championship ahead of Red Bull is still possible.
🤔 Williams at a crossroads
Williams is facing a tough choice: next year, they have three drivers but only two seats. Colapinto has been performing better than expected, so to ensure he continues gaining experience and they don't lose him, Williams team boss James Vowles is negotiating a loan to Sauber/Audi for two seasons (since they are the only team left with an open seat). Did they sign Sainz too soon?
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Anyhow, thank you for reading and, of course, feel free to reply and give me your feedback.
-- Ric, a passionate F1 enthusiast