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F1 2024

I am so annoyed.

I had to leave to get my mum and daughter from Euston at 5 after their epic trip from Dublin so left Live race at Lap 26.

Have avoided results and was ready for replay at 8.30 according to Sky schedule.

Turned it on at 8.30 on the dot and they were at lap 59! Fucking arseholes.

I've read the Guardian report now but it's not the same...
Aye, I'd forgotten and and also saw it from lap 59. Brutal conditions. Huge plus for the leader though, the visibility for the rest was grim.
 
I would have loved to see how it played out without Colapinto going off and the resultant red flag.

Verstappen had sailed through the lower order but stalled a bit when he got to the genuinely quick cars (specifically Leclerc). He had the pace and was driving brilliantly, but would have been great to see him have to jump the likes of Gasly, Russell and of course Norris.

Changeable conditions are brilliant for throwing up the unexpected though. I'm quick to criticise Max when he deserves it, so I'll do the same in reverse - he and that Red Bull were a class apart, and if that's the drive that shuts down any thought of him losing the driver's title then it will be a title well earned.
 
I would have loved to see how it played out without Colapinto going off and the resultant red flag.

Verstappen had sailed through the lower order but stalled a bit when he got to the genuinely quick cars (specifically Leclerc). He had the pace and was driving brilliantly, but would have been great to see him have to jump the likes of Gasly, Russell and of course Norris.

Changeable conditions are brilliant for throwing up the unexpected though. I'm quick to criticise Max when he deserves it, so I'll do the same in reverse - he and that Red Bull were a class apart, and if that's the drive that shuts down any thought of him losing the driver's title then it will be a title well earned.

Yeah can't argue with that, quite a performance.
 
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Monaco agrees new deal with F1​

No fears of being rotated with Spa or Silverstone as Automobile Club of Monaco signs new deal which runs to 2031. The races are rarely enthralling, such is the nature of the track, but the event in the Principality remains the jewel in F1's crown, such is the magic of Monaco. With the annual film festival at nearby Cannes guaranteeing an endless supply of movie 'stars', and the Principality home to many of the world's beautiful people, it not only makes Monaco perfect backdrop for F1, but the ideal place to impress a customer when making a business deal... certainly far more appealing than the likes of Zandvoort or Silverstone.

Therefore, at a time F1 CEO, Stefano Domenicali warns that European events will have to get used to being rotated as the sport prepares to welcome cash-rich newbies willing to part with shedloads of their lucre in a bid have some of the F1 magic rub off on them, Monaco appears safe. "I'm delighted that Formula 1 will continue to race in Monaco until 2031," said Domenicali. "The streets of Monte Carlo are unique and a famous part of Formula 1, and the Monaco Grand Prix remains a race that all drivers dream of winning. I would like to extend a special thanks to H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, Michel Boeri, President of the Automobile Club of Monaco and everyone involved in the extension of this important partnership," he added. "This agreement signals a new era of partnership and innovation between Formula 1 and Monaco. It is the future focused leadership of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco which will allow us to create an optimised calendar, which reduces pressure on logistics, and to decrease the environmental impact of our global championship, as we continue the path towards our Net Zero goal by 2030."

That "optimised calendar" sees the Monaco weekend move from its traditional end of May slot to early June from 2026, with the 2025 race scheduled for 23 - 25 May. "I would particularly like to thank H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, Stefano Domenicali, and everyone involved in the extension of this contract," added Michel Boeri, President of the Automobile Club of Monaco. "The signing of this new agreement with the Formula One Group until 2031 not only confirms the strength of our relationship but reaffirms our commitment to offering all visitors an unrivalled, first-class experience at race weekends. The Monaco Grand Prix is the most important sporting event here and continues to attract hundreds of thousands of spectators to the Principality and millions of global television viewers worldwide."
 

Maffei Out, Question Mark Over Domenicali’s F1 Future​

A big question mark continues to hang over Stefano Domenicali’s top job in Formula 1. Liberty Media, the sport’s owner, has announced that its CEO, Greg Maffei, is to step down. His full-time replacement was not named, ramping up speculation that Maffei could be a victim of the US government investigations into Liberty’s rejection of the FIA-approved Andretti-Cadillac team entry bid. However, sources told authoritative sources that Maffei’s departure is not linked to the allegations of anti-competitive and cartel-like behaviour.

But Domenicali, the F1 CEO, has been personally named by the US investigations so far, with Corriere della Sera newspaper believing the Italian is “even more central to the American group’s plans” than Maffei was. Domenicali is still “awaiting contract renewal,” correspondent Daniele Sparisci wrote on Wednesday. Meanwhile, F1’s commercial boss, Emily Prazer, who is also in charge of the F1-promoted Las Vegas GP, says the event is not going to switch to the sprint race weekend format. “No,” she told reporters ahead of next weekend’s glitzy event that races down the fabled Las Vegas ‘Strip’. “Basically, the race in itself essentially feels like a sprint race. So I think we’re quite comfortable letting Austin and Miami keep the sprint because we’ve got so much more happening anyway that we’re in a really good place.”
 

Who is Rui Marques, the new F1 race director who replaces Niels Wittich?​

The FIA suddenly announced on Tuesday that Niels Wittich will no longer be Formula 1 race director. With three race weekends to go in the 2024 Formula 1 season, Rui Marques will take over. Who is the new race director in F1? Rui Marques, the new race director in Formula 1 from the Las Vegas Grand Prix onwards, already has experience in the same position in other Formula classes. Until recently, he held the position of race director in Formula 2 and Formula 3, and now he is making the big move to F1. Before his position as race director in F2 and F3, Marques' roles since 2012 included track commissioner, judge, national and international steward, deputy race director and race director in several championships, including the WTCC championship.

Marques takes over from Niels Wittich, who held the position for a relatively short time. In 2022, Wittich joined Eduardo Freitas to replace Michael Masi. Masi was appointed in early 2019 to replace Charlie Whiting, who was active as Formula 1's race director for decades. Whiting suddenly died. Masi was replaced following the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi season finale, where Max Verstappen secured his first world title at the expense of Lewis Hamilton.
 

FORMULA 1 COMMISSION MEETING 13.11.2024 - MEDIA STATEMENT​

The fifth meeting of the Formula 1 Commission in 2024 took place on November 13 at the FIA offices in Geneva, Switzerland. Chaired by FIA Single-Seater Director Nikolas Tombazis and Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali.

2025 Technical Matters
The commission has approved a range of technical changes for the 2025 season including the introduction of a driver cooling kit when heat hazard gets declared following encouraging test results.

2025 Sporting Matters
Building on discussions prompted by the recent São Paulo Grand Prix, the Commission has confirmed a revised protocol for closing up the grid when a team withdraws a car.
The rookie sprint race initiative was also revisited. The commission remains interested in the concept and will consider it further in 2025 with the aim of having a rookie sprint race in 2026.

2025 Financial Regulations Matters
The Commission approved further measures to expand the exclusion of sustainability initiative costs from the financial regulations for 2025.

2026 Regulations
The regulatory drafting process for 2026 has progressed significantly. Section A, designed to establish a cohesive framework for all subsequent sections, is expected to be presented at the first World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) meeting in 2025.
In Section B, revisions to the Sporting Regulations will incorporate gender-neutral language, highlighting the FIA’s commitment to inclusivity across the board.
The commission has been updated on the progresses made with the teams and the Technical Regulations (section C) should reach completion in time for the next WMSC. The overarching objectives in terms of starting level of performance are likely to be achieved.
Regarding the Financial Regulations (Section D), measures to strengthen confidentiality provisions during investigations and other procedural matters were discussed.

All regulatory changes are subject to approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC).
 
Well, here's the final hat-trick of the season. Three races on the bounce.

This weekend, it's another characteristically American car-park excursion with, presumably, badly parked BMWs hogging the pit-boxes, Porsches getting stuck under the barriers, and the safety car flashing its payment app every lap.

Las Vegas, which exists in a time-zone unknown to Greenwich, is staging the race at 37 o'clock, central supernova time on Betelgeuse. Or something.

For earthbound mortals, the UK telly times appear to be:

Fri 22 Nov
FP1 - 02:30
FP2 - 06:00

Sat 23 Nov
FP3 - 02:30
Qual - 06:00

Sun 24 Nov
Race - 06:00

Yes, the race starts at 22:00 Local Donald Trump Time, to ensure the casinos have bled as much cash out of race punters before they send themselves into a coma with 140 oz full-syrup beverages.

Good luck, everyone.

:thumbs:
 
Well, here's the final hat-trick of the season. Three races on the bounce.

This weekend, it's another characteristically American car-park excursion with, presumably, badly parked BMWs hogging the pit-boxes, Porsches getting stuck under the barriers, and the safety car flashing its payment app every lap.

Las Vegas, which exists in a time-zone unknown to Greenwich, is staging the race at 37 o'clock, central supernova time on Betelgeuse. Or something.

For earthbound mortals, the UK telly times appear to be:

Fri 22 Nov
FP1 - 02:30
FP2 - 06:00

Sat 23 Nov
FP3 - 02:30
Qual - 06:00

Sun 24 Nov
Race - 06:00

Yes, the race starts at 22:00 Local Donald Trump Time, to ensure the casinos have bled as much cash out of race punters before they send themselves into a coma with 140 oz full-syrup beverages.

Good luck, everyone.

:thumbs:

The timing is certainly an issue for this race.
 
Sergio Perez: I'm on a great contract in one of the best cars but having terrible results. Best to keep my head down, be non controversial and not give anyone further cause to hate me.

Perez Dad: Think I'll publicly give Michael Schumacher's brother a load of homophobic and transphobic abuse.
 

Martin Brundle and David Croft the next big-name Sky F1 departures after Damon Hill exit?​

Former Sky F1 pundit Johnny Herbert hinted at Martin Brundle and David Croft being shown the door and offered insight into Damon Hill’s reaction to the backlash over his Max Verstappen comments. In the break between the Brazilian and Las Vegas GPs, 1996 World Champion Damon Hill who had served as a pundit in Sky’s Formula 1 coverage since they secured the rights in 2012 – announced that he will depart at the end of the F1 2024 season.

Martin Brundle and David Croft under threat at Sky F1?
Herbert himself knows what it is like to exit the Sky F1 team, the three-time F1 race winner having been dropped at the end of 2022 after serving as a pundit since 2012 like Hill. And Herbert fears for the futures of two more Sky F1 stalwarts, those being lead commentator David Croft and co-commentator/pundit Martin Brundle, who have also been there since day one. “I don’t know whether it was [Hill’s] decision or Sky’s, to be honest,” said Herbert in conversation “Was it an enjoyment factor? Potentially. I know he got criticism for the Max scenarios and maybe he felt, ‘You know what, I don’t need that.’ There is change going on. If he was pushed, then you wonder what could happen to Martin Brundle and David Croft.”

Hill caused a stir after saying he was not sure Verstappen is “capable” of fair racing as its “not in his repertoire” after the Championship leader received a pair of 10-second time penalties after his battles with rival Lando Norris in Mexico. Herbert himself has been critical of Verstappen, with the Dutchman biting back at the British press in Brazil. And Herbert claims that the backlash which Hill received did not sit well with the 64-year-old. “He was very unhappy at the crazy level of abuse he got over his Max comments,” Herbert revealed. “Maybe all that negativity made him decide.”

The certainty in this situation is that Hill’s time with Sky F1 is coming to an end, with Brundle and Croft part of the team which Hill expressed his admiration for upon revealing the news. “Its been a fantastic 13 years with Sky Sports F1 but all good things come to an end,” he wrote on X. “I will miss the most impressive bunch of professionals it has ever been my pleasure to have worked with. Looking forward to new challenges.”
 
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