2024 F1 News and Prediction League

[pharvey]

Formula 1 announces China, Miami, Austria, Austin, Sao Paulo and Qatar as sprint venues for 2024

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/67625367

China, Miami, Austria, Austin, Sao Paulo and Qatar are the six grands prix chosen to host 'sprint' events during the 2024 Formula 1 season.

F1 announced the list of races on Tuesday, and said changes to the format of the events were under discussion.

A plan to move qualifying for the sprint to Friday and hold the shorter race on Saturday before grand prix qualifying has been effectively agreed.

More radical changes, such as reversing the sprint grid, are being considered.

These will be discussed at a meeting of the F1 Commission - which comprises F1, governing body the FIA and all 10 teams - in January.

F1 president Stefano Domenicali said: "Since its creation in 2021, the sprint has been consistent in delivering increased audiences on TV, more on-track entertainment for the fans at events and increased fan engagement on social and digital platforms, and we are looking forward to the exciting events next year."

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem added: "We must continuously develop and adapt to ensure we are doing what is best for the sport, and as such we are working with F1 and the teams to define the future direction of the sprint format."

Two plans of different nature are under consideration for a format change for the sprints, which are races that run to about one-third of the distance of a grand prix.

The more dramatic is to reverse part of the grid for the sprint - likely the top 10 positions. Discussions are being held as to how this could effectively be done.

The other option is not to take up the reverse-grid idea but to change the current rule that forbids teams from changing their cars after the single practice session held before the first qualifying on a sprint weekend.

The first sprint of 2024 will be held at the Chinese Grand Prix on 19-21 April. The Shanghai race will be on the calendar next year for the first time since the pandemic, having been cancelled in 2023 because of China's difficulties in coming out of Covid.

Miami follows on 3-5 May, and is also hosting a sprint event for the first time.

The other four races have all held sprint events previously.

Austria is on 28-30 June, the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas on 18-20 October, the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on 1-3 November and Qatar the penultimate race of the season on 29 November to 1 December.

[pharvey]

Well OK, not for 2024 - BUT 2026 could be an interesting one to see.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWTnOWkRaCo

[PeteC]

F1 2024: A guide to the season - including calendar, sprint races, teams and drivers

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/67787837

[PeteC]

Lando Norris: British driver signs new McLaren contract

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/68108689. (Video)

[dtaai-maai]

Here's a turn-up for the books...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/68163799

Lewis Hamilton: Seven-time world champion on verge of shock move to Ferrari from Mercedes

[pharvey]

Here's a turn-up for the books...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/68163799

Lewis Hamilton: Seven-time world champion on verge of shock move to Ferrari from Mercedes

He's not made a secret of his desire to join Ferrari in the past, however I honestly thought the move was dead and buried once he signed a 2 year extension to his Mercedes contract last year - to continue driving in F1 would be a push I think, but then again, look at Alonso at Aston Martin. This decision therefore has come as a fairly major shock... Have to say though, I do feel somewhat sorry for Sainz, but the writing was on the wall....

Will be interesting to see if Mercedes have indeed made the progress that they have hinted at for this season's car, and whether Ferrari have sorted their own issues out. Will be a tad too late for LH to go back on this decision though!!

[pharvey]

Also, the 2024 Season begins in Bahrain on March 1-2nd. As such, the "Annual HHF/Superbru Prediction League" has been set up. For those who have taken part previously, an invitation should have been sent by Email - for those who haven't received an invitation, but are interested in joining, you can do so by using the details below: -

https://www.superbru.com/f1/pool.php?p=12756188

or by downloading the Superbru app and searching for the pool with code:

hoofkilo

[PeteC]

The news about Hamilton is exciting IMO, it will shake things up a bit and make for some interesting season(s). Now they also need to get rid of Sulayem running FIA who insists on sticking his nose in everything.

I'm disappointed about the Andretti/GM rejection until at least 2028. I would think he and GM may lose interest by then. A lot of reasons are stated but I think the big one is the pie would be sliced into smaller portions and the existing teams don't like that idea!

https://www.espn.com/racing/story/_/id/ ... -2025-2026

[pharvey]

Rumours of in-fighting at Red BS and that "Homer" is simply being caught in the middle..... Not difficult to believe there's in-fighting and that he is a Control Freak TBH. I doubt very much it's an isolated in the sport though.

Christian Horner Allegations: Hearing into Complaint Against Red Bull Team Principal Set for Friday

"Red Bull said it took the allegations "extremely seriously" when they emerged on Monday and started an investigation.

Horner, 50, has won six constructors' championships with Red Bull since becoming team principal in 2005.

Asked about the allegations by Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, external, Horner said: "I completely deny these claims."

Though Red Bull has not confirmed the nature of the complaint, BBC Sport understands the claims relate to an allegation of inappropriate and controlling behaviour.

BBC Sport understands the hearing will take place in the UK.

In a statement released on Monday, Red Bull said: "After being made aware of certain recent allegations, the company launched an independent investigation.

"This process, which is already under way, is being carried out by an external specialist barrister. The company takes these matters extremely seriously and the investigation will be completed as soon as practically possible. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.""

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/68218956

Formula 1 Bosses Announce Changes to Format of Sprint Weekends for 2024 Season

"Formula 1 bosses have announced changes to the format of sprint races for the 2024 season.

Free practice and sprint qualifying will be on Friday, with the sprint race as the first track action on Saturday, followed by qualifying for the main grand prix.

Saturday had previously been separated out as a sprint-focused day.

There will be six sprint races this year - in China, Miami, Austria, the US Grand Prix in Austin, Brazil and Qatar.

Formula 1's governing body the FIA said the "regulatory refinements" for the changes to the sprint format will be presented to the World Motorsport Council (WMSC) on 28 February.

The FIA also confirmed DRS activation will be "anticipated to one lap as opposed to two laps after the start of the race, or the re-start following a safety car"."

[pharvey]

And so it begins....

LIVE F1 testing - afternoon session under way on day one in Bahrain

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/formula1/67913065

[PeteC]

If you don't have the capability of watching these races/qualifying it's really a hoo-hum who cares exercise in playing in a pool. I haven't had the capability for the past two seasons, but I now have it back once again. I'm hoping for a rebirth of my enthusiasm.

[pharvey]

If you don't have the capability of watching these races/qualifying it's really a hoo-hum who cares exercise in playing in a pool. I haven't had the capability for the past two seasons, but I now have it back once again. I'm hoping for a rebirth of my enthusiasm.

Not the "capability" i.e lack of streams etc. or the "capacity" i.e bored of results/F1, PeteC? The former easily sorted with the likes of https://www.formula1.com/ (go "Unlocked" for free), the latter of course explained by the travesty of LH being robbed of an 8th title, or the BS that is Red BS and the arrogance of Homer and Crashappen.

I'm always hopeful, but I fear RB will again be the team to beat (with or without Homer). Ferrari look to have gained during testing as do Mercedes. I think Aston have fallen back, but McLaren and Williams will be interesting to watch!!

You certainly didn't seem keen a few years back, so good to see you looking forward to things again(?).

[PeteC]

I started and managed the pool for what a decade +?, and I wasn't even keen then! I simply don't see it as a sport, but a manipulated entertainment extravaganza.

Everything about it is managed and controlled, every nut and bolt, and I'm sure the type of underwear the drivers wear! That's not racing. However, there are some who like it and to each his own.

[joelle]

I started and managed the pool for what a decade +?, and I wasn't even keen then! :laugh: I simply don't see it as a sport, but a manipulated entertainment extravaganza.

Everything about it is managed and controlled, every nut and bolt, and I'm sure the type of underwear the drivers wear! That's not racing. However, there are some who like it and to each his own.

100%
Used to love watching the races, even go to it when I had the opportunities, but sadly not anymore.

[pharvey]

Now there's a surprise! After an "Internal Investigation", zero details provided and the report remaining "confidential", Homer is cleared. Forget Red Bull themselves, by not getting involved the FIA have opened themselves up (and the sport in general) to obvious criticism and controversy - certainly not needed in F1 after the last few years. Not too sure this is going to go away anytime soon.....

Christian Horner Allegations: Red Bull Team Principal Cleared of Inappropriate Behaviour

"Red Bull's team principal Christian Horner has been cleared following an internal investigation into his behaviour towards a female colleague.

Allegations of inappropriate and controlling behaviour had been made against the 50-year-old.

"Red Bull is confident that the investigation has been fair, rigorous and impartial," a spokesperson for the company said.

Horner, who has led Red Bull since 2005, denied the allegations.

He will remain in his role as team principal and chief executive of Red Bull F1.

The statement, which was issued by Red Bull's head office in Austria, added: "The complainant has a right of appeal."

Red Bull provided no details of the allegations or the investigation.

The statement said: "The investigation report is confidential and contains the private information of the parties and third parties who assisted in the investigation, and therefore we will not be commenting further out of respect for all concerned.

"Red Bull will continue striving to meet the highest workplace standards.""

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/68411597