RB boss Laurent Mekies admits that the team are looking for Yuki Tsunoda to take the “next step” in 2024 to prove that he is continuing to develop all-round as a driver, with team mate Daniel Ricciardo acting as a “fantastic reference point”.
Tsunoda is now in his fourth season in Formula 1, having made his debut with the squad – then known as AlphaTauri – back in 2021. The Japanese driver has displayed signs of progress since then, and provided a steady presence at RB in 2023 amid changes on the other side of the garage following the early exit of team mate Nyck de Vries.
Sergio Perez has shared details of the changes he has put into place both on and off track for the 2024 F1 season, having faced a difficult campaign last time out in 2023.
The Mexican started out strong last year, claiming wins at two of the opening four race weekends which included both the Grand Prix and Sprint victories in Azerbaijan. These proved to be his last wins of the campaign though, with Perez struggling to maintain consistency as the calendar progressed.
Carlos Sainz is planning to take his time in deciding his next move for his F1 future amid his impending departure from Ferrari at the end of 2024, with the Spaniard keen to select the option that will provide him with the best chance of becoming a world champion.
It was confirmed in early February that Lewis Hamilton will join the Scuderia in 2025, with the seven-time world champion set to partner Charles Leclerc. This leaves Sainz without a seat beyond the current campaign, which will mark his fourth and final year with the Italian outfit.
Charles Leclerc has spoken publicly for the first time about the news that Lewis Hamilton will become his team mate at Ferrari from the 2025 season, describing the seven-time world champion’s move as “a good thing” for the team.
Hamilton shocked the F1 world a couple of weeks ago when it was announced that he is to swap Mercedes – a team he has represented since 2013 – for the Scuderia at the end of the year, with Leclerc’s team mate, Carlos Sainz, having to make way.
In the space of 24 hours, two of F1’s most highly-rated racers committed their futures to their respective teams, with Charles Leclerc extending his stay at Ferrari for “several” more seasons beyond 2024 and Lando Norris signing on the dotted line to lengthen his stint at McLaren.
That both teams were opaque with the detail of how long the respective contracts would run suggests they are long-term, but will likely have break clauses built in which either the driver or team can exercise at certain points.
But for the foreseeable, they can rest assured they won’t be asked relentless questions about their future at each and every Grand Prix weekend. The same can’t be said for many of their rivals, though, with most of the grid with work to do on their own deals.
Daniel Ricciardo and Pierre Gasly have both offered words of appreciation to Franz Tost as the long-time Formula 1 team boss heads into retirement following the 2023 season.
Tost made his final appearance as AlphaTauri’s Team Principal – formerly known as Toro Rosso – at the recent Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, concluding a mammoth 18-year stint in the role.
Canadian rapper Drake has launched Sauber’s new era as the Stake F1 Team with a fresh rebrand of their identity on New Year’s Day.
After five seasons competing under the famous Alfa Romeo name, Sauber agreed a two-year title partnership deal with betting, entertainment and lifestyle brand Stake, starting in 2024, ahead of a rebrand as Audi’s factory team in 2026.
It’s difficult to keep the smile off Alex Albon’s face right now.
Three years ago, the now 27-year-old was facing the end of the road in Formula 1. Dumped by Red Bull as a race driver – after his second chance with the energy drinks company – his future was uncertain.
ew rookies have gone into their debut Formula 1 campaigns with as much expectation as Oscar Piastri – and few have shone quite as brightly.
The Australian racer was in high demand, as the tussle for his services between long-time backers Alpine and his current team McLaren proved. That level of noise brings much more attention along with it, regardless of how many Grands Prix you’ve raced in.
Mercedes entered the Abu Dhabi finale only four points ahead of Ferrari in the constructors’ championship. Given the Italian team’s strong form in the last few rounds, Ferrari were optimistic they could snatch the place at the 11th hour, a feeling that was only enhanced when Charles Leclerc qualified on the front row, two places ahead of George Russell’s Mercedes.
Even though Carlos Sainz’s contribution to the task was potentially compromised by his failing to make it out of Q1, so too was Lewis Hamilton’s at Mercedes after going out in Q2. The focus was very much on Leclerc vs Russell.
