In the round-up: Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu is confident the team’s in-season development will be better this season.
In brief
Komatsu confident of better Haas upgrades
Haas are now better placed to produce more effective upgrades for their car this season, believes new team principal Ayao Komatsu.
The team unveiled their 2024 car yesterday. Haas have struggled with in-season development in recent seasons but Komatsu says the team have already made changes to the technical team to help improve their upgrades.
“If you look at the organisational structure previously, there isn’t a clear path to close the loop on that side,” Komatsu said.
“Everything that’s found trackside, there’s now a closed loop going into the aero, wind tunnel and CFD departments. Now, at least even if there’s a disagreement, everyone is clear about why we’re developing the car in a certain way. That’s one key reason as to why we haven’t been able to put upgrades on the car and fall back in the season. We’re now already working in that way and there’s much better transparency, openness, and communication. Therefore, I believe we have a much better chance of upgrading the car properly this year.”
De Vries loses sponsorship lawsuit
Formula E racer and former F1 driver Nyck de Vries has lost a lawsuit over a €250,000 (£213,600) loan by an investment company, Investrand.
A sponsorship deal between the two parties was struck during his time in Formula 2, with an agreement that the group would receive 50% of his income as a Formula 1 driver should he become one by the end of 2022.
Despite arguing that his one-off appearance for Williams in that year’s Italian Grand Prix was as a reserve and test driver and not a race driver, the court found De Vries would have to repay the loan and provide half of his earnings as an AlphaTauri driver to the group .
McLaren reveal Bustamante’s livery
McLaren have revealed the livery that Bianca Bustamante will race in for her F1 Academy campaign this year.
Bustamante will compete in the season season of the all-women championship in 2024 with ART. She finished seventh after two race victories and two more podium appearances last year.
All ten teams are supporting at least one driver in the championship for this season, with each driver chosen allowed to run in the colours of their connected team.
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown said that his team were “pleased to have Bianca involved in the McLaren Driver Development programme and we’re looking forward to seeing her compete in F1 Academy this season.”
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Links
Motor racing links of interest:
‘Formula One’s invitation to Andretti Cadillac for an in-person meeting about its application to join the motorsports series was sent via email and landed in a spam folder, which is why Michael Andretti and General Motors representatives never answered the request.’
Ange Postecoglou jokes Spurs missed ‘good opportunity’ on transfer deadline day (Independent)
Postecoglou: ”The only disappointing one for us was that I felt there was a good opportunity for us, but the club didn’t feel it was right and he ended up going elsewhere. He went to Ferrari instead… I got you all going there didn’t I? I felt you needed something after a bit of a flat day yesterday.”
Italy celebrates F1 ‘world coup’ as Ferrari captures Hamilton (Motor Sport)
‘On transfer deadline day, football stories are pushed to small additions at the foot of the page, with La Gazzetta recognising it was a day that shocked the F1 world but left asking what it is that has caused Hamilton to decide to end his career in Maranello. Despite the support for Ferrari, there comes across a wariness in its potential given the dominance of Red Bull in recent years, and therefore whether Hamilton’s arrival should be treated as a show of faith in the Scuderia – and a hint that he knows something about its future chances – or simply a romantic swan song.’
How the F1 Exhibition came to life as it opens in Vienna with brand new features (F1)
‘This extensive process of compiling the story involved plenty of research, as well as engaging with various stakeholders in the sport, including race promoters, drivers and teams – both past and present – to ensure that their voices were heard. Over 100 individuals and organisations have been involved in compiling the exhibition. Parts of the show – such as the ‘Revolution By Design’ area, which explores innovations in Formula 1 – were developed in close collaboration with the teams, and the exhibition also seems to have caught the imagination of the drivers, with Carlos Sainz and Pierre Gasly amongst those to have visited during its run in Madrid.’
Aston Martin Aramco and Spinal Track collaborate in new partnership (Aston Martin)
‘Spinal Track will work with Aston Martin Aramco to improve accessibility at the new AMR Technology Campus in Silverstone and deliver guidance on improvements to be implemented. The first milestone for the partnership is the debut of the AMR24 bringing racing drivers and spectators with disabilities trackside to witness the team’s new challenger at Silverstone circuit on 12 February.’
Red Bull RB17 hypercar might be the closest thing to an F1 car you can buy (Auto Express)
‘Production is set to start in 2025 at Red Bull’s 290-acre campus in Milton Keynes, turning one of the UK’s newest cities into a car-making city. Only 50 RB17s will be made and only in left-hand drive, with a price of £5 million plus local taxes.’
Formula 4 arrives in Africa with planned new Moroccan championship (Formula Scout)
”Four rounds will be organised on the Moroccan national circuits from December 2024 to March 2025 with F4 Mygle of generation one equipped with the Alpine 1.3-litre turbo engine formerly used by the FFSA Academy.”
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