🚨 Back to school but for F1

Hey there, fellow speed enthusiast! 👋 👋

Today, you’ll discover how racers spent the summer, and gear up for Zandvoort with exciting news that'll keep you gripped.

Curious about brake balance and its critical role in Formula 1? We've got an insightful article ready to fine-tune your knowledge.

Ready for action? Dive in and fuel up for the Dutch Grand Prix!

🏝️ Formula 1 drivers' vacations in review.

Summer's over, and Formula 1's finest are swapping suntans for speed, packing bags for the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. Idyllic vacations? Done. Competition's calling!

Hefty salaries meant no tough times for these drivers. Parties at Tomorrowland with Martin Garrix? Check! Norris and Piastri rubbing elbows at the British Motorcycle Grand Prix? Done!

Bottas turned into "Duffman" on his bike, while Verstappen, Alonso, and Hamilton trained all summer – no palm trees for these guys.

But don't fret, beach bums like Ocon, Gasly, Leclerc, Sainz, and Russell did their part, soaking up the sun and recharging by the sea.

Back to the grind? You bet. But they're coming back with a tan and a throttle hand! 🏎️ 🌴

🧐 Felipe Massa claims the 2008 world championship!

The 2008 championship season got its fair share of drama thanks to the crashgrate controversy.

During the Singapore GP, Nelson Piquet Jr. purposely crashed to trigger a Safety Car, giving his teammate Fernando Alonso a helping hand, who ended up snagging the win. Later on, the whole stunt earned Renault one of the harshest penalties in history.

During that race, Felipe Massa had his own share of misfortunes. He had to stop after the Safety Car came out, suffering a refueling problem and finishing thirteenth. Meanwhile, his main competitor for the championship, Lewis Hamilton, managed to secure third place.

The championship season came down to a nail-biting final race, where Hamilton just managed to squeeze past the Brazilian driver by a single point. No doubt, if that embarrassing incident hadn't unfolded at the Singapore GP, the story would've taken a completely different turn.

Now, 15 years later, Massa's taken the legal route, gunning for compensation for the losses incurred due to the crashgate debacle, and also hoping to get that championship title.

As the summer break wraps up, things are getting seriously heated. Is it time to crown Felipe Massa as the rightful champion? If that happens, Hamilton's "seven-time world champion" status could be in for a rewrite. – Read More (ES)

🎙️ Fernando Alonso unveils astonishing insights into the world of F1

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso appeared on the High Performance podcast last week, where he unveiled many insights about the world of Formula 1. The podcast also delved deeper into the human and personal aspects of the driver.

The Spaniard reviewed his sports career from its beginnings, his two world championships, his time at Ferrari, and the 2 years he spent away from F1, which changed his perspective on things.

Here's the full podcast for you to grab some popcorn and have a good time!

Brake balance is one of the most crucial tools when driving a Formula 1 car, yet many people are unaware of its true nature.

Despite often going unnoticed, brake balance is essential for achieving a flawless qualifying lap or executing overtakes during a race.

Next, we'll delve into everything about brake balance in Formula 1! Buckle up, because there are some twists and turns ahead!

What is brake balance in F1

In Formula 1 racing, brake balance refers to how the braking force is distributed among the front and rear tires. In other words, it's about the relationship between the braking force applied to the car's front and rear brakes.

This balance is typically described as the percentage of braking force allocated to the front of the car, which is usually the dominant portion. Adjusting the brake balance is a touchy process that needs the driver's full attention.

It lets drivers stay in charge of their cars while braking, and nailing it down right demands skill and know-how. Tiny shifts and tweaks in brake balance can really mess with lap times, so it's something that can be the secret sauce for success.

The braking process and how brake balance influences the racing

Brake balance is one of the few things drivers can adjust themselves without entering the pit lane. A more forward brake balance induces understeer during corner entry, whereas a more rearward balance leads to oversteer.

Drivers consistently adjust the brake balance from turn to turn, using different balances based on the circuit's characteristics, types of corners, varying tire conditions, and weather conditions.

Furthermore, too much front brake application will lock up the wheels, and excessive rear brake usage will make the car unstable. In dry conditions, more brake bias is applied to the front, while in wet conditions, the brake balance is shifted further towards the rear.

The back wheels might lift off the ground when slamming on the brakes hard if the balance is too much up front, which would send the car sliding.

Front brakes can lock up if you're leaning too much towards the front, making the car not turn in the corner and forcing it to slide forward.

So, it's all about tuning the balance to match the track's conditions and features.

How is the brake bias adjusted?

Drivers can tweak how much brake force goes from the pedal to the front and rear brakes using the brake balance dial. This helps them to maintain control of the car while braking, especially when turning.

By turning the dial, the driver can move the brake bias forwards or backwards, affecting how much braking force each axle receives.

As we saw earlier, this adjustment is critical for achieving the right balance between stability and performance during braking, especially in different corners and varying track conditions.

Brake balance settings for F1 cars

Under dry conditions, drivers aim for more brake pressure on the front of the car compared to the rear, often opting for a split of 60:40 or 55:45. This configuration would indicate that the car has a brake balance of 60% or 55%, respectively.

These balance settings are generally used in dry conditions, as the car's weight shifts forward during braking and the superior braking capabilities of the front brakes make them more effective.

However, the balance doesn't just change from one circuit to another, but also from one driver to another on the same track. Each driver has a unique driving style, leading to varying preferences.

As a result, each driver might opt for a more forward or rearward balance depending on their driving approach.

👧 Former world champion tips DAUGHTER to be next female F1 star. – Read More. 

🚨 | Max Verstappen could be prosecuted for the video of him driving the Aston Martin Valkyrie. - Read More(FR)

🔴 Haas still aren't 100% sure of their direction for 2024, says Guenther Steiner. The team will introduce upgrades at Zandvoort to fix their tyre deg issues - so they don't reappear next year - Read more

Context:
✅ Haas in the 2018 season: 93 points
🔻 Haas from 2019-2023: 79 points

🚗 Upcoming NASCAR Netflix documentary has shades of F1’s Drive to Survive. – Read More. 

🤺 Toto Wolff rushes to George Russell’s defence. – Read More. 

🎯 Horner confirms Ricciardo Red Bull objective. – Read More. 

👀 Rival F1 teams “watching” Alfa Romeo-linked junior as crucial driver decision looms. – Read More. 

🤯 Revealed: Jules Bianchi’s role in Charles Leclerc’s career. – Read More. 

🤫 Red Bull tech guru reveals Newey SECRET to F1 dominance. – Read More. 

📈 Zak Brown: Important Lando Norris saw big McLaren gains. – Read More. 

👏 Horner confirms Sergio Perez will race for Red Bull in 2024. – Read More.

🇳🇱 Scheduled 25-27 August

1️⃣ Circuit length: 4.259 km
2️⃣ Number of laps: 72
3️⃣ Lap record: 1:11.097 Lewis Hamilton (2021)
4️⃣ Corners & DRS: 14 corners with 2 DRS zones

10 Interesting facts about the Dutch Grand Prix

• The Dutch Grand Prix track wasn't designed by John Hugenholtz but by Dutch motorcycle enthusiasts and Sammy Davis, a Le Mans winner.

• Jim Clark, the Scotsman, boasts the most Dutch Grand Prix wins, claiming victory in '63, '64, '65, and '67.

• Max Verstappen's 2021 win made the Netherlands the twelfth country to have a Formula 1 winner. It was the first time a new country has joined this particular list since Fernando Alonso won his home race for the first time at the 2006 Spanish Grand Prix.

• Clark led the most laps at Zandvoort (370), with Ascari and Lauda trailing at 180.

• Niki Lauda's last Formula 1 victory was at the Dutch Grand Prix in 1985.

• Jackie Stewart's 26th win in '73 surpassed Jim Clark's F1 wins record, which stood until '87.

• The 1973 race saw Roger Williamson's fatal accident, with David Purely awarded for bravery.

• Graham Hill's first podium finish was at the Dutch Grand Prix in 1960.

• Verstappen holds the record for most points scored in the Dutch Grand Prix with 51.

• 54 different drivers have stood on the Zandvoort podium in 32 F1 races.

We’ve also covered the Dutch GP history & Zandvoort Circuit in detail in our previous issue. You can read everything about it here.