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Hey there, speed enthusiast 👋

Gear up for a turbocharged update from the thrilling world of Formula 1, as we zoom into the final race weekend of the year.

🏁 Final Lap Frenzy: It's the last race of the season, and while the champions have already been crowned, the spotlight shifts to the future stars of F1. Witness 10 remarkable rookies take the stage in free practice.

🤝 McLaren-Mercedes Milestone: Big news off the track as McLaren and Mercedes extend their partnership till 2030! Dive into the details of this significant deal and what it means for the future of both teams.

📜 2024 Rule Reveal: F1 is set to revamp with fresh rules in 2024. Get the inside scoop on these game-changing regulations and how they're poised to redefine racing dynamics.

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🌟 FP1 & FP2 Highlights

FP1

🥇 Leading the Pack: George Russell set the fastest lap at 1:26.072.

🌟 Rookie Focus: Several teams used this session to run their rookie drivers.

🚀 Russell's Performance: Started on Medium tires at 1:27.673s, then improved to 1:26.072 on Soft tires.

🥈 Second Fastest: Rookie Felipe Drugovich was just behind Russell, four-tenths slower.

📈 Close Competition: Carlos Sainz and rookie Robert Shwartzman were closely matched, with Shwartzman just 0.027s slower.

🏆 F2 Rivals in F1: Frederik Vesti and Theo Pourchaire, F2 rivals, were 12th and 14th fastest.

📊 Practice 1 Results:

• 1st: George Russell (Mercedes) - 1:26.072

• 2nd: Felipe Drugovich (Aston Martin) - 1:26.360

• 3rd: Daniel Ricciardo (AlphaTauri) - 1:26.433

👥 Rookie Replacements:

• Red Bull: Isack Hadjar and Jake Dennis replaced Pérez and Verstappen.

• McLaren: Patricio O'Ward stood in for Lando Norris.

• Mercedes: F2 racer Vesti replaced Lewis Hamilton.

• Alfa Romeo: Theo Pourchaire took Valtteri Bottas's place.

• Haas: Oliver Bearman replaced Nico Hulkenberg.

• Alpine and Williams: Jake Doohan and Zak O'Sullivan filled in for Esteban Ocon and Alex Albon.

🔍 Close Call Incident:

• Near Miss: There was a near collision between Sargeant and Doohan.

  Investigation: The incident involving erratic driving is under investigation by the stewards.
  

FP2

🥇 Fastest Time: Charles Leclerc from Ferrari set the quickest lap at 1:24.809s. He achieved this in the last part of the session.

🚩 Red Flag Interruptions: The session was disrupted twice due to red flags.

🥈 Close Competition: Lando Norris was only 0.043s slower than Leclerc, placing him second. He was on Soft tires.

🥉 Third Place: Max Verstappen finished third, 0.173s behind Leclerc.

🚦 Queue Jump: Verstappen quickly got out on the track after stoppages, even jumping ahead of others.

⏱️ Last-Minute Lap: George Russell managed to set the sixth-fastest time towards the end of the session, right behind Sergio Pérez in fifth.

📊 Practice 2 Results:

• 1st: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 1:24.809

• 2nd: Lando Norris (McLaren) - 1:24.852

• 3rd: Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 1:24.982

🔴 Red Flag Details:

• Carlos Sainz Incident: He crashed at Turn 3, causing the first stoppage. Fortunately, he was unhurt, but his Ferrari was heavily damaged.

• Restart: The session resumed with 25 minutes remaining after barrier repairs.

• Nico Hulkenberg Incident: He crashed exiting Turn 1, prompting the second red flag. His car was quickly recovered.

🤝 Mercedes Powers McLaren Through 2030

McLaren and Mercedes are sticking together for the long haul. They've just inked a deal to continue their engine partnership all the way through to at least 2030. This is a pretty big deal because McLaren is the first team to commit to an engine provider for the 2026 season, which is when new regulations kick in.

Between the Lines

• New engines will be half electric and half internal combustion, with a 1000 horsepower. Plus, they'll run on completely sustainable fuel.

• McLaren has a history with Mercedes engines, using them from 1994 to 2014 and then again starting in 2021. They had some ups and downs with other suppliers, but it looks like they're happy with Mercedes.

• Zak Brown, McLaren's CEO, said they're confident in Mercedes' engines and excited about the future.

Go Deeper

In 2023, McLaren really turned things around and became one of the top teams, giving Red Bull some serious competition. Toto Wolff thinks this partnership is key to their progress. He mentioned that working with strong teams like McLaren not only pushes them but also benefits the whole sport by setting a high standard and helping everyone improve. - Read more

📲 Hamilton Senior Reaches Out

Christian Horner spilled the beans recently. He said that it was Lewis Hamilton's dad, Anthony, who contacted him about Lewis possibly switching teams. But Horner mentioned that they didn't really get into any deep talks because there was no spot open next to Max Verstappen.

This news comes after Hamilton, a seven-time world champ, denied that his team tried to talk to Horner. Horner had hinted in the Daily Mail that Hamilton chatted with other teams before re-signing with Mercedes. Hamilton, 38, laughed it off, saying Horner actually texted him on an old number and was just stirring the pot.

Horner clarified that Anthony Hamilton was the one who reached out with a pretty suggestive text. He wasn't sure what Anthony's role was in Lewis' career, joking that Anthony probably wasn't asking about driving himself.

This whole story has been the hot gossip at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. There's not much else going on drama-wise since Red Bull has pretty much won everything this season except for one race.

At a press conference, Horner didn't miss a chance to highlight Mercedes' drop from the top, especially after the controversial 2021 finale at the same circuit. He said it's pretty normal for drivers, their agents, and even their parents to chat with different teams during the year. - Read more

🚦 Fresh F1 Rules: 2024 Edition

Let's dive into the latest from the F1 Commission meeting that just wrapped up. There are a bunch of updates as we head into the off-season.

🚀 Sprint Format Changes?

• No major changes yet, but the FIA is considering tweaking the format.

• They're looking at potential changes to timings and Parc Ferme rules.

🌧️ More Wet Weather Testing

• F1 is experimenting with wheel covers for better rain visibility

• Another test for this design is set for Spring 2024

🏎️ Tyre Blankets Staying Put

• Plans to remove tire blankets scrapped; they're here through 2025

• No change in the number of tires per race weekend (still 13 sets)

🥵 Driver Cooling

• After the Qatar GP heat issues, cars can now have cooling scoops

• More solutions for driver comfort in extreme conditions are being explored

🚫 No Early Development for 2026

• Teams can't start working on their 2026 cars until the 2025 season

• This ensures a level playing field for the new power unit regulations

📝 Other Notes

• Adjustments to the cost cap to exclude sustainability measures

• Limiting metal components in the car floors for safety

🔮 Sauber's 2024 F1 Vision

In 2024, Sauber's Formula 1 car won't show any Audi branding. They're prepping for a big debut with Audi in 2026 when new engine rules kick in. This year, their deal with Alfa Romeo ends, so they're switching things up and likely rebranding to Sauber.

Sauber's boss, Alessandro Alunni Bravi, told Motorsport.com that they're holding off on showing Audi's name or logo until 2026. They want to make a huge splash then, not gradually introduce Audi. So, for the next couple of years, it's all about Sauber's legacy.

There's some buzz about who the new title sponsor will be. Sauber will announce it in December, along with their official team name for the next two seasons.

Go Deeper

Now, about those Audi rumors. Some folks thought Audi might back out of their 2026 F1 entry, especially after their former CEO, who greenlit the F1 project, left. But Alunni Bravi recently visited Audi and says they're all in. Joining F1 was a group decision, not just one person's call. So even though there's a new CEO, Audi's sticking to the plan. - Read more

Ever wondered how Formula 1 drivers maintain their top-notch fitness levels? Let's find out.

Why do F1 Drivers Train?

Formula One drivers must be super fit because they face intense physical challenges. Their helmet and head can feel like they weigh 30-40kg due to the high-speed forces. They also need strong legs for heavy braking, which requires pushing over 80kg against the pedal. 

Plus, they wear protective gear in hot, humid conditions, often losing up to 3kg during a race. So, they follow strict diets and endurance training. Since they get limited track testing time, staying in top physical shape outside the car is crucial for their year-round performance.

How do F1 Drivers Train?

Training for F1 drivers isn't just about physical strength; it's a complex blend of endurance, mental sharpness, and tactical skills. These athletes undergo rigorous training routines that mimic the intense conditions of a race. They focus on cardiovascular fitness, muscular endurance, and neck strength - which are crucial for handling high G-forces. Additionally, reaction time and mental resilience are honed through various exercises and simulators.

F1 Driver Workout Plan

An F1 driver's workout plan is as diverse as it is intense. It typically involves:

• Cardiovascular Training: This includes running, cycling, or swimming to build stamina.

• Strength Training: Focusing on core and lower body strength is essential for controlling the car.

• Neck Exercises: Using special machines and weights to build neck muscles vital for withstanding G-forces.

• Flexibility Training: Yoga or Pilates to maintain flexibility and prevent injuries.

Take Daniel Ricciardo's kettlebell workout, for instance. His trainer posted this routine online back in 2020:

• Reverse lunge press – 10 reps

• Front squats – 10 reps

• Kettlebell swings – 10 reps

• Thrusters – 10 reps

• Sumo deadlift – 10 reps

• Military press – 10 reps

• Rest for 2 minutes

• And then repeat the whole thing five times

Daniel also mixes things up with some boxing. It's not just about throwing punches; it's great for hand-eye coordination and adds a fun twist to the training.

Types of Workouts for F1 Drivers

F1 drivers' workouts can be exhausting and are varied to cover all aspects of their physical and mental needs:

• Aerobic Workouts: Long runs or cycling sessions to increase heart rate and build endurance.

• Anaerobic Workouts: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) for quick bursts of speed and recovery.

• Strength and Core Workouts: Weightlifting and exercises like planks and squats to build core stability.

• Neck-Strengthening Routines: Using bands and weights to enhance neck muscles.

What’s the Workout Routine of F1 Drivers?

An F1 driver's daily routine is a mix of physical training, sim racing, and mental preparation. A typical day might include:

• Morning: Cardiovascular exercises such as a long run or cycling.

• Midday: Strength and core workouts, followed by neck exercises.

• Afternoon: Sim racing for tactical training and reaction times.

• Evening: Mental exercises like meditation or strategy sessions and flexibility workouts like yoga.

What do F1 drivers Eat? 

Their diets can be pretty different since they come from all over the world, each with its own popular foods. But generally, they focus on clean and healthy eating. Here's a typical day:

For breakfast, they might have scrambled eggs and fish for protein, a bit of coffee for that alertness kick, porridge oats for fiber, and veggies for carbs and nutrients. Lunch often includes meat, poultry, or fish for more protein, along with veggies, quinoa, or brown rice for carbs.

Dinner could be a salad with more veggies, fish like grilled mackerel for protein, and sweet potato mash. And for snacks? They might grab a protein shake or Greek yogurt mixed with oats, nuts, and seeds.

Staying hydrated is key, so water is always nearby. And if they want a hot drink without caffeine, chamomile tea is a go-to, especially later in the day.

But remember, not all drivers eat the same. Take Hamilton, for example. He switched to a plant-based diet in 2018 and feels it's made him more alert and faster to recover. However, some experts aren't sure if going vegan is the best for sports performance, but Hamilton still proved them wrong.

🟠 McLaren announces new reserve driver for the 2024 Formula 1 season. - Read more

🏎️ Mick Schumacher embraces a new adventure in the World Endurance Championship for the upcoming year and says he discussed the decision with Sebastian Vettel. - Read more 

🌴 Miami's performance is now getting more attention following the success of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. - Read more

👀 Daniel Ricciardo suggests changes for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, noting that some people were left ‘hallucinating.’ - Read more

🌍 Lewis Hamilton is still advocating for bringing back the South African Grand Prix. - Read more

❌ Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen Teaming Up? Here's why it wouldn't work. - Read more

📅 Logan Sargeant is still unsure about his F1 future as the Williams deadline is fast approaching. - Read more

🇦🇪 Scheduled 24-26 November

Yas Marina Circuit - Abu Dhabi, UAE

1️⃣ Circuit length: 5.281km
2️⃣ Number of laps: 58
3️⃣ Lap record: 1:26.103 Max Verstappen (2021)
4️⃣ Corners & DRS: 16 corners & 2 DRS zone

🏎️ Final Race Tire Choices:

⚪ Hard Tyre: P Zero White (C3)

🟡 Medium Tyre: P Zero Yellow (C4)

🔴 Soft Tyre: P Zero Red (C5)

🚦 Last Year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix:

• Most drivers started on medium tires

• Top 3 finishers (Verstappen, Leclerc, Perez) switched to hard tires once, between laps 16-21

🏆 Top Performers in Abu Dhabi:

• Lewis Hamilton: Most wins (5)

• Max Verstappen & Sebastian Vettel: Tied with 3 wins each

• Mercedes & Red Bull: Leading teams with 6 wins each