🏁 The Final Lap of the Year!

Hey there, race enthusiast! 👋

As the engines cool down and the tracks go quiet, it's time for us to send out our final newsletter of the year.

🎉 A Heartfelt Thank You: A huge shout-out to each of you. Thank you for being a part of this F1 journey, following through every twist and turn of the F1 season.

📰 In Numbers: 

950+ News Pieces: From breaking news to behind-the-scenes insights, we've covered over 950 pieces of F1 news.

70+ Educational Articles: Our educational articles on Apexbite.com have been a treasure trove of F1 knowledge for those who want to delve deeper.

1500 Tweets: Our Twitter community has been buzzing with over 1500 tweets, keeping the conversation going beyond the race track.

12 TikToks (and Counting!): Yes, we've been a bit shy on TikTok with only 12 posts, but watch out – next year, we're gearing up for some wild content!

🗓️ See You in January: As we take a pit stop this December, remember, this isn't a goodbye. We're just gearing up for an even more exhilarating season. Mark your calendars – we're returning in January, ready to bring you more of the high-speed F1 action you love!

Until then, keep the racing spirit alive. Check out Apexbite.com for articles you might have missed, and enjoy watching drivers opening each other’s presents.

🌍 F1 Races Towards Net Zero

The FIA is shaking things up by adding a new set of rules in 2026. This time, they're focusing on achieving Net Zero and promoting sustainability by 2030.

Between The Lines

• Right now, F1 operates under three main sets of rules: technical, sporting, and financial

• Cost cap is a recent addition in 2021

• With the growing importance of environmental sustainability, the FIA is stepping in to make sure the teams are on board with these goals

Nikolas Tombazis, the single-seater director, explained that while reaching Net Zero by 2026 isn't the goal, they're laying the groundwork for stricter regulations over the years. They've already started chatting with the teams to figure out the best approach.

Tombazis emphasized that these new rules aren't just a suggestion. They're necessary because competitive teams won't make changes that could affect their performance unless they have to.

The first phase of these regulations will kick in in 2026, and by 2030, we're expecting even more significant changes. - Read more

🔴 Ferrari Sets 2024 F1 Car Launch Date

Ferrari has officially scheduled the unveiling of their 2024 Formula 1 car, marking them as the pace-setter in next year’s pre-season preparations. The storied Maranello squad is gearing up for a February reveal, hoping to bounce back from a challenging season and set the stage for a competitive year ahead.

What’s next:

• Ferrari will reveal their 2024 F1 car on February 13, a day before Valentine’s Day, at their Fiorano test circuit.

• The new car, temporarily dubbed 676, will be introduced by team principal Frederic Vasseur alongside drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.

• Pre-season testing commences on February 21 in Bahrain, giving Ferrari a tight turnaround from reveal to track debut.

• Ferrari aims to improve on their third-place finish in the constructors’ standings, with Vasseur emphasizing a focus on performance over promises.

Go deeper:
Last year, Ferrari played the waiting game, being the eighth team to reveal their car. This time, they’re jumping the gun, aiming to lead the pack into the new season. Their early announcement is a statement of intent, possibly signaling a more aggressive approach for the upcoming campaign. - Read more

🏎️ Red Bull's RB19: A Formula 1 Standout

Red Bull's RB19 became a standout in Formula 1, matching almost the success of McLaren's MP4-4 from 1988. It's incredible that they achieved this with a longer 22-race season compared to just 16 back then.

Between the Lines

• The RB19 wasn't a brand-new design; it evolved from the RB18.

• The RB19 kept the essence of the RB18 but pushed further to stay ahead, especially since other teams were catching on to its aerodynamic tricks.

• Red Bull learned from the first season under new rules and made small tweaks that really added up.

• These changes included the position of the front axle, which affects suspension, aerodynamics, and even tire performance.

Aerodynamic Enhancements The team made key changes to the RB19's front axle position, affecting suspension and aerodynamics, and enhancing tire performance. They also refined the chassis and brake designs for better airflow management and temperature control.

Sidepod Innovations Red Bull's sidepod design was unique. While others adopted different approaches, Red Bull refined their existing design for better aerodynamics and cooling, especially at the Azerbaijan and Hungarian Grands Prix.

Smart Use of Regulations Despite resource limitations due to penalties and their 2022 finish, Red Bull cleverly used testing regulations to their advantage, particularly in improving heat exchangers without impacting their restricted allocation.

Floor and Diffuser Design The floor design is crucial in F1 and is often kept under wraps. Red Bull made strategic changes to adapt to new regulations, focusing on airflow improvement. They also drew inspiration from other teams for their diffuser design.

Wing Development While Red Bull didn't make major changes to their wing designs in 2023, they did introduce new features like a blade-style winglet on the front and an open-ended rear wing endplate.

Read more

🆕 New FIA Penalties and Appeals in F1

The FIA just made some big changes to how Formula 1 teams can challenge decisions.

Why It Matters

• They've got less time to ask for a review - only 96 hours after a race instead of 14 days.

• If you want to challenge a decision, you must pay a fee. And if you don't win your case, you lose that money.

• This applies to all races under the FIA, not just Formula 1. It happened four times this year with teams like Aston Martin, Ferrari, McLaren, and Haas.

• Another change is about who can ask for a review. Before, it was just the Secretary General for Sport at the FIA, but now the FIA itself can make that call.

Go Deeper

They've also upped the fines. For Formula 1, the maximum fine used to be €250,000, but now it can go up to €1 million. For other World Championships, it's €750,000, and for other FIA events, it's €500,000.

There's also a new rule about fireworks and flares at events. You can't use them unless the FIA says it's okay. This is because the European Union is worried about safety at sports events.

They've simplified some language, too. Instead of a long list of who you can't mistreat at events, now it just says "any misconduct."

For appeals, you still have to say right after the event if you're thinking about appealing. But now, you have 96 hours to decide for sure. And here's the catch: if you say you might appeal and then don't, you still have to pay a fee. For Formula 1, that's €6000.

The FIA is also looking into cases where a team might benefit from just saying they'll appeal. Like, if a driver gets to start in a better position because they said they might appeal. If that happens, there could be extra penalties. - Read more

As the dust settles on the thrilling 2023 Formula 1 season, it's time to look back and reflect on a year that was nothing short of spectacular. In this review, we'll dive into the key stats, outstanding performances, and unexpected twists that defined this season.

🔢 2023 in Numbers:

• 10 teams

• 20 drivers

• 100 million $ spent traveling 75.000 miles

• 1.500 tons of equipment

• 20 countries

• 5 continents

• 240 hours flying

• 10 time zones

📊 Racing stats

🏆 Most wins:

1. Max Verstappen (19)

2. Sergio Perez (2)

3. Carlos Sainz (1)

🏆 Most podiums

1. Max Verstappen (21)

2. Sergio Perez (9)

3. Fernando Alonso (8)

🏆 Fastest Lap

1. Max Verstappen (9)

2. Lewis Hamilton (4)

3. Oscar Piastri (2)

🏆 Overtakes:

1. Sergio Perez (104)

2. George Russell (88)

3. Lewis Hamilton (79)

🏆 DNFs:

1. Esteban Icon (7)

2. Logan Sargeant (7)

3. Kevin Magnussen (5)

🏆 Penalty points:

1. Sergio Perez (7)

2. Logan Sargeant (6)

3. Lance Stroll (5)

🏆 Max Verstappen's Record-Breaking Year

First off, Max Verstappen's performance was nothing short of spectacular. He didn't just set records; he shattered them. With a historic 19 wins, Verstappen rewrote the history books. His dominance extended to the highest percentage of wins and most consecutive victories, among other records. It wasn't just about winning but how he redefined winning in F1.

🌟 Oscar Piastri: The Rookie Sensation

Oscar Piastri, the rookie who took the F1 world by storm, was another standout. His move to McLaren proved to be a masterstroke. Against seasoned pros like Lando Norris, Piastri held his own, scoring 97 points with two podium finishes and a sprint race victory.

His performance wasn't just impressive for a rookie; it was impressive, period. Finishing 9th overall and helping McLaren to 4th in the Constructors' Championship, Piastri's season was a statement of intent.

🔥 Mercedes vs. Ferrari: The Intense Rivalry

The Mercedes vs. Ferrari rivalry added a compelling subplot to the season. The battle for 2nd place in the Constructors' Championship was a nail-biter, swinging back and forth until the very end. Mercedes managed to clinch the spot, but not without a fierce challenge from Ferrari. Both teams had their share of triumphs and tribulations, but their duel added an extra layer of excitement to the season.

💥 McLaren vs. Aston Martin: The Midfield Battle

This wasn't just a battle for positions; it was a battle of strategies, adaptability, and sheer determination. McLaren’s late-season surge against Aston Martin's early form made for a captivating contest. The point difference at the end might not have been huge, but the journey to get there was filled with drama and tension. - Read more

🚀 Williams and Alpha Tauri: The Late Season Surge

Williams and Alpha Tauri deserve a special mention too. Both teams showed remarkable resilience, especially in the latter half of the season. Williams, with Albon leading the charge, and Alpha Tauri, finding form with Ricciardo and Tsunoda, defied expectations. Their climb up the standings is a testament to their hard work and strategic brilliance.

🏁 Perez and Ricciardo: Seasons of Resilience

Individual performances also shaped the season. Sergio Perez proved to be a reliable wingman to Verstappen, while Daniel Ricciardo showed glimpses of his old magic. Their seasons had their share of challenges, especially for Perez, but they demonstrated why they're considered among the best in the sport.

🔄 Haas: A Season to Rethink

Haas faced significant struggles, finishing last in the Constructors' Championship. Issues with tire degradation, strategy missteps, and overall pace problems marked their season. This raises questions about their future direction and strategies.

📝 Driver Market Drama

The driver market also saw its fair share of intrigue, especially around Logan Sargeant at Williams. His potential is evident, but with other talented drivers in the wings, his future was a topic of much speculation. In the end, he secured his spot with Williams.

📺 Nikita Mazepin shares an update on his F1 career and talks about how stressful it is to watch the races on TV. - Read more

⏱️ Red Bull reveals an unofficial pit stop time that could break the F1 world record. - Read more

😔 AlphaTauri CEO Peter Bayer admits that developing their own suspension for 2023 instead of using Red Bull's was a mistake. - Read more

🚪 Mercedes set up a rule for Aston Martin to use different doors while they both shared a Formula 1 wind tunnel. - Read more

🚴‍♂️ Bottas swaps F1 for Aussie cycling retreat. - Read more

🤔 Former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone thinks Mick Schumacher might have had a better shot at getting into F1 if he had joined Red Bull's driver program instead of Ferrari's. - Read more

🤑 Alpine's value is now officially $900 million, following investments from some sports celebrities. - Read more

🔝 A top female driving talent is making waves by following the same path as Max Verstappen. - Read more