🚨 Split Views on Andretti Entry

Hey there, driver-of-the-day! 👋

First of all, welcome to the 319 of you who joined us in the last week. We’ve got a lot to cover today so we’d better get going.

🚗 Team Turbulence: Andretti's potential entry has the paddock buzzing. Not everyone is thrilled about the idea of an 11th team. Are we set for more wheel-to-wheel action or gridlock?

🚀 Sargeant's Surprise: Logan Sargeant may be the only driver still in the 2024 contract pit-stop, but news just in - he's been handed a pleasant surprise.

⚫ Tire Twist in '26: Feel that grip? It's about to change! Discover why our rubber is getting a makeover in 2026 and what sets the new tires apart.

🥵 Wing Designs Heat Up Qatar GP

There is a variety in design, but the main focus is downforce.

🟠 McLaren

• New high-load wing design.

• Expected fast cornering due to strong downforce.

🔵 Red Bull

• Steep wing angle.

• Strong DRS effect but potential drag without DRS.

• RB19's aerodynamics may counteract the drag.

⚫ Mercedes

• Relaxed wing angle.

• Aimed for higher top speeds.

• W14 car design addresses drag issues.

✏️Trending Design:

• "Cut" in wing's endplate becoming popular.

• AlphaTauri started the trend, other teams following.

🌡️ Qatar's Heat Challenges:

• Extreme heat affects cars and drivers.

• Cooling Focus: Engine and brake cooling is essential.

• Challenge: ensuring cooling doesn't affect aerodynamics.

• Engine cover designs aim to minimize airflow disruption.

Read more 

🤷‍♂️ Split Views on Andretti F1 Entry

FIA and FOM are at loggerheads over the potential entry of Andretti into Formula 1 in 2026. While the FIA seems to favor the entry, Liberty Media and existing F1 teams are reluctant to share prize money and are concerned about the devaluation of individual teams.

Between the Lines

• Teams are concerned primarily about economic impacts, especially how sharing prize money could affect them.

• The FIA has approved Andretti’s entry, but it clashes with Liberty Media’s indifference, setting up a possible political feud.

• Current teams largely oppose the expansion, seeing F1 as a franchise model with a set number of teams to keep value high.

Go Deeper

The conflict between FIA and FOM is not just a simple debate; it’s a mesh of economic and political concerns. The existing teams see their participation as a valuable business asset and fear dilution of that value with another competitor. The Big Picture: The situation shines a spotlight on the tug-of-war between governance and commercial interests in F1.

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton, seven-time F1 World Champion, has a different view. He's in favor of Andretti joining. Hamilton feels there should be more cars on the grid and maybe even a seat for a female driver.

🎊Big Surprise for Logan Sargeant

Logan Sargeant was caught off guard by Williams' announcement. Williams said they want Logan for next season in a video shared on the team’s social media channels.

For Logan, who's still waiting for his first point in F1, this was a big deal. He chats with James often but didn't expect this kind of public support. Still, he knows he needs to step up his game.

Currently, Williams is sitting seventh in the Constructors’ Championship. Albon's been the star player, bagging all 21 points for the team. And with six races left this season, all eyes are on what's next. - Read more

🆕 FIA's F1 Testing Rules Update

The FIA has updated its F1 Sporting Regulations, doubling the maximum distance allowed for Promotional Event (PE) runs from 200km to 400km. While these runs are supposed to be for promotional filming, they are often used by teams for additional on-track testing.

What's Next

• The maximum PE distance for the season has been increased from 200km to 400km.

• Teams will be limited to 200km per PE day, forcing them to split the running into at least two days.

• This change comes amid observations that teams are using PE runs for extra on-track testing, especially for 'shakedowns' before official testing.

• Teams will have to be more strategic in planning their PE days given the per-day distance cap.

Go Deeper

On the surface, this change appears to give teams more room for promotional activities. It's more likely an acknowledgment of the "open secret" that these runs are utilized for testing as much as, if not more than, promotional activities.

The new limit means that teams now have more sanctioned distance to run their cars, but the stipulation of splitting the running into at least two days suggests the FIA wants to ensure that the time is used judiciously.

Read more

🛞 Major Tire Change in 2026?

What We’re Hearing

• Plans are in motion to change F1 tires by 2026.

• The FIA is thinking about moving away from the 18-inch wheels.

• The goal is to reduce the weight of F1 cars by approximately 50 kg.

• Proposed adjustments include shrinking the wheelbase and width.

• While the 13-inch wheels from 2021 are not expected to return, 16-inch wheels are up for consideration.

Why does it matter?

• Speed & Performance: Lighter cars can achieve faster straight-line speeds.

• Cornering Grip: Changes might compromise the car's grip around corners, affecting race strategies.

• Race Dynamics: These changes could make races more unpredictable and exciting for fans.

• Team Strategies: Teams will need to recalibrate their designs and game plans.

• Evolution in F1: Reflects F1’s ongoing efforts to optimize performance and safety.

F1 chiefs are exploring ways to reduce car weight. However, some technical experts believe teams should have more autonomy in this area. - Read more

👩‍⚖️ Grosjean Sues Andretti After Losing IndyCar Spot

Andretti has been making headlines lately, especially with their FIA-approved entry into F1. Well, they're making headlines again, but it's not so positive this time.

Romain Grosjean is taking Andretti to court. Yup, another legal drama in the 2023 IndyCar season.

What we’re hearing

• Rumors had been swirling that Grosjean would lose his IndyCar spot with Andretti Autosport in 2024. Neither party spoke about it until now.

• Word on the street is Andretti might cut down their Indy team from four cars to three next season. Either way, it seems Grosjean won't be driving for them.

• Grosjean's pretty upset about the whole situation. He announced he's starting legal proceedings to challenge the decision about his spot on the team.

Despite a tough 2022, Grosjean began 2023 strongly, snagging two podiums in just four races. He even mentioned to The Race how eager he was to continue with Andretti beyond 2023. - Read more

Over the years, 171 teams have raced in Formula 1. Only Ferrari has been there since the very first race in 1950. Now, with F1's rising global popularity, more teams want in. Andretti seems to be on track to join in 2024. So, what's in store for new teams looking to join?

How to become an F1 team?

First, you must apply to the FIA and cough up a $200 million entry fee (although there were rumors to raise it to $1 billion).

This application must be between October 21 and November 1 for the next season. If they give you the green light, you must design a car that fits FIA's standards and choose two drivers for your team.

What is FIA checking in new teams?

According to their 2023 rules:

• You've got to promise to play by their book.

• Share your team's name, car's make, engine's make, and your chosen drivers' names (you can pick a driver later, but you'll have to pay extra).

• Pledge that you'll race in every event with the number of cars and drivers you've listed.
  

The FIA will then take a close look at your application. They'll check if you have the money, the team, the skills, and the facilities to make it in F1. Once you tick all their boxes, you've got to build a car that passes all their technical and safety checks.

Getting approval from F1 teams & Liberty Media

Getting the FIA's nod is just the first hurdle; teams also need to win over Liberty Media and potentially the existing F1 teams.

Liberty's franchise-like model means more stakeholders have a say, making the entry process more convoluted. It's not just about meeting technical and sporting criteria; there's also a commercial maze to navigate.

New teams must prepare to address these concerns upfront. They need:

1. Solid financial backing

2. A competitive edge

3. A plan that aligns with the sport's broader objectives

These are generic requests, we’re not yet sure what are the exact criteria and checkpoints.

What’s certain is that teams must woo Liberty Media by demonstrating how their presence will help grow the sport, grow the fanbase and all the commercial aspects of F1, all while not stepping on the toes of existing stakeholders.

How many new F1 teams can join in?

According to the 2023 regulations, only 26 cars are allowed on the grid, with 2 drivers per team.

So if new teams get the go-ahead to join, there's gonna be a rush for those spots, especially if Andretti gets its application in by the end of 2023.

Recent New Teams in Formula 1

1. Haas (2016)

   Still in F1? ✅ Yes.

   Highlights: Achieved points in their first two races. Last year secured their first pole position in Brazil.

2. HRT (2010)

   Still in F1? ❌ No.

   Highlights: Faced challenges from the start; ceased operations after three years.

3. Virgin (2010)

   Still in F1? ❌ No.

   Highlights: Initially struggled with their chassis. Rebranded as Marussia and scored some points. Sadly, faced tragic incidents and later went into receivership.

4. Lotus (2010)

   Still in F1? ❌ No.

   Highlights: Relatively strong start. Rebranded to Caterham but faced financial issues and vanished after 2014.

5. Super Aguri (2006)

   Still in F1? ❌ No.

   Highlights: Brief appearance with Honda support. Managed some competitive moments but closed doors in 2008.

6. Toyota (2002)

   Still in F1? ❌ No.

   Highlights: Huge budget but struggled to deliver results. Departed F1 in 2009.

7. Stewart (1997)

   Still in F1? ✅ Yes, it evolved into Red Bull Racing.

   Highlights: Impressive early results, including a win. Taken over by Ford, then Red Bull, which became a dominant team in the 2010s.

8. Forti (1995)

   Still in F1? ❌ No.

   Highlights: Struggled from the outset, especially with the 107% rule, and quickly faded.

9. Pacific (1994)

   Still in F1? ❌ No.

   Highlights: Small operation that had success elsewhere but couldn’t compete in F1. Financial challenges ended their journey in 1995.

10. Simtek (1994)

    Still in F1? ❌ No.

    Highlights: Tragic start with the death of Roland Ratzenberger. Financial issues led to a brief stint in F1.

📺 The F1 Academy finale at COTA will be on live TV for the first time later this month. - Read more

💸 How Adrian Newey's F1 brilliance almost made Aston Martin go broke. - Read more

🔵 Red Bull’s Helmut Marko confirms Liam Lawson will be a full-time Formula 1 driver in 2025. -Read more

🏳️‍🌈 Lewis Hamilton discusses wearing a pride flag helmet to challenge Qatar’s view on homosexuality. - Read more

🔴 Leclerc: Ferrari 2024 F1 car promise outweighs any depression over Red Bull form - Read more

🟢 Lance Stroll thinks he's figured out why his 2023 season was so rough. - Read more

🎁 Nico Hulkenberg shared the odd birthday gift he gave to Kevin Magnussen. - Read more

💰Rodin Cars wanted to buy AlphaTauri, but couldn't handle the high price. - Read more

⚡ Students created a fully electric F1-style car. - Read more

💪🏼 Wolff involved in every Mercedes F1 meeting despite injury layoff - Read more

🇶🇦 Scheduled 6-8 October

Lusail International Circuit

1️⃣ Circuit length: 5.418km
2️⃣ Number of laps: 57
3️⃣ Lap record: /
4️⃣ Corners & DRS: 16 corners with 1 DRS zone

Qatar GP Quick Info

Tire Choices:

⚪C1: P Zero White (hard)

🟡 C2: P Zero Yellow (medium)

🔴 C3: P Zero Red (soft)

🤯Track is a tire shredder ➡️ Expect heavy wear even with harder compounds

Note: These were the same choices as the last race in Japan.

Lusail Circuit Upgrades:

🛣️ Fresh asphalt

🏍️ Bigger and more pit garages, designed first for MotoGP.

🎥 New race control and media center.

Past Winners:

🏆Lewis Hamilton took the trophy in the only Qatar Grand Prix to date.

🥈🥉 Max Verstappen (fastest lap) and Fernando Alonso

Strategy in 2022

📊 Some started on softs, others on mediums last time

✋ Pit stops ranged from one to three.

🏆 Hamilton’s winning strategy: Two stints on medium, one on hard.

⬇️ Aim for medium-high downforce.

🌀 Grip is key for all those corners.

🚫 Main straight doesn't like too much drag.

Race Schedule:

🌙 Night race

🕗 Qualifying & Grand Prix: 20:00 local time.

🕓 Saturday: Sprint Shootout at 16:00, Sprint race at 20:30.

🚨 Note: No support races so other cars won't rub the track in.

Track Conditions:

🏜️ Keep an eye out for sand! It sometimes blows onto the track from the desert.

🛣️ New asphalt might change things up.

Weather:

🔥 Hot, hot, hot! Expect temps over 40°C leading up to the race.

Due to later session times, there might be a bigger temperature range