Azerbaijan GP
Date: Sunday, 15 September, 2024
Track: Baku City Circuit
♖ It appears that Fernando Alonso was a significant factor in Adrian Newey’s decision to join Aston Martin (+ £30m pa!)
♖ Although disappointed to see Jonathan Wheatley leave Red Bull, Helmut Marko stated, ‘ Audi’s offer couldn’t be matched.’
♖ Lewis Hamilton said, ‘Leaving Monza, it hit me that it was the last European race this year. The last time I’ll be in my room in engineering that’s been my home for 12 years.’
♖ Max Verstappen’s race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, has turned down significant offers from Ferrari and McLaren.
♖ Toto Wolff says his team understands the pressure it puts Andrea Kimi Antonelli under.
♖ Oliver Bearman will drive for Haas in Azerbaijan as Kevin Magnussen’s one-race ban is enacted.
♖ Christian Horner recognises that the team struggles to trust its instruments and must rely on track data and past experiences.
♖ The Aston Martin F1 team will receive substantial investment from an investment firm and a venture capital fund.
♖ Adrian Newey will be paid £30m per year, including add-ons and bonuses, on a five-year deal with Aston Martin,
♖ Only two Formula 1 drivers earn more money than Adrian Newey.
♖ Charles Leclerc has warned Ferrari must not be complacent following its victories at Monza and Monaco; both circuits suited their car.
♖ Lando Norris has warned Andrea Kimi Antonelli, ‘he has big boots to fill.’
♖ Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur explained that negotiations with Adrian Newey broke down because of their contrasting ideas about his potential role.
♖ Ricciardo views the remaining eight races as critical to F1 future.
♖ Max Verstappen’s Red Bull future is in doubt as Dr Helmut Marko sidesteps key questions during an interview.
♖ It’s not surprising Audi doesn’t want their name on the Stake Sauber car at this point.
♖ Toto Wolff has warned ‘Red Bull should not be written off, despite their recent F1 struggles.’
♖ Yet again, South Africa has been linked with a return to the F1 calendar.
♖ Despite rumours, Alpine dismissed claims they offered their F1 team to Nico Rosberg.
♖ Lewis Hamilton tried, unsuccessfully, to buy the MotoGP team.
♖ Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have tried to establish a reason and solution for their plunge in form.
♖ Rumours abound that Aston Martin is actively pursuing Max Verstappen.
♖ Could Adrian Newey’s appointment be the trigger that attracts Max Verstappen to Aston Martin?
♖ It appears that Honda and Alpine committed breaches of the 2023 F1 cost cap.
♖ Guenther Steiner has an idea that Toto Wolff is attempting to ‘clone’ Max Verstappen by focusing his efforts on Kimi Antonelli.
♖ Oscar Piastri agrees to McLaren’s team’s orders to help Lando Norris fight Max Verstappen.
♖ Ferrari’s Fred Vasseur says he would welcome Carlos Sainz back to Maranello in the future.
♖ Valtteri Bottas said that if he isn’t re-signed by Sauber for 2025, he will probably join the IndyCar series.
♖ In this year’s Formula 1 driver market, McLaren was the only team starting the season with both drivers under contract.
