F1 2024 STUFF NOT WORTHY OF ITS OWN THREAD

[erwin greven]

Bottom post of the previous page:

Niels Wittich is now the new race director of the GTWC series.

[erwin greven]

[translated Dutch to English]

Drivers praise new competition leader: "Best Meeting in ages"

Formula 1 has a new racing director this weekend. After the sudden (and somewhat controversial) departure of the German Niels Wittich, Rui Marques took over the lead in Las Vegas. The drivers were introduced to the Portuguese competition leader during a first drivers-briefing prior to the race weekend. "The best meeting in times," Carlos Sainz responded afterwards.

In November, the FIA ​​announced that Niels Wittich would immediately resign. The German racing director, who took over the baton from Michael Masi in 2022, was discredited after a number of controversial decisions during the São Paulo GP. For example, a late red flag and a lack of safety cars caused a lot of criticism. Therefore, Wittich opted for an early departure. At least, the Fia suggested. He swears in the media that he has been fired.

Rui Marques, active until recently as a competition leader in Formula 3 and Formula 2, was appointed as a replacement. Prior to the Las Vegas GP, he led his first drivers briefing with the Formula 1 drivers. Many then showed themselves enthusiastically about the approach of Marques, who seems to be decisive.

Pole sitter George Russell said he was pleasantly surprised by the new racing director. "I think we had a period in which our comments were heard, but with which little happened," said the Brit. Marques broke with that trend. "For example, a few drivers pointed to the limited space in the release of turn four - something that is unnecessary on a street circuit," said Russell. "He (Marques, ed.) Immediately adjusted the track. That is exactly what we want to see as drivers; We were heard and action was taken immediately. So positive."

Compliments from Carlos Sainz

Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, who starts second in Las Vegas, also expressed a positive effort about Marques. "He got a difficult task," said the Spaniard. "With three more races to go, he was suddenly bombed into racing director. It is a complicated role where you have to take many variables into account. Nevertheless, I think he is doing very well. Yesterday's briefing was one of the best meetings in times."

Sainz pointed out a number of specific examples. "George (Russell, ed.) Criticized bend three, while I indicated that the entrance to the pit lane had to be changed. The line was literally not visible, it was dangerous. Today we arrived at the circuit and the run -up to the pit lane was broadened. It is nice to see that such changes are made immediately. I find that extremely encouraging."

https://www.formule1.nl/nieuws/coureurs ... in-tijden/ [Dutch]

[Aty]

Purge continues.

Tim Mayer has departed from his position as chairman of the stewards at F1 grands prix.

https://racingnews365.com/leading-f1-st ... parts-role

Mayer, a motorsport executive and son of McLaren co-founder Teddy Mayer

[erwin greven]

Purge continues.

Tim Mayer has departed from his position as chairman of the stewards at F1 grands prix.

https://racingnews365.com/leading-f1-st ... parts-role

Mayer, a motorsport executive and son of McLaren co-founder Teddy Mayer

just wanted to post this.

[Aty]

New personnel will have to learn quickly on the job. If the series however becomes trully international (and competent), I don't mind if some people leave to make space for new blood, and fresh thinking. Ch. Whiting was far too long in that job IMHO, just as BE's and Mosley's crowd, etc. Stewardship is unfortunately always post-race target for complains. Not very thankful job.

[Michael Ferner]

Looks like a lot of firing going on (though it's not exactly clear, could be people resigning). Not a good sign when the jobs depend largely on on-the-job experience. On the other hand, it might be the consequence of a long process of evaluation, with steps taken in advance to train people to move up. Typical for journalists of today that they have no clue.

[Star]

At this rate, there will be no one left who can do those jobs! Something bad is going on there by the seem of things. You don't usually have so many people leaving, or being fired, so close to the end of a season do you?

[Aty]

Audi and Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) team up to accelerate the preparation for the Formula 1 entry of the four rings in 2026. QIA, the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar, has signed definitive agreements to acquire a significant minority stake in Sauber Holding AG, the future factory team of Audi.

https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/pre ... -qia-16415

It's done.

With this strategic investment QIA will enter the Audi Formula 1 project as a long-term investor and partner.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Audi and Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) team up to accelerate the preparation for the Formula 1 entry of the four rings in 2026. QIA, the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar, has signed definitive agreements to acquire a significant minority stake in Sauber Holding AG, the future factory team of Audi.

https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/pre ... -qia-16415

It's done.

With this strategic investment QIA will enter the Audi Formula 1 project as a long-term investor and partner.

I believe the significant minority shareholding of QIA is Sauber / Audi in near to 1/3. The QIA already own a significant (17%) chunk of VAG (Volkswagen Audi Group)

Given the petty awful performance of VAG its a pretty brave move..... VAG reported a 60% fall in profit, against a backdrop of plummeting sales in China as well as Europe.

The Qatari buy-in answers a specific need for both parties. For Audi and VW it represents an opportunity to stop conspicuous spending on F1 at a time when the group is under pressure in Germany over plans to shut down factories and make tens of thousands of workers redundant – regardless of Audi CEO Gernot Dollner's claim that the QIA deal has nothing to do with the Group's financial issues.

At least it should allow Audi to remain in F1, something it was looking like might not happen without this investment from QIA deflecting the real issues and morals facing VAG and by definition Audi.

An F1 programme and a company making thousands redundant and closing factories to minimise costs does not a good PR story make.

[Aty]

I believe the significant minority shareholding of QIA is Sauber / Audi in near to 1/3. The QIA already own a significant (17%) chunk of VAG (Volkswagen Audi Group)

One article claims minority share is probably 25%. Guessing goes on.

[Michael Ferner]

First step to get out is to open the door.

[erwin greven]

Who left in the last 12 months.

[Aty]

I was living with conviction for past 25+ years that FiA/F1 needs badly shake up for good of the sport, but this (above) is ridiculous.

[Aty]

...in Vegas brought the (Williams) team to 15 total incidents across the season, with six of those occurring in the last three races.

I don't think this account exist only due to driver's mistakes.

[Aty]

Purchasing of shares in Audi F1:

The transaction details will be available to public in the Swiss commercial register in a few weeks. So much is revealed: It is between 20 and 30 percent (per AMuS). Qatar may increase its ownership share at later date. Maybe even over 50%, says N. Haug. The transaction is subject to certain regulatory approvals.

QIA will take its minority share in Sauber by the middle of next year once Audi’s initial transaction to purchase Finn Rausing’s remaining stake is closed.

[Aty]

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has told Formula 1 drivers to mind their own business after they asked where money from race fines was going and why senior figures had left the governing body.

This is response to a letter Russell sent him.

https://www.grandprix247.com/2024/12/02 ... -fia-does/

In a new CA teams should negotiate access to some information, if they have desire to know. If not, than they cannot walk around it through back door, and Russell & Co. can do nothing about it. In his age he should have known that much.

MBS has his rights too, and if members don't like his reponses, his tenure is coming to the end, and voting him (without playing dirty) out is an available option. Challenge is, 20 drivers have to convince vast majority of 147 countries and 243 organizations, that MBS is not protecting their interest.

It has been revealed some time ago, that BE's and Wollf's wifes are both standing as candidates for next FiA presidency.