F1 Fast Five: Bearman to step up for sick Sainz at Saudi Arabia GP, Andretti's images of future US base send clear signal to F1, other big updates

Bearman to step up for sick Sainz at Saudi Arabia GP

Carlos Sainz has been diagnosed with appendicitis, forcing him to miss the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, and Oliver Bearman will step in for his Formula 1 debut with Ferrari. Despite feeling unwell earlier in the week, Sainz participated in practice sessions but will undergo surgery, ruling him out for the remainder of the event. Bearman, who was promoted to Ferrari's reserve driver role this season, will replace Sainz for the weekend, marking his official F1 debut alongside Charles Leclerc.

Click here to read the full article by Taylor Powling (motorsportweek.com)

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Andretti's images of future US base send clear signal to F1

Andretti Global has unveiled images of its new US headquarters, signaling its commitment to its Formula 1 project despite rejection by F1. The 90-acre site in Fishers, Indiana, features a significant portion dedicated to F1 manufacturing and design, with partners like Ridge involved. The facility will also house IndyCar, Indy NXT, and IMSA operations, emphasizing employee wellbeing with amenities like walking trails and fitness centers. Andretti aims to create a healthy workplace and attract global talent to Indiana, fostering a strong employee culture.

Click here to read the full article by Adam Cooper (motorsport.com)

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Perez admits to being uncomfortable with RB20

Sergio Perez acknowledges that he's not completely comfortable with Red Bull's new RB20 Formula 1 car yet but feels he's making progress in understanding it. Despite finishing second in the Bahrain Grand Prix, he sees room for improvement, particularly in qualifying and race setup. Perez emphasizes the need for consistent improvement over the season rather than targeting specific races for success, aiming to build a competitive foundation. He believes the competition is tight this season, with Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren all close contenders, indicating a challenging season ahead.

Click here to read the full article by Jonathan Noble (motorsport.com)

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Illman's take on 2024 Saudi GP

Should F1 really be racing in Saudia Arabia? Join Kym Illman as he shares his thoughts on the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP in Jeddah! He also talks about everything that happened at the Jeddah Corniche circuit on media day at the 2024 Saudi GP and explores the planned Qiddiya F1 track. Click here to watch the video.

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Mercedes experts share insights on Bahrain GP

In the debut episode of Akkodis Race Debrief for the year, Mercedes' technical director, James Allison and trackside engineer, Andrew Shovlin, answered fan questions about the Bahrain Grand Prix. They discussed what Mercedes learned from the race and why the W15 was sparking more than other cars on the grid, among other things.