Fast Five: Drivers rally against an expanded calendar, top driver bust-ups fit for Boxing Day, and other big updates

Drivers rally against an expanded calendar

Concerns about the expanding Formula 1 calendar are raised by former driver Timo Glock, who advocates for a limit of 20 or 21 races per season due to the extreme physical and mental toll on team members. Fernando Alonso, despite his love for racing, acknowledges the potential impact on his future in the sport, emphasizing the need for balance with other aspects of life. Mercedes driver George Russell expresses worry about team members' health issues arising from constant travel and time zone changes. The 2024 calendar, featuring a record-breaking 24 races, has sparked significant discussion within the F1 community.

Click here to read the full article by Lydia Mee (si.com)

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Top driver bust-ups fit for Boxing Day

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Formula 1 has seen its fair share of dramatic controversies, occasionally escalating to physical altercations between drivers. The top 10 driver bust-ups include incidents like Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg's tension-filled moment in the USA in 2015, Jarno Trulli and Adrian Sutil's ongoing feud spanning races in Brazil and Abu Dhabi in 2009, and James Hunt's clashes with marshals at Monaco in 1975 and Canada in 1977. A notable instance involves Ayrton Senna confronting Eddie Irvine in Japan in 1993 and Max Verstappen's heated clash with Esteban Ocon in Brazil in 2018, resulting in a post-race altercation and a punishment from the FIA. The list also features Michael Schumacher angrily confronting David Coulthard in Belgium in 1998 and Nigel Mansell physically confronting Ayrton Senna in Belgium in 1987. 

Click here to read the full article by Jamie Woodhouse (planetf1.com)

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Newey affirms commitment to F1 beyond 65th birthday

Adrian Newey, the celebrated designer behind Red Bull's Formula 1 success since 2006, has clarified that he has no plans to step away from the sport anytime soon despite celebrating his 65th birthday. While he is now less involved in day-to-day design work, Newey remains a key asset and signed a new deal in the current year. He emphasizes his continued enjoyment and commitment to Red Bull, citing his desire to be part of the team's development since its inception, except for a brief consideration in 2014 due to uncompetitive power units.

Click here to read the full article by Filip Cleeren & Alex Kalinauckas (motorsport.com)

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Aston Martin's partial sale masks Stroll's true strategic play

Aston Martin recently attracted outside investors, Arctos Partners, marking the first external investment since Lawrence Stroll's consortium acquired the team. Amid speculations about Stroll's potential exit, Arctos invested in a minority shareholding, valuing the F1 team at around $1 billion. Despite rumors, Stroll's consortium remains the majority shareholder, with Stroll expressing long-term commitment to both the car company and the F1 team. The timing of the investment aligns with the team's growth and achievements, including a strong 2023 performance, making it an opportune moment for external involvement. Stroll's continued leadership and the team's positive trajectory suggest a stable future under his guidance.

Click here to read the full article by Scott Mitchell-Malm (the-race.com)

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Behind the scenes with Mercedes

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Mercedes gives us a peek behind the curtain with Lewis Hamilton, Toto Wolff, and Mick Schumacher during their end-of-season Team Talks at Brixworth and Brackley. The team asked them fun questions about skydiving, Christmas outfits, and more. Hamilton and Wolff started by thanking the team for their support and recognizing their role in keeping them going and helping them succeed on the track.