Fast Five: McLaren anticipates further gains from latest upgrade, Perez "couldn't care less" about rumors, and other big updates

McLaren anticipates further gains from latest upgrade

McLaren has made significant improvements to its Formula 1 car, resulting in enhanced development potential in its wind tunnel and upcoming introductions of further upgrades. The team's recent upgrades allowed Lando Norris to secure a front-row slot and finish second at the British Grand Prix. McLaren plans to introduce updates at the Hungarian Grand Prix and continue delivering upgrades in future races. Team principal Andrea Stella acknowledges the unexpected improvement in lap times and believes the car has genuinely progressed in race pace, although he remains cautious about the specific track conditions influencing the results.

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

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Perez "couldn't care less" about rumors

Daniel Ricciardo's confirmation as the replacement for Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri has sparked speculation about his return to a Red Bull race seat alongside Max Verstappen. Sergio Perez, who has been struggling in qualifying, faced further scrutiny after finishing 16th at Silverstone. Despite the rumors, Perez is unfazed and confident in his future with the team, stating that he has the support of Christian Horner and Helmut Marko. He is actively working with his engineers to address his qualifying issues, particularly in wet/dry sessions. Perez remains optimistic and believes he can turn his season around, focusing on overall performance rather than individual races. 

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

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Williams unveils new Gulf-inspired livery

Williams has revealed a Gulf-inspired livery for three upcoming F1 races in Singapore, Japan, and Qatar. The design was chosen through a fan vote with 180,000 participants. The new livery, named 'Bolder than Bold,' will replace Williams' dark blue livery for these races and will be featured at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Team boss James Vowles expressed enthusiasm for the design, which represents the Gulf and Williams Racing partnership, blending tradition with future aspirations.

Click here to read the full article on espn.com

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Audi ends non-F1 racing programs from 2024

Audi has decided to end factory support for motorsport activities such as DTM, Dakar, and GT classes in order to shift its focus entirely to Formula 1. The decision was made by Audi's Executive Board, and teams, drivers, and partners have been informed of the reorganization. Audi's Dakar project will be completed in 2024, and private customer teams will still be able to participate in events with the extended homologation of the Audi R8 LMS GT3. The move is part of Audi's efforts to establish itself as a top manufacturer in F1 ahead of its partnership with Sauber, and the company has been actively recruiting talent for its power unit development for the 2026 Formula 1 entry.

Click here to read the full article by Rory Mitchell (racingnews365.com)

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Analzying Ricciardo's return

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Sky Sports experts discuss Daniel Ricciardo's return to F1 and evaluate McLaren's performance and Ferrari's challenges at the British Grand Prix.