Fast Five: FIA taps former journalist as commissioner for strategy, will the Las Vegas GP match the hype?, and other big updates

FIA taps former journalist as commissioner for strateg

The FIA appointed former F1 journalist Dieter Rencken as a commissioner to aid in F1's enhancements and strategies, working directly with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Rencken's role involves contributing to F1's improvements and the formulation of the new Concorde Agreement, scheduled for 2026, aiming to ensure fairness among the FIA, FOM, and the teams. This move echoes past discussions about the need for a commissioner, a concept initially proposed by former FIA President Jean Todt, which was later discarded due to challenges in finding the right candidate and the strong leadership of Bernie Ecclestone.

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

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Will the Las Vegas GP match 'the hype' ?

Formula 1 gears up for the long-awaited Las Vegas Grand Prix after over 40 years, a strategically planned move by F1's Liberty Media to leverage the sport's growing US popularity following the success of the Miami race. The event in Vegas is hyped with a $500 million investment, showcasing a stunning street course that includes iconic Vegas landmarks, albeit with steep ticket prices, creating a spectacle primarily for high-paying attendees rather than traditional TV viewers. However, the timing, chilly weather, and absence of support series might inject unpredictability into the races, potentially reshuffling the expected order and bringing back excitement to a season where the championship outcomes are already settled. Nonetheless, the pressure is on for the Vegas event to live up to the massive anticipation and maintain F1's expanding American audience.

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

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Ferrari firm on safety amid push for lighter 2026 cars

F1's upcoming 2026 technical changes aim for lighter, smaller cars to echo past challenges, but Ferrari's Diego Ioverno emphasizes prioritizing safety amid this push, highlighting concerns about heavier vehicles making driving tougher, especially in slow corners. While drivers desire lighter, more nimble cars for improved performance and enjoyment, Ioverno stresses the importance of maintaining safety in these discussions, aiming for regulations that satisfy both drivers and fans while ensuring a better on-track spectacle.

Click here to read the full article by Fergal Walsh (racingnews365.com)

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Drivers in 'True or False' challenge

Drivers on the 2023 grid engage in an entertaining round of 'True or False.' They're asked random questions, from whether the Olympic flag's rings interlock to McLaren supposedly using the Spice Girls for their 1997 car launch, the absence of English words rhyming with orange, and even a seemingly trivial math problem. Click here to watch the video.

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Ricciardo talks F1 on Jimmy Kimmel Live

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Daniel Ricciardo joined 'Jimmy Kimmel Live,' a late-night program on ABC. He talked about the influence music has on his driving, whether ladies see him sitting down since 'Drive to Survive,' and Kimmel revealed unseen footage of Ricciardo's victory in Monaco. Ricciardo also tried some reflex training with Jimmy, who seemed pretty relaxed.