Fast Five: F1 mandates extra cooling for 2024 season, Mercedes plans extensive overhaul for W15 after winless 2023, and other big updates

F1 mandates extra cooling for 2024 season

Starting from next year, all Formula 1 teams must carry additional weight for cooling equipment during races in extreme temperatures, as discussed in an emergency F1 commission meeting. The decision follows health risks during the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, where drivers, including race winner Max Verstappen, experienced heat-related issues such as vomiting and passing out. To address this, a mandatory two-kilogram weight increase for cars, specifically designated for cooling the drivers, has been introduced. FIA single-seater Director Nikolas Tombazis clarified that this weight cannot be used for other purposes and must be utilized for cooling, emphasizing a commitment to preventing similar health concerns in the future.

Click here to read the full article by James Fiorucci (formulanerds.com)

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Mercedes plans extensive overhaul for W15 after winless 2023

Toto Wolff announced that Mercedes will overhaul "almost every component" for their 2024 F1 car after a winless 2023 season. Despite a mid-season design change, Mercedes struggled to match rivals McLaren, Aston Martin, and Ferrari. Wolff confirmed significant alterations to chassis layout, weight distribution, and airflow in pursuit of a competitive edge, expressing cautious optimism about the potential outcomes.

Click here to read the full article by Connor McDonagh (crash.net)

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Fantasy lessons from Abu Dhabi GP

The 2023 F1 Fantasy season brought significant changes, as F1.com took over game development from PlayOn, introducing new chips, scoring adjustments, and a seventh roster spot. F1TV and social media efforts led to a massive expansion, with 2.4 million teams competing in Abu Dhabi. Lessons learned for 2024 include the critical role of a second constructor for success, the shift in power dynamics after Canada, the impact of a new cost change predictor tool, and the strategic use of chips involving a mixture of luck and good timing. Despite improvements, there are still opportunities to address issues like delayed price changes, the 20-point penalty for non-classification, and post-race scoring delays for a better overall experience in the future.

Click here to read the full article at f1fantasyhq.com

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Unseen moments from Abu Dhabi

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You may have watched the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on TV, but there were some interesting moments you probably didn't see. From a mystery fan casually joining the Red Bull group photo with the drivers to a photographer switching from AlphaTauri to handling social media for Ferrari, here are some behind-the-scenes actions you might have missed.

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Albon opens up on racing challenges

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Alex Albon talks about his journey in racing, including the challenges he faced when Red Bull dropped him. Instead of leaving, he decided to stay with the team, working on improving the car for his teammates. Albon shares lessons learned from tough times in his career and personal life, and he believes they've helped him build the mental strength needed to pursue championships.