Long calendar exhausts drivers and teams, How track temperatures decided 2024's winners, and other big updates

Long calendar is exhausting drivers and teams

The 2023 Formula One season was the longest ever, with 24 races planned, but only 22 happened after China and Imola were canceled. Oscar Piastri spoke about how tough the long calendar was, especially with the back-to-back races in places like Vegas and Qatar. He said the schedule is hard for drivers but even harder for the teams and mechanics who work long hours and travel a lot. Piastri suggested teams might need more staff and noted the FIA is improving the calendar, though more changes are needed.

Click here to read the full article by Sandy van Wijngaarden (gpblog.com)

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How track temperatures decided 2024's winners

The F1 2024 season has delivered multiple race winners, revealing how track temperatures influence team performance. Mercedes did well in cooler conditions, like in the cold Las Vegas Grand Prix, where they kept their tires at the right temperature. McLaren performed better in warmer conditions, with races like Singapore and Hungary helping them due to less aerodynamic drag. These trends show how tyre grip, car design, and track temperatures work together to impact race results.

Click here to read the full article by Uros Radovanovic (planetf1.com)

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Verstappen slams McLaren’s ‘nonsense’ papaya rules

Max Verstappen called McLaren's 'papaya rules' "nonsense" and said he doesn't need them. The rules were made to manage racing between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Verstappen said if his engineer told him about them, he'd just tell him to "shut up." McLaren's idea behind the rules is to make sure their drivers race fairly and work together instead of fighting each other.

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

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Albon and Colapinto host 2024 Mechanic Awards

Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto present the 2024 Mechanic End-of-Year Awards at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. It all started when the mechanics voted anonymously among themselves to crown the winners. There were categories like 'Fittest Mechanic,' 'Best Garage DJ,' 'Tidiest Mechanic,' and 'Longest Time to Get Ready,' among others.

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DontBlink with Carlos Sainz

The Abu Dhabi GP marked the end of an incredible chapter with a final race for Scuderia Ferrari. These four years have been full of unforgettable memories, and this weekend was no different. Carlos Sainz hit the track with adrenaline pumping, ready to savor his final moments. Enjoy this special DONTBLINK episode!