Damon Hill Backs Susie Wolff for FIA Presidency, Is the new two-stop rule the fix for Monaco’s stale races?, and other big updates

Damon Hill Backs Susie Wolff for FIA Presidency

Formula 1 champion Damon Hill publicly endorsed Susie Wolff as a strong candidate to succeed Mohammed Ben Sulayem as FIA President. In 2023, the FIA investigated her over a possible conflict of interest because she is married to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, but the probe was dropped after nine F1 teams defended her. She then filed a criminal complaint against the FIA, and reports suggest Ben Sulayem launched the investigation because he knew she might run against him in December’s election. As the head of F1 Academy, Wolff has worked to bring more women into motorsport, and her leadership comes as female F1 viewership continues to grow.

Click here to read the full article by Dan Lawrence (motorsportweek.com)

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Is the new two-stop rule the fix for Monaco’s stale races?

Overtaking in Monaco has been very difficult for years, and F1’s wider cars made it worse. Last year, drivers changed tires during a red flag and easily finished the race without being challenged, so F1 made a special rule for Monaco requiring two pit stops. Some say this will help racing, while others think it only moves the strategy to the pits instead of the track. This change raises the question of whether special rules make racing better or just more complicated.

Click here to read the full article by Keith Collantine (racefans.net)

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Trackside analysis of car performance

Trackside observations over three days in Bahrain provided insight into each Formula 1 car’s strengths and weaknesses. Sauber struggled with stiffness and instability, while Williams showed promise with balance and responsiveness. Red Bull appeared fast but inconsistent in rotation, whereas Ferrari showed moments of sharpness but lacked consistency. McLaren exhibited some rear instability yet remained one of the grid's most usable and responsive cars.

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

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Ferrari’s radical SF-25 update faces tough questions

Ferrari’s shift to a pull-rod front suspension is a bold move, but Rob Smedley warned it could worsen vehicle dynamics. Alex Brundle observed Lewis Hamilton struggling with the SF-25 during Bahrain testing, describing the car as “really nasty” to drive. While Smedley suggested Ferrari might be testing concepts for 2026, David Coulthard questioned whether the switch would make much difference. Aston Martin has also introduced major aerodynamic changes, with Lawrence Stroll’s heavy investment focused on long-term performance gains.

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

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The Drama begins in Drive to Survive season 7

Netflix has released the trailer for Season 7 of its popular docu-series ‘Drive to Survive’ that will premiere on March 7, and the drama is already spilling over. Formula 1’s fly-on-the-wall paddock soap opera peels back the curtain on the 2024 season – where Max Verstappen secured his fourth title, and major driver moves shook up the grid.