Williams posts AUD $161M loss in 2023, Five key factors behind F1's massive driver shake-up, and other big updates

Williams posts AUD $161M loss in 2023

Williams reported a big financial loss in 2023, with post-tax losses rising to AUD $161.59 million (£84.286m), compared to AUD $34.31 million (£17.894m) in 2022. The team finished seventh in the Constructors' Championship with 28 points, but less prize money from their poor 2022 season and higher costs made things worse. Liabilities went up to AUD $127.94 million, and wages also increased by 10%, with average salaries growing from £78,000 to £85,500. Financial director Matthew Savage stated the losses were expected as part of the team's long-term strategy to invest in on-track and commercial performance for future success.

Click here to read the full article by Balazs Szabo (f1technical.net)

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Five key factors behind F1's massive driver shake-up

Five drivers—Daniel Ricciardo, Valtteri Bottas, Kevin Magnussen, Zhou Guanyu, and Logan Sargeant—are leaving Formula 1 after a stable season in 2023-24. This change is mainly because of young drivers like Ollie Bearman and Kimi Antonelli, who have shown great talent. While some older drivers, like Lewis Hamilton, are being scrutinized, the push for youth is becoming more widespread as teams look to capitalize on the potential of junior drivers. Though some departures feel harsh, especially for those like Bottas, who had strong performances, others didn't perform well enough to secure their spots.

Click here to read the full article at the-race.com

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The return of the classic 'Alpink' livery

Alpine will return to an all-pink livery for the final three rounds of the 2024 Formula 1 season, beginning with the Las Vegas Grand Prix. This livery, provided by Alpine's title partner BWT, has appeared on the team's cars in previous seasons but has been mainly carbon this year due to weight-saving measures. The all-pink design will be showcased at the Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi races as Alpine aims to maintain its strong performance. After a double podium in Brazil, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly are focused on holding their sixth place in the Constructors' Championship.

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

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Stroll will keep Aston Martin seat as long as he wants

According to BBC Sport's Andrew Benson, Lance Stroll will keep his Aston Martin seat as long as he wants. Despite criticism of his performances, especially after his crash in Sao Paulo, Stroll's father, Lawrence, bought the team with the goal of helping Lance become a world champion. Stroll has shown occasional talent but has been consistently slower than his teammates, raising doubts about his future. However, due to the financial backing of his father, Stroll's seat seems secure for now, with Aston Martin likely to retain him unless he decides to leave.

Click here to read the full article by Lewis Larkam (crash.net)

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Drivers share their top threes

In this quick-fire question round, the drivers share their top three choices on a range of topics, both inside and outside of racing, including their favorite musicians, pet peeves, and more. They began by listing their all-time favorite drivers, and you could bet that Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher would top the list. Click here to watch the video.