Doohan's future at risk as Alpine eyes Colapinto, Ferrari announces multi-year partnership with IBM, and other big updates

Doohan's future at risk as Alpine eyes Colapinto

Jack Doohan's F1 future is at risk as Alpine looks to sign Franco Colapinto, who has impressed in his few F1 races. Colapinto's backing from South American investors makes him a strong contender, while Doohan, with no F1 race starts, struggles to match his commercial or performance potential. Alpine's history with promoting young drivers has been poor, and if they sign Colapinto, Doohan's promotion for 2025 could be undone. This would leave Doohan's F1 career at a standstill, despite his dedication to the team.

Click here to read the full article by Mat Coch (speedcafe.com)

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Ferrari announces multi-year partnership with IBM

Ferrari has signed a partnership with IBM that will start in January 2025. The goal is to use digital technology to improve fan engagement. IBM will bring its expertise to create interactive experiences, helping fans feel closer to Ferrari. Ferrari’s Lorenzo Giorgetti said they’re proud to work with IBM, noting their shared values of excellence and innovation. IBM’s Jonathan Adashek added that their technology will help Ferrari provide quick insights and improve fan experiences globally.

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

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What’s behind Hamilton's "devastating" struggles?

Lewis Hamilton described his car as "the worst it's been all year" after a tough Brazilian Grand Prix, where he struggled with qualifying 14th and finishing 10th. His main issue seems to be a lack of confidence in the car's rear end, which is causing him to lose speed in slower corners. Despite recent upgrades, Mercedes hasn't solved issues, particularly with low-speed corners, which were a major weakness in Brazil. Hamilton is working with his team to resolve these problems before the final race in Abu Dhabi.

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

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How FIA can fix stewarding issues

The FIA needs to address the issues with F1 stewarding. Johnny Herbert’s media interviews through betting sites raise concerns about professionalism, and a clearer, official communication method should be adopted. Stewards should be full-time employees to ensure consistency and professionalism, as part-time roles lead to inconsistent decisions. Better pay would also attract experienced individuals, while the FIA should focus on refining the stewarding team to include those with modern F1 experience and ensure that unnecessary rules don’t make their jobs harder.

Click here to read the full article by Sam Cooper (planetf1.com)

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F1 sees dip in Q3 2024 revenue

Formula 1's Q3 2024 results show a slight decline in primary revenue, down 3% from $887 million to $861 million due to one fewer race. Total revenue grew by 2.7%, reaching $911 million. The drop in primary revenue was attributed to fewer races, which affected media rights and sponsorships. Despite the dip, operating income rose 11%, and Formula 1 is on track for a record-breaking full year, supported by strong sponsorship deals and increased viewership.

Click here to read the full article by Phillip van Osten (f1i.com)