Ferrari has named Diego Tondi as their new Head of Aerodynamics, a role he announced on LinkedIn. This change follows the departure of Enrico Cardile, Ferrari's former chassis technical director, who will join Aston Martin next year. Tondi, who has over 15 years at Ferrari, has held several key positions in aerodynamic development. The appointment comes after team boss Frederic Vasseur suggested further staffing changes would follow after the post-summer break.
Click here to read the full article by Balazs Szabo (f1techical.net)
Formula 1 cars have become significantly larger and heavier over the past 20 years. Red Bull Racing recently compared their 2005 RB1 with the 2024 RB20, which shows the new car is over 3 feet longer, a foot wider, and 440 pounds heavier. This increase is due to advancements like hybrid power units and regulatory changes, including the 2017 mandate for larger cars and the 2022 focus on ground-effect aerodynamics. The 2026 rule changes will simplify the power units by eliminating the MGU-H but aim for over 1,000 hp with better fuel efficiency.
Click here to read the full article by Stephen Edelstein (motorauthority.com)
North American sports leagues use drafts and salary caps to make teams more equal, but Formula 1 has been very uneven, with big differences in car performance, budgets, and resources. Since 2021, budget caps and aerodynamic testing restrictions (ATR) have tried to balance things out by limiting spending and changing how much testing teams can do based on their standings. This has made the 2024 season more competitive, with several teams and drivers winning races. Some people think ATR is unfair because it limits development and doesn't fit with the sport's focus on engineering.
Click here to read the full article at racefans.net
Formula One's Toni Cowan-Brown got to spend some time with both Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc to learn more about what it takes to be an F1 driver, the moment you realize you might have what it takes, as well as understand better how technology and Generative AI has evolved this space and how they approach all the data we have in the sport today.
Audi has hired Jonathan Wheatley, Red Bull's sporting director, as their new F1 team principal, a move that impacts both teams. This recruitment, orchestrated by Mattia Binotto, Audi's new leader, signifies a bold start. Wheatley, known for his role in the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi title decider, brings valuable experience from his rivalry with Binotto.
