F1 Fast Five: Doraine Pin joins Mercedes' junior program, Osaka's F1 bid casts shadow on Suzuka's future, and other big updates

Doraine Pin joins Mercedes' junior program

Mercedes has added French racer Doriane Pin to its Formula 1 Junior Program for the 2024 season. Pin, the second female driver in the team after Luna Fluxá, will compete in the F1 Academy with Prema Racing. Having excelled in karting and achieved success in various competitions, including the Ferrari Challenge Europe, Pin expressed excitement about joining the prestigious Mercedes-AMG F1 Team Junior Program and is eager to start the F1 Academy series on March 8 in Saudi Arabia.

Click here to read the full article by Fergal Walsh (racingnews365.com)

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Osaka's F1 bid casts shadow on Suzuka's future

Osaka, Japan, is considering a bid to host a Formula 1 race, potentially posing a threat to the iconic Suzuka circuit, which has hosted the Japanese Grand Prix since 2009. The Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau plans to create a street track circuit using public roads, aiming to capitalize on the momentum from the Osaka-Kansai Expo in 2025. With the F1 calendar already at its maximum capacity for 2024, Suzuka faces uncertainty as its contract to host the Japanese Grand Prix expires after the upcoming 2024 event.

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

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Was Red Bull's dominance hinged on suspension choice?

Last year, Red Bull's success in Formula 1 was attributed to its innovative aero concept, featuring a low-drag car enhanced by a clever floor and downwash sidepods. While the focus has been on aerodynamics, indications suggest that the RB19's suspension, particularly the pull-rod front and push-rod rear setup, played a crucial role in its dynamic success. Red Bull's suspension choices, deviating from the norm, are intertwined with aerodynamics, influencing sidepods and floor design. The unique suspension layout, contrary to other teams, underscores the holistic and interconnected nature of the car's overall concept, emphasizing the pivotal role of aerodynamics in suspension decisions across the grid.

Click here to read the full article by Ronald Vording (motorsport.com)

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Talking Bull's finest moments

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While Formula 1 is currently on pause, there's no shortage of F1-related content to keep you engaged during the extended off-season. In this episode of Talking Bull, the official Oracle Red Bull Racing podcast brought to you by HP Poly takes a look back at some of their favorite moments of the year on the show.

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Hamilton answers fan questions with cute dogs

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It's no news that Lewis Hamilton loves dogs; he even has one very cute one of his own, his beloved bulldog Roscoe. Hamilton starts by introducing the dogs with a little of their heartwarming stories before answering questions from fans. One of the questions he had to answer was whether he had a name for each of his cars.