F1 Fast Five: Toyota's Haas deal not an F1 comeback, How cost cap limited Red Bull's control over senior staff departures, and other big updates

Toyota's Haas deal not an F1 comeback

Toyota made it clear that its new technical partnership with Haas does not mean a return to Formula 1. While some people are speculating about a comeback, chairman Akio Toyoda emphasized that the goal is to help young engineers and drivers, not to rejoin the sport. He wants to inspire the next generation to follow their racing dreams but still believes that leaving F1 was the right choice. The partnership will focus on improving driver development and engineering skills with Haas.

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

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How cost cap limited Red Bull's control over senior staff departures

Red Bull has lost important staff members like Jonathan Wheatley and Will Courtenay because of the financial limits in Formula 1. Senior team members are moving on as the organization restructures, with Adrian Newey going to Aston Martin, Wheatley becoming team boss at Sauber/Audi, and Courtenay joining McLaren as sporting director. Christian Horner said the cost cap makes it tough for Red Bull to keep top talent, as rival teams can offer more money. Although some see these departures as a problem, they also let other team members move up to higher roles.

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

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Leclerc close Puma ambassadorial deal

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has signed a global ambassador deal with Puma to boost the brand’s motorsport and fashion lines, particularly Scuderia Ferrari collections. This partnership follows Puma’s renewal as Ferrari’s racewear supplier and premium partner for the 2024 Formula One season. Leclerc is excited to join Puma and looks forward to working with them on new projects. His first race as a Puma ambassador will be at the United States Grand Prix on October 18th.

Click here to read the full article by Tom Bassam (blackbookmotorsport.com)

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RPG Meets Haas F1

The MoneyGram Haas F1 Team had earlier announced a new partnership with Metaphor: ReFantazio, a much-anticipated role-playing game (RPG) from ATLUS. The RPG's logo was displayed on the front of the cars driven by Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen. This time around, Aussie video game writer Alanah Pearce speaks with the team's drivers about conquering their fears and embracing their inner potential, just like the characters in the game.

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The Magic behind the Austin Grand Prix

The Austin Grand Prix is one of the biggest events on the F1 calendar, attracting over 400,000 fans during the GP weekend. But what makes it so important? A combination of massive musical acts, Austin's appeal as a tourist destination, and, of course, the excitement of the race itself has created the perfect storm to make the USGP one of the most popular races on the calendar.