F1 Fast Five: Ferrari rejects McLaren's 'overhyped' wind-tunnel advantage, Why teams can’t rely on their car upgrades, and other big updates

Ferrari rejects McLaren's 'overhyped' wind-tunnel advantage

Ferrari doesn't think McLaren's strong performance in F1 is only because of its new wind-tunnel. The MCL38 has become the fastest car, with upgrades helping Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri win more races since mid-2023. Despite McLaren leading Red Bull by 41 points, Ferrari's Jock Clear insists their success isn't just about the wind-tunnel but a combination of factors. Clear notes that Ferrari has closed the gap recently and emphasizes the importance of continuous development.

Click here to read the full article by Jake Nichol & Ian Parkes (racingnews365.com)

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Why teams can’t rely on their car upgrades

Formula 1’s development has become more uncertain since the 2022 rules, with teams facing new problems. McLaren has made good progress, but Red Bull and Ferrari have struggled with problems like porpoising and matching their simulations to real track performance. Teams now have a harder time balancing the car's mechanical and aerodynamic parts, and sometimes driving slower can be faster. With limited testing, budget limits, and tight competition, making improvements has become harder for all teams.

Click here to read the full article by Edd Straw (the-race.com)

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Ten years since Jules Bianchi's fatal crash

Ten years ago today, Jules Bianchi crashed during the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix and never woke up. He was racing for the Marussia team when he lost control of his car in wet conditions and hit a recovery vehicle. This crash caused a severe brain injury. Bianchi sadly passed away on July 17, 2015, nine months after the accident.

Click here to read the full article by Thomas Maher (planetf1.com)

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How Alonso could assist Adrian Newey at Aston Martin

Adrian Newey is set to join Aston Martin in 2025, and Fernando Alonso’s ability to connect drivers with engineers will be key in helping him. Alonso is currently driving an Aston Martin that lags behind McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari. Even with these struggles, Alonso has been performing much better than his teammate, Lance Stroll. Both Alonso and Newey will work together to improve the car as they look ahead to the 2026 rule changes.

Click here to read the full article by James Dielhenn (crash.net)

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The 'mini-DRS' is not the end of flexi-wing controversies

Formula 1’s off-track political battles can be just as exciting as the racing. This year, flexi-wings have become a big topic as teams try to get approval for new designs that can flex without breaking the rules. McLaren’s 'mini-DRS' rear wing caught a lot of attention after passing tests but still raised concerns, and this led the FIA to discuss rule changes. Now, teams must mark their wings for better monitoring, and it shows how every team uses flexi-wings to improve performance while trying not to push the limits too far.

Click here to read the full article by Matt Somerfield (motorsport.com)