F1 Fast Five: FIA president hits back after recent criticisms, Was Ricciardo's Red Bull exit too harsh?, and other big updates

FIA president hits back after recent criticisms

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem believes the federation is not receiving the credit it deserves for improving how the sport is managed. Since taking over in December 2021, he has overseen the introduction of a remote operations center, a training program for stewards, and a new officials department, along with a track limits solution at the Austrian Grand Prix. He expressed frustration, stating, "We will never get the credit. Impossible," noting that while everyone else profits from these changes, the FIA does not. Although he acknowledges Liberty Media's success in transforming Formula 1, Ben Sulayem insists that the FIA's role in regulations and governance should be equally recognized.

Click here to read the full article by Erwin Jaeggi (motorsport.com)

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Was Ricciardo's Red Bull exit too harsh?

Daniel Ricciardo was dropped by Red Bull through a low-key social media post following weeks of speculation about his future. Many fans and media felt the announcement didn’t reflect his impressive career, which includes eight race wins and 32 podiums. However, Red Bull was in a tough spot, having to balance Ricciardo's exit with contractual obligations and pressure from sponsors like Visa. Given the situation, some argue that Red Bull made the best of a difficult scenario, while others believe Ricciardo deserved a more fitting send-off.

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

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How track elevation affects performance

Elevation changes are very important in Formula 1 and affect how cars perform and how teams plan their races. Drivers deal with blind corners and compression forces that make handling tricky and require special adjustments to car setups. For example, at Spa, teams must make changes to handle steep hills, while Portimão has more frequent but smaller elevation changes. These differences influence speed, braking, tire use, and race strategies, making it essential for drivers to manage elevation well to succeed in F1 racing.

Click here to read the full article by George Howson (f1chronicle.com)

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McLaren and Red Bull show contrasting profit results in 2023

McLaren and Red Bull have shared very different financial results for the year ending December 31, 2023. McLaren's profits jumped 122% to UK£12.9 million (US$17.3 million), with a total revenue of UK£431 million (US$577 million). In contrast, Red Bull's profits dropped 37% to just UK£1.3 million (US$1.7 million), putting them below Haas, which made UK£5.6 million (US$7.5 million). While McLaren is doing much better financially, Red Bull's struggle to break even raises concerns about their future.

Click here to read the full article by Cian Brittle (blackbookmotorsport.com)

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Audi will have a gap to bridge with engine

Sauber Motorsport boss Mattia Binotto said Audi will have a tough start when it enters Formula 1 as a power unit manufacturer in 2026. Audi plans to take over the struggling Sauber team, which has not scored any points this season. Binotto noted that although Audi's engine development is going well, they will still be behind other established teams. The exact performance gap won’t be clear until their car is on track, but Audi aims to make their power unit competitive by the start of the 2026 season.

Click here to read the full article by Taylor Powling (motorsportweek.com)