“Another leap” in lap times coming in 2024, McLaren’s Stella predicts

In brief

F1 cars will get much quicker in 2024 – Stella

While Red Bull dominated the 2023 season, McLaren made the most rapid progress with their car after the championship began. Stella expects to see more of that across this field this year.

“We are not yet at the stage where the development curve is flattening,” he told Auto Motor und Sport. “I think we’ll see another leap in time next year.

“Maybe there won’t be as much in the second half of the season. Looking back, these rules gave us many different geometries and development directions. Before 2022, most people told us that the cars would all look the same. This forecast was wrong. I still see opportunities to find lap time.”

Ferrari confirm unchanged Hypercar line-up

The full line-up for a third Ferrari, to be run by AF Corse and featuring Robert Kubica, is yet to be announced.

F1 juniors in action this weekend

Junior drivers from several Formula 1 teams will appear in the Formula Regional Middle East series which begins this weekend at Yas Marina. Ferrari’s Tuukka Taponen and Rafael Camara, Ugo Ugochukwu and Red Bull’s Arvid Lindblad are among the entry.

The 15-race series will take place at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix venue and the Dubai Autodrome, sharing a billing with the Formula 4 UAE series.

Red Bull collaborate on bike technology

Red Bull Advanced Technologies has assisted the development of a technology produced by British firm Skarper which claims to be the first device able to transform a conventional pedal bike into an electric one. The drive system attaches to a bike’s disc brake to transmit power.

“This partnership with Skarper demonstrates how F1 expertise can help to improve everyday technology for the benefit of the public,” said Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. “The device is an incredibly clever piece of engineering and we have been able to make it smaller and more powerful thanks to our own talented engineers.”

Links

Motor racing links of interest:

Fittipaldi on being inspired by his brother, how he overcame his injury and his view on the 2023 campaign (Formula 2)

Enzo Fittipaldi: 'The doctor told me ‘You won't be able to walk for six months,’ and I said, ‘Well that can't be because I have to be racing in two and a half months, so I'm going to have to find a way.’'

L'inverno sereno di casa Ferrari: un buon segno che esige risposte (La Gazzetta dello Sport - Italian)

'The seven tenths gained on average on the simulator lap - as is assumed - are nothing sensational and should not delude oneself. From what we hear around, others have also improved by at least half a second compared to last season's car. And they are not satisfied with it.'

An unhappy new year at the Nuerburgring (Daily Sportscar)

'With a huge amount of distrust though between all concerned, 2024 looks like a rocky road, there is little sign of peacemaking, indeed there seems plenty of encouragement from all involved to ‘pick a side’ whether a team, a driver, or indeed amongst the large group of volunteers that form the ‘orange armies’ necessary for racing to happen at all. A sad state of affairs at a place held in awe by enthusiasts the world over.'

The future of sustainability: The FIA makes its mark at COP28 (FIA)

'Lucas di Grassi highlighted the importance of transferring sustainability learnings from the track to the road. He said: 'In my career, I have witnessed a rapid transformation in powertrain technologies. Motor sport has always been a catalyst for technological development, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and eventually transferring these advancements to consumer vehicles.''

F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix pit building gets permanent name (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

"Grand Prix Plaza is the name of the area around the 300,000-square-foot building located on the northeast corner of Harmon Avenue and Koval Lane, the Las Vegas Grand Prix confirmed. The building opened its doors in November for the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix."

We always endeavour to credit original sources. If you have a tip for a link relating to single-seater motorsport to feature in the next RaceFans round-up please send it to us via the contact form.

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

Social media

Notable posts from X (formerly Twitter), TikTok and more:

Thanks, Günther. Thanks for taking me on the journey in 2017 and thanks for bringing me on board again in 2022. It has been both fun and tremendously challenging – but never boring. So long and all the best 👊 @HaasF1Team pic.twitter.com/7xcmYeZRbY

— Kevin Magnussen (@KevinMagnussen) January 10, 2024

You won’t have to wait until March to see the reigning @IndyCar champion back on track!@AlexPalou will join @scottdixon9, @Rengervdz, & @BourdaisOnTrack piloting the No. 01 @CadillacVSeries at #Rolex24! pic.twitter.com/yOB3AKKrnJ

— Chip Ganassi Racing (@CGRTeams) January 10, 2024

McLaren fans, join me in welcoming David Sanchez and Rob Marshall to our already experienced and talented Technical Leadership Team. Mega! Let’s get to work! 👊 pic.twitter.com/ggfUAEXG7q

— Zak Brown (@ZBrownCEO) January 10, 2024

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

• Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory

Comment of the day

Not everyone is convinced Haas have done the right thing by replacing team principal Guenther Steiner:

Although I can understand the urge to purge based on the results of the last season I doubt any team boss will really fare better at Haas. Who will they get? And then… how can a new team boss turn this team around without other major changes in the staffing?

I fear this will be exactly the same as Alpine. A head must roll but the team only falls further in disarray.
W0o0dy

Happy birthday!

Happy birthday to Chris Lloyd!

On this day in motorsport

• 30 years ago today Jordan launched its 194 chassis. Rubens Barrichello was first to drive it – the team was yet to confirm the identity of his team mate.