Some will be unhappy about the Sunday procession, I'm happy about the Saturday insanity

It looks like it'll be a horrible 2025 for Alpine

Some salt for the "just luck" folks

So Bottas and Zhou out and Bortoleto in. I did see it for Zhou since he's mid and he's there because of the sponsorship. Bottas is kinda old so it makes sense.

I still don't understand the appeal of Hulkenberg

According to German newspaper "WELT" the investment group "emodrom Group" purchased 74,99% of the Hockenheimring from the local municipality. It now wants to invest 250 million Euros (~275 million US Dollars) additionally to the 40 million it has already spent to make the venue fit for the future. Planned are the construction of a 30.000 to 50.000 m² big motorworld, an expansion of the "Porsche Experience Center" and a new hotel.

When asked about a possible return to the F1 calendar, Hockenheim managing director Jorn Teske, explained that the Hockenheimring had always had contact with F1 but that they are planning to make a "slow and serious" return. Tim Brauer, head of the emodrom Group added "We need to ensure that we won't run into a deficit." Brauer further explained that in other countries the nation or federal state is happy to sponsor F1, something that hasn't yet been the case for the Hockenheimring. "We are thinking in terms of 20 to 25 years - and not short-term" Brauer concluded.

In case of an F1 return the circuit would have to meet F1's new criteria including 4000 - 5000 VIP seats instead of the 2000 that are already in place, fan zones, places for concerts, camping spots, etc. An expanded or entirely new pit lane building is also in the talks.

Source [German]: https://www.welt.de/sport/formel1/article253015118/Formel-1-Millionen-Investment-Comeback-des-Hockenheimrings.html

Translated: https://www-welt-de.translate.goog/sport/formel1/article253015118/Formel-1-Millionen-Investment-Comeback-des-Hockenheimrings.html?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp

Edit:

I wrote "Tim Brauer, head of the emodrom Group, explained that the Hockenheimring had always had contact [...]." but it was in fact Jorn Teske who said that so I corrected it.

Link to the web archive version of the offending article

Headline might be a bit clickbaity - I thought it was quite interesting from a pov of someone not from outside the circus.

...When we got into the garage, Lewis's car was naked, its insides visible for all to see. I think this was the moment where my respect for the sport as it exists really made itself clear. It is hard to describe what I felt looking at that car. The closest phrase I have at my disposal is the technological sublime.

Spoiler free title, thread not so much after quali, you have been warned

Woo with Bahrain qualifying underway just a reminder that the excellent f1 dashboard by @Slowlydev@programming.dev is up and running for the season.

A couple of days old this one.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/11470008

Carlos Sainz's Statement

With Hamilton's announced move to Ferrari, leaving Carlos Sainz Jr, without a seat for 2025, would Redbull consider their former Toro Rosso driver for a Redbull seat? Given their frustrations with Checo Perez, & Danny Ric's lack of showing, could Sainz be the safe pair hands they are looking for??

Could we see Fernando Alonso in a Mercedes in 2025?, for one last throw of dice, & mount a challenge for a third World Championship title?...🤔

No words.

Guenther Steiner has spoken publicly for the first time since it was announced that he and the Haas F1 Team had parted ways with immediate effect, revealing more of the background to the news, sharing his message for the squad’s employees and pondering his own future plans.