Coulthard concerned by Red Bull dominance

In brief

Red Bull domination ‘takes away some magic’- Coulthard

After Max Verstappen won 19 of last year’s 22 grands prix, Coulthard warned too much domination of Formula 1 by world champions Red Bull could have a negative impact on the sport.

The former Red Bull driver remains heavily involved with the team as show run driver, but he admits he has concerns about how their constant winning could have a negative effect on the sport.

“That expression ‘familiarity breeds contempt’? If you adapt that to sport, the same thing goes,” Coulthard told The Telegraph.

“Too much success kind of takes away the magic. With sport, we look to be inspired, to grow, to move forward, and if one team is doing all that, then it doesn’t give enough hope for everybody.”

Pirelli begin tyre testing in Barcelona

Pirelli’s tyre testing programme for the 2025 season began in Barcelona with Ferrari yesterday.

Carlos Sainz Jnr and Charles Leclerc shared driving duties over the day, in which the pair logged a total of 139 laps around the Circuit de Catalunya in last year’s Ferrari.

Pirelli will have an increased allocation of 40 days of tyre testing available to them in 2024. Leclerc and Sainz will run again today.

Ferrari name 2024 challenger

Ferrari have confirmed the name of the new car they will compete in the upcoming Formula 1 season with.

The new car will be officially called the ‘SF-24’, following the same naming system the team has used since 2015.

Links

Motor racing links of interest:

2024 loading… Fernando and Lance’s first days back at Silverstone (Aston Martin)

‘A new Aston Martin F1 Team car, set to be unveiled to the world on 12 February, awaits Fernando and Lance but first, they must complete their respective seat fits for the AMR24. Only meticulous preparation will suffice, every detail is considered and optimised to find the optimum position in the car: perfecting the distance to the pedals and steering wheel, ensuring they have a clear vision from the cockpit of what lies ahead.’

Iwasa: the Honda Formula Dream Project F1 hopeful eyes Super Formula success (Honda Racing)

”The feeling of the car was almost exactly how I imagined, just in between F1 and F2. If I push more in the corners, it’s getting similar to F1, also in terms of the way you have to drive the car. But in low speed corners, it feels really similar to F2. So there are some F2 feelings and some F1 feelings, similar to what I heard from other drivers.”

F1 commentator David Croft confirmed for Adelaide Motorsport Festival (Speedcafe)

‘The Sky F1 caller will attend the event on Sunday, March 17 en route to the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. While in the SA Capital, he’ll appear in ‘The Crofty Show’ at the Arkaba Hotel. The interactive show will offer insight, giveaways, live auctions and more.’

Sirius Aviation AG debuts world’s first hydrogen powertrain with Sauber F1 and global automotive giant (PR Newswire)

‘This historic occasion marked the inaugural firing of an aviation engine within a presentation room, releasing only water vapor and zero pollutants, an epoch-making moment in aviation technology. The event also showcased the Sirius Jet, a high-performance, zero-emission vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, propelled by a hydrogen-electric propulsion system; poised to reshape the future of global air travel.’

Daytona post-race notebook (Sportscar 365)

‘Race winner Nasr said he was ”confused” when he was told there were two laps to go and then was later informed it was the last lap of the race. ”’You’ve got to keep on the throttle until it’s over.’ That’s what Tim Cindric said on the radio,” Nasr said. ”I was confused, too. I don’t know if there was two white flags. I really don’t know… I think at the start finish, the team just said, I think now it’s the final lap. That’s when I knew. I think for the second time it was the final lap.”’

Generate name (F1team.lol)

Create your own comically commercialised Formula 1 team name with this online generator.

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