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Originally posted by 220-9er:
Too bad F1 doesn’t organize one big unveiling event since this is really about the livery and sponsors, not necessarily the actual car that will show up on the track.

The car looks great.

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Originally posted by 220-9er:
Too bad F1 doesn’t organize one big unveiling event since this is really about the livery and sponsors, not necessarily the actual car that will show up on the track.

The car looks great.

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Originally posted by Georgeair:
On Leclerc, saw in another article earlier that his pay ramps up to $50MM in last year if he is still there. That is quite a commitment to the long term by Ferrari if true.

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F1 turns down Andretti for 2026, door open for 2028
Chris Medland January 31, 2024 10:48 AM ET

Formula 1 has rejected Andretti’s bid to join the grid over the next two seasons, but “would look differently on an application” for 2028 alongside General Motors as a power unit supplier.

The FIA had already approved Andretti Formula Racing LLC as a potential entrant that met its criteria late last year, but commercial approval from Formula One Management (FOM) was required, and FOM had been opposed to expanding beyond the current 10 teams.

After an assessment period of Andretti’s submission and the potential value it could bring to the series, FOM has now explained that it doesn’t feel 2025 is a realistic target for a new team to be ready and competitive — and that any new team only adds value if it’s competitive — while 2026 and 2027 would see a power unit supply deal required. Although an agreement was provisionally in place with Renault, it could also be an enforced deal based on the supplier with the fewest customer for either of those seasons.

“The need for any new team to take a compulsory power unit supply, potentially over a period of several seasons, would be damaging to the prestige and standing of the Championship,” one of F1’s conclusions read.

“While the Andretti name carries some recognition for F1 fans, our research indicates that F1 would bring value to the Andretti brand rather than the other way around.

“The addition of an 11th team would place an operational burden on race promoters, would subject some of them to significant costs, and would reduce the technical, operational and commercial spaces of the other competitors.”

However, General Motors has already registered its interest in becoming a full power unit supplier from 2028 onwards, and FOM says that is a point where it would look more favorably on the Andretti bid.

“We would look differently on an application for the entry of a team into the 2028 Championship with a GM power unit, either as a GM works team or as a GM customer team designing all allowable components in-house. In this case there would be additional factors to consider in respect of the value that the applicant would bring to the Championship, in particular in respect of bringing a prestigious new OEM to the sport as a PU supplier.”

As part of the commercial assessment period, F1 says it extended an invitation to Andretti on December 12 to present its application during an in-person meeting at the sport’s offices, “but the applicant did not take us up on this offer.”

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Originally posted by hooch:
ESPN is reporting that Hamilton will jump to Ferrari in 25 replacing Carlos.

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Originally posted by hooch:
ESPN is reporting that Hamilton will jump to Ferrari in 25 replacing Carlos.

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Originally posted by Dwill104:

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Originally posted by hooch:
ESPN is reporting that Hamilton will jump to Ferrari in 25 replacing Carlos.

Lots of people reporting this, but haven’t seen an official confirmation yet. Only logical explanation is that Hammy has given up on winning another championship and just wants to check off the “drive for Ferrari” box on his F1 bucket list before he retires.

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Originally posted by 220-9er:
Another possibility is he doesn't think the new Mercedes will be a winner and the Ferrari was the only team outside Red Bull to win last year.

Also has to be a big pay raise to switch and gives him a chance to drive for Ferrari if he's near the end of his career.

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Originally posted by Georgeair:
The truly shocking thing would be he and Leclerc there at the same time. That will be spicy. But honestly drivers today do seem a little more professional and respectful of each other than some of the childish reactions of some of the old guard.