quote:

Originally posted by Georgeair:
Peter Windsor is in my bucket-o-pricks for reporters in F1, but it was interesting the headline about him reporting someone on grid now testing for WRC. Seems like VB the likeliest, but like others I think he'll find that a far leap!

Kimi was no slouch, and struggled.

Couthard; they make F1 drivers look like amateurs.

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Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer Pete Bonnington has committed his future to Mercedes after securing a promotion to Head of Race Engineering.

Bonnington has worked with Hamilton since the seven-time world champion joined the team in 2013, the duo winning six world titles together.

When Hamilton announced he would be joining Ferrari next season, it remained unclear whether Bonnington – often referred to as Bono – would follow or stay with Mercedes.

However, ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, a Mercedes spokesperson confirmed to Formula1.com that Bonnington will assume his new role with immediate effect. Bono will dovetail that role with continuing to race engineer Hamilton for the remainder of the season.

He will then continue to race engineer one driver next year, though it remains unclear whether that will be George Russell or Hamilton’s replacement. Mercedes protégé and F2 racer Kimi Antonelli is favourite to get the nod.

It is a similar arrangement to what Red Bull have, with Gianpiero Lambiase working as Head of Race Engineering while also continuing to race engineer reigning world champion Max Verstappen.

Bonnington’s new arrangement continues a stint with the squad that began when they were Honda and continued when they became BrawnGP and then Mercedes.

During that time, he’s worked with the likes of world champions Michael Schumacher and Jenson Button and built up a wealth of experience trackside.

quote:

Originally posted by Georgeair:
I'm curious if Head of Race Engineering is synonymous with Chief of Race Strategy (Bernie Collins' prior role with Aston).

She isn't as dramatic as some of the other Sky team thankfully, but we have really enjoyed her and her insights joining the broadcast last year and this.

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Originally posted by P250UA5:
Yeah, unlike GP for RBR, Bono should be able to have a more umbrella role, vs being limited to 1 driver.
IIRC, GP has a similar title, but also is Max's race engineer

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Haas trucks cleared to leave for Monza after Uralkali drama
Chris Medland August 26, 2024 9:57 AM ET

Haas has confirmed its trucks have been given clearance to leave the Netherlands after the Dutch Grand Prix and head to Monza.

Former title sponsor Uralkali was awaiting the return of money it had paid to the team in early 2022, prior to Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine that led to Haas terminating the contract. While the end of the deal was deemed legal by a Swiss tribunal in June, it also ordered Haas to pay back the funds it had received in advance.

With that return payment not being received by Uralkali for more than two months, the Russian company initiated proceedings at Zandvoort by sending in bailiffs that itemized Haas’ inventory and could stop it from leaving the country until it had received the outstanding amount.

Haas made the payment on Friday having “been working with its lawyers to ensure payment will comply with all relevant U.S., EU, UK and Swiss sanctions laws and regulations”, but as of Sunday had not yet received acknowledgement of the transaction from Uralkali, and so its trucks did not depart the Netherlands after Sunday’s race.

On Monday morning, a team spokesperson stated the situation has been resolved and the team’s equipment can head to Monza.

“Uralkali have now confirmed receipt of last Friday’s financial transfer and therefore our trucks have been given clearance to depart the Netherlands and make their way to Italy immediately,” the spokesperson said.

RACER understands the team does not envisage any impact or delays on its preparations for this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, with track action starting around 700 miles away in northern Italy on Friday.