Posted on 08/05/2009 7:57:45 PM PDT by Chode
This will be a general purpose thread for F1 news and pings that really don't require a thread of their own.
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Christian Horner has responded to talk of a big-money Aston Martin approach for Max Verstappen, insisting the Dutchman is “very happy” at Red Bull.
It was recently reported that Aston Martin had targeted four-time World Champion Verstappen – who holds a deal to race for Red Bull through 2028 – in a £1 billion package.
“I know you guys [the media] have all got column inches to fill over a winter period, but a billion-pound driver, a billion dollars, it would be an eye-wateringly large amount of money,” said Horner.
“I think Max is very happy in the environment that he’s in. He’s grown up in the team, he has a great relationship with the team, the engineers, the technicians and everybody that he works with.
“It’s down to us to provide a competitive car and continue to give him the platform to be able to achieve the results that he has over the last almost 10 years.”
Pushed on whether it’s realistic for a team to afford such a salary, Horner added: “I can’t comment on other teams’ finances, but Red Bull are relatively well-positioned, I would think, compared to others within the pit lane.”
Verstappen was also asked for his comments on the reports when he met up with journalists, laughing with his initial response that “it’s a lot of money” before playing things down.
“Honestly, when I read that, it’s the first time that I saw something like that,” he said. “The only contact that I had with them was about GT3 for this year. That’s it. There’s not much to say, really, because there isn’t anything.”
Asked to clarify what the GT3 contact was about, he explained: “It’s not me personally driving, but I’m starting my own team for this year with the drivers, so, of course, some things need to be in place.”
Verstappen will head into the 2025 season aiming to join an exclusive club of five-time World Champions, with Juan Manuel Fangio, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton the only other drivers to achieve the feat.
Red Bull, meanwhile, are looking to reclaim the Constructors’ Championship crown, having won the 2022 and 2023 titles before slipping to third – behind McLaren and Ferrari – last time out.
The package could not only include driving, but longterm contracts promoting AM and the sponsors for years after Max drives. And don’t forget Aramco $, they are investing crazy money in Sports.
Do the Indy 500 MAX!
The Billion Dollar Man...
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I had a chance to purchase an Aston Martin DB II/IV Mark 3 for $10,000...Took it for a drive — hit 130 MPH. Nice ride.
I was in college at the time and was about $9,000 short...
Memorable test drive though.
What !? That wasn’t Pocket Change while in College ?
You must have been actually working and spending Your $$$ on things like food, gas and rent or something !!!🤪
LOL !!! I wonder if Lee Majors is jealous ?
LOL !!! I wonder if Lee Majors is jealous ?
“Well, I’m not the kind to kiss and tell, but I’ve been seen with Farrah!”
https://www.thedrive.com/news/fia-boss-wants-to-bring-v10s-back-to-f1
FIA Boss Wants to Bring V10s Back to F1
Running on sustainable fuels,
ould the V10 engine make a banshee-shrieking Formula 1 comeback? That’s the suggestion from the head of the FIA following the racing series’ recent launch event in London.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile and F1’s governing body, said via Instagram: “While we look forward to the introduction of the 2026 regulations on chassis and power unit, we must also lead the way on future technological motorsport trends. We should consider a range of directions, including the roaring sound of the V10 running on sustainable fuel.”
I’m sorry. I couldn’t hear what he said due to the slight deafness I incurred watching F1 during the aughts. Did you say V10? According to ESPN, the FIA confirmed that discussions were ongoing regarding F1’s “technical direction” from 2030 and beyond and that nothing was off the table.
“A V10 power train running on sustainable fuel would be part of those considerations, which would be tied to environmental and cost-containment measures,” said the FIA spokesperson. “While we are fully focused on the introduction of the 2026 regulations, and the prospect of the competitive racing they will bring, we also need to keep an eye on the future.”
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We should point out what most F1 fans who’ve been following the sport recently are likely thinking: there’s a non-zero chance this statement is simply a popularity play. The FIA and Ben Sulayem haven’t made many fans or friends recently after trotting out some deeply authoritarian new rules in regard to drivers swearing or making unapproved “political, religious, or personal statements.” The organization was even booed by the crowd at the sport’s glitzy F1 75 livery reveal party Tuesday night.
Regardless, the 2026 F1 season will be a little louder thanks to new regulations that include a redesigned powertrain. The pure power output from the 1.6-liter V6 will actually decrease a smidge, but the battery output will nearly triple, from 120 to 350 kW. So, overall, there will be more power available, and it’ll run on 100% fully sustainable fuel.
However, the electrified V6, for all its advanced technology and efficiency, also happens to be the quietest engine utilized in the sport. And everyone wants it to be louder. Even F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali acknowledged as much back in 2023 when the latest rules were announced. The F1 boss was adamant that as the series strives toward sustainability, F1 would not do so quietly.
“Of course, we need to be hybrid, we’re [going to be] hybrid for the future but the intention is to make sure in the new regulation, the engine sound will be higher,” Domenicali said at the time. “It’s part of our emotion, it’s really what our fans want to hear and that’s our duty for us to commit to that.”
“If sustainable fuel is doing the right job to be zero emission… maybe we don’t need anymore to be so complicated or so expensive in terms of engine development,” said Domenicali last year, as quoted by ESPN. “So we may think to go back to engines that are much lighter and maybe with a good sound.”
We definitely heard that.
[[FIA Boss Wants to Bring V10s Back to F1]]
YEs YES YES please!
yup, V10 was the ultimate compromise...
A MASSIVE THUMBS UP !!!
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As always thank you Chode.
Sort of like Indy's PP. Then drivers can choose when to employ DRS to overtake, or to defend.
Maybe the loud V10s will cover up the team radio swearing - win-win!
We can hope!
Thanks!
yup...
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