Spare Parts (F1 odds and ends)

So Ferrari just need to agree a driver swap with Aston Martin, and *bosh*... Ferrari, Hamilton, Alonso, Newey.

 

I'm just imagining the reply to "Alonso is faster than you"

 

Personally I'd like to see Newey join the FIA in a technical role.

 

*Looks around the board*

Nope... Still not seeing it.

 

At least that would remove him from building another beast.

Still want to see him at Ferrari for a bit.

 

I was just reading on the BBC F1 web site that Nico Hullkenberg has signed to join Sauber F1 team next year.

Who`s next, Carlos ahead of Audi entering F1 in 2026?

 

I have read Audi want him ( Sainz ) and I think it could be a very good option .

If he commits to a long term plan , and IF Audi fully commit to it as well .

 

Thanks for the info Sportista , I always assumed Autosport was in the know .

Anyway going back to Newey .


It wouldn’t surprise me if he left motor racing for good .

I think it was JJ that said he wanted a go at the Americas cup ?

He’s 65 , what else does he have to prove ?

 

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This Honda NSX owned by Ayrton Senna is now up for sale. Photo credit: Norio Koike.

A Honda NSX that once belonged to Ayrton Senna is now available for sale for the handsome sum of £500,000 to one lucky buyer.

The 1991 model in red, one of three NSX cars that Senna owned, has been listed by UK automotive website autotrader

 

Sainz is going to be 30 this year, you can see why - despite the money - he’d be reluctant to go to Audi. That project will be doing well to win a race within 5 years, by which time he’ll be 36. Audi are going to want a reasonable level of commitment so are unlikely to offer ambitious break clauses. He needs to hold out now and see what happens with Max/Checo and at Merc I think, the only other options for Audi are the Alpine drivers and Albon, so there’s always going to be a short term equivalent seat available.

 

That makes sense , but are they not all starting with a clean slate for 2026 ?

 

No.

When you have got the best engineers you are never starting from the Sam eplave as other teams

You all start from a blank sheet of paper in theory but in reality they are all trying to shape the regs to the way they want them and are probably already informally thinking about their concepts based on discussions.

The cream of the engineers rise to the top.

Sauber/audi are starting from a low base thsts always basically been a low base and audi won't bring much to thst party quickly as thry don't have a clue about f1.

They know lots about motor sports but that doesn't translate par se..especially not in the engines.

 

Sauber were BMW for a while so if that factory team can't make it then it tells you that just sticking audi on is unlikely now to change things.

They've had some really good drivers though

 

It was but wasn't it BMW/Sauber i.e. Sauber still had a controlling stake. I think Audi are buying 100% of Sauber and building their own PU so I guess they are investing more than BMW ever did.
I would have hoped that Audi would have been recruiting and the new staff will be on gardening leave currently ready to be in post for the 2025 season to prepare for 2026. Well I can hope

 

They are which makes it even tougher.

New complex engine regs and no starting point doesn't really give me confidence

 

Yeah basically what the others said, Sauber has no pedigree beyond “solid” and there’s been no high profile acquisitions.

The engine could be anywhere, but you could doubt it as much the Renault or RBPT - if not more. Then, the chassis has no reason to be any better than average imo. They may get there eventually, but it’s a long road and I can’t think of a reason that we should expect them to overtake RedBull, Ferrar, Merc or Aston.

 

With Audi I haven’t heard about any power unit gurus on their project- whereas you look at Red Bull power trains and they’ve taken Merc and Honda engineers left right and centre.

Who knows though- 2026 is pretty much about electrics right? So maybe they’ve got a couple breakthrough engineers about to make a name for themselves.

 

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Lando injured with a cut on the nose at a party in Amsterdam Holland at the weekend.
The dressing leaves a bit to be desired !!
May this make you even faster in the next race weekend. Wishing you a speedy recovery Lando.

 

Neweys legal team looking to negotiate an exit from RBR.

Given I’d imagine the contracts are pretty iron clad, I wonder if his leverage is some of the **** on Horner?

Just speculation on my part but I wonder what the negotiation sticking points are.

Given his likely destinations - Ferrari or Aston- have all the £££ to throw at him, you would imagine he’s able to forego anything owed by Red Bull and even pay his way out of his deal.

Apparentlyno announcement tomorrow out of respect as it’s Sennas anniversary but potentially some news on Thursday.

 

What if Adrian Newey has has enough of Formula 1 and just wants to retire?

After all,he is 65 years old.

Red Bull would slip back to be just another mid-field team and all the other teams like Ferrari , Merc , McLaren and Aston Martin designing fairly equal cars and we would have some good racing at the front for the win.