Formula 1 News of the Week
Bottas and Zhou to Leave Kick Sauber
As we approach the final stretch of the 2024 Formula 1 season, the news continues to flow with major team changes, technical advancements, and exciting updates from the F1 Academy. This week, headlines are dominated by Kick Sauber’s announcement to part ways with Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou, McLaren’s game-changing rear wing technology in Brazil, and an exciting prize for the F1 Academy’s 2024 champion. Here’s your roundup of Formula 1’s top stories.
For Tickets and Packages Please Click Here
Bottas and Zhou to Leave Kick Sauber at the End of 2024 Season
In a significant shake-up, Kick Sauber confirmed this week that Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou will not return to the team for the 2025 season. Kick Sauber has decided to rebuild its lineup after a challenging 2024, marked by performance struggles and a lack of points. Both drivers have expressed gratitude for their time with the team and are looking for new opportunities.
Bottas, who previously drove for Mercedes, may be contemplating a reserve driver role with his former team. He reflected on his time with Kick Sauber as a period of growth and challenge, saying, “These past years with the team have been an incredible journey, full of growth, challenges, and unforgettable moments.” Zhou also shared heartfelt remarks, expressing his appreciation for the opportunity to represent Kick Sauber and highlighting his home race in China as one of his proudest moments.
Nico Hülkenberg and F2 championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto will join the Kick Sauber lineup for 2025. The team sees the Hülkenberg-Bortoleto pairing as an ideal mix of experience and fresh talent. With a multi-year deal in place for Bortoleto, Kick Sauber looks forward to climbing back up the ranks with its new roster. Team COO and CTO Mattia Binotto praised Bottas and Zhou for their commitment and contributions, expressing optimism for a promising future as they prepare for the final races in Las Vegas, Doha, and Abu Dhabi.
McLaren’s Innovative Rear Wing in Brazil Sparks Attention
Technical innovation is always at the forefront of Formula 1, and this week, McLaren made headlines with a new rear wing introduced at the Brazilian Grand Prix. The team revealed that the modified rear wing was explicitly designed to improve downforce levels on high-speed straights, a feature crucial for competitive performance on Brazil’s dynamic Interlagos circuit.
The Brazilian Grand Prix presented the perfect opportunity for McLaren to showcase their latest aerodynamic upgrade. This design reportedly enhances straight-line stability and increases top speeds without compromising cornering capabilities. However, this new rear wing technology is not just a short-term enhancement; McLaren’s engineers believe it could provide a foundation for even more aerodynamic advancements in future races and seasons.
Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri benefited from the upgrade in Brazil, gaining a slight edge that demonstrated McLaren’s commitment to leveraging technology to stay competitive. With the right balance between downforce and drag the new rear wing hints at the team’s broader strategy to maximize performance on tracks with long straights, making it a notable addition to their 2024 arsenal. This breakthrough underscores McLaren’s readiness to invest in innovation and adapt to evolving track requirements, which could serve them well in the highly competitive midfield.
F1 Academy Announces a Fully-Funded GB3 Seat for 2024 Champion
Meanwhile, in a historic move for motorsport development, the F1 Academy announced an impressive prize for its 2024 champion: a fully funded seat in the GB3 Championship with Rodin Motorsport for the 2025 season. This groundbreaking reward includes a full-time race seat and 20 days of testing, backed by financial contributions from Pirelli, aimed at facilitating the champion’s transition to higher levels of competition.
The F1 Academy, created to provide pathways for talented women racers, sees this prize as a substantial step toward integrating female drivers into more competitive racing environments. With six out of eight rounds on the 2025 GB3 calendar to be held on F1-grade circuits, this opportunity will immerse the F1 Academy’s champion in an experience that aligns closely with Formula 1 standards.
F1 Academy Managing Director Susie Wolff commented on the importance of this prize, saying, “At F1 Academy, we are striving to create opportunities for women to succeed at all levels of our sport.” Wolff’s commitment and F1 Academy’s strategic support system marks a significant advancement in empowering female drivers and aligns with Formula 1’s goal to enhance diversity within the sport. This new initiative, coupled with the backing from Rodin Motorsport and Pirelli’s investment, exemplifies the Academy’s drive to foster talent and ensure that promising racers have tangible steps toward professional racing careers.
Wrapping Up the Week in Formula 1
The departure of Bottas and Zhou from Kick Sauber marks the end of an era for both drivers and the team while Bortoleto and Hülkenberg prepare to usher in a new chapter. On the technical front, McLaren’s rear wing advancement in Brazil demonstrates the ongoing pursuit of performance gains through aerodynamics, and F1 Academy’s prize announcement is a game-changer for female drivers striving to break into higher tiers of motorsport. Together, these stories capture the relentless drive for progress and innovation in Formula 1, highlighting the sport’s commitment to growth, both on and off the track.
Sources:
