Austrian Grand Prix havoc
George Russell clinched a thrilling victory for Mercedes at the Austrian Grand Prix following a late clash between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. This win marked Russell’s second career victory and underscored Mercedes’ recent progress. He took advantage of Verstappen’s aggressive move on Norris and finished 1.9 seconds ahead of Oscar Piastri. Russell described the race as challenging, especially at the start while maintaining third place. He anticipated a fierce battle between Verstappen and Norris, knowing that Lando was gunning for the win.
Read the Austrian GP review here.
Norris wins in Miami
The unexpected victory of McLaren at the 2024 Miami Grand Prix has sparked excitement for the Formula 1 season. The team introduced over ten major upgrades to the MCL38, showcasing McLaren’s mid-season development capabilities. Lando Norris secured his first Formula 1 win, helped by a well-timed safety car and also displaying impressive performance in the upgraded car, especially on medium and hard tires. Despite a slower qualifying, McLaren demonstrated superior race pace, although it struggled with straight-line speed compared to Red Bull. These upgrades are ahead of schedule, indicating the team’s dedicated efforts.
How is mclaren so fast?
McLaren has made significant upgrades to the MCL38, from the front wing to the rear wing. These upgrades are ahead of schedule, showing the team’s dedicated efforts.
Aerodynamic Developments:
Brake Ducts: McLaren improved the front and rear brake ducts for better cooling and aerodynamic efficiency. The complex design of the rear brake ducts is noteworthy for its role in both cooling and improving aerodynamic performance.
Rear Suspension Elements: The rear suspension has been changed to optimize airflow and improve downforce and efficiency.
Side Pods: The side pods have been redesigned with a smaller inlet, similar to Red Bull’s design, to enhance cooling and aerodynamics. This change required a complete re-engineering of the radiators and coolers within the side pod.
Floor and Engine Cover: The floor of the car and the engine cover have been significantly revised for better cooling and aerodynamic performance.
Single Beam Wing Layout: McLaren chose a single beam wing layout instead of a twin beam wing, reducing drag and downforce for the Miami circuit.
Red bull F1 not the fastest car
Red Bull’s recent upgrades have not made them the fastest car on the track anymore. McLaren’s impressive performance and tire management have enabled Lando Norris to consistently challenge Max Verstappen. However, due to strategic errors and a slow pit stop, McLaren missed out on a potential victory. Mercedes is also making progress, which is making this season more competitive. Verstappen’s exceptional skill has been crucial in maintaining his lead, emphasizing the importance of driver performance.
Sergio ‘Checo’ Perez is facing pressure this season due to his declining performance compared to Verstappen, who is currently leading the championship. Christian Horner has addressed concerns about Perez’s pace. Although Perez started the season strongly and performed well alongside Verstappen, his success was short-lived. Even after Red Bull renewed his contract with a 1+1 deal, Perez’s performance declined. He often struggled to reach Q3, while Verstappen consistently secured front-row starts. This suggests that Perez is currently slower, and Red Bull is falling behind other teams overall.
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