Flexi Wings, Messy Intrateam battles, and Sim Racing!!
Hi there! Welcome to Track Limits, a weekly F1 newsletter where we break down the major headlines and dive into the questions, trends, and topics that spark our collective curiosity. Nothing is off-topic and a little fun is always part of the mix!
Good afternoon!! Seven winners in thirteen races is not a regular occurrence, but it’s one that both fans and Formula 1 are loving!
This time around, we witnessed Piastri’s maiden win, Hamilton’s 200th podium along with the youngest P1 and P2 finish in Formula One history. Sure, the weekend was somewhat overshadowed by the McLaren and Red Bull radio drama, but let’s be honest, when is Formula One ever drama free?!
I’m sad to report that everyone seems to be counting down the days until the summer holiday. Which means that apart from the usual golfing, cycling and dinners with friends, no major shenanigans took place last week!
We did however have several minor random stories, starting with Mattia Binotto being announced as Stake’s new CEO and CTO. I know, it’s not really a shenanigan by most definitions, but the finger-wagging former Ferrari man looks like he’s up to no good!! The fact that he was the one who brought Sainz to Maranello, makes me belief his first order of business will be convincing the Spaniard to join him at Sauber/Stake/Audi, or whatever they want to call themselves! Do we really need more chaos?!!
Sainz, on the other hand, seems completely unbothered by the fact that he is driving everyone insane with his unwillingness to pick a seat for 2025. So much so, that he participated in the adaptation of the iconic "Man in Finance" audio clip called "Man in Lycra." I doubt it was his idea, but with all that cycling around Europe, sooner or later, the Lycra had to be addressed! So why not through a trendy TikTok?!
By now, I think it’s common knowledge that Verstappen is not only a highly successful F1 driver but also a very dedicated SIM racer! Somehow this resulted in him being up at 3 a.m. last weekend to participate in yet another virtual race. For someone who reportedly drove with a hangover at the Qatar Grand Prix last year - one of the most challenging races due to the extreme heat - a few hours less of sleep doesn’t seem like such a big deal! Several British commentators, however, didn't see it that way and attributed the reappearance of Verstappen’s alter ego "Mad Max" to his SIM racing. Naturally, this didn’t sit well with fans or the Dutchman!
Whether it’s true that Red Bull has asked Verstappen to dial down the late-night SIM racing remains to be seen. But one has to wonder if they have the authority to make such a request, and if Verstappen would even comply!
A bit random, but Verstappen-related, so I had to squeeze it in! Red Bull uploaded a video of Verstappen looking at cat pictures and guessing their breed. We all knew Verstappen was an expert in geography and driving, but cats?! What do we call a guy who LOVES cats? Because whatever it is, Verstappen absolutely fits the bill!
Speaking of random things, I have to mention the Stake team playing in the rain in the Hungaroring paddock! We had people swimming, rowing, and even dancing the valse. Just comes to show you that being last in the championship and going through yet another major management change isn’t enough to suck the fun out of F1!!
Although it’s a given Norris will bring amazing one-off helmet designs, the way he delivered last weekend was seriously impressive! If you recall, last year the Brit famously broke Verstappen’s porcelain trophy, made by a Hungarian porcelain company and hand-painted by local artisans. This year’s special helmet design was inspired by that same Hungarian trophy style and created in collaboration with Herend Porcelain, the company that manufactures them!
To top it off, Norris’s qualifying helmet was given to be auctioned to raise funds for two local charities supporting young people with visual impairments and blindness. After all that I’m trying to figure out whether it’s Norris himself or someone on his team who’s the marketing genius! What do we think?
Speaking of McLaren drivers, Piastri has proven to be just as grounded off the track as he is on it. After securing his first Formula One victory, he didn't spend the night partying at a local club or enjoying a fancy dinner with friends. Instead, he went to McDonald's and played Monopoly with Norris, Albon, and a few other drivers while waiting for their delayed flight! The only response to this information has to be “Ahhhhh!”
I’m genuinely curious to see whether his fellow drivers will be able to bring him to the 'dark side'! Somehow, I can’t picture the Aussie becoming a wild partier, but I’m absolutely up for watching them try!
Finally, the other Aussie on the grid and Beats just released one of the most exceptional content on social media! Teaming up with Buffalo Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen - who is both a close friend of Ricciardo and a Beats brand ambassador - they’ve created a short film that’s an absolute must-watch!! The movie revolves around their friendship and their made up quest to find the perfect racehorse - I know kind of random but it makes perfect sense!! It’s beautifully shot, packed with clever inside jokes, and it takes advantage of their quirky personalities and great chemistry! I’m not kidding when I say I want a full-length version of it!!
It’s so entertaining that I don’t even mind that it’s an ad. Which is a great example of how brands are cleverly merging sports, pop culture, and cinema to craft engaging stories that blur the lines between entertainment and advertising.
Flexi Wing Clampdown
The FIA announced last week that it will conduct new video analysis during the Belgian Grand Prix in response to several teams questioning the design and behavior of several front wings.
While the exact number of teams involved in these checks is unclear, it is believed that the top four teams in the Constructors' Championship may be the ones exploiting this regulatory grey area.
THE DETAILS:
According to the technical regulations, all aerodynamic components and bodywork that affect the car’s aerodynamic performance must be securely fixed and immobile relative to their frame of reference. Additionally, these components must maintain a uniform, solid, and continuous surface under all conditions.
While this sounds straightforward, the reality is far more complex. Flexibility is inevitable due to the high loads experienced by aerodynamic components at high speeds, coupled with the use of lightweight materials like carbon fiber.
Although some degree of flexibility is natural, the FIA suspects that teams may be intentionally designing parts to enhance this flexibility. This design strategy can help reduce drag on high-speed sections of the track while increasing downforce in slower parts.
This issue is not new, but it is challenging to police. One method the FIA uses to monitor this involves placing colored stickers on the rear wing of each car. By analyzing footage from the rearview camera mounted on the car, they can measure the movement of these reference dots at high speeds. If the movement falls within the permissible range, the wing is considered legal.
However, it appears that teams have found a way to introduce flexibility in certain parts of the front wing that potentially mislead standard FIA tests, allowing these components to be considered legal. In response, the FIA issued a technical directive last week, announcing new tests and measures. In it, they detail the specific locations for the new camera mounts and the placement of additional reference dots to better monitor and address these issues.
As of now, it seems that the FIA is only focused on analyzing the situation and it doesn’t anticipate making any regulatory changes or revising the way they check for technical compliance of the front wing. Whether that's truly the case, we'll only find out after the Belgian Grand Prix.
Messy Intrateam Battles!
The Hungarian Grand Prix was a strategy-heavy race this year, leading several teams to rely on team orders to maximize their performance.
One of the most controversial moments occurred at McLaren when Norris was asked to return the lead to his teammate after undercutting him in the final stint of the race. As with most team orders, this decision sparked heated debates about its implications for both the team and the drivers.
ZOOMING OUT:
It's probably no surprise to anyone that trust is at the core of teams operating in high-pressure environments. With it being a crucial element for collaboration, creativity, and innovation as well, one could argue that Formula One teams need trust more than anything else.
Data suggests that transparency, accountability, fairness, and empathy are essential for fostering a culture of trust within teams. And a quick look at several championship winning F1 teams seems to confirm this. Sure, many other factors contributed to their success, but it was trust in leadership, the team, and a belief in the shared goal that enabled them to accomplish everything they did.
This culture of trust in high-performing teams doesn't shield them from challenges or conflicts. It does, however, shape how they address and manage these issues.
One of the most notorious conflicts within Formula One teams is team orders. It's an age-old issue that reflects a temporary misalignment between the team's and the driver's interests, which with two competent drivers and a fast car is bound to happen!
In an ideal setting, the team will openly discuss potential conflict scenarios beforehand, leadership will provide clear guidance on the course of action, systems of accountability will be set in place, and a commitment to comply will be established. But, this was far from what transpired last weekend!
What we saw was McLaren undergoing a very public stress test of not just its culture but also the underlying trust between the drivers and the team. Is it strong enough to withstand the pressures and personal opportunities that arise from being a front-runner?
For every example of a high-performing F1 team, countless others fell short of their potential due to intense internal conflicts driven by personal agendas and a lack of mutual trust within the team. While McLaren looks to be far from this situation, avoiding it has likely become a top priority. Especially considering how conflicted Norris seemed to be about following the pitwall’s instructions.
Will the team proactively address emerging tensions? Can the team implement measures to manage and mitigate potential conflicts? Will leadership strengthen their commitment to fostering an environment of accountability and fairness? Is there a way for the team to support drivers in achieving their personal ambitions and align them with the team’s overall goals?
How leadership addresses these and other issues will either strengthen or undermine the trust within the team. Which in turn will determine whether the kerfuffle we witnessed on Sunday becomes a recurring issue or remains an isolated incident. More importantly, it will reveal whether McLaren is capable of being a serious championship contender - not just this year, but for seasons to come.
But let’s be clear, it doesn’t mean team orders won’t happen. If McLaren gets this right, it simply means that when team orders do occur, everyone within the team will have confidence in the decision. Drivers will trust that sacrificing their personal short-term interests in battles against other teams will be repaid in the future when they’re fighting for their own championship title. Hopefully, this will make these situations a little less messy!
This week’s recommended content!
🗞 READ
Fly Girl: Bianca Bustamante Is On Full Throttle | How McLaren expanded its F1 operation to include IndyCar program | Is F1’s Fashion Play Only Skin Deep? | Magnussen should say goodbye to F1 and enjoy victory elsewhere | Max Verstappen’s frustrated radio messages show the growing pressure at Red Bull
🎧 LISTEN
The Red Flags Podcast: Guenther Steiner on McLaren's Team Orders, Lando's Driver Championship Odds and Max's Radio Rage | F1 Beyond The Grid: F2 & F3 CEO Bruno Michel - Steering young drivers to F1 | Unpicking the Strengths and Weaknesses of F1’s Big Four Teams
Photo Credit: McLaren