Foul Language, The Cooldown Room, and Goodbye Dany?!
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 evening!! Papaya seems to be the hot new color in Formula One! Not only did McLaren win both races of this doubleheader, but they jumped to the lead in the constructors championship for the first time since 2014!
Unfortunately, Baku and Singapore didn’t deliver their usual chaos, at least not on track. But off it, we had the regular kerfuffles! The flexi-wing saga - a.k.a. the mini DRS - had an anti-climatic end with McLaren being asked to change it by the FIA. Red Bull was accused of inter-team collusion after Ricciardo snatched the fastest lap point away from McLaren. And Pirelli had a heart to heart with Russlle after he called their tires infuriating and managing it black magic. I hope they at least appreciated his creative flair!!
With a couple of weeks until Austin and F1 being in a dramatic mood, I can't shake the feeling that something major might disrupt the break! Until then, I'll do my best to send out a new issue of Beyond Track Limits, and hopefully we'll return to our regular schedule after the Grand Prix at COTA. It has been a challenging month, but I’m determined to make it happen!
If in previous years Singapore earned the nickname “Slutty Singapore,” this time around, the sluttiness was dialed down to the bare minimum! Sure, admins posted drivers in their ice baths, but the sex appeal, the artistic touch, and the cheeky attitude wasn’t there. Honestly, I’m not sure if the drivers just weren’t feeling it or if teams were given instructions to keep the ice baths PG-friendly. Either way, Singapore didn’t deliver, and I’m sad to say 2023 might be the last time an ice bath post truly meant something!!
Before we could admire the stunning views of Marina Bay, Formula 1’s streaming service, F1TV, announced the launch of a new show called The Cooldown Room. It’s hosted by Tom Deacon, a British presenter and comedian, who has worked in F1 as a Track TV host. The show feels like a late-night talk show if it was aired on MTV in the 2000s - with multiple guests discussing all things F1, lighthearted segments, and eye-catching graphics. It’s still unclear if it’ll be a regular part of the Grand Prix weekends, but the first episode is already online and it’s absolutely worth checking out!
During the actual race weekends, we had Albon casually dropping the information that next season he won’t just be Sainz’s teammate but also his next door neighbor! I mean, that feels like a lot of Sainz in one’s life - who do we think will be the first one to move?! Meanwhile, several of the drivers kept their padel obsession alive, playing a few matches as part of their preparation. Honestly, I’m dying to do a deep dive into the sports trends taking over the paddock. First, it was golf, now it’s padel, and I’m spotting a cycling wave sneaking in! Any theories on what’s driving these?
On the social media front, Formula 1 finally jumped on the "sign these random old pictures" trend. Not mad about it, but seriously, why does it always take them so long to catch up?! Meanwhile, Mercedes finally came through with some original content that isn’t cringy - and it actually included Hamilton! Someone on their social media team must’ve called in a major favor. Not only did we get a chaotic team pre-race warm-up, but also a style swap between the drivers! Seriously, how long have we been waiting for this?!
Over at Ferrari, Leclerc embraced his effortless memability. This time he ranked his most iconic memes, and honestly, it’s surprisingly insightful and kind of endearing how easily he can laugh at himself. Piastri flexed his copywriting skills with a hilarious caption on his Singapore post, with a cheeky wink at the FIA!! And last, but absolutely not least, Bearman had the most Gen-Z interaction ever with a couple of F1TV hosts, straight-up calling them old. It was TV gold, and James Hinchcliffe/F1’s TikTok response is a masterclass in milking a viral moment and running with it!
Once the cars were off track, the shenanigans and rich boy vibes kicked into high gear! We had Brown and Horner in matching airline PJs, casually announcing they’re no longer feuding - didn’t even know they were! Norris sold out his Silverstone grandstand called “landostand” for next year, Checo shut down the rumor mill in the sassiest, most unhinged way possible. Hamilton announced his Dior collection, and Gasly attended Christian Louboutin’s extravagant poolside fashion show featuring the French artistic swimming team at Paris Fashion Week!
Is it just me, or does it seem like the fewer available seats for 2025, the more shenanigans we get?!
Foul Language Problem?
Before the race weekend began, the FIA president announced that he had requested Formula One Management to reduce the number of radio messages broadcast that contain explicit language. He also expressed his desire for drivers to dail down the swearing, citing concerns that "children may be watching."
Although no specific directives were mentioned regarding steward intervention, the fact remains that Verstappen was handed community service for dropping the F-bomb during the FIA press conference on Thursday at the Singapore Grand Prix. As a protest, the Dutchman kept his answers brief in subsequent FIA press conferences and staged his own unofficial ones to speak “more freely” to the press.
THE CONTEXT:
Tensions between drivers and the FIA seem to be escalating as the governing body imposes increasingly stricter regulations on athletes' behavior.
First, the International Sporting Code was amended to require drivers to obtain written authorization from the governing body before making personal or political statements. Then, the ban on wearing jewelry during competition was enforced, and now it appears that the language drivers are allowed to use is being regulated.
While ensuring competitors don't use discriminatory language or verbally abuse officials, staff, or other personnel is important, that doesn't seem to be the real issue here. Verstappen’s explicit language, for example, was directed at his car, and the swearing drivers engage in during adrenaline-fueled races is, by all definitions a form of trash talk - something many would argue is a fundamental part of any sport. Besides, the radio messages are already censored for the broadcast. So why is the FIA making it a hot topic?
A possible explanation for this could be an all-encompassing effort by the governing body to exert tighter control over Formula One’s public image. Ensuring in this way that the sport remains appealing to a broad and diverse audience while avoiding alienating key stakeholders, and keeping F1 commercially viable.
Although this has been the standard approach among many major sports leagues and it may seem like a safe strategy - at least in the short-term - stifling drivers' personalities and self-expression, limiting authentic connections, and failing to differentiate oneself in meaningful ways could have lasting consequences. One significant outcome is that it risks making the F1 brand bland and one that doesn’t really stand for anything - which is a surefire way to become irrelevant.
In the past, this might not have mattered, as some fans and sponsors would show up regardless. However, today’s younger generation of consumers aren’t just eager to be part of the next big thing, they are also deeply invested in the values and practices of the brands and organisations they engage with, including those in sports. Actively aligning their consumption choices with their principles. A prime example is the rise in popularity of women's sports, which successfully tapped into these critical issues to reach young fans and get them interested enough to tune in. Similarly, the NBA has embraced athletes’ individuality and the resulting pop-culture exchange, leveraging it not only to enhance fan engagement but also to create new commercial opportunities.
As such, overlooking these insights into how fans - especially Gen-Zers - interact with sports could undermine all of Formula One’s fan acquisition and engagement efforts to date. Even though this demographic isn't F1’s main target audience, they have proven to be a powerful force when it comes to boosting media and brand recognition, as well as creating unprecedented financial and commercial value. Which means a misstep in this context could seriously jeopardize F1's opportunity to transform the current hype surrounding the sport into a genuinely loyal fanbase.
While explicit language isn’t the reason these fans watch F1, an overly sanitized, hollow, and inauthentic experience looks to be a growing reason for them to bow out. At a time of intense competition within the sports and entertainment industry to engage young fans, can Formula One really afford to dilute the sport’s raw and unscripted moments that help fuel this particular fanbase’s passion?
Goodbye Dany!
With just two seats available for the 2025 season gossip about who might be filling it has been non-stop. This time, it was the Red Bull family that had the rumor mill in overdrive, as speculation emerged about the possibility of another mid-season firing.
While the official announcement took its time to arrive, the tearful post-race interview given by Ricciardo in Singapore provided enough evidence for journalists, pundits, and fans that the Australian driver had reached the end of his stint with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls. This, however, ignited a fervent discourse about Ricciardo’s send-off and led to the overwhelming conclusion that Red Bull handled the matter poorly.
THE REASONING:
Red Bull is known for being unforgiving and rootless with its drivers. It has promoted, demoted, and fired drivers mid-season many times before. But unlike other drivers, Ricciardo has a unique cultural footprint in Formula One that stretches far beyond the shoey, the ‘Pierrrre Gasssslyyyy,’ or the “enjoy the butterflies”.
His infectious personality, trademark smile, and relentless optimism brought a unique energy to the paddock, that humanized the sport like few before him have been able to do. Making him a favourite among seasoned and newcoming fans alike, as well as journalists and industry insiders.
Unlike most drivers, Ricciardo hasn't shied away from sharing his journey in the sport, which has been filled with triumphs, struggles, and heartbreak. This makes it no coincidence that he was chosen as the first driver audiences meet in Drive to Survive. His emotional honesty, fun nature, and compelling story make him relatable and offered millions of new fans an alternative and easy entry point into the sport that tends to feel serious, inaccessible, and complicated.
World champions come and go, but few athletes are able to make people care and feel invested in more than just the outcome of the race and the season. The flood of “Goodbye Dany” fan edits across the internet, along with the farewell posts from all of the drivers and teams on the grid, serve as a testament to his profound impact on the sport, and demonstrate how his legacy extends beyond Formula One.
This ability to engage with audiences and tap into new markets was a key factor in Red Bull's decision to rehire Ricciardo as a third driver, despite there being no third car! It also provided the Australian with more time in the sport than his recent on-track performance would typically allow any other driver. However, it appears that the Milton Keynes team - responsible for making these decisions on behalf of its sister team - failed to recognize that this strong personal brand and unique connection with fans demanded a more tactful approach in handling Ricciardo’s departure.
A social media post on a random Thursday during a break, followed by a replacement announcement just 15 minutes later, doesn’t qualify as such by most standards.
Why Red Bull - which has struggled with public relations this season - wouldn’t do something more meaningful is difficult to understand. Nevertheless, the main takeaway from this kerfuffle is that it’s the human stories and personalities that make sports captivating, special, and worthwhile season after season. Ricciardo exemplified this during his 13 years in Formula One, and his absence from the paddock will leave a significant void for the millions of fans who care about more than just the wins and losses on the track.
This week’s recommended content!
🗞 READ
Built with intention: F1 Academy’s car was chosen with the series’ goals in mind | F1 rival calls for Brussels scrutiny of Liberty Media’s €4bn MotoGP takeover | The Secret Society of Formula 1’s Social Media Admins | Palou on F1 and Indycar Longevity | Motorsport is trying to reach Net Zero - Could fuels like this, made from air and water, help accelerate the journey? | I’ve struggled with depression from a very early age | Smart or Embarrassing? Our Verdict on Renault’s F1 Engine Axing | LVMH Inks 10-year Global Partnership With Formula 1 | In Defense of S*** Talk
🎧 LISTEN
Team Torque: Lia Block and Jamie Chadwick | The Fast and The Curious: How to get a job in F1 with James Vowles and wind tunnel engineer Christina Sullivan | Human To Hero With Alex Albon | McLaren: The Race Between Races | Lewis Hamilton ranks his top 10 off-track fashion looks | F1 Nation Podcast: Christian Horner On Daniel Ricciardo's Departure + Liam Lawson's Return | Motormouth Podcast: Wasserman Sports Marketing
Photo Credit: Red Bull Racing