Technical Controversies, Letters to Cowboy Ric, and Sports Crossovers!!
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!! Like most of us, I had no idea F1 would stay off track for nearly a month in what has been coined the 2024 “Fall Break”. Nevertheless, I made the most out of it by catching up on my reading, watching a few movies and shows, braving the rain to get some fresh air, and, most importantly, kick-started a few projects - including some exciting plans for Track Limits! If all goes well, I’ll be able to share more by the end of the season. Fingers crossed!
Austin is definitely on my list of Grand Prixs I’d LOVE to attend and despite Ricciardo’s absence this year, it didn’t disappoint! The sprint was exciting, drivers were feisty, the rookies scored points, and the weekend had no shortage of off-track drama. We had penalty chaos, trophies being pulled due to copyright issues, and a $500k fine issued after fans entered the track while cars were still on their cooldown lap. It’s witout saying that Texas delivered enough antics to get everyone hyped up for the upcoming, and surely exhausting, triple-header ahead of us!!
How many tropical vacations, yacht trips, or winter retreats can someone take before it becomes boring? Maybe that’s what some of these drivers are trying to figure out this year! I’ve got nothing against it - I’d love to find out the answer myself - but let’s be honest, it doesn’t exactly create the fun shenanigans we love to see!!
Sure, Leclerc grabbed yet another weird-looking hat out of his closet to shield himself from the Italian sun or maybe the wandering eyes of onlookers and paparazzi! Russell went on a cozy couples retreat in Austria that looked like a Tommy Hilfiger winter collection brand trip. Albon embraced the HAB life, following his golfer girlfriend around the world to her competitions. Stroll became an uncle, Gasly got his mom a cute puppy, and Verstappen attended the most anticipated Formula E wedding of the year. Meanwhile, Bottas wrapped up his 2024 gravel cycling season by participating in the world championship finals, and Ricciardo sported a cheeky "I'm retired, having fun is my job" cap. All nice, but not really group chat-worthy!!
But leave it to the old guard in the paddock to stir up some drama this break! Otmar Szafnauer couldn’t resist the opportunity to reveal every painful detail of Alpine’s internal struggles!! While his account of events during his time with the team was eye-opening, I don’t think they shifted public opinion in his or Alpine’s favor - hey he tried!! Meanwhile, Helmut Marko found a new target for his rather nasty comments in Norris, calling him “mentally weak” - a head-scratching move considering Norris is one of the most vocal mental health advocates on the grid. Honestly, I’m not sure if this was trash talk, mind games, or just inappropriate!
Far more exciting was the fashion-related news and Southern-inspired collections that dropped just before Austin. Red Bull collaborated with Cherry Los Angeles for a second collection, while McLaren teamed up with Levi’s for another pricy set of ensembles! Enchanté launched its “Garage” collection with a pop-up in downtown Austin, and Hamilton released a limited-edition +44 collection inspired by the '90s off-road motocross scene in America - definitely my favorite of the bunch!
Meanwhile, Ralph Lauren and Norris partnered for a fragrance and created an intense-looking promo video that kept the driver’s identity a secret, asking fans to guess who it was. Which, come on! Any respectable fangirl knows Norris has those distinctive “elf-like” ears that are recognizable anywhere!! Brands should seriously consider hiring fangirl consultants when creating these campaigns - I’m not kidding!
But the fashion news we didn’t see coming, yet desperately needed, was the announcement that Hamilton will co-chair the 2025 Met Gala! The theme is "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style." The exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum will showcase garments, paintings, photographs, and more, exploring the fashion of Black men from the 18th century to the present day. At a time when fashion and sport are converging, there couldn’t be a better or more strategic choice. Honestly, I can’t wait to see how Hamilton’s personal story and taste will influence the night’s narrative, dress code, guest list, dinner, and performances! That same week, Dior also unveiled a sneaker collaboration with the seven-time champion - a great example of a luxury legacy brand tapping into a fashion-forward, young audience by leveraging an athlete’s personal style. The man is seriously busy!!!
During the actual race weekend, drivers and fans were greeted with the typical cowboy hats, boots, burgers, and cheerleaders. What wasn’t typical, or expected for that matter, was how COTA and Visa Cash App sponsors embraced Ricciardo despite his absence. They kept the fan activations and posters featuring his image around the city - though this could have been a logistical or cost-related decision, I’m choosing to ignore that explanation! They invited him to attend the Grand Prix as a guest, which he thankfully declined - talk about awkward!! And even set up a "Letters to Cowboy Ric" book at the Grand Plaza, which, while very thoughtful, gave off a strange vibe - almost like a condolence book at a funeral. Hopefully, it felt a bit more lighthearted in person!!!
Speaking of Red Bull's sister team, Lawson and Alonso had a hilarious beef this weekend, which seemed to irk Visa Cash App Racing Bulls more than anyone! Apparently, they weren’t thrilled when Alonso called them Alpha Tauri while scolding Lawson on the radio. In response, they posted a photo of the two drivers, cheekily captioning it with Alonso as a Racing Point driver. Not sure why they thought Alonso, of all people, would care about that but if the team name is a touchy subject, maybe they should’ve picked a better one!!
Finally, after watching countless media segments, social media posts, and creator content from the weekend - Austin always delivers in abundance! - I noticed a shift in the type of celebrities in the paddock. Fewer A-listers than we’re used to, and more internet personalities and athletes. So, are Vegas and Miami now the celeb races, or has the general interest from that specific crowd faded? I can’t quite put my finger on it yet!!
I couldn’t wrap up the fall break and Austin shenanigans without mentioning Albon and his impeccable “Bob the Builder” sponsor pic! Plus, it blows my mind that, of all the drivers on the grid, he’s the one who’s most in tune with internet culture and Gen Z slang. Just shows you that sure, Leclerc can post pictures of himself looking undeniably fine in a fighter jet uniform making fangirls gush and comment about how the photographer ate, but clearly Albon is the only driver who actually knows what that means!!
Technical Controversies
Even before the weekend kicked off, news broke that the FIA was inspecting a team’s - later revealed to be Red Bull - front bib adjuster. The system’s positioning in the cockpit allegedly allowed the team to alter the car's ride height without dismantling it. If true, it would mean they could bypass Parc Fermé regulations and adjust the car setup between qualifying and race day without stewards noticing it.
Although rival teams threw a fit over the situation, the FIA determined that no further investigation was necessary. They found the design to be legal but mandated several new measures to ensure compliance with the parc fermé rules moving forward. The governing body also stated that it's impossible to determine whether the team had used the device illegally in the past, though suspicions remain.
THE REASONING:
Technical controversies are nothing new in Formula One. Every season, one or more teams make headlines as the FIA investigates the designs of parts and systems. However, in recent years, it has been uncommon for the governing body to officially declare a team in breach of technical regulations and impose penalties or fines.
Unlike the sporting regulations found in most sports, Formula One's technical regulations aren’t a rigid set of rules but rather a framework shaped by the intentions behind them. Whether it’s ensuring that the aerodynamic performance loss of a car following another one is kept to a minimum or increasing the electrical power output. This “spirit of the regulations”, as it’s oftern referred to, ensures fair competition while promoting technological innovation.
However, the written rules can sometimes contain ambiguities or loopholes, creating opportunities for teams to exploit them in ways the FIA may not have anticipated or go against the intent of the regulations. To address this, the FIA, F1, and teams agreed that rules could be updated mid-season in response to new designs that test regulatory boundaries.
These updates aren’t necessarily a suggestion or an accusation that teams have built illegal cars but rather a response to creative interpretations that stretch the rules or create unintended consequences. In such cases, the FIA intervenes to clarify the spirit of the regulations and makes adjustments to the written rules if necessary.
Nevertheless, mid-season regulation changes are often used by competitors, media, and fans to fuel negative narratives. Especially when a rule update seems to target only a specific team, it can lead to accusations of favoritism or unfair treatment. Rival teams may amplify these claims, questioning their competitors' legality, which can lead to unnecessary tensions and divisions among fans. This is particularly true when changes seem to favor or disadvantage certain teams at critical points in the season. This is precisely what’s unfolding at the moment as Red Bull pursues McLaren in the Constructors' Championship, while Verstappen aims to maintain a comfortable lead over Norris to secure his fourth title.
Despite this, the approach of “correcting” regulations rather than declaring cars illegal seems to strike a balance between fostering technological creativity and maintaining competitive fairness. By allowing for regulatory evolution, the FIA ensures that while innovation is encouraged, no team gains an unfair advantage. Which helps preserve both the integrity of the sport and the dynamic nature of technical advancements.
Sports Crossovers!!
If you were anywhere near social media this weekend, you likely noticed an unusual number of crossovers with American sports leagues like the NFL, Collegue Football, NBA, and NHL. Several athletes visited the race track, some drivers wore team jerseys in the paddock while others toured the Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium. A couple of the 2025 rookies attended the Georgia vs. Texas game, special merchandise collaborations were launched, and a wealth of crossover content was created!
While collaborations with local sports teams are becoming more common in Formula One, the coordinated effort of the three major North American sports leagues felt anything but coincidental.
ZOOMING OUT:
For years, the NFL, NBA, and NHL have been making significant efforts to expand their fanbases into international markets, as a way to boost revenue as the North American market becomes increasingly saturated. While the recent surge of women joining these leagues' fandoms and the resulting rise in viewership, ticket and merchandise sales, and engagement rate could challenge this notion, the fact remains that they are actively targeting global audiences, particularly in Europe and South America.
All three leagues currently host international games in cities such as London, Madrid, Prague, Paris, Munich, Tampere, Mexico City, and São Paulo. While they've faced challenges, including the financial and operational complexities of having multiple teams travel overseas and the need for better sporting facilities, their ambition to become global sports entities hasn’t faded.
While the NHL and NBA are exploring various expansion models beyond just playing games overseas - such as establishing their own local leagues or creating regional divisions- American football faces a unique challenge. Unlike hockey and basketball, which have a grassroots presence worldwide due to their organic play among young athletes, American football lacks significant youth categories and professional athletes outside the United States.
As such, for the next phase of its internationalization process, the NFL will likely need to establish a framework based on strategic alliances. Partnering with a global entity would enable the league to access multiple key markets simultaneously and enhance its competitiveness by leveraging the partner’s regional resources and capabilities.
F1 checks all these boxes for the NFL, but it offers a unique opportunity for Formula One as well. Among many things, it allows them to reach and engage the highly coveted American sports fan while gaining insights on how to modernize their marketing efforts and stay on the forefront of pop culture. It also facilitates the transformation of F1’s business model into a franchise system similar to the NFL's - which is something Liberty Media's CEO, Greg Maffei, has publicly stated he hopes will drive Formula One’s growth and profitability.
In light of this, it's no surprise that especially the NFL has increasingly intertwined itself with Formula One. The connections range from obvious, like the Miami Grand Prix being hosted by the Miami Dolphins and cross-promotions with athletes and well-known presenters and creators attending both NFL games and U.S.-based Grand Prixs, to less visible collaborations. These include several NFL players investing in Alpine, Lewis Hamilton joining the new ownership group of the Denver Broncos, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hosting both the U.K. NFL games and a Formula 1 karting facility, and Formula 1 inviting businesses part of the NFL’s directory for the 2023 Super Bowl to be part of the new directory for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
All of this suggests that as long as Formula One aims to grow its fanbase in the U.S., and major American sports leagues are pursuing globalization efforts, their partnership will continue to deepen. Who knows? They might even collaborate beyond just marketing and commercial initiatives, delving into emerging technologies and foster operational and safety innovations to create unique sports and entertainment experiences for both fans and athletes.
This week’s recommended content!
🗞 READ
On the Road With Sergio Pérez, Mexico’s F1 Megastar | The potty mouthed star of Drive To Survive on how his career blew up | Daniel’s Last Ride | My very brief stint as a race car driver at the F1 Arcade | The Speed of Sound | How Haas’ F1 Toyota partnership will work | LVMH Inks 10-year Global Partnership With Formula 1 | Where Andretti Stands as Its Divisive Leader Steps Back | Why Rookies are Suddenly Back in Fashion in F1 | A Pact Between Texas’s Formula 1 Speedway and a Tree-Hugging Nonprofit Is Turning Austin Green
🎧 LISTEN
High Performance: Otmar Szafnauer - The Truth Behind My Alpine Exit & The Piastri Signing | Team Torque: Lionel Messi Has Left His Phone Number? | The People Driving Billions in Revenue for Formula 1 | Red Flags Podcast: Sussie Wolff on F1 Academy’s Impact, Racing Lewis Hamilton and Negotiating with Guenter Steiner | “Push, Push” with Lewis Hamilton | Why Some Sponsorship Deals are Hated by Team Members | Planet Paddock: Good Energy? F1 and Oil Sponsorships
Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated, McLaren Racing