Breakaway rumours, Sauber's rebrand, launch news, and more
Jan 8, 2024
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Former McLaren and Honda man, Gil de Ferran, joins Mark Hughes and Scott Mitchell-Malm to discuss the ongoing political friction in F1, Sauber's rebrand as Stake F1 Team, and the sad passing of de Ferran. The hosts also look ahead to F1 launch season and reflect on their interviews with Adrian Newey and Max Verstappen.
Growing tension between the FIA and F1 is increasing the chances of a possible breakaway series.
Sauber has rebranded as Stake F1 Team and will transition to Audi in 2026.
The passing of Jörg Müller, former McLaren and Honda man, leaves a significant loss in the motorsport community.
Deep dives
Tensions between FIA and F1 ignite breakaway speculation
There is growing tension between the FIA and F1, with hints of a possible breakaway. While a breakaway is not yet probable, the actions and disagreements between the two sides are pushing the boundaries and increasing the chances. Disruption caused by disagreements and investigations into F1's commercial value and regulations reflect dissatisfaction with the FIA's role. These negotiations and tensions are laying the groundwork for the next Concorde Agreement, replacing the current one set to expire in 2025.
Sauber's name change to Stake F1 Team and the upcoming Audi transition
Sauber, now known as Stake F1 Team, is in an interim phase before transitioning to Audi in 2026. Following the expiration of the Alfa Romeo deal, the team has decided not to revert to the Sauber name. The team has sold its naming rights to Stake and the car will be called the "Kick Sauber C44" in races where gambling advertising is restricted. This arrangement allows the team to secure funding and make necessary improvements as it awaits the full transition to Audi in the coming years.
Remembering Jörg Müller and his impact on racing
Jörg Müller, who tragically passed away at the age of 56, was a highly respected driver and sporting director in the motorsport world. He achieved success as an IndyCar driver, becoming a double champion and winning the Indy 500 in 2003. Müller was known for his warm and intense competitive spirit, combining an engineering background with a deep understanding of racing. He played a crucial role in McLaren as an interface between drivers and engineers, contributing to the team's success. Müller's untimely death is a significant loss to the motorsport community, with his warm personality and extensive knowledge leaving a lasting impact.
Discussion on Audi's potential involvement with Salba and the need for evidence
There seems to be more going on behind the scenes with Audi's involvement with Salba than what is publicly known. The process of securing additional funding takes time due to the internal approval needed from Audi and VW. However, it is important to see evidence of Audi's commitment and investment in the team, especially in light of the on-track performance decline and leadership changes within Audi and VW.
The excitement and anticipation of the upcoming launch season in Formula 1
As the launch season for the new Formula 1 cars approaches, there is a sense of excitement and anticipation among fans. The launches provide an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the new liveries and potential updates to the cars. While some may dismiss the launches as mere marketing events, there are often nuggets of information and insights that can be gleaned from them, setting the stage for the upcoming season. It is a time when anything is possible and fans eagerly await the start of a new season filled with optimism and intrigue.
Mark Hughes and Scott Mitchell-Malm join Edd Straw to round up a host of F1 news stories doing the rounds in early 2024. They discuss the ongoing political friction between the FIA, F1 and the teams (including the whispered rumours of a breakaway series), Sauber's recent rebrand to Stake F1 Team, and the sad passing of former McLaren and Honda man (not to mention IndyCar and Indy 500 champion) Gil de Ferran. Plus they look ahead to F1 launch season, and reflect on Mark and Scott's respective recent interviews with Adrian Newey and Max Verstappen.