F1 Season 2024 - Pre-Season Thread

chrismscotland · 16 Jan 2024 at 17:29

Halfway through January and it feels like we're still in F1 "winter" but not too long to go until the first car launches in early February.

Announced Car Launch Dates

Williams: February 5
Stake F1: February 5
Alpine: February 7
Aston Martin: February 12
Ferrari: February 13
Mercedes: February 14
Red Bull: February 15
McLaren: TBC
AlphaTauri: TBC
Haas: TBC

Pre-Season Testing Dates (Bahrain International Circuit)
Day 1: Wednesday, February 21. 10AM–7PM
Day 2: Thursday, February 22. 10AM–7PM
Day 3: Friday, February 22. 10AM–7PM

chrismscotland · 16 Jan 2024 at 17:30

Indeed McLaren have unveiled their 2024 livery today on the MCL38

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1747301266865201193

Feek · 16 Jan 2024 at 17:30

Car *livery* reveal dates

Mr Jack · 16 Jan 2024 at 17:57

Interesting choice from McLaren!

Blackvault · 16 Jan 2024 at 18:26

Mr Jack said:
Interesting choice from McLaren!

I see they have taken a leaf out of Red Bull's manual. Copy and Paste.

AlphariusOmegan · 24 Jan 2024 at 13:46

Alpha Tauri are now VCARB (VISA Cash App RB) ?? thats now battling with Stake as the worst team name.

edit*
ooh they could hire Pastor Maldonardo and be known as the Crash App team

Mr Jack · 24 Jan 2024 at 14:03

AlphariusOmegan said:
Alpha Tauri are now VCARB (VISA Cash App RB) ?? thats now battling with Stake as the worst team name.

Stake is a better name than VISA Cash App. Bloody hell. I vote we just call them Toro Rosso and be done with it.

GravyMonster · 24 Jan 2024 at 14:11

Allegedly the FIA aren't happy about 'billboard' team names, and I can't say I blame them. Hopefully they stamp it out, otherwise we'll end up with the stupidity they have in the BTCC, like 'AlcoSense Breathalysers Racing' or 'GoMobileUK.com with tech-speed'

Blackvault · 24 Jan 2024 at 14:15

GravyMonster said:
Allegedly the FIA aren't happy about 'billboard' team names, and I can't say I blame them. Hopefully they stamp it out, otherwise we'll end up with the stupidity they have in the BTCC, like 'AlcoSense Breathalysers Racing' or 'GoMobileUK.com with tech-speed'

I'd have to agree, it is getting silly now. The team internally is called V-CARB which I guess is better...

SimonRigga · 24 Jan 2024 at 14:18

Shirley this is all to get the commentators to have to repeat the team name (visa cash app - red bull) over and over again with millions watching..

if they choose to use vcarb.. is there anything the team can do to stop them?

bayo000 · 24 Jan 2024 at 14:52

Mr Jack said:
Stake is a better name than VISA Cash App. Bloody hell. I vote we just call them Toro Rosso and be done with it.

Yup, I thought nothing could be worse than Stake

Stumble Bum · 24 Jan 2024 at 17:00

I refuse to call them that, I'm calling them Toro Rosso instead.

Blackvault · 24 Jan 2024 at 17:18

Stumble Bum said:
I refuse to call them that, I'm calling them Toro Rosso instead.

I'm calling them Minardi

almoststew1990 · 25 Jan 2024 at 17:28

I've not really been into F1 but for some reason I've found myself watching the 2001 to 2004 (so far) race highlights and getting into it quite a lot. Even if right now I'm more familiar with Montoya, Button, Schumaker, Jordans and Minardis than current people. Also the commentary seems wierd with the current people compared to whoever commentated in the early 2000s. I'm also watching F1 Manager long plays and I'm getting some fun current knowledge from that too

So I'll probably start watching this season assuming I can find a way as I don't have Sky

cuke2u · 26 Jan 2024 at 17:08

Blackvault said:
I'm calling them Minardi

Well at the moment you could easily say the name change has worked by the amount of interest in it and the media hype stating the name.
I reckon both RB and Visa will be congratulating themselves on a job well done..

Stu999 · 26 Jan 2024 at 17:12

Useful article from the BBC with key information on the new season:

F1 2024: A guide to the season - including calendar, sprint races, teams and drivers

The off-season is almost over and Formula 1 will return for its longest season to date. Here's everything you need to know.

www.bbc.co.uk

The 'regionalisation' of the calendar has almost worked, but not quite. Miami and Canada sticking out next to European races.

jaybee · 26 Jan 2024 at 17:13

I feel like it's a silly question but I want to understand it so feel free to rip me...

Why do they reveal their cars at all any day before the first practice session of the first race of the season, risking giving competitors an advantage in seeing their work and potentially copying it etc?

cuke2u · 26 Jan 2024 at 17:20

jaybee said:
I feel like it's a silly question but I want to understand it so feel free to rip me...

Why do they reveal their cars at all any day before the first practice session of the first race of the season, risking giving competitors an advantage in seeing their work and potentially copying it etc?

Because the cars tend not to resemble what arrives at the tests and the first race.
I think this question must be asked each year

jaybee · 26 Jan 2024 at 17:42

cuke2u said:
Because the cars tend not to resemble what arrives at the tests and the first race.
I think this question must be asked each year

So what is the point in the reveal at all then? Money driven for showing sponsors on the livery?

SimonRigga · 26 Jan 2024 at 17:51

jaybee said:
So what is the point in the reveal at all then? Money driven for showing sponsors on the livery?

got it in one!!