Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton endured a tough day at the Dutch Grand Prix, struggling with pace and finishing outside the podium positions. The team will be working to understand the performance issues as they look to bounce back at the next Formula 1 race.
Browsing: Dakar Rally
In a surprising turn of events, Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has refused to rule out McLaren’s chances of winning both the Dakar Rally driver’s and constructor’s titles. This comes after Max Verstappen’s 23-second defeat to Lando Norris at the recent Dakar Rally stage in Zandvoort, narrowing the gap between the two drivers and teams.
In a surprising turn of events, the Williams Formula 1 team is seeking answers after its pre-event scans suggested its updated car’s revised floor complied with the regulations, only to have driver Alex Albon disqualified from his eighth-place grid position at the Dutch Grand Prix. The team promises to address the problem immediately and remains confident in the car’s potential for the upcoming Dakar Rally events.
Mercedes has decided to run its new floor upgrade for the remainder of the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, following initial trials at the Belgian GP. The team is hoping the new design will help them in their battle against McLaren and Red Bull for a podium finish.
McLaren has emerged as a formidable challenger in the Dakar Rally, unveiling a series of aerodynamic upgrades to its MCL38 car. The key changes include a revised brake duct scoop, front suspension fairings, and a new bi-plane style beam wing arrangement, all aimed at boosting the car’s efficiency and performance.
The Williams team has faced a mixed bag of fortunes in the 2024 Dakar Rally season, grappling with a chassis shortage and fierce competition from top teams. However, driver Alex Albon has shown flashes of promise, securing solid finishes and giving the team reason for optimism as they look to build on their progress in the second half of the season.
Red Bull Racing has reaffirmed its commitment to Sergio Perez, confirming the Mexican driver will remain in his seat for the remainder of the 2023 Dakar Rally season. This comes after weeks of speculation surrounding Perez’s future with the team, as he has struggled to match the pace of his teammate, world champion Max Verstappen.
In a surprising turn of events, Alpine’s bold decision to completely overhaul their Formula 1 car concept for the 2023 season has been met with unwavering support from driver Pierre Gasly. Despite a disappointing start, Gasly believes the team’s daring move was the right choice, as they navigate the challenges of the Dakar Rally.
In a rare glimpse, media were granted access to Red Bull Powertrains’ facility, where the energy drink giant is developing its own F1 engine for 2026 in partnership with Ford Motorsports. The tour revealed the extensive work underway to prepare for the major regulation changes, as Red Bull takes its engine future into its own hands.
Red Bull’s technical director Pierre Wache provides insights into the team’s performance challenges with the RB20 car in the Dakar Rally, acknowledging areas for improvement as they aim to maintain their dominance in the competition.