Weekly news roundup 14/11: Formula 1 edition

Jonathan Victoria • 14 Nov 2024 News

Plenty going on this week in the F1 circus…

This week's news roundup is being taken over by Formula 1 news, as there has been quite a lot to write home about over the last few days. It will probably be the weekly news roundup as usual next week, that is so long as we don’t get another week of big announcements.

2025 joint car reveal at the London O2

In an unprecedented move that feels more like fan fiction than real life, Formula 1 announced that for the first time, all 10 teams will be revealing their 2025 challengers at the same time in one big presentation at the London O2 Arena.

This first-of-its-kind event breaks the norm of each team revealing their car on a day of their choosing, usually sometime in February shortly before pre-season testing. 

Why F1 has decided to do this simply comes down to the fact that the 2025 season will be the World Championship’s 75th edition, so we should likely expect many more spectacles across the year if this is anything to go by.

Not only that, but 2025 will be a monumental year, with many driver changes confirmed, plus the final season before the new technical regulations are implemented from 2026.

All 20 drivers and 10 Team Principles plus other noticeable faces from the paddock will be in attendance for the two-hour show, which will take place on 18th February.

Alpine to use Mercedes PU and gearboxes from 2026

Alpine struck a deal with Mercedes to use their German manufacturer's power units and gearboxes starting in 2026.

Last month, the French outfit had announced that they would be shutting down their works engine programme at the end of next season as part of their ‘Hypertech’ transformation project.

They had been in talks with the other engine manufacturers about a customer engine supply, and even part of their pitch to sign Carlos Sainz to the team focused on how they’d look to team up with Mercedes.

Alpine were once an engine manufacturer who supplied engines to other teams, with Red Bull and McLaren both at one point using the their engines (when they were branded as Renault).

The move to switch to Mercedes in 2026 is likely due to concerns about their competitiveness when the new regulations are introduced in ‘26, which will have a heavy focus on power unit rules.

Monaco GP extended until 2031

Love it or hate it, the Monaco Grand Prix is here to stay as a new extension was announced which will see the most glamorous race on the calendar stay on said calendar until at least 2031.

While discussions are had every year about Monaco’s suitability for modern F1 cars, there is no denying its heritage and place among the other circuits.

The Monaco Grand Prix was first raced in the inaugural season of the F1 World Championship in 1950 and has been a permanent part of the calendar since 1955, making it one of the oldest Grands Prix alongside the British Grand Prix and the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

The scenic stage of Monte Carlo provides a setting like no other, and the prestige that comes with the race win is like no other. So much so that it helps form the illustrious and rare Triple Crown of Motorsport - a victory at Monaco, a victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and a victory in the Indianapolis 500, of which only one driver has ever completed (Graham Hill, completed in 1972).

Race Director Niels Wittich stepping down

FIA Formula 1 Race Director Niels Wittich has left the role with immediate effect, a role which he had been in since 2022.

Wittich initially took on the role following Michael Masi’s departure following the events at the end of the infamous 2021 season. He initially shared the role with Eduardo Freitas before taking over full-time in 2023.

It is said that he is stepping down to pursue other opportunities, although the timing could suggest something further (not going to be speculating here though).

Wittich is being replaced by Rui Marques, who will take over the position starting from the next race, the Las Vegas Grand Prix next weekend.

Dan Fallows leaving role as Aston Martin Technical Director

Aston Martin Technical Director Dan Fallows has stepped down from his position, officially leaving the role following the end of this month.

Fallows joined the team from Red Bull in April 2022  and helped oversee a particularly successful season for them in 2023, which included eight podiums scored by Fernando Alonso.

Over the last 12 months, the team has seen its technical department expand, with other key names set to arrive, most notably Adrian Newey, also from Red Bull, and former Ferrari tech chief Enrico Cardille, plus the most recent announcement of Andy Cowell as CEO.

While Fallows is stepping down from the role, it is said that he won’t be leaving the team, instead taking on a new position while handing the reigns over to someone else.