F1 News of the Week

All the Key F1 news of the week in an essential and fast-paced format, just as everything in motorsport should be! (11-14 November)🏎️

Niels Wittich’s Resignation Adds to FIA Changes Amid Season End

The recent resignation of F1 Race Director Niels Wittich has intensified scrutiny on the FIA as the 2024 season nears its final races. Wittich, who stepped into the high-profile role after the controversial departure of Michael Masi in 2021, became a central figure in managing F1’s complex race operations. However, Wittich's departure adds to a series of recent high-level resignations that have fuelled concerns about the internal structure and stability of the FIA. Under President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the FIA has been criticised for a lack of coherence and growing tensions, which could affect future governance and regulatory approaches. As the 2024 season comes to a close, it remains to be seen what impact these changes will have.

Monaco Grand Prix Secures Its Place Until 2031

In a major victory for F1's traditionalists, the Monaco Grand Prix has officially been extended on the calendar until 2031. Known for its narrow, challenging street circuit and deep-rooted place in F1 history, Monaco has been an integral part of the famous 'Triple Crown', alongside the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Despite its unique prestige, Monaco has been criticised in recent years for limited overtaking opportunities and an increasingly outdated track layout. However, this extension underlines the sport's commitment to balancing tradition with modernity, as Monaco will continue to host its iconic race while seeking to remain relevant in the rapidly evolving F1 landscape. This decision reflects the commercial and symbolic value that the Principality holds for F1 fans, ensuring that this jewel of the racing calendar will continue to captivate audiences around the world.

Joint 2025 Car Launch to Increase Audience Engagement

For the first time in F1 history, teams have agreed to unveil their 2025 cars in a joint presentation. This coordinated reveal aims to streamline car launches and build fan excitement, transforming individual launches into a global, unified spectacle. This approach represents F1's ongoing efforts to expand its global brand. The organisers believe that a consolidated event will not only build anticipation, but also improve marketing reach, helping F1 to reach a wider, more enthusiastic audience. This strategy is in line with F1's recent digital innovations and media expansion, reflecting the sport's adaptability in a rapidly modernising world. On the other hand, this solution does not solve the problems that were present in the classic launches. This is an interesting topic to dive into and for this reason a more in-depth article on this subject will be published soon.

Alpine to Use Mercedes Engines from 2026

Alpine has announced that it will be powered by Mercedes engines from 2026. This partnership marks the end of Alpine's exclusive reliance on its own Renault engines, aligning it with a power unit supplier that has dominated F1's turbo-hybrid era. The decision reflects Alpine's ambition to increase competitiveness and capitalise on Mercedes' technological expertise, especially as the sport prepares to introduce a new generation of power units in 2026. The deal is a game-changer for Alpine, potentially bringing them closer to the front runners as they seek to climb the standings after their amazing result in the Brazilian Grand Prix, while taking away the prestige of being an engine manufacturer in the F1 championship.