In the round-up: Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali admits Spain’s two-times world champion may no longer be on the grid by the time the country’s new race is added to the calendar.
In brief
Domenicali unsure Alonso will race in Madrid
After confirming yesterday Formula 1 will return to Madrid in 2026, Domenicali admitted he is unsure Fernando Alonso will still be racing by the time F1 races at the new Spanish venue.
He told AS it may be “a challenge for Fernando” to extend his career until the race in 2026, when he will turn 45. “Can you imagine Fernando winning in Madrid? I can only think that that can happen here in Madrid,” Domenicali added.
Alonso said last year he: “will be happy to race in Madrid if I’m here in 2026. If I’m not here, I will watch on TV and it doesn’t change much.”
Alfa Romeo boss rules out Le Mans
Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato has poured cold water on suggestions the manufacturer could move into the World Endurance Championship following its departure from Formula 1. He told L’argus he is “not convinced by the economic equation” of returning to Le Mans and believes there is a “trend towards inflation of expenses” in the series, which has seen several new manufacturers join in recent years.Andretti’s Indy 500 return confirmed
Marco Andretti will contest the Indianapolis 500 for the 19th time in his career this year. He will drive for Andretti-Herta once more.
He took second place on his debut in the race in 2006 and has finished third on three occasions. Last year he placed 17th.
Hungaroring reveals redevelopment progress
The Hungaroring is undergoing extensive redevelopment work ahead of this year’s grand prix. It revealed details of its progress so far in a new video:
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Links
Motor racing links of interest:
Mario Isola: 'We are able to build tires with high or low wear, but it depends on the specification that the sport sets. That was difficult to explain.'
Inside Revolution: A message from David Richards CBE, Motorsport UK Chair (Motorsport UK)
'We also have an ever-increasing focus on women in motorsport and there is now a growing number of role models helping to inspire the next generation. The F1 Academy Discover Your Drive Karting UK initiative, for example has seen more than a 200 per cent increase in female participation in the British Indoor Kart Championships. While FIA Girls on Track UK continues to flourish, with many new partners joining last year.'
How Hauger and Colapinto can inspire MP Motorsport to the title in 2024 (Formula 2)
'What he will want to improve is his one lap performance as shown in his Qualifying results. In 2021, he achieved four pole positions to go along with five front row starts, but despite his best efforts, that form has not translated to Formula 2.'
In EV catch-up race, legacy automakers hitch a lift with Formula E (Channel News Asia)
'Legacy automakers with electric teams say the race to maximize or regenerate power - Formula E cars start each race with only 60 per cent of the battery capacity they need and have to generate the rest through braking - helps them develop more efficient motors and invertors, and software to enhance performance and range.'
How should local small businesses affected by F1 be compensated? (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
'As for a fund to compensate businesses for their losses, LVCVA Board of Directors Chairman Jim Gibson said he isn’t ready to consider that just yet.'
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That’s a nice surprise 🙌🏻 back for more on day ✌🏻@DaleCoyneRacing @IndyCar #GoJackGo pic.twitter.com/7kHHnU2e71
— Jack Harvey (@jack_harvey93) January 23, 2024
F1 previously raced in Madrid between 1968 and 1981.
Its last race was a bizarre classic, which produced the final victory by the great Gilles Villeneuve.
Here's the story of #F1's last race in Madrid for 45 years: https://t.co/6OIA6to5B3
— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) January 23, 2024
🚨DRIVER ANNOUNCEMENT🚨
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Looking forward to the year together! 💪🙏… pic.twitter.com/9wLHaOKt3h— PREMA (@PREMA_Team) January 23, 2024
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Comment of the day
It looks like the beginning of the end for the 15 years ago today McLaren launched their final Mercedes-powered F1 car, the MP4-29
earthling (@34rthl1ng)
24th January 2024, 0:13
A win in Madrid for Fernando at 45? Sounds awesome to me
Mooa42
24th January 2024, 0:36
Even if he doesn’t win, surely try and do the race in Madrid and then retire. That’d be a great way to bow out of F1.
Shimks (@shimks)
24th January 2024, 11:34
I have a feeling Fernando will continue as an F1 driver for several years to come. He has so much passion, he is still one of the best, and he is fit enough. I think he’ll be really keen to see through the 2026 rules changes. I think he will still be with us in ’27. Of course, it also all depends on whether the team he is with gets it right, otherwise I am sure he will look for another seat or walk. I think he will stay with Aston Martin now until he retires, helping building them up. Let’s see. F1 with Alonso is always better than F1 without Alonso. So fingers crossed. And, yes, maybe he’ll get another win. I don’t doubt it, to be honest.
Jere (@jerejj)
24th January 2024, 6:11
Don’t forget Sainz, whose win there would perhaps be even more note-worthy as he’s a Madrid-native.
Asd
24th January 2024, 7:44
Nah, nobody cares about Sainz, and nobody cares about him being from Madrid. Alonso is Alonso and Sainz isn’t Alonso.
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
24th January 2024, 8:17
“Can you imagine Alonso winning in Madrid?”
It’d be so much different than him winning in Barcelona or in Valencia…
BasCB (@bascb)
25th January 2024, 9:17
:-)
Jeffrey Powell
24th January 2024, 10:37
All I can say to Domenicaly is Jack Brabham R.I.P. who won the South African G P. and nearly won in Monaco and Brands in 1970 at the age of 44. Unless he has a fitness problem it is all down to desire and whether he has winning car. Of course Black Jack had his name on the car , maybe an added incentive .
anon
24th January 2024, 20:19
Jeffrey Powell, on the other hand, the contemporary attitude amongst his peers, teams and the motorsport press of the time was that it was rather abnormal for Jack Brabham to still be racing in Formula 1 when he was in his early 40s, and there were those raising questions about his performance and physical fitness at the time.
Crawliin-from-the-wreckage (@davedai)
26th January 2024, 10:14
Well if 40 counts as early 40’s his response in the 66 Dutch GP was a classic.
Shuffling along leaning heavily on a walking stick, resplendent in fake long beard, “Geriatric Jack” was assisted into his car. Dispensed with the theatrics. Pole and GP win lapping everybody. Second and third were ” moderately successful drivers” Graham Hill and Jim Clark.
He kept racing as long as he wanted to, as it should be.
MichaelN
24th January 2024, 18:53
It’s easy to see how Stefano got his job; the man has unique insights into how F1 works.
asz
25th January 2024, 9:17
What’s more, how geography works.
Crawliin-from-the-wreckage (@davedai)
26th January 2024, 10:17
Seriously Brabhams 1966 Dutch GP entrance needs scrutiny before listing. Seriously?