Brown hopes McLaren will “rack up some more podiums” with Miami upgrades

In brief

Brown wants more podiums with Miami upgrades

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown says his team are aiming to score more podiums with their upcoming car updates following Lando Norris’s third place last weekend in Australia.

Speaking with Channel 4 in Melbourne, Brown said the team were working to introduce upgrades to their car after the Japanese Grand Prix next weekend.

“I think Miami’s the game plan at the moment,” he said. “We’re pushing hard, as is everybody else. But I think if we can stay on the development trajectory we’ve been on since the second half of last year, we should just get quicker and rack up some more podiums this year.”

Lola returns to a world championship

Lola’s motorsport director, Mark Preston, said entering Formula E was “more than just an opportunity to return Lola to the track, it’s also a fantastic platform for technological development.”

“Lola Cars has a decorated history of success in chassis and aerodynamic design,” he continued. “This project will allow us to create a unique electrified platform with a software focus at its core to provide a basis for Lola’s wider plans in defining the future of motorsport technology.”

Nissan unveil special Tokyo livery

Ahead of this weekend’s first every Tokyo Eprix, the Nissan team has revealed a special livery it will run for the race.

Nissan are currently third in the constructors’ championship on 88 points, seven points behind second-placed Porsche.

Links

Motor racing links of interest:

So, you want to be an Aero Design Engineer? (Aston Martin)

''An Aero Design Engineer works with the aerodynamicists, machinists and ADM (Advanced Digital Manufacturing) technicians to test wind tunnel models, which are scaled at 60 per cent. An Aero Design Engineer acts as a middleman between these groups, understanding what they want to achieve with particular parts of the car and then determining whether it's actually achievable. Beyond that, it's all about creating the models, which are tested in the wind tunnel.''

Flavio Briatore: Former Formula 1 boss and ex-Queens Park Rangers co-owner has heart surgery (BBC)

'Ex-Renault Formula 1 boss and former Queens Park Rangers co-owner Flavio Briatore has undergone heart surgery to remove a benign tumour. The Italian, 73, said he has been discharged from hospital in Milan following the operation.'

NASCAR continues to lead the way in US viewership as F1 and IndyCar plateau (Blackbook Motorsport)

'The Australian Grand Prix reached an average viewership of 541,000 on ESPN-2, a three per cent decrease compared to last year even though the 2023 race was run on the main ESPN channel. While only a small decrease, it means all three of the Formula One's races this season have recorded viewership falls compared to 2023.'

Jake Dennis on sports cars, Formula 1 and finding a home in Formula E (Silverstone)

'With Formula E only racing until July, I have quite a lot of spare time still, and Red Bull obviously use that time wisely. From July onwards, I’m in the simulator a lot more and helping as much as I possibly can. Red Bull are fully onboard, they know my career is in Formula E and when they can, they’ll use me on the simulator for as many days as possible.'

Nissan becomes first manufacturer to commit to Formula E GEN4 (Formula E)

'During a press conference held in Tokyo ahead of the first ever Formula E race in Japan, Nissan Formula E Team Managing Director and Team Principal Tommaso Volpe signed the official registration document for car manufacturers in the FIA Formula E World Championship for Seasons 13 (2026/27) to 16 (2029/30), together with FIA Senior Circuit Sport Director Marek Nawarecki and in the presence of Formula E Chief Executive Officer Jeff Dodds.'

How I got a job in NASCAR with zero experience (Alanis King via YouTube)

'A few months ago, I reached out to NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Brad Perez with one question: 'Can I be your NASCAR spotter at Circuit of The Americas?'. Brad needed at least three spotters to navigate COTA, a 3.41-mile road course that also hosts MotoGP and F1, but my only 'experience' was that I watch a lot of NASCAR racing and have a YouTube channel. He responded: 'I ain’t scared.'''

Doug and Drivers: Helio Castroneves reflects on career, drive for five and Gil de Ferran (IMS via YouTube)

'On this episode of Doug and Drivers, IMS President Doug Boles sits down with four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves. The modern legend discusses his historic Drive for Five, his transition to an ownership role within Meyer Shank Racing, the loss of his dear friend Gil de Ferran, and more.'

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Social media

Notable posts from X (formerly Twitter), TikTok and more:

What do you get when you cross the MP4/4, @LEGO_Group and a pit-stop?

Answer: A work of art. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/RAw8SK9OL1

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) March 28, 2024

How does your Team Principal end his day at the track? #HaasF1 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/Ua1hI39EMB

— MoneyGram Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) March 28, 2024

Interesting point to note, picked up by a redditor, Albon's visor opens during his crash.
It should be kept locked in the closed position by a hole in the visor locating over a peg. #F1 #f1tech
📸 helmet pic: @mdm_designs https://t.co/lkCSVSkpTD pic.twitter.com/XjMdgwxpoW

— Craig Scarborough (@ScarbsTech) March 27, 2024

🎧to @GrahamRahal during media bullpen explain the hybrid system.@IndyCar • @HondaRacing_US pic.twitter.com/h6bTogLDyn

— Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (@RLLracing) March 28, 2024

Last to first challenge on @iRacing ? 👀

Jump onboard with the 2022 F1 Esports World Champion, @LucasBlakeley01, around the Mugello Circuit 🏎️🇮🇹

Make sure to visit https://t.co/Q9SLKGsYyl for details on securing your one-year access to iRacing + the Official FIA F4 car pic.twitter.com/NKxh4qCVJF

— FIA (@fia) March 28, 2024

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• Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory

Comment of the day

With Mercedes continuing to struggle to work out how to return to the very front of the field again, pete is just as baffled by Mercedes’ inability to figure out their own cars…

The thing that has amazed me about Mercedes over these past few years is that they never seem to know what is going on with their cars. It’s like they lack the fundamental understanding of what they’re actually trying to achieve with their designs.

They constantly highlight issues like this – “we struggle when the temperature goes up.” Great – so what is causing that problem? Why is your car worse when the temp goes up? They don’t seem to be able to address that next step.

I expect them to battle with their car for a while before determining that the car is a bit of a diva (not their fault – it’s the car’s fault) and coming back next year with another new design.

If Lewis Hamilton wants another win before he retires, he’s made a brilliant decision to move to another front-running team because Mercedes have done nothing over the last few years to suggest they are moving forward.
pete

Happy birthday!

Happy birthday to Blake, Hatebreeder, Thekingofspa, Fanl and Wsrgo!

On this day in motorsport

• 15 years ago today Jenson Button led a sensational one-two for Brawn on the team’s debut, while Lewis Hamilton was disqualified over an incident with Jarno Trulli