🏁 Dance in the Desert

🥇Max Verstappen [393]: On his prospects for the win this weekend: “Going off the last races we were definitely not the quickest car so we’ll see what we can do here. Last year we had a fun race here but Ferrari was very fast already. This track seems to suit their car but I hope that we can be in that fight this weekend to try and win again.”

🥈Lando Norris [331]: To sum up the WDC battle: “I probably / to go up against Red Bull and Max. I think I am now, and it’s probably too late to do that.” There’s always next year… but another chance is never guaranteed.

🥉Charles Leclerc [307]: On the Vegas track: "I love all street circuits really. I just like the feeling of being so close to the wall without having the possibility to go over the limit cause you pay the price big time. I really like this track as well. it's very poor grip so you slide everywhere but it's a cool feeling anyway." The absolute madman!

4️⃣ Oscar Piastri [262]: On his performance this year: “In the race, it’s definitely been a really good improvement from last year, that’s been good. But the improvements in that have not really come at a sacrifice for qualifying approach. There’s just been a few tricky sessions – but even going back to earlier in the year, my qualifying was very strong for a nice period.” No more papaya rules. Go get another W Oscar.

5️⃣ Carlos Sainz [244]: Will drive for Williams at Abu Dhabi post-season test.

6️⃣ George Russell [192]: Admits the working window for the car is very narrow. If it’s set up how they want they can win, but small miscalculations lead to them falling way behind. “Brazil was definitely a bit of a one-off…The Sprint race is a fairer picture of where we are, and that is at the back of the front four teams."

7️⃣ Lewis Hamilton [190]: Likely to get some testing in on some old Ferrari cars over Winter break. Fred Vasseur: “I’m not sure that he needs tons of hours of acclimatization.” You’re right on that Fred. But is ‘acclimatization’ even a word? Update: I looked it up. It is indeed a word. Sorry Fred.

8️⃣ Sergio Perez [151]: To get back in the Constructors’ fight: "I think we need a couple of 1-2s from now until the end of the year, so hopefully we can get back on track.” Maybe even a 1-8? Or a 1-6? Last Red Bull double podium was China back in April.

9️⃣ Fernando Alonso [62]: Named the 2023 Monaco GP as his best race since making his return to F1 in 2021 - when he very nearly missed out on pole and the win. He said it was the most preparation he ever put in for a race in his career, studying every bump, piece of data Aston had, and watching past races.

🔟Nico Hulkenberg [31]: Not worried about 2025 given Sauber’s current mega slump. “And it just comes down to for them to develop, to put a better package on the road, which is what Haas managed to do over the winter. That will obviously be the target and the ambition for Sauber as well, to transform it over the winter.”

11. Yuki Tsunoda [28]: Was detained at the U.S. border for several hours in his PJ’s before being released. On his career situation, he says he’ll keep “destroying” teammate until he gets promoted.

12. Pierre Gasly [26]: With three more clean races to close out the season, he can become the first F1 driver in history to not cost his team a single dollar in damage over the entire season. JINX!

13. Lance Stroll [24]: BBC journalist Andrew Benson said the quiet part out loud: “Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll has never quite said it in as many words, but people who know him well and have worked for him believe he bought an F1 team for his son, and his big ambition is for Lance to become World Champion.” Newey gonna have to build a literal rocket ship and Fernando would have actually retire.

14. Esteban Ocon [23]: Doesn’t expect a repeat of Brazil: “We need to keep our foot to the ground, we won't be able to fight for podiums and nearly wins but last year here we finished fourth. But this year will be more difficult with the pace we have in the dry."

15. Kevin Magnussen [14]: On the tight midfield battle: "You can't be confident at all. We were not even thinking about Alpine at all and suddenly they are ahead of us. But since Aston Martin are struggling, now there are points available every race. Sixth for the teams means a lot." He also said the recent upgrades have given the car a “broader window” in which it can perform well.

16. Alex Albon [12]: “Looking forward” to facing Carlos Sainz in the same machinery. “People can take it two ways. They can either be threatened, or see the challenge. I definitely enjoy that challenge.”

17. Daniel Ricciardo [12]: Christian Horner says the Aussie was the “best driver on the grid” during his Red Bull debut in 2014, naming his 2018 Monaco win with an engine that dropped 30% of its power as one of his best performances.

18. Ollie Bearman [7]: Can’t run Haas’ post season test in Abu Dhabi because he’s no longer classified as a rookie. The rules state one senior driver and one rookie can participate.

19. Franco Colapinto [5]: Latest rumor is that Red Bull is currently pursuing him, and has the edge over Alpine.

20. Liam Lawson [4]: Trying to keep warm while being interviewed in Vegas. Guess it’s a bit warmer in Kiwi land.

21. Zhou Guanyu [0]: Could possibly land the role of Ferrari reserve driver for 2025. He was part of Ferrari’s driver academy earlier in his career, and was brought onto Alfa Romeo in 2022 by current Ferrari TP Fred Vasseur. There’s likely sponsorship $ to be had as well, plus boosting Ferrari’s presence in China.

22. Logan Sargeant [0]: After his test with Meyer Shank Racing in IndyCar: “It was definitely fun.”

23. Valtteri Bottas [0]: On missing out on a seat in 2025: “In the end, I still thought it was maybe a 50/50 chance. I got the call on Monday [after the Sao Paulo Grand Prix], but at least I know now. I just need to figure out what’s next.” Probably more bike racing, I’d guess.

🥇 McLaren [593]: Another Lando quote on how the team fared this season: “Reflecting on what some have called a disappointing season, he realizes why people say it but says he’s proud of the progress the team has made, adding “Not as many [missed opportunities] as people think. And people in general think it's been a lot worse than it's been, that we've been a lot quicker than we have been.” I’m not sure I agree… I think this one was there for the taking.

🥈 Ferrari [557]: Both Charles and Carlos will test an experimental floor during practice this weekend to see how data for 2025 correlates on track. It adds a sizeable slot gap at the rear corner and has aggressive down wash added. The goal looks to be reducing ride height sensitivity.

🥉 Red Bull [544]: Reported rivals for using “special protection” on their skid blocks to prevent wear. The FIA has issue a technical directive outlawing the measure, which had allowed about half the grid to run lower and create more downforce.

4️⃣ Mercedes [382]: 150 fans will get the chance to have their name printed on Lewis Hamilton’s car for his last Mercedes race in Abu Dhabi. Enter here. I enter every F1 contest I see. Haven’t sniffed the podium yet though.

5️⃣ Aston Martin [86]: Announce Glenfiddich Single Malt Whisky as new sponsorship partner. Now this is a sponsor I can get behind. Way better than Kit-Kat.

6️⃣ Alpine [49]: Watch the pit crew celebrate Brazil’s double podium. Will rock the pink livery for the remaining three races [hit the link, or see it below].

7️⃣ Haas [46]: Nailed the vibe with the “Haas Vegas” moniker for the weekend. Love it. Very clever. Double points guaranteed.

8️⃣ VCARB [44]: Debuting a special glittery livery with aqua highlights [hit the link or see below]. Nice color. They should make the whole car aqua.

9️⃣ Williams [17]: Will have both cars ready and at Brazil spec ready for Vegas, despite early week rumors that they may have to sit out. Bravo to the mechanics.

🔟Kick Sauber [0]: Unveiled their special Vegas livery with a bright green flame look. Think it will help the car go faster? [Hit the link, or see it with Alpine’s below]

• The Customer is Wrong: A potential rule change is in the works for 2026 that would require customer teams who finish P5 for better in the WCC to design all non-listed parts on their own after a period of 3 years. Haas TP Komatsu hopes this gets rejected: "It would be a killer for the small teams. If Formula 1 wants as many teams as possible to be competitive, then it will reject this rule. What better thing could happen to the sport than David winning against Goliath?"

• Groove Like it’s 1999: For the first time in 25 years, the brake disc groove has made a comeback. The diagonal cuts on the brake disc break up the continuous smooth surface, which creates more friction between the brake pad and the disc and consequently produces a sharper initial response from the brake. The drivers also receive more tactile feel through the brake pedal as a result, making it easier to adjust the amount of force they apply to the brake. Brake Disc(o) Groove sounds like a dance your crazy aunt was doing in the 1970’s.

• More Legos: All 10 teams will be available in the new LEGO Speed Champions sets to be released in March. $27 each. Not bad at all for LEGO.

• Hanging Up the Mic: Damon Hill will leave Sky Sports after 13 years.

• Helmet of the Week Award: Ocon will be rocking the Captain America inspired look in Vegas. Not to be confused with the Helmut of the Week Award. Which has been given to Marko for as long as I can remember.

• WEC: Mercedes will enter the World Endurance Championship in 2025.

• 2025 Calendar: Next year’s schedule is here. Three more triple headers. Plan your trips starting now 🔽 

Quick Question (My answer)

I think Max clinches the WDC this weekend, but Charles gets the win.