🏁 Gimme a Break

🥇Max Verstappen [393]: Participated in the Race for Mental Health sim racing event during the off week. Because naturally time off for Max always involves racing. His digital livery even had a shot of Lando’s car going off track in Interlagos with the caption “Think Different.” 😁 

🥈Lando Norris [331]: On what he must do to challenge Max in 2025 from The Race: Improve racecraft aggression, be more assertive off track regarding team decisions, and improve starts? Starts seem like an obvious improvement - but some think it’s more of a technical issue than a Lando one. His reaction times are usually quicker than Max, but Red Bull’s car is a great starter on low grip surfaces.

🥉Charles Leclerc [307]: Thinks the team’s tire management progress this year might actually hinder them in what was a strength in 2023: Las Vegas pace. The cold conditions last year turned their quick tire warm up issue into a strength with a 1-2 quali last year (which was negated by that unfortunate Sainz drain pipe incident).

4️⃣ Oscar Piastri [262]: Visited ex-Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson’s farm during the break, says “Not sure Piastri’s farm will be happening any time soon” after failing to park a trailer in a barn.

5️⃣ Carlos Sainz [244]: Concedes that not landing a top seat for 2025 was an ego hit: “It hurt at the time, we all have egos, and I have a driver ego, and I couldn’t understand it at the time…But at the same time, it creates even more of a challenge in me, and it even makes me more excited for Williams.”

6️⃣ George Russell [192]: In the new Mercedes book, Inside Mercedes F1: Life in the Fast Lane, author Matt Whyman explains the differences between how the two Brits give feedback: “Where George is very prescriptive and very lyrical and describes things in a very accurate way, Lewis is much more emotional about his description of what is going on with the car.” Surprising that George isn’t the emotional one.

7️⃣ Lewis Hamilton [190]: On that now famous Toto meeting: “It was the hardest meeting I’ve ever had,” Hamilton said. “I needed to do it in person because that’s what integrity is all about, but I knew it would be difficult. Ultimately, as humans, we’re hurt when things end. But I also know that our friendship goes beyond business. That’s how I view it, and I hope Toto does too.”

8️⃣ Sergio Perez [151]: Some outlets are reporting that he’s slated to return in 2025 after Christian Horner greenlighted the Mexican sponsorship deals for next season. Dolla dolla bills y’all. Though I bet Colapinto could bring in some cash too…

9️⃣ Fernando Alonso [62]: Opened up about the numerous talks he’s had with Red Bull over the years, and how he has no regrets in never joining the squad. “When you take a decision, you take it fully committed to that and thinking that is the best decision. No one has a crystal ball to know what is going to happen in the future.”

🔟Nico Hulkenberg [31]: On the benefits of flying private from Aviation International News: “The less stress you have outside of your job…the energy you can save on the travel side, it helps. You can focus on what matters.” Nailed it, Nico. Same reason I always fly private.

11. Yuki Tsunoda [28]: Feels the red flag cost him a big opportunity in Brazil: "Just the safety car and the red flag came out, that was the point that went very down. If the red flag didn't come out, probably I would, at some point, have overtaken a lot of cars and maybe [been] P1, but it just didn't come towards us." Big ifs. But anything was possible that day…

12. Pierre Gasly [26]: In our second Jeremy Clarkson related post of the week - the Brazil podium scorer posed with him for a pic while one held a podium trophy, and the other held a beer.

13. Lance Stroll [24]: Gunther Steiner with some harsh words on his Brazil “brain fart”: “He knew he did something stupid on the formation lap…I think he panicked” adding that he doesn’t think Stroll “wants to be an F1 driver.” Kicking the man while he’s down! Watch Lance stick it to the haters once he’s in Newey’s car… that would be something eh?

14. Esteban Ocon [23]: Got a surprise podium celebration from his SO after returning from Brazil. Easy winner for wholesome moment of the week ✨ 

15. Kevin Magnussen [14]: It sounds like there could be a role for him at Haas next year as he says he and the team “know what they want to do.” Enforcer, bouncer, overall intimidator? Probably something like that.

16. Alex Albon [12]: While he says Liam Lawson is in a “win-win” situation regards to next year (likely VCARB, but maybe Red Bull), but is hesitant to say he should join the big squad. “Do you need to jump into the main team that quickly against Max? From my experience, it’s not a bad thing to spend a couple of years learning your craft a bit more.” But if the chance did come up, obviously he has to take it.

17. Daniel Ricciardo [12]: Got some padel in with Max this week, and apparently they got beat by a 13 year old. Padel, it’s not pickleball ™️ 

18. Ollie Bearman [7]: How the Brazil GP was a baptism by fire for the F1 rookies. “I needed to stay on track the whole time, and unfortunately, I didn’t do that.” Usually best to stay on track. But those conditions were near impossible for a newbie to excel in.

19. Franco Colapinto [5]: How he became an instant F1 hit. “A lot of things have been happening. It’s been good, better than what the team was hoping for which is always a positive.”

20. Liam Lawson [4]: Feature article on getting to know the young driver. On the first time he ever drove something: “I cried! The first time I got in my go-kart…just turning on the engine, I started crying. It was probably good that we got through that before going to the track!”

21. Zhou Guanyu [0]: On the tough season: “It's definitely hurting a little bit overall for the career but that's the case now we just try to give it all our best.” I’d bet he could land in another series, he has strong sponsorship backing. Plus the car is doody.

22. Logan Sargeant [0]: Meyer Shenk Racing of IndyCar teased an upcoming test for the former Williams driver on social media.

23. Valtteri Bottas [0]: Just Bottas Things: Completed an Ironman triathlon in the “comfort” of his own home during the off week by swimming 2.4 miles in his pool, bikng 112 miles on his peloton, and running a marathon on his treadmill. 11 hours and 7000 calories burned. Guys a machine.

🥇 McLaren [593]: TP Stella on missed opportunities this season: “I think we got some learning, for instance, from Austria. We got a little too close. And the points we're missing from Austria, because of having had a proper collision and then being knocked out of the race, are points that we regret.” He mentioned an Austin penalty he didn’t agree with as well. Gotta say I think he missed a few from the list though..

🥈 Ferrari [557]: Charlos and the team will be collaborating with Paramount on the release of Gladiator 2 later this year. Didn’t even know this was a thing and it comes out a week from today. I should probably watch the first one huh. No spoilers, please.

🥉 Red Bull [544]: Rumor is that Horner prefers Colapinto for the Red Bull seat while Helmut Marko prefers Lawson. While Horner might have more sway now, it may not matter since the Mexican sponsors want Perez.

4️⃣ Mercedes [382]: A new book titled Inside Mercedes F1: Life in the Fast Lane from journalist Matt Whyman details the team’s struggles in 2023 and early 2024. Topics covered in the book include what was supposed to be a comeback year, Hamilton’s Ferrari move, and how the support off track can impact a race.

5️⃣ Aston Martin [86]: TP Krack says this is the team’s “toughest” season yet since they’ve failed to reach expectations. The effort has turned to mixing and matching upgrades to try to find the correct path for 2025 development. Performance Director Tom McCullough: “The way the AMR25 developments are going at the moment, which is in effect an evolution of the philosophies that we've adopted, we're making quite good strides in the wind tunnel.” He also added: “Help us Adrian Newey. You’re our only hope.”

6️⃣ Alpine [49]: It’s official: The team will use Mercedes power units and gearboxes from 2026 through at least 2030.

7️⃣ Haas [46]: Former driver Romain Grosjean heaps praise on Komatsu for turning the team’s fortune this season. “It’s fantastic. It almost makes me feel like I want to race for them again!” Key word, almost..

8️⃣ VCARB [44]: Will receive the RB20 gearbox and suspension from Vegas onward, which is expected to yield a .1s gain. Can this give them the edge in the midfield fight? Either that or Lawson keeps throwing elbows.

9️⃣ Williams [17]: After some big accidents in Brazil, TP Vowles says “There’s no team on the grid that can cope with five major accidents in two race weekends.” The team is trying to do what they can within the parts and money constraints they now face to try to get both cars up to spec.

🔟Kick Sauber [0]: Binotto reveals the team had talks with “strong candidate” Mick Schumacher before deciding on Gabriel Bartoleto for the 2025 seat. “I know him very well from the past, and I know strengths and maybe as well weaknesses, but certainly I think he would have been as well a good choice.”

• Aston Tech Shakeup: Technical Director Dan Fallows will step down from his role, but will remain with the team in some capacity. While he led last year’s successful 8 podium effort, this year has been a struggle. Plus, ya know, Newey gonna come in and do his thing.

• Red Bull Front Bib Cleared: The FIA paid a visit to Milton Keynes to investigate the team’s front bib adjuster, which rivals had alleged was used to make tweaks in parc ferme. Their verdict was “Nah, it’s all good here. Case closed.”

• Top 3 Strengths: Our hero @FDataAnalysis breaks down the strengths of the top three teams, based on telemetry data analysis from this season 🔽 

• Time to Bless the Rains: The Kyalami circuit in South Africa has been given the green light to be upgraded to F1 status. Officials hope to have work done to get the track back on the calendar for 2027.

• God Defend New Zealand: F1’s newest pot stirrer Liam Lawson calls for the New Zealand national anthem to be played instead of “God Save the King” for McLaren podiums. The brand was founded by New Zealander Bruce McLaren in 1963. “Red Bull play the Austrian national anthem and the team's based in the UK. McLaren's based in the UK, but it's a New Zealand team. It's completely bulls***, that's what it is” said the VCARB rookie. He’s got a point. Check it out here. It def belongs on an F1 podium.

• F1’s Race Director Out: Niels Wittich will be replaced by F2 and F3 race director Rui Marques for the remainder of the season. Rumor is this wasn’t his decision.

• Gimme a Break: In news related to everyone’s least favorite Halloween candy, Kit Kat has become the official Chocolate bar partner of Formula 1 on a multi-year deal. Now I’m well aware of silly partnerships that exist in the corporate world, but this is too far. Not only is Kit Kat a trash candy, it’s not even really a chocolate bar. Funny enough I had a dream about a white chocolate version a few days before this news came out, and it wasn’t so bad. Any dream analyzers wanna tell me what that means? Am I being unfair to Kit Kat here?

Quick Question (My answer)

Heck yea I’ll be staying up to watch. Wish Lando was still in the fight though to make it more exciting, but there’s a good chance Max clinches the title which could be cool. Would be better than his clinches the past two seasons where one was under confusion and the other was in a Sprint race. Vegas baby!