In the round-up: Giancarlo Fisichella is supporting a bid by the nation of Tanzania to build a Formula 1-standard race track.
In brief
Fisichella backing Tanzania grand prix track bid
Former Formula 1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella is consulting on an effort to build a Formula 1-spec race track in Zanzibar, off the coast of Tanzania.
In a post on social media, the Italian Consulate of Tanzania said that the former Ferrari, Force India and Renault driver was consulting on a bid to create a €500m race circuit in the area.
Construction on the proposed project is due to begin later next year with initial work completed “by the end of 2027.”
Buhler gets ART FREC seat
Lena Buhler, who finished runner-up in the inaugural F1 Academy season last year, will compete in the Formula Regional European Championship in 2024 with ART
The 26-year-old will race in the FREC for the third time in four years. She ran most of a season in 2021 and just two rounds in 2022, both with the R-Ace GP team.
The Sauber junior driver will race with the ART team in the championship, which begins in May at Hockenheim.
Wisnicki named final Rodin F3 driver
Piotr Wisnicki will be the third and final driver for the Rodin team (formerly Carlin) in this year’s Formula 3 championship.
The 20-year-old was named by the team yesterday, completing their line up for 2024 alongside Callum Vosin and Joseph Loake. Wisnicki competed in the opening eight races of last season, taking a best finish of 18th in the Monaco sprint race.
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Links
Motor racing links of interest:
The thorny geographical issue hanging over new Haas boss (Speedcafe)
‘How to get the best out of a team operating out of three different countries has long been an issue for Haas, one which has become a geographical thorn in its side the longer time has gone on. Its primary base is in Kannapolis, North Carolina, where administrative matters are overseen, and whilst not directly involved in the function of the race team, still plays a vital role in the day-to-day running of the entire operation. The race team is then split between two factories in the United Kingdom and Italy.’
Biggest UK Taxpayers 2024 (The Times – paywall)
‘Former F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone appears in second place on the list, after paying £650m in tax and penalties to Britain’s Revenue and Customs service to avoid jail after it was discovered he failed to acknowledge keeping more than £400m in a trust in Singapore when asked by the authorities.’
Haas F1 Team knitted driver’s suit sweepstakes (Starlight US via Rally Up)
‘One super fan and lucky winner will receive a one-of-a-kind MoneyGram Haas F1 Team driver’s suit. And not just any driver’s suit: a KNITTED driver’s suit worn by Kevin Magnussen himself in MoneyGram’s holiday campaign. Proceeds benefit Starlight Children’s Foundation, a non-profit on a mission to deliver happiness to seriously ill kids and their families, ensuring that hospitals are easier places for kids to be’
Former racing driver David Coulthard looking for first female F1 world champion (ITV)
”There’s thousands of boys go into karting every year with the hope of being Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen, but there’s only a handful of girls go into karting because they don’t get encouraged to do it in the same way or they don’t believe there’s a route towards having a career at the other side of it. So what we want to do is encourage more young girls into karting.”
CEVA Logistics extends worldwide relationship with Ferrari (CEVA)
‘As a Team Partner of Scuderia Ferrari, the CEVA Logistics logo will remain on Scuderia Ferrari’s new 2024 single-seater, on the team’s vehicles, and on the equipment and clothing of the drivers and racing team. Scuderia Ferrari’s new 2024 single-seater will be unveiled on Feb. 13. In addition to its brand exposure in the Formula 1 World Championship, CEVA Logistics will be visible in other series, such as the GT Ferrari Challenge.’
TV production company co-founded by Jake Humphrey and David Coulthard denied ‘significant growth’ (City AM)
‘The group comprises of live sports and non-scripted production company Whisper, Chapter 3 Graphics and East Media and secured the investment of Sony Pictures Television in February 2020. Whisper, which recently announced that it will continue to produce Channel 4’s F1 coverage until 2026, has operations in London, Cardiff, Maidenhead and Salford. For the year to March 31, 2023, Whisper Films posted a pre-tax loss of £334,682 compared to a profit of £624,646 in the prior 12 months. However, its turnover jumped from £46.3m to £57.4m over the same period.’
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Social media
Notable posts from X (formerly Twitter), TikTok and more:
Lando on why he renewed his contract. 🧡
And some words on our Team Principal, Andrea Stella. 👊
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) January 26, 2024
Great to have Lando sign a multi-year contract with the team beyond 2025!
Looking forward to making many more memories with the most exciting driver line-up on the grid!! pic.twitter.com/UhrYhhBv9i
— Zak Brown (@ZBrownCEO) January 26, 2024
So, after all that, the 10 Formula 1 teams of 2024 are:
Red Bull
Mercedes
Ferrari
McLaren
Aston Martin
Alpine
Williams
RB
Sauber
HaasAnd Andretti are still waiting to find out whether they’ll get to join in…#F1
— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) January 26, 2024
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Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Shelley Lee, Tnfox and David Clifford!
On this day in motorsport
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