The jewel in the crown of all motorsports will be back in action next month, and SBOTOP is privileged to keep Formula 1 fans in the know with the latest news surrounding the paddock.
Here are some of the headlines every motorhead needs to know before the travelling circus makes its way back to Bahrain to start the 2024 season.
Mercedes engines continue to rev up Williams and McLaren
It has been reported that Williams Racing have extended their engine contract with Mercedes until 2030, bolstering their harmonious partnership since 2014, and will continue amidst the new engine relegations, which will be firm during the 2026 season.
This comes at the most opportune time for the inspired Williams leadership, who are primed to improve on their encouraging seventh-place finish last campaign after finishing dead last in the constructor’s championship in the 2022–23 season.
Their extension highlights Williams’ long-term mindset and their confidence in what they’ve been able to build on so far. With their sound judgment and patience, expect similar or even stronger Formula 1 2024 results from the crew from Wantage.
But Williams aren’t the only team garnering success with the Mercedes engines, as McLaren also boast a strong 2023–24 campaign using the German manufacturer’s engine.
Given their success, the Papayas also extended their existing partnership with Mercedes into 2030. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri delivered convincing results last season with their outsourced engine, garnering points and finishing fourth in the constructor’s championship, and with their extension with Mercedes, McLaren are confident they’ll stay in the mix in the future.
“The extension signifies the confidence that our shareholders and the wider team have in their powertrains and the direction we’re taking with them into the new era of regulations ahead,” McLaren Racing boss Zak Brown boasted.
Williams and McLaren sticking with Mercedes engines might not move the needle that much, given that teams like Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes are poised to stay atop the standings, but expect at least a little bump to their Formula 1 2024 odds once the season starts.
Aramco-Aston Martin partnership intensifies
Speaking of extensions of partnerships, Stroll’s Aston Martin and one of the world’s biggest oil companies, Aramco, have reached an agreement to extend their collaboration with a speculated five-year contract. With this, the Saudi-based Aramco becomes the exclusive sponsor of the Aston Martin Formula 1 team.
Big boss Lawrence Stroll remains the top shareholder with 26.23 per cent, while Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has increased its stake in the British luxury car manufacturer to 20.5 per cent from the previous 17.9 per cent. With this relatively new landscape, the team has embraced its new identity as the Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 team.
This partnership primes Aston Martin with advanced fuels and lubricants, specifically for their upcoming Honda engine deal starting in 2026.
“We already enjoy an important strategic relationship (with Aramco) and their support as our title partner for the next five years is a clear demonstration of our shared ambition,” Stroll stated.
Silver Arrows have Hamilton’s back
After finishing the season as the top driver not racing for Red Bull and after signing a renewed contract, doubts over the pairing of the Silver Arrows and Hamilton are extinguished.
In fact, the team at Mercedes is keen on delivering the seven-time world champion a car tailor-knit to his specifications entering the 2024 season. It was evident that the W13 and W14 rocket ships were difficult to tame, which led to a pedestrian last two seasons for the once dominant Silver Arrows.
This time around, the W15 will boast an entirely different approach and will have no ties to the tepid W13 and W14. And with both drivers, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, securing contract extensions until the end of 2025, immense pressure now bears on the crew at Brackley to produce a car that will be capable of putting their drivers in a position to not only be in the mix but pose a legitimate threat to their rivals, Red Bull Racing.
It was evident that Hamilton had numerous problems with W14, as he seemed to have a labouring drive every race day, but despite his struggles, No. 44 was still able to put up convincing results almost every time.
One vital request the seven-time champion requested for W15 is to move the cockpit’s position further back, which technical director James Allison is keen on providing. Mercedes still have no official release date for W15, and it will be interesting to see how they fare next season given all the customizations they’ll need to provide on their car for 2024, with the season commencing just over a month away.
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