The resignations of Alpine technical director Matt Harman and chief of aerodynamics Dirk de Beer were made before the opening race of the season, though Harman was still in situ during the first two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The new car had missed some key targets regarding aero performance and weight and had to be strengthened after failing the side impact test. It was the slowest of all at both venues.
Ferrariwas already targeting key members of the Red Bull technical department even before the latest controversies within Red Bull caused questions to be asked about whether Adrian Newey would choose to stay. The names of technical director Pierre Waché and aero chief Enrico Balbo continue to be linked with the Italians.
Aston Martin has recruited Bob Bell as executive director technical reporting to team principal Mike Krack. Bell – who was a key part of the design team of two of F1’s most successful cars, the 1988 McLaren MP4/4 and the 2014 Mercedes W05 – had been in an advisory role to Alpine. The recruitment has been made with a view to the increased focus on the 2026 project and the new alliance with PU partner Honda.
Felipe Massa has formally initiated his legal action against Formula 1 and the FIA regarding Singapore 2008. His contention that he lost the world championship on account of the results not being invalidated despite the bodies’ alleged knowledge before the end of the season of the Renault team’s subversion of the race’s outcome is at the heart of his action. Massa and his legal team are not seeking to have the title re-awarded, but rather are claiming loss of earnings damages which they estimate to be in the region of £64m.
