Wheatley jumps Red Bull ship – Good Month, Bad Month October 2024

Good

Green Grass
Christian Horner’s Red Bull heir apparent Jonathan Wheatley will jump to Audi as team principal next year. Impressive he managed 18 years in Milton Keynes to be honest.

Mercurial Force
After looking hopeless for two years, Mercedes is a regular winner again. Can it now sneak up on the Red Bull/ McLaren fight?

Staid stand-off
F1’s most protracted contract saga ever finally ended when Carlos Sainz signed for Williams, F1’s ninth-best team. What will we write about now?!

Full Flavio
It appears arch deal-maker Flavio Briatore is ringing the changes at Alpine, with new team boss Oliver Oakes pulled in and the Viry engine department about to be jettisoned. Like he’s never been away…

Unbiased approach
McLaren’s drivers admitted its current team orders stance still wouldn’t give precedence to Norris, Verstappen’s nearest challenger – pleasing Piastri.

Bad

Lack of Talent Factory
Marko’s men used to be the ultimate F1 cannon fodder, but now Red Bull is scared to use a junior in place of struggling Pérez.

Total Wipeout
Seems like Logan Sergeant was on a mission to write off as many Williams cars as possible. Now he’s been given his marching orders by Grove.

African Expedition
You thought the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (and other sporting accoutrements) was the ultimate PR challenge? Wrong! Step forward the mooted Rwandan GP…

Steak out
Despite Merc’s resurgence, George Russell has revealed he didn’t follow his correct diet pre-Spa, meaning he too was extra light in the underweight car. Someone get this man a Big Mac.

Washed up
Zandvoort’s relatively brief F1 return could soon be over in an argument over unsold tickets. Shame the world championship doesn’t appear interested in keeping its classic tracks…