The F1 silly season isn’t restricted just to drivers.
In the mission to be as prepared as possible for the new technical regulations in 2026, teams are aggressively chasing personnel to bolster their stocks.
Red Bull Racing has been a particular target, with McLaren the most recent team to successfully pinch a high-profile designer in the form of Rob Marshall, who will be one of its three technical directors from next year.
Ferrari is reportedly holding out permission for Laurent Mekies to join AlphaTauri team principal until the Red Bull family releases several staffers to Maranello.
But not every signing needs to be so difficult, with Sauber picking up a former McLaren technical director from off the market in preparation for Audi’s full takeover in 2026.
Meanwhile, Formula 1 is seeking some financial assistance from Las Vegas local authorities to stand up the first Las Vegas Grand Prix later this year, and the second-ever Qatar Grand Prix will be run at a heavily upgraded circuit following the revelation of major capital works.
SAUBER GETS NEW TECHNICAL DIRECTOR AHEAD OF AUDI SWITCH
Former McLaren designer James Key will join Sauber-run Alfa Romeo as technical director ahead of its transition into the Audi works team by 2026.
Key, who held the same role at McLaren before the team’s restructure in April, will start work on 1 September this year.
Incumbent Jan Monchaux will leave the role after four years in the job.
The signing reunites Key with Andreas Seidl, the Sauber CEO who was formerly team principal at McLaren.
“I am delighted to welcome James back home to Hinwil as he joins us to shape the future of this team,” Seidl said.
“He will lead the transformation process of the technical side of the team, giving us the tools and direction we need to tackle the future.
“I also want to thank Jan for his precious contribution to taking Sauber to where it is now, following our most successful season in a decade, in which we climbed to sixth place in the constructors championship.”
Key previously held the Sauber technical directorship in 2010 and 2011. The 2012 car, largely designed under his stewardship, remains the most successful of the team’s post-BMW era.
“I have very fond memories of my time there,” he said. “I am looking forward to leading the technical side of the team at one of the most critical junctures of its long history as we head towards a new and exciting future.
“I am grateful to Andreas for the confidence he has placed in me and look forward to repaying his trust and working closely with him on the challenges and ambitions ahead.”
German auto giant Audi is in the process of acquiring the Sauber team. It bought 25 per cent of the operation in January, with its stake to rise to 75 per cent by 2025.
Alfa Romeo will give up naming rights to the team at the end of this season ahead of an Audi rebranding in 2026.
F1 SEEKING VEGAS FUNDING TOP-UP FOR TRACK BUILD
Formula 1 is seeking US$40 million (A$59.9 million) from Las Vegas authorities for infrastructure upgrades to run the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix later this year.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal has reported setting up the circuit for the first event on 16-18 November will cost US$80 million (A$119.8 million), half of which the sport wants to recoup from the local Clark County government.
Circuit upgrades include barrier installation, pedestrian management and the resurfacing of public roads to form the track, which started in April this year but will take until September to complete.
The Review-Journal has reported a meeting of Clark County commissioners voted 4-3 in favour of entering into negotiations with Formula 1 over the multimillion-dollar request.
Unlike most other races, which are funded by local promoters or governments, Formula 1 is running the Las Vegas Grand Prix completely in-house, meaning it bears all the financial risk.
Vegas has already been marked as the most expensive race to attend as a fan, with the cheapest grandstand seat coming in at over $3000.
Las Vegas Grand Prix CEO Renee Wilm said earlier this year that an independent economic study found the first race, which will be held down the iconic Strip, could bring in almost US$1 billion (A$1.5 billion) in visitor spending.
Around 100,000 spectators are expected to attend each day of the three-day event, which will run from Thursday to Saturday.
QATAR GETS MAJOR UPGRADE AHEAD OF F1 RETURN
The Losail International Circuit is being heavily upgraded ahead of the first Formula 1 race of a 10-year hosting agreement for the Qatar Grand Prix.
Qatar hosted a one-off race in 2021 to bolster the Covid-affected calendar, but negotiations for the stand-in round led to a longer term deal starting this year.
The decade-long deal has forced the 18-year-old circuit to make some major infrastructure upgrades, including a massively revamped pit and paddock complex to accommodate Formula 1 and its booming popularity.
Previously limited grandstand capacity will also be increased to accommodate up to 52,500 fans and 5000 VIP hospitality guests.
The 16-turn, 5.418-kilometre circuit layout will remain unchanged.
The major renovation work required the postponement of the Qatar MotoGP round, which has typically opened the season, to 17–19 November.
Formula 1 will inaugurate the new infrastructure on 6–8 October as the 17th round of the season.
The costly investment in upgrading the permanent circuit suggests the original plan to run the Formula 1 Grand Prix on a Doha street circuit has been shelved for the foreseeable future, though Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation CEO Amro Al-Hamad told reporters a switch in venue hadn’t been ruled out entirely.
“It was one of the many ideas that we had already on our agenda,” he said. “It‘s just something that we explored. Maybe, probably, it’s going to be something in the future.
“I‘m not telling you it’s going to be, but we’re just open now for so many ideas. We are not leaving any stone unturned, but it’s not confirmed news or anything.“
