F1 Round Up: The end of AlphaTauri, Mercedes B-spec W14, Ferrari filming day

Red Bull confirms: AlphaTauri will change name in 2024

In an attempt to restore the balance between Red Bull's junior and senior teams, AlphaTauri is set for a complete overhaul in 2024.

According to Helmut Marko, the Red Bull motorsport advisor, the AlphaTauri name will be retired and the team rebranded in alignment with Red Bull's regulations.

As Marko explained to Austrian publication, Kleine Zeitung, "AlphaTauri will have two new leaders in 2024, Laurent Mekies and Peter Bayer."

"There will be new sponsors and a new name... The orientation is clear: follow Red Bull Racing as far as the regulations allow. Own designs are the wrong way to go."

The current leadership team will step aside at the end of the year, offering an opportune moment for rebranding, especially considering the team's dipping performance over the past couple of seasons.

Marko is hopeful yet cautious about the team's future, and when questioned about the roles of drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Nyck de Vries, he remained ambivalent.

Marko believes that the team's present struggle is a collective effort and everyone has room for improvement.

Mercedes downplays the impact of new sidepod introduction

James Allison, Mercedes' technical director, has dismissed claims that the addition of sidepods to the 'B-spec' W14 has been a primary factor in the team's recent uptick in performance.

Following Mercedes' performance upgrade at the Monaco Grand Prix, the addition of sidepods was the most visually apparent change to their vehicle.

However, in an interview with Germany's AMuS, Allison stated, "Everything we changed on the car we could have done with the old sidepods...

"The shape of the sidepods, or better the engine cover, has nothing to do with what we did with the underbody or the front axle."

Allison's dismissal of the sidepods' impact indicates a broader perspective on performance, viewing it as a result of comprehensive, integrated changes rather than the addition of a single component.

He also stressed the constant evolution of their car, refuting the 'B-spec' terminology and emphasizing that the team doesn't think in those categories.

Ferrari test new parts during filming day

In a recent behind-the-scenes test session at Fiorano, Ferrari broke cover with an array of aerodynamic innovations for the SF-23.

Carlos Sainz's car, initially appearing in its 'Canada' setup, emerged post-pit stop flaunting a much-anticipated new front wing.

This component, the centerpiece of the filming day, demonstrated several crucial design alterations.

The endplate has transitioned from a squared to a more rounded front, with the internal deflector ditching its 'wavy' shape for a more horizontally profiled structure that curves upward.

Also in sight were the modified flaps which now uniformly slope towards the endplate, showcasing a less accentuated wavy form.

Inside the wing, the profiles have been adjusted, with the former descending more at the junction with the muzzle.

The main plane's blowhole also saw a significant repositioning, evident in the endplate comparison photos.