Because the 2024 season beckoned, many Method 1 followers have been thrilled to see the neon inexperienced paint design from Sauber.
The explanation? On a grid full of a lot naked black carbon fiber, seeing any little bit of coloration provided some inspiration.
As we outlined forward of the 2023 season, F1 groups are meticulous about each gram of weight added to their automobiles. With guidelines and rules requiring that every automotive weigh a minimal of 798 kilograms, and any added weight working to sluggish the automotive down, groups discovered each means possible to scale back weight whereas not sacrificing energy.
Even when it meant a scarcity of paint, and extra naked carbon fiber, on the automobiles.
Now, when you’ve gotten a dominant automotive and/or a dominant driver, you may get away with a bit added weight. That was the case with Purple Bull in 2023, because the RB19 went into the historical past books as essentially the most dominant automotive within the sport’s historical past. Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez mixed to win 21 out of twenty-two Grands Prix a season in the past, a brand new document within the sport.
Though, as we identified on Monday, maybe there was an underlying downside with the RB19. Christian Horner finally weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix made the case that an upgraded flooring the group delivered to the Spanish Grand Prix for the RB19 was the second when their growth began to go awry, however since Verstappen saved successful, they didn’t assume they’d an issue with the automotive.
Nonetheless, Verstappen saved successful, which allowed Purple Bull to run customized paint schemes a yr on the three races in america.
This yr, as a part of their REBL CUSTMS program the group was scheduled to function customized paint schemes at this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, in addition to america Grand Prix in October. Nevertheless, that plan has been scrapped.
The explanation? A weight concern:
Purple Bull enters this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix in unfamiliar territory as they path within the Constructors’ Championship for the primary time since early within the 2022 season. In the mean time McLaren has a 20-point lead over Purple Bull, and with the group fearful a few repeat of final yr’s Singapore Grand Prix — which was the one Grand Prix in 2023 the place they didn’t rating a podium — each level issues.
As does each gram.