Valtteri Bottas says the car concept that Stake F1 Team is building for 2024 season looks interesting as they opted for an overhaul.
Much like few other teams on the grid, Stake F1 Team also decided for an overhaul in 2024 as the 2023 concept they had couldn’t be further developed to eke out performance. They tried to extract as much but they hit the limit with the concept.
And both Bottas and Zhou Guanyu were pleased at the end of the 2023 season to see the car move aside so that they could focus on the new season. “I think the races that we had the pace for the points, I think we managed to get them last year,” said the Finn. “So ultimately the issue was we didn’t have the pure pace to be in Top 10.
“We didn’t have a quick enough car. So that’s the name of the game. It’s not the last place, which is good, but it’s a small step, but still not as good as 2022. I mean, it was a difficult year in 2023. We were hoping to finish better. But that’s what it is now. And now we need work for the future. We tried everything we could, but it was a difficult year.
“So lots to learn from, and now we need to look ahead, and stay motivated and stay confident,” summed up Bottas, who says the concept that he has seen at the factory for 2024 looks interesting and one that they can work with for the future. They even have James Key working with them in full flow after joining in.
“The main thing is we needed a new car,” said Bottas. “And it needed to be different. So that’s, I would say the biggest take we take from 2023, clearly we hit the end with last year’s car’s development, we just couldn’t find any anything big. So the whole concept needed to be different. That’s what we learned.
“From what I have seen, I’m happy with 2024 concept because there are differences. I think that’s what we need. So many question marks, it’s still early days. But at least we’re seeing progress, and things have been actually quite productive at the factory. In 2024, everyone starts from zero again. There’s been many, many changes in the team.
“And I think positive changes. Also, as I said, the concept of 2024 car looks interesting. So in that sense, I do have hopes. But now we need to need to work hard for that and try again. I feel like with some new people we have, including James, there starts to be stuff happening. He has obviously lots of knowledge even from 2023 McLaren, so for sure there’s good information coming from different people. So that is good to see. I think that’s what we needed,” summed up Bottas.
Here’s F1 2023 teams’ tier order: https://formularapida.net/f1-2023-teams-categorised-in-tier-system-for-their-performances/
Here’s F1 2023 drivers’ tier order: https://formularapida.net/f1-2023-drivers-categorised-in-tier-system-for-their-performances/
Here’s Zhou Guanyu on car performance masking their own improvements
Here’s Valtteri Bottas on wanting bigger moments in 2024
Here’s Sauber adopting ‘Stake F1 Team’ name
Here’s Sauber on James Key and drivers
Here’s link to a F1 Discord channel, join in to interact
