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Alonso: More confident with Aston than any time in career.
Fernando Alonso says that Aston Martin's current performance is infusing him with more confidence than at anytime in his career, even his time at Renault when he won his two world championships.
24/06/2023 at 08:16
Andrew Lewin
While Max Verstappen remained firmly in control, Alonso felt that it (second place) showed Aston had close the gap to Red Bull while also staving off the threat from Mercedes. “In terms of pace we were matching Red Bull most of the race," he told Sky Sports F1, adding that in his view Canada had been the “most competitive race of the year” for his team.
“Everything is good," he replied when asked how things were at Aston, which he joined over the winter. "To be honest I cannot think of another time in my career that I was this confident with a team and with a project itself. I think there is more to come," he continued. "I want to win a race this year… the car is going in the right direction so more opportunities will come.”
‘EL PLAN: Infusing him with more confidence’;
https://f1i.com/news/478450-alonso-m...in-career.html
Alonso: Aston the most confidence-inspiring F1 project in my career
17:39 Fri, 23 Jun 2023.
By: Matt Kew
Motorsport.com
The ex-Renault, Ferrari and McLaren grand prix driver secured his sixth podium of the 2023 campaign last weekend in Canada. That haul after eight rounds is double the number of top-three results that the Spaniard achieved during his previous seven full-time seasons in F1.
Alonso finished second in Montreal, crossing the line 9.57 seconds behind dominant winner Max Verstappen. But he kept the chasing Lewis Hamilton out of DRS range in the final stint. This, Alonso told Sky Sports, helped underline Aston Martin’s “most competitive race of the year”. He added that, “in terms of pace, we were matching Red Bull most of the race”.
Aston team principal Mike Krack reckoned that missing out on the fight with Verstappen for victory in Canada was “not at all” frustrating. He continued: “It's challenging because we have a car with a driver that wants to do that, and we are not far from doing it. So, it's always very motivational and we need to fight hard to close the gap as much as we can for the next races.”
‘EL PLAN: The most confidence-inspiring F1 project in my career’;
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f...ject/10486467/
Aston Martin challenged by Alonso winning mentality
25 June 11:50AM
Author Ewan Gale
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365
Aston Martin Team Principal Mike Krack has welcomed the challenge posed by Fernando Alonso's winning mentality as it aims to chase down Red Bull for a first Formula 1 win. The Spaniard joined the Silverstone-based outfit over the winter to replace the now-retired Sebastian Vettel, with Aston Martin having finished seventh in the Constructors' standings in 2022.
Alonso is notoriously demanding within a team given his passion for success, and the two-time World Champion has indicated a desire to secure a first win for Aston Martin in F1 in the near future. Addressing the wait for a win and Alonso's eagerness to get off the mark, Krack told media, including RacingNews365.com:
"Someone asked me before if it is frustrating, and I don't think it is at all, it's challenging. We have a car with a driver that wants to do it – and we're not far from doing it. So for us, it is very motivational and we need to fight hard to close the gap as we much as we can for the next races."
‘EL PLAN: Alonso winning mentality’;
https://racingnews365.com/aston-mart...ning-mentality
Alonso: Oversized F1 cars more of a problem than weight
25/06/2023 at 09:52
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com
Fernando Alonso believes that reducing the size of F1's current generation of machines would prove more beneficial to racing than lowering their weight. The weight is extraordinary," said Alonso. "At the moment, the low-speed performance is not great. We keep making these cars safer and safer, but obviously the heavier you make them when you have an impact it’s like crashing with a bus compared to a Smart Car."
Alonso believes that size matters when it comes to racing in close quarters, perhaps more than weight. "I don’t think it [reducing the weight] would change much the show," he said. "I think it’s more the size of the cars than the weight of the cars, which makes things a little bit more difficult.”
"Overtaking, fights into the first couple of corners in the race, it is difficult now to position the car, just because the size of it, not because the weight of the car."
‘EL PLAN: Reducing the size of F1's current generation of machines’;
https://f1i.com/news/478527-alonso-o...an-weight.html
Lance Stroll struggles against Fernando Alonso ‘doesn’t say much about Sebastian Vettel’
24 Jun 2023 9:15 AM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com
As Fernando Alonso continues to lead the Aston Martin charge and Lance Stroll searches for an answer, F1 pundit Peter Windsor says this does not reflect well on Stroll’s former team-mate Sebastian Vettel.
Speaking about Stroll on his latest YouTube livestream, Windsor said: “He’s actually looking worse against Alonso than anyone he’s ever had next to him, isn’t he? Which says a lot about Fernando, and doesn’t say much about Sebastian Vettel actually.”
A fan then would ask Windsor if Lance could perhaps join another team so Aston Martin could bring in a stronger team-mate to Alonso? After initial laughter, Windsor said: “Wouldn’t that be funny if Lance Stroll told his old man that he was leaving Aston Martin to go and drive for, I don’t know, whatever, Red Bull.”
‘EL PLAN: Fernando Alonso continues to lead the Aston Martin charge’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/peter-...astian-vettel/
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Marko: No one in F1 can challenge Verstappen right now.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko does not see anyone in Formula 1 who is able to compete with Max Verstappen given the Dutchman’s current form.
June 27, 2023
By Joe Ellis
Total Motorsport
The reigning two-time world champion has led 224 consecutive laps since he took the lead of the 2023 Miami Grand Prix and his lead in the standings is up to 69 points over Sergio Perez. The Mexican has started to dip in form but he is still holding off Fernando Alonso for second in the championship.
The Red Bull boss is totally happy with his drivers this season who are producing exactly what he expected. Marko, despite questions over Perez’s performances, is happy with his driver lineup and believes no one in F1 could manage to match Verstappen for a whole season.
“We also take luxury problems seriously,” Marko said, as quoted by F1 Insider. “As for Perez, soberly he’s done the job we expect him to do. He should help secure victory in the constructors’ championship and the current standings prove him right. He has also shown that he can still win races when he is at his best.”
‘No one in F1 can challenge Verstappen’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/mar...ge-verstappen/
Red Bull chief warns Ferrari won't let Austria be a 'walk in the park' for Verstappen
Friday 23 June 2023 17:57
Jay Winter
GPFans
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has cautioned those who assume the Austrian Grand will be an easy victory for Max Verstappen. Marko believes that the Red Bull Ring, a track known for its high-speed nature, will provide a favourable setting for Ferrari, who the Austrian claims were the quickest in Canada.
Although Verstappen aims to secure Red Bull's 101st victory at their home race, Marko draws attention to Ferrari's impressive performance in Montreal, which he believes went unnoticed.
"What went slightly unnoticed in Montreal is that Ferrari had the fastest car," Marko stated to oe24. "The Red Bull Ring suits them well. If Leclerc starts from either row 1 or 2, it won't be a walk in the park for Max."
‘Cautioned those who assume an easy victory’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/11...i-austrian-gp/
Red Bull: Perez doing the job 'we expect of him'
23/06/2023 at 16:24
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com
Red Bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko suggested once again that Sergio Perez's future with eth Milton Keynes-based outfit is not in jeopardy, adding that the Mexican is fulfilling the team's expectations despite his disappointing form.
Marko sees no alternative currently as worthy as Perez to replace the Mexican. "We take luxury problems seriously," Marko told F1 Insider. "As far as Perez is concerned, so far, he has done the job we expect of him. He should help secure victory in the Constructors' championship and the current points score proves him right.”
‘Done the job we expect of him’;
https://f1i.com/news/478432-red-bull...ct-of-him.html
Perez still good enough for Red Bull says Marko
JUNE 22, 2023
GrandPrix.com
When asked why Perez is 6 tenths a lap slower than Verstappen in an identical car, Marko told Osterreich newspaper: "Because Max is Max. He's in the best car, but only (Fernando) Alonso and (Lewis) Hamilton could keep up with him at best. Those three are simply the strongest, with Max standing out among them."
“Perez has done the job we expect him to. He should help secure victory in the constructors' championship and the current standings prove that he is doing that," Marko told Sport1. "He has also shown that he can still win races when he is at his best.”
"The question of whether he is good enough does not arise for us. Because Max is getting better and better and the question you have to ask yourself is rather a different one - who would be the alternative?”
"Because Max is Max”;
https://www.grandprix.com/news/perez...ays-marko.html
Marko explains why Perez is much slower than Verstappen in same car
21 June 1:20PM
Author Anna Francis
RacingNews365
The victory was also Red Bull's 100th in F1, a milestone that team advisor Marko relished celebrating. "When something like that happens, you don't run away straight away," Marko told Austrian outlet OE24. "Then you show up in Red Bull clothes as well. But I changed immediately and then slept wonderfully on the plane. 100 victories are a wonderful sleeping pill."
Sergio Perez was unable to match the pace of Max Verstappen during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, a race in which the Dutchman claimed Red Bull's 100th F1 victory. When asked why Perez looks to be much slower than Verstappen in the same RB19, Marko gave a simple answer. "Because Max is Max," the Austrian said.
"Because Max is Max”;
https://racingnews365.com/marko-expl...en-in-same-car
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Lewis Hamilton ‘scored a point’ against Mercedes by proving Toto Wolff wrong – EXCLUSIVE.
EXCLUSIVE: Damon Hill believes that Lewis Hamilton will be pleased after getting Mercedes to change the design philosophy of their W14 challenger.
06:00, Sun, Jun 25, 2023
By Archie Griggs
Daily and Sunday Express
Damon Hill believes that Lewis Hamilton got one over Mercedes boss Toto Wolff by forcing the team to admit they were wrong about the original design philosophy of their W14 challenger. The Silver Arrows initially tried to persevere with the 'zeropod' concept they introduced at the start of 2022, although it quickly became apparent that a change was needed in order to close the gap to Red Bull at the top of the pecking order.
"He’s scored a point a bit this year because he’s got them to admit they’ve made a mistake. They’ve changed direction and they’re now heading in what seems to be the right direction and he’s driving better now as well. It could be that he could have a car that he can contend for the championship with next year."
‘Proving Toto Wolff wrong’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...-Wolff-F1-news
Damon Hill Credits Lewis Hamilton for Outshining Toto Wolff in W14 Redesign.
June 25, 2023
BaylaSportsF1
Damon Hill, providing valuable insights, has highlighted the significance of Hamilton’s achievements. By exerting pressure on Mercedes and compelling them to alter their strategy, Hamilton has effectively scored a symbolic victory. This triumph could play a pivotal role in persuading the 38-year-old racing star to extend his contract with the team for the upcoming season.
During an exclusive conversation with Express Sport, Damon Hill shared his thoughts on the future of Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes when specifically questioned about it. “He knows that the team has got his back, they know what they’ve got with him and they will give him everything he possibly can,” said Hill.
‘Outshining Toto Wolff in W14 Redesign’;
https://baylasportsf1.com/damon-hill...-w14-redesign/
Mercedes’ upgrades yielding success ‘we haven’t felt for a long time’ – Wolff
2023 F1 season
Posted on 24th June 2023, 18:0024th June 2023, 17:56
Written by Will Wood and Claire Cottingham
RaceFans
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says his team feels happier with their performance than they have for a “long time” thanks to their recent upgrades package. Wolff says the apparent success of the Mercedes’ upgrades is having a positive impact within the team.
“I think we can see the positive dynamic literally cascading, transcending, into the organisation,” Wolff said. “We feel that the car is coming together, we see that our data yields results on-track and we haven’t felt that since a long time. That obviously contributes to this place being in a very good place.”
‘Toto Wolff says his team feels happier’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/06/24/...ng-time-wolff/
Even more W14 improvement in Austria? Toto Wolff delivers fresh hope
27 Jun 2023 3:43 PM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com
While Mercedes are not taking anything for granted, team boss Toto Wolff expects the Red Bull Ring to be a stronger battleground for the W14 than Montreal. Mercedes went into the Canadian Grand Prix last time out looking to prove that their improved showing in Spain, armed with the upgraded W14, was not merely track specific.
This is a home race for the Red Bull team, but also Wolff himself as an Austria native. “There were plenty of positives to take from the last race in Canada,” he said. “Although we didn’t get both cars to the chequered flag, a podium was a solid result and we saw encouraging signs from our updated package.”
“Austria is always a special weekend, as it’s my home race and I have good memories from the track; both with the team but also from my early years racing there and teaching as an instructor. It’s also the second sprint of the season so it will be interesting to see the impact it has on the weekend, at a more traditional circuit.”
‘Toto Wolff delivers fresh hope’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/toto-w...rovement-hope/
Toto Wolff opens up on Mercedes disagreement on first day in charge of Silver Arrows
Toto Wolff has established himself as one of the most successful team bosses of all time over the last 10 years with Mercedes.
06:10, Tue, Jun 27, 2023
By Archie Griggs
Daily and Sunday Express
Toto Wolff has revealed that he was left disappointed upon his arrival at Mercedes a decade ago by the scruffy nature of the reception at their Brackley headquarters. It was far from plain sailing for Wolff when he first arrived at Mercedes, though, with the German outfit having been firmly in the midfield shortly before he was recruited to lead them in 2013.
The levels of professionalism were nowhere near as high as they are now, which led Wolff into an early disagreement with his Mercedes colleagues on his very first day at work. "When I stepped in here for the first time I was waiting to meet Ross Brawn, who I have great admiration for as an engineer," said the Mercedes boss in an interview with Nasser Hussain as part of a new Sky Sports documentary, which is out on Wednesday.
"Whilst I was waiting it didn't feel like a Formula One reception. There was an old Daily Mail on the table and an old coffee cup with dry coffee inside. When I went to the meeting I said it didn't feel like a Formula One team. The answer I got was that the Daily Mail or the old coffee cup doesn't make the car faster, the engineering does. I disagreed because it shows whether you have attention to detail, whether you are a perfectionist or you seek excellence, and that starts with cleanliness and an immaculate environment, particularly in Formula One."
‘Toto Wolff: Mercedes disagreement on first day in charge’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...Arrows-F1-news
Christian Horner draws attention to ‘inevitable’ Toto Wolff disruption tactic
27 Jun 2023 7:30 AM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com
As Red Bull look to be on course to win this year’s round of the Christian Horner versus Toto Wolff war, the Red Bull team boss says his rival will “inevitably use the media” to put on pressure on Red Bull. But, he concedes, it is a game of “vice versa”.
Along the way there was also a fair amount of drama as the two protagonists were each blamed for one massive crash, Hamilton at Silverstone and Verstappen in Italy, while Horner and Wolff brought the FIA into their feud as they questioned the legality of the others’ car.
But after one intense season, unlike anything witnessed in recent times, the battle petered out last year when Red Bull went on a charge in the new ground effect aerodynamic era and won 17 of the season’s 22 races. It had Wolff once again calling on the FIA to get involved, the Austrian wanting motorsport’s governing body to do something about his porpoising W13, while Horner told him it’s his own problem to fix.
‘Inevitable Toto Wolff disruption tactic’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/christ...uption-tactic/
Wolff: Mercedes back ‘in a very good place’
Monday 26th June, 2023 - 11:24pm
By Ian Parkes
F1i.com
Toto Wolff believes validation of Mercedes’ decision to pursue an alternative development direction has resulted in a feeling with the car the team has not experienced “for a long time”. “We have set up a huge organisation in our financial department of 46 people that monitor the cost cap down to the last screw, and looks at the trend of our spend during all of the year,” said Wolff.
“What we’ve done is basically allocated resources to various projects. We stayed below that line all year last year, and we’re still below that line this year. And that is considering a normal, let’s say, development switch for next year, and this is still pretty much on track.”
“The good thing is we are constantly learning about what the car is doing. There are going to be some fundamental design changes for next year. But it’s not that we are building stuff. It’s more like what are we simulating, but that is not measured in either money, teraflops, or wind tunnel runs.”
‘In a very good place’;
https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/06/26...ry-good-place/
Wolff: Risk/reward on banning tyre blankets in F1 unfavourable
26/06/2023 at 16:43
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com
Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff sees a lot of risk and very little reward in banning tyre blankets in Formula 1. Formula 1's stakeholders are set to vote at the end of July on whether to go ahead with a plan to ban electric tyre warmers as part of the sport's sustainability efforts.
Wolff confirmed that if it comes down to a vote by the F1 Commission at the end of July, he'll give the plan a thumbs down based on his drivers' feedback. "I’m going to vote on tyres on what my drivers tell me," he said, with Mick Schumacher standing nearby.
"Mick, Lewis and George, whatever their opinion, will be on how I should vote on tyre warmers." Asking Schumacher if tyre blankets should still be used in 2024, the young German gave a silent nod to his team boss. "So you know how I’m going to vote," concluded the Austrian.
‘Risk/reward unfavourable’;
https://f1i.com/news/478601-wolff-ri...avourable.html
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Will Ferrari hit back at scene of their last win? Six Austrian GP talking points.
Formula 1 returns to Europe for a string of races across circuits that drivers and teams are all deeply familiar with. It is also the second sprint race weekend of the 2023 season as well as marking an unwelcome milestone for Ferrari. Here are the Talking Points for the Austrian Grand Prix.
2023 Austrian Grand Prix
Posted on 27th June 2023, 7:1527th June 2023, 0:03
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans
Ferrari’s year without wins: Just 15 months ago, Ferrari ended their longest losing streak of the 21st century with a strong victory for Charles Leclerc in Bahrain to enter into Formula 1’s new ground-effect era in the best way possible. Heading to the circuit where they last tasted victory almost a year ago, Ferrari need a clean weekend to show just how quick they truly are. Sprint sequel: As it was back in 2022, the Austrian Grand Prix will be a sprint race weekend. The second of six rounds run with the divisive format in 2023, this weekend will follow the revised format used for the first time at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix earlier this year.
Will Perez’s podium drought go on? While Verstappen continues to enjoy seemingly endless success out front, his Red Bull team mate Sergio Perez has endured a frustrating three rounds. Keep within the lines: When former FIA race director Michael Masi was axed as F1 race director before the start of the 2022 season, his replacements – Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas – both installed a new zero-tolerance policy to track limits.
New budget cap row brewing? It emerged last week the FIA has recently advised teams of a key clarification in how it will define ‘non F1 activities’ which are exempt from the budget cap. Crowd control: Crowd behaviour was a concern at last year’s race.
‘Six Austrian GP talking points’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/06/27/...alking-points/
Verstappen, Perez expecting 'hectic' home Austrian GP weekend
27 June 5:45PM
Author Jake Nichol
RacingNews365
Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez are expecting a "hectic" and "tricky" Formula 1 weekend at Red Bull's home Austrian Grand Prix. F1 heads to Spielberg this weekend for Round 9 of the season, with Verstappen having won the last four races, leading every lap in Monaco, Spain and Canada.
That form, coupled with a blip for Sergio Perez has seen the points lead balloon to 69 points heading into a track Verstappen has won at four times while Perez only has a best finish of sixth.
It is also the second Sprint weekend of the season, with Verstappen vocal in his dislike of the format, but the Red Bull driver is expecting to put on a good show for the huge swaths of Dutch fans who make the trip to Austria.
‘Hectic home Austrian GP weekend’;
https://racingnews365.com/verstappen...ian-gp-weekend
Revealed: Where on the grid Austrian Grand Prix will produce ‘super interesting’ fight
27 Jun 2023 8:00 PM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com
Austrian driver Ferdinand Habsburg has predicted that F1 fans could be treated to a “super interesting” fight as a result of the Austrian Grand Prix characteristics. WEC driver Habsburg believes the characteristics of the Red Bull Ring in his home country of Austria will produce a “super interesting” midfield battle between the likes of Alpine, Williams and McLaren.
“Personally, I am somebody that loves to follow not the front of the race, but I love to follow the middle of the race,” the ORF pundit told media including PlanetF1.com. “Watching to see how Williams does, how the Alpine car does, all of those cars in the midfield and I think the Red Bull Ring is particularly interesting for midfield cars.”
‘Super interesting’ fight’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/austri...aren-williams/
Haas treating Austria as test session to ‘cure’ F1 race pace woes
10:29 Tue, 27 Jun 2023.
by Fergal Walsh
Motorsport Week
The Haas Formula 1 team will be treating the Austrian Grand Prix weekend like a test session as it aims to rectify its race pace issues. Having shown strong one lap pace at certain events this year, Haas has been unable to carry over its speed into the race.
Ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, Haas team boss Guenther Steiner says it will use the revised Sprint weekend format to focus on installing new ideas in a bid to find answers over its worrying form.
“We’re going into this race partly a little bit like a test session as well,” Steiner said. “We have a lot of things to try and cure our problems with the race pace, so we have a few ideas.”
‘Test session to ‘cure’ F1 race’;
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...ace-pace-woes/
Alonso rates Aston Martin's Austria hopes
27 June 11:05AM
Author Michael Butterworth
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365
Fernando Alonso has moved to temper expectations ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, saying the Sprint format would "not be ideal" for his Aston Martin team. "I think the Sprint weekend will not be ideal for us," Alonso told media, including RacingNews365.com.
"We still [need] more time in Free Practice with our new upgraded car. We still need to understand and optimise the package a little bit and in Austria, obviously with the Sprint, we will have only FP1 to do that. But it is what it is.”
“The circuit will be good and maybe better for the package as well, this one with a strange layout, let's say. Maybe good for Ferrari, historically here as well with a long straight and short corners, so maybe in Austria we have a little bit more pace."
‘Aston Martin's Austria hopes’;
https://racingnews365.com/alonso-rat...-austria-hopes
Full weekend schedule for the F1 2023 Austrian GP
27 June 8:00AM
Author RacingNews365 Staff
Free Practice 1 will take place on Friday at 12:30 UK time, before traditional qualifying happens later in the day at 16:00.
The Sprint Shootout is scheduled for 11:00 on Saturday morning, and this will be followed by the Sprint at 15:30. The main Grand Prix starts at 14:00 on Sunday.
2023 F1 AUSTRIAN GP TIME SCHEDULE
Date Event Time (BST) Time (Local)
Friday 30 June Practice 1 12:30-13:30 13:30-14:30
Friday 30 June Qualifying 16:00-17:00 17:00-18:00
Saturday 1 July Sprint Shootout 11:00-11:44 12:00-12:44
Saturday 1 July Sprint 15:30-16:00 16:30-17:00
Sunday 2 July Race 14:00 15:00
‘Full weekend schedule’;
https://racingnews365.com/full-weeke...23-austrian-gp
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Ferrari highlight 'extreme' Austrian GP limit.
Ferrari Head of ICE Davide Mazzoni has outlined the "extreme optimisation" needed for the energy management of an F1 power unit to be successful at the Red Bull Ring.
28 June 5:10PM
Author Ewan Gale
RacingNews365
The Austrian Grand Prix plays host to the shortest lap time of the calendar, with drivers set to tackle only 10 corners this weekend. Three long DRS-assisted straights link up the corners to create an exhilarating lap lasting just over 60 seconds, but the layout does add strain on the effectiveness of power units.
"Having three DRS zones on a relatively short track, with some braking points that are very severe but of only short duration, requires an extreme optimisation of the Power Unit’s energy management," said Mazzoni.
"The system comprising the ERS, MGU-K, MGU-H and ICE is subjected to the stress of continuous transfer of energy from the recovery phase to its release in the high-speed sections, which is essential for setting a good lap time and for overtaking."
"Extreme optimisation needed";
https://racingnews365.com/ferrari-hi...trian-gp-limit
McLaren: Austrian GP upgrades start of ‘turning around the season’
28th June 2023, 13:15
by Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week
McLaren team boss Andrea Stella says the extensive upgrade package it’s set to unveil over the coming rounds can be the start of his side “turning around the season”. The series of modifications will begin at this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix and will change almost every aerodynamic part of McLaren’s 2023 launch-spec machine.
“Austria is a track in which we have done well in the past, I think six, seven corners, four of them are high speed, which we should be competitive on,” he said. “Then Austria is, like I said already for some time, our first step [of] bringing upgrades. I think this can be more important than how suitable the track is, the characteristics of our car.”
‘Extensive upgrade package’;
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...nd-the-season/
Verstappen set for emotional win? What to expect at the Austrian GP
28 June 3:40PM
Author Ewan Gale
RacingNews365
F1 returns to the Red Bull Ring for round nine and the second Sprint weekend of the campaign. Max Verstappen holds a commanding lead over Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez after yet another victory at the Canadian Grand Prix, where the Mexican could finish only sixth.
The battle behind Red Bull looks to be ramping up, but with less practice time this weekend, can any surprises be sprung? RacingNews365.com takes a look at what we can expect at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Verstappen can provide emotional Red Bull win
Second-place battle up in the air
Albon to continue Williams crusade
De Vries' last resort?
Sprint surprises?
‘Emotional win?’;
https://racingnews365.com/verstappen...he-austrian-gp
Bottas reveals EXTRA motivation ahead of Austrian Grand Prix
Wednesday 28 June 2023 14:57
Lauren Sneath
GPFans
Valtteri Bottas has said that Alfa Romeo will remain in the battle for the top 10 if the team keeps ‘doing its job’ as they head to the Austrian Grand Prix. He said: “The top ten finish the team achieved in Canada made us even more motivated. Our objective is to keep up with our good form and extend our points streak.
“Throughout my career, I have always enjoyed racing here in Spielberg: I have scored some good results here – including my first podium and two wins." He added: “With the sprint event format, and less practice time on track, it will be important to get the feeling right with the car from the very start, and build on that, especially when it comes to qualifying.”
“We know we have the potential to do well, and if we keep doing our job, we will remain in the battle for the top 10.”
‘EXTRA motivation’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/11...-top-10-fight/
Austrian GP weather forecast: Is a nasty surprise in store?
28 June 2:55PM
Author Jake Nichol
RacingNews365
One thing that all Formula 1 sprint races have had in common thus far is that they have all been dry - but this run could come to an end at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Saturday at the Red Bull Ring, there is the possibility that the rain could arrive. RacingNews365's weather partners WeerOnline predict that Saturday morning's Sprint Shootout (Qualifying for the Sprint race) is set to be the wettest part of the weekend. A total of 16mm of rain could potentially fall over the circuit with the weather moving towards the east - and the Hungarian border.
Rain is also possible during Friday - and Qualifying for the main Grand Prix, with the morning practice session forecast to be dry. The temperature could peak around 26 degrees. As for race day, rain could fall in the early morning, perhaps interrupting the support series, but for the Grand Prix at 14:00pm local time, the forecast is for a cloudy 23 degrees, with the sun trying peak through the cloud cover.
‘Nasty surprise in store?;
https://racingnews365.com/austrian-g...prise-in-store
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Double Fun or Double Dominance? 2023 Austrian Grand Prix.
It's time for F1 Sprint and the Grand Prix at the Red Bull Racing this weekend. 2 x Qualifying sessions and 2 x Races.
Published Jun 28, 2023 11:38 PM
Inside Line F1 Podcast (Weblog)
The last time we had a Sprint + Grand Prix weekend, Charles Leclerc took pole (Baku, 2023). And the time before last (Brazil, 2022), George Russell won for Mercedes. We expect everyone to use and abuse this stat through the weekend.
In the mid-field, several teams will bring upgrades. But they will have lesser time to test them - just one Free Practice remember. Also, will the FIA bring about a rule change for using a 'new soft' in SQ3 on Saturday?
Also, it's Red Bull's home race - expect them to host some of the most-entertaining off-track activities. In fact, a jet pack operator will be present along with a legends parade. Will Sergio Perez bounce back? Will Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton continue to battle for P2? And what about Ferrari...?
‘Double Fun or Double Dominance?’;
https://omny.fm/shows/inside-line-f1...austrian-grand
Hakkinen identifies Ferrari building block for Austrian GP
29 June 10:25AM
Author Jake Nichol
RacingNews365
Mika Hakkinen has highlighted Ferrari's Formula 1 strategy as a key part of their hopes for success in the Austrian Grand Prix weekend. "Ferrari ran a good strategy in Canada and they need to build on that kind of confidence, even if Mercedes and Aston continue to have a performance advantage," Hakkinen noted in his Unibet column, while also observing the battle between Aston Martin and Mercedes.
"Behind Max [Verstappen] there is so much to enjoy as Aston Martin battles with Mercedes Benz. It was great to see Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton on the podium with Max in Canada – three great World Champions together.”
"Fernando and Lewis are beginning to close the gap to [Sergio Perez] in the World Championship. It’s going to be really important for those teams to focus on getting consistent performance across their driver line-up.”
‘Ferrari building block’;
https://racingnews365.com/hakkinen-i...or-austrian-gp
Alonso admits Austrian GP feature will HURT Aston Martin
Wednesday 28 June 2023 19:57
Dan Davis
GPFans
Fernando Alonso has claimed that the hectic Austrian Grand Prix schedule will damage Aston Martin's bid to fully optimise their recent upgrades. "I think the sprint weekend will not be ideal for us," Alonso said.
Team principal Mike Krack, meanwhile, is hopeful the upcoming races will provide a "clear picture" of where Aston Martin stand in comparison to their rivals. He said: "Canada is specific. I said in Barcelona that we should always wait a couple of races to identify really where you are.
"The mix between updates and the track characteristics makes it really difficult to get a clear picture. So, the safest thing to say at this point is Red Bull is in front... Anything else, I think it's probably also the shape of the day, how you are that day or how the circuit is suiting your car, or which tyres you're having on."
‘EL PLAN: "Clear picture"’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/11...-aston-martin/
Austrian GP: Toto Wolff optimistic Mercedes will make further improvements; Fernando Alonso says Sprint 'not ideal' for Aston Martin
Last Updated: 29/06/23 6:06am
Sky Sports
Mercedes claimed double podium in Spain and Lewis Hamilton was third in Canada after W14 received upgrades in Monaco; Toto Wolff hopes Silver Arrows continue upward curve in performance at Austrian GP
Toto Wolff is optimistic Mercedes' W14 will continue to show progress at this weekend's Austrian GP.
Mercedes will be introducing another "larger" upgrade at next weekend's British GP at Silverstone, but Wolff hopes his team will show more improvement in Austria as they seek to be Red Bull's closest challengers once again.
‘Mercedes will make further improvements’;
https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12...r-aston-martin
McLaren seeking more than just downforce gains from major upgrade
2023 Austrian Grand Prix
Posted on 29th June 2023, 8:4629th June 2023, 9:13
Written by Keith Collantine and Claire Cottingham
RaceFans
McLaren are targeting more than just downforce gains from the major upgrade they will begin to introduce for their MCL60 this weekend, says Lando Norris. The team is rolling out a package of new parts over the next three rounds, starting in Austria this weekend, as it strives to reverse its slump in form since last season.
Some of the changes McLaren are looking to make address long-standing characteristics in their car’s handling, said Norris, who has been with the team since he arrived in F1 in 2019. “There are feelings I have in the car that we’ve had for the last five years and haven’t changed. So trying to understand all of these and actually make a difference, that’s also what we need if we want to compete and be a better team.”
“So anything that’s new – and there’s been a lot of work, a lot of changes – seeing all of this kind of come together and see what we can do with it [is encouraging]. But of course it’s not on track just yet. I’m confident it will be a step forward, but how much is the question. So I don’t want to get too overexcited about all of it like I never do. A lot of work that’s gone into it, so I’m excited to see all of that kind of come through and see what we’re capable of doing.”
‘Rolling out a package of new parts’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/06/29/...major-upgrade/
Budget cap penalty to have ‘massive’ impact on Red Bull – Pierre Wache.
June 28, 2023
BaylaSportsF1
Although Red Bull’s rivals have taken steps towards the dominant F1 team’s dominance recently, Alex Wurz says Max Verstappen is the clear favourite for the Austrian GP this weekend. “They have a car with good top speed, good downforce in slow corners and little drag on the straights. That’s what’s needed at the Red Bull Ring,” the former F1 driver and president of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association told Kronen Zeitung.
However, Dr Helmut Marko warned recently that Charles Leclerc could actually play a spoiler role at Red Bull’s home race. “Let’s see,” he told Osterreich newspaper. “Ferrari had the fastest car in Montreal. And now the Red Bull Ring suits them. If Leclerc starts from row 1 or 2, it won’t be a walk in the park for Max.”
Certainly, Pierre Wache – Red Bull’s technical director – does not seem to be too worried, as he admits that the 2023 car’s dominance turned out to be “bigger than we expected” before the season started. “It’s the efficiency, I would say,” he said. “On different tracks we are able to produce downforce without massive drag.”
‘It won’t be a walk in the park’;
https://baylasportsf1.com/budget-cap...-pierre-wache/
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‘Life is unfair’: Verstappen rejects Hamilton’s call for rule change to end dominance.
Lewis Hamilton has called for Formula 1 to impose a cut-off point on car development to prevent one team dominating the championship.
2023 Austrian Grand Prix
Posted on 29th June 2023, 15:5829th June 2023, 16:38
Written by Keith Collantine and Claire Cottingham
RaceFans
Hamilton said his proposal was “not aimed at any one particular person or anything.” He won six world championships in a seven-year spell from 2014 to 2020, during which time Mercedes was consistently the team to beat. Over the first three of those years they won 51 out of 59 races.
“In my 17 years of being here, before even I got here, you see a period, a time of dominance and it continues to happen,” he said in response to a question from RaceFans. “I was really fortunate to have one of those periods, Max is having that now – but with the way it’s going, it will continue to happen over and over again. And I don’t think that we need that in the sport.”
Hamilton believes “something’s got to change” to prevent individual teams dominating F1 as others have before Red Bull in recent years. However Verstappen had little time for Hamilton’s suggestion of imposing a cut-off date on teams’ car development. “Life is unfair as well so it’s not only in Formula 1,” he said. “A lot of things in life are unfair so we just have to deal with it.”
‘Life is unfair’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/06/29/...end-dominance/
Ill Perez faces Austrian GP fitness race
29 June 2:25PM
Author Ewan Gale
RacingNews365
Sergio Perez faces a race for fitness ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix after becoming unwell. Red Bull confirmed that having become unwell on Wednesday (28 June), Perez would be absent from the circuit for Thursday's media obligations in order to ensure he was in the 'best possible health' for the race weekend.
Drivers are afforded only one practice session ahead of qualifying as part of the alternate Sprint format, with Saturday now separated from the Grand Prix proper with its own qualifying Shootout ahead of the Sprint.
‘Austrian GP fitness race’;
https://racingnews365.com/ill-perez-...p-fitness-race
Tsunoda welcomes AlphaTauri rebrand and plan to mimic Red Bull’s car design
2023 Austrian Grand Prix
Posted on 29th June 2023, 11:3529th June 2023, 16:23
Written by Keith Collantine and Claire Cottingham
RaceFans
Yuki Tsunoda has welcomed the news AlphaTauri will move closer to Red Bull in their design philosophy when they rebrand next year. “The orientation is clear: based on Red Bull Racing, as far as the regulations allow,” said Marko. “Do-it-yourself constructions are the wrong way.” Speaking at the Red Bull Ring ahead of this weekend’s race, Tsunoda said he was aware of the team’s plans to change its design philosophy before Marko revealed it.
“About the team changing, obviously I knew [there] will be stronger connection between Red Bull and AlphaTauri and it will be a lot changed before they actually announced it in the news,” he said in response to a question from RaceFans. “So I knew it.”
“Especially [on the] performance side that we saw the last two years, it was not really in the place that we wanted, especially last year. Probably Helmut thought that we need to change something. I think he gave us a chance, one more year and it didn’t improve much.”
‘AlphaTauri rebrand’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/06/29/...ls-car-design/
Ferrari brings revised F1 front wing to Austrian Grand Prix
29th June 2023, 13:49
By: Matt Somerfield
Co-author: Giorgio Piola
Motorsport.com
The tweaks were trialled at a filming day Ferrari conducted at Fiorano earlier in the week where its F1 challenger ran alongside its Le Mans-winning Hypercar. This was a shrewd move by the Scuderia, given that teams have less time to evaluate parts during free practice at the Red Bull Ring because it is a sprint event.
The changes that Ferrari have made are pretty extensive but mainly focus on the outboard section of the wing and endplate in order that the front tyre wake can be handled a little differently. This also has the benefit of improving flow downstream for the revisions Ferrari introduced to its sidepods and floor at the Spanish GP.
‘Revised F1 front wing’;
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f...prix/10488998/
Doubts over Aston Martin as Ferrari hype continues for Austrian Grand Prix
29 Jun 2023 1:30 PM
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com
Fernando Alonso has become the latest figure to highlight the Ferrari threat ahead of this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, with the two-time World Champion expecting his Aston Martin team to struggle in Styria.
Although Verstappen took his fourth consecutive win in Canada, Marko told Austrian publication oe24 that Ferrari “had the fastest car” that weekend and warned Red Bull’s home race “will not be a big Oktoberfest for Max” if Leclerc can qualify strongly.
Marko’s view is shared by Alonso, who fears the vagaries of a sprint weekend in Austria – with just a single practice session to find a workable setup before qualifying on Friday afternoon – will count against Aston Martin after the team introduced a significant upgrade of their own last time out.
‘Ferrari hype continues’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/aston-...an-grand-prix/
Alonso delivers 'harsh' Austrian GP warning
29 June 9:40AM
Author Ewan Gale
RacingNews365
Fernando Alonso has warned of the dangers of Formula 1 kerbs at the Red Bull Ring ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix weekend.
Alonso finished second in Montreal last time out, utilising an update package to his Aston Martin and ahead for the Austrian GP weekend, the two-time F1 World Champion said: “It was great to return to the podium in Canada. "The upgrades we brought to the car seemed to be working well and we will continue to optimise the setup as we go into Austria.”
“It’s a fast and short lap here and it usually provides some good racing and overtaking. You have to be careful of the run-off areas and try to avoid damage to the cars with the harsh kerbs. I look forward to seeing what we can do. The target will be to keep up this form and score as many points for the team as we try to take back second place in the Constructors’ Championship.”
'Harsh' Warning’;
https://racingnews365.com/alonso-del...ian-gp-warning
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Verstappen aims for another record as Red Bull head home.
Runaway leader and defending double world champion Max Verstappen bids to become the most successful driver in Austrian Grand Prix history this weekend as Red Bull plan a poignant 'century' celebration on home ground.
30th June 2023, 06:07
Wheels24
The 25-year-old Dutchman, who leads this year's title race by 69 points ahead of team-mate Sergio Perez, shares the record of three Austrian wins with four-time world champion Alain Prost. Another win at the Red Bull Ring circuit would take him to four and be his seventh in nine races this year as well as the team's 101st as they return to Austria for the first time since the death of owner Dietrich Mateschitz last October.
"It's going to be a bit special this time," said team boss Christian Horner amid celebrations of the team's 100th triumph at the Canadian Grand Prix. It's great to return to Austria with this run of form and results and with Max in such exceptional form. There will be a very big sell-out home crowd and a great atmosphere. They always put on a big show and this year will be the biggest of all."
‘Another record’;
https://www.news24.com/sport/motorsp...-home-20230629
Red Bull have “killed the opposition” in year since Ferrari’s last win – Sainz
2023 Austrian Grand Prix
Posted on 29th June 2023, 17:30
Written by Keith Collantine and Claire Cottingham
Carlos Sainz Jnr admitted its been a “tough” year for Ferrari since they scored their most recent victory, at the scene of this weekend’s race. Charles Leclerc scored the Scuderia’s last win at the Red Bull Ring, almost a full year ago. Sainz said it’s “been a long year” for the team since then.
“From Austria last year ’til now, it’s been tough. We had a bit of a dip in form towards the end of last year in race pace, and then we carried that difficult moment into this year and we are in exactly the turning point or in the point of where we are trying to turn things around to make the car competitive again and to try and win again.”
All bar one of the 19 grands prix since Ferrari’s last win have been won by Red Bull, and Sainz acknowledged Ferrari face a formidable task in getting back on terms with them. “It’s not going to be easy because there’s another team called Red Bull that have killed everyone, killed the opposition in a way, and we are not the only ones suffering it,” he said. “There’s teams also like Mercedes that have suffered [from] their good job and it’s down to us now to reverse it and to try our best to win again.”
“Killed the opposition”;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/06/29/...ast-win-sainz/
‘Straightforward Weekend’ Needed for Ferrari to Bring Home Good Result – Frédéric Vasseur
June 29, 2023
By Paul Hensby
The Checkered Flag
Frédéric Vasseur says it is important for Scuderia Ferrari to have a straightforward Austrian Grand Prix weekend if they want to bring home good results during Saturdays sprint race and Sunday’s main race at the Red Bull Ring.
Vasseur says that the sprint race weekend format means they need to arrive at the track with some kind of idea about the ideal set-up needed to be competitive, particularly with only one free practice session prior to the Qualifying session on Friday afternoon.
“Our main focus has been on ensuring that our drivers can get the most out of the SF-23 package, as indeed they were able to do in the race in Montreal. We’re looking to have a straightforward weekend all the way through from Friday to Sunday and if we manage it, then I’m sure we can bring home a good result.”
‘Straightforward Weekend’;
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...deric-vasseur/
Five big storylines to emerge from Austrian Grand Prix media day
29 Jun 2023 8:05 PM
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com
Happen to miss what the F1 drivers had to say on media day at the Austrian Grand Prix? Well take a seat and make yourself comfortable, dear reader, because you’re in for a treat.
Lewis Hamilton wants FIA intervention to slow runaway leaders like Red Bull. Sergio Perez let slip back in Barcelona that Red Bull “are not really bringing big upgrades any more” to the RB19 as they switch focus to the 2024 car and, exactly four weeks later, word has finally reached Hamilton. And, it’s quite fair to say, he’s not very happy about it.
Max Verstappen points to Lewis Hamilton hypocrisy. Verstappen was quick to spot perceived hypocrisy in Hamilton’s comments and was even faster in pointing them out to everyone else, politely reminding his old rival that teams like Red Bull and Mercedes work hard to put themselves in winning positions and work even harder to preserve that status.
Lewis Hamilton: Red Bull’s ‘small’ cost cap punishment ‘didn’t cost them anything’. Of course, one of the main things preventing Mercedes from closing the gap to Red Bull is F1’s cost cap, introduced with the theoretical aim of levelling the playing field once and for all but in reality doing anything but.
‘Big storylines’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/austri...ig-storylines/
Lando Norris: Sprint weekend in Austria looks “promising” for McLaren
June 30, 2023
By Ashley Cline
The Checkered Flag
McLaren F1 Team’s Lando Norris comes into the Austrian Grand Prix after a solid showing of pace in Canada, though he did not score any points due to his five-second penalty for driving too slowly behind a safety car– noted by the stewards as “unsportsmanlike conduct” done to ensure a successful double-stack in the pits.
The Red Bull Ring holds significance for Norris, with him achieving his first podium result at the venue– a third place finish in 2020. Along with the sprint weekend set-up, which offers more opportunities to score points and come through the field, Norris said that this weekend is a “promising” one.
“The Red Bull Ring is one of my favourite circuits. It holds a lot of good memories for me, having scored my first podium there. It’s a Sprint weekend too, which always makes it more interesting. It’s all looking promising, so we’ll get out there and give it our all.”
‘Looks “promising” for McLaren’;
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...g-for-mclaren/
Alex Albon: “We’re going to be aiming for points”
June 29, 2023
By Joe Briley
TheCheckeredFlag.co.uk
Alex Albon comes into the Austrian Grand Prix full of confidence following an impressive race in Canada which saw him finish seventh, his highest finish for Williams Racing. Albon has said that he and Williams will be aiming for more points this weekend and with the sprint weekend, anything is possible.
“I’m looking forward to Austria after coming off the back of a great weekend in Canada. This track is another one that should suit our car more than some other circuits. With this format being a sprint weekend, coupled with the rain, it’s all to play for. We’re going to be aiming for points so let’s work to try make that happen.”
‘Full of confidence’;
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...ng-for-points/
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Verstappen beats out Ferrari to top Austrian GP FP1.
Max Verstappen was fastest overall in first practice for the Austrian GP, as the Red Bull driver beat out Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz by 0.241s despite running on medium compound tyres.
June 30, 2023
By Matt Neill
Total Motorsport
Sainz and teammate Charles Leclerc were both around 0.25 seconds slower than Verstappen on the soft compound tyres, with Lewis Hamilton in fourth for Mercedes half a second behind the Dutchman.
Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez was fifth overall, also running on the medium tyres, while Aston Martin‘s Lance Stroll was sixth, ahead of Kevin Magnussen and teammate Fernando Alonso.
George Russell was ninth overall for Mercedes, with Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu rounding out the top 10.
‘Verstappen beats out Ferrari’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...strian-gp-fp1/
(FP1) First Practice Results – 2023 Austrian Grand Prix
30th June 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Results (Classification):
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -1:05.742
2. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.241
3. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.270
4. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.509
5. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.520
6. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +0.598
7. Kevin Magnussen Haas +0.755
8. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.914
9. George Russell Mercedes +0.954
10. Zhou Guanyu Alfa Romeo +1.038
‘Austrian Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the only practice session of this weekend’s 2023 F1 World Championship race at the Red Bull Ring’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp1-first-...and-prix-82473
LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from first practice for the Austrian Grand Prix
30 June 2023
Formula One - Official Site
‘As it happened’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...lgiOtnbfZ.html
2023 F1 Austrian Grand Prix - Qualifying - LIVE UPDATES!
30th June 2023, 12:11
Reporting By: Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net
‘LIVE UPDATES!’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/live/2023-f...e-live-updates
Verstappen fastest ahead of Austrian qualifying
30th June 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Austrian Grand Prix – Max Verstappen denies the Ferraris the top spot to go fastest ahead of qualifying in the sole practice hour of the weekend.
Carlos Sainz had been holding the top of the times for the final five or so minutes but he was denied by a late last lap by Verstappen, after three laps cooling down his medium tyres, who put in a 1:05.742, almost a quarter of a second quicker than the Spaniard. Charles Leclerc was a few hundredths slower than his teammate in P3, both Ferraris having set their times on the softs.
Hamilton opened the timesheets with a 1:09.021 on the hards, while the two Williams cars sat out the first while in their garages, Alex Albon emerging after six minutes but returning to the pits without setting a time. There was no information initially given as to why they weren’t out on track and apparently even Jo Bauer, the F1 Technical Delegate, also went down to them to check on everything, later the team said there hadn’t been any issues and they were just following their run plan.
‘Verstappen fastest’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/verstappen...alifying-82476
AUSTRIAN F1 PRACTICE: FERRARI IMPRESS, RED BULL LOOK COMFORTABLE AT HOME
It's the second one hour-only practice of the F1 season. Following a frantic practice hour during the new sprint weekend format's debut weekend in Baku, would Austria follow suit?
June 30, 2023
Samuel Coop
FormulaNerds
The jury is very much still out on the new F1 sprint weekend format. But upending the conventional trend of three, hour-long practice sessions proved effective at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Would the second run of the single-hour practice format prove to be as chaotic and critical as the first?
The last quarter: With little over 10 minutes left to run, cars started to filter out of the pits with the red-walled soft tyres. First, Gasly would improve on his best time, despite an error at turn 3. Stroll would fare better, however, jostling in between Hamilton and Verstappen in P2. With most of the field on the softest rubber, Verstappen would not be deterred. The 25-year-old popping in the best time of the session on medium tyres.
However, Carlos Sainz soon took the initiative to get into the 1:05s with a little over five minutes to go. At the head of the pack is where he’d stay as the session entered the final two minutes. Would anyone get the better of him? Despite a slow first sector, Verstappen went purple in sectors two and three to end the session on top, clocking in a 1:05.742 on medium tyres. Another weekend of Red Bull dominance?
‘FERRARI IMPRESS, RED BULL LOOK COMFORTABLE’;
https://www.formulanerds.com/news/au...table-at-home/
Ominous pace for Verstappen in Austrian GP practice
Friday 30th June, 2023 - 10:44pm
By Mat Coch
Speedcafe
A late lap from Max Verstappen was an ominous warning to the field that Red Bull will again be a significant force to contend with in Austria this weekend. The Dutchman topped the event’s single practice session despite not using the softest compound tyre. He ended the session 0.241s clear of Carlos Sainz, the Ferrari driver having bolted on the red-walled rubber.
In the final minutes, Verstappen returned to the top of the timesheets after falling down the order as others completed their qualifying simulations. He did so on the medium compound tyre, leaving him more than 0.1s clear of Charles Leclerc in second best. Carlos Sainz then went fastest, logging a 1:05.983s to head the pack by 0.101s.
Red Bull had not touched the soft tyres, preferring to protect its limited bank with a view towards qualifying, the Sprint, and the race itself. A lap as the chequered flag fell saw Verstappen rise to the top of the timesheets once more, on a set of the medium tyres – the same set as he’d used to bank his earlier lap. It was an ominous lap, suggesting Red Bull once more has a comfortable advantage over the field.
‘Ominous pace for Verstappen’;
https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/06/30...n-gp-practice/
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Max Verstappen on Austrian GP pole despite F1 blast as Charles Leclerc suffers heartbreak.
Max Verstappen navigated a tricky Austrian Grand Prix qualifying session to secure pole position as the Formula 1 stewards deleted scores of lap times. The Dutchman felt their wrath twice himself as he had laps deleted in Q1 and Q2, and swore loudly as he complained over the radio about losing those times.
17:07, 30 Jun 2023
By Daniel MoxonSenior F1 Writer
Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes have made improvements in recent weeks, but championship leader Max Verstappen very much remained favourite for pole position at the Red Bull Ring
That was despite a monster lap from Charles Leclerc who gave everything to topple the Red Bull racer. But he was just four-hundredths of a second slower than Verstappen in an encouraging sign for Ferrari, who also had Carlos Sainz in third place.
Lando Norris was fourth quickest as McLaren's upgrades looked good while Lewis Hamilton starts fifth, sharing the third row with Lance Stroll. He will have been pleased to out-qualify his team-mate Fernando Alonso who will line up one place behind him.
‘Stewards deleted scores of lap times’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...ilton-30362995
Qualifying Results – 2023 Austrian Grand Prix
30th June 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Results (Classification):
Q3
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -1:04.391
2. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.048
3. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.190
4. Lando Norris McLaren +0.267
5. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.428
6. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +0.502
7. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.520
8. Nico Hulkenberg Haas +0.699
9. Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.779
10. Alex Albon Williams Racing +1.432
‘Austrian Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from qualifying for Sunday’s 2023 F1 World Championship race at the Red Bull Ring’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/qualifying...and-prix-82487
LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix
30 June 2023
Formula One - Official Site
‘As it happened’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...FyENEmrJp.html
Ferraris get close but can’t deny Verstappen the pole
Austrian Grand Prix – Max Verstappen took pole but the Ferraris weren’t too far behind, while track limits played havoc throughout the session.
30th June 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Q1: In the end the field was covered by just over eight and a half tenths but Yuki Tsunoda, Zhou, Sergeant, Magnussen and de Vries won’t be continuing in the session, unless there are any other time deletions of course.
Q2: Verstappen in P1 was the only driver not on track at the end while things didn’t go well for Perez as he got each of his fast laps deleted. The charts continued to change after all cars had set their times as there were a raft of deletions so it ended with Russell, Ocon, Piastri, Bottas and Perez failing to progress.
Q3: was able to shave more time off at the top to set a 1:04.391 and while the Ferraris gave it their best shot, the upgraded car just missed out and Leclerc wasn’t able to get closer than 0.048 seconds. There weren’t any times deleted after the session and Sainz took P3 ahead of Norris, also in an upgraded car. Hamilton ended the day in P5 while Stroll finished ahead of his teammate to take P6. Hulkenberg was P8 while Gasly and Albon rounded out the top ten.
‘Leclerc wasn’t able to get closer than 0.048 seconds’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/ferraris-g...the-pole-82490
Verstappen pips Leclerc to pole as track limits errors doom Perez to 15th
2023 Austrian Grand Prix qualifying
Posted on 30th June 2023, 17:21
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans
Max Verstappen secured his fourth pole position in a row in Austria, narrowly beating the resurgent Ferrari of Charles Leclerc. However Sergio Perez in the other Red Bull registered his fourth consecutive failure to reach the final phase of qualifying. This time a string of track limits infringements prevented him progressing from Q2.
In the final minutes, Verstappen and the Ferraris both headed out for their final runs on fresh soft tyres. Verstappen improved by a tenth of a second to lower his own pole time to a 1’04.391. Leclerc was quickest in the middle sector but lost half a tenth to Verstappen in the final sector and crossed the line that far behind the Red Bull driver, ensuring yet another pole for the world champion.
Sainz was just under two tenths behind Verstappen in third place, while Norris secured fourth place in his updated McLaren. Hamilton secured fifth for Mercedes ahead of the two Aston Martins of Stroll and Alonso. Hulkenberg took eighth for Haas, with Gasly ninth and Albon in tenth, his final deleted time ultimately having no impact on his final qualifying position.
‘Verstappen pips Leclerc’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/06/30/...perez-to-15th/
Lando Norris in awkward exchange with F1 journalist at Austrian GP - 'Who are you?'
McLaren driver Lando Norris is known for being one of the nicest guys in F1 and jumped to a reporter's defence ahead of this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix.
16:10, Fri, Jun 30, 2023
By Benjamin Goddard
Daily and Sunday Express
Experienced Brazilian television reporter Mariana Becker took the opportunity to ask Norris about the car improvements. She said: “How is it going to work with you to test everything and do you think it will be a game changer?” Norris replied: “Good question, you ask the best questions here, well done.” The British driver gave a smile while giving the answer but was shocked by what followed.
One male reporter stood nearby took issue with Norris’ answer and quipped: “You are one hell of a liar!” Both Norris and the Brazilian reporter seemed to be taken aback by the comment with the McLaren driver then quickly putting the male reporter down with his reply.
In an awkward exchange, the British driver added: “I’m not. Woah. Who are you?” Norris seemed lost for words before adding: “No I’m telling the truth.”
‘Awkward exchange’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ws-Austrian-GP
