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Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen pips Alonso by 0.2s in second F1 practice.
Max Verstappen grabbed the fastest time in Formula 1's second practice session ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, beating Fernando Alonso by two tenths of a second.
17th March 2023, 18:12
By: Jake Boxall-Legge
Motorsport.com
Once the early choices of medium and hard tyres were shed following the opening 20 minutes of laps, soft tyre running subsequently began in earnest as Alonso sought to topple Verstappen's current headliner.
But his 1m29.985s on the first soft-tyre run in anger was just a smidgen shy, and Perez's 1m29.902s on the same soft compound was enough to place the Mexican on top of the order.
Verstappen waited until later to do his own lap on softs, crossing the line at the half-hour mark with a 1m29.603s to put nearly 0.3s over Perez, but still had to withstand a later challenge from Alonso, who logged a 1m29.811s in another soft-shod effort.
‘Max Verstappen grabbed the fastest time’;
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f...tice/10444714/
(FP2) Second Practice Results – 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
17th March 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Results (Classification):
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -1:29.603
2. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.208
3. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.299
4. Esteban Ocon Alpine +0.436
5. George Russell Mercedes +0.467
6. Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.497
7. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +0.507
8. Nico Hulkenberg Haas +0.578
9. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.738
10. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.989
‘Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the second free practice ahead of this weekend’s 2023 F1 World Championship race in Jeddah’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp2-second...and-prix-81636
AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from second practice for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
17 March 2023
Becky Hart.
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site
‘AS IT HAPPENED;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...2Pg4L8h9x.html
Verstappen ahead of Alonso in Saudi Arabian FP2
17th March 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Max Verstappen topped both of the practice session in Jeddah as Red Bull and Aston Martin continued to be the fastest teams.
The second practice, the only representative session the drivers will have before qualifying tomorrow, got underway under the lights in Jeddah. Lance Stroll led the pack out as the majority of drivers were raring to get out and circulating at the start, the exception to that though was Sergio Perez who remained in his garage for a few extra minutes.
The timesheets didn’t change and so it was Verstappen who ended fastest with a 1:29.603, just beating his FP1 time, while Alonso was just over two tenths slower for Aston Martin while Perez took P3 three tenths off his teammate’s pace. Alpine’s Esteban Ocon ended the day P4 with a 1:30.039 ahead of George Russell and the other Alpine of Pierre Gasly.
‘Verstappen ahead of Alonso’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/verstappen...bian-fp2-81640
2023 F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Free Practice 2 results
17 March 7:00PM
Author RacingNews365 Staff
RacingNews365
Max Verstappen continued to set the pace around the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, ahead of Fernando Alonso and Sergio Perez.
The Red Bull driver set a fastest lap of 1:29.603s which was just 0.208s faster than Alonso. Esteban Ocon was fourth fastest 0.436s off the best time, while George Russell rounded out the top five.
‘Max Verstappen continued to set the pace’;
https://racingnews365.com/2023-f1-sa...tice-2-results
Alonso splits Red Bulls in second Saudi Arabian GP practice
17th March 2023.18:12
By Jack Cozens
The Race
Max Verstappen remained at the head of the order in second practice for the 2023 Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin splitting the Red Bulls of Verstappen and Sergio Perez as the Ferraris again made little impression
Key moments:
> Verstappen sets best time on fourth lap on softs
> Alonso gets between Red Bulls on second run
> Alpines fourth and sixth; Russell between
> Ferraris only round out top 10
‘Ferraris again made little impression’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/alons...n-gp-practice/
Verstappen in command as traffic bedlam sparks Saudi Arabian GP qualifying fears
Friday 17 March 2023 18:01
Ewan Gale
GPFans
Red Bull's stronghold at the top of the F1 timesheets continued with Max Verstappen finishing fastest in second practice for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Verstappen's confidence with the RB19 was clear for all when the two-time champion instantly pushed to the limit, narrowly avoiding contact with the wall on the exit of the final corner during his initial medium-tyre runs.
The Dutchman set a best time of one minute, 29.603secs to finish 0.208s faster than Fernando Alonso, who continues to impress for Aston Martin. Sergio Perez was third in the second Red Bull, within a tenth of Alonso as the teams completed their representative qualifying simulations under the lights at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
The big takeaway from the session ahead of qualifying, however, was the difficulties drivers will face with traffic. Leclerc labelled Hulkenberg 'a joke' for hugging the apex at turn 13 early in the session before further ranting on team radio in the dying embers of the hour.
‘Difficulties drivers will face’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...esults-report/
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Fernando Alonso coy on Aston Martin chances after Saudi Arabian GP Friday.
Fernando Alonso has refused to declare that Aston Martin currently have the second-fastest car in Formula 1 after once again being the only driver to trouble the dominant Red Bulls in Friday practice at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
17 Mar 2023 8:00 PM
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com
After starting the 2023 season with a podium in Bahrain, Alonso was a fixture in the top three throughout the opening day of running in Jeddah. Having been third in FP1, seven tenths adrift of Max Verstappen’s table-topping time, Alonso rose to second – ahead of the second Red Bull of Sergio Perez – and closed the gap to Verstappen to two tenths in the evening session.
Alonso, however, stopped short of claiming his car is the second best right now. “I have no idea,” he said. “I just drive the car and [in] qualifying I see where I am.”
“But obviously, there are a lot of free practice [sessions], a lot of days between races, a lot of data to analyse and a lot of predictions and estimations for you guys to do. That’s the beauty of Formula One as well, but for us teams or drivers it’s difficult to read anything [into] free practices.”
‘The beauty of Formula One’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/fernan...ian-gp-friday/
Aston Martin boss Krack reveals Alonso 'infection'
Friday 17 March 2023 15:45
Ewan Gale
GPFans
Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack believes Fernando Alonso is "infecting" the team with his energy and motivation for success in F1.
Noted during a conversation with Sky Sports F1 after the opening session of the weekend in Jeddah that Alonso's energy levels were as high as ever, Krack said: "[He] is infecting all of us, to be honest. "It is like we are riding on a wave, it feels like, and him especially.”
"You heard on the radio during the race [in Bahrain], how he was getting himself into this mode. It is very good for us, he is very inspiring - he pushes the team forward like that and everybody is flat out to try and do as much as possible."
‘Alonso 'infection': Riding on a wave, everybody is flat out’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...nso-infection/
Alonso mysterious over Aston Martin's Jeddah pace
17 March 9:10PM
Author Luke Murphy
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365
Fernando Alonso insists he has "no idea" about the pecking order for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, despite another strong practice outing for the team.
Fernando Alonso once again provided a strong performance during the free practice sessions to raise hopes of a podium-challenging performance from the Aston Martin Formula 1 team.
When asked about the strong showing from Aston Martin, the two-time F1 champion gave a positive reaction, but cooled expectations by pointing to the lower qualifying result of the previous race.
‘Alonso mysterious’;
https://racingnews365.com/alonso-mys...ns-jeddah-pace
Helmut Marko tips Alpine to take the fight to Fernando Alonso in Jeddah
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko believes that the battle for ‘best-of-the-rest’ behind his team at the Saudi Arabian GP will see Alpine and Fernando Alonso playing key roles.
17 Mar 2023 8:45 PM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com
It is Verstappen though who spoke of anticipating fiercer competition at Round 2 in Saudi Arabia, and while he would top both Friday practice sessions, Alonso cut the Dutchman’s advantage to two-tenths by the end of FP2. So, Marko does not seem to believe that Red Bull will be facing much of a challenge at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, but does expect plenty of competition behind, though one of the teams he mentioned are a surprise entrant into this conversation.
The team in question are Alpine, who following a troubled opening weekend in Bahrain, had said that they were in a situation where they still did not really know the actual performance level of their A523.
And their Friday pace in Jeddah suggested that it is pretty promising, Esteban Ocon having claimed P4 in FP2, four-tenths off Verstappen’s time, while the Dutchman’s former team-mate Pierre Gasly was P6, half a second adrift.
‘Alpine to take the fight’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/helmut...alonso-jeddah/
Red Bull retain their advantage in Jeddah but Alpine have joined the chasing pack
2023 Saudi Arabian GP Friday practice analysis
Posted on 17th March 2023, 23:2217th March 2023, 23:44
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans
If there was one thing that all 10 teams and 20 drivers unanimously agreed on at the conclusion of the opening round of the season, it was that you cannot make grand assumptions about this year’s championship based on the results of opening round of the season.
While the Red Bull looked fastest in terms of one-lap pace, the relative performance between teams in the second half of the hour was far more intriguing – not least of which for the surprise appearance of Alpine among the chasing pack.
Behind the top three, it was surprising to see that the closest to their high-fuel pace was not the Mercedes or the Ferraris, but the Alpines of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon. Both Alpines had an average stint pace of a 1’35.3, only hundredths of a second faster than Hamilton and around a tenth quicker than the second Mercedes of George Russell.
‘Alpine have joined the chasing pack’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/03/17/...-chasing-pack/
Alpine still feel there is ‘more on the table’ after mighty Friday in Jeddah
Alpine delivered an eye-catching display on Friday at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, but do not believe they have peaked yet.
17 Mar 2023 10:20 PM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com
Already then this is an extremely strong start for the team, with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko tipping them to take the fight to Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso for ‘best of the rest’ behind Red Bull, Alonso of course a former Alpine driver.
And if that is a fight that Alpine are about to pick, then it is encouraging that Gasly still thinks he can extract more from the A523. “I must say I am pretty happy,” Gasly told media in Jeddah. “Strong Friday for the team, [and] we’ve got some good potential. We’ve shown some good speed. It’s very positive.”
“I can still feel there are a couple of things here and there that I am not fully happy about. So, there’s probably more on the table, but looking at the lap times, we seem to be there. So, good start.”
‘More on the table’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/alpine...di-arabian-gp/
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RED BULL DOMINANCE CONTINUES IN FREE PRACTICE THREE AT THE SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX.
Max Verstappen makes it three out of three after free practice three at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
March 18, 2023
Rhiannon Temporal
FormulaNerds
As the excitement for free practice three, and qualifying afterwards, builds, Mercedes remains the talk of the paddock. Following free practices one and two yesterday, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff sat down with Sky Sports F1 to talk about his team’s drop in performance.
At the halfway point, it was also announced that Verstappen will take a brand-new gearbox for the race on Sunday. This will not result in any sort of penalty for the Red Bull driver as it is within his allocation. But the Dutch driver was complaining about his gear shifts in practice on Friday, hopefully, he will be happier following the change.
At the end of the session, it was the Red Bull of Verstappen that was back at the top of the timesheet with a 1:28.485. He was followed by his teammate in P2, who was 0.613 adrift from the Dutchman. Alonso, Lance Stroll, and Hamilton rounded out the top five. The two Ferraris were well down the order, with Leclerc finishing the session in P6, with his teammate Sainz in P10. The second Mercedes of Russell was just behind Sainz in P11.
‘RED BULL DOMINANCE CONTINUES’;
https://www.formulanerds.com/news/re.../?nowprocket=1
(FP3) Third Practice Results – 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
18th March 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Results (Classification):
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing – 1:28.485
2. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.613
3. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.998
4. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +1.024
5. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +1.083
6. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +1.103
7. Lando Norris McLaren +1.205
8. Oscar Piastri McLaren +1.213
9. Pierre Gasly Alpine +1.216
10. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +1.276
‘Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the final free practice ahead of this weekend’s 2023 F1 World Championship race in Jeddah’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp3-third-...and-prix-81644
LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from final practice for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
18 March 2023
Becky Hart.
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site
‘LIVE COVERAGE’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...cV8DTyxCH.html
Everything that happened in final Saudi Arabian GP F1 practice
Mar 18 2023
By Valentin Khorounzhiy
The Race
Defending Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen completed a clean sweep of practice sessions for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah.
________________________________________
Key moments:
> Verstappen six tenths clear
> Red Bull in league of its own
> Aston best of the rest again
> Hamilton improves after Friday struggles
> Light at the end of tunnel for McLaren
________________________________________
Verstappen was already just a tenth off table-topping team-mate Sergio Perez after the initial runs, despite using hards to Perez’s softs, and proved untouchable after swapping to the red-walled compound himself.
‘Everything that happened’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/every...p-f1-practice/
FP3: Max Verstappen bags a practice hat-trick, over six-tenths ahead of the chasing pack
18 Mar 2023 2:34 PM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com
Max Verstappen claimed the practice hat-trick for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend, the Red Bull driver laying down a 1:28.485 to beat the sister Red Bull by over six-tenths of a second. The good news in the mix, though, is P3 to P17 were also separated by just six-tenths.
The rush of drivers taking new parts from their season’s stock pile continued with news Verstappen had a new gearbox fitted in his RB19 while Nyck de Vries didn’t complete a single lap as his AT04 needed a new PU.
The final 20 minutes saw the traditional switch to new soft tyres as one by one the drivers did their qualifying simulations. Verstappen went quickest with a 1:28.756, 0.371s up on Perez, with Hamilton jumping up to third place with Alonso P4 in the Aston Martin.
‘A practice hat-trick’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/saudi-...23-fp3-report/
Lewis Hamilton hand gesture caught on camera as Mercedes star left furious at Saudi GP
Several drivers have reported similar concerns over the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend.
14:46, Sat, Mar 18, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth
Lewis Hamilton’s angry reaction has been caught on camera as the seven-time champion struggled in Saudi Arabia. The Mercedes star made the gesture after he appeared to be held up by an Aston Martin on his hot lap. Hamilton caught the AMR23 in the run-up to the quick right-hander at turn 15 which prompted the 38-year-old to run wide. He aborted his lap but made sure to make his feelings clear as he flicked his hand in annoyance while driving past.
He took to his team radio to complain about the heavy traffic as drivers struggled to find space on the tight street circuit. His race engineer, Peter Bonnington simply responded: “Copy, Yeah, very busy now.” Hamilton has continued to lack pace in Jeddah despite winning the Grand Prix back in 2021. He was only fifth fastest on Saturday afternoon with a lap one second slower than Max Verstappen’s Red Bull.
‘Lewis Hamilton left furious’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...rand-prix-news
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Perez on pole as Verstappen hit with mechanical issues.
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Sergio Perez beat Charles Leclerc to pole in Jeddah after Max Verstappen’s day ended in Q2 with a driveshaft issue.
18th March 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Once the eight early runners had set their first times it was Perez in provisional pole with a 1:28.265, half a second ahead of Leclerc who set an identical time to what Alonso had managed in Q2.
Everyone was out for the final couple of minutes of the session as they tried to set themselves up to give themselves the best chance of improving. Stroll looked like he’d be challenging for the front row or even the pole after setting the fastest first sector but the remainder of the lap didn’t pan out for him so he only finished P6.
Perez remained on top and didn’t need to put in a final flyer, Leclerc took P2 but with a 10 place grid penalty will drop him back to P12 and promote Alonso on to the front row. George Russell’s 1:28.857 saw him end P4 ahead of Sainz. Esteban Ocon took P7 ahead of Hamilton while the top ten was rounded out by Piastri and Gasly.
‘Sergio Perez beat Charles Leclerc to pole’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/perez-on-p...l-issues-81661
Qualifying Results – 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
18th March 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Q3
1. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing -1:28.265
2. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.155
3. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.465
4. George Russell Mercedes +0.592
5. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.666
6. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +0.680
7. Esteban Ocon Alpine +0.813
8. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.958
9. Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.978
10. Pierre Gasly Alpine +1.092
‘Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from qualifying ahead of tomorrow’s 2023 F1 World Championship race at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/qualifying...and-prix-81652
AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
18 March 2023
Becky Hart.
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site
‘AS IT HAPPENED’;
https://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/F1...udi+Arabian+GP
Perez on Saudi Arabian GP pole, Verstappen starts 15th
Mar 18 2023
By Valentin Khorounzhiy
The Race
A driveshaft failure for reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen left him 15th on the grid for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez on pole instead.
Verstappen had topped every practice session of the Jeddah weekend and was almost half a second clear of the chasing pack in the first qualifying segment – but suddenly slowed dramatically in Q2 before he could set a time.
He limped back to the pits but climbed out of the car with six minutes left on the clock, the issue clearly impossible to rectify in time. The Dutchman’s exit left an open goal for Perez, and though Perez didn’t go quickest by much in Q2, he then found a good chunk of time on his very first run of Q3 to go half a second clear.
‘Driveshaft failure’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/perez...n-starts-15th/
Verstappen 'realistic' of Saudi Arabian GP chances after 'annoying' Red Bull reliability woe
Saturday 18 March 2023 18:07
Sam Hall
GPFans
Max Verstappen is keeping a lid on his expectations for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix following an 'annoying' reliability problem in qualifying. The Dutchman dropped out of qualifying in Q2 after a transmission problem struck.
Asked if there had been previous issues in this area, Verstappen told Sky Sports: "No, it's the first time I've heard about it as well. Coming out of turn 10 it happened, which is very annoying for it to happen. I think we'd, so far, had a really good weekend. Every session was going really well and every time we were on the track, the car was working really well.”
"Now, it will be a bit more tricky to get to the front. But it is all about scoring points. It's a very long season. Of course, I would have hoped to start a bit further up the road but we cannot change that now."
‘It is all about scoring points’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...liability-woe/
Perez on pole after Verstappen’s driveshaft fails, Alonso inherits second from Leclerc
2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying
Posted on 18th March 2023, 18:13
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans
Sergio Perez secured pole position for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix for a second consecutive year after team mate Max Verstappen was eliminated in 15th after a driveshaft failure.
Verstappen lost power midway through Q2, dooming him to start no higher than 15th. With the other Red Bull out of contention, Perez duly secured pole position with Charles Leclerc second for Ferrari ahead of Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin. However, Leclerc’s 10-place power unit grid penalty will see him drop to 12th, promoting Alonso onto the front row.
Despite going fastest of all through the first sector, Stroll could not trouble the front row with his final lap, moving to sixth, while Russell took to fourth with his last effort. Perez did not need to improve and abandoned his final run, while Leclerc was the only driver to come close to his pole time, moving second behind the Red Bull.
‘Perez did not need to improve and abandoned his final run’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/03/18/...-from-leclerc/
Leclerc unhappy with Ferrari pace despite strong qualifying in Jeddah
Leclerc will start the Saudi Arabian GP from outside the top 10 as he serves a grid penalty for changing power unit parts.
March 18, 2023
By Matt Neill
Total Motorsport
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has said that Red Bull are on “another planet” to the Scuderia despite the Monegasque qualifying second for the Saudi Arabian GP. Leclerc will start the race in Jeddah from outside the top 10 as he serves a 10-place grid penalty after Ferrari opted to change parts on his power unit following his retirement at the Bahrain GP last time out.
He will be joined in the midfield by Max Verstappen, who was forced to retire in Q2 after his car suffered a driveshaft failure, which left the Dutchman limping back to the pits before his session was prematurely ended. And while Leclerc said while he was happy with the flying lap which put him second behind pole sitter Sergio Perez, he was less optimistic about Ferrari’s overall performance.
“On one hand, I think it’s been a very difficult weekend in terms of pace for us, but I’m very happy about my lap. I think I put everything in it. It was really, really on the limit,” Leclerc told Sky Sports F1. On the other hand, Red Bull are in another planet and we are struggling a little bit, so we need to we need to keep pushing.”
“Another planet”;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...ifying-jeddah/
Perez and Alonso set for thriller as Verstappen issue rattles Red Bull
Saturday 18 March 2023 18:08
Ewan Gale
GPFans
Sergio Perez picked up the pieces for Red Bull to take his second consecutive Saudi Arabian Grand Prix pole. The Mexican took full advantage of issues for team-mate Max Verstappen, setting a time of a one minute, 28.265secs, faster than Charles Leclerc by 0.155s.
With Leclerc's grid drop, Fernando Alonso will line up on the front row for Aston Martin. The Spaniard recovered from an early spin to eventually finished third-fastest on the night, ahead of Mercedes driver George Russell.
‘Perez and Alonso set for thriller’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...esults-report/
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Alonso eyeing victory and fast cars out of position – What To Watch For in the Saudi Arabian GP.
From some extremely quick cars starting out of position to Fernando Alonso chasing a first win in a decade, and from a five-team fight for the podium to a mixed-up midfield, we’ve picked out some key areas to keep an eye on when the lights go out at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit…
18 March 2023
Chris Medland
Special Contributor
Formula One - Official Site
1. Verstappen and Leclerc out of position. Heading into qualifying, many observers had already assigned pole position to Max Verstappen, such was the pace advantage he had shown in FP3. He was quickest in all three practice sessions but it was earlier on Saturday when he had gone nearly a second clear of the first non-Red Bull car.
2. Can Alonso threaten a win? The Red Bull is the quicker of the two cars and Alonso knows he is the underdog, but the Aston Martin’s pace is still strong enough to put up a fight if he can take the lead off the line – and he’s been known for some rapid launches in the past.
‘3. A five-team podium fight, 4. Will there be points on the table for the rest? 5. Safety Cars and DRS battles’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...McA2npJWg.html
Fernando Alonso doesn’t believe Aston Martin can win Saudi Arabian GP
The Spaniard was rather pessimistic despite qualifying third and starting second in the race
March 18, 2023
By Joe Ellis
Total Motorsport
“I don’t think so,” Alonso said, when asked by the media if there is any chance of beating Perez in the race. “I don’t want to sound pessimistic but if we see the pace all weekend and throughout free practice as well as the Bahrain pace, we have to be honest with ourselves and know that Red Bull is a little bit ahead of everyone.”
“That [the race win] is not the target tomorrow, but as I said before, Formula 1 is not exact mathematics. Anything can happen and today it has put Verstappen P15. I expect a very tight race and I think that will be defined by small details,” Alonso continued. “One will be the start, one will be the tyre management and the other one will be the strategy.
‘Defined by small details’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...rabian-gp-win/
‘No doubt Verstappen will be on the podium, minimum’ – Alonso
2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Posted on 18th March 2023, 20:4018th March 2023, 21:51
Written by Keith Collantine
RaceFans
Fernando Alonso believes Max Verstappen will easily overcome the disadvantage of starting 15th on the grid for tomorrow’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. “I think Max will come eventually in the race,” he said. “They have this advantage – I don’t know which race it was last year that he started last, he changed the power unit and still finished P2 or even he won the race. So I think tomorrow there is no doubt that he will be in the podium, probably, minimum.”
“On pure pace, I think Red Bull is in another league and I think we have to concentrate more on the teams behind,” he said. “Ferrari will be very strong, Mercedes are strong, also Alpine they are fast here. So I think our race is just behind us.
‘On the podium, minimum’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/03/18/...inimum-alonso/
Sergio Perez achieves F1 feat managed only once before with Saudi Arabian GP pole position
Perez took advantage of Max Verstappen's misfortune to park his Red Bull on pole position for the race in Jeddah – a result which caught the eye for more than one reason
22:04, 18 Mar 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer.
Sergio Perez joined former Formula 1 star Jean Alesi in a very exclusive club by sticking his Red Bull on pole for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Saturday. The Mexican's performance was a great relief for his team after they watched a disaster unfold for Max Verstappen. He suffered a suspected drive shaft issues which left him unable to set a lap time in Q2, consigning him the 15th place on the grid for tomorrow's race in Jeddah.
Perez will be thrilled, especially considering how often he is forced to live in Verstappen's shadow. In taking pole, he also lived up to his reputation that he is a real force to be reckoned with on a street circuit. Speaking after the session, Perez said: "It was tricky. It was tricky that Q3, especially [after] not getting that second lap. That [first lap] was quite good, you know, it was quite clean, really clean.”
"Nailing that lap, you really feel the Formula 1 cars coming alive in this place and yeah just maximising that lap was very important, you know, because with the issue we had into the final run it was really important as the track was improving.
‘Great relief for his team’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...-feat-29495161
‘We must make sure these things don’t happen’ says Verstappen as fault leaves him 15th
2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Posted on 18th March 2023, 18:48
Written by Keith Collantine
RaceFans
Verstappen’s radio messages after driveshaft failure
Verstappen I have a problem. Engine, mate, problem.
Lambiase Understood.
Verstappen I don’t know. I put in the clutch. Let me know what I have to do.
Lambiase Will do.
Lambiase Okay you can continue to limp home.
Verstappen It doesn’t sound good.
Lambiase Okay next car coming through Hulkenberg
Verstappen It’s almost not accelerating.
Lambiase Okay understood Max, we’ll do what we can. We’re happy for you to try and limp home if possible.
Verstappen Just give me recommendations, what gear.
Lambiase Can we have recharge on and diff 12.So you’ve got Ocon at five seconds, he’s coming through quickly.
Verstappen Any other cars?
Lambiase Just Magnussen at the moment. Eight seconds. Now six. Five. Recommend letting him through before 27, Max, in case you have an issue. Track clear behind Magnussen. And box.
Lambiase So look out for the weigh bridge.
‘Messages after driveshaft failure’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/03/18/...aves-him-15th/
Ferrari star Charles LeClerc lauds Oscar Piastri's 'extreme talent' after the Aussie rookie's 'impressive' performance will see him start the Saudi Arabia GP at eighth on the grid
• Leclerc impressed by Oscar Piastri
• Rookie will start in eighth on grid
• Sergio Perez took pole position
Published: 22:58, 18 March 2023
By James Cooney For Daily Mail Australia and Jonathon Mcavoy For The Daily Mail
Mail Online
Oscar Piastri exceeded all expectations in the final phase of qualifying to record the ninth-best time. The Aussie, in just his second F1 race, was the only McLaren to reach the final stage - beating his teammate by ten places.
'It's impressive,' Leclerc told Speedcafe when asked about the youngster's performance. Especially after a year off and [this is his] second race, in a street track, in a very challenging one – probably one of the most challenging of the season.”
‘Oscar Piastri's extreme talent';
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...ualifying.html
It's all to play for at Saudi Arabian GP as Sergio Perez is new favourite to seal victory.
19:50 Sat, 18 Mar 2019.
Wheels24
Sergio Perez claimed pole position for Sunday's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to salvage pride for Red Bull after Max Verstappen was forced out of qualifying with a driveshaft failure in Q2.
The 33-year-old Mexican clocked a best lap in 1:28.265 seconds to beat Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who faces a 10-place grid penalty, by 0.155sec in a closely fought qualifying session.
It is Perez's second career pole and second in Saudi Arabia, while Verstappen will start from 15th. "Good job, guys," said Perez. "Hopefully, Max will be able to fight through in the race, and we can enjoy a good result. We've got a good car, and it's a good circuit for me."
"Good job, guys";
https://www.news24.com/sport/motorsp...e-win-20230318
-
Perez dominates as Verstappen converts P15 to P2.
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Sergio Perez dominated from the front to take the pole to victory that the Safety Car denied him last year.
19th March 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
As the lights went out to start the race Perez wasn’t able to enjoy his position at the front of the pack for long as Alonso got the better of the Red Bull driver at the first corner however the Spaniard has been noted by the stewards for incorrect starting location, a couple of laps into the race he was handed a five second penalty for the being too far left in his grid box.
Perez crossed the line over five seconds ahead of Verstappen, the Mexican had looked like he would be leading the world championship standings but Verstappen took the fastest lap point, with a 1:31.906, at the very end to ensure he remained ahead. Alonso took P3 ahead of the two Mercedes drivers while Sainz and Leclerc finished P6 and P7 the Ferraris not making up any ground on the hard tyres. The Alpines both took points with Esteban Ocon ahead of Gasly while Magnussen took the final point for Haas.
‘Perez dominates’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/perez-domi...15-to-p2-81671
Race Results – 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
19th March 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Results (Classification):
1. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing – 50 laps
2. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +5.355
3. George Russell Mercedes +25.866
4. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +30.728 *
5. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +31.065
6. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +35.876
7. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +43.162
8. Esteban Ocon Alpine +52.832
9. Pierre Gasly Alpine +54.747
10. Kevin Magnussen Haas +64.826
‘Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Here are the complete race results from today’s 2023 F1 World Championship race at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/race-resul...and-prix-81668
AS IT HAPPENED: All the action from the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
19 March 2023
Becky Hart.
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site
‘AS IT HAPPENED’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...ICXhSpeR7.html
Alonso loses podium finish after team fails to serve penalty correctly
2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Posted on 19th March 2023, 18:5619th March 2023, 19:18
Written by Keith Collantine
RaceFans
Fernando Alonso has lost his podium finish in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after the stewards ruled he failed to serve a penalty correctly during the race.
The Aston Martin driver was originally penalised when the stewards deemed he did not line up in his starting position correctly. He was given a five-second time penalty which he served when he made his only pit stop of the race during a Safety Car period.
However after studying replays the stewards determined Aston Martin had not served that penalty correctly. Alonso was therefore given a further 10-second time penalty.
‘Alonso loses podium’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/03/19/...lty-correctly/
Russell disobeys Hamilton team order and Leclerc fumes as Perez wins Saudi Grand Prix
Sergio Perez dominated the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from start to finish, but that was far from the only talking point of the race.
18:35, Sun, Mar 19, 2023
By Stuart Ballard
Daily and Sunday Express
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix finished with the same top three as the season-opening race in Bahrain, although Sergio Perez managed to hold off Max Verstappen to take the chequered flag in what proved to be an eventful race. Express Sport takes a look at four things learned from the Grand Prix.
Both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton have had a harmonious relationship in their short time together at Mercedes, but that might be tested following the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Hamilton was the faster car on medium tyres after the Safety Car period ended and Mercedes gave Russell orders to let his team-mate through.
But the 25-year-old was not willing to give up his place, insisting he wanted to "manage the tyres" and "fight later". There also appeared to be a bit of confusion as Russell believed Fernando Alonso still had a five-second penalty to serve before he was told the Spaniard had already taken the penalty. Shortly after the radio exchange, Hamilton dropped back from Russell possibly with the medium compound starting to wear off.
‘Sergio Perez dominated’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...-Verstappen-F1
Perez holds Verstappen at bay for Saudi Arabian GP win
19th March 2023, 18:41
The Race
Sergio Perez claimed his fifth Formula 1 victory by keeping his Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen at bay in the second half of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Polesitter Perez briefly lost the lead to a fast-starting Fernando Alonso on the run down to Turn 1 on the opening lap, but he reclaimed the lead into the same corner on lap four.
Perez held a margin of just over six seconds at that stage and he was able to more or less maintain that with Verstappen never getting the gap below four seconds.
Both drivers complained of potential issues with their RB19s – Perez complained about his brake pedal while Verstappen was spooked by noises aboard his car – and the team effectively attempted to call off the fight by asking the drivers to stick to 1m33s lap times.
‘Perez holds Verstappen at bay’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/perez...rabian-gp-win/
Perez shines in Saudi Arabian GP victory as Verstappen survives Red Bull gremlins
Sunday 19 March 2023 18:30
Ewan Gale
GPFans
Sergio Perez secured a comfortable Saudi Arabian Grand Prix victory as team-mate Max Verstappen recovered from 15th on the grid to secure a second consecutive one-two finish for Red Bull.
The Mexican beat Verstappen home by 5.3 seconds to secure his fourth F1 victory, though a fastest lap on the final lap for the Dutchman puts him top of the championship. Red Bull was given a fright in the final quarter as both drivers called in with suspicions of issues.
Verstappen worryingly suggested his driveshaft sounded 'rough', the sane component that quashed his qualifying hopes on Saturday. Leader Perez then complained of a long brake pedal, though the Mexican was assured this was only down to general wear.
‘Perez shines’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...bull-gremlins/
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Horner: Saudi Arabian GP best race of Sergio Perez career.
Christian Horner has claimed that Sergio Perez’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix victory was the Mexican’s best in his Formula 1 career.
March 19, 2023
By Joe Ellis
19:57 Sun, 19 Mar 2023.
The Mexican resisted pressure from his teammate to take victory on the streets of Jeddah. Perez had the advantage of starting from the front of the field after Max Verstappen suffered mechanical woes in qualifying but he still drove the wheels of his Red Bull to keep the Dutchman at arm’s length.
Red Bull team principal Horner could not praise Perez enough for his performance at the fastest street circuit in the world in which he claimed that both his drivers were indeed going as fast as they could. “The team, all credit to them, have built an incredible car,” Horner said to Sky Sports. “What we saw today was two drivers pushing each other.”
“Max we saw come from 15th and by half distance, he was already fourth and for Checo, I think that was probably his best-ever race. Managing the pace, the restart and those guys behind we were going absolutely flat out.”
‘The Mexican resisted pressure’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/hor...-perez-career/
'Street fighter' Sergio Perez leads Red Bull sweep in Saudi Arabia
Mar 20, 2023
The Japan Times
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – Red Bull's Sergio Perez flexed his street circuit muscles in dramatic fashion by storming to victory ahead of teammate Max Verstappen at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Sunday.
While there was no question about the top two finishers, the next two places remained unsettled long after the race had finished, with Fernando Alonso first stripped of third place and then reinstated in the early hours of Monday morning.
Perez, a 33-year-old Mexican, came home 5.355 seconds clear of the two-time defending world champion as Red Bull reeled off a masterful 1-2 triumph with the Dutchman storming through the field from 15th on the grid to finish second.
'Street fighter';
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/...treet-fighter/
Perez thought “Not again!” when Safety Car appeared while he led in Jeddah
2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Posted on 19th March 2023, 19:50
Written by Keith Collantine
RaceFans
Sergio Perez said the appearance of the Safety Car while he was leading the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix reminded him of how he lost a potential victory in last year’s race.
“Once I got past Fernando, I could do my own race,” Perez recalled. “But once again, when that Safety Car came out, it reminded me all over Jeddah last year again and I was like ‘not again’. But luckily, we hadn’t pitted at the time. So it was a new race after the Safety Car.”
“Very early on Max came back and we were basically towards the end just making sure we kept the gap between between myself and Max,” he said. “But that meant we were pushing quite hard and trying to maintain the gap. I was on [for] the victory last year, finally I got it and the team did a fantastic job. The job they’ve done, they’ve worked so hard during the weekend. We had a lot of mechanical issues and these guys have been on top of that. So I’m really happy for them and it’s time to celebrate.”
“Not again!”;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/03/19/...led-in-jeddah/
Verstappen: We decided to 'call it a day' in Perez Saudi chase
19 March 8:05PM
Author Jake Nichol
RacingNews365
Max Verstappen says he decided to "call it a day" in his Formula 1 pursuit of Sergio Perez in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - settling for second. Following his 15th place start, Verstappen was running inside the Top 5 when the Safety Car was deployed for Lance Stroll's retirement, allowing him a free pitstop for the change to Hard tyres.
Restarting fourth, Verstappen quickly cleared George Russell and Fernando Alonso to run second on Lap 25, by which time Perez had bolted out front. The gap remained around the five second mark until the flag, although Verstappen did nick fastest lap on the final tour to maintain his championship lead by one point.
'Call it a day';
https://racingnews365.com/verstappen...ez-saudi-chase
Max Verstappen angry at Red Bull after Sergio Perez win: "I'm not here to be second"
Verstappen appeared pleased with his result at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix when speaking to the TV cameras but, in the post-race press conference, was critical of his Red Bull team
21:42, 19 Mar 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer
The Mirror
Max Verstappen declared: "I'm not happy," as he criticised his Red Bull team after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
He told reporters: "It's not only about the pace of the car, we need to make sure we are reliable without any issues. My first weekend was not very clean because of just the big balance shift from testing to the race weekend, some other things which were going on in the background.”
"Now again, after three positive practice sessions, I have an issue in qualifying. Of course, I recovered to second which is good. In general the whole feeling in the team, everyone is happy – but personally I'm not happy because I'm not here to be second.”
"I'm not happy";
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...eddah-29499620
‘Were you not told?’: Red Bull stars in frosty exchange after Mad Max’s defiant move
March 20th, 2023 11:31 am
Alex Conrad.
Fox Sports (Australia)
In the cooldown room, Perez was slightly baffled as to why his teammate was able to go for it. Perez asked: “Am I the fastest lap in the end? On the last lap? Perez takes a moment and runs his hand through his hair before serving a follow-up question that hinted at the anger bubbling away inside him: “Were you not told to keep the pace?”
Verstappen, not squirming at the direct line of questioning, said: “Ah, 33.0, yeah. But then I asked what as the fastest lap and I think it was a tenth faster than what we were doing.” According to Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko, the push on the final lap was just “typical” Max behaviour.
“That was uncontrollable,” Marko told Austrian television station ORF. “That’s just Max. Both were constantly asking who had the fastest lap and Max waited until the last lap so Perez couldn’t counter. It means the lead in the world championship for him. We are very satisfied with the race.”
‘Were you not told?’;
https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...b3f23f0c554df2
'What a sore loser' - Fans bemused as Jos Verstappen blanks Perez
Sunday 19 March 2023 21:15
Ronan Murphy
GPFans
Max Verstappen had an amazing race in Saudi Arabia, coming from 15th on the grid to finish second behind Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez. Recording his first win of the season, Perez was warmly embraced by Red Bull personnel, family and friends after the chequered flag, but Verstappen senior looked on in stony-faced silence.
That was captured on camera, with many Formula 1 fans on social media saying the reaction was 'rude' and 'unsportsmanlike' while some even referred to the ex-Arrows and Minardi driver as a 'sore loser.' Here's a sample of how F1 Twitter reacted to Jos Verstappen's snubbing of Sergio Perez:
- Jos Verstappen getting caught up in the Sergio Perez celebrations ��
- Jos Verstappen blanking Checo while all around him celebrate - how rude and unsportsmanlike. I know they have differences but to not congratulate him is petulant and not what #F1 is about - a really poor example to set to younger generations.
- Oh wow, what a sore loser! Just because your golden boy didn't win.
- Jos Verstappen when his son doesn’t get P1
- HAHAHAHA JOS VERSTAPPEN WAS SEETHING AT CHECO
- jos verstappen when his son drives a near perfect race, gets p2 and driver of the day but just misses out on the win
‘Snubbing of Sergio Perez’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...-sergio-perez/
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Fernando Alonso chaos: F1 risks losing credibility and fans with another FIA mess.
That is not healthy for any sport, let alone one which has already seen its governance heavily scrutinised over the last 18 months.
22:58, 19 Mar 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer
The Mirror
Once again, the final result of a Formula 1 race was as clear as mud to absolutely everybody for several hours after it had actually ended. Even George Russell, who benefitted from that punishment, was surprised. Alonso was furious – not necessarily over the penalty itself, but that it had taken the last 35 laps of the race plus the podium ceremony for the stewards to decide that he was deserving of one.
But Aston Martin exercised their right to appeal, rejecting the assertion that there was a clear agreement that a jack touching the car would amount to "working" on it. And so, more than FIVE HOURS after the conclusion of the race, the penalty was reversed and Alonso had his 100th career podium after all.
Regardless of personal opinion about the decision, the issue here is the time delay and chaos between the end of the race and the final call being made public. For all that time, fans, journalists and even the teams and drivers themselves did not know what the final result of the race was.
‘Fernando Alonso chaos’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...chaos-29500038
Why the FIA stripped Fernando Alonso’s Jeddah podium…then gave it back three hours later
19 Mar 2023 10:40 PM
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com
Fernando Alonso has been reinstated in third place at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, having been given a post-race time penalty that dropped him to fourth. The FIA have outlined how the stewards were shown video evidence of seven different instances where cars serving penalties were touched by a jack without being penalised.
The documentation details how Aston Martin say the “alleged representation of an agreement between the FIA and the teams that ‘touching the car in any way, including with a jack’ was ‘incorrect’ and, therefore, the basis of the stewards’ decision was ‘wrong'”. Under the Petition for Review, the stewards determined Aston Martin’s presented evidence, combined with the minutes of the most recent SAC meeting, showed the ‘substratum of the original decision’ could be ‘called into question’.
Reviewing the evidence presented by Aston Martin, the stewards have decided that there is no clear agreement that can be relied upon to determine whether all parties had agreed that a car being touched by a jack would be considered ‘working on the car’. As a result, the stewards opted to overturn the 10-second time penalty imposed on Alonso, re-instating him to third place.
‘Stripped…then gave it back’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/whyfia...-gave-it-back/
IN FULL: Stewards overturn Alonso penalty
Monday 20th March, 2023 - 9:44am
By Mat Coch
Speedcafe
Fernando Alonso officially finished third in the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after a post-race penalty was overturned.
Aston Martin lodged a Right of Review following the race, which prompted stewards to reverse their decision to penalised the Spaniard.
In doing so, they published their rationale in first applying the penalty before subsequently reserving that decision.
‘Below, both decisions have been reproduced in full’;
https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/03/20...lonso-penalty/
How Alonso lost his 100th podium finish to a post-race time penalty — then got it back
Mar 19, 2023
By Madeline Coleman
19 Mar
The Athletic
Alonso was told he had failed to correctly serve a five-second penalty he had been given at the beginning of the race, for incorrectly lining up on the grid (he was a touch to the left of his starting box).
The bizarre bit is that the race stewards waited so long — more than half the race — to apply the penalty.
The really bizarre bit is that a few hours after that, they changed their minds again, putting Alonso back in third.
‘Here’s what happened — and why’
https://theathletic.com/4325481/2023...-gp-explained/
Alonso reinstated to P3 after a review of his penalty
20th March 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
As the drivers headed onto the podium at the end of the race the Stewards announced that they would be investigating Alonso for incorrectly serving a time penalty during the race. After celebrating his 100th podium alongside race winner Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen Alonso was handed a 10 second penalty for incorrectly serving his 5 second penalty which he had received for starting the race too far to the left of his grid box.
The Stewards granted the review and Aston Martin’s main arguments were that jacks hadn’t been cause for penalties previously, the team presenting “video evidence of 7 different instances where cars were touched by the jack while serving a similar penalty to the one imposed on Car 14 without being penalized”, and that there hadn’t been any agreement made that which stated that touching a car was counted as working on it.
Presented with the new facts the Stewards had no choice but to reverse their earlier decision as “there was no clear agreement, as was suggested to the Stewards previously, that could be relied upon to determine that parties had agreed that a jack touching a car would amount to working on the car.” That meant that Alonso and Aston Martin could once again celebrate his 100th F1 podium finish and it has definitely made it a memorable occasion for all.
‘P3 Alonso P3’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/alonso-rei...-penalty-81690
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No bullsh*tting, demands Vasseur.
Ferrari boss, Frederic Vasseur has one demand of his team's engineers, he doesn't want any bullsh*tting.
20/03/2023
NEWS STORY
Pitpass13:45
As the team regroups ahead of the trip down under, the Frenchman was asked what his main priority will be when he sits down with his engineers. "To not bullshit ourselves," he replied. "The most important thing in this kind of situation is to know where we are going well and what we are doing wrong," he continued.
"We cannot bullshit ourselves. We have to change. We have to understand where we are wrong, and we have to push. It's not enough to speak, we will not be faster like this. For me the picture is quite clear," he added. "The potential of the car is good, but it's not enough compared to Red Bull, because we are not able to extract the maximum from the car every time.”
‘No bullsh*tting’;
https://www.pitpass.com/74758/No-bul...emands-Vasseur
Vasseur slates ‘unacceptable’ Ferrari weakness but makes vow to Leclerc and Sainz
Monday 20 March 2023 13:20
Daniel Austin
GPFans
"We certainly didn't expect to be in this position," the Swiss said post-race, as reported by Correire dello Sport. "We need to analyse clearly. With the hard tyres, we had a huge lack of pace. Unacceptable! We need to understand and correct it as soon as possible.
"I can't comprehend a car finishing on the front row in qualifying (as Leclerc did before his 10-place grid penalty), and then in the race, it's nowhere."
‘Unacceptable’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...-saudi-arabia/
Saudi F1 struggles show Ferrari not second best, says Sainz
20:54 Sun, 19 Mar 2023.
By: Matt Kew
Motorsport.com
Ferrari's poor performance late in Formula 1's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix proves the team "lacks a bit of race pace" and is not second fastest, reckons Carlos Sainz.
The Spaniard finished some 36 seconds adrift of Red Bull victor Sergio Perez in Jeddah to clock sixth place, one spot ahead of team-mate Charles Leclerc, who was recovering from a 10-place gird drop.
Sainz said: "The last stint on the hard [tyres] proves that we are not where we want to be, that we still deg more than the Mercedes, that we still deg more than the Aston Martins. We lack a bit of race pace." Understanding Ferrari's early struggles compared to its rapid start in 2022, Sainz said the team could no longer consider its subdued showing in Bahrain to be track specific.
‘Not second best’;
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/s...ainz/10446180/
Charles Leclerc tears into Ferrari after Saudi Arabia struggles: 'Just not good enough'
20th March 2023, 11:28
Wheels24
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz slammed the performance of their cars as "not good enough" after the Ferraris finished sixth and seventh in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Sunday, 19 March. Leclerc started 12th on the grid after a 10-second penalty for taking a new electronic control unit. He climbed to seventh but was dissatisfied that he was unable to compete for the podium.
His feelings came out during an exchange on team radio when he complained that race engineer Xavier Marcos Padros had failed to inform him that Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton had pitted ahead of him under the safety car. "You need to tell me that before... Come on!" he cried.
‘Tears into Ferrari’;
https://www.news24.com/sport/motorsp...nough-20230320
‘There wasn’t much more in the car’ – Leclerc calls on Ferrari to improve ‘a lot’ after distant P7 finish in Jeddah
19 March 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the race, Leclerc said: “Once I got within a second and a half to Carlos, it was very difficult to get closer than that. The pace difference wasn’t big enough. I did a small mistake when I was within DRS, and then when I lost it, that was it.”
“I just stayed there. It’s like this. Honestly, I don’t think there was much more anyway in the car today. We just need to work to find some pace.”
‘There wasn’t much more in the car’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...Q1wPmeZfX.html
Charles Leclerc fumes at engineer in Jeddah as his patience with Ferrari runs out
Charles Leclerc started the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from 12th, as a result of a 10-place grid penalty.
19 March 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News
Leclerc was told to “push” at a section of the circuit whilst he’d already arrived there, something which resulted in the Monegasque falling behind Lewis Hamilton. Leclerc was absolutely furious with the error from his team, which effectively cost him fifth, given that is where Hamilton finished the race.
“Try to push from Safety Car Line One. Lewis Hamilton just pitted.” said Leclerc’s race engineer. “XAVI YOU NEED TO TELL ME THAT BEFORE! I MEAN COME ON!” Leclerc shouted. Leclerc ultimately crossed the line in seventh, whilst Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz claimed sixth.
‘Fumes at engineer’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/charles-l...rari-runs-out/
Jeddah performance shows Ferrari have “a lot of work to do” – Sainz
2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Posted on 20th March 2023, 11:35
Written by Keith Collantine
RaceFans
The second race of the season showed Ferrari are not as close to the pace as they thought they were, Carlos Sainz Jnr admitted. Ferrari arrived in Jeddah hoping to be the closest rivals to Red Bull. “I’m a bit surprised because after Friday and before the weekend, I thought that we had a chance of being the second force here in Jeddah,” said Sainz.
“But I think that last stint on the hard proves that we still have a lot of work to do. We have a weakness in the race and that we need to wait for the developments to come to see if we can improve that weakness.”
“A lot of work to do”;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/03/20/...k-to-do-sainz/
Sainz says it's 'difficult to take positives' from Ferrari's Saudi Arabian weekend
20 March 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Carlos Sainz: "It's difficult to take positives when you are P6 and P7, especially the last stint when you are all fair and square in pace… and they [the top three drivers] all pulled away. So it’s difficult to take a positive. Yeah, at least we got the reliability and the double points, but [this is] not where we want to be right now."
"Post-race, obviously it looks like we still have some work to do – especially race pace towards the second half of the stints, we just [wear our tyres] a bit too much, we cannot keep the pace of the front-runners. We need to keep the heads down: we know the car at the moment is not where we want it to be, and [we need to] start improving it as the season goes on," he concluded.
'Difficult to take positives';
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...2MyU934BS.html
Sainz in Ferrari demand after lacklustre Saudi Arabian GP
Monday 20 March 2023 09:40
Jack Walker
GPFans
Carlos Sainz : “…we were the fourth-fastest car on track. We need to know why and how we can improve. It’s already two different tracks where our race pace is not great, so we know we have work to do.”
“Even after quali when Charles did a brilliant lap and I struggled, we thought in race pace we were going to be okay. So [there is] work to do [and] developments to come. Unfortunately, we need time for these developments to come so this is what we have. It’s proved we need to bring some upgrades.”
‘Ferrari - fourth-fastest car on track!’
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...sainz-ferrari/
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Sergio Perez reflects on victory in Jeddah: “I had a wicked race”.
Red Bull Racing’s Sergio Perez took his fifth career victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, successfully converting his pole position and holding a gap to team-mate Max Verstappen, who crossed the line in second.
March 20, 2023
By Ashley Cline
The Checkered Flag
“I had a wicked race – which is a new word I learnt this week! I didn’t have a great start but after I got back around Fernando, I was able to create a good gap between the rest of the field and me… until the safety car came out and I was reminded of Jeddah 2022… It was a new race after the safety car though and I’m happy I was able to build a gap again and then keep it, even when Max was pushing at the end.”
Perez said that he was excited to have achieved another amazing result with the team, once again proving to be a dominant force on the 2023 grid. He thanked his team members on site in Jeddah and back at headquarters for delivering such a strong car and helping secure a “massive team result.”
“Everyone back in Milton Keynes and here at the track have built such a fantastic car for us this season. I love being a part of this Team because of the way we push and the way we deliver, I’m so proud of us. The Team is working at such a high level so it’s really great to be a part of. In the end, we must remember it’s a long season but tonight was a massive team result.”
‘Built such a fantastic car’;
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...a-wicked-race/
Martin Brundle on Saudi Arabian GP: Sergio Perez lands 'significant' blow on team-mate Max Verstappen
Last Updated: 21/03/23 6:08am
Martin Brundle
Sky Sports
Perez out front matched whatever his team-mate Verstappen could muster speed-wise and duly won the race in fine style. His fifth victory, four of which have been on street circuits - but more significantly his first victory when Max was second.
Verstappen stole the fastest lap championship point on the final tour and that clearly annoyed Perez, who was surprised the team didn't call off the fight when they had a one-two easily in the bag and he was suffering with a longer brake pedal, and unbeknown to him, Max was feeling a vibration in his transmission.
Team Verstappen were perhaps surprised that Perez could match their pace, and they were no doubt annoyed that it was ultimately the qualifying car issue which prevented Max setting a new record of 16 victories in 21 races.
‘Sergio Perez lands 'significant' blow’;
https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/24...max-verstappen
F1 needs Perez to keep performing at his best
21:13 Mon, 20 Mar 2023.
By Alan Baldwin
Reuters
LONDON, March 20 (Reuters) - Sergio Perez may have had his best race yet in Sunday's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix but Formula One desperately needs the Mexican to keep it up in a season turning into a tale of two Red Bull team mates. Perez, who started on pole position under the floodlights in Saudi Arabia, and his championship leading team mate are separated by just one point, a fastest lap, with everybody else fighting for the leftovers.
Neutrals will join Mexican fans in hoping the 33-year-old veteran, signed at the end of 2020 as solid support for the team's star talent, can at least give Verstappen some sort of a run for his money. Horner did his best to conjure up some suspense, even if it did not sound entirely convincing, by suggesting the situation could change once the first three races are out of the way and upgrades start coming through.
"Albert Park (in Melbourne) has never been a lucky circuit for us. We’ve won there once I think, back in 2011," he added of next week's Australian GP. "So we’re going to go there and try and do the best we can." Perez agreed: "I think we did a great job," he said of the race in Jeddah. "I don't know if it's my best weekend so far with the team, but I'm sure Melbourne will be even better."
‘Neutrals will join Mexican fans’;
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sp...3-20/?rpc=401&
Perez has won his ‘greatest grand prix’, but he’ll have to start a civil war if he wants to win the title
March 21st, 2023 5:24 pm
Michael Lamonato
Fox Sports (Australia)
Sergio Perez isn’t at Red Bull Racing to be Max Verstappen’s number two. We know this because he says it often. He says it when he wins races. He says it when he’s asked to help his teammate win races. It’s just that over the last two seasons Perez has almost always finished second to Verstappen. He may not be formally cast at the Dutchman’s sidekick, but he’s yet to perform at a level that suggests he could become Red Bull Racing’s leading man.
But there’s a subtle difference to the way things are panning out this season. We’re only two races into the year, but few doubts remain that the 2023 championship is a two-driver fight between teammates Perez and Verstappen. No external rivals; just two sides of the same garage. An intrateam battle has the potential to completely change the rules of engagement, and with Perez winning comfortably in Jeddah, he’s stating his claim for promotion from supporting cast to leading role. But he’ll have to risk everything if he wants to go all the way.
So it was an undeniably great performance, but can Perez keep it up? But there’s some reason for optimism too. Last year’s fade-out was partly due to the RB18 being developed to better suit Verstappen after a troublesome start to life. This year the team believes it has a machine that can work for both drivers, so far Perez has sounded positive about the tools he has at his disposal with the RB19. And considering Red Bull Racing appears to have a massive advantage over the field, Perez might get more time to mould his car around him rather than being railroaded into a development program that makes the car faster but at the expense of his preferences.
‘He’ll have to start a civil war if he wants to win the title’;
https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...a03e8ad0b51e69
Sergio Perez takes aim at Red Bull after fastest lap fiasco
Sergio Perez has called for Red Bull to review its procedures after losing the race's fastest lap to Max Verstappen after the Dutchman was given the push-ahead
March 19, 2023
By Ed Spencer
The Checkered Flag
Sergio Perez has called on Red Bull to review its fastest lap procedures after losing the fastest lap of the race to Max Verstappen in the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. In the race’s closing salvo, Verstappen was told he could push for the fastest lap, whilst Perez was told to stick with his current pace.
It meant Verstappen could snatch the fastest lap of the race to hold onto the championship lead by one point and reignited tension inside Red Bull. “I asked two laps from the end, [and] while they were telling us, they told me to keep a certain pace,” explained Perez to the media. “They told me I had the fastest lap and to keep the pace.”
“So I thought the communication was the same to Max or something. We need to review because I certainly got different information, and I just couldn’t push it there.”
‘Fastest lap fiasco’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...-saudi-arabia/
Red Bull’s Christian Horner: Jeddah performance represents “the epitome of a team performing at the top of their game”
March 20, 2023
By Ashley Cline
The Checkered Flag
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner: “What a race! All credit to the Team today. They’ve built an incredible car. That coupled with some truly fantastic driving has made for the best start to a season in our history, consecutive 1-2 finishes. Max had a mountain to climb, overcoming a significant deficit, but with over half the race to go, was already in P4. Similarly, Checo turned in an equally outstanding performance, perhaps the best drive I have ever seen from him.”
The team came away with the maximum number of points possible in Jeddah, securing not only a one-two but also fastest lap. Horner said that the drivers put maximum effort into their battle for the victory, resulting in outstanding performances from the pair. They were both going flat out, hard at it. Both drivers were free to race and they went for it. Max secured the fastest lap and Checo came away with the victory. It was an exemplary performance from both drivers, the Team here at the track and everyone back at the factory.”
Though ecstatic about their performance in Saudi Arabia, Horner said that it will be important to keep on top of their game for the Australian Grand Prix, which has been a historically challenging event for the Red Bulls. “There is a tremendous amount of work that goes into a race such as this and it is the epitome of a team performing at the top of their game. We won’t rest on it though, Australia is just around the corner. It is a track that has not been kind to us in the past so we want to ensure we are prepared, just as we were here, to give us the best chance of success and another first class performance.”
‘Important to keep on top of their game’;
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...of-their-game/
-
Ferrari are in 'CRISIS' and Vasseur must 'work more, talk less', says ex-F1 race winner.
"He has to recognise that he's in a moment of crisis," Arnoux explained. "So work a lot and talk little. When things get better, he can do the interviews.”
Tuesday 21 March 2023 13:23
Daniel Austin
GPFans
Former Ferrari driver René Arnoux believes that the team is in "crisis" and that new team principal Frédéric Vasseur should "work a lot and talk little" in order to rectify their problems.
"Perhaps the car was built better last year, although it wasn't reliable," he said, as per Gazzetta dello Sport. "Now it's not competitive, it doesn't have a great chassis, it eats up the tyres. The results are worrying. There's a lot to work on.”
"Something must be done, because an extraordinary brand like Ferrari cannot afford to go like this." The Frenchman also believes that Vasseur, known for his laidback, affable personality in the paddock, must recognise the severity of the situation swiftly.
'CRISIS';
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...-saudi-arabia/
What’s Wrong with Scuderia Ferrari?
16:21 Mon, 20 Mar 2023.
Boardroom
Ferrari’s early-season struggles have driver Carlos Sainz wondering whether the Scuderia has fallen behind Mercedes and Aston Martin. Ferrari‘s performance thus far in the 2023 Formula 1 season over the first two Middle East races has Carlos Sainz concerned that the car is slipping behind its rivals.
Sainz finished sixth and teammate Charles Leclerc finished seventh in Sunday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the second consecutive race that the Scuderia hasn’t reached the podium. It was Red Bull finished in first and second again, with Sergio Perez taking home the checkered flag and Max Verstappen following. Fernando Alonso took home another third-place finish after a penalty was rescinded, and the Mercedes duo of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
It’s clear that Red Bull’s dominance is putting other top teams on edge, to say the least. Mercedes remains in disarray; Lance Stroll was forced to retire Sunday in a blow to Aston Martin, and Ferrari has yet to get on track leading into the April 2 race in Melbourne. After failing to podium in just six races last year, it’s already up to two in 2023 for Ferrari, and there’s plenty of panic that it’s slipping behind its rivals.
‘Plenty of panic’;
https://boardroom.tv/carlos-sainz-fe...gles-concerns/
Leclerc delivers DAMNING Ferrari verdict
Tuesday 21 March 2023 07:00
Jack Walker
GPFans
Mercedes 'out of reach'. Bemoaning the lack of performance in the SF-23, Leclerc told Sky Sports F1: “They [Mercedes] were out of reach. Once I got one-and-a-half seconds to Carlos, it was very difficult to get any closer than that.”
"The pace difference wasn’t big enough. I did a small mistake when I was within DRS and then I lost it, then that was it and I just stayed there. There was not much more in the car today, we just need to work on some things.”
When asked what Ferrari need to improve, his answer was unerring. “A lot. Straight-line, they are quicker, corners they are quicker, so we need everything.”
'Out of reach';
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...rrari-verdict/
Charles Leclerc "frustrated" with Ferrari as F1 champion says "he should be grateful"
Leclerc's title push derailed last year as Ferrari suffered from reliability issues and strategy mistakes, but the 2022 season has not started much better for the Italian team
18:54, 21 Mar 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer
The Mirror
Charles Leclerc is "frustrated" and becoming more demanding of Ferrari, believes one former Formula 1 champion. Ferrari's car performance is behind that of Red Bull and Aston Martin in these early stages of the year, while Mercedes were comfortable ahead of them in Jeddah last weekend. To make matters worse, engine reliability is still a problem.
Leclerc served a grid penalty in Jeddah after taking his third control electronics component of the season, following his power unit failure in Bahrain. Amid his team's difficulties, double world champion Emerson Fittipaldi thinks the 25-year-old might be losing his faith in the team.
"I think that Charles is demanding a lot from his team because of what has happened last year," the Brazilian told Kelbet. "He probably felt that the time wasn't completely there [at the Saudi GP] because of the issues recently.
"Frustrated";
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...paldi-29517526
Carlos Sainz concerned cars becoming harder to follow again with 2023 challengers
21 Mar 2023 4:00 PM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz believes the 2023 cars are beginning to feel like their predecessors in that following other drivers is becoming a “limitation” on performance. The number of on-track overtakes increased in 2022 compared to the 2021 season, but the Ferrari driver is concerned the improvements in downforce on this year’s cars may be making the problem of ‘dirty air’ resurface again.
“I probably paid the price during the first stint with the tyres because I did want to pass him [Stroll], but in the end I paid the price,” Sainz explained to Sky Sports F1 after the race in Jeddah. “These cars in dirty air have got a bit worse compared to last year, probably adding downforce and the new regs.”
“They are starting to become a bit like the old cars where the dirty air is becoming a limitation, and today it wasn’t that easy to pass – but in general, I don’t think it would have changed much the end result.”
‘Like the old cars’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/carlos...ars-following/
-
Toto Wolff opens up on Lewis Hamilton’s decision to stop working with Angela Cullen.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has revealed that it was Lewis Hamilton’s decision to part ways with long-term partner Angela Cullen, after the duo announced their split ahead of the opening session at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
20 March 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News
“I think in every team, whether that’s his close circle or also in the wider group, it’s not a static situation that you can freeze. We all develop as people and as an organisation. And if things don’t work out anymore, we need to be honest about it and then bring change.”
“Angela will always be a mascot of the team. She’s the only one who has a louder voice than a starting car. But, you know, if this is what he decides, we will always absolutely support him, whatever direction he wants to take.”
Cullen will be at Hamilton’s side this weekend at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with it yet to be confirmed by the duo whether this weekend will be their last together. Hamilton has won four world titles whilst being supported by the New Zealander, who has often been seen by the British driver’s side both on and off the circuit.
‘Lewis Hamilton’s decision to stop working with Angela Cullen’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/toto-wolf...angela-cullen/
Martin Brundle spots worrying Lewis Hamilton sign after Brit splits with Angela Cullen
Lewis Hamilton finished shy of the podium in Saudi Arabia for the second season in a row.
08:06, Tue, Mar 21, 2023
By Charlie Gordon
Daily and Sunday Express
Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle has raised concerns over Lewis Hamilton's body language after the Mercedes star announced his split with long-time performance coach Angela Cullen. Hamilton crossed the line fifth in Saudi Arabia with Red Bull maintaining a commanding gap between themselves and the rest of the field.
The 38-year-old could only find enough in qualifying to start seventh on the grid, while Russell put himself on the second row. Mercedes were ultimately unable to mount a challenge for the win in Jeddah as Hamilton took fifth, behind Russell in fourth.
The gulf in class between Mercedes and Red Bull was evidenced by the lack of fight from Hamilton as bitter rival Max Verstappen tore past midway through the Grand Prix. The Dutchman fought through the pack to clinch second place as Sergio Perez took top spot.
‘Martin Brundle spots worrying Lewis Hamilton sign’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...-angela-cullen
Angela Cullen splitting with Lewis Hamilton raises concerns for Nico Rosberg
Nico Rosberg feels things will be "even worse" for Lewis Hamilton after it was announced Angela Cullen was ending her seven-year partnership with the seven-time world champion.
16:46, Sun, Mar 19, 2023
By Stuart Ballard
Daily and Sunday Express
Nico Rosberg believes Angela Cullen's split with Lewis Hamilton "makes things even worse" for the Mercedes driver as the Brit contends with the ongoing issues on his car. Cullen became a regular sight alongside Hamilton over the years with the physiotherapist playing a key role behind the scenes.
As well as taking care of Hamilton's training routine, Cullen was also responsible for his travel arrangements, diet, personal logistics and more. More than that, Cullen was a close friend of Hamilton on the grid and one of a few in the Brit's inner circle.
"I think that probably makes things even worse," Rosberg said on Sky Sports. "Even though the split apparently was amicable, Angela was a real friend. It's with your trainer that most of your time during the race weekend you end up also going to dinner with in a very small, tight group - maybe a family member and a trainer and that's it.”
"Even worse";
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...osberg-F1-news
Nico Rosberg: Lewis Hamilton losing trainer Angela Cullen will ‘make things even worse’
22 Mar 2023 6:00 AM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com
Nico Rosberg predicts that former Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton splitting with long-time performance coach Angela Cullen could “make things even worse” for the seven-time World Champion, given how important the driver-trainer relationship is.
1996 World Champion, Damon Hill added: “I think most of us were very surprised by that because he did make quite a lot of emphasis on how useful she had been and how good she’d been for him to get his mind in the right place, so a bit of a surprise to see them splitting up.”
As Rosberg alluded to, the relationship a driver has with their performance coach, physio, trainer (often rolled into one person) is an extremely important one, so the next person he hires into the role is someone who will be spending plenty of time in his company moving forward.
‘Losing trainer Angela Cullen will “make things even worse” ’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/nico-r...-cullen-split/
Lewis Hamilton's Angela Cullen split: Everything we know as Brundle and Rosberg concerned
Lewis Hamilton announced last week he had parted ways with Angela Cullen ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
06:40, Wed, Mar 22, 2023
By Matthew Cooper
Daily and Sunday Express
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff then hinted Cullen's departure was down to Hamilton, stating: "If this is what he decides, we will always absolutely support him. Whatever direction he wants to take. Angela was part of the gang for a long time. "And I think in every team, whether that is his close circle, also in the wider group, this is not a static situation that you can freeze because we all developers. As people we develop as an organisation and if things don't work out anymore, then we need to be honest about it. And then bring change."
However, Hamilton's former teammate Nico Rosberg and Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle have both expressed concerns about Cullen leaving. Rosberg believes Cullen's departure "makes things even worse" for Hamilton, telling Sky Sports: "For Lewis not to have her I'm sure is gonna be not ideal and not so nice. I think that's probably another challenge he has to deal with and get used to."
Brundle also raised concerns over the impact Cullen's departure could have on Hamilton, telling Sky Sports: "Lewis has parted company with his apparently (to me anyway) indispensable physio and confidante Angela Cullen, and also said he can't connect with this car. His chin was down for much of the weekend and he wasn't ultimately able to benefit from good timing with the Safety Car and switching to faster medium compound tyres when all around him were on hard tyres to the finish."
‘Brundle and Rosberg concerned’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...la-One-F1-news
Welcome Back To Formula 1.5
12:52 PM EDT on March 20, 2023
By Kathryn Xu
Defector
I took an afternoon walk through my local cemetery-turned-community garden, arboretum, etc., with a friend this Saturday, during which we conducted a debrief on the week's qualifying in Jeddah. The primary topic of interest was not championship favorite Max Verstappen starting P15 thanks to a draft shaft issue—rendered non-dramatic because of the storied truism, "fast car is fast"—but the clearly more important matter of Lewis Hamilton splitting with his long-time physio, Angela Cullen, which is now one more bit of drama llama to add to the pastiche of angst that has become Mercedes and their zero-pod concept.
My friend described Mercedes's overall public commentary as whinging at such a scale that it was becoming irritating, to which I was briefly very viscerally upset because I am a persistent doomer, and Mercedes seemed like they were having a reasonable emotional response, even if the team isn't a stunning embodiment of Positive Mental Attitude at the mo'. One year is an off year, but two years is when it becomes dysfunction, and if some nebulous sense of Everyone Else is making a lot of comments about how Mercedes is performing worse than a customer team, then surely Mercedes could be permitted a rotten mood. But also is not unreasonable for a broadly neutral viewer adhering to the the "this is an entertainment product, and I will treat it as such" line of thinking to want Mercedes and Toto Wolff and their rack of 20-ish-straight-championship-trophies to please just talk a little less.
‘Pastiche of angst’;
https://defector.com/welcome-back-to-formula-1-5
-
How Mercedes are escaping 'dead-end street' with W14.
Wolff added that Mercedes had come to realise that their current concept had no prospect of being successful, and that the team had decided to cut their losses on it.
22 March 11:15AM
Author Michael Butterworth
RacingNews365
"We headed into one direction last year and we wanted to make it work, and it worked and it got better and better," said Wolff. "But now, we really realised it's a dead-end street. These are the facts and everybody knows that now. So we turned around and we're running fast out of that dead-end street."
The Austrian also rejected the notion that Mercedes would look to take inspiration from Red Bull or Aston Martin, both of whose cars have proven quicker than Mercedes so far in 2023. "I don't know you can call it a Red Bull or Aston Martin concept," Wolff added.
"If it looked like an English double decker bus, we would do it if it was fast. Put a little Red Bull sticker, if they want to put it on. It's just about pure performance; we have no dogma on who invented it."
‘Escaping 'dead-end street' ’;
https://racingnews365.com/how-merced...treet-with-w14
Toto Wolff details how budget cap affects Mercedes’ recovery chances
22 Mar 2023 2:00 PM
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com
Toto Wolff is still a proponent for the budget cap, but admitted it will hold Mercedes back from making a fast recovery. “But obviously, if you’re on the back foot, like we are at the moment, it doesn’t allow you to build a second chassis. But I think our fundamental problem is not building a second chassis or throwing stuff at the car.”
“It’s more about a direction that we’ve taken that’s wrong. And I think if we… When we change it now, that’s going to be limited by the budget cap, but not in the way that you would expect, like we’re not able to develop. We’re still able to develop but it will mean we need to spend time on a new concept, on new ideas, and we need to discontinue the old one,” he said.
“So, in the short term, it could mean you make a step back before making two forward, but these are the rules. They have been introduced exactly for the reason to put the field stronger together, which will eventually happen. I mean, Red Bull is showing us that if you do a good job you can outperform everybody else. But for us, these are the rules and we need to still do a better job.”
‘Fundamental problem is not building a second chassis’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/toto-w...edes-recovery/
Mercedes working ‘flat-out’ on new F1 concept after reaching ‘dead-end’
22nd March 2023, 11:22
Hamilton Lyndon-Griffiths
Read Motorsport
Mercedes is working “flat-out” to develop a change of concept for its 2023 Formula 1 car in a bid to turn around its form, according to team boss Toto Wolff. Asked if there was a timeframe for when the updates would be completed, Wolff added:
“I think we’re making big elephant steps at the moment, going forward. It’s going to be a long time until they are adequate to challenge Red Bull, but it’s a super-fun journey to climb back.”
‘Mercedes working ‘flat-out’ ’;
https://readmotorsport.com/2023/03/2...hing-dead-end/
Toto Wolff told to take criticism 'like a man' as Eddie Jordan lays into Hamilton's boss
Tensions rise at Mercedes as the squad continues to lack pace compared to Red Bull.
11:56, Wed, Mar 22, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express
Toto Wolff should face criticism of Mercedes' failures “like a man”, according to former team boss Eddie Jordan. Wolff has been told to “face up to the fact” Mercedes got it wrong over their new concept as the Silver Arrows are unable to challenge the frontrunners for the second successive season.
Jordan told OLBG: “We saw the Mercedes car was poor last year, porpoising up and down but they have eradicated some of that. Lewis Hamilton is a seven-time world champion who has a really impressive teammate in George Russell who was beaten his expectations so far.”
“I'm critical of Toto Wolff of how he criticised his engineers and how they took their eye off the ball, it's all been done under his watch so it's his responsibility. The book starts with him, Wolff should face the criticism like a man, like a team boss, like a chief executive and face up to the fact that Mercedes have got it wrong.”
“Face up to the fact”;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ilton-mercedes
Hamilton unease with W14 rear-end 'can't be cured quickly'
21/03/2023 at 14:49
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com
Toto Wolff says Mercedes is aware of a fundamental issue on its W14 car that is impairing Lewis Hamilton, but it's unfortunately one that "can't be cured quickly".
"We're a long way down on downforce," explained Hamilton last weekend. "So we've got to pick up the rear end downforce particularly. The more rear we gain, the more stable the rear becomes, and the more confident I'll be able to attack.”
"But I think in general, just this car, even if we do change that, there's a specific thing with something on the car that I have never had before. It's a position I've not had in previous years' cars. For me, it's the thing that is making me uncomfortable. I've just got to work hard to make sure it is changed."
‘W14 rear-end 'can't be cured quickly' ’;
https://f1i.com/news/469613-hamilton...d-quickly.html
Wolff details how Mercedes are approaching W14 concept shift after going down ‘dead-end street’
20 March 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Mercedes hold third in the constructors’ standings heading to round three in Australia, level on 38 points with Aston Martin, while Red Bull sit 49 clear at the top of the table.
Toto Wolff has provided another update on Mercedes’s development plans for their 2023 challenger, with the team embarking on a concept change after a tough start to the new F1 season.
“If you look at the Red Bulls, they are just so quick. [But] I think we understand the car more [and] I’m looking optimistically [to] the future. We just need to put it in a different window,” the Mercedes team boss commented.
‘Different window’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...F7yGc5F35.html
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Mercedes 'special delivery' to Aston Martin and Fernando Alonso at Silverstone.
In an funny 40 second video tweeted by the Silver Arrows, Russell is shown polishing Alonso's third placed trophy, telling a team member: "Just finished polishing this off. Can you drop it off for me?"
12:22, 23 MAR 2023
BY Fraser Watson & Tom Hitchenor
Northants Live
The trophy is then placed in the front passenger seat of a Mercedes car, with a seatbelt on it, as the driver types Aston Martin into the sat nav. The vehicle is then shown travelling through the gates of their rivals' base in Silverstone, before the driver walks through the main entrance and places it on a vacant trophy shelf.
F1 fans were left amused, with @TodkillLyric writing: "This is amazing. Lighthearted and sporting. Extra points for good form." @SoccerDad_K added: "Very cool play!"
'Special delivery';
https://www.northantslive.news/news/...martin-8280897
‘They said Fernando Alonso was too old, that he was not a team man… nonsense’
23 Mar 2023 10:45 AM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com
Kick starting his Aston Martin career with a pair of P3s, Flavio Briatore says it’s “nonsense” to claim his charge Fernando Alonso is “too old” and that he brings more “enthusiasm and ambition” to the team than his predecessor Sebastian Vettel.
His long-time manager Briatore, who was also his team boss when he won the 2005 and 2006 World titles, believes Alonso is as a fast as he ever was. “They said that he was too old, that he was not a team man… Nonsense,” he said in an interview with Corriere della Sera.
“Just give him a fast car and he will know how to squeeze it to get good results, he is exceptional. At 41 years old, he is faster than someone in his twenties.”
‘Kick starting his Aston Martin career with a pair of P3s’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/fernan...avio-briatore/
"I knew he was going to be fast" – Pedro de la Rosa on the real Fernando Alonso
23.03.2023
Aston Martin F1 - Official Site
Rivals. Team-mates. Friends. Pedro de la Rosa and Fernando Alonso's relationship spans decades. The pair have teamed up once again at AMF1 and after Fernando's landmark 100th podium at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Pedro reveals who the real Fernando Alonso is and what sets him apart.
"People don't know who the real Fernando is. They see that he's extremely committed and focused but what they don't see, what they don't realise, is how easy-going he is. He has a huge sense of humour and doesn't take himself too seriously. It's one of his strengths – he doesn't feel pressure.”
"When other drivers are nervous about what's to come, Fernando isn't. You'll be with him moments before he's about to race and he'll be smiling, laughing and joking. He's like a kid about to go to the park with his mates to play football – you wouldn't think he's about to drive an F1 car. He stays relaxed and that's partly why, after all these years, he's still able to compete at such a high level.”
‘Landmark 100th podium’;
https://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/F1...ernando+Alonso
Fernando Alonso made Martin Brundle and Damon Hill eat their words at Saudi Arabian GP
The Spaniard's switch from Alpine to Aston Martin has been a resounding success so far.
18:11, Wed, Mar 22, 2023
By Charlie Gordon
Daily and Sunday Express
Fernando Alonso has responded to those who questioned his move to Aston Martin in emphatic fashion, with his latest statement coming via a podium finish in Saudi Arabia on Sunday. Martin Brundle and Damon Hill were among those to challenge his switch from Alpine, although both former F1 stars have since been made to eat their words.
Brundle urged Aston to go for an emerging talent as his replacement. As a 41-year-old with two world titles under his belt, Alonso certainly does not fit into that category. "I think, personally, I would take a young gun and build towards someone," explained Brundle. "Someone who understands how to make Pirellis [tyres] work and build for a couple of years’ time."
Hill, who clinched the Drivers' Championship in 1996, was even more explicit about his concerns on Alonso at Aston Martin. "I was very surprised he’d gone," he said. "The kind of guy Fernando Alonso is and the kind of guy Lawrence Stroll is and the ambitions they have for the team, I just can’t see [it working]. Let’s be honest, Fernando is going to have to retire eventually so it’s possibly the last team he’ll be with. You don’t want to be with a team that’s struggling and having frustrations. It can’t be the money."
‘Eat their words’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...dle-damon-hill
How the 'animal' Alonso can brilliantly manipulate the opponent
22 March 7:00PM
Author Marnik Kok
Co-author Dieter Rencken
RacingNews365
The first time Webber knew he was racing against a potential world champion was during the Formula 3000 race at Spa-Francorchamps. In an exclusive interview with RacingNews365, Webber remarked: "I saw him go through Eau Rouge and I thought 'Yeah, okay!' He was very fast and very good in Spa and also very fast in Budapest. He was immediately very competitive. I knew he would be unstoppable later."
Webber and Alonso met early on in F1. Alonso debuted at Minardi in 2001, after just one year of Formula 3000, and switched to the Renault family in 2002. In '03, he raced full-time for the French team where he would capture his two world championships. Webber recalls their crossed paths in F1: "Our careers overlapped to a considerable extent, and we always got along well.”
"I was testing at Renault when he was an Minardi driver, and then he went as a test driver [for Renault], and I went to Minardi. He always tries to be unpredictable, in the good sense of the word. In a fair way. Also, he tries to manipulate your racing lines and send the dirty air to your car," the former F1 driver continued.
‘Manipulate the opponent’;
https://racingnews365.com/how-the-be...e-the-opponent
Fernando Alonso ‘different’ to any other F1 driver
Wednesday 22 March 2023 14:35
Andrew McLean
GPFans
Fernando Alonso’s motivation makes him ‘different’ to any other Formula 1 driver according to former team-mate Pedro de la Rosa.
"The last 10 years he's been driving cars that are not competitive. That's the reality," he told RacingNews365.
"But his motivation is kept high with driving those cars, and this is what is different from any other driver."
‘Different to any other F1 driver’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...artin-f1-form/
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Ocon: Alpine "not satisfied" with current F1 pace.
Ocon and team-mate Pierre Gasly were both left asking for more performance after they finished eighth and ninth in the Saudi Arabian GP.
23rd March 2023.15:37
By: Adam Cooper
Motorsport.com
The A523's pace clearly indicated that it is the fifth quickest car at the moment. Ocon made it clear that the current performance is not good enough, adding that the team is working hard to make progress. "No, we can't be satisfied with where we are at the moment," he said. "There are a couple of teams that have improved massively over the others.”
Ocon was relieved to at least score points after the nightmare of his multiple penalties in Bahrain. "Happy to finally start my season, let's call it that way," he said. "We maximised qualifying, we maximised the race as well. We couldn't hold the cars in front, really. We thought at some point it was going to be possible to hold the Ferraris, but they were too fast, and they pulled away in that middle phase of the second stint.”
Asked by Motorsport.com if he was expecting more from the Jeddah race, Gasly agreed that he had higher hopes. "I'd be lying if I said no," he said. "Personally I thought that we would have a bit more pace to join the fight ahead of us. And unfortunately, we just finished where we are at the moment, eighth and ninth, it's pretty much just where we are. I think we were 10 seconds behind the Ferraris. Mercedes was definitely faster than we thought. And that's just what we've got at the moment. And we need to analyse what we can do better."
"Not satisfied";
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/o...pace/10447423/
Formula 1: What must Alpine do to win the midfield battle?
20:35 Mon, 20 Mar 2023.
by Siddharth Bharani-Dharan
Beyond the Flag (Weblog)
Two races into the 2023 Formula 1 season, Alpine are out in front in the midfield battle. They sit at eight points and fifth in the constructor standings and are four points clear of sixth place Alfa Romeo. The battle could really heat up this season, and Alpine definitely have their hopes of coming out on top. So what must they do to win it?
Well, it is very clear that Alpine have some good pace in the A523. Pierre Gasly showed the extent of the car as he made his way from the back of the grid to the points in Bahrain. In Jeddah, Esteban Ocon was able to join his French teammate in the points, rounding out a good performance from the team.
‘Midfield battle’;
https://beyondtheflag.com/2023/03/20...dfield-battle/
ALPINE DRIVERS EXPECTED MORE AT ‘LONELY’ SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX
While Esteban Ocon scored his first points of the 2023 season in Jeddah, Pierre Gasly has finished in the points on both occasions he has raced for Alpine. Both drivers outscored their teammates in 2022, who will end up on top at the end of the year?
March 22, 2023
Rhiannon Temporal
FormulaNerds
Both Alpine drivers feel “positive” about their Saudi Arabian Grand Prix results, but are left wanting “more”. With only one car finishing the Bahrain Grand Prix, the French team would have hoped to get their season back on track in Saudi Arabia. And that’s exactly what happened with both Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly finishing in the points in Jeddah. Ocon came home in P8 with his teammate just behind him in P9.
After finishing best of the rest at the end of the 2022 season, Alpine would have hoped to move closer to the top three teams this year. However, the Enstone-based team has been left puzzled since the start of the season, unsure of where their pace has gone. But the team promised to bounce back after a difficult time in Bahrain, both during pre-season testing and the race.
‘EXPECTED MORE’;
https://www.formulanerds.com/news/al.../?nowprocket=1
Gasly: Alpine in ‘no man’s land’ between Ferraris and Magnussen in ‘lonely’ Saudi GP
19 Mar 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
Pierre Gasly was taking the positives after his second points finish in his second race for new team Alpine, but says the team need to find more pace to get closer to the front runners.
‘No man’s land’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...244112152.html
Otmar Szafnauer overruled by Alpine engineers in attempt to hunt down Ferrari
20 Mar 2023 7:00 PM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com
Otmar Szafnauer revealed he wanted to push the Ferraris during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix but was shot down by his engineers. Team boss Szafnauer has said that would have been his choice of strategy but, with tyres in mind, he was dissuaded by Alpine’s engineers.
“We were a bit in no man’s land for a while and then we turned the car down,” Szafnauer told Sky Sports F1. “We were conservative on the tyres just to make sure they lasted to the end and I was hoping we could push up a little bit more to the Ferraris, but was overruled by the engineers.”
‘Otmar Szafnauer overruled’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/otmar-...lpine-ferrari/
Alpine team boss 'overruled by engineers' on Ferrari challenge
22 March 10:25AM
Author Rory Mitchell
RacingNews365
Alpine team boss Otmar Szafnauer says he was overruled by the team engineers during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on whether they should challenge Ferrari.
Alpine to investigate pace drop off. Alpine showed encouraging pace during Friday practice, with Ocon displaying good race pace during FP2. However this seemed to disappear on Saturday as they struggled to qualify higher than P7 and P10 on the grid.
"We've got to look at it. We don't run light [fuel] on Friday, so it's not the amount of fuel we have in," said Szafnauer. "We just we have to analyse it and see where we can do a little bit better on Sunday versus Friday."
‘Alpine to investigate pace drop off’;
https://racingnews365.com/alpine-tea...rari-challenge
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McLaren wields axe in technical team shake-up after nightmare season start.
McLaren has sacked technical director James Key and restructured its design office after a disappointing start to 2023.
March 24th, 2023 8:22 am
Michael Lamonato from Fox Sports.
Fox Sports (Australia)
McLaren has sacked technical director James Key and restructured its design office after a disappointing start to 2023. The McLaren technical department under Key has struggled to adapt to life under the new regulations introduced last year. It slipped from fourth to fifth in the 2022 constructors championship, and the team admitted during the pre-season it had missed development crucial targets for this year’s car.
McLaren is last in the title standings after failing to score points at the two opening rounds of the season. Both drivers retired with technical problems at the first race in Bahrain, and the car was slow in the race in Saudi Arabia, notwithstanding both drivers sustaining first-lap damage. The team is pinning its 2023 hopes on a major upgrade due in April, but in recent days team principal Andrea Stella has moved to temper expectations of it bringing a significant step in performance.
“It has been clear to me for some time that our technical development has not moved at a quick enough pace to match our ambition of returning to the front of the grid,” CEO Zak Brown said in a statement. I’m pleased that, having completed a full review with Andrea, we are now able to implement the restructure required to set the wheels in motion to turn this around.” David Sanchez, who quit his job as Ferrari’s chief vehicle concept engineer earlier this year, has been confirmed as a new hire after a decade in Maranello. The Frenchman will start as technical director for car concept in January next year.
‘McLaren wields axe’;
https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...481b7f1352666b
McLaren sack technical director in a bid to save their season
Plus: Why Zak Brown was right to wield the axe - McLaren had to do something
23 March 2023 • 5:40pm
By Tom Cary, SENIOR SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
The Telegraph
McLaren have announced a big restructure of their technical department in a bid to arrest their alarming decline in performance, with technical director James Key leaving the Woking team with immediate effect. Key's role has been split into three separate technical director positions under team principal Andrea Stella. Frenchman David Sanchez rejoins following a decade at Ferrari to lead car concept and performance. He will begin on January 1 next year after completing ‘gardening leave’ from Ferrari.
“It has been clear to me for some time that our technical development has not moved at a quick enough pace to match our ambition of returning to the front of the grid,” Brown said. "I’m pleased that, having completed a full review with Andrea, we are now able to implement the restructure required to set the wheels in motion to turn this around.”
“These strategic changes ensure the long-term success of the team and are necessary to see McLaren get back to winning ways. We have everything coming into place now with our people and infrastructure and alongside an exciting driver line-up, I’m determined to see McLaren get back to where we should be.”
‘Bid to save their season’;
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/formula-...d-save-season/
BREAKING: MCLAREN ANNOUNCES KEY ORGANISATIONAL CHANGES
James Key has departed McLaren and his role is getting split into three new roles
March 23, 2023
Morgan Holiday
FormulaNerds
McLaren F1 has announced that they’ll be switching their organisational structure to split up the Technical Director role. Following a rough start to the season for the team, McLaren has changed their approach to a key aspect of their team structure. Most Formula 1 teams utilise one single Executive Technical Director for their team. But McLaren, as of today, will be splitting that role between a Techincal Executive Team comprised of three key members.
McLaren’s former Techincal Director, James Key, has left the team. Replacing him is Peter Prodromou, whose title will be Technical Director – Aerodynamics, David Sanchez as Technical Director – Car Concept and Performance, and Neil Houldey as Technical Director – Engineering and Design.
Prodromou and Houldey are coming to these new roles from other roles within McLaren, whereas Sanchez is coming from Ferrari, and will join the team in January 2024.
‘Splitting up the Technical Director role into three new roles’;
https://www.formulanerds.com/news/br.../?nowprocket=1
Gary Anderson: McLaren shake-up risks repeat of past failure
14:51 Thu, 23 Mar 2023.
By Gary Anderson
The Race
McLaren has had a very poor start to the 2023 Formula 1 season. As normal, there are lots of reasons for this but it’s the technical director whose head is on the chopping block and James Key has suffered the consequences. I am by no means saying that James has not had a hand in McLaren’s poor start, but from my point of view it is always better to strengthen an organisation than completely revamp it, which is what McLaren appears to have done.
Look at how Red Bull operates. It has one clearly defined technical boss who everyone knows they work for and who, in the end, will carry the can for the end result good or bad. Yes, Adrian Newey has lots of highly-experienced individuals filling the ranks below him, but he calls the shots and sets the direction and then they find the best way of achieving it.
McLaren has now set up a flatter technical management structure. It didn’t work the last time it did this, when Newey moved to Red Bull, and it will struggle to make it work this time as well. The biggest problem is that the people who make these decisions are as responsible for the problem as anyone else, but they are never going to replace themselves.
‘Risking repeat of past failure’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/gary-...-past-failure/
F1 podcast: Should you believe in McLaren’s big overhaul?
18:58 Thu, 23 Mar 2023.
The Race
McLaren’s announcement of technical director James Key’s exit and the creation of a new tech leadership structure is a drastic change for a Formula 1 team whose momentum en route back towards the front has withered lately. In a special extra edition of The Race F1 Podcast, Edd Straw, Scott Mitchell-Malm and Matt Beer convene to discuss the implications of McLaren’s course correction.
They talk about the disappointments that led to a change becoming inevitable, but also assess this revamp’s chances of success. Given that the type of structure McLaren is now turning to hasn’t worked for it in the past, and the process rivals such as Aston Martin are making, should we have much faith in its big 2025 project?
‘Should you believe?’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/f1-po...-big-overhaul/
Formula 1: Could Lando Norris be on his way out at McLaren?
10:40 Tue, 21 Mar 2023.
by Siddharth Bharani-Dharan
Beyond the Flag (Weblog)
As talented as Lando Norris may be, the 23-year-old has been struggling with McLaren and may look to move elsewhere for the 2024 Formula 1 season. Two races into the 2023 Formula 1 season, McLaren’s Lando Norris has had a tough start. The young Brit has finished in 17th place in both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, making some start to question whether he is better off elsewhere.
Just weeks ago, Norris made some remarks regarding what his future could hold. “I’m not the most patient man,” he said. It is understandable, as he has high aspirations and would not be pleased to see the team taking a step back from last season.
Currently, the two genuine options for Norris are Mercedes and Alfa Romeo. Joining Mercedes is a big “if”, and it all depends on what Lewis Hamilton chooses to do with his future. If the seven-time world champion does choose to depart, then Norris could potentially be the frontrunner to replace him. It is a fully a possibility, but it is solely reliant on Hamilton.
‘Way out at McLaren’;
https://beyondtheflag.com/2023/03/21...leave-mclaren/
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Alfa Romeo identify “massive debris” which ruined Bottas’ race.
Alfa Romeo has confirmed Valtteri Bottas suffered a significant performance loss during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after striking debris soon after the start.
2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Posted on 23rd March 2023, 12:0523rd March 2023, 12:27
Written by Keith Collantine
RaceFans
Bottas reported handling problems throughout Sunday’s race, made an extra pit stop for soft tyres near the end and was the last runner to finish, a lap behind. At the end of the race Bottas told his team he “ran over some massive debris” at the start. “I felt that in my ass,” he added.
After the race he told reporters “there was something wrong,” with his car. “I suspect I ran over some debris on lap one. Since the beginning of the race, I just had no grip. So perhaps some damage in the diffuser or something.”
“Massive debris”;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/03/23/...d-bottas-race/
2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Sunday
March 19th, 2023
Alfa Romeo Racing - Official Site
Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake had a challenging evening in Jeddah as Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas finished 13th and 18th respectively in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The team wasn’t able to convert its starting positions into a top-ten finish, despite the best efforts of drivers and crew: as we return to our headquarters, we will analyse the data from the race and come up with the answers to this unrepresentative performance, while also finalising the next upgrade package for the C43.
Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Team Representative: “Starting where we were on the grid, we were expecting to fight for the points, but, unfortunately, we weren’t able to finish in the top ten this time around. The team had a difficult weekend, and we weren’t able to be at the level for which we aimed: we’ll need to go back to base, analyse the data from this performance and understand where we’ve fallen short, and what steps we need to make to return to the level we were in Bahrain. We are confident we can make it there in Melbourne, where we will also bring some updates to further improve the performance of our C43. We need to keep working hard, of course: the season is long and the battle will be intense in each race.”
‘Difficult weekend’;
https://www.sauber-group.com/motorsp...d-prix-sunday/
Bottas suspects car damage scuppered his efforts in Saudi Arabia as Zhou eyes Alfa Romeo updates
20 March 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Zhou had a cleaner run to P13 in the other C43, just over 10 seconds off the points-paying positions, with the Chinese racer setting his sights on upgrades that Alfa Romeo will bring to the next round in Australia.
“We looked strong in the first stint, our pace was good and it seemed the top 10 was within reach,” said Zhou, before pointing to a critical moment of his race. Of course, track position always makes the difference on street circuits like this one, and, unfortunately, I got stuck in a DRS train once the Safety Car came out.”
“My race was compromised from that moment onwards, and there wasn’t much more we could do. [It] just hasn’t been our day, but I think we can achieve much more as a team going forward. We get a new chance in a few weeks in Melbourne, where we will be bringing some upgrades to our car: hopefully they’ll allow us to make the step forward we need to continue fighting for points.”
‘Race was compromised’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...HkQLoCsA4.html
Bottas suspects damage only explanation for 'off the pace' Saudi GP
22/03/2023 at 08:43
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com
Valtteri Bottas suspects damage floor damage likely picked up on the opening lap of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was responsible for his Ala Romeo's dismal pace in Jeddah. Bottas' display was so inconspicuous for the entire duration of the event that one would have been forgiven to believe that the Finn hadn't even been on the grid.
"So much off the pace," Bottas lamented. "I’m suspecting I ran over quite a large bit of debris on Lap 1 before Turn 4, and I could really feel it under the floor. Perhaps some damage, that’s my only explanation at the moment; obviously, we’ll have a look."
"So much off the pace";
https://f1i.com/news/469636-bottas-s...-saudi-gp.html
Alfa Romeo admit they “struggled more than expected” in Jeddah race
RaceFans Round-up
Posted on 22nd March 2023, 0:0121st March 2023, 23:22
Written by Ida Wood
RaceFans
Alfa Romeo’s head of trackside engineering Xevi Pujolar says the team do not why they lacked pace in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. “In terms of performance in qualifying, we were same or even a step better than Bahrain,” said Pujolar. “On Friday we were struggling a bit, we were doing some tests, just trying to explore different areas on the car configuration to see if we could extract a bit more.”
“We saw some improvements in some areas, but we lost too much in some others, and then we revert back on Saturday. We were close to Q3, and everyone was very, very tight. In the race, I think we struggled a bit more with the grip more than what we expected,” Pujolar said. “Everyone is so close that as soon as you lose a bit of pace, you struggle to get back there fighting for the points.”
“With Valtteri, at the moment we’re still investigating. Now that we have the car, we will check what happened for him. For sure something wasn’t working as expected. We could see with the level of sliding and how everything was going on with all the tyres, that’s why we said ‘okay, initially, maybe something with a specific compound’, but we tried different compounds and do the same with all of them. So in that car we need to find the problem.”
“Struggled more than expected”;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/03/22/...nd-up-22-03-6/
Bottas more relaxed at Alfa Romeo
Tuesday 21st March, 2023 - 6:00pm
By Mat Coch
Speedcafe
A more relaxed Valtteri Bottas is fast becoming a cult favourite in the Formula 1 paddock as he allows his personality to shine through. The Finn joined Alfa Romeo Sauber at the start of last season and quickly became a popular figure within the team.
His popularity has also shot up, notably in Australia, as he’s embraced social media and used it for some light-hearted fun. Bottas signed a ‘multi-year’ deal with Alfa Romeo Sauber from 2022, with that understood to take him through to at least the end of next season.
‘More relaxed’;
https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/03/21...at-alfa-romeo/
This F1 team-mate battle’s taking an unexpected twist
11:04 Sun, 19 Mar 2023.
By Valentin Khorounzhiy and Scott Mitchell-Malm
The Race
One Alfa Romeo Formula 1 driver is a 33-year-old veteran with 10 grand prix wins to his name. The other is a sophomore with just six career points, and somebody who – as good an impression as he’d made in his rookie F1 season – it can be hard not to view in the context of a more modest junior CV than that of many of his peers.
Saturday’s qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah further drove home the point. Something interesting is happening here. “Actually he was, I think, two tenths faster than me. And I felt [at the] end of my lap that I couldn’t find it,” said Bottas in Jeddah on Saturday when asked by The Race about the single-lap trend relative to his team-mate.
“So, he’s really on it, or there’s some difference, I don’t know,” he added, chuckling. “I really felt like I got the most out of it. He’s been super-consistent every session. Definitely made a step up from last year.” No, Zhou didn’t get to Q3 – both he and Bottas exited in the second segment – but he did beat his team-mate by 0.207s, in what team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi described as “an excellent job in the cockpit”. And it wasn’t out of the blue – it was coming.
‘Really on it’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/this-...xpected-twist/
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LONG READ: Have Williams found a leader in James Vowles who can bring them back to their glory days?
What do you think of Williams Racing? Motorsport titan and sleeping giant of Formula 1; or simply a team tooling around at the back of the field to make up the numbers? Where you stand on that most likely has a lot to do with how long you’ve been following the sport.
15:10 Sat, 18 Mar 2023.
Matt Youson
Special Contributor
Formula One - Official Site
Anybody who watched F1 in the 1980s and 1990s struggles to view Williams Racing as anything other than a colossus; those of a more recent vintage see a perennial backmarker struggling with the realities of competing against better-funded, better-resourced, perhaps better-motivated rivals.
It’s a shocking state of affairs for a team with 114 victories, 313 podiums and nine FIA Formula 1 World Constructors’ titles – second only to Ferrari in that particular all-time list – but that’s the situation inherited by freshly-minted Team Principal James Vowles, when he walked into his new job a little less than a month ago.
Vowles, formerly motorsport strategy director and chief strategist for the Mercedes team, was recruited after Jost Capito announced his departure in December. At a superficial level, Vowles looks like an odd choice for Team Principal because his route to the big chair is unconventional. Racing drivers and senior engineers become team principals, sometimes former mechanics, marketeers, the odd billionaire – but not strategists, even those that started out as engineers.
‘Shocking state of affairs’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...HynCxw0Of.html
Vowles: Williams 'spark' reveals light at the end of tunnel
Friday 24 March 2023 11:48
Ewan Gale
GPFans
Whilst the ultimate aim is to ensure Williams returns to the top of F1's ladder having gone over a decade without a victory, Vowles in enthused by the morale within the workforce.
"There's a spark and it's fascinating to see," said Vowles. "There are shoulders lifted, there are heads held high now, there is really direction that they can see where we're going and how we're moving forward.”
"It’s a team clearly that has had a tremendously difficult winter, and difficult few years even prior to that. But they can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel and direction we're going in."
‘Light at the end of tunnel’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...end-of-tunnel/
James Vowles explains the key difference between Williams and Mercedes
23 Mar 2023 7:00 PM
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com
James Vowles has revealed the key difference between teams at the front and the back of the Formula 1 grid, explaining that the quality of the facilities separates the likes of Williams from title-winning outfits like Mercedes.
Appearing on the Vowles Verdict Q&A on Williams’ official website, he said: “First and foremost, Williams is a large site. “It actually mirrors that of Mercedes in many ways in terms of size, but very clearly some of the facilities are not necessarily at the same level as they were in Mercedes.”
“It hasn’t had the same joyous journey financially and as a result is lacking in certain parts, which shouldn’t be a surprise. It’s normal when you consider it from the outside, but when you really come into the depths of it you can see why the team has had the struggles it’s had across the years.”
‘The key difference’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/james-...iams-mercedes/
Williams 'reviewing' 2026 F1 engine deals but two options ruled out
24 March 2023
Inside Racing
Williams 'reviewing' 2026 F1 engine deals but two options ruled out. Williams chief James Vowles is "reviewing" possible engine suppliers for 2026, though two options appear to be ruled out.
Williams isn't short of choices when it comes to 2026 with Audi and Red Bull-Ford among the options available. Previous speculation of a tie-up with Porsche is now gone after it was reported the German manufacturer had dropped its interest in the 2026 regulations.
Asked about a possible reunion though, Vowles seems unconvinced. “It’d be hard for me to comment because I’m not sure what [Honda] have facilities-wise,” he said via The Race. “But I think they’re a little bit further away from where they would need to be to be a serious contender.”
‘Two options ruled out’;
https://www.insideracing.com/formula...ions-ruled-out
Albon hails Vowles’ early impact at Williams F1
24th March 2023, 10:09
by Fergal Walsh
Motorsport Week
Alexander Albon has commended the job that James Vowles has done in his first month as Williams’ Team Principal. “James has definitely got the knowledge from Mercedes,”he said. “He’s obviously a smart guy we need right now.”
“It’s something where of course I think we do a lot of things good and there’s obviously other areas we can do differently, long term, short term, medium term. There’s all aspects to look at so I would say he’s only been here for a short while but listening to what he has to say he’s bringing a lot to the table.”
“Hopefully that will keep on happening and I would say a lot of it is more long term than short term but I’m excited to see the progress.”
‘Early impact’;
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...t-williams-f1/
Formula 1: Can Williams maintain their momentum?
10:34 Mon, 20 Mar 2023.
by Siddharth Bharani-Dharan
Beyond the Flag (Weblog)
It is quite clear that Williams are one of the most improved teams in Formula 1 this season, but the question is whether they can maintain that momentum. Judging from the early signs, it is a genuine possibility that Williams can make massive strides this season.
Their car has a good pace and reliability does not seem to be too much of an issue for them. They just have to maintain good awareness throughout the whole weekend and know who their battles are with on the grid.
Williams will definitely look to stay in that midfield battle this season, potentially being in the mix for finishing sixth in the constructor standings. Confidence will play a key role in their endeavors, as they have all the tools necessary in order to succeed.
‘Maintain their momentum?’;
https://beyondtheflag.com/2023/03/20...tain-momentum/
‘Missed opportunity’ now something Williams can’t afford
Mar 22 2023
By Josh Suttill and Scott Mitchell-Malm
The Race
Williams knows it “missed a good opportunity” in the second 2023 Formula 1 weekend even though the results on paper appear to show a downturn in form after the team’s bright start. But Williams and its drivers felt far more was possible and there wasn’t some downturn in pace between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Williams appears to be at the back of that very tight midfield – bottom of the supertimes in both weekends so far – but it’s comfortably close enough to challenge the midfield pack when it executes a weekend well and the cards fall its way as it did in Bahrain.
‘Missed opportunity’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/misse...s-cant-afford/
-
Magnussen beaming after exciting battle with Tsunoda – and first points of the year – in Jeddah.
Kevin Magnussen was full of praise for Yuki Tsunoda after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, after the Japanese racer managed to keep the Haas man behind for several laps, before eventually succumbing to an overtaking move that earned Magnussen P10.
20:49 Sun, 19 Mar 2023.
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
‘Magnussen P10’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...631663449.html
Hulkenberg encouraged by ‘strong’ Haas pace as he enjoys ‘fresh start’ to his comeback season in Jeddah
22 March 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Although he missed out on a points finish in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Nico Hulkenberg was still left feeling positive about his and Haas’s race – describing the team’s pace compared to their midfield rivals as “the best news of the day”.
“I think a couple of things didn’t quite go to plan, but all in all we’re happy. The pace seemed strong and alright for us in the midfield, and that is the best news of the day.” Hulkenberg was also keen to note that, after a compromised race at the Bahrain opener due to a first-lap collision, Sunday’s outing in Saudi Arabia marked his first in representative conditions this season.
“Bahrain was very difficult to understand with the damage that I had. I think we kind of had to forget about it and regroup – so here was kind of a fresh start, race one for us,” he said. “Like I said, [the] race circumstances didn’t all go our way, and made life a bit hard, but nevertheless I’m happy to come away with [P12], [and] very happy for the team that we got the first point, too, with Kevin.”
‘Fresh start’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...Qc8ZssUZs.html
How Haas' team policy has prevented early driver fireworks
22 March 6:20PM
Author Michael Butterworth
Co-author Dieter Rencken
RacingNews365
Kevin Magnussen has explained a Haas policy which has, so far, enabled a cooperative relationship between himself and new Formula 1 teammate Nico Hulkenberg.
"We have a policy at Haas that we don't block each other," Magnussen told media, including RacingNews365.com. "After the first lap, we don't really want to get in each other's way. We don't fight each other.”
"We push – I can push to try and keep him behind, but I can't close the door. It's just being nice to each other and making sure that we are working for the team and not for ourselves."
“We don't fight each other”;
https://racingnews365.com/haas-drive...-orders-policy
Haas has recaptured old driver dynamic – without the sparks
09:38 Tue, 21 Mar 2023.
By Josh Suttill
The Race
Magnussen and Hulkenberg have passed the first test of their new partnership with flying colours by proving they can “be nice to each other” on track even when running at a similar pace – something Grosjean and Magnussen were sometimes unable to do, much to Haas’s frustration.
Of course the question then becomes who will emerge on top when the drivers are so evenly matched – and will the pursuit of winning that battle change things? They perhaps have more reason than a young driver eager to prove themselves to bigger teams, to play the team game.
Considering Hulkenberg is 35 and Magnussen is 30, neither driver can realistically believe a shot in a top team is anything other than a remote possibility so it’s in their interest to help Haas move forward so they can be regularly fighting for points rather than scrapping at the back of the grid.
‘Old driver dynamic’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/haas-...ut-the-sparks/
Steiner promises ‘multiple’ Haas upgrades this season
Wednesday 15th March, 2023 - 3:30am
By Ian Parkes
Speedcafe
Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has promised this season’s F1 challenger will receive numerous upgrades throughout the season – in stark contrast to last year. The team’s financial concerns have since been considerably eased following the recruitment of a new title sponsor in MoneyGram alongside a number of other fresh commercial partners.
That means the team now has the resources to steadily develop this year’s VF-23, albeit with the first upgrade not due until a third of the way through the season. “Something is planned for Barcelona,” confirmed Steiner, referring to the Spanish Grand Prix on June 2-4.
“We are working on that but we need to see if we make the right progress, performance-wise, in the wind tunnel before we put it into production. But it’s on the way, and if it goes to plan and we hit the targets then the first upgrades will be coming.”
‘Multiple Haas upgrades’;
https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/03/15...023-f1-season/
Haas’ Günther Steiner hopes to “extract the full potential” of VF-23 in Saudi Arabia
March 14, 2023
By Ashley Cline
The Checkered Flag
Haas F1 Team Principal Günther Steiner reflected on the “challenging” back-to-back weekends of pre-season testing and the Bahrain Grand Prix, coming away pleased with their qualifying result and optimistic about improving upon their race day fortunes.
“It was quite challenging because we had pre-season testing and then there was very little time before the race. All in all, even if we had struggles in the race, qualifying was good. We got one car into Q3 and for Nico to come back after three years of not having a full-time drive, it was a very good result for the team. We could’ve done better than tenth, but we were happy with it.”
Steiner feels that the new pairing of Magnussen and Hülkenberg is working out well as of yet, with Hülkenberg bringing his own share of experience and knowledge to the team. “They’re working well together and there is respect between them. It’s very good for Kevin to have a teammate with experience and what Nico brings with him is experience. The race engineers clearly feel like they get a lot of information from him after each session, which will bring the race weekend forward, but also overall the race team forward, performance-wise.”
“Extract the full potential”;
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...-saudi-arabia/
Haas not worried about Ferrari engine reliability, ‘nothing to do with us’
17 Mar 2023 3:00 PM
Michelle Foster
Guenther Steiner says whatever led to Charles Leclerc’s Bahrain retirement is not a concern for Haas with Ferrari telling their customers they “should not worry”. This is a concern for Ferrari’s engine customers, Haas and Alfa Romeo, as the two teams had their share of Ferrari engine issues last season.
Steiner, though, says he’s been told by Ferrari not to worry as it has “nothing to do” with Haas. “They have a problem, but it has nothing to do with us,” he told Ekstra Bladet.
“I don’t know exactly what, because they don’t tell me, and I don’t ask them. But they have said that we should not worry so no, we won’t change anything.”
‘Nothing to do with us’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/haas-n...e-reliability/
-
Tsunoda gave it 100% but couldn't retain final point.
Yuki Tsunoda cast a frustrated figure after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, giving it his all to score a top-ten finish that alluded the AlphaTauri driver just four laps from the checkered flag.
21/03/2023 at 18:21
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com
Tsunoda started his race from P16 and made steady progress through the field to run as high as 6th before his switch from the medium to the hard tyre on lap 17. Thereafter, the Japanese charger could do little to fend off the two Alpines of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly which set him back to 10th in the running order.
Tsunoda appeared solidly anchored to that position, but a late tussle with Haas' Kevin Magnussen concluded at the advantage of the Dane who thus snatched the final point from the AlphaTauri driver.
"I gave my 100% effort every lap, and still couldn’t [retain P10]," commented a disappointed Tsunoda after his race. Lost positions like that in the end in the last four laps, so I’m just really frustrated."
‘Gave it 100%’;
https://f1i.com/news/469629-tsunoda-...nal-point.html
Tsunoda left ‘frustrated’ after being knocked out of the points late on in Saudi Arabia
20 March 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Yuki Tsunoda endured a race of two halves in Saudi Arabia. But after finishing 11th for a second straight race, the Japanese driver could only sum up his Grand Prix with one word: “frustration.” He was able to take advantage by stopping under the Safety Car, in a move that catapulted him up the order into eighth. Although he lost out to the quicker Alpine cars, Tsunoda was able to hold onto P10 for much of the race, defending time and time again from Kevin Magnussen’s Haas.
But it was to no avail, as the Dane managed to make his way past with the help of DRS with four laps to go, ending Tsunoda’s quest for a first point of the season, and leading to an anguished cry over team radio. “We’ll come back stronger with updates in Melbourne, so we are already fully focused on the next race, where we will do our best to maximise our performance,”
Tsunoda added. “We'll continue to work hard to be able to fight at the top of the midfield and start scoring points consistently." AlphaTauri are now just one of two teams yet to score in 2023 along with McLaren, and sit ninth in the constructors’ championship.
‘Anguished cry over team radio’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...KNPSWtWfH.html
De Vries frustrated with his performance in Jeddah
Nyck De Vries has expressed his dissatisfaction at his and AlphaTauri's performance at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
March 23, 2023
By Ed Spencer
Total Motorsport
Following his second Q1 elimination of the season, De Vries struggled for pace in the race, finishing well behind teammate Yuki Tsunoda in 14th. “I’m personally not satisfied with my job at the start or the safety car restart,” said De Vries to the media. “I think I was not attacking enough and a bit too conservative.”
“It was hard to judge the balance between managing the tyres and pushing at this track. It appeared to be almost not part of the equation. You could almost push flat out. Then you lose one position, you’re a little bit on the back, and then you’re stuck in a DRS train and find yourself stuck in a DRS train in traffic before the train breaks up.”
‘Expressed his dissatisfaction’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...rmance-jeddah/
Helmut Marko tells AlphaTauri drivers to ‘prove themselves if they want to stay in Formula 1’
19 Mar 2023 7:00 AM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com
Helmut Marko has warned the AlphaTauri drivers they must prove themselves if they “want to stay in F1”, but it’s not all doom and gloom as a Red Bull opportunity could await the “better” of the team-mates.
With neither scoring a point at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, the pressure is already on. It, however, isn’t all doom and gloom for the team-mates, neither of whom has a firm contract for next season, with Marko saying the one that does “better” could be the next Red Bull driver.
“To be a candidate for Red Bull Racing, you have to have an extraordinary performance,” the motorsport advisor told Formula1.de. “They have to prove themselves if they want to stay in Formula 1. The better one will probably have a chance. That applies to Yuki and also to De Vries.”
‘Prove themselves if they want to stay in Formula 1’
https://www.planetf1.com/news/helmut...rs-warning-f1/
Tost declares he's 'lost trust' in AlphaTauri engineers!
17/03/2023 at 19:02
Andrew Lewin
F1i.com
AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost made the extraordinary admission that he had lost confidence in the squad's engineers after seeing the disappointing performance of the AT04 in the season opener in Bahrain. Neither car finished in the top ten meaning that AlphaTauri is one of three teams yet to score any points in 2023, along with Haas and McLaren.
"Yuki made a big step forward [over the winter]. Not only from the driving side. Also from the technical side. His technical feedback is really good, and I must say, also, his race was competitive. I think he got the most out of the car. Unfortunately, I think it's currently the performance level of the car [that is the problem], because we expected a much better car," he said at the official FIA Friday press conference in Jeddah.”
"We struggled in Bahrain," he acknowledged. "We have to do a lot of things to make the car faster, and especially on the aerodynamic side. There are different programmes going on, but the engineers tell me that we make some good progress. But I don't trust them anymore.”
'Lost trust';
https://f1i.com/news/468950-tost-dec...engineers.html
Helmut Marko confirms AlphaTauri future despite finance and performance concerns
17 Mar 2023 7:30 AM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com
Helmut Marko has confirmed Red Bull won’t be selling AlphaTauri, but that doesn’t mean they’re all that happy with their junior team’s performances – both on the track and in its bank statements. Speaking ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, he said: “The shareholders will not sell Scuderia AlphaTauri, and that Red Bull will continue supporting the team in the future.
“All these rumours have no foundation, and the team has to remain focused for the start of the season to perform better than last year.” Marko, having previously said the decision to sell or not would be up to the shareholders, has now also said the team is not for sale.
“It’s true that AlphaTauri’s ninth place in the Constructors’ Championship is not what we expect. That means there has to be an improvement. It is also true that the financial commitment at AlphaTauri is too high, this means that we also have to do something on the sponsor side, on the revenue side. In the course of this process we also discussed the possibilities, but it was always very clear that AlphaTauri would remain in-house. That is an important part of our junior work.”
‘Scuderia AlphaTauri Not For Sale’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/helmut...-not-for-sale/
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Mercedes F1 Boss Says He’ll Copy Red Bull To Win, Even Put ‘Little Bull Stickers’ on Cars.
Mercedes sounds like they’ll do whatever it takes to win this year. Even if that means copying the car next to them.
PUBLISHED Mar 23, 2023 7:00 PM
byJerry Perez
The Drive23:00 Thu, 23 Mar 2023.
"If it's a Red Bull, we will put a little bull somewhere with a sticker, and I will have no shame if it's quick," Wolff said, according to Motorsport.com
"I think at this stage, we have no dogmatism of how the car should look like," added Wolff. "It just needs to be the quickest possible race car. And if that car looks like a Red Bull, or like SpaceX, I don't care, it just needs to be quick."
‘Little Bull Stickers’;
https://www.thedrive.com/news/merced...ickers-on-cars
Lewis Hamilton warned he may not be 'really loved' at Mercedes after Toto Wolff comments.
Lewis Hamilton is yet to agree to a new contract as tension rise at Mercedes.
09:06, Thu, Mar 23, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express
Lewis Hamilton may be thinking he is not really loved at Mercedes after remarks from Toto Wolff, according to Eddie Jordan. In Saudi Arabia, Wolff claimed Mercedes would be prepared to lose Hamilton if they were unable to give him a title-winning car. He told OLBG: “At the moment, there's no contract signed and Toto Wolff said if he was Hamilton he would consider leaving.
“What would I be thinking if I was Hamilton, am I really loved here? What is actually happening at Mercedes? I'm not in the thick of things like I used to be. I don't know Wolff's point of view on the situation but I believe when he says he wants Hamilton to stay. But the Mercedes is not good enough for Hamilton.”
‘Eddie Jordan thoughts’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...wolff-contract
Toto Wolff provides Lewis Hamilton contract update as he admits he could join rival team
Lewis Hamilton is yet to extend his contract with Mercedes, which runs out at the end of the season.
23 March 2023
by Jack Devonport
Formula1News
It has been rumoured that should Mercedes continue to fail to provide Hamilton with a title challenging car, the seven-time world champion could make a move elsewhere, something which Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has refused to rule out.
“As a driver, nevertheless, if he wants to win another championship, he needs to make sure that he has the car,” he said on Friday. “And if we cannot demonstrate that we’re able to give him a car in the next couple of years, then he needs to look everywhere. I don’t think he’s doing it at that stage, but I will have no grouch if that happens in a year or two.”
‘Make sure that he has the car’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/toto-wolf...in-rival-team/
Toto Wolff reveals if he will ‘make heads roll’ to appease Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton is yet to commit to Mercedes beyond the end of this year, amid the team's continued struggles with the W14.
24 March 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News
Wolff has stressed, though, that no engineers will be facing the exit door, with the side not prepared to suddenly “make heads roll”. “An organisation is constantly changing and you can’t stop that either,” Wolff said.
“Now it’s about how we develop further and discussions are taking place about what the organisation should look like in the future. But it is not as if we are going to make heads roll. It’s better to ask, ‘how can we function as well as possible in the future?’”
‘No engineers will be facing the exit door’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/toto-wolf...ewis-hamilton/
Wolff admits to missing Niki Lauda during difficult times for Mercedes
24 March 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Asked about Lauda’s influence, and how much he is missing him as a source of counsel during Mercedes’s current tricky spell, Wolff said: “Niki’s missed all those years because Niki always simplified things to really what mattered.
“I’m having to think what would he have said, and how would he have positioned [things], and the two of us worked well together in that sense that sometimes oversimplification can lead you straight to the results.”
‘Niki always simplified things’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...5RB3CbFNz.html
Wolff admits thinking 'what would Niki have done'?
24/03/2023 at 12:57
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com
Toto Wolff continues to miss the presence in the Mercedes garage of the late Niki Lauda whose forthright and direct approach to the team's affairs would have proven useful in these troubled times for the Brackley squad.
"This is a technical sport so maybe my role was to translate it in a way that we actually were able to execute it in the car design. But this is very simple: the stopwatch never lies, and we see on the data where we are missing and that needs to be corrected."
'What would Niki have done';
https://f1i.com/news/469762-wolff-ad...have-done.html
Lewis Hamilton warns Mercedes could go even slower as Toto Wolff turns the screw
Mercedes have been unable to match Max Verstappen and Red Bull as they continue to lack performance.
11:32, Fri, Mar 24, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express
Daily and Sunday Express
Lewis Hamilton has warned Mercedes might be slower if they switched their current concept for Red Bull sidepods. The seven-time champion has stressed it was “not as simple” as adopting the Red Bull design and suggested it would “not change a thing” if they did.
"You put the Red Bull sidepods on our car and it won't change a thing, it literally won't change a thing, it might even go slower. It's about aero characteristics, it's how the car is balanced through the corners. There's so many different elements that people of course would not know because they're not aerodynamicists and you can't see it - there's a lot more to it." Mercedes lack pace for a second successive campaign despite getting on top of their porpoising issues.”
‘Mercedes could go even slower’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...des-toto-wolff
Toto Wolff says Mercedes need to ‘double development speed’ to catch Red Bull
Mercedes have claimed just one victory in the last 25 races, with the Germans already finding themselves 49 points behind Red Bull.
26 March 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News
Wolff openly admits that Mercedes are up to “12 months” behind in terms of understanding the new regs due to how long they spent fixing the W13, with the team principal recognising that “we need to be perfect” to catch Red Bull.
“I think the lag is probably between six and 12 months because that’s the time that it took for us to figure out what was actually happening with the car,” Wolff told The Race.
‘Double development speed’
https://formula1news.co.uk/toto-wolf...atch-red-bull/
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Ferrari boss suggests Sergio Perez could take 100-point lead over Max Verstappen.
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur believes Sergio Perez could open up a huge advantage over Max Verstappen, providing Red Bull struggle with reliability problems.
23:03, 26 Mar 2023
By Ben Parsons
The Mirror
Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur has suggested an unlikely sequence of events that would see Sergio Perez take a whopping lead of 100 points over Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen in the F1 title race.
“Imagine now that Perez wins two more races and Verstappen retires. A gearbox fails and he gets a penalty for the next one,” Vasseur said, as per Formula1news. "After Monaco, Perez is then 100 points ahead of Verstappen. These situations can happen.”
‘100-point lead over Max Verstappen’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...-news-29556164
Max Verstappen ‘surprised’ by Sergio Perez as serious threat emerges
Martin Brundle believes Sergio Perez has surprised Max Verstappen's side of the garage with his pace.
by Mitchell Wilks
25 March 2023
Formula1News
Sky Sports F1 commentator Martin Brundle has suggested that Sergio Perez could be much closer to Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen over the course of the 2023 season, following a landmark victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix which ‘surprised’ team Verstappen.
“His fifth victory, four of which have been on street circuits – but more significantly his first victory when Max was second.” He continued, discussing how Perez’s win has likely settled among the camp in Verstappen’s side of the Red Bull garage.
“Team Verstappen were perhaps surprised that Perez could match their pace,” he claimed, and drew on the fact that Perez had to defend his lead while suffering from a longer brake pedal, shocked that the team didn’t stop the pair from racing at the front in order to protect a one-two finish.
‘Serious threat emerges’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/max-verst...hreat-emerges/
Ferrari boss claims Sergio Perez could ‘easily’ become 100 points ahead of Max Verstappen
Despite dominating the opening two races of the season, Red Bull has been plagued by reliability concerns that could halt its title charge.
by Edward Hardy
26 March 2023
Formula1News
Despite Red Bull’s strength, there appears to be unhappiness in the team’s garage over the car’s reliability, with mechanical challenges seemingly the only issue that could derail their title hopes.
“The whole feeling in the team, everyone is happy,” Verstappen said. “But personally, I’m not happy. “I’m not here to be second and when it looks like it’s going to just be between two cars, we have to make sure that the two cars are reliable,” he added.
‘Reliability concerns’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/ferrari-b...ax-verstappen/
Fittipaldi: Saudi Arabia showed Sergio Perez has the speed to fight Max Verstappen
26 Mar 2023 10:00 AM
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com
He (Formula 1 legend Emerson Fittipaldi) told the Dutch edition of Motorsport.com: “I think Checo showed in Jeddah that he has the speed. “At a certain point in the race, when Max was second and Checo was leading, Max tried to close the gap.
“But he did not succeed, as Checo was able to set a good pace against it. He showed himself to be a fast and tough racer at that point. I do think he is a good driver. He is very mature and very experienced. For the fans, it would be great if we could see those two fighting for the Championship.”
‘Sergio Perez has the speed’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/emerso...ax-verstappen/
Max Verstappen and Perez are no longer team-mates - Red Bull have a mess on their hands
COMMENT: Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez's rivalry could boil over in 2023.
08:01, Sun, Mar 26, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express
Max Verstappen's 2023 title bid may be handed a major dent by his own team-mate as tensions rise at Red Bull. The two stars have clashed before but a tetchy moment in only the second race of the season is an ominous sign for things to come. “This will lead to a fight between the two. We can expect that there will be friction. Red Bull is certainly already aware of this. Perez showed that he is strong and has very good pace in the race.”
“At the same time, Verstappen is someone who doesn’t allow himself to be told and does what he thinks is right. The team can say whatever they want.” The pair appeared to clash moments after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as it emerged Verstappen had ignored a team request to secure the fastest lap.
‘Mess on their hands’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...harles-leclerc
‘Still lingers’: Why ‘churlish’ reaction proves Verstappen camp can’t support Perez at Red Bull
March 27th, 2023 3:17 pm
Michael Lamonato
Fox Sports (Australia)
Max Verstappen’s father’s “churlish” response to Sergio Perez’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix victory is evidence the Dutch family isn’t fully supportive of the Mexican’s place at Red Bull Racing, according to Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft.
“To be fair, he did say well done to Sergio,” he told Fox Sports. “But come on, Jos. Your son’s just finished second, he’s taken the fastest lap, he’s leading the world championship. I’m sure you can afford a smile from time to time.”
“I mentioned it on TV because I thought it was a bit churlish, to be honest, that he wasn’t smiling with the rest of the team, because it is a team sport and everyone works together, and I’m sure there will be times in the season where they might need Sergio’s help a little bit, just as there were times last year when Sergio needed Max’s help — and he might not have got it, to be fair.”
‘Still lingers’;
https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...dbe1f535368c2f
Red Bull ‘certainly aware’ Sergio Perez won’t help Max Verstappen in any way
Seemingly against team orders, Max Verstappen grabbed the fastest lap point from his teammate Sergio Perez on the last lap of the Saudi Arabian GP.
by Edward Hardy
25 March 2023
Formula1News
Red Bull’s key adviser Helmut Marko has dismissed rumours of growing tension between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez after the latter lost out on the fastest lap point when the Dutchman scooped it at the last minute.
Verstappen’s move appeared to be in violation of team orders, with Perez stating post-race “They told me I had the fastest lap and to keep the pace, a certain pace, so I thought the communication was the same to Max.”
“We need to review because I got certainly the different information and I just couldn’t push it there,” the Mexican added. Defending Verstappen’s actions, Marko explained that “both of them adhered to the instructions more or less.”
‘Sergio Perez won’t help Max Verstappen’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/red-bull-...en-in-any-way/
Verstappen needs constant problems to give Perez title chance – Albers
Former Minardi, Midland and Spyker driver Formula 1 driver Christijan Albers is not convinced by Sergio Perez yet
March 26, 2023
By Joe Ellis
Total Motorsport
Christijan Albers has suggested that for Sergio Perez to have any chance of a Formula 1 world title, Max Verstappen needs constant problems.
“He can do it, but only if Max has problems five, six, seven or maybe eight times,” Albers said, as quoted by Formula Passion. “If instead, Perez has no problems, it could be a story like that of [Nico] Rosberg and [Lewis] Hamilton in 2016. At that point, it could be possible.”
‘Verstappen needs constant problems’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...chance-albers/
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Alonso claims Aston Martin leap eclipses Brawn GP.
With a non-regulation change, (Aston Martin’s jump) probably the biggest one.
Sunday 26 March 2023 16:56
Sam Hall
GPFans
Fernando Alonso believes Aston Martin's year-on-year leap is greater than that of Brawn GP in 2009. In its only year of competition, Brawn GP secured both the drivers' and constructors' world titles before Brawn sold up to Mercedes. As fantastical as this tale is, however, Alonso believes that Aston Martin's rise from seventh to podium regulars is more impressive.
“Ferrari when it was 2020, they were very bad, or 2021, then in the following year – last year – they were fighting for the championship," said Alonso. "(They) won the first two or three Grands Prix of the year, so Ferrari made a huge step last year. (There was also) Brawn GP – huge,” said Alonso.
“With a non-regulation change, (Aston Martin’s jump) probably the biggest one. All the others, they were with the regulation change, plus with the cost cap it’s very difficult to do something like that, but we have very talented people in the team – so far it’s been a good start and hopefully only the start.”
‘Leap eclipses Brawn GP’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...rtin-brawn-gp/
Flavio Briatore reveals role in Fernando Alonso switch to Aston Martin
Flavio Briatore led the Renault team when Fernando Alonso won his two Formula 1 world titles in 2005 and 2006
March 27, 2023
By Joe Ellis
Total Motorsport
Briatore is still a major voice in Alonso‘s career and revealed that he and the Spaniard took the decision mutually to gamble on Aston Martin rather than re-sign with Alpine. “We shared the decision, we took a risk,” Briatore said to Corriere della Sera. “But it was worth it.”
“They were offering us two years of contract while others, with the excuse of age, only one. Then we knew that Lawrence Stroll was putting together a great team. In there we saw a desire for change that wasn’t there for, say, Alpine.”
‘Took a risk’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...-aston-martin/
Aston Martin call for 'focus' after stellar start to season
27 March 2:30PM
Author Jake Nichol
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365
Aston Martin boss Mike Krack says he is not "scared" that the success enjoyed in the 2023 Formula 1 season will not lead to the team getting carried away. "I think Team Silverstone have been in the business for a very, very long time, and the people know how racing is," Krack explained to media including RacingNews365 in Jeddah when asked about how he was keeping expectations in check.”
"So I am not scared that they will lose the ground from under their feet, we have to manage the situation properly. The main thing is you have to keep the focus, it is not automatic, you always have to be on top of your game. And as soon as you are not, someone is in front of you, so it is a mix and you have to manage it."
‘Call for focus';
https://racingnews365.com/krack-not-...g-carried-away
Aston Martin boss delivers hope that Red Bull’s mighty advantage can be reduced
24 Mar 2023 9:00 PM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com
Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack says we should stayed tuned to F1 2023, as he does not expect Red Bull to stay so dominant. Aston Martin team boss Krack remains of the belief that the advantage can be whittled down.
“The season is long. I don’t think Red Bull will keep the gap,” he told DAZN. “We still have two big teams behind us [Mercedes and Ferrari] who will do everything they can to catch them. The spectator has to be patient and keep watching Formula 1.”
Asked if Aston Martin really are the second-fastest team, Krack said with a smile: “It sounds good, yes. We’ve always said we had to confirm it in three races. At the moment, I think we have to be cautious about saying we’re second because Melbourne is coming and then we have to check and confirm it, but clearly we’ve made a step forward in our objective.”
‘Aston Martin really are the second-fastest team’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/aston-...nce-stoppable/
'Quiet, unassuming' Alonso should be four-time F1 champion - former boss
Saturday 25 March 2023 09:57
Ewan Gale
GPFans
Former Minardi F1 boss Paul Stoddart believes Fernando Alonso should be a four-time world champion. Stoddart revealed in a conversation with the Beyond the Grid podcast that he knew Alonso was a future world champion after a "masterclass" performance at a wet Formula 3000 race in Belgium in 2000.
"Fernando, in those days and still even when he was with us, was very quiet, very unassuming, just got on and did the job," explained Stoddart. "It took, I suppose, a race like Spa to where I was actually genuinely watching the whole race, not just catching highlights, as you quite often did with Formula 3000 races.”
"I watched that race and what I saw in him that day was this is a guy that's destined to be world champion even before he had even got in an F1 car. I wasn't wrong, except he should have four, not two."
‘Destined to be world champion’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...n-former-boss/
Jordan blames Alonso for failure to win more F1 titles
27th March 2023, 11:23
by Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week
Ex-Formula 1 team owner and current pundit Eddie Jordan has blamed Fernando Alonso for the Spaniard’s current failure to win more than two titles in his career.
“I remember seeing Fernando Alonso pass Michael Schumacher from the outside on a damp track on a really difficult corner in Suzuka, Japan, and I said, ‘oh my god, how can he get away with that!’,” Jordan told OLBG recently.
“Alonso pulled the move off and I thought from there that he was destined for greatness. I actually blame him for not winning four, six or maybe even [becoming] eight-time World Champion, he should have picked his teams better. In his 30s, Alonso went for the money when he could have gone a different route.”
‘Four, six or maybe even [becoming] eight-time World Champion’;
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...ore-f1-titles/
Alonso 'content' despite criticism of 'special' career
Monday 27 March 2023 15:00
Oli Lawrie
GPFans
Fernando Alonso has said he's 'content' with his 'special' career, despite feeling that others take pity on him for what they see as his unwise career choices.
The two-time champion has rejected the idea he’s made poor decisions throughout his 20-year career, stating 'the facts say otherwise'. Speaking to Channel 4, the Spaniard reflected on the highs and lows of his time in F1.
"I would say that in the 20 years I've been in F1, I've only had four frustrating years in a McLaren-Honda that wasn't competitive,“ said Alonso. "But in [the other] 16 years, I've fought for podiums and wins, and that's pretty special."
'Content';
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...eer-criticism/
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‘Max Verstappen concocted return of driveshaft issue to make himself look good’.
Former F1 team principal Eddie Jordan believes Max Verstappen was looking to save face by “concocting” a return of the driveshaft issue that ended his qualifying in Saudi Arabia, while trailing team-mate Sergio Perez.
27 Mar 2023 6:00 AM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com
“I think that Max concocted something about a driveshaft so as to make himself look good,” Jordan stated on the Formula For Success podcast, “because I’m absolutely convinced he was told before he went out, if Checo was leading the race, and he’s been on pole position, you have not [got] ability and you have not got permission to pass him.
“That’s just my view. Because if I was running a team, that is exactly what I would have said before they went out. You don’t have to be Einstein to work it out. Max, in my opinion, found a decent excuse, which was the driveshaft.”
“Christian Horner comes out and tells us: ‘No matter what we did, we went back to the base, we went and looked at all of the data and we looked at everything, we couldn’t find anything.’
‘Max concocted something’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/max-ve...-eddie-jordan/
Max Verstappen accused of "concocting" problem at Red Bull in Sergio Perez fight
Eddie Jordan suggested that Verstappen may have "concocted" the drive shaft problem which hampered his race weekend in Jeddah, though David Coulthard is not so sure
09:25, 27 Mar 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer
The Mirror
Max Verstappen cut a bemused figure after his Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend was affected by a mechanical problem – but Eddie Jordan is not convinced that the issue was real. Unable to set a lap time in Q2, he was forced to start 15th on the grid. He still breezed through to second place in the race with his extremely fast Red Bull machine, but team-mate Sergio Perez was able to keep him at arm's length to take victory.
" Christian Horner comes out and tells us, 'No matter what we did, we went back to the base, we went and looked at all of the data and we looked at everything, we couldn't find anything'. Guys, come on... There's enough in this to realise that we don't want to be bulls****ed. This was a situation where Max managed the position to hold his face while still taking second place."
But former F1 racer David Coulthard is not convinced Jordan is correct. The Scot replied on the same podcast: "I think Max is so much heart on sleeve, that he doesn't concoct anything – what you see is what you get. A little bit like when he was on the radio saying, 'What's the fastest lap?' And they said, 'Don't think about that'. And he's like, 'Well, I am'.
‘David Coulthard is not convinced Jordan is correct’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...ordan-29557388
Max Verstappen accused of lying about excuse to avoid Sergio Perez battle
Max Verstappen leads the Drivers' Championship by a point from Sergio Perez after setting the fastest lap in Saudi Arabia.
27 March 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News
Former Formula 1 team owner Eddie Jordan believes double World Champion Max Verstappen was not given permission to overtake team-mate Sergio Perez for the lead at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with the Dutchman having used his driveshaft failure as a “decent excuse”.
Jordan is convinced that Verstappen was ordered to stay behind his team-mate, with the Irishman having revealed that he would’ve instructed the very same if he were in charge. Perez led virtually the entire race, after momentarily losing the lead to Fernando Alonso at the start, only to reclaim first as soon as DRS was activated.
‘Excuse to avoid Sergio Perez battle’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/max-verst...-perez-battle/
Jeremy Clarkson criticises Red Bull over team orders decision broken by Max Verstappen
Tensions continue to rise at Red Bull as Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez battle for top honours.
12:01, Mon, Mar 27, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express
Jeremy Clarkson has hit out at Red Bull’s decision to use team orders to control Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez in Saudi Arabia. Red Bull engineers told the two stars to keep to a set pace in Jeddah as the race drew to its conclusion.
Writing in The Sun, Clarkson said: “We like to think that when the red lights go out at the beginning of a Formula One race, every single one of the drivers goes round every corner and down every straight as fast as is humanly and mechanically possible.
"That’s what racing is all about, surely? It seems not… “You had the Red Bulls. To stop them from doing any racing, each of the drivers was told to do the same speed as one another.
‘Jeremy Clarkson has hit out’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...n-sergio-perez
Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez ‘not best friends’ but ‘not at war with each other’
27 Mar 2023 9:00 AM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com
Sky Sports commentator David Croft has said Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez are “not at war with each other”, but equally that they are not the “best of friends” at the moment either.
“I don’t think it’s a driver dispute necessarily, but clearly Sergio was feeling a bit vulnerable whilst out in the lead in Jeddah on Sunday night and he kind of felt that his teammate was allowed to do lap times that were faster than him,” Croft explained on SEN Sportsday in Australia.
“Luckily for Sergio, he had built up quite a big gap by that stage and it didn’t affect the result. He was probably a little bit miffed that Max Verstappen took the fastest lap as well because that fastest lap point kept Max Verstappen in the lead of the championship, Sergio would have led the championship for the first time in his career had he got that fastest lap. So there’s seeds of suspicion. I don’t think that they’re best of friends.”
‘Seeds of suspicion’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/max-ve...s-not-warring/
Felipe Massa takes aim at Red Bull’s Sergio Perez
The former Ferrari driver sees Max Verstappen as the big drivers’ championship favourite in F1 2023
March 27, 2023
By John Smith
Total Motorsport
After coming tantalizingly close to the F1 championship in 2008, the former Ferrari and Williams driver doesn’t believe there is any chance of a repeat of his close title charge from any other driver on the grid.
Not least from Verstappen‘s Red Bull teammate, Perez. Although he at least acknowledged there was an outside chance for Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc. “Like Max and Lewis, Charles is an exceptional driver, he is currently the biggest title contender against Red Bull,” Massa told Bild. “Their second driver, Sergio Perez, is too inconsistent.”
It’s unclear just why Massa feels so strongly about the Mexican, although their time in F1 did result in some rather ugly crashes, with the Brazilian seemingly blaming Perez for such incidents.
‘Too inconsistent’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...-sergio-perez/
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MPH: Ferrari knows where its car is failing – but can't fix it.
Ferrari was clearly only the fourth-best car on race day in Jeddah last week. But in qualifying it was second only to the dominant Red Bull (disguised by Charles Leclerc’s grid penalty). The gap between second and fourth fastest car – between Aston Martin, Mercedes and Ferrari – is currently small.
March 24th 2023
Author Mark Hughes
Motor Sport Magazine
From an admittedly small sample of two races, the Aston looks the best of that group on race days, the Ferrari with the edge in qualifying. But perhaps that latter is just a function of the acrobatics conjured by Leclerc over a qualifying lap.
So, where is Ferrari really at? Obviously a long way behind Red Bull, but then so is everyone. There is a lack of front end grip in the car which can be minimised on new tyres over a single lap, but which imposes a heavy toll on race day. There are upgrades on the way, but they won’t be in time for Melbourne next weekend.
On race day in Jeddah, the front tyre usage was the dominant problem, as Carlos Sainz articulated, “We still ‘deg’ more than the Mercs, we still deg more than the Astons, we still lack a bit of race pace. It’s tyre deg, balance, dirty air when following, we just struggle a bit. If we already overheat the tyres in clean air, imagine following. We just eat them alive and we need clean air to produce some kind of decent lap time.
‘Can't fix it.’;
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...?nowprocket=1#
Ferrari drivers voice concern over dirty air return
14:49 Sat, 25 Mar 2023.
by Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz have raised concerns that the increase in turbulent air emanating from the 2023 cars is contributing to less on-track overtaking. Sainz, who trundled home sixth in Jeddah, has been particularly outspoken in his concerns that an underlying problem from the old generation of cars has resurfaced.
“In dirty air, these cars have got a bit worse compared to last year, probably adding downforce and the new regulations,” the Spaniard said after the race. “They are starting to become a bit like the old cars where the dirty air is becoming a limitation and today it wasn’t easy to pass.”
Leclerc has agreed with the view of Sainz that the topic of dirty air is likely to became a prevalent discussion point again based on the early evidence of F1 races in 2023. “I could have gone a bit faster, but when I was closer than a second to Carlos [Sainz], you felt the turbulence of the car in front of you,” Leclerc added.
‘Voice concern’;
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...ng-overtaking/
Ferrari drivers reveal FIA’s biggest concern after Saudi Arabian GP
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz's comments will alarm the FIA, especially as other drivers have echoed their remarks.
23 March 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News
Following Sunday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz have both revealed that following another car was just as difficult as “in the old cars”, potentially causing panic amongst the FIA.
Whilst last weekend’s race at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit saw more overtakes than ever before at the venue, the number of completed overtakes was largely due to Max Verstappen having recovered from 15th on the grid to finish second.
Other than Verstappen and Leclerc making some ground in the early stages of the race, very few other drivers were able to make multiple overtakes, due to following having been difficult. This was largely the reason why the new aerodynamic regulations were introduced in 2022, with the previous era of the sport having involved very few overtakes.
‘Panic amongst the FIA!?’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/ferrari-d...di-arabian-gp/
'We're pushing like hell - Red Bull can be caught', says Ferrari F1 boss
March 22nd 2023
Author Adam Cooper
Motor Sport Magazine
Ferrari's dwindling pace during the Saudi Arabian GP saw it finish behind Aston Martin and Mercedes. But F1 team principal Fred Vasseur believes finding the car's sweet spot will bring a "decent step" towards the front
On paper it looks like a disaster, and indeed with the sole-surviving Aston Martin and the two Mercedes both outrunning the Ferraris in the race, it some respects it was. However, there were some positives to be drawn, and not just the better reliability the team demonstrated after the frustrations in Bahrain. Crucially the SF-23 has some speed, at least over one lap.
People were sceptical when new team boss Fred Vasseur suggested in Bahrain that Ferrari’s main issue was set-up rather than anything fundamental, but he has a point. You have to have a pretty good car to have outrun Aston and Mercedes and everyone else in qualifying at two very different venues.
‘Red Bull can be caught'’;
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...?nowprocket=1#
Ferrari admits Leclerc miscommunication 'not a good call'
22/03/2023 at 11:06
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com
Frédéric Vasseur says Ferrari will address the miscommunication that took place in Jeddah between Charles Leclerc and his race engineer, the Scuderia boss admitting that "it wasn't a good call".
After the race, Vasseur admitted that it had not been a "good call" by Leclerc's strategist, although the Frenchman minimized the importance of the misstep. "Yes, it was not a good call," Vasseur told the media. "It is like it is.”
"It's not the main issue and I think it would be a mistake from our side to focus on [it]. I don't want to say it's details. It was a miscommunication, and we will have to speak, to fix it. It's not the main issue at all over the weekend."
‘Miscommunication not a good call';
https://f1i.com/news/469648-ferrari-...good-call.html
'Can Ferrari keep Charles Leclerc long enough to win World Championship title?
'Leclerc will never win a World Championship title at Ferrari'
28th March 2023, 17:15
Sky Sports
Matt Gallagher, co-host of P1 with Matt and Tommy, believes Charles Leclerc will never win a World Championship title at Ferrari.
‘Never win’;
https://www.skysports.com/watch/vide...rts-f1-podcast
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Felipe Massa backs George Russell to emerge as main Mercedes title threat over Lewis Hamilton.
Felipe Massa has said that, while Lewis Hamilton can never be written off in fighting for a title, Mercedes team-mate George Russell has potential to carry the team’s hopes in future.
27 Mar 2023 4:00 PM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com
“You should never make the mistake of writing Lewis off. Alongside Michael [Schumacher] and Ayrton Senna, he is the best driver who has ever raced in Formula 1,” Massa reasoned to Bild.
“In addition to his experience, he has a very good feel for driving. Lewis can become World Champion again – but for that he needs a competitive car. He doesn’t have that at the moment.”
“Charles [Leclerc], like Max and Lewis, is an exceptional driver. He is currently the biggest title challenger for Red Bull. Their second driver, Sergio Pérez, is too inconsistent. Just like Carlos Sainz from Ferrari. George Russell could become a title contender in the coming years.”
‘George Russell has potential’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/felipe...ewis-hamilton/
Rosberg: Russell is the ‘ultimate test’ for Hamilton
13:45 Mon, 27 Mar 2023.
by Fergal Walsh
Motorsport Week
“George is the ultimate test, he is a future World Champion,” Rosberg told Sky F1. “It is difficult for Lewis to stay in front. George had an awesome season last year and that is continuing. Let’s not forget, Lewis is the best of all time, so if someone can beat George it is him.”
“It is a little bit of a weakness that Lewis has that he will mentally go into this down a little bit and lose a little bit of the flow. But he comes back with a bang every single time so, dear George, don’t get too confident there.”
‘Ultimate test’;
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...-for-hamilton/
F1: Nico Rosberg sends Lewis Hamilton warning over George Russell
16:37 Tue, 28 Mar 2023.
By George Dagless
Give Me Sport
Russell has quickly established himself as one of the top drivers since his Mercedes move. 2016 F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg has warned Lewis Hamilton that George Russell is 'the ultimate test' at Mercedes.
Certainly, Russell has shown he is more than at home at the front of the pack, with him winning his first Grand Prix last season in Brazil and also outscoring his seven-time world champion team-mate in the standings.
"Testament to the weekend George has done. Interesting that there is different set-ups, but free choice for both of them," Rosberg said to Sky Sports after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which saw Russell eventually classified fourth and Hamilton in fifth.
‘More than at home at the front of the pack’;
https://www.givemesport.com/f1-nico-...eorge-russell/
Where Hamilton’s currently losing out to Russell
Mar 28 2023
By Edd Straw
The Race
Lewis Hamilton is the better-placed of Mercedes’ Formula 1 drivers in the world championship going into this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, by two points over George Russell. And the team is fresh from a better-than-expected result in the Saudi Arabian GP, where both cars came home in the top five and beat Ferrari.
So why are the problems with this car affecting Hamilton more than Russell? The qualifying gap was negligible at Sakhir, but it was far more substantial at the Jeddah circuit, where Hamilton was just over three-and-a-half tenths of a second slower. The difference was primarily in the first sector, in which Hamilton struggled with balance and grip.
Hamilton cut a dejected figure after qualifying. Speaking to media including The Race shortly after Q3, he complained of not feeling connected to the car and said that “no matter what I do, no matter what I change, I can’t get confidence back”. So why is this? Well, we know the Mercedes is lacking in downforce and that is particularly manifesting itself in rear-end instability.
‘I can’t get confidence back’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/merce...ut-to-russell/
George Russell labelled ‘worst aspect’ of Lewis Hamilton’s weekend
Lewis Hamilton started the race on the hard compound tyres in an effort to have a long first stint but his race was hurt by an early safety car around lap 18.
27 March 2023
by Edward Hardy
Formula1News
Peter Windsor, former Williams team manager, blasted the choice of tyres by Mercedes as “asking for trouble” by going against the rest of the grid. “The medium was a really good race tyre in Saudi Arabia and to be on anything other than that at the start of the race was asking for trouble,” Windsor explained on his YouTube channel.
“Toto was on the radio afterwards telling Lewis that it was a good drive, and of course it was a good drive, but it wasn’t the sort of drive that Hamilton will want to be thinking about on his flight home,” he added.
“He doesn’t want to be passed by Max Verstappen as if he’s going backwards. He doesn’t want to be racing Haas and Alpha Tauri. In the end, he got beaten by George [Russell], which is probably the worst aspect of the weekend. Not a good one for Lewis,” Windsor continued.
‘Worst aspect’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/george-ru...ltons-weekend/
George Russell teases first key destination for Mercedes W14 updates
25 Mar 2023 10:00 AM
Henry Valantine
George Russell has hinted that the first significant upgrade package on the Mercedes W14 will arrive at Imola in mid-May, as the so-called European season gets underway in earnest.
“Maybe they will come to Imola,” Russell told reporters in Saudi Arabia of where the first significant upgrade package for Mercedes will come, per the Italian edition of Motorsport.com. “Maybe it can be done a little earlier, but I think you are always a little cautious about taking things to a street track.”
“We just have to weigh up the options. With the mistakes we’ve made, we’re not going to rush things unless we’re absolutely 120 per cent sure it’s the right one. And obviously, the longer you wait, the greater the impact you can have because of the slope of development, so we have to weigh up the pros and cons.”
‘Mercedes W14 updates’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/george...-w14-upgrades/
Hamilton won’t be Mercedes’ lead driver until F1 car changes
Mar 22 2023
By Matt Beer and Scott Mitchell-Malm
The Race
With Mercedes so far away from race-winning, let alone title-contending, form and Lewis Hamilton not having a 2024 Formula 1 contract yet, ‘Hamilton mood watch’ would be a popular pastime even without him being as – relatively – outspoken about the team’s efforts as he has been lately.
He’s also not even been the team’s top performer. Yes, he led George Russell home in Bahrain, but it’s 2-0 to Russell in the qualifying battle (the Saturday gap nearly four tenths of a second in Saudi Arabia last weekend) and Russell finished ahead on race day in Jeddah too.
There was a degree to which Hamilton said the disparity between him and Russell was just down to set-up choices, and Hamilton certainly did seem to go awry on that front relative to his team-mate.
‘Until F1 car changes’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/hamil...1-car-changes/
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Dominant Red Bull aim to break Australian GP drought.
Red Bull stand poised to shrug off their Australian Grand Prix hoodoo on Sunday and continue their domination of the Formula One world championship as rivals struggle for pace.
29 MARCH 2023 - 17:15
IAN RANSOM
Financial Mail
Red Bull have not won at Albert Park since former driver Sebastian Vettel claimed the 2011 race, but there may be no stopping the constructors champions this year at the lakeside circuit.
“It’s always nice to ... experience Melbourne a little, though from a racing point of view, it is not one that has been too kind to us over the years,” said double defending champion Verstappen, who was forced to retire during last year’s race due to a fuel problem.
Formula One will hope Perez can keep the pressure on Verstappen, with the other teams seemingly well behind the development curve. “The signs we are seeing back at the factory are promising,” said team boss Toto Wolff. “We are not where we want to be, but that won’t stop us from racing hard and giving it everything we’ve got.”
‘Formula One will hope Perez can keep the pressure on’;
https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/sp...an-gp-drought/
Ferrari tipped to ‘surprise’ and ‘take a big step forward’ at Australian Grand Prix
28 Mar 2023 3:00 PM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com
Ferrari have been tipped to spring a surprise this weekend when Formula 1 returns to Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix. It has been a disappointing start to the season so far for the Scuderia with Charles Leclerc retiring from P3 in Bahrain before a poorly-timed Safety Car consigned them to P6 and P7 in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, Tom Clarkson said Ferrari could spring a “surprise” at a track they have always done well at. “Yes, it’s hard to look beyond Red Bull,” he said. “But my surprise is actually Ferrari.
“I think they’ve always been pretty hooked up around Melbourne, whatever the regulations, since we first went there in 1996. They have a good setup there and Leclerc was dominant there last year. This year’s car is a continuation of the car that they were using last year, it’s an evolution, and while I’m not saying they’ve got the pace of Red Bull, I think we’re going to see Ferrari take a big step forward.”
‘Tipped to spring a surprise’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/ferrar...an-grand-prix/
Why four DRS zones will return for Australia GP
28 March 6:00PM
Author Rory Mitchell
RacingNews365
The fourth Drag Reduction System zone at Albert Park will return in 2023, after being removed last year on safety grounds. Situated between Turns 9 and 10 along the lake-side straight, the FIA elected to take action on safety grounds after a number of drivers complained of blocking and impeding.
This resulted in several moments where those on a fast lap encountered other drivers going slowly trying to generate a gap, along the narrow piece of track that places high aerodynamic demands on the cars.
Some drivers were more vocal than others about the change, given the aerodynamic benefits it would bring for cars that suffered the least from porpoising.
‘Four DRS zones will return’;
https://racingnews365.com/why-four-d...r-australia-gp
Croft expects Red Bull to dominate Australian GP
Wednesday 29th March, 2023 - 3:00pm
By Mat Coch
Speedcafe
This weekend’s Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix looks set to be another Red Bull cakewalk according to David Croft. The Sky Sports F1 commentator predicts the Milton Keynes duo of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez will continue the dominance they’ve shown in the opening two rounds of 2023.
“I’ve got a theory this weekend,” Croft told Speedcafe. “It might be a bit far, but we’re going to get Verstappen, Perez, and [Fernando] Alonso in some form on the podium at the end. And I don’t know where I’m thinking that one from to be honest!”
‘Continue the dominance’;
https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/03/29...australian-gp/
The two potential headaches hanging over Red Bull in Australia
29 Mar 2023 9:00 AM
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com
Beneath the superficiality of the results and the pretty picture of the points table, however, this is a team trying to contain a growing number of issues.
After dominating to convert pole position into victory in Bahrain, Max Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP weekend was going almost too well before his driveshaft went bang during qualifying and left him stranded in 15th on the grid.
With the World Champion airing further mechanical concerns during the race – and amid whispers that Red Bull’s commanding display in Bahrain was way more nervy than it looked on the car health front – the team’s reliability record is at risk of becoming front and centre again.
‘Headaches’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/austra...view-red-bull/
Adrian Newey contract 'up for renewal' as Damon Hill speculates on future
Wednesday 29 March 2023 07:57
Graham Shaw
GPFans
Damon Hill : "His success rate is unbelievable, every team he's been to virtually he's won a constructors' championship, drivers' titles, I've lost count how many. So he's a key man, and what he has to offer any team is invaluable."
It was at this point Hill pondered Newey's mindset, with a the focus on one high-profile moment which already caught his eye this season. "I can't help ignoring this thing he [Newey] did in Bahrain, where he stood in front of the Mercedes on the grid, with his clipboard, and stood there for a long time looking at their front wings.
"Anybody who knows Adrian will know 'wait a minute, he's already got the most dominant car in F1, why's he looking at the Mercedes front wings?' Was he really looking at the front wings? Or was he just standing in front of a Mercedes saying 'I'm interested'. Is that what he was really saying?"
‘Invaluable’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...l-mercedes-f1/
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Russell expecting Aston Martin to be ‘really strong’ at Australian GP as he counters recent Hamilton set-up comments.
When asked about Hamilton’s comments in Melbourne, Russell was keen to note the work he put in ahead of and during the event, stressing that there was no luck in the outcome.
30 March 2023
Formula One - Official Site.
George Russell has tipped Aston Martin to be an even stronger force at the Australian Grand Prix, pointing to the impressive cornering ability the AMR23 has displayed over the first two rounds of the season. Asked about his and Mercedes’s potential at this weekend’s event in Melbourne, Russell commented: “If we manage to get another P4, or fight for the podium, that will probably be exceeding the potential of the car.”
Later on in Thursday’s driver press conference, the topic turned to the intra-team dynamic at Mercedes, with Russell asked for his thoughts on comments Lewis Hamilton made after the last race at Jeddah. “The strategy didn’t really work out for me,” Hamilton told Sky Sports F1 after following Russell home in Saudi Arabia. “The set-up was a bit off – I think if I had the set-up that George had, I would have been in a better position.”
‘Work he (George Russell) put in ahead of and during the event, stressing that there was no luck in the outcome’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...OaPedPdw9.html
Mercedes sees 'promising' signs ahead of Australia F1 GP
Thursday, 30 Mar 2023 9:17 AM MYT
Malay Mail
MELBOURNE, March 30 ― A cautiously optimistic Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said the team has made “promising” progress since the first two Grand Prix of the season, with another solid points haul on his wish list for Melbourne this weekend.
On the high-speed, power-friendly Jeddah track a fortnight ago, there were distinct signs of life as Mercedes left Ferrari floundering, with George Russell finishing fourth and Lewis Hamilton fifth.
It was a clear improvement from the season-opening race in Bahrain, where they offered little competition to the Ferrari, Aston Martin or victorious Red Bull teams. While they remain well adrift of the dominant Red Bull team, Wolff said their W14 car was improving.
'Promising signs’;
https://www.malaymail.com/news/sport...ia-f1-gp/62243
Alonso says Aston Martin arrive in Australia ‘extremely happy’ as Stroll gives update on wrist fractures
30 March 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Fernando Alonso picked up his 100th Formula 1 podium finish last time out and as a result, he says he and Aston Martin are brimming with confidence heading into this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix.
“At the moment, we are extremely happy with the performance of the car obviously. We were better than expected, especially in Jeddah – I think it was a nice surprise, so we arrive here with a good level of confidence,” he said.
“But… after a few events, from now on, I think the cars will change a lot in a few areas, and a few developments, so let’s see if we can keep this pace.”
‘Extremely happy’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...kk4NT3eQq.html
Fernando Alonso hilariously mocks himself ahead of 2023 Australian GP
Ahead of the 2023 Australian Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso has shown that he is having fun on and off the track since switching to Aston Martin.
30 March 2023
by Edward Hardy
Formula1News
Ahead of the 2023 Australian Grand Prix, Alonso posted a hilarious upside-photo of himself as Formula 1 travels down-under. Even the Formula One social media team got in on the action with their own video of the two-time world champion.
“Alonso is single-handedly saving this F1 season,” one fan said, while another added “This man is a treasure. We don’t deserve him.” “He’s just overjoyed to actually be driving a decent car for the first time since the Bush Administration,” a Reddit user commented.
‘EL PLAN!’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/fernando-...australian-gp/
Verstappen admits he’s been ‘struggling’ to recover from illness as he seeks first win in Australia
30 March 2023
Formula One - Official Site
As he looks to take his first Grand Prix victory in Australia, Max Verstappen has revealed he's still feeling the effects of an illness that he contracted before the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Looking ahead to three-week break between Australia and Azerbaijan, Verstappen said: "I was not looking forward to [the break] but then I got really ill and have just been struggling a bit since that time, especially last race out, so I think for me now these three weeks are just about getting back to full fitness, getting a full programme in…
‘Struggling’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...oOQoswmRx.html
Race guide for the Australian Grand Prix
30th March 2023, 07:04
By Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical.
The Australian GP has a long, wealthy history in Formula One. The country joined the sport in 1985 when the race was held at the Adelaide Street Circuit, in South Australia. The Adelaide race used to be the last round of the championship and hosted numerous racing memorable race, including title-decider races. The Grand Prix moved to Melbourne in 1996 and became the opening race of the championships, although this spot has been taken by Bahrain on several times.
The Grand Prix is the oldest surviving motor racing competition in Australia which has been contested 79 times since it was first run at Philip Island in 1928. Prior to the inclusion in the F1 Championship, the grand prix was held at different venues like Bathurst, Lobethal, Southport, Longford, Narrogin, Lakeside, Sandown, etc.
The track has a length of 5.278km, resulting in a 58-lap-long Grand Prix. The circuit sports 14 corners, many of them are named after previous great drivers. The race course has a stop-and-go nature due to heavy acceleration and braking zones. The circuit uses everyday sections of road that circle Albert Park Lake, a small man-altered lake (originally a large lagoon formed as part of the ancient Yarra River course) just south of the Central Business District of Melbourne. The road sections that are used were rebuilt prior to the inaugural event in 1996 to ensure consistency and smoothness.
‘Race guide’;
https://www.f1technical.net/news/23969
-
Red Bull tension watch as Alonso targets magic number three - what to expect at the Australian GP.
Red Bull trouble to ease? Aston Martin and Alonso aim for magic number three. Mercedes positive but results will have to wait. McLaren to bounce back. End to race start penalties.
Thursday 30 March 2023 14:05
Ewan Gale
GPFans
F1 returns to Australia with Red Bull in the ascendency following two dominant performances in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Max Verstappen heads team-mate Sergio Perez by a single point after the Mexican took honours at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit two weeks ago.
With rivals racing to try and close the gap to the RB19, GPFans takes a look at what to expect from the Australian Grand Prix.
‘Tension watch’;
https://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/F1.../Australian+GP
Perez now feels like a title contender, not an afterthought
Mar 30 2023
By Mark Hughes
The Race
Sergio Perez made very clear in Melbourne on the eve of the 2023 Formula 1 season’s third grand prix that he considers himself to be in a world title fight with Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen and that he has full confidence in Red Bull to provide them with equal opportunities in that fight, now he has established his place in the team.
“I fully believe,” he said. “Certainly, when I first came to the team things were very different. Basically, they were just going racing with two cars because they had to, you know. I can say now that I really feel part of the team, really feel I have my place and am well respected.”
“That’s something good to have as a driver and I really believe I have the full support of the team as much as Max does and that I will have every single opportunity to win the championship as much as Max does.”
‘A title contender, not an afterthought’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/perez...-afterthought/
Hamilton hoping the gap to Red Bull “isn’t a second” in Melbourne
2023 Australian Grand Prix
Posted on 30th March 2023, 7:4530th March 2023, 7:43
Written by Keith Collantine
RaceFans
Lewis Hamilton is hoping Mercedes can get within a second of Red Bull this weekend after the reigning world champions dominated the first two races of 2023. “If you look at the last race, I think it was a decent result given the distance and the pace disadvantage we had in qualifying,” he told Sky. “Obviously George did a fantastic job all weekend, put the car exactly where it needed to be. I struggled a little bit with the balance that I had.”
“We’ve got a great group of people that are working really hard back at the factory that are trying to fix the issues that we have. It’s not something that’s going to happen in one race, it’s going to take a few races, hopefully as short as possible to get there.”
“But this weekend, I think I’m just hoping for some rain, if I’m really honest, because I would make it a little bit more exciting for us from my point of view. I’m just hoping the gap isn’t a second and I hope that we can just hit the ground running with the set-up.”
‘Hoping’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/03/30/...-in-melbourne/
Lewis Hamilton refusing to speak to Michael Masi as axed F1 race director returns
Michael Masi has not attended a Grand Prix since the controversial 2021 season finale
09:06, Thu, Mar 30, 2023
By Charlie Gordon
Daily and Sunday Express
Lewis Hamilton will pass up the opportunity to receive an explanation from Michael Masi for his role in the infamous 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Aussie has been spotted in Melbourne ahead of attending his first race since being axed as FIA race director.
Eyebrows were therefore raised when Masi, 44, was spotted in Melbourne this week in the lead-up to the Australian Grand Prix. On his attendance, Hamilton was asked by reporters whether he would actively look to seek out an explanation for the 2021 controversy.
"I don’t [plan to]," he said. "I am just focussed on my future. I am focussed on trying to get back to winning. There is nothing to say."
‘Pass up the opportunity’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...l-masi-f1-news
Verstappen says Alonso deserves his long-awaited 33rd win – and more
2023 Australian Grand Prix
Posted on 30th March 2023, 7:2030th March 2023, 7:07
Written by Keith Collantine
RaceFans
“I think Fernando should have won anyway already a lot more races than what he has done,” said Verstappen. “I think he deserves a lot more. I would be quite happy to see him win number 33. But I also, in a way, also I would like to see him win more. So we’ll see in the coming races.”
Several Spanish sportspeople have shown their support for Alonso’s pursuit of his 33rd win on social media. “It’s crazy to see how Spain is now so enthusiastic again for Formula 1 and for everything that is happening,” said the Aston Martin driver. “So this is very nice to see and hopefully I think they did enjoy these first two podiums the whole country.”
“This 33, I don’t know, all these things that are happening now in social media, it was ‘El Plan’ three years ago and then the mission and now ’33’ so there are a lot of 33s,” he added. “All the football clubs or footballers or tennis or whatever they are always doing something with 33. So hopefully we can reach that number in terms of wins and then we go for 34.”
‘El Plan’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/03/30/...-win-and-more/
'Different atmosphere, for sure!' – Stroll looks forward to Australian GP
30 Mar 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll comments on the different and "exciting" prospect the team is facing ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in comparison to last year.
‘Exciting prospect’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...381406307.html
-
Verstappen dominates amid GPS chaos in Australian GP first practice.
Max Verstappen has laid down an early marker at the Australian Grand Prix.
Friday 31 March 2023 04:32
Sam Hall
GPFans
The Dutchman set the fastest time in the opening session of the Albert Park weekend with an effort of one-minute 18.790secs. Despite his pace, the Red Bull driver was not faultless as he spun his RB19 with six minutes remaining in the session.
Much to the dissatisfaction of the teams, the opening hour of running was interrupted by a pair of red flags - the first for a GPS problem that caused a number of near-miss moments between drivers on hot laps and those on slower efforts.
The second instance came after Williams' rookie Logan Sargeant stopped at the side of the track as his car shut down on the run to turn 11. With four minutes remaining on the clock, the session did not resume after this interruption.
‘Verstappen quickest’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...irst-practice/
(FP1) First Practice Results – 2023 Australian Grand Prix
31st March 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Results (Classification):
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -1:18.790
2. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.433
3. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.503
4. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.527
5. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.588
6. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.715
7. Lando Norris McLaren +0.746
8. Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.856
9. George Russell Mercedes +0.909
10. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +0.976
‘Australian Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the first free practice ahead of this weekend’s 2023 F1 World Championship race in Melbourne’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp1-first-...and-prix-81764
AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from first practice for the Australian Grand Prix
31 March 2023
Becky Hart.
Special Contributor.
‘AS IT HAPPENED’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...VgyoFhEvS.html
Everything that happened in Australian GP FP1
31st March 2023, 03:43
By Josh Suttill
The Race
Max Verstappen led Lewis Hamilton in a fraught opening practice session at Formula 1’s Australian Grand Prix.
Key moments:
> Verstappen fastest, spins late on
> Hamilton beats Perez to P2 with late soft run
> GPS issues red flag FP1 for 10 minutes
> Late Sargeant stoppage ends FP1 early
Championship leader Verstappen topped FP1 on the soft tyres with a 1m18.790s – just under a second adrift of Charles Leclerc’s 2022 pole position time at Albert Park. And he survived a big moment with six minutes of the session remaining when he spun his RB19 on the kerbs at the Turn 4 left-hander.
‘Everything that happened’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/every...ralian-gp-fp1/
Verstappen spins but goes quickest as GPS fault causes red flag
2023 Australian Grand Prix first practice
Posted on 31st March 2023, 3:48
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans
Championship leader Max Verstappen was quickest in a frantic and incident filled first practice session for the Australian Grand Prix despite a late spin.
The Red Bull driver went quickest by four tenths of a second over Lewis Hamilton and the second Red Bull off Sergio Perez. Verstappen’s final flying lap saw him spin at the exit of turn four, briefly facing backwards off the track, but he was able to continue.
Sunny skies over Melbourne greeted drivers as they ventured out around Albert Park for the first time in the weekend, with relatively mild temperatures of 18C ambient and track temperature at 31C. With the threat of rain for the day’s second practice session, drivers were quick to head out and make the most of the opening hour.
‘Verstappen spins but goes quickest’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/03/31/...uses-red-flag/
FP1: The Melbourne weekend begins with a Red Bull P1, and an unusual red flag situation
31 Mar 2023 3:30 AM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com
Max Verstappen topped the timesheets in FP1 for the Australian Grand Prix, a session in which several drivers complained about the Albert Park circuit’s bumps.
Unlike in most practice sessions all 20 drivers did at least one lap within the first five minutes with Max Verstappen, on the soft tyres, up into second place behind his team-mate. This weekend Pirelli’s softs are the C4, one step harder than the softs that were brought to Melbourne last year.
Rookie driver Logan Sargeant wasn’t having the best of times, reporting that it’s so bumpy he “can’t see”. It was the natural bumps of the street circuit that were bothering him, not porpoising. Hamilton also reported “I’ve got bouncing.”
‘Unusual red flag situation’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/austra...23-fp1-report/
Australian GP: Verstappen quickest in chaotic Practice 1
31 March 2023
Inside Racing
Max Verstappen set the pace in an action-packed Practice 1 at the Australian Grand Prix. The opening half an hour was somewhat serene at Albert Park, during which the Red Bull driver posted a 1m18.790s to lead by four-tenths of a second.
But as drivers headed out on their second set of tyres, mistakes and traffic galore ensued, the latter as a result of GPS problems that required a red flag to fix. Shortly beforehand, Yuki Tsunoda narrowly avoided the barriers though did catch some air with a high-speed spin through the gravel at Turn 1.
‘Chaotic Practice 1’;
https://www.insideracing.com/formula...tic-practice-1
-
Alonso on top as rain scuppers Australian GP second practice plans.
The Spaniard finished 0.445secs faster than Charles Leclerc's Ferrari with a best effort of a one minute, 18.887s set on medium tyres.
Friday 31 March 2023
Ewan Gale
GPFans
Fernando Alonso emerged on top in a rain-affected second practice for the Australian Grand Prix. Max Verstappen ended third, a further two-tenths down as drivers missed out on representative qualifying simulations with the rain coming down.
Drivers rushed to hit the track early with rain predicted, causing traffic issues despite a fix to the GPS problems that brought FP1 to a stop earlier in the day. The Red Bull drivers were at the heart of the traffic jams - Sergio Perez held up by Lance Stroll and then Zhou Guanyu with the Mexican labelling the issues as "horrendous".
Team-mate Verstappen found himself in the way of Ferrari's Carlos Sainz at turn 11, though the Dutchman was finding his way past two other cars. But with only Perez and Williams driver Alex Albon fitting soft tyres and each driver tackling long run plans before the rain fell 13 minutes into the session, ending any chance for representative running.
‘Rain scuppers Australian GP second practice plans’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...esults-report/
(FP2) Second Practice Results – 2023 Australian Grand Prix
31st March 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Results (Classification):
1. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin -1:18.887
2. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.445
3. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +0.615
4. George Russell Mercedes +0.785
5. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.808
6. Esteban Ocon Alpine +0.838
7. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +1.196
8. Lando Norris McLaren +1.289
9. Nico Hulkenberg Haas +1.307
10. Pierre Gasly Alpine +1.319
‘Australian Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the second free practice ahead of this weekend’s 2023 F1 World Championship race in Melbourne’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp2-second...and-prix-81773
LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from second practice for the Australian Grand Prix
31 March 2023
Becky Hart.
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site
‘Follow all the action’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...I9Sobo8mq.html
All you need to know about Alonso-led F1 Australian GP FP2
Mar 31 2023
By Jack Cozens
The Race
Fernando Alonso headed the second Formula 1 practice session of the Australian Grand Prix weekend as rain meant limited running was completed beyond the 20-minute mark.
Key moments:
> Alonso fastest after early rush of laps
> Perez faster on softs before hitting traffic
> Intermediate tyres needed for second half of session
> No-show for Sargeant after FP1 electrical issue
The majority of the field headed straight out at the start of FP2 with the threat of rain looming over the Albert Park circuit, albeit on a variety of different compounds.
‘All you need to know’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/all-y...ralian-gp-fp2/
Alonso fastest in FP2 before rain hits Melbourne
31st March 2023, 07:08
by Phillip Horton
Motorsport Week
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso led the way before rain influenced proceedings in second practice for Formula 1’s Australian Grand Prix. The second one-hour session began under gloomy skies and the threat of rain at Albert Park.
Alonso posted a time of 1:18.887 on Medium tyres to sit 0.445s clear of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc before rain started to fall just over 10 minutes into the session.
Runaway title leaders Red Bull wound up with Max Verstappen third and Sergio Perez seventh. Verstappen ran wide through the Turn 1 grass while Perez was on course to topple Alonso atop the timesheets before being baulked in the final sector.
‘Alonso fastest’;
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...its-melbourne/
-
5 key talking points from Friday's running at the Australian Grand Prix.
Conditions catch out drivers even before the rain. GPS issue causes havoc. Representative qualifying data limited. Long run data also limited. Drivers get first wet running in 2023 cars.
31st March 2023, 08:50
By George Dagless
Give Me Sport
An intriguing Friday at the Australian Grand Prix has added importance to Saturday's practice session with a GPS issue in FP1 and wet weather in FP2 impacting running.
Round three of the F1 world championship is taking place at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne, Australia, and the forecast mixed weather conditions hit on Friday, with FP2 in particular affected.
Before that, though, dry running in FP1 was hampered by a GPS issue, causing a number of traffic jams out on circuit as drivers could not be warned who was coming up behind them on a fast lap.
‘5 key talking points’;
https://www.givemesport.com/5-key-ta...an-grand-prix/
Perez concedes Red Bull could be left 'a bit blind' after 'mental' Australian GP practice
Friday 31 March 2023 10:40
Ewan Gale
GPFans
Sergio Perez believes Red Bull will enter the Australian Grand Prix "a bit blind" after a "mental" day of practice at Albert Park.
"It was a bit mental," said Perez. "Especially going into P2, it felt like a lot of people were still having issues with the GPS so it was just a mess. I couldn't get a lap in in the afternoon."
"We made some changes that seemed to be working well in sector one and sector two but not much to say really," added Perez. "Tomorrow, there is plenty to do, too much to do in FP3 so we will be going a bit blind into the race which should be interesting."
‘Bit mental’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...n-gp-practice/
Australian GP is 'FUNDAMENTAL' for Ferrari, insists former Scuderia driver
Friday 31 March 2023 10:00
Stuart Hodge
GPFans
A top Italian TV pundit has claimed this weekend is "fundamental" in terms of Ferrari's season. According to Marc Gene, a former Ferrari test driver who also drove in F1 for Williams and Minardi, this weekend is pivotal for the Maranello-based outfit.
"The team in Maranello has been working very hard since Jeddah," said Gene. "There has been a lot of set-up work, and this weekend is going to be fundamental." The Ferrari finished fifth and sixth in the first free practice session before the second was effectively washed out by rain.
"Already from the first free practice session, we should understand if the changes are working," added Gene. "The car has so much potential, but we struggle to balance the power between qualifying and the race."
'FUNDAMENTAL';
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...e-fundamental/
Button claims F1 drivers too reliant on technology after Australian GP practice 'close calls'
Friday 31 March 2023 12:03
Ewan Gale
GPFans
Former F1 world champion Jenson Button believes drivers have become too reliant on technology after a number of near-misses in Australian Grand Prix practice. "I think we rely too much on technology," Button told Sky Sports. "The mirrors are there for a reason – it is not hard to look in the mirrors.”
"I remember when I was racing when you were doing a slow lap, you would be pulling off line and checking your mirrors the whole time for what's coming. I don't think anything has really changed, the mirrors are actually bigger for this year.”
"I think just because we do have someone there the whole time telling us we have someone coming, he is five, four, three behind you, we just focus on that more. But I think the drivers should be paying attention to their mirrors a bit more because there are some real close calls out there with these high-speed corners. Some of them are blind as well."
‘Too reliant on technology’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...e-close-calls/
Why Aston Martin’s abysmal F1 low is now a ‘highlight’
Mar 31 2023
By Scott Mitchell-Malm
The Race
Fernando Alonso’s topping of the times in Friday practice at the Australian Grand Prix was rain-assisted but still serves as a powerful symbol of Aston Martin’s transformation since its abysmal nadir 12 months ago.
“It was a very difficult moment,” he says. “But I think also it was the best moment for us as a team. Because we sat together, all of us after these…events! And it could have been easy to fall apart completely as a team.”
“But we really stuck together well there and decided, ‘OK, we are going to work ourselves out of this’. So, for me, it’s actually the highlight of last year.”
‘Powerful symbol of Aston Martin’s transformation’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/why-a...w-a-highlight/
Mixed feelings at Mercedes after Australian GP practice
31 March 2023
Ben Issatt
Inside Racing
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell had opposite feelings after Friday's Practice at the Australian Grand Prix.
"This morning was good, this afternoon wasn't so good,” the seven-time world champion said. “The car is similar [to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia]. It felt a bit better this morning. We made some changes, didn't work, so we will revise them tonight. Then it rained so it wasn't the greatest of sessions."
As for Russell, he went the other way finishing ninth in the morning before managing the fourth best time in the brief dry spell in the second session. "FP2 was a little bit frustrating with the weather coming in but it was a reasonable session for us,” he explained.
‘Mixed feelings at Mercedes’;
https://www.insideracing.com/formula...an-gp-practice
Sainz fears another Ferrari letdown in Australian GP
31 March 12:32PM
Author Rory Mitchell
RacingNews365
Carlos Sainz thinks Ferrari are still "one step behind" their Formula 1 rivals after experimenting with car setups in the Australian Grand Prix practice.
"I think it's fair to assume that in qualifying we will play with them, but then in the race we should assume also that we should be one step behind like in Jeddah," said Sainz.
Ferrari spent most of interrupted Friday practice running focusing on car setup, which should help them find more performance according to Sainz.
‘Another Ferrari letdown fears’;
https://racingnews365.com/ferrari-st...ams-says-sainz
-
Verstappen leads Alonso in final Australian Grand Prix practice.
Max Verstappen posted the fastest time in third and final Formula 1 practice for the Australian Grand Prix, edging out Fernando Alonso.
01 April 4:35AM
Author Jake Nichol
RacingNews365
The World Champion's late 1:17.565s effort was enough to take him to the top of the time sheets on the Soft tyres, having focused his running on the Mediums throughout the 60-minute session.
He pipped Alonso by 0.162s, with the Aston Martin fast but scrappy around the Albert Park circuit, with Esteban Ocon third for Alpine in a strong session for the team which had Pierre Gasly fifth. The session was brought to an effective early end by the arrival of rain in the closing stages.
‘Verstappen leads Alonso’;
https://racingnews365.com/verstappen...-prix-practice
(FP3) Third Practice Results – 2023 Australian Grand Prix
1st April 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Results (Classification):
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -1:17.565
2. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.162
3. Esteban Ocon Alpine +0.373
4. George Russell Mercedes +0.390
5. Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.529
6. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.558
7. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.562
8. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.573
9. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +0.633
10. Zhou Guanyu Alfa Romeo +0.765
‘Australian Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the final free practice ahead of this weekend’s 2023 F1 World Championship race in Melbourne’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp3-third-...and-prix-81780
AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from final practice for the Australian Grand Prix
01 April 2023
Becky Hart.
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site
‘AS IT HAPPENED’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...8PUdq7jW6.html
What happened in final F1 practice at the Australian GP
1st April 2023, 03:57
By Jack Cozens
The Race
Formula 1 championship leader Max Verstappen led Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin in final practice for the Australian Grand Prix, as the second Red Bull of Sergio Perez struggled to string together a lap in his RB19.
Key moments:
> Verstappen 0.162s clear on late performance runs
> Perez misses first 20 minutes, later struggles for laptime
> Red flag for debris in “very dangerous” place before Turn 9
> McLaren inspects clutch issue on Norris’s car
Verstappen was fourth early on and later bumped down onto the fringes of the top 10 having set his best initial time on medium compound tyres – which he also used for his long-run simulation midway through the session.
‘What happened’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/what-...australian-gp/
Verstappen quickest again as Perez runs off-track four times in final practice
2023 Australian Grand Prix third practice
Posted on 1st April 2023, 3:521st April 2023, 4:07
Written by Will Wood
RacingNews365
Max Verstappen heads into qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix as the fastest driver in final practice as his Red Bull team mate Sergio Perez suffered multiple offs in a frustrating session.
The world champion’s 1’17.565 was a tenth of a second faster than Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin, while Esteban Ocon took third for Alpine. Perez was sixth quickest, but ran off the track on no fewer than four occasions while struggling with the handling of his Red Bull.
After rain affected the second practice session, teams were greeted with overcast skies and relatively cool temperatures as the third and final hour of practice began. Despite a 30% risk of rain hanging over the last session of running before qualifying, there was not an immediate rush of drivers heading out onto the circuit as the pit lane opened.
‘Verstappen quickest’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/04/01/...inal-practice/
2023 Australian GP FP3: Russell and Perez blocked as traffic problems hit again at Albert Park.
01 Apr 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
The drivers were finding it tough to get a clear lap on Friday, with plenty of runs ruined by coming across a slow car on the racing line – and in FP3 it was George Russell and Sergio Perez who suffered from traffic in Melbourne.
‘Russell and Perez blocked’;
https://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/F1.../Australian+GP
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Max Verstappen plays down Red Bull fears for Australian Grand Prix as Mercedes eye upset.
Max Verstappen and Red Bull continue to dominate in F1 after another success at the Australian Grand Prix.
07:24, Sat, Apr 1, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express
Max Verstappen has played down Red Bull’s reliability fears despite raising concerns over team radio during qualifying. It comes as the Dutchman faces a stern challenge from Mercedes for Sunday's Australian Grand Prix. The Silver Arrows bounced back to seal P2 and P3 for the start of the race.
When pushed on whether he was worried about the team’s reliability, Verstappen reassured his fans it was nothing to be worried about despite moaning over team radio during qualifying about his car. He added: “I think the last run was very good. The whole weekend has been very tough to get the tyres ready to push straightaway but it worked out in Q3 and am very happy to be on pole position.”
"I think we always try to fine-tune and we will continue to do that. I think we will have a good race car but it is tricky to keep the tyres alive so it will be an interesting race for sure. I have been on the podium once here but I want to be on a different step."
‘Continue to dominate’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ian-grand-prix
Qualifying Results – 2023 Australian Grand Prix
1st April 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Results (Classification):
Q3
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -1:16.732
2. George Russell Mercedes +0.236
3. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.372
4. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.407
5. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.538
6. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +0.576
7. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.637
8. Alex Albon Williams Racing +0.877
9. Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.943
10. Nico Hulkenberg Haas +1.003
‘Australian Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from qualifying ahead of tomorrow’s 2023 F1 World Championship race from Albert Park’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/qualifying...and-prix-81789
AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix
01 April 2023
Formula One - Official Site
‘AS IT HAPPENED’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...vgiCPXW5X.html
Verstappen claims first ever Melbourne pole as Russell bags front row start
01 April 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Max Verstappen drew level with Fernando Alonso by taking his 22nd career pole position in qualifying for the 2023 Australian Grand Prix – while Mercedes’ George Russell qualified second and Sergio Perez ended up 20th after a Q1 crash.
Verstappen set a time of 1m 16.732s to take his first Australian Grand Prix pole position ahead of Russell, who was 0.236s off in Q3. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton ended up third on the grid, 0.372s off the pace, while Fernando Alonso was 0.407s off the pace in P4.
Carlos Sainz qualified fifth for Ferrari in front of Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, while Charles Leclerc struggled on the way to P7. Alex Albon managed a stellar P8 for Williams to leave Alpine’s Pierre Gasly ninth and Nico Hulkenberg 10th for Haas.
‘First ever Melbourne pole’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...W95o5C1sE.html
2023 Australian GP Qualifying: Max Verstappen crosses the line to seal pole position in Melbourne
01 Apr 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
Max Verstappen put in a superb lap at Albert Park to seal his second pole position of the year at the 2023 F1 Australian Grand Prix.
‘To seal pole position’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...468221031.html
Perez crashes OUT of Australian GP qualifying
Saturday 1 April 2023 07:12
Sam Hall
GPFans
Sergio Perez has crashed out of Q1 at the Australian Grand Prix and will line up at the back of the grid for Sunday's race. The Mexican endured a horrifically bad final practice session on Saturday morning as the team was seen fixing what appeared to be a left-rear suspension problem before he ran off the track on four occasions.
But his pain has now been magnified after he again ran off the track at turn three on his first hot lap. But his pain has now been magnified after he again ran off the track at turn three on his first hot lap.
During the day's earlier session, Perez reported that he believed there was a problem with his car. Reiterating this, Perez said via team radio: "We need to sort that issue man. It was the same f*****g issue again!"
‘Perez crashes OUT’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...gp-qualifying/
Lewis Hamilton puts target on Max Verstappen after Mercedes cause Australian GP surprise
Mercedes could challenge Red Bull after making a major step forward at the Australian Grand Prix.
07:40, Sat, Apr 1, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express
Lewis Hamilton has his sights set on beating Max Verstappen in the Australian Grand Prix after Mercedes stunned the field. The Silver Arrows had struggled for space throughout free practice but turned on the style in qualifying. Hamilton was quick enough for P3 while team-mate George Russell just pipped him to second place. However, Hamilton was not concerned about losing out to Russell as he sniffed a chance of victory on Sunday.
He said: "This is a totally unexpected. Really proud of the team. George did an amazing job there today so for us to be up on the front two rows in honestly a dream for us. We are all working as hard as we can to get right back up to the front so to be this close to Red Bull is incredible. Hopefully tomorrow we can give them a run for their money and we hope the weather is good.”
‘Target on Max’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...rix-qualifying
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Sergio Perez fails to qualify for Australian GP as F1 stewards release statement.
His entry was agreed after officials determined he had set quick enough times during the weekend’s practice sessions.
12:42, Sat, Apr 1, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express
Sergio Perez had a Saturday afternoon to forget at the Australian Grand Prix.
A statement from the governing body read: "The Stewards have received a request from Oracle Red Bull Racing to allow car 11 to start the race despite failing to set a qualifying time within 107 per cent of the fastest time set in Q1.
"In accordance with Article 39.3 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations, the Stewards grant permission for car 11, Sergio Perez, to start the race, as the driver has set satisfactory times in practice at this event."
‘Entry was agreed’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ian-grand-prix
Stewards confirm Perez will race in Australian Grand Prix after Q1 crash
Saturday 1 April 2023 12:05
Lauren Sneath
GPFans
Stewards had to manually approve Sergio Perez as a race contestant for the Australian Grand Prix after he failed to set a qualifying time – and they have now done so, as was expected.
The Red Bull driver lost control of his car in his first attempt at a flying lap, beaching it in the gravel and causing the session to be red-flagged. After his early elimination, Red Bull had to apply to the FIA for special dispensation to allow the Mexican driver to race, because he had broken the FIA’s '107 per cent rule'.
‘Manually approve Sergio Perez’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...nsation-crash/
Christian Horner: ‘Nothing went right’ on ‘horrible day’ for Sergio Perez
01 Apr 2023 12:45 PM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com
Red Bull boss Christian Horner admits “nothing went right” on a “horrible day” for Sergio Perez at the Australian Grand Prix.
With Sky F1 pundit Karun Chandhok branding that showing from Perez “one of the worst days of his F1 career”, Horner replied: “He’s had a horrible day today. It started this morning, the car was late off the weighbridge and there were no major issues. And the plan in FP3 was always to run differently to Max [Verstappen], not do a long run, he’s just doing two short runs.”
“He never really recovered from FP3 and then this lap which was never going to be really a consequential lap, to unfortunately lock-up and go off. We’re just checking all the data to see if there’s something within the engine management that has maybe contributed to that. So, we’re just going through all that data as we speak.”
‘Nothing went right’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/christ...le-day-aus-gp/
Formula 1: Red Bull to investigate after Sergio Perez's 'terrible day' sees him start last for Australian GP
1st April 2023, 09:27
Sky Sports.
Sergio Perez lamented a "terrible day" as he prepares to start dead last at the Australian Grand Prix after crashing out in Q1, with Red Bull boss Christian Horner confirming reliability checks would be carried out.
Perez - the winner of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah two weeks ago - also went off the track three times in final practice earlier on Saturday at Albert Park.
‘Red Bull to investigate’;
https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12...-australian-gp
Sergio Perez laments ‘terrible’ day after qualifying shocker
April 1, 2023 13:54 IST
By: Reuters
The Mexican, one point shy of team mate Max Verstappen in the Formula One title race, locked up at turn three at Albert Park and beached himself in the gravel on his first out lap in the opening session of qualifying.
“It was really bad, it was a terrible day. Already in FP3 we had this issue,” Perez told reporters. “We thought we fixed it but obviously we didn’t so I really hope that come tomorrow (on) race day we are able to fix it because otherwise it will be really difficult to race like this.”
It was a huge come-down for Perez, who won from pole at the last race in Jeddah and came to Albert Park declaring he could challenge Verstappen for the championship.
‘Really bad’;
https://indianexpress.com/article/sp...ocker-8532116/
Perez ‘a passenger’ as brake issues wreck AGP qualifying
Saturday 1st April, 2023 - 7:20pm
By Ian Parkes
Speedcafe
Sergio Perez claims he became “a passenger” after brake issues on his Red Bull saw him end up in the gravel in qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix.
“I’m confident we will be able to fix it as a team, and hopefully minimise the damage tomorrow but it’s going to be difficult to overtake,” added Perez. “I totally trust my team that we will be able to overcome this problem and be able to have a strong race pace.”
Perez recognises Red Bull is vulnerable if it is unable to implement its planning. “The margin in quali shows how close everyone is,” added Perez. “If we’re not able to put it all together every single Saturday and Sunday, the competition is very strong.”
‘Confident we will be able to fix it as a team’;
https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/04/01...-brake-issues/
Sergio Perez just looking to ‘minimise the damage’ after ‘terrible’ qualy day
01 Apr 2023 8:50 AM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez was understandably frustrated and downbeat after a nightmare Saturday at the Australian Grand Prix.
Perez fumed over the radio as he said a repeat of the FP3 issue had caused this qualifying-ending incident, and now predicts that a “really difficult” race awaits too if Red Bull cannot get on top of this problem.
‘Minimise the damage’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/sergio...gp-qualifying/
PEREZ AHEAD OF THE AUSTRALIAN GP: ‘IMPORTANT TO MINIMISE THE DAMAGE’
The Red Bull driver will start the race from the end of the grid due to a crash in Q1
April 1, 2023
Dalila Zanardo
FormulaNerds
The first surprise from the Australian weekend came during Q1 when Red Bull driver Sergio Perez ended up in the gravel causing a red flag. The 33-year-old will hence be forced to start from last on the grid tomorrow and follow in his teammate’s footsteps from the Saudi Arabian GP to score an important comeback.
Red Bull driver Sergio Perez will start the Australian GP from the end of the grid due to an accident in qualifying. The Mexican, looking to rival teammate Max Verstappen for the title, admitted it would be crucial to do damage control during the race.
‘Damage control’;
https://www.formulanerds.com/news/pe.../?nowprocket=1
Perez in damage limitation mode after 'terrible day' ends in qualifying crash
Saturday 1 April 2023 09:45
Ewan Gale
GPFans
Sergio Perez has conceded he is in damage limitation mode after a "terrible day" left him last on the grid for the Australian Grand Prix.
On his prospects for the race, Perez conceded: "Minimise the damage. It will be really important to minimise it."
‘Damage limitation’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ends-in-crash/
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Alonso: Australian GP qualifying Aston Martin's best this season.
Fernando Alonso has labelled Australian Grand Prix qualifying as Aston Martin's best of the season so far despite falling behind Mercedes.
Saturday 1 April 2023 13:37
Ewan Gale
GPFans
But a resurgent display from Mercedes saw George Russell and Lewis Hamilton end Saturday second and third quickest, demoting Alonso from the front row he occupied in Saudi Arabia two weeks ago.
Yet the Spaniard has insisted that this was Aston Martin's best effort of the season when looking at the bigger picture. "It was very tight," said Alonso. "There were a lot of cars within one or two-tenths and we were in the upper part of that group in Q1 and Q2 – I think I was P2.”
"And then in Q3, with a couple of hundredths, we miss the first row of the grid. The Mercedes did a very good job in Q3, so still I think the best qualifying of the three for us. We were 0.6s [down] in Bahrain, 0.5s in Jeddah and 0.4s here from pole position, so we have to be happy."
‘Aston Martin's best of the season’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...t-this-season/
Verstappen dismisses Red Bull reliability concerns for Australian GP
Saturday 1 April 2023 10:31
Sam Hall
GPFans
Max Verstappen has denied feeling concerned over Red Bull's reliability after reporting various issues during qualifying at the Australian Grand Prix. Asked if reliability is a concern for Sunday's race, he said: "No, normally not. I think we just always try to fine-tune and we'll continue to do that."
"I think the last run was very good," added the Red Bull driver. "The whole weekend, it has been very tough to get the tyres in the right window to push straightaway but it all worked out in Q3.”
"I'm very happy with the lap and of course, very happy to be on pole position. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow really. I've been on the podium once but I want to be on a different step this time."
‘Try to fine-tune’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...lity-concerns/
Hamilton eyes Verstappen fight, Alonso calls out Mercedes, Perez explains issue: Australian GP qualifying key quotes
By George Dagless
Give Me Sport
Max Verstappen will have to fend off two hard-charging Mercedes cars into turn one at tomorrow's Australian Grand Prix. The Red Bull ace earned his first pole position in Australia with a fine performance in what was an intriguing and, at times, dramatic qualifying session.
Indeed, his team-mate Sergio Perez provided one of the early talking points and not in a positive sense for the Mexican as he slid off of the circuit with an issue at turn three in Q1, with him beached and out of the session moments later - he'll start from the back of the grid.
‘Hamilton eyes Verstappen fight’;
https://www.givemesport.com/hamilton...ng-key-quotes/
Sainz and Leclerc in INTENSE Ferrari exchange after Australian GP qualifying
Saturday 1 April 2023 15:25
Stuart Hodge
GPFans
"S**t lap, I had no prep this time," he said. "Big thanks to Carlos for the tow. Got a bit of speed there, always nice."
"It was a difficult qualifying," he told French broadcaster Canal+ afterwards. "I knew I had to line up everything in my last lap of Q3. Unfortunately we were waiting for the rain so we didn't do a warm-up lap, which made things more difficult.”
"Carlos gave me a nice tow as well in turn 3 and 4... we didn't manage the qualification well. It's a bit frustrating, but you can't deny it, I was still in trouble today. I think tomorrow will be a bit better."
‘INTENSE Ferrari exchange’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ix-qualifying/
2023 Australian Grand Prix: The weekend so far
01 Apr 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)1
From the return of Daniel Ricciardo to the Formula 1 paddock to behind-the-scenes snippets of Ferrari drivers sporting some new spectacles for a brand new challenge, witness the action from 2023 Australian Grand Prix weekend so far.
‘The weekend so far’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...566453307.html
Norris says he needs to drive the McLaren at “95%” after missing Q3 again
2023 Australian Grand Prix
Posted on 1st April 2023, 13:19
Written by Ed Hardy
RaceFans
Lando Norris is “a bit disappointed” with himself because he isn’t performing to the level he should be after another poor qualifying result for McLaren. The 22-year-old will start 13th in tomorrow’s Australian Grand Prix. He made it as far as Q3 but was unable to claim a place in the top 10 after making a few errors.
“I’m just pushing too hard,” he said. “I needed to put a pretty magical lap together to get into Q3, so I guess I was trying for that but just a bit too much over the limit. So it’s tough. I thought I’d do a little bit better than where we were today. I think a little bit better was possible. But I’m just not driving as well as I need to, or should, to be honest. So I’m a bit disappointed with myself.”
“95%”;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/04/01/...sing-q3-again/
How Williams’s best F1 performance in two years was achieved
Apr 1 2023
By Edd Straw
The Race
Williams reached Q3 for the first time in the 2023 Formula 1 season in qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix, leading the midfield pack thanks to a performance founded on Alex Albon’s excellence and getting the best from the tricky Pirelli rubber.
Williams was already something of a surprise package in Bahrain, where Albon finished 10th, and Saudi Arabia, where the FW45 showed potential points-scoring pace. But Australia qualifying was comfortably its best performance of the year in terms of its deficit to the front, leaving it behind only Red Bull, Mercedes, Aston Martin and Ferrari.
Strategically, a one-stopper is expected, so if Albon can consolidate his place in the points at the start then he has every chance of staying there to the end even if Williams’s ‘natural’ pace will likely be shown to be lower down the order once everyone is circulating consistently on long stints.
‘Q3 for the first time in the 2023’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/how-w...-was-achieved/
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Australian GP ends in five-man crash carnage as team-mates take each other out.
Five different cars went off the track in the final few laps of the Australian Grand Prix as the race was restarted, prompting carnage as they all went into the first few corners.
08:09, 2 Apr 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer
The Mirror
Kevin Magnussen lost a wheel and left debris across the track, prompting a late red flag. That meant two racing laps to go with a standing restart on the grid, leaving all to play for in the race with Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton battling for victory. But the real action would come further back.
Verstappen held off the challenge of Hamilton into the first corner, but then carnage ensued. Fernando Alonso was on track for third place again, but was spun around by Carlos Sainz and left furious, worried that his podium had been snatched away. But that wasn't the end of it. There was also a disaster for Alpine as their two drivers took each other out.
With limited space on the track, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly were unable to avoid hitting each other and they both smashed into the wall and out of the race. Further back, there was also contact between Logan Sargeant and Nyck de Vries which left the two of them stranded in the gravel. Sergio Perez had also gone off the track to avoid being caught up in the carnage, but that proved to be wise as he came through unscathed.
‘Five-man crash’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...crash-29609476
Race Results – 2023 Australian Grand Prix
2nd April 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Results (Classification):
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -58 laps
2. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.179
3. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.769
4. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +3.082
5. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +3.320
6. Lando Norris McLaren +3.701
7. Nico Hulkenberg Haas +4.939
8. Oscar Piastri McLaren +5.382
9. Zhou Guanyu Alfa Romeo +5.713
10. Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri +6.052
‘Australian Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from today’s 2023 F1 World Championship race from Albert Park’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/race-resul...and-prix-81800
LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from the 2023 Australian Grand Prix
02 April 2023
Becky Hart.
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site
‘As it Happened’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...Ne0XK8Smk.html
Verstappen wins in a chaotic end to the Australian race
2nd April 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
After the overcast, rainy sessions of the past few days Albert Park was bathed in sunshine for the start of the Grand Prix. Max Verstappen will be starting on pole ahead of the two Mercedes of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. It had been pretty close between them all in the final part of qualifying with the hold on provisional pole constantly swapping hands until the Red Bull racer’s last run which sealed the position and his first Australian pole start.
With the rolling restart despite the Safety Car ducking into the pits at the end of the out lap, cars aren’t permitted to overtake until they cross the start/finish line but the will be greeted at the line by the chequered flag so there won’t be any overtaking.
Verstappen, Hamilton and Alonso will share the podium while Stoll took P4 as, despite his best efforts, Sainz couldn’t pull enough gap and his penalty dropped him to P12 and last. Perez took P5 after starting the race from the pitlane and it was a double points finish for McLaren, also their first points of the season, with Norris in P6 and Oscar Piastri, in his first home race, in P8.
‘Chaotic end’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/verstappen...ian-race-81807
Verstappen wins messy F1 Australian GP with three red flags
2nd April 2023, 08:46
By Matt Beer
The Race
Max Verstappen took a third Red Bull victory of the 2023 Formula 1 season in bizarre circumstances as a third red flag created a confusing end to the Australian Grand Prix. After an early stoppage for Alex Albon heavily crashing his Williams from sixth place, the race ran relatively uneventfully with Verstappen overcoming Mercedes’ initial 1-2 formation to dominate.
But then the red flag was called for again when Kevin Magnussen crashed his Haas on the exit of Turn 2 near the end. Many drivers expressed surprise that the officials felt the level of debris merited a stoppage. The grid was reformed for what should’ve been a two-lap dash to the flag, but it immediately descended into destructive chaos.
The red flag instantly came out again, leaving uncertainty over whether the race would be declared over or another restart attempted, and whether the order used would be taken from prior to or after the crashes. The FIA announced that it would reset the order to what it had been prior to the disastrous restart, minus any cars now out, for a single lap behind the safety car and then a relatively redundant rolling restart at which the chequered flag would come out.
‘Destructive chaos’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/verst...ree-red-flags/
Piastri steals eighth in crazy Australian F1 debut
Sun, 2 April 2023 3:51PM
Oliver CaffreyAAP
The West Australian
Local youngster Oscar Piastri has marked his Australian Formula One Grand Prix debut by snatching eighth in one of the most chaotic conclusions at Albert Park.
In a race marred by crashes, fires and stoppages, Piastri survived the carnage to bank the first points, four, of his F1 career.
Piastri was 11th when the GP restarted with two laps remaining after a red flag was called following an incident with Haas' Kevin Magnussen.
‘Piastri steals eighth’;
https://thewest.com.au/sport/motorsp...but-c-10230694
Leclerc calls 2023 his ‘worst start ever’, and he’s right
2nd April 2023, 07:25
By Matt Beer and Scott Mitchell-Malm
The Race
Charles Leclerc declared the start to his 2023 Formula 1 season the “worst ever” after a tangle with Lance Stroll ended his Australian Grand Prix on lap one.
Asked by The Race to sum up his feelings, Leclerc replied: “Frustrated, obviously. It’s the worst ever start of the season. Only six points or eight points, I don’t know what it is in total. Frustrating.”
‘He’s right’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/lecle...and-hes-right/
George Russell in huge Australian Grand Prix fire as Mercedes car engulfed in flames
George Russell's Mercedes was ablaze during the Australian Grand Prix.
06:54, Sun, Apr 2, 2023
By Andrew McLean
Daily and Sunday Express
George Russell's Mercedes set alight in a big fire during the Australian Grand Prix after the British driver suffered an engine failure. The blaze forced the 25-year-old to retire from the race after a miserable afternoon which had also seen him badly lose out as a result of a red flag decision.
Russell took to Twitter to voice his disappointment shortly after returning to the garage, in a short message that summed up his situation. "When it’s not your day, it’s not your day," he wrote. Sky Sports reporter Ted Kravitz later confirmed that it had been a power unit issue that had ended Russell's race prematurely with Mercedes investigating what had gone wrong.
"When it’s not your day, it’s not your day";
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ian-Grand-Prix
MUST-SEE: Williams' Alex Albon crashes out of promising sixth place in the 2023 Australian Grand Prix and brings out red flags
02 April 2023
Formula One - Official Site
‘MUST-SEE’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...vIm9m35Z1.html
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Sainz ‘too angry to talk’ after ‘unfair’ penalty for clash with Alonso drops him out of the points from P4.
Asked for his thoughts post-race, Sainz commented: “Oh, sorry. Right now, I cannot talk. I’m too angry, too disappointed, too... I just cannot say anything.”
02 April 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Carlos Sainz was left in a frustrated mood after a penalty for clashing with Fernando Alonso during the Australian Grand Prix dropped him from fourth to 12th position when he took the chequered flag.
In a race full of Safety Cars and red flags, Sainz and Alonso went wheel-to-wheel into Turn 1 at what turned out to be the penultimate restart, with the Ferrari driver tipping his Aston Martin rival into a spin.
When informed about the penalty by his engineer ahead of the final restart and lap to the finish, Sainz was heard shouting over the radio and pleading with the stewards to hold back until he had visited them for a conversation.
‘Too angry to talk’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...KnXuZlYUj.html
Raging Sainz HITS OUT at stewards: 'Most unfair penalty I've seen in my life'
Sunday 2 April 2023 11:27
Ewan Gale
GPFans
Carlos Sainz has labelled the five-second penalty handed to him for colliding with Fernando Alonso at the Australian Grand Prix as "the most unfair penalty I have seen in my life".
Sainz was alerted to his five-second time penalty whilst in the cockpit waiting to resume, leading to a passioned plea over team radio.
"No, it cannot be, Ricky," he said to race engineer Riccardo Adami.
"Do I deserve to be out of the points? No, no, it is unacceptable.
"Tell them, it is unacceptable, they need to wait until the race is finished and discuss with me.
"Please, please, please, please, please wait and discuss with me.
"Clearly, the penalty is not deserved, it is too severe."
‘No, no, it is unacceptable’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...an-gp-penalty/
Brundle delivers BLUNT verdict on Sainz penalty
Sunday 2 April 2023 13:22
Ewan Gale
GPFans
Martin Brundle has claimed Carlos Sainz's five-second penalty for colliding with Fernando Alonso at the Australian Grand Prix is an "inconsistent" punishment.
In a Tweet, Brundle said: That’s an inconsistent penalty for Sainz from a standing start in the early corners." The stewards found Sainz "wholly to blame" for the collision, a fact which cannot be disputed.
‘BLUNT verdict’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...sainz-penalty/
Carlos Sainz couldn't hide his rage at late penalty in Australian Grand Prix
2nd April 2023, 11:32
By George Dagless
Give Me Sport
Carlos Sainz could not hide his fury and upset at being handed a five-second time penalty at the end of the Australian Grand Prix, which saw the Ferrari man drop out of the points.
The Spaniard had an eventful race in Melbourne and looked on course to seal a fourth-place finish before a chaotic chain of events led to him eventually being classified outside of the top 10.
Kevin Magnussen's clash with the wall at the exit of turn two sent a shower of debris across the track and caused a late red flag which, in turn, triggered a restart ahead of the last two racing laps.
‘Couldn't hide his rage’;
https://www.givemesport.com/carlos-s...an-grand-prix/
Carlos Sainz morphs into Jose Mourinho with 'prefer not to speak' post-race comments
Spanish ace Carlos Sainz had to hold his emotions back when he was collared after the race where he fell from fourth to 12th thanks to a penalty issued for clipping Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso
15:57, 2 APR 2023
BY Ben Haslam
Daily Star
Formula One fans are certain Carlos Sainz has morphed into Jose Mourinho after his limited comments after Sunday's Australian Grand Prix. Speaking after the race, Sainz had to bite his tongue when asked for his thoughts on the incident. Appearing on Sky Sports, he said: "I prefer not to talk right now.
"Honestly, Rachael, I'm disappointed. I'm going to say bad things. It's the most for a penalty I have seen in my life. I prefer to go to the stewards, have a conversation with them and come back to talk to you guys because now I cannot do it."
Following the raging Spaniard's chat, fans couldn't help but liken it to the famous Jose Mourinho interview where he similarly held his thoughts back from the TV cameras.
"Honestly, Rachael, I'm disappointed”;
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/f1...ralia-29611335
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Ocon blasts 'suicidal' drivers on final restart.
Esteban Ocon called out the 'suicidal' behaviour of several drivers on the final restart of Sunday's Australian Grand Prix, but absolved Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly of any wrongdoing in the crash that eliminated both their cars.
02/04/2023 at 12:47
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com
The two Frenchman immediately cleared the air, with Gasly apologizing to his teammate who admitted the incident could have happened to anyone. "Obviously a very chaotic restart then honestly, it could have been any cars that I collided with," commented Ocon.
"There were cars coming back on the track, obviously Pierre was one of them. But no hard feelings. He came and apologised and as I said, it could have been anyone."
However, Ocon wasn't inclined to let several other drivers off the hook for their frantic behavior on the restart, pointing the finger in particular at AlphaTauri's Nyck de Vries, but mistakenly as it was in reality Yuki Tsunoda who had crept up the inside of the Alpine at Turn 1.
'Suicidal' behaviour’;
https://f1i.com/news/470832-ocon-bla...l-restart.html
Gasly apologises to Ocon over crash which eliminated both Alpines
2023 Australian Grand Prix
Posted on 2nd April 2023, 13:15
Written by Keith Collantine
Pierre Gasly offered his apologies to his team mate after triggering the collision which eliminated the pair of them at the end of the Australian Grand Prix. Alpine came away from the Australian Grand Prix pointless despite having both their drivers in the top 10 with two laps to go. Gasly was running fifth, five places ahead of Esteban Ocon when the race was red-flagged for the second time.
Gasly, who is only two penalty points away from reaching the 12 which would trigger an automatic race ban, spoke only briefly after the race. “I don’t have anything to say,” he told the official Formula 1 channel. “I’m just extremely disappointed and just want to remember the positive. We didn’t expect to be fighting one Ferrari and to have Alonso in my sights for most of the race. So that’s what we will remember.”
“The rest I just have no comment and I’m way too disappointed to be standing here and looking at these guys doing one lap.” Ocon said his team mate apologised for the collision. He feels he could have easily tangled with any other driver at the “chaotic” restart.
‘Pierre Gasly offered his apologies’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/04/02/...-both-alpines/
Ocon reveals his Alpine team mate Gasly has already apologised for their late crash in Melbourne
02 Apr 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
There was chaos on the second restart at Albert Park with multiple crashes – including one involving the two Alpine team mates, but Ocon insisted there were no hard feelings towards his compatriot Gasly.
‘Already apologised’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...905031545.html
Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly hold clear-the-air talks after Australian GP collision
02 Apr 2023 2:15 PM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com
Esteban Ocon says Alpine team-mate Pierre Gasly apologised to him after their heavy collision that took them both out of the Australian Grand Prix. A huge frustration for Ocon then who had started the race from P11, but felt as high as P4 had become possible.
“Tricky weekend, I think nothing really clicked on our direction the whole weekend, the things that were out of our control really,” Ocon continued.
“And it’s extremely frustrating because we are in a good place, I think we’re similar to the Aston [Martins] and the Ferrari in front, so we could have been much further up.”
‘Clear-the-air talks’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/esteba...australian-gp/
Szafnauer: Not right to attribute blame in Ocon-Gasly incident
Sunday 2nd April, 2023
By Daniel Herrero
Speedcafe
Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer is refusing to attribute blame over his drivers’ crash in a chaotic conclusion to the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix. Ocon said he had “no hard feelings” over the crash, and nor did Szafnauer, apparently.
“It’s a shame that they came together,” said the Anglo-French outfit’s Team Principal. “As far as trying to blame one or the other, I don’t think that’s the right thing to do; I think the right thing to do is learn from it. There’s so much chaos there and you’ve got to make quick decisions.”
“If you look at the onboard and the replay, [Yuki] Tsunoda gets through, Esteban tries to follow him, [and] you don’t know where Pierre’s going to go, and Pierre doesn’t know who’s there. He’s just trying to get onto the racing line, so it’s not like he’s looking in the mirror, seeing somebody, and saying, ‘Well, I’m going to block him. He’s looking the other way, getting on the racing line, thinking no one’s there.”
‘So much chaos there’;
https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/04/02...asly-incident/
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F1 slammed as ‘animator of chaos’ in Australian GP.
Formula 1 is facing near-unanimous backlash after “the show” overtook the sport at the Australian GP.
07:33, 3rd March 2023.
Grandpx.news
Formula 1 is facing widespread negative feedback after multiple red-flag periods and grid restarts – one of which with just two laps to go – turned the excitement into a farce.
“This is going to degenerate into big discussions,” predicted Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg. “From a fan’s point of view, an entertainment point of view, you can completely understand it,” said the F1 veteran. “From the driver’s point of view or from the team’s point of view, this American entertainment style is sometimes frustrating.”
And not just frustrating, but also potentially very dangerous. “The rights holders were rubbing their hands,” observed Auto Motor und Sport correspondent Andreas Haupt. “But the show turned into carnage. The question inevitably arises now as to whether the show was deliberately placed above the sport.”
‘The show turned into carnage’;
https://grandpx.news/f1-slammed-as-a...australian-gp/
Australian GP Podcast: Does F1’s restart procedure need a rethink?
Apr 3 2023
The Race
Formula 1’s third race of 2023 was dominated by the red flag and restart controversies that led to a late finish for the stewards.
Edd Straw, Mark Hughes and Scott Mitchell-Malm gather to explain the controversy and assess whether F1’s current system is fit for purpose.
There’s also talk of how Mercedes suddenly became Red Bull’s closest challenger, Alpine’s intra-team implosion, Aston Martin’s brief-standing implosion and McLaren’s brightest weekend of the year so far.
‘Rethink?’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/austr...eed-a-rethink/
Verstappen critical, Alonso unsure of Australian GP restart procedure
03 April 8:00AM
Author Jake Nichol
RacingNews365
The World Champion couldn't understand why the Lap 57 restart was conducted how it was in Australia. Max Verstappen has blamed Formula 1 race control's decision to use a standing restart in the Australian Grand Prix for the multi-car incident on Lap 57.
Following Kevin Magnussen's wall strike and debris on the track, the race was suspended for a second time, with a two-lap shootout planned from a standing start on the grid, with Verstappen leading Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.
Verstappen and Hamilton escaped unscathed but Alonso was tagged out of third, while Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon, Logan Sargeant and Nyck de Vries all retired in incidents at Turns 1 and 2.
‘Verstappen critical’;
https://racingnews365.com/verstappen...tart-procedure
Spectator hit by debris at F1 Australian GP
Monday 3rd April, 2023 - 9:16am
By Daniel Herrero
Speedcafe
A race fan has recounted how he was hit by debris sent flying over the fences when Kevin Magnussen crashed out of the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix.
“I don’t really know [what happened],” Sweet told Melbourne’s 3AW radio station of his incident. “I was just sort of standing in the crowd at Turn 2 and all of a sudden there was a commotion on-track so I looked to my right and Magnussen goes flying down the track.”
“Then, all of a sudden, something hits me in the arm and a bunch of people are sort of running around, scrambling around me. Suddenly, someone holds up half of his rim, which has just flown over the fence and managed to hit me in the arm, so it was a bit weird.”
‘Spectator hit’;
https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/04/03...australian-gp/
Record Melbourne crowds attend chaotic 2023 Formula One Australian Grand Prix
12:23, 03 April 2023
Alex Misoyannis
Drive
More than 440,000 fans attended the 2023 Formula One Australian Grand Prix weekend – a new record for the Melbourne running of the event – including a chaotic race on Sunday which saw Red Bull's Max Verstappen take victory, and Aussie rookie Oscar Piastri score his first F1 points.
Although the estimated attendance of 441,631 over four days is a record for Melbourne, the all-time Australian Grand Prix attendance record remains with the final running of the event in Adelaide, in 1995, when an estimated 520,000 fans attended.
‘New record for the Melbourne’;
https://www.drive.com.au/news/2023-f...d-prix-report/
Australian GP admits security lapses after fan invasion
1:58pm, Apr 3, 2023
Shayne Hope
The New Daily
Australian Grand Prix organisers admit they don’t know how fans invaded the track during the Formula One race at Albert Park but are committed to investigating the potentially “disastrous” incident.
Spectators broke through security barriers and accessed the track towards the end of Sunday’s race, with some reaching the car driven by Haas’s Nico Hulkenberg as it was parked at the exit of turn two.
The Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) fronted stewards and admitted to the safety and security failures, agreeing it was an “unacceptable situation that could have had disastrous consequences”.
‘Security lapses’;
https://thenewdaily.com.au/sport/mot...-fan-invasion/
Was Albon red flag the right call? Kravitz and Croft thrash it out on TV
Sunday 2 April 2023 08:13
Jack Walker
GPFans
It has been an action-packed start to the Australian Grand Prix, and not just on the race track! Ted Kravitz and David Croft had a tasty exchange after Alexander Albon lost the rear of his Williams into the wall of turn seven.
“Ted, I can give you some information on that. The red flag is because of the gravel that came back onto the track,” said Croft. “You can see actually that the gravel is coming onto the racing line, there was a lot of it with the Williams beached.”
“The red flag has basically so the track can be swept, the last thing you want at some of the high-speed, flat-out curved sections is someone picking up a puncture and going into the barrier.”
‘The right call?’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...d-flag-debate/
The moments that shaped an unforgettable Australian Grand Prix
April 3, 2023 — 5.00am
By Scott Spits
The Sydney Morning Herald
The chequered flag was waved at 5.35pm local time - well past the expected finishing time. Formula 1 star Max Verstappen was forced to show plenty of patience for his first triumph in Australia – hey, why not push it out for another hour or so?
It was probably the most entertaining and compelling grand prix at Albert Park since the race was snatched from South Australia’s grasp in the mid-1990s. Let’s take a look at the five key moments of the race:
Red Flag – The dramatic third restart.
Lap 54 – Magnussen’s tyre (what caused it all).
Lap one, turn three – Goodbye, champ.
Lap 19 – George Russell makes his exit.
‘Unforgettable Australian Grand Prix’;
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/motorsp...d-refresh=true
Norris: Australian GP carnage not driver 'stupidity'
Sunday 2 April 2023 15:26
Jack Walker
GPFans
Lando Norris kickstarted his and McLaren's season with a sixth-place finish at the Australian Grand Prix. “Even before the chaos, the performance in the race was pretty strong. I had a good start, stayed out of trouble, stayed away from damage,” said Norris.
“Half your job seems to be avoiding people who are out of control, mistaking a lot of mistakes and crashing into people." On the number of cars that found trouble during the chaotic restart, Norris explained: “It’s not out of stupidity, it’s tricky in such cold conditions.”
"You would think a hearted tyre to 60-70 degrees would give us some grip, but it doesn’t. You always want to break later than the guy next to you and sometimes you pay the price for that. It’s such a slow warm-up lap before the restarts so it’s hard to the get temperature."
‘Carnage not driver stupidity';
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...prix-reaction/
