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Max Verstappen beats Lewis Hamilton to Austin GP Sprint win as George Russell gets penalty.
Max Verstappen started the Sprint race on pole with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in his mirrors, to make up for his disappointing qualifying result for the main Grand Prix.
23:42 Sat, 21 Oct 2023.
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
The Mirror
Lewis Hamilton pushed Max Verstappen hard in the opening laps of the United States Grand Prix Sprint, but was unable to stop the Dutchman from winning. The Mercedes man got the better of Charles Leclerc early on and avoided a penalty despite appearing to overtake off the track. Hamilton was allowed to keep the place and was gunning for Verstappen, but he just did not have the race pace to trouble the Red Bull.
Leclerc got an excellent launch off the line and put Verstappen under pressure, but the Red Bull racer was in no mood to let the Ferrari man through. He squeezed Leclerc as much as he could on the inside of the track while still giving his rival enough room on the track. That pinched him into the first corner and made sure the Monegasque could not complete the overtake. And Hamilton took advantage of the scrap to slip by the Ferrari and into second place.
Leclerc came home third, but his Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz was unable to hold off the charge of Lando Norris. The McLaren man had given a glum prediction of his chances this weekend, but is proving himself wrong after qualifying second for Sunday's Grand Prix and showing good pace in the Sprint. Sainz had started on the soft tyres which began to lose grip around half-way through. Sergio Perez soon swallowed him up. George Russell didn't but he still scored a point despite picking up a penalty for an illegal overtake on Oscar Piastri.
‘Max Verstappen: Austin GP Sprint win’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...esult-31249025
Sprint Results – 2023 United States Grand Prix
21st October 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Results (Classification):
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -19 laps
2. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +9.465
3. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +17.987
4. Lando Norris McLaren +18.863
5. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +22.928
6. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +28.307
7. Pierre Gasly Alpine +32.403
8. George Russell Mercedes +34.250 *
9. Alex Albon Williams Racing +34.567
10. Oscar Piastri McLaren +42.403
‘United States Grand Prix – Here are the provisional results from today’s penultimate Sprint of the 2023 F1 World Championship’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/sprint-res...and-prix-83339
AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from the F1 Sprint in the United States
21 October 2023
Becky Hart.
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site
‘AS IT HAPPENED’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...5IuKIj6BR.html
F1 United States Grand Prix 2023 - Sprint: As it happened
21 October 2023
Reporting By: Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net
It's sprint day at the Circuit of the Americas which plays host to this weekend's United States Grand Prix. Follow all of the action here with the Crash.net live blog.
‘Sprint: As it happened’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/live/f1-uni...nt-it-happened
F1 Live - United States GP Sprint Race Watchalong | Live timings + Commentary
21 October 2023
Racing Statistics
F1 Live United States Grand Prix Sprint Race Watchalong | US GP Live | USA GP F1 Live Timings, Updates and Commentary of all F1 Sessions with Racing Statistics. Lets Watchalong!
‘Sprint Race Watchalong’;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVKmDStYLLI
Max Verstappen the lone star in crushing US GP Sprint Race victory
Max Verstappen eased to victory in the 2023 US GP Sprint Race ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc
October 21, 2023
By Adam Dickinson
Total Motorsport
Max Verstappen coasted to victory of an anticlimactic 2023 United States Grand Prix sprint… Verstappen got very aggressive with Leclerc on the run turn one, forcing the Ferrari all the way to the paint on the left of the track, and that allowed Hamilton to sweep into second around the outside.
Ferrari gambled with the soft tyres for Carlos Sainz and that backfired dramatically – if not unpredictably, with the Spaniard unable to even get past his teammate. From a high point of fourth, Sainz sunk like a lump of the tarmac he was driving on in the second half of the race to come home sixth.
Lando Norris was the first to pass his former teammate-turned-overtaking buffet, finishing the race where he started in fourth but never close to troubling the podium. However, those five points move McLaren to just six behind pointless Aston Martin in the constructors’ championship.
‘Max Verstappen the lone star’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...-race-victory/
MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS SPRINT RACE IN AUSTIN: 'PACE WAS VERY GOOD'
Published on 22 October 2023
by Misha van der Kroon
Verstappen.nl
After the race, Max comments: “It was quite tight, but luckily there’s a lot of space going into turn 1, so that definitely helps. I gave Charles just enough space and made the corner as tight as possible for him, so he couldn’t break late, and that worked out well in the end. After that, we could do our own race and control the pace. The most important thing was to stay calm and keep the tyres alive. I had a bit of fun at the end, when I could push a bit more.”
The pace of the RB19 was encouraging for Max, who has a tough task tomorrow, starting from P6: “The confidence is definitely there, and I’ll need it tomorrow. Starting from P6 is going to be different than today, but it makes it interesting. Hopefully we can have a bit of fun out there tomorrow, a few overtakes. And of course we want to win.”
'PACE WAS VERY GOOD';
https://news.verstappen.com/en/article/5286/
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STRATEGY GUIDE: What are the possible race strategies for the 2023 US Grand Prix in Austin?
Four teams covered by little more than a tenth of a second and Max Verstappen starting down in sixth creates the prospect of excitement at Circuit of The Americas. So here are a few of the strategic options that are likely to be open to the teams and drivers on race day in Texas…
22 October 2023
Chris Medland
Special Contributor
Formula One - Official Site
What’s the quickest strategy? The Sprint format means we’ve been able to see a glimpse of what is likely to happen in terms of tyre performance at COTA – and it still points to a two-stop race.
How about a different option for the top 10? So you might have been able to work out from the above list of teams that many of those at the sharp end of the grid need to do something different. While Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri can run the medium-hard-hard strategy, Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull, Alpine and Aston Martin cannot.
What are the options for the bottom half of the field? Perhaps an option for those in the top 10 too, another two-stop strategy could see all three tyre compounds used.
Wait, but what’s the weather doing? There’s a slight difference to the conditions expected on Sunday compared to the rest of the weekend but it’s a change that is likely to be welcomed by the teams and drivers.
‘STRATEGY GUIDE’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...5FdRKreJt.html
Why pole-winner Leclerc doubts he’ll be able to fight Verstappen for victory
There may be three grands prix in the United States of America – but there’s only one United States Grand Prix.
Posted on 22nd October 2023, 11:0522nd October 2023, 11:10
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans
While the glitz, glamour and human interest stories at the heart of the sport have attracted scores of new fans to Formula 1, the last two seasons have failed to offer the true edge-of-your-seat action and intrigue at the front of the field that would surely be the best way of keeping fresh fans engaged and even bringing new eyes to the sport. Max Verstappen has been almost literally unstoppable, his domination of the sport this year on a par with anything his predecessors achieved.
Pirelli are projecting a two-stop strategy sticking with the medium and hard tyres as the optimal approach to the 56 lap race. As the run to turn one will be critical for Leclerc’s chances of fighting for a victory, he will surely fit the medium tyres for the opening stint to help him have the traction he needs to beat Norris on the run up the hill to the first corner. Pirelli then expect most teams to run the hards in the middle stint before switching to hards or mediums at their second stop...
“It’s going to be tight,” Leclerc said. “I expect Max to get ahead and to not be too much of a fight but then otherwise it’s going to be tight. I think we have to look into our data and try to understand what we can do better for tomorrow’s degradation because the pace is there, it’s always been there, sometimes we seem to be a bit inconsistent with our race pace. Today was the case, we struggled more than others and we’ll try to understand what’s wrong and see if we can do anything different for tomorrow to help that.”
‘Leclerc doubts';
https://www.racefans.net/2023/10/22/...n-for-victory/
Horner curses Verstappen BAD LUCK ahead of United States Grand Prix.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has said that new track limit rules at the United States Grand Prix were 'unlucky' for Max Verstappen, as he only managed to qualify sixth for Sunday's race.
Sunday 22 October 2023 12:57
Sam Cook
GPFans
The dominant Dutchman had his final lap time deleted during Q3, after a track limits infringement was penalised by the stewards. That lap time was five thousandths of a second quicker than Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, but its deletion meant that the three-time world champion could only manage sixth, whilst Leclerc went on to take his third pole position of the season.
Now, Horner has commented on the fact that new track limit rules brought in after qualifying mean that Verstappen wouldn't have been punished for the same offence on Saturday. According to the FIA, the white line at the outside of Turn 9, Turn 12 and Turn 19 was widened in order to give drivers further room on the track. The decision was taken after talks were held with both drivers and teams on Friday night.
‘New track limit rules’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...-bad-luck-fia/
‘Won’t be easy’: Max’s admission sparks hopes of US GP thriller after sprint dominance — LIVE
October 22nd, 2023 8:04 pm
AFP from Fox Sports
LIVE Fox Sports (Australia)
Max Verstappen will be hunting a “fun” 50th career victory from sixth on the grid in Monday’s United States Grand Prix (starts 6am AEDT) after cruising to victory for Red Bull in Sunday’s sprint race. The newly crowned three-time world champion led from pole position to the chequered flag to finish 9.465 seconds clear of revitalised seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes. Charles Leclerc came home third for Ferrari, 17.997 adrift.
“The pace of the car was really good today,” said the 26-year-old Dutchman, who wrapped up his third consecutive drivers’ title with victory in Qatar earlier in October. But I’m going to need it tomorrow because starting P6 is going to be a bit more difficult and different from today. It makes it more interesting and hopefully we can have a bit of fun out there with quite a bit of passing... It won’t be easy because I need to pass five cars to win.”
‘Won’t be easy’;
https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...f264ae87d344c6
Optimistic George Russell outlines target for US GP after disappointing Sprint Race
George Russell starts the 2023 United States GP fifth for Mercedes
October 22, 2023
By Adam Dickinson
Total Motorsport
Mercedes brought a new floor to the Circuit of the Americas and Hamilton‘s certainly bedded in quickly, qualifying third for the grand prix after just an hour of free practice then repeating that performance in the sprint shootout.
“In the end, it was a shame I couldn’t get past Carlos, he was just too quick in the corners that matter compared to us,” Russell told the media. “But we’re in a strong place for tomorrow, I think starting fifth we’ve got a good chance to fight for a podium. But a fight it’s going to be with probably with Lando.”
“It’s feeling good, we know that a circuit like this with high and low-speed corners doesn’t naturally suit our car but definitely a lot of positives to take, it’s all going in the right direction so feeling optimistic.”
‘Optimistic George Russell’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...g-sprint-race/
Alonso: Upgrade 'risk' not reason behind Aston Martin Austin slump
22 October 12:40PM
Author Jake Nichol
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365
Fernando Alonso feels Aston Martin was right to bring its big upgrade to the United States Grand Prix, despite the "risk" of it being a Sprint weekend. "The frustration was not really increasing in the race because we've been on the same page, the whole weekend," Alonso told media including RacingNews365. "We were uncompetitive in FP1, in qualifying and in the Sprint. The car as been in parc ferme since FP1 and maybe we are not optimised in terms of set-up.”
"We want to think [it would be better on a normal weekend] with more free practice you have the time to test many different combination of setups and different ways of optimising the new package. It was also a bit risky to bring the upgrades to a Sprint weekend as you rely so much on a perfect FP1 with two cars doing different tests between the two. We had a very chaotic FP1 and since then have been on the backfoot.”
‘EL PLAN: Big upgrade’;
https://racingnews365.com/alonso-upg...n-austin-slump
Fast facts ahead of the United States Grand Prix
22 October 2023, 10:37
By Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical
Long history – Today’s race will be the 44th United States Grand Prix and the 74th F1 race in the United States. First held in 1959 at Sebring, the United States Grand Prix has a peripatetic history. Races followed at Riverside (1960), Watkins Glen (1961-1980), Phoenix (1989-1991) and Indianapolis (2000-2007) before the Circuit of the Americas joined the sport in 2012. The racetrack in Texas has hosted the United States Grand Prix in every year since except in 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic forced the sport to call off its trip to the North-American continent.
Importance of the starting position – Joining the Formula One race calendar in 2012, the Texas racetrack has produced some thrilling duels since. Although the long circuit features a wide layout and offers several overtaking spots, starting from the first row has proved crucial so far. In almost every edition of the event, one of the two drivers starting from the front row won the race, with five victories from pole and four from P2. The only exception was last year when three-time world champion Max Verstappen climbed up from third on the grid to win the race.
‘Fast facts’;
https://www.f1technical.net/news/24251
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F1 United States GP: Verstappen beats Hamilton to take 50th win from sixth on grid.
Max Verstappen won Formula 1's 2023 United States Grand Prix ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris, the trio taking different paths to victory in a gripping strategic affair.
22nd October 2023
AUTHORAlex Kalinauckas
Motorsport.com
The win gave Verstappen his 50th F1 career victory in a race where he struggled with brake problems and Ferrari's challenge disappeared early. Norris got a better start than Ferrari's polesitter Charles Leclerc and was quickly alongside the Ferrari before heading to the Turn 1 apex to make certain of the lead.
Verstappen triggered the race's first big strategy call when he came into take more new mediums, with McLaren bringing Norris in from the front a lap later at the end of the 17th tour, but putting him onto new hards.
By stopping earlier and with consistent pace in the 1m41s, Verstappen had cut his previous seven-second gap to Norris in half and he was soon homing in on the McLaren – which retook the lead when Leclerc finally pitted on lap 23.
‘50th F1 career victory’;
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f...grid/10536471/
Race Results – 2023 United States Grand Prix
22nd October 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Results (Classification):
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -56 laps
2. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +2.225
3. Lando Norris McLaren +10.730
4. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +15.134
5. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +18.460
6. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +24.662
7. George Russell Mercedes +24.999
8. Pierre Gasly Alpine +47.996
9. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +48.696
10. Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri +74.385
‘United States Grand Prix – Here are the provisional results from today’s 2023 F1 World Championship race around the Circuit of the Americas’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/race-resul...and-prix-83350
LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from the 2023 United States Grand Prix
22 October 2023
Becky Hart.
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site
‘As it Happened’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...HCkKJ0UMt.html
F1 United States Grand Prix 2023 - As it happened
22 October 2023, 19:25
Reporting By: Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net
‘As it happened;
https://www.crash.net/f1/live/f1-uni...23-it-happened
F1 Live - United States GP Race Watchalong | Live timings + Commentary
22 October 2023
Racing Statistics
F1 Live United States Grand Prix Race Watchalong | US GP Live | USA GP F1 Live Timings, Updates and Commentary of all F1 Sessions with Racing Statistics. Lets Watchalong!
‘Race Watchalong’;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyHOeW2YYh4
Verstappen outruns Hamilton to win United States GP from sixth on grid
Formula 1
Posted on 22nd October 2023, 21:51
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans
Max Verstappen rose from sixth on the grid to win the United States Grand Prix, beating Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris to take his 15th win of 2023. The world champion gained five places to move into the lead of the race just after his final pit stop, leading home Hamilton and Norris in a hard-fought race where just 20 seconds covered the top five at the chequered flag.
Verstappen checked off the remaining laps and took the chequered flag to secure the win, his record-equalling 15th of the season, by just over two seconds from Hamilton. Norris claimed the final podium place in third, around ten seconds behind the winner.
Sainz came home fourth for Ferrari, ahead of Perez in fifth and Leclerc finishing sixth after a one stop strategy failed to pay off. Russell came home in seventh, with Pierre Gasly securing four points for Alpine in eighth. Lance Stroll secured his first points since the summer break with ninth, while Yuki Tsunoda took tenth place and a bonus point for fastest lap after pitting for soft tyres on the penultimate lap.
‘Verstappen outruns Hamilton’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/10/22/...sixth-on-grid/
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Hamilton, Leclerc disqualified from United States Grand Prix.
The planks on the Mercedes and Ferrari did not conform to regulations in post-race checks.
23 October 2:20AM
Author Ewan Gale
RacingNews365
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have been disqualified from the United States Grand Prix after excessive skid-block wear meant their planks did not conform to F1's Technical Regulations. Post-race checks carried out by the FIA's Technical Delegate discovered the infringements after the 56-lap event on a bumpy Circuit of the Americas.
Hamilton had closed into within 19 points of Red Bull's Sergio Perez in the Drivers' standings with second, having pushed Max Verstappen all the way to the end following a fascinating strategic battle. Leclerc on the other hand had slipped from pole to sixth by the end of the race having been left on a one-stop strategy by Ferrari.
"The Stewards note that the onus is on the competitor to ensure that the car is in compliance with the regulations at all times during an event. In this particular case, the rear skid in the area defined in the Technical Delegate’s report was outside of the thresholds outlined in Article 3.5.9 e) of the FIA Formula One Technical Regulations, which includes a tolerance for wear.”
‘Hamilton, Leclerc disqualified’;
https://racingnews365.com/hamilton-l...tes-grand-prix
Hamilton and Leclerc disqualified from United States Grand Prix for technical breach
23 October 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have both been disqualified from the United States Grand Prix. Following the race in Austin, their cars were inspected and irregularities were spotted by the FIA Technical team after a plank wear inspection was carried out.
The Delegate’s Report stated that: “The skids located in the area -825 ≥ XR ≥ - 1025 are found to be not in compliance with Article 3.5.9 e) of the 2023 Formula One Technical Regulations.” As such, both were immediately referred to the stewards. Both teams sent a representative to speak to the stewards, stating that "the high wear on the skid pads was probably a result of the unique combination of the bumpy track and the Sprint race schedule that minimized the time to set up and check the car before the race."
However, the Stewards noted that "the onus is on the competitor to ensure that the car is in compliance with the regulations at all times during an event. In this particular case, the rear skid in the area defined in the Technical Delegate’s report was outside of the thresholds outlined in Article 3.5.9 e) of the FIA Formula One Technical Regulations, which includes a tolerance for wear."
‘Disqualified from United States Grand Prix for technical breach’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...eWxWOhw0a.html
F1 United States Grand Prix 2023 - Race Results after Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc DSQ
23 Oct 2023
Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net
2023 F1 United States Grand Prix - Race Results
Pos Driver Nat. Team Time
1 Max Verstappen NED Oracle Red Bull Racing 56 Laps
2 Lando Norris GBR McLaren F1 Team + 10.730s
3 Carlos Sainz ESP Scuderia Ferrari + 15.134s
4 Sergio Perez MEX Oracle Red Bull Racing + 18.460s
5 George Russell GBR Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team + 24.999s
6 Pierre Gasly FRA BWT Alpine F1 Team + 47.996s
7 Lance Stroll CAN Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team + 48.696s
8 Yuki Tsunoda JPN Scuderia AlphaTauri + 74.385s
9 Alex Albon THA Williams Racing + 86.714s
10 Logan Sargeant USA Williams Racing + 87.998s
‘Full results from the United States Grand Prix, Round 18 of the F1 2023 world championship’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/results/103...on-leclerc-dsq
Hamilton and Wolff react to United States GP disqualification
23 October 5:00AM
Author Ewan Gale
RacingNews365
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has conceded the team "got it wrong" with set-up after Lewis Hamilton was disqualified from the United States Grand Prix. The seven-time F1 World Champion had put in a stirring performance to challenge Max Verstappen and Red Bull for victory at the Circuit of the Americas.
But post-race inspection found his plank had worn too much during the race and thus failed to conform with the sport's Technical Regulations, resulting in a disqualification. Reacting to the result, Hamilton said: "It is of course disappointing to be disqualified post-race but that doesn't take away from the progress we've made this weekend."
"Set-up choices on a sprint weekend are always a challenge with just one hour of free practice - and even more so at a bumpy circuit like COTA and running a new package," explained Wolff. "In the end, all of that doesn't matter; others got it right where we got it wrong and there's no wiggle room in the rules. We need to take it on the chin, do the learning, and come back stronger next weekend."
‘Hamilton and Wolff reaction’;
https://racingnews365.com/hamilton-a...squalification
Winners and losers from F1's 2023 United States Grand Prix
Oct 23, 2023
The Race
Winners
Max Verstappen: When the best are up against it, they still tend to find a way to win. That's what Verstappen and Red Bull did at Austin.
Lance Stroll: It was far from Aston Martin's strongest weekend but this was easily Stroll's best of the second half of the season so far. He finished ahead of Alonso in the sprint and was only a few seconds behind him in the grand prix when Alonso slid down the order and retired with suspected floor damage.
Yuki Tsunoda: Never mind that attrition and disqualifications aided his result; Tsunoda got the maximum available to him ensured he was the one to benefit from retirements ahead.
Williams: What was initially going to be a painful 11th and 12th place finish for Williams turned into a first double points finish since the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix for the team.
Losers: Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, Fernando Alonso, Lap-one clashers Oscar Piastri, Esteban Ocon
‘Winners and losers’;
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/w...ted-states-gp/
Logan Sargeant wins first F1 point at US GP after Lewis Hamilton disqualified
Logan Sargeant is finally a Formula 1 point-scorer and becomes the first American to achieve that in three decades, since Michael Andretti at the 1993 Italian Grand Prix
Oct 23, 2023, 02:19
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
The Mirror
Logan Sargeant scored his first ever Formula 1 point as a result of Lewis Hamilton's disqualification from the United States Grand Prix. The Floridian drove well to finish 12th on the road in Sunday's race at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas. He finished just over a second behind Williams team-mate Alexander Albon in one of his most impressive results to date.
But it still was not the top-10 finish he so desperately craves – or so he thought. Hours after the conclusion of the race, it was announced both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were under investigation. And both were disqualified after a lengthy probe from the stewards. It elevated Albon into ninth place while Sargeant inherited 10th, securing his first point in the sport in his 18th Grand Prix.
‘Logan Sargeant wins first F1 point’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...point-31254292
United States GP: Double points result for Williams Racing
October 23 2023
By Williams Racing
WilliamsF1 Supporters
Despite having finish 11th and 12th in the 2023 United States GP subsequent post race inspections would see penalties handed out to two top ten finishing drivers seeing the Williams Racing Team finish with a double points scoring result. Alex Albon would originally finish in 11th and Logan Sargeant 12th but with the penalties we would see Alex moved into 9th and Logan 10th. Prior to the points scoring decision both Alex and Logan had put in good drives that saw them just outside the points but for the team to come away with the points was an amazing reversal of fortunes. Especially for Logan who would score his first point of his F1 career.
Logan Sargeant: "It’s amazing to score my first point in F1 on home turf after the challenging weekend I’ve had. I’m so proud of this team and myself for the hard work and progress we’ve been making this season.”
Alex Albon: "I’m very happy for the team and especially Logan for scoring points today. We had our luck, but we were there to take it!”
Dave Robson, Head of Vehicle Performance: "After Leclerc and Hamilton’s post-race disqualifications, we come away from Austin with double points for the team for the first time since the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix. It’s also Logan’s first point in Formula 1 and he becomes the first American to score a point since Michael Andretti at the 1993 Italian Grand Prix.”
‘Double points result’;
https://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s107/st205260.htm
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Aston Martin boss explains how Sprint Race led to Hamilton and Leclerc being disqualified from US GP.
Mike Krack suggests Sprint weekend to blame for Hamilton and Leclerc DSQs
October 23, 2023
By Roman Brock
Total Motorsport
A disappointing result for them, and Aston Martin chief Krack’s thoughts on the matter may well point at the fact the hectic nature of the Sprint has led to these disqualifications. “[Ride height] is one of the issues with a Sprint weekend,” Krack said to the press. “You know you have to do the Sprint and the race and two qualifyings and you can wear one mm and you have to run low.
“It’s tough [to find the right ride height]… you always have a risk.” Indeed, the statement from the FIA around the ruling to throw both drivers out suggests that the congested schedule was indeed, at least partially, to blame for the ruling.
The statement read: “During the hearing the team acknowledged that the measurement performed by the FIA Technical Team was correct and stated that the high wear on the skid pads was probably a result of the unique combination of the bumpy track and the Sprint race schedule that minimised the time to set up and check the car before the race.”
‘Disappointing result’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...ed-2023-us-gp/
'Sprint weekend robbed Hamilton of podium' - US Grand Prix hot takes
Monday 23 October 2023 13:27
Sam Cook
GPFans
Max Verstappen claimed his 15th race victory of the season, and his 50th career win, by coming from sixth on the grid to win the United States Grand Prix. The Dutchman nursed braking issues and a very fast Lewis Hamilton to take victory by just over two seconds. Except...that wasn't quite the case, it turned out. When scrutineers examined Hamilton's Mercedes, they judged his skid blocks to be too worn down – and disqualified him from the final result.
Chris Deeley: Lead Editor: This weekend showed, above all else, what F1 teams, drivers and fans will miss out on if sprint weekends are made the norm. Instead of a genuinely pacy Aston Martin mixing it with their 2023 rivals, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll had to start prohibitively far back – all because their single practice session before Friday's qualifying was disrupted by a brake issue.
‘Hamilton robbed of podium'’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...-race-50-wins/
Should the FIA do more after Leclerc and Hamilton findings?
23 October 3:45PM
Author Rory Mitchell
RacingNews365
The planks are a safety feature introduced after the deaths of Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, and 1mm of wear is allowed from a 10mm block.
The disqualifications of Hamilton and Leclerc posed a question, what about George Russell and Carlos Sainz? Both sister cars are identical, and as the image below shows, both Russell and Sainz also had a low ride height, creating sparks. But their cars were not selected for further inspection, despite their team-mates being found in breach of the technical regulations.
Owing to the sheer number of components on every car, it is impossible for the FIA's technical inspection team to strip down every car after every race to check its legalities, which is why the team led by Jo Bauer conduct random checks to ensure cars are legal.
‘Should the FIA do more’;
https://racingnews365.com/should-the...ilton-findings
Vasseur claims Ferrari 'FAILED' Leclerc with United States GP blunder
Monday 23 October 2023 12:42
Joe Ellis
GPFans
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has said that his team failed Charles Leclerc at the United States GP – even before the Monegasque driver was disqualified for an illegal car.
The 26-year-old produced a fabulous lap in qualifying to claim pole position ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris but the race pace wasn't there for the Scuderia, and the FIA scrutineers eventually disqualified him for an illegal floor on his car.
Ferrari attempted an audacious one-stop strategy on Leclerc's car but the tyre wear was too great to make it truly work and he was passed by his team-mate Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez late in the race.
‘Ferrari 'FAILED' Leclerc’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...es-grand-prix/
The Schumacher precedent that made Hamilton and Leclerc's DSQs inevitable
23 October 10:30AM
Author Jake Nichol
RacingNews365
Disqualification for excessive plank wear is nothing new either, with Michael Schumacher's Benetton removed from the 1994 Belgian Grand Prix for a similar offence. The plank was introduced at the 1994 German Grand Prix as a safety measure following the deaths of Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna in that year's San Marino Grand Prix.
The idea was to have the plank of wood there to raise ride heights, thus slowing the cars. The worn planks for both Hamilton and Leclerc were found during routine post-race scrutineering in which the #44 and #16 were both randomly selected for more detailed checks in addition to the standard ones performed on all cars.
Max Verstappen's Red Bull and Lando Norris's McLaren were the other two cars checked post-race for more detailed examination. The fact that four cars were submitted to further checks and two of them failed led to some on social media to claim that the strike rate of 50% surely indicated that others too must have been in a similar situation.
‘The Schumacher precedent’;
https://racingnews365.com/the-schuma...sqs-inevitable
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Sargeant ends a 30-year wait for American driver to score in F1.
AUSTIN, Texas - Williams rookie Logan Sargeant celebrated a surprise first point in Formula One on Sunday, thanks to the disqualifications of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, and ended a 30-year wait for a U.S. driver to score.
03:22 Mon, 23 Oct, 2023
The Straits Times
Sargeant was classified 10th at Austin's Circuit of the Americas after Mercedes' Hamilton was stripped of second place and Ferrari's Leclerc lost his sixth place when their cars failed post-race checks. The last US driver before the 22-year-old Florida native to score in a grand prix was Michael Andretti with McLaren in 1993.
"It’s amazing to score my first point in F1 on home turf after the challenging weekend I’ve had," said Sargeant, who failed to finish the previous race in Qatar after suffering exhaustion in the heat. "I’m so proud of this team and myself for the hard work and progress we’ve been making this season," added the rookie whose seat for next season is far from certain.
"We worked hard overnight to find a direction with the car that was going to be positive, and we found that...The pace was so much better today, and I was driving really well." Williams also had Alex Albon finish in ninth place, with the team having two drivers in the top 10 for the first time since the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix.
‘30-year wait ends’;
https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/f...to-score-in-f1
Logan Sargeant becomes the first American to score a Formula One point in 30 years
11:20 Mon, 23 Oct 2023.
CNN
CNN — At the United States Grand Prix, Williams driver Logan Sargeant ended a three decade-long wait for an American driver to score points in an F1 race, grabbing a 10th place finish on home soil in Austin, where the drama continued even after the checkered flag.
Sargeant had initially crossed the line in 12th position, but after Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc were disqualified post-race for a technical infringement, the American was bumped up two places to 10th, giving him his first ever point at the Circuit of the Americas. Williams also gained a double points finish, with Alex Albon promoted to P9.
Sargeant, competing in his first season in F1, bounced back from a tough Sprint race on Saturday where he finished at the back of the pack. It was also a much better race weekend for the rookie than the prior Qatar Grand Prix, in which he retired on lap 41 after the sweltering conditions caused him to experience intense dehydration.
‘First American to score a Formula One point in 30 years’;
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/23/s...ntl/index.html
Williams reveal wholesome moment Sargeant discovers he's an F1 points scorer
Monday 23 October 2023 15:57
Sam Cook
GPFans
Williams have revealed the moment that Logan Sargeant and Alex Albon realised they had achieved a double-points finish for the team at the United States Grand Prix. The disqualification off both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after the race for having excessive wear on their skid blocks led to the promotion of many drivers up the order, including Albon and Sargeant who take home ninth and tenth repspectively after a solid race.
For Sargeant, it means he has finally managed to score his first point in Formula 1, and becomes the first American driver for 30 years to score a point in the sport. Now, in a series of photos on X, formerly known as Twitter, Williams have revealed the special moment that the pair found out together that they had scored the team's first double-points finish of the season.
Reading the final results… pic.twitter.com/S4vy8XYO7u
— Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) October 23, 2023
‘The wholesome moment’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...qualification/
Long-awaited F1 first achieved after Hamilton and Leclerc disqualifications
23 Oct 2023 1:36 AM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com
Not the way he thought it would happen, but Logan Sargeant is now finally off the mark as a Formula 1 points scorer! It has been a challenging rookie season for Williams’ American racer, who did not have a point on the board as he battles to, as Williams wish, secure a second season with the team.
And 18 grands prix into his Formula 1 career, Sargeant has finally scored his first point, though it certainly was not the usual way for it to come about. Sargeant crossed the line P12 at the Circuit of The Americas, a strong result in front of his home crowd, though one that would not snap his point-less run.
But, news soon emerged that Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, who finished P2, and Ferrari’s P6 finisher Charles Leclerc were facing disqualification from the results, after the FIA discovered excessive wear on the skid pads under their respective challengers in post-race checks. That nightmare scenario would indeed come true for Hamilton and Leclerc, bumping Sargeant up to P10 as he secured his first Formula 1 point, with several other drivers benefitting in a major way from that duo’s misfortune.
‘Long-awaited F1 first achieved after disqualifications’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/logan-...f1-point-us-gp
Vowles: Pat Fry Williams arrival to have ‘real effect’ in 2025
14:37 Thu, 19 Oct 2023.
by Dan Lawrence
Motorsport Week
Williams Team Principal James Vowles says the appointment of new Chief Technical Officer Pat Fry will have a “real effect” on the team from 2025 onwards. Fry departed Alpine earlier this year and was snapped up by Williams to take on the role of CTO, with his duties officially commencing on November 1. Speaking to the official Formula 1 website, Vowles commented how the effect of Fry’s appointment is all about the long-term gains, with the development of next year’s car well underway.
“We’ve brought together a really good group of individuals at Williams, and we are working together,” he said. “In part, I have sadness because I have to start letting go of that side of things. With 2024 though, the dye is pretty much set in the direction of travel. This chassis will already, by the time he comes through the door, be most of the way produced. It has to be. That’s what the timelines are for these things, which means you define some of the big elements to things.”
“The aero package again will be most of the way through development, even though it’s going to be for next year. But the impact – and I’ve said it all along – I’m not interested in short term, I’m interested in the long term. So, he will already, in the 2024 season, have a positive effect but that real effect will kick in in ’25, ’26, [2027].”
‘Real effect’;
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...ffect-in-2025/
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Verstappen on 50th F1 win: Rookie numbers compared to Hamilton.
After claiming his 50th Formula 1 victory at the 2023 United States GP, Max Verstappen joked that he only has rookie numbers compared to Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, who has 103 F1 wins to his name.
October 24, 2023
By Ed Spencer
Total Motorsport
Max Verstappen took his 50th Formula 1 win at the 2023 United States GP. Despite struggling with a race-long brake problem and a hard-charging Hamilton, Verstappen clung on to win at the Circuit of the Americas, to take his 15th victory of the 2023 F1 season.
The win also made Verstappen the fifth driver in Formula 1 history to have emerged victorious in 50 Grand Prix, putting him one win away from tying with Alain Prost as the F1’s fourth-most-successful driver.
“It’s a great number still rookie numbers compared to Lewis,” joked Verstappen after the race on Sunday. “For sure, it’s a great number. I’m very happy with it. But let’s try to win a few more. The first stint, I tried to be patient, but at the same time, following for so long did hurt my tyres a little bit. I was struggling a lot with the brakes compared to yesterday.”
‘50th Formula 1 win’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/max...ewis-hamilton/
Verstappen on Fans Hostility: ‘I’m the One Bringing the Silverware Home’.
Max Verstappen, fresh off his triumph in the United States Grand Prix, has openly embraced the less-than-friendly reception from fans at the Circuit of the Americas.
October 23, 2023
BaylaSportsF1
Max Verstappen, fresh off his triumph in the United States Grand Prix, has openly embraced the less-than-friendly reception from fans at the Circuit of the Americas. The Dutch driver clinched his 50th Formula One race victory, engaging in a thrilling strategic battle with Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes in Austin.
Despite securing the Drivers’ title at the previous race in Qatar, Verstappen faced a chorus of boos during his parc fermé interview with former champion Jenson Button, upon stepping onto the podium, and while receiving his well-earned trophy.
Rumours circulating on social media have hinted at a portion of the booing possibly being aimed at Greg Abbott, the Governor of Texas. Furthermore, another contributing factor to the reception Verstappen received at the Circuit of the Americas was the substantial presence of Mexican fans who turned out to support his teammate, Sergio Perez.
‘Openly embraced the less-than-friendly reception’;
https://baylasportsf1.com/verstappen...lverware-home/
Max Verstappen shows true colours with comments on US Grand Prix boo boys
Max Verstappen was heavily booed by fans after winning the United States Grand Prix.
13:25, Tue, Oct 24, 2023
By Archie Griggs
Max Verstappen has insisted that he is only focused on winning races and not making fans happy after he was loudly booed on the podium at the United States Grand Prix. The Dutchman fought back from sixth on the grid to win the 50th race of his career despite being put under heavy pressure by Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris.
The occasion was somewhat marred after the race by loud boos from the thousands of fans in attendance as Verstappen collected his winner's trophy on the podium. More booing was clearly heard during the Dutch national anthem, with many fans taking the opportunity to declare their support for Sergio Perez by chanting his name.
Verstappen did not seem too bothered by the frosty reception he received when quizzed on the topic after celebrating his win, saying: "In the end, I'm the one who goes home with the trophy, fine by me." The Red Bull man was then asked if he will be frustrated if he is booed again at this weekend's Mexican Grand Prix but insisted that he does not care as long as he keeps winning. He simply said: "Then I'll still go home with the trophy!"
‘Does not care’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...d-Prix-F1-news
Verstappen's girlfriend Kelly Piquet unimpressed by podium boos at US Grand Prix
Tuesday 24 October 2023 11:57
Cal Gaunt
GPFans
Despite starting from sixth place, he fought his way to victory, pushing Lewis Hamilton to second place, prior to his subsequent disqualification, and Lando Norris to third. The triumph marked his 50th Formula 1 win, making him the second fastest to reach this milestone after Michael Schumacher.
Although some fans were displeased, Verstappen's girlfriend, Kelly Piquet, seemed confused by the negative crowd reaction in footage posted on social media. Verstappen, however, now a three-time world champion, appeared unfazed by the negative reception when asked on Viaplay.
‘Unimpressed by podium boos’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...and-prix-boos/
VERSTAPPEN: AUSTIN TRACK ISN’T ‘F1 LEVEL’ AND IS ‘BETTER SUITED TO A RALLY CAR’
A couple of drivers had a few critiques for the Austin track...
October 24, 2023
Caitlyn Gordon
FormulaNerds
Austin is notoriously known for its bumpy track. The bumps are caused due to the unstable position in which the track was built. Previously, it has been reconstructed to cater to Moto GP and F1 weekends more. However, Verstappen came out and said that the track still needs to have more work done:
“It needs to be redone because at the moment it feels like it’s better suited to a rally car, “I’m jumping and bouncing around. In an F1 car probably you don’t even see it as much because we are glued to the ground because of the downforce. But the bumps and jumps that we have in some places is way too much. I don’t think it’s F1-level.” The Dutchman confessed.
The Red Bull driver was quick to show support for the track after his criticisms but continued to go on about how change is needed: “I love this track, honestly, the layout is amazing,
‘AUSTIN TRACK ISN’T F1 LEVEL’;
https://www.formulanerds.com/news/ma...o-a-rally-car/
Verstappen urges Red Bull to ‘understand’ US GP brake issue
24th Oct. 2023, 16:47
by Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week
Max Verstappen has urged Red Bull to get on top of the race-long brake issues that hampered him during the United States Grand Prix.
“But at the same time, I was struggling a lot with the brakes compared to yesterday, so I couldn’t really be that nice to the tyres under braking, just being very inconsistent. That basically carried on for the rest of the race, which compared to yesterday that was quite a big factor because I never really had a lot of confidence to be consistent under braking.”
“But, nevertheless, I think as a team we did the right strategy, we pitted at the right time, and basically because of that I could work my way forward. I think we did everything correct today but I was hoping for a little bit more pace because I think yesterday we were a lot more competitive.”
‘Race-long brake issues’;
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...p-brake-issue/
Verstappen grumpy all weekend in Austin says Marko
OCTOBER 24, 2023
GrandPrix.com
As he struggled with the car's handling earlier on Sunday, cracks in the relationship with his engineer Gianpiero Lambiase emerged again. Lambiase, having been chided by Max throughout the race, then told Verstappen on the radio I'll see you on Friday - as he skipped the podium proceedings and post-race debrief.
Asked to explain one angry outburst to Lambiase about not talking to him in braking zones, Verstappen hit back: I said it nicely. At least I said please. Dutch GP boss Jan Lammers thinks Max was right to chastise his engineer. When you're downshifting, it's important that you hear the revs properly, especially if you're having problems, he told NOS.
Team boss Christian Horner, meanwhile, denied that Lambiase actually boycotted the podium and post-race debrief. He just had to get back to England - he was rushing to catch his flight, he insisted. Normally it's Helmut, but now it's the engineer.”
‘Grumpy all weekend’;
https://www.grandprix.com/news/verst...ays-marko.html
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Will Perez bow under hometown pressure? What to watch for at 2023 Mexico City GP.
Verstappen's continued dominance is mounting stress on the career of Sergio Perez — his Red Bull seat still at risk. Could a surprise announcement steal Mexican GP headlines, or will the focus remain on 2024 race seats and possible debut victories?
October 24th 2023
Author: Cambridge Kisby
Having wrapped up his third consecutive world title in Qatar, Max Verstappen is currently on cruise control but remains in dominant form: winning from sixth on the grid in the USA and breaking numerous F1 records in the process. Therefore, attention has now been drawn to those behind him, but the spotlight will surely shine brightest on the hometown hero of this coming weekend: Sergio Perez.
The Mexican finds himself in the midst of a season-long struggle; having not qualified on the front row of the grid since Miami and not having won a race since Azerbaijan; while his team-mate has dominated out front. Such a difference in performance has caused many to question Perez’s long-term future — not only at Red Bull but on the F1 grid entirely.
‘Will Perez bow under hometown pressure?’;
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...?nowprocket=1#
Paddock “rumour” shared that will worry Sergio Perez before F1 Mexican Grand Prix
24 Oct 2023
James Dielhenn
Crash.Net
A “rumour” spreading through the F1 paddock is that Sergio Perez has pressure to claim P2 in the drivers’ championship to retain his Red Bull seat. Sky’s Ted Kravitz shared the whisper after the United States Grand Prix, just days before F1 heads to Perez’s home race in Mexico.
“There is a rumour around the place,” Kravitz claimed. “If Checo does not manage to seal P2 in the drivers’ championship - which is something Red Bull have never done, and something Christian Horner and Helmut Marko value very highly this year - then they’ll have to have a serious think about whether Checo does stay within his contract next year.”
‘Paddock “rumour” shared’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/news/103902...-f1-mexican-gp
Marko fires at 'Mexican' support after Verstappen US F1 booing
Monday 23 October 2023 08:57
Shay Rogers
GPFans
Helmut Marko has spoken out against the vocal displeasure of fans after the United States Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen was booed on the podium. The Austrian believes that a select group of Mexican fans may have been behind the noise, with Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Perez currently struggling heading into his home race.
“We are in contact with a lot of Mexicans,” he told Sky Germany. “The majority are very friendly and fair, but there are always some, let's say enthusiastic people, who don't maintain the fair sporting standard. But we have no concerns and are happy to go to Mexico.”
‘Marko fires at 'Mexican' support’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...es-grand-prix/
Mexican GP concern raised for Max Verstappen as Christian Horner makes "villain" comment
Max Verstappen was booed at the United States Grand Prix by fans of his teammate Sergio Perez and Red Bull's team principal Christian Horner has addressed the situation
09:30 Tue, 24 Oct 2023.
By Matthew Cooper Sports Writer
The Mirror
Red Bull chief Christian Horner is expecting Max Verstappen to get booed at the Mexican Grand Prix, following his frosty reception at last week's United States Grand Prix.
Verstappen was loudly booed as he stood on the podium after winning the race, with some fans chanting the name of his teammate Sergio Perez. The Mexican is hugely popular in the US and, with Texas bordering Mexico, his supporters made their voices heard at the Circuit of the Americas.
And Horner is expecting Verstappen will receive a similar reception at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, but insisted it is "water off a duck's back" for the three-time F1 world champion. When asked about the booing, Horner replied: "I don't think Max is going to get the warmest reception in Mexico!
‘Expecting Max Verstappen to get booed at the Mexican Grand Prix’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...dbull-31264256
Christian Horner suspects Max Verstappen to receive poor Mexican GP reception
Max Verstappen was booed throughout the Dutch national anthem at the 2023 US GP.
23 October 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner suspects that Max Verstappen won’t receive the “warmest reception” at this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix, after he was subjected to boos and jeers last weekend.
“I don’t think Max is going to get the warmest reception in Mexico! But that’s water off a duck’s back. One year you are the villain, the next year you are the hero,” said Horner.
‘Max Verstappen to receive poor Mexican GP reception’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/christian...-gp-reception/
Horner unfazed by Red Bull Mexico welcome after Marko slur
23 October 11:35AM
Author Ewan Gale
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365
On whether Red Bull could expect a confrontational atmosphere in Mexico City given Marko's comments about the country and attitude towards Perez, Horner insisted: "I am not worried about that.”
"The team is fully behind Checo and both of our drivers. We love racing in Mexico, we love the Mexican fans, the passion - that stadium is unique. So we are really looking forward to it."
Unfazed and really looking forward to it’;
https://racingnews365.com/horner-unf...ter-marko-slur
Christian Horner shares Max Verstappen Mexico GP ‘villain’ fear after Marko's Perez slur.
Max Verstappen was given a hostile reception when stepping onto the podium at the United States Grand Prix.
12:49, Mon, Oct 23, 2023
By Harry Smith
Daily and Sunday Express
Between Verstappen’s refusal to help him in the fight for P2 in the Drivers’ Championship at the Brazilian Grand Prix last season and Helmut Marko’s unacceptable comments about the 33-year-old’s Mexican heritage after the Italian Grand Prix this summer, there is a frosty sentiment towards the Red Bull hierarchy among the Perez’s fans.
This boiled over at the most recent race in Austin with Perez’s loyal fans booing Verstappen as he took to the top step of the podium at the Circuit of the Americas. The three-time world champion saw off the threat of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton to clinch his 15th win of the season. Marko attracted widespread criticism from the world of F1 after he claimed Perez’s struggles this season relative to team-mate Verstappen were partially down to a ‘lack of focus’ stemming from his Mexican heritage.
While Perez publicly stated that he had put the incident behind him, his on-track performances remain a point of concern. However, a fourth-place finish in Texas will give the 33-year-old confidence ahead of his return to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez next weekend. "He should take a lot of confidence out of that,” Horner said after Perez’s performance at the United States GP. "His race pace was strong, we know he always races well and hard and hopefully, it is just the injection of confidence he needs going into his home race which I am sure is going to be nuts for him."
‘Injection of confidence he needs’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...rko-Perez-slur
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Perez urges respect from fans over Vertsappen hostility.
Sergio Perez has urged his faithful supporters to support the entire Red Bull team during the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend.
25 October 3:40PM
Author Ewan Gale
RacingNews365
A partisan crowd was in attendance at the Circuit of the Americas for last weekend's United States Grand Prix, where chants of 'Checo' preceded a chorus of boos for teammate and three-time World Champion Max Verstappen after he secured a 50th career F1 win. Perez and Verstappen have had a fractured history as teammates with tension spilling over at last season's São Paulo Grand Prix.
Since then, fans of the Mexican have been less than impressed with the support given to Perez by Red Bull and matters were not helped by a xenophobic slur made by Motorsport Advisor Helmut Marko when assessing the six-time race winner's poor form mid-season - though an apology was forthcoming.
"Mexico is my most important weekend of the season and I can’t wait for my home race," said Perez. "The support in Austin this weekend was crazy, so I can’t even imagine what Mexico will be like, it’s going to be very special. We have made some very good steps with the car but didn’t get to fully show our progress due to taking some wrong directions with the set-up this past weekend.”
"I want Mexico to come out to support the whole Red Bull team, not just me";
https://racingnews365.com/perez-urge...ppen-hostility
Horner: No need for Perez to finish second to retain Red Bull seat
25/10/2023 at 14:23
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com
Christian Horner has once again set the record straight regarding Sergio Perez’s future, insisting the Mexican does not have the obligation to finish second in the championship to retain his seat with Red Bull for 2024. Horner denied that such a performance-related clause would be enforced against Perez at the end of the year.
"There's no pre-mandate like that," said Horner in Austin. "We've never finished first and second in a championship. We finished first and third a few times with Mark [Webber] and Sebastian [Vettel] and we finished it last year with Max and Checo. So, with this car, it would be fantastic, in such a season that we've had, if we could finish first and second.”
"But there's no pre-mandate on Checo that you have to finish second or you won't be driving the car next year. That's never been discussed." Horner insisted that he had no doubts about Perez’s ability to perform on a par with Verstappen, as he did at the start of the year, but suggest that the Mexican is lacking the proper “mindset” to battle at the front.
‘Christian Horner has once again set the record straight’;
https://f1i.com/news/491180-horner-n...bull-seat.html
Red Bull deny Perez F1 2024 stay dependent on second place
25/10/2023, 12:15
by Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner has denied that Sergio Perez’s stay with the side in 2024 is dependent on him securing second place in the Drivers’ Championship. “But there’s no pre-mandate on Checo that you have to finish second or you won’t be driving the car next year. That’s never been discussed.”
Horner outlined that Red Bull’s sole intention is to help Perez return to the level that enabled him to consistently battle and support Verstappen at the sharp end. “We know Checo,” he added. “If you see Checo’s performances in the first part of the year: Bahrain, was very, very tight with Max. The race in Saudi, it was a great race between the two of them pushing each other really hard, with very fine margins.”
“His race in Azerbaijan, winning the sprint and the grand prix there. Those are the kinds of performances that we know he’s capable of. I think it’s just getting him back into that mind frame and to get the most out of him to get him back to those levels of performances.” Although Perez’s future is secure for 2024, Red Bull is yet to determine who will partner triple World Champion Verstappen in the team beyond the end of next season.
‘No pre-mandate on Checo’;
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...-second-place/
IT'S RACE WEEK: 5 storylines we're excited about ahead of the 2023 Mexico City Grand Prix
25 October 2023
Chris Medland
Special Contributor
Formula One - Official Site
The fallout from Austin: Both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc – originally classified sixth – were disqualified for having too much wear on the plank that is under the car, with the skids that are checked designed to measure how low a car is running to conform to the regulations.
Perez with home advantage: I call it home advantage, but when the interest is so enormous there must be a big dose of pressure that comes with being Sergio Perez in Mexico City. The Mexican is a huge star and already enjoyed massive support in Texas last weekend, where his name was regularly being chanted from the grandstands.
Can Aston hit back at McLaren? McLaren’s impressive turnaround has made their overhauling of Aston Martin feel like an inevitability for a few races now, as Mike Krack’s team have struggled to match the development rate of their rivals.
‘Sargeant’s signs of progress, Rookie FP1 outings’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...0NPA2ItcM.html
Lewis Hamilton v Max Verstappen rivalry could reignite at Mexican Grand Prix
25 Oct 2023 9:00 AM
Luke Murphy
PlanetF1.com
After Red Bull managed to survive scares and claim US Grand Prix victory, will the champions prove their mastery in Mexico or could it finally be ‘Hammer Time’ for Mercedes again?
Max Verstappen overcame handling difficulties, brake issues and rampant rivals to take win number 15 of the season and the Dutchman will return to one of his most successful circuits to take the unique technical challenges of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
After an improved showing at the US GP, Mercedes will be hoping their upgrades continue to show more promise in Mexico. In a difficult 2022 season, last year’s race was one of Mercedes’ better events, partly due to the reduced effect of their draggy car. This year, they will be hoping their car optimisations can help them challenge for their first win of the season.
‘Rivalry could be reignited’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/lewis-...can-grand-prix
MAX AHEAD OF MEXICO GP: 'EXPECT MORE OF A FIGHT'
Published on 25 October 2023
Niels Hendrix
Verstappen.nl
After winning the race in Austin last weekend, Max Verstappen is now looking forward to coming weekend, the Mexican Grand Prix: “It’s great to be in Mexico. The team has a great history there, winning and taking a double podium in the last two years. It is of course Checo’s home race so it will be a big one for us. The atmosphere is always amazing driving through Foro Sol.”
Max continues: “Mexico City is the highest altitude track of the season, which is more stressful on the cars, but the RB19 has been faultless in most conditions so I’m looking forward to seeing how we will perform. We’re also returning to the normal race format this weekend so that’ll be good, as we head into the second race of the triple header. Following Austin, we can expect the race to be more of a fight, but we’ll use our strategy to our strength. The aim is to keep on winning.”
'EXPECT MORE OF A FIGHT';
https://news.verstappen.com/en/article/5293/
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Pressure on Perez to perform at home: Six talking points for the 2023 Mexican GP.
Sergio Perez has struggled to match the performance of his Red Bull team mate Max Verstappen for the vast majority of the year, so prospects of a home victory for Mexico’s sole F1 driver do not seem high. But after an improved showing last weekend in Austin, can Perez spring a surprise and spark a fiesta in the grandstands?
Formula 1
Posted on 25th October 2023, 7:15
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans
Casa de Checo: From the moment Sergio Perez was announced as a Red Bull driver at the end of the 2020 season, the scores of Formula 1 fans in Mexico could hardly be blamed for getting their hopes up about the prospect of seeing one of their own win their home grand prix. But in his third season in the Red Bull, Perez has never looked less likely to compete for victory at his home grand prix as he has this time around. Perez was again off the level of his team mate last weekend in Austin – which did little to raise the expectations of him competing for the win in Mexico City.
Ferrari’s altitude sickness: Ferrari’s form has yo-yoed so regularly throughout the 2023 season that Charles Leclerc admitted he had effectively given up on predicting whether they would be strong or weak heading into each race weekend.
Friday practice cameos: As the season winds down with both world championship titles already decided, this is the part of the year when F1 teams begin to fulfil their Friday young driver practice allocations before the end of the season like a university student cramming in last minute revision before a big exam.
Plank problems? The disqualifications of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc from the final results of the US Grand Prix was a stunning story for how unusual it was as well as the major implications it had on the order throughout the field.
Battle at the back heats up: As a result of the post-race drama in Austin, the biggest winners were two of the teams who value points finishes the most – Williams and AlphaTauri. Seventh-placed Williams went from missing out on points at the chequered flag to gaining three points out of the blue – moving them from seven points clear of Alfa Romeo to ten points ahead.
‘Pressure on Perez to perform at home’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/10/25/...23-mexican-gp/
F1 monitoring Hurricane Otis ahead of Mexico City GP
Thursday 26th October, 2023 - 11:07am
By Mat Coch
Speedcafe
F1 officials are monitoring Hurricane Otis ahead of this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix. Hurricane Otis made landfall at Acapulco in southern Mexico on Wednesday knocking out power and communication after being upgraded from tropical storm to Category 5 in the space of just 12 hours, the most severe rating possible for a hurricane.
Otis increased in intensity prior to reaching land prompting the National Hurricane Centre to warn of a “nightmare scenario” with sustained winds of more than 250km/h. The storm has since made its way inland and is currently around 200km west of Mexico City, home of this weekend’s grand prix.
Since making landfall and moving inland, Otis’ intensity has been downgraded to Category 4. Organisers are monitoring the situation though do not expect the event to be impacted as its projected to continue northwards. Home to almost nine million people, Mexico City remains outside the area predicted to experience even tropical storm-strength winds.
‘F1 monitoring’;
https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/10/26...exico-city-gp/
Mexico City GP Weather: Latest forecast for F1 race at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Max Verstappen could break the record for most wins in an F1 season at the 2023 Mexico City GP
October 25, 2023
By Adam Dickinson
Total Motorsport
Friday: Practice 1 & Practice 2 - Things stay pretty consistent over the weekend, with a bright and sunny start on Friday morning.
Saturday: Practice 3 & Qualifying - Similar to Friday, temperatures won’t get too hot and the wind won’t be too gusty. There is a 10% chance of rain for qualifying, but expect that number to go down as the weekend approaches. Interestingly, humidity will plummet from 90 percent in early morning, to 50 percent at for FP3 at 11:30am local time and just 30 percent by the time qualifying starts at mid-afternoon.
Sunday: Race: Again temperature won’t get any higher than 25 degrees, but the chance of rain is up to a whopping 14 percent come lights out at 14:00. However, this is F1 where the forecast seemingly needs to be north of 99% for fans to be sure of getting some wet-weather action. Humidity and wind speed won’t be an issue either, so it really is on whether Red Bull can somehow screw up their setup with the altitude.
‘Mexico City GP Weather’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...nos-rodriguez/
Mexican GP will be hot but not a repeat of last year’s high
Formula 1
Posted on 26th October 2023, 8:14
25th October 2023, 23:22
Written by Ida Wood
RaceFans
It will be cloudy on Friday when practice begins, but the sun should start to break through by the time the F1 field takes to the track. Maximum air temperatures of around 25C expected in the second practice session, which begins at 4pm, and there is an outside chance of rain with a 40% chance of a shower currently forecast.
The next two days will be slightly warmer and the low threat of rain will recede even further. Third practice in the middle of Saturday being held when it’s likely only 23C but with an increase to 26C by the time qualifying starts at 3pm. The grand prix will start at 2pm on Sunday again with the air temperature expected to be around 26C. After last year’s scorching trip to Mexico, this is set to be the second hottest grand prix in Mexico since F1 returned to the country in 2015.
It’s not unusual to see considerable variation in track temperatures during this race, with a range of up to 10C seen in some recent events. That can make tyre selection tricky. Last year Mercedes chose a more conservative strategy for the race than rivals Red Bull, and paid the price as Max Verstappen won as he pleased.
‘Hot but not a repeat of last year’s high’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/10/26/...st-years-high/
Plank Gate, High Altitude & Rookies - 2023 Mexico GP Preview
Published Oct 26, 2023 12:00 AM
Inside Line F1 Podcast (Weblog)
Will 'plank gate' continue to be a thing as Formula 1 reaches Mexico City for this weekend's 2023 Mexico Grand Prix? Yes, we think so - and it should be so.
Is Formula 1 too complex for FIA to police it fairly? And 'fairly' is the word, especially with 50% of the cars scrutineered post-race in Austin failed the test. Does this system need to evolve, and if so, what's the most fair way to do so given Formula 1's logistical schedules?
‘2023 Mexico GP Preview’;
https://omny.fm/shows/inside-line-f1...ico-gp-preview
