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‘Anything can happen’ – Perez ready for action in home race after taking P5 on the grid.
Sergio Perez has an army of Mexican supporters at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, and he’s hoping to give them something to cheer about on race day.
28 Oct 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
‘Anything can happen’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...655849818.html
Perez Mexican homecoming: 'Boom, Checo's popularity has skyrocketed'
29 October 12:00PM
Author Luke Merkx
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365
Sergio Perez may be struggling for form in F1 but his popularity and status has never been higher. That's according to Fox Sports Mexico's Diego Meija, who sat down with RacingNews365.com in the build-up to the Mexico City Grand Prix. Asked if the growth in South and Central America had mirrored that of the United States, Meija replied: "Yes, certainly in Mexico. That's especially since Checo became a Red Bull driver.
"His popularity has skyrocketed in recent years. When he drove at Force India and Racing Point, he was a well-known sportsman. Now he is a real celebrity. He is on the same level as the most famous soccer players." On the arrival of Netflix hit docuseries Drive to Survive, Meija added: "That gave a big boost to the popularity of F1 in Latin America and Mexico. In doing so, we got a driver on the best team just when the sport was attracting more here.
"Boom, Checo's popularity was suddenly mega. When you're here, that's when you notice it. You see billboards and ads featuring him everywhere, both locally and internationally. The biggest Mexican brands want to tie themselves to him. They see him as the perfect ambassador for Mexico. He really is a star in the country. It's similar to the fan base a soccer team has. They continue to support him regardless of his performance."
'Boom, Checo's popularity has skyrocketed';
https://racingnews365.com/perez-is-h...larity-is-mega
Father insists Perez loves driving for Red Bull.
Sergio Perez's father says there is no doubt his son will still be at Red Bull in 2024.
OCTOBER 29, 2023
GrandPrix.com
Mexican Perez, 33, has a contract for next year, but rumours of strained relationships with Verstappen, Red Bull bosses and his performance slump will not go away. Perez's father Antonio Perez Garabay has often fanned the flames of the speculation, but on the occasion of the Mexican GP this weekend, he now says his son could not be happier at Red Bull.
Checo will be with Max in the same team for another ten years, he smiled to the Austrian broadcaster ORF. "And in these ten years Checo might win a world championship. I like that my son competes with the best driver in the world. And the best driver in the world right now is Max Verstappen,” Perez senior, a well-known motor racing and political figure in Mexico, added.
Amid wild rumours of a cut-throat rivalry between Perez and Verstappen early this weekend, Red Bull chiefs stepped in to insist that the pair actually get on well. Perez's father agrees: This is the best relationship with a teammate that Checo has ever had in his Formula 1 career.”
‘Perez loves driving for Red Bull’;
https://www.grandprix.com/news/fathe...-red-bull.html
Perez rues decision to use extra set of new tyres in Q2 after qualifying fifth
Formula 1
Posted on 29th October 2023, 0:42
Written by Ed Hardy
RaceFans
Sergio Perez said tyre troubles were behind a disappointing qualifying session for the Mexican Grand Prix which left him on the third row of the grid. Perez was seventh after his first run in Q3 on a used set of soft tyres. He then joined his rivals in using a fresh set for his final lap, and jumped up to fifth. However he admitted that was still “not where we wanted to be” and said he shouldn’t have used an extra set of new tyres earlier in qualifying.
“I think we were missing a lot on that set of tyres, that second set of tyres for Q3,” he told Sky. “In Q2, we really didn’t need it. That was quite costly because the progression that we had in Q3 wasn’t ideal during that first run then going into the new. I felt like when I finished my lap, I felt like I undershot it a bit here and there and a tenth or two would have changed completely our lives today, so not ideal.”
Perez said there were big differences between each set of tyres for qualifying due to the circuit where “grip is extremely low.” “There is a changing temperature of two, three degrees,” he added. “You feel it whereas somewhere else you don’t really feel it. Every single set I had today felt differently, so the grip is extremely low.”
‘Perez rues decision’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/10/29/...lifying-fifth/
Perez points to Red Bull choice for Mexican GP qualifying deficit
29 October 1:57AM
Author Rory Mitchell
RacingNews365
Sergio Perez lamented a mistake that cost him a shot at qualifying higher for his home Mexico City Grand Prix.
Perez: We lost a [tyre] set in Q2: "[It was] very fine margins, actually. I think the progression that we had through qualifying wasn't great, especially Q3," Perez told F1 TV.
"We lost a [tyre] set in Q2, we put another lap on it, and just the progression in Q3 I felt like it could have been quite a lot better. Tomorrow it is a long race ahead, so anything can really happen. It will be an interesting one and let's see what we are able to do."
‘Perez: We lost a [tyre] set in Q2’;
https://racingnews365.com/perez-lame...ico-second-row
Sergio Perez doubts securing P2 target will ‘make any difference’ to Red Bull progress
29 Oct 2023 9:00 AM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com
Sergio Perez is unsure if finishing second in the Drivers’ Championship will feel like progress at Red Bull, as his focus remains set on the “ultimate target” of becoming World Champion. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has spoken of his desire to secure a first-ever 1-2 in the Drivers’ standings for the team this year, though he denies giving Perez an outright target to achieve that goal.
But if the Mexican ends up taking that accolade, he is unsure how it would make him feel in terms of progression at Red Bull. “I really don’t know,” Perez told Formula1.com when asked how securing P2 in the Drivers’ standings would help his mentality moving forward.
“I’ll tell you once I get this second-place trophy, but I don’t think it will make any difference. If there is a difference, it will be in how I achieve that. I want to achieve it with more victories this year, by finishing the season strong, and having great momentum to go into the winter – still believing that I can be champion in the future, which is the ultimate target.”
“I’ll tell you once I get this second-place trophy”;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/sergio...ish-difference
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F1 Mexico GP: Verstappen breezes to record-breaking 16th win of 2023.
The victory gives Verstappen a new record for most F1 wins in a single season, this his 16th 2023 triumph after he scored 15 last year.
22:32 Sun, 29 Oct 2023.
AUTHORAlex Kalinauckas
Motorsport.com
Max Verstappen dominated a red-flagged 2023 Formula 1 Mexico Grand Prix ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, seizing the lead at Turn 1 where team-mate Sergio Perez crashed out.
At the start, Verstappen shot off the line as the two Ferraris ahead rather stuttered away, the Dutchman carving between Leclerc and Sainz to easily claim the inside line for Turn 1. There, Perez suddenly arrived on the far left of Verstappen and Leclerc, having got an even better getaway than his team-mate and then gained from the slipstream coming off the other RB19 and then Leclerc's Ferrari.
Perez's run was so good his wheels were the furthest ahead when the trio reached the turn-in point for the first corner, but with Verstappen swinging slightly back left just seconds before this, Leclerc got pinched between the two Red Bull cars.
‘Record-breaking 16th win of 2023’;
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f...2023/10540216/
Race Results – 2023 Mexican Grand Prix
29th October 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Results (Classification):
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -71 laps
2. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +13.875
3. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +23.124
4. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +27.154
5. Lando Norris McLaren +33.266
6. George Russell Mercedes +41.020
7. Daniel Ricciardo AlphaTauri +41.570
8. Oscar Piastri McLaren +43.104
9. Alex Albon Williams Racing +48.573
10. Esteban Ocon Alpine +62.879
‘Mexican Grand Prix – Here are the provisional results from today’s 2023 F1 World Championship race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/race-resul...and-prix-83422
AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from the 2023 Mexico City Grand Prix
29 October 2023
Becky Hart
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site
‘AS IT HAPPENED’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...H7qHIu07Y.html
F1 Mexico City Grand Prix 2023 - As it happened
19:38 Sun, 29 Oct 2023.
Reporting By: Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net
Follow the 2023 F1 Mexico City Grand Prix here with the Crash.net live blog.
‘As it happened’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/live/f1-mex...23-it-happened
F1 Live - Mexico GP Race Watchalong | Live timings + Commentary
29 October 2023
Racing Statistics
F1 Live Mexico Grand Prix Race Watchalong | Mexican GP Live F1 Live Timings, Updates and Commentary of all F1 Sessions with Racing Statistics. Lets Watchalong!
‘Race Watchalong’;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJOO2kVt1SA
Sergio Perez suffers HEARTBREAK at his home Mexico Grand Prix as he is shunted off by Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz at the first CORNER... before his Red Bull car is retired before it makes it round a single lap
Published: 20:13, 29 October 2023
By Jake Fenner For Dailymail.Com
Mail Online
Red Bull Racing's Sergio Perez had his day at his home race - the Mexico City Grand Prix - come to a sudden and unfortunate end before even completing the first turn. At the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Perez started the race P5 and got a great jump off the line.
But he went into Turn 1 three-wide - with teammate Max Verstappen on the inside and pole sitter Charles Leclerc in between them. Perez turned across Leclerc's Ferrari - with his right rear tire clipping Leclerc's front left. It caused Perez's car to bounce into the air and caused severe damage to the structure of his vehicle.
‘Sergio Perez suffers HEARTBREAK’;
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...ingle-lap.html
RACE START: Perez forced out of Mexico City GP after collision with Leclerc in dramatic getaway
29 October 2023
Formula One - Official Site
There was plenty of drama at the start of the Mexico City Grand Prix as local favourite Sergio Perez collided with Charles Leclerc in a battle for the lead. Both Red Bull drivers had an excellent getaway, with Max Verstappen looking to challenge pole-sitter Leclerc into Turn 1 while Perez tried to find a way around the outside.
‘Plenty of drama’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...8xpV2LFgz.html
F1 fans in VISCERAL reaction to Perez Mexico nightmare
Sunday 29 October 2023 21:41
Lauren Sneath
GPFans
Formula 1 fans have reacted viscerally to Sergio Perez's sudden and dramatic retirement from his home grand prix ont he very first lap, after the Mexican driver clipped Charles Leclerc and flew off the track.
Emotions appeared to be running high for Perez after his retirement, as he banged his hands on his car in frustration. And that anger was also felt online, with F1 fans taking to social media to express their disappointment at the incident and, in some cases, air their grievances about Perez himself.
On the other hand, some fans called Perez's competency into question over the crash. When commentator David Croft expressed sympathy for Perez, some disagreed with his take on the incident.
‘F1 fans in VISCERAL reaction’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...-social-media/
Perez on Mexican GP bust: ‘I saw the opportunity and went for it’
29/10/2023 at 21:53
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com
Sergio Perez says he “saw an opportunity” at the start of Sunday’s Mexican Grand Prix and “went for it”, but the aggressive move ended in disaster for the local hero.
"I had a tremendous start, the gap was there and to be honest, where I was starting the race, I would have been disappointed if I'd been on the podium knowing there was a chance of victory and I didn't take it,” Perez explained.
‘Saw the opportunity and went for it’;
https://f1i.com/news/491865-perez-on...nt-for-it.html
Mexican GP crowd exit quickly as Sergio Perez gives emotional interview after retirement
Sergio Perez was visibly emotional after retiring from his home race in Mexico on the first lap.
21:34, Sun, Oct 29, 2023
By Stuart Ballard
Daily and Sunday Express
Sergio Perez has refused to lay the blame for his disappointing retirement from the Mexican Grand Prix on Charles Leclerc, insisting he could have pulled out of the move before colliding with the Ferrari driver. Perez got off the line quicker than anybody else and saw an opening to take the lead of his home race going into the first corner.
Fans in attendance for the Mexican Grand Prix were also disappointed it seems as they made quick exits from the circuit despite only a few laps of the race being completed. Perez "very sad" to have retired from his home race, but ultimately felt the opportunity to take the lead in the first corner was too good of a chance to miss.
‘Mexican GP crowd exit quickly’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...iew-retirement
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Horner, Verstappen defend Perez over Mexico Turn 1 move.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner and Max Verstappen have defended Sergio Perez’s attempted move at Turn 1 on the first lap that sent him out of the Mexico City Grand Prix.
30th October 2023, 09:03
by Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week
After Perez conceded that his approach was centred on gunning for victory, Horner believes that “you can’t blame” the Mexican for trying to seize the lead at his home event.
“Yeah, absolutely two contrasting emotions,” Horner said. “One absolutely gutted to see Checo go out on the first corner. He had probably his best start of the season, got the draft and the tow from the three cars ahead, and so arrived with massive overspeed.”
“And you can’t blame him at his home race, going to try and take the lead of the grand prix. I think you have to call it a racing incident, because three into one doesn’t go. Charles couldn’t get out of it, he braked late.”
‘Horner added: “Yeah, just said to him, next race next week, you’re going for the lead in your home race, you wouldn’t be a racing driver if you weren’t going for it.”!’;
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...o-turn-1-move/
Horner “can’t blame” Perez for F1 Mexico Turn 1 move
30th October 2023, 08:22
AuthorFergal Walsh
Co-authorAaron Deckers
Motorsport.com
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner feels he can not blame Sergio Perez for wanting to be aggressive at the start of the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Horner also revealed that he gave Perez words of encouragement while consoling him, reminding him that the next race is coming up straight away this weekend in Brazil.
"I think it's a tough moment for him, it's in front of his home crowd," said Horner. "He’s very emotional. I just said to him [that the] next race is next week [in Brazil], you're going for the lead in your home race. You wouldn't be a racing driver if you weren't going for it."
‘Horner also revealed that he gave Perez words of encouragement while consoling him’;
https://racingnews365.com/red-bull-c...r-mexico-crash
Max Verstappen critiques Sergio Perez’s role in disastrous Mexican GP crash
30 Oct 2023 6:45 AM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com
Sergio Perez’s Mexican Grand Prix was over before it even began with Max Verstappen arguing that while he should’ve left a “bit more room”, had his teammate pulled off the audacious fifth to first pass he would’ve looked “amazing”. The Dutchman gets why Perez tried to make the move, but believes he made one key mistake.
“I mean, I understand because it’s his home Grand Prix,” he said. “You want to be on the podium, I fully understand that. He went around the outside, and he tried. Looking at the footage, I think he could have left a little bit more space, but at the other end if it would have worked, you know, you look amazing. And of course, I think it’s just more like that excitement of wanting to be on the podium and this time it didn’t work out, unfortunately.”
Cutting a forlorn figure as he walked away from his stricken RB19, the Mexican driver told Spanish broadcaster DAZN: “I’m sad without a doubt because today was my opportunity. I had a very good start and I was only thinking of winning the race. I didn’t want to be on the podium. I’ve been on the podium two years in a row. I saw the opportunity and I went for it. In hindsight, I took a risk, but if I had pulled it off I would have come out of Turn 1 in the lead.”
‘Acknowledging the hurt for his home fans who watched his race end as soon as it began, Perez says he’ll still walk away with his head high knowing he gave it his all’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/max-ve...xican-gp-crash
Red Bull win in Mexico despite heartbreak for home hero Perez
30th October 2023, 08:56
Charles Crook
CitiBlog
Red Bull won the Mexico City Grand Prix through Max Verstappen, although team mate Sergio Perez retired after one lap of his home race. A busy start had seen Verstappen bypass the two Ferraris, who had locked out the front row ahead of him.
Perez made his own flying start from fifth and as the field approached turn one, Perez attempted his own move on Charles Leclerc. This lead to contact between the Red Bull and the Ferrari at turn one, causing Perez’s Red Bull to briefly go airborne and suffer substantial damage to the side of the car.
Perez made it back to the pits but was retired, much to the disappointment of the majority of the crowd in Mexico City who had come to see him in his home race.
‘Heartbreak for home hero Perez’;
https://citiblog.co.uk/2023/10/30/re...me-hero-perez/
Mark Hughes: The very different Mexican GP we could've had
Oct 30, 2023
by Mark Hughes
The Race
Kevin Magnussen’s crash halfway through the Mexican Grand Prix and the red flag it brought gave a handy punctuation point for a significant proportion of the crowd to go home, disappointed as they were by the elimination of their hero Sergio Perez within seconds of the start.
It was one of those moments laden with poignancy and significance, Perez getting a fantastic start from fifth to be neck-and neck on the outside approach to Turn 1, with Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen to his inside – and him poised to go past them both, 200,000 people willing him on with bated breath.
On the line he was on, he might have swept past them both and assumed the lead. But it would have required Leclerc’s co-operation, would have needed him to have been intimidated into braking early to avoid contact. It was about five seconds into the race and the people had no-one to cheer for.
‘One of those moments laden with poignancy and significance’;
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/m...e-couldve-had/
Marko sympathetic towards Perez over costly Mexico crash
30 October 1:48AM
Author Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365
Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko has reacted to Sergio Perez's crash at the Mexico City Grand Prix, insisting his contact with Charles Leclerc was a “racing incident”. “It was a racing incident, that can happen,” said the Austrian. “He saw an opportunity.”
“He was on the outside of Leclerc and wanted to steer inside. A racing incident. You can't blame Checo for anything. It's too bad we lost 19 points to Hamilton [in the Drivers' Championship]."
“Until the first lap of the race, he drove a super weekend and I am convinced he would have been on the podium." Marko also had praise for the Mexican fans in attendance at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriquez. “They were super! An incredibly sporting crowd and I have rarely experienced such an atmosphere," said Marko.
‘Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko: "How many times do I have to repeat this? Checo has a contract for 2024 and it will happen,” he said’;
https://racingnews365.com/marko-spea...r-clumsy-crash
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Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz blasted by own boss for 'losing control' of Mexican GP.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has revealed his frustration with drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz after the pair failed to make the most of a front-row lockout at the Mexican GP.
07:00, Mon, Oct 30, 2023
By Harry Smith
Daily and Sunday Express
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz found themselves in hot water with Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur in Mexico. Speaking after the race the Ferrari boss said: "I'm not satisfied with the start of my drivers today. The start wasn't good, we gave everyone the slipstream, totally losing control of the situation.”
Charles Leclerc was caught up in a lap-one incident with Sergio Perez. "This put Carlos and Charles in a difficult position with both Red Bulls. Checo and Charles touched each other and we lost a piece of the front."
‘Blasted by own boss’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...inz-Mexican-GP
Ferrari boss blames drivers for ‘losing control’ of Mexican Grand Prix
30 Oct 2023 1:30 PM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com
It was, Vasseur says, not a satisfactory result with the team boss pointing the finger at his drivers for making poor starts and not being able to shake off the chasing pack.
“I’m not satisfied with the start. It’s not a question of management, it’s that we started badly and gave the slipstream to everyone, losing control of the situation,” he told Sky F1. First of all, if you start badly you lose ground from the others and lose the slipstream.”
“This led Charles to being between Verstappen and Perez and, later, having contact with them. At that point part of the wing broke and we also had problems with Carlos. “But the underlying problem is that we started badly because Max is already in front of Carlos after a few meters.”
“I’m not satisfied with the start”;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/ferrar...can-grand-prix
Sainz says Ferrari need to look into cause of poor starts in Mexico
Formula 1
Posted on 30th October 2023, 17:17
Written by Ida Wood
RaceFans
“We need to have a look at the starts,” said Sainz after the race. “We both didn’t get a very good launch. I think Charles and I got away very similar and then Verstappen was just very quick off the line.” The team looked long and hard at how to improve its starts at the low-grip Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, said Sainz.
“We’ve been struggling a bit with the starts since FP1 at this surface and with this grip,” he explained. “We probably didn’t get everything perfect for this weekend after some very strong starts recently. So it’s something to look at.” Sainz said the first start was “very chaotic, like always in Mexico.”
“It was very tricky braking into turn one, everyone tries to outbrake themselves to try and keep position and I think Checo was the unlucky one, Charles probably a lucky one and it’s how it is, it’s racing and it’s always going to happen here in turn one in Mexico.”
“We need to have a look at the starts”;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/10/30/...rts-in-mexico/
Leclerc surprised to finish Mexico GP after Perez clash
Monday 30th October, 2023 - 6:41pm
By Mat Coch
Speedcafe
Leclerc had started from pole but found himself flanked on the run to the first corner by Max Verstappen on his right and Perez on the left. “I had nowhere to go,” Leclerc, who ended the race third, said. “I was extremely surprised I could finish the race anyway.” The impact saw Perez fired into the run-off area with damage to the right-hand sidepod of the RB19. He managed to limp the car back to the pits where he retired, leaving him to describe it as the saddest moment of his career.
Leclerc picked up damage to his front wing in the encounter, the left end fence handing off the Ferrari for the first four laps. It eventually broke free, triggering a brief Virtual Safety Car, but the pole-sitter was able to carry on and ultimately changed the front wing under the red flag for Kevin Magnussen’s crash.
“We broke part of the front wing in Turn 1, and then on the radio they told me we were lacking I think 10 or 15 points [of downforce],” Leclerc said. “To be honest, I managed to drive around it and it didn’t feel too bad, so that was positive. Of course, it’s never ideal to lose so many points [of downforce] into Turn 1, but it’s like this and we then managed to do a good race from that moment onwards.”
‘Leclerc surprised to finish Mexico GP’;
https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/10/30...r-perez-clash/
Sainz dismisses Russell complaints: 'He does it often'
30 October 3:10PM
Author Rory Mitchell
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365
Carlos Sainz has dismissed protests from George Russell over the Ferrari driver's weaving in the Mexico City Grand Prix. Defending fourth place, along the pit-straight into the Turn 1 braking zone, Sainz defended as is his right, but Mercedes' Russell felt the Spaniard was making more than one change of direction in the braking zone.
When asked about the manoeuvres, Sainz told media, including RacingNews365: "Well I was moving once and right before braking, which is what the rules allow. You cannot move on the braking but you can move right before braking and that's what I was doing.”
"When you're behind you open the radio, you complain about the guy in front and [hope] he gets a warning or a five-second penalty because it benefits you. It's the same as always, everyone does it. George does it a lot."
‘Protests dismissed’;
https://racingnews365.com/sainz-defe...dio-complaints
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Wolff shares BRUTAL Hamilton verdict over Mercedes progress.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has joked that Lewis Hamilton was happy with the performance of his W14 for the first time this year after the seven-time champion matched his season-best result of second in the Mexican Grand Prix.
Tuesday 31 October 2023 08:27
Tyler Foster
GPFans
Over the course of Hamilton’s 17-year career in Formula 1, the British driver has developed a reputation for whinging over the radio. Whether he is complaining that his tyres won’t last, or the pit strategy is wrong or even that the safety car is going too slowly, Hamilton is prepared to get his way.
Speaking after Hamilton’s second-place finish, team boss Wolff joked that it was the first time this season that he has been happy with the car. “Today I think it was a first where he said ‘the car is actually good!’ But it was a brilliant, brilliant drive and we have these oscillations in performance.”
“We don’t really know, sometimes the tyres stick, sometimes not. The smiles on our faces because the car was strong. I think once Lewis was in free air, we had so much margin on the medium, fastest lap at the end. It was good.”
‘BRUTAL Hamilton verdict’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...co-grand-prix/
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell given clear Toto Wolff order after Mexico GP
Mercedes showed strong race pace again at the Mexican Grand Prix but team boss Toto Wolff was left lamenting his team's performances in qualifying after the race
00:20 Mon, 30 Oct 2023.
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
The Mirror
Toto Wolff demanded his drivers start qualifying better as he reacted to a strong Mercedes result at the Mexican Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton drove from sixth on the grid to finish second after avoiding trouble in an action-packed race. And George Russell also improved to finish sixth, fending off the challenge of Daniel Ricciardo in the final few laps.
Team principal Wolff was pleased with both drives and with the speed shown by his team's cars. But he feels there is more on the table for Mercedes in these final races of the season if they can qualify better.
"The smile on our face is because the car was strong," said the Austrian after the race. "Once Lewis was in free air, we had so much margin in the medium. The lap times were good and [he got the] fastest lap at the end.”
‘Clear Toto Wolff order’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...given-31312050
Toto Wolff decodes McLaren’s George Russell message and highlights ‘killer’ blow
30 Oct 2023 12:00 PM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com
Warning Lando Norris that George Russell was “all or nothing”, Toto Wolff surmises McLaren’s message to their driver in Mexico was to tell him “don’t crash we need those points”. “We know what Russell is like, he’s all or nothing. So you just have patience with him,” was the message from the McLaren pit wall.
Wolff was asked for his thoughts on that message and whether it was a sign of respect toward his driver. “I think that these two have probably had that race situation hundreds of times in their life so they will have known what to do,” he said. “I think it was more of a message like don’t crash we need those points.”
The team boss believes Russell’s efforts on Sunday were hampered by tyre issues with the Briton having hounded Carlos Sainz before being forced to back off when his tyres began to overheat. But cooling the rubber, Russell wasn’t able to regain grip and as a result lost pace and a position. “I think we need to understand what actually happened to George because he was pushing very, very strong behind Sainz, but so did Lewis,” he said.
‘Toto Wolff decodes message’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/toto-w...george-russell
Martin Brundle calls out 'flippant' Toto Wolff following Lewis Hamilton comments
Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton have endured a turbulent last two races, and now they've attracted the attention of Martin Brundle.
18:34, Sun, Oct 29, 2023
By Harry Smith
Daily and Sunday Express
Martin Brundle has labelled Toto Wolff ‘flippant’ after the Mercedes team principal claimed that he has no regrets over Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification from the United States Grand Prix and that he would be happy to risk it again and fight for the win on sprint weekends.
Hamilton finished just two seconds behind reigning world champion and eventual race winner Max Verstappen at the Circuit of the Americas but was disqualified along with Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc after both cars failed routine inspections later on Sunday. These disqualifications were partially caused by the sprint format with the singular practice session preventing teams from fully figuring out an optimal set-up for the weekend’s running.
This has triggered a wider debate about the future of sprint races in F1. Toto Wolff: "I would take the disqualification running for a race win and seeing the performance, rather than ending P3 and 25 seconds adrift. Every day of the week I would take the disqualification."
‘Toto Wolff labelled ‘flippant’!’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ilton-comments
Martin Brundle addresses ‘flippant’ Toto Wolff disqualification comments
29 Oct 2023 1:00 PM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com
Martin Brundle has called out Toto Wolff for his “flippant” comment that he’d risk a disqualification in a bid to win a race, the former F1 driver believing Lewis Hamilton’s plank was a “reasonable chunk” outside the regulations.
“I take a disqualification running for a race win and seeing the performance against running P3 and ending up 25 seconds adrift,” he told Sky Sports. “So every day of the week I’ll go for the disqualification.” That was put to Brundle, who was asked whether it was worth the risk with the former F1 driver replying: “Absolutely not. I think Toto is being a flippant there. Toto and Lewis have done a very good job this weekend of saying nothing to see here, look at all those others they must have been cheating as well or whatever.”
“Cheating is too strong a word -found to be outside of the regulations. But, you know, some teams lifted their cars to be certain because it was a Sprint weekend because it was bumpy, drivers taking kerbs, talk of a headwind pushing the cars down a little bit more even on the back straight. And I don’t believe that Mercedes was illegal by just a small amount, it was a reasonable chunk.”
‘Flippant Toto’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/martin...ation-comments
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Norris on his late charge to P5 in Mexico: ‘One of the best stints I’ve ever had’.
Lando Norris was down in P14 after the red flag restart in Mexico City, but charged his way all the way up to fifth at the chequered flag with some superb overtaking moves.
29 Oct 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
‘One of the best stints I’ve ever had’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...123428275.html
McLaren boss Andrea Stella lauds Lando Norris after recovery with Fernando Alonso-Valencia 2012 comparison
30 Oct 2023
Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has likened Lando Norris’ recovery drive at the Mexico City Grand Prix to Fernando Alonso’s epic Valencia win in 2012. Norris was knocked out in Q1 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez after making a mistake on his final lap.
Speaking after the race in Mexico, Stella heaped praise on Norris, declaring his drive as one of the “best” he’s ever seen. “Well in fairness we were having exactly this conversation on the pit wall as his race engineer Will Joseph turned to me and said to me that’s one of the best of Lando. I said, ‘Will, that’s one of the best at all’.
“Overtaking, so many overtakings, in Mexico, where yesterday if you read the quotes everyone is saying it’s so difficult to overtake, while managing PU temperatures, having to do lift and coast. I’m just impressed. One of the best races for a driver that I’ve been part of, let’s say.”
“One of the best at all”;
https://www.crash.net/f1/news/103976...012-comparison
Lando Norris takes swipe at McLaren rivals after barnstorming drive to fifth in Mexico City GP
Lando Norris scythed through the field to eventually finish fifth at the 2023 Mexico City GP
October 30, 2023
By Ed Spencer
Lando Norris has suggested drivers should be self-aware when in wheel-to-wheel combat after finishing fifth in Sunday’s 2023 Mexico City Grand Prix. “I enjoyed the whole thing apart from my restart if you saw it”, reflected Norris to the media after the race.
“I had to avoid a very big crash, just people coming across, not realising they can be three abreast. So I avoided two extremely big crashes, one would have been very nasty, so a bit of self-awareness from other drivers would have been great.”
“But that’s not why I lost out. I lost out because of a bad start. The pace was amazing from Lap 1, there was a lot of [tyre] management involved. I couldn’t push as much as I wanted to at times.”
‘Barnstorming drive to fifth’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...exico-city-gp/
Norris says rivals need ‘more self awareness’ after ‘avoiding extremely big crashes’
Formula 1
Posted on 30th October 2023, 7:15
Written by Keith Collantine
RaceFans
Lando Norris said some of his rivals showed poor awareness of other cars during the restart in yesterday’s Mexican Grand Prix. Norris climbed from 17th on the grid to finish fifth in yesterday’s race and said afterwards he “enjoyed the whole thing apart from my restart.”
“I probably had to avoid a very big crash,” he explained. “Just people coming across, not probably realising that people can be three-abreast. I avoided two extremely big crashes which would have been very nasty. So, a bit more self awareness of some drivers would be great.”
However he said the near-miss was “not why I lost out” at the restart and fell back four places. “I lost out because of a bad start, but I lost out even more because of these things.” Norris was thrilled by his car’s performance in the race as he recovered to finish fifth.
‘More self awareness’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/10/30/...y-big-crashes/
Piastri-Tsunoda battle ends in collision
Oscar Piastri and Yuki Tsunoda collided on lap 49 of the Mexico City Grand Prix, sending the AlphaTauri spinning off the track at Turn 1.
October 30, 2023 — 3.02pm
The Sydney Morning Herald
‘Piastri-Tsunoda battle’;
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/motorsp...d-refresh=true
Piastri “hard racing” with seething Tsunoda
Monday 30th October, 2023 - 1:30pm
By Ian Parkes
Speedcafe
Oscar Piastri felt he was simply “hard racing” with Yuki Tsunoda who was left seething following their collision during the Mexico City Grand Prix. McLaren driver Piastri produced a vigorous defence of his seventh position on lap 48 and again a lap later against AlphaTauri’s Tsunoda at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
“He chopped across,” said Piastri, who went on to finish eighth, whilst Tsunoda was four places further back as the incident ultimately compromised his race. Tsunoda fumed over the radio as he made his way back on track, using an expletive to express his frustration. To add to his ire, the stewards investigated both incidents but took no action.
Asked to discuss the incident post-race, a clearly angry Tsunoda said: “I don’t want to comment about these things. I already commented enough when I was driving! We were showing a good performance and it’s such a shame I ended up like that.” Pointed out to Tsunoda that the stewards took no action, he tersely replied: “As I expected.”
“He chopped across”;
https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/10/30...exico-city-gp/
Piastri and Tsunoda at odds over Mexican GP clash
31/10/2023 at 14:09
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com
The two drivers had been locked in battle for P7 since the start of the second part of the race, after a red flag triggered by Haas’ Kevin Magnussen had paused proceedings. The fight intensified however on lap 48 of 71 when Piastri strengthened his grip on seventh as Tsunoda went on the attack.
The cars made contact twice, resulting in Piastri narrowly avoiding a spin as he exited Turn 1 and entered Turn 2. On the subsequent lap, Tsunoda once again attempted to overtake the McLaren, this time on the outside as they approached the first corner.
Although the incident was put under investigation by the stewards, they ultimately took no further action, a decision that didn’t surprise Tsunoda. “As I expected, they love the top teams,” said the Japanese driver who alluded to a preferential treatment for McLaren relative to AlphaTauri.
‘Aat odds’;
https://f1i.com/news/492138-piastri-...-gp-clash.html
Tsunoda: F1 stewards ‘love the top teams’ amid Piastri clash
31st October 2023, 10:18
by Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week
Yuki Tsunoda has again remarked that the Formula 1 stewards “love the top teams” following his clash with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in Sunday’s Mexico City Grand Prix.
Having earned five points the previous weekend in the United States, Tsunoda’s Mexico weekend was compromised from the outset by the news that he would be placed at the back of the grid for exceeding his maximum allocation of power unit elements.
But Tsunoda moved up three places to 17th due to other grid penalties before making a storming start to gain another trio of positions on the opening lap of the race. After making the earliest pitstop of any driver at the end of Lap 11, Tsunoda displaced both Aston Martin drivers to rise to eighth by the time the race was stopped on Lap 35.
‘F1 stewards love the top teams’;
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...piastri-clash/
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Mercedes chief technical officer Mike Elliott resigns on the eve of Brazilian GP.
Mercedes have announced Mike Elliott has left the team as they continue to look for a first win in 2023.
October 31, 2023
By Ed Spencer
Total Motorsport
Mercedes chief technical officer Mike Elliott has resigned from his position at the team ahead of the 2023 Brazilian Grand Prix. Elliott, who joined Mercedes in 2012 after a stint at Renault, rose through the team’s ranks, going from head of aerodynamics to technical director in nine years.
“It has been one of the great privileges of my career to be part of this Mercedes team,” said Elliott. “During my time, I have seen it grow from a group of people pulling together to win races, then a first championship, to winning a record eight consecutive constructors’ championships. – and I am proud to have made my contribution to that journey.”
“Although the last two seasons have not seen us winning races in the manner we aspire to, they have tested us in many other ways – and forced us to question our fundamental assumptions about how we deliver performance. During the past six months, I have enjoyed developing the technical strategy that we hope can provide the foundations of the team’s next cycle of success.”
‘Mercedes chief technical officer Mike Elliott resigns’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...-brazilian-gp/
Mercedes chief 'suddenly quits' before Brazilian GP as barren Lewis Hamilton run continues
Mercedes are yet to win a single Grand Prix in 2023, with Toto Wolff's strategic reshuffle failing to bear fruit.
16:59, Tue, Oct 31, 2023
By Charlie Gordon
Daily and Sunday Express
Mercedes chief technical officer Mike Elliott has handed in his resignation ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix. The aerodynamics expert has been unable to inspire a turnaround in fortunes for the Silver Arrows this season, with Lewis Hamilton still chasing his first race win since 2021.
The first signs of Elliott becoming unsettled with the Silver Arrows emerged earlier this year. Back in April, he decided that his skills were not best suited to the role of technical director and swapped jobs with James Allison to become chief technical officer.
Only six months down the line, Elliott has once again requested a change, but this time it involves him leaving the team altogether. The 49-year-old is now on gardening leave, having completed his last day at the Brackley headquarters on Tuesday.
‘Handed in his resignation’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...n-mike-elliott
Wolff sets Mercedes expectations for 2023 Brazilian GP
Lewis Hamilton was second in the 2023 Mexico City GP
October 31, 2023
By Adam Dickinson
Total Motorsport
Toto Wolff has hinted he’s hoping Mercedes might be able to repeat their stunning success of a year ago at the 2023 Brazilian Grand Prix, after confirming the W14‘s newly upgraded floor has been a success.
“I think obviously the longer you have the upgrade on the car and collect data, the better you’re going to be able to tune it,” Wolff told the media. “I don’t want to set the expectations high, because last year came as a little bit of a surprise that we dominated that weekend.”
“So I think we have to go there knowing we have a good car, if we put all the ducks in one line then I think we can we can have a very strong weekend. Whether it’s good enough to beat Max… their package, driver car power, and is just very complete.”
‘Wolff sets Mercedes expectations’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...-brazilian-gp/
Carlos Sainz bemoans recurring Ferrari problem ahead of Brazil
Carlos Sainz outlined Ferrari's continued weakness in F1 2023
October 31, 2023
By Brandon Sutton
Total Motorsport
Carlos Sainz has criticised Ferrari‘s race pace following the 2023 Mexico City Grand Prix which saw the team convert a front-row lockout in qualifying into a third and fourth place finish.
“It’s been the case the whole year. We can fight them in qualifying, we can beat them in qualifying,” Sainz told the media. “But then come the race we’re two, three, sometimes four tenths off the pace. Today it was six tenths at this track. It is the main weakness of the car and where we are focusing on.”
“I don’t think we struggled with our [tyre] degradation and we just struggled with the race pace of the car. Once the tyres are in overheating, once the tires more worn out, you don’t have the peak of soft tyre helping you to turn the car and to help with the traction, and our car is now in a much weaker state, and that’s where the Red Bull and Mercedes are quicker.”
‘Recurring Ferrari problem ahead of Brazil’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...-ahead-brazil/
Alex Albon ‘worried’ about Daniel Ricciardo after Mexico City GP
Alex Albon secured a ninth place finish for Williams at the 2023 Mexico City GP
October 30, 2023
By Roman Brock
Total Motorsport
Alex Albon has admitted that the pace of the AlphaTauri cars at the 2023 Mexico City Grand Prix is something to worry about from his and his Williams team’s perspective.
“Daniel’s pace is something to be a bit worried about,” Albon said to the press after the chequered flag in Mexico City. “They had a double points finish today, or they should have had. They only need another finish like that [to be close to us.] We still need to keep our heads down and try and finish high up.”
‘Worried’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...exico-city-gp/
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Alonso concedes Aston Martin ‘not fighting for anything’ in final races.
Asked about Aston Martin’s expectations for the next race in Brazil, Alonso said, as quoted by Motorsport.com: “Honestly, we are not fighting for anything.”
10:22 Tue, 31 Oct 2023.
Hamilton Lyndon-Griffiths
Read Motorsport.
Fernando Alonso insists Aston Martin is “not fighting for anything” in the remaining three races of the 2023 Formula 1 season, with focus now shifting to next year. Aston Martin’s form has hit a downward spiral after the team’s confession that it went in the wrong direction regarding its in-season car development.
This has resulted in the Silverstone-baed outfit slipping from third in the constructors’ championship to fifth in just a matter of races. Alonso’s strong run of results early in the season saw him sit third in the drivers’ standings for much of the year, but the Spaniard has now fallen to fifth and has three drivers within 32 points of his current tally.
Fernando Alonso: “In the constructors’ championship, we are locked in in the position we are. In the driver’s championship, we will lose a couple of places. But I mean, it is incredible that we are in front of Ferraris, or George or Lando or whatever, but we will lose those positions. They have a very fast car. And yet, let’s see what we can do.”
‘Incredible that we are in front of Ferraris’;
https://readmotorsport.com/2023/10/3...n-final-races/
Alonso: Aston now ‘learning – not fighting for anything’
31/10/2023 at 08:22
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com
Alonso still hopes that the team’s current efforts to improve its fortunes will allow it to conclude its year “on a high”. "We are working as much as we can," he said. "It's not that we are just happy with the situation. It's not the position we wish we were, but at the same time, we are working very hard to reverse the situation.”
"And sometimes you learn more from the difficulties than from the celebrations. So right now we have a difficult time. And we are trying to do as many tests as possible, giving as much feedback as possible to the factory in Silverstone. And hopefully, as I said, finish on a high, and not on a low."
‘Learning – not fighting for anything’;
https://f1i.com/news/492109-alonso-a...-anything.html
Alonso: Aston can ‘learn more from the difficulties than celebrations’
09:07 Tue, 31 Oct 2023.
by Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week
Fernando Alonso believes Aston Martin can “learn more from the difficulties than the celebrations” amid another tough weekend outing at the Mexico City Grand Prix. After encountering trouble with its latest upgrades in the United States, Aston Martin again lacked the pace of its competitors at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
The two-time World Champion is under threat of also relinquishing places to the other Ferrari of Charles Leclerc, McLaren’s Lando Norris and Mercedes’ George Russell.
“In the Drivers’ championship, we will lose a couple of places,” he continued. “But I mean, it is incredible that we are in front of Ferraris, or George or Lando or whatever, but we will lose those positions. They have a very fast car. And yet, let’s see what we can do.”
“Learn more from the difficulties than the celebrations”;
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...-celebrations/
Aston insists it's not lost - but the signs are very worrying
Oct 31, 2023
by Ben Anderson
The Race
The Mexican Grand Prix was objectively Aston Martin’s worst weekend of the 2023 Formula 1 season. Zero points for only the second time all year and star driver Fernando Alonso looking uncharacteristically out of sorts in a car he admitted he was “always not trusting”.
“This weekend has been particularly difficult for me,” Alonso added. “I always felt on the back foot and always not trusting the car. [It] seems we are not very confident now on the car, driving - we cannot extract the maximum and this is penalising us a lot.”
This is exactly the sort of sensation Lance Stroll explained amid his nightmare Qatar Grand Prix qualifying session. The subsequent upgrades - new diffuser, revised floor edges, new engine cover and beam wing - were meant to address this directly, and, in Stroll’s words, “make the car more predictable and easier to drive”. It would seem right now that this latest update has had the opposite effect.
‘Aston insists it's not lost’;
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/a...-stroll-krack/
Aston Martin not lost, Alonso not retiring
Amid a wild round of rumours this week, Fernando Alonso insists he is not yet ready to retire.
NOVEMBER 1, 2023
GrandPrix.com
“For now, no”, Fox Sports Mexico quotes the 42-year-old Spaniard as saying when asked if his long Formula 1 career might now be nearing its end. “I know I'm in the closing part of my career, but for now, I don't see it. I don't have a date to put an end to my career”, Alonso added.
“You may have the impression that we are lost”, team boss Mike Krack told DAZN. "But I think when you are lost, you don't pay attention to the data anymore which makes you try things that are unreasonable. And that's not the case”, he insisted.
“We want to compete and we don't like starting from the pitlane”, Krack said, "but it is very important that we understand the data. And the best way to understand what you're doing is to go back to something you already know to compare it.” Krack admitted that Aston Martin still don't know what specification of the 2023 car the team will field this weekend in Brazil.
‘Aston Martin not lost, Alonso not retiring’;
https://www.grandprix.com/news/aston...-retiring.html
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Brazilian GP storm threat as Lewis Hamilton involvement in Mercedes departure speculated – F1 news round-up.
Was Lewis Hamilton involved in Mike Elliott resignation? Might Brazilian GP storm spoil Mercedes’ last chance?
22:12 Wed, 01 Nov 2022.
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com
With Lewis Hamilton having previously indicated unhappiness with the direction of the Mercedes development and concept of the W13 and W14, Sky Sports journalist Craig Slater has suggested Hamilton’s influence might have played a part in Elliott’s decision-making. “The rearrangement at Mercedes over the last two years, not saying Lewis was negative in any way in 2022, but there was a kind sobriety and restraint about the way he would speak,” he said.
“And I sense now, he’s much more on the front foot again. I think he feels that yes, the building blocks and the right people are in place, in terms of where the car development is going. That little quote I made was almost, was that in reference to Mike Elliott, or the engineers who want to go a different way from the kind of Red Bull path that Mercedes has now adopted.”
Having won last year’s race in Brazil as Red Bull fumbled the ball, Mercedes’ best chance at pulling off a win in 2023 is likely this weekend’s event at Interlagos. In our preview for this weekend, Luke Murphy explores the likely favourites for what could be a chaotic weekend – what with it being (once again!) a Sprint race weekend, while the weather forecast is less than favourable…
‘Lewis Hamilton involvement in Mercedes departure speculated’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/brazil...-news-round-up
Toto Wolff points out Lewis Hamilton's big problem ahead of Brazilian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton has said he "can't wait" for the Brazilian Grand Prix after finishing second in Mexico last week, but Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has issued a warning about the car
16:05 Wed, 01 Nov 2023.
By Matthew Cooper Sports Writer
The Mirror
Mercedes chief Toto Wolff is hoping Lewis Hamilton and George Russell can "put on a good show" at this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix, but admitted their car is still "tricky to master". Wolff has warned both Hamilton and Russell they could experience some problems with the car in Brazil. "We came away from Mexico with our advantage over Ferrari in the fight for second in the Constructors' intact," he said.
"That is an important battle for us and one we are focused on winning. Leaving Mexico with a second-place finish, given the challenging start to the weekend and our grid positions, was positive. The car showed very good race pace however we know we've got more work to do to extract the maximum from the W14 across all three days.”
“Lewis put in a very strong performance to score a podium and George gave it absolutely everything, even when his tyres had gone off at the end. We've got one last race in this triple header and it's in Brazil. We know we've taken a good step forward in recent races, but Mexico showed W14 can still prove tricky to master.”
‘Toto Wolff has issued a warning about the car’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...cedes-31336846
Massa likely to skip visit to Brazilian GP amid F1 legal challenge
09:12 Wed, 01 Nov 2023.
AUTHORJonathan Noble
Motorsport.com
The Brazilian has brought in lawyers to evaluate court action over what he feels was a conspiracy that resulted in him losing the 2008 world championship to Lewis Hamilton. He believes that at the time, the FIA and FOM (Formula One Management) did not act properly on the knowledge they had about Nelson Piquet’s deliberate crash at the 2008 Singapore GP, which proved to have an influential outcome on the title.
With the Brazilian GP being so close to his home, and him being a local hero, it was thought that maybe he would make the effort to visit Interlagos. However, speaking to Motorsport.com, Massa has indicated that he is likely to avoid a trip to the F1 event – and he definitely has not been asked to fulfil any ambassadorial duties. Pushed on if he would go to the race off his own back, Massa said: “I believe I won't. I would [only] go to the races as an ambassador.”
But I 100% respect the [legal] situation that is happening at the moment, perhaps [to the point] of not going because of [all] that is happening.
“But there was no invitation and no conversation about my work as ambassador, so I don't think I should participate.” Massa has indicated several times that the aim of any legal action he plans is to overturn the outcome of the 2008 world championship.
‘Skip visit to Brazilian GP’;
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f...enge/10541056/
Why is Brazil's F1 race now called the Sao Paulo Grand Prix?
01 November 9:50AM
Author Jake Nichol
RacingNews365
The Brazilian Grand Prix is one of the most iconic races on the Formula 1 calendar. Between 2005 and 2009, it was the place where the World Championship was decided with Fernando Alonso (twice), Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button all leaving Interlagos with one more World Championship than when they arrived.
It is the place where Ayrton Senna famously drove to the win in 1991 while stuck in fifth gear in the rain, suffering cramps before hoisting the trophy aloft. But officially, the last Brazilian Grand Prix was in 2019 - won by Max Verstappen. The race was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, before returning under the Sao Paulo Grand Prix moniker in 2021.
The change in name is due to the new contract promoters agreed with F1 to keep the race at Interlagos until the end of 2025, staving off a threat from Rio de Janeiro. The name change reflects the increased involvement of the local authorities and also helps to promote the city worldwide.
‘Interlagos: Sao Paulo Grand Prix’;
https://racingnews365.com/why-is-bra...ulo-grand-prix
Perez labels Mexico result ‘devastating’ as he vows to bounce back in Brazil
01 November 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Sergio Perez has labelled his retirement from his home race at the Mexico City Grand Prix “devastating” – while vowing to fight back at this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
“Mexico was devastating for me,” said Perez. “But in this sport these things happen, and you can’t afford to keep going over what could have been. I wanted to win my home race more than anything but that is gone now and my full focus is on finishing second in the championship.”
“We need to have a great weekend in Brazil and I feel confident in our ability to get results right now. It felt like things were coming together last weekend with the direction we are taking.”
‘Bounce back in Brazil’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...ZV43bl9Pm.html
Ricciardo 'excited' for Brazil after Mexico confidence-booster
01/11/2023 at 18:11
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com
Daniel Ricciardo says he’ll head into his Brazilian Grand Prix weekend carrying the confidence he collected in Mexico City. Ricciardo’s standout performance also delivered to AlphaTauri its best result of 2023.
“Mexico was a great weekend from start to finish, and I was really happy,” he said in his team Brazilian Grand Prix preview. We had a good car and made the most of it. I stayed there for a couple of days after the race before coming down to São Paulo.”
Next weekend, Ricciardo will enjoy his fifth race with AlphaTauri, his third since his comeback in Austin which followed a two-month break to nurse his broken hand make to health.
'Excited for Brazil’;
https://f1i.com/news/492204-ricciard...e-booster.html
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Race guide for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Round 20 of the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship sees teams and drivers head to the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, home to the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
2nd November 2023, 11:53
By Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical
A true rollercoaster: The 4.309km Interlagos track presents a totally different set of requirements to those seen in Mexico a week ago. Finding the perfect set-up usually proves to be quite tricky as the slow- and medium-speed sections require higher levels of downforce while the high-speed parts including the long start-finish curvature present a desire for low drag. Following the extremely long main straight, drivers arrive to an exciting section where finding the right lines and good rhythm is of key importance.
This combination of three bends known as Senna-S comprise the only high-speed corners of the entire circuit. The rear stability is tested by the elongated Turn 3 which then leads onto the second-longest straight of the circuit. With braking into Turn 4, drivers commence their trip into the second sector of the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace. The next uphill, undulating, curved section is taken at full thottle before drivers slightly touch the brakes to find the maximum speed which they can take Turn 7 at.
The next three medium-speed bends build an undulating section where drivers have to rely on the mechanical and tyre grip. Presenting the last corner of Sector Two, Turn 11 tests the rear stability of the cars. Arriving to Turn 12, drivers keep their focus on the very best acceleration as the upcoming uphill curved section that leads into the main straight is taken at full throttle.
‘ Sao Paulo-born Ayrton Senna’s success prompted the owners of the Interlagos circuit to revamp the track, the Grand Prix returned to Sao Paulo in 1990 where it has remained since’;
https://www.f1technical.net/news/24272
What to expect from the 2023 F1 Brazilian Grand Prix
02 November 11:50AM
Author Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365
Sprint season finale: The sprint format has split opinions ever since it made its Formula 1 debut in 2021, with the number of weekends doubling to six for the current campaign. Sao Paulo will host the final sprint event of the season this weekend, with just one practice session in play before the drivers jump into qualifying.
Few will forget last year’s dramatic qualifying session in Brazil that saw Kevin Magnussen take a shock pole position for Haas. True, the weather on the day helped the Dane secure the top spot at the end of the session - but the forecast currently suggests that qualifying this time around could be wet once again and offer similar opportunities.
‘What to expect’;
https://racingnews365.com/what-to-ex...ian-grand-prix
Mercedes cautious over Brazilian GP prospects despite 2022 win
2nd November 2023, 10:13
Hamilton Lyndon-Griffiths
Read Motorsport
Mercedes says it is not taking its prospects for this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix for granted despite being tipped to repeat its victory from last year. Last year’s triumph at Interlagos remains Mercedes’ last victory in Formula 1 as the Brackley-based outfit is still chasing its first win of 2023.
Asked if the 2023 Mercedes could increase the team’s chances of an even more competitive showing in Brazil than last year, team boss Toto Wolff, as quoted by Motorsport.com said: “To be honest I don’t know. I think we can see with all teams that there is a certain degree of correlation of last year’s performance and this year.”
“But there is not enough data to make that solid assumption, so I don’t know. Both feet on the ground and let’s see where we are at Interlagos.” Mercedes scored a second place finish in Mexico last weekend that made amends for Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification from a podium finish at the US Grand Prix the week before.
‘Mercedes cautious’;
https://readmotorsport.com/2023/11/0...pite-2022-win/
Lewis Hamilton goes double-leather in a bright green Ayrton Senna tribute outfit to honour the Formula One icon at his home Grand Prix in Brazil
Published: 13:26, 2 November 2023
By Luke Power For Mailonline
Mail Online
Lewis Hamilton wore a bright green double-leather outfit in tribute to childhood hero Ayrton Senna as he arrived at the track ahead of the Brazilian GP this weekend. The Mercedes driver wore a green and black jacket and also had a Brazil flag on his pants in tribute to the legendary driver who inspired him as a kid. On the back of his jacket, Hamilton had a visualisation of Senna wearing a helmet with his name in italics underneath.
Twenty-five years after his death, Hamilton said: 'I grew up watching videos of him. He's the most iconic driver we've had. He was the most iconic individual, a real leader and a master of his craft.'
‘Ayrton Senna tribute outfit’;
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...ix-Brazil.html
CONTEST BRAZILIAN GP: WIN A BY MAX VERSTAPPEN SIGNED RBR DRIVER CAP 2023!
Published on 02 November 2023
by Niels Hendrix
Verstappen.nl
Every Grand Prix during the 2023 Formula 1 season, you can win great prizes in our contest. Hit the button below to participate.
For the Brazilian GP competition, you can win a by Max Verstappen signed Red Bull Racing Driver Cap 2023! Check out all official and exclusive Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing merchandise on Verstappen.com.
‘WIN A BY MAX VERSTAPPEN SIGNED RBR DRIVER CAP 2023’;
https://news.verstappen.com/en/article/5305/
Would Max Verstappen repeat controversial 2022 Brazilian GP moment with Sergio Perez?
Max Verstappen caused a Red Bull scandal after snubbing Sergio Perez at Interlagos
November 2, 2023
By Adam Dickinson
Total Motorsport
Max Verstappen refused to answer whether he’d move aside to help Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez at the 2023 Brazilian Grand Prix, with the Mexican still locked in a battle with Mercedes‘ Lewis Hamilton for second-place in the Formula 1 drivers’ championship.
Verstappen controversially refused to help Perez in a similar situation 12 months ago at Interlagos, then exploded into an expletive-driven rant against the press when questioned about why he didn’t move aside for sixth place.
Ultimately it wouldn’t have impacted the final championship, but Verstappen dodged committing to an answer when asked if he’d act differently in 2023. “Good question, I think at the end of the day, I think that it shouldn’t always matter on me to get the points,” Verstappen told the media. “But I’m confident in Checo that he can stay ahead because I do think that we have the faster car on average.”
‘Controversial 2022 Brazilian GP moment’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...-sergio-perez/
Perez ‘looking forward’ for final three races as Hamilton ready to take fight to Red Bull in Sao Paulo
02 November 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Sergio Perez is feeling optimistic for the Sao Paolo Grand Prix weekend after vowing to put his early exit last time out in Mexico behind him, while Lewis Hamilton – his increasingly close rival for P2 in the drivers’ standings – has warned that he’s ready to capitalise should Red Bull not be on their A game in Brazil.
There was heartbreak for Perez in front of his home fans at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez when his attempt to battle for the lead into Turn 1 on the opening lap backfired. The RB19 made contact with Charles Leclerc after attempting to pass the Ferrari on the outside, resulting in Perez being launched into the air and off the track.
One week prior to his DNF in the Mexico City Grand Prix, Perez progressed from ninth on the grid in Austin to end the race in P4, a result that seems to have given him hope for what he can achieve in Brazil, the final event of a triple-header. “I think the last two races have been really positive, we haven’t managed to really put it together,” Perez added. “I think we definitely have made a lot of progress and I’m optimistic for this weekend that we’ll finally get to show the pace that we have.”
‘Optimistic’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...tP5ZrifBl.html
