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Aston Martin assess their chances of hunting down Red Bull this season.
Thrice on the podium with a hat-trick of P3s for Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin have emerged as Red Bull’s closest rival not only on the track but in the standings.
24 Apr 2023 11:30 AM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com
With Red Bull’s advantage on the track all but guaranteeing them a 1-2 result barring complications, such as Sergio Perez’s pit lane start in Australia, Krack acknowledges that making up points isn’t easy with Red Bull on track to grab the majority. As such he’s appreciating the fact Aston Martin have made a flying start to their season to eke out a nine-point advantage over Mercedes, 39 up on Ferrari.
“In a cost cap environment, with such intensity of racing, you have to start with a good car, because to play catch-up along the year – and if you are down on points, as we have seen last year – it’s quite impossible, because there was not much to score,” he said as per The Race.
“Even if you had the fourth-fastest car last year, you were just not scoring enough to make up for any gaps. So we have managed last year to develop the car substantially. Now we start obviously from a higher baseline. So it will be not as easy as it was last year. But we have to make progress to stay where we are because if you don’t do anything, we will go back.”
‘Chances of hunting down Red Bull’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/aston-...elopment-race/
‘We need to learn and grow off track’ says Aston’s Alonso as he expects development race to heat up
25 April 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Fernando Alonso says Aston Martin must adopt a “humble” approach despite their strong start to the season, with the Spaniard expecting the order to change “a little bit” over the next few races as teams begin to bring major upgrade packages. Speaking after the Australian Grand Prix, Alonso said:
“I think Mercedes, they've also been strong in Jeddah, to be honest. I was within one tenth of George [Russell], fighting to get this extra five seconds or whatever at the end, so it was very, very close. It seems that qualifying is quite important now, because race pace is very similar, and I think now we enter into a part of the season that is going to be very interesting - which team is developing the car faster?”
“I think the first three races being away from Europe, it’s difficult to bring upgrades and things like that. But from now on, maybe we see the level of the teams changing a little bit, race-by-race, depending on who brings an upgrade that is good enough.”
‘Aston Martin must adopt a “humble” approach’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...K1RQdPUo6.html
The day Alonso gave Schumacher an F1 masterclass
20:24 Mon, 24 Apr 2023.
By: Adam Cooper
Motorsport.com
On April 24th 2005 upstart Fernando Alonso and seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher went head-to-head in the San Marino GP – and the youngster just came out on top after a brilliantly judged drive.
It was the first time that the two had fought so closely for a race victory all the way to the chequered flag, and Alonso’s superb win appeared to signal a changing of the guard. We didn’t know it at the time but Imola was to be a rare high for a Ferrari team strangled by that year’s tyre regulations – Alonso’s main title opposition was to come from McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen, who should have won the San Marino event.
The Renault driver’s tyres didn’t have the required pace in them, but he judged it brilliantly, never leaving the door open, with superior traction in slow corners giving him a useful boost. Even the wily Schumacher couldn’t find a way by, and Alonso just made it home in front – by only 0.2s. “It was good!,” said Symonds of his man. “That’s what race craft is all about, isn’t it? Everyone says there should be more overtaking in F1, but today I was pleased there wasn’t!”
‘Race Craft’;
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/a...recap/4784072/
Alonso: Aston Martin one year ahead of schedule to become F1 contender
14:18 Mon, 24 Apr 2023.
By: Filip Cleeren
Motorsport.com
Fernando Alonso says his Aston Martin team's shock improvement in the 2023 Formula 1 season means it is now one year ahead of schedule in its bid to become a world championship contender. According to Alonso, his new outfit's breakthrough over the winter has shortened its planned trajectory to the top by a year.
"I was hoping 2023 to be a learning season and in 2024 maybe to be challenging Ferrari and Mercedes and things like that," said Alonso. "But we challenged them in Bahrain in race one so obviously now everything looks more optimistic."
Alonso cautioned that the true test of Aston's progress will follow once rival teams start bringing sizeable upgrades and the team's in-season development rate will be put to the test, a process which will begin in Azerbaijan.
‘One year ahead of schedule’;
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/-...nder/10459920/
The rare Fernando Alonso skill that sets him apart from everyone else
24 Apr 2023 1:00 PM
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com
Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has showered praise on Fernando Alonso following his strong start to the 2023 Formula 1 season, claiming his unique ability to manage a race from the cockpit means he doesn’t need a race strategist.
Alonso has long been regarded as one of the most complete drivers on the grid, with Steiner identifying the Spaniard’s rare ability to think through a race as his greatest strength. He (Guenther Steiner) told talkSPORT: “Everybody who watches Formula 1 knows Fernando is a driver who has got skills none of the other drivers have got.”
“In my opinion, he doesn’t need a strategist or anything. He can manage his race from inside the car. He’s so good [at that] and he’s very talented driving as well. That’s where he’s so strong.”
‘EL PLAN: Doesn’t need a strategist’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/guenth...so-rare-skill/
Alonso has another six years in him, says Fittipaldi
RaceFans Round-up
Posted on 24th April 2023, 0:0123rd April 2023, 23:05
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans
Fernando Alonso can continue to race competitively for at least another six years, his fellow two-times world champion Emerson Fittipaldi believes. The Aston Martin driver, who has finished third in every race so far this year, will turn 42 in July. Fittipaldi, who raced well into his forties in America’s CART IndyCar series after retiring from F1, believes Alonso can replicate what he did.
“I won my last race in the United States at the age of 47 and Alonso can reach that age at a high level,” Fittipaldi told AS. “He is physically very well and is hungry for victory.”
Despite Red Bull’s dominant start to the season, Fittipaldi said Alonso will be “one of the favorites” to win in Monaco next month, due to the unusually tight nature of the circuit. “The [Red Bull drivers] will also go very strong in Monaco but it is obvious that Fernando will have his options,” said Fittipaldi. “He can win if he is lucky.”
‘Another six years’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/04/24/...nd-up-24-04-6/
KRACK FEELS ‘NERVOUS’ ABOUT BAKU SPRINT FORMAT
Will the street circuit make the weekend difficult for some teams?
April 24, 2023
Lena Ferle
FormulaNerds
The Sprint weekend format in Baku will bring the first Sprint on a street circuit. Street circuits are always rather critical regarding car damage – Aston Martin team boss Mike Krack is “nervous”. After a few weeks’ break, Formula 1 returns. Azerbaijan will host the first of six Sprint format weekends.
The Baku City Circuit itself is an exciting but also dangerous race track. The roads are narrow, and the walls are close. It is not uncommon for accidents to happen here with severe damage to the car. When you put this in the context of the budget cap and the time needed to repair cars, the race weekend in Baku becomes an extraordinary challenge.
According to racingnews365, Krack explains: “Straight after the Sprint, you have the covers on and then in the morning, you have only three or four hours to repair your car if it’s heavily damaged. So there is a high risk with that exercise. But again, it’s the same for everybody and Baku is it is not so difficult to overtake [on]. If you take high risk in the corners and then there is a higher risk, but I think I think it will be a good show over the weekend.”
‘NERVOUS’
https://www.formulanerds.com/news/kr.../?nowprocket=1
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How the four-week break could end up hurting Red Bull.
Runaway F1 2023 leaders Red Bull could find their sizeable advantage eaten into as the sport finally returns to track action in Baku this weekend.
25 Apr 2023 5:00 PM
Mark Scott
PlanetF1.com.
Mercedes were one team who made that very clear. “We need to consolidate our understanding and hopefully over the next few races we can make another step,” Wolff said. “It’s also important to keep on track and not oscillate too much between exuberance and depression; to stay rational and believe in our trajectory, believe in the capability of the team.”
“There will be setbacks but there will also be upgrades and plenty of work that will help us get closer to the front. The machine is continuing to run in Brixworth and Brackley at a fast pace. What you see on track is only the tip of the iceberg, but the performance of the car and power unit is made in these two factories. We will consistently be bringing upgrades to the car over the next few races, which is something to look forward to.”
‘Sizeable advantage eaten’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/red-bu...-break-hamper/
Can ‘King of Baku’ Sergio Perez take the fight to Max Verstappen? F1 Azerbaijan GP talking points
24 Apr 2023
Lewis Larkam
Crash.Net
Two victories and a second place finish in the opening three races, combined with a challenging Australian Grand Prix weekend for teammate Sergio Perez, has seen Verstappen open up a 15-point lead in the championship.
It may be early days, but many have already written off Perez’s title chances given Verstappen’s purple streak of form and the Mexican’s torrid weekend last time out in Melbourne. Perez will be looking to kickstart his world championship ambitions this weekend in Baku, a circuit he holds an impressive record at.
Perez has more podium finishes than any other driver in Azerbaijan, having stood on the podium four times in six races, including taking his first victory for Red Bull in 2021.
‘Many have already written off Perez’s title chances’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/feature/102...ght-verstappen
Marko plays down latest Red Bull rumours
25th April 2023, 07:42
Grandpx.news
Dr Helmut Marko has played down the latest wild rumours about Red Bull's involvement in Formula 1. Although the premier team Red Bull Racing is dominating the sport at present, Marko is said to be an odds with the successor of his friend and the energy drink company's late co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz.
Rumours suggest Marko and new Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff, 47, do not get along, which could lead to 79-year-old Marko quitting his prominent role. And yet another rumour is that due to the poor on-track and financial performance of the second team Alpha Tauri, its boss Franz Tost could be ousted.
"I can only say that I will be with Red Bull in Salzburg on Wednesday," Marko told the Swiss newspaper Blick. "And those topics are not on the agenda there." However, the rumours are persistent, and even involve suggestions that recently-retired four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel could succeed either Marko or Tost.
‘Those topics are not on the agenda’;
https://grandpx.news/marko-plays-dow...-bull-rumours/
The RIDICULOUS F1 records Max Verstappen could break before 2023 ends
Tuesday 25 April 2023 18:57
Daniel Austin
GPFans
Four weeks. That’s how long a break the Formula 1 pack has had to improve their cars as they desperately try to catch up to Red Bull and Max Verstappen. Such is the Milton Keynes-based outfit’s dominance, though, that it would take a frankly inexplicable breakthrough from one of their rivals between the last race in Australia and the next in Azerbaijan this weekend for the status quo of the 2023 campaign to shift to any meaningful degree.
So far this year Verstappen and team-mate Sergio Perez have been in a class of their own, piloting machinery which is simply uncontestably fast in a straight line, and which displays a balletic poise through the corners that allows it to scamper away into the distance seemingly at will.
‘RIDICULOUS F1 records’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...red-bull-baku/
Stealing sponsors: Christian Horner sets record straight on Red Bull’s rivals
25 Apr 2023 12:15 PM
Mark Scott
PlanetF1.com
Speaking with The i back in March, Horner said that only added to the perception that Red Bull are the ‘villain’ of Formula 1 and led to an unnamed team trying to cause further disruption within the Red Bull camp. “If we had a British driver like a certain team in Brackley…we are too easily seen as the bad guys,” he told The i.
“It tainted us [the budget cap breach]. These things get used by your rivals. We had one of them contacting our sponsors and partners making suggestions that we would be bringing their brands into disrepute. That was just underhand. My wife has always said to me a pat on the back is only six inches from a kick up the arse. This is like the Kardashians on wheels. As long as you are comfortable with the decisions you are taking. That’s how I live my life.”
“It wasn’t about stealing sponsors,” Horner is quoted as having told Sky Deutschland by grandpx.news. “The intention was to suggest to the sponsors that their partnership could bring the brands into disrepute. An attempt was also made to try and get Horner to confirm which team tried to cause some level of disruption with Red Bull’s sponsors, but he would only deliver a classic response. I’ll leave that entirely to your imagination,” he said.
‘Could bring the brands into disrepute’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/christ...ling-sponsors/
Perez: Red Bull in 'very unique position' to have Ricciardo.
24 April 2023, 12:05PM
Author Anna Francis
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365
Daniel Ricciardo's influence on Red Bull following his return to the squad as a reserve driver has been praised by team boss Christian Horner. Sergio Perez has also given his take on the impact of having the Australian around.
Sergio Perez believes that Red Bull are in a "very unique position" following Daniel Ricciardo's return. Perez on Ricciardo's return, "He's, first of all, someone very positive, someone great to have around," Perez told media, including RacingNews365.com, over the Australian Grand Prix weekend.
"He never stops smiling. I think it's great for the team. "We are in a very unique position, to have Daniel around with the amount of experience he has. He's been doing a very good job for us." Alongside acting as a reserve driver, Ricciardo's role also involves simulator work and commercial activities.
'Very unique position';
https://racingnews365.com/perez-red-...have-ricciardo
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F1 confirms new standalone sprint race format including half-hour ‘Sprint Shootout’.
The FIA World Motor Sport Council has authorised the changes ahead of this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix following a vote held at an F1 Commission meeting earlier today.
25th April 2023, 16:3225th April 2023, 17:38
Written by Will Wood and Claire Cottingham
RaceFans
Revised 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix schedule
Session timings and key rules differences between each:
Friday
First practice – 60 minutes
Grand prix qualifying – Q1: 18 minutes; Q2: 15 minutes, Q3: 12 minutes
Saturday
Sprint race qualifying (‘Sprint shootout’) – Q1: 12 minutes; Q2: 10 minutes, Q3: 8 minutes
Sprint race, 17 laps – Pays 8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 points to the top eight finishers. Drivers may use DRS on lap after standing start or Safety Car start
Sunday
Grand prix, 51 laps – Pays 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 points to the top 10 finishers, plus a bonus point for fastest lap if the driver who sets it finishes in the top 10. Drivers may use DRS on second lap after standing start or Safety Car start
This article will be updated.
‘FIA World Motor Sport Council has authorised the changes’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/04/25/...rint-shootout/
New F1 ‘sprint shootout’ approved by teams for Azerbaijan Grand Prix
16:44 Tue, 25 Apr 2023.
The Independent
There was an unanimous agreement to increase the number of sprint events amongst F1 teams at a meeting of the F1 commission meeting last year, following discussions with the FIA and a vote amongst the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC).
As it was last year, the F1 sprint is a 100km race with no mandatory pit stops and drivers racing flat-out to the chequered flag. As it was in the 2022 season, the top eight drivers score points, with the driver who finishes P1 receiving eight points.
‘New F1 ‘sprint shootout’;
https://www.independent.co.uk/f1/f1-...-b2326415.html
Will F1’s ‘two-day grand prix’ format enliven its underwhelming sprint races?
2023 F1 season
Posted on 25th April 2023, 18:3025th April 2023, 20:55
Written by Keith Collantine
Let’s start with the good news. Formula 1 has expunged one of the worst features of the sprint races it introduced two years ago.
Following a meeting of the teams today, with the first of this year’s six sprint races just four days away, F1 has announced further changes to its rules with a separate ‘Sprint Shootout’ qualifying session being introduced. This will decide the starting order for the sprint race, while the grand prix grid is unaffected and set by a qualifying session held on Friday.
This corrects the flaw in the format which was demonstrated most clearly by the last sprint round, the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix. On that occasion Haas’s Kevin Magnussen mastered changing conditions in qualifying to perfection, defeating drivers from a string of better-funded teams with faster cars to be fastest in Q3.
‘Two-day grand prix’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/04/25/...-sprint-races/
Azerbaijan Grand Prix: 5 great battles from the F1 archive.
25 Apr 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
Delve into the F1 archive to take a look at some of the greatest battles in Azerbaijan.
‘5 great battles’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...815534541.html
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix weather forecast
Tuesday 25 April 2023 13:27
Sam Hall
GPFans
The F1 season resumes with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend as Red Bull looks to extend its dominant start to the campaign.
Max Verstappen leads the standings with two wins from three races and is trailed by team-mate Sergio Perez, who is the only other driver to stand on the top step of the podium this year.
The weekend will feature the Sprint format for the first time season, with a vote taking place on Tuesday to confirm whether a new iteration of this will be run. Before the exact schedule is confirmed, here is the weather for the coming weekend in Baku.
‘Grand Prix weather forecast’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ther-forecast/
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Toto Wolff delivers a word of warning ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
“We’ve had a few weeks off from racing but both factories have been hard at work,” Wolff said in his latest Mercedes preview.
26 Apr 2023 2:00 PM
Mark Scott
PlanetF1.com
“We’ve tried to maximise this period, bringing planned development to the car and extracting as much as possible from our learnings so far. Australia showed that we are making progress, although we need to be cautious about reading too much into a single result.”
“But the signs in Melbourne were still encouraging and that has been a good motivator for the whole team heading into this gap in the calendar. Over the next races, we want to keep on making small steps forward.”
“The car will continue to evolve in the coming weeks, as we steadily bring performance and upgrades to the track. We’re excited to see their impact, but we know there is no magic bullet.”
‘Maximise’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/toto-w...-prix-warning/
Mercedes have ‘plenty of firepower’ as they confirm Azerbaijan GP upgrades
James Allison has returned to the technical officer position at Mercedes after vacating the role two years ago.
26 April 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News
Mercedes’ returning technical officer James Allison has confirmed that the Silver Arrows will have upgrades for this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a circuit which left the team with nightmares 12 months ago. This weekend will mark Allison’s first weekend back as the team’s technical officer, after himself and Mike Elliott switched positions.
“It’s reliable, that’s a definite strength,” Allison told the F1 Nation podcast, when asked about the W14’s characteristics. “It’s got very good pair of punters peddling it around. It’s better than most of the grid out there. But until it’s the quickest one, it will always feel like a weak car to all of us.”
“It’s adequately kind to its tyres, but not as good as some of the cars that we’ve made in the past. It’s got more downforce than most of the cars on the grid, but not sufficient. Its handling characteristics leave a little to be desired, and need to be worked on for sure. But none of this stuff is revelatory. We’ve been talking about it most weekends. And it’s part of what this team needs to address to get winning material back in our hands.”
‘Good pair of punters peddling it around’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/mercedes-...n-gp-upgrades/
Five key questions ahead of the 2023 Azerbaijan GP
26th April 2023, 13:09
by Fergal Walsh
Motorsport Week
Formula 1’s April break is coming to an end, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from Baku taking place this weekend. But what are the key questions and main talking points ahead of this year’s event? How will the new format play out? F1 is once again shaking up the weekend format for the upcoming event, with the sprint schedule going through further changes.
Will McLaren make a leap forward? McLaren missed development targets with its 2023 car and as a result, started the campaign off the pace of where it was hoping to be. Can anyone stop Red Bull? Red Bull appears unstoppable at the moment. Although it has faced gremlins in the opening rounds, it has overcome them through the sheer pace of the RB19 which has delivered a trio of wins to start the 2023 campaign.
Will Ferrari turn around its fortunes? Ferrari was hopeful that its return to the top step of the podium in 2022 would further translate to a serious championship push the following year. Will Alonso’s hot streak continue? Fernando Alonso’s move to Aston Martin was heavily questioned when it was confirmed last year that he would be departing Alpine, but now, it is shaping up to be one of his smartest career decisions.
‘Five key questions’;
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...azerbaijan-gp/
IT’S RACE WEEK: 5 storylines we’re excited about ahead of the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
25 April 2023
Chris Medland
Special Contributor
Formula One - Official Site
The unusual early-season break is finally over and we’re back to racing this weekend, but not just any racing as the first Sprint event of the season is upon us. So here are a few of the talking points likely to be doing the rounds when the paddock reconvenes in Baku. A new Sprint format: It might seem a little strange for confirmation to come just before the race weekend kicks off, but an exciting new Sprint format has officially been ratified by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council following discussions over the past few weeks.
The development race: There might not have been any racing taking place since the long trip to Melbourne, but that doesn’t mean teams haven’t been hard at work back at their factories. Unlike in the summer break, there’s no mandatory shutdown at this time of year, allowing the usual R&D to take place within the engineering teams. Penalty protests: Speaking of Ferrari, they were one of the few teams to create headlines during the recent break from racing, as Team Principal Fred Vasseur confirmed they had submitted a petition for a right of review into the penalty given to Carlos Sainz in Australia.
The season building momentum: Have I mentioned it has been nearly four weeks since we last went racing?! It just feels so strange to have such a big break at this stage, doesn’t it? Guenther Steiner’s diary: Aside from Ferrari, another very busy team have been Haas, or more specifically their Team Principal, Guenther Steiner. The Haas team boss will no doubt face plenty of questions about some of the revelations within the book once he’s in the paddock in Baku, and it will also be interesting to see if any of his competitors have had a read as well…
‘5 storylines we’re excited about’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...RjXHATZMJ.html
‘More eyeballs, more money’: Formula 1 community reacts to sprint weekend changes
April 26th, 2023 12:26 pm
Staff Writers from Fox Sports
Fox Sports (Australia)
The introduction of a second qualifying session to sprint rounds has divided opinion within the Formula 1 community ahead of this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and one driver will be particularly peeved by the changes. On Tuesday, the FIA announced a new format for sprint weekends, in which Saturday is now effectively a stand-alone event with no bearing on Sunday’s race.
Saturday practice has been removed from the schedule and replaced by the “sprint shootout”, which sets the grid for the sprint race later that day. Qualifying on Friday evening will set the grid for Sunday’s grand prix, and the fastest driver in qualifying will be declared the weekend’s pole winner for the official record.
Both Friday qualifying and the sprint shootout will use the familiar Q1-Q2-Q3 format, but the shootout will run on a tighter schedule, giving drivers less time to record their lap times. Subsequently, teams will have just one hour on Friday afternoon, when the track is at its dirtiest and least representative, to lock-in car set-up and evaluate any upgrades.
‘More eyeballs, more money’;
https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...350c929a7828ba
Riding momentum, Kannapolis-based Haas F1 Team preps for Azerbaijan Grand Prix
26th April 2026, 11:36
By David Whisenant
WBTV
The Kannapolis-based MoneyGram Haas F1 Team enters the event in seventh position in Formula 1′s Constructors’ Championship, on seven points, buoyed by successive points finishes in the previous grands prix in Saudi Arabia and Australia. Kevin Magnussen collected 10th place around the streets of Jeddah prior to Nico Hulkenberg scoring seventh position in Albert Park, capturing MoneyGram Haas F1 Team’s best result since July 2022.
Guenther Steiner – Team Principal: “With the unintended break, we tried to make the best out of it. Firstly, I told people to rest a little bit and get ready for a tough season in front of us as, the real season starts now with the double-header and then the triple-header. The design team is working on the last little bits for upgrades that we bring in the next races, starting in Miami. We also put a few things in place like the race team going to a team bonding event for two days in Wales.”
Guenther Steiner – Team Principal: “I definitely prefer the new set-up because Saturday morning practice is pretty pointless as you couldn’t change anything on the car, you just went out there, did laps and tried to understand the tires – I don’t think that’s very interesting for the fans. A second qualifying is a lot better for the fans and also for us as it gives you excitement. We’ve got a lot of things going on at the weekend, two qualifying sessions and two races, and I think that’s great for the sport.”
‘Riding momentum’;
https://www.wbtv.com/2023/04/26/ridi...an-grand-prix/
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El Crashico, New Sprint, Upgrades - 2023 Azerbaijan GP Preview.
Will the 2 x Qualifying and 2 x Race sessions mean more chaos around the streets of Baku?
Published Apr 26, 2023 10:53 PM
Inside Line F1 Podcast (Weblog)
'Land of Fire', 'City of Winds' and the 'Home of the Street Fighters', all tags for Azerbaijan, Baku and the Baku City Circuit respectively are geared towards one goal - entertainment!
After a near four week gap, the questions remain the same - will anyone catch Red Bull Racing? Can Sergio Perez really challenge Max Verstappen? Will all teams bring upgrades? Will Ferrari fire (not literally!)? And is Fernando Alonso REALLY dating Taylor Swift!?
In this banter-filled episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil and Kunal preview the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. @f1statsguru aka Sundaram shares his stats preview. We're in for a mad weekend...tune in!
‘El Crashico’;
https://omny.fm/shows/inside-line-f1...-azerbaijan-gp
Five talking points at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Formula One returns this weekend after a one month break. AFP Sport takes a look at five talking points ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Issued on: 27/04/2023
France 24
Red Bull winging it: Three races, three poles, three wins, two 1-2s, two fastest laps - Red Bull arrive in Azerbaijan on a magical roll. Double world champion Max Verstappen kept his cool in Melbourne to fend off Lewis Hamilton and steer clear of the triple red-flag drama, while Sergio Perez sliced through the field from last to claim fifth, and the fastest lap, in the latest display of the Red Bulls' speed supremacy over the rest of the grid.
Mercedes revival? Toto Wolff and his Mercedes men left the Australian Grand Prix with an unexpected spring in their step. Sprint time: Baku stages the first of 2023's six sprint races. Verstappen has the best sprint record, winning three of the six held since they were introduced in 2021.
Tough times at Ferrari: New Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur reckons there are "tonnes of room for improvement on the car" - Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will certainly be hoping that's the case. Baku roulette: Baku boasts the longest straight in F1, the 2.2 kilometre Neftchilar Avenue alongside the Caspian Sea where cars break from speeds of 350kmh into the 90 degree turn one, the circuit then snaking its way through the sinuous medieval city gate section where even the slightest of mistakes can spell disaster.
‘Five talking points’;
https://www.france24.com/en/live-new...jan-grand-prix
Alonso 'excited' to try out Sprint format tweaks as he looks to maintain 2023 podium streak in Baku
26 April 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Fernando Alonso has declared his excitement ahead of the first Sprint of the 2023 campaign, as his Aston Martin team hope to continue their strong start to the season at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Alonso said: "It's good to be back after a few weeks away from racing. I have recharged the batteries after a high adrenaline start to the season, and I am now looking forward to Baku. The circuit presents us drivers with a unique challenge, as we face lots of tight slow-speed street sections and then extremely high-speed straights that create lots of opportunities for risk and reward.”
"I'm excited to see the return of the Sprint this weekend too. We've seen some fun races in the past there and I'm sure it'll be no different, especially now with two qualifying sessions and two races. After three races we know our car better, but we need to pick-up where we left off in Australia and keep up the development push over the next few races."
‘Good to be back’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...zruF60zN6.html
Verstappen makes crucial point for Baku Sprint weekend
26 April 8:35PM
RacingNews365
The first Sprint race weekend of the year will take place in Azerbaijan, with a slightly different format to what has been used previously. Max Verstappen expects it to be a challenge for drivers, as he heads into the event leading the championship.
"Baku is a challenging track to get right. As it’s a street circuit with long straights, it gives us multiple options on what wings we can run," said Verstappen.
"It’s also the first Sprint race weekend of the season so that might make it slightly chaotic." He added: "We just need to try and get a good start into the weekend with a solid FP1 session. Let’s see what we can do."
‘Crucial point’;
https://racingnews365.com/verstappen...ightly-chaotic
Esteban Ocon anticipates Sprint weekend in Baku: “We’ll have to be on the pace straight away”
April 27, 2023
By Ashley Cline
The Checkered Flag
BWT Alpine F1 Team’s Esteban Ocon: “It was good to have a little break after the Australian Grand Prix to properly debrief after the race and analyse the weekend as a whole. Obviously, it did not end well for us but there were many positives to take from the weekend, and we are fully focused on bouncing back strongly in Baku.”
“As a team we’ve already been looking forward to Baku for a while now so we’re all glad this new race week is finally here. An upgrade is planned for this race too, it’s a slightly new format with the Sprint, so that means we’ll have to be on the pace straight away. We need a positive weekend and aim to leave Baku with deserved points for the team.”
“Looking forward to Baku”;
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...straight-away/
Oscar Piastri issues warning ahead of 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
27 April 2023
by Edward Hardy
Formula1News
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri has had a challenging start to his Formula 1 calendar, having suffered a DNF and pointless finish in the opening two races. This new format will give the three rookie drivers on the grid, including Piastri, only one practice session around the difficult track before jumping into a race.
“I think it definitely doesn’t make my life any easier, not having more practice sessions,” Piastri said. “But you know, it’s the same for everyone in terms of track time, so that’s not a concern.”
“The way it is at the moment – not that I’ve done one – but it kind of just looks like there are two races that are more or less the same. Obviously, no one wants to take too much risk in the sprint race with the way it is at the moment.”
‘Definitely doesn’t make my life any easier’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/oscar-pia...an-grand-prix/
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F1 Baku 2023: Formula 1’s biggest talking points ahead of historically chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
It’s finally here! After four exceptionally long weeks without Formula 1, it’s time to prepare for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as the twenty drivers head to Baku for the first street race of the 2023 season.
Published 27th Apr 2023, 15:42 BST
By Susanna Sealy
National World
Last time out (which feels like a lifetime ago now) we saw one of the most chaotic races take place in Melbourne. We had a record number of red flags (three), eight DNFs as well as a catatonic Carlos Sainz who was handed a five second penalty for contact with Fernando Alonso and the Ferrari driver was pushed down to 12th place.
Not only will this weekend be the first street circuit of the year, but it will also be the first Sprint race of the 2023 season. F1 will also welcome the new rules for the sprint race which will see this element of the race weekend act independently from Sunday’s race.
However, from a fan’s perspective, sprint weekends add extra excitement and make the Saturday driving sessions just that much more compelling. Of course, there are still only a maximum of eight points up for grabs so it may well be that no driver is willing to risk a potential crash or upset to the car for just eight points.
‘It’s finally here!’;
https://www.nationalworld.com/sport/...d-prix-4122039
5 key talking points to watch for at the Azerbaijan GP
27th April 2023, 13:45
By George Dagless
Give Me Sport
There's lots to look out for this weekend, meanwhile, and here are five talking points to keep your eye on over the course of the coming days... How will the new Sprint format be received? F1 has confirmed the changes that are set to come in for Sprint weekends, with the first of the season being held this weekend in Baku.
Can Sergio Perez ace Azerbaijan again? Red Bull driver Perez has had a great run of form here in Baku over the years with several podium finishes and a win under his belt. How will Alpine's upgrades fare? Alpine are hopeful that their upgrades coming to Baku are going to help them close the gap to the fastest four teams.
Where will Mercedes be? Mercedes are working hard on their revamped car and, after they earned second place in Melbourne last time out with Lewis Hamilton, they'll be aiming to try and consolidate. Will Baku throw up more surprises? Over the years we've seen team-mates crashing, blowouts costing wins, cars clashing behind the Safety Car and plenty of thrills and spills around the streets of Baku.
‘5 key talking points’;
https://www.givemesport.com/5-key-ta...azerbaijan-gp/
NEED TO KNOW: The most important facts, stats and trivia ahead of the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
27 April 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Vital statistics
• First Grand Prix – 2017 (2016 as the European Grand Prix)
• Track Length – 6.003km
• Lap record – 1m 43.009s, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 2019
• Most pole positions – Charles Leclerc (2)
• Most wins – Daniel Ricciardo, Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, Max Verstappen (1)
• Trivia – At its narrowest point (the Turn 8/9 ‘Old Town’ complex), the circuit is just 7.6 metres wide
• Pole run to Turn 1 braking point – 141 metres (shortest on the calendar)
• Overtakes completed in 2022 – 40
• Safety Car probability – 50%
• Virtual Safety Car probability – 33%
• Pit stop time loss – 20.40 seconds (including 2.5s stationary)
‘Vital statistics’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...LrLxCQ5Mm.html
What tyres will the teams and drivers have for the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
27 April 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Pirelli have announced which tyres they will be bringing to this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix – the first Sprint weekend of the season.
F1’s official tyre suppliers have chosen to bring the three softest tyres in their range, with the teams being able to call upon the C3 (hard tyre), C4 (medium tyre), and the C5 (soft tyre), with Pirelli expecting the three softest compound tyres in their range to suit the characteristics of the Baku City Circuit.
However, due to the revised Sprint format, there will be a change in the number of sets of tyres given to the teams. While Pirelli will once again bring two sets of the hard tyre, they will also nominate four sets of the mediums, and just six sets of the softs. The amount of medium compound tyres will be increased because of Saturday’s Sprint shootout, which will require the teams to run the mediums in both SQ1 and SQ2, with the softs only being used in SQ3.
‘Tyre Compounds’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...Xf0DzSw9H.html
Azerbaijan GP: Thursday's build-up in pictures
27/04/2023 at 17:00
Michael Delaney
F1i.com
After a leisurely three-week spring break – at least for F1's drivers – it's back to the grind this weekend in Baku.
Check out our first batch of pictures from this weekend's Azerbaijan GP, round 4 of the 2023 Formula 1 World Championship.
‘Thursday's build-up’;
https://f1i.com/news/472141-azerbaij...ictures-4.html
First pictures from the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend
F1 Pictures
Posted on 27th April 2023, 16:24
Written by Keith Collantine
RaceFans
‘Pictures from the build-up to the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix at Baku City Circuit.’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/04/27/...-prix-weekend/
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Azerbaijan GP: F1 technical images from the pitlane explained.
Delve into the Formula 1 technical features on display in the pitlane as teams prepare for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Apr 28, 2023, 1:11 AM
By: Matt Somerfield
Co-author: Giorgio Piola
Motorsport.com
Ferrari has trimmed its front wing upper flaps in order to cater for the demands of the Baku street circuit and tailor it to the choice it will make with the rear wing. Also worth noting in this image is the curvature of the endplate, a design choice that many teams are making in order to manage the flow around the front tyre and clean up the turbulent wake that would otherwise be generated by it.
A close-up view of the Mercedes W14’s rear end, including its deep central spoon-shaped rear wing, beam wing and diffuser. Note the shut lines in the upper corner of the endplate where the team can quickly change the layout to suit the demands, while the mouse house in the side of the diffuser’s wall is visible from this angle. Mercedes has also changed to a three-tier, stepped lower edge on the brake duct winglet.
A look at the inboard elements of the push-rod rear suspension on the Red Bull RB19 and the main exhaust outlet, which rises up through the gearbox casing. An overview of the rear wing mounted on the RB19 which is devoid of a Gurney flap during the buildup and has a deep V-groove in the central section of the upper flap to offer further assistance in reducing drag. The metal bridge support for the rear wing’s central pillar on the Red Bull RB19 also acts as a higher position with which to mount the upper wishbone.
‘F1 technical images’;
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/a...ined/10461446/
Revamped F1 Sprint format and upgrades galore - what to expect at the Azerbaijan GP
Thursday 27 April 2023 22:12
Jay Winter
GPFans
With only one free practice session on Friday morning, the drivers will need to ace their setups for the qualifying in the afternoon. Friday's qualifying will be for the race on Sunday. The Saturday in Baku will have no effect on Sunday's race, with the FIA introducing a "Sprint Shootout" which will decide the starting grid for Saturday's F1 Sprint.
Upgrades galore: The bunched-up midfield battle will be an area to keep an eye on in Baku. With three weeks to tinker with their cars, teams like McLaren will be looking to make up for lost ground from their underwhelming start to the 2023 season. French retaliation: After an extremely unlucky Australian Grand Prix where team-mates Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon collided right at the death of the race, the Frenchmen will be looking to bounce back into the points, especially after their 2022 rivals, McLaren leapfrogged them in the constructors' standings.
Shortened DRS zone: In an effort to make overtaking more challenging over the course of the weekend, the FIA has announced a significant change to the DRS zone. Charles chance to bounce back: Charles Leclerc will be looking to bounce back at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a difficult start to the season. The Monegasque driver has suffered two DNFs in the first three races, becoming the first Ferrari driver to do so since Felipe Massa in 2009.
‘What to expect’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...-preview-2023/
New sprint race format is “a practice session with points at the end” – Hamilton
2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Posted on 27th April 2023, 18:17
Written by Keith Collantine and Claire Cottingham
RaceFans
Lewis Hamilton says Formula 1’s changes to the sprint race format won’t make a great difference to how drivers approach them. Hamilton doesn’t believe this changes the balance between risk and reward for the competitors. “I don’t think it makes really a lot of difference now,” he said.
“Obviously before, where you finished in the sprint was where you qualified for the race. Now it is a practice session but there are points at the end of it. I don’t think we’ll be going more [flat-]out than we normally have done in the past.”
Despite that, Hamilton is hopeful the changes will result in an action-packed event. “With the shake-up of the whole format of the weekend, it’s probably the most exciting weekend so far this year,” he said. “I’m looking forward to seeing how it turns out.”
‘Practice session with points’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/04/27/...-end-hamilton/
Ferrari’s Frédéric Vasseur expects further progress in performance of SF-23 in Baku
April 28, 2023
By Ashley Cline
The Checkered Flag
Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur outlined the team’s efforts since the last race weekend at the Australian Grand Prix, where the team came away empty-handed with zero points, with Charles Leclerc retiring due to a first lap spin and Carlos Sainz receiving a highly-influential penalty for causing a collision.
“It’s been almost a month since the last Grand Prix and in that time we have been working hard in Maranello on the development of the SF-23, both in terms of improving the current car package as well as moving forward with the planned updates that will be gradually introduced over the course of the coming races.”
“Charles and Carlos have played their part, working in the simulator and giving us feedback. In Australia, we had already made a step forward in terms of pure performance and for Azerbaijan, we expect to move on from there.”
‘Further progress in performance of SF-23’;
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...sf-23-in-baku/
Alonso sets out aims ahead of Baku as F1 FINALLY returns
Thursday 27 April 2023 13:57
Harry Smith
GPFans
Fernando Alonso has explained that Aston Martin need to "pick up where we left off" in Australia when the lights go out at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Speaking as part of an Aston Martin press release, Alonso said: "It's good to be back after a few weeks away from racing.”
"I have recharged the batteries after a high-adrenaline start to the season, and I am now looking forward to Baku. The circuit presents us drivers with a unique challenge, as we face lots of tight slow-speed street sections and then extremely high-speed straights that create lots of opportunities for risk and reward."
‘Alonso sets out aims’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...an-grand-prix/
Why Vasseur is “not scared at all” amid speculation over Leclerc’s Ferrari future
2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Posted on 27th April 2023, 17:5127th April 2023, 18:10
Written by Keith Collantine and Claire Cottingham
RaceFans
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur insists he has no concerns Charles Leclerc may seek to leave the team following his disappointing start to the 2023 season. Nonetheless Vasseur remains confident of agreeing a new deal with Leclerc, telling reporters in Baku today discussions will begin this year. “We will do it in the course of the season,” he said.
“He’s under contract with us for more than one year now and we’ll have time to discuss it. I’m not scared at all and I think it’s not the right moment to do it.” Leclerc remains central to Ferrari’s efforts to score its first world championship victory in 15 years, said Vasseur. “He’s clearly part of the project. He’s not a spectator of this.”
“He’s involved in the development of the team. He’s part of the development because he’s developing himself. He’s a performance contributor both on-track and out of the track. And as long as he will play this role we are on a good path.”
‘Development of the team’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/04/27/...errari-future/
Baku upgrade means McLaren have ‘car we should have started the year with’ – Norris
2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Posted on 27th April 2023, 13:4227th April 2023, 13:44
Written by Will Wood and Claire Cottingham
RaceFans
Lando Norris says McLaren’s 2023 car is now “what we should have started the year with” after the team brought an upgrade package for the MCL60 to this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Norris said he believes McLaren have now reached the level of performance that they should have begun the 2023 season with.
“I don’t want to get ahead of myself,” Norris said. “I think Australia was definitely a better weekend for us. Things definitely went our way a little bit more. I think we were unlucky, which made things look worse than they were in the first two races. We do have the upgrade – I think that was made clear and obvious very early on in the season. But what we have now, it’s what we should have started the year with.”
‘McLaren have ‘car we should have started the year with’ ’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/04/27/...r-with-norris/
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Baku GP FP1: Max Verstappen quickest in a fiery practice session.
Max Verstappen set the pace in the one and only practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as Pierre Gasly’s session went up in flames while Kevin Magnussen stopped on the side of the track.
28 Apr 2023 11:35 AM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com
Ahead of F1’s first sprint race weekend of the season, the sports’ higher-ups opted to change the format leaving the teams and drivers with just one practice hour – FP1 – for the entire weekend. And it proved to be a dramatic one with all the drivers losing vital track time due to a red flag for Pierre Gasly’s burning Alpine.
Back at the front Max Verstappen went quickest with a 1:43.834 while Pierre Gasly was told to “avoid shifting” as his Alpine was on fire. Fernando Alonso was warned that Gasly “in front of you might be on fire” and yes he was. He stopped at the castle section with his A523 on fire, the session red flagged.
There were problems also for Kevin Magnussen as he went the wrong way up an escape road before coming to a halt, his session also over. And still Gasly’s Alpine continued to burn with thick black smoke pouring out of the airbox. Alpine reported a hydraulic leak as the potential cause of the fire.
‘Fiery practice session’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/azerba...23-fp1-report/
(FP1) First Practice Results – 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
28th April 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Results (Classification):
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -1:42.315
2. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.037
3. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.139
4. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.584
5. Lando Norris McLaren +0.810
6. Nyck de Vries AlphaTauri +1.099
7. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +1.140
8. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +1.245
9. Alex Albon Williams Racing +1.313
10. Zhou Guanyu Alfa Romeo +1.433
‘Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the only practice session ahead of the first Sprint weekend of the 2023 F1 World Championship’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp1-first-...and-prix-81964
AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from first practice for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
28 April 2023
Becky Hart
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site
‘AS IT HAPPENED’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...TCPthrFwR.html
CHARLES LECLERC SPLITS THE RED BULLS IN A CHAOTIC FREE PRACTICE ONE SESSION AT THE AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX
Following the new sprint weekend format changes, free practice one becomes the only practice session scheduled during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend. How will Formula One teams change their approach to the session, going from three hours (or two during a sprint weekend) of practice to one?
April 28, 2023
Rhiannon Temporal
FormulaNerds
The F1 Commission approved significant changes to the sprint weekend format ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Now, free practice one will become the only practice session during a sprint race weekend. The session will be followed by the qualifying for the race, with the sprint shootout (or qualifying for the sprint) scheduled in the old free practice two slot on Saturday.
Carlos Sainz hits the wall and Mercedes struggle with brakes. With the track still green, Carlos Sainz becomes the first driver to get too close to the wall. The Ferrari driver brushed the wall at turn five but seems to get away with it. Meanwhile, both Mercedes drivers were complaining about having brake issues. Lewis Hamilton returned to the pits, while his teammate continued out on track.
‘CHAOTIC FREE PRACTICE’;
https://www.formulanerds.com/news/ch.../?nowprocket=1
Azerbaijan GP practice chaos as Hamilton's brakes fail and Alpine car sets on fire
Practice for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix had to be suspended after a series of incidents.
11:01, Fri, Apr 28, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express
Lewis Hamilton suffered a brake failure as Pierre Gasly’s car caught fire in a chaotic opening to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix practice. Race stewards were forced to red flag the only practice session after just 15 minutes. Moments into the session, Hamilton was the first to complain of problems as he sent a worrying message to Mercedes engineers. He moaned: “I have no brakes at the moment."
A couple of moments later, team-mate George Russell had a similar concern, addding: "Brakes feel pretty poor, not much deceleration.” However, the session was stopped soon after as Piere Gasly’s Alpine burst into flames. Thick black smoke was seen billowing out of the Alpine as marshals frantically tried to extinguish the fire.
‘Hamilton's brakes fail’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...e-gasly-alpine
Azerbaijan GP concern for Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton and George Russell suffer same issue
Hamilton and Russell were suffering brake issues in practice, while Pierre Gasly's Alpine caught fire, Yuki Tsunoda suffered a damaging puncture and Kevin Magnussen was also forced to end his session early
11:03, 28 Apr 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer
The Mirror
The first Sprint weekend of the season means less practice time than usual for the engineers to gather the data they like to get ahead of a race. And a fresh change to the format means the Friday morning session is now the only hour of practice they will have for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
"Brake pedal is very long, feels like passive," said the concerned Brit, before his race engineer replied to confirm the team was looking into the problem. He added: "I have no brakes at the moment."
Even though who had not encountered a problem themselves were suffering, though. A red flag in practice does not mean the clock stops, and so every team was losing vital experimenting time ahead of an action-packed race weekend.
‘Less practice time than usual for the engineers to gather the data’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...cedes-29836898
Majority of F1 field take new power unit components for Azerbaijan GP
28 April 1:30PM
Author Jake Nichol
RacingNews365
A majority of the Formula 1 field have taken new power unit components at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix - after the allocation was increased for 2023.
‘The tables below show which drivers have taken which engine components.’;
https://racingnews365.com/majority-o...-azerbaijan-gp
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Charles Leclerc secures shock pole position for Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
In a tight qualifying battle between Red Bull and Ferrari, Charles Leclerc displayed an eye-water performance to come out on top to secure the pole position for Sunday's Azerbaijan Grand Prix, beating championship leader Max Verstappen by two tenths of a second.
28 Apr 2023, 16:34
By Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical
The opening part of the incident-filled first qualifying segment saw Nyck de Vries hit the barriers down at Turn 3. Replays show he just went in too fast, jammed on the brakes and couldn't make the corner, going straight on into the barriers. The session was stopped to clear the track and make repairs to the barriers.
Just after the session was restarted, the red flags came back out. Alpine's Pierre Gasly touched the wall at Turn 3 and was forced to limp with front end damage Replays show that the Frenchman carried too much speed into the corner, and connected with the back first before the front wing caught on the barriers.
Once the wall was repaired, drivers were in a hurry to hit the track in order to set a competitive lap times. Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc topped the session, displaying impressive pace on a track which he expected to highlight the weakness of his Ferrari SF23.
‘Shock pole position’;
https://www.f1technical.net/news/23979
Qualifying Results – 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
28th April 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Q3
1. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari -1:40.203
2. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +0.188
3. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.292
4. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.813
5. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.974
6. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +1.050
7. Lando Norris McLaren +1.078
8. Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri +1.378
9. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +1.408
10. Oscar Piastri McLaren +1.408
‘Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from qualifying for Sunday’s race at the first Sprint weekend of the 2023 F1 World Championship’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/qualifying...and-prix-81981
LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
28 April 2023
Becky Hart
Special Contributor
Formula One - Official Site
‘As it happened’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...IVyn3f6fs.html
Leclerc beats Verstappen to pole position for Azerbaijan GP
April 28, 2023
By John Smith
Total Motorsport
Charles Leclerc pulled out a sensational lap to beat out the Red Bull cars of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez to put his Ferrari on pole position for the 2023 Azerbaijan GP. In the first runs of Q3 Verstappen and Leclerc set identical lap times of 1:40.445s. But then in the final runs, Leclerc pulled out a 0.188s gap to Verstappen.
That lap breaks the Red Bull domination on pole position over 2023 and keeps Leclerc’s excellent recent record in Baku alive. “For sure, I’m surprised,” Leclerc said after qualifying. “We thought it would be great to be in front of Aston Martin and Mercedes in qualifying.”
“Really happy with the lap, the feeling was good since the start so really happy. The pace seems strong, we know the car is good.” Perez was almost three tenths behind Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in the second Ferrari close to one second adrift of his teammate.
“For sure, I’m surprised”;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...aijan-gp-2023/
Leclerc storms to Azerbaijan GP pole
Saturday 29th April, 2023 - 12:45am
By Mat Coch
Speedcafe
Leclerc found time as he began his final flying lap with just under two minutes remaining. He was also strong to the second split, though Perez was behind him on track and on a hot lap. The Mexican lost time through the middle sector while Leclerc crossed the line with a 1:40.203s.
Perez could not better it, nor could Verstappen; the Red Bull duo both going faster on the final lap but not fast enough to claim pole. Sainz secured fourth, with Hamilton fifth from Alonso, Norris, Yuki Tsunoda, Stroll, and Piastri.
Pole position for Leclerc marked his third in a row in Baku and a chance to claim another with the Sprint Shootout to follow on Saturday. Friday’s session leaves the Ferrari driver on pole for Sunday’s Grand Prix, with tomorrow’s Shootout to determine the starting order of the F1 Sprint.
‘Leclerc storms’;
https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/04/29...aijan-gp-pole/
Leclerc takes Baku pole ahead of the Red Bulls
28th April 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
The Red Bulls emerged from the pits first for the pole position shootout, they were joined by six of their rivals as Stroll and Piastri waited it out in the pits a little longer. Perez opened the times with a 1:40.563 while Verstappen and Leclerc both set 1:40.445s with the Dutch driver taking provisional pole as he set the time first.
The track emptied of all but the last emergers, Stroll and Piastri, as the others went to swap tyres and set themselves up for their final runs. Leclerc went 0.242 seconds ahead on his last effort, setting the fastest middle sector. Perez had been fastest in sector 1, while Verstappen owned the final third but the Ferrari racer took the position and he will lead the grid away on Sunday with Verstappen alongside him.
Perez took P3 while Sainz was half a second further back in P4. After just scraping through to Q3, Hamilton ended the day in P5, the last car within a second of Leclerc while Alonso took P6. Norris will line up alongside Tsunoda on row four while the last two spots in the top ten saw Stroll and Piastri both set 1:41.611 laps though the Canadian got there first so he’ll take P9.
‘Leclerc went 0.242 seconds ahead on his last effort’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/leclerc-ta...ed-bulls-81985
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ANALYSIS: Data reveals EXACTLY how Leclerc secured shock Azerbaijan pole.
Charles Leclerc pulled out a sensational and brave lap to put his car in pole position for the third time around the streets of Baku.
Friday 28 April 2023 23:30
Shubham Sangodkar
GPFans
LEC vs VER (0.188 sec)
The strength of the Ferrari was in all of the traction zones, i.e. Leclerc was able to maximise all his exits compared to Max Verstappen. The strength of the Ferrari was in all of the traction zones, i.e. Leclerc was able to maximise all his exits compared to Max Verstappen.
The first sector was evenly matched, with 0.053sec separating the two drivers, but it was in the second where Leclerc made all the lap time – gaining 0.256sec over the reigning champion. The Monegasque pulled off a really brave turn 12, in which he got onto the throttle earlier than anybody else, carrying impressive speed through the exit of that corner which helps him gain around three tenths up to turn 15.
He nailed turn 15 too, being able to be earlier on traction, which gave him another tenth. The high Red Bull efficiency then made up for lost time on the straights in the final sector, pulling back 0.121sec.
‘ANALYSIS’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...rc-verstappen/
How Leclerc beat Verstappen to pole and set a new Baku lap record
28 April 10:00PM
Author Rory Mitchell
RacingNews365
Charles Leclerc beat Max Verstappen to his third consecutive pole and set a new track record at the Baku City Circuit. It was an impressive display of what the Ferrari SF-23 is capable of when everything comes together. There was a moment in the final part of qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix when both Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen set identical times; 1:40.445s.
Where does Leclerc make up the lap time? The main areas where Leclerc managed to beat Verstappen was towards the end of the first sector and through the middle sector.
Ferrari's drag deficit with the SF-23 meant that the RB19 dominated on the main start/finish straight at the beginning of the lap. It also excels in the first couple of traction zones (exits of Turns 1 & 2), with Verstappen ahead for much of this sector.
‘The main areas’;
https://racingnews365.com/how-lecler...aku-lap-record
Corner-by-corner: How Leclerc defied the Red Bull juggernaut.
Apr 28 2023
By Mark Hughes
The Race
The Charles Leclerc Azerbaijan Grand Prix pole lap was a thing of beauty – as they invariably are around Baku. The place holds a special resonance with him and has done from the time he dominated the Formula 2 weekend in 2017.
A full breakdown
Pit straight terminal speed with DRS:
Red Bull 342 km/h
Ferrari 330 km/h
T1. Verstappen is on the brake pedal for longer and is 5mph slower at the apex.
T2. Leclerc is again earlier off the brakes but his minimum speed this time is lower than Verstappen’s.
T3. Verstappen is later and harder on the brakes.
T4. A straightforward 90-degree right-hander, where Leclerc is marginally earlier on the brakes and much earlier on the power…
T5-6. The right-left switchback combination doubly rewards the Ferrari’s willingness to rotate…
‘T7 to T15 breakdown’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/corne...ll-juggernaut/
Leclerc beating Verstappen in Baku qualifying PROVES he's best single-lap shooter in F1
Friday 28 April 2023 19:54
Daniel Austin
GPFans
After four weeks in which Formula 1 fans were starved of on-track action, Charles Leclerc made sure the wait was well worth it as he challenged Red Bull’s supremacy in thrilling fashion in qualifying on Friday, delivering a tremendous final lap to take pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix ahead of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
The result is a huge boost to Ferrari, who have fallen significantly further behind Red Bull in comparison with this stage and last season and who have been haemorrhaging staff members to rivals teams in recent months.
More than anything, though, Leclerc’s stellar showing in Baku underlined the fact that he is currently the best qualifier of anybody in the field in F1, including even Verstappen.
‘Leclerc’s stellar showing’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ax-verstappen/
‘It’s a very big surprise for us’ – Leclerc shocked after sealing sensational pole in Baku
28 Apr 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
Charles Leclerc beat Max Verstappen to pole position in Azerbaijan, but says his pace in qualifying was a big surprise both to him and the team – and added he was expecting Red Bull to be much stronger come race day.
‘Leclerc shocked’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...982363062.html
Sainz hoping Leclerc pole heralds ‘new season’ for Ferrari
Saturday 29th April, 2023 - 8:00am
By Ian Parkes
Speedcafe
Asked whether he was surprised the SF-23 was good enough to fight the Red Bulls for pole, Sainz replied: “Yeah. At the end of last year was also the case where we were fighting for poles and lacking in the race.”
“This year, up until now, we have never had never the pace to fight for pole. It looks like the changes we’ve done recently are allowing us to be back in there, and there are still upgrades to come.”
“So hopefully it’s a sign, or the beginning of a new season, and we have found the problems with our car. Congratulations to Charles because putting a Ferrari back on pole is great news for the team and a huge boost of motivation.”
‘New season’;
https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/04/29...-azerbaijangp/
-
Lewis Hamilton taken aback by ‘huge’ Mercedes deficit on Baku straights.
Lewis Hamilton says Mercedes still have a lot of work to do to “rectify” the W14 after alarming time losses down the straights in Azerbaijan GP qualifying.
28 Apr 2023 4:55 PM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com
“I didn’t really know what to expect this weekened,” Hamilton admitted in Baku, after taking a P2 finish last time out in Australia. “I knew that the Red Bulls would be particularly quick.”
“I didn’t realise we would have such a huge deficit on the straights, but it’s a good indicator, we’re slower on the straights and then slower in the middle sector, so we’ve got a lot of work to do to rectify that in the car, it’s not the easiest one to drive.”
“I’m happy to be on the third row and hopefully tomorrow we can have a bit of a better battle. We’re trying as hard as we can, giving it absolutely everything out there and just timing and getting into rhythm and really pulling out everything is not easy on this track,” he said.
‘Huge Mercedes deficit’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/lewis-...ine-pace-baku/
Hamilton: Not the position we want – we 'exist to win'
28/04/2023 at 17:04
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com
Lewis Hamilton suggested that he had pretty much extracted the most from his equipment in qualifying on Friday in Baku, the Mercedes driver clocking in P5 but almost a full second off poleman Charles Leclerc.
"We are trying as hard as we can, giving it absolutely everything out there," said Hamilton. "Timing and getting into a rhythm and really pulling out everything is not easy on this track. In Q2, I struggled, I had more pace, I just didn't get that last lap.”
"My Q3 run one was a really sweet lap, just unfortunately... I just matched it basically at the end but needed just a little more time to nip [ahead] of the Ferrari."
Hamilton reckoned that, all things considered, fifth on Sunday's grid wasn't a bad place to start. "We can't make any changes to the car so this is the pace that we have," he added.
‘We exist to win';
https://f1i.com/news/472336-hamilton...st-to-win.html
Lewis Hamilton left with little hope in Azerbaijan as Toto Wolff admits to Mercedes U-turn
07:24, Sat, Apr 29, 2023
By Archie Griggs
Daily and Sunday Express
Mercedes again struggled to keep up with the pace of Red Bull and Ferrari in Friday's qualifying session at the Baku City Circuit.
Toto Wolff has revealed that Mercedes have not introduced any major upgrades for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix despite Lewis Hamilton previously claiming that the Silver Arrows would embark on a 'new path' this weekend. Mercedes will seemingly not be involved in the battle for victory on the streets of Baku on Sunday, with Hamilton only managing to qualify in fifth position and George Russell poised to start from all the way down in 11th place after being knocked out in Q2.
"I think we have it in a good window but generally he car is not stable for the drivers," the Mercedes boss told Sky Sports F1. "We didn't put any upgrade on the car, that comes for Imola, so we have to do what we can with this package."
‘Left with little hope’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...rcedes-F1-news
Lewis Hamilton caught spying on Ferrari after being left 'unable to trust' his Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton was unable to challenge the frontrunners as Charles Leclerc clinched a shock pole.
07:25, Sat, Apr 29, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express
Lewis Hamilton has been spotted spying on Ferrari’s car after being told he cannot trust his Mercedes. The seven-time champion was spotted looking at Charles Leclerc’s car moments after the Monegasque secured pole.
Moments later, Sky Sports host Naomi Schiff suggested the Mercedes star was “unable to trust” his Silver Arrows package with the duo looking uncomfortable. She said: “You could see Lewis and George, they were really fighting the car."
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff confirmed the team had new upgrades in the pipeline but would not be introduced until the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola. Hamilton praised Mercedes engineers for working on the new parts and predicted the changes could elevate the team up the order sooner rather than later.
‘Spying on Ferrari’s car’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...rand-prix-news
James Allison sets out the one thing he would ‘never’ do with Mercedes W14
28 Apr 2023 5:00 PM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com
James Allison has ruled out designing a B-spec car at Mercedes with the returning technical director revealing he isn’t considering a “wholesale revamp clean sheet”.
With just one podium from three races and a deficit to Red Bull that has left Lewis Hamilton staggered by the RB19’s straight-line speed, Mercedes have acknowledged they need to something. That something, at least for now, was to bring Allison back into the role of technical director to guide the W14’s development path.
And he’s made it clear he would “never” scrap the current concept and go with something completely different. “I don’t think any of us would ever consider a wholesale revamp clean sheet a good or prosperous approach,” he said in Friday’s press conference in Baku.”
‘James Allison: “never” scrap the current concept’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/james-...-mercedes-w14/
Allison: Mercedes will see W14 as "weak car" until it's the quickest
14:04 Wed, 26 Apr 2023.
By: Adam Cooper
Motorsport.com
"It's reliable, that's a definite strength," he said when asked about the characteristics of the W14. "It’s quite early in the season to be diagnosing what your car is great at or what it isn't great at because the car's not a fixed thing," he said.
"It's a platform that develops all the way through the year. If I had to pluck something out of the air now, I'd say that we tend to be a little stronger at the front-limited circuits, rather than the ones that are heavily rear-limited.”
"So a Bahrain-type track is all about how well a car will look after its rear tyres. Melbourne was a bit more on the front-limited end of the spectrum. Other front-limited tracks, Barcelona's one, Silverstone another.”
‘W14 as "weak car" until it's the quickest’;
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/a...kest/10460720/
James Allison unsure of Mercedes W14 potential
Mercedes have had plenty of problems with their F1 car since 2022
April 28, 2023
By Ed Spencer
Total Motorsport
Mercedes technical director James Allison is still unsure about the potential of Mercedes’ troubled 2023 F1 car. Following a difficult start to the 2023 season where Mercedes lost further ground to rivals Red Bull, Allison swapped jobs with his successor Mike Elliott during Formula 1’s three-week spring break.
“If you go off Melbourne, we were the second quickest car, but if you look at Bahrain, we were fourth quickest,” Allison told the press ahead of the 2023 Azerbaijan GP. “I think we’re on an improving trend, but the tracks are quite different in the opening phase of the year, and it’s a little too early to tell.”
“What I do know is that they’re all manner of opportunities to improve the car, and we intend to do that.”
‘Unsure’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...w14-potential/
-
Clean sweep of poles for Leclerc in Baku.
Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Charles Leclerc will start on pole for both today’s Sprint as well as the Grand Prix tomorrow after securing pole for the Shootout.
29th April 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
SQ3
Perez once again headed the pack as they made their way out and put in a very quick 1:41.876 as his opening effort. Verstappen couldn’t challenge his teammate, not happy with his rear grip though the middle of the lap, but Leclerc continued his strong run this weekend and set a 1:41.697 to take provisional pole.
The drivers then proceeded to do a very slow lap to cool their tyres down, and the Ferraris were set to be the final drivers across the line. The last efforts started and Leclerc went into the wall at T5, the Yellow Flags came out but it was only Sainz behind that was compromised.
In the end there was no change at the top so Leclerc will start on pole for both races this weekend. Perez will join him on the front row this afternoon while Verstappen will share row two with George Russell. Sainz and Hamilton will be in P5 and P6 ahead of Alex Albon and Alonso on row 4. The final top ten spots for the Shootout will be filled by Stroll and Norris.
‘Clean sweep of poles’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/clean-swee...-in-baku-81997
Sprint Shootout – 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
29th April 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
SQ3
1. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari -1:41.697
2. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.147
3. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +0.290
4. George Russell Mercedes +0.555
5. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.590
6. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.805
7. Alex Albon Williams Racing +1.149
8. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +1.313
9. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +1.367
10. Lando Norris McLaren NC
‘Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the Shootout to set the grid for today’s Sprint, the first of the 2023 F1 World Championship’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/sprint-sho...and-prix-81998
2023 Azerbaijan GP Sprint Shootout: Logan Sargeant crash brings out the red flags
29 Apr 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
With just seconds left on the clock in the first part of the Sprint Shootout, Logan Sargeant hit the wall at Turn 15, damaging his Williams and bringing out the red flags in Baku.
‘Red flags’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...671952805.html
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc takes pole for Saturday's Sprint race ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Sergio Perez second ahead of Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen - but Lewis Hamilton is only sixth in Baku
Published: 10:27, 29 April 2023
By Jonathan McEvoy For Mailonine
Mail Online
Charles Leclerc took pole position for the sprint race in Azerbaijan, which starts at 2.30pm BST. Despite a late accident, the Ferrari man repeated what he had done in the main qualifying session on Friday afternoon by setting the fastest time on a track that is a personal favourite. He has taken pole here on three previous occasions.
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, 0.147sec back, was second quickest with team-mate Max Verstappen third. George Russell was fourth best, Carlos Sainz fifth and Lewis Hamilton sixth.
‘Charles Leclerc takes pole’;
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...rand-Prix.html
2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix sprint race starting grid
2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Posted on 29th April 2023, 10:22
Written by Keith Collantine
RaceFans
‘Charles Leclerc has taken provisional pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix for Ferrari sprint race ahead of Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/04/29/...starting-grid/
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Perez wins the first Sprint of the year.
Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Sergio Perez took victory for Red Bull at the first Sprint of the year after passing Charles Leclerc on track.
29th April 2023
by Emer Hedderman
The first Sprint of the 2023 season only saw eighteen of the twenty drivers line up on the grid as Logan Sargeant was withdrawn from the event after Williams were unable to repair his car in time after a crash in the Sprint Shootout this morning. Alpine had taken Esteban Ocon’s car out of parc ferme conditions to change the suspension setup and as such the French driver will now forfeit his P13 today and P12 for the Grand Prix and instead start from the pitlane in both.
By lap 15 there were none of the top ten drivers had DRS available as the field had spread out slightly. Perez had pulled over three seconds of breathing space between himself and Leclerc while Verstappen was over a second behind the Ferrari, the two lapping over a second slower than the leader.
Perez took the chequered flag nearly four and a half seconds ahead of Leclerc though Verstappen had managed to close back up to the Monegasque he wasn’t able to challenge and had to settle for P3. Russell came home in P4 ahead of Carlos Sainz while Fernando Alonso was P6. Lewis Hamilton finished in P7 while the final point went to Lance Stroll in P8.
‘Perez wins’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/perez-wins...the-year-82015
Sprint Results – 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
29th April 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Results (Classification):
1. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing – 17 laps
2. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +4.463
3. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +5.065
4. George Russell Mercedes +8.532
5. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +10.388
6. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +11.613
7. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +16.503
8. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +18.417
9. Alex Albon Williams Racing +21.757
10. Oscar Piastri McLaren +22.851
‘Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from today’s Sprint, the first of six scheduled for the 2023 F1 World Championship’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/sprint-res...and-prix-82016
LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from the F1 Sprint in Azerbaijan
29 April 2023
Becky Hart
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site
‘As it happened’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...YFyL9xEQy.html
F1 Azerbaijan GP LIVE: Perez overtakes Leclerc in Baku Sprint
29th April 2023, 15:06
Crash.Net
Perez has done it!
He wins the sprint race and takes eight points after overtaking Ferrari's Leclerc, who holds onto second place ahead of Verstappen.
Fourth place goes to Russell, with Sainz fifth ahead of Alonso, Hamilton and Stroll, who claims the final point on offer in eighth.
‘Perez has done it!’;
https://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/F1.../Azerbaijan+GP
2023 Azerbaijan GP Sprint: Russell jumps Verstappen for P3 as Leclerc keeps the lead at the start in Baku
29 Apr 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Pole-sitter Charles Leclerc kept his lead at the start of the Sprint, but behind him George Russell muscled his way past Max Verstappen for P3.
‘Russell jumps Verstappen for P3’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...101187056.html
F1 results: Sergio Perez wins Azerbaijan GP sprint
29th April 2023, 15:28
By: Charles Bradley
Motorsport.com
In the first sprint of the season, which included a new qualifying format (see below), Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc led from pole ahead of Perez, as Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and George Russell (Mercedes) clashed over third. After a safety car interruption, Verstappen retook third from Russell.
Perez DRS-ed past Leclerc on lap 8 and pulled clear to take victory, while Leclerc clung to second ahead of Verstappen, whose car’s floor and sidepod were damaged during his clash with Russell.
‘Sergio Perez wins’;
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f...lerc/10462468/
Max Verstappen calls George Russell a 'd***head' in feisty exchange at Azerbaijan GP
Max Verstappen was left furious after failing to win the Azerbaijan Grand Prix sprint race.
15:25, Sat, Apr 29, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express
Max Verstappen branded George Russell a “d***head” as the pair clashed in the pitlane after the Azerbaijan sprint race. Verstappen approached Russell for words in the pits after contact between the duo on lap one.
Russell apologised for the incident and appeared to blame the shunt on a lack of grip at the start. But, Verstappen said: “Mate we all have no grip. You need to leave a bit of space. I expect next time the same, you know. D***head.”
The Mercedes star kept his nose on the inside of turn two and tapped Verstappen’s right hand side. The Dutchman pushed Red Bull to demand an investigation as he urged officials to penalise the ex-Williams star.
‘Feisty exchange’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...jan-grand-prix
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'They've done a tremendous job' – Perez praises Red Bull's performance after victory in Baku Sprint.
“I’m really proud of my guys, because if you look back, we come from a four week break and straight into this new type of format. I think we’ve done a great job, but tomorrow is what matters and we need to focus on that.” Sergio Perez.
29 April 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Sergio Perez overcame rival Charles Leclerc to win the Sprint in Baku on Saturday and, while the Mexican was full of praise for the “tremendous” work done by his Red Bull team, he had his eyes set firmly on winning Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Perez lost out to Leclerc in the Sprint shootout pole earlier on Saturday, but made up for it in the 100KM dash as, starting second, he kept the pressure on the Monegasque racer, before making the move for the lead down the inside at Turn 1 on Lap 8.
Reflecting on his Sprint victory, Perez said: “Really happy, pleased for the whole team. They’ve done a tremendous job. It’s not easy this format, it puts a lot of pressure on drivers, mechanics and engineers. So, to be able to come away with the maximum points, it’s a good start.”
‘Tremendous job';
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...f8m1BKWyk.html
HIGHLIGHTS: Watch the action as Sergio Perez wins a dramatic Sprint on the streets of Baku
29 April 2023
Formula One - Official Site
The Azerbaijan Sprint was a bite-size piece of drama in which all 20 drivers dashed to the line over 17 frantic laps at Baku. And it was Sergio Perez who emerged on top.
Charles Leclerc took Sprint pole in Saturday's shootout having aced Friday's qualifying for the Grand Prix pole, and the Monegasque led Sergio Perez away from the start of the Sprint.
There was much more to come as Perez made a sublime move on Leclerc and took eight points to narrow the championship battle.
‘HIGHLIGHTS’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...5ab6CgTRK.html
Sergio Perez: Tomorrow is what matters | 'Anything can happen in Baku!'
16:16 Sat, 29 Apr 2023.
Sky Sports
Despite winning the Sprint, Sergio Perez turns his attention to the Grand Prix with an eye on getting his second win of the season in Baku.
‘Tomorrow is what matters’;
https://www.skysports.com/watch/vide...happen-in-baku
Perez makes 'fighting' vow for Azerbaijan double
Saturday 29 April 2023 17:06
Sam Hall
GPFans
"P3 is not ideal for tomorrow's race but I will give it a go and fight for the win." Victory in the Sprint saw Perez close the gap at the top of the drivers' standings by two, to 13 points.
Perez added: "With these sessions, it has been a lot of pressure put on us and our team's engineers, mechanics and drivers, so to get away with maximum points today was the main objective. But obviously, we know that tomorrow is the main race."
'Fighting vow’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ed-bull-fight/
FACTS AND STATS: Perez sets an unexpected record with Baku Sprint victory as Leclerc cashes in the points
29 April 2023
Sean Kelly
Virtual Statman
Formula One - Official Site
Sergio Perez won an action-packed Sprint at Baku – which has become something of a purple place for the Mexican – while Charles Leclerc's P2 delivered a relatively big points haul. Here are the facts and stats from the 100km dash to the line on Saturday.
Red Bull's Sergio Perez became the first driver to cross the line in P1 twice in Baku as the Mexican won the 2022 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and there has been no repeat winner of the Grand Prix here.
Perez has only had one third-place finish in six previous Sprints, at Imola in 2022.
With P2, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc took seven points on Saturday – more than he scored over the previous three rounds of 2023. That moves him up to P8 in the championship.
Max Verstappen leads the championship by 13 points over Sprint winner Perez.
‘FACTS AND STATS’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...67VC0zKBP.html
Perez admits “horrible” Australian GP qualifying “really knocked my confidence”
2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Posted on 29th April 2023, 7:17
Written by Keith Collantine and Claire Cottingham
Sergio Perez says he is rebuilding his confidence after his disastrous Saturday at the Australian Grand Prix four weeks ago. The Red Bull driver was eliminated in the first round of qualifying at Melbourne after skidding off at turn three. He encountered persistent trouble braking at several points around the circuit during the preceding practice session.
He enjoyed a smoother qualifying in session in Baku, taking third on the grid, having been just a tenth of a second slower than team mate Max Verstappen. “It’s much better being P3 than not even making it through Q1,” he reflected afterwards. “I think I’m getting back my confidence,” said Perez. “It really knocked my confidence quite a bit, if I’m honest, what happened in Melbourne. Especially with a three-week break and then you go straight into qualifying, pretty much. It’s all about braking here, having that confidence on the braking and I think I’m getting there.”
“You have to reset yourself and move on from that. I think there were many specific issues that we had, all that day. It was a horrible day that Saturday, FP3 and quali, really bad. But I think we understood a lot of the problems that we had. It was not just a single problem that would be really easy just to get rid of. It was a combination of a few things that caused us to have these problems.”
“Really knocked my confidence”;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/04/29/...my-confidence/
Sergio Perez worried about nightmare performance ahead of Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez struggled for success in Australia, only securing P5, after his RB19 struggled with reliability issues.
28 April 2023
by Edward Hardy
Formula1News
Sergio Perez has revealed that the “horrible” outing in Australia remains fresh in his mind after the Mexican failed to get on the podium for a third race in a row.
Perez didn’t even manage to set a qualifying time before he spun out of the race and into the gravel trap on the circuit. “So hopefully, we don’t get to see that again. You don’t want to see that, especially here in Baku.”
Despite his fears, Perez did manage to have a risk free qualifying, finishing in P3, close behind his teammate and pole sitter Charles Leclerc.
‘Nightmare performance’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/sergio-pe...an-grand-prix/
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Wolff – I can understand Verstappen anger.
The confrontation behind the wheel sparked another out of the car in parc fermé, with Verstappen calling Russell “a d***head” and using the f-word on a number of occasions.
Sunday 30th April, 2023 - 7:58am
By Ian Parkes
Speedcafe
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff naturally defended driver George Russell following his on-track spat with Max Verstappen – but was equally understanding of the F1 champion’s post-sprint anger.
“In the end, they collided, he had a big hole in the car, and that’s certainly sub-optimal for your race. It’s absolutely understandable that he’s upset but on the other side, George defended the position. That’s also clear that they’re going to do that. So it’s not the first time, I guess, they had this situation with each other.”
‘They had this situation’;
https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/04/30...-azerbaijangp/
Wolff: Verstappen upset at Russell incident understandable
Verstappen and Russell tussled during the opening lap of the Azerbaijan GP Sprint Shootout.
April 29, 2023
By Matt Neill
Speedcafe
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff believes that Max Verstappen‘s frustration with George Russell after the two drivers came together during the Azerbaijan GP Sprint Shootout is “understandable”.
Verstappen made his annoyance with Russell clear as the drivers clashed following the end of the session, with the Dutchman upset about a move the Mercedes made on the first lap of the race, which ended with the pair colliding and the Red Bull sustaining damage.
“First of all, friendly exchanges between drivers is a good entertainment factor. So irrelevant. And yeah, that’s a race situation. You’re trying the outside. That’s never going to be an easy position,” Wolff said. “They collided here to be cold in the car, and that certainly suboptimal for your race. It’s absolutely understandable that he’s upset on the other side.”
“Understandable”;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/wol...nderstandable/
Verstappen MOCKS Russell response after sprint race confrontation
Saturday 29 April 2023 17:27
Harry Smith
GPFans
Max Verstappen admitted there was no resolution to his frustrations with George Russell after the pair made contact on the opening lap of the Azerbaijan sprint race. The Dutch driver sustained floor damage and sidepod damage from the incident but still managed to convert his P3 grid slot to a P3 finish.
After the race, Verstappen confronted Russell about the incident, but neither driver was willing to back down from their viewpoint, with the Dutchman appearing to call the Mercedes man a 'd**khead' as he walked away. Verstappen reiterated this after the Grand Prix in his post-race interview.
Speaking with Sky Sports' Naomi Schiff after the race, Verstappen said: "No, it's not clarified, but I just don't understand why you need to take so much risk. You know, lap one, he's understeered into my sidepod, created a hole. We all have cold tires, you know. It's all easy to lock up but you know. And his beautiful way of explaining - 'Oh mate, you know, locked up. Look at the onboard.' It doesn't make sense. But it's fine, we still got into P3, got some good points, but yeah it is what it is."
‘Verstappen MOCKS Russell response’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...p-sprint-race/
Mad Max explodes at ‘d***head’ Merc rival after F1 sprint race chaos
April 30th, 2023 7:54 am
AFP from Afp
FoxSports(Australia).
Sergio Perez won Saturday’s sprint race at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix to maintain Red Bull’s perfect start to the season, but teammate Max Verstappen was in no mood to celebrate. Red Bull’s double world champion was seething over a first lap incident when he was muscled out of third place by the Mercedes of George Russell.
Perez won from pole-sitter Charles Leclerc of Ferrari with Verstappen, whose car picked up some damage, eventually getting his third place back off Russell. The British driver apologised to Verstappen, saying his car had no grip but the Dutch driver snapped back: “Mate, we all have no grip, we all need to leave space! I’d expect next time the same you know!” he added, before calling Russell a “d*******”.
‘D***head’
https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...3fd985a1e32df3
Horner hits out at 'OVER THE TOP' moment in Sprint race
Saturday 29 April 2023 22:27
Jamie Lauder
GPFans
Max Verstappen pipped George Russell to 3rd place in Saturday’s Sprint Race, but it wasn’t plain-sailing for the Dutchman. Russell’s lap one overtake didn’t come without controversy, and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has some words for the English driver after the race, with his perspective on the battle.
“For me, turn one I can live with, turn two was hard-racing between two hard racers, [turn three] felt a bit over the top.”, Horner commented The Red Bull certainly didn’t come away unscathed after the encounter with Russell, with a large hole in the left-hand sidepod.
“When you see a hole like that in the side, it’s got to be three quarters of a second, a lap, at least. Then there’s other complications. The temperature starts going out of control, because the air’s not running through the sidepods as it’s designed to. eorge just runs him too far into the wall (and) unfortunately the result of it was that we ended up with quite a lot of body damage...and that cost him quite a bit of performance.”
'OVER THE TOP moment’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...sh-azerbaijan/
Max Verstappen calls George Russell 'princess' in new attack after Azerbaijan altercation
Tension is brewing between Max Verstappen and George Russell following a clash between the drivers in Baku on Saturday.
00:00, Sun, Apr 30, 2023
By Ryan Taylor
Daily and Sunday Express
Max Verstappen has taken a swipe at George Russell - labelling the Mercedes star 'Princess George' - as tensions between the pair threaten to reach boiling point. The bad blood was ignited on Saturday in Baku when the duo touched during the opening lap of Azerbaijan GP Sprint causing damage to Verstappen's car.
The incident left the Dutchman furious before the pair came to blows during a fiery verbal exchange in the parc ferme. The incident left the Dutchman furious before the pair came to blows during a fiery verbal exchange in the parc ferme.
Russell defended his part in the collision and stated his cold tyres were partially to blame. Verstappen wasn't interested however and he took offence to the comments before calling the Brit a "d*******". Both drivers relayed their version of events and Verstappen was keen to justify his fury by continually questioning Russell's decision-making.
'Princess George';
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...an-altercation
Scrap the Sprint urges Verstappen
29/04/2023
NEWS STORY
Pitpass
Following a particularly frustrating afternoon, Max Verstappen has called on F1 bosses to drop the Sprint format. A self-confessed "purist" the two-time world champion has made no secret of his dislike of the Sprint, recently admitting that should they continue he would have to reconsider his future in the sport.
At the end of today's Sprint, following a first lap clash with George Russell which holed his car, dented his pride and subsequently caused him to resort to name calling, the Dutchman repeated his dislike of the format. "Just scrap the whole thing," he said. "I think it's important to go back to what we have, and make sure that every team can fight for a win, that's what we have to try and aim for and [not] try to implement all this kind of artificial excitement.”
"I would say I got bored through today's qualifying to be honest," he admitted. "I like to have one particular qualifying, where you just put everything in it, and that was yesterday, which I of course enjoy, and then they have to do it again today. I'm like, 'my God, another qualifying?' I just don't really enjoy that. It's hectic," he added. "I think it's just... it's not proper racing, it's more like gambling. I think I will have more success in Vegas if I go to the casino.”
‘Artificial excitement’;
https://www.pitpass.com/74985/Scrap-...ges-Verstappen
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Sergio Perez powers to win in duel against his Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen at Azerbaijan GP, with Charles Leclerc in third and Lewis Hamilton back in sixth place.
• The Red Bull driver has ignited the championship race with Max Verstappen.
• Sergio Perez wins the Azerbaijan Grand Prix to clinch a comfortable victory.
• Verstappen initially led but lost his position to a pit stop under a safety car.
Published: 13:49, 30 April 2023
By Jonathan McEvoy For Mailonine
Mail Online
Sergio Perez made a contest of the world championship fight by beating Max Verstappen to win the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The Mexican was advantaged by an early safety car phase but was already showing good pace and then controlled the race to make it two wins each for the Red Bull pair. There are just six points separating Verstappen at the top from his team-mate.
It was a brilliant weekend for Perez, who also took the honours in the sprint race on Saturday. Verstappen was runner-up both times. Charles Leclerc was third for Ferrari and Fernando Alonso fourth for Aston Martin. Lewis Hamilton, in good form on the day, was sixth for Mercedes, a place off Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz.
‘Ignited the championship race’;
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...in-season.html
Race Results – 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
30th April 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Results (Classification):
1. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing – 51 laps
2. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +2.137
3. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +21.293
4. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +22.024
5. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +45.491
6. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +46.145
7. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +51.617
8. George Russell Mercedes +74.240
9. Lando Norris McLaren +80.376
10. Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri +83.862
‘Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Here are the provisional race results from today’s fourth round of the 2023 F1 World Championship in Baku’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/race-resul...and-prix-82024
LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
30 April 2023
Becky Hart.
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site
‘As It Happened’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...qfWqU5foA.html
Perez beats Verstappen to win F1’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Apr 30 2023
By Ben Anderson
The Race
Sergio Perez benefitted from a well-timed safety car intervention to beat Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen to victory in Formula 1’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Although both Red Bull drivers were beaten to pole position by Baku City Circuit specialist Charles Leclerc on Friday, the Ferrari and its improved set-up proved no match for Red Bull’s vastly superior race pace on Sunday.
Verstappen and Perez both overtook Leclerc comfortably using DRS in the early laps, turning this race into a straight fight between the Red Bull team-mates. F1 championship leader Verstappen held an advantage of less than 1.5 seconds over Perez for the first 10 laps, before the race turned on a safety car intervention.
Nyck de Vries clipped the inside wall at the Turn 5 left-hander and broke his AlphaTauri’s front-left suspension. Verstappen was struggling for rear grip from his medium Pirelli tyres, so Red Bull called him into the pits just before the safety car was deployed to allow the stricken AlphaTauri to be recovered.
‘Perez beats Verstappen’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/perez...an-grand-prix/
Perez pulls off Baku double to win Azerbaijan GP from Verstappen
The Mexican won his second Azerbaijan Grand Prix to reduce his arrears in the championship
April 30, 2023
By Andrew Wright
Total Motorsport.
Sergio Perez once again displayed his street circuit prowess to lead a dominant Red Bull one-two at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and close the gap on Max Verstappen to six points in the drivers’ championship. The Mexican started third but benefitted from the timing of an early safety car to leapfrog his teammate before keeping the world champion at bay for his sixth GP victory and a Baku double, having won the Saturday Sprint.
“It really worked out today for us,” Perez said. “I think we had better deg on the first stint then the safety car came and bunched everyone up and it was a long race on the hard tyres. “I think it was very close between us. We both hit the wall a few times and the way Max pushed me was really hard but we kept it under control.
“I had a wee bit of luck my front-right tyre didn’t blow up but we survived.” Verstappen can count himself unlucky having passed Charles Leclerc for the lead on Lap 4 before being caught out by the retirement of Nyck de Vries.
‘Perez pulls off Baku double’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...ll-verstappen/
Perez too quick for Verstappen to handle in Baku
30/04/2023 at 13:44
Andrew Lewin
F1i.com
Sergio Perez claimed his second win of 2023, beating his Red Bull team mate Max Verstappen to victory in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku to close up the gap between them in the championship standings to just six points.
Perez' perseverance at the front was rewarded by finally breaking out of DRS range of Verstappen, who was having a scrappy mid-stint and complaining about his car's handling: "The balance between diff and engine braking is not good!" he reported. With the Red Bulls looking unlikely to make a second stop at this point, feverish discussions at Ferrari saw Sainz and the engineers comparing the merits of Plan A against Plan C, with Plan B - what ever that was - seemingly no longer an option. Behind him on track, Hamilton was starting to fall away from the Ferrari and complaining about his tyres graining.
Verstappen tickled the barrier on lap 33, and Perez also harmlessly clipped the wall at turn 15 a lap later, evidence that both men were still pushing hard, going flat out and not taking anything for granted. There was no doubt about the winner, with Perez holding on to a two second lead over Verstappen at the chequered flag to reduce the Dutch driver's lead in the championship to six points.
‘Perez too quick to handle’;
https://f1i.com/news/472666-perez-to...e-in-baku.html
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Baku stewards summon FIA personnel for pit-lane near miss with Ocon.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix stewards have summoned to Race Control FIA personnel responsible for Parc Fermé for allowing a group of people to gather in the fast lane of the pit lane on the final lap of the race.
30/04/2023 at 14:33
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com
Ocon and his team had opted to run a race-long stint on the hard tyre, betting on a late Safety Car that would have delivered a free stop to the Frenchman. Unfortunately, no neutralization was forthcoming which forced Ocon to pit on the final lap of the race for his mandatory second set of tyres.
However, the Alpine charger entered the pit road only to stumble upon a group of people, including the FIA's official photographers, gathered on the fast lane. It was a close call as far as Ocon was concerned. "Yeah, not something that we want to see," he said after the race.
The FIA stewards subsequently summoned "representatives of the FIA responsible for the parc fermé area at pit entry" to meet them at 5:30pm local time over "personnel blocking the fast lane in the pit lane on the final lap of the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix while the pit lane remained open." Speaking to Sky Sports at the end of the race, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner had witnessed the incident and said that it required "a review".
‘Baku stewards summon FIA personnel’;
https://f1i.com/news/472713-baku-ste...with-ocon.html
Horner takes aim at FIA over frightening pit incident
30 April 4:30PM
Author Ewan Gale
RacingNews365
Esteban Ocon was presented with a wall of people when completing his last-lap pit stop at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner has urged the FIA to "police" its protocols better after a frightening incident at the end of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Addressing the incident when speaking to Sky Sports F1, Horner explained: "That is something that needs a review because Esteban is within his rights to pit on the last lap and finish the race in the pit lane if he wanted to. That is something the FIA needs to police a bit better before the end of the race."
‘Frightening pit incident’;
https://racingnews365.com/horner-tak...g-pit-incident
Baku stewards investigating FIA staff for Ocon pitlane near-miss
30th April 2023, 15:11
Josh Suttill
The Race
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix stewards are investigating FIA personnel for blocking the pitlane after Esteban Ocon had to take avoiding action to narrowly miss a gaggle of personnel at the start of the pitlane. They were just about able to disperse as Ocon entered the pitlane and made his pitstop.
The Azerbaijan GP stewards released a statement that they’re investigating FIA staff for “blocking the fast lane in the pitlane on the final lap” of the race while the pitlane remained open. Ocon was baffled by the incident when he spoke to the media after the race. “I mean I don’t understand why we are starting to prep the podium and prep the ceremony while we are still racing.”
“There’s one lap to go, there’s still people that didn’t pit, I guess Nico [Hulkenberg, who was on the same strategy as Ocon] didn’t pit at the time. I’m arriving at 300kph, braking very late and I see the people around, this is crazy, it could have been a big, big one today. It’s definitely something that needs to be discussed. It’s something we don’t want to see.”
“I’m arriving at 300kph”;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/baku-...ane-near-miss/
F1 had ‘lucky escape’ as FIA confirm investigation into Esteban Ocon pitlane incident
30 Apr 2023 3:12 PM
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com
Sky F1’s Ted Kravitz has branded Esteban Ocon’s last-lap pitlane incident as a ‘lucky escape’ for F1, as the FIA begin their investigation. Sky F1’s pitlane reporter Ted Kravitz, well used to the procedures that apply to personnel in the pits and where they are permitted to be, explained the situation after the chequered flag.
He detailed how the FIA allow personnel to get into position in time for the celebrations but a simple monitoring of the race would have made it obvious that a car still had to make their scheduled pitstop. “It could have been a very, very different scene, indeed,” Kravitz said. “Just to explain what normally happens, we normally get to the end of the race and we normally get to the point that everybody knows that everyone’s made their pit stops and that there probably aren’t going to be any more pit stops. It doesn’t mean that there won’t be.”
“The parc ferme barriers come out and the official photographers, the FIA photographers, and people are released by the FIA and the local marshals – either through an access gate on the other side [of the pitlane] so people can get into position and get ready. So clearly, it’s not fishing for a penalty or a fine or anything like that. But the lesson does need to be learned as to when they can let people in for pure safety’s sake, as we’ve been saying throughout the programme. F1 had a bit of a lucky escape today.”
‘Lucky escape’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/f1-luc...ocon-incident/
FIA labelled “fortunate” by stewards after “very dangerous” pit lane incident
30 Apr 2023
Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net
The F1 stewards at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix have labelled the FIA as “fortunate” after a “very dangerous” incident took place in the pit lane on the final lap of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. “We stressed that the requirements of ensuring a safe and orderly event are paramount. This was acknowledged by the FIA team.”
“We walked through the relevant procedures and protocol with the FIA representatives in detail and required them to take immediate steps to reconsider these procedures and protocols with the relevant stakeholders [including FOM, the teams and the FIA] to ensure that this situation does not occur again.”
“The FIA representatives expressed their regret at what happened and assured us that they would do so in time for the next event.”
“Fortunate”;
https://www.crash.net/f1/news/102529...-lane-incident
FIA criticised by own stewards for ‘very dangerous’ Baku F1 error
30th April 2023, 16:22
By Scott Mitchell-Malm
The Race
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix stewards have called the FIA “lucky” that a dangerous pitlane incident at the end of the Baku Formula 1 race had no serious consequences. The Baku stewards said this created a “very dangerous situation” for those in the pitlane and considered it “fortunate that there were no serious consequences” as a result.
They said the FIA team in question acknowledged the “paramount” need to ensure a safe and orderly event, and “expressed their regret at what happened”. The stewards tasked the representatives to take immediate steps to reconsider the relevant procedures and protocol along with F1 and the teams “to ensure that this situation does not occur again”.
The FIA says it has received the stewards’ decision and will update the relevant procedures ahead of the next race in Miami next weekend.
‘Very Dangerous’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/fia-c...baku-f1-error/
FIA "regrets" Azerbaijan GP pit lane shambles as F1 car almost mows down photographers
Esteban Ocon pitted on the last lap of the race in Baku and narrowly avoided hitting a group of photographers who had to dive out of the way after they were let into the pit lane early
16:16, 30 Apr 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer
The Mirror
The Formula 1 stewards admitted "it was fortunate that there were no serious consequences" from the incident which saw Esteban Ocon almost hit several people in the pit lane at the end of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Photographers and a few other people had been allowed into parc ferme by FIA officials to prepare for the podium ceremony in Baku. But the race was still going on and Ocon was yet to pit, as his Alpine team had taken a strategy gamble.
But the stewards have acknowledged that it could have been a disaster. After summoning the FIA representatives to their offices, a statement was released in which it published its determination about what had happened.
‘Could have been a disaster’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...p-pit-29852843
FIA to take 'immediate steps' to prevent repeat of Baku pit-lane hazard
30/04/2023 at 16:28
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com
The FIA says it will take "immediate steps" to ensure that the dangerous pit-lane incident and near miss with Esteban Ocon that occurred at the end of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix does not happen again.
'Immediate steps';
https://f1i.com/news/472746-fia-to-t...ne-hazard.html
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OPINION: FIA must wake up after Baku calamity.
The scary scenes involving members of F1's travelling media entourage and Esteban Ocon at the end of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was the latest in a string of near-misses involving FIA decision-making.
01 May 7:00AM
Author Ewan Gale
RacingNews365
F1's governing body must now assess where its priorities lie after the latest in a string of frightening scenarios. Ocon was entering the pits at the start of his final lap but was met with a crowd of people at pit entry, with parc fermé being set up to welcome race winner Sergio Perez who was a considerable distance ahead. Luckily the crowd scattered as they rushed to avoid the oncoming Alpine, all escaping what could have been a serious incident.
This is not the first incident in recent times that has caught the attention of drivers, team personnel and fans alike. It is time for the FIA to leave its worries over trivial matters behind and focus on regaining a sense of control over its functions.
One FIA member was beginning to put a barricade across the pit lane entry as Ocon approached in what would have been a dreadful turn of events. It was clear that parc fermé was situated too near the fast lane on which the Frenchman was arriving. A similar incident occurred in Australia last year where VIPs were allowed into the pit lane when Alex Albon pitted on the final lap, so the warning signs were there.
Another lapse in judgement, this time from a higher power in the FIA, saw a recovery vehicle allowed on track in treacherous conditions at the Japanese Grand Prix last year, evoking painful memories of the tragic incident that claimed Jules Bianchi's life at the same circuit eight years prior.
‘Lapses in judgement’;
https://racingnews365.com/fia-must-w...-baku-calamity
Alpine: FIA fix after Ocon scare 'not rocket science'
30 April 9:00PM
Author Ewan Gale
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365
Alpine Sporting Director Alan Permane believes any fix from the FIA to avoid the frightening scenes at the end of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will not be "rocket science". Speaking to media including RacingNews365.com, Permane explained: "It is something we have seen before. There is a keenness... I don't know why but photographers are allowed - I understand people want to get the shots of cars coming into parc fermé - but the race track is still live.
Insisting Ocon would have been in full control of the situation, Permane said: "Rob, our Chief Mechanic, came on the intercom to say there was people in the pit lane and Esteban, at that point, is going 80kph, don't forget so he could stop the car pretty quickly if he needed to.
"So whilst it was quite scary to look at, I suspect he was in full control and no one was in serious danger. It was a bit like a scene from the Group B rallying days with the crowd parting as he got there."
'Not rocket science';
https://racingnews365.com/alpine-fia...rocket-science
FIA to investigate 'shambolic' pitlane incident
April 30, 2023 — 10.12pm
The Sydney Morning Herald
Photographers and personnel getting ready for the post-race podium were forced to jump out of the way as Esteban Ocon made a last-lap pitstop.
'Shambolic';
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/motorsp...01-p5d4gx.html
FIA verdict REVEALED following Ocon pit-lane CHAOS in Baku
Sunday 30 April 2023 19:10
Harry Smith
GPFans
The FIA has expressed regret after breaking the International Sporting Code at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Representatives of the FIA were summoned to the stewards after photographers and officials flooded the pit entry before Esteban Ocon made his final-lap pit stop.
The resulting chaos was shocking for everyone watching as Ocon's Alpine car narrowly missed those standing in the pit lane, prompting some disgusted exclamations from David Croft and Ted Kravitz. Flirting with pitlane disaster. An official FIA document was released after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, laying the blame for the incident on the FIA.
The stewards confirmed that the pit-lane chaos was the direct result of the FIA's actions, ruling that they "took steps to set up the parc ferme area and also permitted media and other personnel to gather in the start of the pitlane and the pit wall during the last lap of the race, while the pit lane was open". This claim was later accepted by the FIA who reportedly "expressed their regret at what happened and assured us that they would do so in time for the next event".
‘FIA verdict REVEALED’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...rand-prix-fia/
FIA to review procedures after pitlane 'shambles' in Baku
18:16, Sun, 30 Apr 2023.
The Straits Times
HIGH RESOLUTION CLOSE UP PHOTOGRAPH: Sky Sports television commentators called the scenes, with a throng of people already in the pitlane as the car arrived, “an absolute shambles”. PHOTO: TWITTER/ESPN
BAKU - Formula One’s governing body promised an immediate review of procedures after mechanics and photographers were in the fast lane when Alpine’s Esteban Ocon pitted at the end of Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
“The FIA representatives expressed their regret at what happened and assured us that they would do so in time for the next event,” the statement added.
‘Pitlane Shambles';
https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/f...ambles-in-baku
Esteban Ocon wants FIA to act after he narrowly avoids pit-lane ‘disaster’
30/04/2023 | 15:58 PM
By Philip Duncan, PA F1 Correspondent, Baku
BreakingNews.ie
Esteban Ocon has demanded Formula One’s governing body takes action after he said a “big disaster” was narrowly avoided in Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix. On-board video footage from the French driver’s car showed dozens of people – who had gathered at the entrance to the pit-lane with the race still ongoing – scrambling to get out of his way.
“I would not have liked to have been in there with the speed I was arriving. If I missed the braking point it could have been a big disaster. It was crazy.” Ocon continued: “I don’t understand why they are starting to prep the podium while we are still racing. There is one lap to go. I am arriving at 300kph (185mph) and I am braking very late.”
“It is clear. We need to wait until all the cars have passed the chequered flag and ensure there is no racing in the pit lane. It is not a mystery. It is very simple. We don’t want to see this happening again. I am sure the FIA has seen it and they will take action. And if they don’t take action, I will go and speak to them.”
‘Narrowly avoids pit-lane disaster’;
https://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/es...r-1469396.html
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Red Bull confirm Verstappen Perez ‘free to race’ for F1 title.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has confirmed Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez are “free to race” for this season’s Formula 1 title following the Mexican driver’s stand-out performance across the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend.
Monday 1st May, 2023 - 2:07am
By Ian Parkes
Speedcafe
Far from being the expected cruise to a third consecutive championship, Verstappen is at least coming under threat for that bid from within his own team given Red Bull’s rivals are tripping over themselves to simply be best of the rest. “At the moment it’s the two of them,” said Horner. “There’s a slight gap to the rest of the field but there are 19 more races to go and five sprint races, so there’s a huge amount of racing at a whole variety of different circuits.”
“It could ebb and flow between the two of them, reliability could be a factor. Of course, what we’re more focused on at the moment is building a buffer with both of the drivers because when we get back to Europe, I’m sure there are going to be sizeable upgrades (from their rival teams). And, of course, we have a reduced capacity to develop this year, so that’s where our focus is – trying to build a gap.”
Asked whether the duo are free to race, Horner replied: “They were free to race today. All year, so far, they’ve been free to race.” As to whether that will be the case for the remainder of the year, Horner added: “Yeah, until the team’s interests, if you’re competing against a competitor, becomes bigger than the drivers’ interests. But as it is at the moment, they’re free to race.”
‘Free to race’;
https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/05/01...-free-to-race/
I’d be leading the championship if not for Melbourne problems, says Perez after Baku victory.
30 Apr 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video).
Sergio Perez insists he’s right in the championship hunt after his second win of the season, and is raring to challenge again next week in Miami.
‘I’d be leading the championship’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...923908546.html
Max Verstappen details Azerbaijan GP 'pain' in cool down room chat with Sergio Perez.
Perez won the Baku race with Verstappen forced to settle for second, having pitted from the lead moments before a safety car gave his team-mate a cheap stop for new tyres
15:54, 30 Apr 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer
The Mirror
Max Verstappen admitted it was "painful" to lose out on victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix because of a poorly-timed safety car. As usual, the three podium finishers met in the cool down room while waiting for the post-race ceremony. Their discussion was caught on camera and broadcast on Sky Sports, with Verstappen and Leclerc the first to arrive and begin talking.
"You were pushing flat-out?" asked the Monegasque as they watched highlights of the race. Verstappen replied: "We were quite close but when you're following close, it's really tough. At one point it opened up a bit..." Perez then entered the room, and commented on how devoid of incident the race was. "Not much action out there?" he asked, before Leclerc declared in reply: "For me, it was the loneliest race ever. Fernando [Alonso] was coming back at the end – I think he finished six-tenths behind me."
The Mexican then turned to his team-mate as the TV showed Verstappen's poorly-timed pit stop and said: "You were unlucky there." The reply from the championship leader was: "It was a bit painful but it happens. Sometimes. You had it last year in Jeddah."
'Bit painful but it happens';
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...an-gp-29852697
‘I learned a lot of things’ – Verstappen takes the positives from Baku despite losing out to team mate Perez
30 April 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Although he was naturally disappointed not to claim victory in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Max Verstappen feels he gathered plenty of valuable information about his Red Bull that will aid his cause moving forward.
Reflecting on his afternoon at the wheel, Verstappen said: “I think, of course, the Safety Car was a bit unlucky. Then I had to push again, I tried to stay very close [to Perez], to try and get into the DRS, but I think the tyres were overheating a bit because of that, trying to follow.
“But also, the balance, I was struggling to be really consistent. I was playing around with the tools a little bit and, I think when I got that sorted, I would say the last 10 laps were actually quite good again. [It was] just a little bit too late [to challenge Perez], [but] I think a lot of things learned again throughout the race, and, of course, at the end of the day, a good team result.”
‘I learned a lot of things’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...voFYXccWO.html
Red Bull’s Christian Horner celebrates one-two result after dominant showing in Baku
May 1, 2023
By Ashley Cline
The Checkered Flag
Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner was pleased to see the team achieve its third one-two result of the season, making for twenty-five since the team’s debut. Horner praised Sergio Perez for his stellar victory at Baku City Circuit, leading the pack from the time of his well-timed pit-stop during the lap eleven safety car until the checkered flag.
“Checo absolutely excelled today. He had the pace and really controlled the race, he benefited from the timing of the safety car but it was a phenomenal performance from him today and all weekend. Hats off to him.”
“We were unlucky with the safety car and the pit stop for Max. Sometimes things like that don’t go your way but that is racing and we will learn from it. Other than that it was an excellent performance from the whole team, another 1-2, our 25th!”
‘25th 1-2’;
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...owing-in-baku/
Sergio Perez: “I am definitely in the fight for the title”
May 1, 2023
By Ashley Cline
The Checkered Flag
Red Bull Racing’s Sergio Perez claimed victory at Baku City Circuit, rounding out an incredible weekend at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Having started in third place, the Mexican driver bested pole-sitter Charles Leclerc and team-mate Max Verstappen to secure his second win of the season.
“It has been an unbelievable weekend, I am super pleased and I cannot say more about the Team, it has been a tremendous day for us and I am so proud of everyone. I want to say a big thanks to Thibaut, he is one of my mechanics who is at home for personal reasons, but he is still a very big part of our Team.”
“The Team enjoy calling me the King of the Streets, I am super happy for them all. They have been tremendous all weekend, from the sprint race yesterday through to the way we executed the race today, it was perfect.”
‘King of the Streets’;
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...for-the-title/
Finally, Perez breathes life into title race
23:14 Sun, 30 Apr 2023.
Jonathon McEvoy.
Mail+
A World Championship fight that was lying half-dead on the floor was provided a kiss of life here in Baku, Sergio Perez winning ahead of his Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen.
Perez has been hailed as ‘King of the Streets’, including by his race engineer Hugh Bird after he took the chequered flag, and can at least keep Max honest. The Mexican is a winner in Monaco, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and here twice. On his day and this was one, he can be the equal of Verstappen, and they stand on two race victories each.
‘Perez breathes life into a World Championship fight that was lying half-dead’;
https://www.pressreader.com/uk/daily...82484303083954
https://www.mailplus.co.uk/edition/s...nto-title-race
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Leclerc admits that Red Bull are in a league of their own despite his improved performance in…
“They’re in another league once it comes to [the] race. The really good lap [in qualifying] managed to put us in front, but then over 51 laps, it was just not possible. They have so much more pace than we do in race pace.”
20:10 Sun, 30 Apr 2023.
Darius Needham.
FormulaNerds.
After the race, Leclerc heaped praise on Red Bull as he believes that they are clear of everyone out on track. “As I said yesterday, I think they found something that we didn’t yet and that’s where our focus is at the moment. Everybody’s working flat out to try and understand what we can do in the races, especially to just get more performance.”
Leclerc held of Fernando Alonso towards the end of the Grand Prix to claim third place in Baku. Coming into the weekend, the Monegasque driver had only scored six points in three races and was looking to improve on his and Ferrari’s poor start to the season.
‘League of their own’;
https://www.formulanerds.com/news/f1.../?nowprocket=1
Leclerc: Ferrari behind Aston Martin on race pace
Monday 1st May, 2023 - 11:55am
By Mat Coch
Speedcafe
Charles Leclerc has claimed Ferrari has only the third fastest car in race trim behind Red Bull and Aston Martin following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Leclerc recorded his and Ferrari’s best result of 2023 with third on the streets of Baku.
“Got closer, maybe a little, but still very far behind in race pace at least,” he said of the gap to the cars ahead. I also think we are behind Aston Martin in terms of race pace, so we really need to work on that.” Leclerc hung on to third in the race by just 0.8s from a charging Fernando Alonso.
‘Ferrari behind Aston Martin’;
https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/05/01...-aston-martin/
Plenty of pole positions for Leclerc, but few wins
Published: 10:01, 1 May 2023
By Associated Press
Mail Online
There are plenty of different causes for Leclerc's comparative lack of wins, ranging from a slow or unreliable car (the Ferrari overheated when he led from pole in Spain last year), team strategy blunders (a pit stop mix-up at the next race in Monaco) to driver error (a crash while in the lead after starting on pole in France a few weeks later).
Where the next win might come from for Leclerc isn't clear. "Still a lot of work to do in terms of race pace," he said. "I think we´ve done absolutely everything, we´ve tried everything. But (the) bottom line is that we are just not quick enough."
‘Pole positions, few wins’;
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap...lerc-wins.html
Leclerc highlights key issue in pace deficit to Red Bull
01 May 1:15PM
Author Jake Nichol
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365
Charles Leclerc has revealed he was forced into protecting his Formula 1 tyres in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as he could "kill" them if he pushed throughout. Leclerc: Ferrari 'kills' its tyres: "Well, we have to with our car otherwise we kill [the tyres] and then we cannot get them back and then this has a big influence on our performance," Leclerc explained to media, including RacingNews365 when asked about the tyre life on the SF-23.
"So, I think we did the perfect management today. But, we are just not quick enough. Whether we lack at the beginning of the stint, or at the end of the stint, this we can change but yeah, we just don't have enough performance for now.
"At the end, it [was] the same car [in the sprint and Grand Prix], I managed it differently, but actually the outcome doesn't change. We've optimised absolutely everything. The thing we should be happy about after a weekend like this is that we've maximised every session.”
‘Ferrari 'kills' its tyres’;
https://racingnews365.com/leclerc-hi...it-to-red-bull
Vasseur: Leclerc to Mercedes reports are 'BULL***T'
Monday 1 May 2023 07:59
Ilaria Mastio
GPFans
Fred Vasseur has confirmed that the rumours about Charles Leclerc leaving Ferrari for Mercedes are 'bull***t'. Talking to SkySport Italia after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the Ferrari team principal dismissed the idea of the Monegasque driver moving to Mercedes from the Scuderia.
Vasseur said: “Yes, the rumours about Charles and Mercedes are bull***t. Charles said he loves Ferrari and wants to win with Ferrari. We are at the beginning of the season, where there is much gossip we will hear every weekend, but we are not worried.”
Vasseur said: "I'm very proud of Charles this weekend. He was perfect. He pushed when we asked him to push, creating a gap with Alonso. He just made a mistake on the second lap in Q3. It wasn't a mistake; he was already on pole, so he reached the goal."
'BULL***T';
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ur-f1-rumours/
Vasseur expects more ‘Leclerc gossip’ in 2023
1st May 2023, 07:56
ANDREW MAITLAND
Grandpx.news
Leclerc also rounded out the Baku race weekend, in which he was quickest in both the sprint and main qualifying sessions, by re-pledging his commitment to Maranello. “Fred has a good medium and long-term vision for the team,” he told Bild am Sonntag newspaper. “I have no doubt that he is the one who can bring Ferrari back to the top.”
“Of course you can see from the outside that the car isn’t fast enough, but he has a good eye for what could work even better in the individual departments,” Leclerc added. Leclerc is under contract until the end of 2024, but Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko said recently that there would be escape clauses in the deal.
“There are setbacks along the way,” said Leclerc. “Last year and this year we didn’t take the step that we wanted. We have to do that now. But we also have to be able to deal with it. Michael (Schumacher) and Jean (Todt) also had immense pressure and still won several world championships in a row. So we can’t complain.”
‘Re-pledging his commitment to Maranello’;
https://grandpx.news/vasseur-expects...ossip-in-2023/
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Alonso encouraged by ‘bad weekend’ for Aston Martin.
“In a bad weekend, let’s say, for an Aston, we are fighting for the podium against one of the best weekends for Ferrari.”
Monday 1st May, 2023 - 3:25pm
By Mat Coch
Speedcafe
Fernando Alonso was left encouraged following a “bad weekend” for Aston Martin which resulted in a fourth-place finish in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The two-time world champion missed the podium by 0.8s at the line to chalk up his worst result of the season. Alonso saw the positives, however, as Aston Martin remained competitive despite a more difficult weekend.
“I’m very happy with the result, of the pace of the car,” he said. “I think the weekend was not maybe as competitive as the first three races, but even with that I think today in the race, the pace was very good, very strong. We challenged for the podium, only one second to Charles [Leclerc], so that’s very encouraging for us. They were on pole position on the Sprint race, pole position for the main race, and they were just one second in front of us on Sunday, so good news.”
Alonso climbed four places in the race, one of those coming with an opportunistic move on Carlos Sainz following the Safety Car restart. From there, he managed his tyres through the opening phase of the stint before turning up the pace in the closing 10 laps as he pursued Leclerc. His cause was aided by a fully functional DRS flap, an element that had caused issues earlier in the weekend. “It worked today,” he smiled. “So a lot of speed – I’ve never been that fast for the whole weekend!”
‘Fighting for the podium’;
https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/05/01...-aston-martin/
Aston Martin seeks permanent DRS solution after lubricant fix in Baku
11:15 Mon, 01 May 2023.
By: Matt Kew
Motorsport.com
Drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll were reckoned to have lost 0.2s on the main straight in Baku during the Friday practice run and both the grand prix and sprint race qualifying sessions. The malfunction was primarily caused by an aerodynamic characteristic of the new low-drag wing specification, which meant the overtaking device was oscillating and would only intermittently activate. This was exacerbated by the coastline street track's bumps and air pressure on the long straight.
Asked by Motorsport.com to explain the quick fix, Krack said: "I cannot tell you, but it was not far from using WD40! The car is in parc ferme so there is not so much you can do. We tried to clean the surfaces and tried to check your gaps, everything. We checked everything with the FIA and the FIA was very helpful on this and you will have seen also we changed one flap on Fernando's car.”
"We would've liked to have solved it earlier or not have it in the first place. But at the end of the day, it is not such a drama." Krack confirmed a full analysis of the failure would be undertaken and a lasting fix installed for the Miami GP this weekend.
‘WD40!’;
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/a...baku/10463675/
Alonso impressed by Aston running so close to Ferrari
30/04/2023 at 18:32
Andrew Lewin
F1i.com
Fernando Alonso admitted that he was surprised to find Aston Martin as close to Ferrari as they were in today's Azerbaijan Grand Prix, thanks to a combination of tyre management and weather conditions in Baku.
"With the mediums, the Ferraris had massive degradation in the first stint. On a normal hot race, I think they'd struggle a little bit more. [Instead there were] some clouds at the end so track temperature was dropping," he said. “So I think they got lucky, the hard tyre had less degradation than expected.”
"The tailwind was quite random and here in Baku you are always on the edge," he continued. “We put the hard tyre on when the safety car came. It was 38 laps to the end [but] it held on quite okay. The job that everyone has done in Aston Martin is extraordinary," he said. "Between Lance and me, we are aware of that. We are trying to help the team as much as we can.”
‘Surprised to find Aston Martin as close to Ferrari’;
https://f1i.com/news/472776-alonso-i...o-ferrari.html
Alonso 'got me clean': Sainz GUSHES after F1 legend's impressive overtake
Sunday 30 April 2023 18:45
Lauren Sneath
GPFans
Carlos Sainz has praised Fernando Alonso for his stellar moves during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after his fellow Spaniard overtook him during a tricky race for the Ferrari driver.
The Ferrari driver praised the work of Aston Martin driver Alonso after he overtook him. Alonso took home P4 in the race, breaking a clean sweep of podiums so far this season. Sainz said: “Fernando got me right, clean, and then defended in a great way.”
'Got me clean';
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...prix-overtake/
ALONSO: LECLERC ‘LUCKY’ FINISHING THIRD AT F1 AZERBAIJAN GP
Alonso missed out on a podium to maintain his 100% podium record by just missing out to Leclerc by one second at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
April 30, 2023
Nathan Hartley
Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso believes that Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc “got lucky” during the latter stages of the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Alonso finished the race in fourth place – only one second behind Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque started the race on pole but was no match to the Red Bull’s superior pace.
Alonso believes that Leclerc was “lucky” to hang on to the third place. The Spaniard believes that the late overcast conditions helped the Monegasque to manage his hard tyres more effectively. Ferrari are known to have tyre wear struggles this season. Therefore, if the temperature stayed the same, Alonso reckoned that he would have overtaken the Ferrari driver before the chequered flag.
“I think with the mediums, the Ferraris had massive degradation in the first stint. On a normal hot race, I think they will struggle a little bit more. Today was good for them but Miami [next race, humid conditions] is going to be different.”
‘Miami’;
https://www.formulanerds.com/news/al.../?nowprocket=1
Alonso preparing Stroll to lead Aston for ‘next 10-15 years’
06:06, Mon, 01 May 2023.
By Valentin Khorounzhiy and Scott Mitchell-Malm
The Race
Fernando Alonso says the help he gave his Aston Martin team-mate Lance Stroll in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku is a reflection of the fact he wants to best prepare Stroll to “lead the team for the next 10 or 15 years”.
“Yeah, it has been like this. I know that I will be in the sport for a few more years but not many, and he will lead the team for the next 10 or 15 years, so I hope I can help Lance in the next few years.” In Baku, Alonso took time out to recommend that the team advise Stroll to copy a brake bias change he’d done on his car.
“We talk a lot during the weekend, already from Thursday – what we both felt here in the past, in traffic what we will do, what will be the plan for each of the cars. If we feel something in the car during the race that we didn’t speak about and there’s something new that can help the other car, normally we communicate to the team.”
‘Next 10-15 years’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/alons...t-10-15-years/
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Wolff admits Leclerc 'is on the radar' to replace Hamilton.
The Monegasque driver has been tipped as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton when he leaves Mercedes.
02 May 2:45PM
Author Jake Nichol
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365
"The only time I talked with him is when we discussed where the gate is in Melbourne to board the plane," Wolff said when asked about contacting Leclerc to media including RacingNews365. "Charles is a super guy, and of the long-term future, someone you have to have on your radar, but not for the short and medium term."
"Nobody doubts Charles' ability and he is a good guy. He is 100% committed to Ferrari, and we are 100% committed to putting pen to paper with Lewis." Hamilton's deal expires at the end of the season, with Wolff previously admitting that the seven-time champion could leave the team if they are unable to provide him a car capable of fighting for what would be a record-breaking eighth title.
‘Seven-time champion could leave the team if they are unable to provide him a car capable of fighting’;
https://racingnews365.com/wolff-admi...place-hamilton
Toto Wolff confirms Charles Leclerc on Mercedes ‘long-term’ driver radar
02 May 2023 7:42 AM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com
Toto Wolff has confirmed Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc is on his “radar” for a drive with Mercedes in the future, but “not for the short or medium term.”
A report from Italian journalist Leo Turrini last week claimed it was an “open secret” within the paddock that the Ferrari driver and Mercedes team principal have been in talks over a potential move in future, with his contract with the Scuderia expiring at the end of the 2024 season.
“Open secret”
https://www.planetf1.com/news/toto-w...ercedes-radar/
Lewis Hamilton left frustrated as Mercedes boss Toto Wolff demands F1 changes after Baku
Toto Wolff has called for F1 change after Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes teammate George Russell were frustrated during the Azerbaijan GP in Baku.
11:15, Mon, May 1, 2023
By Alex Turk
Hamilton spent the latter stages of the race hunting down Ferrari's Carlos Sainz in fifth, finishing less than a second behind the Spaniard.
But even despite being within DRS range, the seven-time world champion couldn't pass Sainz and had to settle for sixth.
‘Frustrated’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...jan-Grand-Prix
Wolff: Leclerc 'someone you must have on your radar'
02/05/2023 at 11:52
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com
Toto Wolff admits that Charles Leclerc is someone that Mercedes has to have on its radar for the long term, but the Austrian denied that he was taking a short term interest in the Ferrari driver.
Ahead of last weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the Italian media claimed that it was an "open secret" that Mercedes was courting Leclerc and that it considered the Monegasque as its first choice as Lewis Hamilton's successor.
The seven-time world has yet to agree to a new and likely final deal with Mercedes, which has sparked a wave of speculation about the latter's future.
‘Radar’;
https://f1i.com/news/472961-wolff-le...our-radar.html
Wolff adds to the Leclerc speculation saga
02/05/2023
NEWS STORY
Pitpass
Admitting that Charles Leclerc is a driver that everyone should have on their radar, Toto Wolff helps to fan the flames in terms of speculation over the youngster's future. The trials and tribulations of Mercedes and Ferrari has allowed the usual suspects in the media free rein in terms of clickbait headlines relating to the futures of Lewis Hamilton.
Meanwhile, Toto Wolff further muddied the waters with a throwaway remark in response to being asked about the speculation surrounding Leclerc and Mercedes. "The only time I talked with him is when we discussed where the gate is in Melbourne to board the plane," joked the Austrian.
Of course, both drivers are fully committed to their respective teams, as are the majority of the rest of the grid, should you ask them, but with continued speculation over Max Verstappen's future one has to ask how far that commitment might stretch should Red Bull announce a vacancy anytime soon.
‘Speculation over Max Verstappen's future’;
https://www.pitpass.com/75013/Wolff-...eculation-saga
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F1 race or influencer Olympics? The glitz and glamour to expect at the Miami Grand Prix.
Stars are descending upon the city to party the weekend away. The Seminole Hard Rock will host performers Wisin y Handel and the Jonas Brothers, and Carbone Beach is yet to announce a highly anticipated line-up.
Tuesday 2 May 2023 22:27
Lauren Sneath
GPFans
The Miami Grand Prix is entering its second year on the F1 calendar and hopes are high for a mass of celebrity attendees, after stars such as Michelle Obama and Michael Jordan watched last year’s race.
The Miami race was added to the calendar for the 2022 season, joining the United States Grand Prix, which is held at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin. Since then, yet another American location has joined the F1 calendar as the teams head to Las Vegas in November.
‘Glitz and glamour’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...rities-events/
MIAMI GRAND PRIX
MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AUTODROME - MIAMI
05 - 07 may
Scuderia Toro Rosso - Official Site
Miami International Autodrome is the venue for the Grand Prix, just a few kilometres from Downtown. The United States thus holds the record for the most cities to have hosted a Formula 1 Grand Prix, with Miami being the eleventh.
The street circuit runs around the famous Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. The promoter came up with 36 different possible layouts before arriving at the definitive version. All the hard work over several years has produced a track that is fast and spectacular, with three long straights each with a DRS zone, where speeds are expected to reach 320 km/h.
Electrifying track. It’s a street circuit, but its design has all the hallmarks of a permanent facility. Miami International Autodrome runs round the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. The track is fast and smooth, with three DRS zones, but there are also places where drivers have to brake right on the limit, producing some great overtaking moves.
‘MIAMI GP: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW’;
https://scuderia.alphatauri.com/en/g...mi-grand-prix/
SESSION TIMES FOR THE 2023 F1 MIAMI GP
The 2023 Miami GP is the first of three F1 races in the USA this season
May 2, 2023
By John Smith
Total Motorsport
Formula 1 heads across the pond to the USA for the first time in the 2023 F1 season for the Miami GP, so make sure you know all the F1 session times for the action at the Miami International Autodrome. The Miami GP made its debut on the F1 calendar last year with the 5.412km circuit set in the Hard Rock Stadium complex in Miami Gardens, and has the feel of a street circuit.
Miami sees a return to the traditional F1 weekend with qualifying for the main race scheduled for 16:00 (local time) on Saturday, and the Miami GP at 15:30 (local time) on Sunday.
Date Session Local UK (BST) US (EDT) US (PDT) Aus (AEST)
May 5 Practice 1 14:00 19:00 14:00 11:00 04:00*
May 5 Practice 2 17:30 22:30 17:30 14:30 07:30*
May 6 Practice 3 12:30 17:30 12:30 09:30 02:30*
May 6 Qualifying 16:00 21:00 16:00 13:00 06:00*
May 7 Grand Prix 15:30 20:30 15:30 12:30 05:30*
*Denotes Next Day
‘Traditional F1 weekend’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/ses...3-f1-miami-gp/
Can Sergio Perez make another street circuit statement against Max Verstappen? F1 Miami GP talking points
2 May 2023
Lewis Larkam
Crash.Net
Crash.net looks at some of the biggest talking points heading into this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix as F1 heads straight from Baku to the USA. Can Perez stay ahead of Verstappen? Sergio Perez reignited his F1 world championship bid with victory in last weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and he now has an opportunity to maintain his momentum in Miami.
The start of Ferrari’s upgrade push. Despite bringing no upgrades to Baku, Ferrari enjoyed their strongest weekend of the season so far as Charles Leclerc beat the Red Bulls to pole position for the sprint and main grand prix. More damage limitation for Mercedes? After their uptick in form in Melbourne translated into a podium, Mercedes ended up being the fourth-fastest team in Baku as they slipped back behind both Ferrari and Aston Martin.
Can F1's erratic rookies get off the mark? The 2023 season has been something of a baptism of fire for F1 rookies Nyck de Vries and Logan Sargeant so far.
‘Talking points;’
https://www.crash.net/f1/feature/102...nst-verstappen
MIAMI GP WIN WOULD MAKE PEREZ A TRUE TITLE CONTENDER – BUTTON
2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Posted on 2nd May 2023, 21:07
Written by Ida Wood
RaceFans.com
If Sergio Perez wins this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix, he will lead the Formula 1 world championship for the first time in his career. Jenson Button reckons such a win would instigate a title challenge.
“I am really impressed with Sergio. Max, he has to be the toughest team mate, because he just gets out there and gets it done in terms of his speed,” said Button. “I think [Perez] did a really good job at the weekend, and back-to-back wins if you like with the sprint race and the main event. That will give him a lot of confidence.”
“I think we are only going to really know when we go to the next race. Kind of a street race as well: If he can pull out a win there, I mean that would be a massive deal for him. And I think that would give him confidence for the season.” Button says Perez needs to demonstrate he can be a consistent threat to his team mate. “We haven’t seen him throughout the season obviously be as competitive as Max. Max is on it every weekend.
‘True title contender’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/05/02/...tender-button/
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Miami to hold first of F1’s new pre-race driver introduction ceremonies.
A new pre-race driver introduction ceremony will take place for the first time ahead of this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix.
2023 Miami Grand Prix
Posted on 3rd May 2023, 12:273rd May 2023, 12:27
Written by Keith Collantine
RaceFans
Formula 1 previously experimented with a presentation of this kind at the United States Grand Prix in 2017. However RaceFans understands a different ceremony is planned for this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix.
Last week the FIA World Motor Sport Council approved changes to the F1 sporting regulations to allow more time for drivers to assemble on the grid prior to the start of the race. The pre-race grid procedure now begins 50 minutes before the start of the formation lap instead of 40 minutes ahead.
“At certain races, this additional time will be used for the presentation of the drivers to the fans,” the FIA noted. Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix is due to begin at 3:30pm local time. The driver introduction and national anthem observance will take place at 3:08pm.
‘Introduction ceremony’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/05/03/...on-ceremonies/
Last minute change to Miami GP schedule
03 May 8:45AM
Author RacingNews365 Staff
RacingNews365
A slight tweak has been made to the schedule for this weekend's Miami Grand Prix, affecting Friday practice. The Friday Formula 1 free practice times for the upcoming Miami Grand Prix have been slightly brought forward.
F1 is visiting the Miami International Autodrome for the second time this weekend, but changes have been made to the planned schedule with both first and second practice brought forward from their original start times.
‘Slight tweak’;
https://racingnews365.com/miami-gp-s...chedule-change
Vasseur: Miami GP to kick off Ferrari SF-23 upgrade effort
03/05/2023 at 13:17
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com
Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur says the Italian outfit will kick off in earnest in Miami this week its 2023 development programme for its SF-23.
"We will start to bring updates on the car from Miami and for the next couple of events and we will see how the car will react to the updates," said Vasseur in Baku.
"The update is one thing but the fact that you are able to extract all of the potential out of the update is another one."
‘Ferrari SF-23 upgrade’;
https://f1i.com/news/473017-vasseur-...de-effort.html
Vasseur: Ferrari to kickstart 2023 F1 development plan in Miami
03/05/2023 at 12:52
by Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has revealed this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix will be the start of Ferrari introducing updates to its 2023 Formula 1 car.
“We will start to bring updates on the car from Miami and for the next couple of events and we will see how the car will react to the updates,” he disclosed.
“The update is one thing but the fact that you are able to extract all of the potential out of the update is another one.”
‘2023 F1 development plan’;
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...elopment-plan/
Aston Martin hoping DRS fix works in Miami after Stroll manages fault in race
2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Posted on 3rd May 2023, 8:153rd May 2023, 7:03
Written by Ida Wood and Claire Cottingham
RaceFans
He hopes to confirm ahead of Sunday’s race at the Miami International Autodrome that their DRS is now working as intended. “I’m not an aerodynamicist, so I need to be careful to jump to a conclusion before we have done the full analysis”, said Krack. Asked whether it will be fixed in Miami he said: “I think so.”
‘EL PLAN’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/05/03/...fault-in-race/
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IT'S RACE WEEK: 5 storylines we're excited about ahead of the Miami Grand Prix.
Straight from Azerbaijan it’s time for Formula 1’s first trip across the Atlantic this year as we head to Florida and one of the newest races on the calendar.
03 May 2023
Chris Medland
Special Contributor
Formula One - Official Site
Ahead of the second race of the back-to-back that’s restarted the season, here are some of the talking points that will be on the agenda in the Miami paddock this weekend... 1. Red Bull driver battle heating up. I’m allowed to say it: The Azerbaijan Grand Prix was not a thriller. Baku is a circuit that has the potential to deliver absolute chaos at times, and has been voted the best race of the season in the past, but you can never guarantee excitement and it was a largely processional few hours on Sunday.
2. Ferrari’s growing threat. At the same time that Perez has ensured Verstappen is not running away with the title at this point of the season, so too has Charles Leclerc provided a reminder that there could be external threats this year. 3. A true home race for America’s new star. Logan Sargeant’s arrival on the Formula 1 grid has been met with added excitement as America finally has a full-time driver to get behind, and it could be argued he has three home races this year with Austin and Las Vegas still to come.
4. Alpine looking to bounce back. There was less to cheer for at Alpine over the past seven days, as a disastrous Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend prevented the team from showing their potential. Alpine had an upgraded car to test out during FP1 but a reliability issue for Pierre Gasly saw him session end in a cloud of smoke, before he then crashed in qualifying. 5. One of the most lively events of the year. If there’s one thing that we can guarantee about all of the teams in Miami, it’s that they are in for an extremely busy couple of days. Last year’s inaugural race was one of the most intense and spectacular weeks as the whole city embraced F1’s arrival, and this year looks like providing more of the same.
‘5 storylines’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...KYzt55PHK.html
Could weather cause a concern for F1 teams at the Miami GP?
03 May 3:40PM
Author RacingNews365 Staff
However, there could be a risk of showers in store for race day. With thanks to our friends at WeerOnline.nl, here's the current weather forecast for the 2023 F1 Miami Grand Prix.
Warm in Miami with a chance of showers
High temperatures and humidity are not unusual in southern Florida, and these conditions look to be in store for Formula 1's return to Miami.
When the action kicks off with Friday's practice sessions, plenty of sunshine is forecast and temperatures could reach 31 degrees Celsius… Similar conditions are expected on Saturday. However, the chance of local rain or a thunderstorm increases during the afternoon. While more sunshine is forecast for Sunday, the possibility of showers is higher than earlier in the weekend.
‘Risk of showers in store for race day’;
https://racingnews365.com/could-weat...t-the-miami-gp
Chance of thunderstorms on Sunday could lead to first wet race of 2023 in Miami
2023 Miami Grand Prix weather
Posted on 3rd May 2023, 18:54
Written by Ida Wood
RaceFans
When F1 cars hit the track for the first time at 2pm local time on Friday it is expected to be the hottest time of the day with the temperature forecast to be 30C.
The air temperature is only anticipated to drop by one or two degrees by the time the second practice session starts at 5:30pm, with winds staying just as strong. Third practice at 12:30pm on Saturday is forecast to take place in similar temperatures, and slightly weaker winds of the same direction coming from the United States’ East Coast only 10 kilometres away.
There is a slight chance of rain for when qualifying begins at 4pm. On Sunday the grand prix’s start time of 3:30pm is again set to be the hottest part of the day, meaning drivers can expect it to get cooler throughout the race. However Sunday’s forecast also brings a much higher chance of rain. Recent forecasts put it as high as 66% in the local area, and therefore could see herald the arrival of rain before the race finish and the first wet grand prix of 2023.
‘Chance of thunderstorms on Sunday’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/05/03/...2023-in-miami/
Miami GP offers F1 chance to dismiss 'boring' fears
23:42 Wed, 03 May 2023.
France 24
The dreaded word 'boring' has been reappearing in the vocabulary of Formula One, after a season dominated so far by defending champions Red Bull, so it is perhaps timely that the championship arrives in Miami this week.
Last year's inaugural Miami Grand Prix encapsulated the buzz around the sport in the United States with celebrities and socialites keen to be seen with mojitos in hand watching the stars of Netflix's 'Drive to Survive'.
The impact of the reality show on F1's growth in the US has been well documented and this season sees three Grand Prix races in the country with Las Vegas added to the calendar alongside the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.
‘Dreaded word 'boring'’;
https://www.france24.com/en/live-new...s-boring-fears
Why spectacular Miami GP could knock CLASSIC F1 race off the calendar
Wednesday 3 May 2023 22:42
Amar Mehta
GPFans
For decades, the Monaco Grand Prix has been the crown jewel of the F1 calendar, but a new race is bidding to usurp Monte Carlo. The glitz and glamour, the celebrities, the sun-kissed marina and cars racing round the ultra-narrow street circuit, passing iconic landmarks like the Monte Carlo casino – it was the place to be seen.
The drivers still unanimously still love the challenge. “Without Monaco for me it’s not F1,” said Ferrari’s Monégasque driver Charles Leclerc last year. “There’s no track that comes close to the adrenaline we get in Monaco. It’s part of F1 history and should stay in F1.”
He reflects a view held widely, but there is a bigger picture. "We accommodate Monaco because of its heritage and because of its history. That’s it,” said Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. “You’ve got to evolve. If you stand still, then you’re going backwards.”
‘From Monaco to Miami??????????????????????????????’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...a-monte-carlo/
Sainz sees Miami as opportunity to rectify tough Azerbaijan GP weekend
17:00 Wed, 03 May 2023.
by Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week
Carlos Sainz says he views the quick turnaround to the next Formula 1 round in Miami as a positive after enduring a tough weekend in Azerbaijan. The Spaniard ended up over half a second behind team-mate Charles Leclerc in both qualifying sessions in Baku, finishing two places and over a whole pit stop worth of time behind the sister Ferrari by the time Sunday’s race concluded.
Sainz attributed some of his troubles to the interruption of the Sprint schedule which meant the drivers were only allocated one hour of practice before their set-up choices were locked in for the weekend. The one-time F1 race winner remarked that he was pleased the next round in Miami was taking place only a week after Baku with a return to the traditional weekend format.
“No, because we haven’t had time to sit down and analyse,” he said when asked if he had an explanation for his struggles. “We’ve had to very quickly go into the next session to fine-tune the car with the front wing, and the switches, to put it in a bit of a better place.”
‘Opportunity to rectify’;
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...an-gp-weekend/
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F1 pitlane invasion: FIA vs FIA and how chaos came so close to catastrophe.
Just when you think you've seen it all in Formula 1, you can trust the FIA to come along and make you realise there's always something unprecedented around the corner.
Monday 1 May 2023 19:45
Jim Kimberley
GPFans
Sunday's 17:25 document from the FIA's stewards summoning the, uhhh... FIA, to explain themselves might not be Abu Dhabi 2021 levels of egregious, but I don't think anyone had it on their 2023 bingo card. Of course, it's correct that the FIA must investigate the steps which led to the terrifying scenes greeting Esteban Ocon upon his pit lane entry on the penultimate lap of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
FIA must get priorities right. I'm certain this pit lane near-miss will be the last one we see, thanks to the serious questions about the procedure which will come this week, but that the FIA had to summon the FIA to start that conversation when so many innocuous issues like jewellery and political statements seemingly sat higher in the priority list is ridiculous.
As it's said on every ticket or pass I've had to every circuit I've visited, "Motor Racing is dangerous." Perhaps to help the FIA from needing to summon themselves in the future, the circuits should append: "Letting dozens of people onto a live pit lane during a race is utter madness."
‘FIA vs FIA’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...2023-analysis/
F1 photographer blames FIA for Esteban Ocon ‘shambles’
Esteban Ocon completed all but the final lap of the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix on the same set of Hard tyres.
1 May 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News
Formula 1 photographer Evgeniy Safronov has spoken out on the “certainly dangerous” incident which occurred on the final lap of Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Esteban Ocon narrowly avoided hitting several photographers.
Safronov was one of the photographers down by parc ferme and saw the chaos unfold, with the Russian having revealed that the governing body told the photographers and officials that they could enter the pits “a little earlier than usual”. “I was there,” Safronov said. “It’s a great example of when the race was not the best so we need to discuss something.”
“And we need better headlines than all the ‘It could have ended in tragedy’. I’ll tell you what happened. This time the FIA gave the go-ahead a little earlier than usual. And it wasn’t just photographers but also officials. Yes, it was certainly dangerous,” he noted. “It shouldn’t have happened. But in the very, very last case, there was a person behind the wheel and his car had brakes.”
“A little earlier than usual”;
https://formula1news.co.uk/f1-photog...ocon-shambles/
‘Not rocket science’: Alpine fire jibe at FIA
The FIA is facing calls from Alpine to make changes to prevent a repeat of the terrifying scenes at the end of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
3 May 2023
by Edward Hardy
Formula1News
The end of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix saw potentially serious scenes unfold in the pitlane after Esteban Ocon came in for a last lap tyre change while individuals were scattered across a live pit lane. In a potentially dangerous moment, given the speed Ocon was moving at, personnel had to dive out of the way to avoid a serious incident, with the Alpine driver’s onboard camera showing how close the situation was to a “major incident.”
Alpine’s Sporting Director Alan Permane said that the way to avoid a similarly scary incident was not “rocket science”, stating how the situation should never have occurred. “It is something we have seen before…I don’t know why but photographers are allowed – I understand people want to get the shots of cars coming into parc fermé – but the race track is still live,” Permane said. “I don’t think it is rocket science to fix that.”
‘Not rocket science’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/not-rocke...e-jibe-at-fia/
Lewis Hamilton critical of FIA decision to shorten DRS down Baku straight
02 May 2023 6:00 PM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com
Lewis Hamilton cannot understand why the FIA decided to shorten the DRS zone down Baku’s start/finish straight. As Formula 1 returned to the Baku City Circuit for the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a major change made to the track was the shortening of the DRS zone down that monster main straight, with the drivers now having 100 meters less DRS time on that section of the track.
“They shortened the DRS this year down the straight, I don’t know why they did that, we have always had great racing the way the DRS was,” said Hamilton as per RacingNews365.com. “By the time we turn DRS on, it was too late.”
‘Critical of FIA decision to shorten DRS’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/lewis-...drs-criticism/
Explained: How the FIA develops potential new F1 rules and regulations
02 May 2023 7:30 PM
Thomas Maher
Ever wondered how Formula 1 introduces new rules to the championship? The FIA have detailed how the process works from beginning to end.
F1 Commission meetings are held on at least three occasions throughout the F1 season and consist of a representative from each of the F1 teams, a representative from each of the four current power unit manufacturers, an FIA representative member, and one for the commercial rights holder (FOM/Liberty Media).
The attending personnel are given different voting weighting, depending on who they represent. Each team representative is given a weighting of a single vote, while the FIA and FOM representatives are given a weighting of 10 votes each (equal to the amount of teams participating in the championship).
‘Explained……’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/how-fi...-new-f1-rules/
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NEED TO KNOW: The most important facts, stats and trivia ahead of the 2023 Miami Grand Prix.
Formula 1 returns to the Sunshine State for Round 5 of the 2023 Formula 1 championship, so here’s everything you need to know for this weekend’s visit to Miami.
04 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Featuring expert insight from former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer and former F1 strategist Bernie Collins, along with the fan view via our F1 Play predictor game.
There's no Sprint this weekend but there will be plenty of action with Free Practice 1 and 2 on Friday, FP3 and qualifying on Saturday, and the 2023 Miami Grand Prix on Sunday. Head to the RACE HUB to find out how and when you can catch it all.
Vital statistics
• First Grand Prix – 2022
• Track Length – 5.412km
• Lap record – 1m 31.361s, Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 2022
• Most pole positions – Charles Leclerc (1)
• Most wins – Max Verstappen (1)
• Trivia – Miami is the 11th different Grand Prix venue in the United States and the 77th different venue to host a Formula 1 World Championship Grand Prix
• Pole run to Turn 1 braking point – 170 metres
• Overtakes completed in 2022 – 110
• Safety Car probability – 100%
• Virtual Safety Car probability – 100%
• Pit stop time loss – 20.18 seconds
‘NEED TO KNOW’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...j4yEHsJRs.html
The key talking points heading into the Miami Grand Prix
4th May 2023, 12:56
George Dagless
Give Me Sport
F1 has gone from Baku to Miami this week in one of the most logistically challenging periods of the season, as the shores of the Caspian Sea are traded for Miami beach and the Hard Rock stadium. Track resurface: There were elements of the Miami track last year that the drivers were a little concerned about, in terms of how uneven it was, and so hopefully that will not be an issue this year.
Humidity, and potentially rain, to be a factor: The humidity and heat in Miami is set to be a big factor this weekend and the drivers will need to be fully prepared for the rigours of driving in those conditions. Can Ferrari build on Baku? Ferrari had a strong weekend in Azerbaijan overall. Charles Leclerc showed his brilliant one-lap pace at the wheel of the SF-23 to seal pole for both the Sprint and the Grand Prix, though the race pace was not there to match Red Bull unfortunately.
Can Sergio Perez close the gap further in the title fight? Had it not been for a brake issue in Australia, and having to start in the pitlane and scramble back through the field, Sergio Perez claimed in Baku, the Mexican would be top of the championship standings instead of six points behind team-mate Max Verstappen. A welcome return to the normal schedule? The first Sprint weekend has been and gone and we're back to a more traditional schedule this weekend in Miami, with FP1 and FP2 on Friday, FP3 and qualifying on Saturday, and the Grand Prix on Sunday.
‘Key talking points’;
https://www.givemesport.com/the-key-...mi-grand-prix/
F1 Fantasy: top picks and predictions for the 2023 Miami Grand Prix
4th May 2023, 12:01
Author Cambridge Kisby
Motor Sport Magazine
F1 makes a 6500 mile journey this week from the streets of Baku to the beaches of Miami – a site of great opportunity for F1 Fantasy players and their teams. Whilst 2022 saw F1 Fantasy players step into the unknown for the first Miami Grand Prix, 2023’s visit to Florida is on much more steady ground, with Red Bull seemingly in firm control.
With similar track characteristics to Baku, the Miami International Autodrome could play to the strengths of the RB19, as it is composed of two long straight-aways divided by a blend of medium and low speed corners.
Having won on every outing so far this season, spending $45.7m to have both Verstappen and Perez in your line-up is a safe bet to cover all bases, but with teams beginning to bring upgrades and the gap at the front beginning to close, there are plenty of mor economical options available. Here’s who we think you should consider for the 2023 Miami Grand Prix.
‘F1 Fantasy’;
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...?nowprocket=1#
Perez title bid reality with Miami win
Thursday 4th May, 2023 - 11:13pm
By Ian Parkes
Speedcafe
Sergio Perez will be firmly in the hunt for this year’s F1 title if can score his third grand prix victory of the season this weekend. That is the verdict of 2009 champion Jenson Button who has been impressed with what he has seen so far from the Mexican driver.
‘Title bid reality’;
https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/05/04...miamigp-title/
Fans take centre stage as AMF1 Team brings the spark to the Miami heat
4th May 2023, 15:05
Aston Martin F1 - Official Site
We see you, we hear you, we're with you. As we arrive in Magic City for the Miami Grand Prix, an incredible venue for a Formula One race that serves to underline the growing popularity of the sport, we’re shifting the focus from the team to you, our fans.
From opening the doors to the AMF1 Team garage to provide unforgettable and inspirational experiences for fans and local students to taking F1 to the streets of Miami via thrilling partner-led events, this is how we're bringing the spark to the Miami heat…
‘AMF1 Team brings the spark’;
https://www.astonmartinf1.com/en-GB/...the-miami-heat
FIA shortens F1’s two longest DRS zones on Miami Grand Prix track
2023 Miami Grand Prix
Posted on 4th May 2023, 16:274th May 2023, 16:27
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans
The FIA has reduced the length of two DRS zones at the Miami International Autodrome, despite some drivers criticising a similar change at the previous race. Azerbaijan Grand Prix winner Sergio Perez said after the race that he disagreed with the decision to reduce the DRS zone over the Baku race weekend.
“I feel these cars are generating a bit more downforce and, by generating that little more downforce, the car behind struggles a little bit more to follow,” Perez explained. “So in my opinion, it wasn’t the right thing to shorten up the DRS, because it’s getting harder to overtake than last year already in itself so it’s something we should review.”
‘FIA….’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/05/04/...nd-prix-track/
FIA introduce Miami Grand Prix rule change despite Lewis Hamilton and Russell criticism
The FIA have confirmed rule changes will be made for this weekend's Miami Grand Prix.
By Luke Chillingsworth
17:12, Thu, May 4, 2023
Daily and Sunday Express
The FIA has introduced major DRS changes for this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix just a week after criticism from drivers including Lewis Hamilton. Two out of the three DRS zones have been shortened ahead of the weekend despite opposition to similar updates in Azerbaijan.
Lewis Hamilton stressed the updates had a sizeable impact on the racing. The 38-year-old explained: “They shortened the DRS this year down the straight, I don’t know why they did that, we have always had great racing the way the DRS was. By the time we turn DRS on, it was too late.”
Team-mate George Russell also raised concerns over the move and called out the FIA for making changes without consulting those behind the wheel. Speaking in Baku, he remarked: “The drivers have had zero input. I’ve been a little bit disappointed again that we weren’t in that loop — I’m not even sure the FIA are aware that we feel that overtaking is harder, yet they’re basing the DRS off historic information. It’s going to make it challenging to overtake.”
‘Drivers have had zero input’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ussell-f1-news
Resurfaced Miami GP circuit poses unknowns as organisers opt for more spectacle
4th May 2023, 16:47
Charlen Raymond
Wheels24
This weekend's Miami Grand Prix is the first time in 2023 that two Formula 1 races will be staged on successive weekends.
For 2023, race organisers opted to resurface the track, moving away from the limestone and granite composition. Thus, for this year's edition, the circuit will be paved with asphalt which promotes overtaking. "We could have just come back with the racetrack that we had last year," said Tom Garfinkel,
"The goal we set out was to have great racing and a lot of overtaking (and) side-by-side racing. The track we had last year, there were parts where there was one (racing) line where there should have been a possibility to overtake. We weren't happy with that."
‘Resurfaced circuit poses unknowns’;
https://www.news24.com/sport/motorsp...tacle-20230504
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We’re Going To The Miami Grand Prix, Anything You’d Like Us To Check Out?
We’ll be there throughout the weekend to gather as much cool automotive content as we possibly can. Here’s a preview of what we expect to do and a question for you.
22:39 Thu, 04 May 2023.
by Stephen Rivers
Carscoops
Entering the fifth race of the 2023 F1 season, there are a number of interesting story-lines to follow. Red Bull has a commanding lead in the standings and its pair of drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez are separated by just six points in the overall driver standings.
As we noted earlier this week, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc believes his team has “a lot of work to do” to keep up with Red Bull and Aston Martin heading into Miami. Despite that, he managed to pick up Ferrari’s first podium of the season with a third-place finish in Azerbaijan. According to organizers, the track has been resurfaced in an effort to improve the event and more capacity has been added so that more fans can attend in person.
We’re going there thanks to the folks over at Pirelli who tell us that we’ll get the chance to experience hot laps at the Miami International Autodrome along with the perks that come with paddock club access. We’re also going to have some time to spend with Pirelli’s general manager of operations, Andrea Casaluci. If you have any questions you’d like us to ask him in regards to F1 tires, shoot away.
‘We’re Going To The Miami Grand Prix’;
https://www.carscoops.com/2023/05/we...-to-check-out/
Miami GP: Thursday's build-up in pictures
04/05/2023 at 22:00
Michael Delaney
F1i.com
It was a long haul from the shores of the Caspian Sea to Miami and equally wide change in culture. But Formula 1 has set up shop in Florida's Magic City and opened for business.
Check out our gallery of pictures from Thursday's media at the Hard Rock Stadium, the home of the NFL's Miami Dolphins on loan to this weekend to Formula 1.
‘Build-up in pictures’;
https://f1i.com/news/473109-miami-gp...ictures-2.html
First pictures from the 2023 Miami Grand Prix weekend
F1 Pictures
Posted on 4th May 2023, 18:364th May 2023, 23:03
Written by Keith Collantine
RaceFans
Pictures from the build-up to the 2023 Miami Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome.
https://www.racefans.net/2023/05/04/...-prix-weekend/
RANKED: Perez's all-street Red Bull victories ahead of Miami showdown
Thursday 4 May 2023 20:27
Harry Smith
GPFans
Sergio Perez will travel to the upcoming Miami Grand Prix as F1's undisputed street circuit supremo following a dominant drive in Baku last weekend. 5. 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Perez needed just six races to record his first ever victory for Red Bull, pouncing on Verstappen's misfortune and a Hamilton error to make his return to the top step of the podium.
4. 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Sergio Perez failed to defend his second career pole position for more than a few dozen metres in Jeddah as he lost the lead to Fernando Alonso at the race start, but Checo wasted little time in reclaiming P1, returning to the front on lap four. 3. 2022 Monaco Grand Prix: Recovering from a qualifying spin that cost team-mate Max Verstappen a shot at pole position, Perez capitalised on some Ferrari self-sabotage to claim victory in F1's most prestigious Grand Prix.
2. 2022 Singapore Grand Prix: Rather than kicking on after his Monaco Grand Prix victory, Perez struggled as Verstappen dominated the field after the 2022 summer break. 1. 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Perez's most recent Grand Prix victory may be his most impressive to date. While many have cited luck as playing a considerable role in his previous Red Bull wins, there can be no doubt that Checo was the fastest of the Red Bull duo in Baku.
‘RANKED’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...mi-grand-prix/
“I’d have got him” – Perez certain he would have won in Baku without Safety Car
2023 Miami Grand Prix
Posted on 5th May 2023, 8:005th May 2023, 8:02
Written by Keith Collantine and RJ O'Connell
RaceFans
Sergio Perez says he won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on “pure pace” and would have beaten his team mate even without the Safety Car period which aided his strategy.
Perez closed on Verstappen shortly before the leader pitted, and suspects he would have been quick enough to overtake him later in the race. “Yes, I think so,” he said when asked. “I think on that first stint on that lap if he wouldn’t have pitted, you never know, but I was quite close on the DRS but he was struggling already with the tyres. So I think I would have got him.”
He doesn’t believe Red Bull timed Verstappen’s pit stop to prevent the world champion being passed by his team mate on-track. “I don’t think so,” he said. “I think they pitted Max because they thought that he was struggling with his tyres. People behind were pitting so it was just a reaction to probably people behind doing the pit stops. So I think they want to make the best strategy for both cars as possible.”
“I’d have got him”;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/05/05/...ut-safety-car/
Oscar Piastri excited to get top grips with 'fast a flowing' Miami GP circuit
04 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
Despite being new to the Miami circuit, McLaren's Oscar Piastri has managed some hot laps around the track and is looking forward to putting the MCL60 through its paces at the 2023 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix.
‘Oscar Piastri excited’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...411820004.html
Aston Martin's Alonso 'quite confident' ahead of Miami GP
04 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
Fernando Alonso discusses recent advances by Ferrari and Mercedes, but remains excited by Aston Martin's potential ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix.
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...785391157.html
FIA right to shorten F1’s DRS zones in Miami and Baku – Alonso
2023 Miami Grand Prix
Posted on 4th May 2023, 18:50
Written by Keith Collantine and RJ O'Connell
RaceFans
“It was the easiest [overtaking] here, last year, apparently,” Alonso told media including RaceFans in Miami. “So that’s why I think FIA shortened the DRS. In Baku it also was one of the easiest last year, so they shortened the DRS. I heard Lewis [Hamilton] was saying that this year it was too short. Which I think for them, with the high downforce it was too short.”
“For Red Bull it was too long because at the start/finish line they overtook Leclerc and he was opening to braking on the outside for turn one. So if you take one car it was too long, if you take another car it was too short. I guess it was about the calculation that the FIA do after have seeing last year’s races. Baku and Miami they were on the high side in terms of overtaking and how easy it was so that’s why they shortened it. Let’s see this year.”
‘EL PLAN’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/05/04/...d-baku-alonso/
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History predicts CHAOS if Miami GP weather forecast holds true.
Forecasts suggest the subtropical Floridian weather has a high likelihood of rainfall on Sunday afternoon over the Magic City — with some reports suggesting any wet conditions would be the thundery variety rather than a springtime shower.
Thursday 4 May 2023 23:27
Jim Kimberley
GPFans
As new Formula 1 races go, the inaugural Miami Grand Prix didn't entertain as much on track as it did off, but that looks likely to change for 2023. Wet conditions are the great leveller in Formula 1 that provides some parity across the cars, and in a season that Red Bull looks peerless, there's no better time for a soaked street circuit to spice up the action.
You only have to look at last year's rain-affected Monaco Grand Prix for an example of how much a downpour can make even the toughest-to-pass street track entertaining. Wet grands prix at street circuits are a rare beast, but when they happen, two drivers of the current grid reign above everyone else.
‘History predicts CHAOS’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...on-verstappen/
Miami Grand Prix weather: Rain possible as F1 returns stateside
04 May 2023 10:45 AM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com
The teams and drivers can expect toasty conditions in Miami across the race weekend, but that does not guarantee a dry track on Saturday or Sunday.
Sunday, race day of the Miami Grand Prix, proceedings get underway from 1530 local time, at which point there is a 17 per cent chance of a thunderstorm arriving on the scene.
The rain threat grows from there as the Grand Prix progresses, though with the rain threat not really ramping up until around 1800, it means that like in Baku, the precipitation could potentially arrive after the chequered flag has flown.
‘Rain threat’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/2023-m...-prix-weather/
Russell looks to move on from Verstappen spat ahead of Miami GP
George Russell says his incident with Max Verstappen in Baku is in the past
May 4, 2023
By Adam Dickinson
Total Motorsport
George Russell insists there’s no issue between him and Max Verstappen as the fallout continues from their battle in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix Sprint Shootout.
Starting one place behind Verstappen, Russell held the inside through the opening three corners side-by-side in Baku with the reigning Formula 1 world champion and eventually wrestled third place, but drew the ire of the Dutchman at the end of the sprint.
‘Move on’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/rus...-bed-miami-gp/
George Russell sends defiant message to Max Verstappen at Miami Grand Prix after Baku feud
George Russell has opened up on his battle with Max Verstappen.
06:57, Fri, May 5, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express
George Russell has warned Max Verstappen he will not change his on-track behaviour after the pair clashed at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The Mercedes star stressed he would “continue racing the same” and suggested he didn’t understand the hype around the feud.
Speaking ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, Russell said: “I’ll continue racing the same way I always would. I mean a lot has been said about that coming together but from my side it was pretty straightforward. I went for a move, got the move done and moved on.”
‘Defiant message’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...appen-red-bull
Shrinking DRS zones prompt F1 driver complaints
May 5 2023
By Edd Straw
The Race
Formula 1 drivers have questioned whether reducing the length of DRS zones, as happened for last weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix and has been implemented for Miami this weekend, is the right move given the lack of overtaking in races so far in the 2023 season.
Grand Prix Drivers’ Association director George Russell was among those to question the move given it was clear the DRS zone on the start/finish straight in Baku was not long enough. He had already suggested that the Baku change was made without F1 properly appreciating how much harder overtaking was becoming in 2023
‘Shrinking DRS zones complaints’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/shrin...er-complaints/
Drivers take aim at F1 DRS changes: Completely wrong direction
05 May 7:00AM
Author Luke Murphy
Co-author Dieter Rencken
RacingNews365
Formula 1 drivers have hit back against the latest DRS tweaks made ahead of the Miami Grand Prix. Several Formula 1 drivers have criticised the decision to shorten the Drag Reduction System (DRS) zones for the upcoming Miami Grand Prix amid overtaking problems in recent events.
Drivers formed a fairly uniform stance against the latest modifications to DRS zones, with two of the three activation zones in Miami now being shortened compared to last year's event. Speaking ahead of the Miami GP, Mercedes' George Russell said that the drivers had not been consulted for their opinions prior to the latest tweaks.
‘Completely wrong direction’;
https://racingnews365.com/drivers-ta...rong-direction
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Russell fastest in Miami GP FP1 as Hulkenberg crash brings out red flag.
George Russell topped the timing charts in the first practice session of the Miami GP for Mercedes after the session was red flagged for a crash by Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg.
5th May 2023, 20:08
By Matt Neill
Total Motorsport
George Russell had early struggles during the session after coming on the radio to complain to his engineers about steering issues with the Mercedes.
Despite the engineers saying the team would lose too much time in the session by coming in to repair the issue, Russell was insistent, and came in after just five minutes of the session back to the garage to replace the steering rack.
The Mercedes driver returned to the track eventually, and topped the timing charts in the final laps of the session, around two tenths faster than his teammate Lewis Hamilton as the circuit began to pick up across the session.
‘Russell was insistent’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...kenberg-crash/
(FP1) First Practice Results – 2023 Miami Grand Prix
5th May 2023, 20:12
FormulaSpy
Results (Classification):
1. George Russell Mercedes -1:30.125
2. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.212
3. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.324
4. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +0.424
5. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.599
6. Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.979
7. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +1.106
8. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +1.212
9. Nico Hulkenberg Haas +1.267
10. Esteban Ocon Alpine +1.417
‘Miami Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the first practice session ahead of the first of three US races for the 2023 F1 World Championship’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp1-first-...and-prix-82041
LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from first practice for the Miami Grand Prix
05 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site
‘As it Happened’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...QHtmFkycK.html
2023 F1 Miami Grand Prix - Friday Practice - LIVE UPDATES!
Crash.Net
‘LIVE UPDATES!’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/live/2023-f...e-live-updates
F1 Results Today: Miami Grand Prix Practice Times
Friday 5 May 2023 21:08
Graham Shaw
GPFans
Mercedes held sway as F1's big weekend at the Miami Grand Prix got under way with the opening practice session (FP1) on Friday.
George Russell and Lewis Hamilton topped the timesheets with flying laps very late in the 60-minute session to pip Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and reigning world champion Max Verstappen.
‘Mercedes held sway’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...fp1-fp2-times/
Mercedes on top in opening Miami practice
5th May 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Heading into the final ten minutes Verstappen’s 1:30.549 was the best so far, half a second ahead of Charles Leclerc who was his closest rival at that stage. Pierre Gasly had a moment at T17, lost the rear and spun into the run off but managed to keep his Alpine out of the barriers and continue with the session.
After having languished around the lower part of the timesheets for the majority of the opening practice the Mercedes drivers waited to show their pace at the very end with first Lewis Hamilton and then Russell taking the top of the charts. Russell’s best time was a 1:30.125, two tenths ahead of his teammate while Leclerc was P3. Verstappen had changed to the hards at the end so he wasn’t improving his times when the track reached his best at the end, he finished P4.
Carlos Sainz took P5 while Gasly in P6 was the last driver within a second of Russell with a 1:31.104. Fernando Alonso was the seventh fastest while Lance Stroll kept the Aston Martins together and ended P8. Despite crashing and missing half the session, Hulkenberg’s earlier time still saw him end P9 while Esteban Pcpn rounded out the top ten with a 1:31.542.
‘Mercedes on top’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/mercedes-o...practice-82044
-
Verstappen tops Miami GP FP2 as Leclerc crashes late in session.
Max Verstappen beat the Ferraris to top spot in the second practice session at the Miami Grand Prix, as Charles Leclerc brought out the red flag with a late crash.
May 5, 2023
By Andrew Wright
Total Motorsport
The Dutchman laid down an ominous marker in FP2 at the Miami GP. The Dutchman had some minor issues with his headrest early in the session, but returned to the track to post a 1:27.930 and eclipse Carlos Sainz in second by nearly four tenths.
Leclerc finished third, a further tenth back, but came unstuck on the Miami International Autodrome circuit with 10 minutes left on the clock. The Monegasque had a snap of oversteer before locking up and hitting the barrier at Turn 8. Sergio Perez continued to struggle and could only manage fourth, nearly half a second of the pace set by his teammate and championship rival.
Lando Norris took an encouraging sixth for McLaren, although Oscar Piastri finished well down in 16th. After setting the pace in FP1, Mercedes struggled, with Lewis Hamilton seventh and George Russell 15th. The pair both lost the rear at various points throughout the session, which will be a concern ahead of what is likely to be a dry qualifying.
‘Ominous marker in FP2’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/ver...te-in-session/
(FP2) Second Practice Results – 2023 Miami Grand Prix
5th May 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Results (Classification):
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -1:27.930
2. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.385
3. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.468
4. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.489
5. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.730
6. Lando Norris McLaren +0.811
7. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.928
8. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +1.000
9. Esteban Ocon Alpine +1.007
10. Alex Albon Williams Racing +1.116
‘Miami Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the second practice session ahead of the first of three US races for the 2023 F1 World Championship’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp2-second...and-prix-82052
AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from second practice for the Miami Grand Prix
05 May 2023
Becky Hart.
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site
‘AS IT HAPPENED’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...thwAISYLv.html
How Friday practice for the 2023 F1 Miami GP unfolded
18:41 Fri, 05 May 2023.
Crash.Net
‘How Friday practice unfolded’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/live/2023-f...e-live-updates
What happened in second F1 practice at Miami GP
May 5 2023
By Jack Cozens
The Race
Championship leader Max Verstappen put his Red Bull well clear of the chasing pack in second Formula 1 practice at the Miami Grand Prix.
Key moments:
> Verstappen almost four tenths clear
> Ferraris next best ahead of Perez
> Third-fastest Leclerc later crashes at Turn 6
> Russell’s Mercedes “three-wheeling” and 15th
Verstappen issued more complaints about his headrest during the session, akin to the ones he had during the Azerbaijan GP weekend, but that didn’t slow his progress as he was regularly at the top of the times.
‘What happened’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/what-...e-at-miami-gp/
FIA official visits Red Bull garage at Miami Grand Prix after Max Verstappen complaint
Max Verstappen faced a major concern at the Miami Grand Prix.
00:06, Sat, May 6, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express
FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer was spotted in Red Bull’s garage after Max Verstappen demanded an urgent change at the Miami Grand Prix. The Dutchman identified a major problem with his headrest and HANS device which helps keep drivers' necks safe behind the wheel.
"I'm just stuck all the time my head." Moments later, Red Bull mechanics were seen frantically working on the car in a bid to get Verstappen out for some afternoon running.
Red Bull’s chief engineer Paul Monaghan was then spotted in conversation with Bauer. Team boss Christian Horner later admitted the team had made a “quick fix” to the issue in the garage.
‘FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer was spotted’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ami-grand-prix
Leclerc admits he simply ‘pushed too much’ before his crash in FP2
06 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
Charles Leclerc brought out the red flags with a crash in second practice in Miami and explained afterwards he was simply pushing too hard behind the wheel when he went off line and into the barriers.
‘Pushed too much’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...488522733.html
-
Hamilton calls Mercedes’ Miami practice pace “a kick in the guts”.
Lewis Hamilton said it felt like a “kick in the guts” to realise how far away from the pace Mercedes are at the Miami Grand Prix.
2023 Miami Grand Prix
Posted on 6th May 2023, 0:226th May 2023, 0:23
Written by Keith Collantine
RaceFans
“It’s the same as every weekend,” he (Lewis Hamilton) said after the session. “We’re a second down. It’s a great weekend, it’s a great place to be, lots of positives. It’s just we’re not particularly quick. It’s a struggle out there, we’re just trying lots of different things.”
“P1 looked quite good and then to come into P2 and the true pace comes out, it’s just this kick in the guts. So it’s a little bit difficult to take sometimes. But it’s okay, we’ll just keep on working on it and we’ll regroup tonight and try and see if we can make some set-up changes and get the car in a sweet spot.”
“I think maybe the heat or maybe it’s just the balance we have at the moment. So I’m going to stay optimistic and I’m going to stay hopeful that we can get the car in a better place tomorrow and maybe be a couple of steps up. But it feels like apart from last year we had hardcore bouncing, it generally feels like we’re racing pretty much the same car, and so that’s the difficult thing.”
“It’s the same as every weekend”;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/05/06/...k-in-the-guts/
Lewis Hamilton ‘desperate’ for Mercedes upgrade after ‘kick in the gut’ in Miami
06 May 2023 1:11 AM
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com
Lewis Hamilton says Mercedes “desperately need” upgrades after another “kick in the gut” in Friday practice for the Miami Grand Prix.
“As I said, I’m trying to stay positive with it. We’re working as hard as we can, we’re dying [for], desperately need those upgrades, that’s for sure.”
“Just got to keep our head down for one more race and hopefully we’ll start a new path [at the] next race.”
‘Upgrades’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/lewis-...upgrade-miami/
Russell expecting difficult Miami GP – "There’s no grip whatsoever!"
06 May 7:50AM
Author Michael Butterworth
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365
George Russell says he is expecting Sunday's Miami Grand Prix to be difficult for everyone, citing the lack of grip available offline at the Miami International Autodrome.
"We'll go into Sunday a bit of an unknown," Russell said after FP2 on Friday. "The track's been resurfaced. It's still not performing like any other circuit, so it's a true outlier here, which is cool in some regards.”
"I think is going to be really difficult to race because you can't drive offline, and you've seen a few people, myself included, you put one wheel off and there's no grip whatsoever."
‘Grip? What grip?’;
https://racingnews365.com/russell-ex...rip-whatsoever
Drivers fear racing will be “really difficult” in Miami despite new track surface
2023 Miami Grand Prix
Posted on 6th May 2023, 0:43
Written by Keith Collantine
RaceFans
Formula 1 drivers are concerned overtaking will remain difficult at the Miami International Autodrome despite the new surface laid for the track’s second race. Lando Norris said the surface has improved in some respects compared to last year. “It’s better because it’s not coming up and breaking up and things,” he said.
“But in terms of grip it was still pretty low. It’s getting better, I think it’s probably just never been used before. It’s got a lot better since this morning, probably a good few seconds’ worth. This morning was pretty sketchy, though, on the first few laps it was like ‘oh, no, it seems a bit like last year’. But I think it’s just a much more use-able surface. It just needs some running, I think.”
The high temperatures at the circuit add to the challenge of extracting the available grip, said Lewis Hamilton. “The grip is really quite low on this new circuit. “It’s interesting to see some of the offs. I mean, it is slippery, particularly for the rear end. It’s very, very high track surface [temperature] today so there’s a lot of sliding for a lot of people, including me and so a lot of overheating of the tyres.”
‘In terms of grip it was still pretty low’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/05/06/...track-surface/
Alonso worried about overtaking chances in Sunday’s race thanks to slippery surface in Miami
06 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
Fernando Alonso has warned overtaking will be difficult in the Miami Grand Prix given there is so little grip off the racing line on the new track surface.
‘Alonso worried’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...570809224.html
Alonso predicts overtaking will be 'difficult' in Miami
06/05/2023 at 01:42
Andrew Lewin
F1i.com
Fernando Alonso said that he expected overtaking will prove to be difficult this weekend at Miami International Autodrome because of the newly resurfaced track proving more slippery than expected.
"So far I think the new track surface seems to be better, but we were basically just cleaning the racing line today," he continued. "When you move away from it, it’s very slippery so that could make overtaking difficult.”
"Qualifying tomorrow is important, but our strength is normally on Sunday, so we’ll see what we can do.”
‘Alonso predicts’;
https://f1i.com/news/473360-alonso-p...-in-miami.html
Lando Norris's less than subtle jab at Daniel Ricciardo as the McLaren driver says fellow Aussie Oscar Piastri is pushing him harder ahead of Miami GP
• Piastri and Norris are preparing for Miami GP
• Drivers have similar times on the track
• Norris says Piastri is pushing him harder than Ricciardo
Published: 23:50, 5 May 2023
By Josh Alston For Daily Mail Australia
Mail Online
After four rounds and five qualifying sessions, the pair is split by an average of just 0.055 seconds. Only the Mercedes and Alfa Romeo drivers have been split by less. The margin arguably flatters Piastri given he’s outqualified Norris only once this year, at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The Briton crashed out of Q1 that weekend, blowing out the gap to 1.2 seconds for that round.
However Norris said the tight margins showed that the young Aussie was pushing him harder than Ricciardo did during his two-year stint at McLaren. 'He's very fast,' Norris said of Piastri. 'Probably he has been pushing me a little bit more than the past couple years. So yeah, enjoyable.
'He's a lovely guy — down to earth, normal guy, hard worker and so on. So it's good, fun. It's different to Daniel — I feel like a bit of a contrast of Australian — but still good fun.'
‘Tight margins’;
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...-Miami-GP.html
-
Verstappen fastest ahead of Miami qualifying.
Max Verstappen was well ahead of the pack in the final practice of the weekend, four tenths ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
6th May 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
In the end Verstappen’s 1:27.535 was the best of the session, four tenths quicker than Leclerc in P2 while Perez was half a second off his teammate. Sainz was P4 ahead of the two Alpines of Ocon and Pierre Gasly.
Valtteri Bottas was the best of the Alfa Romeos with a 1:28.456 in P7 while Nico Hulkenberg was the last driver within a second of the reigning champion. Albon ended the practices in P9 while Russell’s 1:28.606 saw him into P10.
‘In the end’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/verstappen...alifying-82117
(FP3) Third Practice Results – 2023 Miami Grand Prix
6th May 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Results (Classification):
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing – 1:27.535
2. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.406
3. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.515
4. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.590
5. Esteban Ocon Alpine +0.872
6. Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.893
7. Valtteri Bottas Alfa Romeo +0.921
8. Nico Hulkenberg Haas +0.962
9. Alex Albon Williams Racing +1.026
10. George Russell Mercedes +1.071
‘Miami Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the final practice session ahead of the first of three US races for the 2023 F1 World Championship’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp3-third-...and-prix-82115
LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from final practice for the Miami Grand Prix
06 May 2023
Becky Hart.
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site
‘As it Happened’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...4kPZ09PNZ.html
2023 F1 Miami Grand Prix - Final practice & Qualifying - LIVE UPDATES!
Crash.Net
‘LIVE UPDATES!’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/live/2023-f...g-live-updates
Verstappen comfortably tops Miami GP FP3 from Leclerc
Championship leader Max Verstappen topped FP3 at the Miami GP, despite Charles Leclerc benefitting from track evolution
May 6, 2023
By Nigel Chiu
Total Motorsport
Max Verstappen was fastest in final practice for the Miami Grand Prix as he underlined his status as favourite for pole position later on Saturday. Verstappen‘s 1:27.669 was set with 25 minutes to go but kept him at the top of the timesheets from Charles Leclerc, who jumped into second place in the final minute.
There was a lot of track evolution during the session, yet Verstappen was still 0.406 seconds faster than Leclerc. Carlos Sainz was third with Sergio Perez 0.598 seconds behind his teammate and also set his best time relatively early on.
It’s been downhill for Mercedes since George Russell led Lewis Hamilton in FP1, with both drivers complaining about different issues in final practice. Hamilton thought he was losing a lot more time on the straights compared to normal, whilst Russell was struggling at Turn 2 over the bump, complaining of hopping.
‘A lot of track evolution’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...p-fp3-leclerc/
What happened in final Miami Grand Prix practice
6th May 2023, 18:45
By Jack Cozens
The Race
Max Verstappen was again head and shoulders clear of any of his Formula 1 rivals in the final practice session ahead of qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix.
Key moments:
> Verstappen spends most of session 0.5s clear
> Leclerc gets a Ferrari into second spot
> Alpines impress in tight midfield
> Mercedes struggles continue with Russell best in 10th
Though the order behind chopped and changed as the field continued to rubber-in the Miami track surface throughout FP3, Verstappen was an almost ever-present fixture at the top of the leaderboard and ended the session 0.406 seconds clear.
‘Head and shoulders clear’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/what-...prix-practice/
-
Perez on pole, Verstappen ninth as Leclerc crash ends qualifying.
Sergio Perez secured pole position for the Miami Grand Prix after Charles Leclerc crashed in the final lap of qualifying, leaving Max Verstappen down in ninth place.
2023 Miami Grand Prix qualifying
Posted on 6th May 2023, 22:216th May 2023, 22:43
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans
With Leclerc’s Ferrari the closest to Verstappen’s fastest Q2 lap, it seemed that Red Bull would face stiff competition in their efforts to secure a front row lockout. When the green light appeared to begin the final, Verstappen was the first driver out on the circuit, soon followed by team mate Perez – both on fresh sets of soft tyres. Verstappen was the first over the line to begin his lap, but a mistake through the long turns six, seven and eight led him to abandon his first flying lap, while Perez set a provisional pole position time of 1’26.841.
Alonso went second fastest on a used set of tyres, three tenths slower than the Red Bull driver, with Sainz sitting third after his first lap on a new set of softs. Verstappen returned to the pits without setting a time, waiting until just over three minutes remained until venture back out with team mate Perez right behind him. The two Ferraris were the first over the line with just over two minutes on the clock to start their final laps, Leclerc first ahead of Sainz.
As Leclerc made his way around turn six, he lost the rear of his Ferrari and spun through 360 degrees, ending up in the barrier for the second time in consecutive days. The yellow flags flew, ruining the laps of all over drivers following behind him, including his team mate.
‘Leclerc crash ends qualifying’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/05/06/...ds-qualifying/
Qualifying Results – 2023 Miami Grand Prix
6th May 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Results (Classification):
Q3
1. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing -1:26.941
2. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.361
3. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.508
4. Kevin Magnussen Haas +0.926
5. Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.945
6. George Russell Mercedes +0.963
7. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +1.020
8. Esteban Ocon Alpine +1.094
9. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing NC
10. Valtteri Bottas Alfa Romeo NC
‘Miami Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from qualifying ahead of tomorrow’s 2023 F1 World Championship race from Miami’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/qualifying...and-prix-82123
AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix
06 May 2023
Becky Hart.
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site
‘AS IT HAPPENED’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...Gu4olFRti.html
How qualifying for the F1 Miami Grand Prix unfolded
6th May 2023, 17:14
Reporting By: Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net
‘How qualifying for the F1 Miami Grand Prix unfolded as Sergio Perez took a surprise pole position thanks to the red flag caused by Charles Leclerc's crash’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/live/2023-f...g-live-updates
Leclerc SMASH hampers Verstappen as Hamilton hits new US low – Miami GP Qualifying
Saturday 6 May 2023 23:11
Dan Davis
GPFans
Red Bull's Sergio Perez took pole position for the Miami Grand Prix while Max Verstappen's last-gasp charge was halted by another Charles Leclerc crash. After Leclerc collided with the barriers for the second time of the weekend in Q3, the red flags were waved, bringing an end to an incident-packed session.
Lewis Hamilton endured his worst-ever qualifying result on US soil. The superstar exited in Q2 and will start the main event in 13th.
‘SMASH’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...mi-grand-prix/
Lewis Hamilton suffers new F1 low in Miami GP qualifying as Sergio Perez takes pole
Max Verstappen was favourite for pole position in Miami but was thwarted by a late red flag, while the big story was a horror show for Lewis Hamilton who failed to even reach Q3
22:00, 6 May 2023
By Daniel MoxonF1 Writer
The Mirror
Lewis Hamilton suffered his worst ever Formula 1 qualifying on US soil in another session to forget for Mercedes.
Prior to this weekend, he had never qualified outside of the top six in America. But the Brit will be starting 13th on the grid for Sunday's race in the Sunshine State, Sergio Perez took pole position thanks to a helping hand from Charles Leclerc.
An eventful Q1 saw several driver hampered by traffic ahead of them and almost saw Hamilton crash. He had to swerve to avoid hitting the back of the dawdling Kevin Magnussen and clipped the wall with his front wing as a result, putting his qualifying plan out of sync.
‘Worst ever Formula 1 qualifying on US soil’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...ilton-29914443
Perez: My 'worst weekend' up until Miami F1 pole
06 May 11:22PM
Author Jake Nichol
RacingNews365
Sergio Perez feels his Formula 1 pole position has come "after my worst weekend" at the Miami Grand Prix - presenting him with chance to lead the Drivers' championship for the first time.
Perez had been a chunk of time behind title rival Max Verstappen in the sister Red Bull, but a mistake from the World Champion on his first lap in Q3 allowed Perez to sneak onto provisional pole.
However, before the second runs could be completed, Charles Leclerc crashed at Turn 7, and with just 1:36 left on the clock, the session was not restarted, leaving Verstappen down in ninth and Perez on a third career pole - and first not in Saudi Arabia. If the Mexican out-scores Verstappen by seven points, he will lead the standings, but says the pole position comes after a tricky weekend for him.
'Worst weekend';
https://racingnews365.com/perez-my-w...-miami-f1-pole
'It's painful' | Max Verstappen disappointed with P9 for Miami GP
6th May 2023, 22:59
Sky Sports
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen reacts to an immediate P9 finish after Charles Leclerc brought out the red flag to end qualifying early.
‘Painful’;
https://www.skysports.com/watch/vide...9-for-miami-gp
-
Perez relieved to take Miami pole after enduring 'worst weekend up to qualifying'.
Sergio Perez took his third career F1 pole position with P1 for the 2023 Miami Grand Prix, and the Red Bull driver exuded relief and excitement after a dramatic qualifying session on Saturday.
23:07 Sat, 06 May 2023.
Formula One - Official Site
Perez took provisional pole while team mate Max Verstappen had to abort his first flying lap due to a snap of oversteer, which left the reigning champion scrambling to set another lap.
Unfortunately for the Dutchman, Charles Leclerc spun off in the dying moments of Q3 and left the championship leader ninth on the grid for Sunday’s race. For Perez, it was a first pole position at a Grand Prix venue other than Jeddah.
“I think it’s been my worst weekend up to qualifying,” he said. “I just couldn’t figure out how to pull those tenths that I was missing all the time to Max and to the Ferraris. I was just re-setting everything. We did a small change into qualifying that really made everything became more alive. I think with this tarmac we were just playing a bit with the tools, and we put the lap in when it mattered.”
‘I was just re-setting everything”;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...bTQh63U6Z.html
Sergio Perez after surprise pole: ‘It was my worst weekend until qualifying’
06 May 2023 10:28 PM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com
Sergio Perez said it had been his worst weekend of the season so far up until he took a surprise pole in Miami. Speaking moments after hoping out of his RB19, Perez seemed as surprised as anyone with the final result, admitting it had been his worst weekend of the season until qualifying.
“I think it’s been my worst weekend up until qualifying really,” the Red Bull man said. “I just couldn’t figure out how to put [in] those tenths that I was missing all the time to Max and to the Ferraris. I was just resetting everything. We made a small change going into qualifying and really everything became more alive.”
‘Surprise pole’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/sergio...pole-reaction/
Perez makes 'TERRIBLE' admission despite clinching Miami pole
Sunday 7 May 2023 00:26
Dan Davis
GPFans
Sergio Perez admitted his surprise after sealing pole position for the Miami Grand Prix, insisting he endured a 'terrible' weekend before drama struck in qualifying.
Perez: 'Nothing worked for me'. "I've had a terrible weekend, nothing worked for me," he said. "After FP3 we made an adjustment and that really helped me for the Q3 lap – which we had only one. It's pretty easy to make mistakes here. The power line has very little grip.
"We have to focus on our own race and not making mistakes. It’s a race that will certainly bring a lot of yellow flags and safety cars. I’m not thinking about Max, I’m thinking about tomorrow already, there’s a lot of variables we can’t control – like rain, which is a possibility tomorrow," he added.
‘Focus on our own race and not making mistakes’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...pole-terrible/
Miami crowd in RAPTURES as Perez admits qualifying 'came alive'
Sunday 7 May 2023 06:57
Chris Deeley
GPFans
The Miami crowd chanted Sergio Perez through his post-qualifying interview after the Mexican claimed pole position on Saturday. Perez even had to ask former NASCAR and IndyCar driver Danica Patrick to repeat interview questions to him as a delighted crowd cheered him on.
"I’m enjoying (fighting Max), I’m just thinking race by race, and I will go out, cheer for my team, because they have done an amazing job, and we’ll see what happens tomorrow. Tomorrow is an amazing opportunity...we will just go out there and try to enjoy this amazing ground."
‘RAPTURES’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...lifying-crowd/
Perez on pole for the Miami Grand Prix, Verstappen 9th: 'I'm enjoying the battle'
7th May 2023, 08:34
Wheels24
Duel provides drama. With Red Bull consistently the fastest this season, the duel between their two drivers is so far the source of the most drama. Perez said he had been struggling in practice before finding his pace when it counted. "It wasn't coming together. I was struggling for balance, confidence," he said. "It has been my worst weekend up to qualifying. I was just resetting everything we did, we made a small change into qualifying that really everything became more alive. We put in the lap when it mattered," added the Red Bull driver.
Verstappen was left frustrated that he had not been able to complete a peak lap before the red flag. "I was trying to put it on the limit and then I made a mistake and had to abort the lap," Verstappen said. "Then you rely on a bit of luck that there is not going to be a red flag, but that can happen on a street circuit. I'm just a bit upset with myself. "It's going to be difficult. I made it difficult for myself, so I have to accept that," he said.
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, enjoying a strong season, claimed second place and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz will start in third in an all-Spanish speaking front row of the grid.
‘We put in the lap when it mattered";
https://www.news24.com/sport/motorsp...attle-20230507
Perez vs Alonso off the line, and a chance of rain – What To Watch For in the Miami Grand Prix.
From the chance of a change in the championship lead to Max Verstappen on the comeback trail, and from multiple drivers out of position to a tricky track facing potential rain, we highlight some key things to look out for when the lights go out at the Miami International Autodrome…
07 May 2023
Chris Medland
Special Contributor
Formula One - Official Site
1. Perez chasing the championship lead. Much of the talk leaving Azerbaijan was of Sergio Perez’s impressive performances on street tracks and how he was maintaining a strong challenge to Max Verstappen in the title race at this early part of the season.
2. Verstappen looking to limit the damage. The championship leader ran wide in the first sector and ended up aborting his lap, giving him just one attempt in the final part of qualifying… … but he never got the chance to rectify his mistake… Asked what his target is from there, the Dutchman replied: “Minimum P2.”
3. Out of position drivers throughout the grid. Kevin Magnussen who stands out in fourth for Haas who will be hoping to hold on to as many points as possible. 4. Grip versus no grip. Even small errors can be punished heavily, as a driver running slightly wide will find themselves struggling to regain control and fighting to limit the amount of time that they lose. 5. Rain in the air. And it could be made even tougher if the track surface becomes wet.
‘What To Watch For’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...LTOOwrNQi.html
HEAD-TO-HEAD: How Perez edged ahead of Alonso to take pole for the 2023 Miami Grand Prix
06 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
Watch to see how pole-sitter Sergio Perez and P2 Fernando Alonso compared in qualifying at the 2023 Miami Grand Prix.
‘HEAD-TO-HEAD’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...711051307.html
-
Christian Horner 'delighted' with Sergio Perez pole but frustrated with Max Verstappen's ninth.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner was thrilled for Sergio Perez after he secured pole but is disappointed for Max Verstappen after Charles Leclerc's red flag meant he'll start ninth for Sunday's race.
22:29 Sat, 06 May 2023.
Sky Sports
‘Thrilled’;
https://www.skysports.com/watch/vide...stappens-ninth
Miami Grand Prix: Max Verstappen targets 'minimum P2' after qualifying ninth
Last Updated: 07/05/23 7:29am
Sky Sports
Max Verstappen has his sights firmly set on at least a second-place finish in Sunday's Miami Grand Prix despite having to settle for ninth on the grid in qualifying.
The reigning world champion was left to rue an error while on a hot lap in Q3 and was then left aghast when the session was red flagged and ultimately curtailed with 1min 36sec remaining when Ferrari's Charles Leclerc crashed heavily at Turn Seven.
Verstappen shouldered the blame for his failure to qualify higher up the grid, but the drivers' championship leader is targeting at least finishing on the second step of the podium after winning the inaugural race in Miami last year.
'Minimum P2';
https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/37...alifying-ninth
Max Verstappen 'upset' as Christian Horner questions F1 bosses decision
Max Verstappen will face a difficult Miami Grand Prix after a miserable qualifying session for the championship leader.
00:01, Sun, May 7, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express
Max Verstappen was “upset” after a late Charles Leclerc crash left him languishing near the bottom of the top 10 in qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix. The Dutchman made a mistake on his first flying run in Q3 which left him in P9.
He was expected to improve on his second lap but an accident from Leclerc brought the session to an early end. Verstappen said: “I was trying to put it on the limit and then I made a mistake and had to abort the lap. Then you rely on a bit of luck that there is not going to be a red flag, but that can happen on a street circuit. I'm just a bit upset with myself. It's going to be difficult. I made it difficult for myself, so I have to accept that."
Red Bull boss Christian Horner questioned if the session could have been restarted. The red flag was shown with just over 90 seconds remaining with Perez’s pole lap a 1:26.8.
‘Put it on the limit and then I made a mistake’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...rix-qualifying
Red Bull’s Christian Horner asked if race director’s call was “legit” in F1 Miami Grand Prix qualifying
7 May 2023
F1 Desk
Crash.Net
Christian Horner was seeking answers about whether the race director had correctly applied the rule in the barmy end to F1 Miami Grand Prix qualifying that left Max Verstappen in P9. Verstappen was scuppered by a red flag caused by Charles Leclerc, which ended the session early. His teammate Sergio Perez will start the grand prix in pole position.
Sky’s Ted Kravitz reported afterwards: “Why couldn’t we get it going again? Time was ticking down. Once he saw Leclerc’s crash, arguably had he pressed the red flag right then with [approximately] 1m 38s to go, possibly that would have been enough for an out-lap for a 1m 28s lap. Ten seconds for an out-lap. Arguably not, but possible.”
“But that’s not what happened. [Race director Niels] Wittich had to go through his procedures, which he did, check that the situation merited a red flag, which it did, and by that time there was only [1m 36s] left. It wasn’t possible to do the out-lap. That’s why he said the session will not resume.”
‘Ted Kravitz’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/news/102575...ami-qualifying
Red Bull “go to pains to provide equality” between Verstappen and Perez at all times
2023 Miami Grand Prix
Posted on 6th May 2023, 9:206th May 2023, 2:28
Written by Will Wood and RJ O'Connell
RaceFans
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says that his team go to “pains” to ensure parity between drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. As Red Bull enjoy a healthy advantage over their rivals, this year’s world championship is likely to be won by one of their drivers. Horner said the team have therefore worked hard place to avoid giving either driver preferential treatment.
“I think that it’s a luxury problem, first of all,” Horner said. “I think any team principal in the pit lane would hope to have that issue. It’s something we’ve experienced before and I think the most key thing is to ensure that paranoia doesn’t creep in, that both drivers are treated equally.”
Red Bull make every effort to ensure both their drivers are treated as equally and fairly as possible, Horner said. “You go to pains to provide equality to the point of who drives out the garage first each weekend, it alternates,” he said. “It even alternates in the debrief who talks first. But it’s racing, it’s Formula 1, and occasionally something will happen like a Safety Car or a pit stop.”
‘Ensure parity’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/05/06/...-at-all-times/
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Mercedes car 'a nasty piece of work,' blasts Toto Wolff.
A FURIOUS Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff labelled his team’s car as a “nasty piece of work” and expressed frustration at the lack of improvements made to the vehicle in the past year.
7th May 2023, 10:56
Author AFP
The42
Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton finished 13th in qualifying on Saturday at the Miami Grand Prix and George Russell narrowly made it into sixth place on the grid as Mercedes again failed to keep pace with the dominant Red Bull.
Last year the Mercedes struggled at Miami with bouncing but Wolff said he said he expected more improvement from the past year’s work. “It is worse than I thought, we have had 12 months since we were last in Miami and the car is just marginally better.
“Maybe it is not bouncing on the straight but that is the only thing that is better than last year. The car is not fast enough and we haven’t got any comprehension why that is. It is just not acceptable,” he said.
‘W14: Not acceptable’;
https://www.the42.ie/mercedes-car-a-...62018-May2023/
Toto Wolff slams Mercedes W14 after Miami GP qualifying.
Toto Wolff called the Mercedes W14 a 'nasty piece of work' after qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix.
7th May 2023, 16:40
George Dagless
Give Me Sport
Lewis Hamilton will line up in 13th for today's race whilst George Russell goes from sixth, but both had their struggles during the session on Saturday.
Indeed, the team is clearly hoping that their upgrades for Imola, in a couple of weeks from now, will make their car a little more consistent in terms of its performance but, for the time being, Wolff has labelled the W14 a 'nasty piece of work' ahead of Sunday's race.
"[There's a] lack of comprehension of what it is that makes this car such a nasty piece of work. I think that the car is not a nice car, not a good car, and I wouldn't even be able to point out where the issue is because it's everywhere. The performance is just really bad."
‘W14: 'nasty piece of work'
https://www.givemesport.com/toto-wol...gp-qualifying/
Mercedes baffled by 'unacceptable' inconsistency of W14
07/05/2023 at 10:27
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com
Toto Wolff says Mercedes is at a loss to understand the abrupt performance changes from one day to the other of its W14 car, calling the fluctuations "unacceptable". Mercedes enjoyed a positive start to its Miami Grand Prix weekend, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton topping Friday's opening practice.
But hours later in FP2, the pair had dropped into the thick of the midfield, well adrift from their front-running rivals, while Saturday's final practice delivered a similar depressing verdict. In qualifying, Russell was sixth fastest while Hamilton failed to make the Q3 cut after his crews mistimed the Briton's final run.
"I think that the car is not a nice car, not a good car," Wolff added. "It's everywhere. It’s the pace, the performance of the car, it’s the lack of understanding of the car [about why] it is not delivering. It is the full spread of activities. I would say the performance is just really bad."
‘W14: 'Unacceptable' inconsistency;
https://f1i.com/news/473614-mercedes...cy-of-w14.html
Mercedes in the dark over what makes the W14 a ‘nasty piece of work’
07 May 2023 8:40 AM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com
From a 1-2 in Friday’s opening practice to narrowly avoiding a double Q2 elimination on Saturday, Toto Wolff has labelled Mercedes’ W14 a “nasty piece of work”. Despite kicking off the Miami Grand Prix weekend with a 1-2 in the opening practice hour where George Russell was ahead of Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes were aware by the end of Friday’s running that they were in trouble.
Falling a second behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in FP2, Hamilton called it a “kick in the gut” and admitted there “isn’t just one” specific area where the car was struggling. 24 hours later it had gone from bad to worse with the Briton out of qualifying in Q2, the seven-time World Champion down in 13th place.
It was almost a double elimination for Mercedes with Russell sneaking into Q3 by 0.052s. He went onto qualify in sixth place but was still a second down on pole-sitter Sergio Perez. Worryingly for the Mercedes team-mates, Wolff admits the team has no idea why the car is slow. “It’s worse than I ever thought it would be,” he said as per Racingnews365.com.
‘W14: No idea why the car is slow. “It’s worse than I ever thought it would be”;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/merced...piece-of-work/
George Russell sends angry "questions" demand to Mercedes after Lewis Hamilton humiliation
Mercedes endured another disappointing qualifying session in Miami on Saturday, with George Russell left confounded by the team's drop-off in performance over the weekend
09:34, 7 May 2023
By Jacob Leeks Sports Reporter
The Mirror
Mercedes star George Russell has demanded answers to his car's struggles this season after another disappointing qualifying session in Miami.
“Everybody is working so, so hard to bring more performance to the car, it’s definitely not for a lack of effort and it’s just not coming to us at the moment. So there’s a lot to think about. A few questions that need answering.”
"The car is just not working for us this weekend. We’re struggling a lot with the balance and it’s bouncing around a little bit. The performance isn’t coming to us which is a shame as everyone is working so hard to achieve it," he added.
‘W14: Angry "questions";
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...fying-29915558
Russell delivers BRUTAL Mercedes verdict after Miami misery
Sunday 7 May 2023 10:57
Graham Shaw
GPFans
Saturday was another tough day at the office for Mercedes and George Russell delivered a BRUTAL verdict on the struggling F1 giant's performance in qualifying at the 2023 Miami Grand Prix.
He said on French TV: "I'm not going to take much pride in qualifying in sixth place. We were one of the slowest cars to finish a lap in Q3. We were lucky. We are working to get more results, we need to be able to do better. We need to understand things better, it's a real challenge. I'm not happy at the moment."
He bemoaned: "No top three for me tomorrow, there is a big question mark over the degradation of the tyres, maybe we can benefit from it... The Red Bulls are far ahead, the Ferraris are constantly ahead of us. I have to sit down to understand this performance .... It's not easy."
‘W14: One of the slowest cars to finish a lap in Q3’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...fying-verdict/
George Russell: P6 grid slot ‘very flattering result’ for Mercedes
07 May 2023 12:14 AM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com
George Russell admitted his place on the third row for the Miami Grand Prix was a “very flattering result” for Mercedes, given the performance they showed in qualifying.
Mercedes driver Russell acknowledged performance is “just not coming to us” at Mercedes currently, with the team not having brought any upgrades with them to Florida this weekend.
“I mean, I wouldn’t necessarily say quite pleased,” Russell admitted to Sky Sports F1 after the session. “I’ll take the result, of course, it’s a very flattering result for the performance that we showed – a really decent lap in Q2 to just scrape through, just to get into Q3, and that’s not where we should be.
‘W14 performance is “just not coming to us”;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/george...ami-grid-slot/
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"Unbreakable" Red Bulls vs "Lonely" Alonso - Miami GP 2023 Review 2023.
Max Verstappen shone during the 2023 Miami Grand Prix, blasting from 9th to 1st and holding a significant lead over the rest of the pack for most of the race.
7th May 2023, 02:57
Motorsport.com
Perez's alternative tyre strategy couldn't keep up, whilst Alonso, Ferrari and Mercedes just can't match up... but were there glimpses of hope?
Jon Noble and Martyn Lee talk about everything from the Miami Grand Prix, and even look to how the upcoming Imola / Monaco / Barcelona triple-header may provide some grounds to let Alonso fight Red Bull for real.
"Unbreakable";
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/video/...w-2023/595575/
Race Results – 2023 Miami Grand Prix
7th May 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Results (classification):
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing – 57 laps
2. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +5.384
3. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +26.305
4. George Russell Mercedes +33.229
5. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +42.511
6. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +51.249
7. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +52.988
8. Pierre Gasly Alpine +55.670
9. Esteban Ocon Alpine +58.123
10. Kevin Magnussen Haas +62.945
‘Miami Grand Prix – Here are the provisional results for today’s 2023 FIA Formula 1 World Championship race from Miami’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/race-resul...and-prix-82139
AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from the 2023 Miami Grand Prix
07 May 2023
Becky Hart.
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site
‘AS IT HAPPENED’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...h87ghz1fJ.html
2023 F1 Miami Grand Prix - LIVE UPDATES! Verstappen wins from P9
19:53 Sun, 07 May 2023.
Crash.Net
Max Verstappen won the F1 Miami Grand Prix from ninth ahead of his teammate Sergio Perez.
Lewis Hamilton complained via team radio that he might not last the race after first-lap contact with Nico Hulkenberg but he continued.
Follow all of the action from Miami here with the Crash.net live blog.
‘LIVE UPDATES’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/live/2023-f...y-live-updates
‘Max was the fastest’: Perez admits Verstappen was too good in Miami GP
May 7th 2023
Author Dominic Tobin
Motor Sport Magazine
Max Verstappen dealt a hefty blow to his team-mate’s F1 championship dreams as he won the Miami Grand Prix from ninth on the grid, with a peerless display of pace and tyre management that Sergio Perez admitted that he couldn’t match.
After an error in qualifying — compounded when Charles Leclerc’s crash ended the session earlier — Verstappen said he was upset with himself, but was targeting second place in the race at a minimum.
He was there by the 15th of 57 laps and, having started on the hard tyre unlike the frontrunners on much-less durable mediums, appeared to have the advantage. Verstappen took the lead when Perez pitted and, with tyres 20 laps older than those of his team-mate, more than matched his lap times.
‘Max was the fastest’;
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...?nowprocket=1#
Crowd’s boos “absolutely fine as long I stand on the top” – Verstappen
RaceFans Round-up
Posted on 8th May 2023, 0:508th May 2023, 0:27
Written by Keith Collantine
RaceFans
Verstappen was booed by some in the crowd before the start of the Miami Grand Prix and during the podium ceremony following his victory. The Red Bull driver was unbothered by the reaction. “I think if I would be driving in the back, nobody would be even doing anything in terms of reaction, right?” he said. “I think it’s normal when you are winning and they don’t like who is winning.”
“So this is something for me which is absolutely fine as long I stand on the top that’s for me, the most important. I take the trophy home and they go back to their houses and they can have a nice evening.”
‘Crowd’s boos absolutely fine’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/05/08/...nd-up-08-05-6/
'After 4 podiums we obviously want more' says Alonso after taking P3 in Miami
07 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso scored his fourth podium in five races with a consummate performance in the 2023 Miami Grand Prix, but the two-time champion was clearly itching for a win…
“The car is amazing, and [it was] a little bit of a lonely race, today," he said. "Nothing really to do in front of us with the Red Bulls and behind us. We did expect a little bit stronger opposition, but the Ferraris, they were a little bit worse than expected. It’s not easy, it’s never easy, but it was a lonely race."
“I think at the beginning of the year a podium was amazing; now after four podiums we obviously want more, at least a second place," Alonso said. "But the two Red Bulls they are always unbreakable, and always super-fast, but as I said, maybe Monaco, maybe Barcelona we have a possibility. “We take the podium going into the triple[-header], Imola, Monaco and Barcelona, which hopefully we can keep on going.”
'After 4 podiums we obviously want more';
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...zmv0KW4kF.html
‘No other sport does this’ – Miami pre-race show irks F1 drivers
7th May 2023, 00:24
By Josh Suttill and Scott Mitchell-Malm
The Race
A number of Formula 1 drivers have criticised elements of the pre-Miami Grand Prix proceedings that included a driver-by-driver introduction 20 minutes before the start of the race. This new procedure, which won’t be a permanent fixture of F1 grands prix, drew the ire of some drivers who found it distracting and unnecessary despite acknowledging the entertainment value it brought.
“None of the drivers like it but it’s not for us at the end of the day,” Norris said after the Miami GP. Third place finisher Fernando Alonso says he’s “not a big fan of those kinds of things just before the race” and wants uniformity in pre-race proceedings across the calendar.
Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas agreed that it was unnecessary and called it “distracting” right before the race. “There’s no other sport where the athletes do so much stuff before the start of the race or event,” Bottas remarked. There needs to be a limit at some point.”
‘Distracting’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/no-ot...ks-f1-drivers/
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Leclerc blasts 'inconsistent' problems with SF-23.
The Ferrari driver has blasted the 'inconsistencies' with the SF-23 which restricted any chances of a fightback from a poor qualifying in the Miami Grand Prix.
08 May 2023, 12:30AM
Author Rory Mitchell
Co-author Dieter Rencken
RacingNews365
Charles Leclerc has blasted the "inconsistencies" with the Ferrari SF-23 after a tough Miami Grand Prix. Leclerc was struggling with tyre degradation in the opening stages of the race, making it clear that there are a lot of problems despite the team bringing upgrades to the race this weekend.
"I was just speaking just now with Carlos and what we are lacking is consistency in the car," Leclerc told media. "It's not even from corner to corner, it's just in the same corner I can have a huge oversteer rebalance and then a huge understeer balance; our car is so wind-affected."
Midway through the race Leclerc could be heard describing the "bouncing" on his car over team radio, which also affected his pace relative to Lewis Hamilton, who overtook him for P6 in the closing stages. He added: "I had a lot of bottoming, especially in the high speed, which is something I can't quite explain because I didn't have that yesterday and neither had it before yesterday."
'Inconsistencies';
https://racingnews365.com/leclerc-bl...ems-with-sf-23
Frustrated Sainz says he “cannot push” in races at the moment
2023 Miami Grand Prix
Posted on 8th May 2023, 8:168th May 2023, 2:41
Written by Keith Collantine and RJ O'Connell
RaceFans
Carlos Sainz Jnr said his Miami Grand Prix was “tough” as he was unable to extract the maximum from his Ferrari without taking too much life out of his tyres.
“I was a bit surprised with how much we struggled on the hard tyres after our very strong stint on the medium,” he said. “We tried the undercut on Fernando, obviously it worked but it meant pushing the tyres for three or four laps to get the undercut.
“For some reason with our car right now we have zero flexibility with how much we can push. I had to stay under the limit for the rest of the race if I wanted to make it to the end. With the wind conditions, how tough we are on tyres, that hard stint just became too long for us.”
“Cannot push”;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/05/08/...at-the-moment/
Leclerc's race undermined by Ferrari car's 'inconsistencies'
08/05/2023 at 00:19
Michael Delaney
F1i.com
Charles Leclerc endured a difficult Miami Grand Prix on Sunday, the Ferrari charger struggling all day with his SF-23's "inconsistencies" and an overall lack of pace.
"I was just speaking just now with Carlos and what we are lacking is consistency in the car," he said after the race. It's not even from corner to corner, it's just in the same corner I can have a huge oversteer rebalance and then a huge understeer balance; our car is so wind affected."
Leclerc also unexpectedly suffered from a bottoming phenomenon midway through his race that hindered his effort to defend P6 from Lewis Hamilton. "I had a lot of bottoming, especially in the high speed, which is something I can't quite explain because I didn't have that yesterday and neither had it before yesterday."
'Inconsistencies';
https://f1i.com/news/473773-leclercs...istencies.html
‘It’s very tough for us at the moment’ – Sainz reveals Ferrari struggles with ‘unpredictable’ car
07 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
Carlos Sainz finished fifth in Miami, but he said his focus was on finding out why Ferrari’s car was so fast in qualifying trim, but a second per lap off the pace on race day.
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...982966204.html
‘We are very, very far away’ – Leclerc despondent at gap to Red Bull after Miami GP
07 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
Charles Leclerc finished in P7 in Florida, but is baffled as to how Ferrari can have such good pace in qualifying, but not in race trim.
‘Very, very, very, very, very far away’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...052745510.html
Fred Vasseur: We need to make a step forward
23:34 Sun, 07 May 2023.
Sky Sports
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur admits they need to improve in the coming races after seeing his drivers finish fifth and seventh in Miami.
‘Need to make a step forward, need to improve in the coming races’;
https://www.skysports.com/watch/vide...a-step-forward
Ferrari will not copy rivals 2023 cars
MAY 7, 2023
GrandPrix.com
Frederic Vasseur has ruled out simply "copying" the technical solutions of the cars that are faster than Ferrari at present. "It is a mistake to assume that the speed of a car depends only on aerodynamics," said the Frenchman. "In fact, there are many complex factors.”
"If you are going to just be copying someone else's decisions, it means that you will always be late. And now with the budgets so limited, it is almost impossible to copy something during the season anyway. So we have to stick to our original plans and continue to develop the platform we created."
‘Complex factors’;
https://www.grandprix.com/news/ferra...2023-cars.html
Fred Vasseur questioned about Charles Leclerc’s mounting crash tally
07 May 2023 6:00 PM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com
With his repair bill growing by the week, in Miami by the day, Fred Vasseur accepts Charles Leclerc has to “push to get ahead” given the pace of his Ferrari. He binned his SF-23 in the final minutes of Baku’s sprint shootout while in Miami he broke his front suspension in a practice crash and then went onto damage the rear of the car in qualifying, both incidents taking place at Turn 7.
It had former F1 driver Martin Brundle asking Vasseur if Leclerc’s mistakes are something he has to ‘tolerate because it’s Charles and his speed or is it too much’. “Well depends on the circumstances,” the Ferrari team boss replied to the Sky Sports commentator.
“If you’re speaking about the crash in Baku, I think it was the right time to push and perhaps he over pushed. He was in pole with the first lap and knew that everybody would do a second lap and that he had to push. It’s not the same thing to crash in the last lap of Q3 in qualy in Baku and to crash in FP2, that’s another story.”
‘Mounting crash tally, repair bill growing by the week’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/fred-v...g-crash-tally/
Ferrari chief DEFENDS Leclerc after second crash ruins Miami qualifying
Sunday 7 May 2023 15:57
Chris Deeley
GPFans
Ferrari chief Fred Vasseur has defended Charles Leclerc after the Monegasque driver's spectacular crash brought a premature end to qualifying at the Miami Grand Prix.
“Charles was pushing, trying to get to the pole position," Vasseur said after the session. "It is what it is; he had the pace to do well and be in the front row but let's see tomorrow.”
"You have to push when fighting for a pole; you cannot say that he pushed too much. I prefer a driver who finds the limit and tries to get on the pole than one who says at the end of the race, 'If I had pushed more, I would have done better'."
"It is what it is”;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...lifying-crash/
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Alonso in Aston Martin apology: They were laughing.
EL PLAN: Asked if his 'minus 12' request was genuine, Alonso told Sky Sports F1: "No, I had Plan A and Plan B and I mixed them up, [so] minus 12 was not what I meant.”
08 May 11:40AM
Author Ewan Gale
RacingNews365
The Spaniard's team radio message regarding strategy in the early stages of the Miami Grand Prix has been confirmed as a mix-up. Fernando Alonso has revealed his bizarre radio call regarding strategy during the Miami Grand Prix left his Aston Martin team laughing.
Alonso radioed to his team to request his strategy be altered to "Plan A minus 12", meaning he wished to pit 12 laps ahead of his tactical schedule. Instead, the Spaniard was the last to switch to Hards and would go on to finish third, behind the Red Bull duo led by Max Verstappen.
Asked if his 'minus 12' request was genuine, Alonso told Sky Sports F1: "No, I had Plan A and Plan B and I mixed them up, [so] minus 12 was not what I meant. I said sorry a few seconds later, they understood because they were laughing. It was not possible to do minus 12 because we had already passed that lap."
‘EL PLAN: "Plan A minus 12"!’;
https://racingnews365.com/alonso-in-...-were-laughing
Max Verstappen jokes Fernando Alonso’s a ‘life coach’ after latest Lance Stroll moment
08 May 2023 2:45 PM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com
Alonso later stated he wants to build Stroll up into a team leader, the Spaniard explaining: “I know that I will be in the sport for a few more years but not many, and he will lead the team for the next 10 or 15 years, so I hope I can help Lance in the next few years.” He was back at it at the Miami Grand Prix, this time applauding Stroll’s “great move into Turn 1” as the Canadian overtook Alex Albon for position.
But given that position was 13th while Alonso was up in third place, the double World Champion was asked ‘how were you able to see that’ in the post-race press conference. “I think this circuit we have big TV screens out of some of the slow-speed corners so it was very easy to follow the race on TV,” he replied.
That had race winner Verstappen joking: “You’re like a life coach! The last race you’re like ‘try my brake balance!’” Alonso added: “I saw one overtake and I was just curious which position it was. It was a little bit of an unexpectedly lonely race for us. We were thinking to have a more difficult race.”
‘EL PLAN: ‘Life Coach’!’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/max-ve...stroll-moment/
Alonso waiting for ‘unbreakable’ Red Bull to ‘crack’
Monday 8th May, 2023 - 8:43pm
By Ian Parkes
Speedcafe
Fernando Alonso has conceded that frustration is starting to creep in after scoring his fourth third place of the F1 season.
As to whether it was frustrating at being unable to finish higher than third, he added: “It is, it is. Obviously, we want to step higher on the podium for P2, and eventually one day we have an opportunity to win a race.”
“At the moment it didn’t happen because Red Bull is better than us. It’s stronger, faster, and the reliability has always been outstanding for them as well, finishing both cars in every race. If one day there is a crack, if there is an opportunity, we need to make sure we are in that position and we’re still not making mistakes at any point in the weekend.”
‘EL PLAN: If one day there is a crack’;
https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/05/08...l-unbreakable/
Alonso makes HUGE Aston Martin prediction for Monaco and Barcelona
Monday 8 May 2023 07:57
Jack Walker
GPFans
Fernando Alonso has insisted that Aston Martin have a shot at victory in Monaco or Barcelona, after showing impressive pace at the F1 Miami Grand Prix.
Can Aston Martin beat Red Bull? Speaking to Sky Sports after the race, Alonso was in buoyant mood and hinted that the team in green believe they can challenge the Bulls for the win in the upcoming triple-header. “The car is amazing. [It was] a little bit of a lonely race today, nothing really to do in front of us with the Red Bulls,” said Alonso.
El Matador hungry for more. The two-time world champion is evidently thoroughly enjoying being back in the fight towards the front of grid after so many years away, and he isn’t about to relinquish his chance of a win in 2023 any time soon. “It is always [fun] and the start on the wrong side of the grid we were a bit worried but everything was fine, and we take the podium and go into the triple-header Imola, Monaco, and Barcelona which hopefully we can keep on going."
‘EL PLAN: El Matador hungry for more’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ictory-chance/
Alonso: Aston must be ready to jump on "crack" in Red Bull’s F1 form
7Th May 2023, 12:18
By: Jonathan Noble
Motorsport.com
Fernando Alonso says Aston Martin must stay focused and ready to pounce when there is a “crack” in Red Bull’s form if it wants a Formula 1 victory.
But rather than start setting unrealistic expectations for the battle ahead, Alonso said Aston Martin needed to accept that Red Bull remained a clear step ahead.
However, he believed that at some point a weekend would come when Red Bull got it wrong – and it was essential that Aston Martin was therefore in the position to make the most of it. “Obviously, we want to step one step higher on the podium for P2 and eventually one day we have an opportunity to win a race,” he said after the Miami Grand Prix.
‘EL PLAN: Aston Martin must be ready to jump on "crack"!’;
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/a...form/10466870/
Alonso calls for changes after Miami pre-race driver introductions
08 May 3:20PM
Author Anna Francis
Co-author Dieter Rencken
RacingNews365
The Miami Grand Prix featured a unique pre-race build-up, including a driver introduction ceremony. This has sparked plenty of reaction, with Fernando Alonso amongst those to explain what he "disagrees" with about the format.
"I understand the point of view of everybody but I'm not a big fan of those kinds of things just before the race," Alonso told media, including RacingNews365.com.
"If we have to do it, I think we need to remove some of the other stuff we are doing like the parade lap or something like that, because it's really in the middle of the preparation with the engineers and the strategy meeting."
‘EL PLAN: Remove some of the other stuff’;
https://racingnews365.com/alonso-cal...-introductions