2023 Formula 1 Preview & Review.

EXCLUSIVE: ‘There will be consequences’ – Furious Rossi demands Alpine improve fast after stuttering start to 2023.
For Rossi, their struggles are not down to a lack of resources. Yes, they do not have the kind of facilities, hardware and software to rival Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari – but Alpine have invested heavily in all of those areas in recent years and are continuing to do so.
08 May 2023
Lawrence Barretto
F1 Correspondent & Presenter
Formula One - Official Site

It is clear the Frenchman is irritated by the situation. Having come in and restructured the team, and playing a very hands-on role for more than a year, Rossi recruited Otmar Szafnauer from Aston Martin as Team Principal and stepped back to do his day job of running Alpine Cars, of which F1 is one strand and features only two of his 18 direct reports.

It was now up to Szafnauer – with his wealth of experience that includes 13 years at Force India/Racing Point/Aston Martin – to utilise his extensive F1 experience and continue Alpine’s upward trajectory. So, does that mean Szafnauer is responsible for Alpine’s poor start to 2023?

‘There will be consequences’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...2a4u2T2yl.html


Alpine CEO makes Szafnauer demand and threatens changes
17:49 Mon, 08 May 2023.
By Josh Suttill and Scott Mitchell-Malm
The Race

Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi says “he won’t wait until the end of the year” to make changes if Alpine’s Formula 1 team keeps underdelivering in 2023. Rossi launched into a scathing criticism of Renault’s works team ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, telling French broadcaster Canal+ that Alpine’s season had been “disappointing” and it was in a position “that is not at all worthy of the resources invested”.

More criticism from Rossi during the Miami GP weekend has emerged in an interview on Formula 1’s website, with Rossi saying the team is “making too many mistakes” this season. Rossi called for a mindset change within the team that “starts with owning up to your mistakes, to not repeat the mistakes and to learn from your mistakes”.

He said there’s been “a lot of excuses” for the “poor performance and a lack of operational excellence” this year. “I need to tackle this, I need the right people to tackle this,” Rossi added. “I need the team to be aware they need to do that as it’s not up to me – it’s up to them, they have to do it. It’s their responsibility. I hope they make the same diagnosis. I will make it clear to them that this is the diagnosis and they need to fix that.”

“Won’t wait until the end of the year”;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/alpin...atens-changes/


Gasly lost two places in last five laps as ‘I had to save a lot of fuel’
2023 Miami Grand Prix
Posted on 8th May 2023, 16:558th May 2023, 16:29
Written by Ida Wood and RJ O'Connell
RaceFans

Pierre Gasly scored his best finish of the season so far last weekend but was disappointed with the result as he fought further up the order during the race. “I had a great start, managed to pass for P4, and tried to keep up the pace with Sainz and Alonso in front of me,” said Gasly. “But unfortunately they were just faster than us today.”

“So I tried to do the best we could. In the second stint I was running in P6 then with 15 laps to go, I needed to do a lot of fuel-saving, which was a little annoying when you know that you have a Ferrari and Mercedes behind catching and closing on you. I wanted to give everything we could, but at the same time we needed to save the fuel, and we saw Charles just catching us slowly lap by lap. And unfortunately with four laps to go he managed to pass.”

The circumstances of the race made it more difficult than usual for teams to accurately judge how much fuel they needed. Miami’s new track surface gave varying levels of grip during the race weekend and the grand prix ran without a Safety Car or Virtual Safety Car appearance.

‘Needed to do a lot of fuel-saving’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/05/08/...a-lot-of-fuel/


Alpine CEO slates team’s ‘unacceptable’ and ‘amateurish’ early season performances
08 May 2023 10:00 AM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi was not holding back in his criticism of the team’s early season form, saying they were showing “amateurishness” in Bahrain and it wasn’t any better in Baku.

“It’s disappointing, it’s actually bad,” he said. “This year ended up starting with a flawed performance and flawed delivery. It’s obvious our position in the standings is not worthy of the resources we spend, and we are quite far – in fact very far – from this year’s end goal.”

“I’m noting not only an obvious lack of performance and rigour in the delivery, but also potentially a state of mind that is not up to this team’s past standards.” He added: “I did not like the first grand prix, because there was a lot of – I’m sorry for saying this – amateurishness, which led to a result that wasn’t right. It was mediocre, bad. And the last race in Baku was tremendously similar to the one in Bahrain. That is not acceptable.”

‘Unacceptable’ and ‘Amateurish’

https://www.planetf1.com/news/alpine...-performances/


Alpine CEO slams own team in epic spray as midfield bolter exposes brutal truth
May 9th, 2023 5:04 pm
Michael Lamonato from Fox Sports
FoxSports(Australia).

There’s a special place for the spray among the armoury of motivational tools. Carefully calibrated it can energise the troops to lift to another level at a critical juncture. Misdirected and it will be little more effective than a kick to the guts at a low moment.

Whether Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi’s evisceration of his own team at the weekend’s Miami Grand Prix falls into the former or latter category is up for debate. Five rounds into the season and Rossi is clearly fed up. If drivers aren’t fumbling qualifying performances, they’re crashing into the walls or they’re wiping each other out of races.

If the team isn’t making mistakes serving penalties, its cars are spontaneously combusting. All Alpine has to show for five rounds of racing is a paltry 14 points and sixth in the constructors championship behind McLaren — and McLaren has been the outright slowest car at two races so far this year.

‘Epic spray’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...57b681f681e9de


Angry Alpine CEO warns ‘the buck stops with Otmar Szafnauer’ for team failure
09 May 2023 7:30 AM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

After slamming the team for “amateurish” performances at the start of the year, Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi has warned that team principal Otmar Szafnauer is ultimately responsible for the team’s success or failure.

Szafnauer moved across to Alpine at the beginning of last season after leaving the same role at Aston Martin, the team which he had represented in its various guises for over a decade, with Alpine jumping up to fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship at the end of 2022.

But the beginning of this season has been much tougher from their perspective overall, with a series of reliability issues and a collision between their drivers, Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon, ending both of their races in Australia in April.

‘Buck stops with Otmar Szafnauer’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/alpine...mar-szafnauer/


Szafnauer to speak with CEO Rossi over Alpine 'amateur' blast
08 May 4:00PM
Author Jake Nichol
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365

Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi had branded the team's start to 2023 as "amateurish" following various mishaps. Alpine Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer says he will be seeking discussions with CEO Laurent Rossi after he branded the team's start to the 2023 Formula 1 season as "amateurish."

The Enstone squad have had a slow start to the campaign, featuring a horror weekend in Baku where they suffered a fire, a crash and were forced to start Esteban Ocon from the pit-lane, while he and Pierre Gasly collided in the Australian GP restart chaos. "Reading something like that in the paper puts no more pressure on, everyone wants to do well here," Szafnauer told media, including RacingNews365.com, of Rossi's comments made to French TV over the Miami weekend.

"They're well experienced technicians and engineers at the highest level, and we put pressure on ourselves so we just have to fix it. I have no idea [why the comments were made], you'll have to ask him, but I'll be asking him. This weekend was busy that I haven't had a chance yet.”

‘Seeking discussions’;

https://racingnews365.com/szafnauer-...-amateur-blast

F1 suffers ANOTHER near-miss in the pit-lane, with McLaren star Lando Norris narrowly missing a pedestrian in Miami... just a week after Esteban Ocon had people blocking the track in Baku before the race was over.
The FIA are investigating the incident, which occurred on lap five of 57, when an individual – believed to be a local marshal – walked in front of Lando Norris's McLaren as the Briton entered the pits.
Published: 10:28, 9 May 2023
By Jonathan McEvoy For Mailonine
Mail Online

Formula One narrowly avoided a pit-lane collision with a pedestrian for the second time in consecutive weeks in Miami on Sunday, it has emerged. Footage of the near-miss was loaded on to Sky Sports' F1 website, but has since been taken down.

An FIA spokesman said: 'We are aware of the incident and looking into it with local organisers.' The scare came a week after Alpine's Esteban Ocon yanked on the brakes to avoid running over dozens of people who were crossing at the pit-lane entrance to prepare for the post-race celebrations during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku.

‘FIA are investigating’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...collision.html


‘Learned nothing’: Lando Norris’ terrifying F1 pit lane near-miss
May 9th, 2023 6:42 am
Andrew McMurtry from News.com.au
Fox Sports (Australia)

Lando Norris has narrowly avoided turning a horror Miami Grand Prix into a tragedy after man walked across the pit lane as he entered for his scheduled stop. Coming just a week after photographers descended onto the pit lane in front of Alpine’s Esteban Ocon in Baku, the F1 was faced with another near-miss.

While last week Ocon had at least a little straight to slow down, it’s a blind corner in Miami and the man crossed the track near the entrance to the pit lane. On the footage, it was clear Norris adjusted his wheel slightly to the left when he saw the man.

Incredibly, it comes after the FIA published new post-race prodecures, meaning team mechanics can’t moved into Parc Ferme with cooling fans until the last car has taken the chequered flag, while: “Any other personnel or VIPs are not permitted to enter the pit lane until after the last car has taken the chequered flag”. Infringements will result in the removal of passes from the teams and even reporting the team to the Stewards. Fans couldn’t believe they were seeing another near-miss just a week after the Baku incident.

‘Learned nothing’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...303642bd70483c


F1 narrowly avoids disaster with another TERRIFYING pitlane near miss
Monday 8 May 2023 13:57
Joe Ellis
GPFans

For the second time in as many weeks, F1 nearly saw a disaster on the pitlane as Lando Norris narrowly avoided a pedestrian at the Miami Grand Prix. The McLaren driver was a very early stopper having started on the soft tyres only to be punted at the first corner by Nyck de Vries.

After failing to make up many places on the opening few laps, the Brit opted to come in early for clean air but one man was not aware. Footage that emerged on Twitter saw of the McLaren driver's onboard camera which saw the man only just get out of the way before Norris came through.

‘TERRIFYING’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ane-near-miss/


Lando Norris almost hits man in the pit lane as F1 has another terrifying close call
Less than one week after Alpine driver Esteban Ocon nearly hit a group of photographers in the pit lane, Formula 1 has another near miss they will have to learn from
17:57, 8 MAY 2023
BY Patrick Austen-Hardy
Daily Star

For the second race in a row, Formula 1 was terrifyingly close to a tragedy in the pit lane. McLaren ace Lando Norris pulled into the pit lane for a change of tyres during the Miami Grand Prix. However, as the Brit ACE came hurtling down, a man could be seen walking directly across the pit lane entrance in the way of his car.

While Norris did not have to swerve out of the way, it was another terrifyingly close call that raises more questions about pit lane safety, particularly after Esteban Ocon almost ploughed into a row of photographers during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix just one week ago.

‘Another terrifying close call’;

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/f1...tator-29927270


FIA investigate second pit-lane incident after Lando Norris near-miss
Lando Norris did not need to avert his course to avoid the man walking across the pit-lane but the outcome could have be very different
9 May 2023 • 11:09am
By Tom Cary, SENIOR SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
The Telegraph

The FIA, Formula One’s governing body, says it has launched an investigation into a second pit-lane incident in as many weeks after footage emerged of another near-miss during Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix. Onboard cameras from Lando Norris’s McLaren, as shown on the below video from footage originally broadcast by F1 TV, show a man walking across the pit-lane entrance just as Norris arrives for a pit-stop.

The Briton did not need to swerve to avoid the man, but the outcome might have been different had he arrived a second earlier. The incident comes just a week after stewards at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix ordered the FIA to review its parc fermé procedures after a group of "permitted media and other personnel” were allowed into the pit-lane before the race had finished.

‘Launched an investigation’;

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/formula-...investigation/


Lando Norris nearly ran over a marshal during Miami Grand Prix in latest F1 near-miss
Tuesday 9 May 2023 11:44 am
Callum McAvoy
Metro.co.uk

The FIA have launched an investigation after British F1 star Lando Norris came close to running over an official during the Miami Grand Prix. Footage has emerged showing Norris’ McLaren coming in for a stop on lap-five of last Sunday’s race and only narrowly avoiding hitting what appears to be a volunteer marshal who was walking across the pit-lane.

An FIA spokesperson told the PA: ‘We are aware of the incident and looking into it with local organisers.’ This near-miss has come just a week after the shocking scenes at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Esteban Ocon came incredibly close to running over a large group of officials and photographers as he came into the pits on the last lap of the race.

‘The FIA have apologised and Formula One, they assured us that this is not going to happen any more,’ the Alpine driver said ahead of the Miami race…. But this latest incident will bring yet more scrutiny upon the FIA at a time where their decision making is being widely criticised and their relationship with F1 is looking very strained.

‘Yet more scrutiny upon the FIA’;

https://metro.co.uk/2023/05/09/f1-la...o=newsnow-feed

McLaren face "reality check" after poor Miami F1 showing wiped out Baku progress.
McLaren has been served a “reality check” by its poor performance in Formula 1’s 2023 Miami Grand Prix that offsets its progress in Baku, according to team boss Andrea Stella.
17:13 Mon, 08 May 2023.
By: Matt Kew
Co-author: Adam Cooper
Motorsport.com

Lando Norris lost an estimated 0.2 seconds per lap in Florida following a Turn 1 hit from Nyck de Vries that damaged his floor. He finished 17th as Oscar Piastri classified in 19th. The team had considered retiring Piastri altogether as the rookie worked to manage spiking brake temperatures while a fix for a brake-by-wire hydraulic system fault was sought.

With that misfortune arriving straight after a 9-11 result in Azerbaijan when a revised floor was introduced, the dismal Miami showing has left McLaren to face a “reality check”. Team principal Stella said: “The main takeaway is that after a decent weekend in Baku from a performance point of view, we had a reality check.”

“The information we gained here helps us understand that some development directions still need to be pursued, like improving the car in off-brakes, off-throttle. At the moment, the car just doesn't work in this condition. At tracks like this, this becomes too much of a limitation.”

“Reality Check”;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/m...ress/10466862/


Oscar Piastri’s F1 ‘misery’ as big McLaren gamble blows up in their face at Miami Grand Prix
May 8th, 2023 7:57 am
James McKern from News.com.au
Fox Sports (Australia)

Oscar Piastri’s difficult start to the season continued at the Miami Grand Prix on Monday morning (AEST). As Red Bull’s Max Verstappen etched his name into the Formula 1 record books with a dominant win, it was at the other end of the grid where things fell apart for McLaren.

The young Australian star was always going to be behind the eight-ball after starting from 19th place on the grid. But it qwas a gamble with the tyres from McLaren that left both drivers stranded.

A usual tactic for back of the grid runners is to throw on the harder compound and go as long as possible, however McLaren attempted to buck that trend.

‘Misery as big McLaren gamble blows up in their face’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...e88ddfd28e2b4b


Piastri reveals he had a ‘major failure’ on his McLaren just six laps into the Miami GP
09 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site

McLaren endured another weekend where bad luck and reliability woes combined to cost them any chance of points in Miami. Lando Norris was in the wrong place at the wrong time, hit from behind into the opening corner by Nyck de Vries, while Oscar Piastri was left frustrated after a systems failure negated any chance he had of progressing through the field.

“We had some kind of major failure about six or seven laps in on the brake by wire, and energy recovery, something like that, so I was managing a lot of issues after that," he revealed after the race. "I had a really good Lap 1, which was the highlight of the weekend, but yeah frustrating afternoon, trying to drive round the issues.”

“I mean it’s been a tough weekend, but I think we are still very motivated to try and get the car further to the front. I think Baku was obviously a very different weekend to this one, where we were a lot faster. So, we need to understand why that was a good weekend relative to where we were and why this weekend is bad. Obviously, the reliability issues during the race we need to get on top off as well.”

‘Major failure on his McLaren’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...hR1swG7Jz.html


Piastri recounts McLaren brake-by-wire failure
Monday 8th May, 2023 - 1:25pm
By Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Oscar Piastri said his brake pedal felt “about two metres long” after suffering a brake-by-wire issue in his McLaren during the Miami Grand Prix. “It was a calculated risk on the strategy,” he said of starting on the soft compound Pirellis. “We went into the race with two [sets] of hard tyres. Try something a bit different because, to be honest, we weren’t going to get to the points on pace today.”

“So [we] tried something different [and it] didn’t really work. It worked on the first lap, got a lot of positions off the start, and then about three or four laps after the pitstop I had a BBW failure, with some other failures as well. That was why the pace was so terrible. After that, I had a brake pedal that was about two metres long, it felt like, amongst other things.”

‘McLaren brake-by-wire failure’;

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/05/08...-wire-mclaren/


McLaren underline Piastri excellence after 'critical' problem
09 May 8:00PM
Author Ewan Gale
Co-author Dieter Rencken
RacingNews365

McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella has praised Oscar Piastri for the way the rookie handled what could have been a race-ending brake issue at the Miami Grand Prix.

Australian Piastri was on the back foot from the start as internal gremlins threatened to end his event prematurely. “He needed to drive the entire race with a problem on the brake-by-wire, which Oscar was excellent in being able to cope with,” Stella told media, including RacingNews365.com.

“After having locked the tyres three or four times, he kind of realised how he needed to adapt the way he was braking to the issue.”

‘Could have been a race-ending brake issue’;

https://racingnews365.com/mclaren-un...itical-problem

‘I was dreaming of a little more than one point,’ admits Magnussen after starting on row two in Miami.
Kevin Magnussen started fourth for Haas in Florida, and though he came away with a point for 10th place, he admitted afterwards he had his heart set on a little more than that, given his high grid slot.
07 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

‘Heart set on a little more’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...288293774.html


Magnussen should have no regrets about fighting a losing battle
May 9 2023
By Matt Beer
The Race

For 38 of the Miami GP’s 57 laps, Magnussen expertly resisted everything Leclerc could throw at him, showing zero deference to Ferrari as either a more competitive car or Haas’s technical partner. If Leclerc got down the inside, Magnussen hung on around the outside. If Leclerc got him in a DRS zone, Magnussen made sure he got DRS back at the next one.

The difference to so many other top team vs underdog battles in recent F1 seasons is that in Miami Magnussen and Haas didn’t give up against Leclerc until they were absolutely sure that this was not a winnable battle. And in a season when pretty much everyone behind Red Bull is within the same second much of the time, that’s absolutely the right attitude to have.

“Obviously, I was dreaming of a little more than one point today,” Magnussen admitted on Sunday night. But all the big teams finished the race and had no problems. So it was a pretty difficult race to score points. There were no gifts as such.” And there were definitely absolutely no gifts given away by Magnussen.

‘Showing zero deference to Ferrari’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/magnu...losing-battle/


2023 Miami Grand Prix: Leclerc and Magnussen swap positions three times in running battle
07 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

Charles Leclerc overtook Kevin Magnussen only for the Dane to immediately re-take the place, before Leclerc got back in front again a lap later, to take P9.

‘Running battle’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...554318099.html


Magnussen: Long fight with Leclerc in Miami 'tough on tyres'
10/05/2023 at 08:41
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

Kevin Magnussen says he should have perhaps better managed his tyres during his long fight with Charles Leclerc in the Miami Grand Prix as the battle took its toll on the Haas' rubber.

"I had a s****y start and then had a long fight with Leclerc, which was tough on my tyres and I probably should have looked after my tyres a little more in hindsight," the Haas driver acknowledged. "But anyway, I think we had a strong day and got one point."

"There [were] no gifts as such and I still got one point, so I'm pretty happy with that. [There was] probably a little more degradation than I'd love to have, but I think we made a good step forward this weekend."

'Tough on tyres';

https://f1i.com/news/474097-magnusse...-on-tyres.html


Magnussen dreamt of more in Miami
Tuesday 9th May, 2023 - 4:07am
By Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Kevin Magnussen went into the Miami Grand Prix dreaming of more than the single point he scored but was otherwise left satisfied.

“Obviously I was dreaming of a little more than one point today but I think all the big teams finished the race today and had no problems, so it was a pretty difficult race to score points – there were no gifts, as such.”

Having started fourth, Magnussen slipped to seventh on the opening lap before battling with Leclerc. That saw the pair swap places, the Haas driver holding the advantage until pitting the Haas on Lap 14.

‘Dreamt of more’;

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/05/09...more-in-miami/


Magnussen hails 'step forward' for Haas after Leclerc battle
08 May 2:45PM
Author Anna Francis
Co-author Dieter Rencken
RacingNews365

Kevin Magnussen feels that Haas made a "good step forward" during the Miami Grand Prix weekend after the Dane secured a points finish.

"There [were] no gifts as such and I still got one point, so I'm pretty happy with that. [There was] probably a little more degradation than I'd love to have, but I think we made a good step forward this weekend."

Starting from P4 on the grid enabled Magnussen to battle with cars he is not frequently close to on track. This was something that he enjoyed, though he admits that he would rather have track position in the first place. "It's fun to race, of course," the 30-year-old explained. "But I would have preferred to not race and just be in front."

'Step forward';

https://racingnews365.com/magnussen-...leclerc-battle

Ralf Schumacher takes another jab at Guenther Steiner’s ‘good practices’.
It’s fair to say there’s no love lost between Schumacher and Steiner with the German blaming the team boss for his nephew Mick losing his race seat at the end of last season.
10 May 2023 1:00 PM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Ralf Schumacher has delivered his latest jab at Guenther Steiner saying if Haas’ “good practices” are upheld, he expects to hear all about the cost of Nico Hulkenberg’s Miami crash.

With Hulkenberg into the wall in Friday’s first practice at the Miami Grand Prix, Schumacher just had to say something.

“If the team’s good practices are maintained, we will know tomorrow what the crash cost – and next year at the latest with the Netflix documentary we will know what is being thought about it,” Speedweek quotes the Sky Sports’ pundit as having said.

‘No love lost’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/ralf-s...ood-practices/


Ralf pokes Steiner after Hulkenberg crash
MAY 7, 2023
GrandPrix.com

"If the team's best practices are maintained, we will know very soon what the crash cost," Ralf told Sky Deutschland.

However, Ralf insisted that his jibe at Steiner is actually not criticism of a crash by the otherwise impressive returning German Hulkenberg, 35.

"To be fair, Nico has often been outstanding, making the car look better at the moment than it is. You have to give Nico a big compliment, he's just doing a good job."

‘Crash cost’;

https://www.grandprix.com/news/ralf-...erg-crash.html


Schumacher pokes Steiner after Hulkenberg crash
"We will know very soon what the crash cost"
7 MAY 2023 - 12:30
By GMM

Schumacher, 47, and Gunther Steiner fell out badly over the Haas team boss’ treatment of Mick last year - and the ultimately decision to oust him.

"And next year at the latest we will all find out in the Netflix documentary what he thinks about it too," Schumacher added, again referring to Hulkenberg’s crash.

"We will know very soon”;

https://motorsport.nextgen-auto.com/...sh,181289.html


Guenther Steiner: I grew up a butcher's son – it taught me how to fillet a driver
Haas F1 team principal on his new book, his complicated relationship with Mick Schumacher and the sport's continued growth in the States
5 May 2023 • 2:21pm
By Tom Cary, SENIOR SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
The Telegraph

Of all the team principals currently operating in Formula One, only Guenther Steiner could turn a conversation about Miami and the F1's current burgeoning popularity in the United States into a rhapsody about the cocaine boom of the 1980s and drug-smuggling in motorsport.

"F*king hell! It must have been a good time in Miami back then!" exclaims the Italian in his distinctive Germanic-sounding twang as we look ahead to this weekend's grand prix in the Sunshine State, a 'home' race of sorts for Steiner's North Carolina-based Haas F1 team. "Have you seen that Netflix show Bad Sport?" he asks. "One of the episodes was about this IndyCar driver in the 1980s [Randy Lanier] who funded his drive by smuggling drugs into Miami."

The son of a butcher, Steiner could have followed his father into the family business but eventually ran away with the motorsport circus. "If I buy a cut of meat I know what I'm looking at," he says of his butchery skills these days. "But I couldn't skin a cow." Could he fillet a Formula One driver? "Haha. Maybe." Steiner did a bit of that in the last season of Drive to Survive; his treatment of Mick Schumacher earning him criticism in some quarters for being overly harsh.

“"F*king hell!”;

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/formula-...ion-with-haas/


Guenther Steiner names the next team principal he wants to see write book
09 May 2023 10:00 PM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com

Guenther Steiner has singled out Toto Wolff as the one team principal he would like to see write his own autobiography. Steiner has been on somewhat of a tour to promote his book and was recently speaking to the Miami Herald where the subject of whose memoir he would like to read was brought up.

“Oh, I am overthinking this,” he said. “Toto Wolff because a lot of us don’t know where he really comes from. There’s still some mystery there. I know quite a bit about where he was before F1, so putting that on paper, I’ll pick him.”

The day-by-day review format of Steiner’s book was a little different than standard autobiographies and he said the reason for that was that he did not think there was enough in his life to make an autobiography interesting. I was not ready for that, and they came up with the idea of a year as Guenther as a team principal, and I liked it a lot better.”

“Toto Wolff… … I’ll pick him.”;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/guenth...ee-write-book/

Bottas says Alfa Romeo’s qualifying pace in Miami flattered the team ahead of disappointing race.
The Finn finished down in P13 and said his speed in the race “reflects more the true pace we have at the moment” – and welcomed news they will be getting an upgrade package in Imola.
07 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

‘Upgrade package in Imola’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...208211503.html


Zhou eyeing Imola upgrade after Alfa Romeo struggle with grip on race day in Miami.
07 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

Zhou Guanyu said he was “just sliding around” during the Miami Grand Prix as he struggled for grip all race long – something he hopes an upgrade package will help solve for the next race at Imola.

“Just sliding around”;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...250447226.html


Bottas identifies 'main focus' for Alfa Romeo: A lot of work to do
10 May 5:10PM
Author Anna Francis
RacingNews365

Despite reaching Q3 in qualifying with Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo failed to score points at the Miami Grand Prix. Bottas admits that the team need to make a big improvement.

"There are some positives to take from this weekend, although there is still a lot of work to do to be fighting in the top 10," Bottas explained after the race. The start of my race was quite good: we made up a few places and were well into the points.”

"I tried my best to keep up the fight and defend my position; unfortunately, we didn't quite have the pace we showed [on Saturday], when we had managed to be competitive on the single lap. I think our finishing position reflects where we stand at the moment, and we must keep working to improve."

'Main focus';

https://racingnews365.com/bottas-ide...-of-work-to-do


2023 Miami Grand Prix - Sunday
23:59 Sun, 07 May 2023.
Alfa Romeo Racing - Official Site

Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake put up a fight in the 2023 Miami Grand Prix, with both cars involved in the action from lights to flag. Despite a feisty performance and a strong opening stint, Valtteri Bottas finished outside of the points in 13th, with team-mate, Zhou Guanyu, completing his performance in 16th.

Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Team Representative: “We saw some real signs of improvement this weekend, especially in qualifying, which had been a weaker point earlier this season. We take this as an encouragement and as a spur to keep working hard. We may not have scored points today, but we have a foundation on which to build – starting tonight, back in Hinwil, where the team is already at work, analysing today’s race and producing the upgrades that will make their debut in Imola.”

“Today’s race saw us fight for a place in the top ten for a large part of the afternoon: in a race with no retirements, this was as far as we could go. The season remains long, and we’re motivated to make another step forward next time around: everyone is pushing for it and I’m confident we will keep moving in the right direction.”

“Some real signs of improvement this weekend, especially in qualifying”;

https://www.sauber-group.com/motorsp...d-prix-sunday/


Formula 1: Two possible directions for Guanyu Zhou’s future
15:21 Sun, 07 May 2023.
by Siddharth Bharani-Dharan
Beyond the Flag (Weblog)

As things currently stand, the Formula 1 future of Guanyu Zhou at Alfa Romeo has the potential to go in two very different directions. Coming into the 2023 Formula 1 season, the general expectation from many was that Guanyu Zhou would run the course of his contract and depart from Alfa Romeo at the end of the year. However, there could be a growing chance that he stays with the Zurich-based team for one more season.

With Valtteri Bottas being the team leader, most believed he would perform a lot better than the 23-year-old Chinese driver, but that has not been the case. Zhou has been quite even with Bottas through the first four races of the year. Zhou is only two points behind Bottas and has finished higher than him twice. But the C43 has been underwhelming so far, causing both drivers to struggle at times and leaving the team in eighth place in the constructor standings.

On the flip side, the team may choose not to bring back Zhou. Alfa Romeo could look for a new face in the garage as they enter a new era in which Audi’s larger stake begins. Lando Norris is one name Alfa Romeo could look to immediately. There is growing speculation that the 23-year-old will depart McLaren after this season. Even though his contract doesn’t expire until 2025, Alfa Romeo could use this opportunity to their advantage.

‘Two very different directions’;

https://beyondtheflag.com/2023/05/07...ou-alfa-romeo/

Alex Albon explains his anger over Williams team radio messages.
Alex Albon has admitted he did not agree with Williams’ strategy decision during the Miami Grand Prix and was left feeling frustrated.
10 May 2023 7:15 PM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com

After qualifying in P11, Albon had been expected to again challenge for the points-paying spots but his Williams car was rarely seen towards the top end of the grid.

He ended the race 14th, his worst finish this season, and still has just the one point to his name despite a reasonably positive start to the season. It seems Albon’s biggest complaint came with the team’s instructions over tyres and he was particularly frustrated when told to ease up and try and preserve his rubber.

“I think at the time I got told to manage the tyres we weren’t catching the cars in front,” said Albon, as per Motorsport.com. “So it was either try and not manage and try and catch the cars and overtake them, or just stay at the back.”

‘Anger’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/alex-a...adio-messages/


Albon at odds with Williams, explains testy radio messages
10/05/2023 at 10:28
Michael Delaney
F1i.com

Alex Albon put his foot down in last Sunday's Miami Grand Prix, on the track but also on the radio with his Williams team following a disagreement with his race engineer during the event.

The Thai-British racer questioned his team's call to push at one point in the race while he later found himself at odds with the Williams pitwall when he was asked to manage his rubber and felt that he should do the opposite.

"I'd rather be aggressive and then suffer the consequences later than never try and just finish last. So that was why I think I said I don't really agree with it. But then at the same time, we wanted to push very hard in the first few laps with the tyre, and it was making the tyre grain up. So I didn't agree with that either. So a bit of everything."

‘Testy radio messages’;

https://f1i.com/news/474102-albon-at...-messages.html


Albon: Miami showed Williams true pace
Wednesday 10th May, 2023 - 8:38am
By Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Albon had started the race 11th but suggests that’s something of a false positive and relates more to the performance of others than himself. “We don’t have the pace, so we’re just trying to do different things,” he said.

“I do think we’re the ninth or 10th slowest car, that’s the reality of it – we’re just getting the most out of it most weekends. On a track where the tyres do get hot, where there is deg, exposes our weaknesses.”

“[Sunday] was a really clear example. These kinds of circumstances normally suit us. We did a great job in qualifying and this was our true pace.”

‘Williams true pace’;

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/05/10...ams-true-pace/


Sargeant apologises for 'painful' first lap error in Miami
09/05/2023 at 13:49
Andrew Lewin
F1i.com

Logan Sargeant has apologised to his Williams team for the error he made at the start of Sunday's Miami Grand Prix which effectively doomed any hopes he had of a decent race. "It sucks. It was a mistake on that first lap that ruined our chances, so sorry to the team - but I’ll take it on the chin.”

On the first lap after the lights went out, he ran into the back of Lance Stroll's Aston Martin at the turn 14-15 chicane and damaged his front wing, forcing him into an emergency pit stop for repairs. “I put the car in a place I shouldn’t have in that second sector and took my front wing off,” Sargeant told the media in the paddock at the Miami International Autodrome on Sunday. “That ruined the race from there.”

'Painful';

https://f1i.com/news/474051-sargeant...-in-miami.html


Sargeant admits he ‘put the car in a place I shouldn’t have’ as Lap 1 damage wrecks his home race
09 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site

Logan Sargeant endured a trying first race on home soil, the Florida native propping up the field in Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix as he came home last – and admitting afterwards that he gave himself a mountain to climb after contact with another car meant he needed to pit for a new front wing on the very first lap.

“I put the car in a place I shouldn’t have on Lap 1," he said. "It was a decent opening lap until that point as well. I should’ve just settled and went from there. [I] took the wing off and pretty much ruined my race from there.”

That damage required a pit stop, and as well as the new front wing Sargent was fitted with a set of the hard compound tyres. He managed to make the one-stop strategy work in so far as he got that set of tyres all the way to the end, but his race became more about tyre management than pace. And with all 20 cars finishing, there was little in the way of opportunity to move up the order.

‘Endured a trying first race’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...caSiDh821.html

Boss Tost admits rookie de Vries ‘under pressure’.
Russian racing driver Egor Orudzhev observed last week that if the 28-year-old Dutchman doesn't up his game soon, "I think Helmut Marko will fire him".
07:57 Tue, 09 May 2023.
Grandprix.com

Alpha Tauri team boss Franz Tost admits Formula 1 rookie Nyck de Vries is "under pressure" to perform in 2023.

Indeed, de Vries has had a troubled start to his first full season on the grid, often crashing or clearly trailing the pace of teammate Yuki Tsunoda. In Miami, he finished 18th compared to Tsunoda's 11th.

"In itself, Nyck's performance was not that bad," boss Tost, explaining that de Vries needed an unscheduled pitstop for a flat-spot, is quoted by the Dutch publication Formule 1. When asked if he is satisfied with de Vries performance so far in F1, he added: "Satisfied is perhaps a bit of an exaggeration.

‘Under pressure’;

https://www.grandprix.com/news/boss-...-pressure.html


Tsunoda came up short but 'gave it everything' in Miami GP
10/05/2023 at 16:38
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

Yuki Tsunoda came up short in last weekend's Miami Grand Prix, the AlphaTauri charger concluding his race hot on the heels of Haas' Kevin Magnussen but just outside the top ten.

"Yeah, really tough – I literally gave it everything," said Tsunoda who fought hard to score his third consecutive P10 finish. "I was pretty happy with the performance. It’s a shame that I couldn’t score points, but yeah, [I’m] happy with it."

Tsunoda's takeway from his trip to Miami was the confirmation of a more consistent level of performance. "It’s good that I’m being consistent and hopefully I can be consistently in the points [in the future]."

'Gave it everything';

https://f1i.com/news/474131-tsunoda-...-miami-gp.html


Tsunoda insists he’s ‘happy with the performance’ despite just missing out on points in Miami
07 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

Yuki Tsunoda has now finished in 11th place three times this season – including again in Miami, and the Japanese racer insists he’s giving it everything behind the wheel.

‘Happy with the performance’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...857064287.html


Tsunoda hopes 'big updates' for Imola can get AlphaTauri back on track
10 May 10:25AM
Author Rory Mitchell
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365

Yuki Tsunoda is hoping that "big updates" planned for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix will get AlphaTauri back on track, after a disappointing start to the season.

The AlphaTauri driver qualified in P17 but managed to recover to P11 in Miami after pulling off moves in the opening stages of the race, notably running side-by-side with Zhou Guanyu at the Turn 14 chicane before using his straight-line speed to get past at Turn 17.

"It's kind of a trend of AlphaTauri, sometimes when the qualifying is bad the race is good. So obviously we have to find out why we are good, but it's really pretty surprising," he told media, including RacingNews365.com.

'Big updates';

https://racingnews365.com/tsunoda-ho...-back-on-track


Franz Tost axes AlphaTauri engineer he ‘didn’t trust’ after slow start to 2023
06 May 2023 7:15 PM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com

Franz Tost is back to trusting his own engineers after a troublesome figure is “out”, according to the AlphaTauri team boss. “The engineers tell me we make some good progress but I don’t trust them anymore,” Tost said in Jeddah. “I just want to see the lap time because this is the only thing that counts.”

“Because during the winter months they [the engineers] told me, ‘the car is fantastic, [we] made big progress’ then we came to Bahrain and we are nowhere.” Of course when any team principal responds like that, the follow up question on everyone’s mind is always going to be: who has got the sack?

Tost was not pressed on the matter during the conference but Motorsport.com has reported that it is head of aerodynamics Dickon Balmforth who has fallen on his sword. Balmworth joined AlphaTauri in May 2018 having previously spent 12 years at Red Bull and before that almost three years at Williams.

‘Franz Tost axes AlphaTauri engineer he ‘didn’t trust’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/franz-...uri-departure/


Franz Tost explains why he decided to quit AlphaTauri
2023 is Franz Tost's 18th and final season as AlphaTauri's team principal, with Laurent Mekies set to replace him.
by Nick Golding
4 May 2023
Formula1News

Following some speculation, it was officially confirmed ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix that AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost would be leaving the Faenza-based team at the end of 2023, with Ferrari’s racing director Laurent Mekies to replace him in 2024.

Despite having been their team principal for so long, Tost isn’t exactly pleased for his time with the team to be coming to an end, with him ultimately being a fan of “the challenge”. “No, my shoulders are still strong,” Tost joked to GPblog and others. “And generally I like the challenge, I like the pressure, and this was not a problem, for me, not a problem.”

So what exactly does the future hold for Tost once he’s left AlphaTauri and the Red Bull family? As it stands, he’s unsure, with his initial plan being “to take a step back” and assess his options. “Don’t know yet, was asked already, but don’t know yet, it’s not decided,” said Tost.

‘Decided to quit AlphaTauri’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/franz-tos...it-alphatauri/

Adrian Newey received Mercedes phone call in attempt to sign him – report.
Toto Wolff reportedly had one of his colleagues phone Adrian Newey in an attempt to lure him over to Mercedes with Red Bull’s Helmut Marko having the last laugh.
10 May 2023 12:15 PM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

According to F1-Insider.com, Mercedes went as far as to approach the design guru in the weeks before he committed his future to Red Bull.

‘Shortly before Red Bull’s mastermind Adrian Newey extended his contract with Red Bull a week ago,’ claims the publication, ‘he received a phone call from a former Red Bull employee, who is now one of the personal assistants of the Mercedes team boss and shareholder is Toto Wolff.

‘On behalf of her boss, the lady tried lure the top-class aerodynamicist to Mercedes. Newey, however, declined with thanks and preferred to commit himself to Red Bull for another year.’ That opened the door for motorsport advisor Helmut Marko’s latest jab at Mercedes. “Mr. Wolff does not seem to have the full confidence in his own people to fix the problems with their car,” he said.

‘Last laugh’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/merced...-adrian-newey/


Mercedes attempt to poach Red Bull's Adrian Newey as Toto Wolff assistant makes phone call
Mercedes and Red Bull have been poaching staff from one another for several years now.
07:20, Wed, May 10, 2023
By Stuart Ballard
Daily and Sunday Express

Mercedes clearly recognise the role Adrian Newey has had on Red Bull's current dominance in F1 as they reportedly tried to poach the Chief Technology Officer from their rivals recently. Newey is widely regarded as one of F1's greatest car designers having helped Red Bull once again set the benchmark this year.

And it seems as though Mercedes wanted to test the waters on whether Newey fancied a new challenge in recent weeks. According to F1 Insider, Newey received a phone call from 'one of Toto Wolff's personal assistants'. Newey is said to have 'declined with thanks' before signing a new deal with Red Bull.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner clearly had no concern of Newey potentially leaving before the new contract was signed. "Adrian and I work together, we've been sitting next to each other, for 18 years now," Horner said last week. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner clearly had no concern of Newey potentially leaving before the new contract was signed. "Adrian and I work together, we've been sitting next to each other, for 18 years now," Horner said last week.

‘Attempt to poach’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...errari-F1-news


Mercedes fail in bid to poach Adrian Newey from F1 rivals Red Bull as Toto Wolff mocked
Adrian Newey recently signed a new Red Bull contract amid rumoured interest from Ferrari, but it appears the Italians weren't the only ones interested in the celebrated car designer
16:06, 9 May 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer

Mercedes reportedly launched a sensational bid to poach Adrian Newey away from their bitter Red Bull rivals before the designer committed his future to his current team. The 64-year-old's contract was due to expire at the end of this season, sparking reported interest from Ferrari. But it was confirmed ahead of the Miami Grand Prix weekend that Newey had put pen to paper on an extension with his current team.

But it seems Ferrari were not the only ones working on a bid to snatch Newey away from Red Bull. According to F1 Insider, Mercedes made an attempt to lure him away from their biggest F1 rivals and help them to reverse their declining fortunes. The Silver Arrows won eight constructors' titles in a row but were slow to adapt to the new car regulations which came into force in 2022.

They have been playing catch up ever since and remain some way off the performance levels of defending champions Red Bull. The report claims Mercedes wanted to bring in Newey to help them to solve their car performance woes. But he is said to have thanked them for their offer and declined, before signing on again with Red Bull.

‘Mercedes fail’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...dbull-29935909


LEGENDARY DESIGNER ADRIAN NEWEY SIGNS RED BULL EXTENSION
Technical genius has designed all of Red Bull's title winning cars, utilising innovative designs and aesthetically pleasing chassis
May 1, 2023
James Phillips
FormulaNerds

The odds of Red Bull staying at the top of F1 have become more likely with the news that legendary designer Adrian Newey has extended his contract with the reigning World Champions. Newey has enjoyed a highly successful career in F1 that marks him out as one of the sport’s all time greatest figures. Starting out in 1988, his designs made an immediate impression. His first car for the new defunct March team achieved a P2 finish.

Fired in 1989, the team began its decline that would see it close its doors. This proved to be a blessing in disguise as his designs had attracted the attention of Frank Williams. The dominance of Newey’s designed cars was crushing, Williams winning five Constructor titles in six years. Contract issues saw him move to McLaren for 1998. His first car, the MP4/13 won both titles that year. After another title in 1999, Newey’s title run stopped.

He moved to Red Bull for 2005, a team starting out from the ashes of the failed Jaguar operation. The technical regulation changes for 2009 saw Red Bull emerge as a powerhouse in F1. Every title-winning Red Bull from 2010-2013 and 2021 onwards has been designed or heavily influenced by Newey.

‘Technical genius’;

https://www.formulanerds.com/news/le.../?nowprocket=1


Former Red Bull driver crushes rival’s hopes of one day poaching Adrian Newey
12 May 2023 6:02 AM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

Adrian Newey penned a new Red Bull deal to end speculation over a potential team swap, something which David Coulthard never foresees happening. And it has been predicted by David Coulthard, who drove for Red Bull from 2005-2008, and played a key role in luring Newey to Red Bull, that this team is where the 64-year-old will see out his Formula 1 career.

“He’s been with the team for such a long period of time, he’s in his 60s, the question is did he want to take a new challenge with another team?” Coulthard stated on Channel 4. “Every team wanted him. He’s committed to Red Bull long-term, this will be his last Formula 1 team.”

‘Former Red Bull driver crushes rival’s hopes’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/david-...-adrian-newey/

Wolff cools expectations over Mercedes’ Imola F1 upgrades.
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has told fans not to expect a seismic improvement in performance as it prepares for its first major upgrade package of the season.
10:46 Wed, 10 May 2023.
by Rob Kershaw
Motorsport Week

The German side previously identified the sixth race of the season in Italy as the point at which it would introduce the first set of changes to the W14 that it hopes will bring it closer to the fight at the front with Red Bull.

Mercedes has just one podium finish so far this year through Hamilton in Melbourne, and although alterations to its inconsistent car are forthcoming, Wolff asserts that they will not be game-changing.

“Like I said already, we need to manage our own expectations, because we’re bringing an update package that’s going to consist of new suspension parts, and bodywork and some other things,” he explained. “But I have never in my 15 years in Formula One seen a silver bullet being introduced, where suddenly you unlock half a second of performance.”

“Like I said already”;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...a-f1-upgrades/


Mercedes: Imola upgrade will set new baseline from where to develop
08/05/2023 at 18:03
Michael Delaney
F1i.com

Toto Wolff is keeping his expectations in check regarding the impact of the upgrades Mercedes will introduce next week at Imola, but the changes should establish a new baseline from where the team can develop its troubled W14.

"But what I'm looking forward to is that we take certain variables off the table, where we believe we could have introduced something that we don't understand in the car. [I am hoping] we can go more to a stable platform, and then we should see where the baseline is and what we can do from there."

Wolff said the magnitude of the changes implemented by Mercedes at Imola will be "pretty large" and cover both the aero and mechanical spectrums of the car. "I think we are chasing downforce and we're trying to do the best possible job in terms of the mechanical platform," the Austrian explained.”

‘The magnitude of the changes’;

https://f1i.com/news/474014-mercedes...o-develop.html


Wolff hopes updates will discover 'poisonous' traits of W14
09 May 9:25AM
Author Ewan Gale
Co-author Dieter Rencken
RacingNews365

Mercedes will introduce a long-awaited major upgrade package at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. "I think we are chasing downforce and we are trying to do the best possible job in terms of the mechanical platform," Wolff told media, including RacingNews365.com.

"So what we are doing is introducing new bodywork and a new floor and new front suspension. That is a pretty large operation, large surgery. There is going to be a lot of learning. In the virtual world, it is good lap time."

Explaining the changes will help determine the Brackley-based outfit's future development path, Wolff added: "The upgrade we are bringing is going to help us to set the direction, to understand the various areas we believe could play a role in why the car is so poisonous to drive."

‘Large operation, large surgery’;

https://racingnews365.com/wolff-conf...rcedes-surgery


Wolff plans to perform SURGERY on ‘poisonous’ W14 in upgrade reveal
Tuesday 9 May 2023 20:47
Harry Smith
GPFans

Toto Wolff has claimed that the Mercedes W14 is a 'poisonous' car to drive as he explained a major upgrade package ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

After the Miami Grand Prix, Wolff told the media: "I think we are chasing downforce and we are trying to do the best possible job in terms of the mechanical platform.”

"So what we are doing is introducing new bodywork and a new floor and new front suspension. That is a pretty large operation, large surgery. There is going to be a lot of learning."

‘Plans to perform SURGERY’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...na-grand-prix/


Toto Wolff not pleased with George Russell performance
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has rejected praise over the performance of his drivers in Sunday’s Grand Prix after a disappointing weekend.
8 May 2023
by Edward Hardy
Formula1News

“That’s the story of the car, that we have very good sessions like on Friday, then we had very difficult qualifying, and then on Sunday we have solid pace,” Wolff told reporters.

“But solid pace is not where we want to be, and we need to understand why we are lacking that speed for a lap.”

“So there is nothing to be relieved of by having a more decent Sunday, because you’ve got to start at the front and you’ve got to be able to manage the Red Bulls and the other teams, and that’s not the case yet.”

‘Rejected praise over the performance of his drivers’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/toto-wolf...l-performance/


Toto Wolff slammed for ‘PR nonsense’ after embarrassing Lewis Hamilton performance
Lewis Hamilton failed to make it into Q3 on American soil for the first time in his F1 career.
8 May 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News

@F1_Jordan wrote on Twitter: “Merc still a second off, embarrassingly lost It gets more frustrating with all the PR nonsense they come out with, especially Wolff after Australia talking about “clear improvements” when it was all track specific Too much talking, not enough doing!!!”

@Mrz999 added: “0 upgrades and losing ground every weekend, this Imola upgrade will only bring us back to Bahrain level competitiveness. Seasons gone.”
@F1Merc44 commented: “They haven’t brought any big upgrades, did people really think the car would get a second quicker without any upgrades?”
@sirhqmilton said: “It’s embarrassing. The teams a lost, hopeless case. Nothing can fix this tractor even with those upgrades”

Others like @lakeshow12345 noted that the team are “truly lost” if the Imola upgrades aren’t a success: “Upgrades are scheduled for next race. If improvements don’t work, then they are truly lost.”
@lewishammers” Feel like we’re constantly being gaslit by them to make us think the car is getting better when in reality it’s not. Expecting nothing from these Imola updates.”

‘Nothing can fix this tractor’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/toto-wolf...n-performance/

Is Leclerc too error-prone to become F1 World Champion?
When Charles Leclerc crashed out of qualifying at Turn 7 during the Miami Grand Prix, I can't have been the only one thinking the same thing: Does he commit too many errors to be a World Champion?
13 May 6:15PM
Author Rory Mitchell
RacingNews365

The mistake during Miami Grand Prix qualifying was Charles Leclerc's second after crashing out at Melbourne in four corners of racing. RacingNews365.com asks: Can the Monegasque end Ferrari's 15-year Drivers' Championship drought?

It was a key moment for Leclerc as he could have snatched pole away from Red Bull for a second successive time in 2023, after Max Verstappen made an unforced error on his first lap.
Instead the Ferrari driver took enough kerb to unsettle the rear of his SF-23 and spun off into the TecPro for a second time at that corner, an impressive feat given the run-off is as large as the Miami Beach at Turn 7.

‘Too error-prone?’;

https://racingnews365.com/is-leclerc...world-champion


More brutal Charles Leclerc criticism: ‘He’s driving beyond his capabilities’
May 2023 1:00 PM
Henry Valantine 12
PlanetF1.com

David Coulthard believes the recent mistakes from Charles Leclerc are evidence that he is “driving beyond his own capabilities” at the moment.

“It’s not acceptable and that’s a chink in his armour,” Coulthard said of Leclerc’s errors on Channel 4. He’s brilliantly fast, he extracts a lot from that car, but he makes too many mistakes and there’s too much damage.”

“He knows it, the team will know it, they’ll accept it because what else can you do? You know, you’re not going to fire him, he’s the strongest asset they have there in terms of extracting the last little bit from the car.”

‘Beyond his capabilities’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/charle...-capabilities/


Charles Leclerc urged to ‘stop crashing his car’
Charles Leclerc and Ferrari have had a poor start to the 2023 season, dropping behind Aston Martin and Mercedes.
12 May 2023
by David Freeman
Formula1News

2009 F1 World Champion Jenson Button remains sympathetic to Charles Leclerc as things take a turn for the worst. After the Miami GP, the former World Champion stated:

“He probably does take more risk than most and he has even said that in qualifying, but he has also put it on pole position when we didn’t think they had a chance over the Red Bull, so it is a tricky one.”

“We are always going to pick him up on what just happened. I like how he goes racing, I like how he puts everything on the line.”

‘Stop crashing his car’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/charles-l...shing-his-car/


What Ferrari makes of Leclerc shunts that ‘reflect his mindset’
May 13 2023
By Edd Straw
The Race

Ferrari’s Jock Clear believes crashes from Charles Leclerc such as his one on the final run of Q3 during the Miami Grand Prix weekend are “a reflection of his mindset” when taking on a rival in a quicker Formula 1 car. Clear, a vastly experienced engineer, is Leclerc’s Ferrari driver coach. They have worked together since Leclerc joined Ferrari ahead of the 2019 season, meaning Clear knows the 25-year-old well.

“I think so,” said Clear when asked if Leclerc has to find the limit. “And in some ways this maybe is a reflection of his mindset when he is up against a car [Red Bull] that is demonstrably quicker than him. It’s, ‘I’m just going to have to make the difference myself’, which, of course, physics ultimately catches you out.”

“We’re not going to say to him, ‘Look calm down, Charles’ because over the course of a year his qualifying is outstanding and that puts him in a very strong position for a lot of races, as it did last weekend [in Baku], clearly.”

“Over the course of a year his qualifying is outstanding”;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/what-...t-his-mindset/


Charles Leclerc's defiant promise after Miami GP crashes speaks volumes about Ferrari ace.
Leclerc crashed not once but twice in Miami, sparking criticism from some about the way he drives and suggestions from some that his penchant for a mistake is a liability for Ferrari.
13:21, 12 May 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer

Leclerc insists he has no plans to make any major changes to his approach when he gets behind the wheel. When asked if he felt his driving style might need some tweaks, he simply replied: "No, I don't think so." Clearly, Leclerc has not suffered a dent to his confidence through those collisions. The Ferrari racer did admit, though, that he might need to approach the final part of qualifying a little differently.

He added: "I obviously need to, in those weekends especially, just manage it differently in Q3. But, at the end, it's like this. I think I put myself also in a difficult situation because I wanted a very aggressive set-up for qualifying. Knowing that this was the set-up, I will need to extract the most out of the car. I probably did a step too far, and this is something I'll look at."

‘Leclerc's defiant promise’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...after-29963288


Coulthard: Leclerc errors are ‘not acceptable’
13:40 Sat, 13 May 2023.
by Rob Kershaw
Motorsport Week

Ex-Formula 1 driver David Coulthard reckons Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc needs a World Championship under his belt in order to reduce the number of errors he is making.

The 13-time race winner suggested that a title may have a calming effect on Leclerc. “But I think that all he needs is a World Championship and then he will be the complete package,” added Coulthard. “Right now, he doesn’t have that World Championship. Therefore, he’s driving a little bit desperate and driving beyond his own capabilities.”

‘Leclerc errors are ‘not acceptable’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...ot-acceptable/


Coulthard: 'Unacceptable' mistakes a chink in Leclerc's armour
14/05/2023 at 08:43
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

In Miami last time out, Leclerc crashed twice over the weekend at the same corner, his second error occurring in qualifying and potentially costing him pole position or at the very minimum a spot on the front row of the race.

The Ferrari charger's Australian Grand Prix was also a wash-out due to a mistake and a contact on the opening lap of the race in Melbourne. Last year, Leclerc's early championship battle with Max Verstappen suffered a massive set-back when he crashed in his home race at Paul Ricard while the event.

Whether the five-time Grand Prix winner is error-prone is a difficult call to make given Ferrari's often sorry state in terms of performance, reliability or operational mistakes and which often push Leclerc to the ragged edge and beyond.

‘Push Leclerc to the ragged edge and beyond’;

https://f1i.com/news/474299-coulthar...cs-armour.html


Charles Leclerc told to calm down as his driving comes under fire
Ferrari are continuing to struggle and star man Charles Leclerc is bearing the brunt of the criticism this year.
by David Freeman
13 May 2023
Formula1News

The Miami Grand Prix will have served as a reality check for Charles Leclerc. Saturday’s qualifying ended in despair with him spinning off, signalling the end of the session – the hunt for pole foiled. Former F1 driver and pundit Jolyon Palmer has spoken out on Leclerc’s poor form.

“For such a talented driver, it’s fair to say he makes a lot of mistakes. Leclerc has bemoaned the 2023 Ferrari as being inconsistent with balance, overly wind sensitive and overall tricky to drive, which it might well be, but his driving has also got to be questioned.”

“What we are lacking is consistency from the car,” Leclerc said. “Not even from corner to corner, just in the same corner I can have a huge oversteery balance and then a huge understeery balance.”

‘Calm down’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/charles-l...es-under-fire/

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

In the Sliding Doors alternate universe of the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where the media didn't get out of the way in time, there wouldn't be memes filling social media about Ocon's pit lane entry being akin to old-school rally stages; there'd be Formula 1 under the microscope from every news outlet on the planet.

At a time when the sport's popularity is booming, a car running over a dozen people would be one of the world's top stories for weeks. Alpine withdrawing from Formula 1, a forever-changed Esteban Ocon, life-changing injuries for some, manslaughter charges for others, funerals, and grieving families fill that parallel universe I'm so glad not to inhabit. It's a serious failing.

‘FIA vs FIA’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...2023-analysis/


FIA criticised after tow truck appears on track mid-race in Miami
The FIA has faced criticism from motorsport fans after footage emerged online showing a tow truck on track during the start of the Porsche Carrera Cup.
13 May 2023
by Edward Hardy
Formula1News

The FIA is under fire from motorsport fans after a potentially dangerous incident at the start of the Porsche Carrera Cup in Miami. The Porsche Carrera Cup North America, now in its third season, saw drivers take to the track around Miami in between Grand Prix events at the Miami International Autodrome for round three of the championship.

‘Tow truck appears on track mid-race’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/fia-criti...race-in-miami/


F1 star drives wrong way around Miami Grand Prix track as FIA takes dim view
The F1 stewards usually prefer it when all 20 drivers are going in the same direction around a circuit, so were bemused when one of them briefly lost his bearings in the Miami sun
17:59, 7 May 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer
The Mirror

Stewards at the Miami Grand Prix gave one Formula 1 star a telling off after he drove the wrong way around the circuit at this weekend's event. It happened during practice on Friday, when Nyck de Vries was getting to grips with a circuit upon which he has never raced before. And the Dutchman was pushing a little too hard when he lost control and his AlphaTauri was sent into a spin at Turn 12.

He did not hit a wall or barrier and his engine did not cut out so he was able to get moving again quickly. But De Vries decided there wasn't enough room to turn his car around at that part of the track. So he drove backwards along the track to find a better place to spin his car back around into the right direction. Unsurprisingly, the stewards took a dim view of his decision to drive into oncoming traffic.

As De Vries used the run off area to swing his car back around, the stewards noted the incident and later looked into it. An investigation did not lead to a penalty for the AlphaTauri driver, but he was given a warning. "It's a new track for me and grip levels are extremely low, so you get quicker with each lap that you do," explained the Dutchman. "Even though the temperature is quite high, tyre warm-up seems to be a challenge because they need a long time before they perform."

‘FIA takes dim view’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...vries-29919068


FIA investigates second pit-lane incident after Lando Norris near-miss
9 May 2023 • 11:09am
By Tom Cary, SENIOR SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
The Telegraph

The incident comes just a week after stewards at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix ordered the FIA to review its parc ferme procedures after a group of "permitted media and other personnel” were allowed into the pit lane before the race had finished.

Ocon, who said he had been "arriving at 300kph" prior to entering the pit lane, described the situation as “crazy" and said F1 had been lucky to avoid a “big disaster. I had to brake, I had to avoid and it was pretty scary,” the Frenchman said. “Luckily it was all good. I had no idea that they were there. I've never seen that before."

‘It was pretty scary’;

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/formula-...investigation/


FIA launch investigation that could result in 'removal of passes' as F1 rule broken
The FIA tried to draw attention to new post-race rules brought in for the Miami Grand Prix.
16:09, Tue, May 9, 2023
By Stuart Ballard
Daily and Sunday Express

Formula One's governing body has confirmed they're looking into footage that showed another near-miss in the pit lane at the Miami Grand Prix. The FIA came under scrutiny in Baku when Esteban Ocon narrowly avoided catastrophe at the end of the race when he came into the pits where a group of people had already gathered.

An FIA spokesperson told the PA news agency: "We are aware of the incident and looking into it with local organisers." It comes after the FIA also issued a threat to ban anybody who infringed on the pit-lane rules.

"The FIA has apologised," he told Sky Sports News. "They assured us that this is not going to happen anymore. Thank God nothing happened and so all good from now.”

'Removal of passes';

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...cLaren-F1-news

Aston Martin set to ditch Mercedes and use Honda engines.
Honda and Red Bull's partnership will conclude at the end of 2025, prior to the new power unit regulations being introduced.
13 May 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News

It’s been reported that Aston Martin won’t be using Mercedes power units from 2026, with the Silverstone-based team expected to enter a new partnership with Japanese manufacturer Honda.

Honda have been on the search for a partner for 2026 ever since Red Bull announced that they’d be entering a technical partnership with Ford, as are sister side AlphaTauri.

The Japanese manufacturer’s options for the new power unit regulations have been slim, with only a handful of midfield teams being available. However, it appears that Aston Martin are their preferred choice, with the British team expected to become a Honda works’ side when the new regulations are introduced.

‘EL PLAN: Aston Martin set to ditch Mercedes’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/aston-mar...honda-engines/


The logic behind a blockbuster Aston Martin-Honda F1 project
14th May 2023, 08:13
By Scott Mitchell-Malm
The Race

If Aston Martin joins forces with Honda for a Formula 1 project beginning in 2026, as is looking likely, it will be a serious statement of intent. Aston Martin’s Mercedes partnership runs to the end of 2025 and it has always been likely that it would consider its options for the new rules.

That is plenty of time to fine-tune it for the 2026 car to fully benefit, and being affiliated with an engine manufacturer is a natural accompaniment to that. Which is why a works engine deal has been on the cards for quite a while, to the point of Aston even considering a Red Bull Powertrains-esque solo project.

But why Honda? The two companies have a recent previous connection in F1. They had a brief overlap during Honda’s first two years supplying Red Bull Racing with engines in 2019 and 2020, as Aston Martin – under its previous ownership – was the team’s title sponsor at the time.

‘EL PLAN: The logic’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/the-l...da-f1-project/


Aston Martin looking ahead to 2024 car
08:26 Fri, 12 May 2023.
ANDREW MAITLAND
Grandpx.news

Alonso is realistic that Aston Martin won’t be able to challenge Red Bull for the title. “Hopefully some of the tracks we will be a little bit closer to them,” he said. “And some of the upgrades that we will bring later in the season maybe put us in a different or more competitive position.”

“But I think our main focus, to be honest, is just looking behind and trying to keep Mercedes and Ferrari in the constructors’ championship under control.” And with that strategy, Aston Martin may be able to already get a start on developing its car for 2024.

“We absolutely want to start next year’s car as soon as possible,” technical director Dan Fallows, who left Red Bull a year ago, is quoted by France’s Auto Hebdo. “For us, it’s not about sacrificing this year’s car. Inevitably, it (the 2024 car) will be an evolution of this year’s car.

‘EL PLAN: Aston Martin is already starting to look ahead to its 2024 car’;

https://grandpx.news/aston-martin-lo...d-to-2024-car/


Krack lifts lid on SECRET behind incredible Alonso F1 form
Thursday 11 May 2023 15:59
Harry Smith
GPFans

Mike Krack has explained the secret to Fernando Alonso's incredible 2023 form, claiming that the Spaniard's motivation is sky high. In an interview with Sport BILD, Krack explained: "He is part of the success. Without him, we wouldn't be where we currently are.”

"We knew we had made a big step forward in the winter, but the fact that we were on the podium four times in the first five races is something I didn't expect.”

"It's all about motivation. It's unbroken with Fernando. We would have to take another step because Red Bull is very, very strong, but, if we put him a title car, he can be world champion."

‘EL PLAN: Motivation. It's unbroken with Fernando’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...astian-vettel/


TREMAYNE: Alonso’s re-emergence is the feel-good story of 2023 – and his best chance of a win is coming soon
12 May 2023
David Tremayne
Hall of Fame F1 Journalist
Formula One - Official Site

Habitual success can breed complacency, a sense of entitlement or enhanced ambition. Guess which one applies to Fernando Alonso…

“Fernando, what can we say?” old McLaren team-mate Jenson Button said after the Miami GP as the crowd roared their approval of his result. “Four podiums out of five races. Now the smile is there, it’s great…” “Not bad,” Fernando replied with deliberate understatement, the pirate beard failing to hide his cheerful smile.

This is the man who first won a Grand Prix in Hungary back in 2003, who unseated Michael Schumacher in 2005 and ’06, who went on to recover from some unfortunate career choices to expand his horizons, win at Le Mans, and come close at Indianapolis. Still, like the magician that he is, able to find grip where that crucial task at the topmost level can still defeat so many others. Racing in his forties as hard as he ever did in his twenties, but with so much wider experience.

‘EL PLAN: The magician that he is’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...P8mWex9iw.html


Aston Martin ‘not holding back’ in development battle with Mercedes and Ferrari
Sunday 14th May, 2023 - 7:51pm
By Ian Parkes
Speedcafe

Mike Krack is adamant Aston Martin is pacing itself in this season’s F1 development war and not getting sucked into the plans of rivals Mercedes and Ferrari. The team has so far been steady with regard to updates as it continues to build on the solid platform provided by the AMR23 which has been the surprise of the season to date.

Addressing what to expect over the next few races, team principal Krack said: “We’re pushing quite hard on the developments, and we’re quite confident that for the next few events, the data differences will not be too big as the development race goes on. “But then what comes after, say mid-season, we cannot say at this stage, because you have to see then who has spent how much and where you are at that stage, and you will also have the new car (for 2024) to develop.”

“We do our thing, we have our plan, and it will not change so much if one or the other team brings upgrades every race. This cannot change our plan, otherwise, we are always reactive. It’s important you define yourself, you put a roadmap in place, you define what you need when, and you follow it.”

‘EL PLAN: Roadmap in place’;

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/05/14...rari-mercedes/


Alonso addresses Aston Martin future and reveals what is TEMPTING him
Saturday 13 May 2023 22:57
Dan Davis
GPFans

Fernando Alonso has revealed he is "tempted" to extend his stay with Aston Martin but also admitted he may look to retire from Formula 1 on a high. The team's vast improvement this year has enabled both Alonso and team-mate Lance Stroll to push for podiums, and the evergreen veteran has secured four top-three finishes from the opening five races of the season.

It is believed his current contract stretches across 2023 and 2024, although Alonso has insisted he is feeling "fresh", leading to speculation he may sign a new deal. And now, Alonso has confirmed that is indeed the case.

"Things seem to be going better than we expected this year and maybe that means being tempted to extend the contract in the future," he told Spanish sports newspaper Marca, via Formula1News. "But there is also the temptation to finish, and do it with a smile on my face. I don't know, honestly."

‘EL PLAN: Sign a new deal’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ture-contract/

Ferrari needs a technical boss, not Vasseur.
Former Ferrari engineer Luigi Mazzola is not confident new team boss Frederic Vasseur can turn the situation around at Maranello.
15th May 2023, 08:12
ANDREW MAITLAND
Grandpx.news

Having ousted Mattia Binotto at the end of last year, the fabled Italian team is struggling even more than it did in 2022 now with Frenchman Vasseur at the helm. “I’m sorry,” Mazzola told Quotidiano Motori, “but I think Vasseur has the wrong approach when it comes to the problems at Ferrari.

“And I say that with full knowledge of the facts,” he insisted. “Now I fear that (Charles) Leclerc will not renew his contract.” In 2021, Mazzola said the biggest problem at Ferrari is its lack of a “dominant” leader like Luca di Montezemolo, Jean Todt and Ross Brawn. Now, he insists: “Maranello has been missing a technical director for years. Too many years.”

However, he insists he is not trying to be too hard on Vasseur. “Let’s give him some time,” said Mazzola. “But I’m not sure he can match Jean Todt. He shares the French passport with his illustrious predecessor – we’ll see about the rest. “But Todt had already won everything at Peugeot before going to Maranello. What has Vasseur won in his career?”

“I think Vasseur has the wrong approach”;

https://grandpx.news/ferrari-needs-a...s-not-vasseur/


'Vasseur don't mention aerodynamics, would affect technical pyramid'
9 MAY - 06:52
GPblog.com

Ferrari's results in Azerbaijan were encouraging, but a week later the Italian racing stable seem to have made exactly no progress. In Miami, updates were included for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, but none of it helped much. Where does it lie? Corriere dello Sport thinks team boss Frederic Vasseur is not telling the whole story.

After the fifth Grand Prix of the season, Vasseur chose his words carefully. He pointed to 'the lack of consistency in performance' as the cause of the problems. The Frenchman, who replaced Mattia Binotto last winter, agreed that it was mainly to do with the level of tyre wear. The drivers, especially on Sunday, have (too) little confidence in the car.

The Italian newspaper read: "However, there is one word the team boss will stay away from: aerodynamics. Because admitting that a deficiency in that area is the root cause would affect the entire technical pyramid." In that area, Ferrari is in a bit in the corner where the blows are falling anyway, as at the beginning of this season the head of aerodynamics David Sanchez suddenly decided to leave.

‘One word the team boss will stay away from: AERODYNAMICS’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/20358...s-in-2023.html


Vasseur risks DISAPPOINTING Tifosi with Ferrari upgrade message
Tuesday 9 May 2023 07:57
Joe Ellis
GPFans

Ferrari will have new upgrades coming to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, but Fred Vasseur has warned it won't be a huge update. The Scuderia head to their home race at Imola after a wretched weekend in Miami where Charles Leclerc crashed twice at the same corner throughout practice and qualifying.

Vasseur, the Prancing Horse team principal, has urged his team to open their eyes to the problems as they look to salvage their season. "It's a strange feeling, you have to open your eyes and consider the situation,"

"Red Bull? Surprising performance between tests and races. We are there with the others, while Red Bull flies by. Leclerc? In the first third of the race he struggled a lot, then he recovered and had the same pace as Sainz. The result, however, is a pity. the switch. Updates will arrive at Imola, but they're not the main thing."

‘DISAPPOINTING Tifosi’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...grades-tifosi/


Vasseur faced with Ferrari 'moving target'
05 May 6:20PM
Author Ewan Gale
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365

Frederic Vasseur took over as Ferrari Team Principal in January and has been presented with a number of challenges in the first four months. Carlos Sainz believes Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur has been faced with a "moving target" since taking over from Mattia Binotto.

On-track struggles with reliability and tyre degradation left the Scuderia behind Red Bull, Aston Martin and Mercedes in the opening races despite sparkling one-lap pace - underlined by Leclerc in Azerbaijan with pole for both Sprint and grand prix.

But off track, Vasseur has been given a baptism of fire with changes behind the scenes at Ferrari - the latest being Laurent Mekies' impending departure to take over as AlphaTauri Team Principal at the end of the season and with a gulf between Red Bull and the chasing pack, the former Sauber CEO faces a stern test to lay the foundations for a revival for the Maranello-based outfit.

'Moving target';

https://racingnews365.com/vasseur-fa...-moving-target


Vasseur petitions Ferrari to understand inconsistent pace.
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur doesn't necessarily think their 2023 car is simply stronger over one lap than the race
May 10, 2023
By Brandon Sutton
Total Motorsport

Frederic Vasseur says Ferrari‘s pace is too inconsistent as the team endured a difficult Miami Grand Prix. Carlos Sainz started third and was on podium contention before a five-second time penalty for speeding in the pit lane, and poor tyre wear on the C2 hard compound saw him drop to fifth.

Charles Leclerc‘s crash in Q3 meant he began the Miami GP from seventh and spent most of the race battling with Haas‘ Kevin Magnussen, before finishing where he started. “We are far too inconsistent from one lap to the other and we have to understand why,” Vasseur told the media.

“In qualifying, I think the pace was decent but we are not able to put everything together. And in the race it’s quite similar that the first stint went pretty well for Carlos but we lost 25 seconds on one side of the garage and we lost 25 seconds in the final stint.”

“But we really need to focus attention on this inconsistency because that is key for us”;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...nsistent-pace/


Ferrari management questioned after ‘unforgiveable’ Charles Leclerc error
13 May 2023 4:00 PM
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com

Peter Windsor, the Formula 1 commentator, has questioned the impact of new Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur after Charles Leclerc’s “unforgiveable” mistake in Miami left his career at a “crossroads”.

Speaking during a recent YouTube stream, former Williams and Ferrari team manager Windsor feels Vasseur should have intervened to prevent Leclerc making a second mistake in qualifying. He said: “I was getting quite bullish about the whole new Charles/Freddy Vasseur partnership – sort of Colin Chapman/Jim Clark or Patrick Head/Alan Jones.

“Not that Freddy is a designer, of course, but after what they had [under Mattia Binotto] I was getting bullish about Charles having this bond with Freddy Vasseur who’s a real racer. They should be on the same wavelength. And yet it all went south. It was terrible.”

‘Ferrari management questioned’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/ferrar...arles-leclerc/

Mick Schumacher F1 return hopes boosted as Toto Wolff plan revealed.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is reportedly working to get Mick Schumacher back onto the F1 grid, and has turned to an old friend in a bid to make it happen.
14 May 2023 5:00 PM
Jamie Woodhouse

As per a report from Sport1, Wolff has taken on the challenge of this mission to make Schumacher a Formula 1 driver once again. Competition for the 20 seats on the grid is always fierce, but fortunately for Schumacher, Wolff is not short of contacts outside of Mercedes, and he is reportedly using one of them to try and open a door for his reserve driver.

Wolff is no stranger to the Williams team, having owned shares in the team previously, while he is very familiar with their team principal James Vowles, who before taking up that role early in 2023, was Mercedes’ long-standing strategy chief. Sport1 claim that Wolff is attempting to convince Vowles to give Schumacher a Williams seat in the place of their F1 2023 rookie Logan Sargeant.

The American racer delivered a promising start to his first F1 campaign, though having struggled to really kick on from there while team-mate Alex Albon has delivered some standout performances, Sport1 say Sargeant is now considered a “shaky candidate” by Williams.

‘Toto Wolff plan revealed’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/toto-w...her-f1-return/


Toto Wolff lobbies for Mick Schumacher F1 seat as he aims to 'convince' rival team boss
Mick Schumacher could make a sensational F1 return as one of the sport's newest rookies could soon be axed.
08:16, Mon, May 15, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express

Toto Wolff is pushing for Mick Schumacher to make an F1 return at Williams, according to reports. German media have claimed Logan Sargeant’s F1 future may be under threat with Williams bosses thought to be dissatisfied with his performances.

F1Mania feels that performances at the next three races in Imola, Monaco and Barcelona could decide his future. But, the American could be axed ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix if he doesn’t improve with Wolff believed to be pushing for the squad to take on Schumacher.

According to Sport1, Sargeant's dismissal could see a revival for Schumacher with Wolff thought to be lobbying ex-colleague Vowles to take him on. Wolff snapped up Schumacher as the team's reserve driver after he was axed by Haas at the end of last season.

‘Sensational F1 return’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...vowles-f1-news


Toto Wolff pushing for Mick Schumacher to replace Sargeant by Canadian GP
Logan Sargeant reportedly has the upcoming triple-header to save his Formula 1 career.
15 May 2023
by Nick Golding

Mercedes reserve driver Mick Schumacher might be returning to the Formula 1 grid sooner than expected, following a report by German media outlet Sport1. Sargeant has appeared in Q2 and has shown at times some very respectable pace; however, he’s struggled in the last few races.

He crashed into Nyck de Vries at the Australian Grand Prix and finished last at his home race in Miami, whilst Alex Albon battled much higher up. With no seat likely to be available for Schumacher at Mercedes anytime soon, the German will presumably need to leave the Brackley-based team if he wants to return to the grid next season, something Wolff appears to be helping with.

Schumacher was actually linked to Sargeant’s Williams seat before the rookie was confirmed by the team, with the German having reportedly been on standby if Sargeant failed to accumulate enough super licence points.

‘Upcoming triple-header to save Formula 1 career’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/toto-wolf...y-canadian-gp/


Wolff opens door for SENSATIONAL Schumacher F1 return
Sunday 14 May 2023 11:57
Joe Ellis
GPFans

Helmut Marko has already ruled out hiring Schumacher to replace the Dutchman which has seen Wolff look elsewhere to try and get him back on the grid. The Mercedes team principal is hoping he can convince his former ally Vowles, who now runs the Williams outfit, to drop the American rookie in favour of the former Haas man.

Sargeant appears to have been given the upcoming triple header at Imola, Monaco and Barcelona to prove he deserves to stay in the seat at Williams. If he doesn't manage to do so compared to his impressive team-mate Alex Albon, he could lose his drive and see Schumacher step in for the Canadian Grand Prix.

‘SENSATIONAL Schumacher F1 return’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...mes-vowles-f1/


Helmut Marko comments on Daniel Ricciardo or Mick Schumacher racing with Red Bull
Nyck de Vries was signed by AlphaTauri following his points finish at the 2022 Italian Grand Prix.
15 May 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News

Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko has ruled out an early return to Formula 1 for Daniel Ricciardo and Mick Schumacher, with the Austrian not set to use either driver should Nyck de Vries need replacing.

It’s been reported that De Vries has the upcoming triple-header to save his F1 career, with the Dutchman having endured a nightmare start to his rookie campaign. Marko has taken notice of Tsunoda’s sublime start and admits that the gap between the Japanese driver and De Vries is “too big”.

However, the Dutchman’s seat at AlphaTauri isn’t at risk for the time being. “Nothing will happen in the next three races,” Marko told F1 Insider. “We spoke to De Vries and he agrees with us: he needs to improve.

‘Ruled out an early return to Formula 1, for Daniel Ricciardo and Mick Schumacher’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/helmut-ma...with-red-bull/

Have Red Bull’s rivals made an upgrade breakthrough? Five talking points for Imola.
This weekend’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola could be a pivotal point in the course of the 2023 season, with many teams planning to bring substantial upgrades to their cars.
2023 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
Posted on 16th May 2023, 7:1516th May 2023, 7:04
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans

Although it is only round six of this year’s world championship, the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix is set to effectively mark the start of the second phase of the 2023 season. The opening five rounds of the championship were dominated by Red Bull, who claimed every chequered flag first every time to storm to a commanding 122-point lead over their nearest rivals Aston Martin in the constructors’ championship. In the drivers’ standings, Max Verstappen leads team mate Sergio Perez by 14 points, courtesy of his third win of the season in Miami.

But this weekend in Imola marks a key point of the season. Many of the ten teams have been building to this round to introduce their first major upgrade packages of the season, not least of which Mercedes, who will be looking to make progress in their efforts to chase down the runaway Red Bulls.

However, the nine teams chasing Red Bull could be in for a rude awakening. The world champions themselves have no intentions of allowing themselves to be caught and may well have new parts of their own just as their rivals. Although this weekend could see the start of the next phase of the season, do not be surprised if it continues very much the same way as the first.

‘Upgrade breakthrough?’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/05/16/...nts-for-imola/


It's just Imola - 2023 Emilia Romagna GP Preview
22:22 Mon, 15 May 2023.
Inside Line F1 Podcast (Weblog).

It's time for the 'Long Name Grand Prix' this weekend. The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix has historically had really long names - courtesy multiple sponsors, and of course, the region/government of Emilia Romagna. But did you grow up calling this race Imola?

There will be two key points this weekend - upgrades and rumours. All eyes on Mercedes, yes? @f1statsguru presents his stats preview segment for this weekend's race. Tune in!

‘It's just Imola’;

https://omny.fm/shows/inside-line-f1...gna-gp-preview


IT'S RACE WEEK: 5 storylines we're excited about ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
15 May 2023
Chris Medland
Special Contributor
Formula One - Official Site

Off the back of all the excitement of Miami, the next venue is one of the most iconic on Formula 1’s calendar as we head to the stunning Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari. And as the European section of the season gets into full swing, there’s plenty to talk about ahead of the race at Imola… 1. That Mercedes upgrade: If you hadn’t heard that Mercedes are bringing some new parts to Imola, you’ve done a really good job of avoiding the news.

2. Ferrari seeking consistency (and they’re not alone): While the first major Mercedes update arrives this weekend, Ferrari have been bringing new bits to recent races – including a new floor in Miami – and will continue to do so as they search for one specific item. 3. Alpine looking to respond to boss's criticism: If the likes of Ferrari and Mercedes are looking to rectify issues, at Alpine it’s more a case of delivering a response to their CEO.

4. The Red Bull driver battle: You didn’t think I was going to leave this one out, did you? As impressive as Max Verstappen was in recovering from ninth on the grid in Miami to win for the third time this season, even on a weekend were Sergio Perez admitted he wasn’t driving at his best throughout, he still made Verstappen work hard for the victory. 5. An iconic circuit to kick-off the triple header: You can expect there won’t be a huge number of fans in the grandstands this weekend who share the same sentiments as Red Bull do above, with the tifosi out in force to support Ferrari at one of their home races.

‘Stunning Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...IqnH1nChP.html


Emilia Romagna Grand Prix under threat as wild weather wreaks havoc in Imola
May 16th, 2023 12:52 pm
Staff Writers from Fox Sports
Fox Sports (Australia)

The upcoming Emilia Romagna Grand Prix is predicted to be bombarded with wild weather this weekend, with the Italian region grappling with torrential rain and flood warnings. The Imola Regional Weather Service has issued a red level rain warning – the highest level possible – with forecasters predicting almost 160mm of rain on Tuesday and a further 110mm on Wednesday, The Herald Sun reports.

The rain is expected to ease ahead of this weekend’s race, but Saturday afternoon’s qualifying session is predicted to be hit by fresh rainfall and a potential storm. Earlier this month, two people in the Emilia-Romagna region were killed due to extreme flooding, with hundreds forced to flee their homes. A spokesperson confirmed the Imola track had not been damaged during the carnage.

The threat of floods and landslides has prompted calls for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, which is scheduled to get underway at 11pm AEST on Sunday evening, to be abandoned.

‘wild weather wreaks havoc’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...025283cedea3a2


F1 NATION: Ferrari under pressure and Mercedes bring 'make or break' upgrades – our Emilia Romagna GP preview
16 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site

Imola is intense. The legendary Italian circuit has hosted incredible battles ever since it staged the Italian Grand Prix back in 1980, and this year's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix sees two Red Bull drivers going in with the title in mind while Mercedes and Ferrari look to claw back some performance.

The storylines just keep on coming and, as we near Round 6 of the season, there is plenty to look forward to, with the field heading to Imola to contest the 2023 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

‘Make or break upgrades’

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...yjttqmfOx.html

Emilia-Romagna GP to go ahead despite warnings due to heavy rain this week.
The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix is expected to go ahead despite a severe weather warning being issued ahead of the race due to the possibility of flooding.
16th May 2023, 13:16
Written by Ida Wood
RaceFans

The FIA’s own weather report (which will not be updated until an hour before the first practice session on Friday) anticipates the first few days in the paddock to be gusty and wet, but for conditions to be calmer by the time drivers take to the track.

Friday could be as cool as 11C but if the rain clouds move away then it could be as warm as 17C when first practice it scheduled to start at 12:30pm. There is a 40% chance of rain, however, and potentially some 20kph winds too. Similar temperatures are expected for third practice and qualifying on Saturday. Warmer conditions are expected in the afternoon but the risk of rain during qualifying remains.

A sunny morning means the track temperature should be at its highest when it comes to the race on Sunday, and the wind will continue to ease. However that also means any rainclouds which drift in are unlikely to blow away quickly.

‘Expected to go ahead’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/05/16/...ain-this-week/


Paddock evacuated due to risk of flooding at F1 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
16 May 2023
James Dielhenn
Crash.Net

The paddock at the F1 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix has reportedly been evacuated due the risk of flooding. The news was reported by CanalPlus, the French TV broadcasters, who were arriving at Imola on Tuesday.

Il vient d'être demandé à toutes les équipes présentes sur le Circuit d'Imola d'évacuer les lieux dans les 30 mn.
Les pluies torrentielles et un début d'inondation de certaines zones en sont évidemment la raison principale. pic.twitter.com/7ItwrFSA33

All the teams present on the Imola Circuit have just been asked to evacuate the premises within 30 minutes.
Circuit have just been asked to evacuate the premises within 30 minutes.

‘The paddock reportedly been evacuated’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/102646...gna-grand-prix


What are the chances of rain affecting the Imola Grand Prix?
16 May 12:15PM
Author RacingNews365 Staff

With the Emilia Romagna region suffering from heavy rainfall in the last two weeks, will things ease up in time for the race at Imola? Two weeks after the Miami Grand Prix, Formula 1 embarks on a triple-header, with the first stop being the legendary Imola circuit for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

There will be a greater risk of rain for Qualifying on Saturday, which may mean that the new qualifying format will not be used. On both days, temperatures will be around 20 degrees Celsius and there will be moderately windy conditions.

Rain is also a possibility for the race day, but the greater risk will be in the morning, with some dry spells anticipated for the race time in the afternoon. However, rain during the race cannot be completely ruled out at this stage, as showers will be present in the region on Sunday.

‘The chances of rain’;

https://racingnews365.com/what-are-t...ola-grand-prix


Formula 1 circuit evacuated on safety grounds to leave Imola Grand Prix in danger of being called off
16th May 2023, 3:23 pm
Connor Andrews
talkSPORT

The 2023 Imola Grand Prix is at risk of cancellation after staff were told to evacuate the area due to the risk of flooding.

Track action in Emilia-Romagna in east Italy is scheduled to get underway on Friday, with teams and drivers arriving throughout the week, but weather forecasts have jeopardised that just days before the event.

This is the situatuon right now of the river next to Imola circuit. The personnel has been evacuated as precaution. #f1 #EmiliaRomagnaGP pic.twitter.com/dflBCQK0ry
— Albert Fabrega (@AlbertFabrega) May 16, 2023

‘The river next to Imola circuit’;

https://talksport.com/sport/motorsport/1426109/


F1 evacuate Imola circuit due to floods as Sunday's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at risk
This weekend's Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Italy is scheduled to take place in Imola - but heavy rain in the region has left the upcoming Formula 1 race in doubt
16:24, 16 May 2023
By Tom Blow Sports Writer

F1 chiefs are anxiously waiting to see if the Santerno will burst its banks, which could send water flooding into the paddock. Staff at Imola have returned to their hotels while the situation unfolds, leaving all 20 drivers wondering if a race will go ahead.

It is understood that F1 have not yet seriously thought about a contingency plan - and there is hope that the weather calms down before the weekend’s GP. There will be more to follow on this breaking news story.

‘F1 evacuate Imola circuit due to floods’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...imola-29995249


What tyres will the teams and drivers have for the 2023 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix?
16 May 2023.
Formula One - Official Site

F1’s Official tyre suppliers have brought the three softest compounds in their range for this weekend’s action in Imola, with the drivers able to call upon C3 (hard tyre), C4 (medium tyre), and the C5 (soft tyre).

They will also have access to the intermediates (green), and a new full wet tyre (blue), that Pirelli will also be bringing for the first time, andy they will be used if the weather requires.

??A new full wet tyre (blue)??;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...vDcefU5nT.html

SWIMOLA! Flood alert for Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix as F1 personnel EVACUATED.
The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix could be heavily disrupted this weekend with social media images showing the Santerno river that runs next to the circuit already overflowing.
Tuesday 16 May 2023 17:57
Dan Ripley
GPFans

Recently nonstop torrential rain caused riverbeds to flow in northern Italy, resulting in landslides. The damage has been tragic with two reported deaths and hundreds more quickly evacuated from their homes.

Now more rapid downpours are expected to hit Emilia-Romagna early this week, while rain is expected to continue throughout the entire weekend, with storms having previously been forecasted to hit the track during qualifying.

So far there has been no damage done to the Imola circuit, located 40km from Bologna, and so far F1 chiefs are confident the event will go ahead as expected. Race fans are likely to be severely hit with car parks and spectator areas in severe threat of being waterlogged.

‘SWIMOLA!’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...grand-prix-f1/


Italian Met Office issues severe weather warnings as Emilia Romagna GP faces flooding risk
16 May 2023
by David Freeman
Formula1News

Life-threatening weather looks likely to spill over as the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix takes place this weekend.

The Italian Met Office has issued new flood warnings with the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix on the horizon. Fortunately for the Italian Grand Prix, there has been no damage to the track meaning the race will go ahead.

With numerous teams adding new additions, the chance of corroborating upgrades looks thin as the rain will impact the running considerably.

‘Flooding risk’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/italian-m...flooding-risk/


Imola faces floods days before Emilia Romagna GP – F1 on red alert
The Emilia Romagna region of Italy has been hit by unprecedented, persistent rain
May 16, 2023
By Joe Ellis
Total Motorsport

The 2023 Formula 1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix is now on red alert due to excessive flooding at Imola and the surrounding areas.

The first of two trips to Italy in 2023 is due to kick-start a triple-header for F1 with Monaco and Barcelona to come next but the unprecedented rain and flooding has put the race in question.

Several rivers in the local area have burst their banks and it has led to evacuation of the area for many and even two deaths. Rain is forecast for the whole weekend but if it comes with the same intensity then the track may not be raceable at all.

‘Imola faces floods’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...023-red-alert/


F1 personnel evacuated from Imola paddock amid flood fears
16th May 2023, 17:29
By Matt Majendie
Evening Standard

Images on social media showed the rapidly rising Santerno river adjacent to the circuit before the announcement was made around 3pm BST for all F1 personnel to evacuate the paddock with immediate effect as a precautionary measure.

Further heavy rain is expected to fall for the remainder of Tuesday and throughout Wednesday, which is expected to further exacerbate the situation.

Italian officials had already issued flood warnings for the region for Tuesday and Wednesday with schools closed and people warned not to travel unless absolutely necessary. Operational plans are already being put in place to deal with the wet weather.

‘Operational plans’;

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/b1081549.html


Emilia Romagna Grand Prix could be CANCELLED due to extreme weather... after Imola was evacuated due to flood risks just days before race weekend
• An anticipated 100mm of rainfall is due in the region before Wednesday evening
• The circuit lies dangerously close to the banks of the rising river Santerno
• Extreme weather is set to continue over race weekend, including strong winds
Published: 18:02, 16 May 2023
By Tamara Prenn For Mailonline
Mail Online

Sunday's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix could be threatened with cancellation after personnel were forced to evacuate the paddock at Imola due to flood risks. The northern Italian region has been hit with heavy rain and flooding throughout May, and was given a red weather alert as rain and wind look set to continue.

As much rainfall as 100mm is predicted to fall through Wednesday evening in the region, where hundreds of residents have already been evacuated, local schools are closing, and all but essential travel is advised against.

Formula One have said that the race is set to go ahead as planned at present, and there is hope that the television broadcast of the event won't be effected by the extreme weather.

‘Could be CANCELLED’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...ood-risks.html

F1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Circuit Flooding Causes Evacuation.
Sunday's Formula 1 race expected to go as scheduled.
Published: May 16, 2023
By Phillip Horton
AutoWeek

Preparations for this weekend’s Formula 1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix have been affected by severe rainfall affecting the Imola circuit and surrounding region. As much as six inches of rainfall has been forecast through Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Personnel in the Formula 1 paddock, setting up the standard infrastructure, were instructed to evacuate on Tuesday afternoon as a precaution.

Conditions are set to improve from Wednesday afternoon onwards though there remains a risk of showers influencing track activity throughout the grand prix weekend.

Spectator areas and car parks—the majority of which are on grass—are also likely to be adversely affected by the excessive rainfall. Teams and other personnel are traveling to the event as normal and no disruption is expected to the weekend’s on-track timetable.

‘Sunday's Formula 1 race expected to go as scheduled’;

https://www.autoweek.com/racing/form...es-evacuation/


Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Imola: F1 race start time, weather forecast and how to watch
Plus: How to watch, latest odds, driver standings and session start times for this weekend's F1 race in Imola
16 May 2023 • 8:01pm
By Tom Cary, SENIOR SPORTS CORRESPONDENT and Luke Slater
The Telegraph

Formula One staff were forced to evacuate the Imola paddock on Tuesday amid concern over heavy rain and possible flooding ahead of this weekend’s grand prix. Officials moved to calm fears over the viability of the race itself, with Tuesday’s evacuation described as merely precautionary while authorities monitor the situation on what is traditionally a quiet day during race weeks.

A picture circulating of the Imola paddock showed no more than a few big puddles, while F1 personnel were able to continue to set up their garages and paddock homes before the evacuation order. But equally there is an acceptance that water levels in the nearby Santerno River, which runs parallel to the paddock, could rise before they fall.

Already videos of the river on social media show the Santerno running exceptionally high. The fear is that it breaches its banks before the weekend’s estimated 120,000 spectators arrive, causing a major headache for race organisers. Imola has had issues with its car parks flooding in previous years, but this would be on another scale in terms of managing that number of people.

‘Water levels in the nearby Santerno River, which runs parallel to the paddock, could rise before they fall’;

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/formula-...weather-flood/


How to watch 2023 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix: F1 live stream and start times
May 16th 2023
Author Cambridge Kisby
Motor Sport Magazine

Don’t miss a moment as F1 returns to hallowed ground this weekend, making its first 2023 stop on Italian soil for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. All of the action will be broadcast on TV and live-streamed as usual, and we’ve got the details below.

Miami offered glitz and glamour but there will also be celebration in the air at Imola, which marks its 70th anniversary this year. Also filling the sky could be a blanket of cloud, with rain predicted throughout the weekend.

Could unpredictable weather give Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin the chance of preventing a Red Bull victory for the first time this season? Or will the upgrades that many teams are bringing to Italy help to close the gap?

‘70th anniversary’;

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...?nowprocket=1#


Emilia Romagna GP: Williams Racing Grand Prix Preview
May 17 2023
By Williams Racing
WilliamsF1 Supporters

Dave Robson, Head of Vehicle Performance: The sixth race of the season sees us return to Europe for a triple-header. We start in Italy, at the Imola circuit, before moving on to Monaco and Barcelona.

As well as a return to Europe, this weekend sees the introduction of a new tyre format. This Alternative Tyre Allocation (“ATA”) event – which will be repeated at the Hungaroring later in the year – will see each team have only 11 sets of dry tyres available for the whole weekend. The 11 sets of tyres this weekend are a mix of Pirelli’s softest compounds.

As well as fewer sets of dry tyres this weekend, we also have the introduction of a new Pirelli wet tyre, which will run without heating blankets. Given the weather forecast, this may become very relevant this weekend.

‘Return to Europe for a triple-header’;

https://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s107/st204726.htm


F1 Mailbag: McLaren’s Imola GP outlook and a fun Red Bull hypothetical
May 16, 2023
By Madeline Coleman
The Athletic

It’s a new race week, and Formula One is heading to Italy for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. It’s the start of F1’s European leg of the schedule and the first triple-header of the season, which will include Italy, Monaco, and Barcelona, before an off-week.

However, a red alert weather warning was issued for the Emilia Romagna region, and reports surfaced Tuesday that the track is being evacuated, given the heavy rain. As of the publication of this story, there has been no public change to the race weekend.

This week’s mailbag is more of a miscellaneous recap, touching on the Imola upgrades, addressing whether the drivers’ comments about the Miami intros were fair, and much more.

‘F1 Mailbag’;

https://theathletic.com/4524439/2023...gp-f1-mailbag/

Exceptional rains in drought-struck northern Italy kill 8, cancel Formula One Grand Prix.
The heavy rains also forced Formula One to cancel this weekend's Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix to not overtax emergency crews that were already stretched thin in responding to the rivers of mud that have torn through the region, wreaking havoc on infrastructure and homes.
MAY 17, 2023 — 10:05AM
By LUCA BRUNO and NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press

IMOLA, Italy — Exceptional rains Wednesday in a drought-struck region of northern Italy swelled rivers over their banks, killing at least eight people, forcing the evacuation of thousands and prompting officials to warn that Italy needs a national plan to combat climate change-induced flooding.

Days of rainstorms stretched across a broad swath of northern Italy and the Balkans, where ''apocalyptic'' floods, landslides and evacuations were also reported in Croatia, Bosnia and Slovenia.

The deputy governor of Emilia-Romagna, Irene Priolo, said eight people were killed and others unaccounted for in flooding that forced the evacuation of more than 10,000 people. Among the dead was a farmer who defied floodwaters to try to save equipment on his property, officials said. His wife was among the missing.

‘Drought-struck northern Italy kill 8’;

https://www.startribune.com/exceptio...rix/600275512/


F1 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix canceled because of deadly floods in Italy
May 17th 2023 at 11:12AM
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Autoblog

IMOLA, Italy — This weekend's Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in northern Italy was canceled Wednesday because of deadly floods in the region. “It is such a tragedy to see what has happened to Imola and Emilia-Romagna, the town and region that I grew up in and my thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the flooding and the families and communities affected," F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali said.

Formula One personnel had earlier been told to stay away from the track after floods affected large parts of the Emilia-Romagna region. Some residents of Imola, where the track is located, were warned to move to higher floors of their homes. The Santerno River runs right next to the track. Matteo Salvini, the infrastructure minister in Italy’s government, had requested that the race be canceled to favor the flow of resources and aid to the hardest hit areas of the flooding.

‘Thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the flooding’;

https://www.autoblog.com/2023/05/17/...llcivzSFJyqyBR


F1 drivers and teams fully behind Emilia Romagna GP cancellation
Thursday 18th May, 2023 - 12:15am
By Ian Parkes
Speedcafe

F1 drivers and teams have offered their full support to the swift and decisive action taken to cancel the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Just 20 hours after all F1 personnel were told to evacuate the paddock at Imola due to rising floodwaters stemming from the nearby Santerno River, a decision was taken that this weekend’s event cannot go ahead as planned.

F1 and the FIA have made it clear that the efforts of the emergency services are of paramount importance given they are already stretched to breaking point in their relief efforts.

‘Emilia Romagna GP cancellation’;

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/05/18...-cancellation/


Cancelled Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix unlikely to reappear on 2023 F1 schedule
2023 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
Posted on 17th May 2023, 15:08
Written by Keith Collantine

The extent of the damage to the circuit and surrounding infrastructure will be the first constraining factor on when a race may go ahead. Between now and the beginning of the summer break, which follows the Belgian Grand Prix in August 30th, there are no gaps in which a race could be added which wouldn’t create an unprecedented quadruple or quintuple-header.

Although Italy will hold a round of the world championship at Monza in September, Imola seems unlikely to return to the schedule until next year. Another factor to take in now is that the 2023 cancellation gives Imola an extra challenge to appear on the 2024 calendar, as F1’s sporting regulations state: “A Competition which is cancelled with less than three months’ written notice to the FIA will not be considered for inclusion in the following year’s championship unless the FIA judges the cancellation to have been due to force majeure.”

‘Unlikely to reappear’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/05/17/...3-f1-schedule/


'Not possible to safely hold the event' - Italian Grand Prix cancelled
17th May 2023, 14:08
The42

The civil protection agency said 14 rivers had broken their banks across the region between Tuesday and Wednesday, and 23 towns were flooded. It urged “maximum caution”, as mayors warned people to stay on high ground.

“About 5,000 people have been evacuated, but that number might rise,” Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci told Radio 24. - ‘They are heroes’ - In Forli, an AFP photographer saw people in a state of shock late Tuesday, fleeing through floodwaters in the dark in their bare feet.

Images showed streets transformed into rivers, and firemen moving people to safety in rubber dinghies. Elsewhere, muddy waters rushed at great speed under the arches of the covered walkways in Bologna, while locals in Cesena swam down a road to rescue a three-year-old child.

'Not possible to safely hold the event';

https://www.the42.ie/not-possible-to...70135-May2023/


Imola could land one-year F1 extension after cancellation
Thursday 18th May, 2023 - 1:21am
By Ian Parkes
Speedcafe

The president of the Automobile Club d’Italia, Angelo Sticchi Damiani, has suggested the cancellation of this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix could result in a one-year extension to its current F1 contract.

“I am deeply saddened by what is happening in Emilia Romagna,” said Sticchi Damiani. “The cancellation was inevitable in the face of such a dramatic situation. Given the complexity of the calendar, it is reasonable to imagine that the 2023 edition will be held in 2026. But at the moment it is certainly not a priority”.

‘One-year extension’;

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/05/18...act-extension/


Canceling the Imola GP was the only choice for F1
17th May 2023, 16:29
By Luke Smith
The Athletic

As the plane broke through the clouds on its descent into Bologna, the streaks of rain grew stronger on the windows. The view beyond the rain was far more concerning: Large parts of towns and settlements were visibly flooded, brown water reaching far beyond river banks. Unprecedented rainfall over the past two weeks had led to widespread flooding in northern Italy’s Emilia Romagna region.

As the days ticked down toward the planned grand prix at Imola, one of F1’s most historic tracks, the situation showed few signs of improving. “Whose idea was this?” one fan asked his mates, tongue-in-cheek. “Why didn’t we go to Hungary or Monaco instead?”

The plane landed just before 10 am local time. An uneasy silence grew as the fans disembarked, went through passport control and prepared to pick up their bags. They’d made it to Italy, but would they get to see a race? Three hours later, F1 answered: The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix would not be going ahead.

‘The only choice’;

https://theathletic.com/4528234/2023...a-gp-canceled/

Why was the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix cancelled?
The flooding in the Emilia Romagna region has left homes ruined and thousands evacuated.
Wednesday 17 May 2023 18:26
Harry Smith
GPFans

Firstly, F1 explained that: "It is not possible to safely hold the event for our fans, the teams and our personnel, and it is the right thing to do given the situation faced by the towns and cities in the region."

Also at the centre of the decision to postpone was the strain the event would have had on the local emergency services. Given the dangers and risks involved in holding an F1 race, local emergency services must be on hand in the event of incidents to ensure the safe running of the event.

Putting on the Grand Prix would have taken emergency services away from the life-threatening circumstances facing residents of the Emilia Romagna region.

‘Homes ruined and thousands evacuated’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...na-grand-prix/


MAJOR Imola rescheduling update with '99 per cent' chance revealed
Thursday 18 May 2023 07:52
Harry Smith
GPFans

No hope in 2023: Unfortunately for those hoping to see F1 cars back on the tarmac of the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, it looks like there will be no rescheduling of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix for 2023.

As reported by TuttoSport, Angelo Sticchi Damiani, the president of the Italian Automobile Club, said: “The Imola GP is cancelled, [with] 99 per cent chance it will be re-scheduled for 2026 after the contract extension.”

This is in line with the comments of Sky Sports News reporter Craig Slater, who explained: "Almost impossible that it will be [rescheduled]. That's the guidance that I've been given."

‘MAJOR Imola rescheduling’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...na-grand-prix/


Pictures show why Imola GP simply had to be cancelled
22:03 Wed, 17 May 2023.
By George Dagless
Give Me Sport

In the end, F1 was left with simply no other choice than to cancel the Emilia Romagna GP at Imola this weekend.

Extreme weather has battered the region over recent weeks and, after another deluge in the build up to the grand prix weekend, F1 made the early, and correct, decision to go no further with the schedule at the iconic race track.

Landslides and floods have devastated communities and businesses in the region and, as the emergency services battle to protect those most severely affected, F1, understandably, felt it simply could not ask them to stretch even further to support a sporting event the size of a grand prix.

‘Pictures’;

https://www.givemesport.com/pictures...-be-cancelled/


‘We’re sorry’: Imola’s devastating ‘23 reality laid bare as F1 reacts to seismic call
May 18th, 2023 6:57 am
Michael Lamonato from Fox Sports
Fox Sports (Australia)

Organisers of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix accept that their race is unlikely to be rescheduled this season after severe weather forced its cancellation. Northern Italy’s deadly flooding event forced F1 to call off the Imola race on Wednesday, having evacuated the paddock in the face of heavy rain the night before.

On Wednesday night the death toll had risen to nine, with several more people still missing and more people still displaced from their homes, while several towns had been completely inundated by dramatically high water levels. Formula 1 was decisive in calling off this weekend’s activities, though it appeared to leave the door open to the possibility of rescheduling the race later in the year.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali later confirmed to Italy’s Sky Sports that he would prefer to find space for Imola in this year’s calendar. “We are sorry for the Imola fans and enthusiasts, we will try to find the right solution,” he said. “Given the tight calendar of 2023, it is difficult to think of being able to recover this year, but we have a moral obligation for those who have worked so hard, and we‘ll see.”

‘Imola’s devastating ‘23 reality laid bare’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...a2907484b91863


Emilia Romagna GP cancelled: What will F1 do next?
The 2023 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola was cancelled due to devastating floods in Northern Italy
May 17, 2023
By Ed Spencer
Total Motorsport

After Formula 1 announced the 2023 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola would be cancelled because of poor weather, questions were immediately raised as to what will happen to the race? Will it be cancelled or just postponed?

With a tightly congested calendar in place for 2023, finding a free weekend later in the year when F1 could race at Imola would be an arduous task due to the lack of time on hand to fix a date for the rescheduled race.

What next for Imola? Despite an official statement from F1 not mentioning whether the race would be cancelled completely or rescheduled, Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI) president Angelo Sticchi Damiani confirmed the race will not go ahead in 2023, opening discussion of having a race instead in 2026.

‘Cancelled or just postponed?’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...led-what-next/

F1 all clear for Monaco GP as staff allowed back into Imola track.
Essential Formula 1 personnel have been allowed back into the Imola circuit on Thursday to help pack down and get ready to ship equipment to the next race in Monaco.
18th May 2023, 11:45
By: Jonathan Noble
Motorsport.com

With F1 on a tight schedule to get out of Imola and get things built up for next weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, there was still some time pressure to get things moving – especially as some Italian roads remain closed so journey times will likely increase.

The demand not to enter the track was valid throughout Wednesday but on Thursday morning, as the weather situation eased, it was agreed that staff that were essential to the de-rigging of team equipment could enter. This will allow any team garages, motorhomes and other facilities that had been put up early this week to get packed away, so then arrangements for the drive to Monaco can be sorted.

With work now underway at Imola, F1 has no concerns that there will be any consequences from the race cancellation on next weekend’s Monaco GP.

‘Ship equipment to the next race in Monaco’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f...rack/10470787/


F1 not expecting Imola cancellation to impact Monaco Grand Prix
18 May 2023
Lewis Larkam
Crash.Net

F1 does not anticipate any impact to the preparation for next weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix following the cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Access to the circuit remains restricted but Crash.net understands that essential personnel were allowed back in on Thursday morning to de-rig the paddock.

This is to aid the packing up and shipping out process, with teams needing to travel to Monaco in time for the next race on May 28. It is expected that all equipment will arrive on time and there will be no delays in setting up for the Monaco Grand Prix.

Some areas of the region received half their annual rainfall in just 36 hours, resulting in 14 rivers breaking their banks and the flooding of 23 towns, including Faenza, where the AlphaTauri F1 team’s factory is located.

‘No delays’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/102653...pact-monaco-gp


F1 does not anticipate any delays to Monaco after Imola cancellation
18 May 11:57AM
Author Rory Mitchell
RacingNews365

Formula 1 does not expect there to be any set-up delays to next weekends Monaco Grand Prix, as personnel have been allowed access to the Imola circuit to dismantle motorhomes and equipment.

The Monaco GP is still scheduled to take place on 26th - 28th May as planned, making it the first in what will become a double-header with the Spanish GP between 2nd - 4th June.

‘F1 does not anticipate any delays’;

https://racingnews365.com/f1-does-no...a-cancellation


Imola circuit to refund ticket holders for cancelled grand prix
2023 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
Posted on 18th May 2023, 13:12
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans

The circuit will offer “all buyers who have purchased tickets through the sales network and the TicketOne.it purchasing platform” the choice of a refund of their ticket prices or the opportunity to convert their tickets for the 2023 event to next year’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix instead.

Due to the ongoing impact of the flooding in the region, the circuit says that ticketholders will be contacted with details about how to claim their refunds or ticket conversions via an email from the Automobile Club of Italy (ACI Sport) through TicketOne.it over the coming days.

‘Refunds’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/05/18/...ed-grand-prix/


Why the Emilia Romagna GP could not be rescheduled
18 May 2:50PM
Author Ewan Gale
RacingNews365

After a slow and steady start to the campaign, the F1 calendar is into the heart of its action with a busy summer period lined up.

The only gap for Imola to slot into before the summer break would have been on July 16. On the face of it, an Austria-Britain-Imola triple-header would have been logistically possible, but the presence of Hungary and Belgium immediately after left the prospect of an absurd quintuple-header.

That brings the calendar to the end of August. The Italian Grand Prix is scheduled for September which would have made the most sense in terms of logistics. But Zandvoort kicks off what is already a triple-header at the end of August and Imola slotting in after Monza would spark another five-in-a-row stretch, ending in Japan.

‘Could not be rescheduled’;

https://racingnews365.com/why-the-em...be-rescheduled


F1 drivers de Vries, Tsunoda affected by Italy flooding as grand prix canceled
May 18, 2023 GMT
Associated Press

IMOLA, Italy (AP) — Formula One drivers Nyck de Vries and Yuki Tsunoda have shared stories of struggling to get out of the deadly flooding in northern Italy after this week’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix was canceled. De Vries and Tsunoda drive for AlphaTauri, which is based in Faenza, a city close to the Imola track and which has been flooded. Rescuers used boats to transport people through the flooded streets of Faenza on Thursday.

Nyck de Vries: “Faenza is already flooded and I am unable to get to my hotel. Returning to the highway is no option either. Stuck in a little village with one fully booked hotel,” he posted on Instagram on Thursday, recounting his experience with pictures and video of roads blocked by landslips.
“Fortunately McLaren got stranded there earlier and their front jack (mechanic) Frazer was kind enough to give me his room. The following morning, the hotel lobby turned into an emergency shelter for people who were forced to escape their homes during the night.”

Yuki Tsunoda: “After a horrible night the town is heavily impacted: dust, mud, and the smell of gasoline everywhere,” the Japanese driver posted on social media on Wednesday. “Currently people are struggling to find food and especially places to stay, after many have been evacuated from their own homes.”

‘Shared stories’;

https://apnews.com/article/f1-imola-...55b5916b2ca33d

F1 star spotted shifting mud in flooded Italy streets after Emilia Romagna GP called off.
Formula 1 fans hailed Yuki Tsunoda after he was spotted helping locals with the clean-up effort after severe flooding in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy.
18:41, 18 May 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer
The Mirror

Free of his F1 responsibilities this weekend, Tsunoda might have made the trip to Monaco early to prepare for the next race. But instead, he was pictured with other AlphaTauri staff on Thursday with a shovel in hand helping to clean up streets in Faenza – one of the worst affected places.

Fans on social media were full of praise for the Japanese racer. One wrote: "I'm so proud of @yukitsunoda07, he's becoming a fine leader. I'm sending my thoughts and prayers.” Another said: "This is what you wanna see out of the F1 role models, well played Yuki."

And a third added: "Yuki honestly seems like such a pure and kind person – kudos to anyone doing anything to support the affected areas this week. The sport may be global but the teams are still local and connected to their communities." On his own account, Tsunoda shared footage of the flooding and a description of what he had seen as he urged fans to support the emergency flood relief fund which has been set up. "After a horrible night the town is heavily impacted," he wrote.

"This is what you wanna see out of the F1 role models, well played Yuki";

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...g-mud-30016881


Emilia Romagna GP cancellation: Tsunoda helps flood relief efforts
19 May 8:30AM
Author Ewan Gale
RacingNews365

Yuki Tsunoda has given a helping hand to the Emilia Romagna flood relief efforts after the cancellation of this weekend's Grand Prix at Imola. The AlphaTauri driver has been pictured assisting with the clean-up operation in the region following excessive rainfall and flooding.

Writing on Twitter, Tsunoda said: "After a horrible night the town is heavily impacted: dust, mud, and the smell of gasoline everywhere.”

"Currently people are struggling to find food and especially places to stay after many have been evacuated from their own homes."

‘Tsunoda helps flood relief efforts’;

https://racingnews365.com/emilia-rom...relief-efforts


Watch: AlphaTauri driver Yuki Tsunoda joins clean-up efforts in flood-hit Faenza
18 May 2023 7:37 PM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

Yuki Tsunoda has been putting his free time to fantastic use by helping the people of Faenza in their clean-up mission following the recent flooding. AlphaTauri have been posting information on their social media channels relating to how people can donate to aid the recovery mission, and Tsunoda has certainly been playing his part too.

Footage and images would emerge on social media of Tsunoda helping the people of Faenza to clean up the town as the flood waters begin to subside, with the town looking to get back to some sort of normality. The images also show the scale of the devastation suffered in the region, Formula 1 rightly determining that it would have been inappropriate to press on with the race weekend and place unnecessary extra strain on the emergency services.

Here's Yuki Tsunoda in the streets of Faenza, helping in the recovery from the recent flooding.
So admirable ❤️ pic.twitter.com/B63KVw14f9
— formularacers (@formularacers_) May 18, 2023

‘Yuki Tsunoda joins clean-up efforts’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/yuki-t...fforts-faenza/


Tsunoda spotted in Italy flood clean-up; De Vries reveals near-miss in torrential rain: F1 Pit Talk
May 19th, 2023 5:04 pm
Michael Lamonato from Fox Sports

The Emilia-Romagna floods have affected millions of people in the northern Italian region, including some from the two Formula 1 teams based in the region. While F1 has been caught up in the storms, AlphaTauri and Ferrari are particularly connected to the tragedy, with both teams based in the inundated region.

On Thursday Ferrari announced that it would donate €1 million to the recovery effort. The team said the money would go towards “projects for environmental recovery and the management of hydrogeological instability” in the region. “In times of difficulty Ferrari has always stood by its community,” Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna said. ”We wanted to provide a concrete and immediate response to the most urgent needs of the population of Emilia-Romagna, which has been tried by a serious environmental disaster.”

But while Ferrari has been touched by the disaster, AlphaTauri has been directly and severely affected, with parts of its Faenza home town submerged by more than a metre on Tuesday, when the rain was at its heaviest. It’s elicited a necessarily different response from the team — and from its drivers. Yuki Tsunoda has swapped his steering wheel for a shovel to help clean up his adopted home town of Faenza after this week’s flood.

‘Swapped steering wheel for a shovel’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...96c70ab584dc27


Yuki Tsunoda takes to the streets in Faenza to shovel mud
22:58 Thu, 18 May 2023
GP ONE

https://www.gpone.com/en/2023/05/18/...tml?refresh_ce


Emilia Romagna flooding: Yuki Tsunoda reveals extent of awful damage in AlphaTauri’s hometown
17 May 2023
James Dielhenn
Crash.Net

Yuki Tsunoda has shown images of Faenza engulfed by the dreadful floods that caused the cancellation of the F1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

“After a horrible night the town is heavily impacted: dust, mud, and the smell of gasoline everywhere,” AlphaTauri driver Tsunoda posted to social media. Currently people are struggling to find food and especially places to stay,after many have been evacuated from their own homes. Please, anything you can do to help is appreciated.”

‘Yuki Tsunoda reveals extent of awful damage’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/102651...uri-s-hometown


Formula One drivers affected by flooding in Italy as grand prix is cancelled
18 May, 2023 14:39
Associated Press Reporters
The Irish News

AlphaTauri said its factory has not been affected by the floods and “everything is being done to ensure the safety of our employees and their families”.

The team and both its drivers issued appeals for donations to help people affected by the floods. It is unlikely the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix will be rescheduled because of the busy calendar.

‘Flooding in Italy’;

https://www.irishnews.com/news/world...elled-3286659/

Ferrari donates €1 million to the Emilia-Romagna flood relief fund, F1 matches it.
With the grand prix at Imola called off because of flooding, Ferrari and F1 each chip in seven-figure sums.
Published: 19 May 2023
Joe Holding
TopGear

Just a couple of days after the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix was sensibly called off in light of severe flooding in the region, Ferrari and Formula 1 itself have both announced they'll donate €1 million to the relief effort.

The money will go to the Agency for Territorial Safety and Civil Protection, and will be spent on boosting the area’s environmental recovery and help manage the ‘hydrogeological instability’ that’s contributed to the disaster so far.

“In times of difficulty, Ferrari has always stood by its community,” said Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna. “We wanted to provide a concrete and immediate response to the most urgent needs of the population of Emilia-Romagna, which has been tried by a serious environmental disaster. With the coordination of the local authorities, to whom our heartfelt thanks go for their tireless work, this aid will bring comfort and a tangible sign of the solidarity of the entire Ferrari family.”

‘Ferrari has always stood by its community’;

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/mot...-f1-matches-it


Emilia Romagna GP: Formula 1 donates £870k, food and water to flood relief effort after Imola cancellation
Last Updated: 19/05/23 2:31pm
Sky Sports

Formula 1 has donated £870,000 (€1m) to the Emilia Romagna flood relief effort and also donated food and water that would have been used at this weekend's cancelled grand prix to a group organising food banks for those affected.

F1 has donated £870,000 to the Emilia-Romagna Region's Agency for Territorial Safety and Civil Protection to support the communities affected by the flooding in the region.

‘Flood relief effort’;

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12...a-cancellation


Formula 1 adds €1 million to Emilia Romagna relief fund
19/05/2023 at 16:17
Michael Delaney
F1i.com

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, who was born and grew up in the Emilia Romagna, was particularly affected by this week’s natural disaster.

“The situation facing the communities in the region is terrible, but I know that the resilience and passion of the people in the region, like so many across Italy, will prevail through this crisis.”

“We must do everything we can to support them at this difficult time and that is why we are donating to help support the relief efforts on the ground. My thoughts, on behalf of the entire Formula 1 community, are with everyone affected and we want to thank the emergency services for their incredible work.”

‘Resilience’;

https://f1i.com/news/474609-formula-...lief-fund.html


F1 makes enormous donation to Emilia-Romagna disaster relief after deadly floods
19 May 2023 1:39 PM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com

Formula 1 will give €1 million to the disaster relief fund in Emilia-Romagna after heavy flooding has caused major disruption in the area. The region has faced severe weather since the start of the month causing the Santerno River, which runs right next to the track, to burst its banks and cause damage to the paddock area.

Formula 1 said it would provide €1 million to the Emilia-Romagna Region’s Agency for Territorial Safety and Civil Protection to support the communities affected by the flooding in the region, matching the figure donated by Ferrari.

Food and water that would have been used in the Paddock Club, the circuit, team/F1 hospitality has also been donated to a group organising food banks to aid those affected by flooding.

‘Disaster relief fund’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/f1-don...romagna-imola/


F1 donates €1m to Emilia Romagna flood relief
19/05/2023
NEWS STORY
Pitpass

F1 has followed the example of Ferrari in donating to the relief fund set up in the wake of widespread devastation in the Emilia Romagna region.

On Thursday, Ferrari announced that it is donating 1 million euros to the Emilia-Romagna region's Agency for Territorial Safety and Civil Protection, the money to be used to help the local population affected by the recent flooding, with a particular focus on projects for environmental recovery and the management of hydrogeological instability.

Today (19/05/2023), Formula 1 announced that it too will be making an immediate €1m donation to the agency.

‘€1m’;

https://www.pitpass.com/75132/F1-don...a-flood-relief

Impressive driver lineup to join Verstappen in replacement Imola race.
A host of professional racing drivers will join Max Verstappen in the Real Racers Never Quit event.
19 May 6:43PM
Author Luke Murphy
RacingNews365

Max Verstappen will be joined by a host of professional racing drivers to race in an online event at the Imola circuit, following the cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Verstappen's sim racing outfit Team Redline, with whom Verstappen competes in numerous virtual races, will revive their Real Racers Never Quit event, which was used during the COVID outbreak in 2020.

Following the confirmation of the event, which takes place at 15:30 CET on Sunday May 21, a host of drivers from the Red Bull stable, Formula E and Formula 2 have been announced for the event.

‘Replacement Imola race’;

https://racingnews365.com/impressive...ent-imola-race


Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have different weekend plans after Imola GP cancelled
The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was cancelled on Wednesday after severe flooding in the region.
13:00, Fri, May 19, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have put together very different schedules after the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was cancelled. Red Bull star Verstappen will still be racing as he participates in an esports event.

Meanwhile, Hamilton has snubbed track action for partying as he was spotted at a glamour ball on Wednesday. The Mercedes star was snapped at the launch of Hailey Bieber’s beauty line in London just hours after F1 bosses officially confirmed the race would not go ahead.

The 38-year-old was spotted wearing a black suit jacket on top of an olive green tiger print shirt. He also donned sunglasses, thick glittering earrings and black boots at the event held at the Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone.

‘Glamour ball’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...-grand-prix-f1


Max Verstappen among sterling line-up announced for virtual Imola replacement race
19 May 2023 7:59 PM
Henry Valantine

Max Verstappen will be racing in the virtual world this weekend, with his sim racing team announcing an esports event with a high-profile grid after the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was cancelled.

A virtual alternative is going to take place on Sunday and Verstappen is headlining a field that contains a host of Team Redline’s own drivers, along with multiple guests which were announced on Friday, including Alpine reserve driver Jack Doohan, reigning F2 champion and Aston Martin reserve Felipe Drugovich and star of Australian Supercars, Shane van Gisbergen.

Current Formula 2 drivers Ayumu Iwasa, Richard Verschoor, Jak Crawford, Isack Hadjar and Enzo Fittipaldi have also been named, as well as Formula E’s Antonio Felix da Costa and Oliver Rowland.

‘Virtual Imola replacement race’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/max-ve...lacement-race/


Max Verstappen thinks outside the box to find new race to take part in after Imola cancellation
Verstappen and a swathe of other racing drivers are still planning on competing this weekend despite the cancellation of the F1, F2 and F3 races at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
19:26, 19 May 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer
The Mirror

At the time of writing, none of Verstappen's F1 rivals have been announced as taking part. But plenty of those who would have been competing in F2 and F3 this weekend have signed up, along with a swathe of Red Bull junior drivers and some from other series.

Among the F2 stars set to take part are Red Bull development drivers Isack Hadjar, Ayumu Iwasa, Jak Crawford and Enzo Fittipaldi. Jack Doohan, an Alpine junior, has also confirmed his participation along with F2 racer Richard Verschoor and reigning F2 champion Felipe Drugovich, now an Aston Martin F1 reserve driver.

Representing the Formula E championship will be Porsche racer Antonio da Costa and Oliver Rowland of Mahindra Racing. And Australian Supercars driver Shane van Gisbergen will also be taking part, along with Red Bull esports driver Sebastian Job and a handful of Team Redline regulars. Williams junior Luke Browning, who won the prestigious Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year award in 2022, will fly the flag for F3 alongside Gabriel Bortoleto. And Formula 4 racer Arvid Lindblad, also part of the Red Bull setup, rounds off the list of drivers confirmed so far.

‘Max Verstappen thinks outside the box’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...dline-30026525


Inside Max Verstappen's race preparation as Red Bull star dominates Hamilton and Leclerc
Max Verstappen has given fans a special behind-the-scenes look at his pre-race build-up.
14:08, Fri, May 19, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth

Max Verstappen has lifted the lid on his pre-race preparations in a behind-the-scenes look into the Red Bull garage. A video released by Verstappen shows the Dutchman going through reaction tests, exercises and debriefs before stepping into the car.

It gives an insight into how the 25-year-old gets into race-winning mode, having beaten Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in recent seasons. The footage was taken at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix where Verstappen secured P2 behind team-mate Sergio Perez. The reigning champion starts off with a reaction test using an innovative Blazepod system.

The tool lights up different buttons with drivers timed on how quickly they can hit each one. The device is used by many drivers on the grid including Alex Albon, Sergio Perez and Pierre Gasly.

‘Special behind-the-scenes look at his pre-race build-up’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...lewis-hamilton

More details confirmed for Verstappen's Imola charity sim race.
Following the news that Max Verstappen will compete in a replacement race at Imola this weekend, more details on the format have been revealed.
20 May 3:00PM
Author Luke Murphy
Co-author Jan van der Burgt

Max Verstappen's sim racing team, Team Redline, have confirmed more details about the format for the relaunched 'Real Racers Never Quit' contest. Following the cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix due to severe flooding in the region, Team Redline confirmed that they will run a virtual racing event at the Imola circuit.

The contest will include Verstappen, along with a collection of professional and sim racing drivers, and takes place on Sunday 21st May at 15:30 CET. Speaking to RacingNews365, Team Redline director Atze Kerkhof credited Verstappen with the idea, and explained how easy it was to compile a list of promising drivers.

"The idea was all on the initiative of Max Verstappen himself," said Kerkhof. "When it became clear that the F1 race was not going ahead, they approached us asking if we could set something up at short notice."

‘Imola charity sim race’;

https://racingnews365.com/more-detai...arity-sim-race


Max Verstappen team-mate heaps praise on Red Bull star for role in Imola back-up plan
Max Verstappen has played a key part in organising something a bit different for F1 fans to sink their teeth into this weekend.
21:13, Sat, May 20, 2023
By Charlie Gordon
Daily and Sunday Express

Max Verstappen has received high praise from fellow Team Redline member Atze Kerkhof for the role he has played in organising a live streamed virtual replacement for this weekend's cancelled Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The sim race will take place on Sunday afternoon, giving F1 fans something to keep up with on the day they would normally see Lewis Hamilton and co battle it out on track.

F1 authorities cancelled the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix due to severe flooding in the area, which has forced thousands of residents out of their homes and left at least 14 dead. Drivers from varied racing backgrounds, including several members of Team Redline - the sim racing squad he joined in 2015 - are part of the 24-strong line-up poised to compete in Sunday's virtual contest.

One of Verstappen's fellow Team Redline members, Kerkhof, who will also take part in the race, claims that the initiative was the Dutchman's doing. "Max himself came up with the idea of organising a sim race so that there is still something to do this weekend for the fans," he told Motorsport.com, via GP Blog.

‘Key part in organising something a bit different for F1 fans’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...-imola-f1-news


Verstappen to race at Imola F1 REPLACEMENT this Sunday
Saturday 20 May 2023 10:57
Matthew Hobkinson
GPFans

Max Verstappen will be taking part in a virtual race this weekend after his sim racing team confirmed that an esports event will go ahead following Formula 1’s decision to cancel the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

The full line-up is still to be announced, but with Verstappen among those confirmed for the event, fans are already rightly beginning to get excited. The race is set to take place at 2:30pm (GMT) on Sunday 21 May, where it will be shown live on streaming platform Twitch through Team Redline’s own channel.

‘Imola F1 REPLACEMENT’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...race-red-bull/


Van Gisbergen joins Verstappen for Imola sim racing event
Saturday 20th May, 2023 - 8:18pm
By Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Max Verstappen, Shane van Gisbergen, and Jack Doohan are set to compete in the virtual world in a sim racing event on Sunday.

You asked, we delivered: RRNQ makes its long-awaited return this sunday! ������
Stay tuned for the line-up…@VerstappenCOM @redbull pic.twitter.com/G92ZkdwmGL
— Team Redline (@TeamRedlineSim) May 18, 2023
�� Shane van Gisbergen confirmed to join #RRNQ �� pic.twitter.com/vWOC3qfxxd
— Team Redline (@TeamRedlineSim) May 19, 2023
�� Jack Doohan confirmed to join #RRNQ �� pic.twitter.com/eIpqsdasIV
— Team Redline (@TeamRedlineSim) May 19, 2023
�� Max Verstappen confirmed to join #RRNQ �� pic.twitter.com/veUQJti2yX
— Team Redline (@TeamRedlineSim) May 19, 2023

‘You asked, we delivered’;

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/05/20...-racing-event/


Max Verstappen among drivers competing in iRacing event at virtual Imola circuit Sunday
May 20, 2023
By Madeline Coleman
The Athletic

Fans can watch via Team Redline’s Twitch channel for free starting at 15:30 CEST/9:30 a.m. ET.

Driver line-up
1. Max Verstappen: F1 driver for Red Bull
2. Gianni Vecchio: Team Redline driver
3. Enzo Bonito: Team Redline driver
4. Luke Bennett: Team Redline driver
5. Chris Lulham: Team Redline driver
6. Jeffrey Rietveld: Team Redline driver
7. Kevin Siggy: Team Redline driver
8. Atze Kerkhof: Team Redline driver
9. Josh Thompson: Team Redline driver
10. Diogo Pinto: Team Redline driver
11. Sebastian Job: Red Bull Racing eSports team
12. Gabriel Bortoleto: F3 driver for Trident
13. Jack Doohan: Alpine F1 reserve driver, F2 driver for Invicta Virtuosi Racing
14. Richard Verschoor: F2 driver for Van Amersfoort Racing
15. António Félix da Costa: Formula E driver for Porsche
16. Oliver Rowland: Formula E driver for Mahindra
17. Shane van Gisbergen: Australian Supercars and will make NASCAR debut at Chicago with Trackhouse Racing
18. Felipe Drugovich: Aston Martin F1 reserve driver
19. Luke Browning: F3 driver for Hitech Pulse-Eight and part of the Williams Driver Academy
20. Arvid Lindblad: F4 driver and part of the Red Bull Junior Team
21. Enzo Fittipaldi: F2 driver for Rodin Carlin and part of the Red Bull Junior Team
22. Ayumu Iwasa: F2 driver for Dams and part of the Red Bull Junior Team
23. Isack Hadjar: F2 driver for Hitech Pulse-Eight and part of the Red Bull Junior Team
24. Jak Crawford: F2 driver for Hitech Pulse-Eight and part of the Red Bull Junior Team

‘Fans can watch via Team Redline’s Twitch channel for free starting at 15:30 CEST/9:30 a.m. ET’;

https://theathletic.com/4536166/2023...e-event-imola/


TeamRedline

Imola charity sim race

https://www.twitch.tv/teamredline

Verstappen, Doohan winners in Imola flood relief sim event.
Live-streamed on Twitch, the event saw more than 24,000 viewers, with proceeds raised going directly to the flood relief effort.
Monday 22nd May, 2023 - 2:09am
By Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Max Verstappen and Jack Doohan were winners in a special Team Redline sim racing event at Imola to raise money for Italian flood relief. The sim racing event was held in place of what would have been the Formula 1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, an event cancelled due to floods in the region around Imola.

Four races were held, starting with Formula 3 for which Verstappen qualified on pole and won. The field, which included Aston Martin reserve driver Felipe Drugovich, a raft of F2 and F3 drivers, and a host of sim racers, then switched to the Mazda MX5.

Though fastest in qualifying for the race, a community vote saw Verstappen start last, with Red Bull-backed Formula 2 racer Ayumu Iwasa winning. Having watched on for the opening two races, Norris joined in the Formula Ford encounter, the third race of the programme.

‘24,000 viewers’;

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/05/22...ief-sim-event/


Max Verstappen praised for organising Imola GP replacement race
21 May 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News

Reigning World Champion Max Verstappen has been praised by fellow Team Redline member Atze Kerkhof, with the Dutchman being responsible for making today’s charity sim event possible.

Kerkhof revealed that it was Verstappen who spoke to Team Redline about putting an event on to support the flood relief in Emilia-Romagna, with the sim racer admitting that it “says a lot” about the Red Bull driver’s character.

“Max also puts a lot of time and energy into racing outside Formula One,” Kerkhof told Motorsport.com. “The fact that he immediately started thinking about organising an alternative event after the race in Imola was cancelled says a lot in that respect.”

‘Max Verstappen praised’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/max-verst...lacement-race/


Live: Verstappen in action in Imola charity race
21 May 4:11PM
Author RacingNews365 Staff
RacingNews365

In one of a number of charity events this weekend, Verstappen has been joined by a number of top racers to raise money for the relief effort, which you can watch below!

‘Imola charity race’;

https://racingnews365.com/live-verst...-race-on-imola


Lando Norris causes carnage after gatecrashing Max Verstappen stream
21 May 2023 4:32 PM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

Lando Norris joined Max Verstappen as a surprise guest among a star-studded virtual line-up during an afternoon of sim racing in aid of charities providing help for the Emilia-Romagna region. McLaren driver Norris had set up his own stream on Twitch as a watchalong of the event to try and raise further awareness and help encourage more donations.

He had not initially planned on taking part in the racing, but eventually set up a steering wheel and joined in the fun in qualifying for the Formula Ford portion of events. The whole stream took place in good spirits and for his appearance, Norris jumped the start from near the back of the grid, seeing him sail into the lead and proclaim at the top of his voice: “MV1, eat my dust, baby!”

Verstappen quickly reeled him in, however, and passed Norris around the outside at Piratella, seemingly going outside the white lines in doing so and Norris retorted with a smile: “Track limits! FIA!”

‘Jumped the start from near the back of the grid: “MV1, eat my dust, baby!” ’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/lando-...en-sim-stream/


Verstappen surprised by Norris in hilarious Imola charity event
21 May 5:32PM
Author Ewan Gale
RacingNews365

F1 World Champion Max Verstappen was targeted by his teammates and joined by a surprise guest during a hilarious running of the Real Racers Never Quit charity race.

A switch back to single-seaters in the third race saw McLaren's Lando Norris join affairs having watched along with proceedings on his own Twitch stream. The Briton's struggles behind the wheel left him open to lighthearted criticism from the event commentary as well as the other drivers.

Norris did provide laughter when jumping the entire field at the start of the final race, before being caught by Verstappen for an F1 driver showdown. The Dutchman escaped the incident as the field bunched up, with Norris predictably in the middle of the carnage.

‘Lighthearted criticism from the event commentary as well as the other drivers’;

https://racingnews365.com/verstappen...-charity-event

F1 teams face Monaco GP challenges amid desire to reschedule aborted Imola race.
Teams have been packing up everything they had set up in the Imola paddock to move it to Monaco.
06:00, 21 May 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer
Mirror

More immediate attentions turn to the next race, just a week away. Teams had already transported their equipment to the Imola track and set a lot of it up before the race was called off, meaning it had to be disassembled again ready to be move.

Essential staff were allowed back into the paddock on Thursday to begin that process. The flooding did not affect the circuit too badly – but many roads in the region were rendered impassable by the deluge which has presented some challenges.

Teams have had to use some alternative routes to transport freight out of the badly affected areas but, by and large, disruption has been minimal. Had the Imola race gone ahead, then the disassembly and transport process would not have begun until afterwards and so they have had an earlier start than usual.

‘Desire to reschedule aborted’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...elled-30030902


‘Our people are stuck’: Some teams could be forced to miss 2023 Monaco GP
The Emilia-Romagna region has been devastated by torrential rain and horrific flooding in recent days.
20 May 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News

Following the cancellation of this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Formula 2 director of operations Marco Codello has warned that transporting everything to Monte-Carlo for next weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix is set to be incredibly difficult, with no plan having been made yet in regard to when they’ll leave Imola.

‘Incredibly difficult’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/our-peopl...023-monaco-gp/


How cancelled Imola GP has shown Tsunoda’s biggest F1 change
Saturday 20 May 2023 12:57
Daniel Austin
GPFans

Rather than disappear for a few days, either taking an extra little holiday or just hanging around Monaco early, one driver stepped up to help the relief effort. On Thursday AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda was spotted assisting in the clean up alongside colleagues from his team, using a shovel to shift mud and water away from streets in the area. Afterwards, the 23-year-old also posted a call to action on his social media channels.

“After a horrible night the town is heavily impacted: dust, mud, and the smell of gasoline everywhere,” he wrote online, before appealing for donations from F1 fans. “Currently people are struggling to find food and especially places to stay, after many have been evacuated from their own homes. Please, anything you can do to help is appreciated.”

Given AlphaTauri are based in Faenza, a small town located in Emilia Romagna and only a half-an-hour drive from the Imola track, the impact on the team, its personnel and their families is clear. Seeing Tsunoda take on such a leadership role in the aftermath of the devastation is the testament to the character development he has undergone since joining F1 and latterly moving to Italy to be closer to the team.

‘Character development’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...elled-weather/


Imola avoids HUGE F1 fee after Grand Prix cancellation
Saturday 20 May 2023 13:57
Joe Ellis
GPFans

Imola has avoided a whopping fee from F1 despite the cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, according to reports.

There really was nothing Imola could do to prevent the cancellation of the race with the efforts of everyone local focused on helping the region get through these floods.

The £20million fee is usually mandatory for any track to host an F1 race but circumstances such as this can make the fee null and void.

‘Imola avoids HUGE F1 fee’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...tion-20m-fine/


Monaco GP delay? Ferrari boss weighs in on fears after Imola F1 cancellation
Sunday 21 May 2023 13:55
Matthew Hobkinson
GPFans

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has admitted that Formula 1 teams should have enough time to get to Monaco to set up for the race without delays after the cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

“We were supposed to leave Imola on Sunday evening, which gives us a margin now,” he told France’s Auto Hebdo. Despite access being restricted during the week, teams would never have been expected to pack down and ship out their gear until after the race on Sunday.

Even if there are delays in the journey from Imola to Monaco, given F1’s decision to cancel the race ahead of the weekend, there should be enough time for teams to mobilise without too great a cause for concern.

‘Gives us a margin’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...-fred-vasseur/

WATCH: Monaco Grand Prix Preview – who will master the Monte Carlo streets in 2023?
21 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site.

Sergio Perez showcased his street racing credentials at last year’s Monaco Grand Prix as he reigned supreme to seal a dramatic victory – but can he do the same in 2023? The Red Bull driver, along with his team mate Max Verstappen, has shone this year with the team winning every Grand Prix so far in 2023.

With Verstappen at the top of the drivers’ standings on 119 points, and Perez just behind in second on 105 points, the duo look set to star once again around the streets of Monte Carlo. Could Ferrari, Mercedes and Aston Martin challenge on a circuit unlike any other?

‘Who will master the Monte Carlo streets’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...ShUtetcez.html


Who will master Monaco? 2023 Monaco Grand Prix Preview Show
21 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site.

Join Will Buxton, Lawrence Barretto, Jolyon Palmer and Sam Collins in this look ahead to the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix.

‘Who will master Monaco?’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...588635688.html


The most dramatic moments from the Monaco Grand Prix
06:07 Mon, 22 May 2023.
Sky Sports

Look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place at the Monaco Grand Prix.

‘Most dramatic moments’;

https://www.skysports.com/watch/vide...aco-grand-prix


Full weekend schedule for the F1 2023 Monaco GP
22 May 8:55AM
Author RacingNews365 Staff
RacingNews365

Date Event Time (BST) Time (Local)
Friday 26 May Practice 1 12:30-13:30 13:30-14:30
Friday 26 May Practice 2 16:00-17:00 17:00-18:00
Saturday 27 May Practice 3 11:30-12:30 12:30-13:30
Saturday 27 May Qualifying 15:00-16:00 16:00-17:00
Sunday 28 May Race 14:00 15:00

‘Full weekend schedule’;

https://racingnews365.com/full-weeke...2023-monaco-gp


Best Onboard Moments: 2008 Monaco Grand Prix
22 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

Travel back to 2008 and drive through the streets of Monte Carlo for a memorable and action-packed 2008 Monaco Grand Prix.

‘Best Onboard Moments’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...116151784.html


IT'S RACE WEEK: 5 storylines we're excited about ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix
22 May 2023
Chris Medland
Special Contributor
Formula One - Official Site

1. Well, it’s Monaco! There’s just something so utterly mind-blowing about seeing Formula 1 cars on the streets of Monaco, and it never gets old. 2. Thoughts with Emilia-Romagna: As excited as we all are to get back to action in Monaco, there remains the sadness that there was no racing possible at Imola last weekend. The scenes in the Emilia-Romagna region were terrible as the widespread flooding and landslides hit the area, leading to the decision – made with all the relevant local authorities – to call off the race.

3. A threat to Red Bull? While the two team mates could well enjoy another thrilling battle on a track where Perez won last year, Monaco also provides the best opportunity for the chasing pack to put an end to Red Bull’s run. 4. The question marks surrounding upgrades: If we rewind to last week’s It’s Race Week feature, one of the main topics was about upgrades, and the new Mercedes parts that were planned for Imola in particular. Not that Mercedes were going to be on their own, of course,

5. Rookies ready for a steep learning curve: Upgrades might be an unknown for some teams, but so too will be how rookie drivers will take to the challenge of Monaco. 2023’s grid is full of immense talent, but prior knowledge of how it feels to take a Formula 1 car around this track certainly helps the more experienced drivers get up to speed.

‘5 storylines’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...Un2LCV4ie.html


Sky Sports pundit calls Mercedes desperate for ‘introducing’ Monaco upgrade
Mercedes were set to introduce their new concept in Imola last weekend, before the Grand Prix was cancelled.
22 May 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News

Ex-Formula 1 driver Jolyon Palmer doesn’t understand why Mercedes are introducing their new concept at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, a circuit where the Briton believes “you’re not gonna learn” much. Palmer discussed Mercedes’ choice to introduce the new concept in Monaco whilst discussing what the teams will be telling their drivers to do this weekend, with a common message being to avoid the famous barriers.

“Don’t crash, but it’s so easy to do,” Palmer told F1’s official YouTube channel. “I’ve been in a situation with Lotus before they became Renault, where the parts were so few and far between. It was very much, ‘if you crash, we might not be racing but we certainly won’t be racing the new part. That’s the thing about Monaco, it’s not the place to bring upgrades. The track is so different to anything else.”

‘Not the place to bring upgrades’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/sky-sport...onaco-upgrade/


Forecasts suggest RAIN could play havoc at the Monaco Grand Prix
19:19 Mon, 22 May 2023.
Harry Smith
GPFans

Stormy skies in Monaco - According to a forecast from The Weather Channel, there is "potential disruption due to thunderstorms" until Wednesday, just one day before the paddock opens for F1 activity.

The forecast predicts that rain will be a constant throughout this week, and while Tuesday is expected to remain sunny, the rain will be a consistent threat from Wednesday onwards.

‘RAIN could play havoc’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...r-forecast-f1/


Session times for the 2023 F1 Monaco GP
The 2023 Monaco GP is set to provide one of the most exciting qualifying sessions of the season
May 22, 2023
By John Smith
Total Motorsport

Formula 1 is back after an unscheduled three-week break with the Jewel in the Crown, the Monaco Grand Prix. Find out the session times for the sixth round of the 2023 F1 season. Monaco is all about qualifying, with Q3 being one of the highlights of the year as the drivers look to find the limit without going over the edge.

The 2023 Monaco GP takes place on the weekend of May 26-28 and will be a 77-lap race. Red Bull continue to dominate the season, having won all five races so far and Max Verstappen leads the F1 driver standings by 14 points from teammate Sergio Perez. But, the slow average speed will mean Ferrari, Aston Martin and Mercedes will fancy their chances at beating Red Bull on merit.

‘The most exciting qualifying sessions of the season’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/ses...-f1-monaco-gp/

Charles Leclerc’s Monaco curse: From F2 double DNF to crashing Lauda’s iconic Ferrari.
Whether he believes it or not, the Charles Leclerc Monaco curse is well-known amongst F1 fans and dates further back than his start in motorsport’s premier competition.
22 May 2023 7:30 AM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com

It may be his hometown but Monaco has not been a happy hunting ground for Charles Leclerc so far in his career. When Leclerc made his Formula 1 debut for Sauber in 2018, he became just the fourth driver in the history of F1 to hail from Monaco and compete in a race.

Leclerc’s first appearance around the historic Monte Carlo circuit came in 2017 during his F2 days. The future Ferrari man was driving for Prema Racing when he claimed pole and was leading during the early stages but trouble would come following his first pit stop. The next time Leclerc would race at the circuit would be in an F1 car with Sauber and it looked like he may be on course to finish the race for the first time, that was until lap 72…

By the time the next race came round, Leclerc was now in the seat of a Ferrari but the streets of Monte Carlo continued to prove a difficult obstacle. To start with, he was eliminated in Q1 meaning he began the race in P15 due to Antonio Giovinazzi’s grid penalty.

‘Charles Leclerc’s Monaco curse’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/charle...-curse-monaco/


Can Leclerc overcome Monaco Grand Prix curse?
23 May 12:00PM
Author Ewan Gale
RacingNews365

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has failed to finish on the podium at his home race with a number of nightmarish results along the way. Charles Leclerc will arrive at his home race at the Monaco Grand Prix aiming to finally reach the podium.

His F1 record on the streets of the Principality makes for painful reading, with his fourth-place finish last year his best result. But with Red Bull so dominant and Aston Martin fancying their chances of a strong result, is Leclerc's curse set to continue?

‘Leclerc's curse’;

https://racingnews365.com/can-lecler...and-prix-curse


Charles Leclerc downplays early season 2023 crashes as ‘normal’
22 May 2023 3:15 PM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Criticised by former F1 drivers over his recent crashes, Charles Leclerc insists “mistakes are normal” because he is pushing hard in an under-performing Ferrari.

Crashing twice at the Miami Grand Prix, both accidents at Turn 7 first in practice and then in qualifying, David Coulthard told Channel 4 that it was “not acceptable and that’s a chink in his armour” while Martin Brundle told Sky Sports “it’s holding him and the team back.”

According to Leclerc, mistakes are “normal” as he has to “explore the limits” of the track in order to bring out the best in his Ferrari. “I concentrate entirely on the speed and on exploring the limits of the racing car, mistakes are normal,” he insisted to Speedweek.

“Mistakes are normal”;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/charle...hes-as-normal/


Leclerc has ‘full trust’ in Vasseur’s Ferrari mission
Tuesday 23rd May, 2023 - 1:43pm
By Ian Parkes

Charles Leclerc is adamant he is fully behind Fred Vasseur’s plans for Ferrari despite a difficult start to his reign as the new Scuderia boss. “He’s just starting this process now,” said Leclerc. “Until now he has basically been trying to analyse the situation as quickly as possible in order to do the best changes possible for the future.”

“I think the big part of the job will be done from now on so we will see, but obviously, I speak a lot with Fred and I know what are his middle- and long-term plans for the team. I’m completely behind him and I trust him fully. I’m sure these are the right choices and it goes in the right direction for the team. So for that, I’m looking forward to it. But let’s wait and see.”

‘Full trust’;

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/05/23...sseur-mission/


Leclerc 'NOT CONFIDENT' in short-term Ferrari F1 future amid Hamilton bid
Monday 22 May 2023 17:57
Jay Winter
GPFans

Formula 1 star Charles Leclerc has admitted that he is "not confident" about Ferrari's short-term future due to the "significant" gap in performance between his team and Red Bull.

Regarding the car concept, Leclerc admitted that it was still too early to draw conclusions. "For the car concept, we are looking into it, and it is still too early to take conclusions out of it," he said. "It hasn't worked the way we wanted, but that doesn't mean we need to change completely from now. But we have some ideas on where we need to work on."

Leclerc's admission comes at the same time as Ferrari are reportedly preparing an offer of £40 million per season to bring Hamilton to Maranello for 2024, according to Mail Sport. According to the report, talks between the two parties are advancing and Ferrari president, John Elkann, is already in close contact with Hamilton regarding the move.

'NOT CONFIDENT';

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ull-f1-future/


Ferrari plan for Charles Leclerc speaks volumes amid mega Lewis Hamilton contract offer
Lewis Hamilton will reportedly be tempted to join Ferrari by a huge contract offer with his Mercedes future not set in stone, though questions remain over what it would mean for their current drivers
16:03, 22 May 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer
The Mirror

A Daily Mail report claimed Ferrari chairman John Elkann has been in close contact with Hamilton over his future in a bid to tempt him away from the Mercedes team he has called his family. A £40m contract will reportedly be offered to the 38-year-old on top of the assertion that he will have a better chance of winning more titles with the Italian outfit.

According to prominent reporter Giuliano Duchessa, writing for Formu1a.uno, Ferrari has turned to Leclerc first to open renewal talks. Elkann is said to be heavily involved in those talks as well, with the team perhaps wary of persistent links between Leclerc and a move to Mercedes.

It is a hint that Sainz might be the one replaced if Ferrari were to tempt Hamilton to quit Mercedes and make the move to Maranello. That said, Leclerc may well be the driver the Silver Arrows turn to replace the seven-time world champion if faced with the prospect of losing him.

‘Tempted to join Ferrari by a huge contract offer’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...peaks-30044979


Inside Ferrari's plans to sign Lewis Hamilton as two scenarios could see brutal sacking
Lewis Hamilton could be at the centre of a driver transfer storm with Ferrari set to axe one of their stars.
08:38, Mon, May 22, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth

Ferrari are prepared to lose one of their drivers in a bid to secure the services of Lewis Hamilton, according to reports. The Italian marque are understood to have two scenarios on the table with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz both at risk of losing their seats.

The deal would see Carlos Sainz get sacked from the team just three seasons into his Ferrari career. This would create one of the strongest driver line-ups on the grid and issue a statement of intent on the team’s ambitions for success.

However, the squad would effectively have two star drivers in the team which may cause issues in any future title battle. Tensions rose at Red Bull when Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel were partnered up while a similar situation emerged between Hamilton and Nico Rosberg at the Silver Arrows.

‘Two scenarios could see brutal sacking’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...c-carlos-sainz

Ted Kravitz mocks Ferrari over £40m Lewis Hamilton offer as Sky F1 pundits in agreement.
Ted Kravitz sneered at the "low-ball offer" reportedly made by Ferrari in an attempt to convince Lewis Hamilton to join.
07:00, 24 May 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer

"They are after the best and the biggest in Formula 1 at the moment as they seek to rebuild so it shouldn't be a surprise if they offer Lewis Hamilton everything. If it was £80m that John Elkann had said then that would get people's attention. I don't think he's likely to go, maybe if he wins the elusive eighth at Mercedes once they get the car right eventually then potentially he might go and see if he can win another one with Ferrari but he may be into his 40s by then."

Not only that, but the Sky Sports pit lane reporter feels the Scuderia has adopted something of a scattergun approach to recruitment of late. "Firstly, I think the £40m offer is a bit of a low-ball offer for Lewis Hamilton," he said on the latest episode of the Sky F1 podcast.

"Number two, I think Ferrari are offering everybody a job for anything at the moment. Everyone is on Ferrari's shopping list because Fred Vasseur says he is going to put together a crack team of amazing people around Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc to make them realise this is incredible. They offered Adrian Newey a job with big money!

‘Sneered at the "low-ball offer"!’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...zenby-30060092


Lewis Hamilton has already been told F1 'needs' him at Ferrari so he can copy Schumacher
Lewis Hamilton has been linked with a move to Ferrari this week and some prominent faces in the paddock have already called on him to follow in Michael Schumacher's footsteps.
06:40, Wed, May 24, 2023
By Andrew McLean
Daily and Sunday Express

Lewis Hamilton has already been told to join Ferrari by Formula 1 team boss turned pundit Eddie Jordan with the Irishman suggesting the sport needs him to follow in the footsteps of Michael Schumacher. Jordan is not the only person to encourage the seven-time world champion to join the Scuderia either with the move likely to be popular with F1 fans.

Jordan has previously stated that the partnership would be a match made in heaven as he urged Hamilton to make the move for his final years in the sport. “There’s only one place he could go to in my opinion and that is Ferrari,” he told Express Sport in an exclusive interview last month.

“A guy with the talent that he is, and I think it might be a [match made] in heaven. I think Ferrari needs shaking up and I think Lewis Hamilton needs shaking up if they are going to continue.

‘Follow in the footsteps of Michael Schumacher’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ael-Schumacher


Money powering Hamilton-Ferrari rumours – Marko
24th May 2023, 07:29
ANDREW MAITLAND
Grandpx.news

Rumours suggesting Lewis Hamilton could switch to Ferrari may be powered by the money, according to key rival Red Bull’s top Austrian official Dr Helmut Marko. The speculation of contact between the seven time world champion and Ferrari president John Elkann was clearly the top story in Formula 1 on Tuesday.

“I think it’s just a rumour,” former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher told Sky Deutschland. “Hamilton is very happy where he is right now,” he added, referring to Mercedes. “And even Ferrari is a bigger question mark at the moment.”

Red Bull’s Marko agrees – and he thinks he knows what is powering the Ferrari rumours. “There are two things that really annoy Hamilton,” he told f1-insider.com. “First, that he is no longer world champion and will find it difficult to win it again in the future. He knows there is no place for him at Red Bull,” Marko added. “And whether Ferrari will be better for him on the sporting side is not set in stone.”

‘Money powering Hamilton-Ferrari rumours’;

https://grandpx.news/money-powering-...rumours-marko/


Hamilton to Ferrari? Intriguing, but don’t bank on it
Toto Wolff said in March he wouldn’t mind if the British F1 star ‘looked elsewhere’
Last Edited May 23, 2023 | 11:00 PM
Gulf Times

Lewis Hamilton is out of contract with Mercedes at the end of the Formula One season and, inevitably, speculation that the seven-times world champion could move to Ferrari is again picking up speed. There are also a number of reasons why certain parties might want to give the rumour mill an extra shove with this weekend’s showcase Monaco Grand Prix looming.

A move for Hamilton would be a timely reminder from Ferrari that they are not sitting still, although Sainz would not be impressed. Hamilton needs a winning car to challenge for a record eighth title and the coming races will be crucial in helping him assess whether Mercedes can provide it, or whether to have a last shot at somewhere else.

‘Intriguing, but don’t bank on it’;

https://www.gulf-times.com/article/6...ont-bank-on-it


Hamilton replacement SORTED says Mercedes driver development chief
Tuesday 23 May 2023 17:58
Jay Winter
GPFans

Mercedes' head of F1 driver development believes the Silver Arrows already have Lewis Hamilton's replacement as the team's leader among their ranks. Gwen Lagrue expressed his utmost confidence in Mercedes driver George Russell as the rightful successor to their seven-time world champion – whether he departs to Ferrari, as recent reports suggest, or eventually when he retires from the sport or leaves Mercedes.

In an interview with Autohebdo, Lagrue sang Russell's praises for making the best of the hardware he's had despite Mercedes' stuttering progress since the 2022 regulations switch. Does he have what it takes to claim leadership of the team, though?

“You always know that when you have the car to win, not before,” he said. “Nevertheless, what I have observed is that each time he has had a window of opportunity, he has managed to do something transformative. "That's very reassuring. If we are able to give him the car, he will do the right thing."

‘Hamilton replacement SORTED’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...-f1-successor/


Mercedes tipped to have new Lewis Hamilton 'insurance policy' amid Ferrari speculation
Mercedes could face competition from Ferrari for Lewis Hamilton according to reports released this week.
06:21, Wed, May 24, 2023
By Andrew McLean

Sky Sports reporter Ted Kravitz has suggested that Charles Leclerc could be Mercedes' ‘insurance policy’ for Lewis Hamilton should the seven-time champion decide to leave or retire before the team are ready. The 38-year-old has been linked with a move to Ferrari this week with the Scuderia reportedly keen to pair him with Leclerc however the Silver Arrows may try to take him the other way if they lose Hamilton.

“Mercedes need an insurance policy if Lewis decides to either stop or leave. Kravitz said on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast. “At this moment that policy looks like Charles Leclerc while they wait for their juniors.” For his part, Leclerc has admitted he has not held any talks with Mercedes over a potential move but did not rule anything out in the future.

'Insurance policy';

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...harles-Leclerc

Mercedes and Toto Wolff finally listen to Martin Brundle a year later ahead of Monaco GP.
The Sky Sports F1 host urged Mercedes to axe their concept after struggling in the first few races of 2022.
12:02, Wed, May 24, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express

He stressed the constructor may be forced into a “redesign” if they wanted to catch Red Bull and return to the front. Brundle said: “There must be a point coming soon when they have to accept this car and concept doesn’t work and have a redesign for the second half of the season.”

It's a really difficult situation Mercedes find themselves in. The next race or two, starting here, is critical for them solving the problem. Can they understand it? Can they fix it?” Mercedes battled through with the difficult design last year and had little success with many believing they should ditch the model for 2023.

However, George Russell picked up a stunning win at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix which left Mercedes with a difficult decision. They stuck by their existing concept for 2023 believing they had finally solved the biggest issues. Lewis Hamilton has since suggested there was a dispute over the team’s direction with the seven-time champion apparently in disagreement.

‘They stuck by their existing concept’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...aco-grand-prix


Mercedes finally abandon 'zeropod' F1 car design as Toto Wolff makes Monaco GP prediction.
Mercedes have persisted with their unique aero package ever since it debuted at the start of the 2022 season but, with the gap to Red Bull still huge, that is set to change.
16:49, 24 May 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer
The Mirror

Mercedes will run a new aerodynamic package at this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix which signals the end of the team's failed 'zeropod' experiment.

While the new aero design has not officially been seen in public, some close-up images have been leaked on social media. Mercedes will have "an opportunity to learn about the upgrades" this weekend, said team boss Toto Wolff – though he admitted this Monaco track is not the ideal place to introduce such big changes.

"We need to be careful not to draw too many conclusions from this one event," said the Austrian. "We are introducing the first step in a new development direction. It won't be a silver bullet – from my experience, they do not exist in our sport. We hope that it gives the drivers a more stable and predictable platform. Then we can build on that in the weeks and months ahead.”

‘Finally abandon 'zeropod'!’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...wolff-30067777


The ex-Red Bull employee bringing a ‘very strong edge’ to Mercedes
22 May 2023 9:00 AM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Mercedes did sign at least one other Red Bull team member, and it’s one Wolff believes could be a game-changer as his teams looks to regain lost glory. Former Red Bull chief operating officer Poole joined Mercedes in the build-up to this year’s championship, signed as a special advisor with the aim of analysing the strengths and weaknesses of the current organisation.

“Jayne is a person that I admired over the last 10 years, that I got to know 10 years ago, and I always had a very respectful relationship with,” said Wolff in an interview with Motorsport.com. “She worked for the competitor, but you can respect people working for a competitor and acknowledge their performance.”

“Her role at Red Bull was, in my opinion, a very large part of the success of the team over the last years. That relationship came to an end, like many relationships come to a natural end. I wanted to hire Jayne for a long time, but it was just never an option. And then it became now.”

‘Ex-Red Bull employee’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/red-bu...mercedes-edge/


Mercedes’ Toto Wolff: “We are introducing the first step in a new development direction”
May 24, 2023
By Paul Hensby
The Checkered Flag

Toto Wolff says the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team will continue its push to improve its W14 this weekend during the Monaco Grand Prix despite having lost the opportunity to run its upgraded package due to the cancellation of last weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

“Following the cancellation of the race in Imola, our thoughts are still with the people of the Emilia-Romagna region that have been affected by the terrible flooding,” said Wolff. “We have been saddened by the images but inspired by the rescue work of the emergency services and the resilience shown by the communities. We look forward to returning to Imola in happier circumstances next year.”

“The revised calendar means that Monaco is now the starting point of the European leg of the season. It is a unique event but will still provide an opportunity to learn about the upgrades to W14 – but we also need to be careful not to draw too many conclusions from this one event. We are introducing the first step in a new development direction.”

“New development direction”;

https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...ent-direction/


TOTO WOLFF HITS BACK AT LATEST HAMILTON TO FERRARI RUMOURS
The speculation surrounding a Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton swap is not going away. The latest rumours allege that Ferrari is about to make a £40 million bid for the seven-time world champion
May 23, 2023
Rhiannon Temporal
FormulaNerds

Throughout the 2023 Formula One season, speculation surrounding the future of Lewis Hamilton has been a hot topic. While it is highly likely that the seven-time world champion will stay with Mercedes, there has been near-constant talk about the Brit moving to Ferrari. Although Hamilton and Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff have shut down these rumours on multiple occasions, they have still lingered.

Recently, however, Wolff has seemed to indicate that Hamilton’s contract renewal may not be on the cards after all. Speculation has hotted up again with rumours of Ferrari offering Hamilton £40 million to join the Scuderia. But the Mercedes boss has stepped in to put the rumours to rest.

Whilst speaking to oe24, Wolff opened up about the speculation surrounding Hamilton leaving Mercedes to join Ferrari. He said: “There rumours come up every two years when we have to sign a new contract. But none of this is true. We discuss normally, without any time pressure.”

‘The speculation surrounding a Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton swap is not going away’;

https://www.formulanerds.com/news/to.../?nowprocket=1


Ferrari making ‘no comment’ on Lewis Hamilton rumours
Lewis Hamilton has previously told the media that he plans to stay at Mercedes for many more years.
24 May 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News

Despite Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff having labelled the recent rumours linking Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari as “not true”, Sky Sports reporter Craig Slater has revealed that a move for the seven-time World Champion is “under consideration” by the Italians.

Slater revealed that whilst an offer hasn’t yet been sent to Hamilton, Ferrari are potentially on the cusp of making one, with the side not preparing to comment on the situation, something which could say a lot in itself. “What I can say is there is something in this from Ferrari,” said Slater on Sky Sports News.

“So as I understand it, the official line from Ferrari to me when I’ve contacted them is no comment to make on this, which in itself is a bit brisk, but other sources in Italy have told me that a move or an approach for Hamilton is under consideration.”

‘Sources in Italy’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/ferrari-m...ilton-rumours/

Monaco Grand Prix: Five key storylines to follow.
Perez to take battle to Verstappen on another street track. Aston Martin eye glory. Mercedes' delayed upgrades get first look. Leclerc under pressure? Qualifying to carry added importance.
24 May 7:00PM
Author Ewan Gale
RacingNews365

Ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, RacingNews365.com takes a look at five storylines to follow across the event. Perez to take battle to Verstappen on another street track: Sergio Perez has pinned his name to the mast as F1's street track specialist, though this claim has been brought into dispute after Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen's dominant ninth-to-first victory in Miami last time out.

Aston Martin eye glory: Aston Martin will ride a wave of delight entering the weekend given the coup in securing a works partnership with Honda for F1's new power unit regulatory era beginning in 2026. Mercedes' delayed upgrades get first look: Mercedes' long-awaited upgrade package was supposed to have debuted at Imola last weekend only for the tragic flooding in Emilia Romagna to force the race's cancellation.

Leclerc under pressure? Before the Aston Martin and Honda announcement stole the limelight, rumours of a Ferrari move for Hamilton were again in circulation. Qualifying to carry added importance: A lot has been made about the racing spectacle at the Monaco Grand Prix in modern F1, with the longer, wider cars preventing overtaking action.

‘Five key storylines’;

https://racingnews365.com/monaco-gra...ines-to-follow


THIS WEEK IN F1: 10 quiz questions on the latest F1 news ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix
24 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site

This week the Formula 1 circus is descending on the tiny Mediterranean principality of Monaco for one of the most historic races around - the Monaco Grand Prix.

How much do you know about this showpiece event? And have you been keeping an eye on all the other F1 news that's been happening over the past week? Hit go in the quiz below to test your skills – and don't forget to share your score with your friends...

‘10 quiz questions’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...I7UmSuHod.html


Haas’ Günther Steiner anticipates tough qualifying in Monaco: “Sometimes you get it right, but sometimes you get it wrong”
May 24, 2023
By Ashley Cline
The Checkered Flag

The FIA Formula 1 World Championship now moves onto the next round, the Monaco Grand Prix. When asked what the event represents for him, Steiner said that is an “important” venue due to its history and extravagance.

“Monaco to all of us means mixing glamour with racing. It’s an event which has been there a long time, a lot of people go there and a lot of people dream to go there one day because it’s an outstanding location and an important one for Formula 1. We always go there being prepared for a lot of activities to show what the sport is about. In Monaco, we all put a lot of effort into the free practice sessions and on to qualifying because it’s important to qualify well.”

“Overtaking isn’t impossible but it’s very, very difficult. You put the biggest effort into it and the drivers focus on it. Communication is like always – trying to communicate to drivers when there is traffic because if you’re on a hot lap and you find traffic, you’re in a mess. It’s very important to keep on top of it and to keep drivers as calm as possible. Already the stress of it is enough in Monaco because it’s high-speed through a lot of tight walls.”

‘Anticipates tough qualifying’;

https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...-get-it-wrong/


Brown explains McLaren car’s fluctuations in form ahead of Monaco after Miami GP ‘sucked’
24 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site

McLaren CEO Zak Brown says the team’s point-less outing in Miami “sucked” but is optimistic that their performance in Monaco and the races that follow will improve, believing they will have “a strong second half of the year”. “I think we will go alright in Monaco; we obviously came to the table with an underdeveloped car at the start of the year.”

“We knew that we called our shot, and it turned out we knew we weren’t going to be where we want to be. “But the exciting part is we think we are going to get a lot better. For Monaco, not a lot of development, so I think it is going to be more the second half of the year.”

“But we’ve run well at Monaco, and we think it’s a track that suits our car more than Miami. So, I think we should be okay, but it’s very tight through the field. So, you only need to be off by a tenth or two to be right towards the front, or right towards the back.”

‘McLaren car’s fluctuations in form’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...GdW5RMB2M.html


Ferrari star shoots down injury rumours after image sends scare through F1 world
May 25th, 2023 1:28 pm
Matthew Sullivan from News.com.au
Fox Sports (Australia)

Carlos Sainz has dispelled rumours he is in doubt for this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix after he reportedly injured himself during a charity football match. The Ferrari driver was one of several of F1 stars involved in the match this week at Monaco’s Stade Louis II along with teammate Charles Leclerc and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly.

But an image of Sainz sitting on the bench getting strapping applied to his right leg with a concerned look on his face sent a scare through F1 fans. Sainz went off the field in the second half and was seen receiving treatment on his leg.

After last year’s charity game, he was also seen putting ice on his ankle but didn’t miss the following race. But it appears the F1 world can breathe easy after the Spaniard said he simply sustained a minor knock in the game, describing it as “a contact”.

‘Ferrari star shoots down injury rumours’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...6bbfd54660035c


F1 street king Perez fearful of 'TRICKY' Monaco Grand Prix
Wednesday 24 May 2023
Dan McCarthy
GPFans

Sergio Perez says this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix may be slightly awkward due to potentially inclement weather conditions. Despite being bestowed as the "king" of the street circuit, Perez admits the weather conditions, which have been forecasted by some to be wet, will make the race awkward.

The Mexican, who won last year's rain-affected race in Monaco, said: "The weather could be tricky again here, which means we have to maximise every moment we get in the car. It’s important we get our set up right and qualifying goes well to have any chance of winning on Sunday."

'TRICKY Monaco Grand Prix’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...co-grand-prix/

Alonso senses an opportunity on the streets of Monaco.
Fernando Alonso sensing a chance to end dominant Red Bull’s run of success at the most glamorous and historic of street circuits.
May 24, 2023 | 11:19 PM
Reuters Monaco
Gulf Times

Aston Martin’s Alonso, winner in Monaco with Renault and McLaren in 2006 and 2007, will be ready for any opportunity that comes his way after securing four third places so far in 2023.

“We seem to have a car that is maybe not the fastest on the straights. We need to improve that, but we are very good on the corners,” he told Sky Sports television when asked where he might win.

“I would say that the slowest speeds of the championship, let’s say Monaco, Budapest, Singapore; these kind of circuits, I think we put our main hopes at the moment.”

‘EL PLAN: Senses an opportunity’;

https://www.gulf-times.com/article/6...eets-of-monaco


Alonso sees an opportunity on the streets of Monaco
Favourites Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have between them won all five races so far this season
24 MAY 2023 - 17:51
ALAN BALDWIN
Financial Mail

London — Monaco kicks off Formula One’s flood-delayed European season on Sunday with Fernando Alonso sensing a chance to end dominant Red Bull’s run of success at the most glamorous and historic of street circuits.

‘EL PLAN: Sees an opportunity’;

https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/sp...ets-of-monaco/


Fernando Alonso eyeing chance to end Red Bull winning streak
25th May 2023, 10:02
The Straits Times

MONTE CARLO – Fernando Alonso will seek to break Max Verstappen and Red Bull’s winning streak and claim his first win since 2013, as Formula One resumes this weekend with the 80th running of the classic Monaco Grand Prix.

After four third-place finishes from five races, the 41-year-old has emerged as not only the biggest threat to two-time world champion Verstappen and his teammate Sergio Perez, but also this season’s box-office attraction, a wily wolf with unrivalled experience.

“We have a car that maybe isn’t the fastest on the straights, but very good in the corners,” Alonso explained, with a flash of his customary mischievous grin. “So we need to improve that – but it is good for the circuits that are slower like Monaco and Budapest and Singapore, these kind of circuits. I think (that is where) we put our main hopes at the moment.”

‘EL PLAN: Wily wolf with unrivalled experience’;

https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/f...winning-streak


Alonso ‘a big motivation ball’ – Aston Martin owner Stroll
Wednesday 24th May, 2023 - 7:35am
By Ian Parkes
Speedcafe

Fernando Alonso has been described as “a big motivation ball” by Lawrence Stroll following the two-time F1 champion’s arrival at Aston Martin. “It was never an ambition (to sign Alonso) until we decided to part ways with Sebastian, and then it was very apparent to me Fernando was the driver I wanted,” said Stroll, speaking to this writer in an interview for The New York Times.

“Actually, there wasn’t even a second choice. Should have been, I guess, in hindsight, but I was then quite determined to get Fernando, for several reasons. His talent – he is clearly one of the greatest drivers to ever be in Formula 1; his motivation, for whatever reason, has never been higher.”

“We stayed in contact. When I spoke to him, he said, ‘Listen, I can bring something to this team in my last few years I’m going to drive and hopefully have some sort of role within Aston Martin for many years to come after when I stop driving’. “When he said that, I did not need a lot of convincing.”

‘EL PLAN: A big motivation ball’;

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/05/24...wrence-stroll/


David Coulthard: Why Fernando Alonso has been stronger in his 40s than Michael Schumacher
15:03 Sat, 20 May 2023.
By George Dagless
Give Me Sport

David Coulthard has examined why Fernando Alonso is performing better in his 40s than Michael Schumacher did in F1. Michael Schumacher, of course, drove in F1 in his 40s but had a few years away from racing before his comeback and his results were not quite up to where he wanted them to be.

Had he been in F1, or another category, between his exit at the end of 2006 and comeback at the start of 2010, though, he may well have been able to produce similar displays to how Alonso is now. Clearly, that is what Coulthard thinks with him telling the Formula For Success podcast:

“When Alonso stepped away from F1 the first time, he went straight into sports cars, IndyCar, he did the Dakar, he’s got a kart track and you see him out testing his karts at his facility in Spain. There’s the expression, ‘don’t let the old man in.’ If you let the old man or the old woman in, that, ultimately, is what you end up becoming.”

‘EL PLAN: See him out testing his karts at his facility in Spain’;

https://www.givemesport.com/david-co...el-schumacher/


Fernando Alonso picked over Hamilton and Verstappen as ‘most complete driver on Earth’
21 May 2023 2:00 PM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com

Fernando Alonso has been selected over Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen as the “most complete driver on Earth.” The former Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul, who since departing F1 in 2020 now works as team principal for Hyundai Motorsport, said Alonso was the “most complete driver on Earth.”

“They are very involved, professional, disciplined and rational drivers,” Abiteboul told Spanish newspaper AS of the two former Spaniards he was in charge of, Alonso and Carlos Sainz. “At the same time they are Latinos and I have a good connection with that kind of people.”

“Carlos is impressive for his attention to all the details, in particular the mechanical part of the car, as if he was an engineer, and he has helped to improve the car since he was at Toro Rosso. Fernando needs no introduction. He is probably the most complete driver on earth and it is a joy to see him back at the top of Formula 1.”

‘EL PLAN: Probably the most complete driver on earth’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/fernan...mplete-driver/

Monaco GP 2023: Sky Sports F1 pundits predict four-team battle for pole and Fernando Alonso to end win drought.
Will Red Bull's 100 per cent win record in 2023 come to an end at the Monaco GP? Sky Sports F1's Simon Lazenby thinks four teams are in contention for pole position on Saturday; Ted Kravitz tips Fernando Alonso for win on Sunday.
25/05/23 7:10pm
Sky Sports

The Monaco GP this weekend looks set to have the first four-team battle at the front of the 2023 season, according to the Sky Sports F1 pundits. Red Bull have dominated the year so far, winning all five grands prix plus the Baku Sprint, but Formula 1's arrival in Monte Carlo may see that about to change.

The unique characteristics of the historic Circuit de Monaco's narrow streets can see the form book go out the window, and this year may be no different as Red Bull's straight-line speed advantage is somewhat negated while Aston Martin and Ferrari can capitalise on their strength in slow-speed corners.

‘EL PLAN: Ted Kravitz tips Fernando Alonso for win on Sunday’;

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12...nd-win-drought


'It's not our strongest circuit' – Perez and Verstappen admit Red Bull could 'struggle' to 'show our strengths' at Monaco
25 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez admit Red Bull could “struggle” at the Monaco Grand Prix on a circuit that is not their “strongest”. Red Bull have won all five races this season – with Verstappen and Perez sitting first and second respectively in the drivers' championship – but both racers are wary of what might be in Monte Carlo despite that dominance.

Red Bull have won the last two races in Monaco with Verstappen taking victory in the Principality back in 2021, while Perez held off both the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, as well as his team mate to take the win last year. However, despite their recent success in Monaco and their impressive start to the season, Perez is not so sure that Red Bull will have it all their own way this weekend, with the Mexican expecting a difficult battle with their rivals.

“We certainly know it’s not our strongest circuit,” admitted Perez, who has finished on the podium twice in Monte Carlo. “We will struggle a bit to show our strengths, but it’s still Monaco.”

'It's not our strongest circuit';

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...E9gt0UBI1.html


Marko makes BOLD claim over Verstappen and Perez rivalry ahead of Monaco GP
Thursday 25 May 2023 20:12
Matthew Hobkinson


Helmut Marko has claimed that Sergio Perez is on the same level as Max Verstappen when the Mexican “is having a good day” ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend. And heading into this weekend’s race at Monaco, Marko believes that Perez can go level on wins with Verstappen if he performs to the best of his abilities.

“Perez has improved,” he told Formel1.de’s YouTube channel. “He has become more consistent. However, nevertheless, throughout the season, Max is the faster one. And that was evident in Miami as well. In sector one, I believe, he took half a second off Perez. And that was in just four corners, and it remained consistent throughout the practice sessions and proved itself in the race as well…”

“In Jeddah, I think it was, he was suffering from a severe flu and simply wasn't in the physical condition to challenge Perez. And when Perez is having a good day, he's on the same level as Max, and it always comes down to minor details that make the difference.”

‘Marko makes BOLD claim’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...lmut-marko-f1/


Aston Martin with ‘Great Hopes’ to Fight for Monaco Grand Prix Victory – Mike Krack
May 25, 2023
By Paul Hensby
The Checkered Flag

Mike Krack says the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula 1 Team are going for the win this weekend, with the Monaco Grand Prix potentially offering the Silverstone-based team their best chance of the season so far to beat Oracle Red Bull Racing. “It would be nice to say yes and do it,” Krack is quoted as saying by Motorsport.com. “We all have great hopes here for Monaco with our two drivers, we have a great car. In the simulator they were all quite excited.”

“But we must not forget the competition. It is true that there are not so many straights here. It’s also true that we have not seen a Red Bull or Ferrari or Mercedes in high downforce configuration, because we did not have a maximum downforce track so far. So I think it would be easy to say, ‘Ah we going to be easily at the front.’ I don’t think it will be that easy. I think we will have to be 100% at all times.”

‘EL PLAN: Great Hopes’

https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...ry-mike-krack/


Lewis Hamilton ‘excited’ to try Mercedes F1 upgrades at Monaco GP after being “lost” in 2022
25 May 2023
Lewis Larkam
Crash.Net

Lewis Hamilton says he is “so excited” to finally try out Mercedes’ long-awaited F1 upgrades after admitting the team “were a little bit lost” in how to solve their issues. Hamilton, who admitted he has been “counting the days” until the upgrades arrive, hopes they will enable Mercedes to cut their vast performance deficit to pace-setters Red Bull.

“The upgrade, it will be difficult to see how it works at this kind of track but I’m hopeful that it puts us a little bit closer to these guys,” the seven-time world champion said on Thursday. I don’t think we will be fighting for a win necessarily, but hopefully we will be more in the fight.”

Hamilton praised the hard work of his team behind the scenes to produce the upgrades after Mercedes U-turned on their controversial decision to keep the faith in their unique sidepod approach over the winter.

‘W14 Upgrade - “So excited”!’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/102679...ter-being-lost

Sainz fastest for Ferrari as Albon crash ends first practice.
Sainz’s best time of a 1’13.372 was over three tenths of a second faster than Fernando Alonso, with Lewis Hamilton third-fastest in the revised Mercedes W14.
26th May 2023, 13:45
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans

Lewis Hamilton fitted the medium compound tyres and took to the track in the heavily revised Mercedes. He immediately went quickest of all on his first timed lap with a 1’14.035, while Alonso went second with a lap just half a tenth slower than his former McLaren team mate.

When the session resumed with 20 minutes remaining, Alonso headed back out on the same set of medium tyres he had previously been running on, going quickest of all with the first lap under 1’14 of the session. Alonso’s time at the top did not last long, however, as Sainz used a second set of medium tyres to pip Alonso by half a tenth and reclaim first for Ferrari.

Alonso was second, three tenths slower than the Ferrari, with Hamilton third and Perez fourth for Red Bull. Leclerc was fifth in the second Ferrari, ahead of Max Verstappen. The championship leader endured a tough session, clearly unhappy with the balance of his car, the team unable to make some of the changes he wanted until the break before second practice.

‘Sainz fastest’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/05/26/...irst-practice/


(FP1) First Practice Results – 2023 Monaco Grand Prix
26th May 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy

Results (Classification):
1. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari -1:13.372
2. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.338
3. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.663
4. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.666
5. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.721
6. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +0.872
7. Lando Norris McLaren +1.095
8. Esteban Ocon Alpine +1.213
9. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +1.281
10. Alex Albon Williams Racing +1.294

‘Monaco Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the first practice session ahead of this weekend’s 2023 F1 World Championship race in Monaco’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp1-first-...and-prix-82156


AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from first practice for the Monaco Grand Prix
26 May 2023
Becky Hart
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site

‘AS IT HAPPENED’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...dTEVv1SrR.html


F1 Monaco Grand Prix - Friday Practice - LIVE UPDATES!
26th May 2023, 13:34.
Crash.Net

F1 is back this weekend after the last race at Imola was cancelled due to intense flooding.
The Monaco Grand Prix is the 'jewel in the crown' with many drivers desperate to win in the principality.
Aston Martin and Ferrari are expected to be on the pace, while all eyes will be on Mercedes' new upgrade.

‘LIVE UPDATES’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/live/f1-mon...e-live-updates


What happened in frenetic opening Monaco GP F1 practice
26th May 2023, 13:43.
By Valentin Khorounzhiy
The Race

Ferrari Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz topped the opening practice session of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, which was curtailed by a crash for Alex Albon.

Key moments:
> Four different cars in top four
> Hamilton third in upgraded Mercedes
> Albon shunt one of two red flags
> Verstappen unhappy with his RB19

The red flag denied the chance for anyone to dislodge Sainz, who had spent much of the session out front. He led a Ferrari 1-2 after the opening runs – albeit with the Ferrari duo just two of the three drivers in the field to opt for mediums rather than hards – and then reclaimed top spot with a 1m13.372s after swapping for a fresh set of mediums.

Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso ended up his nearest rival, three tenths off, at one point particularly exasperated by traffic in the form of Red Bull’s Sergio Perez. Perez was the lead Red Bull, and only fourth, 0.003s behind the upgraded Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton.

‘Frenetic opening Monaco GP F1 practice’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/what-...p-f1-practice/


Sainz leads Alonso in Red Flag shortened Monaco FP1
26th May 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy

Monaco Grand Prix – Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso were the only two in the 1:13s as a late crash for Alex Albon saw the practice session end early.

At the halfway point Hamilton was at the top of the times with a 1:14.035 on the mediums, a few tenths ahead of Sainz and Norris. The session was Red Flagged with just over 22 minutes on the clock for debris left after Nico Hulkenberg had tagged the barrier at the chicane which punctured his rear tyre and spun him.

It was a Spanish 1-2 for the rest of the session after Sainz pipped Alonso with a 1:13.690 and the two continued to bring the times down until Alex Albon crashed at Sainte Devote which brought the Red Flags out again and with only a handful of minutes left in the session, it wouldn’t be resumed.

‘Red Flag shortened Monaco FP1’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/sainz-lead...naco-fp1-82160

Verstappen quickest as Sainz ends his Friday in the barriers.
Verstappen narrowly went faster than the two Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Sainz in the session. The latter crashed at the exit of the Swimming Pool chicane which ended his running with 20 minutes of the session remaining.
26th May 2023, 17:1026th May 2023, 17:16
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans

Fernando Alonso set the first representative time of the session with a 1’14.611, before Verstappen became the first driver of the day to break into the 1’13s to go quickest of all. His team mate Sergio Perez went second with a lap almost three tenths slower, before Alonso improved to split the two Red Bulls. Lewis Hamilton briefly popped up to the top of the times in the updated Mercedes, beating Verstappen’s best by just one-thousandth of a second, before the championship leader shaved a tenth off his personal best to retake the top spot. Norris was sent out for his first laps in the McLaren 10 minutes into the session.

With just over 20 minutes remaining, Verstappen improved to a 1’12.462 to move back to the top of the times, a tenth of a second faster than Sainz’s previous benchmark. Leclerc improved to go just over half a tenth away from Verstappen into second place ahead of his team mate. Sainz continued to push on his soft tyres in an attempt to reclaim the fastest time, but he misjudged the exit of the Swimming Pool chicane and clipped the inside barrier, damaging his suspension and sending him into the outside barrier. With the Ferrari laying crashed at the side of the road, the red flags flew so Sainz’s car could be cleared.

‘Verstappen quickest’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/05/26/...-the-barriers/


(FP2) Second Practice Results – 2023 Monaco Grand Prix
26th May 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy

Results (Classification):
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -1:12.462
2. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.065
3. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.107
4. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.220
5. Lando Norris McLaren +0.444
6. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.498
7. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.529
8. Valtteri Bottas Alfa Romeo +0.588
9. Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.627
10. Esteban Ocon Alpine +0.700

‘Monaco Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the second practice session ahead of this weekend’s 2023 F1 World Championship race in Monaco’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp2-second...and-prix-82168


AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from second practice for the Monaco Grand Prix
26 May 2023
Becky Hart
Special Contributor.

‘AS IT HAPPENED’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...GYrat4MY2.html


How Friday practice for the F1 Monaco Grand Prix unfolded
26th May 2023.
Reporting By: Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net

The Monaco Grand Prix is the 'jewel in the crown' with many drivers desperate to win in the principality. Aston Martin and Ferrari are expected to be on the pace, while all eyes will be on Mercedes' new upgrade.

‘Friday practice’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/live/f1-mon...e-live-updates


Sainz crashes, Verstappen fastest – all the Monaco FP2 details
26th May 2023, 17:16
By Jack Cozens
The Race

Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen topped the second Monaco Grand Prix practice session ahead of the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, whose crash brought out a red flag in the final 20 minutes of the session. Key moments:
> Late red flag as Sainz hits Swimming Pool chicane wall
> Verstappen hits the front but Ferraris close behind
> Top 14 covered by one second
> Red flag limits Albon to 11 minutes on track

Verstappen’s session-best time, a 1m12.462s, put him a mere 0.065 seconds ahead of Leclerc though with Sainz also just 0.107s off. Alonso was fourth and within a quarter of a second of the pace too in his Aston Martin. He ended the session half a second up on team-mate Lance Stroll, who was outside the top 10.

Lando Norris put his McLaren an excellent fifth but was asked to abort his final run once the session resumed to abort his lap and minimise his throttle use on his way back to the pits. Norris, who’d earlier been delayed from starting his running while McLaren worked on the front end of his car, did not return to the track.

‘Key moments’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/monac...appen-fastest/


Monaco GP FP2: Max Verstappen tops tight session, Carlos Sainz crashes out
26 May 2023 5:00 PM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

Max Verstappen went fastest in FP2 for the Monaco GP, edging clear of both Ferrari drivers, though Carlos Sainz prompted a red flag with a crash late in the session. Verstappen set the fastest first sector of anybody, but weaved his way through slower cars on his fast lap and may have lost a little bit of time in doing so, going third quickest when he crossed the line.

But attempting a second run, the Red Bull driver put himself back to the top of the standings, a 1:12.462 nudging Sainz off P1, before Leclerc put himself between the Dutchman and his Ferrari team-mate.

A reminder of the perils of Monaco was there for Yuki Tsunoda, who clipped the wall on the entry of the Nouvelle Chicane and caused a puncture on his AlphaTauri. Shortly afterwards, however, Sainz prompted the red flag to be brought out by crashing into the inside wall on the second apex of the Swimming Pool section.

‘FP2: Max Verstappen tops tight session’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/monaco...23-fp2-report/

The most important pole fight of 2023 also looks like the hardest to call.
Just as last year’s Monaco qualifying demonstrated, every single flying lap counts when the threat of a sudden red flag remains constant. With hundredths or even thousandths of a second could determine whether a driver starts on pole, playing it safe is not an option.
26th May 2023, 21:59
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans

Given they have spent the first five race weekends of the 2023 season struggling to offer any serious threat to Red Bull’s supremacy, it was perhaps a little surprising how both Ferrari and Aston Martin arrived in Monaco full of confidence about their potential to put up a fight.

Ferrari’s Frederic Vasseur and Aston Martin’s Mike Krack had no interest in playing the cautious team principal role heading into Monte Carlo. Instead, both highlighted this weekend as one where the tight and twisty street circuit could offer the best chance yet for them to take on Red Bull. And based on what both teams showed during the opening practice day of the weekend, they had good reason to feel confident.

At the end of two hours of running, the margin between Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc at the top of the time sheets was just 0.065 seconds – a physical difference of almost exactly three metres at the timing line. Heading into the most important qualifying of the season, where pole position offers the greatest chance of victory of any race on the calendar, that is a margin Red Bull know they cannot feel comfortable with.

‘Hardest to call’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/05/26/...rdest-to-call/


Ferrari in the ascendancy as Alonso looms large in pole fight: Quali talking points
May 27th, 2023 10:06 am
Michael Lamonato from Fox Sports
Fox Sports (Australia)

Max Verstappen beat Charles Leclerc to top spot at the end of Friday practice at the Monaco Grand Prix, but this isn’t business as usual. Rather than Verstappen holding his regular large advantage over the field, the Dutchman was just 0.065 seconds quicker than the Monegasque.

With Carlos Sainz around 0.1 seconds off the pace and Fernando Alonso only 0.2 seconds adrift, hopes that the battle for pole — and therefore the battle for victory — would be unusually close around the peculiar Monte Carlo street circuit appear to be being realised. Red Bull Racing, though fastest by the end of the day, looks vulnerable.

“Compared to Ferrari especially we’re still a bit lacking on the general ride of the car, how it handles the kerbs, the bumps, the drops in camber,” Verstappen said. “That’s still something we need to work on for tomorrow, because you can see they are very, very close. Once you go to the limit in qualifying we need a bit more to stay ahead of them.”

‘Quali talking points’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...3431d12f5aab91


Could Monaco be the first grand prix Red Bull do not win this season?
Rivals eyeing chance to break dominance of Max Verstappen's team, whose floating victory pool has taken on a different look due to drought
26 May 2023 • 8:28pm
By Tom Cary, SENIOR SPORTS CORRESPONDENT, IN MONACO

If a Red Bull driver ends up winning this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix – they have dominated every other race so far this season – the victor will not be able to perform the team's now traditional celebratory leap into the pool on their floating Energy Station in the harbour.

Max Verstappen topping the timesheets in second practice on Friday may have had a familiar feel to it. But there are reasons to suggest this might be a track at which Verstappen and team-mate Sergio Perez are vulnerable. When you throw in the fact that this circuit does not particularly suit Red Bull’s challenger, which is at its best in medium- and high-speed corners, you have the potential for an upset.

“I've got no doubts or illusions that the challenge is going to be much greater this weekend,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner admitted on Friday. Their rivals, in particular Ferrari and Aston Martin, who looked very close in pace to Red Bull on Friday, are definitely interested. In a world where unicorns are floating in Red Bull’s pool, pigs might fly.

‘Verstappen and team-mate Sergio Perez are vulnerable’;

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/formula-...ewis-hamilton/


Wolff relieved by Mercedes pace: 'At least the car isn't worse'
26 May 8:00PM
Author Luke Murphy
RacingNews365

Toto Wolff was pleased by the benchmark set by the updated Mercedes cars, albeit with Lewis Hamilton still over half-a-second off the pace of Red Bull's Max Verstappen. "At least the upgraded car is not much worse than the car was before. That's a good sign for Monaco. For once, the car didn't do anything we don't like," Wolff told Sky Germany.

Toto Wolff says that the heavily-updated Mercedes W14 'isn't doing anything we don't like' after its debut at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix practice session. Mercedes Team Principal offered a tentatively-positive verdict on the updates, and suggested there were no major areas for concern.

When commenting on the closeness of the field ahead of qualifying, Wolff said: "In the end it's all going to be within two, three tenths."

'At least the car isn't worse';

https://racingnews365.com/wolff-reli...car-isnt-worse


Steiner gives HUGE Haas win prediction ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix.
Guenther Steiner has insisted that Haas will win Formula 1 races “at some stage”, admitting that he believes it is just a matter of time before one of their drivers takes the chequered flag in first place.
Friday 26 May 2023 23:27
Matthew Hobkinson
22:27 Fri, 26 May 2023.

Ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend, Haas are preparing for their 150th race as an F1 team since their debut in the sport came in Australia back in 2016.

“The present objective this year is to move up in the constructors’ championship from last year, getting better every year, it’s as simple as this,” he told the F1 Nation podcast.

“And at some stage we want to be winning races. I don’t know how far away it is and I’m not going to say it’s this season or next season, but at some stage, it will happen with Haas.”

‘HUGE Haas win prediction’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...aas-f1-monaco/


Brundle causes 'ANXIETY' for F1 fans during FP2 at Monaco GP
Friday 26 May 2023 19:14
Matthew Hobkinson
GPFans

Formula 1 fans could not hide their disbelief after Martin Brundle was pictured standing metres away from the cars as they raced around the track during FP2.

Brundle was on track for Sky Sports at the Nouvelle chicane to analyse the drivers during the second practice session. “It’s fascinating down here,” he told Sky Sports. “Seeing how the drivers use the furniture of the kerb to turn the car. If you look at the inside rear tyre [of the cars], it’s in the air!

“The car is jacked, it’s like a three-wheeler. The right-front [tyre] goes over the kerb, it jacks the car and the back then slides which positions the car beautifully for the exit so they can get the car as straight as possible, as early as possible, and get better traction.”

‘Has Martin Brundle got a death wish?? He’s inches away from those cars!’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ix-f1-anxiety/

Monaco GP FP3: Red Bull 1-2 as Lewis Hamilton crashes his new Mercedes.
With Race Control announcing that the session would not be restarted, FP3 ended with a 1-2 for Red Bull with Verstappen 0.073s ahead of Perez with Stroll third.
27 May 2023 12:35 PM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Max Verstappen topped a Red Bull 1-2 in final practice for the Monaco Grand Prix but none of the drivers were able to do a final flying lap after Lewis Hamilton brought out the reds when he crashed at Mirabeau.

The VSC came out only for Hamilton to then bring out the red flags shortly after the track action resumed with the Mercedes driver into the barrier at Mirabeau, damaging the front left of his revamped W14. The front left of his car’s wing was wedged into the barrier. “Sorry,” he said.

With Race Control announcing that the session would not be restarted, FP3 ended with a 1-2 for Red Bull with Verstappen 0.073s ahead of Perez with Stroll third. As for Hamilton, while he made his way back to the pits, his W14 was lifted high above the circuit giving Mercedes’ rivals a good look at the car’s new floor.

‘Race Control announcing’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/monaco...23-fp3-report/


(FP3) Third Practice Results – 2023 Monaco Grand Prix
27th May 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy

Results (Classification):
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -1:12.776
2. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.073
3. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +0.166
4. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.485
5. Lando Norris McLaren +0.620
6. Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.677
7. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.699
8. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.710
9. Esteban Ocon Alpine +0.720
10. Valtteri Bottas Alfa Romeo +0.745

‘Monaco Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the final practice session ahead of this weekend’s 2023 F1 World Championship race in Monaco’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp3-third-...and-prix-82181


AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from third practice for the Monaco Grand Prix
27 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site

‘AS IT HAPPENED’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...o8OxrdyFm.html


F1 Monaco Grand Prix - Qualifying - LIVE UPDATES!
27th May 2023, 11:34
Reporting By: Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net

It's Saturday at the Monaco Grand Prix which means it's time for the best qualifying session of the year.

‘Follow all the action from Monte Carlo here with the Crash.net live blog.’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/live/f1-mon...g-live-updates


Hamilton crashes, Red Bull 1-2 in final Monaco practice
27th May 2023, 12:45
By Josh Suttill
The Race

Max Verstappen topped the final Formula 1 practice session before qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton crashed his upgraded Mercedes, bringing the session to a premature end. Key moments:
> Late red flag as Hamilton crashes
> Verstappen fastest…but only by a narrow margin
> Top 16 covered by one second
> Magnussen stops Haas on track

Hamilton had an uncharacteristic crash with just over five minutes of FP3 remaining when he lost control of his W14 at Mirabeau right after setting the fastest first sector time. That caused a red flag and the session wasn’t resumed, preventing a flurry of late laps and leaving Verstappen as the final practice pacesetter on a 1m12.776s. He was 0.073s faster than Red Bull team-mate and defending Monaco GP winner Sergio Perez.

The top three was completed by the Aston Martin of Lance Stroll, who was just 0.166s slower than Verstappen. Stroll’s team-mate Fernando Alonso ended up 14th after he was denied a late flying lap by both Hamilton’s crash and Kevin Magnussen bringing his Haas to a halt just before Portier – an incident that triggered a virtual safety car period that only ended a few minutes before the red flag.

‘Key moments’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/hamil...naco-practice/


Monaco GP: Red Bull top final practice as Lewis Hamilton crash ends session early
27th May 2023, 13:00
By George Dagless
Give Me Sport

Red Bull took P1 and P2 in the final practice session of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend. There have been suggestions that this Sunday's race could be the first this season without a Red Bull driver on the top step of the podium, with them potentially a little more vulnerable in qualifying thus far this campaign compared to in the race.

In FP3, Max Verstappen was fastest from team-mate Sergio Perez, though Lance Stroll was not far behind in the Red Bull and he'd certainly create quite the story if he could repeat, or improve, that performance in a few hours from now.

Carlos Sainz was the fastest Ferrari, bouncing back nicely from his crash in FP2, whilst Lando Norris was fifth-quickest - another strong practice session for him after a good showing yesterday.

‘Red Bull: Potentially a little more vulnerable in qualifying’;

https://www.givemesport.com/monaco-g...inal-practice/


F1 Monaco GP: Max Verstappen fastest in messy final practice as Lewis Hamilton crashes upgraded Mercedes
27 May 2023
Lewis Larkam
Crash.Net

Max Verstappen set the pace in a truncated final practice at the F1 Monaco Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton crashed his upgraded Mercedes car. Reigning world champion Verstappen pipped Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez by just 0.073s to top a crucial final hour of practice ahead of what is arguably the most important qualifying of the season.

But a true picture of the competitive picture was skewed after the closing stages of FP3 were interrupted by several stoppages that prevented drivers from improving. Hamilton had just set the fastest first sector of anyone before he slid into the barriers at Mirabeau, causing damage to his newly-revised W14 and bringing the session to an early end.

‘True competitive picture was skewed’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/102695...raded-mercedes

Verstappen denies Alonso Monaco GP pole, Perez crashes in Q1.
Formula 1 championship leader Max Verstappen denied Fernando Alonso a sensational Monaco Grand Prix pole, while his Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez crashed out of qualifying early on.
May 27 2023
By Valentin Khorounzhiy
The Race

Verstappen hardly took it easy after Perez’s exit – he grazed the wall at Antony Nogues in Q1 and topped the first and the second segment – but the pole shoot-out brought a stern challenge. The championship leader was only fifth after his initial attempt and though he went quickest after giving it another go on the same set, he was sensationally dethroned almost immediately by the Alpine of Esteban Ocon.

By the time Verstappen had come out on his second Q3 set of softs, he was fifth again – moved down also by Alonso and the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. Yet he struck back again at the very last moment, overcoming a deficit to Alonso after the first two sectors with a sensational final sector to record a pole-clinching 1m11.365s – despite tagging the wall during the lap.

Alonso settled for a front row spot, ahead of home hero Leclerc and Ocon – who’d smacked the wall at Ste Devote earlier but got away with it. Leclerc is under investigation for an impeding incident involving McLaren’s Lando Norris.

‘Sensational final sector’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/verst...crashes-in-q1/


Qualifying Results – 2023 Monaco Grand Prix
27th May 2023
by Emer Hedderman

Results (Classification):
Q3
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -1:11.365
2. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.084
3. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.106
4. Esteban Ocon Alpine +0.188
5. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.265
6. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.360
7. Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.568
8. George Russell Mercedes +0.599
9. Lando Norris McLaren +0.717
10. Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri +0.889

‘Monaco Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from qualifying ahead of tomorrow’s 2023 F1 World Championship race from Monaco’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/qualifying...and-prix-82184


LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix
27 May 2023
Becky Hart.
Special Contributor
Formula One - Official Site

‘As It Happened’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...TK6aGVwQa.html


How qualifying for the F1 Monaco Grand Prix unfolded
27th May 2023.
Reporting By: Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net

It's Saturday at the Monaco Grand Prix which means it's time for the best qualifying session of the year.

‘Follow all the action from Monte Carlo here with the Crash.net live blog’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/live/f1-mon...g-live-updates


Verstappen claims Monaco pole in STUNNING shootout
Saturday 27 May 2023 17:31
Joe Ellis
GPFans

Max Verstappen left it until the final seconds to take a sensational pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix. In the most important qualifying sessions of the year, thanks to the nature of the circuit making it difficult to overtake, the double world champion finally found a way to overcome a rapid Fernando Alonso.

A time of 1:11:365 was more than good enough to claim pole position, giving him a very good chance of victory and a substantial championship lead. Alongside him on the narrowest grid of the season will be Alonso, who looked likely to take pole before a stunning final sector from Verstappen.

Perez throws it away. With just seven minutes on the clock, Sergio Perez crashed out of qualifying at Sainte Devote, damaging his Red Bull car and bringing out the red flag. A rear-end slide saw his RB19 slam into the tyre wall and end his qualifying day there and then, even though he was fifth fastest at the time of the crash. It means starting way down in the field at the most difficult-to-overtake track in the world, leaving the chances of even points slim at best.

‘STUNNING shootout’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ix-qualifying/


Verstappen snatches pole position from Alonso in thrilling Monaco GP qualifying session
27 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen will start the Monaco Grand Prix from pole position after coming out on top in a breathless qualifying hour at the Monte Carlo circuit, pipping Aston Martin rival Fernando Alonso and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

In a pole shootout that did not feature Verstappen’s team mate, Sergio Perez, who crashed out of Q1, several drivers had spells at the top of the timesheets amid a sequence of laps that had fans on the edge of their seats.

With Alonso on provisional pole, it took a mighty effort of 1m 11.365s from Verstappen to secure P1, denying the Spaniard what would have been his first pole since the 2012 season by just under a tenth of a second.

‘Verstappen snatches pole’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...Y3G8ESZJ9.html


Fernando Alonso aims cheeky dig at Max Verstappen after losing out on Monaco GP pole
Fernando Alonso just missed out on securing pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix.
16:30, Sat, May 27, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express

Fernando Alonso has fired a cheeky dig at Max Verstappen after the Red Bull star pipped him to Monaco Grand Prix pole. The Aston Martin star claimed Verstappen had been “inconsistent” and prayed he would struggle again in the Principality on Sunday. “Max has been a little bit inconsistent so maybe it's one of those bad ones tomorrow."

Alonso missed out on pole by less than a tenth of a second after a thrilling qualifying session but the Spaniard was confident the team could still challenge. He added: "I feel good. Obviously pole position means a lot in Monaco but today Max was a little bit faster, which is a shame.”

"I think first row on the grid here for us is quite a big thing. The last sector seemed to be our weakest point on the circuit. Let's see tomorrow what we can do in terms of strategy, if there is any weather coming. We will try to win it.”

‘EL PLAN: Strategy to win it’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...rix-qualifying