2024 Formula 1 Preview & Review.

[Fortitude]

Bottas: ‘With our strategy the timing of the Safety Car was the worst possible’.
Valtteri Bottas said he “tried something different” with his strategy in Miami – but his plan was undone by the mid-race Safety Car, leaving him down in P16 at the flag.
05 May 2024
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

‘Worst possible’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/video/bo...55954742902934


Bottas hopes Miami ‘an outlier’ for Kick Sauber as Zhou laments ‘real struggle’ all weekend
08 May 2024
Formula One - Official Site

Reflecting on setting off and finishing in 16th, Bottas said: “Of course, the starting position wasn’t the best, so I think it was good to try something different. Then, honestly, with that strategy, the timing of the Safety Car was the worst possible.

“It’s unfortunate… I think it was good to try but ultimately we didn’t quite have the pace today that I thought we would, so plenty of learnings to take from this weekend.”

He added: “I hope this was an outlier. In the last two events we’ve been in a better place. Again, the next race [at Imola] is a very different track, so with some new bits on the car then we’ll see again. But it is tight, you know, and small gains can make a big difference.”

‘Real struggle’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...B1EOvzkLzuo6AX


Bottas hopes Miami performance was an “outlier” for Sauber
13th May 2024, 0:01
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans

Valtteri Bottas admits that he was disappointed with the performance of his team in last weekend’s Miami Grand Prix weekend. Bottas finished 14th in the sprint race and 16th in the grand prix after multiple penalties for drivers ahead. He says he is anticipating a stronger performance in this weekend’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.

“I hope [Miami] was an outlier,” he said. “In the last two events, we’ve been in a better place. The next race is at a very different track. So with some new bits on the car, then we’ll see again. But it is tight and small gains can make a big difference.”

‘Outlier for Sauber’;

https://www.racefans.net/2024/05/13/...nd-up-13-05-7/


Sauber: Bottas' race engineer switch tied to Audi forward planning
16:48 Fri, 10 May 2024.
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

Sauber representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi has revealed that the team’s decision ahead of the Miami Grand Prix to swap Valtteri Bottas' race engineer was a move dictated by Audi's forward planning ahead of its full works entry into Formula 1 in 2026.

Bottas had worked alongside engineer Alex Chan since joining Sauber in 2022 and was informed ahead of last weekend’s race that Steven Petrick, a former performance engineer with Ferrari, would be taking Chan’s place.

The move hinted at a bigger picture, with Bottas himself suggesting it was part of a larger "reconstruction" initiative by the Swiss outfit in preparation for Audi's official arrival in 2026. The Finn seemed none too pleased with the decision, but Alunni Bravi confirmed the reason behind the change decided by Sauber CEO Andreas Seidl.

‘The Finn seemed none too pleased’;

https://f1i.com/news/507527-sauber-b...-planning.html


Sauber-Audi defends sudden Bottas change
MAY 14, 2024
GrandPrix.com

Audi-owned Sauber has defended its decision to appoint a new race engineer for Valtteri Bottas as of the last Formula 1 race in Miami. I think that's a question for the team, he said when asked why his engineer since 2022, Alex Chan, had suddenly been assigned to a different post in Miami.

It was quite a sudden change, Bottas added, "but obviously trying to make the most of it. I think it's part of the kind of reconstruction of the team. And yeah, so I don't do those decisions.”

The Finn admits that he isn't sure what his next move in F1 will be, having also declared that Audi signing Nico Hulkenberg for 2025 and beyond was surprising and early. I don't know, said Bottas. I'm obviously speaking to multiple teams, some talks have advanced more than the others. So we'll see.”

‘New race engineer’;

https://www.grandprix.com/news/saube...as-change.html


Bottas in talks with 2 teams as Audi prioritises F1 rival
Fri 3 May 2024 12:00
Kyle Archer
F1 Oversteer

Sauber star Valtteri Bottas is now in active talks with two rival Formula 1 teams about a switch for 2025 as Audi is prioritising a different driver to join with Nico Hulkenberg.

Valtteri Bottas is in talks with Williams about a move to the F1 team in 2025. Williams may have an opening beside Alex Albon for Bottas to fill in 2025 as Logan Sargeant is out of contract after 2024. The Grove squad only gave Sargeant a single-year contract last December to stay for a second season after the 23-year-old’s rookie campaign last term.

Bottas would offer Williams an experienced driver they know well from his days there from 2013 and 2016. The Finn made his Formula 1 debut with them at the Australian GP in 2013 and entered 78 races with them, before replacing Nico Rosberg at Mercedes through 2021.

‘Bottas in talks’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/sau...ises-f1-rival/


Valtteri Bottas hit with grid penalty for the Miami Sprint
10:02 Sat, 04 May 2024.
By Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

The full statement read: "The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 81 (Oscar Piastri), the driver of Car 77 (Valtteri Bottas), team representatives and reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video, timing, telemetry, team radio and in-car video evidence and determined that the driver of Car 77 unnecessarily impeded Car 81 during the Sprint Qualifying.

"On the straight before Turn 1, Car 77 was being driven slowly on the racing line after finishing a fast lap, while Car 81 was approaching on a fast lap. Car 81 and Car 77 needed to take evasive action to avoid a collision. The primary responsibility rests with the driver to ensure that he does not place himself in a position whereby he unnecessarily impedes another driver. Here Car 77 was driving slowly on the racing line and caused to the situation that ensued.”

"However, during the hearing both team and driver of Car 77 admitted that the team had not warned the driver of Car 77 that Car 81 was approaching on a fast lap. That was obviously an error on the team’s part and contributed significantly to the incident"

‘Grid penalty for the Miami Sprint’;

https://www.f1technical.net/news/24518

[Fortitude]

Stroll on P17 finish: ‘We were on the back foot all weekend’.
Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll lamented the timing of the Safety Car during the Miami Grand Prix, which he said “finished” his race, since he’d pitted earlier in a bit to undercut Yuki Tsunoda.
05 May 2024
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

‘On the back foot’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/video/st...53866936860821


Aston Martin slapped with fine by Miami GP stewards
The fine is due to an incident involving Lance Stroll.
3 May 7:59PM
Jake Nichol
RacingNews365

Aston Martin has been fined €400 by Miami Grand Prix stewards for Lance Stroll speeding in the pit-lane during the sole practice session. In Miami, the pit-lane speed limit is 80kph - 49.7mph, but the Canadian was clocked at 83.5kph - 51.8mph, exceeding it by 3.5kph or 2.1mph.

This was a breach of Article 49.7 of the sporting regulations, with the competitor fined €400. Stroll finished a strong fifth in the session for the team, but team-mate Fernando Alonso struggled, taking 19th of 20 runners, but slowest as Charles Leclerc only completed three laps before a spin which ended his session early and triggered red flags.

‘Slapped with fine’;

https://racingnews365.com/aston-mart...mi-gp-stewards


These upgrades could make or break Aston Martin’s season
May 14, 2024
Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
Last Word On Sports

Aston Martin has experienced mixed results in 2024, but this weekend’s Imola GP should provide more clarity on their capabilities. In the fourth round of the year in Japan, Aston Martin introduced their first set of upgrades. At face value, they seemed to yield reasonable results.

Fernando Alonso was contending with Ferrari and McLaren in qualifying, whilst the AMR24 showed improved tyre conservation during the Grand Prix. Unfortunately for the Silverstone-based team, the evidence since then has been far less optimistic. Generally speaking, the car overseen by Dan Fallows has the opposite characteristics of its predecessor. On Saturdays, the car performs at a high level, contending for the top 6 – although rarely for Pole Position.

Upgrades for Aston Martin. Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will receive updates this weekend. Aston Martin will introduce the second part of the package initially introduced in Japan. Speaking bluntly, the enthusiasm and expectations surrounding the AMR24’s modifications are not especially high. The British squad’s development since the start of 2023 has been significantly worse than that of its immediate rivals — and even teams further down the field.

‘Make or break’;

https://lastwordonsports.com/motorsp...artins-season/


Why Aston Martin abandoned low-drag F1 rear wing update in Miami
Aston Martin has explained that the sensitive nature of tyres at last weekend’s Miami Grand Prix prompted it to elect against running its all-new Formula 1 rear wing design.
10:25 Wed, 08 May 2024.
Jonathan Noble
Matt Somerfield
Motorsport.com

The Silverstone-based squad brought a new lower drag rear wing to Miami in the hope that a better straightline speed would help it in the fight against its rivals. However, despite running it in practice, Aston Martin went back to its more usual configuration – which inevitably made things harder for its drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll when it came to racing.

Speaking about why the team had abandoned a design that had been specifically created for the track, team principal Mike Krack explained that the choice was prompted by the lower downforce level triggering more sliding from the tyres. Krack said: “It was more a decision that you make based on tyre behaviour. If you have a lot of sliding, you really weigh up downforce against top speed.”

“This is a permanent discussion in the office about whether to go up, or to go down. The drivers have their opinions because they have to try and pass - so we made that choice. If we started again, maybe the choice would be different. But the wing choice in the end was not the decisive factor.”

‘Low-drag F1 rear wing update abandoned’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/w...wing/10608275/


Lawrence Stroll offers ‘phenomenal’ Mercedes target £407k-a/w to join Aston Martin
Sat 27 April 2024 14:00
Kyle Archer
F1 Oversteer

Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll has tabled an eye-watering offer to tempt one of Toto Wolff’s targets for Mercedes to join his Formula 1 team yet it may not be enough. The Canadian billionaire is desperate to turn the Silverstone outfit he initially bought back in 2018 into a success. Stroll led a consortium to buy Force India before also bringing the Aston Martin name back to Formula 1 in 2021. He even tempted Fernando Alonso to join and stay.

Now, Stroll wants to convince another F1 legend to join Aston Martin, too. Aston Martin and Mercedes are fighting to hire Adrian Newey. That is according to Corriere della Sera, which reports that Stroll has made Adrian Newey an offer to switch Red Bull for Aston Martin. Yet even Stroll’s offer of €25m-a-year (£407k-/w) might not be enough to convince Newey to join Aston Martin.

Corriere della Sera adds that those close to Newey feel retirement, even just partial, from racing is possible to spend more time on his other interests such as sailing. Signing Newey would be huge for Aston Martin or Mercedes ahead of Formula 1 introducing new engine and technical regulations in 2026. Both teams are miles away from fighting Red Bull at the front of the field right now. Aston Martin are also still to win a race in Formula 1.

‘An eye-watering offer’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/law...-aston-martin/

[Fortitude]

Breaking: Albon signs new multi-year F1 contract.
Another piece of the driver market puzzle has fallen into place as Alex Albon has committed to a new multi-year contract. "I am incredibly happy to be remaining with Williams Racing and to continue working with such a talented and dedicated team of people,” Albon said.
15 May 2024
Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365

Alex Albon has committed his Formula 1 future to the Williams team, signing a multi-year extension with the Grove-based squad. The new deal will take Albon into the new era of technical regulations, which come into play in 2026.

“It has been a difficult start to the year but since joining Williams we have made significant progress together and I have seen the huge changes happening behind the scenes to take us back to the front of the grid.”

“This is a long-term project that I really believe in and want to play a key role in which is why I have signed a multi-year contract. The journey will take time but I am confident we are building the right team to move forward and achieve great things in the years to come.”

‘Happy’;

https://racingnews365.com/breaking-a...ar-f1-contract


Alex Albon convinced Williams “on the right path”
May 14, 2024
Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
Last Word On Sports

Williams is in the middle of its first blip in form under James Vowles’s leadership. The former Mercedes strategist is overseeing a series of changes that he believes are necessary for long-term success. Unfortunately, as the 44-year-old has explained, this often comes at the cost of immediate performance. As Williams undergoes this process, Alex Albon remains optimistic about the future.

The British outfit is yet to score points in 2024, which is undoubtedly a difficult pill to swallow. Still, Alex Albon is still hopeful that progress is on the horizon: “I have a lot of trust in James and know that he’s making the right decisions and that it is the right path,” Motorsport-total quotes him as saying.”

“We lacked pace and were a little late with our updates. I believe the team is strong and healthy – I have a feeling there will be an improvement. It’s always nice when it happens straight away, but James is the right man for this job. There is definitely progress.”

“Right path”;

https://lastwordonsports.com/motorsp...he-right-path/


Why is a 'champion-level' F1 driver committing to a point-less team?
May 15, 2024
Scott Mitchell-Malm, Edd Straw
The Race

Why has a driver linked with Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes over the past year committed to a point-less Formula 1 team that has had an incredibly underwhelming first few months of 2024? The Williams FW46 is a better car than last year’s, yet paradoxically has yet to score a point – something the team hopes to start to change with the first of a series of upgrades at Imola this weekend.

By producing a car that is ‘better’ – as in more consistent across a wide range of tracks rather than being ‘overpowered’ on certain tracks and strong on the straights – this has made it more difficult to score. “That’s a fair assessment,” said Albon when The Race put it to him that the Williams is more of an all-rounder than the 2023 car but lacking in the peaks that make it easier to score points.

“Corner to corner, for the most part, it’s better. There are definitely areas where it’s a little more unstable than last year, but that’s just the philosophy we went down. There is performance on the table. When and if we can unlock it, I do believe we can score points regularly. We’re balancing a little bit of just lack of upgrades - we’ve been late since the shakedown and we haven’t really put out a decent update at all this year so far, so we’re falling behind.”

‘Why?’

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/a...ontract-logic/


Williams F1 News: Alex Albon Confirms Future After Non-Committal Comments
May 15, 2024
Lydia Mee
Sports Contributing Writer
Newsweek

After recent ambiguous remarks about his future, Alex Albon has officially signed a multi-year extension with Williams Racing. Alex Albon has dispelled uncertainties surrounding his tenure at Williams Racing by signing a multi-year contract extension. Although the length of the contract has not been confirmed, it will see him into the next regulation change in 2026. Williams Racing's commitment to Albon is equally firm, with Team Principal Vowles highlighting the importance of Albon's continuity. He commented in the same press release:

"We are delighted to secure Alex's long-term future with Williams Racing. He has exceptional talent, technical input and dedication to the cause and this is a huge vote of confidence in Williams and the journey back to competitiveness that we are on. Since joining, Alex has consistently demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure, and signing him for the long-term is a big piece of the puzzle of moving us up the grid."

‘Future confirmed’;

https://www.newsweek.com/sports/form...0795?piano_t=1


WATCH: ‘I believe in this journey’ – Albon discusses multi-year contract extension with Williams Team Principal James Vowles
May 15, 2024
Formula One - Official Site

With Alex Albon having put pen to paper on a multi-year extension that will see him remain at Williams into Formula 1’s new regulations era in 2026, the Thai driver sat down with Williams Team Principal James Vowles to discuss what it means for the Grove-based squad.

“Doing this is a huge vote of confidence for the team,” Vowles tells Albon. “You saw the reaction [from the team] downstairs. That’s a better reaction than when I joined actually… You were in demand, and rightly so.”

“I know we’ve really only put pen to paper not so long ago,” says Albon, “but in the process it’s been about trying to use this as a shift to everyone, to try and motivate everyone. I’m hoping the fact that I believe in this team, to everyone at the factory – that’s reason in itself to realise that we all can do this and I feel like, and I hope, I can give that reassurance in some ways to everyone to know that I believe in this journey, so you should too.”

“I believe”;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...IhsjqxCoSORRX9


James Vowles sends message to Alex Albon after confirming Williams contract extension
15 May 2024
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Williams star Alex Albon has confirmed he’s signed a new contract with the team much to the delight of team principal James Vowles. The 2024 Formula 1 driver’s market Is incredibly volatile at this stage and Alex Albon is one of the few positives from the past 18 months for Williams.

James Vowles keen to build Williams project around Alex Albon. Posting on Instagram after the announcement, Vowles said: “Our project is not one of a year, but a transformation across many seasons as we fight back up the field.

“I am pleased to announce that Alex will be by our side for that journey, signing a multi-year deal to remain with Williams. I have had the fortune of knowing Alex for many years, he showed the world what he is capable of in 2023 and I cannot wait for us to build this team together over the years to come.”

“By our side”;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/jam...act-extension/


Alex Albon commits long-term future to Williams as Mercedes forced to look elsewhere
Alex Albon has committed his long-term future to Williams, having enjoyed a successful two years with the team since returning to the sport in 2022 as boss James Vowles looks to change their fortunes
15 May 2024
By Jacob Leeks Senior Sports Reporter
The Mirror

Alex Albon has signed a multi-year contract with Williams to commit his long-term future to the storied team. Albon is in his third season with the English team and has become their lead driver, scoring 31 points since taking on the seat. His performances had impressed many pundits, with rival teams also eyeing moves for him ahead of next season.

Williams will be relieved to tie down their top driver, as their overhaul under the watch of team principal James Vowles continues. In a statement announcing Albon's new deal, they insisted it shows there is a 'shared belief' the team can return to the top of the sport.

‘Looking elsewhere’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...tract-32814377


Our verdict on Albon's renewed Williams F1 commitment
Alex Albon has been tied down to Williams on a long-term deal - hear what the team at RacingNews365 make of the major commitment.
15 May 2024
RacingNews365 Staff
RacingNews365

Jake Nichol - Albon didn't have any other choice. In the end, Albon didn't have anywhere else to go and re-signing with Williams was the best, and only choice, he had.

Fergal Walsh - The best of a tricky situation. Albon's position in the driver market saga cooled off greatly once James Vowles made it clear he had a deal in place already for the 2025 season.

Samuel Coop - A benefit for Williams, rather than Albon. In some ways, I’m surprised and maybe even a bit disappointed – not that it is my place to be. Alex Albon has more than proven himself since joining Williams and his talents are arguably not being fully utilised there – his form warrants a more competitive seat, and he was surely pushing for one.

‘Our verdict’;

https://racingnews365.com/our-verdic...-f1-commitment

[Fortitude]

‘You can’t be proud’ – Guenther Steiner’s damning verdict of his former driver’s antics.
“As a driver, you can’t be proud if you ruin someone else’s race” Guenther Steiner says Kevin Magnussen “can’t be proud” of his controversial tactics in the Miami Sprint, and proposed an interesting punishment for such antics.
Michelle Foster
13 May 2024

As of this season the Formula 1 drivers now receive a 10-second penalty if they gain an advantage by going off track, up on last year’s five seconds.

However, in the wake of Magnussen’s tactics, which he also used at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to thwart Yuki Tsunoda, Steiner has proposed that repeat offenders in one race receive a drive-through penalty. That, he argues, then takes them out of the mix and releases the other driver.

“Once you get the first ten seconds, it doesn’t matter whether you get another ten seconds. That’s why a drive-through penalty is definitely noticeable,” he said. “You then have to take this penalty within a few laps and then you’re gone and can’t cause any further trouble.”

‘Can’t be proud’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/guenth...n-miami-antics


Kevin Magnussen antics “over the limit” as race ban looms
“When you are running off the track and taking the other car with you, it’s not particularly sporting."
10 May 2024
James Dielhenn
Crash.Net

Kevin Magnussen’s tactics at the F1 Miami Grand Prix have been criticised as “over the limit”. A penalty-laden weekend in Miami saw Haas driver Magnussen hit with four penalties in the sprint race alone, for his defending against Lewis Hamilton. But his blunt honesty about the tactics used to stop Hamilton - and the Mercedes driver’s response - caught the eye.

“Over the limit”;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/104805...race-ban-looms


Chris Harris on F1: All Hail Kevin Magnussen, the Chaos King of Miami
07 May 2024.
Chris Harris
Motorsport.com

Lando Norris may have taken home his long-awaited first victory, but K-MAG made his presence known. K-MAG isn’t the Copenhagen street corner rap artist his nick-name suggests, but a pugnacious driver for the Haas team whose evangelical need to defend positions in F1 often leads him into trouble. And so it was in Saturday’s sprint race where he became embroiled in a heated dog-fight with Lewis Hamilton for the final point.

Hamilton’s Mercedes clearly had the ECU chip from a 2018 E63 S, because it wasn’t much faster than the sedan down the back straight, allowing K-MAG to render any DRS assistance useless. And so began one of those see-saw battles predicated on two cars with vastly varied levels of performance on different parts of the track. This continued for so many laps that we all but forgot Hamilton had been incredibly fortunate not to be penalized for understeering into a couple of Astons and ultimately ending Lando’s sprint race.

The television director clearly agreed—Haas’s small band of advertisers must have been whooping for joy as Verstappen and the fast crew were ignored in favor of Magnussen doing whatever was humanly possible, short of lobbing nails out of his cockpit, to keep Lewis behind him. Sprint race naysayers should at this point have admitted it was a far better spectacle than any free practice session

‘K-MAG’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/c...king/10607915/


The sad decline of Kevin Magnussen: Can Haas do better than F1 2024’s enforcer?
10 May 2024
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com

Just over a decade ago – in an F1 world before Max Verstappen, if such a thing can be believed – the esteemed driver coach Rob Wilson was asked a question. Which drivers, of the 22 full-timers on the 2014 grid, did he deem most likely to join the holy trinity of Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton in the years to come?

The names Wilson proposed, both clients of his at the time, may come as a surprise all these years on. The first? Valtteri Bottas, The second? Kevin Magnussen, who confirmed Wilson’s lofty expectations just weeks later by finishing on the podium in his first grand prix appearance for McLaren in Australia.

Where did it all go wrong? It is not difficult to hone in on that in the case of Magnussen, his development criminally stunted by the chaotic early years of his career when he was dropped by McLaren at the end of his debut season, let go by the team entirely (on his birthday, if you please) in 2015 and squeezed out of Renault after one year in 2016. By the time he finally washed up at Haas in 2017, it was already much too late for him to be the racing driver he really could have been.

‘Decline’;

https://www.planetf1.com/features/ke...4-decline-haas


Kevin Magnussen’s three-word responses with driver in serious danger of F1 race ban
06 May 2024
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Taking his job in protecting Nico Hulkenberg’s seventh place to the limit, and then over it, two of those penalties came when the Dane went off the track to keep Lewis Hamilton behind him. When all was said and done after the 19 laps he had 35 seconds worth of time penalties, three penalty points added to his Super Licence, and was facing a charge of unsportsmanlike behaviour.

Fulfilling the obligatory media commitments after the Grand Prix, Magnussen was asked for his view on the penalty: “I better not [say].” Told he clearly was not happy, he said: “No.” Asked if the penalty was incorrect: “Better not comment.”

He most definitely does not want to comment on Andrea Stella’s call for him to be banned for a weekend: “You’re right.” And does he feel clarification of the rules is needed? “Yeah.”

‘Responses’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/kevin-...ami-gp-weekend


Does Magnussen deserve to be one penalty away from a race ban?
12th May 2024, 11:55
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans

What makes Magnussen’s situation all the more remarkable is that he began the year with a spotless superlicence. He avoided picking up a single point throughout the whole of 2023. The trouble began at the second round of the season in Saudi Arabia, when he squeezed Alexander Albon into the wall on the approach to turn four. Following new guidelines devised over the off-season, the stewards duly handed Magnussen a ten-second time penalty for the clash as well as three penalty points – one more than most collisions incurred last season.

Magnussen also received an additional 10-second penalty in the same race for leaving the track and gaining and advantage as he desperately fought to back the pack up to benefit team mate Nico Hulkenberg ahead but received no points for that second incident. He was brought in front of the stewards again in the fifth grand prix of the year in China after colliding with Yuki Tsunoda at turn six after the Safety Car restart.

But last weekend in Miami Magnussen found himself in constant trouble. During the sprint race he dropped out of DRS range of his team mate ahead when Hulkenberg missed the chicane just before the detection zone. As a result, Magnussen became the head of a train of cars and resorted to some questionable tactics in a bid to protect Hulkenberg from the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Tsunoda, running out of track limits several times to stem the tide.

‘For and Against’;

https://www.racefans.net/2024/05/12/...om-a-race-ban/


Kevin Magnussen: Hard But Fair Driving? Or Too Extreme?
May 8, 2024
Aaron Teasdale
World In Sport

Kevin Magnussen, a driver full of sheer grit and determination has proven to be a ferocious force on track. So far this season Kevin has shown to resort to the team game by supporting not only his team Haas but also his teammate; Nico Hülkenberg. To score points for the Amercian-based team. But playing the team game has also upset drivers around him due to the tactics the Danish driver resorts to. But is Magnussen’s driving style a boost that makes track action exciting? Or too extreme for the safety of the drivers on track.

‘Hard Or Extreme?’;

https://worldinsport.com/kevin-magnu...r-too-extreme/


FIA looking to bring in harsher penalties after Magnussen’s incidents in Miami
Kevin Magnussen amassed nearly a minute's worth of penalties throughout the Miami Grand Prix, sparking discussions about the need for harsher penalties
May 15, 2024
Caitlyn Gordon
FormulaNerds

‘FIA looking’;

https://www.formulanerds.com/news/fi...ents-in-miami/


Why Magnussen is not guaranteed a Haas contract extension
May 8, 2024
Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
Last Word On Sports

Only a few weeks ago, Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu defended Magnussen for his incident with Tsunoda in China. Komatsu argued that his driver was excessively punished for what should have been chalked off as a racing incident. No such defence came last weekend, though, with Kevin Magnussen receiving an unprecedented number of penalties in just two days.

The Danish driver’s antics in Miami are unlikely to have helped his chances. Indeed, The Race reports that Haas never asked Magnussen to defend Hamilton so aggressively. This is consistent with team radio messages during the Sprint, which did not see Haas call upon the Dane to engage in the extreme type of defence he first displayed in Jeddah.

‘Not guaranteed a Haas contract extension’;

https://lastwordonsports.com/motorsp...act-extension/

[Fortitude]

'I left home at 12 to chase my F1 dream - now I'm in danger of losing my job'.
Logan Sargeant moved from the United States to Europe aged just 12 to kickstart his path to Formula One, but after just six races in his sophomore year in the series, the 23-year-old is facing an uphill battle to retain his drive beyond the summer break.
10:00, Sun, May 12, 2024
By Harry Smith
Daily and Sunday Express

Sargeant took part in three F3 campaigns with three different teams, starting out with Carlin before losing out to Piastri and Theo Pourchaire in an intense title battle with Prema Racing. However, from there, instead of graduating to the F2 grid, he moved to perennial backmarkers Charouz for an underwhelming campaign.

After making some stand-in appearances in F2 with HWA Racelab at the end of 2021, he made his full F2 debut with Carlin, finishing fourth before graduating into F1 with the help of the Williams Driver Academy, replacing Nicholas Latifi. None of this would have been possible without a move to Europe at a young age though. Speaking to Motor Sport last year about the choices his family faced, he explained:

“We had to make that decision to come here. We were looking where the best competition was and it was always Europe, Europe, Europe, Europe. That’s all you heard. That’s where you had to be if you wanted to go up against the best. That was simply the only motivation towards moving over here and see where that led. I don’t think it was totally focused on F1, there are so many great series out there. But this was the peak we were going for.”

‘Left home at 12’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...nt-Williams-F1


Logan Sargeant: The Uncertainty of His Future
May 15, 2024
By Aaron Teasdale
World In Sport

Logan Sargeant, the young American driver, entered the 2024 Formula 1 season with high expectations. As the first American to compete full-time in F1 since Alexander Rossi in 2015, Sargeant carried the hopes of a nation eager to see its flag represented at the pinnacle of motorsport.

His journey to F1, marked by perseverance and impressive performances in junior categories, set the stage for a highly anticipated rookie season with Williams Racing. However, as the season has unfolded, Sargeant’s performance has been a blend of promise and inconsistency, leading to questions about his future in the sport.

‘The Uncertainty’;

https://worldinsport.com/logan-sarge...of-his-future/


Logan Sargeant “just looking for that last tenth” of pace
May 13, 2024
Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
Last Word On Sports

Sargeant is happy with his level. At least, this is how some might see the Williams driver’s campaign so far. Speaking to the media in Miami, he revealed that he is relatively satisfied with his current form:

“If I look since Australia, I feel like it’s been going relatively well, from a pace front,” motorsport.com quotes him as saying. [In] Japan, getting almost everything out of it. Of course, China was disappointing, but here [at Miami on Saturday], I feel like I did a good job. So… just looking for that last tenths.” Some might disagree with Sargeant’s generally positive assessment. After all, he crashed out on multiple occasions in Japan and has yet to match his teammate’s level.

Of course, Sargeant is still very much in the race. There is still time for the youngster to prove himself to the Grove-based team. With that said, the evidence accumulated over the last twelve months does not indicate he is faster – or has more potential – than some of the free agents on the market. This will force Sargeant to improve his level and change the narrative in the upcoming rounds.

“Llast tenth”;

https://lastwordonsports.com/motorsp...tenth-of-pace/


‘Not sure has the staying power’ – More Logan Sargeant doubts emerge with US dream fading
13 May 2024 10:30 AM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Despite having three Grands Prix on the calendar, America needs an American driver to get behind and Danica Patrick doesn’t believe Logan Sargeant is the man for the job. Former IndyCar and NASCAR driver Patrick doesn’t believe Sargeant is the driver who can inspire American fans.

“I can say that a driver that’s an American and finishing better would be a positive, it would be more storylines,” said the Sky Sports pundit. “I don’t think they have to win but much more competitive and getting points. I’m not sure that Logan really has staying power with what’s going on. I think it’ll be somebody else. Andretti getting a team could definitely help.”

“Although there are plenty of American fans that love Sergio and Lando and Max and there’s still tonnes of people that love these drivers that aren’t American. But what it would do is it would ramp up the marketing and the media exposure here in America, which would just add another layer of exposure, and of course, draw more fans in.”

‘Staying power’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/logan-...wer-questioned


American F1 fans fume as US Williams driver Logan Sargeant crashes out of home race after Kevin Magnussen spins him off the track
• Magnussen - a 31-year-old veteran of 10 years - collided into Sargeant on lap 28
• He was eventually given a 10-second time penalty for the wreck by race officials
• DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Published: 23:44, 5 May 2024
By Alastair Talbot
MailOnline

American Formula One fans are fuming on social media as Williams' US driver Logan Sargeant crashed out of his home race at the Miami Grand Prix after Denmark's Kevin Magnussen spun him off track.
'Being a Logan Sargeant enthusiast means suffering every single race weekend,' a user on X reacted to her favorite driver abandoning Sunday's race due to the crash.

'We really can't catch a f***king break.'
Another shared: 'Logan Sargeant has suffered more than Jesus Christ.'

Meanwhile someone else said after the wreck: 'Yeeeah that's probably that for Logan Seargeant. Never forget #F1 #MiamiGP.'
'Homerace heartbreak,' a Sargeant fan page tweeted along with heartbreak emoji.

‘American F1 fans fume’;

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


Sargeant told to 'earn your place' as Antonelli threat lurks
Logan Sargeant's long-term future is in doubt at Williams, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli touted as a replacement.
11 May 2024, 8:30PM
Jake Nichol
RacingNews365

Williams boss James Vowles has told Logan Sargeant to "earn your place" in Formula 1, as speculation around Andrea Kimi Antonelli grows. But Vowles is adamant that sophomore driver Sargeant will continue but has urged him to retain his seat.

"Without doubt, this is a tough field, there is no doubt about it," Vowles told media including RacingNews365. "But as I've said all the way through, it is a meritocracy, earn your place. [Logan's] got work to do, but he's also one of the top 20 Formula 1 drivers in the world, and is on the grid. There is a reason for that. He is in the car, he will remain in the car and my job here is supporting him."

‘Meritocracy’;

https://racingnews365.com/sargeant-t...i-threat-lurks


Logan Sargeant gives five-word answer on Williams future amid Kimi Antonelli rumours
Thu 9 May 2024 15:00
David Comerford
F1 Oversteer

Logan Sargeant is fighting tooth and nail to stay in Formula 1. Over the Miami Grand Prix weekend, it emerged that Kimi Antonelli could replace him in the near future. There were already some indications that Williams could look to parachute Antonelli into F1 following his 18th birthday. But that wouldn’t have been until the Italian Grand Prix following the summer break.

Journalist Joe Saward subsequently raised the possibility that the Grove outfit could seek ‘special dispensation’ to field Antonelli even earlier. FIA rules don’t allow him to obtain a superlicence until he turns 18. And now James Vowles has lodged that request. Williams have denied the possibility that the Italian could be in the car for the next race in Imola, but it’s clear that they’re considering a swift change to their driver line-up.

Vowles warned Sargeant that he needed to be the ‘surprise of the season’ to keep his drive after an underwhelming rookie year. But he trails Alex Albon 5-0 in qualifying (and 27-0 overall), and 4-1 in the races. Antonelli, meanwhile, is only three races into his career in Formula 2. But he produced a ‘stunning’ performance in a recent Mercedes test at Imola to convince Vowles of his readiness.

“I just do my job the best I can”;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/log...nelli-rumours/

[Fortitude]

F1 champion Senna remembered on Imola track 30 years after his death during the San Marino GP.
At 2:17 p.m. (1217 GMT), a minute of silence was held and flowers laid down at the Tamburello curve to observe the exact time and place that the 34-year-old Senna crashed into a concrete wall at about 300 kph (185 mph).
May 01, 2024
TSN

The 30th anniversary of three-time F1 champion Ayrton Senna’s death was commemorated Wednesday with a memorial on the Imola track where he crashed during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.

Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali was joined Wednesday by hundreds of fans, politicians from Brazil and Italy, plus a representative from Austria to also recall fellow Formula One driver Roland Ratzenberger, who died a day earlier during qualifying.

Then flowers were also laid down at the Villeneuve corner only slightly further down the track where the 33-year-old Ratzenberger crashed. “They are part of sports history and history in general for what they represented,” Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said.

‘F1 champion Senna remembered’;

https://www.tsn.ca/auto-racing/f1-ch...o-gp-1.2113930


Ayrton Senna commemorated at Imola on 30th anniversary of death at San Marino Grand Prix
12:27 Wed, 01 May 2024.
The Irish Independent

Two fans pose near the monument dedicated to Ayrton Senna during an event to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Ayrton Senna's death at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy. Brazilian F1 racing driver Senna and Roland Ratzenberger of Austria both lost their lives in crashes at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.

‘Ayrton Senna commemorated’;

https://www.independent.ie/sport/oth...938792937.html


Vettel to pay tribute to Senna with McLaren MP4/8 run at Imola
19:42 Wed, 01 May 2024.
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

Sebastian Vettel will pay a fitting tribute to the great Ayrton Senna later this month at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola when he gets behind the wheel of the late Brazilian’s race winning McLaren MP4/8.

Taking the wheel of Senna's 1993 championship-contending McLaren MP4/8 signifies a profound gesture of respect and a chance to reconnect with the legacy of a true racing legend.

“Ayrton Senna was not only a driver who I valued highly for being one of the best racing has ever seen, but also a man of great compassion,” said Vettel. “It’s been 30 years since his accident and I would like to pay tribute to Ayrton. “I will be in Imola for the Grand Prix to drive his car, the McLaren MP4/8. I hope to see you on Sunday, May 19.”

‘Fitting tribute to the great Ayrton Senna’;

https://f1i.com/news/506625-vettel-t...-at-imola.html


Max Verstappen Seeks To Restore Order At Imola As F1 Remembers Ayrton Senna
Max Verstappen will aim to recover and put his friend Lando Norris back in his place among the chasing pack this weekend as Formula One returns to Europe for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
• Updated: May 16, 2024 12:19 PM IST
• Agence France-Presse
NDTV.com

Max Verstappen will aim to recover and put his friend Lando Norris back in his place among the chasing pack this weekend as Formula One returns to Europe for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The three-time world champion, who leads this year's title race for Red Bull, knows however that after suffering two defeats in six season-opening races he may be vulnerable and McLaren's Norris will be armed with upgrades as he seeks to add to his popular maiden triumph in Miami.

Three decades after the blackest F1 weekend in modern times, when Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna were killed on successive days at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, the sport will also pay tributes and remember that bleak May weekend.

‘F1 Remembers Ayrton Senna’;

https://sports.ndtv.com/formula-1/ma...-senna-5675018


Emilia Romagna GP 2024 F1 schedule and Imola start times
Find out when the 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix takes place, including the F1 session times for the practice sessions, Qualifying, and Sunday's Grand Prix at Imola
16 May 2024
By John Smith
Total Motorsport

F1 2024 Emilia Romagna GP Session Times and Dates. The F1 season advances with the 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Below you can find the complete schedule for the race weekend in Imola, including session times for viewers in the USA, the UK, Australia, as well as local time in Italy.

Session Day Time (Imola) UK (BST) US (ET) US (PT) Aus. (AEST)
Practice 1 Fri 13:30 – 14:30 12:30 – 13:30 07:30 – 08:30 04:30 – 05:30 21:30 – 22:30
Practice 2 Fri 17:00 – 18:00 16:00 – 17:00 11:00 – 12:00 08:00 – 09:00 01:00 – 02:00*
Practice 3 Sat 12:30 – 13:30 11:30 – 12:30 06:30 – 07:30 03:30 – 04:30 20:30 – 21:30
Qualifying Sat 16:00 – 17:00 15:00 – 16:00 10:00 – 11:00 07:00 – 08:00 00:00 – 01:00*
Race Sun 15:00 14:00 09:00 06:00 23:00
*indicates following day

‘F1 schedule and Imola start times’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...a-start-times/

[Fortitude]

Vettel brings F1 drivers together to remember Senna and Ratzenberger.
Formula 1 drivers and other paddock members marked the 30th anniversary of the deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger ahead of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
16th May 2024, 20:33
Written by Keith Collantine
RaceFans

Four-times world champion Sebastian Vettel led the event which began on the pit straight at the Imola circuit where the pair lost their lives during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix weekend. The event included running a lap of the circuit and stopping to pay tribute to the two drivers at the scenes of their crashes. Despite heavy rainfall later in the afternoon the drivers assembled at the statue of three-times world champion Senna by Tamburello corner before going on to complete their laps of the track.

The drivers who T-shirts bearing Senna’s helmet colours and the message ‘Forever Senna’, and wristbands carrying tributes to Ratzenberger, who was making his third appearance at a grand prix weekend when he crashed. “Thirty years ago, people here at this place lived through a horrible set of events,” said Vettel in a video on social media. “We had an incredibly bad accident on Friday with Rubens Barrichello that, luckily, was only mildly injured. On Saturday Roland Ratzenberger – which the wristband is for – from Austria, lost his life crashing out in qualifying. And on Sunday, we lost a true legend of our sport, Ayrton Senna.”

“Ayrton was a special man. Inside the car his achievements were, probably to this day, unparalleled. Look at the amount of pole positions and wins in that short amount of time, the cars that he wrestled around the track, the conditions he propelled and beat the opposition. Many reasons to be a Senna fan, even if he’s not your favourite driver, he was an incredible person in the car, but also outside the car. For the Brazilian people, the importance, the role that he played for the people in that generation for that time.”

‘Remember Senna and Ratzenberger’;

https://www.racefans.net/2024/05/16/...-ratzenberger/


Formula 1 and Vettel pay tribute to Senna and Ratzenberger
18:53 Thu, 16 May 2024.
F1i.com

The Formula 1 community and its drivers came together on the grid on Thursday afternoon at Imola to pay a heartfelt tribute to the sport’s fallen heroes, Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger, to mark the 30th anniversary of their passing.

The commemorative event was held at the behest of four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel and was followed by a track run of the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari. The tribute run was also organized by Vettel who handed out yellow Senna-themed T-shirts to F1’s class of 2023, with each shirt emblazoned with each driver’s race number.

After the run, Vettel walked out to Tamburello to visit the bronze statue of the great Brazilian driver overlooking the track near the very spot where he met his fate on May 1, 1994. On Sunday, ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Vettel will take to the track to offer fans a few laps onboard Senna’s race winning McLaren Mp4/8.

‘The commemorative event was held at the behest of four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel’;

https://f1i.com/images/507838-formul...zenberger.html


Sebastian Vettel leads Ayrton Senna tribute with entire F1 grid at Imola.
Four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel led a track run of the Imola circuit on Thursday to commemorate the 30th anniversary deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger.
16 May 2024
Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net

Sebastian Vettel led a touching tribute at Imola on Thursday with the entire F1 grid present. F1 drivers, including Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, were present with a number of F2/F3 drivers, team principals, and various media personnel.

The majority of them were pictured in Senna-themed t-shirts, 30 years on from his tragic death at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. As well as the start-finish straight photo, Vettel led a run of the famous Imola track in rainy weather conditions. The personnel involved were then involved in a further moment of commemoration at Tamburello, where Senna famously crashed in 1994.

Out of the current grid, Pierre Gasly will sport a Senna-inspired helmet for this weekend’s race. This comes after the 2020 Italian Grand Prix winner had the opportunity to drive Senna’s first ever F1 car - the 1984 Toleman. Speaking in the FIA press conference, Gasly said: “I've always admired him since I was a child. Obviously, in France, I grew up hearing a lot about Alain Prost, who is the most successful French F1 driver of all time.”

‘Ayrton Senna tribute’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/104851...-f1-grid-imola


Vettel leads F1 drivers' Senna tribute run
16 May 2024, 22:55
Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

Teaming up with the Senna Foundation, the four-time world champion has organized several activities for this weekend's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix to commemorate Ayrton Senna's legacy at Imola where the Brazilian suffered a fatal crash 30 years ago. As a first activity, Vettel invited the current drivers on the grid to a track walk today.

The pack met at the start-finish line and stopped near Senna's monument at the Tamburello corner, where he crashed, for a minute's silence. This was then followed by the track run led by Vettel. Several drivers, including Williams duo of Alexander Albon and Logan Sargeant, Kick Sauber racers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc and soon-to-be Ferrari racer Lewis Hamilton also joined the pack that incorporated a few hundred people.

Under the motto "Forever Senna," Vettel also had T-shirts produced in memory of the three-time world champion from Brazil. The German was also wearing an Austrian sweatband in honour of Roland Ratzenberger who sadly lost is life at the track on the same weekend in 1994.

‘Teaming up with the Senna Foundation’;

https://www.f1technical.net/news/24575


‘Great addition’: Eddie Jordan says Ayrton Senna was the ‘main reason’ he signed 11-win Formula 1 driver
Thu 16 May 2024 08:00
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Eddie Jordan and Ayrton Senna had a brilliant relationship in Formula 1 and the Brazilian icon played a role in helping him sign one of his most successful drivers. Jordan has previously shared that he offered half of his F1 team to Ayrton Senna for free such is the respect he had for the triple world champion.

Jordan has admitted that it was Ayrton Senna who convinced him he should sign Rubens Barrichello. The Brazilian joined the grid in 1993 before his 21st birthday but went on to be one of the longest-serving drivers in the sport. Ayrton Senna told Eddie Jordan to sign Rubens Barrichello. Talking about how hiring Barrichello came about, Jordan said:

“Ayrton [Senna] was the main reason I signed Rubens [Barrichello]. He was a 19-year-old and as you well know David [Coulthard], you probably know him because he’s not far removed from your vintage of when you were around at the time. Ayrton pointed out to me and said, ‘Look, yes go, take a chance, you will really not regret it.’ No one had really heard about him at this stage and I took the chance and he was right. Rubens was a great addition to the Jordan team.”

‘Look, yes go, take a chance, you will really not regret it’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/edd...mula-1-driver/


Silverstone to mark 30th anniversary of Ayrton Senna's death with special tribute
Thursday, 16 May 2024
Raúl Daffunchio Picazo
insidethegames.biz

The Silverstone F1 circuit, where the Brazilian legend won the most Grand Prix races of his illustrious career, will pay tribute to the driver who died in 1994 with a display of his cars over the weekend of 23-25 August. Senna made his Grand Prix debut 40 years ago in 1984 in the historic Toleman TG183B, in which he scored his first World Championship points. The Toleman will be one of many iconic machines on display over the Bank Holiday weekend (23-25 August).

During his illustrious career, Senna won more races at Silverstone than any other circuit, and in honour of his extraordinary achievements, the Silverstone Festival will showcase many of those illustrious winners. Gasly's laps in the Toleman were filmed by Sky F1 as part of a moving tribute to Senna's incredible legacy that will be broadcast during the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on 19 May, 30 years after the tragic accident at the same Imola circuit.

The history of the small and ambitious Toleman team, with whom Senna made his F1 debut, is also significant, as it was later acquired by Benetton and then Renault, before evolving into the Alpine F1 organisation for which Gasly currently races. This summer, visitors to the Silverstone Festival will be able to enjoy displays from both ends of the spectrum. The iconic Toleman will be one of the main attractions in the unique Star Car exhibition paying tribute to the great Ayrton Senna, an event which has the blessing of the Senna family.

‘Silverstone to mark 30th anniversary’;

https://www.insidethegames.biz/artic...y-ayrton-senna

[Fortitude]

Emilia Romagna GP: Ferrari upgrades fire Charles Leclerc to P1 as Max Verstappen struggles in FP1.
Charles Leclerc delighted Ferrari’s Tifosi as he topped the timesheets in FP1 for the Imola Grand Prix, a tenth up on Mercedes’ George Russell.
17 May 2024 1:32 PM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

On a day when every team except RB introduced a host of upgrades, FP1 was paused when Alex Albon’s FW46 shut down on him as he approached Acqua Minerali resulting in a five-minute red-flag stoppage.

The battle of the upgrades at Imola: On a day of upgrades, Ferrari bringing seven to the track and Aston Martin nine, aero rakes were the standard fare for most of the teams as they took to the track for the start of FP1.

Ferrari, confident in their upgrades having already trailed them at Fiorano last Friday, didn’t bother with either the aero rakes or comparison testing with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz’s SF-24s sporting the full array.

‘Battle of the upgrades’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/emilia...024-fp1-report


Emilia Romagna GP: Free Practice 1 Results
17 May 2024
by Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Full results from Free Practice 1 from the Formula 1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.

Pos Num Driver Team Laps Best Diff

1 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 29 1:16.990

2 63 George Russell Mercedes 27 1:17.094 0.104

3 55 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 25 1:17.120 0.130

4 11 Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing 22 1:17.233 0.243

5 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 21 1:17.240 0.250

6 22 Yuki Tsunoda RB 28 1:17.388 0.398

7 44 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 27 1:17.408 0.418

8 4 Lando Norris McLaren 17 1:17.602 0.612

9 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren 24 1:17.807 0.817

10 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 18 1:17.867 0.877

‘Full results from Free Practice 1’;

https://speedcafe.com/emilia-romagna...ice-1-results/


Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix: F1 Free Practice 1 Results
Formula 1 returns to Europe for round seven of the championship at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
May 17, 2024
Hannah May
FormulaNerds

Charles Leclerc topped the timesheet in today’s FP1 session at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix ahead of George Russell and Carlos Sainz.
Your top 3 from FP1 ��#F1 #ImolaGP pic.twitter.com/xfDut3GVEn
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 17, 2024

Upgrades for Imola
Most of the F1 teams have brought upgrades to Imola, as the first European race of 2024.
Ferrari have implemented an upgrade package for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. The Maranello-based outfit aims to achieve a pace uplift at their home race to compete with McLaren. The Woking-based outfit brought a successful and substantial upgrade package to Miami. Lando Norris then went on to achieve his maiden F1 win.
Haas are also bringing upgrades to Imola in the hope of extending their recent run of points-scoring finishes.
LOTS of upgrades this weekend for #ImolaGP https://t.co/TWptjYePM1
— FormulaNerds ���� (@Formula_Nerds) May 17, 2024

‘F1 Free Practice 1 Results’;

https://www.formulanerds.com/news/em...ice-1-results/


Lewis Hamilton narrowly avoids crashing out of Imola GP FP1
Friday 17 May 2024 13:44, UK
Sky Sports

‘Avoids crashing out’;

https://www.skysports.com/watch/vide...f-imela-gp-fp1


2024 Emilia Romagna GP FP1: Hamilton avoid the barriers after spin in first practice
Lewis Hamilton was pushing hard to find some more lap time when he clipped the kerb on the inside of Acque Minerali and spun through 180 degrees ON THRE GRASSS?? Before getting going again.
17 May 2024
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

‘Hamilton avoid the barriers after spin’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/video/20...02632202667820


F1 Imola GP: Leclerc leads opening practice, Verstappen struggles
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc topped a red-flagged FP1 session at Formula 1’s 2024 Imola Grand Prix, where Mercedes shone and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen had two wild off-track moments
May 17, 2024, 1:36 PM
Alex Kalinauckas
Motorsport.com

Leclerc set the session’s best time – a 1m16.990s – aboard the updated Ferrari shortly after the one-hour FP1 action was stopped by Alex Albon’s Williams shutting down after he hit a kerb hard and ran down the Imola track from Piratella to Acque Minerali, where he stopped on the inside.

Leclerc’s time was set with a second set of soft tyres and pipped Mercedes’ George Russell by 0.104s – the Briton in contention for the leading time even during the early running on harder tyres. Carlos Sainz finished third 0.130s down to back up Ferrari’s strong start to the weekend at its first home race of 2024.

Red Bull did its soft tyre running much later than the rest, heading out with just a quarter of the session remaining. Max Verstappen also had to return to the pits to get a visor tear-off removed from a rear brake duct, which meant his tyres had done more miles than would be ideal.

‘Leclerc leads opening practice’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f...-fp1/10611946/

[Fortitude]

Emilia Romagna Grand Prix 2024 – Free Practice 2 Results.
Charles Leclerc of Ferrari topped the timesheet in Free Practice 2 at the 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola setting the fastest time just 0.192s ahead of McLaren driver Oscar Piastri.
17 May 2024
By John Smith
Total Motorsport

The day marks a successful outing for Ferrari‘s upgrade package after Leclerc also topped FP1, with Max Verstappen struggling in his Red Bull. The Dutchman made his unhappiness known on team radio and found himself off track on multiple occasions.

Mercedes will be happy as the second half of their upgrade package initially brought in at Miami, saw Lewis Hamilton and George Russell finish fourth and fifth, respectively, in FP2 at Imola.

‘Successful outing for Ferrari‘s upgrade package’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...ice-2-results/


Emilia Romagna GP: Free Practice 2 Results
18 May 2024
by Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Full results from Free Practice 2 from the Formula 1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.

Pos Num Driver Team Laps Best Diff

1 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 28 1:15.906

2 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren 29 1:16.098 0.192

3 22 Yuki Tsunoda RB 31 1:16.286 0.380

4 44 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 28 1:16.297 0.391

5 63 George Russell Mercedes 31 1:16.311 0.405

6 55 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 29 1:16.423 0.517

7 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 22 1:16.447 0.541

8 11 Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing 24 1:16.552 0.646

9 27 Nico Hulkenberg Haas 27 1:16.826 0.920

10 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 28 1:16.838 0.932

‘Full results from Free Practice 2’;

https://speedcafe.com/emilia-romagna...ice-2-results/


2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix: Leclerc Leads Second Practice, Tsunoda Impressive Again
May 17, 2024
By Joe Briley
The Checkered Flag

Charles Leclerc finished Free Practice Two top of the timesheets, ahead of Oscar Piastri and Yuki Tsunoda. The Scuderia Ferrari led the way in Free Practice One earlier in the day, as he aims for his first victory of the season.

Oracle Red Bull Racing were once again struggling for pace, with Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez down in seventh and eighth by the end of the session. It wasn’t just a poor qualifying run for the Red Bull pair either, they lacked pace in the long runs compared to others around them too.

It was a good day for Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, as they continued to look better than what we’ve seen in recent weeks, with Lewis Hamilton in fourth and George Russell in fifth.

‘Tsunoda Impressive Again’;

https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...ressive-again/


Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix: F1 Free Practice 2 Results
The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari looked beautiful under blue skies and sunshine for today's F1 practice sessions
May 17, 2024
Hannah May
FormulaNerds

Charles Leclerc was the fastest in Free Practice 2 of the 2024 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. The 26-year-old was followed by Oscar Piastri in P2 and Yuki Tsunoda in P3.
Friday clean sweep complete for LEC ✅
Here's the top 3 from FP2 ��#F1 #ImolaGP pic.twitter.com/bEWIUOyptB
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 17, 2024

Lights out for FP2
Red Bull have changed Verstappen’s setup between the two free practice sessions today. This alteration follows his difficulties with the RB20 in FP1, calling the car “catastrophic”.
The lights turned green for FP2 and the Tifosi were out in full force. The sunny weather remained and the three softest Pirelli tyre compounds were used for the session.
Let's get back to it! ��#F1 #ImolaGP pic.twitter.com/iGJzk3aSsm
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 17, 2024

Verstappen went off into the gravel under braking downhill with 6 minutes remaining. Undoubtedly, the Dutchman’s issues from this morning’s session persisted in FP2.
Taming the Imola track is proving VERY difficult �� pic.twitter.com/hxPCXVDdwg
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) May 17, 2024

‘F1 Free Practice 2 Results’;

https://www.formulanerds.com/news/em...ice-2-results/


Emilia Romagna GP: Charles Leclerc tops FP2 as Red Bull face multi-team challenge at Imola
17 May 2024 5:01 PM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

Charles Leclerc went quickest in FP2 at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix to back up his pace from first practice, with a congested multi-team fight at the top. Oscar Piastri, Yuki Tsunoda, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell rounded out the top five on Friday, with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez only seventh and eighth fastest for Red Bull.

But Tsunoda would take the P3 spot from the Mercedes duo with an excellent lap from the RB driver, clocking a 1:16.286 as he showed strong form at the Faenza-based team’s home race. With the attention as ever switching to long-run pace in the final part of the session, the mid-table placing for Norris does not look representative for the McLaren driver come Saturday.

Verstappen complained once again about how he felt about his car, before raising his hand out of his cockpit at the exit of the Villeneuve Chicane at Hamilton, believing the Mercedes driver to have not moved out of the way quickly enough, with a trip to the gravel in his long run at Rivazza topping off what appeared a difficult session for the three-time World Champion.

‘Red Bull face multi-team challenge at Imola’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/emilia...024-fp2-report


F1 - 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday Press Conference Transcript
17.05.24, 16:30
FIA (Press Release)

TEAM REPRESENTATIVES: James ALLISON (Mercedes), Ayao KOMATSU (Haas), Enrico GUALTIERI (Ferrari), Pierre WACHE (Red Bull Racing)

Q: James welcome. Lovely to see you. Now, it's been a fairly up and down season for Mercedes so far. Are you close to achieving some kind of consistency with the W15 now?
James ALLISON: Well, I'm not sure that I've noticed too much of the up, but I think after a pretty uninspiring start, we are starting to get to grips with it a little bit. Today was a better day thus far. Let's see if we can sustain that through the important parts of the weekend.

Q: Ayao, could I come to you now? Ollie Bearman has just driven FP1 for you guys. What was his programme? How impressed were you?
Ayao KOMATSU: It was a kind of a standard FP1 programme. So you have two sets of tyres; two runs on low-ish fuel. The first run, getting to know the circuit, getting to know the car and then the second run, the softer tyres for doing a bit of a quali-type simulation. Then last run is high fuel, looking at tyre management and consistency. Again, he's done another very, very good job. You know, he's so calm. He understands what he needs to deliver each session, each run, each lap. And he's able to absorb the information so quickly, you know, either from himself from the previous lap or the engineer's feedback. So again, I can't really fault him today. Great job.

Q: Enrico, if we could come to you now. You are, of course, Technical Director of the Power Unit, but if I could just push you into a slightly wider technical remit just to start with and talk about the upgrades you're running here at Imola this weekend. We've just had FP1. Are they doing what you expected?
Enrico GUALTIERI: Yeah, as you said, I'm an engine guy, so I couldn't really comment too much on the technical upgrades. But I think that anyway, it's still early days. We decided as a team to bring the upgrades here for being a common session. So we are just at the beginning of the Friday session.

Q:. Pierre, thank you for waiting. Now, that was a slightly scrappy first practice session for Max with those two offs. What was he saying about the car?
Pierre WACHE: Yeah, I think he's clearly having some issues in Turns 11, 12 and 14. Something we are looking at. I think the guys are there at the moment, while we speak, to look at the data, to see what we can do on the set-up to help him. But I will not say it's a normal Friday for him, but it's a normal Friday as an engineer, to try to improve the car for next session.

‘Friday Press Conference Transcript’;

https://www.fia.com/news/f1-2024-emi...nce-transcript

[Fortitude]

Charles Leclerc pinpoints detail Ferrari must get right to keep Imola advantage over Red Bull.
Charles Leclerc hasn't won an F1 race in almost 700 days but looks in contention to break that drought at the 2024 Emilia Romagna GP
17 May 2024
By Adam Dickinson
Total Motorsport

Ferrari must get their setup right amid changing conditions according to Charles Leclerc as he prepares for 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix qualifying after a supreme start to the weekend, topping both Friday practice sessions at Imola.
It’s almost 700 days since Leclerc last won a Formula 1 race and he’s record seven second-place finishes in that spell, most recently behind Sainz at the 2024 Australian GP, but it’s looking like he has a genuine shot at breaking that drought at Imola.

“We need to keep our feet on the ground because tomorrow it’s going to be big changes with the track conditions, and track position here is absolutely everything,” Leclerc told F1TV.

‘Ferrari must get right to keep Imola advantage’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...over-red-bull/


PRACTICE DEBRIEF: Do on-form Ferrari really have Red Bull on the back foot at Imola?
17 May 2024
Lawrence Barretto
F1 Correspondent & Presenter
Formula One - Official Site

With all teams apart from RB bringing some type of upgrade – either performance or circuit-specific – there was plenty of learning to be done.

Ferrari’s heavily upgraded machine looked quick based on the timesheets, with Charles Leclerc topping both sessions – but are Red Bull really as uncomfortable as their car looked out on the narrow, fast, Italian track?

‘Are Red Bull really as uncomfortable?’

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...9WiRFEIYiJFobJ


Leclerc praises upgrade package, but warns of high expectations
21:32 Fri, 17 May 2024.
Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

Having topped both practice sessions in Imola, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc warned of setting the expectations too high for the remainder of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Ferrari arrived with a significant upgrade package for its first home race in 2024, bolting a host of new parts on the SF-24. The Maranello-based team, therefore, focussed on evaluating the update package on the heavily-modified SF-24 which features significant tweaks to the floor, engine cover, sidepod inlets, rear and front wing.

Reflecting back on how the day had gone, the Monegasque commented: “For now, everything went quite smoothly. The feeling with the car is quite good, the upgrades on the car are working as expected which also is a good step. "And yeah, it’s been a very smooth day so it is great, and being at home is always a special feeling for Ferrari, being here and having so much support all over the track means so much for all of us.

Despite the encouraging pace in the early part of the weekend, Leclerc warned of track conditions which are expected to change massively for Saturday. “It will be great if the weekend continues in that direction. However, tomorrow the conditions will change massively. The wind will completely turn around, which will have a big effect on all the cars, and there we have to be the best at anticipating those changes.”

‘Warns of high expectations’;

https://www.f1technical.net/news/24578


What the teams said – Friday practice in Imola
20:13 Fri, 17 May 2024.
Becky Hart
Special Contributor
Formula One - Official Site

Ferrari have a big package of upgrades here and had them bolted onto both cars from word go. While both Leclerc and Sainz had their moments in the tricky, windy conditions, both were also able to string together solid laps and certainly looked good on the timing sheets at least, with Leclerc topping the FP1 session. That trend continued in FP2, with again Leclerc finishing P1 and looking pretty comfortable out there. Sainz dropped down the leader board slightly, but should still be in the mix come tomorrow.
Charles Leclerc - FP1: 1:16.990, P1; FP2: 1:15.906, P1

"It has been a positive day overall. Everything went smoothly and we ran all the tests we planned on track. We seem to be pretty competitive for now, however the conditions will change quite a bit tomorrow, especially in terms of the wind, so we will have to anticipate that. The updates seem to be working as expected, which is another positive. It was great to see so many red flags in the grandstands!"
Carlos Sainz - FP1: 1:17.120, P3; FP2: 1:16.423, P6

"A good Friday for the team. We had a strong FP1 and in FP2 we made some changes that seem to go in the right direction and I was reasonably happy with the car. I didn't put together a clean lap with the Soft but I’m confident we are in a good place. After two Sprint weekends it was good to have time to test and try different approaches on the car, especially having a new package here. There's still a bit of work to do before qualifying but I’m already looking forward to tomorrow."

‘What the teams said’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...MQhbU25JsOFfUL


Verstappen’s shot at pole record faces double threat from Ferrari and McLaren
17th May 2024, 22:15
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans

Red Bull were slower than Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes on the time sheets and their long run pace also failed to match that of the McLarens and Ferraris on the medium compound – Mercedes opting for the hards instead. Verstappen was visibly uncomfortable in the handling of his car throughout the day and admitted his team would have ‘improve on a few things’ if they were going to fight for pole position on Saturday.

It means that Verstappen’s impressive run of poles could be under serious threat of being broken this weekend. Stretching back to last year’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the world champion has been on pole for the last seven grand prix Sundays and could tie Ayrton Senna’s all-time record of eight consecutive poles tomorrow, as well as the record for the most pole positions at the start of a season, held by Alain Prost. Verstappen will need to find more time out of his car by the end of Saturday’s final practice session to continue this record form.

Beyond the question of who will take pole, it appears that qualifying will be a particularly stressful one for drivers. As already demonstrated in second practice, with Lewis Hamilton upsetting both Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen by getting in their way and Leclerc expressing his displeasure at Sergio Perez for the same slight, traffic is going to be a major concern for everyone throughout the three phases of the grid-setting session.

‘Verstappen’s shot at pole record faces double threat’;

https://www.racefans.net/2024/05/17/...i-and-mclaren/


Christian Horner spotted shaking head during Helmut Marko talks in Red Bull garage
Christian Horner and Helmut Marko were seen deep in conversation ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
18:54, Fri, May 17, 2024
By Tom Parsons
Daily and Sunday Express

Christian Horner was spotted shaking his head as he spoke to Helmut Marko in the Red Bull garage following two nightmare practice sessions ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The Austrian team were well off the pace in both sessions, with Max Verstappen clocking slower times than the likes of Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton and McLaren ace Oscar Piastri. Verstappen ended FP1 with the fifth fastest time after taking multiple trips into the gravel and only managed to produce the seventh quickest lap during FP2.

Red Bull switched their set-up between the sessions but couldn’t find the answer and will need to significantly improve their offering if Verstappen is to claim his fifth Grand Prix victory of the season on Sunday. Red Bull chief Horner wandered back into the garage following Verstappen’s underwhelming showing as he entered into a discussion with team advisor Marko and their stand-in race engineer Tom Hart.

And the Englishman was clearly bothered by the events of the day as his head moved from side to side. Verstappen was denied Grand Prix victory for just the second time of the season at the previous race in Miami as he finished behind race winner Lando Norris. And the Dutchman will be under pressure to get back to winning ways at Imola to prove he is still the man to beat this season.

‘Deep in conversation’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...Marko-Red-Bull