2023 Formula 1 Preview & Review.

[Fortitude]

As good as Max Verstappen has been, his Red Bull team deserve the greater plaudits.
Whisper it, but the F1 teams really prefer the world constructors’ championship to the world drivers’ championship.
25th September 2023, 03:08
David Tremayne
The Straits Times

There is reflected glory in the latter, but to many it is purely reflective of the man at the wheel, whereas the former acknowledges just what a huge team effort is required to field two cars for around 23 races in a season, and to keep developing them to the nth degree within the newly imposed US$135 million (S$184 million) limitations of the current cost cap.

Max Verstappen’s brutal return to utter dominance after the strange glitch in Singapore the previous week was more than sufficient to wrap up a sixth WCC for Red Bull Honda. Details of precise payments to teams for their final positions therein are a close-guarded secret, but suffice it to say they are made on a percentage basis so most of the money from the 2023 kitty will be headed to Milton Keynes.

There is a cost too, however: a sliding scale reduction in the time the most successful teams are allowed to spend on crucial aerodynamic research. It’s designed to level the playing field, though if you look at what Red Bull have achieved this year – 15 wins from the 16 races – compared with 2022, when it was also the most successful, the restriction on Adrian Newey’s fun time appears to have had little ill effect.

‘Adrian Newey’s fun time’;

https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/f...eater-plaudits


‘Golden moment’: The numbers behind Red Bull Racing’s ‘unbelievable’ sixth title
September 25th, 2023 6:00 am
Michael Lamonato
Fox Sports (Australia)

Red Bull Racing has won its sixth constructors championship, embedding itself deeper into the history books as one of Formula 1’s all-time great teams.

Its sextet of titles puts it one short of the iconic Lotus squad of the 1960s and 70s. With two seasons still to run under this set of technical regulations, Mercedes and McLaren’s tallies of eight titles apiece are within reach before rules changes threaten to shake up the order.

Only Williams (nine) and Ferrari (16) are further ahead among championship-winning constructors. “To achieve this sixth constructors championship is beyond our wildest dreams,” team principal Christian Horner said. “Coming into the season, I don’t think we could have dreamt of having a season like this. It’s unbelievable.”

‘Golden moment’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...7e9309052ca2ce


Verstappen Undoubtedly ‘the Fastest and the Best’, Says Helmut Marko
September 24, 2023
BaylaSportsF1

Max Verstappen has certainly put to rest any doubts at Suzuka, affirming that the issues in Singapore are now behind him. The Dutch driver was not just seven-tenths ahead of the McLarens during the qualifying rounds; he was nearly a full second quicker than his own Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez. “All I can say is that our cars are equal,” he said when asked about the large gap to Perez.

But Verstappen has completely dispelled any theories that the FIA’s restrictions on movable aerodynamics had adversely impacted Red Bull. “We had a bad weekend,” he said. “Of course then people start saying ‘ah, it’s all because of the technical directives’. I think they can go suck on an egg.”

Arriving in Japan, the 25-year-old was clearly “energised” to counter his detractors, with Red Bull’s team advisor Dr Helmut Marko in agreement: “Max was really highly motivated here and wanted to show it. “He has shown here that he is the fastest and the best,” Marko told ORF. “Everything else is back on track.” For every other driver in the field, Verstappen’s showing is a tough act to follow.

‘Clearly “energised”!’;

https://baylasportsf1.com/verstappen...-helmut-marko/


Christian Horner reveals failed vow ‘fired-up’ Max Verstappen made ahead of Japanese GP
24 Sep 2023 5:00 PM
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com

Red Bull boss Christian Horner has revealed Max Verstappen’s state of mind coming to Japan after a disappointing Singapore weekend. Horner revealed that Verstappen had just fallen shy of the target he’d set himself coming to Suzuka, having vowed to bounce back after his defeat.
“Sometimes the races you lose are the weekends you learn the most at,” Horner said.

“I think that it was a big reminder to everybody that it’s very easy to miss the target. We all left Singapore knowing that, ultimately, the winning run that we had would come to an end but a little frustrated. I played paddle tennis with Max on Wednesday and he was properly fired up! He made it clear, ‘I want to win the race by 20 seconds’.

“In fairness, he came within point seven of a second of achieving that, had it not been for a blue flag at the end there! You could tell, from the very first lap in FP1 that, on the hard tyre, he was 1.8 seconds quicker than the rest of the field on medium or soft tyres at that point.”

‘Win by 20 seconds’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/max-ve...ristian-horner


In pictures: Red Bull celebrates sixth Constructors' F1 title
24 September 2:30PM
Author Rory Mitchell
RacingNews365

Max Verstappen's victory at the Japanese Grand Prix and Red Bull's sixth Formula 1 Constructors' Championship.

‘Pictures in the link below!’;

https://racingnews365.com/in-picture...ctors-f1-title


The Highlight Of Suzuka Was Sergio Pérez’s 41-Minute Pit Stop
If you are on the east coast of the United States... There are some aspects of this that are bad, like sleep deprivation, and some aspects that are good, like getting to deliriously watch Sergio Pérez unretire his car for the express purpose of serving a five-second time penalty.
1:26 PM EDT on September 24, 2023
By Kathryn Xu
Defector

He started P5 this race, a decent qualification, but one that guaranteed he would be in traffic. At Suzuka, that meant about five separate collisions and an immediate safety car to start the race. For Pérez, it meant being sandwiched with Lewis Hamilton on one side and two Ferraris on the other. After kissing wheels with Hamilton going into turn one, Pérez pit for a new front wing, got a 10-second penalty for failing to adhere to pit stop procedure, and wound up behind the Haas of Kevin Magnussen.

The Haas proved an even more formidable foe for Pérez than Hamilton did. Out of the points and impatient, Pérez made an extremely late lunge up the inside of Magnussen from several car lengths away and tapped Magnussen's rear tire with his front wing. The move functioned more as a dive bomb than an overtake attempt and was, at this point, well-rehearsed after he'd tried it last week on Alexander Albon. Pérez wound up with the same penalty too: a mere five seconds that was rendered meaningless for the race. However, this time Pérez, on his third front wing of the day, retired the car.

After likely undertaking a lengthy discussion with race control, Red Bull officially unretired Pérez's car on lap 40 to do his lap of shame. The original retirement became classified as a 41-minute pit stop, which will no doubt deal a great blow to the Red Bull mechanics' average pit-stop time. Upon reentering, Pérez was 26 laps behind the race leader, Max Verstappen, and five laps behind the next-closest driver, Lance Stroll, who had already retired his car. Pérez came into the pits once more to serve his penalty, which was classified as taking place on lap 14 of the race. Just a couple laps prior, Carlos Sainz Jr. had pitted on lap 38 of the race—such are the intricacies of F1. The following lap, Pérez retired the car again, this time for good, and disrupted our previous understanding of how retirements work: Sometimes, it takes more than one try to get it to stick.

‘Pérez’s 41-Minute Pit Stop’;

https://defector.com/the-highlight-o...inute-pit-stop


Marko backs Perez to recover from poor Suzuka outing
24 September 3:30PM
Author Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365

Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko has backed Sergio Perez to recover from his difficult outing at the Japanese Grand Prix.

"He had an unfortunate day which originated in the free practice sessions,” Marko told Viaplay. “He couldn't match Max's speed and today just everything went wrong, but we are confident of a strong comeback from him.”

‘Marko backs Perez to recover’;

https://racingnews365.com/marko-back...-suzuka-outing


Marko reveals Red Bull FIA talks to 'prioritise Verstappen'
Sunday 24 September 2023 22:27
Sam Cook
GPFans

Helmut Marko has said that Red Bull were given permission by the FIA to allow Sergio Perez to return to the circuit, having already retired from the race, to serve his penalty at the Japanese Grand Prix. It was a strange moment in which it appeared Red Bull may have bent the rules slightly, but Marko has told Sky Germany that the team had cleared it with the FIA.

"Thank god we were able to serve the penalty here," he said. “[They told us] if we did not serve the penalty here, then we would have had to do it in the next race and our strategy is to prioritise Max. For example, in the case of a safety car, we would send him out in a way where Max would not be hindered.”

‘FIA Permission’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...perez-penalty/

[Fortitude]

Norris reveals McLaren 'CLOSEST to Red Bull' they have been all season.
Lando Norris believes McLaren were one of the closest they've been to Red Bull during practice at the Japanese Grand Prix than they have been at any practice session this year.
Monday 25 September 2023 09:57
Sam Cook
GPFans

The Brit made the admission after FP2, where he managed to put his car into third, just 0.464 seconds behind the leading Red Bull of Max Verstappen. In the race, Norris's prediction proved accurate as he and team-mate Oscar Piastri secured a double podium behind the Dutchman.

McLaren have enjoyed an incredible comeback this season, throwing their car into contention for podiums at the majority of race despite only managing to score 17 points from the first eight races of the season.

'CLOSEST to Red Bull';

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ice-fp2-close/


Brown explains Suzuka team order between Piastri and Norris
25 September 8:45AM
Author Rory Mitchell
RacingNews365

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has explained the reason why the team ordered its cars to swap positions midway through the Japanese Grand Prix, after an early pit stop for Oscar Piastri.

"They were on different cycles on the tyres and at the same time Lando got caught out by Perez. We weren't sure if he had a problem and couldn't get by him [Perez] or not," Brown told Sky Sports F1.

"It was a pretty straightforward race, it's always nerve-racking because it's not over until the chequered flag comes out."

‘McLaren CEO Zak Brown explains Suzuka team order’;

https://racingnews365.com/brown-expl...tri-and-norris


Damon Hill warns Lando Norris after Oscar Piastri's clear statement at Japanese GP
McLaren racers Norris and Piastri both finished in the top three at Suzuka, joining race-winner Max Verstappen on the podium in the team's best result of the 2023 season
25th Sept. 2023, 14:16
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
The Mirror

Damon Hill believes Oscar Piastri is now ready to provide a true challenge to Lando Norris. "It couldn't last forever, Lando knows that," said the 1996 world champion. "This is a game where there always is someone who is going to come to your house and start putting his feet up on the table and make himself a cup of tea.”

"That's what happens in this game, it's not your team. Lando knows the score and I don't think he got the best out of himself [in qualifying]. He's already said he recognises it's not nice having a quick team-mate, he'd rather not have one.”

"But, for the team, it's fantastic. They know they've got two drivers that they can rely on going into the future and they're down there at the sharp end of the grid, two cars, not just one."

‘Lando Norris: Not nice having a quick team-mate’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...-hill-31023585


Why Oscar Piastri wasn’t completely satisfied despite breakthrough F1 podium at Japanese GP
25 Sep 2023
Lewis Larkam
Crash.Net

Oscar Piastri says he still has areas to work on despite claiming a breakthrough first F1 podium at the Japanese Grand Prix. “It’s special wherever you get a podium. To get the first one, I don’t think it really matters where, it’s always going to be special,” he said.

“You know, I think for myself, it probably wasn’t my strongest Sunday. So from that side of things, there’s still a few things I want to work on. But no, to get the first podium, on pace as well is a very exciting moment.”

The 22-year-old Australian conceded he “just wasn’t quick enough at certain points of the race” as he ended up losing out to Norris. “These high-deg races are probably the biggest thing I need to try and work on at the moment,” he explained.

“Just wasn’t quick enough at certain points”;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/103679...ough-f1-podium


Oscar Piastri's mum takes a very cheeky shot at the F1 star after he took his first podium spot at the Japanese Grand Prix
Published: 06:07, 25 September 2023
By James Cooney For Daily Mail Australia
Mail Online

'You never forget your first podium. There are not many people who get this opportunity in their whole life and I've managed to have it in my first season.' 'For now I'll enjoy the trophy. I've been drowned by Lando in champagne - which is a nice problem to have,' he added.

Piastri's mum, who has built a cult following on social media, quipped that she could finally throw away his childhood trophies. 'Nice work today Osc,' wrote Nicole, sharing a photo of her son's awards. 'Does this mean I can get rid of some of these finally?'

Nicole made headlines before the race by asking if anybody had a cheap flight to Japan to watch her son starting the race on the front row at Suzuka. McLaren team boss, Zak Brown, said he'd be happy to organise the trip for Nicole, but she eventually declined the offer, stating: 'Thank you for the kind offer, but I think it's best that I have my anxiety attack in the comfort of my own home.'

‘Oscar Piastri's mum built a cult following’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...-F1-third.html

[Fortitude]

Verstappen red-hot favourite to clinch 3rd championship at Qatar Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen is the red-hot favourite to clinch his third straight championship at next month’s Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix, and he might not even have to wait for the race itself if he gets the job done in Saturday’s (October 7) sprint.
Last Edited September 25, 2023 | 10:16 PM
Agencies/Doha
Gulf Times

Following his 13th victory of the 2023 season at Suzuka Grand Prix, which put the Red Bull driver’s away to wins away from equalling his record for most wins in a single season, moved Verstappen 177 points away from team-mate Sergio Perez in the standings.

The Mexican driver last outscored his team-mate in the fourth round of the campaign in Azerbaijan, where Perez clinched the second of his two wins so far in 2023. Since then, Verstappen has done nothing but increase his championship lead, taking a record-breaking 10 victories in a row, a streak that only ended in Singapore earlier this month, when Carlos Sainz won for Ferrari.

Verstappen’s win in Japan, where Perez had a nightmare race and retired, left the Dutchman with 400 points scored to his team-mate's 223. With 180 points available in the remaining six races, Verstappen's 177-point advantage means he needs to score just three more points before the season ends to wrap up his third consecutive title.

‘Red-hot favourite’;

https://www.gulf-times.com/article/6...tar-grand-prix


How can Max Verstappen win his third F1 title in Qatar?
26 September 5:00AM
Author Rory Mitchell
RacingNews365

Max Verstappen can finally clinch his third Drivers' title at the Qatar Grand Prix, having dominated the season with 13 wins to his name out of 16 races so far. After scoring the maximum amount of points on offer at Suzuka, he now leads Sergio Perez by 177 points in the championship.

There is a maximum of 180 points still on offer in the last six races, which includes 156 during the Grands Prix and 24 from the remaining Sprint races. Mathematically Verstappen can take the title as early as the Sprint race in Qatar on Saturday, which would make him the first driver to win a championship before a Grand Prix has begun in 35 years.

The last time this happened was when Nigel Mansell withdrew from the 1987 Japanese Grand Prix after a crash during Friday practice, effectively handing the title to Nelson Piquet.

‘How can Max Verstappen win’;

https://racingnews365.com/how-can-ve...title-in-qatar


Verstappen’s Japan victory paves way for third world title in Qatar
• September 25, 2023
• Adnan Saif
Doha News

Verstappen could clinch his third drivers championship in Qatar as early as the sprint race, which has been introduced for the first time in Lusail. Dominant racer Max Verstappen silenced his critics after winning the Japanese Grand Prix in a mostly outstanding race for Red Bull, paving the way for his crowning at the world champion in Qatar.

This is the Dutchman’s 13th victory of the Formula 1 season, to which he also clinched the constructors championship, the sixth title for the Red Bull team, which acknowledges the performances of the racing team as a whole.

On his radio to his team following his victory, a jovial Verstappen stated “What an unbelievable season we are having, you can all be very proud here at the track and back at the factory. You guys built a rocket ship of a car”.

‘Rocket ship of a car’;

https://dohanews.co/verstappens-japa...itle-in-qatar/


HORNER PRAISES VERSTAPPEN ON ‘UNBELIEVABLE WEEKEND’ AS RED BULL CLAIM CONSTRUCTORS’ CHAMPIONSHIP
Red Bull claimed their 6th Constructors' title at the weekend after a dominating performance by Max Verstappen
September 25, 2023
Oliver Brindle

A commanding performance for Max Verstappen saw him bring home the race win for the Milton Keynes-based team, alongside the Constructors’ title. However, Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner quickly addressed Sergio Perez’s situation at Red Bull, claiming if Verstappen wasn’t racing, Perez would be leading the Championship.

Verstappen was able to top every Free Practice session in Japan. Along with that, he took Pole by being the only driver to get into the 1:28s; he then proceeded to cruise to victory in Suzuka, forgetting Singapore’s woes. However, Verstappen has confirmed that the most essential part of his weekend was not simply winning but taking home the Constructors’ title for everyone working at the track and factory. Speaking to Sky Sports, Verstappen said:

“Unbelievable weekend. To win here was great, the most important thing was to win the constructors. Very proud for everyone working at the track and at the factory. We are having an incredible year.”

‘UNBELIEVABLE WEEKEND’;

https://www.formulanerds.com/news/ho...-championship/


Verstappen rates current Red Bull success compared to 2022
26 September 8:45AM
Author Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365

Red Bull also ran away with the titles last year - but speaking to media including RacingNews365, Verstappen has asserted that its ongoing run trumps it. “It’s better, for sure,” Verstappen said.

“The car has been more dominant this year, apart from Singapore – but all the races we’ve had a really, really good car. It’s just an incredible season for everyone involved within the team. I’m just very proud to be a part of it but also very proud to be working with all of these amazing people here at the track but also especially back at the factory as well.”

“These people you might not see at the track but they are doing also a lot of hard work to make sure that our cars are always in the best shape, get developed throughout the year, and also be best prepared for the year after.”

“It’s better, for sure”;

https://racingnews365.com/verstappen...mpared-to-2022


Christian Horner leads rowdy Red Bull celebrations after sealing F1 title at Japanese GP
Red Bull made their sixth Formula 1 constructors' title success official when Max Verstappen won the Japanese Grand Prix, sparking wild celebrations after the race
12:34 Mon, 25 Sep 2023.
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
The Mirror

The team's usual post-race photoshoot had an extra layer of celebration to it as Red Bull cans were sent flying everywhere, soaking everyone in the vicinity. But the party did not end at the track. It was carried on late into the night in Japan. Horner posted a video of Red Bull staff gathered by a bar, behind which he was stood apparently serving drinks to his colleagues.

One staff member was playing a guitar and leading his colleagues in a rendition of 'Wonderwall'. Horner himself enthusiastically joined in and shared footage of the celebrations on social media, after paying tribute to all Red Bull Racing staff as he reacted to the title success. He said: "It's been the most amazing race for us, the most amazing year. It's all testimony to these guys and all the men and women back in the factory at Milton Keynes, and to Red Bull, and all our partners.”

"It is the collection of an incredible effort of everybody doing their best to achieve results like we've done. Of course, you know, Max is just on another level at the moment. So today was an incredible performance." Verstappen has not yet made sure of the drivers' title but, thanks to Perez's DNF in Suzuka. He could secure it in the Qatar Sprint race on October 7. If not, he will be odds-on favourite to do so in the Grand Prix the following day.

'Wonderwall. Horner himself enthusiastically joined’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...orner-31022477

[Fortitude]

Sainz: Ferrari pace at Suzuka ‘better than results show’.
Carlos Sainz believes that Ferrari’s pace was stronger than what its results reflected in last weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.
26/09/2023 at 16:52
Michael Delaney
F1i.com

In Sainz’s view, his SF-23’s absolute pace was worth more than its sixth-place position at the checkered flag. "We had better pace than the results show," he said after last Sunday’s event. "I think we were very quick straight from the start, the first stint I felt like I had a bit more pace than the guys in front.”

"I managed my tyres well, but obviously being behind in track position is always gonna cost you, especially being difficult in Suzuka to overtake. I felt back to normal, as soon as I got up into a rhythm I understood the car well. A shame about the last pitstop as it cost us quite a bit of race time, but it is what it is."

Sainz said that Ferrari had “played it safe” by extending his stint on the medium, and also because the Spaniard’s pace was strong on the yellow-rimmed tyres. Furthermore, the Scuderia’s efforts in past months to mitigate its car’s tyre decoration issues appeared to bear fruit, with relatively little deg observed in the race.

‘SF-23’s absolute pace was worth more than its sixth-place’;

https://f1i.com/news/488370-sainz-fe...ults-show.html


Sainz makes Ferrari 'SHAME' admission over one key failure
Tuesday 26 September 2023 14:57
Sam Cook
GPFans

Carlos Sainz has said that his Ferrari team 'haven't been fast' in pit stops this season, after an undercut by Mercedes left him struggling to reclaim positions at the Japanese Grand Prix. The Spaniard lost fifth position when Lewis Hamilton was able to undercut him at the last round of stops and found himself in seventh after George Russell in the other Mercedes attempted a one-stop strategy.

Having fresher tyres, Sainz was able to overtake Russell but couldn't get back the position on Hamilton, finishing sixth. It was a frustrating race for the team, particularly given the fact Sainz had managed to claim a stunning victory at the Singapore GP last time out.

'Haven't been fast in pit stops’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...appy-pit-crew/


Sainz admits Ferrari 'played it safe' during contra-Japanese gamble
26 September 1:58PM
Author Rory Mitchell

Sainz felt there was more to offer when speaking to media, including RacingNews365: "We had better pace than the results show," he said. "I think we were very quick straight from the start, the first stint I felt like I had a bit more more pace than the guys in front.”

"I managed my tyres well, but obviously being behind in track position is always gonna cost you, especially being difficult in Suzuka to overtake. I felt back to normal, as soon as I got up into a rhythm I understood the car well. A shame about the last pitstop as it cost us quite a bit of race time, but it is what it is."

'Played it safe';

https://racingnews365.com/sainz-make...-hamilton-loss


Leclerc got 'lost' amid Suzuka chaos: 2023 Japanese GP diary
September 25th 2023
Chris Medland
Motor Sport Magazine

Leclerc doesn’t know where he is. OK, that subheading might need the addition of the words “in the race”, but it was an extremely funny moment either way. Charles Leclerc started fourth and just held on to his starting position after a four-wide moment on the run to Turn 1.

When a virtual safety car was deployed to clear debris at the hairpin, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri — ahead of Leclerc — came across an ailing Red Bull, and even after doing all of his television interviews and making it to the written media, Leclerc still thought it was Max Verstappen who was slowing.

Then informed it was Sergio Perez falling a lap down before retiring, the penny finally dropped for the Ferrari driver. “Ohhh right, OK! That’s what it was, I thought Max was out of the race at that moment, it was just confusing for me.”

‘Leclerc doesn’t know where he is’;

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


Sainz triggered Ferrari strategy call
Monday 25th September, 2023 - 7:51pm
By Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Pressure from Carlos Sainz back to the Ferrari pit wall during the Japanese Grand Prix ultimately resulted in the strategy that saw him split the two Mercedes. “The first pitstop was really on the edge between keeping the two cars in front or Lewis getting within the two cars,” explained Ferrari Boschung Fred Vasseur.

“It was a matter of tenths probably and it was the right call from the team and the second stop was a bit more strategic. The call also came from Carlos that we agreed that we would have to extend [the stint] to try and have a tyre advantage during the last couple of laps. Because if you copy Lewis, you [will stay] behind him, and without a big delta [in tyre performance] you are going to stay behind him.”

“The second one was a good call from Carlos, if you copied Lewis you would have had no tyre advantage and we decided to extend the stint a little bit to have the advantage. In the last two laps, it wasn’t quite enough with Lewis, but it was the right call.”

‘Ferrari strategy call’;

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/09/25...strategy-call/

[Fortitude]

Is Lewis Hamilton and George Russell ‘needle’ a glimpse at fireworks to come?
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell’s hard battling and team radio disagreements was an intriguing sub-plot of the F1 Japanese Grand Prix, but could it be a sign of things to come?
25 Sep 2023
Lewis Larkam
Crash.Net

Sky F1 pundit Karun Chandhok was among many observers who couldn’t help but notice the “needle” between Hamilton and Russell, who is now 75 points adrift of his teammate in the championship.

“He [Hamilton] is 75 points ahead of George. He was quite quick to point that out!” Chandhok said of Hamilton. “There was needle with George. There is a little bit of needle between the two drivers.”

‘Glimpse at fireworks to come?!’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/feature/103...fireworks-come


Sam Bird: Hamilton-Russell Tension Could’ve Exploded on Podium Battle!
September 25, 2023
BaylaSportsF1

Former Mercedes reserve driver Sam Bird suggests that the tension between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell during the Japanese Grand Prix would have escalated further had a podium finish been at stake.

Tensions between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell unfolded at the Japanese Grand Prix as they pursued different strategies. They engaged in thrilling on-track battles, including a contentious moment at the Spoon Curve.

‘Tension Could’ve Exploded on Podium Battle!’;

https://baylasportsf1.com/sam-bird-h...podium-battle/


Hamilton and Russell fight shows Mercedes will have big problems in the future
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell are yet to collide but the 2023 Japanese GP suggested an accident is set to happen
September 24, 2023
By John Smith
Total Motorsport

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell nearly came to blows twice at the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix on a weekend where Toto Wolff was probably sitting at home either seething at his drivers or with a wry smile, knowing he has two very motivated drivers.

If Hamilton and Russell raced how they did for the lead though, there’s no doubt Wolff would have been livid. It’s understood that the Mercedes boss, who wasn’t at Suzuka due to knee surgery, got on the phone to order the team to tell Russell to let Hamilton through.

‘Toto Wolff got on the phone!!!!!!’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...oblems-future/


Mercedes warned of ‘not a good thing’ between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell
Mercedes had to ask George Russell several times at the 2023 Japanese GP to let Lewis Hamilton past.
26 September 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News

Former Ferrari and Williams team manager Peter Windsor believes there is “definitely acrimony” at Mercedes, between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. It was certainly a heated race for the Silver Arrows for all the wrong reasons, something Windsor believes isn’t good for the team.
“You could tell that there is definitely acrimony between the two now – and that’s not a good thing,” Windsor said on his YouTube channel. “Imagine if Mercedes had a Championship-winning car and this was the World Championship and grand prix wins they were racing for, imagine what it would be like between Lewis and George.”

“The good thing is it’s only for the minor placings, it’s all you can say. ‘Does it really matter that much?’ I suppose is what you’d say in the boardroom afterwards. But if they do get in a position actually to be doing something serious in 2024 – a big ask, you’ve got to say – then how are you going to manage that Lewis Hamilton/George Russell imbalance?”

‘Peter Windsor: “Definitely acrimony” at Mercedes!’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/mercedes-...eorge-russell/


Russell admits 'VENTING' in angry team radio message after Hamilton incident
Sunday 24 September 2023 16:57
Joe Ellis
GPFans

George Russell admitted that he used his team radio to let his frustration out during the Japanese GP. Russell admitted to Sky Sports F1 after the race: “When you’re in the car, 48 laps in, you’re giving it everything, you’re making a sub-optimal strategy try to work. That radio is a bit of a venting tool to release some frustration.”

"It’s easy in hindsight, but for me right now, the goal is to secure P2 for the team in the constructors. On my personal side, the driver’s championship is totally out of the window, it’s been a complete disaster of a season in that regard. So many missed chances.”

‘Russell admits VENTING';

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


‘George Russell is proving why Lewis Hamilton wanted Mercedes to keep Bottas’
26 Sep 2023 6:45 AM
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com

F1 commentator Peter Windsor believes the tension between George Russell and Lewis Hamilton at the Japanese Grand Prix proves why the latter was so keen to keep Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes beyond 2021.

Bottas, 34, helped the Alfa Romeo-branded Sauber team to their best result in the Constructors’ Championship in a decade in 2022 and famously reached Q3 at every single race in his five full seasons as a Mercedes driver as Hamilton’s team-mate.

Speaking via his YouTube channel, 1992 title-winning Williams team manager Windsor fears the arrival of Russell has upset the balance between the drivers at Mercedes, likening the bond Hamilton had with Bottas to the dynamic between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez at Red Bull currently.

‘Lewis Hamilton wanted Mercedes to keep Bottas’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/george...es-keep-bottas


Lewis Hamilton fans demand Mercedes sack George Russell, sign Valtteri Bottas
Mercedes have been accused of having made a mistake by signing George Russell as Lewis Hamilton's team-mate.
25 September 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News

Several fans of Lewis Hamilton have accused Mercedes of making a mistake by signing George Russell to replace Valtteri Bottas last season, following Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix.

“As I said last week signing Russell was a mistake. Just didn’t think it would be proven every week. He will be a liability in a championship scenario,” wrote @F1_Jordan on Twitter/X.

Several fans agreed with this view and criticised Mercedes for not stating who their clear number one driver is. “Absolutely, I expected more from Mercedes in terms of managing their drivers. I don’t recognise this team at all,” commented @Farinho_10.

‘Liability in a championship scenario’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/lewis-ham...ltteri-bottas/


Hamilton takes SLY dig at Russell after Japanese GP battle
Sunday 24 September 2023 21:42
Sam Cook
GPFans

The pair were embroiled in a great on-track battle during the race, which saw multiple switches of position and, at times, became a little heated. This was especially true when Hamilton appeared to run Russell off the track as the pair were squabbling for sixth and seventh position near the start of the race.

Russell lost out, eventually finishing seventh whilst Hamilton took home fifth to extend his lead over his team-mate in the standings. “It wasn’t the perfect day for the team," he (Hamilton) told Sky Sports Italia. "I think we should’ve swapped positions if we wanted to win against Ferrari. George is quite far behind me in the championship, so I’m not battling him. We should’ve worked together to get more points.”

‘SLY dig’;

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


Lewis Hamilton demands talks with George Russell after blaming him for Mercedes 'fight'
20:53, Sun, Sep 24, 2023
By Alex Turk
Daily and Sunday Express

Lewis Hamilton has confirmed that he will hold talks with Mercedes teammate George Russell after their tense battle in the Japanese Grand Prix. Hamilton and Russell were tangled in an awkward showdown in the opening and closing stages on the Suzuka Circuit as Ferrari took advantage.

The seven-time world champion defended his position when his teammate launched a move into the final chicane early on before defending well again in the later laps after going wide at the second of the Degner corners. Russell questioned the team radio why the seven-time world champion was fighting him for places while the clash with Ferrari remains rife.

Near the finale, Hamilton caught Russell during the latter's attempt at the one-stop and asked him to let him pass while under pressure from Carlos Sainz. Russell's delay while suggesting he should copy Sainz's DRS trick from Singapore caused frustration, but he finally let Hamilton through

‘Lewis Hamilton demands talks’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ese-Grand-Prix

[Fortitude]

Fernando Alonso lashes out at Aston Martin as honeymoon period ends.
Fernando Alonso was left frustrated by Aston Martin’s strategy at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, where he accused them of throwing him to “the lions”.
24 September 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News

Alonso made an excellent launch thanks to having started the race on the Soft tyres, something which saw him show good pace in the opening stages. However, Alonso started to struggle once the drivers around him on the Mediums started to get their tyres to work, something which resulted in Aston Martin calling the Spaniard in for an early pit-stop.

Whilst this saw Alonso undercut several drivers, he was quickly caught by the drivers on the Mediums again once they’d pitted and gotten their new tyres upto temperature.

Alonso recognised that he was in trouble and complained to the team for putting him on the wrong strategy. “You’ve thrown me to the lions by stopping that early!” Alonso complained to Aston Martin over the radio.

‘Frustrated’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/fernando-...n-period-ends/


Alonso's vocal annoyance can't be separated from Aston decline
Sep 25, 2023
by Scott Mitchell-Malm
The Race

In Aston Martin’s weakest spell of the 2023 Formula 1 season, Fernando Alonso has gained attention with some spiky radio messages. And it is hardly a coincidence. “At the beginning of the season I was voted for nine or 10 points [out of 10 in people rating his performances] and now I'm four of five,” he said after qualifying on Saturday at Suzuka. But I'm at the same level.”

The point is obvious, and accurate. Aston Martin’s AMR23 is not the competitive force it was earlier in the year. That brings tougher races, more frustrating situations, and more Alonso radio complaints. In Singapore he told his team the car was undriveable. In Japan we heard him declare his team had “thrown me to the lions by stopping that early”. Alonso was annoyed by that after the race, calling it “the classic thing, the classic FOM radio, completely out of context”.

It wasn’t really. And Alonso’s one of the, if not the, smartest drivers on the grid. He uses everything at his disposal and that includes knowing what messages are likely to get picked up on the broadcast. Whether you believe it’s what he was doing on this occasion or not, it is well within his skillset to say something that he wants the world feed to pick up.

‘Alonso's vocal annoyance’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/w...cline-fits-in/


Transcript: What Alonso really meant by being “thrown to the lions” at Suzuka
Formula 1
Posted on 27th September 2023, 7:15
Written by Ida Wood
RaceFans

Fernando Alonso expressed frustration that one of his radio messages during the Japanese Grand Prix was broadcast on Formula 1’s television feed “out of context.” It’s not the first time a mid-race radio comment by Alonso at Suzuka has been the subject of scrutiny. But the circumstances last weekend were rather different to those of eight years ago.

“You’ve thrown me to the lions, to stop that early, mate,” Alonso grumbled. “It’s unbelievable.” On the face of it, Alonso appeared to be venting in frustration about being passed. On the lap before, he had been overtaken by Sainz’s team mate Charles Leclerc too, but had ended the lap gaining a place back when Sainz pitted. But despite appearances the focus of Alonso’s concern was not the cars he had just been passed by.

The Ferraris had started fourth and sixth, Alonso tenth. A strong start saw the Aston Martin driver jumped up to sixth place to sit right behind them. Race engineer Chris Cronin was pleased by the early progress, but both knew it would be a challenge to hold onto that lofty position.

‘Transcript’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/09/27/...ons-at-suzuka/


Fernando Alonso 'upset' as F1 star explains radio rant at Japanese Grand Prix
Fernando Alonso has explained the context behind his radio message during the early stages of the Japanese Grand Prix.
13:27, Sun, Sep 24, 2023
By Harry Smith
Daily and Sunday Express

The legendary Spaniard enjoyed a positive start to the Japanese Grand Prix, capitalising on a chaotic opening lap to jump up to sixth place before settling into a rhythm. Unfortunately for Alonso, he wasn't allowed to stay in this rhythm for long with the team dragging him into the pit lane for a change of tyres on lap 11.

With those stopping after him closing up on their fresher tyres and Lewis Hamilton making his way past, Alonso appeared frustrated over the team radio, stating: "You have thrown me to the lions by stopping that early mate. Unbelievable." Addressing his comments to Autosport after the race, Alonso said: “I think it's the same classic theme, the classic FOM radio, completely out of context.”

"I'm not sure exactly what other drivers say when they are behind a car that is slower and on the straight, they are pulling away even when you open the DRS. “Maybe they say, 'I'm okay, I'm happy to stay here and to stay behind'. But I prefer to be motivated, to overtake them. On track, as I said, I was slower even with the DRS open.”

‘Radio rant explained’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ese-Grand-Prix


Alonso says Aston Martin are pushing ‘flat out’ on developments as constructors’ fight ramps up at Suzuka
25 September 2023
Formula One - Official Site

Fernando Alonso has indicated that there will be more to come from Aston Martin over the final six races of the 2023 season as they look to maximise their standing in the constructors’ championship.

Reflecting on his run to P8 at Suzuka, behind the two McLarens, Ferraris and Mercedes machines, Alonso said: “I think today we had a little bit more than the result shows. I think P6 and definitely P7 was possible.”

“I think we didn’t optimise the strategy, maybe we stopped too soon at the beginning, too early – maybe that compromised a little bit the final result. But we were fast and the pace was a little bit better than expected, so I had fun in the car.”

‘Pushing flat out’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...S5mcklB1f.html


‘I was upset’: F1 driver admits he was ‘thrown to the lions’ by team over pit strategy at Suzuka
15:05 Mon, 25 Sep 2023.
F1 Oversteer.

Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso has admitted he wasn’t pleased with his team’s strategy at Suzuka this weekend. The Spanish champion’s comments were relayed by The Athletic after a tough weekend for the British team.

After starting the season so strongly, Aston Martin have fallen away in the second half of the year. Out of the constructors in the top half of the championship right now, Aston Martin have the biggest disparity in terms of the quality of their two drivers.

Fernando Alonso recorded six podiums in the first eight races but has only recorded one top-three finish since Canada.

‘I was upset’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/f1-...egy-at-suzuka/


‘We stopped too early’ – Alonso reckons strategy cost him at least one place in the Japanese GP.
24 Sep 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

Fernando Alonso finished eighth at Suzuka but said after the race his pace was better than that and his pit stop strategy perhaps cost him more positions.

‘We stopped too early’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...028362440.html

[Fortitude]

Mercedes 'are lost' and 'don't have a clue' as F1 expert tells Toto Wolff his big mistake.
Former Jaguar and Jordan technical director Gary Anderson has claimed that Mercedes don't know where they are going wrong, telling team principal Toto Wolff that his team need to start maximising their package and heading towards Red Bull’s design philosophy.
10:10, Tue, Sep 26, 2023
By Harry Smith
Daily and Sunday Express

The Japanese Grand Prix represented a miserable weekend for the Silver Arrows as Lewis Hamilton and George Russell left everything out on the track, only to come home in P5 and P7 respectively. Writing in his Telegraph column, Anderson claimed: “McLaren, meanwhile, have shifted away from their previous concept in this area to one that essentially looks like the Red Bull, but then you also need to understand the design philosophy to get the best from it.”

“At a track like Suzuka, which is a real test of a car, McLaren qualified and finished second and third to Verstappen. The visual concept is something that makes the car work, but you have to do all the other non-visual stuff with it too, like understanding the detail on the under-floor. McLaren seem to understand that well now after their woeful start. Becoming Red Bull-alikes, if you will, has taken them (and other teams) forward. This is the main area where Mercedes are lost.”

“If they are going to start again with their car, they need to begin in this area. Yet even taking all that into consideration, they are not getting the best out of their car for what it is currently, which is where Ferrari have improved. There is some light at the end of the tunnel for Wolff and Mercedes, and there are signs that the Austrian is working towards the points made by Anderson. The Brackley-based team have already halted their development of the W14, instead switching attention to next year’s car.”

‘Mercedes 'are lost' and 'don't have a clue'!’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...-F1-Toto-Wolff


Newey explains rejection of Mercedes ‘zeropod’ philosophy
17:08 Wed, 27 Sep 2023.
by Sam Tomlinson
Motorsport Week

Red Bull chief technical officer Adrian Newey has opened up on how he and his design team opted to reject the ‘zeropod’ design philosophy adopted by Mercedes. Mercedes finally abandoned the project at the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix with the introduction of a heavily redesigned package.

“Obviously, with last year’s car we took an aerodynamic direction with the sidepod and design and the concept of the car, which was almost polar opposite to what Mercedes did,” Newey told F1’s Beyond the Grid podcast. “Mercedes showed flashes of competitive last year, they won in Brazil [with George Russell].”

“Then you’re faced with a choice of well, do we start to research Mercedes in case you’ve missed something or do we stick with what we’re doing? And gut feel was, let’s stick with what we’re doing.”

‘Gut feel’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...od-philosophy/


Elite F1 teams express concerns over McLaren’s ascent
September 26, 2023
BaylaSportsF1

Both Ferrari and Mercedes, among the frontrunners in Formula 1, are voicing their concerns, citing they are “worried” about McLaren’s swift progression. Right now, Red Bull is reigning supreme in Formula 1, with Mercedes and Ferrari positioned behind, accumulating less than half of Red Bull’s points.

Although Aston Martin has solidified its fourth position with a commendable start to 2023, Lando Norris, having secured second at Suzuka, believes McLaren can surpass them.

“If it’s 49 points, then I definitely think we can,” said the Briton. “Our current advantage over most teams is having two drivers who are consistently vying for these positions and securing points.”

‘Current advantage: Consistent two drivers’;

https://baylasportsf1.com/elite-f1-t...larens-ascent/


‘Lost’ Mercedes ordered to copy Red Bull as Lewis Hamilton loses patience
Mercedes have admitted that they might introduce yet another new concept for the 2024 season.
26 September 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News

Ex-Jaguar technical director Gary Anderson believes Mercedes need to copy Red Bull for next season, should the Silver Arrows decide to “start again” with the design of their car. At Mercedes, the side just look “lost”, to the extent that they’ve openly admitted that their design concept could be changed for a third time for 2024. Anderson think their best option is to become “Red Bull-alikes”, a route which has been taken by McLaren, Aston Martin and Haas.

“McLaren, meanwhile, have shifted away from their previous concept in this area to one that essentially looks like the Red Bull, but then you also need to understand the design philosophy to get the best from it,” Anderson wrote in his column for The Telegraph. “At a track like Suzuka, which is a real test of a car, McLaren qualified and finished second and third to Verstappen.”
“The visual concept is something that makes the car work, but you have to do all the other non-visual stuff with it too, like understanding the detail on the under-floor. McLaren seem to understand that well now after their woeful start. Becoming Red Bull-alikes, if you will, has taken them (and other teams) forward. This is the main area where Mercedes are lost.”

‘Hamilton loses patience’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/lost-merc...oses-patience/


Newey explains why Red Bull didn’t study Mercedes’ “polar opposite” concept
Formula 1
Posted on 27th September 2023, 13:26
Written by Keith Collantine
Motorsport Week

Red Bull’s chief technical officer Adrian Newey has shed light on how he devised the design which has dominated Formula 1 since the current technical regulations were introduced. He has also explained why his team spurned the radically different approach taken by Mercedes, despite their rival’s upswing in form over the course of last season which culminated in them winning the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Newey began designing F1 cars in the 1980s when ground effect aerodynamics were first used. He said the experience gained there, as well as in sports car and IndyCar racing, gave him an advantageous understanding of the rules that were introduced last year. Red Bull experienced some of the same problems with bouncing and porpoising as their rivals, but unlike most of the other teams, were quickly able to master it.

“We had an amount of bouncing, not as bad as the other teams, but we still had some bouncing which we needed to get on top of. And I think we had a reasonable understanding of what we needed to do to do that. So come the first upgrade we had in for the Bahrain race, then bouncing was much less of an issue than it was for other teams. That meant that we didn’t have to put a lot of our development energy into fixing bouncing, such as Ferrari and Mercedes did.”

‘Adrian Newey has shed light on how he devised the design’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/09/27/...osite-concept/


Mercedes provide latest W15 update with ‘fundamental’ developments in the works
27 Sep 2023 4:36 PM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

Mercedes have said they will use the winter months to make the “fundamental” developments on their 2024 challenger, the W15, and there are still upgrades to come this season. Team principal Toto Wolff has previously hinted that the United States Grand Prix in Austin will be the location for the arrival of the final major upgrade package of the year on their car.

Mercedes’ head of strategy Rosie Walt has elaborated further, explaining that any further upgrades in 2023 will “directly feed” into developing next year’s car, given the stability of the sport’s regulations. Mercedes are still locked in a tight battle with Ferrari for second place in the Constructors’ Championship this year, with only 20 points separating the two teams with six races to go.

“This decision is never as black and white as it seems,” Walt said in response to a question about the balance the team strikes between upgrading their current car or putting their resources into next year’s challenger. Whilst we will have to use the winter to make more fundamental developments to W15, there are plenty of things we can do with the current car which will both make it faster and aid our learning and understanding to develop next year’s car.”

‘Latest W15 update’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/merced...5-developments

[Fortitude]

Ocon explains ‘crazy race’ that saw him go from Lap 1 puncture to points.
Esteban Ocon’s race looked to be unravelling when he picked up a puncture on the opening lap in Japan, but he fought his way back up the order to finish P9.
24 Sep 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

‘Crazy race’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...818607305.html


Gasly: Alpine's Ocon swap wasn't discussed before Japan F1 race.
Pierre Gasly was left confused by Alpine's order to swap positions with Esteban Ocon at the end of Formula 1's Japanese Grand Prix, which he said wasn't discussed beforehand.
Sep 24, 2023, 10:02 AM
By: Filip Cleeren
Co-author: Adam Cooper
Motorsport.com

In the final stages of the Suzuka race, Gasly was asked to let Ocon by as the pair was set to finish ninth and 10th. Gasly angrily protested on the radio but eventually relented by letting his team-mate by at the very last possible moment, in the third sector of the final lap.

Gasly was asked to let Ocon by to return the favour from earlier in the race, when Gasly passed Ocon but then failed to overtake Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso ahead of the pair, thereby having to revert the positions.

‘Pierre Gasly was left confused’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/g...e-gp/10524776/


Radio messages reveal Pierre Gasly’s fury with Alpine after Esteban Ocon team order
24 Sep 2023 10:12 AM
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com

Karel Loos: Okay, mate. So we’ve got Esteban 2.4 behind. Instruction on the pit wall coming. Can we swap back around, please?
Pierre Gasly: Mate, what the f**k? You’re kidding me, are you? Why are you saying that? I was faster. I’m on fresher rubber. If you would have not passed me (sic), I would have overtaken him anyway.
KL: Yeah, we’ll discuss it in the office. Please swap round, please.
PG: Are you serious? You’re being serious? I started in front, I was in front the whole race, you let him undercut me, and then…

KL: Mate, I’m not joking. The instruction comes from the pit wall. Let’s do it next time round, please. Turn 16.
However, Gasly didn’t appear to be eager to relinquish position, with Ocon getting on the radio requesting that his teammate be told again to swap positions.
PG: You confirm you want to swap?
KL: Affirm, mate. Affirm, please.
PG: Yeah, thank you. Complete joke.
Another half a lap passes, with Loos getting back on the radio.

KL: Please Pierre.
PG: I’m doing it.
KL: Copy, thank you. You don’t have to say anything now, we’ll discuss it after. OK, that’s the checkered flag. That’ll be Scenario 12.
KL: OK mate, so stop the car in parc ferme.
PG: No, it’s OK, mate. It’s OK. Let’s stop here. It’s OK. I understand. I understand what you’re doing. It’s like…
KL: OK. Let’s discuss it out on the camera, mate. Just switch off.

‘Radio messages’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/pierre...con-team-order


Alpine created needless tension with 'complete joke' Gasly order
Sep 24, 2023
by Scott Mitchell-Malm
The Race

Alpine’s claim that swapping its Formula 1 drivers on the final lap of the Japanese Grand Prix was in “the best interest of the team” did not chime with what Pierre Gasly viewed as a “complete joke” of a situation.

A swearing Gasly made his displeasure clear before moving aside for Esteban Ocon to take ninth place but was told it was a strict pitwall instruction he needed to follow. And the final lap inversion, which Gasly only complied with exiting the final corner, was a source of obvious tension afterwards.

Ostensibly this was just another example of a standard application of team orders. One car (Gasly) pitted, had fresher tyres, and was catching the other car (Ocon) – so was ordered past to try to attack the next car ahead (Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin), with the positions being swapped back when that failed.

‘Needless tension’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/g...der-explained/


F1 team boss blames driver rift on 'communication problems'
Thursday 28 September 2023 17:57
Sam Cook
GPFans

Alpine team principal Bruno Famin has said that there hasn't been a breakdown in the relationship of his two drivers, but communication problems at the Japanese Grand Prix led to Pierre Gasly feeling unhappy. The French driver was left reeling after the team told him to gift ninth place back to Esteban Ocon during the last lap of the race when the cars were running in ninth and tenth.

It was a move that Gasly called 'pointless', but the team insisted it was because Ocon had let his countryman through earlier in the race to let him chase after Fernando Alonso. When he wasn't able to catch and pass the Spaniard, they decided to switch it back again in a move that, according to Famin, wasn't communicated well enough to Gasly.

'Communication problems';

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...tion-problems/

[Fortitude]

Tsunoda frustrated after missing out on points at home in Japan as he questions AlphaTauri’s strategy.
Yuki Tsunoda was left with a feeling of what might have been following the Japanese Grand Prix as the home favourite’s ninth-place starting position turned into 12th at the chequered flag.
27 September 2023
Formula One - Official Site

Tsunoda and new team mate Liam Lawson ran inside the points-paying places in the opening exchanges of Sunday’s race but dropped down the order as various tyre strategies played out. At the end of it all, Lawson came home 11th as the first of the lapped runners, with Tsunoda one spot behind, meaning AlphaTauri remain at the foot of the constructors’ standings on five points.

Reflecting on his home race, Tsunoda commented: “It’s frustrating because there was pace today, but I didn’t have the opportunity to maximise it. On this track, it’s hard to follow because the tyres overheat very easily and I feel like we pitted for the hard compound too late, so I was behind everyone and had to catch up to the pack.”

“I think there was no chance to catch P10 today. It’s a shame that I wasn’t able to perform well and get a good result in front of the Japanese fans, but I got a lot of energy from them so thank you to all the fans. In the end, it is what it is.”

‘Tsunoda frustrated’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...VasSZKe1x.html


Lawson admits to ‘no satisfaction’ over beating Tsunoda in Suzuka
24 September 4:11PM
Author Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365

When asked if he was satisfied to finish ahead of his team-mate after missing out on a drive for next season, Lawson said: “Not satisfaction. I want to be in a seat and I don’t have one right now. It’s basically just doing the best job I can each time I get into the car. I’ll keep doing that for as long as I’m driving.”

Lawson added that AlphaTauri didn’t have the pace within the car to challenge for points during the Grand Prix. “We didn’t quite have the speed today,” he said. “To be honest, the only guys that we were really racing today were the Alpines and they were too quick. It meant that we were just outside the points unfortunately. I feel like we pretty much maximised [what we could]."

‘No satisfaction’;

https://racingnews365.com/lawson-adm...noda-in-suzuka


‘No satisfaction’ over beating Yuki Tsunoda for Liam Lawson at Suzuka after missing out on ‘24 seat
25 Sep 2023
Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net

Liam Lawson is taking ‘no satisfaction’ from the fact he was able to out-race Yuki Tsunoda at the Japanese Grand Prix because he missed out on a full-time seat for 2024. AlphaTauri announced Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo as their driver line-up for 2024, meaning Lawson is set for a season on the sidelines.

Lawson has been very impressive since making his F1 debut at the Dutch Grand Prix in August. He scored AlphaTauri’s best result of F1 2023 in Singapore (ninth) and managed to beat Tsunoda again on-track in Sunday’s Japanese GP.

‘No satisfaction’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/103679...ng-out-24-seat


'So be it' if Lawson has to LEAVE Red Bull programme
Monday 25 September 2023 08:57
Cal Gaunt
GPFans

As Liam Lawson's stock continues to rise following a string of impressive performances while deputising for the injured Daniel Ricciardo, attentions are turning to where he might find himself next season.

Anthony Davidson said the rookie may have to look elsewhere for the right opportunity. “Of the last three Grand Prix, two of them have been incredibly tough," Davidson said. "I mean Zandvoort with those mixed conditions, thrown in at the deep end with no testing, hardly knew the car at all, what a Grand Prix to try and survive. He did really well.”

“In the same way we saw with Pierre Gasly [he had to] make his own bed somewhere else. If [Lawson] has to do that, and I don’t know how their contracts work there, maybe he’d take a financial hit as well because I’m sure they sign up for a long time with the Red Bull program, but so be it.”

'So be it';

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ts-f1-podcast/


Lawson received messages from ‘all the Kiwi drivers’
Wednesday 27th September, 2023 - 5:00am
By Mat Coch

Liam Lawson has had messages of support from his compatriots around the world as he continues deputising for Daniel Ricciardo. “Honestly, from all the Kiwi drivers,” Lawson said when asked by Speedcafe if he’d swapped messages with van Gisbergen. (The 22-year-old has previously revealed that Shane van Gisbergen has played a role in his burgeoning career.)

“That’s been really, really cool to see that. Obviously there’s not many of us abroad doing this kind of thing, and so I think we stay pretty well connected. From everybody, the support has been, especially from home, it’s been amazing.”

‘All the Kiwi drivers’;

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/09/27...-kiwi-drivers/


Liam Lawson rules out possible Williams loan switch for 2024
26 Sep 2023
Connor McDonagh

Liam Lawson has seemingly ruled himself out from moving to Williams on loan for the 2024 season. Speaking during the Japanese GP weekend, Lawson made it clear that he’s “a Red Bull driver” and “all the Red Bull seats are filled”.

“I’m a Red Bull driver,” he said. “All the Red Bull seats are filled and unfortunately for me that means that, for now, I’ll be reserve driver.” Lawson’s main goal is still to be an F1 driver, with a full-time seat in 2025 in his sights.

“I’ve got my head down at the moment trying to make the most of these races,” he said. “Ultimately obviously my goal is to be in F1 so I’ll try and do what I can to achieve that in the future. One of the positives about being a Red Bull driver is, for me having five years in this programme, it’s a high-pressure programme.”

‘Made it clear that he’s “a Red Bull driver” ’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/103681...an-switch-2024


Lawson not distracted by missing 2024 AlphaTauri F1 race seat
Liam Lawson insists that learning he didn’t have a full-time AlphaTauri Formula 1 drive for 2024 has not distracted him from his current stint with the Italian team.
Sep 27, 2023, 10:52 AM
Motorsport.com

The Faenza outfit announced over the Suzuka weekend that Yuki Tsunoda will be joined by Daniel Ricciardo next year, with Lawson serving as reserve once again for the two Red Bull teams.

Japan was the New Zealander’s fourth outing since Ricciardo suffered a hand injury at Zandvoort. While the target is for the latter to return for the next race in Qatar, Lawson could get a fifth race in the AT04 if it is decided that Ricciardo needs more recovery time.

"I think to be honest, I haven't thought about it too much,” said Lawson when asked by Motorsport.com about the impact of the line-up confirmation. “I think right now I'm focused on making the most of this opportunity.”

‘Lawson not distracted’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/l...seat/10525876/

[Fortitude]

Bottas reflects on early lap collisions in Japan that forced him to retire 'undriveable' car.
Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu were left to lament a chaotic and eventful first few laps at this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix. While the former was forced to retire due to damage, the latter was able to continue on to finish 13th.
26 September 2023
Formula One - Official Site

Bottas had a solid getaway from 16th and went three-wide with Esteban Ocon and Alex Albon on the run down to Turn 1. Unfortunately, he collided with both drivers, with Bottas sandwiched between the pair, forcing him to pit for a new front wing.

While trying to make his way back through the field, he looked to go around the outside of Logan Sargeant at the hairpin. However, the Williams driver locked up, sending him straight into Bottas, and he subsequently knocked the Finn into the gravel and later out of the race.

Reflecting on the Lap 1 incident, Bottas said: “Yeah, pretty eventful short race. But, I mean, I had a great start actually off the line, I was between two cars going into Turn 1. And the car on the right started squeezing to the left so then, in the end, there was not space, so there was a collision, and I had a puncture on the front right.”

‘Bottas reflects;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...60mO9hj3T.html


Zhou explains moment that 'destroyed' his front wing
25 September 8:00PM
Author Rory Mitchell
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365

The collision threw up a lot of debris which caught Zhou out and resulted in a Safety Car during the opening laps. "Where I was starting I was hoping for a bit of a more messy start up front," Zhou told media, including RacingNews365.

"Somehow I get put into the path of this massive carbon piece and that fully destroyed my front wing before Turn 1. I think there was a little bit of damage under the front of the car, but across the front wing was ok because we changed it. But maybe a small crack, but I don't think it's a major issue."

‘Moment that 'destroyed' his front wing’;

https://racingnews365.com/zhou-expla...his-front-wing


2023 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
September 24th, 2023
Alfa Romeo Racing - Official Site

Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Team Representative:“There are still some positives to take with us from this weekend, although we come back from Suzuka with no points: we had reasonable race pace today, compared to our direct competitors; Zhou was able to perform a solid race, despite having been forced to pit to change his front wing because of damage.”

“After the opening lap accident, Zhou managed to regain positions on track, thanks to a two-stop strategy which saw him running on soft tyres for most of the race and then change for hard in the final section, ultimately crossing the line in 13th place.”

After a very good start in which he gained two places, Valtteri was squeezed between Albon and Ocon, and forced to an early pit to change the damaged parts on his C43. Even though he was able to quickly recover thanks to the Safety Car period, Valtteri’s race unfortunately came to an end when Sargeant took him out: the damage on the car was too heavy, and it was not possible for him to continue.

“Still some positives to take with us from this weekend”;

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


Bottas explains why he had to retire after ‘eventful short race’ at Suzuka
24 Sep 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

Valtteri Bottas was in the wars in Japan, picking up damage in a Lap 1 incident before he was punted off by Logan Sargeant five laps in, before he eventually retired his Alfa Romeo.

‘Eventful short race’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...197702433.html


Bottas rues 'eventful and short' race after multiple incidents
25 September 12:00PM
Author Rory Mitchell
RacingNews365

Valtteri Bottas has rued his "eventful and short" Japanese Grand Prix, after getting caught up in numerous incidents at the start.

The Alfa Romeo driver started from 16th on the grid and was collected by Esteban Ocon heading into the first corner, causing front wing damage and a puncture.

It was a hectic return to the pits as the mechanics worked frantically to get him back out on track before he could be lapped by the Safety Car.

"Eventful and short";

https://racingnews365.com/bottas-rue...iple-incidents


Alfa Romeo scramble to fix car with their HANDS in Bottas pit stop nightmare
Sunday 24 September 2023 08:11
Janice Kusters
GPFans

Valtteri Bottas experienced a nightmare pit stop during the Japanese Grand Prix after a first-lap incident. As the race began, cars towards the rear of the field quickly closed in on each other. In the chaos, Bottas collided with the Williams of Alex Albon, resulting in significant damage to his car.

This unfortunate turn of events forced him into an unexpected pit stop to replace both the front wing and the tyres. The pit stop turned into a torturous 33.9-second ordeal as the front wing was not prepared for installation, causing mechanics to scramble while the car remained stationary.

To compound the frustration, difficulties arose in lifting the car using the jack, leading to frantic shouting among team members, clearly audible on the broadcast. Ultimately, they had to resort to manually raising the car by its suspension to change the tires.

‘Frantic shouting among team members’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ltteri-bottas/


Valtteri Bottas wants to ‘have a word’ with 22-year-old F1 rival on Japanese GP ‘mistake’
09:33 Tue, 26 Sep 2023.
F1 Oversteer

Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas plans to speak with Formula 1 rival Logan Sargeant as contact with the Williams rookie ended both of their Japanese Grand Prix last Sunday. But while Sargeant will want to forget his struggles at Suzuka before Formula 1 hits the track in Qatar in two weeks, Bottas is minded to speak with the Williams rookie about their crash at the Japanese GP. Williams suffered a double-DNF at Suzuka as Albon also retired on Lap 27.

“Yes, maybe I’ll have a word with him to figure out what he was thinking about,” Bottas said, via quotes by Motorsport Week, after the Japanese GP. “It could be it was just a mistake.” Should Bottas speak with Sargeant to discuss the collision, the Williams driver could suggest the Alfa Romeo ace was overly ambitious with his overtake. Sargeant was ahead of the Finn before locking up entering Turn 11 with enough space for Bottas to note he would run wide.

‘Have a word’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/val...se-gp-mistake/