2021 F1

Hamilton believes he won’t follow the Raikkonen’s routes

Published

2 years ago

May 27, 2021

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Images Credit: Mercedes/Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton strongly believes he will not stay at Formula One for long-time like Kimi Raikkonen. Speaking ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, seven-times F1 world champion was asked by AS (Spanish News Agency) if he may follow Raikkonen’s footsteps.

Hamilton made 100 F1 pole positions, 98 F1 victories, seven F1 world titles. He is on his way to the eighth that would break his tie with Michael Schumacher forever.

Asked by AS: Will you still be racing when you are 41, like Kimi Raikkonen?

-I don’t think so. (He finishes his contract at the end of the year). I don’t think I’ll be driving forever, even though this has been the greatest journey of my life. There are a lot of things I want to keep doing from one season, but some things I don’t want to do. I’d have five years left for that, and I don’t think I’m going to keep racing then, although never say never….

Former F1 drivers Mark Webber and David Coulthard believes that the Brit could be on his way out.

“Lewis is definitely in the home stretch,” Webber said to the On The Marbles podcast in last month. “There’s no question about it. You have to be very bold to say that he’ll race for three more years.

“Two, maybe. One, yeah. Then there’s a high chance that he’ll retire. It makes a lot of sense, and there are new rules in 2022.”

“I think it’s possible,” Coulthard said. “A one-year contract lacks commitment from both sides. You could say that it leaves things open.

“I wonder if he’s just starting to dislike certain elements of F1.”

More Q&A from AS – Regarding eighth world title, fight with Verstappen, F1’s new era drivers

-Winning the eighth title, what would it mean to you? What would it change?

-It wouldn’t change anything. I know who I am, where I come from and what I’m capable of. I have no idea if I’m going to win it, although I’m working towards it, but it certainly won’t change anything important in my life. The numbers are not what worries me the most. I worry about who I am. Last year there was three percent diversity in this team, this year it will be close to five percent and that for me is gigantic, and I’m passionate about it. Of course I want to win the World Cup though, there’s a huge team working behind me for that.

-You say you are not interested in statistics, but you are interested in diversity statistics?

-No doubt. When you spend the last days of your life on Earth, what will you be left with? In my case, it will be having helped people. There is no better feeling than helping someone else to fulfill their dreams. And if it’s more than one person, you can rest in peace because you’ve done something with your time. I have achieved many things, but now all my focus is on helping others. I’m living a dream, I don’t need anything for myself, but how can I help a kid who wants to be an engineer or a driver?

-Back to the 2021 season, how are you doing against Max (Verstappen) and Red Bull?

-I love the fight, I’m a sportsman, I’ve lived for this since I was eight years old. There is nothing bigger than this for me.

-Is Verstappen his natural successor? Do you think there will be?

-I don’t know. There is a good group of young talent here. If given the chance, Lando (Norris) for me has huge potential, and also Charles (Leclerc). I don’t know who among them will lead the sport.

-What do you think of this generation of drivers? Sainz, Norris, Leclerc?

-I don’t know if it matters much what I think, I don’t know if I can judge if it’s a good or bad generation. There are always drivers who arrive, in my case I did it with Nico (Rosberg) and Kubica, just before there was Alonso, the Schumacher era… there will always be an era. For me personally, we live in a time when this has become a billionaire boys’ club. If I had to start over from a working-class family, it would be impossible for me to be here today. Because the other kids would have a hell of a lot more money. We have to work to change that and make this an accessible sport, for the rich and for people with a more humble background.

Above news has been partially translated with DeepL.com/Translator

Related Topics:2021 F1 F1 F1 2021 featured Lewis Hamilton

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2021 F1

What penalty do Red Bull face for breaching F1 cost cap?

Published

6 months ago

October 10, 2022

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FIA recently confirmed that, Red Bull Racing have been found guilty of violating Formula 1 budget cap for 2021.

The Official confirmation by FIA said that a “minor” breaking of the budget cap. As resulted exceeding the budget by less than 5% or $7.25m – could have big consequences if the FIA decide to punish them.

Max Verstappen, who won a second F1 championship in weird conditions in Japan on Sunday, clinched the 2021 F1 title after late and controversial drama involving the safety car in Abu Dhabi.

The cost cap breaches penalty ranges from a public reprimand to a financial penalty or secondary level sporting penalties.

• Public reprimand
• Deduction of Constructors’ Championship points awarded for the Championship that took place within the Reporting Period of the breach;
• Deduction of Drivers’ Championship points awarded for the Championship that took place within the Reporting Period of the breach;
• Suspension from one or more stages of a Competition or Competitions, excluding for the avoidance of doubt the race itself;
• Limitations on ability to conduct aerodynamic or other Testing; and/or
• Reduction of the Cost Cap

Red Bull hint they will appeal FIA decision

The statement, released on their social meadi page read: “We note the findings with surprise and disappointment. Our 2021 submission was below the cost cap limit so we need to carefully review the FIA’s findings as our belief remains that the relevant costs are under the 2021 cost cap amount.

“Despite the conjecture and positioning of others, there is of course a process under the regulations with the FIA which we will respectfully follow while we consider all the options available to us.”

2022 F1

Verstappen won his second F1 World Championship

Published

6 months ago

October 9, 2022

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Max Verstappen won the rain hit Japanese Grand Prix and he secure his second world title as well. The Dutchman takes the full 19 points and his teammate Sergio Perez made second place, following the Charles Leclerc receives five seconds penalty, who crossed the line just ahead of Perez… but final corner cutting was given his time penalty.

Verstappen: It’s crazy

“It’s crazy. Very mixed emotions,” he said.

“Looking back, what a year we’ve had so far. It’s been incredible. It’s something I could never have imagined. After last year, fighting until the end, and then having such a good car again this year. I’m so thankful to everyone who has been contributing to this success.”

… More to follow

2023 F1

Nyck de Vries secures 2023 AlphaTauri F1 race seat

Published

6 months ago

October 8, 2022

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The Dutch racing driver Nyck de Vries sealed AlphaTauri F1 racing seat as replaced the Alpine-moved Pierre Gasly for 2023 F1 season.

27 years old, former F2 and Formula E world Champion’s demand has been raised, after he made an extraordinary performance at Monza for Williams racing team, who finished ninth on his F1 debut.

“I’m extremely excited to be joining Scuderia AlphaTauri for 2023 and I want to thank both Red Bull and the team for giving me the opportunity to drive in F1,” the Dutchman said.

“After Formula 2, I took a slightly different path with motorsport, but F1 has always been my dream and I’m grateful to be able to fulfil it.

“I’ve had a lot of chances to experience the 2022 car this year and I think that has put me in a great position for the upcoming season, I hope this has helped to prepare me for what is to come.”

“After Formula 2, I took a slightly different path with motorsport, but F1 has always been my dream and I’m grateful to be able to fulfil it.

“Having spent most of my teenage years in Italy for karting, I’ve always felt at home there, so for me, it’s great to be joining an Italian team, that already has a real family feel,” he added.

“I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and to start to build our relationship before the next season.”

AlphaTauri team head Franz Tost also gave his full care to De Vries, point out: “We are pleased to start a new chapter with Nyck, who’s very much welcome at Scuderia AlphaTauri.

“He is a very highly skilled driver, as he won in all the categories he competed in, with many races and championships under his belt.

“His last big success was winning the Formula E World Championship, and this is clear evidence that he is a very competitive driver, who deserves a seat in F1.

“I am looking forward to seeing him in our car and I’m confident that with Yuki and Nyck we will have a very strong driver lineup for 2023.”

The Austrian also paid praise to Gasly, who has spent at least part of every season at the team since his debut in 2017.

“AlphaTauri had a very successful time with Pierre,” he said.

“We will never forget his fantastic victory in Monza and his podium finishes in Brazil and Azerbaijan.

“I want to thank Pierre for all the effort he’s put into the team in the last years, and I wish him all the best for his future.”