2021 F1

Baku is not going to be an easy race for Ferrari – Leclerc

Published

2 years ago

June 5, 2021

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Charles Leclerc Formula 1 2021 Azerbaijan GP Qualifying Pole Position

F1 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Pole-sitter Charles Leclerc’s Q&A from Post Qualifying Press Conference.

Q: That qualifying was unbelievable. My heart was on the rev limiter, but for you, Charles Leclerc, pole position. Tell us about that lap?

Charles LECLERC: It was quite a shit lap I thought! There were two or three corners where I did mistakes but of course I had the big tow from Lewis in the last sector, which helped me a little bit. But overall I think we would have been thereabouts for pole anyway without the slipstream so it’s a good day. I did not expect to be as competitive as we were today. I think I was improving again with the red flag but yeah, it’s like this, another pole. I’m happy anyway. Hopefully it’s all good for Carlos. I haven’t seen the crash so I have no ideas but I hope all OK for the team.

Q: Second pole position on the trot. That must feel absolutely brilliant. It must give a lot of motivation to you, the driver, but Ferrari as well?

CL: Yeah, it feels very good. On the other hand it is with a red flag again. I wish we had it on a normal track but in the end a pole is a pole.

Q: For the race tomorrow, how does the car feel? Do you think you can give it a good go with all those very tough drivers around you?

CL: Yeah, the car felt quite OK, but I believe Mercedes and Red Bull have something more than we have, in the race especially. We have seen that in FP2. Here it will be very difficult, It’s not like Monaco; they can overtake. But I will try to do the best job possible and hopefully we can keep that first place but it’s going to be very difficult.

Q: Charles, many congratulations, another stunning pole lap by you. How does it feel?

CL: It feels good. It feels better than Monaco. Even though it still doesn’t feel as good as a pole position should feel just because for the red flags. On the other hand I’m very happy with the performance we have had all weekend. We were quite surprised. We definitely didn’t expect this type of performance, so it is looking good for the future and we need to keep pushing like that. But for now, it’s all good. About the lap I’m pretty happy. Turns 4, 5 and 6 I’m not very happy about it but then I had Lewis or Valtteri, I don’t know, to help me a little bit in the last sector so very happy to be on pole tomorrow.

Q: You say you weren’t expecting this level of performance coming into the session, so what were you expecting?

CL: I think to be more of less like McLaren, even a little bit behind, These were the ones we were considering to be our main rivals here. Then FP1, FP2, FP3, we were surprised but we thought that there was something more in Quali, a bit like Monaco at the end but to a bigger extent.

Q: What about the long run pace of the car? Goals for tomorrow?

CL: Oh, I think it’s going to be difficult to keep these two behind me. In FP2 we weren’t as strong as Red Bull or Mercedes so we need to keep working and keep pushing for tomorrow but it’s not going to be an easy race.

Q: Well done, Charles, and all good with the drive shaft?

CL: Ha! Yeah, this time yes. For me. I hope for Carlos too.

Q: (Andrew Benson – BBC Sport) Charles, can you explain why Ferrari are so quick this weekend? We know the car’s good in slow corners but obviously there’s not just corners on this track; and secondly you struggled on long runs yesterday, have you been able to do anything to fix that for today and tomorrow?

CL: Yeah, well the complete explanation I don’t have it, but for sure it’s the result of the guys back at the factory, also the guys here at the track who have been working extremely hard since the beginning of 2020 when we obviously started the season and it was very difficult. We kept working and the car just got better and better. It’s small steps all the time but small steps in the right direction and this is not always a given so this makes us competitive, then to be honest, we did not expect to be as competitive as we were this weekend until now, so this is a bit of a surprise but yeah, we’ve been also working very, very hard for that. Then for the FP2 pace; on my side it wasn’t great but obviously it was not a great session for me overall, being in the wall at the beginning of FP2 and then going on the long runs I didn’t do a good job by managing the tyres so I think it’s more coming from me than anything else. But it’s fine. I know where to work so it should be all OK for tomorrow.

Related Topics:2021 Azerbaijan GP Charles Leclerc F1 featured

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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.”