-
Verstappen cruises to dominant Belgian GP win as Leclerc only sixth.
Max Verstappen extended his Formula 1 championship lead with a crushing victory in the Belgian GP, from 14th on the grid.
28/08/2022, 15:32
Author Jake Nichol
Max Verstapppen stormed from 14th on the grid to claim his ninth victory of the Formula 1 season in the Belgian Grand Prix, as title rival Charles Leclerc could only manage a penalised sixth. An early safety car allowed Verstappen to climb into the top 10 by Lap 5, and was running third behind Carlos Sainz and teammate Sergio Perez.
Sainz pitted for fresh Mediums on Lap 12 - the same lap as Verstappen passed Perez at the Turn 5 Les Combes chicane to take the lead. He pitted for the first time at the end of Lap 15, rejoining 4.6s behind Sainz, although the World Champion quickly reeled Sainz in, taking the lead again on Lap 18.
In the end, Verstappen crossed the line ahead 17.841s clear of Perez, who secured a one-two for Red Bull. It is the 28th Grand Prix victory for Verstappen, whose championship lead is now 101 points as Leclerc faltered.
‘Verstappen cruises to dominant Belgian GP win’;
https://racingnews365.com/verstappen...-leclerc-fifth
Race Results – 2022 Belgian Grand Prix
Spa, Belgium
28/08/2022.
by Emer Hedderman
Results (Classification):
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing – 44 laps
2. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +17.841
3. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +26.886
4. George Russell Mercedes +29.140
5. Fernando Alonso Alpine +73.256
6. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +74.936 *
7. Esteban Ocon Alpine +75.640
8. Sebastian Vettel Aston Martin +78.107
9. Pierre Gasly AlphaTauri +92.181
10. Alexander Albon Williams Racing +101.900
‘Belgian Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from today’s 2022 F1 World Championship race at Spa-Francorchamps’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/race-resul...and-prix-79939
Max Verstappen wins Belgian Grand Prix - 'This car is a rocket ship!'
28/08/2022
SKY
‘Red Bull's Max Verstappen wins the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa’;
https://www.skysports.com/watch/vide...ian-grand-prix
‘What an idiot!’ – Fernando Alonso slams Lewis Hamilton after crash at Belgian Grand Prix
Sunday 28 Aug 2022 2:49 pm
Sean Kearns
Fernando Alonso labelled rival Lewis Hamilton an ‘idiot’ during an explosive rant after the pair collided in the first lap of the Belgian Grand Prix. Hamilton, starting behind Alonso, saw his race come to a premarture end when he was told ‘stop, stop, stop’ by his Mercedes team after colliding with the Spaniard.
The pair both made a strong start by surging past Sergio Perez but Hamilton wanted to go one better by slipping past Alonso. Hamilton’s former team-mate successfully blocked off the move but that didn’t stop the Englishman attempting the takeover.
What an idiot!’ Alonso said on radio. ‘Closing the door from the outside. I mean, we had a mega start but this guy only knows how to drive and start in first.’
‘Only knows how to drive and start in first!’;
https://metro.co.uk/2022/08/28/ferna...o=newsnow-feed
Lewis Hamilton responds to Fernando Alonso calling him an 'idiot' after Belgian GP crash
LEWIS HAMILTON was forced out of the Belgian Grand Prix after an accident with Fernando Alonso on the first lap.
15:26, Sun, Aug 28, 2022
By Luke Chillingsworth
Lewis Hamilton has claimed he “don’t care” after Fernando Alonso called the Mercedes star an “idiot” after their lap one crash. Hamilton swept around the outside of Fernando Alonso in a bid to take second on lap one.
Hamilton accepted the blame for the shunt as he recorded his first retirement of the season. He told Sky Sports F1: “No. Looking back at my footage, he was in my blind spot. I didn't leave him enough space. It's my fault today. Just so sorry to the team.
"It doesn't really matter he said that. I don't really care. It was my fault. I couldn't see him actually. He was right in my blind spot. Just recuperate, get back on the treadmill."
‘In my blind spot’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...and-prix-crash
-
'I don’t expect it to be like that every single race weekend' says Verstappen after leading dominant Red Bull 1-2.
Max Verstappen won the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix in emphatic fashion, the reigning champion starting 14th and finishing nearly 18 seconds ahead of team mate Sergio Perez as Red Bull collected maximum points.
28 August 2022
Formula 1.
Verstappen made it up to P8 behind the Safety Car that was brought out for Valtteri Bottas's spin, and then into the podium places shortly after. The Dutchman, who extended his championship lead over team mate and runner-up Perez, was asked if this was the most dominant win of his F1 career.
“I think if you look at the whole weekend, yes, the car has been incredible from FP1. I don’t think we expected it to be like this but sometimes it’s nice when things positively surprise you, and it’s been really enjoyable to drive the car around here this year.”
“I don’t expect it to be like that every single race weekend… just because of the track layout, more downforce on the car to get round, less straights as well. So definitely, it will be closer, yes.
“But we of course again made a bigger gap which is of course very nice, but we know that we have to score points every single weekend,” he said.
‘I don’t expect it to be like that every single race weekend’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...M70CPd1VR.html
HIGHLIGHTS: Watch the action from the Belgian Grand Prix as Verstappen dominates to lead Red Bull 1-2
28 August 2022
Formula 1.
Max Verstappen put in a phenomenal drive after starting in P14 to win the Belgian Grand Prix – leading home Red Bull’s fourth one-two finish of the season.
Verstappen started on the soft tyre as he looked to make early gains through the field. And the championship leader did just that, taking the lead of the Grand Prix on just Lap 12, before pulling away from the field to seal his ninth victory of the season.
Sergio Perez overtook Carlos Sainz to take second place, with the Spaniard holding off George Russell in the Mercedes to take the third place. It was a tough afternoon for Charles Leclerc, who crossed the line in P5, but was demoted to sixth after speeding in the pit lane.
‘Video Player Link’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...rOeCgvJ4t.html
Pérez felt 'lucky' to recover after nightmare start
28 Aug 2022
Formula 1.
Sergio Pérez felt "lucky" to claw back a podium finish after a terrible race start for the Red Bull driver at the 2022 F1 Belgian Grand Prix.
‘Feeling Lucky’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...350281044.html
“I don’t think we can be satisfied with this weekend” – Mercedes’ Toto Wolff
August 28, 2022
By Joe McCormick
Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team‘s Toto Wolff is, understandably, disappointed with the outcome of Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix after suffering an early retirement on Lewis Hamilton‘s side of the garage, and finishing a decent fourth place with George Russell – but a long distance away from the leaders in race and single-lap pace.
Wolff is not happy with the gap to the dominant Oracle Red Bull Racing as the Silver Arrows prepare to race at Zandvoort next Sunday. “I don’t think we can be satisfied with this weekend – if you see Verstappen, he has leaped above us all. We really need to find out how we can improve our car because the gap is just too big.”
“We’re giving the drivers a very difficult car to drive and it hasn’t got the pace on a single lap so we need to work ourselves out of this situation. Over the next four days, we’ll be putting our heads together, setting our sights on the next race and also next season. It’s important we stay level-headed, keep our spirits up and don’t flip too much between elation and depression – this weekend is a low but in Hungary three weeks ago, we were thinking we will absolutely win a race, so we’ll never give up,” Wolff concluded.
‘Important we stay level-headed’;
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...es-toto-wolff/
Red Bull’s Christian Horner: “This was our biggest ever achievement to date”
August 28, 2022
By Ashley Cline
Red Bull Racing’s Christian Horner was thrilled with the team’s result at the Belgian Grand Prix, where the team pulled off a 1-2 finish and fastest lap. With Max Verstappen taking victory after starting fourteenth due to an engine replacement penalty, Spa marked the lowest starting position the team had ever won from. “This was our biggest ever achievement to date. We have never won a race from as far back as P14 and to take a 1 – 2 with Checo, along with fastest lap, is an outstanding achievement.”
Horner said that Verstappen had performed incredibly, as the Dutch driver was able to advantage of the chaotic first lap to move himself up the ranks, and overtook the rest of the grid with his great pace and solid tyre management. On the other side of the garage, Sergio Perez maintained his position against the rivaling teams of Scuderia Ferrari and Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team with a solid effort to ensure a second place finish.
“It’s a fantastic win for Max and he has been in a class of his own on the track this weekend but it really is a team victory; for everyone here and all the team back in Milton Keynes. There is a lot of hard work that goes in behind the scenes that contributes to a performance like today and would also like to thank HRC for their contribution to this victory.”
‘A lot of hard work that goes in behind the scenes’;
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...ement-to-date/
Belgian GP: Sunday's action in pictures
28/08/2022 at 19:15
Phillip van Osten
It was a sunny and warm day at the races for Formula 1 fans at Spa-Francorchamps, and an even brighter afternoon for Red Bull and its supreme leader Max Verstappen who, despite a lowly grid spot, trounced his rivals from start to finish.
Check out our recap in pictures of Sunday's Belgian GP, round 14 of the 2022 F1 World Championship.
‘Sunday's action in pictures’;
https://f1i.com/news/452098-belgian-...ictures-3.html
2022 Belgian Grand Prix: Every driver's over the line team radio
28 Aug 2022
Formula 1.
Listen to every radio broadcast as the drivers cross the line at the end of the 2022 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix.
‘Every driver's over the line team radio’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...440961193.html
Spa To Remain On Formula One Calendar In 2023
17:08 Sun, 28 Aug
iafrica.com
The Belgian Grand Prix will remain on the Formula One calendar next year, the sport announced on Sunday after speculation the race at Spa-Francorchamps could be dropped.
“Formula One can confirm that the Belgian Grand Prix will be on the 2023 calendar following an agreement to extend our partnership together,” it said in a statement ahead of the 55th edition of the grand prix.
Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali had cautioned this week that reports of the race’s demise might be premature.
While Spa will return, the prospects of holding a race at South Africa’s Kyalami circuit appeared to have receded.
‘Spa To Remain On Formula One Calendar’;
https://iafrica.com/spa-to-remain-on...endar-in-2023/
-
'Ferrari's Plan Æ': 2022 Belgian GP – Goin' up, goin' down.
Just when you think Ferrari has exhausted the ways to mess up, the Scuderia digs even deeper and finds a new level of failure.
Motor Sport Magazine
29/08/2022, 13:28
Author: James Elson
In qualifying, the Italian team put new tyres meant for the race on Leclerc when he was simply sent out to give Sainz a tow.
Then, after presenting the Monegasque with a myriad of strategic options mid-race, which he surely would have struggled to decide on at 200mph, his confused colleagues called Leclerc into the pits for a risky late fastest lap attempt, putting him behind Fernando Alonso with two laps left.
After overtaking the Spaniard, Leclerc was hit with a pitlane speeding penalty, seeing him drop to sixth. ‘Mamma Mia’ doesn’t even cut it anymore.
‘Digging even deeper and finds a new level of failure’;
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...-up-goin-down#
Alonso sends dig in Ferrari's direction: They always do strange strategies!
29/08/2022, 12:30
Author Rory Mitchell
Co-author Dieter Rencken
Fernando Alonso sent a dig to his old team Ferrari after they pitted Charles Leclerc at the end of the Belgium Grand Prix in a bid to get the fastest lap point. Alonso, who raced for the Italian team between 2010 and 2014, was surprised that Ferrari chose to risk Leclerc at such a late stage in the race when he was guaranteed to finish ahead.
Despite informing the team that he didn't want to risk his fifth position, Ferrari told Leclerc to pit with two laps to go. He emerged behind Alonso at the pit exit but was able to retake it on the final lap, utilising the faster grip from the Soft tyres and tow down the Kemmel straight.
"I was surprised! Ferrari always does strange strategies, so that was one of those," Alonso told Sky Sports F1.
‘Ferrari always does strange strategies’;
https://racingnews365.com/alonso-sen...nge-strategies
Mattia Binotto defends Ferrari after Scuderia mocked for controversial Charles Leclerc decision.
29 August 2022
by James Clifford
Charles Leclerc lost P5 at the Belgian Grand Prix after Ferrari's risky move did not pay off. Ferrari team principal, Mattia Binotto, has no regrets after Charles Leclerc picked up a penalty while trying to go for the fastest lap of the Belgian Grand Prix.
Ferrari team principal, Mattia Binotto, has no regrets after Charles Leclerc picked up a penalty while trying to go for the fastest lap of the Belgian Grand Prix.
The 24-year-old was awarded a five-second penalty as a result and, having been forced to pass Alonso on the final lap, he did not get the fastest lap either. “It was really, really borderline,” he told Motorsport.com. “We were not using our normal sensors measuring the speed because they have failed during the overheating of the front-right due to the tear-off of Max, and our recovery [system], maybe it was not such accurate.”
‘Sensors Failed’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/mattia-bi...lerc-decision/
Are Ferrari finally awakening to reality of championship loss?
Monday 29th August 2022 12:15 PM
Thomas Maher
The extent of Ferrari’s defeat to Red Bull at Spa-Francorchamps seems to have triggered concession from Mattia Binotto and Charles Leclerc. It is said there are five stages of grieving a loss – denial, anger, bargaining, depression and, finally, acceptance.
After the (few) ups and the (many) downs of the 2022 Formula 1 season, everything about the Belgian Grand Prix post-race interviews with Ferrari’s main men suggested they have reached the stage of acceptance that, to all intents and purposes, the 2022 World Championship has been lost.
Throughout the first half of the season, Ferrari became particularly adept at throwing away strong positions and potential, but could count on their F1-75 showing the pace to be a bother for the Red Bull team.
‘Ferrari Finally Awakening!’;
https://www.planetf1.com/features/fe...pionship-loss/
Video: What was most concerning about Ferrari’s crushing loss
29/08/2022, 19:17
The Race
Ferrari was left surprised, confused and worried after being demolished by Formula 1 rival Red Bull in the Belgian Grand Prix – and the big concern now is whether it can happen again.
Max Verstappen was able to dominate the Spa race despite only starting 14th, while Ferrari turned a pole position into third for Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc had a tough run to sixth having only started one place behind Verstappen.
It was a crushing performance from Verstappen and Red Bull, so much so that Leclerc called it a “strange” leap and admitted Ferrari didn’t know how it happened.
‘Video looking at the factors that made this possible and why Ferrari is so concerned it might not just be a one-off’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/video...crushing-loss/
-
Why McLaren went home empty-handed from Belgian Grand Prix.
McLaren principal Andreas Seidl explained that a lack of traction out of Turn 1 at Spa left his drivers stuck and unable to progress.
Monday 29th August 2022 10:00 PM
Jamie Woodhouse
Lando Norris was among the group of drivers to drop towards the back of the grid due to a power unit-related penalty, though with these penalties promoting Daniel Ricciardo to a starting spot of P7, McLaren still had reason for some optimism.
The race though did not go as McLaren would have hoped, Ricciardo crossing the line all the way down in P15, with Norris recording a P12 finish, meaning McLaren left Spa with zero points.
Norris had explained that McLaren just did not have enough of a pace advantage over rival midfield teams to escape the ‘DRS train’, while Ricciardo was left ruing his straight-line speed, feeling that a sub-optimal rear wing spec was holding him back.
‘Lack Of Traction Out Of Turn 1’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/mclare...-gp-explained/
Ricciardo weighed down at Spa by older-spec rear wing
29/08/2022 at 17:23
Michael Delaney
Daniel Riccardo faced an uphill battle from the outset at Spa relative to McLaren teammate Lando Norris, with the Aussie running an older-spec, higher drag rear wing on his MCL36. McLaren implemented several upgrades on its car ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, and one updated element included a Spa-specific low drag rear wing.
Unfortunately, the team only had two such wings in its cases and Norris was the logical recipient of the element. "On Daniel’s side, we had an issue with the latest rear wing and we only had two for this event here," explained McLaren team boss Andreas Seidl.
"So we had to go back to an older rear wing, which meant slightly more downforce and therefore a bit less top speed, which wasn’t what we wanted to run, clearly."
‘Daniel Riccardo faced an uphill battle from the outset’;
https://f1i.com/news/452384-ricciard...rear-wing.html
‘Daniel Ricciardo looked a broken man at the Belgian Grand Prix’
Monday 29th August 2022 5:00 PM
Michelle Foster
Daniel Ricciardo looked a “broken man” to Martin Brundle in Sunday’s Belgian GP, the former driver questioning whether the Aussie really wants to continue in Formula 1 next season. Brundle says he looked a “broken man I’m not enjoying watching Daniel,” he said on Sky Sports. “It’s painful isn’t it. I consider him a friend and I rate him massively as a person and a racing driver.”
“If I was McLaren I would have been doing the same thing because he’s struggling to get pace and you can’t take that for another 18 months. I would have done exactly the same thing. How they’ve done it — they’ve made an agreement, this is a tough business.”
“Daniel didn’t convince me that he wanted to stay on the grid, that he wanted to go to Alpine or anywhere else. I think he potentially does, but I saw a bit of a broken man, I didn’t see ‘I’m going to win a race this year, I am going to be on the grid next year. I’ll show them they’ve made the wrong decision here’.”
‘Daniel Ricciardo looked a broken man’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/daniel...artin-brundle/
Norris on Ricciardo's issues: 'That's life – you adapt to the car'
F1 AUGUST 29TH 2022
AUTHOR Adam Cooper
It’s no secret that Daniel Ricciardo’s impending split with McLaren is a simple result of his failure to match team mate Lando Norris over the past season and a half. “I guess I’m surprised because when Daniel came into the team, of course, everyone expected more. I’m sure he expected more from himself. So, when you look at it that way, you are surprised.”
“It’s not me having a dig or anything, but when you look at the results, if you want two guys to be at the same level and so on, then in a way, you’re not surprised. It’s just hard to know when to call it, I guess, which is what they’ve done.” Asked if he’d been involved in any discussions about Ricciardo’s future he adds: “It makes no difference to me. It’s not my job, it’s his career, not my career.”
Given how competitive he has been over the past couple of years Norris has watched the situation unfold with some bemusement, sitting in team press briefings while Ricciardo has fielded endless questions about his poor form and explanation of how he couldn’t get on with either the MCL35M or its very different successor. Norris makes it clear that it’s not been easy for him either.
‘Everyone Expected More’;
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...apt-to-the-car
Seidl denies morale at McLaren has been compromised.
29/08/2022
NEWS STORY
McLaren team boss, Andreas Seidl has played down suggestions that the dropping of Daniel Ricciardo has affected team morale. Finishing 12th (Norris) and 15th (Ricciardo) pretty much summed up a dismal weekend for the Woking outfit, a weekend that followed a difficult week.
On Wednesday, following weeks (months?) of speculation, the team announced that it would not be retaining Riccardo for 2023, which led to the inevitable backlash on social media. "In today's world, we've seen with the various campaigns and all the activity around social media, that unfortunately some fans, fortunately not most, are quite abusive on social media," said Zak Brown on Saturday when asked about the backlash.
"I think all you can do is ignore it," he continued. "You don't have to like it, but those that choose to hate are really not the types of fans that you want in sport. Certainly people are entitled to their opinions and I don't mind the cheering and booing that you get in sports, but some people do take it way too far.”
‘McLaren morale compromised denial’;
https://www.pitpass.com/73452/Seidl-...en-compromised
Lando Norris outlines major issue with McLaren car as Oscar Piastri decision imminent
LANDO NORRIS suggests his McLaren car was lacking pace after finishing outside the points at the Belgian Grand Prix.
14:31, Mon, Aug 29, 2022
By Luke Chillingsworth
Lando Norris has claimed McLaren’s DRS is “pretty shocking” and has been costing the team overtaking opportunities. The Briton predicted his car was capable of beating the Red Bulls in a straight line but then lost out when the rear wing flap opened.
Speaking on race day in Spa, Norris explained: “I think we were probably one of the quicker ones on the straights. Where we lose a lot is in DRS for some reason. In DRS we’re pretty shocking, some cars are a lot better than others.”
“Like, in a pure straightline condition, I think yesterday we were quicker than Red Bull. But then the Red Bull opens DRS and gains another 15kph and is a completely different league to a lot of people, [so there’s] something we’re maybe missing with DRS. Maybe that makes our overtaking opportunities less than other people.” Norris was competitive across the free practice sessions, regularly setting times faster than the Mercedes and Ferraris.
‘Major issue with McLaren car’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ri-news-latest
Daniel Ricciardo: Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says he 'doesn't recognise' former driver amid McLaren exit.
Last Updated: 29/08/22 5:23pm
SKY
McLaren and Ricciardo last week confirmed a 'mutual termination' of his contract at the end of the 2022 season; the former Red Bull's F1 future is in doubt; Christian Horner also offers opinion on Oscar Piastri saga
Christian Horner says he "doesn't recognise" Daniel Ricciardo as the same driver he was during his time with Red Bull, following the Australian's "very sad" exit from McLaren.
"It's just very sad," Horner told Sky Sports F1. "Obviously, I'm not close to it. I've spoken to Daniel a little bit. I don't recognise him as the same driver as he was with when he was with us. He's one of the best guys out there. He's definitely got that capability. His confidence has been zapped. We're used to seeing him on the podium, doing shoeys, messing around with that big smile, and we don't see any of that anymore.”
‘Confidence has been zapped’;
https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12...d-mclaren-exit
-
Wolff: W13 going to the caves not Mercedes museum.
Toto Wolff gave a harsh yet fair judgement of Mercedes’ W13, claiming it will not have a high place in the Mercedes museum, but belongs in the caves.
29 August, 2022
Jad Mallak
“We came here and we were very optimistic that we would be able to be close – half a second,” Hamilton told Sky Sports F1. “To be 1.8 seconds behind is a real kick in the teeth but it is what it is. It’s a car that we continue to struggle with and I definitely won’t miss it at the end of the year,” he admitted. “For me, it’s just about focusing on how we design and build next year’s car,” the Briton said with a hint of throwing in the towel.”
Toto Wolff was clearly dissatisfied with his team’s performance in Spa, where Verstappen “leaped above” everyone, and when asked about Hamilton’s sentiments towards his 2022 ride, he seemed to be of the same opinion. “We are in a situation where the championship will be concluded in Europe probably and that car will not… I don’t think it’s going to have the highest place in the Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart. Maybe going to go a little bit in the caves,” the Mercedes boss revealed.
It’s very difficult to cope with these swings,” Wolff said on Sunday of the W13’s fluctuating performance. “We had a totally subpar performance yesterday; fighting you know being beaten by the Alpines, Albon very strong. Valtteri would have been right there. Norris probably too. And then in the race at times we go three seconds a lap faster,” he revealed. “Big question marks about what’s going on. It is not where we should be with the structure and the knowledge to understand the racing car but we don’t with this one.”
‘Maybe going to go a little bit in the caves’;
https://www.grandprix247.com/2022/08...rcedes-museum/
Toto Wolf: Mercedes have to stick to principles despite being in ‘dungeon’.
After another trying weekend at the Belgian Grand Prix, Wolff referred to their desperate straits as a “dungeon” which was proving harder to cope with than anything the team had experienced before.
Tue, 30 Aug, 2022 - 07:50
Giles Richards
Wolff conceded it was hard to cope with being relegated to an also-ran. “They say you never lose you learn, I can tell you it is f***ing difficult,” he said.
“All these nice Instagram posts and everything we have talked about over the eight years, about how we are going to take this when you arrive in the dungeon.
“To stick to your principles and your values, to keep the spirit up and continue to relentlessly seek to get better? Phew. There is more to write a book about this year than there is about the last eight years.”
‘I can tell you it is f***ing difficult’;
https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/...-40950569.html
Christian Horner has ‘to thank Toto’ and his flexi-floor TD for Red Bull’s 1-2
Monday 29th August 2022 1:00 PM
Michelle Foster
Christian Horner has joked he should thank Toto Wolff for insisting on porpoising and flexi-floor technical directives after Red Bull romped to a 1-2 at the first race weekend in which the TD was in play. Earlier this season Mercedes complaints about porpoising and the long-term impact it could have on their drivers’ health led to the FIA wanting to introduce a technical directive aimed at measuring the cars’ levels of oscillations.
In the process of putting that together, the FIA discovered that some teams may have been playing in a grey area in the regulations that allowed them to flex their floors by more than the allotted 2mm. As such the FIA enforced TD39, which came into play at the Belgian Grand Prix, clarifying the wording surrounding the flexibility of the cars’ planks and skid blocks.
Horner says he probably owes Wolff a thank you. “On the face of it I’d probably have to thank Toto for the TD,” Horner told reporters at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. “In all seriousness, I think this circuit has played to our strengths. A lot was made and a lot of expectation was put on that TD, so perhaps it’s hurt others more than it’s hurt ourselves. We haven’t really changed the way we operate the car.”
‘On the face of it I’d probably have to thank Toto for the TD’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/christ...cal-directive/
Helmut Marko mocks Mercedes boss Toto Wolff on new F1 rule changes at Belgian GP
MERCEDES struggled to match the pace of the dominant Red Bulls at the Belgian Grand Prix.
11:14, Mon, Aug 29, 2022
By Luke Chillingsworth
The new changes were expected to bring Mercedes closer to their rivals but had the opposite effect as Red Bull pulled away. Lewis Hamilton was a staggering 1.8 seconds slower than Max Verstappen in qualifying while George Russell was unable to hold onto the leaders on race day.
In a swipe at Wolff, Marko said: “Maybe we will have to change something about the chassis because of Toto's new guidelines. They worked very well this weekend! We thank him. It seems that Mercedes have fallen back even further!"
George Russell had accused Red Bull of running flexible floors last time out in Hungary but Red Bull stressed they were doing nothing wrong. Verstappen also took shots at Mercedes after qualifying as he laughed that the rule changes had made little difference to the pecking order.
‘Maybe we will have to change something about the chassis because of Toto's new guidelines’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ian-grand-prix
Mercedes facing 'difficult' decision regarding concept of 2023 F1 car
30/08/2022 at 16:48
Phillip van Osten
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says the Brackley squad is facing a "difficult situation" regarding its 2023 car, as it must carefully evaluate the design concept of its future contender. Mercedes is in the midst of troubled season, marked by the complex aerodynamic issues that have undermined the performance of its new-generation W13.
"It's a very difficult situation because we obviously have a certain concept of a car," explained Wolff, referring to Mercedes' design approach for 2023 that it is in the process of deciding. It's not like we can experiment a lot this year and just simply dial stuff out and test.”
"So whatever we decide for next year needs to be carefully evaluated because clearly our data don't give us the results, and don't correlate with the reality. We have massive swings in performance that we can't really get on top of. So in this moment to take a decision for next year, whatever it may be, like changing the concept dramatically, how can you be sure that that's the better direction to go because clearly we'll be starting a little bit way back?"
‘Our data don't give us the results, and don't correlate with the reality’;
https://f1i.com/news/452431-mercedes...23-f1-car.html
-
Mattia Binotto says he would be ‘very surprised’ if Red Bull aren’t cheating.
Mattia Binotto is confused as to how Red Bull can afford to introduce a new lightweight chassis.
30 August 2022
by Finley Crebolder
Mattia Binotto thinks that Red Bull could be exceeding the budget cap, and that the FIA aren’t monitoring the matter closely enough. Ferrari and Red Bull started the 2022 campaign fairly evenly matched, but the latter team have now pulled ahead in terms of both points and pace.
That was abundantly clear to see at the Belgian Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen won with ease despite the fact that he started down in P13 while the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz was on pole. To make matters worse for Binotto and co, the Dutchman said that his team will be introducing a new, lighter chassis in the coming rounds.
“We are getting a new chassis in the future,” he stated in Spa. “I don’t know how much lighter it will be, but if it works it will help us.” The Ferrari team principal is confused by this revelation as his own team don’t have the budget left to make such changes.
‘Mattia Binotto is confused’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/mattia-bi...rent-cheating/
Mattia Binotto defends Ferrari after Scuderia mocked for controversial Charles Leclerc decision
Charles Leclerc lost P5 at the Belgian Grand Prix after Ferrari's risky move did not pay off.
29 August 2022
by James Clifford
Ferrari team principal, Mattia Binotto, has no regrets after Charles Leclerc picked up a penalty while trying to go for the fastest lap of the Belgian Grand Prix. Leclerc entered the weekend with a grid penalty that would see him start 15th behind Max Verstappen, but Red Bull’s pace at Spa was, for everyone not of am energy drinks persuasion, scary.
Binotto affirmed after the race that faulty sensors were not going to deter his team from trying to collect an additional point at Spa. “It was really, really borderline,” he told Motorsport.com.
“We were not using our normal sensors measuring the speed because they have failed during the overheating of the front-right due to the tear-off of Max, and our recovery [system], maybe it was not such accurate.”
‘Borderline’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/mattia-bi...lerc-decision/
“Today’s race did not live up to our expectations” – Ferrari’s Mattia Binotto
August 28, 2022
By Joe McCormick
The Belgian Grand Prix was another event that didn’t quite go the way of Scuderia Ferrari. Oracle Red Bull Racing have extended their lead in the Drivers’ Championship and Constructors’ Championship with an impressive one-two finish at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, while the Italian outfit were only able to finish third and sixth.
Ferrari Team Principal, Mattia Binotto, says the team need to “roll up [their] sleeves” if they want to catch up to the huge points deficit between themselves and Red Bull. “Today’s race did not live up to our expectations. Red Bull has done a great job and the performance difference between them and us this weekend, in terms of pace and also tyre degradation was clear to see.”
“Carlos drove a good race. Charles was unlucky in the very early stages and from then on he had even more of a job on his hands. As a team, we just have to roll up our sleeves and continue to improve the performance of our car. The next race at Zandvoort features a track with completely different characteristics and we are ready to give it our best shot as always, aiming for the win.”
‘Says the team need to roll up their sleeves’;
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...attia-binotto/
Ferrari express "concern" with Red Bull performance
Tuesday 30 August 2022 07:00
Ian Parkes
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has expressed "concern" at Red Bull's pace over the Belgian Grand Prix weekend. Max Verstappen left his rivals trailing around Spa-Francorchamps, finishing over six-tenths of a second quicker than Ferrari's Carlos Sainz in qualifying before delivering a crushingly dominant victory from 14th on the grid.
Asked as to how big his hope Spa was an outlier, Binotto replied: “I don’t think that there is any hope in that. It [the pace] has been a true difference between us and the Red Bull. If I look back, they were also faster in Hungary, which is a different type of track - high downforce. Overall, I think that simply the Red Bull is a faster car than we have got in terms of overall efficiency, and Spa is where you need efficiency, both from the aerodynamics and from the power unit."
“What I think is more concerning is they were capable of running a lower downforce [package] but still having a great type of speed in the middle sector where you need downforce. So, they got both [parts] which is back to the efficiency. They got low drag and great downforce on the track.”
‘More Concerning, Capable Of Running A Lower Downforce’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/90...l-performance/
Mattia Binotto accuses Red Bull of cheating, urges FIA to take action
Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez stormed to a Red Bull one-two in Belgium.
29 August 2022
by James Clifford
Ferrari team principal, Mattia Binotto, has been left wondering if Red Bull are complying with the financial regulations this season. Charles Leclerc won two of the opening three races as Red Bull struggled to find their feet, suffering three reliability failures between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
Leclerc led the Drivers’ Standings, while he and Carlos Sainz had given the Scuderia a healthy advantage in the Constructors’ Championship. However, the Austrian side hit back in Imola with a highly effective upgrade that has seen them win nine of the last 11 races as of Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix.
Binotto, naturally, has to find answers as to how his team are so far adrift of the pace of their rivals, and he lands upon a potential breach of the $145 million budget cap. “I would be very surprised if that [rate of upgrades] was possible for other teams,” he said. “You have to ask yourself whether the monitoring is sufficient. Unfortunately, only a few people at the FIA keep an eye on it.”
‘FIA urged to take action’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/mattia-bi...o-take-action/
‘Outside perceptions’ of Ferrari strategy errors this year are wrong – Binotto
2022 Belgian Grand Prix
Posted on 30th August 2022, 11:07
Written by Keith Collantine and Claire Cottingham
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto rejected claims the squad made the latest in a series of strategic errors during last weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc questioned the team’s decision to make a late pit stop during Sunday’s race at Spa-Francorchamps. The team intended to fit a fresh set of tyres in a bid to set the fastest lap of the race and take the bonus point that came with it.
Ferrari pressed aheda with the plan, but it backfired. Leclerc was passed by Fernando Alonso when he rejoined the circuit, and although he was able to repass the Alpine, he lost some time doing so at the beginning of his final lap. Not only was Leclerc unable to beat Max Verstappen’s fastest lap time, he also collected a penalty for speeding in the pits, which dropped him behind Alonso. Ferrari’s attempt to gain an extra point therefore ended up costing them two.
“Obviously there is always a need to improve and there are lessons learned on which we are looking and reflecting,” he said. “But if I look back at the season, I think there is a lot of perception from outside compared to what are the truth and the reality. I think sometimes we’re not doing these things that may have been perceived as mistakes.” The decision to pit Leclerc at the end of Sunday’s race “was the right call”, Binotto stated. “You need to be brave in F1. If there is an opportunity to try to get the fast lap and there was the margin on Fernando to stop on that and try to go for it, I think it was the right decision.”
‘ ‘Outside perceptions’ Wrong’;
https://www.racefans.net/2022/08/30/...wrong-binotto/
-
Dutch Grand Prix “going to be pretty crazy!” – Max Verstappen.
Max Verstappen is buzzing to get going with his home Grand Prix, after the Dutchman dominated the field at the Belgian Grand Prix to claim his ninth victory of the season.
August 31, 2022.
By Nick Golding
Verstappen is predicting it to be a “pretty crazy” weekend, as he looks to deliver in front of his home supporters. “After the successful weekend we’ve had in Spa, I’m really looking forward to the Dutch GP. There’s a lot more downforce required at the track in Zandvoort so it will be harder for us to be dominant, I expect Ferrari to be strong there.”
“I of course want a good result but it’s important to always score points, lets hope we can do a good job. It will be great to have my family there supporting me, I’m just going to enjoy the weekend with all the fans, it’s going to be pretty crazy.”
Sergio Pérez moved to second in the standings last weekend, after finishing on the second step of the podium at Spa-Francorchamps. Despite finishing second, the Mexican driver was still blown away by his team-mate, but then again so was everyone! Pérez is aiming to be closer to his team-mate this weekend, at a venue he calls a “brilliant place”.
‘Max is buzzing to get going at Zandvoort’;
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...ax-verstappen/
Can anyone spoil Verstappen's party? 2022 Dutch GP: what to watch for
F1 August 31st 2022
Author Edward Hardy
Last season was the first Dutch GP in 36 years, and the crowd certainly made up for lost time with an atmosphere as good as any on the calendar. The grandstands were full, flares were being set off, the music was pretty loud – but the crowds were there to see one man.
“It’s an old school circuit, the atmosphere here has been outstanding,” said Verstappen’s Red Bull team boss Christian Horner at the time. “I think in my entire career I’ve never heard so much support for a driver. It’s been like being in a nightclub for three days.”
“The way that Max has handled that pressure, we’ve seen it in other drivers at home races, sometimes it can get to them. But I think the intensity and the noise has just been insane.” However, this year Verstappen will return as a world champion and being en route to back-to-back titles, a similar atmosphere should be expected.
‘It’s been like being in a nightclub for three days!’;
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...2022-dutch-gp#
Marko: Max would have won in Spa from 20th!
31/08/2022, 10:00
Author Michael Butterworth
Co-author Jesse Janse
Red Bull Special Advisor Helmut Marko says Max Verstappen would have won last weekend's Belgian Grand Prix even if he had started from the back of the grid. Speaking after the race, Marko acknowledged that Verstappen's level of dominance was such that he could have won from 20th on the grid.
"I think so," Marko told media including RacingNews365.com when asked whether such a feat would have been possible, adding that Verstappen's father Jos had been confident in his son's abilities to win despite a grid penalty.
"We knew already before the [summer] break that we would change the engine here, and thought, 'okay, at least let's try to get points', but after the qualifying lap, we thought a podium should be possible, but Jos said, 'no, he will win'," said Marko.
‘Winning With Consummate Ease’;
https://racingnews365.com/marko-max-...-spa-from-20th
Verstappen: 'Harder' for Red Bull to dominate at Zandvoort
31/08/2022 at 15:04
Phillip van Osten
Local hero Max Verstappen heads into his home race next weekend as the grand favourite after his crushing win in Spa, but the Red Bull charger expects to have a "harder" time at Zandvoort.
"There’s a lot more downforce required at the track in Zandvoort so it will be harder for us to be dominant, I expect Ferrari to be strong there. I of course want a good result but it's important to always score points, lets hope we can do a good job.”
"It will be great to have my family there supporting me, I’m just going to enjoy the weekend with all the fans, it’s going to be pretty crazy."
‘Zandvoort Will Be Harder’;
https://f1i.com/news/452474-verstapp...zandvoort.html
Max Verstappen to seal second championship at Singapore GP
Max Verstappen boasts a 93-point lead in the Drivers' Championship over second-placed Sergio Pérez.
30 August 2022
by Nick Golding
Red Bull Racing chief advisor Dr Helmut Marko believes that Max Verstappen will retain his World Drivers’ Championship with “two or three” more wins, which could realistically see the Dutchman win the championship at the first fly-away race following the European races.
In all honesty, unless Verstappen has a complete breakdown, then he will retain his crown. This could realistically happen at the Singapore Grand Prix should he win the upcoming Dutch and Italian GP’s. If Verstappen wins at Zandvoort, Monza and at the Marina Bay Circuit, he will have at least a 118-point lead over Leclerc if the Ferrari driver finishes all three races in second.
The 24-year-old needs to leave Singapore with a 125-point advantage to retain his title, and with three consecutive P2’s seemingly unlikely for Leclerc, then Verstappen could be champion at the start of October with five races to go.
‘Second Championship Seal At Singapore GP?’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/max-verst...-singapore-gp/
-
Why Verstappen is expecting a tougher test at Zandvoort.
Max Verstappen is anticipating a harder fight for victory at this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix than he had last weekend in Belgium.
31/08/2022, 13:30
Author Michael Butterworth
Such was Verstappen's dominance that Red Bull Special Advisor Helmut Marko said the Dutchman could even have won at Spa from the back of the grid. However, the tighter confines of the Zandvoort circuit will require a very different setup to Spa, and Verstappen noted that his home race may see Ferrari return to form.
"After the successful weekend we had in Spa, I'm really looking forward to the Dutch Grand Prix," said Verstappen, who won last year's race at Zandvoort (main picture). "There's a lot more downforce required at Zandvoort, so it will be harder for us to be dominant, and I expect Ferrari to be strong there.”
"Of course I want a good result, but it's important to always score points. Let's hope we can do a good job. It will be great to have my family there supporting me, I'm just going to enjoy the weekend with all the fans, it’s going to be pretty crazy."
‘Tougher Test At Zandvoort’;
https://racingnews365.com/why-versta...t-at-zandvoort
WATCH: Relive the action from last year's Dutch GP ahead of this weekend's return to Zandvoort
31 August 2022
Formula 1.
Max Verstappen is set to return to his home race this weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix for the first time as a world champion. But before we go racing again, let's relive the Red Bull driver’s triumph at last year’s race in Zandvoort.
Returning to the calendar for the first time since 1985, the 2021 Dutch Grand Prix saw home hero Verstappen start on pole ahead of title rival Lewis Hamilton. The Red Bull driver was then able to hold off the challenge of the Briton all afternoon - including when Valtteri Bottas held up Verstappen, allowing Hamilton to close within a second - to seal a well earned victory in front of an ecstatic home crowd.
Hamilton pitted late to take the fastest lap but took the chequered flag in second place, ahead of Bottas in third. It was a great afternoon for AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly who finished in fourth ahead of Charles Leclerc in fifth.
‘Relive 2021 Dutch GP action’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...VHzxMBKbs.html
Horner: We’ll try to keep Verstappen within a bubble in Zandvoort
1 September, 2022
Jad Mallak
Christian Horner revealed that Red Bull will try and keep Max Verstappen within a team bubble in Zandvoort to help him focus away from the noise as well as manage expectations. The Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen’s home race has become an annual celebration of the 2021 Formula 1 Champion by the legions of the Orange Army, expected to flood the circuit in Zandvoort in support of their national hero.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner doesn’t see the current advantage the team and their star driver hold this season, especially after their dominant showing in Spa last weekend as a reason to relax. “I think you have to keep the pressure on because as soon as you don’t, you start making mistakes,” he said. “So we will approach Zandvoort with exactly the same discipline that we have done every grand prix this year.”
As for Verstappen’s workload, Horner said: “There are no additional activities for Max compared to a standard grand prix weekend. “Of course, there will be an awful lot of noise around the circuit but we will try to keep him within a bubble inside the team to try to manage expectations,” he revealed.
‘Keep Verstappen within a bubble in Zandvoort’;
https://www.grandprix247.com/2022/09...-in-zandvoort/
Dutch Grand Prix weather: Will Zandvoort dodge the rain?
Thursday 1st September 2022 8:30 AM
Jamie Woodhouse
Friday, September 2 – FP1 and FP2. Fans can expect the track to be bathed in sunshine throughout Friday as the race weekend action kicks off with the first two practice sessions.
Saturday, September 3 – FP3 and qualifying. By the time of FP3, drivers can expect 62% humidity as some sunny intervals break through the cloud cover at times, with temperatures nudging into the low 20s as the wind strength slowly begins to decline. The threat of rain also grows, though at this stage it is described as a low chance. Qualifying then begins at 1500 local time, with the prospects of rain starting to increase towards the end of that session, should it run as planned without interruptions.
Sunday, September 4 – race. According to the current forecast, the threat of rain will actually be lower on race day compared to Saturday, but much of the race activity is set to take place under cloudy skies, with the Dutch Grand Prix getting underway at 1500 local time.
‘Dutch Grand Prix Weather’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/2022-d...-prix-weather/
Sergio Perez expects Ferrari, Mercedes to be in the mix at Zandvoort
Thursday 1st September 2022 10:00 AM
Jamie Woodhouse
Sergio Perez expects Ferrari and Mercedes to be a threat to Red Bull once more around Zandvoort during the Dutch Grand Prix. It was a story of Red Bull domination in Belgium, at least from one side of the garage, as Max Verstappen found a different level to leave the chasing pack behind.
Perez though anticipates that situation will change for the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort, believing Red Bull’s Spa dominance was specific to that track. Asked for his thoughts on Red Bull’s pace at Spa, Perez replied: “Yeah, well, I think they got the car was certainly the fastest today.
“And especially Max was very impressive. The whole weekend, especially come the race, he was just on another level today. So that’s great to have, but I think it’s very track specific. I think when we are back to Zandvoort we will have the Ferraris and Mercedes back into contention.”
‘Sergio Perez expects Ferrari, Mercedes to be in the mix’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/sergio...rt-contenders/
-
Ferrari expect to be fighting at the front in Zandvoort.
Ferrari are confident they will be a lot closer to Red Bull in this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix than they were in Belgium last Sunday.
20:58 Thu, 01 Sep 2022.
Reuters
The race is a home one for Red Bull's runaway Formula One leader Max Verstappen, who was in a league of his own at Spa-Francorchamps and won in front of his Orange Army of fans in the Netherlands last year.
"I don't think we are as bad as it seems," said Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, who was third in Belgium behind a Red Bull one-two after starting on pole position. And I'm pretty sure that we can be back on from this weekend and be fighting again for pole and win," added the Spaniard, who turned 28 on Thursday.
Team mate Charles Leclerc agreed that Ferrari should be much more competitive. "We are super-motivated and after Spa there has been so much work to try and understand from where the lack of pace was coming from," he said.
‘Ferrari expect to be fighting at the front’;
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sp...9-01/?rpc=401&
Bad news for Ferrari: Team doubts Spa deficit was track specific.
Trounced by Red Bull at the Belgian Grand Prix, Mattia Binotto doesn’t think there is “any hope” that Red Bull’s superior pace was solely down to the circuit.
Tuesday 30th August 2022 12:15 PM
Michelle Foster
Rather, he concedes, they are “faster” compared to Ferrari than what he had expected. Red Bull returned from the summer break to all but quash any lingering hopes of a Ferrari World title, Max Verstappen putting in his most dominant display yet.
But while fans and pundits wanting a thriller all the way to the final race of the season are hoping Sunday’s beating was due to the nature of the circuit, Binotto has quashed those dreams. “I don’t think there is any hope in that,” he said as per Motorsport.com.
“It has been a true difference between us and the Red Bulls this weekend. If I look back, I think they have been slightly faster in Hungary, which has been a different kind of track, high downforce. So overall, I think simply today, the Red Bull is a faster car compared to what we’ve got in terms of overall efficiency, because Spa is where you need efficiency in terms of the aerodynamics and power unit.”
‘Red Bull are “faster” compared to Ferrari than what Mattia Binotto had expected’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/ferrar...rack-specific/
Charles Leclerc: Ferrari 'have ideas' where deficit to Red Bull lies
01 Sep 2022
Formula 1.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc speaks to F1's Will Buxton ahead of the 2022 Dutch Grand Prix, with the Monegasque driver having taken just a single podium finish in the last nine grands prix.
‘Ferrari Have Ideas';
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...963768154.html
Verstappen and Sainz expect intense battle for Dutch Grand Prix victory
F1 September 1st 2022
Author Edward Hardy
Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz both believe the fight between Red Bull and Ferrari will be much tighter at the Dutch Grand Prix than it was in Spa last weekend. Verstappen was unstoppable as he won the Belgian Grand Prix by 17.8sec, despite starting 14th on the grid due to an engine penalty.
Both he and Sainz put the performance difference down to the circuit favouring Red Bull’s car, and expect the gap to close once more at high-downforce Zandvoort. Speaking ahead of the Dutch GP, Sainz was optimistic when asked if Ferrari could take the fight to Red Bull. “I think so,” he said. “I think we should just be going back a bit to where we were before the summer break.
I think Spa was a great example of how an off-weekend can just change the perception so much in Formula 1 – I don’t think we are as bad as it seems. I’m pretty sure that we can be back on form this weekend and be fighting again for pole and win.”
‘Intense Battle For Dutch Grand Prix Victory’;
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...-prix-victory#
How have things gone so wrong at Ferrari this F1 season?
20:41 Thu, 01 Sep 2022.
by C Wolsey
Kettle (UK)
The recent Belgium Grand Prix was meant to be the turning point in Ferrari’s season. Admittedly there have already been high points, such as when Charles Leclerc led the team back to their winning ways in this year’s Formula One World Championship curtain raiser in Bahrain.
Oddschecker, which provides no deposit offers for sports betting, made Max Verstappen the favourite to retain the championship trophy which he won in dramatic fashion last season, and with eight races remaining, it looks as though they will be proven right.
The problems began for Ferrari in Barcelona, when Charles Leclerc’s engine failed him as he was on course for a comfortable victory. The same thing would occur three weeks later in Azerbaijan, when the engine of the prancing horse would once again let its head driver down while he was leading.
‘Poor decisions end Leclerc’s title challenge’;
https://kettlemag.co.uk/how-have-thi...his-f1-season/
Charles Leclerc not sure Ferrari have ‘final answers’ yet for Red Bull pace
Thursday 1st September 2022 5:45 PM
Jamie Woodhouse
After an all-conquering display for Max Verstappen and Red Bull at Spa, Charles Leclerc is not sure Ferrari have a final answer yet. As Formula 1 re-emerged from its summer slumber, Verstappen came flying out of the blocks to deliver an utterly dominant Belgian Grand Prix performance.
Leclerc does believe that Ferrari have made progress in working out how to reel Red Bull back in, but he is not sure whether they have all the answers at this stage. “We are super motivated and after Spa there’s been so much work to try and understand from where the lack of pace was coming from,” Leclerc told Sky F1.
“And I think we’ve got some directions to push in, but whether we have the final answers, we don’t know yet. We know where to push and hopefully we’ll have a final answer as quick as possible. I mean, I think we struggle to believe that the package is suddenly so much quicker from one weekend to the other. So, there is a bit of track characteristic for sure, but it’s not all down to that.”
‘Not sure Ferrari have ‘final answers’ yet’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/charle...swer-red-bull/
Leclerc asserts he hasn’t lost trust in Ferrari F1 team
16:57 Thu, 01 Sep 2022.
by Fergal Walsh
Motorsport Week
Charles Leclerc says he has not lost faith in the Ferrari Formula 1 team amid a run of questionable strategy calls. Despite the blunder being the latest in a run of erroneous calls, Leclerc asserts that he still has full faith
“We need to keep the trust in the team,” Leclerc said. “I think this is super important, especially whenever you find more difficult moments. Overall as a team we are very united and I do fully trust the team. We always try to improve the process.”
“On my side I always try to push to be better and better and that’s what we do. Whatever is said outside I try not to pay attention to it and try to focus on ourselves to get better.”
‘Have not lost trust in Ferrari F1 team’;
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2022/...rrari-f1-team/
-
Wolff reveals Mercedes' "dungeon" mentality.
Wolff claims Mercedes is currently "in the dungeon" as it attempts to discover a path to again winning grands prix with a car it is struggling to understand after changes to the aerodynamic regulations were introduced for this season.
Wednesday 31 August 2022 04:00 - Updated: 11:30
Ian Parkes
Toto Wolff believes more could be written in a book about what he has learned from this past season than in the previous eight combined from Mercedes' dominance.
Mercedes stands on the brink of losing its grip on a constructors' championship it has won for the past eight years, and even worse, is faced with the prospect of not winning a race in a single season for the first time since 2011. "Today, we're getting it wrong," said Wolff. "The non-correlation in the various areas [of the car] is causing us to not perform.”
"Now maybe there is a single thing that overshadows everything and therefore we are not doing it justice to question every part of the car. Are the tyres something we fundamentally don't understand, and actually all the rest is good? Is the aero or mechanical balance messing it up? That is so difficult. As we say, you never lose you learn, and I can tell you it's f***ing difficult.
‘Past Season Book, More Written, Compared To Previous Eight Seasons Combined’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/90...eon-mentality/
WOLFF’S FRUSTRATION ON MERCEDES STRUGGLES: “WE’RE GETTING IT WRONG”
The Mercedes Team Principal admitted the team is yet to find a solution to its problems
12:01 Wed, 31 Aug 2022.
Dalila Zanardo
FormulaNerds
The solution to Mercedes’ struggles is yet to be found, as proven by Team Principal Toto Wolff admitting keeping up the morale is difficult while facing uncertainty regarding the car’s performance on the track.
For a team that has won so much in its recent history, keeping up the morale is difficult when facing disappointment, as admitted by Wolff: “As they say in F1, you never lose, you learn. But I can tell you it’s very difficult: with all these nice Instagram posts and everything we’ve talked about over eight years about the way we’re going to take this.”
“When you’re arriving there in the dungeon, to stick to your principles and to your values, keep the spirit up and really continue to relentlessly seek to get better…. there’s more to write a book about this year than there is about the last eight years.”
‘Toto WOLFF’S FRUSTRATION’;
https://www.formulanerds.com/news/wo.../?nowprocket=1
Toto Wolff furious with Mercedes after Lewis Hamilton complains
Sir Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were nearly two seconds off Max Verstappen's pole time in Spa.
28 August 2022
by James Clifford
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is struggling to understand how the Silver Arrows went from pole position in Hungary to the fourth row in Belgium.
The seven-time champion could scarcely believe his ears when his engineer, Peter Bonnington, told him that he was 1.8 seconds behind pace setter Max Verstappen, as Mercedes’ rollercoaster season hits its latest low point.
There will undoubtedly be more high ebbs for the Brackley-based side during the final nine rounds of the season; a team that has won eight championships in a row will be just fine, but times are tough for the moment.
‘Seven-time champion could scarcely believe his ears’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/toto-wolf...ton-complains/
Wolff: Weekends like Belgium fire you up
1 September, 2022
Jad Mallak
Toto Wolff tried to air a sense of defiance after Mercedes’ humbling 2022 Belgian Grand Prix, claiming the team is fired up to tackle the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix this weekend in Zandvoort. “Belgium was a challenging weekend for us as a Team, but those weekends are the ones that really fire you up and make you dig deeper,” Toto Wolff said in Mercedes’ preview of this weekend’s race.
“There were such big extremes across the weekend; from the pace differences on Saturday and Sunday, to the difficult first lap for Lewis and George’s late charge for a podium,” he added. “We’ve been working hard to understand our Spa struggles and thankfully we don’t have long to wait until we can bring utilise and maximise those learnings.
“The Dutch Grand Prix is next, and it was a real party atmosphere last year,” he said. “It’s an interesting, old-school track with sweeping bends, banked corners and a lot of character. So, we’re excited to be back there and to take on the circuit’s challenges with this year’s car,” Wolff concluded.
‘Wolff Fired Up’;
https://www.grandprix247.com/2022/09...m-fire-you-up/
Toto Wolff Wanting Mercedes To “Dig Deeper”
September 1, 2022
By Joe Briley
Mercedes team principle Toto Wolff is looking for his team to bounce back and dig deeper as Formula 1 travels to Netherlands for the challenging and exciting Zandvoort GP. Wolff spoke on the struggles of the Belgium GP and the differences in pace between qualifying and the race.
“Belgium was a challenging weekend for us as a Team, but those weekends are the ones that really fire you up and make you dig deeper. There were such big extremes across the weekend; from the pace differences on Saturday and Sunday, to the difficult first lap for Lewis and George’s late charge for a podium.”
‘Dig Deeper’;
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...to-dig-deeper/
Mercedes’s 2023 F1 car concept ‘needs to be decided in the next weeks’ – Wolff
2023 F1 season
Posted on 1st September 2022, 7:1431st August 2022, 23:47
Written by Ida Wood and Claire Cottingham
Mercedes’ decision on what direction to take with major parts of its 2023 Formula 1 car need to come “in the next weeks”, says team principal Toto Wolff. The 14th car Mercedes has produced since returning to F1 as a chassis constructor in 2010 is in the early stages of planning. The team have not determined whether it will be an evolution of this year’s F1 W13 car – which is the currently Mercedes’ first win-less chassis in a decade – or take a different design direction.
“It’s a very difficult situation because we obviously have a certain concept of the [2022] car, and it’s not like we can experiment a lot this year and simply [try] stuff out and test,” said Wolff during the Belgian Grand Prix. So whatever we decide for next year, it needs to be carefully evaluated because our data doesn’t give us the results, doesn’t correlate with the reality.”
“We have massive swings in performance that we can’t really get on top of. In this very moment to take a decision for next year, whatever it may be, changing the concept dramatically, how can you be sure that’s the better direction to go?”
‘2023 F1 car concept ‘needs to be decided’;
https://www.racefans.net/2022/09/01/...t-weeks-wolff/