The German manufacturer introduced a major update at the Monaco Grand Prix, which included new sidepods, revised front suspension and floor tweaks. While the nature of the Monte Carlo street track meant it was hard to gauge exactly how much of a step forward the new parts delivered, the team was encouraged by the first signs from the changes. However, team principal Toto Wolff says that a key aspect that now needs addressing is in sorting out an improved balance at the rear of the car. This characteristic has caused problems for both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell this year, and means they sometimes lack the confidence they need when attacking corners. Speaking about the conclusions of the upgrades, Wolff said: “The car felt together, which is important, but it’s still a bit nasty on the rear. So that's something which we need to dial out of the car for the next few races. “But we have a new baseline and that's important to say: ‘Okay, this is what we have now.' … [Read more...] about Mercedes still needs to dial out “nasty” rear end of F1 car
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Why Alpine’s Monaco F1 result was “desperately needed”
The aforementioned timing is relevant because the result came just a few weeks after Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi surprised the paddock with strong criticism of his own team in a French TV interview, saying the team's performance was "unacceptable" and at times "amateurish". The strong race in Monaco took some of the pressure away, and a clearly delighted Rossi was happy to be front and centre between the two drivers in the team photo that celebrated Esteban Ocon's podium finish. However, while Alpine lies fifth in the standings, that's not where a works team with big ambitions wants to be, especially several years into an ongoing rebuilding process. The key for Rossi was that the team did everything right in a difficult race and successfully converted the decent grid positions into results with both cars, having raced with Mercedes and Ferrari . It was a great weekend for the team and a much-needed boost, but Rossi is well aware of the bigger picture. The car isn't … [Read more...] about Why Alpine’s Monaco F1 result was “desperately needed”
Marko: De Vries Monaco F1 performance “what I want to see”
De Vries has had a rough start to his F1 career, struggling to match team-mate Yuki Tsunoda in his first five F1 races after being signed to replace Pierre Gasly . The 27-year-old Dutchman has suffered a spate of costly crashes while also failing to match the Japanese driver's pace both in qualifying and in races. In Monaco de Vries reached Q2 for the second consecutive time as he cut the deficit to Tsunoda to less than two tenths. On Sunday he put in a measured drive to 12th, re-gaining a place he lost to Valtteri Bottas when Tsunoda's brake issues dropped him down to 15th. It followed a Miami Grand Prix weekend during which de Vries outqualified Tsunoda for the first time. Red Bull's Marko said he was much more satisfied with how his latest signing performed on a tricky Monaco weekend. "This was by far his best weekend for AlphaTauri ," Marko told Motorsport.com. "Nyck was much closer to Yuki than before. This is what I want to see from him. "Yuki was also … [Read more...] about Marko: De Vries Monaco F1 performance “what I want to see”
Ferrari issue worrying update on chances of challenging Red Bull in F1 2023
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has said the team’s long-planned arrival of new front suspension will not take place in Barcelona as previously hoped. The Scuderia have been looking to bring upgrades to the SF-23 on a race-by-race basis as the season progresses, with Vasseur adding that Ferrari “will bring improvements in all races, but not revolutions” – all but ruling out a Mercedes-style overhaul to their car’s philosophy in the process. With Red Bull holding a dominant lead at the front of the field, Ferrari are one of several teams in a congested chasing pack trying to close down a sizeable gap to the runaway championship leaders, and the arrival of new front suspension was reportedly a part of a wider upgrade plan for this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix. When asked about how the team are approaching improving its car this season, the Ferrari team boss explained that they are opting to take the path they feel is best for them. “Every team has its own philosophy and its … [Read more...] about Ferrari issue worrying update on chances of challenging Red Bull in F1 2023
Aston Martin dilemma? The Lawrence Stroll headache caused by his own son
Lance Stroll’s failure to show up in Monaco comes at a time when Aston Martin are attempting to secure their place near the front in F1, but this is a team originally created to be his platform. Going back just three months, it seemed unfathomable that Fernando Alonso would prove one of the revelations of the season, with the two-time World Champion scoring five podiums from six races and only just missing out on third place in the other. Only Max Verstappen can boast more podium appearances, and Alonso’s metronomic consistency, long a critical weapon in his armoury, shows no sign of fading away any time soon. Alonso is no stranger to competitive F1 cars, having won two world titles in 2005 and 2006 with Renault, plus his 2007 season at McLaren and spending years trying to bring glory to Maranello during his Ferrari stint. But that same comfort and ease isn’t there for team-mate Lance Stroll, who appears to be struggling to come to terms with the competitiveness of the … [Read more...] about Aston Martin dilemma? The Lawrence Stroll headache caused by his own son
Helmut Marko bites back after Mick Schumacher was snubbed by Red Bull
Quizzed on his decision to rule Mick Schumacher out of AlphaTauri contention, Helmut Marko said the Red Bull programme is based on “performance” not “marketing”. Ouch. Red Bull’s junior team AlphaTauri went into the F1 2023 campaign with a new driver pairing, Yuki Tsunoda beginning his third season with the team in the series, alongside rookie Nyck de Vries. Red Bull had moved to bring De Vries into the fold after an impressive points-scoring debut with Williams at the 2022 Italian Grand Prix as he stood in for the ill Alex Albon. De Vries has made a slow start to full-time life in Formula 1 though, needing until the Monaco Grand Prix to finish a race up the road from Tsunoda. Tsunoda did though in Monaco report braking issues which got worse when rain began to fall, the Japanese driver heading into the escape road at Mirabeau at one stage, opening the door for De Vries and others to gain a position. De Vries is currently fighting to prove that he belongs in that AlphaTauri … [Read more...] about Helmut Marko bites back after Mick Schumacher was snubbed by Red Bull
Monaco land reclamation could offer room to improve track – Horner · RaceFans
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner believes the Monaco circuit needs to change in order to allow Formula 1 cars to race on it more successfully. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free While F1 cars have got bigger over the years, the Monaco circuit has not, though it has been through various changes. The processional nature of recent F1 races, and the better standard of racing offered by series such as Formula E, has prompted questions over whether the circuit could be altered to create more overtaking opportunities. Monaco is a tiny country with few roads which it could adapt for use by its famed street circuit. The circuit is the shortest on the calendar and is below the FIA’s minimum length for a grade one, F1-standard track. The track’s width in some areas is determined by the fact that water lies on the other side of the barriers. The only way the track could get wider is if Monaco built outwards into the sea. This was done in 1986 which allowed the … [Read more...] about Monaco land reclamation could offer room to improve track – Horner · RaceFans
Refreshed Aston Martin Vantage Rendered With DB12 Influences
In March this year, Aston Martin’s chairman Lawrence Stroll announced the automaker will introduce at least three overhauled models this year. The first to arrive was the new DB12 and recent spy photos showed a refreshed version of the Vantage is also under development. Thanks to new unofficial renderings, we now know what the two-seater could look like when it arrives later this year. These drawings by our friends at Kolesa.ru propose a radical design change for the front fascia of the Vantage. Spy photos (see the related links below) have already revealed there’s indeed a redesigned front end in the cards and these renderings propose a look that is heavily inspired by the recently unveiled DB12 . Also worth pointing out is that the giant radiator grille at the front matches the look of the spied prototypes. Gallery: 2024 Aston Martin Vantage facelift renderings 2 Photos Being a sportier alternative to the DB12, the … [Read more...] about Refreshed Aston Martin Vantage Rendered With DB12 Influences