2023-06-07 16:41:15
Mick Schumacher: His first statements
“It was great,” says Mick Schumacher following the test day in Barcelona. “I learned a lot and it was a lot of fun. I haven’t driven for a while, so I felt it physically. But it’s nice to be back in the cockpit.”
You can read a detailed story regarding Schumacher’s test day in Barcelona here!
In the course of the evening we’ll try to find out the test times that Schumacher drove. The best way to do this is to take a look at our news overview. For me, Christian Nimmervoll (To my Facebook page!), the day in the live ticker is over. I thank you for your attention!
Tests in Barcelona ended
That’s it for Mick Schumacher! The Pirelli test in Barcelona, in which Ferrari and Mercedes took part, has ended. In the course of tonight we expect a statement from Schumacher and possibly a few photos. Mercedes also posted one or two things on Twitter at the end.
How good is the Mercedes update?
A question that Mick Schumacher can probably answer better tonight. He worked in the simulator at the weekend, Friday night until 2:00 a.m. At 7:00 a.m. he landed in Barcelona. Today, for the first time, he has the opportunity to test the updates on the track and to compare his impressions.
Formula 1 expert Martin Brundle warns Mercedes fans not to celebrate too soon following Lewis Hamilton’s second place in Barcelona: “Before we get too happy, it was 24 and 32 seconds behind the two, and that on a strolling Verstappen. Nevertheless, there is a bit of hope that the Mercedes side box update has done some good,” he writes in his ‘Sky’-Columns.
Mike on the track!
Mercedes has just posted a first video on Twitter of Mick Schumacher driving the W14 on the track in Barcelona. It is his first outing in a Formula 1 car this year. We remember: At the end of 2012, his father Michael ended his career in a Mercedes. Anyone who doesn’t get nostalgic has a heart of stone.
Now live: 24 Hours of Le Mans
By the way: There is still no news from the “Mickweek” in Barcelona, except that Mick Schumacher is driving the Mercedes. The first practice session at Le Mans, where the famous 24-hour race is taking place next weekend, is regarding to begin. There is a live ticker on Motorsport-Total.com.
Our video host Kevin Scheuren is on his way to Le Mans. He’s snapped up a Ferrari SF90 Spider and is filming an episode of Kevin Alone at Le Mans this week. We are already looking forward to the corresponding videos!
Note: Interview with Franz Tost
If you’re wondering why the ticker posts don’t come in every minute, then there’s a reason. At the same time, I’m editing an interview with Franz Tost, which we will probably post on Saturday on the Formel1.de YouTube channel (Subscribe now for free!) will be shown in full.
It’s regarding 45 minutes of pure gold for Franz Tost fans. He talks regarding how he first had to clean the cobwebs from the old Minardi factory on his first day of work in Faenza, what it was like when he spent a year in Japan with Ralf Schumacher, and whether it’s really true that Helmut Marko prevented a move from Mick Schumacher to AlphaTauri at the end of 2022.
If you’re curious and want to see the interview earlier: We’ll probably put it online for channel members as early as Thursday. And as long as channel members can preview it, there won’t be any commercial breaks in the video either.
By the way, becoming a channel member costs 3.99 euros per month and can be canceled at any time. You can find information regarding membership with this link.
© Motorsport Network
The Haas Door seeks revenge…
Do you remember the legendary door from “Drive To Survive”? If so, then you’ll find this clip the Haas team just posted to Twitter hilarious…
Ecclestone in court
Bernie Ecclestone (92) had to appear before a London court on Tuesday. It was regarding alleged tax evasion. The former Formula 1 boss is said to have concealed from the British tax authorities a foundation in Singapore in which 400 million pounds were stashed between 2013 and 2016.
Ecclestone had stated in his tax returns that he had only declared a foundation intended for his daughters and that he had no other foundations outside the UK. Last July, the tax investigators then came across the foundation in Singapore, which Ecclestone apparently had not declared.
Ecclestone insists on his innocence in the case.
Sainz tests for Ferrari
Incidentally, Carlos Sainz is testing for Ferrari today. Charles Leclerc started testing for tire manufacturer Ferrari yesterday. The Scuderia also sent a first sign of life from Barcelona on Twitter.
“Mickweek”: Here we go!
Mick Schumacher is testing the Mercedes W14 for the first time today in Barcelona as part of a Pirelli tire test. His team just posted the first video on Twitter.
What happens to Monchaux now?
Previously, Jan Monchaux was technical director of the Sauber team. This morning’s press release did not specify what is happening to him. It simply stated that James Key would assume his position on September 1, 2023.
So we asked Sauber. Now we know: Monchaux will leave the team. He is already on “Gardening Leave”, i.e. on paid vacation. Typically, engineers in his position have a six-month ban before being allowed to work for another team.
© Motorsport Images
Youngest Technical Director ever
By the way, James Key started his career in Formula 1 with Jordan. There he went through various stations, including being a race engineer for Takuma Sato. In 2005 he was promoted to Technical Director – becoming the youngest ever Technical Director in Formula 1, at just 33 years old.
It was around this time that Key met Colin Kolles, who was team boss when the Jordan team was bought by Russian billionaire Alexander Schnaider. It was Kolles who, alongside Helmut Marko, pulled the strings behind the scenes as Key made the switch from Force India to Toro Rosso.
That’s what Seidl and Key say
Andreas Seidl is convinced that James Key can advance the Sauber team: “He has an exceptional amount of experience in this sport, not only as technical director but also in many other technical positions in a team. He will lead the transformation process on the technical side and ensuring we have the tools and direction to move forward well-equipped.”
Key makes no secret of the fact that it was probably Seidl who brought him to Sauber from McLaren. What they started to build up at McLaren, the two now want to finish at Audi.
Key says, “I am grateful to Andreas for the trust he has placed in me and I look forward to repaying that by working with him on the challenges and ambitions that now lie ahead.”
Breaking News: James Key joins Sauber!
That’s a cracker: James Key, who only recently left McLaren, is following his old buddy Andreas Seidl to Sauber. On September 1, he takes over the position of technical director from Jan Monchaux in Hinwil.
Key was technical director at Sauber from 2010 to 2012 before he was poached by Toro Rosso. He was considered a possible successor to Adrian Newey within the Red Bull family, but then switched to McLaren in 2019, practically at the same time as today’s Sauber CEO Seidl.
From 2026, Sauber will compete as an Audi works team in Formula 1.
© Sauber
Leclerc donates 358,000 euros
Charles Leclerc has donated 358,000 euros to repair the damage caused by the flood disaster in Emilia-Romagna. The complete outfit he wore to the Monaco Grand Prix went under the hammer at RM Sotheby’s in London on Tuesday. The proceeds from the auction were donated.
Leclerc’s helmet achieved 255,000 euros, the racing overall 51,000 euros and shoes and gloves 52,000 euros. The Ferrari driver is happy to be able to alleviate the suffering of the people in this way: “358,000 euros is an incredible sum. I’m sure that it will help many people,” he thanks everyone who bid.
What’s up with Shakira?
It’s a treat for the tabloid media: The Colombian singer Shakira, known for world hits like “Whenever Wherever” or “Waka Waka”, met Lewis Hamilton following the race in Miami. And to Barcelona once more. Photos are circulating on social media showing the two having dinner with their celebrity friends. Hamilton then put his arm around Shakira’s waist.
The British ‘Mirror’ (not exactly a flagship of hard-nosed news journalism) has now given the two of them a run for their money big story dedicated. Because Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise, ironically a friend of Hamilton, is also said to have been interested in Shakira. As is well known, she only separated from her husband, footballer Gerard Piqué, in 2022.
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