2023-10-03 12:00:00
8:10 a.m
Formula 1 oversaturation in Germany?
In keeping with the holiday, we want to take a look at how Formula 1 is currently doing in Germany. The fact is: With Nico Hülkenberg, we currently only have one German driver in the premier class.
There hasn’t been a Grand Prix on German soil since 2020. “I think it’s relatively normal that things can’t go on like this forever,” emphasizes ex-pilot Nick Heidfeld opposite F1-Insider.
He recalls: “We not only had the first German Formula 1 world champion in Michael Schumacher, but two more after that: Sebastian Vettel and Nico Rosberg. It’s absolutely absurd what has been achieved in Germany.”
“Even though we are a rich country with many car manufacturers, we were extremely spoiled. It is presumptuous to believe that the next one will always come along,” emphasizes the former Formula 1 driver.
After the “Schumacher boom” and all the successful years, one can “at least partially speak of oversaturation,” believes Heidfeld. Of course we hope that this will change again soon!
1:58 p.m
Leclerc is still hoping for a win in 2023
Carlos Sainz took Ferrari’s only win of the season so far in Singapore. Meanwhile, teammate Charles Leclerc last triumphed at the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix – almost 15 months ago.
During Sainz’s victory in Singapore, the Monegasque had to play water carrier for his teammate. However, Leclerc emphasizes that this distribution of roles was already clear before the race.
Because Sainz started the race from pole and Leclerc only started from P3. That’s why he had no problem with his role as a helper. “We did a good job,” emphasizes Leclerc.
“I’m really happy that at least the team was able to win and it also motivates me and gives me an extra push to do one more before the end of the season [Grand Prix] to win,” he emphasizes.
Let’s see if this wish comes true.
1:37 p.m
Vowles: Times list doesn’t tell the whole story
The look at the Drivers’ World Championship speaks for itself: Williams driver Alexander Albon currently has 21 points, while teammate Logan Sargeant has not yet collected a single point.
This is also why the rookie has been publicly counted for some time. In addition, his error rate is too high. But team boss James Vowles now emphasizes that the timesheet doesn’t tell the whole story.
“We have updates on Alex’s car that we don’t have on Logan’s car because we’ve had so many failures this year, so when you see a difference in performance, it’s often not quite what it looks like on the timesheets,” he said Vowles.
Or in short: The American simply has worse material than his teammate. But of course that’s no excuse for his many accidents recently…
1:17 p.m
Tops und Flops
This fits our topic quite well: In this photo series we took a closer look at some of the substitute drivers in Formula 1 and saw whether we remembered their performances positively or negatively…
Photo series: Tops and flops: substitute drivers in Formula 1
1:05 p.m
Qatar probably without Ricciardo
We already reported that Daniel Ricciardo probably won’t be at the start in Qatar. This is still not official, but several colleagues are now reporting it as a fact.
Among other things ESPN reportedthat Liam Lawson will be behind the wheel of the AT04 again in Qatar. We will of course keep an eye on the situation and report it immediately as soon as AlphaTauri makes it official.
12:58 p.m
How will be the weather?
It probably won’t come as a surprise when I tell you that there won’t be any rain in Qatar this weekend. Haas team boss Günther Steiner explains the weather in Qatar: “The only thing I’m worried about is the temperatures.”
Because temperatures will reach around 40 degrees Celsius at the weekend. “But we drive at night, so that shouldn’t be a problem,” hopes Steiner. The temperatures will still be high even then.
Find out more in our big weather forecast for the weekend!
12:42 p.m
AlphaTauri: We will not change our concept
AlphaTauri is currently in last place in the World Cup. However, head of technology Jody Egginton makes it clear that there will still be no concept change for the car next year.
“Ultimately, even though we don’t have the most powerful car on the grid, our aerodynamic concept is not that different from others,” he emphasizes. Therefore there is no reason for a change.
“The chassis will [2024] change significantly. But when it comes to changing the concept, we know which direction we’re going in,” he emphasizes, explaining: “We’re somewhat in line with the direction other teams are also going.”
“We just have to be more successful at it, [unsere] “To achieve goals,” says Egginton. This means: It’s not about the concept itself, but rather about its implementation. And so far, we simply haven’t been good enough.
12:23 p.m
Qatar there for the second time
We already mentioned earlier that Formula 1 has only raced once in Qatar. You can find out how the calendar has changed in recent years in this photo series:
Photo series: The changes in the Formula 1 calendar in recent years
12:00 o’clock
Another Pirelli test in Mexico
Pirelli has already tested a prototype of the C2 compound for 2024 in Japan. While this will probably be rejected again, as we reported in the ticker yesterday, another tire test will be carried out in Mexico, this time with the C4 compound.
Pirelli motorsport director Mario Isola reveals that, as in Suzuka, there will be two prototype tires for each driver. Background: “The C4 showed some graining during the season,” reveals Isola.
So they don’t want to change the mixture, but they want to make it a little more robust and create “a wider working window.” This is currently quite narrow. Let’s see whether this test is more successful than the last one in Japan.
11:42 a.m
Doha or Lusail?
Where exactly does the Qatar Grand Prix actually take place? Our photo series provides the resolution:
Photo series: 11 race tracks that are known by the wrong place
11:26 a.m
Haas: Update should come as scheduled
At the home race in Austin there will be another important update for the Haas VF-23 late in the year. Team boss Günther Steiner has now revealed: “The program is going according to plan, so everything should [pünktlich] being exhausted.”
Steiner also explains: “We don’t know how good the upgrade will be. We expect something good from it, but the best thing is that we are going in the direction we want to go next year and we will do a lot for that this year learn next season.”
At the weekend in Qatar, however, they will drive again with the old package – and without the drivers having any Formula 1 experience. The race in Doha is only on the calendar for the second time after 2021.
And back then, neither Nico Hülkenberg nor Kevin Magnussen were there. After all: “I drove in the GP2 Asia in Lusail in 2009,” remembers the German. It’s been a few years, but it’s better than nothing!
11:04 am
Horner: Lawson had no real chance for 2024
Although Liam Lawson is currently doing well as representative for Daniel Ricciardo, AlphaTauri will also drive with Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda in 2024. Lawson will then only be a reserve pilot for the two Red Bull teams.
When asked whether Lawson could have done more to recommend himself for a cockpit next year, Christian Horner replied: “No, I don’t think so.” That means: You always planned with Ricciardo and Tsunoda.
The Red Bull team boss reveals: “I think that Daniel, with his experience and his motivation to come back, will give the team great leadership strength and be a good benchmark.”
Tsunoda, on the other hand, has already made progress and will be able to learn even more from Ricciardo. Therefore there was no room for Lawson (at first). But in 2025 the cards will be shuffled again…
10:42 am
Apropos Michael Andretti …
The American has already been in Formula 1 once – as a driver. Don’t you know? Could be because he only drove 13 races for McLaren in the 1993 season. Then his career in the premier class was over again.
Just three races before the end of the season, Andretti and McLaren parted ways and in 1994 he returned to the CART series, where he had won the title in 1991. This photo series immediately comes to mind:
Photo series: Formula 1 drivers who were fired during the current season
10:25 a.m
What Andretti’s entry can still prevent
So back to the topic of Andretti: We’ll explain to you what’s behind the complex admission process for new teams in Formula 1 in the latest edition of our vodcast!
“Starting Grid” is produced in cooperation with our partner meinsportpodcast.de and this time hosted by Sophie Affeldt. She discusses with Christian Nimmervoll how the application process actually went and which three other teams were eliminated in the first round of the process.
We are also considering what consequences it could have if Formula 1 is only broadcast live on Apple TV in the future, and what it will take for Max Verstappen to be in Qatar on Saturday evening with a few Red Bulls -Vodka can celebrate its third world title…
What can still prevent Andretti’s entry into F1
What’s behind the admission process for new teams in Formula 1 and why Apple’s offer of billions for TV rights is so special. More Formula 1 videos
10:14 am
Does Formula 1 need a standard transmission?
And we stick to parts that can be purchased according to the regulations. The gearbox is also part of it, for example. Luca Furbatto, engineering director at Aston Martin, would even like Formula 1 to go one step further.
“We are committed to a standardized gearbox because it makes financial sense in times of cost caps,” said Furbatto, who explains, however, that this plan is encountering resistance from many other teams.
“Realistically, that won’t happen in the near future,” he knows and explains: “It’s possible that the FIA will find a middle ground where the design will be a little more prescriptive, lighter and simplified.”
In his opinion, however, this is a mistake. “I suspect that in a few years we will look back and realize that we missed a golden opportunity to reduce costs in the transmission area,” he shrugs.
9:51 a.m
Marko in verbatim
Helmut Marko has something to say about AlphaTauri’s situation in a video on the YouTube channel Young Economist Recently said literally: “AlphaTauri has a branch in Bicester in England with around 150 people. They are now being relocated to a building in Milton Keynes.”
“And there is a very clear instruction: Everything that is permitted by the regulations must be taken over by Red Bull Racing. No in-house designs, no more peculiarities in Faenza. The synergies will be used as best as possible,” emphasizes Marko.
By the way, this doesn’t just affect the cars but also, for example, the “marketing department,” clarifies Marko. Because AlphaTauri should not only become better in terms of sport, the team should also cost less money in the future.
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