2023-09-21 06:45:00
9:00 a.m
Surprise?
Fernando Alonso himself of course also commented on the current situation at Aston Martin in his media rounds and, with regard to the Japanese Grand Prix, hoped that the track in Suzuka would turn out to be a little surprise:
“We weren’t the best at the high-speed circuits for most of the season. That’s why we were a little worried before Suzuka. But in Zandvoort, where high speeds are important, we were very fast and fought for the podium there. I hope that “It’s one of those positive surprises. A good and clean weekend for the team is what I want and what we’re striving for.”
By the way, he involves his teammate Lance Stroll, because they want to ensure something similar for him too.
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8:30 a.m
On a flying visit
Sebastian Vettel is not only building bee houses this weekend, but is also out and regarding in the paddock and the pit lane.
He was just caught talking to Fernando Alonso at his former team Aston Martin. Was it just regarding bees?
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8:15 a.m
It remains complicated
Even if the success in Singapore still has an impact on Carlos Sainz, he still doesn’t have the feeling that anything has changed “fundamentally” regarding Ferrari’s SF-23 over the course of the season, because, as he said in his media round today:
“It’s still a tricky car and we’re still trying to find the right setup. The only thing I can say is that we’ve worked hard to find the sweet spot and we probably still have it always mightn’t find it. That’s why every weekend I try something different on the car to challenge myself, challenge the team, challenge the car and push it to a different point.”
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8:00 a.m
Realistic pride
From Charles Leclerc it goes over to his teammate Carlos Sainz, who of course comes to Japan with a big chest following his victory in Singapore, which he more than deserved with a very intelligent performance.
In his media round, the Spaniard spoke regarding his feelings when he traveled to Suzuka and how he assesses the prospects for the rest of the season following Ferrari was able to end the Red Bull record run:
“I’m obviously very proud of myself and the whole team that we achieved this because they were at such a high level that at a certain point in the season it seemed almost impossible to beat them. And to suddenly show up in Singapore and “To do it the way we did is a great feeling. But I wouldn’t be surprised if they win the remaining races of the season.”
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07:45 am
Leclerc wants it too much?
Suddenly Ferrari can win once more, and with the “wrong” (?) driver!
In this interview on the Formula1.de YouTube channel Editor-in-chief speaks to Ralf Schumacher Christian Nimmervoll following the victory at the Singapore Grand Prix regarding the state of the nation at the most traditional of all Formula 1 teams – and regarding a drinking session by the Schumacher brothers many years ago in Suzuka.
Who doesn’t know the pictures of Michael Schumacher in an unbuttoned Toyota shirt, driving a forklift. Ralf now reveals new details regarding that memorable evening in Japan, where people celebrated until the beams bent.
Actually, this video is regarding Ferrari. About the number 1 question in the team, between Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. About team boss Frederic Vasseur. About the reasons why Ferrari can win once more. And regarding what will be different in Suzuka than in Singapore.
Ralf: That’s why it’s not working at Leclerc!
Suddenly Ferrari can win once more, and with the “wrong” (?) driver! An interview with Ralf Schumacher. More Formula 1 videos
07:30 am
Perspective secured
McLaren team boss Andrea Stella spoke to the media in Suzuka regarding why McLaren decided to extend Oscar Piastri’s contract early until the end of the 2026 season. The question is always whether it is a pure extension or a completely new contract:
“It’s a new contract because it became very clear to us that we wanted to secure this perspective.”
The prospect of having the most promising driver duo in Formula 1 with Piastri and Lando Norris was certainly a motivation, but Piastri also brings a lot to the team personally, which made it worthwhile to extend the contract:
“It was important for us to ensure that the person we bring on board not only fits our culture, but also helps to establish the culture even further and potentially contribute to the culture, values and behaviors, who make us a team full of friends. In this context, I have to say that I would appreciate Oscar as a person and the values he brings to the sport even if he were not a Formula 1 driver.”
Big praise for a very young driver.
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07:00 am
Driver contract terms
So it makes sense to take a look at the drivers’ contract terms, right?
Who needs to worry regarding whether they will still be in Formula 1 when the new engine rules start in the 2026 season?
Photo series: The contract terms of the current Formula 1 drivers
6:44 a.m
So close yet so far
The new engine rules for 2026 are looming ahead and in addition to Max Verstappen, who is under contract with Red Bull until 2028, Oscar Piastri is also known to have signaled his willingness to move into the new one with his current team at McLaren by extending his contract until the end of the 2026 season to start the engine regulations.
When asked regarding this, all drivers actually said in unison that it is difficult to predict how their situation or that of the teams will change under the new regulations.
Sergio Perez, for example, feels “no time pressure”. “Some teams are already testing things in the simulator, I’ve heard,” said Esteban Ocon, looking meaningfully at Lewis Hamilton, who “will certainly soon negotiate the contract until 2030” and Valtteri Bottas thinks that “Audi will be strong” from 2026.
You see, there’s a lot of fishing in the murky waters because everything is still very far away, at least for the drivers.
6:29 a.m
Aggressive
Let’s stay with Lewis Hamilton once more. In the press conference he appears unusually aggressive, as a question of ours Autosport-Colleague Adam Cooper received a “no comment” from Sergio Perez following the consistency in issuing penalties.
“You have an opinion regarding everything,” Hamilton continued in the direction of Perez. “Is it allowed to park at the end of the pit road?” was a follow-up question regarding the situation with Max Verstappen in qualifying in Singapore.
Of course, Perez didn’t want to say anything once morest his teammate, but it was exciting, also because he was of course affected by it himself, because according to his assessment, Hamilton overtook him off the track in Singapore. Overall, Hamilton would like to see more consistency when it comes to issuing penalties, “there is a lot of catching up to do.”
6:16 a.m
First race
Lewis Hamilton and Esteban Ocon had their first race before the race in Singapore, with remote-controlled cars.
“We agreed some time ago that we wanted to do something with remote-controlled cars,” said Hamilton in the press conference. There was no winner, it was just done for fun, but the cars ran on gasoline.
“I actually thought they were electric,” said Hamilton, who is once once more on the track today with a special set of tooth decorations; these things used to be called “grills”.
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6:10 a.m
Lost in setup
Sergio Perez confirmed what we actually already knew at the beginning of the second round of press conference:
“We made the wrong decision in terms of setup,” said the Mexican, referring to Red Bull’s poor performance in Singapore.
We have done the internal work-up, it will remain internal and we want to do better this weekend.
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05:52
“He sounds like Yuki Marko”
But Yuki Tsunoda was confused when asked regarding his dream teammate for the 2024 season.
There was a very long and unclear answer to a clear question, but what can he say? “If the team wants results, then maybe Daniel, because he has a lot of experience. But Liam’s performance is good, so maybe Liam,” but this little sentence was preceded by around three minutes in which Tsunoda tried at length to talk regarding the affair, which was actually quite entertaining, which is why Alexander Albon said at one point that he sounds “like Yuki Marko”.
Maybe in the end it will be Lawson and Ricciardo too? Who knows at Red Bull?
05:44
Security is important
Oscar Piastri was of course directly asked regarding extending his McLaren contract until the end of the 2026 season:
“It’s nice to have security. It made sense from my position and from McLaren’s point of view too,” said the Australian in the press conference.
He is very pleased that the extension has already been completed and is looking forward to being able to drive for McLaren for even longer.
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5:36 a.m
Home at last
Yuki Tsunoda is of course extremely happy that he can drive in Japan once more this weekend. Formula 1 has a special status in Japan; it is always “a surprise” for him how many people follow and support the premier class.
Tsunoda caused the first little laugh at the FIA press conference when he answered the question of when he was on the track for the first time. “At 16,” which especially made Alexander Albon laugh, who then said, “I thought much earlier.”
Tsunoda then corrected himself, “Oh, as a viewer of 13 or 14.” Oh Yuki…
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5:26 a.m
Reservist once more?
Liam Lawson opened the media rounds in Suzuka and the AlphaTauri driver is very much looking forward to returning to a track he has already driven in the Japanese Super Formula this season.
Nevertheless, he was asked what things will look like in 2024 and whether he can then return to Japan with Formula 1. He mightn’t say much regarding that, but even more so regarding the question of whether he would be satisfied with the reserve role in the Red Bull squad:
“I wouldn’t be happy regarding falling back into the reserve role, but of course I know how hard it is to get into Formula 1. What will happen will happen, but I haven’t thought too much regarding these things yet. I’m just trying to make the best of the situation.”
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