Sunday, October 27, 2024

#F1 - 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix - Saturday "Third row for the team in Mexico" Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team

 

Press Information
26 October 2024


 
F1: Session Report
 
2024 Mexico City Grand Prix - Saturday

 
Third row for the team in Mexico
  • George Russell qualified fifth and Lewis Hamilton sixth for Sunday's Mexico City Grand Prix.
  • The team used its second of two 'jokers', thus breaking curfew, overnight in order to repair George's car following yesterday's shunt.
  • A change of chassis was required but he hit the track for FP3, completing work on the Soft compound just like his team-mate.
  • Both drivers progressed through to Q3 in Qualifying, holding one lightly used and one new set of the red-walled tyre.
  • George and Lewis initially sat third and fourth after those first runs but, despite improving on their last laps on the new tyre, dropped to P5 and P6.
  • Just 0.185s separated Verstappen on the front-row in P2 and George in P5.
Driver
FP3
Q1
Q2
Q3
George Russell
P8
8 Laps
1:17.194
P10
Medium, Soft, Soft
5 Laps
1:16.937
P5
Soft, Soft
6 Laps
1:16.356
P5
Soft, Soft
Lewis Hamilton
P5
8 Laps
1:17.306
P11
Medium, Soft, Soft
5 Laps
1:16.973
P6
Soft, Soft
6 Laps
1:16.651
P6
Soft, Soft


George Russell
Firstly, a big thank you to everyone in the garage for working so hard to get the car ready for today. There was extensive damage, and we had to change the chassis overnight. I am therefore happy with our recovery from yesterday. We are still running the previous specification package which we've had for the last 12 races, so to be less than two tenths off the front-row is a solid effort.
 
My final lap felt good, and I was happy with it as I crossed the line. P5 was likely the most we could have hoped for today given the speed of those in front. I don't think we quite have the race pace of the four cars ahead but let's see tomorrow. I also expect that they will be scrapping quite hard so maybe the race will come towards us.
 
Lewis Hamilton
The car felt good in FP3, but I didn't have that same feeling in Qualifying. We made a few small set-up adjustments after that final practice session as we tried to find a little more speed. Unfortunately, they didn't bring that extra lap time, and we had to settle for P6.
 
It's going to be difficult to challenge the guys ahead tomorrow. They've looked quick, particularly the Ferraris and the McLaren of Norris. Whilst we may not be able to fight them on pure pace, we will be looking to take advantage of any chances that come our way. It is also a long run down to the first corner so making positions off the start could be the key to our race.
 
Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO
P5 and P6 was a fair result today. We didn't have the pace of the front three teams so the third row was likely the best we could have managed. We still needed to execute well though; Qualifying was not straightforward with both Red Bull and McLaren losing a car in Q1. Ultimately, we were within two tenths of the front row with George, who is running the previous specification this weekend. Whilst that is a little frustrating, it can give us encouragement heading into tomorrow's race that we may be able to pick up the pieces if those ahead don't execute well.
 
It was a tougher session for Lewis. He only made small set-up changes after FP3, but he didn't feel as comfortable with the car as he had done earlier in the day. It was a solid job to take P6 and he will be looking forward tomorrow.
 
Finally, it is important to recognise the great work of the team in the garage. They have not had an easy time of it in the past couple of races. After George's accident yesterday, they worked through much of the night to get the car ready and did a superb job. To consistently operate at that level, particularly during an intense triple-header, is testament to the team spirit and professionalism that keep driving us forward.
 
Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director
The team worked hard through the night to repair George's car following yesterday's accident in FP2. It was a heavy shunt and there was extensive damage, including to the chassis. That forced us into a switch of chassis, but we were able to complete the work and have both cars on track for FP3. That is a major credit to the team in the garage, who have had dealt with the challenges that have come our way both here and in Austin effectively and efficiently.
 
Heading into Qualifying, we knew we would have a tall task to get ourselves into the fight for the top-three. The Ferraris have looked quick all weekend and McLaren popped up in FP3 with some competitive times. It is therefore frustrating that we fell just a couple of tenths shy of getting on the front-row. We know that P5 and P6 is likely a fair result though given our pace so far this weekend. With the speed of those ahead, we know it won't be easy to make progress from the third row. Nevertheless, will be looking to take every opportunity that comes our way tomorrow to do so.
 

Saturday, October 26, 2024

#F1 - 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix - Friday "Mixed Friday in Mexico" Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team

 

Press Information
25 October 2024


 
F1: Session Report
 
2024 Mexico City Grand Prix - Friday

 
Mixed Friday in Mexico
  • The team opened the second race weekend of the triple-header with Kimi Antonelli fulfilling the second rookie session of the season, driving Lewis' car in FP1.
  • He completed a condensed programme in a twice red flagged hour, whilst George topped the times with a strong lap on the Soft compound.
  • FP2 was elongated to 90 minutes to accommodate Pirelli tyre testing of prototype 2025 compounds.
  • Teams were mandated tyres, fuel loads, and run plans by the tyre manufacturer with set-up changes not allowed.
  • Those drivers who didn't run in FP1 were also given an additional Medium tyre to use.
  • George's session unfortunately came to an early end with a heavy crash at turn eight.
  • Lewis meanwhile completed his Pirelli programme and was able to run the Medium tyre for one push lap at the end of the 90 minutes.
Driver
FP1
FP2
George Russell
24 Laps
1:17.998
P1
Hard, Soft, Hard
4 Laps
1:19.041
P18
Proto
Lewis Hamilton
36 Laps
1:18.279
P7
Base, Proto, Medium
Kimi Antonelli
19 Laps
1:19.200
P12
Hard, Soft


George Russell
It was a big hit, and I felt a bit winded initially. I'm OK but unfortunately the car wasn't. I am not sure what happened. I turned into the corner, trying to cut the line similarly to how I did in FP1. I'm not sure whether it was the kerb or the car bottoming out but it bounced a little and, before I had a chance to catch it, I was already in the wall.
 
There is a lot of work on for the team in the garage overnight now, unfortunately. It does feel like it is one thing after another at the moment. It is frustrating as we were strong in FP1 and topped the times. We lost out on a lot of laps in FP2 so FP3 will be important for us to get the car in a good place ahead of Qualifying and Sunday's race.
 
Lewis Hamilton
It was great to see Kimi do a really solid job for the team in FP1. It's been enjoyable working with and supporting him ahead of the session and the programme he carried out set us up well for the afternoon. It's not always easy to get straight up to speed having missed that opening practice but I got a good feeling from the car in FP2.
 
With the tyre test, we couldn't change anything on the car during the session. The red flag following George's crash almost meant we lost a decent chunk of running time. Nevertheless, I feel like we got a lot of good information to work through and utilise this evening as we look to make improvements for the rest of the weekend.
 
Kimi Antonelli
I wanted to deliver a clean FP1 session for the team today and I was pleased that I was able to do that. It was my first time driving the circuit here, so I stayed very much within the limit and just built my confidence lap-by-lap. Overall, it was a decent hour, and, despite the red flags, we gathered lots of data that will hopefully help the team over the rest of the weekend.
 
I was also able to build my understanding of the W15 too. We ran both the Hard and Soft compound and it was good to get a mixture of consecutive running and single lap work completed. Whilst there aren't any more FP1 sessions for me to take part in this year, I'm looking forward to continuing my programme with previous cars as we build towards 2025.
 
Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director
FP1 ran smoothly with Kimi doing a solid job as he stepped in for his second rookie session, this time alongside George. We had a busy programme to get through and, despite the interruption of two red flags, were able to complete the majority of it. George meanwhile hit the ground running and felt particularly comfortable on the Soft tyre, topping the times at the end of the hour. With the mandated Pirelli tyre test for FP2, we knew how important getting good FP1 running would be.
 
That became even more true as George was unfortunate to lose the car at turn eight early in the extended FP2 session. It was a hefty shunt; fortunately, he was OK but the car fared less well. It has given us a decent amount of work to do to get the car ready for FP3 and we are already working through that. Lewis enjoyed a happier session and was comfortable with the car, although a bit frustrated that the tyre test meant he had no opportunity to work on the setup


Friday, October 25, 2024

#motorsport #italy - Italian F4 Championship - Monza F1 Circuit - round 7 - Race 3 October 27 (English)

27 October 2024

🔴 LIVE | The grand finale of the Italian F4 Championship is here! The drivers are lining up for one last race at Monza, ready to give everything in the ultimate battle of the season at the legendary Temple of Speed

#ItalianF4 #IF4C #RoadtoF1 #F4


Race 1 . 2 . 3

ItalianF4


webmaster        John Nichols       @itcracing       @Linkedin 

#motorsport #italy - Italian F4 Championship - Monza F1 Circuit - round 7 - Race 2 October 26 (English)

26 October 2024

🔴 LIVE | Race 2 of the Italian F4 Championship final round is about to begin at Monza. With the penultimate race of the season underway, the drivers are eager to make their mark on the iconic track before the final showdown

#ItalianF4 #IF4C #RoadtoF1 #F4


Race 1 . 2 . 3

ItalianF4


webmaster       John Nichols      @itcracing      @Linkedin 

Slater wins again at Monza in safety car-filled second Italian F4 race 26 October 2024

Sep 30, 2024 — Freddie Slater has further cemented his credentials as one of the world's hottest young prospects by winning the 2024 Italian F4 Championship.

#motorsport #italy - Italian F4 Championship - Monza F1 Circuit - round 7 - Race 1 October 26 (English)

26 October 2024

🔴 LIVE | The first of three races in the Italian F4 Championship final round is about to kick off at Monza. As the season draws to a close, the young talents are ready to tackle the legendary circuit and push their limits in the pursuit of victory #ItalianF4 #IF4C #RoadtoF1 #F4


Race 1 . 2 . 3

ItalianF4


webmaster      John Nichols     @itcracing     @Linkedin 



F1 - Will Sergio Pérez retain his Red Bull seat into 2025? The Inside Line

24 October 2024

Sergio Pérez heads home to Mexico with the pressure on to up his game for a shot at keeping his Red Bull Racing drive for 2025. Checo hasn’t been on the podium since China in April, six months ago, a lifetime in Formula One. Nowhere near good enough to retain a top team drive on merit.

Watch the video, and tell us what you think in the comments…


webmaster     John Nichols    @itcracing    @Linkedin 


F1 DIRECTO: Libres 1 - GP México F1 2024 | SoyMotor.com