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Tag: featured
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Rossi stunner for pole at Mugello; Lorenzo, Vinales lock front row
Valentino Rossi, who grabbed his 65th pole position. Photo: Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Mugello, 02 June 2018: Frenetic, electric, high-octane, tense and down to the absolute wire: that was qualifying for the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley. And as the yellow haze clears, it’s Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) who will be starting from pole, the ‘Doctor’ putting in an electric 1:46.203 lap to take to the top and master the stunning Autodromo del Mugello once again. Sometimes, there really is no place like home.
Starting alongside the number 46 is the other man with a comparable winning record at the track – Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team); also the rider whose 65 career poles Rossi equals, with the two now equal second of all time. And that stat was on a knife edge, with the number 99 only 0.035 off pole.
Jorge Lorenzo. Photo: Ducati Lorenzo has also taken the holeshot in both Jerez and Le Mans, but it won’t just be Rossi he’s fighting into San Donato once the lights go out at Mugello – the Ducati rider splits the Yamahas, with Q1 graduate Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) completing the front row after an impressive Q2.
The home hero who had led the way for much of the weekend so far, was the man to just miss out on the front row, with Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) taking P4 and just shuffled out in the incredible hot lap shootout. He’s just ahead of top Independent Team rider Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing), a podium finisher at the venue last year, with reigning Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) down in sixth.
One on attempt, Marquez had been almost half a second up by halfway round the lap, but it wasn’t to be. Losing time, the Championship leader wasn’t able to put it all together and push himself up the order – despite an impressive save around the final corner in classic self-named style. He’s in good company, however, with key rival and 2017 Mugello winner Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) in seventh and less than a tenth off.
Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) and Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) make for two more riders looking for more on Sunday as they start eighth and ninth, with the top ten completed by Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) as he competes at the venue for the first time in the premier class, having sat out the Italian GP due to injury in his rookie year.
Maverick Vinales. Photo: Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Second Q1 graduate Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) will be gunning for his ninth consecutive top ten result from P11 on the grid, with top rookie Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) in P12 after his first automatic graduation to Q2 at his home race. In contrasting fortunes, it’s been a tough weekend so far for former Mugello winner Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team), who’s not yet back to fully fit and will be starting the Italian GP in P20. So that’s it – the 46 flags are flying high on Saturday. Will it be the same on Sunday? With such pedigree both at the front and looking to move forward, the battle between the veterans, the hard chargers and the fresh challengers is going to light up Mugello once again.
Moto2: Home turf pole for Pasini at Mugello
Last year’s race winner Mattia Pasini (Italtrans Racing Team) carried his Saturday morning form into qualifying as the Italian shot to pole position for his home race at the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley. Marcel Schroetter (Italtrans Racing Team) was second fastest in the afternoon, a slender 0.030 behind Pasini’s 1:51.575 after a career-best finish at Le Mans, with Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) rounding out the front row of the grid in third, just 0.067 back from pole.
Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia (SKY Racing Team VR46) had a quiet session, sitting in the garage for a prolonged period midway through – he’ll launch for P4 in tomorrow’s race as he aims to grab a home victory. He leads fellow-Italian Simone Corsi (Tasca Racing Scuderia Moto2), who starts from P5 in Sunday’s race on his 250th Grand Prix start – a fantastic milestone for Corsi, who’ll be aiming for a podium finish tomorrow.
Moto3: Martin grabs pole as Suzuki, Sasaki impress
Jorge Martin. Photo: Jorgemartin88.net Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) kept his awesome record in qualifying at the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley, taking provisional pole and then bettering that on his final run to end the session 0.190 ahead of the field. That field was headed by two equally impressive performers: Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) and Ayumu Sasaki (Petronas Sprinta Racing), who locked out the front row for Japan. It’s the first front row start for both and with no Italians on the front row, Suzuki flies the flag for the home nation with the SIC58 Squadra Corse outfit. And, after getting tangled in a crash earlier in the day, Sasaki’s ride through the pain barrier – despite still suffering with an injury to his leg sustained in Le Mans – made for an incredible performance for the former Asia Talent Cup and Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion.
Aron Canet (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) was also in close company, just 0.014 further back heading up the second row – with first Italian, Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi (Redox PrüstelGP) – 0.017 in arrears to complete the top five.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) and Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) took P6 and P7 respectively on home turf as the gaps remained incredibly tight, ahead of Adam Norrodin (Petronas Sprinta Racing) and Marcos Ramirez (Bester Capital Dubai). From second to ninth is covered by just over two tenths – an incredible preview of what’s to come on race day at the venue that saw 21 riders fight for the win last season.
Kaito Toba (Honda Team Asia) took tenth as the third former Asia Talent Cup rider in the top ten – and he’s just ahead of compatriot and top rookie Kazuki Masaki (RBA BOE Skull Rider), the reigning Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion and another former Asia Talent Cup competitor in an impressive day for the graduates of the Road to MotoGP™ programme.
The stage is set for a showdown at Mugello, with the times incredibly tight and some big names looking to slice through from further back – including Enea Bastianini (Leopard Racing) in P14 and last year’s winner Andrea Migno (Angel Nieto Team) in P15.
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Mugello – Passion, points and that all-important podium; Rossi hopes to do better on home track
Valentino Rossi…..keen to put in better performance on home turf. Photo – Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Mugello, 31 May 2018: Home hero Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) is more than just keen to make up for his fourth place finish last year in the Italian GP when he was still recovering from injuries he had suffered during training.
Speaking at the pre-race press conference here on Thursday, ahead of this weekend’s race, Rossi hoped to put behind him a difficult start to the season for the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team. The number 46 took his second podium of the year in France, and Mugello is something extra special – home turf where the crowd breathes yellow, and a venue where he’s won seven times.
“Mugello is a special weekend for me and for all the Italian riders, it’s the historic Italian GP for MotoGP,” affirmed the ‘Doctor’. “The track is fantastic, one of the best, and the atmosphere, especially on Sunday, is very special. I arrive better than last year because last year I’d been injured in motocross, but then it was quite a good race. So we have to check this year! In Le Mans it was a good podium but it’s always a good track for the Yamaha and we have to understand our potential here.”
In terms of understanding that, there was also a private test at the venue recently that the majority of the field took part in – although it was interrupted by the weather. For Rossi, it’s a case of starting from Le Mans and moving on.
“The test here wasn’t fantastic for me because I wasn’t very fast. The conditions weren’t fantastic and we only did the morning. But we haven’t changed a lot and we’ll start with a similar base from Le Mans, try and find the feeling and improve – it’s a different track with a lot of changes of direction so you need a different feeling with the bike.”
Marc Marquez, the championship leader. Photo: Honda Racing Ahead of the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley, Rossi was joined by Championship leader Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), 2017 race winner Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), Alma Pramac Racing’s Danilo Petrucci and Jack Miller and Moto2™ World Championship leader Francesco ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia to talk about the weekend ahead, the season so far and debrief a few final points from Le Mans before taking on the magnificent Mugello.
First, however, there was another event on Thursday morning as Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu), Scott Redding (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini), Lorenzo Baldassari (Pons HP40), Xavi Vierge (Dynavolt Intact GP), Marco Bezzecchi (Redox PruestelGP), Andrea Migno (Angel Nieto Team), Albert Arenas (Angel Nieto Team), Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Leopard Racing), Dennis Foggia (Sky Racing Team VR46) and Nicolo Bulega (Sky Racing Team VR46) took part in a Giro di Scarperia – a lap of the circuit before cycling to the impressive Palazzo dei Vicari and then back to the track.
With a mixed record at Mugello, it’s not a talisman venue for Marquez, but the season has seen him conquer some venue at which he has a similar record already. “Mugello is a really nice track, one of the most difficult on the calendar and in the past where I didn’t achieve my best results, but we had a test here a few weeks ago and it wasn’t bad. But now, it’s warmer temperatures and everything has changed so we need to do ride the same as we have in the last few races.”
Asked if the Honda he’s riding now is the best he’s had in the premier class, Marquez said it’s not quite like 2014 – and a lot is down to his competitors.
“It’s related to the performance of our opponents. I feel good now with the bike, but in 2014, I felt better. It was easier to ride in 2014. Now there are different tyres and electronics, everything is different, and if the performance of your opponents is higher, then you struggle more with the bike. But now it looks like we can be fast in all conditions, a bit like the second part of last season. This year, it looks like we’ve started in a good way and circuits where we normally struggle we’ve been able to be on top or on the podium and that’s the most important thing during the season.”
Danilo Petrucci. Photo: Prama Racing Danilo Petrucci, however, does think he might be a little behind initially after not having tested at the venue. But ‘Petrux’ is, like Rossi, happy to be riding at home and is aiming high again after his rostrum at Le Mans last time out and his podium form at Mugello in 2017.
Petrucci said: “It’s always special to be here. There are just more Italian journalists! It’s one of my favourite tracks and after Le Mans we arrive in a positive way, but we have to do things simply – the things we’ve done in every race, be precise with the details and working on the bike. Today we had an important meeting and decided everything about the bike, we’re working a lot and arriving here after a podium is special. After last year and two weeks ago, I know a target for me is to be on the podium but for sure it won’t be easy. We haven’t been here for testing so we start a step behind but we’ll try and recover as fast as possible.”
The number 9 was also asked about his team-mate, Jack Miller, and the competition between the two looking towards next season and a possible move to the Ducati Team as rumoured.
“Jack is very fast and he’s shown that in all previous races,” said Petrucci. “But every race is important in MotoGP, there’s not one race that’s easier than another and I always want to be as quick as possible. Sometimes it happens but sometimes it’s more difficult. I have to be in front of as many people as possible, I don’t care about being in front of one rider or another – I just try to be faster than everyone…it’s just not always possible, unfortunately!”
Miller was, aptly, the next on the mic and talked more of consistency, having taken eight top ten finishes in a row as of Le Mans.
“I’m feeling pretty good and such a consistent run for me is quit a new feeling – I was known for inconsistency in the past and I loved to crash,” laughed the Australian. “But since hopping on the Ducati I’ve found some new form and new consistency and it’s starting to show with some decent races. In Jerez, we got lucky with the tangle between Dani, Dovi and Jorge but in Le Mans, it was good to fight and be close to the group for the podium.
“We were missing a little bit there, but riding with these guys and being around them the whole race, I learned a lot and got a lot more experience. So I’ll try and bring the momentum we’ve had in the last couple of GPs into this weekend. It’s a track I’ve not done the best at in the past; I had a pole but then crashed out that year but since, on the Honda, I‘ve struggled. It will be interesting, this bike won here last year, so it’s sure not slow around here and we have to try and do our best!”
Explaining his mistake in Le Mans, Dovizioso said: “It was quite clear for me what happened, I was too relaxed because my speed was really good. I overtook Jorge because I wanted to be in front because Zarco was very aggressive. He had the speed and was maybe too excited to be in his home race! I put myself in the best position but made a mistake in the braking point. I wasn’t careful enough about the weight on the front and it was too much for the grip. It was a very small but bad mistake.”
Ahead of his debut in the premier class in 2019, Bagnaia, the intermediate class points leader was happy to be there and is aiming to make more of a habit of it.
“I’m nervous, excited, but most of all happy to be here for the first time. Since the test in February, we started well, we’ve taken a good direction to work in and from Qatar we knew it was possible to be fast this year, and the win in Texas and Le Mans confirmed that feeling. In Jerez, it was difficult to be fast like in Austin or Le Mans but to finish third in a difficult Grand Prix was good. For sure being here with riders who will be my competitors next year it’s hard to say much…next year, I’ll be with the fastest riders on the planet, with Valentino who was my hero since I was young…that’s incredible. It’s the first time I’ve been here in the Press Conference and next year I hope I can be here a few more times!”
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MRF Tyres unveils M-Sport Ford Fiesta R5 to be driven by Gaurav Gill in WRC 2
Gaurav Gill (right) and co-driver Glenn Macneall pose before their M-Sport Ford Fiesta R5 Bengaluru, 31 May 2018: The MRF Tyres today unveiled their M-Sport Fiesta R5 car that will be driven by Indian champion Gaurav Gill with Australian Glenn Macneall as the co-driver. The pair will take part in four rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC 2 category) this season, beginning with the Rally Italia Sardegna (June 7-10).
The distinctive red and white livery of the Indian tyre manufacturer has been retained as MRF Tyres moves onto the World stage in the non-priority R5 category.
The Delhi-based 36-year old Gill, a three times FIA Asia Pacific Rally Champion, said: “It is a huge honour for me to represent Team MRF at World Rally Championship level.
“MRF tyres has evolved a lot over the years and being the best tyre manufacturer in the region and the WRC is the best platform to showcase the product development. To achieve what no Indian tyre manufacturer has ever done before and compete in what is considered to be the most difficult motorsport championship in the world, is a huge achievement.”
For Macneall, who has competed in 100 WRC events, Rally Italia Sardegna is a return to MRF after many successful years partnering Gill in the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship.
The car will be run by the UK-based WRC World Championship winning M-Sport outfit. The MRF Tyres Fiesta R5 will be one of four cars they service at Rally Italia Sardegna, alongside the three works WRC cars, including the one piloted by World champion Sebastien Ogier.
Besides the Rally Italia Sardegna, the MRF Tyres M-Sport Fiesta will also compete in the Neste Rally Finland (July 26-29), Dayinsure Wales Rally GB (October 4-7) and Kennards Hire Rally Australia (November 15-18).
Prior to joining the WRC, MRF Tyres won nine Asia Pacific Rally Championships and supplies tyres to rally championships across the World.
A side-on view of the MRF Tyres M-Sport Ford Fiesta R5 The M-Sport Ford Fiesta R5 specs:
ENGINE:
M-Sport developed 1.6 Turbo, direct injection powerplant, FIA regulated 32mm restrictor. Life Racing engine control unit and power management systems.
BODYSHELL:
M-Sport designed bespoke roll cage as per FIA R5 regulations. R5 Aero Package
TRANSMISSION:
Sadev 5 Speed Sequential Gearbox mated to Sadev front and rear differential units.
SUSPENSION:
Front and Rear MacPherson struts with Reiger external reservoir dampers, three way adjustable. Front and rear antil roll-bar options.
UPRIGHTS:
Machined Aluminium uprights of a universal design – strengthened suspension links.
INTERIOR:
FIA 8862 Standard Competition Seats with 6 point HANS compatible harnesses. AP Racing ‘fly by wire’ fully adjustable pedal box. Life Racing fully functional drivers display controlled by a membrane switch panel.
FUEL SYSTEM:
ATL 80 Litre competition standard fuel tank, centrally mounted.
BRAKES:
AP Racing Forged 4 piston front and rear calipers. Gravel 300 x 28mm ventilated discs / Asphalt 355 x 32mm ventilated discs. Hydraulic Handbrake.
WHEELS:
7”x15” wheels – Gravel / 8” x 18” wheels – Asphalt.
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Monaco GP separates men from boys… but Oh boy, what a win!
Daniel Ricciardo celebrating his win at the Monaco GP. Photo: Red Bull Racing Monaco, 27 May 2018: The Monaco GP is as extreme as it’s brutal. Hot-footing it for 78 laps while avoiding the ever-welcoming walls on this unique circuit does separate the men from the boys but in this case, the boy won! And in great style too.
To soak in the pressure from the likes of Vettel and Hamilton is not for the weak-hearted. However, the ever-smiling assassin, Ricciardo, had the comfort of leading the race from the get-go knowing very well that to catch him was one thing but to overtake was another story, all together.
Vettel and Hammy were not losing much sleep over his victory as they had racked up valuable points where it mattered since Ricciardo was not their title contender for the time being. Redbull’s pace is for real, however, and as the circus moves to more-traditional circuits such as Canada, the wheat shall be separated from the chaff! By and large, F1 is having the best season ever with so many drivers and teams in contention.Kimi and Bottas played the role of mere spectators at the Mecca of F1 and all they could do was go round and round the mulberry bush just hoping for a safety car to show up! When it actually did it was only a virtual safety car a few laps before the checkered flag that didn’t threaten the proceedings much. The winner, however, had to go through many anxious moments throughout the race as his car had a myriad of technical issues that threatened his otherwise perfect weekend. He, of course, had a far-better weekend than his teammate, Max Verstappen, who has become a famous trouble magnet! He simply has to take one step back to go two forward. His eagerness is his downfall. Currently a maverick but hopefully soon a champion!
Force India had yet another day to cheer as Esteban Ocon, the cool youngster put his Mercedes powered VJM11 chassis into the sixth slot. He is no fluke and a lot can be expected of him as the season progresses. Against all odds, team FI is punching considerably above its weight.
Monaco would, meanwhile, do well to create more over-overtaking room, otherwise, it may border on boring eventually! Qualifying results should not resemble race results! It’s wildly popular as is expensive and that suits the F1 characteristic. Advantage – partying and the wildlife!
Anyway, the 20-car train does look spectacular to the uninitiated and for some die-hards, it does increase the adrenaline. Whatever works I guess.
Two weeks later at Montreal, the real story may be told but then having seen the lopsided results thus far, for me to hazard a guess to spot winners will be rather foolish!
2018 Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix – Race Results:
1 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull Racing-
2 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 7.336
3 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 17.013
4 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 18.127
5 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes 18.822
6 Esteban Ocon Force India 23.667
7 Pierre Gasly Toro Rosso 24.331
8 Nico Hulkenberg Renault 24.839
9 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 25.317
10 Carlos Sainz Renault 1’09.013
11 Marcus Ericsson Sauber 1’09.864
12 Sergio Perez Force India 1’10.461
13 Kevin Magnussen Haas 1’14.823
14 Stoffel Vandoorne McLaren 1 lap
15 Romain Grosjean Haas 1 lap
16 Sergey Sirotkin Williams 1 lap
17 Lance Stroll Williams 2 laps
Charles Leclerc Sauber 8 laps
Brendon Hartley Toro Rosso 8 laps
Fernando Alonso McLaren 26 laps. -
Double Dutch delight for van der Mark: WorldSBK Race 2
Donington, 27 May 2018: The floodgates were opened on Saturday, and now there’s no stopping Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team). The Dutchman closed an extraordinary weekend at Donington for the Pata Yamaha team with the second win of his MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship career, a win against oll-odds in another fascinating race at the Prosecco DOC UK Round. A first double for van der Mark, and a first podium for Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), beating none other than Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) in the closing stages.
A poor start from Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) saw him gobbled up in the mix at the first turn, ceding two places to Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia) and Leon Haslam (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing). The Yamaha managed to pick both off in short order however, Haslam at the Fogarty Esses (before the wildcard crashed at Melbourne), and the Italian in lap 2. Meanwhile, the two KRTs held a surprisingly aggressive battle, while the other Yamaha quietly made it through to the leading group from ninth on the grid.
Quickly, one third in, the battle for the race turned into a three-way fight, with Lowes sticking strong but Rea taking ghost shots around Craner and Melbourne. Meanwhile, van der Mark, much like he did on Saturday, stalked the front two, biding his time. At the back, Razgatlioglu and Savadori fought nail and tooth for fourth, a few seconds back on the leading group.
After two perfect thirds to the race, it all came apart for Lowes at the end. On lap 17, Rea found a spot at the Melbourne loop, where so many moves have been made this weekend, and pushed in front from the inside of Lowes, with van der Mark picking off the scraps at Redgate and moving to second. And just like yesterday, one lap later, van der Mark made his race-winning move at that same turn 11. The Ductchman shot off from there, giving his pursuers no option to take away his incredible double.
There was one more surprise left at Donington, however. Amidst the front group bickering, Razgatlioglu found himself with the gap now non-existent. Showing an impressive late-race pace, the Turkish rider picked off Lowes with ease, before setting his sights on the three-time WorldSBK champion. And with one lap to go, he moved up to second. A fitting epilogue to Kenan Sofuoglu’s retirement in the last Round: Turkey has a new hero for years to come.
With Rea finally in third, his worst result since the Thai Round, and Alex Lowes repeating his Saturday performance in fourth, there was another comeback behind. Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) found his way all the way back to twelfth at the start, but a neat ride from the Welshman pushed him back to fifth, ahead of Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), who couldn’t continue his incredible Donington streak and leaves with his first finish outside the podium since 2011.
Savadori made it to the checkered flag in seventh, just ahead of Leon Camier (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team), who pipped Jordi Torres (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) to eighth at the final turns, and leaves the UK Round with two top-ten finishes on his return. Closing the top ten was Loris Baz (GULF Althea BMW Racing Team), with Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) ending a weekend to forget down in eleventh.
P1 – Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team)
“It just incredible, I can’t believe it, I had quite a good race, I struggled a bit but I didn’t feel as good as yesterday. So I followed Alex and Jonny, just used my head and in the last few laps they had a battle and I managed to pull away. To take the first win yesterday and now the double, its just incredible.”P2 – Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing)
“Today is my team bosses birthday, so a big happy birthday to him! But this position is very good, I am really happy: It’s my first podium so I am really happy, thank you!”P3 – Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
“It was a huge battle, I really enjoyed it and it was quiet close, I hope everyone out in the crowd and at home enjoyed it. But unfortunately I am disappointed with myself, I ran into arm pump issues which meant I found it hard to change direction and, I had to back off. Third was all we could manage, I’m sorry to my team as they gave me a bike that could win but that as all I could do.”#UKWorldSBK at Donington Park: Race 2
1. Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team)
2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) +2.328
3. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +2.614 -
Esteban Ocon finishes 6th; Perez 12th
Monaco, 27 May 2018: Sahara Force India driver Esteban Ocon managed to keep his position and gained a sixth place and very valuable eight points in Monaco on Sunday. Senior teammate Sergio Perez who started inside the top-10 could only finish 12.
After six races, Perez stands 12th in the driver standings with 17 points followed by Ocon in 13th with 9 points.
Ocon finishes P6 in Monaco. A Sahara Force India image. Esteban Ocon managed a P6 bringing his VJM11-03 safely home. He started on Used Hypersoft and shifted to New Supersofts after 23 laps and went on for the next 55 laps. “A fantastic result today. I’m really happy and it was great fun. The pace we had was impressive and the team did a fantastic job with the strategy. We had a great understanding of the tyres and there were times during the race when we were the fastest car on the track. In the final few laps I was catching Bottas and Raikkonen by over a second per lap and I was right behind them at the end. It feels great to get this result and a good bunch of points after a few disappointing races. I hope we can have many more weekends like this one,” he said.
Sergio Perez said: “I am disappointed today because we didn’t get the result our pace deserved. We had a problem at the pit stop and this completely ruined our race. Our first stint was strong, we looked after the tyres well and pushed hard just before the stop. We had a good rhythm but we pitted slightly early to react to what was happening around us. We lost some time, but in the second part of the race we had good pace. Unfortunately, it was impossible to overtake. I was quicker than the cars in front, but you need a big advantage to be able pass around here, especially with these very wide cars. I leave Monaco feeling we have lost some important points. Esteban showed what we could do today and it feels like an opportunity lost.”
Chief Operating Officer Otmar Szafnauer said: “Congratulations to the entire team on a well-deserved sixth place in Monaco. Esteban did an excellent job all weekend and hasn’t put a wheel out of place. After his strong qualifying performance it was very satisfying to see him bring home eight points today with a very mature drive. It’s a shame that Sergio had an issue at the pit stop, which undoubtedly cost him the opportunity to finish inside the top ten. He showed good pace in the second half of the race but without track position it was hard to make it count. We take a lot of encouragement from out strong performance this weekend and will look to carry this momentum into Montreal in a couple of weeks’ time.”
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Daniel Ricciardo takes a lights-to-flag Monaco victory despite engine issues
Daniel Ricciardo celebrates after winning a difficult Monaco race on Sunday. An FIA image Monaco, 27 May 2018: Daniel Ricciardo battled engine issues and soaked up race-long pressure from Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel to score a superb Monaco Grand Prix win ahead of the German and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in the sixth round of the Formula One World Championship here on Sunday.
The Australian, who led away from pole position, developed a power issue and a possible gearbox problem with his car midway through the race and after being told by his team that the problem could not be rectified, he delivered a superb defensive drive, with just six of his car’s eight gears at his disposal, to claim his seventh career win and his first in Monaco.
The victory makes up for 2016 when the Red Bull driver lost out on victory in due a botched pit stop that dropped him to second place.
At the race start, Ricciardo made a clean getaway and despite a brief attack from Vettel, he held his advantage to lead through Ste Devote ahead of the German and Hamilton. At the back of the grid, Max Verstappen made a good start and swiftly cleared the Haas cars of Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean to hold P18 at the end of the opening tour.
Verstappen then worked has way past Sauber’s Marcus Ericsson on lap three and began to close on Williams’ Lance Stroll. He made light work of passing the Canadian on lap seven, down the inside into the Nouvelle Chicane. The next move was past Toro Rosso’s Brendon Hartley and that came soon after, putting the Dutchman in P14 before the start of lap nine.
At the front Ricciardo eked out a 2.5s gap top Vettel but then on Lap 11, Hamilton pitted for ultrasoft tyres, emerging in P6 behind Force India’s Esteban Ocon. The Mercedes driver passed the Frenchman soon after and then began to chase after the leaders, 28s behind Ricciardo.
Vettel was next in taking on ultrasofts and then, at the end of lap 17, Ricciardo pitted from the lead. He also took ultrasofts but as he rejoined in the lead, about four seconds ahead of Vettel, Valtteri Bottas pulled up at his pit box and went for supersofts.
Further, back Verstappen was still making his through the field and after passing Leclerc, Harley and Sainz and others pitted, he found himself in P11 behind McLaren’s Fernando Alonso who had pitted for supersofts.
By the end of lap 25 Ricciardo had a 1.7s lead over Vettel, while Hamilton was now 8.6s off the lead. Raikkonen had closed to 1.2 behind Hamilton, with Bottas 6.0s behind his fellow Finn.
Vettel then began to close on the leader and by lap 30 he was just 0.7s behind Ricciardo. The leader reported a loss of power and as the situation unfolded the Australian asked his team whether the situation would improve. His race engineer’s response was a swift negative.
Ricciardo was now in a position where he would have to defend for more than 40 laps. Behind him Vettel looked to attack but as the Australian protected his lead the German’s tyres began to grain badly.
Behind the leading pair Hamilton began to increase his pace, sensing that the slow laps being put in by the front pair could signal an opportunity. Further back, Bottas began to close on fourth-placed Raikkonen.
The top end of the order now began to bunch up and on lap 45 the leading five cars were separated by just eight seconds.
Further back, Verstappen finally made his sole pit stop at the end of lap 48, taking on hypersofts for a late race push to the flag. He emeged in P11, ahead of Toro Rosso’s Brendon Hartley and 10 seconds behind Renault’s Carlos Sainz.
Verstappen’s situation improved when Fernando Alonso retired with a geabox issue.
That promoted Verstappen to P10 behind the Hulkenberg who had dropped behind Sainz after his stop. When Sainz allowed his team-mate past, Verstappen closed on the Spaniard and after Sainz cut the chicane as they battled the Red Bull driver swept past in the Nouvelle Chicane to take P9.
Ahead, on lap 60, Vettel was still pushing, looking for a way to attack Ricciardo, but the Australian was controlling his defence with aplomb and the gap remained steady at around one second. Hamilton’s charge appeared to have ended as he fell 2.9s behind Vettel, while Raikkonen was a further 2.6 back in fourth place.
Verstappen, though, was till trying to make progress and with 13 laps remaining he had reeled in Hulkenberg, who in turn had caught up with Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly.
There was late drama when local hero Charles Leclerc crashed into the back of Hartley’s Toro Rosso, but with Leclerc sliding up the escape road and Hartley able to limp to the pits, it was only cause for the Virtual Safety Car to be deployed.
And as the caution came to an end, Vettel dropped right back, settling for second place, seven seconds behind the Australian. Hamilton, too, nursed his car to the finish, finishing almost 10 seconds behind Vettel.
Fourth place went to Raikkone, with Bottas fifth and Force India’s Esteban sixth. Gasly drove superbly to hold onto seventh ahead of Hulkenberg and Verstappen and the final point went to Sainz.
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Van der Mark shocks Donington with first WorldSBK win
Van der mark, Pata Yamaha, takes his first win on Saturday. A WorldSBK image. Donington, 26 May 2018: No non-British rider had won at Donington Park since 2012, and from the Free Practice sessions and Superpole, few would have predicted that would change today in Race 1. But Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) threw out the script for the Prosecco DOC UK Round with a sensational ride, flying from sixth on the grid to his first ever win in the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship.
Van der Mark is the first Dutch rider to win in the top class, and the first win for a Yamaha rider since Algarve 2011, Race 2. The Dutchman left both Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) shocked and fighting for the remaining podium places, with the Northern Irishman in second and ‘Superpoleman’ in third.
The psychological battle between the KRTs, leading the first row, started right from the start. Rea made it ahead at the lights, with the pair squabbling through sector 1. Sykes struck back three laps later at the Old Hairpin, but went wide at the Melbourne loop. Two laps later, an aggressive Sykes made it back in front, same move, same spot.
The Kawasakis were poised – and had been widely predicted – to dominate Donington weekend, but van der Mark threw a spanner in the works immediately, the only rider able to keep up with Rea and Sykes after passing his teammate Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team). But stalking the KRTs was not enough for the flying Dutchman – Rea went wide at Melbourne in lap 13, the same he’d done a few laps earlier, and van der Mark shot ahead into second.
A couple of laps later, he attacked again. Van der Mark stuck the nose in at Melbourne, yet again, closed the line over Sykes, and blasted away in the lead. But the battle was far from over here: Rea picked his teammate’s pocket around Schwartz with 6 laps to go, and shot after van der Mark, smelling blood. Yet today it was not to be for the defending champion, the Yamaha rider making no mistakes and meeting the flag.
Behind the sensational podium battle, Lowes finished in fourth, behind his teammate but scoring a fantastic finish at his home race. He will also have the consolation prize of leading the line at Race 2. Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia) finally translated his great qualifying and free practice performances into a great race finish, making it in at Donington in fifth, ahead of his teammate, Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia), in sixth.
With the Kawasaki, Yamaha and Aprilia bikes all phenomenal ahead, it was a sorry day for Ducati, with just Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) making it into the top ten, in eighth position. Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) crashed with five laps to go, and goes into Race 2 with no points.
Loris Baz (GULF Althea BMW Racing Team) made it in in seventh, with Leon Haslam (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) finishing ninth following a thrilling battle with his teammate at Donington, Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), who went to the floor on the final lap. Closing the top ten was Leon Camier (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) on his full WorldSBK return after injury.
P1 – Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team)
“Its amazing feeling, we’ve been working for this for a long time, last year I came close and finally after four years we’ve done it. I can’t thank the team enough. The bike was working really good this morning and I was pushing so hard, so a big thank you to the team. Its been three ears on this project and we’ve finally got the victory.”P2 – Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
“I could see all race that Mikey wasn’t dropping off the pace and when Tom missed a gear I made a mistake and Mikey came through. I could see he had a lot more pace than Tom, so I tried to get past. He pulled a good gap and had a lot more rubber, I tried to pull it back, but I couldn’t beat him. He was unbelievable today and congratulations to him.”P3 – Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
“Its not what we need but a great race from all of the top three, Micheal rode exceptionally well and there was no substitute. I was out the seat a couple of times, I had some issues I tried to ride around. I had a good battle with Jonathan, I enjoyed the race and tomorrow we can give more. I’m disappointed with our overall performance but happy with a podium.”#UKWorldSBK at Donington Park: Race 1
1. Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team)
2. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +1.136
3. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +2.193 -
F2: Fuoco clinches victory in dramatic Monaco Sprint Race; Arjun Maini 6th
Monaco, 26 May 2018: Antonio Fuoco held his nerve in a dramatic FIA Formula 2 Championship Sprint Race at Monte Carlo, Monaco, absorbing a swathe of challenges for the lead from Lando Norris and overcoming a flurry of safety
An F2 image courtesy FIA! cars to claim a maiden victory for Charouz Racing System. Norris followed home in second to extend his championship lead, while Louis Delétraz took his first F2 podium finish in third place after a stunning defensive drive. Indian racing prodigy Arjun Maini of Trident team managed to finish 6th.
Making a strong start off the line, Fuoco and Norris surged ahead as Jack Aitken bogged down from second place, dropping down the order as Delétraz and Artem Markelov swarmed past. Almost immediately, a virtual safety car was called to clear the cars of Tadasuke Makino and Luca Ghiotto; Makino struggled to get away, leaving Ghiotto to run into the back of the Japanese driver out of the blocks.Once the VSC period was declared over, Norris set about challenging Fuoco at the restart, carving into the Italian’s advantage before a safety car was called at the end of the fourth lap; Sean Gelael had clipped the kerb while passing through the Piscine section, subsequently becoming airborne before the PREMA driver careened into the barrier. The debris was hastily swept away for a restart at the end of the ninth lap, with Fuoco adeptly holding the lead from Norris and Delétraz.Behind the leading trio, Markelov was running Arjun Maini incredibly close, attempting a move around the outside of La Rascasse but ultimately running out of room to pass the Trident driver. This was a precursor to his next-lap assault, with Markelov once again using La Rascasse to launch his attack. Diving down the inside, the Russian driver found just enough space to complete the pass, with Delétraz next in his sights. Closing the Swiss ace down, Markelov once more attempted a move in the penultimate corner, but was ultimately unsuccessful.Fuoco, after absorbing Norris’s challenges in the first half of the race, had charged into a two-second lead by lap 20, before a second VSC was introduced after George Russell hit the wall on the exit of Piscine. Full-speed running returned a lap later, with Fuoco nailing the restart to open the lead out by a further second over the Carlin driver. Markelov meanwhile resumed his attack on Delétraz, and seemed set to clear him as they ran side-by-side through Massenet, but the Charouz driver’s sterling efforts in defence kept Markelov at bay.With four laps remaining, another safety car was called after Alexander Albon collided with Roy Nissany on the exit of the tunnel; attempting a move, the Thai driver fired into the back of Nissany’s car and ended up in the opposite wall after the Nouvelle Chicane – with Nissany left facing the wrong way. As the cars were quickly cleared, green flag running resumed with Fuoco once more preserving his lead over Norris as Delétraz found breathing space over Markelov.No sooner had the race restarted, the safety car made its third and final appearance to close out the race; Nirei Fukuzumi had mistimed his braking into La Rascasse and drifted into the wall, with Santino Ferrucci doing likewise seconds later. Although the safety car pulled in at the end of the final lap, Fuoco was unchallenged and clinched his second F2 victory ahead of Norris, while Delétraz ensured both Charouz drivers would stand on the podium.Markelov’s best efforts to clear Delétraz came to no avail, and had to be content with fourth as Roberto Merhi cleared Maini to take fifth place.Maximilian Günther grabbed his first points since Bahrain with seventh, as Nicholas Latifi took eighth – with it, the points for the fastest lap.Norris reaches 100 points to extend his championship lead, as Markelov and Albon complete the top three with 71 points each. ART Grand Prix pair Russell and Aitken complete the top five, currently standing at 62 and 49 points respectively. Carlin continue to lead the teams’ championship with 146 points, 35 points ahead of ART while DAMS sit on 91. After winning yesterday’s race, RUSSIAN TIME move up to fourth with 75 points.The FIA Formula 2 Championship will resume next time out from the 22-24 June at Le Castellet, France, a new venue for the calendar. The drivers clocked in plenty of mileage in pre-season testing at the Circuit Paul Ricard, but the long straights and mixture of corners should provide a stern challenge in racing trim.2018 Round 4 Sprint Race classificationDriverTeam1Antonio FuocoCharouz Racing System2Lando NorrisCarlin3Louis DelétrazCharouz Racing System4Artem MarkelovRUSSIAN TIME5Roberto MerhiMP Motorsport6Arjun MainiTrident7Maximilian GüntherBWT Arden8Nicholas LatifiDAMS9Nyck De VriesPERTAMINA PREMA Theodore Racing10Luca GhiottoCampos Vexatec Racing11Nirei FukuzumiBWT Arden12Santino FerrucciTridentNot classifiedRoy NissanyCampos Vexatec RacingAlexander AlbonDAMSRalph BoschungMP MotorsportGeorge RussellART Grand PrixSean GelaelPERTAMINA PREMA Theodore RacingTadasuke MakinoRUSSIAN TIMEJack AitkenART Grand Prix -
The boys have done a good job! And there are some girls in the team too, says Ricciardo
Daniel Ricciardo, flanked by Sebastian Vettel (left) and Hamilton, after taking the pole on Saturday. An FIA image Monaco, 26 May 2018: Daniel Ricciardo, who is known to have vocally supported the grid girls, took the pole today and thanked the team and also said that there are some girls too in the team. Despite the F1 Management’s decision to stop grid girls, Monaco proved that it is different.
The race will be on Sunday. The drivers who attended the Saturday press conference are polesitter Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull Racing), Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari – P2), and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes – P3)
Press Conference (Questions from the floor):
Q: Daniel, the Red Bull has been very strong here this week, but just how good was the car here today and how were you able to harness the strengths of the package here?
Daniel Ricciardo : It’s been good all weekend. Every session we’ve been quicken. It’s a bit like 2016; we came into this race knowing we had a legitimate chance to fight for pole. Just knowing how the car has performed in the first few races and knowing if it got hooked up around here then for sure we knew we could be here. We didn’t really change much on the car all weekend, it was kind of one of those pretty smooth ones and we could just build up to it and obviously find my rhythm and have some fun. I love this place and it’s obviously a pleasure to drive in a 1m10s, it’s a lot of fun. It’s been awesome, the boys have done a good job. The team. There are some girls in the team as well!
Q: Daniel, what happened to Max shows how quickly this place can bite. Was that at the back of your mind or were you able to clear your mind and just go for it?
DR: It’s always in the back of your mind here, I guess, because the risk and reward is very real and that was proven this morning. It’s one of those things… it’s there but it is at the back of your mind, because to be fast you can’t think about those things. Knowing we had obviously a great package all weekend… we need to push it but I don’t think we need to overdrive it. The car has been performing well. It’s just hitting your marks and just trying to keep it clean I guess. We’re all pushing each other, particularly Max and myself in the same time. It’s no surprise that these things can happen and, as I said, when we’re lapping 1m10s 1m11s there’s no room for error.
Q: Daniel, who were talking to on the phone directly after qualifying? I was wondering who you were talking to there?
DR: Do you know or not? No. OK. It was the boss, Dietrich. It was nice.
Q: What kind of guarantees do you have for your tyres tomorrow?
DR: Come on. Next question. They’re cool, yeah. We’ll be fine, there’s no rain tomorrow, we’re OK.
Q: Question for Seb and for Lewis. Do you think it was the general DNA of your cars why you didn’t have a chance against Red Bull here or do you think if you had got everything right, the set-up, the perfect lap, you would have had a chance?
Sebastian Vettel: I was pretty happy. I think there is always the feeling that there is a little bit but I don’t think we were a threat to Daniel’s time today. So, I think you always look back and think ‘here and there’, especially around this place, but well done to Daniel, he owned the qualifying session. For us, I think, we were playing around with the set-up quite a bit trying to squeeze out everything because we knew we had to if we wanted to have a word for front row and for pole. I think we put ourselves in a good position. I think they looked strong yesterday, they looked strong this morning, I think we got as close as we could and now we see what we can do tomorrow?
Lewis, How was the session for you?
LH: It was a good session. We knew we wouldn’t be quickest here. We did the best we could and the car was in a good place, just a little bit off them really.
Were you pleased with your lap?
LH: My first Q3 lap… I was happy with my last one. I was 0.27s but I lost it in the middle and the last sector so naturally not happy with that. That wouldn’t have been enough anyways for pole but it would have made a difference, obviously I would have been second. Am I happy about that? No, but it’s a long race tomorrow. I gave it everything I could and you can’t always get it perfect. The good thing is the car is in one piece and I can live to fight another day.
Q: A question for Seb and Lewis. Obviously, the unique characteristics of this circuit means that it doesn’t necessarily translate from here to other places. With that in mind, does it make missing out on pole here today easier to take, knowing that it’s a special circuit and won’t necessarily be repeated elsewhere?
SV: I think it was expected that Red Bull will be quick here. I think they have a strong car, they have more downforce than everybody else. I think in terms of drag or efficiency, maybe they’re not the best, so at this track, y’know, we knew that they will be strong. Other tracks, I think we have to look at ourselves, y’know? I think Barcelona we know we weren’t where we want to be. Going forward, Canada, will be different again. The think is, for us, that have potential in the car. We need to make sure we unleash it and we improve. Then, I think, I don’t need to answer your question, or these questions. For today, no doubt, Daniel was the best man out there. He deserves the pole and no matter whether his package was maybe a little bit better or a little bit worse, he did the job. That’s what it’s about here.
Lewis, the pace of the Mercedes elsewhere, does that make today an easier pill to swallow?
LH: Like I said, we knew what was going to happen this weekend. So… it still doesn’t feel great but it’s just one race, so…
Q: Question to Daniel and Lewis. On Thursday, there was some questions about the legality of the Ferrari ERS system. I just wondered if there’s any feelings amongst you two, whether you think it’s legal. Are you happy with the investigation, the answers that you’re being given by the team?
DR: Don’t know about it. Yeah. I don’t. Probably because I haven’t been reading anything. Particularly since Thursday, just been focussed on trying to put myself here, in this position. So, I’m sure the team know about it – but they haven’t bogged me down with that information at the moment.
Lewis, anything to add?
DR: Do you know about it?
LH: I keep my ear very close to the ground, for sure. I know what’s going on.
Q: To all drivers. Come back to the subject of tyres, changing the approach. What expectations do you have for the hyper tyre from Pirelli? And also, Daniel, having around 40hp less than your competitors, were you afraid at the end in the Q3 that you could lose your pole position?
DR: No, I knew the first lap in Q3 was pretty good. I felt it was enough but obviously you never know – but it was a relatively clean lap. So yeah, for sure the chassis works well around here and we don’t have maybe as much power in qualifying but we’ve still got enough around here to get it done. So that feels good. The tyres. Thursday seemed mixed for everyone. Some people suffered a lot of graining with the front. We didn’t do a very long run but what we did, it was OK. So, I’m OK for tomorrow. I feel confident. I think we’ll still be able to one stop. I think everyone will make it happen. Yeah. It’s good.
Sebastian. Anything to add on the tyres?
SV: Well, I mean this is a track where we put the least energy on the tyres. So, I think it’s normal the softer the tyres, the better it is for us. We have more grip. Yeah, we saw, as Daniel said, in practice that maybe the tyre’s not meant to last super-long. So, I’m sure if you put it on a normal race track it’s fun for probably half, or one lap – but after that it will be difficult. But I don’t know. The tyre choices now, going forward, when will be have the hypersoft next time, I’m not sure. Is it in Canada? Canada is quite smooth on the tyres so it makes sense. Yeah.
Lewis, your thoughts on the hypersoft tyre.
LH: It’s OK.
You guys experimented with the ultra in Q2.
LH: That wasn’t the greatest either.
Do you think a one stop is possible tomorrow, as Daniel suggested?
LH: I think that’s the target, which I think is not very good here. They should make us use multiple ultrasofts, or hypersofts. One stop is always a boring race. Especially on a track where you can’t even overtake. So, it adds more excitement to it. I’m sure we’ll do one stop tomorrow. The other tyres could probably go a long way.
Q: Your thoughts on the hypersoft?
LH: It’s OK.
Q: You guys experimented with the ultra in Q2.
LH: Yeah, that wasn’t very good.
Q: Do you think a one stop is possible tomorrow, as Daniel suggested?
LH: I think that’s the target which I think is not very good here. They should make us use multiple ultrasofts… hypersofts. One stop is always a boring race, especially on a track where you can’t even overtake, so it adds more excitement to it. I’m sure we’ll do a one stop tomorrow. Yeah, I think the tyres could probably go a long way.
Q: To Seb and Lewis, you’ve won Monaco outside the pole, what would your mind set tomorrow? Would it be a waiting game during the race?
SV: Well, jump Daniel at the start.
DR: Preferably don’t jump, like over me. That would hurt.
SV: No, no. I mean it’s a long race. If you look at the race, then it’s nearly impossible to overtake, we know that, but it’s still one of the most fascinating races because things can happen. It doesn’t mean that they do happen but they can. Rain is not forecast, I guess, for tomorrow but who knows? It’s going to be a long race, a lot of laps, easy to do a small mistake which goes without noticing or can be very costly. I think the plan is to – as I said – make a good start and then settle into the race. Keep the pressure up until the end.
Q: Lewis, tomorrow, do an even better start? What’s your plan?
LH: To catch this one, to catch this guy, that’s my goal. Switch places with him.
Q: Seb, the first lap in Q3, did you have any specific mistake there or was it just a bit easygoing, well, just to set a time on the board?
SV: I don’t know what the others did but I did two times one lap and in Q2 I tried a little bit but it didn’t work so for Q3 I think I knew what I had to do and yeah, I was happy with the first lap, not so happy with the beginning or with the feel for the tyres throughout the lap. I think today I was – I would say sensitive but it was important for me to feel the car, the tyres switching on. In the last run I definitely felt it was a bit better so I had a cleaner lap and more trust and that’s where the extra time is usually coming from. The lap before wasn’t bad but I could do better, I knew it and I was pretty happy with the last one I had.
Q: Daniel, do you look forward to a race when you don’t have to think about passing with your teammate?
DR: I only heard passing your teammate, is that what you said? What was your question?
Q: do you look forward to the race more when you haven’t got to worry about passing your teammate?
DR: I don’t know. It’s not a bad question. We’ll move on. At least you laughed, you got your kick out of it. No comment.
Q: Daniel, because Red Bull’s been so strong this week, how much of it has been a mental, psychological battle between you and Max, just trying to get the upper hand before qualifying? Obviously he ended up paying the price for it on his side but how important was it just to be the number one guy basically?
DR: Obviously you’re aware of your teammate’s speed and everyone’s speed but for me, from the start of the weekend, I guess a battle with myself, wanting to be the quickest from the start and trying to reach my personal goals for the weekend. Obviously, yeah, we were close throughout all the sessions but yeah, I don’t know if it’s… it could be a psychological battle if an opponent sees it that way but for me personally I just wanted to see my name on top and just try to keep that momentum going from the start.
Ends
Vettel and Hammy were not losing much sleep over his victory as they had racked up valuable points where it mattered since Ricciardo was not their title contender for the time being. Redbull’s pace is for real, however, and as the circus moves to more-traditional circuits such as Canada, the wheat shall be separated from the chaff! By and large, F1 is having the best season ever with so many drivers and teams in contention.
