In the round-up: Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali is planning to style Formula 1’s Sprint Qualifying race weekends as “grand slam” events.
In brief
‘Grand slam’ plan for Sprint Qualifying grands prix
F1 will trial Sprint Qualifying races at three races this year – Silverstone and Monza have already been confirmed, and the Circuit of the Americas is likely to hold the other.Domenicali told The Times that, if the innovation proves successful, it will be applied to a limited number of especially significant races.
“The idea is to create a sort of grand slam,” he said. “To select a number of races. We need to decide the number of races, in each region of the world, historical or new races on which we can create the grand slam.”
No point getting upset over flag rule, says Mazepin
Mazepin said he isn’t concerned by the discrepancy. “Obviously the way it’s been worded is that in any world championship, being Russian, you cannot show your flag. And Formula 2 is not a world championship and F1 is.
“At the same time, I don’t think even if we could have done it, you would see me on the first place on the podium in Formula 1 in the current situation we’re at. So I don’t think we should get too upset about this.”
The Haas driver also clarified recent reports concerning his military service in Russia and its potential effect on his F1 duties when asked by RaceFans.
“I studied in university and the way it works in Russia, there is a mandatory military service and there’s two ways of serving, if you are fit enough,” he explained. “Option one is finishing university and then going for a year.
“Option two is, if you qualify, being fit enough in terms of your fitness results and in terms of studying results, you can go on to something called the elite army, which is served in completely different ways, one day a week and you are learning to be an officer in reserve. It takes three years, but only one day a week. And it’s basically done in a class. And this is what I’m doing for already two years.
“I’m obviously going to continue doing it for one more year to hopefully graduate into an officer in reserve. However, five days ago, I have passed my final exam in university for finishing my first four years and I’m moving on to get their second master’s degree in the coming two years.”
Vips explains sprint race pace
Juri Vips explained the impressive turn of speed which was key to his breakthrough win in yesterday’s second Formula 2 sprint race, which was held in cooler conditions than the morning event.
“We had to change a few things on the set-up, and on the warm-up because it does change things,” he explained. “The Pirelli tyres and the carbon brakes are very sensitive, you have to get them in the right window.
“With the temperature change, you have to change other things too so it was a bit of a challenge. I definitely didn’t nail it this morning, it was a pretty poor race from my side, but we learnt quite a lot and expected the temperature drop so we pretty much nailed today.”
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Social media
Notable posts from Twitter, Instagram and more:
Throttle pedal got stuck before T1. Was a passenger after, I tried my best to avoid all the cars ahead.
I’m really sorry to @DanTicktum
— 周冠宇 | Zhou Guanyu 🇨🇳 (@ZhouGuanyu24) June 5, 2021
Something learnt from Monaco. The sockets in the pit stop wheelguns feature shorter drive lugs, to allow the socket to engage and disengage quicker.
While quicker this means they have less contact area with the lugs on the wheel nut.
Factory/garage wheelgun sockets are deeper. pic.twitter.com/tTSugqB178— Craig Scarborough (@ScarbsTech) June 5, 2021
Appears to me there are too many clever controls and algorithms going on inside F1 braking systems which are not under the direct control of the drivers. So many world class drivers having ‘amateur’ accidents in Baku , some of whom seemed unaware they were about to crash 🤔
— Martin Brundle (@MBrundleF1) June 5, 2021
Toto Wolff responds to Christian Horner's "keep his mouth shut" remark on Sky: "Christian is a bit of a windbag who wants to be on camera. It's easy to be punchy when you're on the top of the times sheets but you should be a little bit more modest."https://t.co/XszNE3dAnC#F1
— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) June 5, 2021
- Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory
Links
Motor racing links of interest:
Victoria clinging to Australian F1 hope despite Singapore GP cancellation (The Age)
"The decision by Singapore is not particularly relevant to our situation."
The streets bite back (Alfa Romeo)
"Vasseur: 'This has been our best qualifying performance of the year: I know this sounds strange, with one car in P14 and the other unable to set a time, but our pure pace was the best it has been on a Saturday this season.'"
"'I am not very happy to be honest,' admitted Lawson. 'We have to work out exactly what happened, but I was sitting P6 after one of the restarts and I am pretty sure that I reached down to change brake bias and flicked the engine off, which lost me a couple of spots.'"
Italian F4 round 4: Misano (Italian F4 via YouTube)
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Comment of the day
Lando Norris thought his qualifying penalty was unfair but Mark disagrees:
The penalty is fair enough.
At first I thought it was harsh given the late call and uncertainty of crossing the solid line again, but the issue isn’t really the extra lap, it’s after he decides to stay out/not dive in, he then speeds up under red flag conditions.
If he’d just kept at the same speed down the straight, he’d probably have got away with it.
He’s not gained any advantage, it’s more of a technical breach of the rules but one where the FIA really have to be seen to issue a penalty to ensure folk give the flags instant and full respect in future. Particularly red where there could be people crossing the track, machinery, medical crews etc entering the track. They can’t really set precedents where ‘x’ was let off.
At least the stewards have shown some leniency and only given three places rather than five. The penalty points are fair given it’s a flag breach.
Mark (@Mrcento)
Happy birthday!
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On this day in F1
- On this day in 1923 Ivor Bueb was born. He won the 1955 Le Mans 24 Hours with Mike Hawthorn, following the terrible crash which left over 80 dead. In 1958 he raced a Connaught run by Bernie Ecclestone in the British Grand Prix, but died in 1959.
Neiana (@neiana)
6th June 2021, 1:23
Say what you want about Nikita, but he realizes he won’t be barred from hearing the Russian anthem because he will not be in a position to have it banned from playing for him.
Tristan (@skipgamer)
6th June 2021, 1:54
Re Brundle…
Stroll, Giovinazzi, Tsunoda and a struggling Ricciardo in an uncomfortable car aren’t exactly the cream of the crop at the moment. If anything it’s just exposing the mistakes that usually go unnoticed at high run off tracks.
It’s a bit tin foil hat to assume they have braking assists turned on.
juan fanger (@juan-fanger)
6th June 2021, 3:36
@skipgamer It’s not so much that they have “brake” assist, rather that they have “energy-recovery” assist and this is very much driven by algorithms. The cars “learn” the circuits and work out the best spots for energy recovery, which automatically applies more or less engine braking depending on parameters including the corner characteristics, current battery charge and whether the driver is on a hot lap or a recharge lap. There have been many times when this has not gone perfectly, leading to drivers complaining about problems with “BBW” (brake-by-wire).
The systems keep getting better, but they are definitely driven by algorithms. See Scarbs’ quick BBW explanation for more authoritative information.
S
6th June 2021, 5:14
Yep. BBW for the rear (software controlled) but even at the front, with the brake balance being controlled via the steering wheel.
Software is involved, and where there is software in F1, there is creative exploitation. Where anything is not directly controlled, prescribed or supplied by the FIA… And even sometimes when it is.
Carbonized
6th June 2021, 1:56
“If the innovation proves successful” hum…hum…since the innovation has been a success hum…hum…will prove to be a success hum…hum…is already a successful before even running it hum..hum… Stefano and Ross want it, that successful enough!
W-K (@w-k)
6th June 2021, 4:36
Imagine if this w/ends grid was at a “Grand Slam” event, with several drivers out of their expected positions.
The sprint race would probably correct that, so the grid for the Sunday race will be set at the expected finishing order.
And we have another snooze fest.
SoLiDG (@solidg)
6th June 2021, 7:28
Or we have normal grid positions and the race throws up some suprises …
It’s just how negative you want to be.
When the field is close, like it is now, it can provide some great races!
Let’s wait and see.
Adrian Hancox (@ahxshades)
6th June 2021, 2:09
F1 is the pinnacle of Motorsport – why is Domenicali trying to polish more shine into the crown jewels? Concerned about the fan feedback at all?
Jimmi Cynic (@jimmi-cynic)
6th June 2021, 5:15
Domenicali has no concern with fan feedback. Only the pre-qualified fans with short attention spans that love more shiny jewels will be heard. Weird how autocratic sports can find the feedback they want when they want.
kuvemar
6th June 2021, 8:05
Say the people who cry “that’s too much racing per weekend!”
Jimmi Cynic (@jimmi-cynic)
6th June 2021, 9:05
On the bright side… maybe the extra sparkly extra races will be so slammin’ Liberty will offer 48 thirty minute races every weekend. 24 hours of F1. Every week. One half hour at a time. ;-)
Jere (@jerejj)
6th June 2021, 6:12
The Australian GP doesn’t stand a chance unless the mandatory 14-day isolation requirement isn’t in place by November anymore, or even around Monza time when the build-up process would commence.
COTD: 100% agreed.
Balue (@balue)
6th June 2021, 7:56
How silly with the grand slam idea when F1 already has blue riband events with Monaco, Silverstone, Monza, Spa
Dave
6th June 2021, 8:35
How’s it going with Mazepin in the RAF?
bosyber (@bosyber)
6th June 2021, 8:44
Well @balue let’s be honest, those don’t actually pay all that much, partly bc. they are historic, and most because they are in sort of democratic European countries where they have to find money for what is a rather risky and not clearly profitable enterprise, so I suppose it is about trying to change that to others that will pay more for the honour :)
Balue (@balue)
6th June 2021, 10:59
@bosyber Yeah for sure that’s the reason. It’s all a bit fake though.
Mayrton
6th June 2021, 10:11
That Toto quote must be a joke. Is he like 12?
Balue (@balue)
6th June 2021, 10:59
Yeah he’s really becoming unhinged. He made such a good figure when he came in to F1, but now the real Wolff is coming out and it’s not nice at all. Putting down people left, right and center for no good reason. Russell, Bottas, Horner in short order. I guess he’s given up his dream of F1 CEO and don’t have to pretend to be diplomatic and tempered anymore.
ian dearing
6th June 2021, 11:46
Well he and those behind the camera laughed when he replied to the question being posed as tbf Horner is known as a windbag who is in love with the camera, as I believe Webber confirmed later in the broadcast.
Although I don’t think he will be best pleased when he finds out Max suggested he gets in the ring with Wolff to settle the matter.
Adrian Hancox (@ahxshades)
6th June 2021, 11:46
Toto and Christian are as bad as each other to be honest