Alonso frustrated by Q2 exit after “messy” lap

In brief

Alonso frustrated by wind and traffic in Q2

“It was tricky, it was windy out there,” he explained. “I think we had a little bit more pace in the car, but the traffic was not an easy thing to deal with today.

“The first run in Q2, we were a little bit out of sync with other cars and in run two, the out lap was a little bit messy.

“So it’s the way it is, it probably didn’t change much [about] our final position. It [would have been] nice to be in Q3 and unfortunately, we were not.”

Piastri sets blistering lap to take his first F2 pole

Oscar Piastri has taken pole in Formula 2 qualifying, the Renault junior’s first pole position since graduating to F2 this season.

Formula 2’s format means that Piastri will start tenth in the first sprint race tomorrow, with pole for that race taken by Christian Lundgaard via the reverse grid. Piastri will assume his pole postion on Sunday, for Formula 2’s higher-points-paying feature race.

Speaking after qualifying, Piastri said his Saturday strategy would consequently be about maximising both races. “I think the first aim is always to stay in the top ten so that you get in the reverse grid. We’ll see what our race pace is like tomorrow.

“Generally, it’s been strong throughout the year and I think our pace this weekend has been pretty strong too. Hopefully, we can make up a few spots, but with this format you can very much make up for it if you finish inside the top ten. So, the aim is to make no unnecessary risks and hopefully we make up some places.”

Powell on pole for second time in 2021 season

Alice Powell took pole for the W Series race at Silverstone, beating Fabienne Wohlwend by just over three-and-half tenths of a second. The two traded times throughout the session, with Powell managing to set her best lap in the final three minutes of W Series’ half-hour qualifying session.

Points leader and defending champion Jamie Chadwick will start third, with 2019 title rival Beitske Visser alongside her. This is Powell’s second pole position of the season, after she converted her first to a lights-to-flag victory in W Series opening Austria round.

Abbi Pulling, making her W Series debut, placed eighth in her first qualifying session in an F3 car.

Social media

Notable posts from Twitter, Instagram and more:

Right or wrong, driving into @SilverstoneUK this morning to see full campsites and homemade flags fluttering in the wind stirs something in the heart… So glad to have you back fans 🥰 #BritishGP

— Jack Aitken – 한세용 (@JaitkenRacer) July 15, 2021

What a feeling… your support was something else today!

We did that together. Thank you. 🇬🇧❤️

— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) July 16, 2021

• Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory

Links

Motor racing links of interest:

Formula 1 boss Ross Brawn says hydrogen could be future fuel (BBC)

"'Maybe hydrogen is the route that Formula 1 can have where we keep the noise, we keep the emotion but we move into a different solution,' Brawn told the BBC."

Formula E's Heineken London E-Prix set for live free-to-air broadcast on Channel 4, 24 & 25 July (Formula E)

"Channel 4 will provide a free-to-air coverage for fans in the United Kingdom on Formula E's return to London for a first E-Prix in the city since 2016's visit to Battersea Park. Fronted by Vernon Kay, both London races will be shown live on Channel 4, as well as available via its on-demand streaming platform All4."

McLaren Group Limited announces new £550m equity investment significantly strengthening capital structure and powering long-term, sustainable growth plans (McLaren)

"New investors, funds managed by the Private Equity and Credit Groups of Ares Management Corporation and Public Investment Fund (PIF), have committed to invest a total of £400 million in McLaren Group Limited in the form of Preference Shares and equity Warrants, bringing capital as well as significant financial and strategic expertise to McLaren"

Bad weather at the Circuit Spa-Francorchamps (Circuit Spa)

"The track itself has not been impacted but its bordering areas do not allow us to ensure that the trackday planned today can go ahead in the safe conditions necessary for motorsport activities: trees are in danger of falling, safety fences need to be replaced and the digital infrastructure for track safety has to be restored to operating conditions."

We always endeavour to credit original sources. If you have a tip for a link relating to single-seater motorsport to feature in the next RaceFans round-up please send it in via the contact form.

Comment of the day

When it comes to looking at the 2025 regulations, David makes the point that there’s every chance whatever new power unit decision is made will require chassis design changes. If that happens only a few years after 2022’s changes, under a cost cap, it could hurt teams.

1. I really think now is the wrong time to commit to a new engine architecture. The future of powered transport is up in the air right now, if F1 makes the wrong call they will commit to a powertrain that may have no relevance to manufacturers.

2. It’s madness to have another major change in chassis architecture after only three years in a cost controlled environment. Surely a team would want a degree of stability for say, six years plus from 2022 to even consider an entry?

F1 will almost certainly have to become an electric formula. Or a simplified hybrid with a pre-charged battery and less fuel in the tanks. Hydrogen and alternative fuels just aren’t on the agenda of the manufacturers. And let’s stick with rear-wheel-drive and wings for now.
David

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On this day in motorsport

• 50 years ago today Jackie Stewart romped to victory on home ground at Silverstone, pulling well clear of his rivals in the points standings