In the round-up: Mike Krack insists Aston Martin are not looking to bring Red Bull’s star designer Adrian Newey to their team.
In brief
Aston Martin not pursuing Newey – Krack
Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack has refuted claims that the team are attempting to bring Red Bull designer Adrian Newey to the team.
Asked by Sky if he was hoping to lure Newey to their Silverstone factory, Krack flatly denied any truth to the reports.
“We have a very strong technical team with Dan [Fallows], with Tom [McCullough], with Luca [Furbatto],” Krack said. “We were joined recently by Bob Bell, so we’re quite happy with what we have at the moment.”
Hamilton’s Melbourne power unit binned
The power unit that failed on Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes in the Australian Grand Prix is unsalvagable, team principal Toto Wolff says.Hamilton’s power unit suddenly cut out on the 16th lap of the race at Albert Park, but Wolff says Mercedes are unable to repair the unit for use in the future.
“Yeah, that one is for the bin,” Wolff said. “It is a very highly unusual failure that we have, a hardware failure that we didn’t see coming before. So yeah, we can’t reuse that. And it depends how the season develops, whether we need one more or not. I can’t really see at that stage whether that will be needed or not.”
Bearman to run Imola practice for Haas
Ferrari junior driver Oliver Bearmanwill have his first free practice run of the season with Haas at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.
The F2 racer, who scored points during an unexpected grand prix debut in Jeddah for Ferrari, is due to make six Friday practice appearances for Haas over the season. Team principal Ayao Komatsu confirmed the first will be in Imola next month.
“He’s going to be in our car in FP1 for Imola,” Komatsu said. “That will be the first time. And then we will run him six times this year. Really looking forward to that.”
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Links
Motor racing links of interest:
Norris: ‘I am not afraid in any way of Max Verstappen. I want to prove myself’ (Guardian)
'I am self-critical and I know it can look bad from the outside, absolutely. I watch my own interviews and I look so annoyed and unhappy. It’s because my mind is whirling, I’m thinking: ‘Why did I make a mistake? What happened if I did this or that? What if I had tried something else?’'
Formula E puts new grid spot up for sale as it tests electric racing demand (Financial Times)
'Formula E is offering the 12th and final spot on its grid for between €20m to €30m (£17m to £25m).'
''I'm very passionate about F1. Growing up in Cameroon, I lived for soccer and F1. I haven't been to Miami because it's during playoffs but my friends say it's the best race in the US. It's great to meet Guenther and I want to find ways to get more involved in the sport.''
Mike on... the Japanese Grand Prix (Aston Martin)
''Arriving in Japan, I haven't had the karaoke experience in Tokyo this year – but there was a factory tour and a fantastic dinner with Honda at a restaurant near their impressive facility in Sakura. 2026 is still a way off, and we have an excellent relationship with our current power unit partner, but I am excited about working together with Honda. We won't have the separation between chassis and power unit that you automatically have as a customer team. We'll just have a 'works' car, we will be one team. I left Sakura and headed for Suzuka positive about the future.''
Brivio highlights difference from F1 to MotoGP (Motorcycle Sports)
''In Formula 1 companies race, in MotoGP teams race. The four-wheelers enjoy enormous economic and human resources because, logically, the car is larger than a two-wheeler. Many people work on the single-seater, and almost every piece is produced in-house, apart from tyres, brakes and little else. Between power units in hybrid configuration and aerodynamic sections, we never stop intervening.''
How hybrids could change the game for IndyCar’s push-to-pass (Racer)
'In the new world of hybridization, drivers would continue to have 150 seconds of P2P, for example, to conserve and use strategically throughout a race, and once the 150 seconds are gone, the system is deactivated. But with IndyCar’s thought process on the ERS side, there would be no time limits involved; the 60hp boost would be on tap during every lap of the race.'
Play'n Go Music unveils MoneyGram Haas F1 Team playlist collaboration (Play'n Go)
'Join us as we kick off this exhilarating collaboration with the launch of Ayao Komatsu's Playlist, which is out now. Filled with symphony and sonic variety, this playlist is emblematic of the variety, depth and passion that defines the MoneyGram Haas F1 Team, offering fans a glimpse into the music that motivates and inspires them on race days.'
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Introducing the life sized LEGO W14 😍 hand-built with over 190,000 LEGO bricks 🤯 pic.twitter.com/BEj9qsPT5o
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) April 5, 2024
RB went into this season telling everyone their priorities had changed and they were going to be serious midfield contenders now. But they're still acting like Red Bull's "kindergarten", to quote their former team boss.#F1 #JapaneseGP #RaceFans
— Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) April 5, 2024
🏁 DAMON HILL’S FW18 IS HERE!
Rob takes us up close to our latest addition to the museum collection, the 1996 F1 Championship winning FW18 driven by Damon Hill!
FULL VIDEO ON OUR YOUTUBE 👇https://t.co/YGsVpIInjD
#silverstone #damonhill #williamsf1 #fw18 pic.twitter.com/KxFeRIKYUq
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It’s not only trackside where we’re giving it our maximum! 😤
Back at base @VictorMartinsFR is putting in the hours on the sim 💪 pic.twitter.com/uLHxz64OkH
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And the @cryptocom Overtake of the Month for March goes to 🥁@OllieBearman! 👏👏👏 What an impact he made on debut in Saudi 💪#F1 pic.twitter.com/FJjLBClcJl
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Comment of the day
Who should Mercedes pick to replace Lewis Hamilton in 2025? BasCB considers the options…
Honestly, apart from keeping talking to him (which surely gets positive PR in Germany and the world in general) I hardly expect them to seriously consider Sebastian Vettel for the seat – what would they achieve?
Vettel has never been known for extracting great results from a car nobody could figure out. He has not been part of developing a team back to the top either. And his best days are behind him, being out of the loop for two years surely also hasn’t benefitted that. They would do better considering Fernando Alonso at this point.
If they can get Max Verstappen (still not completely out of the question, but that’s up to Red Bull to mess up and Max to feel he wants to make a point by leaving), that would be a great result for them. If not, Carlos Sainz Jnr for a year or two or indeed Andrea Kimi Antonelli would be an exciting choice.
If they can’t get Sainz (who might already be heading to RBR next to Max) and deem Antonelli to need a tad more before getting there, just pick someone like Nico Hulkenberg. Or heck, why not Esteban Ocon? Both would get them a chance to see how George Russell performs as ‘team leader’, not having to think about having to assert dominance and overdrive.
BasCB
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Lak!
Jay
6th April 2024, 0:42
Driver predictions are almost as ridiculous as the driver ratings articles. Amusing and completely bonkers!
Paul
6th April 2024, 1:55
“Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack has refuted claims that the team are attempting to bring Red Bull designer Adrian Newey to the team.
Asked by Sky if he was hoping to lure Newey to their Silverstone factory, Krack flatly denied any truth to the reports.”
A denial in F1 almost always equal the truth.
Jere (@jerejj)
6th April 2024, 5:56
Losing an engine or any other PU component early into a season is always unfortunate & most likely a grid penalty at some point.
Even though Imola is wholly permanent, familiar, & has a standard weekend format, I still didn’t necessarily think any team would run a non-regular there.
BasCB (@bascb)
6th April 2024, 6:41
Didn’t Norris change some things in Jeddah already? Looks like teams are really working hard to get through the long season with the parts allocation available.
Nick T.
6th April 2024, 8:13
Electronic control units or something maybe? There’s something that I think they’re almost out of already. Although I thought that was a standard part for the entire field.
Simon
6th April 2024, 17:55
“…most likely a grid penalty at some point”? Crikey…
BasCB (@bascb)
6th April 2024, 6:40
Thanks for the CotD Keith, it’s been a while!
BasCB (@bascb)
6th April 2024, 6:50
Or thanks Will, since you did the round-up.
Retired (@jeff1s)
6th April 2024, 7:05
You say Vettel has not been part of developing a team back to the top either. And his best days are behind him, being out of the loop for two years surely also hasn’t benefitted that. They would do better considering Fernando Alonso at this point.
Did Alonso developed Alpine? Mclaren? Aston Martin? Wasn’t he « out the loop » for 2 years?
So why him over Vettel? At least you don’t have a persona with a reputation of quitting teams coupled with dirty tricks.
BasCB (@bascb)
6th April 2024, 8:06
Alonso is able to wring unexpected results out of cars that are not quite there though. A different strength, but a valuable one. And unlike Vettel in his last 2 years Alonso has been showing he has the drive and skill to keep doing it, despite his age and having been 2 years out, defying the odds and what we’ve seen from most other drivers returning after a voluntary few years out.
Nick T.
6th April 2024, 8:21
What dirty tricks? Quitting an insanely dysfunctional team without doing the courtesy of telling them in advance? Get your hate under control. Not a single objective fan in the world puts Vettel in that little club with the likes of Max, Fernando and Lewis who basically have never had a weak season their entire career. A rough patch of 2-3 races is the worst you’ll ever see.
While Vettel was fantastic in a car with the pace to get pole and run away, he’s never excelled in fighting from below the first row. Above all else, he doesn’t seem hungry and seems happy to be retired. I like Seb, but hoping that both a top team will risk signing him AND that he’ll return to a form we have seen in 10+ years is delusional.
Retired (@jeff1s)
6th April 2024, 12:41
Who hurt you?
Maybe the reason why the Aston was so fast in early 23 for Alonso was Vettel’s development work the 2 years before…
Mind that I’m not for a Vettel return, nor Alonso.
Nick T.
6th April 2024, 12:50
BasCB could have asked the same of you.
Drivere are not key to development in this age. Not Max, Lewis, Fernando or Seb. The the difference comes in being able to consistently extra the most from a car that is optimized for most potential speed that is not easy to drive. When it comes to easy to drive cars, their impact vs any other driver is usually marginal.
notagrumpyfan
6th April 2024, 7:31
Congrats.
I’m not as negative about the wisdom of getting the German WDC champion in the Mercedes next year. But I doubt Rosberg will seriously consider a return ;)
I agree with your assessment of Vettel though.
Of the top teams only McLaren has dropped their rookies straight into the main team. And that was only (partially) successful when unlimited testing was allowed, or when they weren’t fighting in the top tier.
Mercedes should allow Antonelli to mature in a smaller team a la Russell, Verstappen, Leclerc.
Interestingly, when all the top names are discarded it’s Hulkenberg’s name that pops up. And surprisingly it always seems to make sense.
Although when considering the options, they should also have a look at Albon.
BasCB (@bascb)
6th April 2024, 8:07
I agree that Albon might be a good pick too, if he is available, yes.
Yes (@come-on-kubica)
6th April 2024, 8:05
Maybe Newey isn’t pursuing Mike krack.
Nick T.
6th April 2024, 8:25
Did you take my crack’s comment as a diss?
Seriously though, I doubt Krack would even know if AM were. It’d most likely be just Lawrence himself talking to Newey in the strictest confidence with the offer of massive $, a stake in the team and all sorts of vetoes, controls and ability to take time off whenever he wants. It’s worth almost anything to get Newey. There’s not a single person in the sport, driver, designer, etc., that is even a tenth as important as him.