Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, 2019

Paddock Diary: Mexican Grand Prix day two

2019 Mexican Grand Prix

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Will Charles Leclerc’s Japanese GP penalty lead to the return of the black-and-orange flag? And has Renault’s disputed brake system been on the car since 2015? @DieterRencken brings the latest from the Mexico Grand Prix paddock.

5am

As is customary with western flyaway grands prix, the second night away is the longest. Fatigue usually ensures that a good night’s rest ensues after flights. But, once the body has rested, natural rhythms take over and an early night – albeit late by body clock norms – results in fitful sleep and interminable 4am ceiling stares.

My second night in Mexico is no exception, and after four hour’s shut-eye I’m awake. So I catch up on emails and news – by now it’s almost 2pm in Europe – then grab the 7:30am shuttle to the circuit. An advantage of the early start is that traffic is relatively light, and the journey far swifter than yesterday.

8am

Coffee at McLaren, then fruit and pastries in the media centre canteen. Then it’s time to prepare for a podcast with the Viasat crew – with Renault’s recent disqualification, the 2021 regulations, and the ongoing Miami grand prix saga, we are hardly short of material. Look out for the podcast link in the round-up soon.

9:30am

I hear Liberty Media has awarded a contract to Sky for the production of a 70-year anniversary F1 series to air next year, and request further information on the topic. I’ll keep you posted on what should make for fascinating viewing given the thousands of hours of previously-unseen footage lurking in F1’s archives.

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Noon

Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, 2019Much as I enjoy the FIA Friday press conferences featuring team principals and other senior team personnel, I’m force to miss it due to a clashing interview opportunity: Alejandro Soberon, CEO of the Mexican Grand Prix promotion company, has called a select media conference to explain the background to the event’s extension for three years despite losing its government backing following a change of administration.

It proves to be a fascinating 45 minutes, and after hearing his views I fully understand why his team has won the annual F1 promoter award for four straight years. If this event is any guide they could make it five. We’ll be bringing you the background during the course of the weekend.

1pm

Lunch – some of the excellent tacos offered in the paddock ‘village’ following by churros and a mango sorbet lolly – before heading for Renault and a select briefing by Cyril Abiteboul, managing director of the beleaguered team.

It is clear they was shocked by the decision, and he is at pains to point out that the automated brake bias device has been in use for several years, although he will not be drawn on the timeframe.

3:30pm

Red flag, Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, 2019While awaiting the post-FP2 media session to start I discuss yesterday’s sporting meeting with a source, who advises that the main topic of discussion was Charles Leclerc’s penalty in Japan, and the manner in which it was adjudged – after he had failed to pit his damaged car for repairs.

My source says that a return of the black-and-orange (aka. ‘meatball’) flag – used to summon a car to the pits due to a fault which could present a risk to others – is a likely option. It would also send a visual signal to drivers that the FIA is cracking down on unruly behaviour, in much the same way as the recent revival of the black-and-white ‘unsporting conduct’ flag.

But is F1’s recent move to light panel-based signalling able to accommodate yet another virtual flag? And is the ‘Big Bertha’ main signalled panel equipped for the task?

F1 may still not be entirely on top of its electronic flagging procedure. After the chequered flag was shown too early in the last race, it is also displayed in error when first practice is delayed today. There’s a lot to be said for a pole and a bit of fabric.

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4:30pm

Romain Grosjean, Haas, Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, 2019During Romain Grosjean’s media session the Haas driver admits to having used the now-banned brake device during his Lotus days – before Renault acquired the team. That would date the disputed system to at least 2015…

5:30pm

Mario Isola, Pirelli’s head of car racing, confirms that tyre blankets will be retained despite F1’s oft-stated plans to ban the heating devices once F1 switches to 18-inch wheels in 2021. However he adds this is a temporary reprieve while the sport gets to grips (sorry) with 2021’s swingeing technical and sporting changes.

F1’s official tyre supplier is also not at all impressed with new television graphics which appeared in Japan purporting to show real-time tyre wear on the cars. He insists the company’s data is not used to generate the graphics, and cast doubt on how accurate they are.

7pm

After an intense day I pack up before heading for the media shuttle to a Lucha Libre match – a form of Mexican wrestling – I’ve been invited to by the promoters. It promises to be a fun evening and I’ll provide the lowdown tomorrow.

2019 Mexican Grand Prix

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14 comments on “Paddock Diary: Mexican Grand Prix day two”

  1. During Romain Grosjean’s media session the Haas driver admits to having used the now-banned brake device during his Lotus days

    Well that certainly backs up what Renault have said and to me makes the penalty seem a bit harsh. Also how many other teams are using a similar system believing it’s within the rules?

    1. @johnrkh ”Also how many other teams are using a similar system believing it’s within the rules?”
      – Definitely not Mercedes at least.

  2. Romain Grosjean, Pastor Maldonado, Kevin Magnussen, Jolyon Palmer, Nico Hulkenberg, Carlos Sainz, and Daniel Ricciardo. These are the drivers who got to drive with this automated BB-adjustment system in place.

    “It is clear they was shocked by the decision”
    – You mean they were. I usually don’t point other incorrect grammar in others’ writing or speech, but this is one of those rare-ish occasions, LOL. He is, he was, they are, they were, etc., not they was.

    “But is F1’s recent move to light panel-based signalling able to accommodate yet another virtual flag?”
    – The trackside light-panel signalling system has been in place on every circuit starting from the inaugural Singapore GP weekend back in 2008, though, therefore, not exactly a ‘recent’ move. At least, I wouldn’t regard something dating back 10+ years recent anymore.

    1. I do not usually correct other peoples grammar …
      but surely “in place on every circuit” should be “in place at every circuit”

      Also I think that

      Singapore GP weekend back in 2008, though, therefore, not exactly a ‘recent’ move.

      might read better as.
      “Singapore GP weekend back in 2008 though. Therefore, not exactly a ‘recent’ move.”

      and finally please put in the effort to actually write “dating back ten years or more” rather than being lazy and just using a mathematical symbol!

      Anymore of this and I shall have to see you after class young @jerejj ;P

      1. @nullapax Nothing wrong with my wording, neither with the prepositions, nor the punctuation nor with the usage of mathematical symbols – I pay a lot of attention to grammar, especially when writing. For that purpose, I use an app to double-check before posting. This is only to second time someone has had a problem with my grammar despite my attention to detail, LOL.

        1. @jerejj

          This is only to second time

          You need a new double checking app methinks – lol ;)

          1. @nullapax I meant to type ‘the’ but sometimes these things can happen for whatever reason, and unfortunately, editing a post isn’t an option on this site. I’m not the only one who wishes for an edit button.

    2. @jerejj The chequered flag light panel has only been considered the official end-of-race signal since the beginning of this year.

      1. @keithcollantine Yes, but I was referring to light-panels in general, not specifically that.

  3. I would love to try a genuine Taco.
    I have a sneaky suspicion that the frozen ones from the supermarket may not be quite the same ;)

    Also, I know that it is a negative thing to mention Dieter but how is security there this year after all the problems in the recent past?

    1. A real taco is one of the most beautiful creatures that exists over the Earth.

    2. @nullapax, You’re dead right there, as @mahovian says real tacos are a great meal, the closer to Mexico you get the better they are, in San Diego they are as good as the other side of the border, in Miami less so, on other continents a real taco is as rare as rocking-horse droppings.

  4. Every Tuesday is Taco Tuesday in LA :)
    Some of the Taco Trucks are legendary and have lines waiting for the goodies.
    No decent tacos across the pond!? I feel for you mate. a business opportunity maybe ?
    Lucha Libre wrestling rocks, I’m interested to hear Dieter’s review.

  5. I don’t see how the tyre wear graphic could have been accurate even if Pirelli’s data had been used. Tyre wear simply isn’t a question of percentages, because it is invariably uneven, both laterally and along its circumference. There’s also different patterns of unevenness to consider (graining – multiple types versus flat-spots, blistering, indentations…). The most accurate way to attempt this would have been to put the sensors on the rubber surface, but even then there would be inaccuracies, and it would interfere with the performance of the tyre. The measurements Pirelli – let alone Liberty who did this without getting Liberty to set up the necessary systems first – can obtain are indirect at best and, on the evidence of Suzuka, just plain false.

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