Wolff: There is no “silver bullet”
In this context, the Mercedes team boss directly relativizes the fact that there is no such thing as a “silver bullet” in Formula 1. His explanation is that just a lot of little things would have ensured that Mercedes now has a better performance. “We now understand how we can hit the car’s sweet spot in terms of set-up,” explains Wolff.
With regard to the clear advantage on the straights, he explains: “I think we have found the right compromise between aerodynamic drag and downforce.” Is it really that simple …?
Is Mercedes tricking the suspension?
At least that’s what Red Bull suggests. Christian Horner explained earlier on ‘Sky’ that Mercedes has a “mechanism” on the car that ensures that the rear end lowers on the straights. In fact, onboard recordings from Turkey fuel this theory. On the corresponding pictures you can see that the W12 drops significantly on the straights.
Exciting story in any case, we’ll keep an eye on it!
Fresh technology pictures!
As promised, we have replenished our technology photo series with new snapshots today. Take the opportunity before FT2 to click your way through!
Photo gallery: Formula 1 technology: detailed photos at the USA Grand Prix 2021
Speaking of a good cause …
We already reported yesterday that Fernando Alonso will auction the helmet he is wearing this weekend. But apart from that, Formula 1 fans have the opportunity to donate for the victims of the volcanic eruption on La Palma. A good thing that the two-time world champion has come up with!
NBA fans here?
We have already reported on the cooperation between Formula 1 and the NBA this weekend. Now the premier class has carved out a new batch of Formula 1 designs for the NBA teams. By the way: Aston Martin won the free throw challenge today. The reward was US $ 20,000 for a good cause.
Schumacher with the commissioners
The PK is through and we look at the stewards. They called Mick Schumacher and Sergio Perez because of their collision at the end of FT1. There could still be a subsequent penalty. It’s not as if we didn’t have enough grid penalties this weekend …
Capito: Could be 40 or 50 races
The Williams team boss explains that 23 races next year won’t be that bad. There is so much interest in Formula 1 that it would not be a problem to hold 40 or 50 races. So the premier class is already limiting itself. In addition, there used to be test drives, no curfew on weekends, et cetera.
He therefore believes that it used to be even more exhausting to work in Formula 1 than it is today for 23 races.
Capito: The engine change was foreseeable
The Williams team boss also speaks in the PK about the engine situation at Mercedes. He explains that the exchange at Russell was foreseeable and not a surprise. Of course, the penalty makes it difficult to predict the weekend. Capito explains that it is still too early for that anyway.
Helmet camera
The new Formula 1 helmet camera is back in action this weekend – this time at Ocon in the Alpine. We enjoy the pictures and are waiting for part 2 of the PK!
Brown hopes for another US race
Will there be another US race after Miami and Austin in the future? “I think the market could definitely use a third race,” says Brown in the PK, naming New York or Las Vegas as potential locations. “I hope the third race comes,” said Brown. The question arises, of course, how exactly fits together with McLaren’s vision of a maximum of 20 races.
Wolff: There is a “risk” at Hamilton
The engine talk continues: Wolff is asked what percentage of Hamilton will need at least one new engine this year. But he couldn’t answer that. Ultimately, one has to weigh up how great the “risk” of failure is. You can currently take a closer look behind the scenes. In any case, he cannot rule out another swap.
Mercedes: What exactly is the problem?
Wolff does not want to answer the question in the PK. At the same time, he emphasizes that one is certainly “worried” with regard to the engine situation at Hamilton. “That hit us hard this year,” he admits, referring to the many penalties. Zak Brown on the other hand is quite relaxed, by the way. McLaren is no longer worried about the situation.
Wolff: Changing the engine is not voluntary
The Mercedes team boss explains that Bottas did not voluntarily change the engine. Rather, it was a necessity. You still haven’t fully understood the core problem, even if you’re on the right track. In any case, he makes no secret of the fact that Mercedes has problems with reliability this year.
Brown: Auto fast, but not constant
The PK begins without Wolff, who is late. We know that from Hamilton yesterday … So it starts with Brown, who explains that McLaren has a fast car this year. The only thing is that you are not yet consistently fast. But that’s a normal part of development, so he’s not worried.
If you consider where McLaren was just a few years ago, it is definitely going in the right direction.
McLaren: Result not representative
Norris and Ricciardo only landed on P8 and P16. So does McLaren have problems again in Austin? Team boss Andreas Seidl gives the all-clear and explains: “We still had a good session. Lando didn’t manage his second run, the time was out of the first run. And Daniel braked himself in turn 19, so his lap was canceled due to track limits. The otherwise it would have been good enough for fifth place. “
With that we will now go into the PK. In the first part we expect Zak Brown and Toto Wolff.
FT1: End of work!
That’s it with FT1. Raikkonen has turned again. Nothing more happened in the front, Bottas set the fastest time ahead of Hamilton and Verstappen. Christian Horner explains on ‘Sky’ that Mercedes was “significantly” ahead in the first training session. This is mainly due to the long straights. Here in the ticker it continues with the PC of the team bosses, which starts in less than 30 minutes.
Here is the overview before:
Result
Training report