Apart from the “petty” query of when this yr’s world championship will likely be determined, alleged finances cap breaches proceed to dominate the F1 panorama.
Regardless that the FIA delayed the publication of its conclusions after the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, this matter was nonetheless topical throughout the Suzuka drivers’ press convention.
Thankfully, different points have additionally been mentioned with the media, together with in one-on-one interviews with broadcasters, and we have chosen and condensed one of the best of them for straightforward digestion right here with the quote choice.
Lewis Hamilton raises level on Pink Bull’s aggressive 2021 upgrades
In his battle with Max Verstappen for the drivers’ title final yr, Lewis Hamilton recalled how Pink Bull continued to make updates to their automotive after the British Grand Prix when Mercedes may not afford it.
That is how the Briton addressed being requested in regards to the finances cap saga amid rumors that Pink Bull are amongst two groups who might have exceeded the spending restrict for the 2021 season.
“We might see Pink Bull each weekend, or each different weekend, making enhancements,” Hamilton mentioned. “If we had spent 300,000 on a brand new ground, or fitted a wing, that naturally would have modified the end result of the championship as a result of we’d have been in higher competitors within the subsequent race in case you added it. So hopefully that n is just not the case.
“I simply hope, I imagine, Mohammed [Ben Sulayem] and the FIA will do the appropriate factor with no matter they discover out. So that is what we now have to belief.
The price cap rhetoric nonetheless dominates the information
Inevitably the drivers had been requested questions in regards to the alleged transgressions and Fernando Alonso insisted it was “probably not related right here” as “we depend on our groups to essentially management all the pieces they do”.
Nevertheless, soon-to-retire Sebastian Vettel was extra forthcoming, saying: “Any governance of sport should guarantee equity, or guarantee equity between groups, all year long, all through the season. , by sports activities.
“The FIA is accountable for that and we now have to belief them to do the job – in case you do not comply with the principles there ought to be penalties.”
Verstappen, in the meantime, responded to Hamilton’s claims talked about above with a typical bat-like response on Pink Bull’s spending bid for his or her title-winning marketing campaign: “I feel we now have our causes to imagine we’re good. So that is what I used to be instructed and we’ll discover out on Monday.
Fernando Alonso hints at additional penalties for Alpine engines
Alpine suffered a double retirement within the seven laps of the Singapore Grand Prix, together with the crew principal Otmar Szafnauer initially suspected it was a PSU concern.
Alonso was quoted after the race as saying he believed 60 factors had been dropped from his potential whole for this season attributable to reliability points – and now believes one other grid penalty may current itself throughout the marketing campaign closing races.
“We will not be utterly protected till the tip of the yr,” mentioned the two-time former world champion. “It’s attainable that we now have to introduce an influence unit. I do not assume it will likely be this weekend however… quickly.
“We have been fairly badly hit by reliability this yr. We have misplaced lots of factors and sadly we’re now on this battle with McLaren, just a few factors behind them. Hopefully we are able to have 5 regular races now and end in magnificence, however [it] has been our weakest level this yr.
Daniel Ricciardo nonetheless in no rush to resolve F1’s future
In seven weeks, Daniel Ricciardo will primarily be a former McLaren driver – and we nonetheless do not know what 2023 has in retailer for him.
A reserve function at Mercedes behind Lewis Hamilton and George Russell is the loudest rumor within the paddock in the meanwhile.
“I feel it is in all probability extra as we proceed with the remainder of the season, the clearer it turns into, I feel, what will likely be greatest for me,” the Australian mentioned on the Suzuka press convention. .
“There may be nothing, to illustrate, that you do not know. Like there’s nothing I am not telling you. I feel there will likely be full transparency from that perspective and I feel after I know what I am doing, everybody will know – they will hear it.
However Sebastian Vettel is open about his… on one situation
Whereas Ricciardo nonetheless desires to remain on the F1 scene full-time, Vettel is glad to step down and retire after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November.
Nevertheless, ought to he be provided a one-off return for a Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, the place he has been gained 4 occasions, the German wouldn’t want a second invite.
“By no means say by no means. It is an amazing monitor for lots of causes and who is aware of what the longer term holds,” mentioned the previous four-time world champion.
“Perhaps if any of those guys (the opposite drivers within the press convention) in future races right here really feel somewhat sick. I do not want them to really feel that method, however I would not thoughts to return for a race at Suzuka at any time.
Hope for Alfa Romeo as new entrance wing improve arrives
After a great first third of the season, Alfa Romeo obtained somewhat misplaced and the factors dried up for Valtteri Bottas specifically.
The Swiss-based crew will likely be content material with a sixth-place end within the constructors’ championship, however are actually trying over their shoulder, significantly at Aston Martin – a crew that’s beginning to make some long-awaited enhancements.
A brand new entrance wing for each vehicles at Suzuka ought to assist Alfa Romeo although, with Zhou Guanyu saying: “Particularly, I feel for right here it is essential, as a result of to illustrate within the second half of the season after the break , we did not run an excessive amount of.” many enhancements over our major rivals within the midfield battle.
“I feel we have misplaced a little bit of pace when it comes to that and efficiency, so it is nice to have that. [upgrade] and I hope they work as anticipated.
Learn extra: Might a Max Verstappen title win be eclipsed for a second straight yr?
