In the round-up: Mick Schumacher was surprised by the lack of grip at the Algarve circuit, which he likened to driving a Formula 3 car.
In brief
Portimao’s grip makes F1 feel like F3
Schumacher has never previously raced at the Autodromo do Algarve, though he did test a GP2 car there before it was resurfaced. After experiencing his new surface for the first time yesterday he was surprised how little grip there was.
“It’s definitely a lot, lot more slippery than what I’m what I’m used to,” he said. “But it definitely was fun. We had a very lively car there. It kind of brings memories back from F3 and go karting style.
“Interesting track. It is quite impressive, a lot of blind corners and obviously it’s quite short but therefore it’s very intense. We have the very long corner in the last part where the neck sometimes gets long, but it’s definitely, definitely good training and definitely good fun.”
Vasseur happy with Ilott’s first practice drive
Alfa Romeo team principal Frederic Vasseur praised Callum Ilott’s job for the team in first practice, saying he compared well to the extremely experienced Kimi Raikkonen.
“He did a good job. [First practice] is not an easy exercise and he had to jump into the car for this. I think he drove in Portimao five years ago, six years ago with F3 and the session is very difficult.
“He had two kinds of pressure: the first one is to do a good job. The second one is don’t spray the car somewhere – and he did very well.
“He was a bit conservative at the first part of the lap, but he did a very strong job compared to Kimi on the last part of the laps, on the last stint so we are quite happy. The feedback is okay and the integration into the team is good.”
Social media boycott grows to 14 F1 drivers
Since Lando Norris, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton announced they would be joining English football’s boycott of social media this weekend, a further 11 drivers have announced they will join them. Esteban Ocon, Nicholas Latifi, Charles Leclerc, Mick Schumacher, Valtteri Bottas, Daniel Ricciardo, Max Verstappen, Pierre Gasly, Sergio Perez, Nikita Mazepin and Carlos Sainz Jnr have issued their own announcements confirming they will be taking part in the boycott.
Lasting until 23:59 on Monday, the drivers have committed not to post during the boycott period. The action is intended to impact social networks which have failed to take action against racism and discriminatory abuse on their platforms by depriving them the engagement driven by popular sports’ and star’s content.
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Snapshot
Links
Motor racing links of interest:
‘I really respect Correa’ – Smolyar on why he’s excited to race with his new team mate (Formula 3)
““I really respect Correa for what he has been through and how he has managed to come back. I am really happy for him. As much as I want to beat him on track, I hope he does really, really well this season.”
Bell to acquire the operations of Octane Racing Group, the Montrea-based Formula One Grand Prix promoter (BCE)
“After the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 Grand Prix events in Montréal due to Covid-19, Bell’s investment brings the financial stability and enhanced investment needed to ensure the long-term growth of the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix. Bell will ensure that tickets sold for the 2020 race are valid for the 2022 Canadian Grand Prix or ticket holders will be refunded if they prefer that option.”
The Contenders: Joey Mawson (Australian Racing Group)
“For someone who hadn’t even planned to contest the full season, Joey Mawson has made a pretty impressive job of becoming a title contender in this year’s S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship. In fact, ‘pretty impressive’ doesn’t even quite cover it: Mawson has stunned this year and after a few quiet years his career has burst into life once more, people reminded that this guy once knocked off Mick Schumacher for the title in German Formula 4 not all that long ago”
Born into ‘a family of speed’ Lundgaard is determined to go the distance (F2)
“‘We accept everything in order to enjoy the sport that we love to do,’ he continues. ‘We are risking our lives here and we have all seen what can happen.'”
Lynn looking at bigger picture after maiden Formula E podium in Valencia (Formula E)
“It’s been a long time – well, I’ve never had a Formula E podium so it was quite crazy, really. I’ve felt so close so many times so from that side, it feels super sweet.”
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On this day in F1
