F1 Newsbites – Brazilian GP Edition

F1 Newsbites – Brazilian GP Edition is here! Let’s check out the latest news from the paddock at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace.

F1 Newsbites Brazilian GP Edition – F1 announces Net Carbon Zero plan by 2030

We start F1 Newsbites Brazilian GP Edition with the announcement on Tuesday that the sport has put out an ambitious plan to have a net-zero carbon footprint by 2030.

This will cover the Formula 1 cars and on-track activity and the entire operations as a whole.

The plan comes after 12 months of intense work with the sport’s governing body the FIA, Formula 1, sustainability experts, teams, promoters and partners resulting in an ambitious yet achievable plan for the motorsport pinnacle.

Carbon reduction projects have begun immediately to start the journey of becoming a more sustainable sport.

Formula 1 has been at the technological innovation forefront throughout it’s history with advancements directly benefiting the entire automotive industry.

Aerodynamic innovations, composite materials, energy recovery systems, navigation tools and safety developments from the sport have been adopted by road cars and other industries.

Being one of the leaders of automotive innovation allows F1 to accelerate progress to develop technologies that eliminate and reduce carbon emissions from the current internal combustion engine. The hybrid power-train will play a major role in the future of the automotive industry.

The current 1.6L V6 Turbocharged Hybrid power-train, delivers more power using less fuel than any other car, combined with advanced sustainable fuels and energy recovery systems presenting an opportunity to deliver a new-zero carbon hybrid power-train.

Alongside the plans to eliminate the carbon footprint of the Formula 1 car and on-track activities, initiatives include action to ensure F1 moves to ultra-efficient logistics and travel, also 100% renewably powered offices, facilities and factories.

By the 2025 season, Formula 1 will ensure all events are sustainable. Which means use of sustainable materials at all events with single-use plastics being eliminated and all waste composted, reused or recycled.

Also, F1 will provide incentives and tools to offer fans a greener way to reach the race and ensure circuits and facilities enhance fan well-being and nature, alongside providing opportunities for locals, businesses and causes to get involved during the Grand Prix weekend.

The plan will involve Formula 1 working with sport’s governing body, the FIA, partners, promoters, sponsors and teams to build on the work they are already delivering on the sustainability side.

The net-carbon zero plan will be put out in detail on the F1 corporate website: https://corp.formula1.com/

You can watch the sustainability video at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sriIlkri3o

2019 Brazilian GP Driver Press Conference Transcript

You can read the full transcript of the Brazilian GP Driver’s Press Conference at the following link: https://www.fia.com/news/f1-2019-brazilian-grand-prix-thursday-press-conference

2019 Brazilian GP Schedule of Press Conferences for the rest of the weekend

FRIDAY, 15 NOVEMBER, 1300 HOURS LOCAL TIME

• Frédéric Vasseur (Alfa Romeo Racing)
• Toyoharu Tanabe (Honda)
• Mario Isola (Pirelli)
• Otmar Szafnauer (SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team)
• Christian Horner (Aston Martin Red Bull Racing)

SATURDAY, 16 NOVEMBER, POST-QUALIFYING

• Three fastest drivers from Qualifying

SUNDAY, 17 NOVEMBER, POST-RACE

• First three finishing drivers

On this day in 1987 – Berger leads Ferrari to dominant Australian Grand Prix victory in Adelaide

On this day in Formula 1 history back in 1987, pole-sitter Gerhard Berger won a dominant Australian Grand Prix on the streets of Adelaide for Scuderia Ferrari with legendary three-time World Champion Ayrton Senna finishing second for Team Lotus but was later disqualified for running larger brake ducts – which promoted the second Ferrari of Michele Alboreto to second place and gave the Scuderia it’s first one-two on Australian soil with Thierry Boutsen’s Benetton-Ford also promoted to third.

Leclerc hit with grid penalty for fresh-engine change at the Brazilian Grand Prix

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has been hit with a 10-placed grid penalty for this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix due to taking on a fresh power-unit.

Leclerc suffered an oil leak in final practice during last round’s United States Grand Prix, prompting the Maranello-outfit to swap his power-unit for an older spec version that he ran earlier in the season.

For Brazil, he will have a new-spec unit, meaning the Monegasque youngster will drop 10 grid places with the possibility of a lot more.

“In Austin, we had hoped to still be able to save the internal combustion engine of my power unit which lost oil on Saturday morning, which is why we fitted a used engine”, Leclerc explained. “But when we realised it was not performing well enough to tackle any more races, we decided to change the Power Unit for here, taking the ten place grid penalty.”

“I’d put Interlagos in my top five favourite circuits. It’s fun, unpredictable and short and I like that, because in some ways it reminds me of my karting days and, if you have a competitive car, overtaking is definitely possible,” Leclerc concluded.

Despite the grid demotion, Leclerc will be looking to bounce back at Interlagos after he came home a distant fourth in Texas and with two rounds remaining, he will be looking to secure third in the Driver’s Championship standings.

Driver Perspective – Red Bull duo Verstappen and Albon preview the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend

You’ve raced in Brazil four times and had four points finishes, including podiums in 2016 and last year. It’s a bit of a lucky circuit for you isn’t it? 

Interlagos is a short track but it’s good and a lot of fun to drive. It has a good combination of corners and it’s also anti-clockwise so it’s a bit heavier on the neck. Qualifying is pretty important there as overtaking is not so easy. The track is also quite hard on tyres so you need to look after them throughout the race.

What about the weather? The forecast is predicting some thunderstorms this weekend, though maybe not on race day. 

As we saw in 2016, crazy weather can happen! But whatever happens, Brazil has a lot of passionate fans who live and breathe F1 so it’s always great to see that and it makes for a great atmosphere. Max Verstappen, #33, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing-Honda, RB15. Credit to Red Bull Racing for the quote. F1 Newsbites – Brazilian GP Edition

Alex, you’re heading for your first Brazilian Grand Prix at unpredictable Interlagos, what are your expectations?

It looks very cool and it’s a driver’s track that takes you back to the old school of racing, which I enjoy. Interlagos has a lot of history and it’s one of the circuits I’ve been looking forward to most this year to drive. Obviously I’ve never been before but from what I understand the weather is always going to be tricky there which always makes for an exciting weekend. Alexander Albon, #23, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing-Honda, RB15. Credit to Red Bull Racing.

Perez previews Interlagos

SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team’s Sergio Perez looks ahead to this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix. The Mexican tells the story:

“When you arrive in Brazil, you know the season is nearing the end. It’s the time of the year when it’s getting close in the championship. We still have a chance to fight for fifth, so adding more points this weekend is very important.

“I like being in Brazil and in some ways it reminds me of Mexico. The people are very warm and relaxed, and they love F1 just as much as the Mexican fans. They are always having a party in the grandstands.

“The start of the lap is good fun through the Senna ‘S’ and I think it’s probably the best place to try and overtake during the race. At the end of a long straight you can be very late on the brakes and dive down the inside.

“The circuit is quite short and it reminds me of a karting track. Even though it looks quite simple, it’s not easy to get the perfect lap. You need to be really precise with placing the car and to find the lap time you need to use the kerbs.

“The weather can be a major factor too. It rains quite often and clouds can develop quickly in the area. That can mix things up, as it did in 2016.” Sergio Perez, #11, SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team. Credit to Racing Point for the quotes.

You can catch up on this weekend’s race preview at the following link as well as driver market news from Red Bull and Toro Rosso that happened during the week:

#F1 @Heineken #BrazilianGP 2019 Preview. – @F1 #BrazilGP

@RedBullRacing confirm @alex_albon for 2020 and @ToroRosso retain @PierreGASLY & @kvyatofficial. #F1