#F1 Newsbites – News making the #MexicanGP weekend. #F1ESTA
F1 Newsbites – Mexican GP Edition
Hello fellow F1 fanatics, we are back for the Mexican GP edition of F1 Newsbites! Let’s checkout the latest news from the paddock.
Renault not to appeal Japanese GP disqualification
We start F1 Newsbites on news that Renault’s disqualification from the Japanese Grand Prix will stand after the French manufacturer opted not to appeal the decision – despite believing the penalty “was inconsistent with previous sanctions for similar breaches” in the sport.
SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team launched a protest at the Suzuka International Racing Course regarding the alleged breach of the Sporting and Technical Regulations as well as the FIA International Sporting Code, relating to “pre-set, automated brake bias system”, which Renault argued upon.
Following an investigation of all the evidence, the FIA stewards described that the control system was not pre-set or lap distance dependent, but found that the French works-outfit did break the Sporting Regulations regarding driver aids.
As a result, it saw both drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg who finished in sixth and tenth respectively, disqualified.
Renault accepted the decision and after careful consideration, opted not to appeal. You can read the full statement from their website right here at the link: https://www.renaultsport.com/renault-f1-team-statement-13598.html?r=331
Formula 1 Mexican GP 2019 Press Conference Full Transcript Link
You can read the full Driver’s Press Conference transcript right here at the link: https://www.fia.com/news/f1-2019-mexican-grand-prix-thursday-press-conference
Formula 1 Mexican GP Press Conference Schedule (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
FRIDAY, 25 OCTOBER, 1200 HOURS LOCAL TIME
- Andreas Seidl (McLaren Racing)
- Toto Wolff (Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport)
- Otmar Szafnauer (SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team)
- Christian Horner (Aston Martin Red Bull Racing)
SATURDAY, 26 OCTOBER, POST-QUALIFYING
- Three fastest drivers from Qualifying
SUNDAY, 27 OCTOBER, POST-RACE
- First three finishing drivers
Letting the drivers tell the story – Selected team previews
Ferrari preview the Mexican GP
Next on F1 Newsbites, we read what the drivers have to say heading into this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix starting with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc:
Sebastian Vettel, #5, Scuderia Ferrari, SF90: “Obviously racing at altitude has an impact on how the car feels. We are racing with maximum downforce level in terms of car setup, but, since we are racing so high above sea level, the air is very thin and the cars actually produce very little downforce. On the long straight, I think we see the fastest top speeds of the season, which makes it difficult to manage the corners, because we’ve got so little downforce physically on the car. The car is moving around a lot and it’s difficult to get the tyres to work, in fact it’s hard to get the whole car to work and to get the right feel from it. It’s a relatively short lap but not an easy one. Over the past couple of years, we have been on an upward trend in Mexico, although Red Bull has been the team to beat. But I think the gaps between us are getting smaller, so let’s see how we get on this year.”
Charles Leclerc, #16, Scuderia Ferrari, SF90: “The circuit in Mexico is an unusual one. We race at such a high altitude and all the teams try to put as much downforce on the car as possible. Despite that, it still feels quite weird and the grip is extremely low.
I have done one FP1 and one race there, so it’s one of the tracks that is still pretty new to me. I really enjoy driving there, especially because the walls are quite close and this is something I like as a driver. The atmosphere is amazing and driving through the stadium part of the track is truly unique, because you can see all the fans in the grandstands.”
Red Bull Racing drivers preview Mexico
Next up on F1 Newsbites, it’s Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen and Alexander Albon. The defending back-to-back Mexican Grand Prix winners courtesy of Verstappen are looking to make a hat-trick result at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
Max Verstappen, #33, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing-Honda, RB15: “I’m looking forward to going back to Mexico, as the last two years have been pretty special there with the two wins. The Mexican Grand Prix is a great event and the fans are very passionate about Formula One. The people are very friendly and they have a relaxed kind of mentality, which I like, plus the food is really good. There are massive crowds at the race and the atmosphere at the track with the mariachi bands, the DJs on the podium and everything else the organisers put on is pretty cool. I really enjoy driving there. The track is very different as it’s at high altitude, which makes it low grip. The corners are also very technical so you have to work hard to make sure you get the best out of it but it’s a good track for us normally. I expect it to be a little bit more difficult this year because of Ferrari’s pace but I think we can still have a very good race.
Alexander Albon, #23, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing-Honda, RB15: “After getting my best result of the season in Japan, I’ve got good confidence and direction heading to Mexico. Japan felt like my best weekend with the Team and we’re gelling more and more, so yes, I look forward to carrying that momentum into Mexico. Historically it’s been a good track for Red Bull with pole position and a win there last year so obviously that’s positive. Like Suzuka, it will be another new track for me but this one looks a little more forgiving! I’m also really excited to drive in the infield section where all the fans are as I’ve heard that’s pretty special. Mexico and the US will be the last back-to-back races of the season and I can’t wait to get out there and check out both tracks.
Racing Point look ahead to this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix
Lastly on F1 Newsbites in the selected team and driver section, we look at SportPesa Racing Point’s home race favourite Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll as the pairing preview this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix:
Sergio Perez, #11, SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team, RP19: “The race in Mexico is a hugely important weekend for me. It’s my home race and I always feel very proud to see Formula 1 back in Mexico. We’ve just had the notice that the race contract has been extended for another three years, which is great news for the sport and for Mexico. Everybody tells me how much they love the race – my colleagues, the media and the fans. It’s our chance to show everybody the Mexican way of life and how much we love sports. The track is a pretty challenging one – especially when you consider we are driving the cars at a high altitude. It’s tough on the drivers physically and it’s hard work for the power unit as well because the air is so thin. I think the final sector is my favourite part of the lap – the fast and flowing section, which can be very tricky, and it’s easy to make a mistake through there. Because of the altitude, you have much less downforce on the car and the car can sometimes get quite loose through those fast corners. The final sector also has the stadium section and when it’s full of fans the atmosphere is like nothing else. Each time I drive through there, even during practice, I can hear the fans and feel their support. Overtaking is never easy, but I think the best opportunity is into Turn 1 – that’s where we’ve seen most of the moves being made.”
Lance Stroll, #18, SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team, RP19: “Mexico is a really fun event. The fans are great and they really help make the race special with the atmosphere they create. Even on the Friday, you see full grandstands and can feel the energy of the crowd. Away from the track, the city is awesome too. It’s a busy place, with lots going on, and I definitely enjoy exploring and trying the Mexican food – you can’t beat a good taco! I’ve obviously been to Mexico City a few times now for the race, but I also visited Punta Mita a few years ago for a holiday and played on the golf course. It’s a beautiful place. Mexico City is up there as one of my favourite circuits of the year. I enjoy driving the car in high altitude conditions and you can really notice the difference because the car feels more nervous. It just adds another challenge for the drivers. It’s quite a simple track – sort of like a go-kart track with some long straights linked by some low-speed corners. It’s quite technical in places and there are overtaking opportunities. I think we have good potential in the car for these final few races and Mexico should suit us quite well.”
You can catch up on this weekend’s Formula 1 Gran Premio De Mexico 2019 right here at the link: #F1 Gran Premio De Mexico 2019 Preview – #MexicanGP #F1ESTA
You can also see the updated Formula 1 2019 World Driver’s and Constructors Standings right here at the link: 2019 F1 World Championship Standings
