F1 Briefings

VCARB has decided to take the matter of Kevin Magnussen's Saudi Arabian GP tactics up with the FIA. The Haas driver overtook Yuki Tsnuoda during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, to deliberately slow the Japanese driver down, and allow teammate Nico Hulkenberg to finish the race within points.

Key Takeaways:

• VCARB has raised concerns with the FIA over Kevin Magnussen's tactics in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which aimed to slow down Yuki Tsunoda and aid teammate Nico Hulkenberg's points finish.
• Despite Magnussen receiving a penalty, VCARB is dissatisfied, citing the impact on Tsunoda's point-scoring opportunity and the team's overall performance.
• VCARB contends that Magnussen's move was unsportsmanlike and plans to discuss the matter with the FIA for future races.

Despite Magnussen serving a 10-second penalty for the 'illegal' overtake, VCARB isn't done with the matter yet, since it compromised Tsunoda's points finish. Thus, the Grand Prix in Jeddah was another opportunity lost for the Red Bull junior team to score a point. 

Magnussen picked up a 20-second time penalty during the race in total, the first ten seconds being for causing a collision with Alex Albon. Regardless of the consequences faced by him during the race, VCARB contends that Magnussen's strategic overtake was to slow Tsunoda down and enable Hulkenberg, who had yet to pit due to a different strategy, to create a sufficient gap. This tactic allowed Hulkenberg to pit and rejoin ahead of Tsunoda and the group of cars in the midfield.

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— F1 Briefings (@F1Briefings) March 11, 2024

VCARB contends that the tenth place secured by Hulkenberg could have been occupied by Tsunoda instead of his P15 finish. Speaking to the media about the event, VCARB racing director Alan Permane said:

“We started him on the medium tyre, and when the Safety Car came out, pitted him for the hard compound. What then happened was a little difficult to take.

“Magnussen drove off the track to deliberately put himself in front of Yuki and then slowed him down by up to two seconds a lap, which allowed Hulkenberg, who hadn’t stopped yet, to create a gap and of course pit in front of all the cars behind.

“That, to me, doesn’t seem correct, and is the very definition of unsportsmanlike behaviour. I’m sure we and other teams will talk to the FIA about it for future races.”

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Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso has praised his Mercedes rival George Russell after contesting a close battle for the fifth position in Jeddah on Saturday. Appreciating the British driver's pace, Fernando emphasized that he could not afford to make a single mistake due to the competition he offered.

Key Takeaways:

• Fernando Alonso praised George Russell for their closely contested battle for fifth place in Jeddah, noting the need for flawless driving due to tough competition.
• Despite starting fourth and losing a position early on, Alonso benefited from a strategic pit stop during the Safety Car period triggered by Lance Stroll's crash, securing fifth place.
• Alonso highlighted the need for further car evolution to gain three or four-tenths, which could significantly impact race performance and allow them to contend for higher positions.

Starting fourth on the grid, Alonso surrendered a position to Oscar Piastri's McLaren early in the race but maintained pressure on the Australian driver. A strategic pit stop during the Safety Car period, triggered by Lance Stroll's crash on Lap 7, proved to be advantageous for the spaniard. 

While Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton chose not to pit, Alonso capitalized on the opportunity, ultimately securing a fifth-place finish after managing to pull away from George Russel by maintaining a gap of four seconds. 

Speaking on the marginal improvement in performance in the AMR24 F1 car from Bahrain, Alonso told Marca:

"A fifth seems like a normal result, neither good nor bad, as they say, but I think it is not where we should be.

"From Bahrain here we made a small step, we will try to qualify well still but we have to improve our race pace for the next GPs."

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— F1 Briefings (@F1Briefings) March 11, 2024

Alonso added that with Russell on the tail of his AMR24, he had to endure "mentally demanding" laps to ensure he maintained a gap of more than one second. He said:

"I had a great rival in George Russell the whole race and I couldn't make any mistakes. I wanted to keep him behind by more than a second, so they were very mentally demanding laps, even touching the wall there on one occasion. Happy with the result, very very happy".

The Spaniard suggested that if the car can gain three or four-tenths more, it can contend for the position in the front. He added:

"I think we are missing three or four tenths of car evolution of bringing parts that give us three or four tenths. If you have three or four tenths, the races do begin to change course and you begin to have the rhythm that they have."

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Former Formula 1 team boss Flavio Briatore, who assisted Fernando Alonso in his transition to the Aston Martin team, revealed that the best option is being explored for his future after his resurgence with the current team that offered him a competitive car. 

Key Takeaways:

• Flavio Briatore, who assisted Fernando Alonso's transition to Aston Martin, revealed that they are exploring the best option for Alonso's future, amidst speculation about his retirement from Formula 1.
• Alonso, after expressing the need to evaluate his priorities due to the demanding 24-race season, remains focused on making a personal commitment before considering his next move in the sport, despite rumors linking him to seats at Red Bull and Mercedes.
• Briatore's comments hint at various possibilities for Alonso, including staying in F1, exploring other motorsport avenues like Le Mans, or even retirement, leaving the nature of the "best option" uncertain.

The statement from Briatore comes after rumors of the current season being Alonso's last in Formula 1. The 42-year-old driver recently revealed that the 24-race season this year has pushed him to evaluate his priorities in life. He further added that he needs to feel fully motivated and able to dedicate himself to another demanding year on the grid.

Despite speculation linking him to seats at Red Bull and Mercedes, especially after Lewis Hamilton's announcement of his Ferrari move, Alonso's primary focus is on making the right personal decision before considering which team to pursue. Speaking to Sky Sports F1 in Saudi Arabia, he stated:

"First I need to make a personal commitment with myself to dedicate myself to dedicate a few more years. If I am willing to sacrifice again other things in life once I make the decision with myself then I try to see what is the best possibility out there.

"At the moment, we're not in that stage yet."

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— F1 Briefings (@F1Briefings) March 11, 2024

Alonso's former boss at Renault, Briatore, who was instrumental during Alonso's championship-winning years in 2005 and 2006, has hinted at the existence of several possibilities for Alonso's future endeavors. When asked about his future, Briatore told Mundo Deportivo, he said:

"We are looking for the best option for Fernando in 2025"

However, The nature of the "best option" remains uncertain, whether it involves finding a suitable Formula 1 team for Alonso, exploring other motorsport avenues like Le Mans, or even considering retirement as a viable possibility.

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VCARB driver Daniel Ricciardo hopes to elevate his performance after an undesirable start to the 2024 season. Looking to secure a Red Bull seat in the future, the 'Honey Badger' is confident of turning things around "quickly". 

Key Takeaways:

• Daniel Ricciardo aims to improve his performance in the 2024 season to secure a future Red Bull seat, expressing confidence in a quick turnaround.
• Despite his aspirations, Ricciardo faces challenges, with teammate Yuki Tsunoda out-qualifying him in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, potentially making him a stronger contender for the Red Bull seat.
• Ricciardo's disappointing performance in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, finishing 16th and experiencing a spin, raises concerns, but he remains optimistic, citing improvements and a strong showing expected at the upcoming Australian Grand Prix.

Last year, Ricciardo reclaimed his full-time Formula 1 seat with dreams of retiring from the sport after racing for Red Bull again someday. However, his sluggish start to the current season could jeopardize his prospects with the team later in the year, especially with Sergio Perez's contract set to expire after the current season.

His VCARB teammate Yuki Tsunoda's better start to the 2024 season, where he out-qualified Ricciardo in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, makes him more worthy of a Red Bull seat. Though Ricciardo finished ahead of Tsunoda in Bahrain due to team orders, his disappointing performance in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, finishing 16th from 14th on the grid with the inclusion of a spin mid-race has raised concerns. 

Nonetheless, the Australian driver remains optimistic, emphasizing that he and his team are aware of the necessary changes for him to bounce back during the Australian Grand Prix weekend between the 22nd and 24th of March.

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Which driver should Mercedes prioritise after the first two races of the season?

— F1 Briefings (@F1Briefings) March 11, 2024

Expressing the situation to Formula1.com, Ricciardo said:

“Tough weekend [Saudi Arabian GP].

“I think the only thing that’s probably keeping me a little bit optimistic now is we did find a few things, so that’s positive.

“Because I’ve driven a long time, I know when things don’t feel quite right, but on the one hand, it’s nice to find a few things, but on another, it meant that it was a pretty painful weekend, so that’s obviously frustrating.

“The race was tough. I think coming into it we knew it would be tough, then we had a slow pit stop and then a few laps from the end I ate a bit too much kerb in Turn 1 and had a spin, that kind of summed up the weekend.

“But we’ve got a week off now, so Melbourne will be better. I know we’ll fix it and have an even playing field and a strong showing.

“It feels like it’s been a pretty slow start to the year. But it’s been two races. I know how quickly this thing can turn around.

“As I said, there’s not too much head scratching now. It was just a frustrating weekend. But it’s not that we don’t have answers. I think it’s quite clear.

“So we’ve just got to polish her up and make sure it’s good to go for Melbourne.”

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Ferrari F2 driver and F1 reserve driver Oliver Bearman aims to strengthen his ties with the Haas F1 team during the 2024 season, with speculation suggesting they could provide the opportunity for his full-time Formula 1 debut following his impressive performance in Sauda Arabia last weekend, where he secured P7.

Key Takeaways:

• Ferrari F2 driver Oliver Bearman aims to strengthen ties with Haas F1 after his impressive P7 finish in Saudi Arabia, potentially paving the way for a full-time F1 debut.
• Carlos Sainz's absence allowed Bearman to shine in the Jeddah Grand Prix, advancing from P11 to P7 during the race.
• Bearman's strong performance has attracted attention, positioning him as a potential future F1 title contender. He plans to leverage FP1 opportunities with Haas to gain experience and secure a permanent spot on the F1 grid by 2025.

Carlos Sainz's surgery for appendicitis forced him to miss the Grand Prix in Jeddah, allowing Bearman to step in. Despite starting from P11, Bearman showcased a strong performance, advancing to P7 in the race.

The 18-year-old's 'talk of the town' performance, featuring a tough fight to McLaren's Lando Norris and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, was one of the highlights of his debut F1 run. Several F1 insiders suggest that he is definitely a future Formula 1 title contender. 

Sainz's return status for the Australian Grand Prix remains uncertain. If he does come back, Bearman will resume his Formula 2 commitments, aiming to make up lost ground after missing the Saudi Arabia race despite securing the pole position. However, Bearman is anticipated to make further appearances during F1 race weekends in 2024, likely during FP1 sessions with Haas.

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Which driver should Mercedes prioritise after the first two races of the season?

— F1 Briefings (@F1Briefings) March 11, 2024

He aims to secure a spot on the F1 grid, potentially with the Ferrari customer team, as early as 2025. He plans to leverage his FP1 opportunities to gain experience and strengthen his relationship with Haas.

When he was asked in Saudi Arabia what he could do to make his position permanent in Formula 1, Bearman answered:

“I don’t know what else I can do, because I don’t think I’ll be in F1 for the rest of the year.

“I think I did a decent job and that’s all I can do, push in F2 and cross my fingers.

“I have a lot of FPs with Haas this year, so I’m looking forward to building up a relationship and gaining more miles in the car.”

Bearman's impressive debut Formula 1 performance has put him in the tenth spot on the 2024 Drivers' Standings. 

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The 2024 F1 Academy season kicked off with Round 1 in Saudi Arabia over the weekend. Prema Racing driver Doriane Pin, who is supported by the Mercedes F1 team, dominated the weekend despite ending the weekend with a penalty.

Here is everything you need to catch up on. 

Free Practice Results

Doriane Pin showcased exceptional pace during the first Free Practice session of the 2024 F1 Academy season at Jeddah Corniche Circuit, leading the field with a notable time of 2:04.889 after dominating the session. 

Alpine's Abbi Pulling and Williams' Lia Block, driving for ART Grand Prix, were her closest competitors, finishing in second and third places respectively, with Pulling just two-tenths off Pin's pace. 

The opening round witnessed competitive timings as drivers initially ventured out, with Pin setting an early pace, which was then surpassed by Maya Weug and Bianca Bustamante before Pin reclaimed her lead with a lap time of 2:06.050. 

As the session progressed, despite a brief lead by Pulling, Pin secured the top position by breaking into the 2:04s, highlighting a strong performance from Block, Martí, and others who posted personal bests in the concluding moments.

Mercedes Press Image

1. Doriane Pin, Prema Racing
2. Abbi Pulling, Rodin Motorsport
3. Lia Block, ART Grand Prix
4. Nerea Marti, Campos Racing
5. Maya Weug, Prema Racing
6. Lola Lovinfosse, Rodin Motorsport
7. Chloe Chambers, Campos Racing
8. Carrie Schreiner, Campos Racing
9. Tina Hausmann, Prema Racing
10. Jessica Edgar, Rodin Motorsport
11. Amna Al Qubaisi, MP Motorsport
12. Aurelia Nobels, ART Grand Prix
13. Biance Bustamante, ART Grand Prix
14. Emely De Heus, MP Motorsport
15. Hamda Al Qubaisi, MP Motorsport
16. Reema Juffali , Prema Racing

Qualifying 1 Results

Throughout the season's inaugural qualifying session, Doriane Pin remained the standout driver, securing both pole positions with her commanding performance and a best lap time of 2:03.472. Abbi Pulling and Maya Weug engaged in a tight contest for the second position, with Pulling consistently securing the front row alongside Pin. 

In the early stages, drivers rushed to warm up their tyres, with Pin setting the pace, closely followed by Pulling, who briefly led with a lap time of 2:05.501 before Pin reclaimed her position with an improved time. 

1. Doriane Pin, Prema Racing
2. Abbi Pulling, Rodin Motorsport
3. Maya Weug, Prema Racing
4. Nerea Marti, Campos Racing
5. Bianca Bustamante, ART Grand Prix
6. Lola Lovinfosse, Rodin Motorsport
7. Lia Block, ART Grand Prix
8. Chloe Chambers, Campos Racing
9. Aurelia Nobels, ART Grand Prix
10. Jessica Edgar, Rodin Motorsport
11. Tina Hausmann, Prema Racing
12. Carrie Schreiner, Campos Racing
13. Hamda Al Qubaisi, MP Motorsport
14. Reema Juffali, Prema Racing
15. Amna Al Qubaisi, MP Motorsport
16. Emely De Heus, MP Motorsport

Alpine F1 Press Image

Qualifying 2 Results

1. Doriane Pin, Prema Racing
2. Abbi Pulling, Rodin Motorsport
3. Maya Weug, Prema Racing
4. Lola Lovinfosse, Rodin Motorsport
5. Nerea Marti, Campos Racing
6. Chloe Chambers, Campos Racing
7. Tina Hausmann, Prema Racing
8. Aurelia Nobels, ART Grand Prix
9. Jessica Edgar, Rodin Motorsport
10. Bianca Bustamante, ART Grand Prix
11. Carrie Schreiner, Campos Racing
12. Hamda Al Qubaisi, MP Motorsport
13. Lia Block, ART Grand Prix
14. Amna Al Qubaisi, MP Motorsport
15. Reema Juffali, Prema Racing
16. Emely De Heus, MP Motorsport

Race 1 Results

Doriane Pin secured a dominant victory in her debut F1 Academy race, while Alpine's Abbi Pulling clinched second place and the fastest lap bonus, fending off challenges from Maya Weug. 

The race featured intense on-track battles, including Chloe Chambers' skillful overtakes and a three-wide scramble involving Tina Hausmann, Aurelia Nobels, and Jessica Edgar, with Hausmann prevailing. The event was marked by a Safety Car intervention caused by a collision, strategic restarts by Pin, defensive manoeuvres, and a last-lap effort by Pin to claim the fastest lap, ultimately resulting in a strong finish for PREMA Racing and notable performances across the field.

After the initial race of Round 1 in Jeddah, Lola Lovinfosse was penalised with a 10-second addition to her race time for causing a collision just before Turn 1 on the last lap. This penalty resulted in her drop to 8th place.

1. Doriane Pin, Prema Racing
2. Abbi Pulling, Rodin Motorsport
3. Maya Weug, Prema Racing
4. Chloe Chambers, Campos Racing
5. Bianca Bustamante, ART Grand Prix
6. Tina Hausmann, Prema Racing
7. Aurelia Nobels, ART Grand Prix
8. Lola Lovinfosse, Rodin Motorsport
9. Hamda Al Qubaisi, MP Motorsport
10. Carrie Schreiner, Campos Racing
11. Reema Juffali, Prema Racing
12. Emely De Heus, MP Motorsport
13. Amna Al Qubaisi, MP Motorsport
14. Nerea Marti, Campos Racing
15. Jessica Edgar, Rodin Motorsport
16. Lia Block, ART Grand Prix (DNF)

Ferrari Press Image

Race 2 Results

Doriane Pin initially concluded her debut F1 Academy weekend with a second win in Jeddah, leading Abbi Pulling and Maya Weug to finish in the same order for both races, before penalties were applied after the race. 

Early in the race, Pin defended her position from Pulling, while further back, on-track battles saw Nerea Martí overtake Lola Lovinfosse and Chloe Chambers receiving a penalty for gaining an advantage off-track. 

A collision involving Chambers and Lovinfosse triggered a Safety Car, leading to a series of restarts where Pulling closely challenged Pin but couldn't overtake. In the end, Pin captured the fastest lap on her final attempt, securing a comprehensive victory, while Martí, Jessica Edgar, and Amna Al Qubaisi finished strongly, and penalties shuffled the lower points positions.

Penalties were assigned to three drivers: Doriane Pin received a 20-second penalty for an infringement involving taking the chequered flag twice, Amna Al Qubaisi was penalised five seconds for leaving the track and gaining an advantage, and Lola Lovinfosse faced a five-place grid penalty for the next race due to causing a collision. These penalties led to changes in the race standings, promoting Abbi Pulling to victory, with Maya Weug and Nerea Martí completing the podium.

1. Abbi Pulling, Rodin Motorsport
2. Maya Weug, Prema Racing
3. Nerea Marti, Campos Racing
4. Jessica Edgar, Rodin Motorsport
5. Hamda Al Qubaisi, MP Motorsport
6. Bianca Bustamante, ART Grand Prix
7. Carrie Schreiner, Campos Racing
8. Amna Al Qubaisi, MP Motorsport
9. Doriane Pin, Prema Racing
10. Chloe Chambers, Campos Racing
11. Lia Block, ART Grand Prix
12. Emely De Heus, MP Motorsport
13. Tina Hausmann, Prema Racing
14. Aurelia Nobels, ART Grand Prix (DNF)
15. Reema Juffali, Prema Racing (DNF)
16. Lola Lovinfosse, Rodin Motorsport (DNF)

F1 Academy Press Image

Championship

How the championship stands after Round 1.

1. Abbi Pulling, Rodin Motorsport - 44 points
2. Maya Weug, Prema Racing - 33 points
3. Doriane Pin, Prema Racing - 32 points
4. Bianca Bustamante, ART Grand Prix - 18 points
5. Nerea Marti, Campos Racing - 15 points
6. Chloe Chambers, Campos Racing - 13 points
7. Jessica Edgar, Rodin Motorsport - 12 points
8. Hamda Al Qubaisi, MP Motorsport - 12 points
9. Tina Hausmann, Prema Racing - 8 points
10. Carrie Schreiner, Campos Racing - 7 points
11. Aurelia Nobels, ART Grand Prix - 6 poitns
12. Amna Al Qubaisi, MP Motorsport - 4 points
13. Lola Lovinfosse, Rodin Motorsport - 4 points
14. Reema Juffali, Prema Racing - 0 points
15. Lia Block, ART Grand Prix - 0 points
16. Emely De Heus, MP Motorsport - 0 points

Ex-Formula One driver Giancarlo Fisichella has shared his thoughts on the potential comeback of four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel. Fisichella expressed uncertainty over Vettel's return to the world of Formula One racing.

Key Takeaways:

• Giancarlo Fisichella casts doubt on the likelihood of Sebastian Vettel making a Formula One comeback.
• Vettel, celebrated for clinching four drivers’ championships with Red Bull, retired at the conclusion of the 2022 season.
• Speculation has been rife about Vettel's potential return to the sport since his retirement.

The Formula One community has been full of speculation regarding the potential return of Sebastian Vettel. The recent commentary by former F1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella has added a new dimension to the ongoing discussions about Vettel’s future in the sport.

Fisichella, reflecting on Vettel's illustrious career and surprising retirement at the end of the 2022 season, shared his insights, stating: 

"I'm not sure, I was certain that he had retired for good and that he didn’t want to come back. It’s difficult to see Mercedes or other top teams giving him a chance but who knows."

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Which driver should Mercedes prioritise after the first two races of the season?

— F1 Briefings (@F1Briefings) March 11, 2024

The Italian former driver further elaborated on Vettel's legacy, acknowledging his exceptional talent and the achievements that have made him a legend in the sport. 

"Obviously he's a great driver and won four drivers’ championships but my feeling is that he won’t return. But anything is possible for him." 

Sebastian Vettel’s decision to retire was seen as the end of an era, marked by his dominance in the early 2010s. However, the subsequent speculation regarding his return has kept the F1 world on its toes, pondering the possibility of witnessing one of the sport's greats making comeback.

Thank you to OCB Scores for setting up this interview. 

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Giancarlo Fisichella, a former F1 driver, has critiqued Alpine's performance early in the season, attributing the struggles to significant staff departures. The team's challenging start is underscored by the exit of key engineering and aerodynamics personnel.

Key Takeaways:

• Alpine is facing a difficult season ahead with the recent departures of technical director Matt Harman and head of aerodynamics Dirk de Beer.
• The team's underperformance was evident at the Bahrain Grand Prix qualifiers, with both drivers starting at the back.
• Alpine is banking on upcoming car upgrades to enhance its competitiveness this season.

Alpine Press Image

The departure of key figures from Alpine's team has cast a shadow over their 2024 campaign, marking a stark contrast to their triumphant years in the mid-2000s. Giancarlo Fisichella, reflecting on his time with the team under the Renault name, lamented the recent exits, including that of his former engineer Alan Permane, and highlighted the challenge of replacing such pivotal roles swiftly. Fisichella commented:

"It's a shame to see Alpine have such a bad start of the season because they were the team to win the constructors and drivers championships in both in 2005 and 2006.

"In the middle of last year they fired so many people in the factory with very important names like my old engineer Alan Permane. It's not easy to find good people in such a short time and especially when it was time to rebuild the new car.

"That is the result and it's gonna be a tough season, I think."

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Which driver should Mercedes prioritise after the first two races of the season?

— F1 Briefings (@F1Briefings) March 11, 2024

The Enstone-based squad has been grappling with instability, evidenced by the resignations of Matt Harman and Dirk de Beer, who are pivotal to the team's technical and aerodynamic strategies. Their departure, set for April, follows a disappointing performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where Alpine's drivers, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, were relegated to the back of the grid.

Alpine's turbulent phase is not just about the recent exits but also follows the departures of significant figures like Otmar Szafnauer, Alan Permance, Pat Fry, and the dismissal of CEO Laurent Rossi, despite significant investments made last year. The experience brought by Harman and de Beer, with backgrounds at Mercedes and various leading F1 teams, respectively, underscores the vacuum their exits will create.

As Alpine navigates through these testing times, the focus shifts to their strategy for recovery and performance enhancement. With the promise of car upgrades, the F1 community watches keenly to see if Alpine can overcome its current adversities and reclaim its competitive edge.

Thank you to OCB Scores for setting up this interview.

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Ex-F1 racer Giancarlo Fisichella sheds light on Lewis Hamilton's indifference to the immense pressure associated with Ferrari. This comes amid news of Hamilton's forthcoming departure from Mercedes.

Key Takeaways:

• Lewis Hamilton is set to leave Mercedes after the 2024 season, ending a significant partnership during which he won six of his seven championships.
• Hamilton's decision to join Ferrari is seen as a major move.
• His career move is anticipated to shake up the dynamics within Formula 1, especially with thirteen driver contracts expiring at the end of 2024.

Mercedes Press Image

Giancarlo Fisichella, a former Ferrari driver, recently commented on Lewis Hamilton's move to the Maranello-based squad, highlighting the British driver's nonchalance towards the traditionally daunting pressure of racing for Ferrari. Fisichella remarked on the legacy of the team, revered by many greats like Michael Schumacher, and Fernando Alonso, and noted Hamilton's seasoned resilience and demand for a competitive vehicle.

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Which driver should Mercedes prioritise after the first two races of the season?

— F1 Briefings (@F1Briefings) March 11, 2024

Fisichella commented:

"There will be more pressure because Ferrari is a dream for a lot of drivers, not just Italian drivers.

"For example Michael Schumacher, Nikki Lauda, Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso are just a few.

"For Hamilton, a guy with a lot of experience, he doesn't care about the pressure, especially at this stage of his career. He just needs a good car to show his talent."

Mercedes' confirmation of Hamilton's departure post-2024 has ended widespread speculation about his future. The switch to Ferrari, fuelled by rumours and subsequent confirmation, is a testament to Hamilton's desire for a new challenge, spurred by dissatisfaction with Mercedes' performance in recent seasons. 

Ferrari's interest in Hamilton has been an open secret since 2019, and with Red Bull's dominance, his addition to Ferrari could significantly alter the competitive landscape. For Mercedes, this departure closes an 11-year chapter of remarkable achievements, including Hamilton's latest world title in 2020.

Thank you to OCB Scores for setting up this interview. 

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Felipe Massa has officially filed a lawsuit against Bernie Ecclestone, the FIA, and the FOM, challenging the outcome of the 2008 F1 season. The Brazilian racer's legal action focuses on the controversial 2008 Singapore Grand Prix and its implications for the championship results.

Key Takeaways:

• Felipe Massa has initiated legal proceedings in London against Bernie Ecclestone, the FIA, and FOM, disputing the 2008 F1 championship results.
• The lawsuit centres on the non-annulment of the 2008 Singapore GP, influenced by Nelson Piquet Jr's deliberate crash.
• Massa seeks compensation ranging from £64 to £150 million and demands the FIA acknowledge regulatory breaches.

After months of anticipation, Felipe Massa has taken significant legal steps, lodging a complaint at the Superior Court of Justice in London, according to a report from Ge.Globo.com. This legal challenge encompasses both the International Motor Sport Federation (FIA) and Formula One Management (FOM), as well as Bernie Ecclestone, the former head of the sport. At the heart of Massa's lawsuit is the contentious 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, a race marred by controversy and alleged manipulation, which Massa asserts unjustly affected the championship's outcome. Massa has commented:

"I always said I would fight until the end. As the FIA ​​and FOM have decided to do nothing, we will seek the correction of this historic injustice in the courts.

"The matter is now with the lawyers and they are fully authorized to do whatever is necessary so that justice in the sport is done."

Reports suggest Massa is pursuing substantial financial redress in his dual legal actions, with claims potentially reaching up to £150 million. This bold move stems from his conviction that the FIA flouted its own guidelines by not probing into Nelson Piquet Jr's intentional crash, which, if investigated, could have seen Massa crowned as champion.

The controversy revolves around Piquet Jr's orchestrated accident designed to advantage his then-teammate at Renault, Fernando Alonso. This incident critically impacted Massa, who, despite starting in pole position, encountered a pit stop blunder and a subsequent penalty, plummeting to 13th place and ultimately forfeiting the championship by a mere point to Lewis Hamilton.

Massa's legal strategy commenced with a formal letter, a prerequisite under UK court protocols, wherein the FIA and FOM are implicated as conspirators in the saga, causing Massa considerable professional and financial harm.

In the interim, Massa's legal team has issued preservation notices to various stakeholders, including Ferrari, Renault (now Alpine), and former Renault executives, urging the safeguarding of potential evidence.

Massa's quest for justice has garnered the support of Jean Todt, his former Ferrari mentor and ex-FIA president, who has voiced backing for the annulment of the contentious Singapore Grand Prix and reflected on Ferrari's potential alternative actions at the time.

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Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has disclosed contemplating his departure from the team prior to the controversy surrounding Christian Horner. This has come amid a tumultuous period marked by investigations and media scrutiny.

Key takeaways:

• Helmut Marko, a pivotal figure in Red Bull's motorsport division, contemplated leaving the team amid investigations involving team principal Christian Horner.
• Marko's potential exit became a significant concern, especially given his close relationship with star driver Max Verstappen, who hinted at leaving should Marko be ousted.
• An inquiry into allegations against Horner concluded with no evidence of wrongdoing, amid rumours of internal tensions and the potential for Marko's premature departure from Red Bull.

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Since joining the Red Bull motorsport department in 2005, the same year Christian Horner was appointed to lead their Formula 1 operations, Helmut Marko's influence has significantly increased, particularly through his work bring Max Verstappen to the team. 

Last week, the Horner found his future with the team in jeopardy as Red Bull conducted an internal investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour against a female colleague. Alongside this, Marko was then investigated into leaks of confidential information. This investigation ultimately absolved Horner of any misconduct, and Marko later confirmed that he will be staying with the team until the end of his contract - another three years.

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Which driver should Mercedes prioritise after the first two races of the season?

— F1 Briefings (@F1Briefings) March 11, 2024

The implications of Marko's possible exit were magnified by Verstappen's strong stance, indicating a readiness to part ways with Red Bull should his mentor be forced to leave. 

“It is very important that he stays. I feel like if such an important pillar falls away, and I have told the team this, that it is not good for my situation as well," the 3-time champion admitted.

Verstappen's contract is understood to contain a clause allowing him to exit the team early under such circumstances, despite Marko being contractually tied to Red Bull until the end of 2026.

In a statement to De Telegraaf, Marko expressed his desire for a swift resolution to the ongoing controversy around Red Bull, citing considerations of leaving the MIlton Keynes squad at the end of the previous season. 

"I hope [the drama] will all be over as soon as possible," he told De Telegraaf. "I was already thinking about leaving at the end of last year, but I also think we should think about [Red Bull founder] Dietrich [Mateschitz's] legacy, what his ideas were and where they took us. We owe that to him."

Marko's potential suspension was promptly dismissed following discussions with Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff. 

"We decided that these rumours [of the leaks] were spread and had no legal background. I will not be suspended. Our goal is to win the world championship. For that we will have to work hard."

As Red Bull faces internal challenges, the team's commitment to overcoming these hurdles and focusing on future successes remains evident. And even after further rumours that Horner's career in Red Bull wouldn't make it to the Australian Grand Prix, a Red Bull spokesperson has since confirmed that he won't be going anywhere. 

Former F1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella has voiced concerns over the dwindling excitement in Formula One, attributing it to Red Bull and Max Verstappen's overwhelming success. Fisichella noted the duo's predictable victories have somewhat dulled the sport's thrill.

Key Takeaways:

• Giancarlo Fisichella believes Red Bull and Max Verstappen's dominance has lessened Formula One's excitement.
• Verstappen and Red Bull's string of victories have led to a predictable outcome in races, impacting viewer engagement.
• Despite this, the competition remains fierce in the lower ranks.

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The dominance of Red Bull Racing and their star driver Max Verstappen in recent Formula One seasons has sparked a debate within the motorsport community. Giancarlo Fisichella, former Formula One driver, recently weighed in, expressing his viewpoint that the predictability of race outcomes has sapped some of the excitement from the sport. 

"Formula 1 is always exciting from the beginning to the end but last year Max and Red Bull destroyed the competition and sometimes it was a bit boring."

Verstappen's formidable performance, with victories in both of the 2024 season's opening races and an impressive 19 wins out of 22 Grands Prix in 2023, underscores Red Bull's current stranglehold on the sport. Coupled with teammate Sergio Perez's consistent second-place finishes so far in 2024, Red Bull has enjoyed unrivalled supremacy on the track. 

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— F1 Briefings (@F1Briefings) March 11, 2024

Critics, including Fisichella, argue that this predictability detracts from the sport's inherent excitement. He continued:

"Seeing them winning almost every race wasn’t exciting but in the back of the grid, anything could happen and there is still a lot of overtaking.

"Knowing the result before the start of the race is not exciting. It would be nice to see other drivers battling Verstappen but it’s likely that he wins most races this season."

The Italian former driver also touched on the potential for change, noting:

"Having said that it’s still early, we will know after the first few races what is going to happen."

Thank you to OCB Scores for setting up this interview.

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After a successful race weekend from the young Briton, Oliver Bearman disclosed that he received a message from the legendary Sebastian Vettel before making his Grand Prix debut in Saudi Arabia. Bearman, stepping in for the ailing Carlos Sainz, secured a commendable seventh-place finish, marking a noteworthy start to his Formula 1 journey.

Key Takeaways

• Oliver Bearman, substituting for Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, received a supportive message from Sebastian Vettel before his debut at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
• Bearman impressed the Formula 1 community by finishing in P7, an impressive feat for his first race.
• Sebastian Vettel, a seasoned driver with a successful history at Ferrari, along with Bearman's teammate Charles Leclerc, praised the young driver's exceptional performance.

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The world of Formula 1 witnessed a striking debut from 18-year-old Oliver Bearman during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. With Carlos Sainz sidelined due to an emergency appendicitis operation, Bearman was thrust into the spotlight as Ferrari's reserve choice. Despite the pressure, Bearman delivered a performance beyond his years, securing a seventh-place finish and earning accolades across the paddock, including his fellow competitors such as Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.

The prelude to his debut race saw Bearman receiving an encouraging message from Sebastian Vettel, the four-time world champion and a figure whom Bearman regards, as many do, a hero. 

"First of all, the support I got was amazing. I got a message from one of my heroes, Sebastian Vettel, which was really, really nice before the race. So thanks, Seb!” Bearman shared with Viaplay.

Vettel's message carried weight, considering his storied career with Ferrari, where he claimed 14 Grand Prix victories. The German driver's tenure with the Scuderia spanned six years, culminating in a move to Aston Martin in 2021. 

Vettel's endorsement, alongside the praise from Bearman's teammate underscored the newcomer's promising debut. Leclerc commended Bearman's immediate adaptation and performance, stating: 

"He has done an incredible job...seventh in your first race in Formula One having only done FP3, in a new car, is just hugely impressive."

Bearman's debut will be just the start of his story in F1. His performance in Jeddah not only demonstrated his potential but also hinted at a bright future in the sport with his connection to Haas already being discussed by fans. 

As he gears up for further appearances, including six FP1 sessions with the American-owned team before the year's end, we watch eagerly, anticipating the full unleashing of his talent in a full-time drive anticipated in 2025.

Former F1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella expressed his belief that Michael Schumacher would have been elated to see Lewis Hamilton take the wheel for Ferrari. 

Key Takeaways:

• Giancarlo Fisichella is confident that Michael Schumacher would have supported Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari and his potential championship win with the team.
• Fisichella reminisces about Schumacher's possible role as a team principal and the unique family atmosphere of Ferrari, contrasting it with English teams.
• He highlights the importance of feeling like part of a family when joining a new team, something Schumacher would have ensured for Hamilton.

F1 legend Michael Schumacher spent a decade with Ferrari, claiming five of his seven titles during his tenure with the team. His era is often remembered as a golden period for Ferrari in Formula 1 racing. Lewis Hamilton's shocking announcement to leave Mercedes, a team he has been with since 2013, for a new chapter with Ferrari in 2025 has shocked for F1 community.

Giancarlo Fisichella, who drove for Ferrari in 2009, shared his insights into what Schumacher's reaction might have been to Hamilton's significant move. Fisichella believes that Schumacher would have been more than pleased to welcome a driver of Hamilton's calibre to the team, potentially leading them to another championship.

"For sure, Michael Schumacher would be happy to see Lewis Hamilton driving for Ferrari next year and winning the championship, why not?

"I know that Schumacher would have made a great team principal. I don't know his condition because nobody knows about it, but I wish him nothing but the best and hope he can come back soon."

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He continued:

"He would just explain that it’s an amazing fantastic team. It’s a little bit different to the English teams in terms of atmosphere, it’s a bit more like family. Straight away, he will feel into the team.

"That is very important when you move in a new team, feeling like part of the family straight away."

Thank you to OCB Scores for setting up this interview. 

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Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff admitted that the team is facing a simulator correlation issue, as their measurements are not translating to actual performance on the racetrack. This revelation came after the disappointing Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton struggled.

Key Takeaways:

• Toto Wolff revealed a simulator issue at Mercedes
• Measurements from simulations don't match track performance
• Mercedes struggled for pace in Saudi Arabia after a promising Bahrain

The 2024 Formula 1 season has been a rollercoaster ride for Mercedes so far. While their performance in Bahrain hinted at a level of pace close to what the team were expecting, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix served as a harsh reality check for the Brackley squad. Despite their best efforts, the W15 car seemed to underperform, particularly in high-speed corners, leaving both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton trailing behind their midfield rivals.

In the aftermath of the race, Toto Wolff candidly addressed the team's struggles, shedding light on a persistent issue that has plagued Mercedes since the 2022 season – a discrepancy between simulator measurements and actual track performance.

"It's just the high-speed variant where we are losing the lap time," Wolff told Sky Sports F1. "There is only so much you can tune here. Our simulations point us in a direction, and this is the kind of set-up range that we then choose."

Wolff further elaborated:

"You put the rear wing on, and I think you gain a few tenths or not if you get the set-up right or wrong. But there's not a massive corridor of performance.

"It's a more fundamental thing that we believe the speed should be there. And we measure the downforce, but we don't find it on the lap time."

This admission highlights a persistent challenge faced by the Mercedes technical team, led by James Allison. Despite their efforts to correlate simulator data with real-world performance, the gap between simulations and the racetrack persists, hindering their ability to fully optimise the car's setup.

"It's a more fundamental thing that we believe the speed should be there. And we measure the downforce, but we don't find it on the lap time."

The struggles in Saudi Arabia were further compounded by the impressive pace displayed by Mercedes' customer teams, McLaren and Aston Martin. Russell found himself unable to pass Fernando Alonso, despite the Aston Martin being a draggy car, and the McLaren of Lando Norris turned out to be a roadblock for Lewis Hamilton, despite the Brit's car being the slowest on the grid in terms of high speed. 

In a challenging Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri of McLaren voiced his frustrations over difficulties in overtaking and the car's limitations. Despite these challenges, he managed to secure a notable P4 finish, whilst teammate Lando Norris finished P8 after an unlucky race.

Key takeaways:

• Piastri struggled to overtake Lewis Hamilton despite having fresher tyres.
• The Australian recognised that securing track position was crucial for his race.
• He believes the battle between McLaren and Mercedes is "very, very even" at this stage.

McLaren

Oscar Piastri, the young Australian driver for McLaren, had a challenging time at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which left him feeling frustrated rather than entertained. Despite starting ahead of his teammate Lando Norris, Piastri found himself entangled in a battle with Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes.

While he managed to quickly overtake Fernando Alonso's Aston Martin in the early laps, Piastri became trapped behind Lewis who was making his car as wide as possible and faster in the straights. This tussle exposed some weaknesses in the MCL38, as Piastri admitted

"I'm not sure fun is the word I would use. Frustrating – yes. I mean, I think it kind of just showed a couple of weaknesses of ours definitely.

"I was very relieved when he boxed out of the way but just didn’t quite have enough on the straights mainly to get past.”

The Australian was also questioned regarding being stuck behind Hamilton for a number of laps, seemingly finding it impossible to get past:

“I was hoping he was going to pit about 15 laps before he did, but I think he started to struggle on the tyre because I was basically past him when he boxed, so yeah.

“I think he, you know, he had to pit at some stage. And that seemed like a good time to do.”

The McLaren was setup with high downforce, which saw the car excel in the first sector of the twisty track. But as it opened up to the high speed section, both drivers struggled with high drag. In fact, Norris was the slowest car on the grid in a straight line. Unsurprisingly, it was Oscar's track position that helped his race come together:

"I think qualifying made the difference today. I think Lewis showed that if we qualify behind them, there was a good chance we were going to be stuck behind them for the whole night."

Despite the struggles, Piastri remains optimistic about McLaren's competitiveness, believing that the battle between the team and Mercedes is "very, very even" at this stage, with both cars exhibiting different strengths and weaknesses.

"I think it's very, very tight between us. And yeah, we need to do some work to try and jump them and catch the two teams [Red Bull and Ferrari] ahead."

As the Formula 1 circus heads to Piastri's home race in Australia, the young driver remains grounded about McLaren's potential. The Woking-based team is solidly behind Red Bull and Ferrari, but there are opportunities to be had behind them. 

Daniel Ricciardo experienced a significant setback in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to an unusually long pit stop. The incident, which was not initially explained during the broadcast, has been clarified through newly released footage and team statements.

Key Takeaways:

• Daniel Ricciardo faced a challenging race in Saudi Arabia, significantly impacted by a 40-second pit stop.
• The Visa Cash App RB team acknowledged a tyre issue during Ricciardo's pit stop, placing him at the back of the grid.
• Despite the setback, Ricciardo remains optimistic about future races, citing positive signs within the team.

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Daniel Ricciardo encountered a series of unfortunate events during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, culminating in a frustrating race weekend. Amidst the chaos of the race, a pivotal moment occurred during a safety car period when Ricciardo's team, Visa Cash App RB, faced a critical issue during a pit stop. This resulted in a prolonged 40-second stop, drastically affecting Ricciardo's position and ultimately relegating him to the back of the pack.

Reflecting on the race in the team's race review, Ricciardo shared his thoughts, stating:

“It was a tough race and overall, a tough weekend, which is very frustrating. During the Safety Car time, when almost everyone pitted, we had a slow pit stop and a few laps from the end, I made a mistake and hit too much kerb in Turn 1, which caused a spin. I’m staying optimistic though, as I know we have some positive signs and we just need to polish our package up. We have a week off now, and there will be a big push from everyone to get it right and make sure we have a good package for the next race. I know the team wants it as badly as I do. I’m excited to go back racing in Melbourne, so let’s get ready for it.”

The broadcast missed a 41 second pitstop for Daniel Ricciardo during the #SaudiArabianGP.#F1 #Formula1 pic.twitter.com/ZbKOAy5RrU

— Jeppe H. Olesen (@jeppe_olesen) March 11, 2024

Alan Permane, the racing director for VCARB, shed further light on the situation, explaining the technical difficulties encountered during the pit stop. 

"Regarding Daniel’s race, we had a problem with the tyres during his pitstop and it put him at the back of the field, from here it was difficult to move forward," he remarked.

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Experiencing a challenging start to the 2024 season in Bahrain, Yuki Tsunoda faces further disappointment after he received a five-second penalty during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix for an unsafe release from the garage into the path of Lando Norris as he headed out for his pre-race reconnaissance lap.

Key Takeaways:

• Yuki Tsunoda faced further disappointment in the 2024 F1 season after receiving a five-second penalty for an unsafe garage release during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, adding to his challenging start.
• While Red Bull excelled with 1-2 finishes, their junior team, VCARB, struggled to score points, with Tsunoda finishing P15 and teammate Daniel Ricciardo P16 in Jeddah.
• Despite the penalty, Tsunoda avoided receiving a super license penalty point, with stewards considering the circumstances and opting not to impose additional sanctions beyond the time penalty.

While Red Bull exhibited a 1-2 finish in both Grands Prix of the 2024 season, its junior team Visa Cash App RB, best known as VCARB, has been struggling to finish within points. 

Teammate Daniel Ricciardo, who Tsunoda had a moment of altercation with after being asked to follow team orders in Bahrain, finished P16 in Jeddah, while the Japanese driver's position fell by one spot to P15 below Williams driver Logan Sargeant. 

Fortunately, though, he managed to avoid receiving a super license penalty point commonly issued in such cases by the stewards. Here's what the report from the Stewards stated:

“The stewards reviewed video, team radio and in-car video evidence and heard from the drivers and team representatives of Car 22 and Car 4 and determined that Car 22 was released unsafely from the garage during the reconnaissance lap into the path of Car 4 which had to take evasive action to avoid a collision.

“The driver of Car 22 admitted that he did not see the Number 1 in his team signalling not to come out as his attention was diverted towards exiting the car from the garage. He apologised for his oversight.

“An unsafe release during the race (which would include the reconnaissance lap) would typically attract a five-second time penalty, which is what we imposed. In addition, for an infringement of this nature, it would be appropriate to award one penalty point.

“Given that this took place during the reconnaissance lap as opposed to the race proper, we decided to not impose the penalty point.”

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Following Red Bull's continued dominance in Saudi Arabia, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff stressed his determination to steer clear of the situation faced by Christian Horner, whose team has been dominating the F1 grid since 2022. Having experienced a similar era of dominance in the past, Toto emphasizes the importance of not succumbing to the pitfalls of regulatory changes once more.

Key Takeaways:

• Mercedes boss Toto Wolff aims to avoid the pitfalls seen in Red Bull's recent dominance, stressing the need to learn from Christian Horner's situation.
• Red Bull continued their winning streak with a one-two finish in Jeddah, maintaining their lead in both championships.
• Despite improvements from Ferrari, Red Bull's dominance remains unchallenged. Wolff urges focus on performance improvements rather than regulatory changes.

Red Bull Press Image

Red Bull secured a commanding early lead in both championships, with Max Verstappen leading Sergio Perez home for their second one-two finish of the season in Jeddah on Saturday. This result extends Red Bull's winning streak, with the team having won every race except one since the São Paulo Grand Prix in 2022.

Mercedes enjoyed its era of domination from 2014 until 2021. Though the field was much tighter back then, there was a call for regulation changes to improve competition and make the sport a lot more exciting to watch. 

However, in the ground effect era that ensued in 2022, the battle for the top has become a one-sided game, thanks to Red Bull's meritocracy and Adrian Newey's masterful track tools, such as the RB19 from last year and the RB20 of the current year. 

Though Ferrari seems to have halved the gap in the front this season, there's more room to be covered for a tough fight with the Milton Keynes outfit. With Mercedes still struggling to solve the bouncing problem and optimize its setup, Wolff emphasized that he wouldn't want to fall for the Horner trap. Speaking to the media after the Saudi Arabian GP, he said:

"I don't want to fall in the trap of my fellow team principal from next door in 2014 or '15... he said we should change the regs because it's too dominant.

"I think they've done by far the best job of all the teams over the last two years and credit where credit is due. I mean they are literally disappearing in the distance as they want, and there's nobody else close.

"They had Ferrari today, Leclerc a little bit and if Sainz would have been here, they would have been second best on the road. But there is not this huge performance differential between everybody that follows up and down.

"Depending on the track, it's just that they are in a different league."

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George Russell has warned that the pace of Mercedes' W15 is declining following his sixth-place finish in the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. He revealed of not having an answer for the drop in pace, owing to the "complicated" cars of the ground effect era.

Key Takeaways:

• George Russell expresses concern over Mercedes' declining pace in the 2024 season, citing complexities with the ground effect era cars.
• In the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Russell finished sixth behind Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, and Charles Leclerc.
• Despite strong showings in practice sessions, Russell and teammate Lewis Hamilton have struggled in qualifying and races, indicating broader issues with Mercedes' setup.

Russell trailed behind race winner Max Verstappen by nearly 40 seconds in Saudi Arabia, with Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc rounding out the podium. McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso also managed to outpace him.

Thus, something is seriously amiss with Mercedes' setup of its cars for qualifying and race after Russell and teammate Lewis Hamilton witnessed positive results in Free Practice runs in Bahrain and Jeddah. 

In the Bahrain season opener, Hamilton led a Mercedes 1-2 in FP2, and Russell secured third place in qualifying, ultimately finishing fifth in the Grand Prix. Similarly, in Jeddah, Russell was the second fastest during FP2 but qualified seventh, only to finish in the sixth position.

Thus, with the notion that the W15 has been slowing down, Russell told the media:

“We're still really trying to understand this car because we have shown true performance at points over the last two weekends.

“FP1, straight out of the box, we were top of the timesheets and always in the top three. FP2, P2. Then, both weekends, the pace just falling away from us.

“That hasn't been our competitors getting faster; that's been us getting slower. So, we need to understand why that is. But it's fine margins now.

“It’s so close with ourselves, McLaren, Aston. Charles [Leclerc, Ferrari] is just a smidge ahead. We just need to tap into it a bit more.”

Mercedes Press Image

Both Mercedes drivers had complained of a bouncing problem in Jeddah, which was more prominent in their 2022 and 2023 cars. However, Russell thinks there is more to the problem. He added:

“I think there's more to it.

“It's so complex these days. These cars are so complicated.

“When you couple that with the tyres, the tyres are very difficult as well. Right now, I don't have the answers.”

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