In the round-up: Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali plans to present Formula 1’s Sprint Qualifying weekends as special “grand slam” events.
In brief
‘Grand slam’ plan for Sprint Qualifying grands prix
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F1 will trial Sprint Qualifying races at three events this year. Silverstone and Monza are already confirmed, and the Circuit of the Americas is likely to host the third.
Domenicali told The Times that if the experiment proves successful it could be applied to a select number of especially significant races.
“The idea is to create a sort of grand slam,” he said. “To select a number of races. We need to decide the number of races, in each region of the world, historical or new races on which we can create the grand slam.”
No point getting upset over flag rule, says Mazepin
While Nikita Mazepin remains barred from racing under the Russian flag in Formula 1 due to World Anti-Doping Agency sanctions on RUSADA, that restriction does not apply to Formula 2. As a result, Robert Shwartzman, who won the opening F2 race, received his trophy with the Russian anthem played and national colours displayed.
Mazepin said he is not troubled by the inconsistency. “Obviously the way it’s been worded is that in any world championship, being Russian, you cannot show your flag. And Formula 2 is not a world championship and F1 is,” he explained.
“At the same time, I don’t think even if we could have done it, you would see me on the first place on the podium in Formula 1 in the current situation we’re at. So I don’t think we should get too upset about this.”
The Haas driver also clarified recent reports about his military service in Russia and how it affects his racing commitments.
“I studied at university and in Russia there is mandatory military service with two options if you are fit enough,” he said. “Option one is finishing university and then serving for a year. Option two, if you qualify based on fitness and academic results, is serving in what’s called the elite army: one day a week while you study, training to be an officer in reserve. It takes three years but only requires commitment one day a week. That’s what I’ve been doing for two years.
“I’m going to continue for one more year to hopefully graduate as an officer in reserve. Five days ago I passed my final exam after four years of university and I’m moving on to study for a second master’s degree over the next two years.”
Vips explains sprint race pace
Juri Vips described the setup changes and tyre management that helped him deliver a standout performance to win the second Formula 2 sprint race, where cooler conditions played a big role.
“We had to change a few things on the set-up, and on the warm-up because it does change things,” he said. “The Pirelli tyres and the carbon brakes are very sensitive, you have to get them in the right window.
“With the temperature change, you have to change other things too so it was a bit of a challenge. I definitely didn’t nail it this morning, it was a pretty poor race from my side, but we learnt quite a lot and expected the temperature drop so we pretty much nailed today.”
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Social media
Notable posts from Twitter, Instagram and more:
Throttle pedal got stuck before T1. Was a passenger after, I tried my best to avoid all the cars ahead.
I’m really sorry to @DanTicktum
— 周冠宇 | Zhou Guanyu 🇨🇳 (@ZhouGuanyu24) June 5, 2021
Something learnt from Monaco. The sockets in the pit stop wheelguns feature shorter drive lugs, to allow the socket to engage and disengage quicker.
While quicker this means they have less contact area with the lugs on the wheel nut.
Factory/garage wheelgun sockets are deeper. pic.twitter.com/tTSugqB178— Craig Scarborough (@ScarbsTech) June 5, 2021
Appears to me there are too many clever controls and algorithms going on inside F1 braking systems which are not under the direct control of the drivers. So many world class drivers having ‘amateur’ accidents in Baku , some of whom seemed unaware they were about to crash 🤔
— Martin Brundle (@MBrundleF1) June 5, 2021
Toto Wolff responds to Christian Horner’s “keep his mouth shut” remark on Sky: “Christian is a bit of a windbag who wants to be on camera. It’s easy to be punchy when you’re on the top of the times sheets but you should be a little bit more modest.”https://t.co/XszNE3dAnC#F1
— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) June 5, 2021
- Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory
Links
Motor racing links of interest:
Victoria clinging to Australian F1 hope despite Singapore GP cancellation (The Age)
“The decision by Singapore is not particularly relevant to our situation.”
The streets bite back (Alfa Romeo)
“Vasseur: ‘This has been our best qualifying performance of the year: I know this sounds strange, with one car in P14 and the other unable to set a time, but our pure pace was the best it has been on a Saturday this season.'”
‘If it was me, it’s a silly mistake but at least the pace was there’ – Lawson believes a loss of power cost him a podium (Formula 2)
“‘I am not very happy to be honest,’ admitted Lawson. ‘We have to work out exactly what happened, but I was sitting P6 after one of the restarts and I am pretty sure that I reached down to change brake bias and flicked the engine off, which lost me a couple of spots.'”
Italian F4 round 4: Misano (Italian F4 via YouTube)
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Comment of the day
Lando Norris thought his qualifying penalty was unfair but Mark disagrees:
The penalty is fair enough.
At first I thought it was harsh given the late call and uncertainty of crossing the solid line again, but the issue isn’t really the extra lap, it’s after he decides to stay out/not dive in, he then speeds up under red flag conditions.
If he’d just kept at the same speed down the straight, he’d probably have got away with it.
He’s not gained any advantage, it’s more of a technical breach of the rules but one where the FIA really have to be seen to issue a penalty to ensure folk give the flags instant and full respect in future. Particularly red where there could be people crossing the track, machinery, medical crews etc entering the track. They can’t really set precedents where ‘x’ was let off.
At least the stewards have shown some leniency and only given three places rather than five. The penalty points are fair given it’s a flag breach.
Mark (@Mrcento)
Happy birthday!
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On this day in F1
- On this day in 1923 Ivor Bueb was born. He won the 1955 Le Mans 24 Hours with Mike Hawthorn, following the terrible crash which left over 80 dead. In 1958 he raced a Connaught run by Bernie Ecclestone in the British Grand Prix, but died in 1959.