In summary: Alfa Romeo team boss Frederic Vasseur, who has overseen the careers of several future Formula 1 drivers, considers the timing of Alexander Albon’s arrival in Formula 1 to be unfortunate.
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In the letter
Albon “a bit of bad luck” with the timing – Vasseur
Albon entered Formula 1 with Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri) in 2019 and was quickly promoted to Red Bull halfway through the year. He lost his drive at the side of Max Verstappen at the end of last season and is now the team’s substitute driver.
However, his future with the team is unclear. Albon recently attended an IndyCar race where he met up with ex-F1 racing driver Romain Grosjean, who joined the series this year.
Vasseur, who led Lewis Hamilton in GP2 before taking over the F1 team from Alfa Romeo, said Albon was “a pure talent in the junior series” even before he started racing.
“[He was] one of the most likely [high] Boys perform in go-karts, ”Vasseur told RaceFans. Albon was part of the Red Bull Junior Team in 2012 but lost his place in the program, while Verstappen was removed from the team in 2014. “He was a little unlucky to be standing in front of Max,” added Vasseur.
The current generation of young Formula 1 drivers has impressed the Alfa Romeo team boss, including Pierre Gasly, Albon’s predecessor at Red Bull, who remains with AlphaTauri. “Pierre Gasly, this whole generation, even Esteban [Ocon] if you do a good job, all these guys will all reach the top at the same time, ”said Vasseur.
“In Formula 1 you will always dominate one or two teams, but at least you will have five or six drivers at the top.”
Quotes: Dieter Rencken
Ferrari boss signals start in Le Mans
Elkann waved off the starters at Le Mans. Ferrari Chairman John Elkann played the ceremonial role as the starter for the Le Mans 24 Hours yesterday.
His predecessor Luca di Montezemolo did the same in 2009, when the team’s involvement in Formula 1 was uncertain and a move to the top class at Le Mans was being considered. That never happened, but Ferrari’s entry into the leading Le Mans hypercar class in 2023 was announced earlier this year.
Grosjean is satisfied with the vehicle balance after the first oval qualifying
Grosjean qualified 14th of 24 cars for his first oval race at Gateway after reaching an average speed of 286.8 km / h over two laps. The Coyne / Rick Ware driver said he was happy with the balance of his car for the 260 lap race.
“It’s something very, very new,” said Grosjean. “I’m very happy with the first lap, a little less with the second. But I think we did a good job of giving me a car that I am familiar with and hopefully we can do something later today. “
He said his first goal for the race was “go to the end, get experience”.
“I think we have a decent car for the race so I’m happy with it,” he added.
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Left
Interesting links on the topic of motorsport:
Indy Lights changes format, Lundqvist changes car after tire problems (Formula Scout)
“The race on Saturday will now last 70 laps, but with a unique format. Halfway through the race, the race will receive a warning and then the red flag will be thrown. All drivers remaining in the race enter the pit lane and the front – The right Cooper tire will be changed. However, they will not be fresh tires, but those that will be used during the warm-up. “
Downsizing at AGPC (automatic action)
“The AGPC is now working with a ‘skeletal staff’. Most of the cuts have affected contractors, not employees.”
Formula 1 audience numbers in Great Britain rise to a four-year high (Motorsport Broadcasting)
“That does not mean that the highlights of Channel 4 no longer serve a purpose: for an average of 1.7 million viewers, it clearly does that week after week. Whether it will still make sense in 5 years is another question.”
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That day in motorsport
- Fifty years ago today, John Surtees won the non-championship Gold Cup race at Oulton Park for the second year running, ahead of Howden Ganley and Frank Gardner.
