After a disappointing Grand Prix debut Nikita Mazepin I’ll try to get back on my feet Grand Prix of Emilia Romagna which returns to the calendar for the second time more permanently. The Uralkali Haas F1 Team are focusing their efforts on 2022 so either car is unlikely to score points. However, when the race is chaotic, the American team hopes the two rookie drivers can take advantage of others’ mistakes.
After a Grand Prix debut that lasted less than a lap, Mazepin believes the schedule is far more demanding than he initially anticipated. The Russian driver believes that it is imperative to keep your concentration high even on a busy day and to learn how to deal with the schedule.
“I think the most important thing I have to get used to is learning the schedule and the weekend is a lot more intense with all that is going on and the sessions on the right track. It’s about keeping focus and learning the schedule – that’s the biggest thing. “
Perhaps unusual for a Formula 1 calendar, there was no gap between the test and the first Grand Prix, this gap instead perished after the race Bahrain and Mazepin used that time to think about the first weekend of Grand Prix – what he did well, what could have gone better, etc. With such a busy schedule, it’s important to take a break to rest.
“For me personally it was very important to use these two weeks to think about the weekend, to see the things that I need to improve – and obviously there are a lot of things that are a beginner. It was also very nice to go home and see my family. Knowing that the year was going to be a very busy schedule, these two weeks were very important. ”
Mazepin already had racing experience in Imola – participating in one Formula 3 Race in 2016. The Russian rookie likes to drive the “older style” circuits, which are always associated with a little sadness and memories Ayrton Senna. Of course there are big differences between a Formula 3 car and a Formula 1 car, but Mazepin is really looking forward to getting back on track.
“I drove in Formula 3 in Imola in 2016. It’s a very old circuit and it was very special to drive there with the memories of Ayrton Senna. When I go to Formula 1 there will of course be a lot of changes, but I’m looking forward to being out there again. “
Since we haven’t been to the racetrack for five years, it was important to have enough hours in the simulator and a lot of emphasis is placed on a successful qualifying performance. Mazepin knows he needs to be in his “A Game” from the first minute of the weekend and that will be the key to a good weekend.
“Some of the simulator drives were very important as I haven’t driven on the racetrack for five years. It’s a track where the qualifying lap is very important as there are very few opportunities to overtake. So getting that one boost is key – that good qualifying round. Being there from the first minute is the key factor for the race weekend. ”
“It’s amazing to drive a Formula 1 car so it’s even more special to do it on a super cool track”- Mick Schumacher
Credit: Uralkali Haas F1 Team / Andy Hone / LAT Images
Mick Schumacher had a relatively successful first Grand Prix, taking up three positions in an underdeveloped Haas car, despite being the last to land on track and spinning a non-racing spin on the same corner as his Russian teammate.
Schumacher learned a lot from the first weekend. Talking about what you want to do on the weekend and actually putting it into practice is always very different. The German driver was able to detect the loss of downforce at the start of the race – the dirty air caused by the cars in front meant that the cars only maintained a fifth of the downforce that would normally be present.
“I think, in general, I’ve learned a lot of new things, and we’ve seen this come through in all of the meetings we’ve had. Talking about it and feeling it is always different. There are a lot of things I’ve learned about tires, that’s probably the biggest new thing for me. Even with things like the downforce that we lose at the start of the race. It’s like switching from 100 percent downforce to 20 percent downforce as soon as you turn into a corner. “
Schumacher can use what he has learned from his first weekend for the Grand Prix of Emilia Romagna and feel safer in the car. The German had the feeling that the weekend passed and there was so much to learn to squeeze in so little time.
“There was definitely a lot to learn and a lot to see before we went to Imola. I feel like I have a lot more knowledge and comfort, but I was also very surprised how quickly the weekend was over. It all happened in the blink of an eye – it was a case of little time and a lot to learn, let’s put it that way. “
The team has held a few meetings about the Bahrain Grand Prix and the upcoming Imola race. During the break, Schumacher used this time to prepare himself physically and mentally for the race so that he can concentrate 100 percent on the next race.
“After the weekend, as usual, we had a couple of team meetings to make what we had learned clear and to try to put everything together in front of Imola. I prepared myself physically and at the same time I recovered a bit. I was really just 100 percent focused on going to Imola. ”
Mick Schumacher has fond memories of races in Imola Formula 4 and do a few tests in Formula 3. All of these experiences have been positive. The German remembered seeing an abundance of peacocks once on a tour, which was a surprise!
“I only have fond memories there, to be honest. I drove in Imola in F4 and did a few tests in F3. To be honest, all of the experiences I’ve had there are great. We took a walk there once and saw five peacocks, which was new to me. “
The track is fantastic to drive but overtaking is difficult due to the nature of the older circuits. It’s a route that is great to ride once in the flow, but time to lose is very easy when you go offline. Schumacher can’t wait to drive with all of this on a Formula 1 weekend.
“The track is incredible to drive. In terms of racing, overtaking very few places can be quite difficult. Once you’re in a flow and doing a nice lap it’s amazing how one turn after another follows. There are fast corners, technical corners, the curbs that you have to drive on. There is definitely a lot to look forward to in a Formula 1 car. “
To maximize a lap at Imola, it is imperative to ride wide on the curbs, especially at the chicane. There are also some long turns followed by straights – notably the descent to Tamburello Chicane, one of the main overtaking opponents on the circuit.
“Imola is obviously known for having a lot of curbs. You have the two corners in the chicane where you have to take a lot of curb. We have some long corners that follow in long straights. Basically everything is very twisted. In all of the junior categories that I have raced there, it was always a lot of fun and a track that I enjoyed driving. “
Schumacher believes that driving on the racetrack will be a little better in a Formula 1 car. The young German driver used some of the notes he made while driving there when he was younger and data that the team recorded while visiting the circuit in 2020.
“I’m pretty sure things will get a lot better in a Formula 1 car. It’s amazing to drive a Formula 1 car so it’s even more special to do it on a super cool track. I am definitely looking forward to it. In terms of prep, I discussed everything with the team and looked through the notes I took there when I was young. “
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