In summary: Fernando Alonso says that the Sochi Autodrom’s lack of altitude causes water to build up on the track and, when wet, leads to spray problems that could lead to problems if rain is expected.
In the letter
Visibility in Sochi “bad” when wet – Alonso
At the 2015 Russian Grand Prix, the second practice session was held in wet conditions. Alonso recalled that splashing water was a significant problem due to stagnant water on the track.
“I remember – it wasn’t great,” he said. “I tell you the visibility was poor. It’s a very flat stretch. There are no height differences here, so the water is pretty much on the way.
“I remember turning one was pretty difficult, which is usually not a turn, but it was a real turn in the wet.
“For Sunday, keep your fingers crossed, it’s not that wet or it’s not raining too much because visibility is poor and we don’t want to see something like Spa.”
For the whole of Saturday, this weekend, heavy rain is predicted.
The Mexican Grand Prix publishes Covid-19 logs for the participants
Formula 1 wasn’t in Mexico last year. The organizers of the Mexican Grand Prix have announced their plans to ensure the safety of the participants at the event. All ticket holders must provide proof of a full Covid-19 vaccination including date or a lab-processed PCR or antigen rapid test within the last three days to gain access.
A “quick access” line will be available for attendees who upload their vaccination records for online approval prior to the event to make the crowds easier to handle.
The W-Series confirmed yesterday that they canceled their scheduled race during the Grand Prix weekend.
Giovinazzi: Alfa Romeo can “improve and improve” with Bottas
Antonio Giovinazzi, who has worked with the Sauber team (now with the Alfa Romeo badge) since 2017, believes the new driver Valtteri Bottas will help the team grow during his and Kimi Raikkonen’s time there.
“It’s certainly a different team than my first experience in 2017,” he said of the Swiss team. “Also with Kimi since 2019, he is [brought] some good things from Ferrari or from his experience.
“That is what I think Valtteri will find and what he can bring. He’s another experienced driver who comes from a great team like Mercedes. So I’m sure that he can bring good things to the team and improve and improve year after year. “
Sports car and Grand Prix driver Nino Vaccarella dies
The famous sports car driver Nino Vaccarella, who won the Le Mans 24 Hours for Ferrari in 1964 and 1965, has died at the age of 88.
In addition to sports cars, he drove five Formula 1 championship races, his last for Ferrari at the Italian Grand Prix in 1965. He also achieved third place in a non-championship race with Formula 1 cars in Vallelunga in 1961.
Piero Ferrari said Vaccarella was “a driver whose achievements Ferrari honored, but above all a true gentleman driver”.
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Interesting links on the topic of motorsport:
FTX and Mercedes F1 Team Announce Long-Term Partnership (Mercedes)
“FTX will also have access to members of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 team, including drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, to further expand the reach of the FTX brand to the global Formula 1 fan base through marketing initiatives. FTX and Mercedes F1 will also jointly tackle other strategic initiatives such as the integration of FTX Pay, an NFT collection, and corporate social responsibility initiatives to be announced and rolled out at a later date. “
Questions and answers: Max Verstappen on the F1 title fight and Honda’s progress (Autocar)
“Verstappen: ‘At some point you hope to be able to fight for the title and let’s say you get this chance and you win, it would basically accomplish the mission. But I know it won’t be easy so we just need’ to to continue to be very focused and look at it race after race and then see where we end up in the end. ‘”
“There are still three races to go” – Hauger insists that it is too early to focus on the title (Formula 3)
“Finding the balance between risk and reward was the key this season. Sometimes, like at Zandvoort, it was a bit over the top, but I think you have to take your chances on tracks like this.”
Pourchaire believes he can repeat the trophy-laden end of the season from last season (Formula 2)
“I’m happy to be fifth, especially considering what happened to me. There was a mechanical problem in Bahrain, an injury to my wrist in Baku and a clutch problem at Silverstone.”
We always try to quote original sources. If you have a tip for a link on the subject of formula motorsport in the next RaceFans Round-Up, please send it using the contact form.
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That day in motorsport
- Fifteen years ago today, Simon Pagenaud won the Champ Car Atlantic title at Road America after rival Graham Rahal was eliminated on the fifth round with a technical problem. Pagenaud was knocked out two laps later by James Hinchcliffe.
