In the round-up: The Las Vegas Grand Prix will look to expand general admission tickets in years to come, the event’s CEO says.
In brief
Vegas GP looking to add more general admission tickets for future races
Las Vegas Grand Prix CEO Renee Wilm says that the event will look to add more general admission tickets to the race in the years to come.
The inaugural race in November features the highest ticket prices of any of the 23 rounds on this year’s calendar, with general admission prices having started at £440. Wilm says the race is already looking at its ticketing options for the future.
“We want to create just the most incredible fan experience we can and also create a great track for the drivers,” said Wilm. “We want our team principals happy, really trying to create the best event throughout the ecosystem – but I’m sure we won’t get everything right in year one and we’re going to take those learnings and we’re going to improve upon the event in year two and beyond.
“Early feedback is we need more general admission – our fans are not happy we don’t have more general admission. That is something that we’re going to address in follow-on years. But I think at this point all we can do is head down, work hard and look forward to what’s to come.”
Ericsson credits mental coach with improved form
Indianapolis 500 winner Marcus Ericsson says working with a mental coach has contributed to him becoming a front runner in IndyCar.
Ericsson won IndyCar’s marquee event last season and took victory in the opening race of this year in St Petersburg.
“I cannot point at this or that reason is why I’m doing better,” Ericsson said. “The progress is about working hard and working on all aspects as a driver.
“I worked with a mental coach, I worked with my physical coach, I worked with my engineer and the rest of the Ganassi crew to get my car more to the liking, to understand the tyres better. It’s a combination of all those things that makes a difference, I think.”
Buemi admits he was “not aggressive enough” after losing lead
Toyota WEC hypercar driver Sebastien Buemi admitted he was “not aggressive enough” at the start of yesterday’s Six Hours of Portimao after he dropped from pole to third.
Buemi started the number eight Toyota from pole position but dropped to third behind its sister car and the number 51 Ferrari in the opening corners. Buemi eventually took back the lead before team mates Ryo Hirakawa and Brendon Hartley lapped the field on their way to victory.
“The start – I guess it was my mistake,” Buemi admitted. “I was not aggressive enough.
“It’s always difficult when you race your sister car into turn one – you don’t want to have any contact. So yeah, maybe I need to change a little bit my approach for the next race if it happens again. But in the end, I think we were a little bit faster than them.”
Links
Motor racing links of interest:
Steiner expects Red Bull to be caught (Speedcafe)
“Obviously in the moment Red Bull has an advantage, but I wouldn’t say they keep that advantage now for the next 20 races. I’m not sure about that because everybody will catch up and hopefully we find out how Red Bull came to this advantage and we can copy it, or do something similar.”
F2 drivers unbothered by restricted practice time compared to F1 (Formula Scout)
Pourchaire: “I’m sure there’s a big, big step between F1 and F2. They have three free practices, we have only one of 45 minutes. But it’s like this, we need to adapt ourselves. So it’s tough, but as I said we can see where are the good drivers. You need to adapt quickly to every condition, so it’s not easy. But it’s good.”
WEC: The performance monitoring tech that will enhance TV viewers experience (FIA)
“Starting from round two of this year’s FIA World Endurance Championship season, the 6 Hours of Portimão, TV viewers around the world will be given the chance to better understand the unfolding developments in the races in real time owing to the addition of graphics displaying the live status of Virtual Energy Tank for cars competing in the Hypercar class.”
‘The Pato and Josef Show:’ An IndyCar rivalry with on-track respect and onstage ribbing (Yahoo)
O’Ward: “I like messing with Josef. Because it’s kind of like messing with a big brother sort of thing, because the guy’s like 10 years older than I am. I just like to poke him and mess with him, because I know he enjoys it. But the guy’s like the Penske Perfect always. I like to rattle him a bit. I know he enjoys it.”
“Unfortunately, I wasn’t feeling good physically and I even threw up under braking at turn 12 and crashed. I ‘freed myself’ after the race and now I feel quite well, and ready to make amends tomorrow.”
Steve McQueen’s Ferrari 275 GTB/4 is heading to auction (Drive)
“Listed by RM Sotheby’s, the 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 is one of 330 examples made between 1966 and 1968 with bodywork by iconic coachbuilding firm Scaglietti – though this particular car boasts the rare accolade of being first owned by Hollywood film star Steve McQueen.”
A Week In The Life Of A Formula 1 Team Principal (Red Bull via YouTube)
” In this episode of Behind The Charge we follow Christian Horner, the Team Principal and CEO of our team, for all the action before, during, and after the race.”
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