In the round-up: Kevin Magnussen says that Haas are unsure if they have solved their problems from 2023
In brief
Haas unsure if we’ve solved tyre wear woes – Magnussen
Despite his team mate Nico Hulkenberg taking a point for Haas with tenth place in last weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Kevin Magnussen says his team aren’t sure if they have solved their tyre wear problems from 2023.
“I think Saudi Arabia was another positive weekend, although on paper the Jeddah circuit probably wasn’t the best for us with the high-speed characteristics of it,” Magnussen said.
“We were still relatively competitive, especially in the race I had very good pace relative to others at the end, which is our focus this season. We still haven’t concluded that we’ve solved our issues from last year yet, we need to do some more races, but it was another positive sign that we’ve made progress in that area.”
Bird beats own season target with win
After overtaking Mitch Evans on the final lap in Sao Paulo yesterday to win his first Eprix since 2021, Sam Bird says he has already met his target for the 2024 season.
“Podiums have been sparse and I hope that this opens the floodgates a little bit,” Bird said.
“I had a target at the beginning of the year to get a couple of podiums. I didn’t expect to win, but we’ve got a win in race four. And it was a great race between me and Mitch, my old team-mate. It was really fair. Super race.”
F1 ‘dainty like champagne glasses’ says Busch
NASCAR driver Kyle Busch has compared Formula 1 to ‘like drinking champagne’.
Speaking as a guest on the Pat McAfee podcast, the two-times Cup champion said NASCAR was a very different kind of motorsport to Formula 1.
“NASCAR racing, to me, is like four bros, beer cans in their hands, smashing them up going ‘woo!’, partying, having a good time,” he said. “We’re gonna rub some fenders.
“When you go and do an F1 race, [it’s] little dainty, tiny champagne glasses doing ‘dink,’ and making sure you keep your pinky up when you take a sip. And we’re all about getting sloshed.”
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Links
Motor racing links of interest:
Lewis visits school with Petronas (Mercedes)
‘The school is one of 39 that participated in a recent scheme run by Petronas focused on delivering a responsible waste management programme. SMK Seri Keramat came out as the winner. Lewis got the chance to see the school’s efforts to integrate eco-friendly initiatives into the curriculum and the importance placed on sustainable efforts and practices.’
McLaren to use racing simulator tech to help develop road cars (Drive)
‘McLaren will use a new simulator to help develop its next generation of road-going vehicles, including its successor to the P1 hypercar. McLaren Automotive – part of the broader McLaren Group containing its Formula One and IndyCar operations – has announced a partnership with UK-based Dynisma on simulation technology to help develop its road cars. The partnership will see a Dynisma Motion Generator (DMG) simulator – with Dynisma also used by the Ferrari F1 team – installed at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, UK.’
Vergne was crucial in Phil Charles move (Formula E Zone)
‘There are two main reasons why I decided to make the move from Jaguar to DS Penske. The first was Jean-Eric Vergne. He grabbed me and said that I had to come.The second reason was Jay Penske. He was amazingly persuasive. He stands for everything I stand for. He wants to make things better and he is desperate to win races.’
Ellen Lohr: Times ”never so positive as they are now” for women racers (Formula Scout)
”What is the experience they get racing against each other? We cannot be sure if they’re on a good level or not. That is F1 clapping the hands up. ‘Well done. Now we do not have to think about it because marketing-wise we are doing something for women.’ But where are the compulsory tests they have to give to women? These girls really should try to get into F3 and fight there and show their talent and show if they’re able to achieve more.”
Angela Ashmore, Caitlyn Brown reflect on journey in IndyCar (IndyCar via YouTube)
‘In celebration of Women’s History Month, Team Penske’s Caitlyn Brown and Chip Ganassi Racing’s Angela Ashmore reflect on their journey to INDYCAR, and their legacy as Indy 500 champions.’
Guenther Steiner and JC’s WILD Mustang Supercar hot lap (Supercars via YouTube)
‘Guenther Steiner and James Courtney tear up the Adelaide Parklands Street Circuit in a Gen3 Ford Mustang Supercar at the 2024 Adelaide Motorsport Festival.’
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