In the round-up: Lewis Hamilton is confident Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali won’t cut classic venues from the schedule to make way for more new races.
In brief
‘I’ll always prefer old tracks’ – Hamilton
The addition of new races such as the Miami Grand Prix last year and forthcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix has put some long-established events under pressure. However Hamilton believes F1 is largely getting the balance right between old venues and new ones.
“I like the direction, personally, that it’s going,” he told media including RaceFans. “I like the change that we’re seeing. It’s exciting coming to different parts of the world and different circuits.
“We’ve been on all the other continents, I’m hoping we get to go to Africa soon and that will be an amazing experience for the whole circus to experience the culture there. It’s a challenge from an engineer and a driver’s perspective, go to these new places.”
The seven-times world champion says he still has a soft spot for older tracks and expects those in charge will keep them on the schedule.
“Of course I love all the older circuits and I will always prefer the older circuits. Maybe in 20 years, 30 years’ time, some kid will see [Miami] as a historic circuit but this is new for us. But all the old classics like Hungary and Silverstone and the Zandvoort circuit and Monza, they will always be special.
“I think it’s important that we continue to have those in the DNA of Formula 1. And as far as I’m aware, Stefano is not planning to get rid of ones like that. It’s good to have a balance of the two.”
Pourchaire ends F2 test on top
Formula 2 championship leader Theo Pourchaire headed the last of three days of testing at the Circuit de Catalunya. The Sauber junior driver headed the times with a lap of 1’23.943, which put him six-tenths of a second of ART team mate Victor Martins.
Pourchaire caused the first of three red flags with a spin earlier in the day. Ralph Boschung and Ayumu Iwasa caused the other two, while rain prevented drivers from improving their times in the afternoon.
USF2000 trio escape injury as car is launched
Three USF2000 drivers had a lucky escapes in yesterday’s opening race on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Max Garcia was launched over the rear of Max Taylor’s car approaching turn seven and landed on Elliot Cox. Garcia then made heavy contact with the barrier. He emerged from his car unhurt, while Taylor and Cox drove back to the pits.
Verstappen tackles virtual Nordschleife
Max Verstappen will be part of Team Redline’s effort in the iRacing Nürburgring 24 Hours today, alongside Diogo Pinto and Ole Steinbraten. The virtual race takes place on the 20.7 kilometre Nurburgring Nordschleife.
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