In the round-up: Red Bull were unnerved by the problem that struck Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri before the Italian Grand Prix began.
In brief
Tsunoda’s non-start was a concern for Red Bull
The start of the Italian Grand Prix was delayed after Tsunoda’s AlphaTauri broke down on the formation lap due a power unit failure. He was unable to participate in the race, and that left Red Bull worried if the same problem could inflict their cars.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said he is “always” concerned when common parts they share with AlphaTauri fail. “They’ve got the same gearbox, the same engine; there’s a lot of common components. He described as “not comfortable to see that car pulling off on the formation lap”.
Max Verstappen led Sergio Perez in a Red Bull one-two, though Red Bull told their winner to back off in order to manage high temperatures late in the race.
Sainz recounts attempted mugging
Carlos Sainz Jnr’s Italian Grand Prix weekend ended with an attempted robbery in Milan, in which his watch was taken. But he and several others then pursued the thief and the watch was reclaimed. On Monday morning he wrote on his Instagram story about the experience.
“As many of you already know, yesterday we experienced an unfortunate incident in Milano. The most important thing is that we are all OK and this will only remain as an unpleasant anecdote,” said Sainz.
“Many thanks to all the people who helped us yesterday, to the Milan police for their quick intervention and thanks for all your messages.”
Junior series champions crowned in America
Two of IndyCar’s support series finished their seasons at Portland last weekend, and two champions were crowned and awarded scholarships to step up to the next level on the American open-wheel ladder.
Myles Rowe made history by becoming the first African-American winner of an open-wheel series when he wrapped up the USF Pro 2000 title on Saturday. The Will Power protege will step up to Indy Nxt in 2024.
Simon Sikes, who like Rowe drives for the Pabst Racing team, gained a scholarship to race in USFP2000 by winning the USF2000 title. He clinched the crown with two races to spare, and then won the season finale.
USF Juniors, the rung below USF2000, crowned their champion Nicolas Giaffone the weekend before at the Circuit of the Americas.
Bottas’ Italian GP point “really important” for Alfa Romeo
Valtteri Bottas took his third points finish of 2023 in the Italian Grand Prix, coming home in tenth place.
“I think it’s really important for us, even though it’s one point,” he said. “It’s been a bit of a dry season for a while so I’m really glad we got one point. And in an important race for the team, the home of Alfa Romeo.”
Sargeant reveals car struggles
Logan Sargeant missed out on his first Formula 1 points after being passed by Bottas. A penalty for contact with Bottas dropped him to 13th
Sargeant revealed he was having to work hard to keep his car under control. “Lesmo 1, Lesmo 2, Parabolica, I was just honestly trying to keep keep the car under me. The rear was super light,” he explained.
“I had to run a different spec front wing this weekend, and I think that’s what really hurt our balance today. I think had we had the normal one, we would have been OK. And it would have honestly made a big difference in terms of degradation.”
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Links
Motor racing links of interest:
Things get worse: Wolff has to go under the knife after a cycling accident (oe24)
‘After the Singapore GP he will have knee surgery to repair cruciate ligament damage as a result of a previous motorsport accident. This means Wolff will have to miss the Japanese GP. In this case, Mercedes has set up a replacement: Jérome D’Ambrosio’
‘Full speed’ ahead for F1 Singapore Grand Prix despite CPIB probe (Channel News Asia)
‘It is ‘full speed’ ahead for this month’s Singapore Grand Prix despite the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau probe involving Singapore GP chairman Ong Beng Seng, said second minister for trade and industry Tan See Leng on Sunday. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Italian Grand Prix screening at HDB Hub in Toa Payoh, Dr Tan, who is also manpower minister, added that ‘the show goes on’.’
Rosenqvist happy with surge to second at Portland GP (Racer)
‘On the eve of his much-predicted departure from McLaren, Felix Rosenqvist produced his best result from his three-year tenure with the team, after passing his team mates and splitting the dominant Chip Ganassi Racing Hondas on the podium at the chequered flag.’
British F4 debutant Slater: ‘To be already challenging for wins is great’ (Formula Scout)
‘Ginetta Junior dominator Freddie Slater made his single-seater racing debut in British Formula 4 at Donington Park, and was one of the stars of the event.’
Fifth Gear: Grand Prix of Portland (IndyCar)
‘The numbers at Chip Ganassi Racing are certainly piling up. This championship is the 10th for the team since the series unified in 2008. That’s 10 titles in 16 seasons, and Ganassi has 15 series championships since ’96. Both are the most for a team owner by a lot, and this title is the team’s third in four years.’
Villagomez: Back-to-back points finishes at Monza ‘deserved’ 2023 reward for VAR (FIA Formula 3)
‘It took until the final round of the 2023 season, but Rafael Villagomez made his last chance count to secure his first points of the season with Van Amersfoort Racing.’
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