In the round-up: Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur wants to come out fighting in 2024.
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In brief
Vasseur urges Ferrari to make bold calls
Ferrari go into their second season under team principal Frederic Vasseur looking to build on their strong end to the previous championship. Vasseur wants them to pick up where they left off with an aggressive mindset.
“We are up against the usual tough opponents and I want to see us adopt the same approach we had in the closing stages of last season,” said Vasseur. “We must not be scared to dare if we believe a bold decision can make the difference when it comes to our performance.
“The car appears to be competitive, Charles [Leclerc] and Carlos [Sainz Jnr] are in great shape and the mood in the team is super focused and we are determined to get a good result.”
No big gains at RB – Tsunoda
Yuki Tsunoda downplayed suggestions RB, formerly AlphaTauri, have made significant strides during the off-season.
“I wouldn’t say we’ve made a massive step compared to the last race and last test of 2023 in Abu Dhabi, but that’s partly because we brought updates there that were already aimed at 2024,” he said. “Last week, we saw once again that they’re working well and that the team has adopted the right philosophy with the car, which seems to handle well without extremes of oversteer or understeer.
“It’s made a step forward on the mechanical side, so I’d say we have a good starting point for this season, with more development to come in the future.”
F1 warned over Bahraini prince Nasser
Formula 1 has been urged not to include Bahraini prince Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa in prizegiving events at this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix, due to allegations of his involvement in torture, which the prince denies.
“F1 should avoid the international embarrassment it will bring on itself and on winners of the Bahrain Grand Prix if Prince Nasser presents the awards,” said Brian Dooley, senior adviser at Human Rights First. “Year after year, the F1 organisation is caught in human rights controversies when they hold their races in Bahrain. It could easily avoid this one by announcing that Prince Nasser will not be handing out its prizes while the US government is considering whether to impose sanctions on him.”
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More TV coverage for US F1 fans
Formula 1 viewers in the USA can enjoy expanded coverage of the series on ESPN this year. The channel will add a qualifying pre-show which, like the rest of its coverage, is sourced from British broadcaster Sky. ESPN will also show F1 Academy races live. Its F1 race coverage will remain free of advertising.
Barrichello warns smokers after dog dies
A saddened Rubens Barrichello told his social media followers his pet dog, Speedy, had passed away after swallowing discarded cigarette butts. He urged smokers to dispose of their waste safely instead of dropping it on the floor.
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Social media
Notable posts from X (formerly Twitter), TikTok and more:
Alpine have confirmed they will use their ‘pink’ livery for the first race of 2024, as they have done in recent seasons.
However the latest iteration is a lot less pink than last year’s.#F1 pic.twitter.com/suiH1m6ldn
— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) February 27, 2024
🚧 The new look of the Pit Building is already in sight!!! 🤩
We will be creating new spaces for all kinds of events and installing a new big roof for spectators that will include new solar panels! 💪 pic.twitter.com/KOVee3CZsc
— Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (@Circuitcat_eng) February 27, 2024
Hi Twitter world. It’s been a while since I last posted something personal and I figured the occasion was worthy.
As of last November I stopped being a McLaren Racing member, after nearly 12 years. The decision wasn’t easy at all, but I felt it was the right moment.
(1/3)
— Ivan Roldan (@ivanlda) February 27, 2024
.@ESPN says it tweaked an @F1 2024 season promo that it’s been airing in order to remove the “greatest spectacle” line that drew the ire of @IMS, and ESPN adds in a statement: “We revised the ad and apologize for the unintentional error.”
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) February 27, 2024
We’re delighted to have added this Dallara-Honda IR-05 IndyCar to the display area in Garage 39!
This car was driven to victory in the 2008 Detroit Indy Grand Prix by Justin Wilson, the final win for the iconic Newman/Haas/Lanigan team before Paul Newman’s death. pic.twitter.com/9ifMSbn9TM
— Donington Park (@DoningtonParkUK) February 27, 2024
From his first 31 laps in an Indy car, turned during Tuesday’s morning session, @colinbraun has gotten within 0.386s of the best produced Monday afternoon by @DaleCoyneRacing testing teammate @jack_harvey93. Impressive.
— Marshall Pruett (@marshallpruett) February 27, 2024
If you have a sweet tooth and a love for art, this entirely dark chocolate showpiece will blow your mind. Created and given to me by the Four Seasons Hotel Washington DC. Any ideas how I can get it home to Pennsylvania? It’s 20 inches tall. And it’s amazing; I tasted it 😋 pic.twitter.com/yvfEmQi4lu
— Mario Andretti (@MarioAndretti) February 27, 2024
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Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Bastardo, Kevin, Lame2741, Shminder Chatha and Mitzi!
On this day in motorsport
