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Lewis Hamilton Explains Confusion Over F1 Direction
Formula 1 cars have become more complicated than ever and they are in a constant state of flux. One recent driving force has been the move towards sustainable racing. As such, there is one aspect of F1 that defending champion Lewis Hamilton is quite unable to understand as quoted by MotorsportWeek Link to poll: https://www.youtube.com/post/UgxbT-eJT5WKI0FP-IB4AaABCQ 0:00 - F1 Direction That Lewis Hamilton Doesn’t Understand 1:33 - Fast Feed I'm your host Dillon Shelley and first up on Formula World: F1 Direction That Lewis Hamilton Doesn’t Understand Hamilton revealed what he doesn’t understand “I don’t understand why we’re going heavier. I don’t understand particularly why we go heavier when there’s all this talk about being more sustainable – just as the sport is going in that direction” He further explained why this isn’t the right direction for the sport “By going heavier and heavier and heavier, you’re using more and more energy. So that feels that’s not necessarily in the right direction or in the thought process” He elaborated on how lighter cars are better “The lighter cars were more nimble, were nowhere near as big, naturally, and so racing, maneuvering the car, was better” He further explained this using a couple of street circuits “On the tracks we’re going to, they’re getting wider. In Baku it’s quite wide in places and of course it’s narrow in other places. Monaco was always relatively impossible to pass, but now the cars are so big that it’s too big for the track” He signed off by reiterating his views “As I said, as we get heavier and heavier, that’s more energy we’ve got to dissipate – bigger brakes, more brake dust, more fuel to get you to the locations. So, I don’t fully understand it” Fast Feed Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz has revealed that when he “changed from Toro Rosso to Renault, [he] thought ‘OK, these two cars are completely different but it’s maybe a one off” “But then changing from Renault to McLaren it was then completely different again. Then, from McLaren to Ferrari was completely different again” “So, it kept opening up [his] eyes a bit how different everything is from those four different teams and how much you need to adapt. [He guesses he has] some practice with it” now Honda's F1 Managing Director Masashi Yamamoto “could imagine Lewis going for 25 points because Max [Verstappen] couldn't go any further” in Baku He thinks “that's exactly what Hamilton was trying to do. When Lewis went straight into the first corner, [he] felt Red Bull are having a real battle this year because [Mercedes] are pushing so hard” McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl feels that “success in Formula One is not a one-man show, it's a big team effort” “The key to the current success is the spirit within the team. [They] have a clear vision of how [they] want to get McLaren back to the top of Formula One” Seidl added “With [CEO Zak Brown’s] support and the freedom [Seidl has] been given, [he’s] been able to use [his] skills to shape the team so that it can operate successfully” Circuit of The Americas chairman Bobby Epstein has stated that if a second race at the circuit “were good for the sport [they’d] do all [they] could do, and [he thinks] it would be good” Haas team principal Guenther Steiner feels that the incident between his two drivers on the last lap in Baku “was not too dangerous, but just the emotion involved because of the high speed” He added that he has “talked to both of them, because you have to avoid that kind of thing” “If it goes wrong, it goes really wrong. [They've] got everything figured out. They both have to learn from it how to react” Steiner suggested His driver Nikita Mazepin, meanwhile, thinks that he is “a simple and well-mannered guy, so [he’s] always had good relationships off the track with all the racers” “But on the track [they] are professionals. [They] work hard and let the spectators see the races they want. The public definitely doesn't want to watch boring races” Mazepin added 15,000 fans will be allowed to attend the next race at the Paul Ricard circuit in France Red Bull’s Max Verstappen thinks that his “heart is good. ‘I mean, I think so’” Max added He also feels that his former teammates Carlos Sainz, Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly, and Alexander Albon “are very nice guys” He added that they “are all so driven, like on track of course [they] always want to beat each other. But off track [they] can actually have a good time as well and have fun” Are F1 cars too heavy?
Could Mercedes Poach Verstappen From Red Bull?
Max Verstappen has had a long association with Red Bull that is set to continue into this season as well. However, his contract includes clauses that allow him to leave Red Bull if they are not able to provide him with a good enough car. With Mercedes renewing Lewis Hamilton’s contract for just a year, they will have a very attractive option open for Verstappen for 2022 if they cannot renew Hamilton’s contract again. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has now spoken about this Link to poll: https://www.youtube.com/post/Ugx_U4os975BTQSnTId4AaABCQ 0:00 - Are Red Bull Afraid Of Losing Max Verstappen To Mercedes 1:40 - Fast Feed I'm your host Dillon Shelley and first up on Formula World: Are Red Bull Afraid Of Losing Max Verstappen To Mercedes Horner began by pointing out Red Bull’s progress by the end of last season “We demonstrated at Abu Dhabi that Mercedes are beatable at a track they have been unbeaten at for the past six or seven years” He emphasized the need for sustained performance “We just need to be able to do that across the season. We are gathering momentum. Nobody has a crystal ball so we just need to do the best job we can” He then accepted that Mercedes would be interested in Verstappen if Hamilton were to hang up his racing boots “I am sure that should Lewis decide to stop then Max will naturally be the driver at the top of Mercedes’ list. They also have George Russell and other drivers available to them” He then addressed the performance-related clauses in Max’s contract “The reality is, that yes of course - as there has always been - an element of performance-related clauses to Max’s contract. But as with all these things, it is not about forcing a driver that doesn’t want to be there” He signed off by being confident that Max is appreciative of Red Bull’s efforts “It is more about relationships than contracts, and you only pull a contract out of the drawer when you have got a problem in my experience. The relationship with Max is very strong, he believes in the project, in what we are doing, and he sees the investment that Red Bull is making” Fast Feed Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has stated that “it is a one-off investment in the building and the test benches. The costs afterwards will not be higher than buying another engine. It costs more than what” they “do now, but not significantly” Alpine have released a statement confirming that “Alonso has remained in hospital in Switzerland for observation. There the doctors found a fracture in his upper jaw and operated successfully. The team at the hospital is very pleased with his progress” “Fernando will remain in hospital for the next 48 hours for observation. Looking ahead, after a few days of rest he will be able to resume training and” they “expect him to be fully fit for the preparation of the season” Alonso, meanwhile, has stated that he is “ok and looking forward to getting 2021 underway” Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi has pointed out that “there is the unknown power unit” and they “hope that it will be better and allow” them “to have more fun” He added that his “dream is to take Alfa Romeo to the podium and” he hopes “to do that. To achieve this”, he needs “a competitive car, luck and work” He added that “there have been a lot of changes in the line-up and it will be a different World Championship because of that. All strong drivers and there will be an increasingly close fight” Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has revealed that they “are bracing” themselves “for a tough year” He added that they “need to be realistic and not dream that all of a sudden everything will be good” He further pointed out that they “took such a big step backwards last year”, they “have to make two forwards and that’s what” they’re doing His driver Mick Schumacher feels that Steiner “is very direct. That is something that is positive” as “the direct way is always the easiest” as they can all be “on the same page and up to date” Former F1 driver Robert Doornbos has suggested that “Mercedes of course started developing the car for this year quite early, but Red Bull could also start on time this time, as they finished second among the constructors quite easily” He, therefore, doesn’t “expect Mercedes to go into the year very relaxed. But of course, they remain favorites” Defending world champion Lewis Hamilton has stated that “one thing is for sure”, that he’ll be racing his “heart out for” the fans “this year!” Former F1 driver Pedro de la Rosa feels that Fernando Alonso “could win another world title, and there is a lot of enthusiasm for that” Alpine director Laurent Rossi has stated that “Fernando [Alonso] has almost 20 years of experience in Formula 1 and his experience is invaluable for young drivers” If Mercedes offered Verstappen a contract to replace an outgoing Hamilton, would he take it?
UTRGV Women's Soccer Plays Defending WAC Champs to Draw
https://goutrgv.com/news/2021/2/20/womens-soccer-plays-defending-wac-champs-to-draw.aspx Feb. 20, 2021 – RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women's soccer team played the defending Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Champion Seattle U Redhawks to a 1-1 double overtime draw in the WAC opener on Saturday at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex. This is the third time the Vaqueros (3-0-2, 0-0-1 WAC) have played the Redhawks (0-2-1, 0-0-1 WAC) to a tie in their last five meetings, along with scoreless draws on the road in 2017 and at home in 2018. Junior Emily Zapata scored the game-tying goal for the Vaqueros in the 61st minute off of feeds from senior Gina Steiner and sophomore Anna Torslov. Sydney Carr scored the lone Redhawks goal in the 15th minute, taking the ball from a defender and firing it from the right side into the corner of the net. That was all against sophomore Maile Lunardi (3-0-2), who made a career-high nine saves. The Redhawks outshot the Vaqueros 16-12, including 10-4 on goal. The Redhawks outshot the Vaqueros 6-1 in the first half. Over the final 65 minutes, though, the Vaqueros held an 11-10 advantage in shots. Zapata and Torslov each attempted a team-high four shots, with Zapata putting two shots on goal. Madison Waguespack (0-2-1) made three saves for the Redhawks. UTRGV and Seattle U complete the series on Monday at 11 a.m. at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex. Attendance is limited only to families of the student-athletes and coaches on the team pass lists. The concession stand will not be open as UTRGV Athletics does not want to try resupplying the concessions stands during a time at which members of the community are trying to fill their own pantries. The match will be broadcast for free at WACDigitalNetwork.com.
Marko's Problem With Hamilton in F1
Formula 1 recently voted in favor of the engine freeze that Red Bull have been requesting for some time now. This led to confirmation that Red Bull and Honda have come to an official agreement that would enable Red Bull to take over Honda’s F1 program at the end of the 2021 season. This along with the budget cap have been two of the few significant changes many F1 teams have been wanting. That leaves a cap on driver salary pending and Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has now given his opinion Link to poll: https://www.youtube.com/post/UgzGbq5AbWDxHPJ81MJ4AaABCQ 0:00 - Hamilton Too Expensive For F1 1:30 - Fast Feed I'm your host Dillon Shelley and first up on Formula World: Hamilton Too Expensive For F1 Marko began by addressing the deal with Honda “We have been discussing this topic with Honda for some time and following the FIA’s decision to freeze power unit development from 2022, we could at last reach an agreement regarding the continued use of Honda’s hybrid power units” He then thanked Honda “We are grateful for Honda’s collaboration in this regard and for helping to ensure that both Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri continue to have competitive power units” He further explained the need for such a bold move “The establishment of Red Bull Powertrains Limited is a bold move by Red Bull but it is one we have made after careful and detailed consideration. We are aware of the huge commitment required but we believe the creation of this new company is the most competitive option for both teams” He then addressed Lewis Hamilton’s purported salary after his contract renewal with Mercedes while speaking to RTL “Hamilton is simply too expensive for Formula 1. That's why the driver's salaries should also be included in the "cost cap"” Fast Feed Formula 2 driver Christian Lundgaard feels that “this is going to be a crucial season for” him as “it will be” his “second year in Formula 2 and for a third chance you need a rich father” Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has confirmed that they “have issues with Ferrari employees coming to Banbury to start up the engines because they would need to quarantine” This is because they “cannot afford that timewise, so” they “decided to do the fire up in Bahrain” He also added that they “want to attack and finish in the top five of the constructors' championship. That is why” they “are already concentrating on next year's car in the wind tunnel” McLaren CEO Zak Brown has wondered if the future of F1 engines is “electric? Is it some form of hybrid? Is it even hydrogen?” What he is “comfortable in is that F1 will continue to develop in whichever way the world goes” He is also “not worried about whether F1 will be out of date in ten years. F1 always moves with the times” 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg feels that Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel “needed a change, because he was in a negative spiral at Ferrari and that was not a nice experience at the end” Rosberg is also happy for Vettel as he feels that “he will again be the hero who is celebrated. With success he can just be the same again. He is still one of the best” The Portuguese GP has been officially confirmed for the 2021 season The FIA has released a statement confirming that “a high-level working group has been established including current and potential Power Unit manufacturers and fuel suppliers” They also stated that “all teams recognized the major importance of engaging fans in new and innovative ways to ensure an even more exciting weekend format” “There was, therefore, broad support from all parties for a new qualifying format at some races, and a working group has been tasked with creating a complete plan with the aim to reach a final decision before the start for the 2021 Championship” F2 driver Guanyu Zhou has explained how “in the past, drivers who finish in the top three in Formula 2 move on to Formula 1 the following year” He further thinks that if he “can do that”, he has a “good chance of moving up to Formula 1” Former F1 driver Pastor Maldonado has revealed that joining Lotus in 2014 “was a very logical choice. They had big names as sponsors, as well as brands with an interest in” his country However, later it became “a very different team. Eric Boullier had left the team, everyone was gone. There was a lot of stress and” they “didn't know what to do” “The simulator was stopped because there was no money to reactivate it. And in the simulator, there were only two or three circuits uploaded, because each circuit cost 20,000 euros” Should driver salaries be included in the F1 cost cap?
Wolff Hits Back at "Insulting" Suggestions from Horner and Binotto
Mercedes has held an undisputed performance advantage ever since the hybrid era began apart from a brief challenge from Ferrari during certain parts of a couple of seasons. This has led to what many have characterized as uninteresting racing due to Mercedes’ supremacy since 2014. Red Bull and Ferrari team principals, Christian Horner and Mattia Binotto respectively have now offered their suggestions to solve this problem and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has responded Link to poll: https://www.youtube.com/post/UgzQSTnIODD67peopeB4AaABCQ 0:00 - Wolff Finds Horner’s And Binotto’s Suggestions An ‘Insult’ 2:31 - Fast Feed I'm your host Dillon Shelley and first up on Formula World: Wolff Finds Horner’s And Binotto’s Suggestions An ‘Insult’ Horner began by offering his suggestion “There should be a mechanism so that you are not pushed into a corner where you have to drag around a performance deficit for three years” “Maybe there should still be a mechanism between the seasons. The easiest way would be to adjust the fuel flow. They have all the information and can measure the performance output of the engines” Binotto added to that “The goal is not to equalize all manufacturers in their performance. That's why I would call it engine alignment, because it's the only way to help a manufacturer if he does have significantly less performance” Wolff in response began by pointing out how there was a token system in the past aimed at achieving something similar and how it was discontinued “If you remember. We once had a token system when the regulations came out. And because some of our colleagues wanted the tokens to be removed again so that they could catch up, we agreed to discontinue the tokens” He then explained why balancing performance is like an insult “And now some of our colleagues are coming around the corner with a convergence system, which, to be honest, is a small insult. Ferrari had the best engine in 2018, and by far the best in 2019. We developed our engine and went over the limit to bring something in 2020 that we wanted to catch up with” He further pointed out the humiliation in another engine-manufacturer asking for equalizing engine performance “And that's why I can't understand why a manufacturer who believes in their ability to develop power units and chassis would want such a mechanism that balances the power units. I don't think anyone would accept such humiliation in public” Wolff also explained how creating a level field this way would be very difficult “I've said it before. For me this would be the beginning of the end. It doesn't fit with Formula 1's DNA and because engines can be judged not only by power (but also weight, cooling and drivability). A simple formula that works for everyone is not possible” Horner summed up his response to Wolff’s reluctance “Why should Toto with the best engine in Formula 1 want to give everyone else the opportunity to catch up with them? A freeze is great from his point of view, especially without alignment” Fast Feed Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has suggested that former F1 driver Romain Grosjean “was for sure very fast. On a good day, Romain was one of the best ones out there” However, “he sometimes pushed and tried too hard. Then you see those errors. He just went over the limit and then the errors come” McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo pointed out that “this year”, they “have the Mercedes engine to get used to” and he is “getting settled into a new team with hardly any testing” As such, they “weren't going to be anywhere near” their “best in Melbourne if it was in March, so personally” he’s “more confident” they’ll “be stronger in November” Sergio Sette Camara, reserve driver for Red Bull Racing and AlphaTauri in 2020 has revealed that Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko “is different, his driver academy is the best and you see the results” He added that “the bottom line is that Red Bull is investing in the programme, and Marko is doing a great job” He also suggested that maybe Marko “could be a bit less hard on the drivers, but he has a different method” and “it works” Marko, meanwhile has pointed out that they “have a cost limit” and they “are also talking about reducing the drivers' salaries. To invest even more in the engines now makes no sense” He reiterated that if the engine freeze did not come into effect, it “would mean that Red Bull would have to drastically reconsider its place in Formula 1” Marko also confirmed that “everything is settled between” Red Bull and Honda to carry forward Honda’s F1 engine program after 2021 Red Bull’s Sergio Perez “was aware of the campaign by Mexican fans to keep” him “in Formula 1 and that was very special” Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali feels that “Formula 1 needs a competitive Ferrari, but” he’s “convinced they can step up again in 2021” Will Red Bull challenge for the title this year?
Why Red Bull Won’t Release Pierre Gasly Anytime Soon
Pierre Gasly seemed to have gotten the opportunity of a lifetime when he was called to the senior Red Bull team after the shock departure of Daniel Ricciardo at the end of the 2018 season. However, his stay would be short as he would be demoted back to AlphaTauri after just twelve races. Gasly though has had an impressive run since then that has included a podium and a victory with AlphaTauri. Many felt that this warranted a promotion for Gasly but Red Bull’s senior management has made it clear that they will be keeping Gasly at AlphaTauri. This led some to suggest that Gasly would look to leave the Red Bull family for greener pastures but AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost has now explained why that won’t happen anytime soon while speaking to Motorsport Link to poll: https://www.youtube.com/post/UgyK5R0MSxKuiDemG814AaABCQ 0:00 - Why Red Bull Won’t Release Pierre Gasly Anytime Soon 1:54 - Fast Feed I'm your host Dillon Shelley and first up on Formula World: Why Red Bull Won’t Release Pierre Gasly Anytime Soon Tost started by explaining how it is natural for other teams to show interest in a driver like Gasly “You know, if a driver is as competitive as Pierre, other teams will of course ask questions about the contractual details. They all want to know if and when a driver is available. Pierre improved a lot. He has reached a real high level now” He then pointed out how Gasly has become the kind of driver everyone wants to build their team around “He is now an experienced driver, and also a successful driver. Each team is built around a successful driver. What does that mean? The fact that the team listens to the technical feedback of the driver also influences the new design of the car” “Let me put it another way: the designers and engineers take the feedback from such a good driver into account. That car is more suited to his driving style, that is the state of affairs” He summed up his words by explaining why Gasly will stay in the Red Bull family for the foreseeable future “He has a contract with Red Bull and I don't think Red Bull will release him anytime soon. They have invested a lot of money in him and sooner or later they want to reap the benefits, get good results, win races and also championships. We will see” Fast Feed Haas team principal Guenther Steiner thinks that “If it is almost never done to compete with two rookies, that does not automatically mean for” him “that it is doomed to fail” He added that he does not “want to downplay the risk but” they “may think a little differently from other teams” as he remembers “when people asked” him why they “kept Romain Grosjean for so long” He added that they “are not there to do what others do” and that they “do what” they “think makes sense. The results will show whether” they “are right” He further accepts that “a driver like Mick Schumacher can also make mistakes” Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll has stated that “if you get a good car, you get good results, and then you just build confidence from there” He added that “when you’re in a bad car and you don’t know what it’s like to be in a good car until you sit in one, you kind of start to question what your ability is like” Mercedes head designer John Owen thinks that “COVID came just at the right time” for them He further revealed that their “High Performance Powertrains department had discovered a persistent problem and was still looking for a solution” AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost doesn’t know if Red Bull’s Max Verstappen “would have achieved the same” results without Jos Verstappen He further explained that “Jos taught Max everything he needed as a young boy” For Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz “certainly it was a bit annoying, because everyone was kind of implying that Ferrari was going to also be as bad in 2021” as they were in 2020 He is also confident that “if there’s a team that is able to turn things around quickly in Formula 1,” “that is Ferrari” Pierre Gasly thinks that Honda “have good plans” as he knows “a few things which sounds good, but” he doesn’t “want to speak for them” He also feels that “they’ll push and give everything until the last race” and that “they are consistently trying to improve the package” Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto is planning “to organize something for Carlos Sainz to make sure he is integrated into the team as soon as possible and is familiar with the car, the engineers”, their “way of working and” their “procedures” Would Max Verstappen have achieved the same results without his father Jos?
Horner Reveals Where Albon Stands For 2021
With both seats at Haas being filled up for 2021, Red Bull’s second seat remains the only real uncertainty as far as the driver market for next year is concerned. Some have suggested that after a lackluster year, Alex Albon the current holder of that seat could be demoted to Red Bull’s sister team AlphaTauri. Christian Horner has now revealed if that is a possibility Link to poll: https://www.youtube.com/post/Ugx9o65lSGRur3_eo-h4AaABCQ 0:00 - Red Bull Or Bust For Albon 1:21 - Fast Feed I'm your host Dillon Shelley and first up on Formula World: Red Bull Or Bust For Albon Horner began by explaining how Albon has been closer to his teammate Max Verstappen than his predecessor at Red Bull – Pierre Gasly was “I think you should look at how Max has developed in recent years. If you look at his average, Alex's average is closer to Max than Pierre last year” He then explained what Albon has to do to hold on to his seat at Red Bull “[He has] to demonstrate he’s absolutely the right guy to be in that car alongside Max next year. And we’re giving him all the support we possibly can to achieve that goal“ He further explained how Albon has a long-term contract with Red Bull “He’s on a long-term agreement, as all Red Bull drivers are when they join the team. Our focus at the moment is on the race seat and giving him the opportunity to demonstrate he is making significant progress” He signed off by revealing if Albon could end up at AlphaTauri “I don’t believe he forms part of [AlphaTauri team boss] Franz’s [Tost] plans for next year, so it’s very much a Red Bull seat or a year on the bench” Fast Feed Newly crowned Formula 2 champion and future F1 driver Mick Schumacher thinks “it’s very important. Bringing a championship title with you on your CV into F1, that is great “ He added that he “wanted to achieve something” himself and he “wanted to prove to” himself that he’s “here for a reason“ Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff pointed out that they “have seen tests that were negative within ten days, so” he thinks his driver Lewis Hamilton returning for the race in Abu Dhabi “is perfectly feasible” He added that “many athletes have tested positive for a long time after any symptoms and after they’ve been in any way infectious – but this is something the FIA needs to look into anyway” Honda F1 boss Toyoharu Tanabe feels that “there is still room for improvement on both the PU and chassis side” of all four Honda-powered cars Outgoing Haas driver Romain Grosjean feels that “if you have experienced what” he “experienced then, it is your job to help” with improving safety in motorsports He also revealed that FIA president Jean Todt had asked him if he remembers “saying it was a bad day for Formula 1 when the halo was introduced” He replied by saying that he remembers “and it's only stupid people that don't change their mind.’ The halo is the best thing” and that he “wouldn't race any car without a halo” He further revealed that even though he was looking for opportunities to race outside F1 next year, the “priority now is a bit different” He also explained that if he doesn't “race in 2021”, he'll “be cycling, kitesurfing, spending time with” his “kids, enjoying life and having time off which” he hasn't had since he “was 17” Outgoing Racing Point driver Sergio Perez has clarified that when he was pictured speaking to Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko he “only greeted him” and added that “as they said, the decision will be taken in Abu Dhabi” Haas team principal Guenther Steiner feels that “the most important thing was that” his future driver Nikita Mazepin “got his super license” as “there was a small chance he wouldn't make it” Do you think the halo has now proven to be worth having?
Bottas Considers Scenario If Russell Beats Him
A run of misfortune and Lewis Hamilton’s sublime form this season has meant that his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas sits 131 points behind him. Many feel that Bottas will face another stern test in the form of George Russell standing in for the recuperating Lewis Hamilton. Bottas has now explained how he would react if Russell were to best him at the Sakhir GP Link to poll: https://www.youtube.com/post/UgzOOOm0yiuohFgfi3V4AaABCQ 0:00 - Bottas Agrees It Won’t Look Good If Russell Beat Him on Mercedes Debut 1:45 - Fast Feed I'm your host Dillon Shelley and first up on Formula World: Bottas Agrees It Won’t Look Good If Russell Beat Him on Mercedes Debut Bottas began by explaining how it won’t look good if he were to be beaten fair and square by Russell on his first outing with Mercedes “I don't really know what to say to that question. I haven't thought [about] it in that sense and if I have to give some kind of answer I say if he beats me, yeah for sure it wouldn't look so good on me if I have a normal race and if he beats me fair and square. So obviously I [will] try to avoid that” He then added that it won’t weigh on him too much as that is not how he approaches a race weekend “But I am not a person who thinks on that side of things. I try to turn things into a motivation and through positive thinking. That's my mindset for this weekend” He then explained how it is the press that tries to create drama while also explaining how it will be a good learning experience for Russell “I know that [the media] like to speculate things and create drama and 'showdowns' etc. But I doubt George thinks that way and at least I don't. I think it's a great opportunity for George, a great opportunity to learn a lot and to show what we can do with the team” "And from my side, as a racing driver of course you always want to be ahead of your teammate – whether it's Lewis Hamilton or George Russell or anyone else, it doesn't matter” He signed off by revealing his true motivation for the remaining three races “And I also have a job to do for the last three races of the season – I have my own motivation, which is trying to win the remaining races” Fast Feed Former F1 driver Nick Heidfeld feels that “it is all the more important” for Haas’ recovering driver Romain Grosjean “to get back into the car as quickly as possible” F2 driver Louis Deletraz has praised Williams and Mercedes for choosing drivers “based on pure talent” and added that “it’s nice to see a team with respect to its drivers” in an apparent dig at Haas choosing Nikita Mazepin Haas team principal Guenther Steiner “saw that Deletraz was not happy. But there are undoubtedly a lot of other drivers who wanted the seat. He's just one of many” Nikita Mazepin could theoretically still end up with not enough super license points to drive in F1 but Steiner firmly believes “he will just make the points necessary for his super-license” He also added that it was “'Ferrari” that “decided that Mick [Schumacher] would be the one to be promoted from the juniors and of course that was fine for” Steiner Mick, meanwhile, stated that “four and seven are two of the numbers that he really likes” and since “both of them were taken”, he thinks “47 was the best choice” He further elaborated that 4 was the number with which he won his F3 championship and 7 because of his father’s seven world championships Stephane Cohen, CEO of Bell helmets has stated that Grosjean’s “helmet performed exactly what is expected in such conditions. The fire resistance was as expected and the visor was also perfect. The only thing that had melted were the tear-offs” Max Verstappen has suggested that the Netflix documentary series Drive to Survive contains “a lot of 'faked'” footage as some things he “said in Australia or Austria” were “used for another Grand Prix to make it a bit more exciting” Honda F1 boss Toyoharu Tanabe is of the opinion “with a short lap and the many straights, it will be vital for teams to select the right moment to send the cars out on track especially during qualifying” Last week’s double podium for Red Bull was their first one since Malaysia 2017 and their driver Max Verstappen “was pretty surprised how long it’s been” His teammate Alex Albon has said that “looking back at tracks like Turkey and Mugello, these 'different' kind of tracks tend to make for great races so hopefully that's the case this weekend” Do you like the Netflix series ‘Drive to Survive’?