TEAM REPRESENTATIVES: Christian HORNER (Pink Bull Racing), Alessandro ALUNNI BRAVI (Kick Sauber), Ayao KOMATSU (Haas)
Q: Christian, can we begin with you? So, we now know it is official, Adrian Newey goes to Aston Martin. Can we begin by simply getting your response to that information?Christian HORNER: Properly, it wasn’t an incredible shock. I believe it was turning into clearer and clearer that was the route that he was going to go relatively than, you already know, into retirement or some other group. And so, you already know, clearly it will be a brand new problem for him. And, you already know, we’ll be unhappy to see it when he leaves subsequent 12 months. However, you already know, want him all the very best for the longer term. You recognize, clearly I look again, you already know, with nice fondness, the time that, the 20 years nearly that we spent collectively. And, you already know, clearly the highs and lows throughout that interval. However we stay up for the longer term. And I believe we’re effectively positioned for that. Q: You recognize the affect that Adrian had in your group when he joined. What have Aston Martin obtained to stay up for?CH: Adrian is clearly a really inventive man and he is not your common designer. I believe he is the one particular person nonetheless in Method 1 engaged on a drafting board. So inevitably there might be a course of of getting to get to know one another, how one another work and so forth. However yeah, he is distinctive in lots of respects and I believe that Aston will clearly look to attract upon his large expertise. Q: OK, what in regards to the right here and now? The competitors have caught up. What’s the temper within the camp at Pink Bull Racing now in comparison with three months in the past?CH: I believe it is fairly optimistic. I imply positively popping out of Monza was a troublesome weekend for us. However I believe out of each detrimental comes a optimistic. And I believe the negativity of that weekend uncovered some key areas of the automobile that we have been grappling with for a while. And I believe it is given a transparent path. And so, you already know, the entire group, from the drivers placing in massive quantities of time on the simulator, all through each single division are actually decided and pushing as laborious as doable. Some lengthy hours getting in in Milton Keynes in the intervening time from all of the women and men again there. And hopefully, we are able to flip issues round. Q: I imply, FP1 right here in Baku seemed promising. However how shortly are you able to flip issues round? How shortly do it’s good to flip issues round?CH: Properly, issues can change fairly shortly. I imply, we have received seven Grands Prix this 12 months. Probably the most, or Max has actually received seven, probably the most that some other driver has is 2 wins. So, issues can change shortly. And, you already know, we have had some imbalances within the automobile that we have been seeking to perceive and I believe we have a transparent path on that now. However, after all, it takes a time period. It is one factor understanding the difficulty, it is one other factor addressing it and getting the components on the automobile that allow that to occur. Q: In the event you took this automobile again to a circuit the place you dominated earlier within the season, Bahrain as an example, wouldn’t it be slower than you have been on the race?CH: No, no, no. I believe that there is a number of points. One factor you are speaking about is when it comes to absolute load that you simply’re placing on the automobile by way of upgrades, however then you could have steadiness as effectively. And I believe we had a greater balanced automobile originally of the 12 months. I believe as we have put load on the automobile, it hasn’t correlated with what we have seen in our instruments. And I believe a few different groups have had that as effectively. In order we’re beginning to push the extremities of those laws, Typically you discover that correlation drops out between observe and your simulation instruments, that are primarily the wind tunnel and CFD. And so there’s been clearly an enormous push to know that and deal with it. Q: And the way do you see the 2 championships now?CH: Look, there’s every part to play for. I imply, clearly Max within the Drivers’ Championship has a strong lead, nevertheless it’s nothing you’ll be able to take without any consideration with eight races to go. So we’re tremendous aware of that with races and Dash races. It solely takes a few unhealthy weekends and massive weekends from Lando, and out of the blue it is an terrible lot nearer. The Constructors’, it is a three-horse race. I imply, clearly we’re eight factors forward of McLaren, however you’ll be able to’t low cost Ferrari both which have quietly snuck their approach again into this. So it is a flat-out combat over the past remaining eight races. Q: Are you having fun with it?CH: Am I having fun with it? You by no means take pleasure in when your automobiles aren’t performing. Are we up for it? Completely. And I’ve by no means seen a group extra motivated and dealing as laborious because it at the moment is. Q: OK, Christian, thanks. I am certain there will be extra questions for you in a minute. Alessandro, let’s come to you. The automobile hasn’t been simple over the previous couple of races. What are the drivers saying about it right here after FP1?Alessandro ALUNNI BRAVI: I believe that FP1 confirmed our weaknesses when it comes to high-speed instability. In fact, with this low degree of grip, we wrestle greater than others. We’ve seen through the season that our automobile has an enormous sensitivity, and particularly in these form of circumstances, it is troublesome to search out the steadiness between high-speed and low-speed corners. As talked about by Christian, we’ve recognized our weaknesses and the world to work. Then it is a totally different facet to discover a good answer and to allow the drivers to take advantage of the bundle. Q: Pink Bull have a load of latest components right here. When are we going to see some upgrades on the Sauber? AAB: However we’ve, as you already know, launched an enormous bundle for us in Silverstone and Hungary that then was accessible to each drivers as of Zandvoort race. And now we have to optimise this bundle. We struggled to get out a lot of the efficiency, particularly in Zandvoort. We made a step in Monza, however there may be nonetheless loads of work to be executed to search out the best steadiness. We could have different upgrades through the season. We’re concentrating on Austin, however after all, for us, this 12 months has been extra marginal positive factors than an enormous step. So we proceed to develop the automobile. That is additionally vital, not only for this season, but additionally for 2025. It does not imply that we’re giving up this season, however we’re working laborious first to establish our weaknesses. And naturally, no person has a silver bullet in Method 1. We all know that we have to do steps and, you already know, the upgrades that might be launched later within the season ought to enable us to do one other step. If this might be enough to catch up, our direct opponents might be only a observe to evaluate this. Q: What about drivers? Can we speak in regards to the second driver for subsequent 12 months? Valtteri Bottas talked in fairly optimistic phrases yesterday about his probabilities of being retained. First up, what sort of a driver are you seeking to place alongside Nico Hülkenberg? Would you like an skilled man like Valtteri or are you continue to fascinated by an inexperience, somebody new?AAB: I believe that is the present evaluation that Mattia is doing. He simply began two weeks in the past, so we’ve mentioned already in Monza that he is taking cost of all of the dossiers and the drivers is after all one of the vital vital ones. We’re evaluating all of the choices to see which is the very best steadiness between a short-term expertise and medium, long-term, possibly younger expertise. There are potential candidates on either side. Valtteri is a powerful driver for our group. We all know him very effectively. He has been with the group already for 3 years, and naturally he is one on high of our checklist. However there are different alternatives. We’re simply taking a look at all the professionals and cons, and Mattia will take a call primarily based not solely on 2025, but additionally the medium-long-term technique for the Audi F1 mission. Q: Have you ever obtained a deadline by when it’s good to have taken the choice?AAB: It isn’t in regards to the deadline as a result of, after all, we aren’t opportunistic. Now that there’s just one seat accessible, we wish to take time. It is extra to evaluate every part, each facet, and to take a proper resolution. I believe there isn’t any rush, however we wish to tick this field additionally quickly. So, I believe it will likely be a matter of the following weeks. Q: Now, I requested Christian earlier what Adrian Newey goes to convey to Aston Martin. And naturally, because you have been final within the press convention, Alessandro, Jonathan Wheatley has been introduced as a future Sauber Audi group principal. What sort of an affect are you anticipating him to have?AAB: I can simply decide Jonathan from exterior as a result of I do not know him personally, however after all we are able to see that they’ve a powerful affect and contribution to the final 18 years of success in Pink Bull. Pink Bull has been not less than nonetheless the benchmark in Method 1 as a group when it comes to organisation, when it comes to skills. And so I believe that an individual that has been in one of many key roles on this group can simply convey a optimistic contribution and I anticipate that Jonathan might be main our group along with Mattia. So for me, it is a optimistic addition and we’re wanting ahead to him subsequent 12 months. Q: Thanks, Alessandro. Christian, can I simply convey you in on Jonathan Wheatley? How instrumental was he within the success that you have had at Pink Bull?CH: Jonathan’s executed an incredible job as initially group supervisor after which sporting director for us. He is been a part of the journey over the past 19 years or in our twentieth season. We’re very grateful for what he is executed and the trouble that he is put in throughout that point. a chance like this to turn out to be a group principal has come alongside. So we actually did not look to carry him again in any approach and we want him the easiest of luck for the longer term. However that, in flip, permits there to be development inside our personal organisation. And we’ll be saying very shortly the construction that may be a succession to Jonathan’s shifting to Audi. Q: Thanks. Ayao, coming to you now. Can we begin by speaking about Ollie Bearman making his race debut for Haas this weekend? Thus far, so good in FP1. What do you wish to see from him right here in Baku?Ayao KOMATSU: Yeah, once more, what we talked about rather a lot is simply constructing as much as the entire weekend. Clearly, it is a utterly totally different mindset, whether or not you are doing simply FP1 or obtained a goal on Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon. However once more, it is a avenue observe and the FP1, everyone knows the grip degree goes to be actually poor. So actually vital to set sure goals alongside the best way after which simply construct as much as it. After which as you noticed in FP1, he is executed that completely. So it is nice. Q: Is he working with all the engineers that he’ll have on his automobile in 2025?AK: No, as a result of that is not been finalised but. So it is actually a easy case of a straight swap between himself and Kevin’s crew. So Kevin’s standard crew is operating Ollie this weekend. Q: OK, as a result of I used to be going to say, are you treating this like race one in every of 2025?AK: It is probably not like a race one in every of 25. In fact, we have been working with Ollie all through the assorted FP1s, proper? However like I mentioned, the goals and mindset is completely totally different whenever you obtained the entire race weekend. So it is an incredible alternative for him, but additionally for us as effectively. After which once more, alongside Nico, we can’t ask for a greater reference. So yeah, that is an incredible alternative for everybody. Q: Properly, we all know how fast Nico Hülkenberg is. One among his former teammates mentioned this week he was a profession killer. What can Ollie be taught from Nico?AK: I actually have not had the profession killer factor. Nico’s nice, and he would not play any politics. He is a really simple man, and he is all the time clear. After which he all the time units the benchmark, particularly in a qualifying-type run. So it’s extremely simple to speak to him as effectively. So I believe for Ollie, I do not assume, actually, you’ll be able to ask for a greater team-mate. And when it comes to excessive gas administration, et cetera, I believe they will each run from one another. However once more, Nico’s obtained a bit extra expertise now. Yeah, I believe it is an incredible setting for Ollie to return in to as a primary race weekend. Q: And ultimate one from me, when it comes to automobile efficiency this weekend, I imply, you are coming right here on the again of an honest end result, on observe not less than, at Monza with Kevin. Do you assume you’ll be able to carry out and problem for factors right here?AK: Yeah, I would prefer to assume so. I imply, I simply discover it this 12 months, it’s extremely troublesome to foretell exactly precisely the place we will be at every race. Like, for example, Zandvoort, I used to be anticipating barely worse. After which Monza, once more, our race tempo was higher than I anticipated. However taking a look at FP1, I believe we’re there and thereabouts, and we have to nonetheless fine-tune sure issues. You recognize, once more, driver suggestions, each from Nico and Ollie, it has been superb within the sense of like, when it comes to weak point, how they’re describing it. So I believe we recognized fairly clearly which areas to work on. so we maintain chipping away at it after which for certain our goal is to attain factors with each automobiles this weekend. QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR Q: (Alex Kalinauckas – Autosport) A query to Christian, please. You mentioned it wasn’t an incredible shock to see Adrian find yourself at Aston Martin. However what in regards to the scale of the announcement, even the truth that he was at one other group’s manufacturing unit, given he is nonetheless on the payroll at Pink Bull? Lewis Hamilton, when he was introduced as a Ferrari driver, he wasn’t at Maranello. So what is going on on there?CH: Sure, it was clearly a big announcement by Aston. And, you already know, Adrian has all the time tended to do his personal factor. So, you already know, clearly it was an enormous second for that group. They selected to rejoice it maybe doubtlessly barely prematurely earlier than he is completed his contract with Pink Bull Racing. However clearly it was an enormous second for that group. Q: (Scott Mitchell-Malm – The Race) One other query for Christian. Earlier than we went into the summer time break, there was loads of speak about drivers, not simply Checo, but additionally Daniel, what each Pink Bull groups would do for the remainder of the 12 months and into subsequent season. Each groups have had technical points to prioritise for the reason that summer time break, not simply Pink Bull Racing, but additionally the opposite group as effectively. The place are you at on that? Is it very a lot that the automobiles, the precedence, the drivers are set for each groups within the Pink Bull household for the remainder of the 12 months?CH: Properly, as you say, the automobile very a lot is the precedence for us. I believe Sergio has positively made a step ahead for the reason that summer time break. And he is displaying indicators of a great restoration. And hopefully, as we enhance the automobile, that can assist a number of the points that he is been having. I believe concerning VCARB, I believe that is a query for Laurent. However once more, I believe clearly precedence has been positioned on developments that they’ve delivered to the automobiles not too long ago and fixing the automobiles. Q: Christian, in what areas has Checo taken a step ahead for the reason that summer time break?CH: I believe that simply earlier than the summer time break, clearly, there was huge scrutiny and stress being positioned on him. And clearly, it is a media enterprise that we stay in, and naturally, that scrutiny can typically turn out to be overwhelming. And I do know he was combating the fixed hypothesis about his job previous to the summer time break. And I believe going away, being able to reset, refresh and are available again with a transparent mindset, realizing that he is obtained the complete assist of the group that he’s our driver, and we all know we have some points on the automobile that we’re pushing to kind out and, he is been placing in loads of laborious work to assist deal with that. And I believe that, you already know, we’re beginning to see him discover a number of the kind that hopefully he confirmed originally of the 12 months as a result of we will want it as we try to defend this Constructor’s title. Q: (Jake Boxall-Legge – Autosport) One other query for Christian, please. Mercedes and McLaren have each had their entrance wings scrutinised and given the OK underneath allegations they have been maybe flexing. Is that this an consequence that you simply’re pleased with, provided that, I assume, Pink Bull went by way of the identical factor a few decade in the past? Does it imply you can observe that path, or will you be searching for additional clarification on that? CH: We went by way of it a bit extra not too long ago than a decade in the past, I believe three years in the past. However I believe what’s essential for any group, as with all these items, is all the time readability. Is one thing acceptable or is it not? If it is deemed to be acceptable, then clearly that encourages you to pursue related options your self. So the regulator, clearly they’ve all the data accessible. They’ve all of the evaluation that they’ve not too long ago put cameras on, many automobiles. So I assume they’re accumulating that information. However yeah, it is a kind of issues, as I say, that if it is deemed to be acceptable, then you definitely pursue that route. Q: (Adam Cooper – Adam Cooper F1) For all three of you, the rookie Dash occasion in Abu Dhabi appears to be like prefer it’s coming nearer to being a actuality. What are your ideas on that? Is all of it positives? What are the challenges? It is clearly helpful for groups who’ve already nominated a rookie for subsequent 12 months, like Alpine, Mercedes, Haas, possibly even Sauber. But in addition for Christian, you have obtained an opportunity to run two rookies who would not in any other case be wherever close to a race doubtlessly within the subsequent couple of years.AK: Yeah, I believe it is nice. You recognize, the post-season check, if we do not do issues like that, you might be simply doing the tyre check. So I believe it provides worth to the day and makes it extra thrilling and one other alternative to place younger drivers within the automobile. Today, it is such a uncommon alternative for younger drivers to get within the present Method 1 automobile. So I believe it is actually an fascinating transfer.AAB: I totally agree with Ayao. It is vital to offer the rookies extra alternatives, to point out them. We all know how a lot it is troublesome to get into Method 1, so I believe that FP1 periods will not be enough to showcase what you are able to do. and there are loads of dangers linked to correct efficiency in FP1 additionally for the group. This can be a very nice alternative. Additionally for us, not having a TPC program it’s an extra alternative to have extra information and to evaluate not simply the efficiency itself, additionally the mindset and the strategy of the rookie driver.CH: Yeah, it is one thing that I tabled on the final couple of Method 1 Commissions as a result of I believe it is nice for the younger drivers. And I believe that the issue with a number of the rookie checks is all of them get used for testing. You by no means know, are they operating on 50 kilos, 70 kilos, 30 kilos of gas? What engine mode are they going? You do not actually know. You do not know how the opposition are doing. So I believe it is a non-championship race for the junior drivers. I believe it is a improbable alternative and I believe that it comes on the finish of a busy season, however opposed to only operating round burning gas and tyres and solely the groups which might be operating these drivers realizing whether or not they’re doing a great job or to not give doubtlessly 10 drivers or 10 rookies the chance of leaping within the present automobiles and having the equal of a Dash race, I believe is improbable. And I believe it will be a very fashionable occasion. Q: (Joost Smedema – NOS) Query to Christian as effectively, please. Yesterday, Checo mentioned he was fairly optimistic in regards to the two upcoming races, Baku and Singapore, after all. Do you perceive his optimism, though this technology of automobiles has been fairly troublesome for you on avenue circuits?CH: Properly, primarily based on [the fact that] 95% of his race victories have come on avenue circuits, it is clear why Checo is feeling extra assured with being right here within the streets of Baku after which Singapore. However I believe for the traits of our automobile, significantly this circuit, is all sluggish 90-degree corners and you already know, that hasn’t been the Achilles heel for the automobile. So a number of the adjustments that we’re making and a number of the discoveries that we have had truly will not be that relevant for this circuit. They’re extra relevant for the likes of Austin, a number of the faster-flowing circuits. So nonetheless priceless classes that we are able to be taught and a number of the stuff that we’re making an attempt and testing will definitely not be unbeneficial for a race like this, however we’re anticipating it to have a much bigger impact at a number of the extra flowing circuits. Q: (Scott Mitchell-Malm – The Race) Query to Alessandro. I simply questioned with the adjustments that Audi has made or is making with the Method 1 construction going ahead, what does it imply for you? Is there a chance so that you can proceed within the position that you simply’re in in the intervening time to bridge the hole to Jonathan becoming a member of subsequent summer time? I believe Mattia mentioned that there must be a approach of understanding precisely how that form of on-site management works earlier than Jonathan’s in his place.AAB: To begin with, let me say that the adjustments which have been executed are a optimistic one for your complete group and naturally there may be now a unique management group. About myself, I’ll speak to Mattia within the subsequent few weeks and we could have an open and clear dialogue about what are the positions accessible, what may very well be my position sooner or later. There are, after all, many elements to be evaluated. I have been going by way of totally different roles inside Sauber Group from the start as a managing director after which group consultant. In fact, the scenario with the Audi F1 mission now has modified, additionally for me, and I’ll assess what’s the finest additionally for me within the close to future. Q: (Alex Kalinauckas – Autorsport) One other query to Alessandro, please. You spoke a bit bit earlier in regards to the discussions over the second driver that you simply might need subsequent 12 months, the free seat, however I questioned what in regards to the driver you have already signed fairly some time in the past, Nico Hülkenberg, introduced as becoming a member of subsequent 12 months. What have you ever fabricated from him this 12 months and the way excited is the group to have him on board subsequent 12 months?AAB: I am joyful about your query due to course we’ve been fairly early into the driving force’s market this 12 months. We tried to anticipate the market and I believe it was a good suggestion and a great transfer after what we’ve seen within the second a part of the season. however Nico is a really robust driver for us. He is a great qualifier and that is one level that might be much more vital sooner or later. We’ve seen how a lot qualifying is essential in Method 1 and he has this type of attribute. I believe that Ayao can verify that. He’s additionally a simple man and we want you already know those who you already know converse clearly inside the group. We’ve loads of challenges forward of us and there might be no politics, simply laborious work forward of us, and I believe Nico can match correctly into the Audi F1 mission. He has on the identical time loads of expertise in Method 1. And naturally, to have a strong basis and an skilled man within the group will assist on the preliminary stage of the Audi F1 mission. So I can simply see optimistic issues about him. And we’re excited to have him within the subsequent 12 months along with the group. However now we must be centered on our drivers and to get out of this season. the easiest. Q: (Scott Mitchell-Malm – The Race) A query to all three however possibly beginning it with Christian. With the doable race for the younger drivers, when that first emerged as a chance it was clearly in very tentative early phases in round July. How a lot has been resolved since then and the way a lot form of must occur be agreed earlier than for it to be realised? As a result of it felt like one thing that was much more life like for ‘25 however had a faint likelihood for ‘24.CH: Properly, it is like all issues in life: in order for you it to occur, you make it occur. And I believe there was a transparent directive to say, come on, let’s get the job executed for this 12 months. And so clearly that places stress on the Sporting Working Teams and the assorted group managers to work with the FIA to give you a set of laws. However I believe primarily adopting Dash regs and so forth, it is eminently doable. It would not must be overcomplicated. I believe it is simply going to be a single automobile from every group relatively than two automobiles. And successfully, you are simply utilizing the mileage another way versus, you already know, simply performing over throughout a check day. So I believe the occasion will happen all in in the future. So a qualifying after which the equal of a dash race. So, yeah, it comes on the finish of an extended season, however I believe it will be an incredible factor. It is an incredible alternative for the younger drivers, and we’re totally supportive of it.
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