In Monaco, Lewis Hamilton is currently being pursued by Max Verstappen.
Thursday’s F1 news is upon us, and if you missed any of the key headlines from the day, you are in the right place.
As usual, there is a lot to update you on from the world of Formula 1. With additional input from Sam Cooper, let’s jump right in.
F1 news: McLaren ‘copy’ claim made, another Adrian Newey rumour emerges
Helmut Marko claims McLaren ‘copy better’ in catching RB20
Despite McLaren making significant behind-the-scenes adjustments, such as hiring Rob Marshall from Red Bull, Helmut Marko suggests that other teams are imitating their strategies as the competition in the field becomes more balanced. Marko specifically mentioned McLaren as one of the teams replicating their work.
Teams imitating one another is a common occurrence in Formula 1 over the years, especially when it comes to the top-performing cars. However, Marko believes that McLaren and Ferrari, in particular, have taken inspiration from Red Bull’s strategies and applied them effectively.
According to Austrian publication OE24, Marko mentioned that we are currently in our third year under the existing regulations and there is a growing trend of people imitating.
“Some copy better, and you can now see the result at McLaren. Ferrari has also constantly developed further.”
Read more: McLaren ‘copy better’ than others in Helmut Marko’s latest F1 pecking order verdict
Report claims Alpine hold talks with Adrian Newey
A recent report from Italy’s Corriere della Sera indicates that Flavio Briatore, the former Team Enstone team principal, has been seeking to bring Adrian Newey on board for Alpine in a new role. This comes after initial reports suggested that Alpine was considering Briatore as a “special supervisor.”
The Alpine team spokesperson informed PlanetF1.com that they consistently communicate with various industry experts in order to enhance their overall performance.
We carefully evaluate all pertinent inputs and, when necessary, consult individuals with expertise and a track record of success. However, we are unable to provide any commentary on specific cases.
Read more: Flavio Briatore holds talks with Adrian Newey over shock Alpine move – report
Exclusive: Laurent Mekies offers insight into Daniel Ricciardo input at RB
During an interview with PlanetF1.com in Monaco, RB team principal Laurent Mekies emphasized the positive impact Daniel Ricciardo has had on the team and hinted at the possibility of him extending his contract beyond its current end date.
He expressed that having someone like Daniel, who has won eight races, has experience with multiple teams, and knows where the board can be and where it needs to go, is of immense assistance in the context of the projects and identifying the gaps.
His contribution to the team has been immense, even during the initial races when the performance was not ideal. He continued to bring significant value to the team.
“Yes, initially he has been experiencing some of the car’s characteristics that have been undermining his confidence. This is not exclusive to Daniel, as it is a common occurrence that we encounter every year.”
“Every year, there is a driver who possesses a driving style that perfectly suits a specific car or is particularly attuned to its unique characteristics. Consequently, we have invested significant efforts in collaborating closely with him, his crew, and his development team to address and optimize this aspect.”
Read more: RB detail Daniel Ricciardo ‘hidden progress’ and ‘value’ that could extend team stay
Fred Vasseur weighs in on Max Verstappen’s recent ‘mistakes
Fred Vasseur, the team principal of Ferrari, has clarified that he is not overly optimistic but acknowledges that Max Verstappen has been prone to more errors recently due to the mounting pressure.
Vasseur, when questioned about Ferrari’s potential to challenge Red Bull after their victory in Monaco, responded to the media, including PlanetF1.com, stating, “I prefer not to make any judgments about this weekend.”
However, upon examining the past two weekends, it appears that Max has made a greater number of mistakes or experienced more incidents in Imola than he has in the past three seasons.
Read more: Fred Vasseur observes more Max Verstappen ‘mistakes’ in Red Bull ‘comfort zone’
Christian Horner addresses Red Bull upgrade areas
Christian Horner is keen to address the recent challenges faced by Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez in the last two races, and intends to take action regarding the Red Bull RB20 going forward.
During an interview in Monaco with media outlets such as PlanetF1.com, he acknowledged, “I believe there will be significant attention and analysis on why we have been experiencing these ride issues and why the car is encountering difficulties with the kerbs.”
“We have observed that the VCARB car, equipped with our suspension from the previous year, does not appear to experience the same problems. Consequently, we must determine whether these issues have arisen due to any modifications we have made.”
Read more: Red Bull upgrade plan revealed with two key questions posed by Christian Horner
