In Saturday’s F1 news, Max Verstappen acknowledged that winning races through wheel-to-wheel racing is not his preferred method.
Saturday’s F1 news is here, with lots to dig into from the paddock as the drivers enjoy a weekend away from racing.
This weekend in Monaco, a multitude of historic Formula 1 cars are participating in races. McLaren CEO Zak Brown and outgoing Red Bull technical guru Adrian Newey are among the drivers enjoying their free time on the track. However, let’s shift our focus to the latest news from the paddock.
Mercedes took ‘wrong turns’ in ground effect era
Paddy Lowe, a former executive director at Mercedes, has acknowledged that the team made mistakes in their development approach during the ground effect era. However, he expressed his empathy for his former employers and the challenging situation they are currently facing.
He told Motorsport.com: “I have a lot of sympathy and in fairness if you talk to teams that are doing well, if they aren’t too arrogant, and they will say ‘You should count on having good fortune in this sport when you have a good car and don’t assume it is always from your own brilliance’.
Over the years, we have all learned the message that is being conveyed.
Mercedes has encountered some aerodynamic miscalculations along their journey. Despite relying on highly advanced tools like wind tunnels and CFD, these methods are still flawed, and all teams acknowledge this fact. Consequently, rectifying these issues within a short period becomes an arduous task.
Read more: Former Mercedes chief reveals where ‘wrong turns’ were taken in fall from dominance
Max Verstappen’s admission on how he would like to win races
Max Verstappen prefers to have a comfortable lead towards the finish line, rather than engaging in close wheel-to-wheel battles, when asked about his preferred method of winning races.
He informed Sky Sports F1 that it should be a minimum of 20 seconds.
“That’s my preference… I have participated in numerous intense races throughout my life. I find greater satisfaction when we can successfully outperform our competitors by a significant margin, with complete certainty of victory. However, I understand that this may not align with fans’ expectations. But I believe in being truthful, you know?”
“My purpose is to triumph and forge my own path to success.”
Read more: Max Verstappen would rather win by ‘at least 20 seconds’ than fight wheel to wheel
Stefano Domenicali’s unorthodox view on Max Verstappen’s dominance
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali acknowledges the contrasting aspect of having only a fraction of the field emerge victorious throughout the season. However, he recognizes the significance of a dominant driver as a source of inspiration for others to aspire towards.
In response to a question about creating a fair competition to enhance competitiveness, Domenicali stated during an interview with ESPN SportsCenter that it is not the sport’s intention. Furthermore, throughout the entire history of Formula 1, there have been periods characterized by dominant racers winning consecutively.
Additionally, another factor that deters people is the presence of numerous successful racers, making it challenging to surpass the legendary ones.
It is important to acknowledge that Max has been the top driver thus far and remain respectful of his accomplishments. However, it is also possible that someone else may emerge in the future to surpass his performance.
Read more: ‘Not able to beat the legend’ – F1 boss’ unique take on Max Verstappen after shock Lando Norris win
Christian Horner on ‘complicated business’ of rivals signing Adrian Newey
Christian Horner cautioned that it may not be a simple task for Red Bull’s competitors to recruit Adrian Newey and establish a design department around him, considering the current state of the sport. Red Bull has adapted their working methods over time to align with Newey’s approach.
“In my opinion, Formula 1 has become an incredibly complex industry, especially with the introduction of the cost cap and various other factors that demand careful consideration,” Horner expressed to the media in Miami.
It is crucial to carefully consider the allocation of your funding and budgets, as well as the utilization of resources, in order to achieve the highest return on investment.
Adrian remains the sole designer in Formula 1 who persists in working on a drawing board. However, due to increasingly stringent regulations and the evolution of Adrian’s role within the team over the past years, others have had to assume greater responsibility.
Read more: Christian Horner warns of ‘complicated business’ if rival builds team around Adrian Newey
The most prestigious races in the world, ranked
Lastly, here’s something that deviates from the norm.
Collaboratively, we delved into the extensive realm of motorsport, going beyond Formula 1, to compile a comprehensive list of the most exceptional races worldwide.
This list unites the 10 most esteemed races in the world of motorsport, spanning from Bathurst to Dakar, Indianapolis to Le Mans, and including a touch of Formula 1. Both two and four-wheel races are well-represented, showcasing the diversity of this prestigious selection.
Certainly, we respect your right to hold a different opinion, but at present, we have decided to stick with our own perspective.
Read more: Ranked: The 10 most prestigious motorsport races in the world
