News

Ferrari’s Red Bull F1 signings could hold key to Mekies release

Published

1 month ago

May 4, 2023

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AlphaTauri announced ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix that it had signed Mekies as its new team principal, succeeding Franz Tost who is stepping down at the end of the season.

However, no date has been set for Mekis to join the Faenza-based team as he remains under a long-term contract with Ferrari.

Tost said the exact timing would need to be agreed between Ferrari and Red Bull.

“First of all, it’s between Laurent and Fred (Vasseur),” Tost said of the process of sorting Mekis’ arrival.

“And then, of course, Red Bull will play a big part in that. I think Oliver Mintzlaff (Red Bull CEO) will then talk to the Ferrari CEO and find a solution.”

While Ferrari didn’t want to block the move entirely, team boss Fred Vasseur was annoyed by the timing of the AlphaTauri announcement, making him reluctant to bend over backwards as quickly to accommodate the switch as his rivals hoped.

Speaking at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last weekend, Vasseur said AlphaTauri’s call to make Mekies’ move public was “aggressive”.

However, Autosport understands that with negotiations between Red Bull and Ferrari opening up on the situation, the key to the negotiations may be a compromise arrangement that suits both parties.

Laurent Mekies, Racing Director, Scuderia Ferrari

Photography: Mark Sutton/ motorsport pictures

Ferrari is understood to have been conducting a recruitment drive of late to lure personnel – including aerodynamic specialists – from other teams, including several from Red Bull.

But despite the deal, Ferrari has been unable to get in touch with the men for the time being due to mandatory gardening leave.

However, sources have suggested that Ferrari may be willing to let Mekis leave Alfa Tauri if Red Bull agrees to release early the contracts of the staff who will be heading to Maranello.

News

Mercedes gets away with fine for Parc Ferme problem of Hamilton and Russell

Published

6 mins ago

June 4, 2023

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Mercedes has been fined for violating parc fermé rules after the Spanish GP. This imposes the same sanction on the German racing stables as it did after the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix, with Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc all committing the same crime.

News

Sainz understands Ferrari’s limits: 'Not very competitive around here'

Published

16 mins ago

June 4, 2023

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Despite Carlos Sainz’s solid qualifying performance at his home Grand Prix, starting from second, the Ferrari driver lacked the necessary race pace compared to Red Bull and Mercedes, resulting in him finishing second. Five finishers.

News

Tsunoda slams “ridiculous” F1 Spanish GP penalty for Zhou defence

Published

18 mins ago

June 4, 2023

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On lap 56 of 66 in a round dominated by Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, Alfa Romeo driver Zhou used DRS to challenge Tsunoda for 9th on the outside entering Turn 1 right hand.

But as the corner transitioned into Turn 2, Chow appeared to shake his machine to the left, before rejoining the track several car lengths behind Kakuda into the escape lane.

The FIA stewards reviewed the incident and ruled that Zhou was ahead at the apex of Turn 1 and therefore had the right to enter the race room.

As Tsunoda was found violating the International Sports Code, he received a 5-second penalty and dropped to 12th without points. Zhou, meanwhile, scored two points for ninth.

Asked by Autosport about his reaction, Tsunoda said: “It’s a ridiculous penalty and it feels really unfair.”

Recalling his take on events, Tsunoda thought Zhou had “pretended” to run out of space and that there was “definitely” room to keep the Alfa Romeo on track.

He said: “I left the room when I saw (Zhou Lai), I think he gave up early on.

“He went outside and pretended he was being forced out, but he didn’t. Sure enough, there was room outside.

“Obviously I put pressure on him, but there was still space, so I don’t understand why it was a penalty. It felt really unfair, really harsh.”

Yuki Tsunoda, Scuderia AlphaTauri in the paddock

Photography: Jack Grant / motorsport pictures

Tsunoda said he was not aware of the penalty until it reached the finish line, and believes drivers and teams should be able to present their defense to the FIA before the final ruling is given.

He said: “After I just heard the checkered flag, I was really happy. But after listening to that radio, I was really disappointed.

“At the same time, (I think) it’s a bit of a curiosity … it’s good to have some discussion with the FIA because they gave five seconds without any discussion and the race was over.

“So, it didn’t feel fair … (I felt) exhausted and flat.”

In contrast, Zhou believes that this is a dunk penalty for Kakuda. He said: “It’s very simple.

“Going into Turn 1 and into the middle, I was in the lead and I actually gave a lot of space. Then I saw that he (and him) didn’t stop.

“(He tried to) release the brakes (but he) drove me away and I had to take avoidance action and (use) the escape route or we would collide.

“So, it was tricky after that because I had a lot of rubbish on my tyres. But in the end, I was able to stay in the right position behind him and regain the position.”