Imola (dpa) – There is a need for speech. With the weakening Mercedes team, with the drivers as a whole. The Formula 1 race weekend in Imola is not short of discussion topics.
A bit off track: The Silver Arrows haven’t experienced that for a long time. Both pilots not in the so-called Q3, the third and last section of the qualification. 187 Grand Prix weekends in a row, Mercedes never experienced such a failure again. It last happened in Japan in 2012. On October 6th, the record world champion Michael Schumacher finished 13th in qualifying in Suzuka. Nico Rosberg was 15th. Almost nine and a half years later, the other record world champion Lewis Hamilton was 13th, his teammate George Russell eleventh. The bitter Hamilton insight: “At the moment, every weekend is a rescue operation.”
The drivers find it a bit stressful: Max Verstappen immediately called for a small Friday reform. Media work, practice and qualifying in Imola. In between the work with the engineers. The Dutch world champion is not happy with the process. “Something definitely needs to change as we are at the track on more days despite the fact that the race calendar is getting busier,” he said. Verstappen is not alone in his opinion. On the contrary. In a letter, the drivers’ union even addressed a corresponding concern to the Formula 1 management and the International Automobile Federation.
A little “oil for the fire”: They should come, once a week, once a day, as often as they want. The invitation from the team boss of Mick Schumacher’s Haas racing team was and is for the inspectors of the International Automobile Association. “We have nothing to hide,” emphasized Günther Steiner and added to the broadcaster Sky: “It’s always the same. As soon as we have a good car, we copied it.” It is the competition that views the new Haas with suspicion. First and foremost Andreas Seidl, McLaren team boss. In his opinion, Haas is said to have orientated himself too much towards partner Ferrari. Steiner said he had not yet spoken to him about this. And he doesn’t feel compelled to seek dialogue with his colleague again. “He’s pouring gasoline on the fire,” emphasized Steiner.
A bit of nostalgia: Monaco, in just over a month it will be that time again. The Formula 1 classic. But does racing in the narrow streets of the Principality have a future? Especially with new competition from the upcoming Miami premiere and glitzy Las Vegas debut next year? In any case, the contract ends this year. “It’s one of the crown jewels of our sport,” said seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton about the race, which always feels like a journey back in time. “I’m not really sure if losing it would be great.”
And Daniel Ricciardo, who once won on the Côte d’Azur, praised the overall driving experience. “I would like, let’s call them the next generation, to experience that too,” said the Australian: “Because it’s something special.”