In the round-up: Daniel Ricciardo admits that he found his return to Formula 1 somewhat draining.
In brief
Ricciardo was “kind of knackered” after Hungary return
Ricciardo returned to F1 last weekend in Hungary, qualifying and finishing 13th despite being caught up in a first corner clash. He admits the busy weekend took its toll.
“I think the weekend as a whole went well,” he told media including RaceFans. “Certainly on Monday I pretty much was kind of knackered as well, so I was very low-key and just reflected on it.”
However he said he was satisfied with his first race weekend as an AlphaTauri driver. “I think the main thing was, yes I was happy with my performance, but I was happy about the way I was kind of going racing again. And the weekend, as probably chaotic as it felt, I really enjoyed it. I felt like everything was under control and it was busy, but it wasn’t too much.”
McLaren jump “motivation” – Steiner
Haas team principal Guenther Steiner says that the leap forwards that McLaren have made this season shows teams like his that making quick progress up the field can be possible under the current rules.
“I think it’s motivation for people to show them that somebody did that, which means you can do it as well,” Steiner told media including RaceFans. “Because before, seasons ago, how many times have you seen such a big step? Very few in the last 20 years with an upgrade making such a big leap.”
Mason steps in for Benavides at Spa
PHM Racing by Charouz have announced 21-year-old driver Joshua Mason will replace Brad Benavides for this weekend’s Formula 2 races at Spa-Francorchamps.
Mason, who has F3 experience in British F3 and EuroFormula Open, has one win in both this year’s EuroFormula Open season and the Formula Regional Oceania series at the start of the year. He replaces Benavides, who has not scored a point this season.
“It’s a mix of emotions – excited, nervous and all the emotions are flowing through,” said Mason. “To jump into Formula 2 around Spa in the wet means there’s quite a lot being thrown at me, but I’m looking forward to get started.”
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Links
Motor racing links of interest:
Barcelona negocia con la F1 para seguir hasta 2036 con el GP de España (Marca – Spanish)
Spanish Grand Prix promoters are seeking a long term contract extension similar to Bahrain, Melbourne and Hungary following reports that Madrid is pursuing a street race.
F1 Academy wants to be ‘rocket fuel’ for female progression in motor racing (ESPN)
Susie Wolff: ”It’s about having the right progression. It’s about knowing what’s right to our winner to progress. And it’s not just the winner, if we’ve got P2, P3, whoever it is, looking to progress, I’ll do all I can to see them progress up the ladder. We are not a destination for young female drivers to stay and to race in. We are there to provide a platform and nurture them and give them the rocket fuel for further progression in the sport.”
Barclay: ‘Throughout the course of the race, we’re in a high speed game of chess. We have to make the right decisions to come out on top of 20 other drivers and 11 other teams, so it’s constantly that pinpoint of pressure, but our job is to try and make a very high pressure situation, actually a very calm environment.’
Peasenhall driver Max Taylor wins British and Irish titles (East Anglian Daily Times)
‘Formula One has Max Verstappen but one Suffolk 10-year-old is proving he’s a dab hand behind the wheel after winning two championships in one weekend. Max Taylor, from Peasenhall, near Saxmundham, not only qualified for the Ninja Karts championships but took home the British and Irish Open titles.’
Assetto Corsa Competizione – 2023 GT World Challenge Pack Launch Trailer (PlayStation via YouTube)
‘The GT World Challenge 2023 DLC is out now on PS5! Download the update and burn some rubber around the incredible Circuit Ricardo Tormo in three new GT3 cars!’
We always endeavour to credit original sources. If you have a tip for a link relating to single-seater motorsport to feature in the next RaceFans round-up please send it to us via the contact form.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Social media
Notable posts from Twitter, Instagram and more:
Miss you Tonio.💜
Thanks to everyone who joined today, had a thought or prayers for Tonio & Dilano. Proud of our sport in moments like today. RIP young champs. pic.twitter.com/g9FXsjmpQ9— PIERRE GASLY 🇫🇷 (@PierreGASLY) July 27, 2023
Weather update, courtesy of @OscarPiastri. 🌧️#BelgianGP 🇧🇪 pic.twitter.com/QQeKK08oDl
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) July 27, 2023
An important step for our sport.
Team Principal, Mike Krack, on the @f1academy announcement and how AMF1 Team will be involved in 2024. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/R8aWp3R6iM
— Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) July 27, 2023
|@PierreGASLY arranged a ‘run for Anthoine’ to remember Anthoine Hubert, who died in a crash at the track four years ago, and Dilano van ‘t Hoff, who lost his life at the same circuit earlier this month. #F1 #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/fphTkGw7nc
— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) July 27, 2023
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Big Galah, Solo, Holly and Bill Niehoff!
