Formula 1 - 2017

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RAHAL: DIXON IN A MERCEDES MORE THAN LEWIS WILL WANT TO DEAL WITH

Triple Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton has ignited a barrage of criticism after he questioned the depth of talent in Indycar racing after Fernando Alonso’ impressive showing at this year’s Indy 500.

After Alonso qualified in fifth, Hamilton is quoted by L’Equipe saying, “I looked at the times and, frankly, for his first ever qualifying for Fernando to be fifth — what does that say about Indy?”

Tony Kanaan was one of the first to respond to Hamilton’s apparently disparaging remarks, “What can I say? The guy (Hamilton) competed in a two-car world championship last year and was second, so I don’t think he can say much.”

“It was a pleasure to have Fernando here. He is humble, not like some of his colleagues who were making comments this month,” added the Brazilian veteran.

Other reactive comments followed, with Canada’s James Hinchcliffe quipping, “It’s funny hearing comments about the depth of our field from someone that only has to race three other cars.”

Graham Rahal, who won this past weekend’s IndyCar race in Detroit, said, “When I saw Lewis Hamilton’s comment, you guys know me, it took me everything I had in my body not to say something.”

“Legitimately, in Formula 1, over his entire career, it’s been a two-car race. Four max. IndyCar racing, this is the seventh race, seventh different winner. That doesn’t happen in other motor sports. Period.

“No matter what anybody wants to say, it’s a great form of motor sports. I can’t imagine the feeling of going to each and every race weekend and knowing that all I got to do is beat my teammate and I’m going to win. But that doesn’t happen here.”

“Look, the truth? I put Scott Dixon in a Mercedes all day long, and Lewis is going to have more than he really wants to deal with. I can guarantee you that. Maybe not me, but Scott Dixon,” insisted Rahal.

This year’s Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato, who competed in 90 Formula 1 races, said, “I’m quite surprised a champion like Lewis Hamilton said that. It is a little sad, because he should respect all the competitors.”

“Formula 1 is Formula 1. We know that it’s a pinnacle. But at the same time, the Indy 500 is also another pinnacle. You can’t really directly compare until you are in IndyCar and you don’t know how hard the competition here is.”

“Fernando [Alonso] is one of the best drivers in the world. Given that circumstance Alonso only had ten days practice at the track. He qualified well. He’s a great driver.”

“I have respect for [Hamilton] but I don’t respect that comment,” added the Japanese driver.

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VIDEO: STROLL PREVIEWS HIS HOME RACE

 

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PIRELLI PREVIEW THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX

Following two events in Europe, Formula 1 heads to the Canadian Grand Prix, widely acknowledged as one of the most unpredictable races of the year.

Just like Monaco, the three softest compounds in the P Zero Formula 1 range are present: soft, supersoft and ultrasoft. But this semi-permanent track is much quicker, with top speeds exceeding 300kph, and so poses a bigger challenge for both cars and tyres.

With a slippery surface, changeable weather and a relatively high incidence of safety cars – thanks mainly to the famous ‘wall of champions’ – a wide variety of race strategies has been seen in the past. But this year, we have a brand-new range of tyres and different characteristics…

The circuit from a tyre point of view:

• Canada is all about traction and braking: longitudinal rather than lateral forces. This affects tyres and especially brakes.
• Warming up the front tyres effectively is one of the keys to a quick lap time in Canada.
• Being a rarely-used semi-permanent track, the surface tends to evolve rapidly.
• Some graining has been seen in the past: this is now less likely with the new family of 2017 tyres, based on previous experience.
• Weather can range from heat to full rain.

Mario Isola, Head of car racing: “Montreal has many unique features, but with its smooth surface, it actually contains some similarities to Sochi. Last year the winner did one stop, while the second-placed driver made two stops using all three compounds, which just goes to show the very wide variety of strategies that are possible. Finding the right set-up, with the correct aerodynamic and mechanical balance, is never easy in Montreal: this is one of the key factors to making the tyres work effectively there. It’s also important to take an openminded approach to strategy, given the variable weather and safety cars that are historically possible.”

What’s new?

This is only the second time this year that the teams have been able to choose their own tyres, with Ferrari and Mercedes making slightly different choices.

• In Monaco, Red Bull had its well-known floating motorhome: in Canada, Pirelli has a floating fitting area!
• The current lap record in Canada stands at 1m13.622s (from 2004). Given last year’s lap times and the improvement seen so far, there is a strong chance it will be broken.
• Pirelli has been expanding its sporting horizons: as well as being a partner and sponsor of Formula 1, the Italian tyre firm also became sponsor of the recently concluded Giro d’Italia cycle race and Team Emirates New Zealand in the America’s Cup.

 

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MCLAREN PREVIEW THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX

The Canadian Grand Prix celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The race first took place at Mosport in August 1967, after which it switched to Mont Tremblant and then its current home on the Ile Notre-Dame, Montreal, in 1978 – a race that was won by Quebecois Gilles Villeneuve. The track was re-named the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve after his death in 1982.

Fernando Alonso: “It’s good to be heading back to Canada – it feels like I’ve spent a lot of time in North America recently! The Indy 500 was an incredible experience and it’s been amazing to learn a completely different style of driving, on a different circuit layout and with a very different car, but I’m ready to get back to my ‘day job’ and go racing in F1 again. I’ve always enjoyed the Canadian Grand Prix. The circuit is unique in that it’s very demanding on both the car and driver, so it’s a real racer’s track. While I was in Indy I was still keeping up-to-date with the news from Monaco, and Stoffel and Jenson both reported positively on the new upgrades and reliability, so I hope we can continue to see a step forward in Canada. The layout of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve means it’s very power-limited and therefore dependent on straight-line speed and power. It’s not going to suit our car as much as the twisty, slower corners of Monaco, but I’m excited to get back in the MCL32, catch up with the guys and girls in the team and get back out on track – not only turning left this time!”

Stoffel Vandoorne: “Monaco was definitely an eventful weekend for the whole team. I felt really comfortable in the car each time I got out on track, and I felt we could really push the limits of our package and maybe come home in the points – it’s a shame it didn’t end up that way. There has definitely been a step forward in the chassis thanks to the upgrades the team has been working hard to bring to every race, so let’s see how these translate to Canada, which is a very different circuit set-up. It’s a new venue for me this weekend as I’ve never raced there before, but I’ve driven the track plenty of times in the simulator already. It’s a tough circuit and I can see why people say it’s a ‘driver’s track’ – there’s a lot to keep you busy and high concentration is essential – the Wall of Champions is proof of that! It will definitely be a completely different experience to Monaco in terms of preparation and set-up, but I’m excited to drive it for real for the first time and get a feel for its characteristics. The race will be tough on brakes, tough on engines and tough on the drivers, and with the potential of Safety Cars in the mix, there’s a lot to think about in terms of strategy and set-up this weekend. It will be good to have Fernando back alongside me, and he has a lot of experience at this track that will be useful to tap in to. It won’t be the easiest grand prix for us, but, in contrast to Monaco, there are more overtaking opportunities, which will hopefully mean more chances for us to be in the mix.”

Eric Boullier, McLaren-Honda Racing Director: “After one of the busiest weeks in McLaren’s history as we concentrated our efforts on both sides of the pond in Monaco and Indianapolis, it’s now time to focus our attention on the Canadian Grand Prix. In Monaco, we welcomed the popular return of Jenson, who put in a strong performance, particularly in qualifying, proving he has lost none of his renowned skills behind the wheel. Stoffel, too, showed impressively strong form all weekend and equipped himself very well to mix it with the midfield around the formidable Monaco street circuit. Although we were looking good for a point or two, sadly, it wasn’t meant to be, but we nevertheless go to Canada buoyed by the strength of the ongoing development work we are undertaking back at base. Of course, we’re also very much looking forward to having Fernando back in the car again in Canada, after his McLaren Honda Andretti Indy 500 adventure. What he has achieved in just a few short weeks has been phenomenal, and the whole team is looking forward to catching up with him and congratulating him on a hugely impressive performance. The whole McLaren Honda team enjoys returning to Montreal each year, and the venue is up there among the favourite races on the calendar for many. We stay downtown – the city has an incredible atmosphere – and we always receive a very warm welcome. The Canadians love their racing, like we do, and the grand prix has a worthy reputation for being unpredictable and exciting. McLaren has enjoyed numerous victories in Canada, arguably the most famous of which in the hands of Jenson Button six years ago, in a four-hour race that became the definition of ‘unpredictable’ racing in Canada. The infamous Wall of Champions has claimed the cars and pride of many a world-class driver, and the demanding characteristics of the circuit present a unique set of challenges for the drivers, engineers and mechanics. The nature of the Circuit de Gilles Villeneuve is high-speed, with tight chicanes, limited run-off and heavy braking. While its complex traits won’t suit the strengths of our package, we are still pushing the envelope at every race by bringing useful developments that are correlating well and eking out more performance. We still have a long way to go, and this circuit will be a tricky platform on which our package is less likely to shine, but we will work hard as always to maximise what we have in our armoury and take advantage of every opportunity on track.”

Yusuke Hasegawa, Honda R&D Co. Ltd Head of F1 Project & Executive Chief Engineer: “The Canadian Grand Prix is always a special race for us. It is one of the most vibrant and popular on the Formula 1 calendar, and has a wonderful atmosphere – the fans really embrace the grand prix each year. We also have the warm support of our colleagues from Honda Canada. After Jenson’s one-off appearance in Monaco, we will have Fernando back behind the wheel fresh from his great Indy 500 challenge. His bid to win in his rookie year came to a disappointing end, but once again Fernando showed what an incredible talent he is. He was a contender for victory throughout the legendary race and drove like a seasoned oval racer. I am looking forward to seeing him after his great adventure. Despite the beautiful nature of the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit, this power-hungry, demanding track will not play to our strengths. With its power-oriented nature, stop and start corners, abrasive surface and long straights, it will no doubt be another challenging race weekend for us. However, we will keep pushing forward, no matter how tough the challenge ahead.”

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RENAULT PREVIEW THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX

Renault preview the Canadian Grand Prix, Round 7 of the 2017 Formula 1 World Championship, at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Ile Notre Dame in Montreal.

Foreword by Renault Sport Racing Managing Director, Cyril Abiteboul: “Montréal promises to be an exciting one for everybody involved. It is the 50th anniversary of Formula 1 in Canada and the 375th anniversary of Montréal as a city. It all adds up to be a special weekend, and we are very excited to get out there and getting on the circuit.”

“Monaco was a very testing weekend for the team. We experienced reliability issues on mechanical components that were on the last race of their cycle. These are challenges that all teams can experience, it is part and parcel of life in modern-day Formula 1. Monaco highlighted the areas we need to improve and further confirmed elements we knew about. And with the new components, we are now ready to attack the next race with the same perseverance and attitude.”

“Canada is all about bouncing back and making a fresh start. We now have a more robust engine and gearbox and we can fully focus on maximising performance. The team in Enstone are heading to the race with an aerodynamic package adapted to the Montréal circuit. However due to the challenges of the track, we certainly don’t expect an easy race.”

“The effort going in across both bases in England and Viry is driving us forward and it is vital that we maintain this hard work, as we set our sights on being at least sixth place in the Constructors’ standings before the summer break. That should enable us to defend our position and reset our targets towards finishing the second-half of the season in fifth.”

“It is a busy time for Renault Sport Racing with Formula 1, Formula E and Formula Renault Eurocup in full swing.”

“In the FIA Formula 2 Championship, Renault Sport Formula One Team Development Driver Oliver Rowland secured his first-ever win in the series in Monaco. As a team, we are delighted for Oliver for his hard-work behind the scenes and we hope he continues his positive run of form.”

“It’s a return home for Renault Sport Formula One Team Test Driver Nicholas Latifi, who joins us in Montréal. As well as working with this team this weekend, he will be working as a Brand Ambassador for our Official Partner, Infiniti.”

“As a brand, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of Renault’s Formula 1 entry in Monaco so we are looking forward to being part of Canada’s 50th Formula 1 anniversary and hope we can deliver a celebration-worthy performance on track.”

Live and learn

Monaco was a challenging weekend for the team but Chief Technical Officer Bob Bell is keen to put that right on a fast, hard-braking Montréal circuit.

What did we learn in Monaco?
BB: Despite coming away from the weekend with no points and thinking ‘that was a torrid event,’ there are positives. We were quite far off the pace on Thursday, but we were fortunate for the intervening Friday where we could review the data further, decide what was wrong and deal with it. The communications between our departments was very good here. We were assisted by having an extra day to process the data, but the way the team including everyone at Enstone and Viry reacted was admirable. In terms of issues encountered, Nico’s gearbox was on the last race of a six-race cycle and we knew ahead of the Grand Prix that there was potential it could catch us out, and this it did. We made a balanced judgement on whether or not to change it before the race and accept a five-place penalty. If it had held we’d have scored a good tally of points. If we’d taken the penalty and started further back on the grid, points would have been a tall order. We have work to do there to make sure it we don’t have the same issue again and the next gearbox cycle is an evolution to counter the issues seen from the start of the season. We had problems for both drivers on Thursday; the power unit for Jolyon and electronics for Nico.

What can we say about Montréal?
BB: Montréal is more demanding than Monaco regarding engine performance. It has longer straights, twisty bits with low speed corners but a bit more opportunity for the car to exercise its legs. Montréal is similar to Monaco in terms of demands on the driver to not make any minor errors as you can pay a heavy price. That is always a feature of Montréal, it puts a lot of energy on the brakes and tyres, lots of acceleration and braking which works the car hard. We will go with the softest three compounds, the softer of those compounds will be most favourable.

How important is it for the drivers to ride the kerbs at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve?
BB: There are a lot of kerbs around Montréal and to get a good time there you need to use them. Traditionally, in the last few races, that has not been our strong point, but we are making progress there and it will be a test for us. It will be a one-stop, I suspect. Temperature can be variable in Montréal which can make a big difference with tyres. Track temperature will play a significant part in strategy and set-up.

Are there any new parts for the car?
BB: We have some new bits including some aero upgrades specifically for this grand prix.

Nico Hülkenberg is pumped full of energy after a shorter than wanted Monaco Grand Prix. He’s poised to put in a premier performance at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

How much do you enjoy the Canadian Grand Prix?
NH: Canada is a great Grand Prix weekend, I love the circuit, I love the city and I love the atmosphere. The circuit is a combination of a street circuit and a race track. There are big walls on the exit with nice kerbs you have to ride. It is a track with a really nice flow so I enjoy it very much. The week in Montréal is always one of the best of the year.

Do you have any preference with the weather conditions?
NH: Mixed weather conditions make things interesting and spices things up, but I don’t have any strong preference to weather, we will take it as it comes. Canada usually throws up some surprises.

What is the atmosphere like during the weekend?
NH: At the hairpin, you are surrounded by grandstands left and right and as a driver you get a really good sense of atmosphere there. On the drivers parade you usually get goosebumps when you see all the fans cheering, it is a lot of fun, especially when it is a full house. You can see how much Canada loves Formula 1 because the whole city embraces the race and the locals give us a very warm welcome. There’s a huge buzz around town and a lot of events that create a special atmosphere.

How challenging is the circuit to drive?
NH: Canada has a lot of focus on top speed, with a couple of straights combined with hard braking zones. It is one of the toughest tracks for brakes. You need confidence from the anchors, especially when you are trying to go deep into the corners. The final chicane can always be a tricky one as you can lose a lot of time there. It can be difficult as Canada is all about high speed, the low downforce configuration always makes the car feel light. Kerbs are important, you need to ride them well if you can and use them to ensure a good lap time.

Where are the overtaking opportunities?
NH: It’s hard to overtake there, but the final chicane is definitely the best opportunity. You have to try and stay out of the ‘Wall of Champions’, though! The tyre choices are at the softer end of the range, so there will be some aggressive strategies, we will see what we can do.

Jolyon Palmer secured a season best eleventh place finish in Monaco, and he is targeting going one better with a points haul in Montréal.

What do you make of Montréal?
JP: I raced there for the first time last year, it is a street circuit again but a different one compared to Monaco, as there are more opportunities to overtake. The weather is a question mark as there have been many wet races there in the past. I enjoyed it last year, even though my race was rather curtailed for reasons outside my control. We should be a good chunk more competitive this time around. We’ll do everything we can to maximise the car around the track and we’ll be pushing all the way as usual. In terms of the city, the place is really cool and one which genuinely embraces Formula 1.

Is it a tricky circuit to navigate?
JP: It is a fun track with lots of sequences, we need to prepare for the exits of the corners and get ready for the long straights. Then there is the ‘Wall of Champions’, where you can win or lose a lot of time, or hit the wall as well. Monaco is good practice I think, we had a strong race there and hopefully we can build on the confidence. It will be a similar story to Monaco in terms of the new cars, with width and wider rear tyres making things tricky. You are right up against the walls in a lot of corners in Canada, and it will be even tighter and narrower with these cars!

After the strong Monaco result, is it important now to keep building?
JP: It is pretty hard to overtake in Monaco, so eleventh from P16 was it, and just one second away from getting the first point of the year. It felt much better than P11 and we can certainly take this momentum to Canada and aim for a strong weekend with a good result on Sunday.

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RED BULL DRIVERS PREVIEW THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX

Red Bull drivers preview the Canadian Grand Prix, Round 7 of the 2017 Formula 1 World Championship, at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Ile Notre Dame in Montreal.

Daniel Ricciardo

“I love the Canadian Grand Prix and it’s my type of track. It’s another street circuit where you can get close to the walls, I’ve had a race win there and it’s great fun both on and off-track. What’s not to love?

“It’s also a tricky track to get right and although there aren’t a whole lot of corners they are all quite complex.

I was pretty happy with my qualifying lap last year and the last chicane was fun but it would be really great to get back on the podium. Last year it was also freezing cold
and to be honest that sucked. You would just about warm up after a few laps in the car, so hopefully it will be a little bit warmer this year.

“I will definitely spend some time in the US before heading to the race. I’ve got some friends coming with me so we will probably go to California first and maybe I will go on a little road trip after the race weekend. But first, let’s hope we can get a good result in front of those mega Canadian fans.”

Max Verstappen

“There is always a big crowd at the Canadian Grand Prix, especially at turns one and two and you can feel the atmosphere when you’re in the car. The fans are really into motor racing which is always nice to see and I’m looking forward to experiencing that again.

“One of my favourite points on the track is also one of the trickiest and that’s the last chicane. You arrive at the braking point at very high speed and the brakes can be quite cold. It’s tricky to really nail this corner but I had a good battle with Nico there last year and it’s always good when you come out in front. There are also tight walls on

the exit of the chicane and you should be careful not to brush these as it is easy to damage a wheel rim. As usual the cars will run slightly less downforce in Canada so they will be a little looser under braking but we have more grip this year so it should be more comfortable for everyone compared to 2016.

“We stay in downtown Montreal which is a really nice place to be. I like being on the American continent, there is always a good feeling and I find the people very friendly so I always enjoy going back there!”

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HAAS PREVIEW THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX

In the most recent race of the 2017 FIA Formula One World Championship, Haas F1 Team placed both its cars in the top-10 with drivers Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen finishing eighth and 10th, respectively, in the Monaco Grand Prix.

It was the 27th race in Haas F1 Team’s still young history, and it marked the first time the American squad earned a double-points finish, with Grosjean securing four points and Magnussen earning one. The collective tally brought Haas F1 Team up to seventh in the constructors standings, tied with the factory Renault team at 14 points apiece.

Not since Alan Jones and Patrick Tambay finished fourth and fifth in the 1986 Austrian Grand Prix at the Österreichring had an American team scored a double-points finish. Ironically, Jones and Tambay did it for Team Haas, which despite the name has no relation to Haas F1 Team. The late Carl Haas owned Team Haas while industrialist Gene Haas owns Haas F1 Team.

Haas F1 Team became the first American Formula One team in 30 years when it joined the grid for last year’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix. Since then, it has steadily notched numerous firsts on its way toward becoming a household name in Formula One.

• First point-paying finish: sixth by Grosjean in the 2016 Australian Grand Prix
• First time both cars advanced from Q1 to Q2: 2016 Bahrain Grand Prix
• First top-five finish: fifth by Grosjean in the 2016 Bahrain Grand Prix
• First appearance in Q3: Esteban Gutiérrez in the 2016 Italian Grand Prix
• First time both cars advanced from Q2 to Q3: 2016 Japanese Grand Prix
• First time both cars finished in the points: 2017 Monaco Grand Prix
• Now the seventh race of the 2017 season beckons with the Canadian Grand Prix June 11 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. Haas F1 Team, with a slew of firsts already in hand, seeks some seconds that will eventually turn into thirds, fourths, fifths, etc. Specifically, after its first double-points finish in Monaco, Haas F1 Team is eyeing another double in Montreal.

In five career Formula One starts at the 4.361-kilometer (2.710-mile), 14-turn semi-street circuit, Grosjean has two top-10 finishes, including a career-best second-place effort earned in 2012, which was his first Canadian Grand Prix. Magnussen also owns a top-10 in Montreal. He finished ninth as a rookie in 2014.

With individual point-scoring performances from past Canadian Grands Prix, Grosjean and Magnussen look to double-down on their double-points finish from Monaco. While Monaco and Montreal differ, there is some carryover, namely tight corners, unforgiving walls and the same tire lineup from supplier Pirelli – Yellow soft, Red supersoft and Purple ultrasoft.

Montreal is quite a bit quicker than Monaco, making those tight corners even harder to navigate and placing a premium on brake performance. While both tracks have a stop-and-go nature, the speeds achieved on Circuit Gilles Villeneuve stresses the brakes on two fronts – harder usage and less time between corners for the brakes to cool. And one section of particular renown – the Wall of Champions on the track’s final chicane – has made many a world champion feel like a world chump.

It’s a challenging layout offset by Montreal’s charm, a juxtaposition highlighted by the wheel-to-wheel racing amid the remnants of Expo 67 and the 1976 Summer Olympics. Where medals were earned by Olympians from around the globe more than 40 years ago, Grosjean and Magnussen will put the pedal to the metal in pursuit of another double-points haul.

Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve

Circuit Length: 4.361 km (2.710 miles)
Laps: 70
Race Distance: 305.270 km (189.686 miles)
Broadcast: NBC – 2 p.m. ET (Lights Out)

Guenther Steiner, Team Principal

Monaco marked Haas F1 Team’s first double points finish in its still young history. You mentioned how this wasn’t some sort of magic, that the team has been working toward this for some time. Can you talk about the progress the team has made since its inception to now regularly having a shot at getting both drivers into the points?
GS: “I think a lot of things come with time. You mature. It’s pretty normal if everybody works hard, and I would say the team has worked really hard. It’s difficult to get two cars in the top-10 in F1, as we all know. Everybody – the team, the drivers – did a fantastic job in Monte Carlo. Saying that we can always get in with two cars – that’s overestimating it, but that’s our aim. If you’re there or, at least, always knocking on the door, it will happen. That’s always my philosophy. We’re a lot more consistent than last year, which makes us hope to have more of this in the future.”

When you have a good result, how long are you able to enjoy it before you’re forced to turn your attention to the next race?
GS: “The enjoyment is very short because you always have to think about what is coming next and you always want to do better. We were eighth and 10th in Monte Carlo and next time we want to be better than that. So, you have to immediately start thinking about the next one. You do stop to enjoy it, but it’s not the main thing you’re thinking of. You’re happy, and it gives you confidence for the next task ahead.”

Haas F1 Team is now tied with the factory Renault team for seventh in the constructors standings. It seems a bit of a David-versus-Goliath battle when it comes to resources, but does it also showcase the technical collaboration Haas F1 Team has with Ferrari and Dallara?
GS: “Without our partners we wouldn’t be where we are, and we are pretty happy to say that. Against teams that have two or three times the budget and four or five times the people, it is hard to try to beat them. Again though, if you work hard and use your resources cleverly, it can be achieved. Nobody thought two years ago when we started that in year two we’d have two cars in the top-10 in Monte Carlo. I don’t think a lot of people would have believed that. It is doable, but it is hard work and it’s down to the people who work in the team.”

You’ve said that one of your main goals this year is consistency, specifically, ending the up-and-down nature of Haas F1 Team’s performance from race-to-race. How impactful would another double-points finish in Montreal be to achieving that goal?
GS: “For sure it would help, but we’re already confident as we’ve been in the points four times in the last six races. In Australia, before we broke the turbocharger, we were seventh. So, the only race where we weren’t in a points position was Russia. From all our races, we’ve always been in a good position, so we’re a lot more stable than last year already. You can’t always get in there all the time – even the big teams like Force India, which is fourth in the championship, didn’t get into the points in Monte Carlo with either car, and that’s because the midfield is so tight. I think we can achieve it, because if you’re there or about, it will happen.”

How hard is it to get both cars in the top-10 when six of those spots should theoretically be reserved for the top-three teams – Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull? You have to fight with six other teams and 12 other drivers for four spots.
GS: “Absolutely, it’s very difficult. There is so little room between hero and zero. If you’re not in the points it looks really bad, but six spots are already taken, typically. We are fighting for four spots. It is very difficult to achieve, but we’ve achieved it four times now this year. You see the points difference between Toro Rosso, which is fifth and us in seventh. They’ve got 29 points and we’ve got 14. They have double the points, but 14 is not insurmountable. You get two good results and you’re there. That shows how competitive it is in the midfield. So for us to be in the points four times out of six races is some measure of success.”

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a semi-street circuit. Is there anything you can take from Monaco and apply to Montreal, especially considering Pirelli is bringing the same tire compounds?
GS: “Hopefully, we can apply the tire data we’ve got from Monaco and it works the same or very similarly on the surface in Canada. The rest is down to aero and suspension adjustments. We’ve got some data from last year and I hope we can do well there.”

Despite running the softest tire compounds in Pirelli’s lineup for a second straight week, drivers are saying the tires aren’t soft enough. Ideally, what are drivers looking for in a tire? It is more grip, a sidewall that’s not as stiff or a combination of both?
GS: “They’re looking for the window the tire operates in, temperature-wise, to be a little bit wider than it is. We have a very narrow band. Also, the tires should drop off a little bit more, so you can make a difference in strategy. With a tire like this, it’s difficult to do.”

How do you find the proper working range of a tire and what do you need to do to stay in that working range?
GS: “To find it, it’s almost trial and error. You go out there and you just find out when you’ve got the grip, then you try to replicate the temperatures. This is now the next problem we’re facing, like in qualifying. A lot of people, if you see in front of the last corner, they’re bunching up because everybody tries to get to the start-finish line with the right temperature. Some slow down so you screw up your temperature completely to get there. It’s a fine line. In the race, as soon as there’s a Virtual Safety Car or the Safety Car comes out, you’re in trouble because you cannot get the heat back into the tires. You saw in Monte Carlo, under the Virtual Safety Car, the only two which had temperature in their tires at the restart were the two guys who had come in for a free pit stop and put new tires on, which had been in the tire warmers. All the other guys struggled to get the temperatures in, and (Marcus) Ericsson crashed into the barrier as he had no temperature. It’s very difficult.”

Canada is known as the hardest-braking grand prix of the year. What do you need to make the most of your car’s braking capability, and how do your drivers manage their brakes for the entire, 70-lap race?
GS: “The biggest thing is the confidence of the driver in the brakes. More confidence means more speed. They need to be confident that the brakes always operate the same, at the same point, at the same time. That is the most important thing. The team can monitor the wear with telemetry, so if we get in danger we can actually tell the driver over the radio that they’re having a problem.”

We saw some new T-wing designs at Monaco. Does Haas F1 Team plan any upgrades to its T-wing design at upcoming races?
GS: “Not at the upcoming races. Maybe in the future, but we would need to find something in the wind tunnel which would make sense and is worthwhile to introduce. This is the T-wing we’ll be using for the near future.”

How much development will Haas F1 Team place on the T-wing and sharkfin considering those designs have been outlawed for the 2018 season?
GS: “I think we’re pretty close to the stage where we move on. Knowing that it’s not here anymore for next year makes the decision quite easy. If you don’t find something easy, if you don’t find downforce easily, you let it be because you’re developing just for a few races. Until you develop it and until you introduce it, you’re over half of the season, so I don’t think it makes a lot of sense unless, of course, you make big gains, which I don’t think are in there anymore because we did extensive testing. I don’t think there will be a lot coming anymore from this T-wing.”

Romain Grosjean

Monaco marked Haas F1 Team’s first double points finish in its still young history. Guenther Steiner mentioned how this wasn’t some sort of magic, that the team has been working toward this for some time. Can you talk about the progress the team has made since its inception to now regularly having a shot at getting both drivers into the points?
RG: “Last year we started very well, then we struggled a little bit more as we were preparing for 2017. The car is very good. We’ve had a lot of chances to get into the points. We haven’t always had the luck we needed but, eventually, Monaco came. It was not maybe the place we expected to get both cars into the top-10, but we did it, and it shows that the team is now capable of finding the right setup, the right strategy and going for it. It was a big achievement. I think it’s as big as our first Q3 appearance, or our first points, and I’m very happy with that.”

When you have a good result, how long are you able to enjoy it before you’re forced to turn your attention to the next race?
RG: “Well, I normally take Monday off. It’s the day I’m either going to enjoy or be in a bad mood, depending on the race. After that I’m already focused on the next race. We have a chat with the engineers, we have a conference call on Thursday, and we’re already working flat out on the next race.”

How hard is it to get into the top-10 when six of those spots should theoretically be reserved for the top-three teams – Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull? You have to fight with six other teams and 12 other drivers for four spots.
RG: “It’s pretty hard to get there. There are races where, like in Barcelona, there were a lot of cars crashing out like a Mercedes, a Ferrari, a Williams, which makes it easier, but we didn’t manage to get as high as we wanted. In Monaco, there was nothing happening at the front. It was really difficult to follow the guys. For the smaller teams, as we are in the midfield, it’s pretty tricky as there aren’t many spots to go for.”

Despite running the softest tire compounds in Pirelli’s lineup for a second straight week, drivers are saying the tires aren’t soft enough. Ideally, what are you looking for in a tire? It is more grip, a sidewall that’s not as stiff or a combination of both?
RG: “It’s more grip. During the last race I did 40 laps on the ultrasoft, which is really more of a qualifying tire. It should be able to do some amount of laps, but not as much as that. We’re asking to get tires with a better warm-up, be better after the Safety Car and to go faster. We believe that the cars are able to go faster.”

Another element of the tires is the working range of each compound, specifically, how you get the tire into the proper working range and then keeping it there. How do you find the proper working range of a tire and what do you need to do to stay in that working range?
RG: “I do believe that not a lot of people are 100 percent sure how to get there. It’s very tricky. It’s something we need to work on with Pirelli. We need to make it easier, as we’re spending so much time getting the tires to work. It’s a bit frustrating not being able to work on car balance. Ideally, we’d like a wider window, and pretty much more in common between the compounds, so when you change compounds it doesn’t just fall off in the performance.”

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a semi-street circuit. Is there anything you can take from Monaco and apply to Montreal, especially considering Pirelli is bringing the same tire compounds from Monaco?
RG: “Yes there are a few things we can take, a few setup items we’ve tried. Hopefully, we can make a good package. Canada is, of course, much faster than Monaco. It’s a city circuit, but very different from Monaco. You run less downforce because of the long straights. Mechanically, I think there are a few things we can carry over.”

Canada is known as the hardest-braking grand prix of the year. What do you need to feel in the car to make the most of your car’s braking capability, and how do you manage your brakes for the entire, 70-lap race?
RG: “We’ll be working on our brakes. It’s not our number one strength, but we’re getting better. For Canada, you need to know that when you hit the pedal, you’re going to get 100 percent of what you want. You don’t want a different feel from your demand. That’s what we need to work on. For the race, let’s see which cooling we can run. Worst case scenario – we have to do a bit of lift-and-coast to manage them.”

Montreal is home to one of your best finishes in Formula One – a second-place effort in 2012. What do you remember about that race and how did you achieve that result?
RG: “That was a great race. I started P7. I had a one-stop strategy while everyone else was on a two-stop strategy. Initially, I thought I would finish fifth or sixth as I was stuck behind the Mercedes of (Nico) Rosberg. I couldn’t overtake. Then, everyone pitted. The ones who didn’t were really struggling with grip, so I could overtake them. I didn’t quite have the pace to chase Lewis (Hamilton) and take the win.”

How important was that second-place finish at Montreal in 2012 during that early portion of your Formula One career?
RG: “It was a great race and, obviously, a great result. I always try to do my best. It was a good race. I enjoyed it. It’s always important to strive for the highest finish you can and be as high on the podium as possible.”

What is your favorite part of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and why?
RG: “I like the whole circuit. I’ve always loved it and really enjoy racing there. It’s always a great feeling.”

Describe a lap around Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
RG: “After the start-finish line you go into turn one. It’s tricky braking with a lot of front locking. You’re straight into turn two – a very bumpy hairpin. Then it’s the chicane. You use a lot of the curb and have to be careful on exit because of the wall. Then it’s another left and right corner with tricky braking. You come from the right-hand side corner flat out, and then there’s a long throttle application with a lot of g-force. Then you brake for turns eight and nine. Under the bridge, it’s very bumpy. It’s not so easy to get the grip of the car there. Then it’s the hairpin. Very big braking there. You try to carry some minimum speed and not lose too much time. You then need a good throttle application. Then there’s the famous chicane at the end of the lap, where you really want to brake as late as possible and carry as much speed as possible through that tricky part.”

Kevin Magnussen

Monaco marked Haas F1 Team’s first double points finish in its still young history. Guenther Steiner mentioned how this wasn’t some sort of magic, that the team has been working toward this for some time. Can you talk about the progress the team has made since you joined it for the start of this season?
KM: “Every race it’s visible that we’re growing as a team. We’re getting more and more experience and, most importantly, we’re using that experience. I think it’s showing. We had the team’s first double-points finish this year. That shows the progress the team has made.”

When you have a good result, how long are you able to enjoy it before you’re forced to turn your attention to the next race?
KM: “You feel happy, of course, and you’re proud of the team. It’s not a feeling that goes away. Of course, if the next race is disappointing, I’ll feel disappointed. In general, I’m quite proud of the team and I’m really satisfied with our progress. It’s not that every race is going to be fantastic from now on, but it’s a good benchmark to get both cars in the points and show that we can do it.”

How hard is it to get into the top-10 when six of those spots should theoretically be reserved for the top-three teams – Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull? You have to fight with six other teams and 12 other drivers for four spots.
KM: “It means you’ve got to beat some guys that are on the big teams, and that’s not an easy thing to do. We can feel proud about that.”

Despite running the softest tire compounds in Pirelli’s lineup for a second straight week, drivers are saying the tires aren’t soft enough. Ideally, what are you looking for in a tire? It is more grip, a sidewall that’s not as stiff or a combination of both?
KM: “The grip is there when the tires are working. It’s just that it’s pretty difficult to get them into the right window because they’re quite hard. Monaco was extreme because it’s a very low-speed track and tire energies are very low, which makes it very hard to get the tires working. Canada is going to be a little bit better, but still I think it’s going to be a challenge. It’s the same for everyone, but some people manage better than others, and that’s part of what we have to learn.”

Another element of the tires is the working range of each compound, specifically, how you get the tire into the proper working range and then keeping it there. How do you find the proper working range of a tire and what do you need to do to stay in that working range?
KM: “I think that’s a science in itself. It’s a very good question and one we’re working on very hard. Of course, on tracks that are more high speed, with Formula One cars having so much downforce, high-speed tracks are the best for that because you put more load into the tires and more energy. Formula One tires like a lot of load and energy, but you can’t slide the tires because then they wear out. The surface is quite fragile. It’s about trying to get energy into the tires without wearing out the surface.”

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a semi-street circuit. Is there anything you can take from Monaco and apply to Montreal, especially considering Pirelli is bringing the same tire compounds from Monaco?
KM: “It’s similar in the way that you need big balls for Canada. It’s a really enjoyable circuit to drive. Always when the walls are close to the track, it makes it a lot more exciting.”

Canada is known as the hardest-braking grand prix of the year. What do you need to feel in the car to make the most of your car’s braking capability, and how do you manage your brakes for the entire, 70-lap race?
KM: “It’s going to be pretty tricky. We’ve had difficulties with temperatures and wear on the brakes this year. Canada is definitely going to be another tricky one, but I’m sure we’ll manage.”

What is your favorite part of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and why?
KM: “I’d say the last chicane is pretty cool; one – because it’s a bumpy ride and you’ve got to be really precise with the turn in on the corner, and two – you’ve got that famous Wall of Champions on the outside that is always very exciting.”

Describe a lap around Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
KM: “It’s pretty bumpy and you need good braking points.

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Video: Renault celebrates 40th F1 anniversary with Monaco demo

We celebrate our 40th anniversary in F1 with the New Mégane R.S. at Monaco GP

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Toro Rosso would be "more than happy" to keep Sainz, Kvyat

Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost says the team would be "more than happy" to keep Carlos Sainz and Daniil Kvyat for the 2018 Formula 1 season.

Sainz is in his third season with Red Bull's junior team, while Russian Kvyat returned to the squad last year after he was replaced by Max Verstappen at the energy drinks giant's top team.

Following a strong 2016 season and an impressive start to this year's campaign, Sainz has re-iterated his desire for a promotion, saying he can "do no more" to prove himself worthy of the move.

However, with both Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen contracted to stay at Red Bull in 2018, the chances of the Spaniard stepping up appear limited.

Tost admitted the decision will ultimately be made by Red Bull, but he insists he would be happy to retain its current line-up despite meaning Toro Rosso - seen as a place to develop young drivers - would not run new racers.

"This is a decision for Red Bull. We have to wait. But if they [Sainz and Kvyat] continue with us it would be fantastic," Tost told Motorsport.com.

  

"There are not so many teams out there which are so much better than us."

"They are still young and we are still developing them. They are 22 and 23 years old. This is not an age where you can say you belong to the old drivers.

"We will see what Red Bull decides, but if they will stay with us I think the complete team would be more than happy."

Tost concedes, however, that he enjoys seeing Toro Rosso drivers being promoted to Red Bull, as it is one of the main reasons the Faenza-based squad exists.

"This is one of the targets of Toro Rosso, to allocate the young Red Bull drivers," he added.

"That's what we like to do and therefore we are quite happy if they get a seat at Red Bull Racing because it means that the team has done a good job, that the drivers are ready to go and the drivers are ready to win races. And this is what we would like to see."

Red Bull also has GP2 champion Pierre Gasly eager to make a move to F1, but Tost insists no decision on Toro Rosso's line-up will be made until after the summer.

"As I said before it depends what Red Bull decides, but the decision will be made in September or October, something like that," he said.

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Video: What next for Kimi Raikkonen after Monaco F1 frustration?

Kimi Raikkonen's wait to put right the perceived wrongs of the Monaco Grand Prix ends later this week when Formula 1 arrives in Canada.

The Finn was disappointed to miss out on his first Ferrari victory since 2009 after losing the lead in Monaco to team-mate Sebastian Vettel during the pitstops, but what does the scenario mean for the rest of his season, and his future beyond this year?

In this clip from the latest episode of Motorsport.tv's weekly programme The Flying Lap, Peter Windsor and renowned driver coach Rob Wilson dissect the Raikkonen/Ferrari dynamic, while also taking a look at what held Lewis Hamilton back on the streets of Monte Carlo.

 

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Pirelli would welcome return of Formula 1 tyre war

Pirelli would welcome a return to 'tyre war' competition in Formula 1, says its chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera.

The Italian manufacturer has been F1's sole tyre supplier since it returned to the championship in 2011 and currently has a deal that runs up until the end of '19.

In F1's recent Global Fan Survey, run by the Motorsport Network, 69.4% of fans backed a return to competition between tyre manufacturers.

The last time F1 had more than one tyre supplier was in 2006, the final year of Michelin and Bridgestone's rivalry.

When asked if Pirelli would welcome a rival supplier, Tronchetti Provera said: "We race everywhere in the world, alone and against others.

"We like competition.

"When we race with the others, we win.

"We're ready for any competition, with anybody."

But he underlined that it "is the teams' willingness" to retain a single supplier.

Tronchetti Provera added: "I never heard in the last years or months any will to change."

When it was suggested that tyre competition pushes costs up, Tronchetti Provera replied: "It is quite expensive even without competition."

Pirelli went head-to-head with Michelin for the last F1 supply tender, which runs from 2017-19, with ex-F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone choosing to keep faith in Pirelli.

The deal extends Pirelli's stay in F1 to nine seasons, and Tronchetti Provera suggested the company is keep to continue beyond that.

"We're committed," he said.

"We see F1 remaining as the most attractive race in the world.

"Pirelli is the largest supplier of motorsport globally."

When asked when he would have to make a decision regarding an extension, Tronchetti Provera replied: "In a year-and-a-half, more or less - halfway through [the current deal].

"I don't see any issue."

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DOCUMENTARY: CLASH OF THE TITANS – LAUDA VS HUNT

The extraordinary battle between James Hunt and Niki Lauda during the 1976 Formula 1 World Championship has become motorsport legend. It was even made into a blockbuster film in 2013 by Ron Howard with Chris Hemsworth as Hunt and Daniel Brühl as Lauda.

This documentary is an earlier look into the season, including period interviews with Hunt and Lauda, as well as a veritable who’s who of the 1970s Formula 1 paddock.

Even those who aren’t particularly familiar with F1 will likely find this documentary riveting.

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FORCE INDIA PREVIEW THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX

Force India preview the Canadian Grand Prix, Round 7 of the 2017 Formula 1 World Championship, at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Ile Notre Dame in Montreal.

Vijay Mallya: “I was naturally disappointed to see us leave Monaco empty-handed. Operationally we were strong and the car showed good pace, but sometimes the luck doesn’t go your way and there’s nothing you can do. The positives we take from Monaco leave us feeling optimistic for Canada. The car is working well and we’ve made progress over the last few races. The confidence throughout the team continues to grow and we approach every race knowing we can fight for points. It’s important we get back into our rhythm in Montreal and build on our strong start to the year.”

Sergio Perez: “I said after Monaco that I was proud of the team and the way we raced in Monaco. We gave it everything, but it wasn’t our day. It’s frustrating because the car felt good all weekend. It was a shame not to make the most of this opportunity and continue our run of races in the points. I feel confident about Montreal. It’s a track where I’ve had some good races and I like the challenge of the circuit. It’s all about being late on the brakes and aggressive through the chicanes. You have to be precise too with the walls so close to the track. I think the sport needs more tracks similar to Montreal where mistakes are punished. These old-school tracks excite the drivers and fans, and usually produce entertaining races.”

Esteban Ocon: “Montreal is another new track for me so I’m going to be on the learning curve on Friday. I know the lap from playing video games and being on the simulator, and I’ve always liked the circuit characteristics. Although I haven’t driven in Montreal, I know the place already from my visit last year. It’s definitely a cool event because everybody in the city supports the race and Canada really loves Formula One. It feels like a big party in the streets, especially on the Saturday night. After the bad luck in Monaco I want to get back to scoring points in Montreal. The car is getting better with each race and I think I’m fully up-to-speed now. I’m really happy with the team and the way we work together – we’ve already built up a good understanding and they know what I need from the car.”

Sahara Force India’s Chief Race Engineer, Tom McCullough, analyses the challenge of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve: “Canada is a challenging track, with long straights and high speeds. Fuel consumption is high and the brakes are tested – with high energy and temperatures, wear is something to look after. On the other hand, the circuit is relatively easy on the tyres. We are bringing the three softest compounds to this race, yet still expect tyre degradation to be low. Good lap times come from being able to ride the apexes and the exit kerbs, but this can be risky as the majority of corner exits have walls. It’s easier to overtake in Montreal than in Monaco and the weather can produce some surprises because it changes quickly. Races here tend to be very unpredictable.”

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HASEGAWA: NOT SURE WE WILL HAVE HONDA UPGRADE FOR CANADA

Honda are not sure if their latest power unit will be a step forward for McLaren and may not roll it out for the forthcoming Canadian Grand Prix weekend.

But at the same time it is full steam [No pun intended  ] ahead by the Japanese manufacturer as they seek to resolve their engine issues that have plagued them since they returned to the sport. 

Asked by Racer if they will bolt on new power units for Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoornne in Montreal, Hasegawa replied, “It is not sure, I don’t give up. We’re trying very hard. But until Thursday [in Canada] I can’t decide. Already, we have had some performance factor, but if it is very small, it’s not worth changing engine for the next one.”

“Also, if the setting is not good enough, it damages the performance, even if it had good power. We saw some small upgrades [in performance] and still we haven’t decided to start working on settings with this specification.”

“We will have a big discussion about that, whether we stick with the next step of the engine even if the step up is small or can we try another step up in performance? Obviously it is very tight to introduce a big update.”

“If we are not confident enough to set up that specification it will cause some drivability issues, so the settings are also very important. But please understand I haven’t decided yet.”

“We have some other parts in development but we haven’t decided if we can introduce it, if we can set it up and if we can check the reliability. It is obvious everything is not ready, but we have some factors (that are).”

“As soon as we’ve got some good performance from the engine there’s no reason to wait. We will introduce it as soon as we are ready. If we have to give up on Canada then we will introduce it in Baku, and if not then it will go to Austria or Silverstone,” explained Hasegawa.

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WOLFF: WE WILL LET OUR DRIVERS RACE EACH OTHER

Ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, Mercedes F1 chief Toto Wolff has reiterated his intent to allow his drivers – Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas – to race one another despite the fact that they lag behind in both the drivers’ and constructors’ championship standings with six races run.

Wolff said in his team preview on the eve of the Montreal weekend, “I’m expecting an interesting weekend in Canada. It could be a tricky race for us in terms of the layout of the track. But, equally, it’s a circuit that suits both of our drivers. Lewis has won a number of times in the past and Valtteri has always gone strongly there for Williams.”

“It will be about doing our homework right to give the drivers the car they need to succeed. We have two excellent drivers and we will hold true to our philosophy of letting them race each other to drive the team forward – even if sometimes it can be difficult because you can’t always have the one who is ahead in the Championship winning.”

“Yesterday’s home runs don’t win today’s games, so said Babe Ruth and he was right. Every season the points reset to zero and, with new regulations like we had this year, historic success doesn’t translate into current performance.

“We’ve come into this season with a strong car that has allowed us to win three of the first six races. But it has also caused us more complications than we have seen in previous years. ”

“I had an encounter on Sunday afternoon in Monaco with someone I really respect who asked how I felt after the defeat. I told them how much it hurt and their response was: that’s motor racing”\. This is the reality of the situation now.”

“We have to fight with all that we are worth for every single win, pole position, podium finish and every point. You can no longer expect that when you look at a timesheet the two Mercedes will be right at the top.

“Everybody at the factories is working absolutely flat out to assess the current difficulties we are facing – to define our objectives, work with the data we have and then come up with the right solutions. Some of these fixes will be short term, others may take longer.”

“We’ve had bruising weekends before and it’s about showing resilience and getting up after falling. I remember the troubles we had in Singapore in 2015, which hurt badly. We gave ourselves a deadline to address that setback before switching our focus to the next race in Suzuka, which we won.”

“We’ve done exactly the same thing after Monaco – addressing the problems before turning our attention to Montréal. We know that this season is a marathon, not a sprint.”

“It’s painful, but we are not the favourites for this year’s Championship. At the moment it’s Ferrari. They have a very strong package and we need to rise to the challenge to prove once again that we are the team to beat. There are still 14 races left and everything is completely open. We’re looking forward to Montréal and the chance to bounce back with a strong result – hopefully producing valuable answers to some tough questions in the process,” added Wolff.

Heading to Canada, Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel leads the championship by 25 points, while the Italian team are on top of the constructors’ standings leading Mercedes by 17 points.

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KUBICA BACK IN AN F1 CAR FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2011

Polish driver Robert Kubica tested a Formula One car in Spain on Tuesday for the first time since a 2011 rallying accident that partially severed his forearm.

The Renault team posted a teasing picture on Twitter of the 32-year-old removing his helmet after driving the 2012 Lotus E20 car at Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo circuit.

“So guys…we need to come clean about something,” the caption said. “It’s true. It really is Robert Kubica,” the team added in a later post. “Back in one of our cars after six years.”

The test took place amid considerable secrecy, with no advance notice given to the media and little information provided about the reasons for the private test.

“So why did we keep it quiet? It was a private test, for Robert,” the team said, adding that the Pole had completed 115 laps with “the biggest smile” afterwards.

Kubica, who in 2008 became the first Pole to win a Formula One race when he triumphed with BMW-Sauber in Canada, last drove a Formula One car with Renault in pre-season testing at the same circuit in February 2011.

Renault have left and returned to the sport with their own team since then, with a current line-up of Germany’s Nico Hulkenberg and Britain’s Jolyon Palmer.

The latter has yet to score a point in six races this season with increasing media speculation about his future ahead of this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.

Kubica’s F1 career ended in the same month as his last test when he suffered severe arm, leg and hand injuries in a near-fatal crash during a minor rally in northern Italy that he had entered for fun.

He had been one of the sport’s brightest prospects before his accident, with a likely move to Ferrari on the horizon.

Since his recovery he has competed in the world rally championship and tested other cars, including those used in Formula E and GP3.

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Hill to Max: Keep an eye on your words

Damon Hill has cautioned Max Verstappen over his Monaco rant at Red Bull, saying the driver needs to watch what he says as young viewers can hear it all.

Losing out in the over-cut to Daniel Ricciardo in Monaco, Verstappen asked Red Bull if his team-mate had already stopped.

Replying in the affirmative, Verstappen responded with an angry “f***** disaster.”

Hill was not impressed with the Dutchman’s language.

“Every driver must realise that in Formula 1 today, almost all the radio traffic is broadcast live on television,” F1i.com quotes Hill as having said.

“You should keep an eye on your words.

“Max was over the edge in Monaco. He should be aware that there are young viewers that hear these things also.”

Ricciardo went on to finish the race in third place while Verstappen was fifth as he also lost out to Valtteri Bottas.

Hill believes there were also other lessons that Verstappen can take away from Monaco.

“Max has certainly learned from Monaco that there is always some friction between the team and a driver when the strategy does not work out.

“Despite his young age, Verstappen is very mature. He brings the excitement and passion in the sport.

“The Monaco obstacle can also be ticked off the list now, he will only get better.”

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Portugal in talks about F1 race at Algarve

Algarve circuit owners have begun talks with Formula 1's owners regarding bringing the championship back to Portugal, Motorsport.com has learned.

The Portuguese Grand Prix last took place in 1996, with Estoril hosting 13 successive F1 grands prix from 1984.

Work was completed on the 100,000-capacity 2.9-mile circuit Algarve International Circuit, 15 minutes drive from Portimao, in 2008.

It is believed the Portuguese government asked Algarve circuit bosses to explore the possibility of bringing F1 back to the European country.

  

Talks have taken place between the Algarve track and F1's new owners, but discussions are at an early stage.

The venue believes it is ready to host F1, with the necessary infrastructure in place in the local area.

But it understands it is a competitive market, with France returning to the calendar after a 10-year hiatus, with a race at Paul Ricard in 2018, along with Germany.

However, the Portuguese economy is bouncing back after a tough period and the government is believed to be in a position to supply funds - providing the fee is sensible.

It comes at a time when F1 commercial boss Sean Bratches and sporting chief Ross Brawn are formulating next year's calendar.

Brawn is keen for quality over quantity, while Bratches has said the new owners are being "proactive" in targeting markets that it wants to take F1 with a view of expanding the calendar beyond 21 races from 2019.

Those markets have been outlined as Europe, Asia and North and Latin America.

The Algarve circuit has never hosted a Formula 1 grand prix, but has previously welcomed F1 cars.

It hosted three tests - one in December 2008 and two in January 2009 - with Ferrari, McLaren, Toyota, Renault, Toro Rosso and Williams all running at some point.

It was also the venue for Lando Norris' test of a McLaren F1 last week as part of his prize for winning the 2016 McLaren Autosport BRDC Award.

Previously, the track hosted a round of the World Superbike Championship, A1GP and the FIA GT Championship.

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Massa open to new F1 deal for 2018

Felipe Massa says he is open to extending his stay in Formula 1 beyond the end of the season, having coming out of retirement to compete in 2017.

The Brazilian was persuaded to return to F1 to partner rookie Lance Stroll after Valtteri Bottas moved to Mercedes to replace Nico Rosberg.

Massa, who signed on a one-year deal, has scored all of Williams's 20 points in the opening six races.

When asked by Motorsport.com if his form this season is encouraging him to stay on for what would be a 16th season, Massa said: "Yes. If I have the opportunity to stay in the direction I am or the direction I think is correct for me, I stay.

"Otherwise, no. I was saying the same last year."

Massa said he is enjoying F1 again, particularly the 2017 generation of cars, and feels like he is delivering.

  

"I'm relaxed, there's no pressure and I'm just trying to enjoy it," he said. "I was doing the same [last year], but I don't know, maybe things change for better and the way I feel and the way I'm working is quite relaxed.

"I'm sure I can do a really good job. I feel things are going well. I like this car, it's a lot more close to my driving style.

"I'm happy with the car, the way I'm driving, the way I'm feeling and the work I'm doing with the team. The most important thing is trying not to lose points."

Massa, who has scored points in four out of six races this season, said he is not setting a deadline for when he has to make a decision about 2018.

"I'm not considering anything, to be honest," he said. I just enjoy myself race by race and we see what is going to happen. I have no idea what is going to happen."

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What is the future for Formula 1 on television under Liberty Media?

Formula 1 bosses say they are already spending "a lot of time" working out how to reshape the way the championship is broadcast for television in the future.

New owner Liberty Media has set about identifying areas it believes F1 has fallen behind over the years, and a key target is to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the power of online broadcasting.

Formula One Group is mapping out a way to offer its own 'Over The Top' (OTT) broadcast model, where fans can pay for an in-depth service similar to Netflix, but dedicated to F1 content.

"OTT is a tremendously important opportunity," said F1 chairman Chase Carey.

"It's going to vary market by market, it's clearly not going to be one size fits all.

"We were really a non-player in the digital platforms, so whether it's free, pay or digital, we want to make sure we're engaging with them all.

"We're actually ideally suited [to a digital service], because we have a wealth of data and information, and such great history, so we have the ability to create unique packages.

"We're still figuring it out for that fan who wants a much deeper understanding of what's going on in the sport, and what's going on on the track.

"We're spending a lot of time with a whiteboard defining what's the product, what is the experience, what is going to motivate the hardcore F1 fan around the world to pay?

"We haven't priced it yet, but let's say for example 10 bucks a month to access that package.

"Creating a subscription package for the strongest F1 fans is a tremendously important opportunity."

Such a drastic change will have an influence on F1's lucrative TV contracts model built by Bernie Ecclestone, but the championship's new owner hopes to be able to maintain that stream of income by making F1 more appealing, and it is also expected that future deals with TV companies will be shorter so they can be reviewed on a more regular basis.

"We will have to navigate though broadcast agreements - there will be a process to work through with our partners to enable us to do that, and we're on that path already," Carey added.

"In two-to-three years we have well over half of the TV agreements coming into some form of renewal - we're carving out the flexibility.

"As we go forward the agreements will be structured to make sure we can exploit all our rights.

"We're just starting to market [F1], we're just starting to engage fans in areas like digital platforms, so we think we can create some real momentum and energy in the next couple of years."

While a paid-for service will not appeal to some fans, Carey believes there is a balance to be struck between trying to form the largest audience possible, and making sure that audience is of value to F1.

"We're going to be much more analytical about trying to evaluate the trade-off between reach and dollars," he said.

"Your most valuable fans are your most passionate fans, and we actually have an incredibly important group of passionate fans around the world who love the sport.

"There's no question the migration in places from free to pay has an impact on audience - almost every sport in the world is going through a migration from free to pay.

"Part of what we have to do is make sure it's more than free to pay, it's digital, and how you engage fans across the broader spectrum of free, pay and digital.

"Our goal is going to be to engage the full spectrum of video platforms.

"You expect to gravitate towards the pay platform over time, but we want to find the right agreements to marry that with some free over the air [broadcasting] - that is something we clearly value."

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SAUBER DRIVERS PREVIEW THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX

After two European races in Barcelona and Monaco, the Sauber Formula 1 Team is taking a longer journey to the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.

The seventh round of the FIA Formula One World Championship 2017 is taking place from the 9th to the 11th of June at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on the Notre-Dame Island.

Pascal Wehrlein underwent a medical examination after his accident in Monaco last week, and has been given the “all-clear” for Montreal. The two Sauber C36-Ferrari will enter the competition with a new rear wing.

Marcus Ericsson: “I always look forward to the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, because I particularly like the track and the atmosphere around the circuit there. The city, the fans, the track and the event are just spectacular. It is a demanding track, especially because of its chicanes. The characteristic turns make it similar to Monaco. The combination of slow turns and long straights make it essential to bring the tyres to ideal temperature to get the right amount of grip. Of course top speed also plays a defining role.”

Pascal Wehrlein: “I am looking forward to the Canadian Grand Prix very much. In Montreal there will be many events this weekend to celebrate the Grand Prix. The track suits me well. It is a mixture of a street track and a racing track – a traditional race with a long history. Next to the engine power, a high braking stability, traction and good change of direction are the most important factors. The long straights offer good overtaking opportunities. Depending on the weather, the car’s aerodynamic configuration will also play an important role.”

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KUBICA: I AM PROUD BUT IT ALSO SHOWED WHAT I HAVE LOST

It was a day of mixed emotions for Robert Kubica as he sampled a Formula 1 car for the first time since his freak rally accident in 2011.

The popular Polish driver completed 115 laps on Tuesday, using the team’s 2012 specification, Renault V8 powered E20, in which he conducted several evaluations with various fuel-loads.

His previous F1 outing was in the Renault R31 at the same circuit in February 2011. After which he was seriously injured in a rally accident prior to the start of the 2011 Formula 1 season, but has subsequently returned to rallying, tested several racing cars, including single-seaters.

Kubica said at the end of the day, “I would like to thank everybody for making this possible, I hope it was a good day for everyone and maybe they saw something of my old, 2010 self.”

“For me, it has been an important day from an emotional point of view. It has been a long time away from the paddock and I have been through difficult periods, I kept working hard and a few years ago I felt it was impossible.”

“I have mixed feelings, I am proud with what I achieved today, but also it shows what I have lost. I don’t know what the future will bring, but I know one thing, after working for more than one year to prepare for this, I ran with good pace and consistent in difficult conditions.”

“It is not easy after six years, but I knew I could do the job and I can be satisfied. I appreciate the opportunity. Renault gave me my first F1 test in 2005, so I appreciate another test this time around,” he concluded.

Renault’s sporting director Alan Permane summed up the test, “It was good to see Robert back in a Formula 1 car. [He] has changed a little, he is more mellow and he wasn’t as pushy when asking for every detail about the set-up of the car!”

“His comments and feedback, however, were like turning the clock back for all of us. It is a tricky thing to jump into an F1 car after six years and it was a great performance from him.”

“This was a one-off event for Robert. His time with Renault was cut short so abruptly and we perceived such a nice future with him. The team was in Valencia testing with Sergey Sirotkin, so it was the perfect opportunity to offer Robert a day in the car and contribute in our way to his recovery,” added Permane.

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JORDAN: MERCEDES WILL PROBABLY PULL THE PLUG AT THE END OF 2018

Eddie Jordan is predicting that Mercedes will withdraw as a Formula 1 team at the end of 2018, and focus on being an engine supplier to the sport while selling the team which is currently led by Toto Wolff.

Jordan is well connected in the sport and amid some dubious predictions has at times been spot on.

Speaking to Auto Bild, Jordan said, “I think [Mercedes] will campaign as a team this year and next year, and then the board of directors in Stuttgart will decide to sell the team and only remain as a Formula 1 engine supplier.”

“I would do the same because Mercedes has won everything, but now it can only get worse for them, so it is better to reduce their costs and concentrate on their old core business in Formula 1, namely to develop and deliver high-tech power units.”

Asked if he believed that Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel would switch to Mercedes, Jordan replied, “No. Because he has everything he needs at Ferrari. And because Mercedes will probably pull the plug at the end of 2018.”

“If Vettel suspects this, it makes no sense for him to leave Ferrari,” added the former team owner turned pundit.

The fact is, the Irishman is well-wired into the Formula 1 scene, and indeed met with Daimler boss Dieter Zetsche in Monaco.

Time will tell how ow realistic this scenario is, but for now Mercedes is bound by the Concorde Agreement to stay in Formula 1 until the middle of 2020, while the team continues to invest in its factories in England.

MIKA: The only time you hear about Jordan these days is when he's speaking a load of s**t such as this. 

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WOLFF: MISCHIEVOUS SPECULATION OF ONE INDIVIDUAL

Toto Wolff has been quick to rubbish remarks made by former team owner turned pundit Eddie Jordan who suggested that Mercedes would sell their team and focus on supplying Formula 1 engines to customer teams at the end of 2018. 

Wolff responded, “Monaco is a place where people like to party and it seems like somebody did a bit too much of that! The reports are completely baseless and reflect nothing more than the mischievous speculation of one individual.”

“Mercedes has firm contracts for its participation in Formula 1 until the end of 2020 – and is currently in discussions about the next competitive cycle with the sport’s new owners.”

The ten current Formula 1 teams are bound to the sport by the Concorde Agreement until 2020, at which point the existing deals and current power unit regulations will be up for renegotiation.

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BINOTTO: I THINK SEB WILL REMAIN AT MARANELLO

Ferrari technical director Mattia Binotto believes that Sebastian Vettel will remain with the legendary Italian team despite reports claiming that the German has an option to join Mercedes.

Speaking on the occasion of Ferrari being awarded the 24th edition of the prestigious Trofeo Lorenzo Bandini, Binotto said, “I think Seb will remain at Maranello because there is nothing better for a driver to win the Prancing Horse.”

“Vettel is one of our drivers, he is a multiple-world champion. I think he will remain with us. Because there is nothing more beautiful for a Formula 1 driver than to win in red.”

In the wake of the team’s famous one-two at the recent Monaco Grand Prix, which Vettel won and Kimi Raikkonen finished second, Binotto added, “It’s been 16 years since Ferrari last won at the Principality. I think that victory was liberating. We have been waiting for this moment for so long and Ferrari deserves much more.”

“It was a victory that made us raise the awareness of having a fast car means you can race on par with the best. Perhaps it even proved that we even have a stronger car,” explained Binotto.

After a woeful 2016 season for the Reds, with internal bickering and dissatisfaction rampant at Maranello, team chief Maurizio Arrivabene galvanised the sport’s most famous teams and the revamped technical department – headed by Binotto – has delivered a very handy piece of kit for their drivers.

Harmony now prevails within the team in the aftermath of a torrid season, and now after six rounds Vettel leads the championship standings and Ferrari are top of the constructors’ table, the team now a serious double championship contending force.

Echoing Binotto’s sentiments regarding Vettel, last month Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne declared, “If he is happy in the car, and he likes the car, he can stay as long as he likes. The talks we had last year were very nervous because the car was not there.”

“So we try to get him the car as he wants and then the choice is his. We dreamed of being at the head of the championship and we’re there,” added Marchionne.