TEAM REPRESENTATIVES: Christian HORNER (Pink Bull Racing), Alessandro ALUNNI BRAVI (Kick Sauber), Ayao KOMATSU (Haas)
Q: Christian, can we begin with you? So, we now know it is official, Adrian Newey goes to Aston Martin. Can we begin by simply getting your response to that information?
Christian HORNER: Nicely, it wasn’t a terrific shock. I feel it was turning into clearer and clearer that was the route that he was going to go reasonably than, you already know, into retirement or some other crew. And so, you already know, clearly it will be a brand new problem for him. And, you already know, we’ll be unhappy to see it when he leaves subsequent 12 months. However, you already know, want him all the perfect for the long run. , clearly I look again, you already know, with nice fondness, the time that, the 20 years virtually that we spent collectively. And, you already know, clearly the highs and lows throughout that interval. However we sit up for the long run. And I feel we’re nicely positioned for that.
Q: the affect that Adrian had in your crew when he joined. What have Aston Martin acquired to sit up for?
CH: Adrian is clearly a really artistic man and he is not your common designer. I feel he is the one individual nonetheless in Formulation 1 engaged on a drafting board. So inevitably there shall be a course of of getting to get to know one another, how one another work and so forth. However yeah, he is distinctive in lots of respects and I feel that Aston will clearly look to attract upon his big expertise.
Q: OK, what concerning the right here and now? The competitors have caught up. What’s the temper within the camp at Pink Bull Racing now in comparison with three months in the past?
CH: I feel it is fairly constructive. I imply undoubtedly popping out of Monza was a troublesome weekend for us. However I feel out of each unfavorable comes a constructive. And I feel the negativity of that weekend uncovered some key areas of the automotive that we have been grappling with for a while. And I feel it is given a transparent route. And so, you already know, the entire crew, from the drivers placing in massive quantities of time on the simulator, all through each single division are actually decided and pushing as onerous as attainable. Some lengthy hours getting in in Milton Keynes in the mean time from all of the women and men again there. And hopefully, we will flip issues round.
Q: I imply, FP1 right here in Baku appeared promising. However how shortly are you able to flip issues round? How shortly do it is advisable to flip issues round?
CH: Nicely, issues can change fairly shortly. I imply, we have gained seven Grands Prix this 12 months. Essentially the most, or Max has actually gained seven, essentially the most that some other driver has is 2 wins. So, issues can change shortly. And, you already know, we have had some imbalances within the automotive that we have been seeking to perceive and I feel we have a transparent route on that now. However, after all, it takes a time frame. It is one factor understanding the difficulty, it is one other factor addressing it and getting the elements on the automotive that allow that to occur.
Q: In case you took this automotive again to a circuit the place you dominated earlier within the season, Bahrain for example, wouldn’t it be slower than you have been on the race?
CH: No, no, no. I feel that there is a number of features. One factor you are speaking about is by way of absolute load that you just’re placing on the automotive by way of upgrades, however then you’ve gotten stability as nicely. And I feel we had a greater balanced automotive at the start of the 12 months. I feel as we have put load on the automotive, it hasn’t correlated with what we have seen in our instruments. And I feel a few different groups have had that as nicely. In order we’re beginning to push the extremities of those rules, Typically you discover that correlation drops out between observe and your simulation instruments, that are primarily the wind tunnel and CFD. And so there’s been clearly a giant push to know that and tackle it.
Q: And the way do you see the 2 championships now?
CH: Look, there’s every thing to play for. I imply, clearly Max within the Drivers’ Championship has a strong lead, but it surely’s nothing you may take with no consideration with eight races to go. So we’re tremendous aware of that with races and Dash races. It solely takes a few unhealthy weekends and large weekends from Lando, and instantly it is an terrible lot nearer. The Constructors’, it is a three-horse race. I imply, clearly we’re eight factors forward of McLaren, however you may’t low cost Ferrari both which have quietly snuck their manner again into this. So it is a flat-out battle during the last remaining eight races.
Q: Are you having fun with it?
CH: Am I having fun with it? You by no means take pleasure in when your vehicles aren’t performing. Are we up for it? Completely. And I’ve by no means seen a crew extra motivated and dealing as onerous because it at the moment is.
Q: OK, Christian, thanks. I am positive there will be extra questions for you in a minute. Alessandro, let’s come to you. The automotive hasn’t been straightforward over the previous couple of races. What are the drivers saying about it right here after FP1?
Alessandro ALUNNI BRAVI: I feel that FP1 confirmed our weaknesses by way of high-speed instability. In fact, with this low degree of grip, we wrestle greater than others. We now have seen throughout the season that our automotive has an enormous sensitivity, and particularly in these type of circumstances, it is tough to seek out the stability between high-speed and low-speed corners. As talked about by Christian, we’ve recognized our weaknesses and the realm to work. Then it is a completely different side to discover a good answer and to allow the drivers to take advantage of the bundle.
Q: Pink Bull have a load of latest elements right here. When are we going to see some upgrades on the Sauber?
AAB: However we’ve, as you already know, launched a giant bundle for us in Silverstone and Hungary that then was accessible to each drivers as of Zandvoort race. And now we have to optimise this bundle. We struggled to get out a lot of the efficiency, particularly in Zandvoort. We made a step in Monza, however there may be nonetheless numerous work to be carried out to seek out the fitting stability. We can have different upgrades throughout the season. We’re concentrating on Austin, however after all, for us, this 12 months has been extra marginal features than a giant step. So we proceed to develop the automotive. That is additionally essential, not only for this season, but in addition for 2025. It does not imply that we’re giving up this season, however we’re working onerous first to establish our weaknesses. And naturally, no person has a silver bullet in Formulation 1. We all know that we have to do steps and, you already know, the upgrades that shall be launched later within the season ought to enable us to do one other step. If this shall be ample to catch up, our direct opponents shall be only a observe to evaluate this.
Q: What about drivers? Can we discuss concerning the second driver for subsequent 12 months? Valtteri Bottas talked in fairly constructive phrases yesterday about his probabilities of being retained. First up, what sort of a driver are you seeking to place alongside Nico Hülkenberg? Would you like an skilled man like Valtteri or are you continue to enthusiastic about an inexperience, somebody new?
AAB: I feel that is the present evaluation that Mattia is doing. He simply began two weeks in the past, so we’ve mentioned already in Monza that he is taking cost of all of the dossiers and the drivers is after all one of the crucial essential ones. We’re evaluating all of the choices to see which is the perfect stability between a short-term expertise and medium, long-term, possibly younger expertise. There are potential candidates on each side. Valtteri is a powerful driver for our crew. We all know him very nicely. He has been with the crew already for 3 years, and naturally he is one on prime of our listing. However there are different alternatives. We’re simply taking a look at all the professionals and cons, and Mattia will take a call primarily based not solely on 2025, but in addition the medium-long-term technique for the Audi F1 venture.
Q: Have you ever acquired a deadline by when it is advisable to have taken the choice?
AAB: It isn’t concerning the deadline as a result of, after all, we aren’t opportunistic. Now that there’s just one seat accessible, we wish to take time. It is extra to evaluate every thing, each side, and to take a proper determination. I feel there isn’t any rush, however we wish to tick this field additionally quickly. So, I feel it is going to be a matter of the subsequent weeks.
Q: Now, I requested Christian earlier what Adrian Newey goes to carry to Aston Martin. And naturally, because you have been final within the press convention, Alessandro, Jonathan Wheatley has been introduced as a future Sauber Audi crew principal. What sort of an affect are you anticipating him to have?
AAB: I can simply decide Jonathan from exterior as a result of I do not know him personally, however after all we will see that they’ve a powerful affect and contribution to the final 18 years of success in Pink Bull. Pink Bull has been no less than nonetheless the benchmark in Formulation 1 as a crew by way of organisation, by way of abilities. And so I feel that an individual that has been in one of many key roles on this crew can simply carry a constructive contribution and I count on that Jonathan shall be main our crew along with Mattia. So for me, it is a constructive addition and we’re trying ahead to him subsequent 12 months.
Q: Thanks, Alessandro. Christian, can I simply carry you in on Jonathan Wheatley? How instrumental was he within the success that you’ve got had at Pink Bull?
CH: Jonathan’s carried out a terrific job as initially crew supervisor after which sporting director for us. He is been a part of the journey during the last 19 years or in our twentieth season. We’re very grateful for what he is carried out and the trouble that he is put in throughout that point. a chance like this to change into a crew principal has come alongside. So we actually did not look to carry him again in any manner and we want him the perfect of luck for the long run. However that, in flip, permits there to be development inside our personal organisation. And we’ll be saying very shortly the construction that could be a succession to Jonathan’s transferring to Audi.
Q: Thanks. Ayao, coming to you now. Can we begin by speaking about Ollie Bearman making his race debut for Haas this weekend? Up to now, so good in FP1. What do you wish to see from him right here in Baku?
Ayao KOMATSU: Yeah, once more, what we talked about rather a lot is simply constructing as much as the entire weekend. Clearly, it is a utterly completely different mindset, whether or not you are doing simply FP1 or acquired a goal on Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon. However once more, it is a road observe and the FP1, everyone knows the grip degree goes to be actually poor. So actually essential to set sure goals alongside the way in which after which simply construct as much as it. After which as you noticed in FP1, he is carried out that completely. So it is nice.
Q: Is he working with the entire engineers that he’ll have on his automotive in 2025?
AK: No, as a result of that is not been finalised but. So it is actually a easy case of a straight swap between himself and Kevin’s crew. So Kevin’s normal crew is working Ollie this weekend.
Q: OK, as a result of I used to be going to say, are you treating this like race considered one of 2025?
AK: It is not likely like a race considered one of 25. In fact, we have been working with Ollie all through the varied FP1s, proper? However like I mentioned, the goals and mindset is completely completely different whenever you acquired the entire race weekend. So it is a terrific alternative for him, but in addition for us as nicely. After which once more, alongside Nico, we can not ask for a greater reference. So yeah, that is a terrific alternative for everybody.
Q: Nicely, we all know how fast Nico Hülkenberg is. One in all his former teammates mentioned this week he was a profession killer. What can Ollie study from Nico?
AK: I actually have not had the profession killer factor. Nico’s nice, and he does not play any politics. He is a really easy man, and he is at all times clear. After which he at all times units the benchmark, particularly in a qualifying-type run. So it’s totally straightforward to speak to him as nicely. So I feel for Ollie, I do not suppose, actually, you may ask for a greater team-mate. And by way of excessive gasoline administration, et cetera, I feel they will each run from one another. However once more, Nico’s acquired a bit extra expertise now. Yeah, I feel it is a terrific atmosphere for Ollie to come back in to as a primary race weekend.
Q: And remaining one from me, by way of automotive efficiency this weekend, I imply, you are coming right here on the again of a good end result, on observe no less than, at Monza with Kevin. Do you suppose you may carry out and problem for factors right here?
AK: Yeah, I might wish to suppose so. I imply, I simply discover it this 12 months, it’s totally tough to foretell exactly precisely the place we’ll be at every race. Like, as an illustration, Zandvoort, I used to be anticipating barely worse. After which Monza, once more, our race tempo was higher than I anticipated. However taking a look at FP1, I feel we’re there and thereabouts, and we have to nonetheless fine-tune sure issues. , once more, driver suggestions, each from Nico and Ollie, it has been excellent within the sense of like, by way of weak point, how they’re describing it. So I feel we recognized fairly clearly which areas to work on. so we maintain chipping away at it after which for positive our goal is to attain factors with each vehicles this weekend.
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Q: (Alex Kalinauckas – Autosport) A query to Christian, please. You mentioned it wasn’t a terrific shock to see Adrian find yourself at Aston Martin. However what concerning the scale of the announcement, even the truth that he was at one other crew’s manufacturing facility, given he is nonetheless on the payroll at Pink Bull? Lewis Hamilton, when he was introduced as a Ferrari driver, he wasn’t at Maranello. So what is going on on there?
CH: Sure, it was clearly a big announcement by Aston. And, you already know, Adrian has at all times tended to do his personal factor. So, you already know, clearly it was a giant second for that crew. They selected to have fun it maybe probably barely prematurely earlier than he is completed his contract with Pink Bull Racing. However clearly it was a giant second for that crew.
Q: (Scott Mitchell-Malm – The Race) One other query for Christian. Earlier than we went into the summer time break, there was numerous speak about drivers, not simply Checo, but in addition Daniel, what each Pink Bull groups would do for the remainder of the 12 months and into subsequent season. Each groups have had technical points to prioritise for the reason that summer time break, not simply Pink Bull Racing, but in addition the opposite crew as nicely. The place are you at on that? Is it very a lot that the vehicles, the precedence, the drivers are set for each groups within the Pink Bull household for the remainder of the 12 months?
CH: Nicely, as you say, the automotive very a lot is the precedence for us. I feel Sergio has undoubtedly made a step ahead for the reason that summer time break. And he is exhibiting indicators of a very good restoration. And hopefully, as we enhance the automotive, that can assist a number of the points that he is been having. I feel concerning VCARB, I feel that is a query for Laurent. However once more, I feel clearly precedence has been positioned on developments that they’ve delivered to the vehicles lately and fixing the vehicles.
Q: Christian, in what areas has Checo taken a step ahead for the reason that summer time break?
CH: I feel that simply earlier than the summer time break, clearly, there was large scrutiny and stress being positioned on him. And clearly, it is a media enterprise that we dwell in, and naturally, that scrutiny can generally change into overwhelming. And I do know he was fighting the fixed hypothesis about his job previous to the summer time break. And I feel going away, being able to reset, refresh and are available again with a transparent mindset, understanding that he is acquired the complete help of the crew that he’s our driver, and we all know we have some points on the automotive that we’re pushing to type out and, he is been placing in numerous onerous work to assist tackle that. And I feel that, you already know, we’re beginning to see him discover a number of the type that hopefully he confirmed at the start of the 12 months as a result of we’ll want it as we try to defend this Constructor’s title.
Q: (Jake Boxall-Legge – Autosport) One other query for Christian, please. Mercedes and McLaren have each had their entrance wings scrutinised and given the OK below allegations they have been maybe flexing. Is that this an final result that you just’re pleased with, on condition that, I assume, Pink Bull went by way of the identical factor a couple of decade in the past? Does it imply which you can comply with that path, or will you be searching for additional clarification on that?
CH: We went by way of it a bit extra lately than a decade in the past, I feel three years in the past. However I feel what’s essential for any crew, as with all these items, is at all times readability. Is one thing acceptable or is it not? If it is deemed to be acceptable, then clearly that encourages you to pursue comparable options your self. So the regulator, clearly they’ve all the data accessible. They’ve all of the evaluation that they’ve lately put cameras on, many vehicles. So I assume they’re gathering that knowledge. However yeah, it is a kind of issues, as I say, that if it is deemed to be acceptable, you then pursue that route.
Q: (Adam Cooper – Adam Cooper F1) For all three of you, the rookie Dash occasion in Abu Dhabi seems to be prefer it’s coming nearer to being a actuality. What are your ideas on that? Is all of it positives? What are the challenges? It is clearly helpful for groups who’ve already nominated a rookie for subsequent 12 months, like Alpine, Mercedes, Haas, possibly even Sauber. But in addition for Christian, you have acquired an opportunity to run two rookies who would not in any other case be wherever close to a race probably within the subsequent couple of years.
AK: Yeah, I feel it is nice. , the post-season check, if we do not do issues like that, you might be simply doing the tyre check. So I feel it provides worth to the day and makes it extra thrilling and one other alternative to place younger drivers within the automotive. Nowadays, it is such a uncommon alternative for younger drivers to get within the present Formulation 1 automotive. So I feel it is actually an attention-grabbing transfer.
AAB: I absolutely agree with Ayao. It is essential to offer the rookies extra alternatives, to point out them. We all know how a lot it is tough to get into Formulation 1, so I feel that FP1 periods aren’t ample to showcase what you are able to do. and there are numerous dangers linked to correct efficiency in FP1 additionally for the crew. This can be a very nice alternative. Additionally for us, not having a TPC program it’s an extra alternative to have extra knowledge and to evaluate not simply the efficiency itself, additionally the mindset and the method of the rookie driver.
CH: Yeah, it is one thing that I tabled on the final couple of Formulation 1 Commissions as a result of I feel it is nice for the younger drivers. And I feel that the issue with a number of the rookie checks is all of them get used for testing. You by no means know, are they working on 50 kilos, 70 kilos, 30 kilos of gasoline? What engine mode are they going? You do not actually know. You do not know how the opposition are doing. So I feel it is a non-championship race for the junior drivers. I feel it is a implausible alternative and I feel that it comes on the finish of a busy season, however opposed to simply working round burning gasoline and tyres and solely the groups which might be working these drivers understanding whether or not they’re doing a very good job or to not give probably 10 drivers or 10 rookies the chance of leaping within the present vehicles and having the equal of a Dash race, I feel is implausible. And I feel it will be a extremely in style occasion.
Q: (Joost Smedema – NOS) Query to Christian as nicely, please. Yesterday, Checo mentioned he was fairly optimistic concerning the two upcoming races, Baku and Singapore, after all. Do you perceive his optimism, though this era of vehicles has been fairly tough for you on road circuits?
CH: Nicely, primarily based on [the fact that] 95% of his race victories have come on road circuits, it is clear why Checo is feeling extra assured with being right here within the streets of Baku after which Singapore. However I feel for the traits of our automotive, significantly this circuit, is all gradual 90-degree corners and you already know, that hasn’t been the Achilles heel for the automotive. So a number of the modifications that we’re making and a number of the discoveries that we have had truly aren’t that relevant for this circuit. They’re extra relevant for the likes of Austin, a number of the faster-flowing circuits. So nonetheless useful classes that we will study and a number of the stuff that we’re attempting and testing will definitely not be unbeneficial for a race like this, however we’re anticipating it to have a much bigger impact at a number of the extra flowing circuits.
Q: (Scott Mitchell-Malm – The Race) Query to Alessandro. I simply questioned with the modifications that Audi has made or is making with the Formulation 1 construction going ahead, what does it imply for you? Is there a chance so that you can proceed within the function that you just’re in in the mean time to bridge the hole to Jonathan becoming a member of subsequent summer time? I feel Mattia mentioned that there must be a manner of figuring out precisely how that type of on-site management works earlier than Jonathan’s in his place.
AAB: To begin with, let me say that the modifications which were carried out are a constructive one for the whole crew and naturally there may be now a distinct management crew. About myself, I’ll discuss to Mattia within the subsequent few weeks and we can have an open and clear dialogue about what are the positions accessible, what could possibly be my function sooner or later. There are, after all, many components to be evaluated. I have been going by way of completely different roles inside Sauber Group from the start as a managing director after which crew consultant. In fact, the state of affairs with the Audi F1 venture now has modified, additionally for me, and I’ll assess what’s the greatest additionally for me within the close to future.
Q: (Alex Kalinauckas – Autorsport) One other query to Alessandro, please. You spoke a bit bit earlier concerning the discussions over the second driver that you just may need subsequent 12 months, the free seat, however I questioned what concerning the driver you have already signed fairly some time in the past, Nico Hülkenberg, introduced as becoming a member of subsequent 12 months. What have you ever fabricated from him this 12 months and the way excited is the crew to have him on board subsequent 12 months?
AAB: I am glad about your query due to course we’ve been fairly early into the motive force’s market this 12 months. We tried to anticipate the market and I feel it was a good suggestion and a very good transfer after what we’ve seen within the second a part of the season. however Nico is a really sturdy driver for us. He is a very good qualifier and that is one level that shall be much more essential sooner or later. We now have seen how a lot qualifying is essential in Formulation 1 and he has this type of attribute. I feel that Ayao can affirm that. He’s additionally a simple man and we’d like you already know people who you already know communicate clearly throughout the crew. We now have numerous challenges forward of us and there shall be no politics, simply onerous work forward of us, and I feel Nico can match correctly into the Audi F1 venture. He has on the identical time numerous expertise in Formulation 1. And naturally, to have a strong basis and an skilled man within the crew will assist on the preliminary stage of the Audi F1 venture. So I can simply see constructive issues about him. And we’re excited to have him within the subsequent 12 months along with the crew. However now we should be centered on our drivers and to get out of this season. the perfect.
Q: (Scott Mitchell-Malm – The Race) A query to all three however possibly beginning it with Christian. With the attainable race for the younger drivers, when that first emerged as a risk it was clearly in very tentative early levels in round July. How a lot has been resolved since then and the way a lot type of must occur be agreed earlier than for it to be realised? As a result of it felt like one thing that was much more reasonable for ‘25 however had a faint likelihood for ‘24.
CH: Nicely, it is like all issues in life: if you would like it to occur, you make it occur. And I feel there was a transparent directive to say, come on, let’s get the job carried out for this 12 months. And so clearly that places stress on the Sporting Working Teams and the varied crew managers to work with the FIA to provide you with a set of rules. However I feel primarily adopting Dash regs and so forth, it is eminently doable. It does not should be overcomplicated. I feel it is simply going to be a single automotive from every crew reasonably than two vehicles. And successfully, you are simply utilizing the mileage differently versus, you already know, simply performing over throughout a check day. So I feel the occasion will happen all in at some point. So a qualifying after which the equal of a dash race. So, yeah, it comes on the finish of a protracted season, however I feel it will be a terrific factor. It is a terrific alternative for the younger drivers, and we’re absolutely supportive of it.
