Wednesday in Monaco: The Latest News from the Paddock!
This first day in the Principality was naturally marked by a tribute to the late Niki Lauda. Among the other highlights, an engine upgrade for Haas, and a majestic number for Kimi Räikkönen!
Thinking of Niki Lauda…
It is with a heavy heart that the world of Formula 1 arrived in Monaco for the sixth race of the season. In the paddock, there was a notable absence: Niki Lauda, the three-time world champion, who passed away during the night from Monday to Tuesday. Among the most affected by his passing is Lewis Hamilton. Very close to the Austrian, who managed to bring him to Mercedes at the end of 2014, the current championship leader was excused from the drivers’ press conference, despite being scheduled to attend. He was replaced by his teammate, Valtteri Bottas, who reacted to the death of the man who was also his non-executive chairman.
« He meant a lot to me as well as to every member of the team. He was a source of motivation: everything he achieved, the difficult career he had, his comebacks… I will never forget him! »
Furthermore, the world of Formula 1 will pay various tributes to the memory of Niki Lauda, including a minute of silence observed on the grid a few minutes before the start this Sunday afternoon.
Working from home for Charles Leclerc
Guest of honor at the press conference, the Monegasque reacted on the eve of his second home Grand Prix of his young career, the first driving a Ferrari. While the local is naturally emotional for the event, his ambition is dampened by a start to the championship overshadowed by Mercedes. However, the private tests in Barcelona have made a difference, and the Monegasque appears slightly more optimistic, according to his statements at the press conference. But progress needs to continue!
« I think we have understood quite a few things, even if it won’t be enough to be at Mercedes’ level. We must continue to work to understand what our main problem is »
“We’re already working in Maranello to evaluate new concepts and bring further updates” 🛠#MonacoGP 🇲🇨 #F1https://t.co/LFOAATfFyo
— Formula 1 (@F1) 22 mai 2019
Translate: Daniel Ricciardo remains patient
Winner last year, the Australian was also a guest at Wednesday’s press conference. Naturally, his ambitions are a bit more modest at the dawn of this new edition. The former Red Bull driver knows: despite a power unit reliability improvement brought at Monaco, he will never be able to play for victory under normal race circumstances. At Renault, it’s more about brainstorming to understand the car’s lack of competitiveness since the start of the season. At least, the engineers can be reassured, “Dan the Man” still supports them.
« Sometimes you need to step back, take a deep breath, and let people do their jobs. Putting pressure on their shoulders won’t work. Some situations require certain treatments!
»
Haas is bringing Spec-2 this weekend!
Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen will be running with a new engine! Starting tomorrow, both drivers will benefit from the upgrade provided by Ferrari during the previous Grand Prix in Spain. Initially planned for Canada, this new power unit will be tested right away in the Principality. A change that could be interesting for Canada, on a circuit that will truly allow drivers to express the strength of their Ferrari engine! Meanwhile, the Alfa Romeo team is sticking with the first version of the Italian engine, with the Spec-2 reportedly being installed from Canada in two weeks.
300th Grand Prix for Kimi Räikkönen: so what?
Rubens Barrichello, Fernando Alonso, Michael Schumacher, Jenson Button… and Kimi Räikkönen! This weekend, the Finn will join a very exclusive club, that of drivers with 300 Grand Prix starts. A nice number, but it leaves the main person concerned indifferent. Facing journalists on Wednesday, Räikkönen was typically Räikkönen, with this laconic statement: in the end, it’s just a number. Better yet, “Iceman” wishes not to celebrate this particular anniversary, unlike his team, which published a funny montage with his head on Leonidas’s body on the poster of the famous movie *300*!
« I tried to force Alfa Romeo to cancel the celebrations, but so far it hasn’t worked! »
300. Few drivers in the history of F1 have ever reached such heady heights in terms of race entries, and next weekend will mark this important milestone for our very own Kimi Räikkönen. 🎖️
Full preview 👉https://t.co/R7OzxAWRxu#MonacoGP #Kimi300 pic.twitter.com/rT9kOVM23n
— Alfa Romeo Racing (@alfaromeoracing) 22 mai 2019
From our special correspondent in Monaco
