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: Properly, it wasn’t a fantastic shock. I feel it was turning into clearer and clearer that was the route that he was going to go moderately than, you realize, into retirement or another workforce. And so, you realize, clearly it will be a brand new problem for him. And, you realize, we’ll be unhappy to see it when he leaves subsequent 12 months. However, you realize, want him all the most effective for the longer term. You realize, clearly I look again, you realize, with nice fondness, the time that, the 20 years nearly that we spent collectively. And, you realize, clearly the highs and lows throughout that interval. However we sit up for the longer term. And I feel we’re effectively positioned for that.
Q: You realize the impression that Adrian had in your workforce when he joined. What have Aston Martin bought to sit up for?
CH: Adrian is clearly a really artistic man and he isn’t your common designer. I feel he is the one particular person nonetheless in Method 1 engaged on a drafting board. So inevitably there can 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 enormous expertise.
Q: OK, what in regards to 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 tricky weekend for us. However I feel out of each adverse 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 path. And so, you realize, the entire workforce, from the drivers placing in massive quantities of time on the simulator, right through each single division are actually decided and pushing as onerous as doable. Some lengthy hours entering into in Milton Keynes in the meanwhile from all of the women and men again there. And hopefully, we will flip issues round.
Q: I imply, FP1 right here in Baku regarded promising. However how shortly are you able to flip issues round? How shortly do it is advisable flip issues round?
CH: Properly, issues can change fairly shortly. I imply, we have received seven Grands Prix this 12 months. Essentially the most, or Max has actually received seven, essentially the most that another driver has is 2 wins. So, issues can change shortly. And, you realize, we have had some imbalances within the automotive that we have been seeking to perceive and I feel we have a transparent path on that now. However, after all, it takes a time period. It is one factor understanding the problem, it is one other factor addressing it and getting the components on the automotive that allow that to occur.
Q: When you took this automotive again to a circuit the place you dominated earlier within the season, Bahrain for instance, wouldn’t it be slower than you have been on the race?
CH: No, no, no. I feel that there is a number of elements. 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 stability as effectively. And I feel we had a greater balanced automotive at first 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 effectively. In order we’re beginning to push the extremities of those laws, Generally you discover that correlation drops out between monitor and your simulation instruments, that are primarily the wind tunnel and CFD. And so there’s been clearly a giant push to grasp that and handle it.
Q: And the way do you see the 2 championships now?
CH: Look, there’s every little thing to play for. I imply, clearly Max within the Drivers’ Championship has a strong lead, but it surely’s nothing you possibly can take without any consideration with eight races to go. So we’re tremendous acutely aware of that with races and Dash races. It solely takes a few unhealthy weekends and massive weekends from Lando, and all of a sudden 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 possibly can’t low cost Ferrari both which have quietly snuck their method again into this. So it is a flat-out struggle 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 automobiles aren’t performing. Are we up for it? Completely. And I’ve by no means seen a workforce 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. After all, with this low stage of grip, we battle greater than others. We’ve got seen in the course of the season that our automotive has an enormous sensitivity, and particularly in these form of situations, it is tough to search out the stability between high-speed and low-speed corners. As talked about by Christian, now we have recognized our weaknesses and the world to work. Then it is a completely different side to discover a good resolution and to allow the drivers to use the package deal.
Q: Pink Bull have a load of recent components right here. When are we going to see some upgrades on the Sauber?
AAB: However now we have, as you realize, launched a giant package deal for us in Silverstone and Hungary that then was out there to each drivers as of Zandvoort race. And now we have to optimise this package deal. We struggled to get out many of the efficiency, particularly in Zandvoort. We made a step in Monza, however there may be nonetheless loads of work to be completed to search out the precise stability. We could have different upgrades in the course of the season. We’re concentrating on Austin, however after all, for us, this 12 months has been extra marginal positive aspects than a giant step. So we proceed to develop the automotive. That is additionally essential, not only for this season, but additionally for 2025. It doesn’t suggest that we’re giving up this season, however we’re working onerous first to determine our weaknesses. And naturally, no one has a silver bullet in Method 1. We all know that we have to do steps and, you realize, the upgrades that can be launched later within the season ought to permit us to do one other step. If this can be ample to catch up, our direct rivals can be only a monitor to evaluate this.
Q: What about drivers? Can we discuss in regards to the second driver for subsequent 12 months? Valtteri Bottas talked in fairly constructive phrases yesterday about his possibilities 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 fascinated 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 now we have stated already in Monza that he is taking cost of all of the dossiers and the drivers is after all some of the essential ones. We’re evaluating all of the choices to see which is the most effective stability between a short-term expertise and medium, long-term, possibly younger expertise. There are potential candidates on each side. Valtteri is a robust driver for our workforce. We all know him very effectively. He has been with the workforce already for 3 years, and naturally he is one on prime of our record. However there are different alternatives. We’re simply taking a look at all the professionals and cons, and Mattia will take a choice primarily based not solely on 2025, but additionally the medium-long-term technique for the Audi F1 mission.
Q: Have you ever bought a deadline by when it is advisable have taken the choice?
AAB: It isn’t in regards to the deadline as a result of, after all, we’re not opportunistic. Now that there’s just one seat out there, we need to take time. It is extra to evaluate every little thing, each side, and to take a proper resolution. I feel there isn’t any rush, however we need to tick this field additionally quickly. So, I feel it will likely 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 workforce principal. What sort of an impression are you anticipating him to have?
AAB: I can simply choose Jonathan from outdoors as a result of I do not know him personally, however after all we will see that they’ve a robust impression and contribution to the final 18 years of success in Pink Bull. Pink Bull has been a minimum of nonetheless the benchmark in Method 1 as a workforce 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 workforce can simply carry a constructive contribution and I count on that Jonathan can be main our workforce along with Mattia. So for me, it is a constructive addition and we’re wanting 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 have had at Pink Bull?
CH: Jonathan’s completed a fantastic job as initially workforce 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 completed and the trouble that he is put in throughout that point. a chance like this to change into a workforce principal has come alongside. So we actually did not look to carry him again in any method and we want him the perfect of luck for the longer term. However that, in flip, permits there to be development inside our personal organisation. And we’ll be asserting very shortly the construction that may 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? To this point, so good in FP1. What do you need 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 bought a goal on Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon. However once more, it is a road monitor and the FP1, everyone knows the grip stage goes to be actually poor. So actually essential to set sure goals alongside the best way after which simply construct as much as it. After which as you noticed in FP1, he is completed that completely. So it is nice.
Q: Is he working with all the 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 ordinary 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 one in every of 2025?
AK: It is not likely like a race one in every of 25. After all, we have been working with Ollie all through the assorted FP1s, proper? However like I stated, the goals and mindset is completely completely different once you bought the entire race weekend. So it is a fantastic alternative for him, but additionally for us as effectively. After which once more, alongside Nico, we can not ask for a greater reference. So yeah, that is a fantastic alternative for everybody.
Q: Properly, we all know how fast Nico Hülkenberg is. One among his former teammates stated 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 would not play any politics. He is a really easy man, and he is all the time clear. After which he all the time units the benchmark, particularly in a qualifying-type run. So it’s extremely straightforward to speak to him as effectively. So I feel for Ollie, I do not suppose, actually, you possibly can ask for a greater team-mate. And by way of excessive gasoline administration, et cetera, I feel they’ll each run from one another. However once more, Nico’s bought a bit extra expertise now. Yeah, I feel it is a fantastic setting 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 outcome, on monitor a minimum of, at Monza with Kevin. Do you suppose you possibly can 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 extremely tough to foretell exactly precisely the place we will be at every race. Like, as an example, 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. You realize, once more, driver suggestions, each from Nico and Ollie, it has been excellent within the sense of like, by way of weak spot, how they’re describing it. So I feel we recognized fairly clearly which areas to work on. so we preserve chipping away at it after which for positive our goal is to attain factors with each automobiles this weekend.
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Q: (Alex Kalinauckas – Autosport) A query to Christian, please. You stated it wasn’t a fantastic shock to see Adrian find yourself at Aston Martin. However what in regards to the scale of the announcement, even the truth that he was at one other workforce’s manufacturing unit, 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 realize, Adrian has all the time tended to do his personal factor. So, you realize, clearly it was a giant second for that workforce. They selected to have fun it maybe doubtlessly barely prematurely earlier than he is completed his contract with Pink Bull Racing. However clearly it was a giant second for that workforce.
Q: (Scott Mitchell-Malm – The Race) One other query for Christian. Earlier than we went into the summer season break, there was loads of speak about drivers, not simply Checo, but additionally 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 because the summer season break, not simply Pink Bull Racing, but additionally the opposite workforce as effectively. The place are you at on that? Is it very a lot that the automobiles, the precedence, the drivers are set for each groups within the Pink Bull household for the remainder of the 12 months?
CH: Properly, as you say, the automotive very a lot is the precedence for us. I feel Sergio has undoubtedly made a step ahead because the summer season break. And he is displaying indicators of an excellent 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 automobiles just lately and fixing the automobiles.
Q: Christian, in what areas has Checo taken a step ahead because the summer season break?
CH: I feel that simply earlier than the summer season break, clearly, there was large scrutiny and strain being positioned on him. And clearly, it is a media enterprise that we reside in, and naturally, that scrutiny can typically change into overwhelming. And I do know he was scuffling with the fixed hypothesis about his job previous to the summer season break. And I feel going away, being able to reset, refresh and are available again with a transparent mindset, realizing that he is bought the complete help of the workforce that he’s our driver, and we all know we have some points on the automotive that we’re pushing to kind out and, he is been placing in loads of onerous work to assist handle that. And I feel that, you realize, we’re beginning to see him discover a number of the type that hopefully he confirmed at first of the 12 months as a result of we will want it as we attempt 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 underneath allegations they have been maybe flexing. Is that this an end result that you just’re proud of, on condition that, I suppose, Pink Bull went by way of the identical factor a couple of decade in the past? Does it imply that you may observe that path, or will you be searching for additional clarification on that?
CH: We went by way of it a little bit extra just lately than a decade in the past, I feel three years in the past. However I feel what’s essential for any workforce, as with all this stuff, is all the time readability. Is one thing acceptable or is it not? If it is deemed to be acceptable, then clearly that encourages you to pursue related options your self. So the regulator, clearly they’ve all the knowledge out there. They’ve all of the evaluation that they’ve just lately put cameras on, many automobiles. So I suppose they’re accumulating that information. However yeah, it is a kind of issues, as I say, that if it is deemed to be acceptable, then you definitely pursue that route.
Q: (Adam Cooper – Adam Cooper F1) For all three of you, the rookie Dash occasion in Abu Dhabi appears to be like 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 additionally for Christian, you have bought an opportunity to run two rookies who would not in any other case be wherever close to a race doubtlessly within the subsequent couple of years.
AK: Yeah, I feel it is nice. You realize, the post-season take a look at, if we do not do issues like that, you’re simply doing the tyre take a look at. 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. Today, it is such a uncommon alternative for younger drivers to get within the present Method 1 automotive. So I feel it is actually an fascinating transfer.
AAB: I totally 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 Method 1, so I feel that FP1 periods will not be ample to showcase what you are able to do. and there are loads of dangers linked to correct efficiency in FP1 additionally for the workforce. It is a very nice alternative. Additionally for us, not having a TPC program it’s an extra alternative to have extra information and to evaluate not simply the efficiency itself, additionally the mindset and the strategy of the rookie driver.
CH: Yeah, it is one thing that I tabled on the final couple of Method 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 assessments 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 improbable alternative and I feel that it comes on the finish of a busy season, however opposed to only working round burning gasoline and tyres and solely the groups which can be working these drivers realizing whether or not they’re doing an excellent job or to not give doubtlessly 10 drivers or 10 rookies the chance of leaping within the present automobiles and having the equal of a Dash race, I feel is improbable. And I feel it will be a extremely widespread occasion.
Q: (Joost Smedema – NOS) Query to Christian as effectively, please. Yesterday, Checo stated he was fairly optimistic in regards to the two upcoming races, Baku and Singapore, after all. Do you perceive his optimism, though this technology of automobiles has been fairly tough for you on road circuits?
CH: Properly, 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 sluggish 90-degree corners and you realize, 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 will not be that relevant for this circuit. They’re extra relevant for the likes of Austin, a number of the faster-flowing circuits. So nonetheless beneficial 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 an even 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 Method 1 construction going ahead, what does it imply for you? Is there a chance so that you can proceed within the position that you just’re in in the meanwhile to bridge the hole to Jonathan becoming a member of subsequent summer season? I feel Mattia stated that there must be a method of figuring out precisely how that form of on-site management works earlier than Jonathan’s in his place.
AAB: To begin with, let me say that the modifications which have been completed are a constructive one for the whole workforce and naturally there may be now a special management workforce. About myself, I’ll discuss to Mattia within the subsequent few weeks and we could have an open and clear dialogue about what are the positions out there, what might be my position sooner or later. There are, after all, many elements 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 workforce consultant. After all, the scenario with the Audi F1 mission now has modified, additionally for me, and I’ll assess what’s the finest additionally for me within the close to future.
Q: (Alex Kalinauckas – Autorsport) One other query to Alessandro, please. You spoke a little bit bit earlier in regards to the discussions over the second driver that you just may need subsequent 12 months, the free seat, however I questioned what in regards to 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 product of him this 12 months and the way excited is the workforce to have him on board subsequent 12 months?
AAB: I am comfortable about your query due to course now we have been fairly early into the driving force’s market this 12 months. We tried to anticipate the market and I feel it was a good suggestion and an excellent transfer after what now we have seen within the second a part of the season. however Nico is a really robust driver for us. He is an excellent qualifier and that is one level that can be much more essential sooner or later. We’ve got seen how a lot qualifying is essential in Method 1 and he has this sort of attribute. I feel that Ayao can verify that. He’s additionally a simple man and we’d like you realize people who you realize converse clearly inside the workforce. We’ve got loads of challenges forward of us and there can be no politics, simply onerous work forward of us, and I feel Nico can match correctly into the Audi F1 mission. He has on the similar time loads of expertise in Method 1. And naturally, to have a strong basis and an skilled man within the workforce will assist on the preliminary stage of the Audi F1 mission. So I can simply see constructive issues about him. And we’re excited to have him within the subsequent 12 months along with the workforce. 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 doable 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 form 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 sensible for ‘25 however had a faint likelihood for ‘24.
CH: Properly, it is like all issues in life: in order for you it to occur, you make it occur. And I feel there was a transparent directive to say, come on, let’s get the job completed for this 12 months. And so clearly that places strain on the Sporting Working Teams and the assorted workforce managers to work with the FIA to provide you with a set of laws. However I feel primarily adopting Dash regs and so forth, it is eminently doable. It would not should be overcomplicated. I feel it is simply going to be a single automotive from every workforce moderately than two automobiles. And successfully, you are simply utilizing the mileage another way versus, you realize, simply performing over throughout a take a look at 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 fantastic factor. It is a fantastic alternative for the younger drivers, and we’re totally supportive of it.
