Gabriel Bortoleto: Max has always supported me
Max Verstappen, taking part in the Pelas Pistas podcast, said that he had advised Red Bull management to take an interest in Gabriel Bortoleto even before the Brazilian driver made his Formula 1 debut. In Las Vegas, the Sauber driver said that Max had supported him throughout his career and had indeed spoken about him to Red Bull.
"It's great that Max said that, but it's no news that I have a very good relationship with him," says Gabriel Bortoleto. "Max has always supported me in the junior racing series, but at the same time he was realistic when talking to me.
I never asked him to do anything for me. But I often asked him for advice on what decision to make about the future, which opportunity to take. I would usually ask him, 'What do you think? Where should I go next?' And Max helped me with that.
Max Verstappen, taking part in the Pelas Pistas podcast, said that he had advised Red Bull management to take an interest in Gabriel Bortoleto even before the Brazilian driver made his Formula 1 debut. In Las Vegas, the Sauber driver said that Max had supported him throughout his career and had indeed spoken about him to Red Bull.
"It's great that Max said that, but it's no news that I have a very good relationship with him," says Gabriel Bortoleto. "Max has always supported me in the junior racing series, but at the same time he was realistic when talking to me.
I never asked him to do anything for me. But I often asked him for advice on what decision to make about the future, which opportunity to take. I would usually ask him, 'What do you think? Where should I go next?' And Max helped me with that.
Hill on the strengths and weaknesses of McLaren's drivers
1996 world champion Damon Hill, in an interview with BBC Sport, reflected on the strengths and weaknesses of McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris…
Damon Hill: "There is immense psychological pressure in a title fight. You want an answer as soon as possible, to decide everything here and now, but you need to stay focused and concentrate on the next race. Thinking about the end result is dangerous — it distracts you and leads to mistakes.
In the battle between Lando and Oscar it all comes down to a few hundredths of a second per lap. When the McLaren had a significant advantage, that difference hardly mattered, but when Red Bull closed the gap and Max Verstappen joined the fight, at first that made things harder for Lando because he didn't always manage to qualify well.
1996 world champion Damon Hill, in an interview with BBC Sport, reflected on the strengths and weaknesses of McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris…
Damon Hill: "There is immense psychological pressure in a title fight. You want an answer as soon as possible, to decide everything here and now, but you need to stay focused and concentrate on the next race. Thinking about the end result is dangerous — it distracts you and leads to mistakes.
In the battle between Lando and Oscar it all comes down to a few hundredths of a second per lap. When the McLaren had a significant advantage, that difference hardly mattered, but when Red Bull closed the gap and Max Verstappen joined the fight, at first that made things harder for Lando because he didn't always manage to qualify well.
Pierre Gasly: All chances were lost at the start of the year.
At the last round in Brazil, Pierre Gasly scored two points, ending a barren run that had lasted since the Belgian Grand Prix. In Las Vegas the Alpine driver talked about what allowed the team to make gains and what the chances are for a strong performance this weekend.
Pierre Gasly: “Of course, after the race in Brazil I wanted answers to many questions. We found answers to most of them — the pace in Brazil came for the same reasons as in Bahrain this year.
The types of corners and the track conditions suited us. But there were other reasons we are still working on because they require deeper analysis. Ultimately, the result was possible because we hit the optimal conditions for the car.
If you assess the season's performances, we don't look very good.
At the last round in Brazil, Pierre Gasly scored two points, ending a barren run that had lasted since the Belgian Grand Prix. In Las Vegas the Alpine driver talked about what allowed the team to make gains and what the chances are for a strong performance this weekend.
Pierre Gasly: “Of course, after the race in Brazil I wanted answers to many questions. We found answers to most of them — the pace in Brazil came for the same reasons as in Bahrain this year.
The types of corners and the track conditions suited us. But there were other reasons we are still working on because they require deeper analysis. Ultimately, the result was possible because we hit the optimal conditions for the car.
If you assess the season's performances, we don't look very good.
The book by Zak Brown, "Seven Tenths of a Second," we'll be quoting for a long time — it's that intriguing, and its author is that candid.
In particular, the head of McLaren Racing believes that at Red Bull they fear Max Verstappen and that all decisions are made at his behest...
Zak Brown: "Max is a brilliant driver; they are very afraid of losing him, so they do everything to keep him happy. If that means they have to become a small one‑driver empire, they will.
I don't want to run McLaren that way. We have to be honest with Ron Dennis and Mansour Ojjeh, who ran McLaren for a long time and also didn't use that approach. Such unfairness, the suppression of competition, is not in line with our team's principles.
Even before Christian Horner's dismissal in the middle of the 2025 season, it seemed that Max was running the team. It seems that everyone in the team obeys him, everyone is afraid of him. The car is set up so much for Max that it's very difficult for another driver to pilot."
In particular, the head of McLaren Racing believes that at Red Bull they fear Max Verstappen and that all decisions are made at his behest...
Zak Brown: "Max is a brilliant driver; they are very afraid of losing him, so they do everything to keep him happy. If that means they have to become a small one‑driver empire, they will.
I don't want to run McLaren that way. We have to be honest with Ron Dennis and Mansour Ojjeh, who ran McLaren for a long time and also didn't use that approach. Such unfairness, the suppression of competition, is not in line with our team's principles.
Even before Christian Horner's dismissal in the middle of the 2025 season, it seemed that Max was running the team. It seems that everyone in the team obeys him, everyone is afraid of him. The car is set up so much for Max that it's very difficult for another driver to pilot."
Verstappen 'still has an opportunity' in the flooded Vegas.
"Formula 1 officials are not concerned at this point."
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali asserts that Max Verstappen is still a legitimate contender for the championship, even as the Dutch driver arrives in Las Vegas facing the possibility of a mathematical elimination. Unseasonal storms impacted the city on Wednesday, with the National Weather Service reporting approximately 20mm of rain across the region and up to 10mm falling in certain areas within just half an hour. Floodwaters temporarily covered parts of the Strip and the circuit infrastructure. According to Bild, officials are optimistic that the situation will normalize.
"Formula 1 officials are not concerned at this point."
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali asserts that Max Verstappen is still a legitimate contender for the championship, even as the Dutch driver arrives in Las Vegas facing the possibility of a mathematical elimination. Unseasonal storms impacted the city on Wednesday, with the National Weather Service reporting approximately 20mm of rain across the region and up to 10mm falling in certain areas within just half an hour. Floodwaters temporarily covered parts of the Strip and the circuit infrastructure. According to Bild, officials are optimistic that the situation will normalize.
One of Massa's lawsuits was dismissed, the other was upheld.
Following the preliminary hearings, Mr Justice Robert Jay ruled that Felipe Massa’s lawsuit against the FIA, Formula 1 and Bernie Ecclestone may proceed, but warned the Brazilian that it will not be easy for him to win the case.
At this stage the question was only whether a full trial would follow the preliminary hearings in the Royal Court of Justice in London or whether the case would be discontinued. The decision was mixed.
The judge accepted that Massa had a real prospect of persuading the court that the FIA "was under a duty to carry out an investigation", but that this was the duty of "members of the FIA", not "Mr Massa personally". Accordingly, that claim by Massa against the FIA is dismissed.
Following the preliminary hearings, Mr Justice Robert Jay ruled that Felipe Massa’s lawsuit against the FIA, Formula 1 and Bernie Ecclestone may proceed, but warned the Brazilian that it will not be easy for him to win the case.
At this stage the question was only whether a full trial would follow the preliminary hearings in the Royal Court of Justice in London or whether the case would be discontinued. The decision was mixed.
The judge accepted that Massa had a real prospect of persuading the court that the FIA "was under a duty to carry out an investigation", but that this was the duty of "members of the FIA", not "Mr Massa personally". Accordingly, that claim by Massa against the FIA is dismissed.
George Kurtz acquired part of Toto Wolff's stake in Mercedes.
One of the founders and CEO of CrowdStrike, racing enthusiast George Kurtz, bought part of the stake in the Mercedes team owned by Toto Wolff, becoming its technology consultant.
CrowdStrike is one of Mercedes’ sponsors, and George Kurtz is a racing enthusiast who holds an FIA Bronze license and is a winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LMP2 Pro‑Am category.
Kurtz acquired a 15% minority stake in the company controlled by Toto Wolff that owns one third of the team in partnership with Mercedes‑Benz and INEOS; Kurtz joins Mercedes‑Benz, INEOS and Toto Wolff among the group's long‑term owners of the team.
Kurtz joined the team's strategic leadership alongside Mercedes‑Benz Group AG Chairman Ola Källenius, INEOS Group founder and chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and Toto Wolff.
One of the founders and CEO of CrowdStrike, racing enthusiast George Kurtz, bought part of the stake in the Mercedes team owned by Toto Wolff, becoming its technology consultant.
CrowdStrike is one of Mercedes’ sponsors, and George Kurtz is a racing enthusiast who holds an FIA Bronze license and is a winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LMP2 Pro‑Am category.
Kurtz acquired a 15% minority stake in the company controlled by Toto Wolff that owns one third of the team in partnership with Mercedes‑Benz and INEOS; Kurtz joins Mercedes‑Benz, INEOS and Toto Wolff among the group's long‑term owners of the team.
Kurtz joined the team's strategic leadership alongside Mercedes‑Benz Group AG Chairman Ola Källenius, INEOS Group founder and chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and Toto Wolff.
Lawson: The race in Las Vegas in 2024 was the toughest.
In São Paulo the Racing Bulls drivers performed fairly confidently, both scored points, and Liam Lawson finished seventh there, one position ahead of his teammate. At the same time, the New Zealand driver realistically assesses the team's prospects for the upcoming round in Las Vegas.
Liam Lawson: "The track in Las Vegas is very different from the Brazilian one — it's completely different, and we're in for a very tough race. A year ago on this track we also had a hard time, but we spent a lot of time analyzing the information gathered here last year, and I tried to draw some lessons, because the Las Vegas race was probably the hardest for me that season.
But lately we've been able to show good pace at most tracks, even at those where we didn't perform well in 2024. Hopefully we can repeat that this coming weekend.
In São Paulo the Racing Bulls drivers performed fairly confidently, both scored points, and Liam Lawson finished seventh there, one position ahead of his teammate. At the same time, the New Zealand driver realistically assesses the team's prospects for the upcoming round in Las Vegas.
Liam Lawson: "The track in Las Vegas is very different from the Brazilian one — it's completely different, and we're in for a very tough race. A year ago on this track we also had a hard time, but we spent a lot of time analyzing the information gathered here last year, and I tried to draw some lessons, because the Las Vegas race was probably the hardest for me that season.
But lately we've been able to show good pace at most tracks, even at those where we didn't perform well in 2024. Hopefully we can repeat that this coming weekend.
Formula E: Sam Bird has become Nissan's reserve driver
If you look at the résumé of British driver Sam Bird, it turns out that his main achievements were connected with Russian teams.
In 2013 he became the GP2 vice-champion (now Formula 2), racing for Russian Time, which that season won the junior series' teams' championship. A couple of years later Sam, together with G-Drive Racing, won the World Endurance Championship title in the LMP2 category.
Around the same time he debuted in Formula E — it was the inaugural season of the new electric series — and since then he combined racing in it with the WEC, but that was only until this year. For the past two seasons Bird worked with McLaren, but the British company decided to leave Formula E, and it seemed that the 38-year-old driver's career would end there.
If you look at the résumé of British driver Sam Bird, it turns out that his main achievements were connected with Russian teams.
In 2013 he became the GP2 vice-champion (now Formula 2), racing for Russian Time, which that season won the junior series' teams' championship. A couple of years later Sam, together with G-Drive Racing, won the World Endurance Championship title in the LMP2 category.
Around the same time he debuted in Formula E — it was the inaugural season of the new electric series — and since then he combined racing in it with the WEC, but that was only until this year. For the past two seasons Bird worked with McLaren, but the British company decided to leave Formula E, and it seemed that the 38-year-old driver's career would end there.
Marco: We want to win in the second half of 2026.
In a recent interview, Red Bull's motorsport advisor Helmut Marko spoke not only about Max Verstappen's title chances but also about the tasks for 2026. With the switch to their own power units, developed in collaboration with Ford, Red Bull Racing expects to reach a level allowing them to win races only in the second half of the season.
Question: Let's go back to the race in Brazil once more. Shouldn't you have skipped Max's last pit stop and gone all-in?
Helmut Marko: That would have risked damaging the tyres on Max's car, and then he would have finished fifth.
Question: But if everything had worked out, he would have had a chance at a result higher than third place, and his title chances would be higher now…
Helmut Marko: Looking back, we always assess the situation as 50/50. Maybe we really should have taken the risk.
In a recent interview, Red Bull's motorsport advisor Helmut Marko spoke not only about Max Verstappen's title chances but also about the tasks for 2026. With the switch to their own power units, developed in collaboration with Ford, Red Bull Racing expects to reach a level allowing them to win races only in the second half of the season.
Question: Let's go back to the race in Brazil once more. Shouldn't you have skipped Max's last pit stop and gone all-in?
Helmut Marko: That would have risked damaging the tyres on Max's car, and then he would have finished fifth.
Question: But if everything had worked out, he would have had a chance at a result higher than third place, and his title chances would be higher now…
Helmut Marko: Looking back, we always assess the situation as 50/50. Maybe we really should have taken the risk.
Wolff: Don't base expectations on past successes
Toto Wolff commented on the results of the first practice in Las Vegas, where the Mercedes drivers ended up ninth and tenth on the timing sheet, and also touched on several other topics important at this stage of the season.
Question: What was learned during the first practice?
Toto Wolff: Of course, the track is very dirty, but it is very difficult to assess the quality of the information gathered, because with every subsequent five minutes the level of grip increased and the speeds rose. It is encouraging that on long runs we showed a decent pace. Now we need to figure out what the picture will be in single-lap mode.
Toto Wolff commented on the results of the first practice in Las Vegas, where the Mercedes drivers ended up ninth and tenth on the timing sheet, and also touched on several other topics important at this stage of the season.
Question: What was learned during the first practice?
Toto Wolff: Of course, the track is very dirty, but it is very difficult to assess the quality of the information gathered, because with every subsequent five minutes the level of grip increased and the speeds rose. It is encouraging that on long runs we showed a decent pace. Now we need to figure out what the picture will be in single-lap mode.
One of the authors of the 2026 regulations, FIA head of aerodynamics Jason Somerville, will leave his post. There are rumours that next year he will join the Alpine team, but so far only his departure has been confirmed.
Before joining the FIA, Somerville worked at Lotus, Toyota and Williams. He is now due to take a mandatory leave, during which he will remain at the FIA working on projects unrelated to Formula 1, and in May 2026 he will be able to leave.
If reports of a contract with Alpine are confirmed, Somerville will once again work with Alpine managing director Steve Nielsen — they worked together at the FIA.
Before joining the FIA, Somerville worked at Lotus, Toyota and Williams. He is now due to take a mandatory leave, during which he will remain at the FIA working on projects unrelated to Formula 1, and in May 2026 he will be able to leave.
If reports of a contract with Alpine are confirmed, Somerville will once again work with Alpine managing director Steve Nielsen — they worked together at the FIA.
Verstappen: The session stoppages clearly didn't help.
Max Verstappen posted only the ninth-fastest time in second practice and is in no rush to draw conclusions...
Max Verstappen (9th): "So far everything is fine. The red-flag stoppages clearly didn't help, we need to get better grip on the track.
I don't know what we can expect this weekend. This track can't be compared to others – it's cold here and the asphalt is slippery. The track condition improves with every session; it's important to understand how to work with the tyres in qualifying and the race."
Yuki Tsunoda (15th): "I'm happy with how we finished our first day of the weekend in Las Vegas. The first session went well, it's a shame the red flags interfered in the second, but the main thing is we have the pace. On low-grip circuits it's important to feel confident in the car, and that feeling is here.
Max Verstappen posted only the ninth-fastest time in second practice and is in no rush to draw conclusions...
Max Verstappen (9th): "So far everything is fine. The red-flag stoppages clearly didn't help, we need to get better grip on the track.
I don't know what we can expect this weekend. This track can't be compared to others – it's cold here and the asphalt is slippery. The track condition improves with every session; it's important to understand how to work with the tyres in qualifying and the race."
Yuki Tsunoda (15th): "I'm happy with how we finished our first day of the weekend in Las Vegas. The first session went well, it's a shame the red flags interfered in the second, but the main thing is we have the pace. On low-grip circuits it's important to feel confident in the car, and that feeling is here.
Kimi Antonelli and George Russell posted the second and seventh fastest times in the second practice for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Mercedes view the results of the first day of the race weekend with optimism, but do not consider themselves favorites.
Kimi Antonelli (2nd): "Overall we had a good day. At first, lap after lap I was learning the track, and I felt comfortable behind the wheel. There's still a lot to do, but you could say we had a good start to the weekend.
In the first practice, on the opening laps the level of grip from the track was simply shocking. But then the surface began to improve, and in the second session grip was much higher. We expect the same tomorrow, so we'll have to adjust the car's setup to match the increasing track grip.
Given that the surface improved during the session, in qualifying it's best to go out last. On the other hand, that can cause problems if red flags appear, so finding the right balance is important. I'm not sure you should go out last in the final, but if the track continues to improve we'll take that into account."
George Russell (7th): "Not a bad day. I think we're in the thick of the fight, but we have to stay realistic.
There are high expectations of us this weekend, but the car has changed a lot since last year, and that has definitely made it better over the course of the season. But perhaps we're not as competitive now as we were twelve months ago. Still, we're on the right track, although Lando is quick, and Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc were quick in the first practice, as was Kimi. So it's going to be a tight fight.
I don't want to get ahead of myself, but today our aim wasn't to be the fastest. We need to stay realistic — we're on the right track, but definitely not the fastest."
Kimi Antonelli (2nd): "Overall we had a good day. At first, lap after lap I was learning the track, and I felt comfortable behind the wheel. There's still a lot to do, but you could say we had a good start to the weekend.
In the first practice, on the opening laps the level of grip from the track was simply shocking. But then the surface began to improve, and in the second session grip was much higher. We expect the same tomorrow, so we'll have to adjust the car's setup to match the increasing track grip.
Given that the surface improved during the session, in qualifying it's best to go out last. On the other hand, that can cause problems if red flags appear, so finding the right balance is important. I'm not sure you should go out last in the final, but if the track continues to improve we'll take that into account."
George Russell (7th): "Not a bad day. I think we're in the thick of the fight, but we have to stay realistic.
There are high expectations of us this weekend, but the car has changed a lot since last year, and that has definitely made it better over the course of the season. But perhaps we're not as competitive now as we were twelve months ago. Still, we're on the right track, although Lando is quick, and Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc were quick in the first practice, as was Kimi. So it's going to be a tight fight.
I don't want to get ahead of myself, but today our aim wasn't to be the fastest. We need to stay realistic — we're on the right track, but definitely not the fastest."
Light rain at the start of the second practice and red flags at the end prevented the teams from assessing tyre behaviour, but McLaren are happy that they were able to make progress…
Lando Norris (1st): “Because of the red flags we weren’t able to gather all the necessary information, but in the second practice the car behaved much better than in the first. We’ve made good progress and are generally happy.
There are some positive areas to build on, and some areas where we need to try to improve for tomorrow.”
Oscar Piastri (14th): “Because of the red flags in the second practice it’s hard to judge the pecking order, but the car has speed, so we’ll see.
The first session went well, but due to the red flags in the second I couldn’t do a quick lap on the Soft tyres. We’ll make some adjustments overnight. We’ll see what the weather is like tomorrow.”
Lando Norris (1st): “Because of the red flags we weren’t able to gather all the necessary information, but in the second practice the car behaved much better than in the first. We’ve made good progress and are generally happy.
There are some positive areas to build on, and some areas where we need to try to improve for tomorrow.”
Oscar Piastri (14th): “Because of the red flags in the second practice it’s hard to judge the pecking order, but the car has speed, so we’ll see.
The first session went well, but due to the red flags in the second I couldn’t do a quick lap on the Soft tyres. We’ll make some adjustments overnight. We’ll see what the weather is like tomorrow.”
Hulkenberg: We'll only know the pecking order tomorrow
In the second practice session Nico Hülkenberg posted the fourth-fastest time, but because of red flags many were unable to complete a quick lap on Soft tyres — the Sauber driver urges not to rush to conclusions…
Nico Hülkenberg (4th): "We ran the usual Friday programme. The first session was positive, the second was a bit more difficult.
Today many drivers couldn't complete a quick lap on Soft tyres, so it's hard to judge the pace. Only tomorrow will we be able to assess the balance of power.
Ahead lies the usual work — improving the car's balance and fine-tuning the setup. It will be interesting to see how things come together tomorrow when we have a clearer picture of the track situation."
Gabriel Bortoleto (20th): "Overall, it was a positive and productive day.
In the second practice session Nico Hülkenberg posted the fourth-fastest time, but because of red flags many were unable to complete a quick lap on Soft tyres — the Sauber driver urges not to rush to conclusions…
Nico Hülkenberg (4th): "We ran the usual Friday programme. The first session was positive, the second was a bit more difficult.
Today many drivers couldn't complete a quick lap on Soft tyres, so it's hard to judge the pace. Only tomorrow will we be able to assess the balance of power.
Ahead lies the usual work — improving the car's balance and fine-tuning the setup. It will be interesting to see how things come together tomorrow when we have a clearer picture of the track situation."
Gabriel Bortoleto (20th): "Overall, it was a positive and productive day.
Ocon: We lacked confidence under braking.
Haas F1 drivers ended up quite far down the order after the first practice sessions in Las Vegas, explaining this by difficulties related to the condition of the street circuit’s surface, which did not provide normal grip.
Oliver Bearman (17th): “Although we understood that on a circuit like this the surface would improve very quickly, to be honest, on the first laps I was simply shocked by how poor the grip was. I don’t even know how to describe it!
But from how rapidly the times were improving, you could tell the surface was getting better. During the second practice we switched to the soft tyres fairly early, and when I returned to the pits I was in a decent position, but when I was about to go back out I was already five or six seconds off the best time.
Haas F1 drivers ended up quite far down the order after the first practice sessions in Las Vegas, explaining this by difficulties related to the condition of the street circuit’s surface, which did not provide normal grip.
Oliver Bearman (17th): “Although we understood that on a circuit like this the surface would improve very quickly, to be honest, on the first laps I was simply shocked by how poor the grip was. I don’t even know how to describe it!
But from how rapidly the times were improving, you could tell the surface was getting better. During the second practice we switched to the soft tyres fairly early, and when I returned to the pits I was in a decent position, but when I was about to go back out I was already five or six seconds off the best time.
Alonso: We expected that we were in for a difficult weekend.
Aston Martin's drivers ended up outside the top ten after the conclusion of practice in Las Vegas, with Lance Stroll 11th and Fernando Alonso 18th.
Fernando Alonso (18th): "We expected a difficult weekend — and it is indeed difficult. Our pace hasn't been very good so far, but we'll see what we can do in the preparations for tomorrow. Today's results are hard to interpret, especially since the end of the session was interrupted by red flags and nobody managed to complete a lap. We'll see if we can find a higher pace. There was a light shower at the start of the second practice, but the forecast doesn't promise rain for tomorrow, so we're not too worried. We'll see if we can get everything right."
Lance Stroll (11th): "Of course there's work to do, but the feeling in the car isn't that bad — we'll see what tomorrow brings.
Aston Martin's drivers ended up outside the top ten after the conclusion of practice in Las Vegas, with Lance Stroll 11th and Fernando Alonso 18th.
Fernando Alonso (18th): "We expected a difficult weekend — and it is indeed difficult. Our pace hasn't been very good so far, but we'll see what we can do in the preparations for tomorrow. Today's results are hard to interpret, especially since the end of the session was interrupted by red flags and nobody managed to complete a lap. We'll see if we can find a higher pace. There was a light shower at the start of the second practice, but the forecast doesn't promise rain for tomorrow, so we're not too worried. We'll see if we can get everything right."
Lance Stroll (11th): "Of course there's work to do, but the feeling in the car isn't that bad — we'll see what tomorrow brings.
Gasly: Our goal is to reach the final of qualifying.
After the first day of the weekend, Pierre Gasly was satisfied with the car, while his young Alpine teammate Franco Colapinto has yet to find the right pace…
Pierre Gasly (12th): “The first day of the weekend gave hope. I felt comfortable straight away, which is especially important on such a demanding track where you have to trust the car. The balance was good throughout the day, there are a couple of areas where we need to improve, but overall I’m happy.
The second practice was more chaotic, and on top of that red flags appeared at the end of the session, preventing us from fully completing our program. We’ll keep working hard to approach tomorrow with confidence. I’ve had decent qualifying results in Vegas, and I’d like to keep that stat! Our goal is to make it to the final qualifying segment, and we’ll do everything to achieve it.
After the first day of the weekend, Pierre Gasly was satisfied with the car, while his young Alpine teammate Franco Colapinto has yet to find the right pace…
Pierre Gasly (12th): “The first day of the weekend gave hope. I felt comfortable straight away, which is especially important on such a demanding track where you have to trust the car. The balance was good throughout the day, there are a couple of areas where we need to improve, but overall I’m happy.
The second practice was more chaotic, and on top of that red flags appeared at the end of the session, preventing us from fully completing our program. We’ll keep working hard to approach tomorrow with confidence. I’ve had decent qualifying results in Vegas, and I’d like to keep that stat! Our goal is to make it to the final qualifying segment, and we’ll do everything to achieve it.