MONTE-CARLO, MONACO – MAY 24: Sergio Perez from Mexico driving the (11) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 on the track during practice before the Monaco Grand Prix Formula 1 at the Monaco Circuit on May 24, 2024 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)
The race in question is often referred to as the jewel in the crown of Formula 1, but tends to be a predictable event where starting at the front is of utmost importance, followed by successfully completing the Grand Prix without incidents.
On Friday, as is customary, the challenging streets were filled with numerous incidents and scares as the drivers pushed their limits along the French Riviera coast, surrounded by luxurious yachts lining certain parts of the circuit near the harbor.
Here are the comments from teams and drivers after the practice sessions in Monaco:
Mercedes team report: “The race weekend in Monaco started positively. In the first session, both drivers used three different sets of tires, including one set of soft tires each. This allowed them to secure the first two positions, with Lewis Hamilton finishing in P1 and George Russell in P3. The team decided to use the third set of tires in FP1 due to expected rain in FP2.
However, the rain that was forecasted for the second session did not materialize. As a result, both drivers used a new set of medium tires, followed by the soft tires used from FP1. This strategy was also adopted by Norris from McLaren. Hamilton managed to set the second fastest lap time, while Russell had a steering vibration issue in both sessions, affecting his brakes and resulting in a tenth place finish.
Both drivers completed long runs with the medium tires. Many cars on track had tire wear issues. Additionally, Russell tested a new front wing design during this morning’s FP1.
Lewis Hamilton: “Today was a great day, possibly the best we’ve had this year. The car feels very positive and driving on this track with an F1 car is simply amazing. I really enjoyed my time on track today. The grip level and the car’s response surprised me positively, making the experience much more enjoyable compared to the last two years. In the second session, things seemed a bit less comfortable and we have a lot of work to do to improve our long runs and deal with front tire wear. The performance on less fuel was promising and we don’t want to lose that. However, our focus now is to improve our performance during the long race.”
George Russell: “This was one of our best Fridays of the year, and the car is better than ever in Monaco. Unfortunately, my session was hampered by a steering vibration issue. Every time I braked, the steering system shook. In a track like this, where confidence is crucial to attack, this setback really affected me. All teams are making rapid developments, and this is evident by the faster lap times this year compared to last year. The car is good, and Lewis’s lap times show its potential. However, Charles (Leclerc) is also very fast, and we know how things can change quickly. I hope we can compete for a top five position tomorrow.”
Andrew Shovlin, Track Engineering Director: “Overall, we had a productive day with both cars. FP1 was particularly successful. We decided to use the soft tires from FP2 in that session, anticipating the rain that never arrived. As a result, we had to use used tires for the quick lap with low fuel in the afternoon. Russell had a brake vibration issue that we need to solve before tomorrow, as it worsened throughout the day and significantly affected his performance. However, the underlying pace of the car looks promising. We need to work on our long run performance to be kinder to the front tires on Sunday, but we have some options to explore. Additionally, we need to monitor track conditions as grip improves. It’s encouraging to see that we have a solid foundation to build on.”
Haas team report: “Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg started the first practice session with the same plan, using the hard Pirelli P Zero White tire. Both drivers came into the pits to change the front wing and compare aerodynamic data. This resulted in improved lap times, with Hulkenberg setting a time of 1:14.527 and Magnussen setting a time of 1:15.072. They then switched to the medium compound tire and made further progress before a red flag was caused by debris on the track due to Zhou Guanyu’s crash into the barriers. With ten minutes remaining, Magnussen returned to the track with used hard tires, while Hulkenberg stayed on the medium compound tire to end the session.”
“Magnussen set a time of 1:13.390 before the session was interrupted, putting him in 14th position. Hulkenberg finished in 16th position with a time of 1:13.576. Both drivers started the second practice session with a run on the medium tires. They then switched to the soft tires for qualifying simulations. Magnussen set the fastest lap time of 1:12.473, putting him in 13th position, while Hulkenberg set a lap time of 1:12.569, putting him in 15th position. Both drivers ended the day with high fuel runs on used soft tires. The team completed a total of 132 laps on Friday, with Hulkenberg completing 68 laps and Magnussen completing 64 laps.”
Nico Hulkenberg: “It’s quite impressive – in the first laps, you are simply amazed by the speed, dynamism, and challenge. I think it was a decent day, no issues on our side. In terms of performance, we don’t seem as strong compared to the top 10, but it all comes down to small margins. We need to find a bit more overnight to improve for tomorrow. From a balance perspective, it didn’t seem too bad, but there’s a lack of grip in certain areas. We’ll see what we can do.”
Kevin Magnussen: “As always, it’s incredibly balanced. I say this all the time now, but qualifying is crucial for this race, so it’s important that we get it right tomorrow. The car has a good rear end, and the big rear wing is important here. However, everyone came to Monaco with a high downforce wing. You’re constantly looking for lap time; the track is so bumpy, and driving here is more intimidating. It takes courage to push the car to the limit, and I don’t think anyone has done that completely yet. It’s easy to exceed the limit, and the consequences are costly. I would like to have more speed, but we’ll see what we can achieve.”
Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal: “So far, it’s been pretty much what we expected. In terms of our package for Monaco, it’s behaving as it should. However, as I mentioned earlier this week, we need to find a better balance of the car to extract more performance. We understand our pace in long runs, so I’m not too worried. But qualifying is everything here, so we need to find a slightly better balance.”
Sven Smeets, Sporting Director, stated that the first day in Monaco is always challenging for the drivers due to the demanding track. It takes time for the drivers to find their rhythm and gain confidence. However, both drivers had a decent day, completing their planned practice sessions in both FP1 and FP2. Alex showed promising pace on the soft tires, but there is still work to be done overnight to improve the car for the race on Sunday. Finding the right balance between qualifying and race pace will be crucial. The chance of rain tomorrow is decreasing, which will please the fans as it looks like qualifying will be dry.
Alex Albon mentioned that today was okay, but they are facing the same issue as last year, with the car struggling to get the front tires into the ideal operating range. This leads to wear when the tires are not in the correct range. The team has been focusing on this aspect, as the car’s concept suits this circuit. The weight of the car is less significant in Monaco, providing a more level playing field. Their goal is to reach Q2 and hopefully be at the top of the grid.
Logan Sargeant had both good and bad moments during the day, with FP2 being particularly challenging. The team needs to work on settings for both low and high fuel. Despite the difficulties, Sargeant still enjoys driving on the streets of Monaco. Improving the car’s balance and getting the tires into a better operating range are the main areas of focus. There is much to gain, so the team will analyze the variables and make adjustments for tomorrow.
The report is being written and will be available soon.
© 2024
Soccer star Lionel Messi made his debut for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) this Sunday. The Argentine entered the field in the second half of the match against Reims, valid for the French Championship. Messi had a discreet performance, but showed some good plays and assisted Kylian Mbappé’s goal, securing PSG’s 2-0 victory.
The expectation surrounding Messi’s debut was huge, and PSG fans turned out in force at the stadium to see the star in action. The Argentine entered the field at 66 minutes, replacing Neymar, and showed that he is still adapting to the new club. Despite not scoring a goal, Messi showed glimpses of his genius and provided a precise pass for Mbappé to score the second goal of the match.
With the victory, PSG remains at the top of the French Championship, with nine points in three games. The team led by Mauricio Pochettino has shown good football at the beginning of the season and has a squad full of stars, such as Messi, Neymar, and Mbappé. The expectation is that the trio can form a successful partnership and lead PSG to important titles this season.
Although still adapting to the new club, Messi has already won over the PSG fans. His debut was celebrated by the supporters, who see in the Argentine the hope of winning the coveted Champions League. Messi left Barcelona after 21 years and arrived at PSG as a major signing. Now, the football star will have the mission of helping the French club reach even greater heights.
Messi’s debut for PSG was also marked by tributes to the player. Before the match, the Argentine received a commemorative plaque for his achievements at Barcelona and was cheered by the fans. In addition, Messi also received a personalized shirt with the number 30, in reference to the 30 titles won by Barcelona during his time at the club. The player thanked the fans for their affection and said he was happy to be at PSG.
Now, it remains for PSG fans to await Messi’s upcoming matches and see how the Argentine will adapt to the new club. The expectation is that the player can replicate the success he had at Barcelona with PSG and win important titles. Messi’s quiet debut does not worry the fans, who trust in the player’s talent to make a difference on the field. The Argentine still has a lot to show and promises to be one of PSG’s highlights this season.
