Formula 1 News: 2024 Italian GP Thursday Press Conference
Six Formula 1 drivers in two groups of three each met with the media Thursday ahead of the 2024 Italian GP at Monza.
PART ONE – Sergio PÉREZ (Red Bull Racing), Alex ALBON (Williams), Lando NORRIS (McLaren)
Q: Lando, two wins. How were the celebrations on Sunday night? Was it as raucous as Miami?
Lando NORRIS: Quite the opposite. No, I just went back home and had dinner and went to bed. So not very exciting at all. But it was, yeah, it’s just a good feeling. And that’s the most important thing.
Q: And how much confidence did that win give you, not only coming into this weekend, but the rest of the season?
LN: Not a lot. It doesn’t. I mean, Monza’s a very different track, so… Yeah, I mean, it gives the team a good amount of confidence and always a little bit of a boost, but it doesn’t change your feeling. We know we’ve been performing well the whole year since Miami. We’ve been doing a very good job, and this was a weekend where everything just went perfectly.
Q: The manner in which you won that race, tell us about that and what it makes you think about these two championships now. Are they both game on?
LN: They have been since the beginning. Like, I don’t know, it’s not something you can just question now. I think I answered it in every single interview I did last week so I’m not going answer in every single interview from now on, but we’re pushing hard every weekend. Of course our goal is to catch in both, and especially from a constructor side, it looks a lot more doable than the driver’s side. But I’m doing my best, the team’s doing their best, and that’s all we can hope for.
Q: And tell us about this weekend. The downforce is coming off here. Do you expect the car to be as good in low downforce trim?
LN: Tough to say. I mean, if you kind of compare it a little bit more to Spa, probably, I think we were still pretty good there. Obviously, Red Bull were very quick there, but Red Bull have always been very good in Spa specifically. Here it’s a bit of a question mark. It was probably one of our worst races last year, mainly because I just sat behind Alex the whole race. It was genuinely one of our trickier races that we did last year. So we’re not expecting to be probably as good as we were last weekend, that’s for sure. We always knew we were going to be very good in Zandvoort, but yeah, a weekend where we’re expecting good competition with all of our competitors.
Q: Alright, good luck with that. Lando, thank you very much. Checo, can we come to you now and get your thoughts on this battle between Red Bull and McLaren?
Sergio PÉREZ: Well, I think what they’ve shown in Zandvoort was really, really strong. I think it’s been the strongest performance we’ve seen from McLaren in a while. At the same time, I think we have every hope to believe that Zandvoort is probably a really bad track for us in regards to the wind, that we suffer more than others. We’ll see. We come to a very different track and we expect them to be still the benchmark. Hopefully we can get closer and be in the mix in the race.
Q: Hopefully you can get closer, you say, but what kind of reaction do you want to see from your team?
SP: The biggest thing for us is that we understand now the issues with the car. We understand them. It’s just a question of how quickly and what solutions we have to fix them. But we exactly know where we are with the car. We know what is the issue. And hopefully in the coming weekends, even already for this one, we are able to make a lot of progress.
Q: You had your best result on Sunday since Miami. Can we conclude that you’re happier in the car now than you have been for some time?
SP: I think understanding the issue did help a lot because I think after Miami we were a bit in limbo and we were working with a car that we didn’t understand what was going on with it. And I think once you understand the issue you are able to set up around it, to drive around it. And I think that made a bit of a difference in my side. But now the most important is to be able to fix the issue.
Q: And there’s a new set-up on your side of the garage. Your race engineer, Hugh Bird, has gone on paternity leave. Just give us some insight into how it’s working with your new, if you like, race engineer, Richard Wood.
SP: Yeah, Woody. I think, you know, obviously Hugh has been there since I joined Red Bull. And with Woody, he was my performance engineer, he’s stepping up for now. And yeah, you can see that it’s a little bit different, the communication and the way they see things. Everyone has their perception. But I think it’s working well. And I just expect Woody to ramp up and get better every single weekend, and at the same time, wishing the best to Hugh and his family.
Q: Alright. Checo, thank you. Good luck to you this weekend. Alex, welcome to you now. Zandvoort looked like a missed opportunity for you and Williams. How was the pace of the car in the race?
Alex ALBON: I don’t think we really were able to show anything. We were stuck behind cars in the first stint. We tried to box early and then got covered off by other cars. So then we were stuck again in the second stint and that was kind of our race. As you said, a missed opportunity. I felt like we could have scored points last week. Yeah, obviously something to review. We need to understand the processes that went on to be disqualified. Obviously it was very unintentional and the car was still good on Sunday with all the changes. So yeah, it’s a bit frustrating to miss out.
Q: Tell us about the upgrades and the impact that they’ve had on performance?
AA: In terms of balance, not really anything to say. Just a bit more load. All the numbers came back positive. They were up, so that’s nice. I think we’re more in the mix with the midfield. It’s still close and we would need a bit more to get in front of everyone. This is part of a double package, so we’re waiting for a second part of it a bit later into the season, and hopefully that will just tie up some of the balance problems as well, because we’re not just missing load, we’re missing a bit of balance as well.
Q: And how hopeful are you for Monza this weekend? It’s a track where the team has traditionally gone well, you qualified sixth here last year, what’s possible?
AA: Yeah, I don’t think we have the same car in terms of the same peaks as we did last year. Zandvoort, we were the second slowest car down the straights, so we just need to bear in mind where our car is. I think we’ll be okay. I think we’ll be in the fight for points, obviously on the lower end, maybe not sixth, but let’s give it a go. I think we’ve got a decent car.
Q: Alright, and final one from me. You’ve got a new teammate this weekend. First up, how surprised were you by Logan Sargent’s departure?
AA: Yeah, I’m kind of focused on my own lane, so obviously more than anything, I know Logan personally. He’s a super guy and things didn’t work out but I’m sure whatever he gets on and moves on to do, he’s going to be very good. I know the pace he has and at the same time, of course, Franco is now joining, so there’s a bit of a learning curve for him, but I think he’s coming at the right moment. If I could choose a track to do my first race at, I think Monza is one of the more forgiving ones, better than Baku or Singapore.
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Q: (David Croft – Sky Sports F1) Alright, Lando, I won’t ask you about the title. I’ll ask Sergio instead. You’re in the thick of it. You’ve seen the results ebb and flow, and you’ve seen the momentum McLaren have got. Do you think both championships are now up for grabs, both drivers and constructors?
LN: Well, I think there are nine races to go still. So I think definitely the momentum is with them. But we’re not sitting back. We as a team are working really hard to find the solutions. I think it has been a really good step taken to understand the issue. It has taken us probably a little bit too long, but we know what are our problems. Maximizing from now until the end of the year and see where we end up. But I got every hope that we can bring some performance to the car in the coming races.
Q: (Diego Mejia– Fox Sports Mexico) Question to Alex and maybe Lando and Checo can comment afterwards. What’s the main challenge that Franco’s facing, jumping in in the middle of the year and what makes it different from stepping in as the season starts?
AA: I think in some ways it’s a nice thing that he’s got, in my opinion. He knows the seat’s not up for grabs next year. There’s no pressure in terms of having to deliver and not trying to get a seat for next year. In some ways, I think it’s more just a bit of experience. I don’t know what Franco’s going to do next year, but the things you learn in F1 can help you a lot into, let’s say, if he does another year in Formula 2 next year. enjoy it. and of course there is a bit of a learning curve but he’s been in the car a couple times already so I don’t think it will be such a big thing. maybe more about the physicality. when we go to Qatar and Singapore. that would be a bit of a surprise I think or not surprise but a difficult thing to get used to. But yeah, I think also Williams are great at educating and teaching the drivers how to get the most out of it. So also, I think I’ll try and help him as much as I can as well.
SP: I think it’s a massive challenge, definitely. But obviously, when you get the opportunity, you have to go for it. I think he’s been with Williams for quite a while. Now I think it will really speed up his learning. Now that he will be racing, he will see what Alex is doing, how the team works during a weekend. And that will open his mind so much to whatever he does next. I think he will be a much prepared driver in the future. So I will just recommend him to enjoy his opportunity, enjoy the moment, and maximize the chance.
LN: I guess I just wish him the best. I’m sure it’s not an easy thing. I think the main thing is he knows the track, he knows the car. It’s just like external pressure, but I think he’s a guy who can probably deal with it very well. I think the more difficult part of coming in mid-season is just we’re on top of everything. We know how the tires work, how everything works, and we’re able to predict everything. For him, it’s the complete opposite almost. He’s going to go into certain times in qualifying and races just not being able to pre-empt what’s going to happen with the tires. When they get to this temperature, what’s going to happen? How then do you have to drive? We’re prepared for… for everything and every step of the way. And for him, that’s going to be the tough part. But he’s here for a reason because he’s talented and he’s a very good kid. And I’m sure he’ll do just fine.
Q: (Roldán Rodriguez – DAZN Spain) A question to Lando. Talking about the external pressure that you just mentioned, in your sixth year of Formula 1, you are fighting for everything, winning races and let’s see if the championship maybe. Does it make you change the way you approach the weekend or even your driving style?
LN: Probably not as much as you think. And I think because I struggled a lot with this when I started in Formula 1. Like my first, second year and into my third. Because I struggled with it so much back then, I feel like I learned pretty well how to handle it. And that’s also helped me even in the position that I am now. I know I’m maybe not directly in the fight of a championship where I’m neck and neck with Max, but just dealing with more questions and the pressure of everyone thinking that I have to deliver every single weekend, also knowing myself that I have to deliver every single weekend. But I think because I struggled a bit with it or quite a bit with it in the past, I feel like I’m able to deal with it in a much better way now. And therefore, it doesn’t have much of an effect. There still is. And I know there’s more pressure. The team are probably going to feel a little bit more pressure. And externally, there will be more pressure on me. But it’s also up to me to deal with it in the way that I feel best. And at the same time, therefore, I don’t really feel it that much. I’m comfortable that I just have to go out and drive. That’s all I can do really, not think about these external things. The place I am now, fighting for wins and fighting in the Championship, honestly I feel like it’s another weekend.
Q: Do you enjoy the extra pressure?
LN: I don’t think of it at all. I think there’s always pressure, which is the main, like, you know, I still get so nervous for qualifying. You know, for the races, I still get just as excited and just as nervous. You know, I don’t eat, I barely eat anything on Sundays. I struggle to drink anything on Sundays, just because of nerves and just because of pressure. But I think just how you turn that into a positive thing, you know, how can you make that, how do you not let it affect you in a bad way and how can you actually use it in a good way to help you focus on the correct things and so on. But I’m sure I do now and probably will forever, you know, when you enter Q3 or any qualifying lap when you have to go out and deliver. I know it gives you butterflies every time because there’s so much nerve, so much pressure. And if you do one thing, break centimetres or a metre too late or you turn in the wrong timing or whatever it is, finished, game over. And the knowledge of that just puts you under a very tense feeling. But also, it’s an amazing feeling at the same time that I don’t feel like maybe you can replicate in many other sports and many other things. I’m not too sure. I still get nervous, and I probably will forever get nervous.
Q: (Nicolò Severini – Sky Sports Italy) A question for Lando. After your massive win in Zandvoort, have you found back your smile, and are you ready to start a new cycle in the second part of the season? Is there any chance?
LN: I mean, I’ve smiled more since last weekend, for sure, but… You know, like, a lot of the questions… Like, for me, a win is incredible and is generally, I think, one of the best feelings you can have, because this is what I dreamed of and this is all I wanted to achieve. But as much as I really do not think of the championship at all, for me, it’s just one race at a time. So you can see it in a positive way and a negative way that the only thing I care about now is this weekend. I couldn’t care less about next weekend or the weekend after or whatever. It’s just what can I do today? What can I do tomorrow? What can I do Saturday and Sunday? That’s just how I live. That’s my process of life. But the same flips when it’s post-weekend. I won the race. We won the race. Sunday night, I just went out for dinner with my friend. My car broke down. We had to push the car all the way back home. It couldn’t have ended in the worst way, but it was just a back to normality kind of thing. And I kind of forget about it. By the time I’m on Monday, Yeah, I was just back to training and then thinking, OK, that’s one race done. That’s part one of, what, ten or nine. And you kind of have to just forget about it and focus on the next time out, and that’s this weekend. So I use it in a good way for me, but it’s one race at a time, and I don’t think of this kind of longer-term stuff that much.
Q: (Velimir Jukic – Auto Focus) I have a very difficult question for Lando. There was a lot of fun when you started Formula 1 racing, but now you are becoming a lot more serious. You have quite profound thoughts to express. Do you still have this passion and joy we know from your early years?
LN: Yeah, good question. I think it’s evident, and I feel within myself, I feel like I have changed a lot since I’ve come into Formula 1. I don’t know whether people want to say it’s in good ways or bad ways or whatever. I think in the end of the day, the main thing is I’m still myself. I’m happy to disappoint people and give my own opinion, whether it’s right or wrong sometimes. I almost cared, I think, too much when I came into Formula 1, and not in a bad way, but just I cared almost more about other people’s opinions and thoughts rather than just doing my own stuff and cracking on and being myself. Not that I ever wanted to be someone different or do something different, but I just feel like over time and with pressure with focus on doing the job I have to do, I just found better balances of life and I probably enjoy my time away from the track more now. Probably in a different way to what I did back then, but the best way is just a better balance of life, whether I’m here working and I’m focused on doing what I want to do, which is win and to do the best job I can for my team. And the balance of going home and being able to disconnect and just enjoy my personal life and days at home where I can relax and do something else. And I know that’ll change. And I feel like when I see pictures and I see videos of who I was and what I did, even 2019, 2020, 21, I do look at myself and see things and I’m like, oh, I was very different back then to how I am now. But at the end of the day, my focus and my job that I’m here to do has remained the same. So whether I laugh more or laugh less or make jokes more or less, that’s just how I’ve changed over the years. But I still love what I do, otherwise I wouldn’t be here. And I still enjoy my time, but I think just in different ways. I get to share it more with my team. And I just learned how to treat Formula 1 and my job more as a focus and learn how to then switch off in a better way when I go back home.
Q: (Luke Smith – The Athletic) Alex, a question for you. When did you find out that Logan was being replaced for this weekend? And you put quite a heartfelt message about him on Instagram. Have you spoken to him at all? And just your thoughts on you guys’ relationship, because you got on really well.
AA: Yeah, clearly it was quite a late decision, so I didn’t hear so long before the announcement. Obviously, yes, I did speak with Logan, but I’ll keep that behind closed doors. You know, great guy, and we got on very well. I think he’s got a bright future ahead of him. And yeah, you know, I feel for him, for sure. But yeah, I’ll leave it like that.
Q: (Sara Colombo – Il Cittadino di Monza e Brianza) I have a question for all of you. So, as you know, the Monza’s track has been renewed over the past few months. Some curbs changed. Did you already have the chance to explore the track and what are you expecting from this new track?
SP: No, I’ll wait for tomorrow. I know that the kerbs have changed, the grip has changed. I did my sim session beforehand and it was with the old layout. So, yeah, it’s going to be interesting to see and also to see if it changes the approach as well, you know, with the downforce. It might push you to go for less now that there is a little bit more grip. So I think it will be interesting also to see what it does with the tires.
AA: Yeah, I mean, I’ve seen it. I feel like it’s maybe lost a bit of its character. I feel like some of the curbs they’ve put in are a little bit more generic. And I think generally Monza had quite a specific style of track. It was quite bumpy, but that’s not a bad thing. And the kerbs were quite unique. Let’s see how it goes. I think there’s going to be a lot of exploring in FP1 and FP2. I think with these curbs, if you can use them or not and how much you can use them will be a big question mark. But yeah, let’s see.
Q: (Alex Kalinauckas – Autosport) Another question to Alex, please, but on rather a different topic. In a couple of races’ time, you guys were all heading to Singapore. I just wondered if you could, again, sort of describe how challenging that race is, and particularly the reason why I’m asking you is because two years ago, you had an additional challenge of going there after your surgery. So even after all those years, all the training, how daunting is that one?
AA: Thanks. Yeah, I feel like Singapore’s, I think for everyone… Well, Qatar’s kind of overtaken it, at least in my opinion, in terms of physicality. But it’s a tough one. I’ve started my heat chamber sessions last week to get ready for Singapore. And it’s always one of the ones where in January, February, when we’re training, we’re pretty much training for these two or three races in the calendar that really take it out of you. What will be tough is obviously we’re also moving quite a bit in terms of distances, Baku to Singapore, which is going to be quite challenging as well just for the body and the rest and the mind and everything like that. So yeah, I remember, as you said, having my appendicitis. Maybe if I did it again, I’m not sure I would have done it. But it was a good challenge to myself. I proved to myself that I can do it still. But I did crash that race as well. But yeah, it was a good challenge. Tough.
Q: (Ian Parkes – New York Times) Lando, you mentioned about not eating or drinking before a Grand Prix. What’s the fix for that? In particular, at a circuit like this on a Sunday where the temperatures are going to be 34 degrees, temperatures in the cockpit are going to be sky high. And have you ever been wrecked by nerves so badly that you’ve been physically ill before a Grand Prix?
LN: I mean, there are ways around things. There’ll be some days when I can happily eat a bit more, and there’ll be other days where I just can’t do much at all. Of course, fluids is generally one of the best ways of getting things in. So normally in the morning, I can drink a fair bit, and I can easily mix my drinks with certain carbohydrates and drinks to get some longer-term energy in. But also, I don’t drink ever during a race. I often don’t run with a drinks bottle. I think I’ve drunk from my water bottle twice ever in Formula 1. And both those times when I’ve just been very ill, like in Barcelona a couple of years ago, and I think in other times. I don’t do any fluids while driving, and it’s probably not the best. And often, I try and force myself to try drink just for concentration and for fluids. Even in Zandvoort last week, I lost two kilos through the race. which is a bit of a surprise, but it’s still a physical track. And I was pushing the whole way. and yes, two kilos of liquids, you know, and because I don’t drink anything back, it’s probably not the best thing for me, especially towards the end of the race. So I do try and do it. I just really struggle to and often just forget and don’t like drinking during the race. But there’s other ways around of just making sure I have good energy with bars and certain drinks that I can have small amounts of, but of high concentration. And nerves. No, I don’t think I’ve ever gone to the extreme, and I’ve never really struggled so much. Yeah. I’ve never been sick or anything, as oftentimes I probably feel it. But that’s probably as bad as I think it’s got, which is, I think, normal for when it’s your first time on a pole or your first time leading races. You feel different things than what you felt before. But honestly, I’ve never been that bad.
Q: (Ronald Vording – Motorsport.com) It’s a question for Checo. You were talking about Red Bull understanding the issues now, and I’m wondering, do you feel the solution is the same for you and Max, given that the driving styles are quite a bit different? And secondly, Helmut Marko talked about the correlation being a bit of a headache sometimes for Red Bull. Do you feel that makes it more tricky to come up with a solution quickly?
SP: I think the solution is the same for both cars because Max can probably cope with the problem a little bit better with his child than I can. But ultimately, once we are able to solve it, it’s going to benefit a lot both for drivers. It might benefit me even more on my side. I think the correlation issue, we’ve had it for a while and it’s there within a lot of teams. I wouldn’t think that that’s the main problem. The main problem is that we probably took a wrong direction somewhere that we have to understand it. From there on, just try and bring the performance to the car in the right path, in the right way to make those big jumps.
PART TWO – Nico HÜLKENBERG (Haas), Lewis HAMILTON (Mercedes), Charles LECLERC (Ferrari)
Q: Charles, why don’t I start with you? So, two podiums in a row for you. Things seem to be going well. Just how much confidence do you have coming into the team’s home race?
Charles LECLERC: I mean, I don’t let the last two races change our expectations. We are in a difficult moment for the team. We are struggling a little bit with pace at the moment. I think we understood quite a few things since Zandvoort, especially on what happened on Saturday, where our performance was quite far from ideal. But on the Sunday, it was a good race. In Spa it was good as well. Here, it should be a bit more in the direction of Spa, so hopefully we’ll be a bit more in the fight for the podium. However, for the win, I don’t think we quite have that yet.
Q: Well, you have some upgrades here, and as you say, the car was good at Spa, so are you hopeful about it in low downforce trim?
CL: I think we are in a better position than on a higher downforce track. So it should be a bit better. How much better, it’s still to be seen. We’ll also have some upgrades on the car which should go in the right direction. So hopefully when we put everything together, we are closer than where we were in the last few races.
Q: Charles, that’s the key, isn’t it? Putting everything together. I mean, from these upgrades, is there one thing that you need? Is it just better consistency?
CL: Let’s say that there were very specific characteristics of the car that we had to improve. I’m not going to go too much into details, and this where those upgrades should help us. Then we’ll see, because I don’t think Monza is the best track to judge those upgrades. Probably Baku or Singapore will be more of a test for us, but it should go in the right direction anyway. But by how much, I don’t know yet.
Q: Alright, Charles, final one from me. We’re at Monza, Ferrari’s home race. You’re sitting next to Lewis Hamilton, your team-mate in 2025. So I think this might be the perfect opportunity for you to just give him some advice about what it’s like being a Ferrari driver. What can he expect?
CL: I don’t think Lewis needs any kind of advice, but it’s definitely very, very special to be, driving for Ferrari in Monza and in Italy. There’s something that is iconic and it’s such a special feeling, the amount of support we have. We obviously have it everywhere in the world, but whenever we are in Italy, it’s extra special. It’s difficult to get in and out of the hotel every morning and every evening but it’s a very special feeling and we have so much support so it’s motivating us at the maximum. But Lewis will be experiencing that next year and we’ll experience that together and I’m sure it will be a special year. but until then we’ve got to maximise and hopefully put the car a bit higher up in the standings.
Q: And Lewis, coming to you, just given what’s happening next year, does it feel different for you being in Monza this year?
Lewis HAMILTON: Hi, everyone. I’m not going to lie it definitely does feel a little bit different. I mean it always feels special when you come here. We’re coming here at a decent time in terms of the weather’s incredible today obviously the huge changes that made to the track. But as Charles was saying there’s always such incredible passion with throughout Italy just in the culture in general but particularly about racing and It’s always exciting just to see the fans that we’re going to see throughout the weekend. The passion here and the excitement that they really bring to this race is really not particularly matched in too many places.
Q: Well, let’s talk about you and performance now. The team has had six consecutive podiums prior to last weekend. How much of a shock was the performance of the car at Zandvoort?
LH: It wasn’t that it was a shock. We just struggled to get the balance in the perfect window. And I think you could see with these cars today, I mean, particularly with our car, but I think many teams experience it. It’s kind of on a knife edge and can easily go one way or the other. In hindsight, we look back on some things and we would have done things slightly differently. Actual pace wise? I would think I was the third fastest on average through the race. Our race pace wasn’t terrible and the results didn’t show the true performance in the race but qualifying needed to be a bit better.
Q: Given your pace at Spa what are your hopes for here?
LH: I’m definitely more hopeful coming into this weekend that the car will be nicer to drive again. But you’ve got others that are bringing upgrades this weekend. So you have to expect Ferrari going to be quick with their upgrade. You have to expect that McLaren, with the advantage in the last lap that he was able to pull out in the last race, they’re going to be rapid this weekend. So I’m just hopeful that we’re there or thereabouts.
Q: Final one from me about Kimi Antonelli, who’s doing FP1 for the team on Friday. He’s only just turned 18. Just what kind of a talent is he?
LH: Well, I mean, I said a long time ago that I think that’s who the team should choose moving forwards. And time will tell what they end up deciding to do. No, he’s one of those young, super-talented kids that’s come through. I mean, he’s a young adult now. But, yeah, he’s only 18. So I think… I think it’d be good for people just to remember he is just turning 18, and he’s got a bright future ahead of him. And yeah, I’m really excited to see and watch his progress. I saw a picture earlier on of us, back in, I think, 2018, and he was one of the grid kids! And I’m like shaking his hand at the front of the grid! So it obviously reminds you how old you are when you have those experiences. But yeah, looking forward to seeing his growth and his journey through into Formula 1.
Q: Lewis, thank you for that. Nico, thank you for waiting. After the highs of Austria and Silverstone, the last few races have been a bit harder, a bit more challenging for the team. Are you confident that the layout of Monza will play more to the strengths of the car?
Nico HÜLKENBERG: Frankly, not super confident. Last year was a struggle here. This year, me and the car has been much, much better on a whole, on all type of circuits. But yeah, like you say, the last three races have been challenging. I think we didn’t quite maximize our weekends on top of that in Spa. In particular, we weren’t competitive enough here. So it’s difficult to judge. I’d rather, you know, do some laps tomorrow and see how the package feels here.
Q: Well, what about the new asphalt, the new curbs? Does that make it more of an opportunity for someone?
NH: Yeah, it’s all real. It happens. There is new asphalt, there’s new kerbs. So we go out there and learn about them tomorrow and see, you know, how the tires cope with it, how that might change, you know, some little details. Overall, obviously, the layout is the same, but yeah, all these other small things have been tweaked, but overall Monza, you know, one of my favorite events. It’s an amazing atmosphere here. The D4Z, the energy is incredible. Yeah, look forward to the weekend ahead.
Q: And, Nico, your new boss, Mattia Binotto, is going to be in attendance this weekend.
NH: Not just yet. You’re a bit ahead of yourself!
Q: But he’s going to be in attendance this weekend. Audi are in in less than 18 months now. I just wanted your thoughts on what you think job number one for Mattia is at the team.
NH: Well, obviously it’s early days for him. He’s just arrived at the team. So obviously he needs to make himself aware of the situation, get a picture of what’s going on, understand all the departments, the people. And then I’m sure he has some ideas how to optimize it and take it a step further. So I guess that’s the process that he’s in now and he’ll start working.
Q: And one of the few seats that’s still up for grabs for next year is in the second Sauber. Would you like youth or experience alongside you?
NH: to be honest, open subject. It’s a subject and a thing that’s not in my power. I have no say, nothing to do with it. To be honest I’m open. I’d like to the best and strongest team-mate possible because I think you know you need two strong drivers. It’s incredibly competitive in Formula 1, so it’s important to have the best duo possible.
Q: (David Croft – Sky Sports F1) Lewis, if I could go back to you on the subject of Kimi Antonelli. What has he got that made you think a long time ago, ‘yeah, he’s the guy that Mercedes should be taking for the future’? What is it about his racing? What is it about him that made him or makes him a suitable candidate in your eyes?
LH: I think it’s… We’ve been watching him through the through the different formulas and naturally he’s a Mercedes driver. I just think we are starting to see a lot younger drivers coming through and I think we’re just in that time, where there’s only 20 seats and I think it’s time. We’re starting to see this new wave come through. In terms of taking on a another driver that’s had many, many years of experience as opposed to giving an opportunity to a youngster. That’s what McLaren did for me and it worked out well. In my opinion, it’s just an opportunity for him to grow. He’s going to get to work… He would get to work with the best in class, learn from people that I’ve worked with for so many, many years. But it is a lot of weight on someone’s shoulders. But as I said, it’s a great environment that I think they would just be able to nurture him and carry him through it. But there are other really good options. So you’d have to ask Toto which one he’s leaning towards.
Q: (Roldán Rodriguez – DAZN Spain) A question to Charles. Ferrari here in Monza is the most successful team in history, but as well in the last years, it looks like Ferrari always performs here properly. You as a team, as Ferrari, is this a race where you feel like you must do better than anyone else?
CL: I wouldn’t say the feeling is that we must do better. However, there’s definitely a huge motivation because it’s not only a normal weekend that starts from the Thursday to the Sunday, but it starts already from Monday in Maranello where we have so many tifosi and that obviously motivates everybody. It seems and it looks like we’ve had a pretty strong car with a very low-downforce package even in the last few years where performance was not as good. So that’s positive because it’s our home race and as much as it’s giving exactly the same amount of points as other races, emotionally speaking and for the whole team it’s definitely a special one. So it’s really important for everybody to do well. However, we are not doing anything different to perform better at this track. It just happened that our low downforce package in the last few years was pretty good. And whenever we came here, we were on the good side of our performances.
Q: (Olli Zwartyes – Sky Germany) Charles, can you describe the myth of Monza, especially as a Ferrari driver?
CL: Again, it’s crazy. It’s such a special feeling because you can really see and feel the passion of the tifosi and all the people that are traveling to Monza for Ferrari, how much it means for them to actually be here, see us dressed in red. Not this weekend because I’m in black this weekend! But however, even to see the mechanics or engineers the tifosi are so happy and they are not only supporting the drivers but obviously they are supporting Ferrari as a whole and every team members. It’s a special experience for everybody within the team. so it’s a very, very special weekend. It’s a tiring week and that’s where it’s important to keep your energy for the Sunday but let’s say it’s positive energy and you get a lot of support. And yeah, as I said, from the Monday to the Sunday, it’s just a very special week.
Q: (Panagiotis Seitanidis – Ant1 TV Greece) A question for all three. Now that we have a calendar with 24 races, how important do you think breaks like the summer break are for the whole team, both for you, but also for the common members, the mechanics and every member of the team to have this time off and have full batteries?
NH: Yeah, I think it’s very important, these breaks. It’s a demanding schedule, 24 races more than ever. We have triple headers, which are very tough on a lot of the team members that work long hours and are flat out pretty much for three weeks. summer break is important. We have another long break or longer break after Singapore. And personally, I feel this year, the schedule is a bit more balanced with more breaks. And I’m sure for team members involved that have the hardest jobs, that’s really appreciated and it’s positive.
CL: Yeah, I think as drivers, we cannot really complain. We travel in the best in the best possible way. We stay in great hotels and we also have a program that is fitted for an athlete. So we try and go to sleep relatively early and sleep as much as possible. And everything is done for our well-being. However, for the mechanics, for the engineers, sometimes there’s a lot of work. They get to the track much earlier, they leave the track much later. And so it’s a lot more difficult. And also to just have a normal life outside of racing, it’s very difficult. So it’s definitely needed. But as a driver, I can’t complain. But I will say that 24 races is probably the maximum or at least the sweet spot. More than that will be too much.
Q (Nicolò Severini – Sky Sports Italy) : A question to Lewis. What kind of welcome do you expect this year? It may be different from the past.
LH: I mean, I don’t know what to expect. If I’m honest, the last couple of years, I mean, over the last few years, I’ve had a really warm welcome every time I’ve come, to be honest. There was one time when we were really fighting against Ferrari. I can’t remember what year that was, but even then, people were positive. There was never any negativity. I think over the past few years, I’ve heard ‘viene Ferrari’? How do you say come to Ferrari?
CL: Viene in Ferrari?
LH: Viene in Ferrari. Yeah. So I heard that quite a lot. And so it’ll be interesting to see how that is this year. But already in Imola, for example, I got a really warm reception. And there was this amazing picture of me, you, and Fred. Did you see it?
CL: As saints. Yeah, I saw that one.
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Q: (Dan Lawrence – Motorsport Monday) You were saying how these cars are on a knife edge trying to get the setup correct and fine tune them to get them into the right window. Does having Kimi in the car tomorrow, a rookie with that fresh mindset, could that be beneficial in trying to unlock performance? Because he might have insights or ideas that you and George, who obviously have preconceptions of the car, might not think of. Thank you.
LH: I mean, we’ll find out tomorrow. It’s definitely always good having more input. Yeah, I think for Kimi tomorrow, I think it’s just about enjoying yourself and having fun. This is going to be an amazing experience for him tomorrow. He’s obviously already tested the old car, but tomorrow is going to be the first time he’s, I believe, tested the new car, which is so much nicer than the 2022 car. So he’s going to be all smiles tomorrow for sure. It’s a drastic difference. And yeah, the more information and the more input we get, the better. So I don’t know what to expect, what he’s going to come back with, but we’ll definitely take it in.
Q: (Alex Kalinauckas – Autosport) Question to Lewis and also to Charles, please. Just following up, Lewis, what you mentioned earlier about the big changes that have been made to this track for this year, quite a lot of chat about that already and I appreciate you haven’t driven it yet, but Daniel Ricciardo saying this morning, you know, changing a lot of the curbs have changed the characteristic of the track. I just wondered, he said it was disappointing. Do you agree with that and what do you guys think about, you know, how they have changed Monza for this year?
LH: I don’t want to judge it before I’ve driven it. Maybe we’ll get in and it’ll be the greatest thing and greatest changes ever. So I don’t want to shoot myself in the foot with that. Ultimately, we loved it before. For years, it’s been super bumpy in so many places and That’s been a huge part of the character of what this track is. The curbs as well. that have been pretty much the same for definitely over 20 years, I would imagine. So it is a big, big change. But ultimately, it’s still the same track. But yeah, we won’t know until tomorrow. It’s going to be a lot smoother, it looks, and probably quite a bit quicker.
CL: Yeah, I agree. It’s difficult to judge for now. The tarmac, ultimately, you get at one point where you’ve got to renew the tarmac. So it’s not like there’s the choice of just keeping the same tarmac for years and years and years. Because at one point, you just get too bumpy. And especially with our Formula 1 cars and the way they are run so low, the tracks have to renew that. So on that, I’m fine. On the curbs, it’s true that some tracks have the historic curbs. And even if they renew it, I think in Canada it was done this year where they keep exactly the same shape, which this is nice. But I haven’t tried yet the new curbs. So maybe they feel even better compared to the old ones. But this I’ll be able to tell you on each more.
Q: (Luke Smith – The Athletic) Lewis, a question for you again about the tifosi and the connection with them. I know that fan connection with Team LH throughout your career has meant a huge amount, so how excited are you to now build a fresh connection with tifosi and really strengthen that over the coming years?
LH: Honestly, I’m super excited. Every year having coming here and when you’re on the podium and seeing the tifosi all the way down to Turn 1. And throughout the world, to be honest, it’s definitely, again, I don’t know really what to expect, but I’m really looking forward to connecting with that community and being on the journey with them as we work towards taking the team forwards.
Q: (Rodrigo Franca – Car Magazine Brazil) Question to Lewis Hamilton. Lewis, since you signed to Ferrari, do you have a curious or funny story with the Tifosi, like somebody asking you to sign a Ferrari cap, or just saying some Italian words, and you are still learning Italian? How is your Italian, actually?
LH: My Italian is definitely not very good. It’s probably the same as it was when I was in karting, which was pretty bad. I’ve had some people that have asked me to sign Ferrari caps and I’ve been like: ‘no, no, it’s too early. It’s too soon.’ They’re trying to get ahead of the curve. But I have signed some caps, obviously. And yeah, I mean, we’re always talking about the kit and I’m always looking at the progress that they’re making through the year in terms of the image, where they’ve been, and it’s an incredible history they’ve had.
Q: (Phil Duncan – PA) Lewis, there have been times in the past where you’ve been significantly behind in the title race and gone on to win the championship. Lando is obviously 70 points behind Max, nine races to go. Do you think that it’s doable that he can catch Max and maybe overtake him or at least take it to the wire this year?
LH: I mean, there’s a lot of points on the table, so I think it’s not impossible. I think ultimately Max probably only needs to finish second every race to win at this point, and he [Norris] would have to win every single race and that still wouldn’t be enough. So there’ll need to be some fortune in it. I do think, and what’s really exciting, I think there’s a real chance that McLaren could win the Constructors’ title. And I think that’s really, really exciting because obviously I was there when we did win the last Constructors’. Obviously it got taken away from us, but we won it in terms of performance that year. I don’t think they’ve won since, so I think that could be really exciting, I think, not only for them, but also for the sport. And, yeah, I hope that it goes down to the wire, because I think that would be great for the fans. But, yeah, with their performance they showed last weekend, maybe they could.
Q: (Alejandro Alonso Lopez – DiarioMotor.com) Question to Charles. You pointed out earlier that this was a very tiring weekend. I want to know, is there any additional or specific routine you are doing in the evenings this weekend to recover better for the on-track sessions the next morning?
CL: Not really. Actually, it’s quite the opposite. Whenever I get to a special race like Monaco or Monza, you just try to do exactly the same thing as what you normally do on a normal race weekend, just to be in the same state of mind. not condition yourself doing anything differently. So that’s my target is to just approach it like a normal weekend and to maximize the results just like we try to do every races. So yeah, that’s it. Then of course there are a lot more things we’ve got to do tonight until very late. I’m in Milan for events which are things that you’ve got to manage as a driver. But apart from that, I just try to approach it as a normal race you can.
Q: (Veliko Jukic – Auto Focus) I have one difficult question for all three of you. You are experienced professionals, top-level sportsmen, and still you drive on the brink of impossible. When you do a really fast corner, when you go straight speed to the maximum possible, when you do one fast corner on the extreme limit, do you still have time for your feelings? Do you have time to say: ‘Wow, that was it? That’s what we live for, that’s what we race for.’
LH: I mean, I think that’s a really good question. I think like anything, there is an element of you being used to it. So when we accelerate down to Turn 1 out of the pit lane, there’s no fear there because it is part of what we do. But I don’t know how it is for everyone else. But for me personally, when I get strapped in the first time and they start up the car, I get the same bubbly feeling inside. And then when everyone moves the tire blankets away and you pull out into the pit lane and drive out into Turn 1 and just do your first lap, I mean, I always get a huge thrill. And there’s so many moments that I still pinch myself that I still get to do this. It’s really something I wish you could all feel and experience. But the cool thing… And it’s probably why I’m still racing, is that it’s not become such the norm that I don’t feel it. If I was numb to it, that would really suck. And I’d probably be doing something else. But I’d have to fly fighter jets or something really low or something, I don’t know, to come anywhere near close.
NH: Yeah, same. I think we still, obviously, it’s a process and, you know, especially in quali, you know, when you’re on the limit, sometimes over the limit, you’re playing with the limit, you just have to function, you have to do it all. But of course, As you go through the corner, you feel like, ‘OK, that was amazing, I nailed that’. That was perfect or not perfect. On the in-lap, you kind of have a little bit of time to process everything, get ready for the next run, and trying to optimize the next lap already. Yeah, like Louis says, you get used to some things. And it’s our job. But obviously, it’s still very thrilling and exciting and very, very special.
Q: (Dan Lloyd – Racecar Engineering) Lewis, Pirelli are saying that the tire temperatures could go up, sorry, the track temperature could go up over 50 degrees with the resurfaced tracks. Is that a worry for Mercedes at all?
LH: Not at the moment, no. We had good deg in the last race. I mean, everyone, I think, thinks about it, but I don’t think our deg was particularly bad in the last race and it was kind of warm. It’s not currently a concern. We think the temp… Yeah, if it does get up there, then we’ll deal with it. And I think the surface is going to be really interesting for us all to experience tomorrow.