Between all the important news you can miss a few things during a Grand Prix weekend. Don’t worry, F1Maximaal keeps you informed of all the sense and nonsense from the world of Formula 1 in the ‘Meanwhile in …’ section.
Clumsy slip of Red Bull on social media
Red Bull organized a fun quiz on Instagram for its fans, but made a clumsy typo. A question about Sergio Perez does not write ‘contact’ but ‘contract’, an error that only increases the rumors of a transfer from Perez to the team.
Red Bull takes the fastest pit stop in Portimao
Red Bull Racing has once again proven that it has the fastest pit crew. The mechanics managed to send Alexander Albon’s RB16 back onto the track in just 1.86 seconds, equaling the record set in Russia this season. Check out the images of the pit stop below.
All Hamilton records at a glance
Formula 1 has today unpacked on its social media channels, by listing all Lewis Hamilton records. Call it a row, because the six-time world champion, who is fast on his way to number seven, has many records to his name. From the most wins to the most consecutive races in the lead, there are a lot of them. Open the thread below for all statistics.
Norris on the onboard radio: ‘I shouldn’t have said this’
Lando Norris apologizes via the on-board radio. At the time of the crash with Lance Stroll, the McLaren driver had a nice canon of abuse, but he came back to this at the end of the race. Norris thought he shouldn’t use the words that way.
Verstappen in appreciation for Red Bull mechanics
Max Verstappen has expressed his appreciation for the Red Bull Racing mechanics after the Grand Prix of Portugal. The pit crew again managed to set the fastest pit stop in Portimao. “I think the mechanics all deserve a beer tonight,” says the Dutchman. “Because they are the best in the paddock.”
Stroll and Norris crash: ‘What the f * ck ?!’
Lance Stroll and Lando Norris crash each other while attempting to overtake. Both drivers have to start again at the back of the field after damage and for Stroll this ultimately means the end of his race. Norris is anything but happy and scolds it.
Raikkonen’s monster start
While the entire field had grip issues at the start of the Portuguese Grand Prix, Kimi Raikkonen drove from P16 to P6 through his monster start. The driver overtakes his competitors as if it were nothing.
Images chaotic start Grand Prix of Portugal
The opening lap of the Grand Prix of Portugal was quite chaotic: while drivers searched for grip, Carlos Sainz managed to take the lead. Max Verstappen had an incident with Sergio Perez.
Ricciardo speaks Dutch again: ‘Laterrrrrr’
As usual, Daniel Ricciardo and Ziggo Sport reporter Jack Plooij also close the local interviews with a Dutch word during the Grand Prix of Portugal. However, the record sticks with the Australian: ‘Laterrrrrr!’
Mercedes against Verstappen: ‘Call if you want to test’
Max Verstappen’s proposal to switch cars does not seem to make Lewis Hamilton very enthusiastic. Mercedes likes it, however. ‘Just give us a call if you want to test a Mercedes’, the team responds succinctly under a video on Instagram in which the Dutchman proposes to switch cars with Hamilton. (Comment from Mercedes is in the comment section of the post below.)
Verstappen jokes with Plooij: ‘Even on intermediates!’
Max Verstappen has now accepted that there is no more than a third place in the world championship this season. The Dutchman again starts in third place during a Grand Prix and now even opts for a tire compound softer. According to Verstappen, it doesn’t matter: ‘They even win on the intermediates’, he jokes.
Uncensored on-board radio Verstappen: ‘What a Mongol!’
There it is: Max Verstappen’s uncensored on-board radio after the collision between him and Lance Stroll during the second free practice session of the Grand Prix of Portugal. Let’s say a diverse range of curse vocabulary of the Limburger!
Images of the AlphaTauri car burning
Pierre Gasly provided the first red flag of the Grand Prix weekend in Portugal. The Frenchman’s AlphaTauri stopped out of nowhere and caught fire. The red flag was waved almost immediately and the flames were also quickly extinguished. It will be clear that Gasly will no longer take action this session.
Verstappen spins in the first free practice
The first spin of the weekend in Portugal is in the name of Max Verstappen. The Dutchman complained about the on-board radio about a lack of grip and a ‘completely wrong adjustment’ when he lost control of the steering wheel at Portimão.
Verstappen entertained during press conference: ‘It is going well here’
Max Verstappen took part in the usual driver press conferences yesterday (Thursday). While the Dutchman was in the spotlight, however, someone from the Formula 1 staff was out of the picture. ‘A small collision. Delicious, mate. Things are going well here! ‘, Verstappen remarks with amusement when someone drops a few things from his or her hands.
Ricciardo shines on the front page of the Dutch magazine
Anyone looking at the magazine shelf in the Netherlands will see Daniel Ricciardo on the cover of Men’s Health magazine from tomorrow. The former teammate of Max Verstappen shows off on the cover of the magazine, he shares via Instagram.
Overloaded Grosjean thanks fans
Since he announced that he will be leaving Haas, Romain Grosjean has been overloaded with loving reactions from many Formula 1 fans. The Frenchman posted a video on Instagram, in which he thanks his supporters.
Ricciardo: ‘Hopefully tattoo Abiteboul for Bahrain’
Daniel Ricciardo has given an update on the tattoo that Cyril Abiteboul will have after his podium place in Germany. ‘I have a designer who is currently working on two designs. It’s coming. I still have to talk to Cyril about the logistics part, but hopefully it will work out for Bahrain. ‘
Mercedes delays after announced departure of Haas drivers
At Mercedes, they were immediately on top of the news from Haas drivers Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen. The two will no longer play for the American Formula 1 team after 2020 and that was breaking news. However, Haas isn’t the only team that seems to be coming up with important news. At Mercedes it is breaking that they … have arrived at the circuit in Portugal.
Ricciardo would like to be called differently this weekend
Daniel Ricciardo decided to play a round of golf ahead of his Formula 1 commitments and it is clear that he is not the least bit into it. The Australian plays the ball into the hole from a considerable distance and celebrates it in a special way. “I’d love to be called Gilmore Happy this weekend,” he writes on his Instagram, referring to the comedy film Happy Gilmore. His team, Renault, has no problem with that and writes: “No problem Happy, see you tomorrow.”
Something different weather than expected in Portimao
The Grand Prix of Portugal is on the program this weekend. It was already known that rain was forecast for Sunday. But at Mercedes they still counted on nicer weather on Wednesday. All in all, it came pouring out of the rain at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve. (Photo: Red Bull Content Pool / Getty Images)
