In the round-up: Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says the team’s simulations indicate the Singapore circuit should suit their W13, though he is wary of making predictions.
In brief
Mercedes think Singapore GP will suit their car
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is trying to avoid making predictions for the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix after the Italian Grand Prix did not meet the expectations he had from the team’s pre-race simulations.
His drivers were fifth and sixth fastest in qualifying, and penalties meant George Russell moved up four places to start on the front row. However he lacked the pace to fight for victory and finished third, while Lewis Hamilton recovered from a penalised 19th on the grid to take fifth place.
The next race in Singapore will see teams switch from minimum to maximum downforce levels. Wolff said “the track layout should suit our car, the bumps not.”
“On the simulations again it says it should be one of our better tracks,” he added. “But I’m trying to stay on the careful side with any predictions for Singapore.”
De Vries cancels UK trip due to travel fiasco
Formula E world champion and recent F1 debutant Nyck de Vries, who is currently being courted by multiple F1 teams, was unable to travel to the UK yesterday due to a problem with his travel documents which he said was related to “Brexit” – Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union last year.
“Got refused on the 7:10am flight to London,” he wrote on social media. “An EU ID is no longer a valid travel document. “My passport is at the embassy for a Japanese visa, second passport expired. UK trip cancelled – going home instead. Early start to the weekend, I guess.”
Alonso proteges set F3 test pace
Gabriel Bortoleto and Pepe Marti, recently signed to Fernando Alonso’s A14 Management firm, were the fastest two drivers on the second day of Formula 3 post-season testing at Jerez. Trident driver Bortoleto caused one of many red flag stoppages during Thursday’s action, but he did also become the first driver to lap sub-1’30.00.
Campos Racing’s Marti did the same before the day’s running was over. Marti topped the afternoon session, which was significantly slower, ahead of Hitech GP’s Gabriele Mini – another driver to bring out the red flags – and Prema’s Paul Aron.
McLaren sign Chelsea director as CCO
Steve Atkins, the long-time director of communications and public affairs at Chelsea football club, has been signed by McLaren as…
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