Formula 1 doesn’t give itself or the battered backs of its drivers a break. Just a week after the race in Azerbaijan, the ninth round of the season in Canada is on the agenda on Sunday (8 p.m. / live ORF 1, Sky), around 9000 kilometers as the crow flies. Also on board is former world champion Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), who after the hardships in Baku, where the uncontrolled lifting and lowering of the cars (bouncing) drove the British to the pain limit, decided not to take a break.
The seven-time champion is feeling reasonably fit again and verbally rolled out the red carpet for his trainer and physio. “I am forever grateful to have Angela Cullen with me. I would be lost without her,” Hamilton wrote on Instagram. Since 2016, the 47-year-old New Zealander has been accompanying the “premier class” superstar, daily stretching exercises and acupuncture get her protégé back in shape. “I feel a lot better,” Hamilton said.
The Mercedes team learned the lessons of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. “We took it too far with the setup settings in Lewis’ car. We know that things cannot go on like this. We bear the responsibility for that,” said Mercedes chief strategist James Vowles.
The debate about the harmful effects of the jumping cars called the world association FIA on the scene. After consultation with the doctors, “in the interests of safety” the racing teams are required to “reduce or eliminate this phenomenon”. The teams should make “the necessary adjustments”.
This is in the interest of all pilots – with one exception: Only Fernando Alonso (40) does not care about the violent shaking that is a side effect of the new aerodynamic rules. Nothing can shake the 32-time Grand Prix winner so quickly, the Spaniard has been driving in circles in the “premier class” for more than 21 years and three months. No one else was/is there longer.
Christian Horner is only marginally interested, the Red Bull team boss has the successful title defense in mind. With five victories in a row – four of which went to World Championship leader Max Verstappen – everything is going according to plan. No wonder Horner doesn’t think much of a (considered) minimum floor height for cars as a measure against bouncing. “It would be unfair to punish those who did their homework.” Horner taunted Hamilton, accusing him of exaggerating the wailing.
Source: Nachrichten
