In the round-up: Max Verstappen shrugged off the booing which greeted him during the Miami Grand Prix weekend.
In brief
Verstappen unbothered by boos
Verstappen was booed by some in the crowd before the start of the Miami Grand Prix and during the podium ceremony following his victory. The Red Bull driver was unbothered by the reaction.
“I think if I would be driving in the back, nobody would be even doing anything in terms of reaction, right?” he said. “I think it’s normal when you are winning and they don’t like who is winning.
“So this is something for me which is absolutely fine as long I stand on the top that’s for me, the most important. I take the trophy home and they go back to their houses and they can have a nice evening.”
Perez reprimanded for lateness
Sergio Perez was given a formal, non-driving reprimand for failing to show up in time for the pre-race drivers parade.The stewards noted “the reason for the lateness was the team’s media and other commercial commitments that the driver had to satisfy before turning up for the parade. We considered that this was not a valid reason for the lateness. A driver turning up late for such events can have undesirable resultant consequences for the event and should be avoided at all times.”
Any driver who collects five reprimands during the course of a season receives an automatic 10-place grid penalty.
Rossi criticises early Alpine performances
Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi criticised his team’s performance after a troubled start to the season in Bahrain and another poor showing in Baku.
A series of operational errors in Bahrain led to Esteban Ocon receiving a trio of penalties. “I didn’t like the first grand prix because there were a lot of – I’m sorry to say – amateurism which led to a result which was not right,” he told Canal Plus ahead of qualifying for last weekend’s race. “It was mediocre, bad.”
The race in Baku was similarly unimpressive and “unacceptable”, said Rossi. “It is acceptable to make mistakes, it is a basic principle, it is in mistakes that we learn,” he said. “On the other hand, we [should] learn, and when we make the same mistakes twice it is that one did not learn and that one does not take responsibilities. And that is not acceptable.”
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Links
Motor racing links of interest:
'We scored points again, three times out of five this year and that’s good, but it’s a tough crowd out there. We’re there or about and if nothing happens at the front then we’re fighting for the last points which are leftover, and we got them this weekend after a very good qualifying.'
'Revamped ranked multiplayer F1 World introduces the revamped ranked multiplayer mode with a new division-based ranking system, F1 23's Esports series, and a new goals system that makes Podium Pass progress more efficient. Play to earn points, rise up the ranks from bronze to elite with weekly promotions, and earn prizes and upgrades you can apply to your Tech Level.'
'Sunshine and tan lines': F1’s Norris is listening to more than just engine noises (Rolling Stone)
'When we’ve just listened to the national anthem, the first thing I do is I always just touch my number four. There are these little plaques on the ground to tell you where you should stand. I always just tap that with my foot before I leave.'
Naomi Schiff: ‘It’s sad to think that skin colour is what you are judged on’ (The Guardian)
'When Lewis (Hamilton) entered F1 in 2007 it was my first competitive year in karts. Me being one of the very few girls on track and the only black female, Lewis was an obvious target for me to look up to.'
Florida legislature passes bill banning gender-transition care for minors (The New York Times)
'Florida’s focus on gender issues has also prompted rebukes from well-known figures. Dwyane Wade, the former star of the NBA’s Miami Heat, recently revealed that he moved out of the state because his family 'would not be accepted or feel comfortable there.' His teenage daughter is transgender. And Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 champion, said on Thursday that he would race in the Miami Grand Prix on Sunday with a rainbow on his helmet to protest the state’s measures.'
Time for a new approach to the 'greening' of the sport? (Daily Sportscar)
'A challenge to tackle one, or a number, of environmentally-themed targets or issues, quickly, economically, and with transportable and resilient technology that would surely find applications far beyond a racing paddock.'
We always endeavour to credit original sources. If you have a tip for a link relating to single-seater motorsport to feature in the next RaceFans round-up please send it to us via the contact form.
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Social media
Notable posts from Twitter, Instagram and more:
The Miami GP winner’s trophy – complete with a Hard Rock Stadium design on the top #MiamiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/XZSkV3Uyko
— Luke Smith (@LukeSmithF1) May 7, 2023
#MiamiGP broke an even 90K every day for a published attendance of 270,000 people over all three days – up from last year even when it’s no longer the only American F1 temporary circuit around.
— RJオコンネル (@rjoconnell) May 7, 2023
Former @HaasF1Team team mates reunited in the paddock. #F1 #MiamiGP #RaceFans pic.twitter.com/Zf2CGZdjh2
— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) May 7, 2023
LOL they’re not even letting Jackie Stewart in among the celebrities. This is insanity.
— Tony DiZinno (@tonydizinno) May 7, 2023
Had the misfortune to turn Sky ok n 30 mins before the start of the race in Miami. It's embarrassingly awful!
— ian phillips (@ian_845846) May 7, 2023
I’m not sure about this driver intro . . .
— Bernie Collins (@bernie_collins1) May 7, 2023
Completely understand that Liberty want to ramp up “the show” for US audiences, but this driver intro thing is just mind numbingly bad on TV. #MiamiGrandPrix #F1
— Tom Webb (@TW_UKATX) May 7, 2023
For what it is worth, I like the introductions to the drivers.
— Ben Hunt (@benjhunt) May 7, 2023
The penalty for speeding in pit lane is only 5 seconds?!?! I’m speechless @F1
— Alexander Rossi (@AlexanderRossi) May 7, 2023
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- Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory
Comment of the day
Is it possible for F1 to get the balance right with DRS?
Back in 2011 when they were selling DRS to a sceptic audience, there was a lot of talk about the evolution DRS would go through to dial it in just right.
In reality, it’s been way overpowered from day one. Now that the FIA is at long last making tiny adjustments the drivers of all people (!) are complaining. At least 18 people on the grid aren’t going to be world champion anyway, probably 19. So… race! Make it exciting for yourself and the fans. Don’t ask for more DRS.
MichaelN
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Miguel, Tororosso, Paul Stilwell and Lowell Reed !
On this day in motorsport
- 30 years ago today Alain Prost took pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix in his Williams-Renault FW15C
EffWunFan (@cairnsfella)
8th May 2023, 1:54
EffWunFan (@cairnsfella)
8th May 2023, 1:55
Apologies. Obviously only the first line was meant to be
LegoMan
8th May 2023, 8:29
The boos I imagine are primarily directed at the reasons and people causing Max to be there unchallenged. Including RedBull internal favouritism, farcical penalties for breaking sporting rules, and past rigging of races.
Ronald (@mosquito)
8th May 2023, 13:56
Yeah, jist like the boos for Hamilton, Vettel, Schumacher were all completely justifiable.
DavidS (@davids)
8th May 2023, 3:44
F1 fans continuing the long-standing tradition of passionately hating the guy that is currently dominating the sport, only to forget all about it once they no longer dominate.
nm
8th May 2023, 7:39
this,
The vettel hate – love turnaround was a perfect example.
LegoMan
8th May 2023, 8:30
The boos I imagine are primarily directed at the reasons and people causing Max to be there unchallenged. Including RedBull internal favouritism, farcical penalties for breaking sporting rules, and past rigging of races.
LegoMan
8th May 2023, 8:36
… but OFC his comments could also be a bit more humble, rather than baiting and arrogantly/sarcastically telling fans to go home and have a nice evening. Vettel endeared himself after dominating as he matured and his comments/attitude changed quite a bit, rather than solely not being at the front anymore.
HS (@hsvdt15)
8th May 2023, 9:47
What is he supposed to say then?
G
8th May 2023, 9:49
I enjoyed his reaction. He is like a slightly more outspoken version on Kimi, who I was also a fan of.
I’ll take straight talking over media savvy rubbish any day.
tielemst
8th May 2023, 10:25
Seb’s comments only changed when he stopped being in a winning car and saw the end of his career coming
MichaelN
8th May 2023, 10:31
Vettel always mixed playful jokes with occasional (and regrettable) outbursts. He didn’t change as a person, even if he might have picked up a few new interests. The big difference was that he became a non-threat to The English Driver (whoever that may be at the time). The frustrated attempts to diminish his wins at Red Bull, and then the relentless criticism in his Ferrari years, when he was the only one posing some kind of challenge to Mercedes, was so blatant that it was all the more silly that those same outlets suddenly made a 180 turn and portrayed him to be this great guy that everyone loved.
Also compare the portrayal of Verstappen in 2021 to 2022. Verstappen didn’t change either, he just got a different opponent.
Ronald (@mosquito)
8th May 2023, 13:57
+1
bosyber (@bosyber)
8th May 2023, 12:32
On the internal favouritism at Red Bull, I do agree that that has always been there to some extent, and though they have tended to say they don’t many comments and actions from the team and especially the higher ups have tended to reinforce and show that attitude.
Nevertheless, I also enjoyed reading this twitter thread (a bit like the regular how it went articles here at racefans.net): Twitter thread covering Perez’ radio with his engineer to know what Verstappen was doing
I see no clear evidence that so far this year Perez isn’t getting his chances, which is good to see with the team so clearly ahead of any other this year.
Olivier
9th May 2023, 8:50
The booers must *have their reasons*…
For Seb, it was because of his villain act in the infamous multi-21 saga.
For Max, it must have been Brasil 2022?
To be clear, I do find booing very cringe. It does not belong in F1, and any other sport.
Keith Campbell (@keithedin)
8th May 2023, 5:33
Completely agree with CoTD. DRS seemed about right in Miami for the majority of the grid. Nobody will fight the RBs this season and they have the best DRS system, so they will always breeze past other cars easily in most situations.
Jere (@jerejj)
8th May 2023, 6:52
I didn’t hear any booing, so the overall background noise must’ve made that inaudible.
I nominate the Grosjean-Magnussen image for the next Caption Competition post, although a few other images from last weekend would also fit for the purpose.
5-sec is the standard penalty for pit lane speeding in the races, while financial sanctions to teams are the norm in non-competitive sessions.
Regarding COTD: Difficult, partly because of slightly differing views, but when looking at the overall picture, DRS, in reality, has only been ‘way overpowered’ on a single track section since its debut season, which is fortunate, so general driver consensus is understandable.
If it were/had been way overpowered since day one, even the least overtaking-friendly circuits would’ve featured near-guaranteed passing with DRS use, but they never have, nor have most tracks.
MacLeod (@macleod)
8th May 2023, 7:37
I heard it just for a moment untill someone turned the microfoon down … But those actually there told me there were some boehoes but wasn’t much.
joe jopling (@jop452)
8th May 2023, 8:10
So a 10 place grid penalty if you get 5 reprimands??…somehow I cannot see the drivers going for this one…so I bet it never gets enforced….The intro ceremony I thought was terrible…and a almost full orchestra on the grid miming….Why…
Highlight pre race was Sir Jackie..
Alianora La Canta (@alianora-la-canta)
8th May 2023, 10:20
@jop452 It used to be 3 reprimands to get a penalty but it looked like nobody wanted to enforce the penalty once it was realised the most likely main reason for it would be because of earrings or political protesting.
MichaelN
8th May 2023, 10:35
It is, but the last time it happened Red Bull gave Tsunoda a new engine and everyone forgot he already had to start at the back because of his long list of reprimands. I suppose the teams have McLaren-Honda to thank for penalties no longer accumulating and carrying over into subsequent races.
Moshambles (@moshambles)
8th May 2023, 8:33
I really don’t like the booing, particularly after such an impressive drive but anytime really. It’s akward and childish and doesn’t feel right for F1 to me
MichaelN
8th May 2023, 10:41
Right, it’s not like Red Bull told Pérez to hand the win to Verstappen. Verstappen was faster all weekend, messed up qualifying, did an excellent stint on the Hard tyres, and they had a clean battle and won. Seems totally fair. It’s not Red Bull’s fault that the other teams are so slow that it was inevitable he’d be in P2 before too long.
There are races that definitely deserved some booing, but they’re very rare and this wasn’t one of them.
Ruben
8th May 2023, 8:40
I do like the Lombardi-style of that trophy, but if it hadn’t been handed out right underneath Hard Rock Stadium for visual reference, I would’ve guessed that the four bits on the top were supposed to hold a sculpture that apparently fell off.
Mayrton
8th May 2023, 11:23
If you allow cheering and applauding, it makes sense to also allow booing, otherwise it is censorship. In Max case it doesn’t matter since his drive is to drive (only).
joe jopling (@jop452)
8th May 2023, 11:34
If your allowed to cheer for the drivers then your allowed to boo. Noticed yesterday that when Max opened the DRS….the car seemed to squat down…with sparks visible…am not a expert, but thought that would not happen??
George.be
8th May 2023, 13:04
It’s called ground effect: The faster you go, the more downforce the car generates. and when you go offline, where the bumps are more pronounced, one can bottom out, if the ride height is low. Going too low with the setup has consequences: you suddenly lose downforce and become temporary a passenger / go wide, ask Max and Charles. Another feature on the Redbulls is the anti-dive geometry of the suspension, that prevents roll under braking. Seems legit.
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
8th May 2023, 16:30
Re COTD I think it’s becoming quite clear to the FIA (at last) that DRS does seem to be a little too powerful now in some places so they are sensibly restricting it’s use to some degree. I suspect this is just the start and it will become more restricted where they think it sensible.
I am not sure the drivers should be complaining about such small changes. It’s not the FIAs fault that Red Bull have done such a good job with their car. The other teams need to design more competitive cars basically.
melanos
9th May 2023, 22:36
Where do I have to sign to get booed for winning plenty of F1 races and titles?