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PART ONE – Liam LAWSON
(Racing Bulls), Oliver BEARMAN (Haas), Fernando ALONSO (Aston Martin)
Q: Fernando, perhaps we could
start with you. Not quite hometown hero, but home country hero. Look, it's
been a tough start to the season for Aston Martin. Just how much
satisfaction did the Monaco weekend and that point give you?
Fernando
ALONSO: Well, hello everyone. Basically, I don't think that it made a huge
difference on the weekend. We scored a point because different things
happened in the race, with penalties and DNFs and things like that, but we
cannot hide the truth that we were uncompetitive also in Monaco and we
didn't deserve the point probably, in terms of pure pace. But yet I think
this year is going to be difficult to score a point for any team, as the
four top teams are always, if everything goes normal, in the top eight
positions, and then only remains ninth and tenth. And Alpine could be easily
fifth-fastest car, and then as I said, to grab any point I think you need
some help from the cars in front and in Monaco it was extra help.
Q:
Fernando, for a guy with your record of success, how have the current issues
affected your motivation and your belief in the Aston project?
FA: Well,
motivation, no big change, as I understand perfectly how this sport works
and how everything is in Formula 1, and you need to have the right package
to perform and you need to work around your team to get that package in the
best place possible, as soon as possible as well, when you are not leading
the pack. We see so many examples of drivers that they are out of the top
10, following year they are winning races, vice versa, they are winning
races, then out Q1. So motivation is still there because I believe in myself
and I have full trust in what I'm able to do. And I feel that when I have
the same machinery as any other driver in the world, I never felt
uncompetitive in Formula 1 or outside this paddock. I drive many different
cars and I felt the same way all my life, and I still feel the same way now.
And then the trust in the team? Obviously it's not ideal when you start a
set of regulations on the back foot, because everything takes time.
Especially in our case, I think the power unit, we found very quickly that
we were not up to speed, and yes, it was a little bit immature, the project
itself. So, we realised quickly that we would need time to catch up and we
would need time to fix some of the issues. But in Formula 1 you race every
two weeks and you need to deliver performance every two weeks. And we
understood quite quickly that we were not able to do that and it will be a
tough start of the season. But we are navigating through that tough start,
and we have higher hopes for the second part of the year. But until then,
every weekend is a little bit more or less the same story.
Q: On a
lighter one to end with, World Cup starts today. How far will Spain get?
Who's your biggest threat?
FA: Well, I hope we get to the final. I think
we are European champions and we are very strong. So hopefully we can get to
the final. And the biggest threat, I don't know. I would say France, as they
have a very good team as well and good players. But always you have
surprises in the World Cups.
Q: All right, Fernando, thank you very
much for that. Ollie, if we could come to you now. Monaco seemed to be a
case of what might have been for you. Had you had a clean run in quali and
the race, how much pace did the car have?
Oliver BEARMAN: No, I think we
were definitely in the battle for points, actually. I think we were maybe on
par with Liam sitting next to me, maybe if it was a normal qualifying, let's
say. Of course it's never a normal qualifying in Monaco, but we got a bit
unfortunate with the red flag, the timing of the red flag. After that, I
tried really hard to improve my lap time, but my tyres were just not in the
temperature window. And around Monaco, you can't do anything if you have no
grip. And I did my very best but just missed out by a tenth or so. After
that the race was the race. We saw some stuff happening, but unfortunately,
I had an issue of my own on the brakes and we had to retire the car. But I
think in case of a clean quali, I would have liked to think we could have
been fighting with the VCARBs, maybe Alpine as well actually. We were quite
competitive in Monaco. So yes, I was looking forward to that, but at the
end, after a bad quali, you can't really come back at all.
Q: Do you
think that potential you just talked about will translate here in Barcelona?
OB: I hope so. I think these last two weekends we brought this upgrade
package to the car in Canada. Honestly, it's been really tough to optimise
and get performance out of it. We managed to salvage a point in Canada, but
only because of a lot of cars retiring, and then Monaco was tough as well
for other reasons. Both of those circuits are very bumpy. You have to run
the car in a very different way, let's say, to the rest of the year. So,
hopefully we're going to come here, it's a more favourable track for us, and
hopefully we can optimise the package that we have. But actually, Friday
we're going to have to be learning a lot about this car because we've come
from a Sprint weekend and in Monaco. It's two very unique weekends on very
unique tracks, so this is really a chance to learn about what we have.
Q: OK, thank you for that. A quick World Cup question. How far will
England go? Can they bring it home? And who's the biggest threat?
OB: Oh,
you're testing me now. I'm not the best in football knowledge, but of course
I have high hopes for my country. I hope that they can win, but let's see
how it goes. To be honest, the only football tournaments I'm watching, or
the only football I'm watching in general, is the World Cup and the Euros.
It's been a while since I watched a football match. I'm excited to see and
of course wish England all the best.
Q: Thank you for that. And Liam,
let's come to you now. What a race for you and the team in Monaco. How did
your emotions after it compare to the P5 in Baku last year?
Liam LAWSON:
Yeah, it was very different, honestly. Monaco is very special, and I think
especially when we started the weekend we weren't actually very competitive,
and we changed so much on the car over the weekend. And then the Sunday was
just an emotional rollercoaster. I didn't think I was going to race. I got
to the garage and the car was in pieces, where it had an issue, and the team
did an amazing job to put it together. And I got out, did one lap to the
grid basically, so we didn't really get to feel balance or anything like
that. But yeah, we survived, which at the moment I think is a bit of what's
been working for us. Obviously, we've got to try and keep that consistency,
but we've been reasonably competitive, but just in the right place. And when
people have had issues, we've been able to capitalise on it, and I think
that's really what happened in Monaco. So, it was cool.
Q: You've had
a great start to the season. How much of that is down to the car, and do you
feel you've taken a step forward as a driver this year?
LL: I mean, yeah,
I think the cars are very interesting this year. We're all obviously still
getting used to them, learning. Development is obviously massive this year.
We're all finding sort of big things most weekends, so we're all chasing
that. And I think on a personal level – probably, I think we’re always
evolving and learning. So, the more experience I have, I'm going to get
better. And I think compared to last year, I would say I'm in a better
place. I think there's been a bit more consistency this year and that's been
helping.
Q: OK, bit of World Cup chat. New Zealand in Group G. How
far will you get?
LL: Honestly, I probably know the least about football
in this room. I'm just supporting Tim Payne. That's really all I can say.
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Q: (Harry Benjamin – Sky Sports F1)
Question for Fernando. Fernando, when you first came on the scene you were
marked out as one of the immediate greats, and it only took you a couple of
years before you were fighting for World Championships and sealing those
titles. Now we're seeing Kimi Antonelli, who came to the end of the start
this year with no wins and has just done five on the bounce. What do you
make of his achievements, and can you give us an insight into the pressure
that young drivers deal with at a young age and winning in Formula 1?
FA:
Well, I think first we are in a different era of F1 where I think that,
thanks to the technology, we are a bit more aware of the technicalities of
the car. We have the simulators, we have different tools that help a little
bit our arrival into F1. And I think he has an incredible talent. Probably
the most noticeable time for him was in karting. I think in the junior
formulas, you can argue that it was up and down in terms of results, and
some of the drivers of his generation were able to stay in front of him with
the same cars, even the one next to me [Bearman]. And now you have a car
that is dominating, and you are adapting to that car and you are winning
races without making any mistake, as you said, feeling the pressure of
leading the Championship and leading a race, which is obviously a very good
achievement. But this is Formula 1 and you need to perform at the highest
level always. And if you have the opportunity, as he has this year, with a
winning car and he's able to cope with the pressure and achieve the title,
obviously it's an incredible thing for him and happy for him.
Q:
(Mariana Becker – TV Globo) Hola, Fernando. At this time, usually for
especially us Latin people, during the World Cup, is a time to provoke also,
to tease each other, you know, with how's your team, how's my team, what we
are going to expect and everything. We've been here for a while, even when
Spain was the champion, I was here also covering and I saw all of you. Who's
the best guy for you to provoke on the grid, or was at that time? And who's
the one who understands best on this subject of soccer and football?
FA:
Football, not many people understand in this paddock. A driver that used to
be Fisichella and some of the Italians, but now Italy is not in the World
Cup for three decades, so I would say Antonelli, but maybe Antonelli will be
older when Italy comes back to the World Cup.
Q: (Craig Slater – Sky
Sports) A question for Liam, actually. Sorry, Liam, we haven't heard
anything official yet, but ADUO is on the horizon, the opportunity for teams
to improve their power units if they're below the leading power unit. Do you
think you have the best power unit in F1 at the moment, and would you be
concerned if your rivals were able to improve theirs and you not?
LL: I
think we have a good power unit for sure. I think we've done maybe [more
than] what people expected, even maybe what we expected at the start, coming
in with a brand-new power unit, new team to build that. And I think HPP has
done an incredible job and we have a very competitive power unit. It's hard
to know who's got the actual best. Everybody has different levels of
efficiency with downforce and stuff like this, and even within teams you see
differences sometimes on race weekends and straight-line performance and
stuff. So I don't personally know if we actually have the best, but I just
know it's very good. But I think obviously other teams also have very good
power units.
Q: (Mara Sangiorgio – Sky Sports Italy) A question to
Ollie. We were talking about Kimi before. You were one of his teammates in
the past. Did he surprise you this year or did you expect him to be so
strong?
OB: Yeah, of course I've raced with Kimi. We raced in Formula 4,
Formula 2 as well, teammates in F2, and we had a great year together.
Honestly, we're kind of going through the same journey of learning and
improving every time we're in the car, particularly last year, and you saw
that last year he struggled at times. And I think that's just part of the
learning process. But it's clear that he's done a step this year and
performing at a really high level. And honestly, it's really nice to see
because I know, I've raced with him, we've raced together and I know how he
drives. And seeing him perform on that level, it gives me the confidence
that I can do that one day as well, when I get the opportunity. So, it's
nice to see, and I hope to have the chance one day as well.
Q:
(George Ananidas – Ant1 TV) Question for Fernando. You talked about an
upgrade package that will change the car dramatically. Does this mean that
we'll see you fighting in the midfield or further up the grid during the
season, or it's a package that works towards 2027?
FA: Well, both. It
works into 2027 because definitely we need to improve our situation. But no,
I think our hope is that the second part of the year will be a more
competitive one and we can start fighting in the midfield. Yes, that's the
aim.
Q: (Jose Antonio Galindo – MediaSet) I'd like to ask, it doesn't
matter if things go well or not, there's always so many fans here in
Barcelona cheering up for you, and on Sunday, on Saturday, you will have all
the people cheering up. I don't know if you had a message for them, and to
think after all these years how much they have cheered for you?
FA: Sure.
It's going to be a special weekend, probably my last Barcelona race in
Formula 1. So, I want to say thanks to everyone. I will try to enjoy the
weekend. I will not be competitive and I will not be too long in the car in
qualifying, and in the race hopefully yes, but not at the pace that we all
want. But I want everyone to still enjoy the weekend. It has been always a
celebration when they come to Barcelona. I think it's my 23rd Spanish Grand
Prix, and all of them have been magical. And this last has to be magical as
well.
Q: (Santi Torres – Catalan Television) Fernando, you've been
racing here, you said 23rd Grand Prix here in Barcelona, but 27 years. Which
is your best memory that you have here in this circuit? Which has been the
most special win and obviously the most special race?
FA: Well, they are
linked together normally. When you win, it becomes the special one. But I
would say 2006 because it was huge expectations for us after winning the
Championship in ’05 and being in pole position. Everyone expected us to win
on Sunday. I think I will remember that one as number one memory. And many
things that happened on this weekend. My first single-seater test, I think
that was back in 1994. My first Renault test, my first Benetton test was
here as well. And then a few things here and there and moments that I will
remember always. A lap with Juan Carlos, the King, in the Renault Megane,
which in Turn 3 I remember he was maybe not that comfortable in the car, and
I didn't realise that the King was in the passenger seat. These kinds of
things, a lot of stories happened on this circuit, so a special place.
Q: (Harry Benjamin – Sky Sports F1) Liam, you've had a great season so
far this year. You've scored in five of the first six rounds, Sprint and
Grand Prix various. It feels like it's really clicking now for you after a
couple of sort of turbulent seasons. What do you put that down to, and do
you feel like you can put your name in the hat for a top drive again?
LL:
Yeah, I mean, I think you always learn, you always get better. So for sure
I'm in a better place than I've ever been in Formula 1. But I think also the
last couple of years, the way I came into Formula 1 was quite unique as
well, at the back end of both seasons, of ’23 and ’24. So last year was, I
guess, first full season, but obviously started very rocky. And I think this
year had a proper pre-season. And with new cars, obviously we're all working
on learning them. And I just think we've done a good job, and I've learned a
lot from the last couple of years as well and I feel like I've sort of been
able to put that to use this year. And yeah, I mean, I know it's motor
sport. Obviously a bad weekend is eventually going to come and we all have
that, but at the moment it's been good. We've had good momentum and I think
as a team we've done a very good job and I'm looking forward to trying to
continue that. I don't think it's anything specific other than just
experience, honestly.
Q: (Jesus Balseiro – Diario AS) When you say
probably your last Barcelona race, is there any slight chance you could be
here in two years' time in the next one, or what do you have in mind when
you think about the future? In case you wanted to stay, is it only a
one-year thing?
FA: Yeah, I mean, I don't have anything in mind. After
summer I will take the decision to continue or not. But Barcelona obviously
is not happening next year, so if I don't know what I will do next year,
it's nearly impossible to be sure what I will do in two years' time. But I
consider every race that I go this year that potentially could be my last
time. In Australia, my last time; in China, my last time; in Monaco. And
here in Barcelona there is a little bit more of that chance, as it's not
happening next year as well.
Q: (Pepijn van der Hulst –
RacingNews365.com) Question to all three. What's your view on the rule
changes for next year and 2028 regarding the PU split? Thank you.
FA:
Yes, I said in the last few races as well, obviously now there is a
confirmation on the rules. But yes, let's see. I think we need to give time
and hopefully things get better and the fans enjoy it a bit more, and
drivers, we are a little bit happier with the car. But at the end of the
day, these power units, they have this DNA and it will be difficult to
change. You can make a small tweak on the rules, but it will always reward
to go slower in the corners to have more energy on the straights, and
that's, as I said, the DNA of the rules. And by race seven of this year or
whatever, that we need to change the rules for next year and potentially for
2028, it tells you that it was something wrong from the beginning.
OB:
Yeah, I think the rule changes are in the right direction. It's moving more
towards consistency and being able to drive how we've all grown up driving,
which is driving on instinct and not thinking really about the knock-on
effect of, if you drive this corner differently to the way you did the lap
before, is it going to have a positive effect or a negative effect? That's
not ideal. We're quite limited on gear usage, all of these things you have
to be really strict on. So, there's really not a lot of opportunity to
invent. And I think already giving a bit more work to the ICE and a bit less
to the ERS is a step in the right direction. Even if it's a phased step, I
think it’s more towards what we want, maybe not all the way where we want,
but it’s a step in the right direction.
LL: Yeah, I agree with what they
both said. I think we just want to drive cars that we can drive flat out and
not have to think about anything else, and I think that’s a step in the
right direction to that. But I think, as Fernando said, the baseline is
always going to be there a little bit, and I don’t know if we’ll ever be
able to fully avoid that with these power units.
Q: (Bas Holtkamp –
Formula1.nl Magazine) Question for Fernando. We all know the rivalry between
Barcelona and Madrid in football. Now it's here in F1 of course as well.
You're the ambassador for this Grand Prix, Carlos for Madrid. How's the
rivalry between you guys on this aspect?
FA: No, thanks God, this is not
the same as football. We are enjoying, we feel privileged to have two Grands
Prix in our country, and both of us we are extremely lucky about this
situation. I think Barcelona, Madrid, also they are very different between
them, so there is not any problem on that. Barcelona is, at the end of the
day, our home Grand Prix for everybody in Spain because, as I said, in 1994
I did my first single-seater test here, and we test a lot of things here.
When there is an event or a sponsor or a hot lap, we come to Barcelona. So,
this is a circuit that we know very well. We have the MotoGP and we have
different activities around Barcelona. It's a 365-day activity. Madrid is
more a one-off event and different approach, and the new approach that
Formula 1 is taking with races like Baku or Singapore or Miami, with
different people coming to enjoy the race and to enjoy the weekend and to
have fun in Madrid and having a different experience. And both of them are
complementary and they are both good for the Spanish fans and for the
country.
Q: (Silvia Arias – Parabrisas) Fernando, mentally how hard
is for you to think about that maybe this is your last year? As you said, my
last race, maybe that one, the next one. Is this hard, or is it helping a
lot to have already a family with your son right now?
FA: No, I mean,
it's not hard. For me the hardest thing is not to win races and not to be
competitive. If it's the last or not the last, it's not affecting too much.
I'm in peace with my career and with my life, and if anything comes now,
welcome. If it doesn't come, it will not change my feeling. I achieved a lot
more than I ever dreamt when I was a kid or I was here, as we said again, my
first test here or my go-kart experience when I was racing in Spain. I never
dreamt to be Formula 1 driver and then race for the best teams in the
paddock and stay for very long time. So, everything is a plus. It is a plus
now. I'm not as competitive as we all want to be in the team now, and that's
probably the biggest pain that we go through every weekend. But in terms of
personal feeling, it's not too hard or it's not anything.
Q: (Diletta
Colombo – Automoto) A question for Fernando. If you could choose the
architecture of the power unit, what would you opt for?
FA: Probably not
hybrid. So fully combustion engine with sustainable fuels, and if you have
to have anything on the electrical side, something like a small boost that
can be used for overtaking. So it was like a generation of cars that we had
six seconds of 150 horsepower back in 2010 to 2013 or whatever, and those
six seconds per lap you were using those strategically in different moments
and places in the race, but also in qualifying, depends on your strengths
and weaknesses of your car and things like that. Maybe maximum that kind of
electrification.
Q: How many cylinders?
FA: As many as you wish.
PART ONE – Liam LAWSON (Racing Bulls), Oliver BEARMAN (Haas), Fernando
ALONSO (Aston Martin)
Q: Fernando, perhaps we could start with you.
Not quite hometown hero, but home country hero. Look, it's been a tough
start to the season for Aston Martin. Just how much satisfaction did the
Monaco weekend and that point give you?
Fernando ALONSO: Well, hello
everyone. Basically, I don't think that it made a huge difference on the
weekend. We scored a point because different things happened in the race,
with penalties and DNFs and things like that, but we cannot hide the truth
that we were uncompetitive also in Monaco and we didn't deserve the point
probably, in terms of pure pace. But yet I think this year is going to be
difficult to score a point for any team, as the four top teams are always,
if everything goes normal, in the top eight positions, and then only remains
ninth and tenth. And Alpine could be easily fifth-fastest car, and then as I
said, to grab any point I think you need some help from the cars in front
and in Monaco it was extra help.
Q: Fernando, for a guy with your
record of success, how have the current issues affected your motivation and
your belief in the Aston project?
FA: Well, motivation, no big change, as
I understand perfectly how this sport works and how everything is in Formula
1, and you need to have the right package to perform and you need to work
around your team to get that package in the best place possible, as soon as
possible as well, when you are not leading the pack. We see so many examples
of drivers that they are out of the top 10, following year they are winning
races, vice versa, they are winning races, then out Q1. So motivation is
still there because I believe in myself and I have full trust in what I'm
able to do. And I feel that when I have the same machinery as any other
driver in the world, I never felt uncompetitive in Formula 1 or outside this
paddock. I drive many different cars and I felt the same way all my life,
and I still feel the same way now. And then the trust in the team? Obviously
it's not ideal when you start a set of regulations on the back foot, because
everything takes time. Especially in our case, I think the power unit, we
found very quickly that we were not up to speed, and yes, it was a little
bit immature, the project itself. So, we realised quickly that we would need
time to catch up and we would need time to fix some of the issues. But in
Formula 1 you race every two weeks and you need to deliver performance every
two weeks. And we understood quite quickly that we were not able to do that
and it will be a tough start of the season. But we are navigating through
that tough start, and we have higher hopes for the second part of the year.
But until then, every weekend is a little bit more or less the same story.
Q: On a lighter one to end with, World Cup starts today. How far will
Spain get? Who's your biggest threat?
FA: Well, I hope we get to the
final. I think we are European champions and we are very strong. So
hopefully we can get to the final. And the biggest threat, I don't know. I
would say France, as they have a very good team as well and good players.
But always you have surprises in the World Cups.
Q: All right,
Fernando, thank you very much for that. Ollie, if we could come to you now.
Monaco seemed to be a case of what might have been for you. Had you had a
clean run in quali and the race, how much pace did the car have?
Oliver
BEARMAN: No, I think we were definitely in the battle for points, actually.
I think we were maybe on par with Liam sitting next to me, maybe if it was a
normal qualifying, let's say. Of course it's never a normal qualifying in
Monaco, but we got a bit unfortunate with the red flag, the timing of the
red flag. After that, I tried really hard to improve my lap time, but my
tyres were just not in the temperature window. And around Monaco, you can't
do anything if you have no grip. And I did my very best but just missed out
by a tenth or so. After that the race was the race. We saw some stuff
happening, but unfortunately, I had an issue of my own on the brakes and we
had to retire the car. But I think in case of a clean quali, I would have
liked to think we could have been fighting with the VCARBs, maybe Alpine as
well actually. We were quite competitive in Monaco. So yes, I was looking
forward to that, but at the end, after a bad quali, you can't really come
back at all.
Q: Do you think that potential you just talked about
will translate here in Barcelona?
OB: I hope so. I think these last two
weekends we brought this upgrade package to the car in Canada. Honestly,
it's been really tough to optimise and get performance out of it. We managed
to salvage a point in Canada, but only because of a lot of cars retiring,
and then Monaco was tough as well for other reasons. Both of those circuits
are very bumpy. You have to run the car in a very different way, let's say,
to the rest of the year. So, hopefully we're going to come here, it's a more
favourable track for us, and hopefully we can optimise the package that we
have. But actually, Friday we're going to have to be learning a lot about
this car because we've come from a Sprint weekend and in Monaco. It's two
very unique weekends on very unique tracks, so this is really a chance to
learn about what we have.
Q: OK, thank you for that. A quick World
Cup question. How far will England go? Can they bring it home? And who's the
biggest threat?
OB: Oh, you're testing me now. I'm not the best in
football knowledge, but of course I have high hopes for my country. I hope
that they can win, but let's see how it goes. To be honest, the only
football tournaments I'm watching, or the only football I'm watching in
general, is the World Cup and the Euros. It's been a while since I watched a
football match. I'm excited to see and of course wish England all the best.
Q: Thank you for that. And Liam, let's come to you now. What a race for
you and the team in Monaco. How did your emotions after it compare to the P5
in Baku last year?
Liam LAWSON: Yeah, it was very different, honestly.
Monaco is very special, and I think especially when we started the weekend
we weren't actually very competitive, and we changed so much on the car over
the weekend. And then the Sunday was just an emotional rollercoaster. I
didn't think I was going to race. I got to the garage and the car was in
pieces, where it had an issue, and the team did an amazing job to put it
together. And I got out, did one lap to the grid basically, so we didn't
really get to feel balance or anything like that. But yeah, we survived,
which at the moment I think is a bit of what's been working for us.
Obviously, we've got to try and keep that consistency, but we've been
reasonably competitive, but just in the right place. And when people have
had issues, we've been able to capitalise on it, and I think that's really
what happened in Monaco. So, it was cool.
Q: You've had a great start
to the season. How much of that is down to the car, and do you feel you've
taken a step forward as a driver this year?
LL: I mean, yeah, I think the
cars are very interesting this year. We're all obviously still getting used
to them, learning. Development is obviously massive this year. We're all
finding sort of big things most weekends, so we're all chasing that. And I
think on a personal level – probably, I think we’re always evolving and
learning. So, the more experience I have, I'm going to get better. And I
think compared to last year, I would say I'm in a better place. I think
there's been a bit more consistency this year and that's been helping.
Q: OK, bit of World Cup chat. New Zealand in Group G. How far will you
get?
LL: Honestly, I probably know the least about football in this room.
I'm just supporting Tim Payne. That's really all I can say.
QUESTIONS
FROM THE FLOOR
Q: (Harry Benjamin – Sky Sports F1) Question for
Fernando. Fernando, when you first came on the scene you were marked out as
one of the immediate greats, and it only took you a couple of years before
you were fighting for World Championships and sealing those titles. Now
we're seeing Kimi Antonelli, who came to the end of the start this year with
no wins and has just done five on the bounce. What do you make of his
achievements, and can you give us an insight into the pressure that young
drivers deal with at a young age and winning in Formula 1?
FA: Well, I
think first we are in a different era of F1 where I think that, thanks to
the technology, we are a bit more aware of the technicalities of the car. We
have the simulators, we have different tools that help a little bit our
arrival into F1. And I think he has an incredible talent. Probably the most
noticeable time for him was in karting. I think in the junior formulas, you
can argue that it was up and down in terms of results, and some of the
drivers of his generation were able to stay in front of him with the same
cars, even the one next to me [Bearman]. And now you have a car that is
dominating, and you are adapting to that car and you are winning races
without making any mistake, as you said, feeling the pressure of leading the
Championship and leading a race, which is obviously a very good achievement.
But this is Formula 1 and you need to perform at the highest level always.
And if you have the opportunity, as he has this year, with a winning car and
he's able to cope with the pressure and achieve the title, obviously it's an
incredible thing for him and happy for him.
Q: (Mariana Becker – TV
Globo) Hola, Fernando. At this time, usually for especially us Latin people,
during the World Cup, is a time to provoke also, to tease each other, you
know, with how's your team, how's my team, what we are going to expect and
everything. We've been here for a while, even when Spain was the champion, I
was here also covering and I saw all of you. Who's the best guy for you to
provoke on the grid, or was at that time? And who's the one who understands
best on this subject of soccer and football?
FA: Football, not many
people understand in this paddock. A driver that used to be Fisichella and
some of the Italians, but now Italy is not in the World Cup for three
decades, so I would say Antonelli, but maybe Antonelli will be older when
Italy comes back to the World Cup.
Q: (Craig Slater – Sky Sports) A
question for Liam, actually. Sorry, Liam, we haven't heard anything official
yet, but ADUO is on the horizon, the opportunity for teams to improve their
power units if they're below the leading power unit. Do you think you have
the best power unit in F1 at the moment, and would you be concerned if your
rivals were able to improve theirs and you not?
LL: I think we have a
good power unit for sure. I think we've done maybe [more than] what people
expected, even maybe what we expected at the start, coming in with a
brand-new power unit, new team to build that. And I think HPP has done an
incredible job and we have a very competitive power unit. It's hard to know
who's got the actual best. Everybody has different levels of efficiency with
downforce and stuff like this, and even within teams you see differences
sometimes on race weekends and straight-line performance and stuff. So I
don't personally know if we actually have the best, but I just know it's
very good. But I think obviously other teams also have very good power
units.
Q: (Mara Sangiorgio – Sky Sports Italy) A question to Ollie.
We were talking about Kimi before. You were one of his teammates in the
past. Did he surprise you this year or did you expect him to be so strong?
OB: Yeah, of course I've raced with Kimi. We raced in Formula 4, Formula 2
as well, teammates in F2, and we had a great year together. Honestly, we're
kind of going through the same journey of learning and improving every time
we're in the car, particularly last year, and you saw that last year he
struggled at times. And I think that's just part of the learning process.
But it's clear that he's done a step this year and performing at a really
high level. And honestly, it's really nice to see because I know, I've raced
with him, we've raced together and I know how he drives. And seeing him
perform on that level, it gives me the confidence that I can do that one day
as well, when I get the opportunity. So, it's nice to see, and I hope to
have the chance one day as well.
Q: (George Ananidas – Ant1 TV)
Question for Fernando. You talked about an upgrade package that will change
the car dramatically. Does this mean that we'll see you fighting in the
midfield or further up the grid during the season, or it's a package that
works towards 2027?
FA: Well, both. It works into 2027 because definitely
we need to improve our situation. But no, I think our hope is that the
second part of the year will be a more competitive one and we can start
fighting in the midfield. Yes, that's the aim.
Q: (Jose Antonio
Galindo – MediaSet) I'd like to ask, it doesn't matter if things go well or
not, there's always so many fans here in Barcelona cheering up for you, and
on Sunday, on Saturday, you will have all the people cheering up. I don't
know if you had a message for them, and to think after all these years how
much they have cheered for you?
FA: Sure. It's going to be a special
weekend, probably my last Barcelona race in Formula 1. So, I want to say
thanks to everyone. I will try to enjoy the weekend. I will not be
competitive and I will not be too long in the car in qualifying, and in the
race hopefully yes, but not at the pace that we all want. But I want
everyone to still enjoy the weekend. It has been always a celebration when
they come to Barcelona. I think it's my 23rd Spanish Grand Prix, and all of
them have been magical. And this last has to be magical as well.
Q: (Santi
Torres – Catalan Television) Fernando, you've been racing here, you said
23rd Grand Prix here in Barcelona, but 27 years. Which is your best memory
that you have here in this circuit? Which has been the most special win and
obviously the most special race?
FA: Well, they are linked together
normally. When you win, it becomes the special one. But I would say 2006
because it was huge expectations for us after winning the Championship in
’05 and being in pole position. Everyone expected us to win on Sunday. I
think I will remember that one as number one memory. And many things that
happened on this weekend. My first single-seater test, I think that was back
in 1994. My first Renault test, my first Benetton test was here as well. And
then a few things here and there and moments that I will remember always. A
lap with Juan Carlos, the King, in the Renault Megane, which in Turn 3 I
remember he was maybe not that comfortable in the car, and I didn't realise
that the King was in the passenger seat. These kinds of things, a lot of
stories happened on this circuit, so a special place.
Q: (Harry
Benjamin – Sky Sports F1) Liam, you've had a great season so far this year.
You've scored in five of the first six rounds, Sprint and Grand Prix
various. It feels like it's really clicking now for you after a couple of
sort of turbulent seasons. What do you put that down to, and do you feel
like you can put your name in the hat for a top drive again?
LL: Yeah, I
mean, I think you always learn, you always get better. So for sure I'm in a
better place than I've ever been in Formula 1. But I think also the last
couple of years, the way I came into Formula 1 was quite unique as well, at
the back end of both seasons, of ’23 and ’24. So last year was, I guess,
first full season, but obviously started very rocky. And I think this year
had a proper pre-season. And with new cars, obviously we're all working on
learning them. And I just think we've done a good job, and I've learned a
lot from the last couple of years as well and I feel like I've sort of been
able to put that to use this year. And yeah, I mean, I know it's motor
sport. Obviously a bad weekend is eventually going to come and we all have
that, but at the moment it's been good. We've had good momentum and I think
as a team we've done a very good job and I'm looking forward to trying to
continue that. I don't think it's anything specific other than just
experience, honestly.
Q: (Jesus Balseiro – Diario AS) When you say
probably your last Barcelona race, is there any slight chance you could be
here in two years' time in the next one, or what do you have in mind when
you think about the future? In case you wanted to stay, is it only a
one-year thing?
FA: Yeah, I mean, I don't have anything in mind. After
summer I will take the decision to continue or not. But Barcelona obviously
is not happening next year, so if I don't know what I will do next year,
it's nearly impossible to be sure what I will do in two years' time. But I
consider every race that I go this year that potentially could be my last
time. In Australia, my last time; in China, my last time; in Monaco. And
here in Barcelona there is a little bit more of that chance, as it's not
happening next year as well.
Q: (Pepijn van der Hulst –
RacingNews365.com) Question to all three. What's your view on the rule
changes for next year and 2028 regarding the PU split? Thank you.
FA:
Yes, I said in the last few races as well, obviously now there is a
confirmation on the rules. But yes, let's see. I think we need to give time
and hopefully things get better and the fans enjoy it a bit more, and
drivers, we are a little bit happier with the car. But at the end of the
day, these power units, they have this DNA and it will be difficult to
change. You can make a small tweak on the rules, but it will always reward
to go slower in the corners to have more energy on the straights, and
that's, as I said, the DNA of the rules. And by race seven of this year or
whatever, that we need to change the rules for next year and potentially for
2028, it tells you that it was something wrong from the beginning.
OB:
Yeah, I think the rule changes are in the right direction. It's moving more
towards consistency and being able to drive how we've all grown up driving,
which is driving on instinct and not thinking really about the knock-on
effect of, if you drive this corner differently to the way you did the lap
before, is it going to have a positive effect or a negative effect? That's
not ideal. We're quite limited on gear usage, all of these things you have
to be really strict on. So, there's really not a lot of opportunity to
invent. And I think already giving a bit more work to the ICE and a bit less
to the ERS is a step in the right direction. Even if it's a phased step, I
think it’s more towards what we want, maybe not all the way where we want,
but it’s a step in the right direction.
LL: Yeah, I agree with what they
both said. I think we just want to drive cars that we can drive flat out and
not have to think about anything else, and I think that’s a step in the
right direction to that. But I think, as Fernando said, the baseline is
always going to be there a little bit, and I don’t know if we’ll ever be
able to fully avoid that with these power units.
Q: (Bas Holtkamp –
Formula1.nl Magazine) Question for Fernando. We all know the rivalry between
Barcelona and Madrid in football. Now it's here in F1 of course as well.
You're the ambassador for this Grand Prix, Carlos for Madrid. How's the
rivalry between you guys on this aspect?
FA: No, thanks God, this is not
the same as football. We are enjoying, we feel privileged to have two Grands
Prix in our country, and both of us we are extremely lucky about this
situation. I think Barcelona, Madrid, also they are very different between
them, so there is not any problem on that. Barcelona is, at the end of the
day, our home Grand Prix for everybody in Spain because, as I said, in 1994
I did my first single-seater test here, and we test a lot of things here.
When there is an event or a sponsor or a hot lap, we come to Barcelona. So,
this is a circuit that we know very well. We have the MotoGP and we have
different activities around Barcelona. It's a 365-day activity. Madrid is
more a one-off event and different approach, and the new approach that
Formula 1 is taking with races like Baku or Singapore or Miami, with
different people coming to enjoy the race and to enjoy the weekend and to
have fun in Madrid and having a different experience. And both of them are
complementary and they are both good for the Spanish fans and for the
country.
Q: (Silvia Arias – Parabrisas) Fernando, mentally how hard
is for you to think about that maybe this is your last year? As you said, my
last race, maybe that one, the next one. Is this hard, or is it helping a
lot to have already a family with your son right now?
FA: No, I mean,
it's not hard. For me the hardest thing is not to win races and not to be
competitive. If it's the last or not the last, it's not affecting too much.
I'm in peace with my career and with my life, and if anything comes now,
welcome. If it doesn't come, it will not change my feeling. I achieved a lot
more than I ever dreamt when I was a kid or I was here, as we said again, my
first test here or my go-kart experience when I was racing in Spain. I never
dreamt to be Formula 1 driver and then race for the best teams in the
paddock and stay for very long time. So, everything is a plus. It is a plus
now. I'm not as competitive as we all want to be in the team now, and that's
probably the biggest pain that we go through every weekend. But in terms of
personal feeling, it's not too hard or it's not anything.
Q: (Diletta
Colombo – Automoto) A question for Fernando. If you could choose the
architecture of the power unit, what would you opt for?
FA: Probably not
hybrid. So fully combustion engine with sustainable fuels, and if you have
to have anything on the electrical side, something like a small boost that
can be used for overtaking. So it was like a generation of cars that we had
six seconds of 150 horsepower back in 2010 to 2013 or whatever, and those
six seconds per lap you were using those strategically in different moments
and places in the race, but also in qualifying, depends on your strengths
and weaknesses of your car and things like that. Maybe maximum that kind of
electrification.
Q: How many cylinders?
FA: As many as you wish.
PART TWO – Franco COLAPINTO (Alpine), Kimi ANTONELLI (Mercedes),
Carlos SAINZ (Williams)
Q: Carlos, one of two home Grands Prix for
you this year. Now, it was a frustrating end to your race in Monaco, but
given the rate of improvement we've seen with this car this year, what can
your fans expect here in Barcelona?
Carlos SAINZ: Yeah, I think in Monaco
we had a very solid weekend, but unfortunately, we didn't manage to bring
the points home after that incident eight, nine laps to go. But you know,
it's a P9 or a P10, and I've realised that when I go to sleep on a Monday I
don't care that much about the P9 or a P10 because in the end what I'm here
for is for podiums, wins, top fives, and that's my ultimate target. So, if
there's going to be any racing incidents that take away the P9, that day I'm
going to be frustrated, but then I can get over it very quickly. Barcelona,
I think it's clear it's going to be a more frustrating weekend for us. I
think Williams is known for having a bit of a weak track here in Barcelona.
I think this year's car shouldn't be particularly good for here, but at the
same time it's a great opportunity for us as a team to understand why and
see where our weakness lies. So, I think we're going to put everything we
have to understand that and to try and make progress. Having said that, I'll
try and score points.
Q: You missed the shakedown back in February
here in Barcelona. Is that a big disadvantage?
CS: For me, no. I know
this place pretty well by now, many years coming to Barcelona, so I don't
think I will miss doing the shakedown. But maybe for the engineers, having a
first look at how the energy will work through the lap and how to launch the
lap, how to do the long runs, for sure we will be, say, half a step behind,
because it's true that a lot has changed since January, even on the Mercedes
power unit. So, we will see. I think not ideal, but it's not the end of the
world.
Q: OK. Just end with some World Cup chat. How far is Spain
going to get? Who's your biggest threat?
CS: Well, I hope Spain wins the
World Cup. I think we have a very strong team. I think we proved it in the
Euros a few years ago, so it's time to win the World Cup again, and if not,
do the best we can. But rivals, I don't know. I haven't been following
football much this year, so I cannot tell you who do you think is our
threat.
Q: All right, thank you very much for that. Kimi, can we come
to you now?
Kimi ANTONELLI: Don't ask me about World Cup, by the way.
Q: Well, go on then. Who do you think will win, even if it can't be
Italy?
KA: Well, definitely it cannot be us. I don't know, too many
strong teams. Obviously, I'm a big fan of Messi since the time he was
playing in Barcelona. But I think it's going to be a very close fight.
Argentina is very strong, Spain very strong, England is very strong, Germany
as well. So, let's see. I cannot give you really an answer. I wish it was
Italy though, but yeah.
Q: Let's take it back to Monaco quickly.
First of all, have you found your towel yet?
KA: No, still looking for
it.
Q: Can we talk about the celebrations? What was it like to jump
into the harbour? How was the party at the palace?
KA: Well, I don't want
to know what was in the water, first of all, in the harbour. But it was
enjoyable, very refreshing after a hot race, and it was good. It was a good
moment with the whole team. It was a good moment to share and to witness as
well. And I think it's one of those moments that you will remember forever.
And I think also seeing the team so happy and involved really made me happy
as well. So definitely it was very cool. But of course, Monaco is in the
past now and obviously we have Barcelona this weekend. We'll try to repeat
ourselves, even though it's not going to be easy. Then about the palace
gala, it was cool. I'm not used to doing these kinds of things, but it was a
really cool experience and definitely wouldn't be bad to be back next year
as well.
Q: Just talk a little bit more about Barcelona and prospects
for this weekend. Do you think Mercedes come here with the best package for
Barcelona?
KA: I think first of all it's going to be an interesting
weekend for us because we will see how the package that we brought in Canada
will work. I think we couldn't really see, or we couldn't see the full
potential or how much it's actually giving us because Canada was quite
unique conditions, with the temperature being so cold, and obviously Monaco
again is another unique track. So obviously Barcelona is a more standard
track and we'll see better how the package works and how much it's actually
giving us in terms of lap time. However, I think our competitors are still
fairly close. I mean, Red Bull was very strong in Monaco, Ferrari has
brought some new bits this weekend, so for sure they're going to be up
there. And then also McLaren. I think McLaren is going to be very strong as
well, because high-deg track, quite hot, and Miami was kind of similar and
they were very strong as well. So, I think it's not going to be
straightforward, but we're ready to do our best.
Q: Thank you for
that. And Franco, let's come to you. Kimi is a Messi fan. Just give us your
thoughts on Argentina's chances in the World Cup.
Franco COLAPINTO: I
think I beat him. I'm a bigger Messi fan, but we might have a little bit of
a tie. No, I think Argentina is always a great team and in the tricky
moments or in the pressure moments they always play better, and they're
really good at that. So not going to say we're going to win because it's
very bad luck, but hopefully we can have a good World Cup and enjoy. Of
course, ’22 was a great World Cup. We enjoyed it a lot in Argentina. They
made us very happy and hopefully it's another good World Cup, this one.
Q: And Franco, tell us about your season now. It feels like you've taken
a big step forward this year, especially since Miami. What's changed for
you?
FC: I think a few things, but just generally feeling more
comfortable in the car and feeling more together, a bit more connected. And
I think it all went in the right direction after that little break before
Miami. And just I think we did the right steps and we found some things that
really helped to put me in a better place. And yeah, just feeling a bit more
connected with the car, that really helps. This year with the energy, there
are many factors that play a big part in the performance, and I think we are
being more consistent and just in a better place since that little break.
Q: Are you happier in the ’26 regulation cars than you were the ground
effect cars of last year?
FC: I think in the Alpine car I felt better
this season than the previous one.
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Q:
(Harry Benjamin – Sky Sports F1) Question to Kimi. Kimi, Fernando was just
talking about what it's like to arrive in Formula 1 quite young and then
start winning and challenging for Championships only after a season or two
in the sport. How are you finding that pressure, that expectation and the
step up from your rookie season to this year. What's changed to make that
happen?
KA: Well, a lot has changed. I think the year of experience
itself has been playing a massive role, just making your own experiences and
understanding what's good and what's not good for you during the weekend and
outside the weekend. So definitely it's just the experience, being able
also, coming back into the weekend and having done it the year before plays
already a massive difference because you know better the track evolution
during the session, you know better how the weekend is structured as well,
so you're also able to balance your energies in a better way. And so also
when you go in the car you feel also better in terms of energies, but as
well also you become more aware of your potential. Also, you get to know
even better the team, so the bond just gets stronger and stronger with the
team. And so it's all little things that at the end of the day play a
massive role. And then about Championship, we are not really worrying about
it. Of course, I know the opportunity that is on the table, and of course I
want to make the best out of it and try to maximise it. But at the same
time, I don't want to drive or race thinking about that. I just want to try
to really focus on the process, what I have to do, and trying to enjoy as
much as possible as well the driving, the weekend, and just trying to drive
as fast as possible, and then we'll see where we end up at the end of the
year.
Q: (Rui Chagas – DAZN Portugal) Well, first of all, I'm sad to
hear that you don't put Portugal on the top teams.
KA: There are so many.
Just named a few. But for sure there are a lot more. I didn't name France as
well, so yeah.
Q: (Rui Chagas – DAZN Portugal) Fair enough. Well,
congratulations, first of all, for another win at Monaco. Continuing a bit
of this question and the conversation, last year I asked you if you ever
doubt about yourself and you were pretty hard on yourself, saying that you
did have questions at a certain point. Do you still have questions about
your potential?
KA: Not really, to be fair. Last year was definitely a
big feature. I would doubt a lot about myself, especially during that
difficult period in Europe. But this year obviously has been a different
story. Also, you mature a lot after one year of Formula 1, not only as a
driver but also as a person. And I think also last year during the difficult
period, I got to know myself better. So definitely, considering how bad it
was in the moment, actually I'm very grateful that it happened because it
made me grow a lot and it taught me a lot about myself as well. I think this
year, so far, I haven't been questioning or doubting myself. However, there
are questions that still need to be answered on my side. How much further I
can go in a short period of time? How much can I push myself even further?
How much more can I grow and how big is the potential? So, there are still
many questions that need to be answered, and it will still take a bit of
time.
Q: (Craig Slater – Sky Sports F1) Question for Franco and maybe
for Carlos as well. We hear that the stewards have admitted Alpine's protest
about Pierre Gasly's penalty in the Grand Prix. What would it mean to the
team if they ultimately uphold it and he were to get that podium back? You
obviously had a penalty in the race as well. Just for Carlos, from a GPDA
perspective, can you summarise any discussions that took place in advance of
the Grand Prix about maybe some confusion about the potential, how the pit
lane speed was being monitored?
CS: Honestly, on the GPDA there hasn't
been a discussion about that yet, but I expect Friday night, is that
tomorrow evening, to probably be featured as part of the conversation. I
think it's very difficult for me to say exactly what happened because it
didn't happen to me and to us, so I haven't looked into the detail of it.
But I think there are some tracks where you can shortcut a bit the pit entry
and it's allowed, or the FIA is happy to do that, and maybe there are other
tracks where it wasn't expected, and it happened, you go over the speed
limit. But I think Franco, being part of what happened, maybe he can explain
better with the team and with Alpine and FIA.
FC: Of course, we are
waiting for the decision but looking forward to it. Of course, I think in
Monaco you could cut a little bit the left kink of the pit entry and it was
only on our right and we were not going off the track, so we could
definitely do it. And looks like, due to a matter of distance, we looked
over speeding, but we were not. So hopefully they can review it and give us
some feedback soon.
Q: (George Ananidas – Ant 1 TV) A question for
Kimi. It's been two years now since we last spoke. Back then you were
winning races in F2. Could you even dream back then that you would be
leading the F1 World Championship in just two years’ time and now contending
for the title?
KA: Of course not. I think I would have put a signature if
you would have told me even at the start of the year. But of course, back
then in F2 obviously the goal was to get into Formula 1, and then obviously
also how the races go, how is the performance, then obviously expectations,
they change and also the objective of what you want to achieve changes. But
definitely if you would have told me two years ago I would have said you're
crazy. But obviously I'm very happy I'm in this position right now. I'm very
happy and glad for the opportunity that was given to me and also for the
incredible work that the team is doing. The car that this team has given us
so far this year has been incredible and it's allowing us to fight for wins
and so far for the Championship. So definitely it's a very good moment to be
in, but of course it's really important not to get carried away from it and
just try to stay focused, stay grounded and just focus on the ultimate goal
and try to deliver every race.
Q: (Mara Sangiorgio – Sky Sports
Italy) A question to Kimi. Nothing is official yet, but as a team, would you
be surprised if you could get benefit from ADUO?
KA: Yeah, I mean, to be
fair I'm not really into, well, I don't really know the decision behind and
everything because obviously I'm not into this, so it would be better to ask
the team and FIA how this was assigned, on what base. But for sure, at least
on my side, I was surprised because I think our PU is very strong, but for
sure there were reasons behind it. And of course, the team now will need to
start working on trying to see and find where we can gain even more
performance. So, it's a process that is not going to be short term, it's
going to be a long-term process because still to find more performance on
the engine takes time. So definitely the team has done an incredible job
already with PU, and I'm sure they will put their maximum effort to try and
extract even more performance now that we get this benefit.
Q:
(Mariana Becker – TV Globo) Hi, Kimi. Just to remind you, there is an
Italian coach coaching Brazil team, just to remind you, before my question.
Kimi, we saw you talking to your father right after the race, saying, "Did
you realise how fast we were?" And he said, "You were fast, you were fast."
And we saw sometimes Toto coming on the radio saying, "Calm down, calm
down," and everything. You're kind of getting into your place as someone
who's achieving a lot. Who guides you through this path, to be grounded, as
you said, or to find the right way to go through this?
KA: Well, first of
all my family, for sure. My dad is like a big rock for me because I know I
can rely on him in any situation. And also of course together with my mum,
but they're the two persons that know me the best. So, for sure, having them
is great because they've always been guiding me in the right direction,
especially when they were saying that I was maybe losing a little bit the
path. And then, of course the team. I've been with the junior team since
2018, then obviously I stepped up with the senior team last year. And of
course, also them, Bono, Toto, who I know very well by now, but the whole
team in general has been really supportive. They've been really supporting
me in the good and in the bad, and then also they've been guiding me through
this journey so far and it's been very enjoyable.
Q: (Graham Harris –
Motorsport Monday) A question for Carlos. You've driven the new Madrid track
in a road car. What are your initial impressions? Do you think they've
listened to drivers and made it a track where you can do passing, or is it
another show track in the city centre?
CS: Honestly, I was positively
surprised by it. I think especially they've done a really good job with
sector two and the fact that they've managed to open up sector two to be
more of a permanent-style track, with a lot of flowing corners and of course
the big bank, the almost 180-degree flat-out, that I think it would be
flat-out corner. So I think it's important for Formula 1, to have, for a
Formula 1 track to have character. And I think Madrid has managed to have
something out of the ordinary, extraordinary, like that corner and that
section of the track. Then, if it produces good racing or not, I think it's
too early to say, but it has two pretty long straights and a very fast
flowing section, so in theory it should produce overtaking. But we need to
go racing and we need to analyse it. And then I think it's the kind of place
and track where I think Madrid would be very happy to, if they can improve
something in the future, they will change or improve towards the future,
which is the philosophy of the city and the philosophy of the project.
Q: (Jaime Vigara Sanchez – TheBestF1.es) Hello Carlos, welcome to
Barcelona. What is your goal this weekend? Do you think you can score points
in Barcelona?
CS: Yeah, I think we can. I think we need to do everything
perfect, and they're going to be expensive because it's going to take a lot
of effort to get them.
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