FIA Thursday press conference – 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

PART TWO – Franco COLAPINTO (Williams), Max VERSTAPPEN (Crimson Bull Racing), Nico HÜLKENBERG

Q: Nico, let’s begin with you. It is time for a little bit of reflection. You are leaving Haas after this race. Simply how will you look again on the final two years, initially?

Nico HÜLKENBERG: Constructive, with a number of good feelings, with a number of pleasure and enjoyable that I had over the previous two years. I believe we have, you already know, we have grown collectively and fairly sturdy in that point and it has been a really enjoyable journey and journey with them. I believe we, no less than personally for myself, you already know, actually outperformed the expectations, definitely that I had personally coming into, you already know, the additional time a part of my profession after two years out. So I mirror on it in a really constructive approach. and particularly this yr you already know I believe it has been very profitable and I really feel no matter the place we will find yourself Sunday evening you already know we we have had a really profitable yr and we form of gained already. However that does not imply after all that we’re that we’re not going to do that weekend.

Q: What’s been the spotlight for you of those two years?

NH: Nicely, I believe naturally you all the time return to essentially the most profitable races. However I believe for me, that is too easy. It is simply been, you already know, the journey and the journey collectively. Like I stated, I had a number of enjoyable and pleasure. And, you already know, I’ve not all the time felt that a lot pleasure racing and dealing in Formulation 1. So for me, that is simply the most effective factor and clearly the additional time of the additional time that’s nonetheless to return from you already know subsequent yr onwards I believe that is most likely additionally the prolonged spotlight.

Q: You say you’ve got gained already this yr as a workforce however can I get you to elaborate on the battle for P6 simply when it comes to automobile efficiency you versus Alpine? How do you see it this weekend?

NH: I see it very tight. The entire midfield may be very tight, like we noticed over the previous couple of weekends. Small issues could make a giant distinction. I believe it will be very troublesome this weekend to show it round after what occurred final Sunday and them [Alpine] scoring a number of factors once more. However our package deal is aggressive. We’re fast on advantage. Personally, all I need to obtain is to maximise and optimise this closing weekend collectively and luxuriate in it.

Q: Be sure you try this. Get pleasure from it. Nico, thanks very a lot. Max, let’s come to you now. A extremely nice victory for you and the workforce on Sunday in Qatar. Simply how a lot confidence does that efficiency provide you with coming into the season finale right here in Abu Dhabi?

Max VERSTAPPEN: I imply, it is a bit of a special observe right here, nevertheless it additionally reveals that even when issues should not going effectively, there’s nonetheless a chance that you would be able to flip issues round or make it extra aggressive, as a result of in Qatar, beginning the weekend, we weren’t very fast. After which, yeah, after we went into qualifying, the right qualifying, we had been there to combat, so it reveals that there was some extra efficiency within the automobile and I used to be very pleased with that. This observe? It has been good to us up to now, however after all this yr quite a bit has modified anyway. So I am simply relaxed and searching ahead to it. Hopefully we be taught a bit extra in regards to the automobile that we are able to additionally use them for subsequent yr.

Q: Is it necessary to enter the winter on the again of a victory?

MV: Nicely, I imply, it might be good, nevertheless it’s not one thing that may change the world for us within the winter. We all know what now we have to work on. So, yeah, we simply attempt to be as aggressive as we may be.

Q: Can we simply mirror on 2024 for a second? A massively profitable marketing campaign for you, however how does this world title evaluate to the opposite three?

MV: I imply, we had this chat already in Vegas.

Q: You have had a little bit of time to mirror.

MV: I imply, I nonetheless lend a hand! We did a particular press convention for it. I sat there. I used to be ready. I wished to exit. I wished to have a beer. I wished to have a drink. Now I am answering the identical query once more.

Q: I do not suppose you’d waited, truly…

MV: I wished extra. I ran out. I needed to sit there. I couldn’t…

Q: OK. However look, only for individuals who weren’t in Vegas in that press convention.

MV: They will watch it again!

Q: OK. Nicely, let’s speak in regards to the Dutch Grand Prix. Ultimate one from me. Yeah. Look, information has come that, sure, they’ve expanded the deal by a yr, however 2026 goes to be the final one for now. Can we simply get your response to that information?

MV: Yeah, I imply, after all, after I take a look at it, it is, after all, one thing that I am unhappy about that it isn’t going to proceed. However however, additionally, I am very happy with what they’ve accomplished. And I believe after I began in Formulation 1, I’d have by no means imagined that we’d return to Zandvoort. And the races that we have had there, the occasion that they placed on, I’ve a number of respect for that. And I am proud that I performed a component in that as effectively. And seeing all of the followers there was and is, after all, superb. And I am actually wanting ahead to the ultimate two years. However they are often very happy with what they’ve achieved. And yeah, I believe the ultimate yr, 26, now we have a Dash occasion additionally. They are saying they are going to exit with a bang. So I am additionally very excited to see that.

Q: Thanks for that. Franco, thanks for ready. Let’s come to you. The final three races have been irritating for you. What targets have you ever set your self right here in Abu Dhabi?

Franco COLAPINTO: I need to end the yr on a excessive. I believe the workforce deserves that. They’ve accomplished a number of work throughout all of the yr, particularly the final couple of races, however they deserve a very good outcome and to complete the yr on a excessive. I believe it’s fairly necessary for all of us. So, yeah, the final three runs had been fairly powerful, however I am certain we are able to bounce again stronger right here and have a very good weekend.

Q: You have raced at Yas Marina earlier than in Formulation 2. How a lot will that show you how to this weekend?

FC: Yeah, it does assist. In fact, having three classes to check, three FPs, it is already ok, you already know, to attempt to nail each element. However figuring out the observe, it can assist. It may be the primary observe that I do know after Monza. So it is for certain going to be higher. And yeah, let’s examine the way it goes. Cannot await tomorrow.

Q: Final race of the yr, ninth race for you in Formulation 1. How will you look again on these races these final three months?

FC: It was very thrilling. It was my dream come true, you already know. And since I began in Monza, I knew a number of issues needed to occur and I needed to be taught quite a bit and I needed to hold shifting ahead. And I believe while you take a look at the larger image that not many occasions it occurs in F1, I believe it is a number of, you already know, you might be pretty much as good as your final race. And I believe that is how Formulation 1 works. Trying on the larger image, I believe I did a reasonably good job. I attempted to maximise the chance that Williams gave me. It was an unbelievable probability and I believe one thing I respect quite a bit. James and Sven, everybody within the workforce, put the arrogance and the belief to present me a seat and to present me that chance. Yeah, I believe Vegas was fairly powerful. Being powerful on me, I believe, it was a reasonably large mistake going for it within the final lap in Quali, making an attempt to place the automobile in Q3. That is the place I look again and I simply suppose that some errors may have been averted, however I believe wanting on the general image and the expertise was my dream come true. So, yeah, very excited to see the place the longer term departs.

Q: Nicely, what does the longer term maintain for you?

FC: How do I do know that? It is not possible. It is very onerous to know. Nonetheless one race to go together with Williams. Very excited to be right here again in Abu Dhabi. It was the place I did a few laps final yr after the race within the Williams for the primary time. So excited to be again right here the place every little thing began.

QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR

Q: (Roldan Rodriguez – DAZN, Spain) Franco, you might be leaving the combination of the Formulation 1. Once you arrived to the large circus, you made some superb races. Some folks evaluating you with Ayrton, superb. After which the final races weren’t as you anticipated, a few crashes. Is the Formulation 1 what you anticipated while you simply arrived?

FC: Yeah, I believe you may by no means count on what’s going to occur. And although you see Formulation 1 for thus a few years, while you’re inside, it is fully completely different. And I believe I look again and I loved each single second of it, which is an important half. And it was a terrific expertise, to be sincere. All the time, you already know, you’ve these up and downs. It was not going to be straightforward. The primary 5 rounds had been actually, actually good. After which I believe it was one other problem for Brazil with the moist, with the inters for the primary time, first time in an F1 within the rain. And it was a troublesome expertise, however, you already know, I needed to undergo these moments, I believe, as a rookie. Vegas making an attempt to place the automobile in Q3, you already know, I went to a restrict and I went a bit over it. And, yeah, final weekend, I believe it was fairly powerful as effectively for the workforce. We did wrestle, I believe, beginning with the automobile on an outdated spec. It was very troublesome for us on my aspect of the storage. We had been shifting ahead on the weekend, and it was getting higher. However I believe we struggled with beginning on an outdated spec. But it surely’s regular, you already know. It is a part of the game. And now we come right here, I believe, with good expectations and searching ahead to do a very good weekend.

Q: (David Croft – Sky Sports activities F1) A query for Max, however I would be thinking about Nico’s ideas on this as effectively. Let’s return to Qatar. Fabulous win after selecting up that penalty on the Saturday evening for an incident that occurred on a cool-down lap for each you and for George Russell. You had a terrific assembly with the stewards going ahead on the Thursday evening about driving requirements. Are you nervous that the penalty that was given units a precedent now for going ahead that drivers may use to get different drivers into bother while you’re each on a calm down lap? as a result of it was form of a historic penalty and I can not keep in mind an incident like that on a calm down lap getting a penalty earlier than.

MV: Yeah, I will go flat out on my cool app. And I will act like I will crash with everybody. I do know. Actually, I simply did not perceive. I did not even know why I used to be in there. After which, actually, after I was in there, I used to be simply making an attempt to elucidate the story behind it. I used to be simply making an attempt to be good. Lando handed me as a result of he was a second behind me on the SC2. He was on colder tyres as a result of he solely did a construct. Or he needed to abort his lap or no matter. So he handed me. I used to be like, ‘OK, no matter, I simply again out. I do not need to be in anybody’s approach’. We’re anyway in Q3, simply discovering observe place. Then I believe Fernando got here out of the pits with new tyres. And I believe it was fairly clear that weekend with the brand new tyres, it’s a must to push fairly onerous on the out lap to get temp. So out of Flip 10, I see him within the mirror, flying. I am like, ‘OK, I will let him by, no matter, after which I’ll simply type myself out’. Then, after all, every little thing slowed up in entrance, as a result of there have been fairly just a few automobiles. And I slowed down as effectively, as a result of I do not need to then velocity up, attempt to damage their preparation as effectively. After which I see somebody flying in my mirror, appearing like essentially the most harmful scenario simply occurred and he nearly killed himself or one thing. It was unbelievable. And we had been all on the sluggish lap. It isn’t even like somebody was on a quick lap. So yeah, after I obtained referred to as to the Stewards, it was a giant shock to me, as a result of I did not actually impede anybody. I believe additionally on the sluggish lap, all of us drive on our regular strains, as a result of we’re all making an attempt to not choose up filth anyway. It isn’t vital when everyone seems to be driving sluggish. However then, yeah, I do not know the way they got here, after all, to that conclusion. It was, after all, for me, very disappointing, as a result of, by truly making an attempt to remain out of bother, you place your self in bother. And likewise, I believe, at that time of the season, nearly the top of the season, I do not need to be combating with anybody. They arrive after me after qualifying, like, ‘why did not you damage my lap, to begin my lap? What are you doing?’ So I am like, oh, I do not need to put myself in that place. However mainly, by doing that, I put myself in that place the place I needed to be going to the Stewards. And I felt immediately after I was in there, it was not going to go wherever. So it was very bizarre.

Q: Nico, any remark from you, what you noticed?

NH: Yeah, no, I do not perceive it both. Like Max defined, in Qatar, there was a number of completely different, you already know, run profiles, folks doing all kinds of various stuff. And, you already know, it’s totally straightforward to get snarled. However we drivers know that, too and I believe we additionally must construct that in and, you already know, go away some buffer. And, yeah, I do not perceive why Max obtained a penalty there.

Q: (Albert Fabrega – ESPN) A query for Franco. A whole lot of rumours and conversations concerning your future. Are you making an attempt to remain away of every little thing or are you asking fairly often otherwise you simply give attention to the automobile and never fear about that?

FC: I’m making an attempt to remain away. I attempt to benefit from the second. In the intervening time it is my final race, so I am making an attempt to present the most effective I can for the workforce. They’ve accomplished a terrific job they usually deserve that and I nonetheless have one weekend with Williams. I am simply making an attempt to benefit from the second. After which we’ll see later after the race what occurs subsequent yr.

Q: (Diego Mejia – Fox Sports activities Mexico) Query to Max. At first of the yr, Max, Checo was in a position to be near you someway. For the reason that European season, he has struggled extra. Out of your view, why has he struggled extra? What has been his contribution to your success this yr? And is all of the criticism in opposition to him unfair?

MV: Yeah, it’s totally troublesome to pinpoint that. I imply, our automobile from the beginning, after all, has not been the best to drive. We had been nonetheless, after all, dominant to start with, however then I believe, yeah, with some upgrades on the automobile, it made it much more troublesome to drive. In fact, additionally for me, however I believe much more for Checo for his driving fashion. And yeah, when others are closing up, each little element makes an enormous distinction in outcomes or the place you qualify. As a result of when you then do not qualify effectively, you are in the course of the pack, issues can go unsuitable. And yeah, from my aspect, it’s totally troublesome to remark for him, why issues have gone the best way they’ve gone. However I can inform you that, after all, in the course of the season, particularly, our automobile has been a bit all around the store, typically fairly constructive. And once more, very troublesome. And even for us, it was simply very onerous to search out the path. And for certain, that additionally did not assist Checo generally. I imply, I’ve to say he is all the time been a terrific workforce participant, and I’ve all the time loved working with him each single Grand Prix, even after we had powerful occasions. I believe he was all the time there to try to get the absolute best outcome out of it. So for me, there’s nothing detrimental in any respect to say about him. We get on tremendous effectively. And naturally, after I see typically he is battling the outcomes, it isn’t good to see, additionally for the workforce. However I believe additionally the workforce has all the time given their absolute best and all the time tried to help him in the absolute best approach, you already know, to get the most effective out of it. However sadly, that did not all the time occur.

Q: (Nelson Valkenburg – Viaplay) For all three, if attainable, given that is the final race of the season, what is the single factor you are essentially the most happy with? And what is the factor you go into the winter in pondering, that is the factor I will enhance for subsequent yr?

NH: I want to do much less errors subsequent yr, nevertheless it’s a decent midfield, and it is all the time a really small, high quality, slim window as a result of we’re so tight. Generally it’s a must to go away the consolation zone. You must take dangers, and errors do occur very simply. And with these automobiles, when you lose it, you lose it in a giant approach typically. That is possibly one factor. And I am simply very blissful and happy with the season, what we have accomplished this yr, how we have picked ourselves up from final yr and the place we began this yr and the way we have come by. A few actually sturdy performances from everybody within the workforce. And that is been a contented, proud second.

MV: In fact, I am happy with successful the championship. However apart from that, I believe how now we have labored as a workforce and the way I’ve additionally saved myself collectively all through a troublesome interval within the season the place it was straightforward to be demotivated and quit on a number of issues. Really working tougher with the workforce, you already know, looking for options and getting on high of it or no less than understanding our bother and once more bounce again and nonetheless obtain some nice outcomes on the finish of the yr. Plus, I believe the race in Brazil. The feelings went from being tremendous upset within the morning, wanting such as you had been going to lose a number of factors within the championship and it truly changing into a correct combat, to then, after all, successful the race from P17. For me, that’s undoubtedly a race that I am very happy with in how we have dealt with every little thing. I believe all these issues collectively.

FC: I believe changing into an F1 driver for these 9 races was undoubtedly the proudest. Nonetheless a number of issues to enhance and a number of issues to be taught. In fact, 9 races will not be sufficient to reach to my peak, and I hold understanding issues each time. And each time I soar within the automobile, I am studying stuff with engineers, with the mechanics. Fortunately, everybody within the workforce has been very supportive to assist me and perceive fast many of the issues, however nonetheless an extended method to go.

Q: (Diletta Colombo – Automoto) A query for Max. Earlier than, you had been speaking in regards to the behaviour of your automobile in the course of the season, that it was a bit erratic. How troublesome was it to maintain frustration at bay and extract the utmost out of your automobile?

MV: Yeah, I imply, I believe it helped that quite a bit got here out in Hungary. And after that, yeah, we had some good chats throughout the workforce. And it by no means works, you already know, while you’re pissed off on a regular basis since you’re not going to maneuver ahead. So I believe from there onwards, you already know, we actually labored effectively collectively and really tried to essentially actively search for enhancements and options. And it was onerous to grasp at occasions, however I believe at one level we discovered a path that we needed to look into, and that is what we proceed to do.

Q: (Adam Cooper – Adam Cooper F1) I believe you made a reasonably sturdy remark to George popping out of the Stewards’ listening to on Saturday evening. And clearly you had been then very crucial of him to us. Do you’ve any regrets about something you stated to him straight or something you stated about him to us? Are you going to make any effort to speak to him this weekend or are you simply going to let this go into the winter?

MV: No. No regrets in any respect, as a result of I meant every little thing I stated. And it is nonetheless the identical. If I needed to do it once more, possibly I’d have stated much more, figuring out the end result of the race outcome. I nonetheless cannot imagine that somebody may be like that in a Stewards’ room. For me, that was so unacceptable, as a result of I imply, we’re all racing drivers. All of us have a number of respect for one another. We even play sports activities collectively. You journey collectively. And naturally, you’ve moments the place you get collectively, you crash or no matter. You are not blissful. In my complete profession, I’ve by no means skilled what I’ve skilled within the Stewards’ room in Qatar. And for me, that was actually unacceptable.

Q: (Shanna Lutgert – F1 Maximaal) I’ve a query for Max. You had been approaching the radio in the course of the Qatar race to ask for the yellow flag scenario with Lando and also you had been asking for a few updates as effectively. Have been you pushing for the stewards to take a look at that since you had been hesitant about if they might do one thing about it?

MV: It was only a regular query. I imply, I knew that I lifted, and I abruptly look within the mirror, and I noticed that the hole closed up quite a bit. So I simply requested, did he carry or not, simply to double examine. In fact, typically with yellow flags, some folks carry greater than others. And yeah, you may achieve some tens right here or there. I fortunately tried to play it protected, after which simply requested and see the end result of it.

Q: (Velimir Veljko – Avto Fokus) I’ve a query for Max. You’ve a wonderful begin to the season. Then after this collection of victories, you had a bunch of issues with automobiles, with workforce, with driving within the midfield. How do you overcome all that? The place did you discover the facility, strategies, fashion to beat this and to be again on high on the top of season prefer it was a few races earlier than?

MV: Yeah, I imply, we had a troublesome time. And the issue was that we did not actually perceive, I believe, absolutely what was the explanation behind it, as a result of all of the numbers that we noticed had been truly promising. So it is simply looking for it, making an attempt to grasp what goes unsuitable, making an attempt to enhance that stability within the automobile. And that is what now we have accomplished. And it took, after all, just a few races to get on high of. After which, after all, it’s a must to make adjustments. And in a season with a funds hole, it’s totally powerful typically additionally to calculate what you are able to do and what you can not do. Some stuff you can not change within the season. That is for subsequent yr. However I am happy with how now we have discovered options and the way now we have turn into, once more, extra aggressive.

Q: (Ronald Vording – Motorsport.com) It is one other one to Max. You stated in Singapore that the worst of the season was behind you again then, which turned out to be proper. How a lot confidence does the Qatar win provide you with for the path Crimson Bull is heading in for ‘25? As a result of Technical Director Pierre Wache informed us, ‘I am not very assured in regards to the ‘25 automobile but, as a result of when you’re assured in F1, you might be useless’ – that was his quote. Is that the mindset you’ve as effectively, that you simply’re not likely assured but in regards to the new yr’s automobile?

MV: For me, it is extra about simply all the time looking for extra efficiency. You all the time need to do higher. And naturally, there are all the time limitations with the automobile that you simply work on. And I believe this yr we discovered just a few extra limitations than final yr. So no less than it offers us extra instructions to work on for subsequent yr. And time will inform the place we’re.

Q: (Alex Kalinauckas – Autosport) One other query to Max, please. Max, I simply puzzled when you may talk about the work that you simply put in on the manufacturing unit this yr. The workforce fairly open in saying that you simply had been there greater than in earlier years. I simply puzzled, what had been you doing? How necessary did you discover it? And likewise, how happy with you? How proud you might be of that work?

MV: Yeah, I believe in ‘23, every little thing nearly glided by itself. In fact, I did my work. I went to drive on the simulator. However when the automobile is in a really good window, typically while you attempt to overstress issues, it additionally does not work while you attempt to look into too many particulars. That is anyway how I by no means operated, making an attempt to look into too many particulars, as a result of it will possibly additionally work in opposition to you. This yr was much more troublesome. Everybody was struggling to grasp, after all, for me as effectively, I did not perceive why we had been the place we had been. So simply asking questions, working collectively, taking a look at information, taking a look at evaluation that got here up after each single race we are able to. And naturally, I am not the engineer, I am not going to inform them the best way to design a ground or no matter, a suspension. However I can ask questions, after which we talk about, and we undergo what we are able to see from the info of the observe, wind tunnels, CFD, all this stuff, simulator. And with all of the good heads within the workforce, you sit collectively and also you simply have an open dialogue about issues. And I clarify my difficulties with the automobile. In fact, we do it right here as effectively. We’re speaking and we’re speaking again to the manufacturing unit. But it surely’s not eye to eye with everybody. And that is why I believe typically it is essential to have everybody collectively in the identical room.

Q: (Ben Hunt – Autosport) Sorry, one other one for Max. I’ve obtained to ask, however what’s it that George did in that assembly that angered you a lot? And is it barely conflicting the truth that he is director of the GPDA as effectively?

MV: No, it has nothing to do with him being the director of the GPDA. I simply by no means anticipated somebody to essentially try to actively get somebody a penalty that badly and mendacity about why I used to be doing what I used to be doing. However clearly, it had an affect to them. Yeah, it was simply actually not good and really very stunning what was happening there.

Q: (Rodrigo França – Automotive Journal Brazil) Query to Max, however Franco and Nico can remark as effectively. Relating to to 2025, the principles will not change slightly way more. However for 2026, there will likely be slightly revolution on F1 guidelines. As a driver, the driving force’s perspective, do you want what F1 is doing for the brand new automobile?

MV: I am within the center. I imply, time will inform. I do not know if it may be good. I do not know if it may be unhealthy. I simply, it is not possible to say now that, you already know, the end result of it. I simply wait and see till now we have the actual automobile. After which, you already know, you may decide a bit higher if it is constructive or not.

NH: Yeah, it is not possible to inform now. , it’s a must to drive the automobile to grasp it, to really feel it, to essentially know what is going on on. So simply from paper, it is not possible to inform for us proper now.

FC: Yeah, similar. There’s, I believe, so many issues and components nonetheless to be developed and the groups have to grasp many issues. So, yeah, a very long time to know but.