In the round-up: Alexander Albon described the performance of Pirelli’s tyres last weekend as “painful” after Formula 1’s official tyre supplier increased the minimum front pressures to 27psi for the race.
In brief
Albon unimpressed with high tyre pressures
Albon said “struggling” was “the most diplomatic word to use” when describing how Pirelli’s tyres coped with the Shanghai International Circuit. “They obviously increased the Pirelli minimum tyre pressures again last night,” he told the official F1 channel. “The tyres last literally four corners out of the pit lane. You feel really good through two, three and then they’re gone again.”
The Williams driver said the increase in front tyre pressure, which Pirelli has previously imposed on safety grounds, forced them to increase their front wing angles during the race.
“It’s so high that it’s literally just tearing the tyre up. And ‘safety, safety’ but it’s painful. Anyway, that’s same for everyone.
“We’re putting so much flap in the car, normally you take out flap for a race car, but you’ve just got to keep it in and try and deal with with the oversteer.”
“Pretty clear” Magnussen to blame for collision – Tsunoda
Kevin Magnussen was given two penalty points on his licence for causing a collision with Yuki Tsunoda which ended the RB driver’s race. The pair tangled at turn six following the first restart.
“Car 20 [Magnussen] dived into the corner, braked late and collided with car 22 at the exit of the corner,” the stewards ruled. “We found that car 20 was predominantly to blame for the collision.”
Tsunoda said: “It’s pretty clear that he clips my rear and he just touch into me, so I couldn’t do anything. I didn’t have much space outside. It’s pretty clear.”
Magnussen is now on five penalty points for the current 12-month period.
Alpine fined after car knocks mechanic down
Alpine were fined €10,000 (£8,626) after one of their mechanics was knocked to the ground by Pierre Gasly’s car during a pit stop.
The stewards ruled Gasly was not at fault, and was incorrectly given the signal to leave after the team’s systems failed to detect the right-rear wheel had not been properly fitted. Gasly stopped the car immediately after the team realised its error and switched its gantry light back from green to red.
“We determined that the team was wholly responsible for what transpired,” the stewards ruled. “We accordingly imposed a fine of €10,000 for not ensuring that the car complied with the conditions of eligibility and safety during the race.”
The mechanic’s injuries were light and he was able to continue his work during the race. “Thankfully nobody was hurt and we will investigate the reasons to avoid such incidents in future,” said team principal Bruno Famin.
Fake Ferrari in F4
Zhou Guanyu may have been the crowd favourite at the Chinese Grand Prix but one Formula 4 driver competing on the support bill showed his enthusiasm for Ferrari with this livery on his Mygale. The F1 team did not respond when asked whether they approved of Wang Yi’s design.
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Social media
Notable posts from X (formerly Twitter), TikTok and more:
Blunder at @McLarenF1 – @LandoNorris fails to drive to the grid and pulls into the pits instead. Race engineer Will Joseph apologises for failing to remind him what was the right place to go.#F1 #ChineseGP #RaceFans
— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) April 21, 2024
If you struggle to tell the two Aston Martins apart, even with the vast disparity in their track positions, Stroll’s is the one where you can still hear a whine after they switch the engine off.
— Stuart Codling (@CoddersF1) April 21, 2024
#Honda has brought an #IndyCar part update to Long Beach – it worked brilliantly at a recent Sebring test – which helps explain its ace qualifying here after a tough St Petersburg opener vs Chevrolet. Not all its cars have it yet, Honda is working on rolling it out ASAP
— Jack Benyon (@jackbenyon) April 21, 2024
I asked Michael Andretti — who confirmed he’s had a meeting with FOM and another planned for Miami — if he’s spoken to any antitrust lawyers and his answer was a simple smile.
— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) April 20, 2024
Every single day, photo & video gear has been swiped from INSIDE @GPLongBeach media center. That means they’re credentialing thrives or random fans are getting in & stealing stuff. Either way. Not good. Get us some security. We shouldn’t have to fear for our gear to cover this.
— jameypricephoto (@jameypricephoto) April 21, 2024
Caught off guard with the stack up on the start and I take full responsibility for destroying Alex’s race along with mine. Unacceptable from my side. I owe you all a beer @ArrowMcLaren @AlexanderRossi
— Pato O’Ward (@PatricioOWard) April 21, 2024
Legendary drive for the winning Long Beach by @scottdixon9!! Masterclass
— Ryan Briscoe (@Ryan_Briscoe) April 21, 2024
Will someone please teach the world’s television directors to notice when one driver has a run on the car ahead so they don’t cut away when, for example, first-time #IndyCar race starter @TPourchaire is just about to pass six-times champion @scottdixon9…#IndyCar
— Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) April 21, 2024
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Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Fixy, Kaylee911, Tracy Brockman, Tracy and Thomas Krol!
