Mercedes made ‘concerted campaign to discredit’ Verstappen’s title win

In short

Mercedes tried to “discredit” Verstappen as champion – Horner

Horner insisted Mercedes made a strategic error by failing to pit Lewis Hamilton when the Security Automobile interval started within the title-deciding race, despite the fact that doing so would have given Purple Bull the chance to get Verstappen forward of his rival and right into a championship-winning place.

Mercedes’ criticism of the dealing with of the restart by FIA Method 1 race director Michael Masi was a “smokescreen” to deflect from their technique, added Horner, who denied the official had didn’t comply with the principles appropriately.

Horner additionally drew consideration to Hamilton and Mercedes group principal Toto Wolff’s determination to not attend the official FIA prizegiving ceremony, as a substitute selecting to ship the group’s technical director James Allison to gather their constructors championship trophy.

“There was a concerted marketing campaign by our rivals to discredit our achievement, even to the purpose of the FIA prize-giving, and it’s a tactic that has been employed by Mercedes in different championships as effectively,” Horner told the Daily Mail. “As for the concept that the consequence was influenced by the necessity for leisure over sport, I don’t agree with that, both.”

‘I don’t really feel like I’ve been away’ – Magnussen

Haas driver Kevin Magnussen stated he’s picked up the place he left off in F1 after his return following a 12 months away.

“It’s definitely been enjoyable driving all these completely different vehicles final 12 months, I had a good time,” he stated. “I feel Le Mans with my dad, that was super-cool, though we had a shitty race.”

He stated he “simply felt very snug” when he received again into an F1 automobile for the primary time on Friday. “It simply felt like one other low season had gone. I didn’t really feel like I’ve been away for a complete 12 months. It felt advantageous.”

Being primary is a lift, not a burden – Vettel

Turning into world champion received’t place added strain on Verstappen in line with Sebastian Vettel, the final driver to win the title with Purple Bull.

“It’s a very long time in the past for me,” he stated, “however from what I keep in mind I feel it’s a lift. It takes loads of weight, in a means, off your shoulders.

“It’s an important feeling to begin the season as world champion. You have got the primary in your automobile, so it’s a privilege. I feel we might all prefer to be in that place. It could actually solely be one in all us.

“I didn’t see it as an additional burden. If something, it was a lift. So I feel he’ll most likely really feel the identical. However then all people’s completely different.”

Hyperlinks

Motor racing hyperlinks of curiosity:

Andretti supportive of Herta/McLaren F1 deal (Racer)

“I feel it’s actually vital for the packages that we’re engaged on, clearly, and so McLaren was adequate to get him some miles within the automobile, which I feel it’d be actually good for him, plus it helps getting factors in the direction of his superlicence.”

Wolff: I had a frosty relationship with Hamilton… until a long chat in my kitchen (The Times – subscription required)

“Had they sought the elimination of the race director Michael Masi as a situation for his or her acceptance of the consequence? ‘You may’t do this type of deal within the modern-day and age. Us not interesting was extra as a result of we thought that it could go on ceaselessly, find yourself within the Worldwide Courtroom of Enchantment and never be good for the game.'”

Vic Elford: 1935–2022 (Daily Sportscar)

“In a stellar profession Vic raced In Method 1, NASCAR, Can-Am, street and stage rallies, he received the primary ever rallycross occasion and, after all there have been an enormous variety of sportscar racing adventures together with two class wins (in eight begins) at Le Mans, a well-known Targa Florio win in 1968, having already received the Daytona 24 Hours and the Monte-Carlo Rally within the earlier 12 months, the Daytona win Porsche’s first ever total win in a 24 Hour race.”

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Completely happy birthday!

Completely happy birthday to Patrickl and Chapmankillie!