Dear readers,
when we last night in Formula 1 live stream on the Formel1.de YouTube channel After analyzing the race in Baku, I thought that this time Günther Steiner could actually be a hot candidate for having slept badly last night, at least in the figurative sense of this column.
Because I like to tell stories on Monday morning after Formula 1, and on Sunday there was an interview with the Haas team boss at the Sky colleagues in the pre-race report, which was definitely worth seeing.
It all started at RTL. After Monaco, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff announced that he would not criticize Mick Schumacher, but rather encourage him to drive freely, even if it should crash again. grist to the mills of those who find Steiner’s leadership too harsh and conservative.
Interesting interview in the pre-reporting on Sky
Sky provoked the South Tyrolean with an opinion-heavy post (which is perfectly fine!) and then with a no less opinion-heavy one Interviewled by my colleague Peter Hardenacke.
That was great cinema, the likes of which you rarely see on German Formula 1 TV. Hardenacke did not succumb to the instinct widespread in media circles of always wanting to be as neutral and accommodating as possible, but instead tickled Steiner’s exactly the right trigger points with exactly the right questions.
Emotional Steiner complains about ”division from outside”
Haas team boss Günther Steiner reigns suspiciously on the Sky microphone about the situation surrounding Mick Schumacher and senses too much media influence.
I don’t think we journalists work for the applause of some snobby media critic, but for our readers or viewers. If that means that you have to let your opinion flow into the question in order to elicit passionate and honest answers from the interviewee, then so be it!
Incidentally, this sometimes leads to misunderstandings if you tease the interviewee with points of view that you might not even represent as a journalist. The next shit storm is not far away. Then you have to endure it. In any case, I think Peter Hardenacke did a great job. Would like more of that! (AD: All races live without commercial breaks – exclusively on Sky.)
So, who really slept the worst?
It seemed to me that Günther Steiner didn’t sleep well because of this interview. I personally feel great sympathy for his slightly annoyed answers. Yes, of course we media with our polarization play a role in the fact that the pressure on Mick Schumacher is growing. And it’s also clear that he can lead his team the way he wants to lead it. Basta.
Especially since there is another candidate who, depending on the degree of his problems, could not have closed his eyes last night: Mattia Binotto. He slept much worse than Helmut Marko, today in the leading role of Sister column “Who slept best last night” on Motorsport.com Germany. And at Binotto we’re not just talking about interviews.
Two out of four failures because of the power unit
There were four failures at the 2022 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and all four affected cars were stuck Ferrari-Drive.
We break it down: With Carlos Sainz it was the hydraulics that ultimately disabled the “brake by wire” electronic braking system. In the case of Guanyu Zhou, it is not yet clear what caused the defect and cost the Chinese a great result. According to Binotto, however, the defect was on the part of Alfa Romeo and not Ferrari.
So that leaves Charles Leclerc and Kevin Magnussen. In the case of Magnussen, the situation was not entirely clear at first. He was told to please park the car. Today we know: It was the power unit. And at Leclerc, the smoke pouring out of the radiator openings spoke a clear language.
Inspection of the engines on Monday in Maranello
When Binotto sat in front of a webcam on Sunday evening to explain to us journalists via zoom what had just happened, he seemed surprisingly composed. He has not yet been able to present clear answers in relation to the defects. The engines will be disassembled today in Maranello. Only then do you get results.
But one thing is clear: As strong as the Ferrari power in Formula 1 2022 may be, the problems with reliability are gradually piling up. On the one hand, this is a problem because of the points that have already been lost. On the other hand, however, also because of the ever more concrete threat of grid penalties.
Leclerc was already on the third turbocharger in Baku. With the next change, the starting grid will drop ten positions. Max Verstappen, on the other hand, shines in ours Engine Penalty Overview no cell orange on yet. Advantage Red Bull.
The old story: It’s always about the overall package
Binotto himself addressed something on Sunday that could cost Ferrari the 2022 world title. Yes, you have a fast car, especially in qualifying – there’s no question about that.
But: The 360-degree performance, i.e. the entirety of the team’s performance, has so far been error-prone, says the Italian himself.
Race analysis Baku: This is not how Ferrari becomes world champion!
How did one Ferrari engine after another give up the ghost in Baku? And was that a preliminary decision in the World Cup? More Formula 1 videos
Baku was a good example of this. It started right at the start, where Leclerc needed 0.011 seconds longer to sprint from zero to 100 km/h than Sergio Perez and was therefore unable to use pole position. Then there are sometimes too long waiting times at the pit stops. And finally the technical problems with reliability, which incidentally make Ferrari more and more of a one-man team when it comes to really realistic chances of the World Championship.
Red Bull: Arrived in the 2022 season
Yes, Red Bull made mistakes this year too. But Verstappen and his team seem confident after a nervous start this season. I am convinced that Red Bull will not leave much behind. And then you need an absolutely flawless Scuderia Ferrari at the highest level of performance to become world champion.
I’m afraid I don’t see that. Not this year.
By the way: Im Discussion forum on Motorsport-Total.com I will comment on user contributions to this column that have been written up to then this evening and, above all, answer any questions from forum members.
Euer
A notice: It is in the nature of things that this column reflects my subjective perception. If you have a different opinion, you are welcome to discuss it with me, namely on my Facebook page “Formula 1 inside with Christian Nimmervoll”. There is not primarily “breaking news” from the Grand Prix circus, but above all strictly subjective and sometimes quite biting classifications of the most important developments behind the scenes.
