Firman aims to make steady race return
Jordan's Ralph Firman admits he has a steep learning curve to climb in this weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza, after missing last week's test due to the aftereffects of his horrendous Hungaroring practice smash
Firman, who suffered a badly bruised heel in the crash, was forced to skip the Hungarian GP, where he was replaced by test driver Zsolt Baumgartner. Ralph hopes to make an impact of an altogether more positive kind at Monza.
"After the disappointment of missing last week's test, I will have a lot of work to do to learn the circuit on Friday morning," said Firman. "But I'm really looking forward to it because Monza is such a famous venue and a quick track, which I like. I know it's a very important weekend for the team, coming on the fourth anniversary of their win here, and also for Giancarlo on home ground. But for myself I just want to put in a solid performance, qualify and finish as well as possible and it would be just great to score a point or two at this critical part of the season."
Baumgartner will again join the team at Monza, where he will take part in the two-hour test on Friday morning. Despite Firman's absence from last week's test, the team still managed to accrue over 1,000km with Formula 3000 champion Bjorn Wirdheim also driving for the Silverstone-based squad.
Verstappen v Hamilton: Who was at fault?
Formula 1: Sprint Qualifying analysis
The ‘screaming’ F1 engine future that may not be out of reach
OPINION: It wasn't just the Verstappen/Hamilton clash that had the Red Bull and Mercedes bosses at loggerheads at Silverstone, with the nature of Formula 1's 2025 engines also subject for disagreement. But hopes to have loud, emotive engines that are also environmentally friendly don't have to be opposed
The drivers that need to strike gold before F1's summer break
OPINION: Formula 1 is about to break up for summer 2021, with the title battles finely poised. But it’s not just the latest round of Max Verstappen vs Lewis Hamilton that will be worth watching this weekend in Hungary, as plenty of drivers are eying big results to change the stories of their seasons so far
How Lotus F1 uncovered, then squandered its last ‘unfair advantage’
Cast in the mould of its founder Colin Chapman, Lotus was powerful and daring but flawed – as it proved through further soaring peaks and painful troughs into the 1980s. DAMIEN SMITH examines a game-changing era
The core problems Yas Marina’s long-awaited tweaks won't address
OPINION: Changes to the layout of Abu Dhabi’s circuit aim to reverse the trend of insipid Formula 1 races there - the promoter has even described one of the new corners as “iconic”. And that, argues STUART CODLING, is one of this venue’s abiding failings
How Ferrari offered Britain's next F1 prospect what Red Bull couldn't
Last year's Formula 2 runner-up Callum Ilott could be on his way to becoming the first Briton to contest a grand prix in an Alfa Romeo since Reg Parnell in 1950. But, says OLEG KARPOV, the Ferrari Driver Academy protege is having to temper his ambition at the moment – outwardly at least…
The signs that point to F1's rude health
OPINION: Formula 1's calendar might still be facing disruption as the pandemic affects travel but, says MARK GALLAGHER, the business itself is fundamentally strong thanks to the epic rivalry taking place on track and the consistent arrival of new sponsors
The unexpected benefit of F1’s sprint race repeat
OPINION: Formula 1's sprint race trial at Silverstone drew mixed feedback on Saturday, but there remained the true test of how it would impact Sunday's Grand Prix. While fans were busy marvelling at Fernando Alonso's progress, a key lesson was being learned that would directly contribute to the dramatic lap one clash at Copse the following day
The off-track considerations that led to F1’s Hamilton/Verstappen Silverstone shunt
OPINION: Formula 1’s 2021 title fight turned ugly last weekend when Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton collided at the start of the British Grand Prix. Verstappen thankfully walked away unharmed, but this had been a clash long-since coming
