Fast Five: Albon reflects on a traumatic return to Monza, aerodynamic decisions at the ‘Temple of Speed', and other big updates

Albon reflects on a traumatic return to Monza

Alex Albon discussed his return to Monza after a health scare, recalling his PTSD-like feelings from last year and expressing optimism about the car's competitiveness this season. He also praised James Vowles' impact on the team, anticipating bigger changes in the future, and acknowledged the challenges of a long F1 career, emphasizing the need for generational talent to race at 40.

Click here to read the full article on williamsf1.com

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Aerodynamic decisions at the ‘Temple of Speed’

Monza is a unique and challenging race due to its long straights and minimal corners, requiring Formula 1 teams to reduce downforce for higher speeds. Teams adjust aerodynamics by reducing wing angles, focusing on minimizing drag and experimenting with different configurations during practice sessions. Red Bull stands out for maintaining its efficient aerodynamic package, while other teams like McLaren, Aston Martin, Haas, Alfa Romeo, and Williams make various wing design choices based on their strengths and weaknesses. The front wings are also modified to decrease drag and enhance outwash effects, with Red Bull showcasing impressive aero efficiency.

Click here to read the full article by Uros Radovanovic (planetf1.com)

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FP1 session sees tight competition

Max Verstappen led the first practice session of the Italian Grand Prix in Formula 1 with a time of 1:22.657, narrowly ahead of Carlos Sainz. Teams had fewer tire sets, making for different strategies. The top five used Hard tires, while Fernando Alonso on Mediums and Lando Norris on Softs stood out. Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu faced issues, finishing 15th and 20th, while Felipe Drugovich replaced Lance Stroll for Aston Martin, ending up 18th.

Click here to read the full article by Phillip Horton (motorsportweek.com)

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Verstappen talks F1 on Bloomberg

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Red Bull's Max Verstappen joined Bloomberg Surveillance to delve into various Formula 1 subjects. He discussed his team's dominance in the sport, the weekend's race in Monza, his driving style, and his record-tying win streak. He admitted that he hadn't anticipated his current success and expressed his desire to continue winning, suggesting that retiring at the age of 28 might be too soon.

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Lando and Oscar 'take the cake'

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It's McLaren's 60th birthday, so what better way to mark the occasion than having McLaren's own Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri try their hand at cake decorating? See whether Oscar is the better baker, or if Lando learned a thing or two from his sister who’s regularly baking delicious treats.