Nico Hülkenberg: The balance of power could still change

Nico Hülkenberg: The balance of power could still change

      Sauber drivers put in a decent sprint qualifying and hope for further progress over the course of the weekend…

      Gabriel Bortoleto (13th): “We did well, although there’s a feeling we could have got more out of the car. On the first run in the second session there wasn’t enough grip, but after a quick stop in the pits for fine-tuning the second attempt was better.

      It’s a bit frustrating that I didn’t make the final — I was short by just one and a half tenths, but in this sport everything is decided by fractions of a second.

      As for tomorrow’s sprint, we know that overtaking here isn’t easy. We’ll keep fighting, try to get through the sprint cleanly, and then the qualifying.”

      Nico Hülkenberg (14th): “I’m happy with the car, the grip was good — I made it through to the second part without problems, where on the final attempt I overdid it and ran off the track. Judging by the telemetry, on that lap I could have made the final.

      We’ll try to deliver the best possible result in the sprint, but our main focus will be on qualifying — the team will tweak the setup and the balance of power could change.”

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Photo gallery: 28/11. Qatar Grand Prix, Friday Photo gallery: 28/11. Qatar Grand Prix, Friday © Editorial Office of F1News.Ru 1997–2025. Mass media registration certificate El. No. FS77-29173. Registered with the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media. "That truly took me by surprise." Dr. Helmut Marko has cast doubt on the unexpected decision to appoint Adrian Newey as Aston Martin's next team principal, while Fernando Alonso asserts that the renowned designer had already been acting as a de-facto leader behind the scenes. In an interview with Kleine Zeitung, Marko, a close former colleague of Newey at Red Bull, expressed his astonishment. "That truly took me by surprise," he remarked. "We'll have to see how that unfolds in practice." Marko cautioned that the new position entails greater involvement in race weekend operations and management—an area he believes is not Newey's strongest attribute. "That is certainly not his strength," he stated. "His major strengths lie in design, car setup, and the quality of production and development. It has greatly surprised me that he will now be transitioning more toward team management." In contrast, Alonso staunchly supported the decision, claiming that Newey had already been functioning as a leader. Speaking to AS newspaper in Qatar, he said, "He was already at the forefront of the technical development of the car and the team, pinpointing the necessary personnel and areas needing improvement. Internally, he was conducting a lot of management, while Andy was managing engine integration with the chassis." The Spaniard emphasized the importance of Newey's leadership given the team's rapid evolution. "This team is still quite young," he remarked. "We need guidance from leaders like Adrian. We have the two most successful figures in the history of the sport—Adrian Newey and Andy Cowell." According to Alonso, the new title merely formalizes what had already been occurring. "He was somewhat of a behind-the-scenes leader," he noted. "He would have been in charge of everything even without the official 'team principal' designation. With Cowell concentrating more on the engine, fuel, and Honda, everyone is effectively in their role." Alonso did express hope that Newey would still have adequate time to focus on his evident strength—design. "The role of team principal is different these days—media, sponsors, commitments," he said. "I hope Adrian won’t have to take on all those responsibilities and can focus on the crucial aspects." Christian Horner had been considered for the position before Newey's appointment, with reports suggesting that Newey even took his former Red Bull boss on a tour of the Silverstone factory last week. Ultimately, Lawrence Stroll did not extend an offer to him. "I don’t think we need any additional people in leadership," Alonso concluded. "But that’s not my responsibility." "That truly took me by surprise." Dr. Helmut Marko has cast doubt on the unexpected decision to appoint Adrian Newey as Aston Martin's next team principal, while Fernando Alonso asserts that the renowned designer had already been acting as a de-facto leader behind the scenes. In an interview with Kleine Zeitung, Marko, a close former colleague of Newey at Red Bull, expressed his astonishment. "That truly took me by surprise," he remarked. "We'll have to see how that unfolds in practice." Marko cautioned that the new position entails greater involvement in race weekend operations and management—an area he believes is not Newey's strongest attribute. "That is certainly not his strength," he stated. "His major strengths lie in design, car setup, and the quality of production and development. It has greatly surprised me that he will now be transitioning more toward team management." In contrast, Alonso staunchly supported the decision, claiming that Newey had already been functioning as a leader. Speaking to AS newspaper in Qatar, he said, "He was already at the forefront of the technical development of the car and the team, pinpointing the necessary personnel and areas needing improvement. Internally, he was conducting a lot of management, while Andy was managing engine integration with the chassis." The Spaniard emphasized the importance of Newey's leadership given the team's rapid evolution. "This team is still quite young," he remarked. "We need guidance from leaders like Adrian. We have the two most successful figures in the history of the sport—Adrian Newey and Andy Cowell." According to Alonso, the new title merely formalizes what had already been occurring. "He was somewhat of a behind-the-scenes leader," he noted. "He would have been in charge of everything even without the official 'team principal' designation. With Cowell concentrating more on the engine, fuel, and Honda, everyone is effectively in their role." Alonso did express hope that Newey would still have adequate time to focus on his evident strength—design. "The role of team principal is different these days—media, sponsors, commitments," he said. "I hope Adrian won’t have to take on all those responsibilities and can focus on the crucial aspects." Christian Horner had been considered for the position before Newey's appointment, with reports suggesting that Newey even took his former Red Bull boss on a tour of the Silverstone factory last week. Ultimately, Lawrence Stroll did not extend an offer to him. "I don’t think we need any additional people in leadership," Alonso concluded. "But that’s not my responsibility." Formula 1 | Isack Hadjar states that he has no delusions about what lies ahead if, as anticipated, he is elevated to Red Bull to partner with Max Verstappen for (…) Oscar Piastri: We're in great form this weekend. Oscar Piastri: We're in great form this weekend. Oscar Piastri posted the fastest time in sprint qualifying in Qatar and will start Saturday's sprint from pole for the second time this season. Only nine people can now visit Michael Schumacher. Only nine people can now visit Michael Schumacher. We have already reported that an appeal trial has begun in Wuppertal, Germany, in the case concerning the blackmail of Michael Schumacher's family. The driver's wife, Corinna, drew conclusions from this unpleasant episode and has limited the number of people who can visit the seven-time world champion. McLaren's Stella advocates for a review of the floor disqualification rule. McLaren's Stella advocates for a review of the floor disqualification rule. 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Nico Hülkenberg: The balance of power could still change

The Sauber drivers had a decent sprint qualifying and hope for further progress as the weekend unfolds…