F1 revitalizes its press conferences
Starting this weekend at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, F1 will be changing its press conference process in order to renew itself.
The Formula 1 Grand Prix start, at least in terms of media coverage, as early as Thursday, with the exception of the Monaco Grand Prix, which holds its press conference on Wednesday. It is then an opportunity for F1 fans to get information, details, and anecdotes from the drivers through journalists’ questions. Moreover, since the beginning of the Covid-19 epidemic, the FIA – International Automobile Federation – ensures that all drivers are invited and present at the press conferences, unlike in previous seasons where only three drivers were invited. They then appear in pairs as teammates, the order being established based on the previous year’s constructor standings, in a descending manner. This has allowed to gather insights from all drivers, or at least almost all, during each Grand Prix and thus achieve a certain proximity, even though journalists are unable to go to the paddock.
Nevertheless, with the repetition of these conferences and driver combinations, the subjects were starting to go around in circles; ultimately no longer delivering their informational contributions.
Formula 1 has decided to implement new driver pairings for press conferences starting this weekend at Imola – in random pairs. The only exception to the rule for this weekend concerns AlphaTauri, where their two drivers will appear together.
Motors Inside was able to speak with a representative of the FIA, revealing more about this new feature for press conferences.
« Indeed, since last year we invite all drivers to the press conference on Thursday because journalists no longer have access to the paddock. Drivers were called in pairs by team last season.
This year, the FIA has decided to change the pairs of drivers at each Grand Prix in order to liven up the exchanges with the press as well as the interactions between the drivers themselves.
It should also be noted that this year the FIA is inviting local children, the FIA Formula 1 Future Stars, to ask a question during the Thursday press conference as we no longer have the opportunity to invite these children onto the grid during the national anthems as in the past.
« Energize exchanges with the press as well as interactions between drivers themselves »
As a result, you will find in this order, from this Thursday at 2pm, questions for the following duos:
| Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) | Sergio Perez (Red Bull) | |
| Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) | George Russell (Williams | |
| Kimi Räikkönen (Alfa Romeo) | Nikita Mazepin (Haas) | |
| Esteban Ocon (Alpine) | Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) | |
| Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo) | Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) | |
| Mick Schumacher (Haas) | Max Verstappen (Red Bull) | |
| Fernando Alonso (Alpine) | Lando Norris (McLaren) | |
| Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) | Nicholas Latifi (Williams | |
| Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin) | Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) | |
| Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) | Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) |
Although Thursday is dedicated to the drivers, Friday focuses on team managers, engine suppliers, and tire manufacturers. This moment is at least as anticipated as Thursday’s conference, as they can provide detailed information on technical matters.
For this Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix 2021, two trios will be invited:
- Franz Tost (AlphaTauri)
- Mattia Binotto (Ferrari) (Haas)
- Günther Steiner (Haas)
- Frédéric Vasseur (Alfa Romeo)
- Otmar Szafnauer (Aston Martin)
- Mario Isola (Pirelli)
The future will tell us if this new press conference program will achieve its objectives. We will be able to form a first opinion as early as this weekend at Imola.
