F1 Gossip: Haas sees 'greater potential' in wide sidepod design

- Speaking to German publication AMuS, Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner said that the team trialled the slimmer sidepod concept in the wind tunnel but opted for a wider design after seeing ‘greater potential’.

He said: “This exact concept was our first design. We had it in the wind tunnel last July, and we already noticed there that it gives advantages in slow corners. But as an overall package, we saw greater potential in wide sidepods.”

- Toto Wolff has shed light on a heated discussion with Lewis Hamilton at his home in 2016 improved their relationship.

He told The Times: “We kind of went into this discussion at loggerheads and then, after four or five hours in the kitchen, we found ourselves on a totally different level. A purely business-related relationship had become a personal relationship. He’s a friend.

 “That doesn’t mean we don’t argue anymore but now, Lewis’s success is the team’s success, and the team’s success is Lewis’s success.”

- In the same interview, Wolff opened up about his own mental health issues.

“High profile people who seem to have everything but are struggling, I think we have an obligation to say we’re getting help and it’s ok to get help,” he added. “I’ve been going to a psychiatrist since 2004. I think I’ve had more than 500 hours [of therapy]. I have suffered mentally and I still do.

“Getting help is a way of overcoming my problems and it has helped me to access untapped potential. I’ve never had a problem with the stigma.

“Some of the most successful people are very, very sensitive, and very, very sensitive means very, very vulnerable.”

- F1 will continue to have three DRS zones in Bahrain for this weekend’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix. (RaceFans)

- F1 returnee Kevin Magnussen has admitted that his ‘biggest worry’ on his return to the sport is finishing the first race at Sakhir.

In an interview on Haas’ website, he said: “Our objectives for this weekend are – first of all with these new cars - my biggest worry is not finishing the race. I think it’s important to get off to a solid start rather than an explosive one.” 

- Pierre Gasly expects there to be surprises in F1 2022 but the top teams to keep their advantage. (RacingNews365).