FIA Thursday press conference – Qatar

PART ONE – Charles LECLERC (Ferrari), Pierre GASLY (Alpine), Fernando ALONSO (Aston Martin)

Q: Charles, perhaps we could start with you. Very good to see you. Now, you cut a frustrated figure after the race in Las Vegas at the weekend. What were your main frustrations?

Charles LECLERC: I don't want to go back to what happened in Vegas. Yeah, I mean, last two races of the season and we need to do absolutely everything in order to get that Constructors' Championship. That's all that matters. And whatever happened in Vegas, we discussed about it and we are all good, which is the most important thing. I had no doubts about that because we've always had a really good relationship with Carlos and we've had races where sometimes things don't go exactly the way we want, but the most important thing is that we discuss about it and we go forward. It's very clear for both of us that we just want to win the Constructors’ and it's by working as a team that we'll achieve that. And I'm sure that there won't be any problems with it.

Q: Just to clarify, so you and Carlos have cleared the air since then?

CL: Exactly.

Q: Alright. Well, let's talk a little bit more about this battle in the Constructors' Championship. You are 24 points behind McLaren. There are 103 still on the table. How do you see these next two races in terms of competitiveness from your point of view?

CL: I think that realistically here, it's going to be a bit more of a difficult weekend. However, it's a Sprint weekend as well. And if we do things really right from the first few laps and the car is in the right place from the first laps in FP1, it can make a big difference and much bigger than any of the car characteristics we may have seen or anticipate for the weekend. So I think that on paper it doesn't seem like it's going to be our strongest track. However, things can still turn our way and we are super motivated to prove us wrong.

Q: Irrespective of what happens in the Constructors' Championship or indeed the Drivers' Championship, because you can still finish P2, how will you look back on the 2024 season?

CL: I think if we compare this one to the previous years, we've done a good job in maximising the points and minimising the loss in races where we have struggled as a team. And that's a really positive thing, which I think in the past wasn't necessarily the case. I think, as a team, we were a lot more vulnerable to what was happening around the team and it was making us going a bit up and down, emotionally speaking, and now we are a lot more solid. That doesn't mean that it's good enough yet because obviously, as a matter of fact, we've lost the Drivers' Championship last weekend, or even before, but we are a more solid team and we are going in the right direction. So I think it's been a positive season and we are going into the right direction.

Q: Alright. Charles, thank you for that. Pierre, let's come to you now. Disappointing end in Vegas, but let's look at the positives, that brilliant P3 on the grid. Do you and the team understand where that performance came from now?

Pierre GASLY: Yeah, it was a pretty nice qualifying. I think, overall, the last few weekends have been… We've been in a better shape since Austin. We brought some new parts, we've managed to get to Q3 the last four weekends and it seems like we found quite a nice flow. I think in Vegas we just made the best out of the conditions. It was quite tricky, street track, very cold. Got in a nice place with the car. And when we got to Q3, we had a single lap, but we really managed to put everything to it. And yeah, it put us in a great place. So it was a great achievement, especially looking back at Bahrain, first race of the year, I lined up in 20th, you know. We were absolutely nowhere. So when you look at all the evolution and development, it definitely shows we're heading in the right direction and it's definitely positive.

Q: And what about this weekend? Because it's a quick track, it's a smooth track and you qualified very well here last year. Are you coming here with a lot of confidence?

PG: Yeah, I think we can be confident. We are in the fight for sixth in the championship. We know the target. We know who we're fighting. Haas and AlphaTauri (sic) are also competitive. They've shown to be in that top ten most of the last few races. And it's going to be a tight fight, but I expect an exciting one. So I'm sure we'll be in the mix. And I'm looking forward to these last two weekends.

Q: And Pierre, you made reference there to the improvements you've made to the car since Bahrain. But can we get your thoughts on 2024 as a whole from a team perspective? Because it's been one of transition, isn't it? There's been staff movements and you're changing teammates and all these things. How do you reflect on the last 12 months as a whole?

PG: I would say it was a very disappointing start of the season. We expected it. We had a rough winter, didn't manage to get the car in the place we wanted to start in Bahrain. But once you get the tools you have at the start of the year, you've got to work your best way with it. And I must have been very impressed with the team in the way they've managed to turn things around. The understanding, spotting where [are] the limitations of the car, finding solutions to it. And I must say I'm definitely more confident than ever into going to ‘25 with a clear idea of where we're heading, the changes we're going to make. I definitely believe the car is going to be in a much better place to start with. And yeah, it just brings confidence to all of us. So there have been a lot of changes. I think a lot of positive changes internally, which are not very obvious from the outside. But I think we're shaping up a much better team start of ‘25 compared to where we were a couple of months ago.

Q: So the foundations are now in place for you to move forward?

PG: Yeah, I mean, there's still big, big work ahead. You know, like looking at the top four, it still feels like they are in a different league, especially come race day. But yeah, it will be definitely starting, hoping, to close that gap and hopefully see us able to fight more consistently in the top ten and hopefully in the top five on some occasions.

Q: OK, Pierre, thank you for that. Fernando, let's come to you. Talking of building foundations, something you said before the summer break was that you wanted to use the second half of 2024 to put the foundations in place for a better ‘25. Do you feel you've done that?

Fernando ALONSO: Yeah, it goes up and down for everybody. Difficult to be sure of that, but I think we didn’t manage to improve the car much throughout the season. So we started quite strong, but we are now in a position that we're struggling to be in Q3 on some occasions. But yeah, at the same time, all those difficulties, I think, probably are teaching us a lot of lessons, which we will apply into next year's car. And that will be probably the biggest positive aspect of the second part of the year, you know, that even if we didn't succeed in putting much performance on the car, I think it's well understood what we are struggling with at the moment. So that will be applying in 2025.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit more about the struggles? Because you've had a pretty rough ride of it since Singapore, haven't you?

FA: Yeah, I think even before that, I think Baku and Singapore were just good Sundays, thanks to a good qualifyings on Saturday, street circuits, we maximised, I think, the opportunities there. And some of our rivals, you know, maybe didn't perform to perfection there. So, yeah, I think after the summer break, we've been struggling a little bit, but the team is still working flat out to bring upgrades. And as I said, even if not all of them, you know, succeed to race in the following weekends, I think there is a clear understanding now of where the path is into next year's car. So yeah, that's the aim.

Q: You said after the race in Vegas that you were happier with the car on the Sunday. Does that give you a little bit of confidence coming into this track, a track where you've actually gone very well at?

FA: Yeah, definitely. I think Vegas was difficult to understand the car and the low temperatures and to get the grip, the confidence, high speed. The walls are very close. But then on Sunday, already in the laps to the grid, the car felt much more alive. And on the race itself, I think we gained some positions and we were happier. So yeah, I left Vegas thinking that I want to jump in the car again. and try. So yeah, tomorrow in FP1 I will be happy.

QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR

Q: (Roldan Rodriguez – DAZN Spain) A question to Fernando. Last week, you mentioned that nobody has been able to beat Max Verstappen in the title fight. My question is, would you, if you have the car?

FA: Well, that will be a very nice thing to try, you know, to be in a position to fight for the World Championship. At the moment, we are not in that position, and next year probably is going to be difficult. But hopefully in ‘26, with the new rules, we'll have a better chance to try at least. And yeah, so far Max has proven, you know, not having weak points, basically, and he has been always delivering the job on Sundays and scoring, you know, so many points when the car was good, but so many points when the car was not good as well. And that's the strength, you know, to win a championship. And yeah, you always think that if you have a chance, maybe things could be more difficult for him.

Q: (David Croft – Sky Sports F1) Charles, to move forward to the last couple of races of the season and to work as a team probably requires trust and faith in your team and your team-mate. What has been said since Vegas to give you trust and faith in your team and your team-mate?

CL: Nothing special, but at the end, I don't even need that. As I said, we have a really good relationship with Carlos. And sometimes I have overstepped the lines, and sometimes he did. And then it only requires a discussion between us two. And we look ourselves in the eye, and we know each other since a very long time now. We understand each other very, very quickly. So I have no doubts. Sometimes we need these kind of things to reset a little bit and I have no doubts that going into the last race of the season there won't be any problems or whatsoever because at the end it's in the benefit for both of us to try and win that constrictors we know that an opportunity like that doesn't happen very often and we've got to do absolutely everything on both of our side in order to try and win that. And we need each other in order to win that because it's not going to be easy. This weekend is not going to be easy. And by working as a team, we can maybe achieve that.

Q: (Margot Laffite - Canal+) A question for Fernando. We're doing a footage on the pleasure, the joy of driving. Could you describe if it's, for you, directly linked to the performance? No performance, no pleasure in an F1 car? And maybe you can compare also with the lighter cars you drove in the past.

FA: Yeah, interesting question. Probably I have to think a little bit deeper. But no, I don't think that the pleasure of driving is linked to the performance only. Sometimes you come to a circuit or to even a go-kart track, and you are alone on track, and you are not fighting anyone. And you have a lot of joy, and you have a real good day. Sometimes you have a car that is not really well set up or you have a huge understeer or we all, as I said now, you jump in a rental car that you just self-steer to the left or whatever, or it's just not really square, the chassis, and you still have a lot of fun just fighting against that weakness of the car you know and trying to make the car turn the same way, left to right, in some corners. So I think it's just overcoming the challenge sometimes of what the car is able to do, which produces satisfaction and joy in driving. And I think the adrenaline and the freedom when you are behind the wheel of choosing what to do, at what speed you want to approach the corner, when you want to brake, 30 metres later, 30 meters earlier. So all those kind of decisions that you make by instinct is a sense of freedom that I think increases the joy of driving whatever car. So I don't think it's related to performance. And then comparing different eras of Formula 1, for sure, I think the early 2000s were the best cars to drive. They were very light, very reactive. I think the feedback that you get from the car when you have less sophisticated tools is much more pure than what we have now, that is all filtered a little bit by all the technology we have. So yeah I still think that those cars were more fun to drive.

Q: (Roldan Rodriguez – DAZN Spain) Charles, you are doing a very good season and reaching the maximum points in your career. But I want to know how important it is for you to be second in the championship of drivers.

CL: At the end, I always say the second is the first of the losers. And you never really are excited about a second or a third or a fourth place. However, having said that, obviously second place in a year like this would mean a lot in a way because I think it's not been an easy year. The priority remains the Constructors’. However, the second place in the Drivers’ would be a nice bonus. So it's not like I don't care at all. But it will be a good thing to be finishing second after a year like this.

Q: (Rosanna Tennant – BBC Five Live) A question to you all. Rui Marques, the race director, will be presiding over F1, F2 and F1 Academy this weekend. In the past, that workload has been deemed too high. Charlie Whiting stepped down from all those responsibilities previously. Is there any risk for the three of you this weekend and other drivers on the grid having somebody in charge of so much across one weekend?

(CLARIFICATION: The role of F1 Academy Race Director is performed by Silvia Bellot rather than Rui Marques, as the question suggests)

CL: I find it very, very difficult to judge. I mean, it's not like we actually know how much work there is for these three categories. I mean, at least personally, I don't know that. So, yeah, I think it's very, very difficult to judge whether that is too much or not. I guess he will be the first one to experience it. But the first race has gone really well. And he's been super open-minded in listening to us drivers and doing things in the right way. And that was very positive. But concerning the workload, I think it's very difficult to judge or to say anything from our side.

PG: I think I fully agree with Charles. As he said, I think the first race weekend has been very positive, very objective and open for discussion and very factual as well. So I'm sure whatever comes out of this weekend, if it doesn't allow him to be at a F1 standard, I'm sure there'll be changes in the future. So at the minute, yeah, we'll see. But as I say, it's been a good start and we'll see how it goes the next two weekends.

FA: Yeah, not much to add. Only he knows if it's too much or not. Or probably he will know after the weekend, not even now.

Q: (Adam Cooper – Adam Cooper F1) For all three of you, the 11th team has been confirmed for 2026. What are your thoughts in general on having two extra seats for you guys? And secondly, for Fernando, there's a lot of guys from your Renault days in that team, Pat Simmons, Rob White, Nick Chester. What do you think of the potential of that group a few years down the line?

FA: Yeah, I mean, 11th team, 22 drivers, it’s not the first time that we will be 22 on the grid. It's a complex decision, I guess, for the sport in general but if they came to that conclusion it's because it's the best for everybody. I will support always whatever management thing that is the best. And then for the team personnel, yeah, they have a couple of people that they were in the Renault days and for sure they will have a huge contribution right now at the very early part of the project, with a lot of experience in Formula 1 and in the sport. So, yeah, I wish the best of luck, you know. A new team is never an easy task, but I think they will be well prepared and they have the right people. So, yeah, welcome.

PG: I mean, it's exciting. It's going to be my first time to race with 22 cars in F1. So, yeah, more rivals, probably more action, more racing. So, yeah, exciting, exciting times. And as Fernando said, I think it's been a long topic for quite a long time. So I'm sure if they came to that conclusion, definitely means it's the best for the sport. So, yeah, excited about it.# CL: Yeah, very similar reply. It's the first time in my career that I'll be 22 on the grid in F1, and that's exciting. I also think that there are lots of young drivers waiting for a place in Formula 1, in order to get there, and that will obviously give more opportunities to very talented young drivers that are dreaming to get into Formula 1. So for that, this is a good thing, and yeah, cool to have two more cars on the grid.

Q: (Luke Smith – The Athletic) Pierre, a question for you. Red Bull have been struggling to replace Max Verstappen's teammate for quite a few years. Of course, you were in that position once. Are you surprised that Yuki hasn't been seriously considered for that seat? You know Red Bull well. You know Yuki well. He's been performing this year. Do you think that they should give him a shot?

PG: It's a tough question. I think performance-wise, he deserves a chance. He seems to have improved a lot from the moment he came. He's been performing pretty strongly, I would say, this season and also last year. He’s beaten his teammate. From this point of view, I think, yeah, looking at the programme, the Red Bull programme, it will make sense to give him a shot. But, you know, at the end, ultimately, we know there is not only performance that comes down to that decision. It's a top team. And, yeah, it depends on what Christian and Helmut wants to do with it. Personally, yeah, I'd like to see him and see what he does there. But I know it's not that easy. And if you ask me performance-wise, yeah, I think he deserved a chance.

Q: (Alex Kalinauckas – Autosport) Fernando, just going back to your earlier answer about the satisfaction and joy that can be derived from working on a car and improving it. How much satisfaction and joy have you been able to get this season, given it's been so challenging for Aston?

FA: Yeah, it has been challenging, but I still enjoyed a lot this year, especially at the beginning, obviously, when the car was a little bit faster. But even now, you know, with the difficulties we face sometimes, we're still trying to analyse and get some lessons into the next year's car and into the future. And yeah, when you start the season strong and then you finish with a little bit more struggles, you have the sense of, you know, you finish so you had a so-so season. And when you do the opposite, it's a very different feeling when you finish strong. But the points are counting after Abu Dhabi. And I think we have a high chance to finish fifth in the Constructors’ Championship, which is not what we want to be. But I have the feeling that, you know, there is a perception that there are a lot of teams that they did better than Aston Martin this year and they are well behind us. As I said, you know, it depends if you start strong or you finish weak or vice versa. But, you know, we are not where we want to be. But there are only four teams happier than us, not nine.

Q: (Erwin Jaeggi – Motorsport.com) A question for Charles. After winning the title in Vegas, Max said that he also would have become champion driving a Ferrari. What do you make of that statement? Thank you.

CL: I mean, Max is a very special driver. And I think what makes him very special is also the confidence that he has. However, I think it's very difficult to say something like that not knowing actually what the car is like. Yeah, he's an incredible driver. No doubts whether he will have made it or not. I don't know. I don't know how the Red Bull is. I don't know how the McLaren is. And he doesn't know how the Ferrari is. So it's maybe a bit of a stretch to say something like that. But yeah, nothing to add.

Q: (Luke Smith – The Athletic) Charles, a question on your relationship with Carlos. You guys obviously struck a pretty good working relationship over the last few years. A lot of memes on social media about C squared and things like that. How much are you going to miss Carlos as a person at Ferrari?

CL: I've said it many times. On one hand, it's not like I'm going to miss him like crazy because he will still be in the paddock, maybe 20 metres away. So as I've said it for Fréd, Carlos isn't my girlfriend either. And so I really like Carlos, but I'm sure we'll spend still a lot of time together. And as I was saying earlier, we have a really good relationship that will stay there even after our relationship within Ferrari. Yeah, we won't be working any more together, but we'll still spend time together. But he is a good person and we get along very, very well. And yeah, that, as I said earlier, helps us to work together very well.

Q: Charles, do you expect the dynamic between you and Lewis to be different next year?

CL: No, I don't think so. We have a very good relationship too. It's a different kind of relationship because I haven't spent that much time with Lewis yet, but I have obviously so much respect for Lewis and what he has achieved. And we have had a very good relationship. We don't have quite the same age, but we still share a lot of interest outside racing. So, no, I'm sure it won't be any different.

Q: (Alex Kalinauckas – Autosport) Another question to Fernando, please, just following up on what you were saying there about the perception of the team. Would you agree that the success of early 2023 raised expectations too much, given where the team is on in its journey? There are key facilities that are still being built at the factory, the wind tunnel, not online, for example. So what do you make of how people see Aston and where it is from your perspective in reality?

FA: No, I don't think that the expectations were too high. We did a very strong campaign in 2023, and people were expecting us to fight for bigger things, or at least to be at the level that we were at the beginning of this year. And this is normal. This is Formula 1, and we want to be there as well. You know, we didn't succeed, you know, the second part of the year. We are aware of that. But we are not ashamed of that. You know, we are working towards fighting for the championship in the future and the second part of the year we didn't maybe bring to the circuit what we thought that it was in the pipeline. But at the same time, we have finished, as you said, some of the facilities in Silverstone, with building two and three of the factory, the wind tunnel will be soon operating. And we have Adrian Newey on board, so. It was not a bad 2024.

Q: (Carlos Miguel – Diario Marca) Question for Fernando. I read about the car of next season, that the idea of Aston is to come back to a car in slow corners, like the ‘23 car. It's true that? And what do you know about this ‘25 Aston? The numbers are good? What do you think?

FA: I don't know much. I don't know exactly what will be the characteristics of the car. As I said before, all the learnings that we are taking into this year's, you know, the struggles, I think are well in place into next year's project. So, you know, all the things that we didn't succeed this year, I think they are better for next year. I don't think that the car will be the base of 2023. I don't think so. I think it's just a completely new project for ‘25 which hopefully delivers better results than the current car. But we are aware of also the gap with the top four teams. They are in a little bit in another league. So, you know, I think there is a lot of work to do, but there's still four months or three months and a half until the first race and first proper test. So I think we have plenty of time and we have the right people. We have the right facilities and we have the good learnings of this year. So, you know, I'm confident to start the season strong and to have a good 2025.

PART TWO – Sergio PÉREZ (Red Bull Racing), Zhou GUANYU (Kick Sauber), Alex ALBON (Williams)

Q: Alex, you're closest. Now, it's been a tough couple of races for Williams. Just how tough?

Alex ALBON: Yeah, not smooth for sure. I think being especially tough more for the mechanics and for the people at the factory. Obviously, we had a few crashes, not always our fault, but in the end, they add up. And testament to everyone who's worked so hard to get them back, we still got two cars that are at the track that are more than capable to score points and back to fighting fit, at least the cars are. It's been tough, but everyone's been very strong, very optimistic, and I think that's Williams. I think everyone's very optimistic.

Q: What about the competitiveness of the car? Because you haven't scored points since Baku. Do you feel it's slipped off a bit?

AA: But also, I don't think I've finished a race since Baku! I think maybe I have. I honestly... Austin? Did I finish Austin? I finished Austin with a broken floor, so it's almost like we haven't really done anything.

Q: But even in terms of qualifying pace?

AA: I mean, Mexico, we were P8. Brazil, we were P2 until the incident, P3 until the incident. Vegas, we got caught out by Safety Cars. So I really think it's nowhere near as bad as maybe it looks like on the outside. I think we've just had a tough run and that happens. It's not normal to have it consecutive, as much as it has happened for us so far this year, at least in this last part of the year. But yeah, it's just how it is, unfortunately.

Q: It's an interesting thing. When you look back at 2024, it seems to be one of unfulfilled promise in a way for Williams. The car is better than the results would show. Is that your abiding memory of this season?

AA: Yes, partly. I think that last year we finished P7 in the Constructors' Championship and I wouldn't say we were always the seventh quickest car. I think we really took advantage and made the most of what we had. This year feels in some ways the opposite, I would agree. I think that we've been on the back foot since race one. I think we didn't quite have the... I think it's a known story now, the car wasn't on weight and we were on the back foot from the beginning and then we missed out on capitalising when we should have. Teams like Alpine, they're on their third, fourth upgrade now. We did one major one, I would say, this year, and let's say where we are now is kind of expected in terms of pace. but I think we've just missed out a little bit. All for good reasons, though. I really think that a lot of the reasons why we've been on the back foot is just because we've made so many big changes back at Grove, which are going to help us definitely in the future, but possibly a little bit of short-term pain for now.

Q: One of the changes for the future is a new team-mate in Carlos Sainz. Just tell us how much contact you've had with Carlos, and what can he expect at Williams?

AA: Truthfully, not too much. I wish I could say more, but I think, obviously, once Abu Dhabi happens, firstly, I'll be very keen to hear his feedback on the car during the test, see where his head’s at compared to Ferrari. I think, obviously, he'll have a very fresh mind of driving the Ferrari and then coming into Williams of where are our strengths? Where are our weaknesses? And yeah, I think that's honestly one of the things that I'm looking forward to most with Carlos joining is I remember my time at Red Bull and when I came to Williams and obviously there's a lot of things on your mind, things you want to try to improve for the team. And at the same time, I've spent now three years at Williams, and it's nice to almost have someone a little bit fresher than me. And coming from a team like Ferrari, I'm sure he'll bring a lot to the table. And of course, I know he will push me. I think he's having a very strong year this year as well. But it will be a good challenge.

Q: Alex, thank you for that. Zhou, let's come to you. Great to see you back in Q2 at the weekend. Was it track specific or do you think the upgrades are really making a difference?

Zhou GUANYU: For me, I think it's more about the upgrades. These upgrades, I think, we wanted for a while now. And, obviously, finally to have that for both cars for the first time in a while as well in Vegas, that was a pretty good step on the team. And, yeah, it's clearly, we saw in terms of numbers, it's probably the biggest one we had this season for all this new stuff we had. And it's clearly worked like we hoped. Is it enough or not? We will find out a little bit more this weekend and also Abu Dhabi. But I think it's clearly a very positive step in the right direction. Tried them in FP2 had a good comparison from P1 and everything just seems to be working in the right direction. and yeah had a good weekend I think after a very difficult last couple of weeks.

Q: How close do you feel to points now? Or do you think you're still going to need a little bit of luck to get that point?

ZG: I think for us at this stage, we need a little bit of luck because I think, like one of the Racing Bulls and also both Haas look very strong this year. And then there's several teams, you know, like Alpine and Williams, they can be always there. So it's very difficult compared to last year, because last year you have like some teams has always been up there and some other teams have been struggling more than the others. But this year seems to be the midfield is very consistent in a positive way that for us it's difficult to do the catch up. But I think we're there, you know, where if we put a car or both cars in Q2, then everything still can be happening for the race. But I think we do need a bit of luck. And then purely on just car performance, I think we are not yet had a quick enough car for top 10, but we can be there like we did last week.

Q: I've got high hopes after what you did here last year from the back to P9. Does that give you a little bit of confidence coming into this race?

ZG: Yeah, I mean, I liked it. I enjoy this track layout, you know. I like more high-speed tracks, and then this track is a lot of medium high-speed corners, which goes a little bit towards my favourites. But last year was good. But I remember, you know, as good as the results we had here, but it's all about how intense, how demanding the whole race was. That's all I can remember, left off from Qatar. But, yeah. You know we try to focus on what we are doing this year. It’s a completely different concept of the car, so things can be definitely pan out a little bit differently, but we keep the hopes high. I think we saw very positive steps in the previous weekend and then we try to keep that momentum up and then hopefully that I can find more rhythm than what I did over the last few weeks and just continue to be, you know, getting better together as a team.

Q: Zhou, when you look back at 2024, what comes to mind? I mean, when you finished P11 in Bahrain at the first race, did you have any idea that you were going to have the kind of season that you have had?

ZG: For sure not. I mean, I was thinking that was a very good start point, but I didn't expect that's actually the best result we had. Yeah, we're facing a lot of unexpected challenges for the season. I think it's very difficult for every single, I think, members in the team because, like I always mentioned, the first part of the season, the first five, six races, I think me and Valtteri, we had several occasions that we can be quite good at points, and then we had this pit stop issue, which got massively delayed until we fixed that into the European races, unfortunately. And since there we didn't really have the performance in the car to be fighting back in the points like we did in the previous few weekends. So it's been very tough, I guess. As a driver, you cannot pay the end result because of that season that everything can be very possible for the future. So, yeah, right now, like I always said, it's a relief, but I still want to finish this journey together with the team in the best way as possible. I think it's been a very family feeling together with Sauber over the last two and a half years and to this point. And then, yeah, let's see what the future is. But right now, I'm just trying to enjoy as much as I could with the next coming races.

Q: Checo let's come to you. Now, you said after the race in Vegas that you feel close to turning things around. Vegas in particular, where do you feel the car made improvement?

Sergio PÉREZ: I think in Vegas mainly the main issue we had was qualifying. We were out in Q1. Straight away after qualifying we understood why. We saw it, it was very clear in the data. But then we were on the back foot and then going on to the race, with the degradation that we had, we were not expecting it to be so severe, especially in the beginning. So we went for the Hard tyre. which I also degraded the Hard tyre and that meant that I had to spend quite a lot of the race on the Medium, so it compromised the race a lot, but we did have some good pace during the race.

Q: Checo, when you say you're making improvements, is that to the set-up or are you making improvements to the way you're able to drive around the issues?

SP: I think with the set-up we are coming closer. Already in a couple of weekends, São Paulo, probably in Vegas we didn't have the pace that we had in São Paulo, but I think there are some promising signs that things are coming. We were not so competitive in Vegas in terms of team order, but I believe that here should be a good track for us.

Q: Checo, look, this is the last time you're going to be in the FIA press conference this year. So can I just get a bit of a reflection from you now on this 2024 season?

SP: Yeah, obviously, it's been one of my best starts of the year, you know, with four races. consecutively on the podium. Things were looking great. But as soon as we came back to Europe, I think our season took a U-turn. Other teams improved and found a lot of performance. On our side, we got a bit lost with the car, I'll say. And then there were a lot of weekends where things were just not coming in, a lot of weekends have been too difficult just in regards that we are looking at all the areas, exploring all the areas, and at the end of the day there is only so much you can do on a weekend that we end up losing a lot of points and the season turned out to be quite a lot more difficult. But I think it's how it is in Formula 1. Sometimes things don't go your way. We’re still here and and optimistic that we can turn things around as a team, especially for next year.

Q: Knowing what you know now, what would you have done differently this year, particularly when we got back to Europe after those four podiums in the opening five races?

SP: I think it's hard to say, actually, because the way the car changed meant that we had to drive quite differently, and it took me a lot longer to adapt. And actually, as a team, to understand what the car was doing, it took us a lot of races, because sometimes it's not so clear to spot issues on the data and then to drive around them. So I think I was a lot more sensitive to it with my driving style than, for example, Max was. You know, for Max, things didn't change that much. But for me, it changed severely. So it's hard to say what we could have done differently. I think spotting the problems early will have helped quite a lot our season.

QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR

Q: (Roldán Rodríguez – DAZN Spain) Checo, you have been 14 years in Formula 1. You are a race winner. A few months ago, you were fighting against Max Verstappen and beating him as well in some circuits. How can you explain now to the new Formula 1 fans what is going on now this year struggling that much?

SP: Yeah, I think it's very difficult for people to understand that they're not part of the team or are not on a daily basis. From one race to another, let's say you are so far away. I think when you are not able to extract 100% out of your car, it's irrelevant how good your car is. And this is what happened. You know, I haven't been able to extract 100% out of my car because of the difficulties I've had in the last few months with it. And I think that's the main issue. You know, I think you go through periods and I think as a team, we are understanding and we're working really hard to make sure that we can fix them.

Q: (David Croft – Sky Sports F1) I know the stats aren't good, Checo, but what you're saying here today makes me feel that in your mind, the stats are misleading because of what you have or haven't been able to do with the car. Are you saying that there's absolutely no question that you shouldn't be driving next season and that you have a contract and you should be with Red Bull and they should look beyond the stats, as it were, and maybe at the data a bit more?

SP: I mean, at the end of the day, the team has all the information. There is so much I can say here. At the end of the day, the team has all the information. And there's a reason why we extended my contract during the year. At the end of the day, the team has everything, and we exactly know where we are in terms of performance, in terms of issues, difficulties that we've had. We are a team and we know exactly internally where everything stands, so we're working really hard as a team to come through and get back into a much better season than the one that we just had.

Q: (Diego Mejia – Fox Sports Mexico) Question to Checo. You've seen Max from up close much closer than any other driver this year. Is there any aspect you think Max has stepped up a gear relative to previous seasons?

SP: I think Max has done his best season I've seen from him in these four years. I think the way he pushed the team, out of the car, how hard he worked during this year, especially there were a lot of periods during the year where we looked really far and he would push the team in all the areas, in all the aspects. Max has done very big steps out of the car. I think his talent and his speed has been there since day one, but out of the car, how he reads the races, how he works with the team, how he pushes the team, I think is the biggest step that he has done in these past years.

Q: Checo, do you feel Max has been supportive of you this year?

SP: I think we're working as a team. I think especially the last few months, we've had similar issues with the car, so we're pushing in similar directions to try and improve the car. And at the end of the day, we are working as a team. Like I say, you know, the team knows exactly what we've done, where we are, and I think we're working well together.

Q: (David Croft – Sky Sports F1) So just finally, are you a Red Bull driver or a driver for Red Bull? If the team, if Christian Horner decides you're not the driver he wants for the senior team next year, does your contract say you could drive for RB? or is it the Red Bull team or nothing and will you be holding the team to that contract if that decision's made?

SP: I don't speak. I've been 14 years in the sport and I don't speak about my contracts publicly. So I will not comment on that. I know exactly where I am and I will not speak about it publicly.

Q: (Luke Smith – The Athletic) Checo, just to follow up on that, you say you know exactly where you are. Can you say with 100% confidence that you'll be driving for Red Bull Racing in 2025? SP: Yeah, exactly.

Q: (Erwin Jaeggi – Motorsport.com) A question for all three. Now, you probably won't need it this weekend, but the FIA is working on a cooling device which pumps cooled air around the overall. Have you maybe had a chance to try this? And what do you think of this idea?

AA: I think Franco tried it in Brazil, but it was quite cold in Brazil. So it didn't work. I think it made him too cold, actually. So he asked to take it off before FP1. So in that sense, it must work. But I think it's great that they're taking initiatives to try to help us. Obviously, as you said, it's maybe not that hot this weekend, but it's still going to be physical. And so, yeah, I mean, in hot races, hot climates, especially with all the travel we're doing and the toll it's taking on our bodies, if there's any extra support we can get, then I think we would definitely take them. Last year was very not comfortable, I think, for the drivers that did race. And yeah, I think all good steps.

ZG: Yeah, actually, we haven't actually tried anything yet. So I wouldn't really give much opinion on that. But I think I'm more than happy, of course, to have this cooling just to help. I think races like Singapore every single year has been very difficult for drivers, losing a lot of water. And I think that will just only help us. So yeah, let's see.

SP: Yeah, I think there has been a few occasions in my career where things have gone quite to the limit. And I think the speeds that we're traveling, you don't want to see someone collapsing in the car or something like that. So I think it's a really, really good thing, a very good initiative. I haven't tried it. I haven't seen the system. So I don't know if it works. But yeah, hopefully we can do something for those sort of races like the one we had last year here.

Q: (Luke Smith – The Athletic) Zhou, we've had confirmation that F1 is looking to expand the grid to 11 teams in 2026 with General Motors and Cadillac. For a driver like you who's looking to try and find a way back into F1 in the next couple of years, how good is that? to see there's another two seats available? And have you had any talks yet with the GM Cadillac guys?

ZG: Yeah, I mean, I'm fully aware of, you know, that GM and also Cadillac joined the grid. I think it's very good for the sport in general because, you know, a lot of people are always talking about having probably not enough seats for the people, the young drivers available. Clearly, I think we have a lot of young drivers for next year. And then, I think from my position, it's a great opportunity and a great chance for next season that I'm not having a seat. So I can probably think about what the future will be and try to have an opportunity there. So I'm aware of that. But everything was just only announced this week. We need to still go through a bit more further details on that. But for me, my priority is trying to, like I always said, having another chance of coming back on the grid. So for me, I don't really have where I go, but if there's a chance to grab, I will absolutely take it. So let's see how the future is.

Q: Zhou, ‘26 would be GM, which leaves next year. How important is it for you to keep racing in 2025? Would you look at another series? Would you look at WEC or IndyCar?

ZG: Actually, you know, next year for me, I kind of decided not to take another series, just because I feel like with so many doors that could be potentially open, not just during next year, but also the year after, I want to make sure if there's a chance for me in case, you know, to be stepping back into seat for one race or not, but I'll be fully here to do so. So that's very important. But I also do feel like, we talk about, you know, you want to keep the momentum of racing going on. But if you take this one year off, I think you'll be OK on that. I think more than one year, then you start to have a little bit of losing this momentum. So for me, I think I'll be just making sure, I mean, in the next chapter, in a very happy place, that I can you know be fully aware that having a possibility to return here on the grid because I think this year didn't really show my full potential yet. I want to have definitely another chance if there's an occasion on that. So let's see.