Who said what in 2019? Motorsport Week picks out some of its favourite sayings, quips and one-liners from press conferences and media sessions through the Formula 1 campaign.
“We’re not just disappointed. It’s embarrassing not bringing a race car to a circuit when everyone else has managed to do that” – Claire Williams on the team’s pre-season testing fortunes.
“We were just hopeless from the beginning all the way to the end” – Kevin Magnussen on Haas’ Bahrain Grand Prix.
“I have been very stupid, as I said on the radio. I’ve calmed down but I still think I’ve been stupid” – Charles Leclerc reacts to his Q2 crash in Azerbaijan.
“Our Mercedes team has lost a guiding light. Niki, you are quite simple irreplaceable, there will never be another like you.” – Toto Wolff pays tribute to Niki Lauda.
“I tried to force them [Alfa Romeo] to cancel everything [commemorating the milestone], but not very good success so far!” – Kimi Raikkonen on the plans for his 300th Grand Prix, in Monaco.
“Well I wish my 2007 Canada accident was my worst memory of my life, unfortunately it was not!” – Robert Kubica when asked about his famous accident, in the build-up to the Canadian Grand Prix
“We all sound a bit like lawyers using an official language. It gives no edge to the people and the sport. It’s not the sport I fell in love with that I grew up watching” – Sebastian Vettel reflects on his penalty at the Canadian Grand Prix.
“Don’t ask me what it is, I don’t know. Don’t ask me please because I wouldn’t know” – Guenther Steiner pleads with journalists to stop pushing him on why Haas is struggling, French Grand Prix.
“It’s important to show we’re not a bunch of idiots” – George Russell on Williams’ rapid pit stop times, Austrian Grand Prix.
“We want to say you were a true racer, you were our race director, you were our guard, you were our friend. And you shall stay around because one is alive until the last one forgets about you. Take care Charlie” – Sebastian Vettel pays tribute to Charlie Whiting, British Grand Prix.
“You got pubes yet?” – Daniel Ricciardo asks Lando Norris a personal question in Britain.
“The best that our drivers could bring to the battle was a shovel – to dig the hole we’re in even deeper” – Guenther Steiner reflects on Haas’ clash at the British Grand Prix.
“It was a horror movie with a black comedy. It was a rollercoaster. A bit like my whole career.” – Daniil Kvyat sums up the wild German Grand Prix.
“It is the intention to leave him the car until the end of the year” – Christian Horner assures everyone that Pierre Gasly’s future is secure, after the Hungarian Grand Prix.
“I thought after two or three races I would have been forgotten” – Esteban Ocon, after the news of his 2020 return is confirmed, in Belgium.
“Drinking is probably more safe than sport. You don’t get injured, only hungover!” – Kimi Raikkonen after arriving in Belgium with a minor leg injury.
“I told Charles before the race ‘please win this race for Anthoine’” – Pierre Gasly reflects on an emotional Belgian Grand Prix.
“I suppose the benefit for Zak is that he gets to have two breakfasts” – Christian Horner points out the advantages of Zak Brown having to work on a local time zone in Singapore.
“Weakness as well? Where should I start!” – Guenther Steiner on Romain Grosjean’s strengths and weaknesses, following confirmation of his 2020 renewal.
“I think it’s complete bullshit to be honest. I don’t know which genius came up with this, but it’s not the solution. I think it’s completely wrong.” – Sebastian Vettel on reversed-grids idea, Singapore.
“In motorsport he is an example, but also in life generally, to come back to the highest level and fight the way he fought back is very impressive” – Romain Grosjean speaks for many when discussing Robert Kubica’s return, in Singapore.
“It’s canine language. Yeah. I used to be an FBI dog before I reached Formula 1. Grr. I took down a few criminals.” – Daniel Ricciardo after entering his media session barking in Russia.
“He actually apologised to me for being in my car” – Pierre Gasly after sitting out FP1 in Japan while Naoki Yamamoto ran.
“I have the Xbox ready to go but I also bought a Tyrrell six-wheeler as a small model to build” – Romain Grosjean explains his plans for Saturday’s no-go show in Japan.
“Find a bar I guess. What else do you do? I heard that Wi-Fi is going to be down. Millennials, we’re going to struggle” – Daniel Ricciardo, though, takes a different approach.
“There were decisions taken before qualifying without even letting me know, and I think this is not the right way” – Robert Kubica hits out at Williams after the Japanese Grand Prix.
“I think it was very stupid what he did and he got away with it” – Sergio Perez expresses his disdain with Pierre Gasly after their clash in Japan.
“I think it’s a shame you have such a great race and they put such effort into the race and then you get these shitty trophies that look boring” – Sebastian Vettel was not a fan of the Mexican Grand Prix silverware.
“Ah fuck… that’s bullshit. It’s unbelievable. I don’t know, the stewards are completely…I have no words. It’s stupid, so stupid” – Daniil Kvyat disagrees with his penalty for hitting Sergio Perez at the United States Grand Prix.
“I’m working on a masterpiece and I haven’t quite finished it yet” – Lewis Hamilton reflects after clinching a sixth world title, at the United States Grand Prix.
“I think it’s a joke to be completely honest. He has no clue. He’s not in the team. So we know exactly what we are doing and I don’t know why he’s speaking, he doesn’t know anything about us” – Charles Leclerc hits out after Max Verstappen hints Ferrari is cheating, at the United States Grand Prix.
“Suddenly everyone questions ‘ah does he know how to brake, does he know how to turn the wheel” – Pierre Gasly on his critics, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
“All right boys, we dodged a bullet, so let’s avoid all bullets next year and fuck some shit up.” – Daniel Ricciardo on his view after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
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