The rider, carrying the number 89, received positive results from a medical examination on Monday. He now only awaits official clearance (FIT) from the medical team before returning to on-track testing and preparing for the season-opening race.

In a statement, Aprilia Racing confirmed:

Jorge Martín underwent a medical examination today on his left hand and right collarbone at Hospital Ruber Internacional.

The outcome of the check-up was positive, allowing him to plan his trip to Buriram, Thailand, next week to take part in the upcoming test.

However, Martín must still be evaluated by the FIM Grand Prix World Championship Medical Team in order to obtain official approval to participate in the test.

The post Martin Set for Thailand Trip After Positive Medical Check first appeared on InsideRacing.com.

The Red Bull chief slammed the seven-time world champion for, in his view, committing a “professional foul” when he made contact with Max Verstappen on the opening lap at Silverstone, sending the Dutchman into the barrier at high-speed.

Horner then went further calling Hamilton a “dirty driver” and hoped he was “very happy with himself” after a “hollow victory”.

Also Read:

• F1 teams face penalties for invading stewards after Horner/Wolff debacle
• Red Bull ‘reviewing evidence’ in Hamilton/Verstappen clash as FIA defends penalty
• Verstappen ‘absolutely fine’, solely focused on victory in Hungary

Unexpectedly, such comments didn’t sit well with Mercedes counterpart Toto Wolff.

“I think you can understand that from a competitors’ point of view, the situation was upsetting,” he told Motorsport.com. “I can understand that.

“Nevertheless, the language that was used, and making it so personal, was a level that we have not seen in this sport before.

“I think once the emotions are down, we will try to restore our professional relationship for the sake of Formula 1 but beyond that, there were no discussions, and don’t need to be.

“I think controversy and polarisation is a good narrative and good content for the sport. Where it spills over into personal animosities, it’s where you’re overstepping the mark. But again, everybody needs to judge how he wants to do it.”

A collision you could hear all around the world… ?#BritishGP ?? #F1 pic.twitter.com/8kgYDGagAs

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 25, 2021

In his Red Bull column though, Horner felt compelled to respond to Wolff.

“I felt the narrative that Max was being ‘overly aggressive’ at that stage was unjustified,” he replied.

“I would like to make it clear – this was an on-track incident between two of the best drivers in the world. At the point in time when you have a driver in hospital and the extent of any injuries have not yet been made clear, your car has been written off and the stewards have penalised the driver seen to be responsible, it is natural that emotion comes into play, for all involved, whether you feel wronged or victorious.

“But you only have to look at the fact Max has zero penalty points on his licence and has not been found guilty of any on-track misjudgements in recent years.

“The aggressive 17-year-old F1 rookie Max Verstappen that Hamilton is referring to is not the Max Verstappen of today, just as Hamilton is not the same driver he was when he entered the sport.

“Both drivers are, of course, uncompromising in their driving style, but they are both highly skilled drivers with a great deal of experience.

“The reality is that Hamilton has met his match in a car that is now competitive and I agree both drivers need to show each other respect, but Hamilton was the aggressor on Sunday.”

In his only comments on the day of the collision, Verstappen was critical of Hamilton’s exuberant victory celebrations at Silverstone while he was still in the hospital.

And that was something else the Red Bull boss called out Mercedes for.

“I am still disappointed about the level of celebrations enjoyed in the wake of the accident,” he said.

“The Mercedes team were aware of the gravity of the crash, with Max widely reported as having been hospitalised and requiring further checks.

“It is unimaginable not to inform your driver of the situation, moreover to protect your driver in case they do not show the necessary restraint in celebrating, particularly when it was as a result of an incident he was penalised for.”

The post Red Bull’s Horner defends Hamilton comments after Wolff criticism first appeared on InsideRacing.com.

The double world champion will join Kimi Raikkonen in the 40+ club on Thursday and, in his race preview for Alpine, teased a new look for Budapest.

“I will go in the solarium, I will be tanned, I will shave, and I will look very young,” he joked. “No, it’s going to be a very normal race. No change for me.

Also Read:

• Alonso says Silverstone his ‘best race’ in 2021, will continue more aggressive approach
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• Ricciardo dismisses age concerns over ‘young, sharp’ Alonso

“40 is just another number. I will eat some cake, but apart from that, it’s going to be a very normal weekend. I feel 25, so whatever number it says on the passport is not what I feel.

“It’s quite nice to be celebrating a birthday at a Formula 1 weekend so I can’t complain,” he acknowledged. “I am looking forward to the birthday celebrations. I think the team have a few things planned.

“We will be sure to celebrate a little bit, but we have an important weekend ahead, so I’ll be fully focused on racing.

“It’s our last race before the summer shutdown and I am looking to continue our good form in Budapest.”

Despite his rather advanced years for a modern F1 driver, Alonso has been rolling back the years with his performances in recent races, particularly at Silverstone.

In all, Fernando has scored points at the past five races for Alpine, putting teammate Esteban Ocon in the shade and firmly justifying his decision to come back to F1.

“I think Fernando has now silenced for good whoever doubted his return would be a success,” Executive Director Marcin Budkowski stated.

“His speed is still there, and his race-craft is second to none, as we saw once again in both races last Saturday and Sunday.

“He will no doubt continue pushing himself and the team as the season goes on.”

The post Age is just a number for Alonso as he turns 40 at the Hungarian GP first appeared on InsideRacing.com.

The Scuderia has been back near their best with Charles Leclerc’s pair of poles in Monaco and Baku, followed by an unfortunate second place to Lewis Hamilton at Silverstone.

Since Austria, Ferrari has also shown a very strong race pace, as highlighted by the Monegasque leading 50 laps of the race almost a fortnight ago.

Also Read:

• ‘More complete’ Leclerc rates Silverstone P2 among best F1 races
• Leclerc sees ‘no risk’ in long-term Ferrari deal, denies Red Bull rumour
• Binotto happy as Ferrari focus on operational gains over McLaren fight

However, while the Hungaroring has been a strong circuit for the Italian team and would appear to suit this year’s car, Leclerc is tempering expectations a little.

“It’s good to be an optimist, and I think we all want to be an optimist after such a good performance in the last three races, to be honest,” he told Motorsport.com.

“But on the other hand, we also need to be realistic. We are in a good mood, but I feel like going for the win in Budapest could be a bit optimistic. So realistically, I think I will be happy if we are just behind the two top teams.”

The reason for that is while the Hungaroring has long been one of F1’s slowest circuits, the original perception of ‘Monaco without the barriers’ is shifting.

“Budapest recently has become actually a medium to high-speed track with these cars,” Carlos Sainz explained.

“If you look at Monaco and Baku there are second or third gear corners. But Budapest nowadays, with these crazy high-downforce cars, you have a middle sector where you are fourth or fifth gear all the time. So it’s not a pure low-speed track like it used to be in the past.

“I don’t think it will be such a good track for us. I think it’s a great opportunity to be right behind Red Bull and Mercedes, but downforce is still king and we see from data these guys are still ahead.

“As we saw at Silverstone, on the hard tyre Lewis had a bit more pace than us and they should be ahead in Hungary.”

The post Ferrari doubt Hungarian GP victory challenge despite recent form first appeared on InsideRacing.com.

The Dutchman is looking to bounce back after he was taken out by Lewis Hamilton on the opening lap almost two weeks ago, with the Briton then cutting Verstappen’s lead in the championship to just eight points as he went on to claim an eighth win at his home race.

Much has been made of Red Bull’s reaction, with the news on Tuesday confirming they had submitted a request to review the incident as they seek a harsher penalty for Hamilton.

Also Read:

• Red Bull ‘reviewing evidence’ in Hamilton/Verstappen clash as FIA defends penalty
• Hamilton: Silverstone clash ‘bound to happen’ with over-aggressive Verstappen
• Mercedes & Red Bull target summer break lead at Hungarian GP

However, while some feel Verstappen will also be out for blood, he insists that is not the case.

“I don’t have much to say on all the media hype and to be honest I am not interested in getting involved in any of that,” said Max in Red Bull’s race preview.

“I know what happened at Silverstone as I was in the car and obviously I feel a certain way about how my race ended, but now I’m just focusing on making sure we are the best we can be on track so we can stay ahead in the championship.

“The team can take care of the official side of things and anything that needs looking into after the crash but my job is the same as always – to be the best I can and try to win on Sunday.”

Verstappen also has a solid record in Budapest, claiming his first F1 pole there in 2019 and finishing second to Hamilton the past two years.

“I enjoy Hungary as a track and let’s hope there is a little less action on the way to the grid as the mechanics worked some sort of miracle to get my car out for the race last year!” he recalled.

Given Verstappen sustained one of the biggest crashes in recent history at Silverstone, with an impact of 51G, he reassured over concerns about his fitness.

“I’m happy to get back on track in Hungary this weekend, especially after the last race result,” he said.

“I’m a little bruised of course but that’s normal after such a big impact but I’m training and feeling good.

“I did a 24hr sim race this week and it was a good test to see how my body would react to spending time sat in one position and behind screens for a long time.

“I felt absolutely fine which makes me feel positive heading into the weekend. I’m definitely ready to go again!”

 

 

 

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