Former Ferrari technical director Aldo Costa will join the Mercedes GP team alongside Geoff Willis, the German manufacturer confirmed on Friday. Costa left Ferrari in May after a disappointing start to the season for the Italian squad, and, as reported by AUTOSPORT earlier this month, he will work again alongside Ross Brawn at Mercedes.
The duo worked together at Ferrari during Brawn's spell at the team. Costa will join Mercedes as engineering director on 1 December.
Willis joins Mercedes after having left the HRT squad recently, and he will work as technology director starting 17 October.
"I am delighted to announce that Aldo Costa and Geoff Willis will be joining the team," said Brawn. "Geoff is a highly respected engineer with over twenty years of Formula 1 experience, and we look forward to his arrival next month.
"Having worked closely with Aldo for many years, I know that he will bring dedication and championship-winning expertise to the team when he joins in December.
"Building a winning team is an exciting challenge for us all as we work towards the competitiveness and standards that we aspire to as the Mercedes-Benz works team. With a strong technical structure led by Bob Bell, we are moving ourselves into the best possible position to achieve our ambitions."
Brawn said recently that Mercedes GP needed to ramp up its infrastructure if it was going to take on big-money teams like Red Bull Racing, McLaren and Ferrari.
His outfit had cut back its staffing numbers considerably following Honda's withdrawal, and he suggested that once it was happy with its structure it would look to expand its head count so it moved up to the limit of F1's Resource Restriction Agreement.
"To add people you have to have the structure you need, and obviously one of the big things for the team is Bob Bell joining us," Brawn said. "The infrastructure has to be in place before you can start adding numbers. And I think we've strengthened the structure.
"It's always nice to do well with the smallest number possible, and there is the RRA limit, and we are looking to move to that absolute limit.
"At the same time the other teams are coming down to it because they are still on the glide path down to the RRA limit, so in 2011 the teams who are bigger still have the benefit of that glide path down to the RRA targets."
Friday, 30 September 2011
Ferrari Need to Redeem themselves
Fernando Alonso says he has sensed a desire within Ferrari to “redeem themselves and to prove their worth” in the final five races of the season in wake of the disappointing way their championship challenge has petered out.
The Spaniard had hoped to go one better in his second season at Maranello after being pipped to the drivers’ title by Sebastian Vettel in the final round last year, but his Red Bull rival’s dominance from the very first race in Australia has meant he has never been in realistic contention.
After Alonso mathematically dropped out of the running last weekend in Singapore, and with the team 85 points behind McLaren for second place in the constructors’’ standings alone, Ferrari would appear to have little left to play for this season – yet Alonso believes pride is still at stake.
The former two-time champion, who has already urged the team to “experiment” with 2012-specific developments between now the Brazil finale, insists they will strive to add to their solitary 2011 race victory in the concluding rounds.
“When you see that the entire team is doing its utmost and maybe even more, you can only be satisfied,” he told Ferrari’s website.
“Obviously, we hoped for better here, but I have great faith in the work we are doing. We were convinced we could make a step forward after the summer break, but it did not turn out that way, while our rivals progressed even more.
“That does not mean we cannot be in the fight in the next few races: it will be tough, but I can feel the team has a great wish to redeem themselves and to prove their worth.”
Alonso says that kind of ingrained determination and spirit explains why he committed his long-term future to Maranello earlier this year.
“It is this type of attitude which, last spring, convinced me to extend my contract to the end of 2016," the 30-year-old added.
“If I did not believe in the quality and determination of the people and the potential in terms of the structure and resources, then I would not have made that decision.
“Now we must knuckle down after a difficult weekend and prepare as well as possible for the race in Suzuka, one of the greatest tracks on the whole championship calendar.”
With Ferrari’s development focus having switched to the 2012 car, the team have confirmed some new parts will be trialled on the 150ยบ Italia with a view to next year.
The Italian outfit also want to get to the bottom of the reasons why improvements to the blown diffuser concept an upgrade at Spa were expected to produce didn’t materialise.
“The remaining kilometres of the season will provide a test track for some solutions and ideas that could be useful for 2012,” an editorial on the team’s website read.
“There will be some aerodynamic updates on the cars in Suzuka and other new elements should be seen in Korea.
“In the meantime, the team will be looking to get on top of the reasons why the step forward expected at Spa, linked to a particularly aggressive interpretation of the exhaust system, did not materialise: a new version of the floor should have been tried out in Friday’s second session in Singapore, but the shortening of the earlier session and some technical glitches meant the team has had to postpone that test until Suzuka.”
The Spaniard had hoped to go one better in his second season at Maranello after being pipped to the drivers’ title by Sebastian Vettel in the final round last year, but his Red Bull rival’s dominance from the very first race in Australia has meant he has never been in realistic contention.
After Alonso mathematically dropped out of the running last weekend in Singapore, and with the team 85 points behind McLaren for second place in the constructors’’ standings alone, Ferrari would appear to have little left to play for this season – yet Alonso believes pride is still at stake.
The former two-time champion, who has already urged the team to “experiment” with 2012-specific developments between now the Brazil finale, insists they will strive to add to their solitary 2011 race victory in the concluding rounds.
“When you see that the entire team is doing its utmost and maybe even more, you can only be satisfied,” he told Ferrari’s website.
“Obviously, we hoped for better here, but I have great faith in the work we are doing. We were convinced we could make a step forward after the summer break, but it did not turn out that way, while our rivals progressed even more.
“That does not mean we cannot be in the fight in the next few races: it will be tough, but I can feel the team has a great wish to redeem themselves and to prove their worth.”
Alonso says that kind of ingrained determination and spirit explains why he committed his long-term future to Maranello earlier this year.
“It is this type of attitude which, last spring, convinced me to extend my contract to the end of 2016," the 30-year-old added.
“If I did not believe in the quality and determination of the people and the potential in terms of the structure and resources, then I would not have made that decision.
“Now we must knuckle down after a difficult weekend and prepare as well as possible for the race in Suzuka, one of the greatest tracks on the whole championship calendar.”
With Ferrari’s development focus having switched to the 2012 car, the team have confirmed some new parts will be trialled on the 150ยบ Italia with a view to next year.
The Italian outfit also want to get to the bottom of the reasons why improvements to the blown diffuser concept an upgrade at Spa were expected to produce didn’t materialise.
“The remaining kilometres of the season will provide a test track for some solutions and ideas that could be useful for 2012,” an editorial on the team’s website read.
“There will be some aerodynamic updates on the cars in Suzuka and other new elements should be seen in Korea.
“In the meantime, the team will be looking to get on top of the reasons why the step forward expected at Spa, linked to a particularly aggressive interpretation of the exhaust system, did not materialise: a new version of the floor should have been tried out in Friday’s second session in Singapore, but the shortening of the earlier session and some technical glitches meant the team has had to postpone that test until Suzuka.”
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Indian Grand Prix Concerns
A month before the inaugural race date, uncertainty still persists about the readiness of India's new Buddh circuit.The FIA's World Motor Sport Council said in Singapore that the organisers and Bernie Ecclestone are giving "positive" briefings about the Delhi venue."We're very happy, they're doing a good job," the F1 chief executive told the AP news agency on Saturday.But some recent photos in the media told a different story, even though Team Lotus reserve driver Karun Chandhok is the most recent visitor to the circuit.He said on Twitter: "FIA happy, FOM happy and the track will be ready in time".Now, French commentator Jean-Louis Moncet has entered the fray with some information."Regarding India, there are two versions," he wrote in his Auto Plus column. "There are members of some big teams who were sent out there who say that nothing is really ready."Indeed, during his visit to Bangalore this week, Lewis Hamilton was asked if he has driven the Buddh layout in the McLaren simulator."We haven't put it on the simulator as there has been some trouble in getting into the venue," local reports quote the Briton as saying.Moncet continues: "On the other hand, the specialists of (F1 barrier company) Tecpro assure me that the track itself is ready but as they haven't visited any buildings or seen the infrastructure they could not comment."Another potential problem is the recently reported tax issue, despite race organisers Jaypee promising to pay the customs duties on the F1 freight.Moncet explained: "The Indian government does not want to hear about a tax exemption and still intends to levy a tax on the wages of the drivers and the money that will be shared between the teams."As of now, the discussions have failed," he claimed.
Monday, 26 September 2011
Lewis Hamilton management team must do more, says father Anthony
The 2008 world champion clashed with Ferrari's Felipe Massa during a frustrating weekend in Singapore in the latest of a number of high-profile incidents this season.
Hamilton had been managed by his father since childhood beforetaking on Simon Fuller's XIX Entertainment this year.
"His management need to do more," Hamilton's father told BBC Sport.
Asked whether Hamilton needed another manager, his father replied: "What I will say is look up the paddock; every driver that's got a driver manager, the manager is here [in Singapore] and in the driver's life."
BBC Sport understands that Hamilton makes race-by-race decisions on whether he needs his management team to attend the grands prix.
There was no member of Hamilton's management team in Singapore but Hamilton is understood to be happy with the relationship he has built with the company, which also looks after footballer David Beckham and tennis player Andy Murray.
Hamilton's father was instrumental in guiding Hamilton into Formula 1 but the two split in March after a rocky period.
When asked whether the McLaren team needed to offer more support to their de facto number one driver, team principal Martin Whitmarsh told BBC Sport: "Lewis is having plenty of love from the team. I've known him since he was 11 and there's affection between us and many other members of the team.
The two are now on good terms but Hamilton announced in March that he would join Fuller's stable of clients.
"Undeniably this has not been a good year for Lewis Hamilton. He'll regroup as there are five more races and he'll try to win them and try to win the championship next year."
Hamilton clashed with Massa in Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix as he tried a move around the outside of Turn Seven on lap 10.
"It was a genuine mistake," said Hamilton's father. "I don't think there was any premeditation or any other issue with it.
The McLaren driver turned into Massa, breaking part of his front wing, while Massa was forced to limp back to the pits with a right rear puncture.
"He was pushing hard, trying to catch up to where he was. I think this one just caught him out.
"I think it's unfortunate that he got a drive-through for it, which is typical - he would get a drive-through wouldn't he?
"If you look at the replay, he locked up a brake as he turns in and just catches Massa's car.
"He didn't turn the steering wheel [and think] I'm going to hit your back wheel and give you a puncture. That wasn't what he did.
"I just think a little bit of common sense needs to prevail."
Sunday, 25 September 2011
Team Lotus To get KERS in extended Renault & Red Bull Deal
Team Lotus and Renault Sport F1 have confirmed that their existing engine deal is to be extended for a further year to the end of 2013 and the end of the V8 engine formula, with the aim to continue working together when Formula One’s new V6 engine regulations come into force in 2014.
Renault Sport F1 and Red Bull Technology will also provide the Anglo-Malaysian squad with KERS systems for the first time for the duration of the agreement. Team Lotus have been using Renault engines and Red Bull gearboxes since the start of this season.
Tony Fernandes, Team Lotus team principal, commented: “Having established an incredibly good working partnership since the first days of our agreement we are absolutely delighted that Renault Sport F1 and Red Bull Technology will be playing such an integral role in the ongoing development of our team until at least 2013, and then we are aiming to keep working together when the new rules are introduced. They are both passionate, dedicated teams of people with whom we have a growing relationship that is creating a number of exciting opportunities for us for the future. They share our vision for where we want to take our team, and we are very proud to have their power pushing us forward.
“Not only will we be able to build on everything we have learnt through working with Renault and Red Bull Technology in 2011, but we will now have the added benefit of KERS for next year, which really is a major step forward for our team. We have done the very best job we can this year but without that extra power we are always competing on a different level to the teams ahead, so to give our drivers that boost is a key element of helping us catch the cars ahead, and compete with them when we do so.”
Jean-Francois Caubet, Managing Director of Renault Sport F1, said: “This year we have established solid foundations with Team Lotus and this latest agreement consolidates the relationship that we look forward to continuing for many seasons to come. Renault is in F1 to display the quality of its product, so we need to be associated with teams that clearly have potential. The steps Team Lotus has made on and off track with its technical structure and facilities have given us a confidence they will achieve their aims. KERS is now an essential part to a competitive performance in F1 today and we hope this supply will help the team continue its evolution. Furthermore a wider experience of using the KERS system at this point in time will help in the development of the powerful energy recovery systems that will be introduced under the future engine regulations.”
Christian Horner, team principal of Red Bull Racing, added: “We’re very happy to extend the relationship between Red Bull Technology and Team Lotus, which already utilises our gearboxes, to include KERS for 2012 onwards. This endorses the joint venture between Renault Sport F1 and Red Bull Technology, which will continue to develop in the coming months. Hopefully this will enable Team Lotus to build on the significant progress they have already made this season.”
Team Lotus joined the grid along with Virgin and HRT in 2010. This season they have comfortably outperformed their fellow newcomers and currently lie 10th in the constructors’ standings as they continue to seek their first world championship point.
Renault Sport F1 and Red Bull Technology will also provide the Anglo-Malaysian squad with KERS systems for the first time for the duration of the agreement. Team Lotus have been using Renault engines and Red Bull gearboxes since the start of this season.
Tony Fernandes, Team Lotus team principal, commented: “Having established an incredibly good working partnership since the first days of our agreement we are absolutely delighted that Renault Sport F1 and Red Bull Technology will be playing such an integral role in the ongoing development of our team until at least 2013, and then we are aiming to keep working together when the new rules are introduced. They are both passionate, dedicated teams of people with whom we have a growing relationship that is creating a number of exciting opportunities for us for the future. They share our vision for where we want to take our team, and we are very proud to have their power pushing us forward.
“Not only will we be able to build on everything we have learnt through working with Renault and Red Bull Technology in 2011, but we will now have the added benefit of KERS for next year, which really is a major step forward for our team. We have done the very best job we can this year but without that extra power we are always competing on a different level to the teams ahead, so to give our drivers that boost is a key element of helping us catch the cars ahead, and compete with them when we do so.”
Jean-Francois Caubet, Managing Director of Renault Sport F1, said: “This year we have established solid foundations with Team Lotus and this latest agreement consolidates the relationship that we look forward to continuing for many seasons to come. Renault is in F1 to display the quality of its product, so we need to be associated with teams that clearly have potential. The steps Team Lotus has made on and off track with its technical structure and facilities have given us a confidence they will achieve their aims. KERS is now an essential part to a competitive performance in F1 today and we hope this supply will help the team continue its evolution. Furthermore a wider experience of using the KERS system at this point in time will help in the development of the powerful energy recovery systems that will be introduced under the future engine regulations.”
Christian Horner, team principal of Red Bull Racing, added: “We’re very happy to extend the relationship between Red Bull Technology and Team Lotus, which already utilises our gearboxes, to include KERS for 2012 onwards. This endorses the joint venture between Renault Sport F1 and Red Bull Technology, which will continue to develop in the coming months. Hopefully this will enable Team Lotus to build on the significant progress they have already made this season.”
Team Lotus joined the grid along with Virgin and HRT in 2010. This season they have comfortably outperformed their fellow newcomers and currently lie 10th in the constructors’ standings as they continue to seek their first world championship point.
Singapore Technical Analysis
Vettel Wins at Singapore but title must wait
Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel took a dominant victory in an incident-packed Singapore Grand Prix to move to the brink of the world title.
The German's ninth victory in 14 races means he needs just a point from the remaining five races to seal the title.
The only man who can mathematically beat him is Jenson Button, who finished second ahead of Red Bull's Mark Webber.
Ferrari's Fernando Alonso was fourth from McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, who recovered from a drive-through penalty
Force India's Paul di Resta drove superbly on his debut at one of the toughest races on the calendar and the Scot took an impressive sixth place.
Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg won a breathless battle for seventh place in the closing laps from Force India's Adrian Sutil, who just held off Ferrari's Felipe Massa after the Brazilian passed Sauber's Sergio Perez for ninth at the start of the last lap.
BBC F1 co-commentator David Coulthard said: "He's got a great car and a great team, but how he is using it. It's fantastic what we're seeing this year."Vettel's victory has put him 124 points ahead of Button with only 125 still available in a season in which he has finished first or second in every race except one - and he was fourth in that.
It has been a story of almost total domination by the reigning champion, and this grand prix encapsulated it.
Vettel stormed off from pole position and had a 4.4-second lead over Button after three laps. He extended it to 12 seconds before the drivers made their first pit stops - which was on lap 14 for the two leaders - and kept it there for the rest of the race until easing off towards the end.
Button closed on him rapidly as the chequered flag neared, but the illusion of a race was just that - Vettel was in control.
A safety car introduced after Michael Schumacher's Mercedes was launched into the air after running into the back of Perez had no impact on Vettel. Schumacher emerged unhurt from his wrecked car.
With Button held up behind Jarno Trulli's lapped Lotus at the restart, Vettel again left his pursuers standing and was a massive 8.9 seconds clear after just one lap following the resumption of racing.
Button's race was spent controlling the margin behind him to Webber, who had to pass Alonso twice to take third place.
The Australian took the Ferrari with a cleverly worked moved into Turn 15, after challenging the Spaniard on the outside into the previous corner.
After losing the place again when stopping during the safety-car period, Webber then surprised Alonso into Turn 10 after the Ferrari driver was held up by the Toro Rosso of Jaime Algursuari.
It was another eventful race for Hamilton in what has been an unhappy season for the 2008 world champion.
Hamilton, who started fourth behind Vettel, Webber and Button, lost ground at the start, because he had to back out of an attempt to pass the slow-starting Webber.
That dropped Hamilton to eighth place and in his attempt to come back through the field, he collided with Massa when refusing to give up a move around the outside of Turn Seven that was never going to come off.
Hamilton damaged his front wing in the incident, while Massa's rear tyre was punctured. That meant Hamilton needed to pit for a new wing, but he also then received a drive-through penalty, which left him stranded down the field in 15th place.
Coulthard added: "It was just a bit clumsy from Lewis unfortunately. I was talking to Lewis this morning about street tracks and I said: 'You sit very low in car, do you get enough visibility?'
"He said: 'Although I sit low the visibility is fine'. But I wonder if he's missing out in close-quarter racing by sitting so low."
After his earlier indiscretion, Hamilton was initially dispirited as he fought with the lower midfield, and asked his team over the radio: "Would you please give me some info on how I'm doing, what I'm racing for?"
He was reassured that he was still fighting for points, and fought back in clinical style - and with the help of the safety car - up to fifth place by the end of the race.
Singapore Grand Prix Qualifying
Sebastian Vettel claimed his 11th pole position in 14 grands prix in Singapore on Saturday night, setting himself up perfectly for a potentially momentous race in which he could clinch his second consecutive world title.
In an otherwise hard-fought contest at the front, Vettel was simply in a class of his own, luxuriating in a half-second cushion over his closest rivals throughout all three segments of the qualifying hour.
Team-mate Mark Webber ultimately closed the margin to 0.35s to ensure a Red Bull lockout of the front row, as Vettel aborted his final Q3 run after losing time in the middle sector of the lap.
Jenson Button pipped McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton for third on the grid by an infinitesimal 0.005s, with Hamilton having just one Q3 shot after a delay in refuelling his car between runs.
It was an eventful session all round for the 2008 world champion, who brushed the wall at the end of Q2 and punctured his right-rear tyre, and almost made contact with Felipe Massa when the pair were jockeying for position on their out-laps at the start of Q3.
Fernando Alonso wound up fifth despite setting a time just 0.14s slower than second-placed Webber and almost a second quicker than his Ferrari team-mate Massa, who will line up alongside him in sixth.
Nico Rosberg was the only other driver to set a Q3 time and will start seventh ahead of his Mercedes team-mate Michael Schumacher.
The ‘Noah’s Ark’ team symmetry continued on row five, which was annexed by Force India duo Adrian Sutil and Paul di Resta.
Sergio Perez took 11th for Sauber, but team-mate Kamui Kobayashi’s woes continued as he launched his C30 over the kerbs and into the wall at the now-notorious ‘Singapore Sling’ chicane, bringing out the red flag early in Q2.
Williams team-mates Rubens Barrichello and Pastor Maldonado were 12th and 13th respectively, a somewhat improved showing from the Grove squad, while Renault’s fortunes took a tumble, with Bruno Senna ending up 15th and Vitaly Petrov joining the Q1 casualties in 18th.
In an otherwise hard-fought contest at the front, Vettel was simply in a class of his own, luxuriating in a half-second cushion over his closest rivals throughout all three segments of the qualifying hour.
Team-mate Mark Webber ultimately closed the margin to 0.35s to ensure a Red Bull lockout of the front row, as Vettel aborted his final Q3 run after losing time in the middle sector of the lap.
Jenson Button pipped McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton for third on the grid by an infinitesimal 0.005s, with Hamilton having just one Q3 shot after a delay in refuelling his car between runs.
It was an eventful session all round for the 2008 world champion, who brushed the wall at the end of Q2 and punctured his right-rear tyre, and almost made contact with Felipe Massa when the pair were jockeying for position on their out-laps at the start of Q3.
Fernando Alonso wound up fifth despite setting a time just 0.14s slower than second-placed Webber and almost a second quicker than his Ferrari team-mate Massa, who will line up alongside him in sixth.
Nico Rosberg was the only other driver to set a Q3 time and will start seventh ahead of his Mercedes team-mate Michael Schumacher.
The ‘Noah’s Ark’ team symmetry continued on row five, which was annexed by Force India duo Adrian Sutil and Paul di Resta.
Sergio Perez took 11th for Sauber, but team-mate Kamui Kobayashi’s woes continued as he launched his C30 over the kerbs and into the wall at the now-notorious ‘Singapore Sling’ chicane, bringing out the red flag early in Q2.
Williams team-mates Rubens Barrichello and Pastor Maldonado were 12th and 13th respectively, a somewhat improved showing from the Grove squad, while Renault’s fortunes took a tumble, with Bruno Senna ending up 15th and Vitaly Petrov joining the Q1 casualties in 18th.
Friday, 23 September 2011
Singapore Grand Prix Practice 2
World champion elect Sebastian Vettel narrowly topped the times from his closest pursuer Fernando Alonso in second practice in Singapore.
Vettel, who can potentially clinch his second straight title on Sunday, was the early pace-setter on the prime tyres (softs), and again once drivers switched to the super-soft option compound.
However on the high-fuel race simulation runs towards the end of the session, Alonso was quicker by a substantial margin – indicating that Ferrari were either running lighter than Red Bull, or are in particularly strong shape to challenge for victory on the tight Marina Bay street circuit.
Vettel’s best effort on light fuel was 1m46.374s, putting him 0.2s clear of Alonso and three-quarters of a second ahead of McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton in third and Felipe Massa (Ferrari) in fourth.
Mark Webber was fifth fastest in the second Red Bull ahead of Michael Schumacher, the German continuing his strong recent form for Mercedes.
Adrian Sutil was next up in the Force India, followed by Sauber duo Sergio Perez and Kamui Kobayashi.
Jenson Button was mired in 10th place after missing the majority of the session following an apparently minor ‘off’ well before the halfway mark.
Vettel, who can potentially clinch his second straight title on Sunday, was the early pace-setter on the prime tyres (softs), and again once drivers switched to the super-soft option compound.
However on the high-fuel race simulation runs towards the end of the session, Alonso was quicker by a substantial margin – indicating that Ferrari were either running lighter than Red Bull, or are in particularly strong shape to challenge for victory on the tight Marina Bay street circuit.
Vettel’s best effort on light fuel was 1m46.374s, putting him 0.2s clear of Alonso and three-quarters of a second ahead of McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton in third and Felipe Massa (Ferrari) in fourth.
Mark Webber was fifth fastest in the second Red Bull ahead of Michael Schumacher, the German continuing his strong recent form for Mercedes.
Adrian Sutil was next up in the Force India, followed by Sauber duo Sergio Perez and Kamui Kobayashi.
Jenson Button was mired in 10th place after missing the majority of the session following an apparently minor ‘off’ well before the halfway mark.
Singapore Grand Prix Practice 1
Lewis Hamilton showed his intention to make up for his disappointing Monza weekend by setting the fastest time in a truncated first practice under the lights in Singapore, the session overshadowed by problems with the kerbing on the track which caused running to be shortened by 30 minutes and prompted a late red flag.
As darkness began to descend around the city-state into Friday evening, race control delayed the start of what was scheduled to be the normal 90 minutes of running after problems with the kerbing at turns three and 14 was identified following an earlier Porsche Carrera Cup support session around the street track.
Some of the temporary pieces of kerbing laid down for the weekend had worked their way loose and, following a first-hand inspection by FIA race director Charlie Whiting, it was decided to remove the kerbs at both corners altogether before cars could go out onto the circuit.
With the work taking around half an hour to complete, Whiting decided that rather than eat further into what was already a shorter-than-normal break between the Friday sessions, first practice would run to one-hour only.
The following 50 minutes proved largely incident-free – aside from a brief red-flag stoppage for Heikki Kovalainen’s Lotus after his car stopped on circuit and the brakes caught fire – before with seven minutes to go Felipe Massa dislodged another piece of kerbing when he ran over the kerbs on the short straight betweens turns seven and eight in his Ferrari, prompting another stoppage while the latest offending piece was removed.
In between the stoppages, it was McLaren’s Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel – who can clinch his second straight title if results go his way this weekend – who battled for the fastest time, the former eventually emerging on top by 0.406s with a 1m48.599s.
Mark Webber took third in the second Red Bull, albeit some 1.4s off the pace, having earlier had a brief run-in with Timo Glock’s Virgin which saw him break his RB7’s front-wing endplate against the Virgin’s left-rear tyre following a mix-up at the penultimate corner.
Two-time Singapore winner Fernando Alonso was fourth in the lead Ferrari, which featured flo-vis paint on both its front and rear wing, with McLaren’s Jenson Button fifth and Massa sixth.
Once the shortened session had got underway the temporary 3.15-mile floodlit track was in its usual dusty state for the first action of the grand prix weekend, Nico Rosberg’s initial benchmark effort of 1m57.351s nearly nine seconds slower than Hamilton’s ultimate effort.
The times soon tumbled quickly, however, first courtesy of the other Mercedes of Michael Schumacher (1m55.827s) and Massa (1m53.770s) before Webber became the first man into the 1m52s.
However, the Australian soon found himself having to abort his opening run after tangling with Glock’s much slower Virgin towards the end of the lap.
Webber had stalked the German for several corners to no avail and then as he tentatively put his car up the inside the left-handed turn 22, Glock turned in to take his racing line and the Red Bull’s left front-wing end plate pierced the Virgin’s left-rear tyre, puncturing it and sending debris onto the circuit.
In real terms the pair didn’t lose substantial track time for their repairs as almost immediately the red flag was dropped as Kovalainen’s Lotus stopped on the track at turn 18 with a gearbox problem.
Overheating problems had also caught his brakes to catch fire but, unlike last year when Kovalainen had to turn fire-fighter when his car also caught alight during the race, fire marshals were on the scene and splattered the front wheels with extinguisher foam.
After a five-minute stoppage, the session got back underway in earnest with McLaren, who had only completed installation laps in the opening half an hour, moving to the front courtesy of Jenson Button on 1m50.952s.
Vettel then showed his hand for the first time in the session and immediately found chunks more time, pumping in two fast laps to move down to a 1m49.646s, before Hamilton retaliated with a 1m49.515s.
The championship leader then found a full half a second more to seemingly settle the fight, yet Hamilton still had more speed in hand and uncorked his session-settling 1m48.599s.
The subsequent Massa kerb incident, which sent the Brazilian scurrying down the escape road, ensured no further changes to the top of the charts when the session was restarted with minutes to go once more, although the two Force Indias encouragingly managed to sandwhich the lead Mercedes of Schumacher at the bottom end of the top 10.
Several drivers had near-misses with the omnipresent walls – notably Williams Pastor Maldonado right at the end of the session – while Schumacher and Adrian Sutil were too drivers to lock up at the chicane and run straight on.
As darkness began to descend around the city-state into Friday evening, race control delayed the start of what was scheduled to be the normal 90 minutes of running after problems with the kerbing at turns three and 14 was identified following an earlier Porsche Carrera Cup support session around the street track.
Some of the temporary pieces of kerbing laid down for the weekend had worked their way loose and, following a first-hand inspection by FIA race director Charlie Whiting, it was decided to remove the kerbs at both corners altogether before cars could go out onto the circuit.
With the work taking around half an hour to complete, Whiting decided that rather than eat further into what was already a shorter-than-normal break between the Friday sessions, first practice would run to one-hour only.
The following 50 minutes proved largely incident-free – aside from a brief red-flag stoppage for Heikki Kovalainen’s Lotus after his car stopped on circuit and the brakes caught fire – before with seven minutes to go Felipe Massa dislodged another piece of kerbing when he ran over the kerbs on the short straight betweens turns seven and eight in his Ferrari, prompting another stoppage while the latest offending piece was removed.
In between the stoppages, it was McLaren’s Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel – who can clinch his second straight title if results go his way this weekend – who battled for the fastest time, the former eventually emerging on top by 0.406s with a 1m48.599s.
Mark Webber took third in the second Red Bull, albeit some 1.4s off the pace, having earlier had a brief run-in with Timo Glock’s Virgin which saw him break his RB7’s front-wing endplate against the Virgin’s left-rear tyre following a mix-up at the penultimate corner.
Two-time Singapore winner Fernando Alonso was fourth in the lead Ferrari, which featured flo-vis paint on both its front and rear wing, with McLaren’s Jenson Button fifth and Massa sixth.
Once the shortened session had got underway the temporary 3.15-mile floodlit track was in its usual dusty state for the first action of the grand prix weekend, Nico Rosberg’s initial benchmark effort of 1m57.351s nearly nine seconds slower than Hamilton’s ultimate effort.
The times soon tumbled quickly, however, first courtesy of the other Mercedes of Michael Schumacher (1m55.827s) and Massa (1m53.770s) before Webber became the first man into the 1m52s.
However, the Australian soon found himself having to abort his opening run after tangling with Glock’s much slower Virgin towards the end of the lap.
Webber had stalked the German for several corners to no avail and then as he tentatively put his car up the inside the left-handed turn 22, Glock turned in to take his racing line and the Red Bull’s left front-wing end plate pierced the Virgin’s left-rear tyre, puncturing it and sending debris onto the circuit.
In real terms the pair didn’t lose substantial track time for their repairs as almost immediately the red flag was dropped as Kovalainen’s Lotus stopped on the track at turn 18 with a gearbox problem.
Overheating problems had also caught his brakes to catch fire but, unlike last year when Kovalainen had to turn fire-fighter when his car also caught alight during the race, fire marshals were on the scene and splattered the front wheels with extinguisher foam.
After a five-minute stoppage, the session got back underway in earnest with McLaren, who had only completed installation laps in the opening half an hour, moving to the front courtesy of Jenson Button on 1m50.952s.
Vettel then showed his hand for the first time in the session and immediately found chunks more time, pumping in two fast laps to move down to a 1m49.646s, before Hamilton retaliated with a 1m49.515s.
The championship leader then found a full half a second more to seemingly settle the fight, yet Hamilton still had more speed in hand and uncorked his session-settling 1m48.599s.
The subsequent Massa kerb incident, which sent the Brazilian scurrying down the escape road, ensured no further changes to the top of the charts when the session was restarted with minutes to go once more, although the two Force Indias encouragingly managed to sandwhich the lead Mercedes of Schumacher at the bottom end of the top 10.
Several drivers had near-misses with the omnipresent walls – notably Williams Pastor Maldonado right at the end of the session – while Schumacher and Adrian Sutil were too drivers to lock up at the chicane and run straight on.
Thursday, 22 September 2011
Singapore Grand Prix Review
Sebastian Vettel is going to be Formula 1 world champion again this year – no one doubts this anymore.
With a 112-point lead and 150 available over the final six races, Vettel could miss quite a few grands prix before anyone else approached his current tally - and given the fact that no single rival has managed to emerge as the Red Bull man’s main challenger this year, the chances are that even if he were hit by a meteorite, Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button, Mark Webber and Lewis Hamilton would split the points between them and never quite manage to overhaul Vettel even in his absence.
The only remaining question is when he will clinch the now inevitable second straight crown, and it could be as early as Singapore this weekend.
After being spoiled with last or penultimate round deciders in recent years, many fans will be disappointed to see a title sealed in September.
If Vettel does put the championship beyond reach this weekend, it will be the earliest clincher in month terms since Alonso wrapped up his first title at Interlagos in September 2005 – although only two races remained then, whereas in this scenario there would be five – and the earliest in F1 calendar terms since Michael Schumacher became 2002 champion with six rounds to spare by winning that year's French Grand Prix.
To become champion in Singapore, Vettel needs to out-score Alonso by 13 points, Button and Webber by eight, and to avoid being out-scored by Hamilton.
So if Vettel wins, he needs Alonso to be fourth or lower, Button and Webber to be outside the top two, and whatever Hamilton does is irrelevant.
Such a result is a relative long shot (as it largely relies on it being Hamilton who takes second rather than any of the trio for whom the runner-up spot would mean a delayed celebration for Vettel), which means Vettel might not get to have his celebration pictures in Singapore's evocative night-time backdrop, but he surely won't complain if he can instead wrap things up at the majestic Suzuka circuit – where he has been unbeatable in recent years – instead.
Thrill and spill potential
Quite high. Marina Bay has a good balance for a street circuit - with barriers close enough that errors really do have consequences, but sufficient space that not every minor incident triggers a safety car.
Every grand prix held there so far has been eventful, and with DRS and Pirelli set to tackle the only problem with the track – a lack of scope for overtaking – this ought to be a highly entertaining weekend.
Talking points
* Were Mercedes and Renault's gains real? After their seasons started going into freefall, both the contenders for the 'best of the rest' honours rebounded in Belgium and Italy. But both teams are nervously waiting to see if it was just a case of F1's remaining fast tracks suiting their car, or whether they really have made enough progress to feature nearer the front in the remaining races.
* Which McLaren will be on top? Button has started to assert himself over Hamilton recently, with Lewis driving relatively tentatively in Italy - his confidence knocked by recent errors. As always with Hamilton, you suspect he's just one epic win away from returning to his full glory. He won in Singapore in 2009, but collided with Webber last year – but that 'glory or disaster?' unpredictability is part of the Lewis magic.
Singapore trends
* Something unusual will probably happen – A race-fixing scandal, Felipe Massa driving out of a pit stop with his fuel hose still firmly attached, Heikki Kovalainen putting out a blazing Lotus by himself... Singapore does tend to see the unexpected.
* Something involving Alonso – Winner in tainted circumstances in 2008, back on the podium as the scandal finally erupted in 2009, and thrusting himself right into title contention by triumphing again in 2010, whether it's been through brilliance or controversy, Alonso has always seemed to be at the centre of the Singapore story.
With a 112-point lead and 150 available over the final six races, Vettel could miss quite a few grands prix before anyone else approached his current tally - and given the fact that no single rival has managed to emerge as the Red Bull man’s main challenger this year, the chances are that even if he were hit by a meteorite, Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button, Mark Webber and Lewis Hamilton would split the points between them and never quite manage to overhaul Vettel even in his absence.
The only remaining question is when he will clinch the now inevitable second straight crown, and it could be as early as Singapore this weekend.
After being spoiled with last or penultimate round deciders in recent years, many fans will be disappointed to see a title sealed in September.
If Vettel does put the championship beyond reach this weekend, it will be the earliest clincher in month terms since Alonso wrapped up his first title at Interlagos in September 2005 – although only two races remained then, whereas in this scenario there would be five – and the earliest in F1 calendar terms since Michael Schumacher became 2002 champion with six rounds to spare by winning that year's French Grand Prix.
To become champion in Singapore, Vettel needs to out-score Alonso by 13 points, Button and Webber by eight, and to avoid being out-scored by Hamilton.
So if Vettel wins, he needs Alonso to be fourth or lower, Button and Webber to be outside the top two, and whatever Hamilton does is irrelevant.
Such a result is a relative long shot (as it largely relies on it being Hamilton who takes second rather than any of the trio for whom the runner-up spot would mean a delayed celebration for Vettel), which means Vettel might not get to have his celebration pictures in Singapore's evocative night-time backdrop, but he surely won't complain if he can instead wrap things up at the majestic Suzuka circuit – where he has been unbeatable in recent years – instead.
Thrill and spill potential
Quite high. Marina Bay has a good balance for a street circuit - with barriers close enough that errors really do have consequences, but sufficient space that not every minor incident triggers a safety car.
Every grand prix held there so far has been eventful, and with DRS and Pirelli set to tackle the only problem with the track – a lack of scope for overtaking – this ought to be a highly entertaining weekend.
Talking points
* Were Mercedes and Renault's gains real? After their seasons started going into freefall, both the contenders for the 'best of the rest' honours rebounded in Belgium and Italy. But both teams are nervously waiting to see if it was just a case of F1's remaining fast tracks suiting their car, or whether they really have made enough progress to feature nearer the front in the remaining races.
* Which McLaren will be on top? Button has started to assert himself over Hamilton recently, with Lewis driving relatively tentatively in Italy - his confidence knocked by recent errors. As always with Hamilton, you suspect he's just one epic win away from returning to his full glory. He won in Singapore in 2009, but collided with Webber last year – but that 'glory or disaster?' unpredictability is part of the Lewis magic.
Singapore trends
* Something unusual will probably happen – A race-fixing scandal, Felipe Massa driving out of a pit stop with his fuel hose still firmly attached, Heikki Kovalainen putting out a blazing Lotus by himself... Singapore does tend to see the unexpected.
* Something involving Alonso – Winner in tainted circumstances in 2008, back on the podium as the scandal finally erupted in 2009, and thrusting himself right into title contention by triumphing again in 2010, whether it's been through brilliance or controversy, Alonso has always seemed to be at the centre of the Singapore story.
Raikkonen Eyes Formula 1 Comeback with Williams
Former McLaren and Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen could return to Formula 1 next season with Williams.
The Finn quit F1 at the end of 2009 to try his hand at world rallying but after two frustrating seasons he has had talks with Williams about joining them for 2012.
BBC Sport understands that Raikkonen is keen to join the team and Williams are weighing up the idea.
Raikkonen, 32, would partner Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado at Williams.
Maldonado is in his first season, but the team's sponsorship with his country's national oil supplier is understood to guarantee him a seat.
The veteran Brazilian Rubens Barrichello is Maldonado's team-mate this season, but his future with the team looks shaky.
The 40-year-old wants to stay on for a 20th season in F1, but sources say Williams are leaning towards not retaining Barrichello.
One potential stumbling block is whether Williams and Raikkonen can come to an agreement on the size of his salary, but the team is hoping that his presence could attract new backers, which could help the move make financial sense.The Williams team would not comment on the situation.
Williams are having the worst season in their history in 2011 and currently lie ninth in the world championship with only five points.
Only the three teams who were new to F1 in 2010 are beneath them.
But it is believed that Raikkonen is serious about returning to F1 after failing to match the pace of the front-runners in the World Rally Championship and he has few options.
There is no space at any of the top four teams and although Williams are struggling they have strong engineering depth and are restructuring their team and Raikkonen is believed to consider that they are a good option for him.
The Finn left Ferrari at the end of 2009 after the team paid off his contract to make room for Fernando Alonso.
He won the world title for the Italian team in 2007, but his form dipped in the following two seasons and he was beaten by team-mate Felipe Massa.
After making his F1 debut for Sauber in 2001, he won 18 races in five years at McLaren and three at Ferrari.
Classic Moments: 1979 French Grand Prix
By far one of the Greatest pieces of Formula 1 Driving, Just essentially Pure Racing, none of that KERS or DRS nonesense. Villeneuve and Arnoux Feature in this piece of Formula 1 Greatness
The Rumour Mill
Ferrari's Fernando Alonso has targeted a third victory in four years in this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix but concedes that it will be "very hard" to achieve.
Full story: Fernando Alonso's blog
Full story: Fernando Alonso's blog
Red Bull boss Christian Horner says his charge Sebastian Vettel has no intention of backing off despite his huge 112-point lead in the drivers' standings and he fully expects the German to push for victory in an attempt to win the title with five races still go.
Full story: the Times (subscription required)
Full story: the Times (subscription required)
The Red Bull boss also commented on McLaren's Lewis Hamilton's poor run of form, saying he needed to "be at ease with himself and his surroundings" and stop taking out his frustration on the track.
Full story: the Sun
Full story: the Sun
McLaren's Jenson Button has revealed that he will be renting an apartment in Tokyo with his girlfriend Jessica Michibata for the next month to acclimatise to the humid conditions for Singapore as well as the upcoming races in Japan and Korea.
Full story: the Sun
Full story: the Sun
Force India's Paul di Resta says he is prepared to remain patient as he awaits a decision on the team's driver line-up for 2012 which is expected in December. The Scot also says that even if Vettel wins the title in Singapore, he still expects the German and his Red Bull team to go for race wins in the final five races of the season.
(Press Association)
(Press Association)
Di Resta's team-mate Adrian Sutil says there is no news on his plans for 2012 and the German denies suggestions that he has visited Williams with a view to landing a seat at the team.
Full story: Adam Cooper's F1 blog
Full story: Adam Cooper's F1 blog
Team Lotus driver Heikki Kovalainen gives his assessment of the weather in Singapore. "Quite cool weather and even some showers around so interesting to see what happens during the weekend," the Finn reports.
Full story: Heikki Kovalainen on Twitter
Full story: Heikki Kovalainen on Twitter
Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi remains confident in HRT's long-term prospects despite the team parting company with technical director Geoff Willis. Former Brawn deputy technical director Jorg Zander is expected to be confirmed as his successor.
Full story: Autosport
Full story: Autosport
Brazilian Rubens Barrichello says he feels physically better than he was when he was 18 and believes he still has a lot to give to the Williams team. The former Ferrari driver has yet to confirm his place on the grid for 2012 for what would be his 20th season in the sport.
Full story: Reuters
Full story: Reuters
Technical Analysis: Sidepods
Controlling airflow in the area directly behind the front wheels of a Formula 1 car has a huge influence on its overall aerodynamic performance. As Gary Anderson explains, a number of different approaches have been taken this year
Packaging the mechanical components of a Formula 1 car is never an easy task, especially when you consider that all of its body surfaces are there to influence the airflow and, in most cases, create downforce.
The current breed of F1 car will create something in the region of 1200kg of aerodynamic downforce at 155mph – so it's easy to understand why aerodynamics is a prime factor in packaging the car.
One area in particular that influences the performance of the entire car is the section immediately behind the front wheels. The airflow that passes through the inside of the front wheels, around the chassis side and bottom and the ground is basically what the rest of the car has to work with.
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Sutil's Manager Distances driver from talking with teams
Adrian Sutil’s manager has denied his driver is in talks with Williams over a potential 2012 move, insisting the German’s first preference is to remain at Force India.
With Brazilian veteran Rubens Barrichello’s contract at Williams expiring at the end of the year and his future at the team yet to be resolved, Sutil has been one of several drivers linked to the drive, particularly as he has personal sponsorship backing.
Speculation in recent days has suggested that the 28-year-old recently visited the team’s Grove headquarters but speaking to the Daily Mail, Sutil’s manager Manfred Zimmermann distanced his driver from talk of a switch.
“Our first choice for 2012 is Force India," Zimmermann told the newspaper.
“At this time there is no action talking to other teams.”
Sutil joined what is now Force India when it was known as Midland as a test driver in 2006, before graduating to a race seat under Spyker ownership the following year, and has been a mainstay at the Silverstone-based outfit since they were taken over by Indian tycoon Vijay Mallya and rebranded in 2008.
However, neither he nor rookie team-mate Paul di Resta have yet been confirmed for next season with Mallya having said he will name his 2012 line-up towards the end of the year, when the highly-rated Nico Hulkenberg is also likely to be under consideration after spending this year as the team’s third driver
Zimmermann also insisted that Sutil was a high enough calibre of driver not to have to bring additional sponsorship to a team to secure a drive.
He added that his personal backers Medion wouldn’t in any case automatically become a sponsor of a team the German was driving for.
“There is no need to bring sponsors or money to a team for Adrian,” he said.
“Last year and this year, he is fighting for a top-10 result in the world championship.
“Medion make their decision after we have signed a contract.
'If there is a nice offer they become a sponsor of the team, if not, they will no.”
With Brazilian veteran Rubens Barrichello’s contract at Williams expiring at the end of the year and his future at the team yet to be resolved, Sutil has been one of several drivers linked to the drive, particularly as he has personal sponsorship backing.
Speculation in recent days has suggested that the 28-year-old recently visited the team’s Grove headquarters but speaking to the Daily Mail, Sutil’s manager Manfred Zimmermann distanced his driver from talk of a switch.
“Our first choice for 2012 is Force India," Zimmermann told the newspaper.
“At this time there is no action talking to other teams.”
Sutil joined what is now Force India when it was known as Midland as a test driver in 2006, before graduating to a race seat under Spyker ownership the following year, and has been a mainstay at the Silverstone-based outfit since they were taken over by Indian tycoon Vijay Mallya and rebranded in 2008.
However, neither he nor rookie team-mate Paul di Resta have yet been confirmed for next season with Mallya having said he will name his 2012 line-up towards the end of the year, when the highly-rated Nico Hulkenberg is also likely to be under consideration after spending this year as the team’s third driver
Zimmermann also insisted that Sutil was a high enough calibre of driver not to have to bring additional sponsorship to a team to secure a drive.
He added that his personal backers Medion wouldn’t in any case automatically become a sponsor of a team the German was driving for.
“There is no need to bring sponsors or money to a team for Adrian,” he said.
“Last year and this year, he is fighting for a top-10 result in the world championship.
“Medion make their decision after we have signed a contract.
'If there is a nice offer they become a sponsor of the team, if not, they will no.”
Monday, 19 September 2011
Pirelli Allocate Tyres for Japan and Korea
Formula One tyre suppliers Pirelli have revealed the compound nominations for the Grands Prix in Japan and Korea next month. The P Zero White medium tyre and P Zero Yellow soft tyres will be used in Japan. For Korea, just one week later, the P Zero Yellow soft and P Zero Red Supersoft have been nominated.
The Suzuka circuit, which hosts the Japanese Grand Prix, contains a wide variety of fast and medium speed corners, such as the famous Spoon Curve and 130R. This makes it ideal territory for the versatile medium tyre, with the soft tyre - which has been used at every race so far this year - as the option.
Korea, inaugurated last year, is a tighter and twistier circuit with low grip. Because of this, the soft and supersoft tyres have been nominated: the same combination used for Monaco, Canada, Hungary and Singapore.
Pirelli’s motorsport director Paul Hembery commented: “After careful analysis of all the data we have available, we have come up with what we believe to be the nominations that are best suited to the characteristics of each circuit. While Suzuka is a track that we’ve competed on before, both in GT racing and on motorbikes, Korea is a circuit that most people are still learning about. Nonetheless, we benefit from advanced simulation technology that allows us to accurately predict the likely behaviour of each tyre even on tracks that we have never seen before.
“The extra performance of the supersoft makes it one of the most dynamic tyres in our range, which will form a key part of the strategy in Korea. Before then, the combination of medium and soft that will be used in Japan was last seen on our home grand prix in Italy, resulting in an extremely exciting race.”
Tyre compounds for the 2011 season:
Australia (Melbourne) - hard (prime), soft (option)
Malaysia (Sepang) - hard (prime), soft (option)
China (Shanghai) - hard (prime), soft (option)
Turkey (Istanbul) - hard (prime), soft (option)
Spain (Barcelona) - hard (prime), soft (option)
Monaco (Monte Carlo) - soft (prime), super-soft (option)
Canada (Montreal) - soft (prime), super-soft (option)
Europe (Valencia) - medium (prime), soft (option)
Great Britain (Silverstone) - hard (prime), soft (option)
Germany (Nurburgring) - medium (prime), soft (option)
Hungary (Hungaroring) - soft (prime), super-soft (option)
Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps) - medium (prime), soft (option)
Italy (Monza) - medium (prime), soft (option)
Singapore (Singapore) - soft (prime), super-soft (option)
Japan (Suzuka) - medium (prime), soft (option)
Korea (Yeongam) - soft (prime), super-soft (option)
The Suzuka circuit, which hosts the Japanese Grand Prix, contains a wide variety of fast and medium speed corners, such as the famous Spoon Curve and 130R. This makes it ideal territory for the versatile medium tyre, with the soft tyre - which has been used at every race so far this year - as the option.
Korea, inaugurated last year, is a tighter and twistier circuit with low grip. Because of this, the soft and supersoft tyres have been nominated: the same combination used for Monaco, Canada, Hungary and Singapore.
Pirelli’s motorsport director Paul Hembery commented: “After careful analysis of all the data we have available, we have come up with what we believe to be the nominations that are best suited to the characteristics of each circuit. While Suzuka is a track that we’ve competed on before, both in GT racing and on motorbikes, Korea is a circuit that most people are still learning about. Nonetheless, we benefit from advanced simulation technology that allows us to accurately predict the likely behaviour of each tyre even on tracks that we have never seen before.
“The extra performance of the supersoft makes it one of the most dynamic tyres in our range, which will form a key part of the strategy in Korea. Before then, the combination of medium and soft that will be used in Japan was last seen on our home grand prix in Italy, resulting in an extremely exciting race.”
Tyre compounds for the 2011 season:
Australia (Melbourne) - hard (prime), soft (option)
Malaysia (Sepang) - hard (prime), soft (option)
China (Shanghai) - hard (prime), soft (option)
Turkey (Istanbul) - hard (prime), soft (option)
Spain (Barcelona) - hard (prime), soft (option)
Monaco (Monte Carlo) - soft (prime), super-soft (option)
Canada (Montreal) - soft (prime), super-soft (option)
Europe (Valencia) - medium (prime), soft (option)
Great Britain (Silverstone) - hard (prime), soft (option)
Germany (Nurburgring) - medium (prime), soft (option)
Hungary (Hungaroring) - soft (prime), super-soft (option)
Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps) - medium (prime), soft (option)
Italy (Monza) - medium (prime), soft (option)
Singapore (Singapore) - soft (prime), super-soft (option)
Japan (Suzuka) - medium (prime), soft (option)
Korea (Yeongam) - soft (prime), super-soft (option)
Saturday, 17 September 2011
Ferrari Boss Would Relish Porsche on the F1 Grid
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has revealed he would be happy to see Porsche on the formula one grid.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Montezemolo made the comments about the German sports car maker this week at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
“I have a lot of respect for Porsche, which I consider to be the main rival for some of our cars. Competition is always welcome, especially when you’re sure you’ll win,” said the Italian.
Unfortunately for Montezemolo, Porsche is unlikely to be seen on the grand prix grids at least in the foreseeable future.
Also at the Frankfurt show, Porsche’s chief executive Matthias Muller said: “Formula one is still not interesting for us.
“It is simply too expensive and doesn’t offer enough in exchange, especially for spectators,” he added, according to Automotive News Europe.
Meanwhile, Montezemolo welcomed Sebastian Vettel’s admission at Monza last weekend that he would like one day to experience winning the Italian grand prix in a “red suit”.
“I can understand Vettel,” he said. “He’s an intelligent person with good taste and he knows what Ferrari stands for, with all due respect to the other teams.”
Montezemolo also appeared to comment on the appointment at new F1 supplier Pure of Gilles Simon, who after designing engines for Ferrari most recently headed the FIA’s engine department.
The Italian suggested he is worried Simon is taking up his new role having worked closely with the existing engine manufacturers on their V6 designs for 2014.
“It is not right that a technician can have the ability to pass on confidential information,” Montezemolo, not referring specifically to Simon, is quoted by Italy’s Autosprint.
Friday, 16 September 2011
Willis Leaves HRT
HRT technical director Geoff Willis has left the team, according to a report in this week’s Autosport.
The magazine says Willis did not receive assurances he was seeking about the team’s financial commitment to the design and build of next year’s car by the deadline he had set of the Belgian Grand Prix.
Ex-Williams, BAR and Red Bull man Willis joined HRT in February 2010 (initially as a consultant) when Colin Kolles took charge on the eve of the team’s debut campaign.
Former Williams, BMW Sauber and Honda/Brawn designer Jorg Zander is expected to replace Willis and take over the design of the HRT F112.
The magazine says Willis did not receive assurances he was seeking about the team’s financial commitment to the design and build of next year’s car by the deadline he had set of the Belgian Grand Prix.
Ex-Williams, BAR and Red Bull man Willis joined HRT in February 2010 (initially as a consultant) when Colin Kolles took charge on the eve of the team’s debut campaign.
Former Williams, BMW Sauber and Honda/Brawn designer Jorg Zander is expected to replace Willis and take over the design of the HRT F112.
Perez Makes First Ferrari Test
Sauber driver Sergio Perez drove a Ferrari Formula 1 car for the first time during the team’s latest driver academy test day at Fiorano, which also featured GP2 front-runner Jules Bianchi.
Although Mexican youngster Perez is currently racing for Ferrari’s customer engine team, the Italian marque signed the 2011 rookie up to their driver academy at the start of the year so he can have access to the team’s facilities and knowledge.
And on Thursday, following a two-day stint on the squad’s simulator, Perez got behind the wheel of the Ferrari’s 2009 car, the F60, for a morning of running on their test track, setting a best time of 1m00.650s.
“This was a really special day for me,” said the Mexican.
“I want to thank Ferrari for giving me this chance to improve and learn, given the limited number of testing opportunities during the year.
“Driving a Ferrari was a dream for me and it’s also important for my career, learning with a team like this and experiencing a different approach to the work.”
Academy head Luca Baldisserri was impressed by Perez’s swift acclimatisation to the Ferrari cockpit and the 21-year-old’s general approach to the test.
“Today, we followed two different programmes with Perez and Bianchi,” said Baldisserri.
“Sergio impressed, despite this being his first time at the wheel of a Ferrari. He proved to be aggressive and quick right from the start and was able to adapt to the car in a very short space of time.
He is very mature for his age, displaying an understanding that goes beyond the time he has spent driving single-seaters.”
Ferrari’s decision to snap up Perez to their academy has prompted speculation that he could be in the running to replace Felipe Massa alongside Fernando Alonso in their race team should the Brazilian’s contract not be renewed beyond 2012.
The driver himself though says he is very much focused on his Sauber career and making the most of his current opportunities within Ferrari.
“I think there is room for me to do well where I am and that’s my current target,” he said.
“It’s impossible to say how things will go and my dream is to become world champion and it would be nice if it could happen with a team like this one.
“I have got a lot out of this time with the Ferrari Driver Academy. The work on the simulator, the meetings with the engineers are all things that will help me over the rest of the season and in general in the future.”
Frenchman Bianchi, who finished third in this season’s GP2 Series for the second straight year, ended up with a marginally faster time than Perez following his 70-lap stint (1m00.213s), his work focussed on correlation assessments between the track and wind tunnel data.
He hopes the mileage is another step on the ladder to a full-time F1 career, while confirming his participation in November’s end-of-season young driver test.
“We did a lot of laps and once again it was a very useful experience for me,” said the 22-year-old.
“These laps all count a lot towards the future I’d like to have in Formula 1. Now, I’m looking forward to the Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi and it will be very interesting to go from the 2009 car to the 2011 one, as it will be a good opportunity for me to try elements like DRS and KERS for the very first time.”
Although Mexican youngster Perez is currently racing for Ferrari’s customer engine team, the Italian marque signed the 2011 rookie up to their driver academy at the start of the year so he can have access to the team’s facilities and knowledge.
And on Thursday, following a two-day stint on the squad’s simulator, Perez got behind the wheel of the Ferrari’s 2009 car, the F60, for a morning of running on their test track, setting a best time of 1m00.650s.
“This was a really special day for me,” said the Mexican.
“I want to thank Ferrari for giving me this chance to improve and learn, given the limited number of testing opportunities during the year.
“Driving a Ferrari was a dream for me and it’s also important for my career, learning with a team like this and experiencing a different approach to the work.”
Academy head Luca Baldisserri was impressed by Perez’s swift acclimatisation to the Ferrari cockpit and the 21-year-old’s general approach to the test.
“Today, we followed two different programmes with Perez and Bianchi,” said Baldisserri.
“Sergio impressed, despite this being his first time at the wheel of a Ferrari. He proved to be aggressive and quick right from the start and was able to adapt to the car in a very short space of time.
He is very mature for his age, displaying an understanding that goes beyond the time he has spent driving single-seaters.”
Ferrari’s decision to snap up Perez to their academy has prompted speculation that he could be in the running to replace Felipe Massa alongside Fernando Alonso in their race team should the Brazilian’s contract not be renewed beyond 2012.
The driver himself though says he is very much focused on his Sauber career and making the most of his current opportunities within Ferrari.
“I think there is room for me to do well where I am and that’s my current target,” he said.
“It’s impossible to say how things will go and my dream is to become world champion and it would be nice if it could happen with a team like this one.
“I have got a lot out of this time with the Ferrari Driver Academy. The work on the simulator, the meetings with the engineers are all things that will help me over the rest of the season and in general in the future.”
Frenchman Bianchi, who finished third in this season’s GP2 Series for the second straight year, ended up with a marginally faster time than Perez following his 70-lap stint (1m00.213s), his work focussed on correlation assessments between the track and wind tunnel data.
He hopes the mileage is another step on the ladder to a full-time F1 career, while confirming his participation in November’s end-of-season young driver test.
“We did a lot of laps and once again it was a very useful experience for me,” said the 22-year-old.
“These laps all count a lot towards the future I’d like to have in Formula 1. Now, I’m looking forward to the Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi and it will be very interesting to go from the 2009 car to the 2011 one, as it will be a good opportunity for me to try elements like DRS and KERS for the very first time.”
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
Schumacher should've been penalised......
Former Formula 1 driver Derek Daly, who was part of the FIA-appointed stewards’ panel at Monza, says he now believes Michael Schumacher should have been penalised for the blocking tactics he used trying to keep Lewis Hamilton at bay during the Italian Grand Prix.
Schumacher and Hamilton had a long and fierce battle – initially for third place and then for fourth after Jenson Button moved ahead – which lasted from the restart on lap four all the way to lap 27, when Hamilton finally made a pass stick.
In the course of the duel Schumacher became increasingly muscular in his defensive tactics, until he was advised by team principal Ross Brawn over the radio to leave Hamilton more racing room following a warning to the Mercedes pit wall from FIA race director Charlie Whiting.
Schumacher repeatedly made the one permitted move to the inside of the track to keep the door closed on the run to the Ascari chicane, and then would move back to the outside just before the braking area to line up for the corner, and did the same thing on the short straight between the second chicane and the Lesmo corners on lap 20.
There was also a tense moment on lap 16 when Schumacher squeezed Hamilton onto the grass in the Curva Grande as the McLaren started to pull alongside turning into the 180mph flat-out bend.
Hamilton chose not to criticise the seven-time world champion afterwards, and Schumacher received no official censure from the stewards.
But in a statement released on Tuesday, Daly – who was the driver representative in the stewards’ office for the Monza weekend – says he has reviewed Schumacher’s driving and now believes the “blatant double block” at Lesmo on lap 20 warranted a drive-through penalty.
“On lap 20, race director Charlie Whiting asked the stewards to look at an incident between Felipe Massa and Jarno Trulli at the second chicane,” said Daly.
“While looking at the slow-motion video of this incident, I missed the Schumacher/Hamilton incident that happened at that moment.
“When I looked at it again at home, I believe that Schumacher should have been given a drive-though penalty.
“He was warned repeatedly and this style of driving is not what you want the future generation of drivers to perfect.
“We as stewards probably let Charlie down with this one.”
For many years the limits of acceptable defensive driving in F1 were a matter of etiquette rather than strict rules.
But Article 20.2 of the 2011 FIA sporting regulations states that “manoeuvres liable to hinder other drivers, such as more than one change of direction to defend a position, deliberate crowding of a car beyond the edge of the track or any other abnormal change of direction, are not permitted”.
However there is some debate about whether the ‘one move’ element of this rule allows a driver to blend back onto the racing line before a corner following an earlier blocking move to the inside. Schumacher’s lap 20 move was an extreme case in point because the short straight between the Roggia chicane and the first Lesmo accentuated the ‘zig-zag’ effect.
Daly’s contention that it constituted a “blatant double block” shows that, for him at least, a strict interpretation of the one-move rule should apply.
Schumacher and Hamilton had a long and fierce battle – initially for third place and then for fourth after Jenson Button moved ahead – which lasted from the restart on lap four all the way to lap 27, when Hamilton finally made a pass stick.
In the course of the duel Schumacher became increasingly muscular in his defensive tactics, until he was advised by team principal Ross Brawn over the radio to leave Hamilton more racing room following a warning to the Mercedes pit wall from FIA race director Charlie Whiting.
Schumacher repeatedly made the one permitted move to the inside of the track to keep the door closed on the run to the Ascari chicane, and then would move back to the outside just before the braking area to line up for the corner, and did the same thing on the short straight between the second chicane and the Lesmo corners on lap 20.
There was also a tense moment on lap 16 when Schumacher squeezed Hamilton onto the grass in the Curva Grande as the McLaren started to pull alongside turning into the 180mph flat-out bend.
Hamilton chose not to criticise the seven-time world champion afterwards, and Schumacher received no official censure from the stewards.
But in a statement released on Tuesday, Daly – who was the driver representative in the stewards’ office for the Monza weekend – says he has reviewed Schumacher’s driving and now believes the “blatant double block” at Lesmo on lap 20 warranted a drive-through penalty.
“On lap 20, race director Charlie Whiting asked the stewards to look at an incident between Felipe Massa and Jarno Trulli at the second chicane,” said Daly.
“While looking at the slow-motion video of this incident, I missed the Schumacher/Hamilton incident that happened at that moment.
“When I looked at it again at home, I believe that Schumacher should have been given a drive-though penalty.
“He was warned repeatedly and this style of driving is not what you want the future generation of drivers to perfect.
“We as stewards probably let Charlie down with this one.”
For many years the limits of acceptable defensive driving in F1 were a matter of etiquette rather than strict rules.
But Article 20.2 of the 2011 FIA sporting regulations states that “manoeuvres liable to hinder other drivers, such as more than one change of direction to defend a position, deliberate crowding of a car beyond the edge of the track or any other abnormal change of direction, are not permitted”.
However there is some debate about whether the ‘one move’ element of this rule allows a driver to blend back onto the racing line before a corner following an earlier blocking move to the inside. Schumacher’s lap 20 move was an extreme case in point because the short straight between the Roggia chicane and the first Lesmo accentuated the ‘zig-zag’ effect.
Daly’s contention that it constituted a “blatant double block” shows that, for him at least, a strict interpretation of the one-move rule should apply.
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Horner: Sebastian Proved that he can pass!
Red Bull chief Christian Horner believes Sebastian Vettel proved beyond any doubt in his brave pass on Fernando Alonso in the Italian Grand Prix that his overtaking skills are up their with the best of them in Formula 1.
Although the world champion’s natural speed and ability to dictate a race from the front have been clear from very early on in his career, some observers had said that question marks still remained over his strengths in wheel-to-wheel situations – particularly last year following high-profile collisions with team-mate Mark Webber in Turkey and McLaren rival Jensen Button in Belgium.
The fact that this season going into Sunday’s Monza race Vettel had claimed 10 poles from 13 attempts, and led an astonishing 65% of laps completed, meant he had faced limited opportunities to showcase his passing skills given he had inevitability led races from the front.
But after setting up his second Italian GP victory with a stunning move around the outside of Ferrari’s Alonso at Curve Grande – which saw him put two wheels on the grass at speeds of around 190mph – his team boss reckons accusations that he can’t overtake have been firmly put to bed.
“Fernando had an awesome start and looked like he was only ever going to be the leader out of the first chicane,” Horner said.
“Sebastian was already pressuring him before the safety car and then anyone that doubted whether he can overtake or not, I think he demonstrated pretty clearly today [that he can].
Although the world champion’s natural speed and ability to dictate a race from the front have been clear from very early on in his career, some observers had said that question marks still remained over his strengths in wheel-to-wheel situations – particularly last year following high-profile collisions with team-mate Mark Webber in Turkey and McLaren rival Jensen Button in Belgium.
The fact that this season going into Sunday’s Monza race Vettel had claimed 10 poles from 13 attempts, and led an astonishing 65% of laps completed, meant he had faced limited opportunities to showcase his passing skills given he had inevitability led races from the front.
But after setting up his second Italian GP victory with a stunning move around the outside of Ferrari’s Alonso at Curve Grande – which saw him put two wheels on the grass at speeds of around 190mph – his team boss reckons accusations that he can’t overtake have been firmly put to bed.
“Fernando had an awesome start and looked like he was only ever going to be the leader out of the first chicane,” Horner said.
“Sebastian was already pressuring him before the safety car and then anyone that doubted whether he can overtake or not, I think he demonstrated pretty clearly today [that he can].
“He did a very brave move with two wheels on the grass, made it stick, then got his head down and had tremendous pace.”
Vettel went on to cruise to the eighth victory of his remarkable season by 9.5s over Button to all-but wrap up his second straight title and Horner felt the whole Red Bull operation had performed remarkably strongly to break their Monza duck.
“I think the set-up – obviously there was a bit of debate over gear ratios and so on – we got absolutely spot-on today and it was a very well-executed race strategy wise, pit-stop wise and from Sebastian himself,” he added.
“[It’s] phenomenal for the team for the team and Red Bull to win in Monza.”
The high-speed Italian circuit had previously been the world champions’ weakest on the calendar and few had tipped them to set the pace ahead of McLaren and Ferrari last weekend.
But on the back of winning for the first time at Spa, Horner believes RBR “got our homework right” in their preparation work for Monza and, despite some post-qualifying suggestions that they would be vulnerable in the race after deciding on a shorter top gear for Vettel, made all the right set-up decisions.
“A lot of effort went into this race,” he said.
“As with all the teams, you turn up with your low-downforce package. Ours seemed to be a bit more lower downforce than some of the others, but I think as an engineering group through all the development and the production guys, they have all done their bit and it’s worked.
“We’ve had a tremendous car all weekend and I think we got our homework right. We came here with the right balance of straight-line speed and I think the gearing ultimately has proved to be right.
“It’s massively rewarding to win two races which on paper theoretically should be two of our weakest.”
Vettel’s back-to-back wins at Spa and Monza have moved him to the brink of retaining the championship he won at the final round last season – the German will be crowned champion at the next round in Singapore if he wins again and Fernando Alonso finishes off the podium with both Button and Webber third or lower.
But while Red Bull’s rivals have conceded the championship is now all-but mathematically over, Horner says there will be no let up from RBR now the title is within their grasp.
“Our approach to Singapore will be exactly the same as every grand prix this year,” he insisted.
“We will go there trying to win it – he [Vettel] came close last year, it would be great to win that race.
“And the championship will take car of itself at the end of the day. Our philosophy has been to attack each weekend and not cruise and collect points and I think that’s the right philosophy and we continue to learn valuable lessons for next year.
“So our approach will be exactly the same.”
Vettel went on to cruise to the eighth victory of his remarkable season by 9.5s over Button to all-but wrap up his second straight title and Horner felt the whole Red Bull operation had performed remarkably strongly to break their Monza duck.
“I think the set-up – obviously there was a bit of debate over gear ratios and so on – we got absolutely spot-on today and it was a very well-executed race strategy wise, pit-stop wise and from Sebastian himself,” he added.
“[It’s] phenomenal for the team for the team and Red Bull to win in Monza.”
The high-speed Italian circuit had previously been the world champions’ weakest on the calendar and few had tipped them to set the pace ahead of McLaren and Ferrari last weekend.
But on the back of winning for the first time at Spa, Horner believes RBR “got our homework right” in their preparation work for Monza and, despite some post-qualifying suggestions that they would be vulnerable in the race after deciding on a shorter top gear for Vettel, made all the right set-up decisions.
“A lot of effort went into this race,” he said.
“As with all the teams, you turn up with your low-downforce package. Ours seemed to be a bit more lower downforce than some of the others, but I think as an engineering group through all the development and the production guys, they have all done their bit and it’s worked.
“We’ve had a tremendous car all weekend and I think we got our homework right. We came here with the right balance of straight-line speed and I think the gearing ultimately has proved to be right.
“It’s massively rewarding to win two races which on paper theoretically should be two of our weakest.”
Vettel’s back-to-back wins at Spa and Monza have moved him to the brink of retaining the championship he won at the final round last season – the German will be crowned champion at the next round in Singapore if he wins again and Fernando Alonso finishes off the podium with both Button and Webber third or lower.
But while Red Bull’s rivals have conceded the championship is now all-but mathematically over, Horner says there will be no let up from RBR now the title is within their grasp.
“Our approach to Singapore will be exactly the same as every grand prix this year,” he insisted.
“We will go there trying to win it – he [Vettel] came close last year, it would be great to win that race.
“And the championship will take car of itself at the end of the day. Our philosophy has been to attack each weekend and not cruise and collect points and I think that’s the right philosophy and we continue to learn valuable lessons for next year.
“So our approach will be exactly the same.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)