Year: 2013

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

2013 Italian GP: Qualifying report

2013 Intalian Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel (1:23.755) claimed his 40th pole position in qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix last night. His Red Bull teammate, Mark Webber, was two tenths behind (1:23.968). While a surprise result from Nico Hulkenberg (1:24.065) in the Ferrari powered Sauber rounded out the top three.

Aside from the flying Red Bulls, it was a mixed session. Both McLarens and both Toro Rossos made the top 10, while both Lotus drivers didn’t make the cut and nor did Lewis Hamilton (1:24.803, Mercedes) who will start from a relatively lowly P12.

Hamilton was impeded by Adrian Sutil (Force India) who was handed a three-spot grid penalty, but afterwards Lewis admitted he didn’t think he had the pace to challenge the lead pair.

Daniel Ricciardo (1:24.209, Toro Rosso) might have hoped for more than P7 as he spent much of the first two sessions hovering around the top three. At least he didn’t run wide into the gravel exiting the Parabolica like teammate Jean-Eric Vergne (1:28.050), who will start from P10.

“We missed a little something in Q3, doing a two lap run, and with hindsight, maybe a one lap run with a lighter fuel load would have been better,” said Daniel. “But I am still happy with seventh. I dropped a wheel in the gravel at the second chicane which might have cost me some time. To have both cars in the top ten on merit on a dry track is a very good result.”

Ferrari sent out both cars close together in Q3. Felipe Massa went first, with Fernando Alonso behind. The aim was to provide a slip stream for Alonso, however Massa was too quick and the plan didn’t work. Massa (1:24.132) ended qualifying in P4, marginally ahead of Alonso (1:24.142) in P5.

One rumour doing the rounds is that Hulkenberg could replace Massa at Ferrari next season. It would seem that Felipe may be taking an every man for himself approach as he sets sights on finding a new employer.

The full transcript from the post-quali press conference can be read after the break.

[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Formula 1

Watch Paul di Resta heat his tyres up

Paul di Resta, Force India, 2013 Italian GP

Viewers of the 2013 Italian GP may have noticed a new thermal imaging camera being used to show the fluctuating heat of tyres around a lap of the famous Monza circuit. It’s a high speed track with heavy load through corners such as the Lesmos and the Parabolica.

After the break you can see the camera in action on Paul di Resta’s car (for now).

[Thanks to Dylan for the tip]

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Ferrari Video

Australia, it’s time to vote: F40 or F50?

Ferrari F40 v Ferrari F50

On a day where our Australian readers are heading to the polls to kick out one dimwit for another, it’s our duty to brighten this otherwise most depressing of days. Here’s a choice you won’t dread making and when your vote has been cast you won’t regret it for the next three years, regardless of what you choose.

In truth, of course, we have Chris Harris to thank.

Firstly, his reputation presented him with an opportunity to drive two of Ferrari’s best ever cars, the insanely epic F40 and the improving with age F50.

Secondly, because when he does drive these two icons you are left in no doubt as to how much fun he is having. I’d like to be jealous, but I know I wouldn’t be able to do the justice to this comparison that he has done. Normally, Harris’ strength as a reviewer is to explain the detail about what he is experiencing. Here, though, it’s just kid in a candy store stuff and it is sensational.

He does take the time to delve into the past a little, and we’re ever thankful for that. So, without further ado, here’s Chris’ intro before you watch 20 of the most entertaining minutes of car video you could ever wish to see:

Here goes. Two of the greatest Ferraris thrashed as intended. This was one of the best days of my life.

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Formula 1

Here’s your first look at the 2014 F1 calendar

2013 Australian Grand Prix

The Australian Grand Prix on March 16 next year is expected to be the start date for the 2014 Formula 1 season according to a draft calendar revealed yesterday.

It’s shaping as being the biggest F1 season ever with 21 races including the addition of grands prix in Austria, Mexico and Russia. Notably, there’s no slot for the New Jersey Grand Prix.

We won’t be at all surprised if this calendar changes, either. There’s previously been talk of capping the season at 20 races and also concerns over the viability of the Russian event.

Whatever happens with the 2014 calendar, there’s already pressure on the 2015 schedule with the promised return of the Indian Grand Prix.

2014 F1 calendar (draft)

RoundDateGrand Prix
1March 16AUSTRALIA (Melbourne)
2March 23MALAYSIA (Sepang)
3April 6CHINA (Shanghai)
4April 13KOREA* (Korea International Circuit)
5April 27BAHRAIN (Sakhir)
6May 11SPAIN (Barcelona)
7May 25MONACO (Monaco)
8June 8CANADA (Montreal)
9June 22AUSTRIA (Red Bull Ring)
10July 6BRITAIN (Silverstone)
11July 20GERMANY (Hockenheim)
12July 27HUNGARY (Budapest)
13August 24BELGIUM (Spa)
14September 7ITALY (Monza)
15September 21SINGAPORE (Marina Bay)
16October 5JAPAN (Suzuka)
17October 19RUSSIA* (Sochi)
18October 26ABU DHABI (Yas Marina)
19November 9MEXICO* (Mexico City)
20November 16USA (Austin)
21November 30BRAZIL (Interlagos)
As at September 7, 2013.*subject to confirmation of track/contract

[Source: Autosport | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing Toro Rosso

Ricciardo says “I’ll be right” against Vettel

Daniel Ricciardo

Speaking at the FIA’s Thursday press conference ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, new Red Bull signing Daniel Ricciardo responded to a suggestion that he could use Mick Dundee’s knife to help his relationship with Sebastian Vettel by saying, “I’ll be right.”

Red Bull’s other Australian, Mark Webber, has faith in Daniel too. “Daniel will handle it fine. He knows how to handle himself so he’ll be OK,” said Mark.

As you might expect Daniel was the focus of several questions during the press conference and after the break we’ve got all the comments relating to the 24-year-old Aussie.

[Pic: Toro Ross/Getty Images]

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Please don’t boo Sebastian, he doesn’t like it

2013 British Grand Prix

As you can imagine when you’re a triple world champion, on track to make it four, your opinion is in high demand. Here’s a couple of snippets from recent interviews carried out with Sebastian Vettel, pictured above after retiring from the British GP.

From the Daily Mail: When he retired from this year’s British Grand Prix he was shamefully booed by a number of the crowd. Why? He is German and old enmities die hard. He is so successful he breeds resentment for no better reason. Does it hurt him?

‘It’s normal,’ he says, smiling, the afternoon after he cruised to victory at the Belgian Grand Prix. ‘I am very happy. I obviously would not swap with anybody.

‘There are situations or stories where you want to tell people the truth as you see it. You learn to deal with the fact some think what they want. If it reaches the point where it takes your attention away from your racing then it has got in the way.’

Has that ever happened? ‘No.’ But was the reaction at Silverstone surprising? ‘Yes. I didn’t understand it. I had not done anything to make them do it. I went up on to the stage later for the post-race concert and got booed again. I took my camera out and said, ‘If you are going to boo me at least do it properly. I tried to make a laugh out of it.

‘But you don’t like it when people boo. Obviously in the British Grand Prix if I am leading and they want a British driver to win they might not like it, which is fair, but booing, I don’t think that is fair. If one starts booing, others join in. I don’t think they were all wanting to boo per se; it was a chain reaction, so you shouldn’t get too upset by that.’

From PlanetF1: Asked how he expects his new Australian team-mate to perform, Vettel told reporters at Monza: “It’s difficult to say because at the moment he’s not in a car which allows him to score points regularly and race in the sort of area that we race.

“But I’m very sure he’s pushing very hard; he has been the last couple of years and I’m sure he will be in particular next year trying to do everything to beat me.

“So in that regard nothing changes, I’ll have another Australian trying to make my life difficult!”

It’s worth reading the Daily Mail article in full, in truth he doesn’t come across too bad. But we’ll still enjoy doing our bit to ensure Sebastian continues in his pantomime villain role next year when “Our Daniel” joins his side.

[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

Categories
Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

VIDEO: Nico Rosberg talks about his helmet

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG

Nico Rosberg from Mercedes AMG has taken time out to talk to about the features of his helmet. It’s short and sweet and you might even learn something!

[Source: Wired]

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McLaren

McLaren P1 gets hot under the collar

McLaren P1 in hot weather testing

Leaving speculation over Nürburgring lap times aside for a moment, McLaren has touched base to bring us what’s likely to be their last update before the production-ready P1 hypercar is revealed in full. Indeed, the pics you see here are of a “production-intent” P1.

Earlier in the year McLaren told us about the cold weather testing the P1 had endured, now it’s all about thrashing the car through Arizona, California and Nevada in temperatures beyond 50°C. A mix of road and track testing was undertaken and we do hope Ron let the guys behind the wheel have the air conditioning on.

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McLaren

Rumour: McLaren P1 laps the Ring in 7:04

McLaren P1

A couple of weeks ago a McLaren P1 was seen circulating around the Nordschleife with a film crew in tow. The interwebz is now suggesting the P1 lapped the Ring in a very fast 7 minutes 4 seconds.

Of course, a 7:04 lap time is bloody quick, but it’s not the sub-7 minute time Ron Dennis has promised in the past. So is this rumour accurate, or is it a ruse to build up publicity before an official time is announced at next week’s Frankfurt Motor Show?

Unofficial lap times for “street-legal” cars

  • 6:48 – Radical SR8 LM (2009)
  • 6:55 – Radical SR8 (2005)
  • 7:11 – Gumpert Apollo Sport (2009)
  • 7:12 – Dodge Viper ACR (2009)
  • 7:14 – Lexus LFA Nürburgring Package (2011)

[Source: Bridge to Gantry & Piston Spy | Pic: Ring Bilder]

Categories
Toyota

New images of the Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R concept

Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R concept

Toyota has used the famous Spa-Francorchamps racetrack as a backdrop to bring us new images of the 309kW Yaris Hybrid-R concept. There’s 11 new images in all, available at a maximum size of 1800×1200 pixels.

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Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes CLA 45 AMG Racing Series concept revealed

Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Racing Series concept

If you thought the Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG was pretty cool, you’re going to love this Racing Series concept. At this stage it’s little more than a litmus test to see how interested the customer racing market responds to the car.

Technical specs for the CLA 45 AMG Racing Series are being kept deliberately flexible for now, but it starts with the same 265kW/450Nm 2.0 litre turbocharged four cylinder engine from the road car, along with the 7-speed DCT gearbox.

It can be prepared with all-wheel drive or brought back to front-wheel drive if category restrictions applied. As an example, the car could race in the VLN series around the Nürburgring.

The body panels of the Racing Series are made from CFRP and the wider track results in aggressively flared wheel arches along with the handling benefits that come with such geometry changes. The interior of the car is fully race prepped, including racing buckets seats and a roll cage.

AMG brand ambassador Bernd Schneider was involved in the development of the concept and we hope to see this model flying around the world’s racetracks very soon. If nothing else, we’d expect Mercedes to enter a couple in next year’s Nürburgring 24 hour race.

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Caterham

So what’s a 230kW Caterham 620R like to drive?

Caterham 620R review by Autocar

The Caterham Seven 620R, it weighs a shade over 500kg and is powered by a 230kW (310hp) supercharged 2.0 litre Ford engine. It’s got a sequential gearbox and you have to control the power with your right foot and the rear wheels. It doesn’t get much more basic or enjoyable than this.

Steve Sutcliffe from Autocar has a crack at explaining the experience for those of us unikely to have the good fortune of trying a 620R for ourselves.

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