Year: 2013

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Bathurst 12 Hour Mercedes-Benz

Erebus Mercedes wins 2013 Bathurst 12 Hour

Erebus Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 wins 2013 Bathurst 12 hour

Mercedes-Benz, under the watch of the Erebus Racing team has ended, Audi’s reign of the Bathurst 12 Hour by taking victory in a drama-filled race today.

There were a record number of safety car periods and more laps than any previous Bathurst 12 hour were driven under yellow flag conditions and short periods of heavy rain late in the race kept the front runners on their toes as well. Through all of that it was the #36 Mercedes SLS AMG GT3, driven by the all-German crew of Bernd Schneider, Thomas Jäger and Alex Roloff, that managed to come out on top.

It’s a great result for the Bathurst 12 Hour race, too, as it continues to grow in depth and international stature.

Proving that was the sight of a fast charging Craig Baird at the wheel of the #33 Clearwater Racing Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 who, along with 2012 teammates Matt Griffin and car owner Mok Weng Sun, finished in second place; one better than last year.

In third place was the #5 VIP Petfoods Porsche 911 GT3 R, driven by Shane van Gisbergen, Klark Quinn and last-minute stand in Matt Kingsley.

The defending #1 Phoenix Audi finished in fourth place, which is not a bad result when you consider they lost four laps mid-race with mechanical dramas. In the end #1 car only finished two laps down.

Let’s look at the top four again: Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Porsche and Audi. In a nutshell that tells you what makes the Bathurst 12 Hour race so special. I’m gutted to have missed it live.

A three-hour highlights package of the 2013 Bathurst 12 Hour race will air nationally next Sunday on Speedweek (SBS TV).

[Pic: Bathurst 12 hour]

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Formula 1 Lotus

Raikkonen fastest on Day 4 in Jerez

Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus E21, Jerez

Kimi Raikkonen dashed the hopes of Force India interviewee Jules Bianchi to set the quickest time on Day 4 of Formula 1 pre-season testing in Jerez overnight.

Raikkonen’s time in the Lotus E21 of 1:18.148 just edged out Bianchi in the VJM06, who hopes to land the vacant seat at Force India, by a mere +0.027. The 2007 world champion’s best lap was set in the afternoon session on soft compound tyres and is a fraction quicker than teammate Romain Grosjean’s best time, which claimed top honours on Day 2 of testing.

“We continued our work from yesterday and made some good progress,” Raikkonen said. “We’re at the top of the timing monitors, but that means nothing in testing. Our focus has been testing parts on the car, but I’ve been able to get the set-up more to my liking.

“The car feels strong and we seem to have a good idea of where we’re going with improvements. Let’s see what happens in Barcelona.”

Sebastian Vettel enjoyed his second day out in the Red Bull RB9 completing 96 laps on the way to setting the third fastest time (1:15.565).

Lewis Hamilton also got some good seat time in his new rig, accumulating 145 laps of experience. Sauber rookie Esteban Gutierrez took a similar approach notching up 142 laps.

Testing resumes in Barcelona on Tuesday 19 February. A full list of times from Jerez can be seen after the break.

[Pic: Lotus F1 Team/LAT Photographic]

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Ferrari Formula 1

Massa fastest on Day 3 in Jerez

Felipe Massa, Ferrari F138, Jerez

Felipe Massa seems a lot happier with life in 2013 after using his new F138 to set the fastest time so far this week in Jerez overnight. Running soft compound tyres for the first time Massa set his time of 1:17.879 in the morning session. So far he’s the only driver to break the 1:18 barrier.

In what can be described as a much happier pre-season for Ferrari, Massa understands that getting off to a good start can set the tone for the year ahead. “These were three very important days,” Felipe said. “They were especially useful in the sense of finding the right direction for the team to focus on when it come to the development work between now and the opening round in Australia.”

However, Massa knows that pre-season times don’t count for much. “The quick lap? It means nothing,” he said. “While I’m pleased to have done a good time, that was not the priority: we must still concentrate on the car set-up and we will definitely be doing this during the next test in Barcelona. Several teams have very quick and well balanced cars and so I am one hundred percent keeping my feet on the ground.”

There would have been smiles at Mercedes, too, with Nico Rosberg second quickest (1:18.766), but more importantly able to complete 148 laps in the F1 W04, 38 more than any other driver.

Sebastian Vettel’s first day out for Red Bull in the RB9 was fruitful, racking up 102 laps and setting the third fastest lap (1:19.052).

In the Lotus garage Kimi Raikkonen got his first taste of the E21. He only registered 40 laps, but was only a couple of tenths off Vettel’s time (1.19.200).

After three days in Jerez, with only one more to go, there’s been three different teams topping the time sheets: McLaren, Lotus and Ferrari. It would appear that defending champion Red Bull has been content to let other take the limelight. Foxing perhaps? A bit too early to say, but the talk coming from their garage is very positive.

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Formula 1

Luis Razia signs on with Marussia

Luiz Razia, Marussia F1 Team

Young Brazilian driver Luiz Razia has been signed by the Marussia F1 Team and will join 21-year-old Briton Max Chilton to form an all-new driver pairing.

The 23-year-old Razia spent time as Marussia’s reserve driver back in 2010 and was the runner up in last year’s GP2 series. Naturally he’s excited to be back in F1, this time in the main parade.

“It is fantastic to be back with the Marussia F1 Team and with pretty much the same group of people I worked with back in 2010 when I was Reserve Driver,” said Razia. “I am very proud to take the step up to a Formula 1 race seat, particularly with the Team I began this journey with, since they helped show me what it takes to progress to the highest level.

“The past two seasons in GP2 have been all about proving that I have what it takes and that I’m ready. This coming season will be all about rewarding the faith the Team have shown in me. I am looking forward to beginning that process in Jerez where we are testing the MR02 for the first time.

“I am also looking forward to the first race in Melbourne and I’m excited to be racing alongside Max, who I competed ‘against’ last season. This is an important year for the Marussia F1 Team in terms of maintaining the momentum from a very positive 2012 season.”

[Source: Marussia F1 Team]

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Formula 1 Lotus

Grosjean fastest on Day 2 in Jerez

Romain Grosjean, Lotus E21, Jerez

While it can often be foolhardy to put too much faith into times achieved in Formula 1 pre-season testing we learnt early on last year that Lotus would have good raw pace. And it looks as though that will be the case again in 2013 after Romain Grosjean sent the Lotus E21 to the top of the time sheets on the second day of pre-season testing in Jerez overnight.

Grosjean’s time of 1:18.218 is six tenths faster than Jenson Button’s best from yesterday. Grosjean was quick all day and one of the few drivers to improve his lap time during the afternoon session.

The Frenchman completed 95 laps and has left him full of confidence before handing over test duties to Kimi Raikkonen tomorrow. “It was good today; the programme went to plan and we showed we have good reliability,” Grosjean said. “For me, the whole test has gone well which bodes well for the year ahead. My feeling in the car is good and it was great to be at the top of the times. Even if it doesn’t mean anything during testing, it’s still good to be at the front.

“We used the soft, medium and hard compounds and whilst we’re not 100% yet on the differences between each we have a good idea. Kimi will be working on this area for the next two days so we’ll have a better understanding when we head to Barcelona.”

Meanwhile, spare a thought for Lewis Hamilton, or have a wee chuckle, depending on your opinion of the 2008 world champion. Just 15 laps into his Mercedes AMG career he suffered a brake failure in the F1 W04 which caused him to crash and miss the rest of the day. He was unharmed in the incident and is happy, for now, to tow the party line.

“These things happen and it’s all part of testing,” said Lewis. “Of course, it’s better that we get these small issues out of the way sooner rather than later, and the guys are working really hard to overcome them.”

For the record, he was a fraction faster than Sergio Perez in his first outing in the McLaren MP4-28.

Mark Webber had a good day, locking away 101 laps and despite not being at the top of the times is very happy with his two days in the RB9. Fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo notched up 83 laps and set the third fastest time in the Toro Rosso STR8. He too was happy, although a little circumspect, after his track time.

[Pic: Lotus/LAT Photographic]

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Categories
Formula 1

2013 Australian Grand Prix officially launched

2013 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix

Yesterday marked the official launch for the 2013 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix. As you can see from the full title, Rolex hasn’t wasted any time increasing its profile in F1 following the announcement it will be the sport’s official timekeeper from 2013 onwards, taking on the title sponsor role in Melbourne.

“This is an incredibly exciting announcement for Melbourne and our state. It highlights the attention and respect Melbourne, as the season opener, commands internationally. There are few sporting events in Australia that have the global visibility of Formula One,” said Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu (left).

The new deal with Rolex ends the association with former title sponsor Qantas, who had their name up in lights from 1997–2001 and more recently from 2010–2012.

Video highlights from the launch event can be seen after the break. For reasons best known to the promotions team this event was held at an ice rink. Yeah, we can’t work out why either. It looked like fun all the same.

For those keeping count there’s only 39 days to go until race day on 17 March.

[Source: grandprix.com.au]

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Formula 1 McLaren

Button fastest on Day 1 in Jerez

Jenson Button, McLaren MP4-18, Jerez

Jenson Button (McLaren MP4-28) has set the fastest time on day one of pre-season testing in Jerez overnight. He put early fuel pump issues behind him to set a time of 1:18.861 late in the day. It’s an impressive result, as well, some eight tenths quicker than Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9) who was second quickest.

Speaking after practice had finished for the day Webber said, “It was pretty good. As Adrian said at the launch, there haven’t been big changes to the regulations this year and the car is an evolution of the one we finished with last season, so there were no big surprises. I think most of the drivers will sit back tonight and think today’s times were pretty competitive.”

2013 F1 pre-season testing – Jerez (Day 1)

  1. Jenson Button McLaren – 1:18.861 (37 laps)
  2. Mark Webber Red Bull – 1:19.709s +0.848 (73laps)
  3. Romain Grosjean Lotus – 1:19.796s +0.935 (54laps)
  4. Paul di Resta Force India – 1:20.343s +1.482 (89laps)
  5. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso – 1:20.401s +1.540 (70laps)
  6. Felipe Massa Ferrari – 1:20.536s +1.675 (64laps)
  7. Nico Hulkenberg Sauber – 1:20.699s +1.838 (79laps)
  8. Nico Rosberg Mercedes – 1:20.846s +1.985 (14laps)
  9. Pastor Maldonado Williams – 1:20.864s +2.003 (84laps)*
  10. Giedo van der Garde Caterham – 1:21.915s +3.054 (64laps)
  11. Max Chilton Marussia – 1:24.176s +5.315 (29laps)

All timing unofficial
*2012 car

[Pic: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes]

Categories
Formula 1

Marussia unveils 2013 F1 car

Marussia F1 Team MR02

After almost five years I still get a kick when logging into the Ferrari media portal. Little old me, in my humble lounge room in Canberra, with access to all the new and historical press information from one of the world’s most iconic and desirable manufacturers.

It doesn’t matter if it’s photos from Ferrari’s F1 archives or the latest info on their newest road car; it’s mine whenever I want it.

Marussia, though, they just won’t answer my emails for access to their press section. That’s why you never see their cars in the AUSmotive F1 in pictures galleries.

Worse, when Virgin was involved I did have press access. But now I don’t and I’ve been trying for two years.

Caterham, Ferrari, Lotus, McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Williams: all yes. Even HRT, remember them? But, Marussia: no.

In other news, the team expected to be the sport’s highest achieving backmarkers in 2013 revealed the MR02 a few hours ago.

[Source: Marussia F1 Team]

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Caterham Formula 1

Caterham unveils 2013 F1 car

Caterham CT03

The good news is Caterham has provided a great number of studio shots of their new CT03 Formula 1 car. The bad news is it still has the ugly stepped nose we saw in 2012.

What is new, though, is Caterham’s driving line up. Charles Pic was confirmed late last year, but it was only last Friday that 27-year-old Dutchman Giedo van der Garde was confirmed as Caterham’s second driver, leaving the likeable Heikki Kovalainen out in the cold.

Mark Smith, Technical Director, gives us a run down on the CT03: “We have made a number of significant changes to the car that takes it from the package that gained us 10th place in the championship in Brazil in 2012 into CT03. Among the most obvious are around the lower chassis where the sidepods have been significantly undercut to improve airflow to the rear of the car.

“The diffuser, engine cover and cooling exits have also seen major changes and there are more subtle improvements to other areas of the car, such as the sidepod turning vanes and the lower tea-tray area.

“This is the package we will take to race one in Australia and as part of the 2013 upgrade program we will then bring new front and rear wings and a new diffuser soon after the start of the season.”

More from Caterham after the break.

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Formula 1 Toro Rosso

Toro Rosso unveils 2013 F1 car

Toro Rosso STR8

This is the STR8 which was revealed by Toro Rosso overnight. The two young lads Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne are under pressure to perform in 2013 so they’ll be hoping the car will help them achieve their goals.

Again we see the stepped nose has been disguised by revised bodywork and Toro Rosso say as much as 97% of the car is new.

Most judges would agree that Daniel Ricciardo had the better year compared with Jean-Eric Vergne in 2012, and yet Vergne finished higher in the world championship. Both know that there’s a big chance of a seat at Red Bull in 2014, assuming Mark Webber moves on or retires. It will be a fascinating battle in the STR garage this year.

Daniel Ricciardo says he’s ready for the task at hand. “The 2013 version of me is a more confident person and driver, with more self-belief than last year,” he said. “I spent most of the winter Down Under and when I came back into the factory in Faenza, I could feel a very positive atmosphere with everyone excited about the new car. The target for us this year is very simple: to improve on last year.”

Meanwhile, Jean-Eric Vergne is ready to build on his rookie season. “Going into this season is a completely different experience to this time last year, when I had to deal with a lot of unknowns,” he said. “I had to learn the majority of tracks, understand so many details about Formula 1 and adapt to working with the team. This year, I will still be learning – you never stop in Formula 1 – but the basics are there and I will be able to focus on more important aspects of the job.”

Vergne’s final comment is quite interesting too, “I sense a new philosophy within Toro Rosso: I wouldn’t say people are working harder, but maybe they are going in a better direction.”

Not too sure what to read into that comment from JEV, but if one was being mischievous you could draw the conclusion that there was some behind the scenes tension at times last year.

Let’s wait and see what 2013 brings for the junior Red Bull outfit.

[Pics: Toro Rosso/Getty Images]

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes AMG F1 W04 v F1 W03

Mercedes AMG F1 W04 v F1 W03

Not the greatest of angles to compare the new Mercedes F1 W04 (top) against last year’s F1 W03, but for now it’s the best we’ve got.

If nothing else we must be thankful for the vanity panel covering the visually appalling stepped nose from 2012. Beneath the skin they’ve also fiddled about with the exhaust, reinstating a Coanda effect system after scrapping such a similar setup towards the end of last season.

Categories
Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes AMG unveils 2013 F1 car

Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 W04

This is the Mercedes F1 W04, the car Lewis Hamilton hopes won’t leave him looking like a fool after his highly publicised switch from the vastly more successful (in recent years) McLaren team.

It took a while for us to get a decent look at the car as well, following some rather pointless teasing from Mercedes via social media. Kids these days would have called that exercise a fail. Never mind all that though, the F1 W04 is before us now and after the W03 featured one of the less fortunate stepped noses in 2012 it’s nice to see the modesty panel has been applied to save further embarrassment in 2013.

Also joining Hamilton as high profile recruits are triple world champion Niki Lauda (Non-Executive Chairman) and Williams investor Toto Wolff (Executive Director). According to some reports that has left Ross Brawn clinging on to his role as Team Principal by the skin of his teeth. You sense that Brawn understands that too.

“2013 marks the start of a second era for our Silver Arrows works team,” said Brawn. “The restructuring we undertook at the team over the past 18 months are now growing in maturity and this is reflected in the F1 W04, which is a clear step forward in design and detail sophistication over its predecessor.

“Many thousands of hours of work have been invested by our technical teams in Brackley and Brixworth to ensure that the new car delivers a step change in performance compared to last season.

“We are also hugely proud to welcome Lewis to the team as a works Mercedes-Benz driver. With Lewis and Nico, we have what I believe to be the strongest driver line-up in Formula One and I know that a healthy level of competition between them both will help drive the team forward.”

More from Mercedes after the break, including pictures, video and the team’s full press pack.

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