Category: Formula 1

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Red Bull referred to German GP stewards

2012 German Grand Prix

The FIA’s technical delegate, Jo Bauer, has this morning notified German Grand Prix stewards of irregularities in the engine maps of both Red Bull cars. The stewards will consider Bauer’s report and decide if any action should be taken.

Key to the concerns of Bauer is the mid-range torque curves seen at Hockenheim. “Having examined the engine base torque map of car numbers 01 and 02 it became apparent that the maximum torque output of both engines is significantly less in the mid rpm range than previously seen at other events,” Bauer’s report states.

Bauer adds, “In my opinion this is therefore in breach of article 5.5.3 of the 2012 Formula 1 technical regulations as the engines are able to deliver more torque at a given engine speed in the mid rpm range.

“Furthermore this new torque map will artificially alter the aerodynamic characteristics of both cars which is also in contravention of TD 036-11. I am referring this matter to the stewards.”

The benefit to Red Bull for such a change in torque could be to artificially aid aerodynamic flow akin to the benefits gained form the now banned blown diffusers.

We’ll have to wait and see what, if any action, is taken. Potentially, this could see both Red Bulls sent to the back of the grid for tonight’s race.

Bauer’s statement is show below, along with the article 5.5.3 of the 2012 Formula 1 technical regulations.

[Thanks to Wes for the tip]

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Ferrari Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

2012 German GP: Qualifying report

2012 German Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso has again proved his mastery of wet conditions by claiming his second wet pole position in a row in qualifying at the German Grand Prix overnight.

Only a light sprinkling of rain fell in Q1, in which all drivers used slick tyres, but as the rain increased so did the level of wet weather tyres; intermediates in Q2 and full wets in Q3. Which means the weather conspired to ensure each qualifying period was slower than the previous.

Alonso’s time in Q3 was 1:40.621 and he needed to find every ounce of speed in his Ferrari F2012 to head off the challenge from Red Bull. For a while Michael Schumacher (1:42.459) had his Mercedes on provisional pole. Webber, carrying the burden of a five-place grid penalty for an early gearbox change, was the first to knock him off when he lapped Hockenheim in 1:41.496. Ultimately, though, in improving conditions Alonso was good enough to best that time twice and at the death Vettel (1:41.026) also eclipsed his teammate.

Thanks to Webber’s penalty, which moves him to P8, Michael Schumacher will start the race from P3. Although, the seven-time world champion can consider himself lucky on more than one count after he only progressed into Q2 by displacing Jean-Eric Vergne after the chequered flag had dropped.

Despite starting from P8 Webber remains confident: “We’ve got to aim to come forward, I mean that’s what we’ve got to do. It’s not the best position to start the grand prix, that’s clear.

“We’ve had limited running in the dry, there’s been snapshots of information for the teams to get some information. I’m positive going into the race and will try to pick some people off over the course of the grand prix.”

Daniel Ricciardo posted his best qualifying result for some time. He’ll start from P11 after narrowly missing entry in Q3 by five hundredths of a second.

Romain Grosjean and Nico Rosberg join Webber with grid penalties and the revised starting order can be seen here. A full transcript from the post-qualifying press conference can be read below, with thanks to the FIA.

[Pics: Ferrari, Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber deadpans Formula1.com

2012 British Grand Prix

Fresh off his win at the British Grand Prix Australia’s Mark Webber re-signed with Red Bull for the 2013 season. Proving he’s a man in demand he has also taken part in an exclusive interview with the sport’s official website.

To begin with Webber plays a very straight bat:

Q: Life at Red Bull with Sebastian (Vettel) as team mate arguably looks easier than that at Ferrari alongside Fernando Alonso and the potential politics. Did that play a role in your thinking?
MW: I am staying at Red Bull next year. Period.

Q: Can you say what was key to your decision?
MW: It doesn’t matter.

Q: The talks with Ferrari. Who was talking to them? You or Flavio Briatore?
MW: Doesn’t matter. Not important. Ask Ferrari.

Further on in the interview Mark opens up and shares his thoughts on the rest of the season. And, proving what a great bloke he is, Webber also re-confirmed that Alain Prost is his F1 hero.

Follow the source link below for the full interview.

[Source: Formula1.com | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Formula 1

Bernie offers F1 lifeline to the Nürburgring

Bernie Ecclestone

Amidst the general tales of woe and bankruptcy the chances of seeing the German Grand Prix return to the Nürburgring in 2013 have been given a boost thanks to an offer of assistance from Bernie Ecclestone.

Eccelstone has agreed to waive the usual race sanction fee to ensure the Nürburgring is on the 2013 F1 calendar. But, in a typically shrewd move, Bernie wants the right to claim all the revenue from the race in return.

Speaking to Auto Bild, Ecclestone said, “We will do everything that is commercially feasible to keep it [the German GP]. Hopefully in Hockenheim and the Nürburgring.”

However, that’s no guarantee for the Ring. “If it’s not possible, we will talk to Hockenheim to see if they can do it,” Ecclestone added.

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

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Formula 1

Marussia: Car not to blame for de Villota crash

Maria de Villota

The Marussia F1 Team has completed its investigation into the cause of the Maria de Villota accident and has ruled out a technical fault with its car. The 32-year-old Spaniard continues to recover after losing her right eye as a result of her injuries.

The team’s official statement begins: “The accident occurred on 3 July during a straight-line test, at which Maria was making her testing debut for the Team and driving an F1 car for the fourth time in her career.”

Immediately following the accident, which took place a few days before the British Grand Prix, Marussia conducted an internal investigation to search for reasons that may have caused the MRo1 de Villota was driving to lunge forward into a stationary team truck. “Having carefully examined all the data and supplementary information available at that time, the Team were satisfied that there were no such car-related issues and cleared its chassis for race weekend participation,” Marussia’s statement added.

Following the race at Silverstone, Marussia commissioned an external investigation into the accident and shared their findings with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Team Principal, John Booth, explains: “We are satisfied that the findings of our internal investigation exclude the car as a factor in the accident. We have shared and discussed our findings with the HSE for their consideration as part of their ongoing investigation.

“This has been a necessarily thorough process in order to understand the cause of the accident. We have now concluded our investigatory work and can again focus on the priority, which continues to be Maria’s wellbeing.

“In that regard, we continue to support Maria and the de Villota family in any way we can.”

[Source: Marussia F1 Team]

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Formula 1 Motorsports Video WRC

VIDEO: Racing in slow motion IV

Racing in slow motion IV

If you’ve spent any time trawling YouTube watching motorsport videos from around the globe there’s a fair chance you’ll have come across the work of Mattzel89. If you haven’t, or even if you have, here is 16 minutes of superb editing and motor racing highlights.

There’s something for fans of all top line motorsports. The selection of music is perfectly matched and the sequences have a really nice rhythm, right down to the poignant ending.

If nothing else it’s a great way to start your weekend.

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Formula 1

Bernie says London Grand Prix is no joke

London Grand Prix track

Bernie Ecclestone says the possibility of a Formula One Grand Prix in London is real. He’s not revealed plans for a preferred route, but you get the feeling a variation of the Santander fantasy track cannot be ruled out.

“We are getting on with it. It is no joke, 100% completely no joke,” Ecclestone told The Guardian. He’s even suggested that he’ll put up the cash for the hosting fee, in effect giving the race a £35m head start.

“With the way things are, maybe we would front it and put the money up for it. If we got the OK and everything was fine, I think we could do that,” he said.

Another possible route could take in the Olympic precinct. Whatever happens it seems as though Bernie wants a race in London, so we may as well get ready to mark it on the calendar. As we all know, what Bernie wants, Bernie gets; even if it’s a bit dodgy and costs him £28m.

[Source: The Guardian]

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Formula 1 McLaren

Lewis and Jenson star in new cartoon

McLaren cartoon animation

This animated cartoon, featuring McLaren drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, was broadcast by Sky TV in the build up to last week’s British Grand Prix. It’s the first of a 12-part series called Tooned and has been produced by Framestore.

As cringeworthy as your first impression to this series may be, it’s actually not that bad. You can watch the premiere episode, “Wheel Nuts”, after the break.

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber stays with Red Bull for 2013

Mark Webber re-signs with Red Bull Racing for 2013

A typically honest Mark Webber admits he spoke to Ferrari, but has confirmed he will stay with Red Bull Racing for the 2013 Formula One season. This ends an almost comical saga of speculation about Webber’s immediate future, something both he and his team are happy to be over.

“It’s been an interesting few months, but overall the continuity and desire for me to continue at Red Bull Racing was very strong,” Webber said. “My main focus is on this year’s Championship, which is very important.”

Team boss, Christian Horner, explains the decision to offer Mark a new contract was an easy one. “As there was a strong desire from both sides to continue the partnership, it was a logical decision to extend our relationship and it is with great pleasure that we confirm Mark will drive for us in 2013.”

Mark says he is open to continuing his career into 2014 if his pace remains. “It’s a results-based sport at the front of the grid so the future lies in my own hands. It’s down to me to deliver the on-track results,” he said.

Full details from Red Bull Racing can be read below.

[Pics: Ferrari, Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Ferrari Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

2012 British GP: Post-race press conference

2012 British Grand Prix

A great Monday morning start for you this week with the post-race press conference from Mark Webber’s win at the British Grand Prix over night. Turns out the interviews on the podium with Jackie Stewart were all that went to air as far as television goes.

So for your full post-race rundown check out the transcript from the FIA press conference after the break. There’s quite a lot of discussion on where Mark will be driving next year. And Fernando Alonso explains his tyre strategy, too. He was banking on rain, luckily for Mark it didn’t eventuate and he was able to perform his trademark podium leap!

[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Ferrari Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber wins 2012 British GP

Mark Webber, 2012 British Grand Prix winner

Mark Webber has managed to make hay while the sun was shining at Silverstone and won the 2012 British Grand Prix. Webber headed home polesitter Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) and his Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel.

The race itself was quite nondescript and, once again, it was tyre strategy that had as much influence on the result as outright race pace. Following the awful conditions for yesterday’s qualifying the teams weren’t expecting today’s sunny weather. Of course, a dry race start meant drivers were free to choose from either the soft or hard compound slicks.

Alsono and Ferrari played their card early by choosing to start the race on hards, while their competitors behind went for softs. For the most part it looked as though Ferrari had made the right call; Alonso led the majority of the race and was able to rejoin in the lead after making his final stop.

The soft tyres were the slower of the two compounds and Alonso saved them for last, while Webber ran them in his first stint. With 14 laps left to go it was soon apparent that Alonso would be at the mercy of Webber, as his soft tyres lost their grip. And so it came to pass on lap 48 with a sterling move from Webber to take the race lead around the outside of Alonso. From there Webber was able to hold station and win by three seconds.

It’s the Australian’s second win in 2012, following his victory in Monte Carlo, and the ninth of his career. Today’s win is also Webber’s second at Silverstone, adding to his “not bad for a number two driver” race in 2010.

We didn’t see much of Daniel Ricciardo today, but he did what he needed to do and out qualified his Toro Rosso teammate, Jean-Eric Vergne, and then finished ahead of him in the race, even if it was only by a bit over two seconds.

Fernando Alonso continues to lead the drivers’ championship, albeit with his margin cut by 7pts thanks to Webber’s win. The Aussie remains second in the title race and is building some momentum. While Sebatsian Vettel’s third place has moved him into third in the championship as well.

Final placings and updated championship positions are listed below. We’ll have a bumper pictorial of Webber’s win for you in the next 24–48 hours.

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Ferrari Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing

2012 British GP: Qualifying report

2012 British Grand Prix

Rain, rain, rain! That’s pretty much the story from qualifying at the British Grand Prix last night. After a marathon effort Fernando Alonso (1:51.746) put his Ferrari on pole, just edging out Mark Webber (Red Bull, 1:51.793). Michael Schumacher (Mercedes AMG, 1:52.020) showed he’s still quite handy in poor conditions and qualified third.

A lengthy delay interrupted Q2 as the rain became too heavy to continue and the session was red flagged. By then Jenson Button (McLaren), usually quite comfortable in wet weather, had already missed the cut in Q1. A yellow flag in the closing stages of Q1 hindered his late charge and he’ll be one to watch during the race.

It took well over an hour for the rain to ease and when Q2 resumed an almost comical line up of cars were waiting for the green light at the pit exit. With a little over six minutes left in Q2 every driver managed to improve his previous best time. There were no unlucky misses this time and all of the remaining front runners made it through to Q3.

The final qualifying period saw drivers running full wet weather tyres and with improving track conditions times fell by the lap. Soon intermediate tyres were the best option and Alonso claimed provisional pole with three minutes left in the session. Webber quickly raised the bar on Alonso, but the Ferrari ace was good enough, and ballsy enough, to find an extra five hundredths on Webber to claim his first pole position since 2010.

The final qualifying order has been shaken up quite a bit thanks to a mix of penalties for gearbox changes and steward sanctions. The finalised starting order can be seen here.

A full transcript from the post-qualifying press conference can be read below, with thanks to the FIA.

[Pics: Ferrari, Mercedes AMG, Red Bull/Getty Images]

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