Category: Formula 1

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Formula 1

Ricciardo says Caterham best chance for 2012

2011 European Grand Prix

In mixed news for Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull has extended his contract for another 12 months. That’s a good show of faith in the young Aussie, but Ricciardo himself has revealed a drive with Red Bull’s junior team Toro Rosso is unlikely in 2012.

“At the moment it seems like Toro Rosso are going to stay with who they’ve got,” Ricciardo said.

“It wasn’t put down 100 per cent, but it was the wording I was making out.

“There’s a good chance if I’m on the grid next year it’s going to be with another non-Red Bull outfit, but I guess the good news is I’m still contracted by Red Bull. They’ve agreed to continue with me.”

It would seem Ricciardo’s best hope is to score a drive with Caterham. The team formerly known as Team Lotus has partnership agreement with Red Bull Technologies, which could provide a link for Ricciardo to join them should rumours of Jarno Trulli’s exit prove correct.

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Formula 1 News

Channel Ten confirms live F1 coverage in 2012

2011 Brazilian GP

Channel Ten has advised via its @tensporttv twitter account that they will be broadcasting all Formula One races live in 2012. “We will be showing all races live and exclusive,” the tweet reads.

Concerns over local free-to-air (FTA) coverage were raised when the BBC, the source network for Australia’s current F1 broadcasts, signed a shared rights agreement with pay TV network Sky Sports. That new agreement will commence next year and will see the BBC cover around half of the season live, with the remaining races to be broadcast as a highlights package shortly after each race has finished.

Sky Sports will cover every race live and has lured Martin Brundle from the Beeb with a lucrative contract rumoured to be around £1 million per year.

While Ten can confirm they will provide FTA coverage of all races in 2012, the source of the television feed has not been decided. “Details regarding commentary are being finalised, and once confirmed we will let you know,” the station advises.

[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

UPDATE: Ten also confirms qualifying sessions will continue to be shown live.

UPDATE 16 March 2012: Confirmation has come through that One will take their live feed from SkySports.

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes adds AMG to F1 team name

Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team logo

In a win for the AMG marketing department the factory-backed F1 team will now be known as the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team.

Norbert Haug, Vice President, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, is proud to build on AMG’s rich competition hertiage. “Our new team name fuses the proud traditions of AMG and the Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows at the pinnacle of motorsport. These three letters are synonymous with high technology, sporting performance and excitement and this step is a further strong sign of the strategic commitment Mercedes-Benz has made to Formula One.” said Haug.

“16 of the 24 drivers on the grid at the season’s final Grand Prix in Brazil have, or have had, a connection to Mercedes-Benz. In addition to the role of a works team, our commitment to Formula One comprises the customer engine programme and supply of the official Safety and Medical Cars.”

Meanwhile Ross Brawn has confirmed the team will miss the first pre-season test, preferring to hold off on the debut of the F1 W03 until the second test in Barcelona which starts on 21 February.

[Source: Mercedes AMG F1]

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Ferrari Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Ferrari and Red Bull quit FOTA

2011 German Grand Prix

Ferrari and Red Bull Racing have lodged notice to quit the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) amid concerns over the Resource Restriction Agreement.

The news emerged after a meeting at the recent Brazilian Grand Prix and was confirmed by a FOTA spokesperson. “FOTA confirms it has received the resignation of two teams,” the spokesperson told Autosport. “Whilst considering its next steps, FOTA will continue to work on behalf of its members to achieve the aims of the organisation.”

At the Korean Grand Prix in mid-October both Stefano Domenicali (Ferrari) and Christian Horner (Red Bull) cast doubt on the relevance of FOTA.

Horner stated, “I think that FOTA has reached the crossroads where it needs to deal with some of the key issues moving forward or we’ll stop. It’s as simple as that.

“The principal issues are obviously the Concorde Agreement, the direction that goes in, and fundamentally the RRA (Resource Restriction Agreement). If we can’t find agreement within FOTA on that, then what is the purpose of FOTA?”

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Formula 1

Bernie gives USGP organisers one more week

US GP draft track layout

Associated Press brings word that Bernie Ecclestone has granted a one week extension to organisers of the USGP in Austin to allow them to meet his demands.

Which is funny, because only last week Bobby Epstein, Circuit of The Americas representative, said that they have the money Ecclestone wants and have done for some time.

Bernie isn’t having any of that, telling AP, “the deadline hasn’t been met so we are still trying to make it happen… they need to get some money and a pen.”

The World Motor Sport Council meets next week (7 December) to ratify the 2012 F1 calendar. If Bernie isn’t satisfied with USGP organisers by then they can start planning for a race in 2013.

[Source: Associated Press]

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Formula 1

FIA publishes provisional 2012 F1 entry list

2011 Brazilian GP

There are 24 driving spots up for grabs every year in Formula One and so far we have 15 of them safely locked in. Overnight the FIA released a provisional entry list for the 2012 season which shows nine are seats officially vacant.

Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes are settled. No surprises there. Marussia is also confirmed. So, too Caterham, which is interesting given there has been talk Daniel Ricciardo may replace Jarno Trulli.

Lotus has just signed Kimi Raikonnen, leaving Vitaly Petrov, Bruno Senna and Romain Grosjean in the hunt for the remaining drive. Robert Kubica has confirmed he won’t be ready to race at the start of next season. It will be interesting to see what happens should he be ready to go part way through 2012. There are rumblings he could displace Felipe Massa at Ferrari.

Officially Force India are driverless, but Paul di Resta should be safe after an impressive rookie year. It’s expected Adrian Sutil will make way for Nico Hulkenberg, who, you may remember, claimed pole position in his most recent F1 race.

Toro Rosso is an interesting case. Incumbent drivers Sebastien Bumei and Jaime Algeursuari could be forgiven for expecting to comfortably retain their jobs. They’ve not done a lot wrong. However, they’ve also failed to demand the attention of the F1 paddock. With young guns like Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne ready to pounce that may prove costly.

Williams was in the hunt for Kimi Raikkonen but baulked at his wage demands. So you’d think the status quo of veteran Rubens Barichello and the cash of Pastor Maldonado will remain. We’ll have to wait and see, it appears.

Which leaves perennial back markers HRT with no drivers. However, long-term McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa has been signed and Tonio Liuzzi hasn’t done his chances of surviving at HRT any major damage in 2011.

[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Formula 1 Lotus

Kimi Raikkonen talks about F1 return

Kimi Raikkonen

Lotus (nee Lotus Renault GP) has released a Q&A interview with their new signing Kimi Raikkonen. Laconic as ever, Kimi explains why he chose Lotus over Williams: “Really there were two options – it was this team or Williams. And everything worked out with Lotus Renault GP as we wanted, so that’s really the reason.”

They showed him the money, in other words.

Group Lotus ambassador and former AUSmotive hero, Jean Alesi, has also been wheeled out to share his thoughts. You can read both interviews after the break.

Meanwhile, word on the street says Vitaly Petrov is under some pressure to keep his drive with Lotus in 2012. Bruno Senna and Romain Grosjean are waiting to fight over the scraps. More news as it comes to hand.

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Formula 1

Ricciardo future confirmed by Christmas

Daniel Ricciardo, 2011 British GP

The Formula One future of Daniel Ricciardo is expected to be known by Christmas, according to Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner.

“Daniel has done a good job this year and now we need to look at the opportunities available,” Horner told autohebdo.fr.

“He has learned from the races, albeit in difficult circumstances with a car that was far from the pace. But still he gained some experience and fought against a talented teammate.

“I am confident that his programme for next year will be decided before Christmas.”

Current wisdom suggests the former Hispania Racing driver will end up at Red Bull’s junior team Toro Rosso or perhaps even Caterham.

[Source: motorsport.com]

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Formula 1 Lotus Renault

Renault announces Kimi comeback

Kimi Raikkonen

Kimi Raikkonen’s Formula One comeback is now official after Lotus Renault GP today announced he has signed a two-year deal with the team. Remember, the team will be known as simply as Lotus in 2012.

It hasn’t taken long to knock off one F1 silly season rumour and Kimi is happy to be back. “I’m delighted to be coming back to Formula 1 after a two-year break, and I’m grateful to Lotus Renault GP for offering me this opportunity,” the 2007 world champion said in a team statement.

“My time in the World Rally Championship has been a useful stage in my career as a driver, but I can’t deny the fact that my hunger for F1 has recently become overwhelming. It was an easy choice to return with Lotus Renault GP as I have been impressed by the scope of the team’s ambition. Now I’m looking forward to playing an important role in pushing the team to the very front of the grid.”

For now we assume he will partner Vitaly Petrov, which would leave Bruno Senna looking for a drive. Senna has been performed reasonably well for Renault since taking over from Nick Heidfeld part way through the season. One would expect he would be reluctant to return to a Friday test drive role.

Now that one domino has fallen will the pressure, perceived or otherwise, on Rubens Barichello (Williams), Adrian Sutil (Force India) and Jarno Trulli (Lotus/Caterham) force more teams to quickly lock in their 2012 roster?

The full statement from LRGP can be read after the break.

UPDATE: A short video interview with Kimi has been added below.

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Caterham Formula 1 Lotus

Ricciardo to Caterham, Raikkonen to Lotus?

2011 Japanese Grand Prix

Now that the dust has settled on the 2011 F1 season we can start dealing in rumour and innuendo; Formula One excels in such matters after all. First cab off the rank, then, is the emerging rumour that young Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo will join Caterham after Jarno Trulli has been thanked for his services.

That would increase the chances of Sebastian Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari remaining at Toro Rosso. Or could French GP2 driver Jean-Eric Vergne leapfrog Ricciardo into a Toro Rosso seat? Like Ricciardo last year, Vergne impressed when given the chance to drive the lead Red Bull car at the recent young driver test sessions in Abu Dhabi.

“It’s a luxury problem, and I’m sure we’ll find a solution,” Helmut Marko told Adam Cooper.

When asked what he thought of his Toro Rosso drivers in season 2011 Marko didn’t exactly lavish them with high praise, “I would say they both improved from mid-season onwards, unfortunately Buemi had more technical issues. But still, we are not looking for a good F1 driver, we are looking for a top F1 driver.”

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Formula 1 McLaren Red Bull Racing

2011 Brazilian GP: Post-race press conference

2011 Brazilian GP

Following news of Mark Webber’s win at the 2011 Brazilian Grand Prix early this morning we can now bring you the final post-race press conference for 2011.

Some minor housekeeping before we start. The one-two placing for Red Bull sees them finish the constructors’ championship on an even 650 points. They enjoy a massive margin back to McLaren (497), with Ferrari (375) and Mercedes (165) the only other teams to make triple figures.

For the drivers, Vettel ended his stellar 2011 with 390 points. Jenson Button (270) was the best of the rest, followed by Mark Webber (258), Frenando Alonso (257) and Lewis Hamilton (227).

Back to Brazil, Australia finished first and last, with young Daniel Ricciardo finishing in twentieth position. The only minor highlight, if at all, was that he did finish ahead of his HRT teammate following Liuzzi’s retirement on lap 62. You couldn’t say the West Australian has set the world alight in his six months in F1. Of course, he is trying to make do with the worst car on the grid and there have been some bright moments.

Let’s hope he’s done enough to secure a drive in 2012. Toro Rosso looms as his best bet, but who knows what the merry circus of Formula One will deliver between now and next March when racing resumes in Melbourne.

[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber wins 2011 Brazilian GP

2011 Brazilian GP

In a dominant season for Red Bull Racing Mark Webber has broken through for his first win of the year in the season’s final race. This is Webber’s second win in Brazil and is the first grand prix he was won more than once. His seventh career win marks the end of a long drought for Webber who hasn’t won a race since Hungary in August last year. As you can see above, it also marks the return of the Leaping Webber!

Both Red Bulls started from the front row and held their positions into the first corner; Vettel’s getaway was cleaner than Mark’s, who had to battle hard to stay in second place. The race settled into an early rhythm with Vettel establishing a comfortable three second lead over Webber.

The two Red Bulls were dominant and there was no genuine threat from behind. However, Vettel soon encountered gearbox issues and Webber was able to overtake for the lead on lap 29, where he stayed for the rest of the race. In the end, Webber enjoyed a 16.9 second margin back to his teammate.

Vettel had enough pace to protect second place, thanks in part to a squabble for third place behind him. Jenson Button finally came out on top in his fight with Alonso to grab the final podium position.

[Pics: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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