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Formula 1

2014 Williams FW36 revealed

2014 Williams FW36

Williams has revealed a series of renderings showing their 2014 F1 car, the FW36. And as you can see we have confirmation of our first finger-style front nose. It looks a bit like an anteater, too.

There’s a couple of firsts for Williams here: it’s the first time the team has worked with a Mercedes-Benz engine power unit and the first time they’ve run an 8-speed gearbox.

Chief Technical Officer, Pat Symonds, explains some of the challenges in designing this car: “There’s a lot more technology on the cars this year. We’ve had turbo-charged engines in F1 before; what’s different this time is that it is much more than just an engine change, it is a completely different system. We’ve gone from a slightly hybridised normally aspirated engine to a fully integrated hybrid power unit with novel technology at its heart.

“Overall the cars will need more cooling this year. The demands on water and oil cooling may be slightly diminished, but the ERS system is significantly more powerful and hence needs more cooling. We also have to cool the charge air from the turbocharger compressor which requires a substantial intercooler.”

Williams has given a rough timeline for the design of the new car, which we’ve listed in dotpoint form below:

  • CAD data for 2014 power unit received from Mercedes mid-way through last season
  • FW36 design phase completed by mid-September 2013
  • New gearbox run on dyno in early-November 2013
  • Launch spec aero packaged finalised in early-December 2013
  • Transmission mated to power unit on dyno in December 2013
  • FW36 crash test passed before Christmas 2013
  • Melbourne-spec aero package approved in early-January 2014

UPDATE 29 January: Williams has tweeted a pic of the car from the team’s pit garage at Jerez (see below).

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Formula 1

Will F1 have another unwanted finger in 2014?

Finger nose drawing by Craig Scarborough

Last night’s teaser image from Force India has given us hope that the days of ugly Formula 1 cars are behind us. However, seen only in profile form, even with that pic we still need to be prepared for the worst. Late last year Craig Scarborough warned us of “the finger nose”, shown in his illustration above.

The finger solution is due to the new 2014 regulations which prescribe a high chassis and low nose. The regs specify a relatively narrow width for the nose tip which teams will want to adopt in order to achieve the maximum possible airflow under the car.

More recently, Caterham F1 boss Cyril Abiteboul, has been more direct, drawing inspiration for his description from Hollywood.

“It is going to be ugly,” Abiteboul warned. “I think F1 is still show business and it should still be attractive to people.

“Kids should be dreaming when they see an F1 car—I don’t know about the dream or nightmare you will be having when you look at those cars.

“It does remind me of the ‘Alien’ film with it coming out the mouth.”

[Source: Autosport | Pic: Craig Scarborough]

UPDATE: Scarbs has posted a sketch of the VJM07 nose to twitter (see below).

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Formula 1

2014 Force India VJM07 previewed

2014 Force India VJM07

Force India has given us the first look yet at Formula 1’s new world order by releasing this image of its 2014 F1 car, the VJM07.

On this evidence fears that the new regulations would result in yet another round of ugly duckling cars seem unfounded. Although, full judgement will need to wait until we have more than a simple side profile shot.

You’ve probably also noticed the change in livery for Force India with what was a predominantly white car in 2013 now having a black base. There’s a bunch of new sponsors too and you can read about them in the official statement after the break.

For now, though, we’re giving the 2014 F1 car a qualified tick of approval. There’s more big reveals scheduled for the coming days, including McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull. We can’t wait to see more.

UPDATE 28 January: See more pics of the VJM07 here.

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Caterham Formula 1

Tony Fernandes delivers Caterham ultimatum

Tony Fernandes

While announcing the new drivers for the 2014 F1 season Caterham owner Tony Fernandes delivered his under-performing team a sharp and direct ultimatum: Get better or I’ll quit!

“My message to the 250 people here [at the factory] is we have to go for it this year,” Fernandes said. “This is it—the final chance. We’ve given you the best infrastructure, the best potential drivers but it is now down to all of you to go and do it.”

And then came the threat that the Malaysian entrepreneur is willing to leave F1.

“If we’re at the back I don’t think I’m going to carry on,” claimed Fernandes. “Nothing is set in stone but after five years with no points there is a limit to one’s patience, money, motivation, etc, so it’s an important year.

“I need to feel like we’re going somewhere. If I feel we can compete, then great but if we’re not competing then we have to seriously examine ourselves and ask ‘does this make sense?’ If we’re not competing, two seconds behind everybody else, then we haven’t made any progress.”

So, no pressure on F1 rookie Marcus Ericsson and the returning Kamui Kobayashi to deliver some strong results, then.

Fernandes also took the opportunity to pass comment on the introduction of double-points status for this year’s final race in Abu Dhabi.

“That is a fake fix,” Fernanded added. “What’s better is to solve the issue and make the racing more compact so a Sauber, a Lotus or a Force India could cause an upset.

“That’s what people like to see, what people like to watch, and that is what is missing in Formula One. The gaps between the haves and the have-nots has made racing boring.”

[Soure: The Guardian]

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Formula 1

Who’s ready for the 2014 F1 season?

Formula 1 2014

The first public signs of the 2014 Formula 1 season coming to life will start in the coming days as teams begin to unveil their new cars ahead of the first winter test to be held in Jerez (28–31 January).

Here’s a brief fan video from the maker of the Racing In Slow Motion series to whet your appetite for the year ahead.

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Formula 1

Kobayashi and Ericsson get Caterham call up

Kamui Kobayashi and Marcus Ericsson

The absence of the popular Kamui Kobayashi from Formula 1 is over with confirmation the 27-year-old will race for Caterham in 2014. He will be joined by 23-year-old Swede Marcus Ericsson.

“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to bring Kamui back,” said Cyril Abiteboul, Team Principal and CEO, Caterham F1 Team. “He is a very popular driver and it’s very good for the whole team that we’ve been able to attract such an exciting driver to join us at a critical point in our development.

“His pace speaks for itself and his extensive experience of developing cars, particularly in his years with Toyota, will be incredibly important for us as we tackle one of the most challenging seasons F1 has ever embarked upon.”

Ericsson will make his F1 debut after progressing from GP2. As you’d expect he has a history of success in the junior categories and first tested an F1 car with Brawn GP back in 2009. He’s the first Swede to race in F1 since Stefan Johansson in 1991.

“He [Ericsson] started his single-seater career by winning Formula BMW UK in 2007 and rose through the ranks to GP2,” Abiteboul added. “Last year he won in Germany, scored two poles, three fastest laps and five podiums.

“He’s physically and mentally prepared for what lies ahead, and he will have all the support we can give him across the team to help him fulfil his obvious potential in Formula One.”

Robert Frijns and Alexander Rossi will be Caterham’s F1 reserve drivers. Rossi will double up his duties with Caterham during the 2014 GP2 season, where he will be joined by Rio Haryanto.

Caterham’s full statement can be read below.

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Formula 1

Mark Webber, remember him?

2010 Monaco Grand Prix

One of the most reliable and respected sources of Formula 1 news is Autosport. So when they create a list of the 25 best F1 drivers never to have won a world championship you can expect it to be well researched and well considered.

You may be surprised to learn, then, that Mark Webber didn’t make the list. With the likes of bona fide F1 legends Stirling Moss and Gilles Villeneuve at the pointy end of their list that may be fair enough.

We don’t suggest for a moment Mark is an all-time great of F1, but we do think he should, at the very least, be mentioned in the same breath as Michele Alboreto, Rene Arnoux, Jacques Lafitte and John Watson, if not ranked ahead of them. What about Juan Pablo Montoya or even Robert Kubica (ranked third behind Moss and Villeneuve)?

In 2010, Mark’s best chance at winning a world championship, he only finished third, we acknowledge. But going into that final race in Abu Dhabi he was a chance to win the crown.

Overall Webber won nine grands prix. That’s three more than Gilles Villeneuve and more career wins than 17 of the drivers in Autosport’s list of 25.

At his very best Webber showed he could mix it with the sport’s elite. While the Autosport list doesn’t count for much, we still think our Mark wuz robbed!

[Source: Autosport+ (sub reqd) | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Formula 1 News

Long road ahead for Michael

2012 European Grand Prix

In the first official update on Michael Schumacher for almost two weeks his manager Sabine Kehm says the 45-year-old’s condition remains “stable”. In what may be interpreted as a positive sign, for the first time since his accident on 29 December, his status is no longer being described as critical.

Kehm’s latest statement noted: “Michael’s family is very happy and confident with the work of the team of doctors treating Michael, and they trust them completely. Michael’s condition is still considered as stable.”

German media has been speculating on what the long-term future might be like for Michael. And while it’s not coming from any official source or direct connection to Schumacher or his doctors it doesn’t make for pretty reading.

Some reports suggest Michael may never awake from his coma, while another sought input from neurosurgeon Dr Richard Greenwood from the University College London Hospital.

Dr Greenwood has been quoted as saying: “If Schumacher survives, he will not be Schumacher. He will be [Joe] Bloggs. His rehabilitation will only be effective if he comes to terms with being Bloggs.

“That is a very, very hard process to take people through. They need to come to terms with their limitations — the fact they have changed.”

In response to increasing speculation Sabine Kehm reiterated: “Any information regarding Michael’s health not coming from the doctors treating him or from his management must be treated as pure speculation.”

[Source: abc News & The Independent | Pic: Mercedes AMG]

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Formula 1 McLaren

Big Ron back on deck at McLaren

Ron Dennis

There’s been big changes at McLaren with expectations the bloodletting has only just begun. First, Ron Dennis returns to the role of McLaren Group CEO, a position he left in 2012. In doing so he has displaced Martin Whitmarsh, the man who replaced him.

Dennis comes with a promise to “undertake a thorough and objective review” and to “implement the organisational structure” required to achieve his new world order.

For now Whitmarsh keeps his role as McLaren’s Team Principal but you don’t have to look too hard to find plenty of speculation that Whitmarsh will soon be freed from the tight constraints of Woking.

While we’re riding a few bandwagons let’s get on board the wagon carrying Ross Brawn, right into Whitmarsh’s Team Principal role. At lest that’s the opinion now being shared by The Telegraph.

So what’s driving these changes? The relentless and ruthless chase for success. McLaren, one of the most successful F1 teams of all time, did not score a single podium in 2013. Worse, it hasn’t won a constructor’s championship for almost 15 years. And it’s now five years since Lews Hamilton won the driver’s crown.

There hasn’t appeared to be a groundswell of disharmony coming from Woking, but with their tightly controlled ship who really knows. Certainly the return of Dennis, announced with a stirring speech from 66-year-old, seems to have captured the staff’s imagination.

“So inspired by Ron speech yesterday! Let’s start exciting new chapter in McLaren again! #BelieveInRon,” tweeted design engineer Giovanni Banzola.

While Clare Martin, head race and test coordinator, added: “Think it’s safe to say today’s news was received well! #BelieveInRon”.

How serious are the claims of Brawn’s return to Formula 1, just a few weeks after departing Mercedes? Well, he probably didn’t expect the possibility of an opportunity opening up with McLaren. Is Brawn’s relationship with Honda, who will power McLaren’s cars again in 2015, such that it could be contributing factor in joining McLaren. Or will a mutual respect and a recent conversation with Dennis be enough for that?

We should have answers to all of these questions, and perhaps even more, before the Australian Grand Prix in mid-March.

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Formula 1

Pirelli renews F1 contract for three more years

Pirelli P Zero hard compound tyre

The sometimes chequered partnership between Formula 1 and Pirelli will continue for another three years after a new agreement was reached between both parties. The new contract starts with this year meaning Pirelli will remain the sole tyre supplier until at least the end of the 2016 F1 season.

In a bid to overcome the testing dramas we witnessed in 2013 new sporting regulations have been introduced which mandate tyre testing must be undertaken by all teams.

Specifically, the agreement states that one day of official pre-season testing will be dedicated to running Pirelli’s wet weather tyres (cue Bernie’s sprinklers).

There will be eight days of in-season testing in 2014—four blocks of two day tests—and each team will be required to dedicate one of those days to tyre testing with Pirelli. There are 11 teams in F1 and no more than two teams can conduct their in-season tyre testing on the same day.

[Pic: Pirelli]

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Formula 1 News

Bernie Ecclestone to stand trial on bribery charges

Bernie Ecclestone

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone could face up to a decade in jail after being ordered to stand trial in a Munich court to answer bribery charges.

In a statement confirming the trial the court said, “Under current planning, the main trial should start in late April.”

Ecclestone has stood down from the Formula One Group board of directors but will continue his daily operations with F1 while the trial is underway.

A statement from the F1 board reads in part: “It is in the best interests of both the F1 business and the sport that Mr Ecclestone should continue to run the business on a day-to-day basis, but subject to increased monitoring and control.”

The statement later added: “Mr Ecclestone has reassured the Board that he is innocent of the charges and intends to vigorously defend the case.”

The bribery claims relate to the sale of Formula 1 to CVC Capaital Partners in 2006, where it is alleged Ecclestone paid off former banker Gerhard Gribkowsky to ensure a smooth transaction.

Gribkowsky is currently serving an eight-and-a-half year jail term for his part in that deal, being found guilty of accepting a bribe.

[Source: Reuters & SMH | Pic: Reuters/Olivia Harris]

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Formula 1 News

Bernie Ecclestone wants to buy the Nürburgring

2013 German Grand Prix

The sale of the Nürburgring hasn’t exactly gone to plan. Almost a year after it went on sale it still doesn’t have a buyer. But that could all be about to change after Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone confirmed he has made a bid for the track.

“We made an offer and we now wait for it to be accepted,” Ecclestone revealed to German publications Handeslblatt and Wirtschaftwoche.

“We believe that we can do more than anyone else for the circuit. There could be a decision as early as in the coming weeks.”

It’s understood Ecclestone’s motivation is to help keep Formula 1 in Germany on a long-term basis. Currently, and due to financial pressures, the German Grand Prix alternates between the Nürburgring and Hockenheim from one year to the next.

It’s unclear what Eccelstone’s plan would be for the 20.8km Nordschleife but it would appear that his bid includes an offer for all sale items, including the Nordschleife and the failed NüroDisney complex.

Officials handling the bid remain tight lipped saying only: “We do not comment on any specific bidders. But everybody who has an interesting offer is warmly welcome.

“We’re in the final stages of the process and want to conclude it in Q1, so that the new owner(s) can start the season in April.”

German auto club ADAC reportedly made a low ball bid of €30–40m for the racetracks only, and not the troublesome entertainment facilities, which was rejected. Last November a €275m bid for the full Nürburgring complex was reported, but that bid appears to have stalled.

In December, Save the Ring protesters, led by Sabine Schmitz, rallied to ask for the sale of the Ring to be stopped in a bid to keep the facilities out of private ownership and in public hands.

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