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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing

Sebastian Vettel wins 2013 Abu Dhabi GP

2013 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel literally drove off into the sunset at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, on the way to another all too familiar dominant victory. It’s his seventh grand prix win in a row and his 30.8 second margin over Red Bull teammate Mark Webber tells the story.

Mark got off the line okay but was quickly gobbled up by Sebastian then Nico Rosberg (Mercedes AMG), who slipped back to third at the end of the race. Rosberg finished less than three seconds behind Webber and felt a second place may have been possible but was happy to be the best of the rest.

An expected challenge for the podium from Romain Grosjean didn’t bear fruit for the Lotus driver who finished fourth. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) once again raced better than he qualified, finishing fifth ahead of Paul di Resta (Force India) and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes AMG).

Felipe Massa (Ferrari) and Sergio Perez (McLaren) provided some entertaining moments in mid-pack battles on the way to P8 and P9 respectively. While Adrian Sutil (Force India) picked up the final point on offer in a close fought affair.

Daniel Ricciardo couldn’t convert his ninth place start into points and he and Toro Rosso teammate Jean-Eric Vergne took a form finish of sorts back in sixteenth and seventeenth.

Kimi Raikkonen’s (Lotus) fight through the field from last place on the grid was short lived after contact with Giedo van der Garde (Caterham) forced him into retirement after the first corner.

Red Bull will be pleased with the one-two finish taking them to a total of 100 podiums in F1. But, as usual, the night was all about Sebastian and for the second race in a row he delighted fans with a series of donuts. This time though he took his car back to parc ferme as required.

Right now, he’s just too bloody good.

[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Formula 1 McLaren

Tooned 50: Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna

Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna

The Alain Prost–Ayrton Senna rivalry is perhaps the most intense intra-team stoush Formula 1 has ever seen. After Ron Dennis put his money on Senna when the inevitable split came, McLaren’s Tooned animated series starts by bestowing more credit than you might imagine on the four-time world champion.

So it was always going to be interesting to see how this light-hearted look back at McLaren’s history was going to handle Ayrton Senna. It’s all pretty harmless really, but in attempting to delicately tiptoe around the Prost rivalry it seemed they forgot to properly respect Senna’s own immense on track achievements.

For the trivia buffs Bruno Senna provided the voice for the role of his uncle.

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing WEC

Mark Webber reflects on his F1 career

Mark Webber

Mark Webber spoke with the London Evening Standard recently about the end of his 210+ race Formula 1 career and the new challenge of Le Mans that awaits.

On forging a long career in F1: “When I left Australia I didn’t realise what I could do. Sure, you can do things differently here and there but I’ve had some incredible moments behind the wheel, racing the best guys in the best cars on the best tracks.”

On his near miss for the 2010 world championship: “I didn’t pick the best year to win the world title. It was one of the most special years in that world championship battle and I was in it to the last race. I can be proud of that.”

On the forthcoming F1 rule changes: “There’s huge change in Formula 1 next year and I’m not super stimulated by the changes. So it was great timing—it made the decision easy. I’ve enjoyed it, I’m done.”

On Sebastian Vettel: “Seb and I had our issues but it’s been a great leveller for me. There is no ideal team-mate, well, apart from one that you destroy but that’s only good for your ego. I’ve seen one of the best in the business operate so it’s challenging yet rewarding. I’d like him to have done it in a different period in my career!”

On Le Mans: “F1 was my absolute goal as that was the pinnacle but Le Mans is a classic, big race. It’d be nice to put that with Monaco. There’s a lot of classic, good guys to have won both. It’d be nice to win both, it shows your versatility—that you can do both.”

As usual Mark is open and honest, make sure you use the source link below to read the full article.

[Source: Evening Standard | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing

2013 Abu Dhabi GP: Qualifying report

2013 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

For the second time in three races Mark Webber will start from pole position. In qualifying at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix overnight Webber (1:39.957) was the only driver to lap below 1 minute 40 seconds after he nailed his lap to leave everyone in his wake.

Speaking after qualifying Mark said greater experience at the Yas Marina circuit helped him achieve pole. “You can never stop learning, mate, even at this age, so it was a good day and puts us in a good position tomorrow,” he said.

Teammate and newly crowned 2013 world champion Sebastian Vettel (1:40.075) was close behind, with some margin back to Nico Rosberg (1:40.419) in P3. Lewis Hamilton (1:40.501) will start alongside his Mercedes AMG teammate and will be happy to do so after spinning out late in Q3.

Kimi Raikkonen (1:40.542) qualified fifth but he was disqualified when stewards found fault with the floor of his car. He will start at the back of the grid and his relationship with Lotus must be close to breaking point.

Nico Hulkenberg (1:40.576) is the first driver to benefit from Raikkonen’s misfortune, moving to P5. Behind him will be Romain Grosjean (1:40.997) and Felipe Massa (1:41.015), who once again qualified ahead of his more fancied teammate Fernando Alonso (1:41.093) back in P10.

Daniel Ricciardo (1:41.111) got himself into Q3 and now moves to P9 after Kimi’s penalty, but says he could have done better. “My Q2 lap was a very good one, but not the best, so I came into Q3 feeling I could improve in a few areas. We decided to make a slight adjustment to the front tyre pressures which turned out not to be the right decision, as I then had to work harder to warm the tyres. The lap itself was not too bad, but the time never came.”

And so we wait for the start of the race, with Webber in P1. It’s Mark’s thirteenth career pole position and brings him equal with Sir Jack Brabham to hold the record for most pole positions by an Australian driver. Fingers crossed he can make a clean and fast start.

[Pics: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Red Bull denies Webber early exit rumours

2013 Indian Grand Prix

Red Bull Racing has been forced to deny rumours that this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be Mark Webber’s last race.

There are suggestions that Webber’s admitted lack of motivation has prompted moves from Red Bull to give Mark an early exit. This would allow new drivers Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) and Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso) to make early starts with their new teams by racing in the United States and Brazilian Grands Prix.

Although not attributed to any specific person, German publication speedweek.com says Red Bull told them: “Mark Webber will drive the last three races for us.”

Also weighing in on the topic is Toro Rosso team Principal, Franz Tost, who said: “I think it’s nonsense, and I know nothing about it … Anyway, Daniil has no super licence, so how can he race?”

Kvyat is scheduled to participate in Friday practice at Austin and Sao Paulo. He will test a 2011-spec Toro Rosso car in the coming days so that he qualifies for an FIA super licence. In theory, then, the 19-year-old Russian could race in the closing two races of the year.

Let’s hope Mark isn’t shafted by Red Bull one last time and he gets the opportunity to enjoy his final three races.

[Source: Perth Now | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Red Bull Racing take donuts to a whole new level

Red Bull Racing's 'Seven Star Spin'

No doubt spurred on by the minor controversy and official sanction following Sebastian Vettel’s post-race donuts at the Indian Grand Prix, Red Bull Racing has given the FIA a big f-you by sending David Coulthard to the to the helipad of the Burj al Arab hotel in Dubai to indulge in the art donutting.

Red Bull says their ‘Seven star spin’ was part of their world championship celebrations and we reckon this is one of their coolest stunts yet. The helipad is 210 metres above sea level and Coulthard had a 24 metre diameter to work within. We suspect his motivation not to stuff up was higher than his altitude.

More pics and video after the break.

[Pics: Red Bull/Getty Images | Thanks to Ryan for the tip]

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Formula 1 News Red Bull Racing

Make your mark and meet our Mark

2013 Korean Grand Prix

With only three races left on Mark Webber’s farewell to F1 tour you can win a chance to meet him and say goodbye in person. As an added bonus you’ll get to do this at the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo Red Bull HQ in Milton Keynes. Pretty cool, huh.

All you have to do is post a photo or Instagram/Vine video through Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or the Red Bull Racing website using the #MakeYourF1Mark hashtag.

Get your entry in by 10 November, then cross your fingers and hope for the best. Follow the source link for full details.

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

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Adrian Newey ready for ‘huge challenge’ in 2014

Sebastian Vettel and Adrian Newey

In news sure to please Red Bull Racing Adrian Newey says he’s happy with the team and is looking forward to the new regulations which come into place next year.

“The joy of working with this team is to have been involved in taking it from the ashes of Jaguar to where we are today,” Newey told Autosport. “Having achieved some success over the last few years, the enjoyment is really in working with my colleagues in Milton Keynes, continuing to develop the way we operate with Christian [Horner].

“It has been a great ride.”

Newey, the first designer to oversee 10 F1 constructors’ championships (Williams 1992–94, 1996–97; McLaren 1998; Red Bull 2010–13) is ready for the obstacles provided by Formula 1’s new regulations.

“Next year is a huge challenge with the regulations so at the moment I’m fully focused on that.”

“The engine regulation changes are massive and it’s not at all clear whether one engine manufacturer will steal a significant advantage over the other two.

“Reliability will be a big issue, certainly at the start of the season if not for the whole season.”

You sense the mastermind might have a few tricks up his sleeve, too, as indicated by this comment: “The installation of the engine in the chassis is very complicated, so there are a lot of variables.”

He doesn’t give anything away at all, but indicates the 54-year-old still enjoys the search for ways to gain advantage over his rivals.

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

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Formula 1

Taking F1 liveries back to the future, again

F1 retro livery

Applying old skool paint schemes to modern day F1 cars isn’t a new idea. But it will always be a very cool idea. We’re sure you’ll agree these creations, published by Escape Artist and based on a McLaren MP4/28, are a great example of retro style.

Looking at the Tyrrell 007 livery, for example, we wonder why more racing teams don’t take a simpler approach to their base colours. How good did the retro-inspired Greens-Tuf DJR Falcon look at Bathurst this year, as another example.

That said, the Brabham BT49 and Lotus 49 liveries are our favourites from this batch. How about you?

[Source: Escape Artist via Motor Sport Retro]

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

I’ll have €25,000 worth of donuts please

Sebastian Vettel at the 2013 Indian Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel’s decision to celebrate his fourth world championship with a series of donuts after winning the Indian Grand Prix earned him a post-race appointment with the FIA race stewards.

An FIA statement read in part: “The driver failed to proceed directly to the post race parc ferme as detailed under article 43.3 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations.

“Due to the special circumstances the Stewards accepted the explanation of the driver. The team failed to instruct the driver sufficiently to return directly to post race parc ferme.”

Vettel was handed an official reprimand, his first of the season, and Red Bull Racing was fined €25,000 for failing to instruct their pesky charge to return his car to his reserved #1 parking spot in pit lane.

We’re not sure what the FIA will do with that money, but we think there’s probably a worthy charity or two in India which could continue to benefit from the presence of Formula 1 in their country.

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

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Formula 1 Lotus Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing

2013 Indian GP: Post-race press conference

2013 Indian Grand Prix

In the unlikely event you haven’t heard the news, Sebastian Vettel is now a four time Formula 1 world champion, thanks to his Indian Grand Prix victory. There’s no surprises that Nico Rosberg and Romain Grosjean didn’t attract too many questions in the post-race press conference; it’s not every day a guy wins four titles in a row.

Before you get to the transcript of the post-race press conference a few words from Mark Webber (DNF) and Daniel Ricciardo (P10).

Mark Webber: “Obviously I’m pretty disappointed with today’s race, but there is not much I can do, the alternator went wrong with very short notice so we had to stop straight away. It’s tough because we did a lot of things right this weekend, but I’ve got a smile on my face as I could not have done any more.

“Well done to Seb on his Championship and also to all the Team; to get a fourth title is amazing. It’s been a great job by the whole team to achieve the title four years on the trot and it has once again set itself as the benchmark for the others.”

Daniel Ricciardo: “I am pretty pleased with today’s performance, even if during the race I thought we were looking better than a tenth place finish, especially after the first stint went well and the pace was looking good. It seemed as though we could have matched Sutil and Di Resta, so there’s a little bit of disappointment about the fact I couldn’t get past them and get a couple more points. Generally, I am pleased with what I did in the car and now we move on to Abu Dhabi, where we have a lot of support, so I hope we can give them a good result next Sunday.

“Vettel? Phenomenal! Particularly since the summer break, when he grabbed the title and never let anyone else look at it.”

[Pic: Lotus F1 Team/LAT Photographic]

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Formula 1 Lotus Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing

Sebastian Vettel wins 2013 Indian GP

Sebastian Vettel wins 2013 Indian Grand Prix

It’s just too easy for him isn’t it. So it would seem from afar at any rate.

Sebastian Vettel has cruised to victory at the Indian Grand Prix and in doing so secured his fourth consecutive world championship. He’s just 26 years old and while he has his fair share of detractors noone can take away what he has achieved. It’s quite remarkable.

From pole position, Vettel established an early lead; 2.4 seconds by the end of Lap 1. It was clearly a case of how far for the Red Bull ace. He took a small risk by pitting early to rid himself of his soft compound tyres but then showed his class by carving his way through the field to re-establish a race winning position.

Despite a messy start, suffering light contact with both Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso, Mark Webber spent quite a bit of time leading the race. His different tyre strategy giving him an early edge over the other drivers around him. The plan was to establish a strong enough gap over Vettel to keep the lead. On this day, again, Vettel was unstoppable and his victory proved to be a formality. However, Mark was driving well and was on track for a comfortable second place.

Unfortunately for Mark he was instructed by his team to retire on account of an alternator problem. Vettel received a few warnings, as well, but he still posted quick laps and managed to win the race by almost 30 seconds over Nico Rosberg.

Even with Vettel’s huge achievement the drive of the day goes to Romain Grosjean who fought his way to P3 after the disappointment of starting from P17. His growing maturity has been one of the stories of the latter half of the season.

Daniel Ricciardo drove a long first stint, running as high as third and may have had eyes on a better result than the P10 he managed. That said he’ll be pleased with his efforts after he managed to hold off Fernando Alonso in the closing laps to grab a championship point.

And not much else really matters from tonight’s race because, deservedly, it’s all about Sebastian Vettel. His win secured a fourth constructors’ title in succession for Red Bull as well. Instead of returning his car to parc fermé, Vettel chose to entertain the crowd with a series of donuts on the main straight. Is there a better way to celebrate a record-breaking dual championship result?

It’s worth noting at the mid-season break, after the Hungarian Grand Prix, Vettel lead the championship title race by 38 points over Raikkonen. Handy, but not insurmountable. Fellow world champions Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton were also in touching distance. Since then, though, Vettel has won the ensuing six races and his unbeatable championship lead is now a staggering 115 points.

Vettel joins Juan Manuel Fangio, Alain Prost and Michael Schumacher as the only men to win four world titles. By some margin Vettel is the youngest man to achieve this record. The rule changes of 2014 may well upset Red Bull’s on-track dominance, making a fifth title harder to predict. But you sense a fifth world crown, and perhaps more, will come before he retires from the sport.

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