Category: Formula 1

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing Toro Rosso

Ricciardo has the confidence to push Vettel in 2014

Daniel Ricciardo

In an interview with Formula1.com Daniel Ricciardo says he has the self-confidence required to push four-time world champion* Sebastian Vettel when he graduates to Red Bull Racing in 2014:

Q: It is no secret that you have to have sound self-esteem to succeed in F1—and you definitely need more of that self-esteem to survive alongside Sebastian. Do you have that?
DR: It is probably the type of person I am. I believe that I’ve got this far for a reason—so there is no reason why it should stop here. With each year I get more hungry and determined. I see Seb and I know that he is a phenomenal driver—but he is also only human. If I really put the hard work in I should be able to challenge the top guys. I have other interests as well that keep me quite grounded and I think that also plays a huge part. I also have a life outside F1. That healthy balance is good for success.

We recommend you follow the source link below to read the full interview.

*Come back to us after this evening’s Indian Grand Prix.

[Source: Formula1.com | Pic: Toro Rosso/Getty Images]

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing

2013 Indian GP: Qualifying report

2013 Indian Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel pole has pole position for another grand prix, with a pair of Mercedes AMGs on his tail. Nothing new there and yet the biggest stories to come out of this latest round of qualifying centre around tyre selection.

Vettel blitzed the field needing only one flying lap in Q3 to set a time nobody could match (1:24.119). Nico Rosberg was the best of the challengers, but was a over seven tenths behind (1:24.871). Lewis Hamilton qualified third (1:24.941).

In fourth place is Mark Webber (1:25.047) and while the three guys ahead of him qualified on the faster option (softs) tyres, Mark elected to use the primes (mediums). On that basis he’s happy with P4 and the expectation he’ll be able to run a longer first stint with the plan to build up a decent lead.

“We thought it was worth trying something a little bit different with the strategy today, so that’s why we ran the primes in Q3,” Mark said. “We thought we would probably be a bit further back than the second row to be honest, so it turned out to be a good session for us.

“We’re in a good position to capitalise on a different approach tomorrow. The option tyre (used by the first three cars) shouldn’t last too long and we’ll be on a different strategy.”

Meanwhile, Romain Grosjean, who has shown excellent recent form took the gamble that the primes would be enough to progress from Q1 and he missed out by some margin too, half a second. He’ll be starting from P17 and will be one to watch when the lights go out.

Daniel Ricciardo (1:25.519) failed to make Q3 by just six hundredths of a second and will line up from P11. His Toro Rosso teammate, Jean-Eric Vergne (1:25.798), will start from P14.

“When I crossed the line, my engineer came on the radio and told me I was currently P9 and I thought this could be good, but a few corners later I had dropped to P11. So I was a bit disappointed, even if I think I probably got the most out of it,” Daniel explained. “All the same, we did a good job in qualifying and being eleventh, I get a free tyre choice for the start, although I know some of the top ten opted to do their final runs on the Prime.”

And so Vettel claims his 43rd career pole position and needs only a fifth place or better in the race to wrap up a fourth consecutive world championship. It looks like only a mechanical failure or accident stands in the way of the inevitable.

The full transcript of the post-quali press conference featuring the first three drivers can be read after the break.

[Pics: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes AMG claims F1 pit stop record

Mercedes AMG pit crew in action

In an interview with Auto Motor und Sport Ron Meadows from the Mercedes AMG F1 Team claims they broke the record for the fastest ever pit stop. The old mark was set at 2.05 seconds by Red Bull, but Meadows says his team did a routine pit stop in 2.02 seconds during the Japaense Grand Prix.

True, we’re splitting hairs here as the times are so close, but Meadows reckons their record stop wasn’t perfect. “The mechanism of the jack was too slow,” he claimed. “If it had worked properly, the time would have been 1.93 seconds.”

That’s damn fast. However, it seems as though there would still be room for improvement. “In practice we have done a 1.68 second stop,” Meadows added.

For the pedants among you, yes the above pic was taken during the Korean Grand Prix. With Mercedes AMG F1 pics we only have a small sample to choose from compared with other teams.

[Source: World Car Fans]

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Ferrari Formula 1

Fernando Alonso, F1 points record holder

Fernando Alonso helmet design for 2013 Indian Grand Prix

The 12 points Fernando Alonso collected with his fourth place finish at the Japanese Grand Prix a couple of weeks back etched his name into Formula 1’s history books. It took his career points tally to 1571, five more than Michael Schumacher, and he now stands alone as the man with the most career points in F1.

Yes, we know such records are skewed horribly since the switch to the current scoring system in 2010 where a win nets a driver 25 points instead of the nine or 10 under previous systems.

Still, if you had more points than anyone else in the history of F1 you’d probably want to tell the world all about it too. Which is exactly what Fernando will be doing with this special helmet design, to be worn during this weekend’s Indian Grand Prix.

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Formula 1 News

Review of F1 documentary ‘1’

1 the film, coming soon

The frustratingly titled ‘1’, a new Formula 1 documentary, has been available on iTunes since the start of the month. Alas, it won’t be available from the Australian iTunes store until some time in November. To whet your appetite of what promises to be compulsory viewing here’s a snippet from a review published by Michael Fassbender online:

The interviews and new footage is what makes “1” the most gripping and emotional documentary of its ilk, talks with James Hunt’s son Freddie, shows the friendship between Hunt and Lauda, rather than the rivalry that they shared, with Freddie repeating part of the conversation he had with Lauda when they met, “I wished I could have shared the championship with your father, he was a great man, he was my friend.”

“1” is a must see film, and not just for fans of Formula One. This films brings the humanity into the sport, focusing on the people and events in the biggest championships each year through the decades. Footage of crashes, collisions, qualifying laps, race starts and celebrations, all shown from different angles that have been obtained specifically for this documentary, including clips filmed as part of the Racer’s wives and girlfriends club “The Dog House Club”, make this film a chilling and heart-breaking viewing experience.

[Source: Michael Fassbender online]

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Ferrari Formula 1

Ferrari invites tail to wag the dog

Ferrari fans with Stefano Domenicali

The dude in the middle is Stefano Domenicali, the Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal. You probably knew that. But it’s unlikely you’ll recognise the other two. The guy on the left is Riccardo Verdelli and the bloke on the right is Gian Maria Lamberti.

They’re a couple of regular Ferrari fans who’ve been sticking it to the Scuderia lately via social media. So, Ferrari took the unusual step of inviting them in for a chat, which is where Domenicali stepped in, to play host for the day.

And actually they’ve helped to bring us some welcome insights. You can read Ferrari’s official account by following the source link below, but here’s some edited highlights:

I don’t like it when after a Grand Prix, there are incorrect jibes aimed at Red Bull that then fall apart. And then there’s Alonso complaining about his car after every race. I’d like to see him get his ears pulled about that, but instead you almost seem to share his sentiment.
Domenicali: You are in front of the most sportsmanlike person in the world. In all the races, whether you see it or not, I congratulate our rivals. If I have something to say to him [Alonso], as would be the case with my engineers, I would do it behind closed doors and in a harsh manner. But externally, I will always defend the team. When he crossed the line, president Montezemolo intervened and in private, so did I.

After four years without winning the championship are you still sure about your choice of taking on Alonso?
Domenicali: If in the past four years we have come close to the title twice, it is partly down to him. Unfortunately, we have not been capable of giving him a car that matches his talent.

Was there really the intention to take on Kubica and will he be back in F1?
Domenicali: Yes, we were keeping an eye on him. Unfortunately, I don’t think he will be back, because with his physical problem, he would struggle in certain limited situations which require reactivity. It’s a shame.

Interesting comments on Robert Kubica at the end there, perhaps the WRC is Robert’s best bet for top level motorsport?

As you can the fans didn’t hold back with their line of questioning and kudos to Domenicali for fronting up and providing some level of accountability. Although, we’d love to know the questions and answers that haven;t made it into the public arena!

[Source: Ferrari]

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Formula 1 Toro Rosso

19yo Daniil Kvyat to join Toro Rosso in 2014

Daniil Kvyat

Young Russian driver Daniil Kvyat will replace our Daniel at Toro Rosso in 2014. The 19-year-old is part of the Red Bull Junior Driver Programme and has been spending 2013 racing in the GP3 and Formula 3 categories.

Kvyat drives for the Mark Webber–Christian Horner outfit, MW Arden, in the GP3 series and is currently seven points behind Facu Regalia in the chase for the drivers’ title. There’s one race meeting to go, in Abu Dhabi, and Kvyat will be hoping he can progress to Formula 1 with a championship in his kit bag.

Toro Rosso Team Principal, Franz Tost, says Kvyat is ready to graduate to the senior class. “He impressed our team with a strong performance and very informative technical feedback at the young driver test in Silverstone,” he said. “This suggests that the basic qualities from which he can progress are all in place. Daniil can be sure that we will use all our experience of training youngsters to give him the best possible start to his Formula 1 career.”

Like most youngsters Kvyat has harboured F1 ambitions throughout his career and is excited at the challenge ahead. “This is fantastic news, a dream come true and I want to thank Red Bull and Toro Rosso for giving me this priceless opportunity,” Kvyat said. “Ever since I began karting, I wanted to get to Formula 1 and now that wish will become reality next season.”

We’d like to think the fact the Russian Grand Prix is set to make its debut on the 2014 F1 calendar had nothing to do with this decision, but we’re too cynical for that.

GP3 is a relatively new series, its debut season was in 2010. Kvyat becomes the fourth driver to move from GP3 to F1 and follows the path of new teammate Jean-Eric Vergne, as well as Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber) and Valtteri Bottas (Williams).

Vergne will no doubt be pleased to learn that he has kept his F1 dream alive and will continue with Toro Rosso in 2014.

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Formula 1 Lotus

Romain Grosjean expected to take Lotus lead

2013 Japanese Grand Prix

Romain Grosjean’s late season form has impressed team bosses in the Lotus garage. It’s expected the team will take up its option to keep him on their roster for 2014, with the ongoing speculation about Lotus’ financial security the only barrier at this time.

Lotus Team Principal and head of Grosjean’s management team, Eric Boullier, says confirmation should come soon. “Romain already has a contract with us for next year, but it is not a fixed contract—Lotus has to take the option or not. We have to do it in a few days’ time, so we will see,” he said.

Boullier is also pleased with the development of the 27-year-old Frenchman, adding: “We first wanted him to establish himself like the driver he is now, but on top of this, since Kimi announced he is leaving, it was up to him to step up—and he is doing it.”

Alan Permane, Trackside Operations Director, is also impressed with what he’s seeing from Grosjean. “He has that belief in himself that he can do it, and the Japanese GP will have done him the power of good,” Permane said. “To lead a race and pull away from Red Bulls and even to be mixing it with them is brilliant, especially when you look the fourth placed person is 30 seconds down the road.”

Assuming Lotus can get their seemingly ever precarious finances sorted out it’s expected Nico Hulkenberg will race alongside Grosjean in 2014, after Kimi Raikkonen’s return to Ferrari.

[Source: Autosport | Pic: Lotus F1 Team/LAT Photographic]

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Darren Heath sticks up for Red Bull

2013 Singapore Grand Prix

After the Singapore Grand Prix a rumour, or story of sorts, emerged about Red Bull using a traction control system. The story came from the observations of former F1 team owner Giancarlo Minardi.

Adding intensity to the speculation was Minardi’s observation that Sebastian Vettel’s car sounded different to all other cars in the field, including Mark Webber’s. Perfect fuel for conspiracy theorists. Several outlets picked up on the story and good summary was published by Jalopnik.

Darren Heath, though, is having none of this conspiracy and savaged much of the coverage the story received, while taking aim at sites like AUSmotive along the way:

Tapping voraciously into their well-worn computers, F1 reporters – who really should know better – rapidly informed the world of the Italian’s ridiculous accusations, their words immediately jumped upon by that wonderful cabal of ill-informed fools so prevalent in society these days – the amateur hacks.

Give a man a keyboard and access to the internet and a whole world of pain is coming your way.

F1_know_it_all.com, grand-prix-expert.net, formula_insider.co.uk et al (names changed to protect the guilty) feed like a pack of ravenous dogs on this rubbish, telling their literally hundreds of readers how it was, how it is and how it shall be.

Sitting in their armchairs thousands of miles from the race track in question, and never having set foot in an F1 paddock, just doesn’t appear to matter to these goons. They’re going to tell you, me and the world what’s going on.

Ouch! That little rant aside, Heath returns to the subject at hand saying Red Bull is winning because they work harder than any other team and that young Vettel is actually a damn good driver. Moreover, the engine sounds which Minardi referred to have been audible all year and there’s nothing to see here, as Fernando Alonso pointed out.

Follow the source link below for the full article, it’s well worth reading.

[Source: Darren Heath | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Formula 1 Honda McLaren

Listen to Honda’s 2015 F1 engine

Apparently this YouTube video gives us an early preview of what Honda’s 2015 Formula 1 engine will sound like. We’re not totally convinced of its accuracy, so perhaps treat it as part entertainment value for now.

Remember, next year F1 will switch to 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 engines and Honda will reunite with McLaren for the 2015 season.

This is the second audio preview we’ve been given of F1’s new world order after Mercedes AMG published an audio clip back in August.

UPDATE 18 October: Sounds like the above audio clip was fair dinkum after all, as this official clip from Honda (below) shows.

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Formula 1 Lotus Red Bull Racing

2013 Japanese GP: Post-race press conference

2013 Japanese Grand Prix

After missing out on the win at today’s Japanese Grand Prix, Mark Webber explained he started the race on a two-stop strategy, but the team switched him to a three after his first stop.

“I think we tried to race Romain at the start and then in the end we switched to the three,” Mark said. “So I was the meat in the sandwich, trying to beat Romain on a two and then all of a sudden we decided to do a three. I was a little bit surprised. I asked was it the right thing to do because I felt we could get to the lap we were looking to get to.”

Daniel Ricciardo reflected on his drive-through penalty, which he says cost him a points finish. “I am disappointed not to have scored some points today, because I am convinced I was heading for the top ten, which would have been an encouraging result, after struggling with the balance of the car on Saturday,” he said.

“We started on the Hard tyre and after I made a good start to move up two places, it was looking good as I passed Bottas on the track and moved up the order as those on the Medium pitted ahead of me. I was moving up the order again after my first stop and then I made a move on the outside of Sutil at the 130R and got past him. But after that, I ran wide onto the grass, which lost me a bit of time. Sadly, the Stewards decided I had gained an advantage by going off the track and had to take a drive-through penalty, which of course ruined my race.”

The full transcript of the post-race press conference featuring the first three drivers can be read after the break.

[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Formula 1 Lotus Red Bull Racing

Sebastian Vettel wins 2013 Japanese GP

Sebastian Vettel wins 2013 Japanese GP

Oh how all of Australia wished Mark Webber could convert his pole position into a race win at the Japanese Grand Prix today. Yet, just as Stuart MacGill’s cricketing talent was never fulfilled thanks to the presence of Shane Warne, Webber had to once again watch, seemingly powerless, as his teammate went on to craft another grand prix victory. Mark left to content himself with second place.

Both Red Bull drivers made clumsy starts from the front row and the Lotus lead-driver-in-waiting Romain Grosjean took the opportunity to take the lead into the first corner from P4. In the melee of the start Vettel clipped Lewis Hamilton’s left rear. Hamilton had made a good start too, but his race was ruined after the subsequent puncture and damage to his floor of his Mercedes AMG eventually sent him into retirement.

The rest of the field was left to fight over the scraps as the leading trio got down to the business of winning the race. A mix of strategies—Webber, three stops; Vettel and Grosjean, two stops—meant we spent the bulk of the race waiting for Mark’s final pit stop so we could finally see what would happen next.

Grosjean left himself the longest final stint on his tyres and after Vettel emerged from his final stop behind the Lotus driver his task was to overtake as soon as possible in order to build a lead in anticipation of Webber’s closing pace in the last few laps. True to form Vettel got the job done, forcing his way past Grosjean without losing too much time.

Webber entered the pits in the lead, with the gap back to Vettel closing by the lap. But with a brand new set of prime tyres, and close behind Grosjean, he had 10 laps to overtake the Frenchman and set about chasing down Vettel. What Vettel made look easy, Webber made look hard. He eventually did get past Grosjean, but with just two laps left in the race, the damage was done and Vettel cruised to a seven second victory.

Daniel Ricciardo had an anonymous race and finished in P13, one place behind Jean-Eric Vergne. Daniel’s race was affected after he ran wide on the exit of 130R overtaking Adrian Sutil. The race stewards said he gained an unfair advantage by running off the circuit and issued him with a drive-through penalty. Elsewhere not much else happened.

Today’s win is Vettel’s fifth in a row since the mid-season break and his ninth race win of the year. Fernando Alonso’s fourth place was enough to delay Vettel’s championship party for a couple of weeks until the teams reassemble for the Indian Grand Prix.

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