Category: Formula 1

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Ferrari Formula 1

Not everyone loves Kimi

Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen

Former Ferrari sporting director (1989–91) Cesare Fiorio has shared his views on the return of Kimi Raikkonen to the Scuderia. And it’s fair to say he’s not happy.

“I’m not a fan of the new hiring,” Fiorio told Gazzetta dello Sport. “I admire his talent, but I don’t agree with his lifestyle and his technical approach. I wouldn’t have gone for him.

“In my opinion it’s a conservative choice. I would have gone for an emerging driver rather than one at the tail end of his career.

“He doesn’t live like an athlete and to be champion in F1 talent is not enough. You need physical, technical and psychological effort and, from what I know and have seen, he’s the type of guy who takes his bag and leaves shortly after the sessions.

“I don’t know how much technical contribution he can bring.”

Regarding the relationship between Kimi and current number one driver Fernando Alonso, Fiorio doesn’t think there’ll be any dramas. “In my opinion Alonso is happy: his worth will grow by beating him [Raikkonen],” Fiorio added.

And while he was on a roll Fiorio took the opportunity to lay the slipper into Felipe Massa, as well.

“I think that it’s better to have two champions and having to deal with a rivalry problem three or even ten times a year, in the knowledge that both are able to win races and championships, than having a useless number two race driver,” he said.

When asked to expand on his views of Massa, Fioro replied: “I’m just saying that in the last four years Massa has waned a lot.

“His only strength was the single lap, but he has no race quality, has no rhythm, and he often fades in the races.”

[Source: Autosport | Pic: Ferrari]

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Ferrari Formula 1

Ferrari reflects on Felipe Massa

2013 Italian Grand Prix

In the wake of Kimi Raikkonen’s return to the Scuderia, Ferrari has taken time to reflect on the achievements of Felipe Massa. The 32-year-old Brazilian has long been the whipping boy in the red garage, certainly since 2010 and the arrival of Fernando Alonso anyway.

And yet, Massa’s longevity with Ferrari affords him some enviable records. His 11 GP wins places him fourth on Ferrari’s all time winners’ list, behind Schumacher (72), Lauda (23) and Ascari (13). His 15 pole positions puts him third in Ferrari’s record books, behind Schumacher (58) and Lauda (23).

Due to the change in F1 points scoring system in 2010 it’s impossible to compare him with generations past, but his 756 points achieved in red are going to take some time to be reeled in by any other Ferrari driver.

And with seven races to go this year, the man who was world champion for a few seconds, has the opportunity to add to his list of achievements.

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Ferrari Formula 1

Ferrari confirms Raikkonen return on 2 year deal

Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso, Stefano Domenicali, Felipe Massa

Oh, isn’t that nice, a lovely family snap to usher in the return of Ferrari’s most recent world champion. The body language is superb, too.

As expected Ferrari has announced it has signed Kimi Raikkonen for next year. Slightly against expectations he is signed on a firm two-year contract. “Scuderia Ferrari announces that it has reached an agreement with Kimi Raikkonen. The Finn will join Fernando Alonso in the driver line-up for the next two racing seasons,” a short statement on the Ferrari website confirmed.

After the break you’ll see three brief statements from Kimi, his teammate in waiting Fernando Alonso and Team Principal Stefano Domenicali. Make sure you play the reading between the lines game with Fernando’s quotes.

All are very polite at the moment and we cannot wait for the fireworks to commence next year.  Our tantrumeter has been set to extreme!

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Ferrari Formula 1

Raikkonen will replace Massa at Ferrari in 2014

Felipe Massa

With those words from Felipe Massa, a Ferrari driver since 2006, the path for Kimi Raikkonen to join Ferrari has been cleared.

The BBC is reporting Kimi has signed a one year deal for him to join Fernando Alonso next year, with a one year option for 2015. It’s expected Ferrari will announce the signing of the 33-year-old Finn very soon, perhaps in the next 24 hours. Anticipation of Kimi’s return to Ferrari grew after last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix. Raikkonen left McLaren to drive with Ferrari from 2007–09 and won his world championship with the team in 2007.

It would appear Ferrari has shifted its philosophy of having a clear number one driver and one wouldn’t be at all surprised if Fernando Alonso is unimpressed with the arrival of his new teammate. Certainly the relationship between Raikkonen and Alonso in 2014 will be one of the stories to follow next season.

Massa, who’s best result with Ferrari was a desperately close second-placed finish in the 2008 world championship, wants to carry on. He added, “For next year, I want to find a team that can give me a competitive car to win many more races and challenge for the Championship which remains my greatest objective!”

[Source: BBC | Pic: Ferrari]

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Ferrari Formula 1 Lotus

Raikkonen getting closer to Ferrari return

Kimi Raikkonen

Kimi Raikkonen has revealed he expects to confirm his future employment plans in the next few days. And word from the paddock at Monza is he will be moving to Ferrari in 2014.

His current boss, Eric Boullier, says it’s all up to Kimi. “The decision rests more with him because he has an offer from us,” he said. “We know he has a couple of things we have to supply and deal with to close the discussion.

“But now Kimi is in a position where he is being chased by most of the paddock and he will decide. He knows what he gets with us, but he doesn’t know what he will get if he changes teams.”

Over at the Red team they’re playing their cards close to their chest. “This is something we want to take at the appropriate time, to make sure that we take the best decision for our team,” Domenicali said when responding to questions about Ferrari’s 2014 driver line up.

“I think the fact that we have not decided yet means we have to put all the elements on the table. We will announce and say something on that as soon as we have finalised it. It is not an easy decision for us.”

What Fernando Alonso will make of having Kimi as a teammate is anyone’s guess. We can’t see the 33-year-old Finn being as compliant as Felipe Massa, or even Nico Hulkenberg, who has also been linked with the Scuderia. Looks like we won’t have long to find out.

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

 

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Ferrari Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

2013 Italian GP: Post-race press conference

2013 Italian Grand Prix

Last night’s podium interviews were a bit of a farce. Jean Alesi, so admirable as a gritty underdog racer during his time in Formula 1, was little more than a Ferrari mouthpiece after Sebastian Vettel’s win at Monza. But it’s Italy and the tifosi needs to be catered to, so fair enough perhaps.

For Mark Webber, the weekend delivered his best qualifying result and best finishing result in 12 visits to the temple of speed. And while he says he likes Monza he’s done little to placate the rabid fans, telling Channel Ten in an interview he’d rather have a Porsche in the driveway than a Ferrari. He was also outspoken in his defence of teammate Sebastian Vettel who was roundly booed for not being a Ferrari driver.

“[I’m] very happy to be on the podium here at Monza,” said Mark. “It’s one of the most famous ones in the world, up there with Monte Carlo and a few other signature events but yeah, brilliant to experience that, even though the atmosphere I was not completely a fan of, to be honest. Sebastian won the race and the atmosphere is not completely correct but anyway… that’s their choice.”

Daniel Ricciardo, in his first race after being confirmed as Webber’s replacement at Red Bull next year still has his mind on the job of achieving better results for his current employer Toro Rosso.

“In recent races where we have managed to qualify in the top ten, we didn’t have the pace to stay there in the race, but today we did,” said Daniel. “I think I got the most out of the car, managing to keep the guys behind me and the low downforce set-up certainly helped us down the straights. We must keep pushing hard on the car development for the next few races, because hopefully, a top five finish is not too far away.”

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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Ferrari Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Sebastian Vettel wins 2013 Italian GP

Sebastian Vettel wins 2013 Italian GP

Sebastian Vettel took an easy win for Red Bull in tonight’s Italian Grand Prix. Fernando Alonso couldn’t bring a home win for Ferrari but did the next best thing by finishing second. While Mark Webber departs his final European-based F1 race from the third step on the podium.

Both Red Bull drivers got off the front row of the grid well and for a moment it looked like Webber might challenge Vettel for the lead into the first corner. But while the Red Bulls ahead scrapped the Ferraris pounced and Felipe Massa took third place while Alonso was on Webber’s tail.

Alonso eventually got past Webber with a typically courageous move and Massa was soon brushed aside. The race then settled into an otherwise lifeless rhythm.

Webber got past Massa in the pit stop sequence and with the preferred strategy being a one stopper that was pretty much it as far as seeing any excitement at the head of the field.

There were some concerns from the Red Bull pit wall with both drivers asked to short shift to look after their gearboxes and the field did close up towards the end, but there were no serious threats to Vettel or the two men behind him.

Felipe Massa held on to fourth place and Nico Hulkenberg and Sauber will be overjoyed with his fifth place. Nico Rosberg salvaged some pride for Mercedes AMG in sixth and Daniel Ricciardo was seventh and the sole Toro Rosso finisher after Jean-Eric Vergne suffered engine problems.

So, another easy win for Vettel. He joins Alonso on 32 grand prix wins and looks to be on an unstoppable charge to his fourth world championship.

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

2013 Italian GP: Qualifying report

2013 Intalian Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel (1:23.755) claimed his 40th pole position in qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix last night. His Red Bull teammate, Mark Webber, was two tenths behind (1:23.968). While a surprise result from Nico Hulkenberg (1:24.065) in the Ferrari powered Sauber rounded out the top three.

Aside from the flying Red Bulls, it was a mixed session. Both McLarens and both Toro Rossos made the top 10, while both Lotus drivers didn’t make the cut and nor did Lewis Hamilton (1:24.803, Mercedes) who will start from a relatively lowly P12.

Hamilton was impeded by Adrian Sutil (Force India) who was handed a three-spot grid penalty, but afterwards Lewis admitted he didn’t think he had the pace to challenge the lead pair.

Daniel Ricciardo (1:24.209, Toro Rosso) might have hoped for more than P7 as he spent much of the first two sessions hovering around the top three. At least he didn’t run wide into the gravel exiting the Parabolica like teammate Jean-Eric Vergne (1:28.050), who will start from P10.

“We missed a little something in Q3, doing a two lap run, and with hindsight, maybe a one lap run with a lighter fuel load would have been better,” said Daniel. “But I am still happy with seventh. I dropped a wheel in the gravel at the second chicane which might have cost me some time. To have both cars in the top ten on merit on a dry track is a very good result.”

Ferrari sent out both cars close together in Q3. Felipe Massa went first, with Fernando Alonso behind. The aim was to provide a slip stream for Alonso, however Massa was too quick and the plan didn’t work. Massa (1:24.132) ended qualifying in P4, marginally ahead of Alonso (1:24.142) in P5.

One rumour doing the rounds is that Hulkenberg could replace Massa at Ferrari next season. It would seem that Felipe may be taking an every man for himself approach as he sets sights on finding a new employer.

The full transcript from the post-quali press conference can be read after the break.

[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Formula 1

Watch Paul di Resta heat his tyres up

Paul di Resta, Force India, 2013 Italian GP

Viewers of the 2013 Italian GP may have noticed a new thermal imaging camera being used to show the fluctuating heat of tyres around a lap of the famous Monza circuit. It’s a high speed track with heavy load through corners such as the Lesmos and the Parabolica.

After the break you can see the camera in action on Paul di Resta’s car (for now).

[Thanks to Dylan for the tip]

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Formula 1

Here’s your first look at the 2014 F1 calendar

2013 Australian Grand Prix

The Australian Grand Prix on March 16 next year is expected to be the start date for the 2014 Formula 1 season according to a draft calendar revealed yesterday.

It’s shaping as being the biggest F1 season ever with 21 races including the addition of grands prix in Austria, Mexico and Russia. Notably, there’s no slot for the New Jersey Grand Prix.

We won’t be at all surprised if this calendar changes, either. There’s previously been talk of capping the season at 20 races and also concerns over the viability of the Russian event.

Whatever happens with the 2014 calendar, there’s already pressure on the 2015 schedule with the promised return of the Indian Grand Prix.

2014 F1 calendar (draft)

RoundDateGrand Prix
1March 16AUSTRALIA (Melbourne)
2March 23MALAYSIA (Sepang)
3April 6CHINA (Shanghai)
4April 13KOREA* (Korea International Circuit)
5April 27BAHRAIN (Sakhir)
6May 11SPAIN (Barcelona)
7May 25MONACO (Monaco)
8June 8CANADA (Montreal)
9June 22AUSTRIA (Red Bull Ring)
10July 6BRITAIN (Silverstone)
11July 20GERMANY (Hockenheim)
12July 27HUNGARY (Budapest)
13August 24BELGIUM (Spa)
14September 7ITALY (Monza)
15September 21SINGAPORE (Marina Bay)
16October 5JAPAN (Suzuka)
17October 19RUSSIA* (Sochi)
18October 26ABU DHABI (Yas Marina)
19November 9MEXICO* (Mexico City)
20November 16USA (Austin)
21November 30BRAZIL (Interlagos)
As at September 7, 2013.*subject to confirmation of track/contract

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

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing Toro Rosso

Ricciardo says “I’ll be right” against Vettel

Daniel Ricciardo

Speaking at the FIA’s Thursday press conference ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, new Red Bull signing Daniel Ricciardo responded to a suggestion that he could use Mick Dundee’s knife to help his relationship with Sebastian Vettel by saying, “I’ll be right.”

Red Bull’s other Australian, Mark Webber, has faith in Daniel too. “Daniel will handle it fine. He knows how to handle himself so he’ll be OK,” said Mark.

As you might expect Daniel was the focus of several questions during the press conference and after the break we’ve got all the comments relating to the 24-year-old Aussie.

[Pic: Toro Ross/Getty Images]

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Please don’t boo Sebastian, he doesn’t like it

2013 British Grand Prix

As you can imagine when you’re a triple world champion, on track to make it four, your opinion is in high demand. Here’s a couple of snippets from recent interviews carried out with Sebastian Vettel, pictured above after retiring from the British GP.

From the Daily Mail: When he retired from this year’s British Grand Prix he was shamefully booed by a number of the crowd. Why? He is German and old enmities die hard. He is so successful he breeds resentment for no better reason. Does it hurt him?

‘It’s normal,’ he says, smiling, the afternoon after he cruised to victory at the Belgian Grand Prix. ‘I am very happy. I obviously would not swap with anybody.

‘There are situations or stories where you want to tell people the truth as you see it. You learn to deal with the fact some think what they want. If it reaches the point where it takes your attention away from your racing then it has got in the way.’

Has that ever happened? ‘No.’ But was the reaction at Silverstone surprising? ‘Yes. I didn’t understand it. I had not done anything to make them do it. I went up on to the stage later for the post-race concert and got booed again. I took my camera out and said, ‘If you are going to boo me at least do it properly. I tried to make a laugh out of it.

‘But you don’t like it when people boo. Obviously in the British Grand Prix if I am leading and they want a British driver to win they might not like it, which is fair, but booing, I don’t think that is fair. If one starts booing, others join in. I don’t think they were all wanting to boo per se; it was a chain reaction, so you shouldn’t get too upset by that.’

From PlanetF1: Asked how he expects his new Australian team-mate to perform, Vettel told reporters at Monza: “It’s difficult to say because at the moment he’s not in a car which allows him to score points regularly and race in the sort of area that we race.

“But I’m very sure he’s pushing very hard; he has been the last couple of years and I’m sure he will be in particular next year trying to do everything to beat me.

“So in that regard nothing changes, I’ll have another Australian trying to make my life difficult!”

It’s worth reading the Daily Mail article in full, in truth he doesn’t come across too bad. But we’ll still enjoy doing our bit to ensure Sebastian continues in his pantomime villain role next year when “Our Daniel” joins his side.

[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]