Category: Formula 1

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

2014 Mercedes V6 F1 engine hits the right note

Mercedes V6 F1 engine

The future of F1 in 2014 sounds bright, according to selected media who were lucky enough to hear a new Mercedes V6 turbo engine at full noise on Friday.

Ever since the FIA declared F1 would be switching to 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 engines from 2014 fears have existed that the new engines would produce a sound not befitting the world’s premier motorsport category.

Mercedes-Benz provided the first sample of F1’s new era at an invitation only test at its High Performance Powertrains facility in Brixworth.

“The engines are going to be loud, but I think sweet sounding,” said Andy Cowell, managing director of Mercedes-Benz HPP on Friday.

“The frequency will be higher and, with the turbocharger running at 125,000rpm, they will be loud,” added Cowell. “There will be a new quality to the racing too. It will edge towards a thinking drivers’ formula to get the most from the car and the available fuel energy.

“The engines will also deliver much more torque—especially on the exit of the corners. Cars with more power than grip coming out of the corners—that is something that we all enjoy.

“They will also put F1 back at the cutting edge of new technology—which is what the fans want.”

Another change in the new engine regs is a greater reliance on KERS, which will be referred to simply as Energy Recovery System (ERS). Currently KERS offers an extra 80hp for 6.7 seconds per lap, but ERS will boost performance by 161hp for up to 33.3 seconds.

“Today it is difficult to be quick without KERS—for 2014 it will be impossible to go racing without ERS,” Cowell claimed.

Unfortunately for us Mercedes has protected their intellectual property and those present on Friday were prevented from taking any cameras or audio recording devices into Brixworth. The end result means there will be no audio revealed to the public at this early stage in development.

[Source: Autosport]

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Formula 1

VIDEO: 2012 Formula 1 season highlights

2012 F1 highlights

While we continue to count down the days until the 2013 Formula 1 season kicks into gear let’s take a moment to reflect on the season just gone.

Special attention, of course, given to the description text from this YouTube clip, which reads:

All content belongs to Formula One Management(FOM).
The official F1 2012 season highlights by FOM.
These highlights were shown at the FIA’s 2012 Prize Giving gala.

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Marko says Webber can’t handle pressure

Mark Webber talks to Helmut Marko, 2010 Belgian GP

Helmut Marko, Red Bull Racing’s motorsport advisor, has taken the unusual step of heaping more pressure on Mark Webber by saying the likeable Aussie can’t handle pressure. More unusually, Marko’s comments were published in Red Bull’s in-house title The Red Bulletin.

“It seems to me that Webber has on average two races per year where he is unbeatable, but he can’t maintain this form throughout the year,” said Marko.

“And as soon as his prospects start to look good in the world championship, he has a little trouble with the pressure that this creates.

“In comparison with Seb [Vettel’s] rising form, it seems to me that Mark’s form somehow flattens out.”

Webber’s disastrous race at Abu Dhabi in 2010, which, in part, handed the world championship to teammate Sebastian Vettel, also remains strong in Marko’s memory.

“In 2010, it was particularly extreme. Webber headed into the final race with better chances than Vettel, and he probably carried the disappointment of his defeat into the 2011 season, which is so easy to understand,” he added.

Marko also claims Webber has struggled to cope with the stellar form and results of his younger teammate.

“Something that I think is also very important is that for much of his career, Mark was never in a top team, but he was always regarded as a high flyer if he only could get into the right team,” said Marko.

“Then Red Bull puts him in a car—a possible winner—and suddenly along comes this young kid and he snatches the booty from under Mark’s nose.

“Psychologically it’s not easy, of course; this would gnaw away at anyone’s confidence. It’s more than understandable.”

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

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Ferrari Formula 1

Luca di Montezemolo writes a letter

Luca di Montezemolo

Ferrari Chairman, Luca di Montezemolo, has shared his thoughts on the 2012 F1 season with a letter/interview issued by the Ferrari press department.

It covers obvious topics like Sebastian Vettel driving for Ferrari, as well as the yellow flag controversy surrounding the championship decider in Brazil.

But di Montezemolo also aired his views on a number of other aspects concerning Formula 1, including the legacy of Max Mosley‘s budget caps, the lack of testing and, ultimately, the future of F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone. It’s not the first time di Montezemolo has had a crack at Bernie and it seems pretty clear he’s not a fan:

“The era of the one man show cannot continue: the future should be in the hands of a team that will look after all the different areas. We are slowly approaching the end of a period characterised by the style of one man who has done significant things. It’s a bit of a similar case to what will happen to me: within the decade I will face this question, but when I am 75 not 82…”

You can read the letter in full after the break. And we suggest you do.

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Formula 1 Lotus

Romain Grosjean keeps Lotus gig for 2013

2012 Canadian Grand Prix

Thrill-a-minute grand prix stunt driver Romain Grosjean has capped off a brilliant weekend with the news he has re-signed with the Lotus F1 Team for the 2013 season.

Needless to say the young Frenchie is very happy with this turn of events: “It’s fantastic for me to be continuing with Lotus F1 Team for 2013. It’s superb to have the support of everyone at Enstone. I’m really looking forward to rewarding their faith when we take to the track in Australia.

“I learnt a lot in my first full season in Formula 1 and my aim is to put these lessons into practice with stronger and more consistent performance on track next year.”

Clearly, when Romain isn’t crashing into his colleagues he’s a fine driver. Let’s hope he can prove his talent beyond doubt in 2013.

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Formula 1 Lotus Motorsports

Romain Grosjean wins 2012 Race of Champions

Romain Grosjean, 2012 Race of Champions

Fernando Alonso’s best mate, Romain Grosjean, has capped off an awkward year with a smile after he won the 2012 Race of Champions, held in Bangkok over the weekend. Grosjean defeated Le Mans legend Tom Kristensen 2–nil in the best of three final.

The field of drivers included Australians Mick Doohan and Jamie Whincup, as well as Sebastian Vettel, Michael Schumacher, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Sebastien Ogier and Jorge Lorenzo.

Grosjean was thrilled to beat such an all-star cast. “Champion of Champions sounds pretty good. It certainly feels pretty special to end my year like this. It wasn’t an easy route to the crown either; I had Sebastian [Vettel] in the quarter-final then Michael [Schumacher] in the semi-final, then Tom Kristensen in the final,” he said. “Between those three drivers you’ve got ten Formula 1 titles and eight Le Mans wins!

“To win against these guys is very special indeed. It’s a really fabulous event and we received a fantastic welcome in Bangkok. It’s superb to be able to relax with so many different competitors from different disciplines and we all had a great time.”

Grosjean claimed individual honours after losing out to Germany in the Nations Cup final on Saturday. Grosjean and Sebastien Ogier, representing France, were no match for Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher, who collected their sixth consecutive Nations Cup trophy.

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

VIDEO: Bernd Mayländer talks about his toys

Bernd Maylander, F1 Safety Car driver

Bernd Mayländer, the official F1 Safety Car driver, has a pretty good job. And he knows it. In this video he talks us through all the cars he’s driven around F1 tracks since 2000. Finally, he reveals the SLS AMG GT that will be his new toy in 2013.

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber not ready for retirement

2012 Brazilian Grand Prix

Mark Webber is already mentally preparing himself for the 2013 F1 season, dismissing retirement talk and declaring he’s ready to fight for the title.

“I’m not at the start of the career, I know that. I’m more towards the back end of my career,” said the likeable 36-year-old.

“My goal is to put together a campaign. I have fought for championships and I’ve had some good and very special memories over the past few years.

“Your peak is all relative. You’ve got to piece it all together.

“And you’ve got to be honest with yourself and say ‘look mate, it’s the right time now’—and I don’t think it is the right time now.”

Of course, there’s a guy called Sebastian Vettel on the other side of the garage. Despite a less than flattering record against the German wunderkind Webber is not being deterred.

“If I got spanked 20-nil in qualifying then yeah it’s obvious, the alarm bells are ringing,” Mark added.

“Until that point comes where you feel that you’re not getting the most out of yourself, and you’re sliding, then you need to keep pressing on.”

Mark will keep pressing on with Red Bull next year, it will be his seventh season with the three-time world champion constructor.

[Source: The F1 Times | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

The Red Bull Racing Story: 2005–2012

The Red Bull Racing Story: 2005-2012

Red Bull Racing has just released the full version of their self-made documentary. With just a few words in the YouTube description they have summed up their achievements:

“If it stops now, it’s still a lifetime achievement.”

Pretty hard to argue with that.

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Formula 1

Just the 19 races for F1 in 2013 then?

2012 Korean Grand Prix

Despite reshuffling the 2013 calendar in an attempt to cover the loss of the New Jersey GP, it looks like we’ll be settling for 19 race F1 season next year. At least, that’s the view of Bernie Ecclestone, who has a bit of input into such matters.

We’re sure the organisers of the Goodwood Fesitval of Speed and the German MotoGP will be overjoyed at this revelation, having just rescheduled their own events in order to avoid a clash with the German Grand Prix in F1’s revised 2013 calendar.

Bernie offered his opinion to Austria’s Kleine Zeitung newspaper in response to rumours the Red Bull Ring could be used to host a 20th race.

“Really? Who says that? Until now I have not talked about this with anyone,” said Ecclestone. “I am thinking more about Turkey and a return to Istanbul.”

However, Turkey is also looking unlikely with Bernie adding, “At the moment I think that we will have only 19 grands prix next year. That would not be a big problem for F1.”

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

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Ferrari Formula 1

Bernie: 10 teams best, so long as Ferrari stays

Fernando Alonso, 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix

F1 power monger Bernie Ecclestone is not shedding a tear at the loss of the HRT from the 2013 starting grid, which leaves 11 teams in motorsport’s premier category, and would prefer another team left the sport as well.

Perhaps not the best Christmas message if you’re Caterham or Marussia. But it’ll be all smiles down at Ferrari, who seem to be Formula 1’s untouchables while Bernie is in charge.

Speaking to Reuters, Ecclestone said: “I’d rather have 10. I never wanted 12.

“It’s just that 10 is easier to handle, for the promoters, for transport. We’d rather have 10…so long as we don’t lose Ferrari.”

[Source: Reuters | Pic: Ferrari]

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz Motorsports

Uncle Norbert to leave Mercedes at year’s end

Norbert Haug, Mercedes-Benz

Norbert Haug, the bloke who looks like a favourite uncle, will depart his role as Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport at the end of the year. He’s been trackside with the three-pointed star for a touch over 22 years. By mutual agreement his contract won’t be renewed.

“I would like to thank the best car company in the world for more than 22 years, which never had a single moment without passion for me. I particularly wish to thank the Board for the trust and freedom they have always given me with all my activities,” said Haug. “Unfortunately, with one victory in 2012 since founding our own Formula One works team in 2010, we couldn’t fulfil our own expectations.”

During Uncle Norbert’s watch Mercedes-Benz powered Formula 1 cars won 87 grands prix. More impressively, he has overseen a total of 986 races, in a variety of categories, winning almost half, with 439 victories. Mercedes’ success in the DTM, too, is enviable, claiming around 60% of the titles available to him and 54% of races.

Dr Dieter Zetsche, Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars and CEO of Daimler AG, signed off on Haug’s depature by saying: “Norbert Haug was the face of the Mercedes-Benz Motorsport programme for more than 20 years. For me, he put his stamp on a whole era and, as a highlight, he was responsible for the successful comeback of the Silver Arrows to Formula One.

“In the name of the Board of Management and the whole motorsport family, I would like to thank Norbert for his extraordinary commitment to the three-pointed star.”

A replacement for Haug is yet to be named.

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