Category: Motorsports

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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.

Continue reading “Big Ron back on deck at McLaren”
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Hyundai WRC

Hyundai’s WRC return didn’t quite go to plan

Hyundai i20 WRC

We have no doubt Hyundai would love nothing more than for Thierry Neuville’s rivals to be looking the tail of his i20 WRC in 2014. We just don’t think they quite imagined his tail would be all smashed up like this.

That’s the sad an unfortunate result of Neuville’s off in the icy conditions of SS1 at the Rallye Monte Carlo. Unsurprisingly, he was forced to retire from the rally.

Better results awaited Dani Sordo in the #8 i20 WRC and he managed to find himself in the podium positions, running in third. Sadly for him an alternator problem forced him out of the event.

After much hard work and high on anticipation Hyundai’s new era in the WRC was over almost before it began. Hard luck for them. On the positive side for WRC fans Hyundai Motorsport has already packaged up a YouTube video. On the negative side for Hyundai an amateur video showing Neuville’s car being winched onto a flat bed is also on the tubes.

After day 1 of the Monte privateer Bryan Bouffier in his M-Sport prepared Fiesta RS WRC holds a commanding lead over Kris Meeke (Citroën) and Robert Kubica (Ford). Defending champions Volkswagen have to make do with fourth (Ogier), seventh (Latvala) and ninth (Mikkelesen), but at least they’re all still running.

Continue reading “Hyundai’s WRC return didn’t quite go to plan”
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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]

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Porsche Video WEC

Timo Bernhard talks safety and the Porsche 919

Timo Bernhard

Porsche factory driver Timo Bernhard takes a few minutes to give us a brief overview of the safety features for the LMP1 category and, of course, the his new car Porsche 919 hybrid.

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Chevrolet Motor Shows Motorsports

Detroit 2014: Chevrolet Corvette C7.R

2014 Chevrolet Corvette C7R

Those good ol’ boys at Chevrolet didn’t just stop with the road going version of the Corvette Z06. No siree, they kept the pedal to the metal and developed this all-new C7.R racecar.

And when Corvette goes racing you better stop and take notice because they do it bloody well. Since 1999 they’ve dominated the American Le Mans Series, with 90 race wins and 10 championships.

In 2014 the ALMS category has merged with the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series to form the Tudor United Sportscar Championship. The C7.R will debut in this series at the opening race, the Daytona 24 hour race on 25–26 January.

Race regulations prohibit the use of the 6.2 litre supercharged V8 from the production Z06. Instead the C7.R will use the drivetrain from the championship winning C6.R; a 5.5 litre normally aspirated V8 based on Chevy’s noted small block hardware.

A brief introduction video of the C7.R presented by Jim Campbell, vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports, can be seen after the break.

Continue reading “Detroit 2014: Chevrolet Corvette C7.R”
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Formula 1

Brundle “getting uncomfortable” with pay drivers

Martin Brundle

Sky Sports F1 commentator and veteran of 158 grand prix starts Martin Brundle was a guest during the Autosport International event on the weekend and was only too willing to share his thoughts on the reliance of F1 teams to favour pay drivers at the potential expense of superior talent.

The issue has attracted attention of late, partly due to Pastor Maldonado (and his lucrative Venezuelan oil backing) being recruited by the financially—how can we say this, stricken might be too harsh, yes, got it—perturbed, the financially perturbed Lotus F1 Team.

“The main problem is that they’ve got to stop it being so expensive to run the cars, so it stops the need for all this cash,” Brundle claimed.

“When a team like Lotus, the only one to really challenge Red Bull consistently last year, is short of money then something is fundamentally wrong.”

Although, Brundle later added that the term “pay driver” can be misleading.

“There’s no doubt that the pay drivers are creeping their way up the grid. But they’re still great racing drivers. Don’t think anybody who’s paid to be there is not a high-level racing driver,” he said.

“But it’s an awful expression. It’s a label that you just can’t get rid of. Niki Lauda makes the point that he had to borrow money to pay for his early drives in Formula 1.”

While Brundle says people shouldn’t get too caught up in the pay driver term, he added: “The balance is getting dangerously close to the pay drivers dominating… it’s disappointing when you see a driver like Paul di Resta getting booted out of F1 when you know that others are in because they’re bringing cash.

“That’s the bit I’m getting uncomfortable with.”

[Source: Autosport | Pic: Sky Sports]

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Motorsports Subaru

Subaru gives new WRX STi a 5-minute sticker job

2014 Subaru WRX STi

Subaru has released this photo of the new WRX STi, in this case ready to take on the Nürburgring 24 hour race for the seventh year in a row. Except it’s not a photo at all, just a crudely cobbled together p-chop. I can tell by the pixels.

Oh well, we’ll have the real thing before our eyes very soon when Detroit kicks off.

Continue reading “Subaru gives new WRX STi a 5-minute sticker job”
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Hyundai WRC

Hyundai ready for WRC return

Hyundai i20 WRC

Hyundai will make its return to the WRC next week, although strictly speaking, the Hyundai Shell World Rally Team will make its debut. Team leader Thierry Neuville will be joined by Dani Sordo as the pair cross their fingers and hope for the best when the i20 WRC fires up and the action starts.

Neuville understands he’s about to head into the great unknown with his new car. “Our aim is to finish the event and get some good experience and mileage to further develop the Hyundai i20 WRC,” the young Belgian said.

“We carried out some good testing ahead of the rally where we drove the car in very different weather conditions. Although it is very difficult to recreate the exact same conditions we will find on the event and to test everything, we will give it absolutely everything.”

Team Principal, Michel Nandan, is also circumspect ahead of his team’s first outing. “This rally has been the first major target in our development schedule and finally we’re there,” Nandan said. “It’s a hugely significant and special moment for us all.

“We all know that Thierry can achieve outstanding performance levels despite his young age, while Dani has a lot of experience in WRC and at Rallye Monte-Carlo. I can definitely say that we have a very good mix!

“We have not set any results targets because our first priority is to finish the rally with both cars, to learn as much as possible and to use that as a base to improve for the following events.”

Continue reading “Hyundai ready for WRC return”
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Ford WRC

M-Sport ready to fly Ford flag in WRC

2014 M-Sport Ford Fiesta RS WRC

M-Sport has revealed its new livery for the 2014 WRC season and while we do think the Fiesta RS WRC looks great in this predominantly dark blue colour scheme we’re pretty sure M-Sport would like a fair dinkum major sponsor.

In the end we’re being told what a great job Castrol and Michelin do while M-Sport grits its teeth and thanks Ford for the EcoBoost branding. Any chance of proper factory support?

Of course, M-Sport drivers Mikko Hirvonen and Elfyn Evans reckon everything’s hunky dory and can’t wait to get out on the icy tarmac of Rallye Monte Carlo.

We wish these guys well, they’ll be the underdogs all year.

Continue reading “M-Sport ready to fly Ford flag in WRC”