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.
No matter how you look at it, Adrian Newey is a legend. He has won F1 championships with three different teams (Williams 1992–94, 1996; McLaren 1998; Red Bull 2010–12) . Prior to his F1 success, Newey had already collected the biggest trophies in the Indycar category too.
To translate that to footballing terms, imagine a manager that has won a total of eight EPL titles with three different clubs, after already winning a pair of championships in another country. That’s a run of enviable success in anyone’s language.
But Newey’s career has also had some incredibly deep lows; the death of Ayrton Senna in the FW16 being the obvious example here.
Racecar Engineering has compiled a snapshot of Newey’s achievements, good and bad, and it’s very much worth reading. Here’s a snippet we liked:
Our story of Adrian Newey’s career does not start with a hiring but instead a request for his immediate departure. As a teenager Newey attended the historic Repton public school (at the same time as Jeremy Clarkson) but was asked to leave after he high-jacked a school concert soundcheck and blew out a stained glass window.
[Source: Racecar Engineering | Pic: Getty Images | Thanks to Micky for the tip]
Red Bull Racing has sent out this teaser for a self-made documentary which will tell us all about how great they are. And actually, when you think about it, they might have a point.
The team came to being in 2005, picking up the pieces left by Jaguar and Stewart GP. In the years that have followed they’ve collected three constructors’ titles and three drivers’ championships. Those results have been achieved through the collection of 34 race wins, 46 pole positions and 29 fastest laps. It’s an impressive haul, by any team’s standards.
And yet, there’s something about these new kids on the block that doesn’t sit right for many F1 fans. Is it the lack of history? Is it that they seem too cocky and brash? Or is it more to do with Sebastian Vettel’s bloody finger?!
Indeed, were it not for the presence of Mark Webber, who joined the team in 2007, we think most Australians would have less cause to enjoy the success of the team.
Check out the brief preview after the break and tell us what you think of Red Bull Racing and their recent unstoppable success.
To, finally, close the book on the 2012 F1 world championship the FIA has written a letter to Ferrari. While we can’t bring you the exact content of that letter, we can confirm via an official FIA statement that Sebastian Vettel’s status a triple world champion is safe:
The FIA received a letter from Scuderia Ferrari, seeking clarification on Sebastien Vettel’s overtaking manoeuvre in Sao Paulo on Sunday.
In the spirit of transparency and goodwill, the FIA wishes to make public the receipt of this letter.
The Federation also informs it has replied to Scuderia Ferrari, in the same constructive spirit, stating that as the overtaking manoeuvre was not in breach of the regulations, and therefore there was no infringement to investigate, it was not reported to the Stewards by Race Control.
[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]
Like everyone else who has an interest in Formula One, Bernie Ecclestone has put in his two bob’s worth on the Sebastian Vettel yellowgate saga, saying “it’s a complete joke.” He expects nothing will come of the controversy and reckons Ferrari should have pulled their heads in.
The FIA is yet to publish an official statement on the Lap 4 incident, when Vettel allegedly overtook Jean-Eric Vergne under yellow flag conditions, but has revealed informally that it believes Vettel has no case to answer.
It’s understood that Ferrari was considering an official protest, but has simply written a letter to the FIA seeking clarification over the issue. Bernie has come in off the long run to sink the boot into Ferrari as well.
“In the rules and regs normally you have to protest. They [Ferrari] missed that time,” Ecclestone explained. “Then there is the fact that a green flag was shown, which nobody seems to dispute. It’s a complete joke. What they are saying in that letter is wrong. I don’t think there needs to be any action taken. It’s completely and utterly wrong.
“Personally I think it’s not really like Ferrari to do this. I think they badly wanted to win. But nothing will happen. What can they do? Take civil action? Maybe. But the case is flawed before it starts. Nothing is going to happen.”
[Source: The Telegraph | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]
Sebastian Vettel is still number one, according to the FIA, who say the newly crowned world champion has no case to answer in the did he, or did he not, overtake under yellow flag conditions controversy.
The news is being reported by Autosport, which states: “[the FIA] was in no doubt that Vettel’s pass [on Jean-Eric Vergne] was legitimate.”
Over the last 24 hours or so the F1 world has been gripped by this saga; media attention heightened by reports saying Ferrari was investigating the possibility of lodging a formal protest.
According to Autosport the FIA has confirmed the following: “the yellow-flag sector at Interlagos started at the light panel just before Turn 3, at marshal sector 3, and ends about 150m before Turn 4, where a green light panel is displayed.
“However, there is a marshal’s post in between these two panels and a green flag was being waved there on that lap.”
The green flag takes precedence over the light panels, so by that interpretation Vettel’s overtake on Vergne is perfectly legal. Nothing to see here.
Well done Sebastian. Again.
Oh, there’s just one more thing. Despite this apparently clear and concise ruling, Ferrari is said to have written to the FIA seeking a formal clarification. You know, just for future reference and the like.
[Source: Autosport | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]
Ferrari is considering an appeal against Sebastian Vettel’s actions in the Brazilian Grand Prix. If the protest is lodged and upheld, the ramifications could see Vettel stripped of the 2012 F1 world championship in favour Fernando Alonso.
The protest centres around an overtaking move Vettel made on Toro Rosso’s Jean-Eric Vergne in the early laps of the Brazilian GP. The pass was not shown on live TV as the main feed was showing replays of the start. However, footage from Vettel’s own on-board camera does appear to show he overtook Vergne in a yellow flag zone. You can see the footage after the break, forward to around 9:30 if you want to go straight to the incident in question.
According to the BBC, if Vettel was found guilty by the FIA, a 20 second penalty could be applied to Vettel’s overall race time. That would drop him back to eighth place, but more importantly, Vettel would lose four crucial championship points; enough to make Fernando Alonso the world champion by a single point.
Interestingly, even if Ferrari doesn’t lodge an appeal, the FIA’s own rules appear to force its hand into investigating the incident now that new information has come to light.
Article 179b of the international sporting code reads: “If, in events forming part of an FIA championship, a new element is discovered, whether or not the stewards of the meeting have already given a ruling, these stewards of the meeting or, failing this, those designated by the FIA must meet… summoning the party or parties concerned to hear any relevant explanations and to judge in the light of the facts and elements brought before them.”
There is a time limit though; any investigation and subsequent decision would have to be handed down by 30 November. So, Vettel may only have a couple of sleepless night, it seems.
While nothing official has been announced by Ferrari, Fernando Alonso did post this via twitter last night (translated from Spanish): “I don’t believe in miracles. I make my miracles out of the correct rules.”
It would be a shame if the championship was to be decided off-track like this. But, this is Formula One, where the action off the circuit is often as heated and cut-throat as it is on-track.
Were Ferrari to protest and have Alonso named as world champion we think it would probably put to rest, once and for all, any rumours of Vettel driving for Ferrari in 2014 or beyond.
[Source: BBC | Pic: Ferrari]
As if his third world championship wasn’t enough, Sebastian Vettel has also been presented with the DHL Fastest Lap Award for 2012. As the name suggests, the award is handed out the driver who sets the most fastest laps across each Formula One season. It’s been going since 2007 and this is Vettel’s second win, following his success in 2009.
The German ace collected six fastest laps in 2012: Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Canada, Hungary, Japan and the United States. He beat a trio of drivers who each registered a pair of fastest laps during the year: Jenson Button, Kimi Raikkonen and Nico Rosberg.
The following drivers each posted a single fastest lap: Romain Grosjean, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Hulkenberg, Kamui Kobayashi, Sergio Perez, Michael Schumacher, Bruno Senna and last year’s winner Mark Webber. You’ll notice Fernando Alonso’s name is not among them. Although, he did win the award back in 2010.
[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]
Here’s our last F1 in pictures gallery for the year. It captures Jenson Button’s victory in the Brazilian Grand Prix and also Red Bull celebrating Sebastian Vettel’s third world championship.
It may be the last time we’ll see the likes of Kamui Kobayashi. Heikki Kovalainen, Vitaly Petrov and Bruno Senna in an F1 car for the forseeable future. Of course, we already know it is the last time we’ll see Michael Schumacher at the wheel of an F1 car. And there’s HRT’s uncertain future to ponder as well.
It’s been a great season and we trust you’ve enjoyed us bringing you these galleries throughout the year.
During the commentary of this morning’s Brazilian Grand Prix the Sky TV team made reference to an incident where they thought Sebastian Vettel may have overtaken Kamui Kobayashi under yellow flag conditions. We didn’t see the footage here in Australia, but now you can watch the replay and Sky’s post-race analysis with Allan McNish to decide for yourself.
We understand the race stewards have looked at the incident and given Vettel the all clear. However, this is what Sky’s F1 commentator Martin Brundle had to say: “I’ve spoken to Gary Connolly, one of the race stewards, and he has absolutely confirmed that they were red-and-yellow boards—didn’t look much like that from the somewhat grainy and rainy yellow on-board footage, did it?”
Clearly if Vettel was deemed to have passed under yellow flag conditions it could have had severe ramifications for his championship hopes. We think Vettel can probably consider himself lucky and was probably helped by the fact Kobayashi dived into pitlane shortly after being overtaken.
[Thanks to Graeme for the tip]
UPDATE 28 November: Looks like Vettel should get the all clear on the Kobayashi pass featured by Sky Sports F1, but as highlighted already in the comments section there is another pass, which wasn’t shown on the main TV feed, where it does appear that Vettel overtook a Toro Rosso under yellow flag conditions: http://youtu.be/LFER0esusF0
(Thanks to Tom for alerting me to this.)
UPDATE 29 November: Ferrari is now considering a protest, which could alter the result of the world championship.
Sebastian Vettel has become Formula One’s youngest ever triple world champion after finishing the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix in sixth place.
His only rival for the title, Fernando Alonso, finished the race in second place, ensuring the title chase went down to the final lap.
We’ve now updated this post to include the official word from Red Bull Racing. We’ll start with some thought from the man of the moment, Sebastian Vettel: “It’s difficult to imagine what goes through my head now, I am so full of adrenalin. It was an incredible race, everything that could have happened to make it more difficult for us today, happened!
“I am very, very happy. The most important thing throughout the season is that we kept pushing and remained ourselves. We just try to do our thing and stick to the route that we know and that’s what made the difference. Some people try to play games, but we never get distracted, we keep going our way. Everyone at Milton Keynes and here at the circuit, they are always pushing so hard and we really stepped up our game in the second half of the season.
“I would like to thank everyone in the team and at Renault. There’s no one in this team that feels more important than any one else, we all push together, alongside each other, it’s one big force and I’m very proud of that. It’s unreal what has happened. To win a third title, especially here where one of my heroes Ayrton Senna was from, it’s difficult to put into words. I was crying in the car but my radio wasn’t working, so I’m maybe happy for that! Tomorrow I can probably say more, but now I just don’t have the right words.”
More after the break.
[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]
Car manufacturer Infiniti has extended its sponsorship deal with Red Bull Racing for another four years. The new arrangement will see Infiniti become the title partner for the team, which will now be officially called Infiniti Red Bull Racing.
As a result the partnership will move from basic sponsorship to a more involved technological arrangement.
Leaving Infiniti president, Johan de Nysschen, and Red Bull’s Team Principal Christian Horner to rabbit on largely about marketing benefits, Red Bull Racing’s Chief Technical Officer, Adrian Newey says: “Formula One presents immense design and engineering challenges on a daily basis. Having a committed technical partner like Infiniti gives us a great platform for working together on technical projects, such as the Energy Recovery Systems for the 2014 season.â€
The team’s full statement can be read after the break.