INDIA in F1

Author: David Bodapati

  • British PM Cameron visits Caterham’s Leafield Centre

    Leafield Technical Centre, UK 19 Feb 2013: David Cameron was given a tour of Caterham Group’s Leafield Technical Centre on Friday 15th February by Caterham Group Co-Chairman Tony Fernandes.

    Leafield Technical Centre has been home to Caterham F1 Team since the team moved its factory base and over 200 staff from Norfolk to the site in Oxfordshire in August 2012. Caterham Cars, the roadcar division of Caterham Group that recently unveiled a unique 50 / 50 partnership with Renault to build a new range of cars, will also move its base to Leafield in due course, creating more jobs and significant revenue for the UK economy. The site is located in Cameron’s constituency.

    David Cameron MP: ““This is the dream investment for any constituency. Caterham F1 is bringing high-end jobs, engineering and manufacturing to West Oxfordshire. Not only will it create jobs but it will be a real boost to our local economy. On a national scale, it is great to see Britain designing and selling more cars. It is businesses like this which are helping to lift our economy out of a very difficult time and making sure that Britain thrives in the global race. I am so excited to welcome this great business to Leafield and I wish them every success.”

    Tony Fernandes, Caterham Group Co-Chairman: “It was an honour to give Mr Cameron a tour of Leafield Technical Centre and to demonstrate the cutting edge technology and innovative thinking that is at the heart of Caterham Group. Representatives from each of the arms of Caterham Group were on hand to demonstrate to Mr Cameron how Caterham Cars, Caterham Technology and Innovation (CTI) and Caterham Composites are setting new standards for innovative thinking and cutting edge technology across a wide range of industries.

    “Caterham Cars and Caterham Technology and Innovation are now working in close partnership with Renault to produce a new range of sportscars that will soon showcase our world class technology to automotive customers worldwide. CTI and Caterham Composites are also in a very exciting phase of their development. Both companies are working across a wide range of industries, including automotive, aircraft, marine, sports and leisure, bringing their specialist knowledge of innovative technological solutions and composite materials to set new standards in their fields. For example, CTI and Caterham Composites are now into the development phase of a revolutionary lightweight aircraft seat. Using their specialist knowledge of composite materials and cutting edge design and manufacturing skills, they will soon demonstrate how the inter-connected businesses within Caterham Group can combine to revolutionise one of the key global industries.

    “The specialist knowledge we have within our group all began when we launched our F1 team in 2009. Since then, in just over three years, we have built a range of world class businesses that complement one another perfectly. Having the opportunity to demonstrate this to Mr Cameron was a very rewarding experience and I am sure he found the visit extremely interesting. We are extremely proud of what Caterham Group has achieved in such a short time, and Leafield Technical Centre is the perfect environment to showcase just how far we believe Caterham Group can go.”

    ends

    Tony Fernandes (left) presents a memento to British Prime Minister David Cameroon after taking him on a tour of Leafield Tech Centre on 15 Feb 2013. A Caterham F1 team photo.

  • Ogier, Volkswagen defend lead on Day 2 at Rally Sweden

    Hogfors, 9 Feb 2013: A cool head in the heat of battle – Volkswagen has successfully defended its lead at the Rally Sweden. At the only round of the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) held exclusively on ice and snow, Sébastien Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia (F/F), at the wheel of the Polo R WRC, hold a 26.9-second lead over nine-time world champion Sébastien Loeb (Citroën) at the top of the overall standings. Their team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) follow in fourth place. The Volkswagen Polo R WRC came out on top in five of the eight special stages and finished in the top three on eight occasions on day two of the “Sweden”, according to a Volkswagen Press Release.

    The second day of the Rally Sweden headed north-east of the Service Park in Hagfors through the forests of central Sweden. Conditions on the special stages “Sågen”, “Fredriksberg”, “Rämmen” and the “Hagfors Sprint” were similar to those faced on Friday: a solid layer of ice ensured that conditions were typically “Swedish”. Small milestones on the loop, which was negotiated twice, ensured that it was a surprisingly successful day for Volkswagen. Jari-Matti Latvala scored his first ever stage win with the Polo R WRC on the first run of “Fredriksberg”. Sébastien Ogier won the very same stage when they returned later in the day. The Frenchman also the fastest man through “Sågen” twice and “Rämmen” at the second attempt. Volkswagen now has a total nine stage wins and 18 top-three results to its name at the Rally Sweden.

    Quotes, Day Two of the Rally Sweden

    Jari-Matti Latvala, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #7
    “I am not entirely happy today. This is because I must work on my performance, rather than that of the Polo R WRC. The car’s performance is there, but knowing exactly where the limit is has not yet become second nature to me. Because our rival Mads Østberg was on such good form today, we lost third place to him. However, we have almost another 100 kilometres ahead of us tomorrow, and the gap is not that big. Let’s see what happens on Sunday.”

    Sébastien Ogier, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #8
    “Up until now it has really been a perfect rally for us. The car is simply brilliant, which makes it a joy to drive quickly. There is no reason for me to go all out on the attack. Despite this, we are still putting our foot down, as the opposition is applying plenty of pressure. Sébastien Loeb, in particular, is one man you can never write off. If you take your foot off the gas, you risk losing your rhythm. We found good pace on today’s stages, particularly on the second run. That will be our task for tomorrow too – after all, we still have just short of 100 kilometres of special stage ahead of us.”

    Jost Capito, Volkswagen Motorsport Director
    “A big compliment goes to both drivers, who did another great job today. Fastest times on five of the eight stages shows that the Polo R WRC is working well in the special conditions you find at the Rally Sweden. You can see from the results that Sébastien Ogier feels at home in the car – and from the big grin on his face at the service. That gives the entire team additional motivation to give everything again on the final day of the rally tomorrow. I am also pleased for Jari-Matti Latvala, who won his first stage for us today. He has not driven many kilometres in the Polo R WRC yet. However, the stage win is a sign of what we can expect once he is used to the material.”

    And then there was …
    … snow instead of sand. Only one single component of the Polo R WRC has been transferred without any modification from the Dakar-winning Volkswagen Race Touareg 3. And that component will only see action at the Rally Sweden. The cars driven by Jari-Matti Latvala and Sébastien Ogier will both carry two shovels at the second round of the WRC season. The ultra-light spades have already helped Giniel de Villiers, Carlos Sainz and Nasser Al-Attiyah escape from some tricky situations in the desert, before going on to win the legendary Dakar Rally with Volkswagen. The tool is on board at the “Sweden” for a similar purpose. Should Latvala or Ogier get lodged in a snowdrift, they will reach for their trusty shovels.

    ends

    Volkswagen's Sébastien-Ogier (left), who has taken the lead in Rally Sweden with Dr Ulrich-Hackenberg (centre) and Jost. A Volkswagen photo.

  • Sarath signs for Monlau for Spanish Moto3

    Chennai, 6 Feb 2013: Indian 2-wheeler sensation Sarath Kumar has been confirmed to race for Monlau Competicion in the 2013 Spanish Moto 3 Championship. This was announced on Wednesday at the glitzy launch of sports management firm SK-Sarath69, which is promoted by renowned South Indian actor and politician, R Sarath Kumar. SK-Sarath69 Sports Private Limited has been launched with the aim of helping and promoting young sportspersons in India.

    Young rider Sarath Kumar, who is the only Indian to have competed at the pinnacle of two wheeler racing events, MotoGP, will race in an international series for the third consecutive year. While he made his MotoGP 125cc class debut in 2011, he participated in the Italian Championship 125GP Class in 2012 with a podium finish at the historic Monza circuit. The Spanish Moto 3 Championship has been the stepping stone for many current MotoGP riders, including Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa, Casey Stoner and Marc Marquez.

    The 21-year old rider Sarath Kumar was confident of making an impact in the Spanish Moto 3 Championship. He commented, “First of all I would like to thank Mr. R Sarath Kumar for making all this possible. He is committed to helping youngsters and is playing an active role in helping me succeed. It is a dream come true to race in the Spanish Moto 3 championship, considering the great riders who have participated in the same. Monlau Competicion is a winning team and I hope I can help them continue their winning ways. The more experience I get the more confident I feel and the faster I go. This is a huge opportunity for me so I hope I can make my country proud.”

    Last year Monlau Competicion won the Spanish Moto 3 Championship with Alex Marquez, younger brother of MotoGP rider Marc Marquez. Sarath will be riding the Suter-Honda Moto3, which is a 250cc 4-stroke prototype race bike developed for the Moto3 world championship. This prototype is powered by a Honda engine. Starting with the 2012 season, the Moto3-class replaced the 125-cc 2-stroke class in FIM premier championship of motorcycle road racing which existed since 1949.

    Jaime Serrano, Executive Director, Monlau Competicion, commented, “India is definitely becoming a hot destination for motorsports and we are pleased to announce our partnership with SK-Sarath69 and their young rider Sarath Kumar. From what we have seen of him we are highly impressed and believe he has what it takes to go all the way. We will work closely in all areas to ensure he improves as a rider and is in a position to fight for victories.”

    SK-Sarath69 was founded with the intention of promoting and nurturing promising talent from India to prepare them for the rigors of international competition. The company will focus on talent from all sporting disciplines with the first project focusing on motorsports.

    R Sarath Kumar, Chairman, SK-Sarath69, is a strong believer in promoting the youth of the country and is thrilled to be a part of this initiative. He commented, “India, as a sporting nation is at a very nascent stage, and the youth will play an integral role in taking it to the next level. While there is no dearth of talent in India, it is important that these young sportsmen are developed and groomed the right way. Our goal is to prepare young sportspersons to compete on an international scale, with the right training, financial backing and guidance.

    We are proud to announce young rider S. Sarath Kumar as our first signing and even more excited to confirm his participation in the Spanish Moto 3 Championship with Monlau Competicion. Sarath is supremely talented and we need to give him the best possible opportunity to win races. We are also happy to work with Rajini Krishnan, who recently made history by becoming the first Indian rider to win an international motorcycle event. With Sarath and Rajini we have the two best Indian riders and we intend to help them get to the top step of the podium.” added R. Sarath Kumar.

    Ramji Govindarajan, Executive Director, SK-Sarath69, commented, “Most Indian sportsmen have one thing in common – lack of funds and guidance. We want to ensure that these youngsters are given their chance to present themselves at the highest level. While our first project is motorcycle racing, our long term goal is to help as many sportsmen as possible, be it in athletics, badminton, tennis etc. We are really happy that Monlau Competicion has signed on Sarath and placed their faith in his abilities. We will confirm Rajini’s plans shortly as well which looks set to kick off with Asia’s premier Superbike racing category, the Asia Road Racing Championship for 2013.”

    ends

    Rider Sarath Kumar (left) with actor Sarath Kumar and another promising rider Rajini at the launch of SK Sarath 69, a sports company on Wednesday in Chennai. Adrenna photo.

  • Caterham F1 Team unveils CT03 by Charles, Giedo

    Jerez (Spain), 5 Feb 2013: CT03, Caterham F1 Team’s 2013 race car, was unveiled in the pitlane of the Circuito de Jerez, Spain, on day one of the first official 2013 pre-season test. The car was revealed by the team’s race drivers Charles Pic, who will race in car #20, and Giedo van der Garde who will be in car #21 for the forthcoming season, according to a Caterham F1 team Press Release.

    The 2013 car has technical features that distinguish it from its predecessor, CT01, and it will race in an updated livery which sees the team’s green and yellow paint-scheme refreshed and lightened for the season ahead.
    Mark Smith, Technical Director, Caterham F1 Team: “CT03 is the first car we have produced in the Leafield Technical Centre so it marks an important milestone in the development of our team. The season ahead presented us with an interesting challenge early in the design process as it is the last year of the current regulations before the introduction of the new engine rules in 2014. With that in mind we decided that CT03 would be an evolution of CT01 rather than a complete re-design, allowing us to focus our resources on developing areas of last year’s package where opportunities would give us the greatest return, whilst also beginning work on the 2014 package.
    “We have made a number of significant changes to the car that takes it from the package that gained us tenth place in the 2012 Championship in Brazil into CT03. Among the most obvious are around the lower chassis where the sidepods have been significantly undercut to improve airflow to the rear of the car. The diffuser, engine cover and cooling exits have also seen major changes and there are more subtle improvements to other areas of the car, such as the sidepod turning vanes and the lower tea-tray area. This is the package we will take to race one in Australia and as part of the 2013 upgrade program we will then bring new front and rear wings and a new diffuser soon after the start of the season.
    “However, the CT03 car that starts testing in Spain on day one in Jerez is not the only visible change amongst a number of other important developments at Caterham this winter. Back in Leafield, we  are fast completing our own ‘driver in the loop’ simulator, created with the support of Dell and powered by Alienware. This is a major asset for our team that puts us on a par with any of our competitors and constitutes another example of the long-term plans we are activating that will help us continue to grow and develop into the team we know we can become.
    “Personally I am excited about the season ahead, and the challenges that face us. Regardless of the resources and budget available, all the teams will be racing in 2013 with one eye on next year when the new rules may present opportunities to make significant gains, much greater than those available under static rules. Our whole team is ready for its fourth season in F1 and I am sure it is going to be another thrilling championship.”
    Cyril Abiteboul, Team Principal, Caterham F1 Team: “This is the first car we have produced since I joined the team so this is a proud day for me. I am very pleased that we have been able to allocate our resources and budgets as efficiently as possible to produce a car that will allow us to consolidate our position in Formula One whilst also starting work on the 2014 car as early as possible.
    “From the outside, the most obvious change to CT03 car is the livery. Whilst retaining the green and yellow paint scheme that has become synonymous with our team since 2010, we have refreshed both colours to enhance their visibility on track and give them what will be, we believe, one of the best looking liveries in the pitlane.
    “Driving the cars this year are Charles Pic and Giedo van der Garde, two drivers who give us a good mix of youth and experience inside and outside Formula One. Charles and Giedo are both young and dynamic and we expect that their enthusiasm for the sport and the team will be fuelling our growth. Additionally, they provide clear proof of our dedication to developing young driver talent and now, any aspiring driver who dreams of F1 can see that there is a clear route to the F1 grid under the guidance of the Caterham Driver Development Program, the 2013 format of which will soon be presented.”
    “Off track our team is in a healthy position. We are still a small team but our stated objective is to be the most efficient of all F1 Teams, and thanks to our determination, our scalability and our processes, there is no reason we cannot achieve this in recognition of the ongoing investments our shareholders and team partners make in us.
    “We have partners in GE / Safran, EADS / Airbus, Dell / Intel, McGregor and Renault who are the envy of the pitlane. Our relationships with each of those businesses continue to develop and we are delighted that such blue-chip brands share our vision and are an integral part of our team.
    “As part of Caterham Group we are also involved in the Renault / Caterham Cars partnership, one of the most exciting projects in the global motoring industry and one that means we start the 2013 season as one of the five car-makers on the F1 grid.
    “The move to Leafield was the last big piece of the jigsaw, and now we are settled in our new, permanent home, we are in the process of increasing our integration level to better control the quality, cost, and lead time of our supply chain. I am confident that this will ultimately translate into faster laptimes to reduce the gap with the midfield cars. CT03 is the first car to be built in Leafield and while we are realistic enough to know that we are not going to be the fastest car on the grid, we do think we will have one of the best looking cars in 2013. I will be working so that one day we have both!”
    Tony Fernandes, Co-Chairman, Caterham Group: “This is the first car we have produced from our factory in Leafield and the last we will build under the current regulations. The team has produced a car that is an evolution of the 2012 car, building on that platform to give us a chance of continuing to make progress towards the teams ahead, whilst also dedicating enough resource to start work as early as possible on the 2014 car.
    “For me this is going to be the story of the 2013 season – every team wants to be as competitive as possible this year, but with such fundamental rule changes next year resources and budgets dictate that there will have to be a cut-off point in the development of the current season cars so focus can be switched to 2014. We will bring updates to the car after several races and I am happy that the plan we have for 2013 will give us the chance to fight this year, but, importantly, will allow us to take full advantage of the new rules in 2014.
    “Having stepped up to the role of Co-Chairman of Caterham Group I will be playing less of a day-to-day role with the team but I am delighted that we go into our fourth season in such a strong position. Caterham Group continues  to grow and since launching our partnership with Renault in November we have started work on the new Alpine and Caterham Cars products which is obviously very exciting. Caterham Composites and Caterham Technology & Innovation are also forging ahead with a number of very interesting projects, some of which will be unveiled throughout 2013.
    “I am realistic enough to know that we still have a long journey ahead of us, but the dream is steadily coming true. We have invested in the long-term, not taken any short-cuts and we have everything in place to keep moving forwards.”

    Ends

    Caterham unveils CT03, the new car for 2013 F1 season at Jerez, Spain on 5 Feb. A Caterham F1 team photo.

  • Sauber F1 team launches new C32-Ferrari

    Hinwil, 2 Feb 2013: The Sauber F1 Team presented the Sauber C32-Ferrari to its partners and the media on Saturday, the 2nd of February. Drivers Nico Hülkenberg (DE, 25) and Esteban Gutiérrez (MX, 21) pulled back the covers on the new car at the team’s base in Hinwil, Switzerland. The roll-out of the Sauber C32 will take place during the first winter test at Jerez de la Frontera on 5th February.

    “Two thousand and twelve was a very successful year for us,” said Monisha Kaltenborn, the Indian-born CEO of Sauber as she looks ahead to the new season. “We not only moved up from seventh to sixth place in the constructors’ standings, but also improved our points total from 44 in 2011 to 126 last season. We have a strong platform in place now, on which we are aiming to build and continue our upward curve.” Nico Hulkenber, who led for 33 laps in the Force India car in the last race of the 2012 season in Brazil moved on to Sauber and gets praise from the team Principal.

    The Team Principal is bullish about the prospects for the team’s new driver pairing: “We have had our eye on Nico Hülkenberg for some time and have been impressed by his performances. He is very quick, but, most importantly, he’s also very efficient. He understands how to pick up as many points as possible from a particular race situation. Esteban Gutiérrez is a driver we know very well as a result of a relationship with the team going back several years, and he has already had a number of opportunities to test with our car. Plus, he has always stayed in close contact with our engineers, which has allowed him to learn a lot about Formula One. I’m in no doubt he is now ready to take the final step and put his outstanding talent on display.”

    Gutiérrez has been succeeded as test and reserve driver by 21-year-old Dutchman Robin Frijns. “We rate him as an extraordinarily gifted young man, so we decided to give him this opportunity,” explained Kaltenborn. “We will now set about introducing him step by step to life in Formula One.”

    Hülkenberg is entering his third F1 season in a race seat. The German spent 2010 – his rookie year – with Williams and 2012 at the wheel of a Force India car. “The Sauber F1 Team made significant progress last year from 2011,” the German driver recognised. “Now the team is ready to take the next step, and I want to play my part in making that happen. My personal aim is to put in a good, steady performance this season.”

    Gutiérrez won the GP3 Championship with something to spare in 2010. He promptly made the move up to GP2 and finished third in last year’s standings. Now the Mexican is focused on the future: “I’m really looking forward to my first season in Formula One. My long association with the Sauber F1 Team has given me the chance to understand the complexity of Formula One. But I also realise, of course, that I still have a huge amount to learn. I will be working flat out to adapt to the whole F1 environment as quickly as possible and, if things open up during races, I want to make sure I’m ready to take full advantage.”

    Test and reserve driver Frijns (21) spent last year competing in the World Series by Renault – and crowned his season with the championship title. “I’m overjoyed that the Sauber F1 Team has given me this chance. I will do everything I can to support the team as effectively as possible and, at the same time, learn how things work in the professional world of Formula One,” said the Dutch youngster.

    The three drivers and the new Sauber C32-Ferrari are set to make a fine combination.

    Sauber C32-Ferrari – technical details

    The F1 technical regulations have barely changed going into the 2013 season and yet the new Sauber C32-Ferrari is a very different proposition visually from its predecessor – thanks to a smooth, slightly downward-sloping nose section and, principally, much slimmer sidepods.

    “The C31 was an extremely competitive car with many strengths,” explained Matt Morris, the Sauber F1 Team’s Chief Designer. Our aim was to further improve these strengths and eliminate its few weaknesses.

    The sidepods of the C32 are notably slimmer than the Formula One norm up to now and are responsible for giving the new car a very distinctive look. “The airflow in this area has a major influence over everything that happens at the rear of the car,” said Morris, offering a glimpse into the team’s thinking.

    An extremely slim rear end was high up the engineers’ list of priorities. One of the key aspects here is the arrangement of the radiators, which is very different from that in the C31. A look at the rear end of the new car reveals the engineers’ rigorous approach to this area.

    As before, the car’s KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System), engine and gearbox are supplied by Ferrari. The KERS is based on last year’s version, but its weight and packaging volume have been optimised.

    The rear axle is a totally new development. Although it still works according to the pullrod principle, its layout has been designed to better interact with the airflow around the rear of the car, while further improving the tyre management.

    There was also potential for improvement in how the tyres are used in qualifying, as Morris explained: “Our car looked after its tyres very well during races last year. However, we had problems now and again when it came to getting the maximum out of them in qualifying. We’ve looked at this phenomenon closely and made the required adjustments.”

    Another high priority was reducing the car’s overall weight, to allow a better distribution of the ballast, while retaining its structural requirements and mechanical setup flexibility. “My colleagues have done an excellent job here, and we have even exceeded our original targets”, praised Morris.

    Like last year, the Sauber F1 Team will use a basic version of the car for its rollout event and introduce a major update before the first race of the season.

    “We have set ourselves lofty goals with the Sauber C32-Ferrari, and I’m confident that we’ll be able to meet them. The C31 gave us a very good basis, to which we’ve made further improvements. Our aim is to line up for 2013 with a car that is competitive from the first race, but which also offers extensive potential for further development,” summed up Morris.

    endsIndian-born Monisha Kalternborn, (centre) the Team Principal of Sauber admires the C32 at its launch on 2 Feb 2013 in Hinwil. A Sauber F1 team photo.

  • Sahara Force India unveils VJM06 at Silverstone

    Silverstone, 1 Feb 2013: Sahara Force India unveiled its 2013 challenger today as Paul Di Resta pulled the covers off the VJM06 at Silverstone circuit.
     
    The VJM06 is the third car to be overseen by Technical Director, Andrew Green, and builds on the strengths of the 2012 car. With stable technical rules the car is more evolution than revolution with the removal of the ‘step’ nose being the most obvious visual change.
    “The VJM06 doesn’t look

    Sahara Force India unveils VJM06 at Silverstone on Friday. A Sahara Force India photo

    massively different to its predecessor, but beneath the skin we’ve looked at every detail to try and find more performance,” says Team Principal, Dr Vijay Mallya. “I’ve followed the development of the car closely and I’m proud of what we have achieved. The objective now is to make sure we build on the promise of last year and have a strong start to the season.”

    Summing up the approach to the design of the VJM06, Andrew Green said: “It’s a brand new car from the ground-up – everything is new. We discussed carrying over big chunks of last year’s car, including the chassis, but decided not to. There were still some gains to be had with the chassis, so we elected to take the performance benefits. The biggest change that everybody is going to notice this year is the fairing on top of the nose to hide the ‘step’. It’s neutral as far as the car’s performance is concerned but tidies up the flow over the top of the chassis.”
    Chief Operating Officer, Otmar Szafnauer, praised the team’s efforts over the winter to develop the VJM06: “We’re very optimistic. We’ve been working hard over the winter, trying to make improvements where we know we can find performance. Everything has come together very nicely. We’ve also focussed on operational strength by bolstering our simulator programme and increasing our CFD capacity with new hardware.”
     
    Paul Di Resta, half of the team’s 2013 line-up, was delighted to see his new car: “Seeing the car built and complete for the first time is a special feeling. I’ve followed its progress in the tunnel and it looks very impressive – aggressive and fast. Now I’m just eager to get out there and see where we stand compared to our competitors. After the winter I feel refreshed and keen to get back to business.”
     
    The Sahara Force India cars will be powered by Mercedes engines with the gearbox supplied by McLaren Applied Technologies for a fifth season. This will be the third season with the Mercedes KERS.
    ends

  • TW Steel, now Official Timing Partner to Sahara Force India

    TW Steel CEO Jordy Cobelens (left) and Bob Fernley pose after the partnership.. A photo by Sahara Force India.

    Sahara Force India is proud to announce the beginning of a multi-year partnership with TW Steel, which sees the Dutch watchmaker become the team’s Official Timing Partner.

    The global lifestyle brand known for being ‘Big in Oversized Watches’ was unveiled as a team partner at the launch of Sahara Force India’s 2013 challenger, the VJM06, at Silverstone Circuit this morning.
    The recognisable ‘two-dots’ logo of TW Steel, will feature prominently on the team’s major brand platforms including the car, the drop-down timing monitors used in the garages and on the sleeves of the drivers’ racesuits. 
    As part of its commitment to Sahara Force India, TW Steel will produce an official team watch range for retail world-wide. The brand will use this new global partnership as a marketing platform to engage consumers through the 6000 retail outlets currently selling the brand in over 100 countries worldwide.
    Dr Vijay Mallya, Team Principal and Managing Director of Sahara Force India: “The partnership with TW Steel is the perfect way to begin the 2013 season and we are delighted to welcome them to the Sahara Force India family. With the global reach of Formula One, our unique positioning in the Indian market place and our shared ambition for success on the track, I am sure that the relationship will bring big rewards for both TW Steel and Sahara Force India.”
    TW Steel CEO and co-owner, Jordy Cobelens: “I’m naturally very excited to be partnering with Sahara Force India. We know the merits of being involved with a team competing in Formula One and the brand awareness that brings. Our new partnership represents a relationship where both parties are keen to bring success to each other. Sahara Force India has such a strong following around the world, notably of course in India, a key growth opportunity we’ve targeted for TW Steel’s on-going development. I’m excited to have our brand working with such fantastic entrepreneurs as Dr Vijay Mallya and Mr Subrata Roy Sahara.  Like TW Steel they’ve showcased their ambition and proved they like to make bold statements. We have lots of synergy and we look forward to being a part of the team’s progressive journey both on and off track.”
    About TW Steel
    With its name meaning ‘The Watch in Steel’, TW Steel is firmly established as a big, bold, global lifestyle brand.  Its timepiece collections are reflective of and available for all tastes and occasions with innovative design and luxurious styling paired together with Swiss build quality and an exceptional price point.  TW Steel offers a defined sense of individuality and shows to the world that as a bold and ambitious personality, you wear a statement watch that truly reflects who you are.
    Proudly Dutch, TW Steel is led by its entrepreneurial CEO and co-owner Jordy Cobelens – whose talents have been recognized with Ernst & Young’s ‘Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year 2011’ in The Netherlands.  While Jordy Cobelens oversees the building of the TW Steel brand, his father and co-owner, Ton Cobelens, serves as the Chief Design Officer.  Having launched in 2005, and now with 140 models, TW Steel has attained a global appeal while creating an internationally recognized and respected brand name offering truly affordable luxury available in over 100 countries. www.twsteel.com
    About Sahara Force India Formula One Team
    Sahara Force India Formula One Team is beginning its sixth year of competition in the FIA Formula One World Championship. The team was founded in 2008 when Dr Vijay Mallya, Chairman of India’s iconic UB Group, launched the first-ever Indian Formula One team. The cars incorporate the colours of the Indian flag and the team is a sporting representation of the emerging generation of young, aspirational Indians and the growing strength of India as a nation. In 2011 a historic partnership was agreed as Sahara India Pariwar became co-owners of the Silverstone-based team. With the support of Sahara, the team is driven by two of India’s greatest industrialists who both recognise the value of using sport as a marketing platform to build some of India’s biggest brands.  For more details visit: www.saharaforceindiaf1.com

  • Lotus F1 team unveils E21

    Enstone, 28 Jan 2013 (130am Jan 29 IST): The Lotus F1 Team E21 has been unleashed today from the team’s Enstone base in Oxfordshire, England.

    Revealed to team partners on site, streamed live on YouTube and broadcast live on Sky Sports News in the UK, the E21 will contest the 2013 FIA Formula 1 World Championship with drivers Kimi Räikkönen (E21 n°7) and Romain Grosjean (E20 n°8).

    With only limited changes to the technical and sporting regulations from 2012, the E21 continues the design themes seen in its race-winning predecessor, the E20. However, it is pushing last year’s concepts even further as well as incorporating some innovative technical solutions. The new car also features a slightly tweaked livery, incorporating an extra touch or red.

    Joining the team as Third Driver is reigning GP2 series champion Davide Valsecchi, whilst Nicolas Prost will perform Development Driver duties. Jérôme D’Ambrosio will continue with the team as Reserve Driver.

    Eric Boullier, Team Principal:
    “I think it is fair to say that great things are possible from the team and the E21. The leap we made from 2011 to 2012 showed what we are capable of. Add to this the continuity and potential of our driver line-up and we have a very powerful cocktail for the season ahead. Our ambitious plan to turn ourselves into one of the top teams in Formula 1 is coming to fruition and now we need to harness this with strong and regular podium results.”

    James Allison, Technical Director:
    “The E20 proved itself to be an effective racing car – particularly towards the end of last season – so there is an element of expectation from the E21 and plenty to build upon. We have continued with our design themes and tried to create a more efficient and faster racing car based on all the lessons we learnt last year. How successful we have been in this task will only be discovered when we take to the track at the winter tests and – more significantly – at Grands Prix.”

    Kimi Räikkönen, Race Driver:
    “Of course, I’ve not driven the E21 yet so it’s difficult to say what could or could not be possible for the year ahead. We know we had a good car last season, but everyone is working hard to make the best package. I will be working with the team to help get the car as strong as we can, then in Melbourne we’ll have our first taste of results. It’s a long season from there. 2012 was a good start; let’s see what we can do in 2013.”

    Romain Grosjean, Race Driver:
    “I can clearly say I want to score a lot of points for the team – everybody knows that – but I think it would be wrong for me to say I want to finish in a particular position in the championship. I really want to jump out of the car as many times as possible thinking that I did a good job. Knowing that everything I could do, I did, and feeling proud of my race or session. I hope to feel that way as many times as possible this year.”

    ends

    Lotus E21 launch at Enstone on Monday 28Jan2013. A Lotus F1 team photo.

  • Pirelli presents its new motorsport season in Milan

    Milan, 23 January  2013: Pirelli’s 2013 motorsport season gets underway with the latest evolution of the company’s Formula One tyres – the third in three years – and the new 17-inch tyre for Superbikes: a fresh direction for the highest profile championship derived from road bikes. Also presented were the latest range of 2013 products for more than 250 other championships that Pirelli is involved in – fewer than half of which are a single-make tyre supply – taking place in more than 40 countries all over the world from America to the Far East, according to a Pirelli press release.

    The backdrop for the launch of Pirelli’s 2013 global motorsport activities was the company’s headquarters in the historic Bicocca district of Milan. For the occasion, Pirelli threw open the doors of its research and development laboratories to the international media. This is where the range of P Zero, Cinturato, Scorpion and Diablo competition tyres is designed and developed, as well as the home of the pilot Next Mirs facility: the most advanced robotised tyre production line in the world.

    Pirelli’s motorsport programmes and strategies were presented during an international press conference hosted by Marco Tronchetti Provera, Pirelli’s President and CEO, Chief Technical Officer Maurizio Boiocchi, Motorsport Director (Car) Paul Hembery and Motorsport Director (Bike) Giorgio Barbier.

    NEW SEASON, NEW TYRES FOR FORMULA ONE AND SUPERBIKES

    As is the case every year, Pirelli once more presents innovative new tyres for every motorsport category it is involved with for 2013, developed in accordance with the teams and the various governing bodies. The key innovations are centred around the top global championships for both cars and bikes.

    Formula One. The entire range of Formula One tyres undergoes a revolution this year. The P Zero slick tyres and wet Cinturato tyres feature new structures and softer compounds. The objective is to increase thermal degradation and ensure at least two pit stops for every grand prix, increasing overtaking opportunities and so helping to provide an even better show. All of the slick tyres have improved performance and are faster by up to 0.5 seconds per lap. The performance gap between the different compounds is also at least half a second, in order to enhance race strategy and differences in speeds during each race.

    The most visible change is to the hard compound P Zero, which as well as having a wider working range this year, changes colour and is now distinguished by orange markings on the sidewall (see separate article).

    Superbike.The constant process of intense work and innovation carried out by Pirelli for Superbikes, which began in 2004, continues this season for the 10th consecutive year: the longest single-tyre supply agreement in the history of motorsport. Last year, Pirelli developed and took to the track a total of 26 products for Superbikes.

    For 2013, the most far-reaching innovation from Pirelli for Superbikes is the move from 16.5 to 17-inch tyres, which has a profound effect on the overall performance of each bike. The new tyres were tried out by the riders for the first time during tests at the Aragon circuit in Spain last July. During this test, an improvement in times of up to 1.5 seconds per lap was recorded (see separate article).

    PARTNER OF ALL MAJOR TEAMS FROM PROTOTYPES TO SINGLE-SEATERS

    Pirelli’s involvement in motorsport goes beyond Formula One and Superbikes. Throughout the 2013 season, the Italian firm will be represented all over the world in a variety of different championships, both on the track and the road. In total, Pirelli is involved in 250 other diverse motorsport series (aside from Formula One and Superbikes) that require the design and production of more than 200 different types of tyre each year. Pirelli will supply around 720,000 tyres for all its motorsport activities this year, underlining its status as the tyre manufacturer that is most heavily involved in motorsport at both national and international level all over the world.

    Every weekend approximately 100 teams compete on Pirelli tyres, ranging from top names such as Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Ducati, Ferrari, Honda, Lamborghini, Maserati, McLaren, Mercedes and Porsche to privateers, involving thousands of drivers and riders – many of which are backed by Pirelli through special development programmes. Just like Formula One and Superbikes, all these teams and drivers are assisted by Pirelli’s engineers and technicians: around a hundred dedicated people who go from track to track, weekend after weekend, to provide the best possible support for their teams and accumulate as much data as possible for Pirelli’s research headquarters in Milan. Pirelli’s Formula One team consists of 52 people, plus 11 for the GP2 and GP3 series. In Superbikes, support comes from 30 Pirelli personnel.

    BESPOKE TYRES FOR EVERY CATEGORY

    When it comes to cars, Pirelli supplies both single-seaters (such as F1, GP2 and GP3) as well as racing cars derived from their road-going equivalents, such as GT and rally (including historic rallying). Pirelli also supplies a number of the most prestigious one-make championships in the world, such as the Ferrari Challenge, Lamborghini Super Trofeo and Maserati Trofeo. This year Pirelli adds the most popular championship in South America to its sporting portfolio: Brazilian stock cars, with other top championships in North America being added to the programme next year.

    In motorbike racing, as well as Superbikes and all its associated classes, the other key championships are the World Motocross Championship and World Endurance Championship.

    For each of these series Pirelli develops bespoke tyres, coming up with innovative solutions every season that reflect the technical and regulatory evolutions in each discipline.

    GP2 – GP3. Alongside Formula One and Superbikes, Pirelli is involved in 250 competitions all over the world (112 bike championships and 138 car championships). The premier feeder series for Formula One are GP2 and GP3, also supplied by Pirelli. The new range of tyres for GP2 fits in with the changes that were introduced last year. In 2012 two compounds per race were used for the first time, just like Formula One, and this year virtually the entire range has been redesigned, making the tyres softer and faster. In particular, the young drivers will use a brand new medium, soft and supersoft.

    The most significant innovation for GP3 concerns the car, which goes from 280 to 450 horsepower. In order to cater for this significant power hike, Pirelli has created a brand new product (see separate article).

    BRAZILIAN STOCK CAR. Pirelli makes a spectacular return to top-level motorsport in Brazil this year. After a five-year absence, the Italian firm will once more be the exclusive supplier to the Brazilian Stock Car Championship: the most popular motorsport series in the country. The stock car tyres will be made utilising the same factory and production processes as used in Formula One, at Pirelli’s cutting-edge motorsport facility in Izmit, Turkey (see separate article).

    GT SERIES.This season will feature a new GT category: the GT Sprint Series, which will sit alongside the Blancpain Endurance Series. The championships are designed for prestige sports cars such as those made by Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Corvette, Jaguar, McLaren and Porsche. These Ultra High Performance cars are Pirelli’s natural habitat, in which all the company’s technology learned from motorsport is invested (see separate article).

    LAMBORGHINI SUPERTROFEO. There are also some important innovations coming for the Lamborghini Super Trofeo, one of the principal one-make championships that Pirelli has supplied since the series started. As well as supplying the European and Asian championships, Pirelli will also equip the six American races introduced for this year (see separate article).

    SUPERSTOCK.Moving onto two wheels, as well as the Superbike and Supersport classes, Pirelli will also supply the Superstock 1000 and 600 categories in the United Kingdom, as well the Ducati 848 Challenge and Triumph Challenge (see separate article). 

    EIGHT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTRES PLUS THREE MOTORSPORT FACTORIES

    As well as the personnel on the ground, Pirelli’s motorsport campaign is supported by a team of 1000 people. These are made up of chemists, physicists and engineers working in research and development centres located in Germany, Brazil, Turkey and China, which complement Pirelli’s central research and development facility in Milan.

    Milan is the base for 400 engineers, 150 of which are dedicated exclusively to Formula One. This is where the physics and chemistry laboratories are located, which carry out tests on compounds and structures using cutting-edge techniques. Mathematical models simulate the reactions of each specification of compound combined with each structure, in all possible conditions of use.

    The competition compounds for cars are produced at the Settimo Torinese plant in Turin and Slatina in Romania, while the tyres are physically made at the Izmit factory in Turkey. Since 2007, this has been Pirelli’s dedicated motorsport facility.

    Radial bike tyres for competition use are made at Breuberg in Germany, while off-road bike tyres for competition use are produced at Gravitaì in Brazil.

    All the motorsport researchers, laboratories and production processes work in tandem with the production lines for road car and bike tyres in order to ensure consistent technology transfer from competition to the road. A number of well-known industry standards incorporated in Pirelli’s road car tyres have their origins in motorsport. These include low profile tyres and the internal belt that was developed for rallying.

    ends

    Pirelli (in pic: Cinturato Inter Greens) unveils 2013 strategy at Milan on Wednesday. A Pirelli photo.

  • Toto Wolff joins Mercedes-Benz GP limited

    Toto Wolff new shareholder and executive director of Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.

    Niki Lauda, chairman of Mercedes-Benz Grand-Prix Ltd., also a new shareholder

    Daimler AG plans to reorganize its Formula 1 activities. In this context, Daimler has signed a letter of intent with Austrian investor and motorsport manager Toto Wolff, according to which Wolff will acquire a significant minority interest in the Daimler subsidiary Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd. (MGP) and will also head that company as its executive director. Furthermore, Niki Lauda, currently non-executive chairman of MGP, will also acquire a stake in the company. Together with Ross Brawn, Lauda and Wolff will complete the management of the Mercedes-Benz Formula 1 racing team, a press release from Daimler said on Monday.

    Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton makes a guest appearance at Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart on Monday. (In picture).

    Lewis Hamilton at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart on 21 Jan.2013. Mercedes F1 Racing team photo.

    “As an entrepreneur, investor and motorsport manager, Toto Wolff has proven that this sport runs in his blood; at the same time, he is also well aware of the economic necessities of the business. With Toto Wolff, we have gained for our Formula 1 team not only an experienced motorsport specialist, but also a longstanding enthusiast of the Mercedes-Benz brand. Together with him and Niki Lauda, we will further develop our motorsport activities and guide our Silver Arrows into the next era,” stated Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars and Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG. 
     
    Toto Wolff is to become both a shareholder and executive director of Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd., and will take over the complete coordination of all Mercedes-Benz motorsport activities.
     
    Wolff sees his new task as one of the most exciting challenges in motorsport: “Mercedes is one of the most important participants in motorsport worldwide. I am not only a big fan, but also a longstanding friend and enthusiast of the brand. I am looking forward to the challenge and, along with preparing for a successful racing season, also want to focus on the targeted promotion of new talent.”

    “I am leaving Williams on good terms and I will miss the team and friends I have made there. I’d also like to wish Frank and the whole of Williams the best of luck for the future”, Wolff added. 

    Toto Wolff started his motorsport career in Formula Sport in 1992. Since 1998, Wolff has founded several venture capital companies. His current investments include an interest in HWA AG, the partner of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport in DTM racing. In November 2009, he acquired a stake in British racing team Williams Grand Prix Holdings PLC and joined its board of directors. Since July 2012, Toto Wolff has been a member of that team’s management. Toto Wolff will resign from that position when he joins Mercedes-Benz, but will remain a Williams shareholder.

    ends