INDIA in F1

Category: Formula 1

  • Massa quickest on soft tyres as final test begins in Barcelona

    Barcelona, 26 Feb 2015: After two tests in which it largely succeeded in operating under the radar, Williams finally showed its hand on the first of the final pre-season F1 test, with Felipe Massa recording the fastest time seen at any test so far this year.

    The Brazilian clocked a time of 1:23.500 midway through the afternoon session, with his FW36 running on soft tyres as the team conducted a qualifying-style run.

    That put Massa ahead of Sauber’s Marcus Ericsson. The Swede spent much of the day working through aero work and then a race simulation but late in the day he took on soft tyres to claim third spot and then bolted on supersoft rubber to register a time of 1:24.276, just over a second off Massa’s benchmark. Ercisson also recorded the day’s biggest mileage, lapping 122 times.

    The day’s third fastest time was set by Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. The world champion seized control of the control of the timesheet early in the morning session, registering time of 1:24.881 on the medium tyre compound.

    That was as quick a Hamilton would go, however. The morning session was effectively ended when rain began to fall an hour before the lunch break. Hamilton, with Red Bull Racing’s Daniil Kvyat for company, tested the conditions briefly but both returned to the pit lane to wait for improved conditions.

    However, after lunch Hamilton made no return to the track and an hour before the chequered flag Mercedes announced that an MGU-K failure on its W05 car had ended their running for the day.

    McLaren’s announcement that it was throwing in the day one towel arrived earlier. The troubled Honda-powered team turned just seven laps in the morning with Jenson Button completing just one time run before it announced that a hydraulic leak had cut short their day, as the repairs would mean a change of power unit.

    Button is likely to be at the wheel again on day two, with reserve driver Kevin Magnussen also waiting in the wings. Fernando Alonso has been ruled out of the test while he recovers from his crash at last week’s test in Barcelona.

    With Hamilton third fourth place went to Red Bull Racing’s Daniil Kvyat, who had a tricky day. The Russian brought out the red flags with his first outing of the day when he stopped at the end of the pit lane, but thereafter he ran without problem in the morning, logging 45 laps. He had been set for an afternoon race simulation but early in the long run he suffered a mechanical problem and returned to the garage where the team adjusted its plan, favouring short runs as it waited on the arrival of new parts.

    Behind the Red Bull driver, Lotus’ Romain Grosjean was fifth fastest with a time of 1:26.177. It was an unspectacular day at Ferrari where Kimi Raikkonen completed 80 laps for a best time of 1:26.327 and sixth on the timesheet.

    The Finn finished ahead of Toro Rosso’s Carlos Sainz Jr. The Italian squad have brought a substantially upgraded car to this final test and Sainz andf the team seemed to struggle to get the best from it. The Spanish rookie brought out the red flags midway through the afternoon when he stopped at Turn 10. He returned to the action later on, however, and ended the day with 86 laps under his belt and in seventh place on the timesheet. Button, in the McLaren was eighth.

    Force India missed the opening day of the finial test but is expected to debut its 2015 car, the VJM08, on day two.

    Barcelona Test – Day One 
    1 Felipe Massa Williams 1:23.500s 103
    2 Marcus Ericsson Sauber 1:24.276s +0.776 122
    3 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:24.881s +1.381 48
    4 Daniil Kvyat Red Bull 1:25.947s +2.447 75
    5 Romain Grosjean Lotus 1:26.177s +2.677 75
    6 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 1:26.327s +2.827 80
    7 Carlos Sainz Jr Toro Rosso 1:26.962s +3.462 86
    8 Jenson Button McLaren 1:31.479s +7.979 7

    eom/FIA release

  • Manor Marussia F1 team announces Will Stevens as first race driver

    25 Feb 2015: The Manor Marussia F1 Team is making huge strides towards the 2015 FIA Formula One World Championship season opener in Melbourne, Australia, in just over two weeks’ time, the Manor Marussia page on FB says.

    The next exciting step for the team is to make the first of its driver line-up announcements, with the news that Will Stevens will be an official 2015 Manor race driver.

    Will, 23, is known to the team from his brief time in the role of Marussia Reserve Driver towards the end of the 2014 season. He went on to race for Caterham in the season finale in Abu Dhabi and produced the impressive performance anticipated of a driver who has won races in every category in which he has competed, against some of the very best junior drivers.

    A fundamental element of the Manor philosophy has always been to provide opportunity for the next generation of motor racing talent, a part of the team’s long and proud history that will be retained into the future. Manor has started many young drivers out on the path to success, including Formula One world champions Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen.

    The approval by the Company’s creditors on 19 February 2015 to a Company Voluntary Arrangement paves the way for the team to exit from administration and since that time everyone involved with Manor has been working flat out on the key components of its 2015 challenge.

    The car with which Manor will begin the season is now in an advanced stage of build at the team’s current race preparation facility in Dinnington, UK, where personnel are working 24-7 towards the air freight despatch date of 6 March.

    As the sport counts down to the curtain-raising 2015 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix in 18 days’ time, Manor is now in a position to be able to provide regular updates on its preparations for Melbourne and wider plans for the season, including the completion of its driver line-up.

    Commenting on the announcement of his race seat today, Will Stevens said: “It’s very exciting to see everything coming together at Manor after the tremendous effort that has gone into saving the team. It would not have been possible without the incredible support we have received from all the suppliers and from within the sport, but most of all the fantastic team of people at Manor who are working around the clock to ensure we are ready for Melbourne. My thanks to the team for their confidence in me and I can’t wait to see all the hard work rewarded when we line up on the grid in two weeks’ time.”

  • Women have a place in motorsport just as in any other sport: Carmen, new Lotus Development driver

    Enstone, 26 Feb 2015: Carmen Jordá today joined Lotus F1 Team as a Development Driver for the 2015 season. Carmen will attend Grands Prix and Formula 1 tests throughout 2015 for Lotus F1 Team as well as undergoing a significant simulator programme at the team’s base in Enstone. Carmen will drive the E23 Hybrid on track during the course of 2015.

    Carmen, daughter of former racer José Miguel Jordá, has a distinguished racing career having participated in the European OpenMotor Racing - Formula One Testing - Test Three - Day 1 - Barcelona, Spain Formula 3 Championship – where she achieved three podiums – the American Indy Lights Championship and most recently the GP3 Series.

    Matthew Carter, CEO, Lotus F1 Team:
    “We are happy to announce Carmen Jordá as a Development Driver for Lotus F1 Team and we are looking forward to working with her over the course of the season and ultimately seeing her behind the wheel of the car. Carmen will bring a fresh perspective to the team. We have a strong programme for her attending Grands Prix as well as extensive time in our sophisticated simulation facility at Enstone. She is a unique addition to the team and we are looking forward to helping her progress her goals as well as receiving the benefit of her insights and contributions to the development of the E23 Hybrid.”

    Carmen Jordá:
    “It feels like a dream come true to join Lotus F1 Team. I’ve been racing since I was ten years old so it was my dream to drive a Formula 1 car since I was very young. Joining Lotus F1 Team is a big step towards my goal. I will be working to improve myself as a driver as well as helping the team to develop the car by testing new developments in the simulator; it’s such a fantastic opportunity. I know this is just the beginning and the biggest challenge is yet to come but already being part of a team with such a history is a real honour. This is a great achievement, but an even greater opportunity which will lead to bigger and better things.”

    About Carmen Jordá
    www.carmenjorda.com
    Twitter: @CarmenJorda
    Instagram: carmenjorda
    Facebook: carmenjordaofficial

    Having her father as a role model, ex – driver Jose Miguel Jorda, it is no surprise that Carmen fell in love with motor racing from a very early age.

    Her first contact with professional competition was in karting with the Valencian Community’s Championship in 2001, when she was 12. Carmen achieved third position in the final standings and one year later she finished seventh in the Spanish National Championship. Her perseverance and determination already foretold the future that was awaiting her.

    After four years competing in karting whilst living in the United Kingdom, Carmen began contesting the European Formula 3 Open series category where she achieved three podium finishes and finished 4th in her second year.

    In 2010 Carmen moved to the USA to compete in the American Indy Lights Championship for the Andersen Racing 1 team where she achieved top ten finishes.

    In early 2012, when she was presented with the opportunity to sign with the Ocean Racing Technology team in the F1 feeder category GP3 Series, she returned to Europe. She raced in this highly competitive championship over the course of the past three seasons.

    Carmen believes women have a place in motorsport just as in any other sport in the world. Carmen sets out to be an inspiration for every women competing for a professional seat in motorsport, or in their own discipline, and she continues to fight to achieve her own goals.

    eom/Lotus press release

  • Respected journalist, the Italian Giovanni Paterlini, 57, no more

    Passionate about Karting for decades, and a former driver himself before becoming a photographer and a respected journalist, the Italian Giovanni Paterlini, just 57 years old, died on Sunday, February 22nd, 2015 due to the heart problems that had kept him hospitalised for the last two months.

    The CIK-FIA Head of Communications during the Presidency of Ernest Buser, Giovanni Paterlini collaborated with several magazines including the weekly Autosprint and the monthly Vroom, and with the Parma Karting Club organising the Andrea Margutti Trophy and the Industrial Trophy. He worked alongside Giancarlo Tinini at CRG Spa for fifteen years.

    The CIK-FIA honours the memory of a man who has worked hard for Karting and extends its sincere condolences to his family and friends.

     

    eom/FIA press release

  • Further update regarding Fernando Alonso from McLaren Honda

    Barcelona, February 23rd

    We are pleased to confirm that, having been involved in an on-track incident at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (Spain) on February 22nd, Fernando Alonso is making a solid recovery in hospital, and is chatting to family, friends and hospital staff.

    From the scene of the incident he was driven to the circuit’s medical centre, where he was given first aid and, as per normal procedures, was sedated in preparation for an air-lift to hospital.

    In hospital a thorough and complete analysis of his condition was performed, involving CT scans and MRI scans, all of which were completely normal.

    In order to provide the privacy and tranquillity required to facilitate a peaceful recuperation, he is being kept in hospital for further observation, and to recover from the effects of the medication that successfully managed his routine sedation yesterday.

    We intend to give him every opportunity to make a rapid and complete recovery, and will evaluate in due course whether or not he will participate in the next Barcelona test.

    Over the past 24 hours, we have been carrying out a detailed analysis of the damage to Fernando’s car, and its associated telemetry data, in order fully to understand the cause, or causes, of his accident. Even at this early stage, we have been able to reach some firm conclusions.

    His car ran wide at the entry to Turn Three – which is a fast uphill right-hander – allowing it to run onto the Astroturf that lines the outside of the track. A consequent loss of traction caused a degree of instability, spitting it back towards the inside of the circuit, where it regained traction and struck the wall side-on.

    Our findings indicate that the accident was caused by the unpredictably gusty winds at that part of the circuit at that time, and which had affected other drivers similarly (eg, Carlos Sainz Jnr).

    We can categorically state that there is no evidence that indicates that Fernando’s car suffered mechanical failure of any kind. We can also confirm that absolutely no loss of aerodynamic pressure was recorded, which fact indicates that the car did not suffer any aerodynamic loss, despite the fact that it was subjected to a significant level of g-force. Finally, we can also disclose that no electrical discharge or irregularity of any kind occurred in the car’s ERS system, either before, during or after the incident.

    That last point refutes the erroneous rumours that have spread recently to the effect that Fernando was rendered unconscious by an electrical fault. That is simply not true. Our data clearly shows that he was downshifting while applying full brake pressure right up to the moment of the first impact – something that clearly would not have been possible had he been unconscious at the time.

    Our data also confirms that Fernando’s car struck the inside concrete wall, first with its front-right wheel and then with its rear-right. It was a significant lateral impact, resulting in damage to the front upright and axle.

    After the initial impact, the car slid down the wall for about 15 seconds before coming to a halt. All four wheels remained attached to the car, but no damage was sustained by the bodywork or crash structure between the front and rear wheels.

    We wish Fernando a very speedy recovery. As and when we have further updates to share, we will of course do so.

    ENDS

    File photo of Fernando Alonso. Courtesy Ferrari F1 team.
    File photo of Fernando Alonso. Courtesy Ferrari F1 team.

  • Maldonado fastest again at Circuit de Catalunya; McLaren hit more trouble as power unit issues continue

    Motor Racing - Formula One Testing - Test Two - Day 3 - Barcelona, SpainBarcelone, 21 Feb 2015: Lotus’ Pastor Maldonado grabbed the limelight on the penultimate day of this week’s Barcelona test, the Venezuelan topping the timesheet with a lap of 1:24.348 set on Pirelli’s supersoft tyre compound.

    Maldonado’s best time, set midway through the afternoon session, put him three tenths clear of Toro Rosso rookie Max Verstappen, who also had used the supersoft compound in the morning session to seize P1.

    Both Verstappen and Maldonado enjoyed largely trouble-free runs, though Toro Rosso’s Dutch teenager did bring out the red flags in the final 20 minutes of the session stopping at the pit exit with a late clutch problem. Despite the setback the 17-year-old completed 129 laps of the Circuit de Catalunya – the day’s largest total – while Maldonado too broke century barrier, logging 104 laps.

    The same could not be said for troubled McLaren. On Thursday, the team was forced to abandon running due to a seal failure on the MGU-K of its MP4-20 and the team subsequently revealed it would not have access to a redesigned part until today. The setback didn’t appear to hamper Fernando Alonso yesterday, as the Spaniard got through 59 laps.

    However, despite installing a redesigned part today, Jenson Button’s running was interrupted for a long spell when the new seal failed. The team later stated: “After the morning session, we found similar issues to Thursday. We will resume testing this afternoon with limited power to the MGU-K.

    “A new, re-engineered seal is scheduled to arrive and will be applied later this evening.”

    Button completed just 12 laps in the morning and then only managed another nine in the afternoon before he had another stoppage at the end of the pit lane with 20 minutes left in the session.

    With Maldonado first and Verstappen second, third place on the timesheet went to Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. The champions had another low-key outing in Barcelona today as it worked through long runs, but Hamilton’s pace throughout signals once again that the chasing pack may still have considerable ground to make up this season.

    Fourth on the timesheet was Sauber’s Marcus Ericsson. The Swiss team has a difficult morning as it worked to solve the gearbox issues that had caused it problems yesterday but once Ericsson took to the track the team had a solid outing, with the Swede putting 53 laps on the board for a best time of 1:26.340 – some 1.9s adrift of Maldonado’s showboating supersoft time.

    Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel finished the day in fifth place. The four-time champion was the first to bring out the red flags this morning, spinning into the gravel as he struggled for grip in the cold early morning conditions. Once back out Vettel worked through an unshowy programme of medium and long runs and eventually cracked the century mark to post 105 laps for the day.

    Red Bull Racing enjoyed another successful outing, with Daniil Kyvat working through a similar programme to that conducted by team-mate Daniel Ricciado yesterday. That meant a morning split into a sequence of untimed runs and pit stop practice, followed by short runs. Those laps in the run-up to the lunch break netted the Russian a best time of 1:26.589.

    In the afternoon Kvyat switched over to long runs and a full race simulation. That resulted in his morning time being his best of the day and it earned him sixth spot on the timesheet. He completed 111 laps.

    Williams had another inscrutable day. The team split driving duties, with Felipe Massa getting through 55 laps in the morning and Valtteri Bottas taking over in the afternoon. The Finn spent the bulk of his 49-lap afternoon running untimed laps and diving for the pit lane for pit stop practice. He eventually set a time shortly before chequered flag but it was only good enough for ninth place. Massa finished seventh just ahead of Pascal Wehrlein in the Force India.

    Lotus team adds: Pastor Maldonado returned to the wheel of the Lotus F1 Team E23 Hybrid for the third day of testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, setting the day’s fastest lap whilst he accomplished an extensive programme. Pastor’s quickest lap was a 1min 24.348secs, completed during the course of his 104 laps, comprising of various aero, tyre and performance simulations.

    Fast Facts:
    Track: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain, 4.7km
    Chassis: E23-02
    Weather: Cold and cloudy with sporadic rain. Ambient 8°C – 14°C Track 10°C – 20°C
    Programme: Tyre and aero assessments, performance simulations
    Laps Completed: 104
    Classification: P1, 1:24.348
    Interruptions: Aero evaluation equipment fitting and removal

    What’s Next?
    Romain Grosjean will get his first taste of the E23 Hybrid in Barcelona tomorrow.

    Pastor Maldonado:
    “We achieved a lot today and it was great to complete so many laps and end the day as the fastest car. Certainly, I feel much more confident in the E23 and we’re learning a lot about it with all the laps we’re completing. I’m able to push when needed and everything about the whole package feels a lot more together than last year, especially if you remember where we were in terms of performance and reliability during the pre-season in 2014. We still have a lot of work to do, but we’re making very good progress so we’re all very positive about the work being done.”

    Alan Permane, Trackside Operations Director:
    “It was a productive day for us today. We chose to stay in the garage when it was damp outside yet we still managed to complete over a hundred laps. We’ve worked through a long checklist including aero and tyre assessments in the morning, then various performance assessments in the afternoons. Our aero work has been particularly productive and we’re showing good correlation with our wind tunnel and simulations.”

    Official timings courtesy FIA: Barcelona Test – Day Three
    1 Pastor Maldonado Lotus 1:24.348s 104 laps
    2 Max Verstappen Toro Rosso 1:24.739s 0.391s 129
    3 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:26.076s 1.728s 101
    4 Marcus Ericsson Sauber 1:26.340s 1.992s 53
    5 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 1:26.407s 2.059s 105
    6 Daniil Kvyat Red Bull Racing 1:26.589s 2.241s 111
    7 Felipe Massa Williams 1:26.912s 2.564s 55
    8 Pascal Wehrlein Force India 1:27.333s 2.985s 81
    9 Valtteri Bottas Williams 1:27.556s 3.208s49
    10 Jenson Button McLaren 1:29.151s 4.803s 24

    eom/FIA press release

  • Pastor Maldonado sets the pace at Barcelona test Day 1 ahead of Kimi

    Barcelona, 19 Feb 2015: Pastor Maldonado set the pace as Formula One’s second pre-season got underway in Barcelona, the Lotus driver setting a time of 1:25.011 to finish 0.156s ahead of Kimi Raikkonen.

    However, the Venezuelan had to bolt on a set of soft tyres to eclipse the Ferrari driver’s best effort set on medium compound rubber. Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, was forced to quit the test after just 11 laps because of illness.

    Maldonado had an eventful outing at the Circuit de Catalunya, the Lotus driver twice bringing out the red flags in the morning. He ran more consi

    Pastor Maldonado (VEN) Lotus F1 E23. Formula One Testing, Day 1, Thursday 19th February 2015. Barcelona, Spain. A Lotus F1 team image
    Pastor Maldonado (VEN) Lotus F1 E23.
    Formula One Testing, Day 1, Thursday 19th February 2015. Barcelona, Spain. A Lotus F1 team image

    stently in the afternoon, however, and when he bolted on a set of soft tyres with an hour left in the session he shot to the top of the timesheet where he would remain.

    Raikkonen’s time of 1:25.167, set on softs, confirmed that the pace Ferrari showed at the opening test in Jerez has translated to the more representative Barcelona circuit and while Ferrari conducted few long runs in Jerez, Raikkonen today worked through some medium length double-digit runs to show that Ferrari have indeed taken a step forward over the winter.

    Over at champions Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton began the day brightly but after an hour and a half of running the team reported that would not be driving for the rest of the day, as he “felt unwell”.

    With Nico Rosberg present but under advice of doctors not to drive due an inflamed nerve in his neck, Mercedes were forced to recall reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein from Force India, where the DTM racer was driving the Silverstone outfit’s 2014 car.

    Wehrlein completed 32 laps for Force India before slotting into Mercedes’ WO5 for a first outing shortly before the lunch break. He would eventually set the day’s eighth and ninth fastest time for Force India and Mercedes respectively.

    Sergio Perez, meanwhile, was readying himself to take over Force India’s afternoon running. Perez would eventually claim the day’s fourth fastest time in last year’s VJM07, with a lap of 1:26.636.

    Another driver whose morning running was restricted was Red Bull Racing’s Daniel Ricciardo. The Australian completed just eight untimed laps in the first three hours of the session as the team struggled to fine-tune updates to its Renault power unit.

    Ricciardo’s first timed lap came soon after midday local time but he was then quickly into the lap time mix, if not the battle for lap total. By the end of the day the Red Bull driver had completed 59 laps, mostly made up of short runs, the best of which yielded a time of 1:25.547, set on soft tyres, for third place on the day’s timesheet.

    McLaren’s running was also brief. Jenson Button began in positive style, working through 21 trouble-free laps in the Honda-powered MP4-30, with his best lap less than a second off the morning’s best times.

    However, an issue with the seal on the MGU-K then forced the Briton back to the McLaren garage and after a lengthy investigation the team confirmed that because repairs would require the replacement of the power unit Button would not run again.

    The problems worsened, however, when Honda’s F1 chief Yasuhisa Arai revealed that the manufacturer will need to redesign the component won’t be available until Saturday, meaning that Fernando Alonso could encounter a similar problem tomorrow.

    “We’ll need to run a re-designed component to avoid a potential repeat of the problem,” said Arai. “Unfortunately, we won’t be in possession of that updated part until Saturday, which means that we may face the same problem when we run again tomorrow.”

    The morning’s lap total award went to Williams’ Susie Wolff, the Scottish driver racking up 77 trouble-free laps by the time the lunch break arrived.

    However, after her successful morning, Wolff’s running was interrupted shortly after the lunch break, with 83 laps on the board. The Williams driver and Sauber’s Felipe Nasr collided on the entry to Turn 5 with both being pitched into the gravel traps. It appeared that the Brazilian drive clipped the front left wheel of the Williams as Wolff worked her way round the circuit on a slow lap.

    Nasr was able to return to the fray despite his Sauber shipping heavy damage, losing a rear wheel and the rear wing. After extensive repairs he return to track action with half an hour left on the clock though he was unable to improve on his best time of 1m27.307s, which left him fifth on the timesheet. He then had a late technical problem which brought out the red flags in the closing moments of the session.

    Wolff, meanwhile, was also able to rejoin the action, though with just 12 minutes remaining in the session.

    However, while she managed an impressive 86 laps over the course of the two sessions the time lost due to Wolff’s collision meant that the day’s lap total award went to Toro Rosso’s Max Verstappen. The 17-year-old put in 94 laps and finished sixth on the timesheet showing that the power unit issues affecting Red Bull Racing do not seem to be hindering its sister team.

    Barcelona Test – Times
    1 Pastor Maldonado Lotus 1:25.011s 69
    2 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 1:25.167s  +0.156 74
    3 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull Racing 1:25.547s  +0.536 59
    4 Sergio Perez Force India 1:26.636s  +1.625 34
    5 Felipe Nasr Sauber 1:27.307s  +2.296 79
    6 Max Verstappen Toro Rosso 1:27.900s  +2.889 94
    7 Jenson Button McLaren 1:28.182s  +3.171 21
    8 Pascal Wehrlein Force India 1:28.329s  +3.318 32
    9 Pascal Wehrlein Mercedes 1:28.489s  +3.478 48
    10 Susie Wolff Williams 1:28.906s  +3.895 86
    11 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:30.429s +5.418 11

    eom/FIA press release

  • Pascal Wehrlein to test with Sahara Force India in Barcelona

    Silverstone, 18 Feb 2015: Sahara Force India is pleased to announce that Pascal Wehrlein will drive for the team at the upcoming testing session in Barcelona, Spain beginning on 19 February. The 20-year-old German, who is the official reserve driver of the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team and a works Mercedes AMG DTM driver, will spend two days behind the wheel of the team’s 2014 car, the VJM07.
    Sahara Force India’s testing programme will focus primarily on evaluation of the 2015 Pirelli tyres. The test will also provide the opportunity for Pascal to continue his Formula One learning and build on the strong performance he showed with MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS at the season-ending test in Abu Dhabi last year.
    The test in Barcelona marks the beginning of Pascal’s association with Sahara Force Indiawith the Mercedes-Benz junior driver also scheduled to participate in two in-season tests.
    Pascal will drive the VJM07 on Thursday and Saturday. Sergio Perez will drive on Friday and Nico Hulkenberg on Sunday. Given the team’s current build schedule, the VJM08 is now expected to make its debut at the second Barcelona test scheduled to begin on 26 February.
    Pascal Wehrlein: “I am very happy that Sahara Force India has offered me the opportunity to drive their car for two days at the official test in Barcelona and that Mercedes-Benz has supported me to make this happen. As a young driver, any time youcan spend in the car is extremely important and you can learn a lot. I know the simulatoralready, but I don´t have much experience on the track. My first goal in Spain will be to do a great job together with the team, to learn as much as possible and to give good feedback to the engineers. I have already driven the world champion Mercedes-Benz F1 W05 Hybrid and the comparison with Sahara Force India will be very exciting for me: the way the team works, how they improve the car and handle problems – all this will help meto gain experience and to reach the next level in my development. Everybody knows that lap times only play a secondary role when you’re testing. But of course I want to be as competitive as possible. Sahara Force India performed very strongly last season and Ihope I will be able to make a small contribution to push the team forward and be ready for the opening race in Melbourne.”
    Dr Vijay Mallya, Team Principal and Managing Director: “I’m pleased to give Pascal a chance to work with us in Barcelona. He’s an exciting young talent who has already proved he has what it takes to be successful at the highest level in motorsport. As a reserve driver for Mercedes-Benz, he’s clearly destined for a career in Formula One and I’m sure the test will be a positive experience on both sides. Being able to call upon Pascal for testing duties is also a clear demonstration of our strong working relationship with our engine partner, Mercedes-Benz, and I thank them for their collaboration.”
    eom/Sahara Force India Press Release

    File photo of Sahara Force India team interview area in Sepang, KL, 2012
    File photo of Sahara Force India team interview area in Sepang, KL, 2012

  • SIC looks to excite experienced and new fans alike with launch of the 2015 F1 PETRONAS Malaysia GP

    ​Kuala Lumpur, 11 Feb 2015: The Sepang International Circuit (SIC) today unveiled its programme for the upcoming 2015 Formula 1 PETRONAS Malaysia Grand Prix™ taking place from 27 to 29 March 2015. Launched by the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur Datuk Seri Ahmad PhesalTalib, the programme aims to make the sPetronas Mal GP launch 2015. SIC image 11Feb2015econd round of the 2015 FIA Formula 1 World Championship a wholesome family affair this year. Also present were SIC Chairman Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir, PETRONAS Senior General Manager for Group Strategic Communications Liz Kamaruddin and SIC CEO Dato’ RazlanRazali.“In conjunction with the Malaysia Year of Festival 2015, we were inspired to make the F1 Grand Prix programme one that celebrates the position of the race as an event that is firmly embedded in the public consciousness. After 17 years, we firmly believe that many Malaysians look forward to the race, even if they only watch it at home or enjoy photo opportunities during our annual F1 Grand Prix roadshow. Indeed, we are focusing on the family-theme to draw them out of the living room into the high-octane atmosphere of the circuit itself. F1 fans no longer need to choose between quality family time on a weekend and watching the race. They can now enjoy an outing with their family and friends to Sepang on race weekend itself. The earlier start time of the race at 3pm, plus the earlier end for the after-race concert combined with affordable tickets further contribute to making the event attractive for all ages,” said Tan Sri Mokhzani.

    This year’s programme – themed‘Experience F1 Like Never Before’ transforms the circuit and the grounds into a huge entertainment space dubbed the ‘F1 Carnival’. It features family and child-friendly activities to encourage families to make the race their weekend outing. The carnival event happening within SIC’s premises during race weekend amplifies the family fiesta atmosphere, with many entertainment and off-track activities – expanding the F1 experience beyond the race. The carnival will have something for all members of the family, including a fun fair with games, amusement rides and other carnival-style attractions, and a food and beverage festival. While the children enjoy the kids and tween zone featuring a role play pit mock up, water obstacles and cool zone, men and women who enjoy adrenaline activities or shopping can spend time karting and drifting at the X-track or shop at the F1 Village.

     

    “As title sponsor, PETRONAS has played a significant role in putting Malaysia on the world Formula 1 map and attracting fans from across the globe, while contributing to the socio-economic development of the nation,” said PETRONAS Senior General Manager, Group Strategic Communications, Liz Kamaruddin.

     

    PETRONAS had over the years worked together with SIC, the local authorities and other partners to promote the Formula 1 PETRONAS Malaysia Grand Prix™ through a range of activities. The activities aim to bring Formula 1 closer to the people and to make the Malaysian leg of the Formula 1™ race a success.

     

    Liz added that last year’s Formula 1 PETRONAS Malaysia Grand Prix™ saw the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team top the podium, a position it maintained through 16 of 19 races over the 2014 World Formula One Championship season.

     

    “The achievement could not have come at a more significant time as we enter our 20th year of involvement in Formula 1 – a journey that has taken us beyond branding and into new business frontiers as well as extensive product research and development, taking our products from track to road,” continued Liz.

     

    The launch event featured the unveiling of a new winner’s trophy* for the 2015 Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix™, crafted by Royal Selangor. It is the eighth trophy designed for the event by Royal Selangor since the race was first organised in 1999, and maintains the bold contemporary look of its predecessors.

    Promotional activities for the 2015 Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix™ are in full swing – from international promotions to domestic F1 Grand Prix roadshows featuring the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team car – the F1 W06 Hybrid. In addition, the popular SIC Zoomers Roadshow is scheduled to visit at least 20 key venues around the country bringing great ticket promotions and exciting prizes. Locations will include popular malls and hypermarkets in line with the family theme.

     

    This year, SIC’s exclusive Malaysia Grand Prix Gala 2015 will showcase The Jacksons as its main act, and this time, fans will be able to purchase tickets to watch the performance at the Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on 26 March 2015. Race week will feature local support races including the Malaysia Championship Series (formerly known as Malaysian Super Series), autograph sessions with drivers, a public pit walk experience, the stunning opening ceremony performance and much more.

     

    Fans of local motorsports will be thrilled with two support races – Round 1 of the Malaysia Championship Series (MCS) will be taking place from 27 to 29 March 2015 and the Malaysia leg of the TCR International Series on 29 March 2015. The MCS race was formerly part of the highly popular Malaysia Super Series Championship for Cars and Bikes, and will be held across 5 rounds this year – from March to November. Meanwhile, the TCR International Series, formerly the TC3 touring car series, is flagging off the first of its 2015 calendar’s 12 legs in Sepang. The exciting new series aims to restore the ‘Touring Car Pyramid’ concept of cars that can compete at national, regional and international levels.

     

    Commenting on the F1 engines, Tan Sri Mokhzani added: “It is also interesting to note that the quieter F1 turbo hybrid engine introduced last year is contributing to a more kid-friendly F1 race. The lower noise levels appear to be more conducive in attractive families, particularly those with younger children, to watch the race at the circuit. I have noticed that the younger children are more comfortable watching the race. Many of them used to find the noise level upsetting and did not enjoy their F1 experience. I think in the longer term, this can help in growing a new generation of F1 fans, and this is what SIC wants – being the race organisers.”

     

    The race weekend will close on a high in Sepang with the after-race concert on 29 March 2015 headlined by iconic rock musician Lenny Kravitz. For the first time ever, all F1 Grand Prix ticket holders will be able to enjoy the concert at no extra charge. Additionally, ticketholders will get to enjoy selected activities and the F1 Carnival at no cost, plus be rewarded with One Ticket Unlimited benefits featuring discounts and promotions from various retail outlets and brands in Kuala Lumpur.

     

    Ticket prices begin from RM80 – with tickets ranging from RM340 to RM1,770 for seats in the Main Grandstand, RM440 for the Tower, RM280 to RM660 for Grandstands F and K1, and RM80 to RM160 for Hillstand tickets.

     

    The F1 tickets can be purchased:

    • online at SIC’s website
    • at the ​Sepang International Circuit ticket booth on the Ground Floor of the NU Sentral mall in the KL Sentral area
    • from a ticket agent – just check the location from SIC’s website – http://www.sepangcircuit.com/Ticketing-@-Overview.aspx
    • by calling the SIC TICKET HOTLINE at 03-8778 2222

     eom/Malaysian GP release

    Caption

    From left to right – ​Chen Tien Yue, Executive Director of Royal Selangor Marketing, Tan Sri Mokhzani Tun Mahathir, Chairman of Sepang International Circuit, YBhg. Datuk Seri Haji Ahmad Phesal bin Haji Talib, Mayor of Kuala Lumpu​r, ​Cik Liz Kamaruddin, PETRONAS Group Senior General Manager for Strategic Communicatio​ns, Dato’ Razlan Razali, Chief Executive Officer of Sepang International Circui​t, and En Rizan Ismail, Head of Brand Management, Group Strategic Communications Department PETRONAS  unveiling the trophy for the 2015 Formula 1 PETRONAS Malaysia Grand Prix™.

  • Raikkonen puts Ferrari back on top as Jerez test ends

    Jerez, 4 Feb 2015: Kimi Raikkonen put Ferrari back on top of the timsheets as Formula One’s first pre-season test of 2015 came to a close at the Circuito de Jerez in Spain.

    The Finn’s best time of 1:20.841 came late in the day, on a soft tyre run, after he had spent most of the day heading the field on medium and hard tyres. His late flourish was also the fastest time of the test, a tenth of a second quicker than that set by team-mate Sebastian Vettel on day two of the four-day outing.

    Yesterday, Sauber’s FelipTEST PRE-CAMPIONATO F1/2015e Nasr broke Ferrari’s grip on the top of the timesheets yesterday and today team-mate Marcus Ericsson kept the Swiss team at the top end of the order with a best time of 1:22.019, again set on soft tyres.

    Lewis Hamilton set the day’s third fastest time with a lap of 1:22.172, 1.3s down on Raikkonen’s best. Perhaps more importantly his 117 laps took Mercedes test total to an enormous 516. The defending champion’s total for the day was set despite a morning spin that left his W06 stranded at the chicane.

    An earlier stoppage was caused by Red Bull Racing Daniil Kvyat. Forty-five minutes into the session he stopped on track with the team later diagnosing an ERS problem that restricted the Russian to the garage for the rest of the morning.

    He eventually returned to the fray just before 1pm and ran faultlessly thereafter, racking up 64 laps for the team’s biggest single-day total of the test.

    “Once we’d sorted the issue the car ran perfectly all afternoon and we were able to get through the key elements of the programme we had mapped out,” said Head of race Engineering Guillaume Rocquelin. “This week has all been about establishing reliability and while we’ve had a few niggles the car is pretty much where we want it to be. We focused on medium and long runs all week and Dany was able to do more of that work this afternoon. We did lose track time over the four days and that’s always frustrating, as you inevitably have to scratch some things off the ‘to do’ list, but the major items were covered so I would say we’re leaving Jerez in pretty decent shape.”

    Despite the positive spin, it’s been a tricky week for the Milton Keynes outfit, with their day two running being disrupted by a broken front wing and day three being compromised by the need to change a power unit.

    McLaren also had a difficult final day. The team made early progress with the MP4-30, with Jenson Button posting 35 laps, but its running was cut short by a fuel pump issue. Button’s morning running had also been disrupted by an oil system problem.

    “Unfortunately, we’ve had a few issues this week – all of which have been pretty small – but cumulatively they meant we were stuck in the garage for quite some time,” said the team’s Engineering Director Matt Morris. “Still, our prime objective coming away from this test was to ascertain that the main car architecture worked, and we’ve done that.

    “Today, we had a couple of stoppages, but we were still able to get on with our aero progamme – obtaining correlation data for the guys back at the factory, just so we can check that everything’s working as we expected.”

    Honda’s Yasuhisa Arai added: “Of course, we’d anticipated there would be issues – this is a test, after all – but the difficulties we faced here were more than we’d expected, so we weren’t able to get the running time we’d ideally wanted. Nonetheless, Fernando and Jenson’s feedback has been positive and comprehensive – they’ve given us some very good information.”

    Elsewhere, Max Verstappen had a busy final outing of the week, putting 97 laps on Toro Rosso’s STR10.

    “It was good to run STR10 in anger and after overcoming some niggling problems on the first two days, we managed to do some really high mileage on the final two,” said Toro Rosso Technical Director James Key. “That was useful, because it meant both our drivers managed to complete a full and comprehensive programme. Our focus has been entirely on reliability, while allowing the drivers to experience every aspect of the job. We haven’t done any work on performance so far and we will not do that until the end of the month, therefore we are not looking at our lap times for now. The important topics are reliability, consistency and driver work, to tune the car to their requirements and give them as much preparation time as possible.”

    Romain Grosjean got a first taste of Lotus E23 but his running was cut short after 53 laps with a power unit problem.

    Jerez Test – Day Four
    1 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 1: 20.841s 106
    2 Marcus Ericsson Sauber 1:22.019s 1.178s 112
    3 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:22.172s 1.331s 117
    4 Max Verstappen Toro Rosso 1:22.553s 1.712s 97
    5 Felipe Massa Williams 1:23.116s 2.275s 73
    6 Romain Grosjean Lotus 1:23.802s 2.961s 53
    7 Daniil Kvyat Red Bull 1:23.975s 3.134s 64
    8 Jenson Button McLaren 1:27.660s 6.819s 35\

    eom/FIA press release/david