INDIA in F1

Tag: Formula One

  • 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

  • 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™.

  • Vettel keeps Ferrari on top on day two in Jerez

    German sets the pace ahead of Sauber’s Felipe Nasr as McLaren and Red Bull Racing struggle.

    Hamilton on Day 2 of Jerez test on Feb 2, Vettel (not in pic) set the fastest time on the day. 2015. A Mercedes AMG Petronas image
    Hamilton on Day 2 of Jerez test on Feb 2, Vettel (not in pic) set the fastest time on the day. 2015. A Mercedes AMG Petronas image

    Jerez (Spain), 2 Feb 2015: Sebastian Vettel kept Ferrari at the top of the timesheets in Jerez today, lowering his day one benchmark by almost two seconds and logging more than 80 laps as Ferrari continued to look strong on day of pre-season testing ahead of the 2015 Formula One campaign.

    Vettel was fast out of the blocks, setting a test best time of 1:21.926 an hour into the session to climb to the top of the top of the timesheet. And there he stayed. The German continued to improve and soon after posted a lap of 1:20.984, which would remain the day’s fastest time.

    Second place on the timesheet went to another Ferrari-powered maching, with new Sauber signing Felipe Nasr getting to within nine tenths of Vettel’s benchmark. The Brazilian driver also competed 88 laps for the Swiss outfit.

    After a slow start to the first morning of testing yesterday Williams were on track early on day two and after posting 73 laps on Sunday afternoon Valtteri Bottas added another 61 to his tally on day two, ending the day with the third fastest time, a lap of 1:22.319.

    On day one of the test Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg reminded rivals of just why Mercedes are still the team to beat by delivering 157 trouble free laps of the Curcuit de Jerez. Lewis Hamilton didn’t get near that total as an afternoon water leak on his car cut short his running, but his 91 laps still represented the day’s largest total. He finished the session in fourth spot with a time of 1:22.490, 1.5s adrift of Vettel’s best time.

    At Toro Rosso, 17-year-old Max Verstappen took from Carlos Sainz Jr at the wheel of the STR10 and Formula One’s youngest driver logged a decent total of 73 laps to finish fifth on the timesheet.

    After missing the first day due to the late arrival of its new car, Lotus completed the build of the E23 overnight and after a cautious start Pastor Maldonado was able to complete 41 laps, the Venezuelan running progressively faster throughout the day. A drive-train issue in the afternoon ending his outing, however.

    He was followed on the timesheet by McLaren’s Jenson Button who matched team-mate Fernando Alonso’s day one total of six laps. With the team still exploring the functionality of its Honda power unit, Button only managed one tikmed lap, some 33 seconds off the pace.

    After a solid start yesterday, Red Bull Racing hit problems early on day two. New recruit Daniil Kvyat suffered a minor off right at the start of the team’s running and damaged the front wing of his RB11. With no replacement wing at the circuit the team was restricted to single-lap untimed runs as they worked through systems checks. Kvyat put in 18 slow laps all day and failed to set a time.

    A late rain shower disrupted the final half an hour of the session and only Verstappen, Vettel, Nasr and Button tested the wet conditions before the session ended.

    Formula One Testing, Jerez – Day Two
    1 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 1m20.984s 88
    2 Felipe Nasr Sauber 1m21.867s 0.883s 89
    3 Valtteri Bottas Williams 1m22.319s 1.335s 61
    4 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1m22.490s 1.506s 91
    5 Max Verstappen Toro Rosso 1m24.167s 3.183s 73
    6 Pastor Maldonado Lotus 1m25.802s 4.818s 41
    7 Jenson Button McLaren 1m54.655s 33.671s 6
    8 Daniil Kvyat Red Bull No Time 18

  • Vettel fastest on Day 1 at Jerez test; Sauber’s Felipe Nasr 2nd with Bottas 3rd

    Jerez (Spain) 2 Feb 2014: Sebastian Vettel: “ Sebastian Vettel It’s too soon to give a verdict on the true level of this car, especially as we can’t make a comparison with the other teams, who can be running different programmes. However, I’d say we have a good basis to work from. We did a lot of running, even in the rain, when we tried the new intermediate tyres, which worked well, getting up to temperature despite the cold: that’s a definite step forward. The applause in the garage at the end of the session? Well, everyone was happy we’d even managed to run in the wet with nothing bad happening. The boys have got enough to do in the garage

    as it is…”.

    James Allison: “ James Allison A bit like yesterday, in that even if we did a good number of laps, you can never claim to have done enough kilometres. However, I agree with Sebastian on the fact that, for the moment, we have a good basis”.

    Other driver quotes:

    Lewis Hamilton 
    That was a satisfying day. We did a lot of laps and I got a feel for the car quite quickly. We’re in the first days of testing so it never feels that great as the car is at the worst it will be all season. But it feels the same as it did last year which is a good thing. A little more downforce maybe but otherwise it handles exactly the same. The balance obviously wasn’t perfect as we’re not working on setup yet, so it could be a lot better. But the priority right now is to put in the laps, not set fast times, and there were lots of positives today. We got good mileage and hopefully we’ll get even more in the next two days. Testing isn’t the exciting part as a driver – I live to go racing. But this is where you build your foundations for the year and we’re all working hard to understand the car. Everything from drivability to tyres you have to learn now to stand you in good stead for the season. You can’t get excited at this point as there’s a long way to go before Melbourne but there’s a really good energy in the team. Everybody is feeling positive and working hard but we’re basing nothing on last year. We start again with the same aim as everyone else – to win. I can’t wait to get to that first race.

    Pastor Maldonado:
    “It was fantastic to get behind the wheel for the first ever lap of this exciting new car. Even though it’s early days we achieved a lot today. It was already exciting to feel the potential of the car and I can’t wait to get back in the car tomorrow. We did stop running early, but then it started to rain so everyone else came in too so it was not a big drama. The car certainly looks fantastic and I know we have a lot of potential for the season ahead.”

    Valtteri Bottas: We have had another good day. We managed to get through all of our programme and it was only the final run that we were compromised due to the rain. The morning was dedicated to obtaining aero data, then this afternoon we focused on the longer runs, making set-up changes and analysing the results. We are learning all the time and at the moment I am really pleased with what I have felt when in the car.

    Felpe Nasr:
    “It was a great day. I was able to complete a lot of laps, and I was happy with everything I saw. I was getting used to the systems, the procedures and the characteristics of the car. It was definitely a good start to understand where we are now. It was important for me to get used to this new environment, but after such a long day, with both dry and wet conditions, I was able to adapt to all the situations. Now we can start working on the details.”

    Max Vertstappen (Car 33)

    “In the morning we had some difficulties in warming up the brakes, but we fixed that very quickly. After that, we managed to do some long runs that helped me to learn about the new car straight away. In the afternoon it rained a bit, but it was useful for me to experience the intermediate tyres. It feels good to finally start working for the upcoming season and I’m happy with my first test day here in Jerez.”Vettel debut for Ferrari at Jerez on 2feb2015 Ferrari pic

    eom

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  • New Williams Mercedes FW37 unveiled ahead of Jerez test

    2015 Williams FW37. A Williams Martini Racing image
    2015 Williams FW37. A Williams Martini Racing image

    Jerez (Spain), 1 Feb 2015: The new Williams Mercedes FW37 was unveiled today ahead of the first pre-season test in Jerez, Spain. The F1 grid will once again be adorned with the red and blue stripes that have grown to be so iconic in motorsport as WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING will be looking to build on their successful 2014 campaign where the team achieved nine podium finishes and finished third in the Constructors’ Championship.

    The team showed strong development throughout last season and aim to continue this as the regulations show minimal changes for the new season ahead. There are however a few differences between the FW37 and its predecessor.
    The new rules will see changes to the front nose box and bulkhead of the car, a move away from the rule that saw so many different variations of nose throughout the 2014 season.
    Commenting on the new FW37, Team Principal and Founder, Sir Frank Williams, said: “After such a strong season in 2014 we are looking to continue the move back towards the front of the grid. The move from ninth to third was a tough challenge, but ultimately every step up from now on will be even harder. I am confident that we have the appropriate personnel and talent in this team to make those steps.
    ‘We have an experienced driver line-up, with both drivers finishing on the podium throughout last year and hungry for more success in 2015, new commercial partners to add to the continued support from our already impressive roster, and have a technical team that is amongst the best on the grid.
    “I am looking forward to seeing the car in testing and assessing how other teams have fared over the winter in comparison to us. We should, once again, have a very exciting season ahead of us which will hopefully bring more success to Williams.”
    Felipe Massa added: “The momentum we carry from last year has been very encouraging, the team has changed so much from 12 months ago and it is clear to see everyone is heading in a good direction. The development rate of the FW36 was one of the most exciting elements to the car, the team worked exceptionally hard throughout the year to make sure that we had a faster car at each race, and I look forward to a similarly impressive car this year. I am excited to be continuing to work with Valtteri, a driver with so much talent who has so much to offer both the team and me as his teammate.”
    Valtteri Bottas: “Coming into a season after third position in the Constructors’ Championship carries the weight of a lot of expectation. Other teams and our fans are expecting a performance like last year, and all the personnel at Williams have been working tirelessly to make sure this is not only achievable but the benchmark for improvement. For much of last year we had the second fastest car, and this year we plan to take every opportunity to challenge at the front. After my first podium in 2014 I hope to continue developing as a driver as I aim for my first win. I look forward to working closely with Felipe again this year as we strengthen our relationship to extract the most from the car.”
    Claire Williams, Deputy Team Principal, concluded: “The team learnt and developed a lot in 2014 and this has made us a better team and well prepared for the challenges that face us as we head into a new season. We are all eager to see where we are in comparison to our rivals. We have worked hard over the past six months to get this car ready, but it is in no way the final product, we have a lot of work to do throughout the season as we push for constant improvements in performance. I am incredibly confident in the team around me and the line-up we have that 2015 can make it another successful and exciting year for Williams Martini Racing, and now can’t wait to get back on track.”
    The launch marks the start of the 2015 season for Williams Martini Racing as a four-day test in Jerez gets underway before moving to Barcelona for a further eight days of testing. The season officially gets under way at the first race in Melbourne, Australia, on 15 March.
    -ends-

  • Sauber team presents the new Sauber C34-Ferrari, the 2015 F1 car

    Hinwil, 30 January 2015: The Sauber F1 Team presents the new Sauber C34-Ferrari on its Media Portal. The Sauber F1 Team will go into the 2015 FIA Formula One Championship with new drivers Marcus Ericsson (SE, 24) and Felipe Nasr (BR, 22). Raffaele Marciello (IT, 20) has signed as test and reserve driver. The roll-out of the new Sauber C34-Ferrari will take place at the first winter test in Jerez de la Frontera (Spain).

    With regard to the 2015 season, team principal Monisha Kaltenborn said: “2014 was a very disappointing year. However, this is in the past, and we now focus on what comes next. We have learned our lessons and are confident for the new season.”

    The team principal’s prediction for the new season is short and concise: “We have to improve, and be able to fight for championship points.” For the Sauber F1 Team 2015 is its 23rd season in Formula One; it is the fourth oldest of the current brands.

    Monisha Kaltenborn is optimistic about the new driver line-up: “I am delighted about our two new drivers who bring a breath of fresh air. Both are young, talented and highly motivated. On their way to Formula 1 both stood out through victories in Formula BMW and Formula 3. Both then finished this career progression off in the GP2-Series. While Marcus looks back to one season in Formula 1, Felipe will have his rookie year in which he comes fully prepared due to his role as test and reserve driver at Williams last year. I feel confident with regard to our drivers.”

    Marcus Ericsson also looks into the future with optimism: “I am pleased about being a member of the Sauber F1 Team. After a difficult season, we want to move forward and fight in the mid-field like the team previously did. From a driver’s point of view, I want to continue to learn and establish myself as a Formula One driver. I have the feeling of being in the perfect environment to do so. In Formula One it is difficult to have precise targets, as it depends on the overall package. It is clear that we want to be fighting for points.”

    Felipe Nasr explains: “In my rookie season there is a lot to learn, and especially as I have not yet driven on some circuits yet. In general, I am ready to take on this challenge. In my role as test and reserve driver for Williams last year, I was involved in every race weekend. Furthermore, I also had the chance to drive the car a few times, so I think I have a certain understanding of Formula One. Now I am taking the next step in being a race driver, and I am looking forward to bringing my experience from 2014 as well as to supporting the Sauber F1 Team in getting back into the points.”

    Test and reserve driver is Raffaele Marciello who, as well as other series, won the 2013 Formula 3 Championship in an outstanding way. Last year he had two podium finishes and won the main GP 2 race in Spa-Francorchamps.  Raffaele will also have the opportunity to participate in some Friday practice sessions during Grands Prix. Monisha Kaltenborn said: “Raffaele’s previous career is impressive. Therefore it is a logical step for us to give him the opportunity to become more familiar with Formula 1. As a team we are pleased to be there with him on his way to the pinnacle of motorsport.”

    Raffaele Marciello explained: “I am really pleased to be a member of the Sauber F1 Team, which has a long tradition of building up excellent drivers. I really think that this is the best choice for my future career. I am also happy to compete for one more season in the GP2 Series, which, together with my new F1 role, will give me a very busy 2015 season. I want to thank the people at the Ferrari Driver Academy who are responsible for giving me this important opportunity, and now I really can’t wait to start delivering my best.”

    Sauber C34-Ferrari

    After a season with the most comprehensive technical changes in the history of Formula One, there are significantly fewer regulation changes for the 2015 season. During the development of the new Sauber C34-Ferrari the Sauber F1 Team’s engineers focused on three areas: performance in slow corners, weight reduction, as well as braking stability.

    Eric Gandelin, chief designer of the Sauber F1 Team, explained: “We were able to gain a lot of experience during the course of the 2014 season, which will have an influence on the Sauber C34.”

    Aerodynamics traditionally play a key role in the development of a new car. But on this occasion it wasn’t only a question of optimising downforce and drag, but also improving the balance of the car and its responses in particular through low-speed corners.

    The greatest visual difference compared to the Sauber C33 can be found around the nose section, which is now bigger in volume and lower to the ground following further changes to the technical regulations. This has a considerable impact on the aerodynamics of the entire car: the nose and front wing play a key role in determining how the air flows around the front wheels and how effectively the central and rear sections of the car function aerodynamically. The new design of the wheel rims has progressed in a similar direction, in the interests of optimising airflow around the front wheels.

    The front suspension concept has changed little, with the springs and dampers again pushrod-actuated. However, the engineers put a lot of effort into improving the feedback from the steering for the drivers.

    The sidepods of the new Sauber C34, are now slimmer than those of the Sauber C33, despite higher cooling requirements from the new power unit. This has been made possible by modifications to the attachment of the side crash elements. In addition, the architecture of the radiators, which are now positioned horizontally, has been fundamentally revised. The engineers also paid great attention to the flexibility of the cooling system, which can be adapted precisely – and individually for the various components – to the ambient temperature and circuit characteristics. For example, small air vents on the side of the cockpit are only used in certain situations.

    Beyond this, the rear section as a whole is  less voluminous, which benefits aerodynamic efficiency.

    The car’s minimum weight has been increased in line with the FIA’s technical regulations, up from 691 kg a year ago to 702 kg now. The engineers, of course, set out to undercut this figure in order to give themselves ample room for manoeuvre when it comes to weight distribution – an important factor in determining how the car uses its tyres.


    Modified powertrain

    The car’s engine, energy recovery system and gearbox are again supplied by Ferrari. The 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 engine has a rev limit of 15,000 rpm. The technical regulations allow for certain components to be completely redesigned for the 2015 season. The aim has been not only to increase the power from the turbocharged engine, but above all to optimise the car’s energy recovery and energy storage capability.

    In terms of its concept, the engine is very much comparable with last year’s, but its architecture has changed significantly, necessitating numerous adjustments to the chassis.

    The exhaust tailpipe is again positioned centrally between two pylons, though they are no longer supported by the rear crash element, but by the gearbox housing.

    The spring and damper elements at the rear axle are again pullrod-actuated, but otherwise this is a totally new construction with separate lower wishbone legs. In addition, the engineers worked on improving the mechanical traction. Besides a number of other parts, there will be optimised gear ratios to support this effort.

    As with its predecessor, the packaging of the Sauber C34 presented the engineers with a genuine challenge. After all, in excess of 40 electronics boxes have to be accommodated, of which more than 30 require cooling.

    New parts to follow in stages

    A first impression of the value of these measures will be obtained at the first test in Jerez. “Later on it will be crucial to see where we stand in comparison to our competition,” explained chief designer Eric Gandelin.

    The Sauber F1 Team will use a roll-out version of the car for the first test at Jerez. Some components are still from the Sauber C33 and will be successively replaced by new parts. “We will use the time up to Melbourne to ensure we’re as competitive as possible when we line up on the grid for the season opener,” added Eric Gandelin.

    eom/Sauber launch press

    Sauber Motorsport Ag photos
    Sauber Motorsport Ag photos

    release

  • Mercedes AMG Petronas completes first day of running 2015 F1 Wo6 hybrid car

    Silverstone,

    Mercedes AMG Petronas image of F1 W06 at Silverstone on Thursday 29Jan2015.
    Mercedes AMG Petronas image of F1 W06 at Silverstone on Thursday 29Jan2015.

    29 Jan 2015: MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS today completed a first day of running with its 2015 specification Formula One car during a Promotional Event at Silverstone. 

    The F1 W06 Hybrid, powered by the PU106B Hybrid Power Unit, first departed the garage at 13:13 this afternoon in icy conditions at the Northamptonshire circuit.

    Driven first by Nico Rosberg, then Lewis Hamilton, the car completed a total of 18 laps (47.2 km) before a blizzard brought filming to a halt.

    The team will now ready the F1 W06 Hybrid for its public track debut in Jerez on Sunday 1 February.

    eom/Mercedes AMG Petronas release

  • E23 Hybrid represents a new era for Lotus F1 team

    Lotus E23 26jan2015 Pic2 Lotus F1 teamEnstone (UK), 26 Jan 2015: Lotus F1 team revealed the 2015 E23 Hybrid and Mathew Carter, Lotus F1 team CEO said: “The E23 Hybrid represents a new era for Lotus F1 Team, not only in the change to a Mercedes Benz Power Unit, but also it is the fruition of a busy winter behind the scenes. Improvements within our Design, Aero and Simulation departments have all contributed to the development of a car which is a huge step forward. As a team we are confident that the new car coupled with additions to the Race team will enable a huge leap forward and we are full of optimism going into the new season. It is time to put the disappointment of last season behind us and benefit from 12 months of hard work; we are ready to return to our rightful place at the pinnacle of the sport.”

    “The E23 Hybrid represents a massive step forward for us. It’s no secret that we struggled with last year’s car so we’ve targeted every area that caused us an issue. We’ve made strong progress in the wind tunnel as well as in areas such as packaging and cooling, saidNick Chester, Lotus F1 team Technical Director. “We expect the E23 to perform far, far better than its predecessor. In terms of what’s new, obviously a massive change for us is a new Power Unit supplier. We made this change as it looked and looks to be the one area of the car which could bring us the greatest performance gain. It’s not just performance, but reliability and driveability as well as packaging and cooling too. The E22 did deliver good figures in the wind tunnel, even if it was difficult to unlock its potential, so we’ve paid more attention to making the characteristics of the car more adaptable. In terms of the suspension, we were delivered something of a blow last year when the front-rear interconnected suspension was outlawed mid-season. The E23’s suspension design is specific to the updated regulations so we’re not trying to update a system originally intended to work a different way. We learnt a lot in many areas of the car over the course of 2014 so there are many lessons which have been applied. We know we’ve made a big step. We won’t know how our car will fare in relative terms until we’re out in action at a Grand Prix, but we certainly expect to be much more competitive than last year,” he added.

    A Lotus F1 team image
    A Lotus F1 team image