INDIA in F1

Tag: India

  • JPSI announces Airtel Indian GP schedule

    New Delhi, 17 Oct 2012:Jaypee Sports International Limited (JPSI) has announced the schedule for the second edition of Indian Grand Prix  at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC), Greater Noida, on Sunday the 28th of October 2012

    A file picture of Sameer of JPSI receiving Bernie Ecclestone. Photo JPSI

    .

    Motorsport Fans will get a chance to experience the adrenaline rush of F1 up close and personal on October 26 with the first practice session scheduled for 10 AM. It will be followed by a second practice session from 2 PM to 3.30 PM. JK Racing Asia Series and MRF Challenge 2012 will be the two support races for the Indian GP.

    The all-important qualifying will begin at 2 PM on October 27, which will be preceded by the one-hour long third practice session from 11 AM. The final race will be flagged off at 3 PM on October 28.

    Indian GP schedule: (Detailed Schedule annexure attached)

    Friday, October 26: JK Racing Asia Series (practice): 08:45-09:15; F1 first practice: 10:00-11:30; MRF challenge (practice): 12:00-12:30; F1 Paddock Club (pit lane walk) 12:35-13:45; F1 second practice: 14:00-15:30; F1 press conference: 16:00-17:00; MRF challenge (Qualifying): 16:00-16:30; Marshall Pit Lane Walk : 17:45

    Saturday, October 27: JK Asia Racing Series (Qualifying): 09:15-09:45; F1 Paddock Club (pit lane walk): 09:50-10:40; F1 third practice: 11:00-12:00; MRF Championship 1st Race (10 Laps or 25 Mins): 12:25-12:55; F1 Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk: 13:00-13:45; F1 Qualifying: 14:00; JK Asia Racing Series 1st Race (10 Laps or 25 Mins): 15:30-16:00

    Sunday, October 28: F1 Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk: 10:00-10:50; MRF Championship 2nd Race (10 Laps or 25 Mins): 11:00-11:30; JK Asia Racing Series 2nd Race (10 Laps or 25 Mins): 12:00-12:30; F1 Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk: 12:35-14:15; F1 drivers grid parade: 13:30; F1 starting grid presentation: 13:40-14:15; National Anthem: 14:46; Grand Prix: 15:00

    The tickets for the race days are available on www.bookmyshow.com. They are also available in selected outlets in key metros from 11.00 AM from 5th October, 2012. Tickets, outlet details, parking charges, shuttle services from various points in NCR, location of stands, etc, are now available at www.buddhinternationalcircuit.co.in

    About Jaypee Sports International Limited (JPSI)

    Established in October 2007, Jaypee Sports International Ltd., a subsidiary of Jaiprakash Associates Ltd. (JAL), has constructed India’s premier motorsports destination – Buddh International Circuit (BIC) – which hosted India’s first ever F1 Grand Prix on October 30, 2011. In addition to F1, the track is also expected to host other top-level international motorsports events. BIC will be a part of Jaypee Sports City, which is spread over 2,500 acres. This facility will include a Cricket stadium that is being developed in two phases and which will have a seating capacity of 100,000 people. There will also be a hockey arena, a sports training academy and infrastructure for other sports. Jaypee Sports City, the country’s first fully integrated megacity built around a sporting lifestyle and featuring premium residential and commercial spaces, has been designed by world renowned architects and planners, WATG. One of the world’s leading design consultants for the hospitality, leisure and entertainment industries, WATG has made a significant contribution to making Jaypee Sports City the best of its kind anywhere in the world.

    ends

  • Sauber chief Monisha dwells on her Indian roots

    Hinwil, 17 Oct 2012: Monisha Kaltenborn is almost a week into her post as the first female team principal in Formula One. With a total of four podium places so far, the Sauber F1 Team has enjoyed a very successful 2012 season. The forthcoming Indian Grand Prix takes the new boss to her native country. There’s plenty to talk about.
    Your passport gives your full name as Monisha Kaltenborn Narang. Why do you so rarely use your double surname?
    Monisha Kaltenborn: “I really like my Indian name. My Indian heritage and my parents’ family mean a great deal to me, which is why I never wanted to give up Narang. On the other hand, you have to admit that double-barrelled names aren’t very practical in day-to-day business operations. That’s why I only rarely use my full name.”
    What does the Indian Grand Prix mean to you?
    MK: “Well, I really have to distinguish between the professional and the private side. From the sports point of view, as far as the Sauber F1 Team is concerned the Indian GP is a race like any other, with the same meticulous preparations and the same aspiration to achieve the best possible result. From a personal point of view, it’s rather different. Obviously I’m particularly looking forward to this race in my home country. As I travel to all the grands prix as part of my job, I don’t have time for private trips to India. During my school and university days I would go there regularly. My husband Jens and I celebrated our marriage in India with a fabulous and very happy Hindu ritual. I feel very attached to India.”
     
    Will you be seeing friends or family during the grand prix?
    MK: “I won’t really have time for private visits during this year’s race, but I’ll be flying out at least a day early to spend some time looking around New Delhi and attending various media events. I’m also involved as an ambassador for the FIA’s Women in Motorsports Commission, as well as an event by the F1 in Schools initiative.”
    Which memories do you associate with India?
    MK: “Oh, undoubtedly my wonderful childhood. Since I was their only grandchild for a long time, my grandparents spoilt me rotten, and we had three delightful dogs. Up to the age of eight I attended Welham Girls’ High School in Dehradun, my birthplace and one of the oldest and most traditional cities in the north of this vast country. It was a very happy time with marvellous friendships. Then in 1979 my parents decided to emigrate to give me a better education.”
    What made your parents decide on Austria?
    MK: “Originally the plan was to find a new home in an English-speaking country. But Vienna was the first stop on our journey because an uncle of my father’s was working at the atomic agency there. We liked it and so we stayed. I was sent straight to an Austrian rather than an international school, so I learnt the language very quickly and became integrated. I also completed my law studies in Vienna and took on Austrian citizenship, which had many advantages. And of course I have a lot of ties with Austria. I’ve spent a considerable part of my life there, after all.”
    To what extent are you still Indian today?
                                                             
    MK: “I don’t think you ever lose your roots, and anyway you can tell where I’m from just by looking at me. I also think I have a certain serenity and openness you might describe as Indian. That includes shrugging off negative experiences and focusing positively on the future – something that is very important in an environment as competitive as Formula One. As for my Hindi, it’s no longer as good as I’d like it to be. But I do try to talk Hindi with the children occasionally. Our son is ten years old, our daughter seven, and I’d like them to learn the language. But my parents are better teachers than me.”
    How important do you think Formula One is for India?
    MK: “Basically it’s difficult for any sport to find a place in India next to cricket. But I do think that the interest in Formula One has risen significantly since its debut last year. At least the media interest we are experiencing as a team would strongly indicate that. It seems right that India, as an upwardly mobile nation, a huge marketplace and a high-tech location, has found a place in the Formula One calendar with its excellently trained engineers. Both Formula One and the country can benefit from it.”
    What chances do you hold out for the Sauber F1 Team at the Indian Grand Prix?
    MK: “The track layout is very similar to that in Korea. There are slow and fast turns and quite a long straight. However, it will be warmer there and Pirelli is providing different tyres – soft and hard rather than the super-soft and soft ones we had in Korea. That will mean different race strategies. For the C31, the circuit in India is likely to be neither ideal terrain nor particularly problematic. I’m confident that we will manage another decent points haul there.”
    You’re into your first week as Team Principal at trackside. What does this step mean for you?
    MK: “I’m very happy at the confidence that Peter Sauber has placed in me. I grew into this role step by step, of course. I had been head of the company’s legal department since 2000, in 2001 I joined the Board of Management, in 2010 I became CEO, and since the end of 2011 I’ve held a third of the company’s stakeholding. Peter Sauber’s withdrawal from the day-to-day running of the business has been on the cards for a long time, so this latest step was well prepared. I’m acutely aware of what it means to carry the responsibility for this company, which has been around for over 40 years and involved in Formula One for almost 20 years.”
    Is it more difficult as a woman to be accepted as Team Principal?
    MK: “Professionally I’m sure gender plays no role. And as I’ve been around for such a long time, I don’t think I’ll be seen more in terms of a woman than a boss. People who are new to the scene might just do a double-take at first, but that will soon settle down.”
    How do you manage to cope with the twin responsibility of work and family?
    MK: “It usually works very well, though in some situations it can prove an organisational and emotional challenge. I believe it’s very important to involve the children. We stay in touch on race weekends by phone or skype – these days, fortunately, there are such options. At home my husband, my parents and a nanny manage to cushion my professional absences. I’ve got a strong support system, and the kids are really proud of what their mother does.”
    How satisfied are you with the Sauber F1 Team’s achievements so far this season?
    MK: “With four podium places and now 116 world championship points, we can certainly be proud of our achievements so far as a private team. Of course there have been races where things didn’t go to plan and we forfeited valuable points. Our car, the Sauber C31-Ferrari, is a great success and has proved competitive on virtually any kind of circuit. Some describe it as one of the best cars on the grid. Now it’s a matter of carrying the impetus forward into the remaining four races. Our ambitious goal remains to finish fifth in the Constructors’ World Championship. And I have the utmost confidence both in our team at Hinwil and in the crew at the track along with our two drivers, Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Pérez.”
    What are your personal highlights of the season so far?
    MK: “To answer that I’m going to have to take off my sober, objective hat for a moment: it was just so emotional when Kamui finished third in Japan.”
    ends

    Monisha Narang, the new Sauber team Principal, in a file photo as admires Kamui Kobayashi's home race feats. Photo Sauber F1 team.

  • JPSI makes Airtel Indian GP 2012 bigger and better

    New Delhi, 11 October 2012: Jaypee Sports International Limited (JPSI), today, shared their Traffic, Transport and Logistics update for the 2012 Formula 1 Airtel Grand Prix of India which will take place at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC), Greater Noida, between

    Aerial view of BIC. Photo courtesy JPSI.

    October 26 – 28, 2012.

    JPSI, as promoters of Buddh International Circuit, presented a way forward to ensure that neither the participants nor the spectators faced any issues commuting to and from the Buddh International Circuit (BIC), a press release said here today.

    As part of their elaborate plan this year, the parking at BIC will be able to hold more than 21, 000 private cars and 1,000 motorcycle parking. Apart from the private cars, more than 200 Pre-booked chartered buses from the NOIDA City Centre Metro Station and 200 chartered buses that can be availed as a Park and Ride facility from the nearby Knowledge Park II. There will also Free access provided to Delhi-NCR Radio cabs to enter the circuit parking with  dedicated taxi parking area and the Circular Shuttle that were successful last year, will be in service this year too around the circuit to drop spectators at entry gates and at dedicated shuttle stops at each seating stand.

    Mr. Qamar Ahmad, Senior Vice-President, Traffic & Security, JPSI said “Last year we managed to host the race successfully and building on those learning, we have made improvements in the traffic and transport facilities for this year. The Yamuna Expressway is now open to public and all ticket holders are allowed to take that to reach the Buddh International Circuit without any hassles. We are getting full support from all the authorities to help remove bottlenecks and all efforts are being made to ensure a comfortable experience for the spectators.”

    To make the second edition of the 2012 Airtel Grand Prix Of India a memorable, a host of entertainment events have been lined up by JPSI. The race day, October 28, 2012 will witness playback singer Shaan and music director duo of Vishal and Shekhar perform. Along with Vishal-Shekhar and Shaan, six selected college bands will perform at India’s biggest motorsport event through Rock the Race, a JPSI initiative to find talent in the youngsters of the country India.

    The Buddh International Circuit, this year will have the Turn 8-9 Kerb extended from 5m to 15m with the height of all the kerbs across the circuit now at 25 mm and Turn 2-3 and 7-8 will have Astroturf lining to provide additional safety to run-off areas. Apart from the track modifications, video screens around the track have been increased from 11 to 17 to make sure the spectators are able to catch every inch of racing at the Buddh International Circuit on the big screens.

    Mr. Farhan Vohra, General Manager – Race Operations, JPSI said, “We are extremely excited about the Indian Grand Prix 2012 as there are some changes that we have made to the run off areas that will enhance the overall experience of the race. We have extended the width of a few turns from 5m to 15 m and height of the kerbs to 25 mm. We have hired special mechanized dusters from Bahrain and these will start working after 15th October to clean up the minutest of dust particles from all over the track which cannot be washed with regular dusters.”

    The race equipment – the race tires and the fuel for the cars have already arrived along with the Paddock setup area, and has already been cleared by the customs at the circuit. More than 30% of the equipment as arrived, while the cars are expected to reach the circuit by the 15th of Sept after the Korean Grand Prix. Before the 24th of October, 95% of all equipments will have cleared customs and are expected to be at the race track.

    Mr. Sougoto Das, AGM, Cargo & Logistics, JPSI said, “With the experience of hosting the race last year, the movement of cargo has been smooth. We are getting full support of the authorities. The F1 cargo comes in two lots, one by ship and the other by air. The ship cargo has started coming here such as tyres, car fuel, etc. However, cars will start coming after the Korean GP this weekend.”

    About Jaypee Sports International Limited (JPSI)

    Established in October 2007, Jaypee Sports International Ltd., a subsidiary of Jaiprakash Associates Ltd. (JAL), has constructed India’s premier motorsports destination – Buddh International Circuit (BIC) – which hosted India’s first ever F1 Grand Prix on October 30, 2011. In addition to F1, the track is also expected to host other top-level international motorsports events. BIC will be a part of Jaypee Sports City, which is spread over 2,500 acres. This facility will include a Cricket stadium that is being developed in two phases and which will have a seating capacity of 100,000 people. There will also be a hockey arena, a sports training academy and infrastructure for other sports. Jaypee Sports City, the country’s first fully integrated megacity built around a sporting lifestyle and featuring premium residential and commercial spaces, has been designed by world renowned architects and planners, WATG. One of the world’s leading design consultants for the hospitality, leisure and entertainment industries, WATG has made a significant contribution to making Jaypee Sports City the best of its kind anywhere in the world.

    ends

  • Sahara Force India looks to bank on good Singapore show

    Suzuka, 1 October 2012: Even as the `Good Times’ appear to end for Kingfisher Airlines back home, Sahara Force India team Principal and liquor baron Vijay Mallya is basking in glory with Paul Di Resta recording his best finish ever to come home in fourth place in Singapore in the last race. Now Sahara Force India looks forward to the Japanese Grand Prix with renewed vigour and hope.
    To watch Paul Di Resta’s video preview of Japan, click on the following link: http://bit.ly/SHzFoC
    Sahara Force India picked up another fourth place in Singapore – it seems the team is edging ever closer to the podium…
    Vijay Mallya: “As I’ve said before that little bit of luck has eluded us. Hopefully it will come to us one day, because we’ve shown the pace of the car. This is the second time we’ve finished fourth in the last three races, so we’re becoming the bridesmaid a bit too often! Paul drove fantastically well and we earned 12 points. It’s not bad to be sitting at this stage of the season with 75 points in total – we’ve come a long way.”
    Is catching Sauber a more realistic target now?
    “I still remember the situation in 2010 when Williams pipped us by one point at the last race, so I guess it’s not over until it’s over! I’m still hoping that we can do it and one strong podium finish could help to wipe out Sauber’s advantage. It all depends how strong our rivals are in the final six races, but we certainly have some momentum.”
    Any thoughts on Suzuka?
    “Historically Suzuka has never been our best track, but hopefully this time the team has something up its sleeve. I think we have been pretty consistent on most tracks this season so we are quietly confident that we can perform well this weekend. I certainly hope we can pull some rabbits out of the hat in Japan and Korea and come away with some more points.”
    Paul Di Resta talks about his best finish in Formula One and hopes to build on the momentum in Japan.
    Paul, you said your result in Singapore was your best day in Formula One – does it give you extra confidence for the rest of the year?
    Paul: When we qualified sixth we knew it was going to be tough to even maintain that in the race, but things worked out very well and I was able to challenge Fernando for a podium in the final stint. I think we learned a lot in Singapore about how to get the most from the car and the aim now is to try and repeat the form we showed towards the end of the race. If we can do that, the momentum will carry on.

    File picture of Nico Hulkenberg, who is expected to go all out after a pointless race in Singapore. Sahara Force India photo.

    You raced at Suzuka for the first time last year – what did you think of the track?

    It’s a track that’s all about aero so it’s a real test of your car. I also found it very technical with corners like the ‘S’ curves where you need a good change of direction. Finding the sweet spot isn’t easy because half the track is made up of straights so you need efficiency as well as downforce for the high-speed corners. Tyre degradation is also high so a neutral car is what you need during the race.
    Do you enjoy visiting Japan?
    The thing that surprised me last year was the commitment and enthusiasm of the fans. Even on Thursday the grandstands were busy. So that makes it a special race and the fact that it’s a track with a lot of history. I also enjoy Japanese food, although the challenge is making sure you order the right thing!
    Nico on Japan
    Nico Hulkenberg looks forward to one of his favourite races of the season.
    Nico, tell us about your memories of racing in Japan…
    My race in 2010 with Williams was not especially memorable because I was taken out before the first corner. That was a real shame because it’s a track I really enjoy and with corners like the ‘S’ curves it’s a great experience in a Formula One car.
     
    What are the main challenges of the lap?
    Suzuka is definitely one of my favourite circuits: it’s really challenging and technical, and you need a good car balance to hook up a good lap. Because it’s so technical it’s important to find a good rhythm because if you mess up one corner you can lose the flow of the whole lap.
    How are you feeling as we enter the final six races of the season?
    I’m feeling positive and we have generated some good momentum within the team recently so I want to keep that going. The goal is to keep getting consistent results in the points.
    ends

  • Sahara Force India looking for a strong finish

    Singapore, 17 Sept 2012: Ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix Sahara Force India team Principal and Indian Liquor Baron Dr Vijay Mallya looks back on the European season and sets his sights on a good showing to retain their place as a strong mid-team this year too. 
     
    Eighth place brought some useful points in Italy, but is it really a case of ‘what might have been’?
    Vijay Mallya: If Paul had started where he should have started I’m sure he would have finished higher up the order. It was very unfortunate what happened to Nico during qualifying, where he couldn’t set a time. Given the pace of the cars I would have expected him to qualify somewhere close to Paul, so we could potentially have had both well inside the top ten. It was not to be.
    Nevertheless a solid drive by Paul into eighth?
    Vijay Mallya: Given the fact that we were on a one-stop, we had to also keep in mind that the tyres needed to be conserved. Eighth was a result, but with a better starting position we could have come away with more.
    After Spa, Sauber looked within reach, but they scored well in Italy. How do you view the situation?
    Vijay Mallya: There have been various moments where they’ve drawn away and we seemingly can’t catch them, but all it takes is a podium finish that brings in a lot of points, and if we get a couple of them, we could still chase them down.
    On the other hand you have increased the advantage over Williams, albeit by only three points.
    Vijay Mallya: Two years ago Williams got us by one point in Brazil, so every point does matter!
    How do you view the rest of the season?
    Vijay Mallya: As I’ve said before, we haven’t had our fair share of luck yet this season. Take the case of Spa – it was probably as close as we’ve had to a podium finish, but once again, it was not to be. But I’m an optimist and I don’t give up! It’s tough, Williams are strong, Sauber are strong. And look at what’s happening with Lotus. A lot of teams that were regarded as midfield teams last year are now pushing the big boys pretty hard.
    Are you looking forward to Singapore?
    Vijay Mallya: In Singapore the atmosphere is brilliant. It’s a night race, of course, and more significantly for me there are a lot of people of Indian origin in Singapore, so they relate a lot to Sahara Force India, which is always nice. When I was living there, Singapore was very different to what it is now. It’s a lot more exciting, there are a lot more things to do, and it’s a lot more tourist friendly. Singapore should be a strong race for us because the track has always suited our car.
    Nico Hulkenberg who missed a podium but got bulk of points in one of the Euro leg races is looking at Singapore as the most-demanding race of the year.
    Nico, tell us about racing at night in Singapore and the challenges it presents…
    Nico: I took part in the 2010 race and thought it was a mega experience. The whole atmosphere in the paddock and working at night is fun because it makes a nice change. We stay on European time so the body keeps its rhythm, although it does feel strange to be going to bed when the sun is rising.
    What about the track itself?
    Nico:  It’s a very long lap with some tricky bumps and kerbs, and you need to get close to the walls if you want to be quick. So getting the perfect lap is not easy. It’s anti-clockwise, too, although it’s not as demanding on the neck as somewhere like Interlagos because most of the corners are low to medium speed.
    What about the physical challenge generally?
    Nico: 

    File picture of Nico Hulkenber. Photo by Sahara Force India.

    For me Singapore is the toughest race of the year – physically and mentally. I think it’s because there are 23 corners on the track and it’s one of the longest races of the year – always close to the two hour limit. So you certainly feel it after the race because of the high temperatures and humidity.

     Sahara Force India main driver, Paul Di Resta, who was lagging behind his teammate in some of the races recently explains his preparation for night racing in Singapore.
     
    What are your expectations for Singapore this year?
    Paul: I had a good race there last year and we’ve seen already that the car has been strong on street circuits this year. So I’m hoping that we will go well there, optimise the set-up and pick up some good points. I think it’s a track everybody enjoys and it’s an interesting race because of the unusual schedule.
    Does it still feel different to be racing under artificial lights?
    Paul: They do such a good job that you don’t really notice. It’s almost better than if you are driving during the day with cloud cover. It’s just something you get used to really quickly. The other thing is you arrive there and stay on European time, and the night becomes your day so you don’t really suffer with jet lag.
    Is it easy to stay on European time?
    Paul: It’s not something I find difficult. The important thing is making sure you choose the right flight to arrive in Singapore at the right time of day. You also have to make sure the hotel staff don’t tap on your door in the morning at 9am because you need to be sleeping for another five hours! I always go to bed at 6am and wake up at 2pm, that’s my routine.
    To watch Nico Hulkenberg’s video preview of Singapore, click on the following link: http://goo.gl/mLRj8

  • Parth wins agains: Formula Pilota

    Guangdong (China), 16 Sept 2012: Young Indian racer Parth Ghorpade capped off a great weekend at Round 4 of the 2012 Formula Pilota Championship when he dominated Race 3 at the Guangdong International Circuit. This was his second win of the weekend which puts him 3rd in the overall championship and 1stin the Asian category. Parth qualified on pole for Race 3 finished more than 5 seconds ahead of the second placed driver. Parth had earlier taken his maiden win when he won Race 1 a day earlier

    Parth Ghorpade who won two races in Formula Pilota in China. Adrenna Comm photo.

    Parth converted his maiden pole into a lights to flag finish in Race 3. The storming drive saw him finish 5 secs ahead of his teammates Antonio Giovinazzi and Sean Galeal, to make it another podium lockout for Team Eurasia. Along the way he set the fastest lap of 1:14:318secs to make it a perfect race with pole, fastest lap and the win.  The 2 wins this weekend puts him in the lead of the Asian class and 3rd overall with 6 races to go.

    After winning his first race from 4th on the grid a delighted Parth commented, “This has been an amazing weekend for me and the most dominant race of my career. Every driver dreams of qualifying on pole, setting the fastest lap and winning the race so the result is perfect for me. The start was important and once I was ahead I tried to pull away as much as possible. I would like to thank Eurasia for giving me a great car this weekend. We still have two more race weekends in Sepang to go so will give it my all. A special thank you to my sponsors Karvy without whom I would not be here.”

    18 year old Ghorpade is a five-time National Karting Champion, runner-up in the inaugural 2010 Volkswagen Polo Cup India, and recently competed in the Renault F4 series in 2011, finishing in the top five multiple times.

  • Parth wins in China: Formula Pilota

    Guangdong (China), 15 Sept 2012: Young Indian racer Parth Ghorpade continued his great start to Round 4 of the 2012 Formula Pilota Championship when he won Race 1 at the Guangdong International Circuit. This was his first win in an international series and moves him to third in the championship. Parth finished only in 8th position in Race 2 when he was hit from the back by Ren Nagabuchi in the first corner and had to recover after that.

    Starting P4, Parth had a terrific start and was able to make his way through to P1 at the end of the first lap. He crossed the first lap in the lead which he was able to control till the end of the 18 lap race. He came under pressure from Ren Nagabuchi in the middle half of the race, but was able to pull away in the last 4 laps to secure his maiden win in Formula Pilota. The two front runners were able to establish a considerable lead over the rest of the pack and by lap 6 it had become a two-way battle for the win. The win was Parths 3rd consecutive podium in the overall class and 4th in the Asian class.

    In Race 2, Parth started P3 , but was hit from behind in the first corner by Nagabuchi whom he had got past off the start  line. The collsion launched him into the lead car of Dan Wells, who recovered without major damage, but the damage to Parth’s car was severe and he had to nurse it home to 8th place. It was a dissappointing end to the day as he just had to clear the first corner and could have cruised to a podium in the short 10 lap race.

    After winning his first race from 4th on the grid a delighted Parth commented, “This is probably the biggest achievement in my international racing career and hope it is the first of many. We have been close in many races but have not managed to step on the top step of the podium. I had one of my best starts of the season and managed to end the first lap in front. It was a good battle with Ren but managed to stay ahead of him. It was a shame that I got hit in Race 2 as the car was really good. This win is down to all the hard work put in so happy that it has paid off. I would like to thank my family and sponsors for making this possible. I will now turn my focus to the rest of the weekend and try to gain as many points as possible.”

    18 year old Ghorpade is a five-time National Karting Champion, runner-up in the inaugural 2010 Volkswagen Polo Cup India, and recently competed in the Renault F4 series in 2011, finishing in the top five multiple times.

    ends

    Parth Ghorpade of India wins the race in China to climb to the third position in the Formula Pilota Championship. Photo by Adrenna Communications.

  • Ma Qing to replace Narain for 1st practice

    Marina Bay Street Circuit – 61 laps – 5.073 km

    HRT file photo
    Madrid, 13 Sept 2012: With the European part of the season completed the Formula 1 World Championship heads east for a swing of five Asian races that begins with the Singapore Grand Prix on the weekend of the 21st to the 23rd of September. This event stands out because of its singularity as it is the only nocturnal Grand Prix on the calendar and the European time zone is respected meaning that teams work at night and rest throughout the day.
    After a special weekend in Italy, the objective of HRT Formula 1 Team is to maintain the reliability that led both cars to cross the finish line in Monza and progress with the upgrades which will be introduced to the car in Singapore. After a positive debut at the Italian Grand Prix, Ma Qing Hua will step into the F112 once again for the first free practice session, replacing Narain Karthikeyan and joining Pedro de la Rosa.
    The Marina Bay Street Circuit has hosted the Singapore Grand Prix since 2008. It’s a slow, bumpy and narrow anti-clockwise track and is also a very physically demanding test for the drivers given the high temperatures and humidity. Pirelli has elected its supersoft and soft tyres for this Grand Prix.
    Pedro de la Rosa: “I’ve never raced at Singapore but I know the circuit because of my simulator work as a test driver for McLaren. It’s a spectacular track and probably the toughest circuit on the brakes in the entire Championship besides being a very physically demanding race because of the heat and humidity. We should have a good performance as there are many slow corners and it is quite similar to Monaco. Besides, we’ve got an aero upgrade which should help us to cut down the gap to our rivals. I have to make the most of the practice session to adapt to the circuit but I’m up for the challenge”.
    Narain Karthikeyan: “Singapore has a spectacular atmosphere as the race takes place under artificial lighting. The Marina Bay Street Circuit is bumpy and very complicated. You can’t make any mistakes as it is a street circuit. Besides, it’s also very demanding physically because of the high temperatures and humidity. I arrive here extremely motivated and in good form after a good weekend in Italy and we’ve also brought upgrades which we hope will help us improve our race pace a little bit more”.
    Ma Qing Hua: “”I’m very happy to drive the F112 for a second time in a row and I really appreciate the opportunity HRT is giving me. It will be very exciting to drive a F1 around the streets of Singapore. It’s a very demanding track for all of us, but it will be even more of a challenge for me as this is only the second time I will be driving the car at a race weekend. But I am looking forward to it and the laps that I added to my tally at the last Grand Prix in Monza have given me plenty of confidence. I have prepared myself in the simulator as well as doing some specific exercises to be used to driving at night. This is yet again another step in my career and I look forward to getting more experience at the wheel of a Formula 1 car as well as doing my best to help the team to prepare for the race”.
    Luis Pérez-Sala, Team Principal: “I don’t personally know the Marina Bay Street Circuit but I’m really looking forward to getting to know it since everyone says it’s one of the most beautiful races in the Championship. But also because in Singapore we’re incorporating the second major upgrade to the car of the season which we hope will help us take another step forward. Ma will step into the car once more for the first free practice session and the objective is for him to continue learning and improving as he did in Monza, where we were very happy with his work and performance. Pedro and Narain come on the back of a good race in Italy and we hope that with the upgrades they can get even closer to our rivals”.

    ends

  • Narain misses Friday practice

    Spa Francorchamps, 31 August 2012: After four weeks without competing, the Formula 1 World Championship returned to action today with the first free practice sessions at the Belgian Grand Prix.
    However it wasn’t the car nor the drivers but the rain that played the star role. In the morning session, Narain Karthikeyan missed the action with Dani Clos and Pedro de la Rosa at the wheel, and the F112’s covered a dozen laps each under the heavy rain which continued through into the second session. Given the adverse conditions and that the forecast doesn’t predict rain for the rest of the weekend, De la Rosa and Karthikeyan decided not to risk it in the afternoon and neither one left the garage.
    We will have to wait and see but, with a qualifying session and race predicted in dry conditions, Saturday’s 60 minute free practice will be vital for everyone at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps.
    Narain Karthikeyan: “Today I was unable to do any laps as the conditions were terrible, but you can’t fight against these things so the best thing is to focus on tomorrow. No rain is anticipated so we will work on making up for lost time from the very start and to get some feel for the car. It will be an intense session but I’m really looking forward to going out on track”.
    Dani Clos: “Once again I got the opportunity to get into the F112 and it was fantastic. However the session wasn’t easy because of the conditions we faced. The track was very wet and the objective was to make sure that there were no problems with the car’s systems and assess the balance. In that sense everything went well and I felt very comfortable so I’m very happy with the job we did”.
    Pedro de la Rosa: “I was surprised by the large amount of rain that poured down during both sessions. We anticipated the morning session to be less wet and that’s why we made the most of it to complete our only run. We only did a few laps mainly to confirm that the car and the systems worked well, so in the afternoon, with the track in even worse conditions, we decided not to go out as it didn’t contribute anything to us. It’s been almost a month since we drove the car and the positive side was that I was able to get rid of the rust and get a feel for the car. For tomorrow we have an extra set of dry tyres and as today we were unable to test with a full deposit, that will be a priority”.
    Luis Pérez-Sala, Team Principal: “Coming from summer today was a bit of a shock. We expected rain but perhaps not like today, but Spa is quite unique. We weren’t able to take much away from the day, but at least we were able to check that everything worked well. Dani had another chance to run and that’s always positive. In the afternoon we considered that it wasn’t worth going out, especially as the forecast for tomorrow and Sunday is dry. Tomorrow we can’t lose any time but we’re all in the same situation”.
    Sahara Force India
    Meanwhile, amidst fears of a Sahara pull out from funding Formula One activities expressed by some fans in their personal tweets, the team went ahead with the Free Practice with Paul di Resta doing 11 and 3 laps in the two sessions while Niko Hulkenberg put in 10 laps in the morning and five in the evening. The team also requested the journalists to use the title in full where ever it is used and implied “not to leave the name Sahara.”
    Paul: “Not much to say after a day when we spent most of our time in the garage waiting for the rain to stop. There were a few moments when the rain eased up this morning, so I managed to do some laps on the wet tyres, but it was very tricky and there were some very wet parts of the track. We did a few runs to check over the car, but there was a limited amount we could learn today. You have to feel for the fans who didn’t see much action. I hope they didn’t get too wet.”
    ends

    A Sahara Force India car during the Friday practice at Spa on 31 August 2012. Photo Sahara Force India F1 team.

  • Sahara Force India looks to turn the tide in the 2nd half

    Francorchamps, 25 Aug 2012: Sahara Force India looks forward to Round 12 of the season, the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa Francorchamps. 
    Dr Vijay Mallya, the team Principal, reflects on the team’s performance in Budapest and sets his sights on a strong second half of the season beginning with the Belgium GP next Sunday.
    Dr Mallya, it seems like a long time since we we

    Sahara Force India cars. File picture by Sahara Force India F1 team

    re in Hungary, but what was your verdict on that race?
    When you look at how the race unfolded, you can see that we suffered with our qualifying performance. It’s very difficult to overtake in Hungary, so I guess we finished pretty much where we started. It was disappointing to miss out on points, but both cars came home ahead of Sauber, our main competitor. We need to spend some more time analysing what we can do better.

    How difficult is it to get everything right this season?
    Sitting on the pit wall and listening to the predictions and guesswork on tyres is unbelievable. The most unpredictable part of this season has been the tyres and with the high temperatures in Hungary it was always a debate – two stops or three stops. One thing I was pretty sure of was that nobody was going to try a one-stop.
    Do you know what to focus on for the rest of the year?
    It’s a complete package. It’s the car on the track, and whether it’s the set-up, whether it’s the downforce, whether it’s the tyres, at the end of the day the whole thing has to come together as a package. Fundamentally it’s a good car. We just need to put a few more points in our pocket, that’s what’s important.
    The team has often performed well at both Spa and Monza, but you’ve always said the car needs to be consistently fast at all types of track…
    Spa and Monza are among our favourite races and we’ve done well there in the past. We look forward to doing better in both of them, before the flyaway races start. But yes, the car has to be competitive on every track.
    What’s your realistic target for the second half of the season?
    We were sixth in the constructors’ championship last year and we had the objective this year of coming fifth. However, the improvement of Lotus has been exceptionally dramatic, so I think to target fifth is probably overreaching our capabilities for this year. We should at least target sixth, where we finished last year, and that means getting ahead of both Sauber and Williams.
    Paul on Spa
    Paul Di Resta looks forward to the second half of the season
     
    Paul, you’ve had five weeks to recharge your batteries over the summer break. Do you feel refreshed?
    I think the summer break was good for everybody. I spent the time at home, seeing friends, watching the Olympics and keeping up with my training. We’re only half way through the season and the next few months are probably the busiest of the year with lots of fly-away races so it was important to relax and come back fresh.
    So you’re ready to get the season back underway?
    Spa is a great place to begin the second part of the season. It’s one of the best tracks in the world and it always feels special to go back there. I never had the chance to race there a lot in my junior career so it’s nice to be able to go there and experience such an impressive range of corners in a Formula One car.
    What’s the target for the second half of the season?
    There’s still a long way to go in the championship and we need to get back to scoring regular points. Last year we ended the season strongly and we need to do the same this year. Williams are not too far ahead of us but Sauber have a big points advantage and it’s going to be a big task to overcome that. But we won’t give up; we’ll keep pushing and see what we can do. We definitely have the potential to get some big results before the end of the year.
    Nico on Spa
    Nico Hulkenberg looks back on his summer break and ahead to Spa.
    Nico, you’ve spent five weeks away from Formula One. What have you been up to?
    I spent a lot of time in Germany and at home, visiting family and friends who I don’t get to see very often, which was really nice. I also went to Majorca for a week – we Germans love it there!
     
    How important was it to recharge your batteries?
    It was nice to have a break and cool down a little, but to be honest it has been long enough now and I’m looking forward to getting back to the racing.
     
    With nine races to go, what are your hopes and expectations for the second half of the year?
    I hope that we can make another step forward and can consistently score good results. We are eighth in the championship right now and clearly we want to make a big effort to improve on that in the coming races.
    Looking ahead to Spa, tell us what it feels like to drive a Formula One car there…
    Spa is a great track. There’s just such a great flow to the circuit with some mighty corners that are incredible. It’s definitely one of the best places to drive a Formula One car to feel the performance through the high-speed corners. It is one of my favourite tracks.
    ends