F1 2013

[gotosy]

The Monaco Grand Prix qualifying

1. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m13.876s
2. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1m13.967s + 0.091s
3. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m13.980s + 0.104s
4. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m14.181s + 0.305s
5. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 1m14.822s + 0.946s
6. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m14.824s + 0.948s
7. Sergio Perez McLaren-Mercedes 1m15.138s + 1.262s
8. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m15.383s + 1.507s
9. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m15.647s + 1.771s
10. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m15.703s + 1.827s

11. Nico Hulkenberg Sauber-Ferrari 1m18.331s + 2.343s
12. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m18.344s + 2.356s
13. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1m18.603s + 2.615s
14. Valtteri Bottas Williams-Renault 1m19.077s + 3.089s
15. Giedo van der Garde Caterham-Renault 1m19.408s + 3.420s
16. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1m21.688s + 5.700s

17. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m26.322s + 2.870s
18. Charles Pic Caterham-Renault 1m26.633s + 3.181s
19. Esteban Gutierrez Sauber-Ferrari 1m26.917s + 3.465s
20. Max Chilton Marussia-Cosworth 1m27.303s + 3.851s
21. Jules Bianchi Marussia-Cosworth
22. Felipe Massa Ferrari

[Rob2012]

Enjoyed that quali. Traffic jam behind the Mercs it is then!

[gotosy]

Monaco GP:

1. Rosberg Mercedes
2. Vettel Red Bull-Renault
3. Webber Red Bull-Renault
4. Hamilton Mercedes
5. Sutil Force India-Mercedes
6. Button McLaren-Mercedes
7. Alonso Ferrari
8. Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari
9. Di Resta Force India-Mercedes
10. Raikkonen Lotus-Renault
11. Hulkenberg Sauber-Ferrari
12. Bottas Williams-Renault
13. Gutierrez Sauber-Ferrari
14. Chilton Marussia-Cosworth
15. van der Garde Caterham-Renault
DNF. Perez McLaren-Mercedes
DNF. Grosjean Lotus-Renault
DNF. Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari
DNF. Bianchi Marussia-Cosworth
DNF. Maldonado Williams-Renault
DNF. Massa Ferrari
DNF. Pic Caterham-Renault




Drivers championship
1. Vettel 107
2. Raikkonen 86
3. Alonso 78
4. Hamilton 62
5. Webber 57
6. Rosberg 47
7. Massa 45
8. Di Resta 28
9. Grosjean 26
10. Button 25
11. Sutil 16
12. Perez 12
13. Ricciardo 7
14. Hulkenberg 5
15. Vergne 5

[gotosy]

Pirelli confirm modified tyres will be tested in Canada

Formula 1 teams will not race with modified 2013 rear tyres at next week's Canadian Grand Prix, but will test them in Friday's practice sessions.

Suppliers Pirelli want to restructure the tyres after complaints that their current design has made tyre-management too much of a factor this season.

If used, Pirelli hope their redesigned tyres would bring an end to drivers having to stop more than three times.

Guide to the tyres in Formula 1

Should they be approved, the new tyres could be introduced at the British GP.

"The aim of the new tyre is to prevent any instances of the tread detaching itself from the structure," Pirelli said in a statement.

"However, the performance and wear characteristics of the new tyre will not be significantly different, with the aim of keeping up the spectacle and retaining a strategic element to all the races."

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton and Force India's Paul Di Resta have suffered from 'delaminations' this season. This is where the tread disintegrates and comes away from the belt of the tyre.

Pirelli hopes the new design will eliminate this problem.

However any change would have to be approved by all the teams, unless governing body International Automobile Federation (FIA) orders it on safety grounds, which has not been the case so far.

BBC

[gotosy]

Williams to use Mercedes engines from 2014

Williams have confirmed a "long-term" partnership with Mercedes to supply their engines from the 2014 Formula 1 season onwards.

The former champions are currently powered by Renault engines.

But with new engine regulations to be introduced next year, they have decided to make the switch.

"Mercedes-Benz has been one of the sport's most successful engine suppliers," said team principal Frank Williams.

"We believe that they will have an extremely competitive engine package."

The partnership also means Mercedes will supply engines to four of the 11 teams on the grid next season, negating the loss of McLaren, who recently confirmed they would be returning to Honda power from 2015.

Formula 1 cars are to change from 2.4-litre V8 engines to more efficient 1.6-litre turbo-charged V6s from next season.

...

BBC

[gotosy]

Mercedes and Pirelli facing tribunal over rogue tyre-testing session before Spanish Grand Prix The FIA has announced that Mercedes and Pirelli have a case to answer over a tyre-testing session carried out at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya last month.

Mercedes were at the centre of uproar over the Monaco Grand Prix weekend after it emerged they used their 2013 car to assist Pirelli in a 1,000-kilometre test of next year's tyres in Barcelona in mid-May.

Red Bull launched an official protest to motorsport's world governing body over the secret three-day test, while the matter was addressed by Monaco GP stewards.

Ferrari were then called upon to assist in a disciplinary inquiry after it later emerged they had also conducted tyre tests in a 2011 car, in conjunction with Pirelli earlier this season.

However, an FIA statement today confirmed Ferrari would not be subject to any further action while both Mercedes and Pirelli will face a tribunal over the matter.

The statement read: "The Monaco Grand Prix Stewards raised in their report to the FIA an issue concerning a tyre testing session carried out by Pirelli with the participation of Team Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 in Barcelona on 15-17 May 2013.

"The stewards' report follows the protests made by Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Ferrari Team on the occasion of the Monaco Grand Prix against Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 concerning its participation in the Barcelona tests (15-17 May 2013).

"The FIA requested clarifications from Pirelli and Team Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 in this respect.

"The FIA also asked questions to Scuderia Ferrari Team, which took part in a tyre testing with Pirelli in Barcelona on 23-24 April 2013.

"The FIA requested all the other F1 Teams to provide the FIA with information they may have regarding any tests carried out by Pirelli during the 2013 season.

"In the light of all the replies received and in view of the information gathered during this inquiry, the President of the FIA, acting as the FIA prosecuting body, has decided:

"To close the case as regard to Scuderia Ferrari Team considering that its participation in a tyre testing organised by Pirelli in Barcelona on 23-24 April 2013 using for this purpose a 2011 car is not deemed to contravene the applicable FIA rules.

"To bring the case concerning the tyre testing session carried out by Pirelli and Team Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 in Barcelona on 15-17 May 2013 before the FIA International Tribunal because it results from the inquiry that the conditions of this testing may constitute a breach of the applicable FIA rules.

"The FIA International Tribunal is called upon to make a decision in compliance with the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/mercedes/10102578/Mercedes-and-Pirelli-facing-tribunal-over-rogue-tyre-testing-session-before-Spanish-Grand-Prix.html

[Faster]

Just a note for F1 fans. A new riding in Quebec will be named after Gilles Villeneuve

[gotosy]

Canada GP Qualifying

Vettel on pole, Hamilton P2, Bottas P3

[gotosy]

Canada GP

Qualifying

1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m25.425s
2. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1m25.512s + 0.087s
3. Valtteri Bottas Williams-Renault 1m25.897s + 0.472s
4. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m26.008s + 0.583s
5. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m26.208s + 0.783s
6. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m26.504s + 1.079s
7. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m26.543s + 1.118s
8. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m27.348s + 1.923s
9. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 1m27.432s + 2.007s
10. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m27.946s + 2.521s

11. Nico Hulkenberg Sauber-Ferrari 1m29.435s + 1.786s
12. Sergio Perez McLaren-Mercedes 1m29.761s + 2.112s
13. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1m29.917s + 2.268s
14. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m30.068s + 2.419s
15. Esteban Gutierrez Sauber-Ferrari 1m30.315s + 2.666s
16. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m30.354s + 2.705s

17. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m24.908s + 2.590
18. Charles Pic Caterham-Renault 1m25.626s + 3.308
19. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1m25.716s + 3.398
20. Jules Bianchi Marussia-Cosworth 1m26.508s + 4.190
21. Max Chilton Marussia-Cosworth 1m27.062s + 4.744
22. Giedo van der Garde Caterham-Renault 1m27.110s + 4.792

[gotosy]

Kimi Raikkonen and Daniel Ricciardo have been give two-place grid penalties for not lining up correctly at the pit exit when Q2 restarted in Montreal

...

Raikkonen loses just one place because his penalty was applied before Ricciardo's. He will start from 10th, with the Australian in 11th.

Raikkonen had been investigated over a similar potential transgression in Q3, but was not given any penalty for that instance.

His team-mate Romain Grosjean, who only qualified 19th, is already carrying a 10-place penalty for crashing into Ricciardo in Monaco.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/107971

[gotosy]

Vettel wins the canadian GP

Alonso 2nd, Hamilton 3rd

[gotosy]

The Canadian GP

1. Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1h32:09.143
2. Alonso Ferrari + 14.408
3. Hamilton Mercedes + 15.942
4. Webber Red Bull-Renault + 25.731
5. Rosberg Mercedes + 1:09.725
6. Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1 lap
7. Di Resta Force India-Mercedes + 1 lap
8. Massa Ferrari + 1 lap
9. Raikkonen Lotus-Renault + 1 lap
10. Sutil Force India-Mercedes + 1 lap
11. Perez McLaren-Mercedes + 1 lap
12. Button McLaren-Mercedes + 1 lap
13. Grosjean Lotus-Renault + 1 lap
14. Bottas Williams-Renault + 1 lap
15. Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 2 laps
16. Maldonado Williams-Renault + 2 laps
17. Bianchi Marussia-Cosworth + 2 laps
18. Pic Caterham-Renault + 2 laps
19. Chilton Marussia-Cosworth + 3 laps
20. Gutierrez Sauber-Ferrari + 7 laps

Drivers Championship

1. Vettel 132
2. Alonso 96
3. Raikkonen 88
4. Hamilton 77
5. Webber 69
6. Rosberg 57
7. Massa 49
8. Di Resta 34
9. Grosjean 26
10. Button 25
11. Sutil 17
12. Vergne 13
13. Perez 12
14. Ricciardo 7
15. Hulkenberg 5

[gotosy]

Vettel staying with Red Bull to end of 2015

(Reuters) - Triple Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel will race for Red Bull until the end of 2015 after the team announced on Tuesday he had extended his contract by a further year.

The 25-year-old German has won the last three championships and is leading the current one by a hefty 36 points after seven races and his latest display of dominance at the weekend in Canada.

The sport's youngest world champion, who has been linked to Ferrari over the past few years, joined the team in 2009 and has won 29 races, appearing on the podium 51 times with 39 pole positions.

Vettel's decision to extend by only a year could be significant as it allows him to hedge his bets until other coveted seats might be available.

Double world champion Fernando Alonso has a contract with Ferrari that runs until the end of 2016 - by which time Vettel will be still only 29 years-old - while Britain's Lewis Hamilton, the 2008 champion, signed a three-year deal with resurgent Mercedes last season.

...

Reuters

[gotosy]

Mercedes-Pirelli verdict to come on Friday

Representatives of the FIA, Mercedes and Pirelli all gave evidence at a hearing in Paris on Thursday, as the FIA’s International Tribunal (IT) considered whether the private tyre test conducted by Pirelli and Mercedes in Barcelona last month constituted a breach of the Formula One rules.

The test was the subject of a protest lodged by rivals Red Bull and Ferrari at the Monaco Grand Prix after it emerged that the three-day, 1000-kilometre session had been run using Mercedes’ 2013 car, in apparent contravention of the F1 sporting regulations.

The FIA previously stated that a verdict on the case would be published as soon as possible after the hearing. With proceedings having gone on late into Thursday afternoon, that verdict will now come on Friday.

Key points from Thursday’s hearing:

• The FIA reiterated its stance that it had not granted official permission for the test and argued that although FIA race director Charlie Whiting had informed Mercedes that such a test could in theory be possible if all teams were given similar opportunity, this did not constitute agreement. Furthermore, the FIA argued that Pirelli had not invited other teams to participate in the test.

• In conducting the test "without the knowledge, consent and participation of other competitors,” the FIA argued that Pirelli and Mercedes could have contravened Article 151c of the International Sporting Code, which states that a breach is: "Any fraudulent conduct or any act prejudicial to the interests of any competition or to the interests of motorsport generally."

• The FIA clarified that there was no suggestion that Pirelli had breached their contract as Formula One racing’s sole tyre supplier.

• Mercedes argued that the test had been undertaken by Pirelli and not the team, hence they had not breached Article 22.1 of the sporting regulations which states: "Track testing shall be considered any track running time not part of an Event undertaken by a competitor entered in the Championship…” Pirelli are not a competitor in the championship. Mercedes are.

• Regarding the use of its 2013 car, Mercedes argued that if this is considered a breach of the regulations, then so should Ferrari’s test with Pirelli earlier this year using a 2011 car, claiming that the changes between a 2011 car and a 2013 car are “miniscule” in terms of performance. Article 22.1 precludes the use of cars “which conform substantially with the current Formula One Technical Regulations in addition to those from the previous or subsequent year."

• Similarly, Mercedes argued that if their test had breached the aforementioned Article 151c of the International Sporting Code, then so had Ferrari’s. They also claimed that Ferrari had conducted non-tyre specific work during their Barcelona test and that the Italian team had discussed tyre data from the test with Pirelli.

• Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn claimed that they could not have benefitted from the test data. Although car telemetry was active during the test for safety reasons, the telemetry data had subsequently been archived on a secure server at the team’s factory to prevent future use. Brawn did concede that there was an unavoidable benefit in using a 2013 car, but said this was “a consideration taken into account when we had permission from the FIA to do the test” and that it needed “to be kept in proportion.”

• Mercedes admitted that with hindsight it was regrettable that race drivers Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton had used black crash helmets, conceding that it may have added to the air of suspicion surrounding the test. The helmets were used to help avoid security issues.

• Pirelli argued that as a supplier/third party to the championship they do not fall under the FIA’s jurisdiction for such disciplinary matters, citing the governing body’s ban on former Renault team boss Flavio Briatore, which was overturned by the French courts on the same grounds.

• In the closing submissions, Mercedes reiterated their assertion that they had not broken the regulations, adding that in contacting Whiting and gaining what they perceived to be FIA approval for the test, they had been careful to ensure they had not breached Article 22.1. Should the IT decide otherwise, Mercedes said that any punishment should be minor since the team had acted in good faith, suggesting that exclusion from some or all of this year’s young driver test could be a suitable sanction.

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2013/6/14686.html

[gotosy]

Mercedes and Pirelli escape stern FIA sanctions over tyre test

Mercedes and Pirelli have avoided stern sanctions for their involvement in last month's controversial tyre test in Barcelona after the FIA announced each has been let off with a reprimand.

Mercedes have also been banned from competing in the forthcoming young driver test session to be held at Silverstone on 17-19 July, the world governing body confirmed in a statement.

Friday's announcements came the day after a specially convened International Tribunal sat in session for over six hours on Thursday to determine whether Mercedes and Pirelli violated F1's sporting regulations during the Barcelona tyre test held last month.

The FIA, which called for the tribunal to rule on the matter following a protest from Red Bull and Ferrari ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, responded to the verdict in a statement in which the body expressed hope that lessons can be learned.

It read: "The FIA duly notes the decision handed down today by the FIA International Tribunal against Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team and Pirelli Tyres.

"This decision follows (i) the disciplinary proceedings instigated by the FIA, on the basis in particular of the report by the Stewards of the Monaco Grand Prix, forwarded to the FIA following the two protests made by Scuderia Ferrari Team and Red Bull Racing respectively, and (ii) the hearing that took place yesterday before the International Tribunal with the participation of all the parties concerned.

"The FIA wishes that lessons are learnt from this case and from the decision handed down. To this end, the FIA will make sure, in association with all F1 teams, that its control of the testings is strengthened.

"It is recalled that the notification of the FIA International Tribunal's decision opens to each of the parties concerned the possibility of bringing an appeal against this decision before the FIA International Court of Appeal within seven days."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/jun/21/mercedes-pirelli-reprimand-tyre-test-fia

[Rob2012]

Got off pretty lightly.

Now, let's sort out the problem that caused this in the first place - Pirelli (ludicrously) not having a current car to test with!

[gotosy]

Mark Webber to quit Formula One and Red Bull at the end of the season to race for Porsche at Le Mans Red Bull driver Mark Webber has announced he will be quitting Formula One at the end of this season to race Porsche sports cars.

The 36-year-old Australian has decided to end his association with Red Bull and will instead race events such as the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen is favourite to replace Webber at Red Bull after he decided not to remain as team-mate to world champion Sebastian Vettel.

Webber, who had options to move to other F1 teams, could also be replaced by either of Toro Rosso's current drivers, Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne.

"Porsche has written racing history as a manufacturer and stands for outstanding performance and technology at the highest level," said Webber.

"I'm very much looking forward to this new challenge after my time in Formula 1. I can hardly wait to pilot one of the fastest sports cars in the world."

...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/10145376/Mark-Webber-to-quit-Formula-One-and-Red-Bull-at-the-end-of-the-season-to-race-for-Porsche-at-Le-Mans.html

[gotosy]

FIA confirm changes to regulations for 2014

The FIA has today confirmed the changes that will be made to the sporting and technical regulations for next season as part of its constant improvement of the sport.

One of the biggest rule changes is that from next season there will be a penalty points system where drivers will receive points on their license for any infringements. These will range from one to three (depending on the action in question), and they remain on a license for 12 months. Should a driver pick up twelve points, they will be subject to an immediate one-race ban.

In the wake of tiregate, changes have also been made to the testing procedure. There will be four two-day test events across the course of the season, held on the Tuesday and Wednesday following a European grand prix in order to minimize the cost of moving from place to place. Also, testing is now permitted in January in order to allow teams to work with the new V6 engines, suggesting that there will indeed be four tests in the 2014 pre-season.

Drivers will also be given an extra set of tires to use during the first 30 minutes of Free Practice 1, encouraging teams to send their drivers out early on and increasing the on-track action for the fans. Gearboxes will be required to last six races next season, up from five in 2013.

Click here for a complete list of the changes to the regulations.

http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2013/06/28/fia-confirm-changes-to-regulations-for-2014/

[gotosy]

Hamilton takes pole at Silverstone,

Rosberg P2, Vettel p3

[Rob2012]

Brilliant!!!

[gotosy]

The British GP Qualifying

1. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1m29.607s
2. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m30.059s + 0.452s
3. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m30.211s + 0.604s
4. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m30.220s + 0.613s
5. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m30.736s + 1.129s
6. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m30.757s + 1.150s
7. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m30.908s + 1.301s
8. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1m30.955s + 1.348s
9. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 1m30.962s + 1.355s
10. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m30.979s + 1.372s

11. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m31.649s + 0.659s
12. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m31.779s + 0.789s
13. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m31.785s + 0.795s
14. Sergio Perez McLaren-Mercedes 1m32.082s + 1.092s
15. Nico Hulkenberg Sauber-Ferrari 1m32.211s + 1.221s
16. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1m32.359s + 1.369s

17. Valtteri Bottas Williams-Renault 1m32.664s + 1.669s
18. Esteban Gutierrez Sauber-Ferrari 1m32.666s + 1.671s
19. Charles Pic Caterham-Renault 1m33.866s + 2.871s
20. Jules Bianchi Marussia-Cosworth 1m34.108s + 3.113s
21. Giedo van der Garde Caterham-Renault 1m35.481s + 4.486s
22. Max Chilton Marussia-Cosworth 1m35.858s + 4.863s

[Rob2012]

9. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 1m30.962s + 1.355s

10. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m30.979s + 1.372s

11. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m31.649s + 0.659s

12. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m31.779s + 0.789s

That lot could be interesting off the start!

[Rob2012]

Di Resta's car been found to be underweight so could start from the back of the grid. After buggering up Quali in Monaco and Canada for him too by sending him out on the wrong tyres and at the wrong time, he must be pretty annoyed with his team. 3rd race weekend on the trot they've screwed up his Sunday by mismanaging his Qualifying.

[gotosy]

Rosberg wins the British GP

Webber P2, Alonso P3

what a mess Pirelli

[Rob2012]

FIVE instantaneous tyre explosions this weekend. Not good enough.

Some good racing in the end from lots of the guys, but this is bordering on dangerous.

FIA and Pirelli need to sort it.