F1 2013

[Rob2012]

Great, honest interview with Lewis Hamilton just then on BBC - angry and concerned about safety, no diplomacy from him...

"The safety is the biggest issue, it's unacceptable," he says. "We had that tyre test to improve the tyre and to have four blowouts is unacceptable. It's only when someone gets hurt that someone will be doing something about it. I think it's a waste of time talking to the FIA, and if they don't do anything that says a lot about them."

Hopefully that'll help give Pirelli and the FIA a kick up the arse if the multiple tyre explosions haven't already!

[gotosy]

The British GP

1. Rosberg Mercedes 1h32:59.456
2. Webber Red Bull-Renault + 0.765
3. Alonso Ferrari + 7.124
4. Raikkonen Lotus-Renault + 7.756
5. Hamilton Mercedes + 11.257
6. Massa Ferrari + 14.573
7. Sutil Force India-Mercedes + 16.335
8. Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 16.500
9. Di Resta Force India-Mercedes + 17.993
10. Hulkenberg Sauber-Ferrari + 19.700
11. Maldonado Williams-Renault + 21.100
12. Bottas Williams-Renault + 25.000
13. Button McLaren-Mercedes + 25.900
14. Gutierrez Sauber-Ferrari + 26.200
15. Pic Caterham-Renault + 31.600
16. Bianchi Marussia-Cosworth + 36.000
17. Chilton Marussia-Cosworth + 1:07.600
18. van der Garde Caterham-Renault + 1:07.700
19. Grosjean Lotus-Renault + 1 lap

Drivers Championship

1. Vettel 132
2. Alonso 111
3. Raikkonen 100
4. Hamilton 87
5. Webber 87
6. Rosberg 82
7. Massa 57
8. Di Resta 36
9. Grosjean 26
10. Button 25
11. Sutil 23
12. Vergne 13
13. Perez 12
14. Ricciardo 11
15. Hulkenberg 6

[gotosy]

FIA calls meeting over tyre blow outs

The FIA has called on Pirelli to find a solution to its tyre blow outs before a meeting of the Formula One's Sporting Working Group on Wednesday in order to avoid a repeat of the problems seen at the British Grand Prix weekend.

Pirelli experienced five worrying tyre blow outs at the high-speed Silverstone circuit this weekend, four of which happened during Sunday's race. FIA president Jean Todt attended the British Grand Prix and has asked Pirelli to come up with a solution by Wednesday in order to solve the issue ahead of next weekend's German Grand Prix.

Pirelli is investigating the issue and plans to determine the cause before the teams arrive at the Nurburgring. It believes the problem is new and insists it is not related to the new bonding process brought to the tyres this weekend to prevent delaminations.

Pirelli motorsport boss Paul Hembery said: "There have obviously been some issues with rear-left tyre failures which we have not seen before. We are taking the situation very seriously and we are currently investigating all tyres to determine the cause as soon as possible, ahead of the next Grand Prix in Germany. At the moment, we can't really say much more until we have fully investigated and analysed all of these incidents, which is our top priority.

"However, we can exclude that the new bonding process, which we introduced at this race, is at cause for the tyre failures we have seen today. There might be some aspect to this circuit that impacts specifically on the latest version of our 2013 specification tyres but at this point we do not want to speculate but will now put together all the evidence to find out what happened and then take appropriate next steps should these be required."

http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/113829.html

[gotosy]

Pirelli to make immediate changes to their rear tyres for this week's German GP

Pirelli have confirmed they will make immediate changes to their much-criticised tyres for this week's German GP following the series of failures which marred the British GP.

F1's sole tyre supplier have announced they will revert to Kevlar-belt rear compounds at the Nurburgring and will use revised tyres for the Hungarian GP which will 'combine the characteristics of the 2012 tyres with the performance of the 2013 compounds'.

In a statement, Pirelli said this week's tyres will have 'a Kevlar construction that replaces the current steel structure and the re-introduction of the 2012 belt, to ensure maximum stability and roadholding'.

Teams will also be forbidden to run their rear tyres the wrong way round after analysis of the Silverstone failures found that the practice of 'reverse mounting' was a contributing factor to the spate of blowouts.

Pirelli have endured widespread criticism since Sunday's British GP, but have insisted their tyres are safe 'when used properly'. However, amid mounting criticism of their compounds and the threat of a driver boycott, Pirelli have opted to make immediate alterations in order to strengthen the tyres and make their rubber 'easier to manage'.

According to the Italian firm, the dramatic blowouts which tarnished the race at Silverstone were the consequence of a perfect storm of low tyre pressures, the circuit's sharp kerbs and 'tyres that were mounted the wrong way round:

in other words, the right hand tyre being placed where the left hand one should be and vice versa, on the cars that suffered failures.'

Pirelli have, though, accepted that the practice of 'reverse mounting' was 'underestimated by everybody: above all Pirelli, which did not forbid this.'

"What happened at Silverstone was completely unexpected and it was the first time that anything like this has ever occurred in more than a century of Pirelli in motorsport. These incidents, which have upset us greatly, have stressed the urgency of the changes that we already suggested - which will be introduced during for free practice in Germany on Friday," said Paul Hembery, Pirelli's motorsport director.

For the Hungarian GP at the end of this month, the new tyres will 'have a structure, construction and belt identical to that of 2012, which ensured maximum performance and safety. The compounds will be the same as those used throughout 2013, which guaranteed faster lap times and a wider working range.'

The tyres will first be run at the rearranged Young Driver Test at Silverstone following the FIA's announcement on Monday that F1 race drivers will also be allowed to run in what will now amount to a fully-fledged tyre test.

...

http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12433/8802795/Pirelli-to-make-immediate-changes-to-their-rear-tyres-for-this-week-s-German-GP

[Rob2012]

Oh no, Mercedes really screwed that up for Nico!

[gotosy]

Oh no, Mercedes really screwed that up for Nico!

yep

and Hamilton takes pole

[Rob2012]

So, Nico all the way down in 11th but definitely quick, Alonso qualifying on the slower tyres in the hope he'll last longer than everyone else and overtake at pitstops, whilst the two quickest guys in the sport over 1 lap are on the front row. And no tyre worries so far, thank God.

C'mon Lewis, get that win that was taken from you last week!!

[gotosy]

The German GP Qualifying

1. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1m29.398s
2. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m29.501s +0.103s
3. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m29.608s +0.210s
4. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 1m29.892s +0.494s
5. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1m29.959s +0.561s
6. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m30.528s +1.130s
7. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m31.126s +1.728s
8. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m31.209s +1.811s
9. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes No time set
10. Nico Hulkenberg Sauber-Ferrari No time set

11. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m30.326s +0.501s
12. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m30.697s +0.872s
13. Sergio Perez McLaren-Mercedes 1m30.933s +1.108s
14. Esteban Gutierrez Sauber-Ferrari 1m31.010s +1.185s
15. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m31.010s +1.185s
16. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m31.104s +1.279s

17. Valtteri Bottas Williams-Renault 1m31.693s +1.146s
18. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1m31.707s +1.160s
19. Charles Pic Caterham-Renault 1m32.937s +2.390s
20. Jules Bianchi Marussia-Cosworth 1m33.063s +2.516s
21. Giedo van der Garde Caterham-Renault 1m33.734s +3.187s
22. Max Chilton Marussia-Cosworth 1m34.098s +3.551s

[gotosy]

Vettel wins the German GP

Raikkonen P2, Grosjean P3

[Faster]

Awesome race. Despite the tire issues the last two seasons have been some of the best I've seen.

[gotosy]

The German GP

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


World Championship standings Drivers

1. Vettel 157
2. Alonso 123
3. Raikkonen 118
4. Hamilton 97
5. Webber 93
6. Rosberg 84
7. Massa 57
8. Grosjean 41
9. Di Resta 36
10. Button 33
11. Sutil 23
12. Perez 16
13. Vergne 13
14. Ricciardo 11
15. Hulkenberg 7

[gotosy]

FIA urged to tighten F1 pitlane protocols after cameraman accident

The FIA has been urged to consider imposing stricter safety protocols for personnel in the pit lane after a cameraman was hit by a wheel in the German Grand Prix.

Paul Allen, who works for Formula One Management, suffered broken ribs, a broken collarbone and concussion after being struck by Mark Webber's right rear wheel that had come loose from his car after a botched pit stop.

The incident has highlighted the ever-present dangers in the pitlane, and prompted leading figures to call on motor racing's governing body to make further safety improvements.

For 2014 it will be mandatory for all personnel working on a pit stop to wear head projection, but some think that requirement should extend to everyone who works in the pits during a race.

Mercedes boss Ross Brawn, in whose area Allen was standing, said: "Luckily our guys saw it coming, but unfortunately the cameraman didn't.

"[The mechanics] were able to swerve and avoid it, but it was pretty nasty."

When asked if the incident meant there was a case for all pit workers to wear helmets, he said: "I think from the basis of what we saw, yes.

"Everyone in the pitlane should have a helmet on. It is certainly worthy of reviewing the whole thing."

Red Bull boss Christian Horner backed Brawn's view that the FIA should look deeper at pitlane safety.

"These cars have so much energy in them and it is a timely reminder that things can go wrong," he said.

"Mechanics have to wear safety gear and helmets, and maybe it is time that we looked at some of the other operational people having some safety equipment as well.

"The camera guys are getting close to the action. They are getting some great pictures, but it is still a dangerous environment.

"So maybe they need some kind of safety equipment, as head injuries in particular are particularly nasty. It's something that needs looking at."

Allen is expected to remain in hospital in Germany until at least Tuesday.

...

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/108669

[gotosy]

2013 FIA F1 World Championship: Young Driver Training Test

TUE 09.07.13

The FIA today informed Formula One’s teams of the conditions that will apply at the Young Driver Training Test scheduled to take place at Silverstone as of July 17.

The announcement follows a meeting of F1’s Sporting Committee on Wednesday, July 3 at the Nürburgring, prior the German Grand Prix.

The conditions set out are in accordance with Article 22.4(h)(i) of the F1 Sporting Regulations, as recently amended by the World Motor Sport Council, and are as follows:

The Young Driver Training Test will remain a three-day test, from July 17-19.

Only the 2012 construction will be used for the test but with the hard, medium and soft 2013 compounds.

The test will now allow teams to field drivers who have competed in more than two F1 World Championship events provided that the purpose of them doing this is to test tyres for Pirelli.

In order to meet this requirement, all teams shall ensure that any changes made to a car at these times are exclusively related to the tyre tests set out in the run plan provided by Pirelli.

An FIA observer will be appointed to ensure the regulations are being followed.

FIA

[gotosy]

FIA reinforces F1 safety

FIA reinforces F1 safety after pit lane incident at German Grand Prix

TUE 09.07.13

Following a pit lane incident at last weekend’s German Grand Prix, the FIA has decided to take steps to increase F1 safety and is to institute an immediate ban on anyone other than event marshals and team personnel being present in pit lane during races and grand prix qualifying sessions. Access for approved media will be confined to the pit wall.

Last weekend’s incident at the Nürburgring occurred when, following a pit stop, a wheel became detached from the Red Bull Racing car of Mark Webber as he made his way towards the pit lane exit. The loose wheel struck a television cameraman who was hospitalised as a result. He is expected to make a full recovery.

In order to reduce the risk of similar accidents in the future, the FIA, on the initiative of its President, Jean Todt, will be seeking to make changes to the Formula One Sporting Regulations. In order to effect this, the FIA today informed teams that the approval of the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) will immediately be sought for two changes to the Sporting Regulations. Both of these changes have already been approved for 2014. However, for safety reasons, the WMSC will be asked to approve their immediate implementation. The changes are:

1) Article 23.11*, which will now require all team personnel working on a car during a pit stop to wear head protection.

2) Article 30.12**, which will provide for a reduction of the pit lane speed limit during races from 100km/h to 80km/h (with the exception of Melbourne, Monaco and Singapore, where due to track configuration the limit remains at 60km/h).

Finally, in relation to the incident at the German Grand Prix, the FIA is expecting a written report from Red Bull Racing tomorrow. This will also be shared with the other teams in order to help improve pit lane safety.

* 23.11 Team personnel are only allowed in the pit lane immediately before they are required to work on a car and must withdraw as soon as the work is complete. All team personnel carrying out any work on a car during a race pit stop must be wearing head protection.

** 30.12 A speed limit of 80km/h will be imposed in the pit lane during the whole Event. However, this limit may be amended by the stewards following a recommendation from the FIA F1 safety delegate. Any team whose driver exceeds the limit during any practice session will be fined €100 for each km/h above the limit, up to a maximum of €1000. However, in accordance with Article 18.1 the stewards may inflict an additional penalty if they suspect a driver was speeding in order to gain any sort of advantage. During the race the stewards may impose either of the penalties under Article 16.3a) or on any driver who exceeds the limit.

FIA

[gotosy]

The Formula 1 champion Sebastian Vettel has waived, for once, on a motorized vehicle for a race. In Hohe Ward Park on the edge of the Ruhr area he dashed for a soapbox race down the hill - disguised as "Super Seb". Following the model of the computer game character "Super Mario" Vettel was wearing a blue dungarees and a red shirt. Only on Marios mustache renounced the racer: he just did not stick

http://www.n24.de/n24/Nachrichten/Sport/formel-1/d/3186602/vettel-mutiert-zu--super-seb-.html

[gotosy]

Sauber announce Russian partnership

(Reuters) – Financially struggling Sauber announced a partnership with three Russian entities on Monday that will lead to teenage Russian driver Sergey Sirotkin joining the Formula One team next season.

Sauber said in a statement that it was linking up with the Investment Cooperation International Fund, the State Fund of Development of the North-West Russian federation and the National Institute of Aviation Technologies.

“The partnership includes further activities for the promotion of the inaugural Formula One Grand Prix in Sochi in 2014 and attracting the talented young Russian generation towards motorsport,” it added.

“In particular, a development programme will be set up for the Russian driver Sergey Sirotkin to prepare him as a racing driver for the team in 2014.

“This extensive co-operation will showcase Russian innovation at the pinnacle of motorsport. At the same time, the Sauber F1 Team will have a solid foundation to increase its competitiveness on a long-term basis,” it added.

The 17-year-old Sirotkin is currently competing in the Formula Renault 3.5 series.

Sauber’s current race drivers are experienced German Nico Hulkenberg, who is expected to move on, and Mexican Esteban Gutierrez.

The Swiss-based team have been seeking a new partner to get them out of a financial hole, with founder Peter Sauber recognising delays in paying some suppliers.

“The situation is serious. It is one of the most difficult situations since I’ve been in motorsport,” he told Blick newspaper at the weekend.

Sauber said details of the cooperation would be communicated at a later stage.

http://www.euronews.com/sport/2028808-sauber-will-be-in-f1-for-many-years-says-owner/

[Bezzi]

The 2013 version of the F1 official game will bring classic tracks, drivers and cars of the 80s and 90s. Can't wait for the release.

[gotosy]

Marussia to use Ferrari engines in 2014

(Reuters) - Marussia have agreed a long-term technical partnership with Ferrari to use their engines and full powertrain from 2014, the Anglo-Russian Formula One team said on Tuesday.

The move had been widely expected, with Marussia's existing supplier Cosworth set to leave the sport and the team appointing Frenchman Jules Bianchi - a Ferrari reserve - to their race line-up at the start of this year.

Marussia said in a statement that the deal provided further confirmation of the team's commitment to Formula One and "determination to maintain our progression towards our long-term ambitions".

The British-based team operate with the smallest budget in the sport and have yet to score a point since their debut in 2010 as Virgin Racing.

However, they are currently ahead of Malaysian-owned rivals Caterham after nine races.

The Formula One regulations are changing significantly next year with a new turbo-charged 1.6 litre V6 engine and energy recovery systems being introduced to replace the current 2.4 litre V8.

Mercedes and Renault are expected to power four teams each with Ferrari, the most successful and oldest team in the championship, supplying the remaining three.

"We look forward to working with Scuderia Ferrari during this exciting new era of Formula One competition," said Marussia chief executive Andy Webb.

Reuters

[gotosy]

Formula 1 drivers sure of Pirelli safety after testing new tyres

Formula 1 drivers are convinced that tyre safety worries are now a thing of the past thanks to the changes Pirelli has made.

An all-new tyre - featuring the 2012 construction with the '13 compounds - has been evaluated without problems at this week's young driver test at Silverstone.

The fact that there have been no issues, at the same venue where there were four high-speed blow-outs in the British Grand Prix, has left drivers much happier about the situation.

Felipe Massa, one of the men who hit trouble at the Silverstone race last month, is now confident that Pirelli's delamination issues are no more.

"For construction and safety it is better – and nothing has happened here," said the Ferrari driver.

"There were no blow-outs or punctures like we saw in this race. That is the most important thing."

Pastor Maldonado, who tested at Silverstone on Thursday, said that drivers would be happy using the new tyres for the high-speed demands of Spa and Monza after the summer break.

"I think we need to go all together and believe in Pirelli now," explained the Williams drivers.

"They had the solve the problem; they knew where the problem was and here we haven't had anything."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/108865

[gotosy]

Red Bull strikes deal for Austrian GP to return to F1 calendar in 2014

Red Bull has revealed it has struck a deal for the Austrian Grand Prix to return to the Formula 1 calendar next season.

The Austrian energy drinks company, which owns Formula 1's World Champion team, announced via a statement in its homeland that F1 would return to the Red Bull Ring - the new name for the A1 Ring - for the first time since 2003.

"Dietrich Mateschitz and Bernie Ecclestone have reached an agreement to the effect that Formula One will return to Styria next year," the statement read.

The statement added that the revised race had been penciled in for 6 July 2014, which is the same weekend the German GP was held this season and raises all sorts of questions in regards to the composition of next year's schedule.

With new races in New Jersey and Russia already scheduled to make their debuts on the calendar next season - although uncertainty remains over the former in particular - the apparent addition of Austria, pending official ratification by the FIA, makes it uncertain how long next season will stretch to given there are already 19 events on the 2013 calendar.

Bernie Ecclestone had suggested in the past that he thought 20-race seasons were a sensible limit for the sport - a mark that was first reached last year - but as things stand the 2014 calendar is poised to go beyond that number unless existing events are dropped or the proposed additions don't all make the cut.

Austria was a consistent feature on the F1 calendar in the 1970s and 1980s at the famous Osterreichring but after the original circuit held its last grand prix in 1987, it wasn't until a decade later that the country returned to the sport at the new-look A1 Ring.

The Spielberg circuit staged seven races thereafter before falling off the calendar again from 2004 for financial reasons but has since been bought and rebranded by Red Bull, who completed redevelopment work on the venue and have held other racing categories there including DTM and World Series by Renault.

Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz had attempted to bring F1 back to Austria this season following the postponement of New Jersey but Ecclestone ultimately opted to keep the calendar at 19 events.

http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12433/8836942/red-bull-strikes-deal-for-austrian-gp-to-return-to-f1-calendar-in-2014

[gotosy]

Inaugural Russian GP set for October 2014

MOSCOW: The inaugural Russian Formula One Grand Prix in Sochi, the venue for next year's Winter Olympics, is expected to be staged on October 19, 2014, organisers announced on Wednesday.

Oleg Zabara, deputy chief of the Russian GP's organising committee, told reporters: "I'm happy to announce that the international Formula One promoter has set a preliminary date for the Russian Grand Prix on its calendar of season 2014.

"There are 450 days remaining before the first official Friday practice of the Formula One stage in Sochi's Olympic Park."

He added: "The construction works at the circuit are nearing completion and preparations for the first Russian Grand Prix are currently in full swing.

"We are looking forward to attracting more Russian and foreign tourists into the region by extending the holiday season in southern Russia.

"I am sure that Sochi will become an up to date and comfortable home for motorsport in Russia with its own inimitable style for all of the Formula One fans."

The new Russian leg of the F1 calendar received backing last Sunday from Jenson Button.

The McLaren driver, appearing at a Moscow City race day, said: "As a driver I'm really excited and looking forward to race at the new Grand Prix and in a new country as well.

"It's great for the fans to hear, to smell and to feel the F1 cars' speed."

AFP

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/racing/top-stories/Inaugural-Russian-GP-set-for-October-2014/articleshow/21311525.cms

[gotosy]

Formula 1 teams face 10-place grid drop for dangerous pit stops

Formula 1 teams will be given a 10-place grid penalty if they send their car out of the pits with a loose wheel.

The new rule comes after an incident at the German Grand Prix where a cameraman was injured.

It will be applied during all practice sessions, qualifying and the race.

The teams have been told by race director Charlie Whiting that stewards are most likely to impose that penalty if the car which is released is in a dangerous condition.

If such an incident happens in practice or qualifying, the grid penalty will be applied at that race. If it occurs during a race, the penalty will be applied at the following race.

...

BBC

[gotosy]

Hamilton takes pole on hungarian gp

[Rob2012]

GO LEWIS!!

Merc will go backwards in the heat as usual though. Silverstone was his best chance of a win this year, but Pirelli ruined that one for him. still, three poles in a row for the first time in his career is impressive. Hungagoring has been RBR's favourite track for a few years now so thought nobody would touch Vettel. Suspect he'll run away with the race tomorrow though.

[gotosy]

The Hungarian GP Qualifying

1. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1m19.388s
2. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m19.426s +0.038s
3. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1m19.595s +0.207s
4. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m19.720s +0.332s
5. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m19.791s +0.403s
6. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 1m19.851s +0.463s
7. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m19.929s +0.541s
8. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m20.641s +1.253s
9. Sergio Perez McLaren-Mercedes 1m22.398s +3.010s
10. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault no time set

11. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m20.569s +0.791s
12. Nico Hulkenberg Sauber-Ferrari 1m20.580s +0.802s
13. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m20.777s +0.999s
14. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m21.029s +1.251s
15. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1m21.133s +1.355s
16. Valtteri Bottas Williams-Renault 1m21.219s +1.441s

17. Esteban Gutierrez Sauber-Ferrari 1m21.724s +1.374s
18. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m22.043s +1.693s
19. Charles Pic Caterham-Renault 1m23.007s +2.657s
20. Giedo van der Garde Caterham-Renault 1m23.333s +2.983s
21. Jules Bianchi Marussia-Cosworth 1m23.787s +3.437s
22. Max Chilton Marussia-Cosworth 1m23.997s +3.647s