F1 2013

[gotosy]

2014 Formula 1 schedule finalised without Korea, New Jersey, Mexico

Formula 1's definitive calendar for the 2014 season has been confirmed by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

As expected, Korea, Mexico and the planned Grand Prix of America in New Jersey have dropped off the 22-race provisional calendar published by the FIA in September.

It is understood that financial problems have led to Korea losing its slot after four years on the schedule, while there are still hopes Mexico can return to F1 for the first time since 1992 in 2015.

The future of the New Jersey race is uncertain as this is now the second time the race has been removed from the calendar having dropped out of the 2013 season.

This means that the 2014 season will be held over 19 races, with several changes made to the running order late in the season because of the loss of races.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, originally scheduled for October 26, has been moved to the end of the season and will now be held on November 23.

This has allowed the United States GP at Austin to move forward a week to November 2, while Brazil, which was originally the season finale, is moved forward from the date now occupied by Abu Dhabi to November 9.

2014 CALENDAR

March 16      AustraliaMarch 30      MalaysiaApril 6       BahrainApril 20      ChinaMay 11        SpainMay 25        MonacoJune 8        CanadaJune 22       AustriaJuly 6        Great BritainJuly 20       Germany (Hockenheim)July 27       HungaryAugust 24     BelgiumSeptember 7   ItalySeptember 21  SingaporeOctober 5     JapanOctober 12    RussiaNovember 2    USANovember 9    BrazilNovember 23   Abu Dhabi

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111726

[breathesgelatin]

Selfishly, I'm glad New Jersey's race doesn't seem to be materializing. I like Austin having the honor of the USGP all to itself

[gotosy]

Jean Todt Re-Elected as FIA President

Jean Todt unanimously won a second term as president of motorsports governing body FIA on Friday, running unopposed.

The Frenchman's main rival, David Ward of Britain, pulled out of the race last month because of a lack of backing.

Todt detailed the platform for his second mandate in a brochure entitled "The Road Forward." It emphasized the creation of a Motor Sport Development Fund, the growth of motorsports at the grassroots level, and reducing carbon emissions at particular racing events.

His campaign has been boosted by the completion in September of a new Concorde Agreement, which sets the framework upon which Formula One teams participate in the championships and share in its commercial success from 2013-20.

Ward challenged Todt in front of FIA's ethics committee in September, claiming the Frenchman collected letters of support before the election process started, but his complaint was thrown out.

Four years ago, Todt beat Finnish candidate Ari Vatanen 135-49 to succeed Max Mosley, who stepped down after 16 years in charge.

Todt is a former Ferrari principal who revived the fortunes of the flagging Italian team. Under his guidance, Ferrari won six straight constructors' championships from 1999-2004.

AP

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/jean-todt-elected-fia-president-21121013

[gotosy]

Formula 1 season finale to be worth double points from 2014

Formula 1 will award double points for its final round from the 2014 season in an effort to keep championship battles open longer.

The move was agreed by the F1 Strategy Group and the Formula One Commission at a meeting in Paris on Monday.

It will automatically become part of the regulations as the FIA World Motor Sport Council agreed last week to give the Strategy Group and Commission a mandate to agree rule changes on this occasion.

An FIA statement said that the change had been agreed "in order to maximise focus on the championship until the end of the campaign".

It applies to both the drivers' and constructors' championships, and means that the winner of the final grand prix next year will get 50 points, with 36 for second place and so on through the top 10.

Had that system been in place in recent years, it would have changed the outcome of both the 2012 and '08 title fights.

Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton won those crowns respectively by claiming sufficient minor points to stay ahead of rivals Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa.

But under the new system, Alonso's second place at Interlagos last year would have given him enough points to leapfrog Vettel, while Massa's 2008 Brazilian GP victory would have denied Hamilton the championship on that occasion.

Autosport

[Rob2012]

Bloody stupid idea, completely unsporting.

:angry:

Sorry, I don't know what else to add other than angry emoticons. Who the hell came up with this and did they even think to ask anyone about it because I've just been on the autosport forums and NOBODY thinks this is anything other than stupid?!

If the title winner in 2014 is different from who it should be because of this, I think I'll give up on the sport.

[gotosy]

FIA Press release

Formula One Regulation Changes

FIA Formula One World Championship

Mon 09.12.13

Paris – 9 December 2013

Following a meeting of the F1 Strategy Group and the Formula One Commission in Paris today, the following items have been unanimously approved:

• Cost cap

The principle of a global cost cap has been adopted. The limit will be applied from January 2015.

A working group will be established within the coming days comprising the FIA, representatives of the Commercial Rights Holder and Team representatives.

The objective of the working group will be to have regulations approved by the end of June 2014.

• Pirelli Tyre test – Bahrain, 17-19 December, 2013

The F1 Commission agreed to a change to the 2013 Sporting Regulations, on safety grounds, allowing the Formula One tyre supplier to carry out a three-day test in Bahrain from 17-19 December, 2013. All Formula One teams have been invited to take part in the test and six have accepted: Red Bull Racing, Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, Force India and Toro Rosso.

• Driver numbers

Drivers will be asked to choose their race number, between 2 and 99, for the duration of their career in the FIA Formula One World Championship. Number 1 will be reserved for the current World Champion, should he choose to use it.

If more than one driver choses the same number, priority will be given to the driver who finished highest in the previous year’s championship.

• New penalties

The principle of a five-second penalty for minor infringements was agreed. In what form such a penalty will be applied will be discussed with Formula One’s teams in order that a new regulation be introduced for 2014 season.

• Points for the last race

Double drivers’ and constructors’ points will be awarded at the final race of the Formula One season in order to maximise focus on the Championship until the end of the campaign.

These changes are immediately applicable, given the mandate assigned to the FIA President at the last World Motor Sport Council meeting, held on 4 December in Paris.

FIA

[Faster]

Bloody stupid idea, completely unsporting.

:angry:

Sorry, I don't know what else to add other than angry emoticons. Who the hell came up with this and did they even think to ask anyone about it because I've just been on the autosport forums and NOBODY thinks this is anything other than stupid?!

If the title winner in 2014 is different from who it should be because of this, I think I'll give up on the sport.

I think if the season was divided between say a 16 race season and a 4 race finally, it would make sense. Have 16 races, top 10-12 drivers race in final 4 races but again two problems. The calendar always changes and a 12 car race would probably be nothing more than a procession.

[Bezzi]

What's special about the last race for double points? It will be twice the length? I think it would be very unfair for a driver who is leading the championship on merit and in this race in particular have some problem with the car. I agree with Rob, I don't like this change.

[Rob2012]

I think it would be very unfair for a driver who is leading the championship on merit and in this race in particular have some problem with the car.

Exactly!

[Rob2012]

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel describes plans to award double points at the final race of the 2014 Formula One season as "absurd".

Red Bull driver Vettel, who won the 2013 title with four races of the season left, also claims "drivers, fans and experts are horrified" at the proposal.

"This is absurd and punishes those who have worked hard for a whole season," the 26-year-old is quoted as saying by German newspaper Bild. "I value the old traditions in Formula One and do not understand this new rule."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/25313702

[Bezzi]

New regulations

[gotosy]

^

Formula 1 driver licence points penalty system gets 2014 go ahead

The planned Formula 1 Superlicence penalty points system, which could lead to drivers getting bans, has been incorporated into the sporting regulations for the 2014 season.

Article 4.2 of the newly-released sporting regulations confirms that any driver who earns 12 penalty points during a 12-month period will be given a one race ban.

This plan was ratified at June's meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council and for the first time creates a rigid system to allow the banning of drivers.

AUTOSPORT understands that a driver would have to commit multiple infringements to build up 12 points, meaning that only regular repeat offenders would be banned.

"In accordance with Article 16.3 [which covers driving standards], the stewards may impose penalty points on a driver's Superlicence," states Article 4.2 of the sporting regulations.

"If a driver accrues 12 penalty points his licence will be suspended for the following event, following which 12 points will be removed from the licence.

"Penalty points will remain on a driver's Superlicence for a period of 12 months after which they will be respectively removed on the 12-month anniversary of their imposition."

The sanctions on unsafe releases from pitstops have also been toughened up.

Drivers will incur grid or time penalties if their car is released from the garage or a pitstop in a manner deemed unsafe by the stewards.

If a car is deemed to have been released in an unsafe manner during practice sessions, the stewards may impose a grid penalty for that race if they find it necessary.

If the incident occurs during the race, the driver will get a 10-place grid penalty for the next event, but can also be penalised during the current event if he can continue racing after the incident.

Possible sanctions for that case are drive-throughs and 10-second penalties.

ENGINE PENALTIES CONFIRMED

The new sporting regulations also detail the way that grid penalties will be applied in 2014 for the new 1.6-litre V6 turbocharged engines.

In 2014, the 'power unit' is divided into six separate modules, with a maximum of five examples of each permitted to be used.

These elements are the internal combustion engine, the motor generator unit-kinetic, the motor generator unit-heat, the energy store, the turbocharger and the control electronics.

On the first occasion a sixth example of any of the six parts is used, it will trigger a 10-place penalty, although five-place penalties will be given for any subsequent use of a sixth element.

This pattern will continue for the seventh and any subsequent elements, with the first use earning a 10-place penalty and the subsequent ones five places.

If a complete power unit is replaced at any time, the driver must start the race from the pits.

The rules also confirm that should a driver be too far down the grid to serve a full penalty, the remaining grid slots will be carried forward into the next race.

In another tweak, gearboxes must now be used for six consecutive events.

Autosport

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111838

[gotosy]

Force India signs McLaren cast-out Perez in F1

MADRID (AP) — Formula One team Force India has signed Mexican driver Sergio Perez to replace Paul di Resta.

The 23-year-old Perez was released by McLaren after the first of a multi-year deal but quickly found a new seat with the Indian team.

Force India did not provide financial terms of the deal or the contract length, saying only Perez had signed for "2014 and beyond."

Perez will partner German driver Nico Hulkenberg after taking over Di Resta's spot on the grid. Hulkenberg had replaced Adrian Sutil.

Perez was 11th in the drivers' standings this year to finish one position behind Hulkenberg, who was driving for Sauber.

Force India started last season well with several top-five finishes before midseason tire revisions contributed to its drop-off to a final position of sixth in the team standings.

AP

http://racing.ap.org/article/force-india-signs-mclaren-cast-out-perez-f1

[gotosy]

Adrian Sutil signs up to Swiss team Sauber for 2014 Formula One season

Sauber have confirmed Adrian Sutil will drive for them in 2014 as the replacement for his German compatriot Nico Hülkenberg at the Swiss team.

Sutil lost his place with Force India as they decided to change both of their drivers from the 2013 season, with Paul di Resta also making way.

But, with Sergio Pérez and Hülkenberg named at Force India, Sutil has effectively swapped seats with the latter as he revealed he had been involved in prolonged talks to join Sauber.

"Although I have known for a while where I wanted to go, in the end the negotiations took a bit longer than planned," he said.

"However, now I will have all the more reason to celebrate during the Christmas season. I've been in contact with Monisha [Kaltenborn, team principal] for a while and she always gave me the feeling my qualities are valued.

"After six good years driving for Force India, with a lot of highlights, it's now time to embark on a new challenge. I am determined to do my part in order to have a successful future together with the Sauber F1 Team.

"The long and successful tradition in motorsport, combined with an impressive factory and one of the best wind tunnels in F1, have been fascinating me for a long time."

The Russian teenager Sergey Sirotkin has been earmarked as Sauber's other driver for next season, though there is a chance Esteban Gutiérrez could retain his race seat.

[gotosy]

Nico Rosberg suffers tyre failure in Bahrain Pirelli test

Nico Rosberg suffered a 200mph tyre failure on Thursday at a private Pirelli test in Bahrain.

The German's Mercedes outfit are among four teams helping F1 supplier Pirelli with development work in the Gulf state this week.

Rosberg tweeted: "Just spun at full speed 320km/h on Bahrain straight because my tyre blew up without warning."

The tweet was deleted within a few minutes of being posted.

A Pirelli statement said: "The tyre tests in Bahrain regarded a number of prototypes, which were completely innovative in terms of structure and compounds, with the aim of developing the most suitable solutions for the next season.

"This morning Nico Rosberg's Mercedes was fitted with one of these prototypes, a tyre which had only been tested in the laboratory and which will not be proposed again.

"Thus, the safety of the tyres which will be supplied for the next championship is not in question.

"The accident which happened to Rosberg's car is being investigated and the findings will be communicated to the FIA and the teams."

Damage to Rosberg's Mercedes caused by the spin and the tyre failure meant the team had to end its programme for the week.

Red Bull, Ferrari and Toro Rosso are also taking part in the test, which started on Tuesday and ends on Thursday.

...

BBC

[gotosy]

Formula 1 - Alonso requests 14 as car number

As part of a new regulations to be introduced next year, drivers will carry permanent numbers in F1.

Every driver has been asked to choose their race number, between #2 and #99, while #1 will be reserved for the world champion should he want it.

The FIA has requested all drivers to nominate their preferred number, along with a second and third choice, to be lodged before Christmas.

Alonso said on Friday he will choose #14.

"I will use 14," Alonso told reporters in Madrid. "It has been my lucky number since 1996, when, while I was 14, on July 14 and with kart number 14 I won the world championship.

"Since then I have always used 14. Hopefully it will be lucky next year."

Alonso's new team-mate Kimi Raikkonen has chosen #7, while his former team-mate Felipe Massa will use #19 at Williams. His team-mate Valtteri Bottas has chosen #77.

Other drivers who have revealed the numbers they want include Nico Rosberg (#6, #5 or #8), Sergio Perez (#11), Jean-Eric Vergne (#21, #25 or #27).

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/formula-1-alonso-requests-14-car-number-160631371--f1.html

[Rob2012]

Guess what....

[gotosy]

Hinwil, 21st December 2013 - The Sauber F1 Team is pleased to announce that Esteban Gutiérrez will stay on for the 2014 season, completing the driver line-up together with Adrian Sutil.

Sauber

[Rob2012]

What a weak looking line up that is. Force India looking much stronger than their midfield rivals.

[gotosy]

Schumacher injured in skiing accident in France

lots of conflicting and unconfirmed rumors about Schumacher in the net, hope he gets well

[gotosy]

F1 champion Michael Schumacher critical after ski fall

Michael Schumacher, seven-time Formula 1 world champion, is in a "critical condition" after a skiing accident, says the French hospital at which he is being treated.

The 44-year-old German "was suffering a serious brain trauma with coma on his arrival" the hospital in the south-east city of Grenoble said in a statement.

Schumacher's management confirmed his critical condition, reports said.

He was skiing off-piste with his son in the Alps when the accident occurred.

Schumacher was wearing a helmet when he fell and hit his head against a rock, Meribel resort director Christophe Gernignon-Lecomte said earlier.

Early reports had said his condition was not life-threatening.

Mr Gernignon-Lecomte said Schumacher was conscious when he was attended to by two ski patrollers who requested helicopter evacuation to the nearby valley town of Moutiers.

He was subsequently moved to the bigger facility at Grenoble. His wife Corinna and children are with him.

The German, who is due to turn 45 on 3 January, retired from F1 for a second time in 2012.

Professor Gerard Saillant, a close ally and friend of Schumacher, and his former Ferrari team boss Jean Todt are at the hospital.

Prof Saillant is an expert in brain and spine injury. He oversaw Schumacher's medical care when the German broke his leg in the 1999 British GP.

The hospital statement was signed by the facility's neurosurgeon, the professor in charge of its anaesthesia/revival unit, and the hospital's deputy director, said AFP news agency.

...

BBC

[Rob2012]

Horrible news.

[gotosy]

McLaren is to unveil its 2014 Formula 1 car with an online launch on January 24, four days before the first test begins at Jerez

[gotosy]

Mercedes has confirmed that their new W05 chassis will be unveiled for the first time during the opening day of Formula One pre-season testing, Jan. 28, at Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.

http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/mercedes-to-unveil-new-w05-at-jerez-test/

[Rob2012]

New thread needed.....will start it