New Single Seater Commission President, Stefano Domenicali, has reaffirmed the FIA’s position that Formula 2 should be the next logical step between Formula 3 and Formula 1.
Domenicali took over the position from Gerhard Berger at the end of last year and had made initial moves to the reformation of the F2 category when the new Superlicence points table was unveiled in January.
The controversial table placed the “Future F2” category above the existing stepping-stones, Formula Renault 3.5 and the GP2 Series. Formula 2 previously ran from 2009-2012 and was promoted by Jonathan Palmer’s Motorsport Vision company.
Although mentioned in passing during Berger’s tenure as the Commission President, there was little push to address the gap between F3 and F1, until after the structure around entry-level classes had been addressed.
With the European F3 Championship progressing strongly and Formula 4 emerging in numerous markets, the 49-year-old Domenicali now feels the time is right to begin pursuing the Formula 2 concept. “I am enthusiastic about the task and also about the people working with me in the commission,” he says, adding, “They are very passionate guys, young professionals with a lot of motivation.”
The creation – or recreation – of the F2 category could prove to be a more difficult task for Domenicali the reinvigoration of F3. It is a level of motorsport steeped in politics and big money, whether it GP2’s direct involvement with Formula One Management or FR3.5’s position in the World Series by Renault package.
On the surface, however, there appears to be little desire to press against existing championships – for now at least – but Domenicali is keen continue the restructuring of the ladder to F1. “There is no agenda for us beyond building what we believe to be the best, most competitive, affordable series possible to allow drivers to make the final step and to create a clearly understandable path.”
Yet with a reasonably lengthy stint in one of Formula One’s harshest environments behind him, the Italian will be well used to the fraught adventures that lie ahead, but for now, his goals are assured and simple. “My job is to make sure that my experience and vision of motor sport can influence the work of the commission in order to present to the World Motor Sport Council – and to the world of motor sport – ideas to make sure single-seater racing has a well-structured platform that can enable not only drivers but also young engineers and teams to develop a career and their business.”
The creation of the European F3 Championship and Formula 4 ruffled numerous feathers and brought the doors down on several categories and with GP2 and FR3.5 potentially standing in the way of F2; one can imagine more further positioning and politicking lies ahead.
Domenicali continues, “I believe that from a federation point of view what we want to do is make sure we create the right steps so that from an experience point of view, drivers arrive in F1 well prepared.”
“We know that the context is not easy but this is what we stand for,” says Domenicali, before closing with, “When Jean Todt asked me I said ‘OK, thank you very much, let’s go.’ Now I’m starting to work towards presenting something that can be good for the benefit of motor sport.”
It is a keen time to be a spy on the junior motorsport scene and one can only imagine that fireworks are soon to be at the ready.
“Button got to race end in Melbourne.” © McLaren-Honda Formula 1 Team.
Fans who were so eagerly anticipating the renewed McLaren/Honda love affair should have been aware as to how tricky things might be at the start, but few in their wildest nightmares would have predicted yesterday’s horror show.
The veteran Jenson Button ended the day 11th and last and two laps adrift of the victorious Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), while substitute teammate Kevin Magnussen never even made the start.
In dreams, it was never supposed to be like this.
Magnussen’s premature end was signalled by a smouldering rear on the dummy run to the grid. With Fernando Alonso returning to that seat for the next race in Malaysia, the Dane’s opportunity to impress came to naught.
Qualifying exposed the shocking lack of pace in the new Honda power unit and MP4-30 chassis, as the silver machines were well over three seconds off the paced in Q1 – and that was before Mercedes really turned up the pace.
Yet despite all the negatives – and there are plenty – the Woking-based team are trying to at least focus on the positives. For a start, Button actually finished! Testing had been such torrid time for the McLaren-Honda combination, with the team only once breaking the century-lap marker over the course of a day, while many of their other attempts to pull consistent runs together were hampered by failures of some sort.
As the dejected Magnussen told the media post-race, “We can take positives from Jenson finishing the race, too – we came here to learn, and that’s what we did. Finishing is a small victory for the team – I don’t think we expected to be able to do that.” While the young Dane acknowledged that good result, it cannot be ignored that Honda needed to turn their engine down just to get this far.
Having reached the end, Button was a little more upbeat, as he found good markers. “Today […] really helps in terms of development: if we’d done three laps, we’d have learned nothing, so we’ve learned a massive amount by completing a race distance,” said the 2009 world champion.
The 34-year-old added, “It was also a good opportunity for me to get used to the car and to play around with it, making adjustments in the cockpit. There’s a lot of work still needed – on power, driveability, downforce and set-up – but we can make big strides. And, by improving one area, it tends to snowball; more and more areas start to improve, too.”
McLaren’s Racing Director, Eric Boullier agreed. “We’re pleased that Jenson’s car was able to finish the race. He drove extremely well, keeping Checo [Sergio Perez, Force India] behind him very adroitly for many laps, and garnering us a great deal of useful data in completing 56 laps.”
Boullier, however, was also keen to press home that much is still to be done on the performance side as well. “[Button] was lapped not once but twice by the race winner […] and we know we have a mountain to climb as far as performance is concerned. Nonetheless, our corner speeds were pretty decent, and there’s definitely untapped potential in MP4-30 that both Honda and ourselves can unlock.”
“The fact that Jenson was able to finish the race was a significant step forward for the whole team,” added Yasuhisa Arai – the senior managing director of Honda R&D – a man under no illusions of McLaren-Honda’s place in the pecking order. “[Yesterday’s] performance clearly displays the task that lies ahead of us to reach our objectives of achieving full competitiveness.”
Button’s battle with former teammate Perez provided some entertainment, with the Mexican attempting at one point to bash his rival out of the way at the 90º turn three early on, although it could be argued that Perez was not quite performing at his best. Despite this, Button continued, “We’re as quick as the Force India’s in the corners,” he said, before noting, “We look similar in speed through the corners to the Red Bull’s and Sauber’s, too.”
The heat of Melbourne has now been cast aside, but the next race in Sepang could prove even more difficult for what is already a difficult situation. Surmising, Button commented, “It’s been a tough winter – our longest run in testing was just 12 laps, so today’s 58-lap run was a good step forward – but we know we’ve got a lot of work to do. But, with all of today’s learning, there are many areas we can improve for the next race.”
It was a point driven home too by Arai. “We now turn our attention to Malaysia – racing in such a hot and humid environment will not be easy, and our main objectives will be to tackle heat-mapping and taking a step forward with a more competitive data setting.”
Even still, McLaren-Honda may be waiting a long time before they can catch the top half of the field, let alone challenge the front.
“…whereas Magnussen didn’t even start!” © McLaren-Honda Formula 1 Team.
“Boullier (left) knows a tough year is ahead.” © McLaren-Honda Formula 1 Team.
“Nasr headed Ricciardo and Raikkonen during the Australian Grand Prix.” © Sauber Motorsport AG
Yesterday was a positive day for Formula One rookies Felipe Nasr, Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen as the Sauber and Toro Rosso debutants made their presence felt in Melbourne.
Considering their respective weekend’s, it would be unfair to infer that one performed better than the other two.
Whether the uncertainty at Sauber as to who their drivers were to be this weekend; the technical and pitstop ailments that reduced Sainz’s rewards; or the show stopping mechanical failure that halted Verstappen’s run, it is easy to tip one’s hat to the youngsters.
Of the three rookies to actually take the start, Nasr was the least prolific and certainly had much to prove. Following a GP2 Series campaign during which he occasionally appeared lacklustre and distant, Nasr’s announcement with the Sauber squad delivered much money and a multitude of shrugged shoulders. Yet when one considers just how abysmal the Swiss team fared last year, bringing in a reasonably quick driver who perfectly fits a no-frills.
There’s no point denying how difficult the beginning of the weekend was for Sauber. With Giedo van der Garde’s legal team bringing a case against the Ferrari-powered squad, suddenly everything was on hold and it looked for a time that either one of Ericsson or Nasr would not be taking part.
The situation had (temporarily) sorted itself out come Friday afternoon/Saturday morning, leaving both Sauber drivers to catch up, but 11th place in qualifying and a top-five in the race allowed the Brazilian to step from the shadows. “It is such a big relief for the team and myself that we are able to score points, and I am very pleased about this achievement.”
As usual in Australia, some first corner wheel-banging played a part, with Nasr getting hit on the left-rear by Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, which then forced the Sauber into the rear of Pastor Maldonado’s Lotus. “Right after the start it was quite messy in Turn 1, as another driver hit my wheel. I thought the car was damaged a bit, but after a few laps I noticed everything was fine.”
Thereafter, Nasr held his cool and spent much of the event keeping the likes Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) and Raikkonen behind, to eventually take the flag as the last man on the lead lap. “There was pressure from behind during the whole race, which was not easy. That was an emotional race for me and everyone in the team.”
Sauber’s Head of Track Engineering, Giampaolo Dall’Ara added: “With Felipe we stuck to the original strategy we had planned for him. I have to say that he did an excellent job making up places and keeping Daniel Ricciardo behind him. He drove a fantastic race all the way. Reaching P5 in his first Formula One race was an outstanding achievement.”
Over at Toro Rosso, Sainz came into the race with little fanfare – and it was probably for the best. With cameras swirling around the legal mess at Sauber and Sainz’s own youthful teammate Verstappen, the Spaniard was able to simply get on with the job and he did it excellent.
On paper, 9th place may not seem extraordinary; however technical issues during the race conspired against Sainz, depriving him of additional scores, as chief race engineer Phil Charles explains. “We know we could have done much better. What could have been quite a good day has been unfortunately let down by a few problems on the team side which have cost us quite dearly.”
It started to unravel after the restart following an early virtual safety car period, that dropped Sainz from 5th to 7th behind Nasr and Ricciardo. “With Carlos, a software setting issue after the safety car cost him two places,” noted Charles, but there were more ills to come. A stuck wheel during the pitstop cost Sainz approximately thirty seconds, while an additional software issue late on caused the 20-year-old to lose even more time.
“The slow pit-stop was a tough moment for the whole team, as we were in a very good position and lost quite a lot of time. From then onwards the race changed and it was just a matter of bringing it home without problems,” commented the reigning Formula Renault 3.5 champion.
Despite these issues, Sainz was satisfied with his efforts, but realises there is more to come. “I’m very pleased to have scored my first ever Formula One points in my debut race here in Melbourne! Obviously, we know there was much more potential than a P9 today but, all in all, if we take into account everything that happened, we need to stay positive, keep improving and believing in ourselves because we know we can do better.”
Alas the 17-year-old Verstappen – in the other Toro Rosso – did not make it to the chequered flag due to a power unit failure in his Renault-machine not long after the halfway mark. In light of a disappointing finish Verstappen was rather circumspect. “A disappointing way to end my first ever Formula 1 race, but there have also been many positives along the way this weekend.”
Until that point, the Dutch teenager had impressed. Beginning on medium tyres, Verstappen settled on a pace in the early-1’35s, which dropped to the mid-1’34s as tyre wear and lessening fuel became factors. “I had a good first run on the mediums; a lot of people around me were on softs and I was still able to stay quite close to them.” While those who started on softs wore through the Pirelli’s sooner and (mostly) pitted between laps 21-26, Verstappen maintained an impressive consistency and rose as high as 6th before stopped for is own set of softs on lap 32.
Unfortunately within a tour the power unit had breathed its last and Verstappen’s day was done. “As soon as I re-joined the race after my pit-stop I saw smoke, so I reported that to the pit-wall and they asked me to stop the car. It’s a real shame, because I was feeling good, the car was working well and if I had been able to stay on track I think we would’ve finished in the points.”
If nothing else, this trio are on the road to proving their worth in the top level of the sport. They each have long roads ahead of them, but they have started very well indeed.
“Sainz made a confident, if understated start.” © Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool
“Verstappen impressed as the youngest debutante.” © Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool
Hamilton stretched his legs ahead of Rosberg. © MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS.
When a sponsor pays huge amounts for their name / logo / brand to appear on the side of a car, there usually some expectation – or at least hope – that it will appear repeatedly throughout broadcasts across the globe.
This is usually tougher for sponsors paired with teams at the back of the field, or even worse – the midfield, where even the latter cannot get exposure due to not being at front, but not getting lapped either.
Of course there is far more to sponsorship activation today than that, but it still plays a part in the process. So much of modern day sponsorship in international sport is about business-to-business dealings, as opposed to simply plotting images on a screen.
That would just be nonsense.
This morning, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg utterly dominated the Australian Grand Prix – the first Formula One race of the 2015 season – with the former taking the top spot and looking reasonably untroubled throughout.
It was a reminder that just because one is fastest during the Friday practice sessions, that is not necessarily going to translate where it really matters. It was also a reminder that domination at the front will lead to broadcast directors giving attention to other battles on track.
While Rosberg appeared to get close to the rear of the reigning champion from time-to-time, Hamilton rarely ever looked threatened. If anything, the double-world champion probably enjoyed one of the most understated victories of his career.
His praise post-race was, naturally, saved for the efforts of his team. “It’s quite unbelievable, really, what this team has done. It’s a great feeling to start off the season the way we finished the last and the car is just incredible.”
From the start, Hamilton was never troubled and held an easy lead into turn one, while Rosberg tentatively kept his works machine ahead of the squabbling pack – led by Felipe Massa’s Williams – upon corner entry. There was chaos behind as a Ferrari (Kimi Raikkonen) sideswiped another Ferrari (Sebastian Vettel) who touched a Sauber (Felipe Nasr) who clattered a Lotus (Pastor Maldonado) who was introduced to a wall (concrete). Virtual safety car.
Following the brief neutralisation, Hamilton again led away, although he was helped to build a sizeable gap into turn one by a sleepwalking Rosberg. The Briton pushed on and built a solid gap to Rosberg and was at one point over four seconds ahead of his German teammate / rival (delete where appropriate).
The victor tried to press home the win was not all easy. “It was still a tough race, though, as Nico was very quick throughout. It was about managing fuel and also the tyres – trying to see how long we could push them.”
That was all Hamilton had to do to a degree. By keeping some air between himself and Rosberg, Hamilton controlled the race, knowing too that there was little to push beyond the realms of necessity. Rosberg did close in at various times, but Hamilton merely turned up the wick – just enough – to solidify his position. He added, “Once I’d built a two second gap it was about maintaining it. But when Nico turned up the heat it was tough. He drove really well and it’s a great result for the team to start the season with a 1-2.”
Despite this, the Mercedes pair finished nearly half-a-minute ahead of the 3rd place Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari). Now that’s domination.
Hamilton was also happy to see Ferrari back on the pace and the 30-year-old acknowledges that a resurgence from the Scuderia could do much to add an extra dimension to the season. “It’s good to see Ferrari back up here on the podium. I think they have taken a big step, so I anticipate a good fight with them this year at some point and we can’t back off.”
Indeed Ferrari’s step up also was also noticed by Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff. “Ferrari have bounced back strongly, too, and it’s good to have them back in the game – they have everything they need and they will be coming closer.” Just as long as they do not get close enough…
During the race, Rosberg was informed to cool things down as he was using too much fuel, which added yet another nail to chances of victory in Melbourne. It was a feature commonly seen last witnessed and a deficiency that Rosberg has yet to eliminate.
Naturally there are those who will scream and shout about team orders – tin foil hats not only go cheap nowadays, they also come in different sizes – but the reality is probably closer to Rosberg’s general higher use of fuel compared to Hamilton.
However the German feels his race was lost not on Sunday, but during Saturday. “Yesterday after Qualifying I was already on the back foot and that’s difficult to change in a race against Lewis. I need to have a better Saturday, which I was able to do last year.”
In a way, it goes further than that. Hamilton’s advantage from the start and in the race gave him first say over pit strategy, with the Englishman taking new tyres on lap 25, shuffling Rosberg’s stop to one tour later. The season is still in its infancy and with nineteen Grand Prix still to run, Rosberg is already looking ahead. “It’s still a long season with lots of races to go. I want to strike back in Malaysia, so that’s the focus.”
And so, Mercedes traipsed almost unseen to an astonishing 1-2 finish; their 43rd victory in all championship competition if one allows the author to go back as far as July 1935 and Rudolf Caracciola’s win at Spa-Francorchamps in the W25B machine – that was a 1-2 finish as well.
The aforementioned sponsors and their associates who fret in marketing might just care about that statistic though, but television coverage? Maybe, just maybe the Mercedes were simply too quick for the cameras.
Rosberg (left) congratulates Hamilton. © MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS.
Toto Wolff was certainly pleased with the result. © MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS.
Photo: ‘Wittmann will be the defending DTM champion in 2015. © ITR / DTM Media Services.
The DTM this week announced further details as to the restructure of its race weekends for the coming season.
The German touring car series revealed recently that it was to switch to a two-race-per-weekend schedule, but could not confirm how the format would play out, until now.
From the knock-out qualifying of previous seasons, the series has taken the decision to place two 20-minute qualifying sessions per weekend, allowing both grids to form in a natural manner; however, both races are to follow a rather different path.
Saturday’s event will last 40 minutes plus one lap, but changing tyres will be optional. This was determined to open up potential strategy options, with those stretching tyre life placing themselves against those who opt for pitstops and the faster lap times that come with fresher tyres, although the strategic thinking will also need to weigh up time lost sitting in the pits.
Sunday’s race is to be a 60-minute plus one lap affair, with a tyre change mandatory for all runners through the duration.
ITR Chairman Hans Werner Aufrecht commented, “With two championship rounds per weekend we provide the spectators twice as much of the things that count: more door-to-door battles, more thrilling decisions, and more fascinating motor racing. And we are convinced that the differing race formats will make for entertaining and thrilling races.”
Both races are to be weighted with full championship points. The season begins at the Hockenheimring at the beginning of May and will once again be supported for the most part by the FIA European Formula 3 Championship.
Stanaway was quickest over the three days in Abu Dhabi. © GP2 Series Media Services
DAMS duo Pierre Gasly and Alex Lynn headed days one and two of the first GP2 Series pre-season test in Abu Dhabi, with Status GP’s Richie Stanaway quickest on day three.
Gasly took the top spot just prior to the chequered flag on day one at the Yas Marina circuit, following a brief toe-to-toe on the timesheets with Arthur Pic (Campos).
The Frenchman initially headed the scoreboard with a 1:49.089s not long after a brief red flag stoppage caused when Carlin’s Julian Leal stopped out on track; however an improvement from Pic encouraged the Red Bull junior to go quicker still, with Gasly settling on a 1:48.897s come the close of day.
Racing Engineering’s Alexander Rossi was fastest in the morning, albeit on what can best be described as a very green track and blustery conditions. Marlon Stöckinger (status GP) also caused a brief stoppage when he ground to a halt at turn five not long before lunch.
A fast time in the morning session was enough to keep Lynn ahead for the entirety of day two. The reigning GP3 Series champion – and Williams Formula One reserve – set his best on super-softs as the clocked ticked toward lunch. For the most part, it was day where the combatants completed longer runs and race stints; however that did not stop the occasionally qualifying run, as conditions reached the optimum at the height of the day. Gasly featured again, as the Frenchman made it a DAMS 1-2, courtesy of a low-fuel super-soft tyre run.
There were a couple of red flag periods during the day when Rio Haryanto (Campos) and Norman Nato (Arden) caused stoppages; however Nato recovered to top the afternoon session on super-softs.
Richie Stanaway turned the quickest time on the final day of testing with a 1:48.441s, as times returned to their day one marker. There was a ginger fight for the top spot on super-softs, with Evans, Raffaele Marciello (Trident) and Stoffel Vandoorne (ART GP) swapping quick times, only for the trio to be demoted by Stanaway and the persistent Gasly.
Sergey Sirotkin found some speed to head the slower afternoon session; however the series of red flags in the afternoon peppered the running with interruptions. RUSSIAN TIME duo Artem Markelov (twice) and Mitch Evans brought out brief red flags, as did Zoël Amberg (Venezuela GP Lazarus); however the biggest incident was courtesy of Rossi, who clattered the barrier lightly at turn eight.
The teams also used the time to test the championship’s new DRS, which is being introduced to the GP2 Series this year. The system will operate in the same way as in Formula One, with drivers behind obtaining an advantage at certain sectors of the track should they be within one second of the car ahead.
Last year’s winners of the Infiniti Performance Engineering Academy with Adrian Newey. © Infiniti EMEA
Following on from its successful inauguration last year, American motor brand Infiniti has launched the second edition of the Infiniti Performance Engineering Academy.
Open to university students across Europe, the academy purports to offer successful applicants an opportunity of a lifetime to work with championship winning Formula One team Red Bull Racing.
Having uncovered three successful candidates from last year’s opening programme, Infiniti have decided to expand the number of places on offer to five, according to Infiniti EMEA Vice President Francois Goupil de Bouille. “This year, we are taking it a step further by increasing the number of global places to five and guaranteeing at least one place goes to a student from Europe,” said de Bouille, adding “In an industry that is notoriously difficult to get into, this is an unprecedented chance for talented young engineers.”
After initial assessments, the top rated applicant from Europe will receive a twelve-month fully paid internship with Red Bull Racing and Infiniti’s European Technical Centre.
A similar prize for applicants from Saudi Arabia, Russia, China and the United States will also be awarded with an internship programme, bringing the victors into key road car projects, and with the race team in various areas of engineering.
Roles on offer include vehicle dynamics, design, aerodynamics and electronics, with a view to ensuring applicants become exposed to the technical crossover, especially with regards to hybrid technology.
Adrian Newey explained further. “We’re looking for engineers who are technically very strong, but they need to excel in other areas too. Whether you’re designing and building road cars, or working in Formula One, the ability to think laterally, creatively and operate seamlessly within a team are crucial. It will be tough and they will be expected to work, but the rewards are high.”
For more information, visit academy.infiniti.com
Merhi took 3 wins on his return to single-seaters. © Jean Michel Le Meur / DPPI / Renault Sport Media.
Former DTM racer Roberto Merhi has been announced as the second driver with the Manor Marussia F1 team today.
The Spaniard is set to contest at least the opening rounds of the season, making his Formula One debut at Melbourne this weekend, although it is unknown at this stage how many Grand Prix he will enter.
Merhi ran in three FP1 sessions with Caterham toward the end of last season, before the Leafield team collapsed.
He said, “I am incredibly excited to be making my Formula 1 debut with Manor Marussia F1 Team in Melbourne this weekend. It is a big responsibility but I feel ready to make this step in my career and to show that I can make an important contribution to developing a team.”
After finishing 3rd in the Formula Renault 3.5 series last season, the 23-year-old has also been signed by the Pons Racing team, as he looks to contest that series on a full-time basis. However it is understood that should a sponsor arrive to take Merhi beyond those first few races, he will push to remain in Formula One.
Merhi enjoyed several years in single-seaters prior to a two-year stint in DTM with Mercedes, and although he scored a Mercedes-powered championship victory in the Formula 3 Euro Series in 2011, his time in touring cars brought precious few rewards.
A move to FR3.5 in 2014 reinvigorated Merhi’s single-seater career, with the then Zeta Corse racer challenging eventual champion Carlos Sainz Jr for the title up until the final weekend.
Merhi will partner the already signed Will Stevens; another graduate from FR3.5’s 2014 campaign.
Alonso will not be racing in Australia. © McLaren-Honda F1 team / Sam Bloxham/LAT Photographic.
McLaren Honda racer Fernando Alonso has been withdrawn from the season opening Australian Grand Prix following his test crash in Barcelona nine days ago.
The Spaniard suffered a concussion amidst an off at the quick turn three at the Catalan circuit on February 22nd, quickly taking him out of the rest of pre-season testing.
An update released today by the McLaren team confirmed that while he has been cleared of all injuries, Alonso’s personal doctors have advised that he should “limit as far as is possible any environmental risk factors that could potentially result in his sustaining another concussion so soon after his previous one.”
As such, the 33-year-old has been withdrawn from the Australian Grand Prix and replaced by reserve driver Kevin Magnussen.
It is a sensible suggestion from Alonso’s medical team, who are keen to avoid the possibility of ‘second impact syndrome’, which in many circumstances can lead to either permanent brain damage or even death.
The subject of ‘second impact syndrome’ is one that is now being taken very seriously across the sporting land, whether it American Football, boxing, motorsport, football or any other professional activity.
The double-world champion has already begun physical training to facilitate his return and it is anticipated that Alonso will compete at the Malaysian Grand Prix at the end of this month.
For those with satellites attached to their heads, it appears there is still no conspiracy here.
Schumacher Jr will race in German F4 with van Amersfoort. © van Amersfoort Racing.
With the opening season of the German Formula 4 Championship approaching, van Amersfoort Racing have signed up Mick Schumacher.
The son of seven-time Formula One World Champion, Michael Schumacher, this will be Schumacher Jr’s first foray into car racing, after several years competing in karts.
Team owner Frits van Amersfoort commented, “We have seen his skills in testing and we are looking forward to a successful season.”
Van Amersfoort has garnered a reputation for discovering top young talent, having previously spotted and run Max Verstappen, Giedo van der Garde, Richie Stanaway and Tom Coronel.
Schumacher may be another in an ever growing line of stars. “In the last couple of years, it has become a tradition for us that we offer the runner-up from the German junior karting championship (DJKM) a test session in our simulator,” continued the experienced van Amersfoort.
“This [test] is handled by the DMSB (the German motorsport authority) and that is how we first got in touch with Mick Schumacher last autumn. He spent a full day in the simulator at our headquarters in The Netherlands. Then we witnessed him during a test session at Valencia and eventually, we reached an agreement to compete together in this year’s ADAC Formula 4 series.”
Other drivers that have featured for van Amersfoort include Jos Verstappen, Christijan Albers, Bas Leinders, Jeroen Bleekemolen, Marcel Albers, and Renger van der Zande.
The ADAC F4 Championship season begins next month Oschersleben and will also visit the Red Bull Ring, Spa-Francorchamps, Lausitzring, Nurburgring, Sachsenring and Hockenheim. The series goes to Oschersleben for another round in September in support of the DTM, while the rest of the category plays opener for the ADAC GT Masters.
Simona de Silvestro driving the Formula E car through the streets of Geneva. © Formula E Holdings.
With the 85th Geneva International Motor Show beginning this week, the powers that be at Formula E secured a nice slice of the headlines, as former IndyCar driver Simona de Silvestro took to the streets in the SRT_01E machine.
A former “affiliated driver” with the Sauber Formula One team, de Silvestro took the Michelin-shod Formula E car from TAG Heuer’s Geneva office, through the Quai-du-Général-Guisan and across the Pont du Mont Blanc Bridge, before drawing to a stop on the Quai du Mont-Blanc.
Along the way, de Silvestro discovered a waiting Nick Heidfeld outside the Julius Baer building in the Swiss city. All very nice, which featured numerous opportunities for photographs aplenty throughout the speedy trip.
However, the running of the Formula E machine was not strictly the most interesting point of the day, but rather the announcement that a new law that is to allow motor racing back on Swiss grounds – as long as it is restricted to electric vehicles only – is being considered once again following a motion by MP Fathi Derder.
For the likes of Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag, this marks an important step and opens an opportunity for the Spaniard to bank a race where all other categories have failed. “We would never have dreamed of getting an ePrix in Switzerland off the ground without TAG Heuer and Jean-Claude Biver’s continuing support,” said Agag in a statement released today.
There is little doubt that the presence of Swiss watch brand TAG Heuer – a founding partner of the Formula E Championship – have helped push the politics along. Agag added: “We are very proud to have TAG Heuer as a founding partner, and thankful that they are able to assist us in this exciting challenge. If the race takes place, TAG Heuer will definitely be our title sponsor. The ePrix will strengthen our close relationship with this country, which is the home market of our Global Partner Bank Julius Baer. They have been fully behind us since the very first race in Beijing.”
Motor racing has been absent from Swiss lands since 1954, with the axe brought down on the sport after the following year’s disaster during the 24 Hours of Le Mans, although hill climbs and rallying are permitted. Although there were a pair of Swiss Grand Prix in later years, these events took place at the Dijon circuit in eastern France, close to the Swiss border.
For de Silvestro, to have the opportunity to be the pilot who brought the face of motorsport back to her native Switzerland, it was an important opportunity. “It was a special moment for me to drive the Formula E car here in the streets of Geneva on the day which celebrates the return of motorsport in Switzerland.”
Citing her inexperience of the Formula E machine, de Silvestro added: “The first feeling I had is that there was no noise! For a driver every new challenge is a great experience and this was even more special; the acceleration of this car is really good and I had a lot of fun. I am sure that the American fans will love to see Formula E in Miami and Long Beach in the next weeks.”
Alonso may not run at the final pre-season F1 test. © McLaren-Honda F1 Team / Steven Tee / LAT Photographic
McLaren Formula One driver Fernando Alonso is on the road to a solid recovery in hospital following his test crash on Sunday.
According to a release by the Woking-based team, the 33-year-old Spaniard has been chatting to family, friends and staff at the hospital; however it is unknown at this stage whether he will participate in the final pre-season test which begins later this week.
Alonso crashed out in turn three prior to lunch on the final day at Circuit de Cataluña, just outside Barcelona and after some first aid at the scene was airlifted to hospital.
After a raft of precautionary scans, the double-World Champion is to stay in hospital for an extra night to allow him to recuperate from the incident and the lingering effects of the medication.
While McLaren admit that is still early in the process of investigating the cause of the incident, the team have been able to reveal that Alonso’s MP4-30 “ran wide at the entry to Turn Three – which is a fast uphill right-hander – allowing it to run onto the Astroturf that lines the outside of the track. A consequent loss of traction caused a degree of instability, spitting it back towards the inside of the circuit, where it regained traction and struck the wall side-on.”
In the release, the team suggest that the nature of the accident may have, quite unusually, been “caused by the unpredictably gusty winds at that part of the circuit at that time” – an issue also reported by Toro Rosso debutante Carlos Sainz.
The team also found no evidence to indicate a mechanical or aerodynamic failure, while also confirming that there were no electrical discharges from the car’s ERS unit. Alonso’s actions in the car – downshifting and applying the brake up until contact – also indicate that he was conscious during the “crash action.”
Following the initial contact, the car slid down the inside wall for fifteen seconds, rendering damage to front upright and axle. There was no damage sustained by the bodywork or crash structure between the front and rear wheels.
Alonso’s personal manager, Luis Garcia Abad, tweeted a picture of the McLaren giving the thumbs up from his hospital bed earlier this evening.
Alonso’s Barcelona test ended with a crash. © McLaren-Honda F1 team / Sam Bloxham/LAT Photographic.
Fernando Alonso’s crash on the final day of the second pre-season Formula One test at Barcelona did more than take him out of the rest of the running.
It gave a speedy rise to unfounded speculation and exaggeration. It also displayed how sensitive the sport still is to developing stories surrounding driver care.
Sometimes the most innocuous of incidents in motorsport can betray the most devastating of results.
Whether it be a seemingly everyday crash that killed Dale Earnhardt at Daytona in 2001, or Jules Bianchi’s off-camera accident at Suzuka last year, these incidents can result in a profound effect on sport – and the audience that views them.
As with all incidents like these, the development of rolling news and social media through the years has given rise not just to demand for instant gratification of information, but all to uneducated attempts at dissecting incidents followed by baseless comment and insinuation.
The biggest problem with all these conclusions is that they were based on nothing. Nothing at all.
But that is real life and it is not too different to The Grapevine, in which mere rumours passed amidst gossiping souls becomes solid gold “fact” further down the line of conversation.
Alonso’s test ending accident prior to lunch yesterday kicked The Grapevine into high gear as rumours, accusations and indictments of both the McLaren team and its reports on The Spaniard’s condition powered into overdrive.
The initial statement from the Woking team acknowledged “Fernando Alonso’s McLaren-Honda car left the track at Turn Three, causing the right-hand side of his car to strike the wall. Fernando was driven to the circuit’s Medical Centre where the circuit’s doctors gave him first aid. He was conscious and spoke with the doctors.”
The statement followed with “As per usual procedure in such circumstances, he was then airlifted to hospital where he is undergoing precautionary checks.”
It is important to understand that while McLaren followed sound procedures after the incident, they could do nothing to dispel the vacuum the came thereafter.
The car, which was to be driven by Jenson Button after lunch, did not return to track during the afternoon – a factor that added further fuel to the fire.
Still hungry for information – and pictorial “evidence” – self-proclaimed experts and commentators began to exaggerate Alonso’s medical condition based on the fact that he had been airlifted to hospital, while also conjuring up a juvenile case against the team, charging McLaren with all sorts of nonsense.
And all of it based on absolutely nothing.
In the end, it turned out that Alonso had suffered a concussion as a result of banging his head in the incident, requiring an overnight stay at the hospital. As noted by the team’s Racing Director Eric Boullier, “That’s normal practice after a concussion.” Aware of the white noise that had been building since the accident, the Frenchman added: “Inevitably, some media reports have sought to exaggerate the severity of the incident – it was just a normal testing accident.”
Boullier continued: “While the car wasn’t particularly badly damaged, it was enough of an impact to warrant quite a lengthy check of the gearbox and power unit systems. Given the time needed to carry out such an analysis, we decided to bring the curtain down on our test a few hours earlier than anticipated.”
Sometimes one must accept that these accidents happen, but the speculation that followed cast an poor eye over the manner in which news information is disseminated and used. Such a shame, the desire to be “first” and the ones that are “all updates, but with no updates” flew the flag on Sunday.
For now Alonso will be required to rest up and prepare, while the team will aim to understand why the car crashed and whether a mechanical issue or driver error forced the machine into the barrier.
Public spats are rarely pretty things. Occasionally they will generate headlines and stories, with commentary built on allegations, insinuations and open ended mud-slinging.
This evening delivered a rather special example of this when Caterham F1’s former technical director Mark Smith shot a rather public aside across the bows of the team’s departed owner Tony Fernandes.
During a series of tweets where Fernandes lauded the performance of his investments which are apparently worth “about one billion in cash” (no currency denoted), Smith – who was dropped by Caterham last May – responded with “How about paying the 3 years remaining on my contract then Tony? A small amount by comparison.”
In the grand scheme of things, it is not a significant story. Smith is one of many members of the Caterham team who are chasing allegedly unpaid wages, but he is one of the few who – quite suddenly – broke out publicly in this matter.
One cannot help but get the impression that Smith is a rather frustrated character in all of this, but irrespective, it is still probably not the most desirable or professional way to have gone about the subject in what is a very public arena.
Whether Fernandes responds…
© Twitter.com
Nasr enjoyed a good opening test. © Sauber F1 Team.
Formula One rookie Felipe Nasr emerged positive from his first test with Sauber, but urged caution as the second four-day stint approaches.
The Brazilian, a GP2 Series race winner last year, enjoyed two very productive days in Jerez last week, completing 197 laps during his stint.
While times are irrelevant, the experience offered the 22-year-old an opportunity to acclimatise to his new setting. “So far, so good,” he said. “It was a new environment for me, a new car, a new team, I’m working with new people, so it was just getting used to everything, getting used to new systems, procedures.”
On the surface, it appears the Swiss team may be about to take a significant step forward, following a dismal 2014 season, which saw them score no points for the first time in their history.
While Nasr did not run in the C33 machine – he was the reserve driver for Williams previously – he did still have encouraging words following the completion of running at Jerez, yet the former British F3 champion held back from making unwise declarations. “There is clearly a step forward from the chassis and the engine side, but it is only testing – it doesn’t mean anything to be leading the testing, as I do not know what the others are doing. So far, so positive and much better than I expected,” he said.
The man from Brasilia added, “I think that we could have done more [laps], but we had some small issues – nothing major. It was good to have a feel of the car with different levels of downforce and different set-ups in the car and also we were able to do some long runs in the end.”
For some, the inclement weather that plagued the mid-part of the test would have been something of an inconvenience for a number of players keen to get clean running; however the debutante was happy, at least, to garner some experience in changeable climate.
“We drove in all kind of conditions – dry and wet – so I could have a feel for that and also play a bit on the tyre side. For example, I had never drove on the soft tyres before, so it was the first time I did that,” he noted.
Although Nasr may appreciate the lessons learned in the damp, the low ambient and track temperature during the Jerez sessions was unrepresentative of what he will face this season. It mattered little in the end, for Nasr was keen just to get runs in, as he settles into his new title of ‘Formula One driver’.
“In general it was very positive.” It was in this very typical laconic manner that Nasr ended the week in the driest manner possible. For the rookie, this adventure is only hotting up.
Nasr has two Barcelona tests to go. © Sauber F1 Team.
Infiniti Red Bull Racing (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images).
Red Bull Racing’s Chief Technical Officer, Adrian Newey, believes Mercedes are once again leading the Formula One charge for the world championship this year.
Speaking in Jerez during the opening pre-season test last week, Newey claimed that the current engine dominated formula offers Mercedes a huge advantage, ahead of their Renault, Ferrari and Honda-powered competitors.
The Anglo-German squad easily swept the Constructors Championship last season and if their form in the first is anything to go by, Mercedes may prove extremely difficult to beat this year too. In what he describes as an “engine dominated formula”, Newey told Sky Sports F1 of the difficult challenge ahead. “I think Mercedes should win it frankly; they have a power advantage […] that puts them hugely ahead.”
However the former Williams and McLaren man was still keen to impress the importance of a competitive design. “The chassis is very important though – can we make enough of a difference on the chassis to mount a challenge? I think it will be extremely difficult, but we will obviously do our best.”
The 56-year-old has been critical of the chassis design regulations, which were introduced for the start of last season, citing that they have veered too far away from what Newey considers to be the optimum. “[The regulations have] gone the other way now, where the blend in my opinion should always be a combination of driver, chassis and engine and at the moment it is skewed very much toward the engine.”
As regulations governing where designers can go when drawing their new machines become increasingly neutered, Newey has not been shy to disguise his frustrations. “The chassis regulations have become over-restricted – the problem with that is the cars all look the same. It’s difficult to differentiate from my point of view as a designer; it’s difficult to find new avenues, so I do feel we have become over-restricted.”
Yet the man whose technical genius helped Red Bull to four Constructors Championship titles is also aware that loose a set of rules could also damage the spirit of competition. “It is a very difficult compromise, in terms of having relatively open regulations that can cause excessive spending if not carefully controlled – I don’t really buy that, as we have windtunnel and CFD restrictions – but also a fear that overly open regulations one team might get a big advantage over the others.”
Red Bull arrived at the circuit in the south of Spain utilising a camouflage livery and Newey was somewhat coy as to what significant details his RB11 machine may be hiding. “If we can help to disguise things a little bit and conceal some the shapes we have developed over the winter, then that prevents them getting as good a knowledge of our shape as they might do otherwise,” noted Newey.
When pressed upon whether there will be significant upgrades prior to the opening race in Melbourne, the designer was a touch more circumspect. “It will be the usual developments. I won’t say it will be a very different car; there will hopefully be some changes that we are working on, but the car we have here is the basic structure of we will have in Melbourne.”
Despite some underlying optimism, the opening test was not the easiest for Red Bull, whose drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat could only complete 122 laps over the course of the four-day session.
Throughout the test, Ricciardo suffered a battery problem on the opening day, followed by a power unit issue on day three. Kvyat’s running on day two was hampered when an error by the young Russian resulted in a broken front wing. With no spares on site, the team altered their programme, with Kvyat completing numerous installation laps and straight-line stints over the course of the day.
Infiniti Red Bull Racing (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images).
© Leigh O’Gorman.
Stoffel Vandoorne and Jolyon Palmer – two of the most impressive junior formulae talents of 2014. As a pairing, they took the top two spots in the GP2 Series last year, with Palmer emerging as clear victor.
Vandoorne secured 2nd ahead of Formula One bound Felipe Nasr at the final round in Abu Dhabi in November.
Yet as February turns and Formula One testing begins in earnest, both are, to a degree, on the outside looking in.
Admittely in the past, I have offered plenty of criticism in Palmer’s case, but one cannot underestimate the job he did last year – he was the deserved GP2 Series champion, but that has not necessarily been a passage to Formula One success in recent years. Just ask Giorgio Pantano, Davide Valsecchi or Fabio Leimer.
And so Palmer – recently announced as reserve driver with Lotus – has much to do in the coming year to make sure he does not slip through the cracks.
Yet whether he likes it or not, his fate may have spin on a money tuned spindle. One can only hope his future is not sold down the river by Lotus. That would be especially cruel at this stage, but they do have form.
Vandoorne, meanwhile, has been placed in a sort of no mans land. The Belgian was noticeably absent from the McLaren driver reveal in December and that is a worry indeed for Vandoorne is simply far too good to be sitting on the sidelines. Once both he and ART GP had found their feet, Vandoorne was impressive, displaying again the speed and talent that was clear in his FR3.5 days.
Vandoorne is still listed as a development driver at McLaren, but often that means different things to different teams. For some, it will mean the opportunity to test or do Friday FP1 sessions; for others it means just occasional simulator times, but when McLaren’s 3rd driver Kevin Magnussen has no chance of FP1 drives this year, then what hope for the guy further back in line?
Either way, the top two in GP2 from 2014 are not getting the airing they deserve this year. The FIA can come up with all the Superlicence points regulations they want, but it does not solve the issue of drivers getting shut out by commercial circumstances beyond their control.
McLaren MP4-30. © McLaren Honda Formula 1 team
After the brief winter break, Formula One teams began unveiling their 2015 machines last week.
However unlike last year, when a brand new set of technical regulations made sure attentions were focused with each new machine, this year’s cars – with their technical evolutions, as opposed to revolutions – have commanded fewer column inches or digital space.
When the talk is more of the car’s collective liveries than the technology that powers them, one can be assured that little has changed on the outer design point – that will be noticeable to the general public.
There is one exception, of course, and that is McLaren for when testing commences this weekend at Jerez, it marks the first time since the end of the 1992 season that Woking team will publicly run a Honda.
The Japanese firm’s alliance with McLaren certainly evokes memories of one of motorsport’s great partnerships. For five seasons from 1988, McLaren took secured three titles thanks to Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.
It was a stunning period for Formula One that saw it reach new heights of worldwide popularity and tension, as fans and commentators alike lined up to take sides, as the bitter feud spilled out beyond the boundaries of the track.
But that was then and this is now and McLaren are not the team of they were in the late 80s when Prost and Senna swept all away. The McLaren team of recent years has been prone to competitive struggles and internal wrangling that eventually saw Ron Dennis retake the top seat from Martin Whitmarsh at the beginning of last year.
Their last driver’s title came courtesy of Lewis Hamilton back in 2008, while their last Constructors’ title was as far back as 1998. The drought has been unforgiving.
With the rise of Red Bull and later Mercedes (née former champions Brawn), McLaren have tumbled down the order, spending too much time battling in the midfield with the likes of Force India. Their 2014 record does not bear the kind of results that might catch the eye of interested parties.
Two podiums (in the opening Grand Prix – one of which coming following a penalty for a rival) and a distant 5th in the Constructors’ Championship is hardly the form that will get large corporate bodies throwing their money at a team – especially in the current static economic climate.
Of course, this is hardly the first time that McLaren have experienced lingering difficulties. Following their split with Honda, the team went through several barren years with Ford and Peugeot power, before signing up with Mercedes in the mid-90s and even then, it was not until 1997 – after over four seasons without success – that they finally saw the top step of the podium again.
Yet times have changed significantly since the mid-90s. The cigarette money has long since disappeared (for all, except Ferrari) and sponsorship opportunities with alcohol brands are being tightened up.
From images released on Thursday, this new McLaren displays a significant amount of empty space on its livery. It is a touch worrisome that such a famous name are struggling to find a title sponsor, but attaching the failure to do so purely to results may also be a touch wide of the mark.
While claims that Formula One is a failing sport with toxic leadership that appear to specialise in creating publicity disasters rings partially true, McLaren must also shoulder the blame for offering a rate card that simply does not match what has been delivered of late.
Despite their proud stature, McLaren have not been a truly top team in quite some time – and that is something that is beginning to hurt on commercial side. The team have been in search of a title sponsor since Vodafone departed at the end of 2013 and of all the talk that the arrival of a big name was imminent, none have signed on the dotted line.
Instead, portions of last season saw the Woking team switch between their more prominent sponsors on a race-by-race basis, depending on territories, etc., but while that practice is common in American motorsport, it has not been a sight common amongst the top-end of the Formula One paddock in quite some time.
With the return of Fernando Alonso, to partner team veteran Jenson Button, McLaren certainly have the talent behind the wheel to get the job done, but they also must be prepared to accept that success may not come quickly with Honda.
Forget the exploratory post-season tests in a rejigged car that was originally designed to take the Mercedes unit – one would be foolish to judge future performance on the basis of such a Frankenstein machine. When the MP4-30 finally begins running regularly in testing, we may only then begin to glimpse where McLaren truly sit in the Formula One class.
But for those who are expecting an instant return to the days of Prost and Senna, prepare for disappointment. Such success rarely comes so quickly or easily – especially when your rivals have already enjoyed a year’s head start.
McLaren MP4-30. © McLaren-Honda Formula 1 team.
Stroll leads the way in New Zealand. © Bruce Jenkins
Toyota Racing Series (Rd 1 & 2)
Ferrari Driver Academy member Lance Stroll leads the Toyota Racing Series following the opening two rounds at Ruapuna Park and Teretonga.
The Canadian teenager collected another win at Teretonga at the weekend, having previously claimed two victories in Ruapuna. Stroll’s Race One success came at the expense of original victor Arjun Maini, who received a 10s post-race penalty, dropping the Indian to 9th, promoting Stroll.
Whereas Stroll secured two further podiums, Maini could only manage a 7th and 4th, while Brendon Leitch and Jamie Conroy took a win each, ensuring Stroll emerged with an 88-point lead.
Leitch’s win in the final race of the Teretonga for Victory Motor Racing round broke a run of victories for M2 Competition, who had claimed the opening five races at the hands of Stroll, Conroy and Brandon Maïsano.
MRF Challenge (Rd 3, Chennai, India)
Toby Sowery claimed the MRF Challenge F2000 Championship in some style this weekend, by taking two wins and a podium to finish well ahead of series runner-up Ryan Cullen.
The 2014 MSV F3 Cup champion claimed four wins over the three-round series and only finished off of the podium three times in the twelve-race season.
Although reasonably close to Sowery before the start of the weekend, Cullen fell behind following a late, late retirement in Race One and then only finishing 5th in Race Two. Cullen did win Race Three, but Sowery came home 2nd – enough to secure the title.
Raj Bharath endured a rather anonymous weekend, but with South Africa’s Kyle Mitchell absent, Bharath sailed to 3rd in the points – the highest finish for an Indian driver in the championship’s brief history. Guest driver Oscar King won the season finale after taking two other podiums, allowing the Briton to finish 7th in points overall.
Admittedly the field size and quality of the MRF Challenge was hardly the most startling, but the series was still able to claim at least fifteen runners for its final weekend.
Yet with the opening pair of weekend’s taking place in Qatar and Bahrain, one wonders if more could be done – cost and logistics wise – to further promote home grown talent.
Moore will race in Japan with KCMG.
British racer Struan Moore is to move to All-Japan Formula 3 Championship this year with the KCMG team.
The 19-year-old Moore has become the first driver to announce a seat in the Championship Class, which was won by HFDP Racing man Nobuharu Matsushita.
Moore took a race victory and seven podiums on his way to 5th in last year’s BRDC F4 Championship with Lanan Racing, followed by a win in the MRF Challenge in Bahrain.
According to the excitable Moore, “After a successful 2014, I’m so pleased to be joining such a well-established and growing team. I’m looking forward to the challenge and testing my skills against some top class drivers.”
Since their creation eight years ago, KCMG have carved out a road in numerous categories, including the LMP2 class in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Moore added, “With KCMG, we’ve mapped out a clear development path with opportunities in WEC alongside my Japanese F3 commitments. I can’t wait to get my F3 testing underway.”
Meanwhile KCMG will be hoping to bounce back from a disappointing 2014 season, where their sole driver, Shohei Yuzawa, ran scoreless for the duration.
The 2015 All-Japan F3 Series kicks off in April at Suzuka.
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