Category Archives: Grand Prix News

Former McLaren test driver Gary Paffett has joined Williams in the role of simulator driver.

Paffett worked for McLaren between 2001 and 2013, logging 72 official test days and more than 22,000kms over that time. He has of course long been associated with Williams enginer supplier Mercedes.

Claire Williams commented: “He is a highly professional racing driver and his level of testing knowledge, and ability to analyse data, will significantly help to drive forward development of the FW38 throughout the season.”

“I am really pleased to be joining the Williams team as the simulator driver to aid in the development of this year’s car,” said Paffett. “The team has such a great pedigree and history in Formula One. I look forward to supporting the team over this year in my new role.”

Former Ferrari technical boss Pat Fry has joined Manor Racing as an engineering consultant.

Fry will thus be reunited with Nikolas Tombazis, with whom he worked at Maranello. The departure of both men was announced in December 2014.

The 51-year-old Fry previously worked at Benetton and McLaren in senior engineering roles, before joining Ferrari in 2010.

His former McLaren colleague and Manor racing director Dave Ryan said: “We are extremely fortunate to have Pat on board to help us hit the ground running with our exciting new technical package.

“The aim is to bring performance to the car with effect from the Barcelona tests, then translate that to the race track in Melbourne, to ensure we make the strongest possible start to 2016 and have a good basis for development in the early part of the season.”

Stoffel Vandoorne says he’s close to securing a race drive in Japanese Super Formula, which will dovetail with his role as McLaren third driver this year.

Thanks to Honda 2o15 GP2 champion Vandoorne tested at Suzuka last year, and he enjoyed the experience.

“We’re still working on it at the moment,” he said today. “It’s no secret that it’s going in that direction. There’s still talks between McLaren and Honda, but I’m confident that the deal will happen soon. If everything goes in that direction it will be a very busy year for me, being a McLaren reserve driver, going to all the Grands Prix, spending a lot of time in the simulator, being a lot at the factory with the engineers. It will be a very good preparation for 2017.

“I think it is still important to race something at least. It keeps you race sharp, it keeps you race fit, it gives you something to work for during the year as well. Even if Super Formula is not that many races a year, it’s better than doing nothing. The cars are really quick. I tested one of them at the end of November last year. I had a first taste of it in Suzuka. They have great cornering speeds, which is a good preparation for 2017.”

Vandoorne admitted that next season is still an open book as far as McLaren is concerned: “Nothing has been promised, obviously, but I’m working my way towards F1. That’s definitely where I want to be. I already wanted to be there this year. I feel 100% ready to be there. Unfortunately there were no places available this season, so I have to work towards 2017, and get the best preparation possible.

“I feel I’m in the right place. McLaren really trust in my ability. There’s no guarantees obviously for 2017, but it would be a good place for me to be here, to race with the team. I’ve been with them for a couple of years now, we’ve had a lot of success together, and hopefully we can build on that success in the future. And hopefully I can get a race drive here.”

The FIA, Bernie Ecclestone and the four F1 power unit manufacturers appear to have reached agreement on customer supplies – which means that the mooted ‘alternative’ engine for 2017 is dead.

In December Jean Todt and Bernie Ecclestone used the threat of a low cost engine running to different rules to force the manufacturers to find ways to reduce costs to customers, and also guarantee supply, so that a team like Red Bull would not find itself stuck on the future.

In order to stop the alternative engine plan being forced through – despite it being rejected by the F1 Commission in December – the manufacturers were asked to come up with ways of cutting costs and guaranteeing supplies to customers by January 15^th.

If they didn’t then Todt and Bernie Ecclestone could use the mandate they were given by the World Motor Sport Council “to make recommendations and decisions regarding a number of pressing issues in Formula One such as governance, Power Units and cost reduction.”

As had been expected, it seems that the manufacturers eventually agreed on a maximum cost of €12m, although it’s understood that the lower price will only apply only from 2018.

In return the manufacturers have been guaranteed engine rules stability by the FIA until 2020, which means their investments have a longer life. There will also be a move towards standard parts, in order to cut costs.

Jean Todt had indicated last week that a deal would be reached: “I am optimistic. I hope that people have some good sense, because it’s our championship. It’s in their interests – it’s in the interests of the teams, it’s in the interests of the commercial rights holder. That’s why I think in a normal world, with sensible people, we should all be able to agree and find a good solution.”

A “driver of the day” award voted for by fans was one of the innovations discussed by the F1 Strategy Group meeting in Geneva yesterday, and subsequently by the F1 Commission today.

It’s under understood that fans will be invited to choose the best driver performance and best overtaking move at each race, via social media. In the early 1970s Marlboro backed the Prix Rouge et Blanc Jo Siffert Award for the “underdog” drive of the day. Although it wasn’t formally sanctioned by the governing body, it was regarded as as prestigious achievement at the time.

In addition to the driver of the day award there will be another for best overtaking move, also voted for by fans. A pit stop challenge is to be introduced, with a trophy for the fastest team of mechanics.

No more details have emerged as yet, and it’s not clear whether both prizes will be introduced for this season.

They follow on from a pattern established by the FIA Pole Position trophy, and the DHL Fastest Lap Award. The latter suggests suggests that naming rights for any new prize might also be taken up by a partner of Formula One Management.

The main subject of discussion this week involved engines (see next story). Meanwhile plans for a return to refuelling didn’t gain any traction, and there is ongoing talk about the race weekend format.

Aston Martin hasn’t ruled out a future involvement with Force India, despite no deal being concluded for 2016.

The Silverstone team had been hoping to carry Aston’s branding this season.

“We’ve kept the communications open with Force India with no commitments on either side,” the car maker’s head of global marketing and communications Simon Sproule told this writer. “We liked the team at Force India and found much in common in the way we think about engineering and racing.”

Yesterday Force India’s COO Otmar Szafnauer made it clear that there would be no deal this year: “It’s a big step, and it’s flattering that Aston Martin have been talking to us. We’re still discussing. In the short term, meaning 2016, I don’t see that type of re-branding happening. But you never know what the future holds thereafter.”

Aston’s interest in an F1 sponsorship deal became public knowledge in July, and after initial talks with Red Bull fizzled out the company talked to other teams, with Force India emerging as the most logical candidate.

Aston always insisted that any decision on a future motor sport strategy had to incorporate its sportscar racing plans. The biggest issue has always been that the company does not have the budget with which to make an impact in F1, despite the obvious appeal for both sides.