Category Archives: Uncategorized

McLaren has confirmed that Fernando Alonso will return to the cockpit in Malaysia – with the rider that it will be subject to a final medical check at Sepang on Thursday.

However the team clearly believes that will now be a formality and that after missing Australia the Spaniard will be able to start his season next weekend.

Meanwhile the team still doesn’t have any more answers about the accident.

In a statement it said: “Since his Barcelona testing accident, Fernando has followed a rigorous, specialised training programme, designed and closely monitored by leading sports scientists, to ensure his safe and timely return to racing.

“At the McLaren Technology Centre last week, Fernando met with his engineers and drove the simulator, to bring him up to date with the latest developments on the MP4-30 chassis and power unit. As part of that process he spent time with senior engineers, discussing the accident and reviewing the comprehensive data and analysis, all of which has been shared with the FIA.

“While there was nothing evident in the extensive car telemetry data, nor anything abnormal in the subsequent reconstructions and laboratory tests, Fernando recalls a sense of ‘heavy’ steering prior to the accident. Consequently, the team has fitted an additional sensor to the car, to increase our data capture.”

After its new car failed to appear until the final Barcelona test Force India was always going to be up against it in Australia, but good reliability worked in the team’s favour, and Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez finished seventh and ninth.

The seven points were a welcome boost given that the team acknowledges it is far behind in terms of developing the car.

“Coming into Australia we knew we had a late start and we had some issues in terms of performance,” deputy team principal Bob Fernley told this writer. “And the whole purpose was to get that reliability right so we could take these opportunities. And I think we took those opportunities very well. The team did a great job, they kept everything on the straight and narrow, they delivered what they needed to deliver given that we’ve not quite got the performance.

“I think that’s testament to the quality of the team, that they’re not downhearted, they dig in, and they get it back to where it needs to be. It’s great for us because we had a tough old winter and it’s nice to get some points in the first race when you know that you’ve got three or four races where you’re going to be struggling.”

Fernley admitted that the team’s traditional rivals Sauber and STR both look strong this year: “No question, but it’s a long season, and as we’ve seen many times if you can get in a strong second half of the season you can still turn it around. Really the key is not to lose too much in the first part, and Australia was a very good start.

“The plan is that we take the pain for a little longer, and get a much bigger benefit when we do put possibly a ‘B-spec’ onto it. There will still be issues in the first few races, and yes it might be difficult to get into the points, but if there are opportunities there, I think Force India will get them.”

Eric Boullier says that Jenson Button’s finish in Australia gave McLaren and Honda a huge boost as they try to find a way forward.

The car had run only 12 consecutive laps before Melbourne, where Button finished 11^th after completing 56 laps.

“It’s part of the process,” team principal Eric Boullier told this writer. “I’m not smiling yet because obviously we are not at the level of performance that we should be. There is a reliability programme running on dynos 24/7, so that data is going to come and help the process. We are conducting different things. We had to down-tune the engine, so there is more potential coming. We know that some technical changes or technical solutions that we decided for this race worked, so now let’s try to make them work but up-tune the engine.”

In Australia Button and Kevin Magnussen were both keen to stress that felt the MP4-30 was basically a good car with no vices. Boullier agreed that it was important that the drivers remained upbeat and helped to encourage the team.

“Yeah of course. You don’t want to lose the motivation. We are professional, we are racers, and we are competitive as well. We want to be able to race and compete as the highest level as early as possible. When you are in this situation you try and find some positives, and I’m happy they found some with the car. It’s good for the team morale that they consider the car being a good base.”

Meanwhile regarding the bigger picture and Red Bull’s calls for ‘equalisation’ he said: “It’s pretty early days. I’m pretty sure that Renault and Ferrari as well have not run their full power yet. So you have to wait a little bit. The more changes we have the more money it’s going to cost, so people should think about it.”

Giedo van der Garde remains confident that he can race for Sauber this weekend, despite the team’s ongoing failure to comply with the court ruling.

After today’s appeal by Sauber saw the original judgement upheld the Dutchman insisted that he just wants to get back in the car.

“Sauber has to work with us now, there is no other issue,” he told this writer. “I’m happy that we won and that the court took this case very quickly. I’m very grateful for that. Hopefully we can get to work and get behind the wheel. I’m looking forward to it, it’s been a while.

“It’s been a little tough, but in the end I’ve always been focussed on this. I knew we had a strong case, and I’ve been training very hard for the last three months, so I’m fit and feel strong. The only thing is you had to be quiet, and this we did, we never said anything to anybody, and this is a nice reward.”

Whether or not van der Garde races this weekend there remains the question of what happens in Malaysia. The judge in this week’s case says that his ruling applies for the rest of the season, and when that was questioned by Sauber’s lawyer in today’s appeal the judges suggested that Van der Garde could refer to the Australian ruling in courts in other countries.

“The thing is that yesterday the judge says this applies for every race,” said Giedo. “Let’s see, Malaysia is still far away. Let’s focus on this weekend, and hopefully we can get to the paddock and start to do my seat. It would be nice.”

The three court of appeal judges have dismissed Sauber’s appeal against the judgement made on Wednesday in favour of Giedo van der Garde – but the saga is far from over.

In confirming the dismissal Justice Whelan said it was “because we see no error in the reasons of the trial judge.”

The court action did not end there as Giedo van der Garde’s lawyers immediately launched another action in order to force the team to comply. This was a Contempt of Court Application, which in essence refers to the fact that the team has not yet complied with the order to allow Van der Garde to race, or taken any steps to make it happen.

The contempt action will now be heard by Justice Croft – who dealt with the original case – at 1030am on Friday, just two hours before practice is due to start. If he deems that Sauber is in contempt by not complying with the ruling, a sequestration order will probably follow. This could lead to the seizure of Sauber’s assets in Australia, in other words the equipment it has in the paddock.

As a starting point the judge agreed to a request from van der Garde’s lawyer to provide a full and detailed list of that equipment, and its location, by later tonight.

In addition there could be action against Monisha Kaltenborn as a director of the company. Van der Garde’s lawyer even hinted in dramatic fashion that it could lead to prison – and then added that would be a last resort.

He also explained at length how the Van der Garde camp had made a series of requests to Sauber – relating to the driver’s passes, his overalls and so on – and none of it had been complied with.

He also referred to a press release issued by Sauber yesterday in which Kaltenborn raised safety concerns, saying that it was “clearly calculated to make it difficult for our client to participate.”

The Williams FW37 was unveiled in Jerez this morning shortly before testing got underway.

The team had released images some time ago, but this was the first opportunity to see the car.

“The momentum we carry from last year has been very encouraging,” said Felipe Massa. “The team has changed so much from 12 months ago and it is clear to see everyone is heading in a good direction. The development rate of the FW36 was one of the most exciting elements to the car, the team worked exceptionally hard throughout the year to make sure that we had a faster car at each race, and I look forward to a similarly impressive car this year. I am excited to be continuing to work with Valtteri, a driver with so much talent who has so much to offer both the team and me as his team mate.”

“Coming into a season after third position in the Constructors’ Championship carries the weight of a lot of expectation,”said Valterri Bottas. “Other teams and our fans are expecting a performance like last year, and all the personnel at Williams have been working tirelessly to make sure this is not only achievable but the benchmark for improvement. For much of last year we had the second fastest car, and this year we plan to take every opportunity to challenge at the front. After my first podium in 2014 I hope to continue developing as a driver as I aim for my first win. I look forward to working closely with Felipe again this year as we strengthen our relationship to extract the most from the car.”

Lotus has confirmed that Jolyon Palmer will be its third driver in 2015, and the GP2 champion will also run in a “significant number” of FP1 sessions.

Palmer made his F1 test debut with Force India in Abu Dhabi in November, and thus had looked well set to land a role with the Silverstone-based team.

Team principal Gerard Lopez said: “Jolyon is a fantastic talent and a very credible driver to fulfil the role of Third Driver at Lotus F1 Team. Romain and Pastor are both GP2 Series Champions, so we know what a fantastic proving ground GP2 provides. For Jolyon to have enjoyed such a successful season as he took his title last year shows his superb potential for the future. We are looking forward to seeing him in team colours and behind the wheel of our 2015 car, the E23 Hybrid, which represents an exciting new era for Lotus F1 Team.”

Palmer added: “My goal has been to become a race driver in a competitive F1 team for 2016 and Lotus F1 Team is a great opportunity for me, particularly with Mercedes engines now. To be able to learn with a major F1 team by working closely with them in every area and getting a lot of mileage in the car is the best way possible, as Valtteri Bottas proved. I am delighted to be joining Lotus F1 Team at such an exciting time and my objective is to earn a long term future with them.”

Marussia could yet be saved before the start of the season after this week’s auction of the team’s remaining assets was cancelled.

A team source told this writer last month that an earlier auction, which took place before Christmas, would not seriously compromise the chances of saving the team. However, the second included the key equipment required to go racing, and thus represented a deadline.

The team remains in administration and still owes a huge amount of money, including over £16m to power unit supplier Ferrari.

A statement from adminstrators FRP Advisory said: “A planned auction of the Company’s remaining assets due to commence on Wednesday 21 January 2015 has been halted to allow for discussions to continue with a third party. Given the confidential nature of the negotiations underway we are unable to provide further details.”

Team principal John Booth told the BBC today that talks were “at a fairly advanced stage with a new investor – a credible investor. He added that “postponing the auction gives us a bit more time to explore it.”

Like Caterham if Marussia can be saved the team is expected to get dispensation from the FIA to use its 2014 cars, despite a rule change that affects the nose.

The new Mercedes W06 Hybrid will be unveiled at Jerez immediately before official testing commences on February 1.

Mercedes has a tradition of showing its new cars in the flesh at the last minute, rather than online, as other teams often do.

Nico Rosberg will drive on the first and third days of the test, with Lewis Hamilton in action on the second and fourth days.

“The workload this winter has been as great as ever,” said Mercedes motor sport boss Toto Wolff. “Where last year we were preparing for an all-new formula of racing, we are now faced with the big challenge of making the next step in our development. We know that we went into the winter with a target on our backs for the other teams – and we are certain that our rivals will be competitive from the opening race in Melbourne. So we have to focus on every detail if we want to build any advantage this year and that is what we have done.

“This is an exciting time of year as our collective efforts all come together in the new car. Everybody in Brackley, Brixworth and Stuttgart has put a great amount of effort into creating the latest Silver Arrow and I thank them for their efforts so far. We are excited to see how the car performs when it begins running.”

Bernie Ecclestone says that this year’s German GP will take place at Hockenheim, rather than at the Nurburgring.

Although the FIA did not specify a venue in the F1 calendar this year should have been the turn of the Nurburgring, which last hosted the race in 2013. However Ecclestone has not concluded a deal with the track, which has changed ownership amid serious financial problems.

“It’s going to be at Hockenheim, we’re in the middle of doing something with them,” he told Reuters. “It can’t be Nurburgring because there’s nobody there. We’ve got a contract in place [with Hockenheim], we just have to amend the years of the contract. It was alternating with Nurburgring so we’ll just take that out. Providing the contract goes through as we expect it to, we’ll be in good shape.”

Ecclestone confirmed that he’d tried to acquire the Nurburgring.

“We wanted to buy the Nurburgring, we made an offer and somebody topped us with a few dollars and bought it. And then they couldn’t pay and it went on sale again. I said I’d be interested and then they found somebody else. So I don’t know what’s happening.”