Adam Cooper F1

There has been no official announcement from Marussia yet but the FIA entry list for the Russian GP as published at 4.35pm today features Alex Rossi in car number 42.

Marussia has built up its spare chassis and the car is available for the American to make his debut. However, the team will make a final decision on Friday morning on whether or not to actually run the car this weekend.

Rossi, who ran in FP1 in Spa, took part in the team’s track walk earlier today.

Giving Rossi his chance would clearly give the whole team something positive on which to focus at what is obviously a difficult time for all concerned.

Adrian Sutil was a first hand witness to Jules Bianchi’s accident in Suzuka, and while understandably he is not keen to go on record about the impact and its aftermath – his account was the only one we really had until video footage appeared – the German can provide some background to what conditions were like when his own crash occurred.

Sutil says that conditions were good for racing until the rain returned and the light began to fade – a legacy of course of the decision of the promoter to stick with the 3pm start time, rather than create a bigger window of daylight.

“We had a lot of rain, but once we raced it was probably one of the best conditions of the day,” Sutil told this writer. “We had almost no rain, the track was quite OK to drive on intermediates. I think at the time of the race we had almost an hour without rain. The only risk was at the end, the light came down, and then the drizzle started more and more.

“I really struggled to actually keep the car on the circuit, and then in the end it started to rain more and more, it got really dark, so it was hard to see the patches on the track. I was following Jules very closely, then I lost the car in Turn 8 with aquaplaning, I had a big snap, and went into the wall. At that moment I wasn’t in the best position anyway, but luckily nothing happened to me, I was OK, I could step out.

“The one lap after that whole incident happened with Jules, the same kind of mistake as I did, or the same thing happening with the aquaplaning, and he lost the car. I just saw him coming without control of the car.

“It was getting worse on those couple of laps. Of course our tyres were closer to the end, so the resistance to aquaplaning was not so good any more. I saw quite a few cars shaking around even when the safety car came out, when I was standing there after the accident, so there must have been quite a big river developing. That caused the two accidents, really. The rain came up, the tyres were at the end of their wear life, people were struggling, and it was really difficult to drive.”

Sutil is adamant that the fading light – together with the increasing rain – played a key role.

“The problem in our cars is when it gets dark, you can still see, but we have very bright lights on the steering wheel, so they are kind of irritating us. We have a very small view from the helmet, and then where there is this bright light, which is normally set up for the maximum brightness in let’s say sunny conditions, otherwise we can’t really see. But in dark conditions it affects the eyesight a lot. In those last laps with all the spray and the drops on the visor it was really hard to see.

“That’s why sometimes from the outside it looks driveable, and also for the safety car it looks driveable – they have a big windscreen – but no one knows what it’s like for us in the cars, and with these cars which are so difficult to drive right now, without grip, and a massive amount of power.”

Sutil also says that life was much tougher for those at the back of the field – in cars lacking downforce like the Sauber and the Marussia – a fact acknowledged by Nico Rosberg after the race.

The definitive layout for the Baku European Grand Prix was unveiled today by Bernie Ecclestone and Azad Rahimov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sport.

The street track has been designed by Hermann Tilke.

“Azerbaijan is the latest addition to the Formula One calendar,” said Ecclestone. “And I am pleased to see they have designed an innovative new street circuit that will definitely help to create a world class event when we race there in 2016.”

“We have created a challenging street circuit, in terms of engineering and design, and one that thrives on Baku’s very attractive urban atmosphere and its great combination of history and 21^st century style,” said Tilke. “The historic city centre, the beautiful seaside promenade and the impressive government house all combine to provide the perfect backdrop for a spectacular new track.

“Obviously street circuits present a number of challenges, in terms of circuit design, but we have been able to incorporate some unique features that will provide the teams and fans with fascinating racing. For example, there will be an extremely narrow uphill section at the old town wall that will reward pinpoint accuracy and courage, and we have an acceleration section of almost 2.2kms along the promenade which will see the cars running flat out at very high top speeds – something that will create an incredible spectacle for the race fans on track and the viewers at home.”

Azad Rahimov said: “Our brief to Tilke Engineering was simple – create a circuit that is unique, one that will help the Grand Prix in Baku quickly establish itself as one of the most exciting, thrilling venues on the F1 calendar, and one that the fans and teams alike are excited about. Most importantly, we wanted a track that would showcase the best of Baku, our capital city, and I am delighted that the circuit the F1 teams will race on in 2016 has achieved exactly that aim.

“Now the next phase of hard work begins and we are all excited about seeing the circuit evolve over the coming months. We know there will be challenges, but with the support of Mr Ecclestone, Tilke Engineering and everyone involved in helping to create F1’s newest Grand Prix, we know we will deliver a spectacular event in 2016 that will add to Azerbaraijan’s well-earned reputation as a modern European country that is the perfect venue for the planet’s highest profile sports and entertainment events.”

Marussia and the Bianchi family have issued the following statement:

“This is a very difficult time for our family, but the messages of support and affection for Jules from all over the world have been a source of great comfort to us. We would like to express our sincere appreciation.

“Jules remains in the Intensive Care Unit of the Mie General Medical Center in Yokkaichi. He has suffered a diffuse axonal injury and is in a critical but stable condition. The medical professionals at the hospital are providing the very best treatment and care and we are grateful for everything they have done for Jules since his accident.

“We are also grateful for the presence of Professor Gerard Saillant, President of the FIA Medical Commission, and Professor Alessandro Frati, Neurosurgeon of the University of Rome La Sapienza, who has travelled to Japan at the request of Scuderia Ferrari. They arrived at the hospital today and met with the medical personnel responsible for Jules’ treatment, in order to be fully informed of his clinical status so that they are able to advise the family. Professors Saillant and Frati acknowledge the excellent care being provided by the Mie General Medical Center and would like to thank their Japanese colleagues.

“The hospital will continue to monitor and treat Jules and further medical updates will be provided when appropriate.”

The Marussia team has made it clear that there will be no further news on Jules Bianchi until the timing is deemed appropriate by his family.

The full statement from the team reads: “Following the accident involving Jules Bianchi during yesterday’s 2014 Formula One Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit, the Marussia F1 Team would like to acknowledge the huge outpouring of support and affection for Jules and the Team at this very difficult time.

“With regard to the communication of information concerning Jules’ medical condition, we will respect, and be guided by, the wishes of the Bianchi family. Together with Jules’ care, they will remain our highest priority. Therefore, we would ask for patience and understanding with regard to further medical updates, which will be communicated in conjunction with the Mie General Medical Center in Yokkaichi, where Jules is being treated, when they feel it is appropriate.

“Representatives of the Marussia F1 Team and Scuderia Ferrari will remain at the hospital to support Jules and the Bianchi family.”

The FIA has confirmed that Jules Bianchi suffered a ‘severe head injury’ in today’s accident in the Japanese GP, and is undergoing surgery.

The Frenchman spun sideways into a recovery truck that was moving Adrian Sutil’s crashed Sauber. The car went partially under the vehicle, and its roll hoop structure was damaged.

An FIA statement said: “The driver was removed from the car, taken to the circuit medical centre and then by ambulance to Mie General Hospital.

“The CT scan shows that he has suffered a severe head injury and he is currently undergoing surgery. Following this he will be moved to intensive care where he will be monitored.

“Mie General Hospital will issue an update as soon as further information becomes available.”

Fernando Alonso insists that he is still in control of his own destiny, despite Sebastian Vettel’s expected move to Ferrari and Daniil Kvyat’s transfer to Red Bull.

The driver market had been waiting for a move from Alonso, but his serious options now appear to be limited to McLaren, with Red Bull now full and both Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton insisting that their partnership will continue.

“Today was a surprise for me, Vettel leaving Red Bull,” he said on Saturday. “Everyone was waiting for some kind of announcement on my side, and the first one to move chairs was Sebastian. On my side as I’ve said my priority is to help Ferrari, we are in the middle of a weekend first of all, and secondly my future – let’s say I’ve had my mind set already for two or three months, everything is moving in the right direction, but I’m still not 100% decided what to do.

“I have that privilege that I’m probably the decision maker in some of the aspects. I gained this respect in the last couple of years, and I can go more or less wherever I want to go, in the time I want to go. And that I will use in the best way.”

Alonso said that the Red Bull door closing was not an issue.

“Red Bull was never a priority, so it’s not a big worry at the moment. I know what I want to do, and I will tell you soon.

Asked if he could still be Vettel’s team mate at Ferrari he said: “Anything’s a possibility. I don’t know if he’s going to Ferrari, I know he’s leaving Red Bull. Let’s see. At the moment the first priority for me is ti help the team in this race, my future and the future of Sebastian is not a priority.

“My plan is going well, it’s moving in the right direction.”

Ron Dennis insists that McLaren has not signed any contracts with drivers for 2015 and beyond, despite the obvious speculation about Fernando Alonso.

“We do not have a contract with any driver at this moment in time,” said Dennis. “It isn’t priority. Of course, we talk, we do all the things that you expect us to do, but at this moment we don’t have contracts – strictly, we do not have contracts that we have activated [for 2015], because clearly we have driver contracts at the moment.

“It’s not a great position to be in if you are either Jenson or Kevin. But the reality is they understand, as challenging as it is for them, that our priority is to produce a winning a car with which they can win.”

Elaborating on the situation he said: “The answer is simple – we don’t have a contract with any driver for next year, and that’s a simple factual statement. The first thing we’ve got to be is massively attractive to all drivers, and I hope we’re still very attractive to the two that are currently and will more than likely be driving the cars next year.”

Meanwhile McLaren racing director Eric Boullier backed up the views of his boss.

“We are working on being a winning team as soon as we can, as early as we can,” said the Frenchman. “Obviously there are a lot of different priorities and where we have to work hard. Today no drivers have a contract with us, so that’s why we don’t do any announcement.”

Asked whether he would like to sign Alonso he said: “If he does fit our strategy for the future, yes of course – as much as I want to sign these two guys next to me [Button and Magnussen].”

RBR boss Christian Horner says that the team did not want to stand in Sebastian Vettel’s way once it became clear that the German wanted to go elsewhere.

Vettel is in any case believed to have had an escape clause which was triggered if he was not in the top three in the World Championship as of September 30, and it’s been clear for some time that he would not achieve that target.

“I think it’s more about relationships than what’s on a piece of paper,” said Horner when asked by this writer. “We’ve enjoyed a relationship that hasn’t been based on what’s written on a piece of paper, and when somebody’s heart not in a relationship you have to let them go, so it’s a far healthier situation.

“I’ve known him long enough and well enough to know there’s been something on his mind the last few weeks, but he was very honest, very open, very emotional, but he makes his own decisions, and this was very much his own decision.”

Horner insisted that Vettel had not been encouraged into leaving by the team’s troubles this year, and by the future scaling back of Adrian Newey’s involvement.

“I don’t think that they were really factors. I think the lure of another team that’s brightly coloured has come up, and at a point in his life and career that he’s felt is right for him. We obviously respect that decision, and rather than looking to hold a driver against his will it’s better to reflect on the good times and look forward. Sebastian will have all all his own reasons, so I’m sure in the fullness of time, he’ll inform you.

“This was always going to happen at some point. It’s happened today, it’s time to look forward. Of course it was sad when he expressed what his desire was for next year. We’ve enjoyed such a wonderful relationship together, all those victories, World Championships, great times on track and off track, it’s right to wish him the best of luck in his new venture. It would be wrong to have a driver in the team whose heart was not 100% here.”

Ron Dennis made it clear today that he believes that McLaren has been at a disadvantage relative to the Mercedes works team this year.

Dennis said that McLaren has not had the chance to use the new power unit to its full advantage because of a lack of access to data, and even hinted that the team had not had “the best engines.”

His words made it pretty clear that the team’s 20-season partnership with Mercedes is under strain as it edges towards its conclusion.

Ron was commenting on why McLaren has put itself in the position of being Honda’s works team in 2015.

“One thing that jumps you if you look at all of the qualifications of all of this year is the time difference between the Mercedes-Benz works team and the other teams,” said Dennis. “By and large it’s always in excess of a second, putting aside the pace which they can generate in a Grand Prix when they’re on the back foot.

“What that means is that in my opinion, an opinion held by many people in our organisation, is that you have no chance of winning a World Championship if you are not receiving the best engines from whoever is manufacturing your engines.

“A modern Grand Prix engine in this moment in time is not just about sheer power, it’s about how you harvest the energy, it’s about how you store the energy, and effectively if you don’t have control of that process – meaning access to source code – then you are not going to be able to stabilise your car in the entry to corners, etc, and you lose lots of lap time.

“So even though you have the same brand of engine that does not mean you have the ability to optimise the engine. So you’ve got to start by putting yourself in a position where you have the best engine available. That’s what we’ve done for the approaching years. We had a great partnership with Mercedes, but we intend to hit the ground running with Honda.”

When asked by this writer to respond to Ron’s comments Toto Wolff said: “There are the same engines in every car out there, and you see quite some difference between customers. Of course as a power unit manufacturer and chassis manufacturer you have certain advantages on integration, and that comes down to mechanical balance, centre of gravity, etc.

“I wouldn’t even want to use the terminology ‘source code,’ because it doesn’t make any sense. They have been our most valuable customer in the past, and a great team, and they are switching to a competitor in Honda, and obviously we are pretty aware of that.”