Adam Cooper F1

Ferrari’s new F138 is being unveiled to today, and the good news is the car looks a lot better than its predecessor, as like McLaren the team has taken the advantage of the new ‘vanity panel’ step cover rule.

The car has been designed in large part in the Toyota wind tunnel in Cologne, and the team is keen to point out that it has a separate group already hard at work on the 2014 turbo car.

Ferrari says that the F138 is an evolution of last year’s car, but adds that “every single part has been revised in order to maximise performance, while maintaining all the characteristics which were the basis of last season’s extraordinary reliability.”

The car retains pull rod suspension front and rear, but the team says that it has “been refined to the limit, in order to gain as much aerodynamic advantage as possible, especially at the rear.”

The air intakes are different, as is the layout and positioning of the exhausts.
The rear of the car is much narrower and more tapered at the bottom, while the wings on the launch car are derived from last year’s. The DRS has been revised to cater for the fact that it cannot be used on the whole lap in qualifying.

Ferrari says that “during both the design and production stages, great attention has been paid to weight reduction and on increasing rigidity. This theme was carried out through all departments working together – Chassis, Engine and Electronics and Production.”

More later…

Martin Whitmarsh confirmed today that technical director Paddy Lowe is committed to the team for at least a year – but admitted that the longer term situation was unclear.

Last week it emerged that Lowe had been talking to Mercedes about a possible future management role, leading to an awkward meeting with his bosses.
Lowe was a notable absentee from today’s launch of the new MP4-28.

“The certainty is that Paddy will be part of the team for another year,” said Whitmarsh. “It’s less certain, I think as has been speculated in the media, beyond that. But it’s something I’m sure we will have some certainty on in the near future.”

Asked why Lowe was absent Whitmarsh said: “Clearly there’s a lot of media interest, and I think it’s good that Paddy concentrates on doing his job. I don’t think he wants to create any embarrassment to the team or to any of his colleagues. It’s his own election, he felt it wasn’t appropriate to be here.”

Button is excited about the new car. Photo: AC

Jenson Button says that the new McLaren MP4-28 is the best the team has made – and is adamant that this will be a better season than the last.

“This year’s car is the best we’ve ever made,” said Button. “I know the engineers have left absolutely no stone unturned in wringing every ounce of performance from every available area. I cannot wait to get behind the wheel and attempt to carry forward the incredible legacy that lives beneath the skin of every single man and woman who works at McLaren.

“We were extremely strong throughout the whole of the 2012 season, but, for one reason or another, we couldn’t quite pull it all together to challenge for the championships. That’s something we want to address for 2013. I’ve seen just how closely everybody has been working together on this car, and I think we’ve got the basis for a very strong season.

“We’ll be working extremely hard during the pre-season to ensure we go to the first race with bulletproof reliability. Operationally, too, I think we’ve learned and developed from last year, and that will help us run a much smoother and stronger campaign.”

Button also had some comments on his new team mate.

“Obviously, the biggest change for 2013 is my new team-mate, Checo. It’s always interesting and inspiring to begin working with a new face, and it already feels like a very positive working relationship.

“I know from personal experience that it can feel initially daunting when you walk into the McLaren Technology Centre for the very first time, but I also remember how quickly I was made to feel at home and how welcoming I found the whole McLaren family. I’m sure Checo already feels very much at ease here.”

McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh was in bullish mood at this morning’s launch of the MP4-28, and is adamant that the team will overcome the issues that saw it miss out on a title challenge last year.

He also confirmed that Paddy Lowe will be with the team for at least year. Lowe was absent from the launch – by his own choice, according to Whitmarsh.

“For 2013, of course, we go racing to win,” said Whitmarsh. “With Jenson and Checo, and this fantastic-looking new car, I believe we’re extremely well prepared for another competitive season. Jenson is driving better than ever – he’s the most experienced driver in Formula 1, but he makes every ounce of that experience count: he’s peerless in his ability to read a race and one of the very fastest drivers out there. He’s a consummate professional, too, and will revel in working hard to drive this team through the year.

“Checo joins us after a sensational 2012 season and he’s immediately proved that he’s intelligent, modest, hard-working and, make no mistake; very, very quick. Of course, there’ll be a learning curve to overcome as he gets used to our organisation, particularly during the hustle and bustle of the early-season race weekends, but he understands that we are placing no pressure on him.

“This is an exciting time for the whole team. In our 50th anniversary season, I want Vodafone McLaren Mercedes to underline why we are the finest grand prix team in the world.”

Today’s launch was opened by a parade of classis McLaren cars.

“The launch of a new Formula 1 car is always an exciting and slightly nerve-wracking occasion,” said Whitmarsh. “Today’s parade of some of our greatest and most significant cars was a thrilling way to kick off our 50th anniversary celebrations and also our 2013 campaign – but it’s a reminder of the tremendous responsibility everyone within the McLaren Technology Centre shares to uphold the legacy began by Bruce McLaren and taken on by Teddy Mayer and Ron Dennis.

“It’s fully appropriate that the echoes of the past should be made to reverberate around the glass walls of a thoroughly modern building like the McLaren Technology Centre. Equally, however, we’ve never lost sight of the fact that we’ll always be linked to that fearless band of enterprising pioneers who came together to form Bruce McLaren Motor Racing Ltd in the autumn of 1963.

“Like Bruce and his closest friends, we still have the belief that we can go out into the world, risk everything and emerge victorious. That, ultimately, is the spirit that drives this organisation.”

The McLaren MP4-28 has been unveiled at Woking today by Jenson Button and Sergio Perez, with Jenson keen to point out that, despite appearances, the car is very different from last year’s.

More later…

The Nurburgring has confirmed that it has reached an agreement with Bernie Ecclestone to host the German GP as planned on July 7.

Reuters reports this morning that the circuit has issued a statement confirming the new deal.

It quotes Ecclestone as saying: “I treasure the Nurburgring and its history. In view of its long tradition, I was glad to support choosing the Nurburgring as the venue for the Formula One.”

The track has been in serious financial problems since the local government backed plans to to turn it into a tourist attraction.

Bernie Ecclestone has played down the chances of HRT being replaced by a new entity called Scorpion Racing.

It emerged today that a group of what are described as American and Canadian investors are behind an attempt to gain a last minute entry to the 2013 World Championship using ex-HRT equipment. A UK base at Silverstone, rather than in Madrid, has been mentioned.

However in effect the HRT entry lapsed when the team folded at the end of last season and it would appear that there are few real assets other than the 2012 cars themselves, which in theory could be run again this year.

Ecclestone has had some contact with Scorpion but says that it’s unlikely that the project will succeed.

“I’ve spoken to them and told them to get in touch with the FIA and ask for an entry,” he told the UK’s Press Association agency.

“They want to buy all the bits from HRT, then form a company and ask for an entry, but I personally don’t think it will happen. It’s all a bit too late. Maybe they could do it for next year.”

Can Kimi Raikkonen challenge for victories again in 2013? All will depend on how good the Lotus E21 turns out to be. Here’s what he said in a Q&A provided by the team today.

What are your thoughts heading into your second season with Lotus F1 Team?
I’m feeling pretty good. Last year was my return to Formula 1 and it went pretty well. This year will be my second with Lotus F1 Team and my eleventh season overall in Formula 1 so I’ve got a pretty good idea of what to expect. I’m sure it will be an exciting season and I’m sure there’ll be lots to talk about. For me, I will continue to do the best I can; let’s see how good our car is, and how good the cars of the opposition are too.

Is the continuity of going into your second season with the team beneficial to you?
It helps. It’s not a massive thing which will suddenly mean you start winning all the races, but it’s nice to be at the same team as you understand how they work, and they understand how you work. We quickly developed a pretty good way of working together last year and there’s no reason to think that won’t continue this season.

Are you still learning as a driver?
I don’t think you ever stop learning, but there is less to learn than if you’re a rookie. I don’t think I could say I’m a rookie. We had new tracks last year; that’s always something nice to learn and for me best learnt on the tracks themselves. There will be a new car which we’ll want to develop and get working at its best. There are always changes in the sport; some small, some big. Generally everything’s pretty similar, and the feeling of racing on track is pretty familiar.

This is the second year of a two-year deal; are you thinking of 2014 and beyond?
I’m not really thinking beyond this season at the moment, but I’m sure there will be talk before the end of the year. I enjoyed my comeback to Formula 1 last year and there’s no reason to say I shouldn’t enjoy the 2013 season too. I know there will be big changes to the cars and regulations for 2014, so who’s to say that won’t be exciting.

Have you set yourself targets and objectives for the season?
To do the best job I can. I’ve not driven the E21 yet so it’s difficult to say what could or could not be possible. We know we had a good car last season, but everyone is working hard to make the best car. I will be working with the team to help get the car as strong as we can, then in Melbourne we’ll have our first taste of results. It’s a long season from there. 2012 was a good start; let’s see what we can do in 2013.

Do you think the team has what it takes to win a championship?
Yes, I think they do. It’s clear from working with them that they are racers, and you can see in their history that they’ve won championships. Nothing I saw last year made me think that another championship was impossible in the future. Of course, there is some pretty tough competition out there and everyone wants to win. The team have beaten everyone before and there’s nothing to say they can’t do it again.

Are you looking forward to working with Romain again?
We had a pretty good relationship last year and it’s clear he’s fast and motivated. On track we were pretty close to each other at times but we didn’t have any issues. It’s good when you have a team-mate who’s fast and works hard. I think we should be fine in 2013.

Do you think you proved a point in 2012?
Maybe for other people, but not for myself. I knew I could still perform well in Formula 1 given the right opportunity; it was only other people who had doubts.

The Lotus E21 became the first 2013 F1 car to break cover when the team conducted an online launch on Monday evening.

The car has been overseen by technical director James Allison.

Introducing the car, Allison said: “There’s a lot gone into it, and it’s going to be an exciting car. The rules for 2013 are very, very similar to those of 2012, so you can expect a lot of family resemblance from a 2012 car.

“But as ever in F1, the devil is in the detail, and the detail of this car adds up to a significant amount of performance. It’s a mixture, there’s some neat new ideas in there, and a lot of pushing of the same sort of concepts that we’ve been working on for a few years.”

The car still has a nose step, and Allison confirmed that weight concerns meant no vanity panel has been fitted as yet.

“We have not done it yet because the cosmetic panel would weigh a few grammes, and with an F1 car putting a few grammes on that you don’t need to is really anathema to us. However if we find a cosmetic panel that looks nice and much more important and crucially develops a bit of downforce then we’ll pop it on as quick as you like!”

Kimi Raikkonen noted: “It’s not going to be easy to improve on what we did already last year, but that’s our aim, to do better, not just for the drivers, but the team also. Hopefully we can do it.

“We tried to improve in all areas, and for sure if you can qualify more higher up it will give you a much better chance to win more races and makes your life much easier on race days. It’s the whole package that they’ve been trying to make faster and hopefully they’ve managed to do that.”

Meanwhile Romain Grosjean said: “The team did its best to improve from last year. I think we had a beautiful car last year to drive, really nice. Kimi won a race, we had some podiums. Everybody wants more, and that’s what we’re trying to achieve.”

Three other drivers are in the Lotus squad this year, the team explaining: “Third Driver is reigning GP2 series champion Davide Valsecchi, whilst Nicolas Prost will perform Development Driver duties. Jérôme D’Ambrosio will continue with the team as Reserve Driver.”

Williams says that Susie Wolff will have an expanded role as development driver in 2013, involving more time in the simulator and in the actual car.

Indeed Wolff will give the new FW35 its first miles in an aero test at Idiada, Spain, next month.

Wolff is married to Williams shareholder and new Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff.

“Last year was a valuable experience and I certainly feel that I’ve developed a lot as a driver,” said Wolff. “Increasing my role this year will further this progression and I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the FW35 for the first time next month.

“I’m showing that women can play a role at the top level of motorsport and would like to thank Sir Frank Williams and the whole of the technical team for the trust they continue to show in me.’’

Technical Director Mike Coughlan added: ‘’Susie has proved herself to be a valuable addition to our driver roster and her feedback during simulator sessions is second to none. As a result we will be stepping up her role this year and I’m looking forward to the progress we can make with Susie’s input in conjunction with that of Pastor and Valtteri.’’