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(incl. VAT)
GUIDE 2013
CONTENTS TEAMS & DRIVERS
CIRCUIT GUIDE
Red Bull Racing
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Australian Grand Prix
12 13 14 15
30 June, Silverstone
Sebastian Vettel & Mark Webber
Ferrari
Fernando Alonso & Felipe Massa
McLaren
Jenson Button & Sergio Perez
Lotus
Kimi Räikkönen & Romain Grosjean
Mercedes GP
Nico Rosberg & Lewis Hamilton
Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg & Esteban Gutierrez
Force India
Paul di Resta (2nd driver TBC)
Williams
Pastor Maldonado & Valtteri Bottas
Toro Rosso
Jean-Eric Vergne & Daniel Ricciardo
Caterham
Charles Pic & Giedo van der Garde
Marussia
Max Chilton & Luiz Razia
17 March, Melbourne
Malaysian Grand Prix 24 March, Kuala Lumpur
Chinese Grand Prix 14 April, Shanghai
Bahrain Grand Prix 21 April, Sakhir
Spanish Grand Prix 12 May, Catalunya
Monaco Grand Prix 26 May, Monte Carlo
Canadian Grand Prix 9 June, Montreal
British Grand Prix German Grand Prix 7 July, Nurburgring
EUROPEAN Grand Prix 21 July, TBC
Hungarian Grand Prix 28 July, Budapest
Belgian Grand Prix
25 August, Spa-Francorchamps
Italian Grand Prix 8 September, Monza
Singapore Grand Prix
NEW REGULATIONS
Rule changes for 2013
BEHIND THE SCENES
F1 remains a sport of glamour and colour
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DRIVING A FORMULA SIMULATOR Hannes Oosthuizen’s experiences in Ferrari’s F1 simulator
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Korean Grand Prix
6 October, Yeongam
Japanese Grand Prix 13 October, Suzuka
Indian Grand Prix 27 October, New Delhi
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
03 November, Yas Marina
F1 PREDICTIONS
CAR’s resident armchair experts predict the outcome of 2013
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US Grand Prix
HALL OF CHAMPIONS
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Brazilian Grand Prix
A complete listing of past title winners 2
22 September, Singapore
17 November, Austin 24 November, São Paulo
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37
RULE CHANGES
Minor rule changes for 2013 This year, only a few technical rule changes will affect the cars and sporting regulations. Enjoy the calm before the storm of the 2014 season, when the current 2,4-litre V8 engine will be replaced by an all-new 1,6-litre turbo formula. Here’s a summary of the changes
DRS
The drag-reduction system (DRS) that reduces the rear-wing drag to increase top speed and aid overtaking will now be allowed to function only in the designated DRS zones during practice, qualifying (no restriction last year) and the race. The clever Mercedes method of double DRS stalling the front wing is now banned.
STEPPED NOSES
After an outcry at the “ugly” stepped noses last year, the FIA is allowing aesthetic nose covers to improve the looks of the car without aiding performance.
FORCE MAJEURE
The FIA requires a litre fuel sample from each car after qualifying. Last year, some
MINIMUM WEIGHT
Owing to a 0,5 kg increase per 2013 tyre from supplier Pirelli, the minimum weight of the car and driver combined increases from 640 kg to 642 kg. The mandatory weight distribution has been adjusted accordingly.
FRONT-WING TESTS
More stringent deflection tests will be conducted on front wings to ensure rigidity and prevent wing flexing, aiding aerodynamics at speed. 3
Rule CHANGES teams “faked” a breakdown after qualifying to avoid using fuel while returning to the pits. For 2013, the FIA will calculate how much fuel would have been needed to reach the pits and add it to the litre requirement.
QUALIFYING This year’s entry list compromises only 22 cars compared with 24 in 2012, which means that six cars will be eliminated from Q1 and Q2 sessions respectively and leaving 10 cars to compete in Q3.
CRASH TESTING
To improve driver safety, tougher tests on the car’s roll structure and survival cell have
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been introduced. For the 2013 season, every chassis will have to pass a static load test on the survival cell.
CHAMPIONSHIP ENTRY FEES
Inflation also affects the entry fees for teams and this year the basic entry fee per team is $500 000 plus $5 000 per constructorchampionship point scored in the 2012 season. Red Bull will have to pay $6 000 per constructor’s point for the privilege of winning last year’s title. Considering the team collected 460 points in 2012, its total 2013 entry fee is a cool $3,26 million (approximately R30 million).
RED BULL
2013 prospects
For the last three years, Red Bull has won both F1 driver’s and constructor’s titles and with minimal technical changes for 2013, the evolutionary RB9 is likely to be fast over a wide variety of tracks. Triple champion Sebastian Vettel and team-mate Mark Webber are both proven race winners, but the chances of Webber claiming his first title are fast running out. Despite the revisions to the testing procedures of front-wing flexibility – thought to be a Red Bull advantage – it is going to take a very fast, consistent package to challenge and usurp Red Bull Racing as 2013 champions.
Sebastian VETTEL www.sebastianvettel.de
Born: 3 July 1987 in Heppenheim, Germany First GP: United States 2008 (BMW) GP starts: 101 First GP victory: Italy 2008 (Scuderia Toro Rosso) Victories: 26 Podiums: 46 Total points: 1 054
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CAR/ENGINE: RB9/Renault RS270-2013 HEADQUARTERS: Milton Keynes, UK FIRST GP: Australia 2005 FIRST GP VICTORY: China 2009 DRIVER’S CHAMPIONSHIPS: 2010, 2011, 2012 (Vettel) CONSTRUCTOR’S CHAMPIONSHIPS: 2010, 2011, 2012 BRAKES: Brembo
MARK WEBBER
www.markwebber.com
Born: 27 August 1976 in Queanbeyan, NSW, Australia First GP: Australia 2002 (Minardi) GP starts: 196 First GP victory: Germany, 2009 (Red Bull) Victories: 9 Podiums: 34 Total points: 848,5
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FERRARI
CAR/ENGINE: F138/Ferrari 056 HEADQUARTERS: Maranello, Italy FIRST GP: Monaco 1950 FIRST GP VICTORY: Great Britain 1951 DRIVER’S CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1952, 53 (Alberto Ascari), 56 (Juan Manuel Fangio), 58 (Mike Hawthorn), 61 (Phil Hill), 64 (John Surtees), 75, 77 (Niki Lauda), 79 (Jody Scheckter), 2000, 01,02, 03, 04 (Michael Schumacher), 07 (Kimi Räikkönen) CONSTRUCTOR’S CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1961, 64, 75, 76, 79, 82, 83, 99, 2000, 01, 02, 03, 04, 07, 08 BRAKES: Brembo
FERNANDO ALONSO www.fernandoalonso.com
Born: 29 July 1981 in Oviedo, Spain First GP: Australia 2001 (Minardi) GP starts: 197 First GP victory: Hungary 2003 (Renault) Victories: 30 Podiums: 86 Total points: 1 364 6
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2013 prospects
Ferrari ran Red Bull closer than most expected in 2012 and this year’s F138, which carries over the Scuderia’s pull-rod suspension that allows for greater aerodynamic efficiency, showed much promise in pre-season testing. The driver line-up remains unchanged at the Italian outfit, but there’s a clear number-one pilot – Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard can wrestle a car to positions that are higher than it’s worth and will hope the F138 will be a strong prospect to help him net the 2013 driver’s title. Felipe Massa services were retained for 2013, but he remains a supporting actor.
FELIPE MASSA
www.felipemassa.com
Born: 25 April 1981 in São Paulo, Brazil First GP: Australia 2002 (Sauber) GP starts: 172 First GP victory: Turkey 2006 (Ferrari) Victories: 11 Podiums: 35 Total points: 704
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McLaren
2013 prospects
McLaren had the fastest car in the field at various points in 2012 and if the new MP4-28 proves more reliable than its predecessor, the Woking-based team will be a serious threat to Red Bull’s supremacy. Briton Jenson Button has a new team-mate in the form of Sergio “Checo” Perez. The 2009 world champion will undoubtedly take a senior/leading role at the team while his Mexican team-mate finds his feet. Although Perez finished on the podium for Sauber on three occasions in 2012, he suffered a lateseason slump; Checo will need to start the season as strongly as possible.
JENSON BUTTON
www.jensonbutton.com
Born: 19 January 1980 in Frome, England First GP: Australia 2000 (Williams) GP starts: 228 First GP victory: Hungary 2006 (Honda) Victories: 15 Podiums: 49 Total points: 999
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CAR/ENGINE: MP4-28/Mercedes-Benz FO 108F HEADQUARTERS: Milton Keynes, UK FIRST GP: Monaco 1966 FIRST GP VICTORY: Belgium 1968 DRIVER’S CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1974 (Emerson Fittipaldi), 76 (James Hunt), 84 (Niki Lauda), 85 (Alain Prost), 86 (Alain Prost), 88 (Ayrton Senna), 89 (Alain Prost), 90 (Ayrton Senna), 91 (Ayrton Senna), 98 (Mika Häkkinen), 99 (Mika Häkkinen), 2008 (Lewis Hamilton) CONSTRUCTOR’S CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1974, 84, 85, 88, 89, 90, 91, 98 BRAKES: Akebono
SERGIO PEREZ
www.sergioperezf1.com
Born: 26 January 1990 in Jalisco, Mexico First GP: Australia 2011 (Sauber) GP starts: 37 First GP victory: – Victories: – Podiums: 3 Total points: 80
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LOTUS
CAR/ENGINE: E21/Renault RS27-2013 HEADQUARTERS: Enstone, UK FIRST GP: Australia 2012 FIRST GP VICTORY: Abu Dhabi 2012 DRIVER’S CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0 CONSTRUCTOR’S CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0 BRAKES: AP Racing/Brembo
KIMI RÄiKKÖnen www.kimiraikkonen.com
Born: 17 October 1979 in Espoo, Finland First GP: Australia 2001 (Sauber) GP starts: 176 First GP victory: Malaysia 2003 Victories: 19 Podiums: 69 Total points: 786 8
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2013 prospects
Although Lotus was arguably the fastest of the also-rans last year, the new E21 showed good pace in pre-season testing, even on longer stints. This augurs well for Kimi Räikkönen, who claimed a victory and finished consistently on the podium last year. Could he be an outside bet for this year’s driver’s title? By contrast, the Finn’s team-mate, Romain Grosjean, caused a number of big crashes, one of which earned him a race ban. Nevertheless, the team has demonstrated its belief in the Frenchman’s raw talent by giving him another chance – let’s hope he makes the most of it.
ROMAIN GROSJEAN www.romaingrosjean.com
Born: 17 April 1986 in Geneva, Switzerland First GP: European Grand Prix (2008) GP starts: 26 First GP victory: – Victories: – Podiums: 3 Total points: 96
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MERCEDES
2013 prospects
This team has battled to keep up with the front-runners, but much is expected from the new F1 W04. It retains a pushrod front and pullrod rear suspension arrangement, which the team says optimises tyre life and performance. Meanwhile, the rear end has been packaged to optimise aerodynamic development potential. Nico Rosberg looked set to lead Mercedes-Benz’s charge in light of Michael Schumacher’s retirement, but the German has been joined by ex-McLaren 2008 champ, Lewis Hamilton. The Briton will be eager to stamp his authority at Benz but may find Rosberg more entrenched in the team.
NICO RosBERG www.nicorosberg.com
Born: 27 June 1985 in Wiesbaden, Germany First GP: Bahrain 2006 (Williams) GP starts: 128 First GP victory: China 2012 (Mercedes) Victories: 1 Podiums: 7 Total points: 399,5
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CAR/ENGINE: F1 W04/Mercedes-Benz HEADQUARTERS: Brackley, UK FIRST GP: France 1954 FIRST GP VICTORY: France 1954 DRIVER’S CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1954, 55 (Juan Manual Fangio) CONSTRUCTOR’S CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0 BRAKES: Brembo
LEWIS HAMILTON www.lewishamilton.com
Born: 7 January 1985 in Stevenage, England First GP: Australia 2007 (McLaren) GP starts: 110 First GP victory: Canada 2007 (McLaren) Victories: 21 Podiums: 49 Total points: 913
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Sauber
CAR/ENGINE: C32/Ferrari 056 HEADQUARTERS: Hinwil, Switzerland FIRST GP: South Africa 1993 FIRST GP VICTORY: Canada 2008 DRIVER’S CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0 CONSTRUCTOR’S CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0 BRAKES: Brembo
NICo HULKENBERG www.nicohulkenberg.net
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Born: 19 August 1987 in Emmerich am Rhein, Germany First GP: Bahrain 2010 (Williams) GP starts: 39 First GP victory: – Victories: – Podiums: – Total points: 85
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2013 prospects
The Ferrari-powered C32 seems a revolutionary car with an overall sleeker look and revised rear aero packaging, and it will be piloted by the all-new pairing of Nico Hulkenberg and rookie Esteban Gutierrez. “The Hulk” earned one pole position with Force India, which showed he has real skill but has not shone as brightly as expected. The German driver should have the measure of his Mexican team-mate who, despite being a multiple GP2 winner, will find it difficult to acclimatise to the pace of F1. Expect Sauber to lead the charge in the mid-field.
ESTEBAN GUTierrez www.estebangtz.com
Born: 5 August 1991 in Monterey, Mexico First GP: Australia 2013 GP starts: – First GP victory: – Victories: – Podiums: – Total points: –
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FORCE INDIA
2013 prospects
Since the heights of the last decade, this team has slid in the rankings and finished last year in seventh spot. Even though the VJM-06 is an evolution in design terms, the team claims “it’s a brand new car from the ground up”. With Mercedes engines once again powering the team, it could do well on highspeed tracks. Impressive Scot Paul di Resta has been retained after several point-scoring finishes, including a fourth place in Singapore last year. At our time of going to press, Force India had not signed a team-mate to partner Di Resta.
PAUL di RESTA www.pauldiresta.com
Born: 16 April 1979 in Uphall, Scotland First GP: Australia 2011 GP starts: 39 First GP victory: – Victories: – Podiums: – Total points: 73
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CAR/ENGINE: VJM06/Mercedes-Benz HEADQUARTERS: Silverstone, UK FIRST GP: Australia 2008 DRIVER’S CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0 CONSTRUCTOR’S CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0 BRAKES: AP Racing
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TBA
Born: First GP: GP starts: First GP victory: Victories: Podiums: Total points:
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WILLIAMS
CAR/ENGINE: FW35/Renault HEADQUARTERS: Grove, UK FIRST GP: Argentina 1978 FIRST GP VICTORY: Great Britain 1979 DRIVER’S CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1980 (Alan Jones/Williams-Ford), 82 (Keke Rosberg/ Williams-Ford), 87 (Nelson Piquet/WilliamsHonda), 92 (Nigel Mansell/Williams-Renault), 93 (Alain Prost/Williams-Renault), 96 (Damon Hill/Williams-Renault), 97 (Jacques Villeneuve/ Williams-Renault) CONSTRUCTOR’S CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1980, 81, 86, 87, 92, 93, 94, 96, 97 BRAKES: AP Racing
PASTOR MALDONADO www.pastormaldonado.com
Born: 9 March 1985 in Maracay, Venezuela First GP: Australia 2011 GP starts: 39 First GP victory: Spain 2012 Victories: 1 Podiums: 1 Total points: 46 12
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2013 prospects
Williams returned to winning form in 2012 at the hands of Pastor Maldonado, albeit on only one occasion. After that flash of brilliance, the team must have hoped for a better finish than eighth in the constructor’s standings. The FW35 retains Renault power for 2013 and despite Maldonado’s reputation for erratic performances and unnecessary shunts, the Venezuelan will lead the team’s charge. His teammate will be Finland’s Valtteri Bottas, who was the team’s test and reserve driver in 2012. He cracked the nod ahead of Bruno Senna, so the team must really rate his skills.
Valtteri BOTTAS
www.bottasvaltteri.com
Born: 28 August 1989 in Nastola, Finland First GP: Australia 2013 GP starts: – First GP victory: – Victories: – Podiums: – Total points: –
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Toro ROSSO
2013 prospects
The STR08 is the first car designed by Italian Luca Furbatto, who joined the team a year ago. The Ferraripowered team has retained Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne for the 2013 season and the Australian and Frenchman are eagerly looking forward to their second full year in Formula One at the wheel of an all-new car. The best they can hope for are a few forays into Q3, with some help from the weather and occasional point-scoring finishes. They will be as surprised as the rest of us to find themselves on the podium in 2013.
JEAN-ERIC VERGNE www.jeanericvergne.com
Born: 28 April 1990 in Pontoise, France First GP: Australia 2012 GP starts: 20 First GP victory: – Victories: – Podiums: – Total points: 16
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CAR/ENGINE: STR8/Ferrary 056 HEADQUARTERS: Faenza, Italy FIRST GP: Bahrain 2006 FIRST GP VICTORY: Italy 2008 DRIVER’S CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0 CONSTRUCTOR’S CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0 BRAKES: Brembo
DANIEL RICCIARDO www.danielricciardo.com
Born: 1 July 1989 in Perth, Australia First GP: Britain 2011 (HRT) GP starts: 31 First GP victory: – Victories: – Podiums: – Total points: 10
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CATERHAM
CAR/ENGINE: CT03/Renault RS27-2013 HEADQUARTERS: Leafield, UK FIRST GP: Australia 2012 DRIVER’S CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0 CONSTRUCTOR’S CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0 BRAKES: Carbon Industrie/Brembo
CHARLES PIC www.charles-pic.com
Born: 15 February 1990 in Montelimar, France First GP: Australia 2012 (Marussia) GP starts: 20 First GP victory: – Victories: – Podiums: – Total points: 0 14
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2013 prospects
The outfit once known as Lotus now has an identity all of its own. The Renaultpowered cars are, like most others in the field, an evolution in terms of design. Designers have paid closer attention to the CT03’s aerodynamics, especially round the engine cover and side-pod areas. Two new drivers have been drafted in for 2013. Ex-Marussia pilot Charles Pic stays within the F1 fold and he will be partnered by Giedo van der Garde. The Dutch rookie raced for a number of years in GP2.
GIEDO VAN DER GARDE www.giedovandergarde.com
Born: 25 April 1985 in Rhenen, Netherlands First GP: Australia 2013 GP starts: – First GP victory: – Victories: – Podiums: – Total points: –
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MARUSSIA
2013 prospects
With the demise of HRT, Marussia will be bringing up the rear in 2013. The MR02 retains a Cosworth powerplant but has gained KERS. Employing this system has led to a number of development issues, which necessitated carrying over components from the MR01 to save time and reduce development costs. Two rookies will lead the team’s on-track charge. Briton Max Chilton and Mexican Luiz Razia have been plying their trades in GP2, with the latter finishing in the runner-up spot last year, but don’t expect fireworks from the Marussians.
MAX CHILTON www.maxchilton.com
Born: 21 April 1991 in Reigate, England First GP: Australia 2013 GP starts: – First GP victory: – Victories: – Podiums: – Total points: –
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CAR/ENGINE: MR02/Cosworth CA2013K HEADQUARTERS: Faenza, Italy FIRST GP: Australia 2012 DRIVER’S CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0 CONSTRUCTOR’S CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0 BRAKES: Hitco/AP Racing
LUIZ RAZIA
www.luizrazia.com
Born: 4 April 1989 in Barreiras, Brazil First GP: Australia 2013 GP starts: – First GP victory: – Victories: – Podiums: – Total points: –
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BEHIND THE SCENES
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ROUND 1 AUSTRALIAN GP
17 MARCH
Albert Park, Melbourne
Circuit length: 5,303 km Race distance: 58 laps, 307,574 km Start: 08h00 SA time 2012 Winner: Jenson Button (McLaren-Mercedes) 1 hr 34 min 09,565 secs 2012 Pole: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren Mercedes) 1 min 26,800 secs
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24 MARCH
ROUND 2 MALAYSIAN GP SEPANG. KUALA LUMPUR
Circuit length: 5,543 km Race distance: 56 laps, 310,408 km Start: 10h00 SA time 2012 Winner: Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) 2 hr 44 min 51,812 secs 2012 Pole: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren Mercedes) 1 min 36,219 secs
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ROUND 3 chinese GP
Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai
Circuit length: 5,451 km Race distance: 56 laps, 305,066 km Start: 09h00 SA time 2012 Winner: Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) 1 hr 36 min 26,929 secs 2012 Pole: Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) 1 min 35,121 secs
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14 APRIL
21 APRIL
ROUND 4 BAHRAIN GP SEPANG. KUALA LUMPUR
Circuit length: 5,412 km Race distance: 57 laps, 308,238 km Start: 14h00 SA time 2012 Winner: Sebastian Vettel (RBR-Renault) 1 hr 35 min 10,990 secs 2012 Pole: Sebastian Vettel (RBR-Renault) 1 min 34,422 secs
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ROUND 5 SPANISH GP Catalunya, Barcelona
Circuit length: 4,655 km Race distance: 66 laps, 307,104 km Start: 14h00 SA time 2012 Winner: Pastor Maldonado (Williams- Renault) 1 hr 39 min 09,145 secs 2012 Pole: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren Mercedes) 1 min 21,707 secs
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12 MAY
26 MAY
ROUND 6 MONACO GP Monte Carlo, Monaco
Circuit length: 3,340 km Race distance: 78 laps, 260,520 km Start: 14h00 SA time 2012 Winner: Mark Webber (RBR-Renault) 1 hr 46 min 06,557 secs 2012 Pole: Michael Schumacher (Mercedes) 1 min 14,301 secs
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ROUND 7 CANADIAN GP Montreal, Quebec
Circuit length: 4,361 km Race distance: 70 laps, 305,270 km Start: 20h00 SA time 2012 Winner: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren Mercedes) 1 hr 32 min 29,586 secs 2012 Pole: Sebastian Vettel (RBR-Renault) 1 min 13,784 secs
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9 June
30 JUNE
ROUND 8 BRITISH GP Silverstone, England
Circuit length: 5,891 km Race distance: 52 laps, 306,198 km Start: 14h00 SA time 2012 Winner: Mark Webber (RBR-Renault) 1 hr 25 min 11,288 secs 2012 Pole: Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) 1 min 51,746 secs
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ROUND 9 GERMAN GP N端rburgring, Eifel
Circuit length: 5,148 km Race distance: 60 laps, 308,623 km Start: 14h00 SA time 2012 Winner: Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) 1 hr 31 min 05,862 secs 2012 Pole: Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) 1 min 40,621 secs Results are from Hockenheim
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7 JuLY
21 JULY
ROUND 10 EUROPEAN GP TBA
Circuit length: TBA Race distance: TBA Start: TBA 2012 Winner: Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) 1 hr 44 min 16,649 secs 2012 Pole: Sebastian Vettel (RBR-Renault) 1 min 38,086 sec Results are from Valencia 27
ROUND 11 HUNGARAN GP
28 JULY
Budapest, Hungry
Circuit length: 4,381 km Race distance: 70 laps, 306,630 km Start: 14h00 SA time 2012 Winner: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren Mercedes) 1 hr 41 min 05,503 secs 2012 Pole: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren Mercedes) 1 min 20,953 secs
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25 AUGUST
ROUND 12 BELGIAN GP Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
Circuit length: 7,004 km Race distance: 44 laps, 308,052 km Start: 14h00 SA time 2012 Winner: Jenson Button (McLaren Mercedes) 1 hr 29 min 08,530 secs 2012 Pole: Jenson Button (McLaren Mercedes) 1 min 47,573 secs
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ROUND 13 ITALIAN GP
8 SEPTEMBER
Autodromo di Monza, Italy
Circuit length: 5,793 km Race distance: 53 laps, 306,720 km Start: 14h00 SA time 2012 Winner: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren Mercedes) 1 hr 19 min 41,221 secs 2012 Pole: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren Mercedes) 1 min 24,010 secs
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22 September
ROUND 14 SINGAPORE GP Marina Bay Street Circuit
Circuit length: 5,073 km Race distance: 61 laps, 309,316 km Start: 14h00 SA time 2012 Winner: Sebastian Vettel (RBR-Renault) 2 hr 00 min 26,144 secs 2012 Pole: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren Mercedes) 1 min 46,362 secs
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ROUND 15 KOREAN GP Yeongam, South Korea
Circuit length: 5,615 km Race distance: 55 km, 308,630 km Start: 08h00 SA time 2012 Winner: Sebastian Vettel (RBR-Renault) 1 hr 36 min 28,651 secs 2012 Pole: Mark Webber (RBR-Renault) 1 min 37,242 secs
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6 OCTOBER
13 OCTOBER
ROUND 16 JAPANESE GP Suzuka, Japan
Circuit length: 5,807 km Race distance: 53 laps, 307,471 km Start: 08h00 SA time 2012 Winner: Sebastian Vettel (RBR-Renault) 1 hr 28 min 56,242 secs 2012 Pole: Sebastian Vettel (RBR-Renault) 1 min 30,839 secs 33
ROUND 17 INDIAN GP
27 OCTOBER
Buddh International Circuit, New Delhi
Circuit length: 5,125 km Race distance: 60 laps, 307,429 km Start: 11h30 SA time 2012 Winner: Sebastian Vettel (RBR-Renault) 1 hr 31 min 10,744 secs 2012 Pole: Sebastian Vettel (RBR-Renault) 1 min 25,283 secs
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03 NOVEMBER
ROUND 18 ABU DHABI GP Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Circuit length: 5,554 km Race distance: 55 laps, 305,355 km Start: 15h00 SA time 2012 Winner: Kimi Räikkönen (Lotus) 1 hr 45 min 58,667 secs 2012 Pole: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren Mercedes) 1 min 40,630secs
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ROUND 19 USA GP
17 NOVEMBER
Austin, Texas
Circuit length: 5,513 km Race distance: 60 laps, 308,896 km Start: 21h00 SA time 2012 Winner: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) 1 hr 35 min 55,269 secs 2012 Pole: Sebastian Vettel (RBR-Renault) 1 min 35,657 secs
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24 NOVEMBER
ROUND 20 BRAZILIAN GP Interlagos, S達o Paolo
Circuit length: 4,309 km Race distance: 71 laps, 305,909 km Start: 18h00 SA time 2012 Winner: Jenson Button (McLaren-Mercedes) 1 hr 45 min 22,656 sec 2012 Pole: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren Mercedes) 1 min 12,458 sec
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F1 SIMULATOR
VIRTUAL REALITY Hannes Oosthuizen takes Ferrari’s official F1 simulator for a twirl and meets the South African behind the amazing technology “I Love Playstation. How difficult can it be?” I heard one of the other journalists mutter as we waited for our turn behind the wheel of the official Ferrari F1 simulator, situated in an unremarkable office building in Modena, Italy. As it turned out, “remarkably difficult” would be an apt answer. The stopwatch doesn’t lie. Fernando Alonso clocks around 1 minute and 25 seconds around the virtual Monza circuit. My best? A rather lethargic 1 minute and 38 seconds, which still counted among the better times of the day. More importantly, after only two laps, we were all sweating and out of breath. This may be a sim, but it’s a sim that costs �1,5 million and is used by Ferrari for young driver training, learning new circuits and driver practice. It’s a serious piece of kit. This simulator is an evolution of the professional one developed by AllInSports in Modena, a company headed by Anton Stipinovich. Anton is a South African who has worked in F1 for many years, having spent time with McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull. He 38
is very highly rated in his field, with 80 F1 race wins and 11 world championships. The simulator software is used by most F1 teams and is displayed by HD projectors onto a curved screen, with software managing the warping and blending of the images. Nevertheless, as you pull out of the pits, this curved screen is one of the first things you have to get used to. However, the curved nature combines well with the moving platform to create a very real experience. The motion base moves a full carbon-fibre chassis, made from the same moulds as real F1 cars, at surprisingly high velocities to give the sensations of braking and cornering. The steering wheel and pedal-force feedback are directly from the professional simulator. Even the seatbelts are tensioned to further create a sensation of braking. The simulator features the actual Ferrari electronics system and even the steering wheel and pedals are to current F1 specification. The physics model is so accurate that it gets the thumbs-up from drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa. The latter, by the way, used this simulator to get back up to speed following his serious accident a few years ago. Alonso, meanwhile, has one of these simulators at his home. And the tracks? The surfaces are laser scanned to give the sensation of curbs, gradients and bumps. Hit the curbs in the first chicane of Monza and you will get quite a fright. The entire rig feels like it takes off. The
sound is even faithful, as evidenced by all the drivers’ faces pulled out of shape in the agony of accompanying crashing or scraping sounds. But why do F1 teams go to such lengths to create what many onlookers regard are nothing more than gadgets? As Anton explained, it comes down to the lack of testing opportunities in F1. This year, track testing has been limited to three pre-season tests and one in May. To cut costs further, the FIA has also placed restrictions on wind-tunnel testing, etc. But there is no ban on simulator testing. That is why it has become vitally important and why it is the focus of research and development. Teams typically use these simulators to measure the impact that any mechanical
changes would have on lap times – gear ratios, aerodynamic changes, etc. – because the physics model is so accurate. However, because it also provides an environment in which all the variables can be controlled, it makes it possible to test the impact a new fuel or oil could have. The Shell personnel would simply provide the formula of a new oil to the simulator team, they would input the data, and because everything else remains the same, it would be possible to test whether the oil would give the car an advantage. But I’m not going to kid you. As technologically advanced as this simulator is, it is also a massive amount of fun. I’m sure Alonso has it at home for entertainment purposes...
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PREDICTIONS SUDHIR MATAI The 2013 championship is not that difficult to call. I say this for a few reasons: firstly, the rules have not changed significantly from last season. More than that, many teams have already moved their focus to development of the 2014 cars. And thirdly, the driver pairings for the majority of the front-running teams have not changed. Bar Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez moving to new teams, the top 10 drivers in last season’s standings all remain in front-running outfits.
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With that in mind, I will place my money on Sebastian Vettel to claim his fourth consecutive title. I know it may be the boring/safe choice, but Seb has grown in confidence over the last few seasons and doesn’t crack under pressure – remember his phenomenal comeback in Brazil to claim the 2012 crown? Coupled with the best car over a wide variety of circuits, this year is his for the taking. If Seb is in the pound seat, where will the biggest challenge come from? Well, obviously his team-mate, Mark Webber, is a threat. The red car driven by Alonso can never be discounted, as the Spaniard proved last year. Jenson will, pretty much, have McLaren all to himself as Perez learns what it’s like to be part of the corporate machine. But I sense the 2009 champ doesn’t have the killer instinct to claim another title. My outside picks for the year include Kimi Räikkönen and Lewis Hamilton. Kimi proved that he has the skill to win. If the E21 Lotus is quick (as initial tests showed), the Iceman could well be in with a chance. And, as many will agree, Lewis is the quickest driver in F1. With the backing of Ross Brawn – a man that knows how to, and likes to win – perhaps we will see the dawn of a new dominant partnership. Remember, Schumacher was 31 when he won his first title at Ferrari and Hamilton is only 28 now… Roll on the 2013 season of the best sport in the world.
KYLE KOCK The biggest news for this year is Lewis Hamilton’s move to MercedesBenz, which I think was quite a silly move for someone with everything to lose. The Silver Arrows weren’t particularly spectacular last season besides Nico Rosberg’s upstaging of Michael Schumacher. I’m also unsure if Hamilton will be able to cope with not being able to consistently match the pace of the top dogs and he’ll probably wring the neck of the F1 W04 (and maybe even break the car), allowing Rosberg to capitalise and add to his wins and points tallies. Sauber will miss the services of Sergio Perez and should have kept Kamui Kobayashi on a bit longer, but has opted for the skilled, but somewhat unpolished, Nico Hulkenberg and rookie Esteban Gutierrez. I would liked to have seen Hulkenberg in a slightly better car, maybe even in a Lotus seat instead of the dismal Romain Grosjean, who I don’t think deserves a drive this year. But Lotus has kept the ever-amusing Kimi Räikkönen, whose blunt personality is matched only by his sharp ability behind the wheel, to head up its championship charge,
and hopefully the team provides its guys with something slightly quicker than last year’s car. I don’t think Perez will settle quickly at McLaren, a team that will undoubtedly rely heavily on Jenson Button’s experience and level-headedness to take it forward this year. Ferrari poses the biggest threat to the Red Bull stranglehold on the sport. Alonso and, late in the season, Massa managed to squeeze every last bit of performance out of 2012’s dancing donkey. Because there aren’t many changes in the regulations, don’t expect anyone to really challenge Sebastian Vettel except his own team-mate, Mark Webber. I expect Vettel and Ferrari to take titles this year.
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PREDICTIONS MIKE FOURIE When Formula One teams fumbled with their setups in the aftermath of the double-diffuser era last season, it created the impression that the teams were very closely matched but in truth, they weren’t. In 2013, the race action will be quite frenetic again, but this time it’ll be because Pirelli will supply teams with softer-compound tyres with higher rates of degradation, which means a flurry of pit stops. Not only will there be a bigger gap in performance between the various compounds, but pilots whose driving styles best conserve the working lives of the grippiest tyres will hold a distinct advantage. If a rejuvenated Felipe Massa can provide consistent back-up to Fernando Alonso in a car that’s been quick out of the box, Ferrari will be on the front foot. Vettel will be hard to beat, but will this be Mark Webber’s swansong year? If so, he could make a final push for the title, which will see tensions at Red Bull boil over. The driver who’s sitting prettiest is McLaren Mercedes’s Jenson Button, who now holds the strongest strategic position he’s had since his run to the 2009 title with Brawn. His 42
team-mate, Sergio Perez, will be impressive at times, but expect a few “facepalm” moments from the Mexican as we saw late last year. Mercedes-Benz now has the personnel and machinery to win races, but can Lewis Hamilton do for Benz what he did for McLaren in only his second year in Formula One? Maybe, but only if the car is quick from the onset and then there’s the small matter of preventing a German team from favouring its German driver. Of course, this entire prediction can go to pot if Lotus unleashes a winning car – Kimi Räikkönen has demonstrated a level of consistency of late that goes beyond what we saw of him in his halcyon McLaren and Ferrari days. Kimi for champ, then? No. I don’t believe it will be three-times unlucky for Alonso in 2013. The Spaniard was pipped by Vettel in 2010 and 2012 so may this be his year – and deservedly so!
HALL OF FAME World titles: DRIVERS
7 5 4 3 2 1
Michael Schumacher (D) (1994/95/2000/01/02/03/04)
Juan Manuel Fangio (ARG) (1951/54/55/56/57)
Alain Prost (F) (1985/86/89/93)
Jack Brabham (AUS) (1959/60/66) Jackie Stewart (GB) (1969/71/73) Niki Lauda (A) (1975/77/84) Nelson Piquet (BR) (1981/83/87) Ayrton Senna (BR) (1988/90/91) Sebastian Vettel (D) (2010/11/12) Alberto Ascari (I) (1952/53) Graham Hill (GB) (1962/68) Jim Clark (GB) (1963/65) Emerson Fittipaldi (BR) (1972/74) Mika Häkkinen (FIN) (1998/99) Fernando Alonso (ESP) (2005/06) Nino Farina (I) (1950) Mike Hawthorn (GB) (1958) Phil Hill (USA) (1961) John Surtees (GB) (1964) Denny Hulme (NZ) (1967) Jochen Rindt (A) (1970) James Hunt (GB) (1976) Mario Andretti (USA) (1978) Jody Scheckter (ZA) (1979) Alan Jones (AUS) (1980) Keke Rosberg (FIN) (1982) Nigel Mansell (GB) (1992) Damon Hill (GB) (1996) Jacques Villeneuve (CDN) 1 (1997) Kimi Räikkönen (FIN) (2007) Lewis Hamilton (GB) (2008) Jenson Button (GB) (2009) 43
HALL OF FAME World titles: CONSTRUCTORS
16 9 8 7 3 2 1 44
Ferrari (1961/64/75/76/77/79/82/83/99/2000/01/02/03/ 04/07/08)
Williams (1980/81/86/87/92/93/94/96/97)
McLaren (1974/84/85/88/89/90/91/98)
Lotus (1963/65/68/70/72/73/78)
Red Bull (2010/11/12)
Cooper (1959/60) Brabham (1966/67) Renault (2005/06) Vanwall (1958) BRM (1962) Matra (1969) Tyrrell (1971) Benetton (1995) Brawn GP (2009)
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