P1 Issue 9 by P1 Magazine

Issue 9 • 2012

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e d ito r’s note s

even different winners from seven different rounds – could you ever have imagined such a feat? No one could and the chances of it ever happening again are slim to none. But there is a record that could still be achieved, eight from eight and maybe nine from nine. How can that be I hear you say? Well take a very close look at names like Kimi Raikkonen, Romain Grosjean, Sergio Perez, Michael Schumacher, and maybe even Felipe Massa... oh wait, that pushes it to a possible twelve from twelve... Formula 1 over the last couple of seasons has finally returned to where it should be – a pinnacle of not only racing, but entertainment as well. Sure, I like many others understand the Monaco event, and we love it, but we kind of take it out of the main season and look at it as a glamour event rather than a pure racing spectacle. In saying that, there is no doubt the drivers adore the battle on that particular piece of tarmac, but there’s only twenty-four of them each season compared to millions of us, so the ratio of those who get to feel the rush against those of us that dream it is fairly unbalanced. Reiterating though, in my eyes Formula 1 is back.

th e tea m editor in chief Ned Dawson Project Manager Cathy Horton Editor Craig Lord Sub Editors Leigh Neil F1 Editor David Tremayne CONTRIBUTING editors Jacki Warnock Richard Craill Tom Phillips Shamus McGovern Nascar Stephen Thomas CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

There is plenty to keep an eye on in regards to upcoming talent in the open wheeler format, the GP2 and GP3 categories are becoming fully justified in their existence, and we look forward to the brand new GP3 car next season – for now though lets enjoy the current racing which has seen much like its big brother F1, a multitude of different winners from different races. On a side note, you may have been wondering where P1 has been recently, well, yes, there are a lot of answers to that question, but basically to try and join them all together, we have been doing a heap of work in the background and needed to focus on that for a while. I trust you will enjoy the read of issue 9, and as always, we are very proud to bring you the our favourite photographic shots from around the globe.

Ned Dawson Stephen Gyde Nathan Wong Proofreading Barbara McIntosh Graphic Design Dot Design Digital Edition www.zinio.com Web Design Fuel Design

I Look forward to seeing you at the circuit... and remember, Motor Racing is Sport... everything else is just a game. Cheers.

Sooty

Issue 9 • 2012

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con ten ts middle east 10 PROSPEROUS PROGRESS Bahrain International Circuit (BIR), the ‘Home of Motorsport in the Middle East’, organises and promotes their regional V8 Touring Car Series. And now, whilst the teams relax and start to plan their next season, BIR revisits the season’s six rounds to look back at how a team and driver orchestrated a successful title run.

oceania 30 FORMULA 3 GOES TO BATHURST Three years of work and hard grind from a very small team of people behind the scenes were about to come to fruition and I was up for a fight. Formula 3 was going to the Mountain, haters be damned.

38 the fresh crop Whilst being one of the smaller nations of the planet, New Zealand has excelled in many aspects, from business to science, agriculture to invention, and of course sport. However with this love, this desire, this passion, inevitably comes drama.

50 where to go When a successful national motor racing series holds any of its rounds at an overseas destination particularly at a street circuit risks are taken. So are they worth it and is it really a necessary journey?

F1 / GP2 / GP3 68 the cream rises The 2012 GP2 Series began its ninth season in stunning style, with four race winners in the first three rounds and non-stop action both on and off the track.

82 sensational understudies It was always going to be a hard task to follow an actioned packed 2011 season for the GP3 Series, but the class of 2012 kicked things off in style with a new points system and three female drivers competing for the first time in the categories short history.

94 why we love kimi raikkonen The 2007 World Champion is a unique character. In a world of drivers mostly afraid to speak their minds, an individual who answers questions in a direct and honest way will always be refreshing.

europe 108 four is the magic number Luciano Bacheta’s masterful performance in the first quarter of the 2012 FIA Formula Two Championship has netted him a record-breaking four wins from four races. But, as Tom Phillips discovers, he’ll have to work hard to tame the teenage kicks of his nearest rival Mathéo Tuscher...

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PERFORMANCE COOLANTS

middle east

V8 touring middle east car series

Bahrain International Circuit (BIR), the ‘Home of Motorsport in the Middle East’, organises and promotes their regional V8 Touring Car Series. And now, whilst the teams relax and start to plan their next season, BIR revisits the season’s six rounds to look back at how a team and driver orchestrated a successful title run.

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middle east

he WGA Supercars Middle East Championship is the premier circuit racing championship in the Arab world. Inside that Championship are two names that are quickly gaining popularity on the international motorsport scene – Batelco Racing Team and

French driver Alban Varuttii. Both had previously made themselves known in the highly competitive world of karting, but as they continue their climb up the motorsport ladder, they were recently crowned champions. Batelco captured the winners’ trophy in the Supercars’ Teams’ Championship, while Varuttii emerged as the overall Drivers’ Champion. He obviously played a big part in Batelco’s march to the teams’ title, which was a historic first for a regional series. And, despite it being his rookie campaign, the Frenchman finished as the most successful driver of the season, claiming five victories from a possible dozen in the championship’s SC09 category for elite drivers. Varuttii’s right-hand man, teammate Ramez Azzam from Canada, was also a fine performer for Batelco. He finished the year with four race wins to help spearhead the telecommunication giants, including a pair of popular triumphs in the final two races of the season in April, held in support of the 2012 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix. That particular finale gave the Supercars’ drivers an incredible stage to 14

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show off their skills as millions from around the world watched on, and it was a fitting climax to one of the most exciting and tightly contested championships in the history of the WGA Supercars Middle East Championship.

ROUND 1 Backed by leading Bahrain-based asset management company Western Gulf Advisory (WGA) and tyre giants Pirelli, the WGA Supercars were set for a fantastic season in 2011/2012. It would be the first full year running the Teams’ Championship, giving each squad full responsibility for taking care of their own challengers. It would also mark another campaign that would feature a long list of international, regional and Bahraini talent on the grid. This fine line-up of competitors ensured six thrilling rounds would take place at Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, and there was already plenty of drama from the opening weekend itself in November of 2011. VIVA Racing Team was in a race against time to get ready for the championship’s first meeting. The squad only received their go-ahead to compete the night before the Supercars were first scheduled to get out on track, and so team members had no choice but to work double time in the few hours they had to get their challengers ready. Fortunately for them, they had secured the services of one of Bahrain’s

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most prolific young drivers in Raed Raffii. Teamed up with the series’ first-ever champion in Australian Tarek Elgammal, Raffii would turn heads in race one as he would capture the lead at the rolling start and then put in a flawless drive to claim victory. What a start that was for VIVA, who only 24 hours before weren’t even confirmed participants in the championship. Mustafa Al Khan of ALBA Racing Team and Batelco’s third driver for the season, Mohammed Mattar, finished second and third, respectively. Race two turned out to be completely different for Raffii, who would retire after an incident in the first corner damaged his Supercar. Alban Varuttii, who started from pole for the second time in the first round, did better not to lose the lead this time. He made a clean getaway to secure his place on the top of the podium for the first time in the season, finishing ahead of the ALBA tandem of Faisal Raffii and Al Khan. 16

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ROUND 2 Following Varuttii’s fine victory to end round one, Batelco were determined to continue where they left off as round two took place in the cold weather conditions of December. Batelco did well by securing a double pole in qualifying, and in race one, Varuttii claimed his second straight win after outduelling teammate and polesitter Azzam. Varuttii managed to pass his partner on lap eight and then charge to the victory from there. Azzam had to settle for the runner-up spot, while Saudi Arabian Abdulaziz Al Yaeesh of the Speeding Saddles team claimed third place. In race two, it was Varuttii on pole. He did well to steer clear from any trouble at the start, but was then unlucky to face some car trouble on lap 13, allowing Azzam to pass him and head on to the win. Faisal Raffii of ALBA finished behind the Batelco pair in third.

ROUND 3 While Batelco were the ones doubly excited by their two wins in the second round, it was VIVA’s turn to ramp up the party music in round three. The VIVA teammates Raffii and Elgammal shared the meeting’s honours taking a win apiece. At the end of the race one, Azzam had originally crossed the finish in first position, but due to a 10-second penalty for a pair of incidents, dropped to fourth while Raffii rose to the very top. Faisal Raffii and Elgammal were also given promotions, taking up the second and third positions. The second race was more of an uneventful affair. Elgammal gained the lead at turn three on lap one, and it was smooth sailing for the VIVA ace from 18

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SEASON’S FI NAL STANDI NGS SC09 DRIVERS: 1. ALBAN VARUTTII (BATELCO) 123 2. RAMEZ AZZAM (BATELCO) 102 3. MOHAMMED MATTAR (BATELCO) 88 4. FAISAL RAFFII (ALBA) 87 5. RAED RAFFII (VIVA) 73 6. MUSTAFA AL KHAN (ALBA) 66 7. TAREK ELGAMMAL (VIVA) 58 8. ABDULAZIZ AL YAEESH (WGA) 38 9. AHMED AL KUWARI (WGA) 17 10. MOHAMMED AL BAHARNA (WGA) 12 11. TALAL AL GAITH (ALBA) 11 12. ESSA AL KOOHEJI (BATELCO) 3 13. OSAMA ALBUFLASA (VIVA) 2 14. FAHAD AL MUSALAM (WGA) 2 SC06 DRIVERS: 1. NASSER AL ALAWI (WGA) 2. CHRISTOPHE MARIOT 3. AHMED HAMADA 4. AMRO AL HAMAD

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96 42 14 8

there. Mattar of Batelco and Al Yaeesh of the Speeding Saddles claimed the other podium positions.

ROUND 4 With the halfway point of the season having passed, the battles for the Teams’ and Drivers’ titles were certain to hot up, and they did. Varuttii would once again step up to put Batelco at the front of the pack. After starting both races roaring from second position on row one, Varuttii gained the lead at different points from each 15-lap sprint en route to a pair of fine victories. In race one, Varuttii overtook teammate and pole-sitter Azzam on turn six of the final lap, making for an exciting finish. Azzam was a narrow runner-up just three-tenths of a second behind first place. Mattar was third, completing a clean sweep for Batelco of the podium positions. In race two, Varuttii took over as leader on the fifth lap when double pole man Raed Raffii of VIVA began to have car trouble. Varuttii was untroubled the rest of the way, securing his fantastic double and his fourth triumph of the season. ALBA’s Faisal Raffii was the runner-up and Elgammal third.

ROUND 5 Following their stellar showing the previous meeting, Varuttii and Batelco put themselves in fine position to virtually place one hand on both the Teams’ and Drivers’ Championship trophies, and at round 5 they made the most of any opportunities to keep them there.

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Batelco’s brilliance outshone the round’s big news that former double champion Fahad Al Musalam would be returning with the Speeding Saddles Team, who would later be renamed as WGA Racing Team to end the season. Joining Al Musalam would be talented Bahraini racer Mohammed Al Baharna. Azzam started things off well for Batelco by capturing a double pole. It was Varuttii, however, who would take charge for the opening sprint. The pair had a competitive exchange midway through the race, and Varuttii eventually managed to get in front. He eventually did enough to keep Azzam at bay and claim the win with only a seven-tenths gap, while Mattar was third to come away with a Batelco “1-2-3”. In race two, Mattar took advantage of a couple of incidents involving other leading drivers to capture the lead on lap four and then ward off a pair of challengers to celebrate his first and only win of the season. Faisal Raffii of ALBA was second, with cousin Raed Raffii of VIVA third.

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ROUND 6 With the previous roundâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s results mathematically ensuring Batelco and Varuttii their respective crowns, both were determined to end their season on a high as the championship finale took place in support of the 2012 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix. Azzam was in blistering form from the very start. He first topped the timesheets with the fastest lap in free practice, and then clinched a fine double pole in a brilliant qualifying. In race one, Azzam steered clear from trouble at the rolling start and then did well to maintain his focus and hold on to the lead the rest of the way. He eventually claimed an impressive pole-to-flag win, with ALBAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Al Khan the runner-up and Batelco teammate Mattar clinching third. Azzam then followed up his win with another fantastic drive in race two as he comfortably led another impressive Batelco sweep of the podium. Azzam finished well ahead of Mattar to secure his fourth win of the campaign, while Varuttii was third, capping his title-winning campaign with a welldeserved podium. 24

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CHAMPIONS Batelco ended their dominant campaign with 234 points, well ahead of runners-up ALBA who had 153. VIVA finished third on 131 markers, while WGA Racing Team claimed fourth place on 69 points. Varuttii was first place in the SC09 standings and was thus the overall champion with 123 points for the season. Azzam finished in second place on 102 points and Mattar third on 88, gifting Batelco a clean sweep of the top places in the SC09 class. In the WGA Supercars’ lower-rung SC06 Drivers’ Championship, WGA Racing Team’s Bahraini ace Nasser Al Alawi was the winner with 96 points. Al Alawi ended the season with five victories from the last six races, earning him the coveted title reserved for competitive gentleman drivers. Frenchman Christophe Marriot was the SC06 runner-up on 42 points, while Ahmed Hamada of Egypt was third on 14 markers. P 1

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middle east

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East xth race victory; si s he tc no n ia tr Aus river celebrates veteran Qatari d che GT3 Cup in climax to Pors East Challenge Middle rsche

ores Po n as Al Kuwari sc Schmid wins agai le success GT3 Cup silver tit

scored a Clemens Schmid Bahrain. Austrian final round y in the 12th and convincing victor Middle East 3 Cup Challenge of the Porsche GT brated a on Al Kuwari cele while Qatar ’s Saad l Circuit. hrain Internationa Ba at s es cc su le tit ndar n seconds from Ba Schmid won by te ned d out newly-crow Alesayi who edge laziz Al llow-Saudi Abdu champion and fe duel for ht out a gripping Faisal as they foug second place. fourth, d Al Murar finished UAE driver Musae secured ran Al Kuwari who just ahead of vete minating the r Trophy after do the Michelin Silve this season. intermediate class ninth time le position for the After clinching po led as id was never troub in 12 rounds, Schm the 2011-12 s sixth victory of he notched up hi all. re third place over campaign to secu -up to of finishing runner Alesayi made sure series as Porsche GT3 Cup Abdulaziz in the pion on the e two-times cham he swept past th Al Azhari s. The UAE’s Karim lap 12 of h nt ve se Swiss driver ter a collision with failed to finish af Armin Schmid. an driver on the day, Germ all er ov h nt ni g in Finish Trophy after cured the Mobil 1 se er aim W es nn Ha ze class. topping the bron

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Round 12 results 1. Clemens Schmid (AUT)

25:24.428

2. Bandar Alesayi (KSA) Saudi GT Racing

25:34.452

3. Abdulaziz Al Faisal (KSA) Saudi Falcons

25:43.582

4. Musaed Al Murar (UAE)

25:57:634

5. Saadon Al Kuwari (QAT) Gerbhard Motor Sport ME

26:04.849

6. Manfred Ender (AUT) Fins Structural Steel 26:05.651 7. Cengiz J. Oguzhan (TUR)

26:06:029

8. Fawaz Algosaibi (KSA) ClassicArabia Racing 26:10:138 9. Rob Frijns (NL) Frins Structural Steel

26:14.184

10. Hannes Waimer (GER) Team TCE

26:14.452

Final championship positions 1. Abdulaziz Al Faisal (KSA) Saudi Falcons

211pts

2. Bandar Alesayi (KSA) Saudi GT Racing

180pts

3. Clemens Schmid (AUT)

166pts

4. Saeed Al Mouri (KSA) Saudi Falcons

140pts

5. Saadon Al Kuwari (QA)

108pts

6. Ahmad Al Harthy (OM) Oman Air Racing

106pts

7. Stephane Lemeret (BEL) Al Nabooda Racing

86pts

8. Armin Schmid CH Team TCE

81pts

9. Hannes Waimer (GER) Team TCE

61pts

10. Karim Al Azhari (UAE) Al Nabooda Racing

59pts

Michelin Silver Trophy 1. Saadon Al Kuwari (QA)

108pts

2. Armin Schmid (CH) Team TCE

81pts

3. Hans Guido Riegel (GER) Haribo Racing

39pts

4. Mark Thomas (CAN)

27pts

Mobil 1 Trophy 1. Hannes Waimer (GER)

61pts

2. Manfred Ender (AUT) Frins Structural Steel

52pts

3. Rob Frijns (NL) Frins Structural Steel

47pts

4. Fawaz Algosaibi (KSA) ClassicArabia Racing

43pts

issue 9

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oceania

issue 9

formula 3

story by Richard Craill photos by nathan wong

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formula 3

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Three years of work and hard grind from a very small team of people behind the scenes were about to come to fruition and I was up for a fight. Formula 3 was going to the Mountain, haters be damned.

y argumentative friend, one I had only just met, was fired up. “There is no way,” he

quietly stated, his understated yet firm tone indicating that he thought I was completely bananas, “that those cars will go around there quicker than a V8 Supercar. “In fact, there is no way they will go around there at all. They will bottom out, crash; fall off the top or something else. But the one thing they won’t do is lap Bathurst.” It’s funny how passions in Motorsport go to a new level when the most hallowed of turf – or bitumen, as it is – stands in the Aussie racing landscape. Here is guy I’d known for five minutes vehemently defending the October race’s position as the only real game in town on the Mountain. But I loved it. Three years of work and hard grind from a very small team of people behind the scenes were about to come to fruition and I was up for a fight. Formula 3 was going to the Mountain, haters be damned. Fortunately for those involved, nothing Mr. Opinionated said came true. The nimble little Dallara’s and Mygales took to the 6.213kms of twists, turns and undulations

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formula 3

like a Formula one car takes to Eau Rouge at Spa

series’ fourth round, in Darwin this June, as he seeks an

Francorchamps; fast, seemingly effortless but yet, at the

unprecedented second Gold Star.

same time, particularly impressive to watch. History will show that, after just one 30-minute practice

3 car at. It is direct competition to Macau in terms of the

session it was John Magro who took pole position with

kind of challenge it is. Coming down the mountain you

a cracking 2:05.53 second lap. His team-mate, young

need huge commitment over skyline in 5th gear, and it’s

Adelaide driver Jordan Skinner, then etched his name into

flat out,” Winslow beamed after his win.

the history books in winning the first race on a bright and

“We broke the outright lap record here this weekend – I

sunny afternoon, edging out a charging James Winslow

think I was a few thousandths off – so to win the Event

and Carrera Cup racer Nick Foster.

and be that close to the record, we’re really happy.

Winslow, in only the way he can, went on to dominate the final two races with reigning champion Chris Gilmour slotting into second place. He is now the most winning driver in Australian Formula 3 history and takes a substantial lead into the 34

“It’s one of the best tracks I’ve ever driven a Formula

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“I’ve got a 42 point lead at this stage is a good start,” he added. “An unbelievable start and we couldn’t have planned it better. Hopefully I can continue to win races and if I do the championship will look after itself.”

Gilmour, however, got the most publicity out of the weekend thanks to his stunning 2:04.8597s lap on the final tour of the second race: officially, without question, the fastest ever lap officially recorded on the mountain.

seconds difference between F3 and V8 is across the top of the mountain. In the end, the weekend was a success. Sure, numbers on-track weren’t what was expected but F3

“I can die happy now,” he joked.

dominated the local media across the weekend. Locals

“It’s pretty amazing to be here, full stop – but to do

who knew commented that there was a real buzz about

something like set the outright lap record that gets

having the open wheelers there and of the potential

talked about so much is pretty special. It requires so

for it to build long-term.

much commitment and a great car to do the job here and we had that. “In the end our car came on a bit too late to tackle

The drama surrounding lap times created multiple storylines that even the more mainstream media picked up on, exposing the category and the Event to avenue’s

James but we’re gaining momentum and looking good

that it might not have gone had the risk not been taken

going into Darwin.”

and the trip to Bathurst never taken.

The lap lives on in perpetuity on You Tube. Check it out – it’s impressive – you’ll quickly see where the four

The satisfied post-race faces from the drivers, the teams and those behind the scenes who made it happen,

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australia formula 3

The drama surrounding lap times created multiple storylines that even the more mainstream category and the Event to avenue’s

conciliatory note to put an end to our verbal repartee’.

Bathurst never taken. magazine

Several weeks after that Easter long weekend, I received a one-sentence email via the Formula 3 website. It turned out my argumentative friend had indeed paid

risk not been taken and the trip to

just happened, and all was good.

media picked up on, exposing the that it might not have gone had the

told the full story. Wings and Slicks on the Mountain had

attention and, if not feeling repentant, at least offered a “I guess,” he wrote. “You weren’t totally wrong, were you?” I’ve never been more pleased to be not totally wrong in my life. P 1

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Australia

Whilst being one of the smaller nations of the planet, New Zealand has excelled in many aspects, from business to science, agriculture to invention, and of course sport. One particular sporting category that it seems to have embraced is the Motoring kind. However with this love, this desire, this passion, inevitably comes drama. 38

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story by Craig Lord photos by ned dawson

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v8 supertourers

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here are seemingly

to be highly unlikely. There were a

the same paddock and we all know

two common and

couple of options available to the

the ending to that story.

major problems in

growers, let it die or maybe rip it up

This similar scenario has now

motorsport and they are

and replant it again. Another option

happened in a country that cannot

common because they are worldwide

was to graft branches from this old

however seemingly sustain two trees

issues...The building of Empires, the

wood and place it onto the break-

at all, let alone two very similar trees

controlling of them and the financial

off one that had grown bigger and

in a very small paddock. It has come

returns created by them. No matter

stronger. Since the newly planted

about in a small island nation with

what the sporting code, these issues

one was now producing fruit it made

proud Motorsport roots, but with only

exist. The question is how to remove

sense to join them back together in

so much fertiliser to sustain them

them and stop them from arising again, the problem is history shows us that achieving a solution is unlikely. In the USA for example, the biggest event that confronted those problematic entities was the open wheel racing format now known as Indycar. The construction of the earlier Champ series had created over time, riffs and issues in both finances and control, and there was seemingly only one solution to remedy this â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the creation of a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;rebelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; breakaway series. In simple parlance, the Rebel series was just a branch cut from a particular tree, and as the years went by, the original tree had withered to the point where reviving it was going

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both. Planting the second one was

and disease, but thankfully they were

fruit than the old stock i.e. The

bound to take nutrients away from

relatively minor and there was and is

Drivers with the new Cars.

the original though, because there is

the ability to remove all of those.

2. The new tree has sprung up so

Because of this successful

well that fertiliser and nourishment

planting, and because there was

is now being applied from outside

taken was immediately planted,

the ability to produce a crop so

sources.

and within its first season in the

quickly, the question was then being

sun, it had produced a crop which

asked, â&#x20AC;&#x153;what would happen to the

asking everyone to look because

was enough to feed the people that

other treeâ&#x20AC;?? It was a tree that over

it is about to sprout with brand

wanted a new and tasty product.

time had become controversial,

new branches i.e. a brand new car

Granted, the cost of production was

difficult to maintain and had past its

design in a similar ilk to what the

above the initial expectations, and

used-by date.

only so much to go around. The thing is, the branch that was

there were a few broken limbs here

To try and ascertain how the

3. The old tree is waving its leaves

other tree has already produced. 4. Currently the old tree only has

and there, but in all fairness that

future growth will go for either tree,

small fruit available in the way of

happens more often than not with

you would need to look at the basic

a driver base that generally the

any new entity no matter what their

fronting facts, the facts that can

public donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know, might sample,

format or function may be. It also

openly be seen on the shelves.

but are unlikely to continue buying

had its problems in the way of bugs

1. The new tree has produced better

for regular sustenance.

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v8 supertourers

With those simple facts of course

available racing in its category – it

However it was such a good looking

comes plenty of debate, but after

was often because it was the only

tree from day one with so much

all the back and forth arguments are

racing in its category.

potential to provide the racing public

given, those facts are clear and remain. The old tree was and still is, the

with a better product, it bloomed

were the issues listed earlier in

immediately in the format of a

regards to control and money, and

successful racing series.

NZV8 Touring Car Series. From its

the issues had grown so big that

creation till the end of last season

pruning was needed.

it was a series that utilised the Ford

Behind the shed though, there

That was the basic reasoning

This blooming was aided by the fact that the top crop of drivers from the old series went into the

and Holden V8 Sedans, modified to

behind the branch coming off the

new paddock, washing their hands

a point where they could race. They

old tree and being replanted in

of the old regime and systems,

were commonly known as the ‘Taxis’

the form of the NZ V8 Supertourer

outwardly glad to be a part of

and whilst they produced the best

Series – a ‘rebel’ series if you like.

something new and fresh.

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themselves to a series where the

would run with identical equipment

embarrassingly to stop the new tree

vehicles are identical in every aspect

underneath. With indistinguishable

from being planted in the form of

under the body shell? Whatever

parts from front to back including

legal papers with various arguments,

happened to the need for so-called

the engine, the series has become

but in the end it was all in vain. The

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;brand attachmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

a genuine team sport. It is all about

The growers of the old tree tried

new series had commenced, with

For the V8 Supertourers brand

the driver and how the team can

a four round, 3 races per weekend

attachment is of little value. Half

provide a machine to suit. The fruit

schedule that proved itself to be of

the field have a Ford body shell; the

from this tree can be made to look

exactly the right sweetness.

others use a Holden (GM). And do

like something else if the grower

the fans really care? No, not really.

wants â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but the taste is all the same.

to have been able to produce such

Even Ford admitted openly that

In simpler terms, on the outside, it

a rapid growth? And how is it that

it was of no concern to them that

can look like a banana, an orange, a

fans have been able to attach

the differently branded vehicles

peach or a pear, but under the skin

So what is the mix that seems

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v8 supertourers

magazine

the fans showing a slight interest,

tree and its fruit – rather than simply

but it would be simply because of

being an administrator of the orchard

race cars, or in orchard parlance –

the machinery and the curiosity

as a whole.

plenty of different trees can grow

would soon waiver. Human nature is

nice fruit - so what made the V8

very simple, for the crop to be fully

of interests, the soon-to-be replanted

Supertourers so special in this first

successful as a sellable product it

NZV8 Touring Car series is being

season? Quite simply because they

needs the tasty crispy combination of

touted by the NZ Motorsport

had the best growers, the drivers

both driver and machine.

administration and their own

they are all crispy sweet juicy apples. But any series can have fantastic

were household names and they had

So what faults did the old fruit

Because of this apparent conflict

promotional company as the ‘Elite’

attached themselves to this particular

have in comparison to the new?

and ‘Gold’ class of NZV8 Touring

tree, exactly what the fruit eating

In a way not a lot as such, just old

car racing. This seems to be because

race fan wants.

technology that was horrendously

they have a financial interest in it.

expensive to sustain competitively.

Should they however? Probably

smaller racing categories, you could

Whilst new production line

not, but nonetheless they do. And

arguably put all of these same drivers

technology fixes that issue, the

naturally this has created friction in

into Mini’s or a little Suzuki and the

major fault that will always be difficult

all the ranks of NZ Motorsport circles.

end product would be of a much

to cure was not with the old fruit

Ego, stubbornness and pride have

lesser significance than what was

itself but with the old tree. It

now rippled through the multiple

achieved using the big bangers –

had far too many little blemishes

factions, and it seems as though

there is obviously the need for the

that accumulated itself into a

there will not be a quick or amicable

right combination. In saying that, the

rather sour product. One particular

harvesting of all the crops together in

argument could also be reversed, by

blemish being that the governing

the near future.

placing completely unknown drivers

body of NZ Motorsport is also a

into these new cars would surely see

marketer and promoter of the old

Without being derogative towards

Both together cannot survive and currently the V8 Supertourers are the

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v8 supertourers

The fruit lovers had a taste over

the last few months, a taste of a

brand new creation that has been genetically engineered to make a fantastic tasting product.

pick of the bunch. This of course is due to the fact â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as stated earlier â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that they actually have a product on the shelf, and it honestly is sweet. The old series is being re-sown, and there is a lot of big talk from their growers about how their brand of fruit will appear bigger, riper and juicier than the others. Knowing that New Zealand cannot sustain two orchards for any long amount of time it seems logical that all of those who make the power play decisions should forget about their own agendas and think about the

magazine

fans and the businesses that want to

goes on the shelf again in September

support the growth.

for the first of its three round

The fruit lovers had a taste over

Endurance Series. And, if the

the last few months, a taste of a

initial sampling of the four round

brand new creation that has been

Sprint Series was anything to go by,

genetically engineered to make a

there will be plenty of food in the

fantastic tasting product. It seems

stomach for all.

that after only four rounds the recipe

One would also hope that

is close to right. But there is no doubt

well before then the old tree

the growers will keep modifying the

growers would look over the fence,

product to continue its enhancement,

realise that New Zealand now has

making it even more cost effective

something fresh on display, and

and healthier for all.

that there is no need to continue

New Zealand will find out how this new crop tastes when the fruit

trying to plant any more seeds just because you can. P 1

issue 9

australia

story by Shamus McGovern photos by ned dawson

When a successful national motor racing series holds any of its rounds at an overseas destination particularly at a street circuit risks are taken. So are they worth it and is it really a necessary journey?

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v8 supercars

Street circuits are currently the fetish for many different worldwide motor racing categories and regardless of what the supporter thinks they seem to be growing in number.

he Australian V8 Supercar Series is

be big, as has happened in New Zealand when financial hits

successful – of that there is no argument.

took their toll on the local promoters and host venues.

However, it has tried in the past with overseas destinations, and in reality once

all the spin-doctoring is removed one always questions

about one hour south of the Auckland City CBD. A well

whether it was really worth it.

establishment racetrack, Pukekohe soon became a darling

The pros of travel are fairly easy to gauge. There is the

for motorsport fans who wanted to see the best V8

novelty, the niceties of being at an overseas spot (albeit

Touring Car drivers from both nations (Australia and New

generally between airports, hotels and the track), and for

Zealand) fighting panel to panel. But, in a desire to see

the head office there is the buzz of taking your product

another street race on the yearly schedule the heads of

global. For the locals, it’s a theoretically large injection of

Supercars moved the event to a more central North Island

income – but has anyone ever really been able to count

location – the City of Hamilton.

the actual dollars injected, and of course, there is the

This was according to many followers a disastrous

theory regarding the off-shoot marketing to increase the

plan that would alienate. Pukekohe was a track where you

future tourism budget.

could see 95% of the track, and even the most modest

The cons however are not so easy to judge, but they can

When the V8 Supercars first decided to trial an event in New Zealand, they went to Pukekohe Park Raceway,

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motorsport fan knew that a street circuit would give

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v8 supercars

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The no room-for-error gives many a thrill but it is a risky and A potentially expensive one. them 5% visibility at most. When you talk directly to the

However, street circuits are currently the fetish for

paying fans, it is difficult to find any that actually enjoy

many worldwide motor racing categories, and regardless

street circuit racing as a walk up and sit venue, especially

of what the supporter thinks, they seem to be growing in

when the majority are clearly aware that the only ones

number. The argument for them is of course the amount

who enjoy that kind of racing are those driving, and those

of people that buy a ticket to sit in a temporary stand

watching on the television. And if you would really like an

and watch 5% of a track. But why are they buying? Again

honest report on how much street circuits are not on the

when asking around, it is not because they love street

top of a most favourite list â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ask the teams who have to

circuits, it is simply because if they want to see their

repair a car after an unforgiving meeting with concrete

favourite drivers in a code they have a passion for, and

barriers. The no-room-for-error gives many a thrill, but it is

there is no other option. The fan is quite honestly at the

a risky and potentially expensive one.

mercy and decisions of head office.

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v8 supercars

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v8 supercars

The crowd numbers dropped dramatically over the next few years and when it was finally announced that the event would be the last the crowds came back again simply for novelty value. The Hamilton venue was not financially successful

a curse. It meant that the cars were in limbo due to them

itself, it was even worse. Terrible council decisions and

having no up-to-standard track to race on, and it also

a lack of transparency in regards to the finances meant

meant Hamilton would have no further chance to recoup

the local ratepayer was left with huge debts. The crowd

lost funds â&#x20AC;&#x201C; although the chances of recouping a $40

numbers at the first Hamilton race were quite good, but

million dollar blowout was fairly unlikely.

that was simply because of the novelty value of being the

As a blessing it meant that there was a potential

first ever Supercars street race in New Zealand. The crowd

chance for the series to return to a genuine race circuit,

numbers dropped dramatically over the next few years,

but with only two in the running (the very old Pukekohe

and when it was finally announced that the 2012 event

or the new and very unfinished Hampton Downs), it was

would be the last, the crowds came back â&#x20AC;&#x201C; again simply

looking to only be a minor blessing.

for that novelty value. When the Australian V8 Supercars finally pulled the

pin on the Hamilton street race, it was both a blessing and

for the Australian V8 Supercars, and for Hamilton City

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There is a back and forth argument for hosts and owners of an event. One says â&#x20AC;&#x153;if you want us to come to

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v8 supercars

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v8 supercars

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you then you must pay for it”, whilst the other says “sure

rent a space to sell them. If one was to try the following

you can bring your product here to sell it to the public,

argument it is likely they would get laughed at....“But

but you need to pay us for use of the venue”. And while it

my pickles are so good, I can guarantee that people

seems as though the venue has the stronger argument, it

will come to your market to buy them, we would all be

seems as though the owner tends to win. This appears to

winners because they will spend money at other stalls,

be decided by the way the argument is presented.

and in the general business district as a whole.” Is that a

If a thriving entity brings its product to a venue, the debate is that the venue and all those associated

workable scenario? No, not really. But it seems to work for a business entity like motorsport.

with it (hotels, car rentals, food and beverage etc) will

Looking at it from the side of the Australian V8

win out in the end due to the numbers of people that

Supercars, it does cost a lot to move a show like theirs

should converge to the said venue. However, that is

around, particularly when it has to be moved to an

the debate that forever seems to be sold well, but hardly

overseas venue for just one weekend.

ever comes true. There are financially victorious street circuit venues,

It can be hard to try and use the analogy of a jar of pickles up against a very profitable and flourishing

but it seems that they are few and far between. Yet for

package such as the Australian V8 Supercars, but when

some unknown reason, those in charge of cities continue

you break it down to basics, it is a product that is meant

to bring motorsport events to their constituents – no

to be both entertaining and viewable. Street circuits do

matter what the risks and costs may be in the future.

not provide that for the gate walking devotee.

A simpler way to look at the scenario is by treating a

So now New Zealand has a problem in where to put

major motorsport category as a product being sold to

this entertainment product from Australia, and how much

the public, like a jar of homemade pickles. If you were to

will it cost the local ratepayer to furnish it. Plus, to make

take your very popular pickles to a market, you need to

it even more interesting, not every rate paying citizen has

issue 9

v8 supercars

an interest in this particular form of entertainment. This therefore gives them a right to argue against its usefulness

V8 Supercar aficionado would be very upset if it did

to the general population and the overall discretionary

not return, and so too would many of the drivers, teams

income. To add to the woes, even if it returned to

and linked trades. However, there must be a point where

Pukekohe Park Raceway rather than another city bound

emotion needs to be pushed aside so that economics can

street circuit, there would still be the requirement of

move to the front.

ratepayer investment to renew the tired old venue. So the questions will need answers on many fronts.

The answer for the last one is easily yes. The NZ based

The drivers who have held the previous trophies aloft from New Zealand can be very happy with their

Should the product be taken back to New Zealand, who

achievements, and so too can their teams, but all of them

should pay for it, how will the local and national economy

may need to be ready for the word that it may never

benefit, and will it really be missed if it fails to arrive?

happen again. P 1

magazine

issue 9

t d n i R n Joche OUT NOW ÂŁ40.00

Written by David Tremayne Foreword by Sir Jackie Stewart This investigation of Rindtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mercurial career paints the portrait of a man taken long before he reached his true potential and puts an underwritten character into his real perspective, as one of the greatest Grand Prix drivers of all time.

www.haynes.co.uk/jochenrindt 66

magazine

Books for enthusiasts

by enthusiasts

Available from all good bookshops or ORDER DIRECT on Tel: 01963 442030

F1/GP2/GP3

issue 6

GP2 Series

magazine

The 2012 GP2 Series began its ninth season in stunning style, with four race winners in the first three rounds and non-stop action both on and off the track. story by Jacki Warnock photos by ned dawson

issue 9

GP2 SERIES

magazine

With tyre preservation high on the list of priorities for the first feature race of the year, many of the front runners started on the Pirelli Prime, the harder of the two now available.

mixture of

Davide Valsecchi of DAMS was

experienced GP2

the first man to step up, taking pole

veterans, GP3 Series

position from Arden Internationals

graduates, a new

Luiz Razia, but only by the narrowest

team, and drivers who had moved

of margins; just 0.06s separated the

across from other categories â&#x20AC;&#x201C; such

two after qualifying. It was close

as Formula 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; had taken the new

through the entire field, with only

tyre regulations and point system

0.995s between the pole man and

in their stride to put on a forceful

19th position. It was plain to see

show for the fans immediately after

things were going to get even more

the first green light.

interesting in race one.

In what can now be truly thought

With tyre preservation high on the

of as an international category, the

list of priorities for the first feature

field started the New Year in Malaysia,

race of the year, many of the front

with the first round held at the

runners started on the Pirelli Prime,

infamous Sepang circuit alongside the

the harder of the two now available.

Formula One fraternity.

As the lights went out, Razia

issue 9

gp2 series

made his move and jumped into the

from the reverse grid format to start

lead, dominating until the chequered

from prime position.

flag to take the first victory of the

GP2 rookie Calado held on for

outstanding 7.8s, the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first GP2

the win in only his second race

Series race win since 2010.

of the series after stepping up

Behind him Valsecchi was able

line ahead of Gutierrez there

hold on for second place, ahead of

was no doubt the day belonged

Carlinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Max Chilton in third, the first

to Lotus GP. Former Formula 3

GP2 Series podium for the team.

driver, Felipe Nasr, held on for

Rain did begin to fall with only

third, beating Giedo van der Garde

four laps remaining, but so slight

across the line by 7s.

need to be changed. The sprint race on Sunday was

magazine

from GP3 in 2011. Crossing the

to fight his way back from fourth to

was the shower that tyres did not

In scorching conditions, the

season for Arden International by an

Behind the front three, battles broke out and the fights were fierce for the remainder of the

a Lotus GP front row lockout, with

point scoring positions. Race one

teammates James Calado and

winner Razia made his way into fifth,

Esteban Gutierrez benefiting

overtaking Fabio Leimer in the final

issue 9

GP2 SERIES

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issue 9

GP2 Series

corner to leave Malaysia leading the

Razia also had a flying start, jumping

championship by 31 points.

from eighth to fifth before passing

Heading into Bahrain, it was

Nasr for P4. The Brazilian didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop

off track concerns that held most

there, leaving Gutierrez and Chilton in

of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attention, with racing

his dust to finish second.

taking the back seat. The worries

with a collision between Nasr and

were soon put to rest and the series

Johnny Cecotto during a battle for

was able to focus on what it was

sixth resulted in them both stopping

there to do.

on track and the safety car being

Continuing his fine form, Valsecchi

penalised five grid places for causing

affected qualifying session at the

the incident, finishing a day of ups

Sakhir Circuit to start ahead of

and downs for the team.

A much improved start from that

magazine

deployed. The DAMS driver was later

claimed pole position in a red flag

Gutierrez and Nasr.

All was not well for the entire field,

about team, driver and media safety

The dominance of Valsecchi continued on the Sunday as he

in Malaysia saw the Italian get away

moved from eighth on the starting

from his competitors early, holding

grid into first, picking off his rivals

onto the lead from start to finish.

one by one to make it back to back

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gp2 series

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gp2 series

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wins for the weekend. The remainder

round for the GP2 Series. It was only

the championship with a pointâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bag

of the field soon began to wonder if

Tom Dillmann who prevented the 25

of 107, ahead of Razia on 83. It was

anyone could beat him around the

year old from making it four from four,

then Gutierrez, Chilton and Leimer

5.41km track.

with Razia back on the podium for

that rounded out the top five. DAMS

Arden International.

led the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s championship on 135,

History looked to be repeating itself once more when Valesecchi won the feature race at the second Bahrain

Going into the fourth round in Barcelona, Valsecchi sat on top of

from Lotus GP on 93 and Arden International on 84. P 1

issue 9

GP3 Series

magazine

packed d e n o i t c a follow an o t k s a t kicked hard 2 a 1 0 e 2 b f o o t s ays going t the clas u w l b a , s s e a i r w e female e e It S r h 3 t P d G n e a history. son for th ts system t n r i o o h p s w s e e 2011 sea categori e with a n l e y h t t s n i n i e f f things o e first tim h t r o f g n i ompet drivers c k Wa r n o c y Jac k i s to r y b n awso b y ned d p h oto s

issue 9

gp3 series

magazine

n addition, an added incentive of a 200,000 Euro prize at the end of the year provided by Pirelli for the series champion means competitors are now hungrier than ever to claim the top step of the podium and

collect the precious points. The GP3 Series began its third season at the Circuit de Catalunya under clear blue skies with temperatures soaring to a balmy 28 degrees. With ideal conditions trackside it soon became clear it was to be a case of history repeating itself, with MW Ardens Mitch Evans once again claiming the first victory at the Barcelona based circuit, mirroring his 2011 result in the Saturday feature race. Unlike the previous year however, Evans didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t start on pole. Antonio Felix da Costa had that honour but his good fortune didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t extend into the race, eventually being penalised for a jump start.

issue 9

gp3 series

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Evans moved from fourth into the third on the first lap, while mid pack drama saw Alice Powell and Ethan Ringel caught up in the drama. Further penalties were handed out for jump starts, with Lotus GPs Daniel Abt also reprimanded. Following a reshuffle of the field post penalties, the New Zealander took over the race lead ahead of Marlon Stockinger and Aaro Vainio. The only thing that stopped Evans from achieving a complete runaway victory was a safety car being deployed just over half race distance following the Ocean Racing Technology car of Kevin Ceccon stopping on the circuit and needing to be removed. Crossing the line 2.5s ahead of Stockinger, Evans began the season in dominant style with his second win in the

issue 9

gp3 series

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gp3 series

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category, MW Arden’s third. The 17 year old was thrilled

threat of something more heinous. Tio Ellinas looked to

when he spoke of his win post race:

make a flying start into the lead but was the next in a long

“I’m absolutely stoked, you can’t get much better than that to start the season on the top step of the podium. I

line to be found to have jumped the start. Turn four saw things go pear shaped with four cars

was quite disappointed after Free Practice and Qualifying

colliding and subsequently retiring from the race. Race one

so it was good to come back with a win.

winner Evans was the victim of a left rear puncture which

I was fortunate with Daniel and Antonio’s jump starts and their misfortune but I am not going to complain about that. I made a great start, the car was brilliant from the first

saw him have to return to pitlane for fresh rubber, costing him precious time and points in the process. Intense battles broke out throughout the field, the

lap, it was fantastic. Once the two in front went into the

biggest of which was between Kevin Ceccon and

pitlane, I tried to pull a gap at the front and then of course

William Buller for ninth. The Ocean Technology driver

we had the restart but I maintained my advantage. My

was able to hold off the determined Ceccon and set the

goal before the weekend had been the victory so I am very

fastest lap of the race in the process to collect a bonus two

happy we delivered.”

points for his efforts.

For the sprint, reverse grid race on Sunday, pole was

MW Arden’s Davide Fumanello was the next driver

gifted to Robert Visoiu of Jenzer Motorsport. Despite

to be penalised for ignoring yellow flags. Fabino

this, it was Lotus GPs Connor Daly who achieved his

Machado saw his day come to an end after a failed

maiden GP3 Series win, ahead of Visoiu and Matias Lane

attempt of passing Kotaro Sakurai saw the Brazillian

from MW Arden.

spin off into the gravel.

The second race of the season started under a stormy sky, with conditions staying dry throughout despite the

Back at the front of the field Daly continued to increase his lead to achieve his maiden victory by a healthy 3.2s.

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gp3 series

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Visoiu crossed the line in second ahead of Laine, wth Vainio, Patri Niederhauser and Felix Da Costa rounding out the top five place getters. Speaking after the race, Daly was happy to have his first GP3 win under his belt: “It’s really cool. I really wanted it in the last season in Monza because I knew I had a chance. The Carlin team had worked really hard and I wanted to prove that I could run at the front but unfortunately we couldn’t do it. But ever since the end of that race, I’ve been so focused on doing the best I could. The Lotus GP guys have been fantastic, the way we have worked together during the Winter testing has been awesome. I made a mistake yesterday in Race 1 and I didn’t put ourselves in a good position but I was lucky enough to redeem myself today at the start. It feels so nice to have my first podium and my first win. It feels really good to be in this form heading into Monaco. To win a championship you have to be scoring points as often as possible, I lost us valuable points yesterday, though the ones I gained were still vital but it wasn’t the maximum, unlike today.” Heading into the next round at Monaco, Evans hold the championship lead on 25 points, 2 ahead of his nearest rivals in Daly and Vainio on 23 points a piece. P 1

issue 9

formula 1

The 2007 World Champion is a unique character. In a world of drivers mostly afraid to speak their minds, an individual who answers questions in a direct and honest way will always be refreshing. If that individual also possesses an innate driving talent they are bound to stand out. This driver for our time is Kimi Raikkonen. story by Jacki Warnock photos by ned dawson

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issue 9

formula 1

he 32 year old Finn has

imagine Sebastian Vettel doing any of

returned to Formula

those things?

One this year amongst a flurry of anticipation

On track, even from the beginning, he has never been like everybody

and excitement because when Kimi is

else. At his first karting race in

around, nothing is ever dull, on or off

Monaco he had his steering break,

the track. Here are just a few of the

which he informed his mechanic of

reasons why we are happy he is back,

by waving the broken steering wheel

and why you should be too.

in the air on the home straight. His next appearance at a race in the

1. He is an individual: Off track, this is a man who wore

magazine

After being thrown over the safety

a gorilla suit to a speed boat race

fence and onto the road parallel to

and entered under the pseudonym

the track following a first lap collision,

of James Hunt, rode a motorcross

he simply continued to drive until

bike under a circus big top on

he ran out of road. While many

German television before attempting

others may have stopped, he then

to throw knives at an audience

proceeded to lift his kart back on

member (in controlled conditions

to the track, continued to race and

of course) and during a party on a

placed third.

yacht, while being what could only be

Principality was also memorable.

The way he celebrated his

described as a little inebriated, tried

championship win in 2007 was also

to throw something to the waiting

a little unorthodox. It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the fact

crowd, lost his balance, fell off the

that he ended up inebriated in a bar,

fly deck and hit his head. Could you

which he was subsequently thrown

out of, it was that he ended up falling

new cars and asked if he thought the

asleep on a public bench. With an

new Lotus E20 was better or worse

inflatable dolphin.

compared to the McLaren he drove

2. He speaks his truth:

2009, he simply answered:

in Australia in 2004 and the Ferrari in In a recent press conference held

“Usually you have a new car here,

on the Thursday of the Australian

so it’s no big surprise. I don’t know,

Grand Prix in Melbourne, a Daily

it’s new tyres, the car feels very

Mail journalist asked the three World

similar in the test to what I remember

Champions in attendance who

in the past... It doesn’t feel much

their Grand Prix heroes were. Kimi’s

different.”

response was not one gushing about childhood heroes and posters on his wall. It was the only response anyone has come to expect from the man termed the “Iceman”. “I still don’t have one. Of course I

3. He gets the results on track: Nothing speaks louder to on track talent then winning a Formula One World Championship. While

was hoping for good results for the

Kimi is the 2007 title holder, he has

Finns but I didn’t really... it didn’t

also achieved 18 wins and 16 pole

make a difference who won it then.

positions since his debut F1 debut in

There wasn’t one guy I hoped for or

2001 at Melbourne.

was looking up to so...” The straight laced responses

What the statistics don’t tell you is how close he came to also being

continued when it was pointed out

champion in the 2003 and 2005

he had been in Australia with many

seasons. During his third season

issue 9

formula 1

magazine

Raikkonen has impressed Lotus since joining the team for his Formula 1 comeback after two years in rallying, and was quickest on the first day of winter testing at Jerez... G e r a r d Lo pe z

with McLaren, Kimi achieved his first race win in Malaysia and fell short of the title by only two points, losing to seven time champion, Michael Schumacher. Reliability issues became the bane of the Finns 2005 season. Despite winning seven races, the same amount as eventual champion Fernando Alonso, it was the two races he was unable to finish and engine failures in qualifying which sealed his second place in the standings once more. There is no doubt he had the talent to have more then one championship to his name, but the machinery let him down too often. On top of his Formula One career he also spent 2010 and 2011 trying his hand at rallying and NASCAR. The results achieved in both series were not particularly stand outs but the ability to compete at this level and be competitive should not be dismissed.

4. He is a hard worker and team player: Despite his playboy history and the crazy stories that surround him, to his team and privately, Kimi is a man on a mission. Talking to

issue 9

formula 1

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Autosport earlier in the year, his new

history, but it goes to show that there

team bosses in Gerard Lopez and Eric

is a very serious and respectful man

Bollier were full of nothing but high

and racer underneath the sometimes

praise for the Finn.

cold exterior and playful past.

“Raikkonen has impressed Lotus since joining the team for his Formula 1 comeback after two years in rallying,

5. He is positive about the future:

and was quickest on the first day of

After finishing fifth in Australia

winter testing at Jerez... Lopez said.

and seventh in Malaysia, things are

I think Kimi has a public image

looking promising for Kimi’s return

that honestly from what we’ve seen

to Formula One in 2012. Talking to

does not translate into how he really

the official Formula One website

is. He’s a very hard worker, very good

following the conclusion of the first

at providing feedback, and has a

two rounds, the 32 year old appeared

good team spirit.” he added.

to be positive about the future.

Agreeing with Lopez, Bollier agreed with the sentiment: “We tried to handle his personality

“I think we’ve got off to an encouraging start. It feels like I’ve never been away;

and make sure that we don’t bother

the team has done a good job and I’m

him too much with too many

working well with them which makes

intrusions, and he’s a real racer,”

things easier. The car feels good and

“This team is full of proper

we clearly have the pace to be at the

racing people and he has fitted very well because we speak the same

front; we just need some better luck.” On top of the results on track,

language. We are flexible, but our

Kimi’s demeanour off track also

system is very racing-orientated, and

seemed to have changed for the

that suits him very well.”

better. Addressing whether or not

These glowing reports may sound disjointed when they are connected to a man with Kimi’s personality and

he has experienced a change of personality, the Finn simply said: “Not really, I’m still the same

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We tried to handle his personality and make sure that we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t bother him too much with too many intrusions, and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a real racer. E r i c B o ll i er

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person as I was before. Maybe people

here which helps me to focus on

speaks outside of the box while being

see me as more relaxed, which I think

racing; I guess that’s why people

able to achieve results. It is a rarity,

is down to the team. It’s a different

seem to think I’m a different person,

something that should be celebrated

atmosphere to what I’ve experienced

but I’m just as focused and motivated

and enjoyed by all fans of Formula

before; everyone is very open and

as before.”

One. Because you know, while Kimi

We are all lucky to be able to

is around, nothing is ever going to be

work extremely hard and pay a lot of

witness an athlete who is interesting,

dull or ordinary, on or off the track. If

attention to detail. I feel comfortable

colourful, dedicated, thinks and

only there were more like him. P 1

laid back but at the same time they

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europe

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Luciano Bacheta’s masterful performance in the first quarter of the 2012 FIA Formula Two Championship has netted him a record-breaking four wins from four races. But, as Tom Phillips discovers, he’ll have to work hard to tame the teenage kicks of his nearest rival Mathéo Tuscher... story By Tom Phillips photos courtesy F2

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e equal environment of the modern day Formula Two series unsurprisingly lends itself to close racing. Identical 500bhp machines, designed by the Williams F1 Team, and operated by a single organisation

(Jonathan Palmer’s MotorSport Vision), ensures a driver’s fate is down to him and him alone. This is exemplified by rummaging over the results back catalogue when you discover that since 2009, when the series first returned to the motorsport hierarchy, there has been three different race winners during each opening quarter to the season. 2012, on the other hand, makes for very different reading. Just one man has claimed all four victories, and now has the jump on his rivals in the race for the championship’s Williams F1 test. British driver Luciano Bacheta – born to Indian parents with Italian ancestry – is now the man all others want to (and indeed have to) beat, with just six rounds (12 races) left to do it in. Bacheta’s graduation to F2 comes on the back of strong, and largely successful, racing career which began at the age of 13 in karting before progressing to sports car and then single-seaters. In 2010 he finished as runner-up in the Eurocup Formula Renault series before enduring a difficult season in GP3, which he left before the end to switch to F2 for two events. His debut at Austria’s Red Bull Ring towards the end of 2011 saw him pick up a double points finish, followed by a best of fifth at the next rounds in Monza. It was a brief but impressionable time in the series and enough for him to return full-time in 2012, after securing a deal to drive the car backed by series sponsors Comma.

Silverstone – Rounds 1 & 2 Bacheta’s unbeaten reign began on home soil at Silverstone, venue for the British Grand Prix. It would prove to be a weekend of firsts, not just for the Brit but also for the championship’s upgraded car – featuring new Yokohama tyres and carbon brakes that would see it lap upwards of three seconds quicker than its 2011 predecessor. The other was the introduction of a Swiss teenager 110

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by the name of Mathéo Tuscher. At the age of just 15 years, four months and one day, the ‘boy wonder’ as the motorsport press has since christened him, become the youngest ever driver to compete in the series. His age naturally brought with it a certain amount of controversy but he soon proved he belonged to be there (as did his obligatory International B Licence), by securing pole for the opening round. It was the more experienced Bacheta though who crashed the teenager’s party, and despite running fourth on the opening lap he came through to secure his maiden win with a great pass on the returning Christopher Zanella, last year’s F2 runner-up, to take the lead on the penultimate lap. He repeated that trick again in the second race, again after starting on row two, having now mastered the series’ new ‘F1-style’ overboost system, which gives drivers up to eight shots of an additional 75bhp but only when they are within one second of the car ahead. “I couldn’t have asked for a better two results!” said 112

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Bacheta afterwards. “The experience from race one definitely helped. I pushed a lot harder in the beginning than I wanted to just to stay in a second of Mihai [Marinescu]. He was so quick. He didn’t put a tyre wrong.” Along with Zanella, there were podiums for F2 returnee Marinescu, who finished fifth in 2011, and two for the 2011 European F3 Open champion Alex Fontana.

Portimáo – Rounds 3 & 4 The next stop on the F2 calendar was Portugal’s newly-built Portimáo circuit, last visited by the series when it first opened in 2010. Two elements dominated the weekend; one was Bacheta, the other was the weather. A ‘Spalike’ micro climate descended on the mountainous track bringing with it an unpredictable torrent on sunshine, rain and even the occasional hailstorm. After claiming his maiden pole, Bacheta – celebrating his 22nd birthday that

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At Portugalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newly-built PortimĂĄo circuit, two elements dominated the weekend; one was Bacheta, the other was the weather...

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Teamwork, Precision, Performance. Bowers & Wilkins congratulate Sam Schmidt and the entire team for having put IZOD Indycar series driver Alex Tagliani on the pole at the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500.

Photography provided by INDYCAR / Indianapolis Motor Speedway

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For more information and availability about Bowers & Wilkins products please contact B&W Group Ltd. Dale Road Worthing, West Sussex BN11 England info@bwgroup.com www.bowers-wilkins.com

Alex Tagliani is an IZOD IndyCar® Series driver Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar are registered trademarks of Brickyard Trademarks, Inc., used with permission. IZOD is a registered trademark of Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation, used with permission.

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2012 FIA Formula Two Championship Calendar Round Date

Venue

1 & 2

13-15 April Silverstone, UK

3 & 4

27-29 April Portimรกo, Portugal

5 & 6

25-27 May Nurburgring, Germany

7 & 8

22-24 June Spa, Belgium

9 & 10

13-15 July Brands Hatch, UK

11 & 12

20-22 July Paul Ricard, France

13 & 14

7-9 September Hungaroring, Hungary

15 & 16

28-30 September Monza, Italy

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weekend – successfully converted it into his third victory, although was pushed for the entire 22-lap race by a charging Tuscher who came home to collect his maiden podium, as did Polish driver Kevin Mirocha. For race two it was Tuscher who would start from pole, his second from four races, but lost the lead to Bacheta at Turn 3 on the opening lap, and despite race-long pressure from the teenager it was Bacheta who once again took the win. “I was struggling throughout the whole race and just had masses of oversteer,” said Bacheta. “I’m happy to have won again though, as it’s been quite mentally draining this weekend having Mathéo in my mirrors all the time and I was glad to see the chequered flag again.” German driver Markus Pommer came home third for his maiden podium, while further down the order it was David Zhu who impressed the F2 paddock with a best of fifth that weekend and continuing to fly the flag as the best performing Chinese driver in all of Europe. After four races, Bacheta may hold a maximum 100 points tally, 46 ahead of his nearest rival Tuscher, but it goes without saying that there’s still a long way to go. What’s more, unlike last year’s champion Mirko Bortolotti, Bacheta knows he hasn’t had it all his own way. “Every session, there’s a new guy up the front,” he said. “There are a good six solid drivers, but there is also a very strong top ten as well, where anyone can just creep in and have a good result.” Indeed, his biggest winning margin has only been a mere +1.514s and he’s only once started from pole position. There are still a number of drivers yet to show their true potential too – namely Pommer, Fontana, Marinescu and Zanella – while the likes of Tuscher will only get stronger as his confidence and experience strengthens. For more information on Formula Two or to follow the 2012 season visit www.formulatwo.com. P 1

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special special feature feature

Photos by ned dawson

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