I N S I D E
T H E
M O T O R S P O R T
I N D U S T R Y thepaddockmagazine.com
DATA
COLUMNS
FEATURES
SPECIAL REPORTS
LIFESTYLE
October 2014
The butcher boy Choices & creations of John Booth, captain of Marussia F1
The Strategy Behind... ...WOWing the world by Red Bull /p14
Sponsorship Column
Santander’s Formula 1 saga by Bill Herring /p40
Plus
Formula E special report /p56
Travel Guide
Exclusive catalogue for the Sochi Grand Prix /p99 July 2014 | UK £7 | U €9 | US $12
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Starting grid
p14-28
Columns
p36-43
14
The Strategy Behind‌ ‌WOWing the world. By Tony Burrows of Red Bull.
36
Money, Egos & Speed Brian Sims takes on the F1 revival
Features
p44-54 FORMULA E special report
p56-73
56
Sergey Vorobyev talks about the Sochi roulette
Lead Story A new and electrifying era
Lifestyle
p75-96
10
46
Business Story
90
If I Ran F1 Ernie Black shares his thoughts on running the sport
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CONTENTS
28
STARTING GRID
Q&A In The Paddock Pastor Maldonado of Lotus F1
Data
p30-34
Data Stream. ........................................................................ 14 The Strategy Behind… WOWing the world ..................... 14 Behind The Scenes Talent. Meeting sport executives ... 16 Moving On Up. Alex T Jones .............................................. 18 Five Ways To… make drivers successful ..........................20 My Race Day. Alex Goldschmidt........................................ 22 Driver In Focus. Daniil Kvyat ............................................24 Where Are They Now? Vitaly Petrov ................................26 Q&A In The Paddock. Pastor Maldonado ........................28
DATA
Trackside advertising. Italy .............................................30 Trackside advertising. Singapore .................................... 32 Media Map ...........................................................................34 Social Networkers ..............................................................34
COLUMNS
Money, Egos And Speed. Brian Sims ...............................36 Spobsorship Column. Bill Herring .................................. 40 In My Opinion. Dessislava Jeleva ......................................42
FEATURES
Cover Story
p50
The butcher boy Choices & creations of John Booth, captain of Marussia F1
Business Story. Sochi GP ...................................................44 Inside Story. Tecpro ............................................................46 Marketing Story. Armin Strom .........................................48 Cover Story. John Booth, Marussia F1’s Team Principal .50
FORMULA E SPECIAL REPORT
Lead Story. powEr on ..........................................................56 Alejandro Agag .................................................................... 60 Venturi ...................................................................................62 China Racing .........................................................................64 Pangaea Creative ..................................................................66 DHL ........................................................................................68 Williams Advanced Engineering ........................................70 CDC Entertainment .............................................................. 72
LIFESTYLE
A close surprise .................................................................... 74 Watch it! ................................................................................ 76 Car Review. 2014 Koenigsegg One:1 ................................. 78 How I Spend It. Barry Gough ........................................... 80 Blast From The Past. First Japanese GP ...........................82 Gallery ..................................................................................84 If I Ran F1. Ernie Black takes the wheel .......................... 90 Wishlist ................................................................................92 My Fantasy F1 Team. Panos Seitanidis ...........................96
Travel guide
p99-114
068 / October 2014
TRAVEL GUIDE
A luxury catalogue of Sochi hotels, restaurants, shopping locations, clubs.
Sochi .....................................................................................99 Executive Office. Dominic Reilly .................................... 114
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PLATFORM
EDITORIAL
Dear Reader, We hope you enjoy our next edition of The Paddock magazine. As always, we welcome your comments, opinions and suggestions about the publication. If you wish to get in touch, please do not hesitate to contact us via the details opposite. We look forward to hearing from you. The Paddock Management
Editorial Director: Kipras Sumskas Writers: Kipras Sumskas, Thomas Spink Contributors: Bill Herring, Fernando Couto, Dessislava Jeleva, Harry Miltner, Brian Sims, Rosa Elena Torres Sub-Editor: John J Breen Layout: Marius Grigaitis www.minimaldesign.lt Design: Ovidijus Talijūnas Team: Gintaras Kuginys, Michael Feltz, Ola Lebon Photographer: James Moy COMMERCIAL Managing Director: Ed ‘Luckas’ Marcinonis Advertising accounts: Susan Goodman, Tonya McPhearson CONTACTS
S
ome parts of Formula 1 are still growing, while others, as believed by many experts, appear to have shrunk. This issue of PADDOCK is dedicated to these changes in Formula 1 and to exploring the competition inside and outside the sport. Is the racing exciting enough? Is the commercial side commercial enough? And just how big of a competitor is the dramatic yet precise Formula E?
Obviously, there’s more action – WOW the world with showcase events, meet sport executives, manage drivers, chat in the paddock, revive Formula 1, examine Santander’s choices, listen to F1 team’s radio, play the Sochi roulette, keep new circuits safe, start a ticking business relationship, sit down with John Booth of Marussia F1 and yes, find out everything about Formula E in the special report. Later, you can relax in a luxury hotel, see what the car magicians at Koenigsegg have in store this year, open the wallet of an F1 memorabilia company’s CEO, pick something special from our Wishlist, check out the photo gallery, read Ernie Black’s thoughts on running the sport and you are very welcome to use our bonus – an exquisite Travel Guide of Sochi.
The Paddock Magazine is published by Destination Grand Prix Ltd. Unit 4, Willows Gate Stratton Audley, Bicester Oxon OX27 9AU, United Kingdom www.thepaddockmagazine.com info@thepaddockmagazine.com Editorial: editorial@thepaddockmagazine.com Advertising: ads@thepaddockmagazine.com Production: production@thepaddockmagazine.com Printed @ Sochi Press The Paddock is published 12 times a year by Destination Grand Prix Ltd. Annual Subscription Rates UK £95 Europe €150 USA & RoW $230 To subscribe please call +44 203 286 7455 or email: subs@thepaddockmagazine.com The Paddock makes every effort to ensure that all editorial matter is factually correct at the time of going to press. We cannot accept responsibility for any subsequent errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publishers. Views expressed or products shown in The Paddock are not necessarily endorsed by the publishers.
© 2014 The Paddock Magazine TM.
So there’s a lot to discover, enjoy it. Kipras Sumskas
12
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STARTING GRID
Data stream Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix statistics by UBS:
61 laps 61 laps 61 laps 61 laps 61 laps 61 61 laps laps Anti-clockwise Anti-clockwise Anti-clockwise Anti-clockwise Anti-clockwise Anti-clockwise Anti-clockwise
167 km/h 167 km/h 167 km/h 167 km/h 167 km/h 167 167 km/h km/h Very high Very high Very high Very high Very high Very Very high high Pirelli tyre Pirelli tyre Pirelli tyre Pirelli tyre Pirelli tyre Pirelli Pirelli tyre tyre Overtake Overtake Overtake Overtake Overtake Overtake Overtake Supersoft/soft Supersoft/soft Supersoft/soft Supersoft/soft Supersoft/soft Supersoft/soft Supersoft/soft
Hard Hard Hard Hard Hard Hard Hard
Average/High Average/High Average/High Average/High Average/High Average/High Average/High
2 or 3 2 or 3 2 or 2 or 3 3 2 or 3 2 2 or or 3 3
Expected in lap 14/44 or 12/25/40 Expected in lap 14/44 Expected in lap 14/44 or 12/25/40 or 12/25/40 Expected in lap 14/44 or 12/25/40 Expected in lap 14/44 Expected in lap 14/44 or 12/25/40 Expected in lap 14/44 or 12/25/40 or 12/25/40
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The Strategy Behind...
...WOWing the world By Tony Burrows | Red Bull has a history of surprising us with spectacular events like throwing a person into the atmosphere or doing sky-high F1-car donuts in Dubai. Obviously, this is a big part of why so many people love the brand and it’s one of the best examples of modern marketing. The Support Team Manager of Infiniti Red Bull Racing, Tony Burrows, shares some of his thoughts on these events. Ideas Over the past few years I think one of my most memorable events was the run in the Himalayas. We simply had a great time up there, met absolutely unbelievable people living in extremely harsh conditions and we managed to get the car to run, which was an achievement in itself! The Texas event, for example, just seemed so surreal at the time – we were running through the desert with David Coulthard driving, with cattle around and being chased by horses. My personal favourite was driving the car on ice in Quebec, Canada. That was something I never dreamed I would ever see – a Formula 1 car with studded tyres driving on a frozen lake. Sometimes the local Red Bull market would come up with an original idea and we work on it from there. Some people have very extreme ideas and they might not realise what a Formula 1 car is and isn’t capable of that’s where I come in - to explore what can be achieved and come up with the best possible spectacle. Details For the aforementioned running on ice, I flew out to Quebec and did a recce with them where we looked at the ice to see what was technically possible. There was a lot of planning from what they wanted to do and what we could do, because normally we have to try and keep everything cool, the engine, the brakes, the hubs – it all gets too hot. We had the opposite problem in Quebec – everything was getting too cold!
We had to try and keep heat in the brakes, heat in the bearings so that the grease didn’t freeze, so there were lots of challenges there. The work varies a lot depending on the event, obviously. The car preparation for a lot of the events is pretty much the same, we don’t modify it too much unless it is something VERY unusual. It’s usually a week to build the car properly and efficiently, get all the freight packed up and then it’s a case of how long it takes to fly or drive (if we take a truck) to the location. Sometimes we have to find some interesting ways of getting the car where it needs to go - for example last year we did a street run in Dubai followed by donuts on the helipad of the Burj Al Arab. It was truly exciting to get the car from the ground to however many thousand feet that was. We strapped it underneath a helicopter and lowered it onto the helipad, which is another sight I won’t forget! I am absolutely sure that Red Bull will come up with another strange and creative place to run a Formula 1 car, which is why I love my job. The challenge of ‘do you think you can do that?’ is worth living for. Normally people would say ‘don’t be stupid’, but we try and achieve it at Red Bull, no matter what we have to do. From the events we do and from my experience, I think the craving for Formula 1 is still out there. To go to an event where you’re getting all your senses bombarded with noise, smoke and meet the drivers is just remarkable. thepaddockmagazine.com
STARTING GRID
How to meet
sport executives? By Sree Varma | CEO and Founder of a very particular company iSportconnect, Mr Sree Varma, guides us through the steps of making sport executives start new business relationships with one another.
“You will get people trying new ideas and there are a lot of younger executives keen to make their mark. But there is no replacement for experience, and those who have been around a lot longer benefit from their visibility and familiarity.”
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What’s underneath it all I came up with the idea for iSportconnect after spending many years working in the business industry of sports. I became increasingly frustrated that I had to use different websites and tools to connect with colleagues, search for opportunities and establish new deals. I found I wasn’t alone so I soon developed iSportconnect as a single, efficient platform for members to engage in networking, seeking business opportunities and discussing the latest news in the industry. To my mind, no-one else was doing it at the time, so I took the initiative and did it myself. Over the last year we have seen impressive growth and interest from businesses in sport wishing to use the website. The appetite to connect with other top executives in a professional and sleek environment such as our exclusive events has been immense. Of course, sports business is inextricably linked to the changeable nature of sport itself, so we have really put a special focus on the editorial side of the business to keep our members informed. In the past year we have launched iSportconnect TV as the first online TV channel for the worldwide sports business industry. Through daily shows, features and exclusive interviews, we can provide real and valuable insights for the sector. The business bonds The profile of sport executives is always changing, but essentially their target remains the same. You will get people trying new ideas and there are a lot of younger executives keen to make their mark. But there is no replacement for expe-
rience, and those who have been around a lot longer benefit from their visibility and familiarity. A good and trustworthy name carries a lot of weight. That’s why networking and maintaining relationships are key – which is why we provide the ideal platform to do so. The best way for sport executives to start new business relationships is to showcase what they can do. The sports business industry may be one of the only sectors in the world to have been largely recession proof but people still want value for money. There are many sports business conventions around these days that provide ideal conditions to meet and interact with companies and executives from around the world. The outlay may initially put some people off, but connections you may make could prove to be invaluable. To establish a new relationship you need more than a good idea – you need something to show to someone to prove that you are serious – in return, they’ll take you seriously and give you respect for your planning and preparation. In Formula 1, the important thing for executives to remember is communication. The business is worth billions nowadays but that could change if the numbers of people watching start to decrease. Formula 1 hasn’t been afraid of change throughout the years, but there is a possible danger that businesses in the sport can be too introverted. Looking at how other sports industries have developed and being open to new ideas can help. Most of all, it’s about communicating openly with other key people of the industry about the best way to move forward.
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T H E WO R L D I S YO U R S
STARTING GRID
Moving On Up PADDOCK magazine catches up with a young Formula Vee racer, Alex T Jones. His talent and attitude may one day take him to the top of motorsport, so look out for this one!
Name: Alexander Tarran Winskill Jones Date of birth: February 23, 1993 Place of birth: Watford Team: Osport with Alex T Jones Racing
“From then on, I absolutely caught the karting bug and wanted to race all the time. ”
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What was your very first experience of motor racing? I can remember watching Formula 1 races from a very, very young age – my dad watched it. The first race I can honestly remember is David Coulthard’s first win at Estoril. And it turned into a progression to keep watching and wanting to have a go. The first karting experience came when I was 8 years old and it was at Teamworks’ Letchworth. From then on, I absolutely caught the karting bug and wanted to race all the time. How did you finance your early years? Throughout my childhood years and teens I didn’t get to have a go at rotax or mini max. It was always just an “arrive and drive” karting at Letchworth, and it was only once in a couple of months. My parents just couldn’t get the money together. Then in 2012, when I was 19 years old, I got a taste of it with the CSMA North London Karting Region, which was a very competitive championship. There were people from 18 to 60 years of age, which was really fun. One of the biggest challenges for every driver is to attract sponsorship. What is you recipe for success? Yes, sponsorship is definitely hard to come by. I am lucky to now be sponsored by my dad with his company and to be on the Power Maxed program.
You need to keep networking, meeting new people and talking about your racing or karting. If a driver doesn’t believe in his or her own talent, then no one else is going to help. Most of the times a company will say no, but if you keep going back to them, sometimes a yes can be on the way. In other words, don’t doubt yourself and just keep believing and trying every day. It will happen. How do you deal with the competition on the track? I try throughout the week to go the gym and go swimming. I also like to study for the next round to also see where I can gain time. I always listen to music before a race to relax. I try and make sure that absolutely nothing is in my head just before the race. When I go out for the parade lap, I try to relax even more, and focus on warming up the tyres. As soon as those lights come on, it’s game time. What are your most important career highlights? In 2012, I had a karting event at Rye House. I didn’t think much of the event at first, but I was so concentrated on the day and I managed to win. I didn’t have a good qualifying round at the Formula Vee festival last year, but I got my best finish with a credible 10th place. And on the 14th of June, I got my best qualifying session in Formula Vee at Castle Combe, which was 14th out of 26 cars. thepaddockmagazine.com
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STARTING GRID
Five Ways To...
...make drivers successful. By Enrico Zanarini | A professional who spent over 22 years in Formula 1, a recognised and respected expert in driver management and sponsorship acquisition, the Director of Media Sport Group, Mister Enrico Zanarini, gives us five tips on how to make drivers into racing stars. 1. BRING MONEY and you will be seen not only like the guy who takes a percentage of his earnings. Basically a driver is a very selfish sportsman who believes his money belongs to nobody else but him. He will always argue with the manager on the percentage of his commission, accepting to pay twenty percent at the beginning of the relationship but fighting to reduce it year after year. The trick is to bring personal sponsorship money to the driver, dollars he could not earn on his own. This money will compensate part or all of the commission and the driver will think that he has got your services for free. 2. SUPPLY ONE EXTRA PAIR OF EYES when he is sitting in his car doing his job. Whilst the driver is busy at the wheel, strapped by his belts, the whole world of Formula 1 goes round and round making it impossible for him to understand what is going on without the faithful support of his manager. Among the priceless services a manager can offer in this field are: 1) opening your ears to the conversations between the management and technical staff during testing, practice and the race, 2) watching how much more attention is reserved to his teammate’s car in the garage, 3) having a feel for the drivers’ market, monitoring the situation and acting when times call for a change. 3. KEEP FATHERS AWAY from the garage. In many cases, fathers are wonderful people, real gentlemen, but they often prove to have
20
a negative influence on the driver. They truly believe that there can’t be a better person to judge their son’s performance in and out of the car. When they behave in such a manner, they shade the manager’s work. Persuading them to watch the GP from the grand stands is the key for success. 4. DON’T BE A YES MAN, too many of those around, especially if the driver is a superstar. You must be a friend, often capable of offering the devil’s advocate side of the story. Discussions will come to a premature end if you always agree with your driver. Being a valuable counselor does not necessarily mean that you must share his identical opinion at all times. Be controversial yet constructive, solutions are mostly found that way.
“Being a valuable counselor does not necessarily mean that you must share his identical opinion at all times. Be controversial yet constructive, solutions are mostly found that way.”
5. BE ON CALL 24/7, this is not a nine-tofive job. Formula 1 races are run on weekends, and if you manage one of the 22 drivers in the championship, you must be prepared to throw 50% and more of your “conventional” holidays out of the window. And the rest, you may ask? Not much left between factory meetings, testing and sponsor appearances. Your mobile must be on at all times, prepared to receive the driver’s cry for help.
thepaddockmagazine.com
STARTING GRID
My Race Day The sharp and insightful FIA and ITR-accredited motorsport journalist, who’s specialising in Formula 1 and has been an automotive professional for over 14 years, Mr Alex Goldschmidt, opens up about his typical F1 Sunday.
O
ff to the track early. It’s always best to get on site before the traffic surrounding any circuit gets more than just overwhelming. It also means that there is the proverbial “calm before the storm” upon arrival. Getting there early also helps to take in the morning’s serene and rather peaceful atmosphere, amidst those huge hospitality marquees the teams provide for guests and the media. This is as well as catching up with other fellow journalists about the previous day’s happenings. Preparing for the big day. Even though the past three days have been a blur to an extent, reading over the content that myself and my colleagues have produced so far helps to keep the context in the here and now. It also gives me a chance to fine-tune the work that I’ve done, as an eye for detail is always required to make sure that it is all of a very high standard. Keeping tabs on the media schedules also can help to plan your day, especially if there are several drivers that may be of interest when the chequered flag falls. And, of course, it’s always wise to try and keep those energy stores replenished as the day goes along, so a stop off in the Scuderia Ferrari media hospitality suite for their lovely breakfast is a great way to kick things off. Leading up to the race. Sometimes, it helps to step away from the busy nature of the paddock and just watch the people that make up this busy world, which is full-throttle for them from the word go. It puts everything into perspective, especially when I take a trip out of the paddock to look at the crowds that have come into their droves to watch the biggest motorsport series in the world. The fans make the sport what it is, which means that even though my role as a journalist is a conduit to provide an insight into the world of Formula 1, it makes me remember my times as someone on that same side of the fence. It is a feeling of privilege to be in the paddock and speaking to drivers that have millions of supporters around the globe. During the race. I’m there in the media centre watching the race as it happens via a set of TV mon-
22
itors, which provides the timing information, race control updates, radio transmissions and the FOM live video feed. The fact that there are so many different sources that are at your disposal, means that there is a possibility that one small piece of information to one person could be very useful in my eyes. There is no let up in concentrating on what is going on, and just like everyone out there cheering and clapping for their favorites, sometimes there are those moments where everyone just appreciates the skill of those that are risking their lives every time they get behind the wheel. After the race. The first twenty minutes or so after the race are frantic, as every keyboard that belongs to every journalist is being pummeled to within an inch of its life, as the race to get the reports on line begins with aplomb. Following that, there is then the customary press conference call, after the live TV conference has concluded. It’s worth sitting in, as you can see the drivers that have topped the podium first hand after what they have achieved. Their veins are still filled with the adrenaline that has been coursing through their systems for the last 90 minutes or so, but the mental clarity they all show is second to none. Then further transcribing takes place, before the last barrage of media sessions for the teams and drivers conclude the race weekend itself. The teams have already started packing away the equipment to be sent back to base. Walking along the perfectly-lined up trucks whilst this happens is just a part that we don’t see that often, which shows how dedicated all the personnel are, leaving family and friends behind to do what they love, and what they are a part of. After finishing up some more work until later that evening, I head back to the hotel for some well-deserved food and a beer, before taking a bath and then bed after an eventful time at the track. The following day is travelling back home at a leisurely pace, so as to reflect and take in what happened over the past four days without interruption.
thepaddockmagazine.com
STARTING GRID
“Aged 19, Kvyat made his F1 debut in the 2014 Australian Grand Prix, where he finished 10th (promoted to 9th after Ricciardo was disqualified), breaking Sebastian Vettel’s record as the youngest points-scorer in Formula 1.”
Daniil Kvyat
Driver In Focus
Daniil Kvyat hails from the city of Ufa in the Russian Republic of Bashkortostan. However, like all good kart racers, Daniil packed his bags and headed to Italy for serious competition and to this day lives in Rome with his family. In 2014 he joined the world’s best as a Formula 1 driver for Scuderia Toro Rosso. We at PADDOCK magazine take a glance at his interesting career so far. Daniil’s recording in karts saw him finish third in the KF3 European Championships and second in the WSK International Series. When single-seaters came calling, Daniil moved on to Formula BMW. In 2010 he finished tenth in the European Championship and also appeared as guest driver in the Pacific series, winning two of his eight races and taking three other podiums. Along with junior teammate Carlos Sainz Jnr, he transferred to Formula Renault 2.0 and competed in both the Northern European Championship and Eurocup. While Daniil’s season got off to a rocky start he gained confidence as the year went on and finished it winning the last four rounds of the NEC, including a peerless triple at Monza. Daniil had an outstanding 2012 with 14 wins in Formula Renault 2.0. He competed in both the Eurocup, where 7 victories took him to second place, and the Alps series, where another 7 wins
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gave him the title. He took his next step up to GP3 in 2013 with the MW Arden Team. He quickly found lightning pace right from pre-season testing, eventually taking the 2013 Drivers’ Championship title. In October 2013, Kvyat was announced as the second driver of the Scuderia Toro Rosso (STR) Formula One team for the 2014 season, alongside Frenchman Jean-Éric Vergne. He replaced Daniel Ricciardo, who moved to parent team Red Bull Racing. As a test driver for STR, he took part in Friday practice for the final two Grands Prix of the 2013 season, in the United States and Brazil. Aged 19, Kvyat made his F1 debut in the 2014 Australian Grand Prix, where he finished 10th (promoted to 9th after Ricciardo was disqualified), breaking Sebastian Vettel’s record as the youngest points-scorer in Formula 1. He has been retained for the 2015 season, and will be joined by new teammate Max Verstappen.
Full name: Daniil Kvyat Team: Toro Rosso Race car number: 26 Points: 8 Grands Prix entered: 14 Highest race finish: 9 Highest grid position: 7 Date of Birth 26/04/1994 Place of Birth: Ufa, Bashkortostan
thepaddockmagazine.com
STARTING GRID
here are they now? Vitaly Petrov
PADDOCK magazine remembers the career of Vitaly Petrov and finds out what is he up to these days.
U
nlike most top drivers, Petrov did not begin his career in karting, as there was very little motorsport action where he lived. He began competing in motorsport in 1998, when he took part in rally sprints and ice races. Afterwards he began competing in the Russian Lada Cup in 2001. He remained in the series for 2002 dominating the championship, winning each round to amass the maximum points total of 500. In 2003, Petrov began racing in the Formula Renault championships. His main campaign was in the Italian Formula Renault Championship for Euronova Racing, finishing 19th overall. During the year he competed in several rounds of the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, the Formula Renault 2.0 UK series, and finished fourth in the British Formula Renault Winter Series at the end of the year, taking one win. He also made his debut in Euro Formula 3000 at Cagliari. Petrov was linked to joining Sauber, Renault F1 and Campos for the 2010 season. He was announced as a Renault driver on 31 January and thus he has become the first Russian driver in the Formula 1 World Championship. He had been signed for a one-year deal, with an option for a further two. He was very close to signing for Campos but he felt Renault was the best option for him. After the 2010 season, where Petrov was thirteenth among the drivers, Renault team boss Éric Boullier said that there was a good chance of Petrov remaining with the team in 2011. He was retained by the team on a two-year deal. In the first race of the season in Australia, Petrov qualified sixth – a career-best – and secured his first Formula 1 podium, finishing in third place behind race-winner Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton. Petrov ended the season with a tenth place finish in Brazil, but with Adrian Sutil finishing sixth in the race, Sutil moved
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ahead of Petrov for ninth place in the final championship standings. On 17 February of 2012, it was announced that Petrov would drive for the Caterham F1 Team, replacing Italian Jarno Trulli and partnering Heikki Kovalainen. This season was quite rough for Vitaly. At the Canadian Grand Prix, Petrov managed to qualify in 19th, ahead of the Toro Rosso of Jean-Éric Vergne, but was unable to keep ahead at the start and went on to finish exactly where he started, albeit, one lap behind the leaders. After starting the race on the tenth row of the grid, Petrov ran as high as tenth at the European Grand Prix – a result that would have earned Caterham their first Formula 1 point – but was involved in a collision with Daniel Ricciardo and finished thirteenth. After inititially being outpaced by Kovalainen, once Petrov had adjusted to the car he began to turn the tables on his Finnish teammate. He finished ahead of Kovalainen in four of the last five races of the season. In the final race of the 2012 season in Brazil, Petrov finished a season’s best eleventh, making a crucial pass on Marussia’s Charles Pic in the closing stages of the Grand Prix. The result meant Caterham moved back ahead of Marussia to claim 10th place in the Constructor’s Championship, a position worth millions of pounds more in prize money. Petrov was not signed by any team in 2013. He was not retained by Caterham, as Charles Pic and Giedo van der Garde were signed to replace him and Heikki Kovalainen in the team. In 2014, Petrov has signed with Mercedes to drive in the German touring car series DTM. He noted: “The DTM is a great racing series and I’m very happy that Mercedes-Benz are giving me the chance to compete against the world’s best touring car drivers in the DTM. I’m aware that I’ve got a steep learning curve ahead of me, but I love a challenge and accept it gladly”.
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STARTING GRID
Q&A
In The Paddock Pastor Maldonado
By Lotus F1 Team | Ahead of the 2014 Singapore Grand Prix, Pastor Maldonado of the Lotus F1 team gave us his thoughts on the immensely popular race. The Venezuelan driver had good memories from Marina Bay. He explained how he prepares for racing at night in extreme humidity and high temperatures.
What do you think the key will be to a good lap at Marina Bay this year? The traction will be fundamental at Singapore, a really big factor. This is because the corners are generally slow and tight, so it means the way we exit them will be critical to ensure a good lap time. The 2014 spec cars will make it very interesting out there and I expect it to be very tricky, especially the first and third sectors. This is where a lot of time can be won or lost. It will be tough to regulate the torque and the traction out of the slow speed corners. It will be a good challenge but a tough one lap after lap. It should look good for the spectators and TV viewers though. Marina Bay is a test, but this is the reason we love to be F1 drivers. There is something new and challenging every year for us to get to grips with, literally in this case! A night and day improvement for us at Singapore? It should be better at Singapore for us and a step forward from Monza. At this stage of the season it is not going to be a massive step, but we expect better things for sure. We will do our very best to make sure that we find a good balance for Singapore because it is a very particular track with lots of different challenges. Of course the one big challenge is the race and most of the other running happens later in the day. Is Marina Bay a big physical challenge? Yes it is. Overall it is a very demanding track where you get no rest at all really. You are constantly turning or braking and there are only two short straights, not enough to really have a proper rest. But I like it this way because you get a rhythm going quickly. Physically it is tough because the humidity is
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so high and the race so long, much longer than Monza for instance. Do you enjoy racing at night? To be honest it is not too different to racing in the day or at night. The main reason is quite simple – when we drive we do not look upwards, we are always focusing on what is straight ahead. The big change is the temperature of the tarmac which is slightly cooler at night. So we have a slightly different approach because of this. We have to adapt our styles a little and make sure we create heat in the tyres as much as we can. Any issues with the body clock re-set? As everyone knows, we stay on European time. Although some people say it is tough, I find it not to be too difficult. Once you have experienced it you get used to this way of living and it is only for a few days anyway. The physical demands are much harder because of the extreme humidity so I make sure I am very well hydrated in the days leading up to the race and of course during time in the cockpit. It is probably the most important part of our preparation. Any stand-out moments for you in Singapore? Probably qualifying second there in 2012. It’s a relentless track so putting together a lap good enough for the front row of the grid is extremely satisfying. Starting that race from P2 was brilliant and I was running high enough to be in contention for a podium-finish until the first safety car came out. It’s such an intense circuit to drive; getting to race it from the front end of the grid is great fun. thepaddockmagazine.com
DATA
2014 Formula1
GRAN PREMIO D'ITALIA
1/2 1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
4
3
1
4
4
1
4
4 4
4 2 2
2
2
2
2
2
4
2 2
2 2
5 6
5 6
5 5
6 6
5 6
30
1
2
3
4
5 6
5 6
5
6
thepaddockmagazine.com
DATA
2014 Formula1
SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX 1 1
1
1
1 5
1
5
5
2
2
1
1
5
5
2
1
5
5
1
3
5
3
5
2
3
3
1
3
2
1
2 2
1/4
2
4
2
1
4 4
6
2
7 6
2
2
6
2
6
6 6
6
6
7 7
1 7
7
7
7
2 2 2 2
4
32
2
1
2
3
5
6
7
thepaddockmagazine.com
DATA
Media map
September 2014
A country by country breakdown of the number of articles in major media publications which have mentioned Formula 1 during the last month.
UK Last month: 2,190 This month: 2,228 Change: +2%
USA Last month: 3,114 This month: 2,990 Change: -4%
Germany Last month: 2,818 This month: 2,503 Change: -11%
Spain Last month: 1,686 This month: 1,945 Change: +15% Italy Last month: 992 This month: 1281 Change: +29%
France Last month: 651 This month: 723 Change: +11%
Brazil Last month: 883 This month: 1,024 Change: +16%
Japan Last month:379 This month: 311 Change: -18%
Australia Last month: 429 This month: 679 Change: +58%
Overall: Last month: 13,140 This month: 13,684 Change: +4%
Social Networkers
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Each issue we rank the teams by their numbers of followers on their official pages on leading social networking sites
Teams
Followers
Change since last issue (%)
Teams
Followers
Red Bull Racing
3 921 688
1.4%
Red Bull Racing
568 565
Change since last issue (%) 4.6%
Mercedes AMG Petronas
7 997 274
3.9%
Mercedes AMG Petronas
660 095
20.7%
Scuderia Ferrari
3 040 385
1.9%
Scuderia Ferrari
881 613
3.3%
Lotus F1 Team
1 074 592
0.3%
Lotus F1 Team
455 866
3.8% 5.0%
McLaren
2 522 357
3.4%
McLaren
676 446
Sahara Force India F1 Team
868 525
1.1%
Sahara Force India F1 Team
250 031
3.7%
Sauber F1 Team
477 707
0.7%
Sauber F1 Team
243 145
4.4% 5.6%
Scuderia Toro Rosso
212 911
2.2%
Scuderia Toro Rosso
183 448
Williams F1 Team
596 242
2.2%
Williams F1 Team
305 541
5.5%
Marussia F1 Team
385 108
1.5%
Marussia F1 Team
226 709
2.8%
Caterham F1 Team
302 662
0.6%
Caterham F1 Team
223 120
3.8%
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COLUMNS
In need for a revival
By Brian Sims | If there’s one annual motorsport event that I would be really upset to miss, it’s the Goodwood Revival. This year we were blessed with amazing weather, some superb flying displays which included the last two Lancaster bombers still capable of taking to the skies and, of course, some memorable race cars. Then there were the people! They really make the event a unique occasion – the retro-dressed spectators, the hosts, the famous, infamous and just plain friendly competitors or the Goodwood officials who proved that you can still do your job properly with a smile on your face.
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COLUMNS
Money, Egos & Speed Much as I could continue waxing lyrical about this amazing motorsport extravaganza, this month’s Money, Egos and Speed is not about the Goodwood Festival. There is a link however. It’s about the topic of conversation that was rife within the media centre at Goodwood, where I was based. It concerned the decision by Red Bull to sign 16 year old Max Verstappen as one of the two Torro Rosso F1 drivers for 2015. Nearly everyone that I met at the Revival pitched in with their opinions on whether Verstappen Junior should be allowed to race in F1. Not surprisingly the media has also had a heyday, including the specialist motorsport publications and websites, as well as the national dailies and TV news channels. We‘ve heard from other race drivers, from his peers and from his father. The controversy mainly centres on the question as to whether a 17-year should be in F1, with only twelve month’s race car experience, and whether he’ll be able to cope. From my own point of view, I think that this isn’t the real issue that’s at stake. I think that these people are missing the most critical and worrying point. I personally have little doubt that by the time Max Verstappen takes his place on the grid in Australia at the start of the 2015 F1 season, he will be technically capable, albeit at the age of 17, of driving a F1 car at competitive speeds and be reasonably aware of how to conduct himself on the track. That’s not my major concern. I’m very aware that many of the more experienced F1 drivers have their own doubts regarding his lack of experience, which they feel could prove dangerous and I can sympathise with their views on this. It’s my opinion, however, that there is a far more relevant and important question that needs answering and it has nothing to do with Verstappen’s talent or his experience. When I heard about the ground-breaking decision to run with this young Dutch driver, my over-riding concern was that in the process, a really poor message is being sent out to the business world, which of course means potential sponsors, as well as to the public at large, including the millions of F1 fans around the world. It effectively tells people that if a young driver, barely 17 years of age, is able to compete in F1 after just one season in race cars, albeit that he has raced karts for many years, the level of skill or experience needed to drive an F1 car is nowhere as high as we are being led to believe. One could argue that it makes a mockery of the multi-million fees being paid to the top F1 drivers like Alonso and Vettel. The bizarre question then begs itself as to whether we need these highly paid stars when we could easily ship in a couple of dozen Formula Ford racers to fill the F1 grid? As Eddie Jordan stated on BBC F1, maybe we have to accept that the current F1 cars aren’t difficult enough to drive. We’re constantly being told that F1 is the pinnacle of world motorsport. It’s all about the best race drivers in the world competing on the supposedly toughest tracks, to become World Champion and in the process, the best race driver on the planet! If that’s the case, then surely F1 shouldn’t be the place where inexperienced young drivers are encouraged to learn their skills and make their mistakes.
068 / October 2014
BRIAN SIMS A colourful 40 year career in international motorsport has taken Brian Sims from professional race-driving to running an F1 Grand Prix track and from being the Marketing Director of two F1 teams to founding the Motorsport Industry Association. Now a Consultant and Advisory-Board Member for the prestigious Oxford Brookes University and a Guest Lecturer for the World Academy of Sport, Brian is the author of two highly-acclaimed sponsorship books and an accomplished Speaker, using F1 as the theme for motivating business audiences. More info at www.briansims.co.uk.
“Formula 1 should be about the twentytwo best drivers in the world competing and showcasing their talents.”
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COLUMNS
Like it or not, this is the message that’s now being sent out; by-pass the various junior formulae that have been designed to help drivers learn their craft and instead put them straight into F1. Surely, the message that F1 should rather be putting out is that by the time a driver progresses to the peak of the sport, he (or she) should have earned their stripes in the junior categories along the way. In other words, if F1 is to maintain its credibility, it really should comprise the best drivers in the world. By the time they hit F1, they should be close to their peak of performance, not in the early stages of their learning curve. An interesting comment at Goodwood came from one highly experienced motorsport journalist, who suggested that if he were due for a heart by-pass operation and discovered that the surgeon was 16 years old, albeit a technically talented surgeon, he’d run for the hills at a very fast pace. It’s not just about technical ability, he said, it’s about the experience, maturity and responsibility that has to go with it. For me, there s another issue that comes to the fore with the latest Verstappen situation. You have a Red Bull Young Driver leading the GP3 Championship this year, Alex Lynn. You have Carlos Sainz Junior, yet another Red Bull Young Driver leading the Renault 3.5 World Series. Both appear to have been overlooked in their efforts to secure an F1 drive. The message that this send outs to other competitors, particularly drivers paying around £750K a season in GP3 and £1.5 million in GP2, is that they re actually wasting their money, because these categories have in one fair swoop been made irrelevant, or at best, side-lined. Maybe the answer is to cut out the junior formulae and just increase the number of teams and cars allowed in F1. Instead of spending £3-£4 million on the junior categories, why not just buy a F1 seat? Think for a moment about how the sponsors of young drivers are going to feel. Imagine forking out a few million pounds to take a driver through the junior categories, as everyone tells you is essential to reach F1. Then you have to watch a 16 year- old rookie sidestep that entire process. I’m sure that there will be several companies watching this extraordinary scenario being played out, that will be less than enthusiastic about considering a role in motorsport. That’s my big worry. I had a meeting last week with the Executive Chairman of a major motorsport sponsor. His company is currently looking at the possibility of a GP2 involvement, but in his opinion the Verstappen scenario has lowered the value of F1 and made GP2 almost irrelevant. I can guarantee he won’t
38
be the only businessman with that attitude. I mentioned that F1 should be about the twenty-two best drivers in the world competing and showcasing their talents. Fewer and fewer people really believe that this happens any more. Maybe we should be looking at other sports and learning from them. I recently took a number of guests from Oxford Brookes University to watch the British Speedway Grand Prix at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Without exception they were all blown away by the whole event, including the standard of racing. This is a World Championship that gets it right in so many ways. The World Championship points scoring system is designed in such a way that at the end of the 12 Grands Prix season, only the top 8 out of the 16 Grand Prix riders are guaranteed their place in next season’s Championship. The remaining 8 places are filled through a series of tough international qualifying events. What this so effectively ensures is that whether you watch a Grand Prix in Britain, Italy, Poland or any other of the venues, you’ll know that you’re watching the very best riders in the sport at that the time. The option of Wild Card selections deals with injury issues, but every rider in the Championship is there on merit. Yes, I know that wouldn’t work in motor racing for a number of reasons. That doesn’t change my opinion that there needs to be a major change in the way that F1 is heading. The concept of it being about the world’s best drivers needs to be at the forefront of the changes. I can’t believe that if there is a determination to bring that about, we can’t find the people to come up with a workable solution. Maybe it’s time to look outside of motorsport for a start! My fear, however, is that there are too many vested interests in the decision-making processes within our sport. This latest fiasco over the new junior single-seater championship is a case in question. Just as a much-needed structure is about to be brought in to entry level racing by the FIA, so the waters are muddied yet again. It happens every time! If I sound like a grumpy old man, I probably am. However, having spent 40 years of my life in this business, I find it sad to watch something that was so special going the way that it seems destined to. I have one final thought on the subject. It concerns the spectacular success of the Revival. If Lord March can get it so right at Goodwood, why is so much else in motorsport going wrong? Perhaps this is the man who we should be tasking with the role of planning the future of motorsport!
“Having spent 40 years of my life in this business, I find it sad to watch something that was so special going the way that it seems destined to.”
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COLUMNS
Santander’s Formula 1 saga:
the end or a new chapter? By Bill Herring | Many people in the Formula 1 paddock were saddened to hear of the passing of Emilio Botin, Chairman of Santander Bank. He was closely involved in Santander’s Formula 1 sponsorship program, which has provided significant results for the bank and strengthened its market positioning.
Bill Herring Bill Herring is Principal at Out Front Marketing, LLC in Austin, Texas. He can be reached on outfrontmarketing.us@ gmail.com or by visiting outfrontmarketing. wordpress.com.
The life of a chairman Emilio Botin, chairman of the Spanish banking giant Santander, passed away on September 10, 2014 at the age of 79. Botin was the driving force behind Santander’s sponsorship of Formula One, which was estimated to be worth $66 million (€51 million or £40 million) annually. Not content with simply approving an investment in Formula 1, Botin built relationships with team members, attended races, rode bikes with Fernando Alonso and cheered on the teams and drivers supported by Santander. Ron Dennis, CEO of the McLaren Group, had this to say about Botin: “He adored motor racing – there was no one more enthusiastic in the McLaren garage than he was when a race win was in the offing. The world has lost a great man.” Overview of Santander’s Formula 1 sponsorship Santander began its Formula 1 engagement in 2007, deciding to sponsor the McLaren team when Alonso joined McLaren. Botin and Alonso built a close relationship, leading Botin to move Santander’s team sponsorship to Ferrari once Alonso joined the Scuderia in 2010. Santander continued to sponsor the drivers at McLaren and has also been the title sponsor of several Formula 1 races, including sponsoring the British Grand Prix for eight consecutive years. Santander announced in 2012 that its partnership with Ferrari will be extended until 2017 while at the start of the 2014 season, the partnership with McLaren was renewed for an undisclosed amount of time. No doubt Ferrari and McLaren are hoping there will be no changes with those agreements. The business side of the sponsorship Santander had embarked on a series of bank acquisitions in the early 2000’s, including banks outside of their home country of Spain. One of those acquisitions was Abbey National, a UK bank that Santander acquired
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in 2004. As Santander sought to establish themselves in the UK market, they realised they were suffering from very low brand recognition – in 2006 they were known by only 20 percent of UK consumers. The bank decided to sponsor McLaren, obviously a British team, and became the title sponsor of the British Grand Prix as a way of improving their recognition levels. The result has been impressive; Juan Manuel Cendoya, senior executive vice president of communications, told PADDOCK magazine in 2010: “I’d say that the turnaround of our brand awareness in the UK is outstanding because in less than four years we came from being virtually unknown (20 percent of brand awareness at the end of 2006) to be one of the most recognised financial brands (92 percent of brand awareness at the end of 2009).” The success of their Formula 1 engagement led Santander to look for ways to extend that on a global basis. The bank decided to partner with Ferrari, which of course has an enthusiastic fan base around the world. Santander and Ferrari announced a five year agreement worth €200 million in September 2009. This was a team sponsorship, and Santander shifted from a team sponsorship at McLaren to one that sponsored the drivers. The stars must have been aligned just right for Santander as the first race of 2010 saw Ferrari drivers Alonso and Felipe Massa in first and second place, with Santander-sponsored Lewis Hamilton in third. So all three drivers on the podium featured Santander on their driving suits. Doubtless, there were some happy sponsorship managers at Santander. The Financial Times pointed out additional benefits derived from the partnership with Ferrari: “Finally, the Ferrari alliance offered Santander a strategic advantage in emerging markets. In 2010, Santander had planned special publicity appearances at the Bahrain and Chinese Grands Prix. “Entry into these regions had historically been difficult for western companies but fellow Ferrari sponthepaddockmagazine.com
COLUMNS
Bernie Ecclestone with the late Emilio Botín
“The bank’s research indicated that Formula 1 and football in Latin America were the best platforms for strengthening Santander’s position.”
sors such as Etihad Airways and Mubadala, Abu Dhabi’s state investment vehicle, offered Santander an advantage: by association, Santander became linked with familiar brands and accepted in the local culture. Having local co-sponsors facilitates dealmaking in previously untapped markets.” Santander’s sponsorship measurement tools have identified additional results obtained from their engagements in Formula 1: • The growth in UK brand recognition from 20 percent to 92 percent (mentioned above) • A 19 percent increase in awareness in key countries • Eighty-two percent of employees say they feel prouder of working at Santander as a result of the bank’s sponsorships • A 25 percent increase in favorability among customers and a 41 percent increase among non-customers. • In Spain, Santander was the top brand associated with sport in 2011 and 2012, ahead even of Coca-Cola. Why has it worked so well? Santander has enjoyed success with their sponsorship program partially due to the time-honored use of market research and strategy development, well-defined objectives and program measurement. With the rapid pace of acquisitions, Santander’s brand identity had not had a chance to be established in new markets.
068 / October 2014
The bank evaluated its new geographic dispersion, identified Formula 1 and football as relevant platforms to reach customers in those markets, and built clever programs to engage consumers and motivate employees. Regarding football, Santander sponsors three club competitions in Latin America: the Copa Libertadores, the Copa Sudamericana, and the Recopa Santander Sudamericana. Santander also sponsors the Copa América de Naciones, a tournament held every four years to determine the continental champion of South America. Lastly, Santander has personal sponsorship agreements with Pelé and the Brazilian player Neymar da Silva Santos. The bank’s research indicated that Formula 1 and football in Latin America were the best platforms for strengthening Santander’s position. The two sports are being followed by the most fans than any other sport around the world. In Santander’s key markets, Formula 1 has a very high level of loyal fans. That passion for the sport connects fans with the bank. I’d say performing the fundamentals of business planning and clever decision-making that is informed by research are the underlying reasons for Santander’s successful sponsorship program. I suspect many people in the Formula 1 paddock hope that Ana Botin continues to sponsor Formula 1 in the manner of her father Emilio. Her best options may be to continue the program with necessary changes, or to invest even more in Formula 1 to further strengthen Santander’s position in the market and drive higher brand loyalty. It’s good to be able to operate from a position of strength!
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COLUMNS
In My Opinion
Silence Radio
By Dessislava Jeleva
I have been following Formula 1 for the better part of the last two decades and I am still surprised by the speed with which the pit radio rules in the sport were amended. In the weeks between the Italian and the Singapore Grand Prix, the FIA announced that a number of standard radio messages received by the drivers from the pit wall are no longer allowed.
T
he communication will now be limited to basic information on the driver’s own lap time, gaps from the nearest opponents, traffic and puncture warnings and pit stop strategy. The information about competitors will be even more limited – only gaps, current tyre choice, car problems and potential race strategies. The drivers will also receive messages from race control (flags, penalties and safety car deployment). And yes, team orders will also be allowed, unless they are coded (one wonders how Infin-
42
iti Red Bull Racing will now issue theirs). In contrast with other Formula 1 fans, I am actually in favor of the ruling. The Sporting Regulations (License, driving protocol and penalties, 20.1) clearly state that “the driver must drive the car alone and unaided.” In the recent weeks, we have witnessed a number of occasions in which a driver was directed to break at a certain point on the track as this made his teammate faster in a given sector. This kind of micromanaging can hardly be considered “alone and unaided.” Fernando Alonso’s response to the issue has been that “it
thepaddockmagazine.com
COLUMNS
Dessislava Jeleva
“Changing the interpretation of the Sporting Regulations in the middle of the season will not only affect reliability but it is also unfairly penalises certain drivers and has the potential to go too far.”
is like basketball or football not allowing the coach to say anything.” The truth, however, is that Formula 1 is not like basketball or football, it is an individual sport. The competitors are supposed to figure out on track issues by themselves. In this respect, F1 is more like tennis and coaching is forbidden during tennis matches. It is you against the other tennis player/driver, not your team of race engineers against his. But while I agree with the rule clarification on principle, there are certain aspects of the way that it was implemented that bother me. Changing the interpretation of the Sporting Regulations in the middle of the season will not only affect reliability but it is also unfairly penalises certain drivers and has the potential to go too far. The new policy means that a driver will receive very little warning when there is a developing problem with his car. The team might know that the engine or the gear box is in a critical condition but they cannot share this information with the driver and it is impossible to develop an alternative control system as fast as the rule was introduced. The 2014 power units have been marginal in terms of reliability and with limited pit wall information they will start failing a lot more often. Implementing the rule change in the middle of the season is also unfair as it penalises the drivers that already had problems earlier in the year. Sebastian Vettel has used so many of his power unit components that the German will certainly be forced to start from the middle of the grid by default very soon. Even more importantly, however, Lewis Hamilton has experienced a lot more problems with his Mercedes car than the championship leader Nico Rosberg, so I will not be surprised if the radio ban ends up impacting the drivers’ championship battle. And then there is my biggest concern – the changes will go too far. The “alone and unaided” rule is sufficiently broad to accommodate an interpretation that bans all telemetry being received sent from the car to the pit wall. Bernie Ecclestone himself has made comments that suggest that there is a plan to go after telemetry next. The specifics of this plan are unclear but I feel banning telemetry outright will severely limit car development. Patience and careful impact analysis are not the Formula 1 powers’ forte. A few boring races at the end of 2013 (just before a major regulation overhaul) were enough to convince them that there should be an adhoc points rule for the last race of a season. Now, it only remains to be seen if it will be that strange decision or the radio ban that sways the 2014 drivers’ championship. Message types allowed: • Acknowledgement that a driver message has been heard.
068 / October 2014
• Lap or sector time detail. • Lap time detail of a competitor. • Gaps to a competitor during a practice session or race. • “Push hard”, “push now”, “you will be racing xx” or similar. • Helping with warning of traffic during a practice session or race. • Giving the gaps between cars in qualifying so as to better position the car for a clear lap. • Puncture warning. • Tyre choice at the next pit stop. • Number of laps a competitor has done on a set of tyres during a race. • Tyre specification of a competitor. • Indication of a potential problem with a competitor’s car during a race. • Information concerning a competitors likely race strategy. • Yellow flags, blue flags, Safety Car deployment or other cautions. Message types not allowed: • Sector time detail of a competitor and where a competitor is faster or slower. • Adjustment of power unit settings. • Adjustment of power unit setting to de-rate the systems. • Adjustment of gearbox settings. • Learning of gears of the gearbox (will only be enforced from the Japanese Grand Prix onwards). • Balancing the SOC [state-of-charge of batteries] or adjusting for performance. • Information on fuel flow settings (except if requested to do so by race control). • Information on level of fuel saving needed. • Information on tyre pressures or temperatures (will only be enforced from the Japanese Grand Prix onwards). • Information on differential settings. • Start maps related to clutch position, for race start and pit stops. • Information on clutch maps or settings, e.g. bite point. • Burn-outs prior to race starts. • Information on brake balance or BBW (brake-bywire) settings. • Warning on brake wear or temperatures (will only be enforced from the Japanese Grand Prix onwards). • Selection of driver default settings (other than in the case of a clearly identified problem with the car). • Answering a direct question from a driver, e.g. “Am I using the right torque map”? • Any message that appears to be coded.
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roulette The Sochi
By Sergey Vorobyev | The Formula 1 folk is focused on a particular Grand Prix this year – everyone is curious whether Sochi GP will live up to the hopes and become a success like Singapore GP did. Sergey Vorobyev, Deputy General Manager at OJSC “Center “Omega”, in charge of the 2014 Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix, is here to clear away some business clouds.
What’s the situation? Just last weekend we hosted a round of the most popular racing series in Russia – Russian Circuit Racing Series. The event was planned as a “formation race” and was held in a test mode with no spectators. In total, there were 57 drivers in five categories testing the track. This racing weekend has given Sochi Autodrom the name of the first winner – Mikhail Grachev, first lap record and many other interesting and intriguing things. Russian automobile federation held trainings for marshals, emergency staff and rescue services. The event has shown us what services and what processes are organised properly and which need an adjustment. In general, we are very satisfied with the way the event was held and we can confidently say that the track is 100% ready for a Formula 1 race. We were also pleased to hear positive feedback from the drivers who liked the track very much. They said that “its long straights, curves and its grip was really something that we have never experienced before”. Despite our achievements, I wouldn’t say that our working days are just full of joy – we have a huge and very demanding task ahead of us, and we take
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it extremely serious. However, I will be honest – the mere idea of finally having a Formula 1 Grand Prix in our country and being responsible for making it a memorable and successful event sometimes gives me shivers. Like any other Russian motorsport fan, I want to see Formula 1 coming to Russia and knowing that it is about to happen warms the heart of everyone involved in the Grand Prix. Lessons to be learned Our team representatives visit every GP on the calendar, where they learn from the experience of other promoters. We try to absorb the best things from the other Grands Prix, but we will surely spice them up with traditional Russian hospitality and the beauty of Sochi. The best thing about Sochi is that it is simply an entertaining city itself: it attracts millions of tourists every year and has everything to keep its visitors entertained. Visitors of Sochi Autodrom will be free to choose any kind of leisure they might want: from peaceful observation of the sea at its fabulous embankment or right next to the dancing fountain at the Olympic Plaza to taking breathtaking rollercoaster rides and
“Marketing opportunities offered by Formula 1 are truly enormous, but many companies showing genuine interest remain somewhat cautious about taking this chance.”
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setting new lap records behind the wheel of a racing simulator at the F1 Village. Connecting businesses First of all, Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport and engineering technology. Having a single banner at the track during a Formula 1 Grand Prix will definitely associate any company with being one of the best in this world. Motorsport itself grows with enormous pace in Russia as well as the industries surrounding it. Marketing opportunities offered by Formula 1 are truly enormous, but many companies showing genuine interest remain somewhat cautious about taking this chance. In my personal opinion, the company that will decide to increase its presence at the Russian Grand Prix will hit the jackpot at huge internal markets. Gladly, one can see the rebirth of the circuit racing business in Russia. With more sponsors coming in motorsport, the increase in the number of racing series and their participants is felt all around Sochi. With more racing tracks emerging in our country, we will soon be able to build the foundation for steady development of the drivers – from grassroots to international license holders. Being able to take part in this process is a truly ex-
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citing thing, I might add. Surely, the rise of talented and young Russian drivers will bring millions of new fans to Formula 1. 2014 and 2015 This season has been a bit controversial, but for me the most important thing, and I can state it again, is that Formula 1 is finally coming to Russia. What I mean is that all of my focus is here, and even when my team and I saw some spectacular races this year, the test race that we’ve just had here has given me confidence like nothing else could. I will be the happiest man in the world once the lights go off on October 12. Talking about the geographical future of the sport, it would be amazing to see Formula 1 cars chasing round world famous locations like Times Square in New York, the Pyramids in Egypt, or even on an island in the middle of an ocean. However, knowing how much effort and time it takes to organize a Grand Prix, I doubt that the last two options are feasible. Our team is really happy with the geography of Formula 1 this year – it shows that the sport keeps getting stronger, and I’m sure it can keep up the pace.
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FEATURES
The good type of By Rafaël Galiana | Tecpro is an extremely innovative company specialising in the production of racing barriers. Simply put, the reasons of Tecpro dominance are pretty evident to anyone who has witnessed the spectacle of motorsport: these barriers have 40% more energy absorption without the so-called boomerang effect, which leads to far less damage for the drivers, the cars, the barriers and less risk for accidents happening after the cars are thrown back onto the track. The creatively constructed tension system inside the barriers allows them never to be dissociated and to dissipate all the absorbed energy between them during an impact. It’s pure and simple magic. So how did this company become so... useful? The man behind all this, CEO and Owner of Tecpro, Rafaël Galiana, takes us for a ride in the kingdom of safer Formula 1 circuits.
What’s the secret? During the period of 2000-2006, Tecpro executed a series of meticulous crash tests with the FIA Institute and Dekra. The last test has been executed at 218 km/h, which is a speed that has never been tested before. Data from this experiment showed that our barriers are much more effective than the old tyre systems, whatever the speed is. Today, we can certainly state that Tecpro barriers are 40% safer than any other type of systems out there. I would say the main advantages, regardless of safety, are these: our system is the best fit for printed advertising – it’s easy to put or remove; there is no paint to redo every year or every two
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years; the maintenance is simple – in 8 years the Paul Ricard track has intervened only four times to change the barriers for crashes, and all this took one hour; 1000 meters of installing Tecpro barriers requires 15 days of work for 4 people, while 18000 tires plus the conveyor belt needs 53 days of work for a team of at least 8. What’s going to happen next? We have lot of work with new circuits now. The system constantly improves and we are focused on improving it even more this year, with so much interest from growing motorsport markets. I think companies in the automotive industry should be ahead of the demand in terms of
“There are a lot of opinions being expressed how Formula 1 could be learning from other sports, but it is the pinnacle! "
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Rafaël Galiana
068 / October 2014
technology, and that’s what we’re working on all the time. Our module is to be as environmentally friendly as it is physically possible. From less harm in the making and disposing to less transportation in the whole process, we are keen to keep on providing “greener” products. It’s a hugely important factor nowadays and, thankfully, it’s literally taking over the world. It has become much easier for us to work with Formula 1 – it seems that everyone knows the effectiveness of our barriers, they have experienced the professionalism of our technicians and people somehow hear about our new developments. We
work closely with the FIA to meet their demands and, most importantly, to meet the demands of Formula 1 drivers – that helped us a lot while constructing various improvements. There are a lot of opinions being expressed how Formula 1 could be learning from other sports, but it is the pinnacle! I think that most industries could easily start learning from Formula 1 – it’s a great example of success. This business develops and changes in various ways, so we might just ask Bernie himself about the sport’s future, but I’m sure it will keep its powerful image for a long time.
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FEATURES
A ticking
relationship By Serge Michel | The independent Swiss watch manufacture ARMIN STROM develops, produces and hand finishes each of its watches in its dedicated workshop in Bienne. The timepieces in its collection embody the venerable tradition of Swiss watchmaking combined with a modern look and technical prowess. The brand’s signature, on all ARMIN STROM watches, is open-worked designs that reveal part of the interior movement from the dial, celebrating the mechanical artistry of the timepiece. Serge Michel, Owner of ARMIN STROM, chats to us about the relationship with Formula 1.
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Skeletonising? ARMIN STROM has its roots in the picturesque town of Burgdorf located northwest of Bern. The history of the watch factory begins with the founder and namesake of the business, Armin Strom. After completing his watchmaking apprenticeship and gaining early independent business experiences in Lotzwil and St. Moritz, the still young Armin Strom opened his own shop in the Altstadt (Old Town) area of Burgdorf in 1967. In addition to selling and restoring watches, he soon began working on his own creations in the workroom behind the shop. His first masterpiece was a gold pocket watch, with a hand-engraved dial in polished blue lapis lazuli. His mature manual dexterity and incredible attention to detail soon made the budding watchmaker aware of where to specialise in his valuable items: the art of skeletonising. Armin still is an inspiration for us all. His idea of cutting away all the parts of the movement which have no active function for its operation characterises the appearance of ARMIN STROM watches to this day. He then set about engraving and decorating the remaining parts with intricate detailing and fitting them into fine cases, all with the greatest of care. Although initially available only from his shop, creations from Armin Strom were first presented at the internationally renowned Basel Watch and Jewellery Fair in 1984. The business really took off from that time. Building on the successes of his men’s watches, Armin Strom also ventured into the production of his first wristwatch for women. His goal of designing this to be as small and delicate as possible immediately gained him an entry in The Guinness Book of World Records as the smallest watch ever to be skeletonised by hand.
“Using Formula 1 as a marketing tool to promote your brand is a truly effective strategy, but to build brand awareness you need to be a partner of a top team or even the series.”
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Formula 1 We started our relationship with Formula 1 simply because of personal interest and passion for the sport, the racing. Of course, we had good contacts to the Marussia Virgin Team – that was also an important factor in the process. The Armin Racing brand represents the modern style of movement embellishment, without neglecting important traditional values. Our young, superbly trained and highly motivated team creates each collection, emphasising a modern, technical image which blends tradition with new, innovative methods. Through this unique collaboration with the Marussia F1 Team, we aim to create a bespoke collection of exclusive timepieces, inspired by the technology and material synergies between Formula 1 and the art and craft of watch making. Talking about the business side of the relationship, hospitality of our VIP clients is probably the most important thing. As our goal is not to build brand awareness through Formula 1, we don’t measure the impact of our sponsorship. The Formula 1 industry is still very strong commercially and it’s an influential market. It will remain a good marketing tool for many brands. Other than in other racing series, Formula 1 it is not only about racing, it is also about the unique atmosphere and lifestyle of the series. This is, of course, what makes it so attractive and mysterious. Using Formula 1 as a marketing tool to promote your brand is a truly effective strategy, but to build brand awareness you need to be a partner of a top team or even the series. The watch industry needs to be very flexible and fast to catch the individual target groups at the right timing, same applies for Formula 1. Today a crucial market for luxury goods is China, but tomorrow it might be India or Brazil.
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FEATURES
boy The butcher
By Harry Miltner | Non-motorsport fans will automatically associate the name John Booth with the assassin of President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. However, to all petrol heads, John is known as the Team Principal of Marussia F1 and an assassin of a different kind.
T
he 59-year-old from Rotherham, England, is a very convivial companion. If you know him and walk past the Marussia motorhome at any Grand Prix, chances are high he will wave you in for chat, as if it were a random junior formula event. Booth has made it to F1 via hard work and passion rather than through team politics. “Racing’s not the way it used to be. The business side of F1 takes up the majority of my time. But I still love it”, he admitted.
The sky is the limit Before entering racing, John was a pilot. “I left school at 15 and started flying. I had ambitions to be a commercial pilot, but then I went to work in the family business in food retail. Until I got to see my first race car, of course”, he laughed. That was at the 1977 Kosset Six Hour race at Silverstone, where Formula Ford cars fascinated him immediately. “When I saw Jim Walsh, who was winning everything at that time, going four wide with some Irish drivers into Woodcote, I was hooked. I bought a Hawke DL19 and went racing. Mind you, we didn’t have a clue what we were doing.” Then-established driver John Village from Sheffield became sort of his mentor and soon Booth started winning regularly. However, for him “driving was serious – but fun. I never really thought further ahead than the next race.”
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“My heart has always been with the British F3 Championship. I say that because the essence of the F3 regulations is almost identical to that of F1. There’s much more freedom in F3 and as a team or as an engineer you can contribute a tremendous amount to the outcome of the race.”
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In 1988, he quit racing and picked up running cars for Village in the UK. Only two years later, he set up Manor Motorsport. The British outfit has won 19 championship titles in Formula Renault, Formula Three Euroseries, etc. since and become a major force in motorracing. Over the years, the former Southern Yorkshire butcher has also become a highly professional Team Principal and businessman, having taught the trade to the Likes of Kimi Raikkonen or Lewis Hamilton. “Kimi ran in karts for a long time, mainly because he couldn’t raise the money for another series until he met the Robertson’s”, Booth recalled, who ran the Finn in Formula Renault, dominating the 2000 British Championship. “Formula Renault used to be the perfect grounding for slicks and wings. Kimi, who was a complete natural, got used to the car after three or four tests and then drove it to its maximum all season. Actually, he seemed a bit bored by it, as there was no challenge for him.” While Booth was planning to move into F3 with the “Iceman”, the driver’s managers, Dave and Steve Robertson, approached the team boss to write a letter of reference for Peter Sauber, who had signalled offering Raikkonen an F1 test. “I was pretty sure he had never even heard of mine and wouldn’t care about my opinion. But I wrote the letter and the rest is history.” With his star driver having flown the nest, a mere co-incidence brought him a new rough diamond – Lewis Hamilton. “My business partner David Matthews runs a hotel in St. Barts and McLaren part-owner Mansour Ojjeh went there on holiday. In short, Mansour arranged for us to visit Martin Whitmarsh at McLaren and when Lewis was ready for cars, Martin gave us a call.” Lewis stayed with the team for two seasons dominating the 2003 British Formula Renault and gaining vital experience in F3 a year later. A leapfrog forward Mid-2009 the outfit applied for a spot on the Formula 1 grid for the following season as Manor Grand Prix. However, the name was altered, when billionaire Richard Branson acquired shares and had it changed to Virgin Racing. At the time, Virgin boss Branson bragged, “this will be the lowest-budget team in Formula 1. Money’s not everything”. He was not entirely accurate on the budget
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matter, as there is always Caterham, but he was most certainly wrong on the money side: because in Formula 1 money is (nearly) everything. When Branson somewhat lost interest, Russian sports car manufacturer Marussia took over the helm, but Booth remained in charge of operations. And despite his focus on F1, Manor continued to run a minor team, having pulled out of the F3 Euroseries, now in the newfor-2010 GP3 Series. “My heart has always been with the British F3 Championship. I say that because the essence of the F3 regulations is almost identical to that of F1. There’s much more freedom in F3 and as a team or as an engineer you can contribute a tremendous amount to the outcome of the race. But GP3 is nonetheless the standard, even if there’s not much you can do about it if you haven’t got yourself a top-line driver.” The Marussia Virgin GP3 team run by Pete Silwinski finished third in the 2011 championship, once 4th and twice 5th. This season, Dean Stoneman has already pocketed three race victories for the outfit. Catching up 2014 is the fifth season since the new teams joined and while Caterham has yet to score their first point, highly talented driver Jules Bianchi made Booth’s dream come true finishing in the points in Monaco this season. ”I think we’ve improved operationally, year in, year out. We look like a proper F1 team now and we operate like one. Retaining Jules (Bianchi) and Max (Chilton) is one extremely valuable ‘known-quantity’ at the start of a season that is full of unknowns. At the same time as making life far simpler from a design and development point of view, from a performance perspective we have two young, highly-motivated and extremely talented drivers who we know are capable of driving our team forward. Although the positions throughout the year were not that different compared to the year before, percentage wise we were much closer to the front”, Booth said. And figures prove him right. The technical changes from 2013 to 2014 were also an exciting opportunity for Marussia and although their drivers are still in the back six of the grid, the time gap has been reduced. While Marussia was off the pace of the established teams in Q1 by 2.03 seconds on average in 2012, the gap was reduced to 0.92 seconds in 2013, and is down to 0.34 seconds this season. But naturally, Bianchi’s ninth place fin-
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ish in the Monegasque principality has been Booth’s F1 highlight so far. “We were overjoyed at the result. It was a fantastic reward for all the hard work and determination, over the past four and a bit seasons.” Thanks to these two points, Marussia still remain ahead of both Sauber and Caterham in the Constructors’ Championship to date and already have one finger in Bernie Ecclestone’s point money pie. However, true racer Booth is ready for more saying: “We’ve been busy improving our car over the summer break and have gained a little more on the Saubers. Reliability issues of other teams (Lotus) also play into our hands.” Looking ahead 25-year-old Frenchman Bianchi, who is the showcase of Ferrari’s driver academy, has impressed since debuting with the backmarkers. “It is obvious that we are very satisfied with Jules and his work. Thus, it is
only logical that we want to keep him in 2015, but if Ferrari needs him, it is very clear that he belongs to them”, Booth wasn’t beating about the bush. After all the Banbury-based team “now belongs to the Ferrari family and our relationship is very good”. While the Ferrari partnership is fruitful, earlier this year, the British-based team split with its Russian supercar-making owner. Marussia President Nikolai Fomenko had stopped production, released all road car engineers and started selling parts of the company. Instead of Marussia Motors, a new company called Marussia Communications Limited breached the gap. But Booth hinted he was not exactly sure what the future looked like for Marussia. “I cannot talk about investors’ guarantees for 2015 and beyond. These are confidential questions, but we have every reason to believe in ourselves and a positive future.”
“I left school at 15 and started flying. I had ambitions to be a commercial pilot, but then I went to work in the family business in food retail. Until I got to see my first race car, of course.”
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FORMULA E SPECIAL
powEr on By Fernando Couto and Rosa Elena Torres
Formula E still has that ‘new car smell’ about it and this interesting racing sector will show it’s true potential pretty soon. However, it already looks well-structured with a decent global TV package and, of course, the future of motor racing goes in that direction, based on clean engines and ecological motors, which use electric energy or any similar clean technology, such as hydrogen, even if we don’t like it that much. The life of engines fuelled by petrol is limited, one day that type of fuel will be gone and other technologies will undoubtedly take over – that’s a fact. So let’s look at the beginning – a dawn of a new and electric era in motorsports.
Instead of an intro Environmentally friendly engines will be the main strength of the whole series. Also, we have to remember that in one way or another motorsport is a laboratory – a big part of what comes from Formula E is going to move ‘to the streets’ and become vehicles of mass production. This will not happen in the long term this time, more likely in the medium term. Probably one of the weaknesses we can already see (or hear) is the lack of “roar” from the motors, since we tend to link powerful engines with captivating blasts of roaring. Either Formula E will change the common perception of high-speed racing sounds, or the innovative engineers will have to find another way to give spectators audial pleasure. One of the main ideas in the series is not using the same Formula 1 venues, not even using autodromes, but making a series as popular as possible with more visibility for the big audiences using street circuits in big cities. Also, Formula E is avoiding visiting the same cities where Formula 1 has Grands Prix, except for Monte Carlo. City venues for completely different fans guarantee new obstacles in terms of organisation and entertainment, but Alejandro Agag and his team
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proved to be up for the challenge so far. Being Mexicans, we would gladly include Cancun, Guadalajara or Monterrey for the February race, which does not have a circuit assigned at this moment. Nevertheless, one race in Africa and one in Australia would add an even more international and versatile flavour. Specifics The car itself actually isn’t that expensive compared to a Formula 1 car. The teams are smaller and have smaller budgets, but possess strong potential for big visibility and spread. The cars aren’t as fast as Indy Cars or Formula 1 cars, but they can make the gap disappear in a few years. The first season might be difficult, but after several decent races the series will show its real capacity for attracting more sponsors. Obviously, for all this to happen, the sport must establish a solid TV package. Formula E has already signed multi-year deals with FOX Sports, ITV, China’s CCTV-5, Canal+ in France and Japan’s TV Asahi with details of more television rights coming soon. Thankfully, the regulations of Formula E are clear and put in a simple way. We don’t have insanely complex rules like in other championships - it’s kind of like going back to the 80s in Formula 1, which was a less
“Thankfully, the regulations of Formula E are clear and put in a simple way. We don’t have insanely complex rules like in other championships - it’s kind of like going back to the 80s in Formula 1, which was a less complicated time.”
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FORMULA E SPECIAL
Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E Holdings
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FORMULA E SPECIAL
“We are sure that Formula E is going to be a successful series, and it could have a few branches of its own in the very near future.” complicated time. There will surely be fresh and different things to learn and it’s very important to understand the way the competition works, but it’s great that the FIA took the time to make things simpler. The change of car is something that has not been seen in any other competition. It’s not just a change of tyres, it’s a complete change of car at the middle of the race and the teams will have to restart with a new car within the same race. It’s something we’ll just have to get used to and, to be honest, we think it has the potential to get even more thrilling than Formula 1 pitstops over time. Also, the new and known faces of drivers show a great diversity, including a couple of ladies (Michela Cerruti and Katherine Legge), young people like Antonio Felix da Costa and respected veterans of motorsports, such as Jarno Trulli. The drivers’ line-up is one of the things we’re most excited about, since there are drivers who couldn’t do well with underfunded teams in the past and now they can show what they can do in completely different circumstances. The people There will be more fan involvement with the FanBoost, providing extra speed boost to three drivers. This means that drivers are not only competing on track, but they’re also vying for the fan likes to get a competitive advantage during the race. Will this end the diva-drivers that we see in other series? Talking about the substantial ambassadors of Formula E, Alain Prost is already an icon of racing and he’s very involved with Renault in the series. Michael Andretti has his own team, the ubiquitous Sir Richard Branson and his Virgin brand have a team too, and the Venturi Formula E team has been co-founded by Leonardo DiCaprio and Gildo Pastor! Most importantly, the series will develop its own icons as it grows and solidifies. Formula E is very appealing to the environmentally conscious target audience, perhaps the younger segment of technology-powered creative people. However, it could just as well be interesting to pretty much the same fan that gen-
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erally likes motorsports. There are few people who are only interested in Formula 1, NASCAR or rallies – if you are truly petrol-blooded, you probably like several types of racing and you’ll enjoy discovering a new and challenging series. Formula 1 and Formula E are totally different concepts, but the migration between these two sectors could be similar to the one among other racing series. After all, this business is a small world – everybody used to know, knows or will know everybody and migration is inevitable. On the other hand, Formula E has its own niche and it might not bring similar movement like when drivers from rallies join Formula 1 or GP2 Series engineers go to IndyCar. So we really shouldn’t expect something massive, but aren’t you just a bit curious about how would particular Formula 1 racers or decision makers do in this rising segment of motorsports? Prophecies Renault, McLaren and Williams are already involved in Formula E developing engines, transmissions and electronics. Virgin, Telefunken, TAG Heuer, Amlin, Richard Mille and McAfee show the diversity of brands involved in the series. We think that no particular brand could take advantage of its involvement with the series since Formula E can be a showcase for any brand that wants to build strong business ties and get more visibility in a global market. This sport is definitely going to catch the eye and hold the interest of people interested in the “green” factor. Much of the clean technology is already in the headlines worldwide. Formula E will be a good lab for developing more sustainable vehicles and this industry will have a significant impact on how we see modern technology now. This is the future not only of motor racing, but the future of transportation in a cleaner environment. With an international schedule and also an international TV package, this will make electric cars more appealing to the regular chap. Adapting to novel times and goals is an essential part of motorsports. We are sure that Formula E is going to be a successful series, and it could have a few branches of its own in the very near future. thepaddockmagazine.com
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FORMULA E SPECIAL
as it gEts as electrifying
Formula E is a new FIA championship featuring Formula cars powered exclusively by electric energy. It represents a vision for the future of the motor industry over the coming decades, serving as a framework for research and development around the electric vehicle, accelerating general interest in these cars and promoting sustainability. Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E, tells the story of this unique new industry. Instead of an intro I’m a big fan of all motor sports, especially Formula 1 and GP2. Formula E, on the other hand, is a kind of ‘disruptive motorsport’. Absolutely everything is new. We’re working with the unknown – it’s the beginning of the electric motor sports era. We’ve produced 100% electric racing cars from scratch and watching 40 of these incredible vehicles race around city centres on a Saturday afternoon is unprecedented. We’re also merging social media and motor sport in a way that’s never been done before – making Formula E a fusion between a real race and a video game. Fans will be able to vote directly for their favourite driver and potentially influence the outcome of the race. On the sustainability front, we aim to become the first carbon neutral motor sport championship. And finally, Formula E is aimed at a new younger motor sport fan – the smartphone millennial generation. Attracting good drivers was a challenge at the beginning because the drivers wanted to see what Formula E was all about and, most importantly, they wanted to see the car.I think the turning point was when Jarno Trulli, a former Formula 1 driver, tested the car for the first time and was very impressed by it. Lucas di Grassi and Hoping Tung did an amazing job developing the car too. To have a car with such a great performance is what has attracted the drivers. They also wanted to see that this is a real race. It’s not a demonstration or a show, this is racing at its purest and drivers have a machine with which they can fight and that is simply the hook. Specifics As you have probably heard, Formula E does have a unique, futuristic and entertaining sound. I personally
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think the sound that Formula E delivers is quite cool – it may be the sound of the future. I believe the sound is loud enough to make fans excited but it’s low enough to allow us to race in city centres – without causing noise pollution. So it’s the ideal level for everyone. We have two growth avenues for formula E – geography and technology. Geographically, we would like to be racing all over the world. We would like to be in Africa, Australia and New Zealand, also we would like to expand in Asia and Europe. We’re planning on adding one or two more races per year – until we get to a calendar of between 16 and 18 races. We have a lot of demand from different cities already. Technologically, the growth will come from the manufacturers that design and prepare cars for the championship, especially electric power trains. We are talking to different original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). From year two we’d like to have new manufacturers coming in, not necessarily making the whole car, but making the powertrain – battery, electric motor and so on. Our aim is to be a leading force in spreading the idea of clean and sustainable urban mobility. We’re confident that we can change the attitude due to the power of this global sport. We want Formula E to become a framework for R&D and to accelerate the early adoption of this technology into everyday electric vehicles. In short, we want people to believe in electric cars. One of the biggest problems electric vehicles (EVs) face is image. Many people think EVs won’t work for them or will be too slow. People don’t know the truth and we want to show everyone what these cars can really do.
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FORMULA E SPECIAL
“Our aim is to be a leading force in spreading the idea of clean and sustainable urban mobility. We’re confident that we can change the attitude due to the power of this global sport.”
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FORMULA E SPECIAL
advEnture ahead By Jim Wright | Venturi Formula E Team is one of the 10 teams to participate to the new FIA fully electric single-seaters championship. The team is centered around the award-winning Venturi Automobiles, a leader in high performance electric vehicles developing a range of sports, urban and utilitarian cars, as well as being the current holders of the world land speed record for an electric vehicle with 495kph (307mph). Furthermore, it’s co-founded by such giants like Leonardo DiCaprio, one of the most famous actors on the planet of all time, and Gildo Pallanca Pastor, founder of pioneering EV manufacturer Venturi Automobiles, together with Bert Hedaya and Francesco Costa. Jim Wright is Head of Commercial and the man is responsible for the business side of the team. He opens up about the work behind and the obstacles ahead.
Instead of an intro Motorsport continues to face the challenge of balancing costs with advancing relevant technologies and providing good entertainment and value for sponsors. Formula E has tried to contain costs through a capping system whilst allowing (from the start of season 2) advancements in the areas of powertrain, re-generation and energy sources (batteries). Time will tell whether the stakeholders are able to contain costs whilst developing e-motors and batteries and re-generation systems and, of course, this will impact on ROI for sponsors. We at Venturi think that the geography of the race series is close to perfect for the first season and we are very encouraged by the amount of interest from countries and cities to join in the next one. We are firm believers in the Formula E business model both from the promoter’s perspective and from a team’s perspective. The commercial landscape looks really promising.
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Specifics Venturi’s interest in Formula E was its clear technical alignment with the core business of Venturi, making electric vehicles and electric powertrains for customers. Our land speed record programme together with Ohio State University has enabled us to push the boundaries of EV technology and we see the FIA’s Formula E series as a further opportunity to showcase our prowess in EVs. Alejandro Agag is a very praiseworthy leader, spokesperson and politician for the whole series, but there are a number of team members and drivers who are very capable in representing the series also. It’s already clear that drivers who have been moved out of Formula 1 by drivers that can bring support to cash-strapped F1 teams have a home in Formula E and their experience, knowledge and enthusiasm has been of great benefit to the beginning of this sport. Equally, there are a number of highly qualified thepaddockmagazine.com
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“It’s already clear that drivers who have been moved out of Formula 1 by drivers that can bring support to cash-strapped F1 teams have a home in Formula E and their experience, knowledge and enthusiasm has been of great benefit to the beginning of this sport.”
engineers, team managers and mechanics with Formula 1 experience who have popped up in the Formula E paddock and who are enjoying the unique challenges presented by the series. It will be interesting to see if Formula 1 teams will recruit personnel from Formula E with specialist knowledge in electric powertrains as Formula 1 continues to develop its hybrid powertrains. It is one of the stated aims of the FIA formula E series to have a positive effect on influencing the next generation of car buyers to choose electric cars and the FIA and the promoters are working hard with the teams to develop a worthwhile legacy programme aligned to each Formula E race, which includes working with schools to address environmental and ecological matters in relation to mobility. Tasks Our aims are to establish ourselves as a professional racing team racing alongside established motorsport
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organisations and to be recognised as an international leader in EV technology. Obviously, we also want to win and be crowned as the first champions of Formula E! When you are a stakeholder in a brand new series which is writing new chapters in automotive, motorsport and electric mobility history, there is a lot of fun in your work. The Venturi team takes it seriously, but it also takes its lead from our President, Gildo Pallanca Pastor, who has a truly fun outlook on life and the team will ensure that there is a healthy social side to its participation in Formula E. The community spirit engendered by the Donington facility and the flyaway races has brought about closeness between the Formula E teams, which is absolutely great to see. Surely, when the starting lights go out it’s fiercely competitive and each team will fight its corner but then we will all party together afterwards.
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a couragEous By Steven Lu
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“I completely understand that they need time to know the championship, but I believe that all sponsors and partners of Formula E right now are the ones with more courage than others.” Instead of an intro Formula E was such an interesting concept two years ago, and everything is real and solid for now. The creation of Formula E is matches the global electric vehicle (EV) fever, that’s why it’s a perfect moment for Formula E to present the key EV technologies in the most exciting fashion - through motor racing. The EV industry needs Formula E for promotion and increasing customer confidence, so this is a huge deal for everyone. We must create a perfect platform for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with EV vision. Of course, we need to manage the sustainability of contribution in a creative style to open doors for big international corporations. The entertainment is critical to attract fans, but if Formula E will get 2 billion fans from year one, that will be enough for a long time. Team China was looking for a championship to participate and we wanted to make a long-term investment. I met Eric Barbaroux, president of Formulec, trying to be the promoter of this new electric car championship. China did have pollution troubles, environmental issues were put on the table for top management and I considered this to be the best opportunity I can get for the next 30 years. I finally started talking to Alejandro Agag and expressed our interests to have a team and promote the race in Beijing.
Team China Racing started in 2004 as one of the A1GP Teams, authorised by the Ministry of Sports of China. Led by Steven Lu and Yu Liu, it has competed in several different international racing series including A1GP, Superleague Formula and FIA GT1, and has supported many Chinese drivers such as Qinghua Ma, Cong Fu Cheng and Ho-Pin Tung. China Racing aims to be a constructor in its own right and to build their own Chinese electric Formula cars within three years with support from Chinese EV manufacturers. Steven Lu, Vice-President & CEO at Team China Racing, talks to us about the new phenomenon of Formula E.
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Specifics A lot of people ask me whether I think that people will move to Formula E from Formula 1 and vice versa. Well, I love Chinese food, and when I’ll get an opportunity to taste French or Italian cuisine, I will give it a try, and I might like it. Most importantly, I will love both if they can keep the quality high. I’m sure this kind of rule applies to both the fans and people working in motorsports – people will move and stay for the better quality or for what they love. I would say Formula E opens the door for some great companies in the EV industry, also component suppliers, companies in the green energy business, sustainability business, and brands with good international image of social responsibility or fashion. I would like to see companies like Tesla, BYD, SAP, Google, Baidu or Microsoft join Formula E. I completely understand that they need time to know the championship, but I believe that all sponsors and partners of Formula E right now are the ones with more courage than others. More and more fans follow our work, and when they found out who are our team’s drivers, they simply went nuts. Motorsport in China is not very popular, my team is not really that popular, but the media in China is catching the fever of Formula E very fast. As you probably know, we are a national racing team – we represent Chinese motorsport. Our plan is to continue to use this image to help Chinese drivers get better by racing on an international platform and by learning from other teams.
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the crEative
side
By Joe Swallow | Pangaea Creative is an ambitious design and strategy consultancy which specialises in sports. Having grown up in Formula 1, they completely understand the need for speed, accuracy and world-class presentation. Recently the company was challenged to create a unique look and feel for the Amlin brand within racing, and that includes designing livery of the Amlin Aguri Formula E team’s car. We are joined by Joe Swallow, Creative Partner at Pangaea, to hear about this recent project of the company.
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Instead of an intro The start of this business partnership was a bit of a mutual coming together. We had been following Formula E from the very beginning and had been talking to a number of teams about our experience in Formula 1 and how we could help bring their brand to life in Formula E. While this was going on, Amlin (the tile sponsor of Amlin Aguri) had also done some research of their own and they liked our approach and previous liveries we had designed. So when they found out we were talking to the Aguri team, they were more than happy to discuss how we could work together. The most exciting thing was how much faith Amlin Aguri put in us to create a forward thinking livery that represented a new era or racing - after all, this is Formula E, not Formula 1. It was very important that
“A well designed livery and team environment is associated with a potent brand, and a strong image attracts sponsors and fans.”
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we created something with a point of difference, whilst representing Amlin’s commercial aims. We simply immersed ourselves in the Amlin brand, its values and took time to speak to key stakeholders to distil exactly what they were trying to achieve from the title sponsorship. Fortunately, the results speak for themselves – in the Current-E online poll the Amlin Aguri livery took 40% of the votes for the fans’ favourite livery, with almost double the votes of its nearest competitor. The hardest thing about the whole design process probably was understanding the body shape of such new and different car. We’d done quite a bit of planning before hand so we had a good understanding of the car and how to make it look as fast and aggressive as possible. Like during most projects in motorsport, we were up against some tight deadlines, but the vinyl guys have done a great job in wrapping the car. Sourcing a chrome blue vinyl was highly tricky!
Specifics Tendencies and trends in car liveries do not particularly change nowadays. But I think that in most cases this is a good thing. Obviously, it’s important that a livery represents the brands that the team partners with. Some do it better than others, but the successful ones have their own peculiar way of doing it. That’s what creates strength in the team’s proposition and gives them a better chance of attracting new partners. I think formula E has made a great start. Most of the teams understand the value in having a strong brand, not only through the livery, but in all other touch points of the team. Of course, being perfectionists, there are always areas where we feel some teams could improve. There is no doubt that electric racing is the future
of motorsport. There is still a lot to do here, but Formula E can become a great success really soon. Next season teams will be able to develop their own cars and this is when the big manufacturers will start to take notice. Once they’re on board, the sky is the limit in terms of commercial success. I think that it is already clear from the fist race that the teams who invested in design by working with agencies who have experience in motorsports have a clear advantage. A well designed livery and team environment is associated with a potent brand, and a strong image attracts sponsors and fans.We have plans to continue doing great work for this exciting new racing series. It’s in everyone’s interest that all the teams present themselves as best they can, as it reflects positively on the series as a whole.
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traveller’s
talEs
By Fathi Tlatli | The German business giant DHL has been chosen as the Official Logistics Partner for a number of new exciting partners in the recent years, including world-famous soccer club FC Bayern Munich, Rugby World Cup 2015, the live entertainment company Cirque du Soleil, and, of course, the much-talked about, fully-electric, alluring motorsports series - Formula E. Fathi Tlatli, President of the Automotive Sector at DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation, narrates us through this electric path of his company.
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Instead of an intro A lot of hard work has already gone into meeting the unique logistics needs of Formula E, including the challenge of shipping the large lithium-ion batteries around the world safely and efficiently and minimizing the overall carbon footprint of the whole championship. We believe that Formula E will be a perfect platform for showcasing our sustainable logistics solutions and also developing and testing new technologies that will benefit our customers in the future. DHL is a company that aims to be the employer of choice within the logistics industry – our award winning CIS (Certified International Specialist) employee engagement program was designed to inspire and motivate employees all round the world, and we also show our appreciation for the hard work of our employees through regular initiatives, such as our Employee of the Year event and Staff Appreciation Week. Our world-class partnerships play an integral role in this. This year, for example, we gave our every employee around the world a co-branded Formula E shirt as a mark of appreciation for their contribution, but also as a way of building up internal excitement around the partnership and the launch of Formula E. We work with just about every type of business around the world. The growth of online commerce has seen this segment grow significantly within DHL’s customer portfolio, both in terms of introducing new customers to our services and changing the way many of our existing customers work. Specifics The world is constantly changing, resulting in ever evolving customer demands. Some of the major trends we are seeing include: an increased focus on sustainability, resulting in increased demand for providing sustainable solutions and being environmentally responsible in your operations; in terms of communicating with your target audience, we have seen a shift from classical advertising towards a more interactive approach; our partnership with Formula E gives us an opportunity to address both of these tendencies. After finding the right partners to develop the cars, one of the next big challenges for Formula E was how to transport the championship around the world. With over 30 years of motorsports logistics experience, a global network, and a commitment to sustainable solutions and green logistics, DHL was
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“After finding the right partners to develop the cars, one of the next big challenges for Formula E was how to transport the championship around the world. With over 30 years of motorsports logistics experience, a global network, and a commitment to sustainable solutions and green logistics, DHL was the perfect candidate for Formula E.”
the perfect candidate for Formula E. Formula E aims to change the way the public perceives and considers transport solutions, particularly in the area of e-mobility, and it combines entertainment with sustainability. When we first met the Formula E team in early 2013, we were inspired by their entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering vision. Our own company was founded on an idea, back in 1969, and has since grown into “the world’s most international company.” This was a big factor behind the partnership. The E industry It’s definitely a very exciting time for both DHL and Formula E. This championship has the ability to change the face of motorsports and sustainable transport solutions, and we’re proud to be part of it. The first ePrix in Beijing was a success, in terms of both the race day experience and the logistics operation that delivered it. It provided everyone with a nail-bitingly dramatic race whilst still showcasing how safe the material and the cars really are, and how well equipped the teams are to handle the pressure of motorsports. It also gave us the opportunity to launch the Formula E-inspired Blue Sky Transport Design Award, which invites aspiring and established designers to propose ideas on electric vehicles and devices that will help shape the future of transportation. The amount of work Alejandro Agag and his team did in 2 years is, simply put, incredible. To have 10 teams on the grid for the first race in Beijing, and to deliver a spectacle as entertaining as we saw from the first race is hugely exciting for us, and we are incredibly proud in our role in delivering the teams and equipment to Beijing safely and on time. I am excited about seeing what can be achieved over the coming months and years. We have been a partner of Formula E from the start, and are committed to supporting them over the next few years. Our support doesn’t stop at Formula E, we are also committed to the support of the wider automotive industry, for example, through the development of innovative solutions for the transportation of the lithium-ion batteries. We will deliver value for Formula E, and we also believe that Formula will deliver value for the our industry, through promoting e-mobility and other innovations that will benefit our customers.
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advancEd
By Craig Wilson | Williams Advanced Engineering harnesses F1 derived technology, development pace and knowledge to deliver innovative products and services to the motorsport, automotive, transport, and energy sectors. They collaborate with customers to improve performance, energy efficiency, market position, and brand image. Managing Director of Williams Advanced Engineering, Craig Wilson, tells the story of the new Formula E chapter in their company.
“Formula E and its technology can play the most important role in changing the image of electric cars and give them mainstream appeal.�
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Craig Wilson
Instead of an intro Formula E is a very exciting series. It is clear that the automotive industry is moving towards a greener future with a demand from OEM’s and consumers for new energy efficient technologies. Indeed, traditional motorsport is also embracing this trend, as demonstrated by Formula One and its new hybrid power units, and hybrid categories in LMP racing. However, for electric vehicles to ever be mainstream then performance must not be compromised. A series like Formula E can act as a test bed for new EV technologies that are both green and practical in terms of power, life span, and reliability. This will then eventually trickle down into products that will be driven on our roads. Formula E is technologically bold, but the series has put together a very strong list of technical partners and from what we have seen so far the cars are very impressive feats of engineering. The first race in Beijing was very successful with the cars experiencing no major technical faults – quite remarkable given how new this technology is. I am particularly pleased with how well the batteries performed – not least after the heavy crash on the final lap between the two leaders which has vindicated the significant safety testing we have put them through. Specifics What I find most exciting is the wide geographical spread. The race series is reaching all 4 corners of the globe and by racing in large cities; the environmental message will reach a significant number of people who may well be electric vehicle consumers in future. The series is also doing a lot to engage a younger, more environmentally conscious fan base that may not normally follow motorsport. As a British based company naturally the race in London will be exciting for us and from what I have seen of the Battersea Park circuit design it should be quite a spectacle. Williams Advanced Engineering is a business that focuses on energy efficient performance. We work on a significant number of projects that require us to develop technologies that reduce green house gas emissions of a product whilst maintaining its competitive edge relative to the competition. Formula E is perhaps the ultimate embodiment of our new business. For us we are most interested in maximising the performance of the batteries within the strict regulations set out by the FIA on things like power output and energy density. We have also been restricted on the size and shape of the battery. We have therefore pushed the boundaries of existing technology to give teams a product that will enable impressive racing, and this has needed innovative solutions for things like cooling. We are looking
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closely at our design with a view to using the knowledge we gain for future projects. The driver line up has a number of experienced drivers, many of whom have come from F1, so the series already has personalities that will be familiar to fans. It is difficult to say who could become a leading figure at this stage as it is the battles on track and fights for the title that make icons in a sport. We will have to wait and see what the on track action brings. Formula E and its technology can play the most important role in changing the image of electric cars and give them mainstream appeal. People often perceive electric vehicles as unpractical, with an inherent mistrust of the technologies involved such as batteries. With Formula E, Williams Advanced Engineering’s technology can show that if a battery can withstand the rigours of street racing at high speed, then the technology is suitable for everyday use. The series can therefore be an enabler in the further development of EV technology and ultimately lead to greater uptake in electric vehicles by consumers with corresponding environmental benefits. The work Williams has a track record in developing different forms of energy storage technology. This has ranged from batteries for race and road cars, to flywheels for buses and microgrids. We see hybrid and EV technology as an important part of our business and Formula E is a high profile case study for our business to showcase our innovation and credentials in this emerging area. As a technical partner our job is very much behind the scenes – we provide a product and then allow the teams and the racing to be the spectacle. We have a lot of variety in our business. We have projects in the motorsport, automotive, energy, defence and aerospace sectors – this keeps our engineers stimulated as new challenges are always on the horizon. We have been described as technological problem solvers and I see this as a fair description. As an F1 born organisation, customers come to us to help them solve complex engineering challenges. Our first project – the Jaguar C-X75 hybrid supercar - is a good example. Jaguar wanted to create a car with the performance of a Bugatti Veyron, the emissions of a Toyota Prius, and the range of a Chevrolet Volt – so the ultimate car! By working closely together we managed to create the prototype C-X75 in only 18 months. Formula E has been very similar as it has had very aggressive development timescales – one year to design and build 40 batteries – and we were chosen because we had the agility to deal with this. These challenging projects can be complex with lots of long hours, but our engineers thrive off of this kind of pressure.
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entertaining the
planEt
By Chris Frampton | CDC was founded by 3 media professionals that have been in the industry for many years. The company was born out of need to deliver ethical entertainment to an increasingly ecology-aware audience. CDC aims to take music events and deliver them with all the power of a full on concert, with the by product that movements like One Drop and Formula E could receive substantial media exposure and support. We get the chance to hear from Chris Frampton, Director at CDC Entertainment Limited.
Instead of an intro Have you ever had a job that is your hobby? With occasional moments of panic, working with CDC and delivering concerts is such a rewarding thing to do. We can work closely with professionals like the Formula E Marketing team and we’re involved in producing concerts, then when most of the hard work is done, we get a pass that says “Access All Areas” and you’re watching a top performance form the stage, mosh, circle or where ever you want. It’s moments like that when you think that this is actually a pretty amazing environment to work in. CDC formed #FELiveConcerts in support of the Formula E races to help spread the message that the planet needs to be looked after and speeding up the development of electric cars is just one of the ways to help slow down the damage we are doing to the planet. Stuff doesn’t really get more important than that, does it? As
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an integral part of the Formula E program, CDC is working very hard to support the races and the associated charities. There has been so many changes recently, from the shrinkage of the entire music industry, the mighty EMI collapse and the split to the new giants Universal Music Group and Sony Music sharing the top slots (I know they are both going to scream at me for that); the massive shift from vinyl to CDs to online sales has really happened in a very short time. Additionally, now health and safety at concerts isn’t just about making sure the venues are safe, it’s also taking care of the security – every member of it should be alert and ready at all times. Our relationship with the police is very different today than it was 10 or even 5 years ago. From my personal perspective, the whole online and broadcasting spectrum has changed entirely. What’s great thepaddockmagazine.com
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is the talent in the UK for delivering new technology of this kind is one of the best in the world, which is why our company is based here. Specifics Everything is new in Formula E, this is a fresh and unique entertainment brand, so CDC is very excited to be working in this family and working closely with the Formula E management and their investors. So as we meet the sponsors, understand their needs and motivations, we are becoming aware of the myriad of requirements for artists and activities. We are also getting requests to make sure we meet the environmental policies of each client. Certainly, Formula E is very different from any other business I have been involved with, but it’s absolutely awesome. A year ago Formula E was a spec of pollen on a great oak tree of an idea by Alejandro Agag and his friends. The acorn that devel-
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oped has become a strong and well-established young oak that has all the potential to outlive us all, and in the growing deliver a cleaner and better world for our children and their children. This is not a script, that’s what we at CDC and what most of the people involved in Formula E believe. Formula E has developed cars, tracks, relationships with city councils, globally, and delivered TV coverage of the races in no time at all. This has been a monumental task which defies belief; obviously there has been a lot to learn, but the brilliant team at Formula E have met every challenge. I don’t see that there is a lot to improve. On the business side, of course, we are all still learning. We will be working a lot more closely together as the Formula E team get more time from their focus on getting the races going at all and then we will evolve the interaction with One Drop – One World for One Voice and, most importantly, the fans and younger audiences we all want to attract.
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A close
surprise By Kipras Sumskas | The Radisson Blu Paradise Resort & Spa in Sochi is a gem-of-a-hotel worth discovering, no doubts about it. The hotel welcomes visitors from across the globe to a coastal location that has been long appreciated by the country’s population. The upscale resort boasts the 2,500-square-metre Spa Sibo, multiple outdoor pools and three restaurants. This hotel has a 450-metre stretch of beach along the Black Sea coast, reserved for the exclusive use of guests. This full resort experience awaits just seven kilometres from Sochi International Airport and a walk from the exuberant street sights of downtown Adler, not to mention its ideal location for the Formula 1 people – right next to the circuit. We are honoured to talk to the General Manager, Brian Gleeson, who answers our questions about the hotel’s Formula 1 matters.
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What is it that most attracts Formula 1 clients to the hotel during the Grand Prix? I think our location is an immediate attraction for Formula 1 clients – we’re so close to the Formula 1 track and our hotel is a front line coastal resort. Our guests have only minutes to travel from the airport to the resort and even less to the race circuit. Did your hotel take steps to market specifically for the race weekend? Well, we are fortunate that the mentioned location makes the resort extremely popular for the race weekend and our reservations for the period filled in advance by approximately two months. We’re hosting an afterparty with the Grid Club, which organises parties for Formula 1 in other destinations. This is held in a 1,500-square-metre Event area, which has it’s own private entrance, security and so on. We completely transform the venue for this party with our design partners to turn it into a VIP Lounge/Club. It should be exceptionally stylish and people say it’s going to be the best party in town. Our focus basically is to ensure a fantastic resort and hotel experience for all Formula 1 guests staying with us so that they do choose us once again next year and the years after. Brian Gleeson
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I advise everyone to book as early as possible once they have decided to attend the Sochi Grand Prix. As I mentioned, our reservations closed for the period just over 2 months ago, so it’s important to book early to avoid disappointment. Do you require a minimum number of nights in order to take a booking during the Grand Prix period? We operate with a 4 night minimum stay during the GP period. This ensures that we can cater for guests that arrive for the entire period and we can guarantee the rooms for the duration. What are the percentages for group booking vs. individual bookings during the Formula 1 weekend? We are leading with group bookings for the period, with approximately 20% of the resort committed to individual bookings.
When do we need to make a reservation to secure a room in your hotel for the Grand Prix weekend next year?
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Watch it!
By Pascal Berclaz | Quinting is an independent Swiss Manufacture most famous for developing the first and only 100% transparent watch. They are clearly positioned on the luxury segment, developing products as sophisticated as it possibly gets. However, the company has that specific characteristic making their watches different from all others and avoiding the classic concurrency. Pascal Berclaz, President of Quinting, gives us a taste of the work he does at the company. The particularity To create an entirely transparent watch, an entirely mysterious watch, was a dream that the greatest brains of watchmaking have tried to realize for a century. Many of them, including the most prestigious watch manufactures, have tried to give life to this project, but all attempts were in vain. The mystery of transparency stayed impenetrable and the watchmaking world agreed to assert that the creation of a totally transparent movement would remain an unreachable dream, until the arrival of Quinting. We own all of our movements and are totally independent, without any major group behind us. That basically means that we can do absolutely anything we want, especially regarding astonishing new models and designs. Whoever knows us would be able to confirm how crazy our engineers and designers can get! Key points Our philosophy is very simple - we want to remain faithful to our brand, history and values. It has always been the most important thing for us and it will stay our number one goal. And it’s great when your goals match your results. We notably sold one of our special transparent mechanisms to Dior a couple of years ago, designed by John Galliano. Moreover, other collaborations with other brands should appear on the markets soon. There are more and more watch enthusiasts out in the world. They are well informed and very demanding. If you correlate that with the unstable economic times, you will easily understand that it’s not enough just to be a watch brand anymore to sell watches, you need to find real added value, an additional sensitivity allowing the clients to dream and escape their everyday life. On the technical part, we attained such a high a level of technicality now that everything seems possible with the convenient amount of motivation. Today we witness probably one of the richest decades for high horology regarding creativity.
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The clients Our clients are really different and come from all kind of countries and segments. Of course, we have the classical watch enthusiasts and people who want to give a present to their loved ones or relatives, collectors or business people seeing our watches as the perfect investment. The major change we noted is that since we launched our Art Collection and Street Art Collection (only made of unique pieces hand decorated with enamel), we sold a lot of watches to art enthusiasts and art collectors. It’s always amusing to hear customers explain that they don’t want to wear the watch now and they’re saving it for a few years, waiting for it to have gone up in value. The racing Obviously, Formula 1 and high-end watchmaking have a lot in common. Both require an extreme precision and technicality and both are here to make people dream. The last decade looks like a turning point for our segments with the recent emergence of new technology and new brands on the stage. Formula 1 is growing as new markets are emerging. At the same time, the global business environment is increasing and the local differences are highlighted. The new Grands Prix in Abu Dhabi, South Korea or India are a good illustration of this. Quinting is a brand intimately related to automotive sports in general. One of five engineers underlying the patents of our movements comes directly from this segment. We already have some limited editions dedicated to exceptional cars, such as the Quinting Challenge and the one we designed for the 24 Heures du Mans race. Right now we are promoting the Moonlight Circuit. The Moonlight is an exceptional watch where you can see the moon rotating around Earth, as if you were a cosmonaut in space. We are very proud to be the first ones able to show the real moon phases on a watch. In the Circuit Limited Edition we center the Earth on a city hosting the F1 Grand Prix and hand paint the circuit graphic at the back, with a small Formula 1 car making a whole lap in one hour. We only have one for each circuit so the watch is as unique as its owner.
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“In the Circuit Limited Edition we center the Earth on a city hosting the F1 Grand Prix and hand paint the circuit graphic at the back, with a small Formula 1 car making a whole lap in one hour.�
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A megacar to
remember With extraordinary determination and vision, Christian Koenigsegg explored the limits of both technology and innovation to create the Supercar of his dreams – the Koenigsegg CC. The Koenigsegg CC was the manifestation of a dream and its successful completion gave Christian the courage to continue, and to share his quest for perfection with others. Thus, the car company that bears his name was born. Today, it gives us marvels like the 2014 Koenigsegg One:1, which we closely examine.
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“Koenigsegg was the first extreme car manufacturer to take steps towards green technology with the release of the biofuel CCXR in 2007. The One:1, a sibling of the highly competitive Agera R, follows the footsteps of the CCXR as it also runs on E85 biofuel, race fuel or normal gasoline.”
World’s first? Koenigsegg is now creating six uniquely developed and designed production cars – the One:1 program. This is one of the most exclusive production car programs ever envisaged. The hp to kg curb weight ratio is an astonishing 1:1. This is the “dream” equation previously thought impossible. On top of this, the One:1 is the first homologated production car in the world with one megawatt of power, thereby making it the world´s first series produced megacar; this is exactly why this astonishing monster was named as it is known today – One:1. This Koenigsegg product raises the bar of performance. The One:1 features new and unique solutions to enhance track performance without compromising top speed or everyday usability, with a stunning visual appearance to go with it. What’s new? Unique track-optimised aero winglets, extended venturi tunnels and side splitters, Le-Mans inspired active wing configuration and optimised active undertrim air management. In addition to this, there are large air vents for improved cooling, roof air scoop to support the 1 Megawatt of power, 8250 RPM rev limit, complemented with custom made Michelin Cup tyres, upgraded rear triplex suspension with carbon bevel springs and active shock absorbers and ride height, combined with the revolutionary Koenigsegg Aircore carbon fiber wheels. Fuel it up Koenigsegg was the first extreme car manufacturer to take steps towards green technology with the release of the biofuel CCXR in 2007. The One:1, a sibling of the highly competitive Agera R, follows the footsteps of the CCXR as it also runs on E85 biofuel, race fuel or normal gasoline. In order to give the One:1 maximum flexibility when it comes to power delivery, Koenigsegg has implemented its patented variable turbo geometry technology in the One:1 program. This technology gives improved response and more low-end torque than otherwise possible. As an example the One:1 engine has over 1000 Nm of torque between 3000 to 7500 rpm, which is truly unheard of.
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Performance
Dimensions
Power output: 1 MW at 7500 rpm - rpm limiter @ 8250 rpm Torque: over 1000 Nm from 3000 to 8000 rpm Max torque: 1371 Nm at 6000 rpm 0 - 400 km/h approx. 20 sec 400 - 0 km/h approx. 10 sec Braking distance: 28 m (100-0 km/h) Max lateral g-force: 2.0 g Emission levels: Euro VI
Total length: 4500 mm Total width: 2060 mm Total height: 1150 mm Ground clearance: Rear: 74-90 mm Front: 59-100 mm plus 50 mm lift system Wheelbase: 2662 mm. Front track: 1700 mm. Rear track: 1650 mm. Front overhang: 944 mm Rear overhang: 900 mm Fuel capacity: 74 litres Curb weight 1360 kg (complete car ready to drive with 50% fuel, 100% fluids) Weight distribution: 44% front, 56% rear
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How I Spend It Barry Gough, Managing Director of the very innovative Formula 1 memorabilia company Memento Exclusives, opens his wallet for us. What was your first salary? Does a paper round count? My first job was at Reynard Racing cars in 1989 building Vauxhall Lotus and Formula 3 cars. Do you have any credit cards? No. Do you save or spend? It depends on the requirements! I have recently been spending a lot more on extending our family home. Have you ever been hard up? I’ve always been able to pay the bills, thankfully. I think that is because working hard and taking chances were always my first choices. I left home and moved to South America when I was 17 to be a mechanic in the Formula 3 championship – much to my mother’s distress! What is the best deal you have ever signed? I think the best is yet to come. Do you invest in shares? No, I tend to invest in memorabilia. Do you believe pensions are a good thing? Yes. Having children has made me think more long-term. What has been your best and worst investment? Best investment - good staff. It’s absolutely crucial. No such thing as a bad investment – you simply learn from your mistakes.
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Do you manage your own financial affairs? Always. What is your top financial priority? Keep costs low without compromising quality. How many holidays did you take last year? I took a family holiday this summer for the first time in many years. It’s tough to take time off from business that you’re passionate about. Do you have a money weakness for anything? Yes, designer clothes. Luckily, I live around the corner from Bicester Village Outlet store! What is the most extravagant item you’ve bought? It’s a designer handbag for my wife… Actually, a few of them. Do you play the lottery and what would you spend the jackpot on? I used to, occasionally. I would probably spend the jackpot on regular first class flights to Australia and a base over there so that my wife could visit her family more often. What is the best piece of financial advice you have ever been given? “Be patient”.
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Blast From The Past
First Japanese Grand Prix PADDOCK magazine relives the first ever Formula 1 Grand Prix in Japan.
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"Hunt vs Lauda", a BBC documentary
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he 1976 World Championship was to be decided at the Mount Fuji circuit, with Niki Lauda just three points ahead of James Hunt after a season full of incidents including Lauda’s near-fatal crash at the Nürburgring and subsequent missed races. The field was almost unchanged from the previous race, but Noritake Takahara rented the second Surtees replacing Brett Lunger and Hans Binder was back in the second Wolf Williams after Masami Kuwashima’s money failed to materialise. Maki resurrected its car for Tony Trimmer while Heros Racing entered an old Tyrrell for Kazuyoshi Hoshino. Kojima Engineering entered a locally-built chassis for Masahiro Hasemi (on Dunlop tyres). Mario Andretti took pole position in the Lotus 77 with Hunt on second place and Lauda third. Then came John Watson’s Penske, Jody Scheckter, Carlos Pace, Clay Regazzoni and Vittorio Brambilla. The top 10 was completed by Ronnie Peterson and Hasemi. The Maki failed to qualify. On race day the weather was very wet with fog and running water at several places on the track. There were intense debates as to whether the race should be started; in the end the organisers decided to go ahead and a majority of drivers did not disagree. Some drivers, including Niki Lauda, were not happy with the decision. James Hunt took the lead from the start with John Watson and Mario Andretti behind. In the second lap Watson slid down an escape road and Lauda drove into the pits to withdraw, as he believed the weather conditions made the track too dangerous. He later said “my life is worth more than a title”. This was interestingly portrayed in the movie “Rush”. Larry Perkins made a similar decision after one lap as did Carlos Pace and Emerson Fittipaldi later in the race. It seemed Hunt was on for an easy win, but as the track began to dry he started to lose positions. He only needed a fourth place to win the title, because of Lauda’s retirement. On lap 62 Hunt fell behind Depailler and Andretti, but two laps later Depailler’s left rear tyre started to deflate and he had to pit. Andretti took the lead, but then Hunt had a similar tyre problem. Hunt pitted, dropped to fifth and set off after Depailler, Alan Jones and Regazzoni. Depailler overtook both drivers on lap 70 and on the next lap Hunt did the same and won the World Drivers’ Championship, to his surprise. Ferrari won the Constructors’ Championship despite Lauda’s retirement.
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B 001- Mulsanne in 18 kt Rose Gold
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Grid girl on the drivers’s parade. Italian Grand Prix, Sunday, 7th of September 2014. Monza, Italy. Photo: James Moy
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Marco Mattiacci, Ferrari Team Principal. Italian Grand Prix, September 2014. Monza, Italy. Photo: James Moy
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Second placed Sebastian Vettel celebrates with race winner Lewis Hamilton in parc ferme. Singapore Grand Prix, Sunday, 21st of September 2014. Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore. Photo: James Moy
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If I Ran F1 By Ernie Black | As a lifelong fan of Formula 1 and as a person who has had the privilege of being accredited by the FIA for Formula 1, I will never forget my first time in the F1 paddock. It was an amazing and memorable experience which left me awestruck. I thought about how I would be able to bring Formula 1 closer to fans if I ran the whole sport. Show me the MONEY If Formula 1 needs fixing, it would have to be on three fronts: finance, marketing and fans. The first thing that needs fixing is the financial side. This topic is far too complex to discuss its unbalanced state in any intricate detail. For the sake of mentioning the fact that it needs to be addressed, let’s just say that monies should be more evenly distrib-
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uted between teams, budgets should be controlled and the cost of hosting a race should be brought down to more reasonable levels. It might help teams to have regulations which don’t force them into spending millions in R&D, such as a complete change in engine formula, hybrid technology or aerodynamics. Some might agree that I’m not a numbers guy, but
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“The sport should be inviting to fans, many things can be done to enhance the fan experience without taking away from the mystique and allure of the spectacle. Formula 1 should simply go to places where there is fan interest.”
Ernie Black
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you needn’t be a scholar to understand that the Formula 1 calendar needs to change its schedule. I struggle to comprehend why all Formula 1 races in certain time zones are not scheduled together. I would have to believe, for instance, that all rounds in North America should occur on a backto-back basis. European rounds can easily be scheduled to occur together as can Asian rounds. TV audience vs. track attendance numbers should help to drive the sport to where there is interest and should therefore assist in timing and scheduling. The real reason this makes sense is the cost of transportation back and forth around the globe in a more sensible manner. FAN those flames Secondly, the Formula 1 fan experience requires some focus. Arguably, this should be the most important item on the list that I would address if I had the steering wheel of the sport in my hands. By fixing this, all other pieces should fall into place. The sport should be inviting to fans, many things can be done to enhance the fan experience without taking away from the mystique and allure of the spectacle. Formula 1 should simply go to places where there is fan interest. Ticket prices should come down and the sport should work with the promoters to draw in the crowds. Why not negotiate special hotel rates for ticket holders and make the Formula 1 experience more affordable? There are different reasons grandstands aren’t full to capacity, but most of the time it’s either cost or lack of interest. Therefore, lower the cost and make it more interesting. How about allowing fans to purchase paddock passes for guided tours? How about having more Formula 1 events throughout the year or even just throughout the weekend? Is this the responsibility of FOM or the promoter? I believe it should be both. Television coverage is great in some corners of the globe and almost non-existent in others. It’s so bad that in most of North America there is no mention of Formula 1 on a race weekend at all in newspapers and sports news broadcasts. It’s time for Formula 1 to expand TV coverage globally with more affordable broadcast rights. It is time for the sport to further embrace the Internet with online streaming of all Formula 1 events, tests, launches and race weekends. I would certainly make all radio messages avail-
able to subscribers of the F1 App and why not include a “Paddock TV” camera feed? Know your audience Finally, I would put some efforts into the sport’s marketing. It’s quite clear to understand that the sport can do a fine job of selling itself if it simply allowed its fans some access and some leeway. Social media has incredible global reach, this technology and medium must be better utilized from both fan and marketing perspectives. I would increase fan interaction ten-fold and introduce fun competitions with official merchandise and ticket giveaways. Maybe we can encourage bloggers and websites to promote the sport by endorsing them and allowing them certain access privileges? Use the aforementioned Formula 1 Internet Streaming feed to further sell adverts to help fund these initiatives. We must realise that there are certain laws and restrictions, but this should not stop these ideas from taking shape. It would require work and negotiations involving Formula 1’s legal team. However, the fruit harvested from these efforts should far outweigh the labor in the long run. NASCAR can teach Formula 1 a thing or two about marketing, but the two crowds run in different circles, so not all of what is done in America is relevant in the global markets. Having said that, North America is a massive and relatively untapped market for Formula 1 - this must change. I would employ the marketing ability of Americans for sports such as NASCAR, Indy, NFL, to assist in the marketing of the sport in America. We need to think about making the sport more relevant by allowing teams the ability to explore new technologies that can be transferred to road cars. This alone is not enough, but allowing manufacturers to use the technology to be marketed as “F1 Technology” is a start, for instance, F1™ Paddle shifters, F1™ Anti-Lock braking, F1™ ERS hybrid technology and so on. Suddenly, consumers unaware of Formula 1 have an interest in the sport because it is now relative and relevant. In the end, the success and longevity of any sport and business comes down to how well they are received by their fans and consumers. Times are changing and the time for resting on laurels, history and past success has come to an end. It is time for Formula 1 to make some changes… so when Bernie Ecclestone retires, I’ll be ready.
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Wish list
LIFESTYLE
Daytona Special Custom bicycle by 43 Milano Daytona stands for racing, speed and primitive courage. This bicycle is made from steel and then even more steel, all to keep its timeless durability. The shiny silver colour conveys a sense of rebellion. It’s an eleven-speed chrome, which comes with a frame covered in Root briar (only top tube). Indeed, you have to be a bit of a courageous rebel to choose this bike. And it’s completely worth it.
Prices: €5000 Available from: Via Manzoni 43 – 20121, showroom in Milan Contact: +39 340 8989402
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INGENIEUR CHRONOGRAPH
“LEWIS HAMILTON” AND “NICO ROSBERG” EDITIONS Together with its brand ambassadors and race-winning Formula 1 drivers Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, Swiss luxury watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen has developed two special edition watches, each limited to 250 pieces. The two Silver Arrow drivers each unveiled their own personal Ingenieur Chronograph before the 2014 Singapore Grand Prix. Available from: www.iwc.com
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Wish list
LIFESTYLE
Pit Crew bar table by PIT STOP The Pit Crew bar table by PIT STOP FURNITURE brings that particular feel of high-end racing into any environment. Bar chairs and other bar tables are also available if you want to create a stylish and ultimate Grand Prix emotion. All company products have a lifetime warranty, and they are assembled in the USA using only the finest materials available. You can feel the quality in every piece of furniture they make, and we really encourage you to try. Price: $140 Available from: pitstop.intro-techautomotive.com
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McLaren Venge bike
The creators tell it best: “When we set out to design the Venge, we wanted to create the fastest complete performance bike in the world. Until now, aerodynamic road bikes have sacrificed too much of the bike – too much stiffness lost, too much weight added. We simply weren’t willing to compromise. Aerodynamics is only one part of the formula. We knew this bike needed to combine the wind cheating elements of the Shiv with the stiffness and lightweight aspects of the Tarmac. Today, our stiffness testing, weight numbers, and wattage testing all confirm that we achieved something that, until now, had never been done before. It’s more bike than aero.” Price: $18,000 Available from: venge.specialized.com
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Panos Seitanidis
My Fantasy F1 Team Panos Seitanidis has been an F1 commentator on Greek TV for the past 12 seasons. In between duties in front of a microphone and as the Editor of a leading Greek motorsport website NewsAuto.gr, Panos gives the Paddock Magazine his fantasy set.
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THE CAR Mercedes may be on a league of their own this season but this is mostly due to the superiority of the power unit. I am not convinced that W05 Hybrid is a far better car than Red Bull Racing’s RB10, and, given the fact that the “Bulls” dominated the past four years, I will go for the Milton Keynes’ child. So my Formula 1 car is definitely crafted by Red Bull.
THE TEAM OWNER There are all kinds of team owners in Formula 1, and there certainly should be a variety – from the definite boss Ron Dennis to the totally absent Dietrich Mateschitz. I would personally choose something in between – a team owner that is always around, that has ambitions, but still knows how to throw a nice (boat) party. Yes, Vijay Mallya would be my man for this role.
THE DRIVERS Current driver breed is, in my humble opinion, one of the best of all times. Count names: Alonso, Vettel, Hamilton, Raikkonen, Button, Rosberg, Ricciardo, Hulkenberg, Bottas, Massa. A lot of choices available! Unsurprisingly, I would choose the most successful among them – even though I do so for different reasons. At 33 years of age, Fernando Alonso is certainly at his best. Always a fighter, giving 110% and never giving up, highly experienced and with the word “mistake” not part of his dictionary. The Spaniard can turn any team into HIS team and every hater into a dedicated fan. Just think what the tifosi thought of him at the mid-00s and how they have idolised him now. Fernando is a natural born leader and my first choice. As his teammate, Ι would choose Sebastian Vettel. Yes, he underperforms this year but every driver and every champion deserves the luxury of a bad season – especially this German, who faultlessly destroyed every opponent in the latter half of last season. Intelligent and precise, determined and bloody quick when the car obeys his will. 2014 will only make him stronger.
THE DESIGNER Newey. Newey? Newey! Do I really need to justify this choice? TEAM PRINCIPAL Yet another choice from the Red Bull family – Christian Horner. The first time I met him was back in 2006. Eight years and eight titles (4 constructors and 4 drivers) later, he’s still as friendly and polite as ever. Being still only 40 years old, the British mastermind proves that success doesn’t necessarily come with age. The Red Bull environment has given him the freedom to lead the team in his own specific way, which has also proven to be quite a successful way, if I may add. And as every real petrol head would say – “any Team Principal who can bring a Spice Girl to our team’s garage is the Team Principal we want”.
“Intelligent and precise, determined and bloody quick when the car obeys his will. 2014 will only make him stronger.”
THE LIVERY Even though as a mad Olympiacos fan I should pick red, I would undoubtedly go for black. All I can dream of is a lean, mean, black race-winning machine!
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SOCHI RUSSIAN GRAND PRIX 10 – 12 Oct
Location
Restaurants
Getting There
Nightlife
Hotels
Shopping
TRAVEL GUIDE
Address: Adler, Krasnodar Krai, Russia Phone: +7 800 100 20 14 Official website: sochiautodrom.ru/en
The Sochi circuit, located in the Black Sea resort of the same name, is the first purpose-built Formula One facility in Russia and hosts the country’s inaugural Grand Prix in October 2014, in the same year that the city also stages the Winter Olympics. Construction of the 5.853-kilometre track has come under the design supervision of renowned circuit architect Hermann Tilke. The circuit is integrated into the Olympic Park infrastructure, with facilities located in close vicinity to the Olympic Park railway station and to the roads which connect the Olympic venues with Sochi International Airport.
The Circuit FIA Formula 1 World Championship Round 16 The track width varies from 13 metres at its narrowest point to 15 metres at the start-finish line. The circuit, which runs in a clockwise direction, consists of 12 right- and six left-hand corners, and combines both high-speed and technical sections. Formula One cars are expected to reach a maximum speed of 320 km/h on the 650-metre straight between the first and second turns, with an average lap speed of around 215 km/h. “The circuit is going to be very fast and technical and offering a number of interesting features,” says Tilke of the 55,000-capacity venue. “It is a fantastic facility with a great atmosphere and it will be outstanding as the circuit will run through the Olympic Park. I am very optimistic about the future of the unique racing track in Sochi, and am looking forward to a triumphant start of Formula One racing in Russia.”
Start / Finish The Paddock Club F1 Village Paddock Club parking Medical Care
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Getting There By Private Aircraft Call sign: URSS/AER Lat: 43*27’00N Long: 39*57’24E Elevation: 89 ft Runway length: 2890 m (9482 ft)
By Commercial Airline
Sochi Airport is located 25km south of the city of Sochi, near the city of Adler. The airport serves Sochi, and flights from the United States will take visitors through Moscow first. From Moscow, the flight to Sochi is about 2-2.5 hours. You can reach Sochi Airport personally by telephone - 8622 44 00 25 or an inquiry desk at the airport – 8622 44 00 88. Website: sochi-airport.com
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By Boat
The sea terminal has an information office (609 603; 8am-8pm) and a ticket office (609 617; 10am-6pm Wed, Sat & Sun). The fastest way to get to Novorossiysk (and back) is the seasonal hydrofoil (raketa) from the Seaport (Novorossiysk office: 607 066; 9am-5.30pm). The departure time for the three-hour journey from Novorossiysk is 9am from mid-June to midSeptember (economy/business R1300/2600). The return trip from Sochi departs at 6pm.
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Location Sochi has long been Russia’s largest and most popular resort, but it has now also emerged as one of the country’s top sporting destinations. 2014 sees the city host not only its first Formula 1 Grand Prix, but also the 22nd Olympic Winter Games and 11th Paralympic Winter Games. It will also be a host city for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Unofficially nicknamed ‘the summer capital of Russia’, the city of Sochi usually enjoys 200 days of sunshine a year and is characterised by a unique blend of beautiful scenery, the warm azure waters of the Black Sea and high mountains of the Caucasus, all of which will provide a distinct and spectacular setting for the Grand Prix.
The 5.853-kilometre circuit is located within Sochi’s dazzling Olympic Park and winds its way around many of the architecturally eye-catching venues that were built for the Games. “I’m very impressed with the layout of the track”, says FIA Formula 1 race director and safety delegate Charlie Whiting. “The size of the project is very impressive”.
Practical information:
Important phone numbers:
Time zone: GMT +4hrs International dialing code: 7 Currency: Ruble Exchange rate: 1 RUB = 0.020 EUR 1 RUB = 0.016 GBP 1 RUB = 0.026 USD
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Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, who visited the completed circuit in August, was equally impressed with what he found: “It’s an interesting layout with a good mix of high-speed corners and technical sections,” he said. “It’s going to be a huge challenge in a Formula One car.”
Emergency (police, fire, ambulance): 112 Taxi companies: Welcome Taxi - + 7 862 225 87 19 Taxi Sochi - +7 8 963 163 06 03 VIP Taxi – +7 8989 755 79 55
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Rixos Krasnaya Polyana Sochi is the first hotel of the Rixos Hotels in Russia. 114 elegant rooms with a panoramic mountain view, exclusive restaurants, modern conference halls, high quality service and special attention to details – everything has been created for sophisticated connoisseurs of royal recreation. The hotel’s pearl, gorgeous Rixos Spa, opens an unexplored world of true delight. Rixos Krasnaya Polyana Sochi is located at 960m above sea level in the heart of Gorky Gorod, the first in Russia multi-branded world-class resort. Rixos Krasnaya Polyana Sochi promises an excellent holiday experience in the heart of Caucasia.
A dream-like holiday behind the vast mountains is awaiting You
Gorky Gorod, Esto-Sadok, Krasnaya Polyana, level +960m, 354392, Sochi, Russian Federation, phone: + 7 862 245 51 51 E-mail: sochi@rixos.com, http://krasnayapolyanasochi.rixos.com
TRAVEL GUIDE
RODINA Grand Hotel & SPA Vinogradnaya Str, 33, Sochi 354008 Set in one of the most beautiful Russian resort destinations, RODINA Grand Hotel & SPA is a rare combination of style, luxury, tranquility and impeccable service. The resort is surrounded by a 15-hectare park on the shores of the Black Sea in the city of Sochi. The concept of the hotel was developed by Matteo Thunn, while the building itself is one of the brightest creations of the Stalin-era period. The interior and furniture are designed by Susanne Loggier and Patrick Brugmann. All guestrooms face the Black Sea and feature large summer terraces. The resort also boasts one of the largest spa centers, and, taken in its entirety, delivers a distinctive experience born of its environment, local culture and Russian hospitality. The 4,500-square-meter Grand SPA Rodina is one of the largest spa centers in Europe, offering personalized service and a wide range of treatments, including massages, wraps, face and body treatments, as well as balneotherapy, thalassotherapy, manicures, and pedicures. There is also a spacious gym with the latest exercise and cardiovascular equipment, as well as two tennis courts, volleyball and basketball pitches, indoor and outdoor swimming pools. T: +7 800 10 10 11 11 E: contact form via website W: www.lhw.com R: 37 rooms S: ★★★★★ Distance from Sochi Autodrom: 40 km
Radisson Blu Paradise Resort & SPA 65 Let Pobedy street, 50 Adler District, Imeretin lowland, Sochi 354340 This Sochi hotel showcases a destination long appreciated in Russia, sure to grow more popular as the Winter Games approach. Once you arrive at the resort, just seven kilometres from the international airport, you won’t want to leave. Chic rooms, multiple restaurants and bars, the region’s largest spa, and stunning beach and pool facilities make the impulse easy to understand. Such a striking locale also offers impressive meetings and events. Modern and meticulously planned, the 508 guest rooms and eight Villas at this Sochi accommodation invite you to relax with stunning Black Sea views. Stay connected with free high-speed, wireless Internet access and satellite television. Your choices include Standard Rooms, Superior Rooms, Junior Suites, Suites, and Executive Suites and Villas. Interconnecting and accessible rooms are also available. Bright and comfortable, the stylish four bedroom Villas with a balcony overlooking the Black Sea offers guests a built-in kitchenette, dining area and lounge with flat-screen TV. Enjoy soaking in the sun on the terrace by the private pool with magnificent sea and garden views. T: +7 862 24 33333 W: www.radissonblu.com E: contact form via website R: 680 rooms S: ★★★★★ Distance from Sochi Autodrom: 3 km
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TRAVEL GUIDE
Swisshotel Sochi Kamelia 89 Kurortny Prospect, Sochi 354002 Sochi is often referred to as the Russian Riviera, because its landscapes and scenery are reminiscent of the Mediterranean. Located in a natural park overlooking the Black Sea, within easy reach of Sochi’s premier attractions and 30 minutes away from Sochi International Airport, the new deluxe Swissotel Sochi Kamelia mixes elegant simplicity with a distinctive flair. It boasts 203 guest rooms, many with fantastic sea views and private balconies. For unsurpassed luxury and service, Swissotel Sochi Kamelia offers accommodation in gorgeous spacious suites with terraces with sea views and chic contemporary duplex suites. Purovel Spa & Sport is located in the main building with an access to the outside swimming pool. There is a relaxation area, 6 treatment rooms including 2 spa suites, Vichy shower, fitness area, 2 saunas & jetted pools. The philosophy is derived from the origin of well-being & use of nature’s resources, such as stone, wood, water, flora, pure invigorating alpine air & the changing seasons of the Swiss mountains. Spa treatments, using essential oils organically produced in Switzerland, work in symmetry with the well-designed and modern sports training facilities, having both been designed to invigorate & vitalise in rhythm with the seasons. T: +7 862 296 8801 W: www.swissotel.com E: sochi@swissotel.com R: 203 rooms S: ★★★★★ Distance from Sochi Autodrom: 30 km
Sochi Marriott Krasnaya Polyana 1 Vremena Goda Emb, Krasnaya Polyana, Sochi 354392 Words “the first-class facilities” or “impeccable quality of services” which became the essential part of all hotel’s description, steadily raise a smile of skilled travelers. Especially, in conformity to the Russian South. Between filigree written lines, they constantly see the same confused eyes of reception girls, not English speaking maids, not very “highspeed” Internet or, let’s say, just simple ignorance of a wine list by the waiter of the restaurant. All these trifles can seem insignificant and even habitual, until one perfect day you fall in true first-class hotel service. Art of hospitality – in its fullest sense - is a basis of more than 50 years prosperity of the world famous brand Marriott, representing 4000 hotels in 72 countries. Ability to foresee desires of guests, sincere attentiveness and scrupulous elegance in fine details are the inseparable part of reputation of Marriott hotels family worldwide. New Sochi Marriott Krasnaya Polyana, operating under personal control of the general manager Frank Müller, became the incarnation of these indestructible traditions in the southern part of Russia. T: +7 862 2455 350 W: www.marriott.com E: contact form via website R: 428 rooms S: ★★★★★ Distance from Sochi Autodrom: 48 km
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Rixos Krasnaya Polyana “Gorky Gorod”, Esto-Sadok, Krasnaya Polyana, Sochi 354392 Rixos Krasnaya Polyana Sochi, designed by world leading architects, is the first hotel of the Rixos Hotels in Russia. 114 elegant rooms with a panoramic mountain view, exclusive restaurants, modern conference halls, high quality service and special attention to details – everything has been created for sophisticated connoisseurs of royal recreation. The hotel’s pearl, gorgeous Rixos Spa, opens an unexplored world of true delight – it’s really spectacular. The magnificent hotel is located at 960m above sea level in the heart of “Gorky Gorod”, the first in Russia multi-branded world-class resort, a core of sports and culture activities, a place of attraction for people of all ages and interests all year round. Rixos Krasnaya Polyana Sochi promises an excellent holiday experience in the heart of Caucasia. A dream-like holiday behind the vast mountains is awaiting you, situated in the centre of Krasnaya Polyana, 66 km from Sochi city centre and 40 km from Sochi International Airport.
T: + 7 862 245 51 51 W: krasnayapolyanasochi.rixos.com E: sochi@rixo.com R: 114 rooms S: ★★★★★ Distance from Sochi Autodrom: 48 km
Hyatt Regency Sochi Ordzhonikidze 17, Sochi 354000 Hyatt Regency Sochi hotel is ideally located in the central administrative district, in the heart of Sochi’s historical centre, right along the famous beachside promenade of Primorskaya Street. This new luxury landmark hotel on the Black Sea Riviera is minutes from the city’s main cultural and recreational institutions, passenger port, restaurants, high-end retail outlets, nightclubs and other attractions. Adler Sochi Airport is just 20 kilometres away, making Hyatt Regency Sochi the pre-eminent destination for both business and leisure travellers. With panoramic views of the Black Sea and easy access to the beach, Hyatt Regency Sochi features 198 spacious guestrooms including 170 rooms and 28 suites. Contemporary guestrooms ranging in size from 37 to 195 sq m (398 to 2,098 sq ft) with floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies offer guests spectacular views of the Black Sea. All hotel guestrooms offer the latest services and facilities to meet the needs of today’s traveller. Hyatt Regency Sochi offers guests a range of dining facilities catering to all tastes, including all-day dining, a speciality restaurant, a lobby lounge, a speciality bar and a pool deck bar.
T: +7 862 227 1234 W: www.sochi.regency.hyatt.com/en E: sochi.regency@hyatt.com R: 198 rooms S: ★★★★★ Distance from Sochi Autodrom: 35 km
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TRAVEL GUIDE
Pullman Sochi Center hotel 11 Ordzhonikidze Street, Sochi 354000 The modern Pullman Sochi Center hotel is ideal for both business and leisure. The stylish design and exceptional service will definitely satisfy the needs of any guest. With its 150 rooms with balconies (nonsmoking), sea view, stylish restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine, art bar, business center, Fit and Spa Lounge fitness center with infinity pool on the 16th floor, this hotel has everything you need for a relaxing stay. The conference center – 24,757 sq. ft / 2300 m2 – is perfect for any kind of conferences and events. Sel Marin restaurant features creative Mediterranean cuisine with a Vinoteca by Pullman Fine Wines, and magnificent desserts will make a lasting impression on even the most skeptical gourmets. The hotel’s business sector is more than an offering, it’s an entire concept. Co-Meeting by Pullman is an initiative that provides guests with high-level technologies and equipment for flawless service. That’s how great ideas will enable you to stay one step ahead of the game. The hotel is 30 km from the Sochi Airport and only 2 km from Sochi Railway Station.
T: +7 862 26 297 33 W: www.pullmanhotels.com E: h8591@accor.com R: 150 rooms S: ★★★★★ Distance from Sochi Autodrom: 33 km
Solís Sochi Hotel & Suites Krasnaya Polyana, Esto-Sadok, Gorki-Gorod, Gornaya st. 11, Sochi A truly unique ski resort Gorky Gorod in Krasnaya Polyana was opened in winter 2014 to host guests of the Winter Olympic Games. Perfectly located in the magnificent Caucasus Mountains you will find world-class sport and leisure activities all year round. Here, at the 5 star Solís Sochi Hotel & Suites, guests are invited to enjoy the personalized service delivering comfort, ease and choice. The 5-star hotel offers 120 first class rooms with enchanting panoramic views. Rooms range in size from 31 m2 to 487 m2 and combine elegance, contemporary design, comfort and high-tech amenities. After an active day in the mountains spend a couple of hours at the hotel’s Spa. Relax in the sauna or steam room, try the massages and spa-treatments with luxurious cosmetics by Comfort Zone that effectively fix tiredness and tension. You can as well order in-room massage service. Delicious dinner at The Grill restaurant with wonderful panoramic view of the mountains will be the perfect ending of an excellent day at work or at the ski resort.
T: +7 862 245 55 00 W: www.solishotels.com/sochi E: contact form via website R: 120 rooms S: ★★★★★ Distance from Sochi Autodrom: 55 km
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La Terrazza Kurortnii avenue, 105b, Sochi In the prestigious Royal Park Residential Complex on Kurortniy prospect, near the Radisson Lazurnaya Hotel, there is a little piece of Italy in Greater Sochi. Try all the tastiest dishes of Mediterranean cuisine! You can enjoy them sitting on the terrace in the calm atmosphere or settle down inside in the banquet room. The attentive waiters will describe each dish, help you to make the choice and recommend something really unique and perfect just for you. La Terrazza cooks authentic pizza on thin crust with crunchy crisp, delicious home-made pasta, fresh green and vegetable salads, various meat and fish dishes, they always have the freshest seafood and incredibly delicious desserts. Restaurant’s sommelier will always assist you and offer the most suitable pair to your dish from the vast drinks collection. Guests can have dinner during the week, organise a brunch on a weekend, arrange big or small events, where brand-chef Irina Titova and chef Andrei Obukhov will cook something really extraordinary. Also, the restaurant regularly organises impressive master-classes, and in the restaurant’s deli you can always buy fresh baked pastry or any tasty dessert.
T: + 7 862 296 58 58 E: laterrazza@bk.ru W: www. la-terrazza.ru/en
Forward Tower 44 Kirova street, Sochi Forward Tower gives its guests international cuisine, attentive service, and live music and shows. This specific 5-story restaurant-mall is somewhat of an outlier among Adler restaurants, most of which are cheap cafeterias. Forward Tower features Caucasian (shashlyk kebabs), European, and Japanese (sushi) concepts. And it’s a very carefully and pleasantly arranged mix, we might add. The restaurant complex also provides takeout and includes a trendy bar with a veranda. Its status as the only “European” level dining experience in the neighborhood makes it a popular place for dates. Its location near the Olympic Park makes it a convenient spot for dinner during the Formula 1 Grand Prix. It is best to reserve a table in advance, especially during events like this, as the restaurant tends to get crowded. A gourmet remembers: “Forward is definitely one of my favourites in Sochi. If you are looking for a classy place that has great food, coffee, bar, even a nightclub – look no more”.
T: + 7 862 291 2191 E: forwardtower@yandex.ru W: www.forwardbar.ru
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Sinee More 11 Chernomorskaya street, Sochi Sinee More, which translates as “Blue Sea”, enjoys a reputation as one of the finest restaurants in the city and occupies a great location right on the sea front. Eating here isn’t exactly cheap, but customers really get what they’re paying for and it’s a great place to visit. Saying that, if you’re looking to splurge on one of the most sumptuous meals that money can buy, Sinee More is the place to do it. The main offering here is Mediterranean fish and seafood cuisine. Many of the ingredients are imported, which helps to explain the high prices. Aside from that, they also offer plenty of meat dishes too, which are worth of mentioning. Throw in a luxurious décor (the interior is attractive, modern and pleasantly white, with remarkable sea views), live entertainment (musicians, sometimes), a nice selection of cocktails, and it’s not difficult to see why this place is so popular among Sochi’s wealthier class. Enjoy eating while looking at the sea and remember to sometimes glance at the people you’re actually with.
T: +7 862 266 21 21 E: sinee_more@list.ru W: www.sineemore.net
Umami 65 Let Pobedy street, 50 Adler District, Imeretin lowland, Sochi 354340 Umami Asian Grill at the Radisson Blu Paradise Resort & Spa features an open kitchen, which allows guests to see the craft of the chefs at its best. Try the sushi, always fresh and very well made. For something with sizzle, why not sample from the menu, showcasing brilliant dishes from Teppan to teriyaki. A satisfied customer recalls: “Umami has a high-class yet friendly atmosphere, very attentive staff and some truly breathtaking dishes that made our visits there pretty much amazing. As a large group, I think we have tried almost everything from the menu and we can state that all of the choices we made turned out to be close to perfect.” Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda was the first to coin and identify the Umami concept back in 1908. In 1912, addressing an international congress in applied chemistry in Washington, Ikeda noted that “those who pay careful attention to their tastebuds will discover the complex flavour of asparagus, tomatoes, cheese and meat, a common and yet absolutely singular taste which cannot be called sweet, or sour, or salty, or bitter”.
T: +7 862 243 3333 E: info.spa.sochi@radissonblu.com W: www.radissonblu.com/resort-spa-sochi
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BOSCO stores BOSCO is the unique lifestyle brand, inspired by the passion and emotion of sport. It was created by Russia’s premier design, fashion and retail group, BOSCO DI CILIEGI. Olympic kits for athletes and for fans make BOSCO really special. It has been an established name in Russia for a long time, and after receiving the New Brand Award at the World Exhibition of Sports Manufacturers ISPO-2004, that winning reputation went global. They specialise in the design, technical development, production, sales and marketing of sporting goods. The brand is defined by three overarching principles: support for the Olympic Movement; national pride; an open, inclusive attitude to the world. BOSCO is also the General partner of the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and the General Sponsor of the Russian Olympic and Paralympic teams. The unique stores can be found in More Mall, Roza Hutor at Ploshhad Mzymta 1 and at Naberezhnaja Panorama 3, Radisson Blu Adler, Railway station Adler, Morskoy Vokzal Mall and at Airport Sochi.
T: +7 495 660 0550 W: www.bosco.ru/en E: contact form via website
Rostzoloto Krasnodarsky Kray, Moskovskaya street 22, Sochi Over the years the company has grown from a small shop to large manufacturing facility. To date, the production company has produced more than 2,000 types of products. Rostzoloto’s principal activities are the production of lightweight of gold jewelry with various inserts, forged lightweight suspension (crosses, zodiac signs, icons and so on). In addition, they are working with other producers on a large range of lightweight chains, bracelets, pendants, diamond jewelry and various stones. You can find many other products as well, at very competitive prices! “We are constantly working to expand our lineup”, said the officials of Rostzoloto recently. “Particular attention is paid to the quality of the products; for this purpose, a multi-stage control system is active at all stages of production”. The company repeatedly received various international awards and has numerous certificates for high quality products at exhibitions. It’s considered to be one of the best jewelry stores in Russia, so it’s definitely worth a visit.
T: +7 8622 90 26 87 W: rostzoloto.com E: rostzoloto@mail.ru
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MoreMall Novaya Zarya street 7, Sochi MoreMall features the extravagant and also the world-renowned international brands such as Zara, New Yorker, Adidas, Reebok, H&M, Bershka, Lacoste, and Russian brands like Snow Queen and Letual. A very attractive part of the mall is the restaurant area - more than 35 restaurants and cafes - the cuisine from different countries is wisely presented to create a food cocktail where even the radical gourmets can find something for themselves. There are trendy restaurants with terraces overlooking the waterfront, where visitors can enjoy a beautiful view of the city while eating tremendously fine food. Holiday Family Fun Center Happylon, 8-screen cinema “Luxor” and a cinema IMAX, restaurants and cafes, a venue for shows and concerts - all this to help you spend your free time in this impressive shopping center. It’s a high-level shopping project that became the hallmark of not only the city of Sochi, but also all of the Krasnodar area. Unique and diverse composition has made it a favourite place for shopping and entertainment for residents and anyone visiting.
T: +7 862 296 0717 W: www.moremall.ru/en E: contact form via website
Gorky Gorod Mall Gornaya Karusel 3, Krasnaya Polyana, Krasnodarskiy Kray 354392 February 2014 witnessed the long-awaited opening of the first multifunctional shopping and entertainment center in Sochi - Gorky Gorod Mall in Krasnaya Polyana, the territory of one of the most ambitious projects – a multi-brand resort Gorky Gorod. The five-level center is nestled in the heart of the “City of Hills”, in convenient proximity to the tourist facilities in Krasnaya Polyana. Thanks to an ingenious concept and proximity to roads and railways, this center-place of attraction introduces visitors to the resort and the whole region. The total area of the mall is 18 000 square metres. Gorky includes the visitor center of more than 70 great boutiques, gourmet outlets and solid entertainment operators. For the comfort of the visitors, the shopping center has arranged a vast open parking, and the service of high-speed Internet access is completely free. Gorky Gorod Mall is a very diverse place with a lot to offer for both the fresh and the experienced travellers.
T: +7 928 242 3224 W: www.gorkygorod.ru E: info@gorkygorodmall.ru
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Bar London 24 Ordzhonikidze Street, Sochi Bar London’s name speaks for itself - in early 20th century, there was a hotel “London”, which was popular among the then little known bright bohemians called “Silver Age”. Maximilian Voloshin Balmont, Sergei Rachmaninoff and founder of Russian Futurism David Burliuk stayed at this hotel on different occasions, according to various sources. Bar London has a very strong impact on the cultural significance of Sochi, which is comparable with the opening of the theater “Unity” in the once unpopular area of the capital of Britain. Music format changes rapildy, from rock and jazz to elaborate thrills of modern electronic conceptualism. The club’s stage area and, most importantly, the equipment is of the highest possible class, allowing guests to take the music train all the way from Jean Michel Jarre to the Rolling Stones. Bar London’s kitchen deserves a separate medal – it meets the needs of even the most capricious restaurant critic as well as the ones of a midnight gentleman or gentlewoman in search of great sashimi. Enjoy the bar 24/7!
T: +7 988 238 02 00 W: barlondon.ru E: sochi@barlondon.ru
Bar Cho Co Te Vinogradnaya street 33, Sochi 354068 Mild aromas of the finest coffees and teas from all over the world will make a pleasant background for reflections and conversations in Cho Co Te bar, found at the RODINA Grand Hotel & SPA Sochi. It’s open 24 hours, so it would be a sin not to give this remarkable bar a chance! “Wine and the service were great. The staff of the Cho Co Te bar was really polite, well mannered and they made us feel truly welcome. Would love to return next time we come to Sochi!”, said Feisat Al-Hussein, HRH Prince of Jordan and the son of King Hussein and Princess Muna. Another satisfied guest recommends: “Cho Co Te is a must! Flawless service and pleasant environment make the evenings and nights really count. I would gladly recommend this very neat and nice bar to anyone visiting Sochi for business or pleasure, it’s a place where class meets coolness”.
T: +7 862 2593 900 W: www.lhw.com E: contact and reservation form via website
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Cleopatra Night Club 103 Kurortny Prospect, Sochi 354024 Cleopatra Night Club is an interactive semi-seedy nightspot that seems to be frequented by a number of ‘freelance’ girls, so it may not suit everyone’s taste, but it’s definitely an interesting and fun place. The club is situated in the modern basement of the Radisson SAS Lazurnaya hotel. This club is always guaranteed to be fairly lively, thanks to its regular shows and concerts featuring Russia’s top entertainers. In fact, the shows are enough to draw plenty of regular folk to come here and to party all night long. There are three sections of the Cleopatra Night Club, including a dark chill out room, a hectic dance room, and a restaurant-lounge style area where food is served with pretty good cocktails and spirits. Kleopatra is extremely popular among foreigners, mostly because a huge number of them stay in the hotel upstairs, but it attracts crowds from all around Sochi as well.
T: + 7 495 411 77 77 W: www.radisson.ru/en E: contact form via website
Treugolnik Rock Bar Kirova street 56, Krasnodarskiy Kray, Adler One of the liveliest bars around, Treugolnik Rock Bar offers a friendly crowd seven nights a week, authentic atmosphere and a truly astonishing collection of music, including both the newest trends and all of your favorite rock classics. Treugolnik Rock Bar opens its doors early; it also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner during the daytime. However, with its regular parties on the program and concerts at least once a week (more during the summer) featuring some of Russia and Eastern Europe’s best underground rock groups, things are guaranteed to get louder and wilder as the night progresses. That means you’ll want to explore its library of DVDs and books on everything to do with rock ‘n’ roll before the sun goes down. Transfers to Central Sochi are possible, and the pizza is known to be one of the most loved in Adler! This place is absolutely worth trying if you’re a fan of any type of rock music and the vibrant parties it brings.
T: +7 862 240 3783 W: www.treugolnik.biz
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LIFESTYLE
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