yallaf1 25.01.2012 ISSUE.03
FORMULA 1 MAGAZINE & NEWS DIGEST
SENNA NAME REUNITED WITH WILLIAMS
KIMI ON TRACK
IN THIS ISSUE
FIRST FRAME 25 January 2012
WILLIAMS SIGNS BRUNO SENNA SENNA FAMILY REACTS POSITIVELY TO NEWS RAIKKONEN BACK WHERE HE BELONGS CHAT WITH KIMI’S BOSS LOPEZ HORNER BRAGS ABOUT RED BULL DRIVERS MATESCHITZ ALSO BRAGS ABOUT HIS DRIVERS PIRELLI BRAG ABOUT THEIR 2012 TYRES FERRARI HIT THE STREETS OF DOHA BUEMI ON RED BULL ALERT KIMI PRIVATE TEST IN PICTURES AND MUCH MORE... 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
It was big news when Williams announced Bruno Senna as their second driver for 2012. Joining the team that faced ridiculous manslaughter charges in Italy after Ayrton Senna - Bruno’s uncle - died tragically at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix driving a Williams FW16 designed by Adrian Newey. And of course there is the memorable footage of Ayrton claiming that young Bruno (sitting on his lap) would be better than him... So much emotion can be conjured up by the coincidences of the yellow helmet, albeit Bruno’s, in the cockpit of a Williams - best not open that door... Nevertheless we provide an in depth look into this news with interviews and reaction from all those concerned. Meanwhile Kimi Raikkonen continued to dominate the headlines with his comeback and private test, in a 2010 Renault, at Riccardo Tormo circuit in Valencia. Great excitement and anticipation abounds and we add fuel to the fire by presenting you with a great picture feature on the prodigal son’s return. Plenty stories doing the rounds - and the season is still months away - we deliver the best of these. Content & Credits • All content sourced from YallaF1.com • Content providers: PVM, GMM, Reuters, FIA, Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, Lotus, Mercedes, Force india, Sauber, Toro Rosso, Williams, Marussia, Caterham, HRT, Pirelli, Cosworth, Renault and other F1 related organisations. • Photography: Sutton Images and services provided by F1 teams including Getty Images, LAT, Hoch Zwei, Ercole Colombo • eMagazine production by Motorsport27 • Contact: info@yallaf1.com
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2012 PRE-SEASON: FERRARI SPECIAL WROOOM WITH A VIEW AND FORTY YEARS OF HEROES
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FOR THE RECORD SENNA TO WILLIAMS
WILLIAMS SIGN BRUNO SENNA FOR 2012 SEASON
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illiams F1 confirmed, on 17 January, that Bruno Senna will contest the 2012 FIA Formula One World Championship for the Williams F1 Team. The appointment finalises the team’s line up for this year following confirmation in December that Pastor Maldonado will enter his second season in Formula One as a Williams race driver. Bruno will make his debut with the Williams F1 Team in Jerez on 9th February at the first of the winter tests. Frank Williams, Team Principal, said, “Bruno only started racing when he was 20 years old but quickly proved his talent in F3 and GP2. In a tightly fought 2008 GP2 season, Bruno finished second in the Championship with notable victories in Monaco and Silverstone, the latter in the wet. The circumstances of Bruno’s two seasons in Formula One have not given him an ideal opportunity to deliver consistently so it was essential that we spent as much time with him as possible to 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
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FOR THE RECORD SENNA TO WILLIAMS understand and evaluate him as a driver. We have done this both on track and in our simulator and he has proven quick, technically insightful and above all capable of learning and applying his learning quickly and consistently. Now we are looking forward to seeing that talent in our race car.” Bruno commented, “I feel very privileged that Williams has selected me as one of their race drivers. The team has a great heritage and I hope I can help write a good chapter in their history. The evaluation process has been intense and methodical but the time I have spent in the factory has demonstrated that the team has great people and all the resources needed to achieve better things this season. “It will be very interesting to drive for a team that my uncle has driven for, particularly as quite a few of the people here actually worked with Ayrton. Hopefully we can bring back some memories and create some great new ones too. I also want to get some good results in return for the support my country has given me to help get me to this position today. I am very proud to be Brazilian and more motivated than ever to demonstrate what I can do. Ever since I first sat in a go-kart I never wanted to do anything else.” 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
Bruno: It will be very interesting to dri 6
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ive for a team that my uncle has driven for
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INTERVIEW BRUNO SENNA
BRUNO SENNA: I AM VERY PROUD WILLIAMS HAS CHOSEN ME
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ot on the heels of Williams announcing the signing of Bruno Senna for the 2012 Formula 1 season we present a Q&A with the 28 year old Brazilian driver on the biggest day of his career. Now you’ve been confirmed as a Williams driver, what are your thoughts heading into 2012? Bruno Senna: I’m really happy to be a part of a team with such a fantastic heritage. I am very proud that Williams has chosen me to race in what will be an important year for them. Everyone is extremely motivated for 2012 and it is great to be part of that motivation. It is true that they didn’t have the best season last year, but it is clear that the team is on a new path and everyone is pulling together to ensure that this year is a better one. I really hope that I can demonstrate what I can do, not only for the team, but for myself. It’s going to be interesting to see what we can achieve together. What are your objectives for the season? Senna: It’s difficult to set objectives before the season starts, but I intend to push the car 100% to the limit to get the maximum performance we can from it. 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
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INTERVIEW BRUNO SENNA What are your thoughts on the Renault engine having raced with it last season and what do you think Renault can bring to Williams in 2012? Senna: After a few races with the Renault engine in 2011, I’ve learnt a great deal about it. It is a very good unit with good drivability, which is another positive step forward for the team. As a driver, you need to have every weapon available to you operating at its optimum in order to put in competitive times throughout the race. I’m sure we can develop the car even further with the Renault engine and it will be interesting for me to be able to give the team feedback applying my previous experiences. What do you make of your new team mate, Pastor Maldonado? Senna: Pastor is a great driver. I’ve raced against him in GP2 and we always get along well. He’s been a very tough opponent in the past and he is going to be even tougher now we are both in the same car. We’ll certainly be trying to beat each other, but as teammates we’re going to work together to move the team forward. Can you talk us through what you have been working on at the factory so far? Senna: I’ve been at the Williams factory in Grove both before and after Christmas being really put through my paces in the simulator, on the track and in the gym. We’ve also done some evaluation work on the track (but not in an F1 car). The main purpose was for the team to evaluate me and to understand how to get the best out of me as a driver. But it’s also been really useful for me as it familiarises me with all the procedural things, such as learning the layout of the steering wheel before I get into the real car. When we start testing I won’t need to think about that so I’ll just be able to get on and drive the FW34. 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
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Bruno: I was a motorsport fan So you have had an opportunity to work with your new engineers? Senna: I think we’ve started off really well and now I’m looking forward to working with them more over the season. The relationship between
a driver and engineer is something that few people can understand. You need mutual respect, to understand each other well and know how to work together in order to really gel from the start. That relationship and continuity
can make such a difference to your overall performance. What started your career in motorsport? Senna: I was a motorsport fan from a young age 13
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n from a young age
INTERVIEW BRUNO SENNA Bruno drove for Lotus Renault last year
and of course there has been a great influence as to race in Formula One has always been my from my uncle, but ever since I first put my feet dream. into a go-kart I never wanted to do anything else. I’m very privileged to be able to do what I love, You were once quoted as saying that, given the 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
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motorsport heritage? Senna: The team has an amazing history and walking around the museum just makes me drool! I’ve seen many of these cars on track and 15
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chance to drive any legendary Formula One car from the past, you would choose the 1993 active-suspension Williams. How important is it to you to now be a part of a team with such a
INTERVIEW BRUNO SENNA always wondered how it would feel to actually race them. I’ve never been in one, so I think it would be good to get a run in the active ride car at Goodwood, just to get a feel!
Bruno: The team has an amazing h
You have considerable support from Brazil, can you tell us about that? Senna: I feel very proud to be Brazilian right now. Knowing I have such great support behind me, people who have been there since the start, gives me such a great feeling. Knowing people have chosen me to bear their name gives me even more motivation to create good memories for them. Your uncle, Ayrton, raced for Williams. How significant is it for you to be joining the team? Senna: It will be very interesting to drive for a team that my uncle drove for. Quite a few of the people still here actually worked with Ayrton and I’m happy that they are now giving me the chance to prove myself here. Hopefully we can bring back some good memories and create some great new ones too. Fast forward to this time next year, what achievements would you be happy with? Senna: I hope that by the end of 2012 we can say we extracted 100% of the performance from the Williams-Renault FW34, whatever that may be. That is the most important thing. I just want to get the maximum possible out of the car and make the most of this opportunity. It is such an important year for both the team and myself as it will help shape my future. I hope that future will be long and successful, and it all starts here. 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
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history
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FOR THE RECORD SENNA FAMILY REACTION
SENNA FAMILY ECSTATIC WITH BRUNO’S WILLIAMS DEAL
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he late Ayrton Senna’s parents and sister were said to be ‘ecstatic’ after Williams announced that the triple Formula One world champion’s nephew Bruno would be racing for them this season. The older Senna died in a Williams when he crashed at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, the last driver fatality in the sport and an accident that triggered a raft of safety improvements. Bruno Senna told reporters, however, that there was no family concern about him racing for the former world champions. “Everybody is ecstatic,” said the Brazilian in a conference call. “I spoke to my grandparents before even I spoke to my mother yesterday when I got the news and my grandmother was so happy, my grandfather had a great laugh. “Everybody knows that we have been fighting so hard for a real chance in F1 and everybody is thrilled for the fact that Williams has given me that opportunity,” added the 28-year-old. “In the family everybody is smiling, everybody has worked very 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
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FOR THE RECORD SENNA FAMILY REACTION
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hard for it. It’s very much a family business in our case and we have a great unity and everyone is super-happy about it.” Senna will partner Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado in an inexperienced line-up that boasts just three points between them. Maldonado made his debut last season while Senna spent a year without points at HRT in 2010 before starting eight races with Renault in 2011. Williams are fighting back from their worst season, finishing ninth overall with five points, and there was inevitably speculation that Senna’s appointment was related to financial backing. “We started talking to Williams about a potential drive in Japan (last October),” said Senna. “It was a very tentative first contact because we were still with Renault GP. “They have been putting me through my paces on all sorts of testing…and initially they wouldn’t even talk about any type of sponsorship. They just wanted to assess me before anything else. “The only way they would ever give me this chance was if they were comfortable with my performance,” added the Sao Paulo native. “They are confident enough that I can deliver for them and that’s the only reason why they are opening up the opportunity for me to be driving here.” Senna said an aero test of the car was scheduled for the first week of February, before official testing
FOR THE RECORD SENNA FAMILY REACTION Ayrton Senna driving the Renault powered Williams FW16
started in Spain, and the numbers already looked promising with regular top-10 finishes the target. Mark Gillan, Williams’s chief operations engineer, said the decision to 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
sign Senna was based on “the raw pace of the driver, consistency, tyre management, technical feedback, fitness and mental capacity. “I think in all those areas, it was 22
Adrian Sutil, the experienced German driver discarded by Force India who faces a trial in Germany next month for an alleged assault, but had decided Senna was “the best way forward”. 23
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very clear that Bruno has had not a lot of experience in single-seat racing but has consistently shown improvement and real talent.” He said the team had considered
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REPORT KIMI RAIKKONEN BACK IN F1 COCKPIT
KIMI RAIKKONEN: IT WAS NICE TO GET BAC
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imi Raikkonen said enjoyed his return to an F1 cockpit, after the first of two days spent in the cockpit of a 2010 Renault R30 at Valencia’s Riccardo Tormo track. Speaking to Sky Sports, Raikkonen said: “It was nice to get back in the car. It was quite a few years since I have driven 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
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last time, of course it takes a little the main driving, braking, turnin Of course to start learning about that will take time.” Asked whether he believed
e while to get used to it. But ng, that doesn’t take many laps. t the car and team and tyres,
d he would return to F1 the
32 year old Finn replied, “Not really. I didn’t have any plans for the future. There were different choices to do this year. I really wanted to do racing. We did some NASCAR stuff last year and I enjoyed it a lot, racing against other people.” “That is where I decided to do racing, F1 is the highest 27
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CK IN THE CAR
REPORT KIMI RAIKKONEN BACK IN F1 COCKPIT level and probably where most people want to be. I found a good chance to come back and do racing with Lotus,” explained Raikkonen who has won 18 times out of 157 starts in Formula 1 and winning the 2007 world championship with Ferrari. Teams are not allowed to test up-todate cars outside of official sessions which meant Raikkonen could drive only an older machine using demonstration tyres. At the end of the second day Raikkonen said, “It went well today and overall the two days have been helped me a lot. Even though I was using a two yearold car and the Pirelli demonstration tyres, I learnt about working with the team and the engineers which means I can focus on the new car once we get to Jerez for the first official test.” He added, “It was great to be driving an F1 car again and from that respect I feel very positive.” Lotus engineer Alan Permane summed up the day, “We enjoyed another good day with Kimi in Valencia. The morning was spent doing set-up work in particular with front and rear cambers. In the afternoon we ran very low fuel qualifying simulations with two new sets of tyres followed by a 27 lap run starting with a full tank of fuel.” “Kimi’s pace improved from yesterday as we would expect and we completed several start, pitstop and clutch simulations. We were even able to finish early as we completed our programme ahead of time. Overall it has been a productive and valuable two days,” concluded Permaine. Raikkonen was driving a 2010 Renault R30 during the test. He will get his first taste of the 2012 car when official pre-season testing begins at Jerez on 6 February. 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
Alan Permaine: Kimi was on the 28
Born Nationality 2012 team F1 Races Championships Wins Podiums Career points Pole positions Fastest laps First F1 race First F1 win Last F1 win Last F1 race
17 October 1979 (age 32) Espoo, Finland Finnish Lotus-Renault 157 (156 starts) 1 (2007) 18 62 579 16 35 2001 Australian GP 2003 Malaysian GP 2009 Belgian GP 2009 Abu Dhabi GP
pace we expected straight away 29
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KIMI RAIKKONEN FACTS
FEATURE GERARD LOPEZ
GERARD LOPEZ RACING DRIVER AND KIMI’S BOSS
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otus boss Gerard Lopez was in Dubai this past weekend competing in the Dunlop 24 Hours at the wheel of the Gravity Charouz Racing Mercedes team. He took time out, at Dubai Autodrome, to speak about Formula 1 matters and also give insight into his racing escapades. Speaking to YallaF1.com, Lopez said of Kimi Raikkonen’s return, “I must say the interest since Kimi joined our team has been very surpirsing. We knew he was popular but not to this extent and not expecting such a good response. From our side of course it is great to have him on board as he is a world champion who comes with vast experience and we all know he is fast. He is also a great guy.” Raikkonen will lead the Lotus team effort in 2012, returning to Formula 1 after two years where he spent time dabbling in the World Rally Championship and Nascar with limited success. Romain Grosjean, who is managed by Eric Boullier’s Gravity Sport Management, will partner Raikkonen in the team. Lopez explained the decision to entrust Grosjean with the second seat, “Romain deserves his chance. We knew we had to have an experienced driver in the team so we have Kimi. Unfortunately we are not like Red Bull who have Toro Rosso to try young drivers without disrupting the main team. We decided to give Romain a chance because he has matured, he won the 2011 GP2 Series and we believe he is capable of doing a good job.” He added, “When we realised with Nick Heidfeld, who is a very good driver, that we were not going to be better than fifth in the championship we tried our best to help the young talent, as you know we gave Bruno Senna a chance last year and also Vitaly Petrov who we are still very close to.” 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
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FEATURE GERARD LOPEZ
Lopez shared the Gravity Charouz Mercedes SLS at the Dunlo with business partner Eric Lux
Of first controversy of 2012 instigated by the revolutionary braking system on the Lotus, Lopez was realistic, “I am not sure everyone is copying our braking system. From our side it is not about a single element that makes a car fast, but the package and of course we are working on having a strong package for the season.” “Last year we started really well but 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
then we suffered a setback when we were forced to stop with our blown diffuser concept because of the uncertainty that surrounded the technology at the time and of course with Robert [Kubica] being injured it was not an ideal year.” “We are not one of the big F1 teams, but we are the best privateer team and with Kimi on board our intentions are clear: we aim to 32
challenge the top three. It is very tough to take them on because they have the resources and experience.” Asked if getting into the cockpit was to be a habit, Lopez replied, “I enjoy my own racing and try do a couple of races per year and this Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai is one I try not to miss. I really enjoy the Dubai Autodrome race track. It is challenging and elevation
changes you do not expect in this part of the world. Romain has driven and won races in GP2 here so I called him for some tips!” Lopez shared the cockpit of the Gravity Charouz Racing Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 with fellow Lotus shareholder Eric Lux, Vincent Radermecker, Loris de Sordi and Tomas Enge. The outfit finished a respectable seventh overall out of 75 entries. 33
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op 24 Hours of Dubai
REPORT CHRISTIAN HORNER ON HIS DRIVERS
CHRISTIAN HORNER: WE HAVE THE BEST DRIVER LINE-UP
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hristian Horner believes that the Red Bull driver pairing of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber is as good as it gets, with both drivers pushing each other hard and in 2012 the fizzy drinks team boss in confident that the older of the two to up his game. Speaking at the Autosport International show, Horner said of Vettel and Webber: “For us it’s a great pairing, there is over a 10 year age difference between the two of them, so they are at different stages of their careers, but they push each other very hard and bring out the best of each other.” Vettel is 24 yars old and Webber, 35, is eleven years his senior. Horner added, “It’s very difficult going up against a driver of Sebastian’s calibre, being matched and measured against somebody of his standard. Mark had a difficult start to the year [2011] but he adapted. He worked hard at it and to understand the tyres in particular. His performances grew throughout the year. It was great to see him win that final race in Brazil.” “Mark has gone away, trained hard through the winter and his enthusiasm has been rejuvenated. I think 2012 could be a very strong year for him,” concluded the Red Bull team principal. 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
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FEATURE DIETRICH MATESCHITZ
DIETRICH MATESCHITZ: SEBASTIAN WILL GET STRONGER AND STRONGER
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ouble Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel will be stronger than ever this season after the most rigorous winter workout of his career, according to Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz. The 24-year-old German dominated last season, winning 11 races with 15 pole positions and becoming the youngest ever double champion with four rounds to spare. “Sebastian has got better and is stronger than ever,” Mateschitz told Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper on Friday. “He has trained over the winter break like he never did before now and he certainly won’t disappoint,” added the Austrian energy drink billionaire. “What he needs for the third title is a competitive car and we will be able to evaluate in the first tests in Jerez (in February) where the team is heading.” Mateschitz defended the decision to stick with Australian 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
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FEATURE DIETRICH MATESCHITZ Mateschitz: Mark Webber is one of the best
Mark Webber, who won just once last year after being a championship contender in 2010, as Vettel’s team mate. “Mark is one of the best,” he said. “His age is relative and he’s one of the physically 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
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best prepared drivers…with a new number one mechanic at his side he will certainly not make life easy for Sebastian.” The Austrian expected McLaren, with Britons Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, to
to be renewed soon and clarified the situation of Red Bull’s sister team Toro Rosso. “Toro Rosso has never been officially for sale but we,ve always said we would happily welcome important partners,” he said. 39
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be Red Bull’s closest rivals again, followed by Ferrari and Mercedes. Mateschitz added that he expected a new ‘Concorde Agreement’ between teams, commercial rights holder and governing body
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REPORT FORCE INDIA TEAMWORK
PAUL DI RESTA: HULK AND I NEED TO WORK TOGETHER
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aul di Resta believes that the youthfulness of Force India’s driver line-up will give the team an added spark in 2012 as both drivers, including Nico Hulkenberg, are under 25 years of age. He looks forward to working with the talented German who makes a return to a F1 race seat after a year oin the sidelines. Speaking at the Autosport International Show, Di Resta said: “It is a young team in terms of the driver line-up, but it should give the team a spark. We need to be good team mates and work well together but also have a competitive nature on track so we can bounce off each other. I don’t see any reason why we can’t do that and support each other. “We are both on equal territory, as we have the same experience, so it should be good. We’re already working together by pushing ideas for the team, to improve things from last year and that is being taken on board.” “My second year is going to be where experience plays in as well. I will arrive at grands prix this year and know what is going to change, what to look for and how to get the perfect balance. Getting that little extra edge is so difficult, against these guys, because they know it inside out.” 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
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INTERVIEW SEBASTIEN BUEMI
SEBASTIEN BUEMI: I HAVE GOT TO BE READY IN CASE...
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ébastien Buemi will be Red Bull Racing (and Toro Rosso) reserve driver in 2012, and was at the team factory in Milton Keynes where he was asked about his festive break, favourite Christmas present, New Year resolutions, and his new role as reserve driver for Red Bull Racing. Where were you for the holiday and what did you get up to? Sebastien Buemi: I was in Switzerland with my family, it’s always a part of year that I really like because I can relax at home and spend a bit of time with the whole family and friends. I did a few things, I did a little bit of skiing, you know because I live close to the mountains but basically I just relaxed. What was your best Christmas present? Buemi: I received a jacket from my mother, a leather jacket that I was looking for for many months and I was really happy to get it! Where were you for New Year? Buemi: I was again in Switzerland with my friends, I didn’t see them so often last year so it was definitely a nice moment to just spend it at home with them. 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
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INTERVIEW SEBASTIEN BUEMI Buemi will be reserve for Red Bull and Toro Rosso in 2012
Do you have any New Year resolutions? Buemi: New Year Resolutions… I think everybody’s got some! You know, I want to be really successful so most of the New Year resolutions I have are to get better and better; to even train more and get 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
more involved with the team. I just want to get better and better – this is maybe the resolution. What does your role as reserve driver for us entail and how do you get involved with things like 46
everything very well. I’ve got to be ready in case, so I’ll be at the test sessions just to have a look and be ready. Buemi is also Toro Rosso reserve for 2012. 47
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testing? Buemi: I think it’s really important when you are a reserve driver to be part of the team really so it means I do a lot of work in the simulator and I go to the tests and races, just to understand
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REPORT FERRARI DO QATAR
FERRARI AND GENE THR
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crowd of 20,000 watched Marc Gené do a demonstration run in an F2008 on the Doha corniche this weekend. The event, organised by Shell in collaboration with the Qatar Motor Show, which gets underway for the second time on Monday, was a thrilling spectacle: seeing a Formula 1 car rocket at over 300 km/h down a three kilometre course set up as a temporary venue along the Qatar capital’s sea front drew an enthusiastic response from the spectators, as did the pit stops, run by Scuderia Ferrari’s F1 Clienti department. “It was a very interesting day: demonstrating a Formula 1 car in such a beautiful setting was really enjoyable for me,” commented Marc after the show. “I’ve done quite a few events of this type, but I have never managed to go as quickly as I did today. Towards the end, I was pressing on the accelerator, because I could feel the enthusiasm of the crowd: it was down to the track and, in the shape of the F2008, an amazing car.” The Spaniard stressed the important of events like this when it comes to increasing the popularity of Formula 1. “It’s great to bring our sport so close to the people, especially in a country that has never seen any F1 action and I am particularly grateful to the organisers of the event, for ensuring all the necessary safety precautions were in place as well as allowing the spectators to experience the spectacle in such an intense way.” “I like Qatar: I was here back in 2004 for the first running of the MotoGP and I have 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
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RILL QATAR F1 FANS
REPORT FERRARI DO QATAR Buemi will be reserve for Red Bull and Toro Rosso in 2012
found the country has changed, grown in what one could say is a controlled manner. We got a very warm welcome, showing the passion the people have for Ferrari and motoring in general.” With only a few weeks to go to the 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
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start of the season, inevitably Marc was asked about the Scuderia’s prospects for 2012. “Back in Maranello, everyone is doing their utmost to be as well prepared as possible for the season,” said Marc. “We are pleased with the work we are doing, but we
many times before that we know how to achieve it: it’s not by chance that we are the most successful team in this sport. However, we are equally aware that winning is never easy, especially in a sport as competitive as Formula 1.” 53
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are well aware that we don’t race alone and the others are also doing their best. We will only begin to get a true picture at the first Grand Prix in Melbourne. Clearly, Ferrari has just one objective, which is part of our DNA, namely victory and we have proved
REPORT RULES & REGULATIONS
FIA BAN LOTUS REACTIVE SUSPENSION
F
ormula One’s governing body has moved to ban, before the start of pre-season testing, controversial new reactive suspension systems that several teams were working on. Williams chief operations engineer Mark Gillan said the International Automobile Federation (FIA) had declared the systems to be illegal for the 2012 season starting in Australia in March. “The FIA has just banned that particular type of system,” he told Peter Windsor’s ‘The Flying Lap’ weekly live webcast on smibs.tv when asked about one reportedly being developed by Lotus. Matteo Bonciani, the FIA’s head of F1 communications, confirmed to Reuters that technical head Charlie Whiting had written to all the teams on Friday clarifying the situation. He said the FIA had received a number of technical enquiries from teams about the legality of systems that could alter the configuration of a car’s suspension in response to changes in brake torque. Lotus, previously Renault, first tried out their system at a young driver test in Abu Dhabi last November but have not commented on its significance for the new car to be unveiled next month when testing starts in Spain. Several others, including former champions Williams and the sport’s most successful team Ferrari, were also believed to be looking into similar devices while awaiting an FIA ruling on their legality. The issue had threatened to become the first big technical controversy of a year that will have an unprecedented six world champions, including Finland’s Kimi Raikkonen returning with Lotus, on the starting grid. Article 3.15 of the 2012 technical regulations, published this month, states that “any car system, device or procedure which uses driver movement as a means of altering the aerodynamic characteristics of the car is prohibited”. The Lotus system which first put the issue in the public eye 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
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was reportedly reactive to b the suspension. “We have been invest for a while,” Gillan said. “It is aerodynamic platform of th “Anything that gets th particularly the front ride-he aerodynamic perspective.” Bonciani said systems relied on changes to the len
tigating that type of system obviously an impact on the he car. he ride-height lower, eight lower, is beneficial from an
s shown to the FIA for approval ngth of a suspension member and
appeared to have a primary, if not sole, purpose of affecting the aerodynamic performance of the car. Some systems designed to allow additional movement of the brake caliper for aerodynamic purposes were also illegal. The governing body ruled that, in its opinion, the systems contravened article 3.15 and possibly articles 10.2.1 and 10.2.3. The latter article states that “no adjustment may be made to the suspension system while the car is in motion�. 55
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brake torque and formed part of
NEWS PIT TALK
Force India to launch VJM05 DRS to stay with Formula 1’s sixth-r improvement tweaks India, will reveal its
9am at the Silverst road from its North Technical director VJM05, whose mo the FIA’s mandatory crash tests, will be built and fired u “There’s always a buzz around when it’s happening,” he
Jerez debut for Willia Formula 1’s controversial DRS (Drag Reduction System) , introduced last year, is staying put for 2012, according to an Italian report. While many hailed the moveable rear wing flaps’ contribution to overtaking last season, others criticised the drag reduction system for compromising the purity of wheel-to-wheel racing. According to Autosprint, DRS is staying this year. But the FIA will reportedly modify the number and length of the overtaking zones at some circuits. “The reason is to facilitate overtaking by extending the zones at those circuits where it proved too difficult, and shortening them where the passing was too exaggerated. One DRS supporter is the Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg. “The important thing is that we are overtaking — who really cares why? “However it is good to optimise everything, especially where it has been possible to gain 50 metres (on a rival) by the end of a straight. “It’s better that it (passing) is a bit more difficult than too easy,” the German said. 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
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The Williams FW34 2012 F1 car is on schedule for an early February debut at Jerez. That is the claim of the famous team’s chief operations engineer Mark Gillan, who said the actual track debut of the newly Renaultpowered FW34 will take place during an aerodynamic test before the opening test at Jerez. “We passed the crash tests before Christmas,” he is quoted by Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport. “The debut is planned for the first week of testing at Jerez in early February. So far, the data loo able to achieve all the targets we set.” Gillan said the next goal for Williams, having restruc course of its dire 2011 season, is for the FW34 to be “I know that making a great leap forward is not easy we know about the car so far, there is reason to be fa be back in Q3 regularly and score points from there. Gillan welcomed the FIA’s banning of exhaust blowi by Red Bull and also perfected by championship run “It (the ban) neutralises the lead that some teams ha said. “So the field should move closer together now, at le season. After that it’s a matter of time before someo F-duct or double diffuser.”
ranked team in 2011, Force s new car on 3 February at tone track, located across the hamptonshire headquarters. Andrew Green said the onocoque has already passed up next week. e said.
Sutil suffers big blow as Williams door closes
News from the Williams HQ was another serious blow to the Formula 1 career of Adrian Sutil who was tipped to be in contention for the seat now taken up by Bruno Senna. Having lost his Force India race seat and with a grievous bodily harm trial imminently looming, the 29-year-old was hoping to keep his career alive by replacing Rubens Barrichello at Williams. Instead, that job has gone to Senna, making 2012 a “transitional year” for Sutil, according to his manager Manfred Zimmermann. “The negotiations with Williams were already over in mid December, because there were different opinions,” Zimmermann, apparently referring to the desired length of a contract, is quoted in German by Sport1. It is also rumoured Medion, Sutil’s sponsor, has reduced the value of the deal. oks right — we have been Williams’ chief operations engineer Mark Gillan said on Tuesday: “I don’t want to talk about individual drivers. ctured the team during the “Adrian was part of our plans, but based on everything that was on the a regular top-ten finisher. table, Bruno was the best choice.” y,” he said. “But from what Zimmermann continued: “We still believe that we will be in formula one in airly confident that we can 2012. It will be a transition year for us as we are planning long-term. e.” “Right now we will concentrate on the trial on January 30 and 31,” added ing; a principle pioneered Zimmermann, referring to the case of Sutil’s alleged assault last April on nner-up McLaren last year. Lotus team executive Eric Lux. ad achieved in this area,” he As for Tuesday’s news, DPA news agency quotes Zimmermann as adding: “We were not surprised. east at the beginning of the “We have not tried anymore with Williams for weeks.” one comes up with the next So what’s next? “Either there will be a surprise or we will do a plan-B,” said Zimmermann coyly.
ams FW34
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at Silverstone
NEWS PIT TALK
HRT wants $7.7-million Caterham move to old for second seat Arrows factory Malaysian owned Caterham F1 plan to move across England in August to take over the old Arrows and Super Aguri factory near Oxford, the Formula One team said on Wednesday. The team had sought the move to Leafield to be closer to others in central England’s ‘Motorsport Valley’, making it easier to recruit and retain staff as well as being within easy reach of Silverstone. “We propose moving the F1 and GP2 teams to the new site in or around August 2012, giving us ample time to build up the infrastructure required to house all the critical elements of both teams,” owner Tony Fernandes said in a statement. The Malaysian aviation entrepreneur said the plan was also to move Caterham Cars into a new development and production facility on the same site, while retaining the Hingham factory in Norfolk for composites, technology and innovation. Caterham competed as Team Lotus last year and Lotus Racing in their debut 2010 season. They have yet to score a point in Formula One. “This will be the next chapter in the development of both our motor racing teams and our road car company and gives us the best chance to keep progressing on track and, in future, on the road with Caterham Cars,” Fernandes said.
The eventual occupant of the second race seat at HRT – the final place on the 2012 grid – will need bring no less than $7.7-million to the table to stand a chance. That is the claim of the Spanish sports daily Marca, reporting that Dutchman Giedo van der Garde is apparently on pole position to be Pedro de la Rosa’s teammate at the struggling Spanish team. The newspaper said Dutch GP2 driver van der Garde seems to have at least the requisite 6 million in sponsorship but acknowledged that “the list of candidates is long”. “I am still waiting for good news,” 26-year-old van der Garde is quoted by De Telegraaf newspaper, “and I’m positive. “I’m training hard to prepare myself as best as possible,” he added on Tuesday. Some regard the growing influence of ‘pay-drivers’ as bad news for a premier sport such as formula one. “Whatever happens,” said Felipe Massa last week amid rumours he could lose his Ferrari seat, “at least I know I’ve never had to pay to drive.”
Nurburging cut 100 jobs but still want to ke Operators of Germany’s Nurburgring are in talks with Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone over a deal to host the 2013 grand prix despite cutting around 100 jobs at the circuit. Nurburgring hosts the German Grand Prix every second year, alternating with Hockenheim. It last staged the race in 2011, with Hockenheim the venue for this year’s grand prix in July. 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
“Negotiations with Bernie Ecclestone have already started and are ongoing for the 2013 race,” said Nuerburgring Automotive GmbH (NAG) spokesman Karl-Heinz Steinkuehler. “At the moment there is package that the operators look at positively. But it is also the state of Rhineland-Palatinate that needs to sign off as a partners for any deal,” he told Reuters. Steinkuehler said more talks were expected 58
wit com was ong exc “Th star Ste the
Former world champion Damon Hill has spoken out in favour of Formula One returning to Bahrain this year despite continuing civil unrest in the Gulf kingdom. Last year’s grand prix was postponed and then cancelled after pro-democracy protests in Manama but the race has been reinstated on this year’s calendar for April 22. Hill strongly opposed racing in Bahrain last year but told the Times newspaper on Wednesday that he had changed his mind about the coming race after visiting the country with Jean Todt, head of the sport’s governing FIA. “I do not like seeing people shot and brutalised,” said the 1996 world champion. “I was frustrated last year that Formula One did not raise its voice against what was happening. “But a lot has changed there since then. “It is clear that the situation in Bahrain is better understood and I don’t think anyone would want to go back to Bahrain if there was suffering just because of a grand prix. “I listened to a lot of people there, including eye-witnesses. I believe they are making change for the better. There is no question they have issues, but every country has issues; we had riots here in the UK not so long ago,” said the Briton, who will be an F1 pundit for SKY television this year. “This time, Formula One can go to Bahrain with a clear conscience and not just as a tool for some sort of cover-up,” he said. The Bahrain International Circuit at Sakhir last week announced that it was reinstating employees sacked after last year’s unrest. Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has said he hopes the race will go ahead without incident. However, local campaigners have called for the teams to boycott the race, which is Bahrain’s biggest sporting event and watched by many millions around the world as well as being important for the economy.
eep Formula 1 race
thin the first quarter of 2012, adding that the mmercial future of the Nurburgring track as secure despite the loss of some 92 jobs and going negotiations over what NAG says are the cessive leasing costs of the facilities. he operators have no problem and the season rting in April this year is fully guaranteed,” said einkuehler. “The cutbacks are necessary to meet e leasing costs.” 59
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Hill backs Formula 1 return to Bahrain
NEWS PIT TALK
Is Lewis Hamilton contemplating a mo It is not certain Lewis Hamilton will stay with the McLaren team beyond this year, according to 1996 world champion Damon Hill. Although 2008 title winner Hamilton regularly pledges his loyalty to the famous British team, his contract runs out this year and last season he had talks with Christian Horner in the Red Bull motor home. “It may be he will seek to move from McLaren,” pondered 51-year-old Hill, according to the Telegraph. Earlier this week, former Williams driver Hill urged fellow Briton Hamilton to better manage his F1 career alongside his often troubled private life. Part of improving that focus might involve leaving McLaren, suggested Hill, referring to the Woking based team that began grooming Hamilton for F1 stardom when he was a boy. “It (leaving) may be something he feels he needs to do, which will be a bit like leaving home as he’s been there since he was 13,” said Hill. “If I was Bernie (Ecclestone) I would probably want to see Lewis at Red Bull with Vettel.”
Maldonado expecting a better Williams in 2012 Pastor Maldonado trusts he, and his new team mate Bruno Senna, will enjoy a better car in 2012. The 2010 GP2 champion, whose sponsors now pay handsomely for his F1 race seat, made his debut alongside Rubens Barrichello and scored one of Williams’ five points last year. Retained for the forthcoming season, 26-year-old Maldonado said he is feeling “calmer” for 2012. “I trust the team that the car we have made will be much more competitive than we had last season,” the EFE news agency quotes the Venezuelan as saying. He admitted 2011 was “very difficult” for him, “particularly as a rookie”, but insists he enjoyed “every metre of every track”. “It was an unique experience and a very important one in my sporting life, and I believe also in all of the sporting life of Venezuela,” added Maldonado, who has the backing of state-owned oil company PDVSA as well as president Hugo Chavez’s personal support. His Williams teammate this year will be Senna. “I think Williams learned a lot from 2011,” the Brazilian, who is moving to the Grove based team from Renault (now Lotus), is quoted by Brazil’s SporTV. “A difficult year helps a team to realise what are its flaws and problems. They have replaced some people and changed some processes and a lot of things and are excited about having a good season.” 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
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Trulli not worried about rumours Jarno Trulli on Thursday said he is not worried amid mounting speculation that he could be about to lose his race seat with the renamed Caterham F1 team. The Italian veteran is contracted to stay with the Tony Fernandes owned squad next year, but team figures are sounding vague about the commitment. At the same time, it is reported that Renault refugee Vitaly Petrov’s manager visited Caterham’s Hingham headquarters recently. “I have a contract with Caterham and that’s it,”Trulli, 37, is quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I know nothing about the rumours. The team has told me nothing. “On Monday I will be at the factory for the seat fitting. Until I’m told otherwise, everything for me remains the same,” added Trulli. He was also reluctant to talk about his longer-term future. “Every time (I do), words are put into my mouth that I want to do Nascar or the (Le Mans) 24 hours. I’m only talking about formula one,” he insisted.
Alonso fired up by Raikkonen return Fernando Alonso believes that the return of Kimi Raikkonen will raise the game for 2012 and believes that there are more than a dozen drivers capable of winning races this season. Alonso told TotalRace: “The fact that six champions will be on the grid raises the level of the championship. This makes me happy because it provides a big challenge and the desire to do well in a year with so many champions is higher for everyone.” “Kimi’s return is certainly a very great news for all of us, not only to Formula 1, but also for the spectators, for people who love the races, because he is a very talented driver. I have always respected him and a driver you can trust racing wheel to wheel,” commented the 2005 and 2006 F1 world champion who replaced the Finn at Maranello for the 2010 season. “We are 12 grand prix winners on the grid this season. So there are about 14 drivers capable of winning a race on Sunday if their car is any good. This could be great fun for the fans,” added Alonso.
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move to Red Bull?
NEWS PIT TALK
Valencia and Ecclestone negotiate to save race Toro Rosso
Jerez test
Scuderia Toro Rosso h ready to run on the op at Jerez next month. Red Bull’s Italian-based TR7 passed the last of Thursday. According to new rule test at Jerez from 7 Feb “(Now) we can start w Toro Rosso in a statem Reports indicate that A more experienced of t Jean-Eric Vergne – wil Frenchman Vergne is e the four-day test.
The Valencia regional government is negotiating with Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone to try and cut the cost of staging the city’s grand prix, president Alberto Fabra said on Thursday. According to local media, the heavily-indebted Valencia administration pays around $25.6 million to stage the European Grand Prix and agreed a 10-year contract last June. However, the region is under pressure to make deep budget cuts as part of a wideranging austerity drive by Spain’s central government and Fabra said he was seeking “a substantial cost reduction”. “We are looking at various alternatives that do not constitute a significant outlay,” he told Spanish radio. “At the same time, they would have to serve as an attraction so that a lot of people come to the region,” he added. “We need to find this balance which will be attractive in the current conditions.” Fabra’s bid to cut the cost of the Grand Prix has reportedly created a rift between the regional government and the city administration, led by Valencia Mayor Rita Barbera. The city has said that the race brings in revenue of $71 million and Barbera believes attracting visitors is even more important in a time of economic hardship. 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
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Verstappe jail charge
Former Formula 1 driv Verstappen will be rele in his native Holland to the German news age The 39-year-old, a form to Michael Schumach faced an attempted m alleged to have been s He has been in police The Dutch news agen charge has now been as saying there is also assault. “The court granted th partly because of the l by the lawyers read.
Austin Grand Prix venue to be finished in August
has announced that its 2012 car will be pening day of official Formula 1 testing
d rookie team said the Ferrari-powered f the FIA’s mandatory crash tests on
es this year, the car is therefore now fit to ebruary. work on making it quick and reliable,” said ment. Australian Daniel Ricciardo – the slightly the team’s lineup also featuring rookie ll be driving the TR7 on the opening day. expected to drive on the last two days of
en released from es dropped
ver Jos leased from jail today (Friday) ency SID reports. mer teammate her in the 90s, murder charge after his ex-girlfriend is struck recently by Verstappen’s car. custody for two weeks. ncy ANP said the attempted murder n withdrawn, and his lawyer is quoted no evidence of attempted aggravated
he request for Jos Verstappen’s release, lack of evidence,” a statement provided
The scene of November’s inaugural formula one race in Austin, Texas, should be ready for the US grand prix well ahead of time, according to media reports. The Italiaracing website claims that, in the wake of recent speculation the event might collapse altogether, the Circuit of the Americas is now on track to be completed by August. “The workers are working six days a week to complete the paddock buildings and grandstands,” read the report. The Austin American Statesman newspaper says the actual track surface will be laid much closer to the race date. That report said “tonnes of equipment and hundreds of workers” have been pouring into the site since organisers finally paid the race fee to F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone following a disagreement. Insiders have said time is now preciously short to finish the track before its scheduled 18 November race date. Backer Bobby Epstein said last week: “Our construction group said they can get it done.” The Statesman said the main grandstand is about the size of “a good-size high school football stadium”, with the rest of the spectators to sit on “temporary scaffolding”. 63
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o 2012 car ready for
ONLINE LAUNCH FOR RED BULL RB8 Red Bull have announced that the much anticipated, Adrian Newey penned, RB8 is to be revealed online for the first time the day before engines fire up for Formula 1 testing at Jerez early next month. The world champions declared on their website: “Red Bull Racing’s 2012 challenger will be revealed on redbullracing.com on Monday, 6 February at 13h00 GMT. The car will be unveiled online before it heads to Spain for the first test of the year. So, put the date in your diary and make sure you visit the website – www.redbullracing.com – on Monday, 6 February… The team are cutting it fine as after the ‘cyber unveiling’ they will need to get the car to Jerez by the next morning.
WILLIAMS TARGET REGULAR POINTS SCORING The mood at Williams headquarters in Grove (UK) is upbeat after the team’s 2012 car – the FW34 – passed the mandatory FIA crash tests, with Williams chief operations engineer Mark Gillan confident the team will score regular points this season. 2011 was Williams’ worst season in their illustrious history and this year they have a line-up of drivers – Pastor Maldonado and Bruno Senna – who have yet to prove themselves at the highest level. Nevertheless Gillan, quoted by Sky Sports, is optimistic, “I know that the great leap forward is not easy. But, from what we know so far from the car, there is reason to be reasonably confident that we can regularly be in Q3 and can score some points.” He hails the Ban on exhaust blown diffusers, “It neutralizes the lead that had some of the teams had developed in this area. “The field should as a result be closer – at least at the beginning of the season. But it is only a matter of time before someone comes up with the next F-duct or double diffuser.” 25.01.2012 ISSUE 03
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HRT has scotched reports it will start the 2012 Formula 1 season with last year’s car. The BBC quoted a spokeswoman for the Spanish team as admitting to a “critical delay”, but denied the recent staff and factory shakeups had overly affected development of their new F112 car. HRT’s new car is highly anticipated, given the team’s struggles since inception in 2010 with the uncompetitive Dallara design. “Rumours that we will take part in the initial grands prix with the 2011 car are not true,” said the spokeswoman. “The target is to be at the second test with the new car.” The BBC said the team will be present at the first test at Jerez early next month with the 2011 car.
The team announced that their new car will break cover on their new website – www.lotusf1team.com – at 16h00 GMT on Sunday, 5 February. Kimi Raikkonen will be first in the cockpit of the team’s new car for the first two days at Jerez a couple of days later, with Romain Grosjean doing duty on the final two days. The 2007 world champion will get a taste of what he can expect on his comeback when he gets behind the wheel of a 2010 spec Renault, with Pirelli rubber, for a couple of days in Valencia next week. The team’s new look website will go live on the same day.
BARRICHELLO ACCEPTS HIS FATE Twitter is a very popular communications tool among Brazilian racing drivers and Rubens Barrichello, who has 1,392,781 followers, has been actively tweeting since his replacement at Williams by fellow Brazilian Bruno Senna. He wrote, “Twitter friends… I won’t be driving the Williams car this year. I wish my friend @BSenna all the best… the future is wide open.” He continued, “I want to thank everyone for the support and the nice messages I have received…u guys are great” “When I said that things were open is because I still have lot’s of speed on me… Just like an old friend said: racing is in my blood,” explained the veteran of 322 grand prix starts. 65
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HRT target second LOTUS TO UNVEIL 2012 CAR ON NEW WEBSITE test for new car Lotus will be following a growing trend by unveiling debut their 2012 Formula 1 car online.
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