Saturday 27 April 2013

Thailand GP On The Cards

As the Formula One spectrum continues to broaden its horizons, Thailand could be one of the latest additions to the calender in 2015. Yesterday, the officials took one further step towards securing their first Grand Prix, by mapping out a route around the streets of Bangkok.


Friday 26 April 2013

Fernley Praises In Form Paul

Force India Deputy Team Principal, Bob Fernley, has emphasized the grandeur of Paul Di Resta's recent performances, suggesting that the understated Scot would be able to claim a World Drivers Championship. Moreover, he has suggested that Paul could already have his first title, had he been driving a Red Bull.

Thursday 25 April 2013

Pirelli Alter The Hard Compound

With Red Bull leading the appeal against Pirelli's radical 2013 tyre compounds, the Italian manufacturers have reacted, announcing that a more durable hard tyre will be available from the Spanish Grand Prix onwards. However, will this change quell the vocal dissatisfaction within certain teams in regards to the state of the entire tyre range. Super-soft, soft and medium compounds will remain unchanged.


Monday 22 April 2013

Mercedes Currently "Holding On"

Following a promising Saturday, Mercedes suffered a dismal Sunday in the Bahrain Grand Prix, where severe tyre wear demoted Pole sitter, Nico Rosberg, down into a lonely P9. The scorching 42 degree track temperatures, meant that thermal degradation forced the disadvantaged W04 into a four stop strategy. Evidently, Mercedes have a significant issue and Hamilton claims that the team are "holding on" to the leading pack at the moment.

Sunday 21 April 2013

Bahrain Grand Prix: Race Analysis

Fans could be forgiven today for thinking they were watching a re-run of last season's Bahrain Grand Prix. Sebastian Vettel claimed his second consecutive victory at the circuit, while Raikkonen and Grosjean followed the German home to make it an identical podium to the one just twelve months ago. A case of Deja Vu for all involved. Vettel was unbeatable this afternoon, after making some spectacular maneuvers early on too secure his place at the head of the field. Who says Sebastian cannot race?
Vettel has significantly extended his current stranglehold on the Drivers Championship after becoming the first driver this season to win two races. This victory, was attained with relative ease; stark contrast to the events of Malaysia last month. After initially falling to third, Vettel immediately scythed his way back past Fernando Alonso heading into the high speed apex of turn five. Just a few laps later, he performed a similar overtake on a struggling Nico Rosberg to take a lead, which he was never to concede.

Saturday 20 April 2013

Bahrain Grand Prix: Saturday Analysis

While Qualifying in China was full of strategic decisions, Saturday in Bahrain was interesting for all the right reasons. In a highly unpredictable Q3 session, Nico Rosberg stole an unlikely pole position, after suffering from balance issues throughout all three practice sessions. The result is Mercedes first back to back pole positions since Moss and Fangio in 1955. Who says Formula One is predictable.


Friday 19 April 2013

Bahrain Grand Prix: Friday Analysis

Ahead of this weekend, many pundits and analysts, including myself, believed that Lotus would be the standout performers in Bahrain. Following their Friday running, few people would retract their predictions, as Lotus impressed with spectacular long run pace. Moreover, Raikkonen also displayed fantastic qualifying pace, claiming the top spot on the FP2 timesheet. It was an ominous display from a Lotus team who threaten to dominate this weekend.

Thursday 18 April 2013

Bahrain Grand Prix: Weekend Preview

Incredible to think that this weekend marks the fourth race of what has been an enthralling 2013 season so far. Since Australia, the action has had everyone on the edge of their seat, with the first three Grand Prix's resulting in three different winners. The championship standings reflect the tight competition between all of the teams up and down the grid. With intense rivalry's up and down the grid, there is plenty to play for in Bahrain this weekend.

Wednesday 17 April 2013

Can Women Succeed In F1?

Susie Wolff, Danica Patrick, and Alice Powell, are all becoming household names; the leading lights of women in motorsport. In the 21st century it seems naive to discredit women's ability to master any discipline, as a  rapidly increasing number of sports open to both genders simply keeps increasing. Consequently, it is understandably baffling to have heard Sir Stirling Moss' recent statements, in which he discredited the opportunity for women to tame a Formula One car. Will there ever be a woman who can challenge for a World Championship? Moss apparently thinks not.
Whenever a legend of the sport makes a statement, the entire community listens intently. Sir Stirling Moss' recent comments have proved very controversial and have divided opinion. According to the Brit, women lack "the mental aptitude to race hard, wheel to wheel" in Formula One. A statement which the likes of Susie Wolff and Alice Powell will hope to prove incorrect.

Monday 15 April 2013

Perez Needs To "Toughen Up"

Following a less than impressive start, Sergio Perez has now been criticized by his Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh, who suggests that the Mexican needs to toughen up in order to succeed. The youngster has not been exuding confidence of late after a series of lackluster performances have seen him gather two solitary points with his new team. The "young diamond" has hardly experienced a glittering start to his McLaren career.
Sergio is certainly not exuding confidence at this current moment and has been significantly outperformed by teammate Jenson Button. While the Brit has the influential advantage of experience on his side, Perez will have hoped to be closer to Button at this early stage of the season.

Sunday 14 April 2013

Chinese Grand Prix: Race Analysis

After Saturday's tactics, it was always anticipated that today's race was set to be a classic. We were not disappointed as the split strategies kept everyone firmly on the edge of their seats. With sublime race pace throughout, it was Fernando Alonso who claimed his first win of the season; his second at the Shanghi International Circuit. The rest of the field was full of superb performances and bitter disappointments, making for some interesting conclusions.
Fernando is famous for making fast starts and this was once again the case today. He managed to jump up to second before turn one, courtesy of compromised clutch bitepoint settings cost Raikkonen a poor getaway. It was not long before Fernando, (and teammate Massa) were challenging Lewis Hamilton for the lead. Both managed to topple the Mercedes and from this position, Alonso never looked back. In each and every stint, the Spaniard extended his lead, controlling the pace, with additional speed available on demand. It was an ominous Ferrari victory.

Saturday 13 April 2013

Chinese Grand Prix: Saturday Analysis

Strategy was always set to dictate Qualifying and while Q3 seemed to be anything but a spectacle for a time, the variation in tyre choice made for a captivating end to the Qualifying hour. Lewis Hamilton increased in confidence throughout the session, finishing with an inch perfect lap to take his first pole for Mercedes. Teammate Nico Rosberg threatened to make it a Mercedes front row lockout, before a mistake in the final corner curtailed his aspirations. He starts P4.

Friday 12 April 2013

Chinese Grand Prix: Friday Analysis

The Chinese Grand Prix weekend begun slowly today, with activity in FP1 significantly limited by the green circuit. This was compounded by the fact that the soft compound tyre appears to have a similar drop off rate as the medium tyre did during the Malaysian Grand Prix weekend. Subsequently, tyre conservation was the order of the day. Nevertheless, the FP1 and FP2 sessions answered several questions, with Mercedes proving to be the surprise of the field. Meanwhile, Ferrari and Felipe Massa also appeared to have very good long and short run pace. It is certainly finely poised heading into tomorrow's Qualifying.

Thursday 11 April 2013

Chinese Grand Prix: Weekend Preview

Well, we have been waiting for a while for the hotly anticipated return of Formula One. Our eagerness was justifiable considering the enthralling races in Australia and Malaysia. The latter was full of controversy and all eyes will be on Red Bull as they attempt to repair the damage caused by Vettel's petulance. However, his most recent comments featured below are sure to rekindle the debate. Not the steady start to the weekend that Red Bull were surly after.

Wednesday 10 April 2013

Da Costa Fills In For Buemi

After several spectacular performances in GP3 last season, Red Bull youngster Antonio Felix Da Costa has taken one more step towards Formula One. The Portuguese star will act as Red Bull reserve driver for the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix, after reserve regular Sebastian Buemi, will be absent from the weekend.

Monday 8 April 2013

Hulkenberg Targets Points

After failing to make the grid in Australia, Sauber star Nico Hulkenberg returned to the top ten in Malaysia with an excellent performance. His eighth place finish was a worthy reward after a long battle with Kimi Raikkonen. The German is looking to add to his points tally this weekend, despite describing the Shanghi International Circuit as "not one of my favourite tracks."

Sunday 7 April 2013

Equal Status At Mercedes?

Ross Brawn has been criticized by several groups in the wake of team orders in Malaysia. The team told Rosberg to hold position behind an ailing Lewis Hamilton, costing the German a podium. However, Brawn has attempted to diffuse the situation be affirming that Mercedes have "no number one" driver, when speaking to Sky Sports F1 on Friday's 'The F1 Show'.

Saturday 6 April 2013

Gillan Doubts McLaren Progress

Over the past few weeks, Martin Whitmarsh has been exceedingly positive in regards to McLaren's development of the lackluster MP4-28. However, former Williams Chief Engineer Mark Gillan, believes that McLaren will be unable to find a quick fix for their downforce issues.

Friday 5 April 2013

Van der Garde Maintains Positivity

Caterham have experienced an underwhelming start to the season. They have been accused of following the wrong development path, after building a "hybrid" car, however, Giedo Van der Garde has not given up hope just yet. The Dutchman has reinstated his belief that the team can recover from their early issues and challenge fierce rivals Marussia, in the battle for 10th in the constructors.

Red Bull Contemplate Kimi

In the wake of the Multi-21 fiasco, questions have been asked regarding Mark Webber's seat. While the Aussie may remain at the team for the rest of the season, it is predicted that he will call time on his career at the end of the season. Subsequently, replacements have been suggested, while team owner Dietrich Mateschitz has admitted that Kimi Raikkonen is a prime candidate to partner Sebastian Vettel in the future.

Monday 1 April 2013

Team Player, Jean-Eric Vergne

While Daniel Ricciardo has emphasized his determination to beat teammate Jean-Eric Vergne, the Frenchman has downplayed the intra-team battle at Toro Rosso, stating that he is focused upon the interests of the team. However, with an attractive seat at Red Bull up for grabs, is JEV taking the right approach?