FORMULA 1 - 2013

[MIKA27]

_{FERNANDO BLAMES EXTREMELY BAD LUCK FOR MALAYSIAN GP RETIREMENT:}

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso blamed “extremely bad luck” for his second lap retirement in the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang.

The double world champion, who was competing in his 200th race, moved up a place to second at the start but broke his front wing when he tapped leader Sebastian Vettel’s Red Bull at turn two.

With conditions still a few laps away from being suitable for dry weather tyres, the team decided to keep Alonso, 31, out on track to avoid having to make two stops in four laps.

However, the wing collapsed on the start-finish straight on the second lap and became lodged underneath the Ferrari. Alonso no longer had control of the car and went straight on at turn one and into the gravel, ending his race.

Alonso said: “It was a very, very small touch, but enough to damage the front wing a lot. It was extremely bad luck in my opinion. We were constantly talking on the radio on the first lap. The car was behaving more or less well in the first two sectors and from the television the team saw damage.

“But we knew on lap three or four we would switch to dry tyres and if we could make it to then we could save 20-30 seconds in the race. To stop on lap one and lap three for the tyres is a little bit too much of a penalty.

“They said I didn’t have the front wing performance I should expect, but to see how the problem was going to develop on the next lap. Unfortunately on the back straight the front wing dropped. At that point we were five seconds before the pit entry and we didn’t make it.

Alonso, who finished second in Australia last weekend, said that if he hadn’t retired, his Ferrari had the pace to challenge the Red Bulls for victory.

“I think we had a good car and I don’t think we were too far from the Red Bull pace, especially in the race,” he said. “They didn’t have the easiest weekend here in Malaysia. No one was especially quick, so I think we could really fight for the win with the Red Bulls.”

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali said it was the team’s decision to stay out with damage rather than pitting.

“We took a risk that didn’t pay off,” he said. “The decision was from the pit wall. Obviously Fernando can feel it in the car, but he could not see the damage.

“We take the responsibility as the team. The ‘kiss’ [on Vettel's car] was unfortunate because we could have taken good points from this race. Fernando’s not happy to come away with zero points, but he’s positive and looking forward because he knows we have something to play with.”

Felipe Massa, 31, who started second but finished fifth, said that graining on his front tyres in wet conditions ended his hopes of challenging for a podium.

“I lost a lot of positions because of graining and a lot of time compared to the guys in front,” said Massa. “In the dry it was fine and the pace was good so if it was not for this problem at the start of the race maybe I would have had a chance to fight for the podium.

“When you start second and you finish fifth you cannot say you are happy. But if you see what happened at the beginning of the race then it could have been worse as well. It is important to bring points home and fifth after the first stint was not so bad.”

“Looking now, after the incident, it was the wrong decision, but I think it was extremely unlucky – a combination of things that happened today.”

[MIKA27]

Malaysian GP: McLaren says Button's pitstop mess was human error

McLaren says the pitstop mess that ruined Jenson Button's Malaysian Grand Prix was caused by human error.

Button was on course for at least fifth place when he prematurely pulled away from his third pitstop.

His car's right-front wheel had not been properly attached and he had to stop in the pitlane and wait for his mechanics to pull him back.

Button spent nearly 1m45s in the pits during the incident and fell to 14th place. He recovered to 12th before retiring due to a severe tyre vibration.

Team boss Martin Whitmarsh said the pitstop traffic light system had been triggered early and given Button a signal to go.

"For about 120 milliseconds, he had a green light, so with lightning-speed reaction - just as he's paid to do - he pulled away," Whitmarsh said.

"Those lights are controlled by a whole number of circumstances, like micro-switches and buttons that are around the car and a button was pressed and then released for about 120 milliseconds.

"These people are trying to do sub-two-second stops. There's a lot going on in that time and a lot of pressure on people. Human error resulted in a green light.

"It's one of those occasions when you wish your driver wasn't so quick off the mark..."

Asked if McLaren may revise its procedures in light of the incident, Whitmarsh felt major changes would not be necessary.

"There are fail-safes in there," he said. "I think there are other things we can do, but at the end of the day this wasn't a system failure."

[MIKA27]

Hamilton and Rosberg say Mercedes team orders resolved

Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg say they are both comfortable with the team orders situation after a meeting following the Malaysian Grand Prix finish.

Rosberg had complained over the radio in the closing stages that he wanted to be allowed past third-placed Hamilton to try and catch the leading Red Bulls.

Team boss Ross Brawn insisted that the duo hold position to save fuel and tyres, but on the podium a subdued Hamilton insisted that Rosberg deserved the place.

Despite his radio angst, Rosberg said at the finish that he understood and accepted Mercedes' stance.

Hamilton said he was proud of the team's handling of the issue, and that the best response would be to work harder to outpace his team-mate.

"We just had a team talk and everyone has been fantastic," Hamilton said.

"The guys did a good job and Nico did an exceptional job. He showed maturity and was in a unique and difficult position.

"But I'm going to work hard - harder - to make sure we're not in that position again.

"It's very difficult. We all work and train hard to win, and to beat the people around us.

"It was an equally difficult situation for me to stay ahead and not let him past, and it was difficult for him to stay behind. For me, I wanted to let him past, but we have standing orders.

"Like I said before, if we didn't have the fuel issue the scenario would have been different today. But hats off to Nico. He was driver of the day for me."

Rosberg reiterated that he saw Mercedes' logic.

"Of course it is tough. I understand their point of view, but I also understood it in the moment," he said.

"Of course I wanted to go for it, and go for the Red Bulls and see what we could do. I don't know how far I would have got and I had to save a bit of fuel again, but nothing unusual."

[Bartolomeo]

Good race except Fernando staying out too long and Webber getting screwed......one of these days Webber needs to stand up for himself

Looking forward to China in 2 weeks

Bart

[MatthewB]

News Flash

F1 will change its name to Team Orders 101.

A good race and great to see webber with a productive start. A dark day for racing.

As for team orders, get rid of them. Webber should have known vettel would pull a stunt and should have actually raced him (They are Racing drivers) Let the better man win. Hamilton should have let Rosberg pass (Racing). Just a political stunt to rub it into Mclaren.

Dissapointed to see the end of what should have been a great race. Im confident Webber would have won it. Anyway, let the fireworks begin.

and I agree, Webbers last year at RB and F1.

[MIKA27]

Webber: No rewind button

Mark Webber is considering his future at Red Bull Racing after Sunday's Malaysian debacle but concedes it is still "early days" and "very raw."

Racing towards his first win of the season in Malaysia, Webber was overtaken by Sebastian Vettel with ten laps to go despite Red Bull having told both drivers to stay put.

In the immediate aftermath, a furious Webber accused Red Bull of protecting Vettel "as usual" while the German later apologised, admitting he "f***ed up."

But whether that holds any sway when Webber considers his future remains to be seen.

"I think it's very early days right now. It's very raw, obviously, and we need to work out how the team goes best forwards from here," said the 36-year-old.

"That's obviously going to be discussed this week. I will be in Australia on my surfboard - the phone won't be engaged.

"There were a lot of things in my mind in the last 15 laps of the grand prix, to be honest, so whether the medicine is enough we will see."

He added: "It puts a lot of heat on certain people for sure. Inevitably it does, because unfortunately there is no rewind button."

[MIKA27]

Alonso: Vettel was almost stopped

Fernando Alonso believes Sebastian Vettel shoulders some of the blame for his Sepang DNF as he ran into the back of the almost stopped Red Bull.

Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix got underway on a very wet circuit with Vettel leading off the line having started from pole position.

Alonso was quickly embroiled in a battle with Mark Webber for second place with the Ferrari driver taking it before hitting the back of Vettel's RB9. Instead of pitting for a new front wing, Ferrari opted to keep Alonso out as the track was drying fast.

That proved to be a huge mistake as, starting lap 2, the Spaniard's front wing broke apart and he went off in the gravel and out of the race.

"Unfortunately, we were very unlucky," said Alonso. "After making a good start I touched Vettel at the second corner. It was a surprise to find him there, almost stopped. I don't know what speed he was doing.

"Despite the fact the car was damaged, it didn't seem to be too bad and, together with the team, we decided to keep going. If we'd stopped immediately, and then again on lap three or four to fit dry tyres, we would have dropped too far back and lost the chance to finish up the front.

"It's easy to criticise this decision, but at the time it seemed like the right one. It was certainly a shame because here we could have fought with the Red Bulls, but circumstances didn't help.

"Apart from the wisdom of the decisions we took, bad luck really played its part when you think how many off-track excursions there were in Australia without any consequence."

[MIKA27]

Force India won't drop wheelnut system

Force India intend continuing with their new captive wheelnut system despite it leading to a double DNF in Malaysian on Sunday.

Adrian Sutil and Paul di Resta both had troubles with their rear left wheelnuts during pitstops in the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Dropping out of contention both drivers eventually retired from the race, pulling into the Force India garages just five laps apart.

But despite the double retirement, deputy team principal Bob Fernley insists the captive wheelnut system is the way forward.

"We won't go back to the old part," Fernley told Autosport. "Engineering are already looking at it now back at the factory so it shouldn't be a problem for China.

"We can't go backwards, you need to cure the problem and carry on with your development.

"Everyone's pitstops are well under four seconds, but if you go back to the traditional route you are plus four."

Force India's new system leaves the nut attached the wheelrim rather than it being pulled away in the gun when removed.

Ferney revealed that it was the high temperatures experienced at the Sepang circuit that led to the problem.

"We simply had a problem with the sleeves probably because of the high temperatures that we haven't seen previously.

"We've run this in testing and in Australia and it's obviously a tolerance issue. The wheel and insert usually come off together but because the axle was expanding it was holding the insert and the wheel was separating from it.

"So when you pull the wheel off you can't get the other one on in its place because the old insert remains so it was a safety thing for us to stop."

[MIKA27]

'Right call but tough on Nico'

Ross Brawn admits it was 'tough' for Nico Rosberg to hold station behind Lewis Hamilton but that the German's time will come.

Racing behind the two Red Bull drivers, Hamilton was in third place with his team-mate fast approaching.

Rosberg, though, was told not to attack and despite pleading "let me pass" listened to his boss when he was told no.

The duo crossed the line third and fourth, arguably Mercedes' best result since last year's victory in China.

"This weekend was another step in the right direction for the team," said Brawn. "The team made the right calls on strategy.

"We had a heavier than expected fuel consumption during the race and as we got towards the end, we had to take some measures to ensure that both cars finished."

The team boss explained: "We asked Lewis and Nico to hold position and both drivers respected that.

"Whilst it was tough for Nico and I fully expect him to be disappointed, we have now got a car we can fight with and that there will be plenty more opportunities to achieve good results this season.

"We've got to concentrate on keeping up the pace of development but we can take pride in achieving our first podium of the season."

MIKA: IMO - Brawn should have allowed Nico to pass seeing he was faster.

They (Mercedes) could have still had a P3 & P4 but reverse way around. I can't help but fel they were doing this for Hamiltons favour, especially seeing how McLaren and he ended their relationship. Nico was clearly faster and could have passed safely.

[MIKA27]

Watson says Vettel should face one-race ban

Former McLaren driver John Watson says the only suitable punishment for Sebastian Vettel would be to ban him for a single race.

The German ignored team-orders during Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix to hold station behind Mark Webber after both drivers were told to turn their engines down and bring home the maximum points.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, clearly unhappy with the situation, says Vettel put his interests ahead of those of the team, which he said was unacceptable.

66-year-old Watson, who won five races with McLaren and finished third in the 1982 drivers' championship, told BBC Radio 4 that the only way they could teach the 25-year-old a lesson, would be to sit him out for a race.

"The only purposeful way to bring him to book is to say 'you will stand out one race'," said Watson.

"I know that if other drivers in other teams disobeyed a team order they would be suspended or even fired."

The Irishman believes a tough punishment is the only way Horner can make clear that he is in control of the team and his demands cannot simply be ignored by a driver.

"If Christian Horner doesn't reassert his authority in the team - because he has been totally subjugated by Sebastian Vettel yesterday - then his position in the team is not exactly the role it is designed to be," he added.

"The only conclusion I can reach is that Vettel should be suspended for the next grand prix.

"You can't take the points away from him and give them to Mark Webber. That's now history and Sebastian has the benefit of those seven additional points.

"You can't really fine him - it is almost irrelevant to fine him - so the only purposeful way to bring him to book is to say 'you will stand out one race'."

[MIKA27]

Vergne keeps point but team fined €10,000

Jean-Eric Vergne was allowed to keep his single point for finishing tenth at the Malaysian Grand Prix, despite a visit to see the race stewards after.

The Frenchman was unsafely released from his pit box during his first stop and made contact with Caterham's Charles Pic - both of which sustained damage to their front-wings.

The stewards announced a post-race investigation into the matter and found the team guilty of 'unsafe release' and fined them €10,000 (£8,526, $12,980). Vergne wasn't penalised.

He was happy to finish in the points but believes he could have been higher had it not been for the error.

"It's good to finish in the points, but it's a shame that a mistake in the pits cost us so much, as I could have done something better," he said.

"So, overall I feel rather frustrated. But I’ll take the point gladly."

[riazp]

Mika, I know i've told you this before, but thank you for doing this thread every year. I read this thread every morning to get up to date on all the latest F1 news. Dont even have to go on the bbc anymore lol! Cheers mate

[Onsto]

Torn on this one, as I'm generally opposed to team orders and would rather see all the drivers race to the finish and the best man win.

That said, Vettel's behaviour was exceptionally unsporting (it's not a win if you 'race' a driver who's been ordered not to compete and has turned the engine down) and Webber was the bigger man for not taking the bait and defending his line more aggressively.

This race will hurt Vettel; his legacy will be eroded into that of 'good driver, cheats to win' just as Schumacher's was. More immediately though, I wouldn't be expecting Webber to protect him, do him any favours or to treat him any differently than any other competitor. In a championship this year where it appears that the significant car advantage he's enjoyed for the last few years will be less influential, he might need his team mate and find he's not there.

Christian Horner and Helmut Marko will also experience some pain from this; Red Bull call the shots at the team and they won't want their brand sullied by 'cheating'. They should both realise that the real 'secret sauce' at Red Bull Racing is neither their management or the drivers: it's Adrian Newey.

Finally, the outcome will also hurt Webber - he's clearly been shown now that he's never going to be treated equally at Red Bull and has to either put up (leave) or shut up (accept that he's a Number 2 Driver). It seems to me that neither would be ideal for him; the choice is to wear the same mask as a Barichello or Massa and pretend that he's ok with it, or to retire racing a less competitive car at a lower tier team.

[MIKA27]

Guys, thanks for posting your opinions on the thread. I too enjoy reading what YOU all have to say.

I believe Vettel "Will need" Webber at some point and Webber will go against team orders to get back at him and the team. Marko Helmut is a real pain in the arse and really, without Newey, they wouldn't be so successful.

It will be intersting to see what happens during the season, apologies for posting so much news on Webber-gate saga but unfortunately, thats what the F1 news is all about after the Malaysian GP. Considering all I've posted, 'That" is the filtered versions!

[MIKA27]

Briatore criticises 'no balls' Horner

Flavio Briatore has criticised Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, describing him as 'weak' and a manager with 'no balls' following the Malaysian Grand Prix controversy.

With Sebastian Vettel ignoring team orders not to overtake team-mate Mark Webber, Briatore - who manages the Australian - said a team boss with any authority would have ordered them to switch places again.

"Vettel is the boss there," he told RAI Radio. "If there was a manager with balls, he would have had them switch positions again.

"The problem is that there are two people with different ideas on the pit wall, with Helmut [Marko] behind them doing the talking with Mateschitz, so you understand they are all scared."

He criticised Horner's decision not to join his drivers on the podium, instead sending design guru Adrian Newey up.

"Normally the team principal goes on the podium at the first race win of the season," he added.

"Christian didn't even have the strength to get on the podium - because they're terrified with a driver in charge instead of the team manager. You'd first go yourself if you win the championship or the first race, and after that you'd send race engineers or your technical director.

"The fact that Christian didn't go on the podium after scoring a one-two says a lot about his weakness compared to the others."

MIKA: I just love it when Flavio puts his 'Two cents' into the mix!

[MIKA27]

Mercedes using hydraulically linked suspension

Mercedes have reportedly perfected a complex suspension system which links all four corners, including the front and rear, to ensure the ride-height remains level at all times.

The passive system, dubbed 'FRIC' for front-and-rear inter-connected, stabilises the car under braking and acceleration, keeping it level to ensure maximum downforce efficiency from the front-wing, floor and diffuser.

It can also be adjusted, similar to brake balance, and therefore can be used as a form of ride-height control to ensure the car remains low to the ground as the fuel reduces and the car gets lighter throughout the race.

Electronic devices to achieve the same result have been banned for many years since Lotus and Williams ran with them back in the '80s. However the Mercedes system is hydraulically controlled and therefore completely legal.

The Brackley-outfit has reportedly been working on perfecting the system for some three years, prompting rivals to follow suit - though none are believed to be at such an advanced stage in the development process.

[MIKA27]

Hamilton: 'No one-two status at Mercedes'

Lewis Hamilton says Mercedes don't employ a number one and two status within their team, unlike rivals Red Bull.

The Briton hit back at claims he is the "clear number one" at Mercedes following the Malaysian Grand Prix controversy which led to Helmut Marko commenting on the hierarchy at the German outfit.

"It's not like at Mercedes where it's a clear number one and number two," said the Austrian. "Basically we treat the drivers equally."

Hamilton, who came third in Malaysia after team-mate Nico Rosberg was told not to overtake, insists he demanded equal status, 'unlike some other drivers'.

"They have a clear one and two, they always have," he said of Red Bull. "And that is why they have always had the problems they have had.

"We don't have a one and two here. I have always said, from the moment I was speaking to the team, that I wanted equality.

"I am not a driver that comes and requests that like a lot of other drivers do. You have to be able to look yourself in the mirror [and say] you won fair and square."

Hamilton apologised to team-mate Rosberg immediately after the race, saying he should have been standing on the podium instead.

[MIKA27]

Renault and Toro Rosso in talks over engine supply

Renault has admitted it is negotiating with Toro Rosso for an engine supply deal.

Currently, the second Red Bull-owned team is powered by Ferrari’s V8 engine.

But it has been rumoured that, in order for the Faenza based squad and ‘big brother’ team Red Bull to more closely collaborate in the new V6 era, Toro Rosso could switch to Renault turbos from next year.

At the moment, Renault supplies four teams – Red Bull, Lotus, Williams and Caterham – which is more than any other engine supplier on the Formula 1 grid.

Asked if four is “the ideal number”, Renault’s Jean-Michel Jalinier told Speed Week: “I don’t think there is an ideal number.

“In 2014, we want – if it is necessary – to supply five teams. We are negotiating with the teams and with Toro Rosso.

“We are ready for five teams.

“But three teams would be good for us, making it easier for us to support all of them,” he admitted.

Asked if another engine supplier entering Formula 1 would ease the load, Jalinier answered: “Yes. Three is not enough to equip all the teams.

“Five (customer teams) is not my first choice.”

[MIKA27]

Van der Garde admits tough start to F1 career

Giedo van der Garde has revealedhe is prepared to endure a couple more arduous grand prix weekends, before the season returns to familiar territory for the rookie.

The Dutchman has been struggling so far in his young Formula 1 career, while Caterham’s usual wheel-to-wheel rival Marussia – particularly the red and black car driven by impressive rookie Jules Bianchi – looks set to race into the midfield.

Van der Garde told De Telegraaf newspaper that his green car will not be updated until the fifth race of the season, once Formula 1 has returned to Europe.

“The season really starts for me in Spain,” he said.

In the meantime, Marussia has sped into the lucrative tenth spot in the constructors’ championship, with France’s Auto Hebdo calling compatriot Bianchi “flawless” so far.

The Ferrari-linked 23-year-old was recruited by Marussia at the very last minute, after Brazilian Luiz Razia’s sponsorship money failed to arrive.

“It was nice to have held off (Williams’ Pastor) Maldonado (in Malaysia) and to maintain the gap for so long,” the Frenchman, who like teammate Max Chilton also complained at Sepang about being “stuck behind” a Caterham, said.

“This shows we have the car to fight with them (the midfield teams) in the future.”

[MIKA27]

Vettel can't resist temptation

It should have been the perfect day for Red Bull and for Sebastian Vettel. A one-two finish on a day when many doubted the RB9's race pace and ability to look after its tyres. Sebastian Vettel claimed a maximum score in a race in which Fernando Alonso scored none and Kimi Raikkonen scored only six. And it was a close and exciting affair featuring a desperate battle for supremacy at the front. Yet it is a day that neither driver nor team will forget in a hurry for all of the wrong reasons. And its implications may yet come back to bite Seb in his quest for world championship number four.

As is often the case in Sepang, rain was a major player, and a rain shower just before the start soaking particularly the back section of the track, framed much of the race. Loosely, the shake out from wet to dry left us with two Red Bulls and then two Mercedes out front, but with Mark Webber ahead of Vettel, as Webber made the right call of staying out on intermediate tyres a little longer. There were some subsequent adventures, but it stayed that way broadly, until the final round of pitstops.

Webber then remained ahead - just. And minded with tyre life, engine life and gearbox life, as well as getting both cars to the finish in one piece, Red Bull called the battle off (which we now know is called 'Multi 21'). But Vettel seemed to concur with the Oscar Wilde view that 'I can resist everything except temptation'. With seven additional points laying before him, Seb's competitive instincts took over. He sought first place, and got it after overcoming Webber's surprised yet determined defence after a rather lairy scrap. And Vettel was still there at the end.

Vettel apologised subsequently, but it all seemed rather a day late and a dollar short. And while he did indeed get seven more points than he 'should' have done, you wonder if over time he'll lose more. For one thing, presumably he cannot necessarily count on help from across the garage in his quest for title number four this year. For another, we've seen generally in F1 that intra-team warfare can suck considerable energy out of a team, seen at McLaren in 2007, Williams in 1986-7, and in several other cases. And most of all, we have before now tended to think of Vettel and Red Bull as thick as thieves, but Christian Horner's reluctance to defend Vettel after Sunday's race was tangible as well as possibly unprecedented. There will be little explicit sanction from Red Bull to Vettel, given he's the 'talent' in that team. But still you wonder in that relationship if it is never glad confident morning again.

But still, Seb against expectations leads the way on points. And once again, rain in qualifying and the race meant that we didn't get the perfect sense of the current 2013 competitive pecking order, but again there was sufficient dry running to give us a few more clues.

One is, the Mercedes looks indeed to be the real deal. The only note of caution is that we've had false dawns before from Brackley, including one precisely 12 months ago. But the car looks a world away from the one that finished the 2012 season. And Nico Rosberg in a year that will be his acid test looked that he absolutely intends to match Lewis Hamilton for pace this year, indeed only (yet another) pitwall call kept him behind. For another, while the McLaren is still bad it may not be the disaster area that it looked in Melbourne. The Sepang track suited it more, and it in Jenson's hands looked well on for fifth place until a late pit fumble.

And what about Ferrari? Despite looking best placed of anyone as the starting grid formed up at Sepang the race went out with a whimper, with Felipe Massa's fifth place 25 seconds shy of the winner the best it could do. And in Alonso's case the race last barely a lap, when someone got too clever by half. Alonso, apparently surprised by Vettel's slow apex speed at turn 2 as well as having a minor slide of his own, tapped the back of Vettel which partly detached his front wing. But just as in Japan last year a minor error had a major punishment. Alonso pressed on, apparently at the team's behest, in order to seek to coincide the front wing change with the imminent change to slick tyres. And it backfired, as the front wing came off properly at the start of lap 2, got under his front wheels, and sent him into the gravel. It's easy to say with hindsight, but with a championship at stake it seemed an unnecessarily cavalier approach.

And then there's Lotus. Some of the potential impediments to a championship charge hinted at in Melbourne had a more explicit manifestation on Sunday. Despite good lap times at many points they struggled to get out of the midfield mire resultant from lowly grid slots, and as a result sixth and seventh, with Romain Grosjean ahead, was the outcome. Kimi Raikkonen indeed finished close to fifty seconds after Vettel. And to be frank Kimi's race was a bit scrappy, featuring two off course excursions and contact with Nico Hulkenberg.

Thus, just like Melbourne, Sepang didn't provide all of the answers, indeed it created a few more questions. But every action has its consequences, both intended and unintended. And it's unintended consequences from last Sunday that Sebastian Vettel will need to be wary of in the races to come.

[Lotusguy]

Agreed. It's complete BS that the three-time defending champ should have to feel obligated to sit behind the #2 driver. Webber shouldn't be such a baby about it. He's known more for terrible starts than anything else. Webber should just be happy he's wearing the Reb Bull colors at all. Telling a world class driver like Vettel to not race is like telling the sun to not rise.

Cheers,

Greg

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2

+1

Team orders turned the race into a farce. Boo!!

...and what about Kimi now - just last race he was hailed by many as the future champion

[MIKA27]

Claire Williams handed promotion

Claire Williams, daughter of Williams F1 chief Sir Frank Williams, has been named as the team's new deputy principal.

The 36-year-old moves into the position having served as director of marketing and communications for the past year. On joining the Grove outfit in 2002, Williams acted as the team's press officer before later becoming head of communications and then head of investor relations after Williams floated on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in 2011.

"I'm truly honoured to be taking on the role of deputy team principal and look forward to working alongside Frank to help run the team this season and beyond," Claire Williams commented.

"I have grown up in the sport and have learnt the ropes from one of Formula One's legendary Team Principals and as a result I feel well equipped for this new challenge. I understand the commitment that every person within the team gives each day to see our car out on the track and I am determined to see us back at the top."

Sir Frank expressed his pride in his daughter's achievement.

"With Claire being appointed Deputy Team Principal, I know the future of Williams is in extremely safe hands," he said.

"This appointment also had Ginny's blessing who I know would have been incredibly proud to have seen Claire taking on this position by my side.''

[MIKA27]

Hulkenberg calls for improvement

Despite an eighth place finish in Malaysia, Nico Hulkenberg is far from happy with the performance of his Sauber.

Hulkenberg finished behind the Lotus pair of Romain Grosjean and Kimi Raikkonen, nearly five seconds adrift of the Finn and 28 seconds behind Felipe Massa in fifth.

While the result is a big improvement on his showing in Australia when a collapsed fuel cell meant that he was unable to make it onto the grid, the German has urged the team to push harder.

Blick have reported that on crossing the line, Hulkenberg took to his radio to thank the team for their efforts but added that "we have to improve in many areas. This is not acceptable."

The 25-year-old is believed to have said that he could not keep up with the pace of the likes of Ferrari, Lotus and McLaren as any attempt to reach their speed resulted in extreme tyre damage.

However, speaking after the race, Hulkenberg commented that he was happy with the result although there was room for improvement.

"I feel quite well rewarded going home with four points after my first race of the season in a new team and with a new car," he said.

"I am quite happy with how it went, especially at the start of the race when we were quite quick on the intermediates. But then I was stuck in traffic and couldn't find my way past other drivers. I think eighth was well deserved, considering I had to fight and push a lot today.

"I think the potential is there, and now we have to work on a few details."

[MIKA27]

Massa: I can win again

Felipe Massa is confident that he can get back to the top step of the podium after a long absence...

The Brazilian has not claimed a race victory since the 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix and has consistently been out-performed by team-mate Fernando Alonso.

However, Massa has made a strong start to the 2013 season, coming home in fourth in Australia and fifth in Malaysia, leaving him ahead of Alonso on points after the Spaniard crashed out in Sepang.

The Ferrari driver is confident that results will only get better.

"I don't think we had the car to win [in Malaysia], but I think we have a competitive car for fighting for the podium," he told Autosport.

"We need to keep our feet on the ground as well. We did great work on the car from last year to this year, but there's a lot to do to get the evolution right and make it more competitive.

"I think if we carry on in this direction, the chance for winning races and fighting for the championship is there."

[MIKA27]

Agreement in place for Pirelli to remain supplier

Pirelli will likely remain the sole tyre supplier in Formula One for a further three years, after its motorsport director Paul Hembery admitted agreements were in place for them to continue.

Whilst a new contract has yet to be signed by the governing body, Hembery says both Bernie Ecclestone and the "majority" of teams have said "yes" to Pirelli remaining.

"Things are progressing, even if some contracts need to be finalised," Hembery said. "It's one of those situations where the process of renewing is not a beautifully designed one.

"You're in the hands of the Gods from some points of view because you don't know if you're doing the right thing or the wrong thing. We're just trying to do what we did last time."

The Italian supplier only returned to the sport in 2011 after signing a three-year exclusive deal. Within that contract were clauses for higher degrading tyres than those before, in an effort to liven up the sport.

Pirelli has certainly achieved those targets, but has come under pressure from the teams and some fans who believe the racing has become too artifical.

The criticism doesn't seem to have dented their chances of continuing in F1.

"We've made an agreement with the rights holder Bernie Ecclestone, and hopefully the FIA will support us because from a technical point of view we've shown we can supply the sport and be consistent.

"With the teams, we just need agreement from them, and to be honest the vast majority have already said yes, so it wouldn't appear to be an issue."

MIKA: PLEASE bring back the tyre wars: Michellin, Bridgestone, Pirelli, Goodyear, whoever, just NOT Pirelli on their own!