FORMULA 1 - 2013

[MIKA27]

Webber rubbishes 'camaraderie' quotes

Mark Webber has "rubbished" quotes attributed to him about enjoying a "great camaraderie" with Sebastian Vettel.

The relationship between the two took a serious knock at the Malaysian GP when Vettel deliberately disobeyed team orders to take the victory from Webber.

It was not the first incident in the duo's relationship and most likely will not be the last as Vettel made it clear that if the situation ever arose he would do it again.

But despite that, Webber reportedly told IANS that he has a good relationship with his triple World Champion team-mate.

"Now into its seventh season, my partnership with Red Bull Racing is one of the longest between a driver and a team," the 36-year-old told IANS.

"Sebastian and I are a team and we share a great camaraderie."

Asked for his reaction to some of the comments Vettel made in the wake of the Malaysian GP, Webber said: "Look, Sebastian is an experienced driver. Besides, we have a common goal as team-mates to make our team proud.

"We continue to respect each other and will continue to remain focused in wanting to make the team proud."

The Aussie also revealed that he has not given up on beating Vettel to this year's title.

"The goal is always to win. That's what keeps me motivated on the tracks. I will give it my best shot and leave the rest to fate and destiny."

Webber, though, has subsequently come out saying that the IANS quotes are "rubbish."

He wrote on Twitter: "Some rubbish quotes floating around today I hear, good old spin job by someone..."

[MIKA27]

Briatore maintains his innocence in Crashgate

Five years down the line, Flavio Briatore is adamant there is "no proof" that he ordered Nelson Piquet Jr to crash during the 2008 Singapore GP.

Briatore, who was the Renault team boss at the time, was found guilty of ordering Piquet Jr to deliberately put his car in the wall to help team-mate Fernando Alonso to the victory.

The Italian was handed a lifetime ban which was rejected by the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Paris in 2010.

Speaking in an interview with F1 Racing's Maurice Hamilton, Briatore maintained his innocence in the matter.

"The court in Paris was very clear; I was not involved at all. That is what the letter said," he said.

Pressed as to whether that was what was put into writing, Briatore said: "Yes, it's official.

"There was no proof that I was involved in Singapore. Which is the reason I won in court. I've nothing more to say; I say it already at the time.

"If what people claimed about Singapore was true, then why did I fire Piquet in the middle of the next season? Why take that risk?

Why not renew the contract because it would be 30 or 40 per cent less money and there would be no trouble if all this was true. I had Fernando back and, for me, the second driver was not important.

"I respect what was said in the court. After that, I have an agreement with Jean Todt that the FIA will not appeal.

"I stay away with no problem at all. I had the moral responsibility because I was in charge of the team. But now it is gone."

However, don't expect the Italian to make an appearance in the paddock as anything other than a guest.

"Now I have a son, three years old; I'm working 20 hours a day for different businesses, different investments, different situations, both here and over in America; I'm very happy. This restaurant, for example, is the most popular in Monte Carlo.

"I was in Formula 1 for 20 years, won seven championships with two different teams, discovered the two big stars after Ayrton Senna: Schumi and Fernando.

"I know everything that's going on and I know to have a team at this moment makes no sense financially. So, there is no reason for me to come back to F1."

[MIKA27]

'11th team to lose prize money'

Bernie Ecclestone is shaking up F1's $698.5m prize fund as no longer will the 11th team be paid a cent.

At present the top ten teams in the Constructors' Championship split the prize fund. However, for the last three seasons those finishing outside the top ten have each received $10m as part of a deal.

Ecclestone, though, has brought that deal to an end.

While the payment clause for the $10m was included in the old Concorde Agreement, this season Ecclestone has signed separate commercial agreements with each team.

The only team that doesn't have a deal is Marussia, who finished 11th last season.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, the F1 supremo said "they don't have a commercial agreement because they are not in the top ten.

"We pay the top ten, that's what we do.

"For three years we did something different because we had an agreement with Max [Mosley] but from now on we will pay the top ten and that is it."

The 82-year-old so revealed that the F1's parent company Delta Topco has voted to go ahead with the Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Singapore stock exchange.

"We have agreed to do it. It will happen this year and it will be up and running. CVC is getting on with it and putting all the bits and pieces together that they have to," he told the newspaper.

[MIKA27]

Kubica confirms Merc simulation run

Robert Kubica has confirmed reports that he has driven in the Mercedes simulator but refused to give details.

Making a return to motorsport following his horrific accident in February 2011 in which his forearm was partially severed, the Polish driver has taken to rallying.

This past weekend Kubica contested the Rally Azores, which he finished in sixth place after a double barrel roll on Friday.

However, prior to the rally, the 28-year-old spent time in Mercedes' F1 simulator.

"I can say yes, I was there," he told Autosport. "But I cannot say how many times or how many laps I did.

"But there is this rumour to which I say, yes, I was in the Mercedes F1 simulator in the past."

Reports of Kubica's run in the simulator became public after he was spotted by a F1 team member at Heathrow airport on his way to Merc's Brackley base.

Asked if he would be back in the simulator any time soon, he added: "Maybe, I don't know.

"But it's not that every time someone sees me at Heathrow airport I am going to Mercedes.

"I am also at Heathrow for different reasons, it doesn't always have to be a connection with that."

[MIKA27]

Thailand F1 race track gets official green light

Thai government officials have agreed to a proposed track layout for Bangkok’s inaugural Formula 1 night race in 2015.

Kanokphand Chulakasem, governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, has approved the 5.995km layout, with the start and finish line at the Royal Thai Naval Dockyard (Rat Woradit Pier), and will include Maha That Road, Na Phra Lan Road, Na Phra That Road, Chakrabongse Road, Phra Sumen Road, Ratchadamnoen Avenue, Maha Chai Road and Thai Wang Road.

The track will pass with past landmarks such as the Grand Palace, Victory Monument and Temple of Dawn. Makeshift grandstands are being planned along several areas with a target to accomodate 150,000 F1 fans.

Chulakasem said, “As the starting and finishing point would be on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, we may be able to build the main stands in the river. It would also be convenient for transportation of equipment.

“Only a small group of residents would be affected by the proposed route,” he added.

The track layout and related plans for the night race will be submitted for cabinet approval within three months.

[MIKA27]

Stronger qualifying pace a priority for Ferrari

Ferrari has singled out improved qualifying pace as a 'priority' as it bids to make up lost ground in the championship battle.

Although the new F138 has proved to have strong race pace, which helped Fernando Alonso triumph in China, the team has not been able to deliver a pole position so far this season.

Ferrari's deputy chief designer Simone Resta thinks that it needs to do much better on Saturdays, especially because it is becoming increasingly clear that starting near the front gives drivers a better opportunity to run in clear air and look after their tyres.

"This year I think we have shown a reasonable race pace, and we closed the gap in qualifying [compared to 2012], but we still need to work on that - and it is a priority for us," said Resta, when asked by AUTOSPORT if qualifying form still matters with the new higher degrading tyres.

"I think learning the tyres and also how to treat them is an important factor in that – and concentrating your set-up more to qualifying or more to the race is another factor.

"But I think for us, it is a priority to try and recover performance in qualifying."

Ferrari has had a difficult start to 2013, with the team not making the most of the opportunities given to it by the competitiveness of the new car.

In Malaysia, Fernando Alonso crashed out after the team risked keeping him out on track with a damaged front wing, while in Bahrain last weekend his hopes of a podium finish were wrecked by a DRS failure.

Alonso is currently fourth in the championship standings, 30 points adrift of leader Sebastian Vettel. Felipe Massa is 17 points further back.

HOW THE QUALIFYING GAP COMPARES

Throughout last season, Ferrari made no secret of the fact that its biggest area of improvement needed to be in delivering more qualifying speed, as it was clear Alonso and Massa did not have the machinery to fight regularly for pole position.

Here is the gap between pole position and the quickest Ferrari driver for 2012's races – and how they compare to this season.

2012

AUSTRALIA 1.025s *

MALAYSIA 1.347s

CHINA 1.501s

BAHRAIN 0.194s *

SPAIN 0.017s

MONACO 0.647s

CANADA 0.367s

VALENCIA 0.218s

BRITAIN pole position

GERMANY pole position

HUNGARY 0.891s

BELGIUM 0.740s

ITALY 0.237s

SINGAPORE 0.854s

JAPAN 1.275s

KOREA 0.292s

INDIA 0.490s

ABU DHABI 0.952s

USA 1.280s

BRAZIL 0.529s

2013

AUSTRALIA 1.083s

MALAYSIA 0.913s

CHINA 0.304s

BAHRAIN 0.337s

* If team failed to make it through to Q3, or did not complete a lap in Q3, the comparison is with best Q2 time.

[MIKA27]

Force India admits staying ahead of McLaren will be tough

Force India is under no illusions about the task it faces to keep rival McLaren behind in the championship standings this year.

The Silverstone-based squad finished seventh last season and started the 2013 campaign with the goal of regaining the sixth spot it secured a year earlier.

After the first four races of the season, Force India is in fifth, three points ahead of McLaren, which has endured a poor start to 2013.

Force India's deputy team principal Bob Fernley admitted, however, that sixth remains the main goal, as he reckons it will be very hard to keep McLaren behind.

"Our goal was obviously to regain sixth as a minimum. We are fifth, just, and there are three points between us and McLaren," Fernley told AUTOSPORT.

"Can we hold them off for the whole season? It will be tough, but we will give it a go. We have to be pragmatic about it, they are a good team."

Force India has scored points with both its cars only in the season-opening race in Australia, and Fernley is aware of the importance of having both Adrian Sutil and Paul di Resta in the points more often.

"That's what we have got to do. We have got to be focused and make sure that when the opportunity comes we take it and get both cars in the points," he said.

He is convinced, however, that it is a matter of time before Force India finishes on the podium after di Resta was fourth in Bahrain last weekend.

"It is going to be when, you can't get any closer than we got in Bahrain," he added. "It's frustrating not to get it. We are competing against very strong teams and delivering.

"I always thought this year would be harder than last year simply because most people are on top of the tyres and the cream always rises.

"We are fighting hard with the cream and should be grateful we are there. In Bahrain, we could easily have had two cars in the top six on merit."

[MIKA27]

Red Bull says F1 title battle is still a four-way fight

Red Bull thinks that the Formula 1 title battle is still a four-way fight, even though it is leading both championships after the first flyaways.

Sebastian Vettel is the only driver to have won more than one race so far this season, and he currently holds a 10-point advantage in the drivers' standings over Kimi Raikkonen.

Although Red Bull's rivals are convinced that the RB9 is the out-and-out fastest car, the Milton Keynes-based team is less sure about the situation.

In a season when looking after tyres is as important as pure speed, Red Bull chief Christian Horner reckons that things are closer than they look, and that any of the top four teams can emerge on top.

"Ferrari is strong, Lotus has a good car, and the Mercedes certainly over a single lap is very strong," explained Horner, whose team is chasing a fourth consecutive world championship this year.

"The rest are a step behind.

"It's close, it's tight and I'm sure it's going to move around from circuit to circuit as we head back to Europe.

"But having won two of the four races plus a second place, it has been a strong start to the campaign for us."

Despite not getting complacent about championship ambitions, Horner does think that the extent of Vettel's pace advantage in Bahrain was never made evident, because he was more concerned with looking after his tyres.

"Seb did a phenomenal job of managing the tyres," said Horner, reflecting on Vettel's performance.

"He was totally in control from the moment he took the lead, passing Nico Rosberg and then controlled the race beautifully.

"At no point was he ever threatened - and in the end it was a very dominant win."

[MIKA27]

MERCEDES UNVEIL A NEW PLAN TO GO 3 TIMES AS FAST:

While they work behind the scenes on their car ahead of the start of the European season, Mercedes is aiming to be three times faster than the opposition when it comes to the increasingly important area of transferring data from the car at the race track to the factory and back again.

And a new deal announced today could ultimately lead to F1 teams taking smaller numbers of staff to the race track in future.

Mercedes has become the first F1 team to follow the lead of Formula One Management, which signed a deal last year with Tata Communications, for fixed line connectivity at every track on the F1 calendar. In time it is thought that the world-feed TV signal could be carried via the company’s fibre optic cable ring around the world, rather than satellites.

As far as Mercedes are concerned, the new deal will allow them to to transfer real-time data from the cars at any Grand Prix location to the factory in Brackley, three times faster than at present. The improved trackside connectivity will enable the team to react more quickly to developments at the track and will help to increase car performance, according to Team Principal Ross Brawn,

“Formula One relies on data and the ability to transfer our data from the track back to our factories in Brackley and Brixworth quickly and securely,” he said. “The Tata Communications global network will play a key role in the team’s performance and our ability to react over the race weekends. That we will now be able to achieve our data transfer requirements three times faster is fantastic.”

High speed connectivity at race tracks is an area where there is a lot of growth to come, not just for F1′s TV coverage and for teams, but for fans as well. Being able to use second screens and other wi-fi powered devices while sitting in the grandstands will ultimately enhance the fan experience, opening doors to greater interactivity with teams and drivers during race weekends.

For F1 teams another benefit of the arrival of fixed line connectivity is that it will allow them to have fewer people travelling to races, which is very expensive. As Lotus Technical director James Allison observed on the JA on F1 Podcast #5 last year, “Many of the (engineer) roles at the circuit don’t actually need to be at the circuit, other than because currently that’s where the data is and that’s where the information is.

“So having a fast enough communication pipe back to your factory allows you the opportunity to place that engineering support back in the factory rather than at the circuit. And that saves a lot of money in terms of travelling people around the world.”

Mehul Kapadia, Managing Director, F1 Business, Tata Communications added that it the deal with Mercedes is an example of a telco coming in as a partner of an F1 team and actually making the car go faster, “The modification and improvement of car set-up and handling is a constant during the race season and being able to share richer data and report issues back from trackside to the factory in real-time provides a competitive edge in car performance, both in speed and also in handling and stability.

“By providing three times faster connectivity for MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS via Tata Communications’ global network means that the team has access to secure and agile trackside connectivity regardless of race location – showcasing our expertise and speed to lead when it comes to global connectivity, and reinforces our ongoing commitment to technology innovation within Formula One.”

[MIKA27]

Rosberg: Winning is fun

Nico Rosberg reckons Mercedes are hearing him loud and clear as Michael Schumacher's exit has given him a "stronger voice" within the team.

Teaming up with Schumacher in 2010, Rosberg was the one scoring most of the points, however, it was the elder statesman who had the bigger say in proceedings.

Asked by Krone newspaper about his role at Merc in the wake of Schumacher's departure, he revealed he now has a "stronger voice".

"And to me that is a beautiful process in which I can help Mercedes become the best team."

He added: "We want to improve in the direction of race wins."

However, the ultimate goal is the World title.

"That is the big goal but for now I want to win races because success is the most fun."

Pressed as to whether Pirelli's decision to alter their hard compound from the Spanish GP onwards would help Mercedes, the German said: "I don't think it will make a big difference.

"But," he added, "if you are fast in Barcelona that is the benchmark for the rest of the summer."

[MIKA27]

Hulkenberg: Obviously not happy

Nico Hulkenberg concedes it has not been a good start to the season for Sauber but says they still have time to improve.

Following last year's four podium finishes, much was expected of Sauber this season. To date, though, the team has failed to deliver.

Sauber's best result has been Hulkenberg's eighth place in Malaysia. That, coupled with the one point he scored in China, has left the team trailing the midfield battle down in eighth place.

"We are obviously not happy, neither myself nor the team," the 25-year-old told Motorsport-Magazin.

"But the season is still long and we certainly are not going to write it off."

However, as things stand this looks to be yet another season in which Hulkenberg won't find himself challenging at the front.

"You just have to be patient sometimes," he added.

"There are many other drivers out there who had to wait long for their time to come."

The German also weighed on his team-mate Esteban Gutierrez trying start to his F1 career. In four races the Mexican has yet to score a point but has already been penalised by the stewards are crashing into Adrian Sutil in China.

Hulkenberg, though, says the rookie racer just needs time.

"Esteban is a rookie and everything is new to him the same way it was for me in 2010 at Williams.

"He will gain experience and will surely become even better."

[MIKA27]

Perez: I didn’t apologise to Button, because I didn’t think it was necessary

Sergio Perez has denied he apologised to McLaren teammate Jenson Button, after the pair clashed during the recent Bahrain Grand Prix.

Following Button’s harsh criticism of team newcomer Perez’s driving, the 2009 world champion said: “Checo has apologised. We had a good discussion.”

23-year-old Mexican Perez, however, clarified that his apology was not to Button, but to the famous British team.

“It was said in various publications that I apologised to Jenson,” Perez said during a visit to Mexico City, “but it wasn’t like that.

“I didn’t apologise to him, because I didn’t think it was necessary,” he is quoted as saying on a video published on the Guardian’s website.

“We owed an apology to the team, and that’s what we talked about. We apologised to the team, because we risked a lot and we were both very aggressive.

“But no, at no moment did I apologise (to Button). Our relationship is still ok.”

Former Sauber driver Perez has admitted to struggling amid the higher pressure of being at McLaren in 2013.

But he told EFE news agency: “I count on the support of an entire country (Mexico).

“The beginning with McLaren has not been easy,” he continued. “I am in a British team with a British driver, and the British press has been very hard on me.

“And of course it was not the start of the season we had hoped for, which put even more pressure on.”

[MIKA27]

Ricciardo favourite replace Webber at Red Bull

Toro Rosso driver Daniel Ricciardo has moved into pole position to succeed his Australian compatriot Mark Webber at Red Bull next year.

Particularly in the wake of the ‘Multi-21′ affair and subsequent rumours that Webber could sign for Porsche’s Le Mans effort, the signs that Sebastian Vettel will have a new teammate in 2014 have been growing.

The early favourite was Kimi Raikkonen, but Red Bull’s driver manager Dr Helmut Marko insists he is in “no hurry” to make a decision.

“Many drivers want to drive for Red Bull, and we have two very good juniors,” he is quoted by APA news agency at the Red Bull Ring circuit in Spielberg, Austria on Monday. ”I’m not worried that we will have something other than two top drivers in the end.”

The ‘two very good juniors’ referred to by Marko are Toro Rosso duo Ricciardo, 23, and the similarly-aged Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne.

“In general we are happy with both drivers,” Marko said. ”Ricciardo is currently the better one. Vergne is too impetuous, asking too much of these sensitive tyres in qualifying.”

Like team owner Dietrich Mateschitz, Marko does not completely rule out re-signing Webber for 2014.

He denied the 36-year-old’s relationship with Vettel is now untenable, insisting there is tension but only because both drivers are “alpha dogs”.

“They work constructively together, and that’s enough,” said Marko. ”As long as it stays that way, we don’t have to worry. They’ve never been great friends, but they have a working relationship that still works.”

In the meantime, Ricciardo has vowed to try to influence Marko’s decision, which will be made around summertime.

“Well,” the Australian told Speed Week, “the seventh (place) in Shanghai definitely didn’t hurt me. But I know that I need to do more if I want to have a good chance of getting the place at Red Bull.”

“I have to show that it wasn’t just a flash in the pan,” added Ricciardo.

He admitted the stakes, and the pressure, are high.

“I see it as an incentive, not a burden,” said the Perth-born driver. “My goal is to get the promotion, and I know that a lot is expected of me. It’s up to me to get the results.”

[MIKA27]

Marko wants tyres to allow cars to unleash full potential

Red Bull’s Helmut Marko has admitted he is not satisfied with the suggested tweaks to compounds made by Pirelli ahead of next weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.

So far in 2013, world champions have been putting pressure on Formula 1′s official supplier to significantly change this season’s heavily-degrading tyres.

But, after the first four ‘flyaway’ grands prix, Pirelli has announced that only a minor tweak will be made to the ‘hard’ compound tyre for Barcelona and beyond.

Red Bull’s Marko said on Monday: “We want – as soon as possible – a tyre that does not limit our potential,” he is quoted by DPA news agency.

“It should be that you are able to get the most out of your car,” he said at the Red Bull Ring circuit in Spielberg, Austria.

Marko argues that the current Pirelli tyres are penalising the very best cars, like Red Bull’s RB9.

“If we use our full potential, we cannot even last a full lap of qualifying,” he claimed.

“To tell your drivers that they are not allowed to drive some corners properly is not easy,” added Marko.

A Red Bull team insider told Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport: “If we had a normal tyre, Vettel would be half a second quicker than everyone on each track.

“We know it from our simulations,” the source added.

[MIKA27]

Dietrich Mateschitz: Vettel and Webber can race freely to the end of the season

Billionaire team owner Dietrich Mateschitz has confirmed reports Red Bull’s drivers will no longer be subjected to team orders in 2013.

The Austrian energy drinks tycoon was reportedly so enraged by the Multi-21 affair that, during a phone call with Mercedes’ Niki Lauda, he suggested pulling Red Bull out of Formula 1 is even an option.

Dr Helmut Marko has since rubbished that rumour, suggesting Lauda got the gist of Mateschitz’s comments wrong before they were leaked.

But it does appear true that Mateschitz ordered that team orders be no longer deployed by the Christian Horner-led team.

The 68-year-old confirmed: “Vettel and Webber can race freely to the end of the season.

“The motto is ‘Go ahead of me if you can’,” he told Krone newspaper.

Finally, Mateschitz said it is possible Webber will stay with Red Bull beyond 2013, amid talk the Australian may have been offered a Le Mans seat with Porsche.

“It all depends on Webber himself,” he insisted. “How fast he is and what other offers he has.”

[MIKA27]

Valencia return to Formula 1 calendar in 2014 unlikely

Valencia’s suggested return to the Formula 1 calendar as from next year is now under a dark cloud.

We reported earlier this month that the Spanish port city – absent from this year’s schedule – could be back in 2014, after its president Alberto Fabra met with Bernie Ecclestone in February.

“The agreement is (now) awaiting the signature of the Catalan president Artur Mas,” wrote journalist Pedro Blasco, referring to a deal that would see Valencia annually alternate with Barcelona.

But, whilst not completely ruling out an alternation, Mas said the Circuit de Catalunya is willing to continue to organise the Spanish Grand Prix each year.

“We are able to fulfil the contract that we signed,” he is quoted by El Mundo Deportivo newspaper.

“Since more than a year ago, when I spoke of an alternation, we have worked very hard and we are able to take on the challenge of organising the race every year.”

Mas said the issue is likely to be discussed further next weekend, when Barcelona hosts the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix.

[MIKA27]

Daly to test for Sahara Force India

About one week before he climbs into a GP3 car for the opening rounds of the season in Barcelona, May 10-12th, American Conor Daly will spend Wednesday, 1 May doing aero testing in Sahara Force India’s 2013 F1 car.

The test will take place at Duxford Airfield in Cambridgeshire, England. Formula One testing has resumed at the Imperial War Museum facility having been suspended since Marussia test driver, Maria de Villota suffered serious injuries in a crash while testing there in July 2012.

Daly will have a new seat made at the Sahara Force India factory on Monday prior to a simulator session on Tuesday.

“These sessions are vital data gathering times for F1 teams and I’m glad to be able to assist. F1 cars are very complex machines and the day provides me with a great opportunity to learn many of the systems,” said Daly.

This will be Daly’s third F1 test session having taken part in two last season. Sahara Force India is keen to complete this first areo session before the start of the European season in Spain. Formula One teams are allowed to do four aero test sessions during the season.

Daly has either tested or raced a remarkable variety of race cars in the past 12 months including; Formula 3, GP3, GP2, World Series Renault 3.5, Indy car, Formula One and in December/January he won the Indian MRF Challenge.

[MIKA27]

Wolff claims Brackley staff lack identity

Toto Wolff has warned that the staff at Mercedes’ Brackley headquarters are under pressure to keep their jobs and collectively lack identity.

Some of the team’s British staff have been on site since Craig Pollock founded BAR in 1998.

The team then became Honda, then Brawn GP, and now Austrians Wolff and Niki Lauda have arrived to shake up the team following its first three years as Mercedes.

Wolff said one of the problems has been the staff’s lack of “identity”.

“I am trying to have them breathe it again,” he told the Kolner Stadt-Anzeiger.

“There are those who will respond, and those who will not,” he said.

Wolff denied, however, that he is preparing to take a “terminator method” to his shakeup plans.

“I’m no terminator,” he smiled, “but I would be wrong if I did not express my opinions and then take a success-oriented approach to my actions.”

[MIKA27]

Ricciardo says Toro Rosso want to beat Williams and Sauber

Daniel Ricciardo has revealed Toro Rosso’s goal this season is to beat Williams and Sauber in the constructors’ championship.

Last year, the second Red Bull team beat only the three newest teams on the grid – Caterham, Marussia and defunct HRT – but already this season Toro Rosso has more points than established duo Sauber and Williams.

“For now, our goal is to match and maybe beat the Williams and Sauber (cars),” Australian Ricciardo is quoted by Italiaracing.

“At the moment I think Force India is too far away: it is a very fast car compared to ours.”

Ricciardo, 23, has taken a feisty approach so far to his battle this year with teammate Jean-Eric Vergne.

But the Australian said he has the tension under control.

“There is obviously competition between us, but we are working together to develop the car,” he insisted.

For the Toro Rosso pair, 2013 could be remembered as a true ‘win or lose’ contest.

Mark Webber’s potential departure could open up a seat at the main Red Bull team, but one of the duo could be shunted aside altogether to make room for the energy drink company’s latest young hotshoe, Antonio Felix da Costa.

“It’s true,” Ricciardo admitted, “there is always great pressure on us, but we’re used to it.

“We are the best, we are in Formula 1, we are part of a group like Red Bull, so we can’t afford to make mistakes,” he continued.

“If I’m not good enough, it’s right that there’s trouble for me. It may sound harsh, but it’s the law of the sport and we know how it works.”

[MIKA27]

'F1 is not a popularity contest'

Red Bull boss Christian Horner is not fazed if he is not a popular man in the Formula One paddock, suggesting that success breeds contempt.

Horner's leadership skills were called into question - and not for the first time either - when Sebastian Vettel ignored his instructions at the Malaysian Grand Prix and overtook his team-mate, Mark Webber.

Vettel was harshly criticised for his decision and Horner did not get off lightly either, with his ability to control those in his team seemingly in doubt.

However, having won three consecutive Drivers' and Constructors' Championships, Horner has plenty of success to point to in his defence, and the Briton believes that it is this success that has played a role in the development of a negative perception of him.

"My job is to do the best I can for the team, to protect the team's interest and every employee's interests within the team, as well as the drivers," he told Autosport.

"At the end of the day, it's not a popularity contest.

"Of course when you have success the quickest way to become unpopular is to have sustained success.

"The success Red Bull has enjoyed over the past few years sits very uncomfortably with certain members in the paddock.

"There are teams that have struggled to win Constructors' World Championships that have been around for a long, long time, and that inevitably doesn't sit well either.

"My focus is to do the best I can for Red Bull Racing, and if that means you're not the most popular, or you're not invited out for dinners, then I don't care."

The 39-year-old believes that in the end it will be his success, not his popularity - or lack there of - that will be remembered.

"I'm judged on what I achieve, not how popular I am. I think I achieved a lot before I came into Formula 1, and I've achieved a lot in F1," he said.

"I'm judged not on what I say, but what I do. What we have achieved at Red Bull - 36 victories so far, 48 pole positions and six World Championships - shows we've joined a very select group of teams.

"You don't do that without there being discipline, without there being organisation and without ticking every single box, especially against the quality of opposition we're competing against."

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Alonso excited to be home

Fernando Alonso admits he is on a high as he prepares for his home grand prix in Spain next week.

A disappointing eighth place finish last time out in Bahrain hasn't dampened Alonso's spirits ahead of the race in Barcelona, with the Ferrari driver focusing on the successes he has enjoyed on home soil.

Alonso finished second in last year's race and is eager to go one better this year and win at the Circuit de Catalunya for the first time since 2006.

"My victory in Barcelona in 2006, along with Monza in 2010 and Valencia last year, are without a doubt the most meaningful wins of my career," the 31-year-old is quoted as saying by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"The warmth of the crowd and the emotions you experience when you race in Spain are always very special, from the moment you arrive at the airport, before checking in at the hotel and getting to the track.

"You instantly feel the supporters' passion on your first few laps on Friday and Saturday morning, and that makes you even more motivated, you want to do that bit extra, which might come down to the slightest detail. And that's when you strive to shave another tenth of a second off your time, something that's always there in Formula One."

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Brawn: Still some way to go

Mercedes GP team principal Ross Brawn has warned that the team have a lot of work to do despite an improved start to the season.

After a horror finish to 2012 which saw Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher muster just one top ten finish between them in the last six GPs, the Brackley-based outfit have begun 2013 in much better form. Lewis Hamilton has twice found himself on the podium, with the Briton and Nico Rosberg coming home in the top ten whenever they have completed a race. Both drivers have also claimed pole once in four races.

Despite this obvious improvement, Brawn is wary of getting too carried away, with his team not yet able to sustain their pace over race distance.

"It's not down to one lap. What we have to have is a car that is fastest over 50-odd laps, and that's the challenge," he said.

"It's nice to have taken pole position at the last two races, but what really counts is the race itself, and I don't believe we're there yet.

"We've two drivers who have taken the equipment and done what they have on the last two Saturdays, but I don't think we have the equipment yet to be the strongest in the race.

"That's what we are working on."

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Pictorial tribute: Remembering Ayrton

The first day of May for many around the world is Worker’s Day. For Formula 1 fans it is the day Ayrton Senna died. We remember him 19 years since that horrid day at Imola and pay tribute with some poignant quotes and pictures.

Racing, competing, it’s in my blood. It’s part of me, it’s part of my life; I have been doing it all my life and it stands out above everything else.

Winning is the most important. Everything is consequence of that. Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose.

Wealthy men can’t live in an island that is encircled by poverty. We all breathe the same air. We must give a chance to everyone, at least a basic chance.

I have no idols. I admire work, dedication and competence.

These things bring you to reality as to how fragile you are; at the same moment you are doing something that nobody else is able to do. The same moment that you are seen as the best, the fastest and somebody that cannot be touched, you are enormously fragile.

I don’t know driving in another way which isn’t risky. Each one has to improve himself. Each driver has its limit. My limit is a little bit further than other’s.

Fear is exciting for me. The danger sensation is exciting. The challenge is to find new dangers.

Money is a strange business. People who haven’t got it aim it strongly. People who have are full of troubles.

You must take the compromise to win, or else nothing. That means: you race or you do not.

When you are fitted in a racing car and you race to win, second or third place is not enough.

I continuously go further and further learning about my own limitations, my body limitation, psychological limitations. It’s a way of life for me.

You will never know the feeling of a driver when winning a race. The helmet hides feelings that cannot be understood.

I am not designed to come second or third. I am designed to win.

Of course there are moments that you wonder how long you should be doing it because there are other aspects which are not nice, of this lifestyle. But I just love winning.

Women – always in trouble with them, but can’t live without them.

I was already on pole, then by half a second and then one second and I just kept going. Suddenly I was nearly two seconds faster than anybody else, including my team mate with the same car. And suddenly I realised that I was no longer driving the car consciously. I was driving it by a kind of instinct, only I was in a different dimension. It was like I was in a tunnel. Not only the tunnel under the hotel but the whole circuit was a tunnel. I was just going and going, more and more and more and more. I was way over the limit but still able to find even more. Then suddenly something just kicked me. I kind of woke up and realised that I was in a different atmosphere than you normally are. My immediate reaction was to back off, slow down.

You touch this limit, something happens and you suddenly can go a little bit further. With your mind power, your determination, your instinct, and the experience as well, you can fly very high.

On a given day, a given circumstance, you think you have a limit.

It’s going to be a season with lots of accidents, and I’ll risk saying that we’ll be lucky if something really serious doesn’t happen.

If you have God on your side, everything becomes clear.

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Ricciardo: Vettel is pretty nice for a German

Red Bull candidate Daniel Ricciardo insists he would get along well with Sebastian Vettel if he is signed by the energy drinks team for 2014.

In the wake of the Multi-21 team orders affair, many believe the relationship between teammates Vettel and Mark Webber is now untenable.

Indeed, with 36-year-old Webber’s contract expiring, Red Bull has already hinted that Kimi Raikkonen and Ricciardo are potential candidates to replace him.

Helmut Marko said this week that Red Bull has “two very good juniors” in training for the main team at Toro Rosso, “and Ricciardo is currently the better one”.

Like Webber, 23-year-old Ricciardo is Australian, but he has suggested he will not similarly clash with German Vettel.

“I have been out for dinner a few times with Sebastian,” Ricciardo told Germany’s Sport Bild. ”We’re both still young, and he’s pretty nice for a German,” the Australian joked. “Maybe it would be slightly different between us if we were teammates.”

Another bone of contention between Webber and Vettel at present is the team orders issue, with Vettel saying after ignoring the team in Malaysia that his teammate didn’t “deserve” to win.

“I also want to win, which is why I’m in Formula 1,” Ricciardo insisted. ”I want to be the best. However, if a point comes in a season when he has clearly kicked my butt, then I would play by his rules.”

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Lotus sure Romain Grosjean can keep his momentum now

Lotus is convinced that Romain Grosjean is on course to return to his best form, after ending his early season troubles with a podium in Bahrain.

The Frenchman struggled in the first three races of the year with unspecified car problems, but a switch of chassis for the last race at Sakhir helped him and his team overcome the issues.

Having been under the spotlight because of a troubled end to 2012 - which included a race ban for causing a pile-up at the Belgian Grand Prix - Grosjean was coming under pressure to deliver.

But team principal Eric Boullier says that with the car issue now sorted, Grosjean is perfectly placed to build on what he did in Bahrain and deliver more success over the remainder of the campaign.

"If you look at the season so far, except for the car issue, he didn't have troubles," said Boullier.

"He was having good starts, good first laps and good overtaking manoeuvres. So I think he is okay now.

"But Bahrain was a big relief. He put a lot of effort in to rebuild himself after 2012, and it is now paying off.

"He had a frustrating first three races, but he can now build on this and keep the momentum."

Boullier insists that the key to Grosjean's turnaround in Bahrain was not just the new chassis that the team brought for him.

"It was not only the chassis, there were a lot of details to understand why it didn't work," he said. "But the team did a good job and we found a couple of things that made Romain happy with his car.

"So when he started to enjoy driving, it was a different world. I know he is starting his season now."