FORMULA 1 - 2013

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Farewell to the Pampas Bull and Ferrari’s first F1 winner

Jose Froilan Gonzalez, the stocky ‘Pampas Bull’ who in 1951 delivered Ferrari’s first Formula 1 world championship race win, died in a Buenos Aires hospital at the age of 90 on Saturday.

Gonzalez beat compatriot and five-time world champion Juan Manuel Fangio,then driving for Alfa Romeo, to win the 1951 British Grand Prix at Silverstone after making his championship debut with Maserati in Monaco a year earlier.

The son of a Chevrolet dealer from Arrecifes, near Buenos Aires, he also won the Le Mans 24 Hours sportscar race with Frenchman Maurice Trintignant in a works Ferrari in 1954.

The Argentine’s F1 career spanned a decade, taking in 26 grands prix. His last appearance for Ferrari came in his home grand prix in 1960.

Ferrari president Luca Di Montezemolo said, “The news of the death of Gonzalez saddened me greatly.”

“We had spoken not that long ago, talking about cars and racing, the topics he was most enthusiastic about,” Montezemolo told the Ferrari website in a tribute to the man nicknamed ‘El Cabezon’ (Fat Head) by his friends at the Italian team.

“Over all these years, he was always very attached to Ferrari and, as a driver and a man, he played an integral part in our history.

His death means we have lost a true friend.”

Gonzalez’s two wins were both at Silverstone for Ferrari, with the second coming in 1954, when he ended the season as runner-up – a mere half a point clear of Britain’s Mike Hawthorn – to Fangio, who drove for both Maserati and Mercedes that year.

He recalled in 2011 that it was only when he met up with Enzo, who rarely went to races, days later at Maranello that he realised just how much the victory meant.

“In his office there was a big photo of the victory right behind his desk,” the Argentine said. “He asked me to sign it and to tell him every last detail about the race, and then he gave me a gold watch with the Prancing Horse on the face.

“It has always been a cause of pride that I managed to take this first win, especially given what the marque went on to achieve in the past 60 years all over the world.”

Ferrari is F1′s most glamorous team, having won of 218 races and 16 constructors’ titles as well as 15 drivers’ championships. They are the only team to have competed in every year of the championship since 1950.

Gonzalez – short, bullish and more corpulent than the lean racers who now populate the sport – was a muscular, arms-out racer who finished second on seven occasions and was third six times in an era when driver fatalities were commonplace.

In 2011 he was honoured by Ferrari on the 60th anniversary of his first win, with Fernando Alonso driving the 1950s Ferrari 375 race car around the Silverstone circuit. The Spaniard went on to win the British Grand Prix for Ferrari later that day.

Gonzalez’s death leaves Australian triple world champion Jack Brabham, now 87, as the oldest surviving F1 race winner.

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Perez: There is nothing that can save us, not rain, not a miracle

Not even a miracle would not help McLaren to make their way back to the front of the Formula 1 field in the immediate future, admitted the team’s new team driver Sergio Perez.

Just as the young Mexican arrived at Woking to replace Lewis Hamilton, the great British team faltered with its 2013 car, and currently is ranked behind not only the four big teams but also the similarly Mercedes-powered Force India.

Asked about the chance of a good result at Silverstone late this month, Perez admitted: “There is nothing that can save us; not rain, not a miracle,” he is quoted in a French-language report by the Agence France-Presse news agency.

The 23-year-old admitted that his season so far – his first with a big team – has been “frustrating”.

It’s not the year I wanted. Last year, at this time, I had more points [at Sauber],” said Perez. ”The [McLaren] car has so many problems, and we are so far behind that there is not a single issue that we can focus on.”

He said that he is hoping to “at least be on a podium” at some point in 2013, adding: “At the moment, we cannot even think about it.”

Perez also dismissed recent criticism of his driving, such as comments made in Monaco where Kimi Raikkonen sugested that the Mexican “should be punched in the face”, after the two collided.

“I’m not in F1 to not be criticised, or to please everyone,” he insisted.

“I am in F1 to fight for my team. If that attracts criticism for me, then I don’t care.”

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Webber returns to scene of his last F1 win as future remains cloudy

Mark Webber is hoping for a hassle free weekend to end his victory drought as he returns to the scene of his last Formula 1 victory at Silverstone, while speculation about his future mounts.

The Australian, whose Red Bull career is in doubt beyond his 2013 contract, has won two of the last three British Grands Prix – but has not recorded a single victory since the Silverstone race last year.

At the same time, teammate and habitual title winner Sebastian Vettel has already won three times this season.

“I need to have a win coming my way,” Webber, 37 in August, is quoted by Brazil’s Totalrace. ”I just hope I get a whole weekend going right for me.”

Webber said that his usual Achilles heel, his race starts, have been much less problematic in 2013.

“The starts are beginning to be very good, which is an area I would like to thank the team for, but there are always other areas where you can improve,” he said.

Meanwhile, two ex Formula 1 drivers have named Kimi Raikkonen as an ideal successor for Webber at Red Bull.

“Yes, I like Kimi,” Gerhard Berger told Osterreich newspaper. ”He’s the coolest of them all, and surprised me last year with his strong comeback. He would be a good option.”

Mika Salo, who now works for the Finnish broadcaster MTV3, agreed: “There are all sorts of rumours about Raikkonen, but I think it would make sense for him to go to Red Bull.”

“It would complement his other hobbies, like a bit of rallying and motocross, but it’s always hard to say what he’s going to decide.”

“Certainly, of the number of candidates, Kimi would be one of the most desirable,” the former Sauber and Toyota F1 driver added.

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Dubai Autodrome would welcome F1 testing at the venue

Talk of increased Formula 1 testing in 2014 has prompted speculation that Dubai Autodrome may be added to the testing schedule from next year onwards.

At a meeting in Montreal, during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, teams agreed to extend in season testing. The proposal by the teams has been put forward to the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council for final approval and implementation.

Autosport reports: “The exact location of the tests has not yet been agreed and will depend on the exact make-up of the 2014 calendar, which has not yet been finalised. Teams have already agreed that there will be three pre-season tests next year, with the first taking place in mid-January at Jerez in Spain. There is also a big push to have the two subsequent tests in the Middle East.”

In the past the circuit, which is situated in the heart of Union Properties’ Motorcity residential development and adjacent to Sports City, has hosted rounds of the GP2 Asia Series, which is the main feeder category for F1. The venue has also hosted rounds of the FIA GT Championship and currently boasts as flagship event the Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai.

A number of drivers currently on the F1 grid have raced at Dubai Autodrome, including; Romain Grosjean, Jean Eric Vergne, Pastor Maldonado, Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg.

Other big names who have raced at the circuit include Johnny Herbert, Jean Alesi, Jacques Villeneuve, Heinz Harald Frentzen, Bruno Senna, Karun Chandhok, Narain Karthikeyan, Sebastien Buemi, Vitaly Petrov and Kamui Kobayashi who holds the outright lap record at the venue.

Kobayashi set the lap record on the grand prix configuration of the circuit, his best lap time of 1 minute 41.220 seconds was set in the GP2 Asia race back in 2008.

Based on current lap times, an F1 car would most likely lap the 5.39 km circuit in the 1 minute 30 seconds zone.

Dubai Autodrome general manager Richard Birch said, “Of course we would welcome the opportunity to host F1 testing at our venue. We have the facilities and Dubai has all the infra-structure required for a week of testing.”

“At this stage it is merely talk and speculation as the final decision is not in our hands or even been made as far as we know. But if asked in an official capacity then we will certainly embrace the project,” added Birch.

In April this year FIA F1 Race Director Charlie Whiting inspected Dubai Autodrome and gave the venue a clean bill of health, renewing its FIA Grade 1 Circuit License making it eligible to host a fully fledged F1 test.

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Staying at Red Bull the right decision for Vettel says Berger

World champion Sebastian Vettel has made the right decision in opting to stay at Red Bull for the next two years, is the view of ex Formula 1 race winner and team owner Gerhard Berger.

Amid constant almost speculation that the 25-year-old German sees his future at Ferrari or Mercedes, it was announced this week that the reigning world champion has added another season – 2015 – to his current contract.

Asked by Osterreich newspaper if he thinks that Vettel made the right call, Berger – Vettel’s former boss at Red Bull’s second team, Toro Rosso, answered: “Sebastian knows very well that he has the perfect environment and the best car.

“It is a thousand times better to be world champion five times with Red Bull than not once with Ferrari.

“He can think about Ferrari maybe some time in the future,” the Austrian legend added, “when he can have a winning car.”

For now, Vettel is staying at Red Bull, where he seems to be headed for an extremely rare fourth consecutive drivers’ world championship, having extended his lead in Canada to 36 points.

Asked if he thinks that the German will follow through in 2013, Berger answered: “Even before the season started I said [that] Sebastian was my favourite.

“But we’re not even half-way yet, and the tyres are also going to play an incredibly important role.”

Another former Formula 1 driver, however, sees the 2013 season at a potential tipping point.

“The next leg of the championship is vital,” Mika Salo told Finland’s MTV3.

“If Vettel keeps winning, then he’s going to run away. Last year Webber won at Silverstone, so Red Bull is really strong there, rain or shine.

“I hope the other teams can do something about it, because it’s not going to be very interesting if Vettel just cruises to the championship now,” he added.

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Hulkenberg waiting for race-winning car

Nico Hulkenberg believes his day will come when he is in a car capable of winning Formula One grands prix.

Having started his career with Williams, the 25-year-old former GP2 Champion swapped over to Force India where he spent three seasons, first as a test driver and then a race driver.

However, Hulkenberg left the team at the end of last season, moving to Sauber where he has struggled due to the ineffectual C32.

And although one could argue that based on results Hulkenberg has taken a step backward this season, the German is confident that one day he will be with a team capable of winning races.

"If you see other people it's very few guys who come in and right away are in a winning car," he told Autosport.

"I know Jenson [button] was in Honda for many years, and also not being able to show his ability because the car wasn't good enough for him.

"Sometimes that is what happens but of course as a driver you always wish and love to have a car which allows you to show what you can do and perform really well but you have to be patient."

And patient is what he has to be this season as Sauber have struggled with Hulkenberg netting just five points in seven races.

"It is tough," he added. "It didn't work as expected but, that's life.

"We just have to keep our heads down and focus on the current situation trying to improve the car, make it faster.

"There's still the second half of the season then we have to get more points here and there.

"We still have to prove that we can improve the car and make the step,

"I'm pretty confident, but how much of a step and how much we can transform this season its still to be seen."

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Whitmarsh reckons in-season testing won't mean huge hike in costs

Formula 1 is not risking a dramatic hike in costs as the result of the return of in-season testing next year, reckons McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh.

F1's teams have approved plans for there to be four post-race test sessions in 2014.

The matter now needs to be approved by the FIA at its next meeting of the World Motor Sport Council that takes place in Britain later this month.

Although there has been some concern that in-season testing will force teams to spend more at a time when finances are already tight, Whitmarsh thinks the structure of testing's reintroduction will mitigate this.

"Historically I have always supported a limitation on testing, as well as a whole range of other limitations, but the compromise being struck of testing at a circuit on the Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday after a race in Europe makes it a little bit more practical," he said.

"What we have also done is take out plethora of demo runs, aero runs, and the young driver test.

"It is a balance and a compromise that has been struck, which I hope a majority of the teams support.

"We have to, nonetheless, continue to find ways we can save costs for the small teams, and be mindful of the challenges that they have as a business."

One way for teams to recoup some of the extra costs of testing could be to find ways to better monetise the events.

However, their ability to do that is hampered by the fact that the commercial rights for testing are owned by Bernie Ecclestone.

"We have tried and done a little bit of that, and by testing together you can do a deal with the circuits," added Whitmarsh.

"But it is more a matter for the commercial rights holder, because when we are running together he owns the rights."

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Derek Warwick Open About Challenges Facing Silverstone This Season:

BRDC president Derek Warwick says that the nightmare of last year’s British Grand Prix still hangs over this year’s event, but hopes that fans will turn out this year and support the event for the long term.

Tickets sales are down this year in a season which has yet to see a British race winner. There are also bad memories from last year’s event where torrential rain caused chaos.

Many fans were asked not to attend on Saturday so the organisers could get the car parks ready for race day. Around 400 public events were cancelled in the UK that weekend, but Silverstone went ahead with the race on Sunday.

“It’s always difficult to tell a race fan not to come on qualifying day because it’s quite a big day for everybody – so it was very emotional for all of us,” Said Warwick.

“We also thought financially it was going to hit us hard. It’s a very marginal business so therefore it was a very big decision for us to take to ask people to stay away.

“Fortunately, the insurance people stepped up and we paid out £1.1m compensation. That has hurt us this year and we are behind in ticket sales. Tickets are the only thing we have got to sell because Bernie takes everything else.”

Silverstone, which is operated by the BRDC and has long-term rights to the British Grand Prix, has invested heavily in infrastructure and drainage to ensure the events of 2012 are not repeated, but that has come at a cost, so the support of British fans is vital going forward,

“We’re struggling to keep up with our debt, ” added Warwick. “We have a big debt at the moment. We spent £42m on the circuit and the wing – so all we need now is for Lewis [Hamilton] and Jenson’s [button] car to get quicker and that German driver [sebastian Vettel] to go a bit slower – along with that Spanish driver [Fernando Alonso].

“It’s surprising what a difference that makes. When Lewis and Jenson are doing well we see a massive spike in people buying tickets.”

Warwick added that he is pleased with the job Silverstone is doing, but wished that the British Grand Prix, which this year takes place on 28-30 June, would get some sort of support from the government.

“The BRDC and Silverstone have been very brave in the commitment we have taken on our shoulders to spend the money we have done to secure the British Grand Prix,” he said.

“I’m disappointed we don’t get any assistance from the lottery or the government. There are not many circuits out there which don’t get at something from the government or a wealthy royal family.

“We do an amazing job. We’ve raised every grandstand three metres so spectators can see more. It’s not boring flat Silverstone any more. From most grandstands, you can see three or four corners and if you’re in the loop grandstand, you can see six or seven corners. There are not many circuits that can boast that.”

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Ferrari and Lotus tops in Formula 1 overtaking festival

With the first seven rounds of the season completed, this year’s championship is beginning to take shape.

The raft of data acquired from the opening race in Melbourne to the last one in Canada allows us to sketch out an initial evaluation of the season based on the numbers.

Scuderia Ferrari is right in the thick of it when it comes to the Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles, second in both classifications, but those who like statistics can easily get excited by other tables.

One of these concerns overtaking and, on this front, 2013 is breaking all the records so far: never before have there been so many passing moves, 308, in the first seven grands prix.

Tyres? DRS? KERS? Whatever the cause of this outright epidemic, more likely down to a combination of all these factors, some of the numbers throw up interesting discussion topics. The Scuderia is second in the table of overtakes on 45, just one less than Lotus.

But Ferrari actually heads the table for the most number of places made up in the races, in other words the difference between overtaking and being overtaken: Alonso and Massa combined are up by 34, one more than the Raikkonen-Grosjean pairing.

This data is indicative of aggressive racing, which has made up for, in fact improved on, the occasionally less than brilliant qualifying. Both Felipe and Fernando have always managed to make up places, apart from in Monaco and, for the Spaniard, in Malaysia, where his race unfortunately ended on the second lap.

In Massa and Alonso’s favour has also been the race strategies, the F138’s good top speed and tyre management. Obviously, a great part is down to the drivers themselves. Massa is second in the table of drivers who have made the most passing moves, on no less than 25, one less than Kimi Raikkonen. Behind the Brazilian, who made up eight places in Montreal, is Alonso on 20.

Significantly, the data shows this is not just down to the use of DRS, if one looks at the evolution of the race opening lap, when the moveable rear wing cannot be used.

The Prancing Horse also leads another classification in this area, with 12 places gained from the exit of turn 1 to crossing the line for the first time, two more than McLaren and Caterham.

Fernando really made the most of this, gaining 7 places and only Perez has done better on 8, the Spaniard never completing the opening lap further down the order than his grid position, not even in Sepang, when he drove almost half a lap with the front wing seriously damaged.

Moving on to the numbers for drivers being passed, Massa and Alonso are at the bottom of this special classification, with Fernando on 5, one less than Felipe. Only Vettel, passed just four times, has done better than the Ferrari men.

Overall, Ferrari is the team that has been overtaken the least, only eleven times, equal with Red Bull. In Canada, Australia and Malaysia, the two F138s ended their weekend without losing any places, while Alonso was the only driver not to be overtaken at all in the first three races of the season.

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Genii sell 35% share of Lotus F1 Team to consortium of private investors

The Lotus Formula 1 team announced on Tuesday that a consortium of private investors, including an American hedge fund manager and an Abu Dhabi-based multinational business group, had acquired a 35 percent stake in the team.

The British-based team said in a statement that Infinity Racing Partners Limited had joined Luxembourg-based Genii Capital, who retain the remaining 65 percent through an investment vehicle, as shareholders.

Genii’s head Gerard Lopez will continue as chairman of what was formerly the championship-winning Renault team before it changed its name.

The statement said that Infinity Racing also included “royal family interests of a major oil producing nation” among its investors. It named Mansoor Ijaz as chairman, with Suhail Al Dhaheri as vice-chairman.

“Infinity Racing’s principals have exceptional expertise and a proven strong track record in developing and delivering high quality technologies,” Lopez said.

“This partnership will enable us to increase Lotus F1 Team’s competitive advantage related to KERS technology as it becomes more central to Formula One’s push for environmentally sound racing, while also making Lotus F1 Team more marketable as a brand, opening up additional major sponsorship opportunities.”

Lotus have Finland’s 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen and Frenchman Romain Grosjean as their drivers this season, with Raikkonen winning the season-opening race in Australia and currently third overall in the driver’s championship.

Full Lotus F1 Team Statement:

Lotus F1 Team has new part-owners as of today, with Infinity Racing Partners Limited (Infinity Racing) acquiring a 35% minority stake in the team. Infinity Racing joins Genii Capital, who retain a controlling stake in the team, with Gerard Lopez continuing as Chairman.

Infinity Racing is an investment consortium whose special purpose vehicle is comprised of private investors that include an American hedge fund manager, an Abu Dhabi-based multinational business group and royal family interests of a major oil producing nation.

Lotus F1 Team was previously 100% owned by an investment vehicle of Genii Capital – a global investment management and financial advisory firm headquartered in Luxembourg – which retains a controlling stake of 65% in the team.

Gerard Lopez, co-founder of Genii Capital, will remain Chairman of Lotus F1 Team. Eric Lux, CEO of Genii Capital, will continue his role on the team’s Board of Directors.

Gerard Lopez, Chairman, Lotus F1 Team:

“Infinity Racing’s principals have exceptional expertise and a proven strong track record in developing and delivering high quality technologies. This partnership will enable us to increase Lotus F1 Team’s competitive advantage related to KERS technology as it becomes more central to Formula 1’s push for environmentally sound racing, while also making Lotus F1 Team more marketable as a brand, opening up additional major sponsorship opportunities.”

Mansoor Ijaz, Chairman and Suhail Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman, Infinity Racing:

“Gerard Lopez, Eric Lux and the entire Genii Capital team are building Lotus Formula1 Team to make it a serious competitor at every race and a winner on a par with the top racing teams in F1. The recent developments at Enstone and results of the Team’s high-quality drivers are testament to this. Patrick Louis, Chief Executive, and Eric Boullier, Team Principal, are continuing the time-honoured traditions of Lotus F1 Team and have re-established the Team as a competitive force in F1. We are honoured to be part of the Team’s forward march to the No.1 ranking and proud of the team spirit, down-to-earth nature and performance-oriented results that characterise the experts at Enstone, who endeavour to make Lotus F1 Team a title challenger in F1 today.”

Eric Lux, CEO, Genii Capital:

“Genii Capital is delighted to announce this partnership between Infinity Racing and Lotus F1 Team as we continue to grow and compete for podium places. Since Genii Capital took over control in December 2009, we have been focused on growing the value of the organisation and developing the infrastructure at its Enstone headquarters. As Lotus F1 Team results have continued to improve every year, we have been waiting for the right investor who will help make the jump to the top spot in the Constructors’ Championship. In Infinity Racing, we have found a partner with the right connections in addition to technological expertise and a global reach in major markets with key sponsors to achieve this goal. We look forward to working with Infinity Racing as we continue on this exciting journey.”

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Heads expected to roll as Mercedes faces D-Day in Paris

All eyes will turn to Place de la Concorde in Paris this Thursday, as the very fate of Mercedes’ Formula 1 foray may rest in the hands of the sport’s governing body, the FIA.

It is at president Jean Todt’s new international tribunal that some sort of penalty is expected to be levied against the German carmaker, after sanctioning a highly-controversial ‘secret’ Pirelli tyre test at Barcelona recently.

“I fear a hefty penalty,” commentator Christian Danner told Germany’s Bild am Sonntagnewspaper. ”Without functioning regulations, a sport like Formula 1 cannot exist.”

Danner admitted that he is also expecting further consequences, ”Depending on who has made the mistake, heads will roll – either at Mercedes or the FIA.”

That corresponds with speculation that Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn, who according to Weltnewspaper will not be accompanied to Paris by fellow bosses Niki Lauda or Toto Wolff, might be the Brackley based team’s fall guy.

There have also been reports that Charlie Whiting could also be in trouble, with the Guardian newspaper saying that Brawn has an email from the FIA race director that incorrectly permits the test.

“We have nothing to hide,” Wolff told Welt. ”We have prepared our documents, on Thursday the judgement will come, and we’ll see if we can live with it.”

“We are not targeting this outcome or another; we do not even say that there necessarily must be an acquittal. There is no judgement that we are expecting. Our belief is that we have done nothing wrong.”

Nonetheless, it is rumoured that if the FIA acts harshly against Mercedes, the very fate of the Brackley based team is at risk.

The ‘tyre-gate’ scandal has given some shareholders of the parent company Daimler fresh ammunition to call for the end of Mercedes’ Formula 1 foray.

“The group’s [multi-] million spending [on Formula 1] brings nothing to [any]body,” said Michael Muders, of Union Investment.

“In our opinion, not a single car has been sold because Mercedes is represented by a team in F1,” he added.

Mercedes-powered McLaren driver Jenson Button, however, is not rushing to judgement ahead of Thursday’s hearing.

Asked if he thinks the team got an unfair advantage by testing in Barcelona, he answered: “Both drivers (Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg) have said no.

“If they did [get an advantage], they’d have to be lying,” he told Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport. “So I believe them.”

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F1 legend Murray Walker diagnosed with cancer

Retired Formula One commentator Murray Walker, whose enthusiastic style during decades behind the microphone made him a household name in Britain, has been diagnosed with cancer, his former employer the BBC reported on Monday.

The 89-year-old, whose most famous phrase is “Unless I am very mistaken … and I am very much mistaken”, has a treatable form of lymphatic system cancer.

“They’ve caught it incredibly early. It’s treatable, the doctors say my condition is mild and I’m very hopeful,” Walker was quoted by the BBC.

He will undergo chemotherapy and has cancelled plans to attend the British Grand Prix at the end of this month.

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Melbourne resigned to losing F1 season-opener status to Bahrain

Organizers of the Melbourne GP have all but confirmed news that it has lost its status as the season-opening race on the Formula 1 calendar.

It emerged recently that F1′s hugely controversial Bahrain Grand Prix is provisionally scheduled to kick off an unprecedented 21-race schedule in 2014.

Bahrain’s race will be in early March, which is a couple of weeks earlier than Australia usually hosts the season-opener, in the third week of the month.

The Sunday Herald Sun newspaper reports that Bahrain next year will be held on March 2, followed by Melbourne two weeks later.

But Andrew Westacott, boss of the Australian Grand Prix corporation, said Melbourne is happy with the mid-March slot, due to the scheduling of other sports events in the city at that time.

“Our preference is to retain the third weekend in March,” he said, playing down fears that crowd numbers might be affected by the race’s altered status.

“The Grand Prix ran on the first weekend in April (in 2006) and estimated attendance remained strong with crowds in excess of 300,000,” Westacott insisted.

The 2014 calendar is expected to be confirmed by the FIA in August.

On the face of it, an unprecedented 21 grands prix should be listed, due to the new races in Russia and New Jersey.

But Speed Week claims teams may actually only end up travelling to a more comfortable 19 destinations, with the events in India and South Korea reportedly in doubt.

The report said Korea’s current contract runs through 2016, but that the unpopular and poorly attended Formula 1 host is losing the support of the local authorities.

As for India, Speed Week said: “We are hearing that the 2013 race is financially backed, but not the 2014 one. Indian sources suggest the (promoter) Jaypee Group is nearing bankruptcy,”

MIKA: BOOOOOO!!!

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Button tips Hamilton to come back strong and shock everybody

Jenson Button believes that former McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton will bounce back strongly when he finds his feet at Mercedes.

From 2010 to 2012, the pair were teammates at the Woking based squad, where Hamilton began his Formula 1 career, won the 2008 title, and solidified his reputation as one of the very best on the grid.

But since moving to Mercedes, the Briton has had his hands full alongside his former karting teammate Nico Rosberg, who in the three previous seasons even had the edge on seven time world champion Michael Schumacher.

Button, however, is tipping Hamilton to hit back strongly.

“To be fair, he has already scored significantly more points than Nico,” lead McLaren driver Button told Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport.

“Lewis is incredibly fast,” the 2009 world champion added.

“But the same is as true for him as it is for the rest of us – if he doesn’t have a balance in the car that suits him, that he got used to over many years, then it’s not easy.

“The other side is that Nico is also fast. But Lewis has not lost his speed. It’s still there,” Button added. ”He will come back and shock everybody.”

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Sutil confident of success and wins with Force India

They may not be at the front of the field, but two German drivers are not throwing their hands up in despair as they battle in Formula 1′s midfield.

Adrian Sutil only returned to the grid this year in the wake of a controversial criminal conviction for assault, and so for now he is happy with his solid Force India comeback.

Asked about 2014, the 30-year-old said: “It’s still too early to say. At the moment I’m happy to be in F1 with Force India.”

He has, however, been with the very same Silverstone based team for his entire career spanning almost 100 races.

“In the future, it is important for me to win,” Sutil told the German broadcaster ZDF. “But I am in F1.

“I think we have a good chance to keep moving forwards, and I’ll try the same thing for myself – with what team is quite trivial,” he added.

“At the moment I think I can be very successful with this team,” said Sutil.

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'Bottas more adaptable than Maldonado'

Williams chief race engineer Xevi Pujolar believes Valtteri Bottas will have a long career in F1 after demonstrating his prowess in Canada.

The Williams rookie claimed the team's highest grid position of this campaign by some margin in Montreal when he put his FW35 up into third place in the rain on Saturday.

However, with the sun out on Sunday, the Finnish driver plummeted down the order as the car just didn't have the pace needed to run at the front.

But despite once again failing to score a point, Bottas impressed his Williams bosses with Pujolar saying he believes the rookie is more versatile than his more experienced team-mate Pastor Maldonado.

"You could say that they're both quite aggressive," Pujolar told ESPNF1.

"Pastor is a bit more specific and Valtteri I would say maybe is able to adapt himself more towards what is happening at each moment, but they are both quite aggressive.

"At the same time then in the race both can be quite similar looking after the tyres, it's just that Pastor has got some requirements that would sometimes give him an advantage in qualifying it's just that he needs to feel it."

"All the problems we had with the car we were struggling more with him than with Valtteri, but now with all the improvements we are doing with the car is just to go in one direction and both drivers asked to go in the same direction with the car."

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Webber says new type of F1 racing is less exciting now

Mark Webber thinks that Formula 1's more experienced drivers are struggling to get much satisfaction from the state of racing at the moment.

With tyres becoming such a dominant factor in 2013, Webber believes that the way that degradation has to be managed through a race has taken away some of the pleasure of battling wheel-to-wheel.

"I think as a group, especially for the guys north of 100 grands prix, we've seen a different make-up of how grands prix are run these days," said Webber, when asked by AUTOSPORT about how satisfying the racing is this year.

"It's in our skill set to have to deal with some of these challenges, as we always have, whether its V10s, V8s, refuelling, one-lap qualifying; Q1, Q2, Q3.

"I've seen most of the scenarios we've had to play with, and it is important for a driver to deal with them.

"But you saw in Monaco I started to look after my first set of tyres when we got to Turn 3! And we could see Nico [Rosberg] doing that as well.

"It [the racing] is different. Monaco was quite an extreme case for that in terms of pace, as I think it around GP2 pace, and that's getting quite extreme you'd say.

"It is also very strategic from the pitwall, as in this is where the tyres are, this is what we're capable of doing, can you please get us there?"

Webber admits that there are times when drivers are able to push to the limit and fight hard for position, but thinks that is really limited to the closing stages of races.

"You see drivers racing like Lewis [Hamilton] and I did with three or four laps to go in Bahrain," he said. "We wouldn't race like that on lap seven, because you're just cutting your own wrists - killing the tyres and your stint range.

"But when you've got three or four laps to go, you try and finish in what position you can.

"It is a really different type of racing, no doubt about it. You still have some nice moments in the car but it's hard to put your finger on the satisfaction side of things now. It's just different."

Despite his reservations about the racing, Webber says that finishing at the front is still worth as much, simply because of the quality of the oppositions.

"To be successful and win at this level, they're not going to hand results out," he said.

"You're going to have to beat some decent operators, and that's always been the case in F1.

"You have to beat other teams as well, not just the drivers. That's a hugely satisfying part of the job. You know that when you're on the top step of the podium, generally it's a very proud moment."

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Lauda was not aware of Mercedes secret tyre test

Niki Lauda only heard about the Mercedes’ secret tyre test at Barcelona in May once “the wheels were turning”.

That is the claim on Wednesday of the respected Auto Motor und Sport correspondent Michael Schmidt, as Formula 1 braces for the first ever hearing of Jean Todt’s new international tribunal.

Reportedly armed with lawyers and engineers of the Brackley based team, the sole Mercedes chief deployed to Paris on Thursday morning will be Ross Brawn, after a spokesman confirmed that Lauda and Toto Wolff will not be there.

After a disappointing first three years of the ‘works’ F1 foray, the Austrian pair are the new faces at Mercedes, and both shareholders.

There has been speculation Brawn will be the scapegoat, with former McLaren technical director Paddy Lowe already at work at Brackley, and reportedly earmarked to succeed Brawn.

“It was my decision to do the test, so that’s a fact,” Brawn told reporters in Canada recently. “Let’s see what occurs at the tribunal and go from there.”

Schmidt reported on Wednesday that Lauda, the triple world champion and Mercedes F1 chairman, first heard about the highly controversial Barcelona test “when the wheels were already turning”.

He added that Lauda’s deputies insisted that permission had been sought for the use of the 2013 car.

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Another report suggests that Raikkonen will move to Red Bull

The Formula 1 driver market is currently waiting for Kimi Raikkonen’s next move, which is likely to be a decision to accept an offer to drive for Red Bull next year, according to Oskari Saari, a commentator for Finnish television MTV3.

“Red Bull’s Helmut Marko said in Canada that driver decisions will be made in August, during the summer break,” Saari said.

It is strongly rumoured that Lotus’ Raikkonen, having firmly re-established his reputation in the wake of a rallying sabbatical, is now likely to move to Red Bull in 2014 to replace Mark Webber.

Saari believes that Raikkonen is a better candidate than Red Bull’s youngsters at Toro Rosso, Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne.

“They’re good guys, but not quite good enough,” he insisted. ”I think the probability of Kimi going to Red Bull is very high – it would be a logical move.”

Saari also repeated speculation that Lotus might look to Williams’ Pastor Maldonado and his PDVSA sponsor millions to replace Raikkonen.

During his sabbatical from Formula 1 – in 2010 and 2011 – Raikkonen’s escapades were backed by Red Bull.

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Dennis: Some people lost sight of what the objective is

In the wake of Lewis Hamilton’s recent revelation that he has ‘stuff on his mind’ and admitted that he needed to knuckle down and focus on himself, his mentor and former boss Ron Dennis has apparently had a swipe at the driver who won the 2008 F1 championship for McLaren.

Dennis is quoted by La Repubblica, “Some people lost sight of what the objective is. When you’ve lost sight of what you are doing, then you’ve lost sight of what it takes to be a world champion.”

Recently Hamilton said of his former team, “I have a very good relationship with Martin [Whitmarsh], and also Ron [Dennis].”

Despite what Hamilton says, reports suggest that Dennis and Hamilton had a big fall out in 2012, their sixth and final season together.

In his first months as a Mercedes driver, Hamilton has been visibly morose and subdued and in Canada tried to explain, “I don’t settle for anything but the best and wins; I still haven’t got a win, Nico has won a race, so I need to get a win.”

“What I’m projecting is not disappointment, I’ve just got stuff on my mind,” said Hamilton of his demeanour.

“I just have to focus on myself and try and get my **** together,” he told reporters after the Monaco Grand Prix.

Meanwhile Jenson Button has come up in support of his former teammate, “Lewis is incredibly fast. But the same is as true for him as it is for the rest of us – if he doesn’t have a balance in the car that suits him, that he got used to over many years, then it’s not easy.

“Lewis has not lost his speed. It’s still there,” Button added. ”He will come back and shock everybody.”

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Caterham backs drivers despite speculation that Kovalainen will be back

Caterham CEO Cyril Abiteboul has backed the team’s all new driver lineup, amid suggestions that the team’s former driver Heikki Kovalainen should be drafted back in to the team.

For the first time since its 2010 debut, the green-liveried team appeared to falter, early this season, with an outdated car and in the wake of experienced driver Kovalainen’s departure.

Finn Kovalainen reappeared in Friday practice in Bahrain and Spain, triggering rumours that he might soon replace either rookie Giedo van der Garde – slammed by Mark Webber in Canada as a ‘pay driver with no mirrors’ – or Charles Pic.

Abiteboul told Formula 1′s official website: “[Kovalainen] definitely helped in the couple of sessions he ran, and in the feedback he gave.”

But there is no sign that the 31-year-old will appear again, even if Finnish commentator for MTV3, Oskari Saari, said: “I still believe [that] he will race this season.”

For now, Abiteboul is backing van der Garde (who will drop five places on the Silverstone grid after his crash with Webber in Canada) and Frenchman Pic.

“Same as with the team, I’d like to evaluate both drivers properly at the right moment, but for now I think both are making progress in parallel,” he said.

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Merc shareholders getting cold feet

A key group of Mercedes-Benz shareholders are said to be pushing for the brand's exit from Formula 1.

The main factor in the negative sentiment appears to be growing tension surrounding the tyre test undertaken with the sport's sole supplier Pirelli, though a lack of signficant success is also a factor.

A large group of private shareholders are said to be viewing Thursday's FIA international tribunal as a line in the sand. Should Mercedes be punished for their part in the test, they will strengthen their calls for a Formula One exit.

Some, however, already believe the time has come to abandon the sport.

Union Investment manager Michael Muders said: "Mercedes-Benz must get out of F1.

"The company spends hundred of millions here, and it doesn't bring anyone anything."

That is not a view shared by all, though.

Mercedes AMG's new non-executive chairman and three-time F1 World Champion Niki Lauda is of the view that Mercedes benefits from its participation in the sport, while Head of global communications for Daimler, Jorg Howe, was quoted back in February as saying Mercedes-Benz's involvement in F1 was "not up for debate".

"We have created new structures to ensure long term success and will soon be on top," said Howe.

"We do not want to pull out of Formula 1. On the contrary."

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Maldonado: Williams rely too much on me

Williams driver Pastor Maldonado insists that he does not feel threatened by the rising stature of his rookie teammate Valtteri Bottas.

Young Bottas grabbed the headlines in Montreal recently when he qualified third, amid a profile already on the rise due to his form alongside Venezuelan Maldonado, the more experienced driver and 2012 Barcelona winner.

But Maldonado countered: “The conditions benefitted Valtteri in Canada.”

“It doesn’t mean he’s faster [or that] I’m slower. Our car is quite difficult, but I don’t need to prove anything to anybody,” the 28-year-old, who like Bottas is yet to score a single point in 2013, is quoted by Brazil’s Globo Esporte.

In fact, Maldonado argues that Williams is leaning on him too hard, due to Bottas’ inexperience.

“They rely too much on me,” he said. ”In fact, I am responsible for all the technical testing of the car because I have more knowledge and experience with the team.”

His comments coincide with rumours that Maldonado, backed by millions in sponsorship from PDVSA, has been earmarked by Lotus as a potential successor to the possibly Red Bull-bound Kimi Raikkonen.

However, Maldonado insisted: “It’s not the time to plan where I will be in 2014.

“I sincerely hope to continue for a few more years at Williams. It is the team that gave me the opportunity to be in Formula 1, and I got my first and so far only victory with them.”

“I believe we have the potential to win more with this team,” he added.

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Di Resta set for special Silverstone

Paul Di Resta is eagerly anticipating taking to the track for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone next weekend.

Di Resta and Force India have managed six points scoring finishes in seven races so far this year, enabling the team to lie fifth in the constructors standings (ahead of the likes of McLaren), and the Scot can't wait to test himself on the Silverstone track layout, which he says is 'like nothing else in the world'.

"It's the track that makes you really appreciate what a Formula One car is capable of," said Di Resta.

"Especially the aerodynamic grip through the quick corners and the change of direction. Everybody talks about Maggotts and Becketts, and there really is nothing else like them anywhere in the world.

"I also enjoy the new section and every year we go back there it gets better and better. The new layout has definitely created some more overtaking opportunities, especially with the introduction of DRS, so it's been the right move."

Di Resta also paid tribute to the Silverstone atmosphere, saying: "For me it's the biggest event we go to, especially in terms of support from the British fans, which is always amazing.

"The atmosphere is electric and I remember last year the drivers' parade was one of the highlights of the year - it really sent a shiver through me because of the reaction we received and the fact that there wasn't a seat left in the place."

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Webber says his future at Red Bull is largely up to him

Mark Webber says it will be largely up to him whether he stays on at Red Bull into the 2014 Formula 1 season.

Amid growing speculation over the identity of Sebastian Vettel's team-mate next year, with Kimi Raikkonen strongly linked to Webber's seat, the Australian said he did not feel under threat.

"The ball is pretty firmly in my court, which is nice," Webber said in an interview with Australia's Sky Sports Radio station.

"I have to of course continue to keep driving well, otherwise then that ball will go out of your court and other people will roll into that seat because they'll probably be more attractive to a team like Red Bull."

Webber said he would talk directly to Red Bull's overall chief Dietrich Mateschitz about his future.

"The relationship with Dietrich Mateschitz is very good," said Webber.

"And I'll continue to be in touch with him on where my thinking is at, where my energy levels are, and where my motivation is for still operating at this level.

"I'm not taking it lightly, I'm very, very driven and focused and I don't trivialise how important it is for me to operate at this level. I love doing it."

Webber added that he was in no hurry to make his mind up over 2014.

"I've got some big decisions to make, but not shortly, I don't think," he said.

"I still need to have a bit more time, and we can leave it reasonably late, I think."

The 36-year-old has driven for Red Bull since 2007.