FORMULA 1 - 2013

[MIKA27]

Raikkonen: For me Spa is the greatest racing circuit in the world

Kimi Raikkonen is known to be a man of few (unemotional) words, but he cannot contain himself when talking about Spa-Francorchamps, venue of the Belgian Grand Prix, where he has won four times. He returns there this year second in the championship standings, with a very good chance of taking the score to five victories.

You were second in Budapest before the summer break; how good would it be to go one step better at Spa?

Usually I’ve achieved a good result at the Belgian Grand Prix, but what has happened there before doesn’t help me right now. Of course, it doesn’t cause any harm either and it would be great to win at Spa for a fifth time. Extra points are always good and if you win the race no-one scores more points than you.

How has your history been at the circuit?

For me there have only been good memories from Spa and it’s great to go racing there. You can’t get the same kind of a feeling anywhere else. It’s great to race with a modern racing car at a proper circuit which has such a great tradition.

What are the challenges of the track and should it suit the strengths of the E21?

Spa offers very challenging high-speed corners and you need to get the right set-up for the car. As we’ve seen so many times this year, a good grid position is extremely important. It will be very decisive at Spa too, even though it is maybe easier to overtake there than at some other tracks. It’s crucial to have a good car aerodynamically to tackle the fast corners and it’s a long lap, so to get the right time you really need to maintain the best rhythm. So much depends on the qualifying result, so we [will] need to find a decent set-up on Friday and Saturday and have a solid qualifying session on Saturday afternoon. I don’t know how it will suit our car this year. Last year we were not very strong there. I think we know the reasons and for sure our car is better this year, but is it good enough to be fighting for a win? We will see on Sunday.

Why has Spa been so good to you in the past?

Sometimes there are certain circuits where everything seems to run smoothly, and then there are other circuits where I have no luck at all. Of course, we will do our very best to win this race. I have been on the top step of the podium a few times at Spa and I want to be there again.

Does this make Spa one of your favourite tracks?

I bet every driver likes Spa. For me it is the greatest racing circuit in the world. It is my favourite place. I have liked the place since my first ever visit there in 2000 with Formula Renault.

How are you feeling about your championship position?

I am now back in second which was a good way to enter the summer break. I finished ahead of Seb [Vettel] in Hungary so obviously scored more points than him there. To beat him, we need to be winning races and if we keep finishing second like we’ve done many times this year it’s probably not going to be enough for the championship, but you never know what might happen.

Where can improvements be found?

Well, obviously I keep making my life difficult on Saturdays in qualifying so then we pay a price, but we still have a good car in the race. Now we have tyres that are a little bit different we have to understand exactly how to use them. We made progress in Budapest so it should be easier in Spa, but that will be the same for everyone. To win, it’s always better to be starting near the front.

[MIKA27]

Red Bull to confirm Ricciardo promotion next weekend at Spa

It is virtually certain that Red Bull has signed Daniel Ricciardo to replace his departing countryman Mark Webber in 2014.

That is the claim of Sport Bild, whose correspondents Bianca Garloff and Ralf Bach said the news about Sebastian Vettel’s new teammate will be announced at the Belgian Grand Prix in a week’s time.

“Unfortunately, I cannot say any more than that we will make an announcement at Spa,” said the energy drink-owned outfit’s Helmut Marko.

23-year-old Ricciardo’s move to Red Bull ties in with reports that Kimi Raikkonen is returning to Ferrari.

Australian Ricciardo told Sport Bild just before the summer break that, if selected to race alongside Vettel in 2014, he expects to get along with the reigning world champion.

Daniel Ricciardo has been chosen in favour of Jean Eric Vergne and Kimi Raikkonen by Red Bull

“I know Seb quite well,” he said, “as I was the reserve driver in 2010. I was out for dinner with him a few times and we get on really well.”

Ricciardo admitted, however, that he is not immediately expecting equal status with his German stablemate.

“Of course not at the start of the season,” he said, “but I’m in Formula 1 to be the best.”

Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz had indicated before the summer break that they would announce the decision shortly after the season resumed again in Belgium.

At the time Jean Eric Vergne and Kimi Raikkonen were also candidates for Webber’s coveted seat. However signals emerging from the fizzy drinks camp were that Vergne was not being considered, while the Raikkonen option was always tentative.

[MIKA27]

Hamilton: I feel just so invigorated and it’s so refreshing to be somewhere new

Lewis Hamilton has revealed that he is highly motivated and invigorated since his move to Mercedes after a career spent as part of the McLaren organisation, and that breaking away from being managed by father Anthony was part of his desire to return to a normal father-son relationship

Speaking to Sir David Frost on Al Jazeera, Hamilton said, “I can honestly say I feel just so invigorated. It’s so refreshing to be somewhere new.”

Hamilton re-ignited his world championship bid with a dominant showing at the Hungarian Grand Prix, and according to Auto Motor und Sport he is the outright fastest driver on the grid this year.

“I hope there’s a world championship somewhere ahead. That’s what I’m working for every year, that’s why I keep that discipline, that’s why I train so much over the winter, that’s why I wake up every day and train,” revealed the 2008 F1 World Champion.

“That’s why I put so much effort into travelling and that’s why you sacrifice so many small things, certain things in your life, and so you know I hope [that] at some stage I get that second world championship.”

Much was made at the time when Hamilton decided to part company from his father Anthony (from a management perspective) and join Simon Fuller’s XIX Entertainment

Hamilton explains, “I wouldn’t be here without my dad, you know. He’s been the driving force in my whole career. I think it was just [that] I wanted to go back to the time where we just father and son go karting you know. Having fun. Enjoying, enjoying ourselves…

we’re now starting to have that father-son relationship where, you know, we go bowling together. We go on holiday together and we have more to talk about and none of it’s business.”

Lewis Hamilton during his rookie season in 2007 with his father Anthony

Hamilton explained his relationship with McLaren, ”I’ve been a part of that family for such a long period of time. Since I was 13. And to think about leaving there it’s like leaving home, so it’s not easy to leave home. Home cooking and people that you know. People you’re comfortable with. So making that choice was pretty tough.”

“I just think there’s still plenty for me to learn. I’m glad there is still plenty for me to learn but there is still better ways that I can communicate with people. There are still better ways that I can manage relationships. There are still better ways that I can behave,” mused the 28 year old from Stevenage.

[MIKA27]

Sirotkin set to begin Sauber programme next week

Russian teenager Sergey Sirotkin’s preparation for his 2014 Formula 1 debut remains on track.

That is the message not only from the struggling Swiss team, but also the Sirotkin camp, following reports that Sauber’s Russian rescue deal could collapse.

Sauber responded angrily to media reports earlier this week, insisting the collaboration with Russian partners is in fact “progressing well”.

“The contract with Sergey Sirotkin is in place,” the Hinwil based team said.

Now, Russian media reports quote the 17-year-old driver’s press service as saying that Sirotkin will travel to Switzerland next week to “begin the training programme for him to be the (Sauber) team driver in 2014″.

“During the visit,” Sirotkin’s management added, “scheduled for 20-22 August, Sergey will become acquainted with team staff, technical equipment and the Sauber F1 car.”

Sauber confirmed that Sirotkin’s preparatory programme will indeed begin “next week following the end of the customary holiday period”.

[MIKA27]

Marko predicts that Mercedes will make a big push for title with Hamilton

Red Bull’s outspoken consultant Helmut Marko has tipped Mercedes to put all their efforts on Lewis Hamilton taking a shot at the 2013 Formula 1 World Championship.

On the face of it, the German squad does not have a number 1 driver, but with less than half the season left to go, and arguably now the fastest car, the last-start winner is Lewis Hamilton. The Briton’s deficit to title leader Sebastian Vettel, however, is 48 points.

Marko told Auto Bild: “We are taking Mercedes very seriously. Last year we were 44 points behind Alonso after the summer break, and yet we were world champion in the end. That’s how fast things can change.”

“Now is their chance and they will put everything on Hamilton,” Marko predicted.

But a bold statement like that, particularly from the outspoken arch-enemy, might be seen as a mere attempt to unsettle Mercedes, with Hamilton’s teammate Nico Rosberg having won two grands prix so far this season.

It is understandable that the German team is playing down its chances. Asked if Mercedes can win the 2013 title, chairman Niki Lauda answered plainly: “No.

“Red Bull are still stronger overall,” he told Auto Motor und Sport, “and they have this point advantage. On paper we have a chance, but in reality it is very difficult.”

For now, then, there is no talk of team orders. “We have a clear situation; everything stays open unless it gets really serious.”

Tellingly, however, Lauda admitted that Mercedes is still pushing ahead with development of the 2013 car, even with the unusually large challenge of 2014 looming.

“With every race we are taking the car forwards,” he said, “but the next three races will be decisive. Eventually, we will also need to think about where we are putting our resources. We try to postpone it as long as possible, but at some point, the time will have come.”

He admitted that the key to unlocking the W04′s winning potential has been understanding the Pirelli tyres.

“We know more, but not everything. I would say we are at about 70 per cent,” said Lauda. “At the beginning of the season we understood nothing.”

[MIKA27]

Mercedes F1 turbo engine to have 100 BHP advantage in 2014?

Mercedes is reportedly set to be the power to have in Formula 1′s new V6 turbo engine era with the Brixworth built unit set to have a huge advantage over those from rival engine builders.

With the development-frozen V8 engines to be replaced by radically-different turbo units in 2014, a new era where power is more important than aerodynamics looks likely.

Mercedes, already a leader at the tail end of the long V8-power era, could be in pole position to usurp Red Bull’s position at the very top of the tree.

Hungary winner Lewis Hamilton is now an outside chance for this year’s title, but the Briton was actually lured to Mercedes “on the promise that he will be able to take on (Sebastian) Vettel in 2014,” wrote Auto Motor und Sport correspondent Tobias Gruner.

So far, Formula 1′s three V6 engine makers – Mercedes, Renault and Ferrari – have kept their cards close to their respective chests.

“There are signs that Mercedes is one step ahead”, Gruner reported.

“In the paddock, it is said behind closed doors that the silver engine has 100 horse power more on average than the Renault or Ferrari.

“Mercedes is not confirming that, obviously. But those in charge are giving an unusually confident impression,” he added.

One sign that Mercedes is indeed speeding ahead is an argument about the specification of next year’s Pirelli tyres.

Mercedes has been pushing hard for a wider rear tyre, which would better transfer the power and torque of a superior engine to the track.

Ferrari and Renault, on the other hand, are reportedly happy with the narrower status-quo.

[MIKA27]

Formula 1 teams relief as Pirelli decides against changing 2014 tyre sizes:

The F1 teams heading back to work after the enforced summer shutdown with next week’s Belgian Grand Prix, will be relieved to learn that Pirelli has bowed to their wishes and decided against increasing the size of the rear tyres for 2014.

Just before the shutdown it emerged that Pirelli had requested some changes to the dimensions of the tyres for next year – they wanted to increase the rear-tyre width by 20mm to 400mm and the diameter to increase from 660mm to 690mm.

But today sources within Pirelli have confirmed to this website that the tyres will stay the same size.

“This was a really difficult one. On the one hand you can have sympathy for Pirelli; with new rules, no-one knows what the improvement will be in aerodynamics over the course of next season – there will be huge steps in development compared to this year for example, generating performance gains and thus significantly higher cornering loads – and Pirelli have to allow for that.

They learned this lesson from the huge gains teams made with the blown diffusers, for example.

On the other hand, the last thing the teams needed now with 2014 chassis designs being finalised, was a significant last minute change like this, which would mean a lot of work in certain areas being thrown away and design teams having to start again, with very tight deadlines for producing chassis before the testing starts in January. (There is also a significant extra cost implication at a time when teams are already spending more on the new power trains)

No-one wants to see tyre failures, so Pirelli has to allow quite a margin. An increase in tyre size, as proposed by Pirelli, would have helped to produce a stronger tyre able to handle higher loads.

They don’t know what to expect because there has been no testing.

But it’s not surprising that 10 of the 11 teams were said to be against the change when it was discussed before the Hungarian Grand Prix. They feel that the footprint of the tyre should be fixed, as any change has a massive impact on aerodynamics and ride height.

The team’s headache over last minute changes

Ride Height: Currently F1 tyres have a diameter of 660mm, while it’s slightly more 670mm for wet tyres, to give more ride height to avoid aquaplaning. To change to 690mm at this stage is a real problem, as the layout of the cars will already have been done based on 660mm and to raise the cars this much is a huge difference. The rear ride height of the car is typically 100mm, so to raise it by 15mm at this stage is big.

Aerodynamic and mechanical change: The extra diameter and especially the width of the tyres will have a significant bearing on the aerodynamics of the car and the aerodynamicists would have to throw away a lot of the work they have done and start again with a different shape tyre and ride height changes. New wind tunnel tyres would have to be built with this aspect ratio of height to width, so teams can get accurate data from the wind tunnel. It will take significant time to do that with a new aspect ratio.

A change to the height of the rear wheel has an impact on pick up points of suspension, axle heights. It is very late in the day to be making that sort of change.

It is hard to explain to F1 fans just how sensitive an F1 car is to the contact patch and shape of the sidewall of the tyre, tiny differences make a big change to the numbers in the wind tunnel.

The timetable to build new cars

The issue needed to be resolved urgently as there is not a lot of time for teams to do all the new work they need to do to accommodate new tyre sizes.

The teams are up really against it in terms of getting the cars built for the earlier start of testing in 2014 (due to the introduction of complex new hybrid turbo engines, it’s been decided to allow more testing time, so the cars need to be ready in January, rather than the usual February 1 date).

Working backwards from the January tests, you need 2-3 months for chassis construction, so you really need to have the drawings released and signed off in late September.

So you can see that if teams had a load of work to redo, to incorporate these changes, there wasn’t a lot of time to do it.

It was looking especially tough for teams who buy in their power train, such as McLaren, Force India, Lotus and a possible advantage for the works teams: Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari.

The teams will be delighted to stay with the same aspect ratio of height to width as used currently.

[PaulP]

Kimi and Alonso at Ferrari in 2014? It will be interesting to see Alonso pout all season.

[MIKA27]

  On 8/19/2013 at 4:33 AM, PaulP said:

Kimi and Alonso at Ferrari in 2014? It will be interesting to see Alonso pout all season.

I like Alonso BUT, he's a well versed sulker.

[MIKA27]

Grosjean: We proved in Germany and Hungary we can compete right at the front

Last year at the Belgian Grand Prix Romain Grosjean grabbed headlines for all the wrong reasons as he triggered a spectacular crash which earned him notoriety and a one race ban, since then he has apparently tamed his wild streak and heads to Spa-Francorchamps itching to score his first Formula 1 win with a car that is more than capable of the feat.

What are your thoughts about Spa-Francorchamps?

What a track; it’s fantastic! It’s a superb rollercoaster of a circuit, then there’s the added bonus that they speak French meaning it’s almost another home race for me after Monaco and Canada. It’s going to be good. If we have the pace we displayed in Budapest at a more normal circuit with better overtaking opportunities – and a bit wider track too – then I think good things could well be possible.

How is your feeling with the E21 now you have half a season behind you?

Certainly in the last few races I have felt very good in the car and have been able to push in qualifying and the race. It’s a good place to be heading into the second half of the season where there are very good opportunities for some great results.

How do you think the E21 should suit Spa’s challenges?

It should fit our car pretty well. In fact, the second half of the season looks good overall in terms of how the tracks should suit the E21. Hopefully we’ll have everything we need to win races. I’m looking forward to it as it’s a special track and I also won the GP2 Series title there in 2011, so it’ll be good for me to be back there again.

If you could sum up these first ten races, what would you say?

That’s a difficult one, but I guess I’d have to say the word ‘potential’ is the key. For sure we’ve had some difficult moments and maybe the results haven’t always been what the team deserved, but the potential for top finishes has always been there.

What’s been your highlight of this year so far?

A much easier question! Not many people know yet, but just after the race in Hungary my little boy Sacha arrived into the world so I am now a very proud father! On track…well, I would like to say the pass on Felipe [Massa] in Budapest – which at the time I thought may have been the best of my career so far – but of course with the penalty I suppose it’s not the same. The podium in Germany would have to be my next choice; not just because it was a great result for the team, but because we were genuinely fighting for the win right to the end which was a pretty good feeling.

And on the flip side?

Monaco was not my best weekend, that’s no secret. The pace was there, but for one reason or another I just didn’t put everything together when really a strong result was definitely achievable. I still owe the mechanics and composites guys a drink for that; hopefully it will be some victory champagne later in the season…

How are you feeling heading into the second half of the season?

Very good. We proved in Germany and Hungary that we can compete right at the front of the grid and I think if we can continue to improve at the same rate we will be looking pretty good for the remaining nine races. I’m feeling more and more comfortable in the car every time I drive it which is certainly a good sign looking forwards.

[MIKA27]

Raikkonen takes time off from holiday break to test GP3 Series car

While the Formula 1 world languishes in enforced time off, Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen tested the GP3 2013 car at Circuit de Catalunya as part of an official GP3 development test in preparation for the 2014 season.

This test was made possible thanks to the strong relationship between Raikkonen and GP3 team Koiranen GP. The Finn star stopped by the GP3 paddock in Nurburgring last month during the F1 Grand Prix weekend and was eager to get behind the wheel of the machine.

With an official development test happening this month, it was the perfect opportunity to have him drive the GP3 car and collect precious data for next season.

The testing programme was twofold; first to test the performance of the car on different tyre compounds and secondly to conduct a development programme as requested by GP3 and Pirelli. The purpose of this official test was to find technical solutions to offer more overtaking possibilities to the drivers for the 2014 races.

After a complete one day programme, Raikkonen covered 58 laps (270 km) with a best laptime of 1:34.780 set at 16:40 local time.

He gave invaluable feedback regarding the car’s behaviour and the tyres’ performance and degradation which will definitely help improve the car for next season.

Raikkonen said: “I wanted to test the GP3/13 because my friend Afa Heikkinen has a team in this Series and I have been closely following their progress and results since the beginning of the season. I was curious to see how the car handled and it was actually fun to drive. There were a few issues regarding its behaviour, but we managed to solve most of them. The GP3/13 is a very good tool for young drivers, especially when you have to learn about tyre management like we have [to] in F1.”

GP3 Series Technical Director Didier Perrin commented: “We are extremely pleased to have had the opportunity to work with Kimi today. His experience and feedback were invaluable and they gave us a better understanding of what needs to be done in order to make our car a better tool in overtaking opportunities for next season. He has confirmed all our hypotheses, and together we could start working on two development directions for the end of season testing. We would like to thank Kimi for testing with us today, Koiranen GP for helping make this possible and to Lotus F1 Team for their kind co-operation.”

[MIKA27]

Williams: Pat Symonds is coming and I think he will have an immediate impact

The struggling Williams team is expecting the imminent arrival of vastly experienced technical guru Pat Symonds to have “an immediate impact” on their fortunes.

Amid the Oxfordshire based team’s dire form in 2013, Williams announced a month ago that, as technical director Mike Coughlan departs, fellow Briton Symonds is arriving from backmarker Marussia to be chief technical officer.

Symonds, a prominent technical figure at Renault until the ‘crashgate’ scandal of 2009, will start work at Williams on Monday, as the August factory shutdown ends.

Frustrated team driver Pastor Maldonado said in Hungary recently that the shakeup is “very welcome”, even though he doesn’t know if it will end Williams’ slump.

But the team’s deputy principal Claire Williams, daughter of boss Sir Frank Williams, is confident that Symonds will make a difference.

“Clearly we are not where we would like [to be], but there are exciting times ahead because of the changes we have made,” she told Brazil’s Totalrace.

“Pat Symonds is coming after the August break and I think he will have an immediate impact and get us where we need to be,” added Williams. ”Our current situation is clearly not what we want, so we had to make some changes.”

Interestingly, however, Williams ruled out taking the opportunity of the technical shakeup to shift the team’s entire focus to a fresh start for 2014.

“We cannot do that,” she insisted. ”Williams always goes to every race trying to score points, wanting to win. As in any year, let’s make sure that we continue to develop this car, while thinking about the car for 2014.”

[MIKA27]

Lotus to introduce longer wheelbase E21

Lotus will introduce a longer wheelbase version of their E21 at the Belgian Grand Prix next weekend in a bid to remain in the fight for the title.

The upgrade will be the last major development on their current car, with Lotus's head of trackside operations, Alan Permane, admitting they will soon shift their focus to 2014.

"You may see a few small upgrades appearing as the races tick away, but I suspect we've witnessed the last of the major overhaul packages," he explained.

The extended wheelbase will see the E21 grow by around twelve centimetres front to rear axle, which has required the car to undergo two further crash tests as per FIA regulation.

The added length will be of particular benefit in Spa where the track layout suits a longer wheelbase, which is one of the reasons for the change.

In addition to that, it will provide a greater area behind the front-wheel to calm the disturbed air before it reaches the sidepods and it pushes the weight distribution back toward the rear axle, thus reducing the wear at the front. That has been particularly high on the Lotus compared to its rivals.

Permane also confirmed other upgrades amid the longer wheelbase: "We've got several updates coming up – both mechanical and aerodynamic – so we're confident of making another step forward."

He also hinted that they would once again trial DDRS, or 'The Device' as Lotus call it.

"We haven't made a final decision yet as to whether it will be deployed, but we've been conducting a lot of simulation work with the concept to help clarify that decision and there's a good chance we'll see it make an appearance."

[MIKA27]

Caterham halts development of 2013 car

Caterham has reportedly halted the development of its current car, the CT03, in order to focus on the major regulation changes coming into effect next year.

The Leafield outfit started the season with an interim car based on last years chassis which saw them fall behind Marussia, but a later upgrade package has seen them surpass their main rival.

Therefore, according to driver Giedo van der Garde, they have turned their focus to next season completely.

"We're definitely not going to bring any updates any more because the focus is just for next year," he told ESPN.

"I think the gap to the next cars is just a bit too big. At some tracks we will probably be closer but it's going to be very tough to close that in this year and next year."

However the Dutch driver expects to end his season on a high if they can remain at their current level until the final race.

"I think if we keep on progressing like this in the next few races I think we’re going to do a good job towards the end of the year."

[MIKA27]

Webber believes Austrian GP return is good for F1

Mark Webber believes the return of the Austrian Grand Prix will prove the value of Formula 1 revisiting European tracks with established F1 tradition.

The vast majority of additions to the F1 schedule in recent years have been in entirely new territories for the championship - such as India and Korea - or brand new circuits in countries already familiar with F1, such as Austin in America and Valencia in Spain.

The Red Bull-owned Spielberg track hosted F1 in its original, super-fast, Osterreichring layout from 1970-87.

A redeveloped version known as the A1-Ring then brought the Austrian GP back from 1997-2003.

"I think it's absolutely brilliant and I was really happy to see F1 is going back to a super-traditional venue," said Webber.

"There have been so many grands prix there in the past. We've lost a lot of that with the grands prix we have gone to in the last six or seven years, so it's great to return to a venue with so much feel-good factor, and such a great location tucked into the mountains."

He believes Austria will be more successful than many of the all-new grands prix of recent seasons.

"The timing is right for them to have a grand prix. Along with America, it's one of our best additions we've had in the last few years," Webber said.

"Obviously there have been some that haven't been super-strong, let's say, but this one is. It will work great.

"And for Austria, it's brilliant medicine for the country. It's not easy in Europe now."

[MIKA27]

Red Bull proud it stuck to its stance over 2013 Formula 1 tyres

Red Bull boss Christian Horner says he is proud his team 'had the balls' to stand by its criticism of the 2013 Pirelli tyres in the first part of the season.

Both the Red Bull Racing squad and company chief Dietrich Mateschitz slammed the Pirellis' high-degradation nature earlier this year.

That prompted jibes from rivals who felt the champion team was only complaining because it was struggling to handle the tyres.

Horner reckons others shared Red Bull's view but were less forthcoming.

"We were just being honest; we weren't hiding behind the issue and being politically correct," he said.

"We were just being honest about the situation, that we thought it was too marginal. We were saying what a lot of people were telling us in private but perhaps didn't have the balls to say in public.

"I think our position has been totally persistent and thankfully something has been done. Whether that disadvantages or helps us, I have got no idea.

"I don't think in reality it changes anything. I just think it is better for Formula 1."

Horner insisted Red Bull's stance was about what was right for the sport rather than its own competitiveness.

"I think what we could see early on is that we have got a quick car, but the tyres were becoming a very dominant factor," he said.

"Our comments about the tyres were consistent all the way from Melbourne to Silverstone.

"Nothing changed even though we've managed to win three races up to that point, we felt that they were too marginal and that it wasn't right for the drivers to having to drive so far within themselves and there were issues with the tyres sustaining damage.

"I think with the changes that have been made recently, really since Montreal, we have seen the drivers being able to push much harder in the races and really test each other."

[MIKA27]

Confirmed: Raikkonen will not join Vettel at Red Bull in 2014

Kimi Raikkonen will not drive for Formula One champions Red Bull next season after talks broke down, his manager has said ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend when the world champions are expected to announce who will succeed Mark Webber in the team.

The Finn is out of contract at Lotus at the end of the season and was a leading contender to replace Mark Webber at Red Bull when the Australian moves over to endurance racing next year.

Fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo, from Red Bull’s junior team Toro Rosso, now looks most likely to get the 2014 seat alongside world champion and current standings leader Sebastian Vettel.

“Kimi will not be driving for Red Bull in 2014. We held some talks but a deal will not be happening,” his manager Steve Robertson has confirmed to British media.

A Red Bull announcement could come at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix when the season resumes after a break.

Robertson said that staying at Lotus was just one possibility for 2007 world champion Raikkonen who spent two years in rallying after being forced out of Ferrari in 2009. He has shone on his return to F1 with a midfield team.

“We are pretty confident that Kimi will be in F1 next year,” he said. “There are options – and that is plural – out there and I will continue to talk to teams. I am hopeful we will sort something out in the not too distant future.”

Raikkonen, second in the current standings and third last year, has even been linked in the media with a return to Ferrari to replace the underperforming Felipe Massa but the Italian team has played down the speculation.

The F1 rumour mill even suggested Ferrari’s number one driver Fernando Alonso could be heading to partner Vettel next season after his manager was seen entering the Red Bull motorhome at the Hungarian Grand Prix last month.

Notably, Ferrari issued a rare public rebuke to Alonso after he told reporters “The one the others have” when asked following the Hungarian GP what kind of car he wanted for his birthday.

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Brawn: Everyone recognises now that Nico was better than everyone thought

Nico Rosberg is very happy to be compared and tested alongside the proven talents of Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, team boss Ross Brawn insists.

Paired with seven time world champion Michael Schumacher between 2010 and 2012, German Rosberg emerged as the more successful of the two Germans pedalling the Mercedes racers.

Team boss Brawn admitted that Rosberg is arguably happier now, alongside Hamilton – widely regarded as among the very best on the grid.

“Lewis is a great reference for the team,” Brawn is quoted by Brazil’s Totalrace.

“I think sometimes [Rosberg] was a little unhappy with Michael, because it wasn’t the same reference. Michael often had difficult moments with Nico.

“Was it because Michael was not as good as he once was? Or was Nico better than some people gave him credit?

“I think everyone recognises now that Nico was better than everyone thought,” he added.

Brawn said that the results of the 2013 season, with Rosberg winning twice and Hamilton opening his victory account recently in Hungary, have proved that the current driver pairing is right.

“I feel vindicated now that Lewis is on the team, because people are [now] saying how good Nico is, and I’ve always said so,” he insisted.

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Silverstone reportedly sold to real estate development firm

The Silverstone race track – host of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix – has reportedly been sold to a real estate firm.

A 200-acre business and technology park is allegedly going to be built beside the track for an estimated £40 million, according to The Independent. The buyer has not been confirmed, however, British property group MEPC was the most recent bidder for the circuit.

Debt-ridden Silverstone owner British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC) put the track and its 850-acre surrounding land up for sale on a 150-year lease several years ago, which was accelerated following Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone’s request to heavily develop the facility in exchange for a 17-year hosting extension in December 2009.

BRDC will continue to manage motor sport at Silverstone, however, the new leaseholder will take over the Formula 1 contract that requires an annual hosting fee of around £14 million.

Redevelopment plans also include three new hotels and a museum in addition to the new Silverstone University Technical College.

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McLaren not expecting to be contenders at Spa

McLaren goes to Spa-Francorchamps with no great expectations despite an enviable record at the Belgian Grand Prix where they have won no fewer than 14 times, but this time around neither last year’s winner Jenson Button nor team boss Martin Whitmarsh are confident of notching up victory number 15.

Speaking ahead of the weekend, in Belgium, Button said, “We don’t go to Spa with the package to win, but I’ll still be making the most of every single lap around this place – it’ll still feel incredible.”

Only a year ago McLaren had a race winning package which Button used to great effect to win on what is one of the legendary venues on the F1 calendar.

“Then I think back to my victory there last year: I had pretty much the perfect weekend – my car was fantastic, I got pole position and just led the whole race. It was one of the most satisfying wins of my career just because I felt strong and confident for the entire weekend,” recalled the 2009 F1 world champion.

Team principal Whitmarsh said, “Spa has been the scene of many victories for McLaren through the years – not least, our very first grand prix win, achieved by Bruce McLaren himself back in 1968.”

Whitmarsh however played down the team’s chances this year, “While we’re not contenders for outright victory this time round, the whole team is looking forward to another opportunity to build on our ability to understand and operate [the] MP4-28.”

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Teams should stay out of 2014 F1 tyre decisions says Lauda

Formula 1 teams should accept, and not get involved, in the chosen specification of next year’s Pirelli tyres.

That is the claim of Niki Lauda, who was speaking to Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport amid reports that the 2014 tyres might be slightly bigger and wider next year to suit the higher torque output of the new V6 engines.

It had emerged that while Renault and Ferrari want the 2014 specification to remain the same as in 2013, Formula 1′s other engine supplier Mercedes – rumoured to have a power advantage next year – wants the bigger tyres, no doubt with their own team’s WO-car’s performance very much a consideration .

“It’s a very important question,” Mercedes chairman Lauda said.

The very latest reports suggest that the FIA has actually decided to keep next year’s tyre specification largely the same as in 2013.

But Lauda had added: “Charlie Whiting wrote to all the teams that Pirelli wants a larger diameter and wider tyres.

“The way I understand it, it is now decided by the FIA alone.”

He said the teams and suppliers’ only role should be to give Pirelli all the data the official tyre supplier requests.

“If not, we should not be surprised if we stand in Melbourne next year (the season opener) complaining again about the tyres.

“Pirelli should determine what next year’s tyres look like without the influence of the teams. With the new cars and engines, it is important that we have stable tyres.”

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Caterham aiming for early decision on 2014 driver line-up

Caterham have promised to do everything they can to make an early call over their 2014 Formula 1 driver lineup.

Regarding the current lineup, the team announced at last season’s Brazil finale that Charles Pic would be driving a green car in 2013.

And Giedo van der Garde was only unveiled as Frenchman Pic’s teammate in February this year – mere weeks before the championship began.

When asked about the 2014 lineup, boss Cyril Abiteboul told Brazil’s Totalrace: “We would like to decide earlier than we did this year.

“In a way, that it took so long [for 2013] did hurt us. And next year the understanding between team and driver will be so important with the new power unit.

“So we want to make sure we make the decision as early as possible so that we can learn everything that can be learned before the first test.

“We would like it to be set in September or October,” Abiteboul added.

Rookie Dutchman van der Garde’s place at Caterham is considered to be in doubt due to his poor performance in 2013 so far.

He told Telegraaf newspaper: “Important progression for any rookie is difficult at first, and now I’ve experienced it first-hand this season.

“But I’m sure that the trend for the last races will be upwards.

“It is still too early to talk about next year and all the rumours,” van der Garde insisted.

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Sauber have yet to fully pay Ferrari engine bill

Reports that Sauber’s Russian rescue deal is teetering on the verge of collapse are persisting.

Last week, despite Formula 1′s August slumber, the Swiss team was forced to reject reports that the millions in crucial backing might never materialise.

“We are astounded at the heedlessness with which some media are prepared to spread false reports and rumours,” said the team in an official statement.

In the same statement, the Hinwil based team said that a contract with teenage Russian driver Sergey Sirotkin, whose father is a key figure in the entire deal, “is in place”.

But the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag reported on Sunday that it has “documents that prove the opposite”.

Indeed, Sirotkin’s father Oleg has told Izvestia, a Russian daily, that he will only travel to Switzerland this week to sign the deal.

“I guess it is not so different from other, similar [pay-driver] contracts, which are usually € 20 to 30 million,” he is quoted.

Welt am Sonntag correspondent Burkhard Nuppeney reported, therefore, that Sauber’s short-term survival depends on the actual signing of those sponsor deals.

Engine supplier Ferrari is reportedly demanding about half of a long overdue € 18 million bill be paid immediately.

“Welt am Sonntag has learned that only three of the required eight million have actually been paid,” wrote Nuppeney, who said that the situation could come to a head this weekend in Belgium.

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Red Bull U-turn on driver announcement at Spa

Helmut Marko has backtracked on an earlier statement, declaring that Red Bull will in fact not announce its 2014 driver lineup this weekend in Belgium.

Earlier, amid reports the world champion team has decided to promote Daniel Ricciardo to replace the Le Mans-bound Mark Webber, Marko told Germany’s Sport Bild that “we will make an announcement at Spa”.

After Hungary the world champions also indicated that they would be making an announcement regarding the 2014 driver line-up after the summer break.

But on Tuesday, the Austrian was quoted by SID news agency: “We will express ourselves when the time comes, and that will definitely not be at Spa.”

Meanwhile Kimi Raikkonen’s manager Steve Robertson said that talks with Red Bull had ended. Rumours now suggest that the 2007 world champion is now more likely to return to Ferrari in 2014.

Marko did not want to comment.

“What we will do will be the best for the team, in the medium term,” said team owner Dietrich Mateschitz’s right-hand man.

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Belgian Grand Prix: Ferrari previews Spa

Going back to school after the summer holiday is always easier to deal with if the first day features a popular topic and the same can be said of the Formula 1 mid-season break, because there can’t be many people who don’t look forward to the weekend at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

Many tracks have been purpose built to provide thrills and excitement for drivers and spectators alike, but none of those manage it with the easy grace of Spa, which was originally put together using public roads that had to be closed for racing.

In 1979, the massive 15 kilometre track was shortened approximately by half, but it still retains a certain special something appreciated by all the drivers. In fact it’s a great example of Mother Nature knowing best, because what really makes Spa special is the way the track dips, dives and climbs through the Ardennes forest.

Both Scuderia Ferrari drivers are fans. “It is a very special circuit that always gets your adrenalin pumping, what with the way the track rises and falls and the very quick corners, which all go to make it a really fantastic experience for a driver,” reckons Fernando Alonso, who split the break between home in Spain and some beach time. “One lap of Spa is like twenty at any other track, in terms of the excitement and adrenalin it generates.”

As for Felipe Massa, he made the rather longer trip to his home in Brazil, but is now back in Europe, batteries fully charged, ready to tackle the Belgian Grand Prix. “Spa is fantastic, something of a dream for all drivers to race there, especially in a Formula 1 car,” says Felipe. “There’s so much history there and it’s a wonderful challenge with all the climbs and drops and changes of direction, which all add up to make driving there a true pleasure.”

As to which part is the most exciting, the Spaniard plumps for the famous Eau Rouge. “It’s an uphill corner taken in seventh gear at over 300 km/h. Even if you take it flat out these days in a modern Formula 1 car, your body still experiences more compression than at any other corner in the whole championship and that’s what makes it special.”

Felipe is a fan of the rollercoaster corner too, but it’s not his favourite. “In a modern F1 car, with all the technology and the aerodynamics and the downforce, although Eau Rouge looks like a corner, you actually drive it as though it was a straight, taking it flat out every lap,” explained the Brazilian.

“So actually, the part I think is the most fun is towards the end of the second sector and the start of the last one, where there are so many fast corners and changes of direction. The most demanding section comes after the climb from Eau Rouge, when you get a straight followed by all those downhill chicanes because the slightest mistake here costs you a lot of time over the lap.

There are many other challenges at this circuit and Fernando reckons that one of the most important comes near the end of circuit. “The most demanding corner is definitely the final chicane before the finish line, because you approach it at around 330 km/h but then you have to tackle this very, very slow chicane with very little grip, because at Spa you set up the car with very little downforce.

It’s here that positions change a lot during the race and it’s also important as it marks the entrance to the pit lane, which is very narrow. For the best set-up at Spa you need to make a significant aerodynamic compromise, because the first and third sectors are made up entirely of long straights, where you want the minimum downforce, in order to have as much speed as possible and then there’s the middle sector which has plenty of corners where you want the maximum aerodynamic downforce. So finding the right balance is always very complex at Spa, which means [that] this is the aspect which we will prioritise in free practice.”

Of the current Scuderia Ferrari driver line-up, only Felipe has won here before, back in 2008. “Everyone wants to win here,” says the Brazilian. “I love the circuit and I hope there are more Spa wins to come in my career. It means a lot because of its history.” His team-mate agrees that a win in Belgium is special. “Spa is considered to be a very complete circuit which provides a real challenge for both the driver and the team,” says Fernando.

“Therefore, it’s one of those races, along with Monaco and Monza and the other famous tracks with a great reputation, which gives them some added worth, as all the big names have won here in the past, so hopefully this year, we can put our name there. But at the end of the day, it’s still 25 points for the win, just like any other round.” Surprisingly, given he is a double world champion, the Scuderia’s Spanish driver has never held the winner’s trophy in Belgium.

“I did well in 2005 when I came second and also back in Formula 3000 So far, I’ve never been in with a real chance of fighting for the win and I’ve often retired at Spa, usually for reasons of plain bad luck or with technical problems or down to my own mistakes, so it would be great to make up for that this year, picking up all those lost points.”