FORMULA 1 - 2013

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Belgian Grand Prix: Force India previews Spa

Force India team management and drivers preview the Formula 1 Shell Belgian Grand Prix, Round 11 of the 2013 F1 World Championship.

Team Principal, Dr Vijay Mallya, reflects on the team’s recent performances.

Dr Mallya, despite a difficult couple of races the team remains fifth in the standings. What is the focus going forward?

We are approaching the second part of the year in the same way we approached the first half. We know the car is mechanically sound and the drivers have been happy with it, so we need to unleash its potential. Getting on top of the new tyres is certainly a challenge and an area we are focussed on, but it’s the same for everyone. With nine races to go and a close battle in the championship it’s vital that we are competitive on all tracks.

Do you feel confident that the team can recapture its form in time for Spa?

Tyres have played a very important role this year from race one onwards. We were on top of the tyre game up until Silverstone and then in Germany and Hungary we struggled with the new tyres. We need to get on top of that and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be able to. We just need time and I’m quite optimistic that we will come back strong.

Spa is a track that always seems to suit this team. What are you expectations for the weekend?

Spa is a track that we love! As I have said, the car has to be competitive on all tracks, but if I concede that Hungary was not ideally suited to us, by the same token Spa and Monza have traditionally been our stronger tracks. So that gives me a little bit of a morale boost in saying that once we are on top of the game, we should restore our competitive position.

Paul Di Resta gets ready for the second half of the season:

Paul, how was your summer break?

It was very good. I had the chance to put in a bit of training, relax and spend time with my family and friends at home. It was important to make sure I [came] back stronger for this second part of the season. It’s going to be a very important period and I wanted to make sure I can face it in the best condition and with my batteries fully charged.

After some difficult races before the break, are you and the team ready to bounce back?

I don’t want to let this championship get away from us. We started off really well and there is no reason why we can’t keep doing that. We have missed some opportunities lately and that allowed our rivals to close in, but I have faith in the team and I know everyone is working hard for the races ahead.

So are you confident for the second half of the season?

We need to get the car working for us like before. In Budapest it was difficult to drive, but sometimes you get those tough weekends. Since then we have regrouped and analysed the previous races properly and hopefully this weekend will be a fresh start. We usually do well in Belgium and everyone is determined to get back to the situation we had at the start of the year when we seemed to be punching above our weight.

Adrian Sutil looks forward to his favourite race of the season:

Adrian, are you feeling refreshed from your summer break?

We travel so much during the year so it’s nice to have a quiet period to just stay at home and relax. I spent most of the time in Switzerland and did quite a lot of training. I’m coming back feeling fresh and ready for the big challenge we have in the second half of the season.

You always say that Spa is your favourite track so you must be looking forward to this weekend..?

I think it’s the favourite for most drivers. It’s a real pleasure to drive there and I’ve had some good results. The high-speed corners are a really nice challenge and there are lots of overtaking opportunities. Plus, there is always the unknown of the weather and a good chance of rain.

How are you approaching this weekend?

It is important we regain the speed [which] we showed earlier in the year. We are going towards some tracks that should suit our car better and it’s important that we get back to scoring points at every race. I am ready to do my part by taking the opportunities when they appear and helping the team move forward. I have good memories of Spa and I would like to add some more.

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Raikkonen managament not ruling out Ferrari return

Kimi Raikkonen’s manager Steve Robertson is not ruling out a return to Ferrari for the 2007 world champion.

On Monday, Robertson admitted that talks with Red Bull about Raikkonen replacing Le Mans-bound Mark Webber had been “unsuccessful”.

But the 33-year-old Finn, who currently drives for Lotus, has also been linked with a return to Ferrari, despite the Italian team having replaced him with Fernando Alonso with a year to run on his contract, at the end of 2009.

Asked if Ferrari is an option, manager Robertson told the BBC: “Until they confirm their seats, my job is to speak to all the teams and see what’s available.”

Robertson also told Brazil’s O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper on Monday that Raikkonen has more than one alternative to Lotus for 2014.

“I’m not worried,” he said, “because we have other options – plural.”

Brazilian correspondent Livio Oricchio said that Red Bull’s Christian Horner pushed hard to sign Raikkonen, but Helmut Marko ultimately got his way.

Marko reportedly convinced team owner Dietrich Mateschitz that Red Bull should take young Australian Daniel Ricciardo, because it better balances the lineup alongside reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel.

Ricciardo’s signing also proves the worth of the Red Bull junior team Toro Rosso, and gives the next rising youngster, Antonio Felix da Costa, his 2014 debut.

Meanwhile, a post on Twitter by Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso might be seen as a return of fire, after Luca di Montezemolo recently publicly criticised the Spaniard’s outbursts in the wake of the recent Hungarian Grand Prix.

Reverting to the wisdom of the Samurai, Alonso said: “The warrior that uses the sword when insulted cannot be considered brave. Brave man does not flinch, because he has higher goals.”

MIKA: I like Alonso but his Samurai quotes are terrible. Perhaps he should say something more like this;

"Man with hand on tool, not necessarily mechanic..."

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Singapore removes unpopular sling chicane

Organisers of the Singapore Grand Prix will remove the controversial and unpopular ‘Singapore sling’ chicane.

The slow and unusual chicane, featuring high and harsh kerbs for the left-right-left flick, has been consistently criticised by drivers and teams since the sport arrived at the now highly-popular night race venue in 2008.

Speed Week correspondent Mathias Brunner reports this week that Turn 10 of the Marina Bay street circuit will now be a simple left-hand corner.

The report also said the layout at key sections including turns 1-2, 5-8 and along the esplanade will be resurfaced in order to make the track less bumpy.

This year’s Singapore Grand Prix will be held on 22 September.

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Belgian Grand Prix: McLaren previews Spa

McLaren team and drivers preview the Belgian Grand Prix, Round 11 of the 2013 Formula 1 World Championship, at Spa-Francorchamps.

Jenson Button: “Spa has always been on my shortlist of favourite circuits in Formula One. I still remember my first grand prix there, back in 2000, when I out-qualified Michael Schumacher in [his] Ferrari – that felt pretty special.

“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.

“The thing about Spa is that it just feels awesome to nail a quick lap around there – you need a car that’s perfectly synced to the driver, because it’s such a long lap, and there are so many big corners, that you need to find that perfect balance. And getting the set-up right – and running flat-out for nearly two minutes – feels incredible.

“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.”

Sergio Perez: “We had a positive race in Hungary, which was a nice way to end the first half of the season. Hopefully, it gave everybody within the team the motivation to return to work after the summer break with renewed focus. I’m certainly feeling incredibly strong and refreshed and am really looking forward to getting back into the cockpit and back to work.

“There’s no better place to kick off the season’s second half than with races at Spa and then Monza. They’re two of Formula One’s most iconic and evocative tracks, and two of the greatest challenges for any driver. I love Spa, but I didn’t get too much of an opportunity last year: after qualifying fourth, I was one of the victims of the first-corner accident, so I didn’t get to see what our car could do.

“So I’m going to Spa this year with added motivation to do well. It’s such a great place – I love fast corners, and the feeling of taking to the car to the limit around such a big and long circuit is incredible. The racing at Spa – particularly with KERS Hybrid and DRS – is usually pretty intense, so I’ll be looking forward to another exciting weekend.”

Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren team principal: “There’s absolutely no denying that Spa-Francorchamps is one of the greatest racetracks in the world. It occupies that exalted position alongside circuits such as Monaco, Silverstone, Monza and Suzuka; venues with a storied past and a demanding nature that make them some of the standouts on a packed calendar.

“For everyone in Formula One, a weekend in Spa can be tough and demanding. The unpredictable weather means that there’s rarely a straightforward path for our drivers and engineers to clearly pursue through the weekend. The cold and the rain make life difficult for the spectators, too, but they are rewarded with some of the best views in the world of racing cars at the limit.

“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. 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 MP4-28.”

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Belgian Grand Prix: Marussia previews Spa

The 2013 F1 season gets back on track this weekend as the sport concludes its annual summer break and heads to Spa for the 2013 Formula 1 Shell Belgian Grand Prix.

There can be no better circuit to get back into the racing groove than the hallowed asphalt of Spa-Francorchamps and its majestic setting in The Ardennes. This picturesque backdrop, together with the track’s blend of long straights and challenging fast corners, ensures that Spa retains its ranking as one of the season’s best races by drivers, teams and fans alike.

At 7.004 km, the circuit continues its status as the longest on the F1 calendar. It features 19 corners – 10 left-handers, 9 right.

Jules Bianchi: “On the one hand it is very important for everyone in the sport to have a good long break. On the other hand I was ready to go racing again after just one week! That was three weeks ago now, so I am very much looking forward to Spa this weekend and also to the second half of the season, which is very important for us as we have to give it 100% to ensure [that] we achieve our objectives. Over the break I have had the chance to reflect on my debut season so far, think about how I can bring all of that experience together to make me stronger and also focus very hard on my physical condition so that I can perform at my best through the run of long-haul races coming up. It will be good to race at Spa again as it is a fantastic track and it will be very special to get my first taste of it in an F1 car.”

Max Chilton: “I can’t wait for Spa this weekend. The break has been a good opportunity to think about the first half of the season but it will be good to be back in the car again. I’m feeling very positive about what we need to do in the remaining nine races and I’m ready for the challenge. Although we haven’t been racing, the break has still been a busy time as I treated it a little like a ‘training camp’ and spent part of it on a pretty intensive physical programme. Having raced at Spa a few times now, I’m looking forward to my first experience of driving a Formula 1 car at what is a very special circuit. It’s a different challenge, with the exceptionally long lap and fantastic mix of long straights and high speed corners and it certainly ranks high on my list of favourites.”

John Booth, Team Principal, Marussia F1 Team: “It is good to return after the summer break and have everyone in the team rested and ready for the second phase of races. With only two European rounds remaining, the long haul run will be quite demanding, so the chance for some much-need respite has been key for everyone. We also head into the second part of the season still holding 10th place in the constructors’ championship and we are keenly focused on what we need to do at every turn to ensure we maintain that position. The challenge begins again this weekend in Spa at what is a favourite destination for our team and the fans. There we will have some new suspension parts and brakes to evaluate and, as ever, consistent progress during the course of the weekend and a two-car finish ahead of our nearest competitors are the target outcomes.”

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Belgian Grand Prix: Williams previews Spa

Williams team and drivers preview the Belgian Grand Prix, Round 11 of the 2013 Formula 1 World Championship, at Spa-Francorchamps.

Xevi Pujolar, Chief Race Engineer: After the August break it is great to be back racing again and the whole team is looking forward to arriving at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend. It is one of the most challenging circuits in the world for both the car and drivers as you see every kind of corner from long flowing curves to twisty chicanes and hairpins. It’s one of the fastest circuits with an average speed of 230kph and is also the longest single lap of the year at 7.004km. With DRS and the long lap resulting in large differences in tyre degradation between strategies, overtaking is usually easier here than at many other tracks. Weather is often very changeable here and although early forecasts show a chance of rain on Sunday only, this can quickly change. Also, given the length of the circuit there is an added challenge in selecting tyres in changeable conditions as certain parts of the circuit can be much wetter than others. Overall, we are looking forward to getting the final races of the season underway.

Pastor Maldonado: Spa is one of my favourite circuits because it has so much history and is so fun to drive. It’s a very technical and fast circuit and you find a very wide range of corners there: uphill, downhill, very slow, medium, fast, short and long corners. It’s the most complete track of the season and this tests you as a driver and also tests the car’s setup. It also has the famous Eau Rouge corner which puts a lot of G force and pressure on your body. You feel this even more during qualifying when you are low on fuel and are trying to get the most from the car. The weather can be changeable and because it is such a long track, there are times where the track can be wet in one sector but dry in another which requires the teams to make some difficult strategy decisions. Two years ago I picked up my first point in Formula One here and hopefully I will be in the points again this weekend.

Valtteri Bottas: I first drove at Spa in 2007 in Formula Renault and immediately fell in love with the track. It’s very high speed, flowing and undulating and gives you a real adrenaline rush. Achieving a good car setup is difficult because of the wide variety of corners, but we will try to get as much information as we can during the practice sessions to find the most appropriate setup for qualifying and the race. I’ve had a good break during the shutdown period but I’m now itching to get back in the car. We have shown some improvements in race pace over the past few races and we know we are heading in the right direction. We will therefore be looking to have another points scoring result this weekend that will give us good momentum for the second half of the season.

Rémi Taffin, Renault Sport F1 Head of Track Operations: A massive 70% of the 7 km Spa-Francorchamps is spent flat out, meaning that the track remains one of the biggest test of engines on the F1 calendar. Even though Monza sees the RS27 at full throttle for a longer time, it is the combination of the wide open throttle with the compressions and steep gradients that gives such an awesome workout. La Source to Eau Rouge and onto the Raidillon sees the engine at maximum revs, diving downhill and then climbing through several metres, putting the engines and internals under considerable stress. Having the right balance between reliability and top end power is always a juggling act as a result – and one that is particularly rewarding when you get it right.

Paul Hembery, Pirelli Motorsport Director: Spa is one of the fastest and most spectacular races on the calendar, with a real sense of speed and history. We’re taking the P Zero Orange Hard and P Zero White Medium compunds, which cope well with the high speeds and significant energy loadings that characterise the track. Spa is the longest circuit on the calendar, which increases the demands on the tyres but also opens up the opportunity for different strategies. Adding to the complexity of the race is the notoriously changeable weather in the region: it can even be very wet on some parts of the circuit while it stays completely dry on other parts. So the role that the Cinturato Green intermediate and Cinturato Blue wet tyres play could be crucial – and a completely dry Spa weekend is a comparatively rare occurrence.

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Belgian Grand Prix: Toro Rosso previews Spa

Formula 1 people are not very good at holidays and most of them are probably glad to get back to work after the summer break.

The fact that the return to active duty involves travelling to Spa-Francorchamps makes the start of the second half of the season even better, as the Belgian track is unanimously considered one of the very best, if not the best on the entire nineteen race calendar.

Even if the fearsome 14 kilometre track was consigned to history after the 1970 race, the current layout, at around half that distance, still contains some of the most exciting high speed corners in the world. Racing drivers being the strange creatures that they are, reckon that the famous Eau Rouge flick-flack is not the challenge it used to be now that it’s generally taken flat out in the dry – which doesn’t happen all that often given the unusual microclimate in this part of the Ardennes forests. But that leaves plenty of other challenges and you won’t hear drivers pooh-pooh Pouhon, a fearsome left hander entered at over 200 km/h and they still blanche at Blanchimont.

Setting up a Formula 1 car for this unique challenge is all about keeping the car glued to the track through the high speed corners, while keeping drag to a minimum, so one is looking at similar downforce levels to those seen in Canada. Of course, you also need plenty of engine power for the charge up the hill from Eau Rouge and the other high speed sections and the tyres get worked hard too, which is why Pirelli is bringing its Medium and Hard compounds. On the tyre front, this is one weekend, where the rain tyres can never be kept down the back of the truck as you never know when they might be needed and the rubber situation is further complicated by the fact the weather can change from one part of the track to the next. Looking at weather forecasts for Spa-Francorchamps is up there with predicting the winning lottery ticket numbers in terms of useless occupations, but for the sake of being thorough, currently we are meant to be in for a mainly dry and warm weekend, with just the chance of a shower at some point on race day.

Both our drivers like Spa and are looking forward to the Belgian weekend, hoping to do even better than last year, when both of them finished in the points; Jean-Eric Vergne taking the flag in eighth place, one ahead of team-mate Daniel Ricciardo.

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Belgian Grand Prix: Sauber previews Spa

After a two week summer break the Sauber F1 Team is looking forward to the Belgian Grand Prix at the circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, which is taking place from the 23rd to the 25th of August.

Sauber F1 Team drivers Nico Hülkenberg and Esteban Gutiérrez both spent some time unwinding from the first half of the season with their families and friends, and recharged their batteries with some fitness training in order to tackle the second part of the 2013 Formula One World Championship.

Nico Hülkenberg: “I am probably not the only driver to say Spa-Francorchamps is one of my favourite circuits. It’s a track with a lot of history. It’s an old school circuit with great corners like Eau Rouge and Pouhon. I have great memories from last year, it was my strongest career finish so far, finishing fourth, which was really good. In terms of the car, it’s important to have a really efficient one.

There are a lot of medium and high-speed corners, where you need the down force, especially in sector two. But you also need to loose the drag on the straight, because there are long straights, especially out of turn one through Eau Rouge, which is flat, and then again coming back to the start and finish line. There are a lot of straights, so top speed is also important. The Ardennes area of Belgium has a really nice atmosphere and I enjoy going to there.“

Esteban Gutiérrez: “Belgium will be an interesting race with everything we have done to the car during the past GPs. Obviously qualifying in Hungary was not good, because of the time we lost in FP3. But I think we can manage to get into the position we were expecting, which is around P10 in Spa-Francorchamps. It is one of the tracks that I enjoy driving the most, because it has a lot of quick corners and it just flows. You can feel the limits of the car at really high speeds. One lap is quite long and sometimes you even face varying weather conditions in different parts of the track – on one side it might be raining, while the other side might be dry.

This makes it very challenging and interesting. In terms of the setup, we will have to be clever about which downforce levels we want to race, because you have very long straights, and at the same time you have high-speed corners, where you need the downforce. As a racing driver it is impossible not to enjoy the track, because it has fast corners, you are going uphill, downhill and I am really looking forward to it.“

Tom McCullough, Head of Track Engineering: “After the August break the whole team feels refreshed and we are looking forward to the remaining nine races. Spa-Francorchamps is a favourite track for many engineers and drivers as the track requirements are different to the majority of the tracks we visit. The circuit efficiency penalises higher levels of drag so the rear wings will return to the medium levels of downforce. As always, we will have to keep an eye on the forecast as this often influences the race weekend in Spa-Francorchamps. The track is made up of primarily medium and high-speed corners with significant flat out sections. Pirelli has selected the Medium and Hard compounds for our return to Spa. We have improved the competitiveness of the C32 throughout the first half of the season and we aim to capitalise on that between now and the end of the year.“

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Alonso hopes for better luck at Spa

Fernando Alonso hopes to finally put his name on the winner's board at this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix.

The double World Champion has won 32 races in his illustrious Formula One career, but victory at the historic Spa-Francorchamps circuit has eluded him so far.

He has visited Spa nine times, but he retired in five of those races and finished on the podium only twice. However, he is determined to have some better luck this time around.

"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," he told the official Ferrari website.

With Spa viewed as one of the true racing circuits, Alonso is eager to join the winner's circle.

"Spa is considered to be a very complete circuit which provides a real challenge for both the driver and the team," the Spaniard said.

"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."

Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa has fonder memories of Spa as he was on the top step of the podium in 2008.

"Spa is fantastic, something of a dream for all drivers to race there, especially in a Formula 1 car," the Brazilian said. "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."

He added: "Everyone wants to win here. 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."

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Hulkenberg: Sirotkin signing a risk

Nico Hulkenberg feels it is a "bit risky" for Sauber to fast-track Russian teenager Sergey Sirotkin.

Sirotkin, who turns 18 this coming Sunday, is expected to line-up on next year's grid as part of Sauber's new deal with a group of Russian backers.

The youngster has yet to put in a lap in a Formula One car but is scheduled to at least meet the team later this week when he heads to their Hinwil factory.

However, whether signing Sirotkin is a mistake or not, Hulkenberg, his potential 2014 team-mate, says it's not his call.

"Me, I wasn't ready for Formula 1 at that point," Hulkenberg said.

"It is ambitious, maybe a bit risky, but it's not my decision.

"Everyone is obviously different. Some guys can handle more pressure than others."

The German also fears the Russian racer will enter Formula One under-prepared as the sport's ban on testing means he won't have any running until the pre-season outings.

"He will keep on racing in Formula Renault [3.5], beyond that he could do lots of simulator running, but that isn't real life, and Sauber does not have a simulator so that is not an option."

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Lotus: No alternative but to switch

Alan Permane reckons most teams have already focused the "majority" of their workforce on next season in light of the massive technical changes.

Next year's Championship will see a major overhaul in the Formula One regulations spearheaded by a change in engines. Instead of the current 2.4-litre V8s, the teams will be using 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 engines.

The changes have already resulted in teams splitting the departments to cover both this year and next year's cars while Permane believes the team has come to focus mainly on next season.

"I expect most, if not every team on the grid to be focusing the majority of their design and aero resources on next year's cars by this stage," said the Lotus trackside operations engineer.

"The changes are so significant that - without unlimited resources - you really have no alternative but to have switched your focus in this respect if the aim is to be competitive in 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.

"If this rings true throughout the paddock - and I think it will for most teams - then I fully expect us to continue fighting at the front for the remainder of the season."

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Razia laments: F1 is about money

Luiz Razia concedes he needs to find more sponsorship if he wants to make his way onto the Formula One grid as talent is "second hand."

The Brazilian was signed to race for Marussia this season, however, after one pre-season test was given the boot when his sponsors failed to pay for his drive.

"F1 these days is all about the money and second hand is the talent - unfortunately I don't have money at the moment, so it is looking difficult to get back to it," Razia told Sky Sports F1 Online.

"We had the issue at the beginning of the year and that was the end and we are still trying to sort out the situation.

"Obviously it was not easy, but after that I got invited to run this season in the GT Open in the Bhai Tech McLaren and that has been a good experience up to this point.

"Our next race is at Spa in September and that is going really well."

Competing in the International GT Open, Razia says he is still dreaming of a future in F1 but needs money in order for that to happen.

"The end of August, into September we will still try, but if I don't see any signs of sponsorship then I will move to sportscars and do GT, Le Mans, something like that.

"It is good to look for a drive as a professional, instead of paying all my life.

"If August and September work out then I will still look at it, but it is very difficult to find £10 million nowadays. It is quite complicated."

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Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton's focus won't wilt

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes that Lewis Hamilton's steely determination to succeed will remain just as intense now he has finally secured a much sought-after victory for the team.

The Briton had been forced to see team-mate Nico Rosberg take two victories earlier in the 2013 Formula 1 season before he produced a dominant performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

That triumph has put Hamilton firmly back into title contention.

Wolff reckons the intense focus that his driver put into turning his fortunes around will be undimmed when F1 bursts back in to action in Belgium this weekend.

"I have known him now for six months, and he is such a professional guy," said Wolff, when asked by AUTOSPORT what effect the Hungaroring triumph would have on Hamilton.

"He is so focused on the race weekends and his own performance, but I never had any concerns that [not winning] would cause any problems.

"A win is a win, and to have headed into the summer break with a win is always good. The team is upbeat, Nico is upbeat and this is the general spirit we have in the team at the moment."

HAMILTON: I'VE SILENCED CRITICS

Hamilton has openly spoken about how much he is relishing life at Mercedes, in a campaign that has silenced critics claiming his move to the Brackley-based team was a mistake.

"It's been a really positive season for me," said Hamilton. "Everyone was talking me down at the beginning of the year.

"Some things were said about being the right or wrong decision, and that it was a mistake and all these kind of things.

"But the team and I have constantly proved everyone wrong, race by race.

"We're second in the constructors' championship, which is a massive boost. I feel privileged that I was able to contribute to that.

"We never would have thought we'd be in such a competitive position, still within shooting distance of both championships."

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Ferrari insists focus on F1 title not drivers amid Raikkonen talk

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali says a world championship fightback, and not his 2014 Formula 1 driver line-up, is all he cares about right now.

Amid intense speculation about Kimi Raikkonen's future, Domenicali addressed his Maranello staff on Tuesday to make clear that who drives alongside Fernando Alonso next year is not important right now.

Instead, he urged each of his team members to do all they can to get Alonso and the team to the top of the championship standings.

"We have spelt it out many times before: the driver topic is definitely not a priority," said Domenicali.

"What counts is to give them [Alonso and Felipe Massa] the best possible chance of finishing ahead of everyone and, in order to succeed, each and every one of us must do our job to the best of our ability on all levels.

"If they have a winning car in their hands, then I am convinced they will know how to win with it. If we all believe, then we can do it."

Domenicali said that he shared Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo's sentiment from the start of the summer break that motivation and belief must be kept intact if Ferrari is to stop Sebastian Vettel taking a fourth consecutive world championship title.

"There is much talk outside the company regarding the future, but we must concentrate only on the present, on the fight for the championship," he said.

"The words of our president before the summer break must serve as a stimulus, because they were meant as the words of a good family father, who, first and foremost really roots for our team. Keep those words in mind and let's all pull together, starting in Spa."

EVERYTHING STILL TO PLAY FOR

Although Alonso trails Sebastian Vettel by 39 points in the drivers' championship, Domenicali told his staff there was every reason to believe the title was still possible.

"There is still everything to play for and we have gone through this before, as recently as last year," he explained.

"Nine races means that a total of 225 driver points are available and rest assured that the goals we set ourselves at the start of the season are still perfectly attainable.

"It's true we've gone through a difficult period, especially in July and now is the time to react in the way that Ferrari people know well.

"Our task is very simple: namely to give Fernando and Felipe the quickest car possible. Now, their contribution will be even more essential than ever."

He added: "I don't want to see any of you not believing in our fightback. Each one of you must be the link in a chain of positivity that must drive the team along in what is a key moment in the season.

"We are Ferrari and history teaches us that we must never accept we are beaten."

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Toro Rosso hails aero gains amid strong 2013 Formula 1 season

Toro Rosso's aerodynamic department is stronger than it was this time last year, according to technical director James Key.

Key joined Toro Rosso a year ago in place of Giorgio Ascanelli.

Ascanelli's departure was partly down to clashes over whether the team was getting the most out of its aerodynamic resources, meaning a large part of Key's mandate has been to improve Toro Rosso in that area.

"Although I'm not trained in aero, I'm very aero-biased and spend a lot of time getting involved in it because it's so important," Key said.

"It was clear we needed to make it [aerodynamic performance] more prominent and it has certainly stepped up.

"We are delivering a lot of stuff to the track and lots of different concepts and ideas have been developed.

"A lot of effort has gone into how we work, how to structure things in terms of what we are targeting and when so we know what we are trying to achieve."

WINDTUNNEL NOT A BIG DISADVANTAGE

Toro Rosso is using the same Bicester windtunnel it used previously.

Although it was often considered a major weakness, given it is only to 50 per cent scale rather than the 60 per cent permitted by the regulations, Key is happy with its results.

"It is not perfect, but the good thing is that it's not telling us wrong things.

"It's just not the most refined tunnel around. It's 50 per cent, which is definitely a disadvantage, but it's not like it is a huge disadvantage."

Toro Rosso has built up a British-based aero group around the Bicester windtunnel.

This is designed to compliment the team's base in the Italian town of Faenza, which will remain the core of the team, and Key is hoping to improve the way the two locations interact.

Earlier this year, a model shop was opened at Bicester, allowing windtunnel models to be produced on-site.

"We have got 80 people in Bicester with three buildings," said Key.

"It's developing well and now we are trying to integrate our CFD department in Faenza with it to try and push them closer together

"There is still a long way to go but I have to say it's quite a long way from where it was when I joined."

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A Brief History Of Speed: The Tech Evolution Of Formula One

Formula One kicked off way back in 1946 and immediately started earning a reputation as one of the world’s most dangerous sports. Ever since then, the only thing that has gone faster than the drivers themselves is the speed of innovation surrounding their cars. This is a brief history of speed.

The organisers at the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile introduced rules for the engine capacities of cars almost immediately, but little to no concern was given to the safety of the drivers or the spectators.

Cars with atomic bombs disguised as engines raced around narrow, often dangerous tracks, piloted by men in no helmets, no safety gear and definitely no harnesses. It was man and machine in perfect balance: a volatile mix of meat and gears designed to propel a piece of metal around a track as quickly as possible.

This drive to win saw companies invest millions upon millions of dollars on research and development, hoping to come up with the next big innovation that would change the balance of the grid back into their favour. For this reason, the FIA — now known as FISA — had to constantly stay on top of teams trying to side-step the system by inventing something that didn’t exist yet on a battlefield of innovators.

Rules changed year to year to ensure that both drivers and spectators were looked after, subsequently implementing new safety technology every new season while working to gradually reduce crashes and injuries.

Technological improvements saw cars get faster, lighter and smarter over the years. The early 1960′s saw roll-bars installed, along with other driver safety gear like a double-braking system, fire protection for fuel tanks and a quick-evacuation cockpit. The FIA also made helmets mandatory for the first time in the 1960s.

The 1970′s brought safety technology to the spectators, with double-re-enforced crash barriers installed, along with three-metre high embankments on the track with hay bales banned as barriers. 1975 also saw the rule that demanded drivers wear fire-proof suits in the car, should they crash.

It wasn’t just technical improvements that the FIA got involved with: the body also wanted drivers and spectators to say yes to the ongoing safety of the sport, so certain technologies have been gradually banned over time to get around teams exploiting loopholes.

Air brakes were banned in the early 1960′s, certain construction materials were outlawed in the 1970′s and coming into even this latest season of F1, the FISA — as it’s now known — is making more bans on certain types of engines.

Safety was also increased when medical air was required to be pumped into the driver’s helmet, while mandatory evacuation crews were stationed at race meets.

The FIA and FISA have tried to keep pace with different aerodynamic technologies designed to improve engine cooling, downforce and braking performance. The end-game of the regulatory agency is always to maintain a level playing field against a tide of relentless innovation.

The only year that the FIA mis-stepped in relation to technology was in the dark year of 1994, when the agency outlawed all electronic aids in F1 cars racing on the track. ABS brakes, launch control at start, traction control in the corners and active suspension are all banned. As a result, cars were more unwieldy in the hands of drivers, leading up to the tragic San Marino Grand Prix race at Imola, Italy.

During the Friday qualifying session, Rubens Barrichello hit a corner at 225kph, ploughing his Jordan car into the top of a tyre wall in a sickening crash that left him unconscious. The Saturday qualifying session saw Roland Ratzenberger come off the track at speeds in excess of 300kph, suffering fatal head injuries. In a tragic crescendo, the pole position qualifier, the great Ayrton Senna, tragically died after coming off the track and slamming into a wall at over 200kph.

Imola was where it all changed for modern Formula 1. Safety technology was reimplemented in order to start slowing cars down and making the sport safer for drivers, teams and spectators.

That technological intervention continues today with the FISA prescribing that all engines in the 2013 must be more fuel efficient. That means that high-revving V8s are being swapped for smaller, quieter 1.6L turbo-charged V6 engines, complete with exhaust muffling technology. Paired with a kinetic energy recovery system that feeds power back into the flywheel under braking (KERS), the new cars will likely produce around 750 brake horsepower. That’s still monstrous, but the car that Senna drove at Imola in 1994 had roughly 1200bhp.

Innovation is also going on off the track as well, so that viewers at home can get a better experience when watching the race.

The future of Formula One broadcast technology will be the ability to cater to both one-time viewers and purists, said the face of Network Ten’s motorsport coverage Greg Rust.

Small, light cameras and the viewers’ increased use of dual-screens means that now, and probably more so in the future, networks are able to show the minute details that purists want, as well as the visually-exciting footage that captures the attention of new fans, he said.

That, combined with increased use of HD audio and and heat-seeking lenses, have made the coverage of the sport a much more enjoyable spectacle, Rust explained.

“The sound of an F1 car is very unique, is infectious.”

Recently, as cameras have become lighter and smaller, is has been possible to insert them in drivers’ helmets. This provides an angle rust said casual viewers might not find all that interesting, but for the purists, it’s fantastic.

“It makes them feel like they are part of the team.”

F1 teams are constantly pumping-out a deluge of technical information, which might bore someone who does not know much about the sport. But to someone who follows it closely, it’s a good thing.

Having broadcast technology that allows viewers to interact — switching between different teams, or angles — means the sport has been able to adapt, and cater to two different viewer bases.

Technology is not just important for viewers. It has commercial benefits as well, Rust said. Now, company logos can be broadcast onto the track, meaning advertising revenue can be achieved without disturbing the sanctity of the track.

The science of speed can’t be achieved, refined or improved without the advance of technology, and F1 is still a multi-billion dollar industry that not only makes racing more exciting, but also gives the cars that you and I drive around better speed, fuel economy and safety.

[MIKA27]

The Big Preview: Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps

The magnificent Spa-Francorchamps circuit welcomes Formula 1 back from its summer break for the Belgian Grand Prix, round 11 of the 2013 FIA F1 World Championship. With nine races in the next 14 weeks the second half the season packs a lot of action into a short space of time.

The championships are delicately poised: Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing hold the lead in their respective competitions but the chasing pack has stayed within range. A good run of form now could see the world champion and his Milton Keynes-based squad build an unassailable position, while poor races here and in Italy – neither of which have been strong for RBR in recent history – will set up a furious finish to the season.

Spa-Francorchamps provides a thorough test of man and machine. The sweeping curves, high speeds and roller-coaster profile make this circuit a firm favourite with drivers but a headache for engineers who have to find a workable compromise between very different demands. Do you bring a low-downforce package for the fast first and third sectors and lose time in the make-or-break middle part of the lap or go for higher downforce and potentially be a sitting duck for overtaking on the long, fast Kemmel straight?

Over the years the advantage has swung back and forth.

Pirelli are bringing their two hardest compounds to the Ardennes, as was the case in 2012. Last year Jenson Button won with a one-stop strategy, while the majority of the field, including third-placed Kimi Räikkönen, opted for two stops. Of course Spa is one of the most-likely F1 venues to see the intermediate or full-wet tyres in action, and with rain forecast for the weekend there’s every chance of seeing another classic, chaotic Belgian Grand Prix.

Spa-Francorchamps Circuit Data

• Length of lap: 7.004 km
  
• Lap record: 1:47.263 (Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing, 2009)
  
• Start line/finish line offset: 0.124 km
  
• Total number of race laps: 44
  
• Total race distance: 308.052 km
  
• Pitlane speed limits: 80km/h throughout the entire event weekend.
  

Changes to circuit since 2012

• The tyre barriers around the outside of Turns 3 and 4 have been renewed.
  
• Additional kerbs, 50mm above the existing kerbs, will be installed behind the kerbs on the apex of Turns 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14 and 15.
  

DRS Zones

• There will be a two DRS zones in Belgium. The detection point for the first zone will be 240 m before Turn 2, with the activation point 310 m after Turn 4. The second detection point will be 160 m before Turn 18, with the activation point 30 m after Turn 19.
  

Michael Schumacher is king of Spa with six wins, the first of which came in 1992

Belgian Grand Prix Fast Facts

• Spa was one of the venues for the inaugural Formula 1 World Championship season in 1950. It has been the circuit used for the bulk of Belgian Grands Prix, hosting the race for 45 of its 57 runnings.
  
• Sebastian Vettel leads the World Championship after the Hungarian Grand Prix. This traditionally has been a point at which championship potential is assessed, regardless of the number of races that follow. Recent history suggests the leader after Hungary is rarely overhauled. In the last 13 seasons, only four times has the lead been relinquished. Michael Schumacher trailed Mika Häkkinen in 2000, Kimi Räikkönen was third in 2007 with Lewis Hamilton leading, and Vettel himself lay third in both 2010 and 2012, Mark Webber and Fernando Alonso spending those summer breaks on top.
  
• The calendar has become increasingly back-loaded in recent years. The Belgian Grand Prix used to herald the beginning of the run-in to the end of the season with three or four races (depending on whether it preceded or followed the Italian Grand Prix) coming after. Eight further grand prix will follow Spa in 2013.
  
• Michael Schumacher reigns supreme at Spa-Franchorchamps with six victories (’92, 95-97, 2001-02). He made his F1 debut at Spa in 1991 and came back to record his first F1 victory a year later. Victory in 2001 was Schumacher’s 52nd, overtaking Alain Prost at the top of the order. He refers to it affectionately as his ‘living room’. In 2012 it was the venue of his 300th grand prix.
  
• The 2012 Belgian Grand Prix marked the end of an unusual run for another world champion. Räikkönen’s F1 record at Spa prior to this saw the Finn either win or fail to finish every time he came to the famous circuit. With Sauber in 2001 he failed to get off the line. He had an engine failure with McLaren in 2002 and spun off in the final laps while dicing for the lead in 2008. He won the race in 2003-05 and 2009. His ’04 and ’09 victories came in uncompetitive cars that failed to record other wins in those seasons. In 2012 he could only manage third – which nevertheless means he’s been on the podium at every Belgium Grand Prix ever time he’s seen the chequered flag.
  
• Ferrari is the most successful constructor in Belgium with 16 victories to McLaren’s 14. Both, however, have won the race a dozen times at Spa-Franchorchamps.
  
• McLaren share with Lotus the distinction of having won the Belgian Grand Prix at all three venues to host it. In addition to their 12 wins at Spa, McLaren have a John Watson victory at Zolder in 1982, while Emerson Fittipaldi triumphed at Nivelles in 1974. The only other grand prix held at the Nivelles circuit was also won by Fittipaldi, driving for Lotus in 1972, for whom Gunnar Nilsson (1977) and Mario Andretti (1978) won at Zolder, while Jim Clark (1962-65) and Ayrton Senna (1985) triumphed at Spa.
  

Jenson Button won the 2012 Belgian GP

Reuters Belgian Grand Prix Stats

• Four different teams have won the nine races so far this year (Lotus, Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes).
  
• Red Bull’s triple champion Sebastian Vettel is the only driver with four wins in 2013. Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and Mercedes’s Nico Rosberg have won two races each. Lotus’s Kimi Raikkonen and Mercedes’s Lewis Hamilton each have taken a victory this year.
  
• Alonso has 32 career wins, Vettel 30, Hamilton 22, Raikkonen 20 and McLaren’s Jenson Button 15.
  
• Ferrari have won 221 races since the championship started in 1950, McLaren 182, Williams 114 and Red Bull 38.
  
• Mercedes have been on pole seven times in 10 races. Vettel has taken the other three.
  
• Vettel has 39 poles to his credit, putting him third in the all-time list (Michael Schumacher had 68 and Ayrton Senna 65). Hamilton has 30 and Alonso 22.
  
• Hamilton’s pole in Hungary last month was his third in a row and lifted him ahead of the late Argentine five-time champion Juan Manuel Fangio in the all-time lists.
  
• Mercedes have locked out the front row in qualifying three times this year.
  
• Alonso has not been on the front row in the last 20 races, with his last appearance being his pole in Germany in July 2012. He has not been on pole in a dry qualifying since 2010.
  
• Caterham and Marussia have yet to score a point after three seasons in F1.
  
• None of the five 2013 rookies has scored points so far.
  
• Kimi Raikkonen has now finished a record 27 successive races in the points for Lotus, although scoring systems have changed since Michael Schumacher set 24 in a row in 2001-03.
  
• Raikkonen last failed to score in China in 2012. He is the only driver to have scored points in every race this year and has also racked up 38 successive grand prix finishes – three short of Nick Heidfeld’s record of 41.
  
• Former champions Williams scored their first point of the season in Hungary, ending a run of 10 races in a row without scoring.
  
• There are no Belgian drivers at present. Only seven Belgians have scored points in F1. The last to do so was Thierry Boutsen in 1992.
  
• Ferrari have won 16 times in Belgium to McLaren’s 14. Both have won 12 times at Spa.
  
• Apart from Vettel’s win with Red Bull in 2011, Ferrari and McLaren have won every Belgian Grand Prix since 1999.
  
• Five of the last 11 races at Spa have been won from pole.
  
• Five of the current drivers have won the Belgian GP: Button (2012), Vettel (2011), Hamilton (2010), Raikkonen (2009, 2007, 2005, 2004) and Felipe Massa (2008).
  
• McLaren’s first world championship grand prix win was in Belgium with Bruce McLaren in 1968.
  

Romain Grosjean got it all wrong heading into Turn 1 at the start of the 2012 race

Race Stewards Biographies

• Lars Österlind is a highly experienced FIA steward who has officiated at more than 100 grands prix and a similar number of World Rally Championship rounds. A social sciences graduate and lifelong motor sport enthusiast, Österlind was President of the Swedish Rally Commission from 1978-1982, then President of the Swedish Automobile Sport Federation from 1982-1996. He became Honorary President in 1996 and has been a member of the FIA World Council since 1984. Outside motor sport Österlind has specialised in management, working as a consultant and pursuing his own business interests. He is also experienced in local government at city council level.
  
• Farhan Vohra, an economics graduate from Loyola College, Chennai, and a member of the FMSCI, India’s national motor sport authority, is best known to the F1 paddock for his work at Buddh International Circuit, home of the Indian Grand Prix. Last year his work at Buddh was recognised when he was won the Best Clerk of the Course award at the FIA Gala.
  
• Vohra is one of the FMSCI’s senior stewards and alongside his duties at several grands prix for the FIA has also been a steward for FIM, motorcycling’s governing body. A long-time competitor, involved in motor sport since the mid-1990s, Vohra started officiating in 2006 after taking a break from active competition. He has since been the Clerk of the Course for all Indian national championships, both racing and karting.
  
• Derek Warwick raced in 146 grands prix from 1981 to 1993, appearing for Toleman, Renault, Brabham, Arrows and Lotus. He scored 71 points and achieved four podium finishes, with two fastest laps. He was World Sportscar Champion in 1992, driving for Peugeot. He also won Le Mans in the same year. He raced Jaguar sportscars in 1986 and 1991 and competed in the British Touring Car Championship between 1995 and 1998, as well as a futher appearance at the Le Mans in 1996, driving for the Courage Competition team. Warwick is a frequent FIA driver steward and is President of the British Racing Drivers’ Club.
  

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F1 teams braced for Pirelli axe and switch to new tyre supplier for 2014

Formula 1 teams are braced for the shock of an all-new tyre supplier for the 2014 F1 World Championship season.

That was the admission on Wednesday of McLaren’s managing director Jonathan Neale, even though he said the British team is “assuming” that Pirelli will get an eleventh-hour extension to its contract.

He did, however, admit that assumption actually has little foundation.

“If we were to get a late change from somebody else coming into the sport at short notice,” Neale told a Vodafone teleconference, “of course we would work around that and work with whoever the FIA [choose].”

It has been rumoured that, should the Jean Todt-led FIA launch a surprise tender process for 2014, Michelin might enter the rush to return to the grid.

Neale admitted that, with the 2014 cars being designed around the basic data of the Pirelli tyre, a last-minute change of supplier would be a spanner in the works.

“But it would be the same for everybody,” he added. “So if somebody throws in a curveball at the last minute we’ll all have to recover but there’ll be some winners and losers in that.”

Meanwhile, Neale applauded Pirelli’s reaction to the tyre-exploding crisis of the British Grand Prix, but said there is some concern about this weekend’s high-speed circuit at Spa-Francorchamps.

Pirelli is supplying the hardest tyres in its range to teams in Belgium.

“I think for this weekend all the teams will be reasonably alert [because] we … high-load at Spa,” said Neale.

“Pirelli are being rightly cautious about making sure that the teams operate within certain restrictive windows on tyre pressures and cambers etc and we’re supportive of that process,” he added.

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Teenager Sirotkin has seat fitting during visit to Sauber headquarters

Russian teenager Sergey Sirotkin was able to get a first glimpse of the world of Formula 1 during his visit to the Sauber F1 Team headquarters in Hinwil this week, where he also underwent a seat fitting.

The 17-year-old had a busy schedule during his two days at the factory. He met the Sauber F1 Team engineers and was able to have a closer look at and gain more understanding of the technology specific to Formula one, which included a lesson on how an F1 steering wheel works. He also had a seat fitting.

After getting to know the factory, Sergey joined Team Principal, Monisha Kaltenborn, for the announcement of the Sauber F1 Team’s demonstration run on 27th September in Sochi as part of the 12th International Investment Forum.

Sirotkin said, “My visit to the Sauber F1 Team headquarters was busy. I learned a lot about the team and many other things. I had a seat fitting, met the engineers and learned about the car and what happens over a race weekend. I also had a lesson with the steering wheel. I am happy because, if you had told me six months ago that one day I would visit this workshop and meet this team, I would have never believed you. It’s great. The dream is so close to becoming reality now.”

Monisha Kaltenborn, Team Principal said, ”We are proud to be doing the demo run next month. It will be a historical moment when a Russian driver drives a Formula One car for the first time at the track in Sochi.”

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Hamilton: I can’t wait to get going again and bring home more good results

For Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton his Hungarian Grand Prix victory last month feels like it happened a long time ago and he is now itching to get back behind the wheel for the start of the second phase of the Formula 1 World Championship.

Speaking ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, Hamilton said, “It feels like I have been out of the car for a very long time since the win in Hungary and I can’t wait to get going again. I was at the factory yesterday to meet up with my engineers and get in some practice on the simulator so it was nice to see everyone and to feel the enthusiasm around the factory after the summer break.”

Hamilton dominated last time out in Hungary, and is hoping to carry the momentum to Spa-Francorachamps where he won in 2010.

“Spa is a fantastic circuit and it’s so much fun to drive. We’re all looking forward to the second half of the season and the opportunity to bring home some more good results,” said the 28 year old.

It took half a season for Hamilton to win his first race as a Silver Arrows driver, and with it he stumped his critics who at the start of the season predicted doom and gloom for the driver who made a high profile switch from McLaren to Mercedes.

But Hamilton believes the move was justified, “It’s been a really positive season for me. Everyone was talking me down at the beginning of the year. Some things were said about being the right or wrong decision, and that it was a mistake. The team and I have constantly proved everyone wrong, race by race.”

With McLaren enduring a torrid season, with hardly a chance of a podium let alone a win, Hamilton’s move is proving to be a master-stroke, “We’re second in the constructors’ championship, which is a massive boost. We never would have thought we’d be in such a competitive position, still within shooting distance of both championships.”

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Pat Symonds: My primary aim is to bring success back to Williams

Pat Symonds is one of the most experienced campaigners in Formula 1, with a chequered history of winning world titles with Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso, only blemished by his role in the ‘crash-gate’ saga in 2008.

The Briton has now done his time and is back as chief technical officer of the Williams team, who are expecting the veteran to turnaround their dwindling fortunes.

You have recently been appointed Chief Technical Officer of the Williams F1 Team – what does this new challenge entail?

Firstly, I think it’s a great team. The facilities are top class, we have a huge number of talented people and yet the results on the track are not a reflection of the quality we have. So I think my challenge is to analyse why this is happening, make the changes that are needed to empower the people and really get the focus in one direction: performance.

What does it mean to you to join the Williams F1 Team?

Funnily enough I was reminded the other day, by a good friend, that many years ago when I was at Renault I was quoted as saying that the only other team in Formula 1 that I would work for was Williams. It’s taken me a long while to get here, but now I’m here I’m very happy to be [here]. I’ve been here in Grove for a couple of days now and the first thing that strikes me is how welcome I’ve been made. I’ve over 500 new names to learn and I need to learn my way around the place so it’s a bit like the first day at school! I’m impressed by what I see though: the facilities are fantastic; I know a lot of the people are very good and I feel confident.

Looking back at your career – you have worked with many outstanding drivers – who has been the most interesting to work with so far?

The most interesting are not always the most outstanding and I’ve met many who were very interesting over the years! I’ve always enjoyed working with every driver in different ways. I’ve worked with many outstanding drivers from Senna, Schumacher, and Alonso but if I had to pick one, I do have a special place for Michael [schumacher]. He is obviously a super talent, he very much thinks like an engineer and yet he’s also a really great person, so I definitely have a soft spot for him.

From what you have seen, what do you think about the team’s current driver line-up of Pastor Maldonado & Valtteri Bottas?

So far I have really only seen them from the outside. I was able to spend time with both of them on my second day at Grove and what I can see is that they are both extremely committed and determined to see the team progress. I’m looking forward to working together with them to achieve greater success. They strike me as intelligent and committed drivers so let’s give them some equipment to show their talent.

Your 30 year Formula One career has seen you achieve success with some of the sport’s most accomplished teams and drivers. With 32 race wins, four drivers’ world championships and three constructors’ world championships – what would you say was your proudest achievement to date?

I always say my best race is my next one. I’m not really a person that tends to look backwards very much but if you ask me specifically then the mid-90s with Michael and mid-2000s with Fernando, where we had a lot of dominant wins, of course I’m proud of those achievements. But in a different vein, I’m equally proud of the non-racing aspects. The work I’ve done building up various teams and people. It’s nice to see some guys who worked with me when they were very young now in senior positions at various teams. I certainly enjoy the mentoring and development of people.

What do you hope to bring to Williams and how do you think your working style can benefit the team?

My primary aim is to bring success back to the team and I will be very singular in my focus to achieve that. I want the people who are working with me to enjoy that success and be an integral part of bringing Williams back to where I think it should be. It will take time to analyse what is happening and improve things but it’s up to me to facilitate this process.

Coming into the team at this stage, can you make a difference this season or will your focus be on next year?

There are developments going on for the remainder of this season. We have new parts coming to races as far out as Korea and beyond. They are not things I’ve had influence on but I can see them in the development programme. I hope we can look at some smaller details from the wind tunnel to improve things over the coming races and I’ll be looking at the operational side too.

Fundamentality focus has to be much more towards 2014 as it’s an immensely difficult programme, the most difficult we have had to tackle for a long while. The FW36 is well underway and I think it’s important I get my influence onto that. However, my influence will be much more on process rather than detail, so I hope that pays off and leads to the sort of structure that can lead to on-going success for the team.

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Ferrari tries to ease 2014 driver uncertainty as silly season hits top gear

Ferrari has moved to manage growing speculation about its 2014 driver lineup, as the Italian team’s number one driver Fernando Alonso has also been linked with a sensational switch to Red Bull, while the future of teammate Felipe Massa is also uncertain beyond his expiring contract.

And now linked with a return to Maranello is the team’s 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen, after the Finn’s manager Steve Robertson said talks with Red Bull had ended.

The Raikkonen-to-Ferrari story got a boost in recent days by Eddie Jordan, a former Formula 1 team boss turned broadcaster, who has in recent times earned a reputation for often correctly predicting driver moves.

Some of Jordan’s media centre colleagues, however, are not so sure.

In the wake of Robertson ruling out Red Bull for Raikkonen, Lotus boss Eric Boullier hit the headlines this week when he said that the 33-year-old will only stay at the Enstone based team in 2014 at the right price.

Livio Oricchio, writing in O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper, said that he interprets this news as Boullier revealing “[that] he knows he has the advantage now” in the negotiations with Raikkonen.

Indeed, with the Red Bull door now closed, Robertson went to great lengths to insist Raikkonen still has “plural” options when it comes to 2014.

“The game has turned in Lotus’ favour,” said the Brazilian correspondent Oricchio.

That is because many in the paddock doubt Ferrari is really considering pairing its clear number 1 (Alonso) against a truly top driver like Raikkonen.

Raul Romojaro, writing in the Spanish sports daily AS, recalled that in 2007, McLaren’s explosive Alonso / Hamilton pairing ultimately cost the British team the title.

“The only positive of the disaster was that the lesson was learned about how harmful conflicting interests in sports can be,” he said.

“I would even say that putting Kimi with Fernando would be a time-bomb with difficult and unpredictable consequences.”

Another aspect that speaks against Raikkonen’s return is that reports in recent days have suggested that Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo is not convinced.

“It would be an admission by [Montezemolo] that sending Kimi away at the end of 2009 was a huge mistake,” noted Rafael Lopes, writing for Brazil’s Globo Esporte.

So, given the speculation, it is no surprise that Stefano Domenicali is playing it all down.

“We have spelt it out many times before,” said Ferrari’s team boss ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, the first race after the August break.

“The driver topic is definitely not a priority,” Domenicali insisted.

“There is much talk outside the company regarding the future, but we must concentrate only on the present, on the fight for the championship,” he added.

Domenicali also backed Montezemolo’s recent comments, which were interpreted by many as a harsh rebuke of Alonso just as the Red Bull rumours were gaining steam.

“The words of our president before the summer break must serve as a stimulus, because they were meant as the words of a good family father, who, first and foremost, really roots for our team,” he said.

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Belgian Grand Prix: Mercedes previews Spa

The Belgian Grand Prix, the first race after Formula 1′s summer break, takes place at the historic Spa-Francorchamps circuit in the Ardennes region this weekend.

• Spa features the longest full-throttle period of the season at 22.7s and 1.84 km from Turns 1 to 5.
  
• Engines are at full throttle for 72 % of the lap with 11 of the 14 corners taken in fourth gear or higher.
  
• At 7.004 km, the lap at Spa is 2.1 times longer than at the season’s shortest venue, Monaco (3.340 km).
  
• This circuit has a 75% risk of a Safety Car deployment, placing it in the ‘very high’ risk category.
  

Nico Rosberg: Spa is most definitely one of the best tracks of the year and all drivers love racing there. It’s a great feeling to drive through the fast corners, and particularly taking Eau Rouge at full throttle. The Belgian Grand Prix is always a special one as it’s very close to Germany and so a lot of our home fans will be there for the weekend, along with some of my friends. The layout and nature of the track should suit our car, although it does require very low downforce so we will have a different aerodynamic specification to the last race. I can’t wait to be back in my Silver Arrow and I hope it will be a successful weekend for us.

Lewis Hamilton: It feels like I have been out of the car for a very long time since the win in Hungary and I can’t wait to get going again. I was at the factory yesterday to meet up with my engineers and get in some practice on the simulator so it was nice to see everyone and to feel the enthusiasm around the factory after the summer break. Spa is a fantastic circuit and it’s so much fun to drive. We’re all looking forward to the second half of the season and the opportunity to bring home some more good results.

Ross Brawn: After a well-deserved summer break, the factory has been a hive of activity this week as we prepare for the Belgian Grand Prix and the start of the second half of the F1 season. There has been a lot of work to [do] in a very short time to make sure we are ready for the weekend and everyone has been working hard. Both Nico and Lewis have been in the factory with us this week to start our preparations on the simulator and both are raring to get back into the car again. Spa is one of F1′s most historic circuits with its characteristics loved by drivers, fans and the teams alike, and we often see some exciting and dramatic racing there. As usual, we will have a unique aerodynamic package adapted to the Spa layout. We finished the first half of the season on a high and will be aiming for an equally strong second half.

Toto Wolff: Our first half of the season exceeded expectations but we will continue to work hard and to improve performance further in the second half. On paper, Spa is a circuit that should suit our car, and Nico and Lewis will be at their best on a real driver’s circuit. We have a strong all-round package at the moment and good momentum after our win in Hungary. However, everybody will bring a special low-drag package for this circuit, so we won’t know who has found the best compromise before we start running on Friday. We cannot take anything for granted in terms of performance and Spa is always a demanding circuit for reliability. The key will be to do our homework well in practice in order to achieve a strong race result for the team.

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Another RoC stint for Schumi

Seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher will be gunning for a seventh Nations Cup at the Race of Champions this year after confirming his participation.

The German has partnered compatriot Sebastian Vettel the past six years and on each occasion they won the Nations Cup. Last year the pair won 10 races out of 10 en route to victory.

Schumacher will be back for more at Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium at December 14 and 15 and he is eager to extend his winning run.

"I am sorry to say but of course we want to win it again!" he said. "The fact that it will be the seventh title this year makes it even more interesting, at least for me. So be prepared for a hot Team Germany in the ROC Nations Cup.

"This year I am still spending a lot of time on four wheels, but obviously not in F1. I still do a lot of karting as this is my 'old' love, and I have been driving the Mercedes AMG SLS GT3 which was a really good experience. It is obviously different when you are racing every other weekend but I am still quite used to it."

Race organiser Fredrik Johnsson is delighted that the legendary F1 driver will be in action in Bangkok again.

"We are proud that Michael so enjoys the Race Of Champions he keeps coming back for more," he said. "He may have officially retired from F1 but we all know that hasn't dimmed his competitive spirit.

"This will be a rare chance to see the world's most successful racing driver take on the best of today's talent in identical machinery.

We hope fans from Thailand and around the world will grab this unique opportunity to see this driving legend in action once more."

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Nico Hulkenberg: Sauber F1 struggles a chance to prove character

Nico Hulkenberg says he is using his tough 2013 Formula 1 season with Sauber as a chance to prove his character, rather than bemoaning his team choice.

When Hulkenberg left Force India for Sauber at the end of last year, the Swiss team had just scored four podium finishes over the season and challenged for several race wins, while Force India's limit was fourth places.

But the teams' fortunes reversed in 2013, with Force India a massive 52 points clear of Sauber in this season's constructors' standings after 10 rounds.

Yet despite eighth place in Malaysia being his best result of the season so far, Hulkenberg reckons this year's struggle will ultimately be beneficial for him.

"It is not as expected, but it is what it is," he said.

"It is a new challenge for me not to give up, not to let my head drop down.

"I made a move that maybe in hindsight doesn't look so good.

"But it's a challenge for me to keep up and still keep doing my best.

"I'm not thinking about [regrets] too much, I'm just focused on getting the best out of myself and the team and the car. I'm happy."

Hulkenberg refused to rule out staying at Sauber for 2014.

"I think the future is still open," he said.

"Me and my manager are looking at all the possible options, including Sauber.

"We're some way away from making a decision."