FORMULA 1 - 2013

[MIKA27]

Boozed up Raikkonen told friends he would wear red next year

Sport Bild has reported that Kimi Raikkonen admitted to friends during an booze fueled party night out in Helsinki that he will be wearing red again in 2014.

Also reporting about the Helsinki party, broadcaster RTL suggested Ferrari has put a € 11 million contract on the table for Raikkonen to consider, including bonuses and sponsorship of his motocross team.

However with the silly season in high gear, there are conflicting reports.

Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat is now quoting Raikkonen’s manager Steve Robertson as saying the driver actually wants to stay at Lotus in 2014.

“Kimi likes it at Lotus,” said Robertson. “But we are waiting for information on certain issues that are still outstanding. About Kimi’s future, the ball is in Lotus’ court.”

Meanwhile, Lotus has made clear it wants to keep the 33-year-old on board, while reports continue to insist that there is a real chance that Raikkonen will return to Ferrari. Watch this space…

Most recently Welt reported that talks between Ferrari and Nico Hulkenberg, about replacing the Brazilian Felipe Massa, have now kicked off.

Raikkonen, no fan of the spotlight, is the man of the moment as Formula 1′s summer slumber ends this weekend in Belgium.

The Finn’s manager has ruled out a move to Red Bull, but some sources at Spa-Francorchamps think the fact the team has put off announcing Daniel Ricciardo’s 2014 deal is a sign that Raikkonen might still be in the running.

[MIKA27]

Ricciardo: The phone call, I haven’t still got so it’s still a bit up for grabs

Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo said on Thursday that his switch from Toro Rosso to replace Mark Webber at Red Bull was “not a done deal” and anything could still happen.

“The phone call, I haven’t still got,” he told BBC. “So (it’s) still a bit up for grabs. I can assure you I haven’t heard anything from the people next door.”

He said that in his own eyes the seat alongside world champion Sebastian Vettel remained up for grabs in 2014 when fellow-Australian Mark Webber leaves Formula One to go sportscar racing.

Ricciardo became favourite for the slot when talks between Red Bull and Kimi Raikkonen ended earlier this week.

Red Bull team chief Christian Horner had already ruled out Ricciardo’s Toro Rosso teammate, Jean-Eric Vergne.

“I’m not going to assume anything. For me there is still a seat up for grabs,” said Ricciardo.

“Obviously there is a bit of excitement around, but there is nothing further to say from what I knew in Budapest. I think I’ve learned that until something is signed, sealed and delivered nothing is ever concrete.

“There’s still my teammate Jean-Eric, who as far as I’m concerned isn’t out of the picture, and a lot of other drivers on the grid with pretty good credentials.

“Until something comes from that side (Red Bull), I’m not going to start celebrating or getting my hopes up.”

The 24 year old Australian said he would relish going up against Vettel the triple world champion.

“It’s not an easy task but even though he has won three straight it’s not been easy for him, I’ll prepare and make sure I’m in the best position possible to make it all happen in a successful way,” said Ricciardo.

[MIKA27]

Alonso: Wrong information went to Ferrari president Montezemolo

On the eve of the Belgian GP at Spa-Francorchamps, Fernando Alonso played down reports of a fall-out between himself and Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo after the Hungarian GP weekend.

“It was wrong information coming to the president. nothing different to any other grand prix.” explained the double world champion who insisted that there were no problems between him and Di Montezemelo.

Regarding the phone call from Di Montezemolo, in the wake of Alonso’s birthday wish of another race car, the Spaniard clarified, “He is the father of this family, of Ferrari. He is a great motivator, a man who…tells us exactly what he expects from us, what he wants from us. Just that.”

Amid rumours of a move to Red Bull, when asked by the BBC if he would be with the Maranello squad in 2014, Alonso nodded and said “Yes”.

He added, “The president is a very intelligent man (and is able) to separate what is rumour and what can be true. He never asked me [about the Red Bull] rumours. We have both been in F1 for many years now and we know what the summer break means in terms of rumours, etcetera. It was never a question.”

“The President and me, we talked about this as well. Also, we learnt that doing four press conferences in the weekend in different languages; they’re not my mother languages. Even the Spanish – I’m from the north, so I don’t speak perfect Spanish! – means that there can be mistakes and misunderstandings,” explained Alonso.

Meanwhile after the customary Thursday press conference in the Ferrari motorhome the team reported; The Twittersphere can sometimes seem to have taken over as the main form of media communication and so, after Fernando recently tweeted about a true warrior not drawing a sword when insulted, the press went into a frenzy of speculation regarding whom this verbal sword was aimed at.

Turns out it was no one; “I read a lot, sometimes novels, sometimes books about the Samurai and when I see a phrase that might be relevant to everyday life, I sometimes tweet it,” was Fernando’s explanation to the assembled press at this afternoon’s conference in the Spa paddock.”

On to the more serious matters and the Spanish double champion admitted that the Belgian circuit had so far not delivered much for him. “After many years in Formula 1, I have never had a great Sunday here and I would like to finally get a good result,” he said.

“I think [that] our expectations can be good ones as this circuit requires different levels of aero downforce and a very specific set-up and our preparation for this race has been excellent. Physically right now, I’d give myself a 10, motivation 10, determination 10, the team has also worked well on our weak points that we saw mainly in Silverstone, so everything is in place for us to do well here.”

“Whether or not we can win the championship, we will have to wait and see until Brazil, but if we don’t it won’t be for the lack of trying. The current situation is that we must find the parts that give us those missing three or four tenths, as we, Felipe and I and Domenicali, have said before. I believe one hundred percent that sooner or later we will manage it. July was not the best for us, but this situation can change immediately if we find something that makes the car work in a better way.”

“We will try right to the very end, just as we have done in the past, fighting for the championship to the very last lap of the last race. I don’t see why we cannot do that again this year.”

Asked if he feared that the rumours regarding Raikkonen returning to Maranello would make for a difficult situation within the team with two “number one drivers” as the journalist put it, the Spaniard explained that the concept did not exist in the Scuderia.

“When me and Felipe go to Australia for the first race, we are both equal, both with the same car,” he said. “Only towards the very end of the year, if new parts are available for just one car, then they go to the driver who has the most points. I have been fortunate that in recent years it has been me.”

Alonso also pointed out that when Felipe was teamed with the Finn, it was the Brazilian who had the upper hand going into the final part of the 2008 season. “So, whoever drives for Ferrari next year, above all, we need to improve the car, because the two drivers who have the fastest car have the best chances, and I have no fear about who is in the team as long as they work as hard as possible to get Ferrari into the number one position.

“The summer break is a time when the rumours start and I don’t like it when there is talk of possible future team-mates, first and foremost because it shows a lack of respect for Felipe if I comment on this,” continued Fernando.

“We have done four years together, with great teamwork. With all my team-mates, there has been this sense of good teamwork, even at McLaren, there wasn’t a problem with my team-mate, but with the way the situation was managed. So what happens next year, whether it be with Felipe or without Felipe, we will do our best to all work together.”

[MIKA27]

Massa: All the gossip goes in one ear and goes out the other

An emphatic two word answer was Felipe Massa’s opening comment in today’s regular meeting with the press, as the F1 world reassembled after the break in a warm and sunny Spa paddock.

When he was asked if he could look forward to a good second half of the year. “Why not?” he fired back.

“Last year’s second part was good and this year, in the first half, the pace wasn’t bad, much better than last year in general.

However, in some races, I didn’t get the points I should have done, but I’m confident for what is to come.”

The Brazilian was next asked if all the gossip about his future after the end of this year was unsettling, the question itself adding to the gossip! “It goes in here and goes out here,” he replied, pointing first at one ear and then at the next.

“My situation last year was worse than this year and much more complicated,” he elaborated.

“Whereas this year, the performance was there in almost all races, even if, for various reasons – exploding tyres, spinning in qualifying and starting last – the expected final result didn’t come. Without those incidents and others, the championship situation would be different now. Now I just need to put everything together and be more consistent and not have any of these problems. If I do that, then I think I have a good chance of staying here at Ferrari.”

However, ever the realist, the Brazilian did not hide the fact that his desire to stay with the Prancing Horse did not rule out looking at other options.

“You always have to be aware of what is going on and what might happen in the future. I have always said that I would be happy to race for a team that wants me to be part of it and I will always do my best to find a team that wants me. In the end though, it’s always the results that count.”

As for the more immediate future and the Belgian Grand Prix, Felipe was keen for the track action to get underway. “I am confident for this weekend, because for me and I think for many drivers, Spa is a favourite track,” he concluded. “I have had good races here, almost always in fact and so I hope I can have another competitive weekend, with the car working well at this track.”

[MIKA27]

Hulkenberg: I would feel ready and I do feel ready for Ferrari

Nico Hulkenberg on Thursday insisted that he is ready to take up the challenge should Ferrari sign him up for the 2014 season .

Earlier, Welt newspaper said that negotiations between the Italian team and the Sauber driver have begun.

At the same time, Britain’s Guardian newspaper said that Ferrari will decide after this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, and Monza in a fortnight’s time, whether or not to replace Brazilian Felipe Massa.

Asked at Spa on Thursday about the rumours, Hulkenberg – who switched from Force India to the Ferrari-powered Sauber over the winter – told the broadcaster Sky: “I would feel ready and I do feel ready.”

He said he is in talks with multiple teams: “I wouldn’t name [Ferrari] the ultimate drive but obviously it is a big team with a big history.

“I wouldn’t exclude anyone at this point, we are talking to different teams and evaluating all the options, and when the time is right we will decide what we think is best for my future,” Hulkenberg added.

It has be suggested that, Kimi Raikkonen is the cork in the bottle of the 2014 driver market as he has been linked with as he is linked with top three top teams Lotus, Red Bull and Ferrari.

But Hulkenberg insists the market is “not neccessarily dependent all on [Raikkonen].”

[MIKA27]

Scene set for Vettel versus Hamilton championship battle in final nine races

The second half of 2013 Formula 1 World Championship looks set to be a head-to-head between points leader and favourite Sebastian Vettel versus Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.

Lotus’ Kimi Raikkonen and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso still have more points than Hamilton, but many are tipping Mercedes to keep improving from track to track until the November finale.

High-speed Spa and Monza, for a start, look set to favour the powerful W04.

But Red Bull’s Helmut Marko told Sport Bild: “We won in Montreal, even though the circuit is more [suited to] Mercedes.

“Will bring new parts to each of the last nine races.”

It is on the Austrian’s final point that many see the rest of 2013 as a likely Red Bull-versus-Mercedes battle – most of their rivals might see focusing on the all-new challenge of 2014 as a wiser choice, given recent form.

Sport Bild claims that, in contrast, Mercedes’ Paddy Lowe has been tasked exclusively with continuing to develop the German team’s 2013 car right until the end.

Nonetheless, team director Toto Wolff is playing down the chances.

“We cannot be confident,” he is quoted by the Mirror, “it would be the wrong approach to say we have found the golden key now.”

Red Bull’s Vettel, with a 48-point lead over Hamilton, is also playing things down, despite others predicting him to wear a fourth consecutive drivers’ crown.

“There is still half a season ahead of us, Mercedes has been developing well so we cannot say anything.

“Things change fast in F1,” he is quoted by Brazil’s O Estado de S.Paulo.

[MIKA27]

Spa drainage grooves on the grid a concern for Vettel

Drivers and engineers were surprised on Thursday when they inspected the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, as they saw diagonal grooves have been cut into the asphalt covering the entire upper half of the starting grid, from first to twelfth places.

Auto Motor und Sport said that championship leader Sebastian Vettel is worried that the grooves might disadvantage those who qualify best for the Belgian Grand Prix.

“There is probably a disadvantage for the start, because you will have less tyre on the track,” said the German.

Correspondent Michael Schmidt asked Formula 1 race director Charlie Whiting for an explanation.

“In this area we needed better drainage for when it rains,” he said.

“We have good experience with this method from Brazil,” added Whiting.

He said he is not concerned that the upper half of the grid will face grip problems on Sunday afternoon.

[MIKA27]

Kovalainen on FP1 duty for Caterham at Spa and Monza

Former Caterham driver, Heikki Kovalainen, the team’s current reserve driver has been called up for FP1 duty in Belgium and Italy.

Kovalainen will replace Charles Pic on Friday morning free practice at Spa-Francochamps and two weeks later he will take over Giedo van der Garde’s cockpit for the Friday morning session.

The experienced Finn, who raced for the team since it was founded until last year, was drafted in during FP1 in Bahrain and Barcelona, to provide feedback to the team regarding updates to the car.

[MIKA27]

Webber: 'Lotus more of a threat than Mercedes'

Mark Webber believes Lotus poses a greater threat to the championship than Mercedes, despite the latter's recent pace which has seen it win three of the last five races.

The Australian, who sits 67-points off the lead of team-mate Sebastian Vettel, reckons Mercedes won't be as dominant as they have been recently at upcoming circuits - and says Lewis Hamilton's win is the result of his brilliance in Hungary.

"I think we had Mercedes covered at the Nurburgring," Webber said on Thursday.

"Budapest; Lewis is very special at Budapest, there's no driver that can really touch him there in my opinion. Whereas at some other tracks he's not that strong, but in Budapest he's very, very strong.

He proved that in a s**tbox McLaren as well, so when he won in the McLaren he was very, very strong.

He's been quick there and he proved that again in the Merc; it was a good win for him."

Kimi Raikkonen, who sits second, is a more consistent challenger according to Webber, which is proven by the Finn's impressive record of 27 consecutive points finishes.

"Ferrari, Lotus - compared to Mercedes - I think the Lotus is the most stable car across all tracks. Obviously they've been very, very good but just lost a little bit here and there. They've been very strong and a real threat throughout and Ferrari and Mercedes a little bit more [up and down]. I think Red Bull and Lotus have probably been a sniff more consistent at this stage."

[MIKA27]

Button doesn't have a 2014 contract yet

Jenson Button has revealed that he and McLaren are yet to sign a contract for the 2014 season and beyond.

The Briton wishes to remain with the Woking squad despite a difficult season which currently sees him in ninth with just 39 points.

"I think I have a contract for next year but I don't think it has a signature on it yet!" Button revealed.

"I really want to be here next year. You might think 'Wow, that's strange after this season', but I think this season has been good for us in a way. I think this will be a much stronger team next year so I want to be here next year. But - as you say - you haven't heard the confirmation of that yet from the team. I think you have to wait for that."

With several seats potentially becoming available, Button says Ferrari offers the greatest opportunity for another driver.

"I think Red Bull is done. I think the Ferrari seat is a great opportunity for any driver in F1.

To get the opportunity to race for a team like Ferrari is very exciting; what they've achieved, the passion within the team, the culture is very interesting, so I think it's a great opportunity and hopefully somebody who deserves it will get the drive."

[MIKA27]

Spa Practice 1: Alonso tops at end of damp morning in the Ardennes

It didn’t rain over Spa-Francorchamps, but the legendary track was damp throughout the first free practice of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, only allowing the effective use of slicks in the final half hour of the session – thus marking the start of the second half of the F1 world championship season.

When the chequered flag waved to end FP1 it was Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso who topped the timing screens ahead of Force India pair of Paul di Resta and Adrian Sutil who were second and third respectively.

The session got underway in wet track conditions with Intermediates required, but around the halfway point, Mark Webber bolted a set of slicks on to his Red Bull and took the plunge. Within 15 minutes everyone was out on a slippery but drying surface – each lap saw a different driver topping the screens as the track dried.

Thus reading too much into the lap times would be meaningless as it all depended when and where drivers were out on a hot lap during the course of the 90 minutes.

Notably both McLaren’s looked handy in the tricky conditions with Jenson Button and Sergio Perez hogging the top of the timing screens for most of the first hour. In the end Perez was fourth fastest with Button 14th. Nevertheless the Woking squad will have been buoyed by their positive showing during an intense morning in the Ardennes – looking like a step forward from their Hungarian ordeal.

Both Mercedes drivers looked string when they were out there doing laps, with Nico Rosberg going quickest on his first flyer and Lewis Hamilton also at the sharp end of proceedings. Rosberg was fifth Hamilton 15th.

World championship leader Sebastian Vettel was sixth in the Red Bull, with teammate Mark Webber down in 19th. The fact is that the Australian was up near the top when he was out on his fast lap stint but when pitting others got the dryer run and better lap times as a consequence; as was the case with Hamilton, Button and the likes.

Next up were the Sauber pair of Esteban Gutierrez and Nico Hulkenberg, seventh and eighth respectively.

Ninth fastest was Daniel Ricciardo in the Toro Rosso, with teammate Vergne 13th fastest.

Valtteri Bottas rounded out the top ten in the Williams, with Pastor Maldonado 12th in the sister car.

It was a strange morning for Lotus – with Kimi Raikkonen back from ‘sick leave’ ending the session second slowest and teammate Romain Grosjean slowest of all.

During the period of running Intermediates they were comfortably at the sharp end of the timing sheets, but when the track dried both black and gold cars were stranded in the pits with mechanics blocking the view of both cars as their colleagues toiled on the cars. Whether they had a problem (brakes?) or were bolting on some trick bits they weren’t telling.

Neither Grosjean or Raikkonen did a hot lap in anger during the ‘dry’ spell that emerged late on in the session, and the team reported afterwards, “Mixed weather on the opening morning here at Spa limited Kimi and Romain to just a handful of laps, as the team awaits more suitable conditions in which to trial the latest E21 developments”

Although there were several spins and numerous off track excursions, there was no real damage to any of the 22 cars despite the challenging conditions which Spa-Francorchamps tends to always have in store when Formula 1 comes to visit.

[MIKA27]

As engines fire up for second half of season drivers say next four races crucial

The 2014 ‘silly season’ may be hogging the headlines, but with out doubt the more important agenda is the imminent battle for this year’s Formula 1 world championship as engines fire up to kick start the seocnd half of an intriguing season.

After his dominance from pole in Hungary, many believe Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton is now a real challenger to Sebastian Vettel’s clear points lead.

Vettel’s Red Bull teammate Mark Webber, however, is not so sure.

“Lewis is always special in Budapest,” the Australian is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport. ”So I wouldn’t read too much into it in terms of how Mercedes is going.

“You have to look at how consistent Lotus is,” said Webber, referring to the fact that Kimi Raikkonen is actually closest to Vettel in terms of points.

“Mercedes and Ferrari are more up and down,” the veteran added.

Many question, however, if Lotus can keep up its form, given the superior resources of the title rivals, and the fact a smaller team risks seriously compromising its 2014 programme if it continues to intensely develop its 2013 car.

Webber said: “Because we have the best infrastructure, we can delay the complete move from 2013 to 2014 the longest. Whoever knows Adrian Newey knows that he does not give up.

“He’s also used to dealing with the coming season later than the others,” he added.

It is for that reason that, realistically, Red Bull’s rivals will make one final development push this year and then assess if sticking with 2013 still makes sense.

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso agrees: “The next four races will be crucial. Spa is medium downforce, at Monza you run with minimum downforce, and Singapore is maximum (downforce).

“After that we will know where we stand,” he said.

[MIKA27]

Webber says the ‘first lap nutcase’ has atoned for his wayward driving

A year ago, Romain Grosjean was labeled Formula 1′s ‘first lap nutcase’, and was slapped with a rare race ban after his crash at Spa-Francorchamps caused severe damage to the title front runners and his own Lotus too.

But Mark Webber, the man who dubbed him of the ‘first lap nutcase’ , said on Thursday that the Frenchman has turned it around.

“Yes,” the Australian is quoted by the Russian website Formula 1news.ru. ”But he had no other choice. This year he is coping with the problems better, but let’s face it – after last season, it (improving) wasn’t too difficult.”

“In Budapest he made a mistake in the situation with Jenson Button, but his overtaking of Felipe Massa was really good,” added Webber.

So, with his Lotus teammate Kimi Raikkonen strongly linked with a move elsewhere, Grosjean is expected to stay at the team in 2014 — perhaps as the new lead driver.

He agrees with Webber that he has been much improved this year.

“Well, a different state of mind, I think I’ve progressed a lot and worked on that and I think the 2013 starts prove that I did my duties,” new father Grosjean said on Thursday.

[MIKA27]

Sutil still bitter over snub says Hamilton must grow up

Adrian Sutil has stepped up his rhetoric against former good mate Lewis Hamilton, revealing the 2008 F1 world champion is yet to come forward to make amends.

Amid Sutil’s legal troubles of 2011, he branded Briton Hamilton a coward for refusing to step up as a witness in his assault trial.

The German duly sat out 2012 but returned to Formula 1 with Force India this year, and Hamilton promptly vowed to put their broken friendship back on track.

But, months later, Sutil said the Mercedes driver has done nothing.

“He is not able to speak — maybe he is scared of me, I don’t know,” he told The National newspaper on Thursday at Spa.

“There is a time when people have to grow up and he hasn’t done it,” added Sutil.

He speculated that Hamilton’s personality might be the victim of his success, having grown up in a council flat but then, while still a boy, signed by McLaren mentor Ron Dennis.

“Maybe,” said Sutil. ”You suddenly go from being not interesting to being at the top and everyone loves you. You get the best from everywhere, you have a lot of money suddenly and this all affects your life.

“Hopefully, you wake up early and then you can sort out your life to be successful. Some people don’t get that.

“If you have only a lot of possessions and no friends, you will be a lonely and sad man,” Sutil concluded.

[MIKA27]

Hulkenberg has no concern over Pirelli safety at Spa

Nico Hulkenberg has denied he is feeling nervous about racing at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend.

Formula 1 supplier Pirelli reacted earlier this year after the tyre-exploding British Grand Prix, held at high speed Silverstone.

The sport has subsequently raced at the Nurburgring and Hungary without incident, due to tyre structure changes and strict new operating guidelines.

But Spa is the first real high-speed challenge since Silverstone.

“I suspect Pirelli engineers have travelled to Belgium with some concerns,” technical expert Gary Anderson told Speed Week, explaining that the extra load on the tyres through the infamous Eau Rouge will be “enormous”.

Indeed, Auto Motor und Sport reports that Pirelli has redoubled its efforts to ensure teams will follow the new strict guidelines for pressure and camber this weekend at Spa.

So is Sauber driver Hulkenberg worried?

“Why?” the German said in an interview published by Speed Week.

“No, I have no concerns. I have heard nothing about that from the engineers.

“Pirelli has given us precise values in terms of the camber and pressure, so I expect no problems,” added Hulkenberg.

[MIKA27]

Sirotkin signs Sauber race contract for 2014

Russian teenager Sergey Sirotkin has finally signed a real contract to race a Sauber in 2014, and thus taking a step closer to becoming F1′s youngest ever rookie.

Before the Sirotkin’s visit to Hinwil this week, Sirotkin’s race seat was a mere ambition as part of the Russian rescue deal. But Austria’s Osterreich newspaper reports that a real contract has been signed now.

The report said the information was confirmed at Spa-Francorchamps on Thursday by Sauber team boss Monisha Kaltenborn.

Der Spiegel also reported from Belgium: “Sauber has taken the 17-year-old Russian Sergey Sirotkin under contract.”

Kaltenborn said Sauber, currently fielding German Nico Hulkenberg and Mexican Esteban Gutierrez, is yet to decide who Sirotkin’s teammate will be.

Hulkenberg, linked with Felipe Massa’s Ferrari seat, admitted he is talking to “some teams” about 2014.

Asked if he has ruled out staying at Sauber in 2014, he told Speed Week: “I don’t rule anybody out today.”

[MIKA27]

Kovalainen: If it’s about money again, then my F1 return to not in my hands

Heikki Kovalainen has returned to the Formula 1 headlines, after Caterham announced on Thursday that the team’s former race driver will appear for morning practice at Spa this weekend and also in Monza.

Having previously driven the green car in April and May in Bahrain and Barcelona, Kovalainen’s re-emergence now will trigger new headlines that his Formula 1 career could be back on track.

He told Finland’s Turun Sanomat newspaper at Spa that Caterham is fielding him again because engineers “want my opinion” about the latest upgrades.

But the 31-year-old confessed that, at least personally, his mind is very firmly on getting back on the grid.

“It has been a long year,” said Kovalainen. ”Although I have not been driving, I have succeeded in creating a better relationship with the team. With Tony (Fernandes) and others now it is very good.”

Kovalainen has also split with the management firm IMG, who many believe ruined his chances of continuing to race with Caterham in 2013.

“The most important thing,” he continued, “would be to get back to racing. I cannot say whether the possibilities are good or bad. But if it’s just about money again, then the return is not in my hands.”

“Everyone knows my situation — I do not come with money and, if I do get a sponsor, then I’ll take the money for myself,” said Kovalainen.

[MIKA27]

Alguersuari targeting Indycar move for 2014

Pirelli tester and former Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari could finally leave Formula 1 at the end of the season.

Since losing his race seat at Toro Rosso at the end of 2011, the Spaniard stayed in the paddock as a co-commentator for British radio, and he still remains tyre supplier Pirelli’s main tester.

But the Spanish sports newspaper Marca reports that Alguersuari, still just 23, is now eyeing a switch to America’s premier open-wheel scene.

The report said chassis supplier Dallara is keen to see Alguersuari in Indycar, and is involved in talks to arrange a test in a DW12 car “in a few months”.

Marca linked Alguersuari with a move to the Panther team for 2013, who have recently fielded fellow Spaniard Oriol Servia.

[MIKA27]

Belgian GP: Felipe Massa says Eau Rouge now easy

Felipe Massa believes Eau Rouge is no longer a great corner despite it being one of the most famous parts of any circuit in the world.

The Brazilian, winner of the 2008 Belgian Grand Prix, believes that current Formula 1 cars mean it is less of a challenge for drivers.

"When I started in Formula 1 with the V10 it was always a more difficult corner to do," he said.

"On new tyres [it was] flat out, but most of the laps not flat out and a very tricky corner to do.

"Now it is flat out first lap and whatever tyres you have, you're doing that corner flat out so it's not a corner anymore, it's a straight.

"You have all the corners that are much more tricky now compared to Eau Rouge.

"This is the situation unfortunately because Eau Rouge was a great place to watch, a great corner, and now it's not for us driving."

Many drivers still rate Spa as one of the most challenging on the calendar even though Eau Rouge is no longer a challenge.

But although the track has several other fast, difficult corners - notably the long left-hander at Pouhon - Massa believes the track is not as enjoyable as it was during F1's V10 era, which he raced in from 2002-2005.

"You reduce a little bit the pleasure of driving Spa now it is with a V8 and in an easy car to do Eau Rouge flat out compared to the past when I was driving a V10," said Massa.

[PaulP]

FH

Times

1 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 2:01.012

2 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 2:01.200 +0.188

3 Mark Webber Red Bull 2:01.325 +0.313

4 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 2m02.251 +1.239

5 Paul di Resta Force India 2:02.332 + 1.320

6 Jenson Button McLaren 2:03.075 + 2.063

7 Romain Grosjean Lotus 2:03.081 + 2.069

8 Kimi Raikkonen Lotus 2:03.390 + 2.378

9 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 2:03.482 + 2.470

10 Felipe Massa Ferrari 2:04.059s + 3.047

11 Nico Hulkenberg Sauber 1:49.088 + 0.792s

12 Adrian Sutil Force India 1:49.103 + 0.807

13 Sergio Perez McLaren 1:49.304 + 1.008

14 Giedo van der Garde Caterham 1:52.036 + 3.740

15 Jules Bianchi Marussia 1:52.563 + 4.267

16 Max Chilton Marussia 1:52.762 + 4.466

17 Pastor Maldonado Williams 2:03.072 + 2.882

18 Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso 2:03.300 + 3.110

19 Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso 2:03.317 + 3.127

20 Valtteri Bottas Williams 2:03.432 + 3.242

21 Esteban Gutierrez Sauber 2:04.324 + 4.134

22 Charles Pic Marussia - no time

[PaulP]

My guess

Vettel

Hamilton

Webber

[ptrthgr8]

My guess

Vettel

Hamilton

Webber

I'm going to guess Vettel, Alonso, Hamilton. Just like last race.

Cheers,

Greg

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD

[PaulP]

FH

Result

1 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1:23.42.196

2 Fernando Alonso Ferrari +16.800

3 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +27.700

4 Nico Rosberg Mercedes +29.800

5 Mark Webber Red Bull +33.800

6 Jenson Button McLaren +40.700

7 Felipe Massa Ferrari +53.900

8 Romain Grosjean Lotus +55.800

9 Adrian Sutil Force India +69.500

10 Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso +73.400

11 Sergio Perez McLaren +81.900

12 Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso +86.700

13 Nico Hulkenberg Sauber +88.200

14 Esteban Gutierrez Sauber +1 lap

15 Valtteri Bottas Williams +1 lap

16 Giedo van der Garde Caterham +1 lap

17 Pastor Maldonado Williams +1 lap

18 Jules Bianchi Marussia +1 lap

19 Max Chilton Marussia +2 laps

Did Not Finish

R Paul di Resta Force India RETIRED 18 laps

R Kimi Raikkonen Lotus RETIRED 19 laps

R Charles Pic Caterham RETIRED 36 laps

[PaulP]

I'm going to guess Vettel, Alonso, Hamilton. Just like last race.

Cheers,

Greg

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD

posted at 10:54 am Sunday

LOL

Well done!

[MIKA27]

posted at 10:54 am Sunday

LOL

Well done!

Indeed!!