FORMULA 1 - 2013

[MIKA27]

Da Costa: This year I have not yet done enough to get the Toro Rosso seat

Red Bull junior driver Antonio Felix da Costa seemed happier than a normal race winner when he powered to victory in the Formula Renault 3.5 race in Hungary last weekend.

Considered the clear favourite to replace Red Bull-bound Daniel Ricciardo at Toro Rosso next year, the 22-year-old Portuguese had been suffering a slump in form in 2013, having not won since the Monza season opener in April.

Knowing Helmut Marko, it would not be unimaginable that Red Bull’s tough driver manager told da Costa that unless he returned to winning ways, another driver in the energy drink company’s junior stable might be rushed into action instead.

Indeed, some think it was just that sort of pressure that was affecting da Costa’s 2013 form.

“The pressure is a positive thing,” he told the Italian magazine Italiaracing after his Hungary breakthrough.

“It is there because there is someone investing in me, who respects me and expects me to get results. So not having it there would be much worse,” da Costa insisted.

“If the thought of Formula 1 had changed something in me, maybe it was in my way of racing in certain extreme situations. Think of Alonso and the praise he gets for his consistency,” he explained.

Returning to the top of the podium in Hungary, then, and back within sight of McLaren’s standout juniors Kevin Magnussen and Stoffel Vandoorne, da Costa might now feel much closer to the Toro Rosso seat of 2014.

“Actually I don’t feel sure of anything,” da Costa insists.

“I know that Marko and (Toro Rosso boss Franz) Tost really would like to put me in that car, but I also know that I have to deserve it and that this year I have not done enough.

“Until now I had only won one race, and that wouldn’t be much in a championship with 19 races.”

“What I did in Budapest was a step in the right direction, but it still might not be enough.

“I am conscious of being lucky because I am a step ahead of (Carlos) Sainz and (Daniil) Kvyat, and if we were equal then probably the choice would between all of us. So not losing this opportunity is only up to me, and I will do everything I can for it,” da Costa said.

[MIKA27]

Experts baffled by Ferrari decision to re-sign Raikkonen to partner Alonso

Jacques Villeneuve, but 1997 world champion whose father Gilles is one of Ferrari’s greatest heroes, has questioned the Maranello outfit’s unexpected decision to sign Kimi Raikkonen for 2014.

Prior to his slump in form and Ferrari’s decision to push him into sabbatical at the end of 2009, the Finn won the Italian team’s last world title in 2007.

Villeneuve thinks bringing the now 33-year-old Raikkonen back to Ferrari in Felipe Massa’s wake is not smart.

“Ferrari are completely insane,” the always outspoken French Canadian told the German newspaper Bild.

“He can drive a car fast, but he can’t work with the engineers, he can’t develop the car, he won’t go to sponsor appointments,”

Villeneuve said.

Villeneuve is not the only one questioning Ferrari’s choice, particularly with the fiery Latin temperament of the current ‘number 1′ Fernando Alonso on the other side of the garage.

“If Kimi starts outqualifying Fernando that would be a big one,” McLaren’s Jenson Button said this week, “because Fernando is not the quickest guy but as a package he’s exceptional.

“It’s fun for us watching from the outside, but does it make the team stronger? I personally don’t think it does,” the 2009 world champion added.

Former Ferrari driver Rene Arnoux agrees with those who think Alonso plus Raikkonen equals trouble.

“It will last 3 or 4 races,” said the Frenchman, when pondering the ‘peace’ at Maranello at the very beginning of 2014.

“As far as character, I see Alonso’s as the weaker,” he told Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Remember him with Hamilton at McLaren? The peace was short lived, and while I am the first to hope I am wrong, for winning the constructors’ title you need two very strong drivers and characters.

“But, of these two, one is angry and one doesn’t care. Every Sunday there is the possibility that it explodes. Yes, as a neutral spectator, I like Ferrari’s choice,” he smiled.

Arnoux, now 65, thinks it is possible Raikkonen will get the upper hand, ”He seems to be more mature these days. Sure, his character is still the same, but since he was at Lotus he seems more consistent.”

“(Romain) Grosjean is still a mid-level driver and so it seems that Lotus has relied almost exclusively on Kimi,” he added.

On the other hand, Arnoux questions whether Alonso can cope with being paired with a driver of Raikkonen’s calibre.

“Definitely he has a bad temper, but this can also be a quality when it is used in battle,” he said. ”But not when it is used within the team, creating difficulties and divisions.”

“Frankly, I want to see if Alonso is really up to what people say about him. In Barcelona he did an amazing race, a masterpiece, but then for a few races he did nothing,” added Arnoux.

Something else that might spark Alonso’s fire is the extra workload that having Raikkonen alongside him might create.

The Finn is notorious for hating PR, media and sponsor work, and negotiating contracts that minimise his off-track commitments.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said this week: “I hope his (Raikkonen’s) public relations will consist of wins, as well as a contribution to the team and a diligent presence in Maranello.”

“Alonso cannot take all the work on his shoulders alone,” he insisted.

[MIKA27]

Even McLaren falling into pay driver trap claims Villeneuve

Jacques Villeneuve has joined those who frown upon the increasing power wielded by so-called pay drivers in Formula 1.

Drivers with sponsorship and lucrative connections have always been a part of the sport, but with Formula 1′s rising costs and the struggling economy, only in the past few years has it begun to truly lock out promising talent.

“If even McLaren is going down this path, it’s bad,” 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, obviously referring to the billionaire Carlos Slim-backed Sergio Perez, told the German newspaper Bild.

This week, Mark Webber – also a ‘purist’ like Villeneuve – hailed those new talents who are managing to shine in Formula 1 despite the new ‘pay driver’ era.

Webber mentioned Williams’ Valtteri Bottas, but Villeneuve has a different view of the Finn.

“It’s terrible when I hear how happy they are with their driver Bottas,” he said.

“Sorry, but finishing between 11th and 16th places is not doing a great job. They’re saying it only not to upset the sponsor that he’s bringing. The teams are killing, more and more, the image of Formula 1 that it once had,” Villeneuve insisted.

In fact, the former Williams and BAR driver thinks the sport has already lost its way.

“It was once full of heroes, on the border of the possible, always extreme, technology and engineering on the limit, but always a logic to it.

“Formula 1 has gone the other way — a fortune is still spent, but without logic,” he said.

“Five engines per season, only one tyre maker, all the restrictions and the driver devices, the ‘green’ direction — maybe this is Le Mans, but it’s not Formula 1,” Villeneuve said.

He said he would prefer if those who cannot really afford Formula 1 simply disappear, leaving five or six healthy top teams, each fielding three or four cars.

“Yes, absolutely, great,” said the 42-year-old. ”Why not three Force India cars and on each car a different sponsor?”

Told that Formula 1 would then be going down the Indycar or Nascar route, Villeneuve answered: “Everything that comes from America doesn’t have to be bad.

“It would be easier to find sponsors because it would be less expensive for them. And there would be no more team orders, because every sponsor would want their car to win.

“The cars would also be closer together, the gap between the front and the gap not so big, so the racing for the fans would be great,” he added.

[MIKA27]

FIA red faced over ‘Lotus’ driver Hulkenberg blunder

The FIA appears to have got ahead of itself whilst organising the traditional drivers’ press conference schedule for this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix.

Nico Hulkenberg is hotly in the running to fill the Ferrari-bound Kimi Raikkonen’s race seat for 2014, but the deal is far from done.

In its press release to inform journalists about the press conference lineup for Thursday in Singapore, however, Formula 1′s governing body listed German Hulkenberg as appearing for ‘Lotus’.

The error was quickly recognised and fixed.

Also under consideration for the Lotus race seat next year is the Ferrari refugee Felipe Massa.

When asked specifically about his contention to replace Raikkonen at Lotus, Hulkenberg told the Munich newspaper Abendzeitung: “The decision is not in my hands, but I am hoping for a fast car (for 2014).”

The 26-year-old has not definitively ruled out staying at Sauber, but the Swiss team has been uncompetitive in 2013 and also struggling for survival.

Hulkenberg, however, said chasing down Toro Rosso for seventh in the lucrative constructors’ championship could make a difference.

“We are closer to Toro Rosso and might even be able to pass them in the standings,” he said.

“That would be good for the team, because it would mean a bonus — and they need the cash!”

Until Kimi Raikkonen’s signing, Hulkenberg was considered the hot favourite to replace Felipe Massa at Ferrari.

Former Ferrari driver Rene Arnoux thinks Ferrari should have made a different choice.

“In the short term, the choice of Kimi was right,” he told Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“But looking further ahead, a young guy would have been better. The problem is that Formula 1 is always in a hurry, incapable of seeing things even in the medium term,” added Arnoux.

[MIKA27]

Raikkonen: Lotus haven't paid

Kimi Raikkonen admits he decided to leave Lotus because the Formula One team had not been paying him.

Last week it was confirmed that the 2007 World Champion would return to Ferrari next season after two years with Lotus.

The announcement came after weeks of speculation in which Lotus maintained several times that they would do all they could to retain the Finn.

However, in the end, the team's failure to pay his salary on time was the deciding factor for the 33-year-old.

"The reasons why I left are purely on the money side and I haven't got my salary," he said. "It's unfortunate."

He added: "I never had a bad feeling with them I knew my contract would end at the end of this year so I needed to make a decision.

"There were a lot of things (Lotus could have done to keep him) and they know what it is. It's hard to say what would have happened if they had done them."

As for his decision to return to Ferrari, Raikkonen does not believe he'll have any issues despite leaving the team at the end of 2009 after the two parties decided to end their partnership early in the wake of criticism leveled at the Finn.

"I know the team and the people, mostly the same. I don't think this will be too different to go there. The car is different so that will be the hardest part."

Raikkonen also downplayed a host of negative opinions about his soon-to-be partnership with Fernando Alonso with many predicting an acrimonious situation.

"I don't see why it wouldn't work we are old enough to know what we are doing," he said.

"If there is something I'm sure we can talk it through. It's not like we are 20 year olds. For sure there will be hard fights on the circuit."

[MIKA27]

McLaren: junior drivers Magnussen, Vandoorne should be in F1

McLaren junior drivers Kevin Magnussen and Stoffel Vandoorne have already proved they deserve Formula 1 futures, says team managing director Jonathan Neale.

The duo are currently fighting for the Formula Renault 3.5 title, with second-year campaigner Magnussen leading rookie Vandoorne by 36 points with four races to go.

McLaren has already begun moves to place Magnussen in an F1 team next season, and Neale said Vandoorne had also done enough to show he should be on a grand prix grid as soon as possible.

"I'm not in a position to be specific about what's happening, but I can say that both Kevin Magnussen and Stoffel Vandoorne - who are currently dominating the World Series championship - are really exciting prospects for the future," Neale said during a Vodafone teleconference.

"I think it behoves us as a sport to make sure that both those two fantastic individuals find their way into Formula 1.

"Certainly on current performance you'd expect them both to get there."

Neale warned that as the final graduation into F1 had caught out many highly-rated young prospects over the years, it was imperative for McLaren to handle Magnussen and Vandoorne's next moves carefully.

"The step between coming through the junior series and coming into Formula 1 is pretty challenging, and we're still trying to figure out the best way for them to do that," he said.

"I can't be specific, but we'd expect to see them in Formula 1 in the not too distant future."

[MIKA27]

Alonso & Kimi speak about each other and their partnership:

Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen, who will be team mates at Ferrari next season, have spoken in the Singapore paddock about the prospect, playing down speculation that the relationship will be fiery.

Alonso spoke first, alongside Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali and his current team mate Felipe Massa.

“I was always informed of the team movements,” said Alonso. “Until the last moment the team didn’t make a decision and when they decided to change Felipe they asked my opinion and it was that Kimi was the best choice there in the market, especially for a championship with many changes for next year, in terms of developing the car in January and February. Having a driver who has been in F1 for many years was important. They chose Kimi so I am happy.

“No one will push me more than I push now.”

“(Having) Two world champions doesn’t make any difference. It’s not like one title will make a difference in terms of pushing,” Alonso added.

Raikkonen appeared later in the FIA press conference and made it clear that his decision to leave Lotus was motivated by financial considerations, while he played down suggestions that his arrival will lead to fiery moments with Alonso. He also dismissed suggestions that his sacking from Ferrari in 2009 had left a bad taste in his mouth.

“I never had a bad feeling with them, ” he said “I knew my contract (with Lotus) would end at the end of this year so I needed to make a decision

“There were a lot of things (Lotus could have done to keep him) and they know what it is. It’s hard to say what would have happened if they had done them

“I know the team (Ferrari) and the people, mostly the same. So it won’t be too difficult to go there. The cars will be very different so getting the cars sorted and getting them reliable.

Raikkonen said that he doesn’t think he will have any problems with Alonso within Ferrari. Although acknowledging that two champions are likely to have some moments where things get stressful or difficult he feels that their maturity will mean that they should be able to sort things out between them,

“I don’t see why it wouldn’t work we are old enough to know what we are doing,” he said. “If there is something I’m sure we can talk it through. It’s not like we are 20 year olds. For sure there will be hard fights on the circuit.”

Domenicali said that having two champions in the team would not change his approach to management,

“I will not change my style I will not change the way that we handle situations from a team perspective,” he said.

Asked directly whether Lotus owing him money was a prime motivator for him to leave the team Raikkonen confirmed that he left because of the money side and the non-payment of his salary.

[MIKA27]

Data from F1 car to factory and back in 0.25 seconds!

[MIKA27]

I'll look stupid if Ricciardo wins title - Vettel

Sebastian Vettel has dismissed the notion that he has had it easy at Red Bull with the best car and a weak team-mate in Mark Webber.

The German denies such claims, insisting Webber has put up a 'tough' fight during their time together and things certainly won't be easier next season when he has Daniel Ricciardo as a team-mate.

"Next year there will be a lot of new things but I think we should be a strong team," he said on Thursday in Singapore.

"That's really what matters, but there are always theories that because you raced him or the other guy you will be better or worse.

"I've had very tough competition with Mark and I think it's often been closer than it has looked from the outside. So I don't think I've had it easy and I won't have it easy in the future," added the triple-champion.

Vettel stressed that winning hasn't been easy for him or the team, but admitted he'd look "pretty stupid" if he were to be beaten by soon-to-be team-mate Ricciardo.

"There are some people who are tired of Red Bull winning, but we're not and we know there is no guarantee we will keep winning," he added.

"We have to work hard to be in the front and finish in a good position on the podium. Even though from the outside you can say we are on the podium all the time and winning races, every race was a new challenge and that's important that you remember how much hard work it was to get there in the first place.

"Next year I'm sharing the team with Daniel. If he wins the championship then I will look pretty stupid, but equally he then deserves to win. The year after that would mean I'd be racing with a world champion in the team."

[PaulP]

Practice 1

Times

01 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:47.055 20 laps

02 Mark Webber Red Bull 1:47.420 +0.365 20 laps

03 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1:47.885 +0.830 19 laps

04 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:48.239 +1.184 23 laps

05 Kimi Raikkonen Lotus 1:48.354 +1.299 18 laps

06 Romain Grosjean Lotus 1:48.355 +1.300 12 laps

07 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:48.362 +1.307 21 laps

08 Sergio Perez McLaren 1:49.267 +2.212 20 laps

09 Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso 1:49.348 +2.293 23 laps

10 Esteban Gutierrez Sauber 1:49.355 +2.300 21 laps

11 Pastor Maldonado Williams 1:49.481 +2.426 20 laps

12 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:49.493 +2.438 16 laps

13 Valtteri Bottas Williams 1:49.510 +2.455 21 laps

14 Jenson Button McLaren 1:49.608 +2.553 20 laps

15 Paul di Resta Force India 1:49.887 +2.832 18 laps

16 Adrian Sutil Force India 1:50.092 +3.037 20 laps

17 Nico Hulkenberg Sauber 1:50.222 +3.167 17 laps

18 Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso 1:50.757 +3.702 16 laps

19 Jules Bianchi Marussia 1:52.359 +5.304 16 laps

20 Max Chilton Marussia 1:52.673 +5.618 15 laps

21 Giedo van der Garde Caterham 1:52.920 +5.865 24 laps

22 Charles Pic Caterham 1:53.647 +6.592 23 laps

[PaulP]

Practice 2

01 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1:44.249 34 laps

02 Mark Webber Red Bull 1:44.853 +0.604 30 laps

03 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:45.258 +1.009 34 laps

04 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:45.368 +1.119 33 laps

05 Romain Grosjean Lotus 1:45.411 +1.162 18 laps

06 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:45.691 +1.442 32 laps

07 Jenson Button McLaren 1:45.754 +1.505 30 laps

08 Kimi Raikkonen Lotus 1:45.778 +1.529 32 laps

09 Adrian Sutil Force India 1:46.002 +1.753 27 laps

10 Sergio Perez McLaren 1:46.025 +1.776 31 laps

11 Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso 1:46.406 +2.157 34 laps

12 Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso 1:46.429 +2.180 33 laps

13 Paul di Resta Force India 1:46.606 +2.357 33 laps

14 Nico Hulkenberg Sauber 1:46.808 +2.559 36 laps

15 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:46.870 +2.621 33 laps

16 Esteban Gutierrez Sauber 1:47.287 +3.038 29 laps

17 Valtteri Bottas Williams 1:47.434 +3.185 33 laps

18 Pastor Maldonado Williams 1:47.761 +3.512 25 laps

19 Giedo van der Garde Caterham 1:49.434 +5.185 34 laps

20 Charles Pic Caterham 1:49.526 +5.277 34 laps

21 Max Chilton Marussia 1:49.619 +5.370 33 laps

22 Jules Bianchi Marussia 1:49.731 +5.482 30 laps

[PaulP]

My guess

Vettel

Hamilton

Rosberg

[MIKA27]

My guess

Vettel

Hamilton

Rosberg

Thanks for posting Practice session news paul.

My guess:

Grosjean

Fernando

Webber

[MIKA27]

F1 considering ban on in season helmet design changes

The days of constantly changing helmet designs in Formula 1 could be coming to an end,if the sport’s law makers have their way.

This weekend, world champion Sebastian Vettel – who regularly changes the design of his helmet – is wearing a livery that shines like a disco ball under the Singapore lights.

Even Lewis Hamilton, who usually fields the same Senna-like yellow helmet, is showing off a special white design this weekend.

But the constant chopping-and-changing is set to be stopped by Formula 1′s governing body.

Bild newspaper reports that the Formula 1 technical committee is discussing a ban, so that – as in the past – television and trackside spectators can pick out their favourite driver by reliably spotting his customary helmet design.

Correspondents Frank Schneider and Nicola Pohl report from Singapore that the ban would allow drivers to make only one helmet colour change per season.

“If the constantly-new helmets are banned, I think that’s good,” said triple world champion Niki Lauda, who wore an all-red helmet throughout his career.

“Even I can hardly tell the drivers apart,” the great Austrian, now Mercedes’ team chairman, admitted.

[MIKA27]

Melbourne boss Walker in talks for new F1 deal

Melbourne organisers are closing in on a new deal to secure the future of the Australian Grand Prix.

Race boss Ron Walker is in Singapore this weekend, where according to the Herald Sun newspaper he met with Bernie Ecclestone and negotiated the terms for a new contract.

“The deal is pretty much done,” said a source, “and will now go to the (state government) cabinet for approval.”

The current contract expires in 2015.

“We would support the Grand Prix – we would like (to keep) the Grand Prix – but not at any price,” said premier Denis Napthine, who won office in March.

[MIKA27]

Test drivers handed Friday boost

Next season Formula One's test drivers will have the opportunity to run on grand prix Fridays under a new plans agreed by the teams.

According to the BBC, as of next season Friday's first practice will become a two-hour session up on the current 90 minutes.

Teams will be permitted to run their test drivers during the session and will also be allowed to replace them with the regular driver when they see fit.

Added to that, the teams will be given an extra set of tyres that can only be used during the first 30 minutes of FP1 to encourage running.

"It looks like the format of a Friday at a F1 race will change from next season," revealed BBC Radio 5 live pit-lane reporter Jennie Gow.

"The first session will be extended to two hours to encourage young drivers to get a real run out.

"Teams will get an extra set of tyres, which they can only use in the first 30 minutes of the session. It looks like that rule has been ratified in Singapore."

The changes, however, still have to go before the FIA's World Motor Sport Council later this month.

[MIKA27]

Formula 1 grand prix penalty system gets 2014 shake-up

Formula 1 teams have backed a new plan for more lenient penalties to be handed out during grands prix.

From 2014, stewards will, for example, be able to hand out five or 10 second penalties, which will be taken at a driver's subsequent pitstop.

If the driver does not stop again, then the penalty will be added to their race time.

The new system has been proposed to ensure drivers are not punished by a hefty drive-through for a minor infringement.

It was agreed during a meeting of F1's Sporting Working Group in Singapore this weekend and will now be put to the FIA World Council for approval.

Teams have also agreed that Pirelli can tweak the front and rear tyre compounds next season to balance out the car demands of the new 2014 engine regulations.

There will still be only four compounds available for the season - super-soft, soft, medium and hard - but within each of those the front and rears no longer needs to be identical as is currently mandatory.

The new turbo engines are set to deliver more torque over the current V8 power units, which will put a heavier demand on the rear tyres.

Further matters that were approved include tighter pitstop safety rules, which include mandatory over-ride facilities for pit crews, and the ratification of penalties for unsafe pitstop releases.

The exact details of the changes are set to be confirmed following the FIA's WMSC meeting next week.

[PaulP]

Qualifying

Times

01. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1:42.841

02. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:42.932s +0.091

03. Romain Grosjean Lotus 1:43.058s +0.217

04. Mark Webber Red Bull 1:43.152s +0.311

05. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:43.254s +0.413

06. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:43.890s +1.049

07. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:43.938s +1.097

08. Jenson Button McLaren 1:44.282s +1.441

09. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso 1:44.439s +1.598

10. Esteban Gutierrez Sauber No time set

11. Nico Hulkenberg Sauber 1:44.555s +1.650

12. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso 1:m44.588s +1.683

13. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus 1:m44.658s +1.753

14. Sergio Perez McLaren 1:44.752s +1.847

15. Adrian Sutil Force India 1:45.185s +2.280

16. Valtteri Bottas Williams 1:45.388s +2.483

17. Paul di Resta Force India 1:46.121s +1.925

18. Pastor Maldonado Williams 1:46.619s +2.423

19. Charles Pic Caterham 1:48.111s +3.915

20. Giedo van der Garde Caterham 1:48.320s +4.124

21. Jules Bianchi Marussia 1:48.830s +4.634

22. Max Chilton Marussia 1:48.930s +4.734

[NaFFe]

cant wait for the race got 1st corner tickets go webber

[PaulP]

1. Sebastian Vettel Germany Red Bull-Renault 61 1h59m13.132

2. Fernando Alonso Spain Ferrari 61 32.627

3. Kimi Raikkonen Finland Lotus-Renault 61 43.920

4. Nico Rosberg Germany Mercedes GP 61 51.155

5. Lewis Hamilton Britain Mercedes GP 61 53.159

6. Felipe Massa Brazil Ferrari 61 1m03.877

7. Jenson Button Britain McLaren-Mercedes 61 1m23.354

8. Sergio Perez Mexico McLaren-Mercedes 61 1m23.820

9. Nico Hulkenberg Germany Sauber-Ferrari 61 1m24.261

10. Adrian Sutil Germany Force India-Mercedes 61 1m24.688

11. Pastor Maldonado Venezuela Williams-Renault 61 1m28.479

12. Esteban Gutierrez Mexico Sauber-Ferrari 61 1m37.894

13. Valtteri Bottas Finland Williams-Renault 61 1m45.161

14. Jean-Eric Vergne France Toro Rosso-Ferrari 61 1m53.512

15. Mark Webber Australia Red Bull-Renault 60 1 Lap, Engine

16. Giedo van der Garde Netherlands Caterham-Renault 60 1 Lap

17. Max Chilton Britain Marussia-Cosworth 60 1 Lap

18. Jules Bianchi France Marussia-Cosworth 60 1 Lap

19. Charles Pic France Caterham-Renault 60 1 Lap

20. Paul di Resta Britain Force India-Mercedes 54 7 Laps, Accident

R Romain Grosjean France Lotus-Renault 37 Pneumatic system

R Daniel Ricciardo Australia Toro Rosso-Ferrari 23 Accident

[ptrthgr8]

Bild newspaper reports that the Formula 1 technical committee is discussing a ban, so that – as in the past – television and trackside spectators can pick out their favourite driver by reliably spotting his customary helmet design.

Good Lord. So now the No Fun League is infecting F1? What the hell? Let's see... there are usually two cars per team, right? And all the teams have their own colors and designs. And each car has a different number. But viewers and announcers can't tell the drivers apart? Hmm. Yeah, I'm sure people can't figure out which cars are being driven by Vettel, Alonso, or Hamilton. Because the cars all look alike, I guess.

F1 needs to work on things that matter. Personalized helmets don't matter. Just plain stupid.

Cheers,

Greg

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD

[ptrthgr8]

Oh... and very happy to see Seb win Singapore in such a dominant manner. Would have liked to have seen Webber on the podium, too. Bad deal going out on the final lap like that, but classy move by Alonso to give him a ride back.

Cheers,

Greg

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD

[PaulP]

Oh... and very happy to see Seb win Singapore in such a dominant manner. Would have liked to have seen Webber on the podium, too. Bad deal going out on the final lap like that, but classy move by Alonso to give him a ride back.

Cheers,

Greg

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD

Mark Webber was "frustrated" after his third reprimand of the season resulted in a 10-place penalty for the Korean Grand Prix.

In what was arguably the highlight of Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix, the Aussie caught the world's most expensive taxi back to the pits after his own car caught fire.

Webber was forced to park his RB9 on the final lap of the 61-lap grand prix and was given a lift back to the pits by good mate Fernando Alonso, sitting on the side of the Spaniard's Ferrari.

But rather than enjoy the moment, the stewards handed both drivers a reprimand; Alonso for driving in a "potentially dangerous" manner and Webber because he "entered the track without the marshal's permission."

And as it was Webber's third reprimand of this season, the 37-year-old was hit with an automatic 10-place grid penalty for the next race, the Korean Grand Prix.

planetf1

[MIKA27]

Mark Webber was "frustrated" after his third reprimand of the season resulted in a 10-place penalty for the Korean Grand Prix.

In what was arguably the highlight of Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix, the Aussie caught the world's most expensive taxi back to the pits after his own car caught fire.

Webber was forced to park his RB9 on the final lap of the 61-lap grand prix and was given a lift back to the pits by good mate Fernando Alonso, sitting on the side of the Spaniard's Ferrari.

But rather than enjoy the moment, the stewards handed both drivers a reprimand; Alonso for driving in a "potentially dangerous" manner and Webber because he "entered the track without the marshal's permission."

And as it was Webber's third reprimand of this season, the 37-year-old was hit with an automatic 10-place grid penalty for the next race, the Korean Grand Prix.

planetf1

Formula 1 and the FIA really need to seriously look into the whole "Stewards" thing IMO.

Rather than have different stewards at every race, they really need to have the same stewards at every race so that there is fairness, consistency and common sense.

Thats just plain stupid to reprimand Alonso and Webber for a ride back!!

Apologies the news has been scarce, I'm on leave so just checking in when I can.

[MIKA27]

Webber: Looks like even one of the Singapore stewards has done it…

Singapore race steward Derek Warwick hitched a lift with Gerhard Berger at the end of the 1988 Japanese GP

Mark Webber has branded the reprimand he was given for hitching a ride on Fernando Alonso’s Ferrari after the Singapore Grand Prix night race ‘comical’ in the light of the fact that one of the stewards on the night also hitched a lift during his own F1 career.

The reprimands for the Red Bull driver and Alonso have been a talking point since Sunday with Webber also collecting a 10 place grid penalty on the starting grid for next week’s Korean Grand Prix because of two previous offences.

Webber told his 765,000 followers on Twitter on Tuesday that for the pair “to receive reprimands for our actions after the race it is comical to say the least. Great moment, and fans loved it.

“And while I’m at it, contrary to reports, there was no interaction at all with any track officials after we put the fire out.”

The Australian had retired on the last lap at the Marina Bay street circuit after his car ran out of water and the engine caught fire.

He then ran back on the floodlit track to wave down Alonso’s Ferrari, which other cars had to weave to avoid, on the slowing down lap and ride back to the pits on it.

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, one of those who took avoiding action, said afterwards that he had been shocked when he came around the corner.

“If Mark had been walking across where I went then I would have run him over,” said the 2008 world champion.

Britain’s Derek Warwick, a former grand prix racer who was one of the stewards in Singapore, said the reprimands were fully justified because of the potential danger posed.

“It is not health and safety gone mad,” he told the Daily Telegraph. “A driver could easily have been hurt. I hope we’re not seen as killjoys.

“I want Formula One to be entertaining. I want it to be a spectacle. I’m a big fan of MotoGP and I wish we in Formula One could get closer to the drivers like they do in MotoGP,” added the British Racing Drivers’ Club president.

“We have become a bit sterile in many ways in Formula One. But we cannot put drivers at risk. If it had been done in a safer manner then it might have been viewed differently. You can’t have cars parked in the middle of a corner.”

Webber posted a picture on Twitter of Warwick hitching a ride on the back of Austrian Gerhard Berger’s Ferrari at the 1988 Japanese Grand Prix as well as other photographs of similar incidents over the years.

“Looks like even one of the Singapore stewards has done it…#C’estlavie,” he commented.