FORMULA 1 - 2013

[MIKA27]

Raikkonen to Sauber and Hulkenberg to Lotus for Austin?

The big question ahead of next weekend’s United States Grand Prix in Austin is the whereabouts of Kimi Raikkonen, according to former Formula 1 pundit Mika Salo.

Lotus claimed after Abu Dhabi that its pay dispute with Finn Raikkonen is now over, and that he will drive the black and gold car in Texas and Brazil before switching to Ferrari for 2014.

Salo is not so sure and told the broadcaster MTV3, ”Let’s see if Kimi is in Austin and in what car.”

“It’s probably the most anticipated thing about the whole American Grand Prix weekend. There have been reports that Kimi will drive a Sauber instead of a Lotus,” said fellow Finn Salo.

The Raikkonen-to-Sauber report is new, but it would seem to tie in with reports that Nico Hulkenberg, the Swiss team’s current driver, is Lotus’ preferred option to replace Raikkonen in 2014.

Sauber, meanwhile, is powered by engines supplied by Raikkonen’s new employer, Ferrari.

“For now it’s just a report,” Salo admitted. ”Kimi loves to drive, but the atmosphere at Lotus is no longer good for him. Sauber is also short of money and has not paid … Nico Hulkenberg.”

Whatever is powering Raikkonen in Austin, Salo is sure the 2007 World Champion will drive flat out.

“If Kimi is in Austin, he will definitely be on it,” he said. ”With our Finnish mentality, no matter what is going on it doesn’t affect our performance. We sit in the car and drive it as hard as we can.”

[MIKA27]

Safety failings blamed for Canadian GP marshal death

Canadian Grand Prix organisers have been held responsible for several key safety failures that led to the death of marshal Mark Robinson after the finish of this year's race.

Robinson died after tripping and falling under the wheels of a mobile crane while the Sauber of Esteban Gutierrez was being recovered immediately after the finish of the race.

Quebec's commission for the health and safety of workers (CSST), conducted a lengthy investigation into the death of the 38-year-old, concluding that a series of safety errors were responsible for what happened.

The crane was found to be moving too quickly at 11km/h, roughly equivalent to jogging pace, while the car was also suspended too high off the ground at up to two metres.

There should also have been nobody in close proximity to the crane while it was moving, whereas Robinson and a colleague were in front of the forklift in order to stabilise the Sauber through tethers attached to its rear corners.

The means of stabilising the Sauber while it was being transported was found to be at fault and those recovering the car had not been correctly trained to do so.

Canadian GP organisers have agreed to implement the safety recommendations suggested in the report.

As well as the recommendations in the report, this could also extend to preventing spectators from coming onto the track immediately after the end of the race.

This is because haste in moving the Sauber was deemed to be partly motivated by a commitment enshrined in the race-hosting agreement to take all necessary measures to ensure abandoned cars are returned to the pits and kept out of reach of spectators.

Prior to the publication of the CSST report, the use of such mobile cranes to transport cars at the circuit had already been banned as a result of the accident.

"We did that operation probably 100 times over the years, going to get a car on track with safety and nothing happened," said Canadian GP promoter Francois Dumontier on Montreal's CTV News.

A fine, the amount of which has yet to be finalised, will also be levied against the organisers of up to £36,643.

[MIKA27]

Ferrari won '07 title with illegal car - Stepney

Ferrari's former head of performance management has admitted that the F2007, which won the constructors' title, used an illegal floor during the opening race of the season.

Speaking to Racecar Engineering, Stepney gave details of the 2007 'spy-gate' scandal of which he was at the centre of after he passed secret Ferrari data to McLaren's Mick Coughlan. Before that though, he admitted he knew the team were using what he thought was an illegal rear-wing and a moveable floor which is deemed illegal under the regulations.

He discussed both developments with his former colleague, Coughlan, during an informal chat ahead of the Australian Grand Prix. "I like to try to win on a fair basis but when I was there I disagreed with something that was going on within Ferrari," he told the magazine.

"I thought it was not correct, and although I was wrong to discuss it [with a rival], winning until you get stopped was not the correct way. It went against the grain."

Coughlin reported the revelation to his bosses at McLaren. Then team principal Ron Dennis sought clarification from the FIA on the matter. The rear-wing was declared legal, but the floor wasn't. However Dennis chose not to protest the result of the race - which Ferrari won.

In a letter seen by the magazine, Dennis wrote: "We chose not to protest the result of the Australian Grand Prix even though it seems clear that Ferrari had an illegal competitive advantage."

Had McLaren protested, it's likely Ferrari would have been disqualified, resulting in the loss of ten points for Kimi Raikkonen and handing the title to Fernando Alonso.

[MIKA27]

Webber: The first goal is to win Le Mans outright and then we’ll go from there

Mark Webber has no intention of coasting when he calls time on his 12-year Formula 1 career, at the end of the season. He is determined to put Porsche back on top of the podium at Le Mans sooner rather than later.

The 37-year-old Australian revealed in June he had signed a multi-year deal to race for the German marque in the World Endurance Championship, the centrepiece of which is the 24-hour endurance classic in France.

And while Webber said that he would miss Formula 1 – although not perhaps his Red Bull team mate Sebastian Vettel – his competitiveness nature will not allow him to slow down.

“I’ve got those memories. They’re great and I really enjoy having those,” he told Australia’s Channel 10 TV.

“But to look at the next chapter, I can’t put my feet out of bed each morning with no super purpose – I still need to do something. I can’t turn racing off and just finish.”

Webber has twice been entered to race Le Mans but failed to complete a lap. His engine failed in 1998 and in 1999 his Mercedes flipped into the air twice in practice and the team withdrew for safety reasons.

Porsche’s record at the Circuit de la Sarthe is much better with 16 wins, including seven in a row from 1981 to 1987.

Audi have dominated since the turn of the century, though, and Webber’s new team will have their work cut out on their return to the top class next year.

“I am looking forward to this embryonic stage [of] them returning to the race in which they have been so successful in the past,” Webber said.

“They’ve got the record for the most wins at Le Mans and I am looking forward to working with them in the future and keeping my adrenaline ticking over.”

To add a Le Mans success to his twin triumphs in one of motorsport’s other great races, the Monaco Grand Prix, would be some achievement, he thought.

“I love that circuit, I love driving at night to the limit,” he added, referring to the famous event at Circuit Le Sarthe.

“It’s human nature to want more, obviously I want to win Le Mans, to put that with the Monaco…that would be nice.

“Whether one is enough there, maybe I want to grab a few. But of course you’ve got to get the first one done, which won’t be easy.

“So that’s the first goal, to win Le Mans, win that outright down the road. And then we’ll go from there, and still enjoy the race.”

[MIKA27]

Force India suspicious of Red Bull ‘filming day’ being used to test parts

Force India sent an observer to a filming day conducted this week by World Champions Red Bull.

Auto Motor und Sport said that Silverstone based Force India sent the observer because it suspects that Formula 1′s dominant team may be exploiting a loophole in the strict testing ban.

Correspondent Michael Schmidt said that while teams are supposed to only run their cars for promotional and filming purposes, some teams, including Force India, suspect that Red Bull might be testing new parts.

That suspicion was fuelled by the fact that, although ostensibly for filming, Red Bull usually runs all of its promotional test days at the same Rockingham circuit.

So Force India applied to be allowed to send an observer to Red Bull’s latest Rockingham filming, which took place on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.

Another suspicion is that Red Bull, who this year took a big step forward in the second half of the season, might have found a way around the ‘factory shutdown’ period.

Helmut Marko rubbished that suggestion, insisting: “If we were better after the summer break, it’s because although the factory was closed, our brains were not.”

[MIKA27]

Button: Formula 1 will continue to deliver great racing in the new turbo era

McLaren driver Jenson Button does not believe that Formula 1′s new turbo engine regulations, which come into force in 2014, will have a major impact on how drivers and teams operate while believing that racing will not be boring as some critics are predicting.

Speaking to Speedweek, Button said, “It’s not that the cars [next year] are completely revolutionary and I don’t really think that the racing will be very different, nor that we will see a lot of fuel saving.”

Many in the F1 paddock are expecting the V6 turbo era to turn into something a of a fuel economy run, before engine manufacturers optimise the efficiency of the new power units.

“I believe that we will continue to deliver great racing irrespective of the changes. Driving styles will not change a great deal compared to this year,” ventured Button.

But he warns that making the most of preseason testing will be vital, “Understanding the new engine and the torque curve with ERS makes testing very important.”

“One will again have to manage tyres as we do this year already, so the differences will not be huge,” predicts Button.

“Many people say that everything will be totally different. There will be much speculation until we go to the first race, then all will be forgotten and we will do what we think is right,” added the 2009 F1 world champion.

[MIKA27]

Rossi: It means a lot that Caterham is giving me this opportunity to drive at home

Caterham will put American driver Alexander Rossi in their car for Friday first practice at his home U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, next week.

Rossi, who in Abu Dhabi last weekend became the first U.S. driver to win a race in the GP2 support series, has already driven for Caterham in practice sessions in Canada this year and Spain in 2012.

“I very much look forward to the US Grand Prix week starting. This is an important time in my career and the sport for America and another major step forward for me, to drive FP1 in my home country, in front of my own friends, family, supporters and fans. It means a lot to me that the team is giving me this opportunity, while trusting me with the responsibility and I want thank everyone who’s helped make this possible,” said Rossi.

“It’s obviously going to be a very busy week, but I’m totally prepared for it all. I have a full plate of media appearances before we even get to the track, the FOTA Fan Forum event downtown on Wednesday evening, and then a karting event straight after that. I will have a good chance to meet fans and tell the local Austin media all about our sport, but then on Friday morning it’ll be time for the real work to begin on track.”

“I’ve already driven COTA several times, including in a classic grand prix car, so I know the layout well, but driving a current-season F1 car is a bit different altogether, and on grand prix weekend it’s a very important responsibility.”

“With the amount of F1 testing I’ve already done over the last few years, I’m fully prepared to do the best job for the team in FP1. As it’s an official practice session it’s important that I help the team as much as possible to set the car up right for the rest of the weekend, while, for me, this is another chance to use the session to continue to learn, develop and progress towards the next step up to being the next full-time F1 race driver.”

The last U.S. driver to race in Formula 1 was Scott Speed with Toro Rosso in 2007. Austin is the penultimate round of the season.

[MIKA27]

Lotus wary of how new tarmac at COTA has matured since last visit

Circuit of the Americas is the newest venue on the Formula 1 calendar and as the sport heads to Austin for a second time, teams are wary of how the tarmac surface has evloved during the past year.

Lotus trackside operations director Alan Permane exlained ahead of the weekend in Texas, “The uncertainty this time around lies in how much the tarmac will have matured over the past twelve months. In principal, with some of the bitumen having now worn away we should be left with a rougher surface which will allow more energy to be put through the tyres, thereby alleviating [some of the warm-up issues].”

“Given the early running times and also the seasonal aspect of when we visit Austin, track temperatures can be relatively low during the morning practice sessions but rise significantly during the afternoons; an additional consideration to factor in when preparing practice strategies.”

Performance this past season has been linked to the use of Pirelli tyres and at COTA it will be much of the same according to Permane, “As per the previous season, Pirelli have been very conservative in their allocation of the Hard and Medium compound for this race. On our first visit to the circuit last year, the tarmac was extremely smooth as you would expect from a newly laid surface, which naturally presented a bit of an unknown quantity in terms of tyre performance; the particular challenge being in generating tyre temperature.”

[MIKA27]

Ricciardo: F1 is in bad shape

Daniel Ricciardo has confirmed that Kimi Raikkonen is not the only driver who hasn't been paid by his team, adding that F1 is "not in the best shape."

The news of Raikkonen's lack of salary hit the headlines in Abu Dhabi when the Lotus driver threatened to boycott the final two races unless he was paid.

Quantum Motorsports, the investment group that is purchasing a stake in the Lotus, prevented disaster when they worked out a deal with the Finn and his manager.

However, Raikkonen is not the only driver who hasn't been paid.

Toro Rosso driver Ricciardo revealed that the topic was discussed during a Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) meeting with the drivers feeling that F1 needs to take action.

"It's not a nice situation to be in and he is a World Champion for crying out loud, he should be getting paid, it's as simple as that," the Aussie told ESPNF1.

"Obviously some teams are in some financial difficulties which is not nice to see either, but these are things they have to look at at the start of the year and say 'this is what we're going to turnover and this is what we've put in the drivers' contract'. If you put it in there then you need to make sure you're fulfilling that.

"Obviously it's not a nice place to be and unfortunately I don't think he's the only one. This is the top of motorsport in the world and if a driver like Raikkonen is not getting paid then the sport is not in the best shape.

"So it's something that needs to be addressed and obviously for the drivers that are in his position I feel for them; we have to find a solution as a group. Even the GPDA discuss these things, something would need to be done."

Pressed on the discussions, Ricciardo said: "Not specifics, but we're aware that more than one driver ... expectations haven't been met or promises haven't been kept."

[MIKA27]

Williams exhaust trial bodes well for '14

Valtteri Bottas believes Williams' improved showing without the Coanda exhaust in Abu Dhabi is a positive sign for the future.

During Friday's practice at the Yas Marina circuit, Williams opted not to run their Coanda exhaust instead putting a non exhaust-blowing set-up on the FW24.

Such was the improvement that the team continued like that for the remainder of the weekend.

And as exhaust-blowing won't be possible next season, Bottas reckons that was a good step for the Williams team.

"It is better to drive, it is more predictable and now the car and the aerodynamics are doing more or less what they should do," the Finn told Autosport.

"It feels better and a good thing is that in next year's car, there is not going to be Coanda.

"Other teams have been ahead of us in developing the Coanda effect and I am pretty sure they are gaining more [there] than we did.

"Next year, the aerodynamics of the car need to work without that and it's going to be a good thing for us and hopefully a chance to catch up with the others."

[MIKA27]

Raikkonen will miss out on final two races of the season for back operation

Kimi Raikkonen’s manager Steve Robertson has confirmed that he will not be racing in the final two races of the season for Lotus or Sauber, thus ending a week of intense speculation surrounding the Finn’s plans before he returns to Ferrari for the 2014 season.

On Sunday afternoon Raikkonen’s management team released the following statement: “Kimi Raikkonen will undergo back surgery this coming week, the consequent four weeks recovery time forcing him to miss the forthcoming United States and Brazilian Grands Prix.”

“Kimi suffered from issues with his back earlier this year at the Singapore Grand Prix and a reoccurence of this problem forced him to have surgery now to help prevent ongoing problems in the future, and to ensure that he is at full fitness for the 2014 season.”

“Kimi and his management are saddened that he will not be able to complete the 2013 season with Lotus F1 Team where he was fighting for third position in the Drivers’ Championship. They would also like to thank all fans for the thousands of kind messages received since the news has emerged.”

Turun Sanomat was the first to report that Raikkonen will undergo back surgery, to address a long standing injury which resurfaced in Singapore this year, and got to the point that in Abu Dhabi he had to take pain-killers to allow him to sleep.

Thus while teams compete in the Americas, the Finn will be in Salzburg for his back operation, from which he will require about a month to recuperate fully.

Roberston explained: “Experts have recommended surgery. Of course it is disappointing to end the relationship with Lotus in such a manner. But Kimi can no longer afford to waste time and needs to sort out the injury. It is important that he starts the 2014 season healthy and in top condition.”

The decision to skip the final two races comes hot on the heels of confirmed reports that Raikkonen has not been paid by Lotus this year, and that he nearly skipped the Abu Dhabi GP as a result.

He revealed in Abu Dhabi, “Sometimes it’s not very nice when you hear that you don’t have the interests of the team and then you’ve been paid zero euro the whole year.”

Raikkonen’s salary is reportedly €8-million plus bonuses of €50,000 per point he scores. Therefore Lotus are said to owe him over €17-million euros for the season thus far.

After two years with Lotus, in which he won two races, Raikkonen announced in September that he would return to Ferrari to partner Fernando Alonso in the team with which he won his F1 World Championship, in 2007.

Lotus released a brief statement after the news broke: “Lotus F1 Team can confirm that Kimi Räikkönen will miss the final two races of the 2013 Formula 1 season to undergo, and recover from, back surgery. The team will make an announcement about the replacement driver for the United States and Brazilian Grands Prix in due course.”

It is not certain how the latest development will impact on Raikkonen’s unpaid earnings which were all but guaranteed by head of Quantum Motorsport – the consortium planning to buy 35% shares in Lotus – Mansoor Ijaz, who said in Abu Dhabi, “I am confident that [Raikkonen] will run the last two races and fulfil his professional obligations to us and us to him.”

Earlier, speaking ahead of the weekend in Texas, Lotus team principal Eric Boullier said of the relationship with his star driver, “He is completely on side. We all spoke in Abu Dhabi to make sure we know where we’re going – and how we’re getting there – for the final races of the year. Our focus is first on a good performance in Austin, and then the focus becomes getting a good result in Brazil.”

Lotus reserve Davide Valsecchi could be called on to replace Raikkonen in the team for the last two races, but there is also speculation that Nico Hulkenberg, who apparently has also not been paid by Sauber, may drive the Lotus in Austin and Sao Paulo.

[MIKA27]

Grosjean aiming for Austin podium

Having just missed out at the last race in Abu Dhabi, Romain Grosjean is determined to return to the podium in Austin.

The Lotus driver has had an impressive run of late that included three successive podium finish. However, that came to an end last time out in Abu Dhabi where the Frenchman could only manage fourth under the lights.

"I think I was around a second behind [Nico] Rosberg at the end and I'd been catching him pretty well during the final few laps, but we just didn't quite have the pace to get close enough before the flag," he said.

"It's a shame we couldn't make it four podiums in a row, but when you remember the issues we had in FP2 and qualifying in Abu Dhabi I think to come away with fourth place is a decent result.

"On race pace alone we could maybe even have pushed Mark [Webber] for second place, but that's how it goes sometimes and I think we got the maximum we could from the race."

Grosjean is now determined to make amends next weekend when Formula One heads to the Circuit of the Americans for the United States Grand Prix.

"We're certainly aiming for the best performance we can get; let's see what happens.

"It's quite a balanced circuit in that you don't need one particular thing over another for the car to perform well, but it should be a circuit where the E21 can go strongly once again. Last year the challenge was finding the level of grip we wanted and I expect this to be a challenge again.

"The tyre allocation is quite hard so you really have to work the tyres to get them in the best performance window.

"We expect warmer temperatures this year which will help and the track surface will have changed a bit from the very new surface we had last time. All in all, I think we have potential to go quite well."

[MIKA27]

Ferrari pays tribute to Felipe Massa at Mugello World Finals

Ferrari paid tribute to its outgoing Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa by dedicating its season-ending World Finals to the Brazilian on Sunday.

Massa, who has won 11 grands prix and was the 2008 world championship runner-up during an eight-year stint with the Scuderia, is leaving the team to make room for former team-mate Kimi Raikkonen.

A crowd of 15,000 people turned up to the Maranello squad's home track of Mugello for the event, which also featured a number of F1 demonstration runs.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo was also in attendance, and praised Massa - making his final official appearance for the team outside of the remaining two grands prix - as "a true Ferrari man".

"We spent some great times together," said di Montezemolo, "while some others were more difficult, such as the accident in Budapest.

"These have been very busy years and I wanted to thank him publicly. It's time for a change and also to find new motivation.

"Felipe has been a true Ferrari man and he will always be part of our history. I wish him every success, starting with the last two races of this championship. He will always be part of our family."

MIKA: What surprised me about Felipe Massa was that he wasn't all that great prior to Ferrari. At Sauber, he had a mediocre career. At Ferrari however, he did quite well and even came close to the WDC in 2008. Hope he gets a drive elsewhere and shows he can still be strong.

[Bartolomeo]

1. Back surgery my ass......it gives him an out on not racing the last two races bc of not being paid yet this year, very good timing

2. Good to see Rossi in Friday practice seat in front of home crowd, wish there were more American racers but not popular enough for them to bring the big money it takes to race F1 full time......Connor Daily is another to keep an eye on

Bart

[stargazer14]

I'm heading to Austin for the GP, would have been nice to watch Kimi, but as a longtime Lotus man I will cheer fro Romain.

If anyone else is headed to the GP, send me a PM, looking for some fun!

[MIKA27]

I'm heading to Austin for the GP, would have been nice to watch Kimi, but as a longtime Lotus man I will cheer fro Romain.

If anyone else is headed to the GP, send me a PM, looking for some fun!

Mate, hope you enjoy the GP in Austin, would love to be there!!

Glad to see you going for Lotus, Romain is a great talent, very consistant. I hope they sign Hulkenberg then at least I'll have a complete team to cheer for and follow.

[MIKA27]

Williams bids farewell to Maldonado and welcomes Massa to the family

Brazilian Felipe Massa will replace Venezuelan driver Pastor Maldonado at Williams next season after signing a multi-year contract, the Formula 1 team announced on Monday.

Finland’s Valtteri Bottas will remain as the former champions’ other driver.

“When I was a kid I always dreamed about racing for Ferrari, Williams or McLaren,” Massa said in a statement before addressing assembled Williams employees at the factory in central England.

“I’m glad to be signing with another icon of the sport following my time at Ferrari.”

The 32-year-old has raced for Ferrari since 2006 with 11 grands prix wins during that period. He missed out on the world championship by a single point in 2008 to Britain’s Lewis Hamilton.

He follows in the footsteps of the late triple champion Ayrton Senna, Nelson Piquet, Rubens Barrichello and Bruno Senna as Brazilians to have driven for Williams.

Pastor Maldonado and Williams celebrate their single victory together at the 2012 Spanish GP

“He is an exceptional talent and a real fighter on the racetrack,” said team principal Frank Williams. “He also brings a wealth of experience as we begin a new chapter in our story.”

Ferrari have already announced that 2007 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen, who is out of contract with Lotus at the end of the season, will replace the Brazilian at the Italian team.

Maldonado brought substantial backing from Venezuelan oil company PDVSA to Williams when he arrived in 2011 but has become frustrated with the former Champions, who have scored just one point this season.

Williams thanked him for his efforts, in particular his victory in last year’s Spanish Grand Prix.

“This announcement is a key step towards our goal of returning Williams to the front of the grid, and part of our ongoing plans to ensure that we are stronger in 2014 and beyond,” said deputy principal Claire Williams.

Frank and Claire Williams are seeking stability for their team by bringing in Felipe Massa and retaining Valtteri Bottas

“The stability of having both our drivers on multi-year contracts, Mercedes-Benz as our engine partner and a strong commercial base all contribute to the future success of the Williams F1 team.”

Massa said that 2014, with a new V6 engine being introduced and major rule changes, will be a fresh start.

“I hope my experience will be useful in helping the team in its effort to move on from a difficult period,” he said.

“I’m fully prepared to work with everyone at Grove to make sure that we find the right direction. I’m highly motivated to start working hard from the very beginning in what is an exciting new challenge in my career.”

MIKA: I just hope Williams don't shaft Massa like they did to Rubens....

[MIKA27]

Alonso: Packing the bag for Austin, with some pain still, but eager and confident

Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso will participate in this weekend’s United States Grand Prix in Austin, despite nursing an injury sustained during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last time out.

Alonso announced on Twitter, “Packing the bag for Austin, with some pain still, but eager and confident to help the Team. I will try to give 100% as always!”

“The value of something depends on the way you deal with it mentally and not with the thing itself,” added the Ferrari driver.

Earlier their was speculation that Alonso might sit out the race in Texas.

However, the highly respected correspondent for Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport, Pino Allievi, said that Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo was “not even remotely” contemplating the prospect of the Spaniard not racing in Austin.

But, after his high-G bump over the Abu Dhabi kerbs a week ago, Alonso admitted he was suffering with back pain, while his manager Luis Garcia Abad ‘tweeted’ an alarming photo of the driver strapped to a spinal board during a post-race check at the Yas Marina Circuit hospital.

Allievi said that Ferrari were not impressed by Abad’s dramatic photo, adding another small piece to Alonso’s growing rift with the Italian team.

Alonso finished third in the inaugural United States Grand Prix last year, and is currently comfortably second in the Drivers’ standings but Ferrari is embroiled in a three way battle – with Mercedes and Lotus – for second place in the Constructors’ Championship.

[MIKA27]

Massa suggests gym for Raikkonen if he is to take on very strong Alonso

As Ferrari held a farewell party for the departing Felipe Massa at Mugello over the weekend, the Brazilian warned Raikkonen to be fighting fit for his duel with Fernando Alonso next year.

“Kimi and Ferrari know each other very well already,” Massa is quoted by La Repubblica.

“But he is not very familiar with Fernando, so I think he should [go to] the gym and get ready,” he smiled. “Fernando is a very strong driver, very strong. It will not be easy for [Raikkonen].”

But Massa insisted: “I will go on as a driver, not to plug the holes in someone’s balance sheet.”

[MIKA27]

Valsecchi likely to replace Raikkonen for final races, but Hulkenberg also a candidate

Two candidates have emerged as possible replacements for the surgery-bound Kimi Raikkonen at Lotus for the remaining two grands prix of the year.

If the Quantum Motorsport investment arrives at the Enstone based team, German driver Nico Hulkenberg is Lotus’ preferred choice to succeed Raikkonen permanently for 2014.

But given Raikkonen’s premature exit, does he have a chance to switch from Sauber a couple of races early?

“Not likely,” Hulkenberg’s manager Werner Heinz told Bild newspaper. “No one has talked with us about that.”

In reality, the hot favourite is Lotus’ reserve driver Davide Valsecchi, who since winning last year’s GP2 title has been waiting patiently for his chance.

However, the Italian was surprised when a correspondent for the Italian magazine Autosprint phoned him on Sunday.

“I don’t know anything,” said Valsecchi. “I haven’t heard anything from the team and I was not at the factory last week. ”Not even the people I talk to regularly at Enstone said anything.”

This suggests that Lotus were caught totally unawares by Raikkonen’s decision, while Valsecchi said that he will travel to Austin, on Tuesday, as per his existing arrangements.

“If something happens, I’m ready,” he insisted.

[MIKA27]

Kvyat gets F1 super licence and Austin FP1 call up from Toro Rosso

Daniil Kvyat, who will make his F1 race debut in 2014, has qualified for his Formula 1 Super Licence and will be on FP1 duty in Texas.

Energy drink company Red Bull has named the Russian teenager as Daniel Ricciardo’s successor at Toro Rosso for 2014.

But the marque wants to give Kvyat an early start by sending him out for Friday morning practice sessions this weekend in Austin, and next week in Brazil.

Until now, the only spanner in the works has been the new GP3 champion’s lack of a Formula 1 Super Licence, the mandatory FIA credential needed by drivers in order to participate in official race weekend sessions.

Red Bull therefore arranged a test in a two-year-old Toro Rosso for Kvyat last week at the Misano circuit in Italy, so that he could collect the necessary 300 kilometres of running in front of an FIA observer.

Before the test, Helmut Marko told Russia’s Formula 1news.ru: “It’s all organised. Everything will be fine.”

Indeed, the Red Bull-connected Speed Week magazine reports that Kvyat did the 300 km last Friday at a representative race pace.

“We’re going to America!” he told his 8,700 Twitter followers the next day. ”I will spend the weekend with the team and participate in the first free practice,” Kvyat added in Russian.

[MIKA27]

Webber: Hamilton also struggling in Pirelli era

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has also struggled to shine on Pirelli’s 2013 tyres claims Mark Webber, who is ending his long Formula 1 career at the end of the season and switching to sports prototype endurance racing for 2014 and beyond.

F1′s controversial tyre supplier, however, is staying put for at least another three years.

Having gone head-to-head with Sebastian Vettel for the Bridgestone-shod 2010 title, Australian Webber has increasingly struggled at Red Bull alongside the German ever since.

Is Pirelli the reason?

“I don’t know if there’s a secret,” Vettel said after winning in Abu Dhabi; his eleventh win of the season, and his seventh on the trot.

Red Bull teammate Webber, in contrast, has not won at all in 2013.

He has said on record that Pirelli’s sensitive tyres this year do not suit his style. Webber thinks Mercedes’ Hamilton is having a similar problem.

“He is having trouble expressing himself on the Pirelli tyres, like me,” he told the Daily Mail.

“It’s not meant to be an excuse, even if it probably sounds like one, but it’s obvious [that] I had less success on the Pirellis.”

Webber said that his strength in fast corners, and Vettel’s is in slow corners, which at least partly explains this year’s results.

“He’s probably the master on the Pirelli tyres,” said Webber. “It’s bad news for the others that Pirelli are staying.”

[MIKA27]

Pirelli planning for 'worst-case scenarios'

Paul Hembery has revealed that Pirelli have adopted a "worst-case scenario" for next season as they have very little data about the cars.

Although Pirelli will continue to supply the teams with tyres for next season, the many changes that F1 is set to undergo means the tyre manufacturer has very little to go on.

Without knowing exactly what demands the cars will put on the rubber, Hembery says his company has adopted a more "conservative" approach.

"We've done a survey of the teams and how they envision the cars looking and it is very clear that the development speed of the teams will be very fast," the motorsport director told the official F1 website.

"But, of course, at this stage the teams will not give us any more information because this is a competitive environment and I am sure they don't want to be compromised.

"So we have taken worst-case scenarios based on the data that we have and we are working towards that. Having that in mind, we have to be a little bit more conservative."

Pressed as to what a "worst-case scenario" was, he insisted that "was just a phrase!

"What I meant was related to top speed, lateral loads, vertical loads, aero loads, the loadings on the front and the rear. You have to create a car bringing together all the data from all of the teams - a car that doesn't exist, that is a fictitious car, but which is the worst-case scenario in terms of the parameters we're looking at.

"Of course with the huge changes in regulations the teams will, step-by-step, learn to understand what they really mean and we'll need the data very early on to understand where they are. We'll then keep asking to be updated during the season.

"In pre-season nobody will give too much information - as I said, this is too competitive an environment - but once we are running we need to be very clear on where the journey's going as we don't want to repeat the errors of this season."

[MIKA27]

McLaren decides that Magnussen will replace Perez in 2014 F1 season

McLaren has taken the decision to replace Sergio Perez with Kevin Magnussen for the 2014 Formula 1 season.

Sources have confirmed to AUTOSPORT that the team has decided to promote the Formula Renault 3.5 champion, although a contract has not yet been signed.

Magnussen, a McLaren development driver,became the favourite for the seat in the days following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Speaking earlier on Monday, team principal Martin Whitmarsh had declined to comment on the prospect of Magnussen racing for McLaren next year.

"The fact is at the moment we haven't confirmed our driver line-up, we haven't signed contracts with drivers," he said.

MIKA: Brilliant news!!

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Lopez: Raikkonen’s operation comes at a very unfortunate time for Lotus

Gerard Lopez, the head of Lotus’ team owner Genii Capital, might be among the cynics after news broke that his star driver Kimi Raikkonen will sit out the rest of the season to sort out a back injury.

The Finnish driver and his management say that Raikkonen must undergo back surgery to end a run of worsening pain and to ensure that he is ready to return in good shape for the start of his Ferrari return in 2014.

The cynics, however, might wonder if the timing of the surgery is related to Raikkonen’s pay dispute with the financially strapped Lotus outfit.

The timing is also interesting, given the fact that Ferrari is locked in a battle with Lotus in the lucrative Constructors’ World Championship with just two races to go.

“Primarily this is about Raikkonen’s health, and I wish him a speedy recovery,” Lopez told the German newspaper Die Welt.

“But the operation comes at a very unfortunate and unsuitable time for Lotus. And I also know what sport we are in,” he added, in an obvious reference to the sceptics’ doubts.

Lopez’s frustration is perhaps understandable, given that despite Lotus having one of the very fastest cars on the grid, every headline is focused on the team’s money problems.

“Again and again I read these negative headlines,” he said, “while no one seems to care that we decided to save a company and about 500 employees.

“Of course we know that Formula 1 is not a charitable organisation, but there are huge differences in how the teams are financially supported by Formula 1.

“It is not about the other [top] teams managing to get more investment, but the fact that they simply get more money,” argued Lopez.

“And not because they are better, but because they are apparently more important. We begin our 100 metre race at the 200 metre point,” he added, “and still we make it to the podium.”