FORMULA 1 - 2013

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Brawn: Rule changes behind timing

Ross Brawn says the overhaul of the rules for next season was behind his decision to step down at Merc team boss at the end of this year.

On Thursday, Mercedes ended months of rumours when they confirmed that Brawn would leave the team at the end of this year.

The Englishman, who has been with Merc since the German manufacturer purchased his Brawn GP team after its Championship-winning 2009 campaign, will hand the reigns over to Toto Wolff Executive Director (Business) and Paddy Lowe Executive Director (Technical).

"The most important consideration in my decision to step down from the role as Team Principal was to ensure that the timing was right for the team in order to ensure its future success," the 59-year-old stated.

"The succession planning process that we have implemented during this year means we are now ready to conduct the transition from my current responsibilities to a new leadership team composed of Toto and Paddy.

"Mercedes-Benz has invested significantly in both the personnel and infrastructure at Brackley and Brixworth. Thanks to the one-team approach we have implemented between the two facilities, the team is uniquely positioned to succeed in 2014 and I am proud to have helped lay the foundations for that success."

Brawn highlighted Formula One's changing regulations as the main reason for chosing to retire at the end of this year.

"2014 will mark the beginning of a new era in the sport. We therefore felt this was the right time to simultaneously begin a new era of team management to ensure that the organisation is in the strongest possible competitive position for the years to come.

"We can take pride not just in our on-track achievements but also in the organisation we have built at Brackley.

"In its different guises over the past six seasons, this team has delivered some of the most memorable moments of my career. Our second place in this season's Constructors' Championship is an important milestone on the road to championship success.

"I am confident that the future will hold just as much success for the team and will take real pride in having played my own part in those achievements."

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Nico Rosberg: beating Lewis Hamilton a key 2014 Formula 1 goal

Nico Rosberg has set his sights on finishing ahead of Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton in the 2014 Formula 1 championship.

The German had a strong season for Mercedes in 2013, winning the Monaco and British Grands Prix, but finished 18 points behind his team-mate.

Although Hamilton threatened to gain the upper-hand in the build-up to the August break, Rosberg had a strong start and finish to the year and ended up with the better result in six of the last nine races this season.

Even though he finished a career-best sixth in the championship and led more laps than any driver other than Sebastian Vettel, he still believes there is more to come.

"I'm not happy, but I am pleased with this season," Rosberg told AUTOSPORT when asked about his performance relative to Hamilton. "I had some great ups but also a few downs.

"My goal was to improve since last year, which worked out fine for me with two wins.

"But with a cleaner season next year, I want to stay in front of my team-mate on points.

"If we want to become the best, we need to be more consistent next year, but I am sure that we are able to sort this out.

"We have a really strong team now and great technical people joined us."

2014 PREPARATIONS

Rosberg has already gained experience of the 2014 car in the Mercedes simulator and will start his serious preparations for the season at the end of the week.

He is due at the team's Brackley factory on Friday for seat fitting work and engineering meetings.

"I can't wait to step in the new car and would love to drive the first race next Sunday," said Rosberg.

"It's the most exciting project since I'm in F1 and it will also be my busiest winter.

"I got a first impression of the new car when I was in the simulator recently.

"In the coming week, the next steps will follow, for example with the seat fitting."

ROSBERG IN 2013

Rosberg's 2013 season is his best in F1 by all measures.

Starts: 19

Wins: 2

Pole positions: 3

Front row starts: 7 (including poles)

Laps led: 104

Championship position: 6th

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for u Mika!

http://sport.uk.msn....=sharepermalink

Thank you Bastian!! I've tried searching for this on Youtube so I can insert the video however can not locate it.

It's a really good insight into a normal pit stop, love it!

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Gutierrez still aiming for 'big' goals

Esteban Gutierrez believes his performances in the latter half of this season prove he deserves to be in Formula One.

After a sluggish start to his debut campaign, the Mexican racer and Sauber both found their feet after the winter break with improvements coinciding with the introduction of the new Pirelli tyres.

With Sauber performing better, Gutierrez was able to show his own pace resulting in a seventh-place in Japan.

The 22-year-old's six points meant he finished the season as the sport's top rookie.

But despite that achievement, his future remains uncertain with reports claiming he could be dropped by Sauber after just one year.

Gutierrez, though, reckons he's done enough to show that he deserves to be in F1 and hopes to fulfill his "big goals" in the sport.

"Once you get into Formula One you have to accept that it is a pretty unstable situation for most drivers," he told the official F1 website.

"Maybe you have stability for the first three months - and the rest is a roller coaster ride. But that is something that you get used to and you should not combine what is happening around you with your performance.

"The bottom line is that I have big goals in F1 and I want to achieve them. I believe that with my race performances from Singapore onwards I have proved that I have the level to be in Formula One. So I am confident for my future. God will place things where they belong.

"Careers are very often instable and you have to bear that in mind. And if you are aware of that it also helps you to learn the value of other things in life. Life is bigger than Formula One.

"For a driver Formula One is, of course, very important - for me it includes everything that I love: the sport, the technical side, the engineering side, the business and the political side - but at the same time you have your family and you have friends - you have a life and you have to give huge value to all of the things that give you the chance to say: 'I am not fully dependent on Formula One'.

"I have other things that I value, and you need to find the right balance between your F1 life and the private person that you are. My life would not collapse if F1 did not happen, but once you're here, you have to go all in!

"Between now and January I will enhance my physical training, just like every other driver will. I want to reach another level of my physical condition with my preferred training regime: cycling. This will prepare me for next season."

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Merc 'confident' for the future

Mercedes' chairman of the board of management Dieter Zetsche has every confidence that Toto Wolff and Paddy Lowe can successfully lead the team.

With Ross Brawn stepping down from his role as team principal at the end of this season, Wolff and Lowe will now take the reins.

Wolff's position will see him in charge of the business side while Lowe will deal with the sporting and technical needs of the team.

"Last winter, we restructured the management of our Formula One activities, with the support of Niki Lauda," Zetsche explained.

"The first step was to convince Toto Wolff to join us to run our Mercedes-Benz motorsport activities and our Formula One company.

The second step was the recruitment of Paddy Lowe during 2013.

"This gave us a clear succession plan for the time when Ross decided to step down from his current role, and that time has now come.

"I have every confidence that Toto and Paddy will build on Ross' good work and that they possess exactly the balance of skills required to lead our team to World Championship success."

The German took the time to thank Brawn for his efforts since Mercedes purchased the team back in 2010 and wished him well for the future.

"I would like to personally thank Ross for the calm authority with which he has led our works team since 2010, for his crucial contribution to our team's development and also for the undoubted share he will have in our future success.

"It has been a pleasure working with him over the past four years and I extend all my very best wishes to him for the future."

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'Alonso should be proud of his season'

Luca di Montezemolo says it is up to Ferrari to give Fernando Alonso a race winning car and one that is "even better than Red Bull".

Alonso's move to Ferrari in 2010 coincided with the rise of Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing.

While the German has claimed four Drivers' Championship titles in a row, Alonso has finished runner-up on three occasions with this year being the third.

The Spaniard, though, has given his all with many, including Ferrari's president, conceding that it is the car that has let him down.

Next year, di Montezemolo is adamant Ferrari will make amends.

"He is right to be proud of second place: he had a great season. We must give him a quicker car and he will get the most out of it," he told Italy's RAI Uno.

"Eight out of ten, instead of ten? My eight is worth a ten because it's a score I give as an incentive: I hope to give it him next year and to give an eight, at least, to the team.

"For next year I would like to present him with a car that's even better than Red Bull. Let's not forget we know how to do that: one only has to think of the five year period from 2000 to 2004 and the wins in 2007 and 2008.

"I thank him for all his efforts and the determination he showed this year and for the fact he would have been prepared to let Massa get onto the podium last Sunday back in Brazil, as it testifies to the nice atmosphere in our team.

"Newey isn't his opponent: there are the drivers, starting with Vettel, then Hamilton and Rosberg, who has improved a lot, and there's Raikkonen who will be trying to win, which will give us a boost and should bring the points we were missing this year."

Next season will also see Alonso face a new team-mate in Kimi Raikkonen, who is Ferrari's last World Champion having won the title back in 2007.

"Whoever has the honour and responsibility of driving for Ferrari must think of the team first and foremost and not of himself. None of our drivers could ever hurt the other one," di Montezemolo said of the pairing.

"Alonso is maybe the strongest race driver I've ever met, even if it is always difficult to make comparisons with the past.

"We have taken Raikkonen back for his experience, for what he has done over the past two years and because he is much loved inside and outside the team.

"I was very pleased to see the enthusiasm that greeted the news of his return, again both internally and externally. I am sure they will help one another."

The Italian also weighed in on Vettel, saying he could one day have a future with Ferrari.

"Better than Senna? Ecclestone says what suits him but there is no doubt he is a great driver. He is a serious young man who has won a lot and therefore he deserves respect.

"I congratulate him and Red Bull. Vettel at Ferrari? Who knows what the future holds? But for now, drivers are definitely not a problem for us."

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Permanent driver numbers to be discussed for '14

Drivers could soon be assigned a permanent number for their entire Formula 1 career in a move which has gained support from team principals and is due to be discussed at the next F1 Strategy Group meeting.

At present, drivers are awarded a number based on where their team finished in the championship*. For example, Sebastian Vettel will sport the number '1' on his car next season after he finished first, whilst Daniel Ricciardo will wear the number '2'. Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg will be '3' and '4' respectively as Mercedes finished second to Red Bull, whilst Hamilton beat Rosberg.

Whilst that system works, it can cause confusion as drivers change numbers quite often and it means fans and commentators must quickly learn the new order to help them recognise a driver on track.

Under the new system, which will be debated on December 9th and could be implemented as soon as next year if passed and then ratified by the World Motor Sport Council, a driver will be assigned a number for their entire F1 career.

The numbers could be assigned by the FIA, or they could be chosen by a driver if available.

The system has the backing of several team principals as not only does it make a driver easier to identify, it could be beneficial for marketing purposes too.

The FIA's Charlie Whiting would be tasked with making the process fair and ensuring a driver with a lower number isn't given an advantage - as at present, a cancelled qualifying session would be decided on a numerical basis. Bigger numbers will also be discussed at the meeting, with concerns they are too small to spot on television. However, this doesn't have much support from the teams, as it could potentially reduce the areas designated for sponsor decals, but it does have the backing of Bernie Ecclestone and FIA president Jean Todt.

*The number '1' is always reserved for the champion regardless of where the team finishes.

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Williams reject Marussia merger opportunity

Williams has reportedly rejected an attempt by Marussia's owner to merge the two teams in an attempt to form a stronger, more financially resilient outfit. Whilst the terms of the proposed deal aren't clear, it's believed Marussia owner Andrei Cheglakov attempted to buy Toto Wolff's 15 per cent stake in Williams.

Cheglakov is reportedly tired of Marussia's competitiveness and is keen to see them move up the grid. Whilst William's isn't doing much better, the Russian billionaire believes merging budgets, talent and facilities would result in improvements.

The deal, according to Auto Motor und Sport, had the backing of Formula 1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone, but was rejected by team principal Claire Williams on the grounds that the team wishes to remain independent.

A similar deal could still be done between Marussia and Sauber according to the report. Driven by the lack of available sponsorship and investment - with Sauber's Russian backing now looking unlikely - F1 teams are having to tighten their belts or find alternative means to bolster their budgets.

Of course both Marussia and Sauber have links to Ferrari with their engines and co-owner Peter Sauber is keen to sell up after buying the team back in 2009. It could mean there are only ten teams on the 2014 grid, though if the deal were to proceed, it's more likely the merger itself would take effect the following season.

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Moves afoot for December Pirelli tyre test with 2013 cars

Behind the scenes moves are afoot to organise a Pirelli tyre test in December, ahead of the start of official 2014 Formula 1 testing in January.

Formula 1′s official supplier had been pushing for the Bahrain test – to further develop its 2014 tyres and give it time to react ahead of the January tests – with the assistance of just one team, and McLaren had firmly put its hand up.But some teams objected.

“It would be unfortunate,” said Mercedes’ Ross Brawn, “if one team had the benefit of running a tyre to the exclusion of all the others.”

With Friday’s rain spoiling Pirelli’s efforts to test its 2014 tyres at Interlagos, however, the prospect of the December plans being scrapped had raised real concerns that Formula 1 will head into another new season with unsuitable tyres.

So, on Sunday at Interlaogs, and with the crucial input of Mercedes’ Niki Lauda, the team bosses were hurriedly summoned by Bernie Ecclestone and Pirelli’s Paul Hembery, Auto Motor und Sport reveals.

The subject of the meeting was the possible organisation of a full tyre test in December with 2013 cars, which will require the approval of FIA president Jean Todt.

“The decision must be made by Wednesday, for logistical reasons,” explained correspondent Michael Schmidt.

“The condition is that Pirelli will pay for the test and theoretically every team can send a car. But it requires the consent of all the teams, and the FIA,” he added.

Word is a that a venue in the Middle East is being sought, where weather will be almost certainly favourable.

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Sauber confirms McCullough departure

Sauber's Head of Track Engineering, Tom McCullough, is to leave the team by the end of February next year, it has been confirmed.

The 38-year-old, who joined the Hinwil-based outfit at the end of last season, is said to be returning home to join a British-based team, of which there are currently eight.

McCullough was a former employee of Williams from 2002-2012, serving as the race engineer to Nico Hülkenberg, Rubens Barrichello and Bruno Senna.

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Mysterious source reveals agenda for next F1 Strategy Group meeting

Quotes by Autsoport that have been attributed to an unnamed and mysterious ‘high level’ source claiming that on the table for Formula 1′s next Strategy Group meeting are proposals for the sport to adapt USA style bespoke racing numbers for drivers and the introduction of a ’FIA Pole Man of the Year in F1′.

GP247 unearthed this very source. The person who, as with our colleagues requested anonymity, explained that many issues that are tabled for discussions for such meetings are seldom heard. Therefore it is common practice to create red herrings in an effort to squash or undermine important issues that may arise.

The source also added,”Many publications at this time of the year are devoid of news. So they themselves publish reports that serve their own interests and these stories which they ‘discover’ keep the readers coming back. This is important for their Google Ads revenue – when in effect not much is going on in the F1 world as everyone is full speed ahead developing their 2014 cars in total secret. Drivers, of course, are off the radar too.”

Although at first reluctant to provide more information, when pressed for other interesting matters that have been put on the agenda for discussion at the 9 December meeting of the Strategy Group, the source revealed:

• One championship point to be awarded for pole position – proposed by Red Bull;
  
• Once on the grid drivers can get out of their cars but may not hop the pitwall to pee;
  
• One driver one helmet, thus no more special edition helmets or race by race helmets as used by Sebastian Vettel – proposed by teams who were confused about who exactly was driving their car;
  
• More VIP guest passes for Bernie Ecclestone and FIA delegates – proposed by FIA and FOM senior officials;
  
• Journalists and photographers to pay for privilege of covering F1 – unknown proposer;
  
• Drivers to be penalised if they scold their race engineers as Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen have done in such high profile manner – proposed by the F1 Engineers Association;
  
• Only Bernie Ecclestone and Jean Todt allowed to shake hands with drivers on the grid- proposed by FIA and FOM senior officials;
  
• No umbrellas on the grid because they block signage and branding – F1 Sponsors Association
  
• Red Bull to be official drink which is sprayed on the podium instead of champagne – proposed by Red Bull;
  
• Designers with more than four world championships in a row to their credit to be forced to resign and go design yachts – proposed by Ferrari, Mercedes, Lotus, McLaren and Caterham;
  
• Water the track when race gets boring – same old proposal by the same old guy;
  
• Okay that’s enough…
  

In the end the source – who will remain annonymous and who provided the above information – was asked by us to shut up as the list got longer and longer. The source explained that this is how it works in these groups – lots of fluff, but very little substance.

The source added, “Strategy Group decisions still have to be ratified by the self serving Formula 1 Commission and our own cumbersome World Motor Sport Council, therefore few if any decisions see the light of day. I go along because we fly business class, the food is good and we get to stay in a nice hotel.”

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Tickets for 2014 Austrian Grand Prix sell out in three days

DTM race at Red Bull Ring earlier this year

Tickets for next year’s Austrian Grand Prix - last held in 2003 - have sold out.

Next June’s race at the former A1-Ring, demolished and rebuilt by Red Bull, went on sale a mere three days ago.

Race organisers Spielberg GmbH, a subsidiary of the energy drink company that also owns two Formula 1 teams, said on Thursday that only cancelled tickets will now be available.

APA news agency said the few cancelled tickets were bought by fans so eager to attend the Austrian Grand Prix that they booked twice.

“We are overwhelmed by the interest,” a spokesman is quoted as saying.

The organisers have applied to authorities for qualifying and race-day capacities of 80,000 spectators per day.

A maximum of only 30,000 spectators will be allowed into the circuit on Friday, according to the 100-page application.

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Formula 1 financial situation alarming says Schumacher

Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher has admitted he is concerned about the sport’s current financial health, or rather lack thereof.

As teams prepare for the even more expensive 2014 regulations, Lotus and Sauber have already been struggling to pay their drivers and bills this season.

And amid reports of a possible Marussia-Sauber merger over the forthcoming winter, it is possible the grid could shrink to just ten teams and twenty cars for 2014.

Schumacher, the most successful driver in Grand Prix history, admitted he is worriedly watching the situation from the sidelines.

“It is really alarming,” the former Ferrari and Mercedes driver told Bild newspaper. ”Financially it has become a very difficult situation, showing that even Formula 1 is not immune.”

44-year-old German Schumacher, however, has no such money worries, having sat atop the tree as Formula 1′s highest-earning driver for many years at Ferrari.

Indeed, now retired, he had been speaking about Formula 1′s financial troubles from Frankfurt, where he had travelled in his private jet to collect an original painting called ‘Boxenstopp’ for €3,500.

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McLaren not sure Mercedes to have best engine in 2014

Martin Whitmarsh has admitted he is not sure if Mercedes will supply a competitive V6 turbo engine in 2014.

According to the paddock grapevine, the German manufacturer has an early performance head-start over its turbo V6-producing rivals Renault and Ferrari.

But McLaren boss Whitmarsh, whose Woking based team will switch to works Honda power for 2015, said the reports Mercedes will lead the game in 2014 cannot be verified.

“Will we have a competitive drivetrain (in 2014)? I don’t know,” he is quoted by Speed Week.

“There are many people in the paddock who seem to know, but I don’t know where they could have got that information from,” added Whitmarsh.

“From what I know about Mercedes’ resources and organisation, I am assuming that they have done a good job,” he said.

“I believe that we will be competitive,” said Whitmarsh. McLaren finished the 2013 season just fifth, having failed to score even a single podium.

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FIA proposes 'pole trophy' for Formula 1's top qualifier from 2014

The FIA is planning to introduce a 'pole position trophy' in Formula 1 from the start of next year, after receiving preliminary support for the idea from teams.

AUTOSPORT has learned that during discussions at last month's Strategy Group meeting, the idea of an FIA award came out of debate about whether or not a championship point should be awarded to the fastest qualifier.

The idea of such a change to the points structure was rejected by a number of team principals present, so FIA president Jean Todt instead proposed the creation of the 'FIA Pole Man of the Year in F1' trophy instead.

The Strategy Group has since put together a rules proposal for formal approval at its next meeting on December 9, prior to it going then to the Formula 1 Commission and the World Motor Sport Council for ratification.

If it comes into force, the trophy will be awarded to the driver who secures the most pole positions during the championship season.

In the event of a tie between two drivers, then it will be given to the driver that has the greatest number of second places as well.

If it was still a tie, then it will be determined on the highest numbers or third or then fourth places until a winner emerges.

Should the results of the season end up completely tied, then the FIA has the right to nominate the winner under any criteria that it deems appropriate.

WHO WOULD HAVE WON?

A battle to secure the 'Pole Man of the Year' trophy should serve to add a little more excitement for fans as they follow the plight of their favourite drivers, without it impacting on the world championship fight.

It also allows a driver to keep chasing a reward even if his car is not quite good enough for the title itself.

A quick scan back through recent the last five years shows that Lewis Hamilton is the only man who would have beaten Sebastian Vettel to the trophy.

His seven pole positions last year were the most of any driver that season.

Although Hamilton and Jenson Button matched the four poles that Vettel earned in 2009, it was their lack of second place spots that meant the German would have walked away with the pole trophy that year.

2013 - Sebastian Vettel (nine poles from 19 races)

2012 - Lewis Hamilton (seven poles from 20 races)

2011 - Sebastian Vettel (15 poles from 19 races)

2010 - Sebastian Vettel (10 poles from 19 races)

2009 - Sebastian Vettel (four poles from 19 races, four seconds)

[poorman]

Mysterious source reveals agenda for next F1 Strategy Group meeting

• Red Bull to be official drink which is sprayed on the podium instead of champagne – proposed by Red Bull;
  
• Designers with more than four world championships in a row to their credit to be forced to resign and go design yachts – proposed by Ferrari, Mercedes, Lotus, McLaren and Caterham;
  

Hilarious

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Grosjean and Maldonado confirmed to drive for Lotus in 2014

Lotus F1 Team is pleased to announce that Venezuelan driver Pastor Maldonado [28] will join the Enstone squad alongside Frenchman Romain Grosjean [27] for the 2014 Formula 1 season.

Pastor – a veteran of 58 Grand Prix starts, including pole position and victory at the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix – has driven for Williams F1 Team since entering the sport at the start of the 2011 season.

Romain has raced for Lotus F1 Team since the start of the 2012 season, having previously driven for the Enstone outfit in its former guise of Renault F1 Team during the final seven races of the 2009 season, in addition to serving as third driver for the team in 2011.

Eric Boullier, Team Principal: “It is with great pleasure that we can formally confirm that Romain Grosjean will continue with Lotus F1 Team next season. He has really made the most of his tremendous talent over the latter part of the 2013 season and will be a fantastic asset to our 2014 challenge. Romain will be joined by Pastor Maldonado; a driver I have known since he drove for me at DAMS in the 2005 World Series by Renault season. It is clear that Pastor has pace and potential – demonstrated by his 2010 GP2 Series title success and then through strong races throughout his career at Williams F1 Team – and we are convinced that we will be able to provide the correct environment to enable him to flourish regularly on track. We have been working on our new car in alignment with the new regulations for over two years and we are confident that we have a very good solution to all the challenges ahead. With Romain and Pastor I believe Lotus F1 Team will be able to cause quite a few surprises next year.”

Pastor Maldonado and Romain Grosjean were rivals during the 2010 GP2 season

Romain Grosjean, Lotus F1 Team Driver: “I am very happy to have official confirmation that I will be continuing to drive for Lotus F1 Team next season. This past year has been tremendously satisfying for me. We have worked well together, and I know everyone at Enstone is motivated to continue the fight for every last point available. I am very excited about next year’s car and I cannot wait to get out on track for pre-season testing before heading to Australia for the first race of the season.”

Pastor Maldonado, 2014 Lotus F1 Team Driver: “It is a fantastic opportunity for me to join Lotus F1 Team for 2014. It’s no secret that I have wanted a change of scene to help push on with my Formula 1 career and Lotus F1 Team offered the very best opportunity for me to be competitive next season. The regulations and cars will change significantly so it is a very good time for a fresh start. I can’t wait to be racing in black and gold.”

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Schumacher: On Mercedes fortunes, on Vettel’s dominance and on life after F1

Michael Schumacher gives his views on Mercedes’ performance this past season, the dominance of his friend Sebastian Vettel and what he does with his life now that he is retired from Formula 1.

Schumacher is clearly impressed by what Mercedes has achieved in the year since he departed Formula 1, and believes that the infra-structure is now in place for a Silver Arrows driver to win the Championship and for the team to battle for titles.

In a TV interview released by the team, Schumacher said, “It is a great result. Particularly if you consider where we [came] from last year. I mean [we were] absolutely nowhere by the end of the year. And nobody could have expected to be fighting even at part of the season for the Championship. So they did it, they had a great start of the year and they even were able to a sort of push through the year quite hard.”

But after the summer break in August Red Bull returned to the Championship fray with a clear advantage and thereafter Sebastian Vettel was unstoppable as he notched up nine victories on the trot, wrapping up the title with five races to spare.

Schumacher ventured, “Until a point that they understood: Ah OK, here we are at the end of the Championship for us, so it is better to focus on … 2014.”

“The infrastructure now is in place. Since quite a while [ago] Ross Brawn decided to have the right amount of people in the right position and everything now is there to have the base to fight the Championship in the future. And that’s what I think can happen. Anyway, congratulations for the second position,” said Schumacher who returned to F1 with Mercedes in 2010 after a four year break from the sport.

As for his feelings since retiring from F1, Schumacher said, “I mean Formula 1 is certainly the highlight of motorsport and it’s great to drive the car absolutely, yes. I enjoyed when I have been in Nürburgring to drive the car to have a bit of fun but to do it seriously…no. I’m tired of this one and that is why I decided so, because Mercedes gave me the option to continue for the future and I didn’t really fancy it.”

“I have arrived in my new life and that is very nice. Even if you go back after the first time I retired I didn’t really miss it because I have so many other pleasureful things to do, so it is a good life,” insisted the German who competed in 307 grand prix races, winning 91 and scoring 155 podiums along the way.

Schumacher and quadruple World Champion Sebastian Vettel and Schumacher have a special bond. After all they have been partners in the all conquering Team Germany at the annual Race of Champions, and Vettel has admitted that Schumacher was his idol.

Of the Red Bull driver’s accomplishments Schumacher said, “Great job, very consistent, look at his teammate that is your reference point that you take. I mean he won all those races, 13 this year I think. Mark Webber …won none in the end. That is pretty shocking. I’m glad I’m not his teammate, but definitely he is the worthy … champion. I’m really happy for him. If somebody can break all [my] records I prefer it to be him, than somebody else.”

As for what keeps him occupied and motivated beyond Formula 1, Schumacher revealed, “I’m looking after young drivers in the go-kart area. I’ve always been close to the go-kart scene. I have a friend, he builds go-karts and I do actually test drives and development for him. Yeah, karting is a fascinating world that I still love to be involved in and I always see young kids and they come along and so I give them my point of view and they appreciate that.”

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Bahrain tests lighting for F1 night race to celebrate 10th anniversary

Bahrain circuit officials will test a new floodlight system this weekend as part of their plans to turn their 10th anniversary Formula 1 Grand Prix into a night race next year.

Bahrain International Circuit chief executive Salman bin Isa al-Khalifa said in a statement on Friday that a round of the World Endurance Championship at the circuit on Saturday and Sunday would test the first phase of the project.

“This is by far the biggest development project we have ever undertaken at the BIC since the circuit was first built,” he said.

“I believe that there can be no better way for us to mark our 10th anniversary in F1 by demonstrating our long term commitment to the sport through this significant investment,” said al-Khalifa.

The track floodlighting for the F1 race will involve 495 lighting poles, ranging in height from 10-45 metres, and be suitable for high definition TV broadcasting.

Singapore currently hosts Formula One’s only full night race, with Abu Dhabi’s a day-to-night event with the sun setting during the race. A spokesman said Bahrain’s race would start after sunset.

Bahrain’s race is scheduled for April 6,with pre-season testing scheduled for February which may also run under lights.

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Hometown hero Button burns rubber down Frome main street

Jenson Button delivered a Secret Santa Christmas surprise to the unsuspecting residents of his hometown of Frome, in Somerset, on Friday.

Billed to be a switching on of the town’s Christmas lights, Frome’s favourite son instead broke cover on a forensically planned and secretly executed plan to kick off the Christmas season in the Somerset market town in some considerable style with a live Formula 1 demonstration as JB took to the closed streets of the town in his Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 race car.

Stunned onlookers – who had only bargained on a glimpse of Jenson as he undertook a parade in an open top Mercedes SL65 V12 AMG – were instead treated to the town centre being transformed into the boulevards of Monaco, resounding to the noise and spectacle of F1 at close quarters.

Having conducted the ceremonial duties of switching on the Christmas lights and addressing the crowd, Jenson re-emerged in the cockpit of his McLaren. His demonstration was a masterclass of donuts and burn-outs as the short town- centre course resonated to the unmistakeable sound and sight of Formula 1 in all its brilliance.

Jenson said, “I’m amazed we managed to keep this quiet and surprise everybody – it has been weeks in the planning and as you know, we’re not very good at being quiet in F1. But it has been great to be part of a huge undercover operation, especially to deliver something so unexpected to my hometown. And I’ve driven a Formula 1 car in some fairly exotic locations in my time but nothing felt more surreal than making lots of noise on the streets I used to kick around on when I was a kid here. In fact, I am sure I saw my headmaster flash by, so no doubt I will be in trouble….again!”

Having been born in Frome and attended Selwood Middle School in the town, Jenson retains close family links to the location, and the town has shown its affection for arguably its most famous resident with not just a Jenson Avenue, but also a Jenson Button Bridge across the River Frome.

Jenson’s street drive was the finale from a day of ‘surprise and delight’ appearances that Jenson made to officially launch Santander’s Secret Santa promotion, providing customers with the opportunity to win seasonal prizes including Christmas hampers.

The Secret Santa promotion is running across Santander’s entire UK-wide branch network between Thursday 5 and Thursday 12 December where customers can enter to win a Christmas hamper prize draw. One winner per branch will be announced on Friday 13 December.

In addition, Santander is running a special competition via Facebook where 10 lucky people will win one of Hamleys top 12 toys every day from 1 – 12 December, and then on 13 December they will go into a special draw to win all 12.

Prior to arriving in Frome on Friday afternoon Jenson made an unannounced visit to the CLIC Sargent ward at the Royal Bath Hospital to deliver early Christmas presents to children in hospital.

Visiting the Royal Bath Hospital was the first in a string of unannounced appearances that Jenson made to astonished and unsuspecting Santander customers across the local area, including the owners of The Old Manor Hotel on Trowle Common, one of many SMEs supported by the bank in the locality.

From there, JB spread some Christmas cheer by visiting the Trowbridge branch of Santander to formally launch the bank’s Secret Santa promotion across its entire branch network and on Facebook.

Jenson’s last stop before the street demonstration was to the homes of some of Santander’s customers in the local Trowbridge and Frome area. Many doors were opened by Santander customers to find a grinning JB on the doorstep bearing gifts!

Reflecting on a day of Christmas cheer, Jenson said, “It’s a special time of year and everyone has been so receptive to the surprises we have sprung on them today, which I guess is the spirit of Christmas in evidence! Personally, I’ve had a great day and it’s been great fun to bring some festive cheer home.”

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Malaysian youngster Jaafar tests Mercedes

Young Malaysian racer Jazeman Jaafar carried out a Formula 1 driver evaluation test with the Mercedes team at Silverstone circuit on Friday.

The 21-year-old, who is backed by the team’s Malaysian oil company partner Petronas, was at the wheel of a 2011 car that he drove in a Kuala Lumpur street event in March and at a Silverstone filming day in June.

“I have always known I want to reach the height of F1 but, if I had any doubts, after today I just want it even more,” said Jazeman who has raced in both British Formula Three and Formula Renault 3.5 this year.

Malaysia, which hosts a round of the Formula 1 Championship, has only ever had onegrand prix driver – Alex Yoong, who competed for the now-defunct Minardi team without scoring a point, in 2001-02.

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Sutil: The car was a carrot

Although reports suggest Adrian Sutil could be without a drive next season, the German is expecting to stay on for another year with Force India.

That, though, has not stopped him from slating his team's 2013 car.

Having failed to score a point in the final race of the season in Brazil, Sutil blamed the car.

"The car was not particularly good," he told Auto Motor und Sport.

"We had every problem that you could have: understeer, oversteer in the slow corners, the fast corners. You could not do much with the adjustments in the cockpit.

"Ultimately the car was simply a carrot. There is simply nothing that works."

Asked if he was glad the season was over, he said he was looking forward to the winter break and next season when "everything will be very different with the V6.

"I think it (the changes) will bring the field back together.

"Right now it's boring with Red Bull. They have dominated this era. Now let's see who in the new era has their nose in front."

However, it remains to be seen whether Sutil will hold onto his race-seat for next season.

With Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez being hotly tipped to replace the German and Paul di Resta, both 2013 drivers may have already contested their final F1 grands prix.

Sutil, though, believes he's done a good enough job to secure another season in the sport.

"I think I did a good job," he said. "Maybe here and there were slight errors but overall it was fine.

"We threw away many good results - by bad luck, other drivers or by the botched pit stops at the beginning of the year. This is something I've never experienced.

The 30-year-old added that Force India threw away "at least 30, 35 points".

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Booth downplays financial benefit of P10

Marussia team boss John Booth says his team's 10th place in the Constructors' Championship is more of a morale boost than a financial one.

Having secured a P13 at the Malaysian Grand Prix, only the second race of the season, Marussia edged ahead of Caterham in the battle for 10th in the Championship.

The team held onto the position throughout the season as their main rival could only manage a best result of P14.

As such, Marussia claimed 10th in the Championship and the prize money that goes with the position.

"It's a massive boost to everybody. It gives us confidence that we are going forward and is a real kick-start for next year," Booth told Sky Sports Online.

Asked about the 'financial impact' of finishing 10th, he added: "It's almost negligible, the difference. Morale is the biggest thing.

"If you'd seen the reaction of the guys afterwards, it was incredible - like we'd won the bloody race. I'm sure it was the same back in Banbury."

Looking ahead to next season, Marussia will be swapping to Ferrari engines with Booth confident that more progress is on the cards.

"The next goal is getting into Q2 on a regular basis; that's what we want to do and what we have to do. We're less than one per cent off doing that now," he said.

"The first step is to improve that one per cent and start getting into Q2 on a regular basis. And then we can start thinking about points."

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Baumgartner joins RoC line-up

Space Dive record-breaker Felix Baumgartner has joined the line-up for this year's Race of Champion, which takes place in Bangkok later this month.

Baumgartner made history - and wowed people while doing so - last year when a live YouTube audience of eight million people watched him jump to earth from 39km up.

He made the fastest freefall ever and in doing so broke the sound barrier.

Now he'll pit himself against some of motor racing's best as he takes on the likes of Michael Schumacher, Tom Kristensen and Mick Doohan.

"I've seen a lot of the Race Of Champions because I've always been really interested in motor sport. My Dad never invested money in it so I moved in a different direction and became a skydiver," he said.

"But I've practised rally driving with a friend and in the last couple of years I've had a lot of invitations to motor sport events so I'm practising and practising and getting better and better. Of course I'm at a very medium level but I'm used to speed, picking things up fast and I'm not scared to compete against the best.

"I like the Race Of Champions concept because nobody really has the chance to practise a lot: you just hop into the car and do your best. Because it's right between F1 and rally driving, whoever wins really is the best overall motor sport competitor.

"Of course everyone is at the top of their game, so I'm the one with the least amount of pressure this time. They all want to show they're the best racing driver in the world, whereas I'm a skydiver... So no one will be expecting very much from me and as long as I don't damage the car and I do a couple of cool laps, everybody's going to say: 'Hey, he's not as bad as we thought he would be!'

"I'm looking forward to it and I'm sure I'm going to learn a lot from it. The more I can learn, the better."

This year's Race of Champions takes place at Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium on December 14-15.

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'Teams to blame for rising costs'

Christian Horner reckons the F1 teams as a whole have themselves to blame for next year's sharp rise in costs as they didn't put a stop to changes.

Next season the sport will see the introduction of 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 engines with energy recovery unit. However, the engines will reportedly cost almost double the current V8s.

Instead of paying €25 million, teams will have to fork out €40 million for their power units. That's an increase of €15 million and that doesn't even include the general rise in the price of everything else.

However, amidst claims that Red Bull are spending more than any other outfit, Horner believes the teams have only themselves to blame.

"It's a little bit late, really," he told ESPN

"The costs are going to significantly increase. The engines are far more expensive, and to operate that engine - just the radiator bill alone next year compared to this year is looking like it's going to be double.

"Then of course we've added four in-season tests, so the teams have only got themselves to blame because each of the regulations that have been introduced next year will have a dramatic impact on costs.

"We can all stick our heads in the sand and dance around the periphery, but until you address the fundamentals the rest of it is just window dressing."

Red Bull, though, are in the fortunate position of being able to attract "good partners" as well as bring in prize money, something those further back struggle with.

"The impact of next year's costs for us could range anywhere between €25 million and €40 million," he added. "We have to go out and find that because Red Bull won't fill that deficit and that's why we have a lot more partners on the car.

"Thankfully we've been successful and we've managed to attract good partners and good prize revenues, but if you're further down the grid it must be impossible to counter the increase in costs versus generating income."