FORMULA 1 - 2015

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Formula 1 in Sochi: Our fan guide to the Russian Grand Prix

Here's a visitors’ guide for anyone who plans to visit the Russian GP at Sochi Autodrome circuit this weekend.

The Russian Grand Prix is something that seemed almost incredible just a decade ago, yet is now becoming routine with the circus returning to Sochi after the inaugural event last year.

Back in 2014, there has been plenty of speculation about whether the Russian side would be ready on time for the race in former Olympic Park. In fact, the brand new state-of-the-art circuit and outstanding efforts of local promoter team have made the venue arguably one of the best organized in the calendar, with mostly positive feedback coming from visitors.

Today, Sochi’s weekend on the calendar stands alongside iconic old-school European tracks like Monza and Silverstone and newly-built exotic locations, like Yas Marina and Bahrain, and this means a lot to local motorsport fans, who anticipated this moment for decades.

However, with its welcoming mild sub-tropical climate, incredible proximity of the still-warm Black Sea and snowy mountain ridge, which hosted the last Winter Olympics and one of the most affordable F1 ticket prices, Sochi might be a great venue for motorsport fans from all over the world.

You can find all necessary information about getting Russian visa on the website of Sochi Autodrome here.

Accommodation

There is no better way to reach Sochi then by plane, and when you arrive there are several principal options of where to stay: a hotel near the circuit (Adler area), in the city of Sochi or even in the so-called mountain cluster.

Those, whose main interest would be purely F1 should better choose a place in Adler (which is a district of Sochi), but if your plans for the visit go beyond racing, it might be a good idea to stay in Sochi.

Aside from popular hotel and room booking services, we recommend checking “bundle” offers (ticket+hotel) from Russian GP promoter.

Tickets

Although tickets sales started several months ago, still there is plenty of seating options available.

If for some reason you have planned buying tickets to particular grandstand and did not find those available on Sochi Autodrome website, do not worry. Experience tells that not all of the tickets had been put on sales at once, during the official ticket sales start, and we can expect extra tickets to be made available up to the final day of the racing weekend.

So it’s a good idea to check the official website of the Russian Grand Prix for updates.

Circuit access

Here the choice of your hotel will matter. If it is located near the Olympic Park, then you can make it to the track on foot in 20-30 minutes or take a shuttle bus.

Thursday, Friday and even Saturday should be quiet, while on Sunday we strongly recommend to get to the circuit earlier, thus avoiding the peak of the pedestrian traffic and enjoying the day packed with maximum action: from junior formulas to the official Grand Prix opening ceremony and the main race of the day.

In case your hotel is located further away in the Adler area, in the city of Sochi, or even mountainous Krasnaya Polyana, the best way to get to the Sochi Autodrome is to take a ride in a local rapid transit train, which is called Lastochka (Swallow).

Buses can be considered as an alternative option, but despite dedicated lanes, minor delays due to traffic jams might be expected.

You’re best to avoid going by car or taxi, as during the weekend all roads near the circuit would be closed for public access, and only parking pass holders have access to the immediate area. This is not to mention severe traffic jams, which happen after the F1 race.

You can find full information about circuit access and transportation here.

Restaurants and nightlife

You will hardly encounter any problems finding a snack at Sochi Autodrome with wide variety of local and European dishes and drinks offered in numerous points of sales.

Dining should not become an issue in the city, as far as many new cafes and restaurants were opened after the Winter Olympics brought new wave of international tourist traffic to the area.

Schedule

Note that the official weekend starts on Thursday with the Olympic Park and F1 Village being opened early at 10am. Fans could find various entertainments on site, including the pit walk being available for owners of 4-day tickets and the autograph session with F1 drivers.

Plan your visit to make sure you have enough free time to have a walk in the F1 Village and buy yourself some memorabilia. Starting from Friday and until the last day of the weekend, aside from the race action you can also enjoy concerts of popular local artists and Natalie Imbruglia with a gig on Saturday.

You can find the full schedule of weekend, including both entertainment and racing activities here.

Keep in mind that access to the circuit territory is granted only after a security inspection. Remember that there is a list of prohibited items, including liquids, so make sure you don’t take it with you. You can check the full list here.

What else to look out for

Aside from concerts and parties in Olympic Park during the weekend, you can find many points of interest in the city of Sochi and its areas. And those are mostly all about the natural beauty of the place, which offers unique combo of the warm Black Sea, crisp air of mountains and outstanding variety of local flora.

In the proximity of the circuit area, you can take a walk on the embankment of Olympic Park and enjoy the fresh sea breeze. Also, there’s a nice amusement venue: Sochi-Park with dophinarium and theme park.

Going a bit further, there’s plenty of really stunning places nearby the city, which we strongly recommend in case you find some free time during your stay in Sochi:

The Observation Tower on Akhun Mountain

Skypark AJ Hackett Sochi

Sochi National Park

Arboretum Botanical Garden (Dendrarium)

Culture Ethnographic Center My Russia

Krasnaya Polyana Mountain Cluster

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Pirelli hopeful of more exciting Russian GP the second time around

Pirelli is hoping to inject some excitement into this weekend's Russian Grand Prix by bringing the two softest compounds in its tyre range to Sochi.

Drivers easily pulled off a one-stop strategy at Sochi last year, leading to a fairly dull race won with ease by Lewis Hamilton. This year, however, teams should experience more tyre degradation on the soft and super-soft compounds and Pirelli motorsport boss Paul Hembery is hoping for at least a two-stop race.

"There were a number of question marks that we faced coming to the Sochi circuit for the first time last year - as is inevitably the case with any new circuit - but we have since been able to collect extra data that means we have more information for 2015," Hembery said. "As a result, we have gone a step softer with the tyre nomination this year to help us get back into the two to three pit stop window, which is what we desire for every race.

"However, both ourselves and all the teams are learning more about this circuit all the time, despite the advancement of simulation technology. The track has quite a wide variety of different corners, so it makes for a good all-round test for the tyres, with the drivers able to benefit from the extra speed of the supersoft this year."

Mercedes technical boss Paddy Lowe said the track surface is unlike any other the Formula One races on.

"This was a tricky weekend last season, with a new circuit to learn and fresh tarmac which produced slightly unusual behaviour from the tyres. This year we have moved one step softer on the compounds to bring the soft and supersoft into play - perhaps influenced by Nico running almost the entire race last year on a single set of tyres. One year on, the track surface will have weathered differently so we must ensure we have all eventualities covered."

Sauber's head of track engineering, Giampaolo Dall'Ara, added: "The circuit in Sochi, which was new to the calendar one year ago, is regarded in our team as one of the kindest on the tyres due to its special surface, the absence of very high speed corners and the cool ambient temperatures.

"On this basis, Pirelli has chosen the soft and supersoft compounds, as opposed to the medium and soft that were used one year ago: it will be interesting to reassess what that means for the car's set-up and race strategy."

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Keeping Jenson Button is important for McLaren motivation - Eric Boullier

McLaren racing director Eric Boullier says his team has drawn extra motivation from the news that Jenson Button will remain as a driver for another season.

After months of speculation about his future, Button was confirmed as a McLaren driver for 2016 last week, staying on at the team despite its issues this year with Honda power. Boullier said the news gave the team a lift after another disappointing race at the last round in Japan.

"After the challenges and emotion of Suzuka, it's been a very important week for the McLaren-Honda team," Boullier said. "We've announced a new partner for the 2016 season and beyond, Chandon, and confirmed that Jenson will be continuing to race with us next year. Both of these announcements are incredibly motivating for the whole team, and we go to Sochi with renewed enthusiasm and excitement.

"There's still a long way to go until the end of the season, and every weekend counts as an opportunity to learn, develop and apply our knowledge and experience to next year's car. Sochi will be no different."

Button said it was a relief to confirm his plans and is now focused on the improvements McLaren and Honda can make for 2016.

"I'm really pleased that my plans for next year have been confirmed - I'm fully committed to this team and have strong faith in the incredibly hard work that's going on behind the scenes in Woking and Sakura," Button said. "We'll keep our heads down and keep pushing hard to improve our car at every race weekend."

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Williams F1 team's frustration over poor grand prix pitstops rising

Rob Smedley has admitted to growing frustration over the ongoing pitstop problems in grands prix that continue to blight the Williams Formula 1 team.

Williams has encountered numerous difficulties with its pitstops this season, the most high-profile being during the Belgian Grand Prix when a medium tyre was incorrectly fitted to the right-rear wheel of Valtteri Bottas's car among a set of softs.

Head of vehicle performance Smedley has conceded the team was again slow with its stops in Japan, where Bottas lost fourth place to Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari in the final pit sequence.

"We're making some inroads," said Smedley, with regard to the pitstop situation.

"We had slow pitstops for other reasons [in Japan] and part of that definitely helped Kimi to get in front of Valtteri as well.

"We probably just weren't quick enough to react to get that final set of tyres on and keep him behind. Very disappointing.

"It is something we need to address. We can't just erase it like that. It is something we do need to improve.

"We have a fairly regular occurrence of one issue, which is the wheel nuts have been a little bit tight to take off.

"But then in Japan we had other things which were thrown at us as well.

"So as usual, there's a tsunami of work to do after every race, it's just this has been a slightly bigger tsunami."

The only saving grace for Smedley was Bottas at least took 10 points at Suzuka, while nearest constructors' championship rival Red Bull suffered on that circuit, failing to score at all.

It means with five rounds of the championship to run, starting with the Russian Grand Prix on October 11, Williams has a 69-point cushion over Red Bull in the battle for third.

"From a race like that, it [outscoring Red Bull] was definitely the primary thing we needed to try and do, so I was quite happy we managed to gain 10 points on them," said Smedley.

"It was a positive, but not enough of a positive - they didn't score anything - and it was a race where we should have had maybe 18 or 20 points on them, not just 10."

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Niki Lauda fears Singapore GP repeat for Mercedes in Russian GP

Niki Lauda has expressed concerns the Russian Grand Prix could be a repeat of Singapore for Mercedes, which would put on hold the team's Formula 1 constructors' title hopes.

This weekend F1 returns to Sochi, the scene of Mercedes' maiden constructors' championship triumph a year ago after Lewis Hamilton led home a one-two.

With Mercedes currently 169 points clear of Ferrari, the German manufacturer simply has to score three points more than its Italian rival on Sunday to clinch back-to-back crowns.

Although Mercedes bounced back from its troubled Singapore GP with a dominant performance in Japan, non-executive chairman Lauda recognises Sochi could represent more challenges in terms of tyres.

"Thank God we came out of the Singapore trauma and we are back, that's all I can say," said Lauda.

"It's a big relief we are back where we should be, this is very simple. We are doing what we should do.

"But the championship is not over because my worry is this next race at Sochi has Singapore-type asphalt.

"So it's not done and not that easy. We have to work hard, stay competitive and then we are looking good, but you only look good when it is done."

For Russia's debut race at Sochi last year Pirelli opted for a conservative choice with its rubber by selecting the soft and medium compounds.

It resulted in a one-stop race, even for Nico Rosberg who pitted at the end of lap one after severely flatspotting his opening set of tyres before running for 52 laps on the mediums.

Pirelli has chosen its softest two compounds for this year with the aim of making it a two- or three-stop race.

Mercedes executive technical director Paddy Lowe said: "This was a tricky weekend last season, with a new circuit to learn and fresh Tarmac which produced slightly unusual behaviour from the tyres.

"This year we have moved one step softer on the compounds to bring the soft and supersoft into play - perhaps influenced by Nico running almost the entire race last year on a single set of tyres.

"One year on, the track surface will have weathered differently so we must ensure we have all eventualities covered."

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FERRARI NOT EXPECTING STELLAR WEEKEND IN RUSSIA

Ferrari is not counting on having another Singapore Grand Prix style showing this weekend at Sochi.

Just over two weeks ago, Sebastian Vettel put himself back in the championship reckoning by dominating in Singapore, where Mercedes famously ‘slumped’.

But the Silver Arrows were back to their dominant best a week later in Japan. Still, there are reasons for Ferrari to be happy with its progress, after ending the poor form of 2014.

“We have certainly seen positive signs,” said team spokesman Alberto Antonini, “but we know there is still a lot to do.”

Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari’s common link in the resurgent transition from last year to 2015, has even been surprised by the progress made this year.

“Before Monza we thought it would be a hard race for us, but it was actually pretty good,” he is quoted by Speed Week. “Suzuka was also not bad even though it is not theoretically good for us. This shows we are moving in the right direction.”

And so to Sochi. Team boss Maurizio Arrivabene said: “I think we will be not so strong because the grip is low, but we should be on the pace in Austin.

“Mexico is an unknown for everyone, because F1 has not been there for more than twenty years. Brazil I would rate as 50-50 but we should be able to exploit the qualities of the car in Abu Dhabi.”

One thing going for Ferrari in Russia is that Pirelli is rolling out the softest tyres in its range, which so far in 2015 have worked out well for the Italian team.

But spokesman Antonini warned: “Although at previous appearances this (tyre) choice suited us, we can expect to encounter very low levels of grip at Sochi. Even though we are approaching the end of the season, it’s not yet time for us to assess what we have done, because that can wait until the championship is over.”

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MERCEDES COUNT THE COSTS OF FORMULA 1 SUCCESS

Mercedes lost millions of dollars despite dominating last year’s Formula 1 world championship season.

Writing in Blick, veteran F1 journalist Roger Benoit reported that the German carmaker spent $360 million on its grand prix venture in 2014.

But Bild am Sonntag, the major German Sunday newspaper, says that when Mercedes secures the 2015 constructors’ cup – perhaps as soon as this weekend – it will unlock as much as $157 million in official ‘Bernie’ prize money.

A further $100 million is reportedly raised by Mercedes each season through sponsorship, including deals with Petronas, Hugo Boss and Blackberry.

Mercedes’ actual annual cost of being in F1 is therefore “only” $86 million, Bild am Sonntag reported.

Blick’s Benoit, meanwhile, says the team’s 2014 loss totalled $117 million, which is “about the budget of Sauber or Force India, who have filed a complaint with the EU” about the unfair distribution of income.

According to Bild, experts calculate the true value of Mercedes’ loss at the equivalent of a $2.6 billion spend in global advertising.

So after revealing Mercedes’ accounts last month and showing further bonus payments, F1 business journalist Christian Sylt concludes in Forbes: “It often seems like everything has a price in F1 but when it comes to the benefit Mercedes gains from success on-track it really is priceless.”

Last season Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg racked up 16 victories, with Hamilton bagging the drivers’ world title and Mercedes cruising to the constructors’ world championship.

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HORNER: MERCEDES DECISION LIES AT HIGHER LEVEL THAN WOLFF

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has revealed that talks with two manufacturers are taking place as the energy drinks outfit continues to work on its engine supplier crisis.

Amid the Renault divorce, the energy drink company says it will have to quit formula one if it cannot secure a competitive alternative engine for 2016.

Mercedes, however, has ruled out working with Red Bull, Ferrari is believed to be offering only a ‘B’ engine, and Honda has played down reports linking it strongly with Red Bull’s secondary team, Toro Rosso.

Nonetheless, Red Bull Racing team boss Horner told the Austrian broadcaster Servus TV: “There are talks with two manufacturers.”

Fascinatingly, although Mercedes’ motor racing chief has categorically ruled out a deal for Red Bull, Briton Horner hinted that the German carmaker could still be an option.

“The decision does not lie with Toto Wolff,” he said. “It is at a higher level. There are many conversations going on behind the scenes, and obviously the promoter of formula one, Bernie Ecclestone, is worried about what’s going to happen with us.”

Horner admitted the situation is now urgent, “This is an important topic that hopefully we can get resolved in the next few weeks. It’s critical. It’s getting late – very late.”

“We are now at the beginning of October, and the designers at Milton Keynes want to know what to do with the RB12. When do we want to have the solution? Two weeks ago!

“Adrian Newey said to me ‘Christian, we need an answer. I know what to do with the front and the rear of the car, but we also need to know what to do with the middle’.

“Because it’s not just about the engine,” Horner explained, “it’s about the cooling, which affects the shape of the sidepods. It’s also about the transmission, which affects the shape of the rear end.

“Ultimately, the decision about what will happen is with Dietrich Mateschitz. My job – as soon as we know what engine we’ve got – is to put it all into effect immediately. But right now, as I sit here, we do not have a solution,” he admitted.

“Yes, that is some sort of advantage for the other teams, but the quality of our work at Red Bull Racing is so high that we can cope with the delay. Everyone is highly motivated and we want to win again. But we do not want to continue as we have in the last year and a half,” Horner insisted.

If an acceptable solution is not found, however, and Mateschitz does pull the plug, Red Bull will be left with hundreds of employees with no work to do.

Horner insisted: “If we are not going to the grands prix any more, then we will look at other activities. We have many extremely talented people working at Milton Keynes, and we would have to look at how best to use that talent.

“For sure the staff are concerned,” he admitted, “but I tell them ‘Concentrate on your work and don’t worry about what you can’t influence’.”

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Lewis eyes more of the same in Sochi

He was back to his very best at Suzuka a fortnight ago and Lewis Hamilton is hoping it will be more of the same at this weekend's Russian Grand Prix.

Having suffered his first retirement of the season at Singapore during a difficult weekend for Mercedes, Hamilton hit back strongly at the Japanese GP as he came from second on the grid to beat team-mate Nico Rosberg to victory.

Next up is the Russian GP and Hamilton, who won last year's inaugural race, is hoping to create more "great memories".

"The car was unbelievable to drive in Japan, so hopefully it'll be more of the same at the remaining races – starting in Sochi," he said.

"Last year was the first experience I'd had of Russia in my racing career and we had a great race there. The circuit is really well put together – quite long, with some interesting corners and opportunities to overtake.

"Hopefully now fans have seen what a great facility they have there and how beautiful Sochi is, we'll see plenty more people in the stands this year too.

"It was great to win the first race for Formula One in Russia and a fantastic moment for the team to take the title there last time out. Fingers crossed we can add to those great memories again this weekend – I'll be pushing as hard as I can to make that happen."

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Kvyat: I am just doing my job

Daniil Kvyat is unperturbed by reports that Red Bull could quit the sport, saying "worrying about the future right now would not help me so much".

The Russian, his team-mate Daniel Ricciardo as well as the Toro Rosso duo of Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz are facing uncertain futures as Red Bull have admitted they could leave Formula 1 at the end of the season if they don't get a competitive engine for 2016.

The four-time World Champions are currently in negotiations with Ferrari, but the powers that be have made it clear they will only sign a deal if they are guaranteed the same standard of engines as the works team.

Despite the uncertainty, Kvyat is just focusing on the task at hand and, after a sluggish start to life at Milton Keynes, he has been pretty impressive as he is eighth in the standings with his best display a P2 in Hungary.

"I am just doing my job," he is quoted as saying by Crash.net. "I am just thinking about today – and doing my best today – because worrying about the future right now would not help me so much.

"Doing our best in every race will be more helpful than worrying, so we try to make the most out of it in all of the remaining races and then I guess there are some people in the team that will have to make some decisions. But it is not my decision and, for sure, I am not thinking about it too much."

Red Bull only entered Formula 1 in 2005, but they won four consecutive titles with Sebastian Vettel 2010 until 2013 and Kvyat is hopeful that everything will work out in the end.

"Of course, Red Bull has only been in F1 a short time but already has a strong history – with very big achievements," he said. "My dream is to win with Red Bull Racing one day so, obviously, I want them to stay. It is normal.

"The team is made of fighters and we will fight until the end – whatever happens. I think it is all going to be fine in the end. It is just matter of time to take the right decisions, but you never know. But, once again, these are more questions for people who are in charge of taking these decisions."

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F1 ownership set to change 'this year' - Ecclestone

Bernie Ecclestone claims the ownership of Formula 1 will change hands 'this year' with three parties showing an interest in buying the sport from its current owner, CVC Capital Partners.

Speaking via phone at the Camp Beckenbauer global summit on Tuesday, the 84-year-old revealed that he expects one of the three to make a move which would see CVC relinquish control of the sport.

"Our shareholders at the moment are in such a position where they have to lose some of their shares or all of them shortly, that's the way things are set up for them," he said.

"There has been a lot of interest and I would say there's three at the moment, parties, that I'm surprised if one of them doesn't buy very shortly."

When asked within what timeframe he expected such a deal to take place, he replied: "This year."

Ecclestone wasn't drawn on the identity of those interest, but it's believed an investment group led by Qatar and RSE Ventures, which owns the Miami Dolphins American football team, are one, whilst Liberty Media is likely to be another.

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Mercedes back third cars to boost grid to 28 cars

Mercedes supports the idea of three-car teams to boost the grid to a massive 28 cars, according to motorsport boss Toto Wolff.

With the prospect of losing Red Bull and Toro Rosso, but the gain of Haas, the grid could shrink to just 18 cars next season, therefore the idea of some or all teams running third cars has been widely discussed.

Wolff however would like to see third cars regardless of whether Red Bull stays or quits to give young drivers an opportunity to get some Formula 1 experience, resulting in a potentially bumper grid approaching 30 cars.

"If a team would leave, and we've had the discussion about Lotus a while ago, then third cars are the solution to fill up the grid," he is quoted by Autosport.

"For me personally it is a pretty exciting idea.

"I'd rather have Red Bull in the sport and third cars and a grid of 27-28 cars, and some exciting young drivers in those third cars.

"But this is definitely one of the fallback solutions. Priority number one is to keep them [teams] in the sport."

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Red Bull warn Renault are 'at least two to three years' behind Ferrari and Mercedes

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner believes Renault will only be able to compete against Mercedes and Ferrari in two or three years' time.

Partners for the team's four successive title doubles, Red Bull and Renault will split at the end of 2015 after enduring a torrid slump in form since the dawn of F1's new turbo age. Although Renault are set to stay on in the sport after signing a letter of intent to purchase Lotus, Horner believes the weakness of their engine will prevent the team from challenging in the foreseeable future.

"Since the power unit regulation change, it's a very different world that we're living in," Horner told Sky Sports F1.

"There's really only two engines out there that you can compete for grand prix victories with and, unfortunately, Renault have fallen behind that. It looks like it's going to be at least two to three years before they can be in a position to compete again.

"As a paying customer, we can't afford to wait that long."

Red Bull's impending divorce from Renault has been preceded by a slew of public recriminations and mudslinging. Not only has the fall-out provided an unedifying backdrop to their parting, but it has also been cited as a factor in the reluctance of Mercedes and Ferrari to offer the former world champions an alternative supply, despite Red Bull's insistence they will leave the sport unless they can source 'competitive' engines for 2016.

"The current situation is quite critical because as we sit here we don't have an engine," Horner conceded in Japan.

Red Bull's overtures to Mercedes for a supply - first made at the British GP in July - have been officially rebuffed, while Ferrari's race team are thought to be reluctant to offer the Milton Keynes a like-for-like engine supply.

By common consent, Red Bull have not helped themselves with their incessant criticism of Renault's power units. "What manufacturer wants to be associated with that kind of potential public slating weekend after weekend?" questioned Sky Sports F1 pundit Anthony Davidson. "Do Ferrari need that? They have their own package anyway, why do they need that slating from weekend to weekend from a team like Red Bull?"

But Horner doesn't believe Red Bull's public spat with Renault will have dissuaded alternative suppliers from bailing them out.

"I doubt it," Horner said in an interview with Sky Sports F1. "Perhaps we have been guilty of being honest, whether that is my comments or Adrian Newey's comments or Helmut Marko's or most important of all Dietrich [Mateschitz]'s as he is paying the bill at the end of the day.

"I don't believe that would have an impact on influencing any other supplier."

Although Ferrari have publicly vowed that they would have 'no fears' about supplying their erstwhile rivals, it's believed that the engines on offer would be a step behind those available to the 'works' outfit. Red Bull are demanding full parity - and threatening to leave the sport unless it is granted.

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Sponsor watch: 2015 Singapore and Japanese Grands Prix

2015 Japanese Grand Prix

Singapore and Japan are two races where F1 teams often pick up regional sponsors as a one-off. But there was little sign of it happening this year – most of the teams had completely unchanged liveries for this Asian leg of the championship.

The prominence of sponsors’ logos was a talking point at Suzuka, where Bernie Ecclestone was reported to have objected to the branding teams used in their garages. It wasn’t just Mercedes who got the cold shoulder from FOM in Japan – we didn’t see much of the teams’ garages either.

Lotus also varied its branding at Monza

Lotus

Amid increasing financial concerns, Lotus nonetheless featured several changes in branding in Singapore. The Four Seasons Hotel was advertised on the E23’s sidepod alongside SG-50, a special logo designed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Singapore’s independence.

The logo of games console and Microsoft owned brand Xbox appeared to mark the release of Forza 6, a racing game published by Microsoft Studios which features the team’s car.

Regular sponsor Saxo Bank advertised its online trading platform Saxo Trader Go on the side of the car during the Italian Grand Prix.

McLaren

McLaren announced a new sponsor for 2016

McLaren finally announced a new sponsor after the Japanese Grand Prix, revealing a partnership with sparkling wine producer Chandon, commencing from the 2016 season. Images released show its logo will replace the current Johnnie Walker logo on the side of the car next year. However as both brands are ultimately owned by the same company, Diageo, it remains to be seen whether this partnership will bring new money into the team, or is simply part of the original Diageo sponsorship deal.

As usual McLaren rotated its Segafredo Zanetti logo on its rear wing endplate with local brand Boncafe at the Singapore Grand Prix.

Mercedes

Mercedes’ fuel supplier has been credited for the team’s success

Mercedes title sponsor Petronas advertised their unleaded fuel brand Primax on the car’s sidepod at Monza.

Ferrari

Ferrari marked 900 races

Ferrari, F1’s longest-running team, started its 900th race in the Belgium. The team marked the milestone with a commemorative logo on the nose of the SF15-T.

Force India

Former FMSCI president Bharath Raj died in August

Force India paid tribute to Bharath Raj, the late President of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend with a logo on the side of the car.

[skalls]

I wonder if Red bull would just shut up if mercedes gave them 2015 spec engines?

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Wolff: We want F1 owners “with a long-term perspective”

Mercedes motorsport chief Toto Wolff says he wants Formula 1’s prospective new owners to show “long-term perspective and vision” if a buyer is found in the near future.

Wolff was giving his reaction to the bombshell that Bernie Ecclestone dropped earlier today during the Camp Beckenbauer sports business forum at Kitzbuhel in Austria, when the F1 commercial rights holder said that he expected new shareholders to enter the F1 ownership structure “this year”.

“Bernie is always good for a headline,” said Wolff. “And headlines and controversy are a big part of Formula 1 that sells.

“As a matter of fact, the owners of the sport are investment companies: CVC has owned the sport for a long time, some of the other investment funds have been in there and made great returns, and it is clear that eventually they would sell the business, because that is not the core of their business.

“For us, we are participating as a team, it’s important that we have a sustainable shareholder with a long-term perspective and vision, and whoever that might be we are looking at with interest."

CVC has often been criticised from inside the Formula 1 paddock for its lack of investment, and the amount it takes out from the sport each year.

When asked if he had a preference of the three proposed buyers – who are said to hail from Qatar, the USA and Russia – Wolff replied: “Even if I had a preference, I have no say in who is the shareholder, so let’s wait and see.”

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Haas doubts Formula 1 cost cuts help anyone

New Formula 1 team boss Gene Haas says he is baffled by the sport's ongoing failure to cut costs, as he questioned any move that limited technological excellence.

With his American outfit due to join the grid next year, Haas has already kept a close eye on the way the sport is run.

And, amid concerns from other team chiefs like Ron Dennis about the way cost control is not helping, Haas too thinks that it is an area that needs looking at.

"They are always changing the rules trying to save costs, but every time they try to save money they just spend more," said Haas.

"I think F1 is supposed to be the pinnacle of automotive excellence and all these restrictions, I am not sure who they benefit?

"Maybe the smaller teams who are trying to save costs, but pushing the envelope is really what it [F1] is about.

"From the aero standpoint, [they say] let's have less and less testing, but it pushes the teams to go spend money somewhere else."

McLaren frustrated

McLaren chairman Ron Dennis spoke out at the Japanese Grand Prix about the way that restrictions aimed at cutting costs not only failed to reduce budgets, but also hampered the ability of teams to catch up with their rivals.

"I think the frustration I have personally with the regulations is that virtually everything that is designed to reduce costs has increased it," he said.

"That is primarily because the cost of getting durability is endless evaluating on dynos and test cells.

"I like to go testing. I would like to have freedom in wind tunnels. I would like to have freedom in CFD, because when you are uncompetitive you have to develop your way out of it.

"At the moment the regulations are extremely constraining in that area."

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Analysis: Are Formula 1's hybrid rules a failure?

2015 has brought a new thing to Formula 1: the engine silly season. It shows the sport has perhaps taken the wrong turn somewhere.

The Formula 1 paddock at this time of the season always has about it an intoxicating buzz of who goes where the following year.

Which contracts are up for grabs? Who is talking to who? Who is interested or not interested in a move? Who is spreading false rumours to boost their own negotiating position? When is someone going to commit and trigger a domino effect elsewhere?

The only problem for F1 this year is that while all the above is taking place, it's not happening in the driver market. Instead, welcome to the 'engine' silly season.

Red Bull's hunt for engines next year, Renault's bid to get its house in order, Honda's woes and the prospect of Mercedes and Ferrari carving up most of the field have meant F1 is now dominated by power unit performance as much off track as it is on it.

And it is the fact that engine politics now seems to be at the core of everything that has set some alarm bells ringing about whether the current turbo hybrid rules are actually good for the long-term health of the sport.

Negative impact

We have already seen the hike in costs for customer teams, which ultimately pushed Caterham over the edge, took Manor right to the brink and have left the likes of Sauber, Lotus and Force India facing some tough times.

There have been competitive issues too, because it is fairly obvious to the world that Mercedes has stolen a march on its rivals since day one: dominating this era and looking every bit as strong now (Singapore aside) as it was when these hybrid cars first hit the track.

The way in which the Silver Arrows' 2016 developments are already being worked on now means there is every reason to believe that its dominance will continue for the longer term. That's not so good for Bernie Ecclestone's hopes of attracting ever greater audiences.

Make no mistake, Mercedes has done a sensational job with the engine, and when these new V6 turbo hybrids are working at their best they are brilliant. They are quick in a straight line, they sound perfectly fine and the fuel efficiency and energy management is a technological marvel.

The real issue though is that one manufacturer has done such a better job than everyone else, and that has had negative consequences for the rest of F1.

Rules at fault

Where things have gone wrong is the overly complicated regulatory framework, and the structure that exists now delivering problems that were probably unforeseen when they began.

For example, should a racing series ever leave itself open to a situation of having 168-place grid penalties at one event as F1 did at Monza?

The token/homologation system, intended to keep costs under control, also has not worked for the best of the sport, for it has left those who are behind really struggling to catch up.

Is it right for F1 (let alone the company itself), that Honda has to wait a whole season to be able to make the significant engine architecture changes it knows it must do if it is get closer to the front?

What message does it send out to other car manufacturers about making the bold step of moving to grand prix racing, when companies like Renault and Honda have faced PR nightmares on the back of their F1 difficulties?

These new hybrid regulations were viewed as essential for moving F1 towards an era where new manufacturers would enter, and there would become an unprecedented era of ultra-tight competition.

Right now, F1 is standing on the brink of a situation where it is not impossible that Honda and Renault walk away, leaving it with just Mercedes and Ferrari controlling the grid.

Beyond that, there remains the prospect that Red Bull could pull the plug on both its F1 teams such is its unhappiness at not being able to secure a competitive engine.

And anyone who follows the history of international motor racing championships knows that when series become reliant on just a couple of manufacturers spending a fortune, they do not have very long futures.

Look at the short-lived World Sportscar Championship, or the ITC.

A rethink

As F1 heads to what it hopes is a bright new future with faster and more challenging cars from 2017, it would be wrong for it to ignore its engine situation.

There may be a lot of people hoping VW/Audi does give the green light to an F1 project over the next few years, but right now the German car manufacturer is facing much bigger global issues.

I'm personally not of the belief that ditching the hybrids and reverting to the V8s is the answer, for having cutting-edge engine technology should be viewed as a must.

But right now, the way the current rules have been framed is stirring up a situation that may not be good for the longer term.

Perhaps it is time for F1 to move somewhere in the middle. Keep the best bits of the technology, cut the costs, allow the competitive order to balance itself out and ensure there is a sustainable future for everyone.

Turbo pioneer's thoughts

It is against this current background that I found it particularly fascinating when I was contacted recently by former Renault F1 technical director Francois Castaing, the man who first brought turbo engines in to the sport in 1979.

His vast experience of pioneering engine technology and the competitive thrust of F1, allied to subsequent corporate experience with Renault, AMC and Chrysler in the United States, means he has a unique perspective on the hybrid rules that is unhindered by selfish-competitive motives.

And he is particularly fearful about where F1 is heading thanks to the new rules: fearing it could go 'bankrupt' if action is not taken.

In a document that he has sent to Ecclestone and FIA president Jean Todt, printed exclusively in full below, he outlines some interesting insights into what he believes the current problems are being caused by, as well as some potential solutions.

While his opinions and solutions may not be supported by everyone, what should be taken on board is that if intelligent impartial outsiders coming at it from an engineering viewpoint are now prompted to call for change, then surely that is enough for those on the inside to wake up a bit and consider that something needs to be done.

After all, we all want the same thing. An ultra-competitive F1, where all engine manufacturers are battling furiously for victories in a sport that delivers tremendous excitement week in, week out.

Are the current rules doing that? You would be hard pressed to think so right now.

Castaing's document in full

Formula 1 should not go bankrupt.

In recent months, Formula 1 stakeholders and teams have talked publicly about the serious problems the sport faces. They have revealed their lack of progress in their attempts to bring the programme back on track. The two ideas expressed here could help their efforts.

1: Power units

F1 stakeholders and the current power unit suppliers must accept that, while well intentioned, the 2014 move to a complex hybrid turbocharged V6 has had unforeseen negative consequences.

Paying fans have been complaining about the exhaust noise of the V6, saying that it is both reduced in level and quality. This is actually an unsolvable issue because, by design, in the hybrid V6 the maximum of exhaust gas energy is captured into electricity at the expense of the noise. The problem is compounded by the V6's low maximum RPM imposed by the fuel metering regulations.

Managing fuel consumption has visibly killed all-out racing to the flag: another complaint from the paying spectators.

Hybrid technology has been in development for passenger car production as far back as the 1990's, especially at Toyota, GM, Chrysler, Daimler/Mercedes, BMW and ***. Only Mercedes, among the initial three power unit suppliers for F1, has been intensively developing hybrid technologies in anticipation of worldwide CO2 regulations. In 2012, Mercedes was in the position to assign hundreds of hybrid technology engineers to help design the new F1 power unit, while Renault Nissan provided none and FIAT very few.

Hence the superiority of Mercedes since the first day of practice in 2014, superiority likely to last until major changes if any are put in place in 2017. The power units' performance disparity, cause of the "processional Grands Prix" that the paying public is not happy about, is mostly due to the hybrid systems' efficiency and integration, rather than the difference in power output of the V6s themselves.

Privately and publicly chastised by their own teams for the hopeless lack of competitiveness of their power units, Renault and Honda might decide to give up and leave Formula 1. Why in the world would any other car manufacturer want to jump in to replace them?

Not only are the spectators disappointed, but the teams are disappointed too. Despite all the talk about containing costs through inscrutable regulations imposed on the power unit suppliers, annual budgets have sky-rocketed. With Honda involved now, it is probable that the F1 annual power units' overall expense budget will reach 1.5 billion Euros this year.

Last but not least, the new V6 hybrid regulations were about displaying "greenness." Saving 50 kilos of fuel per car at each Grand Prix was the advertised grand benefit for the planet. Let's candidly put this in a broader context, as transporting the show around the world burns fuel too:

1. Including the practice sessions over 20 Grand Prix, the 22 hybrid power units could save up to 6 tons of fuel per year.

2. The logistics for the 12 overseas events require about 1,200 flight hours of Boeing 747 cargo jet and 1,500 flight hours of Boeing 777 (or equivalent) for the personnel. In total, these flights will burn about 22,000 tons of fuel this year.

3. For Europe's 7 events, 200 tractor-trailers will burn 1,770 tons of fuel to transport the same material. Regular airlines will fly 1,500 Formula 1 personnel burning another 525 tons of fuel.

Without counting the fuel used by a large number of business jets shuttling stakeholders and VIPs to the 20 events, Formula 1 will burn at least 24,000 tons of fuel this season but, thank God, the new engine regulations will save 6 tons!

In view of these facts, Formula 1 and probably most car manufacturers and sponsors involved should agree to bring back the racing engines that fans have been clamouring for as soon as possible, while seeking more effective ways to show environmental responsibility.

2: Telemetry

From the drivers themselves to the fans, many question why more and more responsibilities are taken away from the athlete behind the steering wheel. This situation is the result of the never-ending invasion of telemetry sensors in the cars. The sensors, hundreds of them for top teams, monitor absolutely everything in each subsystem of the car.

The data collected in real time in the pit allow the team to enhance their driver's performance on the track. But at a growing cost: as an example, for the power units alone the manufacturers bring to each Grand Prix at least 10 engineers per car, each with a screen or two, to monitor a specific set of parameters when the car is running.

Hundreds of engineers are travelling to each event to watch those screens. While probably of great interest for engineers, it is not clear how this costly activity helps bring better racing to the paying spectators' eyes, even when good TV broadcasters attempt to display the telemetry to at-home viewers. It was not like that in the days when Formula 1 was very competitive with epic races from Senna, Prost and the like.

Telemetry in F1 costs a lot of money in capital, head count and transport. It should be banned completely starting with the 2017 season with the exception of a half dozen sensors warning of developing brake failure.

This drastic but simple change will permit talented drivers to shine and bring more uncertainty to every race as demanded by TV advertising sponsors and the paying public.

F1 as a whole not only will save money after paying all their drivers fairly, but it should take credit for seriously reducing its carbon footprint. If 500 engineers/technicians and their equipment were no longer needed at the events, the savings in fuel burned could be as high as 6,000 to 7,000 tons per year.

Suggestions:

Formula 1's next engine could be a 1,000 HP 2.8 litre turbocharged V8, with capped boost pressure, rev limited at 17,000 RPM and burning exclusively one brand of 110 octane gasoline.

Alternatively the famous 3.5 litre V10 from the mid-2000s period could and should be brought back to life.

Either alternative would cost the manufacturers and the teams only a fraction of what the current hybrid V6 costs.

The original KERS system should be reinstated.

Last, burning an ethanol based racing fuel should be considered: its usage does not require much invention. Ethanol would make the option of refuelling during races affordable for the teams and thus possible. And it is renewable fuel!

Francois Castaing

Renault Sport Technical Director 1975-1979

Note: Estimations of fuel burn

Assumed all air transports of freight and passengers are from London and back.

Boeing 747 Cargo burns 10 tons of fuel per hour. Assumed 4 planes needed per GP but more might be in fact needed.

Boeing 777 burns 7 tons of fuel per hour. Assumed 5 planes needed for oversea GP.

Airbus A320 burns 2,5 tons per hours.

Tractor-trailer: 8 miles per gallon.

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Hungary begins F1 circuit revamp

Hungarian Grand Prix chiefs have begun work on much-needed improvements to their Formula 1 track, after kicking off the first stage of an upgrade programme last week.

Work to lay a new asphalt is already underway, with diggers having been sent it to rip up the old surface.

Amazingly, much of the circuit asphalt dates back to 1985/6 when it was originally built, with the only areas that have been modernised being the pit straight and last corner.

A complete resurfacing has been planned for at least four years now, and during the last F1 race in July the owners admitted the works could not be delayed for any longer.

The plan is to rip up the top 3-5 centimetres of track surface and then relay it, with the substructure beneath it still believed to be in good condition.

Other circuit changes

The gravel trap at Turn 10, the fast left-hand kink, will also be removed and replaced with a new asphalt run-off area. New double-width kerbs will also be installed at Turns 4 and 11.

Works on the resurfacing are expected to last for about two months, which means they will be completed before this winter or next spring depending on the weather.

Bigger revamp on hold

Back in July, the Hungaroring announced plans for a bigger circuit upgrade with state funding, but despite positive reaction from some local government members, a final green light on the work has not yet been given.

With everything except for the medical centre is need of demolition and reconstruction, the estimated cost for this work could be as high as $90 million.

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Russian GP - A low grip track

“There’s a special and spectacular ambience to the Grand Prix in Sochi, set within the Olympic Village on the shores of the Black Sea,” explains Alberto Antonini, Scuderia Ferrari Head of Press Office. “The same cannot be said for the circuit itself: there’s a fast section that the drivers tackle flat out between turns 3 and 4. The others are quite slow and feature 90 degree corners”.

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Daniel Ricciardo doubts Red Bull will quit Formula 1

Daniel Ricciardo does not fear being left without a drive next year, despite Red Bull's continued threats to quit the sport.

Red Bull is currently without an engine contract for 2016 and has warned that it will withdraw both its senior team and junior outfit Toro Rosso if it does not get a competitive supply deal in place. But Ricciardo, who heads up Red Bull's driver line-up, thinks the situation will be resolved.

"I'm not [concerned] to be honest," he told Sky Sports News. "Sure, we've got a situation that we need to resolve, but the way I see it we've still got time on our side.

"I think there is enough desire in the team to be on the grid in a competitive way, so I'm faithful we will find a way not only to be on the grid but to be competitive. That's really what we want."

Ricciardo believes Red Bull's rivals benefit from the competition the team brings and has urged either Mercedes or Ferrari to step forward with an engine supply deal for 2016.

"I think from that point of view you have to relish a challenge. Even Mercedes with the dominance they have had for the last 18 months, sure it's nice when you are winning all the time but it's good when you win when there are a few more cars fighting for it. I really think the top teams around us will want a bit more of a challenge, so it will happen, it will happen."

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F1 without wind tunnels 'many years' away - Paddy Lowe

Mercedes technical boss Paddy Lowe believes Formula One teams will one day operate without wind tunnels, but does not think it will be any time soon.

Formula One's Strategy Group recently proposed a future ban on wind tunnels, but it is not yet clear over what sort of time frame the technology will be phased out. Some teams have more money invested in wind tunnel facilities than others and opinions in the paddock over a ban tend to vary accordingly.

Mercedes invested in an upgrade of its wind tunnel in 2012, which has been used to aid the design of the dominant W05 and W06 cars of the last two seasons. Lowe said F1 cars of the future will rely more and more on CFD, but does not think the wind tunnel will be made obsolete any time soon.

"I think there will come a day when we will stop using wind tunnels all on our own, because new technology becomes superior, but I think the timing of that is a long way off -- many, many years," he said. "At the moment CFD is a great compliment to the wind tunnel process, but only when it has the ability to be calibrated against the tunnel on a regular basis.

"I think there is also an overriding safety demand [for keeping wind tunnels]. We've seen other formulae in which cars become unstable at high speed. We must make sure the cars are fully validated from that point of view and the wind tunnel, at the moment, is the only reliable way of doing that."

Red Bull's Christian Horner, who has been one of the main advocates of a wind tunnel ban, said the Strategy Group's recent conversations are aimed at weaning F1 off wind tunnels ahead of a ban at some point in the future.

"I guess what you've got to remember is that they're both simulation tools ultimately and a wind tunnel to feed and to run is extremely expensive compared to, in comparison, CFD. I think the strategic discussion to have is at some point CFD will become strong enough and powerful enough to replace the wind tunnel, but at what point is that?

"I think the Strategy Group are having responsible discussions about what the time frame, if that scenario happens, is. Because we all have big investments. Every team in the pitlane has multi-million pound investments in this technology and to unravel yourself from that isn't an overnight scenario. So, I think we all need to get on the same page about it, take away competitive advantage or differences. And if we do that by looking far enough down the road, then a road map hopefully can be achieved."

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McLaren has made big aero gains under Peter Prodromou - Jenson Button

Jenson Button says McLaren has made considerable gains in aerodynamic performance this year but they have been masked by the team's ongoing struggle with its Honda power unit.

The McLaren MP4-30 has been designed under the leadership of new chief engineer Peter Prodromou, who joined from Red Bull in September last year. The car has struggled for points all season due to a lack of power, but Button says big improvements have been made on the aerodynamic side under Prodromou's guidance.

"You can probably see his influence with the way the car looks and the way the ride height is with the car," Button told ESPN. "Prod is coming in at a very difficult time and if he'd came in two years ago then last year would have been a lot more competitive. Now it's very difficult to see how we have improved with the car balance and its speed, but it's definitely there.

"I like his ideas, I like the way he works in terms of how he listens to us as drivers. The details he wants from us in terms of where the wind is coming from with the front wing, the rear wing and the centre of the car, it's really interesting. It's a nice feeling as a driver being listened to, because we are the guys in the car and we know what's happening. He is a listener and really uses that information, which is good to see. He's doing a good job but it's not an easy time for him either at the moment. He's been involved in a winning team for so many years and we are not winning here. It's tough, but it can't be easy all the time."

Button admits the whole team is hurting from the lack of results this year, but said it can take encouragement from the improvements it has found on the chassis side this year.

"It's tough for everyone. The guys are positive and confident it's going to improve -- and that's a reality -- but they are also hurting as well. But it doesn't change the way they work. The mechanics are still working flatout because they want to build the car as perfect as they can and do the best job the can and have the quickest pit stops. It's just the reward isn't what it used to be with this team.

"The guys back at the factory are working harder than ever to improve, in terms of aerodynamics and taking weight out of areas of the car that are quite heavy, so I personally feel there are more new parts coming onto the car than ever before. I think there is a good atmosphere in terms of seeing improvement on the car, which is important for them to feel that they are needed, but it also still hurts when you finish a race a lap and a half down. But we all go through it together and we've all got to help each other through these difficult times."

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Mercedes on cusp of defending F1 constructors' title

Mercedes has the opportunity to wrap up the 2015 Formula 1 constructors' championship at the Russian Grand Prix if the German manufacturer outscores Ferrari by three points.

The Silver Arrows squad clinched the 2014 title at Sochi and is in a prime position to repeat the feat this season. Mercedes currently holds 169-point advantage over the Scuderia and with five races remaining can seal the teams' championship if it outscores them by three points.

Having taken a one-two result when the Russian Grand Prix made its debut on the F1 calendar last year, Mercedes' defence looks almost certain whether it is to be achieved at Sochi or at the next race in the United States.

Lewis Hamilton, who leads Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg by 48 points, cannot secure the F1 drivers' title this weekend but the defending champion has already set a new record. With the exception of last year's double points finale in Abu Dhabi, it is the biggest points margin the Brit has ever had over a team-mate at any point in his entire F1 career.

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Bottas to take fight to Mercedes in Sochi

Valtteri Bottas says Williams must target the leading Mercedes pair in Sochi at a circuit which plays to the strengths of the FW37.

The Finn claimed his fourth career F1 podium finish when the Russian event made its debut on the calendar last year, while also setting the lap record of 1m 40.896s.

Bottas was the only genuine threat to the dominant Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg in 2014, finishing 17 seconds off race winner Hamilton, and the Williams driver says he and the team must take the fight to the German manufacturer again.

“We had a good result last year in Russia so we're expecting another strong weekend and a good collection of points,” Bottas said. “We all know the track now and it has a really good flow, with the long straights a good fit for our car.”

Bottas also wants to carry the momentum from a string of positive results after finishing in the top five in the past three races and is confident of continuing the run this weekend.

“Pace wise we were close to Mercedes in Japan and I think we can be close again in Sochi, just like we were in 2014,” he said. “The fans were passionate last year so we look forward to putting on another good show for them.”