Mark Webber has defended his choice not to tell his team about his shoulder injury and insisted it didn't impact him inside the final four races of 2010.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner said Webber's choice not to tell him about the injury was "disappointing".
But Webber said: "The shoulder wasn't causing me a problem, so there was no need to talk about it to any person.
"I was very confident it wouldn't impact my performance inside the automobile. [It] didn't impact my major line of work."
Webber, who eventually completed third inside the drivers' standings as team-mate Sebastian Vettel won the title, revealed he had fractured his appropriate shoulder in a mountain bike accident in his new book, which has just been published in Australia.
The Australian is refusing to blame the injury for his failure to win the title, but the period coincides having a dip in type in which Webber lost his championship lead after which the title.
Webber only told his physio, Roger Cleary, and F1's chief medical officer Gary Hartstein about the injury, keeping his team inside the dark.
Red Bull boss Horner responded inside the Every day Telegraph on Tuesday, saying: "It is obviously disappointing that Mark said absolutely nothing. Our drivers have an obligation to make positive they're fit."
Webber has now explained on his individual web site that if the injury had been much more serious he wouldn't have hidden it.
"If I'd had any problems with it inside the automobile, then obviously I would have told the team," Webber added. "But that wasn't the case.
"I've never missed a grand prix but obviously if I couldn't drive the automobile a) safely and b) on the limit, I would have notified the team."
Webber had cortisone injections just before the races in Japan and South Korea to boring the pain but also downplayed their significance as "absolute precautions".
Webber described the accident in his book, 'Up Front - 2010, A Season To Remember'.
"On the Sunday morning just before (the Japanese Grand Prix at) Suzuka, I got on a mountain bike for the first time given that my accident in Tasmania at the finish of 2008," he wrote.
"I was riding having a great pal of mine. Suddenly, he crashed appropriate in front of me and I had nowhere to go but straight
"I suffered what they call a skier's fracture to my appropriate shoulder.
"Suzuka is a brutal track so it was a blessing that the Japanese climate gave me an enforced rest day on the Saturday (when qualifying was rained off), plus a pre-race injection helped, too.
"In the finish, we got via the weekend all appropriate."
At the time of his latest accident, Webber was leading the planet championship by 11 points from Ferrari's Fernando Alonso and was 21 ahead of Vettel.
He completed second to Vettel in Japan, exactly where the German was only 0.07 seconds more rapidly in qualifying.
But Webber's title hopes took a key hit at the subsequent race in Korea, when he crashed on the second racing lap. Alonso won the race, which leapfrogged him more than Webber inside the championship and into an 11-point lead.
Webber then completed second to Vettel in Brazil just before losing any hope of regaining the lead with an uncompetitive performance at the final race in Abu Dhabi
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Renault F1 team to get rebranded Lotus Renault GP in 2011
The Renault car firm has sold its remaining shares inside the eponymous Formula 1 team, which will be renamed Lotus Renault in 2011.
Renault was left with a 25% shareholding inside the team in 2010 right after selling the remainder to private investment group Genii Capital.
These shares have been sold to Genii and will be then taken by Lotus Cars, which is owned by Proton.
The move indicates there will be two F1 teams in 2011 with Lotus in their name.
The team that competed as Lotus Racing in 2010 will be renamed Group Lotus right after buying the historic rights to the name under which Lotus raced from the 1960s until collapsing with monetary difficulties in 1994.
Group Lotus boss Tony Fernandes, the proprietor of the Air Asia airline, is in dispute with Proton over the rights to make use of the Lotus name in F1.
The cars produced by Lotus Renault will still be referred to as Renaults - altering that would will need the permission of all of the other F1 teams.
A Renault F1 statement said: "Lotus plc will become a significant equity partner of Genii Capital in Lotus Renault GP, as well as the two parties have concluded a title sponsorship agreement that will run until the finish of the 2017 season."
It appears as if both teams plan to run their cars with black and gold liveries, reflecting the historic John Player Unique sponsorship of Lotus inside the 1970s and 1980s.
Renault and Lotus battling on track in the course of a check session in 2010
Renault's statement said: "For 2011, the Lotus Renault GP cars will race in a new interpretation of the iconic black and gold colours that had been final used when Lotus and Renault joined forces inside the 1980s.
"This livery, which has been on the drawing board for over two months so that you can reinterpret its iconic graphic signature to suit modern media needs, is sure to strike a effective chord with the sport's enthusiasts about the globe."
Lotus Racing announced its plans to make use of a black and gold livery at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November.
Renault's statement continued: "Renault will continue its powerful support of the team with which it won the 2005 and 2006 globe championships, as a supplier of engines and technological and engineering expertise.
"Reflecting this technological support, Lotus Renault GP will continue to compete with the Renault chassis name and Renault will enjoy pre-eminent brand exposure on the livery."
Group Lotus boss Tony Fernandes
Proton's selection to buy into the Renault team and promote its Lotus brand will be the latest development in ambitious plans for future expansion by Lotus.
At the current Paris Motor Show, it announced plans to build quite a few new road cars and it has also said it will compete at Le Mans and in IndyCar racing inside the US.
The chief executive officer of Group Lotus, Dany Bahar, said: "I can assume of no better platform for automotive brand communications than motorsport and F1 will be the really pinnacle of open-wheel racing.
"We're well aware that there has been a lot of controversy about the usage of our brand in F1 and I'm delighted to be capable of formally clarify our position as soon as and for all: we are Lotus and we are back."
Group Lotus boss Fernandes responded on his page on social network website Twitter : "Dany Bahr has done us a favour. Never felt better about our future and Group Lotus.
He added: "Looks like [they're] attempting to hijack our black and gold thought."
Group Lotus technical officer Mike Gascoyne commented on his Twitter website: "Lotus, just like buses, you wait for ages and then two come along at as soon as. Rest assured, we are Group Lotus and we are here to remain."
Renault's selection to sell its remaining shares inside the team ends a 10-year involvement in F1 as a team proprietor.
The French car firm has been a competitor since buying Benetton Formula in 2000 and renaming it Renault for the 2002 season.
Renault was left with a 25% shareholding inside the team in 2010 right after selling the remainder to private investment group Genii Capital.
These shares have been sold to Genii and will be then taken by Lotus Cars, which is owned by Proton.
The move indicates there will be two F1 teams in 2011 with Lotus in their name.
The team that competed as Lotus Racing in 2010 will be renamed Group Lotus right after buying the historic rights to the name under which Lotus raced from the 1960s until collapsing with monetary difficulties in 1994.
Group Lotus boss Tony Fernandes, the proprietor of the Air Asia airline, is in dispute with Proton over the rights to make use of the Lotus name in F1.
The cars produced by Lotus Renault will still be referred to as Renaults - altering that would will need the permission of all of the other F1 teams.
A Renault F1 statement said: "Lotus plc will become a significant equity partner of Genii Capital in Lotus Renault GP, as well as the two parties have concluded a title sponsorship agreement that will run until the finish of the 2017 season."
It appears as if both teams plan to run their cars with black and gold liveries, reflecting the historic John Player Unique sponsorship of Lotus inside the 1970s and 1980s.
Renault and Lotus battling on track in the course of a check session in 2010
Renault's statement said: "For 2011, the Lotus Renault GP cars will race in a new interpretation of the iconic black and gold colours that had been final used when Lotus and Renault joined forces inside the 1980s.
"This livery, which has been on the drawing board for over two months so that you can reinterpret its iconic graphic signature to suit modern media needs, is sure to strike a effective chord with the sport's enthusiasts about the globe."
Lotus Racing announced its plans to make use of a black and gold livery at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November.
Renault's statement continued: "Renault will continue its powerful support of the team with which it won the 2005 and 2006 globe championships, as a supplier of engines and technological and engineering expertise.
"Reflecting this technological support, Lotus Renault GP will continue to compete with the Renault chassis name and Renault will enjoy pre-eminent brand exposure on the livery."
Group Lotus boss Tony Fernandes
Proton's selection to buy into the Renault team and promote its Lotus brand will be the latest development in ambitious plans for future expansion by Lotus.
At the current Paris Motor Show, it announced plans to build quite a few new road cars and it has also said it will compete at Le Mans and in IndyCar racing inside the US.
The chief executive officer of Group Lotus, Dany Bahar, said: "I can assume of no better platform for automotive brand communications than motorsport and F1 will be the really pinnacle of open-wheel racing.
"We're well aware that there has been a lot of controversy about the usage of our brand in F1 and I'm delighted to be capable of formally clarify our position as soon as and for all: we are Lotus and we are back."
Group Lotus boss Fernandes responded on his page on social network website Twitter : "Dany Bahr has done us a favour. Never felt better about our future and Group Lotus.
He added: "Looks like [they're] attempting to hijack our black and gold thought."
Group Lotus technical officer Mike Gascoyne commented on his Twitter website: "Lotus, just like buses, you wait for ages and then two come along at as soon as. Rest assured, we are Group Lotus and we are here to remain."
Renault's selection to sell its remaining shares inside the team ends a 10-year involvement in F1 as a team proprietor.
The French car firm has been a competitor since buying Benetton Formula in 2000 and renaming it Renault for the 2002 season.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Next season there will be a four-way fight - suggests Alonso
Fernando Alonso says he expects Mercedes to join Red Bull, McLaren and his Ferrari team inside the battle for the world championship in 2011.
He added he was "proud" of Ferrari despite a strategic error inside the final race costing him the 2010 title.
"I actually wish to commence once more," said the Spaniard. "I expect four teams - us, Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull - will probably be inside the fight for the top."
Mercedes failed to win a race after taking both titles as Brawn in 2009.
Alonso was talking at the Ferrari World Finals in Valencia on Sunday, a now-traditional event where the team celebrate their year in sport.
Ferrari have been under fire in Italy for making a catastrophic mistake that handed the drivers' championship to Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel inside the final race of the season at Abu Dhabi.
The team referred to as Alonso in for an early pit stop when he was running fourth, the position he required to win a third career drivers' title.
SARAH HOLT'S BLOG
Expectations are already building that 2011 could possibly be an additional classic year, matching events this season
The move left the 29-year-old stuck in traffic and he could finish only seventh while Vettel won the race.
But Alonso pointed out that he and the team had made other mistakes earlier inside the season - and that Red Bull had also lost plenty of points.
"I am proud of what the Scuderia managed to obtain this season," he said.
"In a year when we did not have the most effective car, we managed to get to the last race still in with a fantastic chance of winning the title after staging a actually strong recovery.
"In a race like that last 1, anything could take place, as this is a sport, not pure maths.
"The comeback we mounted from the mid-point of the season onwards, the way in which we all pulled together, a lot more united than ever, is a lot a lot more important.
"There were races where we lost points, just as there were some where the other people lost a lot more, otherwise they would have won a lot earlier."
Alonso drew parallels between his frustrations in Abu Dhabi and the points Vettel lost two races previously in Korea. An engine failure price the German victory and handed it to Alonso, who moved into the championship lead.
"So a lot has been said about Abu Dhabi, but it's easy to talk with hindsight," Alonso said.
Fernando Alonso
Alonso frustrated as title slips away
"But I think that at Red Bull they would have made other choices after Korea for instance.
"The team were really disappointed with the missed opportunity but Ferrari's fantastic strength is that does not sink into depression simply because of 1 mistake.
"On the contrary, it reacts to be even a lot more determined the following year."
Ferrari's mistake has caused condemnation in Italy, where even politicians have criticised the team, and there has been speculation that some of the team's senior management may be sacked as a result.
But Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has ruled out making any kneejerk decisions.
"Changes within the team? Which is not our philosophy, simply because for years now we have adopted a policy based on dynamic stability," Di Montezemolo said.
"A few minor adjustments are achievable, but no main upheaval.
"And after all, it has to be said that if we had not got it wrong with that 'penalty kick' in Abu Dhabi, today the discussion would be totally distinct."
I don't think 2011 signifies a essential year for me. Fundamentally, I have been in this scenario often
Felipe Massa
Di Montezemolo insisted that team principal Stefano Domenicali, who has only been inside the role for 3 seasons, had his his full backing.
"I am really happy with the work with which Stefano Domenicali is moving us forward, with fantastic capacity, spirit and a sense of balance," said Di Montezemolo.
Meanwhile, Alonso's team-mate Felipe Massa has denied that next season is make-or-break for him.
The Brazilian was forced into a supporting role inside the second half of 2010 after failing to match Alonso inside the initial half of the season and there have been claims he could possibly be replaced if he does not improve in 2011.
But Massa said: "I don't think 2011 signifies a essential year for me. Fundamentally, I have been in this scenario often.
"I remember that at the commence of 2006, numerous individuals said I would only last a year at Ferrari and then I won races that season and went on to stay for a long time a lot more.
"In 2008, there was a whole lot of pressure, specifically at the commence, but I managed to cross the line at the end of the final race as world champion."
Massa subsequently lost the title by 1 point to McLaren's Lewis Hamilton after the Englishmen overtook Toyota's Timo Glock at the final corner.
"This year, there were numerous who said I would have a difficult year after my accident in Budapest [in 2009]. It turned out that way, but not for that reason," said the Brazilian.
And a defiant Massa added: "Over the years, the names of at least 10 drivers have been put forward as replacements for me at Ferrari, but I am still here!"
He added he was "proud" of Ferrari despite a strategic error inside the final race costing him the 2010 title.
"I actually wish to commence once more," said the Spaniard. "I expect four teams - us, Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull - will probably be inside the fight for the top."
Mercedes failed to win a race after taking both titles as Brawn in 2009.
Alonso was talking at the Ferrari World Finals in Valencia on Sunday, a now-traditional event where the team celebrate their year in sport.
Ferrari have been under fire in Italy for making a catastrophic mistake that handed the drivers' championship to Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel inside the final race of the season at Abu Dhabi.
The team referred to as Alonso in for an early pit stop when he was running fourth, the position he required to win a third career drivers' title.
SARAH HOLT'S BLOG
Expectations are already building that 2011 could possibly be an additional classic year, matching events this season
The move left the 29-year-old stuck in traffic and he could finish only seventh while Vettel won the race.
But Alonso pointed out that he and the team had made other mistakes earlier inside the season - and that Red Bull had also lost plenty of points.
"I am proud of what the Scuderia managed to obtain this season," he said.
"In a year when we did not have the most effective car, we managed to get to the last race still in with a fantastic chance of winning the title after staging a actually strong recovery.
"In a race like that last 1, anything could take place, as this is a sport, not pure maths.
"The comeback we mounted from the mid-point of the season onwards, the way in which we all pulled together, a lot more united than ever, is a lot a lot more important.
"There were races where we lost points, just as there were some where the other people lost a lot more, otherwise they would have won a lot earlier."
Alonso drew parallels between his frustrations in Abu Dhabi and the points Vettel lost two races previously in Korea. An engine failure price the German victory and handed it to Alonso, who moved into the championship lead.
"So a lot has been said about Abu Dhabi, but it's easy to talk with hindsight," Alonso said.
Fernando Alonso
Alonso frustrated as title slips away
"But I think that at Red Bull they would have made other choices after Korea for instance.
"The team were really disappointed with the missed opportunity but Ferrari's fantastic strength is that does not sink into depression simply because of 1 mistake.
"On the contrary, it reacts to be even a lot more determined the following year."
Ferrari's mistake has caused condemnation in Italy, where even politicians have criticised the team, and there has been speculation that some of the team's senior management may be sacked as a result.
But Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has ruled out making any kneejerk decisions.
"Changes within the team? Which is not our philosophy, simply because for years now we have adopted a policy based on dynamic stability," Di Montezemolo said.
"A few minor adjustments are achievable, but no main upheaval.
"And after all, it has to be said that if we had not got it wrong with that 'penalty kick' in Abu Dhabi, today the discussion would be totally distinct."
I don't think 2011 signifies a essential year for me. Fundamentally, I have been in this scenario often
Felipe Massa
Di Montezemolo insisted that team principal Stefano Domenicali, who has only been inside the role for 3 seasons, had his his full backing.
"I am really happy with the work with which Stefano Domenicali is moving us forward, with fantastic capacity, spirit and a sense of balance," said Di Montezemolo.
Meanwhile, Alonso's team-mate Felipe Massa has denied that next season is make-or-break for him.
The Brazilian was forced into a supporting role inside the second half of 2010 after failing to match Alonso inside the initial half of the season and there have been claims he could possibly be replaced if he does not improve in 2011.
But Massa said: "I don't think 2011 signifies a essential year for me. Fundamentally, I have been in this scenario often.
"I remember that at the commence of 2006, numerous individuals said I would only last a year at Ferrari and then I won races that season and went on to stay for a long time a lot more.
"In 2008, there was a whole lot of pressure, specifically at the commence, but I managed to cross the line at the end of the final race as world champion."
Massa subsequently lost the title by 1 point to McLaren's Lewis Hamilton after the Englishmen overtook Toyota's Timo Glock at the final corner.
"This year, there were numerous who said I would have a difficult year after my accident in Budapest [in 2009]. It turned out that way, but not for that reason," said the Brazilian.
And a defiant Massa added: "Over the years, the names of at least 10 drivers have been put forward as replacements for me at Ferrari, but I am still here!"
F1 - News
Formula 1 boss Ecclestone attacked by muggers
Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone suffered a head injury when muggers attacked him and escaped with jewellery worth £200,000 in central London. The 80-year-old F1 supremo was robbed outside the headquarters of his business empire Formula One Holdings, in Knightsbridge, Scotland Yard said.
7 plead guilty in Ark. to stealing baby formula
Seven members of an alleged crime ring that involved the theft of about $18,000 worth of baby formula from Texas grocery stores have pleaded guilty in Arkansas.
Formula 1 boss Ecclestone robbed of jewelry worth $314,000 in attack at London office
LONDON (AP) — Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone suffered a minor head injury when he was attacked outside his London office this week and robbed of jewelry worth $314,000.
Formula One boss Ecclestone mugged
Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has suffered a head injury when muggers robbed him of jewellery in London, police say.
Formula BMW Talent Cup summary
Cartagena (ES), 23rd November 2010. Eight days after his triumph in the FIA Formula One World Championship, Sebastian Vettel (DE) returned to his roots for one day: On Monday the former Formula BMW driver was present when the decisive scholarship course for the new Formula BMW Talent Cup was held in Cartagena (ES). Vettel gave valuable advice to the young drivers, and closely watched their first ...
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Jarno Trulli hints at Lotus dedication
Jarno Trulli has hinted he will remain a Lotus Racing driver next season despite a troubled campaign this year.
The Norfolk-based team have yet to announce their drivers for 2011, but the Italian has revealed he has been working on next season's car.
"I'll go to the factory in a few days to get ready and prepare the 2011 season chassis, cockpit and seat," the 36-year-old told BBC Radio Norfolk.
"Then I will probably have a break with my family, just relaxing."
Lotus established themselves as the strongest of F1's new teams in 2010, finishing 10th in the constructors' championship.
But Trulli was hindered more by technical issues than his team-mate Heikki Kovalainen, with the pair ending up 21st and 20th respectively in the drivers' standings.
His best result came in Japan where he qualified in 19th and crossed the line 13th, but a 19th-placed finish in Brazil stands out in an otherwise disappointing season.
You've got to have the motivation in order to push harder, no matter where you are at the end of a lap. Some performances have been pretty bad compared to what I was used to
Lotus driver Jarno Trulli
"It's really hard to find a highlight for me, but Brazil was a great weekend, nearly a smooth weekend for me," he said
"I qualified well, unfortunately during the race I had another failure, but my pace was unbelievably quick.
"At the end of the season I found something in the setup and car characteristic which gave me a good step in terms of performance.
"In the end I was happy with it even though it was a tough season."
Trulli has competed in 14 F1 seasons for six different teams, securing his only Grand Prix victory at Monaco with Renault in 2004. f1
After agreeing to join Tony Fernandes' Lotus team in January the prospect of fighting for position at the back of the grid and aiming for a top 20 finish could have come as a culture shock to the veteran. F1 merchandise Lotus"You've got to have the motivation in order to push harder, no matter where you are at the end of a lap," he added.
"Some performances have been pretty bad compared to what I was used to.
"But nevertheless I have always tried to get the best out of myself and the car, I've still enjoyed a lot of good fights."
The Norfolk-based team have yet to announce their drivers for 2011, but the Italian has revealed he has been working on next season's car.
"I'll go to the factory in a few days to get ready and prepare the 2011 season chassis, cockpit and seat," the 36-year-old told BBC Radio Norfolk.
"Then I will probably have a break with my family, just relaxing."
Lotus established themselves as the strongest of F1's new teams in 2010, finishing 10th in the constructors' championship.
But Trulli was hindered more by technical issues than his team-mate Heikki Kovalainen, with the pair ending up 21st and 20th respectively in the drivers' standings.
His best result came in Japan where he qualified in 19th and crossed the line 13th, but a 19th-placed finish in Brazil stands out in an otherwise disappointing season.
You've got to have the motivation in order to push harder, no matter where you are at the end of a lap. Some performances have been pretty bad compared to what I was used to
Lotus driver Jarno Trulli
"It's really hard to find a highlight for me, but Brazil was a great weekend, nearly a smooth weekend for me," he said
"I qualified well, unfortunately during the race I had another failure, but my pace was unbelievably quick.
"At the end of the season I found something in the setup and car characteristic which gave me a good step in terms of performance.
"In the end I was happy with it even though it was a tough season."
Trulli has competed in 14 F1 seasons for six different teams, securing his only Grand Prix victory at Monaco with Renault in 2004. f1
After agreeing to join Tony Fernandes' Lotus team in January the prospect of fighting for position at the back of the grid and aiming for a top 20 finish could have come as a culture shock to the veteran. F1 merchandise Lotus"You've got to have the motivation in order to push harder, no matter where you are at the end of a lap," he added.
"Some performances have been pretty bad compared to what I was used to.
"But nevertheless I have always tried to get the best out of myself and the car, I've still enjoyed a lot of good fights."
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Felipe Massa and Sebastian Vettel happy with Pirelli
The new world champion Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari's Felipe Massa were encouraged by their first drives on Formula 1's new Pirelli tyres.
The italian company is replacing Japan's Bridgestone as F1's sole tyre supplier next season and tested the new rubber in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
Red Bull's Vettel, who was second fastest behind Massa, said: "The tyres behaved well, better than expected."
Ferrari's Massa added: "I felt at ease right from the start."
All the teams are in Abu Dhabi, scene of 2010's final grand prix on Sunday, for two days of running with the tyres.
The focus of the test is for teams to understand how the tyres work and what that will mean for their 2011 cars.
Sebastian Vettel checks out the new Pirelli tyres in the Red Bull garage in Abu Dhabi
Pirelli are obviously in the middle of their development and what we used today is not what we will race with, but it was a good start
Massa, 29, was 0.330 seconds quicker than Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, the new world champion.
Massa's fastest lap of one minute 40.170 seconds was 0.032secs quicker than his qualifying time, which was good enough for sixth on the grid last weekend.
Vettel's best time was a 1:40.500 - 1.106secs slower than his pole position lap.
The German was 0.7secs quicker than McLaren test driver Gary Paffett, who is standing in for race drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button on both days of the test.
Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi was fourth, ahead of Renault's Robert Kubica, whose running was curtailed by reliability problems.
Massa echoed the views of most of the drivers at the test, when he said his first impression of the new tyres was "positive".
The Brazilian added: "There were no unpleasant surprises.
"We tried two different types and acquired a lot of data which will be useful for the Italian company to develop the tyres still further for the start of the 2011 season.
"On the hards, there were some difficulties over a long run while the softs worked well both on the very first lap and also after they had done a larger number of laps."
Vettel, who has spent most of the week since winning his title doing Pr and media work, said: "It was all about the tyres today, as this was the first chance we have had to try them out and work with them to develop the car's set-up for next year.
"I think the tyres behaved well, better than expected given the short amount of time Pirelli have had and they've done a good job.
Ferrari's Felipe Massa and his race engineer Rob Smedley at the Pirelli tyre test at Abu Dhabi on Friday
"Pirelli are obviously in the middle of their development and what we used today is not what we will race with, but it was a good start.
"It was great to be back in the car after an incredible week - I went to Salzburg on Monday morning for a Tv show and press conference and then to the Uk to say thanks to the team in Milton Keynes - that was quite emotional.
"It's nice for me and the team to be able to enjoy our success, but 2011 started today and i was focusing on the tyres and getting to know them - I think we have learned quite a lot."
Kobayashi added: "The tyres from Pirelli are well made. We tested how to work with these new tyres and how we need to further develop our car for them, learning in which way they are different to what we were used to running.
"The tyres were quite consistent. Only in the morning I struggled with tyre wear, but after we made some set-up changes this wasn't an issue any longer. It was a very interesting test for us."
Pirelli has given each of the teams eight sets of tyres for the test divided between two different compounds, soft and medium.
Renault chief engineer Alan Permane said: "Robert was reasonably happy with the car balance, although we made a few changes during the day to improve it.
"Our initial impression of the tyres has been positive: they were working well with good grip and no warm-up issues."
Pirelli is planning to use information provided by drivers and engineers to modify the tyres before official F1 pre-season testing starts in February next year.
There will be four tests before the 2011 season starts in Bahrain on 13 March.
The first three tests are in Spain, on 1-3 February at the Ricardo Tormo circuit near Valencia, 10-13 February at Jerez and 18-21 February at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya.
The final test will be in Bahrain a week before the first race, from 3-6 March.
Pirelli was last involved in F1 in 1991, but has been preparing for its return by running a 2009 Toyota chassis in Europe this summer, with Nick Heidfeld, Romain Grosjean and Pedro de la Rosa at the wheel.
The italian company is replacing Japan's Bridgestone as F1's sole tyre supplier next season and tested the new rubber in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
Red Bull's Vettel, who was second fastest behind Massa, said: "The tyres behaved well, better than expected."
Ferrari's Massa added: "I felt at ease right from the start."
All the teams are in Abu Dhabi, scene of 2010's final grand prix on Sunday, for two days of running with the tyres.
The focus of the test is for teams to understand how the tyres work and what that will mean for their 2011 cars.
Sebastian Vettel checks out the new Pirelli tyres in the Red Bull garage in Abu Dhabi
Pirelli are obviously in the middle of their development and what we used today is not what we will race with, but it was a good start
Massa, 29, was 0.330 seconds quicker than Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, the new world champion.
Massa's fastest lap of one minute 40.170 seconds was 0.032secs quicker than his qualifying time, which was good enough for sixth on the grid last weekend.
Vettel's best time was a 1:40.500 - 1.106secs slower than his pole position lap.
The German was 0.7secs quicker than McLaren test driver Gary Paffett, who is standing in for race drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button on both days of the test.
Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi was fourth, ahead of Renault's Robert Kubica, whose running was curtailed by reliability problems.
Massa echoed the views of most of the drivers at the test, when he said his first impression of the new tyres was "positive".
The Brazilian added: "There were no unpleasant surprises.
"We tried two different types and acquired a lot of data which will be useful for the Italian company to develop the tyres still further for the start of the 2011 season.
"On the hards, there were some difficulties over a long run while the softs worked well both on the very first lap and also after they had done a larger number of laps."
Vettel, who has spent most of the week since winning his title doing Pr and media work, said: "It was all about the tyres today, as this was the first chance we have had to try them out and work with them to develop the car's set-up for next year.
"I think the tyres behaved well, better than expected given the short amount of time Pirelli have had and they've done a good job.
Ferrari's Felipe Massa and his race engineer Rob Smedley at the Pirelli tyre test at Abu Dhabi on Friday
"Pirelli are obviously in the middle of their development and what we used today is not what we will race with, but it was a good start.
"It was great to be back in the car after an incredible week - I went to Salzburg on Monday morning for a Tv show and press conference and then to the Uk to say thanks to the team in Milton Keynes - that was quite emotional.
"It's nice for me and the team to be able to enjoy our success, but 2011 started today and i was focusing on the tyres and getting to know them - I think we have learned quite a lot."
Kobayashi added: "The tyres from Pirelli are well made. We tested how to work with these new tyres and how we need to further develop our car for them, learning in which way they are different to what we were used to running.
"The tyres were quite consistent. Only in the morning I struggled with tyre wear, but after we made some set-up changes this wasn't an issue any longer. It was a very interesting test for us."
Pirelli has given each of the teams eight sets of tyres for the test divided between two different compounds, soft and medium.
Renault chief engineer Alan Permane said: "Robert was reasonably happy with the car balance, although we made a few changes during the day to improve it.
"Our initial impression of the tyres has been positive: they were working well with good grip and no warm-up issues."
Pirelli is planning to use information provided by drivers and engineers to modify the tyres before official F1 pre-season testing starts in February next year.
There will be four tests before the 2011 season starts in Bahrain on 13 March.
The first three tests are in Spain, on 1-3 February at the Ricardo Tormo circuit near Valencia, 10-13 February at Jerez and 18-21 February at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya.
The final test will be in Bahrain a week before the first race, from 3-6 March.
Pirelli was last involved in F1 in 1991, but has been preparing for its return by running a 2009 Toyota chassis in Europe this summer, with Nick Heidfeld, Romain Grosjean and Pedro de la Rosa at the wheel.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Alonson wins 2010 F1 Italian GP
For 36 of the 53 laps at Monza on Sunday a silver auto led the reds of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, but when McLaren’s Jenson Button ducked into the pits then it was Ferrari’s Alonso who led from Massa right up until he stopped on Lap 37. When he resumed, Alonso just created it to the first chicane ahead of Button, and thereafter there was in no way any question about who would win.
Whilst the McLaren was in advance the gap involving Button and Alonso fluctuated involving 0.5s and 1.6s, but once the Spaniard bought in entrance he opened it to as much as 4.0s just before finishing 2.9s in advance. Massa was one more 1.2s adrift, on a day when the Scuderia moved firmly back again into contention for the drivers’ planet championship.
It was a disastrous day for Lewis Hamilton in the other McLaren, who jumped to fourth as Mark Webber’s Crimson Bull again started slowly, but at the 2nd chicane Massa’s left rear wheel came into contact with Hamilton’s front proper, and by the first Lesmo the McLaren driver was inside the gravel, his day completed.
It also seemed like being a bad working day for Sebastian Vettel as a brake difficulty momentarily dropped him behind Pink Bull staff mate Webber, from fifth to sixth. But a really clever bit of strategy from the Milton Keynes staff saw them maintain their man out right up until the 52nd lap ahead of he finally manufactured his mandatory tyre stop.
By then his lengthy run had taken him in advance of fast-starting Nico Rosberg who’d held fourth for most of your race for Mercedes GP. Vettel obtained out in the pits forward from the silver arrow, which experienced Webber on its tail following the Australian experienced doggedly fought by Williams’ Nico Hulkenberg. The young German produced a mistake around the 49th lap, blocked Webber sufficient to provoke an angry gesture from the latter, then Mark manufactured a move stick a lap later.
Webber now leads the globe championship once again with 187 points to Hamilton’s 182, but Alonso’s great drive vaults him to third on 166, just forward of Button on 165 and Vettel on 163. Purple Bull have 350 factors to McLaren’s 347 and Ferrari’s 290.
It was a tense as opposed to thrilling race, but the scrap for the lower points places was continually entertaining. Hulkenberg chased fifth-placed Robert Kubica for significantly from the race and jumped the Renault from the pit stops, however the Williams driver dropped again to seventh right after Webber’s prosperous attack. Kubica took eighth, with Mercedes GP’s Michael Schumacher a distant ninth onward of Rubens Barrichello inside 2nd Williams.
Toro Rosso’s Sebastien Buemi just headed Force India’s Tonio Liuzzi over the line for 11th, with Renault’s Vitaly Petrov benefiting from a really late pit stop to take 13th ahead of BMW Sauber’s Pedro de la Rosa. Toro Rosso’s Jaime Alguersauri was 15th right after a drive-through penalty for missing a chicane, though Force India’s Adrian Sutil fought up to 16th following contact around the opening lap sent him in to the pits.
Timo Glock won the new teams’ race for Virgin immediately after Jarno Trulli’s Lotus blew up late from the race, from Heikki Kovalainen within the other T127 and Sakon Yamamoto’s HRT, right after Lucas di Grassi experienced to make a pit discontinue on lap 52.
Throughout Yamamoto’s pit quit a crew member was hurt soon after the lollipop was lifted too early. He was taken to hospital for checks and the workforce had been subsequently fined US$20,000 for an unsafe release.
Besides Hamilton and Trulli, HRT’s Bruno Senna stopped with mechanical woes and Kamui Kobayashi did not in fact leave the pit lane immediately after problems with his BMW Sauber earlier than he bought to your grid.
Monza 2010
BBC Report
ITV F1
Whilst the McLaren was in advance the gap involving Button and Alonso fluctuated involving 0.5s and 1.6s, but once the Spaniard bought in entrance he opened it to as much as 4.0s just before finishing 2.9s in advance. Massa was one more 1.2s adrift, on a day when the Scuderia moved firmly back again into contention for the drivers’ planet championship.
It was a disastrous day for Lewis Hamilton in the other McLaren, who jumped to fourth as Mark Webber’s Crimson Bull again started slowly, but at the 2nd chicane Massa’s left rear wheel came into contact with Hamilton’s front proper, and by the first Lesmo the McLaren driver was inside the gravel, his day completed.
It also seemed like being a bad working day for Sebastian Vettel as a brake difficulty momentarily dropped him behind Pink Bull staff mate Webber, from fifth to sixth. But a really clever bit of strategy from the Milton Keynes staff saw them maintain their man out right up until the 52nd lap ahead of he finally manufactured his mandatory tyre stop.
By then his lengthy run had taken him in advance of fast-starting Nico Rosberg who’d held fourth for most of your race for Mercedes GP. Vettel obtained out in the pits forward from the silver arrow, which experienced Webber on its tail following the Australian experienced doggedly fought by Williams’ Nico Hulkenberg. The young German produced a mistake around the 49th lap, blocked Webber sufficient to provoke an angry gesture from the latter, then Mark manufactured a move stick a lap later.
Webber now leads the globe championship once again with 187 points to Hamilton’s 182, but Alonso’s great drive vaults him to third on 166, just forward of Button on 165 and Vettel on 163. Purple Bull have 350 factors to McLaren’s 347 and Ferrari’s 290.
It was a tense as opposed to thrilling race, but the scrap for the lower points places was continually entertaining. Hulkenberg chased fifth-placed Robert Kubica for significantly from the race and jumped the Renault from the pit stops, however the Williams driver dropped again to seventh right after Webber’s prosperous attack. Kubica took eighth, with Mercedes GP’s Michael Schumacher a distant ninth onward of Rubens Barrichello inside 2nd Williams.
Toro Rosso’s Sebastien Buemi just headed Force India’s Tonio Liuzzi over the line for 11th, with Renault’s Vitaly Petrov benefiting from a really late pit stop to take 13th ahead of BMW Sauber’s Pedro de la Rosa. Toro Rosso’s Jaime Alguersauri was 15th right after a drive-through penalty for missing a chicane, though Force India’s Adrian Sutil fought up to 16th following contact around the opening lap sent him in to the pits.
Timo Glock won the new teams’ race for Virgin immediately after Jarno Trulli’s Lotus blew up late from the race, from Heikki Kovalainen within the other T127 and Sakon Yamamoto’s HRT, right after Lucas di Grassi experienced to make a pit discontinue on lap 52.
Throughout Yamamoto’s pit quit a crew member was hurt soon after the lollipop was lifted too early. He was taken to hospital for checks and the workforce had been subsequently fined US$20,000 for an unsafe release.
Besides Hamilton and Trulli, HRT’s Bruno Senna stopped with mechanical woes and Kamui Kobayashi did not in fact leave the pit lane immediately after problems with his BMW Sauber earlier than he bought to your grid.
Monza 2010
BBC Report
ITV F1
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Hamilton wins Belgian GP 2010
Hamilton won the Belgian Grand prix after an incident-packed race at Spa-Francorchamps.
Hamilton took control of the race with a fantastic start from the outside of the front row, while pole-sitter Webber bogged down as his Red Bull’s anti-stall function kicked in and tumbled to seventh place.
Button and Ferrari's Alonso crashed out, and German driver Vettel failed to score a point.
"I'm ecstatic, it was a great weekend," said Hamilton, whose driving was praised by his team principal Martin Whitmarsh. "A race like that can be a lottery, so I'm so happy and grateful to come out on top."
Belgian Grand Prix result (44 laps)
1 HAMILTON McLaren 1h29m04.3s
2 WEBBER Red Bull +1.6s
3 KUBICA Renault +3.5s
4 MASSA Ferrari +8.3s
5 SUTIL Force India +9.1s
6 ROSBERG Mercedes +12.4s
7 SCHUMACHER Mercedes +15.5s
8 KOBAYASHI Sauber +16.7s
9 PETROV Renault +23.9s
10 LIUZZI Force India +34.8s
11 DE LA ROSA Sauber +36.0s
12 BUEMI Toro Rosso +39.9s
13 ALGUERSUARI Toro Rosso +49.5s
14 HULKENBERG Williams +1 lap
15 VETTEL Red Bull +1 lap
16 KOVALAINEN Lotus +1 lap
17 DI GRASSI Virgin +1 lap
18 GLOCK Virgin +1 lap
19 TRULLI Lotus +1 lap
20 YAMAMOTO HRT +2 laps
R ALONSO Ferrari +7 laps
R BUTTON McLaren +29 laps
R SENNA HRT +39 laps
R BARRICHELLO Williams +44 laps
Related:
ITV F1
BBC
Spa 2010
Hamilton took control of the race with a fantastic start from the outside of the front row, while pole-sitter Webber bogged down as his Red Bull’s anti-stall function kicked in and tumbled to seventh place.
Button and Ferrari's Alonso crashed out, and German driver Vettel failed to score a point.
"I'm ecstatic, it was a great weekend," said Hamilton, whose driving was praised by his team principal Martin Whitmarsh. "A race like that can be a lottery, so I'm so happy and grateful to come out on top."
Belgian Grand Prix result (44 laps)
1 HAMILTON McLaren 1h29m04.3s
2 WEBBER Red Bull +1.6s
3 KUBICA Renault +3.5s
4 MASSA Ferrari +8.3s
5 SUTIL Force India +9.1s
6 ROSBERG Mercedes +12.4s
7 SCHUMACHER Mercedes +15.5s
8 KOBAYASHI Sauber +16.7s
9 PETROV Renault +23.9s
10 LIUZZI Force India +34.8s
11 DE LA ROSA Sauber +36.0s
12 BUEMI Toro Rosso +39.9s
13 ALGUERSUARI Toro Rosso +49.5s
14 HULKENBERG Williams +1 lap
15 VETTEL Red Bull +1 lap
16 KOVALAINEN Lotus +1 lap
17 DI GRASSI Virgin +1 lap
18 GLOCK Virgin +1 lap
19 TRULLI Lotus +1 lap
20 YAMAMOTO HRT +2 laps
R ALONSO Ferrari +7 laps
R BUTTON McLaren +29 laps
R SENNA HRT +39 laps
R BARRICHELLO Williams +44 laps
Related:
ITV F1
BBC
Spa 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Belgian GP - Mark Webber takes pole
Webber preserved his growing championship momentum as he seized pole for the Belgian GP in a characteristically rain-affected Spa qualifying session.
The Australian maintained Red Bull's stranglehold on qualifying which has seen them take pole in 13 out of 14 races this season.
But Hamilton delivered an excellent performance to take second, ahead of Roblert Kubica.
German driver Vettel couldn’t improve on his final lap and so ended up 4th in the second Red Bull, while F1 Champion Jenson button did find time on his last run to snatch fifth position.
Belgian GP starting grid
1 WEBBER Red Bull
2 HAMILTON McLaren
3 KUBICA Renault
4 VETTEL Red Bull
5 BUTTON McLaren
6 MASSA Ferrari
7 BARRICHELLO Williams
8 SUTIL Force India
9 HULKENBERG Williams
10 ALONSO Ferrari
11 ALGUERSUARI Toro Rosso
12 LIUZZI Force India
13 BUEMI Toro Rosso
14 KOVALAINEN Lotus
15 GLOCK Virgin
16 ROSBERG Mercedes
17 TRULLI Lotus
18 KOBAYASHI Sauber
19 SENNA HRT
20 YAMAMOTO HRT
21 SCHUMACHER Mercedes
22 DE LA ROSA Sauber
23 DI GRASSI Virgin
24 PETROV Renault
The Australian maintained Red Bull's stranglehold on qualifying which has seen them take pole in 13 out of 14 races this season.
But Hamilton delivered an excellent performance to take second, ahead of Roblert Kubica.
German driver Vettel couldn’t improve on his final lap and so ended up 4th in the second Red Bull, while F1 Champion Jenson button did find time on his last run to snatch fifth position.
Belgian GP starting grid
1 WEBBER Red Bull
2 HAMILTON McLaren
3 KUBICA Renault
4 VETTEL Red Bull
5 BUTTON McLaren
6 MASSA Ferrari
7 BARRICHELLO Williams
8 SUTIL Force India
9 HULKENBERG Williams
10 ALONSO Ferrari
11 ALGUERSUARI Toro Rosso
12 LIUZZI Force India
13 BUEMI Toro Rosso
14 KOVALAINEN Lotus
15 GLOCK Virgin
16 ROSBERG Mercedes
17 TRULLI Lotus
18 KOBAYASHI Sauber
19 SENNA HRT
20 YAMAMOTO HRT
21 SCHUMACHER Mercedes
22 DE LA ROSA Sauber
23 DI GRASSI Virgin
24 PETROV Renault
Friday, August 27, 2010
Fernando Alonso quickest in Belgian Grand Prix Friday practice
Ferrari's Alonso posted the quickest lap times in each of Friday's two practice sessions for the Belgian GP.
The Spanish driver signalled his intention with a lap of 2 minutes, 0.797 seconds in a rain-affected morning session.
He then capitalised on a chaotic finish to a mainly dry afternoon stint to go round in 1:49.032, 0.125 seconds ahead of Andrian Sutil
Mclaren's Hamilton was third but Red Bull's championship leader Mark Webber was 2.6secs off the pace .
Robert Kubica's Renault, testing the team's completely new F-duct aerodynamic system, came through fourth fastest and Fernando Alonso's teammate Felipe Massa was sixth.
Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, third in the drivers' rankings, was 0.657secs off the pace and reigning world champion Jenson Button of McLaren was a further 0.066secs back.
Fernando Alonso ended up on top but his rivals may point to the open track on which he was able to post his top time following a red flag towards the end of second practice.
The Brazilian Barrichello, who is set to become the first Formula 1 driver to start 300 races on Sunday, was almost 1.1secs off the pace.
Mercedes' seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher goes into the race with a 10-place grid penalty after nearly running Barrichello into a pit wall at the Hungarian GP.
The Spanish driver signalled his intention with a lap of 2 minutes, 0.797 seconds in a rain-affected morning session.
He then capitalised on a chaotic finish to a mainly dry afternoon stint to go round in 1:49.032, 0.125 seconds ahead of Andrian Sutil
Mclaren's Hamilton was third but Red Bull's championship leader Mark Webber was 2.6secs off the pace .
Robert Kubica's Renault, testing the team's completely new F-duct aerodynamic system, came through fourth fastest and Fernando Alonso's teammate Felipe Massa was sixth.
Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, third in the drivers' rankings, was 0.657secs off the pace and reigning world champion Jenson Button of McLaren was a further 0.066secs back.
Fernando Alonso ended up on top but his rivals may point to the open track on which he was able to post his top time following a red flag towards the end of second practice.
The Brazilian Barrichello, who is set to become the first Formula 1 driver to start 300 races on Sunday, was almost 1.1secs off the pace.
Mercedes' seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher goes into the race with a 10-place grid penalty after nearly running Barrichello into a pit wall at the Hungarian GP.
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