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  • Video: Monza Moments: The End of the V8 Era

    Video: Monza Moments: The End of the V8 Era

    Turn up the volume and enjoy the sounds of an F1 car at full throttle around Monza. The downshifts, the fly-by’s and the braking. This video has it all.

  • Video: Monza Moments: Lewis Hamilton Chases Fernando Alonso 2011

    Video: Monza Moments: Lewis Hamilton Chases Fernando Alonso 2011

    Watch on-board footage of Lewis Hamilton in his McLaren chasing down Fernando Alonso in his Ferrari in the closing stages of the 2011 Italian Grand Prix.

  • Broadcast Times for the 2015 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix

    Broadcast Times for the 2015 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix

    Formula 1 rounds out it’s European leg at the magnificent Monza for round 12 of the Formula 1 World Championship and the Italian Grand Prix.

    Built in 1922 the Autodromo Nazionale Monza is one of the oldest circuits on the F1 calendar. The original track consisted of 4.5km looped track and a 5.5km road track which has kept most of the layout till today. The high-speed oval track with the two banked curves was added during the circuit revamp in 1954. The high speed oval hosted its final race in 1969 with the 100km of Monza. A few high speed record attempts were carried out on the banked circuit but it is now left to history and remains unused.

    The modern 5.793km track layout is much simpler and a little slower than previous iterations. The track is characterized by long straights and tight chicanes which place huge amounts of stress on the brakes and the tyres. Almost 75% of the lap is spent at full throttle. With the emphasis on top end speed cars are fitted with very skinny rear wings with the shallowest of angles on them. This puts the demand back on the tyres for mechanical grip out of the slow corners.

    Lap time is usually gained or lost at Turn 1, where if you get your braking right and your line through the first chicane spot on, you can carry that momentum though till the end. Get it wrong however, and you may loose a lot of time.

    With this being Ferrari’s home race all eyes will be on them for a good performance. But Ferrari Team Principal Maurizio Arrivabene has cautioned that Ferrari may not perform as well as they would like, despite some engine upgrades.

    A fast circuit will suit the Williams and to some extent, Lotus and Force India who are all expecting a good weekend. McLaren are expecting another difficult weekend. Coming off the back of a very difficult weekend at the Belgian Grand Prix, Racing Director Eric Boullier says that they can expect much of the same.

    This weekend we’ll follow much of the usual times as is the case for all the European leg races. All times are GMT+2

    Free Practice 1: Friday 10:00

    Free Practice 2: Friday 14:00

    Free Practice 3: Saturday 11:00

    Qualifying: Saturday 14:00

    Race: Sunday 14:00

  • Force India Retain Hulkenberg for 2016 and 2017

    Force India Retain Hulkenberg for 2016 and 2017

    The Sahara Force India Formula 1 team has announced that Nico Hulkenberg has been retained until at least the end of the 2017 F1 season.

    The confirmation by Force India brings further stability to the F1 driver market after Ferrari confirmed Kimi Raikkonen for 2016.

    “I’m very pleased to finalise and announce my plans for the future,” said Hulkenberg

    “I know this team inside out and I feel at home here so it made perfect sense to make a long-term commitment.

    “The progress the team has shown over the last two years has really impressed me and gives me confidence for the future.

    “It’s a great group of people who are hungry for success and want to keep improving year-on-year. I think we have the important things in place going forward and I want to continue growing with this team as we move even further up the grid.”

    Force India Team Boss, Vijay Mallya added: “I make no secret of being one of Nico’s biggest fans and so it’s fantastic to confirm him as our driver for the next couple of seasons.

    “He has spent almost four years with us already and in that time we’ve seen him develop into one of the best racing drivers in the world.

    “Nico has the speed, the technical knowledge and the maturity to help us achieve some great results in the years ahead. We will do everything we can to continue delivering a car to match his talent.”

     

    Photo credit: Sahara Force India Formula  One Team

  • F1 2015: Italian GP Preview – The Monza Saga Continues

    F1 2015: Italian GP Preview – The Monza Saga Continues

    As the powers that be consider a plethora of changes to the sport it appears as if the traditionally passionate Monza circuit will not form part of it.

    No one will ever mistake F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone as soft touch. Then again, you don’t take a racing series and turn it into the pinnacle of motorsport by being sentimental. When asked about the future of the Italian grand prix he frankly answered “what goes, goes.”

    For now though the circuit which ran its first race in 1950 is still on the F1 calendar and the next stop for the 2015 season. The famed Monza circuit isn’t revered for its technical difficulty or for its delivery of explosive races, at least not lately. It is loved for its history and for the cherished part it has in the history of Formula 1 racing.

    The devoted and fanatical Tifosi may be dreaming of a red car winning the race but the demands of this classic power circuit makes that doubtful. Step number one for the engineers will be efficient aerodynamics. To reduce the maximum amount of drag the smallest rear-wing will be fitted, along with the slickest bodywork, in order to increase top-speed down the circuit three long straights.  A towering straight line speed however isn’t the be all and end all as braking for the circuit’s few corners is as significant. “Braking has become the biggest thing at Monza. It’s very tricky to get that right,” says Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo.

    GP SPAGNA F1/2015Ferrari team Principal Maurizio Arrivabene has cautioned fans not to expect too much this weekend and likened their chances of victory to “pulling a rabbit out of a hat.” However, Arrivabene has confirmed that there will be no “super engine” for Monza but that the team may spend “some tokens” to close the gap to Merc. Ferrari’s last engine upgrade was made at the Canadian grand prix with a fairly lacklustre improvement being the result.

    The start of Sunday’s race could play a big part. In Belgium, under the new start procedure, Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg dropped to fifth from second on the grid and Hamilton’s start wasn’t perfect either. This, combined with the long run to turn one, could put the Silver Arrows under pressure early on. If truth be told the only chance for an exciting Italian grand prix depends on the kind of start those in the second row can muster. If not, this will be another Mercedes victory bar any sort of unreliability.

    Nico RosbergTwelve months ago Nico Rosberg’s quest to win the world championship was on even keel with teammate Lewis Hamilton. Yet, despite a handful of wins and pole positions, in 2015 his chances appear to be shaky at best. This year the German’s confidence has taken a knock under the onslaught of the Hamilton juggernaut. Consequently, there aren’t many who would legitimately give Rosberg a genuine shot at taking the title off Hamilton.

    It’s up to the driver of the number 6 Mercedes then to mount a serious challenge against Hamilton. And not just a challenge that is going to beat him this weekend but one that will force the reigning champion to seriously consider the possibility of a real threat from the other side of the garage.

  • RIP Justin Wilson 1978-2015

    RIP Justin Wilson 1978-2015

    English IndyCar and former Formula One driver Justin Wilson died in hospital this morning, a day after suffering serious head injuries during a race.

    Wilson, 37, had been in a coma after being struck by debris from the car of Sage Karam, who had spun into the wall further up the road during Sunday’s IndyCar Series race at Pocono Speedway.

    “This is a monumentally sad day for IndyCar and the motorsports community as a whole,” said Mark Miles, chief executive of IndyCar series parent company Hulman and Co.

    “Justin’s elite ability to drive a race car was matched by his unwavering kindness, character and humility – which is what made him one of the most respected members of the paddock.

    “As we know, the racing industry is one big family, and our efforts moving forward will be focused on rallying around Justin’s family to ensure they get the support they need during this unbelievably difficult time.”

    Wilson’s Andretti Autosport team also issued a statement, which read: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Justin Wilson. He was a tremendous racer, a valuable member of the team and respected representative to our sport.

    “While Justin was only part of the Andretti lineup for a short time, it only took a second for him to forever become part of the Andretti family.

    “His life and racing career is a story of class and passion surpassed by none. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Wilson family and fans worldwide.

    “Godspeed, JW.”

    RIP Justin WilsonJustin Wilson drove for Minardi and Jaguar in 2003, but his tall 6ft 4in frame (he remains the tallest driver ever to have piloted a Formula One car) and lack of sponsorship cut his F1 career short. He did enjoy success in American open-wheel racing with stints in Champ Car (2004-2007) and IndyCar (2008-2015).

    With head injuries being a sensitive subject in Formula One at the moment just six weeks after Jules Bianchi succumbed to he serious head injury he sustained at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, Wilson’s death is another hefty blow for motor racing and hearts around paddock and pit garage are weighing very heavily. Seven time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher is also still continuing a long recovery from his serious head injury resulting from a skiing accident in December 2013.

    There’s been an outpouring of sadness and condolences for the loss and family of Justin Wilson from the Formula One community on Twitter.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • F1 2015: Belgian Grand Prix Review – Hamilton Wins, Vettel Fumes

    F1 2015: Belgian Grand Prix Review – Hamilton Wins, Vettel Fumes

    There was a bit of commotion even before the Belgian grand prix officially got underway. Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg waved desperately from the cockpit of his car on the starting grid moments before the red lights were extinguished. It turns out that the German had a mechanical issue that would end his race before it even started.

    But this was nothing in the face of the drama that would develop towards the end of the race and subsequent fall-out of it all.

    By all accounts Ferrari’s Spa weekend was dismal when measured against the high of the Hungarian grand prix. The woes started in Saturday qualifying as Kimi Raikkonen grinded to a halt in the second part of qualifying with an oil pressure problem. The misery didn’t end here though the Finn was further hampered by having to drop five places on the grid for a gearbox change. Raikkonen eventually finished seventh in the race after a difficult time of trying to look after his tyres. Perhaps the Iceman can console himself with his freshly signed 2016 contract.

    Vettel Typre Blow Out_Belgium 2015For Sebastian Vettel, in his 150th grand prix start, it looked to be going slightly better. The German scrapped his way into third by daring to run a one-stop strategy. But a spectacular failure of his right-rear tyre two laps from the end of the grand prix dropped him out of the running. The four time world champion was fuming in the post race interviews during which he lambasted Pirelli and its tyres. The Italian tyre manufacturer released its own statement in which the blame tyre wear as the reason for the failure.

    This conclusion would be acceptable if it were true. If we are to accept Pirelli’s version of events, and the tyre was worn down to the point where it could explode, his laptimes would’ve been significantly impacted before the tyre exploded. The truth is that while Vettel was lapping slower than the charging Romain Grosjean he was only seven tenths of a second off the Frenchman’s pace.

    Valtteri Bottas_Belgium 2015Further, Ferrari was informed that the medium compound tyre would be able to endure forty laps around the Spa circuit. Vettel’s tyre blew up after only twenty-seven laps on the car. What we have learnt is that Pirelli is awfully good at shifting blame away from themselves.

    Two years ago, at the British grand prix, they blamed a slew of tyre blowouts on aggressive tyre pressures by teams and sharp kerb edges. After Saturday practice they attributed Nico Rosberg’s spectacular blowout in Blanchemont to an “external cut” as the reason for the tyre failure. Yet, Rosberg denied going off track or running over debris and confirmed that they “didn’t understand” the failure within the team despite Pirelli’s conclusion.

    Tyres seemed to be at the forefront in Spa as the Williams pit crew fitted three medium and one soft compound tyre to Valtteri Bottas’ car. It was insult to a lack of pace for Williams who didn’t perform at all well around the famous circuit. Rob Smedley confirmed the team’s disappointment at finishing sixth and ninth with Massa and Bottas respectively.

    spa-grosjeanRomain Grosjean was a surprise but welcome third place finisher in his black and gold Lotus. The Frenchman maintained impressive pace throughout the weekend and topped it off with a third place finish in which was arguably the best drive of the day. Grosjean admitted to “crying on the last lap” such was elation at the result. Respect to the smiling Frenchman who’s kept his head up through some incredibly difficult times with this team.

    And amidst the drama and tyre sagas was a serene and very smiley Lewis Hamilton with a second Spa victory in his pocket. Never apparently under pressure the Brit led and controlled all 43 Belgian grand prix laps with consummate ease. Teammate Rosberg finished in an ever-present second place but is now twenty-eight points adrift of Hamilton. At this stage it doesn’t seem as if the multi-lingual Rosberg has any sort of answer to his teammate’s pace. It’s looking all the more as if Hamilton is transforming himself from the reigning champion to the champion-elect.

  • Pirelli Ignored Over Tyre Limit Rule

    Pirelli Ignored Over Tyre Limit Rule

    Following Sebastian Vettel’s tyre blow out in the Belgian Grand Prix which cost him a podium finish Pirelli have said that they were ignored when they suggested a lap limit for each tyre compound.

    Vettel lashed out at Pirelli after the race. Ferrari have also come out and said that they were not to blame and did not gamble with tyre strategy and their strategy was based on information given to them by the Italian tyre manufacturer.

    Late on Sunday evening after the race, Pirelli have said in a press release that they were ignored when it was suggested that a maximum limit to tyres be implemented.

    “In November 2013, Pirelli requested that there should be rules to govern the maximum number of laps that can be driven on the same set of tyres, among other parameters to do with correct tyre usage,” read the press release.

    “This request was not accepted.

    “The proposal put forward a maximum distance equivalent to 50% of the grand prix distance for the prime tyre and 30% for the option.

    “These conditions, if applied today at Spa, would have limited the maximum number of laps on the medium compound to 22.”

     

    Photo credit by courtesy Pirelli

     

  • Pirelli Insist Vettel Tyre Failure Wear Related

    Pirelli Insist Vettel Tyre Failure Wear Related

    Pirelli Motorsport Director Paul Hembery has come out in defense of the Italian F1 tyre supplier saying that the tyre failure suffered by Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was a result of excessive wear.

    Vettel was on his way to a podium finish at the Belgian Grand Prix after starting in 8th position and two laps before the chequered flag he suffered from a tyre failure effectively ending his chances at a podium and his race. He was understandably livid after the race and hit out at Pirelli after the race.

    Ferrari say that they were operating within the limits of the tyre and insist that they would have never chose a strategy if it risked the safety of a driver.

    Hembery, after the race, hit back by saying that Ferrari had gambled on a 1-stop strategy and the tyre failure was due to excessive wear.

    “It was at the end of wear-life,” said Hembery. “Any tyre in the world, when it gets to the end of its wear-life, you’re going to have a problem.

    “[He did] 28 laps, it was more we thought the strategy would be based on two or three stops, as the majority did, but they clearly felt they could make it work on the one stop. They obviously felt that was feasible.

    “Wear-life was indicated at around 40 laps, but it’s an indication and race conditions can change that and some factors involved in racing mean that sometimes it’s not a precise datum. Other teams were taking a different direction.”

    When asked if Vettel’s tyre failure was similar to that of Nico Rosberg’s who also suffered a tyre blow out during FP2 on Friday, Hembery said that Rosberg’s tyre failure was a result of a cut whereas Vettel’s was due to wear.

    “Rosberg was an external cut; this was pure wear,” he said. “The images show the carcass was still intact [on Vettel’s blown tyre]. If the race was one lap less, he’d be on the podium and we’d be calling it a genius move – sometimes the margins are very fine. So it’s tough.”

     

  • Williams Apologises to Bottas for Pit Stop Error

    Williams Apologises to Bottas for Pit Stop Error

    The Williams F1 Team have apologised to their driver Valtteri Bottas for the pit lane error which lead to a drive through penalty.

    After loosing a few places in the opening laps of the race Bottas managed to stabilise his place and was running 6th before the first round of pit stops. He was called in to pit for a new set of options on lap 8. The pit stop went of smoothly but the Williams team fitted Bottas’ car with three soft compound tyres and one medium compound tyre. He was handed a drive through penalty for the incorrect tyres which he took on lap 15. Bottas pitted again on lap 21 and finished the race in 9th.

    When asked by Sky Sports F1 about the the incident, Head of Performance Engineering at Williams, Rob Smedley could not explain what had happened.

    “I am clearly disappointed with what has happened to Valtteri,” said the Briton.

    “As a team we have made a mistake, and on behalf of the team I am very sorry that we cost him what could have been a podium position.

    “There will be an investigation into the processes in place to understand what happened fully, and to put in place a procedure to stop this happening again.”

    When asked about how he felt about the incident, Bottas had this to say when talking to Autosport:

    “It’s very disappointing, I’ve never heard of anything like this happening.

    “But what can you do? For sure that cost us a lot, looking at the times in the end without that penalty we might have been fifth or something as I was at the front of that pack.

    “But our pace was not enough to be top three, which was our aim, so it was not our day.”