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Abu Dhabi GP Preview Quotes – Marussia F1 Team

Preview Quotes from the Marussia Team ahead of the Abu Dhabi GP.

Jules Bianchi, Marussia
2012 Qualifying – n/a, 2012 Race – n/a
“We enjoyed a very strong race in India last weekend, so we are keen to carry this momentum forward with the advantage of just one week between races. Abu Dhabi is a fantastic venue to race at and I enjoyed the track a lot when I drove in FP1 last year. It’s quite exciting to be able to start a race in full daylight and finish it at night with the track artificially lit – another new and interesting experience for me. Our car performance is quite strong at the moment and we have the new suspension development to work with again here, so I’m really hoping for a race where I am finally able to make the most of those factors.”

Max Chilton, Marussia
2012 Qualifying – n/a, 2012 Race – n/a
“Taking part in FP1 at the Yas Marina Circuit last year was one of the highlights of my career and racing here for the first time is certainly one of the things I have been most looking forward to in my debut season. It’s a great circuit, in a part of the world I love. With GP2 Series running with us here in Abu Dhabi it has been nice to spend some time ahead of the business end of the week training and relaxing with drivers I raced alongside over the past few years. I had a great race last Sunday and it has been nice to reflect on that and think about how we can maintain our current stride with three very important race weekends remaining. Yas Marina Circuit is a tough track technically and physically, but I’m feeling confident and aiming for a repeat performance from India.”

John Booth, Marussia team principal
“The Abu Dhabi GP will be another tough back-to-back for the race team, who have been pretty much straight on the case with unpacking the freight from India and setting up for the weekend ahead. The task is made easier by the fact that Yas Marina Circuit is a magnificent track – aesthetically pleasing, technically interesting and demanding of drivers and engineers. The Drivers’ Championship may have been decided but for us there are still three critical races ahead. We took a great deal of heart from our performance in New Delhi last weekend and we would hope to continue in much the same vein here this weekend. We will conduct a further evaluation of our new suspension developments on Friday morning and see how things go from there. Generally we are feeling positive about our current performance level.”

October 30, 2013
Abu Dhabi GP Preview Quotes – Sauber F1 Team

Here’s what the Sauber F1 team had to say ahead of this weekend’s Abu Dhabi GP.

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
2012 Qualifying – 11th, 2012 Race – DNF
“The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is a stunning event, especially during twilight when you get some really nice footage and pictures. The paddock is really nice and probably has the best atmosphere of the year with very modern facilities. The track is pretty tricky and technical, especially the last sector which has a lot of twisty, 90-degree corners. It’s easy to get it wrong and overdo it in qualifying. It’s not one of my most favourite circuits. I think it’s too much stop-and-go and it’s missing a flow. We will have plenty of work to do so we can understand the tyres.”

Esteban Gutierrez, Sauber
2012 Qualifying – n/a, 2012 Race – n/a
“The Yas Marina Circuit is a great place to have a Formula One race. I really enjoyed racing there in GP2 and also testing for Formula One in previous years. The track is pretty straightforward and I have quite a bit of mileage there. Sector one has two high-speed corners that are fun. Sectors two and three have a few tight corners, which require a lot of traction. After the Indian GP we will approach the weekend in a positive way and look forward to getting the maximum out of it. In terms of racing, to me it doesn’t make a difference if we race during the day or at night, but the atmosphere in Abu Dhabi is always good, and I look forward to the weekend.”

Tom McCullough, Sauber head of track engineering
“The Yas Marina Circuit has three very different sectors. The first one is short with a medium and two higher speed corners, the middle sector is dominated by long straights and tight low speed corners, while the final sector is a relentless sequence of mainly low to medium speed corners. The nature of the track is typically hard on the brakes and rear tyres. As in Delhi, Pirelli will provide the medium and soft tyre compounds. The main aim during free practice on Friday will be to understand how these tyres work at a very different circuit. We aim to continue our strong run of getting into Q3 to give ourselves the best chance of scoring points on Sunday.”

October 30, 2013
F1 Tyres for the Abu Dhabi GP – Preview Quotes – Pirelli

Here’s what Pirelli’s Paul Hembery has to say about the F1 tyres for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Pirelli
Paul Hembery, Pirelli motorsport director

“The way that the track temperature falls in Abu Dhabi obviously has an effect on both tyre wear and degradation, meaning that teams are able to do longer runs even on the softer compound tyres later in the race. There are some important implications for strategy here, which means that it’s often possible to try something different in Abu Dhabi than you would in other places, which might well pay off at the end of the race. As a company, Abu Dhabi is a circuit that we know very well because it’s where we did some F1 tyre testing before we started in Formula One. It’s also where the Formula One teams got to sample our tyres for the first time, back at the end of 2010. When it comes to the actual venue, Yas Marina is one of the most modern and spectacular circuits of the year with a number of different technical challenges that test most aspects of a tyre’s overall performance. Tyre wear and degradation isn’t especially high here: last year, when we also nominated the medium and soft tyres, most drivers just stopped once. As the compounds are generally softer this year we’d expect two stops this time, although it’s quite possible that some teams might try just one. We will have to wait for the Friday running until we have a clearer picture of the time difference between the two compounds but overall we’d anticipate race pace among the frontrunners to be reasonably closely balanced, and it’s always under these circumstances that having the right strategy can really make a significant difference. Although there’s quite a high degree of track evolution, and conditions in free practice aren’t always representative of the race, the work done during the Friday and Saturday sessions will be instrumental in shaping each team’s understanding of which strategies are both possible and advantageous on Sunday.”

October 30, 2013
Video: Pirelli Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Preview

Pirelli Racing Manager Mario Isola tells us about the compounds that Pirelli are bringing to the Abu Dhabi Grand prix and talks about the effect of temperature changes on tyres

October 30, 2013
F1 2013: Race Preview – Amazing Abu Dhabi

Less than twelve months ago Sebastian Vettel stood on the cusp of becoming a three-time world champion ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. One year later Vettel returns as a four-time champion and no less hungry for victory that the first time he rolled out onto a Formula 1 starting grid.

The only twilight race on the F1 calendar is unquestionably one of the most stunning venues of the season. Set against the fabulous backdrop of the setting Arabian sun the cars hardly look more spectacular at any other stage of the season. Even though the Yas Marina circuit still feels like a fairly recent addition to the calendar, the 2013 grand prix will be the fifth visit to the east coast of Abu Dhabi.

Similar to the Indian GP, Pirelli will provide the medium and soft compound tyres to the teams. The Budhh International circuit rendered the yellow walled soft tyre extremely fragile but in Abu Dhabi is expected to have a significantly longer lifespan. “The way that the track temperature falls in Abu Dhabi obviously has an effect on both wear and degradation, meaning that teams are able to do longer runs even on the softer compound later in the race,” said Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery.

It is an important time of the season for those drivers who still need to secure a 2014 seat. Despite being linked to several front-running teams it seems as if Nico Hulkenberg will not be jumping into a leading car, at least not in 2014. The immensely talented Hulkenberg has been linked with a move to Lotus with the German having supposedly signed a provisional agreement during the Japanese GP weekend. However, recent rumbling suggest that this agreement has been scrapped because the team cannot afford Hulkenberg. Instead Pastor Maldonado, and his PDVSA sponsor, look set to snatch the Lotus seat.

Nevertheless, Hulkenberg will be focusing on the task at hand this weekend and getting the best possible position by the end of the fifty-five lap race. The Yas Marina circuit should play to the strengths of the Sauber.

The first sector is relatively short and punctuated with several medium speed corners and bolstered with turns two and three acting as the two high-speed corners in the sector. The middle sector mainly distinguished by long straights with low-speed corners in the mix to provide some challenge to the drivers. The final sector of the 5.554km long lap is an unyielding series slow to medium speed corners which require the utmost precision. “The track is pretty tricky and technical, especially the last sector which has a lot of twisty, 90-degree corners. It’s easy to get it wrong and overdo it in qualifying,” said Nico Hulkenberg.

Red Bull has already sewn up both driver’s and constructor’s titles for 2013 but the battle for second and third place rages on. Whilst second place in the constructor’s standings for Ferrari holds an important psychological connotation, Lotus’ quest for the top three is purely financially motivated. Reports about financial trouble have hounded the Enstone based team throughout the season and the supposedly ‘done deal’ with Quantam (formerly Infinity) has allegedly hit a snag in recent times.

While several important stories develop behind the scenes it is on the track where the attention will be focused this weekend. Fernando Alonso is due a better result than he has been able to achieve in the last few races. It will be a difficult task however since the Ferrari doesn’t have a great record around Abu Dhabi. In addition, Alonso has appeared to be slightly dejected at the last few race meetings but Ferrari has dismissed talks about tension between the team and the Spaniard.

A team that cannot talk away the tension amidst their ranks is Lotus. Alan Permane’s now infamous race message to Kimi Raikkonen has been well publicised and met with a vast amount of criticism. Lotus team principal Eric Boullier has released a subsequent statement apologising for the message and the team will undoubtedly want to focus on fighting for a better position in the constructor’s championship.

There is nothing to suggest that Sebastian Vettel won’t be the odds on favourite to yet again occupy the top step of the podium. But just maybe the stars are aligning for someone else. However the cards fall for the Abu Dhabi GP, a cracking race is surely in prospect.

October 30, 2013
Weather Forecast for the 2013 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is always a dry race with hot temperatures expected during the day and slightly cooler temperatures in the evening when qualifying and the race take place.

This weekend its no different. All throughout the weekend we can expect temperatures to stay in the low-to-mid 30’s with temperatures in the evenings dropping to the mid 20’s. There is no rain forecast for the entire race weekend.

October 29, 2013
Broadcast Times for the 2013 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

With the drivers championship and constructors championship already done and dusted for Red Bull it is now the battle for second in the Constructors Championship for Ferrari, Mercedes and Lotus. Any one of those teams can take second place and they will all be fighting hard for every point they can get.

The Yas Marina circuit is very stop-start in nature and its the only day-into-night race on the Formula 1 calendar. We’ve always been treated to some exciting racing in the past, overtaking is not impossible and with two long back straights makes it a bit easier with DRS.

Because its a day-into-night race the times return back to the usual European schedule. Remember all times are GMT+2

Free Practice 1: Friday 11:00

Free Practice 2: Friday 15:00

Free Practice 3: Saturday 12:00

Qualifying: Saturday 15:00

Race: Sunday 15:00

As always we will bring you live updates throughout qualifying and the race with periodic updates throughout the free practice sessions on Twitter (@F1_Madness)

October 29, 2013
Ross Brawn to Leave Mercedes at the end of the Season

The BBC reported that Mercedes AMG Pertronas Team Pricipal Ross Brawn will leave the Brackley based team at the end of the 2013 Formula 1 season.

This comes after much speculation of Brawn’s future after Mercedes hired Paddy Lowe from McLaren earlier this year. The plan Mercedes had in mind was for Brawn to eventually hand over to Lowe in the future, but no specific time was given. He made it very clear that if he were to stay on, he was to retain his influence in the team.

Despite Niki Lauda urging Brawn to stay and with both Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton expressing their opinion that Brawn should stay on it seems that talks between Brawn and Mercedes have broken down with either party unable to agree on terms which left Ross Brawn with no option but to leave.

From next season Mercedes will be run by their two executive directors, Toto Wolff and Paddy Lowe. Wolff will run the financial and commercial aspects of the team while Lowe will take over the operations and technical side of the team.

With Brawn being a free agent from next season there is lots of speculation where he may end up. Word is that he might move to McLaren with them being powered by Honda engines from next year since he’s had experience with Honda in 2007 and 2008. Some are hoping that he goes back to Ferrari to bring the team to its former glory.

Update: After the the report Mercedes neither confirmed nor denied that Ross Brawn will leave the team at the end of the year.

October 29, 2013
Video: Kimi Raikkonen confronts Alan Permane after Indian Grand Prix

Fan video captures Kimi Raikkonen confronting Alan Permane after the Indian Grand Prix. This after Permane came over the team radio and told Raikkonen to “get out of the f*cking way!” in a bid to get the Iceman to let team mate Grosjean pass him in the final stages of the race. Click here for that full radio message, including Raikkonen’s response. Team boss Eric Boullier has since apologised for the radio message on behalf of Lotus and Alan Permane.

October 29, 2013
Lotus apologises for Raikkonen radio message

Lotus team principal Eric Boullier has apologised for the radio messages exchanged between the team and Kimi Raikkonen during the Indian Grand Prix.

Raikkonen was struggling on worn tyres when team mate Romain Grosjean came up behind him and after putting up a fight for the position was told to “get out of the f***ing way” by Lotus’ Alan Permane. Raikkonen responded, telling the team not to shout at him and said he would give Grosjean the position – just not in a fast corner, or something along those lines.

Click here to hear the full message, including Raikkonen’s response.

Grosjean eventually finished the race on the podium in third place, while Raikkonen came home seventh after being forced to pit for fresh tyres.

Boullier explained, “Romain was 2 seconds per lap faster than Kimi at that time, so it was not even a team order.”

“By asking Kimi to let Romain pass, we just made the obvious choice, as Massa could have stolen our podium. With hindsight, this radio message could have been sent in a less emotional way. There was a lot of tension, a lot of potential technical problems, and some of the words that flew around were simply not appropriate.”

“I know that quite a few people were surprised and I can only apologise for that on behalf of the team. It won’t happen again.”

Boullier continued to say that Lotus did not perform perfectly but that both Raikkonen and Grosjean performed brilliantly. “We scored well, but it wasn’t a perfect performance as we messed up Romain’s qualifying and Kimi had a brake problem in the race,” he said. “These are two areas we need to address, but on race day everyone performed brilliantly. Romain had a very strong drive and managed to conserve his tyre performance right to the end.”

“He was fast despite having to nurse his engine, and being on the podium was a good reward for the whole team. Obviously it was disappointing that the tyres couldn’t last long enough for Kimi, as being third and fourth would have been an amazing result for the team and very useful in the Constructors’ Championship, but he managed his car’s brakes well to take a solid points finish.”

The apology was also posted on Lotus’ Facebook Page. Earlier in the day an image of a polar bear covering its eyes was also posted giving some indication that they know they’ve messed up. They most certainly lost a lot of respect from fans who took to their popular social media accounts on both Facebook and Twitter to blast the team and Permane for the way they spoke to Raikkonen. The Lotus PR team have their hands full with some very unhappy fans and a lot of the good PR work on social platforms which has seen Lotus’ Twitter account be crowned as the best F1 account a number of months in a row, seems to have been undone by Permane’s seemingly bitter behaviour toward Raikkonen.

Boullier is set to have a meeting with the drivers before the race in Abu Dhabi to ensure that this type of incident will not recur.

October 28, 2013