Using exclusive interviews with team members and showcasing detailed and artistic footage of the intricate procedures required to make an F1 car, this mini-series sees Red Bull Racing opening our factory doors to show how an F1 car is made.
Latest
-
F1 2013: Singapore GP Preview – Singapore’s city lights ignite
The Formula 1 paddock has departed the European continent for the final time in the 2013 season. Now the final pushes towards championship glory, towards a race seat for next year, or towards a few extra points begin. The final stretch of the calendar begins with Singapore’s Marina Bay circuit, round thirteen of the championship.
The initial announcement of Formula 1 under floodlights was met with skepticism and questions about whether a spectacle of such proportions was even with the realms of possibility. It became a reality in 2008 as Formula 1 set off for Singapore and its floodlit city streets. Images of gleaming bodywork, glowing exhausts and city skylines quickly became a spectacle worthy of the greatest motorsport series in the world.
The Singapore GP still feels relatively new to the Formula 1 calendar but in reality has been a part of the yearly roundabout since 2008 and has already had its fair share of controversy. The inaugural race, won by Renault’s Fernando Alonso, was plunged into a controversy which had been dubbed Crashgate. Team principal of Renault Flavio Briatore ordered Brazilian driver Nelson Piquet Jr. to deliberately crash and force the deployment of the safety car. The intentional crash was arranged in order to provide Fernando Alonso with an advantage by making an early pitstop. Since then the Singapore GP has been thankfully controversy free and filled with memorable race victories.It comes as no surprise that Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel seem to excel on the Singapore streets. The German has taken the last two victories and share’s the distinction of two race wins around these parts with Fernando Alonso.
Lewis Hamilton won the 2009 edition of the race and could be a favourite to repeat the feat this weekend. As street circuits tend to go they share some similarities amongst each other; it’s no different for Monaco and Singapore. Although the streets of Monte Carlo are not quite as intensely layed out as the Marina Bay circuit it can be considered an indicator. It is in these set of circumstances that Mercedes found themselves leading the pack. If it is to be a similar case this weekend there, hopefully, will be no sign of a procession.
The bumpy Marina Bay circuit requires a return to the high downforce set up and an extreme level of concentration through its complex twenty-three corner layout. Pirelli has made the soft and supersoft compound tyres available for use this weekend; and given the offset previously seen between these two tyres, strategy will play a part during the Singapore GP.
However, the perfect strategy will mean little if the race is ruined by being stuck in traffic. Overtaking on street tracks is always at a premium and Singapore is no exception. A good slot on the grid will be vital to a good position come race day.
The question of how the track remains completely illuminated is answered by using, in total, 1500 lighting projectors to light the driver’s way throughout the 61 lap race Singapore GP.
That leaves only the question of who will top the podium come Sunday.
-
Massa will no longer support Alonso
Felipe Massa has said that he will no longer play a supporting role to Fernando Alonso in the remaining races of the 2013 F1 season.
Massa insists that he is now driving for himself, and will no longer be Alonso’s wingman since being informed that he will no longer be part of the Ferrari team in 2014.
“I will not race for Alonso from now on,” he told TV Globo. “Right from Friday at Singapore I’ll be working for myself. I will attack all the time, every lap. It’s now the time to look after myself.”
Massa, who has been in talks with Lotus for the seat left vacant by his Ferrari replacement, Kimi Raikkonen, added that he has enjoyed his time alongside Alonso but that fireworks can be expected from Ferrari’s 2014 F1 driver pairing.
“I’m sure Fernando likes me, he has to. We have a nice relationship, I’m sure he sees me as a personal friend as I see him. Kimi and myself are also good friends, much more than when we were team-mates. I know both Fernando and Kimi on and off the track and I rate them as excellent drivers, but I’m afraid they will collide when sharing the team.”
“I told the bosses to breathe as much as possible while they still can because it will be hard for them to breathe next season.”
Photo by Ferrari F1 Twitter team
-
Broadcast Times for the 2013 Formula 1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix
The only night race on the Formula 1 calendar takes place in Singapore at the Marina Bay Circuit. Even though it is a street circuit, it isn’t that slow. There are a few medium speed corners and with turn 10 being modified to just a left hander, instead of the chicane, we can expect lap times to be a bit quicker and also some overtakes into turn 10.
Below are the broadcast times for the 2013 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Circuit (All times are GMT+2):
Free Practice 1: Friday 12:00
Free Practice 2: Friday 15:30
Free Practice 3: Saturday 12:00
Qualifying: Saturday 15:00
Race: Sunday 14:00
As always you can catch our live updates on Twitter (@F1_Madness) and we will have updates for you throughout all three practice sessions.
-
Weather Report for the 2013 Formula 1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix
The Singapore Grand Prix is the 13th stop on the Fomula 1 Calendar. The start of the second round of the fly away races for the season.
The heat and humidity are the biggest concerns for the teams and drivers. The weather for the weekend will be rather hot and humid with temperatures for the Practice Sessions, Qualifying and the race to remain in the mid-twenties. There is a chance of thunderstorms throughout the weekend and we can expect some rain. The rain will make a very interesting addition for the night race.
-
Virtual lap of Singapore (Marina Bay) with Fernando Alonso
Take a virtual lap around the Marina Bay circuit in Singapore with Fernando Alonso.
-
Felipe Massa in talks with Lotus
Felipe Massa has his eyes firmly set on the vacant Lotus seat after announcing his departure from Ferrari, and since the announcement was made that Kimi Raikkonen will take his place at Ferrari.
Massa has confirmed that he is in negotiations with Lotus for the race seat.
The possibility of a straight swop seems very enticing from many angles and it will be very interesting to see how Massa would perform at Lotus.
Massa told Globo Esporte that Lotus appeals to him as the most competitive option remaining on the 2014 F1 grid.
“We are negotiating,” he told the publication. “In my opinion, Lotus has a competitive car, which is what I want. We are having many conversations to try to find a way, not only for me but for Lotus, to continue with a good car.”
Massa revealed he has also been in talks with McLaren but said he that Lotus is still his best option. “I’ve had contact with McLaren but I cannot judge, it’s hard to say,” he said. “With Lotus, the contact was very good,” Massa added.
Nicholas Todt, Massa’s manager, last week told Canal Plus that Massa is determined to drive for a competitive team next year.
“He never would go to a smaller team to be second driver,” Todt said. “We need to find a car that can challenge at the front in F1. The best place available is undoubtedly the one left by Raikkonen at Lotus.”
Eric Boullier last week confirmed that Lotus is in talks with a number of drivers about the 2014 season and that Lotus will make their decision “shortly”.
-
Lego RUSH Trailer
A brilliant Lego trailer of the F1 movie, Rush, released in the UK on 13 September.
This is really brilliantly done and a good tribute to the movie Rush!
-
Pre-order F1 2013 Classics
If like us, you can’t wait to get your hands on F12013 Classics, which is set for release on 4 October for Playstation 3, then do yourself a favour and pre-order so long!
F12013 is the latest game in the award-winning FORMULA 1 franchise from Codemasters which has sold over 6.5 million units. The culmination of five years of experience in developing cutting edge FORMULA 1 titles, F1 2013 delivers a range of new features, improvements, modes and, for the first time in the series, classic content.
F1 2013 features all the cars, circuits and stars from the 2013 season, allowing gamers to race as Lewis Hamilton in his Mercedes and Sergio Perez in the McLaren-Mercedes for the first time, and includes all of the new drivers, updated rules, tyre changes and remodelled handling to authentically reflect the challenge and exhilaration of racing 2013’s stunning roster of FORMULA ONE cars. A range of enhancements, improvements, split-screen and online multiplayer plus new and returning game modes deliver the most complete simulation of a FORMULA ONE season in video-game history.
F1 2013 gives FORMULA 1 fans the chance experience a range of classic content in a brand new game mode introduced by legendary broadcaster Murray Walker. F1 Classics allows players to race legendary drivers in iconic cars and features two period circuits. This classic content can also be enjoyed in a range of further game modes including split-screen and online multiplayer modes.
Click here to pre-order F1 2013 or F1 2013 Classics now from AWX.
-
F1 and the Big Boo Theories
The world of F1 always dishes up a good deal of speed, fun, scandal and every now and then, a bit of booing. Reynard Gelderblom sent us his thoughts on the last week in F1.
Even though the 2013 Italian Grand Prix in itself wasn’t the most exciting F1 race of the season, the entire week at Monza proved to be one of the most interesting. Usually at this point in time I’d have expressed my point of view on one big issue relating to Formula 1, this time I’ll touch on a few.
First off, you can’t call yourself a F1 fan if just the mere thought of the Italian GP doesn’t bring a shivering sense of anticipation to you. One of the most historic circuits in the country known for Ferrari and the beyond-fanatical support for the manufacturer. Regardless of where your allegiance lies, everyone loves the tifosi – the loyal fraternity of the Prancing Horse.
During the podium celebrations at the Italian GP I would admit that I lost some respect for some of them. Regardless of the fact that the budget for one F1 season is probably greater than that of some developing countries per annum, it’s still and always will be a sport. There is no place for “booing” in sport.My message to those tifosi: Your man Fernando Alonso was never in contention for the victory during the race. It wasn’t a close fight to the flag – it was Sebastian Vettel showing dominance. Stand up and salute the victor or sit down and shut up if you can’t be real sportsmen.
I live in Cape Town and that sort of behaviour is the exact reason why Western Province rugby and cricket fans are considered the most unsportsmanlike supporters this side of hemisphere. By the way the first place goes to the fans of Galatasaray Football Club.
And, did anyone notice how visibly disgusted Mark Webber looked with his team mate’s win? Yes, we all know that he’s still sour about the Malaysian GP when Vettel passed him despite team orders, but go ask anyone in the nearby fashion capital Milan, and they’ll tell you: “There’s never a reason to walk around looking like last month’s jug of milk in the back of the fridge”.
Let’s dish out a good award here as well though…
The set of brake pads for the fastest driver of the week goes to…. Felipe Massa. If he ever enters a head-to-head fastest tweet competition, his opponent should be playing off a handicap. Massa was just a tad eager to announce his departure from Ferrari after 2013 on the social network platform, Twitter.
Eeeaasy there son, save that speed for the Sunday race – and I don’t mean on the way to the race. The Brazilian of course also made the news for a speeding ticket he collected on route to Monza on Sunday morning.
Given the amount of booing Vettel received for beating Alonso in the race, I wouldn’t have wanted to be the traffic cop involved when he went back to the office saying “Hey guys, I just booked a Ferrari F1 driver, in a Ferrari, on the Sunday of the Italian GP for speeding on the way to Monza”.
Be sure that I will be watching Twitter to see if any of the reporters I’m following are tweeting something about a traffic cop facing treason charges.
And still at Ferrari: Out with the old… in with the… eh old. Kimi Raikkonen has finally been confirmed as Fernando Alonso’s team mate for 2014.I’m certainly looking forward to this and I’m sure now that the Iceman has picked his spot, the rest of the F1 paddock can now continue their game of F1 musical chairs to decide who drives what. Something I would like to mention though: Remember Senna and Prost at Mclaren in 1989, Alonso and Hamilton at McLaren in 2008?
Alonso is no one’s No.2 and Raikkonen is certainly not going to be anyone’s either – and there can only be one No.1. Alonso doesn’t play well with others and Raikkonen plays at his best on his own. While I’m sure that Vettel is picking a hairstyle to celebrate his fourth World championship already, I’m looking forward to the hair flying at Ferrari in 2014.
And a final note: This article goes out to the person who asked me recently “How can you sit and watch anything as boring as F1?” No name calling here… Too many people called each other idiots at Monza.
Reynard Gelderblom is the motorsport editor for Street Motion.
Keep up to date with the latest local motorsport news by following Street Motion on Twitter.
Photo Credits:
Tifosi from the podium – Fernando Alonso (Twitter)
Alonso selfie – Fernando Alonso (Twitter)
Kimi Raikkonen – F1 Madness screengrab
