Comments from Ross Brawn and Christian Horner regarding the “secret” Pirelli tyre testing at the Team Principals Press Conference after Free Practice to in Canada. Brawn refused to go into any detail but seemed very confident that once all the facts are revealed at the Tribunal, Mercedes would be cleared of any wrong doing.
A very interesting team principal press conference followed the second practice session ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix today.
Most notably, Ross Brawn revealed that it was him who made the decision to go ahead with the controversial Pirelli tyre testing in Barcelona following the Spanish Grand Prix.
Playing it very cool, calm and collected, Ross stated, “”It was my decision to do the testing, that is a fact, and let’s see what happens at tribunal and we go from there.”
The Brackley-based Mercedes F1 team is to face an FIA disciplinary hearing at the International Tribunal later this month to answer charges that it may have broken Formula 1 regulations by using its W04 2013 car during the Pirelli test.
Brawn was also quick to state that there was nothing “secret” about the test but that it was merely a “private” test.
Ross seemed very confident, almost as though he has an Ace or two up his sleeve. He was not willing to divulge why the team is so certain that it is in the clear after testing their 2013 car with Pirelli, but he said that he is eager for the facts of the case to come out so that Mercedes can clear its name.
“I wouldn’t say it is very pleasant at the moment but again I am comfortable and confident that once when we get to the tribunal the facts will become apparent and people can make a better judgement.”
“I think we would not have done the Pirelli test unless we believed we could do the Pirelli test. When we get to the tribunal you will have your answers,” he said.
Pirelli boss Paul Hembery, meanwhile, was absent from the press conference following advice from Pirelli lawyers not to attend.
Fernando Alonso just pipped Lewis Hamilton to go fastest in FP2 ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix. Alonso’s Ferrari finished the session just 0.012 seconds ahead of Hamilton with a time of 1:14:818.
Rain stayed away for the session, threatening with only a few drops near the end of the session, giving teams a lot more running than they had during FP1.
Here is the timesheet for the second practice session for the Canadian Grand Prix weekend.
Force India’s Paul Di Resta was the surprise of the First Free Practice session at the Canadian GP.
Di Resta finished top of the time sheets with a 1:21.020 ahead of McLaren’s Jenson Button who was 0.088s off his pace with a 1:21.108. Lotus’ Romain Grosjean finished P3 with a 1:21.258, 0.238s off the P1 time.
Almost every Formula One fan dreams of going to Monaco one day. Well Claire Jane Earley was lucky enough to do just that – and not just once either! She shared with us her experience at the 2013 F1 Monaco Grand Prix weekend and I’ll tell you now, we are all super envious! This lady clearly had a weekend to remember – pit pass and all! She’s also sent us a whole gallery of photos to share with you which you can find here.
Follow Claire on Twitter: @ClaireEarleyF1
Here is Claire’s post about her Monaco F1 GP weekend. Have you been to a Monaco GP or do you still dream of going? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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I have always loved Formula One, right from the get-go. So when the chance came to travel to the Monaco GP six years ago, I jumped at it. And I’ve been jumping at it ever since.
As the intro suggests, this recent trip to Monaco was my sixth. I know that some of you will be saying that I’m spoilt, but consider that I have friends there, so I invariably stay for free, and all I have to cover are my flights. I also work there (on a yacht most recently, which is an awful lot harder than it sounds), so it’s not all fun and games 😉
There is something intrinsically special about Monte Carlo. Something that stems from the tiny country being packed to capacity for a week, as the jet set fly in and celebrate the Grand Prix in style. It is impossible not to be stylish in Monaco. You can’t help yourself. Everywhere you turn beautiful people, beautiful cars, beautiful yachts, and beautiful scenery surround you. You naturally up your game. It’s also impossible to take in Monaco completely during Grand Prix week, which is why I keep having to go back 😉
Now let’s be honest, no matter how much of an F1 fan you consider yourself to be, you don’t go to Monaco for the race. The race is almost an afterthought. There are so many other things going on (parties, parties and more parties) that when Sunday finally rolls round you can barely keep your sunglasses on straight. Luckily, Monaco always turns out to be a bit of a procession race unfortunately; and although there was some drama this year, it really did very little to add to the race itself, so you didn’t have to concentrate too much.
Thursday passed in a bit of a blur for me. I was lucky enough to be stationed on the Sylvia M yacht so I spent the whole day chilling on the top deck watching Free Practice with a bunch of really cool Aussies on their first trip to the GP. Being pretty comfortable with Monaco I showed them around when the sessions were over and partied a little with them at the legendary Rascasse that night. Rascasse is something of a party central, with there being around ten different bars and nightclubs you can go to along that whole strip between Swimming Pool and Rascasse.
That is the one thing most people forget about Monaco, but all the parties happen on the track. It’s quite surreal to watch the cars race round all day, and then spend all night partying on corners like Rascasse and Swimming Pool. You can literally sit in the grandstands opposite where you were partying the night before. Nowhere else in the world can offer this kind of opportunity, and every year without fail, I take the customary “Me on the start line” photo!
This year I was fortunate enough to have a pit pass for the Friday, something I’ve never done before, so I was super excited! Sadly Fernando Alonso wasn’t waiting at the gate to greet me, but I did get the signatures of Giedo Van Der Garde, Max Chilton and Jules Bianchi! I also watched Force India practice their pit stops numerous times (and developed my new life ambition to be the person who sits in the car as it gets pushed in for tyre change practice), and watched the two Mercedes’ undergo FIA testing. It was pretty special for me.
I went out on the Friday night with some friends, and it ended up being a bit of a late one (whoops!), but it did give me the chance to walk home on the Saturday morning, on the empty track, as the sun rose over the port. Amazing. Nothing like having one of the most famous race tracks in the world to yourself.
Later that day I found myself back on the Sylvia M watching some GP2 action and some Porsche Supercup. When you’re on the yacht you don’t actually realise how close you are to the action, but it is right there in front of you! You can almost touch it! For me, that is another reason why Monaco is so special, because you are never more than two meters from the track.
Saturday night I was lucky enough to have access to a party on the Quid Pro Quo yacht where a French musician was giving a private party on the inside deck, and DJ was playing on the upper decks. The food and drinks were free, so needless to say the champagne was flowing (when in France and all that…), and I met some awesome guys from Essex who were extremely entertaining and good fun to hang out with so I had a good time.
Race Day dawned nice and hot after the rain on Saturday, and I was sent off in my tender to the Talila yacht. You need to catch a tender from Fontvielle to Monaco Port if you’re ever there. The view is like nothing else and it gives you an opportunity to see just how beautiful the place actually is. It truly is something special.
The Talila was moored right in front of where Pastor Maldonado crashed out. The crash itself I didn’t see until all the people on my yacht started sprinting to the trackside. I have seen red flags before in Monaco, but never for a crash like that, and although I am not a Maldonado fan, I am glad that he walked away from it uninjured. Once all the excitement died down, and Rosberg took the top step, it was time to get back on dry land.
Wandering around the streets after the race I bought some gifts and things for the family, whilst watching how quickly Monaco returns too normal. It takes a month to put all the barricading and stands up for the race, and only two weeks to get it all down again. By the time I left on Tuesday, half of the grandstands were already down, and most of the barricading along the main road was down as well. Each piece of metal is specifically numbered to ensure that set up next year is smooth and efficient.
I love Monaco. I love watching how it changes for the race, and how quickly things go back to normal. Every time I leave to come home I think I leave a small piece of me there, and I can’t wait to go back next year!
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Click here for Claire’s gallery of photos from her Monaco Grand Prix experience.
A Monaco Grand Prix Gallery of photos sent to us by F1 fan Claire Jane Earley. Follow Claire on Twitter @ClaireEarleyF1
Click here to read Claire’s Monaco blog.
The FIA has called Mercedes to appear before its International Tribunal to answer questions concerning the controversial F1 tyre test for Pirelli.
In a statement released by the sport’s governing body they said, “In the light of all the replies received and in view of the information gathered during this inquiry, the President of the FIA, acting as the FIA prosecuting body, has decided to bring the case concerning the tyre testing session carried out by Pirelli and Team Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 in Barcelona on 15-17 May 2013 before the FIA International Tribunal because it results from the inquiry that the conditions of this testing may constitute a breach of the applicable FIA rules.”
“The FIA International Tribunal is called upon to make a decision in compliance with the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules.”
In the same statement, the FIA also confirmed it will close its case against Ferrari who had conducted an F1 tyre test for Pirelli in April, using the 150 Italia which was last used in Formula One in 2011. “Its participation in a tyre testing organised by Pirelli in Barcelona on 23-24 April 2013 using for this purpose a 2011 car is not deemed to contravene the applicable FIA rules.”
Here is the full statement as published by the FIA on Wednesday 5 June 2013:
The Monaco Grand Prix Stewards raised in their report to the FIA an issue concerning a tyre testing session carried out by Pirelli with the participation of Team Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 in Barcelona on 15-17 May 2013[1].
The FIA requested clarifications from Pirelli and Team Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 in this respect.
The FIA also asked questions to Scuderia Ferrari Team, which took part in a tyre testing with Pirelli in Barcelona on 23-24 April 2013.
The FIA requested all the other F1 Teams to provide the FIA with information they may have regarding any tests carried out by Pirelli during the 2013 season.
In the light of all the replies received and in view of the information gathered during this inquiry, the President of the FIA, acting as the FIA prosecuting body, has decided:
The FIA International Tribunal is called upon to make a decision in compliance with the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules.
[1] The Stewards’ report follows the protests made by Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Ferrari Team on the occasion of the Monaco Grand Prix against Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 concerning its participation in the Barcelona tests (15-17 May 2013).
Here are the preview quotes from the Mercedes F1 team ahead of the 2013 Canadian Grand Prix.
Nico Rosberg: The Canadian Grand Prix is always a great event as the fans in Montreal are so enthusiastic. The whole city really loves the race and it’s such a lively place to be over the weekend. We receive so much support out in Montreal and it’s great to see that enthusiasm. The circuit itself is one of my favourite tracks on the calendar and I love the challenge of driving there. It’s a very difficult layout to drive because of the low downforce levels required for the long straights and it will be tough on the tyres. Monaco was a fantastic weekend for the team and I’m so proud of the victory that we achieved there. We’ll be hoping to maintain that momentum in Canada this weekend and will be going all out for another strong performance.
Lewis Hamilton: The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has been a strong circuit for me and I’ve been lucky enough to win there three times in my career, including last season. It’s always a great weekend in Montreal with a fun atmosphere in the city and at the track. The circuit itself is really special; it’s very high-speed, great fun to drive and it’s definitely a track where late braking helps. It’s not too far off a Monaco-style circuit where you need a similar set-up to bounce off the kerbs so we should be quite competitive, although looking after the tyres will be our main challenge. There’s a really good feeling in the team at the moment following Nico’s win in Monaco and we’re continuing to work hard to make sure we have the potential for more victories this season.
Ross Brawn: The Canadian Grand Prix is always one of the most atmospheric races of the year and everyone looks forward to our annual visit to Montreal. The high-speed characteristics of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve make for a real set-up challenge where engine power, brakes and good tyre management are the key to having a successful weekend. The last race in Monaco was a very special weekend for our team, and moved us substantially closer to the top three in the Constructors’ Championship, but we know the hard work that lies ahead. Both Lewis and Nico have spent time in the factory with us since Monaco and with Paddy Lowe starting at Brackley today, I’m confident that all efforts are being made to sustain that level of performance.
Toto Wolff: We enjoyed a fantastic weekend in Monaco but, as I have said before, yesterday’s home runs don’t win tomorrow’s games. We will be heading to Montreal this week with realistic expectations about what we can achieve. The high-speed circuit will definitely suit our Mercedes-Benz engine. Our car has been on pole position for the last four races, which shows our basic speed, so the focus in that time has been on improving our performance on Sunday afternoons. We managed this in Monaco, partly thanks to the unique characteristics of the circuit. This weekend will give us a more representative indication of how much progress we have made.
Before start of the 2013 season Finland’s Valtteri Bottas was ‘the one to watch’ in most pundits’ opinion. 
However, since his debut with the Williams team the rookie hasn’t set the world alight. With the expectation of a competitive car well and truly out the window Bottas has admitted to fearing that his less than impressive ride is disguising his true potential.
“No one expected that we wouldn’t have any points until now because everyone was hoping we would make as step from last year,” he said. “The things I’m doing in the car, maybe some good things are very difficult to see from outside.
“That’s how it is now. All I can do is just do my best all the time.
“I have got positive feedback from the team and I’m still learning all the time and pace wise I’ve been matching Pastor, we’ve been very close.”
The Finn, under the management of Mika Hakkinen, has not caused him to worry about his future in the sport. “I just keep focused on the current race and then the next one and the next one,” he said.”It’s not the easiest first season, the car is quite tricky and we are trying to improve, so it’s definitely a big challenge for me – but I like challenges.”
Williams have not scored a single point in any of the first six races of the season in stark contrast to last year in which the team had racked up 44 points at the same stage.
Every single race since Kimi Raikkonen’s return to Formula 1 has had a point – literally.
Raikkonen returned to Formula 1 last year with the Lotus F1 team and has not been out of the points scoring position since the 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix where the Finn took second place – twenty three races in total.
As it stands, only one man has racked up more consecutive points finishes. Seven times Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher currently holds the record of twenty-four successive finishes in the points. Schumi’s run of finishes started, as Ferrari driver, with victory in the 2001 Hungarian Grand Prix and concluded with sixth place in 2003 Malaysian Grand Prix.
Naturally, Raikkonen is unfazed by the prospect of breaking Schumacher’s record. “I am sure that it will all stop at some point,” he said. “Obviously we always try to get points and do good races but it can be some small part (that breaks) and it will stop.”
Raikkonen’s consistency in 2013 has earned him the third position in the driver’s championship standings. But the Iceman is keeping it all in perspective. The Canadian Grand Prix is foremost on Raikkonen’s mind and he knows what a lottery the circuit Gilles Villeneuve can be. “The weather can change a lot, sometimes the tyres or the track aren’t working very well, sometimes there are a lot of safety cars, or sometimes another driver runs into the back of you when you’re waiting at a red light.”
A tenth place finish will guarantee Raikkonen the record of most consecutive points finishes but the 2007 champion will undoubtedly by aiming higher than that.