F1 Madness

Tag: bernie ecclestone

  • F1 2017: Monaco Gp Preview – The Eternally Sublime Monte Carlo

    F1 2017: Monaco Gp Preview – The Eternally Sublime Monte Carlo

    The Formula 1 paddock arrives in the Principality of Monaco this weekend for the sixth round of the 2017 season around the famous streets of Monte Carlo.

    The Monaco grand prix has long since been regarded at the most glamorous and prestigious race on the calendar. Celebrities pour into the Principality and parties spring up in every corner of the Monegasque country. But, truthfully, this isn’t what makes the Monaco grand prix exceptional. Instead it’s the severe juxtaposition of trying to thread an immensely fast racing car through such tight confines.

    Like the tickets to the grand prix passing is at a premium on the Monaco streets. Its tight and twisting nature means that any overtake is attempted is at a high risk. This year it will be exponentially more difficult given the increased width of the cars. The best opportunity for overtaking on this track has always been under braking into Ste Devote, turn one, and at the exit of the Tunnel under braking for the Nouvelle chicane. Traditionally, the start of a race has been the best time to make up positions and given the difficulty of overtaking here it could translate into a frenetic opening lap.

    A lap of the Antony Noghès circuit, at 3.3 km in length, lasts just over seventy-three seconds. But its intimidatingly tight and the walls lurk ready to punish the smallest of errors. “There is no such thing as a low risk lap in Monaco, it doesn’t exist if you want to be fast because you have to be on the limit,” says Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.  So unique is the Monaco grand prix that the first two practice session for the grand prix take place on Thursday.

    Monaco 2015_T1Track position around Monaco is king and For Red Bull and all other teams Saturday qualifying could be the most important day of the weekend given how challenging it is to overtake on the streets. While there are still 73 important laps to survive on Sunday a good lap in qualifying is nearly half the job done.

    The lesser focus on power unit performance could bring Red Bull into the mix, especially if they choose to optimize their one-lap performance. The Austrian team is still lacking quite a bit in race pace but has edged closer in quali-performance. Still, Mercedes and Ferrari should have enough in hand to see of the Ricciardo-Verstappen threat. The combination of tyre compound, ultra- and supersoft, will be to Ferrari’s advantage. The key to good tyre performance will be the ability of the driver to limit rear tyre wear.

    Felipe Massa_Monaco 2015An old friend returns to the paddock too in the form of Jenson Button who steps into Fernando Alonso’s McLaren cockpit while the Spaniard runs his first Indy 500 race in the United States. It certainly wont be an easy weekend for Button given McLaren’s woes. However, a few things will count in his favour. The race in Monaco is often a war of attrition and if he can manage to get to the chequered flag there is a possibility of scoring some points.

    The Honda-powered team is also introducing the second part of the major upgrade package in Monaco, which they hope will catapult them into the points paying positions. The final aspect in his favour this weekend is that JB is a bit of a Monaco specialist who has always shone on the Monaco streets.

    Though it is one of the shortest laps on the calendar and not as physically demanding as others the Monaco grand prix is the jewel in Formula 1’s crown and victory here means immortality.

  • Chase Carey Appointed as CEO of F1

    Chase Carey Appointed as CEO of F1

    After completing its acquisition of F1, new owners Liberty Media have announced that Chase Carey will take up the role as Chairman and CEO of the F1 Group.

    This confirms that Bernie Ecclestone’s tenure as F1 ringleader for 40-years has come to an end. As it was reported earlier the role of Honorary President was offered to Ecclestone which he admitted, did not know what it entailed. This role has now been clarified. Ecclestone will act as an adviser to the board of F1.

    Speaking about his appointment as CEO of F1, Chase Carey had this to say: “I am excited to be taking on the additional role of CEO.

    “F1 has huge potential with multiple untapped opportunities. I have enjoyed hearing from the fans, teams, FIA, promoters and sponsors on their ideas and hopes for the sport. We will work with all of these partners to enhance the racing experience and add new dimensions to the sport and we look forward to sharing these plans overtime.”

    “I would like to recognise and thank Bernie for his leadership over the decades. The sport is what it is today because of him and the talented team of executives he has led, and he will always be part of the F1 family.

    “Bernie’s role as Chairman Emeritus befits his tremendous contribution to the sport and I am grateful for his continued insight and guidance as we build F1 for long-term success and the enjoyment of all those involved.”

    Speaking about his honorary role Bernie had this to say: “I’m proud of the business that I built over the last 40 years and all that I have achieved with Formula 1, and would like to thank all of the promoters, teams, sponsors and television companies that I have worked with.

    “I’m very pleased that the business has been acquired by Liberty and that it intends to invest in the future of F1. I am sure that Chase will execute his role in a way that will benefit the sport.”

  • Rosberg’s shock retirement – a sad indication that something’s wrong with modern F1

    Rosberg’s shock retirement – a sad indication that something’s wrong with modern F1

    You know, I’ve been watching Formula One for a very long time. Since I can remember, really. I started watching F1 with my Dad when I was less than knee high to a brick. Schumacher!, Lauda!, Senna!, Prost!, Patrese!, Alesi!, Hunt!, and so many more iconic names were being exclaimed by good old Murray Walker. It was the best!

    Nico Rosberg retired from Formula One immediately after winning his damn hard fought for then 2016 World Championship title. As a parent of a pretty young kid who was born under the hashtag #F1baby, I’ll tell you it’s been a learning curve. Your priorities change when you become a parent.

    But Rosberg’s retirement is hitting a nerve with me. It’s hitting a nerve that says F1 is not what it used to be. You give me back the exclamations and sheer excitement of pure, unobliterated, uninhibited racing any frikken day or minute of the week! I miss that stuff. And I bet today’s F1 drivers – who are around my parental age by the way – feel a lot of the same. That excitement business is gone these days. This despite the valiant efforts of the misers to bring said excitement back while filling their pockets.

    Rosberg’s retirement brings up so many different emotions for me. I am torn though between the understanding that when you have a family priorities change, and then the feeling that these guys, these greatly exclaimed names, are no longer being allowed to just do what they love doing most. Racing their frikken hearts out. Don’t pass unless this guy’s moved this way, and don’t overtake if you’re hitting the brakes that way, and don’t drive a couple centimeters over this white line or there’ll be trouble, and let’s not even get into team orders. Multi-21 and move over XYZ is faster than you. And all the pressure of the media spotlight, analysing every little encounter on the track as we’ve now all been trained to do.

    Can we not just let the best racing drivers in the world … drive. Let them race their flippen hearts out! And why are we giving them anything but the best equipment anyway? These are the best damn drivers in the world. Or that’s what I grew up believing, anyway. They have the best technology at their fingertips but Bernie and his Formula One management continues to inhibit and restrict in order to increase the spectacle. Their goal is to increase viewership – i.e dollars/pounds in their bank accounts. But I feel as though miserly, greedy decisions are clouding the goal for fans, and drivers.

    None of exclaimed names back in the day would have backed away after winning a world championship. None of them. There’s no way they would have backed down. Back then the goal was to be the best racing driver of all time and that’s that. Get out on the track and do that. And they all loved it. Now? Now the pressure is insurmountable. I’ll be honest, I’m not a Rosberg fan. I’d be first to voice my opinion about his Sulky Sue faces when he’s losing, but the guy is a damn good racing driver. We’re losing one of the best drivers on our current grid. But as a parent, I get it. The pressure in today’s F1 is too much. You can’t just go out and drive to win.

    Rosberg’s news really concerns me. Why are we limiting the limitless? Formula One is such a spectacular sport and I will never stop watching. But if drivers aren’t passionate anymore because of all this incredible pressure, and our drivers stop wanting to drive … we’re going to have nothing left to watch eventually.

  • Ecclestone’s mother-in-law kidnapped, held for $36.5 million ransom

    Ecclestone’s mother-in-law kidnapped, held for $36.5 million ransom

    Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone’s mother-in-law has been kidnapped in Brazil and is being held for a ransom of $36.5 million. This is according to reports in Brazilian magazine Veja.

    Aparecida Schunk is the mother of Ecclestone’s third wife Fabiana Flosi and according to reports, the 67 year old was kidnapped in Sao Paulo on Friday night. No further details have yet been provided and local police are yet to confirm the reports. Ecclestone has also not commented on the reports.

    According to Veja, the kidnappers have demanded that the ransom of 120million Reals (approximately $US36.5 million or £28 million) for her return. This is the highest recorded ransom demand for an abduction in Brazil. It is reported that the kidnappers have stipulated the ransom money be paid in pounds sterling and split into four plastic bags.

    This is not the first time that Ecclestone has been targeted by kidnappers. A 2012 report indicates that a dental technician was found guilty of threatening to kidnap Ecclestone’s daughter, Tamara. He was sentenced to five years in prison.

    Ecclestone is estimated to be worth an estimated $3.1bn (£2.4bn).

  • F1 2016: Spanish GP Preview – All eyes on Spain

    F1 2016: Spanish GP Preview – All eyes on Spain

    Traditionally the first European race of the F1 season sees a raft of updates made to the cars. It’s no different in 2016 as teams look to take a crucial step forward at Spain’s Circuit de Catalunya.

    Red Bull Racing dropped the bombshell a few days after the Russian grand prix that Dannil Kvyat and Max Verstappen would swop seats. Ostensibly, the move appears to have been made following Kvyat’s attempt at playing bumper cars with Sebastian Vettel in Russia but there’s a fair bit more at play than that.

    For one, Russian driver Kvyat hasn’t been that impressive in the Red Bull alongside Daniel Ricciardo. Then, there’s that incident with the Ferrari in Russia. However, neither of these two things are enough to warrant a demotion to the junior team. Drivers go through indifferent patches and make mistakes but they aren’t dropped at the first sign of strife, usually. Romain Grosjean’s troublesome season at Lotus and Pastor Maldonado’s F1 career is testament to the fact that teams usually stick it out. But not in Kvyat’s case.

    daniil-kvyatThe incident in Russia is nothing more than an excuse to promote Verstappen from Toro Rosso into the senior team. While the teenaged Dutch driver may be singing Red Bull’s praises and swearing that he’s never looked elsewhere for a drive we know better. Despite being in only his second F1 season it’s obvious that Verstappen has enormous potential. This makes him a hot commodity for other teams and there’s no better way to keep him close than to move him to the senior team.  Well played Red Bull.

    What a difference twelve months can make. In 2015 Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg arrived at the Spanish grand prix under pressure to perform. This time around he arrives at the fifth round of the season with four race wins under the belt and a dominant lead over teammate Lewis Hamilton in the standings. Now the questions shifts from can Nico do it to can he keep doing it? The German is convinced that Hamilton will hit back soon and he’s likely right. However, it’s also a great mental space Rosberg to operate in – take it one race and one lap at a time and don’t take it for granted.

    Besides a bit of brooding on the Russian Gp podium Hamilton has appeared decidedly chilled, even apathetic, to his dreadful run so far in 2016. But don’t be fooled by his supposedly indifferent approach. The reigning champ more than has the skill to hit back hard and just needs to find the sweet-spot for it to be unleashed.

    TEST PRE CAMPIONATO F1/2016 - T2 - BARCELLONA (SPAGNA)From the Ferrari garage the hope is that the performance deficit in the last race was specific to the circuit. It could’ve been given that the Russian circuit is power dominant. But though they may be closer in Spain it will extremely tough to beat the Silver Arrows around Catalunya.

    McLaren, already vastly improved in 2016, is planning to introduce a significant upgrade to their car this weekend. They hope that a new floor, wings, and various bits of other bodywork will be enough to propel them into the top ten in qualifying and a solid points score with both cars.

    The Haas F1 Team will run the upgraded Ferrari engine, introduced in Russia, in Spain. The Renault team will run an updated version of their front and rear wings in the hopes of upping their game in a tight mid-field battle.

    Seven drivers on the current grid have won the Spanish grand prix and thanks to its status as a test venue everyone knows their way around these parts. But as familiar as they are with the Circuit de Catalunya it doesn’t do anything to lessen the challenge.

  • F1 2016: Qualifying Officially Returns to 2015 Format

    F1 2016: Qualifying Officially Returns to 2015 Format

    The World Motorsport Council (WMSC) officially approved a change to the 2015 Qualifying for F1 on Monday by e-vote.

    This turn around was prompted by teams standing united against a proposed aggregate qualifying solution. The widespread condemnation of the new 2016 format from fans and teams sent F1 management and the FIA scrambling for a change. After a few obstacles where teams were not happy to accept a hybrid approach where the 2015 and 2016 would be used together, the teams stood together and unanimously agreed not to accept the aggregate qualifying format.

    The FIA and F1 management finally agreed to return to the 2015 format which was ratified by the FIA and the WMSC. In return, teams will explore new avenues to change up the race weekend format together with a new qualifying format.

    Statement from the FIA:

    “The World Motor Sport Council today approved, via e-vote, the decision to revert to last season’s qualification format for the remainder of the 2016 FIA Formula One World Championship.

    The format, where the slowest six cars are eliminated at the end of the first two qualifying sessions before a final ten-car shootout for Pole in Q3, will return for this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix.”

  • Formula One teams take a stand to save F1 qualifying

    Formula One teams take a stand to save F1 qualifying

    All eleven Formula One teams have taken a stand against the proposed aggregate F1 qualifying format, as well as the current elimination style F1 qualifying format, in a letter to F1 bosses.

    It is reported that teams have unanimously demanded that the sport reverts to the 2015 F1 season qualifying format in an effort to do what they consider to be in the best interests of F1 fans and the sport in general.

    The letter was sent F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, commercial rights holders CVC Capital Partners, and to FIA president Jean Todt. In the letter, teams unanimously reject the aggregate F1 qualifying format which was proposed at a meeting in Bahrain on Sunday between the teams, Ecclestone, Todt, and Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery.

    Thusfar, Todt and Ecclestone have stood firm on their opinion that reverting to the F1 qualifying format used from the 2006 – 2015 Formula One seasons and have refused to put it back on the table to be voted upon. Both believe that since teams voted the current elimination style F1 qualifying format in, they will have to continue with it, or come up with an alternative solution. This despite the added opposition from drivers and F1 fans since the knockout format was introduced.

    Given the strong opposition on both sides, it would seem we will be stuck with the elimination format for the Chinese Grand Prix, unless either side changes their position before the race weekend.

    There has been no comment from Todt, Ecclestone, or CVC Capital following receipt of the letter as yet.

  • Hamilton secures pole as F1’s new qualifying fails to deliver

    Hamilton secures pole as F1’s new qualifying fails to deliver

    Lewis Hamilton secured pole position for the Australian Grand Prix in the debut of Formula One’s new elimination style qualifying format which has been widely criticised and can be described as nothing short of farcical.

    Hamilton finished 0.360s clear of his Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg, but the session was decided and all drivers out of their cars with over three minutes left on the clock. There was not a single car on the track for the final 5 minutes of the session and drivers were walking down the pit lane to get weighed in while there was still time left in the session.

    There was no frantic final shootout, no final flurry of lap times, nobody rushing for the line to secure their positions on the grid. Just driver after driver accepting their fate and leaving the final minutes of qualifying to the two Mercedes drivers to decide which of them would start ahead of the other.

    The live elimination format also failed to deliver on the mixed up grid that F1’s decision makers had hoped for and pretty much castrated Q3 of the first qualifying session of the 2016 Formula One season.

    Ferrari, who should’ve been shooting it out at the front with the Mercs opted to complete just one run in what seemed to be a bid to save tyres for the race. The gap between Hamilton on pole and Sebastian Vettel who finished third on the grid stood at 0.838s with Kimi Raikkonen finishing fourth place – 1.196s off Hamilton’s time.

    Australian GP Qualifying - Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
    Photo: Scuderia Ferrari

    Vettel said he couldn’t see why everyone was surprised. “We all said what is going to happen. It happened,” he said.

    “We were told to wait and see. Now we saw and I don’t think it was very exciting.

    “It was a bit crazy in the beginning with all the cars pushing and trying to do a lap before they get kicked out so managing traffic is busy but for no reason because the time is there in the session to do it.

    “For the people in the grandstands, I don’t feel it is right way to go as there are no cars to watch. They want to see Lewis, Nico, Kimi whoever pushing to limit at the end of the session when the track is supposed to be at its best.

    “I don’t think we need the criticism now, we had the criticism already but surely it is wrong way to go. That is what we said.”

    Max Verstappen secured his best qualifying result finishing fifth on the grid for Toro Rosso after a single Q3 attempt, ahead of Felipe Massa, Carlos Sainz Jr. and Daniel Ricciardo.

    The new rules resulted in the bottom three in Q3 limited to just one lap before the clock caught up with them and they were knocked out. The top eight will all start the race on the super-soft tyres they used to set their fastest time in Q2.

    The majority of the action in qualifying came from the opening stages of each session with the flurry of confusion and excitement in Q1 setting everyone up extreme anticlimactic disappointment. What should have been a thrilling introduction to the 2016 Formula One season – especially after the exciting build-up in FP3 – ended up an absolute disaster, or as Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff called it, “rubbish”.

    Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg were 9th and 10th respectively and opted to return to the pits rather than attempt another lap and get themselves through to Q3. Valterri Bottas’ minor error at the final corner without enough time to finish another lap (instead of only being required to make it over the line to start another one) saw him finish in 11th place.

    Australian GP Qualifying - McLaren
    Photo: McLaren-Honda

    McLaren had impressed in FP3 and there were great expectations that we would see at least one of the two Woking machines in Q3, but seemed to have been caught out by the new format with Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button also being caught out by the 90 second clock and finishing 12th and 13th on the grid.

    Renault made it through to Q2 albeit significantly off the pace. Joylon Palmer and Kevin Magnussen could only manage 14th and 15th respectively.

    The absolute confusion of the Q1 session saw Daniil Kvyat being knocked out while he was in the pits and missing the cut for Q2 along with the Sauber, Haas and Manor drivers.

    The FIA are clearly going to have to rethink the introduction of this format. The majority of the drivers have come out saying that the new qualifying format does not work and team principals are not impressed either.

    It’s important to reminder that these are the folks who voted this new qualifying format in but it would seem they’re ready to eat the humble pie and call for change.

    Australian GP Qualifying - Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing
    Photo: Red Bull / Getty

    Red Bull team boss Christian Horner believes the sport needs to apologise to Formula 1 fans and called for the new qualifing format to be scrapped immediately.

    “It didn’t really work for me,” Horner said. “We have not really put on a show.

    “To have Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen in fast cars not taking part with five minutes to go is wrong.

    “We need to learn from it and address it quickly. I think it needs to be done for Bahrain, personally.”

    Niki Lauda also came out saying that the new qualifying format was “terrible” and added that Bernie Ecclestone and Jean Todt make decisions without discussions with anyone else and then only present them to the teams to vote.

    Australian GP Qualifying - Toto Wolff, Mercedes AMG Petronas
    Photo: Mercedes AMG Petronas

    Toto Wolff didn’t hold back either, “I’m the first person to say that we shouldn’t talk the sport down but when the evidence is there before your eyes, you cannot shut them and deny reality,” he said.

    “The new format is pretty rubbish – much too complicated to follow and a damp squib at the end with nobody running. These were the downsides that we expected to see – and they outweigh the upsides, that much is clear now.

    “We wanted to listen to the promoters who were calling for a change – but my personal opinion is that we have found the wrong solution and we need to think carefully about what we do next.”

    Opinions have been flying around Twitter since the disastrous end to the qualifying session as well.

    Twitter user @GrandPrixDiary drew a very good analogy which summed up the second half of qualifying quite well:

    Adam Cooper raised the issue around Q2 drivers in 9th and 10th not fighting to get through to Q3:

     

    Joe Saward also summed things up pretty well:

     

    At the time of writing, our @F1_Madness poll has a very telling story to tell. Over 75% of voters feel that the new qualifying format is “utter rubbish”.

    Even F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is unimpressed with qualifying, saying that, “It was pretty crap. But this is what we’ve got, until we can change it.” Let’s hope that happens soon.

     

  • Italian Grand Prix close to securing 7 year Monza deal

    Italian Grand Prix close to securing 7 year Monza deal

    Formula One’s Temple of Speed, the historic and spectacular Monza, is closing in on a new deal to secure a seven year deal for hosting the Italian Grand Prix.

    The future of the circuit has been in some doubt for a while now after failing to agree to new terms for an extension beyond 2016 with F1 supremo Berni Ecclestone. Financial issues led to Ecclestone stating last August that there was a “good chance” that Monza could be dropped. A number of alternatives to Monza for hosting the Italian Grand Prix. These included the possibility of taking the race to Imola – hosts of the former San Marino Grand Prix.

    Italian Grand Prix Monza 2015A new deal has however become more affordable for Monza, with an amendment to Italy’s Stability Law which now allows the Automobile Club of Italy (ACI) to aid with funding the event in the future.

    ACI chief Angelo Sticchi Damiani reported that they are “close” to signing a seven year deal with the FOM and says that talks for a new deal are now progressing well. He expressed his confidence in a deal being completed soon to keep Monza on the Formula One calendar.

    “The Autodromo di Monza has had difficult times, but the worst is over and now we are close to signing with Ecclestone to have Formula One in Brianza for another seven years,” he told the Gazzetta dello Sport.”We’re going to win a battle that led to the ACI making tremendous sacrifices.”

    Monza is the fastest fastest circuit on the F1 calendar and has featured in every Formule One world championship season except 1980.

  • Mandate To Change F1 Given to Ecclestone and Todt

    Mandate To Change F1 Given to Ecclestone and Todt

    The World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) has approved a mandate to FIA President Jean Todt and Formula 1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone to make changes to the sport.

    Ecclestone and Todt will put forward their proposal by 31 January 2016 with will tackle issues such as governance and Power Units and cost reductions.

    “The World Motor Sport Council approved, by a near unanimous number (just one vote against), a mandate for the FIA President, Jean Todt and the Representative of the Commercial Rights Holder, Bernie Ecclestone to make recommendations and decisions regarding a number of pressing issues in Formula One such as governance, Power Units and cost reduction,” read the statement by the FIA.

    Changes to the technical regulations were also approved. A new manufacturer entering the sport will be allocated 15 development tokens for their first year in the sport and 32 tokens for the second year.

    The power unit tokens for in season development for current teams will be allocated as follows:

    • 2016: 32 tokens
    • 2017: 25 tokens
    • 2018: 20 tokens
    • 2019: 15 tokens

    Sporting Regulation Changes

    • Formula 1 tyre supplier, Pirelli, will now provide three dry weather compounds per race instead of two.
    • Of the 13 sets of tyre available to the driver over the race weekend, Pirelli will choose two sets for the race(one of which must be used in the race) and one set of the softest compound available that can only be used in Q3. A driver will then be able to choose their remaining 10 sets from the available compounds.
    • If a race is declared a dry race, a drive must use at least two different dry-weather tyre compounds, of which one set must be the set chosen by Pirelli.
    • DRS will now be enabled immediately after the Virtual Safety Car (VSC) period. The VSC has also been extended to be used in Free Practice to minimise stoppages in the session.
    • Power units that were homologated in the previous season may be re-homologated for 2016.
    • The FIA have agreed to supply a fourth customer team with a 2015-specification power unit for 2016. Under the 2015 sporting regulations no manufacturer could supply more that one specification Power Unit. i.e. current year and previous year specification engines were not allowed.

    With the confirmation that Ferrari is supplying a fourth team next year, we can safely assume that the fourth team is Toro Rosso.