Tuesday, 22 October 2013
Daniil Kvyat to join Toro Rosso
In a surprise move, the teenager, who competes in GP3, will partner Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne, who has been retained for a third season.
Kvyat replaces Daniel Ricciardo, who has been promoted to Red Bull to fill the seat vacated by Mark Webber.
Toro Rosso team boss Franz Tost said Kvyat earned his seat with a "strong performance" during a test in July.
Portuguese Antonio Felix Da Costa had been next in line to replace Australian Ricciardo but has been overlooked after a mixed season driving in the Renault 3.5 category.
Da Costa said on his Twitter feed: "It hurts but it's like this. I'm happy for Daniil."
Kvyat described his promotion as "fantastic" and "a dream come true".
Tost said Kvyat had given "very informative technical feedback" at the young driver test at Silverstone.
"This suggests that the basic qualities from which he can progress are all in place," said Tost.
"Daniil can be sure that we will use all our experience of training youngsters to give him the best possible start to his Formula 1 career."
Webber will quit F1 at the end of the season to forge a new career leading Porsche's endurance racing programme.
At 19 years and 320 days by the time of the 2014 Australian GP, Kvyat will not be the youngest driver to debut in F1.
Competing in Formula 1 as a teenager is rare, but seven other drivers have taken part as 19-year-olds, as early as in the '60s with Mike Thackwell and Chris Amon.
The sport's two current best drivers Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso made their debuts at the age of 19. Vettel at the 2007 United States Grand Prix for BMW Sauber, finishing seventh. Alonso at the 2001 Australian Grand Prix for Minardi, finishing 12th.
Friday, 23 December 2011
Eddie Jordan On Force India
"Force India are one of the big surprises of the year - they have improved significantly after a poor start to the season.
"A lot of people thought they would struggle after losing technical director Mark Smith to Lotus, but that hasn't happened.
"They are a very honest team; they tell you how it is.
"They have done a good job with their drivers - they had three very, very good drivers there this year in Adrian Sutil, Paul di Resta and reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg and I think they have been fair with them.
"That's why you saw Hulkenberg doing his media work without being disgruntled, even though he had to step back from a race seat at Williams last year.
"His loyalty is being rewarded with a race drive in 2012 alongside Paul di Resta, who has had a very impressive rookie season."
"A lot of people thought they would struggle after losing technical director Mark Smith to Lotus, but that hasn't happened.
"They are a very honest team; they tell you how it is.
"They have done a good job with their drivers - they had three very, very good drivers there this year in Adrian Sutil, Paul di Resta and reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg and I think they have been fair with them.
"That's why you saw Hulkenberg doing his media work without being disgruntled, even though he had to step back from a race seat at Williams last year.
"His loyalty is being rewarded with a race drive in 2012 alongside Paul di Resta, who has had a very impressive rookie season."
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Interview with the Force India.
Adrian Sutil: “We have to push on for the next three races”
Adrian Sutil made Q3 once again in Korea, having taken ninth place in Q2. However he traded grid places with team mate Paul Di Resta when the latter went out and did a run, and Adrian did not. The team decided to split its strategies again. As the car ahead, Paul started on the supersofts, while Adrian was on the softs. In the end he crossed the line in 11th place, just missing out on the points. We asked him about Korea and the next race in India
You just missed the top 10 in Korea. How would you sum up the weekend up?
“Of course, 11th is always an unlucky position! We did our maximum. So I missed a point, but anyway 10th position is not enough for us, we have to put more pressure on our competitors to actually stay ahead of them and finish in sixth in the constructors’ championship. So we have to push on for the next three races.”
You started on the prime soft tyre. Was it hard to compete with those around you on the supersoft?
“Yes, the supersoft worked a little bit better in the opening laps. I could still follow the other cars, so that was quite encouraging. But it didn’t really improve during the race. Whatever set we had on, I had so much understeer in the car, and I suffered quite a lot in the corners with a weak front. So I couldn’t push, I had to defend the whole time.”
In the end you and Paul both lost out to the Toro Rossos.
“Yes, they were very fast. One passed me on the track, the other in the pits I think. We were just not fast enough, and they could I think use their tyres a bit better.”
In Japan a Sauber was ahead of Force India at the flag, and then in Korea STR was in front, and Sauber nowhere. Meanwhile you have more or less remained consistent.
“We are very consistent, but with this points system you only get one point for 10th, but if you have a good race and get seventh, you get more points, and then you make the difference! I would rather have an inconsistent car, but for some races a very quick one. At the moment we are around ninth and 10th, it’s a little bit difficult.”
The next race is an important one for the team – are you excited about it?
“We are all looking forward to it; it’s a special event. It’s the home Grand Prix of the team, and the first ever Indian GP. It’s going to be special, and very busy, with a lot of work, a lot of PR stuff, so I’ll be there the whole week. Our focus is the same; we’re going to try our best as we always do, and see what comes out.”
You have been to India many times for PR events and so on. Do you enjoy it?
“Yes, the culture is very different. You can have a good time, and it’s always big adventure to be there. People are very friendly, and the food is amazing, so you can enjoy yourself.”
Are you expecting to see a lot of Sahara Force India fans?
“I think we’re going to have a lot of fans. I hope it’s the only race where we have more than Ferrari! Let’s see what comes out. I hope the track will be crowded and a lot of people come.”
Adrian Sutil made Q3 once again in Korea, having taken ninth place in Q2. However he traded grid places with team mate Paul Di Resta when the latter went out and did a run, and Adrian did not. The team decided to split its strategies again. As the car ahead, Paul started on the supersofts, while Adrian was on the softs. In the end he crossed the line in 11th place, just missing out on the points. We asked him about Korea and the next race in India
You just missed the top 10 in Korea. How would you sum up the weekend up?
“Of course, 11th is always an unlucky position! We did our maximum. So I missed a point, but anyway 10th position is not enough for us, we have to put more pressure on our competitors to actually stay ahead of them and finish in sixth in the constructors’ championship. So we have to push on for the next three races.”
You started on the prime soft tyre. Was it hard to compete with those around you on the supersoft?
“Yes, the supersoft worked a little bit better in the opening laps. I could still follow the other cars, so that was quite encouraging. But it didn’t really improve during the race. Whatever set we had on, I had so much understeer in the car, and I suffered quite a lot in the corners with a weak front. So I couldn’t push, I had to defend the whole time.”
In the end you and Paul both lost out to the Toro Rossos.
“Yes, they were very fast. One passed me on the track, the other in the pits I think. We were just not fast enough, and they could I think use their tyres a bit better.”
In Japan a Sauber was ahead of Force India at the flag, and then in Korea STR was in front, and Sauber nowhere. Meanwhile you have more or less remained consistent.
“We are very consistent, but with this points system you only get one point for 10th, but if you have a good race and get seventh, you get more points, and then you make the difference! I would rather have an inconsistent car, but for some races a very quick one. At the moment we are around ninth and 10th, it’s a little bit difficult.”
The next race is an important one for the team – are you excited about it?
“We are all looking forward to it; it’s a special event. It’s the home Grand Prix of the team, and the first ever Indian GP. It’s going to be special, and very busy, with a lot of work, a lot of PR stuff, so I’ll be there the whole week. Our focus is the same; we’re going to try our best as we always do, and see what comes out.”
You have been to India many times for PR events and so on. Do you enjoy it?
“Yes, the culture is very different. You can have a good time, and it’s always big adventure to be there. People are very friendly, and the food is amazing, so you can enjoy yourself.”
Are you expecting to see a lot of Sahara Force India fans?
“I think we’re going to have a lot of fans. I hope it’s the only race where we have more than Ferrari! Let’s see what comes out. I hope the track will be crowded and a lot of people come.”
Thursday, 29 July 2010
The Horse may be stop prancing!!
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has slammed the "hypocrisy" of those who have criticised Fernando Alonso's victory in Sunday's German Grand Prix.
Ferrari have been fined $100,000 for appearing to give Felipe Massa a coded order to allow Alonso through to win and referred to F1's governing body.
But Montezemolo replied: "Enough of the hypocrisy. This has always happened."
"If one races for Ferrari, then the interests of the team come before those of the individual," he added.
The result at Hockenheim put Alonso firmly back in what looks a five-way fight for the drivers' championship, with McLaren pair Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, and Red Bull duo Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber the others in with a realistic chance of battling for the title.
The controversial incident occurred when Massa, marking the first anniversary of his near-fatal crash in Hungary, was given a veiled radio message on lap 47 indicating that the Spaniard was the faster of the two drivers and, two laps later, the Brazilian slowed to let Alonso past.
It prompted heavy criticism from outside the Ferrari camp, though, with the likes of Button, Red Bull boss Christian Horner and BBC F1 pundit Eddie Jordan questioning the Italian team's race strategy
Montezemolo remained unrepentant, though, telling the Ferrari website : "The polemics are of no interest to me.
"These things have happened since the days of (Tazio) Nuvolari (a Ferrari driver in the 1930s) and I experienced it myself when I was sporting director, in the days of Niki Lauda.
"Therefore, enough of this hypocrisy, even if I can well believe that some people might well have liked to see our two drivers eliminate one another, but that is definitely not the case for me or indeed for our fans.
"I am very happy for all our fans who finally saw two Ferraris lead from start to finish as they dominated the race.
"The result is down to the efforts of all our people, who never give up.
"Now we have to continue working like this, to improve the car so that is competitive at all the circuits we will encounter.
"Alonso and Massa also did very well, giving their all throughout the weekend."
PAST TEAM ORDERS INCIDENTS
Jerez 1997: McLaren order David Coulthard to let Mika Hakkinen past to win
Australia 1998: McLaren order Coulthard to let Hakkinen past to win
Belgium 1998: Jordan order Ralf Schumacher not to race Damon Hill for the lead
Austria 2002: Ferrari order Rubens Barrichello to let Michael Schumacher past to win
Monaco 2007: McLaren order Lewis Hamilton not to challenge Fernando Alonso for the race win
Brazil 2007: Ferrari manipulate Felipe Massa's pit stop to put Kimi Raikkonen into the lead so he can win the world title
Germany 2008: Heikki Kovalainen lets McLaren team-mate Hamilton through so he can win the race following an error in team tactics
Singapore 2008: Renault order Nelson Piquet to crash to cause a safety car period that helps Alonso win
China 2008: Raikkonen hands Massa second place behind Hamilton so he is in a better championship position heading into the final race
Alonso is now 34 points behind championship leader Hamilton with eight races remaining, while Massa, who had failed to score a single point in the previous three races, is 38 points adrift of his Spanish team-mate.
Ferrari have been fined $100,000 for appearing to give Felipe Massa a coded order to allow Alonso through to win and referred to F1's governing body.
But Montezemolo replied: "Enough of the hypocrisy. This has always happened."
"If one races for Ferrari, then the interests of the team come before those of the individual," he added.
The result at Hockenheim put Alonso firmly back in what looks a five-way fight for the drivers' championship, with McLaren pair Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, and Red Bull duo Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber the others in with a realistic chance of battling for the title.
The controversial incident occurred when Massa, marking the first anniversary of his near-fatal crash in Hungary, was given a veiled radio message on lap 47 indicating that the Spaniard was the faster of the two drivers and, two laps later, the Brazilian slowed to let Alonso past.
It prompted heavy criticism from outside the Ferrari camp, though, with the likes of Button, Red Bull boss Christian Horner and BBC F1 pundit Eddie Jordan questioning the Italian team's race strategy
Montezemolo remained unrepentant, though, telling the Ferrari website : "The polemics are of no interest to me.
"These things have happened since the days of (Tazio) Nuvolari (a Ferrari driver in the 1930s) and I experienced it myself when I was sporting director, in the days of Niki Lauda.
"Therefore, enough of this hypocrisy, even if I can well believe that some people might well have liked to see our two drivers eliminate one another, but that is definitely not the case for me or indeed for our fans.
"I am very happy for all our fans who finally saw two Ferraris lead from start to finish as they dominated the race.
"The result is down to the efforts of all our people, who never give up.
"Now we have to continue working like this, to improve the car so that is competitive at all the circuits we will encounter.
"Alonso and Massa also did very well, giving their all throughout the weekend."
PAST TEAM ORDERS INCIDENTS
Jerez 1997: McLaren order David Coulthard to let Mika Hakkinen past to win
Australia 1998: McLaren order Coulthard to let Hakkinen past to win
Belgium 1998: Jordan order Ralf Schumacher not to race Damon Hill for the lead
Austria 2002: Ferrari order Rubens Barrichello to let Michael Schumacher past to win
Monaco 2007: McLaren order Lewis Hamilton not to challenge Fernando Alonso for the race win
Brazil 2007: Ferrari manipulate Felipe Massa's pit stop to put Kimi Raikkonen into the lead so he can win the world title
Germany 2008: Heikki Kovalainen lets McLaren team-mate Hamilton through so he can win the race following an error in team tactics
Singapore 2008: Renault order Nelson Piquet to crash to cause a safety car period that helps Alonso win
China 2008: Raikkonen hands Massa second place behind Hamilton so he is in a better championship position heading into the final race
Alonso is now 34 points behind championship leader Hamilton with eight races remaining, while Massa, who had failed to score a single point in the previous three races, is 38 points adrift of his Spanish team-mate.
Monaco Baby !!
The Monaco Grand Prix will remain on the calendar for the next decade after securing a new 10-year deal with Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
The iconic Monte Carlo street race, won by Red Bull's Mark Webber in 2010, will next be held on 29 May in 2011.
Ecclestone previously suggested F1 did not need Monaco, saying: "We can do without Monaco, they don't pay enough."
But Ecclestone met Automobile Club de Monaco president Michel Boeri in London and agreed the new deal.
The Monaco Grand Prix dates back to 1929 and the new deal will ensure F1 returns to Monaco every year until 2020.
The iconic Monte Carlo street race, won by Red Bull's Mark Webber in 2010, will next be held on 29 May in 2011.
Ecclestone previously suggested F1 did not need Monaco, saying: "We can do without Monaco, they don't pay enough."
But Ecclestone met Automobile Club de Monaco president Michel Boeri in London and agreed the new deal.
The Monaco Grand Prix dates back to 1929 and the new deal will ensure F1 returns to Monaco every year until 2020.
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
All agree on the rules dudes!!!
The 13 Formula One teams who have entered the 2010 world championship have been told by FIA president Max Mosley that unanimous agreement is required in order to change rules for next season.
According to autosport.com, Mosley has written to members of the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) to tell them they need the consent of the five other outfits intending to make the 2010 grid if they want to change the regulations.
Mosley also wrote to the two existing teams outside FOTA, Williams and Force India, as well as new entrants Campos Meta, US F1 and Manor Grand Prix - the latter three having entered F1 with the intention of adhering to the FIA's £40 million budget cap.
FOTA teams threatened to form a breakaway series last month in protest at the latter rule, which they eventually persuaded the FIA to replace with an agreement to reduce spending to levels seen in the early 1990s.
The manufacturer-backed teams that dominate FOTA have promised to provide technical support, including cut-price engines and gearboxes, for the new outfits but Mosley has reminded them that the decision to replace the cap has yet to be formalised.
"Article 66 of the International Sporting Code states that no change can be made to the published regulations without the agreement of all confirmed entrants," the letter to the non-FOTA members read.
"As a result, changes to the 2010 regulations require your agreement and consent.
"I would therefore ask you engage as a matter of urgency with the FOTA teams to seek agreement and to formalise the above principals into suitable contracts and propose a draft set of FIA regulations that all teams are satisfied with.
"Should significant problems arise, I shall be glad to involve the FIA Senate, but I hope this will not be necessary.
"Once these arrangements have been finalised to your satisfaction, you will need to notify the FIA so that the regulations can be formally amended."
With the German Grand Prix to be held this weekend, teams entered in next year's championship are set to meet at the Nurburgring on Wednesday to discuss the new regulations
According to autosport.com, Mosley has written to members of the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) to tell them they need the consent of the five other outfits intending to make the 2010 grid if they want to change the regulations.
Mosley also wrote to the two existing teams outside FOTA, Williams and Force India, as well as new entrants Campos Meta, US F1 and Manor Grand Prix - the latter three having entered F1 with the intention of adhering to the FIA's £40 million budget cap.
FOTA teams threatened to form a breakaway series last month in protest at the latter rule, which they eventually persuaded the FIA to replace with an agreement to reduce spending to levels seen in the early 1990s.
The manufacturer-backed teams that dominate FOTA have promised to provide technical support, including cut-price engines and gearboxes, for the new outfits but Mosley has reminded them that the decision to replace the cap has yet to be formalised.
"Article 66 of the International Sporting Code states that no change can be made to the published regulations without the agreement of all confirmed entrants," the letter to the non-FOTA members read.
"As a result, changes to the 2010 regulations require your agreement and consent.
"I would therefore ask you engage as a matter of urgency with the FOTA teams to seek agreement and to formalise the above principals into suitable contracts and propose a draft set of FIA regulations that all teams are satisfied with.
"Should significant problems arise, I shall be glad to involve the FIA Senate, but I hope this will not be necessary.
"Once these arrangements have been finalised to your satisfaction, you will need to notify the FIA so that the regulations can be formally amended."
With the German Grand Prix to be held this weekend, teams entered in next year's championship are set to meet at the Nurburgring on Wednesday to discuss the new regulations
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
This is no joke FIA
Brawn GP chief executive Nick Fry warned the FIA that the FOTA teams are serious about forming a breakaway series if no agreement is met over next season.
The message comes ahead of what Fry sees as a "critical" meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Paris on Wednesday as they address the row that has threatened the existence of Formula One.
FIA president Max Mosley has so far belittled certain members of FOTA - describing them as "loonies" - and derided the organisation itself, claiming it has no chance of succeeding.
Mosley seems unconcerned about the FOTA threat and believes they will fall into line, but Brawn chief Fry has insisted the threat of a breakaway series is a very real one.
"The alternative championship is a very realistic proposition. It's not an idle threat as some people hope," Fry said.
The message comes ahead of what Fry sees as a "critical" meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Paris on Wednesday as they address the row that has threatened the existence of Formula One.
FIA president Max Mosley has so far belittled certain members of FOTA - describing them as "loonies" - and derided the organisation itself, claiming it has no chance of succeeding.
Mosley seems unconcerned about the FOTA threat and believes they will fall into line, but Brawn chief Fry has insisted the threat of a breakaway series is a very real one.
"The alternative championship is a very realistic proposition. It's not an idle threat as some people hope," Fry said.
The handbrake is still on for FOTA
The Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) has poured cold water on suggestions from FIA president Max Mosley that the two sides are "very close" to reaching a compromise over the future of Formula One.
Speaking ahead of Sunday's British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Mosley appeared genuine when he talked of the prospect of reaching an agreement.
The 69-year-old even went so far as to suggest writs due to be served against FOTA and Ferrari on Monday would likely be delayed in the wake of conversations staged over the weekend.
However, bosses of the FOTA teams were left bemused by Mosley's remarks as they are ploughing ahead with plans for a breakaway series, regardless of whether legal action is taken against them.
McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh, when asked whether any progress had been made, replied: "No, I don't think so.
Speaking ahead of Sunday's British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Mosley appeared genuine when he talked of the prospect of reaching an agreement.
The 69-year-old even went so far as to suggest writs due to be served against FOTA and Ferrari on Monday would likely be delayed in the wake of conversations staged over the weekend.
However, bosses of the FOTA teams were left bemused by Mosley's remarks as they are ploughing ahead with plans for a breakaway series, regardless of whether legal action is taken against them.
McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh, when asked whether any progress had been made, replied: "No, I don't think so.
I wish Briatore had the same passion for QPR !
The dispute intensified over the course of the British Grand Prix weekend, with Mosley describing a certain element within FOTA as "loonies". He in particular claimed that Renault team boss Briatore wanted to be the new Bernie Ecclestone by taking control of the sport.
Briatore made an angry response, warning Mosley not to drag the row down to a personal level and referring to newspaper allegations about the F1 chief's private life.
"Max is going personal all the time. I'm too much of a gentleman to go personal." Briatore said.
"I don't want to personally describe what Max is because in his private life we have already had a demonstration of what he was in the News of the World.
"If there is somebody who needs to be very quiet in their personal life, it's him."
Briatore, who arrived at Silverstone in a helicopter with Mosley and Ecclestone, jokingly remarked that "everybody had a parachute".
Briatore made an angry response, warning Mosley not to drag the row down to a personal level and referring to newspaper allegations about the F1 chief's private life.
"Max is going personal all the time. I'm too much of a gentleman to go personal." Briatore said.
"I don't want to personally describe what Max is because in his private life we have already had a demonstration of what he was in the News of the World.
"If there is somebody who needs to be very quiet in their personal life, it's him."
Briatore, who arrived at Silverstone in a helicopter with Mosley and Ecclestone, jokingly remarked that "everybody had a parachute".
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