So RedBull Racing head into tomorrow's Indian GrandPrix in exactly the same fashion they did in Korea with both car's locking out the front row, however today it was Sebastian Vettel's turn to take pole by just four tenths of a second ahead of team-mate Mark Webber. Vettel is looking for his fourth straight win to extend his lead in the Driver's Championship.
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton will start from the second row of the grid in 3rd place alongside team-mate Jenson Button who start's 4th.Vettel's main challenger for the championship, Fernando Alonso could only manage 5th on the grid but is adament that he can still win this year's championship. So with Mark Webber saying that if he is leading and Vettel is second he will not move aside for Vettel, Alosno could as the race progresses be in a position to take advantage of that.
Alonso is joined on the third row of the grid by team-mate Felipe Massa who is in turn ahead of a very disappointed Kimi Raikkonen who felt that he had the car to challenge for a top five qualifying spot however he admitted that he made change's to his car at the end Free Practice Three this morning unfortunately for the Iceman he said that they didn't seem to work and he refused to point the finger at the Lotus team and admitted that he had made the wrong call.
All is not lost for Lotus however, in my opinion as Kimi showed on Friday that he has very good long run pace with the car so we shall have to wait and see what happens tomorrow. It is a very long race.
It was a disappointing session for Mercedes who have in my opinion fallen off the pace of the first runner's dramatically in the latter part of the season. Nico Rosberg who won in China at the start of the season got his car into Q3 however he will start from 10 after opting to save tyre's for the race. Meanwhile team-mate Michael Schumacher who as we all know is being replaced at Mercedes by Lewis Hamilton next season will start down in 14th place.
Hamilton's replacement at McLaren for next season Sergio Perez did a good job for Sauber despite being forced to sirt out FP1 yesterday as he will star from 8th place on the grid just behind Kimi.
So with no grid penalties this weekend we are in for an extremely interesting start and a great race, I predict however that the RedBull's will dominate the race and that Vettel is most likely in my opinion to take the win tomorrow. But after all this is Formula One and anything can happen.
Saturday, 27 October 2012
Friday, 26 October 2012
Vettel dominate's Friday Practice as Raikkonen looks strong
The RedBull duo of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber set the fastest time's during Friday Practice for this weekend's Indian GrandPrix in New Dheli. The RedBull of Sebastian Vettel who goes into this weekend as the championship leader was fastest in both session's however Fernando Alonso was third fastest with Nico Rosberg and Kimi Raikkonen in 4th and 5th.
In my opinion, Sebastian Vettel will most likely secure pole position tomorrow, however we shall wait and see what happens. As I said Kimi Raikkonen, who has never raced in India before was also very quick in P2 in his Lotus who have brought a raft of new developments to this race.
Kimi's long pace run's were very quick and he completed the most number of lap's. Completing 40 in total. So it is going to be extremely interesting to see what happens in qualifying tomorrow. We are in for a fantastic session tomorrow.
In my opinion, Sebastian Vettel will most likely secure pole position tomorrow, however we shall wait and see what happens. As I said Kimi Raikkonen, who has never raced in India before was also very quick in P2 in his Lotus who have brought a raft of new developments to this race.
Kimi's long pace run's were very quick and he completed the most number of lap's. Completing 40 in total. So it is going to be extremely interesting to see what happens in qualifying tomorrow. We are in for a fantastic session tomorrow.
Thursday, 25 October 2012
Kimi announcement due next week..report
It has been suggested that an announcement regrading Kimi Raikkonen's future plan's is expected to be announced during the build up to next weekend's Abu Dhabi GrandPrix. That is the claim from Planet F1. Kimi was in attendance at the Thursday Driver Press conference and usual Kimi when asked about his future he wouldn't be drawn on any of the speculation as he said that he has a number of 'option's for next year.
In my opinion I would love to see Kimi stay in Formula One next season. He has a two year contract with the Lotus F1 team so I am firmly of the belief that he knows that he will be racing with Lotus next season and he is certainly teasing the media.
Last week, Kimi announced a new personal sponsorship with a clothing company. This brought with it speculation about the Iceman's future so we'll have to wait and see what if any announcement is made next week.
In my opinion I would love to see Kimi stay in Formula One next season. He has a two year contract with the Lotus F1 team so I am firmly of the belief that he knows that he will be racing with Lotus next season and he is certainly teasing the media.
Last week, Kimi announced a new personal sponsorship with a clothing company. This brought with it speculation about the Iceman's future so we'll have to wait and see what if any announcement is made next week.
Perez could miss the Indian GrandPrix
Sauber's Sergio Perez could be forced to miss this weekend's Indian GrandPrix in New Dheli afer the team pulled him from all media commitments on Thursday as the Mexican was feeling unwell. The team have said that they will assess the situation on Friday morning and will make a decision prior to first practice if Sergio is well enough to take part in the event.
If he is unable to take part in the event the team have test and reserve driver Estaban Guitierrez on stand by should they need him.
If Perez is unable to take part it is going to be extremely unfortunate for him and the team in my opinion as he has been exceptional this season. He has been on the podium three time's this season for the team and is set replace Lewis Hamilton at McLaren next season.
So we shall have to wait and see what happens in the next couple of hours. If he can't take part this weekend he has just a week until the next race in Abu Dhabi. On the other hand if Guitierrez is called up to race for the team on Sunday it would provide him with the perfect opportunity to show the team what he can do in race condition's ahead of his scheduled outing with the team at the Abu Dhabi Young Driver test that take's place following next weekend's race.
If he is unable to take part in the event the team have test and reserve driver Estaban Guitierrez on stand by should they need him.
If Perez is unable to take part it is going to be extremely unfortunate for him and the team in my opinion as he has been exceptional this season. He has been on the podium three time's this season for the team and is set replace Lewis Hamilton at McLaren next season.
So we shall have to wait and see what happens in the next couple of hours. If he can't take part this weekend he has just a week until the next race in Abu Dhabi. On the other hand if Guitierrez is called up to race for the team on Sunday it would provide him with the perfect opportunity to show the team what he can do in race condition's ahead of his scheduled outing with the team at the Abu Dhabi Young Driver test that take's place following next weekend's race.
Wednesday, 24 October 2012
Prodrive considering purchasing Cosworth?
According to reports today, David Richards Prodive company is considering making a possible bid for Cosworth. Prodrive had wanted to entry Formula One as one of the new entrant's back in 2010 however their bid was unsuccessful.
Instead of Formula One the compnay switched it's attention to preparing and running Mini's works WRC Programme, however the company has since lost the Mini contract.
So we could potentially have a situation where HRT and Marussia F1 have Prodrive badged Cosworth engine's. In my opinion, Prodrive should have been given one of the three places on the F1 grid in 2010 because Caterham and Marussia are only now starting to make progress, however despite moving to a new facality the HRT F1 team haven't made that BIG step yet.
However in relation to that team it is a case that they are under funded and find it extremely difficult to find sposnorship in the current economic climate.
Prodrive, however have the financial backing and motorport experience to compete successfully in Formula One. David Richards has held successful tenures at the helm of both Benetton and the BAR Honda team.They would be in the perfect position, in my opinion to run Cosworth successfully in Formula One and help HRT and Marussia to move up the grid particularly in 2014 when Formula One is expected to switch from 2.4 litre V8 engine's to 1.6 litre V6 turbo charged eninge's.
So with Cosworth for ale and the potential of McLaren switching from Mercedes to Honda it is going to be an extremely interesting couple of months in Formula One.
Instead of Formula One the compnay switched it's attention to preparing and running Mini's works WRC Programme, however the company has since lost the Mini contract.
So we could potentially have a situation where HRT and Marussia F1 have Prodrive badged Cosworth engine's. In my opinion, Prodrive should have been given one of the three places on the F1 grid in 2010 because Caterham and Marussia are only now starting to make progress, however despite moving to a new facality the HRT F1 team haven't made that BIG step yet.
However in relation to that team it is a case that they are under funded and find it extremely difficult to find sposnorship in the current economic climate.
Prodrive, however have the financial backing and motorport experience to compete successfully in Formula One. David Richards has held successful tenures at the helm of both Benetton and the BAR Honda team.They would be in the perfect position, in my opinion to run Cosworth successfully in Formula One and help HRT and Marussia to move up the grid particularly in 2014 when Formula One is expected to switch from 2.4 litre V8 engine's to 1.6 litre V6 turbo charged eninge's.
So with Cosworth for ale and the potential of McLaren switching from Mercedes to Honda it is going to be an extremely interesting couple of months in Formula One.
What next for Susie Wolff?
So last week we saw Scotland's Susie Wolff make her Formula One debut when she took to the Silverstone circuit in last year's Williams FW33. Susie, who is the team's development driver was taking part in a corporate event for Williams sponsors and shareholders alongside race driver's Pastor Maldonado and Bruno Senna.
During her test the 29 year old covered 5KM in both wet and dry conditions. Following her test she dedicated her outing to her friend and fellow racing driver Mara De Villota who lost her right eye following a freak accident while testing for the Marussia F1 team in July.
So after seven season's competing in the German Touring Car Championship last weekend's season finale event at the Hockenheim circuit was Susie's last every DTM event. So what next for Scottish driver?
In my opinion, I wouldn't be at all surprised if we see Susie driving for Williams as their Friday test driver during selected GrandPrix next season. A lot people will what? But it is an extremely logic move for both the team and Susie herself. If as expected Bruno Senna is replaced by Finland's Valterri Bottas next season, the team will be looking for a new test and reserve driver.
In my opinion, Susie is the best placed to take over as she knows the team and how they work and she has driven the car and knows what it takes to drive it and after so many year's driving in DTM she is fully capable to withstand the G force's of an F1 car. So we will have to watch this space.
During her test the 29 year old covered 5KM in both wet and dry conditions. Following her test she dedicated her outing to her friend and fellow racing driver Mara De Villota who lost her right eye following a freak accident while testing for the Marussia F1 team in July.
So after seven season's competing in the German Touring Car Championship last weekend's season finale event at the Hockenheim circuit was Susie's last every DTM event. So what next for Scottish driver?
In my opinion, I wouldn't be at all surprised if we see Susie driving for Williams as their Friday test driver during selected GrandPrix next season. A lot people will what? But it is an extremely logic move for both the team and Susie herself. If as expected Bruno Senna is replaced by Finland's Valterri Bottas next season, the team will be looking for a new test and reserve driver.
In my opinion, Susie is the best placed to take over as she knows the team and how they work and she has driven the car and knows what it takes to drive it and after so many year's driving in DTM she is fully capable to withstand the G force's of an F1 car. So we will have to watch this space.
Tuesday, 23 October 2012
Quiet day today
Ok so it may be only 12:50 here in Dublin, but it has been a pretty quiet day in F1 today. There isn't much going on at this stage in the season with just four race's to go. So I thought it would be a great opportunity to reflect on where we stand right now.
Currently RedBull Racing are on top of the Constructor's championship with 6 win's. McLaren come next with five win's. Ferrari have three wins while Mercedes and Williams Renault have one win a piece.
Despite the fact that Williams have a win this season they are currently in 8th place in the championship. Pastor Maldonado won in Barcelona, however since that win at the start of the European season he has only scored points once with an eighth place finish in Japan. Before his win in Spain he he scored points in China.
In my opinion it is fantastic that we have had five team's winning race's this season. When you compare that with this time last year with four race's to go only three team's had win's and those team's were RedBull Racing, Ferrari and McLaren, and although we've had five team's winning this year, a further two have come close to taking victories.
Lotus Renault and the Sauber F1 team have also come extremely close to winning race's. With Sauber, them came within a cat's whisker to winning the Malaysian GrandPrix and with Lotus they came extremely close to winning in Bahrain and Valencia.
Do I think a sixth team will win a race this season? Hmmm it's hard to say particularly with RedBull being so dominant at the moment but you never know what will happen.
Currently RedBull Racing are on top of the Constructor's championship with 6 win's. McLaren come next with five win's. Ferrari have three wins while Mercedes and Williams Renault have one win a piece.
Despite the fact that Williams have a win this season they are currently in 8th place in the championship. Pastor Maldonado won in Barcelona, however since that win at the start of the European season he has only scored points once with an eighth place finish in Japan. Before his win in Spain he he scored points in China.
In my opinion it is fantastic that we have had five team's winning race's this season. When you compare that with this time last year with four race's to go only three team's had win's and those team's were RedBull Racing, Ferrari and McLaren, and although we've had five team's winning this year, a further two have come close to taking victories.
Lotus Renault and the Sauber F1 team have also come extremely close to winning race's. With Sauber, them came within a cat's whisker to winning the Malaysian GrandPrix and with Lotus they came extremely close to winning in Bahrain and Valencia.
Do I think a sixth team will win a race this season? Hmmm it's hard to say particularly with RedBull being so dominant at the moment but you never know what will happen.
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