Sebastian Vettel says the main thing Formula One needs is greater equality among teams. The Formula1 driver believes F1’s biggest issue is inequality between teams. Vettel’s team Ferrari earns the most from the sport’s central revenue streams, but the four-time world champion said he would like to see all outfits more closely matched. “I think […]
via Formula1 Needs Greater Equality Among Teams – Sebastian Vettel — newfanzoneblog
The former FIA president Max Mosley believes the crash Fernando Alonso suffered in Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix would have killed the driver had it happened 20 years ago.
Alonso’s McLaren clipped the Haas car driven by Esteban Gutiérrez while travelling at close to 200mph, crashed into a trackside wall at Albert Park and barrel-rolled twice before Alonso crawled out of the wreckage.
Mosley’s time as head of motor sport’s governing body saw a push for increased safety measures, with the death of Ayrton Senna at Imola in 1994 helping to inspire that movement.
Frenchman Jules Bianchi also died from accidents suffered in a crash at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix but this time around,
Mosley could afford to refer to Alonso’s crash as “impressive” as he paid tribute to the efforts of his former FIA chief medical officer Sid Watkins.
“You wouldn’t know for sure without a detailed analysis but generally speaking those sorts of accidents resulted in serious injury or death,” said Mosely.
“Happily that seems to have stopped. There are still freak accidents, like Jules, but those sort of serious racing accidents, you do expect the driver to walk away. That wouldn’t have been the case 20 years ago. This was thanks to Sid Watkins and a team of really competent people and the teams themselves. It needed to be looked at scientifically and that was the big change after Ayrton Senna’s death at Imola in 1994.”
“It’s very satisfying to see Alonso walk away. You work hard and it’s very satisfying when you see the results. It was quite an impressive crash.”
Paul Ayorinde
Mercedes Benz’s British Formula One Champion Lewis Hamilton has kicked against plans to introduce heavier cars in 2017. The FIA on Wednesday published a list of proposed changes to the bodywork of cars with bigger tyres which will bring the weight of the car from 702kg to 722kg.
The FIA plans to make the cars, wider, louder and faster in its bid to livening up the sport, But the Formula one champion believes that the drivers should have been consulted also.
“I think the drivers should be consulted more. We have a feeling in the car and what could be made better. We do know what does not feel good and what to improve,” he said.
The 3 time F1 Champion believes that rather than make the cars heavier they should be made lighter for more speed.
Lewis Hamilton as never hidden his admiration and love for late Brazilian Formula 1 Legend Ayrton Senna and the Current Formula 1 champion as said he would like to win this weekend’s race at Interlagos as a tribute to his Hero Ayrton Senna.
The Sao Paulo race was a home race for Senna who was a native of Sao Paulo and Hamilton would love to win his first race here as a tribute to Senna.
Last year the Mercedes Driver finished in second place behind teammate Nico Rosberg who incidentally won the last Formula 1 race in Mexico while Hamilton also finished in second place.
Hamilton only recently matched Senna’s record of 3 World titles and winning Brazil will definitely be a fitting tribute to The late Brazilian who lost his life at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994.
Fri the 13th of November will see the first two practice races, while Saturday the 14 is the date for practice 3 and Qualification. The main race comes up on Sunday the 15th of November 2015.
Ferrari’s decision to get a fresh engine will attract a ten place penalty on the starting grid, So at the Weekend in America, Sebastian Vettel and teammate Kimi Raikkonen with be hit with the 10-place penalty on the starting grid.
For Lewis Hamilton to win his third Formula1 championship in America He needs to make it to the Podium while hoping that Vettel is no where to be found on the podium.
A Mercedes 1-2 finish could most likely clinch it for the British driver who as won nine races so far, Vettel on the other hand is unperturbed by this penalty as he revealed that this was the plan By Ferrari, They (Ferrari) had planned to get fresh engines for their drivers by the time the Formula one train arrived in America for the United States Grand Prix.
Vettel believes this would Help boost His team in the final lap of the 2015 Formula1 season.
Formula One’s Outspoken outspoken Supremo Bernie Ecclestone as made a radical call for the entire Formula one Regulations to be Rewritten.
The Formula1 Chief executive was in the news a fews days ago rallying support for embattled FIFA Boss Sepp Blatter, but this time around he as spoken out about something he is an authority on, Formula One.
Ecclestone wants Formula One Regulations changed completely, he believes today’s drivers have got it easy with all the support they get from the engineers unlike in the past when drivers had to do a lot of the work all by themselves and still compete.
The soon to be 85 year old man referred to F1 as an “Engineer’s Championship” and the solution? “Tear the rulebook up. Get a few competent people together and say, ‘Let’s rewrite Formula One regulations’.” he said.
The Formula One train moves (with current set of regulations) moves to Austin, Texas for the 2015 Formula1 United States Grand Prix from the 23rd-25th of October, And Lewis Hamilton Might win his third Championship this weekend barring a podium finish by Sebastian Vettel and a victory for him.
Fomula One Top Three In The Drivers Championship
1 LEWIS HAMILTON MERCEDES Mercedes car 302
2 SEBASTIAN VETTEL FERRARI Ferrari car 236
3 NICO ROSBERG MERCEDES Mercedes car 229
Regardless of a deal with Renault that does not end until the end of the 2016 F1 Championship, Red Bull has had their request for a supply of Engines turned down Mercedes.
The German Company has had a very successful Season so far with both of their drivers sitting at the top of the drivers championship and also topping the contractors chart.
Mercedes also won both the drivers and constructors championship last season. This recent surge in the fortunes of Mercedes might have informed Red Bull’s approach but as things stand now they would definitely have to look elsewhere as Mercedes continues its domination of Formula1.
We’ve just got back from the Russian Grand Prix, what did you think of it?
Manfredi Ravetto: Sochi was definitely the place to be: we enjoyed racing there and contributing to bring F1 to Russia; the event was fantastic, the atmosphere was breathtaking and the circuit is at the highest of standards.
Where does Caterham F1 Team stand today?
MR: Knowing that this team, under previous ownership, was due to stop racing before the British Grand Prix, we – the new management – are proud of having completed not only the European season but also the Asian season! This gives us confidence to approach the last three fly-away races in America and the Middle-East with an extra-boost: our performance is steadily improving and recent results plus our great qualifying performance in Sochi are putting us on a level the team has hardly shown previously.
We are on a high and we keep fighting day after day, even if there are a few negative comments or skepticism from some people who would be happy to see us failing: we can live with this, we have no problem at all; what we do is answer with facts, starting with the technical improvement of the car and stabilizing of the team’s financial side – but we just want to remind everybody that we are those brave ones who try to firefight; we are not the ones who left the team in a critical status! I can tolerate misinterpretations on everything except this. And, by the way, we historically seem to be quite successful in contradicting the rumour mill…
There seems to be a need to clarify the reason of Kamui’s retirement in Sochi…
MR: Actually, I was very surprised to hear Kamui referring to some mileage-saving instruction coming from the team’s management: we saw via telemetry that there was a potential issue with the brakes and we decided to avoid any risks; Kamui officially confirmed this as well and I’d like to add that he had also asked us to change the previous set before qualifying because he felt some vibration. To be clear: yes, we instructed Kamui to retire because the safety of our drivers is our first concern! Regarding Kamui’s comment, all I can say – and again, I’m answering with facts – is that the team has continuously made progress since the British Grand Prix, we’ve managed to qualify very well in the last two races, getting very close to Q2, and in Suzuka we repaired Kamui’s heavily damaged car in time for the next session without any problems, so I cannot understand his comment.
What’s the team’s position with regards to engine-freeze?
MR: We will answer when asked by the FIA.
What can we expect from the final three races of the season?
MR: We know there are still some bumpy roads ahead and we don’t expect an easy ride, but we will deal with each situation as it arrives. For avoidance of any doubt, I’d also like to add that Leafield remains the team’s base, even though it’s no secret that we are looking for a more suitable alternative. We look forward to the final three races of the season; we will keep fighting, we will keep improving and we will introduce some positive surprises: stay tuned!
THE PADDOCK…This Isn’t Science Fiction, This Is Formula 1
As F1 heads in subdued version to the Sochi Autodrom for the maiden Russian Grand Prix around the site of this year’s Winter Olympics, the thoughts of The Paddock remain with the Marussia’s Jules Bianchi.
The excitement of travelling to a new territory has been firmly muted as everybody in the sport hopes for good news from Mie General Hospital in Yokkaichi. Yet Formula One – as it has always done in such circumstances – will continue to race this weekend, albeit under a dark could.
The first Russian Grand Prix comes at a time when Moscow is facing sanctions and condemnation from the west over the crisis in Ukraine. However, F1 drivers expect the Sochi Autodrom, which will host the inaugural Russian Grand Prix this weekend, to be similar to former F1 venues Valencia and South Korea – as well as Yas Marina.
Dominant Mercedes could clinch the constructors’ title for the first time, while Britain’s Lewis Hamilton is aiming for a ninth win of the season to add to his 10-point lead over German team mate Nico Rosberg but sport will not make all the headlines.
Our F1 expert, Soliu ADEYEMO previews the race that offers a good mix of high speed corners and technical sections.
Russian GP in Brief
Track: Sochi Autodrom (Temporary Circuit)
Laps: 53
Track length: 5.848km
Tyre allocation: Medium (white) and soft (yellow)
DRS Zones: Two with separate detection points- between Turns One and Two and Turns Ten and 13.
Lap record: N/A
Number of times: 2 (first held in 1913)*
Most wins (drivers): N/A
Most wins (constructors): Benz (2)*
Last Race (1914)*
Pole: N/A
Podium: W. Scholl- Benz- 1:48:32.2; S. Ovsyannikov- Vauxhall- +10:31.6; B. d’Argentine- Aquila Italiana- +13:08.6
Fastest lap: N/A
Last Two Winners*
1913: Willy Scholl (Benz)
1914: Georgy Suvorin (Benz)
*Events were not part of the Formula One World Championship
In Rich Vein of Form
Up until the event of Bianchi’s accident, it was a thrilling Japanese Grand Prix highlighted by Lewis Hamilton’s brave overtaking of his Mercedes’ teammate Nico Rosberg. It was the first time this year one of the title contenders would successfully pass the other on track and made it stick. It was an amazing act of extraordinary bravery and unique skill for the Briton to have successfully passed the German who was driving an identical car outside the first corner in the dangerous wet condition at Suzuka.
Rosberg had beaten Hamilton fair and square in qualifying, but in wet conditions there was no doubt about who deserved to come out on top. Until the red flag Lewis Hamilton was quite clearly a cut above Nico Rosberg. It presents Hamilton with the huge advantage coming into this weekend in Russia, but if the 2014 title battle has taught us anything it is to expect the unexpected.
Struggling with Form
After an impressive weekend in Singapore, Kimi Raikkonen again struggled in Suzuka. Ferrari did not make any major changes to the car between Singapore and Japan, yet the ‘’good feeling’’ he had at the Marina Bay circuit did not transfer to the classic Suzuka circuit. The wet weather made the race a bit of a lottery, in which Raikkonen did not have a lucky ticket. Once again, the Ferrari was awfully slow. Unfortunately, the much desired grip at the front of the car by the Finn might be tricky to deliver until a redesign for next year.
Ferrari’s record points-scoring streak came to a disappointing end at Suzuka, which served to underline the desperate season they are having. They are course to end the season without a win for the first time since 1993. As for Fernando Alonso, he is not a stranger to this kind of issue as he had a similarly understeering car when he won his titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006. On his part, Kimi Raikkonen will be hoping for a better weekend at the unknown Sochi track.
Big Look Out
Jenson Button’s McLaren future is still shrouded in uncertainty. The Paddock understands the Briton will be first out if Alonso is signed by the team next year, as young Kevin Magnussen offers a cheaper option and better potential for the future. However, the man himself is confident he still stands a good chance of being at McLaren next year and right now all he can do is prove his worth in the car. A new Sochi track coupled with his experience and McLaren’s improved form should help him to achieve that this weekend. If at his best, the Briton stands a good chance of breaking into the top six.
Weather Effect
There shouldn’t many nasty surprises for the teams this weekend, even as they try to acquaint themselves on the medium and soft compound tyres. This is owing to the expected sunny and warm weather conditions in Sochi this weekend, with temperatures in the region of 23C. Chances of rain are put at 0%.
My Prediction
The 2014 F1 season has been largely dominated by Mercedes with Lewis Hamilton winning the last three races. It is pretty difficult to look beyond the Briton for another race win at the unknown Sochi circuit. More so, street circuits have always been his forte and the slower sections of the track should play to his strengths.
RUSSIAN GP WEEKEND’S SCHEDULE
Friday, 10th October 2014: 1st & 2nd Practice Sessions
Saturday, 11th October 2014: 3rd Practice & Qualifying Sessions.
Sunday, 12th October 2014: Main Race.
*For more updates and analysis follow our F1 expert @soliuadeyemo and @newfanzone on twitter.
THE PADDOCK …this isn’t science fiction, this is formula 1
The ‘Ricciardo’ in the Flesh of Rosberg and Hamilton
The 2014 formula 1 season has been largely dominated by Mercedes F1 team with the duo of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton winning nine of the twelve races of the 19-race formula 1 season so far. But for a certain Daniel Ricciardo, the 2014 formula 1 season would have been a monologue affair.
Our F1 Expert, Soliu ADEYEMO takes a look at what has been a mixed season for the championship front leaders, Mercedes and Red Bull.
Daniel Ricciardo has metaphorically being the ‘thorn’ in the flesh of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton as far as the 2014 f1 season is concerned.
On three occasions, the young Australian has denied the rampaging Mercedes’ duo this season, and rather interestingly, all his three victories have come on the back of one glitch or the other by Mercedes.
While his earlier rare victories in Canada and Hungary were as a result of excusable technical glitches by the championship leader, his recent victory in Belgium came on the back of ill-tempered rivalry between Lewis and Nico.
His only natural victory in his home country was annulled due to his breach of the FIA fuel consumption regulation.
The Top Three (points gained in brackets)
———————Rosberg———————Hamilton——————–Ricciardo
Australia———–1st (25)———————Retired———————Disqualified
Malaysia————2nd (18)———————1st (25)——————–Retired
Bahrain————-2nd (18)———————1st (25)——————–4th (12)
China—————2nd (18)———————1st (25)——————–4th (12)
Spain—————2nd (18)———————1st (25)——————–3rd (15)
Monaco————–1st (25)———————2nd (18)——————–3rd (15)
Canada————–2nd (18)———————Retired———————1st (25)
Austria————-1st (25)———————2nd (18)——————–8th (4)
Britain————-Retired———————-1st (25)——————–3rd (15)
Germany————-1st (25)———————3rd (15)——————–6th (8)
Hungary————-4th (12)———————3rd (15)——————–1st (25)
Belgium————-2nd (18)———————Retired———————1st (25)
Total points——–220—————————191————————-150
Daniel Ricciardo’s sudden ‘rise to stardom’ in a Red Bull team that has the quadruple world champion, Sebastian Vettel as his lead driver is, by all means, a testament to the virile Red Bull youth development program in the shape of their junior team, Toro Rosso.
Also, his amazing potential as a formula 1 driver cannot be overemphasised, the 25-year old Australian made his track debut at the wheel of a Formula 1 car, when he tested for Red Bull at the young drivers test at Circuito de Jerez over three days, from 1–3 December 2009.
On the final day of testing he clocked the fastest time of the test by over a second.
Red Bull’s investment in Ricciardo dates back to 2011 when the team paid the struggling Hispania Racing to give him some track experience in preparation of the lanky driver for a Toro Rosso race seat in 2012.
Ricciardo’s announcement as the replacement for his fellow aggrieved Australian was faulted within the f1 paddock, but his exploits so far has convinced many of his much touted prowess by Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner.
Daniel Ricciardo’s Brief Profile
Born: 1 July 1989 at Perth, Western Australia (age 25)
Nationality: Australian
2014 Team: Red Bull-Renault
2014 Car No.: 3
Races: 62 (62 starts)
Championships: 0
Wins: 3
Podiums: 6
Career Points: 186
Pole Positions: 0
Fastest Laps: 0
First Race: 2011 British GP
First Win: 2014 Canadian GP
That his stellar run is coming in a year when Red Bull is facing his biggest technological test having struggled with the new engine regulation is another plus for his amazing potential as a great f1 driver. And, with the recent update packages by Red Bull, the 2014 F1 season can only get more interesting.
For Red Bull Racing, the title charge is now or never, especially as his title rival, Mercedes has failed in its driver management; as Hamilton threatened to avenge his retirement in Belgium against his team-mate, it appears as everything is working in favour of Riiciardo and Red Bull.
The first instalment of the 2014 F1 season was truly eventful, but the second half promises to be more exciting as Ricciardo is seemingly poised to continue thwarting the technological advantage of Mercedes.
*For more updates and analysis follow our F1 expert @soliuadeyemo and @newfanzone on twitter.
THE PADDOCK…,this isn’t science fiction, this is formula 1
The Paddock returns with the review of the 2014 Belgian GP race, our F1 Expert, Soliu ADEYEMO takes a look at a race that saw Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo capitalise on another Mercedes’ glitch to win his third race of the season, including all the technical analysis of how the 11 teams on the grid fared at circuit de Spa-francorchamps.
2014 Belgian Grand Prix Review
For the umpteenth time, Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo earned the reputation of being one driver who is always ready to capitalise when something goes wrong for the Mercedes drivers.
Interestingly, all his three wins so far this season have come on the back of one undoing or the other by Mercedes drivers.
First, it was an unlikely double technical failure at the Circuit Gilles Villeuve, Montreal and at the Hungaroring circuit it took another glitch for Lewis Hamilton and a timely Safety Car appearance.
The latest catalyst for his recent victory was the collision between Hamilton and Rosberg at the Circuit de Spa-francorchamps.
While Daniel Ricciardo was relishing his third, well deserved win for Red Bull, it was Mercedes drivers Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton who dominated the post-race headlines after their lap-two collision at Spa-Francorchamps.
Rosberg’s seemingly minor error of judgement had major consequences, costing the team a potential one-two, ending Hamilton’s victory hopes, and ratcheting up the pair’s already tense championship rivalry yet another notch. New Fan Zone’s Soliu ADEYEMO takes a team-by-team look back at a tense 44 laps…
Red Bull [Daniel Ricciardo, P1; Sebastian Vettel, P5]
Red Bull came to Belgium with perceived lack of belief, despite deliberately running very low drag for qualifying against the expectation of a dry race. Hence, Ricciardo had the car to compete with Mercedes after the Hamilton-Rosberg incident, and utilized the advantage to full effect after passing Alonso and his team mate Vettel to take charge in front on the eighth lap when Rosberg pitted for repairs.
Subsequently, the young Australian controlled the race superbly to take arguably the best of his three victories to date and to become the first Australian to win at Spa since Sir Jack Brabham in 1960. Vettel, meanwhile, lost sight of his partner and on average lapped 1.2s off his pace. He did, however, emerge victorious in a healthy late-race fight for fifth.
Mercedes [Nico Rosberg, P2; Lewis Hamilton, Retired lap 39, car damage]
The lap-two clash at Les Combes between Rosberg and Hamilton will be discussed for years. The clash caused a huge damage to Hamilton’s car and dropped him to 19th and was subsequently withdrawn from the race, but Rosberg was able to recover from an extra pit stop for a new nose to finish 2nd and consequently garner 18 more points, increasing his title lead to 29.
The perceived acrimony within the team came to light in Hungary where Hamlton refused team order to let Rosberg pass.
It was not surprising when Rosberg reportedly confessed during his debrief that he did it on purpose. The team has promised to review his policy of allowing the two drivers race each other, while the FIA is already investigating the incident.
Williams [Valtteri Bottas, P3; Felipe Massa, P13]
Bottas showed once again why he is an emerging force in formula 1 with his brilliant recovery from his P6 grid position, and his passing moves were swift and precise.
He beat Raikkonen for pace; couldn’t hold off Rosberg, but did well enough to claim the podium that Williams had targeted. Massa, meanwhile, lost a lot of downforce as a result of the tyre debris he picked up from Rosberg-Hamilton incident earlier in the race, but was flying in his Wlliams’ FW36 after it was removed during his 2nd pit stop.
Ferrari [Kimi Raikkonen, P4; Fernando Alonso, P7]
Alonso began his race on a bad note, as his mechanics were still busy trying to change his battery at the start of the grid formation lap which earned him a five second stop-and-go penalty.
The resultant penalty was served after he ran a strong third, which limited his chances. However, on the last lap, he ran lightly into the back of the Red Bull at La Source and damaged his front wing. Strangely, it was Raikkonen who was Ferrari’s main man, for the first time this year, and for a while he seemed on target for the final podium slot before he was unable to resist Bottas’s swift Williams on the uphill run from Eau Rouge.
McLaren [Jenson Button, P6; Kevin Magnussen, P12]
Magnussen involved in a long stretch of a battle with Alonso, while Button played a long game. They both came together, with Vettel in the mix, Button nearly beat his rivals, but had to drop behind after losing a bit of momentum.
Magnussen initially finished sixth, Button seventh, but Magnussen dropped to 12th when a 20s post-race penalty was imposed by the stewards for failing to leave Alonso sufficient space as the Spaniard attempted to pass on the 36th lap.
Force India [Sergio Perez, P8; Nico Hulkenberg, P10]
Perez was pleased with the bonus of his movement from ninth to eighth as Magnussen was penalised after what the Mexican described as a ‘crazy’ race. Magnussen’s demotion also ensured the promotion of Perez’s partner Hulkenberg into the points, which he considered good after his self-admitted mistakes in qualifying had left him with a lot of work to do.
Toro Rosso [Daniil Kvyat, P9; Jean-Eric Vergne, P11]
Kvyat and Vergne gave a good fight, but it wasn’t enough, the team continued to live in the shadow of his parent team, Red Bull. Vergne appeared stunned with the news that 16-year old Max Verstapen will be taking his seat next season.
Sauber [Adrian Sutil, P14; Esteban Gutierrez, P15]
There was nothing to separate the two drivers as both Sutil and Gutierrez fought one another all the way through, but the German believes the car is now competitive in chassis terms, but not in power unit.
Marussia [Max Chilton, P16; Jules Bianchi, P18]
Bianchi played a catch-up all through after he got a tyre cut in a collision off the line with Grosjean.
Chilton ran all the way through with Ericsson, and finally jumped him on the 42nd lap after a good battle.
Caterham [Marcus Ericsson, P17; Andre Lotterer, Retired lap 2, engine cut out]
Lotterer’s debut was a monumental disaster as the German lasted only until Blanchimont on the second lap when his engine cut out.
It was a huge blow to the team as they desired his concise technical input to try and fix some of the CT05’s abiding problems for future races.
Ericsson, in his improved car had a race-long fight with Chilton finishing just 0.6s adrift of the Marussia at the flag.
Lotus [Pastor Maldonado, Retired lap 2, exhaust problem; Romain Grosjean, Retired lap 34, bodywork]
It was another race to forget in a hurry for Lotus as their two drivers failed to finish the race, Maldonado lasted only 2 laps with Grosjean retiring with just 10 laps to the end of the race.
Our Take on the Weekend
There is no doubt about Mercedes dominance in 2014, but a huge doubt still hovers around their reliability in terms of driver-management.
The title is theirs to win, but with Red Bull lurking around, the Woking-based team needs to get on top of the situation that has limited their dominance so far.
Once again, Daniel Ricciardo is the real deal providing the biggest test to Mercedes just as Valterri Bottas has also made it count. After all, Mercedes is not impeccable.
Drivers’ championship:
1. Nico Rosberg 220
2. Lewis Hamilton 191
3. Daniel Ricciardo 156
4. Fernando Alonso 121
5. Valtteri Bottas 110
6. Sebastian Vettel 98
7. Nico Hulkenberg 70
8. Jenson Button 68
9. Felipe Massa 40
10. Kimi Raikkonen 39
11. Kevin Magnussen 37
12. Sergio Perez 33
13. Jean-Eric Vergne 11
14. Romain Grosjean 8
15. Daniil Kvyat 8
16. Jules Bianchi 2
Constructors’ Championship
1. Mercedes 411
2. Red Bull/Renault 254
3. Ferrari 160
4. Williams/Mercedes 150
5. McLaren/Mercedes 105
6. Force India/Mercedes 103
7. Toro Rosso/Renault 19
8. Lotus/Renault 8
9. Marussia/Ferrari 2
10. Sauber/Ferrari 0
11. Caterham/Renault 0
Soliu ADEYEMO
*For more updates and analysis follow our F1 expert @soliuadeyemo and @newfanzone on twitter.
There is no doubt that Formula 1 is a highly technical sport, hence, the need for a down to earth technical analysis of this highly exhilarating sport.
To this end, your favourite newfanzone.com has introduced a brand new column tagged ‘’The Paddock’’, this exciting new column is handled by our in-house F1 expert, Soliu ADEYEMO.
The Paddock goes behind the news to give you cutting edge technical analysis of this ever intriguing sport; plus previews & reviews of all the various races as they go down in different centres across the world.
And what a way to start! The Paddock debuts this weekend as the second half of the 2014 F1 season restarts in Belgium with the 2014 F1 Shell Belgian GP at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.
Newfanzone.com previews this sometimes chaotic race in a unique version. Come along!
THE 2014 F1 SHELL BELGIAN GP PREVIEW
The 2014 F1 season restarts at the classic Circuit de Spa after a fly-away first half that sent the teams from Australia, Malaysia and China to Europe, via Bahrain, with a quick trip over the Atlantic to Canada.
Now, the season continues with eight races in 14 weeks, taking in two more in Europe before heading to Singapore, Japan, Russia, USA, Brazil and finally Abu Dhabi, where double points will be awarded.
The Circuit de Spa presents the real test of man and machine with its sweeping curves, high speeds and undulating profile. But, the big question is whether the dominant Mercedes’ duo of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton can replicate the feat achieved by Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel last season when he won in Belgium before remaining unbeaten in the final eight races of the season.
Belgian GP in Brief
Track: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps (Permanent Circuit)
Laps: 44
Track length: 7.004 km
Tyre allocation: Medium (white) and soft (yellow)
DRS Zones: Two with separate detection points- pit straight and Kemmel straight
Lap record: Sebastian Vettel- 1:47.263 (Red Bull; 2009)
Number of times: 69 (first held in 1925)
Most wins (drivers): Michael Scumacher (6)
Most wins (constructors): Ferrari (16)
Last Race (2013)
Pole: Lewis Hamilton- Mercedes- 2:01.012
Podium: S. Vettel- Red Bull- 1:23:42.196; F. Alonso- Ferrari- +16.800s; L. Hamilton- Mercedes- +27.700s
Fastest lap: Sebastian Vettel- Red Bull- 1:50.756
Last Five Winners
2013: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2012: Jenson Button (McLaren)
2011: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2010: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2009: Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
In Rich Vein of Form
The young Australian, Daniel Ricciardo has stunned everyone in the f1 paddock with his stunning display before the summer break that has won him two races.
His sterling drive in Hungary was also a good testament to his potential as a great f1 driver, not too many gave him the chance when he was picked as a replacement for Mark Webber in the Red Bull team.
Fernando Alonso has also made it 11 races out of 11 he has beaten team-mate Kimi Raikkonen in Hungary.
Despite his uncompetitive Ferrari car, the Spaniard has finished outside the top six just once this season. Lewis Hamilton on his part has demonstrated great resolve behind the wheel which has seen him overcome two Saturday car troubles on Sunday, no doubt, the Mercedes driver needs an error-free second half to outdrive his Mercedes’ team-mate Nico Rosberg.
Struggling with Form
Force India’s amazing run of form came to an acrimonious end in Hungary when their two drivers, Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez collided.
Force India has dropped to the bottom of the Mercedes pecking-order after a strong start to the season. Despite, the team’s seemingly lack of financial power, it still boasts of being competitive in Belgium, where the team scored its first podium in 2009.
Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen will come into this race with the hope of a strong result, especially after Alonso’s superb podium finish in Hungary. With the four wins to his name in Spa, this is surely the best place for the Finnish driver to revive his season and ultimately revive his Ferrari’s career.
Lotus needs to move past the loss of its Front and Rear Interconnected Suspension (FIRC) in order to launch a strong revival of the season that has taken a turn for the worst for the Grove-based team, especially as the duo of Romain Grosjean and the still scoreless- Pastor Mladonado struggled with the car in Germany and Hungary.
Big Look Out
Expectedly, all eyes will be on F1 debutant Andre Lotterer, promoted to a Caterham drive at the expense of Kamui Kobayashi. Whether the 32-year old German, who has won the Le-Mans 24-Hour three times remains to be seen this weekend.
Lotterer has become the first proper in-season driver change (excluding cover for suspensions and injuries) since 2011. Also, Williams offers the prospect of giving Mercedes a good run for their money, as they appear as the only team with the potential of challenging the dominant Mercedes this season, Valterri Bottas has a good chance of joining Daniel Ricciardo as a new race winner in 2014.
Weather Effect
The weather is one of the elements which make Belgium such a great race every year and it could well add a new complexion to this weekend’s action. It is always an uphill task to predict the weather condition at Spa, but it is fair to assume that the wet tyres will be required at some stage this weekend. Qualifying on Saturday could turn dramatic with expected showers. No doubt, weather plays a major role in determining the eventual winner of the Belgian GP.
My Prediction
There is no gainsaying the fact that, Mercedes has been the strongest team this season, which makes it pretty difficult to look beyond either of Nico Rosberg or Lewis Hamilton for the race win.
But, I want to stick my neck out for Valterri Bottas on the back of the strong pace of Williams’ FW36. Also with an outside chance is Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo, as the circuit de Spa is suitable for a car with excellent aerodynamic balance as Red Bull’s RB10.
BELGIAN GP WEEKEND’S SCHEDULE
Friday, 22nd August 2014: 1st & 2nd Practice Sessions
Saturday, 23rd August 2014: 3rd Practice & Qualifying Sessions.
Sunday, 24th August 2014: Main Race.
*For more updates and analysis follow our F1 expert @soliuadeyemo and @NewFanzone on twitter.
Now, the season continues with eight races in 14 weeks, taking in two more in Europe before heading to Singapore, Japan, Russia, USA, Brazil and finally Abu Dhabi, where double points will be awarded. from Australia, Malaysia and China to Europe, via Bahrain, with a quick trip over the Atlantic to Canada.
The teams were forced into a mandatory two-week shutdown of their factories, allowing their staff a rest after a first half of the season that sent them from Australia, Malaysia and China to Europe, via Bahrain, with a quick trip over the Atlantic to Canada.
The teams were forced into a mandatory two-week shutdown of their factories, allowing their staff a rest after a first half of the season that sent them from Australia, Malaysia and China to Europe, via Bahrain, with a quick trip over the Atlantic to Canada.
The teams were forced into a mandatory two-week shutdown of their factories, allowing their staff a rest after a first half of the season that sent them from Australia, Malaysia and China to Europe, via Bahrain, with a quick trip over the Atlantic to Canada.
By Soliu ADEYEMO
newfanzone 