Hamilton Leads Opening Singapore Practice Session

Lewis Hamilton was the fastest man in this morning’s Friday Practice Session at the Singapore Grand Prix. The 2009 Singapore GP winner was four-tenths clear of the Red Bull duo led by Mark Webber, who occupied second and third. Nico Rosberg was fourth for Mercedes ahead of Kimi Raikkonen in fifth who was on track for the first time since being announced as Ferrari’s 2014 driver. His Lotus team-mate was a thousandth of a second behind him in sixth, whilst Kimi’s team-mate-to-be was seventh in the Ferrari. Sergio Perez was eighth, nine-tenths shy of Alonso’s fastest time, whilst Jean-Eric Vergne narrowly scraped ninth place ahead of Esteban Gutierrez who took the final top-ten time for Sauber.

Pastor Maldonado was eleventh for Williams, narrowly ahead of Ferrari’s Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas in thirteenth. Jenson Button was fourteenth for McLaren, 2.6 seconds off the Hamilton’s fastest time. The Force India duo were fifteenth and sixteenth, followed by former Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg who took seventeenth for Sauber. Daniel Ricciardo was in a disappointing eighteenth for Toro Rosso, followed by the Marussia duo in nineteenth and twentieth and the Caterham drivers in twenty-first and twenty-second.

1. Lewis Hamilton
2. Mark Webber
3. Sebastian Vettel
4. Nico Rosberg
5. Kimi Raikkonen
6. Romain Grosjean
7. Fernando Alonso
8. Sergio Perez
9. Jean-Eric Vergne
10. Esteban Gutierrez
11. Pastor Maldonado
12. Felipe Massa
13. Valterri Bottas
14. Jenson Button
15. Paul di Resta
16. Adrian Sutil
17. Nico Hulkenberg
18. Daniel Ricciardo
19. Jules Bianchi
20. Max Chilton
21. Giedo van der Garde
22. Charles Pic

Image courtesy Mercedes F1 Team

New Jersey “Fully Expect” To Be On 2014 Calendar

The race promoter for the planned New Jersey Grand Prix is adamant that the race will go ahead next year.

In an interview with PA Sport, Leo Hindery Jr. said that the race not appearing on the recently released provisional 2014 calendar was down to the fact that the circuit is yet to pay the sanctioning fee to the Automobile Competitions Committee for the US (ACCUS), essentially an American based FIA recognized by the FIA.

“We never had any expectation of being on a preliminary schedule,” he said. “But it took on a life of its own because so many of us are aspiring to be on the calendar that haven’t been there before – ourselves, Russia, Mexico, and with Austria also returning.

“In our particular case, we were told not to do anything but stick to the date of the 20th [of September], which we intend to do. Bernie told us if we stayed consistent with the rules and applications then he would expect there to be a New Jersey race. Time-wise, we have done everything we have been told to do, and when to do it.

“The calendar decision will be made later this month , and although I can’t guarantee anything, we fully expect to be on it.”

The race was originally scheduled for mid-June of this year, but was postponed following construction and financial problems.

Lack Of Motivation Was Catalyst To Webber Retirement

Mark Webber says that it was a lack of motivation that prompted him to retire from Formula One at the end of this season, despite also thinking that it could be too soon to leave the sport.

The 36-year-old announced in July that he would be going to the World Endurance Championship with Porsche and in an interview with F1 Racing, Webber said, “I’ve been on the edge with F1, motivation-wise, for the past couple of years. You have to be driven. You turn yourself around each winter and the fire in the belly is not quite what it was when you were 24.

“I remember hearing something about sportsmen and women years ago. They were saying that as long as they could keep their motivation, they would keep going. I could never work out what that meant. How could you lose your motivation? But questions keep coming to me more and more often that were never there in the past.

“It’s not about driving or racing, it’s about keeping my own F1 programme going for 11 months of the year. And it’s just got to the point where it’s like, well, I’ve achieved a lot of things.”

He also added that he feels like he may be leaving the sport a year too soon, but that the impending shift in regulations means that this year is the right year to leave.

“I still enjoy being belted in the car and driving down the pit lane, which is a bit disappointing, but I’ve spoken to some really good sportsmen and women who have been at the crossroads where making the call was not easy and they messed it up.

“I’m probably leaving F1 a year too soon but with the changes next season and the opportunity to join Porsche, it’s the best move for me.”

Webber currently sits fifth in the Championship, ninety-two points behind team-mate and reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel.

Image courtesy Getty Images.

Rush Review

Since Rush was first announced what seems like a century ago, millions of Motorsport fans across the world have been counting down the days until its release – and that date has finally arrived.

I myself was one of the people eagerly awaiting the film’s release. By following the film’s director Ron Howard on Twitter, I got a day-by-day look at the behind the scenes work on the movie – everything from the selection of the lead actors to the running of authentic replicas of the 70’s Formula One cars.

Everything was shaping up to be perfect, but one thing wasn’t shown over Twitter, and that was how the story would be told. I was worried that a Hollywood director would turn a historically accurate, already perfect story into your stereotypical Hollywood movie.

As it turns out the final product was flawless. Obviously you have poetic license when making a movie, but Ron Hoard sticks almost entirely to the story. Excluding the fight between the film’s two protagonists in F3, which never happened, the major events in the film are depicted as if Howard simply found the file-footage and recycled it under his name.

Chris Hemsworth as James Hunt

The film itself is a unique film, as there is no clear antagonist. Whilst both Niki Lauda and James Hunt narrate the film at various stages, the film is not told from either driver’s viewpoint. This leaves the viewer unsure of which of the two protagonists to cheer for, eventually trying to cheer for both drivers as they vie for the 1976 World Championship.

Daniel Bruhl as Niki Lauda

As for the men who portray the two drivers, they could not have been better chosen. From Daniel Bruhl’s spectacular representation of Niki Lauda to Chris Hemsworth’s cheeky-smiling James Hunt impersonation, the real Lauda and Hunt couldn’t have represented themselves any better.

And of course, almost more important than the men the film is based around, is the on-track action. It is incredibly difficult to bring to life the excitement of real racing. Howard, however, recreated it beautifully and accurately builds the tremendous tension of a Formula One race. From the early F3 shots to the wheel-to-wheel scraps of the ’76 Championship, one is left on the edge of their seat as the drivers battle the conditions and each other from one race to the next.

While I would strongly recommend that everyone and anyone go see it, the film has been limited to 15+ in Ireland as there are some hard scenes to watch, such as the gruesome depiction of Francois Cevert’s fatal accident and Niki Lauda’s near-fatal crash and subsequent treatment.

Don’t let those scenes sway you though – there are plenty of light scenes to make up for it – such as James Hunt’s sexual exploits or a particularly funny scene where Ferrari driver Lauda is spotted by two F1 enthusiasts in Italy.

All-in-all Rush lives up to the extremely high benchmark set by the actual events on which it is based. From the drama both on and off the track, Howard has created the perfect racing movie – one which can be enjoyed by everyone. From the loud noises of a V8 engine to the do-or-die attitude of both men as they fight for the title, you cant look away.

The Race Is On For Irish ‘F1 In Schools’

Lewis Hamilton with the 2009 Irish World Championship winning team

The race has started for students at secondary schools all across Ireland who are to compete in the ‘F1 In Schools’ project.

The competition began in the UK in 2001 and soon spread to an international stage, now hosting teams from over 40 countries with 20 million students participating annually. It challenges the students to design, build and race miniature F1 cars and race them along a 20m test-track.

Irish Minister for Education, Ruari Quinn, was on hand at the Irish Computer Study offices to give the project the green light.

“This programme is a fantastic way for students to put into practise what they have learned in the classroom,” Minister Quinn said. “It really is a case of learning by doing. The global popularity and high-tech world of Formula One provides a very exciting and engaging platform for education and it is great to see how popular it has become within schools to enthuse students to study engineering, as well as the other key school subjects.”

The 2012 competition was won by Cold Fusion from Australia, while the 2013 World Finals are to be held in Austin, Texas this November.

Raikkonen Finally Confirmed At Ferrari

Kimi Raikkonen has officially been confirmed as Fernando Alonso’s team-mate for the 2014 season.

The announcement of Kimi’s two-year contract came the day after his predecessor and former team-mate Felipe Massa announced he was leaving Ferrari at the end of this season.

Raikkonen was with the Scuderia between the years of 2007 and 2009, when he was then paid to leave the team ahead of Alonso’s 2010 arrival.

Now however, the 33-year-old will make a return to the team, after a two-year sabbatical in the World Rally Championship and a two-year spell with Lotus, the descendant of Alonso’s Championship winning Renault.

“I can’t wait to be driving a Prancing Horse car again and to reacquaint myself with so many people with whom I had such close links, as well as working with Fernando, whom I consider a great driver, in order to bring the team the success it deserves.” Raikkonen said.

Alonso, who had earlier said he would welcome whoever Ferrari chose at Felipe’s replacement today said, “I’d like to welcome my new travelling companion: together, starting next year, we will have to tackle a very demanding technical and racing challenge.”

It’s not yet known who will replace Kimi at Lotus, with some suggesting that Nico Hulkenberg might make the move from Sauber while others speculate that Pastor Maldonado’s attractive sponsorship could win him the place.

Massa Confirms Ferrari Exit

Felipe Massa has confirmed he is to leave Ferrari at the end of this season.

The Brazilian has driven for the team since 2006, partnering both Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso over his eight-year spell with the team.

He confirmed the news on his Instagram account, saying “From 2014 i will no longer be driving for Ferrari. I would like to thank the team for all the victories and incredible moments experienced together. Thank you also to my wife and all of my family, to my fans and all my Sponsors. From each one of you I have always received a great support! Right now I want to push as hard as possible with Ferrari for the remaining 7 races.”

The Brazilian’s departure from the team was widely expected following his serious downturn in form since his horrific crash mid-way through 2009. However, he has been repeatedly re-signed by the Scuderia, due to his willingness to play the team-player for team-mate Alonso, starting in 2010 when he was forced to move-over for title hopeful Fernando at the German Grand Prix.

Now it seems that Ferrari have called time on a one-driver team and are focusing on the Championship, with the probability being Kimi Raikkonen making a return to his former team – the same one he was paid to leave when Fernando Alonso arrived on the scene.

As for Massa, he said “For next year, I want to find a team that can give me a competitive car to win many more races and challenge for the Championship which remains my greatest objective!”.

If he wishes to remain in Formula One, the main options for the 32-year-old are to go to either Lotus or Sauber.

Red Bull To Conduct Their Own Private Pirelli Test

After all the noise they made about Mercedes’ private (definitely not secret, oh no) test with Pirelli back in May, Red Bull were pretty quiet about their own private test with the tyre manufacturer.

The reigning champions were one of two teams who initially protested against Mercedes’ private test, news of which broke at the Monaco Grand Prix and saw the Silver Arrows dragged to the FIA International Tribunal. The trial, held on June 20th, found Mercedes and Pirelli to have conducted the test without the FIA’s knowledge and reprimanded both parties, while banning Mercedes from the then upcoming Young Drivers Test.

Unlike the Mercedes test however, Red Bull will be running their 2011 model, which is permitted within the regulations.

“It’s a test for Pirelli for them to look at tyre compounds for next year. We’ve just provided the car for them,” Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner said on Sunday. “It’s a test that others have conducted for Pirelli. It’s an old car, we’re running one of our test drivers in it – probably Daniel Ricciardo will drive on the other day.”

The test will take place sometime this month.

Paddock Mumblings Bode Well For Raikkonen And Ferrari

The ‘Silly Season’ summer rumours involving Kimi Raikkonen and a seat at Ferrari are gaining more and more credibility by the minute.

The Finn drove for Ferrari between 2007 and 2009, before being paid to leave the team when they signed double World Champion Fernando Alonso for 2010. In 2012 he returned to F1 with Lotus, after a two-year stint in the World Rally Championship.

Over the summer break, speculation was rife that the 2007 World Champion would be leaving the Enstone based outfit, heading to either Red Bull or Ferrari. Now that Daniel Ricciardo has been confirmed as Mark Webber’s replacement at Red Bull, the paddock talk is that Kimi Raikkonen is Maranello bound.

While there were quiet whisperings of Fernando Alonso possibly following in Raikkonen’s footsteps and taking a sabbatical due to frustration at the lack of success at the once mighty team, race-day in Monza saw Alonso back to his usual feisty self, en route to taking second place at his team’s home race.

So if Raikkonen is in fact headed to the Scuderia, it will be to replace Felipe Massa who has been at the team since 2006. The Brazilian has been struggling in the shadow of his team-mate since his horrific crash at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix, and has consistently raised eyebrows as he has been re-signed by the team year-after-year. The only thing that seems to be keeping Massa at the team is his willingness to play the team-player and move over for Alonso on occasion after occasion.

Eventually, though, the team were bound to look for more than a team-player – someone who could help them win their first constructors title since 2008. If Raikkonen is on the market, now is the time to grab him, before Lotus can provide him with a Championship winning car and bring the fight to Ferrari.

According to the reputable rumours, the deal is done and he will be officially announced as Alonso’s team-mate this coming Wednesday. Watch this space…

‘Almost Perfect Weekend’ For Ferrari

Fernando Alonso says the Italian Grand Prix was an ‘almost perfect weekend‘. The Spaniard seemed incredibly critical of the team following Qualifying and rumours were rife that the 32-year-old was debating a sabbatical from the sport, but on Sunday seemed like a new man, en route to finishing second at the team’s home race.

“Stepping onto the Monza podium is always a special feeling, as it’s the only one where you can feel all the love that the fans have for the team and it’s the best prize at the end of what was an almost perfect weekend. ‘Almost’ because our championship rivals won and we send them our congratulations.

“We went well on both Friday and Saturday, getting both cars in the top five, but Red Bull was able to do better.

“When Vettel pitted, we were still doing green sector times and so we opted to lengthen the stint as much as possible, at least while Webber was not becoming a threat. That way, we could have tried to get Vettel on Hard tyres that were fresher by a few laps.

“We tried our best and even if we have to be realistic about our championship chances, as it’s not an easy task to close down a 53 point gap in the few remaining races, in Formula 1 anything can happen and we will believe in our chances all the way to the finish line in Brazil, always trying to give a hundred percent.”

In the other Ferrari, Felipe Massa said he was ‘very happy’ with his race performance, just missing his second podium of the season: “I am very happy with my race, which went fantastically well right from the beginning, thanks to a nice start which moved me up two places.

“The pace was good on both compounds and we ran consistently throughout the whole race. It was a shame I lost the place to Webber at the pit stop, because today, the podium was within our grasp and it would have been brilliant to celebrate with our fans at our home race.

“Today, overtaking wasn’t easy, because, when you find yourself behind another car, especially in the second sector, you lose a lot of downforce. Overall, the weekend has been very positive for me and for the whole team.

“We brought home a good points haul, but we know we still have a lot of work to do if we want to improve. As far as that’s concerned, I will be doing my utmost right to the very end of the Championship.”

Despite his strong performance, Massa seems to have run out of time at the Scuderia, with speculation suggesting that Kimi Raikkonen will replace his former team-mate next year.

Image courtesy Fernando Alonso.