Conor Daly To Drive For Force India In Aero Test
Conor Daly will once again get behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car with Force India on Wednesday, when the American ace partakes in an aero test at Duxford Airfield. The 21-year-old competed in the GP2 season opener at Malaysia for Hilmer Motorsport, and has been confirmed with ART Grand Prix in the GP3 Series for the remainder of the season.
Along with his commitments in Europe, Conor Daly will also contest in this year’s Indianapolis 500 with A.J. Foyt Racing. This will mark his debut in the IZOD IndyCar Series, with a team which has already secured one race victory with Takuma Sato this season. Daly’s test with Force India on Wednesday will be the 21-year-old’s third outing in a Formula 1 car, after he partook in two similar tests last year with the Silverstone-based outfit.
“These sessions are vital data gathering times for Formula 1 teams and I’m glad to be able to assist,” explained Conor Daly. “Formula 1 cars are very complex machines and the day provides me with a great opportunity to learn many of the systems.”
With in-season testing now non-existent in Formula 1, the various teams electing to carry out aero tests will naturally be striving to compile as much valuable data as possible before the next race weekend around Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya. Force India in particular will be hoping to continue with their competitive start to the season, which has seen both Adrian Sutil and Paul di Resta lead a combined 14 laps in the opening four races.
Picture Copyright © Malcolm Griffiths/GP3 Series Media Service
Narain Karthikeyan Pondering IndyCar Switch
Former HRT Formula 1 driver Narain Karthikeyan has confirmed he is pondering a switch to America’s IZOD IndyCar Series, should the Indian driver fail to secure a drive in Formula 1. With HRT withdrawing from F1 after last season, Karthikeyan has been left without a drive in the sport.
Like many drivers before him, Narain Karthikeyan is considering focusing on a switch to America, which would see the 36-year-old Indian driver return to oval racing. During the 2010 season, Narain Karthikeyan competed in the NASCAR Camping World Series, which enabled the Indian driver to gain valuable experience on some of America’s top ovals including Texas, Las Vegas and Talladega. Karthikeyan strongly believes his experience on ovals would assist him should he complete the switch to the IZOD IndyCar Series, despite the differences between NASCAR and IndyCar.
“There are obviously some very big differences between NASCAR and IndyCar, but the oval racing experience I have can only help.” Explained Narain Karthikeyan to Autosport, “There will be a lot to learn, but at least I have a small advantage over a total rookie. If you look at what Rubens [Barrichello] achieved in IndyCars last year, you can see that it is possible to get some good results even if you are not driving for a top team straight away. So hopefully with the experience I have, I should be able to do a good job and prove myself.”
After 19 years competing in Formula 1 with some of the tops teams, Brazilian ace Rubens Barrichello switched to the IZOD IndyCar Series last season to partner good friend Tony Kanaan at KV Racing Technology. The 40-year-old finished a personal best of 4th at the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma, however decided to switch once again to the Brazilian Stock Car Series for 2013. Many other drivers such as Takuma Sato, Giorgio Pantano, Justin Wilson and Toranosuke Takagi have switched to IndyCar racing in America, with Narain Karthikeyan looking likely to become the latest driver to do so.
Picture Copyright © HRT F1 Team
Jake Rosenzweig To Partner Rio Haryanto At Barwa Addax In 2013
Spanish GP2 team Barwa Addax have confirmed that American driver Jake Rosenzweig will partner Rio Haryanto at the outfit in the forthcoming GP2 season, after the 23-year-old competed in the final two rounds of the season for Barwa Addax last year. Rosenzweig will become the first American to compete in the Series since Scott Speed.
After enjoying Championship supremacy in 2011 with Romain Grosjean, Barwa Addax endured a relatively tough 2012 season which yielded only two victories at the hands of both Johnny Cecotto jr. and Josef Kral. The Spanish outfit finished the year only 8th in the Constructors’ Championship with 131 points scored, a tally they will be aiming to better in the coming season with a revised driving line-up which includes Rio Haryanto and American star Jake Rosenzweig.
Jake Rosenzweig’s path to the GP2 Series has included stints in both the GP2 Asia, Auto GP and Formula Renault 3.5 categories. Towards the end of the 2012 GP2 season, Jake Rosenzweig was called upon by the Spanish outfit to partner Johnny Cecotto jr. in the final two rounds of the year at Monza and Singapore, where the American driver managed to finish all four races albeit well outside the points paying positions. However, Barwa Addax were impressed with Rosenzweig’s performances during both the final two rounds of the season and the post-season tests, and he will therefore compete in his first full season of GP2 action in 2013 alongside Indonesian ace Rio Haryanto.
“I am excited to be joining Addax for the 2013 GP2 season and wish to thank all involved for making this possible.” Said Jake Rosenzweig, “Having raced in the final two rounds of the 2012 Championship with Addax, I know what an opportunity this represents to be working with them again. The race calendar has some great circuits and I am looking forward to hitting the ground running. I will do my best to score as many points as possible over the course of the season.”
Barwa Addax have become the sixth team on the grid to confirm their full driver line-up for the forthcoming season, along with DAMS, Lotus GP, Arden International, Racing Engineering and Carlin. With so many Championship contenders on the grid for the new season, 2013 is expected to be yet another sensationally exciting season of GP2 action. Both Rio Haryanto and Jake Rosenzweig will be hoping to add to the excitement once the action gets underway in March at the Malaysian Grand Prix.
Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service
Fernando Alonso: “This Weekend Is Like A Victory For Us”
Fernando Alonso has explained how the United States Grand Prix felt like a victory for Ferrari, after the Scuderia progressed from a disastrous qualifying performance to eventually finish 3rd and 4th. Fernando Alonso’s 3rd place mean’s the Spaniard still has a mathematical chance of clinching the Championship at the season finale at Sao Paulo.
After Ferrari suffered a woefully uncompetitive qualifying performance, which saw Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso initially qualify a disastrous 7th and 9th respectively, Alonso’s chances of forcing the Championship down to the wire at Brazil looked bleak. The Scuderia were dealt another blow once qualifying had come to a conclusion, as Romain Grosjean was issued with a five-place grid penalty, therefore moving Massa and Alonso to the dirty side of the grid.
With the Circuit of the Americas yielding practically no grip off the racing line, where the drivers starting from an even-numbered grid slot would start the race, Ferrari were worried their race could be compromised should they start from their grid slots. To counter this misfortune, Ferrari decided to opt for a highly controversial, yet cunning, plan in breaking the official FIA seal on Felipe Massa’s gearbox. In accordance of Article 28.6 e) of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations, the Brazilian driver received a five-place grid drop.
This therefore promoted Fernando Alonso to 7th on the grid, which would therefore see the Spaniard start from the clean side of the grid. Felipe Massa would also benefit from this decision, as he too would start from the clean side of the grid albeit down in 11th position. As the race progressed, Ferrari’s cunning use of team tactics saw the duo rise steadily through the order, eventually finishing a competitive 3rd and 4th behind Sebastian Vettel and race winner Lewis Hamilton.
“Today [it was] not possible to keep the pace with these two guys [Hamilton and Vettel], that they were too far ahead but enough to keep for the guys behind.” Explained Fernando Alonso, “And then I think this podium, after all the difficulties we went through this weekend is like a victory for us. Losing three points maybe was in no-one’s thoughts I think yesterday night or Friday night after seeing the practice, so we are really happy again to have a very good Sunday and score again good points.”
Despite the gap between Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel once again being extended, the Spaniard still remains confident he can thwart the reigning World Champion once track action begins around the legendary Interlagos circuit. Fernando Alonso clinched his first ever Drivers’ Championship in Brazil back in 2005 for Renault, and will be striving to repeat history next weekend to clinch what would be his third Drivers’ Championship.
Picture Copyright © Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton Hails United States Grand Prix As “Best Of The Year”
Lewis Hamilton believes the United States Grand Prix was one of the best of the year so far, after the 2008 World Champion thwarted the Red Bull of Sebastian Vettel and stormed to a historic race victory at the inaugural race around the Circuit of the Americas. Hamilton and Vettel were followed home by Fernando Alonso in 3rd.
After initially loosing out to Mark Webber at the start, Lewis Hamilton quickly disposed of the Australian driver and began to close the gap to race leader Sebastian Vettel. On Lap 42, the Briton eventually stormed around the outside of the reigning World Champion to take the lead, utilizing his DRS-advantage to great effect. From then on, Lewis Hamilton controlled the race at the front, denying Sebastian Vettel victory at his 100th Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton finally crossed the line to take a memorable victory, the 21st of career and his fourth of the current season. Sebastian Vettel was just under a second behind the Briton at the checkered flag, as he once again extended his lead at the top of the Drivers’ Championship. Whilst being interviewed on the podium by American motor sport legend Mario Andretti, Lewis Hamilton explained how he thought the 56-lap race was the best of the year so far.
Lewis Hamilton was interviewed on the podium by motor sport legend Mario Andretti
“First time winner, yeah, I’m so happy.” Enthused an exuberant Lewis Hamilton on the podium, “The fans have been amazing this weekend, so thank you so much. The warm welcome we’ve had has been fantastic and I think this is probably one of the best, if not the best Grand Prix we’ve had all year. Especially for me and my team, this is so special. It’s been a long, long time since I had a win and I’m just so proud, so proud of the work the guys did, so grateful for the support we’ve had.”
Lewis Hamilton’s sensational overtaking maneuver on Sebastian Vettel was greatly assisted not only by DRS, but also by several back-markers who enabled the Briton to close right up on to the German. This enraged Sebastian Vettel, who was heard venting his anger over the team radio after Hamilton had stormed past him. However, Hamilton was overjoyed that the traffic went in his favor for once, as the Briton has been dealt with bad luck thanks to lapped traffic in the past.
“It’s been a great weekend, to be able to beat Red Bull and Sebastian is definitely a tough challenge but we managed to do it today.” Explained Lewis Hamilton, “Traffic usually catches me out, so I was glad that it worked slightly in my favor at some points. But yeah, what a great feeling to win the first Grand Prix here, back in the States, I won the last one here as well, so I’m massively proud.”
Despite Lewis Hamilton taking a superlative victory at Austin, the British star fought long and hard to close the gap to Sebastian Vettel and eventually overtake him for the lead. The RB8, designed by the masterful mind of Adrian Newey, was notoriously quick during qualifying. This enabled Sebastian Vettel to set several fearsomely competitive laps throughout the weekend, however Lewis Hamilton explained after the race that Vettel was able to open up a considerable gap through Turn 9 in particular on each lap.
“It was everywhere, they’re pretty strong everywhere.” Said Lewis Hamilton, when asked where Red Bull were quickest around the Circuit of the Americas. “I think it was more so… the first sector is very difficult to follow through [Turns] Four, Five, Six, Seven, such high speed it’s quite difficult to follow through there. The place where he really extended his gap was the exit of Nine. That was really where, in the most important part, where he made over a second gap, so I was struggling to really get… to remain close.”
Lewis Hamilton now heads to Brazil with an aim of simply enjoying his final race with McLaren, before the Briton leaves the Woking-based outfit for Mercedes next season. Hamilton wanted to win one more race for McLaren, and will unquestionably be aiming to secure another at the grand finale around Sao Paulo’s Interlagos circuit. Lewis Hamilton has never won a race in Brazil, and could well once again gatecrash Red Bull’s title challenge next weekend.
Picture(s) Copyright © McLaren F1 Team & Getty Images
Jean-Eric Vergne Forced Intro Retirement With Suspension Issues
Jean-Eric Vergne became the first retirement of the United States Grand Prix after the Frenchman’s suspension broke on Lap 14. This ended what had up until that point been a strong race for the Toro Rosso driver, who despite loosing several positions at the start looked competitive throughout the early stages of the race.
This incident was the second time throughout the weekend that Jean-Eric Vergne had damaged his suspension, after striking the kerbs during the third and final practice session on Saturday forced the Frenchman to stop at practically the exact same location on the track. Despite this unfortunate retirement, Jean-Eric Vergne has remained upbeat after enjoying racing around the new Circuit of the Americas.
“I got a really good start and I had about a tenth of a second to decide whether to go to the left or the right going into the first corner.” Explained Jean-Eric Vergne, “Everyone seemed to be going right, so I went left aiming for the inside of the hairpin, as I was much quicker. But it didn’t pay off, because I lost many positions and got stuck behind other cars and therefore could not warm up my tyres properly. Despite this, I was able to fight and make up some positions. Unfortunately, the suspension broke and the team told me to park the car rather than risk bringing it back. A shame, as this new circuit is fun to race on.”
Although Jean-Eric Vergne was unfortunately forced into retirement in the early stages of the race, team-mate Daniel Ricciardo enjoyed an exceedingly competitive race. The Australian driver progressed as high as 5th at one stage, before he carried out his one and only pit stop. The 23-year-old produced many overtaking maneuvers throughout the race, despite being unable to score any valuable points for himself and Toro Rosso.
Picture Copyright © Getty Images
Michael Schumacher: “It Was Much Worse Than Expected Today”
Michael Schumacher suffered a highly uncompetitive United States Grand Prix, after the German legend struggled greatly on his first set of tyres. This in turn forced him onto a two-stop strategy, and severely compromised his race. After starting a competitive 5th, the seven-time World Champion eventually finished a distant 16th.
Throughout the first 15 laps of the race, Michael Schumacher literally plummeted through the order as his tyres failed to work to their fullest extent. This saw Schumacher down in 14th as he served his first pit-stop, gladly bidding farewell to his disastrous opening set of tyres. However, it was too late for the German legend to redeem himself throughout the second half of the race, as Schumacher continued to loose ground to his nearest competitors to finish a disastrous 16th.
“To say that the race was a real struggle would be an understatement.” Explained a downcast Michael Schumacher, “I couldn’t get any grip from my first set of tyres, and there must have been some kind of damage for them to perform so badly. We had to change our strategy to two stops which then compromised our race even further. All in all, it was much worse than expected today, especially considering that things did not look that bad yesterday and Friday.”
Michael Schumacher’s race was so uncompetitive that the German’s team-mate Nico Rosberg was able to finish ahead of him, despite starting the race twelve positions behind Schumacher on the grid. However, Mercedes still failed to score a single World Championship point, which means the German marque have failed to score a point since the Singapore Grand Prix back in September.
With Michael Schumacher set to bid life as a Formula 1 driver farewell after next weekend’s grand finale at Brazil, the German driver will unarguably be striving to end his return to the sport on a positive note with at least a points finish after an exceedingly tough string of races, which has seen Schumacher fail to score a point since the Italian Grand Prix.
Picture Copyright © Mercedes AMG Petronas
Sergio Perez Suffered From Brake Issues During United States GP
Sergio Perez was struck with a brake issue during the United States Grand Prix, which presented the Mexican driver with a difficult remainder of the race after initially enjoying a competitive opening stint. Perez started the race from 15th, and progressed as high as 7th before making his one and only pit stop.
Despite steadily progressing through the field during the early stages of the race, Sergio Perez discovered an issue with his brake pedal around Lap 10, and began to loose time in every corner thereafter as the issue plagued his speed. After his one and only pit stop, the Mexican driver was relegated back down the order, and only just missed out on scoring points by finishing in 11th position.
“My start worked really well and the first laps were good too.” Explained Sergio Perez, “I had a good pace, and the car was really quick, but then around lap ten I had a problem with the brakes. The pedal became very long and I had big difficulties before every corner. This cost a lot of time and so we didn’t manage to get any points here. Now we will get ourselves together for the final attempt to improve to fifth place in the Constructors’ World Championship next week.”
Kamui Kobayashi endured an equally frustrating United States Grand Prix, with the Japanese driver struggling to heat up the tyres and therefore remained stuck towards the rear of the midfield. Since Kobayashi’s illustrious 3rd place finish at the Japanese Grand Prix, Sauber have only managed to finish in the points once at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with Kobayashi once again, who finished 6th. The Swiss outfit remain focused, however, in catching Mercedes for fifth in the Constructors’ Championship at the final race at Brazil next weekend.
Picture Copyright © Sauber Motorsport AG
Paul di Resta Spun After Struggling With Tyres At Austin
Paul di Resta endured a frustrating 56-lap United States Grand Prix, after the Briton suffered with the tyres after the team waited too long before pitting him for his first pit stop. As di Resta pushed to keep track position, he was forced into a spin at Turn 19, which practically ruined his race and forced him to pit for a second time.
After starting the race from 13th on the grid, Paul di Resta initially enjoyed a very competitive start to the race, rising through the melee in the midfield to 6th by Lap 20 before making his first scheduled pit stop. However, upon finally pitting, the Scot dropped back down to 12th position with the Williams duo of Bruno Senna and Pastor Maldonado in close proximity behind him.
However, as Paul di Resta strove to keep his rivals behind him, the 26-year-old was forced into making a mistake and spinning at Turn 19. This saw him plummet through the order back down to 16th position, practically ruining his race. Due to the spin, di Resta flat-spotted his tyres was forced to make one final pit stop before the end of the race. Despite a torrid end to the race, he was able to redeem himself slightly and overtake Michael Schumacher for 15th position.
“I made a good start and for the first few laps we were in quite a strong position and moving forward with good lap times.” Explained Paul di Resta, “Maybe we waited too long before pitting because I became vulnerable to Senna after my stop and was struggling on cold tyres with tyre warm-up. I couldn’t keep Senna behind me and then I had the same situation with Maldonado. I was fighting a lot of oversteer in the car and made an error in turn 19, lost the rear, and spun. I was just trying a bit too hard to keep the cars behind me. That gave me some flat spots on my tyres so I had to pit for a second time.”
Unlike Paul di Resta, team-mate Nico Hulkenberg was able to finish within the points with 8th after a relatively competitive United States Grand Prix after starting 6th alongside fellow countryman Michael Schumacher. Paul di Resta will be hoping for better luck next time out at the Brazilian Grand Prix, as this fine season comes to an end.
Picture Copyright © Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton Takes Historic Victory At Austin
Lewis Hamilton has taken a historic victory at the brand-new Circuit of the Americas, in what was an absolutely enthralling United States Grand Prix. The Briton was followed home by Sebastian Vettel, with Fernando Alonso a distant 3rd. Red Bull have therefore secured their third Constructors’ Championship.
At the start Sebastian Vettel stormed into a comfortable lead, as fellow Championship rival Fernando Alonso enjoyed a sensational start from the clean side of the grid and catapulted himself up to 4th position after starting from 7th. Lewis Hamilton dropped from 2nd to 3rd, as Jenson Button fell backwards as the field negotiated the tricky opening sector. Michael Schumacher, Romain Grosjean and Kimi Raikkonen became locked in a grueling battle for 6th, which the Frenchman won as he progressed after his initial gearbox penalty.
Lewis Hamilton instantly challenged Mark Webber for 2nd position, however the Briton’s initial overtaking maneuver failed to stick as he ran wide and allowed Webber back through. However, the 2008 World Champion managed to make the move stick on the next lap, surging up the inside of the Red Bull driver at Turn 12. Romain Grosjean’s early pace was thrown away on Lap 7, as the Frenchman spun at the ever-tricky Turn 19 and lost many positions. Grosjean rejoined right in the middle of the melee for 9th position with Michael Schumacher, however the Frenchman continued to plummet through the order.
Several laps later and Romain Grosjean decided to pit after loosing many positions since his earlier spin, with the Frenchman now lapping towards the back of the pack. As Grosjean pitted, Lewis Hamilton began piling immense amounts of pressure on race leader Sebastian Vettel. Kamui Kobayashi and Michael Schumacher became the next drivers to make a scheduled pit stop, as Hamilton entered the all-important DRS zone and began to challenge for the race lead.
Jean-Eric Vergne became the first retirement of the race, as the Toro Rosso driver came to a halt on the grass at Turn 7 due to a steering issue on his car. Mark Webber was quick to follow the Frenchman into retirement, as the Red Bull driver picked up yet another alternator failure on his car only moments after suffering with a KERS failure. Nico Hulkenberg decided to pit as the Australian driver retired, whilst Lewis Hamilton began to loose out to Sebastian Vettel as his tyres began to wear out.
The McLaren driver was almost instantly brought into the pits, with Fernando Alonso following the Briton and also pitting on Lap 21. Sebastian Vettel was therefore forced to pit as well, with the Red Bull mechanics performing an utterly unbelievably quick stop on the German’s car. Kimi Raikkonen therefore found himself between race leader Sebastian Vettel and the McLaren of Lewis Hamilton as the Finn decided against pitting with the race leaders. Eventually the Finn was overtaken by Hamilton, before he decided to pit from 3rd.
Whilst the gap between Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton changed every lap, Fernando Alonso has silently risen to 3rd position. This would therefore deny Sebastian Vettel the Championship crown this weekend, and would see the Championship go down to the wire at Sao Paulo next weekend.
As the race entered it’s closing stages, Lewis Hamilton once again began to reel in race leader Sebastian Vettel and on Lap 42 the Briton used his DRS-advantage to full effect and stormed around the outside of the reigning Champion for the lead. The maneuver slightly flustered Vettel, who immediately vented his disbelief at being overtaken over the team radio.
After taking the lead, Lewis Hamilton wasted no time in opening up a comfortable gap to the Red Bull driver. Sebastian Vettel strove to close down the gap to the McLaren driver in the closing laps, however Hamilton remained uncatchable out in front and eventually crossed the line to take a historic inaugural victory around the stunning Circuit of the Americas. Hamilton was followed home by just under a second by Sebastian Vettel, with Fernando Alonso a distant 3rd therefore keeping his Championship hopes alive with the final race in Brazil next weekend. Red Bull have therefore secured their third Constructors’ Championship, making history by becoming the first team to win their first three Constructors’ titles in a row.
The 2012 Championship has been one of excitement and unpredictability, and is poised with a mouthwatering finale next weekend around the legendary Interlagos circuit at Sao Paulo. Rain is always a threat around the tricky circuit, and could well plague proceedings next weekend.
PROVISIONAL RACE RESULTS The USA Grand Prix Circuit of the Americas, USA; 56 laps; 308.896km; Weather: Sunny. Classified: Pos Driver Team Time 1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1h35:55.269 2. Vettel Red Bull-Renault + 0.600 3. Alonso Ferrari + 39.200 4. Massa Ferrari + 46.000 5. Button McLaren-Mercedes + 56.400 6. Raikkonen Lotus-Renault + 1:04.400 7. Grosjean Lotus-Renault + 1:10.300 8. Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes + 1:13.700 9. Maldonado Williams-Renault + 1:14.500 10. Senna Williams-Renault + 1:15.100 11. Perez Sauber-Ferrari + 1:24.300 12. Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1:24.800 13. Rosberg Mercedes + 1:25.500 14. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari + 1 lap 15. Di Resta Force India-Mercedes + 1 lap 16. Schumacher Mercedes + 1 lap 17. Petrov Caterham-Renault + 1 lap 18. Kovalainen Caterham-Renault + 1 lap 19. Glock Marussia-Cosworth + 1 lap 20. Pic Marussia-Cosworth + 2 laps 21. De la Rosa HRT-Cosworth + 2 laps 22. Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth + 2 laps Fastest lap: Vettel, 1:39.347 Not classified/retirements: Driver Team On lap Webber Red Bull-Renault 17 Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 15
Picture Copyright © Getty Images
F1 News 24/7
Andy's GP Blog 