Romain Grosjean Becomes 200th Different Driver On The Podium

Romain Grosjean made Formula 1 history in Bahrain, becoming the 200th different driver to step onto the podium since the sports inaugural season in 1950. With Grosjean joining his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen and reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel on the podium, it was all change once again on the top step of the F1 rostrum.

For Grosjean, it was his first step on an F1 podium in only his 11th start. The Frenchman began his career in 2009 with Renault, however he was replaced by Vitaly Petrov for the 2010 season. Grosjean then returned to the GP2 Series and in 2011 won both the GP2 and GP2 Asia Series’.

In 2012, Grosjean has returned to the top tier of motorsport along with his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, and the two have already shown high amounts of competitiveness in only the first four races of the season. Although Grosjean failed to complete more than seven laps in the first two races due to two DNF’s, he seems to have made up for his errors with two points finishes in China and Bahrain.

The last Frenchman to step onto the podium was 14 years ago, when Jean Alesi did so in unforgettable circumstances at the crazy 1998 Belgian Grand Prix for Sauber. The French veteran was joined by the Jordan duo of Damon Hill and Ralf Schumacher, who had memorably achieved Jordan’s first F1 victory with a 1-2 finish in the rain at Spa.

Romain Grosjean has ended this drought for France and has returned the French flag to the podium once again, becoming the 21st Frenchman on the podium. He now joins the likes of Jean Alesi, Rene Arnoux, Alain Prost, Didier Pironi and Olivier Panis as French drivers’ who have reached the podium in their career. 

With Grosjean only several races into 2012, his aim now will naturally be to become the first French winner since 1996, when Olivier Panis won the Monaco Grand Prix for Ligier in a race which amazingly saw only three cars eventually cross the finish line at the end of the race, the least amount in F1 history.

Lotus showed promising pace in pre-season testing at both Jerez and Barcelona, with Raikkonen and Grosjean both setting the fastest times throughout the testing period. It now seems that Lotus are beginning to show that pace once again, when it all counts during the race on Sunday. Both Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean know how to win races, and they will undoubtedly be striving to do so in 2012.

Picture Copyright © AFP 

Susie Wolff Becomes Williams Development Driver

Female driver Susie Wolff has been announced as the Williams F1 Team Development Driver, joining Marussia test driver Maria de Villota as the second female driver involved in the sport.

Born in Scotland, Susie Wolff currently races in DTM, and this season will see her start her seventh year in the series. She began her motor sport career in karting, before moving to junior single-seater series’ such as British Formula Renault and British F3 before making her DTM debut in 2006 with Mücke Motorsport. 

“Susie is a talented, successful and highly professional racing driver who competes in one of the world’s most fiercely-contested racing series.” Commented Sir Frank Williams, “Susie will join Williams as a Development Driver, in which capacity she will assist us with the development of our simulator and other technical challenges. Susie will also undertake some aerodynamic testing of the FW34 and a full track test in the coming months. Susie will also attend a number of races with us. I should add that, as Susie is married to Toto Wolff, a Director of Williams, her appointment was carefully considered and then approved by the Board, with Toto recusing himself from the process.”

“I would like to thank Sir Frank for giving me this opportunity both on and off the track.” Said Susie Wolff, “I must also thank Mercedes Benz AMG and HWA for supporting me to take up this new experience with Williams. Formula One is the ultimate challenge for any racing driver and it offers me the chance both to apply and to improve the skills I have developed racing in DTM. In return I shall be offering some of my own technical insight and experience – coming from a different discipline – and helping the team engage with its partners. I hope also to demonstrate that women can play a role at the highest levels of motorsport and I shall be working closely with the team on its social responsibility programme in the areas of education and road safety.”

Formula 1 Supremo, Bernie Ecclestone, also offered his approval of Susie’s announcement at Williams, “If Susie is as quick in a car as she looks good out of a car then she will be a massive asset to any team and on top of that she is very intelligent. I am really looking forward to having her in Formula One.”

Susie Wolff will be preparing for her first race of the season, as the 2012 DTM Series gets underway towards the end of the month at the Hockenheimring.

Picture Copyright © Williams F1 Team

Toni Cuquerella Becomes New HRT Technical Director

HRT have confirmed that Spanish engineer Toni Cuquerella has become the new technical director, assuming a role that was last filled by Geoff Willis before his departure in September of 2011. Cuquerella also remains head of the technical development within the team, and will spearhead the teams development and evolution of their F112 car.

This move within HRT is one of many changes that has happened throughout the team’s recent history, with former F1 driver Luis Perez-Sala taking over as team principal throughout the winter period. The team have also moved the location of their headquarters to the Caja Magica complex in Madrid.

After an extremely tough winter period, HRT failed to qualify for the Australian Grand Prix. However they triumphed during the Malaysian Grand Prix in both qualifying for the race and getting both cars’ to the finishing line after 54 grueling laps, albeit after Karthikeyan made light contact with both Button and Vettel.

“The role of Technical Director implies a great amount of responsibility in terms of coordination and decision making.” Said Toni Cuquerella, “That’s why I’m very proud that the management considers me to be the most adequate person to carry it out. Until now there was a lot of dispersion from within the technical team and that had its repercussions in the concept and quality of the F112.

“My priority is to solve the current car’s problems to then develop it to its maximum potential, whilst also unifying and expanding the technical department.” Continued Cuquerella, “But I’m confident that we have a good work base and a clear direction to advance and have a good project for the future”

“Toni Cuquerella has been a key figure in the team since its inception and, above all, in this new stage.” Explained team principal, Luis Perez-Sala, “The transition from the previous project to this one hasn’t been easy and a lot of work has been carried out that without vital figures such as him wouldn’t have been possible. The position of Technical Director was vacant and the development of the F112 was carried out at the technical office in Munich. Because of his experience, judgment and knowledge, Toni’s profile fitted in perfectly”.

HRT’s aim now will be to continue their progress, and begin taking the fight to Marussia. And with this announcement of Toni Cuquerella as their technical director, it seems the pieces’ of the jigsaw puzzle are slowly falling into position for the Spanish outfit.

Picture Copyright © HRT F1 Team

Alex Wurz Becomes Williams F1 Driver Mentor

  Former Formula 1 driver, Alex Wurz, has returned to Williams for 2012 as a driver mentor for the team. Wurz drove for Williams in 2007, alongside German driver Nico Rosberg. The Austrian also drove for Benetton and McLaren in his 11-year career in Formula 1.

Alexander Wurz has now returned to Williams F1, this time as a driver mentor to their current drivers’ Pastor Maldonado, Bruno Senna and Valtteri Bottas. He will begin his duties tomorrow when the second pre-season test gets underway at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain.

In efforts to bring Williams back to the sharp end of the grid, Wurz’s role within the team complements that of Michael Johnson, who joined the Williams team to try and improve their pit-stop times.

“This is a great initiative by Williams and highlights just how hard the team is pushing to optimize its performance.” Commented Alexander Wurz on his return to the team, “Throughout my career as a sportsman, which started at the age of 12 in BMX racing, includes over a decade in Formula One and is still ongoing [racing in the World Endurance Championship], I am lucky to have gained so much experience. I grew up in a family business of driver training and naturally I enjoy helping fellow athletes to operate at their best. I’m really looking forward to using my expertise to help Williams at this important stage in its history.”

“I am delighted to be working once more with Alex and look forward to his valuable input with the drivers as the whole team strives to continuously improve in all aspects of its operation.” Added Chief Operations Engineer, Mark Gillan.

Williams will begin the second pre-season test tomorrow as Bruno Senna takes to the track first, before handing over to reserve driver Valtteri Bottas the following day.

Picture Copyright © Williams F1

Vicky Piria Becomes First Female GP3 Driver

Italian female driver Vicky Piria will become the first ever female driver to take part in the GP3 Series, racing for Trident Racing in the coming 2012 season. She has become the first driver to be announced for the team, and the 13th in total for the series in 2012.

The 18-year-old has undergone a strenuous winter training programme, and is looking forward to making her debut in the GP3 Series. She began karting in 2003, working her way through various junior categories before making her single-seater debut in 2009 in the Formula 2000 Light and Formula Renault 2.0 Championships for Tomcat Racing. 

In 2010 she switched to the Formula Abarth Championship in Italy and secured a total of 17 points in 2011 when she progressed to the Formula Abarth Italian and European Series.

“After ending the 2011 Formula Abarth season I had the chance to test a Formula 3 car as I saw that as a possible chance for my open-wheel career.” Explained Vicky Piria, “When Trident Racing explained to me the details of their GP3 Series program though, I immediately knew that it was the right thing to do for me. I know that there will be many tough aspects to overcome, especially because there will be a lot of more experienced drivers among my opponents. That said, I feel no pressure. I know I can afford a year learning and I’m aware that my goal for 2012 will be to improve step-by-step every lap. I want to learn the tracks which are almost unknown to me and a car that I haven’t driven before. I know I can rely on the help of Trident Racing’s engineers. We immediately got in touch with each other and I wasn’t scared at all in signing with a team I had never tested with. I’m excited by the idea of racing at the same events of Formula 1, and I believe that every driver aiming at the most prestigious series in the world knows that GP3 and GP2 are proven stepping stones”.

She’ll get her first taste of GP3 action as pre-season testing gets underway at Estoril in Portugal next week, in preparation for the season opening Spanish Grand Prix is support of the Formula 1 and GP2 event.

Dani Clos Becomes HRT Reserve Driver

It has been officially announced that Spanish GP2 driver, Dani Clos, will be HRT F1’s reserve and test driver for 2012. The Spaniard drove for the team at last years Abu Dhabi Young Drivers’ Test, and will join the team at the third and last pre-season test before the 2012 season begins.

The 23-year-old from Barcelona last year drove for Racing Engineering in GP2, and finished as high as 2nd on two occasions at Spain and Britain. In 2010 he had his most successful season, winning one race in the Turkish Sprint Race and finishing consistently in the points throughout the remainder of the season, eventually finishing 3rd in the Championship.

Now, Dani Clos has a new challenge ahead of him, taking part in several Friday Practice sessions for HRT alongside main drivers’ Narain Karthikeyan and fellow countryman Pedro De La Rosa. 

“I’m very proud to be a part of HRT Formula 1 Team.” Said Dani Clos, “It is a great step in my career, something that I have dreamt of all my life and, finally, my dream is starting to come true. I’m very impressed with the job the team is doing; they’re achieving fantastic things in a short space of time. The team has changed a lot since we met in the Abu Dhabi tests and I think it’s a great opportunity and an honor to form a part of this new team. What they’re achieving is very important for motor sport in our country and has a lot of potential. Also, being alongside Pedro de la Rosa is very important for me, since he and Karthikeyan can positively contribute to me becoming a better driver.”

Last week, HRT’s car failed its crash test and put the team on a further back foot than they were already on. They will be hoping for no more setbacks as they aim to release their car towards the end of pre-season testing in preparation for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Jules Bianchi Becomes Force India Reserve Driver

French Formula 1 fans will have more to cheer about today as it has been confirmed that French driver Jules Bianchi has become the new Force India reserve driver, a move which will see him partake in at least nine Friday practice sessions over the season. 

Jules Bianchi has been a member of Ferrari for the last few years and has recently become the leading candidate as a potential replacement for Felipe Massa, joining Sergio Perez, Paul Di Resta and Robert Kubica in a long list of drivers potentially set to replace the Brazilian. 

With the Frenchman joining Force India as their official reserve driver, it has been confirmed that Bianchi will remain part of the Ferrari Young Drivers’ Programme, even though he will take part in at least nine Friday practice sessions over the course of the 2012 season for Force India. 

Last season, Bianchi finished 3rd in the GP2 Series, racing for Lotus ART and winning one race at the British Grand Prix along the way. He also competed in last seasons GP2 Asia Series, again for Lotus ART, finishing as the runner up behind Romain Grosjean who incidentally is racing for Lotus in Formula 1 this season.  

Jules Bianchi will be hoping that history repeats itself this season, as the last three Force India reserve drivers have gone on to pick up a full time race seat in F1 the following season with Tonio Liuzzi, Paul Di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg all eventually becoming F1 drivers after being a Force India reserve driver.

Jules Bianchi becomes the fourth French driver in F1 for 2012, joining fellow countryman Romain Grosjean, Jean-Eric Vergne and Charles Pic.