Sergio Perez Wishes To Remain At Sauber In 2012
Mexican driver Sergio Perez has stated that he would turn down a move to Ferrari mid-season, and that he wishes to see the 2012 season out with Sauber. Perez finished a career best 2nd place at the Malaysian Grand Prix earlier in the season, and has been strongly linked at replacing Felipe Massa at Ferrari in the near future.
After suffering a disastrous start to his 2012 campaign, Felipe Massa’s position at Ferrari has been under severe scrutiny by the media. With Massa only being able to score a lowly 2 points in the opening five rounds of the season in comparison to team-mate Alonso’s 61, it’s unlikely the Brazilian will still be a Ferrari driver in 2013.
“Should that situation really come about I would reject it as I would not want to make a switch in the middle of a season,” Explained Sergio Perez in an interview on the Official Formula 1 website. “I think all this hype about a possible switch is massively blown up by the media. I started the season with Sauber and will finish my season with Sauber – giving my 100 per cent to my team. I believe that Felipe will bounce back and do a good job. He is a strong driver and he has a great team behind him. These sort of rumors have been around for quite a while and, of course, I have a connection to Ferrari, to their driver academy of Ferrari. But my position is clear: I am driving for Sauber and I will remain here.”
After another difficult race in Spain last time out for Felipe Massa, the Brazilian will be hoping he can return to competitive ways in Monaco, and start scoring points on a regular basis for the remainder of the season. Massa hasn’t won a Grand Prix since 2008, and hasn’t even stepped on the podium since the 2010 season.
Picture Copyright © Sauber Motorsport AG
Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco 2012 Preview
With the 2012 Formula 1 season now fully renowned for its unpredictability after the first five races, all eyes and attention now turns to what is undeniably the crown-jewel of not only Formula 1, but also motor sport in general…the Monaco Grand Prix. Famous for its glamour and prestige, the Monte-Carlo street circuit has seen some of the most iconic moments in F1’s history.
First held in 1929, the Monaco Grand Prix has been held every year since 1955. The race is one of only four to have been on the inaugural calendar in 1950, and to still be on the 2012 calendar alongside Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps and Monza. In the track’s long and colorful history, some of the sports most legendary figures have been victorious on the street circuit, including the likes of Fangio, Moss, Hill, Stewart, Villeneuve, Prost, Senna and Schumacher.
The most successful driver around the Monte-Carlo street circuit was the legendary Ayrton Senna, who won the Monaco Grand Prix an unbelievable six times (’87, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92 and ’93). The Brazilian driver won five of those races with McLaren, who are the most successful Constructor around the Monte-Carlo street circuit, having won the race 15 times (’84, ’85, ’86, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’98, ’00, ’02, ’05, ’07 and ’08). As much as this stat will give confidence to their two drivers’ Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, McLaren haven’t won the race in three years, with rivals Red Bull having done so for the last two consecutive seasons.
The first two practice sessions for the Formula 1 weekend will take place on the Thursday, instead of traditionally taking place on the Friday throughout the rest of the season at other venues. On the Friday, a frenetic morning of support races is planned, with GP3 Qualifying and Race 1 alongside the GP2 feature race.
There has been several minor alterations to the circuit since the 2011 race, most notably where the track has been resurfaced in several areas to try and remove bumps in the track. The TecPro barriers which proved highly effective when Sergio Perez crashed in qualifying last year have been implemented at turns 1 and 14, replacing tyre walls. And also, stemming from Perez’s incident last year, a crane has been removed from the end of the barrier at the turn 10 and 11 chicane. This has subsequently created nearly 15 meters more run-off space.
The DRS zone has remained the same from 2011, with the overtaking device also banned from use in the tunnel. This ban was in use last year, after drivers campaigned against DRS as they believed it would be unsafe if deployed within the tunnel. This therefore means that DRS can only be deployed down the start/finish straight during the race. Former British Formula 1 World Champion Nigel Mansell will be the drivers’ steward for this weekend, a role which has been carried out by Johnny Herbert, Emanuele Pirro and Tom Kristensen throughout 2012.
With five different winners in five races throughout 2012 so far, the unpredictability is expected to continue when the cars finally take to the Monte-Carlo street circuit this weekend. With drivers’ such as Mark Webber, Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen yet to win in 2012, the possibility of a sixth different winner is exceedingly high!
Picture Copyright © Williams F1 Team
Jerome D’Ambrosio Linked To Felipe Massa’s Ferrari Seat
Lotus reserve driver Jerome D’Ambrosio has become the latest driver to join the ever growing queue of potential candidates to replace the ailing Felipe Massa at Ferrari, after the Brazilian has suffered his worst start to an F1 season since his Sauber days at the beginning of his career.
With Ferrari’s team principal Stefano Domenicali confident Massa can ‘step up a gear’ next time out in Monaco, it seems the ever-growing number of drivers waiting to pounce if the Brazilian was dropped is continuing to grow. Jerome D’Ambrosio now joins the likes of Mark Webber, Adrian Sutil, Sergio Perez and Paul di Resta in being hinted at replacing the Brazilian, who has not won a race since 2008.
In the opening five races of the 2012 season, Massa has only managed to bring 2 World Championship points into the team, in comparison to team-mate Alonso’s 61 which has enabled the Spaniard to head to the Monaco Grand Prix tied for the lead in the Championship. Fernando Alonso has also already won a race in 2012, at the wet/dry Malaysian Grand Prix, a race where Felipe Massa struggled down in 15th place almost a whole lap off the pace.
Jerome D’Ambrosio made his F1 career debut in 2011 for Virgin Racing, however he was subsequently replaced by Charles Pic as the team was rebranded as Marussia for the 2012 season. D’Ambrosio has since become the Lotus reserve driver, and got behind the wheel of the Lotus E20 on the opening day of the Mugello test the week prior to the Spanish Grand Prix. With the Belgian driver being considered as being ‘immediately available’, this would allow Ferrari to makes plans for a long-term driver for 2013, with D’Ambrosio seemingly seeing out the remainder of the 2012 season for the Italian-outfit.
Whether this actually takes place, one things is for certain and it’s that Felipe Massa simply has to up his game for Ferrari, or risk being replaced before the second half of the season.
Picture Copyright © Lotus F1 Team
Felipe Massa Adamant Drive Through Penalty Wasn’t Necessary
Felipe Massa suffered yet another miserable race at the Circuit de Catalunya earleir today, as the Brazilian driver was struck with a drive-through penalty which demoted him further down the order amongst the likes of Paul di Resta and Heikki Kovalainen. However, the Ferrari driver is adamant that the penalty was not necessary.
Throughout the support races from the GP2 and GP3 Series, many drivers’ were penalized for ignoring yellow flags, including GP3’s Vicky Piria who suffered a 10-place grid penalty on Saturday morning for her respective race. On lap 28, both Felipe Massa and Sebastian Vettel were issued drive-through penalties for ignoring yellow flags.
The reigning World Champion was penalized as his DRS flap was open throughout the yellow flag zone, thus visibly showing the Red Bull driver was not slowing down as the rules stipulate he should’ve. Massa, however, was adamant he didn’t try to overtake anyone, and that he obeyed the rules during the race.
“Today my race was affected by a penalty that I had to take on lap 28.” Explained the Brazilian driver, “Honestly, I don’t think I did anything wrong and I believe it is better to look into the detail of what happened, because I was in the middle of a group of cars and I definitely did not try to overtake anyone. It’s a real shame, because up until then, the race was going well for me and a place in the top ten was comfortably within my reach.”
With Ferrari’s team principal Stefano Domenicali confident that Felipe Massa will fight back at the Monaco Grand Prix, the Brazilian is in desperate need of success. Many drivers’ have been linked to replace the ailing Brazilian driver, and if decent results fail to materialize soon, Massa could find himself without a drive in 2012.
Picture Copyright © Getty Images
Luiz Razia Dominates GP2 Sprint Race In Spain
Luiz Razia has won his second GP2 race of the season in dominating fashion, completing a lights to finish victory at the front. The Brazilian driver was followed home in 2nd by Nathaneal Berton, with Championship leader Davide Valsecchi holding off a charging James Calado for the final podium position.
After a delayed start due to Jolyon Palmer stalling halfway around the initial formation lap, Luiz Razia stormed away at the front as alongside him Max Chilton suffered a disastrous getaway which saw the Brit drop to 4th. Davide Valsecchi completed belter of a start, jumping up around the outside of the pack into turn 1 up to 3rd place, battling hard with Berthon in 2nd.
With many drivers’ in the GP3 Series getting penalized for jump starts in both the feature and sprint races, the GP2 Series was no exception today as rookie Victor Guerin was caught jumping the start and was subsequently issued a drive-through penalty.
After setting the fastest lap of the race at the back of the pack, Giancarlo Serenelli’s race was short-lived as the Venezuelan driver spun his Venezuela GP Lazarus car into the gravel at turn 4. This caused yellow flags to be waved as the marshals retrieved the stricken car, whereas elsewhere on the track James Calado began his race charge as he stormed up the inside of fellow countryman Max Chilton for 4th.
In the midfield, the usual jostling for position was well and truly underway, with Fabio Onidi and Nigel Melker unfortunately coming together through turn 12. Onidi was busy trying to defend against Johnny Cecotto jr., when the Coloni driver lost the rear end and collected the unlucky Dutchman of Melker. Both were able to continue after the incident, albeit well down the order. Nigel Melker was forced to pit for a new front wing, after Onidi’s car caused damage to the Ocean Racing Technology car.
With Jolyon Palmer’s race ending prematurely on the formation lap, iSport International’s race failed to improve as Marcus Ericsson was handed a drive-through penalty for ignoring yellow flags. This resulted in the Swede eventually finishing the race a lowly 22nd.
As the race entered it’s closing stages, Luiz Razia began to open up a considerable gap to Nathanael Berthon, as Davide Valsecchi came under serious pressure from James Calado. However, as much as the Brit tried to force the issue on Valsecchi, the top three remained the same as Luiz Razia crossed the line to take his third career GP2 victory.
Picture Copyright © Glenn Dunbar/GP2 Series Media Service
Matias Laine Fastest In GP3 Practice For Spanish GP
After a winter period of driver changes and grueling testing, the GP3 fraternity finally took to the track this morning, competing in the opening practice session of the weekend. The MW Arden of Matias Laine ended the session fastest overall, a tenth ahead of team-mate David Fumanelli.
With glorious sunshine overhead as the drivers completed their installation laps, it was the Carlin of Alex Brundle who set the initial pace with a time in the 01:40s. Series rookie Fabiano Machado suffered a worrying start to the session, as the Marussia Manor driver spun off at turn 14. This resulted in a light tap with barrier, however the Brazilian was luckily able to continue and complete 16 laps overall throughout the session.
As the 45 minute session wore on, Antonio Felix da Costa went fastest, before David Fumanelli became the first driver to break into the 01:38s shortly after. With only 20 minutes of the session remaining, Matias Laine shot to the top of the timing sheets, and subsequently remained there for the remainder of the practice session.
Only one driver failed to complete a timed lap throughout the session, this being rookie Tio Ellinas who was plagued with gearbox issues after only one lap around the Circuit de Catalunya. Alice Powell was the fastest driver of the female fraternity, ending the session 20th just above Vicky Piria and Carmen Jorda.
Tomorrow will see the GP3 drivers’ take to the track in a hectic day of racing, which will feature qualifying in the morning before the F1 track action, and will culminate with the main feature race after the F1 and GP2 track action later in the afternoon.
Pos Driver Team Time Gap 1. Matias Laine MW Arden 1m38.878s 2. David Fumanelli MW Arden 1m38.977s + 0.099s 3. Aaro Vainio Lotus 1m39.063s + 0.185s 4. Conor Daly Lotus 1m39.080s + 0.202s 5. Daniel Abt Lotus 1m39.154s + 0.276s 6. Mitch Evans MW Arden 1m39.208s + 0.330s 7. Antonio Felix da Costa Carlin 1m39.514s + 0.636s 8. Alex Brundle Carlin 1m39.625s + 0.747s 9. Tamas Pal Kiss Atech CRS 1m39.682s + 0.804s 10. Marlon Stockinger Status 1m39.776s + 0.898s 11. Robert Visoiu Jenzer 1m39.839s + 0.961s 12. William Buller Carlin 1m40.041s + 1.163s 13. Patric Niederhauser Jenzer 1m40.168s + 1.290s 14. Kevin Ceccon Ocean 1m40.427s + 1.549s 15. Kotaro Sakurai Status 1m40.493s + 1.615s 16. Dmitry Suranovich Manor 1m40.532s + 1.654s 17. Antonio Spavone Trident 1m40.614s + 1.736s 18. Ethan Ringel Atech CRS 1m40.913s + 2.035s 19. Fabiano Machado Manor 1m40.935s + 2.057s 20. Alice Powell Status 1m41.003s + 2.125s 21. John Wartique Atech CRS 1m41.179s + 2.301s 22. Vicky Piria Trident 1m41.532s + 2.654s 23. Carmen Jorda Ocean 1m41.554s + 2.676s 24. Robert Cregan Ocean 1m42.087s + 3.209s 25. Jakub Klasterka Jenzer 1m42.198s + 3.320s 26. Tio Ellinas Manor
Picture Copyright © Daniel Kalisz/GP3 Series Media Service
Josef Kral Fastest During Practice For GP2 In Spain
After staying on in Bahrain for an extra weekend after for the Formula 1 fraternity vacated the track, GP2 has now returned to the Circuit de Catalunya for the first European event of the season in support of the Spanish Grand Prix. Czech driver Josef Kral finished fastest in practice, ahead of British driver James Calado.
In traditional GP2 fashion, a queue of cars formed at the exit of the pit-lane eagerly anticipating the start of the practice session. And it was the Caterham of Rodolfo Gonzalez who led that queue out, the Venezuelan driver having tested for Caterham’s F1 team in Mugello the week before.
Ocean Racing Technology have another new face in their driver line-up this weekend, with current Formula 2 and Auto GP driver Victor Guerin at the wheel. The Brazilian driver suffered a slow start to the session, as he slowly made his way back to the pits early on with some issue plaguing his progress.
Rodolfo Gonzalez set the initial timed lap of the session, with a 01:41.932, however that time was quickly beaten by Tom Dillmann who set a 01:32.017. The French GP3 graduate won last time out in Bahrain, in a nail-biting race as he fended off Luiz Razia.
As session wore on, the times began to tumble as Felipe Nasr and Giedo van der Garde went fastest with respective quick laps. However, it was the Barwa Addax car of Josef Kral who set the overall fastest lap of the session with a 01:31.109. The Czech driver is making his return to the Series this weekend, after racing at the season opening race weekend in Malaysia before Dani Clos replaced him for Bahrain. With Clos now engrossed with his HRT reserve driver duties, this gives Kral an excellent opportunity to excel for his team.
Championship leader Davide Valsecchi came home 6th fastest, after completing 11 laps throughout the session. The Italian driver will be eager to extend his lead atop the Drivers’ Championship this weekend, after a dominating start to the season.
Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service
Bruno Senna: “Barcelona Is One Of My Favorite Tracks”
After completing the Mugello test alongside team-mates’ Pastor Maldonado and Valtteri Bottas, Bruno Senna is looking forward to this weekends Spanish Grand Prix. Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya is one of the Brazilian’s favorites, all the more reason as to why he is looking forward to racing there.
The Brazilian driver, the nephew of the great Ayrton Senna, has only raced at Barcelona once in his Formula 1 career, back in 2010 during his debut year for HRT. However, back in 2007 during his first year in GP2, Senna won the feature race for Arden International. Bruno’s uncle Ayrton never won around the Circuit de Catalunya, however he did win the Spanish Grand Prix when it was held at Jerez.
“Barcelona is one of my favorite tracks and I get a lot of support there so I am really looking forward to the race.” Explained Bruno Senna, “It is a very tough circuit physically and mentality, with plenty of high speed corners and a technical last sector which separates the drivers. Lots of cars will come to Barcelona with new parts so it will be interesting to see who has progressed.”
With a frenetic three days of testing at Mugello, it’s expected many teams will bring new updates to their car this weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix. Williams will be hoping to maintain their competitive form in the mid-field throughout the weekend, alongside the likes of Toro Rosso and Force India.
Picture Copyright © Williams F1 Team
Rubens Barrichello Confident After First Test On An Oval
Former Formula 1 driver Rubens Barrichello has described his first outing on an oval track in an IndyCar as ‘truly awesome’, as the Brazilian star gears up for what will be his first Indianapolis 500 later this month.
The former Ferrari and Williams driver tested the new Dallara DW12 chassis on the 1.5-mile 24-degree Texas Motor Speedway oval, and reached speeds in excess of 200mph. Rubens Barrichello explained that it wasn’t a challenge reaching those speeds, but instead was a challenge in keeping his line and vision on the track.
“It’s different from anything I’ve tried,” Said Rubens Barrichello. “On my second run, after I broke the 200s, I was so excited. It was truly awesome. I’ve been to places in Formula 1 that you have to have the courage to take it flat to gain a hundredth [of a second]. Here, it wasn’t the case of getting flat because it’s not that difficult, but it’s keeping the line and the vision on it.”
In a day which saw Kiwi Scott Dixon top the timing sheets for Target Chip Ganassi Racing, Rubens Barrichello was avidly learning the techniques required to being competitive on a oval.
“I told the officials to let everyone running close to me give a margin because I’m still not so comfortable running just one lane; maybe one and a half lanes,” continued the Brazilian, who will be classified as a rookie the Indy 500. “I’m not totally at peace with the car. I’m driving okay, but I’m not driving my best just yet because I’m not familiar with everything just yet. I’m definitely a newcomer and it’s an exciting challenge. I truly love this.”
Rubens Barrichello ended the day 11th fastest overall, whilst Charlie Kimball and Dario Franchitti rounded out a Ganassi top 3 behind Scott Dixon. Current IndyCar Series Championship leader Will Power ended the day 4th fastest.
Picture Copyright © LAT Photographic
Felipe Nasr Q&A
After the opening six races of the 2012 GP2 Series, Brazilian rookie Felipe Nasr has already scored 28 points and currently lies 8th in the Drivers’ Championship. As a former British Formula Three Champion, he undoubtably has his eyes set on a future F1 drive.
Managed by the same organization as former Formula 1 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen, and having already raced in the Daytona 24 Hours Endurance Race, the 19-year-old Brazilian has already had a highly colorful and competitive racing career.
With Felipe Massa and Bruno Senna currently the only Brazilian drivers’ racing in Formula 1, Felipe Nasr explains his career ambitions as he strives to become Brazil’s 31st F1 driver.
Q: After your first four races in GP2, how do you feel you have settled in to the Series? You have made quite a competitive start!
Felipe Nasr: It is a steep learning curve, new team, new car, new tyres. Such an amount of new things and so little time to test it all! But DAMS was great in transmitting me all the enormous experience they have and making me feel at home to speed up this blending period. This is one of the reasons I was able to be quite competitive from the word go.
Q: With your team-mate Davide Valsecchi making a very successful start to the season, do you feel you will be able to match him throughout 2012?
FN: Davide is in his 5th year in the Series and a very good driver. He worked for that and deserves the success he is having. I can only have him as an example to follow closely, and if I can one day or another match or beat him means that I am also working and progressing in the right direction.
Q: Racing at this years’ Rolex 24 at Daytona, how much of a learning curve was this for you? How different was it in comparison to open-wheel racing such as British Formula Three or GP2?
FN: The Rolex 24 at Daytona was both my first experience driving a car which I could not see where the front wheels where pointing to and my first endurance race. It is all about falling on a different performance groove and it served to see how good my physical and mental preparation was. I want to do it again next year for sure. Although it is so different from F3 and GP2 it is a racing car that has to be driven gently as fast as possible.
Q: How special does it feel to be classed as a British Formula Three Champion, along with fellow countrymen Ayrton Senna and Rubens Barrichello?
FN: And so many other names Brazilian or not. I will always be proud of having my name in the British F3 Hall of Fame, if you can call it that.
Q: The three British Formula Three Champions’ before you (Vergne, Ricciardo and Alguersuari) all drover for Carlin and eventually became Formula 1 drivers’. Do you see this as a good omen, and do you one day see yourself as a Formula 1 driver?
FN: Isn’t it part of the package? Win F3 get F1? Haha! Just joking, hope it is more than a good omen and it turns into a prophecy.
Q: Many Brazilian drivers’ have raced in America’s IndyCar Series. Would you one day consider racing in the U.S. yourself?
FN: I am a professional racing driver, all doors must be open and all opportunities have to be analyzed when the time comes. Now I am concentrated on my DAMS GP2 era and my eventual future in F1.
Many thanks to DAMS and Felipe Nasr for the communication and time taken to complete this interview.
Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service
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