Three-Year Extension Confirmed For IndyCar At Barber

It has been announced that the IZOD IndyCar Series will continue to visit the wonderful Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama for the next three years, after a contract extension was reached between IndyCar CEO Jeff Belskus and ZOOM President and CEO Gene Hallman. The agreement was confirmed just several hours before the green flag last weekend.

Once again fans from all over the world attended the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama last weekend, including fans from all 50 states in the United States. These flocking petrol-heads contribute to an annual economic impact of $28 million, and have seen the event voted as the “Best Annual Event” and the “Best Sporting Event” by Birmingham Magazine in recent years. Despite being a relatively new addition to the IZOD IndyCar Series calendar, the Barber Motorsports Park has quickly become a fan favorite with the 2.38-mile circuit winding its way through picturesque green landscapes with the fans viewing the action from naturally wooded and grass-covered banks.

“We are pleased to have agreed to terms to continue the tradition of our fast and versatile racing at Barber Motorsports Park,” explained IndyCar CEO, Jeff Belskus. “Not only is Barber a terrific facility to showcase our close and exciting on-track product, it also gives IndyCar a strong presence in key southeastern markets to further help us grow our sport.”

Last weekend at the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama, reigning Series Champion Ryan Hunter-Reay ended Team Penske’s dominance at the Barber Motorsports Park with a superlative victory after a tough race which saw the Andretti Autosport driver battle alongside the likes of Helio Castroneves and Scott Dixon. Prior to this year’s event, Team Penske had won each of the three races with Helio Castroneves and Will Power.

Team Penske will be striving to retain their dominance of the Alabama circuit throughout the next three races at the venue, as the IZOD IndyCar Series continues to return to the Barber Motorsports Park. Throughout recent years, the once oval-only Series has gradually added more street circuits and road courses, whilst loosing ovals such as Michigan, Homestead-Miami and Chicagoland.

Picture Copyright © Bret Kelly/IndyCar

Valencia Added To 2013 GP3 Calendar

It has been announced that GP3 has added a race around Valencia’s Circuit de Ricardo Tormo in Spain to their 2013 calendar, which will now host the second round of the forthcoming season. This addition will see the 2013 GP3 calendar rise to 16 races at eight different venues, with this year’s finale set to take place at Abu Dhabi.

This race weekend will be the first standalone GP3 event which will not take place in support of a Formula 1 race weened, with GP3’s visit to Valencia set to bridge the five week gap between the Monaco and British Grands Prix. During this period, Formula 1 visits Canada with the race around Montreal’s Circuit du Gilles Villeneuve. Both the GP2 and GP3 Series do not follow Formula 1 to their North or South American venues, instead supporting only the European and a handful of Asian races throughout the year.

In recent years the Circuit de Ricardo Tormo in Valencia has become a popular testing venue for both Formula 1, GP2 and GP3 alike. Despite this popularity, only the GP2 Series has raced around the circuit, with races during 2006 and 2007 before Formula 1’s first race around the Valencia Street Circuit in 2008. GP3’s first standalone event will coincide with the introduction of the new GP3/13 machine, which has already recorded times in winter testing 4.2 seconds faster than it’s predecessor.

“We are happy to announce that Valencia has been added to the calendar.” Explained GP3’s CEO Bruno Michel, “It will be the first time that the Series will race at Circuit de Ricardo Tormo. 2013 promises to be a very strong season for GP3 with the introduction of the GP3/13 car, recording a lap time 4.2 seconds quicker than its previous generation on the same track. The driver line-up is probably the strongest we have ever had. I can’t wait for the season to start in Barcelona next month.”

The new season for GP3 kicks off in May when the Series supports the Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, with the category set for one final winter test this week at Silverstone. The Series will also feature a mid-season test at Budapest’s Hungaroring during the first week of June, the week before the inaugural GP3 standalone event at Valencia.

Picture Copyright © Drew Gibson/GP2 Series Media Service

2013 GP2 Series Calendar Revealed

Organizers for the GP2 Series have unveiled the 2013 calendar, which will once again see the support series visit every European Formula 1 Grand Prix of the season, as well as four overseas races including Singapore and a return to the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. The season will once again begin in March as support for the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Prior to the start of the season, the teams and drivers will partake in two pre-season tests at Jerez and Barcelona in Spain, which will take place between February and March. After the season opener in Malaysia, the GP2 fraternity will once again travel to Bahrain, however unlike last year the nation will only feature once on the calendar. After the opening two “flyaway” races of the season, GP2 will move back to Europe for a seven race stint which will incorporate all of Formula 1’s legendary events such as the Monaco, British and Belgian Grands Prix.

Once the European season comes to a conclusion with the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, GP2 will continue to support Formula 1 for two more events at the Singapore Grand Prix and the prestigious day-night race at Abu Dhabi, which will bring an to end what will surely be another enthralling and action-packed GP2 season.

“2013 will be another strong season for GP2.” Explained GP2 Series CEO, Bruno Michel. “We have decided to keep the prestigious tracks outside of Europe, starting with Sepang and Sakhir, two venues which provided some heart-stopping action last season. We are also returning to Singapore in September for the second time of the Series’ history. I am very pleased to be closing the season in Abu Dhabi: we have been to that track several times with GP2 Asia and raced there last time in November 2011 with our latest generation car.

“Added to these four overseas events, we will be racing alongside F1 in all seven European rounds which brings a total of eleven F1 tracks on our calendar again next season. Our sole goal has always been and will continue to remain to prepare the next generation of F1 drivers. I believe that’s exactly what we will see again in 2013 and I am really looking forward to next season.”

With the majority of the Formula 1 grid now consisting of drivers who have graduated from GP2 and even GP3, it’s unquestionable that the drivers competing next season will be striving to impress throughout the 22-race season. With drivers’ such as Marcus Ericsson, James Calado and Felipe Nasr all confirmed for next season, expect another unforgettable year of racing!

Date	Venue
26-27-28 February	Jerez de la Frontera, Spain	Test
5-6-7 March	Barcelona, Spain	Test
22-24 March	Sepang, Malaysia	Race
19-21 April	Sakhir, Bahrain	Race
10-12 May	Barcelona, Spain	Race
23-25 May	Monte-Carlo, Monaco	Race
28-30 June	Silverstone, Great-Britain	Race
05-07 July	Nurburg, Germany	Race
26-28 July	Budapest, Hungary	Race
23-25 August	Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium	Race
06-08 September	Monza, Italy	Race
20-22 September	Singapore, Singapore	Race
01-03 November	Abu Dhabi, UAE	Race

Picture Copyright © Andrew Ferraro/GP2 Series Media Service

FIA Move German Grand Prix Forward In Preparation For 20th Race

Next season’s German Grand Prix has been moved forward one week by the FIA World Motor Sport Council, a move which has now opened up a three week gap between the race in Germany and the Hungarian Grand Prix. It is strongly believed this gap has been created to make room for the return of the Turkish Grand Prix at Istanbul.

Several days prior to this alteration of the 2013 calendar, Formula 1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone confirmed that he was entering negotiations with track owners of the Istanbul circuit with intentions of returning the nation to the Formula 1 calendar. This would therefore see the 2013 calendar return to its initial twenty races, which became nineteen once the New Jersey Grand Prix was postponed until 2014.

During the meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council, other changes were also confirmed including the scrapping of qualifying’s ‘force majeure’ ruling as well as the decision to postpone the 2014 ruling which stipulates that all cars must be powered electronically throughout the pit lane. Next season’s DRS rules were also confirmed, which states that the device must only be activated during the designated zones throughout the entire weekend, unlike previous seasons where drivers could activate the device during qualifying and practice on any part of the track.

With Bernie Ecclestone scheduled to attend the meeting later in the week, speculation within the Formula 1 fraternity indicates that official confirmation regarding the return of the Turkish Grand Prix could be on the horizon. This would see the event take place on the 21st July, with the German Grand Prix controversially taking place on the 7th July which would clash with not only the German Moto GP race weekend but also the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Picture Copyright © Lotus F1 Team

IndyCar’s 2013 Schedule Revealed

The 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series schedule has finally been released, revealing what promises to be a thrilling 19 race season. Once again, the season will kick-off around the streets of St. Petersburg, before culminating with another 500-mile night race at the Auto Club Speedway at Fontana.

Fourteen of the fifteen venues which hosted races in 2012 will return next season, with the re-introduction of the 2.5-mile Pocono Raceway and the race around the streets of Houston. With the loss of Edmonton on next year’s calendar, only two races will take place outside the United States, with the race around the streets of Sao Paulo in Brazil and Toronto in Canada. A new introduction for the 2013 season will be the full-distance doubleheaders which will take place on three street courses throughout the year, which will see races on both the Saturday and the Sunday of the relevant weekends. Rules regarding qualifying for these doubleheader weekends will be released at a later date.

The 97th running of the Indianapolis 500 will take place on May 26th, and is once again billed as the crown-jewel of the IZOD IndyCar Series calendar. Pole Day for this legendary race is scheduled for May 18th. Once the Indy 500 has been completed, the Series will move swiftly on to Detroit for the first of the three doubleheader weekends, before IndyCar visits four ovals in succession with races at the Texas Motor Speedway, The Milwaukee Mile, the Iowa Speedway and the Pocono Raceway.

Once again the Series will visit regular street and road course venues at Barber, Long Beach, Mid-Ohio, Sonoma and Baltimore, before the penultimate race weekend in early October at the Reliant Park in Houston, Texas. From there, the season will once again come to what will undoubtedly be an enthralling conclusion around the daunting 2-mile D-shaped oval at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana.

“We are proud of the on-track product we provided in 2012,” explained IndyCar’s CEO, Randy Bernard. “From the drivers to the new car, we demonstrated that the IZOD IndyCar Series is showcasing the best racing in the world. It is important to provide opportunities to generate additional exposure for our sport by expanding our racing schedule, and we feel that our 2013 schedule will certainly challenge the fastest, most versatile drivers in the world with a strong mix of ovals and road and street courses, cumulating in 19 races.”

With the Pocono Raceway joining the likes of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Auto Club Speedway for the 2013 season, IndyCar have announced they will institute a Triple Crown award for a driver lucky enough to win all three races around these fabulous venues. The winner will received a whopping $1 million, with a driver that wins two of the three races instead being awarded $250,000.

“Our new events provide the right mix of strategically-located markets and historic tradition to our schedule.” Continued Randy Bernard, “Houston gives us exposure in another top-10 U.S. market. Pocono is deep in open-wheel, oval racing tradition and has produced some of the most memorable races in IndyCar history. The addition of Pocono allows us to bring back a version of the Triple Crown, restoring a popular legacy of our sport to reward the Champion of our three longest races of the season.”

Another new factor for IndyCar in 2013 will be the introduction of standing starts at Detroit, Toronto and Houston, the three doubleheader weekends. This form of starting a race is widely used throughout the rest of the world, particularly in Europe and with the likes of Formula 1.

“We want to create more exposure and content for our sport, and we feel this strong and diverse schedule along with the addition of doubleheader races will provide an opportunity to further showcase the skills and personalities of the IZOD IndyCar Series next season,” said Randy Bernard. “We look forward to watching Ryan Hunter-Reay defend his title, the second year of engine manufacturer competition and the best-of-the-best tackle this challenging schedule in 2013.”

The 2012 season was one of the most exciting in recent years, with Ryan Hunter-Reay and Will Power fighting right to the end at the Auto Club Speedway. With such a mouthwatering schedule for 2013, it’s unquestionable that such excitement will return once the new season begins in March at St. Petersburg.

2013 IndyCar schedule:

24 March     St Petersburg (street)
7 April      Barber (road)
21 April     Long Beach (street)
5 May        Sao Paulo (street)
26 May       Indianapolis 500 (oval, triple crown)
1 June       Detroit (street)
2 June       Detroit (street)
8 June       Texas (oval, night)
15 June      Milwaukee (oval)
23 June      Iowa (oval)
7 July       Pocono (oval, triple crown)
13 July      Toronto (street)
14 July      Toronto (street)
4 August     Mid-Ohio (road)
25 August    Sonoma (road)
1 September  Baltimore (street)
5 October    Houston (street)
6 October    Houston (street)
19 October   Fontana (oval, night, triple crown)

Picture Copyright © Getty Images

Provisional 2013 Formula 1 Calendar Released: Valencia Out, New Jersey In

The provisional calendar for the 2013 FIA Formula 1 World Championship has been released prior to this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, which features only one major alteration with the European Grand Prix in Valencia replaced by the American Grand Prix at what will be a new street venue in New Jersey.

The season will once again kick-off with the Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne’s Albert Park on March 17th, in a season which is scheduled to span 20 races. The F1 fraternity will then move swiftly on to Malaysia one week later, before another double-header at China and Bahrain in similar fashion to how this season began.

The legendary Monaco Grand Prix is penciled in for May 26th, before the F1 circus heads off to North America for another double-header which will encompass the Canadian and American Grands Prix, with the latter set to be held around an all-new street circuit in New Jersey. The British Grand Prix is scheduled to be held on the 30th June, two weeks before another double-header with the German Grand Prix [which moves back to the Nürburgring] and the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The 2013 season is scheduled to come to a conclusion in similar fashion to the current F1 season, with anther double-header which will include the United States Grand Prix and the Brazilian Grand Prix. Naturally several races remain subject to contractual confirmation, such as the new race at New Jersey and the Korean Grand Prix. The proposed calendar will be submitted to the FIA’s Word Motor Sport council on September 28th, when a new meeting takes place which will finally approve the new calendar.

Picture Copyright © Getty Images

Bernie Ecclestone Hints At Turkish Grand Prix Return

F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone has hinted that the Turkish Grand Prix could make a return to the Formula 1 calendar, regarding Ecclestone and the race organizers can come to an agreement with regards to the race fee. It was this disagreement, coupled with poor crowd figures, that led to the demise of the race.

The Turkish Grand Prix was first held in 2005, and saw the McLaren of Kimi Raikkonen storm to victory. The circuit was designed by Hermann Tilke, and featured the daunting quadruple-apexed turn 8. Many drivers who raced around the Istanbul Park circuit regarded turn 8 as one of the trickiest corners of F1, mainly due to the load of 5g which the drivers pulled throughout the corner.

Throughout the 2011 season, it was announced that the Turkish Grand Prix would be dropped ahead of the 2012 season. This was mainly due to Bernie Ecclestone announcing that he would be doubling the hosting fee, which subsequently led to a disagreement, and the axing of the event. However, Bernie Ecclestone has stated that both he, the FIA and the teams are prepared to return to the Istanbul Park circuit once again.

“If we can solve this problem [with regards to the hosting fee], Turkey can return to the F1 calendar,” explained Bernie Ecclestone in an interview with Turkey’s Haber Turk newspaper.

However, Turkey is one of many nations striving to host a Formula 1 race. With nations such as France, Mexico and even Greece interested in hosting a Grand Prix, Bernie Ecclestone will have his work cutout keeping the season at a feasible amount. The F1 calendar is currently 20 races long, and with the addition of races in New Jersey in 2013 and Russia in 2014, the Formula 1 calendar could well be set to expand in the near future.

Picture Copyright © Williams F1 Team

No Mid-Season Test For 2013

Formula 1 teams have come to the agreement that another mid-season test next year will be not be planned, after agreeing to only hold only three pre-season tests at the usual venues of Barcelona and Jerez in Spain. This comes after several technical chiefs have calculated that enough running is completed during the pre-season tests.

Earlier this season the teams had the opportunity to partake in a mid-season test around the glorious Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello circuit in Northern Italy. The test was met with mixed feelings within the paddock, with some teams questioning the amount of money spent in comparison with the amount of benefits acquired during the Mugello test.

The teams have therefore come to the conclusion that there will be no repeat of this mid-season test next year, with some teams already prepared to open their 2013 preparations on February 5th at Jerez in Spain. The teams will then move swiftly on to two further tests at the popular testing venue in Barcelona, at the Circuit de Catalunya. The test sessions are scheduled to take place between February 19th-22nd, and February 28th-March 3rd. The teams will then head to the opening round of the 2013 season at Australia’s Albert Park circuit in Melbourne, which is currently scheduled for March 17th.

The dates for the 2013 calendar not currently set in stone, and therefore the dates for the opening race weekend in Australia could be rescheduled for an earlier or later date. If this eventuality occurs, then the teams will naturally be required to reschedule their testing plans in accordance with the opening race weekend.

Picture Copyright © Williams F1 Team

Pirelli Expecting One-Stop Strategies At Monaco

Although Pirelli’s super-soft tyre compound is making it’s debut at this weekends Monaco Grand Prix, Pirelli believe a one-stop tyre strategy could be used by some drivers who wish to utilize the many varying strategies open to them throughout the race.

With the Monte-Carlo track surface the least abrasive on the 2012 calendar, tyre wear is expected to be at its lowest throughout the weekend. The soft tyre compound, which is making its fifth appearance of 2012, is predicted to be able to last around 50 laps, a fact which could make a one-stop strategy for the midfield teams who qualify outside the top 10 an enticing option.

However, with the safety-car more than likely set to make an appearance throughout the race, the teams will need enough flexibility in their race strategies to be able to adapt to any sudden safety-car deployment. Although a one-stop strategy is an option some drivers’ may use, a three-stop strategy could also be very beneficial. Jenson Button used a three-stop strategy last season, and finished the race 3rd behind Fernando Alonso who made two stops and eventual race winner Sebastian Vettel who opted for a one-stop strategy. 

“With the wear rate being so low in Monaco, the drivers will be able to push at their hardest from start to finish.” Explained Pirelli’s motorsport director, Paul Hembery, “Tyre strategy will be very important in Monaco, where on-track overtaking is more difficult than anywhere else. Having said that, the Principality has a history of often springing a surprise. With the cars so evenly matched now, even the slightest advantage or smallest mistake can have a big impact on the final outcome of a race, as we’ve seen so far this season.”

With such varying strategies being played out during last years Monaco Grand Prix, it’ll be intriguing to see how this years race pans out. The Pirelli tyres have been a major factor so far this season, and this weekend a new compound makes its debut in what is already regarded as the most exciting start to Formula 1 season in years.

Picture Copyright © Pirelli

Pastor Maldonado Targeting World Drivers’ Championship Battle

After taking his maiden Grand Prix victory in Sunday’s stunningly entertaining Spanish Grand Prix, Venezuelan driver Pastor Maldonado now believes he has the ability to mount a Championship battle for the remainder of 2012. With Williams suffering a disastrous 2011 season, this is a stark contrast to their fortunes.

Pastor Maldonado became the first driver to win a Formula 1 race from Venezuela, as well as the first driver to take the Grove-based Williams team to victory since Juan Pablo Montoya did so in 2004. Now, as the F1 fraternity packs up and heads to the glamour of Monaco, Maldonado is aiming for more victories and podiums as he heads to his favorite track on the F1 calendar.

“Everything is possible.” Explained the 27-year-old, “We aren’t the best team at the moment. [But] the gaps are close and I’m driving well. I have a good feeling with the team and with the car. We are looking to do our best, looking forward to winning some races, to getting a couple more podiums. And I’m really happy because the team hasn’t won many races for many years so this is a great moment for us. I hope to continue like that.”

The celebratory scenes outside the Williams garage after the race were cut short when a freak fire ripped through the garages, injuring many as team personnel did their best to quell the flames. After the mayhem, the FIA released a statement confirming that 31 team members were seen by the Circuit Medical Centre staff, with seven being transferred to local hospitals to receive further treatment.

Williams will be hoping to push this disaster aside when they reach Monaco, and aim to continue their competitive form. The last time the Grove-based outfit won around the Streets of Monte-Carlo was in 2003 when Juan-Pablo Montoya was behind the wheel.

Picture Copyright © Williams F1 Team