Pirelli: A Year In Statistics

Throughout the 2012 season one thing has remained a major talking point within the paddock: Pirelli’s controversial tyre compounds. From the word go in pre-season testing at Jerez and Barcelona, it quickly became apparent that 2012 would be dominated by Pirelli’s new assortment of P Zero and Cinturato tyres,

Formula 1 visited twenty different tracks throughout the 2012 season, and each one presented different characteristics and therefore different behavior from the Pirelli tyres. Some tracks saw tyre wear become a monumentally race changing factor, and therefore largely contributed to the unbelievably unpredictable start to the season which saw seven different winners including the likes of Pastor Maldonado and Nico Rosberg. Eventually, some form of normality was resumed as the likes of Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel returned to their winning ways.

However, the tyres still remained a pivotal factor throughout the season. Some disliked how much the tyres dictated the sport throughout the year, with drivers visibly opting for a more conservative driving style to make the tyres last longer. This put drivers such as Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher at a great disadvantage, as they were two of many drivers who drove in a style which wore the tyres out much faster than the likes of Jenson Button and Sergio Perez who seemed unperturbed by the tyres wear rate.

Over the due course of the season, Pirelli provided the sport with 31,800 race tyres of which 22,500 were dry and 9,300 were wet. An additional 6,600 were supplied to the teams for the Jerez, Barcelona and Mugello tests. Of these vast numbers, 6% were super-soft, 25% were soft, 21% were medium, 17% were hard, 18% were intermediate, 11% were wet and only 2% were development tyres. Despite the staggering amount of tyres issued by Pirelli, not all were used. Only 21,400 dry tyres and 2,100 wet tyres were used by the teams throughout the season, which still adds up to a pretty unimaginable amount of rubber per season.

Although refueling is banned in Formula 1 and drivers now only pit for new tyres or front wings, these notorious Pirelli tyres still saw a combined total of 957 pit stops throughout 2012, of which 14 were for drive-through penalties and two were for stop-and-go penalties. The most pit stops carried out in one race was 76 in Malaysia, a wet/dry race which was eventually won by Fernando Alonso who only carried out three pit stops on his way to victory. The least amount of pit stops in one race was at the penultimate United States Grand Prix, which only saw a meagre 24 pit stops. The fastest pit stop of the season was carried out by McLaren on Jenson Button at the German Grand Prix, a stop which lasted a mesmerizing 2.31 seconds!

Overall Pirelli have started 242 Formula 1 races since the inaugural season back in 1950, a season which saw Pirelli supply tyres to the likes of Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Ferrari. Since then, F1 has seen numerous other tyres suppliers enter and leave the sport including Dunlop, Goodyear, Bridgestone and Michelin. Pirelli have won 83 races in their time in Formula 1, and will most certainly add to that tally in the years to come as they continue to fox the drivers and thrill the spectators by providing Formula 1 with some of the most controversial and temperamental tyres to spice up the action.

Picture Copyright © Pirelli

Sauber To Retain Telmex Sponsorship For 2013

Sauber have announced they will retain their sponsorship deal with Mexican telecommunications company Telmex, regardless of the fact that Sergio Perez will leave the team next season for McLaren. This has now sparked speculation that GP2 driver, Esteban Gutierrez, could receive a full-time drive within the team.

After it was confirmed that Sergio Perez would replace Lewis Hamilton at McLaren, rumors instantly began to circulate the paddock that Telmex could follow Perez to the Woking-based outfit. The large telecommunications company entered a partnership with Sauber in 2011, only when Sergio Perez graduated from GP2 to Formula 1. With Telmex having sponsored the Mexican driver throughout his GP2 career, it seemed almost certain that the company would continue to support his career in the sport.

However, as this unique Formula 1 season enters its closing stages, Telmex have confirmed their allegiance to the Hinwil-based outfit. With Sauber having run fellow Mexican driver Esteban Gutierrez on numerous occasions, rumors within the paddock have immediately gathered momentum that the 21-year-old Mexican could be the driver to place Perez at Sauber. Although Sauber’s CEO, Monisha Kaltenborn, failed to hint at who would be driving for the outfit next season, she explained how Telmex confirmed their loyalty to the Swiss outfit after Perez’s announcement.

“We were informed by Telmex about this change, and Telmex also told us that for them they have a long-term project with Sauber, and this will not be affected by Sergio leaving the team,” explained Monisha Kaltenborn, as Sauber began preparations for the Japanese Grand Prix. “They have an overall vision regarding motorsports – which is not only their racing school. They want to establish motorsport more in that part of the world. They also use F1 as a marketing platform with the enormous brands that they have, so I think they really have a proper big vision with motorsport involvement in that area. So it is a bigger picture, and we fit in very well with what we have done with their drivers.”

Sergio Perez became only the second driver in the history of the sport from Mexico to step onto the podium this season, and has unarguably rekindled Mexico’s love with Formula 1. With Perez on his way to McLaren, it’s only a matter of time before the South American nation have their second race winner in Formula 1.

Picture Copyright © Sauber Motorsport AG

Thousands Of Fans Left Without Belgian Grand Prix Tickets

Thousands of Formula 1 fans are set to be left ticketless only weeks before the legendary Belgian Grand Prix, after a company stopped communicating with customers after entering financial difficulty. The company in question, The Ticket Enterprise, has reportedly been unreachable for days, thus sparking thousands of official complaints.

It is believed that roughly 6,000 paying customers will not receive their tickets, and will therefore be unlikely to enjoy what is usually one of the most highly anticipated race weekends on the calendar. After The Ticket Enterprise entered financial difficulty, reports began to emerge in Dutch and Belgian newspapers that paying customers would not receive their tickets. This has caused understandable outrage, with thousands of complaints being issued as fans desperately try to contact the company.

With the company in question being unreachable, an official statement has not been forthcoming. This has therefore left the clients in the dark with regards to their tickets, which can cost as much as £399 [€508] for a ‘Super Gold’ weekend ticket. The Ticket Enterprise has reportedly worked with the Belgian Grand Prix organizers for several years, without any reported hiccups.

The Belgian Grand Prix is scheduled to take place between the 31st August – 2nd September, and will be the 12th round of the 2012 Formula 1 Championship. With a sell-out crowd guaranteed by the organizers at the beginning of the month, clients of The Ticket Enterprise will be striving to find a way to receive their tickets and attend the renowned race.

Picture Copyright © Pirelli

Anthony Hamilton To Take Legal Action Against Paul di Resta

Anthony Hamilton is set to sue Force India’s Paul di Resta, for what he has described as a ‘wrongful termination of contract and loss of earnings’, after the two split earlier in the season. Anthony Hamilton, the father of McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton, assisted Paul di Resta in securing a drive within Formula 1 with Force India.

However, it has been reported by British newspaper The Telegraph that Paul di Resta ended his partnership with Anthony Hamilton after he was misled over a multi-million pound deal with the Energy Drink company Go Fast, which failed to materialize. Reportedly, Anthony Hamilton claimed it would be logical to buy the rights to the Scot’s sport drink rights from the Force India team. At the time, it is alleged that Anthony Hamilton informed Paul di Resta that the rights were worth €2 million (£1.56m).

After hearing nothing from Anthony Hamilton with regards to his energy drink rights, it is believed Paul di Resta then approached his team at the Chinese Grand Prix back in April. The team then informed the Scot that the rights were actually worth only €1 million (£800,000). Due to this, it is understood that Paul di Resta terminated his contract with Anthony Hamilton. When this news was discovered by the media, at the British Grand Prix, both Paul di Resta and Anthony Hamilton failed to shed any further light on the situation. Hamilton has denied any wrongdoing.

The litigation will commence next Monday, at London’s High Court. With a four week gap before the next round of the 2012 season, both parties will be eager to settle the matter before the Belgian Grand Prix on September 2nd.

Picture Copyright © Getty Images

FOM Fail To Show Force India During Qualifying Broadcast

After qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix, it became apparent that Bernie Ecclestone’s FOM Television company, who are in control of the F1 world TV feed, failed to show a full shot of a Force India car during the session. This has aroused suspicions, after Force India failed to make an appearance during FP2 on Friday.

With controversy surrounding the running of the Bahrain Grand Prix, Force India decided to pack up early on Friday and therefore not run during the second practice session, with the team wishing to leave the track in daylight hours. This came after four Force India members’ got caught up in protests on Wednesday night as they traveled from the circuit to their hotels in Manama.

During qualifying, the Force India of Paul di Resta was the first driver out on track in both Q1 and Q2, yet images of the Scot were never seen from the FOM. Paul di Resta even set the first timed lap of both Q1 and Q2, yet still the FOM failed to pick up on the teams actions on track. This has created suspicions as to whether F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who owns the FOM (Formula One Management) purposefully instructed the TV Director to not show any of the Force India’s throughout qualifying, after they made international headlines after failing to appear in practice two through safety fears.

With many picking up on the absence of a Force India on their TV screens across the globe, Bernie Ecclestone has insisted it was not deliberate: “Nobody cares if someone is 9th or 11th,” he explained to Reuters. “Only the people that are watching a particular team. I spoke to our people and they were more or less concentrating on who was going to be on pole, rather than somebody going to be 10th.”

The team themselves have remained silent on the situation, with Paul di Resta declining to comment, stating that he had read various comments on Twitter. With a 57-lap race ahead of them tomorrow, one would imagine the cars’ would undeniably be seen during the TV coverage of the race.

In qualifying, the only shot of a Force India was whilst onboard with Mark Webber as the Red Bull flew past Paul di Resta in the dying seconds of the session. Whether this is pure payback from not running in FP2 on Friday or not, it will be interesting to see whether the Force India’s make it onto the TV during the race later today.

Picture Copyright © AFP

Rubens Barrichello Finds New Sponsors For 2012 IndyCar Series

Former Formula 1 veteran, Rubens Barrichello, has apparently found new sponsors which will enable him to compete in the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series in America. The Brazilian was replaced at Williams in F1 by fellow countryman, Bruno Senna, for the 2012 season.

According to local Brazilian newspaper, O Estado de S. Paulo, Rubens Barrichello has found a partnership with Brasil Maquinas, a company which rents heavy construction equipment. With the company already trying to assist Barrichello in remaining in Formula 1, it is believed they will pay the Brazilian $3 million in sponsorship money throughout this season.

After completing several tests with the KV Racing Technology IndyCar team, it is believed an official announcement will be made on Thursday which will cement Barrichello’s move to join fellow countryman Tony Kanaan at the team. Venezuelan driver E.J. Viso will also be driving for the team, creating an all South American driver line-up.

Once the deal is confirmed, Rubens Barrichello will become the third Brazilian driver in the IndyCar Series for 2012, alongside previous IndyCar winners’ Tony Kanaan and Hélio Castroneves.

Picture Copyright © Scott Bloom

Caterham Announce Russian Sponsor

Only days after Caterham announced that Russian driver Vitaly Petrov had replaced Jarno Trulli at the team, it has today been announced that Caterham now have a Russian sponsor in petrochemical company Sibur.

Continuing their partnership with Vitaly Petrov, Sibur logos will now appear on the Caterham CT01, as well as Petrov’s overalls throughout the 2012 season. With Sibur becoming an official team partner, this will undoubtedly bring in more funds for Caterham as they begin their third season in the sport.

“We are delighted to welcome Sibur into our team and to help them continue their relationship in F1 with Vitaly, and now with Caterham F1 Team.” Explained Caterham team principal, Tony Fernandes, “F1 is a truly global sport, and Sibur’s investment in our sport is proof of the value F1 can bring, on a national and international level, so we are looking forward to working closely with Mr Konov and his team at Sibur to help them realize maximum benefit from this partnership.”

In 2012, Caterham will be hunting for their first ever World Championship points, with two drivers’ who have both had their taste of success in the sport. Heikki Kovalainen has raced for McLaren and won the 2008 Hungarian Grand Prix, whereas Vitaly Petrov, who has never won a race before, has finished on the podium on one occasion.

Picture Copyright © Andrew Ferraro/LAT Photographic

Williams Part Company With Title Sponsor AT&T

It was officially announced today that Williams have parted company with their title sponsor AT&T, with their logos disappearing from the teams website earlier today. This comes after the teams most unsuccessful season in their long and colorful history in the sport as they finished the season with only five points from 19 races.

The American multi-national telecommunications company have been the teams title sponsor for five years after Williams split from their BMW partnership that had lasted since the 2000 season. With Williams promising better results in the up-and-coming 2012 season, they now not only have to find themselves a second driver, but also a title sponsor. It has become apparent through Reuters that the team are now currently undergoing negotiations with another telecommunications company, with other sources hinting that this particular company could turn out to be Qtel, the Qatar national telecommunications company.

Either way, there is no denying that Williams have an uphill struggle to find success in 2012, even though they will have the backing of Renault engines. Williams found huge amounts of success with Renault in the 1990s with Nigel Mansell (1992), Alain Prost (1993), Damon Hill (1996) and Jacques Villeneuve (1997) all being crowned Champions driving a Williams-Renault.

Martin Brundle Off To Sky Sports For 2012?

Next year the broadcasting of Formula 1 in the United kingdom changes as the BBC will co-broadcast F1 alongside major sporting TV company Sky Sports. Sky have almost monopolized sport over the last decade as popular sports such as Football, Cricket and Golf have made Sky their new home and as of 2012, Formula 1 will be added to the growing list of sports covered by the company.

The BBC will still broadcast F1 next year as they plan to show 10 races live and the other 10 in a delayed highlights format that has yet to be announced whereas Sky Sports will show all 20 races live next year including all three Practice Sessions and Qualifying.

The highlight of this slightly controversial decision has now switched to who Sky Sports will sign up as their presenters, commentators and pit lane reporters. It has been highly speculated over the last few months that former ITV and current BBC commentator, Martin Brundle, is in talks with both companies over his future with the sport. He has tweeted saying that he has received offers from both companies and that he will be taking the weekend to decide on his future.

If Martin Brundle does join Sky Sports, how will that affect the BBC F1 Team, who have produced some of the best F1 coverage the sport has ever seen in their long and colorful years covering the sport, their first race coverage being the 1978 Canadian Grand Prix which was won by local hero Gilles Villeneuve and featured commentary from Murray Walker before being joined a year later by former World Champion James Hunt. Will the BBC take the offer of using Sky’s commentary, an opportunity that must be offered to them as part of the deal with Sky or will they continue with their own commentary minus probably the only true heir to Murray Walker’s throne in Martin Brundle? If this decision is taken it is understood that David Coulthard will be joined by Speed TV’s Australian commentator Leigh Diffey. If Martin Brundle does join Sky it is believed he will be joined by current colleague and BBC Radio 5 Live commentator David Croft who is renowned for his colorful and sometimes explosive commentating style. 

It is also understood that Sky are keen to have ex ITV and current BBC pit lane reporter Ted Kravitz and current ITV Sports presenter (and ex BBC and ITV F1 presenter) Steve Rider on their team, meaning that if this does become a reality that the BBC F1 Team will also be a pit lane reporter down, leaving only Lee McKenzie and Natalie Pinkham remaining.

Of course there are two races remaining in 2011, and there is a whole winter off season in which these various contracts will be flying ever other way before Sky can reveal their 2012 F1 Team Line-Up.