Rene Binder Q&A

The 2013 GP2 Series season may only be several races old, however Austrian driver Rene Binder has already surpassed the first milestone of his career in the category by picking up his first point during the sprint race in Malaysia. The 21-year-old made his debut in the Series last year at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Prior to making his debut in the GP2 Series with Venezuela GP Lazarus towards the end of last season, Rene Binder competed in the German Formula Three Series with Van Amersfoort Racing. The 21-year-old Austrian made his debut in single seater racing back in 2009 in the ADAC Formel Masters category with Team Abt Sportsline. The 21-year-old Austrian also competed in Formula 2 for his home event in 2011 at the Red Bull Ring, finishing 16th and 13th respectively in the two races.

Motorsport runs in his blood, with his father [Franz Binder] and uncle [Hans Binder] having both competed in motor racing, with the latter starting several races in Formula 1 throughout the 1970s. So far this season, Rene Binder has finished each of the four races for Venezuela GP Lazarus, a team competing in their second season in the GP2 Series. With several weeks before the next race weekend around Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, I caught up with Rene Binder to discuss his career so far in the GP2 Series.

Q: First of all Rene, many thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. You made you debut in the GP2 Series towards the end of last year at the Belgian Grand Prix replacing Giancarlo Serenelli. Did you feel any added pressure entering a new series with a new team at such a late stage in the season?

Rene Binder: It was a difficult decision as I had no idea what was going to happen in Spa. We are talking about the official feeder series of Formula 1 and I arrived from a national German F3 series, but right from the beginning I had a good feeling with the powerful car and with the Pirelli tyres.

Q: You are now in your first full season in the category and Venezuela GP Lazarus are in their second season. Although you only contested in six races together last year, have you noticed any improvements within the outfit as they become accustomed to life in the support category to Formula 1?

RB: You should not forget that Tancredi Pagiaro and his engineers have won races in GP2 before, therefore I have never questioned the competitiveness of Venezuela GP Lazarus. It is a young but very professional team and we are growing together, which is good.

Q: This season you have so far scored your first point in the GP2 Series with 8th during the Malaysian Grand Prix sprint race. Do you feel more confident this season, or are you still learning as the year progresses?

Rene Binder on his way to his first point in the GP2 Series.

RB: Of course, I am much better prepared but you never stop learning in GP2. It is a very tough challenge to prepare for a qualifying in only two/three flying laps of free practice and it is even harder if you don’t know the tracks like Sepang, Bahrain or Monte-Carlo. Anyway, I feel in good shape and I am confident that we can achieve some good results already this season.

Q: At Bahrain you were struck with a drive-thru penalty for allegedly forcing Mitch Evans off of the track. Do you think this penalty was justified, or do you think your battle with Evans was just close and exciting racing?

RB: The penalty was definitely not justified and a few hours later there was exactly the same situation between Jenson Button and Sergio Perez without any consequences.

Q: Although it has been several years since an Austrian driver competed in a Formula 1 race, the nation has remained at the top of the sport with the success of Red Bull. Has the team’s dominance of recent years sparked more interest in the sport back home in Austria?

RB: Austria is a country with a strong historical background in F1, going back to Jochen Rindt and Niki Lauda, and it’s definitely positive for the fans that we now have a team that is sporting our flags in the top class of motorsport. But, needless to say, that the fans are also hoping for an Austrian driver in Formula 1 again.

Q: Finally, how do you see the remainder of the 2013 season panning out for both yourself and Venezuela GP Lazarus? Do you think you can fight for podium finishes as the season progresses?

RB: My goals haven’t changed yet. I want to be in a position to be fighting for points as often as possible. I don’t know if I can fight for podiums later this season, we will see. It doesn’t make sense to think about results now, I prefer to focus on my set-up work together with my engineer, on my physical training and on my mental preparation. The most important thing for me was that we showed a good race pace in Bahrain with the 3rd fastest lap time in race two and the 4th fastest lap in race one. We are moving to the right direction.

Many thanks to Rene Binder and Venezuela GP Lazarus for the communication and time taken to complete this interview.

Picture(s) Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service

Jolyon Palmer Switches To Carlin For 2013

Jolyon Palmer has joined Carlin for the 2013 GP2 Series season, and will team-mate rising Brazilian ace Felipe Nasr at the British outfit. Jolyon Palmer picked up his first GP2 victory throughout the 2012 season with iSport International, and is targeting the Championship crown next season.

After finishing as runner-up in the 2010 Formula Two season, Jolyon Palmer made the switch to GP2 with Arden International. Despite a rather mediocre debut season in the series, which saw the Briton finish no higher than 9th, Palmer was able to progress to a drive in 2012 with former Champions iSport International. This led to the 21-year-old’s maiden GP2 victory at Monaco, and has instilled confidence within Palmer that Championship glory is possible next season.

“I’m very happy to be racing for Carlin in 2013.” Explained Jolyon Palmer, “The team showed good pace this year in their second season in GP2 and they are hungry to build on that next year. My aim is to be fighting for the Championship and I’m confident we are in a position to do that.”

Jolyon Palmer’s team-mate for the 2013 season will be Brazilian driver Felipe Nasr, who impressed greatly during his first season with DAMS alongside eventual Champion Davide Valsecchi. Both drivers are aiming for the Championship crown in 2013, and Carlin’s Racing Director Trevor Carlin is hopeful of a competitive season.

“Jolyon is a very promising young British driver and we’re delighted to be able to welcome him into our GP2 team.” Enthused Trevor Carlin, “He put in some fantastic performances last season and I believe he will be a regular race winner and title contender next year. With Jolyon and Felipe we have an exceptionally talented team, and preparations are already underway for a strong start to the 2013 season.”

Both Jolyon Palmer and Felipe Nasr will have strong competition for Championship supremacy next season, with the likes of James Calado and Marcus Ericsson, amongst others, with their sights firmly set on the Championship crown. Whoever comes out on top next year, the 2013 season already has all of the ingredients to be yet another sensational chapter in the sport’s history.

Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service

Daniel Juncadella Awarded Ferrari Test At Vallelunga

Newly-crowned European Formula 3 Champion Daniel Juncadella has been awarded a test drive with Ferrari, after the 21-year-old Spaniard stormed to the title last weekend at Hockenheim. This test will take place on November 9th, at the Autodromo Vallelunga which is situated just north of Rome.

The 21-year-old from Barcelona stormed to both the FIA European Formula 3 and the Formula 3 Euro Series Championship titles in dominant fashion throughout the 2012 season, winning a combined total of 10 races in both categories as well as pole position, fastest lap and the race victory at the Formula 3 Masters event at Zandvoort. Although Juncadella is not expecting his test with the Scuderia to lead to anything, the Spaniard is understandably eager to jump into Formula 1 machinery.

“It’s what every young racing driver wants to do from the very first part of your career,” explained Daniel Juncadella to AutoSport. “It’s a dream come true for me. From the time I saw the prize was announced at the start of the year, it was something I really wanted to win.”

Although Daniel Juncadella’s Formula 3 season is now over, the Spaniard will be kept rather busy in the coming weeks. Due to his overwhelming dominance throughout the year, the 21-year-old will test both Formula 2, World Series by Renault and DTM machinery, not to mention an upcoming GP2 test with Rapax later this month. With such a dominant display of driving throughout 2012, Daniel Juncadella is a name that could well crop up in the future as he continues his career up the motor sport ladder.

Picture Copyright © ITR e.V.

Luciano Bacheta Drives Williams FW33 At Silverstone

Newly-crowned FIA Formula 2 World Champion, Luciano Bacheta, received his first taste of Formula 1 machinery earlier today at the Silverstone circuit. This test, competed in last year’s FW33 car, was part of his prize for clinching the Formula 2 Championship. The 22-year-old led the Championship from start to finish, in utterly dominating fashion.

After clinching the Championship last month at the legendary Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Luciano Bacheta was awarded a test drive with the Williams Formula 1 team. This prize has been awarded to numerous F2 World Champions before him, and has enabled Bacheta to complete enough mileage to qualify for an FIA Super License which is required for all drivers to compete in Formula 1.

“Today’s gone very well for me.” Explained Luciano Bacheta, “I’ve had a good mix of wet and dry running which has been a perfect way to learn how the car works and adapts. Just to be around a team like Williams is a special experience and I’ve gained so much from the day.

“I’m still taking it all in and I am sure that it won’t be until I go away and reflect that I’ll realize quite how brilliant it was. The car is just a pleasure to drive, better than anything I’ve driven before, so I’d love to have some more experience of Formula One in the future.”

The Briton competed around the International layout of the Silverstone circuit, and carried out five sessions throughout his day with the team. Sir Frank Williams was highly impressed with the way Bacheta won the Formula 2 title, which included four consecutive wins at the beginning of the season.

“I’d like to pass on my congratulations to Luciano for winning the F2 title, a feat made all the more impressive by the way he achieved it with an unprecedented four consecutive wins at the start of the season.” Said Sir Frank Williams, “No doubt he learnt a lot from today’s experience and it will stand him in good stead for his future career which looks very promising indeed.”

Luciano Bacheta was sensationally dominant throughout the Formula 2 season, winning the opening four races of the season, not to mention his splendid display of consistency which saw him only retire once all season. Bacheta has impressed Sir Frank Williams this season, and is unarguably set to continue his path up the motor sport ladder next season.

Picture Copyright © Williams F1 Team

Closed Cockpits The Way Ahead In Formula 1 After Alonso Crash

Closed cockpits in Formula 1 are now almost a given in future seasons after Fernando Alonso’s lucky escape during the first corner incident at Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix, in which the Championship leader was violently collected by the Lotus of Romain Grosjean and the McLaren of Lewis Hamilton.

With Technical Chiefs up and down paddock hinting at bringing forward plans to introduce closed cockpit designs, it is believed these introductions could occur as soon as 2014. With Grosjean’s car passing so closely to Alonso’s vulnerable head, a horrific outcome was only centimeters away as the Frenchman’s machine flew over the top of Alonso’s Ferrari.

A similar incident occurred in 2007, when David Coulthard tangled with Alexander Wurz at the season opening Australian Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver was attempting to overtake Wurz in the Williams, however the Austrian driver failed to notice him and the two collided with Coulthard flying over the Williams in similar fashion to Grosjean on Sunday.

Felipe Massa being attended to after getting struck on the head by debris at Budapest in 2009.

Closed cockpits in Formula 1 has been on the cards for several years now, especially after Felipe Massa was struck on the head by debris from Rubens Barrichello’s Brawn GP car at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix. This incident severely injured Massa, and came only days after Henry Surtees was killed in a similar incident during a Formula 2 race at Brands Hatch. McLaren’s Paddy Lowe believes the introduction of closed cockpits is inevitable, after working on the project in recent years.

“I think 2014 is intended, as we started the project a year ago,” explained McLaren’s Technical Director, Paddy Lowe. “Personally I think something is inevitable because it is the one big [safety] exposure that we have got. You see it time and time again and think ‘that was lucky’. One day it won’t be lucky. At the same time it is an open cockpit formula so we have to protect that, but it should be technically possible one way or another.”

Romain Grosjean was subsequently issued a one race ban for causing the incident, which took out two Championship contenders and nearly injured a fellow competitor. The Frenchman has become renowned for his start-line antics, and hopefully this ban will change his mentality when he returns to racing at the Singapore Grand Prix later this month.

Picture(s) Copyright © Getty Images

Alex Fontana To Return To GP3 In Budapest

Swiss driver Alex Fontana will make a return to the GP3 Series this weekend in Budapest, as the 19-year-old teams up with Jenzer Motorsport. Fontana drove in the Series last year, at Spa-Francorchamps where he finished 14th and 6th respectively in the two races.

Throughout the 2012 season, Alex Fontana has enjoyed a relatively successful Formula 2 season. However, this weekend will see the 19-year-old team up with fellow countryman Patric Niederhauser and Robert Visoiu for round six of the GP3 season. Jenzer Motorsport have already been victorious twice this season, and offer Alex Fontana a superlative chance to shine within the highly competitive Formula 1 feeder series.

“I’ve been in constant contact with the Jenzer team since the beginning of the season.” Explained Alex Fontana, “Due to a series of circumstances including overlaps with the Formula 2 Championship dates, so far it’s been impossible to get a taste of GP3. I’m therefore delighted that the team turned to me on this occasion. For a young driver, racing in the shadow of the Formula 1 circus, is a unique and incredibly stimulating experience. Some of the world’s best drivers from my age group race in GP3 and I’ve never even seen the Hungaroring track. I’m hoping I’ll be able to adapt quickly giving that we’ll only have one free practice session.”

Alex Fontana will be driving the third Jenzer Motorsport car this weekend, which has been driven in previous races by Jakub Klasterka and Facu Regalia. Jenzer Motorsport’s team principal, Andreas Jenzer, is confident that Alex will be a valuable addition to his team this weekend.

“We had Alex with us last year for the race at Spa where he immediately took the car into the points zone.” Enthused Andreas Jenzer, “So we already know him and we have the advantage that he knows the team and the way we work. We don’t expect miracles, but we’re sure that he’ll make his contribution to the team, a contribution that I hope will prove to be important in terms of the future too.”

Alex Fontana will naturally be itching to take to the tricky Hungaroring circuit once free practice gets underway early Friday morning, as the 19-year-old strives to quickly learn the characteristics of the circuit. Once free practice is over, he’ll be plunged into the all-important qualifying session Saturday morning prior to race one later that same day.

Picture Copyright © Malcolm Griffiths/GP3 Series Media Service

Red Bull & Toro Rosso To Complete Young Drivers’ Test In Abu Dhabi

With the 2012 Formula 1 Young Drivers’ test set to take place at either the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi or at Silverstone in the U.K., it has come to light that only Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso wish to complete the test at Abu Dhabi. 

The yearly test session at Abu Dhabi, which is aimed at giving up-and-coming drivers’ the opportunity to drive Formula 1 cars’, could well be moved to Silverstone and take place the week after this years British Grand Prix. However, this proposal could well cause further complications for teams’, as many drivers’ who would take part in the test could well be tied up in their own Series’ such as World Series by Renault or Formula 2.

With Red Bull and Toro Rosso seemingly prepared to “go it alone” and test at Abu Dhabi towards the end of the year, Pirelli are now making the relevant preparations. This means they will offer Red Bull and Toro Rosso with the same tyre specification that will be issued to the other 10 teams at Silverstone, so that no team can gain any advantage over the other.

“We have 12 partners and we have to go along with what the partners want.” Explained Pirelli’s motorsport director, Paul Hembrey, “Ten of them would appear to want to go to Silverstone, and two of them to Abu Dhabi – so it means we will not be taking any of the new products to the young driver tests. We have found in the past the young driver test is of limited use for a variety of reasons. The teams at the last young driver test were trying a lot of items for next season, and trying new drivers, so while it gave us indicative results, it was of overall very limited value.”

However, if the week after the British Grand Prix looks set to be plagued with inclement weather, the 10 teams wishing to test at Silverstone will have to ability to cancel their plans at the last minute. 

The first in-season test since 2008 is scheduled for next week at Italy’s Mugello circuit, and will feature a host of drivers’ including various reserve and test drivers alongside the main drivers’ of the Formula 1 World Championship.

Picture Copyright © Force India F1 Team 

Young Drivers’ Test To Take Place At Silverstone?

For the last two seasons’ in Formula 1, there has been a young drivers’ test which has taken place towards the end of the season at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi. The test was originally set to take place at the end of he season, however last year teams’ were reluctant to stay on after the season finale at Sao Paulo. 

This season, it has been rumored that the event could take place at Silverstone the week after the British Grand Prix. With the addition of the United States Grand Prix at Austin scheduled to take place two weeks after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this year, this would mean team personnel would be working flat out for five consecutive weeks. 

However, with plans to hold the young drivers’ test mid-season at Silverstone, not all teams are 100% behind such a plan. After all, the young drivers’ which would take place in the test are usually engrossed in their own Championships’ such as GP2, GP3, Formula 2 and World Series by Renault. The fact that all of these Championships’ would be ongoing could cause difficulties for teams’ as they try and plan who to have in their cars. 

“Everybody wants to have the young driver test.” Explained Force India’s Deputy Team Principal, Robert Fernley, in an interview with AutoSport, “But if we do it in Abu Dhabi we are putting the pressure on the crew because it will be five weeks away with no stop. If we do it at Silverstone, then the argument could be: have we seen who we want to test from the other series? We need a bit more discussion with the team managers to see what we do now.”

The week after the British Grand Prix at Silverstone sees the British Formula 2 event at Brands Hatch, including the World Series by Renault event at Moscow in Russia. This alone would make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for drivers’ from these two series’ to make an appearance at the test. 

With strict rules regarding in-season testing in Formula 1, it seems as though finding the correct venue and date for this week of testing is going to be a difficulty to achieve.

Picture Copyright © Pirelli

2011 Abu Dhabi Young Driver Test – A Preview

Between the 15th – 17th of November, the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi plays host to the one and only official in-season test session of the 2011 Formula 1 season as the F1 Paddock stays on in Abu Dhabi for the 2011 Young Driver Test.

To makes sure the teams don’t field any drivers with extensive F1 experience in preparation for 2012 (like Hulkenberg or Raikkonen), the rules for this week stipulate that the teams can only run drivers who have had no more than two Grands Prix worth of experience. This naturally means many of these drivers you’ll see and hear about this week are going to be GP3/GP2, Formula 2 and World Series by Renault drivers who are striving to graduate further up the Motor Sport ladder.

Here is a run down of the drivers that are expected to run throughout the three days:

Red Bull Racing:

Jean Eric-Verge (FRA) – Runner-Up of 2011 World Series by Renault Championship

McLaren:

Gary Paffett (GBR) – Official McLaren Test Driver and 2011 DTM Driver

Oliver Turvey (GBR) – 2011 GP2 and GT3 Driver

 

Ferrari:

Jules Bianchi (FRA) – Official Ferrari Test Driver and 2011 GP2 Driver

 

Mercedes:

Sam Bird (GBR) – 2011 GP2 Driver

 

Renault:

Robert Wickens (CAN) – 2011 World Series by Renault Champion

Kevin Korjus (EST) – 2011 World Series by Renault Driver

Jan Charouz (CZE) – Official Renault Test Driver, Auto GP and World Series by Renault Driver

 

Force India:

Max Chilton (GBR) – 2011 GP2 Driver

Johnny Cecotto Jr. (VEN) – 2011 GP2 Asia & GP2 Driver

 

Sauber:

Fabio Leimer (SUI) – 2011 GP2 Asia & GP2 Driver

Esteban Gutierrez (MEX) – 2011 GP2 Driver

 

Toro Rosso:

Stefano Coletti (MON) – GP2 Asia & GP2 Driver

Kevin Ceccon (ITA) – Auto GP Champion and GP2 Driver

 

Williams:

Valtteri Bottas (FIN) – 2011 GP3 Champion

Mirko Bortolotti (ITA) – 2011 Formula 2 World Champion

Team Lotus:

Rodolfo Gonzalez (VEN) – 2011 GP2 Driver

Luiz Razia (BRA) – 2011 GP2 Driver

Alexander Rossi (USA) – 2011 World Series by Renault Driver

 

HRT:

Dani Clos (ESP) – 2011 GP2 Driver

Virgin Racing:

Adrian Quaife-Hobbs (GBR) – 2011 GP3 Driver

Charles Pic (FRA) – 2011 GP2 Driver

Robert Wickens (CAN) – 2011 World Series by Renault Champion

 

Many of these drivers have never driven an F1 car before, and it will be an interesting few days as the next generation of F1 drivers get to grips with the next stage in their long, hard fought career to reach the top of the Motor Racing ladder. 

With many seats in Formula 1 for 2012 still vacant, the pressure will be on as these drivers will all be out to show they have what it takes to be the new Lewis Hamilton or Sebastian Vettel.

Iran To Build Motor Sport Circuit, Whilst Imola Set For Return?

It has been recently confirmed that Iran look set to build a Motor Sport circuit just outside Tehran in Parand, however they do admit the track won’t be for Formula 1.

The 5km circuit will be built to a FIA Grade 2 license which will allow them to host races as high as the GP2 Category. The company behind the project, TSI Group, have announced the track will feature parts reminiscent of Spa-Francorchamps and the Nordschleife. This comes after Thailand recently announced interest in hosting an F1 race in the near future, however this track is apparently not being built with F1 in mind…yet.

It has also come to light recently that Imola is now in a position to host another Formula One event, after hosting an event every year from 1981 to 2006. I’m sure a lot of F1 fans are with me in hoping Imola gets reinstated before we see Thailand or Iran hosting an F1 race. Once again I have nothing against new nations hosting F1 races, and I am eagerly awaiting October for the inaugural Indian Grand Prix, but some nations like San Marino and France should never have been left without a race.

As with all things time will tell, and Iran haven’t even announced F1 plans just yet. So I wish them well in building their new track and look forward to seeing it one day host a Formula 2 or WTCC event.