Carlos Munoz secures full-time IndyCar drive with Andretti Autosport

Colombian driver Carlos Munoz has secured a full-time drive with Andretti Autosport for the 2014 IndyCar Series season, which will begin in late March around the streets of St. Petersburg. The 21-year-old driver made his debut at the Indianapolis 500 earlier in the year, qualifying and finishing an impressive 2nd for Andretti Autosport.

Since making his debut in the Firestone Indy Lights support series, Carlos Munoz has impressed many within the IndyCar paddock. This allowed the Colombian ace to make his IndyCar debut at the legendary Indianapolis 500 in a fifth Andretti Autosport entry, where he stunned the opposition and the entire motor sport community by qualifying 2nd alongside former Series Champion Tony Kanaan. Carlos Munoz managed to lead 12 laps throughout the race, before eventually finishing a strong 2nd only just behind Tony Kanaan.

Along with another competitive season in the Firestone Indy Lights category, Carlos Munoz returned for two more races towards the end of the IndyCar season at Toronto and Fontana for Panther Racing and the Team Venezuela/Andretti Autosport/HVM outfit respectively. Although the Bogota-born sensation failed to repeat his successes of the Indianapolis 500, his four victories in the Firestone Indy Lights Series at both Barber, Long Beach, Pocono and Fontana was a clear indication of his aptitude on both ovals and circuits.

“I don’t have the words to express right now how I feel.” Explained Carlos Munoz, who becomes the fourth driver from Colombia to compete in IndyCar. “I have to thank Andretti Autosport, and especially Michael Andretti, for this opportunity. To be a part of this team, they believe a lot in me, and to pay them back would be to bring them great results. With that, I have to work hard in all aspects – mentally and physically. I’m really happy and I’m looking forward to start practicing and testing. I also have to thank my family for all of their support all these years. Finally my dream has come true. Also to my fans for being here and believing in me; this is just the beginning.”

Carlos Munoz will join former IndyCar Champion Ryan Hunter-Reay, James Hinchcliffe and Marco Andretti at the outfit, which will boast four full-time drivers for the first time since 2011. Sponsorship for Carlos Munoz’s entry has yet to be confirmed, with the Colombian being sponsored by Electric Energy Straws and Dialy-Ser at the Indianapolis 500 earlier in the year. Carlos Munoz will undoubtedly be aiming for success once the season gets underway, with Andretti Autosport eager to snatch the Championship crown from Target Chip Ganassi and Scott Dixon.

Picture Copyright © Chris Owens/IndyCar Media

Williams Spend Final Day Of Second Test Carrying Out Pit-Stop Practice

Williams elected to spend the final day of the second pre-season test at Barcelona carrying out imperative pit-stop practice ahead of the new season, with the entire race team joining the outfit at the Circuit de Catalunya. Both Valtteri Bottas and Pastor Maldonado drove during the day, yet failed to set a timed lap.

After launching their new Renault-powered FW35 machine at the beginning of the week in the pit-lane of the Circuit de Catalunya, Williams ended the four-day test where they started in the pit-lane carrying out numerous practice pit-stops with both Bottas and Maldonado. The Grove-based outfit were joined in their fastidious practice stops by Mark Webber and Red Bull, who did likewise during the day.

Throughout the morning period rookie Valtteri Bottas began proceedings for Williams, completing 23 laps all of which were centralized around pit-stop practice. The Finn didn’t once set a timed lap, and neither did team-mate Pastor Maldonado who continued the team’s work in the pits during the wet afternoon period. Both drivers feel confident after their first week testing the new car, with the reliability of the FW35 already an improvement in comparison to the FW34.

“The full race team joined us in Barcelona today for pitstop practice.” Explained the team’s Technical Director, Mike Coughlan. “The weather was wet as we expected which means we didn’t lose any dry running time with the FW35 in doing this.  Overall, we’ve had a very encouraging week as the core reliability of the car has proved to be excellent. We are now looking forward to the next test in Barcelona where we can concentrate on the performance.”

After a return to winning ways last season at the hands of Pastor Maldonado, the British team will be hoping to remain a competitive force this coming season. Valtteri Bottas topped the lap count of the week, with the Finnish rookie completing 355 laps in the new car. The Grove-based outfit will be looking to continue improving throughout the third and final test next week once the F1 fraternity reconvenes at the Circuit de Catalunya.

Picture Copyright © Williams F1 Team

Jerome D’Ambrosio Still Aiming For A Full-Time Race Seat

Jerome D’Ambrosio is remaining focused on securing himself a full-time race seat in the future, as he prepares to once again play a pivotal role within the Lotus F1 team as their reserve driver. The Belgian driver took part in the Italian Grand Prix last season during Romain Grosjean’s one-race ban, eventually finishing 13th overall.

After making his Formula 1 debut with Marussia back in 2011, when the outfit was then known as Virgin Racing, the 27-year-old was replaced for the 2012 season by Frenchman Charles Pic. This saw D’Ambrosio become the Lotus reserve driver, alongside a completely new driving line-up at the Enstone-based outfit with Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean.

The Belgian driver was an invaluable asset to the team throughout the course of the 2012 season, taking part in the Mugello test in May as well as standing in for the banned Romain Grosjean at the Italian Grand Prix. Although Jerome D’Ambrosio is fully committed to his work with the Enstone-based outfit, he is understandably eager to return to a full-time race seat in the near future, and he is hopeful that his time with Lotus will show future employers what he has to offer.

“I learned from last year that you need to be ready in order to step straight into a race seat, so my aim will be to keep focussed and be prepared!” Explained Jerome D’Ambrosio, when asked what his aims were for the season ahead. “Of course my ultimate aim is always to gain a race seat, however I know that by doing the best job I can here – and proving myself valuable to the team – I’m in a very good position should an opportunity arise.”

Jerome D’Ambrosio will be joined in his behind-the-scenes development and reserve driver duties at Lotus by reigning GP2 Champion Davide Valsecchi and Nicolas Prost in the forthcoming season, as the Enstone-based outfit aims for another competitive season at the top. The five drivers at the Enstone-based outfit share a combined total of one Formula 1 World Championship, two GP2 Championships, three GP2 Asia Championships, one Formula Master Championship and one Auto GP Championship between them. This alone shows just how strong the driver line-up is at Lotus.

Picture Copyright © Lotus F1 Team

Sergio Perez Takes Full Responsibility For Spinning Out At Suzuka

Sergio Perez has taken full responsibility for his spin out of the Japanese Grand Prix, after the Mexican driver tried to overtake the McLaren of Lewis Hamilton. After making a slight error through turn 10, Perez was carrying too much speed into turn 11 which saw the Mexican driver spin out of the race.

After completing a fantastic overtaking maneuver on Lewis Hamilton through the same corner earlier in the race, Sergio Perez tried to repeat a similar move on lap 19 after the first round of pitstops. However, Lewis Hamilton was better prepared the second time around, and defended his position well against the Sauber driver. This left Perez with little room on the outside of the corner, and saw him loose control of his car and spin out in embarrassing style.

“I feel very sorry for the team.” Explained a disappointed Sergio Perez after his spin. “It worked well when I got passed Lewis Hamilton for the first time on lap six, but then it didn’t when I tried it again. Lewis went quite late to the inside and I had only room on the outside. But it certainly was my mistake. The race didn’t start too well for me either when Romain Grosjean caused a mess and I lost positions.”

Sergio Perez will be hoping for better luck next weekend at Korea, as he strives to end his career with Sauber on a high note before replacing Lewis Hamilton at McLaren for 2013. The Mexican driver has finished on the podium three times this season, and is aiming for instant Championship glory next season with McLaren.

Picture Copyright © Getty Images

All Eyes On Practice 3 After Disrupted Friday Running

After a disrupted practice day on Friday due to the heavy rain that fell on the track, all the teams’ and drivers’ are now fully focused on making up their lost ground during Practice 3. This will be their last chance to prepare for the seasons first qualifying session, where it is still believed a few surprises could be in order up and down the paddock.

Thursday night saw the Albert Park circuit doused in rain which meant FP1 started out in damp conditions, with teams gingerly taking to the track on intermediate tyres. However between FP1 and FP2, Albert Park was struck by a fearsome tropical storm, with a rain shower which practically flooded the pit-lane and forced many drivers’ to start FP2 on the full wets.

With such a wet track, many teams’ were unable to complete their various race preparations and therefore are now relying on tomorrow’s third and final practice session before qualifying later in the day.

The teams will be hoping the weather forecasts were right, and that FP3 is dry which will allow the teams’ to run on the soft Pirelli compound and complete their qualifying and race preparations. With the rain from yesterday, the track will still be marginally ‘green’, which will require extra caution from the drivers’ as the track gradually ‘rubbers in’

Picture Copyright © AP