Nico Hulkenberg Calm Ahead Of 2013 With Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg is remaining extremely calm ahead of his first season with Sauber, despite the 25-year-old German being regarded as Sauber’s lead driver for 2013 alongside rookie Esteban Gutierrez. Hulkenberg will compete in his third season in 2013 with his third different team, after initially starting his career with Williams in 2010.
As the 2012 season drew to a conclusion, it was revealed that Nico Hulkenberg had signed for Swiss outfit Sauber for the 2013 season, a move which was regarded by some as a sideways step for the German driver. However, due to Sauber’s strong display of competitiveness last season, Nico Hulkenberg is quietly confident he can excel with the Swiss outfit in the forthcoming season.
Esteban Gutierrez will team-mate Nico Hulkenberg in 2013 at Sauber.
With Sergio Perez replacing Lewis Hamilton at McLaren and Kamui Kobayashi struggling to compile sufficient funding to remain in the sport, Sauber will start the 2013 season with a completely new driver line-up at the Australian Grand Prix come March. Nico Hulkenberg will be joined at the outfit by rising Mexican sensation Esteban Gutierrez, who has worked his way up through the support categories such as GP3 and GP2.
However, contrary to many who believe Sauber’s relatively “new” driver line-up will be a deficit to the team, Nico Hulkenberg strongly thinks otherwise. The German has already shown he is more than capable of leading races in Formula 1, whereas Esteban Gutierrez has been a member of Sauber for several years whilst competing in the likes of GP3 and GP2. Hulkenberg is adamant that this combination of experience will see both himself and Gutierrez work exceedingly well together throughout the 2013 season.
“I don’t see any deficit to be honest.” Explained Nico Hulkenberg, “Indeed I am new in the team, but not new in F1, and Esteban [Gutierrez] has gained experience as a test driver with Sauber so he is not new to them. I would say there is no deficit, but rather the chance to make good acquaintances.”
With Esteban Gutierrez set to make his debut at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Nico Hulkenberg has been widely regarded as Sauber’s lead driver for the coming season. Whereas some drivers might feel the pressure of being regarded as the lead driver at a team such as Sauber, Nico Hulkenberg is remaining calm ahead of the new season, with the German expecting both himself and Gutierrez to be treated fairly by the team throughout the year.
“The fact that people are regarding me as the team leader doesn’t change much.” Continued Nico Hulkenberg, “At the Sauber F1 team both drivers get the same equipment and treatment. I will just work harder together with Esteban to bring the team forward.”
Nico Hulkenberg is aiming to continue Sauber’s competitiveness in the coming season, following on from the team’s numerous podium finishes last year. Hulkenberg came close to securing his maiden Formula 1 podium at the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix in 2012, and will understandably be striving to once again battle at the top with the Hinwil-based outfit. With two seasons of experience behind him, Nico Hulkenberg is unquestionably itching for that elusive maiden podium finish.
“I want to build on the good basis they had last year and keep working hard from there.” Said Nico Hulkenberg, “Of course I am looking for good results – in that sense the team and I are already looking for the same thing. It´s a new season so we have to wait and see how things pan out and how strong our package is on the track.”
Sauber’s new car, the C32, will be unveiled to the Formula 1 fraternity on February 2nd at their Hinwil factory. The car will then make its on-track debut in the following days when pre-season testing gets underway at Jerez, along with the majority of the other Formula 1 teams as preparations kick-off for the new season.
Picture(s) Copyright © Sauber Motorsport AG
Marcus Ericsson Fastest In GP2 Practice At Valencia
Swedish driver Marcus Ericsson has ended practice for this weekends GP2 races fastest for iSport International, only a tenth ahead of Championship leader Davide Valsecchi. After his team-mate Jolyon Palmer won last time out at Monaco, the Norwich-based outfit look to be continuing their competitiveness at the Valencia Street Circuit.
Felipe Nasr led out a long train of cars as the session got underway, with a strong wind blowing across the street circuit. Daniël de Jong made his first appearance for the Rapax team, standing in for the ill Ricardo Teixeira. Davide Valsecchi set the initial pace, with a 01:53.246 which was quickly beaten by his Championship rival Luiz Razia who stormed to the top with a 01:49.769.
In traditional GP2 fashion, the times quickly got quicker as the session wore on. Stefano Coletti, Jolyon Palmer and Max Chilton all shared the top spot throughout the 30 minute practice session. However, it wasn’t long before the dominant Davide Valsecchi returned to the top with a 01:48.251.
The session was momentarily halted as the Caterham of Rodolfo Gonzalez lost the rear end of his car on the exit of turn 13. This resulted in the Venezuelan driver embedding his car in the wall, causing slight damage to the left-rear of his car. As the marshals set to retrieving the stricken car, the track fell silent as the GP2 field returned to the pits.
With the clock still ticking throughout the red flag delay, only several minutes remained once the session returned to green flag conditions. Fabio Onidi and Stefano Coletti were the first out to try and beat Valsecchi’s time. However, as the session came to a close only one driver was able to thwart the DAMS of Davide Valsecchi. Marcus Ericsson, who was victorious around the Valencia Street Circuit in 2008, flew to the top with a 01:48.088.
With the one and only practice session for the GP2 Series now over, all eyes now turn to qualifying later in the afternoon which will determine the starting order for tomorrow’s feature race. In traditional GP2 style, the grid for Sunday’s sprint race will be determined by a reversal of the top eight finishers of the feature race.
Picture Copyright © Daniel Kalisz/GP2 Series Media Service
Aaro Vainio Secures GP3 Pole At Monaco
The Lotus of Aaro Vainio has secured his maiden GP3 pole position, after a fantastic string of laps throughout the split qualifying session, whereby two groups of 13 cars took to the track in exactly the same fashion as the GP2 qualifying session yesterday. The fastest driver from Group A, Kevin Ceccon, will line up 2nd on the 26 car grid.
The first group consisted of even numbered cars, and the initial pace was set by Championship leader Mitch Evans early on. Kevin Ceccon then went fastest, as Evans’ team-mate Matias Laine ran out of road at La Rascasse and prematurely ended his qualifying session. As ever at Monaco, the marshals made a splendid job on retrieving Laine’s car, and the session continued without delay.
Throughout the remainder of the opening session, Evans and Ceccon swapped fastest laps at the top, before the Italian driver finally set a 01:28.922 which remained unbeaten and left Ceccon in provisional pole-position. The opening session ended under yellow flag conditions, as Series rookie Fabiano Machado hit the wall after running wide through turn 10’s Nouvelle Chicane.
The second group consisted of the odd numbered cars, including Antonio Felix da Costa and Aaro Vainio. The Portuguese driver set the initial pace in the session, before the Lotus of Vainio went top with a 01:29.739. This time was still not fast enough to secure pole, but Vainio continued to improve throughout the session with some mesmerizingly quick times and finally set a 01:28.650. This was enough to secure pole for the Finn, however he improved yet again with a 01:28.008 to fully cement his Lotus on pole-position for the feature race.
With no Formula 1 action taking place today on the streets of Monte-Carlo, both GP2 and GP3 feature races’ will be run throughout the morning.
Picture Copyright © Daniel Kalisz/GP3 Media Service
GP2 Monaco Qualifying Split Into Two Groups
Due to the tight and twisty nature of the Monte-Carlo street circuit, qualifying for the GP2 Series will be split into two 14 minute groups this weekend. This will be the first time a change of this nature has occurred in the history of the GP2 Series, and will hopefully allow drivers to complete clean and quick laps.
After a ballot which took place on Wednesday, two groups have been drawn up for todays qualifying session. The first group will consist of even numbered cars, in contrast to the second group which will consist of odd numbered cars including Championship leader and former Monaco race winner Davide Valsecchi.
Group A:
02. Josef Kral
04. Felipe Nasr
06. Nathanaël Berthon
08. Jolyon Palmer
10. Esteban Gutiérrez
12. Giedo van der Garde
14. Stefano Coletti
16. Stéphane Richelmi
18. Fabrizio Crestani
20. Ricardo Teixeira
22. Simon Trummer
24. Victor Guerin
26. Max Chilton
Group B:
01. Johnny Cecotto
03. Davide Valsecchi
05. Fabio Leimer
07. Marcus Ericsson
09. James Calado
11. Rodolfo Gonzalez
15. Fabio Onidi
17. Julian Leal
19. Giancarlo Serenelli
21. Tom Dillmann
23. Luiz Razia
25. Nigel Melker
27. Rio Haryanto
Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Media Service
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
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
Tom Dillmann Holds Off Razia For Maiden GP2 Victory
Tom Dillmann has secured his maiden GP2 victory after a nail-biting sprint race in Bahrain, crossing the line only +0.1 seconds ahead of Luiz Razia. Championship leader Davide Valsecchi finished 3rd, after taking victory in the feature race yesterday.
Heading down into turn 1 at the start, there was mayhem as Esteban Gutierrez and Giedo van der Garde made contact. This forced the Dutchman into a spin, which in turn forced the majority of the drivers’ to take avoiding action as the Caterham spun it’s wheels causing smoke to waft over the other drivers’.
By the end of lap 1, Luiz Razia was already in 3rd position and was hunting down the iSport International of Marcus Ericsson. The Brazilian driver eventually caught and passed Ericsson into turn 1 on the 4th lap. The first corner incident between Gutierrez and van der Garde was now under investigation by the race stewards, however it was later announced that no further action was to be taken. Johnny Cecotto jr. became the first retirement, with what looked like a mechanical failure on lap 1.
The Swedish driver of Marcus Ericsson made the race even more difficult for himself, as he collided with a polystyrene brake marker which was on the track. This caused slight damage to his front wing, and he began to slip down the order thereafter.
After dominating the feature race, Davide Valsecchi was not having the sprint race all his own way, and was passed by the Lotus of Esteban Gutierrez for 5th place. Gutierrez then charged on and passed GP3 graduate Rio Haryanto for 3rd, as Valsecchi finally made a move on Ericsson for 5th place.
Davide Valsecchi then began his race charge, passing Haryanto for 4th on lap 12 before reeling in the Mexican of Esteban Gutierrez. Heading down into the tight turn 8, Davide Valsecchi lunged up the inside of Gutierrez, snatching 3rd place away from the Lotus driver.
As the race entered it’s closing stages, GP3 graduate Tom Dillmann came under serious pressure from Luiz Razia. The Frenchman never won a race in GP3 in 2011, and looked set to take his maiden victory in Bahrain. However, as the laps faded away Razia closed right up on Dillmann, with the two crossing the line on the final lap only three tenths apart.
With the scenario similar to that of the 1992 Monaco Grand Prix where Nigel Mansell and Ayrton Senna jostled for the lead in the closing stages, Luiz Razia tried his hardest to find a way around the 23-year-old Rapax driver. However, it was not to be and Tom Dillmann crossed the line in sensational style to take his maiden GP2 victory only a tenth ahead of the Brazilian.
Results - 23 laps:
Pos Driver Team Time/Gap
1. Tom Dillmann Rapax 41m16.276s
2. Luiz Razia Arden + 0.198s
3. Davide Valsecchi DAMS + 3.958s
4. Esteban Gutierrez Lotus + 16.488s
5. Felipe Nasr DAMS + 18.602s
6. Rio Haryanto Carlin + 20.425s
7. Marcus Ericsson iSport + 26.294s
8. Fabio Leimer Racing Engineering + 29.605s
9. Fabio Onidi Coloni + 33.490s
10. Nathanael Berthon Racing Engineering + 34.078s
11. Nigel Melker Ocean + 43.463s
12. James Calado Lotus + 44.371s
13. Max Chilton Carlin + 46.743s
14. Julian Leal Trident + 47.439s
15. Rodolfo Gonzalez Caterham + 54.991s
16. Brendon Hartley Ocean + 59.764s
17. Stephane Richelmi Trident + 1m00.655s
18. Stefano Coletti Coloni + 1m02.090s
19. Giedo van der Garde Caterham + 1m02.632s
20. Ricardo Teixeira Rapax + 1m07.468s
21. Giancarlo Serenelli Lazarus + 1m08.293s
22. Jolyon Palmer iSport + 1m18.688s
23. Fabrizio Crestani Lazarus + 1m26.049s
Retirements:
Simon Trummer Arden 21 laps
Dani Clos Addax 19 laps
Johnny Cecotto Addax 0 laps
Picture Copyright © Glenn Dunbar/GP2 Series Media Service
Bernie Ecclestone Confident Bahrain GP Will Go Ahead
Formula 1 Supremo, Bernie Ecclestone, has spoken out about the recent concerns regarding April’s Bahrain Grand Prix, stating the teams have no concerns regarding the race. This comes after several peers from the UK House of Lords and the leader of the Green Party wrote to The Times voicing their concern.
However, speaking to The Daily Telegraph about the situation, Bernie Ecclestone seemed unconcerned by the continued violence in the Kingdom.
“We are planning to go. I’ve always said that if there was going to be any drama it would be on the Day of Rage. They would have to do something then. People there seem confident that a race two months away will be alright.”
As the Day of Rage escalated, petrol bombs were thrown at police cars whereas the police retaliated with tear gas and rubber bullets. With this in mind, people can be forgiven for believing this is no place for an international sporting event such as Formula 1 to take place.
Last month 1996 World Champion, Damon Hill, returned from Bahrain with FIA President Jean Todt and was happy to see the race go ahead, contrary to last season when Hill was behind the agreement to cancel the event.
Last season the Bahrain Grand Prix was initially postponed, then canceled as Bernie tried his hardest to keep the race on the calendar. GP2 will also visit the nation in April, supporting the Bahrain Grand Prix as well as staging their own standalone race weekend the following weekend.
British Peers Call For FIA To Cancel Bahrain GP
Several peers and the leader of the Green Party have called for the FIA to cancel the planned Bahrain Grand Prix in April, after more civil unrest has rocked the Kingdom. With last years race cancelled after months of uncertainty, the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights has also urged the FIA to rethink revisiting Bahrain this season.
Seven members in total of the UK House of Lords including the Green Party leader have written to The Times expressing their concern of the forthcoming race, becoming the latest in a long list of people who wish the FIA to cancel the race for second consecutive season.
The letter they sent read: “We note with concern the decision by Formula One to go ahead with the race in Bahrain scheduled for April. The continued political crisis in Bahrain is a troubling source of instability in the Gulf region, and the lack of any move towards political reconciliation concerns those who wish to see Bahrain move in the direction of greater democratic accountability. It was hoped the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) would provide a starting point for political reform which both government and opposition forces could agree upon. However, two months on we see an entrenchment of the positions of both sides which risks letting more extreme voices dictate the progress of the conflict. Given the current dire situation, with daily street protests and the deaths of more civilians, we do not believe that the time is right for Formula One to return to Bahrain.”
However, only last month 1996 World Champion Damon Hill returned from the Gulf after a visit with FIA President Jean Todt. Damon Hill stated how he was now keen on seeing Formula 1 return to Bahrain, after initially fully backing the cancelation of last years Bahrain Grand Prix.
Whether the FIA will listen to the growing call for a second consecutive cancelation or not, time will tell. Lets just hope the correct decision is made, without any of last years uncertainty.
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