Mark Gillan: “It Was A Character Building Weekend”

Although Pastor Maldonado started the Singapore Grand Prix on the front row of the grid alongside the McLaren of Lewis Hamilton, Williams ultimately suffered a frustrating weekend around the streets of Singapore. Both Maldonado and Senna failed to finish the 61-lap race, after eventually retiring due to mechanical issues.

However, the team’s Chief Operations Engineer, Mark Gillan, believes the Singapore Grand Prix weekend was a “character building” weekend, one which the Grove-based outfit are looking to bounce back from next time out at the Japanese Grand Prix. Pastor Maldonado, who looked on course to scoring his first World Championship points since his illustrious victory at the Spanish Grand Prix in May, retired shortly after Lewis Hamilton’s gearbox issue with a hydraulic issue on the car.

“In brief it was an extremely frustrating weekend.” Explained Mark Gillan, “It was what I would call a character building weekend, with the high expectations following a front row qualification and fast race pace ultimately dashed due to a double DNF and a risky strategy call. It [the pace of the FW34] gives us a tremendous amount of confidence. We saw that the car was capable of qualifying on the front row and that the race pace was equally impressive.”

Prior to the Singapore Grand Prix, the Williams duo had only suffered from two retirements due to mechanical issues all season. This tremendous track record was brought to a sudden end during the 61-lap race, when both drivers were struck with two separate mechanical issues. Although Williams are confident the Singapore heat did not contribute to the issues, the team are currently investigating the causes of the issues so they do not reappear in the remaining six races.

“We are currently investigating the failures and have full confidence in getting to the root cause quickly and implementing the required fixes as soon as possible.” Said Mark Gillan, “At this stage we do not believe that the heat played a part in the failures.”

Bruno Senna’s retirement came in the closing stages of the race, after the Brazilian driver had impressed many by clawing his way up through the field after starting a lowly 22nd on the grid. However, once the 28-year-old emerged from his car after retiring, Senna complained of burns on his back. The team are currently investigating as to what might have caused these mysterious burns to their driver.

“We have a good idea [what caused them] but are still investigating just to make sure that we have covered all potential cause.” Explained Mark Gillan, as the team prepare to head to Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix.

Williams haven’t won at the circuit since 1996, when Damon Hill became the World Champion for the team after a season-long battle with team-mate Jacques Villeneuve. The Grove-based outfit expect another strong performance in Japan, and are striving to score further valuable World Championship points.

Picture Copyright © Williams F1 Team

Stefano Domenicali: “We Cannot Rely Purely On The Misfortune Of Others”

Ferrari team principal, Stefano Domenicali, has stipulated that the Scuderia cannot rely purely on the misfortune of others, as they strive to clinch both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. Over recent races, Alonso and Ferrari have been highly lucky with the likes of Hamilton and Vettel retiring over the last two races.

Although Fernando Alonso retired at the start of the Belgian Grand Prix due to the incident started by the Lotus of Romain Grosjean, the silver lining was that Lewis Hamilton also retired in the same incident. Next time out at the Italian Grand Prix around the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Fernando Alonso could only manage 3rd whereas title contender Lewis Hamilton took victory. Once again the positives for Ferrari was the double-DNF of the Red Bull duo, which made Hamilton’s victory all the more bearable for the Scuderia.

However, Stefano Domenicali believes Ferrari cannot continue relying on this kind of misfortune for others, which was once again evident at the Singapore Grand Prix when Lewis Hamilton suffered a gearbox issue a ceded victory to Sebastian Vettel with Fernando Alonso a close 3rd. Due to Alonso’s unyielding luck, the Spaniard’s Championship lead was reduced by only eight points after Singapore.

“It was a very difficult weekend, but the final outcome can be regarded as positive.” Explained Stefano Domenicali, after the 61-lap Singapore Grand Prix last weekend. “It’s true that Fernando’s lead over the next man has been reduced, but it’s also true the Spaniard has made up points on three of his four closest rivals. As for the Constructors’, the situation is pretty much the same as before: the leader is a bit further away but second place is a tiny bit nearer. There are six Grands Prix to go to the end of the season and clearly, we need to make a step forward in terms of performance, because we cannot rely purely on the misfortune of others. Where we need to improve a lot is on circuits that require maximum aerodynamic downforce.”

The next race on the calendar is the Japanese Grand Prix around Suzuka, and could well be a race which finally confirms the true Championship contenders for the remaining few races. Lewis Hamilton will be striving for a competitive result, as will the Finn of Kimi Raikkonen. However, with Fernando Alonso having only retired once so far this season, it’s unquestionable that consistency will remain the key to success in the closing stages of the season.

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KERS Failure Forced Bruno Senna Into Retirement At Singapore

Bruno Senna endured a highly frustrating Singapore Grand Prix last weekend, hitting the wall twice throughout the race weekend before incurring a 5-place grid penalty prior to Sunday’s race. During the race, Senna was able to begin fighting for points before retiring due to a KERS failure with only 16 laps remaining in the race.

After starting the race from way back in 22nd place, Bruno Senna steadily rose through the field in the opening laps. When Pastor Maldonado retired on lap 36 due to a hydraulic issue, any hope Williams had of clinching valuable points resided with Bruno Senna. After battling for points and nearly colliding with fellow countryman Felipe Massa, Senna unfortunately joined team-mate Maldonado in retirement due to a KERS issue.

“Considering we had a few problems we were having a good race.” Explained Bruno Senna, after a lively race. “I had a very eventful first few laps but was able to overtake when I needed to and had good pace at the beginning. With 16 laps to go I lost KERS and so it was difficult to defend towards the end, but that’s racing. I’m happy with the race I did today, being able to come from 22nd to be fighting for points.”

Williams were hopeful of a decent result at the Singapore Grand Prix, especially after Pastor Maldonado’s superlative qualifying performance which saw the Venezuelan driver qualify alongside Lewis Hamilton in 2nd. However, any hopes of points ceased to exist once Maldonado and Senna retired from the race. The Grove-based outfit will now head to Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix hopeful of further competitiveness, after a bittersweet race around the streets of Singapore.

Picture Copyright © Williams F1 Team

Davide Valsecchi Hoping To Become Italy’s Next F1 Sensation

After clinching the GP2 Series Championship around the streets of Singapore, Davide Valsecchi is now aiming to continue his journey towards the upper echelons of motor sport. Naturally a GP2 Champion’s ambition is to become a Formula 1 driver, and Valsecchi would be the first from Italy since Jarno Trulli in 2011.

The 2012 GP2 Series season was yet another thrilling contest between the motor sport Champions of the future, as Davide Valsecchi fought a season-long battle with the Arden International of Luiz Razia. The duo also had to fend off the likes of Esteban Gutierrez, Max Chilton and James Calado, who also showed their potential throughout the 24 races which spanned Asia and Europe.

Davide Valsecchi was understandably thrilled to become the GP2 Champion, something which current F1 drivers Lewis Hamilton, Pastor Maldonado and Romain Grosjean have also claimed on their road to the top of the most revered form of motor sport in the world. Davide Valsecchi, like many of his former competitors in GP2, has previous testing experience with F1 machinery, after testing for HRT and Lotus in recent years.

Man of the moment, Davide Valsecchi, celebrating with his DAMS mechanics.

“It’s unbelievable!” Exclaimed Davide Valsecchi, after clinching the Championship on Saturday in Singapore. “It’s a really good feeling, and I’m really, really happy, because this year we had a great season: I drove really well and our car was really competitive almost every time, so I’m really happy that at the end, when it was really important, we had the victory last time in Monza and we were one of the best this weekend too. When it was important, me and DAMS didn’t make any mistakes, and we showed this year with four victories, with ten podiums and with six fastest laps that we were the best!”

Davide Valsecchi’s Championship contender in the latter stages of the season was Luiz Razia, who challenged the 25-year-old Italian’s reign with superlative victories at Barcelona, Valencia and Silverstone. However, Valsecchi kept his cool in the closing stages of the season and was able to remain the dominant figure in GP2. However, Valsecchi had nothing but praise for his Championship rival, who has also tested F1 machinery in recent months.

Valsecchi’s Championship rival, Luiz Razia, lost out to the Italian by only 25 points.

“No one can become a hero if he doesn’t have a great contender, so I’m really happy to be the Champion, and I’m really happy to have a great contender in Razia, because to be honest he made our job really difficult!” Explained Davide Valsecchi, after beating Razia to the Championship by 25 points. “At one stage we wondered if we would be able to fight back at the top again, but in Budapest we took back the situation and were one of the quickest and I had a great weekend, although unfortunately so did Razia! But I just thought keep working like this and we’ll make the gap, and in Monza we did it, and I’m happy to put the last stone in it here in Singapore, at last!”

After a driver wins the GP2 Championship, he is not permitted to return to the Series in the future. This means Davide Valsecchi will need to move on after this season, either to Formula 1 or another category in the sport. Every GP2 Champion in the history of the sport [apart from Pantano in 2008] have gone on to become Formula 1 drivers the following season, with Romain Grosjean being the latest example of receiving ‘promotion’ from the lower categories. Valsecchi firmly believes he deserves an opportunity in F1, after a grueling season-long battle against Razia.

“I really hope to have the chance [to race in F1], because at the moment we are strong enough to use it, so I really hope I will have a chance, and that I can show that I deserve to be there, that I’m ready and I’m strong enough to be there.”

For a reigning GP2 Champion, Formula 1 has always been the next step up the ladder to greatness. With vacancies rumored to be opening up and down the paddock at teams such as Sauber, Force India and Caterham, Davide Valsecchi could well find himself on the grid come Melbourne next March. Regardless of where his career takes him, Valsecchi can now rejoice in becoming Italy’s next motor sport sensation after a terrific season in one of the most competitive forms of the sport.

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

Check out my interview with Davide Valsecchi, which was carried out prior to his Championship winning weekend in Singapore, here!

Sebastian Vettel Believes Further Improvements A Necessity For Suzuka

Sebastian Vettel has stressed how further improvements need to be made within Red Bull in preparation for the next round of the World Championship at Suzuka in Japan, even though the Milton Keynes-based outfit won the Singapore Grand Prix. The reigning World Champion also sees Sauber as a threat, unlike the Singapore Grand Prix weekend.

After Sebastian Vettel stormed to his second consecutive Singapore Grand Prix victory, the reigning World Champion was already looking ahead to the Japanese Grand Prix in several weeks time. Once again the nature of the next circuit differs greatly to the previous one, with the sweeping Suzuka circuit a stark contrast to the tight and twisty confines of the Marina Bay street circuit.

“I think we have to improve.” Explained Sebastian Vettel after the race, when asked what his expectations are for the Japanese Grand Prix. “I think there is still a little bit that we need to gain. I think that at the moment McLaren is the fastest car and the Ferrari is a little bit of an all rounder. Reliability will be important but it’s a fun track so I’m looking forward to it. The Sauber will be quick, unlike this weekend and we will go from there.”

The Japanese Grand Prix is a race which Sebastian Vettel has won twice throughout his colorful Formula 1 career, in 2009 and 2010. The German has qualified on pole at Suzuka for the last three years, and will be striving to replicate such success when he returns to the track in several weeks time.

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Sebastian Vettel Dedicates Singapore Victory To Professor Sid Watkins

Reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel has dedicated his win around the streets of Singapore to the late Professor Sid Watkins, who sadly passed away last week at age of 84. Professor Watkins became an international motor sport figure throughout his life, after revolutionizing the safety of motor sport.

As Sebastian Vettel was interviewed on the podium after taking his 23rd career victory by former team owner and BBC F1 pundit Eddie Jordan, the German driver chose to dedicate his superlative race victory to Sid Watkins. This came after celebrations of his extraordinary life were carried out throughout the weekend, with a bust of Sid Watkins sitting outside the FIA motor home in the paddock next to book of remembrance which was signed by many legends attending and competing in the race.

Professor Sid Watkins was a highly respected member of the F1 community, who saved the lives of many.

Prior to the start of the Singapore Grand Prix, a minutes silence was held to remember Sid Watkins and his simply unforgettable contribution to the world of motor sport. Throughout his career as the FIA Formula One Safety and Medical Delegate, Watkins saved the lives of many F1 drivers including Erik Comas, Mika Hakkinen and Gerhard Berger.

“I would like to dedicate it to one very, very special man, Professor Sid Watkins who passed away and we remember him for sure.” Said Sebastian Vettel during the podium interviews, to the appreciative applause of the masses in the pits and paddock. “I think he is one of the biggest reasons we can go out on a circuit like this and enjoy ourselves and be reasonably safe. He pushed the boundaries in terms of safety for all of us, so a big thank you to him.”

Sebastian Vettel’s victory in Singapore has promoted the reigning Champion to 2nd in the Drivers’ Championship, only 29 points behind Championship leader Fernando Alonso. Another competitive race around Suzuka when the F1 paddock reconvenes could well reignite Vettel’s Championship chances after a less competitive 2012 season.

Picture Copyright © Getty Images & LAT Photographic

Sergio Perez: “We Need To Improve For Suzuka”

Sergio Perez believes it’s imperative that Sauber improve in time for the Japanese Grand Prix around Suzuka, after a disastrous weekend at Singapore. The Hinwil-based outfit struggled around the Marina Bay street circuit all weekend, and could achieve only one point after Mark Webber was issued a time penalty after the race.

After a tough qualifying session which saw Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Perez qualify a distant 17th and 14th respectively, the race proved to be yet another difficult day for the Swiss team. After the highs of the Italian Grand Prix, where Sergio Perez mastered his strategy to finish 2nd behind race winner Lewis Hamilton, the team were unquestionably brought back to earth with a bump after a weekend to forget around the streets of Singapore.

“For us this obviously was a difficult weekend.” Explained Sergio Perez, before Mark Webber’s penalty. “We were struggling a lot and we never had the pace. We tried everything including split race strategies but in the end points were not within reach today. I had some good battles but it was too difficult for me to overtake. We have to improve for the next race in Suzuka and I’m sure we will.”

The major achilles-heel for Sauber throughout the weekend was their visible lack of pace, which plagued the team greatly during qualifying when Kamui Kobayashi was eliminated along with the HRTs, Marussias and Caterhams after Q1. Their uncompetitiveness continued into the race, which saw Sauber remain locked in a tiresome midfield battle with the likes of Hulkenberg and Webber.

“The biggest problem during this weekend was our pace.” Confirmed Sauber’s Head of Track Engineering, Giampaolo Dall’Ara. “We were not as fast as we had expected. On top of this we were unlucky with the safety car. The cars on three stops could benefit from it, but Kamui had pitted just two laps earlier, and for Sergio, who was on two stops, it was at the worst possible moment. Overall it was a difficult weekend, and we now have to draw the right conclusions.”

Sauber will be striving to return to their usual competitive ways next time out at the Japanese Grand Prix, a circuit vastly different to Singapore’s Marina Bay street circuit. Kamui Kobayashi in particular will be eager for a successful race, in front of his adoring Japanese fans.

Picture Copyright © Sauber Motorsport AG

Lewis Hamilton: “We Definitely Had The Pace To Win”

Lewis Hamilton was adamant he and McLaren had the pace to win the Singapore Grand Prix earlier today, after the Briton suffered a catastrophe as his gearbox failed on lap 22 that sent him into retirement. This gifted victory to Sebastian Vettel, and saw Hamilton plummet down the Championship Standings from 2nd to 4th.

After starting the race from pole and dominating in the early stages, Lewis Hamilton looked set to secure yet another dominant victory for McLaren. However, the mechanical gremlins which plagued the outfit during the Italian Grand Prix returned around the Marina Bay street circuit, in the form of a gearbox failure.

This was Lewis Hamilton’s fourth retirement of the season, and his third in the last five races. On the other two occasions, the Briton has taken dominant victories in a season which has seen Hamilton secure consistent and competitive results for the Woking-based outfit. Amid speculation regarding the 2008 World Champion’s future, Hamilton seems to be unperturbed as he continues to remain a Championship contender.

“It’s heart-breaking not to have finished the race today.” Explained a disappointed Lewis Hamilton after his retirement. “We definitely had the pace to win this weekend. In fact, before I retired, I was cruising; just managing the gap back to Seb [Vettel]. Then I started to experience difficulty with the gearshift, then I lost third gear, and then the ’box kept dropping into neutral. Obviously, I was disappointed, but the good thing we can take away from this weekend is that we have extremely good pace. As a result, I think we can really attack in the next few races. There are six more races, and I need to go and win all six. I’ll fight until the end.”

With Lewis Hamilton failing to score a single World Championship point at the Singapore Grand Prix, the Briton has dropped from 2nd to 4th in the Drivers’ Championship, in yet another twist in this unique F1 season. Hamilton has been leap-frogged by the reigning World Champion of Sebastian Vettel and the Lotus of Kimi Raikkonen. Hamilton is currently 52 points behind Championship leader Fernando Alonso.

Picture Copyright © McLaren F1 Team

Mark Webber Issued Post-Race Time Penalty

Mark Webber has been issued a post-race timed penalty, after he allegedly gaining an advantage during his overtaking maneuver on Kamui Kobayashi towards the end of the frenetic Singapore Grand Prix. The overtaking maneuver was completed through turn 7, at which point Webber ran momentarily off the track to complete the move.

During the race closing stages of the race, the stewards announced Webber’s questionable overtake would be under investigation. Unlike team-mate Sebastian Vettel who avoided a penalty for nearly causing a collision between himself and Button, Mark Webber has been struck with a timed penalty which has demoted the Australian to 11th, promoting Sergio Perez to 10th.

“Notwithstanding that the distance by which car 2 [Webber] left the circuit was minimal, advantage was gained hence a breach did in fact occur. Such a breach has consistently attracted a drive-through Penalty.” Read a statement issued by the race stewards, which has lost Mark Webber his point scored during the race. Seeing as the Australian driver could not take a drive-thru penalty as the race had finished, the race stewards imposed a time penalty of 20 seconds, in accordance with Article 16.3 of the Formula One Sport Regulations.

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No Action On Vettel And Button

Sebastian Vettel has miraculously avoided loosing his victory during the aftermath of the Singapore Grand Prix, as the reigning World Champion and Jenson Button were called up in front of the race stewards with regards to their near-collision during the first safety car period.

As the safety car scampered away, Sebastian Vettel effectively took control of the pace of the field, however the German broke suddenly just prior to returning to racing speeds, which nearly saw Jenson Button slam into the rear of the Red Bull. Luckily, however, an incident was avoided which allowed Vettel and Button to finish the race 1st and 2nd respectively.

After much deliberation by the race stewards, headed by former F1 driver and current Sportscar driver Allan McNish, it was decided no action would be taken against the Red Bull driver. A penalty could have been detrimental to the German’s victory, and would most definitely have seen Button promoted to race victor.

“After examination of the telemetry overlay for throttle, steering and brake traces of both cars did not indicate any erratic driving behavior on the part of the race leader [Vettel].” Read a statement issued by the race stewards, almost two hours after the race.

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