Jerome D’Ambrosio Setting No Targets Ahead Of F1 Return

Jerome D’Ambrosio has set himself no major targets ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, in which the Belgian driver is set to make his return to the sport in place of the banned Romain Grosjean at Lotus. This will be D’Ambrosio’s first race since Brazil last year, after he was replaced at Virgin Racing (now Marussia) by Charles Pic.

Speaking ahead of his return this weekend, Jerome D’Ambrosio explained how he has not set himself any major targets. After being informed by the team he would be racing on Monday, the 26-year-old Belgian driver has had little time to prepare for his return to the sport. Unlike other teams up and down the grid, Lotus have not run Jerome D’Ambrosio during Friday practice this season. This means D’Ambrosio’s last taste of F1 machinery came at the Mugello mid-season test, on a treacherously wet track.

However, Jerome D’Ambrosio is net deterred by his lack of running in the Lotus E20, and is hopeful he can achieve a competitive result for his team this weekend. Lotus have finished on the podium in the last three races this season, and both Kimi Raikkonen and Jerome D’Ambrosio will undoubtedly be striving to continue this competitive streak as the Enstone-based outfit remain confident they can clinch the Drivers’ Championship this season.

“I don’t have much information to set myself a position target – or anything.” Explained Jerome D’Ambrosio, “I really want to stay focussed on what I’ve got to do, with the job, with the engineers, in the car. Stay focussed on that. Once that is done correctly we can hope for something good on Sunday – but only if I stay focussed on my job, so this is what I will try to do.”

Jerome D’Ambrosio’s maiden F1 season last year yielded no truly competitive results, however it is unquestionable that the Belgian driver has been offered a second chance to prove his worth this weekend in a car which is more than capable of finishing on the podium or better. With the possibility of vacancies at teams such as Sauber, Force India and Caterham next season, there is definitely a chance Jerome D’Ambrosio could find himself back in a full-time drive next season, especially if this weekend proves highly successful.

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No Mid-Season Test For 2013

Formula 1 teams have come to the agreement that another mid-season test next year will be not be planned, after agreeing to only hold only three pre-season tests at the usual venues of Barcelona and Jerez in Spain. This comes after several technical chiefs have calculated that enough running is completed during the pre-season tests.

Earlier this season the teams had the opportunity to partake in a mid-season test around the glorious Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello circuit in Northern Italy. The test was met with mixed feelings within the paddock, with some teams questioning the amount of money spent in comparison with the amount of benefits acquired during the Mugello test.

The teams have therefore come to the conclusion that there will be no repeat of this mid-season test next year, with some teams already prepared to open their 2013 preparations on February 5th at Jerez in Spain. The teams will then move swiftly on to two further tests at the popular testing venue in Barcelona, at the Circuit de Catalunya. The test sessions are scheduled to take place between February 19th-22nd, and February 28th-March 3rd. The teams will then head to the opening round of the 2013 season at Australia’s Albert Park circuit in Melbourne, which is currently scheduled for March 17th.

The dates for the 2013 calendar not currently set in stone, and therefore the dates for the opening race weekend in Australia could be rescheduled for an earlier or later date. If this eventuality occurs, then the teams will naturally be required to reschedule their testing plans in accordance with the opening race weekend.

Picture Copyright © Williams F1 Team

Jerome D’Ambrosio Linked To Felipe Massa’s Ferrari Seat

Lotus reserve driver Jerome D’Ambrosio has become the latest driver to join the ever growing queue of potential candidates to replace the ailing Felipe Massa at Ferrari, after the Brazilian has suffered his worst start to an F1 season since his Sauber days at the beginning of his career.

With Ferrari’s team principal Stefano Domenicali confident Massa can ‘step up a gear’ next time out in Monaco, it seems the ever-growing number of drivers waiting to pounce if the Brazilian was dropped is continuing to grow. Jerome D’Ambrosio now joins the likes of Mark Webber, Adrian Sutil, Sergio Perez and Paul di Resta in being hinted at replacing the Brazilian, who has not won a race since 2008.

In the opening five races of the 2012 season, Massa has only managed to bring 2 World Championship points into the team, in comparison to team-mate Alonso’s 61 which has enabled the Spaniard to head to the Monaco Grand Prix tied for the lead in the Championship. Fernando Alonso has also already won a race in 2012, at the wet/dry Malaysian Grand Prix, a race where Felipe Massa struggled down in 15th place almost a whole lap off the pace.

Jerome D’Ambrosio made his F1 career debut in 2011 for Virgin Racing, however he was subsequently replaced by Charles Pic as the team was rebranded as Marussia for the 2012 season. D’Ambrosio has since become the Lotus reserve driver, and got behind the wheel of the Lotus E20 on the opening day of the Mugello test the week prior to the Spanish Grand Prix. With the Belgian driver being considered as being ‘immediately available’, this would allow Ferrari to makes plans for a long-term driver for 2013, with D’Ambrosio seemingly seeing out the remainder of the 2012 season for the Italian-outfit.

Whether this actually takes place, one things is for certain and it’s that Felipe Massa simply has to up his game for Ferrari, or risk being replaced before the second half of the season.

 Picture Copyright © Lotus F1 Team

Josef Kral Fastest During Practice For GP2 In Spain

After staying on in Bahrain for an extra weekend after for the Formula 1 fraternity vacated the track, GP2 has now returned to the Circuit de Catalunya for the first European event of the season in support of the Spanish Grand Prix. Czech driver Josef Kral finished fastest in practice, ahead of British driver James Calado.

In traditional GP2 fashion, a queue of cars formed at the exit of the pit-lane eagerly anticipating the start of the practice session. And it was the Caterham of Rodolfo Gonzalez who led that queue out, the Venezuelan driver having tested for Caterham’s F1 team in Mugello the week before.

Ocean Racing Technology have another new face in their driver line-up this weekend, with current Formula 2 and Auto GP driver Victor Guerin at the wheel. The Brazilian driver suffered a slow start to the session, as he slowly made his way back to the pits early on with some issue plaguing his progress.

Rodolfo Gonzalez set the initial timed lap of the session, with a 01:41.932, however that time was quickly beaten by Tom Dillmann who set a 01:32.017. The French GP3 graduate won last time out in Bahrain, in a nail-biting race as he fended off Luiz Razia.

As session wore on, the times began to tumble as Felipe Nasr and Giedo van der Garde went fastest with respective quick laps. However, it was the Barwa Addax car of Josef Kral who set the overall fastest lap of the session with a 01:31.109. The Czech driver is making his return to the Series this weekend, after racing at the season opening race weekend in Malaysia before Dani Clos replaced him for Bahrain. With Clos now engrossed with his HRT reserve driver duties, this gives Kral an excellent opportunity to excel for his team.

Championship leader Davide Valsecchi came home 6th fastest, after completing 11 laps throughout the session. The Italian driver will be eager to extend his lead atop the Drivers’ Championship this weekend, after a dominating start to the season.

Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service

McLaren Set To Run Higher Wing Spec At Spain

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh has confirmed that the Woking-based team will be running a higher spec nose during this weekends Spanish Grand Prix, after successfully testing such a design at the Mugello test last week. This particular design features long pillars to the actual wing, and moves the design of the front nose closer to that of the platypus stepped design of the other teams on the grid.

During a phone-in with title sponsor Vodafone, the McLaren boss confirmed that the new design will be featured on the cars during this weekends race, with a strong likelihood that the design will remain on the cars throughout the race itself on Sunday.

“There’s a reasonable chance we will see it on Sunday, which will be the first time our drivers experience it,” Explained Martin Whitmarsh. “We got a lot of feedback from Mugello, so we have the data to set it up and can find the performance on track.”

The meaning behind the change in design is in aid of helping the airflow towards the rear of the car, which in turn is expected to assist McLaren back to the sharp end of the field in Spain. The Woking-based team suffered a disastrous Bahrain Grand Prix, with Jenson Button retiring and Lewis Hamilton suffering embarrassingly messy pit-stops which put pay to any reasonable result.

Throughout the Mugello test, eager eyes were fixed on the various teams up and down the paddock as to whether any were testing the Mercedes ‘super-DRS’, which has assisted the Silver Arrows throughout qualifying so far this year. Many believed a slightly thicker rear-wing endplate were tail-tail sings of McLaren experimenting with the device, however confirmation that this was the case have yet to arise. 

McLaren are the second most successful Constructor at the Spanish Grand Prix, having won the race eight times. The team will be hoping this new spec front wing enables them to make that nine victories in Spain by the end of the weekend.

Picture Copyright © LAT Photographic 

Marussia Positive With New Updates For Spanish GP

Anglo-Russian team Marussia are confident that their new upgrades to the MR-01 will help them reel in their immediate competitors, after a productive three day test at Mugello. The aerodynamic update to the car will hopefully propel to the teams forwards, as other teams will undoubtedly have improved as well.

Marussia have had a relatively successful start to the 2012 season, with only one retirement in four races. This occurred when Charles Pic unfortunately retired from the Bahrain Grand Prix with engine related issues. That aside, Marussia have progressed greatly since the opening four races of the season, with the team failing to take part in any pre-season activities except a quick shakedown of the new car at Silverstone.

“I am looking forward to the Spanish Grand Prix and the start of the European season.” Explained Timo Glock, “After the tests in Mugello I think we have a good baseline for Barcelona and now we need to see what the new parts we have will bring. I hope they make a difference and we can be a bit closer to the guys in front of us. I am looking forward to the race weekend again.”

Having raced for Marussia since the teams inaugural season in 2010, Timo Glock has raced at the Circuit de Catalunya in every season since 2008 when he raced for Toyota. During this period his best finish around the track was only 10th in 2009, a season which saw him finish on the podium twice. His team-mate, French rookie Charles Pic, has also raced at the Circuit de Catalunya before however only in GP2. Pic has won on the track twice in his GP2 career, in two consecutive years.

“We have a good update and the car feels positive, so if we can make it work at Barcelona, I think we can continue to be strong at the other circuits.” Said Charles Pic, “The Circuit de Catalunya is a track I know well; I have raced here a few times now. I am feeling good about the direction we are heading in and I’m looking forward to the weekend.”

Although Marussia are confident ahead of this weekends Spanish Grand Prix, it’s a known fact that the majority of the other teams on the grid will be introducing similar upgrades. This means the battle towards the rear of the order can only get more competitive as the season wears on.

Picture Copyright © Marussia F1 Team 

Bruno Senna: “Barcelona Is One Of My Favorite Tracks”

After completing the Mugello test alongside team-mates’ Pastor Maldonado and Valtteri Bottas, Bruno Senna is looking forward to this weekends Spanish Grand Prix. Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya is one of the Brazilian’s favorites, all the more reason as to why he is looking forward to racing there.

The Brazilian driver, the nephew of the great Ayrton Senna, has only raced at Barcelona once in his Formula 1 career, back in 2010 during his debut year for HRT. However, back in 2007 during his first year in GP2, Senna won the feature race for Arden International. Bruno’s uncle Ayrton never won around the Circuit de Catalunya, however he did win the Spanish Grand Prix when it was held at Jerez.

“Barcelona is one of my favorite tracks and I get a lot of support there so I am really looking forward to the race.” Explained Bruno Senna, “It is a very tough circuit physically and mentality, with plenty of high speed corners and a technical last sector which separates the drivers. Lots of cars will come to Barcelona with new parts so it will be interesting to see who has progressed.”

With a frenetic three days of testing at Mugello, it’s expected many teams will bring new updates to their car this weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix. Williams will be hoping to maintain their competitive form in the mid-field throughout the weekend, alongside the likes of Toro Rosso and Force India.

Picture Copyright © Williams F1 Team 

Dani Clos To Drive For HRT On Friday

Dani Clos will make Formula 1 history on Friday as completes the first all-Spanish driving line-up for a Spanish team at the Spanish Grand Prix on Friday morning. The GP2 driver will replace Narain Karthikeyan at HRT for FP1, getting his first taste of the F112 during a Grand Prix weekend.

The Spaniard has had a relatively successful career in GP2, winning one race in 2010 and also partaking in the Young Drivers’ Test at Abu Dhabi last November, clocking up 377.67 kilometers for the team. However, this weekend will see the Spaniard make his first appearance at a Grand Prix weekend for the team, as HRT continue to improve after a dodgy start to the season.

“I’m delighted to have this opportunity.” Explained a delighted Dani Clos, “It’s something I’ve fought for all my life; to make my debut in Formula 1 and, above all, to be able to do it at the Circuit de Catalunya which is something very special for me. Besides, I’m extremely lucky to be able to do it with a Spanish team, alongside another Spanish driver who I admire and at home. I can’t ask for more! I hope to extract a lot of data from this practice session, contribute with positive things to the team and do my job in the best way I can. I feel 100% ready and I can’t wait for the moment I step into the car and hit the track.”

“I’m very proud and happy that this moment has arrived and that we’ve given Dani the chance to get in the car on Friday’s first free practice session at such a special and important Grand Prix as is a home Grand Prix.” Said HRT’s team principal, Luis Perez-Sala. “It’s an important session given the short amount of time on track that we have and more so when you take into account the various aerodynamic upgrades which we have brought. Dani is a great driver and I have no doubt that he will do a good job.”

HRT will run upgrades on their cars this weekend, although they skipped the Mugello test which saw many teams test new updates. The Spanish outfit will be hoping these updates improve their pace, as they continue to reel in their nearest competitors Marussia.

Picture Copyright © HRT F1 Team

Pirelli Expecting Varying Strategies Throughout Spanish GP

Pirelli’s new tyres for the 2012 season have undeniably made the racing more exciting, making the drivers’ ability to control them one of the most important aspects of the race. For this weekends Spanish Grand Prix, Pirelli are bringing the hard (silver) and the soft (yellow) tyres, a decision which could see varying strategies as the weekend unfolds.

For the first four races of the season, there has been no gap between the tyres Pirelli have brought with them to each race. Either they had the soft (yellow) and he medium (white) tyres, or the medium (white) and the hard (silver) tyres. However, for the first time this season there is a considerable gap between the two sets of compounds Pirelli have with them this weekend.

This decision is expected to yield varying strategies from the teams, a factor which could add to the unpredictability and excitement of the 2012 season.

“There is a whole step in between our two nominations for the first time this year and this should allow the teams to come up with a number of different tyre strategies that could make a big difference to the final outcome.” Explained Pirelli’s motorsport director, Paul Hembery, “With many teams having expanded their knowledge of our tyre range and tested new components at Mugello, we’re expecting a closely-fought Spanish Grand Prix – and maybe even the fifth different winner in five races…”

With a possible threat of rain on Sunday on some early weather forecasts for the weekend, and with the unpredictable Pirelli tyres, this years Spanish Grand Prix could be one of the most exciting yet.

Picture Copyright © Getty Images for Red Bull

Sauber Hoping For Step Forward With New Upgrades

After a relatively disappointing Bahrain Grand Prix, Sauber are hoping their new upgrades will help propel the team forward at next weekends Spanish Grand Prix. The Swiss outfit tested their new upgrades, which consist of a new front wing, new bodywork and a new diffuser, at the Mugello test last week.

Last season, then F1 rookie Sergio Perez scored his first World Championship points after finishing 9th for Sauber. Heading into this seasons Spanish Grand Prix, and the Mexican has already had a highly competitive season, finishing a career best 2nd at the Malaysian Grand Prix. Coupled with Sauber’s new aero package, Perez is eager to get some more points in 2012.

“To me the race at the Circuit de Catalunya is one of the most special ones on the calendar.” Explained Sergio Perez, “I obviously know the circuit very well from GP2, from last year’s Formula One race and, of course, from testing. It was there where I scored my first ever F1 points last year when I finished ninth. I hope to get some points again this year. Our recent race in Bahrain was very disappointing, so I really hope our new aero package will work well in Barcelona.”

With some teams questioning the wisdom of the Mugello test, with the opening day a complete washout after torrential rain struck the circuit, Sauber have taken many positives from the three days of testing and are hopeful their upgrades have a positive affect in Spain.

“The Barcelona track is very complete. It has all kinds of features – low speed, medium speed and high speed corners as well as changes of direction.” Said Giampaolo Dall’Ara, Sauber’s Head of Track Engineering. “We tested a major upgrade to the car in Mugello, consisting of a new front wing and new bodywork, including a different exhaust exit and a new diffuser. The results of the test were encouraging. However, all the teams had some upgrades, and only the next race weekend will give us confirmation whether we are able to strengthen our position compared to our competitors. Nevertheless I’m confident that we can have a strong performance in Barcelona.”

Sauber’s highest ever finishing position at the Spanish Grand Prix was 4th at both the 1996 and 2002 Spanish Grands Prix, when Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Nick Heidfeld raced for the Swiss team respectively. Sauber have already finished higher than that in 2012, and in such an unpredictable season will undoubtably be gunning for another podium finish.

Picture Copyright © Sauber Motorsport AG