Pirelli Announce Tyre Range For Opening Four Races
Pirelli have announced their tyre nominations for the opening four races of the new year, as the season-opening Australian Grand Prix looms ever closer. The Italian tyre supplier are hopeful that their new tyre range will increase the amount of pit-stops over a race weekend, and see race strategies become a key part of a teams preparations.
For the first time in Pirelli’s history as a tyre supplier, their super-soft tyre will be used for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, alongside the medium tyre. Pirelli are hopeful that this particular tyre selection will see a performance gap throughout the weekend, as well varying strategies between the teams. Once again the medium and hard tyres will be used for the Malaysian Grand Prix, with the heat and abrasive surface of the Sepang International Circuit forcing Pirelli to utilize the two hardest tyres of the range.
With high degradation expected for the Chinese Grand Prix around the Shanghai International Circuit, Pirelli have elected for the soft and medium tyre compound. Last season saw tyre wear greatly effect the result throughout the final few laps, with Kimi Raikkonen in particular plummeting through the order. For the fourth round of the season at Bahrain, Pirelli have decided to once again opt for a completely new tyre nomination with the soft and hard tyre compound.
The step in the tyre range for this event has been chosen to ensure speed in qualifying, as well as durability for the race which usually takes place in searing temperatures around the Sakhir circuit. For each race weekend the teams will be offered six sets of the harder compound and five sets of the softer compound, as well as four sets of the Cinturato intermediate and three sets of the Cinturato rain tyres.
Last season Pirelli’s tyres greatly assisted in producing some of the most entertaining races the sport has ever seen, with varying results at each event. Although many believe such unpredictability will not be repeated, Pirelli are hopeful of continuing the excitement which made the 2012 season so unique.
Picture Copyright © Pirelli
Sebastian Vettel Criticises Bruno Senna After First Lap Incident
Newly-crowned World Champion Sebastian Vettel has criticized Bruno Senna, after the pair came together on the opening lap of the Brazilian Grand Prix. Senna tried to overtake Vettel into Turn 4, but the German closed the door and the inevitable ensued. This saw Senna retire and Vettel plummet to the back of the order.
Despite picking up severe damage to the left-hand side of his car, Sebastian Vettel was undeterred by his collision with Senna and immediately began clawing his way back through the order as the rain began to intensify at the circuit. Although Sebastian Vettel was eventually able to clinch his third successive Drivers’ Championship, the German criticized the Brazilian driver after the race.
The incident that so nearly cost Sebastian Vettel the Drivers Championship!
“The start was quite good. I was quite happy.” Explained Sebastian Vettel, “Then I think I was bit too early on KERS and didn’t get KERS until Turn One but nevertheless, I was side by side with Mark [Webber] and he squeezed me to the inside, so your angle for Turn One becomes worse and worse. Then down to Turn Four, I was benefitting from the slipstream in front, relatively safe to Paul [di Resta] who was behind, as far as I remember, and then I got the hit in Turn Four for no reason. I don’t know what happened. I think someone probably… I think it was Bruno, I was told it was Bruno… he was probably fighting someone into Turn Four.
“It was drizzling since the start of the formation lap and it was quite slippery in Turn Four, we knew that. Maybe he forgot. The same thing I mentioned about the fact that in Turn One I had to back out of the situation because your angle just becomes narrower. If he was on the inside, which I suppose – I haven’t seen the footage – BOOM and I was the car that he used to stop himself. They didn’t help us.”
Sebastian Vettel was extremely lucky to continue circulating out on track, after Bruno Senna’s Williams tore a hole in the side of the German’s Red Bull. Despite the mangled bodywork on the side of the car, Vettel continued racing and eventually crossed the line to finish 6th, which enabled him to clinch his third successive Drivers’ Championship by just three points. However, the car was considerably slower due to the damage sustained during the first lap melee.
“In the dry conditions we were not quick enough.” Continued Sebastian Vettel, “I was stuck behind Kamui [Kobayashi] but we were nowhere on the straights, and also our tyres were suffering and we were not quick enough to fight, to go through the field because the car was damaged. I looked at the floor and it didn’t look nice. I’m quite happy because I could continue. Many times you have an accident like that in that corner and that it’s, that’s the end of the race so I was very happy for that.”
Bruno Senna’s race was ruined after his collision with Sebastian Vettel, after the Brazilian driver then collected the Sauber of Sergio Perez, who was also forced into retirement. With Senna striving to retain his seat at Williams for 2013, this was not the way he or the team would have liked to end the season. Despite Vettel’s criticism to Senna, opinions throughout the paddock are mixed as to who was in the wrong. Either way, it was a racing incident which could well have changed the course of the Drivers’ Championship.
Picture(s) Copyright © Getty Images
Hamilton Leads McLaren 1-2 After Opening Practice At Abu Dhabi
Lewis Hamilton has headed a McLaren 1-2 in this morning’s opening practice session at the Yas Marina circuit, ahead of this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The 2008 World Champion was followed home by Jenson Button, with the reigning World Champion of Sebastian Vettel a close 3rd behind the McLaren duo.
The opening practice session of the weekend took place in glorious weather conditions, with bright sunshine bathing the picturesque Yas Marina circuit. Once again several reserve drivers were able to enjoy valuable track time with their respective teams, as Valtteri Bottas [Williams], Jules Bianchi [Force India], Giedo van der Garde [Caterham], Max Chilton [Marussia] and Ma Qing Hua [HRT] took to the track in the opening 90 minutes.
As ever, the opening practice session was slow to begin with, as the entire field carried out several installation laps in the opening 20 minutes. Eventually rookie Max Chilton completed the first timed lap of the session, with a rather slow 02:27.380, as HRT’s development driver Ma Qing Hua went 2nd with an equally uncompetitive time. However, as the session progressed, the Toro Rosso of Jean-Eric Vergne shot to the top with a much quicker 01:48.885.
The Frenchman was able to quickly improve upon his time at the top, eventually setting a 01:46.708. Valtteri Bottas then disposed of the Toro Rosso driver at the top of the timing sheets, with a 01:46.085 as the times quickly began to tumble. Pastor Maldonado slotted into 2nd position, as reserve driver Bottas improved upon his time with a 01:45.602.
After a slow start to the opening practice session, the majority of the field finally took to the track to try and thwart the likes Vergne and Bottas at the top. Eventually Valtteri Bottas was replaced at the top of the timing sheets by the Mercedes of Michael Schumacher, before Championship contender Fernando Alonso asserted his authority over proceedings with an impressive 01:45.099. Whilst the likes of Alonso and Schumacher traded fastest times at the front, Giedo van der Garde remained stuck in the pit-lane with his Caterham suffering from engine-related issues.
As the session passed the halfway mark, the McLaren duo began to show their pace around the Yas Marina circuit. Lewis Hamilton initially set an eye-opening 01:44.001, over a second faster than the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso. As the track improved and the fuel loads decreased, the Briton was able to consistently better his time, eventually setting a 01:43.285 ahead of team-mate Jenson Button.
The McLaren duo remained at the top as the session drew to a conclusion, with Lewis Hamilton remaining fastest as Jenson Button gradually reduced the gap between the two. Despite McLaren’s early pace, Sebastian Vettel still finished the opening session of the weekend in the top three with 3rd, +0.765 seconds off the pace of Lewis Hamilton. Fernando Alonso was 4th fastest, with Mark Webber 5th for Red Bull.
Although no true predictions for the weekend can be drawn from the order after the first practice session, McLaren certainly seem to have improved since the Indian Grand Prix last weekend. However, Sebastian Vettel still remains the favorite, as the teams now take a short break before the second practice session later in the day around the Yas Marina circuit.
Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m43.285 20 2. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m43.618s + 0.333 18 3. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m44.050s + 0.765 21 4. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m44.366s + 1.081 20 5. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m44.542s + 1.257 21 6. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m44.694s + 1.409 21 7. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m45.194s + 1.909 19 8. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1m45.347s + 2.062 24 9. Valtteri Botta Williams-Renault 1m45.347s + 2.062 23 10. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 1m45.422s + 2.137 15 11. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m45.567s + 2.282 23 12. Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes 1m45.587s + 2.302 18 13. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m45.722s + 2.437 19 14. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1m45.743s + 2.458 19 15. Jules Bianchi Force India-Mercedes 1m45.769s + 2.484 21 16. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m45.811s + 2.526 21 17. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m46.649s + 3.364 22 18. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m46.708s + 3.423 24 19. Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault 1m47.418s + 4.133 22 20. Timo Glock Marussia-Cosworth 1m47.891s + 4.606 19 21. Pedro de la Rosa HRT-Cosworth 1m48.354s + 5.069 21 22. Max Chilton Marussia-Cosworth 1m48.887s + 5.602 21 23. Ma Qing Hua HRT-Cosworth 1m50.487s + 7.202 20 24. Giedo van der Garde Caterham-Renault no time 3
Picture Copyright © McLaren F1 Team
Pedro de la Rosa Retired With Throttle Pedal Issues
Pedro de la Rosa’s Korean Grand Prix lasted only 17 laps, before the Spanish outfit decided to retire the 41-year-old largely due to safety worries with regards to a throttle pedal issue on his HRT. The team were prepared for a tough 55-lap race, and are already looking ahead to the Indian Grand Prix in several weeks time.
Only several laps into the race, Pedro de la Rosa began to immediately feel the effects of the throttle pedal issue, despite enjoying a positive start. Initially the pedal began to jam, eventually worsening throughout the opening laps. Due to safety issues, the team made the decision to retire Pedro de la Rosa, in an attempt to avoid any chance of an incident as the F112’s handling began to deteriorate.
“We were anticipating a tough race but the start was good.” Explained Pedro de la Rosa, “Unfortunately, we had a problem with the throttle pedal since the fifth lap. At the start it would get slightly jammed but as the laps went by it got worse so the team decided to pull me out. I think they made the right decision because, not only was the car very difficult to handle and we were going slower and slower, but it was also dangerous.”
Although Pedro de la Rosa retired in the early stages of the race, Narain Karthikeyan was able to make it to the end of the race albeit in 20th and last place, two laps off the pace of race winner Sebastian Vettel. Despite this difficult race weekend, the Madrid-based outfit are confident further improvements can be made next time out at the Indian Grand Prix.
Picture Copyright © HRT F1 Team
Ma Qing Hua To Drive Once Again In Practice At Singapore
HRT’s development driver Ma Qing Hua will once again get behind the wheel of the F112 at an official F1 event next time out at Singapore, as the Chinese driver continues his valuable learning experiences with the Spanish-outfit. The 24-year-old made F1 history last time out in Monza, becoming the first Chinese-born driver to race in the sport.
After initially partaking in HRT’s Young Driver Test at Silverstone back in July, Ma Qing Hua is now preparing to participate in his second official practice session in F1. Many teams up and down the paddock have utilized the opening practice session of the weekend to run their reserve drivers, such as Valtteri Bottas [Williams] and Jules Bianchi [Force India] making regular appearances for their respective teams. With HRT set to introduce several new upgrades at the Singapore Grand Prix, Ma Qing Hua will be instrumental in testing the new updates.
“I’m very happy to drive the F112 for a second time in a row and I really appreciate the opportunity HRT is giving me.” Explained Ma Qing Hua, “It will be very exciting to drive an F1 [car] around the streets of Singapore. It’s a very demanding track for all of us, but it will be even more of a challenge for me as this is only the second time I will be driving the car at a race weekend. I have prepared myself in the simulator as well as doing some specific exercises to be used to driving at night. This is yet again another step in my career and I look forward to getting more experience at the wheel of a Formula 1 car as well as doing my best to help the team to prepare for the race.”
Ma Qing Hua will once again replace Narain Karthikeyan for the opening session of the weekend, before the Indian driver makes a return behind the cockpit of the F112 for the second practice session later in the afternoon. Narain Karthikeyan has also never raced around the Marina Bay street circuit, and will be eager to utilize the 90-minute second practice session to learn the track.
Picture Copyright © HRT F1 Team
Michael Schumacher Fastest In Opening Practice At Monza
Michael Schumacher has ended the opening practice session fastest ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix around the historic Monza circuit, ahead of the McLaren of Jenson Button. The second Mercedes of Nico Rosberg came home third, roughly three tenths off the pace.
Jean-Eric Vergne was the first driver to take to the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, as the session got underway in superlative weather conditions. Several reserve drivers once again got behind the wheel of their respective cars, with Ma Qing Hua [HRT], Jules Bianchi [Force India] and Valtteri Bottas [Williams] all replacing their respective team-mates for the opening session. In traditional practice fashion, the majority of the drivers completed installation laps to begin with, however Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa set early times with the latter going quickest with a 01:28.370.
Kimi Raikkonen and Ma Qing Hua made minor mistakes upon entering turn 1 as they began their respective flying laps, both bumping over the precarious “sausage” kerbs and subsequently ruining their opening laps. The Finn then stormed to the top of the timing sheets, with a 01:28.175, a time which he was able to better a lap later with a 01:27.369. Lewis Hamilton then returned to the top, with the Briton submerged in speculation over his future in Formula 1. The 2008 World Champion set three consecutive fastest laps, with a time of a 01:26.326 keeping the Briton atop the timing sheets.
Local favorite Fernando Alonso then breezed to the top of the timing sheets, with a 01:26.072 undoubtedly pleasing the many Tifosi devotees already lining the circuit. Jules Bianchi, standing in for Paul di Resta during the opening session, ran straight on at turns 4 and 5, making a slight mistake up the entry to the chicane. With many drivers up and down the grid making similar errors, such as Sebastian Vettel and Nico Rosberg at turn 1, Michael Schumacher rose to the top with a 01:25.422 in his Mercedes. The German driver won all of his Italian Grands Prix with Ferrari, and is still warmly welcomed by the fanatical Tifosi masses.
Jenson Button, who majestically won last time out in Belgium, was 2nd behind the German, as his mechanics carried out a front-right camber change on the Briton’s McLaren. Whether or not this alteration had improved the handling of the car remained questionable, as Jenson Button locked up heading into turns 4 and 5 and ran wide through the tarmac run-off area.
Michael Schumacher remained top as the session entered it’s closing stages, with many drivers still pushing to the limits, especially through turns 1, 2, 4 and 5. Fernando Alonso then raised many eyebrows throughout the paddock as the Championship leader came to an abrupt halt at turn 1. The Spaniard then removed himself from the car, with the tail-tail signs of a mechanical issue on the car. Pastor Maldonado then became the next victim of the mechanical gremlins, as he too came to a halt on the exit of turn 5. Early reports indicate that Alonso could have suffered an engine related issue, whereas Maldonado seems to have suffered a hydraulic issue.
With yellow flags fluttering due to the stopped Ferrari and Williams cars’, no-one was able to dethrone the 7-time World Champion of Michael Schumacher, who’s earlier time kept him atop the timing sheets. F1 returnee Jerome D’Ambrosio ended his first session in the Lotus E20 15th overall, +1.758 seconds off the pace. The HRT of Chinese driver Ma Qing Hua brought up the rear, ending his first ever session in F1 24th, +5.817 seconds off Schumacher’s pace.
The F1 drivers will return to the Monza circuit later this afternoon, as the grid prepare for Sunday’s 53-lap Italian Grand Prix. Bruno Senna, Paul di Resta and Narain Karthikeyan will make a return, after sitting out the opening session to allow their respective reserve drivers an opportunity to test their cars’.
Pos Driver Car Time Gap Laps 1. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m25.422s 26 2. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m25.723s + 0.301s 29 3. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m25.762s + 0.340s 26 4. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m25.800s + 0.378s 22 5. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m25.861s + 0.439s 27 6. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m25.944s + 0.522s 30 7. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 1m26.046s + 0.624s 25 8. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m26.323s + 0.901s 26 9. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m26.390s + 0.968s 24 10. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1m26.504s + 1.082s 19 11. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m26.508s + 1.086s 18 12. Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes 1m26.518s + 1.096s 21 13. Valtteri Bottas Williams-Renault 1m26.641s + 1.219s 26 14. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m26.746s + 1.324s 23 15. Jerome d'Ambrosio Lotus-Renault 1m27.180s + 1.758s 29 16. Jules Bianchi Force India-Mercedes 1m27.192s + 1.770s 22 17. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m27.373s + 1.951s 25 18. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m27.789s + 2.367s 24 19. Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault 1m27.855s + 2.433s 27 20. Vitaly Petrov Caterham-Renault 1m28.578s + 3.156s 20 21. Charles Pic Marussia-Cosworth 1m28.751s + 3.329s 26 22. Timo Glock Marussia-Cosworth 1m29.207s + 3.785s 21 23. Pedro de la Rosa HRT-Cosworth 1m29.331s + 3.909s 21 24. Ma Qing Hua HRT-Cosworth 1m31.239s + 5.817s 26
Picture Copyright © Mercedes AMG Petronas
Kamui Kobayashi Fastest In Sodden Opening Practice At Spa
Sauber’s Kamui Kobayashi has ended the opening practice at Spa-Francorchamps fastest ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, after the session was run in exceedingly treacherous conditions. Pastor Maldonado and Daniel Ricciardo rounded out the top three, as the unrelenting rain pounded the legendary circuit.
The session started in extremely torrential conditions, with the iconic Spa weather system providing the teams with conditions similar to that seen during qualifying for the British Grand Prix earlier in the year. Regardless of these tricky conditions, many drivers took to the track as the session got underway, with Jean-Eric Vergne the first driver to leave the dry confines of the pits.
In traditional Friday morning fashion, two reserve drivers got behind the wheel of their respective cars, with Valtteri Bottas and Dani Clos replacing respective team-mates’ Bruno Senna and Narain Karthikeyan at Williams and HRT. Kamui Kobayashi became the first driver to brave the elements and complete a flying lap, completing a time well off the usual pace with a 02:23.141. The Japanese driver was able to improve slightly on his next lap, with a 02:17.705.
After Kobayashi’s momentary endeavor onto the slippery Spa circuit, the track fell silent once again as the drivers opted to remain in the safe and dry confines of their respective pit garages. With scenes similar to that of Spa ’98, the possibility of a driver damaging his car whilst aquaplaning was more than enough to prevent the drivers from venturing into the unknown abyss of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
However, after roughly an hour of no track action, the cars decided to take to the track as the rain began to gradually subside slightly. This enabled the Toro Rossos of Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne to set fastest times, with the latter setting a 02:13.179 as the session progressed. The Sauber of Kamui Kobayashi once again returned to the top spot with a 02:12.105, with the 25-year-old Japanese driver running wide slightly through the turn 5 Les Combes section of the tack.
This particular section of the track proved tricky for drivers in these tough conditions, with the likes of Mark Webber and Jenson Button also running wide. Daniel Ricciardo was able to bring Toro Rosso back to the top as the session entered its closing stages, before the Williams of Pastor Maldonado shot to the top with a 02:11.941. However, it was Kamui Kobayashi who eventually finished on top as the rain continued to lash down upon the Spa circuit, with a 02:11.389 the fastest time possible in the utterly perilous track conditions.
Felipe Massa ended the opening practice session in disastrous style, with the Ferrari driver suffering an engine failure on his way back to the pits. With Spa-Francorchamps one of the toughest tracks on engines throughout the year, mechanical issues could become a familiarity throughout the race weekend.
With the conditions forecast to remain wet throughout the remainder of the day, the drivers will be relying on a dry third practice on Saturday morning as they prepare for the all-important qualifying hour. The drivers will return to the Spa-Francorchamps circuit later in the day, as they continue to prepare for Sunday’s race.
Pos Driver Car Time Gap Laps 1. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 2m11.389s 20 2. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 2m11.941s + 0.552s 14 3. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 2m12.004s + 0.615s 12 4. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 2m12.824s + 1.435s 15 5. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 2m13.191s + 1.802s 13 6. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 2m13.861s + 2.472s 16 7. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 2m14.210s + 2.821s 14 8. Valtteri Bottas Williams-Renault 2m14.660s + 3.271s 16 9. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 2m14.860s + 3.471s 12 10. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 2m15.402s + 4.013s 13 11. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 2m15.812s + 4.423s 11 12. Timo Glock Marussia-Cosworth 2m16.409s + 5.020s 16 13. Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes 2m16.786s + 5.397s 10 14. Vitaly Petrov Caterham-Renault 2m16.788s + 5.399s 16 15. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 2m16.827s + 5.438s 5 16. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 2m16.861s + 5.472s 8 17. Charles Pic Marussia-Cosworth 2m17.519s + 6.130s 14 18. Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault 2m18.199s + 6.810s 10 19. Pedro de la Rosa HRT-Cosworth 2m19.546s + 8.157s 12 20. Dani Clos HRT-Cosworth 2m19.689s + 8.300s 12 21. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 2m38.701s + 27.312s 9 22. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 2m40.749s + 29.360s 4 23. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 2m46.580s + 35.191s 9 24. Felipe Massa Ferrari 2
Picture Copyright © Sauber Motorsport AG
Initial Sonoma Practice Open To All Teams
IZOD IndyCar officials have announced that the initial practice for next weekends GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma will be open to all participating teams, so as all drivers can gain valuable experience on the slightly modified circuit. The Californian track has been altered to make overtaking easier throughout the race next Sunday.
To allow teams to partake in the opening practice session of the weekend, IndyCar officials will issue the teams with a ninth set of tyres that can be used throughout the 75-minute practice session. Usually the opening 30 minutes of the first practice session is reserved for drivers outside the top 10 in the Championship standings, however this rule has been dropped for this race weekend only.
“There have been several changes to the track and this allows everyone an equal chance to learn the layout,” explained IndyCar President of Competition, Beaux Barfield. “There is a test this week that does allow everyone an opportunity, but we wanted to be sure everyone had the chance to get miles and see the three fairly significant changes to the track.”
These changes in question include modifications to turns 11, 9 and 7, all with an intention of increasing opportunities for overtaking throughout the race. Current Championship leader, Will Power, has won the last two races around the Sonoma Raceway and will undoubtedly be striving continue his winning streak at the Californian circuit. However, with team-mate Helio Castroneves and Andretti Autosport driver Ryan Hunter-Reay hot on his heels, it’s all to play for as the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series draws closer to an intense season finale at Fontana.
Picture Copyright © Getty Images
Mitch Evans Takes Victory In Opening GP3 Feature Race
Kiwi Mitch Evans took victory in the opening feature race of the 2012 GP3 Series earlier today, after a highly exciting start to the new season. Marlon Stockinger followed Evans home in 2nd, with Aaro Vainio in 3rd. This was Evans’ second ever victory in the Series, and MW Arden’s third.
The race was run in glorious sunshine and balmy conditions, and as the lights went out the Lotus GP of Daniel Abt shot off the line and stormed into the lead heading down into turn 1. Further behind there was carnage as rookies’ Alice Powell and Ethan Ringel came together and subsequently retired from the race after only two corners.
With some still marveling over the superlative getaway from Daniel Abt, the secret to his success was quickly unveiled when he was penalized for jumping the start along with Antonio Felix da Costa and Antonio Spavone. As Abt and Spavone pitted for their penalties, da Costa elected to stay out for a further lap, with Abt and da Costa eventually finishing 13th and 14th respectively.
This sudden change of order saw Mitch Evans rise to the top, with Czech driver Marlon Stockinger close behind in 2nd. The safety car was then deployed, bunching the pack up as Kevin Ceccon’s dismal weekend continued as the Ocean Racing Technology car stopped in a dangerous position on the apex of turn 9.
On the restart, Mitch Evans succeeded in carrying out an extremely mature getaway. The Kiwi then began to slowly open up a gap to the Status Grand Prix car of Stockinger, whereas further back Vainio and Niederhauser were locked in a battle for the final podium position. However, the Finnish driver was able to fend off Niederhauser, and successfully finish 3rd behind Stockinger and Mitch Evans. The MW Arden driver now heads into tomorrow’s sprint race as the Championship leader, after being regarded as the Championship favorite throughout the pre-season.
With GP3 also reversing the top eight just like it’s sister Series GP2, rookie Robert Visoiu will start on pole for tomorrow morning’s sprint race alongside fellow rookie Tio Ellinas.
Results - 16 laps:
Pos Driver Team Time/Gap
1. Mitch Evans MW Arden 28m38.738s
2. Marlon Stockinger Status + 2.609s
3. Aaro Vainio Lotus + 4.594s
4. Patric Niederhauser Jenzer + 5.071s
5. Matias Laine MW Arden + 6.284s
6. Conor Daly Lotus + 6.941s
7. Tio Ellinas Manor + 7.419s
8. Robert Visoiu Jenzer + 10.102s
9. David Fumanelli MW Arden + 11.046s
10. Alex Brundle Carlin + 11.291s
11. Dmitry Suranovich Manor + 15.105s
12. Tamas Pal Kiss Atech CRS + 15.752s
13. Daniel Abt Lotus + 16.231s
14. Antonio Felix da Costa Carlin + 16.577s
15. Robert Cregan Ocean + 17.132s
16. Fabiano Machado Manor + 17.775s
17. Antonio Spavone Trident + 18.284s
18. Kotaro Sakurai Status + 19.087s
19. Jakub Klasterka Jenzer + 19.626s
20. Carmen Jorda Ocean + 22.224s
21. John Wartique Atech CRS + 23.070s
22. Vicky Piria Trident + 32.897s
23. William Buller Carlin + 46.346s
Retirements:
Kevin Ceccon Ocean 7 laps
Ethan Ringel Atech CRS 0 laps
Alice Powell Status 0 laps
Picture Copyright © Daniel Kalisz/GP3 Series Media Service
Lewis Hamilton Fastest In Opening Session At Bahrain
Lewis Hamilton has started his Bahrain Grand Prix weekend in fine form, ending the session three tenths ahead of reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel. Paul di Resta came 3rd for Force India, running on the softer Pirelli tyre towards the end of the session.
As ever at a Grand Prix on the Friday, the session was a slow starter as French rookie Jean-Eric Vergne became the first driver on the track. The field completed their installation laps, with some drivers’ wishing to complete more than one installation lap. The first timed laps were completed by the Force India’s of Nico Hulkenberg and Paul di Resta, before the Lotus of Romain Grosjean set a 01:34.847 to go quickest overall. Grosjean’s team-mate Kimi Raikkonen then flew to the top, with a 01:34.609 as the Finn hunts for his first podium of his F1 return.
Sebastian Vettel became the first of the front runners’ to set a timed lap, with a 01:34.311. The Mercedes’ pair of Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher slotted into 2nd and 3rd places respectively, as the majority of the field began setting their first true timed laps of the day.
World Championship leader, Lewis Hamilton, then flew to the top of the timing sheets with a 01:33.572. The 2008 World Champion has yet to win a race this season, however with three consecutive 3rd place finishes already in 2012, he leads the Championship from his team-mate Jenson Button who won in Australia.
After setting the initial pace earlier on in the session, the Force India’s began showing signs of pushing too hard as Paul di Resta ran wide whilst his team-mate locked up his tyres extensively into turn 10.
Prior to the weekend, Pirelli explained that dust and sand could play a significant role in tyre wear throughout the weekend. However, during the first session it became apparent the dust and sand wasn’t as troublesome as first thought. However, with the hugh winds that are notorious at the Sakhir International Circuit, the dust and sand could well be a recurring factor this weekend.
As the session came to close, Paul di Resta was spotted exiting the pit-lane with the soft (yellow) Pirelli P-Zero tyres on his Force India. This enabled the Scot to propel himself up to 3rd place, only several tenths off the McLaren of Lewis Hamilton.
Timo Glock ended the session with a spin at turn 1, spinning the wheels in ferocious fashion to get his car pointing back in the right direction once again. However, as the checkered flag emerged, Lewis Hamilton was quickest for McLaren. The Woking based outfit have never won at the Sakhir circuit before, and will be eager to break that trend this weekend.
The F1 cars’ will return to the track later on in the day for the second practice session, before the seriousness of qualifying tomorrow.
Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m33.572 11 2. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m33.877s + 0.305 21 3. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m34.150s + 0.578 26 4. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m34.249s + 0.677 23 5. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m34.277s + 0.705 14 6. Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes 1m34.344s + 0.772 26 7. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m34.483s + 0.911 17 8. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m34.552s + 0.980 22 9. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 1m34.609s + 1.037 17 10. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1m34.847s + 1.275 20 11. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m35.024s + 1.452 22 12. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1m35.268s + 1.696 24 13. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m35.436s + 1.864 21 14. Valtteri Bottas Williams-Renault 1m35.497s + 1.925 24 15. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m35.719s + 2.147 19 16. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m35.929s + 2.357 24 17. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m36.195s + 2.623 20 18. Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault 1m36.330s + 2.758 11 19. Vitaly Petrov Caterham-Renault 1m36.484s + 2.912 18 20. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m36.591s + 3.019 20 21. Charles Pic Marussia-Cosworth 1m37.467s + 3.895 17 22. Timo Glock Marussia-Cosworth 1m38.006s + 4.434 18 23. Pedro de la Rosa HRT-Cosworth 1m38.877s + 5.305 19 24. Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 1m39.996s + 6.424 23
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