Caterham Appoint Hari Roberts As Head Of Aerodynamics

Caterham have confirmed the appointment of Hari Roberts as the Leafield-outfits Head of Aerodynamics, only several days before proceedings get underway for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. Roberts will work closely with the team’s Technical Director Mark Smith and Performance Director John Iley.

As Caterham prepares to enter their fourth season in Formula 1, the team is continuing to build towards becoming a competitive outfit in the sport. Currently the team have yet to score their first World Championship points of their career, yet have progressed massively since their debut season in 2010. Since then, the team have acquired Renault engines and have moved to their new factory at Leafield.

With HRT now no longer competing in Formula 1, Caterham have only one arch rival on the grid in the form of Marussia. The Leafield-based outfit will be hoping that the appointment of the experienced Hari Roberts will help continue their progression towards the midfield, with his wealth of knowledge in the sport after working with accomplished teams such as Jordan, Renault and Lotus.

“I am excited about the challenge that lies ahead with Caterham F1 Team and I am delighted to have renewed my working partnership with Mark, and started a new partnership with the whole team.” Explained Hari Roberts, “Caterham F1 Team has the potential to grow into a serious force in Formula One and I am looking forward to playing an integral role in helping the team fulfill its potential.”

Mark Smith and Hari Roberts worked alongside each other at both Jordan and Renault, and are understandably thrilled to be reunited at Caterham for the coming season. Mark Smith believes the appointment of Hari Roberts is a clear indication of Caterham’s continued growth as a Formula 1 team, and is confident ahead of the new F1 season.

“I am delighted that Hari has joined our team, particularly as his appointment extends an excellent working relationship that I have had with him over many years with teams including Jordan and Renault F1 Team.” Enthused Mark Smith, “He gives us more senior leadership in a critical area of the team’s development and it is another sign of our shareholders’ ongoing commitment to our team’s growth that we have appointed someone of Hari’s calibre to the role of Head of Aerodynamics. We have also invested in such core areas as our dedicated model shop at Leafield, the ongoing development of our High Performance Cluster (HPC), which powers our CFD and design functions, and our driver in the loop simulator – all of which give us the tools needed to fight with the most famous names in motorsport in years to come.”

Caterham ended their winter testing programme with high spirits after a productive final test around Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya. The team will be aiming to continue their productivity throughout the coming season, as they strive to score their first World Championship points and once again thwart Marussia in the battle for 10th in the Constructors’ Championship.

Picture Copyright © Caterham F1 Team

Adrian Sutil Finally Confirmed At Force India

Force India have finally confirmed German driver Adrian Sutil alongside Paul di Resta for the forthcoming season, after months of speculation as to who would eventually secure the final seat on the grid. This will see Adrian Sutil complete a return to Formula 1, and embark upon his fifth season with the Silverstone-based outfit.

After Nico Hulkenberg switched to Sauber after last season, Force India were left in a conundrum as to who to elect to partner Paul di Resta. Over the winter period, numerous drivers had been linked to the outfit, including the likes of Bruno Senna, Heikki Kovalainen, Jaime Alguersuari, Jules Bianchi, Adrian Sutil and even Narain Karthikeyan. Throughout recent weeks, that long list had shortened somewhat leaving only Jules Bianchi and Adrian Sutil as likely candidates to secure the final vacancy on the grid.

For the second test at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, Force India confirmed that both Paul di Resta, Adrian Sutil and Jules Bianchi would test the new Mercedes-powered VJM06 machine. This cemented the fact that either Sutil or Bianchi would eventually secure the drive, and only several weeks prior to the start of the season the Silverstone-based outfit have confirmed that the 30-year-old German has been the successful candidate.

“I’m delighted to be back in Formula One, especially with a team I know so well.” Enthused Adrian Sutil, “I’m very happy and I want to thank Sahara Force India for giving me a second chance. Having been away from the sport, I’m even more determined to achieve my goals in Formula One. Things went really well at the Barcelona test last week and it almost feels as though I’ve never been away. Driving the car felt so natural and I was able to get back in the groove quickly and find the limit. Now my focus is on making the most of the final test session this week, working with the team in the simulator and getting myself in the best possible shape for Melbourne.”

Adrian Sutil will return behind the wheel of the VJM06 on Friday to continue his preparations for the season ahead at the third and final test, and will continue to do so on Saturday before Paul di Resta reassumes driving duties on Sunday. Adrian Sutil’s Formula 1 career began in 2007 with Spyker, and continued with the outfit once they were rebranded as Force India in 2008. The German has since started in 90 Grands Prix, finishing a personal best of 4th at the 2009 Italian Grand Prix.

After failing to greatly impress during his first stint in Formula 1, Adrian Sutil will naturally be eager to rekindle his competitiveness in the sport once the season gets underway at Australia next month. Last year saw Force India enjoy a relatively competitive season the midfield, and both Sutil and di Resta will be striving to continue such results in 2013.

Picture Copyright © Force India F1 Team

Jaime Alguersuari Focusing On Pirelli Test Drive Role In 2013

Former Formula 1 driver Jaime Alguersuari has explained how he will continue to strive for a full-time Formula 1 drive, despite his recent confirmation that he will not race for Force India in 2013. After a season away from a full-time drive testing for Pirelli and commentating for BBC Radio 5 Live, Alguersuari was confident of returning in 2013.

However, as the rumors continue to circulate as to who will eventually team-mate Paul di Resta at Force India, Jaime Alguersuari has confirmed that he will not line-up on the grid in Melbourne next month with the Silverstone-based outfit. Instead, the Spanish driver will continue to focus on his Pirelli test driver role, as well as keeping up to scratch with driving a Formula 1 car.

With many other drivers including Jules Bianchi, Adrian Sutil and Narain Karthikeyan also eying up the sole remaining vacancy at Force India, it was also rumored that Alguersuari would instead move to DTM for the forthcoming season should a return to Formula 1 fail to materialize. However, this particular endeavor by Alguersuari has been thwarted by former F1 driver Timo Glock at BMW. This therefore means Alguersuari will once again spend a motor sport season only testing for Pirelli, although the 22-year-old is confident he can one day complete a return to Formula 1.

“When a driver in his best racing form leaves F1, he needs to keep his currency up,” explained Jaime Alguersuari to AutoSport. “That’s why I’m very happy to have this Pirelli deal, because I can still be active, can still run in the car and can understand the tyres. I’m still ready to jump in and race this year and do the job I should do. Possibly I did close other opportunities in other series but now I’m concentrating on this [the Pirelli test drive]. Maybe in the future I will look at other things.”

With Jaime Alguersuari seemingly out of the equation at Force India for 2013, it is widely predicated that the second and final drive on the grid with Silverstone-based outfit will be a “shoot-out” between reserve driver Jules Bianchi and former driver Adrian Sutil. Jaime Alguersuari however will continue his work with Pirelli, in the hope that one of the teams decides to replace one of their drivers throughout 2013.

Picture Copyright © Getty Images

Narain Karthikeyan Linked To Force India Drive

Former Jordan and HRT driver Narain Karthikeyan has become the latest driver to be linked to the remaining race seat at Force India, amid continued speculation as to who will eventually team-mate Paul di Resta. The last seat for the Silverstone-based outfit remains the only vacancy on the 2013 grid.

With only several weeks remaining until the season opening Australian Grand Prix, Force India remain the only team on the grid without a fully confirmed driver line-up, after Marussia and Caterham signed Luiz Razia and Giedo van der Garde respectively to complete their driver line-ups for the forthcoming season. Many drivers have been linked to the vacancy at Force India, including the likes of Jaime Alguersuari, Adrian Sutil, Jules Bianchi and now Narain Karthikeyan.

Narain Karthikeyan’s sudden link to the Indian outfit comes after it emerged that the 36-year-old would be able to bring wealthy sponsorship money to the team with Tata, which would essentially see Karthikeyan pay for his drive within the team. The topic of pay drivers has been rife throughout the paddock of late, however it has become a well known fact that some teams up and down the grid require such income to continue their existence in sport.

“As soon as Narain’s long-term sponsors Tata increased the budget for 2013, talks with Force India began.” Explained a source in the Deccan Chronicle. “Unlike the past, the negotiation has been a lot more positive. As reserve drivers don’t have much of a role in F1 these days, Narain is only interested in the second driver seat. If talks fail, he will probably go to America for [the] IndyCar Series where a couple of teams have already shown interest.”

Should Narain Karthikeyan complete the switch from the ashes of HRT to Force India, he would become the first Indian driver to secure a full-time race seat with an Indian outfit. Although this would be an ideal PR opportunity for the Indian Grand Prix later in the year, Karthikeyan’s previous record is unarguably against him with the likes of Adrian Sutil and Jules Bianchi in the mix.

Picture Copyright © HRT F1 Team

Scorpion Racing Eying Up HRT Takeover

It has been confirmed that a group of Canadian and American investors are eying up a possible takeover of the HRT Formula 1 Team, after the Madrid-based outfit failed to stay afloat in the expensive world of the sport. The group of investors, known as Scorpion Racing, are allegedly striving to secure the twelfth slot on the grid for the 2013 season.

Although Formula 1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone appears to be backing Scorpion Racing’s bid to purchase the ailing Spanish team, it is widely believed by many within the paddock that the planned resurgence will have to wait until the 2014 season. With the forthcoming season only weeks away, it is highly unlikely that the sports governing body, the FIA, will permit the team to compete in the new season.

When HRT entered liquidation at the end of last season, it is believed the final slot on the 2013 grid was closed. This naturally means that Scorpion Racing will have to wait until 2014 before they can begin competing in the sport. Although Scorpion Racing is only in the early stages of its purchase of the HRT F1 team, German newspaper Bild is already linking former Force India driver Adrian Sutil to the outfit. However, F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone believes it is too late for Scorpion Racing to be included in the forthcoming season.

“I’ve spoken to them and told them to get in touch with the FIA and ask for an entry,” explained Mr. Ecclestone to the Press Association. “They want to buy all the bits from HRT, then form a company and ask for an entry, but I personally don’t think it will happen. It’s all a bit too late. Maybe they could do it for next year.”

It has been rumored that Scorpion Racing would operate out of a base within Silverstone, instead of utilizing HRT’s still relatively new factory in Madrid. It is expected that the investors will complete the takeover of HRT towards the end of the week, enabling them to begin preparations for their endeavor into the tough world of Formula 1.

Picture Copyright © HRT F1 Team

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

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

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

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

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

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

Picture Copyright © Lotus F1 Team

Jimmy Eriksson Joins Status Grand Prix For 2013 GP3 Season

Status Grand Prix have confirmed that Swedish youngster Jimmy Eriksson will race for the Irish outfit in GP3 in 2013, after being crowned the German Formula Three Champion last season. The 21-year-old stormed to Championship success with eight wins and seventeen podium finishes with Lotus in 2012.

As the 2013 GP3 Series season draws ever closer, the various teams’ up and down the grid are continuing to confirm both new and returning drivers for the forthcoming season. Jimmy Eriksson will become the first Swedish driver to race in the GP3 Series once the season gets underway in May, and will be looking to follow in the footsteps of fellow countryman Marcus Ericsson in progressing up the motorsport ladder into GP2 in his quest to the top of the motorsport echelon.

“I’m very excited about this new challenge, and about the prospect of racing in a Championship which is part of the Formula 1 experience.” Explained Jimmy Eriksson, “I had a strong season in Formula 3 last year, and I’m really looking forward to building on that momentum with Status GP in 2013. Still, I obviously have a lot to learn, and the competition will be absolutely fierce; but who said it should be easy? I’m extremely motivated to get going!”

Jimmy Eriksson has become the first of a three-car team to be confirmed for 2013, as the GP3 grid slowly fills up ahead of the season-opening race in support of the Spanish Grand Prix in May. Eriksson will get his first taste of the new GP3/13 machine in the opening pre-season at Estoril next month, as preparations for the new season continues to gather momentum.

Picture Copyright © Formula 3 Series

Sebastien Buemi To Remain As Red Bull’s Reserve And Test Driver

Reigning Constructors’ Champions Red Bull have confirmed that Swiss driver Sebastien Buemi will remain the team’s reserve and test driver for the forthcoming season, as the Milton Keynes-based outfit aim to once again assert their authority over proceedings. Buemi will once again work alongside Vettel and Webber at the team.

After being replaced at Red Bull’s sister outfit Toro Rosso ahead of the 2012 season, Sebastien Buemi was confirmed as Red Bull’s reserve and test driver as Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne began their respective campaign’s at Toro Rosso. Throughout the season, Buemi worked hard with the development of the RB8, which eventually secured Red Bull’s third successive Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championship. Despite Buemi’s continued search for a full-time drive in Formula 1, the 24-year-old is eager to continue assisting Red Bull in 2013.

“I know everyone at Red Bull Racing well and it’s good to remain with the team for another year.” Explained Sebastien Buemi, “Of course my aim is to be driving at the races again, but I am still learning all the time from my work with the team. I help with the development of the car and provide feedback throughout the season, both at the factory and at races.”

Sebastien Buemi joined the Red Bull Junior Team back in 2004, several years before his first test in Formula 1 machinery in 2007 with Red Bull at Jerez. After several seasons in GP2 and further tests with both Red Bull and Toro Rosso, the Swiss driver secured a drive with the Faenza-based outfit in 2009.

However, after the 2011 season both he and his team-mate Jaime Alguersuari were replaced by Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniel Ricciardo. Despite his sudden departure from a full-time race seat, Sebastien Buemi is seen as a valuable asset by Red Bull’s team principal Christian Horner.

“We’re pleased that Sébastien has continued as test and reserve driver for the coming season.” Said Christian Horner, “He joined the Red Bull Junior Team in 2004, has worked with Red Bull Racing in 2008 and 2012 and has significant race experience. He is an integral member of the team and will complete important simulation work for us throughout the year.”

Red Bull’s 2013 challenger will be unveiled to the world of Formula 1 on February 3rd at their Milton Keynes factory, prior to the start of pre-season testing at Jerez several days later. As Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber battle for Championship supremacy in the coming season, Sebastien Buemi will unquestionably be hard at work back at the factory assisting the team as the strive to remain atop the F1 ladder.

Picture Copyright © Getty Images

Timo Glock Officially Leaves Marussia By ‘Mutual Consent’

Timo Glock has officially left Marussia by ‘mutual consent’, confirming rumors which began to surface Sunday evening regarding the German’s future in Formula 1. This departure by Glock ends his three-year partnership with the Banbury-based outfit, despite being contracted for Marussia for the forthcoming season.

Since the team’s inception in Formula 1 back in 2010, when they were then known as Virgin Racing, Timo Glock has spearheaded the outfit’s campaigns alongside the likes of Lucas di Grassi and Jerome D’Ambrosio. The German has unquestionably assisted Marussia into becoming the team they are today, with his many years of experience in Formula 1 proving a valuable asset to a team battling towards the back of the grid with the likes of Caterham and HRT in recent years.

“Timo has made a very significant contribution to our team over the past three seasons, helping us to develop our package to the point where, for a large proportion of the 2012 season, we were holding 10th place in the Constructors’ Championship.” Explained John Booth, Marussia’s team principal. “We would like to thank Timo for working with us to reach this decision, especially as he had a valid contract, and also for the contribution he has made to our team. We wish him all the best for his future and I would like to congratulate the next team acquiring the services of such a competitive, professional and experienced racer. We will provide an update regarding the completion of our driver line-up in due course.”

German newspaper Bild have speculated that the German star could move to the DTM Series, with rumors that he could join BMW, a marque which he tested with in Formula 1 back in 2007. Timo Glock is departing from Marussia with nothing but praise for the Anglo-Russian team, who he joined in 2010 after several competitive seasons with Toyota.

“I have had three excellent years with the Marussia F1 Team, during which I had the chance to actively participate in building and developing the team in its endeavors to succeed within the Formula 1 World Championship.” Said Timo Glock, “I would like to wish the team good luck in navigating this next period and thank everyone for the great times we shared and the support I have received. Although it is not the path I expected to be taking, I am in fact very excited about what the future holds in terms of my own career and I hope to comment on that very soon.”

This sudden departure of Timo Glock leaves Marussia with only one driver for the rapidly approaching season, with Briton Max Chilton preparing to make his debut with Marussia. The Banbury-based outfit will understandably be eager to find a replacement for Glock, before pre-season testing gets underway.

Picture Copyright © Marussia F1 Team

Timo Glock Reported To Have Left Marussia

Timo Glock has allegedly left Marussia, according to a report issued by German newspaper Bild on Sunday which reads that the 30-year-old German has left the Anglo-Russian outfit by a mutual agreement to find a new challenge in his motor sport career. If true, this will leave Marussia with only one driver only weeks before pre-season testing.

With pre-season testing quickly approaching ahead of the new season, Timo Glock’s rumored departure could leave the Banbury-based outfit in turmoil. This would effectively leave the team with a relatively inexperienced driver, and in desperate search of a replacement to fill the void left by Timo Glock. The German driver has been a member of the Marussia F1 team since their debut season in the sport back in 2010, when they were then known as Virgin Racing.

After signing a three-year deal with the outfit back in 2011, Timo Glock’s future with Marussia looked settled. However, after a relatively tough 2012 season alongside Charles Pic, who shone during his debut season both out-qualifying and out-racing Glock on numerous occasions, it seems the experienced German’s future is now uncertain in the sport. At the time of Bild’s initial report, Marussia were unavailable for comment on the matter, however it is believed an official statement will occur on Monday.

Such a move by Timo Glock will unquestionably fuel speculation as to who will replace the German driver at Marussia, with only Caterham and Force India currently sporting vacancies on the 2013 grid. Timo Glock was originally set to team-mate rookie Max Chilton in 2013, and his departure will understandably prompt the outfit to hunt for an experienced replacement, due largely to Chilton’s inexperience during a race weekend.

Picture Copyright © Marussia F1 Team