Hamilton versus Rosberg: A feud between friends

The friendship between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg extends back to the respective drivers’ childhood, with the duo competing within the lower categories together in their quest to reach Formula One. However, with the pair now competing alongside each other in unquestionably a Championship winning car, the friendship seems to be taking a considerable battering.

Despite a competitive and all-smiles start to the 2014 campaign, the partnership encountered its first hurdle at Bahrain where Hamilton and Rosberg fought tooth and nail for supremacy, with the Briton remaining at the top. However, the smiles of friendship remained crystal clear until the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, where Rosberg made an error during qualifying which prevented Hamilton from snatching pole position away from the German. Immediately question marks arose as to whether the mistake was intentional, with Hamilton ending the race weekend stating that they were no longer friends after Rosberg romped to victory.

During the break between races Hamilton tweeted a picture of the duo during their youthful years, proclaiming that they had discussed the issues and essentially made up. As the video below clearly shows, a strong friendship exists within the team which many predict will crumble as the Championship nears its conclusion. Regardless of the outcome, the spotlight is well and truly shining on the Mercedes team-mates, as the feud between friends continues at the front.

 

Nico Hulkenberg returns to Force India on multi-year deal for 2014

Nico Hulkenberg has been officially confirmed at Force India for the 2014 season, after the Silverstone-based outfit announced that the German would return on a ‘multi-year’ deal after only one season at Sauber. Despite the 26-year-old’s confirmation, his team-mate at Force India has yet to be announced.

After leaving Force India at the end of the 2012 season for Sauber, many were expecting the German sensation to partner Romain Grosjean at Lotus following Kimi Raikkonen’s return to Ferrari. However, after the Enstone-based outfit elected for Venezuelan driver Pastor Maldonado, Nico Hulkenberg’s options for the new season consisted of either another season at Sauber or a return to Force India. Throughout the 2013 campaign Sauber struggled in comparison to the previous season, with the Swiss outfit unable to return to the podium as Nico Hulkenberg managed to bring home the lion share of the team’s points alongside rookie Esteban Gutierrez.

For the 2014 season Formula 1 will enter a new era of technical regulations, with a new 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 engine formula being introduced. Although testing with the new engines has not yet begun, Mercedes are hopeful of offering a competitive engine when the new era of Formula 1 dawns in March. Nico Hulkenberg has expressed great delight in making his return to Force India for the new season, with hopes that the new Mercedes engine package will enable the Silverstone-based outfit to enjoy a competitive season.

“I am happy to come back to Sahara Force India,” explained Nico Hulkenberg, who scored 63 points with the outfit in 2012. “The team is aiming high for next year and I believe that the experience I have gained over the years will help us achieve those goals. I genuinely believe we can have a competitive package in 2014. I’ve heard a lot of positive things about the Mercedes engine as well, so I think there is a lot to be excited about for next year. I know this team and I can see their determination; it’s a great bunch of people and we all share the same hunger for success.”

Whilst the rumour-mill surrounding Nico Hulkenberg’s future endeavours for 2014 will now evaporate, speculations will surely continue with regards to the German’s eventual team-mate for the new season. Adrian Sutil and Paul di Resta will unquestionably remain candidates, with the former team-mates enduring a topsy-turvy 2013 season which ultimately ran out of steam after Pirelli made amendments to their tyres. Other likely candidates such as former McLaren driver Sergio Perez could also remain a possibility for the Silverstone-based outfit, as the pieces of the 2014 driver market slowly begin falling into place.

Picture Copyright © Force India F1 Team

Pastor Maldonado Looking Forward To 2013 Alongside Valtteri Bottas

Pastor Maldonado believes 2013 will be an important season for Williams, as they strive to build upon their competitiveness witnessed throughout the 2012 season. Despite the Venezuelan driver securing the team’s first victory since 2004 at Barcelona, Williams still struggled on regular occasions within the midfield.

After taking an illustrious victory at the Spanish Grand Prix back in May, Pastor Maldonado entered a frustrating points-drought which lasted until the Japanese Grand Prix in October. During this period, Bruno Senna scored all the points for Williams as Maldonado struggled to return to his once highly competitive ways. However, it was clear during the season that Maldonado was an exceedingly quick driver, with the 27-year-old qualifying 3rd at Valencia, 2nd at Singapore and 3rd at Abu Dhabi.

Pastor Maldonado is confident that he and the team will continue to build upon their success in 2012 next season, and is aiming to challenge for points and podium finishes on a regular basis. Apart from the team’s victory in Barcelona, Williams failed to return to the podium all season with 5th at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix the best the team could achieve.

“2013 will be an important season for the team.” Explained Pastor Maldonado, “In my first season we had a lot of problems with the car, but this year we made a big step forward in performance and managed to capture a memorable win in Barcelona. We have a lot of potential as a team and next year we must continue this upward trend and produce a car that can challenge for strong points finishes and podiums at a wide range of circuits.

“The goal is to be more competitive next year and have a car that is consistently in the points and challenging for podiums. This year we showed excellent pace at a number of tracks such as Barcelona, Monaco and Abu Dhabi, but we didn’t have the consistency to maintain that at every Grand Prix. We have all the tools needed to push the top teams, and hopefully we can learn from this year and move further up the field.”

Valtteri Bottas will replace Bruno Senna alongside Pastor Maldonado in 2013.

However, next season the Venezuelan driver will be partnered at Williams by the team’s former reserve driver Valtteri Bottas, who will be replacing Bruno Senna within the team. The 23-year-old Finn has already shown his skill behind the wheel of Formula 1 machinery, after partaking in fifteen practice sessions throughout the season. Bottas was also crowned the 2011 GP3 Champion, a fact which will make him only the second former GP3 driver to start an official race next March alongside the Sauber of Esteban Gutierrez.

Pastor Maldonado is looking forward to the 2013 season alongside his new team-mate, with the two already having worked together for the last two seasons in the sport. Pastor Maldonado is eager to offer advice to the rookie, with the Venezuelan driver hopeful both he and Bottas can start scoring points at the first race in March.

“It will be a new experience and one that I am looking forward to.” Said Pastor Maldonado, “As a rookie he will have a lot to learn, but from what I have seen so far he has a lot of talent. It’s in the team’s interest for both of us to be scoring points from the very first race, so I can provide advice to him as someone who has two seasons under my belt. I’ve spent a lot of time with him this year as he has driven in many FP1 sessions and travelled with the team and we get on very well which is always helpful.”

Williams enjoyed a far more successful season this year in comparison to 2011, when the team scored a miserable five points all year. This season saw the Grove-based outfit storm to 76 points in the Constructors’ Championship, a tally both Pastor Maldonado and Valtteri Bottas will be hoping to emulate in 2013. Both have shown they are capable of winning races throughout their careers’, and they will unquestionably be striving to do so once again when the 2013 Formula 1 season kicks off in March.

Picture(s) Copyright © Williams F1 Team

Mark Webber Not Prepared To Assist Sebastian Vettel During The Race

Mark Webber has explained how he is not preparing to assist team-mate Sebastian Vettel during tomorrow’s 71-lap Brazilian Grand Prix, despite the German’s necessity for a competitive result as he strives to clinch his third successive Drivers’ Championship. Sebastian Vettel will start the race alongside team-mate Mark Webber in 4th.

During the FIA post-qualifying press conference, Mark Webber stressed that he will only be focused on his own race tomorrow and that he will simply be aiming to get the finish line as quickly as possible. These comments from Mark Webber indicate that Sebastian Vettel will have to overtake his team-mate without team orders, as he aims to take victory and his third successive Championship during tomorrow’s 71-lap Brazilian Grand Prix.

“Well, I think we focus on ourselves tomorrow, do the cleanest race I can.” Explained Mark Webber, “We know there may be some tricky weather tomorrow. It’s a long Grand Prix and I’ll be focused 100 percent on my efforts in my cockpit and get to the finish line as quick as possible.”

If the inclement weather which is forecast for the race does strike the circuit tomorrow, Mark Webber has every chance to take what would be a third victory around the Interlagos circuit for the Australian. However, the pace of the McLaren duo is extremely fearsome this weekend, and both Webber and Vettel could well find themselves in the wake of both Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button if tomorrow’s race remains dry.

Sebastian Vettel on the other hands does not see his grid position as disaster for tomorrow’s race, despite the German qualifying much lower than normal. Since the Singapore Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull have enjoyed a highly competitive resurgence, which has greatly assisted the German’s Championship surge of late. Vettel has only one aim on his mind for tomorrow’s race, which is to attack the drivers ahead of him and clinch not only the Drivers’ Championship but also the race victory.

“We finished fourth today, which maybe is not the best position we could have got, but we can be quite happy and starting fourth is not a disaster,” explained Sebastian Vettel, who has started from pole six times so far this season. “There are more people behind us than in front. I’m happy with fourth and there are plenty of opportunities for tomorrow. I’m not worried. We have mirrors in the car but hopefully we won’t have to use them. As soon as the lights go off we will try to attack the guys in front.”

If Fernando Alonso fails to finish on the podium tomorrow, then Sebastian Vettel doesn’t even need to finish the race. However, if the Spaniard manages to finish either 1st, 2nd or 3rd, then for Vettel to become Champion he will need to respond by at least finishing 4th, 7th or 10th respectively. Once again the Championship finale will undoubtedly be a nail-biting affair, which has many permutations which could alter which driver is crowned Champion for a third time.

Picture Copyright © Getty Images

Villeneuve Believes Mercedes Should Have Paired Hamilton With Schumacher For 2013

Former Formula 1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve believes Mercedes should have paired Lewis Hamilton alongside seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher for 2013, instead of retaining Nico Rosberg alongside the Briton. The 1997 World Champion firmly believes Hamilton and Schumacher would’ve been a much more formidable pairing.

Jacques Villeneuve has become renowned for his opinionated view on the world of Formula 1, and has raised many eyebrows within the paddock for believing Mercedes should have retained the Canadian’s former Championship rival, Michael Schumacher. During Villeneuve’s Championship year in 1997, the then Williams driver battled throughout the season with the Ferrari of Schumacher, which culminated in a controversial collision between the two at the season-ending European Grand Prix.

However, many years after the duo’s season-long feud, Jacques Villeneuve has spoken out in favor of the German legend’s continuation in the sport. Once Lewis Hamilton was confirmed with Mercedes for 2013, it quickly became apparent that Michael Schumacher would be the driving stepping down from the team. Villeneuve has strongly criticized this decision form the German marque.

“Why is he stopping?” exclaimed Jacques Villeneuve to Switzerland’s Motorsport Aktuell. “I don’t understand. Hamilton-Schumacher would be much better than what they do have for next year.”

Despite Villeneuve’s sudden backing of Michael Schumacher, the German has unarguably endured a tough return to the sport. Upon making his glorious return to F1 with Mercedes in 2010, the once unstoppable German struggled greatly to return to his once fearsome competitiveness. Whereas Nico Rosberg won this year’s Chinese Grand Prix, Michael Schumacher has only managed 3rd at best at this year’s European Grand Prix. Whether or not Schumacher and Hamilton would’ve been a better line-up for Mercedes in 2013, it remains imperative that the outfit improve greatly for next season and beyond after suffering a bittersweet 2012 season.

Picture Copyright © Getty Images

Narain Karthikeyan: “I Completed An Almost Perfect Lap”

Narain Karthikeyan enjoyed yet another competitive qualifying session today around the Marina Bay street circuit, in preparation for tomorrow’s Singapore Grand Prix. Although the Indian driver will start the race from a lowly 23rd on the grid, it was the second race weekend in succession where he out-qualified his team-mate.

This weekend has seen HRT introduce several new upgrades to their car, including a new floor. With Pedro de la Rosa set to incur a 5-place grid penalty due to a gearbox change, it was a forgone conclusion that the Spaniard would start tomorrow’s race from 24th and last. However, Narain Karthikeyan completed what he regarded as an almost perfect lap around the tricky confines of the Marina Bay street circuit to beat his vastly experienced team-mate.

“I’m happy because in qualifying I completed an almost perfect lap.” Explained Narain Karthikeyan, “I’m pushing very hard and I think that right now I’m driving very well. I’m very comfortable within the team, they help me a lot and make me feel at home, and when the atmosphere is that good it’s easy to perform well. I’ve done two good consecutive qualifying sessions and I hope to keep that momentum. Tomorrow’s race will be tough physically and mentally but we will fight to achieve the best possible result.”

With speculation ripe within the F1 paddock this weekend that HRT’s reserve driver Dani Clos could receive a promotion within the team and replace Karthikeyan next season, the Indian driver is certainly proving his worth to the team behind the wheel of the F112. Although tomorrow’s Singapore Grand Prix will be exceedingly tough on the teams and drivers, Karthikeyan will be striving for a competitive result at the back of the pack.

Picture Copyright © HRT F1 Team

Bruno Senna Frustrated After Monaco Grand Prix Qualifying

Bruno Senna has voiced his frustration after qualifying, after the Brazilian driver could only manage 14th for Williams. Even though he’ll start tomorrows race 13th after his team-mates penalty, the Brazilian driver is disappointed with his qualifying effort, stating that he pushed too hard during the session.

“I am disappointed with qualifying.” Explained Bruno Senna, “The car definitely had a good lap in it but unfortunately I just pushed too hard and the lap time didn’t come to me. I’m frustrated with myself but we know we have a strong car so now we just have to see what we can do tomorrow.”

Bruno Senna, nephew of the most successful driver around the Monte-Carlo street circuit Ayrton Senna, won at Monaco in 2008 in GP2. However, his fortunes have differed slightly in Formula 1, as Senna has failed to finish an F1 race around the streets of the Principality.

With passing exceedingly difficult around Monte-Carlo, Bruno Senna looks set to have a tough race as he starts within the extremely competitive midfield. The pace of the Williams is supposedly much quicker, however whether Senna or Maldonado can extract that pace from the car so far remains to be seen.

Picture Copyright © Williams F1 Team

Michael Schumacher Confident Ahead Of The Monaco GP

Five-time Monaco Grand Prix winner Michael Schumacher is feeling confident heading into next weekends Monaco Grand Prix, even though the 7-time World Champion will suffer a five-place grid drop after qualifying. This is due to the incident he allegedly caused with Bruno Senna at the Spanish Grand Prix.

With Pirelli offering the teams the super-soft (red) tyres for the first time in 2012, tyres once again look set to be the talking point throughout the Monaco Grand Prix weekend. Due to this, Schumacher is optimistic that Mercedes will do well, with tyre management set to be a crucial aspect of the demanding 78 lap race.

“Monaco is just a circuit of its own very unique character. Every time you go there, you just look forward to finally getting out and driving the track. Of course, knowing that I will lose five positions on the grid does not add to this feeling but this just means that I will have to try even harder. I’m actually quite confident that we should look reasonably good in Monaco due to the hard work that everybody in the team is putting into the development of our car.”

Mercedes have already won a race in 2012, albeit at the hands of Schumacher’s team-mate Nico Rosberg. The 26-year-old believes there is as many as ten drivers’ who have a chance at winning the Monaco Grand Prix this year, a fact which could make the race one of the most intriguing and exciting around the Principality in many years.

The German Constructor hasn’t won a race around the Monte-Carlo street circuit since 1937, when Manfred von Brauchitsch took victory in a Mercedes 1-2-3 finish. Back then the race was 100 laps long, and took three hours to complete. However, Mercedes have won seven times at Monaco as engine suppliers, the last time being in 2009 when Jenson Button took his Mercedes powered Brawn to victory.

Picture Copyright © Mercedes AMG Petronas 

Bruno Senna Under Threat From Valtteri Bottas

As Pastor Maldonado romped to his maiden Grand Prix victory during Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix, his team-mate Bruno Senna was involved in a collision with Michael Schumacher and subsequently retired from the race. Although the incident was in no way Senna’s fault, his future with the team is looking in doubt for 2013 and beyond.

With Williams reserve driver and reigning GP3 Champion Valtteri Bottas impressing Williams throughout his various Friday practice sessions, speculation is now growing that the Finnish driver could replace Senna in the near future. The 22-year-old has already driven for the Grove-based team in four Friday practice sessions this season, and has shown impressive pace alongside Pastor Maldonado. For all of these sessions, Bottas has replaced Senna in the car, and will allegedly continue to do so throughout the remainder of 2012.

Williams have also signed two new Finnish sponsors recently, both of which sponsor Bottas. Wihuri, a Finnish International Industry and Trade Conglomerate, and have sponsored Bottas since 2006. The other new sponsor is a Finnish welding manufacturer called Kempii, a company which has sponsored Bottas since 2008. The Finnish driver is also managed by Williams investor Christian ‘Toto’ Wolff, who’s wife Susie Wolff née Stoddart is a Williams test driver.

Although Senna scored the first World Championship points for Williams this season, he has failed to progress through to Q3 in any qualifying sessions so far. During the Spanish Grand Prix, Senna wasn’t even able to progress through to Q2, whereas his team-mate qualified on the front row. With Williams undeniably grooming Bottas for an eventual race seat at the team, it seems the writing is on the wall for Bruno Senna. The next few races will be imperative for the Brazilian, as Maldonado aims for further race victories and podiums in 2012.

Picture Copyright © Williams F1 Team

Fernando Alonso: “This Second Place Feels Like A Victory To Me”

After a difficult start to the 2012 season, albeit with a race victory in Malaysia, Fernando Alonso is pleased with how the Spanish Grand Prix turned out for him, and has regarded the result as good as a race victory. The Spaniard came home 2nd behind Pastor Maldonado, whereas team-mate Felipe Massa once again failed to score any points.

This result was Fernando Alonso and Ferrari’s second podium of the season, as all but two of the points scored by Ferrari so far in 2012 has come from the 2-time World Champion. With Stefano Domenicali fully confident that Felipe Massa will react and fight back in Monaco, Fernando Alonso is blunt in reiterating the fact that Ferrari did not do the best job when it came to designing their 2012 challenger.

“This second place feels like a victory.” Explained a positive Fernando Alonso, “Having finished the race in Sakhir almost a minute off the winner, today we overtook one of the two Red Bulls and we fought right to the very end for the win. On top of that, we have made up a lot of points on the Red Bull and the McLaren drivers, which makes the outcome of this weekend even more positive. We definitely did not do the best job when it came to designing the car – there is still much to do – but we can be proud of how we got the most out of our potential, probably over and above the limits of the car. We must continue to bring updates all the time for the car, because it is all very close and the slightest thing can make the difference.”

Fernando Alonso now heads to the Monaco Grand Prix sharing the top spot in the Drivers’ Championship with Sebastian Vettel. However, with such an unpredictable season thus far, anything can happen around the streets of Monte-Carlo.

Picture Copyright © Getty Images