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Daily Archive: April 9, 2011
Today’s report from Formula One teams & drivers in Sepang.Apr 09
Morcom hangs on for crazy win at VIR (+result)
Remy Audette at the foot of the podium in fourth place after starting eleventh
Australian rookie Nathan Morcom, driving for Primus Racing, hung on at VIRginia International Raceway, on dry tires as the skies opened to win the first F2000 Championship Series race of 2011 over Robert La Rocca and Chris Livengood.
Apr 09
Connery on pole despite crash at VIR (+grid)
Remy Audette 11th
A lengthy session stoppage on a slightly damp track awarded Kyle Connery, a rookie driver from the karting ranks, his first ever F2000 pole in his first ever F2000 qualifying session. A badly timed and long black flag period created an interesting grid order, and as the track went green in the closing minutes, Connery suffered a massive crash in his #91 Van Diemen/Zetec.
Apr 09
Vettel uses KERS to pip Hamilton to Sepang pole
Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel used KERS to power to pole at Sepang on Saturday.
The team did not use the energy-recovery technology to dominate in Melbourne two weeks ago, but championship leader Vettel said he needed it to stave off a resurgent McLaren in Malaysia by just one tenth. “We came here and solved most of the (reliability) problems,” the German said. “I think if we did not have it (KERS) today, we would not be here (on pole).”
Apr 09
F1 overtaking obsession ‘silly’ – Newey
“If overtaking is too easy, it’s not exciting,” he insisted.
The obsession of some F1 observers about overtaking is “silly”, the sport’s top car designer Adrian Newey insists. With KERS returning in 2011 and the controversial moveable rear wings now also being used in races, the Briton was asked what he would say to Bernie Ecclestone if the F1 chief executive asked him how to make passing even easier.
Apr 09
Red Bull link ‘positive’ insists Hamilton
“World champions can definitely race together as long as there is quality in the team.”
Lewis Hamilton has hit back at Christian Horner’s claim that pairing him with Sebastian Vettel would risk creating “fireworks” at Red Bull. “Look at me and Jenson (Button),” said the McLaren driver, referring to his current teammate. “World champions can definitely race together as long as there is quality in the team.”
Apr 09
Ferrari’s gap to leaders ‘very big’ – Massa
“We will have a tough weekend.”
Ferrari’s drivers were disappointed at Sepang to learn that pole, victory and even a podium on merit are out of reach at present. The Italian team was surprised to find itself off the pace in Melbourne, but had high hopes that the more conventional Malaysian layout would paint a different picture.
Apr 09
Petrov, Perez say ‘shut up!’ to pay-driver talk
F1 commentators have been told to “shut up” before denouncing newcomers to the sport as mere “pay-drivers”.
It has been said that Vitaly Petrov only kept his Renault seat this year thanks to his Russian millions, while Sergio Perez has brought the backing of Mexican giant Telmex to the Sauber team in 2011.
Apr 09
Pirelli use gold line for soft tyres in Malaysia
Pirelli’s soft tyres have a gold line around the edge of the sidewall this weekend in Malaysia.
The move follows complaints in Australia that the tyre supplier’s choice for visibly differentiating the compounds in 2011 – different coloured logo lettering – was not noticeable enough. Pirelli said the gold band “should make the compound easier to spot on television” from Sepang.
Apr 09
F1 drivers back moves to change Interlagos corner
“There has not been only one death, we have to improve that corner.” – Massa
GPDA president Rubens Barrichello has backed efforts for a change to the Curva do Cafe corner at Brazilian grand prix venue Interlagos. A stock car driver died after bouncing off the barriers onto the racing line there in 2007, and at Sepang Felipe Massa is wearing a sticker on his helmet to pay tribute to Gustavo Sondermann, after his Brazilian countryman died in a near-identical crash last Sunday.
Apr 09
Di Grassi to do next Pirelli tyre test
Pirelli’s other F1 test drivers so far were Nick Heidfeld and Romain Grosjean.
Lucas di Grassi will do the driving when F1 tyre supplier Pirelli resumes its private track testing programme. We reported in January that the former Virgin driver could be set to replace Pedro de la Rosa, who later announced he has returned to McLaren as third driver.
Apr 09
CVC not looking to sell F1 yet – Ecclestone
The 80-year-old also said CVC’s $2.9 billion debt “should be cleared by 2014″.
Bernie Ecclestone has played down rumours F1′s owner CVC is looking to sell its 100 per cent ownership of the sport. Several sources told the Reuters news agency recently that a strategic review is underway by CVC for a potential “sale, IPO or debt refinancing”.
Apr 09
India names F1 track after Buddha
Organisers of the inaugural 2011 Indian grand prix have renamed the New Delhi circuit.
Currently under construction in the Uttar Pradesh state and scheduled to host its first race in October, the track was previously called the Jaypee International Race Circuit. Jaypee is the name of the race’s promoter, headed by chief executive Sameer Gaur, who is heading an Indian delegation at the Malaysian grand prix this weekend.
