ThePitcrewOnline

10th May 20173rd July 2017

Joe’s Midweek Report

Hello and welcome to this week’s Formula 1 round-up, your one-stop-shop for biggest stories in F1 over the past seven days.

Today we cover a shock deal that has apparently already been done ahead of the 2018 season, a fresh, new look for all cars on the grid ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend, a new deal that could see Honda become an even bigger presence in the sport than they already are, and a familiar face set to return. So, let’s get cracking.

Deal Done? Insider Seems to Think So

Ferrari’s number one driver, and the 2017 Driver’s World Championship leader Sebastien Vettel has a pre-contract agreement already in place with Mercedes for next year, according to someone close to Ferrari.

The German, who has a 13-point advantage over Silver Arrow Lewis Hamilton going into Sunday’s race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, was contacted when Nico Rosberg left the constructer’s world champions at the end of last campaign – this is not new information.

However, now well-known F1 blogger, and Ferrari friend, Leo Turrini has stated that the 29-year-old has a deal in place to join his biggest rivals come the close of this term.

“It is no secret to anyone that after Rosberg’s retirement, Mercedes contacted Seb”, he said as reported by F1i.com.

“During the pre-season test in Barcelona, Niki Lauda told friends confidentially that Vettel has a pre-agreement with the Germans for next season.”

These comments mirror those of pundit Eddie Jordan who also believes negotiations have taken place.

“Of course they’re talking with Vettel”, the 69-year-old stated.

It is unsure whether any formal agreement has been reached between the two German parties, and with the Italian manufacturer’s impressive race pace this year it remains to be seen if any deal will be done.

Another New Rule from Charlie Whiting

As we head into race-weekend number five in the 2017 season, teams are finally getting to grips with the new rules and regulations of this year in practice, however now there’s a new one.

All drivers will now have easier to recognise designs on their cars, allowing spectators and race officials to identify who is who out on track, or Article 9.2 according to Charlie Whiting.

“We require each car number to be clearly visible from the front of the car (Article 9.2)”, he stated as reported on pitpass.com.

“We feel that to be clearly visible the numbers should be no less than 230mm high, have a minimum stroke thickness of 40mm and be of a clearly contrasting colour to their background.

“Each driver’s name (or TLA) is to be clearly legible on the external bodywork (Article 9.3).

“We feel that to be clearly legible the names should be no less than 150mm high, have a minimum stroke thickness of 30mm and be of a clearly contrasting colour to their background.”

Mercedes were the first to release their new design ahead of strict rulings that all teams must abide by or face the stewards’ wrath, and boy does it look good. Suppose on this one we must admit it’s a positive. Thanks Charlie!

More Than Just an Engine

Sauber boss Monisha Kaltenborn has stated that the Swiss F1 team’s new partnership with engine manufacturers Honda could go beyond just a power unit supply.

The ninth-placed constructers became the third team to sign a deal with the Japanese company ahead of next year, however the team principal has stated that there could be more to come from their new relationship.

“We’ll see how it all pans put”, the 46-year-old told Motorsport.com.

“We’re really at the beginning now. I don’t know their deals with McLaren. We are a very different project.

“We’ll see where we can benefit from each other in this. We’ve been in situations where we were a manufacturer team – we’re not a manufacturer team now, we’re a customer to them.

“But we know that there are a lot of opportunities there, and this is one of the reasons why we decided for this partnership.

“It’s far too early to say we’ll be doing this and that, but yes, we’re open to anything.”

Honda have done well to secure two additional teams to McLaren considering the reliability issues the former-F1 force have been facing.

However, if they were able to overcome the problems incurred this year, the Japanese company could once again prove that they can supply race-winning power units.

Familiar Face Set for Return

Former Jordan, Toyota, Virgin Racing and Marussia F1 driver Timo Glock is to make his return to the pinnacle of motorsport.

It has not yet been formally announced when the three-time podium sitter will feature on the grid again, however following a successful DTM season the 35-year-old announced via his official Facebook account he was contacted by an F1 team for a seat-fitting.

Now the question is, which team?

Has Fernando Alonso finally snapped at McLaren? Are Renault fed-up with Jolylon Parmer underachieving? Is this the back up for Seb Vettel after he moves to Mercedes? (I doubt it but you never know).

One thing is for sure we will find out soon, and it will be good to see the German back.

That’s it for this week. Thanks for reading, and I will see you all again next time.

Joe Owens, F1 Correspondent @joejournosun.

10th May 20173rd July 2017

Haas F1 Spanish GP Preview

After 4 very different and less than ideal results, including a turn 1 exit for Romain Grosjean in Sochi, Russia, Haas F1 heads to Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain for Round 5 of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. It’s a great challenging circuit where you rarely have time to rest with long corners, long straights and tricky chicanes.

There are a lot of areas that are going to test the set-up of the VF-17’s chassis and the two Haas pilots lifting and throttle application skill. The circuit is a mix of very long corners such as turn 3 and shorter, sharper corners such as the complex of turns 7-9.

Typically, most teams have a lot of data about how their cars will behave here since it is used in pre-season testing. Haas made a big 241 lap improvement in their 2017 Catalunya testing over 2016, running a total of 715 laps in 2017. Grosjean and Magnussen traveling 3,328.325 kilometers (2,068.125 miles) on the 4.655-kilometer (2.892 mile) circuit in their VF-17.

New FIA regulations for 2017 should even out the playing field this year with teams still learning the best ways to apply the data they gained from their first season of testing at the track under them in pre-season. The bigger and faster cars have increased the width of the front wing, the size of the chassis, larger barge boards, a lower and wider rear wing and diffuser that expanded 50 millimeters in height and width. Tyres too have changed to compensate for this, the fronts now 60 millimeters and the back 80 millimeters, a 25% increase from 2016.

Another possible curveball may be the shark-fins this year, with speculation they may be susceptible to cross winds which are a danger in Catalunya especially at turns 3 and 9. If that’s the case will there be any difference between a true shark fin look like what Haas have vs the more square elements like what Williams, Force India and McLaren have?

Another thing will make this weekend spectacular is the upgrades. Let’s just say you don’t want to miss any practice sessions, many teams plan to roll out huge upgrades to their cars for the first time and Haas F1 is no different, saying in their team press release: “…in the Spanish Grand Prix, where competitive arms race of technological bits and pieces are debuted by teams up and down the pit lane. Haas F1 Team is no different, bringing a significant upgrade to its VF-17, the details of which are being kept close to its vest.”

It is unknown however if these upgrades will make any improvement to the brakes which were not solved in Sochi as I thought they might be. Haas did one session on Carbon Industrie brakes then went straight back to Brembo. Grosjean then preceded to be very animated on radio that he was not happy, but Magnussen didn’t seem to be too bothered, and Gunther Steiner seemed to imply the issue was a driver issue not a car issue.

There will be a couple of tough areas on the brakes most so being turn 1 after the long pit straight. The start of this season is not what Haas wanted and now we must aim big to get in a good position for the rest of the it. A very clean weekend and a double points finish will be what the team should be aiming for. Much easier said than done in this new and exciting 2017 Formula 1 Championship.

By Jeremiah Doctson

9th May 20173rd July 2017

Moto3 Spanish GP Review: Canet Delivers At Last

Two weeks ago, a rider was thrown from his machine whilst leading the Americas Grand Prix. He sat, dazed on the painted run-off area, regathering his bearings and wondering how it could have gone wrong. Fast forward to now: Sunday 7th May and that same rider, Aron Canet, is crossing the finish line to take his maiden grand prix victory after a thrilling battle. To make matters sweeter, it’s his home race as well. In his own words: “The best day of my life!”

The Estrella-Galicia rider had been looking strong all weekend in the sessions leading up to the race, qualifying on the front row of the grid in P2. Canet got a good start as the lights went out, surviving the usual shenanigans on the drag down to the first corner, and holding his own in the leading group. The Spaniard was content to sit back in the early stages as fellow protagonists Romano Fenati, Joan Mir, Darryn Binder and Marcos Ramirez diced it out at the front. The latter two of these caught the eyes of spectators and pundits alike as, unlike the other three, were riding privateer KTM bikes as opposed to machines powered by factory outfits.

It was a classic Moto3 race in many respects: the leading group numbered twelve riders, there was slipstreaming galore down the back straight into the Dry Sack hairpin, and up the long main straight out of the final corner. The lead of the race changed hands as frequently as the laps were chalked off. Joan Mir, seeking to increase his hold on the championship, took the lead with 10 laps to go and upped the tempo. The lead group of twelve, suddenly became just five. Mir led the charge going into the final lap, but was beaten up by Ramirez and Fenati and forced out wide on a number of occasions. This ultimately put paid to his hopes of victory, but a last lunge up the inside of the KTM rider secured him a hard fought podium finish.

Having been rejuvenated since his move from the VR|46 team last year, Fenati (Marinello Rivacold Snipers Team) looked the man to beat for much of the race. The Italian was back fighting with everyone who’d dare pass him for the lead. Binder would discover how hard Fenati is prepared to defend his track position, when the two came together at the infamous Turn 13 hairpin. The South African slid out into the gravel, but was able to remount and continue. Replays proved that the incident was caused by aggressive defending and an overly ambitious attempt to overtake from both parties. A racing incident, no more – no less. Both will fight again for victory another day.

It was however a weekend to forget for British Talent Team’s John McPhee. The Scot had struggled to find a setup for the bike which worked around the Jerez circuit. A disastrous qualifying session on Saturday, meant that the Brit had to start the race from way back on the ninth row in P25. The race began more promisingly, with the 22-year old from Oban managed to haul his machine up to thirteenth, leading the chasing pack before losing the front end under braking at turn 1, and crashing out. The non-finish meant McPhee slipped from second to fourth overall in the championship. He now trails the leader, Mir, by 25 points.

But the day undoubtedly belonged to Canet. The victory has been on the cards for a while now. Ever since his points scoring debut at Qatar in 2016, it has been clear that Canet is abundant with talent. A rostrum finish, multiple fourth of fifth places and a pole position from his rookie season provided the strong basis to work on heading into 2017. Now with victory at the Spanish Grand Prix added to his growing CV, Canet and his team will be hoping to press on and challenge for the title.

Eddie Hocknull @EddieHocknull

9th May 20173rd July 2017

Preview: F2 in Barcelona

Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.
Tuesday 14 March 2017.
Nyck De Vries (NED, Rapax). Action.
Photo: Alastair Staley/FIA Formula 2
ref: Digital Image 580A0752

This weekend, Formula 2 heads to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for round two of the 2017 championship. It is a track all the drivers will be familiar with after the three days of pre-season testing there in March.

But considering Saturday’s feature race will only be the third race at this level for this season’s rookies, experience will likely still play a big part in determining the running order. If testing is any indication then this track should be one that suits Arden and ART, but as we saw in Bahrain, testing is not an infallible indicator of true pace.

If Prema can repeat the form that they found in Bahrain, then the 2016 champions will be a danger. While there are some question marks over their long run pace, the Italian outfit’s one lap speed is as impressive as it was last year. Out of the two Ferrari juniors, Leclerc was certainly the hero of the last round, and Fuoco has some catching up to do.

However, it is unlikely that the team will be able to repeat their bold strategy for the sprint race again, and with Leclerc obviously struggling to keep on top of the high tyre degradation, it would be unwise to assume they will leave Spain as the championship leaders. Going into the race weekend with Leclerc leading the drivers’ standings, it is undeniable that he has the pace to challenge the more experience drivers.

2017 FIA Formula 2 Round 1.
Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain.
Sunday 16 April 2017.
Charles Leclerc (MCO, PREMA Racing)
Photo: Zak Mauger/FIA Formula 2.
ref: Digital Image _J6I1710

Two other teams that are looking dangerous as we head to Catalonia are Pertamina Arden and Russian Time, the latter managing to score two podiums in Bahrain and currently sitting in first place in the team standings.

Compared to his 2016 form, Markelov is looking like a more mature driver, but only time will tell if he can maintain any kind of consistency, something that is vital if he is to mount a title challenge. Ghiotto was overshadowed by his more flamboyant teammate last round, but he is a highly capable driver, and the pairing could prove to be very beneficial for their team.

Though circumstance did not play into Arden’s favour in Bahrain, with Nato’s unlucky retirement in the sprint race, the Frenchman’s feature race performance was promising. Many have predicted that 2017 could be his year to finally seal the title, and all the signs are suggesting that it is possible.

Nato’s teammate Sean Gelael could not match his teammate last time out, and while he is partnering a highly rated driver, the disparity between the two cars suggests that he has not quite got on top of things yet. Barcelona will be his chance to prove he can measure up.

2017 FIA Formula 2 Round 1.
Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain.
Sunday 16 April 2017.
Norman Nato (FRA, Pertamina Arden)
Photo: Zak Mauger/FIA Formula 2.
ref: Digital Image _X0W4790

Sérgio Sette Câmara is another driver who will be hoping he can keep up with his teammate in Barcelona, after having failed to achieve the same results as his MP Motorsport teammate, Jordan King. Recently dropped from the Red Bull junior program, even after testing for them at Silverstone last summer, the young Brazilian is out to prove himself. Promisingly, he did manage to beat his teammate in the sprint race in Bahrain, but was wholly out-driven in the feature race.

This is somewhat unsurprising considering King hinted at the fact that he may have been sitting in an F1 seat this season, had the Manor Racing team not collapsed before the 2017 season had begun. Still, the team needs a string of more promising results if they want to compete amongst the best in the series.

Flying under the radar a little in Bahrain, but nevertheless delivering strong performances were DAMS. The 2014 GP2 champions will be hoping Barcelona provides them with the opportunity to mount their own title challenge. Their line-up of Oliver Rowland and Nicholas Latifi certainly looks strong on paper, but there is always a difference between potential and delivering on expectations.

2017 FIA Formula 2 Round 1.
Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain.
Sunday 16 April 2017.
Oliver Rowland (GBR, DAMS)
Photo: Zak Mauger/FIA Formula 2.
ref: Digital Image _56I1690

ART will be hoping that they can convert their solid qualifying performances into race results this time out. Of course, thanks to the quite frankly bizarre incident in Bahrain qualifying between Malja and Jeffri, it is hard to gauge who truly has the one lap speed needed to secure pole, but ART did look quick.

Thai racer Alexander Albon is only in his first season at this level, and therefore should be given time to get up to speed. Matsushita on the other hand, has completed two seasons of GP2 and performed well in testing, even going quickest on the first day in Barcelona. If his luck is better this round then it is not unreasonable to assume that he will be able to challenge for at least a podium.

While most teams suffered from the disrupted qualifying in Bahrain, Rapax driver Nyck De Vries succeeded in being one of only two drivers able to get a second run in, earning him a P2 on the starting grid. But their race made it apparent that in Barcelona set up will be a main concern for the Italian team, with tyre degradation posing a serious problem in Bahrain. Fortunately, the temperatures will be markedly lower in Spain, which might do them some favours.

Campos Racing will be hoping for a better weekend for their first home grand prix this season after failing to score any points in Bahrain. Since re-joining GP2 in 2014, the team has struggled to repeat their successes of the past, and as of yet, nothing has suggested that 2017 will be any better for them.

2017 FIA Formula 2 Round 1.
Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain.
Saturday 15 April 2017.
Ralph Boschung (SUI, Campos Racing) leads Gustav Malja (SWE, Racing Engineering)
Photo: Zak Mauger/FIA Formula 2.
ref: Digital Image _W6I0250

Trident and Racing Engineering are the other teams who have yet to score a point this season, though we are only entering the second round after all.

Racing Engineering definitely need a change in fortunes to turn things around. Had it not been for Gustav Malja’s shunt in qualifying and Delétraz’s stall on the grid, Bahrain might have been a very different weekend for them. They will be hoping to put the past from their mind, and start anew in Barcelona.

Trident also suffered from bad luck last round, not least from Jeffri’s qualifying, but even so it might take some work to secure a decent result. Last season in GP2 Jeffri only managed to score two points, and Canamasas has something of a reputation as a reckless, and sometimes dangerous, driver; but hailing from Barcelona itself, the Spaniard will be hoping to keep a handle on things in order to perform in his home race.

2017 FIA Formula 2 Round 1.
Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain.
Sunday 16 April 2017.
Nabil Jeffri (MAS, Trident)
Photo: Zak Mauger/FIA Formula 2.
ref: Digital Image _56I1730

With experience still paying dividends, drivers such as Nato, Rowland and Markelov are the obvious choices to watch, and it will be worth seeing if Markelov can find the consistency that has evaded him so far in his career. If so, he could turn his impressive tyre management and bursts of brilliance into a serious bid for the title this year.

Round two is still early to expect astounding things from the rookies of Formula 2. Yet, as Charles Leclerc proved in Bahrain, it would be short-sighted to overlook them entirely. With tyre degradation less of an issue at this cooler circuit, it may suit the nineteen-year-old from Monaco, but only by Sunday will we know whether or not he can retain his lead at the top of the championship standings.

If we manage to see a clean qualifying this round, then Barcelona will also provide us with insight into the true pace of the teams this season.

Georgia Beith, F2 Correspondent

9th May 20173rd July 2017

2017 Monaco ePrix Preview

Six weeks ago in Mexico City the Formula E Championship was treated to one of the most enthralling races in its brief history. NextEV’s Oliver Turvey led the field away after the stewards sent original polesitter Daniel Abt to the back of the grid, only to break down early on and surrender the lead to José María López; but when the pit stops came around it was Lucas di Grassi in front, having leapfrogged the field with a remarkably brave early strategy call, and the Brazilian eventually came home to take his first win of the season.

2016/2017 FIA Formula E Championship.
Autdromo Hermanos Rodrguez, Mexico City, Mexico
Saturday 1 April 2017.
Lucas Di Grassi (BRA), ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport, Spark-Abt Sportsline, ABT Schaeffler FE02.
Photo: Sam BloxhamLAT/Formula E
ref: Digital Image _J6I7741

Now the 2016–17 championship begins its European leg, a four-race stretch beginning this weekend on the streets of Monte Carlo.

This will be the second running of the Monaco ePrix—the event not featuring last season after forming part of the sport’s inaugural calendar in 2015. Of the twenty drivers who contested that first race around the principality, twelve are returning in 2017, including ten of the eleven previous points scorers.

One such driver who will be hoping to repeat his previous Monaco ePrix result is Sébastien Buemi. Up until the chequered flag fell in Mexico City, Buemi had been known as “runaway championship leader”, but an off-colour fourteenth-place finish for the Swiss driver saw his title lead slashed to just five points by di Grassi’s win.

It will be a boon, then, for Buemi to reset and return to an event he not only won last time around, but dominated from pole position. Another such win on Saturday would be the perfect way for the defending champion to put his difficult Mexico weekend behind him and reassert his authority over the title race.

2016/2017 FIA Formula E Championship.
Mexico City ePrix, Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico.
Saturday 1 April 2017.
Sebastien Buemi (SUI), Renault e.Dams, Spark-Renault, Renault Z.E 16.
Photo: Zak Mauger/LAT/Formula E
ref: Digital Image _56I5814

Also on the lookout for a strong finish in Monaco will be Nico Prost and Daniel Abt. With their respective teammates contesting the Formula E title, both drivers have been left somewhat in the shadow this season, but with consistent results in the four races so far neither should be discounted from the sharp end of the grid this weekend.

So too will Jaguar be hoping for another visit to top ten on Saturday after securing its first points in Formula E last time out. Admittedly the competition from NextEV, Andretti and Dragon will be tough to overcome a second time running, but the British marque can take some hope from the success its two drivers have had around the principality—one win and three podiums between them—throughout their respective junior formula careers.

2016/2017 FIA Formula E Championship.
Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City, Mexico
Friday 31 March 2017.
Photo: Sam Bloxham/LAT/Formula E
ref: Digital Image _J6I6362

At the other end of the spectrum are Mahindra and DS Virgin. Although both teams have taken two podiums each from the opening four races, their overall results have been variable at best; a double points haul on Saturday—and another podium if possible—will be crucial for either outfit if they are to close the gap to the front and avoid being overhauled for third by Techeetah.

However, DS Virgin may already be on the back foot this weekend—after sustaining vertebrae damage in a heavy crash during the 6 Hours of Silverstone, López may be forced to sit out the Monaco ePrix on medical grounds. The team does have reserve driver Alex Lynn on standby, but any late substitution is far from ideal at a circuit such as Monte Carlo.

Similarly, there could well be another fresh face in the Andretti garage as well, as a knee injury for Robin Frijns has brought the possibility that the Dutchman’s car could instead be piloted by BMW GT and Andretti development driver Alexander Sims. However, Frijns has insisted that his plan is still to race on Saturday, providing his injury does not hamper him changing into his second car.

And finally, if any team is hungrier than the rest for a solid performance in Monaco this weekend, it has to be Venturi. Coming into their home event, the team currently sits well adrift at the bottom of the standings on just three points, thirteen behind ninth-placed Jaguar.

Various mechanical and electrical problems have so far blighted Venturi’s running in season three—contributing to retirements for Maro Engel in each of the last three races in succession—but with a little luck on home soil both he and Stéphane Sarrazin are more than capable of bringing home a top ten finish for the Monegasque team.

James Matthews, Deputy Editor

All images courtesy of FIA Formula E

9th May 20173rd July 2017

Let the Kismet Decide, Spanish GP Preview

BARCELLONA (SPAGNA) – 15/05/16
© FOTO STUDIO COLOMBO PER PIRELLI MEDIA (© COPYRIGHT FREE)

Spanish Grand Prix Preview 12-14 May

One of the most exciting races of the season is taking place in Spain this weekend. In Barcelona, Ferrari will try to overtake Mercedes in the constructors’ championship and Hamilton aims to get closer or even ahead of Vettel on the drivers’ championship.

Bottas’ victory in Russia, was a pleasant surprise for the Formula One community, if the Finn remains fast and concentrate during the season, he will play a key role in the championship in his debut year with Mercedes.

Barcelona is a familiar track for most of the Formula 1 drivers as they were driving there during the pre-season tests in winter, but that does not mean that it is an easy track to drive.

Last season, kismet decided that Max Verstappen must win one of the most thrilling races in 2016 and celebrate a victory on his debut with Red Bull Racing. A collision between Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton forced both Mercedes out of the race and the safety car was deployed for the first time.

Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen were on a different strategy from their team-mates, they pitted two times while Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel stopped three times. That gave them an advantage and also gave the lead to Max Verstappen. After 66 laps the Dutch became the youngest ever race winner in Formula One.

Circuit De Barcelona – Catalunya

Laps: 66

Circuit Length: 4.655 km

Race Distance: 307.104 km

Lap Record: 1:21.670 (Kimi Raikkonen – 2008)

Nominated Compounds: Soft (Yellow), Medium (White), Hard (Orange)

Personal Race Prediction: Vettel (Ferrari), Hamilton (Mercedes), Bottas (Mercedes)

During the pre-season tests in Barcelona, a 1.5 second gap between medium and soft tyre compounds was detected, this is expected to be lower this weekend as the fuel load will be different and most of the teams are expected to present new upgrades on their cars.

It will be Fernando Alonso’s and Carlos Sainz’s home race and it will be nice to see them racing alongside their fans.

Carlos Sainz – “When racing at home, the feeling is so different to any other race – every time you drive out on track you know there’s more people watching and cheering for you, and this makes the whole weekend very special. I’ve been to the Barcelona track since I was nine years old, and now I’m the one racing there, it’s just amazing. Of course the whole weekend is also a bit busier than normal, but you just do everything with a big smile on your face, as I know I’m a very lucky person.”

Fernando Alonso – “I’m really excited about returning to Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix. It’s my home race, I’ve had some great times there, and the atmosphere is always crazy. We spend a lot of time there in pre-season testing, but there’s nothing quite like the emotion of racing there in front of your home fans. It’s a very special feeling. After a run of difficult races for us, I’m not sure what we can expect from this weekend. We’re expecting some various new parts – which we bring to every race – but we can’t really focus too much on performance until we have solved our reliability issues. That’s always our focus.”

The upgrades which the teams are bringing might play a critical role in the race, but personally, I don’t see Red Bull to be able to close the gap to Mercedes and Ferrari, the new parts will affect the battle between the ‘middle’ teams.

Bellow you can watch Red Bull Racing’s head of Aerodynamics, Dan Fallows, Spanish Grand Prix Preview via Mobil 1 The Grid.

Victor Archakis – @FP_Passion

(Images Courtesy of Pirelli F1 Media)

7th May 20173rd July 2017

Marquez Breaks Morbidelli’s Spell

In front of an ecstatic, partisan home crowd, Alex Marquez claimed his maiden Grand Prix victory in the intermediate class today, ending the early season domination of his team-mate Franco Morbidelli.

Venue: Circuito de Jerez de la Frontera

Race Distance: 71.5 miles (26 Laps)

Weather: Dry, Sunny.

Starting from pole, the Estrella-Galicia MarcVDS rider was rarely troubled as he produced a near faultless performance at the Spanish Grand Prix. Marquez had looked the faster of the two all weekend, with the circuit seeming to suit his trail-braking riding style perfectly. Despite one mistake, running wide at the sweeping turn 5, he had the measure of Morbidelli. Having briefly lost the lead to his team-mate, Marquez refound his rhythm and homed in on the championship leader.

In contrast, Franco Morbidelli seemed less of his composed self throughout the weekend, which culminated in a very uncharacteristic crash on lap 9, ending his race early. It may have been his first non-finish of the season and, having taken victory in the three previous rounds he still maintains a decent lead in the standings. Nevertheless, the question can now be asked as to whether Morbidelli has the mental strength to keep Marquez at bay for the rest of the championship. Given the performance levels of the MarcVDS machine, it looks increasingly likely that the battle for the World title will be an in-house affair.

Filling the remainder of the podium were Sky-VR|46’s Francesco Bagnaia and KTM’s Miguel Oliveira in second and third places respectively. Both riders continue to impress, particularly Bagnaia, who is in his rookie season in the championship. The 20-year old from Turin, who started from the second row on the grid, looked as if he’d been riding the 600cc prototype machine for years, comfortably fending off numerous attacks from the vastly more experienced Mattia Pasini (Italtrans Racing Team). Oliveira once more produced a strong race to support his efforts from qualifying on Saturday. The Portuguese rider was understandably ecstatic post-race and paid tribute to his mechanics for providing him with “the orange-rocket”. Both he and Bagnaia left Jerez quietly confident that it will not be too long before they get their turns to stand on the top step of the podium.

Behind, it was a case of damage limitation for pre-season favourite, Thomas Luthi. The Swiss rider had endured a pretty torrid weekend and started the race in P12 following a disastrous qualifying session. After the opening lap, it looked like it was going to be a completely barren result for the CarXpert-Interwetten rider, having lost touch with the front runners. Luthi needed to call upon all of his experience to bring the bike home in a credible P8. Damage limited but needs a much stronger showing next time out in Le Mans.

Finally, it was an excellent result for AGR’s sole Moto2 entrant, Yonny Hernandez. The former premier class rider has endured a difficult start to life in the intermediate category, and seemed destined for more of the same after qualifying in P22. From there, the Columbian carved his way through the field, passing multiple established competitors (Takaaki Nakagami, Hafiz Syahrin, Lorenzo Balderssarri etc) to finish P9. Just the breakthrough needed to set himself and the team up nicely for the European leg of the season.

Eddie Hocknull @EddieHocknull

7th May 20173rd July 2017

Moto2 Race Preview: Day of Reckoning Awaits Marquez

With the Grand-Prix paddock now back for the long European leg of the season, one question has been on everybody’s lips: Can anyone stop Franco Morbidelli?

Judging from Friday’s practice and Saturday’s qualifying sessions, the answer is yes.

Alex Marquez (Estrella-Galicia MarcVDS team) has been in irresistible form so far this weekend, finishing as the fastest rider in all three free practice sessions. The Spaniard claimed pole position in a frenetic qualifying session ahead of his team-mate, Franco Morbidelli, by 0.043 of a second. With riders tripping over each other, Marquez was very nearly undone by Tech3’s Remy Gardner, when their bikes made contact in the latter stages of the session. Having squandered the chance to claim victory in Argentina, Marquez will be desperate to take the spoils in front of the Spanish crowd. Additionally, a win here will not only silence the doubters, but also get his championship challenge firmly back on track.

Whilst the MarcVDS team have been fighting almost exclusively so far for victory, the KTM outfit continue to push as best of the rest. All the more impressive when one considers that this is the Austrian team’s maiden season in the class. Miguel Oliveira, will start Sunday’s race heading up the second row of the grid in P4. Having moved across from the Leopard outfit at the end of last season to join KTM, the Portuguese rider continues to go from strength to strength in Moto2 and is quietly confident of a podium finish in the race.

It was an equally impressive qualifying display from the Sky-VR|46 team, as rookie Francesco Bagnaia secured a place on the second row in P6. The Italian has won almost universal praise from supporters and onlookers alike this season. Having been promoted from Moto3 the 20-year old from Turin has not just settled into the category, but is already a regular points scorer so far this season. Having surpassed his previous best qualifying performance (P9 in Qatar), a podium finish would not be impossible on Sunday by any stretch of the imagination.

It was a difficult day for the likes of Luca Marini (Forward-Racing) and Thomas Luthi (CarXpert-Interwetten). The latter has struggled all weekend, citing a general lack of grip from the rear tyre and ‘chatter’ from the front suspension. Having to start the race in P12, on the fourth row of the grid, the veteran Swiss will need to produce a strong performance to prevent his championship hopes from derailing.

Of course, with three wins out of three already to his name, nobody is going to rule out the chance of four in a row for Morbidelli. The Italian has once again been at the sharp end of the timesheets throughout all the track sessions – both in practice and qualifying. True, he has not topped the timesheets yet this weekend, but with a miniscule gap to his team-mate and a 26-lap race distance on Sunday, the Italian is still the bookies’ favourite.

Can anyone stop Franco Morbidelli? Yes.

Will they stop him?

Eddie Hocknull @EddieHocknull

4th May 20173rd July 2017

GP2 to F2: what does it mean?

2017 FIA Formula 2 Round 1.
Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain.
Saturday 15 April 2017.
Charles Leclerc (MCO, PREMA Racing) leads Norman Nato (FRA, Pertamina Arden)
Photo: Zak Mauger/FIA Formula 2.
ref: Digital Image _W6I0209

To many, it may have seemed like a rather rushed decision to transform the GP2 Series into the FIA Formula 2 Championship, but this was a move that was just waiting to happen for years.

Though the newly formed series technically represents a new category of single seater racing, there is not much that sets it apart from the former GP2 series. The championship has retained almost all the hallmarks of its predecessor, right down to the name of the year’s chassis: GP2/11. The change was only announced in March, and with the first round of the championship taking place in April, that meant there was little time to implement anything beyond the change in name. But even this itself will have, and has had, a sizeable impact on the image of the category.

For someone unfamiliar with junior categories of motorsport, it would have been unclear where GP2 sat on the single seater ladder. The Formula 2 (or F2) moniker however, makes it abundantly clear that this represents the very peak of the junior categories, sitting just one rung below Formula 1. While GP2 was always meant to represent this, the acquisition of the new name is a step in the right direction for the category in gaining the recognition it needs.

2017 FIA Formula 2 Round 1.
Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain.
Saturday 15 April 2017.
Norman Nato (FRA, Pertamina Arden) leads Charles Leclerc (MCO, PREMA Racing)
Photo: Zak Mauger/FIA Formula 2.
ref: Digital Image _W6I0306

The other change that has already come into effect is the affiliation of F2 with the FIA.

This is the most important aspect regarding the integration of Formula 2 into the FIA Global Pathway – the official name for the road laid out by the federation that aims to take a driver from karting all the way to Formula 1. It has long been a project of FIA President Jean Todt to create an efficient and complete pyramid for single seater racing, and he described the creation of Formula 2 as “a very important step” in this process.

No doubt, this particular move was enabled by the takeover of the Formula One Group by Liberty Media. The GP2 Series was the brainchild of Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, so with Ecclestone ousted, it made it far easier to pull GP2 into the mainstream.

New CEO of the Formula One Group Chase Carey has previously stated that strengthening junior motorsport categories was a priority for Liberty Media, and this move was most likely the first step in that mission. FIA affiliation will go a long way in ensuring the longevity of Formula 2 as well as bolstering its reputation.

2017 FIA Formula 2 Round 1.
Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain.
Saturday 15 April 2017.
Antonio Fuoco (ITA, PREMA Racing)
Photo: Zak Mauger/FIA Formula 2.
ref: Digital Image _W6I0276

These are only the first steps in what will probably transpire to be a total overhaul of the Formula 2 championship. There is no doubt that we will see more changes to the series before the 2018 season, when there is more time over the winter break to set about restructuring and reorganising.

Next season expect the cars to be remodelled so that they reflect the new regulations that have been introduce in Formula 1 this season. Last year, the cars were very similar in the two categories, but with the wider, lower degradation tyres and new aero regulations introduced in F1 the difference has become substantial. If Formula 2 is to act as preparation for the very pinnacle of motorsport, then the gulf between the two categories will need to be closed.

The implication of this announcement is that it places a very large question mark over the future of GP3, which will return in Barcelona to begin its 2017 season. Is there really room for the series in this perfectly planned pathway that Todt and the FIA have envisioned? With Formula 3 and Formula 4 fully supported by the FIA, and already well established in their own right, it is difficult to see where GP3 could fit in.

There have already been signs pointing towards uncertainty surrounding the GP3 Series, with race winner Jake Hughes opting to switch to Formula 3 for the 2017 season. Traditionally, this would be seen as a step down, but with F3 and F4 quickly becoming the more attractive categories for young drivers, it’s a move that makes sense. Don’t be too surprised if by the end of the year we see the scrapping of this particular support series

The formation of the new Formula 2 championship might just have saved it from this stagnation, and secured its future.

Georgia Beith, F2 Correspondent

4th May 20173rd July 2017

F1 to return to the Glen?

Ever since purchasing Formula 1, Liberty Media have sought after increasing the calendar, especially in North America as it is such an untapped market to enter.

Watkins Glen could be the answer. The interest in F1 cannot be higher especially after the now success of the Circuit of the Americas at Austin and Alonso’s Indy 500 participation this year.

Watkins Glen International, or known as The Glen for short, is full of history, and has the experience to hold an event. The track was part of the Formula 1 calendar for 20 years, last held in 1980, traditionally in autumn. This could allow a back-to-back with Austin on the current calendar structure.

The Glen has an annual schedule, and is regularly used, from its traditional 6 hour endurance to the various NASCAR events and Verizon IndyCar events throughout the year. Hulman & Company, owners of the IndyCar series, are in talks with extending the contract, only back on the 2017 calendar this year due to the collapse of the planned street track in Boston.

In recent years various redevelopments on and off track have been completed which have increased interest in the track. The much out-of-date media centre has been taken down and completely reconstructed with a state of the art control tower which allowed the full 43-car NASCAR grid last year.

Whilst on track in recent years from 2010 onwards the track has been repaved, including its extension ‘the boot’ which was added to the track in the early 90’s.

To make the track look more modern, they took away the rumble strips and added the more common red & yellow designs with extending the asphalt run off areas for safety.

Charlie Whiting, Formula 1’s race director, is a big fan of Watkins Glen. “It is a wonderful circuit,” he stated last year. Every few years he inspects the track, with a visit in 2016 after the most recent repave increasing speculation that Formula 1 was to return. This was before Liberty Media bought the sport but still led to major rumours around the paddock.

Above you can see a layout of the Watkins Glen track; as you can see though, we have colour co-ordinated it to accommodate possible areas for DRS zones. The only amendment you could make to the layout really is to make the pit entrance before the last corner for safety concerns. The Glen has a lovely flow to it, especially in the chute through to the boot section on the bottom right of the track.

Liberty Media want more races in America; Bernie Ecclestone for many years sought Formula 1 to be in New York, for the Grand Prix of New Jersey as it would be known.

But when you have a fully fledged historic race track in the state of New York, so why let it go to waste? The Glen currently holds an estimated 38,000 on race days, but with a few more stands it could easily have space to accommodate 45,000+ fans.

Currently an FIA grade 2 track, Watkins Glen is compliant with every racing series except for Formula 1, similar to established tracks like Sebring and Le Mans; but if a contract can be put in place, plans can made to bring the track up to the Grade 1 that it needs. Most recently, look at the renovation that was put into place with Mexico to increase the grading of that venue.

The Glen has had great entertainment in recent years, and with a contract with Formula 1 that could only continue to grow.

Chris Lord, F1 Correspondent