Category: Formula One

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At The End, The Germans Always Win

GP ABU DHABI F1/2016 – ABU DHABI 27/11/2016
© FOTO STUDIO COLOMBO PER PIRELLI MEDIA (© COPYRIGHT FREE)

After a thrilling season, Nico Rosberg finished second in Abu Dhabi and won his first world title of his career. Whilst, Lewis Hamilton started from the pole and won the race, but that was not enough for him to win his fourth title.

On Saturday, Lewis Hamilton was the quickest driver on the grid, followed by Nico Rosberg and Daniel Ricciardo.

Lights Out

GP ABU DHABI F1/2016 – ABU DHABI 27/11/2016
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The two Mercedes drivers could not wish for a better start on Sunday. A clear start for both drivers secured them the first two position. Kimi Raikkonen had another good start, passed Daniel Ricciardo and moved up to the third position. Max Verstappen had a spin at the start of the race and dropped at the back of the grid.

Red Bull decided to go for a one-stop strategy for Verstappen and after a long stint, Max placed second behind Lewis Hamilton after the first drivers had finished their pit-stops.

Rosberg re-joined third, behind Verstappen, where he decided not to attack for a few laps, Raikkonen and Ricciardo were closing to Nico, and Mercedes informed Rosberg that he had to pass Verstappen. The German responded and on lap 20, after a long battle he managed to pass the Dutch and secure the second position.

Red Bull with a smart strategy managed to give an advantage to their drivers and be placed ahead of the Ferraris. Scuderia decided to let Vettel on track for many laps in order to be able to finish the race with a fresh set of super-softs. At the final pit-stop Sebastian, switched to super-softs and he managed to do some flying laps, pass Verstappen and move up to the third position, behind Nico Rosberg.

Hamilton’s ‘dirty’ strategy

GP ABU DHABI F1/2016 – ABU DHABI 27/11/2016
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From the begging of the race, Lewis knew that a victory was not enough for him. Nico Rosberg had to finish at least fourth, but that was not an easy task. It was difficult for the other teams to challenge Mercedes and stay close to the two drivers. Hence, the British had to use some “dirty tricks” as Vettel said.

“It was a tricky situation at the end with Lewis playing dirty tricks. It was tough out there. I didn’t want to be an issue. But at the end, I was thinking maybe to try to pass both of them but it didn’t work out.” The German reported to his team after the race.

Hamilton was trying to slow the race pace and allow to Vettel and Verstappen to catch Rosberg. Nico Rosberg was very close to Hamilton, but he didn’t want to risk any move, whilst the other two drivers behind were closing to him.

At the final laps, Mercedes gave orders to the British champion to pick up the pace, but Lewis said: “Let us race”.

A few moments later Paddy Lowe’s voice was heard from Mercedes radio and gave a direct order to Lewis: “Lewis, this is Paddy. We need you to pick up the pace to win this race.”, but again the Brit refused kindly by saying: “I’m in the lead right now. I’m quite comfortable where I am.”

Chequered Flag

GP ABU DHABI F1/2016 – ABU DHABI 27/11/2016
© FOTO STUDIO COLOMBO PER PIRELLI MEDIA (© COPYRIGHT FREE)

Hamilton took the chequered flag, but Nico Rosberg was the big winner and wrote his name on the list with the F1 world champions. The Rosbergs family is the second where both father and son have won the F1 world title. The first family was Hills family.

“It’s a childhood dream come true, thank you for everything.” It was some of Rosberg’s words through Mercedes radio after the chequered flag.

The German deserved to win this title, he fought hard, scored more points and in the final races he simply had to manage the gap from Hamilton.

Lewis Hamilton’s tricks at the final laps were tricky, but it was his only chance to win the world title. So, I agree with his move to try to slow down the pace of the race and let the other drivers come closer to Rosberg.

All the F1 drivers/champions have to fight if they want the title and that is what Nico Rosberg did. He was calm and concentrate even when he was under heavy pressure.

Congratulation to both Nico Rosberg and Mercedes for what they achieved this season. Hopefully, 2017 will be a better year for the sport.

It was a long season, and I want to thank you for your support, and finally I want to thank the Crew for allowing me to cover the season and the races.

Stay tuned!

Victor Archakis F1 Editor
Follow me on Twitter: @FP_Passion

(Images Courtesy of Pirelli F1 Media)

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Red Bull end their season with a consistent performance in Abu Dhabi

GP ABU DHABI F1/2016 – ABU DHABI 25/11/2016
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Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo finished fourth and fifth respectively position in the last race of the 2016 season.

The 19-year-old Dutchman would have been disappointed to start the race in sixth in Abu Dhabi as he was P2 in Practice 3: “Qualifying up until Q3 went very well, we had no issues and didn’t touch the car. In my last run I was pushing hard and a few tenths up but I locked up into turn 11, if not for that I feel I would have been around P3.”

However, the young protégé showed the resilience and driving ability that he has demonstrated throughout 2016: “I am very pleased with my result and how that race went. After being last after turn 1, having to fight my way back and doing it all on a one-stop was the best we could do and I am happy we pulled it off.

“It is very nice to finish the season fifth in the championship and to have had some really good results along the way.”

Daniel Ricciardo started behind the Mercedes post qualifying and he was pleased with the pace of the car in Practice 3:

“I’m definitely pleased I got the third place I was after. It feels really good. This morning was hard, I did a run quite early and I was nearly a second off Max so it didn’t look good on paper but the track warmed up so much that we didn’t really know what to expect coming into quali. Q1 was a little bit slow but then I picked it up and Q3 was solid enough so I was happy.”

The Australian couldn’t hold onto a podium as Vettel performed well but he has had a great year and will be aiming to improve in 2017: “I’m just frustrated in how the strategy played out in the end. We had the supersofts at the start and it was still going pretty well and we tried to make a move on Kimi. For sure it was close but we didn’t pull it off and that really hurt me. I think we should have just gone long and one-stopped but in hindsight it’s always easy to say.

“Looking at the season overall I’m super happy and very pleased with the year. It’s definitely been more highs than lows this year with a lot of podiums, satisfying races and a good chunk of points.”

Dominic Rust

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Quick 10 With…..Zak Brown

He is a successful American businessman and racing driver, who raced in such series as Formula Ford 1600, German & British Formula 3, the FIA GT Championship, FIA European Championship, American Le Mans Series, Rolex Sportscar Series, Britcar, Le Mans Classic, British GT Championship and the Blancpain Series.

His awards include being included on the NASCAR Power List, F1 Power List, Sports Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 as well as being named Marketeer Of The Year, the Jim Trueman Award, RFA Promising Young Star, AARWB Sports Car Driver and GCKS Rookie Of The Year.

He is the chairman and co-founder of United Autosports who have competed in such series as the European Le Mans Series, Historic Car Events, 24 Hours of Spa, the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, Macau Grand Prix, British Touring Cars, British GT Championship, European Supercar Challenge and Ginetta GT4 Supercup.

Most recently it was announced he will be joining the McLaren Group as Executive Director next month and is currently winging his way to Abu Dhabi for this weekend’s race.

These are his Quick 10…….and this is Zak Brown….

1. What is your favourite circuit and why?
Spa. A real drivers track.

2. Who is/was your racing idol?

Ayrton Senna.

3. Who would you regard as your toughest opponent?

Got to be Mercedes right now.

4. Considering racers of all time, you are a team principal and money is no object. Which two racers would you have in your team?

Ayrton Senna and Mika Hakkinen.

5. If you could invite four famous people to dinner (past and present), who would you invite?

George Washington, Ayrton Senna, Winston Churchill and Henry VIII.

6. Personal racing number? What is it and the reason behind it?

#23 – It was the favourite number of my great personal friend Tony Powell who sponsored me in the early days and I wouldn’t be where I am today without his support.

7. What is the best race you have seen in your opinion?

Brazil 2008. What a finish.

8. Is there a race or series you have not competed in, that you would like to or had wanted to?

I want to do the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

9. How did you get into motor racing? What ignited that spark?

I went to the 1987 Long Beach Grand Prix and that sparked it.

10. What is the best advice in racing you have been given?

Don’t quit.

I have had the pleasure of being in contact with Zak for a number of years now, he is one of the nicest and most helpful people I have dealt with in racing and was always on hand with advice and assistance through my many forms of motor racing journalism. He was solely responsible for me gaining my first big interview with Mark Blundell, to which I was very grateful for.

I have watched and written about his United Autosports empire from the beginning and consider myself a big fan of the team.

I want to wish this ‘thoroughly nice bloke’ all the best in his new adventures with McLaren, the team I have followed from the age of four and want to thank him for taking the time to answer these questions.

Neil Simmons

@world_racing

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Hamilton vs. Rosberg: the Abu Dhabi record

On Sunday afternoon, Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton will take to Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit to decide which of them will take home the honour of being 2016 Formula One World Drivers’ Champion.

The matter of who has the real advantage heading into the final round is still very much in question. Points-wise, the ball is clearly in Rosberg’s court – at twelve points clear, all the German has to do to prevail overall is finish on the podium, regardless of whether his teammate wins the race.

But with Hamilton on a three-race win streak and the Red Bulls an ever larger presence in Mercedes’ mirrors, Rosberg’s lead is hardly the most comfortable of margins for a driver closing on his first title. So, in search of a little clarity, we’ve taken a look back at the Mercedes duo’s respective results books, to see how they’ve fared in Abu Dhabi in the past – and what indications that might give for Sunday.

GP USA F1/2016 – AUSTIN (TEXAS) 22/10/2016
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In terms of raw statistics, a direct comparison between Hamilton and Rosberg is impossible – after all, for four of F1’s seven years racing in Abu Dhabi, Hamilton was driving race-winning McLarens whilst Rosberg fought in the midfield pack with Williams and Mercedes.

As such, it’s not too surprising that Hamilton’s results during this time considerably eclipse Rosberg’s, with one win, one second place, and two mechanical retirements from pole position. Even without a like-for-like comparison, such a scorecard would suggest that Rosberg would have to have an exceptional affinity for the Yas Marina Circuit to even come close to Hamilton.

And yet, on comparing results from their time together at Mercedes, it begins to seem as if Rosberg might actually have the edge over Hamilton in Abu Dhabi.

The pool of examples is admittedly small – the 2014 race, in which Hamilton won whilst Rosberg was confined to fourteenth after his ERS failed, can hardly be called representative – but there is nevertheless a trend in the German’s favour in recent years.

Even with his two poles in 2009 and 2012, Hamilton has been trumped by Rosberg in every Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying since he joined Mercedes: in 2013, Rosberg headed Hamilton on the second row of the grid, and in 2014 and 2015 beat the Briton to pole by the best part of half a second each time.

At a track where overtaking opportunities are already at a premium, a qualifying record like that should already be enough to give Hamilton pause for thought this weekend – not to mention the fact that Rosberg also came out ahead in each of those races (bar 2014), coming home third to Hamilton’s seventh in 2013, then taking the chequered flag with an eight second gap to his teammate last year.

Of course, the trend of past results means very little when it comes down to race day itself – take Hamilton defying Rosberg to take his first Brazilian Grand Prix victory last time out, for example. But even though Hamilton is more than capable of outqualifying and outracing his teammate in Abu Dhabi this weekend, it’s hard to ignore that, with both the lead in the standings and his track record at Yas Marina, it will take something remarkable to deny Nico Rosberg his first World Championship on Sunday.

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Red Bull aim to end fine season on a high.

GP BRASILE F1/2016 – INTERLAGOS (BRASILE) 11/11/2016
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Red Bull have rediscovered their form of old as they have performed admirably to secure second place in the Constructors’ Championship with one race to go.

Max Verstappen’s podium finish in Brazil made sure the Milton Keynes team finish behind Mercedes.

With the 19-year-old driving superbly after his promotion from Red Bull’s junior team Toro Rosso, he has shown he has the temperament to challenge Mercedes in 2017.

“Of course it is the last race of the season and I think we can look back and be very happy with 2016,” said Verstappen. “There is plenty of work to do for next year with the regulation changes and I think everyone is excited to see the new cars so I can’t wait to get started.”

Daniel Ricciardo qualified in fifth in last years’ end of season race and he will be hoping for more of the same in Abu Dhabi. He said:

“I have always gone well on the track at Abu Dhabi, it’s been really enjoyable in the past, especially the last sector underneath the hotel, that’s great fun. It has a bit of a street circuit style to the layout which I enjoy. I had my first ever Formula 1 test at this track so it holds good memories and has generally been good to me. “

Dominic Rust

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Sauber: There’s Only One Word For It – Points

GP BRASILE F1/2016 – INTERLAGOS (BRASILE) 12/11/2016
© FOTO STUDIO COLOMBO PER PIRELLI MEDIA (© COPYRIGHT FREE)

There had been a feeling in the air prior to the Brazilian Grand Prix that the mystery box challenge of the Interlagos track could offer Sauber F1 their first points of the season. On Sunday, that feeling turned into reality as Sauber put aside the struggles of 2016 and celebrated the lifeline of a points finish.

A TALE OF TWO RACES

It serendipitously fell to Brazilian Felipe Nasr, who has had a bad year by his own admission, to bring home the C35 in 9th place and 2 points which takes the Swiss team above Manor in the Constructors Championship and a potential £30 million payout in 2017 if they remain there after the season ender in Abu Dhabi.

The race itself could best be described as organized chaos with multiple red flags in dreadful conditions and multiple crashes as the Brazilian weather lived up to its reputation. While the entire team celebrated the success, it was a tale of two races as Marcus Ericsson crashed out early while on intermediate tyres.

The Swedish driver had up to this point in the season looked the more likely to score Sauber’s points, coming painfully close in Mexico with an excellent 11th place. Ericsson, like many others in the field stopped early to switch to intermediate tyres and looked well on to push for points until a slight touch of the white line before the main straight saw him crash heavily, with the car coming to a rest across the pit entry.

Ericsson, long considered one of the best team players in F1, promised that we would see a “Swedish driver on a mission in Abu Dhabi:

“I am very disappointed. However, Felipe did a great job today scoring two very important points for us. This is great for everyone in the team. I will fight back at the final race of the season at the Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi.”

The day however belonged to Nasr who, one a different strategy, remained on the wet tyres and running high up in the points before the multiple stops thereafter. Despite the relatively less engine power of the C35, he held firm for much of the race, only dropping to 9th place toward the end. He was ecstatic:

“I have no words to say how happy I am at the moment. When I saw the weather forecast for today, I knew it could be an opportunity. The opportunity came, and I was ready to go for it. We did an exceptional job today. The team was great informing me about the track conditions, while I was giving them my feedback. It was a tricky race, as the track conditions were very difficult at some points. In the end it was just an incredible feeling”

An emotional Monisha Kaltenborn underlined the importance of these points for the team and fans around the world, many of whom had feared that the Hinwil based outfit would not have made it through this 2016 season.

Abu Dhabi is a very different challenge from Brazil and Sauber would only need to finish ahead of Manor to secure 10th place in the championship. The intervention of Longbow Finance and the possibility of FOM finances next season will go a long way to assuage the fears of the team.

But that is 2017, and for now Sauber are basking in the glory that was Brazil 2016.

Rhea Morar

(Image Courtesy of Pirelli F1 Media)

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Strong Brazil result puts fourth in Force India’s hands

Sergio Perez (MEX) Sahara Force India F1 VJM09.
Brazilian Grand Prix, Sunday 13th November 2016. Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Despite missing out on podium chances for both cars, Force India has branded its Brazilian Grand Prix performance “a victory” after a strong double points finish all but seals their fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship.

With Sergio Pérez finishing just off the podium in fourth and Nico Hülkenberg recovering from a puncture to seventh, Force India leaves Interlagos with twenty-seven points in hand over rivals Williams, who failed to score after Felipe Massa retired and Valtteri Bottas finished down in eleventh.

That means that, with just one round remaining, Williams would have to finish second and fifth at least in Abu Dhabi to end the year in fourth, even if Force India fail to score. If the latter finishes the final round in seventh and eighth – as the fourth fastest team ought to – Williams would have to win the race and get their second car on the podium as well.

Force India’s deputy team principal Bob Fernley said that carrying such a lead into the final round is “a fantastic reward for an excellent job by the entire team.

“With such difficult track conditions, just getting both cars to the finish [in Brazil] is a victory and to have both in the points takes us a good step closer to achieving fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship.”
James Matthews

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Brazilian Grand Prix, The Dutch Masters the Rain

GP BRASILE F1/2016 – INTERLAGOS (BRASILE) 12/11/2016
© FOTO STUDIO COLOMBO PER PIRELLI MEDIA (© COPYRIGHT FREE)

I could describe the Brazilian Grand Prix in just two lines, these lines would be like:

Rain, Safety Car, Race, Safety Car, Red Flag, Safety Car, Red Flag, Safety Car, Verstappen flies, Hamilton wins the race.

Then I decided to say a few more words about the race, which my opinion is that it was one of the most boring and excited, at the same time, races in Formula 1.

Hamilton qualified first on Saturday’s qualifying session and started the race from the pole-position. The stewards, after a ten minute delay, decided to start the race behind the Safety Car, which automatically gave an advantage to Lewis Hamilton.

Nico Rosberg qualified behind his team-mate and he simply wanted to avoid any contact with other cars. When the race started, Nico lost his second place from the young Max Verstappen, but not for long.

The Dutch passed Rosberg on lap 32, but a few laps later, Red Bull Racing decided to pit Max Verstappen and gamble with the intermediate tyres. The weather had different plans from Red Bull. On lap 48, Felipe Massa crashed on the pit straight and the safety car deployed once again. The track’s conditions after the heavy rain were not ideal for intermediates, hence Red Bull called immediately Verstappen in the pits and swapped back to full wets.

On the same lap, Red Bull did the same with Daniel Ricciardo, but the Australian received a 5-second time penalty, because he pitted when the pit lane was close.

Verstappen re-joined 13th and it was when he started to dance in the rain. The Dutch, recovered and from the 13th place he moved up to third. Max Verstappen was dancing with the wet tyres, it was impossible for anyone to stop him or catch him. Felipe Nasr and Esteban Ocon didn’t want to risk their places and picked not to fight. With two laps remaining, Sergio Perez was third, but then he saw the Dutch in his mirrors. Checo, tried to defend his place, but Max had other plans. Verstappen passed the Mexican after a wheel to wheel battle and finished third behind the two Mercedes.

Max proved once again that if he keeps his head down and work hard he will become one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1.

Sauber was one of the biggest winners in Brazil. Felipe Nasr, after a great drive secured the seventh place for Sauber and scored their first two points of the season. It was a good day for Felipe, he scored his first points in his home race. With these two points, Sauber is now ahead of the Manor in the championship with only one race to go. Marcus Ericsson crashed on the pit straight on lap 8 and retired.

GP BRASILE F1/2016 – INTERLAGOS (BRASILE) 10/11/2016
© FOTO STUDIO COLOMBO PER PIRELLI MEDIA (© COPYRIGHT FREE)

Despite the delays, the safety cars and the red flags, the Brazilian Grand Prix were one of the best races of the season. I know that the life of the drivers was at risk, Kimi Raikkonen avoided the worst when he crashed on the wall same with Felipe Massa when he stopped at the pit entry, but the conditions were hard and they proved why their salaries are high.

Final turn of the championship will take place in Abu Dhabi. It will be Hamilton’s last chance to make the comeback and Rosberg’s time to show how much he want to become world champion for the first time in his F1 career.

Victor Archakis F1 Editor
Follow me on Twitter: @FP_Passion

(Images Courtesy of Pirelli F1 Media)

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Max Verstappen produces an astonishing drive in the Brazilian Grand Prix.

GP BRASILE F1/2016 – INTERLAGOS (BRASILE) 11/11/2016
© FOTO STUDIO COLOMBO PER PIRELLI MEDIA (© COPYRIGHT FREE)

Max Verstappen produced one of the drives of the century in terrible conditions as he finished third in the Brazilian Grand Prix.

On race day in Sao Paulo it was raining and the safety car was deployed four times as Romain Grosjean, Marcus Ericsson and Kimi Raikkonen all lost control of their cars due to the standing water on the track.

Felipe Massa crashed in the entrance to the pit lane which forced the safety car to come out again and his walk back into his garage enabled the crowd and pit crews to salute him in his last Brazilian Grand Prix.

Verstappen was called to the pits as a result to change from intermediates to the grippier full wet tyre, although he dropped to 14th position. What happened next will be considered one of the best examples of wet weather driving in Formula One history.

The 19-year-old quickly passed Esteban Gutierrez followed by team-mate Ricciardo. Daniil Kvyat and Esteban Ocon were his next victims then Felipe Nasr and Niko Hulkenberg.

Verstappen dispatched Vettel on lap 56 then overtook Carlos Sainz but the Dutchman wasn’t finished there. He produced an outstanding overtake manoeuvre on Sergio Perez at turn 10 to claim his seventh podium finish this year two laps from home. He said:

“There was no way we could carry on [on intermediates] so had to pit again for wets. From there on the race was really good fun, plenty of overtakes around the outside because if you stay behind them there’s too much spray, I had to find another line. I just kept my head down and managed to get past quite a few cars in the remaining laps.”

Daniel Ricciardo finished 8th which secured Red Bull’s second position in the Constructors’ Championship.

“With Daniel finishing in eighth place that secures our second place in the Constructors’ Championship, which is a quite a feat,” said Christian Horner.

“We’d like to dedicate this race to the memory of a very valued member of our team, Mark Simpson, who we unfortunately lost after a difficult illness earlier in the week. ‘Simo’ as he was known to us, was an important part of our team and I’m sure he would have enjoyed what we saw from Red Bull Racing today.”

Dominic Rust

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Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo will race in his 108th Grand Prix in Brazil.

The penultimate race for Red Bull in which has been one of the best seasons since Sebastian Vettel was in the famous red and blue colours.

Daniel Ricciardo when he sits in the Red Bull Tag Heuer this weekend, in Sao Paulo it will be his 108th F1 start, he said: “The atmosphere at the track in Brazil is pretty unique, a lot of air horns and noise always make for a good crowd.

“As it is near the end of the season we usually do some big team dinners there which means it’s a really sociable race week. It’s up there as one of my top races due to the off track fun, let’s hope the on track action can match it.”

It has been a good year for the 18-year-old Max Verstappen and he will be finish sixth in the Drivers’ Championship:

“I like the track in Brazil, it’s a really special layout with quite a bit of height elevation, and it is anti-clockwise which always adds a bit more fun to the challenge. The track is quite a technical layout, especially sector 2.

“It is strange to think we are heading to Abu Dhabi in just a few weeks’ time, but I’m looking forward to finishing the year on a high and building towards an even stronger 2017, “said Verstappen.

Dominic Rust

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