Latest F1 news in brief

Pirelli to help fans understand tire choices live

Pirelli to help fans with live tire information
FIA proposes 'halo' cockpit solution for 2017
Marko expects Mercedes to dominate again
Sainz reveals weight loss for 2016 season
Ecclestone backs call for 'maximum attack' tires
Pirelli turned down Mercedes for wet test
Toro Rosso on schedule despite Ferrari switch – Key
Vettel focused on title bid, not first race
Video: Formula 1 wind tunnel models

Pirelli to help fans with live tire information
(GMM) Pirelli is looking to tackle the complexity of the new tire rules for 2016 by divulging more live information to the public during races.

With the sport looking to spice up the action by offering drivers three compounds of tires per weekend, Pirelli and the FIA had heads scratching when the actual rules were published.

That is because of the complex usage instructions for the extra compound, with former F1 driver Karun Chandhok tweeting at the time: "I've got a headache after reading that!"

Brazil's Globo Esporte, however, reports that Pirelli is now planning to disclose in real time information such as which tires are being used by drivers, and which compounds are still available.

"We have all the data," Pirelli's racing manager Mario Isola is quoted as saying, "and an integrated system with FOM that generates and sends information to the media (broadcasters).

"We are working together to send this information, live, to the viewer during the race, so everyone will know and understand what it happening," he added.

Mercedes Halo Design gains favor

FIA proposes 'halo' cockpit solution for 2017
(GMM) F1's governing body is believed to have shortlisted a cockpit protection system nicknamed 'the halo' for introduction in 2017, according to the British newspaper The Sun.

Devised by Mercedes, the solution is designed to keep cockpits essentially open but stop flying objects and obstacles from striking the driver.

The news follows GPDA president Alex Wurz declaring that F1 drivers had unanimously voted for a "swift implementation" of a solution.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, however, said that fans enjoying watching dangerous sports.

Speaking at the Kitzbuhel world cup downhill skiing event, he told the Tiroler Tageszeitung newspaper: "People love seeing a bit of danger.

"If there was a circus where the acrobat balances a few inches above the ground, no one would go.

"But the way we have improved safety in formula one is hardly comparable (with skiing)," Ecclestone added. "If you could choose something to have an accident in, you would probably pick a formula one car.

"The drivers in formula one have big accidents, undo their seat belts and climb out. And that's a good thing," he said.

Dr Helmut Marko expects 2016 to be another boring Mercedes parade, something AR1.com has predicted since November

Marko expects Mercedes to dominate again
(GMM) Dr Helmut Marko, a leading Red Bull official, has bad news for F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

Whilst spectating at the Kitzbuhel skiing world cup last week, Ecclestone said another season of dominance for Mercedes would be "not good for them, not good for the public, not good for anyone".

Marko, however, has now told the Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper: "If everything is normal, we will see the usual Mercedes superiority.

"Unfortunately," the blunt Austrian added, "the current regulations are so restrictive that you cannot come from behind."

Red Bull is hoping for a better season this year with improved Renault power units rebadged as 'Tag-Heuer', but Marko would prefer if the engine rules were changed altogether.

"We need engines with great power and noise," he declared.

"And the driver should be the determining factor with the gas pedal, not the engineers in the background," Marko added.

He thinks the political power within F1 is now skewed towards the biggest engine manufacturers, rather than the sport's authorities.

"The power should not be with any teams, but with the FIA and FOM," said Marko.

He said the situation led last year to "a team like ours being left in the rain without an engine".

Like Ecclestone, Red Bull-sponsored Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz is also hoping Mercedes has to fight harder for its titles in 2016.

"Every year there are more possibilities," he told the Spanish daily Diario Sport. "They (Mercedes) have less room for improvement so what I hope for – for the show – is that Ferrari have caught up."

Carlos Sainz Jr. goes on a diet

Sainz Jr. reveals weight loss for 2016 season
(GMM) Carlos Sainz Jr. has revealed he is a new lightweight version for the 2016 season.

It is believed some cars may be heavier this year, due to the tough new side-impact cockpit crash test requirements.

"The load test has been increased from 15 to 50 Kilonewtons," said Mercedes' Paddy Lowe. "It's a very significant increase and therefore a matter of how to do it with a minimum intrusion to weight and aerodynamic surface."

It could be one reason why Toro Rosso asked Sainz, who reportedly weighed in last year at 66 kilograms, to trim down.

Asked how much he was asked to lose, the 21-year-old told the Spanish newspaper Marca: "A lot."

The report said Sainz has been training over the winter with countryman Mario Mola, one of the world's very best triathletes, including learning about his diet.

Sainz also revealed that he lives a "quite lonely" life on his own in central London, and is not even recognized by locals "except maybe a taxi driver who likes racing".

"I'm not a student living on campus and do not have time to make friends in a big city," he said.

"In any case, it is better than when I lived in Milton Keynes on my own at 18. I would not wish it on anyone — there was nothing!"

Bernie Ecclestone wants soft 'Maximum Attack' tires. Of course they create so many marbles drivers won't have a 2nd groove to pass.

Ecclestone backs call for 'maximum attack' tires
(GMM) F1 could be set to take a sharp turn away from the era of Pirelli's heavily degrading tires.

A few days ago, GPDA director Alex Wurz revealed that formula one drivers are calling upon a return to "maximum attack" racing.

And the BBC quoted a source as saying: "To a man, the drivers say 'We are driving far below our own personal limits – and those of the cars – because of the tires. It's not fun and we don't like it'."

In response, Pirelli defended its current tires on the basis that it only does "what F1 asks us to do".

"If we have to produce tires with degradation, we focus on that," said racing manager Mario Isola. "If we have to produce long-lasting tires, we focus on that."

The heavy-degradation era was prompted and has always been staunchly defended by Bernie Ecclestone, on the basis that it is good for the 'show'.

But the F1 supremo may now be willing to re-think that approach, agreeing "a million per cent" with the drivers that the sport should be about maximum attack.

"I have already told Pirelli that," the 85-year-old added.

And he confirmed that a meeting at Pirelli's Milan headquarters early next week will be held.

"Whatever drivers want to turn up can turn up," said Ecclestone. "It will be the president of Pirelli who is there, not a messenger."

Pirelli turned down the parade leading Mercedes team

Pirelli turned down Mercedes for wet test
(GMM) Pirelli issued a polite 'no' to reigning world champion team Mercedes ahead of the recent wet tire test at Paul Ricard.

"When you're driving, you're always learning something," Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel told reporters after running in the 2015 car on Tuesday.

Indeed, some insiders expressed surprise when it emerged that Mercedes would not be running in France alongside Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren-Honda.

Mercedes insisted it was happy to focus instead on its 2016 car.

But Pirelli has revealed a slightly different story, with racing manager Mario Isola saying: "We noted from the outset that three cars on the track would be enough.

"When testing with more, you then have to be careful how the cars are distributed around the track," he is quoted by Speed Week.

"The cars generate a lot of spray and this can distort the findings of the drivers behind.

"Mercedes knew from the beginning that Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren had already contacted us. They let us know 'If you need us, then we will be happy to be there, otherwise we stay at home'," Isola added.

James Key says team will be ready

Toro Rosso on schedule despite Ferrari switch – Key
(GMM) Toro Rosso is "on schedule" for the 2016 season, despite the late change of engine supplier.

That is the claim of the Faenza team's technical boss James Key, after parent company Red Bull's so-called 'engine crisis' late last year led to Toro Rosso switching to a 2015-spec supply of Ferrari power for this season.

Earlier, Toro Rosso chiefs wondered if the late decision could delay the design and build schedule of the new STR11.

But Key told Italy's Autosprint: "The delay in the contract for the engine supply in the end turned out to be less dramatic than it might have been.

"The work is on schedule," he said, after the team revealed that Carlos Sainz will debut the new Ferrari-powered car on the opening day of Barcelona testing next month.

"The only serious problem was that, because of the features of the new power unit, it was not so easy to place in the car.

"Compared to the Renault, not only its size and configuration was different, but also the characteristics of the cooling system and electronics," Key explained.

"We had to completely re-do the rear of the chassis."

However, he said Toro Rosso is in fact happy to have switched to Ferrari, notwithstanding the extra work and tight deadlines.

"In 2015, our chassis was quite effective and our main problem was related to the power unit. Only now, knowing the characteristics of the Ferrari engine, we realize how far behind we were in this aspect," said Key.

The downside, he acknowledged, is that with Ferrari, Haas and Sauber getting the fully 2016-spec engine, Toro Rosso's older version will become more and more obsolete.

"Obviously," Key said, "the priority will be the 2016 Ferrari engine, because they cannot homologate two different engines. But we will be able to adjust the software."

Key revealed that Toro Rosso is targeting fifth place in the 2016 championship, and will therefore be demanding more from its impressive young lineup of Max Verstappen alongside Carlos Sainz.

"Last year, they did a great job but did make some mistakes. This was understandable as rookies, but now I'm expecting further progress from them and no excuses.

"Everyone understands that we must achieve better results," he added. "When I moved from Sauber, I did not realize that Toro Rosso was as big as it is — it has always been in the shadow of Red Bull.

"Our expectations are high and everyone understands that we must achieve better results. We can't fight with Williams but I think we can with Force India — last year Sergio Perez was on the podium so let's see if we can match that.

"Still, to achieve fifth position will not be easy — it is hard to imagine that McLaren will have another season like it did in 2015," said Key.

Sebastian Vettel wants 5th title

Vettel focused on title bid, not first race
Sebastian Vettel is confident that Ferrari will be in a better position to consistently challenge rival Mercedes during the 2016 season, as the Italian team looks to end an eight-year championship drought.

Ferrari initially struggled to adapt to the sport's latest turbo engine era in 2014, but emerged as Mercedes' biggest threat last year, claiming three victories and 13 further podium finishes.

Vettel, speaking at the end of Pirelli's dedicated wet-tire test at Paul Ricard, hopes the outfit will be able to take the next step in 2016 and provide Mercedes with serious competition for both titles.

"Winning in Australia would be fantastic, but our goal is to be at the top at the end of the season," Vettel was quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport, as he outlined Ferrari's ambitions for 2016.

"We all want that and know the gap with Mercedes last season was large before we closed it. Something has changed and we will see how things are after testing, but we shouldn't make proclamations at this time.

"We will certainly try to win in Melbourne, or earn as many points as possible.

"Given that there are 21 races, if someone asked me whether I would like to win right away [at the Australian Grand Prix] or if I would rather win the title, there is no comparison."

Ferrari is expected to stage its online car launch on February 19, shortly before the first of two pre-season test sessions at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from February 22-25.

Video: Formula 1 wind tunnel models
What’s the difference between a wind tunnel F1 car model and the real thing? How often are they tested? And how much does it cost? MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS F1 Team’s Head of Aerodynamics Mike Elliot reveals how a wind tunnel model translates to a Championship-winning car.