Latest F1 news in brief – Tuesday
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Mark Webber can finally say he's #1 Webber puts F1 in the past with world title
- Nasr says Ericsson should have beaten him in 2015
- F1 carmakers 'will not be blackmailed' – Wolff
- Mercedes 'still favorites’ for 2016 – Briatore
- Maldonado defends 'all or nothing' approach
- Arai: McLaren-Honda 'as united as ever'
- Ricciardo doubtful over 2016 title chances
- Alonso: Abu Dhabi important for 2016
- Williams needs 'triple improvement' for 2016 says Massa
Webber puts F1 in the past with world title
(GMM) Mark Webber put his F1 career firmly in the past at the weekend by winning his first world championship.
It is a drivers' title he shares with his two Porsche teammates in the world endurance championship, the ever more popular world of prototype sports car racing.
Reportedly disillusioned with the direction of the category, the now 39-year-old Australian quit F1 just before the dawning of the controversial new 'power unit' era.
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| For many years Vettel reminded teammate Webber who was #1 |
Webber says Le Mans-style racing is now keeping his adrenaline flowing.
"Keeping the momentum in motor sport by going into world endurance to work with a team and company like Porsche has helped me," he told the Daily Mail.
"It's hard mentally to give up the adrenaline drug of testing yourself. That's the challenge. It's about feet out of bed in the morning — what the f*ck am I going to do?'"
He is highly critical of the changes F1 has made over the past decade in particular, rejecting the view that things like 'DRS' overtaking makes the mid-2000s now seem "boring" in contrast.
"They say there was no overtaking. But if you look at the grandstands they were full," said Webber. "Look at the TV figures. Why were all those people watching then and not so many now?"
He also seems happy to have left some of his F1 relationships behind, even though Webber says his feud with former teammate Sebastian Vettel is now over.
As for Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko, however, "We never had a relationship, so it makes no difference," Webber said.
And his former team boss Christian Horner?
In his autobiography Aussie Grit, Webber suggested he and Horner drifted apart. "Initially Christian did well to keep his feet firmly on the ground as he started to mix in supposedly higher circles, but inevitably you could see him being seduced by the trappings of an F1 lifestyle," he said.
Asked if he has since reconciled with Horner, Webber said: "He seems pretty busy at the moment, so we'll leave him to it. We are both big enough and ugly enough to move on. We are all sleeping at night."
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| Felipe Nasr |
Nasr says Ericsson should have beaten him in 2015
(GMM) Felipe Nasr is sure he has put Sauber teammate Marcus Ericsson firmly in the shade this season.
Actually, the pair are 9-9 in qualifying trim, and each appears to have taken a turn at dominating the other — Brazilian Nasr early in 2015, and Swiss Ericsson in the latter half of the season.
But it is rookie Nasr, 23, with clearly the better results overall, as his tally stands at no less than 3 times the amount of points scored by Swede Ericsson this year.
"I think Ericsson is a good driver," Nasr told Brazil's UOL. "In a small team, it is difficult to show good results.
"In Sauber, we had a few opportunities to do so," he said, apparently referring to his fifth on debut in Australia, and sixth-place finish in Russia.
In contrast, Ericsson's best finish is a single eighth.
"He is in his second year in formula one," Nasr said of Ericsson. "If he was going to be in front, it would have been this year. I got the much better results," he insisted.
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| Ecclestone and Todt agree to cheaper better sounding F1 engine |
F1 carmakers 'will not be blackmailed' – Wolff
(GMM) The battle over the future of formula one will move to Paris on Tuesday.
It is there that the strategy group will meet, pitting Bernie Ecclestone and the governing FIA against the powerful car manufacturers.
They are arguing bitterly over the proposed new 'parallel' engine regulations for 2017, after Ilmor and AER lodged their interest in supplying a new twin-turbo 2.5 liter V6.
Small teams struggling to pay $30 million bills for their current 'power units' may be interested.
Bild reports that cash-strapped Force India, Sauber and Manor are all now asking Ecclestone for an advance in their official prize money.
But also interested in the 'client engine' idea is Red Bull, desperate to escape the control of the carmakers.
Franz Tost, boss of the Red Bull-owned Toro Rosso team, said the 2.5 liter engine will cost less, give teams some freedom, and the fans something louder to hear trackside.
"I think that most of the fans want to have another engine with a better sound," he said.
Germany's Bild newspaper, however, thinks Ecclestone-Todt against the carmakers is actually all about politics and control.
It claims: "The four current manufacturers and engine suppliers agree 100 per cent, and will argue and vote against the new low-cost engine".
It is rumored Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault and Honda will submit a counter-proposal during Tuesday meeting: an offer to increase Todt's proposed engine price limit from 12 to 16 million euros.
But Sport Bild reports that the FIA president may have his own carrot to dangle: a proposal to extend the current 'power unit' regulations from 2020 – when they are currently set to expire – until 2025.
Todt confirmed: "A stable regulatory framework is important so that other manufacturers can come into formula one."
Some insiders regard the suggestion of 'parallel' rules as obviously unworkable and actually only a bargaining chip to frighten the carmakers into submission.
"We can definitely talk," Wolff told Bild, "but we will not be blackmailed."
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| Flavio Briatore |
Mercedes 'still favorites’ for 2016 – Briatore
(GMM) Flavio Briatore is not sure that Mercedes can be beaten even in 2016.
The German outfit has been dominant throughout the two years of the 'power unit' era so far, but Ferrari is confident it can mount a championship challenge next season.
Former Renault chief Briatore, however, told Italian radio Rai: "I think the gap Mercedes has is still significant. They are very much still the favorites.
"They also have (Lewis) Hamilton, who is now very strong, has become very reliable and does not miss anything. But we will have to wait until the first race," the flamboyant Italian added.
As for Ferrari's chances, Briatore said: "I think they were the surprise of the season and the only team that really improved.
"(Sebastian) Vettel has also done a super job, motivating the team and always being consistent and fast in the races," he added.
Crucially, Briatore remains involved in the management of Fernando Alonso's career, who at the end of 2014 decided to leave Ferrari for McLaren-Honda, arguing that the only way to beat Mercedes was to join an unique project.
For McLaren-Honda, however, 2015 has been an unmitigated disaster.
"I think it was impossible to predict just how badly it has gone," said Briatore.
"The initial difficulties were predictable enough, but to see the whole season like that was an unpleasant surprise, particularly as we know how Honda works.
"Looking forward to next year, we definitely hope there will be an important step, so we will have to see where they can be compared to the opponents," he added.
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| Pastor Maldonado |
Maldonado defends 'all or nothing' approach
(GMM) Pastor Maldonado has defended his reputation as the 'crash king' of formula one.
Following the controversial Venezuelan's latest crash – with Marcus Ericsson in Brazil – former double world champion Mika Hakkinen hit out, insisting that "tougher sanctions" should be applied because "Maldonado does not seem to learn anything from his mistakes".
But the Lotus driver, who brings millions to his race seat in the form of Venezuelan state oil funding, insisted: "I have always had the balls to go over the limit.
"I have always driven very aggressively. All my career," Maldonado, 30, told Bild am Sonntag newspaper.
"When I put on my helmet, I go as fast as I can. And sometimes even more. Sometimes you make this mistake, but to explore the boundaries, you have to exceed them.
"Even from my first race in karts, with cushions on the seat so that I could see, I was always a daredevil. All or nothing, that was my motto."
But when asked about all of his incidents and crashes in F1, the pinnacle of motor racing, Maldonado insisted: "It's part of the game.
"Other drivers also crash and no one talks about it afterwards. I crash and immediately it's a scandal.
"Sometimes I think it's not fair that it's always (said to be) my fault."
Maldonado says that despite his reputation as F1's regular crasher, he actually has many friends in the paddock.
"More than you would think!" he said. "Probably more than Lewis Hamilton, for example.
"I'm friends with Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, and I even get along well with Sergio Perez, even though we have had tough battles for many years."
Asked if he thinks he could keep up with the reigning triple world champion Hamilton at Mercedes, Maldonado answered: "I would like to find out!
"Unfortunately I have not had the chance to sit in a winning car, but I believe that if I was at Mercedes I could keep up with Lewis. I definitely have enough ambition and fighting spirit.
"And I know I have the talent to beat him."
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| Yasuhisa Arai |
Arai: McLaren-Honda 'as united as ever'
Honda motorsport boss Yasuhisa Arai has made clear that the Japanese brand and McLaren remain "as united as ever", despite a highly challenging start to their reunion in 2015.
After 20 years with Mercedes, McLaren switched to Honda for 2015, but engine reliability and performance issues leave it 10th out of 11 teams ahead of the Abu Dhabi finale.
Arai says that although results have been below par, Honda and McLaren are still acting as one, and continue to work "tirelessly" to take a significant step forward in 2016.
"So much has happened since McLaren-Honda's new beginnings here in Abu Dhabi last year," said Arai, referring to Honda's official return 12 months ago.
"We have come a long way since that first test, and although we have had a difficult and eventful season in 2015, the team is as united as ever.
"The amount of changes that have gone into the car and the power units with such speed has been incredible.
"Both Woking and Sakura have been working tirelessly throughout the year, and together with the drivers, their bond has become stronger as the season progressed.
"I am thankful for all their hard work, and encouraged by their enthusiasm to improve further over the winter.
"Yas Marina Circuit is an entertaining event that is fitting for the final battle of the season. Our focus will be to end the season giving it our all, and to continue making improvements."
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| Daniel Ricciardo knows his chances for 2016 are near zero |
Ricciardo doubtful over 2016 title chances
Daniel Ricciardo doubts that Red Bull will be able to challenge for the World Championship next season, but is hopeful that it can make progress on its difficult 2015 campaign.
Ricciardo and Red Bull finished as 'best of the rest' to the runaway Mercedes outfit in 2014, despite a troubled pre-season period, and held hopes of fighting for the 2015 title.
However, performance and reliability issues with its Renault power unit, allied to early chassis problems, left Red Bull trailing and Ricciardo has only twice finished on the podium to sit eighth in the standings.
"I'll know a bit more when we decide, or know what's going to be in the back of the car," Ricciardo told gathered media, including GPUpdate.net, when asked about Red Bull's 2016 prospects.
"Right now, where we stand, it would be hard for us to say we're going to challenge for a title.
"But at the same time, I like to think that next year we can get more than two podiums – let's say that!"
Ricciardo added he is eager to start the winter break, but joked that his racing instincts will soon return.
"I'm always keen to race as well. I'm keen to get back into it. I will be, come the New Year, and hope for something a bit better – we'll see what happens in 2016," he went on to explain.
"But I always look forward to Christmas anyway, going home to Australia, hanging out with my mates. I haven't been home since January, so if it was a good or bad year, I still look forward to a break!"
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| Fernando Alonso |
Alonso: Abu Dhabi important for 2016
Fernando Alonso says every session at this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be important for McLaren-Honda, as it bids to make significant progress over the winter period.
McLaren and Honda have endured a troubled reunion in 2015, scoring just 27 points from 18 Grands Prix, leaving it ahead of only the back-of-the-grid Manor Marussia squad.
But Alonso remains optimistic that 2016 will yield much more for the partnership.
"The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend represents many things for us at McLaren-Honda," said Alonso.
"It's the end of a challenging season and a significant learning curve; the opportunity to collect as much information as possible and continue our learning; and the start of the winter period where we are all focused on working incredibly hard on next year's package, and seeing more progress and results from our efforts.
"After a few difficult weekends, we will of course be pushing hard to finish the year on a positive note, but the whole team knows the work we have to do over the winter, and there's huge commitment from everyone.
"Every session this weekend will be an opportunity to learn more and take that development into next year's car, so as usual we will continue fighting as hard as we can to the end."
McLaren team-mate Jenson Button reckons one final points finish at the Yas Marina Circuit would provide a much-needed boost for the workforce heading into the winter.
"If we can push for some points in Abu Dhabi, it'll definitely be a boost for the team to end the season, and will reward all the efforts from every single member of the team over the past year," he said.
"We already have our heads firmly on the development push over winter, so anything positive we can take from this weekend will help us start our next chapter together with even more energy.
"Our motivation is as strong as ever."
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| Felipe Massa |
Williams needs 'triple improvement' for 2016 says Massa
Felipe Massa believes the only way Williams stands a chance of competing on merit with Mercedes and Ferrari during the 2016 campaign is if the outfit makes a "triple improvement" over the winter period.
Massa joined Williams after a 2013 season in which the team plummeted to ninth in the Constructors' Championship, before taking advantage of new regulations to surge up to third.
At the recent Brazilian Grand Prix Williams again secured third in the standings, having spent the season adrift of Mercedes and Ferrari but comfortably ahead of its other rivals.
Although Massa ranks 2015 as a "good" season for the Grove-based force, he is aware of the progress that is required if it is to move further up the pecking order.
"We always want more," Massa told GPUpdate.net when asked if Williams had achieved its 2015 targets.
"I expected maybe to be fighting for second place in the Constructors' Championship. This was not possible, because Ferrari was a little bit too quick.
"Ferrari made a big improvement compared to the other teams, apart from Mercedes, which is far away in front.
"But I think we did a good season. We finished third in the championship. I remember last year we celebrated massively to finish third at the end. So now we are third, with a good gap.
"I think it was a good season for us, but we are pushing so hard to see if we can make a triple improvement for next year, which is the only way to catch these guys in front."
When pushed on whether such a scenario is a realistic proposition, Massa expressed some caution.
"I don't know, now it's impossible to say," he commented.
"We want to be stronger. This is what we want and what we're working for.
"But I think we need to wait for the first race. Talking with the teams now, everybody is really motivated for next year, saying 'we believe this' and 'we'll improve that'.
"We are also like that, but we need to work and we need to see when the car will be ready."