Latest F1 news in brief – Friday (Update)
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| Massa happier because his teammates are not faster than him anymore |
11/14/14
- Renault 'not interested' in going back to V8 – Wolff
- Massa happier after leaving Ferrari – manager
- Caterham could overcome missed crowdfunding target
- 'No change' in Bianchi's condition – Lowdon
- Newey's son signs up for Formula 4
- Schumacher's family: We remain confident
- Vettel admits move 'a step into the unknown'
- No point attracting young generation to F1 – Ecclestone New
- Caterham preparing freight for Abu Dhabi New
Renault 'not interested' in going back to V8 – Wolff
(GMM) Toto Wolff has hit back at claims F1 is heading into a spending war because of Mercedes' attitude amid the engine 'unfreeze' debate.
Christian Horner, the boss at Renault works team Red Bull, said in Brazil that because dominant Mercedes is not helping F1's struggling suppliers to catch up, the entire cost-limiting freeze could be ended altogether beyond 2015.
"With a majority vote, 2016/17/18 can be opened," he said, "which is ridiculous because we will all end up spending a lot more money over a longer period of time."
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| Very nice of Mercedes' Toto Wolff to tell us what Renault's engine preference would be |
Horner's Mercedes counterpart Wolff, however, clearly suspects Horner is applying pressure and making threats that are not likely to be carried through.
"No serious company would allow that to happen and none of the current engine suppliers could allow that to happen because costs would escalate totally out of control," he said.
Wolff even claimed he knows that Red Bull's works supplier, Renault, does not want the engine 'freeze' to be totally relaxed.
"Where Mercedes and Renault are currently 100 per cent aligned is that with the current V6 technology it is state of the art, road relevant and is the future," he insisted.
Wolff suggested Horner's other threat – that F1 might be better off reverting to cheaper and more performance-equalized V8 engines – is also empty.
His comments follow Niki Lauda's warning that if the V8s do return, "Mercedes will be gone".
"If we drop the current format," Wolff confirmed, "I can assure you certain manufacturers like Renault and Mercedes would not be interested in supplying any other power unit."
Massa happier after leaving Ferrari – manager
(GMM) Felipe Massa's manager says the Brazilian has rarely been happier in formula one.
That is despite being ousted by the iconic team Ferrari at the end of last season, after an eight-year tenure that almost netted him the 2008 title.
But Massa's place had appeared increasingly tenuous and uncomfortable in the latter years, notably struggling alongside Fernando Alonso and being seen as the clear 'number 2' driver.
Nicolas Todt, Massa's manager, says the 33-year-old's move to Williams this year revitalized him.
"You know if you have attention and are wanted, your life changes," the Frenchman is quoted by Auto Hebdo.
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| "Felipe: Fernando is quicker than you" were the words radioed to Felipe Massa at the German GP in 2010. From that point forward, the Spaniard had the upper hand at Ferrari |
"This was not always the case at Ferrari," Todt, the son of FIA president and former Ferrari boss Jean Todt, added.
At Williams this year, Massa has often grappled with bad luck and the appearance that his young teammate, Valtteri Bottas, is a man of the future.
But an emotional Massa had a strong weekend in his native Brazil last weekend, finishing on the podium for the second time in 2014.
"Having the opportunity to take revenge on a situation he could not control was an impetus," Todt explained. "To finally have a good machine in his hands gave him even more motivation.
"Circumstances were such that points were not always easy — I talk not of bad luck but adverse circumstances. In contrast, the second half of the season has been very good.
"He also was not disappointed by the results of Bottas — quite the opposite," Todt continued. "It was proof of a good car and a good team," he added.
"His (Massa's) commitment is total in all areas. He also knows that he is no longer 20 and has not so many seasons ahead of him, hence his desire not to give up.
"I have rarely seen him happier. Williams is definitely a British super team, but paradoxically I also see that it is more at ease, without pressure, without politics," said Todt.
Caterham could overcome missed crowdfunding target
(GMM) Friday's deadline looks set to come and go without Caterham raising the $3.7 million it needs through crowdfunding.
The team, in administration and fighting to keep its official entry alive by making the Abu Dhabi grid, has raised only just over $2 million within hours of its self-imposed deadline expiring.
Gerard Lopez, who as owner of Lotus is frustrated that F1's income model and high costs are threatening the survival of small teams, said it is "sad" Caterham even had to revert to the controversial use of fans' hard-earned money.
"Formula one, which is a $1.6 billion business, and distributes over $900 million, and we're being asked if crowdfunding is a good idea to bring a team back. Seriously?" he is quoted by the Telegraph.
"Then it's even more disastrous than I think it is, in terms of ethics."
But even though Caterham may miss its crowdfunding target, the team's administrator and interim boss Finbarr O'Connell is still sounding confident.
He is quoted by the Times newspaper as saying the shortfall could be made up elsewhere.
"We are talking to a number of parties, who could make a substantial investment," said O'Connell.
In that case, he said the fan-sourced funding would only have to raise slightly more and "then we could make an executive decision to go" to Abu Dhabi.
"I still strongly believe we will be racing," said O'Connell.
Others think Caterham would be better off quietly closing its doors, as even if it does make Abu Dhabi, questions remain over its ability to produce a reasonable car for 2015.
"I have been talking to the administrator regularly," said Bernie Ecclestone.
"I wonder even if they can stay in, then what shape are they going to be in after such a layoff?" the F1 supremo added.
One of the proposed solutions to F1's diminishing grid has been bolstering numbers either with three-car teams or so-called 'Super GP2' teams — standard single-seaters like GP2 machines perhaps with updated engines.
"It's often thought it's a good idea," Ecclestone told the BBC recently.
"If you go back long enough we basically had one engine, which was the Cosworth," he added, "and that's how we built formula one.
"So I think maybe 'back to the future'," he added.
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| Unfortunately, no good news to report on the injured Jules Bianchi |
'No change' in Bianchi's condition – Lowdon
(GMM) Almost six weeks on, there is "no change" in Jules Bianchi's condition.
That is the news of Graeme Lowdon, who as sporting director and president has overseen not only the aftermath of Frenchman Bianchi's horror Suzuka crash, but also the closure of the struggling Marussia team.
Although sounding upbeat that there may be light at the end of the tunnel for the stricken Banbury-based team, Lowdon has less to report on the condition of 25-year-old Bianchi, who remains in a coma in Japan.
"There's no change in his condition," Lowdon told Britain's Sky.
"He's still stable but critical, and I think the thoughts of everyone in the team and also his very wide fan base are with Jules at the moment," he added.
It has also been a poignant and sad week for the family, friends and fans of the F1 legend Michael Schumacher, as the 20th anniversary of his first title triumph in 1994 came and went.
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| Sebastian Vettel paid tribute to his idol Michael Schumacher at Thursday's Bambi Awards in Germany |
The prominent German entertainment 'Bambi' awards marked the occasion on Thursday by presenting a trophy to Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm.
Also present was the great German's rival David Coulthard, his former teammate Nico Rosberg, his friend Ross Brawn and protege Sebastian Vettel.
"Michael, you were my idol," the reigning world champion said in a moving speech.
"My room was covered in your posters, but today I am embarrassed that hanging next to you was Britney Spears in a mini skirt," Vettel smiled.
Schumacher's current health condition was not mentioned during the ceremony, but as his official website was re-launched this week, an official posting said the family is "confident" for the future.
"Your strength is helping us keep supporting him," the message from his family adds.
Briton Brawn, a former Ferrari and Mercedes colleague and one of Schumacher's closest friends, said at the Bambi awards: "He is now fighting a new battle, and he will insist upon doing it his own way."
Newey's son signs up for Formula 4
(GMM) Another Newey is plotting a course to the F1 grid.
16-year-old Harrison's father is Adrian Newey, widely acclaimed as one of the best technical minds in the history of formula one.
The 55-year-old is also a keen car collector and amateur racer, although his on-track exploits have often resulted in Ford GT and Jaguar E-Types being written off.
It appears young Harrison's pedigree may be better, as he has just signed up to contest the forthcoming British Formula 4 winter championship.
Media reports say the rookie, already an international kart racer, made his single-seater debut in French F4 last month, finishing a race in ninth place.
"It's going to be a big step up from karting," he said, "but I'm really looking forward to it."
Schumacher's family: We remain confident
Michael Schumacher's family say they "remain confident" over the seven-time F1 World Champion's future, but have given no further details about his rehabilitation.
Schumacher was initially admitted to Grenoble Hospital after suffering severe head injuries in a skiing accident in the French Alps last December.
It was announced in June that he was no longer in a coma and had been transported to the University Hospital of Lausanne in Switzerland, closer to his home.
Schumacher was moved home in September, at which point his manager, Sabine Kehm, issued the last official update on his condition.
"Considering the severe injuries he suffered, progress has been made in the past weeks and months," Kehm said at the time. "There is still, however, a long and difficult road ahead."
In a message published on Schumacher's official website on Thursday, re-launched to mark the 20th anniversary of his maiden F1 title, his family thanked fans for the constant stream of supportive messages.
"Still we receive wishes for Michael to get well soon every day, and still we are stunned by the sheer amount of sympathies," read the statement. "We can only always thank you for facing this fight together with him and us.
"We remain confident and hope the best for Michael. Your strength is helping us to keep supporting him."
Vettel admits move 'a step into the unknown'
Sebastian Vettel has admitted that he is taking "a step into the unknown" by leaving long-time outfit Red Bull at the end of the season.
Vettel claimed four straight Formula 1 Drivers' titles with the team from 2010-2013, but has so far failed to win a race under the sport's new regulations.
The German, 27, is expected to replace Fernando Alonso and team up with Kimi Räikkönen at Ferrari, although he is still unable to confirm the move.
"I'm aware that I have a big challenge on my hands and that it will take time. Even more so now, with Mercedes having such a big advantage," Vettel told Auto Motor und Sport.
"It is a step into the unknown, and therefore also a risk. But I haven't taken this decision lightly. If I didn't think I could be successful at my new team, I wouldn't have dared.
"This is also not a decision against Red Bull, I have just chosen something new."
Vettel admitted that he briefly reconsidered his Formula 1 future after the switch to 1.6-litre V6 power units.
"You think about all the options," he said. "When all of a sudden two cylinders are taken away, and when you can't start a car again without the help of a computer, you start to ask yourself: is this still racing?
"But what's the alternative? The cars have become slower, but they are still the fastest around."
Daniil Kvyat will step up from Toro Rosso to partner Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull nextseason.
No point attracting young generation to F1 – Ecclestone
(GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has ensured the world of formula one on Friday will be discussing one thing — his controversial views.
Amid collapsing teams and a so-called 'crisis' for his sport, the F1 supremo provided a diversion with a typically politically-incorrect interview for a publication called Campaign Asia-Pacific.
Now 84, the Briton once courted controversy by saying he admired Hitler, and he riled others by joking that women should be dressed white like other domestic appliances.
In Friday's interview, he said women "like to criticize", and likened collapsing backmarker teams to "ladies and credit cards".
And as Marussia and Caterham fight for survival, Ecclestone predicted nobody will miss them "at all" if they do fold.
"They've only got a name that people would know because of the problem they're in," said Ecclestone, comparing them the Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius who gained greater notoriety for the high-profile murder trial.
"Same with these two teams," said the F1 chief executive. "You need teams like Ferrari."
Arguably the most alarming comments, however, are about Ecclestone's attitude to social media, as he has been heavily criticized for not embracing the power of mediums like Facebook and Twitter.
"I couldn't see any value in it. And I don't know what the so-called young generation of today really wants," he said.
He admitted he is more interested in marketing F1 to the older generation, because a 70-year-old has "got plenty of cash".
"Young kids will see the Rolex brand, but are they going to go and buy one? They can't afford it," said Ecclestone.
"So there's no point trying to reach these kids because they won't buy any of the products here and if marketers are aiming at this audience, then maybe they should advertise with Disney."
Caterham preparing freight for Abu Dhabi
(GMM) Caterham's administrator on Friday said the team is preparing equipment to be shipped to the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Having missed Austin and Brazil, the beleaguered outfit will fail to hit its $3.7m crowdfunding target for a return in Abu Dhabi, which Bernie Ecclestone insists is necessary in order to keep the official team entry alive.
But administrator and interim team boss Finbarr O'Connell said earlier that the shortfall could be made up by investors, meaning preparations to travel to Abu Dhabi are now on track.
"I am 90 percent confident that we are going," he told Reuters.
"In the last few days three interested buyers have come forward," said O'Connell.
He said some deals are due to be worked on today, and "If some of those things happen, we expect to be announcing we are going" to Abu Dhabi.
"If we are still a few hundred thousand pounds short, we will recalibrate up to race day to raise the rest," added O'Connell.