Latest F1 news in brief – Monday (Update)
02/17/14
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Rosberg expects to win a lot of races in 2014 McLaren-Ferrari rivalry slides to winter Olympics
- Brundle slams Villeneuve for F1 'boot'
- Boullier exit 'a surprise' – Grosjean
- Bahrain violence returns to F1 headlines
- Court action threatens Kolles' F1 plans – report
- Pujolar says Maldonado 'a great fighter'
- Ecclestone no longer in race for Nurburgring
- FIA legalizes 'donuts' for F1 winners
- Williams and Oris Continue Long Standing Partnership
- Prosecutors close file on Schumacher crash New
- Rosberg expects to win 'a lot of races' New
- Newey admits to Red Bull design flaws New
McLaren-Ferrari rivalry slides to winter Olympics
(GMM) F1's famous Ferrari versus McLaren rivalry has spilled into the winter Olympics.
It emerges that McLaren, with two employees actually at the Sochi games, has been helping the British national team with Lizzy Yarnold's 'skeleton' sled, on which she slid to gold last Friday.
And in bobsled, McLaren has been in competition with Ferrari, who were involved in the development of the Italian machine.
Referring to the rivalry, McLaren Applied Technologies' Carolina Hargrove told Reuters: "We like that. It's part of how we are.
"Everyone working here is seriously competitive and the same on their (Ferrari's) side. So it adds another element to it, which is quite fun. It's not more than fun," she added.
Brundle slams Villeneuve for F1 'boot'
(GMM) Martin Brundle has scolded former F1 rival Jacques Villeneuve, after the 1997 world champion attacked the sport's new V6 era.
As his new foray in the world RallyCross series was launched last week, 42-year-old French Canadian Villeneuve slammed not only F1's new 'greener' guise, he also denounced the drivers of 2014 as "mediocre".
"(It) angers me when former F1 drivers stick a boot into F1 for publicity," Brundle, now a highly-respected commentator for British television, wrote on Twitter, without referring to Villeneuve by name.
"They had privileged chances, success, cash. Give something positive back," he added.
Boullier exit 'a surprise' – Grosjean
(GMM) Lotus is now ready to push the throttle down in 2014.
That is the claim of driver Romain Grosjean, following rumors the Enstone team is still struggling with the sort of financial problems that became well-known in the F1 paddock late last season.
Lotus' problems look to have continued into the new season, when team boss Eric Boullier, who also doubled as Frenchman Grosjean's manager, switched to McLaren.
"It was big news and actually it surprised even us," Grosjean is quoted by France's Infosport Plus. "I think it's a big opportunity for him and I understand that.
"Now we need to find someone to replace him at Enstone, because Eric led the team very well," he added.
"We have gone through quite a difficult period," Grosjean admitted, "but now things are going much better and it's great."
Grosjean was also quoted by Le Figaro as saying that even in the midst of the problems last year, "It did not stop us from being on the podium".
"We were even the only ones who were standing up to Red Bull," he insisted. "Now the budget is balanced and everything is in place."
Bahrain violence returns to F1 headlines
(GMM) With equipment already in the pitlane and the crucial second test set to begin on Wednesday, Bahrain's security issues have returned to the F1 headlines.
Last Friday, as protesters marked the three-year anniversary of the start of the island Kingdom's civil troubles, three policeman were injured by an explosion, and one later died.
The incident reportedly occurred about 30 kilometers from the F1 track.
The state news agency quoted Bahrain's defense chairman Shaikh Khalid bin Khalifa as saying the incident was due to statements made by Iran's supreme leader Ali Kahamenei, "as if he promised them (protesters) of an imminent Iranian intervention".
Court action threatens Kolles' F1 plans – report
(GMM) A court action could endanger Colin Kolles' chances of returning to formula one.
The former HRT and Force India boss had been linked with a return to the sport with his own team, after the FIA recently invited interested parties to apply for the vacant pitlane spot.
But the German-language Spox reports that Kolles' bid might be derailed by a legal dispute between his racing outfit, Kodewa, and former designer Stephane Chosse.
Chosse, who worked on Kolles' sports car foray as well as in F1 with HRT, is pursuing the Romanian-born German for 2 million euros in unpaid fees, with the dispute set to be heard in Nuremberg on Friday.
Chosse's lawyer Horst Becker confirmed the action.
Pujolar says Maldonado 'a great fighter'
(GMM) Xevi Pujolar, the well-known F1 engineer who has switched from Williams to Toro Rosso, says Pastor Maldonado is "underestimated".
Pujolar has worked with what he describes as "great drivers like Mark Webber and Ralf Schumacher", but he says that was "not the same" as collaborating with Venezuelan Maldonado.
Despite his 2012 pole and win, Maldonado is often dismissed even by F1 insiders as a 'pay driver' who gets caught up in too many accidents.
But Pujolar told Spain's El Confidencial: "I have always said that Pastor and (Juan Pablo) Montoya are the drivers (I have worked with) who impressed me most.
"Maybe it's because they are great fighters," he added. "Pastor has shown how fast he is but I think he is often underestimated."
Pujolar, who has also just left Williams, insisted the 2014 Lotus driver had "a good relationship with the team (Williams) when it was stable."
Ecclestone no longer in race for Nurburgring
(GMM) Bernie Ecclestone is no longer a serious candidate to buy the embattled Nurburgring.
The F1 chief executive revealed last month that he has made a bid for the fabled German grand prix venue, amid its financial problems.
"We want to make sure there is a formula one race in Germany every year in the future," said Ecclestone.
The 83-year-old Briton said at the time that there are "one or two other interested parties", and the Rhein newspaper now claims they are entities from Dusseldorf and the US, and a private equity firm.
Correspondent Dietmar Bruck said the parties all have until Monday to submit their final proposals, with Ecclestone apparently no longer in the running.
Meanwhile, Britain's Guardian newspaper claims the newly-retired former Mercedes boss Ross Brawn was approached to take over from Ecclestone, should the F1 chief executive lose his job amid the corruption affair.
Adding that F1 owners CVC refused to comment, correspondent Richard Williams said the approach to Brawn had been "unsuccessful".
FIA legalizes 'donuts' for F1 winners
(GMM) Post-race celebratory 'donuts' have been legalized by F1's governing body.
Sebastian Vettel was given an official reprimand by the FIA after crossing the line in India to become world champion for the fourth time last season.
"Are you serious?" Lewis Hamilton said when told of Vettel's penalty. "That's crazy!"
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner agreed that race stewards "need to be empowered to give a little more leniency in extraordinary circumstances".
That is exactly what has happened.
As confirmed in the latest draft of the 2014 sporting regulations, race winners will from now on be exempt from having to drive straight to parc ferme.
Now, they are allowed to "perform an act of celebration" after crossing the finish line, provided the act is "performed safely" and "does not delay the podium ceremony".
Williams and Oris Continue Long Standing Partnership
Williams is pleased to announce that its long-term Official Watch Partner, Oris, has renewed its sponsorship of the team ahead of the 2014 FIA Formula One World Championship.
This will be Oris' twelfth full season as an Official Partner of Williams, after entering into partnership in 2003 and having subsequently enjoyed a strong relationship. For 2014, the Oris logo will feature in a new position on the cars' nose. Oris will also continue its presence on the driver and mechanic overalls, driver gloves, driver helmets and the kit worn by team personnel.
Oris has a heritage of over 110 years of watch manufacturing in Halstein, Switzerland and is one of the world's leading manufacturers of mechanical watches. Its watch designs always incorporate a hallmark red rotor as an integral element of the design mechanism. The Oris designers work with the latest technology at the cutting edge of watch making to meet the highest quality standards while remaining true to the company's characteristic designs.
Ulrich W. Herzog, Executive Chairman of Oris, commented; "The prestigious world of Formula One continues to be the perfect platform to promote Oris. The competitive racing environment and commitment to quality and success have always resonated with our brand. Renewing the partnership for a twelfth season reinforces our continued support and commitment to Williams and I'm looking forward to what promises to be an exciting season."
Sir Frank Williams, Team Principal of Williams, added; "Oris feel like a part of the family having been a partner with us for twelve years now, and I'm delighted to announce that this relationship will continue once again for 2014. We have enjoyed a successful partnership because our brands are highly complementary: we are family run businesses with a strong heritage, a history of innovation, and a desire to embrace new technologies. Strong partnerships are the lifeblood of an independent team like Williams and the continued support of Oris will help us fight for success this season."
Prosecutors close file on Schumacher crash
(GMM) French criminal investigators have closed the file on the cause of Michael Schumacher's skiing accident.
Citing 'legal sources', we reported a week ago that investigators were preparing to rule that no one was to blame for the fall at the Meribel resort in the French alps.
Indeed, on Monday, lead prosecutor Patrick Quincy confirmed that after investigating the resort and Schumacher's skiing equipment, "no infraction by anyone has been turned up".
He also revealed for the first time that the rock Schumacher tripped on was more than 10 meters from the one on which the seven time world champion struck his head.
Elsewhere, however, questions have been raised about the helmet Schumacher was wearing, which was found in several pieces at the crash site.
French ski and climbing academy ENSA said it is possible the mounting for Schumacher's camera had "weakened the structure" of the helmet.
"ENSA analyzed the piece of the helmet to check the material, and all was ok," a source told the Telegraph. "But why did it explode on impact? Here the camera comes into question."
Rosberg expects to win 'a lot of races'
(GMM) In a rare show of brash confidence, Nico Rosberg has admitted he is expecting to win "a lot" of races in 2014.
Bernie Ecclestone said recently that with Mercedes emerging from Jerez testing as the early season favorite, German Rosberg was his pick for the title.
"That's a cool statement from him," Rosberg told the Berliner Kurier newspaper on Monday at a sponsor event.
"We are in a good mood that this season we can win a lot of races," he added.
For the calculated 28-year-old Rosberg, and the corporately cautious Mercedes, it is a surprising statement.
But the silver camp has reason to be confident.
"The first test went really well," said Rosberg. "We are doing well. My new car was very reliable from the beginning, but how we are as compared to the competition, we don't know yet.
"Unfortunately it's still a bit early to talk about the title," he continued. "But on reliability it (Jerez) was a strong performance by the team.
"I did lap after lap when we have so much to learn, which is a nice feeling when you see that the others couldn't drive very much."
The main 'others', of course, are Red Bull, led in the cockpit by the reigning quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel.
Rosberg insisted: "There is no joy in seeing that they can't drive much; I'm happy if we are in a position to win.
"But it's obvious that Red Bull and Renault have problems with the new powertrain.
"We have done our homework better. But the important thing is to see where we are on the grid in Melbourne — I would love to be able to fight against Sebastian," Rosberg added.
Newey admits to Red Bull design flaws
Adrian Newey has admitted that packaging problems with the new RB10 contributed to Red Bull's troubled Jerez Formula 1 test.
The new car managed just 31 laps during the first pre-season test in Spain two weeks ago, with its own exhaust issues compounding the difficulties that hit engine supplier Renault.
Newey, Red Bull's chief technical officer, confirmed that the team's major problem was the heat of the exhaust setting fire to bodywork, which came on top of the issues that afflicted all three Renault teams that ran at Jerez.
"What stopped us at Jerez, on our side as opposed to Renault's side, was a problem where the bodywork local to the exhaust was catching fire," Newey told AUTOSPORT at the Annual Motoring Dinner at the RAC.
"It's a problem which hopefully we can get on top of ready for Bahrain.
"It was really a lack of time [that caused the problem]. It was something that we could have proved out on the dyno if we had managed to get everything together earlier.
"But Renault have been up against it in terms of their use of the dyno, we have been up against it making the parts in time.
"So I think had we been a couple of weeks further ahead than that could all have been done in private on the dyno. But unfortunately it was done in public."
"Hands up on our side, that was a Red Bull problem," said Newey.
"It was, you could argue, a result of aggressive packaging but we felt that we needed to take a few risks to try to get a good package that would minimize the aerodynamic damage of this very large cooling requirement.
"The Renault seems to have a particularly large cooling requirement.
"It is certainly a challenge to package everything in," said Newey.
"The radiator area that we need to cool the charge air from the turbo and additionally all of the extra cooling we need for the electrical side of things, the batteries, the motor generator unit and so forth, the control box… It means that the radiator area is roughly double last year's car with the V8.
"So trying to package that in without compromising the aerodynamics too heavily is a challenge." Autosport