F1: Grand Prix News Briefs (Update 5)

Formula 1

F1: Grand Prix News Briefs (Update 5)

Michael Schumacher has renewed his criticism of Pirelli and called for a new tire war in F1...

SPEED Staff / GMM | Posted July 01, 2012 GMM Newswire

Michael Schumacher is no fan of Pirelli tires. (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

Tire War Would Mean 'Decent Tires' In F1 - Schumacher: With a single neat soundbite, Michael Schumacher on Wednesday renewed his criticism of Pirelli and called for a new tire war in F1. The German publication Auto Bild this week mentioned the rumor that FIA president and Frenchman Jean Todt would like to see Michelin return to the sport. But the French tire marque has stated categorically that it would only come back if the rules are changed to allow tire makers to compete against one another again. During the FOTA fan's forum in Stuttgart on Wednesday, seven-time World Champion Schumacher admitted he, too, would like to see a tire war once again. Why? "Because then we would have decent tires," the 43-year-old German is quoted as saying. Earlier this season, Schumacher likened Pirelli's 2012 product to driving "on raw eggs." The Mercedes driver also admitted he would be open to contesting more than 20 Grands Prix per season. "I think there are 34 match days that are watched on television in the (German football) Bundesliga," said Schumacher, "so I think there is still room (in F1)."

Bottas 'Ready' For F1 Seat Now: Valtteri Bottas believes he is ready to race in F1. The 22-year-old Finn, who won the GP3 championship last year, is now focusing entirely on his F1 duties with the famous British team Williams in 2012. With team co-owner Toto Wolff his manager, Bottas is the Oxfordshire-based squad's official reserve driver, appearing in Bruno Senna's car for numerous Friday morning practice sessions. He dominated the recent young driver test at Silverstone, and is tipped as a possible Williams race driver for 2013. "I would like to have a (race) seat," Bottas is quoted by the French language autohebdo.fr. "I think that is my next goal. If someone asks me, I'll be ready for next year or even sooner."

Whitmarsh Not Commenting On Coca-Cola: Martin Whitmarsh fired a blank on Wednesday when asked about rumors Coca-Cola could replace McLaren's title sponsor Vodafone. With Vodafone reportedly reviewing its sponsorship of the famous British team, media sources have said the iconic drinks brand Coke is looking into entering the sport. McLaren principal Whitmarsh was asked about the Vodafone and Coca-Cola speculation during a media teleconference on Wednesday. "As you can imagine, we don't talk about commercial discussions," he said. "We have enjoyed a good and very successful partnership with Vodafone. We will be with them for some time to come and we talk together about whether that would be lengthened beyond the existing length of the contract. There are also a whole range of other conversations with existing partners and new partners. But I'm sure you can imagine that we are quite unlikely to disclose those discussions."

Alonso F1's Personal Sponsor King: It is no secret that Fernando Alonso's Ferrari contract is the most lucrative in Formula One. But the German media and marketing magazine 'WundV' claims that the Spaniard also commands the most income from external sponsors. The report said that, in the past year, the 30-year-old made between EUR 7 and 8 million just from his personal backers, including Puma, Tag-Heuer and Santander. In second place is Michael Schumacher. Despite winning only a single podium in the two-and-a-half seasons since returning to F1 in 2010, 43-year-old Schumacher made between 5 and 6 million in personal sponsorship in the past year, said the report. The current World Champion, Sebastian Vettel, reportedly makes only 3-4 million in estimated personal sponsorship; about the same as Jenson Button, but less than McLaren's Lewis Hamilton (5m).

No 'Shining Eyes For Ferrari' - Hulkenberg: One perceived candidate indicated on Thursday he is in fact not in the running for Felipe Massa's 2013 Ferrari seat. It has been rumored Nico Hulkenberg was among the candidates for the drive, should the famous Italian team choose to drop Brazilian Massa. But German Hulkenberg, whose career was rescued by Force India after he was dropped by Williams at the end of 2010, said on Thursday: "I do not have shining eyes for Ferrari. It's a cool team, of course, but I repeat: I am not thinking I necessarily have to be there," he is quoted by Auto Bild. It sounds as though Hulkenberg, 24 — who is no longer managed by Willi Weber — is staying put at Silverstone. "The team (Force India) is very satisfied with what I've been doing; I feel fine," he said. "We work well together and generally are doing a good job."

Ferrari, Mercedes Set For September Test At Magny Cours: Ferrari and Mercedes will test at the former French GP venue at Magny Cours in mid-September. Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said the circuit is one of no fewer than three venues selected by F1 teams to complete their allowed days of 'young driver' running in 2012. The magazine said the three-venue solution is a farcical outcome, after the scheduled end-of-season Abu Dhabi test plans disintegrated due to team disharmony. The bulk of the teams are, however, sticking with Abu Dhabi, including Red Bull, McLaren, Lotus, Force India, Sauber, Toro Rosso and Caterham. Williams, HRT and Marussia ran at Silverstone last week. Auto Motor und Sport said the Magny Cours session will take place in the week after the Italian GP. The report said midfield teams ruled out joining Ferrari and Mercedes in France because they have "neither the material nor the staff to complete a parallel program" just days before freight sets off for Singapore.

GP2 Leader Razia Eyeing Red Bull Test: With his career in tatters at the end of last year, the next step for Luiz Razia could be a test for reigning World Champions Red Bull. Just 12th at the end of last year's GP2 championship, when under Caterham's wing, the Brazilian nearly quit racing altogether. "I almost stopped," the 23-year-old confirmed to Globo. "I was thinking about going back to college to do engineering." One year on and he is leading the 2012 GP2 championship and now tipped for a Red Bull test. "Christian Horner called me, sat me down and proposed a very generous contract for this year," Razia revealed, referring to the Arden GP2 team owner and Red Bull Racing principal. "It was an opportunity to be with a strong team and to improve as a professional within RBR," he said. "Things went well from the start." Razia openly admits that his next target is F1. "It's the goal of every driver in GP2," he insisted, "and I have the dream to be the GP2 champion — it's something that no Brazilian has done before. Being GP2 champion can open many doors for me. The goal is to win and then do the rookie tests at the end of the year with a good team."

Sam Michael Thinks Two-Second Pit Stops Possible: Sam Michael thinks two-second pit stops will be possible before too long. The Australian, ousted as Williams' technical director last year before moving across to McLaren as sporting director, took a lot of criticism for his new employer's pit stop problems in 2012. But things have come good for Michael, presiding over two-and-a-half second stationary tire pit stops at more recent Grands Prix. Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reports that McLaren practiced pit stops no fewer than 800 times prior to the British GP and were then "clearly the fastest (pit crew) at Silverstone". Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button were in the pitlane for just 99.401 seconds during their home race, compared with 100.805 seconds for Ferrari and 101.181 seconds for Red Bull. "Our target is an average stationary time of 2.5 seconds by the end of the year," said Michael. And then, for 2013, "I think two seconds is not unrealistic."

Ultra-Safe F1 'A Shame' - Moss: Sir Stirling Moss thinks it is "a shame" Formula One is so safe today. "The concept, the whole idea, has changed," the British legend, who started winning Grands Prix in the middle of the '50s, said on Austrian Servus TV. "That's a shame, because we had fun risking life and limb and that's gone now, really," added Moss, 82. Moss admits that the danger was a key factor in his enjoyment of racing. "In my opinion, if you don't want to take risks, play tennis," he added.

Susie Wolff Still On Track After De Villota Crash: Susie Wolff is sure she will get more chances to prove her skills in a F1 car. Some insiders saw the serious injuries sustained by Maria de Villota during a recent straight-line test for Marussia as a major setback for F1's other female driver. But Wolff, who is a test driver for Williams, remains scheduled to drive the FW34 in October. Recently, Wolff conducted a straight-line aerodynamic test for the British team. "I was sick when I heard about Maria's accident," she is quoted by the Kolner Express newspaper. But, while also a DTM driver, she said her own F1 job remains on track. "I am looking forward to seeing in October how close I can get to the level expected of a top driver," said Wolff. She denied the Williams gig is a PR stunt, or just because her husband Toto is a Williams co-owner. "Although he's my husband and biggest supporter, he's also my biggest critic. He even said he wasn't sure if he wanted to see me in a Formula One car," said Wolff. "I have to show them what I can do, especially Frank Williams. He would never let anyone in his car that he doesn't think deserves a chance." So is she dreaming of lining up on the grid any time soon? "No, at the moment that's unrealistic," said Wolff, 29. "If things go well, I'll get more opportunities to sit in the car. But I do think that a woman will be there (in F1) in the next 10 years."

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