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Formula 1
F1: Grand Prix News Briefs (Update 5)
Fernando Alonso supports rival Lewis Hamilton's decision to leave McLaren...
Fernando Alonso (Left) and Lewis Hamilton (Right) are former McLaren teammates. (Photo: Getty Images)
Hamilton Right To Dump McLaren - Alonso: Fernando Alonso has backed Lewis Hamilton's decision to leave McLaren. Spaniard Alonso inked a multi-year contract with the British team ahead of the 2007 season, but he acrimoniously departed after just a single tumultuous campaign alongside the then-rookie Hamilton. Now a Ferrari driver, he has made it clear in the subsequent years that his gripe was with McLaren, not his former teammate. And now that Hamilton is switching to Mercedes, Alonso said the Briton has joined a prestigious list of ex-McLaren drivers who found happiness elsewhere. "When the rumors started, I said I felt it was good for Lewis to move on and for McLaren, they have experienced this before, with Prost leaving and Senna, then me, now Lewis, normally for a better life," Alonso said at Suzuka. "I don't think anyone has been coming back," he is quoted by Spanish reporters. Some pundits think Hamilton has traded a surely championship-contending car for a gamble, but Alonso doesn't see it that way. "It's 14 years since McLaren has won a constructors' championship, sometimes in years when they have had the best car, and I'm sure Lewis wants to win," he said. "I think he will enjoy (himself) more (at Mercedes)." The championship leader also denied suggestions that Hamilton's impending exit at McLaren will affect his title bid in the remaining six races of 2012. "I think McLaren will prefer Hamilton to win than to see a Ferrari or Red Bull (win)," he is quoted by AS newspaper.
Maldonado Says 2013 Plans Unclear: Once believed secure at Williams with his Barcelona win and Venezuelan dollars, Pastor Maldonado admitted at Suzuka that his plans for 2013 are unclear. "We shall see, we shall see," he is quoted in Japan by Brazil's Totalrace. "I don't want to talk about it now because the team is still deciding its drivers for next year and I'd rather not answer," added Maldonado, who while often fast has also been criticized for being involved in too many incidents this season. "Of course I hope to be in the best possible position I can be." And Maldonado, 27, said his plans are unlikely to be known for some time. "It is too early to talk about Williams," he insisted, "because they always wait until the end of the season." He said he is not worried. "It's not just about having won a race," said Maldonado. "I have gone very well, showing speed and particularly with the car that we have, which is not the best but getting better. It's been a very good championship. You only see the results but in terms of speed and performance, we're fine."
Haug Denies Lauda Pushed Out Schumacher: Norbert Haug has denied reports Niki Lauda played a big role in Michael Schumacher's exit at Mercedes. Germany's Sport Bild has suggested Austrian legend and triple World Champion Lauda, who is joining Mercedes as a non-executive chairman, pushed hard for the German marque to oust Schumacher in favor of McLaren's Lewis Hamilton. The rumor goes that Schumacher might have played a role in Lauda departing Ferrari as a consultant in 1996, shortly after the now seven-time World Champion joined from Benetton. Asked if the whole story is true, Mercedes' Haug told the broadcaster ORF on Friday: "No, absolutely not." It has also been rumored that Lauda's new presence might have Haug and team boss Ross Brawn under pressure to keep their jobs, but Haug insisted Mercedes is "very proud" to welcome the F1 legend. "We know and trust one another, and I think this is another correct and important step in the right direction," he said. "Niki was instrumental in the Concorde negotiations, and also the commitment of Lewis Hamilton. It has all gone very well so far."
Kovalainen Returning To Caterham?: Heikki Kovalainen now appears closer to staying with the Caterham team for 2013. Recently linked with a switch to Sauber or maybe even Lotus, the Finn's management — IMG Worldwide — also appeared to have fallen out with Caterham boss Tony Fernandes. But Kovalainen, 30, told the MTV3 broadcaster: "At the moment, we are talking about that with Caterham. We had a good meeting with Tony, and all the problems that were developing are now OK. Right at the moment I do not have any serious discussions with other teams." He also insisted he is not worried his future might be compromised by drivers able to bring millions in sponsorship. "I believe a good driver can always find somewhere, regardless of what some drivers are able to pay," said Kovalainen. Asked when his plans for 2013 will be certain, he answered: "I hope before the end of the season, and possibly as early as this month."
Pirelli Wants Schumacher As Tire Tester: Pirelli has offered Michael Schumacher a job as F1 tire tester. After losing his Mercedes seat to Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time World Champion announced on Thursday that he is returning to retirement in 2013. The news has piqued Pirelli chief Paul Hembery's interest, with the Briton describing the 43-year-old as the sport's "most experienced tire tester. ... If he gets bored in the Swiss mountains, then we will find a job for him," he said, according to Germany's motorsport-total.com. "We can't offer him 20 million, so he would have to do it for the love." Pirelli conducts private F1 tire testing with a 2010-specification Renault R30.
Still No Race Debut For Lotus 'Device': Lotus' double-DRS style 'device' is still not ready to make its GP debut. The top speed-boosting concept has been tested extensively in practice sessions recently, but so far the black and gold-colored team has decided to take it off the car prior to the decisive qualifying sessions and Grands Prix. Team boss Eric Boullier, however, insisted recently that the 'device' will be ready to race at Suzuka. It was indeed tested again on Friday, but Lotus said in a statement: "We were not able to get 'the device' functioning at a sufficient level for it to be used over the rest of the weekend."
Telmex Staying At Sauber After Perez Switch: Telmex will continue to sponsor Sauber, despite the Swiss team losing Mexican Sergio Perez to McLaren. Perez made his debut with the Hinwil-based team last year with Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim's backing, primarily through the telcom Telmex's branding. So the 22-year-old's switch to McLaren for 2013 had triggered rumors the British team also wanted Telmex to replace its reportedly flagging title sponsor Vodafone. But Telmex is staying with Sauber, chief executive Monisha Kaltenborn announced on Friday, sparking immediate rumors the brand might push for its other Mexican charge — 21-year-old Esteban Gutierrez — to replace Perez. Referring to Perez's switch, Kaltenborn said at Suzuka: "We were informed by Telmex about this change and Telmex also told us that they have a long-term project with Sauber which will not be affected by Sergio leaving the team." Sauber's other driver, Kamui Kobayashi, admitted on Thursday that his future is unclear at present. "I have no idea," said the Japanese when asked about his future.
Schu Told Merc Of F1 Exit Five Minutes Before Call: Michael Schumacher surprised even Mercedes when he announced his decision to return to retirement. Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said that even though bosses Ross Brawn and Norbert Haug flanked the German as he announced the news, they had only been told what was going to happen just five minutes earlier. "We had been preparing for a different kind of press conference," Haug revealed. "Michael, Ross and I were going to answer the questions that had arisen after the transfer (announcement) of Lewis Hamilton," Mercedes' racing president added. Haug said he would not have had a problem if Schumacher had opted to keep his F1 career alive by switching to Sauber. "What would have been wrong with that?" the German wondered. But Sauber chief executive Monisha Kaltenborn on Friday insisted there had been "no negotiations" with the 43-year-old about 2013 prior to Schumacher's decision to retire.
V6 Rules Could Push HRT Off Grid: HRT boss Luis Perez-Sala has expressed concerns F1's 2014 engine regulations could push small teams out of business. "Yes," he is quoted by Autosprint magazine. "Today for a team like HRT, the engine costs account for 20 percent of our total budget. If this figure will double in 2014, then I do not know what we would do." The Spaniard and former Minardi driver suggested that, to cushion the blow, small teams should be allowed to buy a customer car from a bigger team.
Prost's Son To Test Lotus In Abu Dhabi: Hot on the heels of Alain Prost's test in a Red Bull, it has emerged that the F1 legend's son Nicolas will drive the black and gold Lotus in Abu Dhabi next month. The 31-year-old Frenchman, who currently races for the Lotus-linked Le Mans team Rebellion, will contest F1's final 'young driver test' of the year. In the media statement, Lotus described Prost as its 'reserve driver,' and said he will prepare for Abu Dhabi with a two-day run at the Navarra circuit in Spain. "This is an exciting next step in my career," he said. At the same time, however, McLaren's Martin Whitmarsh rubbished the 'young driver' test format. "If we are honest," he is quoted by motorline.cc, "we all use it to further develop our cars. I haven't yet seen a so-called young driver test at which a young driver has been specifically prepared with the intention of having him racing the next year. We don't like to admit it, but that's the truth."
Cosworth Not Ruling Out V6 Engine Foray: Cosworth has rejected reports it will definitely bow out of Formula One after 2013. It has been suggested the independent British engine marque, currently supplying V8s to Marussia and HRT, is not in a position to commit to a costly V6 development program for the radical 2014 rules. But when asked about 2014, Cosworth's F1 chief Kim Spearman said on Friday: "If we can find a commercially sustainable way to provide a competitive platform for some potential customers, we'd like to do that. We are in useful negotiations with customers, and hopefully we'll find a way to be in." He confirmed Cosworth has already started work on a 2014 project. "Oh, yes," said Spearman. "We've been working on the engine for 18 months."
Maldonado Says 2013 Plans Unclear: Once believed secure at Williams with his Barcelona win and Venezuelan dollars, Pastor Maldonado admitted at Suzuka that his plans for 2013 are unclear. "We shall see, we shall see," he is quoted in Japan by Brazil's Totalrace. "I don't want to talk about it now because the team is still deciding its drivers for next year and I'd rather not answer," added Maldonado, who while often fast has also been criticized for being involved in too many incidents this season. "Of course I hope to be in the best possible position I can be." And Maldonado, 27, said his plans are unlikely to be known for some time. "It is too early to talk about Williams," he insisted, "because they always wait until the end of the season." He said he is not worried. "It's not just about having won a race," said Maldonado. "I have gone very well, showing speed and particularly with the car that we have, which is not the best but getting better. It's been a very good championship. You only see the results but in terms of speed and performance, we're fine."
Haug Denies Lauda Pushed Out Schumacher: Norbert Haug has denied reports Niki Lauda played a big role in Michael Schumacher's exit at Mercedes. Germany's Sport Bild has suggested Austrian legend and triple World Champion Lauda, who is joining Mercedes as a non-executive chairman, pushed hard for the German marque to oust Schumacher in favor of McLaren's Lewis Hamilton. The rumor goes that Schumacher might have played a role in Lauda departing Ferrari as a consultant in 1996, shortly after the now seven-time World Champion joined from Benetton. Asked if the whole story is true, Mercedes' Haug told the broadcaster ORF on Friday: "No, absolutely not." It has also been rumored that Lauda's new presence might have Haug and team boss Ross Brawn under pressure to keep their jobs, but Haug insisted Mercedes is "very proud" to welcome the F1 legend. "We know and trust one another, and I think this is another correct and important step in the right direction," he said. "Niki was instrumental in the Concorde negotiations, and also the commitment of Lewis Hamilton. It has all gone very well so far."
Kovalainen Returning To Caterham?: Heikki Kovalainen now appears closer to staying with the Caterham team for 2013. Recently linked with a switch to Sauber or maybe even Lotus, the Finn's management — IMG Worldwide — also appeared to have fallen out with Caterham boss Tony Fernandes. But Kovalainen, 30, told the MTV3 broadcaster: "At the moment, we are talking about that with Caterham. We had a good meeting with Tony, and all the problems that were developing are now OK. Right at the moment I do not have any serious discussions with other teams." He also insisted he is not worried his future might be compromised by drivers able to bring millions in sponsorship. "I believe a good driver can always find somewhere, regardless of what some drivers are able to pay," said Kovalainen. Asked when his plans for 2013 will be certain, he answered: "I hope before the end of the season, and possibly as early as this month."
Pirelli Wants Schumacher As Tire Tester: Pirelli has offered Michael Schumacher a job as F1 tire tester. After losing his Mercedes seat to Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time World Champion announced on Thursday that he is returning to retirement in 2013. The news has piqued Pirelli chief Paul Hembery's interest, with the Briton describing the 43-year-old as the sport's "most experienced tire tester. ... If he gets bored in the Swiss mountains, then we will find a job for him," he said, according to Germany's motorsport-total.com. "We can't offer him 20 million, so he would have to do it for the love." Pirelli conducts private F1 tire testing with a 2010-specification Renault R30.
Still No Race Debut For Lotus 'Device': Lotus' double-DRS style 'device' is still not ready to make its GP debut. The top speed-boosting concept has been tested extensively in practice sessions recently, but so far the black and gold-colored team has decided to take it off the car prior to the decisive qualifying sessions and Grands Prix. Team boss Eric Boullier, however, insisted recently that the 'device' will be ready to race at Suzuka. It was indeed tested again on Friday, but Lotus said in a statement: "We were not able to get 'the device' functioning at a sufficient level for it to be used over the rest of the weekend."
Telmex Staying At Sauber After Perez Switch: Telmex will continue to sponsor Sauber, despite the Swiss team losing Mexican Sergio Perez to McLaren. Perez made his debut with the Hinwil-based team last year with Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim's backing, primarily through the telcom Telmex's branding. So the 22-year-old's switch to McLaren for 2013 had triggered rumors the British team also wanted Telmex to replace its reportedly flagging title sponsor Vodafone. But Telmex is staying with Sauber, chief executive Monisha Kaltenborn announced on Friday, sparking immediate rumors the brand might push for its other Mexican charge — 21-year-old Esteban Gutierrez — to replace Perez. Referring to Perez's switch, Kaltenborn said at Suzuka: "We were informed by Telmex about this change and Telmex also told us that they have a long-term project with Sauber which will not be affected by Sergio leaving the team." Sauber's other driver, Kamui Kobayashi, admitted on Thursday that his future is unclear at present. "I have no idea," said the Japanese when asked about his future.
Schu Told Merc Of F1 Exit Five Minutes Before Call: Michael Schumacher surprised even Mercedes when he announced his decision to return to retirement. Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said that even though bosses Ross Brawn and Norbert Haug flanked the German as he announced the news, they had only been told what was going to happen just five minutes earlier. "We had been preparing for a different kind of press conference," Haug revealed. "Michael, Ross and I were going to answer the questions that had arisen after the transfer (announcement) of Lewis Hamilton," Mercedes' racing president added. Haug said he would not have had a problem if Schumacher had opted to keep his F1 career alive by switching to Sauber. "What would have been wrong with that?" the German wondered. But Sauber chief executive Monisha Kaltenborn on Friday insisted there had been "no negotiations" with the 43-year-old about 2013 prior to Schumacher's decision to retire.
V6 Rules Could Push HRT Off Grid: HRT boss Luis Perez-Sala has expressed concerns F1's 2014 engine regulations could push small teams out of business. "Yes," he is quoted by Autosprint magazine. "Today for a team like HRT, the engine costs account for 20 percent of our total budget. If this figure will double in 2014, then I do not know what we would do." The Spaniard and former Minardi driver suggested that, to cushion the blow, small teams should be allowed to buy a customer car from a bigger team.
Prost's Son To Test Lotus In Abu Dhabi: Hot on the heels of Alain Prost's test in a Red Bull, it has emerged that the F1 legend's son Nicolas will drive the black and gold Lotus in Abu Dhabi next month. The 31-year-old Frenchman, who currently races for the Lotus-linked Le Mans team Rebellion, will contest F1's final 'young driver test' of the year. In the media statement, Lotus described Prost as its 'reserve driver,' and said he will prepare for Abu Dhabi with a two-day run at the Navarra circuit in Spain. "This is an exciting next step in my career," he said. At the same time, however, McLaren's Martin Whitmarsh rubbished the 'young driver' test format. "If we are honest," he is quoted by motorline.cc, "we all use it to further develop our cars. I haven't yet seen a so-called young driver test at which a young driver has been specifically prepared with the intention of having him racing the next year. We don't like to admit it, but that's the truth."
Cosworth Not Ruling Out V6 Engine Foray: Cosworth has rejected reports it will definitely bow out of Formula One after 2013. It has been suggested the independent British engine marque, currently supplying V8s to Marussia and HRT, is not in a position to commit to a costly V6 development program for the radical 2014 rules. But when asked about 2014, Cosworth's F1 chief Kim Spearman said on Friday: "If we can find a commercially sustainable way to provide a competitive platform for some potential customers, we'd like to do that. We are in useful negotiations with customers, and hopefully we'll find a way to be in." He confirmed Cosworth has already started work on a 2014 project. "Oh, yes," said Spearman. "We've been working on the engine for 18 months."
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