Formula 1 2013

[Missileman]

Despite having having a borderline personality disorder, he isn't such a bad driver.

[dezz]

If you consider how dominant the 2012 RBR car was, Webber really didn't do much at all... Vettel was leading winning races lights to flag... It should have never have been so close between Alonso and Vettel because Webber should have been taking points off Alonso consistently..

[Nee-san]

He really disappeared towards the end, There has to be stuff going on in the background, car changes etc that he isn't getting a handle on.

[Missileman]

btw, my current top 3 steerers are nando, hamo, and v-tool(in that order), webs is top ten, but I still like him purely for telling it like it is.

[tweety bird]

Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed there will only be 19 races on the 2013 calendar and the Nurburgring will be one of the venues.

there will be no 20th race after Ecclestone told Reuters 'the 2013 calendar will feature 19 races after the sphincter of the universe's failed bid to return'.

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/8386924/Nurburgring-in-but-only-19-races

[tweety bird]

Fernando Alonso has made light of Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko's criticism of him, saying he is "flattered".

Marko accused the Ferrari driver of constantly being involved "politics" during an interview with the company's in-house Red Bulletin magazine.

When asked how Ferrari founder Enzo Ferrari would feel about being beaten by a "drinks manufacturer" following Sebastian Vettel's third consecutive title, Marko replied: "There is no way Enzo would have liked such defeat, but he would acknowledge the performance of the opposition - and then would whip his boys accordingly so they'd do everything to beat us. But not with such actions as we have recently experienced.

"Alonso is constantly involved in politics. I believe we saw the stress he was under towards the end of the season. Saying things like, 'I'm competing against Hamilton, not Vettel,' and 'I'm up against Newey,' these psychological skirmishes. We said, 'Just ignore him.'"

Alonso, who enjoyed a 42-point lead over Vettel at one stage last season before finishing three points behind the Red Bull driver, laughed off the comments from Marko via Twitter.

"I enjoy reading that redbull still think we will be the strongest rival for next year! And this even before start testing!! Flattered.. ," the Spaniard wrote on the social networking website.

http://www.planetf1....fun-at-Red-Bull

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko doubts Mark Webber has what it takes to cope with the intense pressures of a Formula 1 title fight.

In a revealing interview with Red Bull's in-house magazine the Red Bulletin, Marko has suggested that Webber is good enough to win a few races a year, but struggles to achieve a champion's consistency.

"It seems to me that Webber has on average two races per year where he is unbeatable, but he can't maintain this form throughout the year," said Marko.

"And as soon as his prospects start to look good in the world championship, he has a little trouble with the pressure that this creates.

"In comparison with Seb [Vettel's] rising form, it seems to me that Mark's form somehow flattens out.

"Then, if some technical mishap occurs, like with the alternator for example, he falls relatively easily into a downward spiral.

"No driver remains unaffected by this, because the tension is palpable.

"In 2010, it was particularly extreme. Webber headed into the final race with better chances than Vettel, and he probably carried the disappointment of his defeat into the 2011 season, which is so easy to understand."

Marko believes that Webber has struggled to cope with the psychological challenge of Vettel arriving just as Red Bull delivered the Australian his first title-worthy F1 car.

"Something that I think is also very important is that for much of his career, Mark was never in a top team, but he was always regarded as a high flyer if he only could get into the right team," added Marko.

"Then Red Bull puts him in a car - a possible winner – and suddenly along comes this young kid and he snatches the booty from under Mark's nose.

"Psychologically it's not easy, of course; this would gnaw away at anyone's confidence. It's more than understandable."

Webber won two races in 2012 – in Monaco and Britain – and finished sixth overall in the championship, having been Fernando Alonso closest rival at half-season.

http://www.autosport...t.php/id/105018

f**k marko, him and vettel go together like lube and buttsex.

[tweety bird]

Sportscar racer David Brabham, the son of three-time Formula 1 champion and team founder Jack, had sued Michael Trick following his refusal to cancel certain registrations within the European Union involving the Brabham name in Germany.

Trick had been marketing road cars under the Brabham Racing banner.

The Brabham family announced on Wednesday the legal action was entirely successful and that the Brabham trademark registration is now reverted to the family's ownership.

"I'm delighted that this situation has finally come to an end," said David Brabham. "It's been a long and tiring battle, but this was something I felt we needed to do to protect the Brabham name.

"The global brand stands for success and innovation bolstered from 60 years of racing heritage, and deserves to be protected.

"This ruling will not only help future plans for the Brabham brand, but also protect the third generation of drivers, in Sam and Matthew, coming up through the ranks."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105029

[wolverine]

Accusing Nando of playing politics while sticking the boot into Chin at this stage of the season is priceless hypocrisy.

[PN-Mad]

RB must have shoved Marko out there to make news, while Horner and Newey get on with the real work without being bothered by the press.

Why else would he be such a douche when nothing was heard from him pretty much all last season

[djr81]

RB must have shoved Marko out there to make news, while Horner and Newey get on with the real work without being bothered by the press.

Why else would he be such a douche when nothing was heard from him pretty much all last season

Because he cant help himself. Bigger question is why is he still on the payroll?

[sh@un]

comedy value?

[tweety bird]

Red Bull will unveil its new RB9 at its Milton Keynes factory on February 3, shortly before the first test of 2013 in Jerez.

http://www.autosport...t.php/id/105056

Valtteri Bottas has confirmed that this year's Williams will be visibly different to last year's as the step nose has been scrapped.

"The new rules, though, mean the step nose has been straightened," he said. "That is the biggest different in appearance.

"The new car is a development version of last year's.

"There are certain improvements in aerodynamics. We have tried to focus on getting more traction in corners."

http://www.planetf1....en-straightened

[Roy]

No more Fanvision! Seriously, I will not attend any more OS GPs without it.! Get your act together FOM

[tweety bird]

Mercedes reveals 2014 Formula 1 engine

"The engines are going to be loud, but I think sweet sounding," he said on Friday. "The frequency will be higher and, with the turbocharger running at 125,000rpm, they will be loud. When you are stood next to it on the dyno it is not quiet and you need ear defenders.

http://www.autosport...t.php/id/105080

[sh@un]

zzzZZUTUTUTUUUuuuu

[Berk]

So that's like a stator or something in between the two housings? KERS energy spools the turbo?

[mad082]

maybe it's for cooling

[tweety bird]

i haven't seen or read any details about that yet.

[blackrex]

So that's like a stator or something in between the two housings? KERS energy spools the turbo?

They are allowed to use the rotational energy derived from the exhaust flow through the turbine housing to generate electrical power from the otherwise wasted heat (energy) in the system.

[tweety bird]

Heikki Kovalainen has only himself and his management to blame for not continuing with Caterham, according to Mike Gascoyne.

After three seasons with the backmarker outfit, Kovalainen, who previously raced for McLaren and Renault, has been left without a seat for this year's Championship.

The Finn recently admitted his "surprise" at failing to land a drive, saying he thought "after last season and the last couple of years I thought I'd be in a better position on the market."

And although Caterham still have one place open for this season and could theoretically retain Kovalainen, Gascoyne has ruled the 31-year-old out of the running.

"It is actually a great shame," the Caterham Group technical officer told crash.net.

"Heikki is a very talented driver, but last year his management did not handle him very well and he has not done himself any favours.

"It is a tough environment out there for everyone. He has had three years with Caterham, was paid well, and he should have shown more respect about that."

As for the one driver Caterham have signed for this season, Charles Pic, Gascoyne admits finances did play a role.

"Charles is a young guy," he said. "He has some financial backing and he has done a decent job against a more experienced team-mate, Timo Glock.

"Let's see now if he rises to the occasion."

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/8394728/-Lack-of-respect-cost-Heikki-