F1 World Championship 2013 Thread

[MightyJordan]

Anyone listen to the press conf? Or know what came of it?

Here's the summary:

In an effort to cut through the considerable ?noise? going on in the media world, Pirelli has hosted a press conference today in Milan to underline that it has not favoured any teams and, as always, has ?acted professionally, with transparency and in absolute good faith?.

The company said that the tyres used in the Mercedes test in Barcelona were not from the current championship but belonged to a range of products still being developed in view of an eventual renewal of the supply contract. It added that ?none of the tests were carried for the purpose of enhancing specific cars, but only to test tyre solutions for future championships?.

Pirelli added: ?This test, as always, carried out with a single compound never used in a championship, regarded structures not in use in the current season and not destined to be used later during the 2013 season. The tyre tests were conducted ?in the dark?, which means that the teams had no information on which specifications were being tested or about the goal of the testing; nor did they receive any type of information afterwards. Further, the tests did not regard delamination in any way, as that problem was dealt with and resolved by Pirelli?s technicians through laboratory tests, with the support of data gathered during the first races of the season. Pirelli always asked for representative cars, that is, with performances comparable to those of the cars being used in the championship underway, without ever referring to those effectively used in the 2013 races.?

Pirelli added that the trials were done ?with a base compound, not in use this year, and 12 different structures which had never been used in 2013?.

Pirelli argues that the team ?did not obtain any advantage with regard to knowledge of the behaviour of the tyres in use in the current championship?.

Pirelli said that ?the use of the car utilized by Mercedes, in particular, was the result of direct communication between FIA and the team itself. Pirelli did not ask in any way that a 2013 car be used: not of Mercedes nor the FIA nor the teams which, during the year, were offered the opportunity of participating in tests for the development of tyres for 2014?.

Pirelli says that Mercedes informed them that its 2011 car could not be used and that it had contacted the FIA regarding the use of the 2013 car. There is no doubt that the questions relating to the vehicle were the exclusive domain of the team and that Pirelli was excluded from these questions. Pirelli made no specific requests about the drivers or about the type of Mercedes staff that would be present during the tests.?

Pirelli added that ?the tyres that will be tested by the teams in the free practice at the Montreal Grand Prix have never been used by the teams before. With regard to the new tyres, the problem of delamination has been solved by Pirelli?s technicians exclusively through laboratory testing. Delamination, which only occurred on four occasions and always because of on-track detritus, has never put the drivers? safety at risk, but does risk harming Pirelli?s image. This is why the company decided to intervene?.

The teams will be given new tyres, with Kevlar structures, for the free practice at the Montreal Grand Prix. This will be the first time that these have been tested on a race track. Pirelli added that the no modifications that effect the duration of the tyres has been made and, consequently, there will be no impact on the number of pit stops during the race.

Pirelli added that ?the company has always respected the contractual limits which bind it to the FIA, teams and championship?s organizers, and has always respected the principles of sporting loyalty?. However it is clear that the company wants to get across the point that testing is necessary.

?Pirelli feels the need to reaffirm the indisputable need to carry out tests for the development of tyres which are adequate and regulated by rules which are clear and shared by all the interested parties,? the firm said. ?The company confirms its availability, as communicated to the teams many times in the past, to organize tests for the development of tyres for 2014 with all the teams in the championship?.

Pirelli says it has promptly provided the FIA with the answers needed to clarify what happened at the tests, as far as its own responsibilities went.

?The tests were conducted in observance of the contract between Pirelli and FIA, which gives the supplier the possibility of carrying out tests for the development of tyres with each team of up to 1,000 kilometres, without specifying the type of car to be used, nor sanctioning the simultaneous presence of all the teams for the running of the tests,? the statement said. ?In this regard, Pirelli has since 2010 made it clear that it is neither possible nor useful to carry out this type of test with all the teams simultaneously. In fact, this type of testing aimed at technological development and researching new solutions, involves many tyres of different types which must be tested with a single car at a time. Testing for championship specifications is different, as occurs in winter testing which require the participation of all the teams, so as to find the most satisfying solutions for all the cars in the competition. For this reason, Pirelli insists on the need for winter testing under conditions which are truly representative of the situations which will be met during the championship.?

Pirelli said that in March 2012 it sent an email to all the teams, the FIA and FOM, inviting the teams to indicate their availability for testing for the development of tyres for 2013. Further, the company explained that it was necessary to conduct the tests with the teams? cars because it did not have a suitable one of its own. Pirelli had previously used an adapted 2010 Renault and prior to that a 2009 Toyota.

The firm said that ?the invitation was subsequently repeated in various official contexts and repeated to some teams last March for the development of tyres for 2014?.

Taking all this into consideration, it is fair to say that much of the noise about the tyre test has been blown out of proportion.

There remains the question of whether the FIA agrees with the various paperwork elements in the case.

Speaking of the test, the FIA has now taken the matter to a tribunal...

Mercedes face the prospect of being penalized for their tyre test with Pirelli in Barcelona last month. The FIA, Formula One's governing body, has referred the case to its international tribunal for further investigation following a report from the stewards of the Monaco Grand Prix.

It was at Monaco, during the last race weekend, that Red Bull and Ferrari lodged an official protest. The FIA has decided now that Mercedes ? and Pirelli ? have a case to answer.

If found guilty Mercedes may face any one of a number of penalties including a hefty fine, a points deduction or even being thrown out of this year's championship, though that is extremely unlikely.

Ferrari also had a test with Pirelli but in accordance with FIA rules they used a two-year-old car. Mercedes used their current 2013 model.

News of the FIA's move broke as teams arrived in Montreal for this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix, the seventh round of the season. It could scarcely have come at a worse time for Mercedes. After years of under-achievement they have regrouped under the team principal, Ross Brawn, and have been inspired by the signing of Lewis Hamilton.

But it is the resurgent form of Nico Rosberg which has transformed the team in recent weeks. Rosberg has taken the last three poles and won in Monaco, only his second victory in F1.

The FIA statement read: "The Monaco Grand Prix stewards raised in their report to the FIA an issue concerning a tyre-testing session carried out by Pirelli with the participation of Team Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 in Barcelona on 15-17 May 2013.

"The stewards' report follows the protests made by Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Ferrari Team on the occasion of the Monaco Grand Prix against Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 concerning its participation in the Barcelona tests (15-17 May 2013).

"The FIA requested clarifications from Pirelli and Team Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 in this respect. The FIA also asked questions to Scuderia Ferrari Team, which took part in a tyre-testing with Pirelli in Barcelona on 23-24 April 2013.

"The FIA requested all the other F1 teams to provide the FIA with information they may have regarding any tests carried out by Pirelli during the 2013 season.

"In the light of all the replies received and in view of the information gathered the president of the FIA, acting as the FIA prosecuting body, has decided: "To close the case as regard to Scuderia Ferrari team considering that its participation in a tyre testing organised by Pirelli in Barcelona on 23-24 April 2013 using for this purpose a 2011 car is not deemed to contravene the applicable FIA rules.

"To bring the case concerning the tyre-testing session carried out by Pirelli and Team Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 in Barcelona on 15-17 May 2013 before the FIA international tribunal because it results from the inquiry that the conditions of this testing may constitute a breach of the applicable FIA rules.

"The FIA international tribunal is called upon to make a decision in compliance with the FIA judicial and disciplinary rules."

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Canadian GP, FP1 result:

[philcruicks]

Well done Paul, Force India seems to be coming along nicely, I just hope they can really step up for next season and play with the big boys every week.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

FP2:

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

[MightyJordan]

Red flag in Q2 caused by Massa. He's out in 15th. Q2's just finished.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Both McLaren out after Q2.

[MightyJordan]

No surprise there. :/ A real surprise though: Bottas has made it into Q3.

[MightyJordan]

...and Bottas qualifies in 3rd! :o

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Kudos to Valtteri Bottas for qualifying on P3.

[KiHu]

hyv?? Valtteri

[MightyJordan]

Five drivers are under investigation for not following the rules during qualifying. They are Kimi Raikkonen, Sergio Perez, Pastor Maldonado, Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniel Ricciardo.

The stewards note for four of the drivers says:

The driver did not form up in line and leave the pit lane in the order he arrived at the restart of Q2, in accordance with the second paragraph of Article 23.6 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations.

Raikkonen is accused of doing the same in Q2 and Q3:

The driver did not form up in line and leave the pit lane in the order he arrived at the restart of Q2 and the start of Q3, in accordance with the second paragraph of Article 23.6 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations.

[Lingwo]

Bottas looked like he won a competition and being third on the grid was his prize :laugh:

[MightyJordan]

Bottas looked like he won a competition and being third on the grid was his prize :laugh:

Kimi Raikkonen and Daniel Ricciardo have been relegated two places on the grid for the Canadian Grand Prix.

Both were found to have broken the rule requiring drivers to leave the pit lane in the order they arrived at the exit during Q2. Both drivers were found to have left the pits in a position that was two places higher than the one they arrived in.

Pastor Maldonado, Sergio Perez and Jean-Eric Vergne were cleared of the same infraction. All were found not to have gained positions and Maldonado lost a place.

The drivers claimed they started outside of the fast lane because they were intending to make practice starts. The stewards ruled ?this does not alleviate the requirement to leave in the

order of arrival at the end of the pit lane?.

Raikkonen was also investigated for doing the same in Q3. However the stewards deciding against punishing him after agreeing that the car he past, that of Mark Webber, was ?unduly delayed? because he did not pull away until two seconds after Q3 had begun.

So then, the updated grid...

1. Sebastian Vettel
   
2. Lewis Hamilton
   
3. Valtteri Bottas
   
4. Nico Rosberg
   
5. Mark Webber
   
6. Fernando Alonso
   
7. Jean-Eric Vergne
   
8. Adrian Sutil
   
9. Nico Hulkenberg
   
10. Sergio Perez
    
11. Kimi Raikkonen (2 place grid penalty)
    
12. Daniel Ricciardo (2 place grid penalty)
    
13. Pastor Maldonado
    
14. Jenson Button
    
15. Esteban Gutierrez
    
16. Felipe Massa
    
17. Paul Di Resta
    
18. Charles Pic
    
19. Jules Bianchi
    
20. Max Chilson
    
21. Giedo van der Garde
    
22. Romain Grosjean (10 place grid penalty from Monaco, and as David Coulthard said, there's no 29th place :p )
    

[Sparky Marky]

8. Adrian Sutil

9. Nico Hulkenberg

10. Sergio Perez

11. Kimi Raikkonen

(2 place grid penalty)

12.

Daniel Ricciardo

(2 place grid penalty)

13.

Pastor Maldonado

Because of the order that the penalties were enforced, (Raikkonen then Ricciardo), the both effectively loose only 1 place, not 2.

8. Adrian Sutil

9. Nico Hulkenberg

10. Kimi R?ikk?nen

(2 place grid penalty -

applied first

)

11. Daniel Ricciardo

(2 place grid penalty -

applied second

)

12. Sergio Perez

13. Pastor Maldonado

http://www.formula1..../2013/899/7221/

[MightyJordan]

Because of the order that the penalties were enforced, (Raikkonen then Ricciardo), the both effectively loose only 1 place, not 2.

http://www.formula1..../2013/899/7221/

Ahh right, thanks for the correction. (Y)

[Chasethebase Reporter]

BOTTAS.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Man of the race: Sebastian Vettel Fernando Alonso

Reject of the race: Guido van der Gaarde

[123456789A]

Good race, just too bad there wasn't much of a fight for 1st. Guido van der Gaarde? I read that as Guide car to Garage.

[Sjokkel]

I wouldn't call vettel Man of the race. His redbull had amazing acceleration out of the corner and fastastic stability in the corner. His front tires looked brand new in his last lap. I saw him countersteer twice resulting in a kiss to the wall and some lawnmowing action. He also kept missing apexes especially in corner 10. His race certainly wasn't perfect. Newey was being hugged and pet on the back all through the race.

Alonso did have a clean and smart race. Shame that the Mercedes was too slow today. Good job from Hamilton keeping it together.

You did point out the reject of the race correctly though :) What a contrast with his race in Monaco!

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Good point, Alonso is perhaps more deserving of the Man of the Race title for today. Time for a ninja edit. :shiftyninja:

Today also is the end of McLaren's 64 races in the points streak.

[MightyJordan]

Today also is the end of McLaren's 64 races in the points streak.

As well as the end of Hamilton's tradition of either winning or retiring in Canada.

[Sjokkel]

It's as if Mclaren is doing a Williams... sliding back to being a mediocre center field team after being one of the top teams for several years ... certainly a shame.

Lotus Renault was also struggling. Their budget must be on a schedule.

[MightyJordan]

Giedo van der Garde has been handed a five-place grid position penalty for the British Grand Prix.

Van der Garde received the penalty following his collision with Nico Hulkenberg which ended both of their races.

The stewards ruled Van der Garde had been too slow to respond to blue flags instructing him to let the Sauber past. Van der Garde was shown blue flags for a full lap and Hulkenberg had to use his DRS and KERS to get alongside the Caterham at the final corner.

The pair then collided, damaging Van der Garde?s front wing and Hulkenberg?s suspension. Both retired.

?It?s disappointing to finish a race like this,? said Hulkenberg. ?Lapping can be troublesome, but these guys are racing too and have things happenings in the race, the same as us.?

?I lapped Giedo van der Garde and braked. At first I didn?t feel anything until I came out of the corner and realised the car wasn?t going straight, so we decided to stop.?

It is the second penalty Van der Garde received in the race. He served a ten-second stop-go penalty following a collision with Mark Webber which broke the Red Bull?s front wing. Van der Garde apologised to Webber on Twitter afterwards.

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Click here to view the Tweet

[Noir Angel]

The FIA has announced that a Canadian Grand Prix marshal has died following an incident in Sunday's Montreal race.

The marshal was helping to retrieve Esteban Gutierrez's stricken car in the closing stages of the grand prix when he tripped while trying to retrieve his dropped radio and fell under the wheels of a mobile crane.

The marshal could not be seen by the driver of the crane, and was run over - suffering serious injuries.

After being taken to the circuit's medical centre he was transferred by helicopter to the Sacre-Coeur hospital in Montreal for treatment in its traumatology department.

However, despite all efforts to help him, the marshal succumbed to his injuries on Sunday night.

The unidentified man is the third marshal to have been killed since 2000.

At the Italian Grand Prix in 2000, Paolo Ghislimberti died after being struck by a wheel that flew over the barriers after an opening lap crash.

The following season at the 2001 Australian Grand Prix, Graham Beveridge was killed when he was struck by a wheel that had flown through a gap in the safety fencing in a collision between Jacques Villeneuve and Ralf Schumacher.

Shocking news. My thoughts are with his family

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/108014