Jerez Test: Day 1

The 2014 season finally got the green light today as the first pre-season test in Jerez commenced this morning. With Force India, Mercedes and reigning champions Red Bull unveiling their 2014 challengers in the minutes leading up to the start of the session, the pit-lane was a hive of activity from early on in the morning. Unfortunately from a spectator perspective, running was limited today as teams are still adding the finishing touches to their machinery. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton was the first man out onto the track in the morning, yet suffered a front wing failure midway through the day which sent him heavily into the barriers. That was the end of Mercedes' running. Kimi Raikkonen finished at the top of the frankly redundant timesheet.

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Ferrari F14 T Unveiling

Ferrari became only the second team to complete an online launch this season, as Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen took the wraps off of the latest product of Maranello yesterday afternoon. The F14T was named by the fans yet has split the community in two, with some suggesting that it is the best looking car to be unveiled so far, while others feel that its unbalanced look negatively impacts from an aesthetic standpoint. However, if it is quick when it hits the tarmac, Ferrari fans will quickly forget any aesthetic downsides.

The F14T features a more conventional nose - at least in terms of this season so far
(c) Ferrari

Vettel Not Afraid Of Ferrari

The talk of this winter has been the sure-to-be-explosive partnership between Ferrari's returning champion Kimi Raikkonen and long term servant Fernando Alonso. The strength of the line-up has already led to many analysts suggesting Ferrari constructors title success in 2014, with many suggesting that the signing of Raikkonen is a last ditched attempt from the Scuderia to reclaim the title which they last won in 2007. The last roll of the dice before the chosen one, Sebastian Vettel, arrives at Maranello? Regardless, Sebastian Vettel is unfazed by the partnership or the possibility of driving alongside either of them in the future.

Sebastian Vettel is very much open to driving alongside either Ferrari driver in the future

Ferrari's Pre-Season Plans

While I rarely post individual articles when team's announce their pre-season schedules, I have made a special exception in this case, as Ferrari's plans are uniquely intriguing. Today, they announced that their new car will be unveiled on Saturday 25th January, at 1:30pm (GMT) and the name of the latest product of Maranello will be decided by the fans. Ferrari are setting a precedent ahead of 2014...

2013 Team Reviews: Ferrari

A team with the prestige and history of Ferrari always have high hopes of success when heading into any season. Unfortunately for the passionate Tifosi, 2013 was yet another trophy-less season - the last championship success came courtesy of Kimi Raikkonen in 2007. Appropriately dubbed, "The Bull Fighter" Fernando Alonso once again finished second to Sebastian Vettel in the Drivers Championship, yet the Spaniard was once again Mr.Dependable, picking up two victories and a further seven podium finishes. Meanwhile, teammate Felipe Massa suffered another disappointing season claiming just one season. However, Maranello will be a hive of excitement as their Finnish son returns to partner the chosen one. It could be explosive!

Italian Grand Prix: Race Analysis

Despite the early threat of inclement weather, Sebastian Vettel was able to command the race from a comfortable P1, to claim his third victory at the infamous Italian Grand Prix. Even the power of the Tifosi was not enough to overhaul Vettel's dominance, as Fernando Alonso could only finish second, after enjoying a race long battle with Mark Webber. Further back, it was a thoroughly disappointing day for the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen and Paul Di Resta as their luck failed to change following their less than impressive qualifying displays.

Allison Completes Ferrari Move

Amid speculation of the deal at the weekend, Ferrari have now announced that former Lotus Technical Director James Allison will join the Scuderia on September 1st. The appointment has caused a minor reshuffle of posts within the team, as current Technical Director, Pat Fry, will now take the title of  Director of Engineering, as Allison is given the role of Chassis Technical Director.

Kobayashi Suffers Demo Calamity

With F1 arriving in Sochi next season, the Moscow City Racing Show welcomed huge crowds over the weekend, as famous faces pounded around the streets. However, it all turned sour for one man, as Ex-Sauber driver Kamui Kobayashi suffered the embarrassment of crashing his Ferrari F60 during his very first promotional event with the team - Not a brilliant advert for a driver yearning for a second chance in F1.
The unfortunate accident came as significant rainfall provided a slippery surface for drivers to manage. Standing water was not the only issue though, as the lack of rubber on the streets created a greasy path which prompted Kamui's misjudgment. He lost control, hitting the barriers on the right hand side of the course and badly damaging the car.

Marussia Confirm Ferrari Deal

While the majority of teams have previously confirmed their 2014 engine suppliers, Marussia have become the latest to declare their partners. The 1.6 litre V6 turbocharged engines will be supplied to the team by Ferrari, as Marussia finally end their contract with Cosworth after they declared that they will not build 2014 engines.
Marussia will receive the entire powertrain from Ferrari in years to come, yet they have not announced the official duration of the contract. The partnership should benefit the team, as the heritage and reliability of Ferrari as a supplier will always be an advantage. In tough economic times, Ferrari are an extremely safe option.

Red Bull Test Threat

A disgruntled Red Bull Racing have supposedly threatened to rebel against the FIA, following Mercedes' lenient sanction from the 'Test Gate' saga. Reports released yesterday suggested that the team were threatening to run their own private test, while withdrawing from the Young Driver's Test, in a direct challenge to the authority of the FIA.
According to newspapers released yesterday morning, both Ferrari and Red Bull were considering a boycott of the upcoming Young Drivers Test at Silverstone, after they were both displeased at the minor penalty which Mercedes were given for their part in Pirelli's tyre test. Apparently, the two teams spoke with Bernie Ecclestone, highlighting their grievances and suggesting that 'they would take the risk of a reprimand - the punishment meted out to Mercedes - for the benefit of three days of testing.'

Hulkenberg Waiting For Opportunity

Nico Hulkenberg has been a driver under the spotlight this season following his departure from an in-form Force India team at the end 2012, to join close rivals Sauber. After a turbulent start to the season at his new team, critics have been out in force, questioning the German's seemingly ill-fated decision. These views have been amplified by Force India's explosive start to 2013. However, Nico predicts a bright future ahead, if he can earn a seat at a top team.
Sauber were unable to consolidate their impressive form in 2012 so far this season, after the team decided to be radical in terms of aerodynamic performance on the C32. Decreased profile on the sidepods seems to be restricting downforce and the team have struggled to come to terms with the apparent issues regarding this major flaw.

Spanish Grand Prix: Race Analysis

Never before has there been a more belated Race Analysis! For that, I apologize  As I announced in a previous article, revision for exams has to come first and on this occasion, a late analysis of the Spanish Grand Prix is the resultant bi-product. It may seem like a long time ago, but Fernando Alonso took his second win of the season on Sunday, delighting his home fans in Barcelona. Meanwhile, Kimi Raikkonen reduced Sebastian Vettel's lead in the championship, with an impressive second place. However, tyres were the major talking point as a ludicrous 82 pit-stops were made over the duration of the race.

Bahrain Grand Prix: Race Analysis

Fans could be forgiven today for thinking they were watching a re-run of last season's Bahrain Grand Prix. Sebastian Vettel claimed his second consecutive victory at the circuit, while Raikkonen and Grosjean followed the German home to make it an identical podium to the one just twelve months ago. A case of Deja Vu for all involved. Vettel was unbeatable this afternoon, after making some spectacular maneuvers early on too secure his place at the head of the field. Who says Sebastian cannot race?

Vettel has significantly extended his current stranglehold on the Drivers Championship after becoming the first driver this season to win two races. This victory, was attained with relative ease; stark contrast to the events of Malaysia last month. After initially falling to third, Vettel immediately scythed his way back past Fernando Alonso heading into the high speed apex of turn five. Just a few laps later, he performed a similar overtake on a struggling Nico Rosberg to take a lead, which he was never to concede.

Bahrain Grand Prix: Friday Analysis

Ahead of this weekend, many pundits and analysts, including myself, believed that Lotus would be the standout performers in Bahrain. Following their Friday running, few people would retract their predictions, as Lotus impressed with spectacular long run pace. Moreover, Raikkonen also displayed fantastic qualifying pace, claiming the top spot on the FP2 timesheet. It was an ominous display from a Lotus team who threaten to dominate this weekend.

Chinese Grand Prix: Race Analysis

After Saturday's tactics, it was always anticipated that today's race was set to be a classic. We were not disappointed as the split strategies kept everyone firmly on the edge of their seats. With sublime race pace throughout, it was Fernando Alonso who claimed his first win of the season; his second at the Shanghi International Circuit. The rest of the field was full of superb performances and bitter disappointments, making for some interesting conclusions.
Fernando is famous for making fast starts and this was once again the case today. He managed to jump up to second before turn one, courtesy of compromised clutch bitepoint settings cost Raikkonen a poor getaway. It was not long before Fernando, (and teammate Massa) were challenging Lewis Hamilton for the lead. Both managed to topple the Mercedes and from this position, Alonso never looked back. In each and every stint, the Spaniard extended his lead, controlling the pace, with additional speed available on demand. It was an ominous Ferrari victory.

2012 - A Year In Review

2012 was an incredible year of sport, and Formula One played its part. The longest season ever brought 20 spectacular races, each filled with excitement, drama, and controversy. Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso took the title fight to Brazil; a race with enough action to fill an entire season, let alone 90 minutes. Vettel briefly lost the title, then recaptured it, completing a stunning comeback drive, reminiscent of Schumacher's Brazilian heroics of 2006. A stunning race, encapsulated a stunning year.