Life In The 'Not So Fast' Lane

Formula One has reinvented itself this winter as new regulations have turned the sport upside down. With many of the team's party tricks taken away from them this season, cars were always set to be markedly slower. However, with harder tyre compounds and heavier weight slowing the cars down yet further, Jenson Button has suggested that this seasons cars could be close to their GP2 counterparts. This estimation might not be far from the truth, all things considered.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcw/12254503433/
Image Credit: p_c_w (via flickr)

Jerez Test: Day 3

It was a bright and sunny day in southern Spain as day three of the first pre-season test took place. However, the day was another dismal affair from Red Bull, with Daniel Ricciardo managing just three laps and seven corners in the RB10 after yet more electrical issues. Meanwhile, Toro Rosso completed 30 laps suggesting that the ERS issues are seemingly exaggerated by the Red Bull package. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Kevin Magnussen has enjoyed a magnificent start to his F1 career, finishing top of the timesheet with just the afternoon to acclimatise to the MP4-29. After only completing 680 miles of F1 testing prior to today, that is no mean feat for the young Dane.

Check out Sky Sports F1's gallery for day three at Jerez

Jerez Test: Day 2

After less than 100 laps were completed yesterday, Wednesday at Jerez were far more productive for the majority of the teams. After a light shower just prior to the start of running, Pirelli decided that this morning would be the ideal opportunity to schedule wet weather running and so the circuit was soaked and the wet tyres emerged from their blankets. On a dry surface, the afternoon saw most teams jump into their programme, with Nico Rosberg recording 97 laps for the day, despite missing the entire morning as the team looked to investigate the technical issues which halted their running yesterday. Meanwhile, it was a dismal day for Caterham, Toro Rosso and Red Bull as the Renault powertrain is coming under scrutiny...

Check out Sky Sports F1's gallery featuring the best images of the day...

McLaren MP4-29 Unveiling

Sleek, silver and shocking, the new McLaren MP4-29 has certainly divided opinion. The car features the most radical nose design yet - the 'anteater' extension which was noticeable on the Williams is supported by two vertical spars on either side. It is certainly a peculiar design which will take some getting used to. Meanwhile, the main talking point of the day was Martin Whitmarsh's absence from the launch, with McLaren Managing Director, Jonathan Neale, taking the reigns. With Eric Boullier turning his back on Lotus this morning, it seems as though he could be on his way to McLaren. Coincidences are decidedly rare in Formula One...

The MP4-29 features one of the most radical nose designs we are likely to see
(c) McLaren Mercedes

2013 Team Reviews: McLaren

The 2013 Team Review series has run into 2014 and there is still plenty more to come. Today it is McLaren who are up for examination after a year of disappointment and despair for the team as they suffered their first season without a podium finish since 1980. Despite the best efforts of Jenson Button and Sergio Perez, the season was condemned to failure from the start as McLaren were yet another team to take the wrong approach to what should have been an evolutionary winter.

Perez Disinterested In Backmarker Drive

Following his late and frankly harsh dismissal by McLaren, Sergio Perez will be one of a number of talented drivers without a job come next Monday. It is a travesty, yet Sergio may struggle to find a seat in Formula One at all, considering the awkward timing of McLaren's announcement. While a move to a midfield team could be a possibility, (with a return to Sauber being suggested), Sergio has stated that he would not be interested in joining one of the lower constructors for 2014.

Honda Consider McLaren Drivers

With McLaren reuniting with Honda for 2015, anticipation grows as fans hope to see a triumphant return to the glory days which the partnership enjoyed throughout the 1980's and 90's. It was an iconic period for the team, which brought dominant success with seven titles claimed in just eight years, as the likes of Senna, Prost and Lauda etched their way into McLaren folk-law. Honda have stated their ambitions, while they have not considered their preferred driver line-up for 2015 just yet.

Podiums Planned For McLaren

When the MP4-28 was unveiled back at the end of January, it seemed unthinkable that McLaren could face such a dreadful season. With just 65 points after eleven races, 2013 marks McLaren's worst season since 1980, as they currently sit a precarious P5 in the standings, with Force India only marginally behind. However, Martin Whitmarsh has stated his intentions and objectives for the team in the closing stages of the campaign and that is to score podiums. On recent form, that may not be out of the question.

Progress Possible For McLaren

Following a turbulent start to the season, McLaren have steadily been developing the MP4-28. Ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix the team are looking to make further progress, yet Jenson Button has downplayed his teams chances of a podium this weekend, despite the circuit being a happy hunting ground for McLaren in past seasons.

Bahrain Grand Prix: Weekend Preview

Incredible to think that this weekend marks the fourth race of what has been an enthralling 2013 season so far. Since Australia, the action has had everyone on the edge of their seat, with the first three Grand Prix's resulting in three different winners. The championship standings reflect the tight competition between all of the teams up and down the grid. With intense rivalry's up and down the grid, there is plenty to play for in Bahrain this weekend.

Perez Needs To "Toughen Up"

Following a less than impressive start, Sergio Perez has now been criticized by his Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh, who suggests that the Mexican needs to toughen up in order to succeed. The youngster has not been exuding confidence of late after a series of lackluster performances have seen him gather two solitary points with his new team. The "young diamond" has hardly experienced a glittering start to his McLaren career.

Sergio is certainly not exuding confidence at this current moment and has been significantly outperformed by teammate Jenson Button. While the Brit has the influential advantage of experience on his side, Perez will have hoped to be closer to Button at this early stage of the season.

Gillan Doubts McLaren Progress

Over the past few weeks, Martin Whitmarsh has been exceedingly positive in regards to McLaren's development of the lackluster MP4-28. However, former Williams Chief Engineer Mark Gillan, believes that McLaren will be unable to find a quick fix for their downforce issues.

McLaren Anticipate Progress

Despite a turbulent start to the new season, McLaren proved that the MP4-28 had potential in Sepang, as Jenson Button challenged the Mercedes before a pit-stop calamity put pay to his progress. Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh states that the team are striving for further development ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix.

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.

American Grand Prix: Race Analysis

Lewis Hamilton made it two out of two in the USA yesterday, after taking the win in the inaugural GP to be held at CotA, in Texas. The Brit has continued his 100% run in America after he took his second win of his career in 2007 at Indianapolis. Sebastian Vettel could only manage second, yet felt the win was snatched away from him by backmarker's blocking through the tricky sector 1 complex. Fernando Alonso finished third, taking the championship fight to Interlagos. However, Ferrari will come under fire for their unorthadox tactics, of moving Fernando onto the clean side of the grid. On the other hand, Ferrari are used to their share of controversy over the years.