FORMULA 1 - 2014

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Haas hire ex-Anheuser-Busch marketing manager

The Haas F1 Team has received a huge boost ahead of its 2016 debut with the hiring of former Anheuser-Busch marketing manager Adam Jacobs.

The American outfit is hoping Jacobs will not only help to attract big name brands as potential sponsors and help to spread the Haas brand, but will also help promote F1 throughout America where its popularity lags behind Europe and Asia.

"It's a great opportunity to develop and launch a global brand in an organisation led by someone as driven and accomplished as Gene Haas," said Jacobs.

"With strong support and leadership already in place, Haas F1 Team is clearly positioned for success. I look forward to helping shape the ways we achieve that success on and off the racetrack.

"One of our key objectives as the only American F1 team is to help grow the sport domestically," he explained.

"With the massive global reach of Formula One, Haas F1 Team is also uniquely positioned to provide a platform for brands seeking to grow their businesses in key markets abroad."

Jacobs previously headed up marketing at beer giant Anheuser-Busch and oversaw Budweiser's motorsport programme and other various sports sponsorship initiatives.

He also has experience working in sport as director of marketing at the NFL's St. Louis Rams and briefly worked in IndyCar.

"Adam came highly recommended to Haas F1 Team and he brings a wealth of sports marketing experience to our organization," added Haas F1 Team COO Joe Custer.

"The projects Adam has overseen are global in scope, involving numerous partners and constituencies. He's built great relationships during his career and we’re proud to have him at Haas F1 Team."

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Using helicopters to remove stricken F1 cars?

That's the proposal of one helicopter firm, and it wouldn't be the first time I've seen it.

Helicopters replacing tractors and cranes in order to remove stricken F1 cars? That is the proposal of Swiss helicopter firm Air Zermatt and although the idea seems a bit out there and over the top, it's been tested before.

In 2005, A1GP tried out a helicopter car recovery system, as seen in the following video. The burning question remains, would it actually be safer?

To me, there are multiple issues with such a method. For one, the risk for a different kind of disaster when someone is trying to use a helicopter to lift a mangled Formula One car could actually be more hazardous than the current way of doing it, not to mention the risk of debris falling from the car while it's hovering 30 feet in the air.

Unanticipated wind gusts, inclement weather, debris, cables snapping, other mechanical failures to name a few ... You're adding a plethora of new ways for the recovery of cars to go wrong.

Yes, you could avoid tragedies such as the one we saw in Suzuka, but you're also opening the door to a potentially worse situation taking place. This idea still puts men on the ground at risk in danger, same as they would be with a crane because somebody has to hook that car up.

There's a much simpler and easier solution

Overall, it's just a bad idea. You're eliminating certain risks, but only creating an entire lot of new ones in the process. It's like taking one step forward and two steps back. Here's a much easier and simpler solution ... When a car is stuck on the track, either deploy the Safety Car or employ a mandatory, snails-pace speed limits under local yellows.

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Is Circuit of the Americas in trouble?

Rosy report paints one picture, but track chairman paints another in newspaper story.

A report commissioned by the Circuit of the Americas, the road course in Austin, Texas that will host Formula One racing for the third time, claimed today that the track has an annual “economic impact” on Austin and the surrounding area of $897 million, and has had a “cumulative economic impact” of $1.8 billion.

The report, written by Greyhill Advisors of New York City, also claims the following:

--9,100 jobs “supported” each year by COTA events.

--7,100 construction jobs supported while COTA was being built.

--$306 million in wages paid “resulting from COTA’s presence.”

--$423 million “direct spending injected” into area businesses by people attracted by COTA events.

--$918 million “impact felt” in Austin area during construction.

--over 1.1 million “annual attendees” to COTA events.

--and $185 million in “annual media exposure” for Austin, thanks to COTA events.

According to the report, the 1,500-acre track cost $414 million to build.

Public relations for track

The release of the report would seem to coincide with a public relations campaign by COTA to help justify the state “rebate” funding it receives annually, and perhaps to bolster the track’s case that it pays too much in property taxes.

A story Sunday in the Austin American Statesman newspaper about COTA’s hard value said that, “Government appraisers say it is now worth $271 million, based on the recent construction cost, an assessment that would come with a tax bill of just more than $7.1 million. Circuit of the Americas executives contend the value has already dropped to about $100 million, which would mean a bill around $2.8 million.”

COTA executives says that construction costs should not be part of the track’s valuation.

The story quotes F1 expert journalist Christian Sylt of England, who told the newspaper that the economics “call into question why investors would agree to fund construction. Maybe investors are not always aware of this destruction in value before they commit their money to a project … which costs around 20 times more than it will be worth.”

The track receives money from a Texas state events trust fund that was originally intended to roughly cover the annual sanctioning fee, which Sylt suggests is about $22 million.

Despite the rosy picture the Greyhill study paints, the American-Statesman story quoted track Chairman Bobby Epstein as saying the track is losing money. “A lot of people think we are Formula One. We are really just an entertainment venue. The people making money are the entertainers, including Formula One, and the people who work in Austin’s hospitality business,” Epstein told the newspaper.

Could track go on the block?

The tax bill, about $4 million more than the track wants to pay – and it has filed a protest – is too much, Epstein says. “The venue cannot afford that kind of tax bill. If it creates an upside down company, I could see the property — without the race contracts — going up for sale.”

Since its inception, COTA has undergone state and local criticism about receiving money from the Special Events tax fund, when other state venues, such as Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, which is hosting a NASCAR Sprint Cup race opposite this weekend’s F1 race in Austin, is not considered eligible for money from that same fund.

The American-Statesman quoted Bill Aleshire, a former county judge, former chief county tax collector, who has been arguably the most outspoken f the track critics: “It’s ridiculous that after going around telling everyone what an asset to the tax base they would be, and getting tens of millions in tax breaks (in the state incentive deal) on the notion they are such an economic boon, that they would turn around and argue it isn’t really worth that much.”

While COTA is reporting strong ticket sales for the race this weekend, it can’t help that two teams are expected to be no-shows, thus reducing the field from 22 to 18 cars. Also of longer-term concern is the fact that Mexico City will begin holding F1 races next year, possibly keeping some COTA fans who attend from south of the border home. Also, the possibility that in 2016 or later, an F1 race in Las Vegas could further dilute the crowd at COTA.

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ALONSO SQUEEZING FERRARI FOR BIG SEVERANCE PAYOUT

It is without doubt the burning question in Formula 1 at the moment – what is Fernando Alonso going to do next? As it now emerges that the Spaniard is refusing to leave the team, with whom he has a contract until 2016, unless he gets a big payout.

Some Formula 1 protagonists believe they know what is going to happen. La Gazzetta dello Sport declared on Wednesday that new Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne will travel to Austin this weekend for a double announcement – Alonso’s exit and the arrival of Sebastian Vettel.

That may be the case, but the inner workings of Alonso’s apparently inevitable departure from the Maranello team are probably more complicated. Michael Schmidt, the highly respected correspondent for Auto Motor und Sport, thinks he knows the answer, having written it down in two recent articles.

The crux of the matter is that with Vettel having apparently already signed for 2015, Ferrari also has valid contracts for next season with Kimi Raikkonen and Alonso. It is the manner in which Alonso’s contract is terminated that is apparently the cause of the current and mysterious delay.

If the 33-year-old is the one who pulls the plug, he can walk off to McLaren-Honda, another team, or a sabbatical. But if Ferrari is the one that legally calls off the deal.”

“The Italian team will have to compensate Alonso to the tune of tens of millions of euros — just as it had to do at the end of 2009 when Raikkonen was farewelled ahead of time. Reports have it that the Spaniard has a choice: either drive [in 2015] or take the severance,” reports Schmidt.

“But Ferrari does not want this. Why pay someone who himself wanted to leave the team? He will not drive, because they already have two drivers in Vettel and Raikkonen.”

The report added, “Mediation talks have brought no breakthrough until now. Both parties want to avoid going to court and instead find a noiseless compromise.”

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HAAS: CATERHAM AND MARUSSIA MADE A LOT OF MISTAKES

As Formula 1’s two backmarker teams collapse, 2016 newcomer Haas F1 Team plans continue to take shape with team owner Gene Haas unperturbed by latest developments on the Formula 1 grid.

The teams that were ultimately known as Caterham, Marussia and HRT are all now gone, but Nascar team co-owner Haas is determined not to make the same mistakes as his North Carolina based Haas Formula 1 Team takes its next bold steps.

“They wound up making a lot of mistakes,” the Californian told CNN. “Inevitably they didn’t have the resources, or the cars weren’t properly put together, because they rushed things.”

Rushing is something Haas is not doing, having turned down the chance to debut in 2015. The year after, the team will debut with Ferrari support and power.

Haas F1 Team getting ready for F1 foray

“We’d be very proud to be a Ferrari-B team because that would certainly teach us how to run in Formula 1,” said Haas, 61, whose successful machine tool company is already an on-car Ferrari sponsor.

Haas has now announced that it has signed up Adam Jacobs, who managed the Budweiser sponsorships in Nascar, to be chief marketing officer.

“It’s a great opportunity to develop and launch a global brand in an organisation led by someone as driven and accomplished as Gene Haas,” said Jacobs.

Haas, meanwhile, says he has no regrets about starting a team just as some sections of the media are declaring that Formula 1 is on the brink of a financial crisis.

“It was insane the number of people coming by saying: Great to know you, great to know you’re involved in Formula 1,” he told USA Today, recalling a recent visit to a Chicago trade show. “Everybody sees we’re aligning ourselves with [the] ultimate motor sports project.”

Gene has declared that his ideal 2016 driver lineup would be an experienced Formula 1 driver alongside an American.

“Even in the Nascar garage,” the co-owner of the Stewart-Haas team smiled, “most of the drivers now are shaking my hand. I think they’re interested.”

Nonetheless, he also understands the scepticism, particularly with Formula 1’s three newest teams all now out of business, and the last attempt by an American team – USFormula 1 – having never even turned a wheel.

“There’s good reason to doubt it — it’s a big undertaking,” said Haas. “Lots of people before us have failed. It’s a natural scepticism. That’s just a natural human trait not to believe it until you see it.

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VETTEL: LONG LIFE ENGINE RULE IS STUPID

Organisers of the United States Grand Prix say world champion Sebastian Vettel’s absence from qualifying this weekend is unfortunate, while the reigning world champion has labeled the rule as stupid.

The Red Bull driver will sit out Saturday’s decisive session and start the Austin race from the pitlane, as he takes a penalty for using an unscheduled sixth engine of the 2014 season.

Vettel has slammed the long-life engine rule in Formula 1, “It’s completely stupid, people turn on the television and see a driver who just stands around and has nothing to do.”

Already reeling from the sudden loss of Formula 1’s two backmarker teams just ahead of the race weekend, the Austin circuit’s co-founder Bobby Epstein is also upset that one of Formula 1’s biggest names will not be qualifying on Saturday.

Sebastian Vettel retires from the Austrian GP

It’s just too bad,” he is quoted by the Guardian. “I would like to see him [Vettel] start on the grid on Sunday. It won’t affect our ticket sales because most of the people come here for the overall experience but it’s nevertheless unfortunate.”

Formula 1’s loss of Marussia and Caterham, amid the risk other struggling teams could also collapse, has triggered the next round of soul-searching for the sport.

Epstein thinks Formula 1 could learn from America’s top motor racing category, Nascar, “Formula 1 has got to make the sport about personalities. That’s what Nascar does very well. People connect with people. They don’t connect with metal.”

Vettel, driving his final three races for Red Bull, won last year’s race at Circuit of the Americas, but has yet to win so far this season and lies fifth in the drivers’ championship standings.

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ROSBERG: I LOVE THE DOUBLE POINTS FINALE RULE

Title contender Nico Rosberg is adamant he is still in the running for the 2014 Formula 1 world championship, and his banking on the double points Abu Dhabi season finale to help in his quest for the ultimate prize in motoraport.

The German, once the runaway championship leader, has fallen 17 points behind with just three races to go off the back of teammate Lewis Hamilton’s run of dominant form.

“It’s difficult for Nico now,” team chairman and Formula 1 legend Niki Lauda was quoted on Tuesday by the German news agency SID, “as Lewis is currently at his very best.”

Even the fans agree. In a survey by the news agency, only 22 per cent believe Rosberg can close down Hamilton’s lead and go on to win the drivers’ title by the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi.

Nico Rosberg versus Lewis Hamilton has been the highlight of 2014

However, the contentious new double points finale could work in the 29-year-old’s favour, as the winner in Abu Dhabi next month will bank 50 rather than the usual 25 points.

Speaking ahead of the United States Grand Prix, Rosberg added said, “I love this rule. I know I can win every race, so my tactics are not really changing. It’s still all to play for in the battle for the drivers’ championship and I won’t be giving up the fight until the flag drops in Abu Dhabi.”

The battle between the Mercedes teammates has been packed with drama and intrigue, which has kept fans interested despite the utter dominance by the Silver Arrows this season.

Rosberg is aware of this, “Hopefully we can keep the entertainment going right to the end for the fans out there enjoying the contest. The first step comes in Austin, which is a really cool city and a great race track.”

“I haven’t had the best races there so far, but I’m determined to change that this year,” he concluded.

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MERCEDES AND PUMA EXTEND PARTNERSHIP

The Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team and Puma, one of the world’s leading sports brands, are delighted to announce a new team supplier partnership to extend their relationship which began in 2012.

Effective from January 2015, the new agreement sees Puma become the Official Supplier of Technical Clothing and Footwear and an Official Licensee of Footwear, Apparel and Accessories. The agreement will also extend the licensed rights that Brandon, Puma’sown sports merchandise company, has for team replica and fan products.

Puma will continue to outfit the Mercedes AMG Petronas team drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg with its lightweight race suits and performance footwear. The team’s pit crew will also wear Puma’s latest innovations in performance race wear at the Formula One circuits.

A licensed Mercedes AMG Petronas collection will continue to be developed and distributed by Puma and Brandon with footwear, apparel and accessories inspired by the team’s heritage and driver personalities.

Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, Toto Wolff, commented: “Puma has been a key performance partner for the three seasons we have now worked together, ensuring our drivers are outfitted in the lightest and most innovative performance race wear. This is an important component of our racing operation within a continually evolving and challenging industry. As a licensed partner, PUMA has excellent capabilities of designing, developing and distributing high quality products that carry our brand identity. This partnership is very important for Mercedes AMG Petronas and we are delighted that it will continue for the years ahead.”

Bjørn Gulden, Chief Executive Officer for Puma said: “We are very excited to continue our partnership with the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team, who, after an incredible season this year will no doubt continue to achieve great things. Puma has good heritage in motorsport and we are constantly working with our partner teams to innovate our performance race apparel and footwear, and help them be the fastest and achieve success. We’re proud to work with the Mercedes AMG Petronas team and look forward to the next phase of this relationship.

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PROST DOUBTS RENAULT WILL CATCH MERCEDES NEXT SEASON

Formula 1 legend Alain Prost doubts struggling engine supplier Renault can reel in dominant Mercedes in 2015.

Having faltered at the start of the new turbo V6 era, Renault – whose prominent Formula 1 partner is the outgoing world champion team Red Bull – can upgrade its 2014 engine to the tune of 48 per cent under the existing ‘freeze’ regulations. But Mercedes’ rivals are arguing for the ‘freeze’ to be further relaxed.

“It will be hard for them (Renault) to catch up with Mercedes,” quadruple world champion Prost, a Renault ambassador, told Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport. “But it also depends on whether there is a change in the development timetable (the engine freeze) by the FIA.”

“A total freeze as it is now is synonymous with stagnation,” Prost argued. “But just opening up everything is too expensive. A good compromise is needed. We should not make a final judgement about Renault until next year.”

At the same time, Prost thinks it is understandable that Renault fell behind Mercedes just as the rules changed so dramatically, given Red Bull’s run of title domination at the end of the V8 era.

“It was almost inevitable that Mercedes would start with an advantage,” he said. “Last season I was saying that it would be hard to beat them as they started developing much earlier.”

“Renault was always defending a world title in the last years,” Prost explained, “while Mercedes was able to concentrate fully on the new project.”

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DOMENICALI STARTS WORK AT AUDI NEXT WEEK

Former Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali will reportedly start work at Audi next week, which has fueled speculation that the German marque is planning a Formula 1 campaign in the future.

Earlier this month, reports emerged that Domenicali had accepted an offer to work for the Volkswagen-owned carmaker.

It triggered reports not only that Audi could be set to abandon its Le Mans and DTM projects and head to Formula 1 for 2016, but that the project could be spearheaded from the cockpit by the Domenicali ally and friend Fernando Alonso.

Italy’s Corriere dello Sport now claims Domenicali, 49, will move into his new office in Ingolstadt next week, having signed a contract with Audi at the beginning of last week. Official confirmation is expected within days.

The reports so far suggest Domenicali will not have a motor racing role, but will instead be in charge of business development in the service and mobility area. Others are not so sure.

“Why would [Audi chairman Rupert] Stadler sign up an Italian Formula 1 insider for ‘service and mobility’?

“Domenicali’s signing only makes sense if they (Audi) want someone competent to lead them into Formula 1,” said Ralf Bach, reporting for Germany’s Sport Bild.

It is reported Audi might partner with the already VW-aligned Toro Rosso or Red Bull, or perhaps struggling Sauber – who reportedly already rent out the Hinwil wind tunnel to Audi for €2 million per month.

Audi reacted to the latest reports by insisting it remains committed to Le Mans, DTM, GT and the new 2015 programme Audi Sport TT Cup.

“Audi in Formula 1?” said a spokesman. “These reports have appeared with regularity for years. It’s pure speculation again this time and without any foundation.”

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Trio slam 'stupid' double-points rule

The 2014 World Championship could yet be decided by the double-points rule in Abu Dhabi, but three F1 legends believe it would devalue the sport.

Lewis Hamilton holds a 17-point lead over Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg with only three races to go, but the title race remains wide open as double points will be on offer at the season finale in the United Arab Emirates.

Rosberg has admitted in the build-up to the United States GP that he "loves" the new rule, but Sir Stirling Moss doesn't share his views.

"I have enjoyed the races this year, they have been extremely good," Moss, who finished runner-up in four Championships, told Press Association Sport. "Although there is no doubt to win a race you need a Mercedes engine first, and then you need Lewis.

"Lewis is certainly a very fast, competent driver, and well lined up for his second title.

"But I don't really like the idea of double points at the last race. It seems to be a pretty stupid thing to do."

Surtees, who won the 1965 F1 World Championship as well as four 500cc titles between 1956 and 1960, admits Rosberg should not be written off with the rule in mind.

"It's not a very satisfactory situation," he said.

"It is a gimmick I don't particularly like. I'm not sure it's fair on drivers or teams, but it is a factor.

"So I wouldn't underestimate Nico in any way as he's a very intelligent driver, although he has made the odd mistake lately."

Hamilton initially received a lot of criticism for the way he conducted himself earlier in the season, but Surtees feels he has changed.

"Lewis does appear to have found some calmness in his driving," the 80-year-old added.

"Some of the things he has said and done off the track were once counter-productive for both the sport and for him.

"But it's been pleasing to see he has come to a point where he is focusing more and seems to be presenting himself in a better fashion."

Meanwhile the outspoken Stewart, who won three titles between 1969 and 1973, feels the sport should be kept "pure".

"I'm not a supporter," the 75-year-old said. "I don't think they should be there. We have to keep it pure. I don't think it's going to add anything to the season.

"I would rather the World Championship was won on purity, which means one set of points."

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Hulkenberg: My time at top team will come

Nico Hulkenberg recently secured his 2015 race seat with Force India, but the German is confident he will eventually get a move to one of the big teams.

The 27-year-old has long been tipped as one of the future stars of Formula 1, but he is yet to be given a chance by the likes of Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren or Mercedes.

In his five season on the F1 grid he has driven for Williams, Sauber and Force India, but he will have some continuity next year as the latter have confirmed him for next year, something which Hulkenberg welcomes.

"For me it's good to have a stable environment for once and not to switch teams. Therefore it was fairly straightforward," he told autobild.de

However, his dream remains to drive for one of the bigger outfits on the grid.

He added: "My time at a top team will come, but until then I will continue to deliver - do my job well and enjoy it."

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Ferrari: We know where we have to improve

Ferrari will once again use this weekend's United States GP to test new parts for their 2015 car.

With the team out of the running for both titles following another disappointing season, the Italian outfit have been using recent races to run development parts for next year.

And it will be no different at Austin this weekend, according to Ferrari Engineering Director Pat Fry.

"After the back-to-back races in Japan and Sochi, we've had three weeks to prepare for these next back-to-backs in the States and Brazil," he told the official Ferrari website.

"The extra week has given us more time to get ready and also to prepare some specific test items. They are all aimed at learning about car performance and trying to improve, but at this stage of the year, it's more with an eye to 2015."

Formula 1 underwent major regulation changes at the start of the year following the introduction of new the V6 turbocharged engines, and Ferrari and several other teams have struggled to come to grips with it.

Fry concedes they need to improve in all areas.

"Certainly, our knowledge and understanding has come on a huge amount," he said. "It's also clear, comparing us to our competitors, exactly where we need to improve.

"We need to work on all areas of the car and we've set ourselves some strong targets for power unit and aerodynamic development, both of which are key. We have to reach those targets to be competitive and that is the main focus at the factory now, as it will be for the next five months."

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Fernandes blames 'big teams' for Caterham downfall

Former Caterham F1 Team owner Tony Fernandes has placed some of the blame for Caterham's downfall on the bigger teams in the sport.

The Malaysian businessman reckons the huge budgets teams like Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull operate on make it impossible for smaller outfits to survive and sooner or later those at the back will have to close down.

"People can blame whoever, but the big teams are as much at fault as anyone," he told Sky Sports.

"The gap has become way too big and it's money. And so I thought, 'Well, I can't compete'. But I can compete at QPR; I can compete at Air Asia.

"Rather than continue something where I thought, one, I wasn't able to give it as much time as possible, two, I thought we were on a beating to none anyway, you've got to be brave and say 'Look, we screwed up. You can't compete; you thought you could and time to leave'.

"The sport has to examine itself as well. Ultimately we couldn't carry on and we would have eventually gone into administration anyway or closed down the team."

Whilst admitting motorsport is over for him as a potential business, he will support administrators as they seek a new buyer for the Caterham team.

"There are people who want to go racing, for different reasons and Caterham has everything there to do it. There may even be teams within F1 who want a second team - a Red Bull/Toro Rosso situation. So we'll give it maximum support but it's not something I want to get involved in anymore. You've got to immerse yourself in it. Racing's over for me."

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THE BIG PREVIEW: UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX

Formula 1 returns this weekend with the Circuit of the Americas hosting round 17 of the 2014 FIA Formula One World Championship: the United States Grand Prix.

COTA has become a firm favourite for F1 since opening in 2012. The track to the south-east of Austin is considered by many to be a modern masterpiece of circuit design.

Much of the layout takes inspiration from established classics of the genre but the signature Turn One, with its steep ascent and blind apex, is unique. Uppermost in the minds of engineers and drivers will be finding the right trade-off between speed on the straights and cornering grip, with the high-speed run and fast changes of direction from Turn Two down to Turn Ten being particularly sensitive to downforce levels.

Sebastian Vettel won the 2013 United States GP

Traditionally, the challenges of set-up lessen as teams become more familiar with a venue – but COTA doesn’t make it easy. Staged late in the year, a characteristic of the first two grands prix has seen swings of up to 20°C between morning and afternoon track temperatures, altering fundamentally the balance of the cars. Previous races at COTA have seen the points positions dominated by drivers on one-stop strategies.

This year, however, Pirelli have moved their tyre allocation one step softer that that of 2012 and 2013. The presence of medium and soft compounds may provide a more varied range of strategy choices. Mercedes wrapped-up the constructors’ title in Russia, leaving the field clear for Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg to play out their private battle to see who will take the drivers’ title.

Hamilton, the 2008 World Champion, holds a 17-point advantage and has momentum on his side having won the last four grands prix – but this title fight has swung both ways in the last eight months and surely has more drama to deliver before a conclusion.

Welcome to America

Circuit of the Americas data

• Length of lap: 5.513km
• Lap record: 1:39.347 (Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing, 2012)
• Start line/finish line offset: 0.323km
• Total number of race laps: 56
• Total race distance: 308.405km
• Pitlane speed limits: 80km/h throughout the weekend
• Some of the asphalt run-off area around the outside of Turn 10 has been replaced by gravel (at the request of FIM)
• Some light panels will be mounted closer to the ground for improved visibility
• There will be two DRS zones at COTA
• The detection point of the first will be 150 metres after Turn 10, with the activation point 320m after Turn 11
• The second zone’s detection point will be 65m after Turn 18, with the activation point 80m after Turn 20, on the start/finish straight

Fans at COTA

United States Grand Prix Fast Facts

• This is the third running of the US Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas. Sebastian Vettel taken both previous pole positions, winning in 2013 and finishing second in 2012. Lewis Hamilton won from second on the grid in 2012, ensuring that neither race has been won from beyond the front row.
• Hamilton’s victory in 2012 was a back-to-back US GP win – albeit with five years separating his achievements. His previous US GP win came in 2007, the last of eight occasions for the race to be run on the road course at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
• As a round of the F1 World Championship, the United States Grand Prix has been held at four other venues before IMS and COTA: Sebring (1959), Riverside (1960), Watkins Glen (1961-1980), Phoenix (1989-91).
• Additional F1 World Championship races in the United States include: the US Grand Prix West, held at Long Beach between 1976 and 1983; the Detroit Grand Prix (1982-1988), the Dallas Grand Prix (1984), and the Las Vegas Grand Prix (1982-1983). The Indianapolis 500 was also included in the World Championship between 1950-1960.
• An American driver has never won the US GP – Mario Andretti, however, won the US Grand Prix West in 1977. Andretti had two pole positions at the USGP but a best result of second in 1977. Other American drivers on the podium at their home race include Dan Gurney, second in 1961 and 1965, Ritchie Ginther, second in 1963 and Eddie Cheever, third in 1989.
• The most recent American driver to grace any F1 podium was Michael Andretti. McLaren driver Andretti had a best F1 result of third place at the 1993 Italian Grand Prix. It was his final race in F1.
• At the 2013 US GP, the top three finishing cars were all powered by Renault engines, Vettel winning for Red Bull Racing, ahead of Lotus’s Romain Grosjean and the second Red Bull of Mark Webber. It is the most recent race at which Renault have achieved this feat. It was the fourth such occasion of 2013 and the sixth time Renault locked-out the podium during the V8 era.
• Three weeks ago in Russia, Mercedes achieved a clean sweep, with Lewis Hamilton leading team-mate Nico Rosberg and Williams’ Valtteri Bottas over the line. It is the sixth time this year the podium has featured three Mercedes-powered drivers, the others being Australia, Bahrain, Austria, Germany and Italy. All four Mercedes teams have contributed. Mercedes managed the feat twice during the V8 era, at the Chinese Grands Prix of 2010 and 2012.
• Mercedes became Constructors’ Champions-elect in Sochi. When they pick up the trophy at the FIA Gala in Doha, they will be the 15th team to win the title, which was first awarded to Vanwall in 1958

COTA has quickly become an iconic venue on the F1 calendar

United States Grad Prix Race Stewards Biographies

• Garry Connelly has been involved in motor sport since the late 1960s. A long-time rally competitor, Connelly was instrumental in bringing the World Rally Championship to Australia in 1988 and served as Chairman of the Organising Committee, Board member and Clerk of Course of Rally Australia until December 2002. He has been an FIA Steward and FIA Observer since 1989, covering the FIA’s World Rally Championship, World Touring Car Championship and Formula One Championship. He is a director of the Australian Institute of Motor Sport Safety and a member of the FIA World Motor Sport Council.
• Silvia Bellot began marshalling in 2001, when she was 16. She has been a steward in a number of national and international series, including the, European F3 Open, GT Open, BMW Europe, Spanish Endurance Championship, DTM, World Series by Renault and the WRC. In 2009, she took part in the FIA trainee stewards’ program for GP2 and F1. She made her first appearance as an F1 steward at the 20011 Turkish GP. She is currently a steward in GP2, GP3, WTCC and F1. Away from the stewards’ room she is a member of the FIA’s Women in Motorsport Commission and also works closely with RACC, the Circuit de Catalunya and the Spanish federation in event organisation.
• Derek Warwick raced in 146 grands prix from 1981 to 1993, appearing for Toleman, Renault, Brabham, Arrows and Lotus. He scored 71 points and achieved four podium finishes, with two fastest laps. He was World Sportscar Champion in 1992, driving for Peugeot. He also won Le Mans in the same year. He raced Jaguar sportscars in 1986 and 1991 and competed in the British Touring Car Championship between 1995 and 1998, as well as a futher appearance at the Le Mans in 1996, driving for the Courage Competition team. Warwick is a frequent FIA driver steward and is President of the British Racing Drivers’ Club.

Sebastian Vettel’s on his way to victory in Austin in 2013

Weekend Schedule (Austin Local Time GMT -5 hours)

Thursday

• Drivers Press conference: 11.00

Friday

• Practice 1: 10.00-11.30
• Practice 2: 14.00-15.30
• Teams Press conference: 16.00

Saturday

• Practice 3: 10.00-11.00
• Qualifying: 13.00-14.00
• Followed by qualifying press conference

Sunday

• Drivers’ Parade: 12.30
• Race: 14.00-16.00
• Followed by podium interviews and top three press conference

[Bartolomeo]

Haas hire ex-Anheuser-Busch marketing manager

The Haas F1 Team has received a huge boost ahead of its 2016 debut with the hiring of former Anheuser-Busch marketing manager Adam Jacobs.

The American outfit is hoping Jacobs will not only help to attract big name brands as potential sponsors and help to spread the Haas brand, but will also help promote F1 throughout America where its popularity lags behind Europe and Asia.

"It's a great opportunity to develop and launch a global brand in an organisation led by someone as driven and accomplished as Gene Haas," said Jacobs.

"With strong support and leadership already in place, Haas F1 Team is clearly positioned for success. I look forward to helping shape the ways we achieve that success on and off the racetrack.

"One of our key objectives as the only American F1 team is to help grow the sport domestically," he explained.

"With the massive global reach of Formula One, Haas F1 Team is also uniquely positioned to provide a platform for brands seeking to grow their businesses in key markets abroad."

Jacobs previously headed up marketing at beer giant Anheuser-Busch and oversaw Budweiser's motorsport programme and other various sports sponsorship initiatives.

He also has experience working in sport as director of marketing at the NFL's St. Louis Rams and briefly worked in IndyCar.

"Adam came highly recommended to Haas F1 Team and he brings a wealth of sports marketing experience to our organization," added Haas F1 Team COO Joe Custer.

"The projects Adam has overseen are global in scope, involving numerous partners and constituencies. He's built great relationships during his career and we’re proud to have him at Haas F1 Team."

Adam was a frat bro of mine, looking forward to mooching pit passes and touring the facilities in Charlotte

[Baldy]

Adam was a frat bro of mine, looking forward to mooching pit passes and touring the facilities in Charlotte

Nice, very very nice. Hopefully you'll get a chance to smoke a cigar to really enhance the experience.

Always enjoy a GP in a reasonable time zone.

[ptrthgr8]

Always enjoy a GP in a reasonable time zone.

I enjoy a GP in any time zone. DVR, baby!

[MIKA27]

BERGER: IF I WAS FERRARI I WOULD KEEP ALONSO

With Ferrari currently having three world champion drivers under contract, speculation about Fernando Alonso’s future in Formula 1 continues to run wild.

Some reports suggest the Italian team and the Spaniard are in a sort of Mexican standoff, each wanting the other to legally terminate their contract for financial reasons.

Others believe Ferrari could in fact make do with Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen and the apparently newly-signed Sebastian Vettel if the sport moves to three-car teams for 2015.

Formula 1 legend and former Ferrari driver Gerhard Berger thinks the fabled outfit should make the most of the contractual impasse with Alonso and instead oust Finn Raikkonen, who has notably struggled this year.

Sebastian Vettel celebrates his first grand prix win at Monza with Toro Rosso team boss at the time Gerhard Berger in 2008

“If I was Ferrari, I would keep Alonso,” he told Sport Bild. “Because then, with Alonso and Vettel, you would have the two best drivers in the world together in one team,” Austrian Berger added.

However, that scenario would still pose Ferrari with the problem of having to pay out millions to compensate Raikkonen — just as it did in 2010 after replacing him with Alonso. While the standoff continues, Vettel is keeping completely silent on the matter.

“I’m sorry,” he is quoted by Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport as having said in Austin on Wednesday, “but I can’t say anything about my future. It’s not up to me, but I hope to be able to speak very soon.”

Vettel also said he understands why Red Bull has blocked him from testing in the days immediately after the Abu Dhabi finale next month.

“There are reasons for the decision,” he said. “Disappointed? Let’s just say I didn’t expect something different.”

[MIKA27]

FERRARI TO BE LISTED ON STOCK EXCHANGE

Ferrari will be floated on the stock exchange next year, the company’s chairman has revealed.

The Maranello outfit – the Formula 1 team and the producer of exclusive sports cars – will be spun off from the Fiat Chrysler parent group, with 10 per cent of the shares to be up for grabs to the public on a United States and possibly a European stock market.

“Coupled with the recent listing of (Fiat Chrysler) shares on the NYSE, the separation of Ferrari will preserve the cherished Italian heritage and unique position of the Ferrari business,” confirmed chairman John Elkann.

Oct.30 (GMM) Ferrari will be floated on the stock exchange next year.

The Maranello outfit – the Formula 1 team and the producer of exclusive sports cars – will be spun off from the Fiat Chrysler parent group, with 10 per cent of the shares to be up for grabs to the public on a United States and possibly a European stock market.

“Coupled with the recent listing of [Fiat Chrysler] shares on the NYSE, the separation of Ferrari will preserve the cherished Italian heritage and unique position of the Ferrari business,” confirmed chairman John Elkann.

[MIKA27]

FORZA ROSSA PROJECT STILL ALIVE AND KICKING

With Caterham now in administration and most predicting total collapse, the backmarker team’s former management may be returning its focus to the Forza Rossa project.

Before the mysterious investment group bought Caterham from Tony Fernandes earlier this year, Colin Kolles was deeply involved in trying to get a Romanian project called ‘Forza Rossa’ up and running with FIA approval.

Amid the fallout of the Caterham collapse, it emerged that involved with Kolles in the Leafield project was someone called Constantin Cojocar.

During its recent ownership dispute with the Kolles team, Caterham Group claimed the new operating company was owned by “one of their cleaners”.

But writing in the Independent newspaper, Formula 1 business journalist Christian Sylt says Cojocar is also a former professional footballer for Steaua Bucharest, a Romanian club.

Sylt claims court documents as Caterham went into administration quote Cojocar as confirming that Forza Rossa has been granted an entry to race in Formula 1.

“In June 2014, Forza Rossa received a letter of intent from the FIA allowing it to enter Formula 1 in the next two years,” Cojocar said. “Forza Rossa hopes to race in the 2015 season, but time to prepare is running short.”

Funding may also be a problem. Although the project is led by Ion Bazac, a former Romanian government minister, Cojocar admitted that Caterham collapsed because investors failed to pay running costs.

“I understand that Forza Rossa is looking at other possible arrangements for 2015 and I have found it very difficult to contact my backers in Romania,” he said.

It is a strange time in the second half of the Formula 1 grid at present, as the sport’s two backmarkers including Marussia fail but Forza Rossa and Haas Formula 1 Team look to get up and running.

A crucial date is 1 November, when teams must pay a $500,000 fee to officially enter the 2015 world championship, according to the Swiss newspaper Blick.

Daniel Ricciardo, meanwhile, may now work for one of Formula 1’s richest and most competitive teams, but the Red Bull driver actually made his debut in 2011 for the now-defunct HRT team. Speaking in Austin, he said it is a shame Formula 1 is losing more backmarkers.

“It (HRT) was definitely a good stepping stone,” said the Australian. “It allows you to learn under the radar. So for that it would be a real shame, and for numbers in general. There’s nothing like seeing a full grid — it’s a great spectacle.”

“From that side and from the driver development side, we need more cars and teams. It would be a shame if this is a permanent loss,” Ricciardo added.

[MIKA27]

VETTEL’S YOUNGER BROTHER STARTS RACING CAREER

Sebastian Vettel’s younger brother Fabian is kicking off his own motor racing career.

The younger Vettel, once photographed as a child playing with a remote control car in the Formula 1 paddock, is now 15 and embarking on a foray in Poland’s Volkswagen Golf Cup.

Sport Bild said the young Vettel tested a car at the Lausitzring in Germany, saying afterwards: “It was faster than I expected, although it just looks like a normal Golf.”

“For me it was the first time I’ve driven a race car with gear paddles, but the brakes were the most impressive. I did my laps with no problems and had a lot of fun.”

Sport Bild said Fabian Vettel’s outing was a precursor to the 2015 season, which takes place mostly in eastern Europe with the more than 300 bhp cars.

[MIKA27]

AUSTIN TRACK GETS KVYAT’S RUSSIAN FLAG WRONG

Organisers of the United States Grand Prix face an embarrassing explanation after botching the details above Daniil Kvyat’s garage at Austin.

Observers at the Austin circuit in the days before the US Grand Prix this weekend have noticed that the Russian driver’s name is accompanied by the wrong national flag on the pit building.

Kvyat’s name is actually shown with the Dutch horizontal tricolour, featuring the colours red, white and blue from top to bottom.

The Russian flag is remarkably similar, but with white at the top followed by blue and then red.

MIKA: ...Americans

I wonder if it was intentional considering the Russian vs The Worlds stance against Russia with MH17?

[MIKA27]

Lewis: Would suck to lose on double points

Although Lewis Hamilton feels it would "suck" to lose the title because of the double points in Abu Dhabi, he concedes it's one of the rules.

This year, for the first time, double points will be awarded at the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

The rule was introduced in a bid to keep the Championship alive until the very last lap of the season.

Mercedes, though, have managed to keep it exciting up to this points with Hamilton just 17 points ahead of his team-mate Nico Rosberg.

The German recently admitted that he loves the new regulation as he is the one who could emerge the biggest winner, coming from behind to ****** the trophy.

Hamilton, however, is not a fan.

Asked if he believed the double points rule was fair, the 29-year-old responded: "I think the question is, 'what is fair?'

"This is a rule that they have brought in for the first time.

"Do I agree with it? I don't know if any of us do agree with it or do not agree with it but it is the way it is and you have to deal with it."

Added to that, the Brit admitted that it would be horrible to lose the Championship title because of the double points rules.

"It would suck if that was the case, big time.

"But I'm not even going to put that negative energy out there. I'm just going to do the best job I can with the car I have and what will be will be."

[MIKA27]

Alonso 'very ambitious plan' for 2015

Fernando Alonso says he "more or less" knows where he will be next season but he still isn't giving any clues.

The future of the double World Champion remains a mystery with Alonso inundated with questions about where he will be next season.

What fans do know is that the Spaniard won't be with Ferrari after former president Luca di Montezemolo revealed he is moving on.

While some believe he will be heading to McLaren, others fear he may have been caught out by Sebastian Vettel's announcement and could be forced into taking a sabbatical.

For now, though, Alonso isn't willing to give anything away.

"I know, yes. More or less," he said in the Austin paddock on Thursday.

Pressed as to whether he would at least be on the grid in 2015, he said: "I cannot say categorically anything.

"I have a very ambitious plan in my head for my future.

"I think that this is the best thing for Ferrari as well. If that happens people will be very, very excited - as I am.

"I am extremely happy and all the things in the last two or three months follow exactly the plan that I had."