FORMULA 1 - 2014

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2014 Brazilian Grand Prix fans’ video gallery #3

Start: Senna S

Vettel loses out at Descida do Lago

http://youtu.be/bjKHZ5eAV5c

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2014 Brazilian Grand Prix fans’ video gallery #4

End of lap one

Niki Lauda with fans

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2014 Brazilian Grand Prix fans’ video gallery #5

Cheers for Massa on the podium

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Borland named as VP of technology for Haas F1 team

Matt Borland will oversee the transfer of Formula One technology to Stewart-Haas Racing while providing Haas F1 Team with deep engineering resources.

Matt Borland has been named as vice president of technology for both the Haas F1 Team and the sister Stewart-Haas Racing NASCAR outfit.

Borland worked for Pi Research before becoming Mark Blundell's race engineer at PacWest. He moved to NASCAR with Penske in 1999 and then had a spell with Michael Waltrip before joining Haas in May 2007. He's held a variety of roles since then.

The team says that Borland “will oversee the transfer of Formula One technology to Stewart-Haas Racing while providing Haas F1 Team with deep engineering resources. Concurrently, the highly-respected Borland will serve as a gatekeeper, ensuring the privacy of proprietary information respective to each team.”

It will be fascinating to know just how much Ferrari F1 data might be useful to the NASCAR team, and vice versa...

“I’m an engineer at heart, so I’m always interested in building things,” said Borland. “It’s been very satisfying to help build Stewart-Haas Racing from a two-car team to a four-car team that’s always capable of winning championships. Now I have the best of both worlds, as I can continue to help improve Stewart-Haas Racing while building Haas F1 Team.

“We work smart and efficiently at Stewart-Haas Racing, and there are best practices we can apply to Haas F1 Team. Eventually, both organizations will make each other better, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

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Berger tips Hamilton to win 2014 title

Gerhard Berger has played down Nico Rosberg's chances of winning the world championship this weekend in Abu Dhabi.

The other Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has a 17-point lead going into the 2014 finale, but the controversial double-points innovation means German Rosberg still has a chance to win the title.

F1 legend Berger, however, told Sport Bild: "I fear Nico has left it two races too late.

"He needed to win in Austin. The silver arrows are so superior that Hamilton can always finish second, unless something extraordinary happens," the former McLaren and Ferrari driver said.

Indeed, a second place would be enough for Hamilton to wrap up his second career title, even if Rosberg wins the popular floodlit race.

Another former F1 driver Alex Wurz, however, thinks Rosberg is still in with a shout, given Hamilton's personality.

"Whenever Lewis believes himself to be unbeatable, he is prone to errors," said the Austrian.

No matter who wins, given their intense intra-team battle in 2014, defeat would be difficult to digest for both Hamilton and Rosberg.

Team boss Toto Wolff told the Mirror newspaper that sports psychologist Dr Ceri Evans is on standby pending the outcome of Sunday's 2014 showdown.

Wolff is already offering condolences to the loser.

"While it won't be apparent to them at the time, both have long careers ahead of them and they have proven their credentials for the years to come," he is quoted by Express newspaper.

"A top driver always has the ability to engineer another opportunity and both our boys have proven themselves to be just that," Wolff added.

Hamilton insists he is as ready for Abu Dhabi as he can be, even though he has the most to lose if the double points outcome conspires against him.

"No matter how it turns out," the Briton is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport, "I've done everything I can to win this title so I'm at peace.

"Is the double points unfair?" he asked rhetorically. "It's the same for everyone so I suppose it's equally unfair for everyone."

No rest for Mercedes team

As ever in a title showdown, however, there is so much at stake that Mercedes cannot simply sit back and enjoy the battle.

A technical failure for Hamilton or Rosberg, for example, risks tainting the credentials of the winner.

Britain's Telegraph claims Mercedes has been deliberately keeping engine mileage low over the past few races to ensure both drivers have a good chance of getting through Abu Dhabi reliably.

"We are trying to make sure the car is in best shape," confirmed Wolff.

"In terms of driving, they know what to do," he told BBC radio.

Indeed, because both drivers sit in the dominant Mercedes package, there have been specific rules of engagement in 2014.

Wolff told the Austrian broadcaster ORF: "Both will be trying to explore how far they can go within our rules."

One rule of 2014 may be suspended for Abu Dhabi, Wolff admitted.

"One of our rules is that we have always wanted to finish first and second if we can," he said.

"If one of the two has fallen back, we have given him a more aggressive engine setting so that he can come back as soon as possible to position two."

Germany's Kolner Express newspaper said this is the rule that may be suspended for Abu Dhabi, so that both drivers are always at the wheel of the same engine strategy.

"Mathematically, everything speaks for Lewis," Wolff concluded, "but Nico would also be a worthy champion."

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Force India discover and correct aerodynamic error

Force India are hopeful of launching an attack of nearest rival McLaren at the final race of the season after discovering an aerodynamic error which has now been corrected.

The team sits sixth in the standings, 34 points behind the Woking outfit after McLaren looked to have pulled clear in the last few races. In fact, McLaren outscored Force India by 40 points in the last five events. It had been much more evenly matched before then, and Force India believe they've discovered the reason for the drop in performance.

"We took a wrong direction mid-season, and we only worked that out a race or so ago," explained deputy team principal Bob Fernley to Autosport.

"We have moved in the right direction now and although it has helped us move forward with the 2015 car, it lost us some ground just after the halfway point of this year.

"So our tail off was the result of that step in the wrong direction."

Fernley refused to confirm exactly what the 'error' was, but it has now been corrected with some upgrades which the team will introduce at the last race of the season. With double points on offer, Force India stand a slim chance of regaining fifth in the standings if McLaren suffers from a poor race.

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BIANCHI FAMILY: JULES IS NO LONGER IN ARTIFICIAL COMA

The parents of Jules Bianchi, Philippe and Christine, would like to provide the following information regarding Jules’ medical care, by way of an update to the media and his fans.

“Almost seven weeks after Jules’ accident at Suzuka Circuit, and following a challenging period of neurological intensive care, we are able to announce that Jules has made an important step.

“Jules is no longer in the artificial coma in which he was placed shortly after the accident, however he is still unconscious. He is breathing unaided and his vital signs are stable, but his condition is still classified as ‘critical’. His treatment now enters a new phase concerned with the improvement of his brain function.”

“Jules’ neurological condition remains stable. Although the situation continues to be serious, and may remain so, it was decided that Jules was sufficiently stable to be repatriated to his native France. We are relieved, therefore, to confirm that Jules was transferred aeromedically last night from the Mie Prefectural General Medical Center in Yokkaichi, Japan, to Le Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice (CHU), where he arrived just a short time ago. Jules is now in the intensive care unit of Professors Raucoules and Ichai, where his care will also be monitored by Professor Paquis, Head of Neurosurgery Service.”

“We are thankful that the next phase of Jules’ treatment can continue close to home, where he can be surrounded and supported by his wider family and friends. We have nothing but praise for the outstanding care provided by the Mie Prefectural General Medical Center since the accident. We owe the medical staff there an enormous debt of gratitude for everything they have done for Jules, and also for our family, during what is a very difficult time for us. In particular, we would like to extend our thanks to Doctors Kamei and Yamamichi, and also to Mr Ogura, all part of the team of personnel caring for Jules in Japan.”

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STREIFF: SCHUMACHER IN WHEELCHAIR, CAN’T SPEAK, HAS MEMORY PROBLEMS

In the wake of good news regarding Jules Bianchi, it has emerged that Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher recuperating at home in Switzerland, is paralysed and in a wheelchair, according to former racing driver Philippe Streiff.

Frenchman Streiff, who is a good friend of Schumacher’s, revealed to The Telegraph: “He is getting better but everything is relative. It’s very difficult. He can’t speak. Like me, he is in a wheelchair paralysed.”

“He has memory problems and speech problems,” added 59 year old Streiff, who visited Schumacher when the German was in intensive care in Grenoble Hospital.”

The Telegraph reports that, “Schumacher’s spokeswoman Sabine Kehm said Streiff’s comments were his opinions and she therefore did not want to comment.”

She added: “He [streiff] did not have contact with us.”

Information on Schumacher’s condition and recovery has been scarce since the holiday skiing accident on 29 December 2013 in the French Alps, although his website has been relaunched acommemorating his life and huge achievements in Formula 1.

Schumacher was transferred to Lausanne Hospital, Switzerland, in June and is now being cared for at his home on the shores of Lake Geneva by a team of specialists.

In 1989 Streiff suffered crash during F1 preseason testing which left him a quadriplegic and thus using a wheelchair.

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WEBBER: TODAY’S FORMULA 1 IS NOT RACING

Mark Webber has admitted he is concerned about the road on which Formula 1 has turned, as he contemplates the end of the first season the new V6 turbo era.

At the end of 2013 the Australian veteran called time on his Formula 1 career and switched to the increasingly popular sportscar series including the classic Le Mans race with Porsche.

So as the first season without Webber since 2001 comes to a close this weekend, the popular 38-year-old was asked by Salzburger Nachrichten to contemplate the highly-anticipated title showdown between Mercedes‘ two drivers.

Webber duly gave his answer, but completed his comments with: “I have to say, there are more important things in Formula 1 at the moment. I’m talking about the state … the prosperity of the entire sport.”

Indeed, it is a tumultuous time for Formula 1, with backmarkers going out of business and the next-smallest teams fighting viciously over income and power.

Mark Webber on the podium at his final F1 race in Brazil 2013

Webber thinks the sport also took a sharp turn with its new regulations this year, “Look at Kimi [Raikkonen]. This is not racing. If you could drive the cars hard at the limit, he would be there. One fastest lap after the next.

“He’s completely frustrated,” said Webber, referring to the Finn who has struggled notably alongside Ferrari teammate Fernando Alonso in 2014.

“I also found Bernie Ecclestone saying he doesn’t need a young audience in Formula 1 very, very interesting,” he added.

Formula 1 will, however, have a 17-year-old on the grid next year. Webber is not impressed, “I’m not sure if people want to pay €400 for a ticket to watch a seventeen year old,” he said.

“We’ve had other cases, like Fernando or Kimi, but these were very special cases and the cars back then were much more difficult to drive, especially physically. The probability of failure was much greater.”

Mark Webber made the transition to sportscar racing from F1

“Now it’s almost embarrassing when an Formula 1 car comes out of the pits. It’s like a slightly stronger GP2; it’s not the Formula 1 we were all used to,” mused Webber.

He added that he does not particularly miss the highest category of open-wheeler racing, “It’s been a few months since I watched an entire race on TV.”

“After Brazil I was in a car listening to the radio, and 85 per cent of what they were talking about was the tyres. It’s frustrating not only for the drivers but for the fans.

“DRS is embarrassing,” he added. “It’s so different to the mid-2000s. I think the development of the last three or four years did the fans no favours.”

“Four pitstops, what’s that about? And these pay drivers – we should have absolutely the best drivers in Formula 1, but some guys who do belong there can’t even afford the €400,000 they need for a single test day,” Webber said.

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JORDAN: IT IS TIME FOR BERNIE TO CONSIDER RETIREMENT

Eddie Jordan is one of the first high profile figures to come out and slam Bernie Ecclestone publicly for his controversial and increasingly erratic views on the way Formula 1 should be run and marketed in the age of new media.

Jordan, a former F1 team owner and well known admirer of Ecclestone in the past, told Sportsmail, “Bernie says one thing to your paper, another thing to a different paper, and another thing to me. It is out of control. Nobody knows whether he means what he says or even knows what he is saying.”

“One moment he said he wanted to help the smaller teams out of their financial trouble; then the next moment that he didn’t care about them. He said they had come to him with begging bowls,” recalled Jordan.

Most recently Ecclestone’s comments in an interview with Campaign (Asia-Pacific) claiming F1 did not need young fans incensed many, to which Jordan said, “Last week he said he did not want to get the younger generation interested in F1. Perhaps if he doesn’t want them and doesn’t understand social media, he should hand over to someone who does.”

“We are only custodians of the sport. We have a responsibility to the next generation to hand it over in a fit, healthy and competitive state. Retirement comes to everybody and I believe it is time for Bernie to consider whether he should retire.”

Jordan, who is a F1 pundit with BBC, founded and ran the Jordan F1 team from 1991 and sold the team in early 2005. Along the way the outfit scored four race victories and 19 podiums, finishing third in the 1999 constructors’ championship.

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FERRARI CHANGE TWITTER PROFILE TO @SCUDERIAFERRARI

On the threshold of a million followers, Scuderia Ferrari’s Twitter profile is changing its name from @InsideFerrari to @ScuderiaFerrari, thus adopting a name more in keeping with the team’s history.

Recently, social networks have become a vital means of communication in every sport. That’s also been the case for Scuderia Ferrari, the only Formula 1 team to be in the Forbes list of the top 25 most important sports organisations in the world. As from today, its presence in the highest level of motorsport will all come under the same Scuderia Ferrari banner, as this is already in use on Facebook and now it comes to Twitter.

In the last year, the Scuderia’s feed has become ever more popular among social network users, boasting followers in 153 countries covering 97% of the globe. The majority comes from Great Britain, Spain, the United States, Brazil and Italy. Its profile is also very popular with the young, with 72% of followers between the ages of 18 and 34.

@ScuderiaFerrari posts an average of around 20 tweets per day and runs a live feed from every GP, involving its followers in polls and votes so that all fans of Formula 1 can take part. Also significant is the number of brand impressions (the number of times the name is mentioned on social networks,) which has come close to a billion last month, with 28 thousand new followers and around 26 thousand retweets.

The name has changed, but the passion behind it remains the same.

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BARRICHELLO EMERGES AS POSSIBLE CATERHAM DRIVER

As Caterham prepares in Abu Dhabi for its return to the Formula 1 grid this weekend, a round of intriguing speculation is taking place with regards to the team’s second driver.

With Kamui Kobayashi already confirmed to drive, potential teammates for the Japanese are queuing up.

The latest, according to the major Bild, is retired Formula 1 veteran Rubens Barrichello, who apparently recently found enough sponsorship to contest the Austin, Interlagos and Abu Dhabi races as his great farewell performance.

Meanwhile behind the driver reports, however, there is a bubbling unease about Caterham’s high-profile return. Many believe the crowd-funding scheme brought Formula 1’s lofty image into disrepute.

For example, while other teams boast multinationals that pay millions in exchange for a logo, one on-car sponsor of the revived Caterham team in Abu Dhabi will be a small UK pub called the Windmill Inn.

Not only that, the team – whilst racing in Abu Dhabi – is actually being run by an insolvency administrator, who has laid off the entire 230-strong workforce.

“There seems to be no discussion about it,” former senior aerodynamicist Jim McManus is quoted by the Witney Gazette. “It seems we have been really railroaded through. I don’t think the employees are being consulted at all.”

There are also concerns not only with a lack of spare car parts for the Abu Dhabi race weekend, but also Caterham’s ability to build a car for the 2015 season.

MIKA: Told ya!! I'd love to see Barichello back but in a Caterham, what can he do in a Caterham!?

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TORO ROSSO ONLY OPTION FOR SAINZ TO ENTER F1 IN 2015

Toro Rosso remains the only option for highly rated Carlos Sainz to make his entry into Formula 1 in 2015, according to a report in El Confidencial, citing various sources.

Recently, McLaren rubbished reports suggesting the Red Bull-backed 20-year-old might be a contender to be Fernando Alonso’s teammate in 2015.

He was already in the running for a seat at Toro Rosso, but backers Red Bull appear more inclined to pair the rookie Max Verstappen with the experienced Jean-Eric Vergne.

But El Confidencial claims that Sainz’s chances depend mainly on the Spanish company Cepsa, who are contemplating leaving Toro Rosso and Formula 1.

“Vergne’s candidacy could be interpreted as pressure on Cepsa not to withdraw from Toro Rosso,” the report reads. “Now it [Cepsa] is reconsidering its continuation to, among other things, ensure the presence of the Spanish driver.”

“This weekend there will be important meetings in Abu Dhabi with options to reach a favourable agreement,” El Confidencial added.

The report also said new Formula Renault 3.5 champion Sainz’s management recently looked into a possible move to Lotus for 2015.

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USA DRIVER NOT ESSENTIAL FOR HAAS F1 TEAM

Haas F1 team, the sport’s new team for 2016, is not resolute to field an American driver when they embark on their Formula 1 project.

The outfit is setting up camp alongside founder Gene Haas’ Nascar operation in North Carolina, but Finland’s Turun Sanomat newspaper quoted boss Gunther Steiner as saying there will also be an operations headquarters in Oxford, UK.

Haas has said an American driver would be ideal, but Steiner insists: “We want, above all, an experienced driver. We’re a new team so we’re not going to take too many risks. We need to be clever.”

Behind the scenes, Haas continues to take shape. The team has now appointed long-time Nascar engineer Matt Borland to be president of technology, in a split role between the Stewart-Haas Nascar outfit and Haas Formula 1 Team.

“He is well suited for this dual role that will ultimately lead to the betterment of Haas Formula 1 Team and Stewart-Haas Racing,” said Joe Custer, who also has a split role as Haas Formula 1’s chief operating officer and executive vice president of Stewart-Haas.

Borland said: “Now I have the best of both worlds, as I can continue to help improve Stewart-Haas Racing while building Haas Formula 1 Team.”

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MICHELIN NOT RULING OUT F1 RETURN

Michelin is not ruling out a return to Formula 1, the French marque having left the sport at the end of 2006, amid acrimony with the governing FIA and disappointed with the move to a single-tyre formula.

Formula 1 turned first to Bridgestone and now to Pirelli, but there have always been rumblings that Michelin may be interested in returning under certain circumstances.

“They (the Formula 1 rules) must respect the tyre,” Michelin’s motor sport boss Pascal Couasnon is quoted by the French website toileFormula 1.com. “We need the tyre not to be an object of show, but an object of technology.”

Another of Michelin’s conditions has been the move to a more road-relevant lower profile tyre, which appears now to be on the cards for the near future.

Couasnon also said Michelin is not opposed to contributing to the Formula 1 show, “We have some ideas to make a great show. We are just saying that technology does not prevent a show.

“We have been very clear: [tyre] dimensions that resemble something that we can learn from and so that the money we spend on Formula 1 can help us with the technology for both your car and mine.

“We also want regulations so that tyres don’t have to be changed every few laps, but if they want to make pitstops then why not?

“Why not reuse the tyre that started the race also to finish it, and then we can make long-lasting tyres that are stable and fast — it’s very complicated and we like that,” Couasnon continued.

Until now, however, the main condition placed on Michelin’s return has been its insistence that there be a ‘tyre war’ with at least one other supplier.

Couasnon said: “If they are open to having several manufacturers, great! But we are also ready to go alone, but with something (regulations) that make sense, otherwise we would not be Michelin.”

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LAUDA DENIES HAMILTON INTEREST IN FERRARI DRIVE

The prospect of a Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel super squad at Ferrari has been played down by Mercedes F1 team chairman Niki Lauda who has denied that his team’s British driver considered a move to Maranello.

Lauda told the Daily Mail, “I have heard stories that Lewis wanted to sign for Ferrari, but that is absolutely wrong. Lewis requested we leave the contract talk until the season was over. He wanted to concentrate on his racing.”

“We had exactly the same opinion. He will stay [with Mercedes] regardless of whether he wins or loses on Sunday,” claimed the F1 legend.

Vettel’s move to Ferrari is the sport’s worst kept secret, but an official announcement is yet to be made with regards to the team’s 2015 driver line-up although the smart money is on Vettel teaming up with Kimi Raikkonen.

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NO HAMILTON OR ROSBERG TITLE T-SHIRTS PRINTED BY MERCEDES

Mercedes is remaining impartial ahead of the Abu Dhabi showdown between their two drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, so much so that they have opted not to print traditional champion t-shirts for after the race.

Sportwoche reports that, because of that, Mercedes has not prepared the customary celebratory t-shirts bearing Hamilton or Rosberg’s name. The team did have special constructors’ championship t-shirts for the occasion after the Russian Grand Prix.

Wolff explained: “I had a long conversation with Lewis and he said very clearly that Sunday will be the best day of his career for one of them, and the bitterest for the other. He is spot on.”

Team chairman Niki Lauda agrees: “To me they are both world champions, but after Abu Dhabi only one of them will be.”

Whether he wins or loses, Hamilton looks set to sit down with Lauda and Wolff in the days immediately after Abu Dhabi to talk about a new contract beyond 2016.

Wolff admitted to reporters this week that the nightmare scenario is a technical failure that robs Hamilton of the title win due to the highly controversial double points system.

No matter what happens, one of the Silver Arrows drivers will be disappointed after the chequered flag waves on Sunday.

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WEBBER SAYS VETTEL SWITCH TO FERRARI IS GOOD

Mark Webber understands why his former Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel is moving to Ferrari.

The duo shared a famously tense relationship whilst paired together, but Australian Webber has hailed quadruple world champion Vettel’s talent since retiring from Formula 1.

Asked by Salzburger Nachrichten if Vettel’s expected switch from Red Bull to struggling Ferrari was a surprise, Webber answered: “No. I’ve always expected him to eventually go where we all now expect him to go now.”

“His next team will be his last in Formula 1,” 38-year-old Webber predicts. “He was frustrated, he wants results, but he also knows better than anyone that he will need to be patient.”

“Perhaps the decision is really correct,” Webber continued. “When Lewis [Hamilton] left McLaren, everyone said he was crazy. Look at him now.”

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Grosjean confirms new Lotus deal

Romain Grosjean has confirmed via social media he will drive for Lotus next year, and this time he didn't delete it.

The Frenchman jumped the gun last week by announcing on Twitter that he had signed a new deal, but the tweet was deleted quickly afterwards.

However, he revealed on Twitter and Facebook on Wednesday that he will remain with the Enstone squad for the 2015 campaign.

"A few days before the last Grand Prix of the season, I am very happy to announce that I will be a Lotus F1 Team driver in 2015!" he wrote.

"We are already working on the development of the new car and I am confident that next season will allow us to fight again for podiums! A huge thank to all of you for your support."

He added: "We've been waiting to announce it for a while now so it's really good to finally confirm that I will be staying with the team next season.

"My finger's been poised over the tweet button for quite a while and there might even have been a little jump-start! Fortunately, there's no stop and go penalty."

The 28-year-old has spent his entire Formula 1 career with the squad, having made his debut in 2012 after a couple of seasons as a test driver. He has claimed nine podiums over the three years, but a race victory has eluded him.

He added: "I think we make a great combination. We've been working together for a long time now and I certainly didn't want to leave on a performance low like we've seen in 2014 as we've enjoyed some beautiful moments together.

"It would have just felt wrong to say goodbye in a tough patch like we have had in 2014, because I know what everyone at Enstone is capable of.

"Moments like this can either make you stronger or destroy you and I'm sure that the team is only going to learn from what has been a hard year."

The 2014 campaign has been a frustrating one for Grosjean as he has finished in the points only twice while he failed to see the chequered flag seven times.

Lotus have already confirmed that Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado would also be retained in 2015.

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Ecclestone helped Caterham out

Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed that he helped out Caterham in their bid to race in the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Caterham went into administration in the run-up to the United States Grand Prix, but the team turned to crowdfunding to raise £2,350,000 that would allow them to contest the final race.

The Leafield squad's administrator Finbarr O'Connell confirmed on Friday that "fans have made the impossible possible" and their freight have been transported to the Yas Marina Circuit.

F1 surpremo Ecclestone has now also revealed that he helped them out.

"They wanted to go, so we've transported them at no cost to them," he told Press Association Sport.

"We've at least helped them to some degree, something we need not have done. We've even chartered another plane to take them.

"We've gone a little bit over the top, but anyway, we've done it."

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Palmer, Goddard handed Force India tests

Jolyon Palmer has earned himself a Formula 1 test with Force India following his GP2 success while Spike Goddard will also get a chance in Abu Dhabi next week.

The 23-year-old Palmer became the first Briton since Lewis Hamilton in 2006 to win GP2 Series, winning the title on the back of four victories and with a race to spare.

He will be in the cockpit of the VJM07 on the Tuesday while Goddard will take over on the final day at the Yas Marina Circuit.

"I'm pleased that we can conclude our season by giving two promising youngsters their first taste of Formula One," Force India team principal Vijay Mallya said.

"As a team we have a strong track record of identifying up-and-coming prospects and giving them valuable mileage and experience in our cars.

"I have been following Jolyon's progress this season in GP2 and he is clearly a big talent that deserves a chance in Formula One.

"Spike has also worked hard to get this chance and it's the perfect opportunity to showcase his skills. I wish Jolyon and Spike all the best for a successful couple of days in Abu Dhabi."

Palmer said: "I have worked very hard for a chance like this and I want to help the team get the most from this test session. This is a team that has always promoted talent and I hope this opportunity can lead to bigger things in the future."

Australian Goddard competed in the FIA European F3 Championship the past two seasons, having won the rookie class of the British Formula Three Championship in 2012.

"Every young racing driver dreams to be at the wheel of a Formula One car and I am very excited to be one of the very few who gets to fulfil this dream," the 22-year-old said.

"The test is an important stage in the preparations for 2015 and I hope my contribution will be useful for the team to get a head start for next season."

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Marussia fails in 11th hour attempt to make Abu Dhabi

Some equipment and even crew members are on the ground, but the cars won't be.

Marussia’s last minute attempt to get to the Abu Dhabi GP appears to have failed due to the inevitable financial issues.

Sources in the Abu Dhabi paddock said that the freight would be coming today, and Williams and Caterham were told by FOM to remove equipment that they had stored in the neighbouring garage earmarked for Marussia.

In addition the Ferrari power unit guys assigned to the team were wearing their Marussia shirts today.

A Marussia team member tweeted about the failure.

Once again it's all over, we tried and failed #gutted #JB17 - Graeme Allport

Max Chilton had been linked to the Caterham seat until it became apparent that Marussia was trying to make the trip. It remains to be seen whether he still has a chance of driving the green car. Will Stevens was in the team’s garage today, but he will require superlicense approval.

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De Silvestro parts ways with manager

Former Sauber test driver/IndyCar racer is "weighing" options.

Simona De Silvestro announced via Twitter on Wednesday that she was parting ways with her manager Imran Safiulla.

“The Iron Maiden” was enlisted by Sauber in February as test driver. Although it was anticipated that De Silvestro would compete in 2015, Sauber parted ways with the driver last month over contractual issues.

De Silvestro, 26, ran two seasons of Atlantics and four years in IndyCar before returning to Europe.

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Amnesty report slams Abu Dhabi before F1 finale

Human rights organisation Amnesty International has criticised Abu Dhabi in the days before F1's high-profile and glitzy season finale.

Political criticism of Grand Prix hosts like Bahrain and China is common, but a report entitled 'There is no freedom here' published this week by Amnesty said violations by the United Arab Emirates "has gone largely ignored by the world".

The report said activists critical of the government have been harassed, arrested and in some cases tortured.

Published to coincide with this weekend's title showdown in Abu Dhabi, it reads: "Beneath the facade of glitz and glamour, a far more sinister side to the UAE has emerged".

Amnesty's Middle East director Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui said the United Arab Emirates is a "deeply repressive state" that has overseen a "chilling" crackdown on activism.

"It is time for the UAE's international allies to stop turning a blind eye to the rampant abuses by the authorities and to place human rights firmly before business interests," he added.

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Correspondent slams underperforming F1 drivers

A journalist for a leading British newspaper has dealt a heavy critique of some of F1's so-called 'pay drivers'.

As he ranked the performance of the field of 2014, v said Lotus' Pastor Maldonado deserved to be dead last.

"How many Friday practice sessions passed without Maldonado crashing?" he wondered. "Around $43 million of sponsorship money ensures he'll be there next year."

Next in the firing line was Swedish rookie Marcus Ericsson, who according to Johnson "was so poor that an F1 novice (Andre Lotterer) came in for one race in Belgium and was around a second a lap quicker. Explain that," he said.

The correspondent said Ericsson is now switching from Caterham to Sauber "due to money, with his credentials slim at best".

The driver Ericsson is replacing at Sauber is Esteban Gutierrez, who according to Johnson was "utterly anonymous all season".

Another well-backed driver struggling to find an alternate seat for 2015 is Marussia's Max Chilton, who while "solid and likeable" is "not quick enough for Formula One" according to Johnson.

Also critiqued in his 2014 ranking was the outgoing world champion Sebastian Vettel, who was listed as just the 13th best driver of the year.

"Has this been the worst title defence ever?" he asked. "Unreliability has not helped, but he's failed to quickly adapt to the new cars."