FORMULA 1 - 2015

[MIKA27]

WHITE LINE FEVER

Once upon a time race circuits only had grass, dust, gravel and trees etc. at the edge of track. In order to highlight where the grip finished and these various hazards started, the enlightened painted white lines at the edges of the tarmac and, in some instances, installed kerbs on the inside of corners.

Unsurprisingly the drivers made every endeavour to stay within the white lines and away from the ‘red and whites’ as they knew that they were precursors to bad news. At best time would be lost, at worst… well no need to state the obvious.

Time and progress marched inexorably forward; kerbing became more prolific, wider and was added to the outside of the track on the grounds of safety. Drivers, where it made sense, started to use this extra kerbing – effectively widening the circuit at key points and pinching a few tenths to boot.

However, the grass remained and still had to be avoided. To prevent kerb usage on the inside of the corner their design became more aggressive and apart from the odd unplanned excursion, they were avoided.

However, the clever lads back in the garage knew that if you could design a car (suspension) to ‘run’ these kerbs in a stable manner, the track could be shortened and lap times reduced and so it was done. But the grass still remained and had to be avoided and the limits of the racetrack remained relatively well defined by the drivers’ unwillingness to purposely take the car on surfaces that delivered less grip than the tarmac.

And then it all changed again: New Grand Prix venues and countries brought new “Tilkcuits” ushering in a new era of safety – tarmac runoff areas. The under managers for circuit design at the FiA, after years of contemplation, concluded that along with mortality being fatal, a car would come to a halt quicker if it was spinning on tarmac rather than grass.

No one would deny the merits of this approach in safety terms, and arguably the savings in costs from vehicle damage. Grass/gravel was pretty much out and the older circuits were modified accordingly where it was deemed vehicles were most likely to travel if things went wrong. Nothing wrong with that……or is there?

Motor racing (notice I use the term ‘racing’ rather than ‘sport’) is a business activity where men and vehicles compete against each other over predefined course (within the white lines). There has never has been a level playing field in terms of machinery and probably never will be: Innovation is part and parcel of the game either in design or interpretation of the regulations.

Pushing the limits in all directions is motor racing. Every team member does it – from the awning erector (trying to pinch two cm’s of the competitor next doors’ allocated space) to the Team Principal (a number of which have had to “jog on” after being caught pushing the limits too far) and last but certainly not least, the driver.

Tarmac run-off areas have changed one of the few immutable elements of motor racing – the “predefined course.” The current regulation regarding what is and is not the track is clear in the opening sentence, but then undermined by subsequent explanations. The Capital Italics inserted into the regulation below illustrate the mindset of the competitor.

20.2 Drivers must use the track at all times. (OK FINE , UNDERSTAND THAT) For the avoidance of doubt (OH YES…, HERE WE GO) the white lines defining the track edges are considered to be part of the track but the kerbs are not (HA HA HA HAS ANY ONE WATCHED FORMULA 1 FOR THE PAST 40 YEARS!!???).

A driver will be judged to have left the track if no part of the car remains in contact with the track. (SO WE DON’T HAVE TO STAY COMPLETELY ON THE TRACK THEN?)

Should a car leave the track the driver may re-join (IGNORE THE PREVIOUS STATEMENT THEN IT”S OK TO LEAVE THE TRACK ENTIRELY !?), however, this may only be done when it is safe (ANYTHING THAT DOESN’T RESULT IN A STUFFING IS SAFE……) to do so and without gaining any lasting advantage (HOW LONG IS A LASTING ADVANTAGE THEN 1 LAP, 2 LAPS, AFTER I PIT?).

At the absolute discretion of the race director a driver may be given the opportunity to give back the whole of any advantage he gained by leaving the track. (HAPPY DAYS!!! A “MAY BE” WE CAN REALLY FILL OUR BOOTS ON THIS ONE!!!)

We’ve seen drivers widening the course at every given opportunity, whether at entry, apex, and/or exit since the advent of tarmac run-off areas. Last seasons F1 resulted in a very public culmination of the problem, with a driver taking pole after he had clearly left the track (all four wheels outside the white lines). With no penalty issued, everyone else soon got in on the act.

When questioned a leading official announced that an advantage had not been gained and therefore no penalty given (remember that discretional bit…). Really……? You widen the track and it’s not quicker? The rationale for this conclusion was “the distanced traveled was longer…” This seems to gloss over the fact that the entry, corner, and exit speed were faster.

If the shortest route through a corner is the primary arbiter of a lap time, the drivers would be glued to the inside of the track. Additionally, the teams have some of the most sophisticated computing power known to man that produce reams of data. If it were slower in the simulations, you can be assured they would tell the drivers. QED They didn’t, so it isn’t .

This leaves us with two key issues here. The first is safety. At great cost, the old and new circuits have had to spend large sums of money creating greater run off areas etc. These are worked out on vehicles cornering within the track limits (white lines).

If the drivers regularly navigate outside of these, increasing the speed of the corners – the benefit of the run off areas (and calculations) are academic. Chicanes in many instances no longer do the job of slowing the cars down but have become a launch pad to be risked in order to compete.

Secondly, officials have to now try and identify whether a driver gained an advantage or not and make a judgment. Good luck on that one, drivers have honed the skill of knocking someone off and making it look like a racing incident for years, and they’re catching up fast on confounding them on purposely crossing the white lines.

It is generally accepted that if you pass a competitor with all four wheels across the line, you will be penalized, but what about the driver who maintains his position in this manner. Did he make a “mistake?” Or did he choose a critical moment to do this, and maintain his position? I suspect the latter goes on in qualifying, camouflaged by a lock up first….

I don’t blame the drivers here; it is the nature of the beast to push the limits. They would probably prefer to reserve their risk taking to racing rather than wondering what they can get away with where track limits are concerned. But the proliferation of tarmac either side of the track forces them to do this because…

Well, there is grip there, and it’s quicker. It’s interesting to note that on circuits where the grass is still left at the edges, drivers make very few “mistakes.”

So what needs to happen? Probably the most frustrating aspect of all of this is the stunningly simple solution. Create a two-meter wide surface either side of the white lines that has the grip coefficient of grass. Beyond this the tarmac remains along with the safety.

A driver goes over the white lines, he looses traction and time (possibly even control) and hence is penalized for driving outside of the track limits (just like the bad old days) rather than by an official who is doing his best but cannot be expected to get this kind of decision right.

This approach will permit kerbs to be lowered and the officials, they’re left with the rule- book and “contacts” to adjudicate. We’re left with the spectacle of drivers battling out on a predefined course once again…

[MIKA27]

HAMILTON: I CAN’T BELIEVE I’M A THREE TIMES WORLD CHAMPION!

Lewis Hamilton still has to pinch himself to believe he is a three times Formula One world champion and a surreal afternoon in Mexico will give him further cause to question reality.

The Briton, who wrapped up his third title in Austin, was serenaded by a Mariachi band, played table football in a wrestling ring with a masked fighter and was handed a beaded skull as a gift on Wednesday.

“Every day I am waking up and I’m like: I can’t believe it. I’m a three times world champion,” the Mercedes driver told reporters after an event organised by team sponsor Puma for employees.

“I don’t know when it’s going to kick in but I’m definitely enjoying it,” continued Hamilton, who earned his 10th victory of the season in Texas. “When people tell me three, I have them repeat it because it sounds really cool.”

The afternoon’s activities gave him plenty more opportunities to think he was still dreaming. He had arrived at the Arena Mexico, the venerable home of Lucha Libre wrestling and boxing venue for the 1968 Olympics, to be serenaded on stage to the strains of ‘Cielito Lindo’.

Handed an oversized sombrero, which he declined to wear, the champion was then invited to play table football inside the ring against the renowned ‘Mistico’, a masked ‘luchador’ in a shimmering cape.

Mexican national team striker Oribe Peralta joined in the fun, declaring the match to be his side America versus Hamilton’s favourite club, Arsenal.

After an exhibition fight, Hamilton stepped into the ring and threw himself sideways through the air at ‘Mistico’, who collapsed theatrically to the canvas and conceded defeat.

Hamilton was then presented with a skull — Sunday’s Mexican Grand Prix coinciding with Mexico’s ‘Day of the Dead’ holiday — and posed with it like a pensive Hamlet as photographers snapped away.

“I’ve seen this on TV, in movies, but to actually be there and be in the ring is really cool,” he said. “They were talking about just doing a very simple manoeuvre but I wanted to really do it. Hopefully you were kind of impressed by my wrestling moves. Maybe when I retire I’ll come back.”

After telling reporters that he loved tacos and his favourite movie was ‘Man on Fire’, an action thriller set in Mexico City and starring Denzel Washington, Hamilton turned his thoughts to Sunday’s race.

The grand prix will be the first in Mexico since 1992 and an unknown for all the current crop of drivers.

“I want to win the race … I’m going to keep pushing for sure. Especially when it’s a new circuit, you always want to be the one to put your stamp down and be the first,” said Hamilton. “From the simulator, it looks fantastic.”

“Very, very tricky and not just another track, because we’re very high it’s hugely demanding for us with the downforce and thin air,” he added. “It’s going to be physically probably one of the toughest races.”

[MIKA27]

UNITED STATES GP FINANCIALLY DEVASTATING FOR ORGANISER

Lewis Hamilton left Austin with his childhood dream achieved, but for the race organisers it was an horror United States Grand Prix.

“It was a tough weekend,” Circuit of the Americas chairman Bobby Epstein admitted.

Electrical storms and torrential rain, brought by the periphery of the huge Hurricane Patricia, meant that at one stage, fans were locked outside the track while cars practiced to empty grandstands.

It was also the lowest race-day crowd in the four-year history of the US grand prix in Texas, as Epstein admitted it was a “financially devastating weekend for the company”.

“We lost millions on concessions” that those fans would normally have purchased in normal weather, he said in an interview with the Austin American Statesman.

“And we suffered from some fans having such a bad experience they won’t be back, though I hope we can change their mind.”

Another issue for the US grand prix was that, for the first time, it was paired with the return to the calendar of Mexico, while although also in North America already has an established and passionate local following.

“The Mexico race hurt us,” Epstein agrees.

MIKA: I for one would love to go and see a GP at Austin. Such a brilliant looking track and event.

[MIKA27]

ROSBERG CAN BEAT HAMILTON SAYS MONTOYA

Nico Rosberg cannot be ruled out of the running to take on Lewis Hamilton, even though the German has lost two consecutive Formula 1 world championships to his Mercedes teammate.

That is the view of former F1 race winner turned Indycar driver Juan Pablo Montoya, who stopped in at Austin last weekend to attend the US grand prix.

There, on Sunday, Hamilton wrapped up his third drivers’ title with three full rounds to spare, indicating the sport is now in the midst of a clear ‘Hamilton era’.

Asked, however, what makes the Briton so strong, Colombian Montoya answered simply to the German newspaper Welt: “The car helps! It sounds like a joke, but I’m serious. He has won ten races this season.”

“That makes him a deserving champion, but of course he is benefitting from that car. Lewis seems to have a knack for picking the right team at the right time,” Montoya, who drove for Williams and McLaren until 2006, added.

But a potential flaw in Montoya’s argument is that, with the very same car and identical support from Mercedes chiefs, teammate Rosberg appears increasingly incapable of taking on Hamilton.

Montoya disagrees, “I do not think that Nico is slower. When he is focused and his car is not giving him problems, he is just as fast if not faster than Lewis. I think the big problem for him this year was qualifying.”

So when asked if he can imagine Rosberg winning a world championship whilst Hamilton is still active in F1, Montoya answered: “Yes, Nico can be world champion, I’m convinced.

“But he needs to change a bit and think positively. He still has three races to change the momentum of this season and he should use them,” he added.

A contemporary of Montoya’s, former two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen, agrees that Rosberg can now head into the final three races with his sights set on 2016.

“That the championship is now over is probably a relief somehow for Nico,” he told Hermes. “Now he can start to think about next season and what he has to do differently.

“He doesn’t have to worry about if he is fast enough, but just fitting together all the pieces of the puzzle,” Hakkinen added.

Finally, Montoya said he does not subscribe to the theory that F1 in the past was all rosy and the sport today is boring and predictable.

“Think about when Michael Schumacher was so dominant — who was going to be champion was at least as clear as it was this season.

“That’s the way it is in formula one: a team always sets the pace. That being said, I think we saw a great race in Austin, with some thrilling fights,” he insisted.

[MIKA27]

Alonso: No magic but we’ll try our best

Fernando Alonso says McLaren can copy some of their rivals' ideas, which would be a "free" performance upgrade for 2016.

The double World Champion is adamant McLaren-Honda can take a massive stride forward next season.

He recently spoke of the possibility of the team gaining "2.5 seconds" in the off-season which he feels could put them on the winning path.

Asked in Thursday's press conference how that could be possible, he said: "The lack of performance we have in some areas of the car is from quite fundamental issues.

"They have not too difficult solutions.

"We need to copy some of the directions that everyone has apart from us.

"There's some time we can recover with not much penalty because others already have it in their package.

"Some of our performance gain will be more free, let's say."

The Spaniard, though, concedes McLaren's rivals won't be resting on their laurels so it is up to the Woking team to make even bigger gains.

"But it is true that the competition will be working hard all winter and will recover a couple of seconds too, so we need to make extra.

"But we feel optimistic and confident that we will be very competitive.

"We are realistic at the same time, we understand that in F1 there are is no magic.

"In one year, going from being out in Q3 to fighting for the championship is very, very optimistic – but we will try our best."

[MIKA27]

STR engine deal ‘closer and closer’

Franz Tost hopes Toro Rosso will have a new engine deal in place "before the end of the season" as negotiations continue.

The midfield team is without an engine supplier for 2016 after Red Bull decided to part ways with the under-performing Renault.

Toro Rosso, though, are closing in on a new deal that is believed to be with Ferrari.

"We are still negotiating, and we are getting closer and closer, and within the next weeks we will have a decision," team principal Tost told Autosport.

"I hope it will be before the end of the season because otherwise it will become very tough for the start in Melbourne, especially as the calendar has changed and it [the start] is two weeks earlier than before."

As for reports that it could be a year-old Ferrari unit that powers the STR11, Tost concedes Toro Rosso will need to take what they can get.

He said: "The manufacturers decide what we get, and in the end we have to be happy to get something.

"If it's one year old, this is how it is. The influence we have in this case is not on a level we maybe would expect, or wish.

"Therefore with this regulation and this situation we have to take what they offer us."

[MIKA27]

Video: Hamilton turns his talent to wrestling in Mexico

Fresh from his third title victory, Lewis Hamilton travelled to Mexico and took part in a sponsored wrestling event ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix.

At no point did he wish his opponent was Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg.

[MIKA27]

Button, Alonso face combined 65 place grid penalty

McLaren are set for another difficult weekend plagued by grid penalties as both Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso will receive new Honda power units for the Mexican Grand Prix.

Button is expected to drop 50 places in total as he will take a new ICE, turbocharger, MGU-H and MGU-K for first practice, before swapping it out for further replacements ahead of second practice.

This will give the Briton further options should he require a new engine at either the Brazilian or Abu Dhabi races, without incurring a further penalty.

Meanwhile Alonso will swap out his Austin engine for a brand new unit after it suffered damage. As a result, the Spaniard dropped out of the points last weekend after running in fifth place for much of the race.

He will drop ten places, but could face a further drop of five places if the team opt to change his gearbox, which will only be confirmed on Friday morning.

Both McLaren drivers will use the new 'phase four' engine which features revised injectors, which Honda identified as the cause of Alonso's failure at the United States GP.

Due to a recent rule change, grid penalties can't exceed the maximum number of grid spaces, therefore both drivers will likely start from the back of grid.

MIKA: Now that's just plain ridiculous... 65 place grid penalty when there's no way near as many cars so why not just back of the field!?

[MIKA27]

Grosjean hails overachieving Lotus team

Outgoing Lotus driver Romain Grosjean has praised his squad for its efforts in 2015, saying it is "crazy" how well the Enstone team has done in light of a general lack of car upgrades.

Lotus' 2015 car, the E23, received little in the way of upgrades due to financial issues and its uncertain future in Formula 1.

But despite staggered development, the team's first podium of the campaign came in the 11th race at Spa, courtesy of Grosjean, who also managed to reach Q3 12 times in 16 rounds.

"It's actually quite crazy, if you think that the car we had in Belgium is the same as we had in Melbourne," the Frenchman said. "A few tweaks here and there, but no big updates.

"And we are still capable, or even in Russia, getting in the top ten in the qualifying. And we are doing great - the baseline was really good from the beginning, there was a lot of potential to be developed, but, as you know, the situation was what it was."

Grosjean, who has been tied with the Enstone squad since 2006, admitted he will miss the people working for the team when he makes the change to Haas next year.

"I spent 10 of my years of my life in Enstone," he recalled with a smile. "Got to Formula 1, they fired me once, I came back, made my way through, crashed a few times, got 10 podiums.

"In the end, they gave me a lot, I gave them a lot - we're gonna split equal, but I wish success for the team.

"Everyone who leaves it can tell you that it's been great. I'm gonna miss the guys, of course, but I won't be too far in the paddock - can come there for coffee or so."

Cautiously optimistic about Mexico

Grosjean admitted that he could be in for a difficult race at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, but suggested that the track's characteristics were reminiscent of other circuits where Lotus has performed strongly in 2015.

"[The track is] gonna be very hard on the brakes - the density of the air makes the cooling of the engine, the breaks and the aerodynamics tricky, I think.

"The tyre [compounds] are probably a bit of a conservative choice but at the end, there are characteristics of Canada, of Spa-Francorchamps a little bit, so let's hope it works as well as it did there."

While Spa yielded Lotus' only podium of 2015 so far, Montreal featured its best qualifying effort, with Grosjean taking fifth and teammate Pastor Maldonado in sixth.

[MIKA27]

Red Bull Racing - Celebrating 200 Races (Adrian Newey Interview)

As the Team tackled its 200th Grand Prix in Austin last weekend, we catch up with Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey to look back at some of the trials and achievements from the past 11 years and look ahead to what is still to come.

[MIKA27]

F1 Mexican Grand Prix: Nearly Impossible to equalise two engine concepts – Button

Jenson Button says it is unlikely the FIA will be able to 'level the playing field' between the current generation V6 Hybrid power units and the standardised twin-turbo engines being proposed by the FIA and FOM for 2017.

Earlier this week, the FIA announced it is putting out a tender to develop a new, 'simpler' specification engine designed to be offered at a lower cost for smaller cash-strapped teams.

The initiative has been launched after Ferrari vetoed plans to cap the price of the current power units, prompting an alternative cost-saving measure.

However, the proposal has unsurprisingly been met with disapproval from engine manufacturers, who feel it negates the funding and effort they put in develop the power units to the original framework as determined by the FIA and FOM.

Indeed, though Button admits a cheaper engine option is worthwhile if it ensures the survival of certain teams, he sympathises with the engine manufacturers' concerns.

“If it helps smaller teams come in to the sport then I think it's probably a good thing, but it's always very difficult for a manufacturer like Mercedes, Ferrari or Honda because they've put so much effort in to this power unit which is so complex.

“As you can see this year it's difficult for us and it takes time to make it competitive. So to suddenly have an engine that people can just bolt in which is competitive is very, very difficult.

Furthermore, Button is sceptical that ensuring a level playing field between two different concepts would be 'nearly impossible' to achieve.

“I don't know how they're going to level up the playing field. Do they make it as powerful as the least powerful 1.6-litre or make it as powerful as the most powerful 1.6-litre? How do you judge that?

“Also the compressor size and what's the deployment at 160kw, they're all different sizes up and down the grid so how do you judge that? It's complicated enough already and adding another engine to try and level the playing field between those two engines is nearly impossible I think.”

[MIKA27]

Bottas: 2016 will be very important for me…

Valtteri Bottas admits the 2016 Formula 1 World Championship season will be 'important' for his career as he looks to progress on from a 2015 campaign that he admits has been imperfect.

Having made his F1 debut in 2013 with Williams, scoring just one top ten finish as the historic Grove-based squad suffered its worst-ever season in the sport, the Finn enjoyed a breakthrough 2014 season on the back of Williams' revival under the latest regulations.

Ending the year fourth overall, ahead of more experienced team-mate Felipe Massa and with six podium results to his name, Bottas had been touted as a potential race win contender for 2015. However, with Ferrari surpassing Williams as Mercedes' most consistent threat, Bottas himself admits he is disappointed that success hasn't been so frequent this year.

“As a whole, not great for me I must admit,” he told Crash.net. “I think it's a very unlucky season compared to last year – there's been a lot of things happening in races for me, things where I've not been able to do anything: pit-stops, wrong tyres, brake problems, things like this… In a couple of qualifying sessions, I didn't get 100 per cent out of the car and that is really crucial for the starting place.

Despite this, Bottas – who was on course for a top four result in Russia before being spun out by Kimi Raikkonen – feels he has enjoyed a more competitive latter half to the year and is optimistic this will carry him through to 2016.

“Not a perfect season but there are still three opportunities left and I've been pleased overall with the last few races, I feel that I've been able to perform at my top level and get everything out of the car.”

Expanding on the operational issues that have hampered him this season, most notably being fitted with different tyre compounds at the Belgian Grand Prix and dissatisfaction over team orders at Silverstone, Bottas says Williams must improve in this area, but is confident it will do so.

“It's been imperfect operationally as everyone has seen, and the team is also not very happy about it,” he continued. “Of course, we would have wanted to be on a higher level but we are really getting better. It might be easy to see but, from every mistake, we always learn. I think the pit-stops, in particular, seem very bad because we've been having issues with the wheel nuts not coming off the tyres.

“The boys, the mechanics, they've been doing a lot of work to improve, but with the equipment they have at the moment, they can't deliver – but we are working on that as well and finding results, so by the end of the year and especially next year, we will be much stronger as a team.”

Having been linked with a move to Ferrari in 2016, the subsequent confirmation of Raikkonen would see Bottas pen a new deal with Williams instead. However, on the premise Raikkonen will retire at the end of 2016, competition for that seat is likely to grow, with Max Verstappen and Haas-bound Romain Grosjean earmarked as early candidates too.

With this in mind, Bottas – who is part-managed by Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff – admits he needs to improve for the 2016 season.

“I don't know, we'll find out later,” he says when asked about 2017 and the prospect of a Mercedes drive given his relationship with Wolff. “This is too early to speculate. I think, for me, obviously, like every season in F1, it is important but next year, for me, is going to be very important to do well.”

[MIKA27]

FIA forging ahead with Mercedes’ ‘halo’ canopy evaluation

The FIA has revealed more details about the tests it will conduct to increase cockpit safety in motorsport following the death of IndyCar racer Justin Wilson in August, including a continuation of Mercedes' 'halo' proposal.

According to FIA safety director Laurent Mekies, three cockpit solutions have been identified as being of particular interest for further evaluation – a front roll hoop concept, a centreline roll hoop extending from the roll hoop to the front of the cockpit and Mercedes' much discussed 'halo'.

These proposals come after the FIA carried out its own tests in the wake of the late Jules Bianchi's accident in the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, with these options yet to be ruled out either as the governing body explores all of its options.

Significantly, should the tests prove successful, there is a chance elements could be applied as early as 2017, while the FIA is eager to provide a solution that works across different single-seater series'.

“We are trying to first find something that does the job, then we will find a way to deal with other matters [visibility and extraction]. We are looking at a broad range of solutions and trying to learn from each test. It will be an impact test mainly, but with different impact angles and impact speeds and so on.”

“Obviously it's at the research stage. Nevertheless we have shown some steps that are already done for 2016 if you look at the cockpit side reinforcement. Obviously anything before 2017 is not doable but probably something in 2017 could already be introduced if we get good results. If we don't get good results then we think the solution could be further delayed.”

Grand Prix Drivers' Association chairman and former F1 driver Alex Wurz says he has a particular preference for the canopy solution, but while he accepts there are other issues to overcome, he is pleased to see the FIA forging ahead with ideas.

“Personally I prefer the canopy solution,” the Toyota WEC driver said. “All of them are evaluated. I think you have to then also see the practical approach of what are you able to do in which timeframe. Obviously the idea would be that the driver is 100% safe which potentially if you just think of flying objects the canopy would be the best solution.

“There would then be other issues to deal with like extraction, fire and all these things which are the next step. That then leads in to this road of solution or that road of solution. So in any case the good thing is that we are here and we all agree that we are doing something and something will be done but like usual you first have to look in to it with research and development.

“Then together the teams, the FIA - including the drivers - have to come up with the steps to a solution, ideally coming to a higher safety point.”

Wilson passed away on August 24th August, two days after being struck by an errant piece of debris from a collision further up the road at the Pocono Raceway. Discussions over closed cockpits was first raised in 2009 in the wake of Felipe Massa's serious accident at the Hungaroring, when he suffered head injuries after being struck by debris.

[MIKA27]

MEXICO QUALIFYING: ROSBERG MAKES IT FOUR IN A ROW

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg driver powered to his fourth pole position in a row as he topped the timing sheets at the end of qualifying for the Mexican Grand Prix, edging teammate Lewis Hamilton by a couple of tenths and Sebastian Vettel ending third fastest in the Ferrari.

Rosberg made no mistake as he claimed yet another top spot start, while Hamilton made a small error in the stadium section, which was packed to capacity with enthusiastic fans reveling to the sight and sound of Formula 1 at Hermanos Rodriguez Circuit for the first time since 1992.

Rosberg has only won two of the last ten races he has started on pole, and will be looking to up his conversion rate. He has stats on his side as the race in Mexico City has been won from the front row in five of the last six races held there, but that was over 20 years ago…

Rosberg said afterwards, “It will be an exciting battle. It will be interesting tyre wise. There was some stuff going on on Friday which will not be easy to handle in the race. But we are looking forward to it.”

The tension between the Silver Arrows duo appears to have dissipated since Hamilton secured his third title a week earlier in Texas, as the world champion shook hands with his teammate immediately after they climbed out of their respective cars.

Hamilton said of his session, “There were a couple of moments when the car felt spectacular but there are a few places I could improve.”

With Red Bull looking strong all weekend on a track which rewards downforce, it was a good effort by Vettel to nab third place, but seriously challenging the top two was another story.

“In the end Mercedes were too quick, but who knows what will happen tomorrow. It’s a fun track,” said Vettel afterwards.

Behind the German was Daniil Kvyat in fourth and Daniel Ricciardo fifth, with the Williams pair of Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa sixth and seventh respectively.

Teenage rookie Max Verstappen was eight fastest in the Toro Rosso, a mere six thousandth of a second up on local hero Sergio Perez in the Force India, whose teammate Nico Hulkenberg rounded out the top ten.

[MIKA27]

MALLYA: PEREZ IS MATURE ENOUGH TO HANDLE THE PRESSURE

The pressure is mounting on Sergio Perez but the sole Mexican driver in the country’s first Formula One grand prix in 23 years is handling it well, according to Force India co-owner Vijay Mallya.

Perez, on the podium in Russia this month and hitting a rich vein of form, has been at the centre of attention all week with Sunday’s race at the revamped Hermanos Rodriguez circuit a career highlight whatever the result.

More than 100 000 spectators are expected to turn out on Sunday after 89 000 attended Friday’s free practice sessions – more than turn up on race day at some venues with less tradition or local fervour.

Judging from the roar that went up whenever Perez’s car appeared in sight, most will be cheering for the 25-year-old Guadalajara native.

“There is pressure, particularly in a home race where Checo (Perez) is a superstar and has so many fans,” Mallya told Reuters.

“But I think he’s mature enough to handle that pressure. In fact, coming off two strong performances in Sochi and then in Austin, he is really raring to go here in front of his home fans.

“That’s my reading of the situation based on my conversations with him. He knows it’s a competitive car and just has to relax and enjoy his racing. He’s certainly not wilting under any pressure, doesn’t show any signs of it.”

Veteran Formula One insider Jo Ramirez, who worked with Brazilian Ayrton Senna at McLaren and has known every Mexican driver since he left the country for Italy with Ricardo Rodriguez in the early 1960s, hoped that was the case.

“I just hope he controls his nerves,” the 74-year-old told Reuters in the paddock. “The passion he is going to have. He never really drove here. It’s 23 years since the grand prix was here.

“I saw in Brazil what happened with Ayrton Senna. Everybody wanted a piece of him, a photo, a signature, an interview…”

One headline in the national daily newspaper Reforma summed up a concern that all the attention could prevent Perez performing to his best: “Dejenlo Trabajar” (Let him work).

Perez, ninth and 15th in the two sessions, said he remained as focused as ever.

“I want to give all the Mexican fans who come to the track this week something to celebrate on Sunday…I am feeling optimistic that I will be able to deliver a good result for them,” he said.

[MIKA27]

GUTIERREZ CONFIRMED BY HAAS FOR 2016

Mexican Esteban Gutierrez will race for the new U.S.-owned Haas Formula One team next season after being officially appointed on Friday.

Hass said the 24-year-old Ferrari reserve driver, who raced for Sauber in 2013 and 2014, will join Frenchman Romain Grosjean in the Ferrari-powered team that makes its debut in 2016. The news was entirely expected and seen as Formula One’s worst-kept secret.

“This is an excellent opportunity that builds on my time with Ferrari and I will make the most of it,” Gutierrez said after being presented at Mexico City’s Soumaya Museum.

“Gene Haas believes in me and I believe in how he’s going about competing in Formula One. To have a race seat in a competitive car with Ferrari power is very special, and I appreciate the faith he has in me.”

“I got to know Esteban through our relationship with Ferrari, and after looking at the success he’s had to earn his role there, it became clear he was an excellent choice for our race team,” Haas said. “He’s young and hungry, but not inexperienced.”

“His two years running a full F1 schedule has given him some very good race experience, and having spent this season at Ferrari as their third driver allowed him to see firsthand the methodology that makes Ferrari such a power in Formula One.”

“We’re very happy to have Esteban as a part of our race team. Between him and Romain, we have a strong driver lineup that will help us develop our car and, ultimately, score some points in our inaugural season.”

Gutiérrez will get his first drive with Haas F1 Team during the preseason test Feb. 22-25 at Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona. A second test at Barcelona takes place March 1-4 before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix March 20 in Melbourne.

“This is an excellent opportunity that builds on my time with Ferrari and I will make the most of it,” Gutiérrez said. “Gene Haas believes in me and I believe in how he’s going about competing in Formula One. To have a race seat in a competitive car with Ferrari power is very special, and I appreciate the faith he has in me. I trust we’ll be able to achieve great things together.”

“All along we said we were looking for experienced drivers, and we have that with Romain and Esteban,” said Guenther Steiner, team principal, Haas F1 Team. “Romain has more starts, but Esteban has a deep knowledge of Ferrari and how they do things.”

“He’s learned from the best in his role as their third driver, which means he knows how they’ve developed their current cars. He’s been a big part of that and he’ll be a big part in the development of our cars at Haas F1 Team.”

Carlos Slim Domit, president of the Telmex-Telcel Racing Team said, “Tonight, we are particularly proud of the Telmex and Telcel Racing Team, not only for Mexican motor racing, but for sport in general in our country.”

“Today, we can confirm the talent and the experience of Esteban Gutiérrez with his continuing career in Formula One as an official driver for Haas F1 Team, with whom we feel very happy to start a new adventure.”

[MIKA27]

MANOR SITUATION A WASTE SAYS DEPARTING LOWDON

Amid high speculation in Mexico about the team’s future in Formula 1, Graeme Lowdon said Manor will clarify the situation as soon as possible.

Reports suggest Lowdon, the team chief executive, and Manor founder and team principal John Booth, are quitting the British backmarker at the end of the year over a dispute about the direction of the team with investor Stephen Fitzpatrick.

“I’m sorry,” Lowdon told Speed Week correspondent Agnes Carlier in Mexico, “I can’t comment at the moment.”

But Carlier said that Lowdon’s body language made clear that all is not well, made worse by the fact that he and Booth fought so hard to rescue the team over the winter and in the wake of the tragic death of Jules Bianchi.

“Yes, we overcame so many problems in order to get out of that (financial) situation. It’s a shame,” Lowdon added, “because the team is now viable. What a waste! I am sorry to the people in the team who are so good and competent.”

“We will inform the public about the next steps as soon as possible,” he said.

[MIKA27]

MANOR RESIGNATIONS A BLOW FOR THE TEAM SAYS WOLFF

Mercedes bosses will be curious spectators as intrenal strife unfolds within the Manor camp, amid resignation of key figures from the team.

That is what Toto Wolff said after rumours spread around the paddock in Mexico City on Friday that Manor chiefs John Booth and Graeme Lowdon have resigned.

The news apparently came as a surprise to the Mercedes team boss, having only recently signed a deal with Manor to supply them with championship-winning ‘power units’ for 2016.

“I’ve known John forever, since the Formula Renault days of Lewis (Hamilton) and formula 3. Manor means John Booth and John Booth means Manor.”

As for Lowdon, who is understood to also be leaving amid a dispute over the future with Manor’s new investor Stephen Fitzpatrick, Wolff added: “Graeme was very instrumental in keeping the team alive last year.

“So seeing them go, from a personal standpoint and from the racing spirit, is obviously a blow. Going forward, we have signed the deal with Manor and we need to give credit to everybody in the team who stays but we are curious spectators from now on,” he said.

Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport said Mercedes put a clause in the engine deal allowing it to be terminated in the event that Manor is sold to a new owner.

The report, adding that there is more than one interested buyer on the horizon, explained that the clause would stop Red Bull from simply snapping up Manor and securing the Mercedes engine deal it really wants.

[MIKA27]

FERRARI SHELVES LATEST ENGINE UNTIL 2016

Ferrari has sidelined the latest specification of its F1 ‘power unit’ for the remainder of the 2015 season.

That is the claim of the Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat, referring to the unit that reportedly utilises the Maranello outfit’s final four performance upgrade ‘tokens’ for the season.

Ferrari considered debuting the engine in Austin, but correspondent Luis Vasconcelos reports that because it also requires a re-designed rear of the car and crash test, the decision has been made to wait until 2016.

“Ferrari wanted to use all the tokens this year,” he said, “so that it can focus on using all 32 tokens next year.”

The final goal for Ferrari this year is for Sebastian Vettel to keep his spot in front of Nico Rosberg for second place in the drivers’ world championship.

Vettel has said previously he is not particularly interested in finishing runner-up, but he declared in Mexico: “Second is better than third, so we will try to finish second.

“We are not the favourites, but in the last few races we have seen that we are coming closer and we have a better chance here and there,” added Vettel.

[MIKA27]

MEXICAN COMPANIES PARTNER FORCE INDIA FOR HOME RACE

Sahara Force announced announce that B×+ and Cementos Fortaleza have joined as team partners for this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix. B×+ is a financial services organisation headquartered in Mexico City, offering banking services and solutions to a range of businesses and individuals across Mexico.

Cementos Fortaleza is part of Elementia, a construction materials company that offers a unique platform to add value to the different stages of the construction process through recognizable brands within the sector and an extensive distribution network.

Dr Vijay Mallya, Team Principal and Managing Director of Sahara Force India: “We are very happy to have the support of yet another well-known Mexican brand ahead of what promises to be one of the most exciting races of the season. B×+ have seen just how much enthusiasm there is throughout Mexico for our sport and recognise the power of Formula One as a way of driving brand awareness. We thank them for being part of our journey and will do our utmost to give them a special result to celebrate on Sunday evening.”

and added: “It is a pleasure to be able to welcome Cementos Fortaleza to the Sahara Force India family. The Mexican Grand Prix is not only a great sporting occasion for the country, but also a chance for this proud nation to display its economic and technological prowess. Cementos Fortaleza plays a big role in this process and, like us, continuously strives for innovation. We’re looking forward to a successful relationship as we celebrate this great weekend in Mexico City.”

Tomás Ehrenberg Aldford, B×+ Financial Group CEO: “It is a privilege for to be part of Formula One’s return to Mexico after 23 years by partnering with Sahara Force India Formula One Team. Having a high-profile World Championship in our country is not only positive for Mexico’s reputation as a venue for sporting events; it also brings financial benefits through attracting investments that trigger further economic activity. According to financial analysts, the economic benefit will be around USD$400 million, generating 18,000 direct and indirect jobs and attracting around 300,000 visitors of different nationalities. México is increasingly positioning itself as an excellent option for financial investments and tourism, and this is one of the reasons why B×+ decided to support Sahara Force India in Mexico.”

About Bx+

B×+ is a financial institution that, since its foundation, has worked hard to become the best strategic partner for its clients, shareholders and collaborators. B×+ is focused on providing simple solutions to complex banking challenges. Our business is based on attracting loans, leasing, and devising market strategies that serve families, businesses and the agribusiness sector. In 2015, B×+ started an ambitious growth plan aimed at increasing three times its assets through the opening of 50 branches, as well as developing innovative products and services, with special focus on electronic banking.

[MIKA27]

RAIN AND NOW VALCANO MAY IMPACT MEXICAN GP WEEKEND

Hot on the heels of Hurricane Patricia, the F1 world now has its eye on another natural phenomenon.

A mere 75 kilometres from the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, the Popocatepetl or ‘El Popo’ volcano has erupted. De Telegraaf, a Dutch newspaper, said the eruption has hurled a huge cloud of ash some 2,500 metres into the air, which set off in a northerly direction.

And, as in Austin last week, the threat of heavy rain is also hanging above the Mexican grand prix, with qualifying most in danger of being wet.

[MIKA27]

Hulkenberg plays down ‘shut up’ comment

Nico Hulkenberg has brushed aside his radio exchange with his race engineer during qualifying for the Mexican GP saying "there was a bit of confusion".

The German qualified 10th fastest, but Force India opted to send both their drivers out late in Q3 with Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez doing only one flying lap.

However, there appeared to be miscommunication between Hulkenberg and the pit wall and it led to an interesting conversation with race engineer Bradley Joyce at one point telling the driver to "shut up".

After being told that Valtteri Bottas in the Williams was 2.5s behind him on the track, Hulkenberg said: "So I'll have to let him past then if he's pushing now."

Joyce replied: "No you won't, you're pushing! You're pushing! Do not do that! You're pushing! We're on a timed lap now, Nico."

Hulkenberg then asked "warm up lap?", but was told: "Shut up! It's not a warm up lap, it's a timed lap! Bottas is on a warm-up lap behind you.

"I'll tell you where the traffic is, you concentrate on driving!"

Hulkenberg, though, played down the incident after qualifying.

"There was a bit of confusion," he said. "I need to talk to the engineers because I couldn't understand what was going on."

[MIKA27]

Honda still in talks with Red Bull

Honda are "open" to the possibility of supplying Red Bull with engines, according to motorsport boss Yasuhisa Arai.

Earlier this month it emerged that Red Bull Racing had approached Honda after being rejected by both Mercedes and Ferrari.

However McLaren CEO Ron Dennis is believed to have vetoed any deal as the Woking team wish to have an exclusive relationship with the Japanese manufacturer.

But despite that, Arai has revealed that Honda are still in talks with Red Bull.

He said: "Obviously we cannot discuss details at this moment.

"We have been approached by the team but discussions are ongoing and nothing has been decided.

"I always say this season: we are always open, so we are on discussions that are ongoing – that's it."

[skalls]

Anyone else think karma was served with the kimi-bottas crash?

[MIKA27]

Anyone else think karma was served with the kimi-bottas crash?

La,La,La,La,La!!!!!

I'm yet to watch the race, shown here live at 06:00 am so couldn't watch it as I have to work!! :(