FORMULA 1 - 2015

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MASSA SAYS WILLIAMS FW37 HAS A LOT OF POTENTIAL

Felipe Massa was third fastest at the end of day two of testing in Barcelona in the Williams, a mere 0.098 of a second down on the top time of the day and is convinced that there is more potential in the FW37.

The Brazilian said after his two day stint in the car, “The car has a lot of potential and we realised some of that but we still have a lot of work to do. We completed the programme for the day without any unexpected issues.”

“The work on tyres this afternoon gave us a lot of good data which we now have to look at. Getting more laps in the FW37 is important for the continued development of the car,” added Massa.

Williams test boss Rod Nelson summed up day two, “It has been another productive day. Barcelona is a good representative circuit so the data we get here is very useful.”

“We had a lot of work to do with Felipe which we covered. Our focus is moving from reliability and long runs to more performance based tests and I am pleased with how the car has run so far in Barcelona.,” concluded Nelson.

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FERRARI PREPARED TO SUPPLY ENGINES TO MANOR F1

Ferrari are prepared to supply their engines from the 2014 season to Manor F1, the successor of the bankrupt Marrusia Formula One team, the Italians’ team principal Maurizio Arrivabene announced on Friday.

“We said to Marussia yesterday that we would supply them with the 2014 engines. There is nothing signed at the moment, but I would imagine it will be soon,” said Arrivabene, who was giving his first press conference since taking charge during the second day of pre-season testing in Barcelona.

Marussia came out of bankruptcy administration on Thursday after creditors gave approval for control of the company to be passed back to the directors after new investment was found.

Former Sainsbury’s supermarket chief executive Justin King is believed to be among the new investors.

Marussia failed to take part in the final three races of last season after collapsing in October with debts of more than £60 million, much of which was owed to Ferrari.

Meanwhile, on the track, there has been plenty of encouragement for Ferrari after a disastrous 2014 season which yielded only one podium finish in 19 races.

The new SF15-T has looked impressive on the first six days of testing with new recruit Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen finishing among the two fastest drivers every day.

“There is progress compared to last season, that is clear, but I don’t believe in being a winter champion based on testing,” warned Arrivabene.

“I don’t want to say that we will be fighting for the title, I am keeping my feet on the ground.

“We aren’t thinking about beating (double world champions) Mercedes. The whole team is working well together and pulling in the same direction, that is the important thing for me.

“We have two fantastic drivers, they know each other very well and are friends. They are the ideal pair to help us achieve our objectives.”

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DANICA PATRICK RULES OUT MOVE TO FORMULA 1

Danica Patrick has adamantly played down suggestions she might be in pole position to enter Formula 1 next year with the Haas F1 team.

She already drives in Nascar for Stewart-Haas, the team co-owned by F1’s 2016 newcomer, Gene Haas.

32-year-old Patrick’s move from American racing to F1 would be an enormous publicity coup for the sport, as she is undoubtedly the most famous female racing driver in the history of racing.

But she told the German newspaper Welt: “Many, many people have always said that I will move to F1 one day. But no one ever talked to me about it!

“But that’s ok, because I wouldn’t go anyway.

“It’s not so much that I am not interested in driving a formula one car,” Patrick explained. “But in order to do it properly, I would have to leave the US, and for me that is out of the question.

“Also, I only want to do things if I have a chance to win, and as an outsider that would be so difficult in formula one,” she added.

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RED BULL BOSS DENIES HE IS SELLING F1 TEAM TO AUDI

Dietrich Mateschitz has denied reports he might be looking to sell his Formula 1 team Red Bull to Audi.

On Thursday, stories emerged in the German press suggesting that the Red Bull mogul and billionaire might be looking to go beyond his role as a team owner and buy into the sport’s commercial rights.

In the process, he might be offering to sell the multiple title-winning Milton-Keynes based team to Audi, the Volkswagen-owned German carmaker, for €300 million by 2017.

“I don’t know anything about it,” Austrian Mateschitz insisted to the German-language Speed Week. “As far as I know, we are having no such ‘clearance sale’,” he added.

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GASTALDI: FORMULA 1 IS A WORLD OF HUGE EGOS AND VANITY

Huge egos have ensured the status quo in Formula 1 when it comes to cost-cutting and income distribution according to Federico Gastaldi, the deputy chief at Lotus.

Late last year, his boss Gerard Lopez was highly vocal as he joined fellow midfielders Force India and Sauber in complaining about the financial situation within the sport. But according to Gastaldi, nothing has changed in the last three months.

“We have lost count of the number of meetings we have had with Bernie Ecclestone and the other teams,” he is quoted by Brazil’s Globo.

“Over the past year it hasn’t moved an inch in terms of the changes that we consider important not only for us but also for the whole sport,” Gastaldi added.

He said some of the biggest problems are the personalities involved, “There is a lot of vanity here. This is a world of huge egos. There are interests of all kinds.”

“They do not see that we are important to them too. What is really wrong is that there are some, who already have a lot, who get the lion’s share of what is generated by the show. And those who do not have as much, or who have much less, get much less.

“It is a model that does not work,” he argues. A similar case was made by Malaysian aviation entrepreneur Tony Fernandes, who founded his team in 2010 but sold the now-ailing Caterham mid last year. He admitted this week that the income distribution model is broken.

“There is enough money for everyone to make money from (F1),” Fernandes told Britain’s Sky. “Formula one needs a bit more excitement, needs a bit of cost control and needs to make sure that teams have enough money to survive.”

Gastaldi explained that the biggest and most powerful teams on the grid “have a lot of strength” to keep the situation as it is for reasons of self-interest. Still, he insists Lotus has a big enough budget to compete.

“It does not compare with those teams that receive much more than us,” he said, “but in 2012 and 2013, with less than half of what they got, we were there.

“We have the potential, after the mistakes of the past year, to once again be very competitive,” Gastaldi added.

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VETTEL PLAYS DOWN SCHUMI COMPARISONS

Triple world champion Sebastian Vettel denies he is a carbon-copy of fellow German and Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher.

Earlier this week, new Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene hailed the arrival at Maranello of Red Bull’s quadruple world champion.

“I was around in Michael (Schumacher)’s time,” the former Marlboro executive told Leo Turrini’s blog, “and I confess that there are times when I look at Vettel and, in some ways, it really seems like a carbon copy of Schumi!”

Vettel, however, reacted to Sport Bild: “It is almost impossible to compare any driver to Michael. What Michael achieved was unique — he played in his own league.”

Ferrari insiders, however, insist that 27-year-old Vettel has adopted a Schumacher-like disposition at the fabled team, as he stalks the paddock analytically taking notes.

“It is always very special to be compared to Michael,” he acknowledged. “And I’m also happy that I have been so warmly welcomed by everyone at Ferrari.

“Still, I’m Sebastian, not Michael, and I must and will go my own way,” Vettel insisted. “I also think today is a very different time to Michael’s.”

But the early signs are positive, as Ferrari has begun yet another test week with impressive pace from the new SF15-T car.

“The first impression at the tests has been good,” Vettel agreed, “but we need to keep the ball nice and flat. I know how much work we still have ahead of us.

“Ferrari is a team that is changing and it will be a while until everyone feels comfortable in their new roles. Including me,” he said.

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ROSBERG TO BECOME FATHER IN 2015

Nico Rosberg is the next Formula 1 driver in pole position to become a father.

Other new dads in the paddock are Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen, while the Lotus duo of Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado, plus Felipe Massa, also have young children.

And Mercedes’ newly-married Rosberg, championship runner-up in 2014, will be the next.

“It’s a girl!” the headline of the major daily Bild exclaimed. The 29-year-old German, who is scheduled to test on Friday despite reports of a neck strain, confirmed: “Vivian is four months pregnant and we are both super-happy.”

Rosberg said he went with Vivian to the latest pregnancy scan, and admitted: “Simply amazing. On the 3D images you can already see exactly how she is growing.”

The newspaper said his daughter is due to be born in mid-August, in the days immediately before the 2015 Belgian grand prix.

“Maybe I’ll ask Bernie Ecclestone to move a race,” laughed Rosberg, when told he might be in the midst of yet another scintillating title scrap with Lewis Hamilton.

“Seriously,” he added, “it’s much too early to think about that.”

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Sebastian Vettel may defy F1 ban on changing helmet designs

Sebastian Vettel says Formula 1's move to ban helmet design changes may not be enough to deter him from tweaking his colours still.

As AUTOSPORT revealed, the F1 commission voted earlier this week to outlaw drivers from changing their helmet designs during the course of the season.

F1 chiefs believe that having drivers use the same helmet design all the time will be better for those who follow the sport as it will be easier to recognise drivers.

Vettel is the person who has changed his helmet more than any other in F1, having used more than 90 different designs during his career.

And although he intends to not change as much this season, he said at Barcelona on Saturday that if the penalty for using different colours is just a small financial one then he may be willing to pay it.

"The plan was to calm down a little bit," said Vettel, who is using a white helmet with the colours of the German flag.

"It seems in these difficult times, it [banning helmet changes] is the only thing that people can agree on!

"I don't know what is the penalty. If it is a little fine with money for charity, then I am happy to keep changing my helmet."

Vettel's former Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo joked that the German was probably responsible for the ban in the first place.

"I think Seb started it all - it was ironic that they used him in the photo," he said.

"I'm not fussed. The helmet novelty has worn off a bit so if I have to keep the same one I will.

"I think someone like Seb will suffer a bit more!"

MASSA UNHAPPY ABOUT BAN

Felipe Massa believes that drivers should stick to a single design for their career, but he thinks it wrong that they be forced to do so in case of special occasions such as when he used a special design [pictured] for his final race with Ferrari.

"Honestly I don't like the idea to change helmets," he told AUTOSPORT. "The helmet is like our face, so I don't think really it's good [to keep changing].

"Drivers need to have the proper colour, the proper helmet and the proper design that people are looking from far and understand who is driving.

"But honestly I don't like the idea to block it. It's up to the driver.

"Maybe in a few years, what are they going to decide? We need to make a rule on the haircut?

"I don't think that's really nice. But it won't change for me. Because I don't like to change."

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ALONSO HOSPITALISED BUT CONSCIOUS AFTER STRANGE CRASH

McLaren’s Fernando Alonso was involved in a heavy crash on the final day of pre-season testing in Barcelona on Sunday but according to officials is “ok and conscious”, but will stay over night in hospital

The Spaniard, twice world champion, hit the wall on the exit of Turn Three at speeds of up to 150 miles per hour.

Sebastian Vettel, who replaced Alonso at Ferrari this year, told Sky, “The speed was slow, maybe 150kph. Then he turned right into the wall. It looked strange.”

Suggestions that Alonso may have suffered an electrical shock while at the wheel of the MP4-30 have been discounted while McLaren themselves have dismissed claims that their driver fainted.

The Spaniard was taken to the circuit’s medical centre for initial treatment before being airlifted to hospital for precautionary checks.

McLaren released the following statement: “Today [sunday] at 12:35 CET, while testing at the Circuit de Catalunya (Barcelona), during the fourth and final day of the current test, Fernando Alonso’s McLaren-Honda car left the track at Turn Three, causing the right-hand side of his car to strike the wall.”

“Fernando was driven to the circuit’s Medical Centre where the circuit’s doctors gave him first aid. He was conscious and spoke with the doctors. ”

“However, as per usual procedure in such circumstances, he was then airlifted to hospital where he is undergoing precautionary checks.”

The Circuit de Catalunya tweeted: “It seems that Alonso is ok. We hope that everything’s alright and all ends with just a shock!!”

It is unsure whether the crash was a result of a driver error or a malfunction with the car. Alonso’s former Ferrari team, whom he left at the end of last season, tweeted: “All the best Fernando.”

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VETTEL: I WAS SLEEPING A BIT AND ON COLD TYRES I SPUN

Sebastian Vettel put up his hand and admitted he made a rookie error when he spun exiting the pits during day three of testing at Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona.

Speaking at the end of his first day in the cockpit of the Ferrari SF15-T, Vettel said, “This morning I was sleeping a bit and, coming out of the pits on cold tyres, I spun. The least I could do was help the guys clean all the gravel out of the car!”

“Then, we worked mainly on reliability,doing a good number of laps. We are managing to run without too many problems, but it’s really hard to tell where we are compared to the others. We need to work day by day to try and understand our car.”

“In general, both me and Kimi are pleased with the way it handles, but there’s still a lot to do. The conditions today were difficult for everyone, as the cold meant the track was pretty slippery,” added the four times world champion.

Visiting the Ferrari pit garage in Barcelona was Ferrari big boss Sergio Marchionne, who kept an eye on proceedings while spending time with team principal Maurizio Arrivabene.

Marchionne orchestrated the Ferrari revolution which toppled the ‘old guard’ late last year and has since recruited Vettel to the Maranello team.

“It was good to see our President in the garage and I’m pleased he is bringing his support,” said Vettel.

The German ended the day fifth fastest with a best lap time of 1:26.407 and 105 laps to his credit.

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HAMILTON: THE CAR FEELS GOOD BETTER THAN LAST YEAR

Lewis Hamilton has been under the weather throughout the preseason Formula 1 test in Barcelona test, but when on duty in the cockpit of the Mercedes W06 felt the reigning world champion felt that the new car was a step up on it’s predecessor.

Hamilton mused, “I’m not sure where we stand compared to the others. The first test [Jerez] was just about completing loads of laps and today was the same, so I’ve not really started dialing the car into how I’d like to perfect it. Quick laps are for Saturday in qualifying. But it feels good – similar to last year but better.”

“I’m definitely not 100% and I’m looking forward to going home tonight [saturday] and sleeping for the next couple of days! It was a hard day out there physically – but I’ll make sure I’m better for next week and come back stronger.”

“I’m glad I got some good time in the car on [saturday] with 101 laps. The guys here and back at the factory are working incredibly hard to make sure we get as much mileage as we can, so a big thanks to them.”

“We weren’t looking for a quick lap – just driving round looking at setup changes. If the weather had been better we would have had more mileage but we got through everything we wanted to today anyway. All things considered it’s been a great day.”

“The biggest issue at the moment is actually getting the tyres working properly. There’s temperature in them but they just don’t seem to ever be in the operating window. Hopefully when we see warmer temperatures they’ll be better.”

“The car itself feels solid and we’ve been good on reliability. There are areas we can improve on – but we’re taking it one step at a time and each step so far has been forwards, not backwards, so it’s been quite positive.”

“We’ve not been without a few problems here and there but I’ve seen the team working away to iron out any creases and it’s just amazing to watch. As long as we keep moving forwards that’s what matters most and we’re focused on doing that.”

“We’re just focused on our own job – getting lots and lots of miles on the car, proving everything out and making the most of the time we have before the season starts,” concluded the double world champion.

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BUTTON: YOU JUMP IN THE CAR AND EVERYTHING FEELS GOOD

By their own admission McLaren- Honda endured a disappointing day, on day three of Formula 1 testing in Barcelona where once again technical gremlins hampered their programme with Jenson Button on duty.

The team reported that their day “was cut short by a failure of the revised seal introduced [saturday] in a bid to resolve the week’s MGU-K issues.”

And added, “To compound a tricky day, Jenson suffered a punctured intermediate tyre during a practice pitstop, coming to a halt before the end of the pitlane.”

After a good day with Fernando Alono in the cockpit on Friday, Button was less fortunate, “[Friday] wasn’t bad, with more mileage and lots of data gathered, but [saturday] has been tricky – it hasn’t been my day.”

“We had a similar problem to the one we faced on Thursday, with the faulty MGU-K seal, so the afternoon running was limited to aero testing and pitstop practice.”

“I still can’t comment on where the car will be when everything is running smoothly, as I haven’t had the chance to run it properly without meeting problems.”

“Having said that, I feel like there’s definitely nothing wrong with the car or any stand-out issues with drive-ability. You jump in the car and everything feels good,” added the 2009 world champion.

“Hopefully, our problems will be solved sooner rather than later, but tomorrow is still likely to be a reasonably difficult day. There’s a lot for us to improve at the moment – we’ve still got five days of testing left, so hopefully they’ll be five good days,” added Button who scored McLaren’s last victory at the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix.

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BARCELONA DAY 4: GROSJEAN AND LOTUS END TEST ON A HIGH

As the second pre-season Formula One test came to a close in Barcelona, Romain Grosjean secured bragging rights for Lotus by recording the fastest time of the week. However, while the Frenchman grabbed top sot, the bigger stories involved a crash for Fernando Alonso that led to the Spaniard airlifted to hospital for precautionary checks and Mercedes revealing some alarming pace in the late afternoon.

Alonso’s crash came three and half hours into the test when the Spaniard appeared to lose control in Turn Three. The right side of his McLaren struck the wall and he was taken to the circuit medical centre where he was reported to be conscious and talking. As a precaution he was then airlifted to a local hospital where following an afternoon CT scan he was given a clean bill of health.

It looked likely that Jenson Button would take over from Alonso at the wheel of the McLaren Honda in the afternoon but with an hour left in the session the team revealed it was calling a halt to running at this test.

As with team-mate Maldonado on day three, Grosjean set his table-topping time on Pirelli’s supersoft tyres, the Frenchman clocking a time of 1:24.067 late in the afternoon. The glory-hunting run put the seal on a good day for the team as it worked a solid programme of long and short runs, with Grosjean getting through 111 laps.

But while the Frenchman occupied P1 it was the time set by Nico Rosberg to claim second spot that was more noteworthy. After again concentrating on long runs for much of the day, Rosberg eventually put his foot down and closed to within three tenths of Grosjean’s supersoft time. That Rosberg achieved the lap time on medium tyres, which are reckoned to be 1.5-2s slower than the grippy but fragile supersofts reveals much about the advantage Mercedes are likely to carry into the early season races.

It was another good day for Red Bull Racing too. After a morning of aero mapping work and medium runs, Kvyat bolted on a soft tyres in the afternoon in order to get a feel for the potential of the RB11 and his time of 1:24.941 was good enough for third on the timesheet.

Sauber’s Felipe Nasr finished the day in fourth spot, despite being restricted to the garage for long periods in the morning due to unspecified problems. The Brazilian didn’t set a time in the morning but eventually managed to get through 73 laps. His running came to an end just before the chequered flag when he ground to a halt at Turn Six brining out the final red flag of the day.

Williams again defied analysis, with Valtteri Bottas powering through 127 laps of the circuit but never once chasing a representative lap time.

The Finn finished the day in fifth place, ahead of Toro Rosso’s Carlos Sainz Jr, who also brought out the red flags when he crashed out at Tunr Three, an off team boss Franz Tost suggested might have been brought about in part by the high winds at the track today.

Seventh place was occupied by Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel. The German completed 74 laps but his day included a two and half hour stay in the garage during the afternoon, though no explanation was given for the track absence.

Nico Hulkenberg was eighth quickest for Force India, though his running came to an end midway through the afternoon session when the power unit of his VJM07 failed. Alonso was ninth for McLaren.

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HORNER SAYS MANOR DESERVES F1 RETURN

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has insisted that he would welcome the former Marussia team back to Formula 1.

Earlier, despite vocally championing the rights of struggling teams, Force India in fact blocked the reborn Manor team’s quest to bounce back in 2015 by using its car of last season.

But Williams made clear it supports Manor’s plight, and now Red Bull chief Horner said the backmarkers “deserve” their place in formula one as they exit administration.

“I drove for John Booth in 1992,” Horner, a former racing driver in the junior categories, told Britain’s Sky.

“He’s a racer and a fighter. I’m sure he and the guys are fighting hard to be on the grid. They deserve to be there.

“It’s great that Ferrari has agreed to supply engines and it seems like they have some sensible people behind the team now with a bit of money to get it going.

“I’ve spoken to the guys,” Horner added. “There’s not a lot we can do for them. We don’t supply them any parts. But it would be good for formula one to have a blend of teams and to have 20 cars on the grid.”

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Sainz Jr moving on after mistake

Carlos Sainz Jr held his hand up after he crashed on day four of the second test in Barcelona, adding he has "learned something from it".

After setting the pace in the morning session, the Toro Rosso rookie went off the track between Turns 3 and 4 - the same area where Fernando Alonso crashed earlier in the day.

He was taken to the medical centre as a precaution and returned to the garage soon after, but was unable to return to the track for more running.

Sainz Jr still managed to finish the day with 88 laps while he was sixth fastest overall.

"It was a really good day until I crashed! Everything went really smoothly and I felt we had made a big step forward with the car from Day 2 to Day 4," he said.

"This morning, strong winds made track conditions very tricky and the car was therefore difficult to drive. Even with the wind, things went well, I did several short runs that looked good.

"Unfortunately, in the afternoon, I made a mistake at Turn 3, which is not the best place to do that, because the barriers are close at that point. I’d rather crash in the test than in Race 1, so I have learned something from it and now we turn the page, move on and think about next week’s test here.

"There are many positives to take from this test. I was a different driver in the car and I felt much more confident here in Barcelona."

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Rosberg: We nailed the programme

Nico Rosberg admits the winds in Barcelona made testing very difficult on Sunday, but he still feels Mercedes "nailed the programme" and had no "major problems".

The German was second fastest on the final day at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with his 1:24.321 just 0.254s off that of pacesetter Romain Grosjean from Lotus while he also completed 129 laps.

Although conditions were tricky, the W06 did extremely well with Mercedes' day nearly faultless.

"It was so windy out on track and seldom have I had... It's so difficult to understand in the car because everyone is different, corner to corner, depending on where the wind is coming from the car is totally different so it really makes testing extremely difficult," Rosberg said.

"I'm still able to learn a few things, together with the team of course, but all in all not the best of days. But anyway, still a good end to the test, no major problems on the car today. We got some good running in the end and we did learn something once the wind dropped down, some decent lap times and things so there are positives."

He added: "I think we nailed the programme, which is really good. No major problems. At one point we thought we would have to take the gearbox off but then they were looking at the numbers and crank it up in the garage and look at the data at the same time to see if there were any disturbances. Everything looked OK so the gearbox stayed on so off I went again, but it was a bit of a hairy moment."

Many believe that Mercedes were flexing their muscles as Rosberg's time was done on the medium tyres while Grosjean produced his best effort on the supersofts, which is reportedly 1.5s-2s faster.

"Not according to our numbers, not so much, when we're looking at times from other days and things like that. But I think we're getting there and yes we're confident we think we have a good car," he said.

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Hulkenberg gets laps under his belt

Nico Hulkenberg admits Force India's work has been made harder by a power unit issue, but was nevertheless happy to get some laps under his belt.

The Silverstone-based squad opted to skip the opening test at Jerez, but were back in action in Barcelona this week with their 2014 car.

With Force India also running Mercedes reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein, Hulkenberg spent only one day in the cockpit of the VJM07 while a problem with the power unit meant they could only manage 36 laps on the final day of testing on Sunday.

The German, though, believes they have learned by getting some mileage.

"It was a very nice sensation to be back in a Formula 1 car and getting the feeling of being in the cockpit again," he said.

"It was exciting and I really enjoyed my time driving the car and working with the engineers after the winter break.

"Unfortunately our day was shortened by an issue with the power unit, something we will look into once the car is back at the factory.

"This, together with the very windy and cold conditions, made our work harder but every lap is valuable in pre-season. I am really looking forward to the final test next week and to try the new car."

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MCLAREN: FERNANDO WAS NOT RENDERED UNCONSCIOUS BY AN ELECTRICAL FAULT

In the aftermath of Fernando Alonso’s accident during the final day of Formula 1 testing in Barcelona, and amid growing speculation surrounding the cause of the accident, McLaren have issued the following statement:

“We are pleased to confirm that, having been involved in an on-track incident at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (Spain) on February 22nd, Fernando Alonso is making a solid recovery in hospital, and is chatting to family, friends and hospital staff. ”

“From the scene of the incident he was driven to the circuit’s medical centre, where he was given first aid and, as per normal procedures, was sedated in preparation for an air-lift to hospital.”

“In hospital a thorough and complete analysis of his condition was performed, involving CT scans and MRI scans, all of which were completely normal.”

“In order to provide the privacy and tranquillity required to facilitate a peaceful recuperation, he is being kept in hospital for further observation, and to recover from the effects of the medication that successfully managed his routine sedation yesterday.”

“We intend to give him every opportunity to make a rapid and complete recovery, and will evaluate in due course whether or not he will participate in the next Barcelona test.”

“Over the past 24 hours, we have been carrying out a detailed analysis of the damage to Fernando’s car, and its associated telemetry data, in order fully to understand the cause, or causes, of his accident. Even at this early stage, we have been able to reach some firm conclusions.”

“His car ran wide at the entry to Turn Three – which is a fast uphill right-hander – allowing it to run onto the Astroturf that lines the outside of the track. A consequent loss of traction caused a degree of instability, spitting it back towards the inside of the circuit, where it regained traction and struck the wall side-on.”

“Our findings indicate that the accident was caused by the unpredictably gusty winds at that part of the circuit at that time, and which had affected other drivers similarly (eg, Carlos Sainz Jnr).”

“We can categorically state that there is no evidence that indicates that Fernando’s car suffered mechanical failure of any kind. We can also confirm that absolutely no loss of aerodynamic pressure was recorded, which fact indicates that the car did not suffer any aerodynamic loss, despite the fact that it was subjected to a significant level of g-force.

“Finally, we can also disclose that no electrical discharge or irregularity of any kind occurred in the car’s ERS system, either before, during or after the incident. That last point refutes the erroneous rumours that have spread recently to the effect that Fernando was rendered unconscious by an electrical fault.

“That is simply not true. Our data clearly shows that he was downshifting while applying full brake pressure right up to the moment of the first impact – something that clearly would not have been possible had he been unconscious at the time.”

“Our data also confirms that Fernando’s car struck the inside concrete wall, first with its front-right wheel and then with its rear-right. It was a significant lateral impact, resulting in damage to the front upright and axle.”

“After the initial impact, the car slid down the wall for about 15 seconds before coming to a halt. All four wheels remained attached to the car, but no damage was sustained by the bodywork or crash structure between the front and rear wheels.”

“We wish Fernando a very speedy recovery. As and when we have further updates to share, we will of course do so.”

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HONDA CHAIRMAN AND F1 RETURN ARCHITECT STEPS DOWN

Six years after pulling out of Formula 1, Honda back and is once again making headlines but for all the wrong reasons.

In the midst of an horror run of technical trouble as McLaren struggles to run the new works turbo V6, star driver Fernando Alonso looks set to spend a second night in hospital.

Marca, reports that a champion of Honda’s return to Formula 1, president and chief executive Takanobu Ito (above left), will step down.

The report said Ito, an “architect of Honda’s return to formula one”, has succumbed to the pressure of a scandal that has cost the carmaker millions due to the need to recall road cars with faulty airbags.

“The Japanese (Ito) was present at all events and official presentations of McLaren-Honda in recent months,” said Marca, “and despite all the early problems with the new engine was among the most optimistic about the development of the project.

“Takanobu Ito was also one of the main supporters of the signing of Fernando Alonso,” the report added.

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WERE MERCEDES SANDBAGGING IN JEREZ AND BARCELONA?

After seven days of apparent sandbagging, did Mercedes finally let the cat out of the bag on the final day of testing in Barcelona?

Until now, it has been Ferrari’s test pace at Jerez and now Barcelona that has appeared the most impressive, but many believe dominant 2014 champions Mercedes have been deliberately running with heavy fuel or de-rated power.

“I think at this time of year everyone is hiding,” new Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel is quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The ever plain-speaking Niki Lauda, though, is no fan of so-called sandbagging.

“I have asked my team to finally put the hammer down,” the Mercedes team chairman and F1 legend is quoted by the Swiss newspaper Blick. “We all want to know where we stand.”

Undoubtedly, the world of F1 did get an insight into the potential of the title-defending W06 at Barcelona on Sunday, as the second test concluded.

Lotus’ Romain Grosjean was actually quickest, but the Frenchman was using the softest tyre on offer by Pirelli.

Just three tenths behind, Nico Rosberg’s pace told an ominous tale, as the German had managed the pace on the medium-compound tyre.

“Pirelli estimates the difference between the compounds to be two seconds” per lap,” said Sportv pundit Fabio Seixas.

After setting the eye-catching time, all Rosberg would admit is that Mercedes is in a strong position. He even denied that coming so close to Grosjean’s soft-tyred pace was impressive.

“Not according to our numbers,” said Rosberg, “when we look at times from other days.”

Was he referring to Ferrari, whose form so far in 2015 has been surprisingly good and consistent?

“Our pace looks good,” Vettel admits, “and we should be able to strongly develop the car. Kimi tells me that this car is much better than last year’s. But Mercedes does seem to be in front still.”

F1’s attention is now turning to the forthcoming final test of the winter, also to be held in Barcelona, before the grand prix action kicks off in Melbourne.

“I cannot wait to go to Australia,” new Ferrari team boss Maurizio Arrivabene joked to Italy’s Sky, “because it’s cold here.

“Next week in Barcelona, weather permitting, everyone will be forced to get serious and then we will have an idea of how everyone is going.

“We are all eager to find out, but now we are following our programme and avoiding comparisons. We will see,” he added.

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TOP F1 TEAMS TOLD CAMERA MOUNTINGS ILLEGAL

Top teams and likely title challengers Mercedes and Ferrari will have to modify their cars ahead of the season opener in Melbourne.

That was the claim on Monday of Auto Motor und Sport, revealing that the solutions to mount the mandatory television cameras at the front of the respective cars are illegal.

Designers for the teams have shaped the nose-positioned camera mountings aerodynamically, but the FIA has ruled that they are longer than the allowed 15cm.

“FIA race director Charlie Whiting clarified the matter in a letter to the teams”, correspondent Michael Schmidt said, adding that Toro Rosso’s solution at Jerez was also deemed illegal.

“Toro Rosso has already responded and at the first Barcelona test the brackets were attached to the chassis horizontally,” Schmidt added.

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DE LA ROSA IN LINE FOR MERCEDES ROLE

Veteran Formula driver Pedro de la Rosa could be set to return to the pinnacle of the sport with Mercedes.

In recent years, the Spaniard worked closely with his countryman Fernando Alonso at Ferrari as official reserve driver.

But, like Alonso, the almost 44-year-old has now departed Maranello, triggering speculation he might be set to return to his former long-time employer, McLaren.

According to the Spanish sports daily Marca, however, de la Rosa is actually more likely to switch to Mercedes, following “contact” with the reigning champions over the last “several weeks”.

The report said a reserve or simulator role is being touted. Marca added that de la Rosa’s latest meetings with Mercedes chiefs took place at the Barcelona test.

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MIDFIELD TEAMS PROPOSE TO BE SEMI-CONSTRUCTORS

Three midfield teams have reportedly proposed that Formula 1’s rules be tweaked so that semi-constructors are permitted at the pinnacle of the sport.

It recently emerged that the FIA had commissioned KcKinsey, a multinational consulting firm, to examine the finances of the nine F1 teams amid the apparent need for cost-cutting.

But the latest round of internal meetings within formula one showed that, at least among the most powerful teams, there is no mood for radical change.

“McKinsey spoke to all formula one teams, including Sauber, on behalf of the FIA,” Sauber boss Monisha Kaltenborn confirmed to the Swiss newspaper Blick.

“As part of this interview, we disclosed very detailed information and suggestions that we had already come up with in the past with Lotus and Force India,” she added.

“There were very concrete proposals in the areas where we see potential for savings,” said Kaltenborn.

According to Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, the major proposal was that teams like Sauber, Force India and Lotus be allowed to pool their resources and become known as a ‘semi constructor’.

They would then share the design, wind tunnel and manufacturing costs to produce a standard car, and then go their separate ways to develop and race them.

Correspondent Michael Schmidt said the top teams rejected the idea. Kaltenborn, though, insists there are very obvious ways in which F1 can reduce costs.

“I do not want to specify a number,” she said, “but it is clear that we can still have a very good show for a lot less money.”

The big obstacle, she admitted, is the big teams, leaving Kaltenborn far from optimistic that a solution can be found soon.

“If you look at the trend of recent years,” she said, “then you cannot answer yes to this question.”

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DRIVERS SHOULD HAVE SAY OVER HELMET DESIGN SAYS PAINTER

Formula 1 is robbing the current generation of drivers of one of the last ways they can truly express themselves.

That is the claim of Jens Munser, a helmet livery painter made famous in recent years by the ever-changing colours worn by quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel.

Last week, it emerged that, to help spectators better recognise their favourite drivers, the trend of constantly changing helmet liveries will now be banned. Munser admits that he will now have more time on his hands in 2015.

“It is also taking away an opportunity for drivers to express themselves,” he told Speed Week. “You could say that they can still say what they want, but in formula one these days is that really possible anymore?”

Asked if there is anything he can do to tackle the new rule, Munser answered: “The question is how the rule will be interpreted.

“What is a design change — just one colour? And who is going to sit down and check everything before each race? “If they need an expert, I will have a little more time on my hands.”

Munser was also asked if he intends to sue the FIA for loss of future wages, “Ha! No, it’s more on the fun side for me to do the designs for the drivers. It’s not like we make a fortune from it.”

“On the whole, Formula 1 is not the way I make money, but it is true that it is good PR.”

Finally, he responded to Felipe Massa’s suggestion that the ban is good because a driver’s helmet livery is like his “second face”.

“He is not one of the drivers who keeps changing his design,” Munser admitted. “But from time to time he also had a special one, like when we did his last race for Ferrari.”

“So he can’t do that anymore, nor for a race like Monaco or a home race or a special occasion, like Jenson Button when he honoured his father with a pink helmet,” he added.

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GOOD AND BAD NEWS FOR HONDA ENGINE FREEZE

Honda received good and bad news during the Barcelona Formula 1 testing weekend with regards to engine freeze restrictions.

The good is that McLaren’s struggling new works partner has found two more days in its delayed programme before the 2015-spec turbo V6 must be homologated.

On paper, the deadline is actually February 28, but that is a Saturday and FIA inspectors will not actually be on duty to sign off the paperwork until Monday, according to Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport.

But there is also bad news, particularly in light of McLaren-Honda’s struggles with its new MP4-30 package.

Ron Dennis has been pushing hard for more ‘tokens’ so that Honda can develop its ‘power unit’ throughout 2015, just like 2014 suppliers Mercedes, Renault and Ferrari.

But the FIA is staying firm on its compromise to let Honda only have the average number of tokens left over by its rivals when the racing begins in Melbourne next month.

Auto Motor und Sport quoted an insider in Paris as saying: “We have already made a compromise and Honda should be satisfied with it.

“There is nothing in the rules that would see Honda claiming the maximum value of tokens,” the voice added.