Jenson Button's McLaren fastest on day one of Jerez testing

McLaren's Jenson Button set the fastest time of the first day's pre-season testing after an early failure.

Button missed five hours' running with a fuel-pump problem before going nearly a second clear of his closest pursuer, Mark Webber's Red Bull.
Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg managed 11 laps before suffering a wiring-loom problem, which needed to be modified overnight.
Max Chilton crashed following suspension failure in his Marussia.
The 21-year-old Englishman was unhurt after losing control during the afternoon at the end of the back straight. The team will do no further running until they have diagnosed the cause of the problem.
"This was the first pushing session of the day. We did one good lap and the car felt really nice and then coming down the back straight I was just about to brake and something gave way," said Chilton.
"I couldn't control it, I tried but I couldn't. It's unfortunate but I think the team know the issue and we should be back on the track tomorrow afternoon."
Despite McLaren's early problem, Button ended the day 0.848secs clear of Webber, who was less than 0.1secs ahead of Lotus's Romain Grosjean.

Force India's Paul di Resta was fourth quickest, ahead of the Toro Rosso of Daniel Ricciardo, Ferrari's Felipe Massa, Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg and Rosberg.

Although headline times in testing are effectively meaningless as it is impossible to know the configuration in which the car is running, the McLaren's early pace will be encouraging for Button.
But the team will be concerned by the failure, which was in a part made by engine manufacturer Mercedes that has been modified over the winter in an attempt to prevent a repeat of the failure that caused Lewis Hamilton's retirement from the lead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
McLaren effectively lost the championship last season because of a series of reliability problems.
Button admitted the problem was "not ideal" but said he was encouraged by the feeling of the car.
"It's a nice starting point. Nothing stands out as a big issue, but lap times mean nothing right now," he said.
Massa described Button's pace-setting lap as "an incredible time" but indicated he felt he could have comfortably matched anyone else's laps if necessary.
Webber said the Red Bull "feels pretty good, so I'm happy".
Mercedes, meanwhile, are desperately trying to make up ground on the front-runners after ending last season struggling even to score points.
Rosberg's car briefly caught fire when the wiring loom failed and after investigating the problem the team realised they needed to stop running for the day.
New signing Hamilton is scheduled to have his first run in the car on Wednesday.
Rosberg said he was encouraged by his first proper run in the car, however brief.
"Very good, very positive," he said. "I can't say if it was quick or not, but feeling-wise I was comfortable. I could push, the balance was OK and it was very enjoyable to drive.
"I can guarantee you it will be a big step forward, but everybody else is also moving forward. We are hoping that we have closed the gap."
Williams's Pastor Maldonado - the only driver in a 2012 car, albeit with extensive 2013 parts on it - was ninth, ahead of Caterham novice Giedo van der Garde and Chilton.
FIRST PRE-SEASON TEST, DAY ONE, JEREZ, SPAIN, FASTEST TIMES
1. Jenson Button (GB) McLaren-Mercedes 1:18.861
2. Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull-Renault 1:19.709
3. Romain Grosjean (Fra) Lotus-Renault 1:19.796
4. Paul di Resta (GB) Force India-Mercedes 1:20.343
5. Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:20.401
6. Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari 1:20.536
7. Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Sauber-Ferrari 1:20.699
8. Nico Rosberg (Ger) Mercedes 1:20.846
9. Pastor Maldonado* (Ven) Williams-Renault 1:20.864
10. Giedo van der Garde (Ned) Caterham-Renault 1:21.915
11 Max Chilton (GB) Marussia-Cosworth 1:24.176
* = 2012 car

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Picture:

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Calls for Romain Grosjean to face another driving ban

Mark Webber has led calls for Romain Grosjean to face another driving ban after he was taken out by the Frenchman at the start of the Japanese Grand Prix, the seventh such incident Grosjean has been involved in this season.
Grosjean received a one-race ban after causing a pile-up in Spa, but today’s incident shows that either he has not learned or he has some in-built problem when it comes to the instinctive phase of the racing driver’s art – the chaotic race starts.
Because race starts are an instinctive moment, many ex-drivers in the paddock argue that this is not something that can be trained into him.
Webber called Grosjean a “first lap nutcase” and added, “The rest of us are trying to fight for decent results. Maybe he needs another holiday. He needs to have a look at himself, how many times can you make the same error. It’s embarrassing at this level.”
Grosjean said, “After the ban I am very careful at the start. I kept my line trying to avoid any contact with Perez, who was on my left. I was focussing on that and I didn’t see the delta speed with Mark.
“Trying to avoid any contact was my main objective, but it didn’t work, it’s a stupid crash.”
FIA stewards at Suzuka handed him a ten second stop-go penalty during the race, but the GPDA will clearly want to look at this and discuss it together with FIA Race Director Charlie Whiting.

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Vettel wins as Alonso retires at Suzuka

Sebastian Vettel has taken one of the most crucial victories of his Formula 1 career, winning the Japanese Grand Prix as championship leader Fernando Alonso retired at the first corner. Felipe Massa finished second for Ferrari as Kamui Kobayashi picked up a very popular maiden podium finish at his home event.

Japanese GP 2012 Suzuka

Pos.	Driver	Team	Time
1.	Sebastian Vettel	Red Bull	1:28:56.242
2.	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	+20.639
3.	Kamui Kobayashi	Sauber	+24.538
4.	Jenson Button	McLaren	+25.098
5.	Lewis Hamilton	McLaren	+46.490
6.	Kimi Räikkönen	Lotus	+50.424
7.	Nico Hülkenberg	Force India	+51.159
8.	Pastor Maldonado	Williams	+52.364
9.	Mark Webber	Red Bull	+54.675
10.	Daniel Ricciardo	Toro Rosso	+1:06.919
11.	Michael Schumacher	Mercedes	+1:07.769
12.	Paul di Resta	Force India	+1:23.460
13.	Jean-Eric Vergne	Toro Rosso	+1:28.645
14.	Bruno Senna	Williams	+1:28.709
15.	Heikki Kovalainen	Caterham	+1 Lap
16.	Timo Glock	Marussia	+1 Lap
17.	Vitaly Petrov	Caterham	+1 Lap
18.	Pedro de la Rosa	HRT	+1 Lap
Did not finish
19.	Romain Grosjean	Lotus	+2 Laps
20.	Charles Pic	Marussia	+16 Laps
21.	Narain Karthikeyan	HRT	+21 Laps
22.	Sergio Perez	Sauber	+35 Laps
23.	Fernando Alonso	Ferrari	+53 Laps
24.	Nico Rosberg	Mercedes	+53 Laps

Hamilton replaces Schumacher at Mercedes in 2013

Mercedes team principal has actively pursued Lewis Hamilton to sign with the team, and today the deal was sealed. The 2008 FIA Formula One world champion will leave McLaren in at the end of this season. His new teammate starting in 2013 will be Nico Rosberg, who remains with the Silver Arrows team.
"It is now time for me to take on a fresh challenge and I am very excited to begin a new chapter," said the Briton in this morning’s announcement.

Together, we can grow and rise to this new challenge.

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton, now 27, joined the McLaren organization when he was 13 years old, and has been a front runner with the British-based team. Now he will take on a new challenge with a three year contract with Mercedes.
Team principal Ross Brawn commented, "I believe that the combination of Lewis and Nico will be the most dynamic and exciting pairing on the grid next year and I am looking forward to what we can achieve together.”
Hamilton has not had one of his best years, and obvious has been disappointed in the mistakes made by his current team, which cost him podium finishes and more importantly victories. Not all were errors by the team; some were mechanical issues but still he pushed to the limits at each event, and will continue to do so for the remaining races.
Added Hamilton, "Together, we can grow and rise to this new challenge. I believe that I can help steer the Silver Arrows to the top and achieve our joint ambitions of winning the world championships."
No word on the exact contract details, but current reports claim the Hamilton took a cut in pay; however the sponsor package is very sweet; along with incentives.
Norbert Haug, Vice President - Mercedes-Benz Motorsport commented, "Mercedes-Benz has supported Lewis throughout his career, from karting, to Formula 3, to our successful partnership with McLaren, and it will be a very nice moment for all of us in the team to see him at the wheel of a works Silver Arrow next season, following in the tradition of British Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix drivers Sir Stirling Moss and Richard Seaman.”
The future for Michael Schumacher was not mentioned. Yesterday, Brawn claimed that "Michael has been a huge asset to the team; he's really taken us forward. I do think Michael contributes an awful lot, so I think the decision for Michael to stay or not continue is a difficult one."
The German who has seven Formula One world championships may end up with Mercedes as a brand ambassador or he may search for another ride. Since his return to the premier motor sports series in 2010, Schumacher has just one podium finish since his return, and that was on the Valencia street circuit this year. Prior to his return, Schumacher won 91 races from 1991 to 2006.
Schumacher apparently in his talks, and Sauber now has a empty cockpit with the departure of Sergio Perez to the McLaren team. The champion said, "I have had three nice years with the team which unfortunately did not go as well as we all would have wanted on the sporting side. I will now concentrate on the next races."
"On behalf of MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS, I would first of all like to thank Michael Schumacher for the important contribution he has made to the growth of our team over the past three seasons. His energy and commitment have never wavered, even when results have not matched our own expectations, and we are determined to finish the 2012 season together on a high. As always, it has been a pleasure to work with Michael,” said Brawn.

Perez no longer a 'pay driver' - Whitmarsh

Sergio Perez is no longer a "pay driver", McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh insists.
Mexican Perez, also backed by Ferrari, started his F1 career by bringing millions in Carlos Slim-linked Telmex dollars to Sauber.
But he is now moving to McLaren, amid speculation Telmex might eventually replace the grandee British team's title sponsor Vodafone.
The Telegraph, however, quotes Whitmarsh as insisting there are no "side deals" to McLaren's Perez contract.
"I did have a conversation with Carlos Slim yesterday but we have made an offer to Sergio, we are paying him well and there are no side deals," he said.
"I'm not saying that ultimately there won't be other fresh partners coming forward because of it but that wasn't the motivating force," insisted Whitmarsh.
He is quoted by Sky Sports F1 HD channel: "He (Perez) is not a pay driver, he is being paid a lot of money.
"Sponsorship was not a factor, we picked Sergio because he is the most exciting young talent in formula one.
"Do I believe there will be some exciting commercial opportunities in the future? Yes. Have we looked at them yet? No."

Who is the real winner of the recent driver shakeup in Formula One?

The recent shakeups in the status quo of Formula drivers were expected, and yet still a surprise. Lewis Hamilton has expressed his feelings in many ways so his jumping ship makes sense. However, leaving a team he has been connected with for 14 years does make one wonder why the Briton walked away from the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team.
Imagine being a team owner / principal and having a brash youngster of 10 walk up to you and claim “one day I want to race your cars!” That is how the story goes on how Hamilton met Ron Dennis. Perhaps the head of McLaren might have thought ‘can you imagine the guts this kid has?’

Podium: race winner Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, second place place Sergio Perez, Sauber F1 Team

Photo by: xpb.cc

Hamilton left an impression and in 1998, Dennis called him, and signed the young kart champion to the McLaren driver development program. In 2003, Hamilton landed his first single-seater title: Formula Renault 2.0 UK title. In 2005, he became the Formula 3 Euro Series champion, and the earned the Masters of F3 title. The next year, he was the GP2 Series champion. The Briton proved his worth in 2007, finishing second I the FIA Formula One Championship as a rookie! The next year, Hamilton earned his only World Championship. But his glory days were short; even though he was a front runner.
This year has been very difficult as the Briton has had mechanical failures and errors in pit lane that either cost him a race win, a podium finish or even point paying positions. Thus far in 2012, the British racer has notched five poles -- the most of any other Formula One driver. However, he has retired twice, and when in the lead of the grand prix event. Still he has three wins this season.
One can see why Hamilton wanted the change, and perhaps his brashness is one reason Ross Brawn was keen to steal him away from McLaren.
In order to snag Hamilton, Mercedes factory team had to shove the seven times Formula One world champion aside. Yet they were the ones who convinced Michael Schumacher to come out of retirement and lead their Silver Arrows team.

Third placed Michael Schumacher, Mercedes AMG F1 in the FIA Press Conference

Photo by: xpb.cc

Truthfully one can understand not resigning the German racer. He has earned just one podium finish since his return in 2010. Placing third in Valencia saw Schumacher smile brightly. Still it seems that Mercedes believes their team is championship contenders, and yes they should be. Neither of their two German drivers, Schumacher and Nico Rosberg, has produced consistent top results. Rosberg did score the pole and the victory in China earlier this year but his best finish since then was second at Monaco.
Is Hamilton making the correct move for his future? Viewing the stats says no; but knowing that he has not been happy at McLaren, it would seem that it is a good move. Perhaps with a new car and a new team will be the best of all worlds for Hamilton.
Schumacher did not retire as many expected. He still might as he has made a fortune over the years and can return to his “castle”. His public appearances will enhance his lifestyle, along with special events. Still he was bitten again by contesting Formula One grand prix events and there are a few possible seats available.
The German still holds records in Formula One, along with the most championships. Yet the recent criticism of his driving style has made more news than the winner of the recent Singapore Grand Prix. His fans are angry with the negative comments of their favorite driver, and now with the Mercedes team. They would be delighted to see Schumacher continue to race.
Peter Sauber’s team is now down to one driver due to the fact that their young hot-shoe from Mexico signed with McLaren. Sergio Perez has shown the skills, and the desire to challenge for podiums, and a potential victory. The current Sauber driver has three podiums to his credit. Next year, he will be racing for one of the top teams!
When one views the changes to the status quo, Perez truly is the winner in the recent changes for the 2013 season, and beyond.

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Red Bull Engine Remaps

F1 technicians are always in search of detailed innovations, which will give a competitive edge over their rivals, especially where the rules are not clearly worded.
At Hockenheim this weekend at the German Grand Prix, we saw an episode where an innovation from Red Bull and its engine partner Renault was allowed through because it was not covered by the rules, so even though the FIA’s own technical delegate Jo Bauer, felt he had found something in the engine mapping which was not allowed, when he referred it to the race stewards on Sunday they felt they had no choice but to let Red Bull race with it.
The Stewards’ statement said, “While the stewards do not accept all the arguments of the team, they however conclude that as the regulation is written, the map presented does not breach the text of Art 5.5.3 of the Formula 1 Technical Regulations and therefore decided to take no action.”
The F1 Technical Working group is meeting today in London and this will be on the agenda. In all probability the FIA will follow up this week with a rule clarification (known as a Technical Directive), which will outlaw the Red Bull/Renault idea before next week’s Hungarian Grand Prix, but it certainly served its purpose in Germany.
The idea was to use engine mapping to cut the torque at medium revs, which would certainly have helped with driveability in the wet conditions of practice and qualifying in Germany and would also have an aerodynamic benefit in slow corners; some of the fuel/air mixture finds its way into the exhausts to create post combustion – which blows hot exhaust gas under pressure down through the diffuser to create rear end downforce.
It’s very clever and shows the lengths teams will go to to find extra downforce. Bauer felt it was illegal because the rules say the connection between the opening of the throttle and the torque demand on the engine should be linear and in his view Red Bull was introducing a deviation in that process. Bauer had observed that the torque demand was less than at other recent races.
The rule that he felt Red Bull and Renault were trying to get around is new for this year and is designed to outlaw the practice of engines blowing exhaust gas into the diffuser even when the driver’s foot is off the throttle in a corner.
Engine maps are one of the dark arts of F1. Teams have various maps, controlled from the steering wheel by the driver; settings for fuel saving in the race, for example, for overtaking, or for setting the engine at the pit lane speed limit.

Mercedes admits that car is too slow

Mercedes leave Hockenheim braced for another tough weekend in Hungary, hoping to gain more speed for when Formula 1 regroups at Spa in September. Attempting a different strategy in Germany, Michael Schumacher managed only seventh position.
Schumacher’s race was a strong one, not least as he pulled a pass on Nico Hülkenberg in front of thousands of Mercedes employees, but the seven-time World Champion was unable to make any significant impression after running third in the early stages. Team-mate Nico Rosberg scored the final point from 21st on the starting grid.

“We ran the race as well as we could today, in the knowledge that we would have to make three pit-stops,” explained Team Principal Ross Brawn. “Some of our rivals on two-stop strategies faded towards the end but the drop-off was not sufficient for our drivers to be able to take advantage on fresher tyres.
“Michael and Nico put in consistent performances, pulled off good overtaking moves and we delivered six clean pit-stops. Our strategy enabled Nico to climb 11 positions from his starting place, while Michael finished in seventh place for the second time in two weeks.
“We made the right decisions this afternoon but, after 67 laps, Michael found himself 29 seconds behind the winner. That shows we need to find more pace from the car.”
At the halfway point of the 2012 Formula 1 season, the Mercedes factory squad sits fifth in the Constructors’ Championship and is trailing Red Bull by 125 points

Vettel docked 20 seconds, drops to fifth

Sebastian Vettel has been demoted to fifth place by the Hockenheim race stewards. This happens as a 20-second time penalty is applied after the German overtook Jenson Button for second position outside the confines of the race track.
The incident occurred on the penultimate lap of the race, with Vettel having previously been overhauled by Button after the lapped Lewis Hamilton held him up. The Red Bull passed on the outside line of the Turn 6 hairpin, but accelerated past Button while travelling in the run-off area which is outside the white line delineating the circuit.

During post-race interviews, Vettel denied that Button had expressed any dissatisfaction but television coverage had already revealed the pair discussing the moment. The demotion, which comes as a decision of adjudicators including ex driver Derek Warwick, was handed out after the FIA-appointed team heard the opinions of both drivers and viewed evidence.
This means Kimi Räikkönen picks up his fourth podium result of the season for Lotus, with Kamui Kobayashi celebrating a career-best result of fourth for Sauber. Vettel has effectively lost eight World Championship points, which leaves him 44 behind leader Fernando Alonso at the halfway point of the season. The aforementioned Räikkönen, despite being yet to win a race, has now jumped ahead of Lewis Hamilton and now sits fourth overall.