FIA approves revised 2012 Formula 1 calendar

Following a fax vote by its members, the World Motor Sport Council has ratified, by unanimous decision, the revised calendar of the 2012 Formula 1 World Championship.

The calendar was been trimmed back from 21 to 20 Grands Prix.

The season will begin March 18 in Australia and finish November 25 in Brazil. The Turkish Grand Prix has been dropped. However, the Grand Prix of Bahrain returns to the calendar, and is scheduled to be held April 22.

The US Grand Prix has been moved later in the season, when temperatures should be lower.

On a final note, there are six back-to-back races: Australia and Malaysia, China and Bahrain, Germany and Hungary, Belgium and Italy, Japan and Korea and finally United States and Brazil.

The 2012 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar is confirmed as follows:

18 March AUS Australia
25 March MYS Malaysia
15 April CHN China
22 April BAH Bahrain
13 May ESP Spain
27 May MCO Monaco
10 June CAN Canada
24 June EUR Europe (Valencia)
08 July GBR Great Britain
22 July DEU Germany (Hockenheim)
29 July HUN Hungary
02 September BEL Belgium
09 September ITA Italy
23 September SGP Singapore
07 October JPN Japan
14 October KOR Korea
28 October IND India
04 November ARE Abu Dhabi
18 November USA United States
25 November BRA Brazil

Source: Auto123

Räikkönen, Oliveira confirmed for Rally Australia

Following speculation to the contrary, Kimi Räikkönen has now confirmed his presence on next month's Rally Australia - where he will be joined by Daniel Oliveira and the Brazil World Rally Team

Former F1 World Champion Kimi Räikkönen and the Brazil World Rally Team have both confirmed their presence on next month's Rally Australia – an event that has been billed as the 'Ultimate Dust-Up Down Under'.

There had been speculation that Raikkonen and his ICE 1 Racing Team-prepared Citroën DS3 WRC would not make the trip out to New South Wales' Coffs Coast to participate in the tenth leg of the 2011 World Rally Championship from 8-11 September in its new venue. The Finn has not competed in the country since the 2009 Australian Grand Prix around Melbourne's Albert Park, a race he failed to finish after suffering differential failure.

Meanwhile, the privateer Brazil World Rally Team will fly the flag for the iconic MINI brand on the event, with Daniel Oliveira behind the wheel of the MINI John Cooper Works WRC as part of his three-year driver development programme alongside Portuguese navigator Carlos Magalhaes.

The official Prodrive-run MINI effort is limiting itself to European rounds for its debut WRC campaign, but the David Richards-led operation will nonetheless provide operational and technical support for the Brazil World Rally Team. Rally Australia general manager Michael Masi contends that it will be an event not to be missed.

“The WRC is a dazzling spectacle played out in 13 locations around the globe,” he enthused. “This will be the 21st Rally Australia, but the first time people will be able to see it in this beautiful part of New South Wales. It will be an opportunity for spectators of all kinds to witness the skills of these spectacular drivers and experience all the exciting atmosphere of a world championship contest.

“They're the gravel masters, riding their turbocharged machines from rest to 100km/h in three seconds, racing through the forests at more than 160km/h, jumping and sliding at impossible speeds. Spectators won't have seen anything like it – it's a stunning, unforgettable experience.”

Source: Crash.net

The Vettel Diaries: 'I'm not a big fan of speculating'

Ahead of this weekend’s race in Brazil, Sebastian blogs about focusing on the here and now, not the ‘what ifs’ everyone else prefers to be talking about…

"Boy, it's good to be back in Brazil! What happened in the last race hasn’t dampened our enthusiasm. We’re more excited about the last few races than ever.

“Interlagos has a good mix of fast and slow turns, which should give us an advantage. People are also speculating about what the weather is going to do here: the forecast is for heavy rain on Sunday, but I guess we have to wait to see how it all turns out.

“Looking at the championship, I know it has looked better for me, but I won’t give up hope. Hope always dies last, as they say, and that’s certainly the case here.

“The race in South Korea was a step backwards, but we’re determined not to let it put us off. We will continue to focus on giving our very best in the final two races – like we always do.

“Something else that’s not about to change is our race strategy: sure, Mark and I both race for ourselves, but we always have the team and the constructors’ title in the back of our minds.

“If you look at the points that are still available, you’ll see that we both still have a chance to become world champion and we won’t stop competing until our races are run.

“As you might know, I'm not a big fan of speculating about ‘what if’ scenarios. I prefer to focus on the present and what is at hand right now.

“Anything else will lead you off-track, and that's something that no one can afford at this point of the season.”

Sebastian

Source: Red Bull

FIA Press Conference Schedule - Brazil

The grid's four Brazilian drives will answer question on Thursday, while drives and senior team personnel from Virgin, Mercedes and Lotus will face the media on Friday.
The line-up in full...

Thursday, November 4, 1100 hours local time (1300 GMT):
Rubens Barrichello (Williams), Lucas di Grassi (Virgin), Felipe Massa (Ferrari) and Bruno Senna(HRT)

Friday, November 5, 1600 hours local time (1800 GMT)
John Booth (Virgin), Ross Brawn (Mercedes), Mike Gascoyne (Lotus), Timo Glock (Virgin), Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) and Jarno Trulli (Lotus).

The qualifying and pos-race conferences with the top three drives will take place immediately after the respective sessions.

Source: Formula1.com

Alonso's Blog: A bit of relaxation before the final rush

It’s nice to have a few days to relax before the final rush! The Far Eastern leg was very long and it’s always nice to get back home to relax a bit, before heading off for the final two races of the season in Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

I am back in the lead of the championship for the first time since way back after the Australian Grand Prix. However, we know that with this points system and the gaps as they are, the standings don’t really mean that much: it only takes one race – as indeed we saw in Korea – for the situation to turn itself round. All the same, It’s always better to be in front than behind! Knowing that achieving our objectives is in our hands means we are a fraction calmer, but in no way does it change our approach. We will have to try and do our utmost, making the most of all the potential we have at our disposal. The only difference is that it would be enough, so to speak, to stay ahead of our closest rivals, without having to think too much about the maths.

The statistics from the second part of the season make interesting reading – 133 points from seven races, 90 of them in the last four – and that makes you think it might have been nice if the season had started in Hockenheim. And yet, for our part, it’s not as though we changed anything special in the way we went about our work: it’s just that we manage to string together a series of strong weekends from start to finish, while earlier, sometimes for a variety of reasons, that was not the case. We were lacking consistency in terms of results until this finally came through later. The car has always been reasonably competitive, with differing levels from circuit to circuit, which was also the case later on. However we have definitely much improved the performance level over these last three months.

In the last few years, Interlagos has usually produced very exciting races, partly because of the track characteristics, but also because the weather can be very changeable. This will be a very important factor and we will need to be ready to tackle all possible scenarios in the best way possible. The lap is fairly short, so we can expect closer times than usual, which means that the slightest little mistake will count even more, because one or two tenths either way can mean having seven or eight cars in front or behind you. We will need to do everything perfectly.

In theory, there are still five of us in the running for the title, but clearly Button is in a trickier situation. There are not many points between us to be honest and we saw how things ended up three years ago, but the fact is that are no less than four drivers ahead of him and it’s hard to imagine none of them scoring points.

Naturally, I’ve got great memories of this track because it was here that I secured my two titles, in 2005 and 2006. Every time I go to Sao Paolo it’s a special feeling and the atmosphere is really great. I don’t want to think about the chances of history repeating itself for a third time: I know it is theoretically possible, but that does not count for me. We want to tackle this Grand Prix in the same way as all the others, concentrating on ourselves with our feet on the ground, trying to do a good job, without making mistakes and with the aim of beating our rivals. I have said it before and I say it again: we will do the maths in Abu Dhabi.

Source: Alonso's Blog - Ferrari.com

Turn, Turn, Turn: The best Formula One corners

Corners matter. Yes, straight-line speed is important, but ultimately it is how quickly a car and driver can corner that dictates that all-important lap time. But what makes a great corner? It is, of course, a very subjective issue. The new Korea International Circuit threw up a few at the weekend, but it is a little too soon to dub them ‘classics’. For those, most drivers will refer you to the likes of Spa-Francorchamps, Suzuka and Istanbul Park…

Japanese Grand Prix - Suzuka’s 130R
The list had to include at least one corner from Suzuka, the famous figure-of-eight track that many drivers cite as their favourite on the calendar, and narrowing it down to the high-speed 130R proved tough, with the famous Spoon Curve a very close second. Named after the corner’s radius, the 130R is one of the fastest in Formula One racing. Although modifications made in 2003 mean taking it at full throttle is not quite the challenge it once was, jinking left in seventh gear at speeds in excess of 310 km/h remains a supreme test of both car and driver, with a lateral cornering force of up to 6G. 130R’s unforgiving nature is why the drivers love it. Precision is key, even when taken at relatively low speed, as Lucas di Grassi found to his cost recently when he trashed his Virgin there on his out-lap to the grid.
“130R is one of the fastest corners in Formula One and you really have to think about how you approach it.” McLaren’s Jenson Button.

Italian Grand Prix - Monza’s Parabolica
Monza may be known as the ‘temple of speed’, but sprinkled amongst its epically long straights are some equally legendary corners - including the majestic Parabolica. It’s the track’s final turn and at 180 degrees, cars can experience apex speeds in excess of 200km/h and lateral acceleration for close to 450 metres. It leads onto Monza’s 1.3-km main straight, so it’s paramount for drivers to make a good exit in order to maximise their top speed before they brake for Turn One, the Rettifilo chicane, which is the best spot on the circuit for overtaking. The challenge of Parabolica is to brake as late as possible but then also get back on the power before the apex. Guaranteed to sort the men from the boys.
“Parabolica, is quite special. It's a difficult one to get right. You can always go faster there than you actually do.” 1997 world champion, Jacques Villeneuve.

Turkish Grand Prix - Istanbul Park’s Turn Eight
It may be part of one of the newest tracks - Istanbul Park - but Turn Eight punches well above its weight, and is already challenging the establishment thanks to its fearsome reputation. It boasts top speeds of 270 km/h, four apices (though the drivers treat it as two), bumps, and is one of the longest on the calendar, meaning cars (and therefore drivers) pull up to 5G for over seven seconds through this left-hander, which makes it one of the most physical corners to race in the world. It seems they are a masochistic lot, Formula One drivers. If they get it right, they can make up a lot of ground, but thanks to the bumpy surface it’s very easy to get it wrong. A true test of driver skill and precision - Turn Eight’s name clearly doesn’t do this corner justice.
“It’s a real rollercoaster and is awesome.” Force India driver, Adrian Sutil.

Belgian Grand Prix - Spa-Francorchamps’ Eau Rouge
Arguably the most famous corner of them all. The whole Belgian track is dictated by its natural surroundings, and nowhere is this more apparent than at Eau Rouge. Drivers switch left to right and go up and down through this legendary stretch of tarmac. Even though modern downforce levels have made it easier to handle in recent years - it’s now pretty much flat-out for those in front-running cars - it remains just as thrilling and just as critical to a fast lap. Grip and a sympathetic suspension set-up are essential, as is nerve - the sheer scale and gradient of the thing (something television pictures struggle to convey) is enough to test even the most bold.
“The drivers love the fast sweeping corners, including the legendary Eau Rouge.” Mercedes GP team principal, Ross Brawn.

British Grand Prix - Silverstone’s Becketts
If you’re looking for great corners, Silverstone provides a veritable smorgasbord, and Becketts is just one that has stood the test of time through the UK circuits various transitions. Midway through the lap, it’s a multi-turn complex, which boasts high speeds and demands skilful handling. Drivers try not to touch their brakes throughout this slalom ride, and instead simply lift the throttle as they swerve through. They can experience loads of about 4G as they progress. Quite a rollercoaster ride!
“I always liked the old track layout with the high-speed sections, particularly the Becketts complex that is a real challenge as you need to keep the momentum all the way through the corners.” Force India’s Vitantonio Liuzzi.

Brazilian Grand Prix - Interlagos’s Mergulho
Extremes rule at Interlagos, with one of the calendar’s longest straights, some of its slowest hairpins and multiple gradient changes just some of its unique features. One part that stands out is the fifth-gear left-hander of Mergulho. It’s the lowest part of the circuit, and is a thrilling ride on the limit, made all the more exciting by the characteristic bumps on its apex. Another firm favourite at the track, deserving an honourable mention, is the Curva Do Laranjinha.
“You need to have total confidence in your car and a good mechanical set-up with a high ride-height to manage the bumpy surface.” Williams’ Rubens Barrichello.

Monaco Grand Prix - Monte Carlo’s Grand Hotel Hairpin
It’s tough to single out just one corner on this legendary street track, but we’ve narrowed it down to Turn Six, more commonly known as the Grand Hotel Hairpin (formerly Loews). Although it must be the slowest (and is certainly the tightest) corner on the calendar, this hairpin presents its own unique challenge. Taken at under 50 km/h in first gear, before it sends you plunging downwards towards Portier and the tunnel, it requires full steering lock - some teams even have to modify their steering racks to make the corner - and as much concentration as a driver can muster. It distils the very essence of Monaco. And believe it or not, you even see overtaking here, especially on the opening lap when tyres, brakes (and brains) may not be quite up to temperature.
“It's quite a technical corner. It's important to hit the apex so you don't lose too much time through this part of the lap." Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso.

Canadian Grand Prix - Montreal’s ‘Wall of Champions’
Turn 12 in Montreal achieved legendary status in 1999 when a trio of former world champions - Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve - all lost control on the exit and crashed into the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve’s unforgiving concrete walls during the race. There’s no doubt the track’s fierce speed has something to do with it. After spending over 15 seconds flat out along its longest straight, drivers must then brake from well over 300km/h for this final, critical chicane. Of course it’s a case of the later the better, but because there’s such a slim margin for error, running ‘on the edge’ rarely means more than it does here.
“You have to be careful because things can go wrong very quickly. A small mistake and you'll be in the 'Wall of Champions' before you know it.” Former F1 driver, now FIA stewards’ advisor, Alex Wurz.

Source: Formula1.com

Alonso not expecting to win title in Brazil

Fernando Alonso is not ready to relax despite leaping into a strong points position with just two races left to run in 2010.

It is true that, now with an 11-point lead over Mark Webber, if the Spaniard wins in Brazil in two weeks and his Australian rival is fifth or lower, Alonso will secure his third drivers' world championship with a race to spare.

But McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh, whose drivers are also still mathematically in the hunt, said: "There is little doubt now the championship decider is going to be in Abu Dhabi."

Alonso agrees that he cannot rely on another Korea-like outcome before then.

"Red Bull showed us again in Korea that they are stronger than us, and that will be the same in Brazil and Abu Dhabi as well," the Ferrari driver told El Pais newspaper.

"So what we need is another small step forward to be competitive. We must be on the podium. If someone beats us now, congratulations -- winning or losing will depend on who is faster, on reliability and on luck," added the 29-year-old.

In comments published by Italy's La Stampa, Alonso said he is not interested in the mathematical possibility of him becoming champion in Brazil.

"Yes, that's true -- and if Red Bull miss their plane to Brazil, that's another way to be champion," he joked.

"The odds remain in favour of Red Bull."

Alonso said the only mathematical certainty is that he cannot lose the championship at Interlagos in two weeks.

"In Korea I have only guaranteed to be fighting in Abu Dhabi in the last race of the season," he confirmed.

Source: Motorsport.com

Sebastian Vettel Q&A: I could not have done anything better

Up until Lap 45, when his engine started to smoke and he was forced to retire from the lead, Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel had delivered a perfect race weekend. The 25 points he could have bagged for a well-deserved win would have seen him take the lead in the drivers’ championship and step closer than ever to the title. It was a cruel fate, but the thwarted Vettel is determined to be back on the offensive in Brazil…

Q: Sebastian, it was looking great for you until your engine gave out. Was there any indication in the preceding laps that something was wrong?
Sebastian Vettel: No not at all. It was a total surprise. At the exit of Turn 17 I lost four cylinders on the right-hand side and from then on it was just a question of when it would also hit the other side. So I had to stop the car between Turn Two and Three. There was nothing else left to do in this situation.

Q: How was your race up until Lap 45?
SV: I was leading the race the whole time, getting away every time the safety car pulled in. I was able to look after my tyres during the ten laps before the engine blow because the conditions were getting trickier. It was getting darker but during all that time I always had something up my sleeve to react and keep Fernando (Alonso) at bay. I was a bit unlucky with some lapped cars as I lost around a second, but I knew that I could be around two to three-tenths quicker than Fernando if I wanted to. We definitely could have been in better shape after this result in regards to points. It didn’t happen!

Q: You went through heaven and hell during the race…
SV: It was one of the most difficult races of the season, adapting to every new situation and every new safety car. Sure when the engine gave out I was very disappointed but then there is nothing you can do, and honestly until that moment I was very satisfied with my race. I was able to control it and the rest of the grid at every moment. It would have been no problem at all to finish those remaining ten laps without the engine failure.

Q: What ran through your mind when the engine went?
SV: Well, in the first split second I hoped that the problem would go away. But there is also something telling you that when four cylinders give in the white smoke is just a blink of an eye away, and if that happens there is nothing that you can do. It is not easy under such difficult conditions to be in the lead because when you are following someone you can see where he is braking or where he’s running into danger of spinning. But that’s life.

Q: Was it the bitterest moment of your whole career?
SV: No, and there is still a chance to clinch the title. Sure with a win it would have been much easier…

Q: Now you are 25 points behind championship leader Alonso. What does that mean to you?
SV: Well sometimes you have to be lucky and Fernando was very lucky. For us, our luck has gone up and down probably too many times, but right here right now we cannot change that. We take it as it is. It does not make too much sense to be too disappointed. We had delivered a brilliant weekend up until that moment and, from my side, I could not have done anything better.

Q: How will you approach the Brazilian Grand Prix in your quest to win the title?
SV: No differently than this weekend because there is no reason to change anything. I am sure, had I finished the race, I would have left Korea with 25 points. The race for the title is not over yet so let’s wait what the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi brings.

Source: Formula1

Eminem to stage first Latin American show with F1 Rocks™

GEO Eventos in partnership with Enterprise Entertainment have announced global rap superstar Eminem will headline F1 Rocks™ with LG in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo on November 5, as part of the build-up to this season’s Brazilian Grand Prix. It will be Eminem’s first appearance in Latin America.

"This is something very special for the Brazilian audience,” said Pedro Assumpcao, CEO of Geo Eventos. “Eminem’s performance in Sao Paulo will show the importance of Brazil and F1 Rocks™ with LG in Sao Paulo as well as on the global arts scene.”

Rob Montague, Chairman of Enterprise Entertainment added: “It is indeed a privilege to work with our partners GEO Eventos and LG on this historic event. F1 Rocks™ with LG in Sao Paulo with Eminem is going to be an incredible event…I cannot wait.”

The multi-award winning American hip-hop star has sold in excess of 80 million albums worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists in the world. His most recent recording, ‘Recovery’, which was released in June, has sold over four million copies and has topped both album and single charts in more than 40 countries.

“LG is very excited that we are associated with our second F1 Rocks™ with LG event in Sao Paulo this November,” said Andrew Barrett, VP Global Sponsorship LG Electronics. “Last year we rocked Singapore during the GP, and this year we will be bringing another star-studded line-up of the world’s best Formula One drivers and world class musicians to Brazil, featuring the first ever live appearance of Eminem in South America. Life sure is good when you can bring the best of both worlds to the same city on the same weekend.”

F1 Rocks™ will announce further acts ahead of the Brazilian event.

For more information about the concert, click here.

Source: Formula1.com

IN THE DEPTHS OF THE HARBOR

Monaco GP-column 13.5.

Although Kimi Räikkönen is ashore in Monaco he will not be seen on the GP-paddock with 100% certainity. Kimi didn't like it when he was driving in F1 so he feels even less attracted to go and say hello to his busy friends when he is on a well deserved vacation.

Nine reporters out of ten asks on a regular basis what Räikkönen might be doing next year.

"If I only knew", many team managers probably sigh.

They whisper more and more that Mark Webber would end his career after this season. When the whispers get louder all available drivers are alert. Nicolas Todt is Felipe Massa's manager and he is known to have made some inquiries about Red Bull's possible interest in Massa.

Red Bull will surely still be competitive next year with the joint KERS-system and Michelin-tyres because the F-Duct -system has been forbidden.

I doubt Vettel's team mate will come from Red Bull's own junior team. A possible seat is therefore offered to a complete winner.

If Massa would go to Red Bull it would create some interpretation problems for the Brasilian viewer. They refuse to use the energy drink's name in their airings, they always talk about RBR.

Why? They claim that the reason for it is because Red Bull's and Brazil's tv's negotiations didn't lead anywhere.

But that's how the world changes even in Brazil. Whereas Ayrton Senna was the real king of Monaco's streets his nephew Bruno starts with Hispania in the other end.

For the first time the name Senna was the last name.

Source: Turun Sanomat
Courtesy: Nicole