Qualifying: Vettel leads Red Bull 1-2

Sebastian Vettel's 100 percent record in qualifying for the Indian GP continued on Saturday as he claimed pole position ahead of his team-mate Mark Webber

Despite failing to cross the line in time for a flying lap - which all his rivals managed to do - Vettel's 1:25.283 proved to be unbeatable, handing the Championship leader his fifth pole of the season.

Webber was second, 0.044s adrift of his team-mate as Red Bull secured the 1-2 at the Buddh International circuit.

The second row of the grid will belong to McLaren as Lewis Hamilton pipped Jenson Button to third place after finishing 0.261s adrift of Vettel.

Continuing the trend it is an all-Ferrari third row as Fernando Alonso brought his F2012 home in fifth place ahead of Felipe Massa. However, the Spaniard, who is six points behind Vettel in the Championship battle, will be hoping for better come Sunday's 60-lap grand prix.

Kimi Raikkonen was seventh and the last driver within a second of Vettel's pole position time.

Times

01. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m25.283
02. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m25.327

03. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m25.544
04. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m25.659

05. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m25.773
06. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m25.857

07. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 1m26.236
08. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m26.360

09. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1m26.713
10. Nico Rosberg Mercedes no time

11. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1m26.136
12. Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercede 1m26.241
13. Bruno Senna Williams-Renault 1m26.331
14. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m26.574
15. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m26.777
16. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercede 1m26.989
17. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m27.219
18. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m27.525
19. Vitaly Petrov Caterham-Renault 1m28.756
20. Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault 1m29.500
21. Timo Glock Marussia-Cosworth 1m29.613
22. Pedro de la Rosa HRT-Cosworth 1m30.592
23. Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 1m30.593
24. Charles Pic Marussia-Cosworth 1m30.662

Source: Planet-F1

Schumi and Webber shine on day two at Jerez

Michael Schumacher led the way with the "old" while Mark Webber shone for the "new" brigade on day two of the pre-season test at Jerez

Whereas the returning Kimi Räikkönen and the stepped noses dominated the headlines on the opening day, it was Schumacher and his 2011 W02 that produced the goods on Wednesday.

With Mercedes opting to only introduce their new challenger at the Barcelona test, Schumacher and team-mate Nico Rosberg are putting a developed 2011 chassis through its paces in the south of Spain.

According to the BBC's Lee McKenzie, the Brackley squad are running the old car as "they are trying to hide a clever new front wing they have developed - they don't want their rivals to see it too early".

Schumacher, who was the second busiest man on the track having completed 132 laps, had no problems topping the timesheets as he was the only driver to dip under the 1:18 mark.

Webber, though, proved that there is once again plenty of pace in the new Red Bull as he was only 0.623 off Schumacher's best effort of 1:18.561.

The RB8 was the most impressive of the "new" cars, but Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo kept his Australian compatriot honest most of the time and was a further 0.403 off his pace.

Jules Bianchi, driving for Force India in the morning session before handing over to Paul di Resta in the afternoon, put in a decent shift and his 1:20.221 earned him fourth place with Lotus' Räikkönen completing the top five.

Räikkönen was limited to a handful of laps in the morning after he hit a bump at the end of a kerb and some debris went flying off his car.

Ferrari and McLaren were once again well down the timesheets with Felipe Massa in seventh place with a 1:20.454 and Jenson Button a further 0.234s behind in eighth spot.

"The thing to remember about Ferrari is that this is a revolutionary car for them," Sky Sports' Ted Kravitz reported.

"It's taken them in a direction away from the direction they'd taken in the last few years and with such aggressive concepts as the pullrod suspension and the very tight aero packaging, the team say they have a lot to learn and understand about the new car."

He added: "The team tell us they're not even looking at Webber's 1:19.1s and at present they don't know if they can match it, because that's not the focus of their work. That's reassuring for Ferrari fans, but I'm sure the drivers will be anxious to know where they stand in terms of pace as soon as possible."

McLaren also insisted at the close that it's all about learning.

"Another productive day: 85 laps and a 1m20.688s best. Lots learned today - despite the cold. Lewis already here and raring to go tomorrow!" McLaren's twitter feed read.

Caterham's Heikki Kovalainen was the busiest man, having completed 139 laps, while HRT's Pedro de la Rosa, who is driving a 2011 car, was more than four seconds off the pace with a 1:22.628.

Times
1. M Schumacher Mercedes GP W02 1:18.561 132
2. M Webber Red Bull RB8 1:19.184 +0.623 97
3. D Ricciardo Toro Rosso STR7 1:19.587 +1.026 100
4. J Bianchi Force India VJM-05 1:20.221 +1.660 46
5. K Räikkönen Lotus E20 1:20.239 +1.678 116
6. P di Resta Force India VJM-05 1:20.272 +1.711 67
7. F Massa Ferrari F2012 1:20.454 +1.893 93
8. J Button McLaren MP4-27 1:20.688 +2.127 83
9. S Perez Sauber C31 1:20.711 +2.150 66
10. P Maldonado Williams FW34 1:21.197 +2.636 95
11. H Kovalainen Caterham CT01 1:21.518 +2.957 139
12. P de la Rosa HRT F111 1:22.128 +3.567 64

Source: Planet-F1

Mark and Sebastian Confirmed For UK December Event

Red Bull Racing is pleased to confirm that World Champion Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber, Christian Horner and Adrian Newey will attend the team’s celebration show run event in Milton Keynes on Saturday 10 December

In collaboration with Milton Keynes Council, Red Bull Racing has organised the event to celebrate their achievements this year and mark their double Championship success for a second successive season.

The show will take place along the full length of Midsummer Boulevard in Milton Keynes, between Centre MK (Saxon Gate) and MK Station (Grafton Gate) and feature two Red Bull Racing Formula One cars, driven by Mark and Sebastian.

Red Bull Racing Team Principal, Christian Horner commented: “It’s great news to be able to go ahead with this event in Milton Keynes with both drivers and two cars. It’s been home for our factory since Red Bull entered Formula One in 2005 and we get excellent support from the city; it will be fantastic to be able to put on a show and give something back. I think most of the staff will be attending with their families, which I’m extremely pleased about. I’d like to thank the council for all their efforts and I’m looking forward to the event – it will be the first time we’ll have two cars and both of our drivers at a running show car event, so it will be a great way to finish the year.”

Milton Keynes Council Leader Andrew Geary said: “Our warm congratulations go out to the whole team at Tilbrook in Milton Keynes. The city benefits enormously from having Red Bull Racing based here – it shines a massive spotlight on the city, bringing in tourism, investment and providing hundreds of jobs locally, ensuring that MK is firmly on the map. It’s fantastic that both drivers are confirmed for the event.”

Source: Red Bull

Video: BBC - Indian GP - F1 drivers on safety in motorpsort

Formula 1 drivers discuss the issue of safety in motorsport following the tragic deaths of British IndyCar racer Dan Wheldon and MotoGP's Marco Simoncelli.

Wheldon was killed in Las Vegas two weeks ago following a 15-car crash, while Italian rider Simoncelli died last weekend after a horrific crash at the Malaysian MotoGP in Sepang



Source: SixtyBuckss

Practice Three: Vettel sets the pace

Sebastian Vettel was the man to beat on Monza, as he pipped Mark Webber to the P1 slot in the final seconds of practice

Despite many predicting that Monza could be a bogey track for the Red Bulls, the defending Champ proved to have the better pace on the both the medium and soft Pirelli compounds.

With drivers focussing on longer runs in the first 40 minutes of the session, Vettel topped the timesheets with a 1:24.000, putting him just ahead of Webber.

And when they all switched to the soft compound in the latter stages, it was again Vettel who had the better pace.

The German posted a 1:23.170 to finish 0.364s ahead of his team-mate Webber while Felipe Massa was third ahead of the McLarens of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.

Report: With the sun out and the track temperature at 29'C, the Italian GP's final practice session got underway with Jerome D'Ambrosio leading out the field for their installation laps. The Belgian, driving a heavily revised Virgin MVR02, also set the first time of the morning, a 1:32.578.

Heikki Kovalainen and then Jarno Trulli led the way before Michael Schumacher crossed the line with a 1:26.943. Nico Rosberg took over from Schumacher at the front with Jenson Button and Mark Webber second and third. Schumacher put in a 360' at the first chicane, hitting the controversial speed bumps.

Lewis Hamilton slotted into third place on his first attempt while Button improved to first before losing it to Webber. Sebastian Vettel was fifth before two fastest sector times saw him jump to the front with a 1:24.000.

Halfway through the session, Fernando Alonso emerged in his 150° Italia, which was fitted with a higher downforce front wing. The Spaniard's first time was a 1:26.027, two seconds off Vettel's time. But by the end of his first run he was P7 with Felipe Massa just ahead.

Rosberg headed out on the softer option Pirellis and put his Merc GP into first place, 0.125s up on Vettel. Sergio Perez, also on the options, improved to ninth while his team-mate Kamui Kobayashi visited the gravel at the second Lesmo. Schumacher climbed from 14th to third on the soft tyres.

Webber overhauled Schumacher only for the Merc GP driver to bounce right back while Alonso improved to fourth. With almost everyone out on the softs for the final few minutes, Button moved up to second, Webber went quickest, Massa took second, Hamilton sixth, Webber bettered his time, Vettel moved up to third before going straight on at the chicane, Hamilton took third off him and Vettel went quickest with a 1:23.170, 0.364s up on Webber.

Times
01. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m23.170 18 laps
02. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1:23.534 + 0.364 19 laps
03. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:23.668 + 0.498 14 laps
04. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:23.741 + 0.571 17 laps
05. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:23.787 + 0.617 16 laps
06. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:23.875 + 0.705 22 laps
07. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1:24.114 + 0.944 20 laps
08. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:24.133 + 0.963 14 laps
09. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:24.543 + 1.373 21 laps
10. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1:24.581 + 1.411 22 laps
11. Bruno Senna Renault 1:24.853 + 1.683 20 laps
12. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1:24.889 + 1.719 19 laps
13. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1:24.948 + 1.778 22 laps
14. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1:25.261 + 2.091 21 laps
15. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1:24.319 + 2.149 19 laps
16. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:25.426 + 2.256 19 laps
17. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:25.439 + 2.269 22 laps
18. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 1:25.539 + 2.369 19 laps
19. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 1:27.328 + 4.158 19 laps
20. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 1:27.491 + 4.321 21 laps
21. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1:28.186 + 5.016 23 laps
22. Tonio Liuzzi HRT-Cosworth 1:28.441 + 5.271 22 laps
23. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1:28.962 + 5.792 17 laps
24. Daniel Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 1:30.316 + 7.146 16 laps

Source: Planet-F1

Vettel still has the winning instinct

In order to seal his consecutive title Vettel doesn't even have to win anymore. Although he would everytime settle for 2nd position, nobody would win the WDC's points even if they won all remaining 8 races.

– I rather take two victories and drive off in a few races than start to ensure my lead, Vettel assures.

– The most important is not to lead now, only after the last race. Last year taught that. Now the situation in my case is different than back then, but I haven't even wanted to know what my difference to the others is.

When Vettel was asked if he is worried when three last races weren't victories, he gives a wide smile.

– Not at all. It's how one wants to see these things. I think it's the media who is starting to be concerned. We have had difficult races but yet got an okay result. There hasn't really been any dramatic turn here.

Vettel celebrated each victory with different hand gestures. They created all sorts of buzz in the opponent's camps but Vettel assures that he hasn't intended to annoy anyone with his finger tricks.

– They are all my own choreography. And I have new hands left when I win again, Vettel promises.

Webber's continuance still not confirmed

Webber's contract was supposed to be signed in the middle of July and 'sure sources' claimed that it would be announced during the break in August. Yet nothing has been heard. The whisper on Spa paddock and Red Bull's VIP-premises is that they still wouldn't have made the final decision.

In the rumour mill they have been grinding Kimi Räikkönen to replace Webber although Christian Horner has time after time denied that the Finn would be an option to drive alongside Vettel next year.

Ferrari's development work stops in Monza

Red Bull uses a smaller rear wing in order to compensate for their loss of powers on long straights. When the track was dry the lead McLaren and Ferrari achieved on long straights only grew bigger.

In Ferrari they have made a guideline that they will work on 150 Italia -car to Monza and charge everything to next year after that. However if it would happen that Fernando Alonso would reach Vettel's 50 points lead, then the plans could change.

Turun Sanomat, Spa

HEIKKI KULTA

Courtesy: Nicole

Vettel’s boss: Serious reproaches against Webber

World champion Sebastian Vettel (24) has a 80 points lead in the World Championship classification. In the Constructor’s Championship, the lead goes up to 110 points

Nevertheless, there is quarrel at Red Bull! Team boss, Christian Horner (37), severely reproaches Vettel’s team-mate Mark Webber (34/Australia) in interview with BILD.

BILD: Mr. Horner, Sebastian Vettel, after nine out of 18 races, is almost world champion again ...

Horner: "Stop. Stop. There are still ten races and 250 points to be awarded. If Sebastian DNF three times, everything would be quite different. Things can change quickly. "

BILD: when your second driver, Mark Webber, simply ignores your orders, as in Silverstone?

Horner: "For example. We have sorted Mark out. He has risked Sebastian’s second place, his 3rd place and 33 points for the team. "

BILD: Because he attacked Vettel contrary your team-orders at the end (of the race)?

Horner: "He is a racer, I understand it. But I've seen in the monitor at the wall what many viewers, for sure, weren’t aware of: Mark took Sebastian to the utmost limit and brought them both, in two different places, absolutely unnecessarily in crash risk. That can’t happen. If all our 500 people would think only of themselves, we would never be able to achieve our goals. "

BILD: Has it reduced Webber’s chances at Red Bull for 2012?

Horner: "We will take a decision together at the end of august."

BILD: Do you already have in your head Vettel’s new team-mate?

Horner: "No. He must be able to drive at the front and bring harmony to the team. How harmonious a driver is, is often difficult to assess in his current environment. "

BILD: Like someone who doesn’t drive Formula 1 at the moment but is in the Red Bull's payroll?

Horner: "Kimi Räikkönen?"

BILD: Yes, exactly.

Horner: "But he is driving trucks in America and rallies. I think, his head is somewhere else than Formula 1 at the moment. It is hard to come back. "

BILD: But even: there’s supposed to be a plan to let Räikkönen drive alongside Vettel for a year.

Horner: "I've not seen so far any signs in Kimi of a return. As I said, we are not in a hurry in the driver’s question. Everyone in the pit lane has already knocked at our door. We have time. "

Source: Bild.de
Courtesy: Mar

Räikkönen a candidate to replace Webber

Europe's biggest magazine Bild Zeitung published in their Tuesday issue news that at this point shocked the F1-world, by telling that Red Bull might be interested in hiring Kimi Räikkönen with a one year contract for next season to drive alongside Sebastian Vettel.

The story doesn't claim that Räikkönen would be coming back. The story doesn't claim either that Räikkönen would be the strongest candidate for Red Bull's second seat.

The team is looking for a short-term driver who can win races, since the WCC is highly prestigious to Red Bull.

According to Bild's editorial F1-staff, the interest to hire Räikkönen came from a very reliable source close to the team. They schedule Räikkönen to be Vettel's team mate only for year 2012, after which the team's own young drivers would have enough experience to switch to the main team.

A week before Silverstone GP Christian Horner said in Swiss Servus-tv that Räikkönen is not one of the options from which they are choosing Vettel's partner.

When viewers got to vote for their favorite driver candidate Räikkönen got almost as much support as Mark Webber, who's contract has been seen as practically certain. Webber got 26,2 and Räikkönen 26,1 % of the votes.

When it was certain in October 2009 that Räikkönen would leave Ferrari at the end of 2009, Helmut Marko who decides about Red Bull's F1-driver matters went immediately on Suzuka's paddock to inquire if the Finnish driver would be interested to switch to their team after Webber's contract would expire.

However that meeting didn't lead to closer negotiations over a F1-seat.

Räikkönen has said more than once that he will make his decisions for next year only after this year's races are over.

All the time his condition for a possible comeback has been that there would be a seat in a winning team and at the same time freedom to race for the victory. At the moment every driver starting from Lewis Hamilton would want especially to Red Bull.

In May Räikkönen assured in a press conference before the Nascar-race that he has never said his F1-career would definitely be over.

– There were many reasons why I quit. But I haven't said that it's final. At the moment I don't miss F1. I have wanted to do different things and have got great opportunities to try rally and now also Nascar. I have never said that I wouldn't go back to F1-level. There are no plans about what I will do next year, Räikkönen said at that time.

Turun Sanomat, Silverstone

HEIKKI KULTA

Courtesy: Nicole

Massa unfazed by exit rumours

Felipe Massa will not let speculation over his future prevent him from aiming to produce a vintage Ferrari performance in the British GP

The 30-year-old Brazilian has been with the Italian team - with whom he was a test driver eight years ago - since 2006, and showed great promise when finishing third in his first season and then second in the 2008 Drivers' Championship.

Nevertheless, reports persist that Massa is set to be replaced, with McLaren's Jenson Button a possible target.

Massa, though, as the man currently in possession of one of the sport's glamour drives, has never given the idea a second thought.

"When you drive for a top team like Ferrari, you always have the pressure," said Massa, who was in Knightsbridge, Londony to officially open Ferrari's latest Atelier at prestigious 5-star luxury hotel The Berkeley, managed by HR Owen, where clients will be invited to personally tailor their Ferrari.

"It is a team which many people are watching and supporting, so it is normal that you have more pressure - but I think most of the drivers would like to have this kind of pressure, to be racing for Ferrari, so that is a good pressure."

Despite there being plenty of home focus from British Formula One fans this weekend, Massa maintains Ferrari always look forward to their visit.

"Silverstone is a great track, and one of the most famous races," he said.

"We really enjoy to come here. Even if there are some British teams, people really support Ferrari.

"Maybe we will see some showers around, but hopefully we can have a good weekend and be competitive."

Massa has now recovered from what was a serious crash suffered at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix, after which he needed a titanium plate inserted into his skull to race again.

The South American believes that incident helped put everything else into perspective.

He said: "It has not affected me from a driving point of view, because you try to go to the limit, sometimes past.

"Outside, in my life, it has made me appreciate and respect things even more."

Massa thrilled the crowds with victories at Interlagos in 2006 - the first Brazilian to do so since the late Ayrton Senna in 1993 - and again in 2008.

The Ferrari driver feels both Button and Lewis Hamilton can use the hype which is about to engulf the Northamptonshire circuit to their own advantage.

"It is always good to race at home. You have a lot more pressure, but are also pushed more from the people around," he said.

"Whenever I go to Brazil, it is great. The people are very warm, really expecting you to be fighting, so for me it is always exciting to be racing at home."

Massa rejected suggestions Sebastian Vettel's dominance for Red Bull meant the 2011 Drivers' Championship was already a foregone conclusion.

"He has a big difference, but we will not give up. We will fight," said Massa, currently in sixth place - more than 100 points off the pace.

"Sebastian had a great Championship until now, so we will try our best to be in front of him and the other drivers as well.

"We never give up and are always pushing our car race by race to be in front."

Source: Planet-F1

European GP Press Conference schedule

Spaniards Fernando Alonso and Jaime Alguersuari will give a local flavour to Thursday's FIA press conference in Valencia

All times are local (Spain is GMT+2)

Thursday, June 23- 15h00:
Jaime Alguersuari (Toro Rosso)
Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)
Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber)
Vitantonio Liuzzi (HRT)
Mark Webber (Red Bull)

Friday, June 24 - 16h00:
Ross Brawn (Mercedes)
Mike Gascoyne (Team Lotus)
James Key (Sauber)
Geoff Willis (HRT)
Franz Tost (Toro Rosso)

Saturday, June 25 - post qualifying:
Three fastest drivers from qualifying.

Sunday, June 26 - post race:
First three finishing drivers.

Source: Planet-F1

Video: BBC - Press Conference at Canadian GP - Top three drivers

The top three finishers in an action-packed Canadian Grand Prix - Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber react to a sensational race.

Button won despite colliding with team-mate Lewis Hamilton early on and visiting the pit lane six times in a race that was held up for two hours after torrential rain



Source: Youtube

Vettel: Not a big disappointment

Although Sebastian Vettel's run of pole positions came to an end in Barcelona, the reigning World Champion insists it's not a "big disappointment."

Arriving in Spain, Vettel had a four-nothing record in qualifying for the season, however, his impressive run came to an end when his team-mate Mark Webber pipped him to the coveted grid slot by 0.200s.

The German insists that being dethroned is not a massive loss as he is still on the front row, and has an extra set of soft tyres available to him for Sunday's 66-lap race.

"I don't think we can speak of big disappointment," said Vettel.

"At the end of the day we made a good step forward and Barcelona is usually a place where you bring lots of parts, and find out they work.

"In Q1 I didn't get into the rhythm immediately but made it on prime tyres, in Q2 I felt happier on the soft compound and in last qualifying I lost a little bit too much, wasn't happy with my lap.

"We had some problems and Mark did a good job. It was between us, he did a better job today. Tomorrow is a long race, we saved a set of tyres - as did the top three and Jenson (Button) - we will see what we can do tomorrow."

But while Vettel may have qualified in second place, Red Bull's Achilles Heel was once again present in Spain as the German lacked KERS for the better part of qualifying.

However, he says that's not the reason he lost to his team-mate and expects Red Bull will have the issue resolved before the race gets underway.

"I didn't use KERS in Q2 and Q3, but it's not right to say I didn't have KERS and Mark got pole - he deserved pole.

"I am not afraid in the race, in the race I think we will be on top of it again. In the end it seems to be an endless story.

"The guys are pushing very hard, we did an exceptional job. Today we have proved our car has become quicker, we had a quick base but we made it even quicker - so big compliments to the aero guys."

Source: Planet-F1

Red Bull Ring (A1-Ring) opening festivities

Last weekend was the official (re)opening of the Red Bull Ring - a race track in Spielberg, Austria, steeped in Formula One history. The opening attracted a variety of different racers as well as past and present greats from the motor sports scene. Take a look at the unveiling and find out what Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber, Christian Horner and Adrian Newey think about it...



Source: NextgenAuto

Red Bull Ring opening attracts F1 stars

As we gear up for the launch of the F1-spec Red Bull Ring in Austria, we break down the state-of-the-art circuit to its component parts…

While there’s no Grand Prix this weekend, both Red Bull Racing F1 drivers will be at on track – at the opening of the new F1-spec Red Bull Ring in Austria.

On Sunday Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber, along with Christian Horner and Adrian Newey will be in Spielberg at the former Österreichring for its grand unveiling.

At the event (it’s free to attend if you’re in the area) there will be a display from a Red Bull Racing car together with historic Formula One cars and The Flying Bulls, the historical aero display team.

Red Bull has taken the historic track and revamped and upgraded it to include a vehicle dynamics facility, off-road area and go-kart track, as well as two hotels and a country club.

The circuit which has seen its fair share of great races and a certain amount of controversy was dropped from the Formula One calendar in 2003. With the Red Bull Ring, the myths and legends of this racetrack will continue to exist to captivate motorsport enthusiasts now and in the future.

Österreichring/Red Bull Ring Historical Timeline

■1969 Opening of the Österreichring
■1970 More than 100,000 spectators cheer on Jochen Rindt at his home grand prix. A few weeks later he tragically dies in Monza
■1984 Niki Lauda wins his home grand prix
■1987 Austria is dropped from the Formula One calendar
■1996 Opening of the A1-Ring Austria
■1997 Formula One returns to the new A1-Ring
■2002 Team order at Ferrari: Rubens Barrichello let Schumacher overtake him, and Michael won the race. Some fans and pundits not impressed
■2003 Michael Schumacher wins the last F1 Grand Prix at the A1-Ring
■2011 The Red Bull Ring opens on May 15

Opening Day Programme

■Freestyle motocross show
■Flight show, Flying Bulls & Hannes Arch
■Historic Formula 1 race
■Static presentation Canadian American Challenge Cup
■Red Bull Racing & Toro Rosso Formula 1 teams
■Formula 1 stars from the past to the present
■Live music at the Red Bull Brandwagen

Source: YallaF1

Sebastian Vettel's Dream Team

Source: AlessaFainello

Video: Press Conference with Top three drivers after Turkish Grand Prix 2011

Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber and Fernando Alonso give their thoughts on an enthralling Turkish Grand Prix



Source: FiftyBuckss

Video: Press Conference with Top three drivers after Qualifying at Turkish GP 2011

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber and Mercedes' Nico Rosberg give their reactions after finishing in the top three positions after qualifying for the Turkish Grand Prix



Source: FiftyBuckss

Coming soon... The RB7

Source: RED BULL RACING

Briatore: Webber should have shut it

Flavio Briatore says Mark Webber should have kept his mouth shut about his injury - or he should have told the team immediately

Webber competed in the final four races of last year's Championship with a fractured shoulder, which he sustained in a cycling accident. However, the Aussie didn't tell his Red Bull team about the injury.

In fact, Red Bull knew nothing about it until Webber revealed all in a book released in December. Naturally, the team was not very happy about that.

Briatore, though, reckons Webber should have kept it a secret.

"It would have been better had he not revealed that," the former Renault team boss told the Gazzetta dello Sport. "Otherwise he should have said that immediately."

The Italian added that in his opinion the injury did not cost Webber the 2010 Drivers' Championship title.

"He didn't lose the title because of that, but because of the mistake in Korea. Otherwise he would have won it."

As for this year's Championship battle, Briatore believes it's too early to say whether Ferrari and Fernando Alonso, who had a strong finish to last year's title race, are the favourites.

However, he does expect the Spaniard to be involved in a four-way battle with reigning World Champ Sebastian Vettel, Webber and Lewis Hamilton.

"It's early to say," he said when asked if Ferrari were the favourites for 2011.

"I expect Red Bull to still be strong and McLaren to be competitive once again. I see a four-way battle: Vettel, Webber, Alonso and Hamilton.

"Fernando is motivated, and Ferrari wants to give him a winning car from the start, without the need of chasing the others. That's what he wants and deserves."

He added: "Alonso has the resources to win the title in 2011."

Source: Planet-F1

Red Bull’s RB7 unveiling on 1 February

Red Bull Racing have announced that their 2011 car will be launched on Tuesday, 1 February at Valencia on the opening day of the first all team test session at the circuit in Spain.

The reigning World Champion team announced that the Adrian Newey designed RB7 will be uncovered by Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, as in previous years a no frills unveiling, in the Circuito Ricardo Tormo pit lane shortly before testing action begins on track.

Newey said of his new creation, “It (the 2011 RB7) is a further evolution of the current series. The DNA of the car is the same. The (2010) RB6 was basically an evolution of the last car; one basically turned into the next.”

Earlier this month reports circulated suggesting that the team were facing a race against time to make the first official test with their new car.

Source: YallaF1.com