2014 Open Wheel Racing Chat

[rvrdgsfn]

So Will Power was seen at COTA recently...

Say hello to Chevrolet's Indycar Aero Kit...

Meanwhile in F1

http://www.racer.com/f1/item/109859-vettel-denied-early-ferrari-test

Sebastian Vettel will not be given an early release from his Red Bull Formula 1 contract so he can test for Ferrari in the Abu Dhabi post-season test.

The four-time F1 world champion is expected to be confirmed imminently as Fernando Alonso's replacement at Ferrari for 2015. Although it was possible Vettel could have gained a first experience of Ferrari in the test that takes place at Yas Marina after the 2014 season finale, such a plan has been blocked by his Red Bull chiefs.

Speaking at last weekend's Russian Grand Prix, Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz said that his team would hold Vettel to the full terms of his contract, which runs until five days after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

"Only after that will he become a free agent," Mateschitz said.

You think Dietrich has sour grapes?

Next up in the world's worst kept secret...

http://www.racer.com/f1/item/109879-f1-alonso-leaving-ferrari-confirms-luca-di-montezemolo

Recently departed Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has stated publicly that two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso is leaving Scuderia Ferrari at the end of the year.

Di Montezemolo, speaking on Italian television, said: "Fernando is leaving for two reasons. One, he wants another environment. Two, he's at an age when he cannot wait to win again."

[VictoriaGooner]

Dietrich does have sour grapes with the Wunderkid leaving. He is giving up his cash cow the four-time World Champion wanting to leave due to stagnant progression of Red Bull Racing with the introduction of the hybrid power units. Plus Renault hasn't had an answer to the Mercedes power unit this year. I can see why Vettel wants to leave for something new.

Marussia have slammed reports suggesting the team’s pit wall commanded Jules Bianchi to speed up just before he crashed heavily during the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, which resulted in life threatening injuries to the Frenchman. The statement says:

During the course of Tuesday 14 October, a number of media reports emerged suggesting:

1. that Jules Bianchi did not slow down under the double waved yellow flags shown after Adrian Sutil had spun off in the wet conditions, and
2. that the team urged Jules to go faster during the double waved yellow flag period in order to keep Marcus Ericsson behind.

The Marussia F1 Team is shocked and angered by these allegations. At a time when its driver is critically ill in hospital, and the team has made clear that its highest priority is consideration for Jules and his family, it is distressed to have to respond to deeply upsetting rumours and inaccuracies in respect of the circumstances of Jules’ accident. However, given that these allegations are entirely false, the team has no alternative but to address these.

Regarding point 1, Jules did slow down under the double waved yellow flags. That is an irrefutable fact, as proven by the telemetry data, which the team has provided to the FIA. In the FIA press conference which took place in Sochi on Friday 10 October, Charlie Whiting, the FIA’s Race Director, confirmed that the team had provided such data, that he himself had examined this data and that Jules did slow.

Regarding point 2, an audio copy of the full radio transmission between Jules and the team, and also a written transcript thereof, were provided to the FIA. It is quite clear from the transmission and the transcript that at no point during the period leading up to Jules’ accident did the team urge Jules to drive faster or make any comments suggesting that he should do so.

The team sincerely hopes that, having clarified these facts, it can now avoid any further distractions to its primary focus at this time, which is providing support for Jules and his family.

I can't believe people would make accusations like this especially with the driver in question is still in critical but stable care in Japan. No dignity whatsoever by certain cells within the F1 media circles

http://www.grandprix247.com/2014/10/15/marussia-shocked-and-angered-by-these-allegations/

[rvrdgsfn]

Well, Jenson may have a back up plan in case McLaren goes elsewhere...

http://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/button-may-join-porsche-in-the-wec

Jenson Button's F1 career may be coming to a close, but his sports car career could just be beginning.

Reliable sources have hinted that Formula One World Champion Jenson Button has had talks with the Porsche LMP1 program in the WEC.

Following the footsteps of Mark Webber would be an interesting path for Button, who may be out of an F1 ride soon, courtesy of Fernando Alonso.

Talking with BBC, Button's manager Richard Goddard was quoted as saying, "McLaren aren't sure what they're doing and what their line-up will be. That's pretty obvious."

"Jenson is still focused on F1 but would only want to be in one of the top teams so we're always open to talking to anyone," he added.

[VictoriaGooner]

Well, Jenson may have a back up plan in case McLaren goes elsewhere...

http://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/button-may-join-porsche-in-the-wec

Jenson Button's F1 career may be coming to a close, but his sports car career could just be beginning.

Reliable sources have hinted that Formula One World Champion Jenson Button has had talks with the Porsche LMP1 program in the WEC.

Following the footsteps of Mark Webber would be an interesting path for Button, who may be out of an F1 ride soon, courtesy of Fernando Alonso.

Talking with BBC, Button's manager Richard Goddard was quoted as saying, "McLaren aren't sure what they're doing and what their line-up will be. That's pretty obvious."

"Jenson is still focused on F1 but would only want to be in one of the top teams so we're always open to talking to anyone," he added.

It would be a shame to see Button leave F1 as he has been a consistent driver through his entire career. But WEC would be a good step for him, following in the footsteps of Webber.

Dominant Mercedes and their engine customers plan to block an attempt by Formula 1 rivals to relax the rules and allow engine development during the course of next season, arguing that lifting the restrictions will incur substantial extra costs.

http://www.grandprix247.com/2014/10/16/mercedes-oppose-call-to-free-up-f1-engine-development/

The engine rules are currently ‘frozen’ in-season to keep costs down after the introduction of costly new V6 turbo hybrid power units this year. Renault-powered rivals Red Bull, dethroned by Mercedes as constructors’ champions last weekend, and Ferrari want the rules relaxed to allow in-season development that might give them a chance to close the gap. Mercedes motorsport head Toto Wolff told reporters in Russia last weekend that his team had already voted against the proposal in a strategy group meeting and would do so again when the matter goes to a Formula One commission meeting. To be incorporated into the 2015 rules, there must be unanimous agreement. “I don’t think we will change our mind in the next month, whenever the commission meeting is going to take place,” said Wolff, who added that any relaxation would only increase costs.

Former Ferrari F1 team boss Stefano Domenicali has accepted an offer to work for the German manufacturer Audi, which immediately prompted speculation that Fernando Alonso might be enticed to have a go at a season of sportscar racing with a 2015 Le Mans foray on the cards.

http://www.grandprix247.com/2014/10/16/domenicali-joins-audi-will-alonso-follow/

And in the ever developing story of the Bianchi crash, Jules Bianchi’s mother has broken her silence by hinting the family is being told to keep quiet about her son’s life-threatening crash, prompting specualtion of a cover-up at the highest level of the sport.

http://www.grandprix247.com/2014/10/17/bianchis-mother-hints-at-accident-cover-up-by-f1/

She revealed the 25-year-old Marussia driver is still unconscious, “Jules is being very well treated. The hospital is perfect, the doctors are excellent, respectful and kind.” Beyond that, the RTL correspondent relayed, Christine said she does not want to talk, and added, “Or rather, she says she cannot talk.” Mrs Bianchi explained: “I can’t say anything more, apart from about the criticisms. You know, some people say things to shirk their responsibilities.” The correspondent asked Christine directly if she and the family are being forced to be silent. “Formula 1,” she answered. “It’s a business. A very big business.”

[VictoriaGooner]

Caterham future in F1 is in doubt after the company that manufacturers their cars went into administration. Bailiffs seized items from the Leafield factory earlier this month in an action against Caterham Sports Limited (CSL), the company which has now gone into administration and which the team’s new owners say does not belong to them. http://www.grandprix247.com/2014/10/21/caterham-future-in-f1-increasingly-doody/

The composition of a new FIA Accident Panel, as announced by FIA President Jean Todt in Sochi on 10 October 2014 following the accident involving Jules Bianchi at the Japanese Grand Prix, has been established. The group will carry out a full review of the accident to gain a better understanding of what happened, and will propose new measures to reinforce safety at circuits, with recommendations to be made for the FIA President. The work of the group will start this week and a full presentation of its findings is to be made at the next meeting of the World Motor Sport Council on 3 December 2014 in Doha, Qatar. http://www.grandprix247.com/2014/10/20/brawn-and-domenicali-part-of-bianchi-accident-panel/

In other Bianchi news, FIA president Jean Todt has called for patience and calm in the wake of the recent crash during the Japanese Grand Prix which left the Frenchman critically-injured. http://www.grandprix247.com/2014/10/20/todt-lets-wait-for-bianchi-crash-findings-before-judging/

In driver field department for the 2015 season, Hulkenberg has confirmed to have signed with Force India. http://www.grandprix247.com/2014/10/20/hulkenberg-confirmed-by-force-india-for-2015/

[rvrdgsfn]

Yeah, I'd say Caterham's days are done then again, when Colin Kolles is involved, its usually a death sentence. However, Gene Haas was interviewed recently and it sounds like he has a pretty good plan & knows what he needs to do

http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/180715.html

Gene Haas says the first five years of his Formula One project will just be about surviving as he looks to learn from the mistakes of the sport's smaller teams.

Haas F1 Team will make its debut in 2016 after agreeing a technical deal to receive support and power units from Ferrari. However, Haas is under no illusion as to the challenges his team will face against F1's established teams.

"I think in the first five years it's just surviving," he told CNN. "I don't have any expectations of grandeur that we are going to go out there and win championships. If we could even win one race in five years, I think that would be a tremendous success.

"I think the biggest problem they had is that in trying to get to the grid so fast they wound up having to take on partnerships that maybe weren't thoroughly thought out and wound up making a lot of mistakes.

"Inevitably they didn't have the resources or the cars weren't properly put together because they'd rushed things."

Asked why he chose to partner with Ferrari, Haas added: "Ferrari was just more accommodating. Surprisingly, Ferrari wanted to go beyond being just an engine supplier and they were going to actually help us with a lot of the basic structures of the car. "We would be very proud to be a Ferrari 'B-team' because that would certainly teach us how to run in Formula One. We quite frankly will take all the help they can give us, because you can't get any better than Ferrari."

Hmm, A possible B Ferrari team, I could dig it, plus it would be better than Sauber, that is if they're still around afterwards.

[VictoriaGooner]

I think Haas F1 Team will be one of those viable and successful minor teams in F1, especially with their partnership with Ferrari. Here's hoping to many good years to the American team. I am just hoping to see a Canadian driver back within the field again.

Other F1 news:

The future of the struggling Caterham Formula One team was thrown into further doubt on Tuesday when an administrator laid claim to their race cars and warned they could not leave the factory without his agreement. Team sources disputed that, however, and said they should not be affected by legal action involving a separate company to the one that holds the official entry rights to the championship and owns the cars. http://www.grandprix247.com/2014/10/22/caterham-told-that-f1-race-cars-cannot-leave-factory/

Is McLaren slowly dwindling as well, could they be more of a mid-pack team? McLaren sporting director Sam Michael is leaving the Formula 1 team at the end of the current season to return home to Australia after 21 years in the sport. McLaren denied media reports in Italy that chief operating officer Jonathan Neale and technical director Tim Goss were also leaving. http://www.grandprix247.com/2014/10/22/sporting-director-michael-to-leave-mclaren/

[rvrdgsfn]

OK.... Here we go again, then again I could use a good laugh....

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/audi/89171/audi-to-join-f1-in-2016

The pre-war German domination of Formula One could soon be reborn, with Audi rumoured to be readying itself for a 2016 return to Grand Prix racing. Insiders at Audi and its parent, the Volkswagen Group, have revealed that Audi is set to abandon both Germany’s touring car championship (the DTM) and the iconic Le Mans 24 Hour race in favour of the world’s top open-wheel formula.

Insiders say it will combine its WEC and DTM budgets, plus a Red Bull sponsorship package to try to make its mark again on Grand Prix racing, an arena it hasn’t entered since the advent of the modern Formula One championship in 1950. Multiple sources have also confirmed that Audi will bow to internal Volkswagen Group pressure and leave the Le Mans and World Endurance Championship to its sister brand, Porsche.

While it will contain the engine and electric hybrid development in-house, Audi is said to prefer buying an existing Formula One operation, rather than building up an F1 operation from scratch. Either Red Bull Racing or its Italian-based development team, Toro Rosso, are understood to be the prime targets, citing Audi’s (and Volkswagen Group chairman, Ferdinand Piech’s) historic links to Austria and its close relationship with Red Bull boss, Dietrich Mateschitz. Red Bull has long been the major sponsor of Audi’s leading team in the DTM.

So this means either Red Bull is pulling out of their team or Audi buys them out. It's always some VWAG going in. So who knows, it would be interesting but who knows.

[VictoriaGooner]

OK.... Here we go again, then again I could use a good laugh....

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/audi/89171/audi-to-join-f1-in-2016

The pre-war German domination of Formula One could soon be reborn, with Audi rumoured to be readying itself for a 2016 return to Grand Prix racing. Insiders at Audi and its parent, the Volkswagen Group, have revealed that Audi is set to abandon both Germany’s touring car championship (the DTM) and the iconic Le Mans 24 Hour race in favour of the world’s top open-wheel formula.

Insiders say it will combine its WEC and DTM budgets, plus a Red Bull sponsorship package to try to make its mark again on Grand Prix racing, an arena it hasn’t entered since the advent of the modern Formula One championship in 1950. Multiple sources have also confirmed that Audi will bow to internal Volkswagen Group pressure and leave the Le Mans and World Endurance Championship to its sister brand, Porsche.

While it will contain the engine and electric hybrid development in-house, Audi is said to prefer buying an existing Formula One operation, rather than building up an F1 operation from scratch. Either Red Bull Racing or its Italian-based development team, Toro Rosso, are understood to be the prime targets, citing Audi’s (and Volkswagen Group chairman, Ferdinand Piech’s) historic links to Austria and its close relationship with Red Bull boss, Dietrich Mateschitz. Red Bull has long been the major sponsor of Audi’s leading team in the DTM.

So this means either Red Bull is pulling out of their team or Audi buys them out. It's always some VWAG going in. So who knows, it would be interesting but who knows.

I myself would love to see Audi come into F1 in the near future. I think it would create a definite boost to the sport with an engine manufacturer like Audi. Of course, VWAG has a large number of subsideries to pull from in developing a team. I see Toro Rosso being the team snapped up by Audi (I mean VWAG ). I was always hoping that Porsche might have returned, at least in engine manufacturing, to F1 but their LeMans and WEC packages are a huge priority (Porsche just might sign Alonso and/or Button to team up with Webber in the number 1 Porsche LeMans car).

[VictoriaGooner]

In massive news for the United States GP, the struggling Caterham and Marussia Formula 1 teams will both miss next week’s United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, the sport’s commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone told Reuters on Saturday. Caterham went into administration on Friday while Russian-registered Marussia are also struggling financially and are still reeling from French driver Jules Bianchi’s serious accident in Japan three weeks ago. This shows that the smaller teams are struggling financially to stay afloat in the high costs of F1 racing. I can see Caterham folding at the end of the 2014 season, but I think Marussia will bounce back.

http://www.grandprix247.com/2014/10/25/ecclestone-caterham-and-marussia-are-not-going-to-america/

CNN just posted an interview Sarah Holt and Don Riddell had with Gene Haas on Haas F1 Team. Haas has stated that "he hopes to make billions from foray into F1 with his new team" Does Haas really think that? Time will tell I guess http://edition.cnn.com/2014/10/22/sport/motorsport/formula-one-gene-haas-wants-to-race-to-billions-with-formula-one-team/index.html?hpt=isp_mid

[rvrdgsfn]

Interesting pieces to the puzzle with Audi...

http://www.racer.com/f1/item/110223-speculation-could-an-audi-f1-program-already-be-up-and-running

- V6 engines

- Porsche's return to LeMans

- Red Bull's struggle with Renault's engine plus they have a excellent relationship with VWAG

- Stefano Domenicali's hiring

Although Audi has denied it, but a lot of it makes sense.

Next up, some changes for V8 supercars in Australia.

http://www.touringcartimes.com/2014/10/25/details-set-for-new-2017-v8-supercars-regulations/

Speculations have been going on for long about the changes which are expected to open up for two-door cars and turbocharged four-cylinder engines.

”We will be opening up power plants, door configurations and the like. We have put together a package after talking to existing manufacturers about what they want to see in the sport and also other manufacturers about what they need to get involved. We put a framework for this together and took a recommendation to the board and put it to the team owners yesterday (Thursday),” said Warburton.

The new “Gen 2 Supercar” is meant to attract new manufacturers to the championship in the light of both Holden and Ford closing down their Australian production of road cars.

”This a 2017 evolution and we need a framework to suit the car industry. Decisions are now made overseas and we need to adapt. We have to be relevant for existing manufacturer and we need to attract new manufacturers,” said Warburton.

”Two to three” new manufacturers are reported to take interest in the new regulations while the future of Ford in the championship is still unclear.

”Ford will be on the grid with the FG-X next year but they have a decision to make about the sport. It is a debate for next year. They just have to look at the platform and what we deliver. The fans are clear on what they want to see. I think it is simple: if they want to sell automotive products in this country, they need to be in this sport. Next year is crunch time for them,” said Warburton.

Hopefully Ford stays in & more manufactures come in.

Plus congrats to Audi in the constructor's championship in DTM but hats off to Marco Wittmann although if Audi leaves DTM, maybe Volkswagen themselves could replace them? Should be intresting comes 2015 when the new changes come in.

[VictoriaGooner]

Interesting pieces to the puzzle with Audi...

http://www.racer.com/f1/item/110223-speculation-could-an-audi-f1-program-already-be-up-and-running

- V6 engines

- Porsche's return to LeMans

- Red Bull's struggle with Renault's engine plus they have a excellent relationship with VWAG

- Stefano Domenicali's hiring

Although Audi has denied it, but a lot of it makes sense.

This makes perfect sense on the matter. I can see Audi purchasing a team (Toro Rosso) and developing it into a big team to rival Mercedes and Ferrari. As for Audi already developing a V6 F1 engine, I wouldn't put it past the German manufacturer. What is the real kicker is Domenicali's hiring with Audi from Ferrari. He has a great F1 predigree running a team, it could be that puzzle piece VWAG needed to get Audi F1 off the ground fnally. I don't see Domenicali going to WEC/LeMans team principle. He has F1 flowing through his viens. But I guess time will tell. Plus, the silly season is almost upon us

[CS85]

MOD EDIT

[lopernv]

I can't see Audi wanting to leave WEC (their bread and butter) to play second fiddle to Red Bull. Audi would be able to buy Toro Rosso either... Red Bull would be keen to keep the junior team.

If Audi would join F1 Sauber, Lotus would be more likely candidates.

[VictoriaGooner]

I can't see Audi wanting to leave WEC (their bread and butter) to play second fiddle to Red Bull. Audi would be able to buy Toro Rosso either... Red Bull would be keen to keep the junior team.

If Audi would join F1 Sauber, Lotus would be more likely candidates.

I don't think Audi would be playing second fiddle to Red Bull. I think they could be one of the more dominant teams in F1. They have a huge group of designers, engineers, mechanics and technology to choose from within VWAG. But time would tell if these rumors are definite truth. Still good to speculate and hope.

[VictoriaGooner]

F1 teams set for three-car teams as crisis looms large if Caterham and Marussia fold at the end of the season. Formula 1 is rapidly sliding into crisis and having to reinvent its very DNA as struggling backmarker teams begin to succumb to collapse and more could well follow suit. If the Formula 1 grid keeps diminishing, three-car entries are inevitable. Auto Motor und Sport said Ferrari, Red Bulland McLaren are lined up by Ecclestone as first in the queue to start supplying third cars.

http://www.grandprix247.com/2014/10/27/formula-1-set-for-three-car-teams-as-crisis-looms-large/

A major sponsor of the Lotus team has stirring up Formula 1 silly season natter and compounding the already confusing speculation about Fernando Alonso’s next move. “We think Alonso could look great in black and gold, don’t you?” Burn said on Twitter, having photoshopped an image of Alonso wearing Lotus Formula 1 overalls.What do you think?

http://www.grandprix247.com/2014/10/27/lotus-sponsor-fernando-will-look-good-in-black-gold/

[rvrdgsfn]

Well, considering that Lotus is switching to Merc engines & Alonso has said he won't be driving a merc engine based team. I don't see this happening.

Finally, Audi put the rumors to bed...

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/9537299/Audi-deny-F1-interest

"It's pure speculation again this time and without any foundation.

"We are committed to the FIA WEC, DTM and GT racing. In 2015 we will add the Audi Sport TT Cup to our program."

[VictoriaGooner]

Well, considering that Lotus is switching to Merc engines & Alonso has said he won't be driving a merc engine based team. I don't see this happening.

Finally, Audi put the rumors to bed...

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/9537299/Audi-deny-F1-interest

"It's pure speculation again this time and without any foundation.

"We are committed to the FIA WEC, DTM and GT racing. In 2015 we will add the Audi Sport TT Cup to our program."

Well I knew Alonso would never go to Mercedes power plant based team, but he does look good in black and gold I see him going to McLaren or leave F1 entirely to join WEC (more likely) or even DTM.

That's a shame about Audi. I know there was a lot of speculation of the matter but I was hoping for that little chance of it being true. It would have been great to have the four rings in F1.

rvrdgsfn, as for FIA WEC, who do you think will dominate the 2015 season? I know there are still are three races remaining (6 Hours of Shanghai/Bahrain/Sao Paulo) but with Audi confirming their stance in WEC, do you think Audi will continue or will Porsche or even Toyota taking a stab at the top manufacturer? Is Nissan returning to LMP1 as I have heard rumors of it?

[DolphinManatee]

Is Nissan returning to LMP1 as I have heard rumors of it?

Yes, it is not a rumor. It will be called the Nissan GT-R LM Nismo. The actual prototype should be unveiled in December.

[rvrdgsfn]

I would say that Toyota will be the dominant force next year. They have a good team, good cars but Audi may be a thorn in their side, Porsche is up & coming so give them some time & Nissan is just getting started so who knows?

It also looks like Marussia & Caterham aren't the only ones worried...

http://www.grandprix247.com/2014/10/28/will-force-india-be-the-next-f1-team-to-fold/

Force India deputy boss Bob Fernley has also declared this week that he is worried, as only the biggest five teams are in the decision-making Strategy Group, he warned, “We’ll lose more teams if we carry on like this.”

But Auto Motor und Sport now reports that Force India – owned by beleaguered Indian business tycoon Vijay Mallya – has “removed its neck from the noose” by paying the final engine instalment to the German marque, which means the team remains in the battle to catch McLaren for fifth in the constructors’ world championship.

According to Auto Motor und Sport, the fifth-placed team will receive $62 million in official prize money from Bernie Ecclestone, rather than $59-million for sixth.

Meanwhile, because Formula 1 has shed almost 20 per cent of its grid in the space of mere weeks, the FIA looks set to tweak the knockout qualifying format for Austin and Brazil.