Today marks exactly 10 week's until the first Grand Prix of 2014 Down Under in Melbourne, Australia. There are so many changes this season it is going to be absolutely fascinating to see which teams have got the new era of Formula One right.
It has been suggested this week that the manufacturer teams will have the edge this season, however we haven't even had the first test of the Winter so it is far to early to suggest who will be at the front by the time we get to Melbourne.
This time 10 weeks we will know who has won the first race of the season. The sport will reach a wider audience this year as for the first time in the sports history it will host a race in Sochi, Russia which is due to host the 2014 Winter Olympics next month. We will also head to the Red Bull Ring in Austria for the time since 2003.
Since then the circuit has been purchased by Red Bull who have revamped it. It was announced yesterday that the local authority in Austria have signed off on the circuit which mean that the race will certainly be on the calendar this year.
I am really looking forward to the night race in Bahrain. Having race's at night in F1 really adds to the spectacle of the sport.
We also have Kimi Raikkonen returning to Ferrari, a rookie in Kevin Magnussen at McLaren and it is going to be great to see how Daniel Ricciardo gets on alongside Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull Racing.
I would love to hear from you about this season. What are you most looking forward to in F1 2014?
Sunday, 5 January 2014
Marussia looking to build on last year's performances
The Marussia F1 Team head into this season in great shape on build on their 10th place finish in the Constructors championship last year.
After four seasons using Cosworth power the Banbury based outfit will start using a supply of 1.6 litre turbocharged engines which is a HUGE step forward for the team who have yet to secure a point in Formula One.
Jules Bianchi will remain at the team this season however, it is unclear if Max Chilton will remain with the team as he is yet to agree a contract extension. The British driver drove extremely well last season and I suspect that he will more then likely stay at the team this season.
He was the only driver to have finished every race last year which was a fantastic achievement when you consider that last season was his debut season in Formula One.
Marussia aren't the only team with a new engine supplier for this year, as the Williams F1 Team will switch from Renault to a supply of Mercedes engines while Toro Rosso will join their sister team Red Bull Racing in using a supply of Renault engines.
I believe that the F1 order is going to completely change this season and I suspect that one if not both 'new team's' will pick up their first ever Formula One points this season. I would love to know what you think? Will Marussia and Caterham be able to move up the grid with the new regulations coming into F1 this year?
After four seasons using Cosworth power the Banbury based outfit will start using a supply of 1.6 litre turbocharged engines which is a HUGE step forward for the team who have yet to secure a point in Formula One.
Jules Bianchi will remain at the team this season however, it is unclear if Max Chilton will remain with the team as he is yet to agree a contract extension. The British driver drove extremely well last season and I suspect that he will more then likely stay at the team this season.
He was the only driver to have finished every race last year which was a fantastic achievement when you consider that last season was his debut season in Formula One.
Marussia aren't the only team with a new engine supplier for this year, as the Williams F1 Team will switch from Renault to a supply of Mercedes engines while Toro Rosso will join their sister team Red Bull Racing in using a supply of Renault engines.
I believe that the F1 order is going to completely change this season and I suspect that one if not both 'new team's' will pick up their first ever Formula One points this season. I would love to know what you think? Will Marussia and Caterham be able to move up the grid with the new regulations coming into F1 this year?
Saturday, 4 January 2014
Michael Schumacher remains in a critical but stable condition
Following reports this morning that Michael Schumacher was out of danger following his skiing accident, his manager Sabine Kehm released a statement saying that the German remains inn a critical but stable condition.
She went on to say that any information coming from anyone other then the doctors treating Michael is pure speculation and that they do expect there to be any update on the German's condition until Monday at the earliest.
She went on to say that any information coming from anyone other then the doctors treating Michael is pure speculation and that they do expect there to be any update on the German's condition until Monday at the earliest.
Friday, 3 January 2014
BREAKING: Investigators to examine Schumacher's helmet camera
It has emerged this evening that Michael Schumacher was wearing a camera on his helmet and that French investigators are examining the footage aswell as questioning Schumacher's son who was with him when the accident happened.
The news comes on the same day that the German celebrates his 45th Birthday. It is hoped that by examining the footage authorities will be able to determine how the accident happened.
This is great news because once they have discovered what happened they will be able to pass on their findings to the medical team treating Michael and this will enable them to go down a particular route in his treatment.
The news comes on the same day that the German celebrates his 45th Birthday. It is hoped that by examining the footage authorities will be able to determine how the accident happened.
This is great news because once they have discovered what happened they will be able to pass on their findings to the medical team treating Michael and this will enable them to go down a particular route in his treatment.
Happy Birthday Michael, get well soon
Today marks Michael Schumacher's 45th Birthday and unfortunately there has been no further news about his condition.
The Germ's family are at his bedside and the Ferrari Formula One team organized a silent vigil outside the French hospital where the seven time world champion is undergoing treatment.
Michael would be absolutely delighted with the outpouring of support from all all areas of sport and not just Formula One and I know that his family have been overwhelmed by the support that they have received since his accident.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Michael, everyone in the world of Formula One is rooting for you and hope that you pull through. You have always been a fighter. Get well soon Michael.
The Germ's family are at his bedside and the Ferrari Formula One team organized a silent vigil outside the French hospital where the seven time world champion is undergoing treatment.
Michael would be absolutely delighted with the outpouring of support from all all areas of sport and not just Formula One and I know that his family have been overwhelmed by the support that they have received since his accident.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Michael, everyone in the world of Formula One is rooting for you and hope that you pull through. You have always been a fighter. Get well soon Michael.
Mercedes looking to take the battle to Red Bull this season
Mercedes AMG are hoping to be in a position to win this season's Formula One world championship. The Brackley based squad head into the 2014 season have challenged for the 2013 championship having taken three victories on their way to finishing third in the Constructors championship.
The pressure is on Mercedes in 2014 to show their board that the Formula One team is worth the investment because questions will be asked if the team are unable to challenge for the title this year.
However, Mercedes, like Ferrari and Red Bull are well placed to succeed in 2014 due to the fact that they have both their engine and chassis departments under the same roof. The team are the only leading squad to retain the same drivers as 2013 so this provides a lot of stability to the workforce within Brackley.
Ferrari, McLaren, Lotus and Red Bull all have new drivers for this season an it will be extremely interesting to see how those teams get on. Mercedes, on the other hand have just added to their technical department over the winter. The team suffered a blow when Ross Brawn stepped down from the team and was replaced by Paddy Lowe and Toto Wolff.
Paddy Lowe will oversee the technical operation of the team while Toto Wolff will deal with the day to day management of the team along with his current role as Mercedes Benz Motorsport Director.
Since purchasing the Brawn GP team from Ross Brawn at the conclusion of the 2009 season Mercedes have finished the Constructors championship in (2010) - 4th, (2011) - 4th, (2012) - 5th and (2013) - 2nd.
I have absolutely no doubt that the Brackley based squad will do an extremely good job this season. Th reason I believe this because the likes of Ferrari and Mercedes will be able to package their new car extremely well.
The pressure is on Mercedes in 2014 to show their board that the Formula One team is worth the investment because questions will be asked if the team are unable to challenge for the title this year.
However, Mercedes, like Ferrari and Red Bull are well placed to succeed in 2014 due to the fact that they have both their engine and chassis departments under the same roof. The team are the only leading squad to retain the same drivers as 2013 so this provides a lot of stability to the workforce within Brackley.
Ferrari, McLaren, Lotus and Red Bull all have new drivers for this season an it will be extremely interesting to see how those teams get on. Mercedes, on the other hand have just added to their technical department over the winter. The team suffered a blow when Ross Brawn stepped down from the team and was replaced by Paddy Lowe and Toto Wolff.
Paddy Lowe will oversee the technical operation of the team while Toto Wolff will deal with the day to day management of the team along with his current role as Mercedes Benz Motorsport Director.
Since purchasing the Brawn GP team from Ross Brawn at the conclusion of the 2009 season Mercedes have finished the Constructors championship in (2010) - 4th, (2011) - 4th, (2012) - 5th and (2013) - 2nd.
I have absolutely no doubt that the Brackley based squad will do an extremely good job this season. Th reason I believe this because the likes of Ferrari and Mercedes will be able to package their new car extremely well.
Thursday, 2 January 2014
Manufacturer's in great shape ahead of the 2014 season
Formula One's three manufacturer backed teams Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull Racing will have an edge over their rivals in 2014. That is the view of Ferrari technical director James Allison.
For Ferrari and Mercedes who have both their chassis and engine departments under one roof it could prove to be extremely beneficial as they can co-ordinate in how they will package the new engine with the new gearbox and KERS system.
For me it is not just about the new power units and how they will run it is also about how the entire package of the car comes together and performs.
Due to the Winter testing restrictions in place team's will have very little time to rack race distances with their new cars and this, in my opinion is not good because it could be a major safety issue as the cars need to be reliable and drivers need to feel that they are safe when they get behind the wheel.
Ferrari president Luca Di Montezemelo believes that teams would much better served if they spent money on going testing earlier in the year instead of pouring money into technology that is used in the simulator. Like Kimi Raikkonen, Luca is not a big fan of F1 simulators.
Formula One would be much better if there way more on track action instead of driver's doing work in the simulator. there is only so much you can learn from a simulator read out.
From this year, Formula One will have restricted in season testing following selected Grand Prix.
For Ferrari and Mercedes who have both their chassis and engine departments under one roof it could prove to be extremely beneficial as they can co-ordinate in how they will package the new engine with the new gearbox and KERS system.
For me it is not just about the new power units and how they will run it is also about how the entire package of the car comes together and performs.
Due to the Winter testing restrictions in place team's will have very little time to rack race distances with their new cars and this, in my opinion is not good because it could be a major safety issue as the cars need to be reliable and drivers need to feel that they are safe when they get behind the wheel.
Ferrari president Luca Di Montezemelo believes that teams would much better served if they spent money on going testing earlier in the year instead of pouring money into technology that is used in the simulator. Like Kimi Raikkonen, Luca is not a big fan of F1 simulators.
Formula One would be much better if there way more on track action instead of driver's doing work in the simulator. there is only so much you can learn from a simulator read out.
From this year, Formula One will have restricted in season testing following selected Grand Prix.
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