Preview: 2013 Pre Season Testing

Pre-season tests, the opportunity for the teams, drivers, media and fans to get a glimpse of the 2013 challengers and where they roughly stand in the pecking order 
compared to the competition.

The main talking point going into the pre season tests is the emergence of news from chief Red Bull designer Adrian Newey that their 2013 challenger, naturally named the RB9 after the title winning RB6, RB7 and RB8, is facing a huge challenge to be ready and developed to maximum potential as a result of their last gasp efforts to claim both titles in the last races of the 2012 season, bringing major updates right up until the penultimate race in Austin, Texas. Whilst it paid off, it may yet live to hinder their 2013 chances at least at the beginning of the year. 

Nevertheless, this is money filled Red Bull, and this is British engineering genius Adrian Newey. Their turnaround to win four races in a row in the Asian races in 2012 after only winning three of the first fourteen races after the dominance of 2011 showed their caliber and class.  Fan of Red Bull's or not, you have to admire that. The genius of the man combined the budget and resources of Red Bull's fizzy drink funding will ensure they arrive at the pre season in superb shape still - they will just be hoping not too many tenths per lap have been lost.

Lotus Were The First Team To Unveil Their 2013 Challenger The 'E21' After A Successful  2012 Campaign

It will also be the first chance to see a new face in one of the top three teams for the first time since both Jenson Button for McLaren and Fernando Alonso for Ferrari in 2010. Sergio Perez joins McLaren from Sauber with a lot of pressure on him to deliver consistency from the outgo. Mistakes and bad races made in 2012 around his podium successes will rarely be tolerated with the Woking team. However, I expect him to be thrilling to watch after he finds his stride, much like Massa joining Ferrari in 2006, with a few podiums and one or two of wins to his name. Can McLaren deliver the car, and the impressive times without Hamilton?

It will also of course see Hamilton in a silver arrow for the first time too, will he instantly regret his decision? Will he be as patient as he insists he will be, or have Mercedes sorted out their aerodynamics department and brought their resources together in time for his arrival to partner Nico Rosberg.

Lower down the grid, three seats are still to be filled, one at Force India, Caterham and now Marussia after Timo Glock was recently let go, so between now these should be filled. Perez' compatriot and replacement at Sauber Esteban Gutierrez will settle into his team, up against his more experienced and 2010 GP2 champion Nico Hulkenberg, who has impressed many particularly towards the end of 2012, brilliantly and deservedly leading the Brazilian Grand Prix until his collision with Lewis Hamilton. Hulkenberg has been tipped to join Ferrari or Red Bull in the 2014 should Massa or Webber not perform as expected this year.

Lastly, Britain's fourth and latest driver to the grid is Max Chilton for Marussia, graduating from GP2 who was Marussia's test driver last year. Let's hope he can perform and be the best of the lower grid from the outgo at the tests.

Driver Fact: In 2010, there were 7 German's on the grid to Great Britain's 2. Now with only a handful of race seats left to fill for 2013, there are 3 German's and 4 British. 

F1 Hub will be bringing reviews of all three pre-seasons tests in their entirety so check back soon.

Nick, F1 Hub


Pre-Season Test Dates
Jerez, Spain: 5th to 8th February
Barcelona, Spain: 21st to 24th February
Barcelona, Spain: 1st to 4th March

Australian Grand Prix: 14th to 17th March

UNVEILING OF LOTUS E21

Murray Walker: One Of The Few F1 Legends Outside Of The Car

Gentleman, passionate, inspired, thrilled and dedicated are a mere few descriptive words and feelings linked to this commentating legend. 

Having commentated on all seasons of Formula 1 from the first championship in 1950 right up to over fifty years later in 2001, rarely missing a single race, it's fair to say he deserves his place in Formula One's greatest hall of fame. 

Murray Already A Well Established Voice Of The BBC Even in 1967 Here Pictured [BBC]

Who else can you really say that about that isn't a Formula One champion or at least a significant racing figure? Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone? Ferrari President Luca di Montezemola? Red Bull car design guru Adrian Newey? Sure yeah. But to be a commentating legend is some feat. He thrilled us syncing the on track action into our living room televisions.

Martin Brundle after retiring in 1996, joined Murray in the commentary box for the 1997 season when ITV won the television contract from the BBC until Murray's retirement, and at his final race Martin rightly spoke, "I'm sure I speak for many millions of people - tens of millions all around the world - when I say to you, thank you so much for what you've done for Formula 1 over the decades" - Martin Brundle, US GP 2001. 

The BBC and Sky have both got super commentaters currently and both give fans at least one channel to enjoy watching, but old times sakes, feast your eyes on these classic 'Murrayisms'. Also see the videos below of more Murrayism's, and the man himself taking a hot ride with Martin Brundle in a two-seater version of the classic 1998 McLaren.

Nick, F1 Hub

"He's obviously gone in for a wheel change. I say obviously because I can't see it"

"With half the race gone, there is half the race still to go"

"Do my eyes deceive me, or is Senna's Lotus sounding rough?"

"Anything happens in Grand Prix racing and it usually does"

"Alboreto has dropped back up to fifth place"

"As you look at the first four, the significant thing is Alboreto is 5th"

"I can't imagine what kind of problem Senna has. I imagine it must be some sort of grip problem"

"He is shedding buckets of adrenalin in that car"

"It's raining and the track is wet"

"And there's just a few more corners for Nigel Mansell to go to win the Canadian Grand Prix...and...he's going rather slow...HE'S STOPPING HE'S STOPPING!"

"And this is the third placed car about to lap the second place car"

Murray "What's that? There a BODY on the track!!!" James: "Um, I think that that is a piece of bodywork from someone's car"

Murrayism Quotes

Double Seater Ride with Martin Brundle in a 1998 McLaren at the age of 75

Talking Point: McLaren's New Boy Has High 2013 Campaign Aspirations

Even the speculation of Lewis Hamilton leaving McLaren for another team for his and the team's fans was a somewhat unsettling thought in itself, never mind the confirmation.

In the wake of Hamilton's departure post Singapore retirement from a comfort lead, the announcement was made that Eddie Jordan predicting his move to Mercedes was made. Of course this was always going to bring a massive split in opinion for anyone involved in Formula 1, and even more interesting for those involved in McLaren. Sir Jackie Stewart recently claimed the move as 'risky'.

Many Didn't Want To Believe Eddie Jordan's Feature On The BBC Breaking The News First Of Lewis' Departure

Several months later, here we are, with Hamilton not due to a rocket red winning t-shirt any time soon, and instead it is the young Sergio Perez of Mexico looking not only to wear these t-shirts a good handful of times this season, but believes in his first season in a top of the grid team he could win the championship. Prior 2013, Sergio finished 2nd to Pastor Maldonado in the 2010 GP2 Series, before graduating to Formula One in 2011 to the Sauber team. He battled out Rookie of the Year with Paul di Resta, with an impressive 7th place finish in his debut Grand Prix in Melbourne, Australia. In 2012 he upped his game with an improved Sauber car, with three widely impressive podium finishes in Malaysia, Canada & Italy, including two 2nd places - 2nd only to Alonso and Hamilton at that, who themselves pulled out spectacular drives in what were superb races to watch, and re-watch. If he hadn't run wide in Malaysia, he'd likely have picked up Sauber's first win since their debut in 1993.

Hamilton Sprays Champagne With Perez After Their 1-2 Italian Grand Prix Result
McLaren Teammates 2015?

Now he's wearing a Vodafone red cap, with the teammate of Jenson Button, now the most experienced man on the grid ahead of Mark Webber, with the departure of Michael Schumacher and Pedro de la Rosa. Perez stated at his first appearance in front of the press as McLaren Technology Centre, 'I have got a lot to learn from him, his experience, his knowledge, will all be useful for me. I am so much looking forward to working with a champion, a great guy'. McLaren Team Principal has also stated that both Perez and Button will have 'equal treatment', and that after the successes of taking on young talent such as Lewis Hamilton and Mika Hakkinen and turning them into champions, there of course the possibility to repeat success with Perez.

Perez At His First Address To The Press In McLaren Colours

Of course he's right to aim high and for the ultimate goal, particularly now he's in a team and car that have a wealth of success in their long history; but can he challenge for the title on 2013? Challenge - perhaps. Win? No. As much as it would be phenomenal to see on so many levels, realistically it's too much for ask. 2013 should be and is likely to be a year for Sergio to find consistency, challenge at the top end on a regular basis and take a couple of wins. 

Regardless, good luck to him, it's the first time since 2010 we've had a new driver in the top three teams amazingly, so I believe a lot of eyes, including mine and yours to be on him this season. Fingers crossed he thrills us.

Nick, F1 Hub

58 Days Till 2013 Sunday Race Time - Melbourne, Australia.

5 Red Lights - GO GO GO

Christmas Greetings & A Happy New Year

To our readers we are fortunate to have round around the world,

We hope you had a super Christmas period with your friends and family, and best wishes for the new year.

Let's hope for a super 2013 World Championship which will give us plenty to write about!

We hope to be announcing the launch of our new website extremely soon, promisingly before the start of the new season - exciting times for the young F1Hub.

All the best,
Nick, Andy & Paul - F1Hub

Talking Point: 2013 Calender & The Fall of European Races

It cannot be argued with that Europe is the heartland of Formula One for drivers and fans, with the presence of the Italian, Monaco, German & British Grand Prix being on the calendar essentially every year since the beginning in 1950.

The decline over the past two decades of European Races

1994	11/16 (69%)	2004	10/18 (56%)
1995	11/17 (65%)	2005	11/19 (58%)
1996	11/16 (69%)	2006	10/18 (56%)
1997	12/17 (71%)	2007	9/17 (53%)
1998	11/16 (69%)	2008	10/18 (56%)
1999	11/16 (69%)	2009	9/17 (53%)
2000	11/17 (65%)	2010	9/19 (48%)
2001	11/17 (65%)	2011	9/19 (48%)
2002	11/17 (65%)	2012	8/20 (40%)
2003	10/16 (63%)	2013*	7/19 or 20 (37/35%)*

Even Belgium has had 57 Grand Prix out of the 63 seasons that have taken place, yet all of these historic and classic races and circuits have come under threat of being axed over the past few years by F1 mastermind, Bernie Ecclestone for various reasons. To many fans, the thought of the loss of Silverstone, Monza, Monaco or Spa-Francorchamps is ludicrous, so with Bernie confirming ‘we’ll probably lose two or three more races in Europe as we have to sort of move on’, many are starting to heavily criticise this extreme as he fails to realise the passion fans have for some events on the calender.

Can you imagine if only 5 European Grand Prix were on the calender?!

When it was suggested Belgium’s Spa track would alternate with France or even be replaced by France, some fans on forum’s have threatened to stop watching F1 as the loss would be so big as one of the best race circuits on the calender.

Belgium's Spa Francorchamps Famous Eau Rouge Corner Getting Festive!

Of course, let’s not forget it is a World Championship, and the expansion into new countries across various continents is totally understandable, and for the most part has been largely successful. The spectacle of Singapore’s night race has become quoted by many in the paddock as an instant ‘modern classic’, Abu Dhabi’s spectacular facility has displayed improving races each year, whilst Japan since the late 1980’s has been Asia’s most successful and traditional long-term event, with many world championship deciders and classic races and moments.

It is apparent then both sides of the argument have positive points for expanding away to new countries and circuits but similarly for keeping its routes in proven grounds. Surely Bernie should not be so adamant it is time to move away from Europe so dramatically, and instead find a balance.

Here’s a proposed calendar for 2015 onwards, but what do you think?

Comment your favourite preferences and share with everyone!

If you want to see my personal reasoning for everything, see below the calender.

Nick, F1 Hub

     1)      Australian Grand Prix (Albert Park – Melbourne)

     2)      Malaysian Grand Prix (Sepang International Circuit – Kuala Lumper)

     3)      Chinese Grand Prix (Shanghai International Circuit – Shanghai)

     4)      Spanish Grand Prix (Circuit de Catalunya – Barcelona)*

     5)      Monaco Grand Prix (Circuit de Monaco – Monte Carlo)

     6)      Canadian Grand Prix (Circuit Gilles Villeneuve – Montreal)

     7)      Grand Prix of America (Port Imperial Street Circuit – New Jersey)

     8)      Mexican/South African Grand Prix (Unknown – Unknown/Unknown)**

     9)      Russian Grand Prix (Sochi Olympic Park Circuit – Krasnodar Krai)***

     10)   British Grand Prix (Silverstone Circuit – Silverstone)

     11)   German Grand Prix (Nurburgring – Nurburg)****

     12)   Finnish Grand Prix (Unknown – Unknown)*****

     13)   Belgium Grand Prix (Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps – Spa)

     14)   Italian Grand Prix (Autodromo Nazionale Monza – Monza)

     15)   Singapore Grand Prix (Marina Bay Street Circuit – Marina Bay)

     16)   Japanese Grand Prix (Suzuka Circuit – Suzuka)

     17)   Indian Grand Prix (Buddh International Circuit – Greater Noida)

     18)   Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi)

     19)   United States Grand Prix (Circuit of the Americas – Austin)

     20)   Brazilian Grand Prix (Autodrome Jose Carlos Pace – Sao Paulo)

* Alternating with Spanish Grand Prix 2 (Valencia Street Circuit – Valencia)

** Not officially proposed races, but both have been mentioned by Bernie, Mexico is a rising market for F1 with current and future F1 drivers; South Africa would mean the continent of Africa has a race again

*** The officially confirmed race for 2014 or 2015 is subject to checks and may be position in a different position to Round 8

**** Ideally to no longer alternate with the nowhere near as good Hockenheimring, although this unfortunately will be done due to funding reasons similar to the Spanish Grand Prix

***** Not an officially proposed race, but a suggested event due to ever-present Finnish drivers

The original banking at Monza when the Formula One championship originally began before major upgrades 

Alternatives/Back-Ups & Replaced Grand Prix (in order of preference to be added if more than 20 races were ever to be in a season calender)

1st) Turkish Grand Prix (Istanbul Park – Istanbul)

A fantastic race track both technically and for overtaking, just unfortunate that the public haven’t appreciated this and eventually their place on the calendar couldn’t be sustained. A shame but hopefully this isn’t the end for the circuit.

2nd) Hungarian Grand Prix (Hungaroring – Budapest)

Since 1986 Hungary has cooked up some great races, but I have personally excluded it from the main lineup due to more important European Grand Prix, including all long-term classics and the logically suggested Finnish Grand Prix.

3rd) Bahrain Grand Prix (Bahrain International Circuit – Sakhir)

Since the inaugural Grand Prix in 2004, the race weekends have come under much criticsm for two words – ‘borain’ and politics. Whilst this year’s event was perhaps the most successful race despite everything off the track, but it wouldn’t be a missed event by anyone but Bernie’s wallet perhaps.

4th) Korean Grand Prix (Korean International Circuit – Yeongam)

Minimal crowds, a dull circuit, miserable conditions, awful environmental surroundings, low overtaking, financial issues – an easy decision. Korea could have done so much better.

New/Returning Grand Prix logic

Mexico (Unknown – Unknown)

Proposed due to the success of Perez and several up and coming drivers expected to be in the sport in the future few years. Next to Canada & USA, it would fit in for the teams logistically very well.

South Africa (Unknown – Unknown)

South Africa is the most viable option to expand the World Championship in the last possible continent to. It is also had races in South Africa before at the Kyalami circuit.

Argentina (Unknown – Unknown)

Another country proposed to be reintroduced making a second race in South America, having previously had many stints hosting a Grand Prix over the generations.

That's my proposed 2015 calender onwards, but what do you think?

Comment your favourite preferences and share with everyone!

Nick, F1 Hub

F1 Hub Season Review

So, everyone does a season review, but we thought we'd still make our own take and see what you think of our personal answers and see if you agree. Enjoy!

1. Race of the year
Nick: So many contenders, Malaysia, unexpectedly Valencia & Abu Dhabi, or the finale in Brazil. Definitely not the boring Vettel four wins a row. Brazil was a thrilling end to a dramatic season and perfectly not knowing the title winner till the last few laps. I'm looking forward to re-watching the craziness of Malaysia more though!
Andy: 

Early season races are often forgotten, but 2012 had seven different winners in seven races, including Malaysia which in the unique weather conditions and stand out drives from Perez and Alonso creating an early season buzz

2. Driver of the year
Nick: Hamilton has been great and without unreliability would have been in the title hunt, a highlight for me being a superb comeback win in Canada despite setbacks and a doubted strategy call, but Alonso has been superb from start to finish, and desperately unlucky to not claim the world title. He gets my vote.
Andy:



3. Disappointment of the year
Nick: I considered Mercedes’ flop in form but, whilst Brazil was a fantastic race in so many ways, the battle between Hulkenberg and Hamilton was ended too prematurely – I would have loved to have seen the great wheel to wheel action for longer. If they are both in top grid cars in the coming years, they will bring out the best in each other.
Andy:

Hulkenberg and Hamilton collide after an intense battle which was cut short due to Hulkenberg over-shooting his braking in the damp conditions 

4. Most improved team/driver of the year
Nick: Team – Lotus. They were unlucky to finish fourth not third but deserved to overhaul Mercedes in fifth by a margin. If Grosjean or his replacement doesn’t crash half the races, they can progress even further. Driver - A much closer call between Perez, Hulkenberg and Rosberg, but Massa improved dramatically towards the end of the season beating Alonso on pace often. I hope he can start with this pace next year.
Andy:


5. Quote of the year
Nick: Was tempted by ‘you know when you’ve been KK’ed’ – Martin Brundle when Kobayashi overtook Button in Barcelona unexpectedly as well as Perez’ criticism of Maldonado’s overtaking ‘skills’; but Raikkonen’s infamous telling off of his race engineer was worthy of a t-shirt.
Andy:


6. US grand prix verdict
Nick: The Circuit of Americas threw up a superb race, and it was great to be back in The States. The circuit is great to look at and for the drivers to race on. We had plenty of overtaking, and a massive battle for the lead lasting the entire grand prix. No boring Vettel into the distance here.
Andy:


7. Rivalry of the year
Nick: Grosjean & crash side-kicks vs the entire field?
Andy:


8. Overtake of the year
Nick: Vettel overtaking Vergne in Brazil allegedly illegally has clearly been a talking point, almost costing him the championship, but a superbly entertaining overtake came from Nico Hulkenberg in Korea through the technical twists and turns overtaking two cards impressively including Hamilton. Told you, these two bring out some great action! 
Andy:

Swooping Round The Outside Taking The Inside Line For The Next Twisty Section

9. What do you think of Lewis’s move to Mercedes
Nick: I personally was disappointed both as a fan of British drivers and teams, but generally because of the sporting relationship between the two. Nevertheless, it really will be interesting to see how he performs whatever Mercedes produces. A true test of character and driver skill.
Andy: 


10. What to look forward to next season 
Nick: Hamilton vs Rosberg, savouring the last year of V8 engines, and whether the excitement of 2012 can be lived up to, or will go back to the dull 2011 dominance?
Andy:



Thank you to those who have read our blogs and race reports so far, we hope you have found us unique and fresh. Our website is currently being developed by F1 Hub's Paul, who is doing a great job, we can't wait to go live!

We will still write some blogs before the new season when the site will go live, so keep checking back with us for stories and talking points.

Nick, Andy & Paul - F1 Hub

Race Report: Brazil (Round 20)

Lap Record: 1:11:473

Lap Length: 4.309km
Race Length: 71 Laps

Total Distance: 305.909km

Tyre Allocation: Medium & Hard

Start Grid (before penalties) - http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/883/7154/

Button Cruises to Brazil Victory as Vettel Wins Championship.


Red Bulls Sebastian Vettel finishes the final race of the season in brazil in 6th but still manages to clinch the victory beating Fernando Alonso by 3 points. Jenson Button was the one who was victorious at a very eventful Interlagos.

Red Bull Are Making A Habit Of These T-Shirts Each Year!

Championship contender Alonso battled valiantly to the finish line to secure second place in the mixed condition race. For a large proportion of the race Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg superbly led until an incident with Lewis Hamilton ended his final race for McLaren early.


Despite a first lap incident leaving Vettel facing the wrong way and a botched pit stop he was sstill able to recover enough to ensure that even Alonso’s second place finish was not going to take the title from the German.


Vettel’s race started with a bit of a cautious start and first corner dropping him down to seventh. As the pack made its way around the first sector Bruno Senna made contact with Vettel, spinning him around and also colliding with Sergio Perez. This incident left Senna out of his home Grand Prix. The incident didn't discourage Vettel who managed to go from 22nd to 7th by lap 8.


Further up the road Alonso took two places from Mark Webber and Felipe Massa while approaching the Senna S.

A Mixed Emotion Podium Being An Understatement,
One Which Had Potential For Many Different Drivers

The McLarens of Hamilton and Button were still leading at this pace but Button was catching Hamilton, as the rain steadily got heavier. The worsening rain forced everybody but Button and Hulkenberg to the pits for a tyre change. Because of this bold choice by Force India this enabled Hulkenberg to pass Button on lap 19.


With Nico Rosberg picking up a puncture from the debris-ridden track this forced a safety car for the marshals’ to clear up the strewn carbon fiber. At the restart the grid looked like, Hulkenberg, Button, Hamilton, Alonso, Vettel, Kobayashi and Webber

Hamilton overtook Button after the restart but they couldn't catch Hulkenberg until his mistake on lap 49.


Hulkenberg didn't let Hamilton get away and the two collided on lap 54. Hulkenberg was able to continue in 2nd but incurred a drive through penalty for causing the crash.

The rain returning was a factor of the incident as the track became more slippy off line. Because of this the grid started to pit for intermediate tyres. During this lot of pit stops the Red Bull mechanics we caught by surprised and did not have the tyres ready for Vettel resulting in an 11+ second stop. Again this did not deter him and was able to get back up to sixth which was high enough for the championship.

Hamilton's Special 'Thankyou McLaren' Brazilian Helmet

Because of Paul Di Resta the race ended with some what of an anti climax with the safety car being deployed with one lap to go. Button claimed the win and despite Alonso second Vettel’s sixth place finish gave him championship number 3.


In his final race of his F1 career Michael Schumacher claimed seventh, even after a late coming together with Sauber’s Kobayashi. Vitaly Petrov beat Charles Pic ensuring Caterham secured 10th place in the constructors which is an important jump for next season worth millions of pounds.


Over all this season has been one of the greats with some fantastic racing at tracks we would never expect. 

Congratulations to Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull on a third consecutive Constructors and Drivers Championship. Maybe next year Alonso?

Andy, F1 Hub

Results
1. Button [McLaren-Mercedes] 1:45:22.656
2. Alonso [Ferrari] +2.7 secs
3. Massa [Ferrari] +3.6 secs
4. Webber [Red Bull-Renault] +4.9 secs
5. Hulkenberg [Force India-Mercedes] +5.7secs
6. Vettel [Red Bull-Renault] +9.4secs
7. Schumacher [Mercedes] +11.9secs
8. Vergne [Toro Rosso-Ferrari] +28.6secs
9. Kobayashi [Sauber-Ferrari] +31.2secs
10. Raikkonen [Lotus-Renault] +1 Lap
11. Petrov [Caterham-Renault] +1 Lap
12. Pic [Marussia-Cosworth] +1 Lap
13. Ricciardo [Toro Rosso-Ferrari] +1 Lap
14. Kovalainen [Caterham-Renault] +1 Lap
15. Rosberg [Mercedes] +1 Lap
16. Glock [Marussia-Cosworth] +1 Lap
17. de la Rosa [HRT-Cosworth] +2 Laps
18. Karthikeyan [HRT-Cosworth] +2 Laps

Did Not Finish
di Resta [Force India-Mercedes] Lap 70
Hamilton [McLaren Mercedes] Lap 54
Grosjean [Lotus-Renault] Lap 5
Maldonado [Williams-Renault] Lap 1
Senna [Williams-Renault] Lap 1
Perez [Sauber-Ferrari] Lap 1