F1 Today: 26/03/2015
Happy with progress
Ferrari drivers Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen have praised the improvements made by the team. Ferrari had a good preseason testing and a brilliant start to the 2015 season.
However Raikkonen has struggled to make an impact on the team following his return to the Italian team. Ferrari currently look to be fighting alongside Williams for second as Mercedes look to be the team to beat this season.
Vettel said “I think it’s natural that the cars make a step forward, and to be honest since the first day I felt quite happy. I was obviously struggling a little bit here and there in last year’s car and not entirely happy.”
While Raikkonen added “Obviously we are in a much better position than we were say even at the end of last year so in that way it’s a nice place to be but obviously we still have to improve quite a bit.”
Confident of racing
Valtteri Bottas says his back has fully healed and he will be fit for the for this weekends Malaysian Grand Prix after missing the season-opening race in Melbourne.
Bottas says he felt a stabbing pain in his back ahead of the race and followed the advice of the FIA not to race. He said “At the end of last week, I could do something without any pain and during the weekend I could do some training, swimming and cross-training without any pain.”
He still continues to recover and has been working with the team to adjust his seat and pedal positions in the cockpit to lessen the impact on his back as it continues to heal.
Equal not right
Red Bull boss Christian Horner says it is “probably not” right to call for equalisation in Formula One. In an interview with Autosport Horner says his comments were born out of frustration at Red Bull-Renault’s current lack of competitiveness.
He said in a exclusive interview with the magazine when you are a costumer you “have very limited influence over the engine. it’s frustrating when your competitiveness is compromised and you don’t have control over that.”
He says “The investment required by Renault to match Mercedes is enormous.”
Sutil joins Williams
Williams have confirmed that Adrian Sutil will be the teams reserve driver for this season. Sutil who has raced in 128 Grand Prix’s was left without a drive for 2015.
Team principal Frank Williams said “I’m delighted to have Adrian join our stable of drivers for the 2015 season. Having most recently raced during the 2014 season also gives him excellent knowledge of the current generation of race car and new Hybrid power units.”
Williams lack of a reserve ready to step in if needed at short notice became clear following Valtteri Bottas injury during qualifying in Australia and was unable to race in the season opener
.
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