F1 Today – 26/11/2015
Red Bull running old engine spec
Autosport says it has learned that Red Bull will revert to a old specification engine for this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Daniel Ricciardo ran the updated power unit in Brazil but he was not very complimentary about it, suggesting it was not any better than the old unit.
Renault says the updated unit is faster and performed reliably in Brazil, which allowed it to gather all the information it required to develop over the winter for next year.
Part of this maybe the old power unit looks to be stronger for the Yas Marina Circuit and the change will come without any penalty.
Renault had made a request to the FIA to use 11 of its 12 engine development tokens. But only seven were used on the unit in Brazil and these were focused on the internal combustion engine.
The remaining tokens were due to be used for updates to the turbocharger however due to part availability and compatibility with the exhaust system, it was not possible to introduce the update in Brazil.
Red Bull extend Siemens partnership
Red Bull has extended their long standing partnership with their technology partnership with Siemens until 2018. The Austrian team and the technology firm have been working together since 2004 and has aided them with digital product design and manufacturing of their car.
They say the software has aided them with design, manufacturing and workflow management as well as its ongoing support and services.
“Siemens have provided a functional foundation for our design department for a number of years now, and their continued partnership has seen us take on more and more of their software to support our business processes” Said Team Principal Christian Horner.
Lotus freight delayed again
Lotus has once again faced delays in getting there freight to the Yas Marina Circuit for this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The absence of the equipment and personnel once again has raised questions about the team’s finances.
This morning the freight did arrive and the team were busy at work preparing the cars and garages for the final race of the season. The cause of the delays isn’t known but they have been struggling with debts and bailiffs tried to impound there cars at the Belgian Grand Prix.
But the team is in the final stages of take-over talks with Renault which may be announced over the weekend. Current owner Gerard Lopez told Sky Sports last weekend that the deal was all but done.
“I think we are pretty much there with Renault,” he said. “I understand that Renault still have some things they need to clear with Formula 1 and FOM, but as far as we are concerned we are pretty much at a deal now.”
Announcement is expected this weekend.
Defending our appeal – Symonds
Williams has defended their decision to drop the appeal against Felipe Massa’s disqualification from the Brazilian Grand Prix. The team was found in breach of the regulations when the right-rear tyre on Massa’s car was discovered to be 27 degrees centigrade above the maximum imposed level.
The team insist that they were within the rules and say they had enough evidence to prove it. Williams’s technical director Pat Symonds told Autosport “I am absolutely convinced that if we did follow the appeal through, we would win it.”
He added “I remember from my time at Renault that we went to appeal several times and the amount of money we spent on those appeals was really significant.”
Symonds says there are plans to tighten the system of checks and the team wasn’t informed of the issue until after the race. He says his “understanding is in future, the engineer in charge of car, if they want to measure temperature, he has to be present and witness it being done.”
Best season of my career – Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton has labelled the 2015 season as “the best year of my career”, as the Mercedes driver hopes to secure his 11th season win at this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The 30-year old became the first brutish driver to defend his world championship after he kicked off the season with victory in Australia which gave him in control from the start. Hamilton managed to keep his team-mate Nico Rosberg and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel in check all season.
Hamilton had the pace over Rosberg in the second half which allowed him to wrap the title up in Austin. When asked by F1i to assess his performance this year he said ““Obviously all different experiences but it’s been the best year of my career.
Adding “I’m in a very fortunate position with a lot of great work done by the team. One of the best races was Austin, probably the pinnacle of the year for me.” Hamilton has won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix twice and will be looking to again this weekend.
He described the circuit as “a bit like a karting track with late braking and bouncing off the curves. You really have to throw the car around. It works to an aggressive driver style I guess. I have had some great experiences here.”
Sabuer partners CNBC
Sauber has announce a that NBC subsidiary CNBC as there Premium Partner for the 2016 season. It is the first time the swiss team has partnered with an international broadcaster.
CNBC and the Sauber F1 Team will use the global Formula One media platform to maximise their potential as well as to reach a broader audience around the globe. The branding will appear on their car this weekend.
Monisha Kaltenborn Team Principal said “CNBC and the Sauber F1 Team have many common values as accuracy, speed and credibility. Both companies maintain these values on a global level.”
She added “It applies to both that we face a tough competition in our métier with the objective to perfection. These similarities build a strong basis for a solid partnership”
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