The newly branded Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team have today revealed their 2018 driver line-up. Runaway 2017 F2 champion Charles Leclerc will replace Pascal Wehrlein alongside Marcus Ericsson, who has been retained for his fourth season with the team. Italian Antonio Giovinazzi, who had initially been in contention for the seat that Leclerc ultimately claimed, has been signed as test driver.
The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Alfa Romeo museum in Rho, Italy, with the likes of FIA President Jean Todt, Liberty Media’s Chase Carey and CEO of the Fiat Chrysler group Sergio Marchionne in attendance.
20-year old Leclerc, who is a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy alongside Giovinazzi, won this year’s F2 title in dominant fashion, becoming the series’ youngest ever champion and the first since Nico Hulkenberg in 2009 to win it in his rookie season. Alongside Hulkenberg, only Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton have achieved the same feat. Leclerc won seven races and started on pole a record eight times on his way to wrapping up the title with three races to spare. His first taste of F1 came in 2016 when he acted as development driver for Haas while competing in GP3, participating in FP1 for the American team at Silverstone, the Hungaroring, Hockenheim, and Interlagos. This year, he took part in the post-season tyre test for Sauber in Abu Dhabi and in four more FP1 sessions, in Malaysia, the US, Mexico and Brazil, as well as the mid-season test for Ferrari. The details of Leclerc’s contract, including for how many years he has been signed, have not yet been revealed.
Marcus Ericsson, whose Swedish backers have links with Sauber’s owners, will compete in his fifth F1 season in 2018, his fourth with the Sauber team, despite being the only full-time driver in 2017 who failed to score any points. His best finish was 11th in both Spain and Azerbaijan, and he was outqualified 11-7 by Pascal Wehrlein, albeit by an average of just 0.049 seconds over the course of the season, the closest margin between any teammates on the grid. Wehrlein scored all five Sauber’s points in 2017, despite missing the first few races as he recovered from the injury he suffered in the Race of Champions in January.
The announcement means that there is just one seat still available in F1 for 2018, with Williams still debating who should partner Lance Stroll.
The 2017 Formula One season is over and observers’ verdicts are in. There is a general consensus that the season just past was a marked improvement on the three turbo-era years that preceded it.
For the first time in five years few were definitively sure about who would take the World Drivers’ Championship until October.
However, as Lewis Hamilton edged out Sebastian Vettel in what was for two-thirds of the season a really close fought battle, there was a sense of anti-climax as Mercedes steamrollered their way through Belgium, Italy and most of Asia.
From as early as winter testing, we were told that we were getting a title battle that was going right to the wire in Abu Dhabi. Yet it didn’t quite last, whether it was because the wheels fell off at Ferrari or because Mercedes’ relentless turbo juggernaut still has life left, or perhaps a bit of both.
Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain. Sunday 14 May 2017. World Copyright: Andy Hone/LAT Images ref: Digital Image _ONZ6499 As with the Spanish Grand Prix, Hamilton edged rival Vettel in the title race
A now four-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton and his teammate Valtteri Bottas at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix were a perfect metaphor for Ferrari’s title challenge this season.
The Brit constantly harangued Bottas for the first three-quarters of the race, but in similar fashion to Ferrari over the season, ran out of puff.
That is not to say that 2017, on the track at least, has not shown promise.
We got on track battles between world champions that were genuinely exciting, if not on a regular basis.
The faster, wider and more challenging cars brought in to give F1 cars their aggressive edge back worked. On track, they looked more natural and authentic without severely affecting the racing.
Overtaking was more difficult as the aero-effect increased even further, but the best drivers often found a way.
That DRS was less effective than in previous seasons meant that in many cases, there was still a challenge despite the overtaking aid, which was the original idea when the concept was introduced in 2011.
Certainly, it didn’t stop Daniel Ricciardo’s daring late-braking manoeuvres such as those seen at the US Grand Prix.
Esteban Ocon (FRA) Sahara Force India F1 VJM10. Despite an excellent fourth place, Force India may struggle to progress from there
There are still issues with independent teams not likely to break the glass ceiling that Force India, despite another brilliant season, appear to have hit with fourth in the Constructors’ Championship.
Bearing in mind that is clear of two more factory outfits in Renault and McLaren – although the latter used clearly inferior engines – it is an excellent achievement for a team with a budget smaller than at least two thirds of the grid.
Until running costs are brought down and prize money equalised, the glass ceiling – barring a Brawn-esque miracle – is likely to remain.
Meanwhile, F1’s new owners have likewise been busy, though perhaps sometimes fighting the wrong opponents in their battle to market Formula One.
They have been excellent with the increase in accessibility for fans, and particularly with digital media with F1 ringleader Chase Carey having rightly identified that medium as a place to grow the sport further and attract younger fans.
The endorsement of the F1 eSports Championship, in which computer gamers get their chance to become a World Champion, has further helped connect with younger fans.
And in Ross Brawn, F1’s American owners have made the right choice with their sporting director. But he has to play peacemaker too often as teams squabble over the next engine regulations and despite having “plans” a year ago, little progress has been made.
Liberty have made mistakes along the way, though.
Plenty of changes are needed in Formula One to attract teams, manufacturers and most importantly, fans.
F1 unveiled their new logo at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
One of those changes is not the logo, with the new one unveiled at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix looking as if the thought process and design took roughly five minutes in total.
Intended to reflect the changes in Formula One and increase brand exposure, it replaces an iconic logo recognisable the world over and makes little sense.
Surely, that time, even those five minutes, would have been better used on other issues.
Issues such as the decrease in TV audiences this decade.
Germany does not have a free-to-air deal for 2018 as of yet, while 2018 is the final year that every one of the UK’s 65m people will have access to F1.
Those are two of the biggest Formula One markets and just at a time when emphasis is on extending the sport’s media reach, it risks alienating two countries that have given so much to it.
Without being presumptuous, with all the tales of Lewis Hamilton’s rise from a council estate in Stevenage it is difficult to imagine that he had access to pay-TV in his early karting days.
F1 has certainly upped its game in 2017 and the show improved, which it needed to.
It must now make the right decisions to ensure that improvement is built upon.
The season finale for Formula One will take place in Abu Dhabi, the final race of the 2017 season will be held in Yas Marina Circuit this Sunday. A season which was very interesting if we consider that it was the first year that Mercedes worried about the championship, Ferrari considered as a difficult opponent for the Silver Arrows, but some poor judgements allowed Mercedes to seal the constructors’ title in COTA and the drivers’ championship in Mexico.
In Brazil, Valtteri Bottas secured the pole-position, but Sebastian Vettel took the lead on the opening lap and led till the chequered flag, it has been Ferrari’s first victory in Brazil since Massa’s victory in 2008. Kimi Raikkonen finished third, behind Bottas. It was Vettel’s fifth victory in 2017, four less than Lewis Hamilton, Vettel has almost secured the second place in the championship as he is 21 points ahead of Bottas with one race to go. In Brazil, Lewis Hamilton repeated an epic achievement which he firstly achieved in Hungary in 2014, the Brit started the race from the pits and managed to lead the race for a few laps.
Two DRS zones, one is located on the long straight between turn 7 and 8, the second zone is between turn 9 and 11. The average speeds on the track are around 190 m/h, while the top speeds are 325 km/h, the circuit is consisted by nine right turns and 12 left turns and the drivers are racing in an anti-clockwise direction.
Nico Hulkenberg – “The circuit itself is quite amazing and the facilities are really impressive. It’s a long lap with a weird rhythm so it’s key to get comfortable with the change of flow. The corners are a lot different to each other so it’s vital to find a good balance, get accustomed to the conditions and master it. Abu Dhabi is a really fun place for a season finale. I’ve finished in the top seven three times in the last three years so I’m looking forward to it and ready to fight for some points. The constructors’ championship will go down to the wire for sixth in Abu Dhabi and I’m really relishing the challenge. The track should suit us better than Interlagos. It’s the season finale, there’s plenty at stake and that makes me very excited.I head to Abu Dhabi hoping to score well. I want to kick back on Sunday night at Yas Marina with the team and celebrate a job well done.”
Pirelli has nominated the three softest compounds for the Abu Dhabi grand prix, soft, supersoft and ultrasoft tyres are available to the teams.
The ideal way to close the season is a battle between Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull for the chequered flag in Yas Marina. The three teams have high chances to win the race and the track is ideal for close battles.
Here it is! Here’s our Mika Hakkinen special episode. We spent much of the last weekend with the Flying Finn as he visited India to promote his ‘Never Drink & Drive’ campaign. We had the former World Champion on our Facebook Live show as well on our podcast and yes, we did #JoinThePact in Hakkinen’s presence. Have you? go to https://www.liveinstyle.com/johnniewalkerthejourney
In this week’s special episode, we have Kunal speaking to Mika Häkkinen! He reviews the 2017 Formula 1 Season with Kunal. Listen to his views on the current superstar drivers (Hamilton, Vettel, Verstappen, etc.) and what he believes the future of his Finnish compatriots (Bottas & Raikkonen) will be. Also, what does he make of Fernando Alonso’s quest to be the ‘world’s best racer’?
Apart from the current season, we discuss Hakkinen’s career – his first win and what was his reaction when he lost most of his trophies to a house fire in 2008! Finally, could a Mclaren team management role, be on Hakkinen’s mind, and outside of Formula 1, who is his most challenging rival? Tune in!
Faster and faster… F1 cars are constantly going faster. It is really hard to catch them and show the shape of them. Vladimir Rys, multiple award winning photographer and f-stop gear ambassador who works on the F1 grid, has been doing it perfectly for many years. You can see his full portfolio on the site – vladimirrys.com
Photography is a vital part of media coverage in not only Formula One, but motorsports and indeed sports in general. Vladmir has been on the grid since 2005, and throughout the years he has been snapping images of some of Formula One’s finest moments.
In his fast-paced world Vladimir managed to find a moment for a conversation. In this interview he answers questions asked by Julia Paradowska.
(The interview took a place on 13rd of November before the Brazilian GP.)
Julia Paradowska: Cameras and lenses are heavy. Do you need to go to the gym to be able to have enough power to carry them?
Vladimir Rys: Sure, you have to stay fit. I carry around the track about 20kg’s of equipment with me so I have to stay fit. Tracks like Singapore or Malaysia demand a lot of physical effort from us mainly due to climate conditions, so it’s very important to stay fit and strong. I have a personal trainer back home and I go running quite regularly.
JP: There are only two races left. What moment of 2017 came as a surprise for you?
VR: I would say Max Verstappen’s rising star is not really a surprise after his brilliant driving last year, but for me it’s probably still the biggest positive out of all this season. F1 needs drivers like Verstappen, Hamilton, Vettel, Alonso, Ricciardo… It’s all about winning at the end of the day. The heritage that these kind of drivers leave behind is enormous. That is the DNA of F1, that is what F1 is about.
JP: What race did you attend for the first time as the photographer?
VR: Australia 2005 was my first race. I had no idea what to expect, but with the first smell of the tyres, the petrol and the V8 engine’s terrifying sound I was instantly sucked into it. I remember standing next to a car in the pitlane and the whole ground was vibrating, same as my clothing I was wearing, to me that was just something I haven’t experienced before. From a photographic point of view a brand new world has opened right in front of my eyes. I suddenly had a playground I could play at. I was excited to dive into this new world with my camera and with eyes wide open I started exploring my new creative limits. I have experienced a new creative boost that would put my photography on a new level again. I didn’t need to sit and wait for the picture like you have to do when shooting football, I went and found the picture my self.
JP: Which photo (that you’ve taken) is your favourite?
VR: I have a few photos I like, but I always believe the next one will be my best one.
JP: What car (since you started working) is the most photogenic for you?
VR: Probably this year’s cars I would say. They are just beautiful. Even with the shark fins they look amazing on the track. Best looking cars for me this year would be Toro Rosso, Mercedes and Red Bull of course. The RB13 with it’s highly saturated colours, the matt look and it’s beautiful shape just stands out. It’s a perfection of it’s self.
JP: Do you have other hobbies?
VR: Away from the track I love sports, reading books and outdoor life like camping and drinking coffee with friends.
Credit: Vladimir Rys / Red Bull Content Pool
JP: You opened an exhibition in Amsterdam in September. Why did you call it ‘Gravity‘?
VR: The title came to our minds after we spoke a lot about my work and the exhibition with my curator Yael van der Lek from Amsterdam. She said to me „when I look at your images, it seems to me almost like the cars are levitating in space, like they would be detached from gravity forces and freely move in space“. That was it, the title was out.
JP: Who was your photography guru?
VR: No one really. I had one or two names I looked up to as a young photographer, but it wasn’t any of the world famous names of photography we all know. I remember a photographer called Jiri Pekarek. Czech photographer, who although he worked as a sports photographer had a different approach of telling a story with a completely different image. It wasn’t the podiums or goals, it was a dejection of an athlete, a behind the scenes shot, a detail that he said the story with. Very emotional images. His eye fascinated me in my early days and I feel influenced by him a lot. From there on I have really followed anything that had something to do with photography or arts. You can get inspired from anything, not just photography, but also music, a movie or even a book can inspire you. Obviously the world of fashion is always a massive inspiration.
JP: How important is social media for photographers?
VR: I think it’s very important, but at the same time you have to stay authentic and real. It’s a showcase of your work and the way you promote your work. The whole market has completely changed in the last ten years and social media plays a major role for every creative mind. At the same time there are a lot of photographers who are not so talented, but know how to use social media and how to promote themselves even better than some very talented snappers and this distracts a lot of people. As always it’s about the balance really, but it’s very important to have a social media presence.
JP: Do you have any tips for amateur photographers?
VR: Doubt the standards, keep your head down and never be satisfied with the outcome.
Felipe Massa’s Formula One career doesn’t come to an end for another two weeks at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
However, after his address to an adoring public at the Brazilian Grand Prix following a typically gritty seventh place, it feels only right that a reflection on his career is made now.
Massa has said since his first announcement of retirement 12 months ago that while he did not win a World Drivers’ Championship, he would not trade the respect given to him by almost every member of the Formula One paddock.
Rarely has an entire sport taken one of its protagonists to heart in the manner that F1 has with Massa.
He first appeared on the Formula One scene as a fresh-faced 20-year-old with Sauber in 2002, regarded as one of Brazil new prospects. After a strong 2002 season he was drafted into test for Ferrari in 2003, returning to Sauber for 2004 and 2005.
His strength against teammate Jacques Villeneuve earned him a seat at the top table in Formula One as Ferrari replaced Rubens Barrichello with Massa for 2006, where he took his first win at the Turkish Grand Prix before winning at home for the first time.
In 2007 he was a successful rear gunner for Kimi Raikkonen’s victorious World Championship quest against the might of McLaren, Lewis Hamilton and future adversary Fernando Alonso, before roles at Ferrari were reversed the following year.
Few will forget the 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix. Few will forget the celebrations in the crowd as Felipe Massa crossed the line for victory, seemingly on his way to a maiden World Championship.
Image courtesy of Scuderia Ferrari. Few will forget Massa’s dignity in the face of defeat in 2008
Few will forget the manner in which Hamilton stole it from him with a last gasp pass on Timo Glock to move back into fifth place.
Few will forget the emotion, dignity and passion shown on that podium as Massa realised that it was not to be. It was the other side of sport, as Hamilton celebrated with his entourage and mechanics in the garages below.
That was far from the last time the 36-year-old showed grit in adversity, as in 2009 the Ferrari was uncompetitive heading into what was to become a sombre Hungarian Grand Prix when Massa was struck by a spring from Rubens Barrichello’s Brawn and knocked unconscious.
A fractured skull was to rule him out for the rest of the season, a small price given the initial fears for his life.
He was never to win a race again.
Alonso joined Ferrari for 2010 and became top dog, as Masa operated as a reliable back-up. The controversial German Grand Prix saw shades of the old Felipe, as he led for much of the race before a now-infamous team order to allow Alonso through to victory, with many feeling he had been cheated.
A mixed 2011 was marked largely by an ongoing spat with Hamilton, the collided on several occasions, while an uncompetitive Ferrari in 2012 seemed to affect him more than Alonso.
A podium appearance at the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix was as good as it got, before he was jettisoned by Ferrari in favour of Raikkonen. He resurfaced for 2014 at Williams.
Interlagos, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Sunday 13 November 2016. Felipe Massa, Williams Martini Racing, waves to his home fans after retiring from the race. Photo: Andrew Hone/Williams ref: Digital Image _ONY3644 Joining Williams in 2014 gave Massa a new lease of life
At Williams, he became team leader once again and his consistency during a successful first two years peaked with a pole position at the 2014 Austrian Grand Prix, with the team finishing third and fourth in the Constructors’ Championships.
2016 and 2017 have been more disappointing for Williams. Force India relegated them to fifth in 2016, while they are battling with Renault and Toro Rosso for a top five Constructors finish this time around.
Should he finish outside the top three in Abu Dhabi, In 14 seasons Massa has taken nine victories, 16 pole positions and 41 podiums.
Felipe will leave the sport not as a champion, not as a man known for a ruthless streak and not as a driver with a fearsome reputation.
He will leave as driver known for facing down adversity and for keeping his dignity when others with more glittering careers sometimes failed to.
Massa leaves Formula One as a driver as well-liked as much as he is well respected by peers and fans alike.
Mika Häkkinen on a world wide mission, to make our roads a safer place; that sounds great; its a valued initiative that in many parts of the world traffic and road skills may not be to scratch.
This week Mika, is in one of the largest countries in the world in terms of population: India.
One of the leading causes of road deaths is alcohol. thats why Johnnie Walker has over the last 10 years promoted responsible drinking, #JOINTHEPACT is Johnnie Walker’s global initiative for people to make their commitment to NEVER DRINK & DRIVE.
Since the 2007 launch of the campaign, more than 4.8 million pledges have been collected in over 40 countries worldwide. The campaign’s goal is to collect 5 million commitments by 2018.
Our man in India Kunal Shah, was at a facebook live season with mika – here is the video below
The newly branded Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team have today revealed their 2018 driver line-up. Runaway 2017 F2 champion Charles Leclerc will replace Pascal Wehrlein alongside Marcus Ericsson, who has been retained for his fourth season with the team. Italian Antonio Giovinazzi, who had initially been in contention for the seat that Leclerc ultimately claimed, has been signed as test driver.
