Google+ Jack Leslie F1: Pre- Abu Dhabi News

11 November 2011

Pre- Abu Dhabi News

Numerous rumours and stories have been floating around the volatile Formula 1 paddock, and here at TalkFromJackLeslieF1 i have all of them.
(c) Octane Photographic
From returning world champions, to gossip and team changes, you can see all the top stories from this week here.

  • Talks between Kimi Raikkonen and Williams continue to proceed, with British squad keen to have champion pedigree in the team once again. Kimi said they have been discussing but no agreement has arrived so far.
  • Stefano Domenicali told Ferrari's press crew they are committed to driver Felipe Massa but have said that he "must do better in 2012" in order to retain his seat. Massa has yet to visit the podium in 2011 and has finished outside the points on 4 occasions.
  • Vijay Mallya had announced his driver line up would be decided towards the end of 2011, but with drivers impatient to know he has brought the deadline forward. He is, however, undecided and says he has a "big decision" to make, whether to retain Paul Di Resta and Adrian Sutil or opt for test and reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg. We will see in coming weeks.
  • Team Lotus, or as they will be known in 2012 Team Caterham, have announced that Steve Nielson will join the team as sporting director next year. Nielson retained similar roles at teams such as Arrows and Renault and will bring "experience" to the team.
  • After changing their name to Caterham, Tony Fernandes thinks his team have all the ingredients to progress into the midfield next year, and feels "confident" they have the team and resources to achieve this.
  • Red Bull and Mercedes topped the Pit stop times, with the Austrian team not only having the fastest car but also the fastest pit crew as well. The Red Bull team have taken 8 fastest pit stops, with Mercedes second on 7 and the remaining ones being taken by Mclaren and Ferrari, with 1 apiece.
  • The Lotus Renault GP team are considering Robert Kubica's F1 return to be phased in next season, with the possibility of his racing in free practice sessions first before taking the Sundays race. This would be in order to see if he can work at his full potential, and to see if he has retained his speed.
  • HRT have confirmed they will be using Williams KERS unit as well as their gearbox's next season, in the hope to close the gap to the midfield.
  • The Buddh International Circuit in India are re-modifying the kerbs after Felipe Massa suffered 2 suspension failures in his Ferrari over the course of the weekend.
  • Romain Grosjean has said that "Robert Kubica will determine" his future in the team. After replacing Nelson Piquet Jnr in 2009 for a short while he now feels "more prepared" than ever to race in F1 again.
  • Jackie Stewart has revealed who he thinks are the top 5 drivers in F1, ever. He decided on Alberto Ascari,Jim Clark, Alain Prost, Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss. Controversially he did not mention 7 time world champion Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna.
  • Derek Warwick will make his 4th driver steward appearance at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Brit raced in 146 grand prixs for teams such as Renault and Lotus.
  • British driver Jenson Button has warned fellow racers he will be "an even stronger force next year." The popular racer has won 3 Gp's so far and finished on the podium numerous times, and currently sits 2nd in the drivers championship. He also says the "depth of talent" in Formula One now is alot "stronger" than it was when he made his debut, 11 years ago.
Don't forget to go read the Final Sector Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Preview issue, with news, articles and stats. http://www.finalsectormag.com/2011/11/abu-dhabi-gp-preview/ 

1 comment:

SweetF1 said...

Love the look of your blog.

Keep up the good work!

SweetF1