McLaren uncover the MP4-28

They were beaten to top honours by Lotus, but McLaren became the second team to launch their 2013 Formula 1 machine.

It was a highly anticipated launch, that took place at the teams modern base. The McLaren Technology Centre was home to the teams big reveal. It marked 50 years of the now Woking based squad, so the build up was took considerable time with numerous appearances from legendary machinery and videos detailing the teams history.

Christian Horner renews Red Bull Contract

Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner has renewed his contract at the squad.

(c) Red Bull Racing

Reports had suggested that he visited the Ferrari factory in Maranello, but the 39-year-old is sticking with the triple world champions.

Lotus E21 Laser Light Show

Formula 1 has become well known for its team sponsorship and endorsements. Fed up of the typical "I would like to thank (insert sponsor name here)? Lotus have done it a different way.

The team released a new video and very creative video, introducing some of their sponsors and looking at the E21 car. Warning, there are flashing images!

(c) F1Fanatic2

Lotus Drivers Talk 2013 after Car Launch

The Lotus F1 Team have released interviews with their star drivers, after the launch of their E21 2013 challenger.

Romain Grosjean, Kimi Raikkonen as well as reserve drivers Davide Valsecchi, Jerome D'Ambrosio and development driver Nicolas Prost.

Check out the driver interviews as they discuss all things Formula 1 and 2013.

Interview: Ben Edwards

Ben Edwards is the voice of the BBC F1 coverage, commentating on all the racing action. He formerly covered Champ Car and BTCC, as well as various other series.

A motorsport fan at heart, I got the brilliant opportunity to meet Ben and interview him exclusively for RichlandF1. It was very interesting, hearing his views on the big talking points of the season. We also discussed 2013, as well as his colleagues at the BBC. 

The Interview is split in to two parts, check them out here:

• Part 1:  http://richlandf1.com/?p=5823
• Part 2: http://richlandf1.com/?p=5884

Lotus First to Uncover 2013 Machinery, the E21

The Lotus F1 Team revealed their 2013 F1 Machine, the E21, online today (28th January).

Images (c) Lotus F1 Team

The car keeps with the stepped nose, which caused much controversy last year, as well as debuting a new addition of red to the livery. Enstone's latest creation was revealed online via a live stream on the squads YouTube channel and on Sky Sports News.

Formula 1, the Chase for Perfection

Formula 1. The sport we all know and love. But what word would first come to mind when you here it being mentioned? Perhaps speed, glamour or maybe even competition. These are some of the most obvious qualities to describe the worldwide sport, but I could think of better. You just have to look a little bit closer.

(c) Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

The sport is always chasing this special something, it’s very particular and something that has to be just right. I am of course talking about perfectionism, which has developed to become a sort of obsession in Formula 1. This has become more evident over the past few years, with teams and drivers constantly chasing to reach it, or even just to get closer. Down to the smallest of details, the chase is always on.

McLaren Preview MP4-28

The McLaren MP4-28 will be revealed very soon, but to increase the excitement levels the Woking team have posted a Sneak Peek on their YouTube channel.

Check it out:

(c) Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

DTM Test Success for Ex-F1 Drivers

The first DTM test of the 2013 season took place on Wednesday and Thursday, at the Valencia circuit. 

In attendance were former F1 drivers Robert Kubica and Timo Glock, with both drivers finding a feel for the car. It proved to be a big success, but for different reasons.

Russia set for 2014 F1 Debut

The Russian Grand Prix looks set for a 2014 debut, more specifically November according to Mayor of Sochi Anatoly Pakhomov.

The circuit, located in Sochi, will race around the Winter Olympic park. The country is set to host the winter games in February 2014, with the race scheduled for November.

Alonso to miss driving new Ferrari at first test

Fernando Alonso will not drive Ferrari's new 2013 F1 Car in the first winter test at Jerez.

The Spaniard will miss the first test of the season, as Felipe Massa takes the reigns for the first three days. It is an unusual decision by Ferrari but Massa will give experienced insight ahead of Alonso's test debut at Barcelona.

Pirelli aim for more pit stops

Formula 1's tyre supplier Pirelli are aiming for more pit stops and unpredictable tyre wear in 2013.

The Italian firm were criticised late on in 2012 for choosing more conservative tyre compounds and creating rubber that lasted longer. Now they have launched their new range of tyres ahead of the first F1 test in early February.

Ex-F1 Drivers to Test DTM Machines

Former Formula 1 Drivers Timo Glock and Robert Kubica will take part in the DTM test at the Valencia circuit, the first of the year for the German Touring Car Series.

Glock announced his exit from Formula 1 on Monday, but the swift confirmation of a test for BMW Motorsport suggests that the “mutual” departure with Marussia had been under discussion for some time.

Hamilton visits Mercedes Factory

Lewis Hamilton paid a visit to the Mercedes Benz Museum and Factory in Stuttgart, his first visit as a Mercedes driver, on Monday (22nd January).

(c) Daimler

The Brit gave a motivational speech to all the team members ahead of his debut for the team at winter testing in Jerez. Here are some pictures of the visit, as well as some quotes from the driver himself.

Wolff moves to Mercedes

Williams executive director and shareholder Toto Wolff will move to Mercedes, replacing Norbert Haug as head of Mercedes Benz Motorsport.

The Austrian currently holds shares in the Williams F1 team, and will keep them. A team statement said "Toto will be relinquishing his seat on the company's board of directors, but will retain his shareholding." The move comes as not a complete surprise, he already co-owns the HWA that runs Mercedes-Benz DTM programme.

Glock makes shock F1 exit

Timo Glock has made a shock exit from Formula 1, as he parted ways with back markers Marussia.

The German joined Formula 1 in 2004, stepping in to a vacant seat mid-season at Jordan. He returned to GP2 after a race seat failed to accumulate, but joined the F1 fray again with Toyota in 2008. When the team left the sport at the end of 2009, he moved to back markers Marussia where he has helped to push and develop the relatively new team.

Williams in Trouble Already?

The Williams F1 Team have revealed that their 2013 machine will not be revealed until the second winter test, the first at the Circuit de Catalunya.

(c) Williams F1 Team

The delay could be for a number of reasons, possibly a delay in the car passing crash test regulations or the development being behind schedule, one thing is certain. Only Williams know.

Force India to Reveal 2nd 2013 Driver After Launch

The Force India F1 Team are to reveal their second driver for the 2013 season after the launch of their VJM06 race car.

(c) Force India F1 Team

The move is an unusual one, as the Silverstone team tries to narrow down its selection. Rumours suggest it is down to just Adrian Sutil and Jules Bianchi, with Ferrari keen to push their driver academy member in to the race seat and Sutil looking to return to Formula 1 after a year out.

Alonso Predicts Hamilton Win

Fernando Alonso has predicted that former team mate Lewis Hamilton will win a race for Mercedes in 2013.

The Spaniard was speaking at Ferrari's Wrooom press conference and also covered a number of other topics, including who he thought was the fastest driver on the grid.

Interview: Romain Grosjean

2012 was a rather mixed year for Lotus F1 Team driver Romain Grosjean. The Frenchman got his second stint in the sport underway with some strong qualifying results, but on occasion failed to capitalize on his high grid slot.

His season was compromised by some high profile incidents, including the hugely talked about and controversial first corner crash at the Belgian Grand Prix. However despite the one race ban, he soldiered on and showed off a positive and forward thinking attitude that is rare in Formula 1. The season was also brimmed full of positives. The highly competitive season yielded three podium finishes, numerous points finishes and impressive qualifying laps. 

Grosjean stays at the Enstone squad for 2013, partnering Iceman Kimi Raikkonen for another year. I had the chance to talk to him, reminiscing about last season and looking forward to the much anticipated 2013 season.

De La Rosa appointed Ferrari Development Driver

Experienced Formula 1 Race and Test Driver Pedro De La Rosa will join Ferrari as their Development Driver for 2013.

(c) HRT F1 Team

The 41-year-old joins the team after a stint at HRT in 2012. The Spanish squad failed to find a buyer and closed down, leaving the experienced racer without a seat.

Formula 1, Snow Style

The UK is currently sitting under a blanket of snow, well where I live anyway. I thought it would be timely to look at some awesome, fast motorcars tackling the slippery surfaces. 

A F1 car is difficult to drive on tarmac, but when you bring in the chilly variable of snow you get a truly mammoth task that needs full concentration, skill and talent.

New JLF1 Blog Logo

I am very excited to reveal the brand new Jack Leslie F1 Blog Logo.

The logo ties in well with the colour scheme of the blog and also contains some key components of Formula 1 like the cars and iconic chequered flag.

The previous logo was painted by Julie Hollinshead. I really love the picture and it still takes pride of place on my wall, but I felt it was time to create a more professional looking logo. 

Hopefully you all like it and any feedback please tweet me @JackLeslieF1.

Kovalainen "Surprised" to be Without a 2013 Drive

Heikki Kovalainen has said he is "Surprised" to have been left without a drive for the 2013 season.

(c) Caterham F1 Team

The Finn revealed in an interview with Autosport that he feels he has been overlooked for a race seat, after a few years racing at the back with Caterham. Results of 14th, 15th and 16th have not made the paddock notice the good job he has done with the machinery he has had.

F1 2012 Season Review Collection

The F1 2012 season was one of the best on record, the a competitive field, close championship fight and plenty of highlights. So why not relive it with the F1 2012 Season Review DVD and Book.

Both are fantastic ways to reminisce about past events, like Button's stunning win at the season opener in Australia or Daniel Ricciardo's stunning qualifying lap to P6 in Bahrain. Here's where to buy them online, a little help guide for you F1 fans if you will.

Perez Discusses 2013 at McLaren

Sergio Perez has spoken about his new team, McLaren, and the season ahead.

The Mexican was on his first PR duty for the team, answering questions from journalists and fans on a Google+ hangout. It was not his first visit to the impressive McLaren Technology Centre, he had previously visited for a seat fitting, simulator work and meeting his new engineers.

Perez predicts Sauber win in 2013

Sergio Perez had tipped his former Sauber team to win in 2013.

The Mexican raced for the team in 2011 and 2012, but signed a new deal to race for McLaren. He officially joined the British team on January the 1st, but has spoken about the team he used to race for.

Lewis Hamilton Top 5 Moments

To celebrate Lewis Hamilton's 28 Birthday on the 7th January 2013, I have put together my Top 5 Moments of his Formula 1 career.

Lewis burst on to the scene in 2007, debuting in the fast McLaren and impressing from the get go. Going in to his 28th Birthday, he is a world champion, winner of 21 races and has scored 913 points. He also has a new challenge, with the highly talked about move to Mercedes.

Webber to stay in support role

Red Bull Racing Advisor Dr Helmut Marko has indicated that Mark Webber is expected to play the support role for team-mate Sebastian Vettel as he goes for his fourth title.

Despite strong wins in Monaco and Britain, Webber failed to keep up the consistency of his team mate and inevitably slipped to a distant sixth in the championship.

Interview: Jennie Gow

(c) Patrik Lundin

Jennie Gow is the bubbly presenter and voice of the pit lane for BBC Radio 5 Live. She is an experienced sports journalist, covering news, presenting and pit reporting.

The 35 year old will be a familiar face to Motorsport fans. Gow had previously presented the BBC's Moto GP coverage, as well as covering feeder series of Formula 1 like British Formula 3 and Formula Ford. An avid sports fan, Jennie worked as the pit reporter for BBC Radio 5 Live in 2012 alongside popular F1 Journalist James Allen and ex-F1 driver Jaime Alguersuari. 

Jennie chatted to me about her career, the 2012 season and the action on track this year.

F1 2013 Winter Testing Dates

It is now officially 2013, and the new F1 season kicks off in a months time with the Car Launches and Winter Testing.

To keep you all up to date, here are the dates of the Car Launches and Winter Testing. The former will be updated when the dates are released.