McLaren play down Pure link

Team insist they have had no contact "for many months"



McLaren have played down speculation that they may forge a long-term engine partnership with Pure in place of current supplier Mercedes.

Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper reported that Pure - the company set up by Jacques Villeneuve's former manager and BAR team boss Craig Pollock in anticipation of new rules in 2014 that demand 1.6-litre turbo engines - had been sounded out as possible replacements for Mercedes.

However, a team spokesman told Reuters: "McLaren has had absolutely no contact with Pure for many months.

"Moreover, the contact we did have with Pure, many months ago, was of an entirely informal nature, and was merely a courtesy gesture."

McLaren have used Mercedes engines since 1996. After winning world titles with Mika Hakkinen in 1998 and 1999, the partnership was strengthened the following year when parent company Daimler bought a 40 per cent stake in the McLaren Group. - http://www1.skysports.com/

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Berger - Schumi will retire

Austrian believes seven-time champion cannot match Rosberg

Gerhard Berger has predicted that Michael Schumacher will retire from Formula One for good at the end of the 2012 season.

The seven-time world champion, who first quit the sport in 2006 before making his return two years ago, is entering the final year of his contract with Mercedes GP.

Schumacher has struggled to match the pace of team-mate Nico Rosberg so far, although the 43-year-old's performances did start to pick up towards the end of last season.

The strong finish saw Schumacher end the 2011 campaign just 13 points behind his fellow German, a vast improvement on the 54-point deficit he endured the year before.

But former McLaren and Ferrari driver Berger thinks that Schumacher will not renew his deal at the end of the season.

"I do not think he will extend his contract. At this point I think it will be enough," The Austrian told Auto Moto und Sport.

"He has no chance against Rosberg. He will have to admit that at more than 40 years old he cannot beat a young driver at his level." - http://www.skysports.com/

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New Lotus named the E20

2012 chassis named in honour of team HQ



Lotus announced on Friday that their 2012 car is to be called the E20, in honour of it being the 20th chassis to be built at their Enstone headquarters.

The team, who have changed their name from Renault ahead of the new season, used the Oxfordshire base throughout their title-winning years of 2005-06 and also when they were known as Benetton.

It was initially built by chassis constructor Reynard for their own aborted bid to enter F1 in the early 1990s.

The announcement comes one day after the E20, which continues to use Renault engines, was fired up for the first time.

Also on Friday, the team's 2012 drivers, Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean, were on hand at Enstone and both took the opportunity to get comfortable in the car's cockpit.

It is set to be lauched via Lotus's official website on February 5, two days before pre-season testing gets under way at Jerez. - http://www1.skysports.com


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Fernandes wants points this time

Team boss hopes new car will propel them into the midfield pack



Caterham team principal Tony Fernandes has said that scoring World Championship points must be their goal in 2012.

The team are about to embark upon their third season in F1 but despite pulling clear of fellow newcomers Marussia and HRT they have yet to earn themselves a top-10 finish.

That was the goal they set themselves this time last year but Fernandes is hoping their new CT01 chassis, which received its official launch on Thursday, will finally provide the breakthrough.

As was the case last year, Caterham's latest chassis is Renault-powered and has a drive train supplied by World Champions Red Bull Racing.

However, Red Bull are also equipping Caterham with KERS for the first time and Fernandes hopes that the power boost, together with the expertise a growing team affords, will establish them in the midfield.

"Target wise, I have been quoted as saying I want us to score a point this year and that really has to be the aim. It has to be," he said.

"Towards the end of last year we were so close to the midfield cars, but our lack of KERS limited our capabilities.

"This year, however, with the people and facilities we have in the factory and the wind tunnel, and with KERS, I am confident that we will become a danger to many of the midfield teams, and yes, I want us to achieve a point somewhere in 2012 - maybe two if we are very lucky!" - http://www1.skysports.com/

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F1 supplier Pirelli say new tyres will mean better racing in 2012

Formula 1 tyre supplier Pirelli hopes to produce even closer racing with a new range of tyres for 2012.

The Italian company has made all four dry-weather tyres softer, as well as reducing the differences between them.

Pirelli introduced faster-wearing tyres last year, leading to tight races, and now aim to improve overtaking.
Pirelli president Marco Tronchetti Provera said: "These changes will provide more opportunity for passes and help make a better show."

The four dry-tyre choices will be identified by the same colour markings as in 2011 - red for super-soft, yellow for soft, white for medium and silver for hard - but the colours will be bolder to make them easier to see on television.

The markings on the wet-weather tyres have changed - the intermediates, for use in damp conditions, will have green markings, and the wet tyres blue.

Pirelli were widely praised for the impact their tyres had on creating more exciting racing in 2011, but the company felt it had been too cautious.- http://news.bbc.co.uk/

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De la Rosa - HRT on schedule

Spaniard thinks new car will be ready during pre-season testing

Pedro de la Rosa is confident that HRT will be able to get their 2012 car out on track in time for the second pre-season test of the year at Barcelona.

Last year, the Hispania F111 did not make its debut until practice for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, meaning neither of their drivers qualified for the race.

There have been suggestions that their new challenger could also be hit by delays which would prevent it from running during testing.

HRT is set to run its 2011 car in the opening test session at Jerez, but de la Rosa thinks the new machine will be ready in time for the Barcelona test, which begins on February 21.

"The plan is to test with the old car at Jerez, and then run the new car in the Barcelona test on February 21. That's the plan," de la Rosa told Autosport.

"It's been said there are delays, but I don't see it that way. I think the whole process of producing the car started very late and the team is making a superhuman effort to have the new car on track on February 21. - http://www1.skysports.com/

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MOTORSPORTS news update 1/24

Webber to test Red Bull first

Australian to get his hands on RB8 before World Champion

Red Bull have confirmed that Mark Webber will be the first of their drivers to test their new car, the RB8, at Jerez next month.

With Adrian Newey's latest creation unveiled in the rather modern and restricted surrounds of the team's own website on February 6, the Jerez test will mark the first occasion that the car will be seen in the flesh outside of Red Bull's Milton Keynes HQ.

The team have now updated their plans to confirm that it is Webber who will try out the car on the first two days of the test - February 7 and 8 - before World Champion Sebastian Vettel gets his hands on the RB8 for the final two days.

Meanwhile, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has said he expects Webber to be stronger this coming season.

The 35-year-old emerged as a title contender in 2010 but was trounced by Vettel last season, winning only the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix after his team-mate had romped to the Championship with 11 victories in all. - http://www1.skysports.com/

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sportsfest 12BET: MOTOR SPORTS news 1/23

sportsfest 12BET: MOTOR SPORTS news 1/23: Marussia delay 2012 debut Team planning to be at the second test in Jerez Marussia will not be taking their 2012 challenger to the opening t...

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MOTOR SPORTS news 1/23

Marussia delay 2012 debut

Team planning to be at the second test in Jerez

Marussia will not be taking their 2012 challenger to the opening test in Jerez, citing the need to first put some miles under Charles Pic's belt.




Marussia will - not for the first time - be starting the campaign with a new driver having signed former GP2 racer Pic as Timo Glock's latest team-mate.

And, according to technical consultant Pat Symonds, the team will delay the debut of their 2012 car in favour of first getting Pic familiar with F1.

"We are aiming for the second," Symonds told Autosport. "We are going to be at the first test anyway because I think it's important for Charles to get some miles under his belt and it shakes some of the cobwebs off of the team.

"As for the new car, Symonds revealed that the team have carried little over from their previous contender and have not taken a radical route.

"You always carry over something, but I think we have probably carried over less than normal," he said.

"The whole of the suspension design is different, even the pedal assemblies are different. There is probably a smaller amount of carry over on this car than almost any car I have worked on.

"He added: "I don't think it is the time for us to be innovative.

"When you are that far off the front it's the time to really just do your job properly and to make sure that what you are doing you are doing well.

"So no real innovation, it's much more about looking at each area and trying to improve each one."- http://www1.skysports.com


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sportsfest 12BET: MOTOR SPORTS new at 12BET 1/22

sportsfest 12BET: MOTOR SPORTS new at 12BET 1/22: Mateschitz - Seb even better Owner thinks his team could yet achieve legendary status Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz reckons his doubl...

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MOTOR SPORTS new at 12BET 1/22

Mateschitz - Seb even better

Owner thinks his team could yet achieve legendary status


Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz reckons his double World Champ will be back even stronger this season as he bids to extend his title-winning run.

Sebastian Vettel was undoubtedly the pick of the field last season as the 24-year-old German claimed 15 pole positions and 11 grands prix victories on his way to his second successive World title.

And although his rivals must be hoping he'll take it easy on them this season, Mateschitz has revealed that his driver is more determined to succeed than ever before.

"Sebastian has improved and is stronger than ever," Mateschitz told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"He has prepared during the winter break like he's never done before and he will certainly not let us down.

"What he needs for his third title is a competitive car and on that aspect we'll be able to evaluate where the teams are going in the first tests in Jerez."

As for Red Bull's future, Mateschitz agrees with recent comments from Vettel that his Formula One team could yet achieve the legendary status afforded to teams such as Ferrari.

"What Sebastian says is certainly right. Ferrari has become a legend through victories and titles too. How many titles are needed for that isn't so important: what counts now is the hat-trick in 2012." - http://www1.skysports.com/

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sportsfest 12BET: MOTOR SPORTS News Update 1/20

sportsfest 12BET: MOTOR SPORTS News Update 1/20: F1 team relocates to Motorsport Valley FORMULA 1 team Caterham will move its operational base from East Anglia to Oxfordshire this summer....

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MOTOR SPORTS News Update 1/20

 

F1 team relocates to Motorsport Valley

FORMULA 1 team Caterham will move its operational base from East Anglia to Oxfordshire this summer.
It will allow the company to bring its F1 team, which raced as Lotus in the 2010/11 season, and its niche sports car company, Caterham Cars, under one roof in Leafield.

Caterham hopes its 250 F1 employees will move with the company, but said new jobs would be created too.
Team principal Tony Fernandes – who also owns Premiership football club QPR – said: “This will be the next chapter in the development of both our motor racing teams and our road car company, and gives us the best chance to keep progressing on track and, in future, on the road with Caterham Cars.”
He said the move into the factory formerly used by F1 team Arrows, which ceased after financial difficulties in 2002, was the “obvious choice”.

The company will now start work to improve the site’s infrastructure for the F1 team and to build a new development and production facility for Caterham Cars.

Richard Langridge, West Oxfordshire District Council cabinet member for local economy and communities, said: “I am absolutely delighted that such a prestigious Formula 1 team will be relocating to West Oxfordshire. It is wonderful news for Leafield and the district.
“We hope there will be a number of highly skilled jobs that will come out of this and that will have a very positive impact.”- http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/

 

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MOTOR SPORTS news 12BET update 1/19

Senna: Williams can improve

New driver insists the pressure is on



Bruno Senna believes a shake-up inside Williams will ensure there will be no repeat of last year's wretched campaign.

Williams mustered just five points last season - the worst total in the team's illustrious history - and they only collected that many as the scoring system was altered from 2010 to incorporate the top-10 finishers.

It is surely now a case of 'the only way is up' for Williams, with Senna confirmed as team-mate to Pastor Maldonado on what is thought to be a 12-month contract.

"The team is very hungry to improve on last year, which was one of their worst," Senna said.

"So they have made it very clear we perform - not just the drivers, but as a team. It's very important for them we have a good year. "So the pressure is on everybody - not only the drivers, but every single person in the team.

"Every once in a while, when you have a bad year, you learn from the mistakes, how you can improve, shake things up a little, and I believe they have shaken things up in the right way." - http://www1.skysports.com

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MOTOR SPORTS news 12BET update 1/19

Senna: Williams can improve

New driver insists the pressure is on



Bruno Senna believes a shake-up inside Williams will ensure there will be no repeat of last year's wretched campaign.

Williams mustered just five points last season - the worst total in the team's illustrious history - and they only collected that many as the scoring system was altered from 2010 to incorporate the top-10 finishers.

It is surely now a case of 'the only way is up' for Williams, with Senna confirmed as team-mate to Pastor Maldonado on what is thought to be a 12-month contract.

"The team is very hungry to improve on last year, which was one of their worst," Senna said.

"So they have made it very clear we perform - not just the drivers, but as a team. It's very important for them we have a good year. "So the pressure is on everybody - not only the drivers, but every single person in the team.

"Every once in a while, when you have a bad year, you learn from the mistakes, how you can improve, shake things up a little, and I believe they have shaken things up in the right way." - http://www1.skysports.com

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sportsfest 12BET: MOTOR SPORTS news 12BET update 1/18

sportsfest 12BET: MOTOR SPORTS news 12BET update 1/18: Liuzzi - HRT situation 'vague' Italian claims new car plans on track despite "no budget" Liuzzi signed his contract for HRT when they were o...

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MOTOR SPORTS news 12BET update 1/18

Liuzzi - HRT situation 'vague'

Italian claims new car plans on track despite "no budget"



Liuzzi signed his contract for HRT when they were owned by Jose Ramon Carabante, who sold the team to Spanish investment group Thesan Capital last summer.

However, the decision of the new owners to move HRT to Valencia prompted the departure of team principal Colin Kolles in December.

Former F1 driver Luis Perez-Sala took over but he subsequently admitted any decision on a driver line-up was a low priority.

Ex-Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari has since ruled himself out of a move, although Liuzzi admitted his position would still be under threat if a well-financed youngster expressed an interest."

I'm fully part of the project at the moment, because I'm still a team driver. I'm aware that things may change any minute, as it can change in all other teams," he said.

"Currently the deals are worth very little, because a young driver with money can always come and buy the seat. That's how it works."

Of HRT's plans, Liuzzi said: "I'm completely part of the development programme. The new car is going on and should be ready for the first test in Valencia.

"We are confident that we should do a big step forward. For sure we will still have a long way to go, because the 2012 car won't be in the points, but will be much better than in 2011." - http://www1.skysports.com/

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sportsfest 12BET: MOTOR SPORTS news 12BET update 1/17

sportsfest 12BET: MOTOR SPORTS news 12BET update 1/17: Alonso waiting on Kubica Spaniard would be happy to have Pole as his teammate Fernando Alonso is "sure" that Robert Kubica will return to ...

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MOTOR SPORTS news 12BET update 1/17

Alonso waiting on Kubica

Spaniard would be happy to have Pole as his teammate

Fernando Alonso is "sure" that Robert Kubica will return to F1 and prove that he is "the best driver around."

Kubica has been out of action since his horrific rally accident last February with his recovery suffering a setback earlier this week when he fell on ice while out walking near his home.

The 27-year-old Pole reportedly aggravated the right-tibia fracture he suffered in the rally crash.

And although there has been no official confirmation of Kubica's injury or how it will impact his recovery, his good friend Alonso believes the Pole will return to F1.

"Robert is the best driver around and he will prove that when he returns to racing, something I am sure he will do," Alonso said.

As for rumours that Kubica could be on his way to Ferrari in 2013, Alonso said: "Him as my team-mate? I am very happy to have Felipe alongside me." - http://www1.skysports.com/


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sportsfest 12BET: MOTOR SPORTS news 12BET update 1/16

sportsfest 12BET: MOTOR SPORTS news 12BET update 1/16: Rosberg believes in Brawn Mercedes man tipping Red Bull to be strong once again Nico Rosberg believes Ross Brawn has what it takes to elevat...

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MOTOR SPORTS news 12BET update 1/16

Rosberg believes in Brawn

Mercedes man tipping Red Bull to be strong once again



Nico Rosberg believes Ross Brawn has what it takes to elevate Mercedes GP to the top of the F1 rankings.

Rosberg, who last year committed his future to Mercedes GP, has yet to win a grand prix with his team despite them having won the World titles under the Brawn GP banner in 2009.

Rosberg, though, is adamant that the team has the personnel needed to take them to the front of the grid. Now they just need the cohesion and a winning car.

"With Bob Bell, Geoff Willis and Aldo Costa we have three new top people on board, and I believe very strongly in Ross," he told Auto Moto und Sport.

"You can feel his ambition. He knows what we need to be the best team."

There are many very competent people here who have just not yet grown together enough with no everyone sitting in the right place. That is the aim now."

But, despite believing that Mercedes GP will have a better season this year, Rosberg reckons it's Red Bull who will lead the way.

"No what matter what the rules look like Red Bull will still be strong. They have the expertise and structure in place to be the best." - http://www1.skysports.com/

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sportsfest 12BET: MOTOR SPORTS news 12BET update 1/15

sportsfest 12BET: MOTOR SPORTS news 12BET update 1/15: Hamilton a witness in Sutil trial? Lewis Hamilton could be called as a key witness in the Adrian Sutil assault trial, according to reports....

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MOTOR SPORTS news 12BET update 1/15

Hamilton a witness in Sutil trial?

 Lewis Hamilton could be called as a key witness in the Adrian Sutil assault trial, according to reports.



Sutil, who lost his seat with Force India last month, has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm after an alleged clash with Lotus-Renault co-owner Eric Lux in a Shanghai nightclub last April following the Chinese GP.

Sutil has denying any wrongdoing, and his manager, Manfred Zimmermann, is adamant that his client will be found not guilty.

"We are convinced that the court will come to the conclusion that there was no intentional attack," he told The Daily Telegraph. "We feel good. So the truth will come out."

However, in the wake of proceedings opening in Munich on Thursday, the newspaper reports 'it is believed the charges pending against Sutil have ended any chance he had of taking the one available seat at Williams.'

The Daily Mail, meanwhile, claims that 'Hamilton, a close friend of Sutil who was present at the time, could be called as a witness.' If so, he is likely to appear before the court in late January. - http://www1.skysports.com

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sportsfest 12BET: MOTOR SPORTS news 12BET update 1/13

sportsfest 12BET: MOTOR SPORTS news 12BET update 1/13: Vettel on Ferrari's radar "Never say never," team boss says of luring world champion Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali admitted to S...

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MOTOR SPORTS news 12BET update 1/13

Vettel on Ferrari's radar

"Never say never," team boss says of luring world champion



Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali admitted to Sky Sports News that world champion Sebastian Vettel is on their radar in the longer term.

The 24-year-old retained the world title in dominant fashion last season, winning a total of 11 grands prix and also breaking Nigel Mansell's record with a total of 15 pole positions.

The last driver to win back-to-back titles was Ferrari's Fernando Alonso when he drove for Renault in 2005/06. Alonso's current Ferrari contract lasts until 2016 and Domenicali refused to rule out the possibility of Vettel joining him.

Vettel's deal at Red Bull runs until 2014 and he has expressed a desire to join the Maranello marque in the past.

Ferrari are also apparently interested in Robert Kubica but Domenicali has denied that the Pole, who is still recovering from injuries sustained in a rally crash last year, has signed an agreement with them.

"Never say never," Domenicali said at Ferrari's annual 'Wrooom' media event in the Italian Dolomites. "He (Vettel) is a great driver and he did an incredible season. Two seasons in a row to win is not easy.

"Last season, with the pole positions and the number of victories that he achieved. In comparison, if you look at his achievements with the others....so we will see." - http://www1.skysports.com/

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MOTOR SPORTS news 12BET update 1/12

Gascoyne - Biggest step yet

Technical boss says new chassis is a "much more current car"



Caterham chief technical officer Mike Gascoyne hopes the team's 2012 car will represent their biggest step forward yet.

Although Caterham have yet to score a world championship point as they embark upon their third F1 season, they have pulled clear of fellow newcomers Marussia and HRT in terms of performance.

That improved level of performance will be further enhanced in 2012 when their new chassis, the CT-01, will feature a KERS system for the first time.

The device will be provided by Red Bull Technology, who already supply gearboxes to the team, who changed their name from Team Lotus late last year.

Speaking on Tuesday, Gascoyne said: "I think it will be a much more current car than the last two cars we've been able to design. It's probably a bigger step forward compared to the 2011 car.

"In 2010 our car was obviously very basic because we didn't have much time to do it and we always said the 2011 car would be a big step forward.

"What's exciting for me is that the 2012 car is probably a bigger step forward in terms of refinement of design than we made in 2011 (over 2010)." - http://www1.skysports.com

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sportsfest 12BET: MOTOR SPORTS news 12BET update 1/11

sportsfest 12BET: MOTOR SPORTS news 12BET update 1/11: Barcelona considers future Spanish Grand Prix could be forced to move Hot on the heels of doubts being raised about the future of the Europe...

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MOTOR SPORTS news 12BET update 1/11

Barcelona considers future

Spanish Grand Prix could be forced to move


Hot on the heels of doubts being raised about the future of the European GP at Valencia, it has been revealed that Barcelona may be unable to afford the cost of hosting the Spanish GP.

The government of Valencia revealed last week that they are looking to renegotiate their deal for the European Grand Prix with Bernie Ecclestone as a way of reducing costs.

Now officials in Catalonia have gone a step further by admitting that they could be forced to scrap the Spanish GP at the Circuit de Catalunya altogether, as well as the track's MotoGP race.

"We may reconsider holding Formula One and motorcycling Grands Prix here," Catalan economy minister Andreu Mas-Colell said during an interview with RAC1 radio.

"It is not clear whether we can do so in the current climate.

"It is not the first thing we will reconsider, but in times like these we have to look line by line at what we are spending money on."

The Circuit de Catalunya has hosted the Spanish Grand Prix since 1991 and MotoGP races since 1992. Its current F1 deal runs until 2016.

Mas-Colell also warned, however, that breaking the contract might actually cost more than hosting the race.

"There are contracts that are more expensive to maintain than to break," he added.

One possible solution mentioned is for Valencia to drop the European Grand Prix in favour of alternating the Spanish GP with Barcelona. - http://www1.skysports.com

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