F1 News
Date: 8/October/2011
With just five minutes of Saturday's qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix remaining, the scene looked set for the first non-Red Bull pole of the 2011 season.
McLaren drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button were holding first and second, as they had finished in all but one of the free practice sessions.
But champion-in-waiting Sebastian Vettel was able to overcome them both on his final lap to claim a twelfth pole of the year.
Vettel beat Button, fastest in every session prior to qualifying, by just 0.009sec, while a frustrated Hamilton was relegated to third after being denied even the chance of a final lap.
The Briton was overtaken on either side by Vettel's team-mate Mark Webber and Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher, as he entered the chicane with just seconds to spare before the end of qualifying.
The time lost as he took evasive action cost Hamilton meant the session ended before he could start his planned last lap. It looked like the Englishman had been caught napping, but Hamilton felt the others had acted dangerously.
"I felt I was in a position to at least fight with these guys [for pole] but it was a bit dangerous at the last corner where I had Mark attacking me and Michael down the outside," said Hamilton. "It was very, very strange and that’s really where we lost the lap.
"Jenson was in front of me. He slowed down to get his gap and I was coming up to the last corner, trying to make sure that I had a gap between me and him.
"Just as I was coming into the chicane I looked in my mirror and I saw Mark diving up the inside of me. I didn’t even see Michael, but as I gave Mark room, Michael nearly crashed into me on the left. So it was quite dangerous."
In contrast to Hamilton's negative body language was a glowing Vettel, who needs to score just a single point on Sunday to be crowned champion for a second year in succession.
"What a qualifying!" grinned the young German, who began the weekend badly with a crash in practice. "Yesterday I went off in the free practice and damaged the wing, so it wasn’t ideal to prepare the car for today.
"We sat down after the practice session this morning and fortunately got everything together and we were able to get everything, every single bit out of the car, which was crucial.
"I had a bit of a wobble in sector one, but then I made up for it in the second sector and we have been strong in the third sector, so, all in all, fantastic. We were able to extract everything we had today, which was just enough, so very happy."
Vettel continues to insist that he not thinking about 'making his point'.
"Regarding the point or no point, I am not really focusing on that," he claimed. "It is a long race. There are a lot of things that can happen and it is a very challenging track. I am looking forward to the race and not for the point."
Exhausts up, DRS down in F1 speed search
F1 News
Date: 7/October/2011
The biggest performance gains for F1 teams this winter are likely to come from how well they adapt to the new exhaust rules.
That's the view of Formula One design superstar Adrian Newey, who named the ban on 'blown diffusers' as the most significant design change for 2012.
A bitter row over blown diffusers - which channel exhaust gases under the car to increase downforce - erupted between the leading teams earlier this season.
A messy attempt to resolve the issue through rule changes at Silverstone then produced a public spat between Red Bull and McLaren - prompting a u-turn by the FIA, which allowed the status quo to continue until the end the season.
But from next year, exhausts will need to exit higher up in the car, which should reduce their aerodynamic influence.
"I think the restriction on the exhaust exit position is actually a very big change; it goes through the car," said Red Bull's Newey, whose F1 designs will have won eight world titles, for different three teams, when Sebastian Vettel wins the 2011 crown.
"Other than that, the regulation changes are significant but not huge. So, in that sense, the 2012 Red Bull will be an evolution, it will bear a family resemblance to the RB5, RB6, RB7 lineage," he continued.
The major change for this year was the introduction of 'DRS' rear wings, which can be manipulated to allow a brief top-speed boost if a driver is following an opponent closely enough at the start of a predetermined zone.
DRS has helped increase the amount of overtaking and also been an area of significant development, as teams seek to maximise wing performance with DRS both on and off.
"This was the first year using DRS so for all the teams it was a big learning curve," said Ferrari's technical head Pat Fry. "It was a big opportunity to make a difference against your competitors.
"The rules next year are exactly the same with the DRS so we will see the technology mature more. Probably we will see less differences between the teams in terms of DRS effect. But we will still find more bit by bit."
Date: 7/October/2011
The biggest performance gains for F1 teams this winter are likely to come from how well they adapt to the new exhaust rules.
That's the view of Formula One design superstar Adrian Newey, who named the ban on 'blown diffusers' as the most significant design change for 2012.
A bitter row over blown diffusers - which channel exhaust gases under the car to increase downforce - erupted between the leading teams earlier this season.
A messy attempt to resolve the issue through rule changes at Silverstone then produced a public spat between Red Bull and McLaren - prompting a u-turn by the FIA, which allowed the status quo to continue until the end the season.
But from next year, exhausts will need to exit higher up in the car, which should reduce their aerodynamic influence.
"I think the restriction on the exhaust exit position is actually a very big change; it goes through the car," said Red Bull's Newey, whose F1 designs will have won eight world titles, for different three teams, when Sebastian Vettel wins the 2011 crown.
"Other than that, the regulation changes are significant but not huge. So, in that sense, the 2012 Red Bull will be an evolution, it will bear a family resemblance to the RB5, RB6, RB7 lineage," he continued.
The major change for this year was the introduction of 'DRS' rear wings, which can be manipulated to allow a brief top-speed boost if a driver is following an opponent closely enough at the start of a predetermined zone.
DRS has helped increase the amount of overtaking and also been an area of significant development, as teams seek to maximise wing performance with DRS both on and off.
"This was the first year using DRS so for all the teams it was a big learning curve," said Ferrari's technical head Pat Fry. "It was a big opportunity to make a difference against your competitors.
"The rules next year are exactly the same with the DRS so we will see the technology mature more. Probably we will see less differences between the teams in terms of DRS effect. But we will still find more bit by bit."
'Better than ever' Button talks new McLaren deal
F1 News
Date: 6/October/2011
Jenson Button will be driving with the added confidence of a new multi-year McLaren contract during this weekend's Japanese F1 Grand Prix at Suzuka.
The 31-year-old Englishman moved to McLaren straight after his shock title success for Brawn GP in 2009.
Electing to go head-to-head with McLaren prodigy and fellow world champion Lewis Hamilton was seen as a risky move by many.
But Button has flourished at the Woking-based team, winning four races and holding second in the Drivers' Championship heading into this weekend.
Speaking at Suzuka on Thursday, Button refused to state the extract length of his new contract, but was happy to explain what it meant to him.
"I can’t give details. All I can say is that I am very happy," he said. "I think this is a great opportunity over the next couple of years to really work closely with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.
"We are so close to fighting with Red Bull, but yet so far. I think it is good to have the continuity going forward for the next couple of years. It is going to help us take the fight to them next season, I hope. That’s what we are working towards.
"It’s been a good couple of weeks. I have been enjoying racing and it is nice to finally sign on the dotted line and get a deal in place for the near future."
Button, an F1 driver since 2000, believes he is driving better than ever.
"I thought I drove pretty well through my championship-winning season, but I’m definitely a better driver now: the experiences that I’ve been through - good and bad - since then," he explained.
"It’s pretty traumatic when you’re fighting for a championship and you’re struggling for pace, so the experiences I’ve been through and the confidence that I have now and the team that I’m working with - they definitely help my performances.
"Am I more content? I don’t know. I’ve been pretty content over the last few years, in terms of racing and in terms of private life, so that’s not making a difference."
Button has finished all eleven Japanese Grands Prix he has raced in, with his best result a third place with Honda in 2004.
"I would love to win here. It is a circuit, along with Spa and Monaco, that means a lot to all of us," he said. "Whether we are quick enough or not we will have to wait and see, but we are in the hunt and I am looking forward to a fun weekend."
If Button wins, Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel still needs only a single point to wrap up his second successive title with four rounds to spare.
Vettel quipped: "Even if it is only one point, we need to make sure we get it. If someone wants to do me a favour they can push Jenson down the stairs later on!"
Button was more realistic: "I think it’s great, Sebastian thinking that I have a chance of winning the title. He’s probably the only person… It’s all but over."
Date: 6/October/2011
Jenson Button will be driving with the added confidence of a new multi-year McLaren contract during this weekend's Japanese F1 Grand Prix at Suzuka.
The 31-year-old Englishman moved to McLaren straight after his shock title success for Brawn GP in 2009.
Electing to go head-to-head with McLaren prodigy and fellow world champion Lewis Hamilton was seen as a risky move by many.
But Button has flourished at the Woking-based team, winning four races and holding second in the Drivers' Championship heading into this weekend.
Speaking at Suzuka on Thursday, Button refused to state the extract length of his new contract, but was happy to explain what it meant to him.
"I can’t give details. All I can say is that I am very happy," he said. "I think this is a great opportunity over the next couple of years to really work closely with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.
"We are so close to fighting with Red Bull, but yet so far. I think it is good to have the continuity going forward for the next couple of years. It is going to help us take the fight to them next season, I hope. That’s what we are working towards.
"It’s been a good couple of weeks. I have been enjoying racing and it is nice to finally sign on the dotted line and get a deal in place for the near future."
Button, an F1 driver since 2000, believes he is driving better than ever.
"I thought I drove pretty well through my championship-winning season, but I’m definitely a better driver now: the experiences that I’ve been through - good and bad - since then," he explained.
"It’s pretty traumatic when you’re fighting for a championship and you’re struggling for pace, so the experiences I’ve been through and the confidence that I have now and the team that I’m working with - they definitely help my performances.
"Am I more content? I don’t know. I’ve been pretty content over the last few years, in terms of racing and in terms of private life, so that’s not making a difference."
Button has finished all eleven Japanese Grands Prix he has raced in, with his best result a third place with Honda in 2004.
"I would love to win here. It is a circuit, along with Spa and Monaco, that means a lot to all of us," he said. "Whether we are quick enough or not we will have to wait and see, but we are in the hunt and I am looking forward to a fun weekend."
If Button wins, Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel still needs only a single point to wrap up his second successive title with four rounds to spare.
Vettel quipped: "Even if it is only one point, we need to make sure we get it. If someone wants to do me a favour they can push Jenson down the stairs later on!"
Button was more realistic: "I think it’s great, Sebastian thinking that I have a chance of winning the title. He’s probably the only person… It’s all but over."
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