Our new home for 2012

http://autoracef1.weebly.com

HRT and Colin Kolles have just announced they've parted ways for 2012.

Vettel is reportedly looking for a new physiotherapist and trainer after Tommi Parmakoski accepted an offer outside of F1.

Button confident McLaren's 2012 car will be competitive enough to fight for the title.

Hamilton says Ecclestone's criticism of his management company run by Simon Fuller is massively unfair.

No pay drivers shows Lotus Renault's commitment to return to the front of the grid.

Adrian Newey says the blown diffuser concept had been a fundamental part of their success.

Caterham (old Lotus) F1 Team’s new Sporting Director Steve Nielsen believes he will thrive in the challenging environment as he helps the team move up the grid.

Red Bull Racing's designer Adrian Newey says the 2012 car is all about recovering the loss of the blown diffuser.

Ben Edwards will replace Martin Brundle as the BBC's lead Formula 1 commentator next year

Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner says the problem with the RRA is when they start trading equivalence of hours versus external spend.

The 4 top teams met on Monday to retain the Resource Restriction Agreement despite 2 of them leaving FOTA.

Pedro de la Rosa says getting HRT closer to the midfield will be a huge challenge, but says it is not a step back for him.

F1 must be simplified in order to get the newer countries involved says Tony Fernandes.

The 2012 Pirelli tyres tested in Abu Dhabi and Brazil is giving Webber extra confidence for the season ahead.

Lotus Renault won't prevent drivers from taking part in dangerous events says Lotus Group chief executive Dany Bahar.

Senna: To take a third driver place it would have to be a similar type of role to what certain people had this year with driving on Fridays.

Vettel says they have not achieved all they wanted in 2011, but hopes they have learned from it for 2012.

Vettel: One of the first things I did last year after we won the championship was that I went on to Wikipedia and checked my name was already up there – because it is nice to see that, and nice to compare!

Lotus Renault says the fact that Grosjean is French had nothing to do with him getting the second seat.

Red Bull Racing hopes to launch its 2012 contender on February 5 ahead of the first testing session.

Group Lotus CEO Dany Bahar said on Monday that his team is not expecting Raikkonen to produce results immediately.

Watkins received the FIA Academy Gold Medal for Motor Sport, joining a prestigious list of previous recipients including Sir Stirling Moss, Mario Andretti, Sir Jack Brabham, HSH Prince Rainier and Michael Schumacher.

After the recent information appearing lately in the media, HRT F1 Team is obliged to deny that Caterham Technology and Innovation, a subsidiary company of Caterham F1, will be in charge of the design and fabrication of the F112’s monocoque.

Contrary to what has been published, the development of the car that HRT F1 Team will compete with in next year’s Formula 1 World Championship is being carried out at the team’s technical office in Munich by a team of designers under the technical supervision of Jacky Eeckelaert and chief aerodynamicist Stephan Chosse.

Despite the tight deadlines and a rule change for 2012 meaning that crash tests and chassis homologation procedures must be completed before any cars can test, the team is confident that the new car will be ready for preseason testing in February.

The Sauber team confirmed on Monday afternoon that Kamui Kobayashi won't be replaced in 2012. The team is very found of him.

Ecclestone says Hamilton should have stayed with his father as manager instead of using an entertainment management company.

Perez: After I got back into the car it still took me a few more races until I was really a hundred per cent again.

HRT could change to Renault power for the 2012 F1 season sources said on Monday.

Mark Webber won't retire from F1 based on his age, but based on his results.

Vettel: It’s great to be here in India at the FIA Gala to collect my second Drivers’ Championship Trophy.

Rumours in the German press suggest Ferrari's reserve driver Jules Bianchi could replace Kamui Kobayashi at Sauber for 2012.

Adrian Sutil praised his teammate Paul di Resta for the job he has done at Force India this season.

Vettel: It’s great to be here in Milton Keynes which is where the cars are built and everyone from the factory works.

Webber: It was something special to drive the car in Milton Keynes today in front of all the fans.

60,000 spectators turned out in Milton Keynes on Saturday to see F1 Champion Vettel and Webber drive thier cars on the city’s streets.

Grosjean: With the reduction of the number of test sessions in F1, the driver’s technical know-how assumes even greater importance.

Webber has impressed Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner for not crumbling under Vettel's pressure this season.

Williams is certainly one of the teams that have a seat. Unfortunately I can't say anything about the discussions to date.

Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi says Monaco and Canada are the highlights of his season.

Grosjean: After Fernando Alonso it is Kimi Raikkonen, so I am getting used to having a world champion alongside me.

Force India are expected to confirm within the next week or so that Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg will drive for them.

Grosjean has concerns about being Raikkonen's teammate at Lotus Renault in 2012.

Raikkonen's willingness to return to F1 after a two year absence is enough proof he is motivated says Group Lotus CEO Dany Bahar.

The new V6 engines for 2014 will rev up to 15 000 rmp and will sound very nice says Mercedes-Benz engineering director Andy Cowell.

Sutil and Petrov believed to be in the running for a seat at Williams for 2012 insiders said on Friday.

Heikki Kovalainen settings sights on a winning team in the near future.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso says he is more motivated than ever to win with the team.

Press Release: Romain Grosjean to race alongside Kimi Räikkönen in 2012

Lotus Renault GP and TOTAL are delighted to announce that Romain Grosjean will race alongside 2007 world champion Kimi Räikkönen next season. The two companies are also pleased to confirm that they have renewed their sponsorship agreement for another year.

The 2011 GP2 Series champion gained useful experience with the team throughout the year as LRGP’s third driver. As part of his role, Romain was rewarded with two practice session drives at the final two races of the season in both Abu Dhabi and Brazil.

Prior to claiming first prize for the DAMS team in this season’s GP2 Series, Romain was a title winner in F3 Euroseries and the GP2 Asia Series before graduating to the Renault F1 Team in 2008 as a test driver. Following this, he stepped up to a race seat for the second half of 2009.

The announcement of Romain as race driver signals the beginning of the Frenchman’s second spell at Enstone in such a capacity.

Romain Grosjean: “I am thrilled to be one of the team’s race drivers in 2012. There’s a big grin on my face at the prospect of getting behind the wheel of next year’s car, and I feel very privileged to be given this opportunity. To be racing alongside a former world champion and someone who is hungry and returning to Formula 1 will be a great experience, and I’m sure will help raise my level of performance too. I feel that my successful season in GP2 Series has helped me mature a lot, and I am a much more complete driver than I was last time I was competing in this sport. Returning to Enstone as a race driver feels like coming home. I will not disappoint and I wish to thank all the people without whom this return to F1 would not have been possible. Total, which supports me since 2006, and Gravity Sport Management, are first on this list.”

Jacques-Emmanuel Saulnier, Senior Vice-President Corporate Communications, Total: “Total is delighted to give the young talented French driver, Romain Grosjean, the opportunity to fulfill his dream by becoming an F1 driver with the Lotus Renault GP team. An overall mission of our company, as is LRGP’s, is to support young talented people and encourage them along the path to excellence and performance. The involvement of our Group in the highest category of motor sport alongside Romain Grosjean, with whom we’ve formed a relationship based on trust over more than six years, goes far beyond the purely communications aspect. It shows our determination to develop the performance of our fuels and lubricants with the aim of achieving optimal energetic efficiency to help our clients reduce and improve consumption. Formula 1 must embrace the perspective of clean technology and permanent evolution, and go back to its roots by becoming a laboratory for innovation once again.”

Eric Boullier, Team Principal & MD: “I’m delighted that Romain Grosjean will side Kimi next year. Romain has shown a lot of maturity in the past twelve months both through his GP2 Series victory and his development as third driver with us. We were impressed when he drove for us in the first practice sessions in Abu Dhabi and Brazil. We are confident that drafting him in to one of our driver’s seats will help us in our rebuilding process. TBC / I would like to thank Vitaly Petrov and Bruno Senna for their contribution to the team’s performance this year and I wish them all the best for the future.”

Gérard Lopez, Genii Capital, Chairman: “Only last week I reiterated that the team is at the start of a brand new cycle. Announcing Romain as our race driver alongside Kimi is great news and will help us achieve our aims of getting back to the very top. The announcements we made today and last week are exciting ones for our team and there is a real buzz surrounding us now.”

Official: Romain Grosjean to race alongside Kimi Räikkönen in 2012. #f1 #news

Vitaly Petrov won't race for Lotus Renault next season after being replaced by Romain Grosjean.

Mercedes says its first version of the 2014 V6 engine will be ready soon and they believe it will sound great.

Renault has reportedly signed Romain Grosjean to be Kimi Raikkonen's teammate for 2012 at Lotus Renault.

Leading aerodynamicist John Iley joins Team Lotus for 2012.

I'm totally confident that this championship will come sooner rather than later, because I'm in the perfect team to do that.

The BBC will use Jake Humphrey, Eddie Jordan and David Coulthard as its team for the 2012 F1 coverage.

Grosjean says if he does not get a drive in F1 for 2012 then he would step away from the sport.

McLaren's philosophy of creating a family orientated team where everyone is supported and valued has contributed to its success insiders said.

Webber says he is unaware of the fact that his Red Bull Racing team has left FOTA.

FOTA insiders hope to get the teams who left back before the 2 month notice they have to serve is over.

More F1 teams could quit FOTA insiders said on Thursday.

RBR's Helmut Marko: We are the best in aerodynamics and so the others only wanted to cut back the development of aerodynamics.

Red Bull Racing's decision to quit FOTA is because the organization tried to specifically target their aerodynamic advantage Helmut Marko said.

The organizers of the US GP in Austin, Texas have paid the money to Ecclestone to host the race.

Jos Verstappen says Michael Schumacher's 1994 championship winning Benetton was fitted with illegal drivers aids.

New in 2012 for F1

New for 2012: All cars will have to pass all the mandatory crash tests in order to be able to take part in winter testing.

There will be a three-day test during the season, which is set to allow teams to run with their drivers mid-campaign.

All lapped cars will be allowed to unlap themselves and then join at the back of the field during safety car periods, ensuring a clean restart without slower cars in front of the leaders.

Maximum race time of four hours during each grand prix

Drivers will not be allowed to move back onto the racing line after having moved off it to defend their position.

Cars which were in the pitlane when a race is suspended will now be allowed to rejoin the grid in the position they were in when the race was stopped.

An altered use of tyre allocations, with drivers now allowed to use all tyres from the start of practice. Previously, only three sets were permitted.

Drivers will not be allowed to leave the track - like cutting a chicane on reconnaissance laps or 'in' laps to save time and fuel - without a justifiable reason.

2012 Formula 1 calendar

2012 Formula 1 calendar

18 March            Australian GP
25 March            Malaysian GP
15 April            Chinese GP
22 April            Bahrain GP
13 May              Spanish GP
27 May              Monaco GP
10 June             Canada GP
24 June             European GP
8 July              British GP
22 July             German GP
29 July             Hungarian GP
2 September         Belgian GP
9 September         Italian GP
23 September        Singapore GP
7 October           Japanese GP
14 October          Korean GP
28 October          Indian GP
4 November          Abu Dhabi GP
18 November         US GP
25 November         Brazilian GP

Austin and Bahrain remains on the final calendar released by the FIA today.

Mark Webber says only time will tell if the 2012 Bahrain GP will take place.

Sky Sports also said that both Natalie Pinkham and Ted Kravitz will scour the pitlane in search of the inside scoop on what's occurring.

Sky Sports also said former F1 driver Anthony Davidson will be reunited with Croft for commentary duties for all the practice sessions.

Sky Sports announced that David Croft will join forces with Martin Brundle in the commentary box for each of the 2012's races

Ferrari needs stability to ensure employees have a feeling of trust says engineer Joan Villadelprat,

Lotus Renault wants experienced teammate for Kimi because of limited testing.

Rosberg confident that he will be able to win in the future with Mercedes AMG.

Toro Rosso could announce an unchanged driver lineup for 2012 in the next few days.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that Austin has signed new contact to host next year's USA GP.

Red Bull Racing's Mark Webber says he hopes the race in Austin Texas goes ahead next season.

Charles Pic aims to match 2012 teammate Timo Glock's pace at Virgin Racing before the end of the season.

Virgin Racing hopeful of a step forward in 2012 says tech boss John Booth.

Virgin Racing's rookie driver Charles Pic says limited testing will make 2012 F1 debut difficult.

Renault says it will soon announce Kimi's teammate for 2012 and some believe it won't be one of the 2011 drivers.

Red Bull Racing not commenting on accusations that they have no intension of adhering to the RRA and that FOTA is an inconvenience.

HRT's Daniel Ricciardo could replace Jarno Trulli at Caterham (Team Lotus) in 2012.

Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi says his low point of the season was when he knew the car was not quick enough.

Kamui Kobayashi: It was tough when we knew we were struggling with our general performance due to the direction we had chosen for technical development, and especially the weakness in qualifying was not always easy to cope with.

Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko says they quit FOTA because it failed to have a good purpose.

Button says he has felt more and more comfortable and confident in the McLaren team as the season progressed.

The blown diffuser issue cost Sauber sixth position in the constructors' championship and millions of dollars says team boss Peter Sauber.

Most team expected to run 2011 cars at first test at Jerez because new cars must pass all the FIA crash tests before it can be tested.

Vettel was named the International Racing Driver of the Year at the Autosport awards

The winner of the 1971 Italian GP Peter Gethin, has died after a long illness.

Lotus plans to let Kimi Raikkonen test a 2009 spec Renault equipped with GP2 tyres to prepare for his return to F1.

FOTA to meet later today to discuss Red Bull Racing and Ferrari's resignation.

Red Bull Racing's Mark Webber says 2012 will be different to this year and he feels he will be stronger.

Vettel lost out to Schumacher at the Race of Champions in Dusseldorf on Sunday.

Fisichella met with fans at the La Gazzetta dello Sport at the Bologna Motorshow on Sunday.

Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug says FOTA vital to F1.

Vettel says this season he and the team were pretty close to 100% after the difficulties they had in 2010.

The new Mercedes AMG Petronas will only make is track debut at the second winter test of 2012 on 21 February at Barcelona.

Mercedes GP boss Ross Brawn comments on new name

Team Principal Ross Brawn: We are very proud to reveal our new team name today. It adds another strong performance element to our team's identity and, by virtue of being shared between Brackley and Brixworth, will forge even stronger links within our team. At the factory, we have been focused for some time on the challenge of 2012, and our very clear ambition to move forward up the grid next year. As always, the winter development and manufacturing processes are a trade-off between time for finding performance in the factory, and time for delivering that performance during pre-season testing. We believe that the decision to run the car at the second winter test is the optimum compromise for our design and development programme with F1 W03.

The Mercedes GP team will be known as the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team in 2012 the German carmaker said on Monday.

Mika Hakkinen says Kimi Raikkonen will find his return to the sport difficult because of the ban on testing.

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes becomes the world's first ever carbon-neutral
Formula 1 team

Gerhard Berger denies reports that he would return to F1 as team boss at Lotus Renault in 2012.

Right now we do have more than one option and we are trying to put the best package together for next year.

Force India's Adrian Sutil says his performance this season make things easier to negotiate his future.

Fisichella: This year, Formula 1 did not produce the expected results for Ferrari.

Lotus Renault boss Gerard Lopez on Kimi: It felt like the right thing to do to bring him here today. We decided that bringing Kimi into the team was the right decision to make.

David Coulthard believes Kimi Raikkonen will be better than ever when he returns to F1 next season.

Ferrari will continue to work with the other teams to make the current RRA

Ferrari will continue to work with the other teams to make the current RRA, Resource Restriction Agreement, aimed at controlling costs, more effective and efficient, modifying it to make it more stringent in key areas such as aerodynamics, to rebalance some aspects such as testing and to expand it to areas currently not covered such as engines.

Formula 1, like the rest of the world in fact, is currently going through a delicate period. Ferrari wants to work with all parties for the future of a sport that expresses the highest level of motor sport technology. We must return to a situation where Formula 1 is really a test bed for advanced technological research, the results of which can be transferred to Granturismo cars. In addition, we must not forget that this sport must become more user friendly and more accessible to the general public and furthermore, it cannot be the only professional sport where it is practically impossible to do any training: the number of days of testing must be increased so that the drivers, especially the young ones who lack experience and the teams, can be adequately prepared, as well as providing more opportunities for them to come into contact with spectators and sponsors.

Ferrari and Red Bull Racing is no longer part of FOTA because of the ongoing row over the Resource Restriction Agreement.

Raikkonen says he will quickly adapt to Pirelli tyres in 2012.

Tony Fernandes says renting KERS costs between 3 and $5 million per year.

Force India's driver lineup for 2012 not expected to change insider said on Friday.

Lotus Renault won't allow Kimi Raikkonen to take part in rallies while he drivers for the team after what happened to Kubica.

Caterham boss Tony Fernandes says KERS is not cost effective and should not be part of F1.

Force India's Adrian Sutil says his good result in Brazil is a nice why to finish the season.

Sutil: I’m very happy about this result, it’s nice to have a good finish, and it’s my equal best result this season. It feels great. I think it was the right time for this result and now I head into the winter break, and will enjoy my time off!

Frank Williams says his team is looking for an experienced driver to drive alongside Maldonando for 2012 and will make and announcement soon.

Williams says Valtteri Bottas will be the team's reserve driver for 2012.

Former F1 driver Gerhard Berger could join Lotus Renault for 2012 source said on Thursday.

Renault chief operating officer Carlos Tavares insists F1 is "highly profitable" for the manufacturer.

Renault team boss Eric Boullier says he was blamed for Kubica's crash because his contract allowed him to do rally.

Eric Boullier: We had a good start to the season, fastest laptime in Valencia, then the accident of Kubica, I was blamed for this – but I am sorry, I didn't sign the contract with Kubica. He could do rally, he did rally and he had a crash.

Team boss Eric Boullier says Renault will continue to strengthen its structure in order to return to the sharp end of the grid.

Marko: F1 is a marketing tool for Red Bull, which means that we permanently evaluate our input and the output of our commitment.

Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko says FOTA's core function of looking after the interests of the teams are difficult.

Toro Rosso appointed Jon Tomlinson and Luca Furbatto to strengthen its technical team for 2012.

While Ferrari will take a more aggressive approach to the 2012 F1 season, Renault/Lotus has decided to take a more conservative approach the team said.

F1 return to Mexico logical step says businessman Carlos Slim Domit.

Maldonado delighted to stay with Williams next season

Maldonado: I am delighted to be able to continue with Williams into my second season and I will give my very best to help the team as we push to return to the front of the grid. This has been a tough season for the whole team but it has given me personally the opportunity to learn and develop. I am convinced that the steps we have taken to improve our competitiveness will bear fruit in 2012 and beyond. I am thrilled to be part of that and also to represent the people of Venezuela in Formula 1.

Unconfirmed reports say Petrov has lost his Renault seat for 2012.

Webber on his way to Australia to help launch his Tasmania Challenge adventure race, which raises money for charity.

Alonso hopes for a more competitive Ferrari for the 2012 F1 season.

Pastor Maldonado to stay with Williams despite his name being missing from the 2012 entry list says Patrick Head.

The Renault team has reportedly signed a women, Maria de Villota, as reserve driver 2012.

Petrov's manager Oksana Kosachenko says the Russian driver has alternative options to Renault for 2012.

Red Bull Racing has the ingredients to win 2012 says motorsport consultant Helmut Marko.

Raikkonen: I wouldn't put my name onto a contract if I didn't think I'd really enjoy it

Nine 2012 driver slots open on FIA entry list

Red Bull Racing Renault
1 Sebastian Vettel (DEU)
2 Mark Webber (AUS)

McLaren Mercedes
3 Jenson Button (GBR)
4 Lewis Hamilton (GBR)

Ferrari
5 Fernando Alonso (ESP)
6 Felipe Massa (BRA)

Mercedes
7 Michael Schumacher (DEU)
8 Nico Rosberg (DEU)

Lotus Renault
9 Kimi Raikkonen (FIN)
10 TBA

Force India Mercedes
11 TBA
12 TBA

Sauber Ferrari
14 Kamui Kobayashi (JPN)
15 Sergio Perez Mendoza (MEX)

STR Ferrari
16 TBA
17 TBA

Williams Renault
18 TBA
19 TBA

Caterham Renault
20 Heikki Kovalainen (FIN)
21 Jarno Trulli (ITA)

HRT/TBA
22 TBA
23 TBA

Marussia Cosworth
24 Timo Glock (DEU)
25 Charles Pic (FRA)

McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh has asked Pirelli to continue to make things difficult for the teams in order to improve the show.

Honda says they won't return to F1 in 2014 when the new V6 engines are introduced.

Ecclestone has given Austin organisers another week to try and save the 2012 United States GP.

Brawn: This car we have now would have won races last year, but it is not quick enough now because of the rate of progress.

Schumacher hopes for a winning Mercedes GP car in 2012.

Mercedes GP won't make the same mistake at the beginning of a season says team boss Ross Brawn.

Ecclestone will meet with race organizers of the US GP in the next few days McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh said.

Kimi Raikkonen will need time to adapt to F1 just like Schumacher says F1 champion Vettel.

Bernie Ecclestone wants F1 to return to South Africa and Mexico in the future.

Team Lotus boss Tony Fernandes would like to see how good Heikki Kovalainen performs in a better car in 2012.

Renault team boss Eric Boullier beleives Raikkonen will deliver his best straight away.

Kimi Raikkonen will boost the Renault/Lotus team in 2012 says Jean Alesi.

Petrov's manager Oksana Kosachenko heading to Enstone to discuss the Russian's future.

Europe won't continue as F1 hub in the future with less than 5 races says Bernie Ecclestone.

Renault boss Eric Boullier: We have confirmed Kimi and we will confirm the second seat when we are ready to confirm it.

Kubica might still return to Renault along side Raikkonen later next year the team said.

The new Williams FW34 is progressing well and the team has met the performance and development targets COO Mark Gillan said.

Domenicali: The only thing I can say is that we have put down targets that are very aggressive and we work around these targets.

Ferrari has undertaken an extensive staff reshuffle to ensure a better car for 2012 team boss Stefano Domenicali said.

Ferrari's test driver Marc Gene says Red Bull Racing is more innovative and that is why they won the title.

Renault could drop team boss Eric Boullier insider said on Tuesday morning. Nothing official yet.

McLaren keen to extend Hamilton's contract which will be worth $23 million per year.

Horner expects to see a more sustained challenge in 2012 from Webber, but warned that Vettel's confidence would be sky high.

Raikkonen move to Renault could open the door for Barrichello to stay at Williams.

Kimi Räikkönen back in F1 with LRGP in 2012

Kimi Räikkönen will race for the team next season. The 2007 World Champion, who left Formula 1 at the end of 2009 to pursue a career in rallying, has decided to make a comeback at the pinnacle of single-seater racing. He has now signed a two-year agreement with Lotus Renault GP.

Kimi’s F1 roll of honour includes 18 wins, 62 podiums and 16 pole positions. This experience and success is sure to help the team make a step forward next year. The 32-year-old Finn’s commitment indeed makes for a vote of confidence in Lotus Renault GP, demonstrating the team’s determination and new philosophy for the seasons ahead.

Kimi Räikkönen: “I’m delighted to be coming back to Formula 1 after a two-year break, and I’m grateful to Lotus Renault GP for offering me this opportunity. My time in the World Rally Championship has been a useful stage in my career as a driver, but I can’t deny the fact that my hunger for F1 has recently become overwhelming. It was an easy choice to return with Lotus Renault GP as I have been impressed by the scope of the team’s ambition. Now I’m looking forward to playing an important role in pushing the team to the very front of the grid.”

Gérard Lopez, Genii Capital, Chairman: “All year long, we kept saying that our team was at the start of a brand new cycle. Backstage we’ve been working hard to build the foundations of a successful structure and to ensure that we would soon be able to fight at the highest level. Kimi’s decision to come back to Formula 1 with us is the first step of several announcements which should turn us into an even more serious contender in the future. Of course, we are all looking forward to working with a world champion. On behalf of our staff, I’d like to welcome Kimi to Enstone, a setting that has always been known for its human approach to Formula 1.”