Lewis Hamilton claims Toro Rosso drivers hindered him at Barcelona

Lewis Hamilton has accused Toro Rosso – Red Bull's sister team of slowing him down as he pursued Sebastian Vettel in the closing laps of last Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix.

Both Toro Rosso drivers, Jaime Alguersuari and Sébastien Buemi, deliberately held up Hamilton, according to the McLaren driver, who said: "They let him [Vettel] past and then they held me up for the next couple of corners. That wasn't cool. I'm surprised it happened. I have mentioned it to my team so it is for them to approach the FIA to make sure the stewards are aware of it.

"That kind of thing shouldn't happen because they are not really supposed to be a sister team are they? Often some of these backmarkers, in particular Toro Rosso, would assist with increasing the gap between us, which is interesting."

Hamilton, who had to make do with second place as he watched Vettel extend his lead in the world championship to 41 points, added: "Definitely in the last race there was some of that, all of a sudden moving in my way, causing a bigger gap.

"But it was a perfect situation for Sebastian to make sure he was let through and I wasn't. If that continues to happen then some penalties should be handed out. I just hope the stewards are wary of it, and I'm sure they'll do a great job."

Toro Rosso, which is Italian for "Red Bull", is regarded as a feeder team, developing promising young drivers for the senior outfit. As with Red Bull, they are backed by the billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz.

But Hamilton's complaint was dismissed by Red Bull's team principal, Christian Horner, who said: "Believe me, Toro Rosso drivers have often had that complaint from our own drivers as well. You only have to look at last year's race in Abu Dhabi to see what happened with Mark Webber, so absolutely not, there's no discussion between the teams.

"They operate totally independently. There are no tactics to help one or the other."

Horner was backed up by a spokesman from Toro Rosso, who said: "When it became the rule, prior to last season, that you weren't allowed to share any technical knowledge, all co-operation ceased.

"So the suggestion we would have held up any other car to favour a Red Bull is preposterous, and would never have happened."

Meanwhile, Bernie Ecclestone, Formula One's commercial rights holder, is still hopeful that the Bahrain Grand Prix, which should have opened the season in March, can be rescheduled at the end of the year.

The World Motor Sport Council is due to give its decision on the Bahrain race on 3 June, two days after a state of emergency is lifted around the Gulf kingdom.

Ecclestone met the teams in the paddock here and said: "The Crown Prince hopes everything will be fine. You know he is supportive. They are nice people there. I don't think we will have any problem.

"It's just a case of if somebody wants to get a bit of attention that would probably be a good way to do it. But I don't think from a safety point of view there is anything to worry about."

Fernando Alonso finished fastest in Thursday afternoon's practice session, ahead of Hamilton. Vettel was quickest in the slower morning run, ahead of Alonso.

Source: The Guardian

Alonso: Five teams and even a Toro Rosso

Despite Ferrari being billed as one of the favourites for this year's Championship, Fernando Alonso says we'll have to wait until Australia to know the truth

Ferrari and reigning Champions Red Bull have led the way during the first 11 days of pre-season testing, proving to have reliable and quick cars, often registering near the front of the timesheets, if not at the very front.

This has prompted many in the paddock to state that they are the favourites to win this year's World titles.

Alonso, though, reckons it's still too early to say who will be on top as there could be a few surprises.

"We will only really know where we stand compared to the others when we are in Melbourne," said the double World Champion.

"At the moment, I am happy because we proved to have a reliable car.

"If all goes to plan, we will be in the group of teams capable of fighting for the title, along with Red Bull the reigning Champions, McLaren, Mercedes and also Renault, who had already made a step forward towards the end of last season.

"Even Toro Rosso has made significant progress."

And like many of his rivals, the Spaniard believes the title could be decided by the new Pirelli tyres.

The rubber, which suffers high wear, has been one of the hot topics ahead of the new season as it promises to offer varied strategies and multiple pit stops.

"From what we have seen so far, degradation is very significant, which means we will have races with lots of pit stops," Alonso told Ferrari's website.

"I'm not keen on that because I think this increased uncertainty does not favour the strongest teams: it's as if in football, it was decided to have a penalty per team each half hour in which case Barcelona and Real Madrid would not be jumping for joy.

"However, the situation is the same for everyone: it will be important to be fastest because I don't think we can make one stop less than our main rivals."

Source: Planet-F1

The Launch of the Teams Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso 2011

Source: RedBullRacing

Two trips to Brazil for Alguersuari

Visiting the new Korean track was an interesting experience, even if I had hoped for a better result in the race. It was a long flight back on Monday, but now I’ve been at home in Barcelona for a few days, relaxing and training mainly. I’ve only done about three hours training each day, because you need to take it easy at first if you want to get over the tiredness that comes from changing time zones as often as we have done in the last few weeks.

It took me about three days before I could sleep through the night, but by keeping the physical training light, with only low heart-rate exercises, you soon get back in a rhythm. One thing I remembered while lying awake one morning was that it’s my team-mate’s birthday this Sunday, but he will have to settle for his congratulations by phone as I completely forgot to buy him anything. Maybe I can sort him out a cake with the Number 17 on!

I leave for Brazil on Monday morning and I’m looking forward to going there, as the atmosphere is always special, the people are friendly and as a music fan, you’d have to say Brazilian music is great. The track is very interesting, even if it is very hard to overtake there, but I am hoping we might have a few small upgrades on the car which will mean we can target getting some late season points. It’s a shame I won’t get much time there, as we have to leave immediately for Abu Dhabi, but I will be returning to Sao Paolo in December to take part in the karting race which Felipe Massa organises every year.

Source: Nextgen

Sutil and Buemi to drop five places on Brazil grid

Toro Rosso’s Sebastien Buemi and Force India’s Adrian Sutil have both been handed five-place grid penalties for next month’s Brazilian Grand Prix.

FIA stewards decided Buemi caused an avoidable accident when he collided with Virgin’s Timo Glock at Turn Three on Lap 30 of Sunday’s Korean race. The Swiss driver has already apologised to Glock, saying: “I braked late and locked the front wheels, so I could not turn and ended up going straight on and hitting Timo. I am sorry for him.”

Sutil, meanwhile, was given the same penalty for colliding with BMW Sauber’s Kamui Kobayashi at Turn Four on Lap 47. Sutil was additionally fined $10,000 after admitting he had been aware of brake problems throughout the Yeongam race.

The Brazilian Grand Prix will take place at Interlagos from November 5-7.

Source: Formula1.com

[Photos] DC takes RBR to the streets of Bogota, Colombia

Retired since 2008, the Scot works as an RBR/STR team consultant.

Two years after quitting F1, former Scottish driver David Coulthard has guided a F1 car. He took part of an RBR exhibition this Saturday through the streets of Bogota, Colombia.

Source: Globo
Translation from Portuguese: Fran

Red Bull to consider F1 drivers' futures - report

A meeting later this year will discuss the immediate futures of up to three Red Bull-backed F1 drivers.

The Swiss newspaper Blick said Toro Rosso's Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari, as well as the main Red Bull team's Mark Webber, will be the subject of discussion between Helmut Marko and Dietrich Mateschitz in the autumn.

The report said that even though Buemi, 21, is highly regarded by team boss Franz Tost - while the youngster Alguersuari showed great improvement in Malaysia last weekend - their futures are not guaranteed.

It is believed that Red Bull consider the Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who is Red Bull Racing's reserve driver this year, is ready to step into a race seat.

Asked if he expects to keep scoring points now that he has broken his 11-race drought, Spaniard Alguersuari said after Malaysia: "Definitely.

"There is still a lot to come from my side. I am expecting a lot for the second half of the season."

Team boss Tost told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport: "Alguersuari is three to five tenths slower than Buemi. For him (Alguersuari), the majority of the circuits are still new.

"But we can see him coming slowly closer to Buemi."

Source: Motorsport

Alguersuari wishes for Red Bull Racing switch

Jaime Alguersuari has admitted he would happily accept an offer to switch to Red Bull Racing.

The Spanish teenager, who made his debut last year and in 2010 begins his first full formula one season, drives for Red Bull mogul Dietrich Mateschitz's second team, the Faenza-based Toro Rosso.

When asked by El Mundo Deportivo newspaper about his goals for this year, 19-year-old Alguersuari answered: "To do things well and to be an asset for Toro Rosso for next year.

"What I really wish is to make the jump to Red Bull, which is a very competitive team that wins races. That is the goal, as of course it also is for my teammate Sebastien Buemi," added Alguersuari.

Source: F1 Complete

Alguersuari backs Vettel/Red Bull for title

Jaime Alguersuari does not think Mercedes is among the contenders for the 2010 world championship.

The German team, formerly the 2009 title-winning Brawn GP outfit, has signed seven time world champion Michael Schumacher and is regularly listed among the season favourites Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren.

But Toro Rosso driver Alguersuari said in the Spanish press: "Mercedes are in the second group, along with us, Williams and Sauber."

Force India's Tonio Liuzzi agrees.

"For sure McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari are the favourite, and I think they will fight for the championship," the Italian said in an interview with 422race.com.

Schumacher's 2010 teammate Nico Rosberg was third quickest in the W01 car at Barcelona on Thursday, about a second off the impressive pace of Mark Webber's Red Bull.

But he said Mercedes is not currently looking to set headline lap times.

"It's such a big step we're bringing to Bahrain it could change things again. So it's not ideal to make any suggestions at the moment," said the German, also referring to a new rear diffuser that will make its debut at the first race.

But teenager Alguersuari, who drives for the energy drinks company's sister team, thinks Red Bull Racing is leading the pack.

"If I had to choose one (title favourite) I would say Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel."

Source: F1 Complete

Jerez: Kamui on top as Button brings it to a close

A late charge from Kamui Kobayashi saw the Sauber driver steal the honours at Jerez while Jenson Button continued the latest trend of ending session five minutes early with a red flag.

Despite some concerns in the morning that the rain, which caused havoc to the teams' programmes on Wednesday, could again come down, only a few drops fell, leaving the drivers a dry track on which to test.

Buemi made the most of the conditions as the Toro Rosso driver posted a 1:20.026, the fastest lap time of the week, to top the timesheets ahead of Button.

It was an impressive showing from the Swiss driver as it wasn't just a one-off lap, he managed a few, each quicker than the other, to keep Button's challenge at bay.

And while it appeared as if Buemi would finish the day at the top of the timesheets, an extremely late charge from Sauber's Kobayashi had the Japanese rookie taking the honour.

While all eyes were fixed on Button's stricken McLaren, which had stopped out at Turn Six for as yet undisclosed reason bringing the session to an end five minutes ahead of schedule, Kobayashi crossed the line, the first driver to break into the 1:19s.

The Sauber rookie recorded a 1:19.950 to pip Buemi by 0.076s.

Button was therefore knocked down to third place while Nico Hulkenberg, whose running was cut short in the morning with a hydraulic problem, finished fourth place, ahead of Tonio Luizzi.

Michael Schumacher, who took over from Nico Rosberg for Thursday's action, finished in sixth place with a 1:21.304. However, the Mercedes driver was not concentrating on low-fuel qualifying stints.

Instead, Schumacher conducted a long run in the afternoon, completing 35 laps in one stint, during which the German was lapping in the late 1:24s.

Schumacher wasn't the only driver putting in long runs as Fernando Alonso, who finished seventh on the timesheets, put together a run of almost 50 laps.

And although the Spaniard finished behind Schumacher on the timesheets, he was quicker than the German on his long runs, lapping in the 1:23s and early 1:24s

Robert Kubica, who was called up to replace Vitaly Petrov as Renault wanted their lead driver in action on what many believe will be the only dry day of testing for the week, was eighth overall ahead of the morning's early pace-setter, Mark Webber.

Timo Glock completed the timesheets in tenth place, almost ten seconds off the pace. The German, though, only amassed 11 laps before a problem with the mounting of his front wing saw it fall off onto the track during the morning session.

Unfortunately for Glock and his Virgin team, a lack of parts meant they were forced to sit out the remainder of the day. "We're missing one or two spare parts which will hopefully arrive this evening, so we won't be able to run for the rest of the day," said tech boss Nick Wirth.

Unofficial Times

1. K. Kobayashi Sauber C29 1:19.950 103 laps
2. S. Buemi Toro Rosso STR5 1:20.026 +0.076 121 laps
3. J. Button McLaren MP4-25 1:20.618 +0.668 83 laps
4. N. Hülkenberg Williams FW32 1:20.629 +0.679 67 laps
5. V. Liuzzi Force India VJM-03 1:20.754 +0.804 80 laps
6. M. Schumacher Mercedes GP W01 1:21.083 +1.133 124 laps
7. F. Alonso Ferrari F10 1:21.424 +1.474 129 laps
8. R. Kubica Renault R30 1:22.003 +2.053 103 laps
9. M. Webber Red Bull Racing RB6 1:22.043 +2.093 99 laps
10. T. Glock Virgin Racing VR-01 1:29.964 +10.014 11 laps

Source: Planet-F1

Photos from Valencia - Day 3

More here

Photos from Valencia testing

Massa back on track as testing kicks off

Felipe Massa has returned to the cockpit of a competitive Formula One car for the first time in six months.

Massa was among the first of the drivers on track on the opening day of the first F1 test of the season at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia.

The Ferrari driver required life-saving surgery after an accident in qualifying at the Hungarian Grand Prix last July. The 28-year-old Brazilian, who now has a metal plate inside his skull to repair the fracture he sustained in the crash, has since made a superb recovery.

Although Massa has driven karts, and most recently a 2008-spec Ferrari in a private test in Barcelona, the moment he pulled out of the garage in the new F10 was his most significant since the smash.

Massa was joined on track by McLaren test driver Gary Paffett, Sauber's Pedro de la Rosa, Robert Kubica in his Renault, Rubens Barrichello for Williams, Toro Rosso's Sebastien Buemi and Nico Rosberg in the new Mercedes.

It is the first time a works Mercedes has been seen on a circuit since Juan Manuel Fangio won the Drivers' title for the team in 1955.

Mercedes now have a 75% stake in last year's Championship-winning team Brawn GP, with Michael Schumacher coaxed out of retirement to form an all-German line-up with Rosberg.

After a hiatus of more than three years, the seven-time World Champion is scheduled to make his return to action in the afternoon session.

Source: Planet F1

New Mercedes, Toro Rosso & Williams break cover as testing starts

As 2010’s first pre-season test began at Valencia on Monday morning, fans got their first glimpse of the Mercedes GP MGP W01, the Toro Rosso STR5 and the Williams FW32, with the three teams launching their new cars at the Spanish circuit.

Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg unveiled Mercedes’ challenger, in its silver and green livery, while Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari were on hand as the wraps came off Toro Rosso’s Ferrari-powered machine. Williams, meanwhile, chose to hit the track with little pomp or ceremony, Rubens Barrichello giving their Cosworth-powered design its official debut.

Rosberg will be first to sample the W01, the first car produced by Mercedes following their takeover of Brawn GP late last year, before returning seven-time champion Schumacher takes over the car later in the day.

Toro Rosso, with their unchanged driver line-up, hope the STR5 will move them up the grid after the Red Bull-owned team’s tenth-place finish in the 2009 constructors’ championship. Williams, who will field reigning GP2 champion Nico Hulkenberg alongside Barrichello, are out to improve on their seventh place of last year.

Source: Formula1.com