Vettel: Not a big disappointment

Although Sebastian Vettel's run of pole positions came to an end in Barcelona, the reigning World Champion insists it's not a "big disappointment."

Arriving in Spain, Vettel had a four-nothing record in qualifying for the season, however, his impressive run came to an end when his team-mate Mark Webber pipped him to the coveted grid slot by 0.200s.

The German insists that being dethroned is not a massive loss as he is still on the front row, and has an extra set of soft tyres available to him for Sunday's 66-lap race.

"I don't think we can speak of big disappointment," said Vettel.

"At the end of the day we made a good step forward and Barcelona is usually a place where you bring lots of parts, and find out they work.

"In Q1 I didn't get into the rhythm immediately but made it on prime tyres, in Q2 I felt happier on the soft compound and in last qualifying I lost a little bit too much, wasn't happy with my lap.

"We had some problems and Mark did a good job. It was between us, he did a better job today. Tomorrow is a long race, we saved a set of tyres - as did the top three and Jenson (Button) - we will see what we can do tomorrow."

But while Vettel may have qualified in second place, Red Bull's Achilles Heel was once again present in Spain as the German lacked KERS for the better part of qualifying.

However, he says that's not the reason he lost to his team-mate and expects Red Bull will have the issue resolved before the race gets underway.

"I didn't use KERS in Q2 and Q3, but it's not right to say I didn't have KERS and Mark got pole - he deserved pole.

"I am not afraid in the race, in the race I think we will be on top of it again. In the end it seems to be an endless story.

"The guys are pushing very hard, we did an exceptional job. Today we have proved our car has become quicker, we had a quick base but we made it even quicker - so big compliments to the aero guys."

Source: Planet-F1

Red Bull Ring (A1-Ring) opening festivities

Last weekend was the official (re)opening of the Red Bull Ring - a race track in Spielberg, Austria, steeped in Formula One history. The opening attracted a variety of different racers as well as past and present greats from the motor sports scene. Take a look at the unveiling and find out what Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber, Christian Horner and Adrian Newey think about it...



Source: NextgenAuto

Red Bull Ring opening attracts F1 stars

As we gear up for the launch of the F1-spec Red Bull Ring in Austria, we break down the state-of-the-art circuit to its component parts…

While there’s no Grand Prix this weekend, both Red Bull Racing F1 drivers will be at on track – at the opening of the new F1-spec Red Bull Ring in Austria.

On Sunday Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber, along with Christian Horner and Adrian Newey will be in Spielberg at the former Österreichring for its grand unveiling.

At the event (it’s free to attend if you’re in the area) there will be a display from a Red Bull Racing car together with historic Formula One cars and The Flying Bulls, the historical aero display team.

Red Bull has taken the historic track and revamped and upgraded it to include a vehicle dynamics facility, off-road area and go-kart track, as well as two hotels and a country club.

The circuit which has seen its fair share of great races and a certain amount of controversy was dropped from the Formula One calendar in 2003. With the Red Bull Ring, the myths and legends of this racetrack will continue to exist to captivate motorsport enthusiasts now and in the future.

Österreichring/Red Bull Ring Historical Timeline

■1969 Opening of the Österreichring
■1970 More than 100,000 spectators cheer on Jochen Rindt at his home grand prix. A few weeks later he tragically dies in Monza
■1984 Niki Lauda wins his home grand prix
■1987 Austria is dropped from the Formula One calendar
■1996 Opening of the A1-Ring Austria
■1997 Formula One returns to the new A1-Ring
■2002 Team order at Ferrari: Rubens Barrichello let Schumacher overtake him, and Michael won the race. Some fans and pundits not impressed
■2003 Michael Schumacher wins the last F1 Grand Prix at the A1-Ring
■2011 The Red Bull Ring opens on May 15

Opening Day Programme

■Freestyle motocross show
■Flight show, Flying Bulls & Hannes Arch
■Historic Formula 1 race
■Static presentation Canadian American Challenge Cup
■Red Bull Racing & Toro Rosso Formula 1 teams
■Formula 1 stars from the past to the present
■Live music at the Red Bull Brandwagen

Source: YallaF1

Sebastian Vettel's Dream Team

Source: AlessaFainello

Video: Press Conference with Top three drivers after Turkish Grand Prix 2011

Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber and Fernando Alonso give their thoughts on an enthralling Turkish Grand Prix



Source: FiftyBuckss

Video: Press Conference with Top three drivers after Qualifying at Turkish GP 2011

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber and Mercedes' Nico Rosberg give their reactions after finishing in the top three positions after qualifying for the Turkish Grand Prix



Source: FiftyBuckss

Coming soon... The RB7

Source: RED BULL RACING

Briatore: Webber should have shut it

Flavio Briatore says Mark Webber should have kept his mouth shut about his injury - or he should have told the team immediately

Webber competed in the final four races of last year's Championship with a fractured shoulder, which he sustained in a cycling accident. However, the Aussie didn't tell his Red Bull team about the injury.

In fact, Red Bull knew nothing about it until Webber revealed all in a book released in December. Naturally, the team was not very happy about that.

Briatore, though, reckons Webber should have kept it a secret.

"It would have been better had he not revealed that," the former Renault team boss told the Gazzetta dello Sport. "Otherwise he should have said that immediately."

The Italian added that in his opinion the injury did not cost Webber the 2010 Drivers' Championship title.

"He didn't lose the title because of that, but because of the mistake in Korea. Otherwise he would have won it."

As for this year's Championship battle, Briatore believes it's too early to say whether Ferrari and Fernando Alonso, who had a strong finish to last year's title race, are the favourites.

However, he does expect the Spaniard to be involved in a four-way battle with reigning World Champ Sebastian Vettel, Webber and Lewis Hamilton.

"It's early to say," he said when asked if Ferrari were the favourites for 2011.

"I expect Red Bull to still be strong and McLaren to be competitive once again. I see a four-way battle: Vettel, Webber, Alonso and Hamilton.

"Fernando is motivated, and Ferrari wants to give him a winning car from the start, without the need of chasing the others. That's what he wants and deserves."

He added: "Alonso has the resources to win the title in 2011."

Source: Planet-F1

Red Bull’s RB7 unveiling on 1 February

Red Bull Racing have announced that their 2011 car will be launched on Tuesday, 1 February at Valencia on the opening day of the first all team test session at the circuit in Spain.

The reigning World Champion team announced that the Adrian Newey designed RB7 will be uncovered by Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, as in previous years a no frills unveiling, in the Circuito Ricardo Tormo pit lane shortly before testing action begins on track.

Newey said of his new creation, “It (the 2011 RB7) is a further evolution of the current series. The DNA of the car is the same. The (2010) RB6 was basically an evolution of the last car; one basically turned into the next.”

Earlier this month reports circulated suggesting that the team were facing a race against time to make the first official test with their new car.

Source: YallaF1.com

Red Bull’s Mark Webber drives past Thai fans

In Thailand this weekend Mark Webber drove the Running Showcar in front of the largest crowd the team has ever performed before.

Having visited the Thai King on Friday, Webber raced the Showcar down Rajdamnoen Avenue on Saturday in front of more than 150,000 people as part of the celebrations for His Majesty the King’s 84th birthday.

After the runs, Mark took a more leisurely drive along the route waving the Thai flag, acknowledging the Red Bull links with the country.

Also on offer for the spectators were a jazz session to honour the monarch and a parade lead by Mark and Thailand’s top actresses "Aum" Patcharapa Chaichua and "Ploy" Chermarn Boonyasak, followed by a show by Red Bull Drift Team Thailand, led by ’Kiki’ Sak Nana.

The Showcar was displayed at Bangkok’s Central Chidlom’s Morakot after the day’s action.

Source: NextgenAuto

[Video] Red Bull Team at Sport un Talk aus dem Hangar-7 ( Full Version)

Source: Servus TV

BBC F1 2010 - Sebastian Vettel resolved differences with Mark Webber

Source: FiftyBuckss

F1 - 2010 Red Bull Racing season review with Vettel, Webber and Horner

Source: NextegenAutoVideos

Red Bull Team at Sport un Talk aus dem Hangar-7

Today at Servus TV Vettel, Webber, Horner, Newey, Berger, Lauda, Coulthard

Source: Servus TV

Lew: Alonso has the wax factor

LEWIS HAMILTON reckons Fernando Alonso has proved he is tough enough to be world champ again - by having his legs WAXED!

The Ferrari ace stunned rivals by his appearance at the Yas Marina track.

Hamilton, 25, admitted: "I'm surprised how he was able to take the pain.

"We noticed as we were walking in, Mark Webber was asking how far has it gone up.

"I was like 'Wow, they are shiny.' I'm impressed he can do that - that shows his mental state.

"But I think he has shown over the years how solid he is mentally. You ask him questions about Germany and he just doesn't care."

Alonso gained seven points on his rivals after Ferrari cheated and ordered Felipe Massa to hand him victory at Hockenheim earlier this season.

And the defiant Spaniard dismissed claims he will be a tainted champion if he claims his third drivers' crown on Sunday - but finishes fewer than seven points ahead of the rest.

Alonso, 29, said: "I think winning by seven, or one or 25 points is a less important thing in my mind right now. People who do not understand F1 forget that it is about the team."

Alonso goes into the desert showdown leading Webber by eight points with Webber's Red Bull team-mate Sebastian Vettel seven points further back.

The two-time champ will clinch the title in his first season with Ferrari if he finishes in the top two - whatever his rivals do.

Alonso knows that Red Bull could use team orders to stop him winning the title.

And Vettel has given the broadest hint he will move over for Webber if his own title hopes are over.

The German, 23, said: "If the situation occurs, we know we are driving for the team."

Source: The Sun

Vettel, not Webber, to do Pirelli tyre test

Mark Webber will not be testing Pirelli's 2011 tyres in Abu Dhabi late next week.

But Red Bull boss Christian Horner denied the news is a sign the Australian's disparaging comments in Brazil, and ensuing rumours that Webber will be leaving the team, had motivated the decision.

Instead, the fact that only Sebastian Vettel will be testing the new tyres for Red Bull next week was taken "six weeks ago", Horner insisted.

It emerged on Thursday that neither of McLaren's race drivers will be doing the Pirelli test.

But at Mercedes, Nico Rosberg will be equally sharing track time on the new tyres with his teammate Michael Schumacher.

"It is an important test because there is a lot to learn in a short time," Rosberg is quoted in Abu Dhabi by Turun Sanomat.

"The new tyres will have a different behaviour that must be learned, like braking points and perhaps a different driving style," added the German.

Source: Motorsport

Brazilian GP: Vettel wins as Bulls dominate

Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber claimed yet another 1-2 as Red Bull won the Constructors' title in Brazil, Fernando Alonso's lead in the Drivers' was cut and Jenson Button dropped out

Vettel and his team-mate were quick to overtake pole-sitter Nico Hulkenberg and storm into the lead as the Williams rookie caused problems for Alonso and Hamilton. While Alonso finally got by him out on track, Hamilton had to wait until the German pitted - and all the time the two Bulls were pulling away at a rate of knots.

There was an interesting move in the mid-field as Jenson Button pitted on lap 12 - the very first man in. His stop sparked a move from others and it quickly became apparant that McLaren had made a good call as those pitting after Button, including Hulkenberg, Kubica, Barrichello and Massa all lined up behind the reigning World Champ out on track.

When the pit stops, which ranged from lap 12 to lap 28, finally played out, Vettel was leading by 2.7s over Webber with Alonso a further 10s adrift. Hamilton and Button were next in line. The race was rather stagnent from there, promising so much but delivering so little. At least until lap 51.

Drama unfold as Tonio Liuzzi suffered a huge shunt bringing out the Safety Car. McLaren was the only one of big teams to bring their title rivals in for fresh rubber with the two Bulls and Alonso staying out.

But when the race re-started on lap 56, F1 fans still did not get the battle they wanted as although second in the race, Webber had two cars between himself and Vettel on the track at the re-start - and they didn't exactly get out of the way all that fast. This allowed Vettel to easily pull away without any pressure. Alonso, Hamilton and Button also had to fight backmarker traffic which nullified the potential tussle we could have had for the lead.

Pity for F1.

The race ended with Vettel taking the chequered flag ahead of Webber, Alonso, Hamilton and Button. It also ended with Red Bull winning the Constructors' Championship, Alonso's lead in the Drivers' cut to eight, Hamilton's hopes hanging by a thread and Button out of the title race.

Results:

01. Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1h33:11.803
02. Webber Red Bull-Renault + 4.243
03. Alonso Ferrari + 6.807
04. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes + 14.634
05. Button McLaren-Mercedes + 15.593
06. Rosberg Mercedes + 35.300
07. Schumacher Mercedes + 43.400
08. Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth + 1 lap
09. Kubica Renault + 1 lap
10. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari + 1 lap
11. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1 lap
12. Sutil Force India-Mercedes + 1 lap
13. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1 lap
14. Massa Ferrari + 1 lap
15. Petrov Renault + 1 lap
16. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth + 1 lap
17. Heidfeld Sauber-Ferrari + 1 lap
18. Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth + 2 laps
19. Trulli Lotus-Cosworth + 2 laps
20. Glock Virgin-Cosworth + 2 laps
21. Senna HRT-Cosworth + 2 laps
22. Klien HRT-Cosworth + 6 laps

Did Not Finish
Di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 63
Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 50

Source: Planet-F1

Webber not worried teammate Vettel is ’superstar’

Mark Webber insists he is not concerned that it is Sebastian Vettel, and not himself, who is regarded as the star of the Red Bull team.

Australian Webber is better placed in the points standings than his German colleague Vettel, but team figures are insisting upon a situation of driver equality for the remaining two races of 2010.

Experts believe the situation is a reflection of the fact that it is 23-year-old Vettel who is the darling of the Austrian team.

"It doesn’t bother me at all," Webber said in an interview with the Italian magazine Autosprint.

"I am 34 years old and I think it’s great that I’m still at the top level and as competitive as I am," he added.

"If I was ten years younger and was getting the same results, I’m sure you’d all think I’m the superstar.

"I think the only difference is that Vettel is young. I don’t really see him working any differently than, say, Heikki (Kovalainen) at Lotus," said Webber.

"I think the best way to judge someone is to consider the consistency of their results," he added.

Source: Nextgen Auto

Interview with Jenson Button after Qualifying at Korean GP 2010

Source: washcloud

Practice Two: Webber set the pace

Championship leader Mark Webber was the man to beat in Korea on Friday as he topped the timesheets in Practice Two

In a session that saw Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes GP all take a turn at the front of the pack, it was Webber was ultimately triumphed with his 1:37.942.

The Aussie finished ahead of his title rivals Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton while Robert Kubica showed an impressive turn of pace to take fourth place ahead of Jenson Button, Felipe Massa and Sebastian Vettel.

Report: With the track temperature sitting at 35'C, the second practice in Korea got underway with a mad flurry as the drivers were quickly out for their installation laps. Jaime Algursuari stayed out for the first timed lap of the afternoon, a 1:49.539. With more drivers setting times, Lewis Hamilton went quickest, then Sebastien Buemi and then Alguersuari again before Hamilton returned to the P1 slot with a 1:42.064. Nico Hulkenberg slotted into second place and Robert Kubica fourth.

Kamui Kobayashi demonstrated the lack of grip, running wide as did Alguersuari. Felipe Massa joined the list of those running off the track while Adrian Sutil kicked up dirt as he cut the corner.

Vitaly Petrov took control at the top but his reign was short-lived as Jenson Button stormed to the front before Fernando Alonso overhauled him with a 1:41.153. Hamilton joined the list of those kicking up dirt as Alonso lowered the benchmark to a 1:40.167. Nico Rosberg took second place with Rubens Barrichello third ahead of Felipe Massa, Michael Schumacher, Kubica, Button and Petrov.

Hamilton was the next to lead the way, 0.019s up on Alonso's best. Mark Webber improved to third place. Sakon Yamamoto brought out the red flags as he spun his Hispania exiting Turn 16. The session resumed six minutes later after the marshals pushed Yamamoto's car off the track.

Schumacher took over from Hamilton at the front, crossing the line with a 1:40.009. Button overhauled the seven-time World Champ by 0.003s and upon his return to the pits, McLaren had to use the fire extinguishers on his rear brakes. The Brit's time was soon topped by Vettel, who clocked a 1:39.204.

With 30 minutes remaining in the session, Webber led the way ahead of Hamilton, Vettel, Schumacher, Button, Alonso, Heidfeld and Kubica while Bruno Senna was the only driver yet to set a time as his Hispania team continued work on his HRT.

Webber lost out to Hamilton as the McLaren driver posted a 1:38.279. Felipe Massa shot up the order, taking third place ahead of his Ferrari team-mate before improving to second, 0.541s down on Hamilton. Alonso climbed to second place with Kubica taking third as the Renault driver continued to impress at the new Korean track.

Alonso continued lapping, taking the P1 slot with a 1:38.132. Moments later, while pushing hard, Webber put his RB6 into a massive spin after losing the rear of his car before hitting the dirt at Turn 11. Back out on track, Webber went quickest with a 1:37.942. Button slotted in to fifth place. Tonio Liuzzi's session came to a premature end as he parked his Force India at Turn 16.

Senna finally ventured out with two minutes on the clock to post his one and only lap time of the afternoon, a 1:46.649, over eight seconds slower than P1 holder Webber.

Times
01. Webber Red Bull-Renault 1:37.942 23 laps
02. Alonso Ferrari 1:38.132 + 0.190 30 laps
03. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:38.279 + 0.337 29 laps
04. Kubica Renault 1:38.718 + 0.776 29 laps
05. Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:38.726 + 0.784 19 laps
06. Massa Ferrari 1:38.820 + 0.878 32 laps
07. Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1:39.204 + 1.262 22 laps
08. Petrov Renault 1:39.267 + 1.325 28 laps
09. Rosberg Mercedes 1:39.268 + 1.326 29 laps
10. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1:39.564 + 1.622 26 laps
11. Heidfeld Sauber-Ferrari 1:39.588 + 1.646 25 laps
12. Schumacher Mercedes 1:39.598 + 1.656 26 laps
13. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1:39.812 + 1.870 35 laps
14. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1:39.881 + 1.939 27 laps
15. Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:39.971 + 2.029 22 laps
16. Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth 1:40.478 + 2.536 30 laps
17. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:40.578 + 2.636 29 laps
18. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:40.896 + 2.954 32 laps
19. Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth 1:42.773 + 4.831 29 laps
20. Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 1:42.801 + 4.859 19 laps
21. Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1:43.115 + 5.173 26 laps
22. di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 1:44.039 + 6.097 29 laps
23. Yamamoto HRT-Cosworth 1:45.166 + 7.224 19 laps
24. Senna HRT-Cosworth 1:46.649 + 8.707 3 laps

Source: Planet-F1