Jerez: Rubens is comfortably quickest

Rubens Barrichello gave Williams a welcome boost on Sunday as he clocked the fastest time at Jerez - not only for the day, but also the week

Barrichello, whose Williams team have had an on-going fight with their KERS unit over the course of the four-day test, clocked a 1:19.832 early on Sunday morning to set the benchmark time for the day.

His time proved to be unbeatable and with heavy rain falling late in the afternoon, any attempts at a final run for the P1 time were put to rest.

But despite being exceptionally quick, half a second up on the week's previous best time set by Michael Schumacher on Friday, the Brazilian's day was not without problems as he brought out the red flags an hour before the close of play when he stopped between Turns Five and Six.

His P1 time was also a one-off as immediately after setting it, Barrichello's times dropped by almost one-and-a-half seconds.

Second place on Sunday went to Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi, who was 0.769s off the pace. He too had a few problems, spinning his C30 off the track and into the gravel during the morning session.

Fernando Alonso, who yet again was the busiest driver on track in his F150th Italia, claimed third place, 1.242s behind Barrichello as he worked on short runs during the morning session. Ferrari later swapped to long-distance heavy-fuel runs in the afternoon.

Sebastien Buemi showed promise in his Toro Rosso STR6, bringing the car home in fourth place while F1 was taken on a walk down memory lane as Bruno Senna stepped into the Lotus Renault R31 for the final day at Jerez.

The nephew of the late Ayrton Senna has been signed as a test driver for the team for this year's Championship and was given the chance to show what he can do. Lotus Renault spent the past two days evaluating Nick Heidfeld and Senna to see who will fill in for the injured Robert Kubica.

Senna brought his car home in fifth place, with a 1:21.400, which was 1.568s slower than the P1 time. But, perhaps more importantly, he brought the car home without any major mistakes and with only one spin, which he managed to keep off the gravel and away from the barriers.

Team Lotus will be happy to see Heikki Kovalainen finish in sixth place despite a water leak, beating the Mercedes GP of Nico Rosberg. The latter's day, though, was once again problematic as a rather frustrated Rosberg broke down on track during the morning's session.

Reigning World Champ Sebastian Vettel was next in line, ahead of the McLaren of Jenson Button. Both teams won't be worried about their apparent lack of pace as it must be noted that times were not what they were seeking as they focused mainly on long-distance runs.

Jerome D'Ambrosio, who spun in the gravel to bring out the day's first red flag, and Paul di Resta, who spun at the same place as the Belgian to bring out the day's last stoppage, completed the timesheets.

And for those wondering, some of the drivers did opt to put in a few laps in the rain late in the day using the intermediate Pirelli tyres. Buemi clocked a 1:36 and a 1:35, Alonso a 1:38 and a 1:40 while Rosberg and Barrichello both did 1:42s.

The next pre-season test is scheduled for Barcelona, beginning on 18 February.

Times
01. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1:19.832 103 laps
02. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1:20.601 + 0.769 86 laps
03. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:21.074 + 1.242 115 laps
04. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:21.213 + 1.381 90 laps
05. Bruno Senna Lotus Renault 1:21.400 + 1.568 68 laps
06. Heikki Kovalainen Team Lotus 1:21.632 + 1.800 43 laps
07. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:22.103 + 2.271 45 laps
08. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1:22.222 + 2.39 90 laps
09. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:22.278 + 2.446 70 laps
10. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1:22.985 + 3.153 45 laps
11. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1:23.111 + 3.279 99 laps

Source: Planet-F1

Photos: Williams FW33 launch 2011

Williams FW33 launch today!

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Williams unveils FW33 interim colours

In a recent interview, Rubens Barrichello described this year’s Williams-Cosworth FW33 as “aggressive”. It’s a sentiment shared by technical director Sam Michael, who talks today about the team’s 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship entry, the Williams Cosworth FW33, as it makes its track debut in Valencia this morning.

“Until you start testing,” says Sam, “you’re never sure how you’re going to stack up against the opposition, but we’re optimistic. We think this is a good car, but we’ll have a better overall picture in a few weeks time.”

New rules, which were only confirmed by the FIA’s World Motorsport Council in June 2010, compelled Williams F1’s technical team to take an innovative approach to its new car. The ban on double diffusers and the F-duct forced the aerodynamicists to seek new downforce solutions; KERS had to be incorporated into the layout and the team had to prepare for the arrival of a new tyre supplier, Pirelli, for the first time in five years.

“The design of this year’s car has been pretty smooth,” continues Sam. “We’ve improved our way of working by increasing the communication between the mechanical and aerodynamic departments, and that improved our decision making processes. It allowed us to increase the optimisation time spent on each part of the car.”

The car seen at today’s Valencia test is the first iteration of the FW33. This ‘launch spec’ will be replaced by an aero upgrade at the first race in Bahrain and there will be many others during the course of the year.

Sam Michael and his technical team expect aerodynamic performance to reach the same levels as 2010, despite there being less aero freedom in the rules.

Source: Nextgen

Williams and Ferrari used Toyota wind tunnels

Two teams have recently utilised the facilities of the departed formula one team Toyota, it has emerged.

The German-language Speed Week said Cologne based Toyota Motorsport GmbH, whose impressive facility including two wind tunnels is available for external parties to hire, has counted Williams and Toyota among its latest clients.

The report said Ferrari has confirmed that some of the development of Ferrari’s new F150 car was done after booking time in the Toyota tunnels.

Technical director Aldo Costa has reportedly confirmed that Ferrari turned to Toyota due to the cost-cutting limitations placed on staff and wind tunnel time.

Williams, meanwhile, has two wind tunnels of its own at its Grove headquarters, but Speed Week said the British team "has developed parts for its new car at Toyota".

The report said as many as six other teams will also use the Toyota facilities.

Source: Motorsport

Barrichello seat still not secure

Rubens Barrichello says he hopes to stay with the Williams team in 2011 amid reports his seat at the team is far from secure.

The veteran of over 300 grands prix said last month that he was '100 per cent' certain that he would be with the team next year but now it appears that both Barrichello and team-mate Nico Hulkenberg have an equal chance of being replaced, most probably by Venezuelan pay-driver Pastor Maldonado.

"I've done a good job this year and I'm focused on the car for next year, so I'm hoping to stay," said Barrichello in a Portuguese interview with Reuters.

GP2 champion Maldonado carries a reported US $15 million of sponsorship from state-owned petroleum company PDVSA, making him an extremely attractive proposition to the Grove based team who are set to lose a number of sponsors including RBS.

And a recent report in Auto Motor und Sport reveals that the Oxfordshire based team does not intend to confirm either Hulkenberg or Barrichello until the winter period.

When asked on Thursday if a deal is in place to keep him, Barrichello said: "That's something you will have to ask Williams."

Doubts into Barrichello's future at the team were raised when engineering boss Patrick Head said Hulkenberg had performed well enough in 2010 to keep his seat.

"I think Nico has done enough, both before he entered F1 and since being in F1, to support the view that he is a justified driver," commented Head in Korea.

Source: ESPNF1

Williams hints at Hulkenberg stay

Nico Hulkenberg could be set for a shock stay at Williams after Sir Frank Williams, the team principal, hailed the young German driver.

Hulkenberg's drive at Williams was thought to be under severe threat given his performance this season - 18 points from 17 races.

GP2 champion Pastor Maldonado, who Williams will run at the end-of-season young drivers' test in Abu Dhabi, has been mooted as a replacement for Hulkenberg.

But Sir Frank's quotes have boosted his chances of retaining his drive. "It was a little disappointing, maybe, in the first few races, perhaps because he was being over-cautious," he told BBC Sport. "But lately he has become very competitive and we have just seen the beginning of something exceptional.

"We do hope [he will remain in F1]. He won all the way up to Formula 3 and GP2, he has won every single championship and in the right team, hopefully us one day, he will win the world championship as well in Formula 1."

Although Williams have yet to make an announcement on their drivers for next season, it is widely assumed that Rubens Barrichello's place is not at risk - and that supposition has been lent some weight by Sir Frank.

"He has enormous experience," he said. "He is now, without doubt, the most experienced driver in the pit lane and he does demonstrate that very frequently.

"His technique is very understated, he's a very smooth driver. He likes to be mollycoddled emotionally a little bit, and he likes being told how good he is, but we don't have any problem in telling him, we believe strongly in him.

"He's good fun and very experienced and that is a great value to any team."

Source: ESPNF1

Barrichello poised for 300th Formula 1 race

Rubens Barrichello will make history this weekend by becoming the first driver in Formula 1 to hit his third century of Grand Prix starts. Having begun the adventure for Jordan in the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami, the Brazilian now returns to a circuit on which his first pole position arrived one year later.

Mastering the wet conditions in a topsy-turvy qualifying session at Spa 16 years ago, Barrichello qualified in front of Michael Schumacher’s Benetton and Damon Hill’s Williams; and it is Williams with whom the Paulista hits this significant milestone.

“Spa is a great racing circuit,” he said on Tuesday. “I took my first pole there and have won at Spa while racing in the lower categories, so I’m looking forward to it.

"It’s always a challenging track and I imagine it will be even more so now that we are carrying full tanks.

“It can be quite tricky in terms of car setup because it’s so long and you need to have a car fast enough to take on corners like La Source and Eau Rouge. It really all depends on the aero efficiency of the car as to what your lap time is. Drivers tend to go for quite different downforce levels at Spa, so there’s always opportunities to overtake.

“This race will be my 300th in Formula 1. I feel very privileged to have been in the sport for such a long time and it feels great to reach this milestone. I still think I am at the top of my game and plan to continue being competitive long past my 300th GP!”

Source: GP Update

Rosberg: This is a disaster

It is going from bad to worse for Mercedes GP as Nico Rosberg has labelled the team's 2010 car a "disaster."

Switching from Williams to Mercedes GP at the end of last season, many expected Rosberg to be up there fighting for pole positions and even his first race victory.

But it was not to be.

Although he achieved two podium results in Malaysia and China, the German's results have subsequently slumped, although by no means as badly as his team-mate Michael Schumacher's.

With just 25 points in the last five grands prix, Rosberg has fallen to seventh in the Drivers' standings and there is little sign that things are coming right as the team suffered their race the last time out in Europe.

And Mercedes GP's fall from the top - the team having won the World titles under the Brawn GP banner in 2009 - has left Rosberg rather frustrated with his W01.

"This is a disaster," he told the Cologne Express.

"The problem with the tyres is well known within the team. For weeks, we have said we would move forward but nothing happened - in fact it we're going backwards."

Adding insult to injury, Rosberg also found himself trailing his former team Williams in the Europe GP.

"If you start in twelfth behind both Williams, who were nowhere weeks ago, what can you expect from there? I went from Williams to Mercedes because I thought I'd have a car capable of winning."

Meanwhile, team boss Ross Brawn admitted that time is running out for the team to salvage this year's Championship.

"We have not done our job well enough," admitted Brawn.

"First we have to bring our new aero package up to scratch. Depending on how the results look, we will then decide if we will focus early on next season."

Source: Planet F1

Symonds linked with Williams

Former Renault chief engineer Pat Symonds is being linked with Williams while Pat Fry, who recently left McLaren, is wanted by a host of teams

According to Italy's Autosprint magazine, Symonds is being lined up for a consultancy role with Williams following his out of court settlement with the FIA.

Even though his agreement with motor sport's governing body states that he is banned from having a direct operational role in F1 until 2013, he is allowed to act as a consultant and the Grove-based team are keen to make use of his expertise for the design of the FW33 for 2011.

Another man who is on the move is former McLaren chief engineer Fry.

The 46-year-old Fry, who was with McLaren for almost 20 years before quitting recently, is reportedly a wanted man.

Autosprint says he is set to team up with Ross Brawn at Mercedes GP while Finland's Turun Sanomat claims Force India, Red Bull and Toro Rosso are all interested in his services.

Source: Planer-F1

Barrichello plays down steering wheel toss

Rubens Barrichello has denied claims he recklessly endangered his F1 rivals after crashing out of Sunday's Monaco grand prix.

The Brazilian veteran threw his steering wheel onto the racing line after shunting due to a technical problem whilst climbing Beau Rivage at high speed.

The impacts dented the Armco barriers on both sides of the Monaco layout, and in apparent frustration Barrichello, who turns 38 this Sunday, threw his $50,000 steering wheel onto the track.

It was promptly run over by Karun Chandhok, who dragged the expensive debris all the way to the tunnel before it came loose and was run over again by Bruno Senna.

It was a spring from Barrichello's Brawn that last year struck the hapless Felipe Massa on the helmet.

It is also a fundamental rule breach not to re-connect the steering wheel after abandoning a stricken car.

"What was he doing?," Chandhok said of Barrichello. "Charlie (Whiting) actually asked me about it. You see on the video that he just throws it."

But the Williams driver insists: "I threw the steering wheel because I wanted to get out of the car as soon as possible.

"After the shunt I was facing the wrong side of the track and the car was on fire," he argued.

Williams co-owner Patrick Head also defended his driver.

"If you are standing in the middle of a 120mph corner, you tend to think 'let's get out of here as quickly as you can'."

Source: F1 Complete

Barrichello slams Brazilian media after 'crap' comment

Rubens Barrichello has slammed his critics who claim he angrily described the Williams and Virgin cars as "porcarias".

In his native Portuguese, the mild obscenity translates roughly as "piece of junk" or even "crap", after the 37-year-old finished the Malaysian GP a lap down, while his rookie countryman Lucas di Grassi was lapped three times in the Virgin.

"After the race I joked during a press conference with di Grassi that we needed to greatly improve our 'porcarias' to catch up with the new championship leader and our friend Massinha," Barrichello clarified.

"It was totally (in) fun and everyone who was there felt it in exactly the same way. But some others said I had spoken badly of my team.

"While people in his country (India) look on the bright side and applaud Karun Chandhok for finishing 15th, some Brazilians insist on looking at things the other way," he added.

Source: Motorsport

Barrichello: "Hulkenberg tried too hard in Bahrain"

Nico Hulkenberg tried "too hard" during his grand prix debut in Bahrain last weekend, but Rubens Barrichello backs the young German to get up to speed.

22-year-old Hulkenberg, with A1, F3 and GP2 titles all under his belt, was outpaced in qualifying to the tune of a half-second by his Williams teammate Barrichello at the 2010 season opener.

After an early spin, Hulkenberg then finished a lap behind in the race, while the veteran Barrichello scooped the final point in the sister FW32.

Barrichello set the sixth fastest lap of the race, while Hulkenberg's was nearly 2 seconds slower, and the youngster also lost time on the way into the pits.

"Sometimes, Nico wants too much," his manager Willi Weber is quoted as saying by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

Barrichello, 37, agrees: "Nico is a very good driver, but he is also very young. In formula one you can try too hard.

"It was his first qualifying," added the holder of a record 289 grands prix. "In qualifying it is not just about driving, but also your head, and this is what he has to get used to.

"It would be unfair to expect more," Barrichello said.

Source: F1 Complete

Photos from Valencia - Day 3

More here

Photos from Valencia - Day 2

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