Formula One 2015

[Lineker]

Lotus driver Romain Grosjean has signed to race for Formula 1 newcomer Haas next season, AUTOSPORT understands.

Haas has called a driver announcement press conference at its headquarters in Kannapolis on Tuesday, with team owner Gene Haas and team principal Guenther Steiner present.

Alongside the duo will be Frenchman Grosjean, who is to sever his ties with Lotus at the end of this season after what will be four years with the Enstone-based organisation.

Although Haas is a start-up team, its reputation in motorsport in the United States, and more importantly its connections in F1 with Ferrari, have proven key selling points to Grosjean.

Haas is to be powered by Ferrari, which will also be supplying a number of other components given the change in the regulations.

Given the resources and facilities at Haas, and Ferrari has built a power unit that is now pushing Mercedes, it is understood Grosjean feels his new team could be a midfield runner out of the box.

Joining Haas also opens up a door to Ferrari for Grosjean for 2017 as a seat will be vacant that year should the Scuderia opt not to renew Kimi Raikkonen's contract.

Ferrari took up the option in Raikkonen's deal for 2016, but beyond that the Finn's future remains uncertain.

With Ferrari serving as engine supplier and key partner to Haas, it will be able to draw on all of Grosjean's data during his impending year with Haas and compare it to Raikkonen.

As to Haas' second driver, all indicators are pointing to Ferrari test and reserve driver Esteban Gutierrez.

Like with Grosjean, Ferrari would have a similar opportunity to place Gutierrez in its car in 2017 should his performances and data prove favourable.

[Lineker]

Rosberg pole after 3 was curtailed short due to a big Kvyat shunt.

Lotus will avoid becoming the latest Formula 1 team to fall into administration as future owner Renault is to step in with a last-minute reprieve on Monday, AUTOSPORT understands.

Lotus is due back in the High Court on Monday in what should be the final act of its insolvency battle with HMRC as it owes £2.7million in back PAYE (income tax and national insurance) - £900,000 for each of June, July and August.

Up until Friday it appeared the first stage of the deal for Renault to take over the team had been held up, leaving a very real possibility of the team going into administration with 400 jobs at risk.

AUTOSPORT sources, however, have suggested Renault is to come to Lotus's rescue as certain hurdles have been cleared and the French manufacturer will pay off the HMRC debt.

A Renault statement is due next week, potentially as early as Monday following the final visit to the High Court.

If so, it is a convincing step towards Renault formalising its 65 per cent stake in Lotus for an agreed £65million, therefore returning to F1 in 2016 as a constructor.

Over the past few weeks and months, while negotiations have been conducted, many bills have been placed on the back burner for payment, and insolvency proceedings were brought against Lotus by a number of parties.

One source said: "Both Renault and the owners can afford to pay the bills that are open, but the question has been who should pay?"

Due to the financial issues the team's freight did not arrive at Suzuka until late this week at a time when the other nine teams were already fully set up.

To add insult to injury, all Lotus staff have been locked out of the hospitality unit as the team has not paid the building's rental fee, a situation described by CEO Matthew Carter as "not good for the team at all, nor the sport".

Despite hope of a deal with circuit officials, that has not been the case and the unit will remain closed over the weekend.

[Lineker]

Lewis wins again in a boring race. But the breaking news this morning is that Renault have signed a letter of intent to buy a controlling stake in the Lotus Formula One team.

[MDK]

Normally I watch a bit of F1, not a massive fan nowadays but I sometimes enjoy it on a Sunday after a nice wank and a cup of tea. But recently it has been so dull and with all of the bullshit off the track, bleh.

[The Lusophone]

Is it me or is this season even duller than at the height of the Michael Schumacher wins everything forever years?

[Rich]

No

Nothing is worse than that.

[Lineker]

That was awful.

[Lineker]

Haas have confirmed Roman Grosjean as their first driver for 2016.

[Lineker]

Toro Rosso's situation in Formula 1 is more critical than Red Bull's right now according to Christian Horner, as owner Dietrich Mateschitz ponders pulling both teams out of the championship.

Red Bull and Toro Rosso are without a power supply for 2016 after ending their deals with Renault from the end of this season.

Senior Red Bull figures have made repeated threats to quit F1 if it cannot find competitive engines for its two teams, with Red Bull team principal Horner saying it is up to him to convince Mateschitz to stay.

Ferrari represents Red Bull's best option, after Mercedes made it clear it will not offer a supply, but at present it is understood the Scuderia has only offered an older specification power unit.

"The situation is quite critical because as we sit here we don't have an engine," said Red Bull team principal Horner.

"Toro Rosso are in a similar situation. The timing for them is more critical than Red Bull Racing even.

"It's a slightly different situation for Toro Rosso.

"The important thing for us is to have a first class engine - we'd be in a position where we can't compete [without one].

"Dietrich has made the situation very clear. We'll have to look at another activity.

"Milton Keynes is full of a lot of talent. We would have to look at where we apply that talent.

"First of all we need to conclude our situation with our current supplier."

When asked if there was a deadline to get a deal sorted to ensure the build of 2016's car was not severely affected, Horner said: "It was already difficult two weeks ago. We are late, very late."

Niki Lauda feels Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz has lost interest in Formula 1, and would not be surprised if he withdrew his teams.

Red Bull and Toro Rosso are currently without a power-unit supplier for 2016 as they have decided to terminate their contracts with Renault at the end of this F1 season.

Mercedes has already decided it will not step into the breach, leaving Ferrari as the only realistic hope for the two teams to continue.

It is understood Ferrari has offered Red Bull this season's engine to place in next year's car, which has been rejected as the latter is seeking parity and competitiveness.

The ball is now in the court of Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne who, according to F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, has proclaimed himself "frightened" for his works team if Red Bull has the same engine.

Mercedes non-executive chairman Lauda, however, feels fellow Austrian Mateschitz will not be too concerned if he lets his teams fold.

"My feeling is Mateschitz at the moment is not pushing hard himself," said Lauda.

"He lets Helmut [Marko, advisor] and Christian [Horner, team principal] work on it [a deal], but he is not the leader like he was in the past. In the past he did everything himself."

Suggested to Lauda that Mateschitz had lost interest, he replied: "It looks like it to me, yes, because I have known him a long time and normally he is the master of all this, but he never gets involved at the moment."

As to whether Mateschitz would pull Red Bull out F1, Lauda added: "It's hard for me to say, but the way Didi is acting at the moment he could consider it, he could.

"To end up in that situation, that there is only one engine available, is tough."

Lauda is adamant Mercedes will not reverse its earlier decision by coming to Red Bull's aid.

"No, there was a long discussion we had internally," said Lauda.

"We don't have to go around and beg people to use the engine, it is the other way around. But we were never approached, so therefore we never thought about it."

Lauda claims it is Mateschitz's aversion to Mercedes that prevented a formal approach from being made.

"If I am not approached, what should I do? Throw the engine at him [Mateschitz] and give it as a gift?" queried Lauda.

"It doesn't work like this. There is a reason for it and I know the reason - he doesn't like Mercedes.

"I know him very well. Ferrari is his option now and it's up to him if he wants to take it or not."

[Lineker]

Force India and Sauber have lodged an official complaint to the European Union competitions commission regarding Formula 1's governance and payment structure.

The midfield teams are citing financial bias by F1 owners CVC Capital Partners towards the five biggest teams - Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes, McLaren and Williams.

A statement from Force India read: "Sahara Force India is one of two teams to have registered a complaint with the European Union questioning the governance of Formula 1 and showing that the system of dividing revenues and determining how Formula 1 rules are set is both unfair and unlawful.

"Due to the ongoing legal discussions, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."

F1's skewed financial payments model was initially questioned by Anneliese Dodds, a UK member of the European parliament, following the demise of Caterham and Marussia, the latter eventually saved from administration and now racing again as Manor.

Dodds then directed her concerns to EU competitions commissioner Margrethe Vestager, who, while interested in the case, was unable to act without a formal complaint being made.

Force India and Sauber have now decided to stick their heads above the parapet, with one source suggesting the team's necks are well and truly on the line.

The main thrust of the complaint is the way F1's revenues are distributed, with the main five teams receiving additional monies last year totalling $249million, on top of prize money from the constructors' championship.

The extra revenue is known as premium payments, agreed by the five major teams by way of bilateral agreements in 2012, ahead of the expiration of the Concorde Agreement.

In 2014, Ferrari received a premium payment of $97million, $30million more than it received for finishing fourth in the constructors' championship.

In documents handed to the EU, reported by The Times, the complaint made by Force India and Sauber states: "These unfair side payments put the independent teams at a perpetual sporting and economic disadvantage and directly harm the sport.

"By locking in a permanent advantage for a select few teams, the sport has been gravely undermined.

"The beneficiaries have vastly more to spend on technology, development, research and equipment, creating an ever-wider performance gap and, effectively, pre-determining the outcome of the world championships.

"These unlawful practices hurt the sport, its participants and the many thousands of people in and around Formula 1, and the many millions of European fans."

In June, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone declared he was unfazed by the threat of an EU investigation, suggesting the likes of Force India and Sauber should never have signed their own contracts in the first place if they were so concerned.

Bernie Ecclestone does not blame Force India and Sauber for voicing their dissatisfaction with Formula 1 through an official complaint to the European Union.

The teams have lodged a complaint to the EU competitions commission regarding F1's governance and payment structure, as negotiated by commercial rights holder Ecclestone and F1 owner CVC Capital Partners.

Frustrated at the additional handouts to Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren, Red Bull and Williams, the midfield organisations are hoping an EU investigation will lead to a shake up of F1, and ultimately result in a fairer distribution of revenues.

"We haven't discouraged or encouraged anybody to do anything," Ecclestone told AUTOSPORT.

"That's what the European Union is there for, for these sorts of things.

"They [the teams] must give it a go, and if they're successful it's good, and if not then it costs nothing."

If the EU decides to investigate and F1 is found culpable of an abuse of power in the way it handles its affairs, a fine of 10 per cent of turnover (which last year was £1.06billion) can be levied, as well as forcing a shake up of its structure.

Ecclestone remains unconcerned, and holds no ill feeling towards Force India and Sauber in their bid to compete on a more equal financial footing.

"The bottom line is, what they [the teams] are saying is we're giving too much money to some people and not enough to the others," added Ecclestone.

"But all this was done whereby everybody knew what they would be getting and what would happen, and they all signed contracts which were very clear.

"They've had a change of heart I suppose, and I don't blame them, not at all.

"Somebody will have a look at it and either decide the agreements they've signed are valid and they stick by them, or they're not valid and they have to be changed.

"From our point of view it won't make any difference at all."

The contracts referred to by Ecclestone are those signed by the teams in which it apparently makes clear the five major teams would receive premium payments, which were agreed upon by way of bilateral agreements signed in 2012.

Ecclestone has confirmed being fully informed by both teams ahead of the complaint being made, which allowed him to keep CVC chief executive Donald Mackenzie in the loop.

"I warned him this was going to happen, so he feels the same as me. He's not disappointed or annoyed," said Ecclestone.

"I knew when it was going to be announced. I was well informed by the people who are making the complaints, so it's OK. No dramas."

[Lineker]

Paul Hembery claims Pirelli would consider its own future in Formula 1 should Red Bull and Toro Rosso fail to make it on to the grid for 2016.

Both of billionaire owner Dietrich Mateschitz's teams are reaching the critical stage as to whether they will be in F1 beyond this season.

In terminating contracts with power-unit supplier Renault early, both teams are relying on reaching satisfactory deals with Ferrari. 

As far as tyre supplier Pirelli is concerned, their departure would weaken F1, and draw into question whether it would want to remain associated.

"It would make us think very heavily, yes," said motorsport director Hembery when asked by AUTOSPORT whether Pirelli would consider its future if the two teams exited.

"To lose two high quality, well-funded, professional teams - and I can't imagine there would be immediate replacements, even though we have Haas entering next year - then you are going to be worried.

"I know people say teams come and go, but we are talking about a very serious investment made over a significant number of years by Red Bull, and from our point of view, it would weaken the sport dramatically.

"For us, they are two very important teams.

"We admire what they've done for the sport in terms of driver development; they work at grassroots, bringing drivers through to Formula 1, from Sebastian Vettel to the four talents they have this year.

"They're also a team that goes outside of the Formula 1 circus to promote the sport, they invest significant sums of money in going to new locations, taking F1 to the streets of cities that don't stage F1 to try and create interest.

"So from our point of view, as a sponsor, any risk of losing both those teams would be a significant disaster for Formula 1."

Pirelli is currently in discussions with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone with regard to an extension of its supply contract from 2017-19, with Michelin its only rival and an answer due in October.

Asked whether Ecclestone was aware of Pirelli's thoughts, he replied: "I'm quite sure he knows what we think, as I'm sure every other sponsor feels the same.

"We've certainly given our thoughts to Red Bull and Christian [Horner], that we most definitely don't want to lose his team and Toro Rosso from Formula 1."

However, all the top teams supposedly want a Michelin switch anyway. So...

Elsewhere, the Australian GP next season have been moved forward by two weeks. Could lead to squeakybumtime for some...

And Max Verstappen has passed his driving test!

[Lineker]

McLaren have literally just confirmed Jenson Button as driving for them in 2016.

Talk about a 180.

 

 

 

No word about Alonso yet, though. Team say that "today is about JB".

[Lineker]

Loads of news about this morning. A new revised calendar for 2016 is out:

The FIA has released a new version of the 2016 Formula 1 calendar, which confirms an earlier start to the season and the return of the August three-week summer break.

Formula 1 was set for its latest start to a season since 1988, with the Australian Grand Prix pencilled in for April 3 when the governing body approved the calendar in July.

But early on Wednesday, Australian Grand Prix organisers announced that while its race would remain the opener, its had been moved to March 20.

That has eased the pressure on an already heavily condensed schedule, which features a record 21 races with Azerbaijan joining the fray and Germany returning after a year out.

Seven races have had a change of date from the previous version, with the calendar being rubber-stamped following a World Motor Sport Council meeting in Paris.

China has swapped places with Bahrain, with the season-opening Australian GP now two weeks ahead of the second round.

There are six back-to-back races - Canada/Europe (Baku), Austria/Britain, Hungary/Germany, Belgium/Italy, Malaysia/Japan and Mexico/Brazil.

Hungary has been brought forward into July to allow for a three-week break in August, something the teams requested to allow their staff to have a mid-season break.

Meanwhile, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone's proposed triple-header of grands prix in the Far East - Singapore, Japan and Malaysia - has been avoided.

The British Grand Prix has been pushed into July, meaning it will now clash with Wimbledon singles' final weekend.

Azerbaijan's debut race has been moved from July 17 to June 19 which means it clashes with the Le Mans 24 Hours.

However, the FIA says the start time for the Baku race will be "scheduled to avoid conflict" with the conclusion of the legendary French endurance event.

APPROVED 2016 CALENDAR:

March 20 - Australia
April 3 - Bahrain
April 17 - China
May 1 - Russia
May 15 - Spain
May 29 - Monaco
June 12 - Canada
June 19 - Europe (Baku)
July 3 - Austria
July 10 - Britain
July 24 - Hungary
July 31 - Germany
August 28 - Belgium
September 4 - Italy
September 18 - Singapore
October 2 - Malaysia
October 9 - Japan
October 23 - USA
November 6 - Mexico
November 13 - Brazil
November 27 - Abu Dhabi

[The Lusophone]

I don't know why but having Baku annoys me much more than other comparatively dubious hosts of races like Abu Dhabi or Bahrain. Maybe its the whole banning of an entire nationalist/ethnicity from entering the country thing.

[MDK]

Why is it called Europe instead of Azerbaijan? Oh wait, I just answered that because I couldn't spell it without spellcheck. 

[Lineker]

In earlier years, the European Grand Prix was not a race in its own right but just an honorific title; one of the national Grands Prix was also designated as the European Grand Prix. The first race to be so named was the 1923 Italian Grand Prix, held at Monza and won by Carlo Salamano in a Fiat and the last one was the 1977 British Grand Prix. Since its reintroduction, the European Grand Prix is usually held in a country that also holds a national Grand Prix in that same year, however in 2016, the Baku European Grand Prix will be held in Azerbaijan, which does not hold another Formula One race.

tl;dr - no proper reason really.

The FIA World Motor Sport Council has approved changes to the exhaust set-ups of Formula 1 cars to make the engines louder for 2016.

The sound of the cars has been heavily scrutinised since the new turbo hybrid engine formula was introduced at the start of 2014.

While plenty of investigations have taken place into altering the sound - including Mercedes testing a 'trumpet' exhaust last year - motorsport's governing body has finalised changes for next year.

An FIA statement following the latest WMSC meeting said: "For 2016, all cars must have a separate exhaust wastegate tailpipe through which all and only wastegate exhaust gases must pass.

"This measure has been undertaken to increase the noise of the cars and will not have any significant effect on power or emissions."

Several other minor changes have been made to F1 regulations, including clarifications regarding track limits during sessions.

The FIA said the sporting regulations now "specify that drivers 'must make every reasonable effort to use the track at all times and may not deliberately leave the track without a justifiable reason'".

However, penalties for track-limits infringements will continue to be based on whether a driver is judged to have gained an advantage.

A proposal from the F1 Commission regarding penalties for engine and gearbox changes was approved.

"Such penalties prior to qualifying will be applied based on the time of use," said the FIA.

"For changes made after qualifying, preference will be given to the driver whose team first informed the technical delegate that a change will occur."

Any driver who causes a start to be aborted will no longer be allowed to rejoin the grid for the restart, instead having to join the race from the pitlane when it resumes.

The rules governing windtunnel and CFD usage have also been clarified, "specifically focusing on reporting and inspection processes for these development tools".

Teams will now have to make sure their cars comply with all cockpit and safety equipment requirements during testing - including position of the driver's head, headrest padding, cockpit padding and ease of driver egress.

From 2017, mounting on board cameras on stalks on the noses of cars will be prohibited.

 

[JasonM]

Ah, Baku on June 19, the perfect attempt to fuck over anyone that wants to try their hand at driving in Le Mans 24h during an F1 season!

 

[Rich]

Most drivers wouldn't be allowed anyway due to their contracts normally not allowing them to race outside of F1 during the season.  Things have become even tighter since Kubica and his hand.

 

Also Azerbaijan is on my birthday... EWB trip?

[The Lusophone]

Just hope none of you are Armenian

[Lineker]

Williams has agreed a technical partnership with Manor for the 2016 Formula 1 season that will see it supply transmission and suspension components.

The move dovetails with Manor's deal for a supply of latest specification Mercedes engines, which Williams will also use next season.

It is a major boost for the back-of-the-grid team, who required a last-minute rescue deal to secure its future just days before the season started.

The late entry meant Manor has been forced to run a modified 2014-spec car this term with year-old Ferrari engines.

But months after near closure, Manor is set to start next season with a class-leading engine, a technical partnership with front-running team and a 2016-spec chassis.

The team also moved into a new factory in Banbury this week, the first time the whole outfit has been under one roof in nearly 12 months.

Manor resumes its relationship with the Williams' Advanced Engineering division, having previously been supplied with its KERS in 2013.

"I am pleased to announce that we will resume our prior technical partnership with Williams Advanced Engineering, from whom we will receive the supply of transmission and suspension components," said Manor team principal John Booth.

"Combined with Mercedes-Benz power units, we are very excited about the strength of our new powertrain package and what it means for the long-term future of our team."

Super day for Manor.

MEANWHILE, former Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari has retired from motorsport at the age of 25 to pursue a career in music. The Spaniard, last seen in the Formula E electric series, said: "I could stay just for the money but I need a change. What makes me happy is music."