Formula One 2014

[MJB]

Impressed with the reliability of the Mercedes power unit so far. Just hope they can sort their front wing out.

As far as the McLaren goes, the back end looks quite a bit different to the rest. Could be brilliant but could also be disastrous.

[Lineker]

Jenson's helmet.

The new Renault Energy-F1 2014 power unit has left the Caterham F1 Team in uproar, after it has been ill-fitting on the CT05 chassis.

The team were due to launch their 2014 vehicle at 8am this morning, however this was delayed until after 3pm because of the Renault engine refusing to go into the new chassis. These problems resulted in the team having to make last minute changes to the car.

According to sources in the Jerez paddock, the engine that was unveiled to the public (pictured) is rather unsimilar to the one that was seen in the Red Bull RB10 earlier on today. Aside from the financial problems that the British Lotus F1 Team are suffering, it also speculated that the new Power Unit may have played a part in the team not attending the first Jerez test.

The only team which is not reported with having issues is Toro Rosso, who are switching to Renault after ending their seven-year relationship with Ferrari.

[Lineker]

Michael Schumacher's doctors have begun to reduce the seven-time Formula 1 world champion's sedation to begin what they describe as "the waking up process".

Schumacher has been in a coma in a Grenoble hospital since suffering head injuries in a skiing accident on December 29 last year.

His management issued a statement on Thursday announcing that steps towards him waking him from the coma had begun, but that the process could be long.

"Michael's sedation is being reduced in order to allow the start of the waking up process which may take a long time," it read.

"For the protection of the family, it was originally agreed by the interested parties to communicate this information only once this process was consolidated."

Schumacher's management have repeatedly underlined in recent weeks that only information released by them or the hospital should be treated as accurate, amid a global clamour for more news about the injured German.

In Thursday's statement, they reiterated this request while also thanking fans and the F1 community for their support.

"The family of Michael Schumacher is again requesting to respect its privacy and the medical secrets, and to not disturb the doctors treating Michael in their work.

"At the same time, the family wishes to express sincere appreciation for the worldwide sympathy."

[Katsuya]

I don't mind the Caterham, actually, I think it looks pretty good. The Force India and the McLaren look the best though.

Ricciardo managed to get to the end of the pit lane before it broke down this time!

[Adam]

Seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher is slowly being brought out of an induced coma following last month's skiing accident, his manager has said.

The statement reads: "Michael's sedation is being reduced in order to allow the start of the waking-up process which may take a long time. For the protection of the family, it was originally agreed by the interested parties to communicate this information only once this process was consolidated."

It adds that no further updates will be given.

Hoping that it is good news when he wakes up, but the view put forward by expert doctors on a BBC article this week have dampened my optimism somewhat on him recovering properly .

[Lineker]

Marussia has become the latest team to unveil its new Formula 1 car after the MR03 broke cover at Jerez on Thursday.

The debut of the Ferrari-powered car had been delayed because of a last-minute technical glitch that was discovered before the car was dispatched from its Banbury factory.

But after curing the issue, Marussia was able to transport its car to Jerez and get it ready to join the penultimate day of action.

The new car has been two years in the creation and is an all-new concept - which features new front and rear suspension designs.

[MJB]

The Mercedes powered cars still look the most reliable at the moment.

Oh and the MR03 is a beautiful looking car!

[Gazz]

The Renault cars look like mobile chicanes at the moment

[Lineker]

Day 3 results:

1. Kevin Magnussen (McLaren-Mercedes) 1m23.276s, 52 laps
2. Felipe Massa (Williams-Mercedes) 1m23.700s, 47 laps
3. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1m23.952s, 62 laps
4. Jenson Button (McLaren-Mercedes) 1m25.030s, 40 laps
5. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) 1m25.495s, 58 laps
6. Nico Hulkenberg (Force India-Mercedes) 1m26.096s, 17 laps
7. Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso-Renault) 1m29.915s, 30 laps
8. Adrian Sutil (Sauber-Ferrari) 1m30.161s, 34 laps
9. Robin Frijns (Caterham-Renault) No time, 10 laps
11. Max Chilton (Marussia-Ferrari) No time, 5 laps
10. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull-Renault) No time, 3 laps

Daniel Ricciardo has suggested there is no quick fix to the Red Bull Formula 1 team's early 2014 problems.

But the Australian is sure the reigning champion outfit still has time to sort its issues before the season starts at his home grand prix.

Red Bull has had a troubled first pre-season test, completing just 14 laps so far after a spate of overheating and electrical problems.

Team principal Christian Horner and technical chief Adrian Newey left the Jerez test on Thursday to return to its Milton Keynes base to start work on its recovery plan.

[Lineker]

The energy from the MGU-H (heat) and the MGU-K (kinetic) can be used immediately on the car, or used to charge the energy store for later use.

The energy that is stored in the batteries can propel the car with the MGU-K, or be used to accelerate the turbocharger with the MGU-H.

The power of 120 kW is twice as much as last year - yet its contribution to the car's performance is ten times as great.

In a Renault preview document sent out last week it warned that one of the biggest problems with the new energy stores was coping with the large electromagnetic forces.

It said: "The electromagnetic forces can impact the accuracy of sensors, which are particularly sensitive.

"Balancing the forces is like trying to carry a house of cards in a storm - a delicate and risky operation."

So, Force India definitely have the most penis-y nose.

[Chris2K]

Eddie Irvine has been talking bragging about defending himself against a seven foot shark with a spear. Even animals don't like him.

[Lineker]

Jerez

Ross Brawn has insisted his retirement from Formula 1 is permanent and he will not return to the sport.

Lotus and Marussia have now both paid the necessary entry fees for the 2014 Formula 1 season.

McLaren has undertaken a reshuffling of its aerodynamic department as part of an ongoing review of its Formula 1 operations. AUTOSPORT has learned that head of aerodynamics Marcin Budkowski has left the team. As a result, chief aerodynamicist Doug McKiernan will now head the Woking-based outfit's aerodynamic operations ahead of the start of the 2014 season.

[Lineker]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz0e6WHdlZ0

Honda says it is on course to have its new Formula 1 facility in Milton Keynes fully up and running by June.

Also, this happened on Lotus' Twitter page. Nothing to do with the fact that they have new Russian sponsors, no sir-ee.

[Lineker]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ASg5-VJ6vU

An early rendering of the Sochi track. Loving that long sweeping left-hander.

[MJB]

That left hander is pretty sweet.

Turn 1 doesn't look like a braking zone though so the first action appears to be at turn 2.

[Lineker]

It's sort of a weird Korea/Malaysia hybrid!

[Lineker]

The Bahrain Grand Prix has been handed a 6pm start time this year for its first night race.

As part of its 10th anniversary celebrations, the Sakhir circuit has installed floodlights so its Formula 1 event can start at sunset.

It means that, like the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Bahrain will be a twilight event that ends in full darkness. Singapore retains its full night race status.

The FIA also confirmed on Monday that the new Russian Grand Prix will have a 3pm local start time.

[Lineker]

Martini, one of motor racing's most iconic sponsors, is set to bring its famous white, blue and red colour scheme back to Formula 1 with Williams this year. After months of speculation suggesting Martini could become Williams's title sponsor, sources have revealed that an agreement has been reached that will result in a full rebranding of the Williams car. This advanced state of the negotiations was highlighted this week when images of an official Martini-branded Williams shirt appeared on a merchandising website briefly before being removed. Martini's return to F1 will be its first involvement since it was a sponsor of Ferrari from 2006-08, but at that time its logos only had a small presence on the car. AUTOSPORT has learned that Martini's decision to go with Williams followed talks with a number of leading teams, including McLaren and Ferrari, about a sponsorship deal. In the end Martini decided that the attraction of a title deal - with the team set to become Williams Martini Racing - and the prospect of a full-branding opportunity were too good to resist. The details of the new livery are still being finalised, and are unlikely to be signed off until the team has sorted its line-up of sponsors. A deal with insurance company Genworth was announced this week and Williams is poised to add a deal with Petrobras imminently. There has been no official confirmation of the Martini news from Williams, with the team declining to comment on the situation when contacted by AUTOSPORT. However the team has said several times that its race livery will be revealed before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

[Katsuya]

I don't like the idea of Williams not being just blue and white

Sauber have signed Simona de Silvestro, seemingly with the aim of her driving for them in 2015, which seems increasingly bizarre with Sirotkin's situation.

[Lineker]

Lotus publicly unveiled its new E22 Formula 1 contender as the second winter test began in Bahrain on Wednesday morning.

The Enstone squad's design is the last of the 2014 season's 11 new cars to break cover, after the team had to skip the first pre-season test in Spain.

Romain Grosjean will undertake the first proper test of the car on Wednesday, though team-mate Pastor Maldonado has already completed 100km of running in a demonstration run at Jerez earlier this month.

The E22 features an unusual 'twin-tusk' nose design that caused problems for the team in passing the mandatory front crash-tests.

Lotus has endured a winter of significant change. Former Williams driver Maldonado has replaced Ferrari returnee Kimi Raikkonen on the driving strength, while team boss Eric Boullier recently left the squad to take up a racing director role at rival McLaren.