Lewis Hamilton set the pace for Mercedes during second practice for the Australian Grand Prix. The Brit's time of 1:29.625 was 0.157s was faster than team-mate Nico Rosberg. Hamilton had endured a difficult first practice session after his car stopped on track on the out-lap but he enjoyed a more productive second session. As in 2013, the first half of the session was largely spent on short run pace while during the latter part of the 90 minute session the focus shifted to long runs. […]

Formula 1 race director Charlie Whiting has admitted that there are added concerns about the start procedure at this weekend's Australian Grand Prix. Several teams have struggled to complete practice starts during pre-season testing and Whiting concedes that there is a high potential for stalled cars at the start of the forthcoming race. "I've been told that some cars haven't actually done a practice start yet," Whiting said ahead of this weekend's curtain raiser. "I'm sure they'll be doing lots here at the pit exit, […]

Max Chilton says he and Marussia are targeting scoring their first Formula 1 points in Australia this weekend. The Brit is entering his second season in the sport and reckons a top 10 finish is achievable. "I try and bring the car home as much as possible but obviously the car's got to bring me home as well," he said. "I don't know what these numbers people are saying about the number of cars that are going to finish but you've just got to make […]

Formula 1 race director Charlie Whiting has warned that there will be zero tolerance over the fuel consumption limit ahead of this weekend's Australian Grand Prix. Teams must use no more than 100kg of fuel across the course of the race and Whiting has warned that any team stepping over the limit will face disqualification. "The 100kg is the maximum and, if they go over, they have exceeded the limit and there is no tolerance," he said. "We are confident of the meter's accuracy," he […]

Kevin Magnussen says that making his Formula 1 debut this weekend will be 'a dream come true'. Reigning Formula Renault 3.5 champion Magnussen will participate in his first Grand Prix for McLaren in Australia. "It is a dream come true and every day is fantastic at the moment – I’m sure it will keep staying like that," he said. "I’m just really excited to be here. It’s been a long winter, since signing. I’ve been looking forward to this weekend but yeah, feeling good. It’s […]

Romain Grosjean says that Lotus faces a 'strange situation' after a 'disastrous' winter for the Enstone based team. Lotus has lost key staff members over the past 12 months and struggled in pre-season testing after the E22 encountered several issues. "Yes, it's been a disaster winter for us. Renault has got their issues, we have got ours but on the other hand we have learnt a few things from the little running we did and all those things if we can get right for here […]

Lewis Hamilton says he is sure his relationship with Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg will be fine, even if the duo compete for the world title this year. Hamilton and Rosberg have been friends since their karting days and the Brit does not believe that competing for the Formula 1 title will affect their relationship. "I mean when everyone’s talking about the relationship between us, it will be the same at the start as it will be at the end," said Hamilton. "We’ve been racing together […]

Sebastian Vettel insists he is not writing off his chances of winning a fifth successive world title despite enduring a difficult pre-season campaign. Vettel and Red Bull struggled with the reliability of the RB10 during the three pre-season tests but the German insists it's too soon to make definitive predictions. Vettel cited Fernando Alonso's form in 2012 with a recalcitrant car as his inspiration. "I don’t think that’s fair to say. It’s a long year," he said when asked if he's not optimistic about the […]

Nico Hulkenberg says that Force India can be confident ahead of this weekend's season-opening Australian Grand Prix. Hulkenberg has re-joined Force India after spending a year with Sauber and reckons that his team enjoyed a smooth winter period. "I'm not nervous, quite relaxed in general. I think we can be fairly confident, winter testing has gone fairly smoothly for us compared to other teams," he said. "From that point of view we are as well prepared as we can. "It's still going to be a […]

McLaren will run a one-off livery at this weekend's season-opening Australian Grand Prix. The team ran a predominantly silver car in pre-season testing but will feature a special livery to commemorate their 20 year partnership with Mobil 1. McLaren CEO Ron Dennis revealed last week that the team is set for a title sponsor after the first few races. Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen will race the MP4-29 this season.

Pastor Maldonado says that he has no regrets over his move from Williams to Lotus ahead of the new Formula 1 season beginning this weekend in Australia. Maldonado spent three years with Williams but has moved to Lotus. His new team has suffered a disastrous pre-season campaign while Williams are one of the favourites for this weekend's race. "For sure they have a good car," he told ESPN of his former team. "They have been working quite hard from what they had last year - […]

Fernando Alonso says he and Ferrari must stay fully concentrated all weekend if they are to collect a good result at the season opening Australian Grand Prix. The Spaniard, entering his fifth season with the team, hesitated to comment on Ferrari's position in the pecking order but emphasised that remaining concentrated will be crucial as the sport enters a new era. "It’s difficult to say what position we can end up with," he said. "What we do know is that with such complex cars there […]