Red Bull team figures like Christian Horner, Dietrich Mateschitz and Helmet Marko have all said they were "surprised" by Daniel Ricciardo's pace so far in 2014. Perhaps that is because the fresh-faced Australian's form casts a pall over the recent achievements of the team's quadruple world champion, Sebastian Vettel. Indeed, Ricciardo's first ever F1 team boss, Dr Colin Kolles, insists he is not surprised at all. With Red Bull's backing, Kolles - who also knows Vettel well from his days in the F3 scene - […]

The FIA has opened up a selection process for a new team to join the grid, potentially as early as the start of the 2015 Formula 1 season. Applicants have until Friday 3rd January 2014 to register a formal expression of interest. There has not been a new team in the sport since the start of 2010, when Lotus Racing, Virgin and Hispania joined the grid. Lotus Racing and Virgin morphed into Caterham and Marussia respectively, while Hispania tweaked its name to HRT and dropped […]

Red Bull Racing has confirmed that Daniel Ricciardo will partner Sebastian Vettel at the team in 2014

Reports of a continuing financial crisis at Sauber are continuing to emerge. With the Swiss team's Russian saviour deal still waiting to be finalised, Bild am Sonntag newspaper reports that Sauber's debts still stand at EUR 80 million, including unpaid bills to suppliers totalling 35 million. "The time bomb is ticking," the newspaper's correspondents Helmut Uhl and Frank Schneider report. They claim that, in addition to Ferrari's unpaid customer engine bill, Sauber has also not paid for its Pirelli tyres in 2013. It was already […]

Former HRT boss Colin Kolles tried to blackmail Mercedes chief Toto Wolff earlier this year, it has emerged. We reported earlier that a conversation between Austrian Wolff and a then-unnamed former F1 team boss was "secretly recorded" and then threatened to be used against him. Bild newspaper had said Wolff spoke negatively about his own boss, Ross Brawn, colleague Niki Lauda, and also Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche, whilst divulging details of his clashing co-ownership of the Williams team. A subsequent report by the magazine Sport […]

HRT's Formula 1 cars will be used in this season's BOSS GP Series. Teo Martin, a Spanish businessman, acquired two of the 2011 cars and their equipment after the team folded at the end of last season. HRT raced in Formula 1 between 2010 and 2012 but failed to score a point. It is hoped the cars will be prepared by the end of this month. BOSS GP features Formula 1 cars against Champcars, Indycars, GP2 and F3000 machines, with the next round taking place […]

The Banbury based team is close to signing with either Ferrari or Mercedes, according to chief executive Andy Webb

Formula One group CEO Bernie Ecclestone says he expects Red Bull and Ferrari to compete for overall honours in 2013. Speaking ahead of the season opening Australian Grand Prix, Ecclestone also reckons Mercedes is the dark horse for this year. "I very recently spoke to (Ferrari team principal) Stefano (Domenicali) who was in London to see me and he said that he still expects Red Bull to be the danger for them," he told the Official F1 website. "And I agree: they are - and […]

Alexander Rossi and Ma Qing Hua have been confirmed as reserve drivers for Caterham. Rossi, who took part in practice during last year's Spanish Grand Prix, will drive in a number of practice sessions in 2013. Ma joined HRT in 2012 and took part in four practice sessions. He will drive for Caterham during practice for the Chinese Grand Prix. "2013 will be my third season with the Caterham family and I’ve built solid relationships within the whole team," said American driver Rossi. "My goals […]

Recent events have focused on the subject of 'pay drivers' in the sport. Rather than being critical, there needs to be focus on why teams have resorted to using them...

The majority of F1 teams are struggling financially, according to McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh. Whitmarsh, who is also chairman of the Formula One Teams Association, says that the current financial crisis is impacting the sport. "It's tough," he told BBC Sport. "We're in the world of advertising and you only have to see how advertising is worldwide. The rate card is down. We have taken some measures, but I think it's going to be tough for some." Whitmarsh believes that the current situation is a result […]

A Madrid based recycling company has purchased five cars previously used by the defunct HRT team. Company owner Teo Martin confirmed that he has acquired three F112s, used in the 2012 season, and two F111s, used in 2011. A third F111 has been bought by Pirelli to be used as a show car. It will be painted in Pirelli's black and yellow livery. Martin also bought other HRT assets, such as their Caja Magica headquarters in Madrid.