Fernando Alonso says that he is pleased with the Ferrari F138 after the first day of testing in Barcelona. Alonso elected to miss the first pre-season test in Jerez but returned to set the third fastest time of the day. "I feel reasonably pleased with this first day and I can say I share Felipe’s opinion that the car is on another planet compared to the one we began with on the first day of testing last year," he said. "The programme for this first […]

Fernando Alonso came within a whisker of winning the 2012 championship. Here's why he can go one better in 2013...

Reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel says he is boosted by the reliability of the Red Bull RB9. Vettel was third fastest on the final day of running in Jerez, with neither him or team-mate Mark Webber suffering from any major problem. "I think for the whole team it’s been quite a good test," he said. "No problems in terms of reliability and we did a lot of laps, so I’m quite pleased with the results. I feel a bit better than last year. I think […]

Lotus team principal Eric Bouiller believes that his team will be capable of fighting at the front in 2013. The Enstone based team finished fourth in the 2012 championship, winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and claiming a further nine podiums. "I think it is fair to say that great things are possible," he said. "The leap we made from 2011 to 2012 showed what we are capable of. Add to this the continuity and potential of our driver line-up and we have a very […]

Conducted by Lotus F1 Team How are you looking forward to 2013 and what do you hope can be achieved? EB: I think it is fair to say that great things are possible. The leap we made from 2011 to 2012 showed what we are capable of. Add to this the continuity and potential of our driver line-up and we have a very powerful cocktail for the season ahead. Our ambitious plan to turn ourselves into one of the top teams in Formula 1 is […]

Conducted by Lotus F1 Team What are your thoughts heading into your second season with Lotus F1 Team? KR: I’m feeling pretty good. Last year was my return to Formula 1 and it went pretty well. This year will be my second with Lotus F1 Team and my eleventh season overall in Formula 1 so I’ve got a pretty good idea of what to expect. I’m sure it will be an exciting season and I’m sure there’ll be lots to talk about. For me, I […]

Lotus has become the first team to launch their 2013 challenger. The E21 does not, at this stage, feature a modesty panel

Sergio Perez has hit back at Paul di Resta. This week, Force India driver di Resta revealed he had talks with McLaren when the British team was contemplating Lewis Hamilton's 2013 successor. But he said McLaren ultimately chose the Mexican Sergio Perez because of the "commercial side" of the sport. "Money's tight," said di Resta. "Perez has some good backing." But Perez, 22, apparently hit back at di Resta by saying on Twitter: "Money can buy you a seat but never the results. "I say […]

Dieter Zetsche, the chairman of the German marque's parent Daimler, says Mercedes must be pushing for the world championship by 2014. Admitting that the appointments of Lewis Hamilton and Niki Lauda, and the departure of Norbert Haug, were because of Mercedes' lack of recent success, he also acknowledged that the silver team will not be in a title-winning position this year. "As it (F1) is so visible people see pretty quickly if you succeed or not, and if the results are up to your expectations," […]

It's Lewis Hamilton's biggest gamble. For both parties, the collaboration must work

Nico Hulkenberg has said he is ready to begin the next chapter of his career ahead of pre-season testing in three weeks' time. Hulkenberg will race for Sauber this season, his third team in three years of racing. "It was not always my choice [changing teams], except for the switch to Sauber. At the end of 2010 I was more or less forced into a team change!", the German told the Official F1 website. "Being confronted with such a situation you simply have to get […]

Paul di Resta has said that he needs to pick up decent results in 2013 to put himself in the frame for top teams. Di Resta was overlooked by McLaren, who plucked for Mexican driver Sergio Perez to replace Mercedes bound Lewis Hamilton. The Scot told Autosport International that he held talks with McLaren about a move. "I'm not going to give away too much, but yes, there were discussions", he said. "I've got a great relationship with McLaren. Martin Whitmarsh was actually the key […]