Stefano Domenicali doubts F1's pecking order will change significantly as the 'development race' continues in 2013. Speaking to Brazil's Totalrace, the Ferrari boss seemed relieved that the pecking order had not changed significantly between Bahrain and Spain. Usually, the first race of the European season is the scene of a potential pecking-order shake-up, as teams returned to their headquarters after the initial 'flyaway' period. "The Spanish grand prix," said Domenicali, "was important in my view so we could see the jump in performance of each […]

Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz has hit out at Pirelli's tyres, says Formula 1 is no longer about racing. Mateschitz's team sit at the head of the Constructors Championship after five races. But his Red Bull team were unable to compete for victory in the four stop Spanish Grand Prix. Sebastian Vettel, who maintained his championship lead, came home in fourth place while Mark Webber was fifth. "Everyone knows what happens here. This has nothing to do with racing anymore. This is a competition in […]

Mercedes has been tipped as a likely favourite to win the fabled Monaco grand prix later this month. Having dominated qualifying in Spain, Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton fell spectacularly backwards through the field in the race as the W04 chew mercilessly through Pirelli's tyres. Toto Wolff, the team's co-owner and director, said the extreme reversal of Saturday's fortunes caused himself and Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche "almost physical pain". But it could all be different in Monaco. "I think Mercedes has a good chance to […]

Fernando Alonso sent the home fans into celebration as he took a commanding win at the Circuit de Catalunya

Lewis Hamilton admitted he endured a difficult afternoon at the Spanish Grand Prix as he slipped to twelfth place. Hamilton suffered from tyre degradation and vented his frustration to his team via the radio, saying 'I've just been passed by a Williams' and 'I can't go any slower!' Rosberg perplexed by race pace The Brit was forced to convert to a four-stop strategy during the race but could only finish twelfth, one lap behind winner Fernando Alonso. "A difficult afternoon today and going backwards is […]

Fernando Alonso thrilled his countrymen on Sunday as he took a big bite out of Sebastian Vettel's championship lead at home in Spain. The victorious Spaniard finished three places ahead of Red Bull's title leader Vettel, who suffered with tyre wear and saw his lead to Alonso reduce by a factor of 13 points, to 17 points after five races. "We have only had five races and there have been some ups and downs but we know we have the car to fight with the […]

Fernando Alonso says he is not too scared by Mercedes, despite the team locking out the front row in Spain. Alonso qualified in fifth place for his home race and reckons Kimi Raikkonen - who starts from fourth - will be a threat. "It’s a well known fact that Saturday afternoon is our weak point and fifth place is more or less what we were expecting," said the Spaniard. "We were well aware that Red Bull and Mercedes would both be very strong, but while […]

Giedo van der Garde achieved the highest qualifying position of his Formula 1 career after setting the nineteenth fastest time in Spain. A penalty for Esteban Gutierrez means the Dutchman will start the race from eighteenth. "I’m obviously really pleased with how today’s gone, both in FP3 and qualifying. We made a few changes to the car overnight to try and find a balance with the new parts and it’s worked out really well," he said. "I’m not running the same package as my teammate […]

Nico Rosberg secured pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix, with team-mate Lewis Hamilton setting the second fastest time. Rosberg's time of 1:20.718s was over two tenths of a second quicker than Hamilton, with reigning champion Sebastian Vettel in third place. Kimi Raikkonen took fourth, while home favourite Fernando Alonso was fifth. The Spaniard edged out Felipe Massa by just a thousandth of a second. Romain Grosjean as seventh, ahead of Red Bull's Mark Webber. Sergio Perez surprised many by making Q3 and he set […]

F1 team bosses have voted to introduce a penalty points system for 2014 that could see drivers banned for repeat offenses. Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, and Speed Week, said that during a meeting with Charlie Whiting on Wednesday, the scheme - with drivers allowed to accrue only 12 'demerit points' against their super licenses before a race ban is imposed - survived a vote by 7 to 4. The proposal will now be taken to the FIA's World Motor Sport Council for approval next […]

Abu Dhabi has now officially thrown its name into the hat as a potential pre-season testing venue for next season. We reported last month that venues in Bahrain and Qatar have applied to host F1 next winter, as teams look to the Middle East for better testing weather than wet and cold Spain. "There is an interest to do pre-season testing outside of Europe which would be of interest to us," Richard Cregan, boss of the Abu Dhabi venue at Yas Marina, is quoted by […]

Once so confident he would return to the grid in 2013, Jaime Alguersuari now admits his Formula One future is clouded. Dropped suddenly by Toro Rosso team owner Red Bull at the end of 2011, the Spaniard was just 21 but managed to stay in the paddock as Pirelli's test driver. He was hopeful he would bounce back onto the grid this year, but drivers with powerful backers and sponsors leapt to the front of the queue. Now 23, Alguersuari is not so sure he […]