Haas Reveal new F1 Car

Haas Racing

Haas have revealed their first F1 car, the VF-16 - and immediately targeted scoring points during their debut season.

F1's first US-owned outfit for 30 years revealed a striking grey, black and red livery for their debut season. The VF in the car's name stands for 'Very First'.

"Our goal with this car is to score points," said team boss Guenther Steiner. "First, we need to go out there and show that we can do the job, that we can finish races, that we are respected by the fans and other teams in the paddock.

"Then, we want to score points. That is the ultimate goal."

Much of the design work on the VF-16 was carried out at Ferrari's Maranello base, with Haas's technical partnership allowing them access to the Scuderia's wind tunnel and simulator.

The chassis itself was also built in Italy by Dallara and it will be powered by a 2016 Ferrari power unit, mounted to a current-spec gearbox from the Scuderia.

"We have very experienced designers who worked hard to develop all the little things from an aerodynamic perspective that, collectively, add up to a lot," added Steiner.

"And our technical partner, Ferrari, provided our power unit, and that really defined the rear end of the car and how big it needed to be."

Former Lotus driver and 10-time podium finisher Romain Grosjean has been signed to spearhead Haas' debut campaign, with Mexico's Esteban Gutierrez returning to an F1 race seat after year in a reserve role at Ferrari.

Discussing Haas' partnership with Ferrari, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said it's "clearly a very intelligent way of entering Formula 1" which "opens up an avenue for new models of collaboration".

Who's who at Haas in 2016

Team owner Gene Haas

COO Joe Custer

CMO Adam Jacobs

Team principal Guenther Steiner

Team manager / sporting director Dave O'Neill

Chief race engineer Ayao Komatsu

Chief designer Rob Taylor

Chief Aerodynamicist Ben Agathangelou

Race drivers Romain Grosjean and Esteban Gutierrez

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Hamilton Cries Wolff at Toto Claim

Lewis Hamilton has hit back at Toto Wolff’s claim that the world champion’s strained relationship with Nico Rosberg is having a detrimental effect on Mercedes.

Wolff, Hamilton’s employer, described the simmering tension between his two drivers as Mercedes’ “biggest weakness” and also claimed he would consider dropping one of them should their relationship continue to sour.

But in response to Wolff’s comments, Hamilton, who claimed his third world championship in October – his second in succession with Mercedes – said: “It is always blown so much out of proportion. We have had 16 one-two finishes so our relationship is not really causing any problems.

“I think we have both done a great job. It is not like he has been distracted and not finished high up, or vice versa, so I think ultimately it is easy for people to take things for granted. We have not caused any problems and the energy within the team is as high as it is ever going to be and that is because we do what we do how we do it.

“We are never going to be best friends but somehow we make it work. There are moments of tension but that is the same in any kind of sport I would imagine.”

Hamilton’s relationship with Rosberg appears at an all-time low following two years in which they have contested the drivers’ championship. Hamilton, who saw off Rosberg’s title challenge with three races to spare, was accused of “extremely aggressive driving” by his team-mate after the pair banged wheels in Austin. Rosberg then threw a cap at Hamilton before the podium celebrations.

Hamilton has subsequently said his team have “felt the need to be extra warm” to Rosberg, winner of the next three races, following that fallout, a statement the German described as an “excuse” for the Briton’s failure to win the following race in Mexico.

In an interview with Motorsport.com, Wolff said: “Going forward, we will consider if it is the best setup for the team. Personality and character within the team is a crucial ingredient for the team’s success.

“If we feel that it is not aligned with the general consensus, spirit and philosophy within the team, we might consider that when we take a decision in terms of the driver lineup going forward.”

Hamilton, who has said he wants to end his career with Mercedes, signed a new three-year deal in May. Rosberg’s current contract expires at the end of 2016 but the German has no desire to leave.

Regarding next season, Hamilton, who was speaking to the BBC, added: “You never know what is going to happen but I am going to be working hard, working on my fitness, and I have every plan to come back strong.”

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FIA Ratifies 21 Grand Prix in 2016

Formula 1 is set for a record number of grands prix next year after the FIA ratified a 21-race calendar for 2016.

A change to regulations agreed on Wednesday means that instead of being restricted to 20 grands prix the F1 season can be extended and there are 21 planned.

There were 20 races in 2012 but now, with a new European Grand Prix in Baku and the return of the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim, Lewis Hamilton is likely to face a longer season in his quest to defend his title.

The first grand prix will again take place in Australia during March after a plan to move the start to April was scrapped, and Abu Dhabi will host the last of the 21 races on the final weekend in November.

The United States Grand Prix in Austin remains provisional subject to an agreement with the circuit’s promoter but, if it is confirmed, the race will be part of six back-to-back grands prix throughout the year.

A new race in Azerbaijan is pencilled in for 19 June but the time of the race is likely to be set at a later date to avoid a clash with the Le Mans 24 Hour endurance race running the same weekend.

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Hamilton Crazy About Mexico

Lewis Hamilton described the new Mexican Grand Prix circuit as "challenging for everyone but fun".

The new champion joined drivers in remarking on the lack of grip of Mexico City's track but praised the atmosphere created by thousands of fans.

He said: "It's crazy how slippery it is, just sliding around, a bit like a go-kart track in the slow areas."

Hamilton and others praised the last part of the track, which winds through a stadium with steep grandstands.

The Mexican crowd's roar could be heard above the engine noise as Sergio Perez tackled the circuit

"Lots of people for a Friday," Hamilton said. "Fantastic. Hopefully there will be even more over the weekend."

Hamilton, who has won 10 races so far this season on his way to clinching his third world title, still has a chance to equal the record for number of wins in a season over the remaining three races.

But he said he was "not at all" interested in that, saying his target was "the same as usual - just go out and try to be as quick as I can".

This Sunday's race will be live on BBC radio 5 live and the BBC Sport website from 17:30 GMT.

Hamilton was fourth fastest in second practice at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, which has been remodelled since it last hosted a Formula 1 Grand Prix in 1992.

The track is at an altitude of 2,285 metres (7,500 feet), which means the cars' aerodynamics work less effectively than at circuits with a lower elevation because of the thinner air.

Hamilton was one of several drivers to lose control of their car during changeable conditions in second practice

Hamilton's Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg, who was fastest ahead of the Red Bull drivers Daniil Kvyat and Daniel Ricciardo, said: "It is great to learn a new track. They have done a good job.

"It is so high up, it is like a ski station in Europe. The air is very thin and even down the straights there is no resistance, so we have the Monaco rear wing on the car but we're doing Monza speeds."

Rosberg's thin hopes of delaying Hamilton's coronation as champion died following a mistake in the closing stages of the US Grand Prix last weekend.

He ran wide while leading and handed the lead and eventual victory to Hamilton, who therefore scored enough points to put the title out of his rivals' reach.

With the races in Mexico, Brazil and Abu Dhabi to go, Rosberg lies second, four points behind Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel.

Asked if his motivation was now securing second place in the championship, Rosberg said: "That is not my motivation. It is beating the guy next to me [Hamilton]."

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Hamilton Wins Japanese GP

Lewis Hamilton has extended his World Championship lead over Nico Rosberg by cruising to victory in Japan.

The Mercedes driver drew level with Ayrton Senna on 41 career wins after roaring ahead at the start, and now leads the world title race by 48 points.

Sebastian Vettel came home in third for Ferrari.

It was the perfect response from Hamilton and Mercedes after a disastrous Singapore Grand Prix the week before.

Hamilton was beaten to pole by Rosberg, but overtook his team-mate at the first corner before managing a perfect race.

Afterwards, the Brit said: "Fantastic job, guys. Great to be back up here. You did a flawless job as always."

The Russian Grand Prix comes next on the calendar in two weeks' time.

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VW F1 Team Now Just Bull

The prospects of the Volkswagen Group entering Formula 1 could be scuppered by the news that Martin Winterkorn is to resign as its chief executive in the wake of the US car emissions scandal. 

Winterkorn was known to be the driving force behind a bid to convince Volkswagen board members to sign off a move into F1, a passage made clearer by former chairman Ferdinand Piech – who was against the proposal – exiting the firm earlier in the year. 

However, the revelation that the world's largest car maker manipulated US diesel car emissions tests to give more positive results has claimed its first victim in Winterkorn, who said the company needed a 'fresh start' to rebuild consumer confidence even if he insists he had no knowledge of the wrongdoing. 

The news is a swift and potentially decisive blow to the suggestion that VW could finally green light a move into F1 at least in the short-term, particularly as it says it will be setting aside £4.7 billion to cover costs of the scandal and has already had upwards of 40 billion euros wiped off its value on the stock market. 

News broke over the Singapore Grand Prix weekend that VW was close to a deal to take over Red Bull Racing's F1 effort from 2018 and was set to construct its own power unit, only for the scale of the emissions scandal to emerge too. 

The BBC F1 chief analyst Eddie Jordan said last week the agreement would have seen VW buy the team and build its own engine, while Red Bull continues as a major sponsor.

Jordan says a VW engine would not enter F1 until 2018 and Red Bull would use Ferrari power in the interim. The team will split with current engine partner Renault after this season, ending their contract a year early.

"Red Bull and VW have been in on-and-off talks for more than a year and I understand that the fundamentals of a deal for the sale of the team have been agreed," said Jordan.

"An arrangement whereby VW would take it over, becoming the fourth major manufacturer in F1, and Red Bull would continue to enjoy the high profile that comes from a major sponsorship suits both parties."

It is not clear which of the VW Group's brands would be promoted in F1, although Audi is the favourite. 

The company also owns the Porsche, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Bentley, Seat and Skoda marques.

Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz told his company's Speedweek website on Friday that his team's split from Renault was concluded "a few weeks ago".

He said using a Ferrari engine would be "a very acceptable solution for the next two or three years" but a contract with the Italian company was not finalised.

Any VW deal would represented a triumph for Martin Winterkorn, the chairman of the VW board of directors, in an internal power struggle.

Winterkorn had agreed the deal with Mateschitz and the drinks giant's motorsport adviser Helmut Marko.

VW and Red Bull have long-time links and are currently partners in the world rally championship and Dakar Rally.

BBC Sport reported that agreed a deal to buy out Red Bull last winter but the plan was vetoed by former VW Group chairman Ferdinand Piech.

Piech was ousted in a boardroom power struggle and resigned in April.

In May Marko said: "If we don't have a competitive engine in the near future, then either Audi is coming or we are out."

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has consistently denied that the team have held talks with the VW Group.

The German media is now reporting Porsche boss Matthias Mueller will be named as Winterkorn's replacement on Friday.

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Button Tells Fans Not to Worry

Jenson Button has told his fans “don’t worry about me” as the McLaren board meets to decide his future.

Asked on Sky Sports whether he would still be with the team next season, he replied: “That’s a question I can’t answer.”

McLaren have continued to dither over the fate of their drivers as they seek to clear a place for the incoming Fernando Alonso now he has officially left Ferrari and the group CEO Ron Dennis had promised Button and his team-mate Kevin Magnussen an answer as to who would be in the car before the end of the season, only to put off the decision until the board meeting on Thursday.

Although a decision may be made at the meeting it is possible no announcement will be made until next week.

Speaking from a road-safety event in Edinburgh where he was accompanied by Magnusson, Button said: “I don’t know when we’ll find out.

“I’m here with Kevin, we’ve spent the last couple of days together and we’ve had some interesting conversations – and whichever way it goes it’s better for us to know sooner rather than later.”

He added: “It’s up to McLaren to make the decison and I will respect their decision whichever way it goes.

“But for me, I’ve had a fairly great career in Formula One which I would love to see continue.”

The 2009 world champion, who finished eighth in this world’s title race, continued: “I’ve really enjoyed this year, I feel we’ve got a good base for a great future, it’s an exciting new challenge and I’m all for new challenges.”

Should Button lose his seat, he has been tipped to join his contemporary in F1, Mark Webber, driving sports cars at Porsche. Asked whether he might be minded to turn down an offer from McLaren now that the affair had dragged on so long, he insisted: “I want to drive for McLaren.

“For me the last few months have been very tricky. Two months ago was very difficult when my future was uncertain but the last few weeks I’ve had so much support from fans and social media it’s given me confidence and kept me relaxed in the decision making and I’m in a good place wherever my future takes me.”

It would be no problem teaming up with the twice world champion Alonso, he said, adding: “He’s a guy who would be a massive challenge working with because you always want to beat your team-mate but an exciting challenge.”

Button has out-qualified and out-performed Magnussen, who finished 11th in the championship, on the track this season but the 34-year-old Briton is the more expensive choice. “Any decision has to be supported by the shareholders and the board,” Dennis has said.

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Go Ahead for Indian GP

Getty Images

The Indian Grand Prix will go ahead as scheduled this weekend after a hearing into alleged tax irregularities was delayed until next week.

Campaigner Amit Kumar had accused race promoters of not paying entertainment taxes for the 2012 event and demanded the cancellation of Sunday's race.

But a court official said: "The case will now be heard next week."

The Indian Grand Prix has been dropped from next year's calendar but promoters are optimistic of a return in 2015.

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, who leads Ferrari rival Fernando Alonso by 90 points with 100 still available, is expected to clinch his fourth world crown this Sunday.

The German, who has led every racing lap at the Indian Grand Prix since its debut in 2011, will claim the title if he ends up fifth or higher, regardless of where Alonso finishes.

The long-term future of the Indian Grand Prix is uncertain after F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone removed the race from the 2014 calendar.

Organisers are trying to find a new date for its return in 2015, with Ecclestone keen for the race to take place in the early part of the season, rather than its current October date.

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