Motor racing-Vergne wary of looking too far into the future
JEREZ, Spain, Feb 7 (Reuters) - The tide has turnedfor French drivers in Formula One and Toro Rosso rookieJean-Eric Vergne hopes one day to be riding the crest of a wave. The 21-year-old, despite his lack of experience, can dreamof scoring on his race debut in Melbourne on March 18 but theglittering prize could be further down the road with a possiblevacancy at champions Red Bull in 2013. Vergne ...
Motor racing-Newey pledges loyalty to Red Bull
JEREZ, Spain, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Adrian Neweyemphasised his loyalty to Red Bull on Tuesday, saying thatwalking out on the Formula One champions would feel likeabandoning his children. In a clear sign he intended to see out his Formula One career with the British outfit, the design genius that everyteam in the paddock would like to poach said Red Bull felt verymuch like family. "So long as I am ...
Motor racing-Williams declare fresh F1 start after grim 2011
JEREZ, Spain, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Former world championsWilliams presented their new car on Tuesday and declared a freshstart after enduring their worst season in Formula One. A Renault engine has taken the place of last year'sCosworth, Brazilian Bruno Senna has ousted veteran compatriotRubens Barrichello and a new technical line-up is in chargefollowing the departures of Sam Michael and Patrick ...
Motor racing-F1 teams seek guidance on Bahrain situation
JEREZ, Spain, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Formula One teams areconcerned about the situation in Bahrain but will leave thedecision on whether to race there in April to the sport'sgoverning body and commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone, bossessaid on Monday. Last year's grand prix at the Sakhir circuit was postponedand then cancelled due to pro-democracy protests that triggereda bloody crackdown. Clashes ...
Motor racing-Vettel hopes to disappoint Ecclestone
JEREZ, Spain, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Sebastian Vettel setout to disappoint Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone onMonday as Red Bull offered a tantalising glimpse of the car theyhope will take them and their champion to a third successivetitle. Ecclestone, who is very close to the German but always wantsa battle down to the wire to maximise television viewingfigures, said recently he hoped the 24 ...
Motor racing-Raikkonen sounds just the same as ever
JEREZ, Spain, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Kimi Raikkonen carriedout one of his least favourite Formula One duties, answeringmedia questions at a launch event, as if he had never been awayon Monday and the Finn's diehard fans will be thankful for that. The 2007 world champion, making a comeback with Lotus twoyears after his last appearance for Ferrari, made clear at thepresentation of his new E20 car that ...
Motor racing-Technical chief's exit clouds Sauber launch
JEREZ, Spain, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Sauber rolled outtheir 2012 Formula One car in the Spanish sunshine on Monday,the team shrugging off the abrupt exit of technical directorJames Key and hoping to score consistent points this year. The Swiss-based outfit announced last Friday that Key wasleaving to take a job in Britain with an unspecified employer. The C31 car he helped create was presented on the ...
Motor racing-F1 team owners Genii interested in buying Lotus
JEREZ, Spain, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Lotus Formula One teamowners Genii Capital would be interested in buying theloss-making Lotus Group from Malaysian parent Proton, chairmanGerard Lopez said on Monday. "It's a great, great brand," he said of the British-basedsportscar company after the presentation of the team's newRenault-engined E20 grand prix car at the Jerez circuit. "People have said that if ...
Motor racing-Toro Rosso nurture talent for Red Bull
JEREZ, Spain, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Red Bull-owned ToroRosso unveiled the car on Monday that could rocket AustralianDaniel Ricciardo or French team mate Jean-Eric Vergne to theFormula One big time. Double world champion Sebastian Vettel spent a season withToro Rosso in 2008, winning the Italian Grand Prix andgraduating to Red Bull at the end of the year in a meteoric riseto the top. The 24-year-old ...