Raikkonen Given Penalty

Kimi Raikkonen has been given a three-place grid penalty for tomorrow's Malaysian Grand Prix. 
The Finn was expected to line up 7th on the grid, but has now been dragged back to 10th after being deemed to have blocked Nico Rosberg in the final session of today's Qualifying. 
Despite claims from the team that their man was suffering from hydraulic-issues, the FIA stood by Rosberg's view that he was indeed blocked. The move means Raikkonen will have to fight through the top ten if he is to repeat his race victory in last weekends Australian Grand Prix.

10 Minutes With: Jack Goff

The month of March is a big one for Motorsport. One of excitement, build-up, and anxiety among fans, teams, media and drivers alike. It was no surprise then, that British Touring Car Championship newcomer Jack Goff is raring and ready to go. I caught up with Jack during this weeks BTCC Media Day at Donington Park. With a new car, team, championship and challenge, 2013 is staring him down the barrel:

"Yeah im really excited. Me and Tony Gilham (team boss of Team HARD) started to discuss joining the BTCC throughout last season. Tony gave us a really good deal and opportunity to do Touring Cars this year with Team HARD."

This season will see Team HARD embark on the commendable journey of fielding a four-car team, with two brand-new, in-house designed Volkswagen Passat CC's, and two Vauxhall Insignia's. Goff, along with fellow debutant James Cole, will field an Insignia under the banner of RCIB Insurance Racing. Despite the size of the task, Goff is highly optimistic about this seasons hopes:
"The Vauxhall Insignia is new, remoulded, and reshaped for 2013. Both the Vauxhall and the Volkswagen have similar dimensions, which stack up very well on paper and should on the track! The level of detail and hard work that has gone into the cars is simply amazing. It's been done perfectly, it's a shame we couldn't bring the car today (Team HARD's quartet of cars were still being built and  absent from Media Day), but there's no need to rush perfection."

Jack's progression through the ranks of British Motorsport to one of the pinnacle classes, began in typical fashion. Following the stereotypical yet successful karting years that many professional race drivers endure, Jack found himself ready to leap into the world of gears, headlights and dashboards in 2008:
"I started karting when I was six-years old, in 1996. I then started out car racing in the MG Trophy. I actually won my first race here at Donington park and never really looked back!"

With three impressive years racing an MG ZR 190, Jack found himself signing a contract to race for Team Pyro in the 2010 Renault Clio Cup UK; a series that to this day, has put the High Wickham-resident on the radar. I ask Goff whether in hindsight, 2010 came too soon?
" Certainly, looking back I was far too gung-ho in 2010 and '11! In fact, one of my only real regrets is that in those two years I should have really settled down. In 2011, I should have won the Championship."
Fortunes soon changed however. In 2012, Jack lifted his Clio-curse and stormed to the title, following the realisation that the gung-ho attitude needed toning down: "In 2012 we finished every single race by being more consistent. I think my win at Oulton Park in 2011 was really the race that set the rhythm for my title last season."

With past mistakes, lessons, performances and raised eyebrows all propelling the 22-year old into the BTCC, Jack comes across as a man absolutely ready to go wheel-to-wheel with some of the sports most prolific characters, in a series that few would argue he isn't worthy of.
"I grew-up watching the likes of (Jason) Plato and (Matt) Neal, and now im racing with them! It's a dream come true, but it always seemed like the natural step for me. If you don't aim high, you're kidding yourself. Always push for more."

You can keep up-to-date with Jack's progress this season by following him on Twitter: @jgmotorsport

Nissan to Enter WTCC in 2014?

With Citroen all but confirmed to be entering the World Touring Car Championship in 2014, could Japanese manufacturer Nissan be ready to follow suit? 
Earlier this week reports began to circulate that Nissan Chief Carlos Ghosen is due to make an announcement regarding the future of the marque's Motorsport-division, Nismo. In the same forty-eight hours came the news from Touring Car specialists RML, that they were due to announce their plans for the foreseeable future within the 'next two weeks.' 
The team successfully recorded their third consecutive driver and team championship titles in 2012, but were left in the doldrums at the end of last season after Chevrolet brought it's factory programme to an end. 
Should their be any substance to my suspected link between Nissan and RML, then the partnership would surely be with a a view to enter the 2014 WTCC championship, with rule-changes allowing machines to be more powerful and more aerodynamically efficient. Such changes bring the series' closer to Nismo's current interests the Nissan's homeland, where the division runs a number of heavily race-modified Nissan GTR's in the Super GT series. 
RML and Nissan last worked together between 1997 and 1999, when the latter successfully contracted RML to run it's British Touring Car Championship assault with a pair of Nissan Primera's. 
With success in the past, and a promising WTCC future, many & me will be hoping that these two stalwarts are about to launch each other back into the motorsport limelight.

Reading Lewis Hamilton.

I wonder, I wonder if Hamilton has pondered an acting career recently... 
With two reasonably faultless test sessions behind him at the wheel of his new Mercedes W04, both of which displayed at least a hint of raw pace, the former champ comes across as a man truly and utterly downbeat and despondent, almost beyond belief. Take, for example, the featured interview with Sky Sports F1's Craig Slater: http://www1.skysports.com/formula1/video/24068/8517047
It's common knowledge that drivers and teams tend to 'sandbag' during pre-season testing, but comments from Hamilton such as "we'll be fighting for points" and completely writing off ALREADY any title or race-win hopes, seem to me and many others im sure, to be stretching the limits of 'playing down expectation'. 
But hey, Formula One is all about pushing boundaries, right?

Should Sutil be Sat?

Today (Thursday 14th January), it has emerged that erstwhile Sahara Force India driver Adrian Sutil, has returned to his former teams factory for a seat-fitting. While it remains unclear whether or not the fitting puts the German in pole-position for the final seat on the 2013 F1 grid, it will, and has, undoubtedly raised many eyebrows.
As is common knowledge now throughout the F1 fraternity, justice is a word not particularly understood within the sport. You only have to consider for example, the prolific names who have found themselves heading for the sports exit-door in recent history; Heikki Kovalainen, Timo Glock, Jamie Alguersuari, Nick Heidfeld, to name but a few. All incredibly talented drivers with a proven speed-credentials in Motorsports' pinnacle class, yet sidelined through above all else, a lack of funding.
Of course, it's not the funding that has caused a stir with the Sutil-Situation, it's strangely enough, his criminal record. Should a man previously convicted of GBH really be given a second chance in the Sport? Many will say no, of course he shouldn't. Formula One in the grand scheme of things, maintains a clean-cut image, with the intense level of sponsorship and role-model occupation of it's drivers, being essential to the very cornerstone of the sport. So with Sutil's tainted reputation, it's a surprise to many that Force India team boss Vijay Mallya is at least considering giving the German a second chance, whether it be merely a pre-season test next week in Barcalona, or a season-long drive back in the big-time.
Now back to the issue of funding... despite not being the do-all and end-all in this conundrum, it does still play a colossal part. As in Sutil's first impressive spell in Formula One, he carries with him significant backing from sponsors such as Medion, Einstein & Newton, and Capri-Sonne, resulting in a sufficient level of pennies to fuel Sutil in Formula One. Dig a little further, and it comes to stand that Mallya's own wealth is somewhat in danger, with his primary buisness interest, Kingfisher Airlines on the brink of folding. Sutil's backing might not only be sufficient for himself, but also a safety net for the team as a whole, one must feel.
Sutil's main rival for the race-seat is Jules Bianchi; a man who himself carries a strong argument warranting him the drive. Having already tested the all-new VJM06, and carrying backing from the juggernaut that is Ferrari, Bianchi is far from an ugly option for Force India. Having displayed raw pace in numerous 2012 Friday test-sessions, the Frenchman is embedded within the team set-up, which must be seen as an important factor considering the lack of time between now and the first race in Melbourne, just over a month away.
With so many variables at play, it's easy to see why the final driver-announcement for 2013 has become a somewhat saga. A man who much Mallya in terms of giving the nod/guidance to fast men, Peter Coe (Seb Coe's father and trainer), once said that one of the biggest factors in being successful in sport, is 'managing the variables'surrounding the event itself. I hope for the teams sake, that such variables don't begin to underpin a successful and well-loved operation, such as Sahara Force India.

WRC: VW Win, What Now For Citroen?

Volkswagen have won their maiden World Rally event, with Sebastian Ogier driving the marque to victory in Rally Sweden. 
The well documented victory adds fuel to the fire concerning Ogier and VW's title credentials, and certainly supplies an unwelcome migraine to rival teams Citroen and Qatar M-Sport. However, does the win have further implications? 
Well, a brief pondering-session would suggest so. A maiden victory for any team/driver combination is always a popular one, even if it comes courtesy of one of the worlds largest car company's. However, it's taken less than two-events for VW to achieve success.With almost-guaranteed car development thanks to the marques deep pockets, and arguably the finest driver line-up in Jari-Matti Latvala and Sebastian Ogier, is it probable more than possible that VW might about to completely steam-roll the WRC? 
Should this illusion of mine take shape, it leaves the series' most prolific competitor, Citroen, with a number of huge decisions to make. Do they invest more into their rallying-programme to try and compete? Do they bide their time as second best, in an obviously struggling series? With all important TV-Rights/airtime going quite frankly arse-over-tit in the WRC at the moment, and an expected assault in World Touring Cars on the horizon, fans, the F.I.A, and indeed Motorsport as whole, should be worried. 
Should Citroen leave the sport as a factory-backed team, it leaves the newbies VW, as the only factory-representatives, which is good for no-one.In a nutshell: less sponsorship, less broadcasting appeal, reduction of competition, and in tough economic times (yawn), a high doubt-factor of any other manufactures rushing to the rescue of the WRC. 
A final key-catalyst of potential destruction, is the part-retirement of a certain Frenchman, Sebastian Loeb. Loeb is quite simply the most successful rally driver of all time, and is to rally what Tiger Woods is (well, was...) to Golf, and what David Beckham is to Football.Take away such a name from a sport in such a fragile state as the WRC is now, and it could be potentially be disastrous. Citroen have lost their champion, massive brand identity and elder statesman responsible for all their WRC success, and fans around the world have lost a man truly worshipped by admirers of sideways-action. A legend removed, and an ever gaping hole left behind, could well see the the WRC go head on into a tree, at what is a tight icey turn in the series' illustrious existence.

2013: Sauber's Year?

Sauber today took the wraps off of their 2013-challenger, the C32-Ferrari.
The all new car appears to be the most radical looking yet, ahead of the all-new McLaren, Ferrari, and Lotus machines that have been revealed over previous days.
The inclusion of noticeably small sidepods is the cars most striking feature, with the space reserved by the tiny-pods being taken up by large vanes, in an attempt to channel air towards to the vital-area of the exhaust outlets and diffuser at the rear of the C32.
A pleasing feature of the new car is the absence of the pig-ugly conventional  stepped-nose, with so-called 'modesty fairings' protruding past the the step itself, much like as seen on the Red Bull RB8 from yesteryear.
Not-so-radical is the car's new-for-2013 colour scheme, with a predominant shade of grey sprawled across the carbon-fibre in twine with lashes of white and red, the colours most synonymous with the Hinwil-based team.
With an all-new driver line-up in Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Gutierrez, hopes are high for Sauber, as new team principal Monisha Kaltenborn states:  "The aim is very clear and simple: we want to continue to improve ourselves."
With a radical looking design, and an upwards trend of performance on the their CV over previous seasons, 2013 looks to be a potentially jubilant season, with nothing short of regular top five performances and occasional  wins, a widely held expectation.

Kubica Conundrum

If reports are to be true, Robert Kubica's DTM test with Mercedes today (Thursday 24th January) left the Pole 0.5 seconds faster around the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia than ex-DTM champion, Gary Paffett. 
Should Kubica's rumoured pace prove fruitful, it adds yet more fuel to the fire that the man once considered one of the greatest drivers in the world, could be about to press on further with his road back to Formula One by entering the DTM fraternity. So where would such a move leave him? Well, as with everyone, it's a battle royale to join, or rejoin in Kubica's case, the big league. With budget becoming ever-more decisive in a driver's career in and around the sport, talent is forever taking a more settled position on the backbench. With talent undoubtedly present but budget questionable, this ugly-truth could work either way for the former BMW-Sauber and Lotus-Renault driver. 
Should Mercedes clinch Kubica's signature for the forthcoming DTM season, the pairing would face a mammoth task of overcoming such an already strong grid line-up, with Paffett, Bruno Spengler, Jamie Green, Mattias Ekstrom, and Martin Tomczyk to name but a few, all far more experienced and proven race-winners in the series. 
Should the Polish racer thrive, his potential ties with Mercedes should open up a whole host of avenues in Formula One, the marque's own works-team being one of three teams powered by 'Merc' engines. 2014 see's the introduction of brand-new engine technology in F1, and teams will be desperate for their respective drivers to offer valuable feedback and advice regarding engine performance and behaviour. With years of experience in Formula One already, this could stand Kubica in good stead, with customer-Mercedes teams Sahara Force India, maybe McLaren, and even former supplier Sauber, who are rumoured to be in discussions with Mercedes for 2014. 
It's all if's and but's for Kubica right now, and this extends to his current physical condition, which since his horrific rally accident two years ago, remains short of what is needed to pilot a Formula One car, despite vast improvement. Having declared 'no problems whatsoever' in the DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupe, bags of proven talent, a massive fan-base and substantial determination to get back to his best, Robert Kubica is a man who deserves to have the pro's growing, and the con's shrinking, in his mission back to the top.

Glock Leaves Marussia?

Today (Sunday), rumours have been rife concerning Timo Glock's place within the Marussia F1 team.
the rumour became widespread after German newspaper 'Sport Bild' (http://sportbild.bild.de/SPORT/formel-1/2013/01/20/sport-bild-plus/glock-und-marussia-gehen-getrennte-wege.html) ran the story this evening on their website, claiming an official announcement will be made tomorrow (monday).
 Glock is quoted as stating: "I have experienced three great years with Marussia, we part in friendship". Whether the rumour becomes justified or not is still to be seen, but one would presume that the use of direct quotation and indefinite language, would suggest a manner of truth in the story.
My thoughts? Not surprising. Glock stunned the Formula One world when he committed to the then 'Virgin F1' team for the squad's inaugural season in 2010. As a former consistent points scorer and erstwhile podium finisher, you have to feel that Marussia/Virgin's extended three year baptism of fire in the sport has left Glock ruing the day he signed on the dotted line.
So what are his options? His apparent departure leaves three seats available on the grid for the coming season, the other two of course being at Force India and Caterham. With Jules Bianchi and Adrian Sutil apparently in a two horse race for the seat alongside Paul Di Resta, it would seem the German's chances lie more realistically with Caterham. That, or perhaps a seat outside of F1... DTM perhaps? Lets not forget Glock's previous role as a BMW-Sauber test driver, the marque would surely be interested in taking on-board the undoubtedly talented and experienced Glock, should he wish to walk away from the F1 paddock.

Looking Good Sideways: WRC's Hottest Cars

This weekend sees the Monte Carlo Rally maintain it's curtain-raising tradition, in kick-starting this seasons World Rally Championship. It gives unparalleled opportunity for petrol heads to witness driver and machine on the limit for the first time this calendar year, and increases the desire and want for all Motorsport series' to once again fire up around the world.
Despite dropping audience figures, the WRC undoubtedly carries with a truly astonishing visual aspect, carried almost at will through the medium of moving-image and photography. This left me thinking... what are the best looking Rally Cars of all time? Here's my conclusions:

Subaru Impreza WRC06

It wouldn't be a list of beautiful rally cars without a Subaru featuring at some point, so lets get it out of the way first (not that you'd want to hurry it out of the way of course). You'd struggle to find anyone unfamiliar with the iconic 555 branding sprawled across the Impreza rally car, and despite it's various editions and revisions, it goes without saying that the Blue and striking Yellow colour scheme speaks for itself. Undoubtedly, one of, if not the most famous race-liveries every to grace the sport.

Ford RS2000

Time to get it off of my chest... I absolutely adore the whole 'big engine small car' concept. Whether it's a tricked-out Saxo on an council estate in Leeds or a rally-prepared Ford RS2000 from yesteryear, I love the idea of a so-called pocket rocket. Of course, between the Saxo and the RS2000, I'd pick the latter, not only because of it's pedigree, but because of it's aggressive, yet simplistic styling. That stern rear-wing, those Mini-esque round head lamp, the short wheel base. All of which, complimented by the blue and white colour scheme representing Ford themselves. I like.

Lancia 037

Lancia were creators of some of the most jaw-dropping cars ever seen. The Delta, the Stratos, the Fulvia... all stunners in their own unique way. One of the rare ugly-ducklings was of course the 037, which wasn't even deserving of a proper name. Harsh. However, apply raised suspension, remove the rear bumper, insert two gigantic mud flaps along with a striking Martini livery, and the 037 all of a sudden can mix it with it's beautiful brothers. With the car baring it's intricate internals via the exposed rear, a fire-spitting 2-litre supercharged engine, and enough hair-raising video clips of it airborne, the 037 wasn't a 'car' as such. It was more of a  purpose-built machine for going sideways, fast.

 

Ford Fiesta RS WRC (Monster World Rally team)
In the case of the Ford Fiesta RS, I find that it isn't the car itself that strikes me as being damn hot, but instead, the livery. More specifically, the livery of the 2012 Monster World Rally Team contender as piloted and made iconic by Mr.Sideways himself, Ken Block. The bonkers 'off the wall' design is a farcry from the often regimented and coordinated layout sprawled across many racing cars, many of which the Fiesta competes against. But then again, 'regimented' and 'coordinated' are hardly words you'd associate with Block's vocabulary...

Volkswagen Polo R WRC
This weekends Monte-Carlo Rally see's the debut of the long awaited Polo R on the rallying scene, with VW having spent all of 2012 developing and fine-tuning the car that they and lead driver Sebastian Ogier will hope, can land them title success at the first time of asking. The car in question, is an eye-catcher. A huge spoiler  bold headlights, wide-wheel arches, and a whole lot of promise and pressure on the German cars, ermm, shoulders. Unlike the Fiesta RS, the Polo for me is much more concentrated on the car itself in terms of visual appeal, and not the the discreet and subtle simplistic Red Bull induced livery. A looker and a favourite, watch out in 2013, the Germans are coming.

Volkswagen Race-Touareg 2
Now to finish off with something a little bit out of a loop, I've gone for the Dakar Rally-prepared Volkswagen Touareg. By no means a 'pretty' car when seen on the M25, the Touareg was sensationally adapted to compete in the gruelling Dakar Rally from 2003 onwards, with much success. Just look at it. Wide and still regarded a fat, yet draped in a rally-overcoat that makes you look twice, at least. It reminds me of those im fat and have no dress sense but I want to look stunning yet still visit KFC daily programs really; still far from a peach, but striking and interesting to look at. When Desert Rallying, met Gok Wan.

Think I've overlooked something? Disagree with any of my choices? Leave comments below and I'll be sure to answer and debate!

*Sorry for the somewhat random photo layout; struggling massively to format it all correctly!

Ducati Launch Moto GP Recovery Mission

Under new-ownership from Audi, the prospect of life without Valentino Rossi, and mounting pressure from the marque's legion of tifosi, todays unveiling of Ducati's 2013 Moto GP challenger marks an important date in the manufacturers history. 
The Italian-team launched the new Desmosedici GP13 in usual fashion, during the annual Wrooom event held at the Italian ski resort of Madonna di Campiglio, with both Andrea Dovizioso and established team leader Nicky Hayden in attendance. 
Following a torrid couple of seasons, Ducati, and more so Audi, will be nigh-on desperate to see a seemingly fresh start bring a fresh set of results on-track, for a team that once dominated Moto GP during the Stoner-era. 
Alongside Dovizioso and Hayden, stood Pramac Racing's new-look rider line up of Ben Spies and Andrea Iannone, as Pramac again launch their season as Ducati's satellite squad. However, for the first time, the team will enjoy full-factory machinery and support throughout 2013... A sure sign that Audi's financial clout and ambition is already beginning to seep through. 
As has been the case for over a decade now, Valentino Rossi remains at the heart of discussion throughout Moto GP, and this season is no different. Having failed to bring success to Ducati, 'Vale46' has moved on to pastures new (or old) at Yamaha, in the team that has bought him 4 of his 7 world titles to date. 
The faltering relationship and consequential divorce between Rossi and Ducati has however left the door open for Dovizioso to straddle the bike of the departed Rossi, in a move that he, Ducati, and the majority of Italy will hope brings about success and race-wins. 
As for Dovizioso's team-mate Hayden, it could well be last-chance saloon. The Kentucky-rider enters his fifth season with Ducati in 2013, and can honestly look back on the past four seasons with limited joy with regards to on-track joy. The former world champion was widely expected to leave the marque after last season, but a will to finish what he initially set out to do with Ducati, has seemingly descended throughout Hayden 
Ducati have all the ingredients to be successful in 2013, but can they overcome the lingering hangover of disastrous 2011-2012 campaigns, and the departure of the sports finest ever rider? Hayden's last hoorah, Dovizioso has a point-to-prove, Audi bring expectation, and everyone knows success at Ducati, is overdue.