Formula One + Formula E Blog featuring exclusive social media charts
Kimi : 2007 comeback not possible. McLaren : We’re going to push to the end.
The 17th Formula One World Championship Grand Prix has come to a relatively new motor racing circuit, the Buddh International Circuit at New Delhi, India. Debuted at 2011, this circuit is known to be very challenging to the drivers, due to the wide corners, multi apex corners and also the changes in elevation. Sebastian Vettel said it’s like a roller coaster. Since the circuit is new, it is still possible to break the lap record before the change in regulations in 2014.
The circuit length is 5.125 km and the 60-lap-race is 307.249 km long. It has one of the longest main straight (1060m) and also one of the longest pit lane (about 600m). Race strategies are important to make sure the time spent in the pit lane is “well spent”. Turn 3 is unusually wide to allow drivers to take different approach down the DRS main straight and improve overtaking. One of the most unique section of the circuit is the multi-apex Turn 10, 11 and 12. It’s a huge, bowl-shaped double-apex right-hander, like the Spoon at Suzuka Circuit, but tightens at the exit. Also, not to forget the left-hander at Turn 5, 6 and 7 which is very tricky to master, a good traction without sacrificing too much speed.
Pirelli will be bringing their P Zero Yellow soft and P Zero Silver hard tyres, a conservative combination provided that the circuit is still new. An extra set of soft tyres are given to the teams on Friday FP1 session for extra testing and data collection. Tyre loadings is expected to be high especially on the high speed multi-apex Turn 10, 11 and 12. The elevation changes through the course of the circuit and the drivers have to take account of that when braking.
Red Bull is still leading the pack on both constructors and championship standings with Ferrari and McLaren challenging its position. It is a great timing to race in a real racing circuit this weekend rather than a street circuit and we can see the teams and drivers give everything they could to the race. While Kimi Raikkonen has expressed his thoughts on the chances of getting the title, McLaren and Ferrari have not given up any hopes in the constructors championship standings. We’ll watch another epic battle between the top teams again.
Lap Record : 1:27.249 – S Vettel (2011)
You can add us to your circles on Google+, like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter to keep yourself updated.
Who can win the Korean Grand Prix in “Yeongam” Style?
The 16th Formula 1 Grand Prix is going to Korea, the hometown of Gangnam Style. But the focus here is the exciting F1 race on the all-around technical circuit with a combination of both long straights and tight corners, together with the generally cold weather which provides a challenge on the brakes and tyres.
The race distance is 308.630 km on 55 laps around the circuit. The lap record 1:39.605 is set by Sebastian Vettel in his Red Bull in 2011. It is quite likely to see a new record set by McLaren, Red Bull or Lotus this year before the change in engines starting from 2014. The track is not abrasive and should be at a low grip level. Going in Turn 1 and Turn 3, the drivers have to prevent the brakes from locking up due to heavy braking for the tight corners and the cars also require good traction when exiting. The circuit is very unique because Sector 1 is like a purpose built racing circuit while Sector 2 and 3 are like street circuit which is tight and twisty. The setup must be well balanced so that no time will be wasted at each sectors, straight-line speed and low-speed grip have to come to a compromise.
Pirelli will be bringing P Zero Red supersoft tyres and P Zero Yellow soft tyres to Korea because Korea has the highest lateral energy loadings of all the circuits. Two stop strategy is common in Korean Grand Prix due to the reasonable tyre wear, however, the cold weather may cause issues in warming up the tyres and brakes. There are quite a number of overtaking opportunities on the track particularly on Turn 1, 3, 4 and 10. Safety car is very likely to deploy so the strategy has to be flexible to take advantage of it.
After Alonso’s DNF in Japan Suzuka Circuit, Vettel is just 4 points behind him. Now there are 4 world champions which are in a solid battle for the title and Button & Webber may also be included in the title fight. This race is the most crucial race this season which may put Button and Webber away from the championship forever if they didn’t perform well or more accurately, a podium finish.
Lap Record : 1:39.605 – Sebastian Vettel (2011)
You can add us to your circles on Google+, like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter to keep yourself updated.
For more great infographics, to follow the performance of both Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber for the rest of the Championship and to keep up to date with all the gossip from inside the paddock, download the FREE app here: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/red-bull-racing-spy/id504350767?mt=8 or search for the Red Bull Racing Spy in the app store.
You can add us to your circles on Google+, like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter to keep yourself updated.
Second stop in Asia. One of the oldest F1 circuits on the calendar. Home Grand Prix for Kamui Kobayashi.
The 15th grand prix in 2012 Formula 1 season has came to Japan Suzuka Circuit, the second stop in Asia after Singapore. This circuit is well known as a fast circuit and a challenging one. The “S” curves in Sector 1 which consists of a continuous series of left-right corners is the unique part of this circuit.
The race distance is 307.471 km on 53 laps around the circuit. Drivers have been enjoying this circuit with lots of high speed corners as it is totally different from the low speed Singapore Marina Bay Street Circuit. A well-balanced car is crucial to negotiate the high speed corners perfectly without excessive wear and tear on the tyres. Overtaking on Suzuka is quite difficult as the only “real” overtaking spots are the hairpin at Turn 11 and the chicane at Turn 16 and also partly due to the shortened DRS zone in 2012.
Pirelli P Zero Silver hard and P Zero Yellow soft tyres will be used in Suzuka. Tyre wear is an issue here due to the high speed corners and a two-stop strategy is expected to be used by most of the teams and lots of opportunities will be opened up for the different strategies. Brake wear is low as there are only 2 significant braking zones in one lap of the circuit. Drivers have to keep track of the brakes’ temperature and brake harder if it drops below the optimum temperature. Replenishing KERS is also a problem where braking energy is low throughout the circuit.
After the interesting announcements regarding the transfers in 2013, one of the spotlights in Japanese Grand Prix goes to Sergio Perez. With his impressive performance in Monza which is also a high speed circuit, we might see him challenging his future team McLaren in Suzuka. Also, not to forget Lewis Hamilton which is still in the ferocious title fight along with world champions Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen in his last year in McLaren.
Lap Record : 1:31.540 – Kimi Raikkonen (2005)
You can add us to your circles on Google+, like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter to keep yourself updated.
Sauber on Facebook:
Well, working for our Partner NEC must be interesting anyway. But if you’re meeting Kamui Kobayashi prior to the Japanese GP right at your office – isn’t that fantastic?
GRANDPRIX20.COM 