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F1: Three Carmakers Linked With Post-2013 F1 Forays

Three car makers have been named as potential candidates to enter formula one after the engine rules change in 2013.

Jean-Francois Caubet, managing director of F1 engine supplier Renault Sport F1, said “Volkswagen, Honda and Hyundai” coul


Three car makers have been named as potential candidates to enter formula one after the engine rules change in 2013.

Jean-Francois Caubet, managing director of F1 engine supplier Renault Sport F1, said "Volkswagen, Honda and Hyundai" could launch campaigns when the turbocharged four-cylinder power plants replace the current 2.4 litre V8s.

His comments are a further sign that engine makers back the FIA's greener rules for 2013, amid Bernie Ecclestone's fears that spectators and sponsors will not appreciate the loss of the current engine note.

As for the aforementioned three, Caubet said they are likely to watch the implementation of the new formula in 2013 and then make a decision.

"I don't think they will come in the first year, because that would be difficult for a car manufacturer," he told motorsport-total.com.  "Maybe later."

Renault Sport F1 supplies engines to the Renault, Red Bull and Team Lotus teams.

(GMM)

Berger No Fan Of F1 Overtaking Debate

Gerhard Berger has admitted he is no fan of the ongoing debate about overtaking in formula one.

After watching the Australian grand prix on television, the ten-time race winner said the new moveable rear wings made "barely" any difference.

But "This is the wrong approach," he said on Austrian Servus TV.  "I want to see racing, where if you want to get past you have to brake later.

"I don't even know why we always have to talk about overtaking.  Everyone seems to complain but in recent years, the world championships have been very interesting.

"In most cases it (the champion) is decided at the last race; last year there were four drivers in with a chance.  And there has been overtaking," added Berger.

He thinks that instead of seeing boosted overtaking with complicated technical systems, F1's audience actually wants to watch a simplified sport.

"The audience does not want to be completely overwhelmed but rather see very simple rules and racing -- the same for formula one as with football."

Berger also talked about Red Bull's current domination of F1, crediting designer "genius" Adrian Newey.

"Something like him is very hard to find," he said.

"Mercedes have Brawn who is a good manager and a good strategy man, but it's a real artist that is lacking there."

(GMM)

Alguersuari Says Buemi To Blame For Heidfeld Damage

Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari has revealed that his teammate was responsible for Nick Heidfeld's damage in the Melbourne season opener.

The crash was not captured on television or by photographers, but Heidfeld had a notably poor debut with Renault in Australia and it emerged only afterwards that his right sidepod had sustained significant damage.

But the German did not know who had hit him, and neither did his team nor any significant F1 insiders.

"I would definitely have scored some points," Heidfeld told Auto Motor und Sport, "but a Toro Rosso hit me in turns 10 and 11 and I lost 1.5 seconds every lap."

Team boss Eric Boullier explained: "He lost KERS and the balance was affected."

The prime suspect for the crash was Alguersuari, who had already been blamed for running into his own teammate Sebastien Buemi on the first lap.

"It's not the first time it has happened, so I think we (Buemi and Alguersuari) will be having a chat about it," said an angry Buemi, who is fighting for survival at Toro Rosso.

But faced with the further accusation about the Heidfeld crash at Melbourne airport, Spaniard Alguersuari said he was not to blame.

  • "I hit with Schumacher, but for Heidfeld I am not responsible," he insisted.
  • "I was right behind and saw exactly what happened.  Seb (Buemi) was in corner ten fighting with the Renault and he hit him at corner 11."

Buemi did not mention the incident after the race, and it was not investigated by the stewards.

(GMM)

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