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Showing posts with label Racing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Racing. Show all posts

Thursday, 4 April 2013

Force India Driver: 'My team are like a second family.'


Exclusive interview with Thedrszonef1:



Force India truck driver Dave Histley, enjoys a long winter break every year with his family. 

But, for the rest of the year he has to make do with travelling the world alongside some of the biggest names in Motorsport.

48-year old Dave admits the job does come with its perks, he said: "We travel to some of the most amazing countries around the world, I get to spend down time with some amazing people and every couple of weeks', we get to go racing.

Dave has been an avid Formula One fan since he was young, he told us: "I used to watch it with the old man, it's every young boys dream to race an F1 car."

"I never actually raced myself, but I followed every race, Nigel Mansell was my hero, I really enjoyed watching him."


Dave started driving trucks when he was 27 and couldn't believe his luck when he joined the F1 circus in 2003.

"I was really fortunate, a friend of mine phoned me and asked if I could drive a truck for him as a favour. It turned out to be a Toyota F1 car."

"From that weekend in Belgium, I knew that was the job that I wanted to do."

"I applied for a few jobs before finally getting one for the 2005 season and that's been me since then."

Dave, who grew up in Scotland now supports team member, Paul di Resta, but still hasn't had the chance to talk to him, "Of course, I support Paul because he is a great driver and a fellow Scot. I haven't managed to really have a chat with him yet but, he is a great guy who makes a lot of time for the guys in the team so I'm sure its a matter of when not if."

When asked what the toughest part of the job is, Dave replied: "Well, fitting everything back in is always a difficult job, but the hardest part is being away from my wife and two girls."

"Most of the other drivers' work throughout the year but when I'm back home I don't tend to work too many hours, I try to spend as much time with my family as I can."

"I really miss them when I'm away but you get to know a really great group of people who travel with the teams."

"I'd go as far as saying, they are like a second family when I'm away from home."

"The team are close-knit, we socialise a lot when we're travelling or after the circuit has closed, but over the weekend it is very busy and everyone has a job to do."

"Unfortunately not all of us drivers are able to watch every race, but, we get to see most of them."


Whilst in Europe, teams transport all of their own equipment which often means spending months away from home at any given time.

Each Formula 1 team take an average of 65 members of staff to each Grand Prix including, drivers, mechanics, engineers and caterers.

For the races outside of the continent, materials are either shipped or flown to their destination.

Dave said: "Even though the truck drivers' aren't required to drive we are sometimes required to pack the crates or return to the team base in preparation to bring any potential updates."

"It all depends really, my role has evolved over the last 10 years, now I feel more like part of the team than back then."

"Now, I feel like my role really helps the team, not just the driving, but preparing to travel with the latest updates to give the team every advantage we can."

Dave is currently at home during the three week break but is travelling to China to help the team prepare for the Grand Prix on 14th April.



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Saturday, 9 March 2013

Race Calendar





F1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix

Source: EnterF1
Albert Park Circuit.
Melbourne 15-17 March 2013.

Lap record: 1:24:125 (Michael Schumacher, 2004)
Lap distance: 5.3km
Number of laps: 58
Last years winner: Jenson Button, Mclaren.
2013 Official Sponsor: Rolex












F1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix
Source: EnterF1

Sepang International Circuit.
Kuala Lumpur 22-24 March 2013

Lap record: 1:34:223 (Juan Pablo Montoya, 2004)
Lap distance: 5.5km
Number of laps: 56
Last years winner: Fernando Alonso, Ferrari.
2013 Official Sponsor: Petronas















F1 UBS Chinese Grand Prix


Source: EnterF1

Shanghai International Circuit.
Shanghai 12-14 April 2013

Lap record: 1:32:238 (Michael Schumacher, 2004)
Lap distance: 5.4km
Number of laps: 56
Last years winner: Nico Rosberg, Mercedes.
2013 Official sponsor: UBS











Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix
Source: EnterF1

Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain 19-21 April 2013

Lap record 1:58:287 (Fernando Alonso, 2010)
Lap distance: 5.4km
Number of laps: 57
Last years winner: Sebastian Vettel, RedBull.
2013 Official Sponsor: Gulfair













F1 Spanish Grand Prix
Source: EnterF1


Circuit De Catalunya
Barcelona 10-12 May 2013

Lap record: 1:15:641 (Giancarlo Fisichella, 2005)
Lap distance: 4.6km
Number of laps: 66
Last years winner: Pastor Maldonado, Williams.
2013 Official Sponsor: TBA








F1 Monaco Grand Prix
Source: EnterF1

Circuit De Monaco
Monaco 24-26 May 2013

Lap record: 1:14:439 (Michael Schumacher, 2004)
Lap distance: 3.3km
Number of laps: 78
Last years winner: Mark Webber, RedBull
2013 Official Sponsor: TBA











F1 Canadian Grand Prix
Source: EnterF1

Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve
Montreal 7-9 June2013


Lap record: 1:13:622 (Rubens Barichello, 2004)
Lap distance: 4.3km
Number of laps: 70
Last years winner: Lewis Hamilton, Mclaren
2013 Official Sponsor: TBA










F1 British Grand Prix

Source: EnterF1

Silverstone Circuit
Silverstone 28-30 June 2013

Lap record: 1:34:908 (Fernando Alonso, 2011)
Lap distance: 5.9km
Number of laps: 52
Last years winner: Mark Webber, RedBull
2013 Official Sponsor: TBA












F1 German Grand Prix
Source: EnterF1

Nurburgring 5-7 July 2013

Lap record: 1:29:468 (Michael Schumacher, 2004)
Lap distance: 5.1
Number of laps: 60
Last years winner: Fernando Alonso (Hockenheim)
2013 Official Sponsor: TBA









F1 Hungarian Grand Prix

Source: EnterF1

Hungaroring
Budapest 26-28 July

Lap record: 1:19:071 (Michael Schumacher, 2004)
Lap distance: 4.3km
Number of laps: 70
Last years winner: Lewis Hamilton, Mclaren.
2013 Official Sponsor: TBA













F1 Shell Belgian Grand Prix


Circuit De Spa Francorchamps
Source: EnterF1
Spa 23-25 August 2013

Lap record: 1:47:263 (Sebastian Vettel, 2009)
Lap distance: 7km
Number of laps: 44
Last years winner: Jenson Button, Mclaren
2013 Official Sponsor: Shell
















F1 Italian Grand Prix

Source: EnterF1

Autodromo Di Monza
Monza 6-8 September 2013

Lap record: 1:21:046 (Rubens Barichello, 2004)
Lap distance: 5.7km
Number of laps: 53
Last years winner: Lewis Hamilton, Mclaren
2013 Official Sponsor: TBA














F1 Singapore Grand Prix

Source: EnterF1

Marina Bay Street Circuit
Singapore 20-22 September 2013

Lap record: 1:47:976 (Fernando Alonso, 2010)
Lap distance: 5km
Number of laps: 61
Last years winner: Sebastian Vettel, RedBull.
2013 Official Sponsor: TBA














F1 Korean Grand Prix


Source: EnterF1

Korea International Circuit
Yeongam 4-6 October 2013

Lap record: 1:39:605 (Sebastian Vettel, 2010)
Lap distance: 5.6km
Number of laps: 55
Last years winner: Sebastian Vettel, RedBull
2013 Official Sponsor: TBA















F1 Japanese Grand Prix

Source: EnterF1

Suzuka 11-13 October 2013

Lap record: 1:31:540 (Kimi Raikkonen, 2005)
Lap distance: 5.8km
Number of laps: 53
Last years winner: Sebastian Vettel, RedBull
2013 Official Sponsor: TBA















F1 Airtel Indian Grand Prix

Source: EnterF1

Buddh International Circuit
New Delhi 25-27 October 2013

Lap record: 1:27:249 (Sebastian Vettel, 2011)
Lap distance: 5.1km
Number of laps: 60
Last years winner: Sebastian Vettel, RedBull.
2013 Official Sponsor: Airtel













F1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Source: EnterF1

Yas Marina Circuit
Abu Dhabi 1-3 November 2013

Lap record: 1:40:279 (Sebastian Vettel, 2009)
Lap distance: 5.5km
Number of laps: 55
Last years winner: Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus.
2013 Official Sponsor: EtihadAirways












F1 United States Grand Prix

Source: Lotuscars.com

Circuit of the Americas
Austin, Texas 15-17 November 2013

Lap record: 1:39:347 (Sebastian Vettel, 2012)
Lap distance: 5.5km
Number of laps: 56
Last years winner: Lewis Hamilton, Mclaren
2013 Official Sponsor: TBA













F1 Brazilian Grand Prix

Source: EnterF1

Interlagos
Sao Paulo 22-24 November 2013

Lap record: 1:11:473 (Juan Pablo Montoya, 2004)
Lap distance: 4.3km
Number of laps: 71
Last years winner: Jenson Button
2013 Official Sponsor: TBA





























Thursday, 7 March 2013

2013 F1 season preview

9 days until the wait is finally over.
                                                      Source: polepositionsimulators.co.uk

By Ben Kelbrick

The third and final pre-season test at circuit de catalunya has now drawn to a close and all eyes are turned to FP1 at Melbourne on March 15. With relatively minimal rule changes, the cars have been described as 'evolutions' to their predecessors so, RedBull once again are favourites for the title.

Although legalities remain similar to last year, the driver line-up has had several changes. We bid farewell to seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher, the most decorated driver in F1 is joined in retirement by the man who has entered the most races, 40-year old former Ferrari team-mate Rubens Barrichello.

21 year-old Brit, Max Chilton makes the step up from GP2 to Marussia Racing. He is joined by Jules Bianchhi who impressed at last seasons young drivers' test. Although, he becomes the third proposed driver to partner Chilton this year following a chaotic closed season for the Oxford-based team.

 Former Sauber man Sergio Perez joins Jenson Button at Mclaren. The Mexican will be looking to re-kindle the early form of last year that caught the eye of the Woking-based team.

Sauber will start the 2013 campaign with an all new line up with lead driver Nico Hulkenberg being joined by rookie Esteban Gutierrez.

Elsewhere, Adrian Sutil returns to Force India following a one-year absence and Valtteri Bottas fills the vacant slot at Williams.

Arguably the most anticipated move was Lewis Hamilton, leaving Mclaren after working with the team for six years. Ross Brawn will be looking to further improve on last years disappointing season and fans will relish the chance to see how well Lewis can perform in, I daresay a likely weaker car than the Mclaren.

                                             Triple World Champion Sebastian Vettel. Source: formula-one.speedtv.com
Following the three tests the usual suspects have impressed although, it has been difficult to gauge any real performance between them.

Sebastian Vettel described this years testing as 'less conclusive than ever,' so surely, we should expect another exciting year.

The German triple World Champion is said to be disappointed with the final few days of testing though, blaming the influence of the tyres for the lack of data received from his new RB9 challenger.
                                                Pirelli 2013 tyre range. Source: F1.com

"We just have to look after ourselves, we didn't tick all the boxesthat we would have liked to and the last two days were not as good as we would have expected," said Vettel.

"But there's still a little bit of time left before the season starts."

Vettel was unable to answer the specific areas that Red Bull needed to improve, "It's extremely difficult to pinpoint the exact areas because the tyres were not consistent enough."

"If you sum up the whole three tests, we were all limited to what the tyres could do."

"It was extremely difficult to read some set-up changes and find a good direction with the car because the tyres were simply not good enough."



                                                        2012 runner-up Fernando Alonso. Source : binaryapi.ap
                                                                                        


His Closest competitor last year, Ferraris' Fernando Alonso seemed optimistic about his chances this season following his initial reaction to the F138

"Last year we had a very difficult winter, we were completely lost, we didn't know what the car was doing. And with that car we fought for the title until the last race in Brazil."

"We now have a car that is responding well to what we change, and that is doing what we expect."

"We know we are maybe not the quickest yet, but the potential of the car is there."


                                                         New Mercedes man Lewis Hamilton. Source: DailyMail

Lewis Hamilton has remained coy on his hoped for the year and was initially adamant that he wouldn't challenge for the title, despite impressing in early pre-season testing.

Although, the blistering pace shown by both Hamilton and team-mate Rosberg at the final test in Barcelona has led to many people feeling they are more competitive than they claim.

When asked if he tought he could challenge for the title Hamilton replied, “It’s not ‘no chance’ and not definitely ‘we will’.”

"There is everything to play for still. We won’t know until the first race but don’t be surprised if we get to the first race and we are not at the front. We are going in the right direction, though.”


                                                        Mclarens Jenson Button. Source: therichest.org
Mclaren have experienced an up and down pre-season with undoubtedly quick single lap pace but reliability has hindered them.

"In terms of laps completed and the testing I have achieved, I think we're behind on that," added Button. "It's not been perfect and we know we've got a lot of work to do in terms of spending more time out on the circuit and understanding the car.

Speaking ahead of the final test Button said:

"So I am really looking forward to a good test next week in Barcelona as I don't feel that we have been able to do enough to really understand the car and where we are with the car. We've got to sort out our own issues and get the best out of the car that we have."












 
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