'Merc has no excuses' - Bernie Ecclestone

Bernie sees no reason why mercedes cannot win this season.

Entering their fourth season Mercedes have only one grnd prix win to their name which came last year at the Chinese GP.

That victory was followed by a downfall and the team had only one top ten finishes in the final six races.

However this season the team has some major changes with Lewis Hamilton replacing Michael and Toto Wolff stepping into the management role.

Bernie feels thats 'new changes, new thinking' will help the team and might even get them winning races.

Ecclestone told an Austrian paper "I expect mercedes to be much stronger."

He also added that Lewis will be a contender and if if Mercedes are good so will Rosberg".

I would be disappointed if they weren't there up front. 

Alonso is going to miss first pre season testing

Fernando Alonso will not be in the red cockpit until the second pre season testing in Barcelona next month, it has been confirmed. On 5th Feb it will be Felipe Massa who will give the new its track debut at Jerez.

Alonso will focus on his physical preparations in the mean time. The first three days of the session Massa will be behind the wheels of the four day session. And newly signed Pedro de la rosa will make his first appearance in red on the last day.

On 19th Feb Alonso will experience the cockpit for the first time at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya. He will drive the car for the first three days and Massa will conclude the second testing. At the final Testing again in Barcelona on Feb 28 to march 3, the spiniard and the brazilian will each get a further two days in the car.

Timo Glock and Marussia split

The 30 year old driver who raced with Marussia since their debut season will leave the team.  The German driver and Banbury based company have parted by mutual consent.

"Timo has made a very significant contribution to our team over the past three seasons, helping us to develop our package to the point where for a large proportion of the 2012 season, we were holding 10th place in the constructors championship, " said John Booth, Marussia's team principle.

"We would like to thank Timo for working with us to reach this decision especially as he had a valid contract and also for the contribution he has made to our team. We wish him all the best for his future and i would like to congratulate the next team acquiring the services of such a competitive, professional and experienced racer."

The team had to let him go because of tough economic conditions of the team.

With a best finish of 12th Glock had completed 55 Grand Prix for Marussia was keen to pay tribute to the team.

"I have had three excellent years with the Marussia F1 Team during during which i had the chance to actively participate in building and developing the team to F1 "he said.

Rookie driver Max Chilton are their only confirmed driver at the moment.

Booth added that the 2nd driver announcement will be made soon.

Marussia also have yet to confirm their car launch date.

FERRARI BACKS BIANCHI

Ferrari are pushing to secure Jules Bianchi a seat in Formula one this season.

Jules Bianchi who is a driver of the Ferrari driving academy was the reserve driver of Force India last season.

He had contested nine practice sessions as well as topped the young drivers test for Force India and Ferrari.

Rumors are that there is a strong possibility that he might get a seat at Force India this season. Though the 23 year old seat has yet to be confirmed.

Stefano Domenicali recently admitted that they are doing everything possible to help Bianci secure his seat in formula one.



 

FORCE INDIA will not "collapse"

Force India's Bob Fernley has denied rumors that the team is in crisis and might quit formula one.

Force India's owner Vijay Maliya's Airline was shut down last year due to heavy depth and holding back salaries and tax arrears.

Recently a report has emerged in Italy that the team is facing crisis.

The italian magzine clams that Bernie Ecclestone has made a plan to save the team.

The plan includes that either Colin kolles former boss ofhrt or even Flavio Braitore could return to F1.

However team boss Bob Fernley told autosport that team share holders kingfisher and sahara are quiet strong and do need any help.

He also added, "As we speak, we are putting together and implementing an expansion Programme that Vijay talked about at the end of last year.

Massa : I considered quitting F1 during 2012 season

Felipe Massa considered quitting F1 during his 2012 slump.

Massa had really struggled during the 1st half of the season but had ended strongly at time even outpacing Alonso.

"I dint know what would happen, so many things were in my brain ." said the brazilian.

"I talked to everyone and i did work with a sporting psychologist. " said Massa during BBC interview.

"Many people said i was just wasting fuel at the beginning of the year and then after they want me to stay in Ferrari because it was the best option. It is important to work to get the good result. If you have that nothing else is important."

After 7 years Ferrari was planning to drop Massa due to his lack of form but retained him due to good results at the end of the season.

The 31 yr old was confident that he will be able to retain his form from the start of the 2013 season.

He also added that Alonso is toughest teammate he has ever had .

Button confident about Perez

Button predicts a strong partnership with Perez and even said that even thought the mexican is young he understands his car very well.

After Lewis leaving McLaren Button is teamed up with Sergio Perez.

Even though the new duo has a age difference of 10 years Button is confident that they will bring back home many trophies.

"its always interesting to have a new team mate there's there is that inevitable getting to know period when your setting in, but im really pleased to have perez at McLaren" said the Brit.

"I had three fantastic seasons racing alongside Lewis, but nothing stays the same in formula 1 and people move on ."Button said at a McLaren Q&A.

The team added that we saw his capability behind the wheel in Sauber so we thought he will be a great addition to the team.

FERRARI Launch date set to 1st Februrary

Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso will unveil the Ferrari Car for the 2013 season on the 1st of February at Marenello (Ferrari headquarter )

Team principle Stefano Domenicali at the their annual Wroom event at the Madonna di Campiglio resort in Northern Italy made the announcement of the launch date.

The 2013 challenger has not been given a name as yet.

The pre-season test which kicks off at Jerez in Spain on Feburary 5 will only give us a hint if the new car is an upgrade or a disappointment like the F-2012.

 

PAUL DI RESTA Had talks with McLaren

DI RESTA recently admitted that he had talks with McLaren to replace Lewis Hamilton for the upcoming season.
With Hamilton moving to Mercedes, McLaren had to take an important decision to make.
Paul who has been a fixed driver for Force India had talks with the McLaren bosses but in the end they opted to go with Perez.

 "I'm not going to give away too much but, yes, there were discussions, "he said during the Autosport International exhibition in the UK.

 "I've also been part of Mercedes-Benz for alot of years [having won the F3 Euroseries and DTM titles with the manufacturer] but, for whatever reasons, they took the decision not to put me in the car. "

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