Perez: Rivals will catch up with Mercedes F1 engines

Sergio Perez believes that Mercedes' rival engine manufacturers will catch up with the teams running the German units before the start of the 2014 Formula 1 season.

Mercedes has so far appeared to have the strongest of the new powerplants this year, prompting suggestions that its customer teams will be able to capitalise on the struggles of Renault teams in particular when the season starts.

But Perez, whose Force India uses Mercedes power, is not expecting the field to be divided by engines by the time of the Australian Grand Prix next month.

When asked by AUTOSPORT if Mercedes would have an advantage in the early races, Perez said: "I think the others will come back earlier than the first race.

"The Mercedes is working fine, it seems reliable. But things are going to change.

"I'm sure we will see the other manufacturers come back and it will be a very close battle between the front and the midfield."
Perez pointed to the delay encountered by Force India at the start of Friday's running - caused by overnight work taking longer than expected - as evidence that even the Mercedes teams are not in the clear in terms of reliability.

"The other teams are having issues, but everyone is at the moment," he said.

"Even us, this morning we had a big delay of two hours so we didn't manage to complete the full program.

"Other teams are struggling in the same way, so it's difficult."
When asked if the form of the VJM07, which topped the times with Nico Hulkenberg earlier this week, was looking good ahead of the season, the former McLaren driver said: "I wouldn't draw that conclusion yet.

"We are definitely doing good work before Melbourne, which is the target. We will see what we can do before the first race."

Source : Autosport.com

Hulkenberg 'not cheering' for fast times

Despite two days at the top end of the timing sheets, Nico Hulkenberg insists it is only the performance of the Force India which currently concerns him.

Hulkenberg was quickest on Wednesday and finished behind Kevin Magnussen on the second day in Bahrain, though Force India has not recorded as many laps as others on the grid. Although the 2014 cars are clearly getting quicker Hulkenberg believes the speed will continue to come naturally, and that the team's focus should remain elsewhere for the rest of the week.

"I think we are getting closer to the potential, you can already see more from Jerez what these cars can deliver but there's such a stiff learning curve that I think people will keep getting faster and faster," he said. "Even yesterday with my P1, I'm not cheering, we are not focusing on performance at the moment. It's the first couple of tests and these are early tests so it's about taking these things onwards.

"The lap times are not worth a lot in these days, it's all about checking systems, understanding data. It's not a lot to be at the top of the time sheets at the moment."

The high-torque cars have caused problems for some drivers in slower corners so far and Hulkenberg admits he is still adjusting to the different style required, especially with some of the extreme wheel spin he has experienced.

"I had one experience of double wheel spin and pulling black marks for 100 metres out of a slow speed corner, which was quite fun, but not ideal for performance! These engines are quite tourquey but I think they will get easier as the season goes on."

Aside from a few shaky moments, Hulkenberg admits he and the team is also feeling good about the new brake-by-wire system which has been legalised for 2014.

"It's not too bad for us to be honest. I got the impression, at least on my two days running [in Bahrain], that we are quite on top of it. Sometimes you have some moments and some real lock-ups but its still early days and we are still learning, but overall not too bad at all. It's just another thing to learn and get to grips with, it all feels like it's new at the moment so you don't dwell on one aspect like that too much."

Source : En.espnf1.com

Despite two days at the top end of the timing sheets, Nico Hulkenberg insists it is only the performance of the Force India which currently concerns him.
Hulkenberg was quickest on Wednesday and finished behind Kevin Magnussen on the second day in Bahrain, though Force India has not recorded as many laps as others on the grid. Although the 2014 cars are clearly getting quicker Hulkenberg believes the speed will continue to come naturally, and that the team's focus should remain elsewhere for the rest of the week.
"I think we are getting closer to the potential, you can already see more from Jerez what these cars can deliver but there's such a stiff learning curve that I think people will keep getting faster and faster," he said. "Even yesterday with my P1, I'm not cheering, we are not focusing on performance at the moment. It's the first couple of tests and these are early tests so it's about taking these things onwards.
"The lap times are not worth a lot in these days, it's all about checking systems, understanding data. It's not a lot to be at the top of the time sheets at the moment."
The high-torque cars have caused problems for some drivers in slower corners so far and Hulkenberg admits he is still adjusting to the different style required, especially with some of the extreme wheel spin he has experienced.
"I had one experience of double wheel spin and pulling black marks for 100 metres out of a slow speed corner, which was quite fun, but not ideal for performance! These engines are quite tourquey but I think they will get easier as the season goes on."
Aside from a few shaky moments, Hulkenberg admits he and the team is also feeling good about the new brake-by-wire system which has been legalised for 2014.
"It's not too bad for us to be honest. I got the impression, at least on my two days running [in Bahrain], that we are quite on top of it. Sometimes you have some moments and some real lock-ups but its still early days and we are still learning, but overall not too bad at all. It's just another thing to learn and get to grips with, it all feels like it's new at the moment so you don't dwell on one aspect like that too much."

Read more at http://en.espnf1.com/forceindia/motorsport/story/146013.html#ciG28eCGk6Ju7CyC.99

Despite two days at the top end of the timing sheets, Nico Hulkenberg insists it is only the performance of the Force India which currently concerns him.
Hulkenberg was quickest on Wednesday and finished behind Kevin Magnussen on the second day in Bahrain, though Force India has not recorded as many laps as others on the grid. Although the 2014 cars are clearly getting quicker Hulkenberg believes the speed will continue to come naturally, and that the team's focus should remain elsewhere for the rest of the week.
"I think we are getting closer to the potential, you can already see more from Jerez what these cars can deliver but there's such a stiff learning curve that I think people will keep getting faster and faster," he said. "Even yesterday with my P1, I'm not cheering, we are not focusing on performance at the moment. It's the first couple of tests and these are early tests so it's about taking these things onwards.
"The lap times are not worth a lot in these days, it's all about checking systems, understanding data. It's not a lot to be at the top of the time sheets at the moment."
The high-torque cars have caused problems for some drivers in slower corners so far and Hulkenberg admits he is still adjusting to the different style required, especially with some of the extreme wheel spin he has experienced.
"I had one experience of double wheel spin and pulling black marks for 100 metres out of a slow speed corner, which was quite fun, but not ideal for performance! These engines are quite tourquey but I think they will get easier as the season goes on."
Aside from a few shaky moments, Hulkenberg admits he and the team is also feeling good about the new brake-by-wire system which has been legalised for 2014.
"It's not too bad for us to be honest. I got the impression, at least on my two days running [in Bahrain], that we are quite on top of it. Sometimes you have some moments and some real lock-ups but its still early days and we are still learning, but overall not too bad at all. It's just another thing to learn and get to grips with, it all feels like it's new at the moment so you don't dwell on one aspect like that too much."

Read more at http://en.espnf1.com/forceindia/motorsport/story/146013.html#ciG28eCGk6Ju7CyC.99

Despite two days at the top end of the timing sheets, Nico Hulkenberg insists it is only the performance of the Force India which currently concerns him.
Hulkenberg was quickest on Wednesday and finished behind Kevin Magnussen on the second day in Bahrain, though Force India has not recorded as many laps as others on the grid. Although the 2014 cars are clearly getting quicker Hulkenberg believes the speed will continue to come naturally, and that the team's focus should remain elsewhere for the rest of the week.
"I think we are getting closer to the potential, you can already see more from Jerez what these cars can deliver but there's such a stiff learning curve that I think people will keep getting faster and faster," he said. "Even yesterday with my P1, I'm not cheering, we are not focusing on performance at the moment. It's the first couple of tests and these are early tests so it's about taking these things onwards.
"The lap times are not worth a lot in these days, it's all about checking systems, understanding data. It's not a lot to be at the top of the time sheets at the moment."
The high-torque cars have caused problems for some drivers in slower corners so far and Hulkenberg admits he is still adjusting to the different style required, especially with some of the extreme wheel spin he has experienced.
"I had one experience of double wheel spin and pulling black marks for 100 metres out of a slow speed corner, which was quite fun, but not ideal for performance! These engines are quite tourquey but I think they will get easier as the season goes on."
Aside from a few shaky moments, Hulkenberg admits he and the team is also feeling good about the new brake-by-wire system which has been legalised for 2014.
"It's not too bad for us to be honest. I got the impression, at least on my two days running [in Bahrain], that we are quite on top of it. Sometimes you have some moments and some real lock-ups but its still early days and we are still learning, but overall not too bad at all. It's just another thing to learn and get to grips with, it all feels like it's new at the moment so you don't dwell on one aspect like that too much."

Read more at http://en.espnf1.com/forceindia/motorsport/story/146013.html#ciG28eCGk6Ju7CyC.99

Force India in GP2 junior team deal with Hilmer

 

Force India will enter into a partnership with GP2 squad Hilmer as part of an expansion of its driver development programme.

Hilmer will continue to run under its own banner under the terms of the deal, but its cars will be painted in the Formula 1 squad's 2014 livery.

Last year's GP3 runner-up Facu Regalia will join the already-signed Daniel Abt in Hilmer's 2014 GP2 line-up.

Force India team principal Vijay Mallya said the deal was a logical step in its mission to develop young talents, and a natural fit with its existing 'One From A Billion' talent hunt in India.

"As a team we've always placed great emphasis on nurturing young drivers so I'm delighted to announce our partnership with a GP2 team," Mallya said.

"It's the logical next step as we look to bring through the next generation of drivers and provide them with the opportunity to showcase their talent.


"Our presence in GP2 moves us closer to having a holistic development program to school drivers from grassroots karting to the higher echelons of professional motorsport."

Franz Hilmer, boss of his eponymous squad, added: "I've had an association with Force India for 10 years and we are looking forward to working together on a sporting level going forward.

"With Facu Regalia (pictured) and Daniel Abt we have two very talented young drivers with the potential to progress to Formula 1.

"We will do our best to support them on their way to the pinnacle of motor racing."

Hilmer only entered GP2 last year, taking over Ocean Racing Technology's entry.

It ran five drivers during its maiden season, earning its first win just three rounds and five races in courtesy of Robin Frijns.

Jon Lancaster also won twice, at Silverstone and the Nurburgring, while Adrian Quaife-Hobbs added a fourth win at Monza, helping Hilmer to finish sixth in the teams' championship.

Source : Autosport.com