Schumacher pips Hulkenberg in FP2

Michael Schumacher set the fastest time of a wet/dry second practice for the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

Schumacher set a best time of 1:29.183 with the very last lap of the session to pip Nico Hulkenberg's Force India as Mercedes showed some of the pace that is gained from the legal F-Duct system it has pioneered. The drying track meant times were tumbling throughout the final 15 minutes as drivers went out on slick tyres and exploited the improving track conditions.

Sergio Perez was third in the Sauber, a full second slower than Schumacher and 0.1s ahead of Fernando Alonso, with Ferrari the first to go out on intermediate tyres in the middle of the session. A torrential downpour about an hour before FP2 left the track soaking wet with a lot of standing water, and only a few tentative laps from both Saubers and Toro Rossos were possible in the opening 20 minutes.

After some intermediate lap times, there was a break while all the teams waited for the track to dry out a little more before the hectic ending to the session as many ventured out on slicks. Kamui Kobayashi set the fifth fastest time with a 1:30.709 as Sauber looked strong, despite running wide at the final corner at the end of the session and fishtailing before half spinning on the main straight.

Sixth quickest was Paul di Resta, underlining the Force India pace though he was over two seconds slower than Schumacher. Felipe Massa was seventh after recovering from his spin in FP1 to cover 14 laps.

Heikki Kovalainen was an encouraging eighth for Caterham, ahead of Nico Rosberg, the Red Bull pair of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber and an impressive 12th for Timo Glock as he searched for track time and setup options in the Marussia.

Morning pace-setter Jenson Button was only 15th quickest in the McLaren, with team-mate Lewis Hamilton one place behind him after Hamilton remained in the garage for most of the session. Following a similar approach was Kimi Raikkonen, who only completed 7 laps late in the day.

Pedro de la Rosa made it out on track after his car wasn't ready in time for FP1, but he only completed one installation lap before a hydraulic problem confined him to the pits for the rest of the session, while Narain Karthikeyan also stopped out on track after the chequered flag with a similar issue.

Source: en.espnf1.com

Force India call in Paffett as reserve

Force India has confirmed that Gary Paffett will be its reserve driver at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend.

The team's current reserve driver Jules Bianchi is unavailable due to World Series by Renault commitments at Paul Ricard in France, so McLaren has allowed its test driver to be available for Force India. Paffett - who is also backed by Force India's engine supplier Mercedes in DTM - will only be called upon if either Paul di Resta or Nico Hulkenberg is unable to race.

Paffett said he hoped his services wouldn't be required, but was pleased that Force India has entrusted him with the role.

"I'm happy to be available for Sahara Force India for this weekend," Paffett said. "Of course, it's unlikely that I will be called up and hopefully it won't happen, but it's nice to know that the team thought of me. I'd also like to thank McLaren and Mercedes for making me available should the need arise."

Paffett will not drive on Friday, with di Resta and Hulkenberg both appearing in all sessions this weekend.

Source: En.espnf1.com

Australia preview quotes - Force India

Paul di Resta, Force India
2011 Qualifying - 14th, 2011 Race - 10th
“The build-up to Melbourne has been a while coming, but at the same time it doesn’t feel like there’s been that much testing. In fact, compared to last year, there has been one less test, but it’s been a good winter for us in general. It’s a great place to start the season and the fans always get behind the race, so it will be interesting to see how it feels second time around. After a good winter break I’m just looking forward to getting back to the racing. I enjoy the circuit. There’s a good balance between high and low speed, plus it’s a mixture between a street circuit and a permanent track, and that makes it quite unusual. I think the final sector stands out for me as the most interesting because it’s quite tricky and easy to get it wrong. We were strong on street circuits last year, especially Singapore, so hopefully that will continue. All the teams around us look strong and have been consistent in testing, so we just have to wait and see. Also, I think almost every team will have some new parts on their cars so it really is too early to make any judgements. To begin with our goal is simply to try and pick up points at every race.”

Nico Hulkenberg, Force India
2011 Qualifying - n/a, 2011 Race - n/a
“There’s a lot of excitement - that’s the word I keep using to describe how I’m feeling. And I think it will continue until the Sunday morning in Melbourne when I wake up knowing I will be racing again in a few hours. That’s when you feel the buzz and get the feeling of anticipation in your stomach. The testing has gone pretty well and it’s been crucial for helping me get prepared. But I know testing is very different to racing because you don’t have the same pressures of a race weekend. I think the true test will be qualifying when you have to deliver right away and you only get one chance. My first race in Australia in 2010 was cut short - only half a lap, but apart from that I have good memories from Melbourne and Australia in general. It’s one of those venues with a special atmosphere and the whole city seems so relaxed and friendly. It’s definitely up there with races like Monaco and Singapore in terms of the atmosphere. It’s a race where we arrive very early to adapt to the time zone, so I will get a chance to look around the city, do some jogging, cycling and visit places like St Kilda beach. If there’s enough time I will try and explore the coast a bit.”

Vijay Mallya, Force India team principal
“After the long winter months I think we are all looking forward to the start of the new season. Our testing form has looked competitive, but it’s only when we get to the first race that we really get a feel for the pecking order and how well everyone has done over the winter. From our side there is no doubt that Andrew Green and his technical team have done an outstanding job to deliver a well-balanced car. I would even go as far as saying the VJM05 is the best engineered car we have produced and the detail of the design is beautiful. It’s a car we believe can help us take another step forward. Driver-wise I’m extremely excited by our line-up this year. Nico and Paul are both young and hungry, and will ensure we squeeze every last thousandth from the car. There will be some healthy in-house rivalry, too, which will be fascinating to watch, and I believe that we will get better results in the long run by having two drivers pushing each other on. As for Melbourne, it’s a city I enjoy visiting immensely and the track has produced some good races over the years. It was in Melbourne that Force India made its debut back in 2008 and it’s a good opportunity to reflect on how far we have come in the last five years. As for expectations, I remain cautious on making predictions, simply because there are so many unknowns. Our analysis suggests that we could see one of the closest grids in years, especially in the upper part of the midfield. Even so, our stated goal remains the same - to see Sahara Force India continue progressing and challenge the established teams that lie ahead of us.” 


Source: Formula1.com

Mallya expects 'healthy rivalry' between Force India drivers

Force India boss Vijay Mallya is looking forward to a healthy rivalry developing between his two drivers this year.

Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg, who will start their first race as team-mates on Sunday, are both entering their second year as race drivers in Formula One, although Hulkenberg spent a year as a test driver last season. Mallya is expecting the Force India duo to get the most out of the new VJM05 and the most out of each other.

"Driver-wise I'm extremely excited by our line-up this year," he said. "Nico and Paul are both young and hungry, and will ensure we squeeze every last thousandth from the car. There will be some healthy in-house rivalry, too, which will be fascinating to watch, and I believe that we will get better results in the long run by having two drivers pushing each other on."

Mallya believes the new VJM05 is the best car his team has produced.

"From our side there is no doubt that Andrew Green and his technical team have done an outstanding job to deliver a well-balanced car," he said. "I would even go as far as saying the VJM05 is the best engineered car we have produced and the detail of the design is beautiful. It's a car we believe can help us take another step forward.

"As for expectations, I remain cautious on making predictions, simply because there are so many unknowns. Our analysis suggests that we could see one of the closest grids in years, especially in the upper part of the midfield. Even so, our stated goal remains the same - to see Sahara Force India continue progressing and challenge the established teams that lie ahead of us."

Source: en.espnf1.com

Sahara Force India drivers set for Melbourne test

MUMBAI: Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg are hoping to provide Sahara Force India a flying start in the 2012 F1 season-opening race at Melbourne next weekend and are pretty confident of improving as a team ahead of the longest ever (20-race) season. 

While di Resta of Italian origin would be racing for the Indian-owned franchise for the second year in running, Germany's Hulkenberg would be representing the team for the first time. 

The German is also staging a comeback in the glamorous arena of first-choice drivers after cooling his heels as a reserve/test driver last year for Sahara Force India. 

"Obviously it was in ups and downs. I think if I look back, it was a very positive for first season of F1. More results have been realistic when you are up against the best guys in the world. I have learnt from it," said di Resta, who would turn 26 next month, about his 2011 season. 

"This year I am a lot more confident and comfortable and focused to achieve, and that's what is going to drive me to another level. In Sahara Force India we have targets and ambitions and the focus is to improve as a team," said the Scot, who finished 13th overall with 27 races in his debut season, ahead of the new series of races. 

Hulkenberg, having got a chance to race again after his 14th-place finish (22 points) during his stint in 2010 with Williams, said since then he has got over the disappointment of not racing last year. 

"Of course I was disappointed to lose my race seat at the end of 2010. The reason is that the performance (finished with 22 points from 14 races for Williams) was there...It was not bad, especially with the competition in the end, but I am over it and looking forward to 2012," said the 24-year-old German, at a media interaction on Friday. 

"I was not happy with it because I won a race (pole position) and love what I am doing. I had quite a few points-scoring results. It's not nice to see standing on the sidelines and see others race. The wait has paid off and I am back," said Hulkenberg, who had lifted the GP2 in his debut season in 2009 to earn a driving spot for Williams. 

Di Resta felt that the Indian-owned team had exceeded expectations towards the end of last season but it would be a big challenge to keep it up, though with the arrival of Sahara, which has picked up 42.5 per cent stake in the F1 team, things were looking brighter. 

"As a team we punched way above our weight at the end of last year. Each year this team has moved up another notch and to maintain that would be an incredible challenge. I think everybody has the passion and determination at the moment given where we finished last year. I think the coming of the new investor in Sahara would lift this team to another level. 

"We are going to Melbourne as best prepared as we can with the tools we have. The target is to be among the points and finish where we left off last year. My focus is to just try and do the best possible job for Sahara Force India," the Scot driver added. 

Force India finished sixth in the 2011 Constructors' Championship. 

Di Resta also welcomed the news of a woman test driving in the upcoming season, but cautioned it would not be easy, as driving an F1 car was difficult even for men. 

"I suppose if she has got the talent, why not? It's quite a challenge because of the physical strengths required for F1 is difficult for a man. I definitely welcome it," he said referring to Maria de Villota, daughter of former Spanish F1 driver Emilio de Villota, set to test driver for Marussia's team in 2012.


Source: Timesofindia.com

Sahara Force India teams up with Hackett

Sahara Force India is pleased to announce that Hackett, the London-based fashion brand, has joined the team as an Official Supplier for 2012.

 

Part of Hackett’s association will involve supplying team members with travel kit to be worn while travelling to and from races. The latest Hackett designs will be issued to staff this week in preparation for next week’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

 

The relationship with Sahara Force India marks the continuation of Hackett’s ambitious plans to expand further into international markets, especially India, and capitalise on the global appeal of the sport.

 

Dr. Vijay Mallya, Team Principal and Managing Director of Sahara Force India: “I’m delighted to welcome Hackett to the team and look forward to seeing our team members wearing their clothes this season. I have a great interest in fashion and believe the clothes we wear speak volumes about who we are and the values that are important to us. Formula One is therefore the perfect showcase for Hackett’s range and helps reinforce their strong tradition of style and quality.”

 

Vicente Castellano, Managing Director of Hackett: “Continuing with our motor racing tradition, it seemed a natural step to support our new and exciting business expansion into India by becoming a partner to the Sahara Force India Formula One team for 2012. We are looking forward to supporting the team as they continue their fight to work their way up the highly competitive Formula One grid.”

Source: forceindiaf1.com

 

About Hackett

Hackett London is an essential British brand that dresses men who appreciate both quality and style. Hackett takes its inspiration from the traditions of British dress and updates them for a collection that is wearable and timeless, in the words of Jeremy Hackett, "our clothes wear in not out". Hackett’s aim is to dress men for every occasion whether it is business, formal, country or sporting which is perfectly encapsulated under the strap-line Essential British Kit. For more information visit: www.hackett.com

Definite progress at Force India - di Resta

Paul di Resta is confident Force India is continuing to make progress with the performance of the new VJM05.

The team is aiming for fifth in the constructors' championship this year after a strong finish to last season. The new car impressed onlookers at the opening two tests and di Resta, who completed a shakedown of the second chassis on Thursday, is confident things are moving forward.

"Another busy day and we managed to tick off all the objectives once again," he said. "The final test is all about adding new parts to the car, seeing how they perform, and getting our set-up sorted for Melbourne.

"I think we have a good idea of where we need to be based on the performance of the car today and Nico will continue with that work tomorrow. As I said last week, we are definitely making progress in terms of performance and we're getting a good understanding for the new 2012 tyre constructions."

Chief engineer Jakob Andreasen said updates brought to this week's test were working well.

"As the first race in Melbourne approaches, there are more developments arriving at the track and our task this week is to evaluate as much as we can. The first of those were on the car today, so we carried out some aero passes and had some encouraging feedback from Paul."

Source: en.espnf1.com