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Doug Scheirer

F1Wiki.com | F1UnitedStatesGP.com

Protestors gathered near Bahrain’s international airport as F1 teams arrived for the upcoming Grand Prix weekend. The Sunni-Ruled Kingdom has been in a state of unrest as opposition parties, the largest known as Al-Wefag, fight for democracy over the ruling al-Khalifa family. The protest outside the airport ended with no reported violence and police standing guard with no need to interact.

“No going back; we will continue our protests,” read banners carried by demonstrators who were gathered near Al-Deir airport.

“Peaceful, peaceful, our revolt is peaceful,” they chanted, as others held up banners that read “Down Hamad” in reference to Bahrain’s king, the witnesses said.

Al-Wefaq has called for a week of daily demonstrations and sit-ins to last through the end of the controversial Grand Prix race scheduled for April 22.
Al-Wefaq said the pro-democracy protests under the banner of “steadfastness and challenge” would take place in Shiite villages on the outskirts of Manama.

The F1 race in Bahrain was cancelled last year in the wake of the Shiite-led uprising and the brutal government crackdown that followed in which 35 people were killed, according to an independent probe. Although demonstrations earlier in the week were mostly peaceful there were clashes with the police with protestors throwing petrol bombs and police firing warning shots toward the crowd. Some opposition forces such as the: Youth of the 14 Feb Revolution have said, “three days of anger will occur this weekend.” As to the extent to which the violence could extend yet remains to be seen. The ruling body located in France has been in close contact with security forces in the country and F1 teams themselves will most likely choose, if the race is to go on, to bolster their own security efforts.

F1′s rulers have naturally been eager to distance themselves from the political controversy. FIA president Jean Todt asserted his organisation is “only interested in sport not politics”.
All remains to be seen though and both the sport’s governing body, the FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile), and commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone announced the race will take place as scheduled.
Not all in the country, including former Bahraini politician, Jasim Husain, feel the race will happen without incident and was quoted as saying he fears there may be some casualties during this weekend’s Formula 1 grand prix.

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Much has been discussed about the slow progression of construction at the Austin, TX race site for November’s Circuit of the Americas.  Recently, some insiders are beginning to wonder out loud if the race is in doubt due to financial disagreements from all sides.  Below is an excerpt taken from Paddocktalk.com…take a look for yourself.

BELOW EXCERPT TAKEN FROM PADDOCKTALK.COM:

A respected F1 correspondent is expecting F1′s 2012 calendar to shrink to eighteen races this year.

Livio Oricchio, who writes for Brazil’s O Estado de S.Paulo, thinks the sport is now on the verge of cancelling next weekend’s visit to Bahrain.

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And he also thinks November’s US grand prix, scheduled to take place at the brand new Circuit of the Americas in Austin, is in doubt.

“The construction has fallen way behind,” said Oricchio, “and there are serious problems between the promoter and the Texas government.

“Each side is looking to the other on the obligation to pay the fee, estimated at $18 million, to FOM (Formula One Management).

“So the championship that should have 20 races will most likely have only 18,” he concluded.

At least publicly, however, the Circuit of the Americas is continuing to take shape.

This Thursday, a private ceremony is scheduled to take place as circuit contractor Austin Commercial celebrates the milestone of completing the full height of the main three-storey pit building.

The Austin Business Journal reports that “several business and civic leaders are scheduled to attend”.

PaddockTalk Perspective

With McLaren coming out of the box strong in the 2012 season, and taking the lead in the constructors championship it is easy to see why the Red Bull Team may not be to happy with their results thus far considering their dominance in the last two years. Granted Mark Weber has maintained a decent position in both qualifying and during the first two races of the season, qualifying 5^th in Australia and finishing 4^th while qualifying 4^th in Malaysia and finishing in the same position to put him in 4^th in the drivers’ championship. Vettel, who was only out qualified by his teammate 3 times in 19 races in the 2011 season has seen his teammate one position in front of him on the grid in both races thus far in 2012. This is certainly a position that Vettel is not familiar with, he has had the fastest car since the middle of the 2009 season and has gone on to use that advantage to win two consecutive world championships in 2010 and 2011. Now in 2012 things are different and the Red Bull Team are struggling to find the speed of McLaren and have also found themselves starting behind Mercedes and the Lotus Team in the first two races. This may explain Vettel’s recent frustrations in giving the Narain Karthikeyan the middle finger while trying to get by him at the recent Malaysian Grand Prix and his lack of availability to the press after the race.

So until he’s back at the front, F1′s formerly-dominant Vettel needs to adapt to a car that seems to suffer from understeer, or lack of front-end grip, a handling characteristic that Mark Weber is comfortable with. Weber now sits in 4^th in the drivers standings with Vettel below Sergio Perez in 6^th, but Vettel given a car he is comfortable with, and the team itself given the time to adjust to the new FIA regulations, is far from out of the fight. Even with early season difficulties the team maintains 2^nd place in the constructors championship, behind McLaren who leads with 55 points.

The Red Bull Team is by no means in Panic mode. If anything they are struggling against rule changes that seemed to be meant to slow them down specifically.

According to Adrian Newey, “The first time I picked up a new project in September. The biggest change in the next year (2012 Regulations) will be associated with a ban on the use of blown diffuser, a development which we have been pioneers. Unfortunately, FIA robbed us of our toys.”

Not only are the limits on the rear diffuser an issue but the amount of torsional stiffness on the front wing has been doubled not allowing the front wing to drop at high speeds thus allowing for additional downforce. The Red Bull Team used both the rear diffuser and front wing load to their advantage allowing for additional rear ride height and supreme grip in corners while maintaining speed.

The message coming from the Milton Keynes based team, therefore, is that Red Bull is playing catch-up. “We need to understand the car better,” admits team advisor Dr Helmut Marko, “which is why for the next race (in China) we will have hardly any new parts.”

By Douglas Scheirer

My two-cents: As regulations are, as pertaining to the FIA/F1 Governing Body, it does seem that the rule changes for 2012 were directly aimed at slowing down the Red Bull Team, allowing for a bit more of excitement versus another runaway season as we saw in 2011. This is a double edged sword in that a team, Red Bull mainly, who masters the rear diffuser for downforce and the front-load on the front wing to aid their car in high speed cornering has changes come this year that directly affect what they have honed to near perfection. Other than lapped cars being able to pass the safety cars to put the grid in proper alignment, safety regulations that required cars to pass a crash test before testing, and the lowering of the front nose, giving us the platypus nose that we all know and love—sort of like you love getting your head knocked into a brick wall—the regulations were aimed at slowing down Red Bull. Now as said before this is a double-edged sword that has caused a dramatic shake up in the grid. McLaren, while keeping their car somewhat less normal looking and not going for the hybrid-duck look on the front nose, seem to be making the best of the new rules. Sauber and Lotus also have risen up the ranks and seem to be taking to the new regulations quite well, aiding to a dramatic beginning to this season. All in all one could argue it does make for better motor racing and yes it can give midfield teams with limited budgets a chance to be more competitive but on the other side if a team’s engineers take their time to master certain concepts within the given rules over the course of years, Red Bull from 2005 till now, it seems more like punishment for success versus rewarding mastery of a car that was not as competitive early on in F1. Now granted there must be limits, maybe it is a salary cap or spending cap of sorts but to limit a team for being successful in certain areas of aerodynamics, wing design, chassis design, or whatever the case may be. Does this really in the end help the sport as a whole? A sport that is deemed to be at the cutting edge of technology as pertaining to racing. What will be the case if McLaren masters their craft and runs away with two consecutive world championships in both the drivers and constructors championship. Will the governing body now take away ‘their toys’ to level things out again. Not much of a reward for mastering your craft. Say what you will but this is just my two-cents.

Doug Scheirer, Editor

Ready to Book Your Hotel Reservation?  Why not Do it Right Here…

As the F1 season prepares to kick off we here at f1unitedstatesgp thought we would try and put together a short guide to aid in where to stay in Austin. Be sure to check out our article on things to do in Austin, a short guide on where to eat drink and have a good time in and around the city. With the track under construction and the main access road to the circuit, FM 812, being widened to four lanes versus two, hopefully to allow for smoother access to and from the track, F1 planners in Austin are hopeful every ticket holder will be able to get to the track for the race weekend. If your concern is distance to the track your best bet may be staying by Austin Bergstrom International Airport, which is about two miles from the circuit. This does take you out of the nightlife a bit, but it may be easier to access downtown Austin from the Airport if you are craving some nightlife, or a bit of music on 6^th Street. Staying in the center of town will put you in the heart of Austin’s nightlife, but increase your distance to the track to about 8 miles. Downtown Austin offers 5,500 rooms and there are approximately 26,000 rooms citywide. Traffic on 812 will be opened to 3 lanes to the race then reversed to allow for three lanes of traffic flow after the event. Planners are estimating to have 20,575 parking spaces on site and 5,000 entrepreneurial spaces off site that will offer shuttle service to and from the race.

Paul Arcediano owner of R and R Limousine and Bus  recently purchased 6.5 acres of land to relocate on U.S. 183 South of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. He hopes the location will help him capitalize on the business of F1.

“It looks like they’re going to book over 500 shuttles to bring people to and from all the events and if that’s the case, transportation companies from all over the state are going to benefit from this,” said Arcediano. “I think it’s going to be huge – and not just for my business- but for a lot of businesses in Austin.”

Most Hotels will be offering shuttle services to and from the race, but as per guaranteeing a spot on a shuttle which average about 16 people you may want to make alternate plans or have a back up plan depending on the hotel at which you chose to stay. We advise that you call the hotel where you have reservations to find out their individual strategies to get guest to the circuit.  500 off-site RV/Camping Spaces will be available within walking distance to the track. For those looking to bike it there will also be a bike track available and plans for motorcycle parking are also in the works.

Ready to Book Your Hotel Reservation?  Why not Do it Right Here…

It may be too hot in June in Texas to hold a race, but it is definitely not too hot to bring the Formula 1 experience to Texas with the Formula 1 Expo scheduled for June 16 and 17 at the Austin Convention Center.

“Formula Expo is a fusion of the top tier of motorsport and Austin culture and music,” Ian Weightman, founder and president of Formula Expo, said in a release. “We are thrilled with the support and interest being shown for this event, which will allow visitors to really understand why this is by far the most popular motorsport in the world.”

The Expo will include driving simulators, live music, F1 cars from the past and present, give fans a chance to meet top drivers and their teams and a close up look at the technology and history that has made F1 the pinnacle of Motor Sports followed by 600 million people worldwide.

“As the momentum builds toward the 2012 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, Circuit of the America looks forward to collaborating with Formula Expo to showcase the cars, technology, personalities and compelling stories that make up a Grand Prix,” circuit president Steve Sexton said.

The Expo will feature a History Zone that will show the evolution of the F1 Racing machine over its 62 year history. Allowing fans a close up look at how the sport and the technology surrounding it has evolved to become what F1 is today. The evolution of engines, aerodynamics, and safety equipment that has brought the sport to a mass following.
                       

There will also be a fun zone where fans will be able to drive a state of the art F1 simulator, to get a realistic feel what these machines are capable of on tracks around the world. All together the Expo will consist of 5 zones offering and array of experiences for seasoned F1 fans and newcomers alike.

RACE ZONE

This zone will include interactive exhibits including Austin’s “Circuit of the Americas” exhibit which will display the new track and give fans a taste of what to expect in November. The Driving Simulator, which will include the Circuit in Monaco as well as the “Circuit of the Americas” track. Also part of the race zone will be an exhibit showing pit crews in action and an exhibit showing how the driver and constructor championships work as well as the sporting regulations as pertaining to F1 itself. Definitely a valuable source for newcomers to the sport.

The Technology Zone will give fans a chance to look into the inner workings of F1 in a literal sense, showing examples of cutting edge technology used in the 2012 F1 cars and how these technologies are used in everyday applications. Sections will include an open engine and its key components, a demonstration of the KERS energy recovery system which drivers can use to boost their cars at certain points on all the F1 circuits around the world. Also the on display will be demonstrations of the (DRS) Drag Reduction System, steering wheels, and the front wings that keeps these cars pinned to the ground. So stop by and see why F1 is a much an engineering race as it is a worldwide spectacle of the best drivers and machines that motorsports has to offer.

Stop by the Technology Zone and learn why this form of racing is as much an engineering contest as it is a driver championship. The exhibits will highlight some of the most cutting edge technologies used in the 2012 cars, plus some fascinating examples of how these racing technologies are used in everyday applications.

Other zones will allow visitors to experience the global nature of F1 using models and multimedia to showcase all sanctioned circuits worldwide. Travel operators will also be on hand to showcase their travel packages to Formula 1 destinations around the world.

So whether you are a casual fan of the sport, a newcomer, or an F1 aficionado be sure to visit Austin and experience the F1 Expo.

Join Our FreeEmail List Here at F1UnitedStatesGP.com to be informed of more ticket information and updates.

We finally have the first actual information for the 2012 US Grand Prix, albeit not what many are looking for.  The Circuit of the Americas has started a waitlist for the luxury suites and exclusive seating opportunities for all fans.  To join, a $100 one-time refundable deposit must be made before February 13 2012 with priority given to those signing up early.

The Curcuit has also announced that Personal Seat Licenses (PSL) for the US Grand Prix in Austin will be on sale starting March 1, 2012.  Prices range from $1000-$5000 per seat for a 15 year commitment.  The PSLs do not include the price of the ticket and these prices have yet to be determined.

As for the general seating opportunities, nothing yet has been released although the Circuit website mentioned a Summer 2012 timeframe for tickets to be on sale to the general public.

Join Our FreeEmail List Here at F1UnitedStatesGP.com to be informed of more ticket information and updates.

The second race in the U.S. will be the realization of Ecclestone’s dream to bring the race to New York – something he has tried, and failed to do, several times since the 1970s. Formula 1 is looking to make its presence known in the U.S. with the Indy Car Series struggling with a decline in ticket sales over the last ten years it may be time for F1 to step in and bring open wheel racing to new heights in The States. The U.S. has not hosted a race since 2007 when Lewis Hamilton one the final race at the Indianapolis Grand Prix Circuit. The race was canceled when F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone failed to agree with new terms with the circuits owners.

West New York attorney Jose DeMarco said: ‘It will provide a very challenging course. They compare it to Spa in Belgium. But it will have the feel of Monte Carlo.’

And West New York Mayor Felix Roque added: ‘This is the top of the line in motor racing. It’s incredible. This is going to be an economic boom for this whole region.’

F1 Returns for 2012

Testing is over and now fans anxiously await the beginning of the 2012 season. Granted testing is by no means the measuring stick for what to expect from the teams and drivers but there were some nice surprises that came from the final pre-season test in Spain. On Sunday, Kimi Raikkonen, former world champion who left the sport for a two year stint in the World Rally Championship, returned with a vengeance, setting the fastest lap in this year’s two sessions at the Barcelona Circuit. The top six drivers were separated by only half a second with Ferraris Fernando Alonso and William’s Bruno Senna in third. The only real surprise was the somewhat lackluster performance of 2011 World Champion Sebastian Vettel, finishing 11^th, behind Torro Rosso’s Daniel Ricciardo.

“I’d love to be able to say more about today, but this morning I had an issue, I went off track and broke the front wing and had to come in,” Vettel said. “It took quite awhile to get back out and then just before lunch we had a problem with the gearbox so it upset the whole day. After that there wasn’t much we could constructively do. To be honest, it wouldn’t be fair to judge the updates we have, as I didn’t; get many laps today. I think yesterday was quite a decent step and it was a good day for Mark, so we’ll take what we can from that.”

So with testing wrapping up, and the Australian Grand Prix on the horizon, many teams are hoping to make ground on the Red Bull RB8. Testing is just that, testing, and while some teams may be happy to see a bump in performance and to have a chance to test new aero packages and engine performance against the front runners from last year, all will not truly be told until these F1 monsters have a chance to take to the grid at Albert Park.

“We are very happy with all the work we have been able to achieve, covering a lot of kilometers and learning a lot about our car which gives us a good basis to work from,” said Schumacher. “The car felt good from the very beginning, and we have managed to improve it over the test days, so I think we can say that we are very well prepared.”

So as the teams pack up their gear and head to Albert Park, a small army of construction workers, organizers, officials and volunteers change a few miles of commuter roads into a premiere F1 circuit as Melbourne launches the annual FIA Formula One World Championship.

Track Info: A 58 Lap Grand Prix that circles Albert Park Lake, a man made lake just south of the business district in Melbourne. The track has only one permanent grand prix structure, which is the two-story pit lane building. All other amenities are set up for the race itself. The course is considered to be quite fast and an easy track to learn by drivers, but the flat terrain around the lack and the limited number of straight aways can make overtaking quite difficult. Also unlike many tracks in F1, where fans can take to the hillsides and buildings on the outskirts of the circuit. Most fans at the Australian Grand Prix will have to purchase a grandstand seat for a decent view. This being said, hundreds of thousands of fans flock to Albert Park to see the best in Formula 1 take to the course. The track distance is 3.30 miles with Michael Schumacher holding the fastest lap. The first race winner was Mika Hakkinen in 1998. The last winner was Sebastian Vettel, the 2011 Champion.

Six former world Champions will enter the fold this year and Albert Park will be the first stage in the proving ground that is the Formula 1 world championship. Stay tuned to F1UnitedStatesGP.com for updates and information at your home for Formula 1 racing in the United States.