Indian Gp 2012

Kobayashi seeking sponsorship to stay in F1

Greater Noida: Kamui Kobayashi's future with the Sauber Formula One team will not depend on whatever new sponsorship money he might raise, team principal Monisha Kaltenborn said on Friday. Without saying whether the Japanese would be staying or leaving next season, Kaltenborn reminded reporters at the Indian Grand Prix that the Swiss team was fully aware he had no financial backers when they hired him in 2010. "If you look...  

Hulkenberg satisfied with free practice result

Greater Noida: In his maiden sojourn at the Buddh International Circuit here, Sahara Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg is satisfied with the free practice on Friday and said he was shaping up well for the qualifying session at the Indian Grand Prix on Friday. Hulkenberg, who ended eighth at the second practice session, said that he had achieved what he had wanted to do on Friday. "It was my first...  

Hrithik Roshan to wave chequered flag at Indian GP

Greater Noida: Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan is the star the Jaypee Group, the organisers of the Formula One Indian Grand Prix, have chosen to wave the chequered flag on Sunday while Sachin Tendulkar, who did the honours last year, will not be there to watch the race. "We have recommended Hrithik's name and we expect to get the approval for his name from Fomula One Management (FOM) and as well...  

Domenicali declines to comment on flag controversy

Greater Noida: Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali on Friday refused to be drawn into the raging controversy surrounding its decision to race with the Italian navy flag on their cars at Sunday's Indian Grand Prix as a gesture of solidarity towards its marines facing trial in India over murder charges. Domenicali declined to comment on the issue in an official FIA press conference at the Buddh International Circuit here after...  

Qualifying will be key to success: Hamilton

Greater Noida: McLaren Mercedes might not have the best of the free practice sessions on Friday, but its drivers -- Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button -- have already set their sights on Saturday and said a good qualifying session will be key to the team's success in Sunday's race. Both Button (1:27.182) and Hamilton (1:27.131) improved their FP1 timing in the afternoon but still the two McLaren Mercedes cars could...  

The qualifying result may be different: Vettel

Greater Noida: Red Bull dominated the practice sessions by putting both the cars at the top in FP 2 but Sebastian Vettel, who had the fastest time, reckons that the qualifying result may be different. After the final practice session on Saturday morning, the drivers will fight for the positions on the grid for Sunday's race. "Friday's are always difficult with so many things changing. The track improvement was quite...  

Formula One Indian Grand Prix trophy unveiled

Greater Noida: The Formula One Airtel Indian Grand Prix trophy was unveiled on Friday at Buddh International Circuit. The trophy is an aesthetic interpretation of a contemporary and forward looking India on a global pedestal. The idea behind selecting this design was to ensure that it symbolises the spirit of F1 fandom in India. The trophy personifies the energy of 2012 F1 Airtel Indian Grand Prix and showcases the best...  

Even reserve driver has a role to play in F1

Greater Noida: It is not easy being a reserve driver in Formula One. While the regulars hog the limelight during the race weekends, the third driver quietly goes about doing his chores in the garage. On the track, he is expected to deliver in the handful of opportunities he gets. Sahara Force India's Jules Bianchi is one such face in the paddock. As he is not taking part in the...  

Safety car, the unheralded hero of F1

Greater Noida: When everyone is in the fast lane, his may seem a low-key job, driving a car at a slow speed. Never mind the speed, he has a crucial role - to ensure nothing untoward happens on the track and beyond. He drives what is known in Formula One a safety car and his responsibility is to make sure everyone around the circuit is safe and secure. A safety...  

Vettel rules Indian GP practice sessions

Greater Noida: Sebastian Vettel picked up where he left off on Friday by lapping fastest in free practice of the Indian Grand Prix that could bring the Formula One championship leader a fourth win in a row. Red Bull's 25-year-old German, who leads Ferrari's Fernando Alonso by six points with four races remaining, was quickest in both of the day's sessions. Winner of last year's inaugural race at the hot...  

FI is apolitical: Bernie Ecclestone

Greater Noida: Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone has distanced himself from the storm kicked up by Ferrari's decision to have the Italian navy's flag on its cars during the Indian Grand Prix, saying the national association should look into such "political matters". Ferrari has decided to carry the Italian navy's flag on its cars during practice for the race to show solidarity with the country's two navy marines who are...  

Indian GP 2012: Ecclestone open to two races in India

Greater Noida: India can hope to host two Formula One races within the next decade but the country faces plenty of competition on a crowded calendar, according to the sport's commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone. In a conversation ranging from sacred cows on India's roads to Lewis Hamilton's move to Mercedes next season, the Briton told reporters at the Indian Grand Prix that a second race in the country was a...  

Sachin to miss Indian GP this time, Yuvraj to come

Greater Noida: Veteran cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, who waved the chequered flag at the inaugural Indian Grand Prix, will miss the second edition of the Formula One race to play a Ranji match for his Mumbai team. It has been learnt that Tendulkar, who is a motorsports enthusiast, decided to prefer practising with the team in Mumbai than coming here. Tendulkar, who is going through a lean patch, is scheduled to...  

Vettel fastest in first practice in Indian GP

Greater Noida: Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel set the fastest time in Friday's opening practice for the Indian Grand Prix, boosting his hopes of taking a fourth successive race win and extending his Formula One championship lead. Vettel was three tenths of a second faster than McLaren's Jenson Button, while his chief title rival Fernando Alonso of Ferrari was third fastest. McLaren's Lewis Hamilton was fourth on the time sheets,...  

Ferrari to race Indian GP with Italian navy flag

Ferrari cars at this week's Indian Grand Prix will carry the flag of the Italian navy in a sign of encouragement for Indian and Italian authorities to find a solution involving two detained Italian sailors. ...

Gutierrez replaces sick Perez for first practice

Greater Noida: Mexican test driver Esteban Gutierrez will replace sick compatriot Sergio Perez in first practice at the Indian Grand Prix on Friday, the Sauber Formula One team said. "Due to the fact ... Prez is unwell, the Sauber F1 Team has decided to let its reserve driver Esteban Gutierrez jump into the car for the first free practice session," they said in a statement. "This should help Sergio's speedy...  

Drivers give thumbs up to greener BIC

Greater Noida: Dust has become a thing of the past at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC), say the Formula 1 drivers here for the second Indian Grand Prix. Drivers had complained of dust and dirt at BIC during the inaugural edition last year. "The track looks a lot more prepared this year and a lot of development work seems to have taken place. We have again received a warm welcome...