Renault is a secret to Red Bull’s recent success in formula one, the French carmaker claims.
The common perception, however, is that the energy drink-owned team has dominated the sport in recent years despite Mercedes-Benz actually supplying a more powerful 2.4 litre V8 engine to Red Bull’s rivals.

“The Mercedes engine is indeed about 15 horse power more powerful than ours,” confirmed Renault Sport F1′s Jean-Francois Caubet.

“But in terms of driveability and fuel economy, it is our engine in front. So when it comes to the bottom line, we are a little bit better than Mercedes,” he claimed to Germany’s Sport Bild magazine.

The most crucial factor, Caubet claimed, is the engine’s fuel economy amid the backdrop of the recent ban on in-race refuelling.

“Because our consumption is lower, Red Bull can start the races with 15 to 18 litres less petrol in the tank than the competition,” he said.

“That makes a big difference.”

Another factor is Sebastian Vettel’s driving, he agreed, with the back to back world champion having a “very fuel efficient” style, and being “extremely interested in the data”.

“They are both key factors when the driver wants to use the engine perfectly,” said Caubet.

News that formula one is coming to New York is back in the headlines.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting on Saturday that the sport will announce next week that a street race in Weehawken and West New York, against the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline, will take place in June 2013.

The report cited “two people familiar with the matter”, adding that the press conference will take place in Weehawken, a New Jersey township, at the Hudson River waterside Port Imperial, on Tuesday.

If confirmed, it will mean the United States has two annual grands prix, with Texas set to join the schedule next year at a purpose-built circuit outside Austin.

In August, the Wall Street Journal said the mayors of Weehawken and West New York were in talks with private investors about a 2013 F1 street race.

It would be “sad” and “unwise” if reports the BBC is considering dropping its live coverage of formula one in Britain are true.
That is the claim of McLaren and FOTA chief Martin Whitmarsh, following the Sunday Times article about the broadcaster axing F1 after 2013 in order to save money.

He said he and other “insiders” were surprised about the report that contains “significant inaccuracies” about the sport’s television viewing figures.

Meanwhile, media analysis of the Sunday Times article has pointed out that the newspaper is controlled by Rupert Murdoch, who has been reportedly interested in getting involved in F1, perhaps with his pay television network Sky.

Another possibility is that the BBC is kicking off negotiations with Bernie Ecclestone about reducing the value of its contract.

“One thing is clear,” wrote correspondent Tom Cary in the Telegraph, “the BBC will never pay as much as it did last time.”

Cary said he believes negotiations have begun amid the backdrop of Fuji (Japan) and Rai (Italy) managing successfully to renew their deals at lower rates.

Said Whitmarsh: “I think it would be very sad, and most unwise, if the BBC were to disappoint so many millions of British sports fans by axing it (F1), and that’s why I don’t believe for a moment that they’d seriously consider doing such a thing.”

Bernie Ecclestone on Sunday sounded defiant amid reports Korea is not ready to welcome formula one.

Yeongam, about a four hour drive from Seoul, is scheduled to host its inaugural grand prix late next month.

Karun Chandhok did the first demonstration laps of the track on Saturday in a Red Bull, admitting that the venue is not yet complete.

Photos showed some buildings and grandstands are half built, fences missing, run-off areas unpaved and the track with only an initial layer of asphalt.

“How can a grand prix take place here?” wondered the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag, captioning a photo of a construction worker carrying materials against the backdrop of a half-built building.

The newspaper said even a full supply of water and electricity is not yet present.

Additionally, many seats in the main grandstand are not installed, while parking lots are not ready to accommodate cars.

“There are problems,” admitted F1 chief executive Ecclestone, “but we assume that the race can take place.

“The circuit is definitely ready, but as for all the buildings, perhaps not,” admitted the Briton.

“So we may have to put up some tents,” Ecclestone joked.

Monte Carlo’s famous glamour was yet to arrive in the formula one paddock on Wednesday.

It is just two days since the chequered flag waved at the Circuit de Catalunya, meaning that it has been the shortest turnaround between back-to-back races in the sport’s history.

Mercedes and Red Bull sent old motor homes to Spain so that their real facilities were ready for Wednesday, the unofficial first day of the Monaco event given that Thursday will see the initial 180 hours of practice.

It was a different story elsewhere in pitlane.

Renault is this year operating the departed Toyota’s 2009 motor home, and construction was not complete early on Wednesday due to the team still learning the ropes about how to dismantle and erect it.

“It was a bit of a breakneck 24 hours to get the team and equipment to Monaco, but everybody is now working hard to make sure we’re ready to go in first practice on Thursday morning,” said team manager Steve Nielsen.

Ferrari and Williams were also working on their paddock facilities on Wednesday, amid the insalubrious backdrop of cranes, ladders, hammers and drills.

McLaren’s impressive roundhouse motor home was ‘naked’ because the glass panels were not yet all in place, and Virgin was a long way from having its new facility ready to accommodate walls, let alone any guests or team members.

Meanwhile, it is reported that the chance of rain for Saturday and Sunday’s crucial running at Monaco has now subsided to just 30 per cent on both days.

(GMM)

May 5 (GMM)  Hopes that Jersey City could host the US grand prix in the near future were dealt a blow on Wednesday.

Barely 24 hours ago it emerged that officials were in preliminary talks to hold a night race beginning in 2012 inside Liberty State Park, amid the backdrop of the New York skyline.

ut mayor Jerramiah Healy has now backed a public opposition group in warning the city’s Tourism Office to scrap the plans.

“I have come to the same conclusion … that this type of event is not suited for Liberty State Park,” he said in a statement.

“While we work to attract national and international events to our city, we must ensure that they are appropriate and will have the least impact upon the quality of life of our residents and our community,” mayor Healy added.

Moreover, state officials who operate the public park are not confirming if the venue will be approved for F1.

“Each (park) event is considered based on benefit to users and its impact on the natural and historic resources on the site,” a spokesman is quoted as saying by nj.com.

May 4 (GMM)  Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey, has emerged as the potential site for a United States grand prix between 2012 and 2016.

Local reports said talks for a race amid the backdrop of the New York skyline are underway, with a city spokeswoman confirming that “preliminary discussions” with F1 officials started three weeks ago.

The story emerged after documents obtained by opposition group Friends of Liberty State Park showed plans for a 3.6 mile track within the 1200 acre park providing “the least impact to city functions”.

“It is a marketing tool to bring people to Jersey City such as foot traffic and revenue to local businesses,” the spokeswoman is quoted as saying by hudsonreporter.com.

Mayor Jerramiah Healy issued a statement clarifying that Jersey City was approached by formula one.

“Jersey City is one of several cities they (F1) are pursuing,” said mayor Healy.  “There have been a few, preliminary conversations and this is very much in the exploratory phase.

“However, this may not be something that is in the best interest of Jersey City or Liberty State Park,” he added.

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone’s London office could not be reached for comment.