F1′s new face of 2012 is polarising the sport.

It seems teams, drivers and spectators alike either love or hate the new great influence brought largely by Pirelli’s new generation of tyres.

An admitted critic is Michael Schumacher.

“It’s a 1000 piece puzzle that you need to put together at each race,” said the seven time world champion, according to Auto Motor und Sport.

Not for three decades have four different drivers driving for four different teams won the opening four grands prix of a season.

“From the standpoint of competition,” wrote Livio Oricchio in O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper, “there is no doubt that the Pirelli 2012 generation meets fully the objective of promoting the show.

“But if you think purely about the engineering challenge that is formula one, and the genius of the people and the immense financial and technical resources needed for success, the tyres have now taken on such an importance that the results don’t seem compatible.

“Myself, and many in formula one, hope the new versions of tyres that Pirelli is developing returns a little more predictability in terms of how they behave, without affecting the show too much.”

For now, however, the teams need to put their puzzles together, and that will undoubtedly be the focus of this week’s three-day in-season test at Mugello.

“He who understands the tyres first,” McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh astutely noted, “will have a huge advantage in the world championship.”

A broad understanding is already developing, including why 2012 winners Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso, Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel won from the very front of the field.

“When you’re in a battle, you can’t take the lines that are best for the tyres,” said Mercedes’ Ross Brawn.

All eyes are now turning to Mugello, where the understanding will continue.

“These test days could change the balance of power in formula one,” Norbert Haug predicted dramatically in Bild newspaper.

Not everyone is enthusiastic, however, including McLaren who oppose the Mugello test on cost grounds.

Williams’ chief engineer Mark Gillan agrees: “The days of test teams are gone, so this is not logistically easy,” he is quoted by Germany’s Sport1.

Bruno Senna added: “Mugello is not an ideal test track, as it’s very different to most of the tracks that are on the calendar.”

Engineer Toni Cuquerella assumes, as of today, the role of Technical Director of HRT Formula 1 Team. Cuquerella, besides being at the head of technical development, will continue to exercise his role as the maximum figure of engineering on the track.

Since Geoff Willis left the team in September of 2011, the position of Technical Director has not been occupied. The decision was then made for the development of the F112 to take place at the team’s technical office in Munich, at the hands of Holzer Group and the Chief of Aerodynamics, Stephane Chosse, under the supervision of the, until last February, Technical Coordinator Jacky Eeckelaert.

With the F112 put on the track, it’s now time to work on its development and evolution and so, the naming of a person to lead this project is necessary. And no one better than Toni Cuquerella, with his experience in Formula 1 and his praiseworthy work at the fore of HRT, to take it on.

The appointment of the Spanish engineer at the head of the technical department is a new step in the new management’s desire to centralize and take control of all the activities related to the design and development of the car. This will optimize the coordination of the different departments, helping to meet the set targets, and also rationalize resources.

Toni Cuquerella, Technical Director: “The role of Technical Director implies a great amount of responsibility in terms of coordination and decision making. That’s why I’m very proud that the management considers me to be the most adequate person to carry it out. Until now there was a lot of dispersion from within the technical team and that had its repercussions in the concept and quality of the F112. My priority is to solve the current car’s problems to then develop it to its maximum potential, whilst also unifying and expanding the technical department, but I’m confident that we have a good work base and a clear direction to advance and have a good project for the future”.

Luis Pérez-Sala, Team Principal: “Toni Cuquerella has been a key figure in the team since its inception and, above all, in this new stage. The transition from the previous project to this one hasn’t been easy and a lot of work has been carried out that without vital figures such as him wouldn’t have been possible. The position of Technical Director was vacant and the development of the F112 was carried out at the technical office in Munich. But now, with the car already on the track, it was important to take control and count on someone influential at the head of the technical office. And because of his experience, judgment and knowledge, Toni’s profile fitted in perfectly”.

Profile
Date of birth: 14th of April 1973
Place of birth: Gandia, Spain
Nationality: Spanish

Antonio Cuquerella was born in Gandía, Spain 38 years ago. He did a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Universidad Politécnica of Valencia.

In 1999 he had his first role as a race engineer for Campos GP at the Open Nissan. After this he worked in various national and international motorsport categories before becoming Chief Engineer of the Toledo WTCC and Leon WTCC projects at SEAT Sport.

In 2006 he arrived in Formula 1 as a race engineer for Super Aguri F1, where he spent two years before moving to BMW Sauber F1 Team, acting in the same role with driver Robert Kubica.

Towards the end of 2009 he decided to take a risk and back Adrián Campos in a project to establish a new Spanish team in Formula 1, becoming the Chief Race Engineer for Campos Meta. Since the team’s first season, Toni has been the Chief Race and Test Engineer and has been a key figure both in the early days and this new stage of HRT and now he assumes an even more important role as the Technical Director.

 Even the formula one teams do not trust end-of-day testing timesheets as a guide to the sport’s likely pecking order.
That is the claim of HRT’s chief engineer Toni Cuquerella, in the context of Force India and Sauber setting Wednesday’s pace at Barcelona, and the grandee Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes runners spread further down the order.

So while a full-tanks race simulation versus a qualifying run could make an obvious 4 or 5 second per lap difference, the games being played in pre-season testing are more complex, he explained.

“In Jerez or Montmelo, let’s say, all you need is to pop 30 kilos more fuel in and your times are increased by a second on average,” the Spaniard is quoted by El Pais newspaper.

“In that case, all you have to do (as a team) is refer to your time and add the second. The problem is that only they know that they are doing it,” said Cuquerella.

“That’s why no one trusts anyone,” he added.

HRT is not running at this week’s Barcelona test.

Williams has promoted the former ‘spygate’ engineer Mike Coughlan.
The former McLaren chief designer was sacked and also banned after receiving secret Ferrari information in 2007.

He went to NASCAR but in June returned to F1 with the famous British team Williams, whose technical director Sam Michael has just departed.

Coughlan initially joined as chief engineer.

“We have just confirmed (Coughlan) as our new technical director,” team chairman Adam Parr told reporters in India.

Mark Gillan joined Williams last month as chief operations engineer.

“In terms of how they are going I think it has been a very positive step for us,” added Parr.

Williams is the lowest-placed team in the 2011 constructors’ championship except for newcomers Lotus, Virgin and HRT.

“There are some areas where we need to invest a little bit and we are doing that as fast as we can to really try and take a big step forward for next year,” said Parr.

The FIA is moving to clamp down even harder on the aerodynamic use of exhaust gases ahead of the 2012 season.
F1′s governing body had already announced the end of the so-called ‘blown diffuser’ era by dictating the positioning of the exhausts and limiting the allowable off-throttle engine maps for 2012.

But Italy’s Autosprint reports that, following fears the new rules could also have been exploited by teams, the FIA has “turned the screw” even tighter.

The Paris federation has reportedly said that the 2012 version of the software to electronically control the engine will be “even more limited” than was previously expected.

Williams’ new chief engineer Mark Gillan is quoted as saying: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a year when there were no loopholes in the technical regulations.

“That is one of the most enjoyable aspects of our work — to seek out areas in which the rules are vague and can be exploited.”

Williams has settled a legal dispute with NASCAR team Michael Waltrip Racing.
In July, the NASCAR team alleged breach of contract when Oxfordshire based Williams signed Mike Coughlan as its new chief engineer.

Michael Waltrip Racing claimed Briton Coughlan’s deal was set to run through 2012.

Williams announced on Thursday that the parties have “reached an amicable solution”.

“Waltrip is a super team competing in a fantastic sport — the best thing for me is that as part of the deal I will get to see my first NASCAR race,” said team boss Sir Frank Williams.

The battle between Vitaly Petrov and Robert Kubica would have been much closer in 2011.
That is the claim of Renault’s chief engineer Alan Permane, who acknowledged that Russian Petrov was well off the pace of his Polish teammate last year.

But in his second year of F1 Petrov is much improved, with Permane claiming that had Kubica not sat out the season through injury, he would have faced a good challenge from the sister R31.

“(In 2010) Robert was ahead most of the time, but he (Petrov) did a good race in Abu Dhabi at the end of the year.

“But we found a new Vitaly when we arrived in Melbourne,” said Permane, referring to the performance that culminated in Petrov’s podium. “He was really focused and didn’t make a single mistake throughout the weekend.

“Last year Robert was much faster than him and Vitaly could do nothing about it. He (Kubica) would have been the faster of the two this season but with not such a difference.”

There is a secret to McLaren’s recent success, according to the German trade magazine Auto Motor und Sport.

With Lewis Hamilton and then Jenson Button winning the most recent German and Hungarian grands prix, the report said a big reason for the erosion of Red Bull’s dominance is a Japanese engineer.

Hiroshi Imai, who until 2009 was former F1 supplier Bridgestone’s chief engineer, is now working at McLaren on unlocking the secrets of the heavily-degrading Pirellis.

“He seems to have made a breakthrough,” said Auto Motor und Sport, revealing that McLaren has worked to better cool the brakes so that the heat is not transferred to the tyres.

Departing technical director Sam Michael’s last grand prix with the Williams race team will be Korea in October.

Jacques-Armand Dupuis, writing for France’s autohebdo.fr, reported that the Australian is not sure if he will then revert to a factory-based job or be sent on ‘gardening leave’ as the British team looks ahead to 2012.

“Most of the technical directors go to the races, but the (new) structure at Williams means that he will not.

“Mark Gillan is the chief engineer and he will be in Japan and Korea and he will then take my place,” said Michael, who has been linked with a move to Force India.

Dupuis reported that moves to Mercedes and Ferrari have also been touted for the 40-year-old.

“Everything is open for the future,” insisted Michael.

Meanwhile, after Williams experimented with a no-KERS configuration for Rubens Barrichello at the Nurburgring, Michael confirmed that the energy recovery technology will return to the Brazilian’s car this weekend.

Williams has not been notified officially about the legal action filed by NASCAR team Michael Waltrip Racing. It was reported at the weekend that MWR is suing Grove-based Williams because it negotiated and hired new chief engineer Mike Coughlan while the Briton was already under contract. “We are aware that a complaint was filed by Michael Waltrip Racing against the team and Mike Coughlan,” the team is quoted as saying by France’s autohebdo.fr. “We were not notified of any pending court process,” added Williams.

After the team’s new car sat out the entire pre-season test period, owner Jose Ramon Carabante insists there is no risk that HRT will also miss the 2011 season opener in less than two weeks.

“It is certain that we will be in Australia and race there,” Carabante is quoted as saying by El Pais newspaper.

The F111 was finally launched in the Barcelona pitlane late last week but the team said it could not be tested due to components being held up in customs.

Carabante admits that Hispania’s preparation for its second formula one season was not ideal.

“Maybe we will not finish the first race, we’ll see, but the car will develop from here with the clear aim of fighting with and beating the other two teams that started last year,” he added, referring to Virgin and Lotus.

HRT has said the F111 is entirely new, but expert observers pointed out striking similarities with the back-of-the-grid Dallara car of 2010.

“We are relying on last year’s chassis,” admitted chief engineer Toni Cuquerella, “but 95 per cent of the car is new.

“We have a Cosworth engine with the latest specification and we have adapted the chassis for the new gearbox and hydraulics supplied to us by Williams.

“The collaboration with them (Williams) has allowed us to make a technological step of three years. It is clear that the car is much better than last year’s,” he added.

El Pais said HRT’s 2011 budget is EUR 45 million, to potentially be covered by some as yet unsigned sponsors.

“We are negotiating with several sponsors,” insists Carabante, who is reportedly willing to make up the shortfall if the budget is not finally completed.

A cheeky Italian journalist risked the ire of Luca di Montezemolo on Tuesday during the Ferrari president’s annual Christmas dinner for the country’s media.

Asked what Christmas present he is planning for Fernando Alonso, the 63-year-old replied: “What the heck do you give him?

“He earns enough,” laughed Montezemolo, who gave each of the reporters a model of this year’s F10. “And I already give him a F1 car!” he quipped.

Amused that Montezemolo seemed not to be planning a gift at all, the questioner cheekily hit back: “I’m not asking you what you’re going to give Chris Dyer…”

Chief engineer and Australian Dyer is thought at risk of losing his job after bungling the race strategy that cost Alonso the drivers’ title last month in Abu Dhabi.

Montezemolo repeated again that Ferrari is not planning a major staff upheaval before the 2011 season, but that “some adjustments” are likely to take place.

He also played down rumours he is preparing to enter Italian politics, or that Ferrari to be floated on the stock exchange.

Montezemolo will similarly meet with international journalists on Thursday.

Andy Shovlin has been promoted to the role of chief driver engineer at Mercedes GP for 2011, according to reports.

Earlier this month, as it emerged that both Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg will have new race engineers next season, we reported that Briton Shovlin “will have a more general engineering role next year”.

This year, Shovlin – who worked alongside Jenson Button when the Briton won the 2009 title with the Brackley based team – was Schumacher’s race engineer.

But it is believed the seven time world champion will be engineered next season by long time McLaren man Mark Slade, who arrives from Renault after working with Vitaly Petrov.

“We are changing the organisation in the same direction as Ferrari,” Schumacher is quoted by the Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat.

At Ferrari, Schumacher was engineered by Chris Dyer, but the Australian then moved on to his current role with the Italian team of chief track engineer.

Schumacher confirmed: “There will be a chief engineer responsible for both the drivers.”

Asked about his targets for the second year of his F1 comeback, the German said: “I believe next year I can be going for the podium in some races, but that it is still too early for the championship.

“Our technical differences to the top teams has been reduced, but not quite enough,” he conceded.

French commentator Jean-Louis Moncet wrote in his latest Auto Plus column that he believes the W01 car’s successor has been fired up for the first time at Brackley.

On the other hand, Auto Motor und Sport in Germany reports that Adrian Newey is once again late with his new Red Bull design, due to delaying final decisions about how to integrate the heavy components for KERS.

Luca di Montezemolo and Stefano Domenicali have played down reports that heads will roll as a result of Ferrari’s championship loss in 2010.

Italian reports had warned chief engineer Chris Dyer was in the spotlight after the bungled race strategy in Abu Dhabi that cost Fernando Alonso the title.

“Changes within the team? That is not our philosophy, because for years now we have adopted a policy based on dynamic stability,” said president Montezemolo at the marque’s end-of-season event at Valencia.

“A few minor adjustments are possible, but no major upheaval,” he insisted.

Team boss Domenicali had also been singled out as a potential scapegoat for the 2010 outcome, but Montezemolo said he is “very happy” with the Italian’s work.

Domenicali also told Corriere della Sera that the idea of major staff changes has been ruled out.

“I could have followed the emotional wave after Singapore 2008, when the fuel nozzle was left attached to Massa’s car.

“But that man was one of the protagonists of the winning pitstop at Monza this year,” insisted Domenicali.

Another touted potential ousting prior to the new campaign in 2011 is Felipe Massa, but Montezemolo said he is “sure” the struggling Brazilian will be back to top form next season.

Massa has singled out Bridgestone’s tyres as the root of his problems this year, and was pleased with his first taste of the 2011 Pirellis in Abu Dhabi recently.

“First impressions are very positive,” he said. “Sure, there is still work to do, but it was a really good day.”

Staff changes as the result of Ferrari’s failed championship campaign in 2010 are on the horizon, according to Italian reports.

Autosprint magazine reports that it is “not a secret” that the man most directly in the spotlight is Australian Chris Dyer, Ferrari’s chief engineer and in charge of race strategies.

“We need an improved car and we must also ensure that mistakes that we made as drivers and as a team are not repeated in 2011,” Fernando Alonso is quoted as saying.

And the Italian daily La Repubblica asked Ferrari’s technical director Aldo Costa if “heads will roll” as a consequence of the failed strategy in Abu Dhabi.

“I’m not for the automatic ‘error-guilt-punishment’ (approach),” he answered.

“I prefer a more rational response, where we understand what happened and what went wrong, and then we act,” added Costa.

He also said it is wrong to point the finger at one individual.

“We must make sure that certain decisions are shared, with responsibility not resting on one set of shoulders.

“But, anyway, we didn’t lose the championship because of the strategy in Abu Dhabi, but because our car was not as fast as another,” added Costa.

He is confident that the F10′s 2011 successor will be faster.

“This year we did reduce the gap to Red Bull,” said Costa.

“What we have done is revolutionise our working methods and this meant a period of adjustment. And we paid for having a wind tunnel that was a bit dated.

“But now we have solved the problem and begun a new era,” he insisted.