Carbonell and HRT Formula 1 Team have signed a collaboration deal through which the leading olive oil brand will have its image present on the drivers’ overalls, whilst also forming a part of the exclusive culinary experience that the team has created alongside Arzak-Bokado.

The squad of Arzak-Bokado chefs travel with the team and have their operational base in the new motorhome hospitality during European races, whereas in overseas races they use the facilities provided by each circuit to maintain the same quality service. They offer a gastronomic experience that meets the different needs of team members and exclusive guests of the team, using fresh national products of the highest quality that characterize the extraordinary and renowned Spanish cuisine, whilst also leaning upon chefs and suppliers at each of the 19 countries visited throughout the season.

Besides the different menus, the gourmet experience also includes gastronomic activities at the circuit such as the “show cooking” or the “lightning pintxo”, which HRT offers every Grand Prix Sunday before the race for team members, guests, international press and organizers who travel the globe covering Formula 1 all to enjoy.

The presence of Carbonell, world leader in olive oil, will provide an extra contribution to that gastronomic experience whilst also enjoying an unbeatable platform for the brand because of the quality and worldwide reach of the team’s activities in a setting such as Formula 1. Carbonell has chosen the pinnacle of motorsport and HRT Formula 1 Team, the first and only team in the history of this competition to have its headquarters in Spain, to begin this unique culinary experience in Formula 1 and will also be the team’s exclusive brand for olive oil, olives and vinegar.

The agreement, which was signed by José María Collantes, Managing Director of Deoleo S.A, and Luis Pérez-Sala, Team Principal of HRT Formula 1 Team, at the team’s new headquarters in the Caja Mágica in Madrid, is valid until the end of 2012 with an option to extend. With this, Carbonell becomes the first Spanish food brand to be present in the Formula 1 World Championship.

Jose María Collantes, Managing Director Deoleo S.A: “The partnership between HRT, Carbonell and Arzak will enable to strengthen the link between Formula 1 and the gastronomic world thanks to HRT with an exclusive gourmet experience through which Carbonell will take part in every aspect related to the team’s kitchen, as well as all the culinary activities at the Grands Prix. By supporting such a popular sport as Formula 1, Carbonell will have great visibility and will secure its place as an innovative brand in the world of olive oil, vinegar and olives”.

Luis Pérez-Sala, Team Principal HRT: “It’s a great satisfaction for HRT to begin a partnership with Carbonell, a world renowned Spanish brand in the food sector. This association offers an opportunity to make the most of and strengthen the synergies of both companies on a worldwide base. Besides, Carbonell integrates perfectly with our gastronomic partners, Arzak-Bokado, to offer a gourmet experience made up of Spanish cuisine and fusion in the different countries where we compete. We thank Carbonell for the confidence they have deposited in us and we will continue to work hard to be competitive in an extremely demanding environment. With everyone’s effort we will reach our targets”.

ABOUT CARBONELL

For more than 145 years Carbonell has been present in kitchens and has created its oil taking close care of every step. Today, as a result of that experience and also of an innovation, Carbonell creates its oil following the Exclusive Carbonell Method® through which the best olives are chosen based on the origin, variety and moment of picking and a unique elaboration process is followed with which the essence of the olive is conserved.

Thereby, Carbonell is the brand that transforms dishes, in short, they give them soul, contributing some specific benefits (more nutrition; more pleasure; makes the normal special; turns the experience of eating into something sublime). Carbonell, the soul of your kitchen.

Carbonell belongs to Deoleo S.A., a Spanish food group that lists on the Spanish stock market and that is a worldwide leader in bottled olive oil, and that counts with the leading brands in the areas and markets where it operates, offering top quality products.

 Contrary to recent speculation, McLaren does not yet have a Mercedes-style new F-duct on its dominant 2012 car.
When boss Martin Whitmarsh said in Melbourne that he would not be joining a theoretical protest against the Mercedes innovation, many suggested it was because the MP4-27 is already hiding something similar.

Not yet, although the FIA did take a long look at the silver car in Melbourne.

“If they were looking for an F-duct, we don’t have one,” Whitmarsh smiled to Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport.

In fact, the scrutineers were checking and then re-checking the height of the MP4-27′s front wing.

But the F-duct might be coming.

“All the teams are going to be trying to extract the maximum within the permitted regulations,” confirmed managing director Jonathan Neale in a media teleconference this week.

But he also revealed that McLaren doesn’t yet “understand well enough” how the Mercedes system works.

Melbourne winner Jenson Button and his teammate Lewis Hamilton will therefore race a basically unchanged McLaren this weekend in Malaysia.

But Hamilton’s downbeat mood has been picked up with the news that he was beaten by Button from pole last Sunday due to a minor clutch issue.

“It wasn’t my fault,” said the Briton, “but we now understand and know how to improve in the future.”

As for their differing race performances, Hamilton insists he now understands “the reasons” for Melbourne “and it puts me in a really positive frame of mind” ahead of this weekend’s Malaysian grand prix.

Donington Park no longer aspires to host formula one.
The circuit’s bold bid to redevelop the site and host the 2010 British grand prix failed spectacularly, but it is once again the scene of minor category and motorcycle racing.

Managing director Christopher Tate told the BBC: “We have no ambition to run the British grand prix for cars.”

Sauber’s Monisha Kaltenborn has admitted the Swiss team will return to Bahrain this year if F1 officials say so.
She is referring to the fact that, despite the island Kingdom’s scheduled return to the calendar in April, there are reports the situation inside Bahrain is not yet stable.

“We are not in a position to judge it too well,” Sauber’s managing director is quoted by Europa Press, “so we have to trust the FIA and the commercial rights owners.

“If they believe it is right to go there, we definitely will.”

Agreed Lotus team boss Eric Boullier: “It is not an easy topic. We are currently awaiting comments from the FIA about whether or not to go there.”

Team owner Gerard Lopez added: “What I have heard is that there are a number of guarantees in terms of what will happen, so if things look good there is no reason why we shouldn’t go.”

Sauber’s departing technical boss James Key appears headed for Lotus.
On the eve of its 2012 car launch, the Swiss team announced that it will not replace the departing Briton Key, who has accepted an offer to work in the UK.

Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport said it is rumoured Key is headed for Lotus.

Not the Enstone based F1 team, however, but sponsor Group Lotus’ motor racing programme, including Le Mans.

Sauber managing director Monisha Kaltenborn denied the Hinwil based team cannot afford to replace Key.

“If we look back 20 years, the team have always lacked funds,” she insisted.

Kaltenborn defended the bare look of the 2012 car’s livery.

“We are in negotiation with new partners so I am quite confident our livery will look different by the time we hit the first race,” she said.

As for Key, “For some time both sides had the feeling that things were not working any more, and what has happened is the outcome,” La Gazzetta dello Sport quotes Kaltenborn as saying.

Adrian Sutil – 8th: “We’ve been saying all week that this is a special race for us so I’m very happy with today’s qualifying performance. We are so determined to do well here and today’s result is the first step towards that. P8 is one of my best qualifying results of the season and I think it was the maximum we could achieve from the session. The balance of the car was excellent and I really enjoy this circuit, which seems to suit my driving style. But tomorrow is the important day and now we have to think hard about the strategy we will run. I feel very comfortable with the car and I think we will be more competitive than we were in Korea.”

Paul Di Resta – 13th: “Starting P12 is a bit disappointing really, because we looked quite strong this morning. But I struggled with a bit of understeer in the high-speed corners and we couldn’t fix it during the session. I think the conditions cooled a little bit, which maybe didn’t help us because I couldn’t get the balance quite where I wanted it. I feel that points are still achievable tomorrow and we seem quite strong on the longer runs. There’s a hard task ahead, but I will stay focussed and try to do the best job possible in the team’s home race.”

Dr. Vijay Mallya, Team Principal and Managing Director: “Another excellent day of track action at Buddh International Circuit and I’m delighted to see a Sahara Force India starting the very first Indian Grand Prix from the fourth row of the grid. The whole team has worked very hard to bring our final upgrade package here this weekend and I think that showed in our performance today. Adrian clearly loves this circuit and was on top form this afternoon. Paul has also been very strong, but unfortunately he lost the sweet spot he had with the car this morning and missed out on making Q3. Still, we know we have a strong car for tomorrow and I’m hopeful both drivers can be in the hunt for points. It’s our home race and I hope all the fans will get behind Sahara Force India in what will be a spetacular and historic moment for India.”

Jonathan Neale talks about the rumors in Formula 1 and the need to maintain the issue of cost intensive cooperation

As much as the racing stables of Formula 1 fight on the track, so intense, the teams work together off of it. Together, it is important to shape the future of the championship so that the sport is on solid footing in the long term. Even so, the team Association (FOTA) has been launched to bring as measures to cap costs at the start.

Recently, however, came more and more rumors saying that some teams – Red Bull was called back and again – no longer the resource restriction agreement (RRA) would correspond. Of them wants to Jonathan Neale, managing director at McLaren team, but know nothing. “This day has been much speculation,” the Briton said in a telephone conference before the South Korea-racing event.

The fact was that one could hardly make an assessment as an outsider. “None of us knows to say,” Neale confirmed. It is neither a part of that team still have an insight into the business practices or in the businesses of another race team. “There will always hold a certain tension between the teams,” says Neale.

“In Formula 1, has been around for decades been a certain mistrust and rumors among the teams I think that’s part of the sport, the reality is:.. Overall, the formula must hold together one,” says the McLaren team official. The FOTA bar in this respect, really good work, because it succeeds in this way, “to cap costs in many areas.”

“And, although everyone wants the best for his team,” noted Neale. “The current generation of team leaders is definitely more than to be able to see both the big picture as well as their own interests to represent.” This is good sign for 2014 and beyond, says Neale, of the new Formula 1 rules seen as “ambitious and exciting challenge.”

“It will lead to pressure situations. There are certain parties who want to bring the Formula 1 teams must deal. We are getting ready while preparing to enter the next round of negotiations on the market. As part of this will certainly be some tensions arise, “says Neale. Even though this was perfectly normal in the premier class

Jaime Alguersuari hopes his best ever qualifying performance will stop the speculation about his future in formula one.
With Red Bull’s next up-and-comers Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne knocking loudly on the door at Toro Rosso, driver manager Helmut Marko has said he will only consider the 2012 lineup after the end of this season.

Spaniard Alguersuari, still just 21, qualified on the back of the third row at Spa-Francorchamps, five places ahead of his Swiss teammate Sebastien Buemi.

“I hope now that all the people (reporters) stop asking me about this nonsense,” he told Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo, referring to the constant speculation about his future.

Another boost to Alguersuari’s future could be the reported title sponsorship deal between Toro Rosso and Abu Dhabi’s petroleum investment company (IPIC), with links to Spanish oil brand Cepsa.

AS sports newspaper reports that Alguersuari has even been in direct contact recently with Khadem Abdulla Al-Qubaisi, the managing director of IPIC.

Said Toro Rosso team boss Franz Tost: “Both our drivers performed very well throughout the (Spa) weekend.”

Sunday in Hungary proved McLaren does not use team orders, according to Jenson Button.

Prior to winning his 200th grand prix, the 31-year-old engaged in a wheel-to-wheel, place-swapping duel with his teammate Lewis Hamilton.

Button said a few days ago that McLaren “does not have team orders”.

“Other teams will use them, but not us,” he added, apparently referring to Red Bull’s order that Mark Webber hold position behind Sebastian Vettel at Silverstone.

After Sunday’s race, Button said it was no surprise the McLaren pitwall kept out of the battle.

“No, I wasn’t surprised they let us fight,” he said. “We wouldn’t have listened anyway. If they had said ‘back off and sit behind your teammate’, it wouldn’t have happened.”

McLaren’s managing director Jonathan Neale confirmed the desire to sometimes protect a good team result.

But he insisted: “You have to let them go sometimes. We can get it wrong but when you have a race like that, you know you are right.”

McLaren’s race drivers have rubbished speculation they might soon have a new team boss.

The Woking based team’s managing director Jonathan Neale this week said rumours Martin Whitmarsh might lose his job was “part of the media circus” of a disappointing home performance at Silverstone recently.

Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button have now also publicly backed Whitmarsh amid rumours Ron Dennis might be looking to return to his post at the helm of the famous British team.

“There’s no chance of that,” Hamilton told the Daily Star when asked about reports of Whitmarsh’s possible demise.

“There is a better atmosphere within the team than there ever has been, it is constantly growing.

“I am certain there are no plans for him to go anywhere.”

Teammate Button agrees: “It was said people are unsure of his (Whitmarsh’s) position within the team, the engineers and mechanics. That’s absolute rubbish.”

Ferrari and Sauber brought an end to the exhaust blowing saga that marred the British grand prix weekend.
The teams rowed at Silverstone about the FIA’s clampdown and how it could be equitably applied to the four engine manufacturer’s distinct V8 engines.

Ultimately, Charlie Whiting proposed to scrap the clampdown and simply revert to the Valencia setup, where changing engine settings between qualifying and the race were banned but off-throttle blowing was unrestricted.

Williams initially opposed the reversion but eventually signed the letter of unanimity, leaving Ferrari-powered Ferrari and Sauber yet to agree.

“We thought primarily of the image and the fans of formula one,” Sauber managing director Monisha Kaltenborn told Auto Motor und Sport, explaining the Swiss team’s eventual change of heart.

“We are glad that we now have an agreement,” she added.

In the pages of La Stampa, Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali agreed: “These stories, with everyone thinking only of what advantage they can get, are not good.

“For this reason we kept a low profile. Without thinking about what we will or will not lose, we have signed the agreement to return to what we had before Silverstone,” he confirmed.

Pedro de la Rosa has revealed he has “no idea” if he will be called up by Sauber to race on the streets of Valencia this weekend.
The veteran Spaniard, who is McLaren’s reserve driver, was called up at the last minute in Canada almost two weeks ago when Sauber regular Sergio Perez fell ill after Friday morning practice.

Sauber managing director Monisha Kaltenborn this week then said that although Mexican rookie Perez, 21, is now fully recovered from his Monaco qualifying crash, 40-year-old de la Rosa is once again on standby.

“I am being constantly asked if I’m going to race in this (European) grand prix, and actually I don’t have the faintest idea,” said de la Rosa on Wednesday.

“I would like to clarify that I am McLaren’s reserve driver and indebted to them before any other team.

“Whatever happens depends on if McLaren lets me, and actually I don’t want to speculate as I find it a lack of respect for Sergio Perez, who has said he is perfectly well,” he added.

While Sauber hopes Sergio Perez will return to his C30 this weekend, the Swiss team has revealed it is more than happy with the occupant of the sister cockpit.
Sauber plucked Japanese Kamui Kobayashi from the ashes of Toyota’s F1 withdrawal at the end of 2009, following some exciting early performances for the then rookie.

He has carried over his daring style to Sauber and now has a secure place at the team, managing director Monisha Kaltenborn told Brazil’s O Estado de S.Paulo.

“We are very happy,” she said.

“Kamui, in his second year of formula one, is already a leader. His exciting style of driving is great for the team and for the fans as well,” added Kaltenborn.

Sauber has confirmed reports Pedro de la Rosa will step in once again this weekend if Sergio Perez is not well enough to race.
Spanish veteran de la Rosa, despite being McLaren’s official reserve driver, took Perez’s place in Canada after the Mexican rookie felt ill before the second Friday practice session.

The 21-year-old flew from Montreal to his native country to recover with well-known physio Josef Leberer.

“I feel perfectly well and I’m very much looking forward to racing in Valencia,” said Perez.

Team boss Peter Sauber last week defended his decision to call up de la Rosa in Canada rather than the Swiss team’s own official reserve driver Esteban Gutierrez, who is 19.

“Pedro did a very good job,” confirmed managing director Monisha Kaltenborn, according to Tuttosport.

“In Montreal he got into our car, driving it without knowing it well. He did a great job for us.”

As for the forthcoming Valencia street race in a week, Kaltenborn continued: “We see no reason why Sergio should not drive.

“By the time of the European grand prix he will have recovered, but if he has not then we will make use again of Pedro, because of his vast experience,” she added.

Engine supplier Renault has confirmed its serious concerns about the dithering over formula one’s engine regulations for 2013.
FIA president Jean Todt wants to push ahead with the ‘greener’ four-cylinder turbo route, but has admitted the rules might be delayed due to concerns expressed by Cosworth, Ferrari and Mercedes.

Managing director Jean-Francois Caubet has signalled this week that if Renault’s competitors succeed in postponing the new rules, he fears the French carmaker’s commitment to F1 would be in doubt.

“We want to know what to do rather than delay or defer,” he is quoted by Autosprint’s auto.it.

“It seems to me that the situation is losing control. We understand and respect the ideas of Ferrari, Mercedes and Cosworth, but we are not willing to accept delays or to see things change in this way.

“The matter is becoming a problem,” insisted Caubet. “It is not clear who is managing the sport.”

Todt admitted last week that “those responsible at Renault tell me they will go out of F1″ if the engine rules do not come into effect in 2013.