FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[What's Burning?]

Honda would be glad to take a look at it I'm sure.

Don't McLaren have an exclusive deal with Honda for 2015?

Yeap, if Renault missed the boat, it will take them a long while to catch up. I'd frankly would rather see them competitive this way there can be no excuses for the boy wonder.

[operaman]

I'll second that.

[spankyham]

Honda would be glad to take a look at it I'm sure.

Don't McLaren have an exclusive deal with Honda for 2015?

Yeap, if Renault missed the boat, it will take them a long while to catch up. I'd frankly would rather see them competitive this way there can be no excuses for the boy wonder.

I just don't see engine power or reliability being an issue for the life of these engines. From the get-go I just don't see there being anything more than a few percentage points (maximum) difference between all engines as far as power is concerned. Reliability, yes, that will potentially be an issue for at least the start of the year.

[What's Burning?]

Honda would be glad to take a look at it I'm sure.

Don't McLaren have an exclusive deal with Honda for 2015?

Yeap, if Renault missed the boat, it will take them a long while to catch up. I'd frankly would rather see them competitive this way there can be no excuses for the boy wonder.

I just don't see engine power or reliability being an issue for the life of these engines. From the get-go I just don't see there being anything more than a few percentage points (maximum) difference between all engines as far as power is concerned. Reliability, yes, that will potentially be an issue for at least the start of the year.

I was speaking purely from a reliability standpoint, I'm with you that on the power front, I'd be surprised if they're aren't within 2~4% for the lot.

[Jabberwocky]

To add fuel to the fire on this

http://za.news.yahoo.com/39-red-bull-co ... 01977.html

[What's Burning?]

It's not as if Ferrari or Mercedes will be tripping over each other to provide Red Bull with an engine, so who?

[Hammer278]

Redbull Honda. Has a ring to it.

[spankyham]

Redbull Honda. Has a ring to it.

I believe McLaren has an exclusive contract for the Honda engine for 2015.

It's not as if Ferrari or Mercedes will be tripping over each other to provide Red Bull with an engine, so who?

I could see a scenario where Ferrari may well supply Red Bull engines. Ferrari have for a long time expressed concerns with the direction of F1 (budgets restrictions, no testing, getting slower and slower, not leading edge technology anymore). At the same time LM is on the rise and there are more marquee teams (of the nature that Ferrari want to compete with) racing there. Ferrari have stated that they wont race directly in both and that they are looking at LMS racing. If Red Bull signed up for long enough to Ferrari engines, that may be a way for Ferrari to make the transition - if things keep pushing the team in that direction.

[LRW]

There is hope for us all yet....

Red Bull have signed gamer-turned-racer Jann Mardenborough and he will race in GP3
World Champions to put Briton on driver development programme.

Red Bull have signed PlayStation gamer-turned-racer Jann Mardenborough to an "intensive driver development programme" and the Welshman will race in GP3 with Arden International in 2014.

The 22-year-old won Nissan's GT Academy in 2011, an online competition which saw him compete against over 90,000 other gamers before the players were whittled down to a final 12 for a week-long race camp at Silverstone.

The Briton got his first virtual racing experience when he was just eight years old when he sampled the original Gran Turismo game at a friend's house. Mardenborough was immediately hooked and continued to play the games, entering the online competition on Gran Turismo 5 whilst on a gap year from university.


Jann Mardenborough: Learnt to race on a PlayStation
Having made it into the final 12, the decisive race camp began at the Le Mans 24 Hours where Mardenborough met former competition winner Lucas Ordonez, who was making his debut in the famous event. The competitors then took part in an endurance event of their own on the kart track.

The next leg of the event took the competitors to Silverstone where marines put them through their paces with military-style training, resulting in three competitors dropping out of the session.

They were then put through various driving tests along with further fitness assessments before the competitors were whittled down to six for a final day of competition. That was then reduced to four after the drivers sampled a GT4 Nissan 370z race car ahead of a final race on the Silverstone National Circuit which Mardenborough won by eight seconds.

Having emerged as the eventual victor, Mardenborough became a works driver with Nissan, and was fast-tracked through the motorsport ranks, coming close to winning the British GT title in 2012 and finishing on the LMP2 podium at Le Mans last year.

Alongside his endurance commitments in 2013, the Briton got his first experience of single-seater racing as he competed in the FIA European F3 and British F3 Championships. Mardenborough is now hopeful that the step up to GP3 with Christian Horner's Arden International team will help him achieve his aim of racing in Formula 1.

"That will be the ultimate goal, but we are just trying to see how far we can go up the ladder and see if I can keep improving. If I keep improving then I think that is possible," he told Sky Sports Online.

"It is certainly a step up from Formula 3 last year. I tested the car in Abu Dhabi last November and we decided that this would be the best option for my development and my learning for this year. I am really looking forward to it and obviously they are closely linked to Red Bull."

His links with Red Bull will mainly involve simulator work with the World Champions keen to harness the knowledge of a driver whose background is in the virtual world, rather than the traditional karting route.

"With Red Bull it is going to be predominantly on the simulator and helping to develop their simulator and maybe move it forwards," Mardenborough continued.

"They were really interested in me because of where I have come from and the PlayStation side of things so they were quite interested in my thoughts on their simulator. We are going to be working quite closely together throughout the season and it will help me learn the new tracks like Russia and the Hungaroring that I haven't been to before and get me ready for GP3."

Mardenborough's development programme should not be confused with the Red Bull young driver programme which has brought Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniil Kvyat in recent years into F1, but the Briton is hoping he can impress enough that he could be considered for a Toro Rosso seat in the future.

"That would be fantastic," he added.

"I am just trying to push as hard as I can, whether that be in the training, whether that be in the simulator or whether that be in the race car and we will see what comes of it. The Red Bull programme is very appealing to a lot of drivers and whilst obviously the Infiniti Red Bull programme is slightly different, I am hoping that we can get something good out of it."


Jann Mardenborough: Tested for Arden in Abu Dhabi last November
Arden International won the GP3 drivers' title with Kvyat last year, but Mardenborough isn't looking that far ahead just yet. He is, though, hoping to stand on the top step of the podium at least once this season.

"I haven't really thought about it. We were pretty strong in the testing, I've just come back from racing in a series in New Zealand in which I finished second compared to the year before when I was down in tenth," he explained.

"But I think if we can challenge for some wins - after the first few days of testing we will get a better idea of where we are - but I'd like to think we can challenge for some wins and take it from there really."

Red Bull's junior programme is one of the most developed in the world, but the World Champions say they are excited to see how a gamer-turned-racer fares on their programme compared to those taking a more traditional route.

"We have been tracking Nissan's innovative approach to motorsport and in particular GT Academy that challenges the status quo of motorsport," Red Bull Racing's driver development manager Andy Damerum said.

"The traditional route to F1 of karting and single-seaters is a tried-and-tested success but Nissan and PlayStation have gone down a very different road and started to find some very talented drivers who have been doing all their practicing on a games console. I'm very interested to see how Jann fares on our programme and in GP3 this season and I look forward to taking him under the Infiniti Red Bull Racing wing to further progress his career. "

[What's Burning?]

Redbull Honda. Has a ring to it.

I believe McLaren has an exclusive contract for the Honda engine for 2015.

It's not as if Ferrari or Mercedes will be tripping over each other to provide Red Bull with an engine, so who?

I could see a scenario where Ferrari may well supply Red Bull engines. Ferrari have for a long time expressed concerns with the direction of F1 (budgets restrictions, no testing, getting slower and slower, not leading edge technology anymore). At the same time LM is on the rise and there are more marquee teams (of the nature that Ferrari want to compete with) racing there. Ferrari have stated that they wont race directly in both and that they are looking at LMS racing. If Red Bull signed up for long enough to Ferrari engines, that may be a way for Ferrari to make the transition - if things keep pushing the team in that direction.

Geez Spanky, I know you've been a bit down on the sport lately but come on, if Ferrari were to leave, do you think they'd win in LMS the way they have in the past in F1? The competition there is fierce and it's just as much about the driver teams as it is about the cars, that's something that goes against the grain at the scuderia. It's nearly as expensive as F1 and they've be going head to head with teams that have tenfold Ferrari's budget. Additionally, LMS is for teams to develop their road cars, what's in it for
Ferrari to compete against Nissan, and Toyota? Porsche and Audi would never allow Ferrari to dominate and there is so much unpredictability in the sport, so even a "garagista" team can win. F1 may come to an end, but not because Ferrari abandons it. I'd counter, Ferrari leaving F1 would be seen as them leaving with their tail between their legs, especially after a long period sans championship.

[spankyham]

Geez Spanky, I know you've been a bit down on the sport lately but come on, if Ferrari were to leave, do you think they'd win in LMS the way they have in the past in F1? The competition there is fierce and it's just as much about the driver teams as it is about the cars, that's something that goes against the grain at the scuderia. It's nearly as expensive as F1 and they've be going head to head with teams that have tenfold Ferrari's budget. Additionally, LMS is for teams to develop their road cars, what's in it for
Ferrari to compete against Nissan, and Toyota? Porsche and Audi would never allow Ferrari to dominate and there is so much unpredictability in the sport, so even a "garagista" team can win. F1 may come to an end, but not because Ferrari abandons it. I'd counter, Ferrari leaving F1 would be seen as them leaving with their tail between their legs, especially after a long period sans championship.

To be honest I think the competition would be a key reason attracting Ferrari. I don't think it would concern them at all that other teams would have bigger budgets. It is also clear that budget restrictions are further away in LMS racing, plus Ferrari could get value from their test facilities. Truer leading edge technology, I genuinely believe Ferrari is keeping real options open there.

[operaman]

There is hope for us all yet....

Red Bull have signed gamer-turned-racer Jann Mardenborough and he will race in GP3
World Champions to put Briton on driver development programme.

Red Bull have signed PlayStation gamer-turned-racer Jann Mardenborough to an "intensive driver development programme" and the Welshman will race in GP3 with Arden International in 2014.

The 22-year-old won Nissan's GT Academy in 2011, an online competition which saw him compete against over 90,000 other gamers before the players were whittled down to a final 12 for a week-long race camp at Silverstone.

The Briton got his first virtual racing experience when he was just eight years old when he sampled the original Gran Turismo game at a friend's house. Mardenborough was immediately hooked and continued to play the games, entering the online competition on Gran Turismo 5 whilst on a gap year from university.


Jann Mardenborough: Learnt to race on a PlayStation
Having made it into the final 12, the decisive race camp began at the Le Mans 24 Hours where Mardenborough met former competition winner Lucas Ordonez, who was making his debut in the famous event. The competitors then took part in an endurance event of their own on the kart track.

The next leg of the event took the competitors to Silverstone where marines put them through their paces with military-style training, resulting in three competitors dropping out of the session.

They were then put through various driving tests along with further fitness assessments before the competitors were whittled down to six for a final day of competition. That was then reduced to four after the drivers sampled a GT4 Nissan 370z race car ahead of a final race on the Silverstone National Circuit which Mardenborough won by eight seconds.

Having emerged as the eventual victor, Mardenborough became a works driver with Nissan, and was fast-tracked through the motorsport ranks, coming close to winning the British GT title in 2012 and finishing on the LMP2 podium at Le Mans last year.

Alongside his endurance commitments in 2013, the Briton got his first experience of single-seater racing as he competed in the FIA European F3 and British F3 Championships. Mardenborough is now hopeful that the step up to GP3 with Christian Horner's Arden International team will help him achieve his aim of racing in Formula 1.

"That will be the ultimate goal, but we are just trying to see how far we can go up the ladder and see if I can keep improving. If I keep improving then I think that is possible," he told Sky Sports Online.

"It is certainly a step up from Formula 3 last year. I tested the car in Abu Dhabi last November and we decided that this would be the best option for my development and my learning for this year. I am really looking forward to it and obviously they are closely linked to Red Bull."

His links with Red Bull will mainly involve simulator work with the World Champions keen to harness the knowledge of a driver whose background is in the virtual world, rather than the traditional karting route.

"With Red Bull it is going to be predominantly on the simulator and helping to develop their simulator and maybe move it forwards," Mardenborough continued.

"They were really interested in me because of where I have come from and the PlayStation side of things so they were quite interested in my thoughts on their simulator. We are going to be working quite closely together throughout the season and it will help me learn the new tracks like Russia and the Hungaroring that I haven't been to before and get me ready for GP3."

Mardenborough's development programme should not be confused with the Red Bull young driver programme which has brought Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniil Kvyat in recent years into F1, but the Briton is hoping he can impress enough that he could be considered for a Toro Rosso seat in the future.

"That would be fantastic," he added.

"I am just trying to push as hard as I can, whether that be in the training, whether that be in the simulator or whether that be in the race car and we will see what comes of it. The Red Bull programme is very appealing to a lot of drivers and whilst obviously the Infiniti Red Bull programme is slightly different, I am hoping that we can get something good out of it."


Jann Mardenborough: Tested for Arden in Abu Dhabi last November
Arden International won the GP3 drivers' title with Kvyat last year, but Mardenborough isn't looking that far ahead just yet. He is, though, hoping to stand on the top step of the podium at least once this season.

"I haven't really thought about it. We were pretty strong in the testing, I've just come back from racing in a series in New Zealand in which I finished second compared to the year before when I was down in tenth," he explained.

"But I think if we can challenge for some wins - after the first few days of testing we will get a better idea of where we are - but I'd like to think we can challenge for some wins and take it from there really."

Red Bull's junior programme is one of the most developed in the world, but the World Champions say they are excited to see how a gamer-turned-racer fares on their programme compared to those taking a more traditional route.

"We have been tracking Nissan's innovative approach to motorsport and in particular GT Academy that challenges the status quo of motorsport," Red Bull Racing's driver development manager Andy Damerum said.

"The traditional route to F1 of karting and single-seaters is a tried-and-tested success but Nissan and PlayStation have gone down a very different road and started to find some very talented drivers who have been doing all their practicing on a games console. I'm very interested to see how Jann fares on our programme and in GP3 this season and I look forward to taking him under the Infiniti Red Bull Racing wing to further progress his career. "

When they start looking at 60++ year old, ex motorcycle racers, who spend their days skiing, ............ then I'll order my driving suit.

[What's Burning?]

It's not as if Ferrari or Mercedes will be tripping over each other to provide Red Bull with an engine, so who?

I could see a scenario where Ferrari may well supply Red Bull engines. Ferrari have for a long time expressed concerns with the direction of F1 (budgets restrictions, no testing, getting slower and slower, not leading edge technology anymore). At the same time LM is on the rise and there are more marquee teams (of the nature that Ferrari want to compete with) racing there. Ferrari have stated that they wont race directly in both and that they are looking at LMS racing. If Red Bull signed up for long enough to Ferrari engines, that may be a way for Ferrari to make the transition - if things keep pushing the team in that direction.

I think the potential is there, don't get me wrong, but I just think it's so unlikely. Part of the allure of F1 for Ferrari is that it's a show, it's about over the top, it's about the world wide glamor and glitz when the circus comes to town. LMS isn't the same in that respect by far.

Regardless, we're going ahead once again with budget caps, and Bernie wasn't to giving away a million bucks to anyone that can whistle blow (with proof) that teams over spend. Good luck with this attempt Bernie.

[CookinFlat6]

No matter what Luca says, and I am not sure how much of a business expert he is, but I would be willing to bet highly that Ferrari never leave the current F1 brand and competition.

it would not make much business sense to change a relationship tht has allowed Ferrari the brand to become one of the most valuable and successful. This was built on its F1 association and participation.

Any marketing or branding expert at Fiat would be aghast if they heard Ferrari was to change over to LMP. The risks are way too high. The brand doesnt need increased global awareness that LMP brings, it has global reach already unimaginable. The risks would be to leave F1 to a customer facilitation setup and then go and get their arses handed to them by Porsche and Audi in LMP and by factory team Merc in F1

Doesnt make any sense to me at all

[Hammer278]

Redbull Honda. Has a ring to it.

I believe McLaren has an exclusive contract for the Honda engine for 2015.

They do, but so what....contracts can be ripped apart, simply a better deal and reassurance to McLaren that this won't cheapen the rship. Honda aren't in the sport to do charity for McLaren, they're in it for an ROI too and if Redbull come knocking I can't see Honda not hearing them out.