The Week In F1

Within the weeks leading up to the 2012 German Grand Prix there has been a lot of movement in the world of Formula One.

First we read that 14 days after Maria De Villota’s accident at Duxford Airfield, the Marussia F1 Team has now completed its own detailed investigation into the cause of the crash. Marussia had conducted an analysis immediately after the crash which aimed to identify the causes and contributory factors behind the accident and also serve to determine if there were any car-related issues for the impending British Grand Prix. Having carefully examined all the data and info, the Team was satisfied that there were no such issues and cleared its chassis for race weekend participation. 

As would be normal procedure, the Team’s findings have been shared with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), the independent UK regulator which acts in the public interest in respect of work-related accidents. John Booth, Team Principal of the Marussia F1 Team, commented: 

“We are satisfied that the findings of our internal investigation exclude the car as a factor in the accident. We have shared and discussed our findings with the HSE for their consideration as part of their ongoing investigation. This has been a necessarily thorough process in order to understand the cause of the accident. We have now concluded our investigatory work and can again focus on the priority, which continues to be Maria’s wellbeing. In that regard, we continue to support Maria and the De Villota family in any way we can.” 

Next we saw that Hispania Racing Team had come along and made history at the Young Driver Test in Silverstone whit running Ma Qing Hua. Ma Qing Hua made his debut at the wheel of the F112, becoming the first Chinese driver to drive an F1 car at an official event.

It may not seem like much a feat but with a country and a population of 1,347,350,000 and where much of the internet and the social media world has all but been banned. Having a 24 year old Chinese-born driver at the helm of one of the world's most technically advanced vehicles may help lesson the censorship  

"It was a fantastic feeling to drive a Formula 1 car for the first time; it’s not easy to put into words what I felt. Yesterday I found it hard to sleep and I tried to calm down by thinking that it was just another test... I’m very proud to represent China and be a pioneer for my nation in this sport. I’m confident that these tests and the ones that will come in the future will help motorsport to grow in China in the future and will grant more opportunities for everyone. This is only a first small step but once more I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has supported me and made this possible”.

And finally, an announcement that many fans across the world were waiting for. Mark Webber had finally announced his intentions for 2013. The 35 year old Australian had extended his contract with Red Bull Racing for another year, thus ending speculation linking the him with Ferrari and ending the remote possibility that McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton might move to Milton Keynes. As Sebastian Vettel is already contracted to Red Bull Racing, his announcement confirms the team’s 2013 driver line-up.

"Although I did have talks with Ferrari , staying with Red Bull was the right thing to do," Mark Webber said: “I’ve been with Red Bull Racing since 2007 and have achieved nine grand prix wins during that time. I’m high on confidence at the moment and firing on all cylinders. I know the Team well and I’m very comfortable here; we have grown together over the years and it feels like absolutely the right thing to stay with Red Bull for another season. The Team is constantly working hard to improve in all areas and we’ve shown that together we can win races. It’s great to be able to make this announcement off the back of the win in Silverstone at the weekend and I’m looking forward to competing on the edge and pushing myself in every race again next season.”

A Few Tidbits....

• Romain Grosjean is set for a grid penalty in Hockenheim. Lotus confirmed they have had to change the gearbox on his (Grosjean's) car, a move which has incurred a five-place grid penalty.
• Lewis Hamilton will make his 100th grand prix start as he takes part in the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim this Sunday.
• Ross Brawn states that Michael Schumacher is expected to extend his stay with Mercedes and continue racing in Formula One.
• Caterham has announced that it will move into the former Arrows and Super Aguri factory at Leafield in the Midlands after this month's Hungarian Grand Prix.
• Lewis Hamilton suggests his future with McLaren will be sorted during the Formula One summer break He (Hamilton) has dropped a broad hint he could finally resolve his future with McLaren during Formula One's forthcoming summer break.