Indian Sports News

Hinwil: After eight months, the Sauber F1 Team’s trucks finally leave the workshop again this Sunday. Their destination will be the kick-off for the European races at the Spanish Grand Prix, which takes place on 10th to 12th May in Barcelona. Sauber F1 Team drivers Nico Hülkenberg and Esteban Gutiérrez know the Circuit de Catalunya well.

However, both drivers agree that, since winter testing in February and March, many things have changed. During the first four races, the C32 has been updated. For the fifth round of the FIA Formula One World Championship the team will bring further aero updates and a modified rear wing to the race.

Nico Hülkenberg said that he was looking forward to the Spanish Grand Prix as it kicks off this season’s European races. “Barcelona is a nice city where you can get a real feel for the Spanish life style. We know the Circuit de Catalunya well, of course, from the winter tests. However, since winter testing many things have changed and also the climate will be different from the one we had in February, which you have to take into consideration. The circuit is diverse. The first two sectors are fast with fast, long corners, which require good down force and a well-balanced car, whereas the third sector is quite technical. The aero updates we bring to this race will show how well our car is suited to this track,” said Nico.

Meanwhile, Esteban Gutiérrez said, “The first time I raced in Barcelona was in 2008. I know the track and during the winter tests I was also able to experience driving a Formula One car there. As the first of a series of European races, I think it is going to be an exciting event and I’m looking forward to that.”

“The track is quite demanding, especially the last sector. Tyre management will be crucial here, and, especially during a qualifying lap, you need to nurse your tyres in the first two sectors in order to get a clean third sector. You must make sure the tyres still have good grip when you approach the final corners of the lap, including the chicane. We have to wait and see if the updates will help us to catch up with the guys further up the field,” he added.

By ISN

New Delhi: Following its best-ever results in the opening two races in Qatar and the USA, the only Indian team in motorcycle grand prix racing is ready to keep on building its performance as the European season begins at Jerez this weekend (May 3-5). 


Mahindra’s new riders and the brand-new Mahindra MGP3O machine have not only achieved double points in the two season-opening “flyaways”, but also recorded the marque’s first top-five finish.


That was achieved at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas the weekend before last, when Miguel Oliveira (18, from Portugal) claimed a fighting fifth, gaining two places on the final lap. A fortnight earlier Miguel was seventh in Qatar, and he places fifth overall in the points in the very competitive Moto3™ class.


Team-mate Efrén Vázquez (26, from Spain) claimed tenth and 14th places, securing an impressive full house of points for the team.


This was close to the perfect introduction for the new MGP3O racer, barely six months after the project was initiated, following intensive work by Mahindra engineers and Suter Racing, their partners in the project. The reward for the midnight hours is plain to see. Not only has the new bike been remarkably free from teething troubles, it is highly competitive even in its relatively undeveloped prototype form.


Nothing can be taken for granted in the Moto3 maelstrom, but team spirits are high for the third of 17 races on the calendar. Unlike the previous two circuits, Jerez lacks long straights and offers complex corner sets – which should play to the strengths of the MGP3O’s sweet-handling chassis.


Indian auto-industry giant Mahindra is the first from the sub-continent to participate in grand prix racing, and the team’s third year shows strong progress.


Miguel Oliveira said, “I think we can be strong and competitive at Jerez. We have a lot of information from pre-season tests, so we can be a little more confident of our chances compared to the previous races. It won’t be easy, but I am hoping for another good result. The goal is to be consistent and fighting in the top six every weekend, and after only two races we are already doing that. This project is very new, and we can only get stronger.”


Meanwhile Efren Vazquez said, “This is the first of three home Spanish races for me, so you can be sure I will be trying my hardest. I was a little bit disappointed after the Texas race, because all weekend I couldn’t find a good feeling with the front tyre. To be closer to Miguel I need to solve this problem. That will be my first target at Jerez; the second to make sure Mahindra gets both bikes in the points again.”