Both Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg have expressed their excitement at returning to race on the streets of Monaco, one of the most hotly anticipated race weekends of the season.

The Mercedes duo both live in Monaco  and have previously found success on the challenging streets, Hamilton won the race back in 2008 and Rosberg finished second in last years round.

Rosberg,  Bahrain and Spanish Grand Prix pole-sitter, shared his excitement at returning to the place that he knows so well. “Monaco is always a fantastic weekend and it’s great to race in the city where I live. Knowing that all my family and friends are watching makes it very special and I love being able to drive from home into the paddock on a scooter!”

He also has fond memories from 2012 after following race winner Mark Webber across the line to take second., “I have good memories from the race last year after finishing in second place and I hope we can get another good result this time around.” Qualifying is at its highest importance in Monaco due to the tight, twisty confinds of the circuit and the limited overtaking opportunities. The German revealed he is confident with their qualifying pace and thinks that Saturday’s session will be an important factor going into the race. “At the moment we have a good car for qualifying which helps in Monaco as it’s the most important qualifying session of the year as track position is so important. So that might be helpful for us but there are so many unknowns, especially with the tyres, so we will just have to wait and see.”

Hamilton also quipped that the track is one of his personal favourites, “Monaco is one of my favourite races of the year and I love driving the streets there. As a driver, you know that you have to perform on every single lap and it’s a challenge that I really enjoy.” He echoed Nico’s comments on qualifying before adding “We have to keep our focus on Sunday as well and keep working to improve our race pace. Everyone is working really hard and I know we can get there. We just need to keep motivated and work it out together.”

Ross Brawn added that tyres are key for the race weekend and is something that the team are working hard to resolve after their recent struggles. “The engineering team will be focused on getting the most from our car on the slow, bumpy layout and there will of course be particular emphasis on achieving tyre consistency and durability. Meanwhile, our work continues back at Brackley and Brixworth to fully understand the reasons for our below-par race performance in Barcelona, in order to develop the right solutions for the upcoming circuits where high tyre usage could once again be a limitation for us.”

Mercedes currently sit fourth in the constructors standings but after three pole positions, they have yet to register a race win. Third place for Hamilton in Malaysia and China are their best results so far.

Image courtesy of Octane Photographic

Whilst speaking with an un-named engine supplier earlier in the year, they alluded to the fact that should Honda come on board, they will more or less be up to speed with their competitors – perhaps even more than predicted…

“In my personal opinion if you look at Honda, they know motorsport and if they are to go with McLaren they could have a lot of useful information. For sure they will be a good competitor”.

This “useful information” comes directly from Honda’s competitors – more directly, Mercedes. McLaren managing director Jonathan Neale’s recently commented to BBC Sport that:  ”We are very careful about protecting our partners’ interests and property.”

Perhaps, but regardless of what confidentiality agreements McLaren have in place with Mercedes, information regarding engine mapping, torque curves etc…, cannot be ‘unlearned’ without performing a complete staff purge during the 2014 season.

Quite obviously that’s not going to happen and Honda will (whether its competitors like it or not) inevitably have a head start on which to refine their power units. Such an advantage may seem rudimentary, but considering this same information can be gathered throughout the 2014 racing season (which Honda won’t partake in), Honda also have the added advantage of testing next year without vexing limitations such as rules – quite a luxury if you can use it.

But it gets potentially even better for Honda. With Torro Rosso looking at a switch to Renault-powered units next year, the limit on engine supply that Renault were looking at capping as early as February 2013 could be stretched. In so doing, this could even force teams such as Lotus F1 Team to look elsewhere for a cheaper engine deal (given the McLaren/Honda deal is not exclusive) and with it bolster a sweet marketing angle that ties in with their retro black & gold design. If that happens then Honda will have access to information from not one, but two engine manufacturers;  the gamble of returning to Formula One is starting to look a little more educated.

Could we see a return of the Lotus-Honda partnership?

If Lotus jumps ship, then why not others? Smaller teams like Caterham and Williams run their engines slightly differently to their more well-funded opposition purely because financial constraints forced them into quarrying other avenues of performance. As such teams might find new areas they can work on and if it’s of benefit to the manufacturer then it will be passed on to all teams carrying that engine badge. If not it stays with the team – conceivably another dossier for Honda to peruse. The days of Spygate seem quite quaint indeed.

The real hurdle facing Honda is more a question of refining engine installation; where they are going to place the power unit and package it? We certainly won’t see the kind of seamless ‘bolt-on’ scenario that worked so affectively for the Brawn GP team in 2009, but don’t be surprised to see a Honda-powered team come out of the blocks firing on all cylinders.

Images courtesy of Octane Photographic

He had previously said that changes to the Pirelli tyres would be “unfair” but after the recent announcement by Pirelli, Lotus F1 Team Principal Eric Boullier is obviously frustrated.

The Italian tyre supplier announced earlier in the week that tweaks would be made to the construction of their 2013 range to give the performance of the current tyres but the stability of the 2012 compounds.

Changing the tyres was not what Lotus wanted after already getting to grips with the current rubber better than most. The move looks set to benefit Mercedes and Red Bull, both of whom were the main complainers on the subject.

Talking to AUTOSPORT about the recent announcement from Pirelli, Boullier shared his frustration. “There aren’t many sports where there are such fundamental changes to an essential ingredient part-way through a season,” said Boullier on Thursday.

“Just imagine for a moment that, because a football team can’t run as fast as its opponent, the dimensions of the pitch are changed at half time.”

He admitted that it is something that was not on the Enstone teams wish-list, and that they obviously had pressure from different corners. “That there are changes to come can be seen as somewhat frustrating, and I hope they are not too extreme. It’s clear that Pirelli have found themselves in a difficult situation and under pressure from different quarters.”

The Frenchman also explained that all teams received data on the 2013 Pirelli tyres from the supplier at the same time, Lotus obviously did the better job with what information they had to design the car to suit them. ”Last year, when we were designing our 2013 car, each team received information from Pirelli and everyone did the best job they could to develop a chassis which would make best use of the tyre characteristics,

“We even ran with some experimental 2013 tyres at the end of last season, to assist us in confirming our development paths. As with every season, some teams do a better job than others with their designs, and some drivers are more adaptable than others to the changes of both car and tyre.

He added “It is frustrating when you’ve developed a car from a set of tyre specifications which are available to everyone – for tyres that are the same for everyone – to then be told that they are being changed mid-season.”

Despite the frustration, Boullier knows that he has a great team of designers and engineers at the team who will work extra hard to redeem the situation. “We have a team of talented designers and engineers who will be working twice as hard to ensure we adapt to these changes in the most competitive manner,”

Kimi Raikkonen currently sits second in the drivers standings, four points of leader Sebastian Vettel. Lotus currently lie third in the standings after a strong start to the season.

Image courtesy of Octane Photographic

McLaren Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh & Honda Motor Company President / CEO Takanobu Ito (Image: McLaren F1)

The Formula One community was awash with praise for McLaren after the team made the official announcement that Honda will become its engine supplier starting in 2015.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone welcomed Honda’s return to the sport after a tenuous economic climate forced the company to pull out of Formula One at the end of the 2008 season.

“It is a great pleasure to see Honda back in Formula 1,” said Ecclestone. “Their engine technology and passion for motorsport make them a natural Formula 1 contender.”

FIA president Jean Todt was equally complimentary of the renewed partnership.

“”I am very happy to hear about Honda’s important decision to return to Formula 1 with McLaren from 2015,” said Todt. “The introduction of the new powertrain next year, in the form of a 1.6-litre V6 engine with direct injection and energy recovery, is a very exciting challenge and demonstrates a vision for the future of the sport.

“I am sure that Honda will become a strong contender in years to come.”

President and CEO of Honda Motor Company Takanobu Ito cited Formula One’s pursuit for environmentally responsible technologies as one of the key incentives for the Japanese automaker to return to compete in the pinnacle of motorsport.

“Honda has a long history of advancing our technologies and nurturing our people by participating in the world’s most prestigious automobile racing series,” said Ito. “The new F1 regulations with their significant environmental focus will inspire even greater development of our own advanced technologies and this is central to our participation in F1.

“We have the greatest respect for the FIA’s decision to introduce these new regulations that are both highly challenging but also attractive to manufacturers that pursue environmental technologies and to Formula One Group, which has developed F1 into a high value, top car racing category supported by enthusiastic fans.

Mr Ito thanked Mr Ecclestone and Mr Todt for their “great understanding and cooperation” in helping the company realize and continue its racing heritage.

“Together with McLaren, one of the most distinguished F1 constructors, Honda will mark a new beginning in our challenges in F1,” proclaimed Mr Ito.

Fans reacted fervently to the news and took their enthusiasm to social media. Key phrases like “McLaren”, “Honda” and “2015” dominated the top trending topics on Twitter in Japan and in the UK, moments after the partnership was made official.

Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh declared the reunion between McLaren and Honda as “fantastic news for everyone who loves Formula One.”

“Like McLaren, Honda is a company with motor racing woven into the fabric of its heritage,” said Whitmarsh. “We’re proud and thrilled to be joining forces once more to take on the world in Formula 1.

“The names of McLaren and Honda are synonymous with success in Formula 1, and, for everyone who works for both companies, the weight of our past achievements together lies heavily on our shoulders.

“But it’s a mark of the ambition and resolve we both share that we want once again to take McLaren-Honda to the very pinnacle of Formula 1 success. Together we have a great legacy – and we’re utterly committed to maintaining it.

Mr Whitmarsh also remarked that despite McLaren’s decision to change engines to Honda, the Woking based team’s relationship with its current engine supplier Mercedes Benz remains resolute as ever.

“It’s appropriate to recognise that until the end of 2014 we’ll maintain a full commitment to our existing and long-standing partner, Mercedes-Benz, for which we retain the utmost respect and with whom we intend to continue to work diligently and professionally.

“We aim to cap our long-standing partnership with the same ambition and resolve with which we began it: namely, to keep winning.”

Fernando was first to admit that even the simple act of driving a go-kart was sometimes more enjoyable than piloting his F138 around some of the worlds fastest tracks. Mark was quick to agree, commenting: “You want to race at the highest level, at the best circuits and the best drivers… But you’re also open to the fact that it’s not the bubble…”

Fernando: “There’s life outside Formula One”.

The “bubble” of Formula One is one that has become more and more claustrophobic for Webber of late. Despite team-order issues at Red Bull once again rearing their head, it is the tyre issue that no doubt plagues Mark’s sport ethics. When you spend your entire career climbing the ladder to Formula One, nobody wants to spend a Sunday afternoon attacking corners like a Toyota Yaris carting ten wedding cakes.

On this note, it isn’t surprising to hear Mark say that a lot of things were going through his mind during the last few laps in Sepang. Add to this Bernie Ecclestone’s caveat about the 2014 regulations becoming: “a fuel economy run” if we’re not careful, and a case for Webber moving on to greener pastures (or faster racing) begins to make more sense.

Yes, Porsche has denied signing a 5-year contract with Webber, but then so did Ferrari when asked if pre-agreements had been made with Alonso in 2009. Le Mans is unfinished business for Webber and as a sportsman enamored with the history of the motor racing, a Le Mans crown alongside a Silverstone and Monaco victory would look none to shabby above the fireplace.

Tyre and fuel conservation now are the major overriding considerations in Formula One – almost like sports car racing was in the 1960’s and 70’s. In contrast, Le Mans is now almost a sprint race. You only have to look at Peugeot’s reluctance to slow down their cars at Le Mans in 2010 despite increased engine stress (caused by increased grip which eventually ended their race) to realize that a performance overlap between sportscar racing and Formula One has occurred. If you’re a manufacturer keen to display you’re superiority over your competitors, entering the conservative era of Formula One isn’t going to sell you many units.

Hence Porsche’s… And Audi’s… And Toyota’s decision to commit to sports car racing; it is now the elite category in world motorsport, despite Formula One’s claims to the mantle. As such, a move to sports cars is just the tonic Mark Webber might need, but more than this, it is the team-work involved in WEC which might be the greatest allure of all.

Webber posing in the 1998 Porsche GT1 – image courtesy of F1 Fanatic

Webber always refers to the guys working on his side of the garage as “the troops”. There is genuine affection there and they are the refuge he seeks amidst the backdrop of politics, media demands and inter-team squabbles. Furthermore, any hypothetical team-mates in WEC will be just that – team-mates – working towards a common goal, a shared interest; something he hasn’t had at Red Bull since day one. This is probably one reason why he undoubtedly could never agree to terms with Ferrari; undisputed number two status aside, partnering Fernando at Ferrari would’ve strained the friendship.

Who knows? Maybe a few years down the track the pair of them could share a seat around the Circuit de la Sarthe…

 Images courtesy of Octane Photographic and F1 Fanatic

Honda have formally confirmed their return to Formula One in a press conference today.

The Japanese manufacturer last competed in the sport in 2008, supplying engines and running with its own works team, but opted to withdraw due to the ensuing global financial crisis putting a strain on their finances. However, five years later, they have confirmed that they will be returning to Formula One as an engine manufacturer, with McLaren signing up as their first customer team.

McLaren and Honda enjoyed an incredibly successful partnership during the late 1980s, with Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna dominating Formula One in this period. The McLaren-Honda MP4/4 is still widely regarded as being the greatest ever F1 car of all time, winning fifteen out of sixteen races in 1988. For those with a love of nostalgia, this announcement will stir some great memories.

The move sees McLaren end its long-term relationship with Mercedes, who have supplied the Woking-based team with engines since 1995.

Indeed, the team will be known as McLaren-Honda, harking back to the glory days of the late 1980s.

Martin Whitmarsh was present at the press conference, and spoke to an expectant audience.

“I’m delighted to announce that McLaren and Honda will soon begin a new chapter in our Formula One partnership.

“McLaren and Honda are about to embark on a new and exciting adventure together. I’m delighted to welcome Honda back to the sport. The weight of our past achievements weighs heavily upon our shoulders.”

Rumours have been circulating for some time about the move, and after Honda officials were spotted in the paddock at the Spanish GP, many believed that an announcement was imminent.

The partnership will be begin in 2015.

Image courtesy of Octane Photographic.

Daniel Ricciardo is currently leading the race to replace Mark Webber at Red Bull Racing next season after a good start to the season.

The Australian driver has scored all but one of Scuderia Toro Rosso’s points so far in 2013, recording a best-ever finish of 7th at the Chinese Grand Prix, which was then followed up by a good run to P10 at last weekend’s race in Spain. Following the multi 21 debacle in Malaysia, Webber appears to be on his way out of Red Bull, and Ricciardo has made no secret of his desire to replace his compatriot.

“Ideally for me I’d love to get the Red Bull Racing seat one day, and to sort of really complete their programme,” Ricciardo told SEN Radio. “I’m always trying to make sure I’m turning a few heads. Red Bull for me has created a massive opportunity.”

Ricciardo has been a big part of the Red Bull family since 2008, racing for Toro Rosso since the beginning of 2012, and the team is known for looking at its junior drivers when considering new seats. In 2009, Sebastian Vettel was promoted from Toro Rosso to Red Bull following retirement of David Coulthard, and he has gone on to win three world championships since then.

Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost has admitted that Ricciardo was currently leading the race for Webber’s seat.

“Right now he has the upper hand, which we have seen in Barcelona,” Tost told the official Formula One website. However, he believes that Ricciardo’s teammate, Jean-Eric Vergne, could also get the seat.

“That is a snapshot right now. Generally I would say that both would fit into the Red Bull concept.”

Red Bull are also thought to be considering Kimi Raikkonen and Nico Hulkenberg for the seat.

Image courtesy of Octane Photographic.

Caterham test driver Alexander Rossi will be running at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans for Greaves Motorsport following the withdrawal of Christian Zugel.

Rossi has enjoyed an increasing role within Caterham since the beginning of the season, balancing a GP2 campaign with his test duties. The American driver will take part in one Friday practice session at the Canadian Grand Prix for Caterham, giving him a chance to display his talents in a Formula One car. Two weeks later though, Rossi will be stepping into the Nissan LMP2 car for the team alongside Tom Kimber-Smith and compatriot Eric Lux.

Speaking to SPEED, team manager Jacob Greaves was enthusiastic about Rossi representing them at the prestigious race.

“We are sorry to lose Christian from our Le Mans lineup. He has been an integral part of the team over the past two seasons and brings many elements from his business world that have helped us.

“We are fortunate to have signed a driver of Alexander’s calibre and we are confident that we can combine our strengths to challenge for the LMP2 class victory at 90th anniversary Le Mans 24 Hours.”

Many former F1 drivers will be racing in this year’s race, including Anthony Davidson, Kamui Kobayashi, Giancarlo Fisichella and Bruno Senna.

For Rossi, the opportunity to race at Le Mans is a great one, and he will be keen on turning a few heads in the endurance racing world as well as showing Caterham his dexterity outside of Formula One.

Image courtesy of Octane Photographic.

Honda will return to Formula 1 in 2015 as an engine supplier for McLaren, sources close to the company have revealed.

The Japanese car manufacturer last raced in the sport in 2008 when they had their own team. It was the second consecutive unsuccessful year for the team and they pulled out of the sport shortly after. They then became the Brawn GP squad before Mercedes brought them out to form their Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team.

Sources suggest that Honda’s Chief Executive Takanobu Ito could make an announcement as early as Thursday.

McLaren currently use Mercedes power-plants and the deal could see them continue to use their engines for one extra year. The 2014 engine regulations are drastically different with the return of V6 Turbo’s and the Energy Recovery System, a more powerful KERS system.

Speculation on the firms return to the sport has been rumbling for some time. McLaren’s Martin Whitmarsh failed to comment on the reports but according to business newspaper Nikkei the announcement of Honda’s return in 2015 will come “some time soon.”

Shigeki Endo, a Honda Spokesman, said on the speculation “”There is nothing we can say at the moment,”

If the deal does go ahead, which is widely expected, then it will revive one of Formula 1′s most iconic partnerships, which saw the likes of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost battle as team-mates in the last 80′s.

It’s an poorely kept secret that Honda are very keen on returning to F1 which will bring the engine manufacturer tally up to four, as Cosworth will leave the sport at the end of the year.

Honda debuted in Formula 1 at the 1964 German Grand Prix but they had a short lived first stint in the sport, withdrawing in 1968. They then had a very successful stint as an engine partner between 1983 and 1992. Eight years later they returned with the BAR team before they took over the team in 2006, where they registered a race win in Hungary. After an unsuccessful 2007 and 2008 they decided to pull out of the sport, one of many car manufacturers to withdraw in recent times.

Image courtesy of Octane Photographic

Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim has sparked rumours that he may be set to replace Vodafone as the title sponsor at McLaren for 2014 after one of his companies appeared on the MP4-28 at last weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.

Slim, who owns telecoms giant Telmex, has played a big part in the careers of compatriots Sergio Perez and Esteban Gutierrez, and many thought it strange when the former arrived at McLaren without bringing any backing with him.

However, during the Spanish GP weekend, the team ran with “Claro Video” on its cars. This group is a subsidiary of Telmex, operating as a phone network in Mexico. Claro Video also sponsors Sauber, for whom Perez drove for in 2011 and 2012, and Gutierrez joined the team at the beginning of the season.

This appears to be the first step towards a bigger campaign at McLaren for Slim which could offer him title sponsorship. Vodafone, who currently act as McLaren’s title sponsor, announced at the end of 2012 that they would be withdrawing from Formula One at the end of 2013, forcing the team into finding new funding. Should Slim be willing to invest so heavily in the team, it could remedy the situation. However, McLaren is unlikely to be short of offers when it comes to finding a replacement for Vodafone.

McLaren will announce their title sponsor for 2014 on December 2nd.

Image courtesy of Octane Photographic.