Renault has the best race of the season with Palmer just missing out on his first points haul of the year.

Renault Sport Formula One Team driver Jolyon Palmer was a half-spin away from his first Formula 1 points as both he and Kevin Magnussen moved up the order in a hot and fast-paced Hungarian Grand Prix. Jolyon was running comfortably in P10 with strong pace relative to those around him when the rear of his R.S.16 stepped out at turn four. 

Despite catching the spin Jolyon was unable to recover the resultant lost positions. Nevertheless, he still finished P12 in a race he described as his ‘best-ever’. Kevin finished in P15 after starting from P19.

• Kevin started the race from P19 with a new set of Pirelli’s red supersoft tyres. He changed to new supersofts on lap 24 then new soft compound (yellow) tyres on lap 36.
• Jolyon started the race in P17 on new soft tyres. He changed to new supersofts on lap 26 then new softs on lap 39.

Kevin Magnussen, #20, R.S.16-01: Started P19, finished P15

"The car definitely felt better this weekend. I had a pretty decent stint on my first set of supersoft tyres; I was able to look after them well and do quite a few laps on that set. Unfortunately that was after a poor start where I lost a few positions. 

I’ve had really good practice starts all weekend so that was quite disappointing. From then on, we pushed to make up places but my second stint on supersoft didn’t go as well as I hoped and the last part of the race was spent behind Grosjean and Gutierrez. I certainly hope we can carry our improved pace into the rest of the season."

Jolyon Palmer, #30, R.S.16-04: Started P17, finished P12

"I’m gutted as my first points in Formula 1 were there for the taking. The car was good and I was driving well within myself in P10. I turned in the same as normal at turn four - I wasn’t hanging everything out and I was looking after the tyres - but for some reason I lost the car in a massive snap. I need to look at everything with my engineers to see if there is anything we could have done to prevent it. I was running tenth, we had completed all our pit stops, we had good pace relative to those ahead and behind so it looks like we’ve made a real step forward this weekend. It was the best drive of my career today and just one small spin took away those points. I’m gutted today but I’ll be fighting to get in the same position or better in Hockenheim."

Fred Vasseur, Team Principal

"That was a strong race for us and illustrates the progress being made. It’s no secret that our primary focus has moved to next year’s car but we still have good potential to score in 2016. Both drivers did a very good job, but Jolyon’s performance was particularly notable after missing most of Friday’s running. His spin was unfortunate, especially as his first Formula 1 points were there for the taking. Overall the team and both drivers have worked very well this weekend and made a great recovery from the back of the grid in a race where there was only one retirement. We hope to continue this trajectory in Hockenheim."

Red Bull Racing Round-up

Daniel Ricciardo finished in a superb third position despite a late attack from former team-mate Sebastian Vettel in the later stages of the 70-lap race. Although unable to make an impact on the Hamilton / Rosberg battle ahead - save for at the start of the race - Ricciardo was able to be comfortably the best of the rest after his third-placed start. Fourth-position starting Max Verstappen took fifth following race-long battles with Vettel and latterly Kimi Räikkönen.

Despite a number of setbacks, both the Renault F1 cars managed to finish the race, one of teh only races they both managed it.

Renault Sport Formula One Team moved up the order in the Austrian Grand Prix with Jolyon Palmer finishing just shy of the points in twelfth after starting 20th and Kevin Magnussen finishing fourteenth after starting 17th. The positions gained were despite a mid-race safety car which was less than complimentary to the team’s tyre strategy and a five second penalty for Kevin for blocking a rival.

Kevin started the race from P17 with a new set of Pirelli’s red supersoft tyres. He changed to the yellow soft compound on lap 11, then a further set of new supersofts on lap 49 where he also served a five-second penalty.

Jolyon started the race in P20 on new supersoft tyres. He changed to new softs on lap 12 then new supersofts on lap 50.

Kevin Magnussen, #20, R.S.16-01: Started P17, finished P14

“The car felt good today and we made a reasonable first stint. Unfortunately the safety car didn’t work for us and after that we weren’t able to deliver the pace to get a stronger result. That said, both cars were there at the end which wasn’t the same for a few teams today. The five second penalty was fair enough as I did move more than once and you’re not allowed to do that; equally I didn’t know which way he was looking to try to pass and sometimes it’s difficult to make the right call. Now we’re looking forward to Silverstone, which is pretty much my home track.”

Jolyon Palmer, #30, R.S.16-02: Started P20, finished P12

“I’m quite happy with the race. We just needed that little bit of extra luck and we could have been right there within the points. The car was okay, it felt better than in the last round and this was probably one of my strongest races personally. Had we needed to change to soft tyres when the safety car came out, we might have been able to make a pit stop then get to the end on that set to score points. I’ve been feeling stronger and stronger over the last few races and knowing we could have done well today makes me hopeful for points at the next round at Silverstone.”

Fred Vasseur, Racing Director

“Our race pace wasn’t too bad and both drivers were able to deliver what was required today. We were a little unlucky with the safety car as we had opted to run a long middle stint on the soft tyres with both cars and shortly after we’d gone on to the soft Sebastian Vettel had his crash. We did struggle on the restart relative to cars on fresher tyres but we were able to make places at the end thanks to the retirements of others. We’re looking forward to heading to Enstone’s and Viry’s adopted home race in Silverstone.”

Bruno Senna to coach and mentor drivers in the 2015 McLaren P1 GTR Driver Programme.

• Ex-Formula 1™ driver Bruno Senna to consult drivers at each track event
• Senna to bring a unique knowledge of the highest levels of international racing in single seat and GT championships
• McLaren P1™ GTR Driver Programme calendar confirmed at some of the world’s most iconic circuits as the build of the first customer car is completed

Former Formula 1™ and current McLaren GT factory driver Bruno Senna has joined the McLaren P1™ GTR Driver Programme and will act as mentor at each of the exclusive events. 

Senna, who was announced as a McLaren GT factory driver earlier this year, will work closely with each of the tailored programmes, ensuring optimum performance for each of the cars and drivers around some of the world’s most iconic and challenging, circuits.

Members of the McLaren P1™ GTR Driver Programme will take part in a bespoke training and preparation schedule, designed to fully prepare them before taking to the circuit. 

Initial consultations at the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) will include a race seat fitting, a Human Performance Centre assessment, and final discussions around design and livery. From here, and ahead of each event, drivers will have access to the McLaren racing simulator to familiarise themselves with the circuit.

Commenting on the new role, and the Driver Programme, Senna explained: ‘The McLaren P1™ GTR is a phenomenal machine, and is designed for one purpose – to be the ultimate drivers’ car around any given track. 

With more power and torque, optimised aerodynamics and increased grip over the already very impressive McLaren P1™, the levels of performance are at the next level. Significant focus has been put on ensuring drivers can access and exploit the extra performance.

‘The bespoke Driver Programme has been designed to ensure each driver is prepared, mentally and physically, to make the most of the car and the track. 

The stages are the same as a professional racing driver would go through for a race weekend, whether it is a GT race or in Formula 1, and the team on the ground at each event will be working closely with the drivers to hone skill levels and push them beyond what they believe is possible.’

The first customer example of the McLaren P1™ GTR has now rolled off the line in the McLaren Production Centre (MPC). From here, it will now complete its build with the team at McLaren Special Operations. 

This milestone comes as further details of the first year of the McLaren P1™ GTR Driver Programme are confirmed. The provisional nine date calendar will visit are :-

• Circuit de Catalunya (Spain), 
• Sepang International Circuit (Malaysia), 
• Circuit of the Americas (North America),
• Silverstone (UK), 
• Autodromo Nazionale Monza (Italy), 
• Red Bull Ring (Austria), 
• Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), 
• Bahrain International Circuit (Bahrain), 
• Yas Marina (Abu Dhabi).

Mclaren Honda previews the Austrian Grand Prix 2015

Grand Prix Preview

Austria 2015

Facts & Stats: Spielberg

The Circuit

In terms of time, Spielberg is the shortest track of the year. It takes just 68s to complete a lap of the 4.326km circuit, which is made up of only nine corners – the fewest of any circuit on the Formula 1 calendar. There are four long straights, each one preceded by a slow corner, and that places the engineering emphasis on traction and straight-line speed. To aid the mechanical grip of the cars, Pirelli is taking its Soft (Prime) and Supersoft (Option) tyres to Austria. This is the third consecutive race at which this tyre combination has been used, and the tyre warm-up issues that dominated in Monaco and Montreal should be eased in Spielberg by a slightly more abrasive asphalt. The circuit is undulating and has an elevation change of 65m; it’s also high: the track is situated 700m above sea level, which puts it at a similar altitude to Interlagos in Brazil. The reduced atmospheric pressure reduces the power of a naturally-aspirated engine by seven per cent and forces the turbo on the current power units to spin faster, to compensate for that loss from the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE). McLaren is the most successful F1 constructor at the Austrian Grand Prix, having won the race six times – most recently in 2001, with David Coulthard.

Vital Statistics

Austrian Grand Prix 19th - 21st June Spielberg

Race distance 71 laps Start time 14:00 (local)/13:00 (BST) Circuit length 4.326km/2.688 miles 2014 winner Nico Rosberg 2014 pole Felipe Massa 1m08.759s 226.495km/h 2014 Fastest lap Sergio Perez 1m12.142s 215.874km/h First race 1970 Don't put the kettle on... The top 10 all completed the race with a two-stop strategy last year, starting on the Supersoft tyre and then completing two stints on the Soft compound. Most drivers made their first stops between laps 11-15 and their second stop between laps 26-31. Full throttle 70 per cent Fuel consumption 1.7kg per lap, which is high Brakewear Medium. There are only nine corners around the lap, but there are three big braking events – each one slowing the cars from more than 300kph to less than 100kph. Weather The track is located in the Styrian mountains, so the weather conditions can change quickly. The build-up to the weekend looks unsettled, with temperatures in the low-20s. DRS zones Two – on the approach to Turns One and Three Top speed 330km/h on the approach to Turn One Safety Car likelihood Low. There are large run-off areas at the Red Bull Ring, reducing the chances of the track being blocked by an incident. There wasn’t a Safety Car in last year’s race, the first GP at the track for 11 years.

McLaren at the Austrian Grand Prix

Wins 6 (1984, 1985, 1986, 1998, 2000, 2001) Poles 4 (1976, 1985, 1999, 2000) Fastest laps 8 (1972, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001)

Team Talk #14 Fernando Alonso Age 33 (July 29 1981) GPs 240 Wins 32 Poles 22 FLs 21

“Montreal was a difficult race for the whole team – we expected it to be tough because of the nature of the circuit, but obviously a double retirement was especially disappointing. But, of course, just because a weekend doesn’t go to plan, it doesn’t mean we give up. “We’re still seeing great progress every weekend, and we hope Austria will be the same. Our most important focus is reliability, so that we can get the most time on track in order to make the biggest improvements we can. This is a very physical circuit with four long, fast straights and heavy braking in the corners, so it’ll be challenging for our package, but it’s a really interesting track to race on. “Spielberg is a beautiful location for a grand prix and going back there last year after an 11-year break was a great experience. It’s still the great circuit it was, and there are quite a few overtaking opportunities which make it even more enjoyable. We’ve already put the last race behind us and I’m keen to get out there, race hard with our nearest competitors, and hopefully have some fun.”

#22 Jenson Button Age 35 (January 19 1980) GPs 272 Wins 15 Poles 8 FLs 8

“Over the past few days we’ve bounced back from Montreal and we’re already looking firmly ahead at the next challenge. As a team, we’re measured ultimately on where we finish on a Sunday afternoon, which doesn’t take into account the progress we’ve made behind the scenes, or in practice and qualifying in the build-up to the race, so it can sometimes be difficult to see the positives after a tough grand prix. “However, it’s important that we don’t forget how far we’ve come. Yes, both cars retiring from the race was not at all the result we’ve been working so hard for, but we are focused on the progress we’re still making and the improvements that we’ve already made up to this point. There’s still a huge amount of belief within the team, and we’re continuing to push for development in every area back in Woking and Sakura. “Last year’s Austrian Grand Prix was a huge success, and for the few of us drivers that raced here pre-2003, it’s definitely considered one of those ‘mini-classics’: not so complex in terms of its configuration, but fun to drive. On paper, Austria won’t suit the characteristics of our car, but I’m looking forward to enjoying some good racing there and pushing to make more progress in every session.”

Eric Boullier Racing director, McLaren-Honda “We can’t deny that retiring both cars in Montreal was a bitter blow, but, undeterred, we quickly shifted our attention to Austria. What’s important to remember is that, despite the disappointment of the last race, we’re always learning and improving, so we mustn’t be too disheartened, and instead we must keep our focus firmly on the road ahead. “Reliability has been a key issue during our development push, particularly on Fernando’s car. It’s a crucial element of a race weekend that we need to improve in order to continue making progress. We’re getting there, but, like some other teams, we’re now getting to the stage of the season where faults and failures could result in penalties. But those are the rules, and they’re the same for everyone. “Performance-wise, we expect the Austrian Grand Prix to be another tricky weekend, as it features heavy braking from high speeds and similar stop-start characteristics to Montreal. “However, before we can even think about performance, we need to work even harder from the very beginning of our race programmes on Wednesday, to ensure all our processes, hardware and software configurations, and our entire approach to the weekend, are flawless, so as to give ourselves the best possible opportunity to get both cars to the chequered flag. In addition, as I say, we may have to consider strategically implementing updates with the aim of improving reliability and performance. “Speaking more generally about the Austrian Grand Prix, last but not least, Spielberg is a fantastic circuit, immaculately organised and surrounded by stunning scenery, and the incredible fan support makes it even more special. Formula 1’s return to Austria in 2014 was a resounding success for the region as well as the sport, so we can be sure of a fantastic atmosphere and exciting racing this time around too.” Yasuhisa Arai Chief officer of motorsport, Honda R&D Co Ltd "Austria's Red Bull Ring is another power circuit with long straights similar to Canada, which means that it will be tough on the power units. We know that our results in Canada were disappointing, so we are now working hard to analyse, correct and mitigate issues going into Austria. “The high altitude of the track will also affect the power unit performance, and the vehicle as a whole will require good aerodynamics and downforce. The new ERS system improvements made in Canada have been made to counteract this, and will be adjusted to the new aero and chassis updates planned for Austria. “We will push forward to be stronger as a team."

The countdown continues for the 2015 SEAT Leon Eurocup.

• The second edition of the single-make series will begin on April 25th at Paul Ricard circuit
• First seven rounds will take in renowned European motorsport venues
• 30 drivers from 15 countries will belt-up in the SEAT Leon Cup Racer to form the grid in the very first outing of the 2015 campaign

The SEAT Leon Eurocup 2015 will slip into gear next week with the first round of seven taking place at the Paul Ricard circuit in France on the 25^th- 26^th of April. After the enormous success of the inaugural season last year the Europe-based championship promises to deliver more action and thrills throughout this new edition with the schedule enlarged to seven meetings; one extra compared to 2014.

  

Paul Ricard will host the opener. The spectacular French facility will entertain the SEAT Leon Eurocup for the first time and thirty drivers of fifteen nationalities in the initial fixture will combine to offer some unmissable action for fans of four-wheel racing. The entry list has followed suit in terms of the rising prestige and popularity of the championship and even more participants will line-up at Paul Ricard where another indelible page of history will be written in the annals of the SEAT Leon Eurocup.

During the season, the 27-strong field of racers will traverse the continent to visit other prominent and historic circuits such as Estoril (Portugal), Silverstone (UK), Nürburgring (Germany) and the Red Bull Ring (Austria) that, like Paul Ricard, will entertain the European contest for the first time.

The drivers will again have the formidable SEAT Leon Cup Racer at their disposal and the 330 PS on tap will guarantee superlative performance and exceptional results. Through the first year of the SEAT Leon Eurocup further spoils could be added, such as victories in three of the first four races in the TCR International Series.

Jaime Puig, Director of SEAT Sport, commented: “After the success of the first year of the SEAT Leon Eurocup we are really looking forward to the second season. The championship has turned into something that fans ink into their racing calendar and we are really proud of this after all the hard work put in by everybody involved in creating and staging the SEAT Leon Eurocup. Ahead of us we can anticipate many exciting races and hope, like last year, the crowds will again respond and grow at the circuits we visit. Once you’ve had a taste then you’ll just want to come back for more.”

World Series by Renault to return to Silverstone in 2015.

• Silverstone to host World Series by Renault in 2015
• Full event details to be released early next year

The 2015 World Series by Renault dates have been announced by Renault Sport Technologies and are set to feature no less than six circuits used by Formula One and a welcome return to Silverstone for the British round.

Adored by the drivers and teams, Silverstone will host a meeting of the World Series by Renault for the 10th anniversary of the event. This legendary circuit marks the return of the series to Great Britain and is sure to be much appreciated by the fans who have made the previous events such successes.

The French round will see a venue change for 2015.  After four terrific visits to Circuit Paul Ricard, Renault Sport Technologies will make its return to the Le Mans Bugatti Circuit at the end of September. After hosting the Fast, Free & Fun event on four occasions, the world-renowned motor racing city will draw huge crowds as was the case in 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009.

The other rounds of the World Series by Renault will be held at Motorland Aragón, Spa-Francorchamps, the Hungaroring, the Nürburgring as well as Circuito de Jerez. The Formula Renault 3.5 Series will also be the curtain raiser for the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix as well as at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.

“For ten years, the World Series by Renault has offered a marvellous show both on and off the track, witnessed by more than five million spectators,” explains Renault Sport Technologies Competition Director, Jean-Pascal Dauce.

“To celebrate these ten years, we wanted to offer a calendar composed of circuits used by Formula One and important rounds for Renault.  Balance is respected and the tracks run on will better prepare the drivers for the elite! We have also worked to respond to the wishes of the event’s community that wanted to see Le Mans and Silverstone reinstated.”

The 2015 World Series by Renault will feature the latest race car from Renault Sport Technologies – the Renaultsport R.S 01.  This car will compete in the Renaultsport Trophy that acts a springboard for the professional GT and Endurance championships and can be seen at WSR events alongside a plethora of Renault racing championships and motorsport demonstration events, including many vehicles from Renault’s rich motorsport heritage.

Renaultsport R.S 01 is a racing car with spectacular styling and governed by an absolute pursuit of aerodynamic downforce.  Its technical specifications reflect the best of Renaultsport expertise.  With a carbon monocoque for a weight of less than 1,100 kg and an engine developing over 500 hp, it is able to reach a top speed of over 300 kph.

2015 World Series by Renault Calendar (subject to the approval of the FIA)
25 – 26 April:             Motorland Aragón, Spain
30 – 31 May:             Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
13 – 14 June:            Hungaroring, Hungary
29 – 30 August:        Silverstone, England
12 – 13 September: Nürburgring, Germany
26 – 27 September: Bugatti Circuit Le Mans, France
17 – 18 October:       Circuito de Jerez, Spain

Formula Renault 3.5 Series only:
24 May:                      Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix
TBC:                           Red Bull Ring, Austria