The F1 newswire – Tuesday 7 February

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Tuesday, 07 February 2012 16:00

All the news the teams see fit to print, in one handy digest produced every 24 hours.

With days spent in transit and launches to cover, today's newswire has been split into two editions. In this catch-up edition, PIRELLI look at the Jerez circuit and preview their tyres, while CATERHAM confirm their reserve driver and SAUBER reorganise the technical team.

It was preview time for PIRELLI, who take an in-depth look at testing. "The Formula 1 teams will get the chance to sample the definitive specification of Pirelli’s new tyres for the first time this year, as the 2012 Formula 1 season gets underway at Jerez in Spain this week," the press release read. "During a four-day test at the Andalusian circuit, from Tuesday to Friday (7-10 February) each car will have 25 sets of Pirelli’s new soft, medium and hard compounds available, along with the wet tyres if needed. Teams are allowed a maximum of 100 sets of tyres per car each year for testing purposes, and they are permitted to choose the compounds they would like to test within their allowance. None of the teams have nominated the supersoft compound for Jerez: the only compound to remain unchanged from 2011. Experimental compounds for the 2012 tyres were tried out during some of the free practice sessions last year, as well as at the young driver test following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However, the regular drivers now have the opportunity to test the new compounds together with the new profiles for the tyres, which this year are much ‘squarer’ in order to provide a greater contact patch and deliver a longer period of peak performance, while maintaining an overall lifespan in the region of 100 kilometres. The tyres have been designed to provide more grip at the rear of the car, following the latest changes in the aerodynamic regulations that ban blown exhausts for 2012. Once more the teams will start from scratch, as all the compounds apart from the supersoft are new, with more visible colour markings. In the unlikely event that it rains in the south of Spain next week, the drivers will also get to try out the new Cinturato rubber: the designation for the intermediate and full wet tyres – which echo the name of Pirelli’s first Formula 1 tyres from the 1950s. With the 2012 cars in different phases of development, and some new drivers as well, the emphasis in Jerez will not be on peak performance but instead on understanding the characteristics of the new tyres and matching them to the cars. The 4.43-kilometre Jerez circuit has hosted both the Spanish and European Grands Prix previously, and it is a popular venue for Formula 1 testing due to its technical configuration and year-round warm weather. It was one of the venues that Pirelli used for testing in 2010, when the company was building up to its return to Formula 1. The track contains quite a wide variety of corners, ranging from slow curves to some medium to fast bends. The layout puts particular emphasis on rear tyres, which have to work hard to supply the best traction throughout an ample range of speeds. While Jerez does not result in especially high top speeds, every aspect of a car’s performance is comprehensively tested. Pirelli’s Motorsport Director Paul Hembery said: 'After a successful first season in 2011, we are determined to help provide an even better spectacle this year, which is why the entire tyre range has been renewed. At this early point, the emphasis for the teams is expected to be on learning the new tyres and it will be interesting to see which approach they take to that process. Last year, it didn’t take the teams long at all to understand the characteristics of our tyres, and while we are sure that this will be the case again, there will be less of an element of surprise this year, as to some extent the teams know what to expect from our products. This rapid pace of development and reaction is what makes Formula 1 our ultimate research tool, enhancing Pirelli’s status as the world leader in the Ultra High Performance sector.'"

Finally bringing an end to what felt like months of rumous, CATERHAM confirmed Giedo van der Garde as their reserve driver for 2012. "We are delighted to welcome Giedo into the family as Reserve Driver," team principal Tony Fernandes said. "He is a very exciting prospect that we have been monitoring since the early days of our team, and we are all looking forward to seeing how he can help us develop throughout the season as we take our next steps towards the established midfield teams ahead. His performances in GP2, particularly in 2011, mark Giedo out as one of motorsport's brightest prospects, and securing him as Reserve Driver is a real coup for our team. I am sure he will flourish on and off track, and we wish him all the best as he takes the next step into Formula 1 with us." Giedo van der Garde commented: "I’m very happy to become a part of the Caterham F1 Team family today and I’m very excited about the next step in my career within Formula 1. The team is fresh, with some fantastic people here. Tony Fernandes is extremely ambitious and he has brought in a lot of very good people in to help grow this team for future success. I’m looking forward to learning and moving forward with the team, in and out of the car. It’s great for Holland that we again have a Dutch driver who is connected to Formula 1. Being the only Dutch driver now is very good for the sport in Holland, as the interest was perhaps on the decline since the Verstappen years, however I hope to generate the same excitement for my country and really bring Formula 1 to them. I feel that the team as a whole is very ambitious. They appear to be very positive people and I think they are building up, growing and developing very quickly. I think this year they will be strong contenders! We’ll see after the test but I really have a feeling that it’s a big family here and they are pushing very hard to move up the grid. I feel very strong now, I’m fit, and I’m mentally ready. Of course I’ve spent a lot of time driving with guys who are now in Formula 1 and I feel I’m ready for this. I’d like to thank McGregor and everybody who has supported me in my career and for helping me take this next exciting step."

Finally, SAUBER reorganised their technical department following the departure of former technical director James Key. "The Sauber F1 Team reorganises its technical department," the press release read. "The design and development of the Formula 1 car will be led by the department heads for Aerodynamics, Design, Performance and Operations. The present Technical Director, James Key, has decided to leave the company. Team Principal, Peter Sauber said: 'A qualified team shares the overall technical responsibility. This structure has proved to work well at other racing outfits. Over a period of almost two years, James has accomplished a lot for our team. Especially in the difficult transition period from a manufacturer team into a private enterprise, he contributed significantly to ensure the team regained stability. We would like to thank him for his efforts and wish him all the best for his future.'"

Check back here tomorrow for the latest news direct from the teams.

For launch articles and technical specs of the McLaren, Ferrari, Force India, Lotus, Sauber, Red Bull, Toro Rosso, and Williams, check out f1katewalker . Additional coverage of the Jerez tests can also be found at that link. Kate Walker

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