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Previously on TheJudge13:
TJ13 Go-Karting Event on 28th March 2015 – Not Quite #F1 But Will Be Fun!
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Please use the comments section to ask an opening question for our podcast regulars to answer. Remember, the best answers are often given if the opening question is not F1 related. (Ed’s Note: What have we started!)
All change, all change – Toro Rosso launch
So much motivation for the year ahead – Rosberg
Better late than never, Lotus to arrive late
It pays to be in the know
As TJ13 brought to light exclusively, the Red Bull testing livery was indeed a camouflage design. The tactic first used in military combat will make it harder for detailed pictures to bring to the light the new RB11 test design.
Ricciardo was in no mood for sticking around for photos
All change, all change – Toro Rosso launch
If history were to repeat itself then it will prove a difficult year for the Toro Rosso team, with two young drivers at the helm. The STR10 was launched last night with two fresh faces revealing this season’s challenger.
The belief is clearly there, with the target being set at an ambitious 5th place for the coming year. Team principal Franz Tost dismissed claims that his inexperienced drivers may struggle this year saying, “When Dietrich Mateschitz decided to buy Minardi, one of the aims was to educate young drivers from the Red Bull young driver programme and this is what we are doing. I do not agree that our drivers are too young.
“This is an argument I had already with Daniil Kvyat, it was the same nonsense. Now he is driving with Red Bull Racing after a fantastic season. So, to be honest, I don’t care what they are saying.”
Technical director James Key echoed those sentiments, “The level of maturity we have seen from Max and Carlos has been well beyond what the paper might say with their age. The technical feedback in the simulator and the little bit of work has been absolutely spot on. Clearly there is always a good thing to have continuity but you can’t always afford to do that.”
This year will be one of paramount importance for those who feel Formula One is becoming too easy. Should the pair manage to waltz into the car with ease it will only go to prove these people correct, however, given what happened last time Toro Rosso dumped both drivers at the end of a season, following the 2011 season, this may not be the case.
So much motivation for the year ahead – Rosberg
After the closely fought battle for the Championship last year Nico Rosberg was in bullish spirits recently. Fresh from a good winter away, the German feels he is perfectly placed to once more challenge for the world title.
He said, “I am eager to get back to work and go maximum attack for another season. I know the feeling of winning and of fighting for a Championship after last year – but I also know the feeling of not winning in the end and I don’t want to repeat that.”
While many questioned how Rosberg would deal with coming so close to the Championship, but missing out at the final round, he appears to instead to be using it to his advantage, stating, “It’s an extra boost and it gives me so much motivation for the year ahead.”
The ever-cerebral Mercedes pilot will take the wheel for the first day of testing, as the World Champions look to continue their domination of the sport.
“I’m so proud to be in this moment with the team – coming off the back of a fantastic year, putting the Silver Arrows right back at the front where they belong. It will be massively tough to repeat what we achieved in 2014 but we all want to keep that momentum going and to dominate the sport for many years to come.
“We know the opposition will be right there, so we have to keep pushing flat out to have any chance of doing that. Nothing is for certain but, whatever happens, I know it will be another great battle with Lewis. This year is the rematch for me and I’m massively motivated for it.”
Batter late than never, Lotus to arrive late
The newly Mercedes powered E23 is on its way. Reports have come in of Lotus vehicles being spotted on the Spanish highway, as well as a minimal presence in the paddock already. It is expected, although unconfirmed, that the team will run on Monday.
The new partnership with Mercedes will be welcome news to fans of the Enstone team, after enduring an awful year in 2014. Speaking to Adam Cooper, a spokesperson for the team said, “The car’s on its way. Fired up and final checks in Enstone yesterday – we wanted to be happy with everything at the factory before turning up.”
What’s pit lane access like at the tests?
for fans or press?
Both… let us know.
Well did you guys manage to get in and if so does it require FIA accreditation or some other system? Juts curious, I used to be able to get passes easily enough back in the day!
We are accredited for this week making reporting that much easier.
Thanks adam, like Dave I was curious.
(guess TJ13 will be laying off the FIA’s case this season then…….:-)
Err… nope. We call a digging device a digging device
Didn’t think you’d roll that easily 🙂
Ferrari fastest ! It must have been setup to burn fuel faster than a jet fighter.
considering the number of laps they did, I’d say they didn’t run with much fuel to begin with.