Formula One News — December 2013

DECEMBER 11, 2013

Red Bull, Vettel slam new double points rule

F1's reigning champions Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull have broken ranks and slammed the new 'double points' finale.

Lotus asks for delay of first 2014 test

Lotus has requested that the first official test of the 2014 pre-season, at Jerez late in January, be postponed for a week.

Di Resta admits Perez likely to replace him

Paul di Resta has admitted that his formula one career appears over.

McLaren's Magnussen experiment could fail says Kovalainen

Heikki Kovalainen says there is no guarantee Kevin Magnussen will thrive at McLaren, insisting 2014 could make or break the Danish rookie.

Vettel to be father in one month

Although news of girlfriend Hanna's pregnancy broke only this week, fatherhood is set to arrive imminently for world champion Sebastian Vettel.

Webber tests Porsche's Le Mans car

Mark Webber has got his Le Mans career off to an early start, testing Porsche's new prototype at the Algarve circuit in Portugal.

DECEMBER 10, 2013

World champion Vettel to become father

Sebastian Vettel is set to celebrate his meteoric F1 success with the ultimate prize -- fatherhood.

F1 says no to heavier cars, mandatory pitstops

Formula one teams this week blocked moves to raise the minimum weight limit for 2014.

Controversy explodes with new double points finale

International publications have described the highly controversial decision to award double-points in the 2014 season finale as "strange" (Bild) and "crazy" (La Gazzetta dello Sport).

FIA announces F1 cost cap coming in 2015

A 'cost cap' in formula one is coming, the FIA said in a surprising announcement on Monday.

Patient Hulkenberg still waiting for winning car

Nico Hulkenberg insists he is having to be patient as he waits for a front-running car.

Hamilton did pay father, former manager Anthony

Lewis Hamilton's father and former manager has admitted he actually was paid by the 2008 world champion.

DECEMBER 9, 2013

Alonso says drivers to play bigger role in 2014

Fernando Alonso hopes F1 drivers have a bigger role to play next year, as the wave of radical new regulations hit the 2014 grid.

Todt backs move for permanent race numbers in F1

The newly re-elected Jean Todt says he supports moves to reinstate permanent race numbers in formula one.

Vettel factor weighed in Webber's quit decision

Mark Webber has admitted Red Bull's desire to please his former teammate Sebastian Vettel contributed to his decision to quit F1.

Alonso attitude triggered Raikkonen signing says Andretti

Fernando Alonso's frustration in 2013 triggered Ferrari's push for Kimi Raikkonen.

Pirelli vows to address marbles problem

Pirelli will try to solve the problem of trackside 'marbles' ahead of the 2014 season.

DECEMBER 6, 2013

Lotus needs Maldonado's financial support

Lotus has admitted for the first time that Pastor Maldonado will boost the Enstone based team's coffers in 2014.

Fry doubts big engine differences in 2014

Ferrari technical boss Pat Fry on Friday said he doubts one engine maker will get a big head start on its rivals in 2014.

Red Bull confirms two testers Buemi, da Costa

Red Bull on Friday confirmed reports it has signed up two test drivers for the 2014 season.

FIA confirms Todt staying president

Jean Todt's continuing role as FIA president was confirmed officially on Friday.

Hamilton's father, ex-manager reveals he was never paid

2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton never paid his father and former manager Anthony, it has emerged in court this week.

McLaren denies Dennis power struggle on cards

McLaren has denied claims former team boss Ron Dennis is shaping up to take more control of the Woking based company.

Hamilton tells Ricciardo to attack Vettel

Lewis Hamilton has advised Daniel Ricciardo to "attack" his high-profile teammate from the very first corner of 2014.

Grosjean plays down reports of 2014 Lotus car delay

Romain Grosjean has played down concerns Lotus is way behind its major rivals in simulator testing of the 2014 car.