Tag: marcus ericsson

Marcus Ericsson and Sauber score again!

On By ChristofferIn F1, NewsLeave a comment

Marcus Bahrain

Today’s GP in Bahrain was entertaining, as is almost always the case Bahrain, but especially so for Swiss and Swedish F1 fans, as Marcus Ericsson finished 9th, scoring two points for his Swiss Sauber team. Even better, he did not do so because of a mass crash, but rather as the Sauber car with its new partner Ferrari (in Alfa Romeo disguise) is actually becoming increasingly competitive, and at least on this circuit managed to keep the pace of the middle field of teams. This bodes well for the future. Before today, Marcus had a stint of 49 races without scoring a point (since Monza in 2015), hopefully it won’t take another 49 for him to score again!

The race was won by Vettel (but the way his 49th win by a funny coincidence) ahead of Bottas (who would probably have won had the race lasted another couple of laps) and Lewis Hamilton, who had started 9th due to a replaced gearbox.

Jerez 2014 – French frustration, German satisfaction

On By ChristofferIn F1Leave a comment

The 2014 F1 season’s first testing week in Jerez had been much anticipated given the number of changes to the cars and the power units for the new season. And in terms of action, it certainly didn’t disappoint. The potential reliability issues we brought up when describing the rule changes for the new season (see here) hit especially the Renault power units with a vengeance, and none more than Red Bull. Engine cooling was the big issue, and RBR’s new car RB10 therefore spent most time off the track whilst rivals were collecting both laps and experience. At the end of the week, the three Renault teams had managed 151 laps, however of these RBR only managed 21. In contrast, the four Mercedes teams completed 875 laps and the three Ferrari teams 444.

F1-2014-Red-Bull-RB10-Vettel-Formel-1-Rennwagen-06
You can leave the cover on, boys...

Too much should not be read in to the season’s first testing week, especially not to lap times, but it is fair to say that RBR has a lot of work to do before, and a lot to prove during the next testing week in Bahrain on February 19-22.

Judging by the drivers’ comments there was a lot of satisfaction with the new cars. The torque provided by the new engines make them feel very powerful and the new 8-speed gearbox along with thew new breaking system also contribute to making the experience different. Finally the number of buttons on the new steering wheel will take some getting used to, and the wheel was by many likened more to a smart phone.

steering-inline3
Right, let’s see, was it the red one or, eerrr, the green, or…

Jerez was Swedish F1 rookie Marcus Ericsson’s first showing for Caterham, and at least Caterham was the Renault-powered team that managed most laps. It was however another Scandinavian who stole the attention; Mc Laren’s Danish rookie Kevin Magnussen clocked the fastest lap of the week!

Marcus Ericsson first Swede in F1 in 23 years!

On By ChristofferIn F1Leave a comment

Not since Stefan “Lill-Lövis” Johansson left the F1 circus in 1991 has there been a Swede that has made it beyond the test driver status in F1 (that was by the way Björn Wirdheim who test drove for Jaguar a few years ago). That will change in 2014 when Swedish 23-year old Marcus Ericsson will take one seat in the Caterham team, the other one going to Kamui Kobayashi, ex-Sauber. Ericsson finished sixth last year in the GP2 series, but apparently still managed to show he has talent. Given Caterham finished last in the team ranking last year it will definitely not be an easy ride, not even within the team as Kobayashi obviously has much more experience, but at least he gets a chance and it bodes well for both the interest and coverage of F1 in Sweden!

Unknown