The Week's Stories

Pastor Maldonado has been a key player in the driver shuffling for 2014

Some critical events have now set the scene for 2014, although the landscape continues to shift;

• The F1 calendar has been released, with some notable changes; additions include the new Russian venue in Sochi as well as the return of the old A1 Ring (now known as the Red Bull Ring) in Austria, whilst races dropped include New Jersey and Mexico, which were not going to be ready in time, as well as Korea, which simply cannot afford the sanctioning fee. More >>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• New Mclaren recruit Kevin Magnussen is revelling the challenge 2014 will bring, and is 'ready to learn from Jenson Button'. More >>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Antony Hamilton, father of Lewis, is taking Paul di Resta to court for wrongful dismissal and subsequent loss of earnings. He says that he accidentally lost a box of 'highly controversial files' related to the case. More >>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Adrian Newey says his team are feeling the strain after pushing for the 2013 title, with the aerodynamic guru stating that Red Bull are behind schedule in preparations for 2014. More >>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• With the new V6 powertain and notable torque increases on the horizon, Pirelli are arranging a private tyres test with three teams in Bahrain from the 17th-19th December. It is yet to be known which teams will may participate. More >>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Pastor Maldonado has ended speculation and effectively got the driver market moving again having signed a deal to drive with Lotus for 2014; a deal that has provoked mixed feelings and opinions amongst paddock figures and fans alike, with much of the media commenting on his over-aggression and inconsistency. More >>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Lotus' signing of Maldonado meant of course the end of the courtship between Lotus and Hulkenberg, who has chosen to sign with Force India in a 'multi-year deal', with some believing this could be a mistake by the German. More >>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• As a consequence of Hulkenberg's signing, it's looking increasingly likely that Sutil will sign with Sauber, with Esteban Gutierrez' future in doubt, after his Mexican sponsorship with the team has come to an end. There is presently no word on any renegotiations, and the team are said to be looking elsewhere. More >>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• As another consequence of Hulkenberg's signing, Paul di Resta is increasingly of the view he may have been squeezed out of F1 altogether. More >>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Ross Brawn meanwhile is taking his time deciding what the future holds, and says he will wait until the summer of 2014 to see where his future in the sport lies. More >>

As winter descends on the sport, there are still seats left unfilled, and questions about 2014 left unanswered. We will of course endeavour to bring more on the dawn of the modern turbo era as soon as it develops.


Article by Chris Kinsman
MyF1World Journalist.