Lewis Hamilton: My Story

im not marketing any of the products here..just that this books are really very good !! as an f1 fan for past 2 years i find reading this books very intresting and somewhat get motivated from it and get to know more about the sport we love f1!!!!!!!!! 

In his first season in F1, Lewis Hamilton has thrilled the world of motor racing by finishing on the podium in his first nine consecutive races - the first driver to do so in the sport's 57-year history. With victories so far in Canada, America and Hungary, he currently leads the World Drivers' Championship, the youngest driver ever to do so. But bare statistics alone do scant justice to the amazing impact Lewis Hamilton has had on the sporting landscape this year. My Story gives the real account from Lewis himself, as he sets the record straight about his colourful life on and off the track. Given a grounded upbringing by his dedicated father in unremarkable Stevenage, Lewis tells about how he first tried out go-karting while on a cut-price family holiday in Ibiza. In his book he gives the real version of events at a motor sport dinner where, as a nine-year-old wearing a borrowed suit, he approached McLaren team boss Ron Dennis with the immortal words that were to change his life forever. He rose rapidly through the Junior and Formula ranks, dominating every series with his raw speed and canny race craft. Here Lewis candidly recalls those key moments that shaped his career and went some way towards compensating for the sacrifices made by his father Anthony in getting his son to the top. Lewis also charts how he got into the sport and was signed up by Ron Dennis, what motivates him, who are his closest friends, how he copes with the constant travelling, and the physical and mental challenges of driving a state-of-the-art Formula 1 car. He looks back in detail at the 2007 World Championship - his three race wins so far, the frightening crash in Germany, his intense rivalry with team-mate Fernando Alonso, his special relationship with Ron Dennis, and what it’s like living under the spotlight of the paparazzi - right up to the last race of the season in Brazil

No Dream too Big-a book for the formula 1 fans

Publisher: Jaypee Sports International (2012) 
THIS IS A AWESOME BOOK FOR ALL THE F1 FANS VERY VERY INTRESTING TO READ!!!!

No Dream too Big is a highly collectible limited edition book, giving a visual feast and an absorbing account of the Journey of the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) right from the time the idea of building a motor racing track took shape, the construction phase, right through to the hosting of the highly successful Formula 1 Inaugural Indian Grand Prix in October 2011. With some rare pictures of BIC, this book is a reader's delight for those who want a peek into behind the scene activities that culminated into the construction of BIC and the hosting of Formula 1 race, a landmark event in India's sporting calendar.

Lewis Hamilton hopes new 2014 rules will help chasing pack topple Red Bull

Lewis Hamilton believes Formula 1's new regulations provide the best opportunity to end Red Bull's run of success.

Sebastian Vettel thinks the big teams will still come out on top when the new engine and aero regulations come in, but Hamilton is hopeful the changes give teams like his Mercedes squad an opportunity to topple the Red Bull driver.

"If it was evolution of this year's car then it would be very hard to beat the Red Bulls as they are so far ahead," said the 2008 world champion.

"I am happy that it is all resetting again otherwise it would be five, six, seven world championships [to Red Bull]."

Hamilton is also not concerned that the changes, which are likely to put a premium on fuel-saving, will make the driver's job more difficult.

"I'm not worried about it because I was doing the same thing this year," he added. "It is going to be very similar next year and you are still going to have to look after tyres.

"Maybe there will be more fuel saving, but that's stuff we do anyway. We will experience things on the simulator and there will new things we have to adapt to."

Hamilton pointed to the big change in F1's rules for 2009 as an example of how quickly teams and drivers can get on top of new ways of working.

"The change with KERS and everything was really easy," he said. "Again, we did it on the simulator and we [McLaren] arrived at the first race with the best KERS package and we were ahead of people, but the car wasn't good.

"But I'm hoping we have both sides next year."

epic!!!!!!!

Just the famous Red Bull crash from Turkey 2010 but just like the Andrea de Cesaris picture, there’s another brilliantly appropriate advertising board inthe photo.

webber!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This photo was snapped during Mark Webber’s first Grand Prix victory in Germany 2009. Talk about unfortunate timing…

Pirelli give 2014 safety assurance after Rosberg failure

Formula One tyre suppliers Pirelli say the safety of next year’s tyres is not in doubt after Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg suffered a high-speed failure while testing in Bahrain on Thursday. Rosberg’s car was fitted with a prototype tyre which will not be used again.

Four teams - Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari, and Toro Rosso - have carried out three days of testing for Pirelli this week in a session specially sanctioned by the FIA to help the Italian company develop specifications for 2014, when heavily revised regulations will place very different demands on tyres.


“The tyre tests in Bahrain regarded a number of prototypes, which were completely innovative in terms of structure and compounds, with the aim of developing the most suitable solutions for the next season,” explained Pirelli.

“This morning Nico Rosberg’s Mercedes was fitted with one of these prototypes, a tyre which had only been tested in the laboratory and which will not be proposed again. Thus, the safety of the tyres which will be supplied for the next championship is not in question.”

Rosberg was unharmed in the incident, which saw him spin on Sakhir’s main straight. Though he did not hit anything, damage to his car forced Mercedes to end their running early. Pirelli are investigating the cause and the findings will be communicated to the FIA and the teams.

Buy Formula One: Made In Britain from Flipkart.com

Fernando Alonso: Kimi Raikkonen will be an asset to Ferrari in 2014

Fernando Alonso has no doubts that Kimi Raikkonen will be an important asset to Ferrari when he rejoins the team next year.

The Finn, who clinched the Formula 1 title with the Maranello squad in 2007, is replacing Williams-bound Felipe Massa alongside Alonso in 2014.

Although Alonso had said in the past that Massa was no slower than finn, the Spaniard insisted he rates the Finn, even though he admitted he is yet to form an opinion about him.

"There is a lot of misinformation about my new team-mate. You read things I said that I didn't actually say. I think he can be an important asset to the team next year," Alonso told reporters during a Santander event in Madrid.

"Between Kimi and I, with 12 years of experience [each], that can help us develop the car in certain aspects that are new.

"I can't give an opinion about Kimi because I don't know him. There are others who can give opinions about others without knowing them, but I can't.

"And having not shared a team with him, or having never spent more than 10 minutes with him, I can't say what he's like or who he is.

"With Felipe I shared four years and he was a good person, and we worked for Ferrari together in an efficient and professional way. I think Kimi will be the same, but it's hard to give an opinion now.

"It's important that we work together and that a red car, whichever it is, crosses the finish line first."

Although Ferrari endured a difficult 2013 and was no match for the dominant Red Bull, Alonso thinks there is reason to be confident for next year.

"This year we had a sad or disastrous year, according to some people," he said. "I think the reason to be more optimistic next year is that I'm at Ferrari, which is a top team which can do great things."

Sauber retain Gutierrez, with Sirotkin as tester

Sauber have announced that Esteban Gutierrez will stay on for the 2014 season, completing the team’s race line-up together with Adrian Sutil. Russia’s Sergey Sirotkin - previously tipped for a race seat - will serve as test driver.

Gutierrez first tested with Sauber at Jerez in late 2009. The Mexican was signed as ‘affiliated driver’, and 2013 saw him in his debut season as a Formula One driver finishing 16th as the best rookie in the drivers’ championship.

“I am happy to be able to continue as a driver for the Sauber F1 Team,” said Gutierrez. “It was a steep learning curve last season, but by working closely with the team I was able to improve continuously. It will be my fourth year with the team, the second as a racing driver, and I feel comfortable in taking the next step. The technical challenges in 2014 will be massive. Therefore it will be even more important to know well the people you are working with. I will do my very best to improve even more and support the team the best way I can.”

Monisha Kaltenborn, Sauber team principal, commented: “We are pleased Esteban will drive for us in 2014, because we believe he is a talented young racing driver. Last season he experienced first hand how hard it can be for a rookie to step into Formula One. Nevertheless, throughout the season he improved significantly in qualifying as well as in the races and finished the year as the best rookie in the drivers’ championship. Often the results didn’t fully reflect his performances. I am confident Esteban will be able to use his experiences to gain results, and this will be helped by the fact he is very well acquainted with every member of the race team.”

Sirotkin, meanwhile, joined Sauber in August 2013 and has been gaining more insight into Formula One racing since then. He has spent several days at the team’s factory in Hinwil and has been working with the engineers. In late September the 18-year-old drove a demo run at the new track in Sochi, which will host the inaugural Russian Grand Prix in 2014. In October he tested a 2009 Ferrari at Fiorano and Sauber say their aim remains to prepare Sirotkin for his Formula One debut.

“It’s a big chance for me to become the test driver for the Sauber F1 Team,” said Sirotkin. “I will work hard to improve myself and to extract the maximum out of this opportunity. Formula One is very complex, so it is important to get an opportunity like this. My main focus next year, however, will be the World Series by Renault, which is very competitive. This will give me the chance to prepare even better in order to be ready for the next big step.”

IS IT JENSON BUTTON?? WTF!!!!

PASTRO MALDONADO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lotus 2014 regulations..lol...

creative parking solution by force india!!!

nico is going on a holiday in his f1 car!!!!!!

TOP FIVE RACE S OF F1 2013 SEASON...

1> MALYSIAN GRAND PRIX -24/03/2013
2>GREAT BRITAIN GRAND PRIX -30/06/2013
3>MONACO GRAND PRIX -26/05/2013
4>AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX -17/03/2013
5>INDIAN GRAND PRIX-27/10/2013

Webber: Sebastian Vettel still the favourite for success in F1 2014

Mark Webber has tipped former Red Bull F1 team-mate Sebastian Vettel to start the 2014 season as favourite for a fifth world title despite the new era being ushered in by the FIA.

Mark Webber has warned his former F1 rivals that it will take more than a change of regulations – and awarding double points for the final race of the season – to stop Red Bull colleague Sebastian Vettel from being the man to beat in 2014.

On the opposite side of the RBR garage throughout Vettel's four-season reign as world champion, the Australian expects this former employer and team-mate to start the latest era of F1 as favourites to make it five in a row in both the drivers' and constructors' championships. With the 2013 titles wrapped up well in advance of the Interlagos finale, Red Bull will have been able to devote a little more time to its 2014 contender which will, once again, come from the pen of the ultra-successful Adrian Newey.

And, while Newey has suggested that the rules makeover – with a new engine and drivetrain and less influential aerodynamics – will level the playing field, Webber is confident that, as a team, Red Bull has what it takes to remain in front.

"They'll be favourites for starting the season very strongly, which is probably not what people at home want to hear," he told the BBC, "It's an engine category next year more than probably a car/aerodynamic category, which is probably not a bad thing for some people, but there will also still be decent driver input, especially from a brainpower perspective in terms of pacing and managing and all the technology the cars are going to have next year, which will help Sebastian. That's right up his alley, perfect for him."

Despite several on-track contretemps over the years, it is clear that Webber always had a high level of respect for Vettel the driver, and rates him amongst the best that he has competed against in a twelve-year F1 career.

"It's probably between Seb and Fernando [Alonso]," he suggested, discounting seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher from the argument having not ever really raced head-to-head with the German.
“He was in a Ferrari and I was in something else, and, when I was in a Red Bull, he was in a Merc, which was further back. But [Vettel and Alonso] were certainly in their prime when I was. On Sundays, Fernando - over two hours - is a handful. There is no question about that [but], over one lap, I think he's not with Seb. Lewis [Hamilton] is handy, but probably not quite as much of a 'machine' as those two are. They are literally 'plug them in and off they go'. They are very, very handy."

Formula 1 - Sauber boss says F1 is 'flawed'

Formula 1's current financial structure is "terribly flawed" and undermines its sporting credibility, according to Sauber team principal Monisha Kaltenborn.

While she insists there is no desire for complete equality among the teams, Kaltenborn believes the sport risks being def

ined completely by budgets, with the bigger teams able to spend their way out of trouble and thereby render smaller teams' efforts futile.

She feels that dynamic ruins both the spectacle and the values of the sport, and says fundamental changes need to be made as a result.

The FIA announced on Monday that a budget cap will be introduced from 2015, although details of how it will be policed and enforced have not been confirmed.

"There is something terribly flawed in the system," Kaltenborn said when asked about the costs of competing in F1.

"For me it starts with what the system and the sport is about - and it is about different teams, not the big teams and the big budgets.

"We don't have a level playing field, and it starts there.

"We are not for having equality everywhere, not at all. This is a competition and the best win.

"But if the best are simply defined by the financial resources then something is not right because it not about finance, it is about sport.

"If you can set some parameters on the financial side, you will still have the teams with the better engineers making the best car with the best drivers having the best results, but at least it puts teams in a position where they can still fight for something and make it more interesting.

"That is where the problem lies - that the big teams can afford to do things, regardless of whether they are good or bad, and get more out of the sport than the others can.

"That cannot be right."

BUDGET CAP BEST OPTION

Kaltenborn said the only option was to reduce costs, and said a budget cap was the best solution available.

"You have to reduce costs," she added. "When it comes to income, we are already at a tremendously high level and will soon reach a point where we cannot increase it any more.

"So we have to bring the costs down, to make the sport healthy and establish the sport in countries where, like we have seen, after two or three years we don't have any fans.

"For me, the most important thing is to have a budget cap. That allows every team to pursue the strategy they have.

"But it is not just deciding on a figure - it is how you police it."ording to Sauber team principal Monisha Kaltenborn.

PAT SYMMONDS ON A MISSION

Williams has been impressed with the work done by Pat Symonds since the Briton joined the team earlier this year, according to deputy team boss Claire Williams.

Symonds joined the Grove-based squad in August as its chief technical officer, replacing technical director Mike Coughlan, who had began working with the team in June 2011 before being promoted to that role four months later.

Symonds had previously worked as a technical consultant for the Marussia team since 2011.

Williams admits Symonds' approach is exactly what her team needed after a poor 2013 season in which it managed just five points.

"He has done everything that we could have hoped for him to do over the past few months.

"One of the things that is noticeable about Pat is that he's a very considered individual, there is no panic, there is no stress. That's a sign he knows what he is doing because he's very much in control.

"And he's taking his time, there is nothing worse then someone coming through and doing a brush-through, you need someone to sit down, evaluate and analyse, make decisions and go from there, which is what he's doing.

"It is really great, this is where we needed to get to and we're so excited about next year."

Toro Rosso to use Vergne and Kvyat in F1 Bahrain tyre test

The Toro Rosso team will use its 2014 race drivers Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniil Kvyat in the upcoming Formula 1 tyre test in Bahrain.

Pirelli was given dispensation to run athree-day test at the Sakhir circuit, and Red Bull, Ferrari, Toro Rosso and Mercedes will be in action.

Toro Rosso said Vergne will drive on the first day and a half, before Russian Kvyat takes over for the remainder of the test. They will be using this year's STR8 car.

The test will run from December 17-19.

GP3 champion Kvyat will make his grand prix debut next year, replacing Red Bull-bound Daniel Ricciardo alongside Vergne.

Bahrain test line-up:

Team                       Drivers

Red Bull                   Sebastien Buemi
Mercedes                   Lewis Hamilton/Nico Rosberg*
Ferrari                    Pedro de la Rosa/Jules Bianchi
Toro Rosso                 Jean-Eric Vergne/Daniil Kvyat

Caterham F1 2014 chassis passes mandatory crash tests

Caterham has become the second Formula 1 team to announce its 2014 chassis has been homologated after passing mandatory crash tests.

The team said its car had passed the frontal impact and the fuel cell integrity tests to finish off homologation ahead of the start of testing next year.

"We have successfully completed the two crash tests for homologation of our 2014 chassis," said the team. "Great news for us."

Sauber was the first team to announce it had passed the mandatory crash tests earlier this week
32ae599d1f8eff8f3fdcbb4bcc6c2a1ff4b1b4ed69c5b7d3b1

SUTIL TO SAUBER

Adrian Sutil has completed a deal to join Sauber for the 2014 Formula 1 season.

The German moves across from Force India, which has signed Nico Hulkenbergand Sergio Perez for next year.

"I am very happy that we found common ground," said Sutil.

"Although I have known for a while where I wanted to go, in the end the negotiations took a bit longer than planned. However, now I will have all the more reason to celebrate during the Christmas season.

"After six good years driving for Force India, with a lot of highlights, it's now time to embark on a new challenge. I am determined to do my part in order to have a successful future together with the Sauber F1 team."

The move marks the first time Sutil has raced for an F1 team other than what is now known as Force India.

He joined the Silverstone based squad in 2007, when it was known as Midland, after impressing it in practice outings during '06, and stayed through its Spyker period into the Force India era.

Sutil eventually lost his seat at the end of 2011, a year marred by an assault conviction following an incident in a nightclub after the Chinese Grand Prix, but he returned for '13.

The 30-year-old's best result in his 109-grand prix career is fourth place at Monza in 2009, when he also qualified on the front row.

Sauber is yet to announce its second driver for 2014.

The team has said Russian teenager Sergey Sirotkin would race subject to getting the necessary Superlicence, but AUTOSPORT understands alternatives are being considered.

   

force india tweeted wishing all the best for sutil with sauber..sauber welcomed sutil @sutiladrian @officalsf1team

Mark Webber Q&A - On racing, adventure and life after F1

For some drivers it can be difficult to fill the void when they leave Formula One racing, but that doesn’t look like it’ll be a problem for Mark Webber. After waving goodbye to the paddock in Brazil, the 37-year-old Australian is now looking ahead to the next chapter of his racing career, while also keeping one eye on his charity adventure event which gets underway in Tasmania on Wednesday...

Q: How does it feel to leave the paddock?
Mark Webber: It’ll be a relief in some ways for that chapter to be finally over. F1 has been my environment for so long now but it’s time for a new challenge which I’m looking forward to. I’m not planning to revisit the F1 paddock too soon but on the two or three occasions I might do each year, I’m sure it’ll be in a more relaxed frame of mind.

Q: How do you feel about the next chapter of your racing career?
MW: I’m very excited about it. The first year will be different of course, different schedule, different type of racing, different people but at this time of my career it’s a perfect balance between adrenaline and working hard with a fantastic brand such as Porsche. 

Q: Outside of F1, one of your big passions has been adventure and fitness - will you be doing some more of that?
MW: Well, the Tasmania Challenge is where I really got into adventure and fitness back in 2003. That’s still going strong and this year’s race starts on Wednesday. I won’t be there this time, because of team commitments but adventure is a key part of what I am and so I hope we can continue to grow that event, and maybe others, in the future.

Q: How involved have you been with this year’s event?
MW: I always like to keep tabs on how plans are developing through the year and I’ve talked over the course with the event guys down there. It takes a route around North Western Tasmania and sounds awesome so I’m gutted I won’t be able to give it a go. It’s a beautiful part of Tasmania and I’m actually very jealous of the guys who are going to get to race out there!

Q: The Challenge has been the main driver for your Foundation - what plans do you have for that in future?
MW: So far we’ve raised over AUD$1.5m through the five Challenges we’ve run so far. In the last few years we’ve been supporting the Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal and children’s charity Whitelion, and the funds have helped both charities make some real progress.

Q: You are also mentoring young New Zealand racer Mitch Evans - who incidentally is going to be competing in the Challenge this year. How do you think he’ll do?
MW: In the Challenge, or in his career? I think he’ll have a good time in the Challenge, but I’ve warned him it’s pretty tough. To race in GP2, though, you have to be pretty fit so he should do ok. In terms of his future, we’ll have to see but he’s going the right way about things and he’s knocking on the F1 door now. Next year could be a pretty big year for him.

Q: How intense will your racing calendar be now, and how much time will you get to do more adventure stuff?
MW: I don’t know how the first year will go out so it’s a case of wait and see. But, I do have an eye on a few events which I don’t have the motivation to do just yet but I’m sure I will once I have more time on my hand! I’m looking forward to not having to rush to do things and trying to squeeze them in between my race schedule, and having the opportunity to do some great things with people I enjoy spending time with in the adventure racing arena. 

Q: And finally, what will you miss about F1?
MW: Driving the cars at some of the world’s most amazing circuits and the level of precision involved. But of course I’ll be looking to take a lot of that with me to Porsche.



from formula1 original website...

what can f1 fans expect from the much awaited f1 2014 season?

THERE IS A LOT ANTICIPATION FOR THE F1 2014 SEASON TO START BECAUSE OF THE VARIOUS FACTORS THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF RULE CHANGES FOR ANY SEASON IN A DECADE ,THE REPLACEMENT OF ENGINES BY POWERTRAIN ,THE DRIVER LINE UPS
KIMI AND ALONOSO IN A SAME TEAM DRIVING FOR FERRARI CERTAINLY THE BEST DRIVING PAIR A F1 TEAM CAN HOPE FOR ,HAMILTON AND ROESBERG WITH THE MERCEDES ENGINE IN THEIR CARS ARE ASSURED TO GIVE A FIGHT AND OFCOURSE VETTEL WITH HIS RED BULL IN TOP FORM AND A CAR WHICH HAS BEEN THE BEST CAR FOR THE PAST FOUR SEASONS .
 IN THE MIDFIELD FORCE INDIA WITH NICO HULKENBURG AND SERGIO PEREZ HAVE A VERY YOUNG AND TALENTED DRIVING PAIR BOTH ARE EAGER TO PROVE A POINT WILL GIVE IT THERE ALL .WILLIAMS SIGNING MASSA AND TECHNICAL STAFF FROM OTHER TEAMS HAVE MADE A STEP AHEAD FROM THERE POOR SEASON WILL LOOK TO GET BACK TO THEIR WONDERFULL OLD DAYS...

WITH SO MUCH CHANGING IN F1 IT GIVES A OPPURTUNITY FOR THE TOP TEAMS TO CATCH UP RED BULL AND CERTAINLY THE FANS HOPE SO THEY DO...

DOMINATION SHOWN BY RED BULL AND VETTEL IS VERY GOOD FOR THE RED BULL FANS BUT NOT SO MUCH FOR THE F1 FANS SO HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE A CLOSE CONTEST AND FANS GET TO ENJOY SIDE BY SIDE RACING THAT IS WHAT MAKES MOTORSPORT SO POPULAR!!!!!!
 BY ROSHAN PATEL

Buemi and Da Costa form Red Bull’s 2014 test line-up

Red Bull have announced that Sebastien Buemi and Antonio Felix da Costa will make up the team’s test and reserve driver line-up in 2014. 

For Buemi, 2014 will represent a third consecutive year in the role of test and reserve driver at the team. The Swiss racer first filled the position in 2008 before graduating to an F1 race seat with Toro Rosso in 2009. In his 55 Grands Prix with Red Bull’s sister team he scored 29 championship points and completed over 13,000 kilometres across more than 2,600 laps of racing. 

Since returning to Red Bull as test and reserve driver in 2012, he has mixed team duties with sportscar racing, making his Le Mans 24-Hours debut in the same year. In 2013, an expanded World Endurance Championship programme saw him and his team mates take victory at the final round in Bahrain and score three other podium finishes, including second place at Le Mans. 

Da Costa, meanwhile, already has experience of the test and reserve driver role at the team, having substituted for Buemi at a few races during the 2013 season. The Portuguese racer also has extensive experience of Red Bull F1 machinery, having tested for the team at the 2013 young drivers’ test at Silverstone, the 2012 young drivers’ test in Abu Dhabi and having conducted a number of show car runs for the team during the past year. 

In 2013 Da Costa raced in the Renault Renault 3.5 series, taking three wins on his way to third place in the championship. He also backed up his 2012 Macau Grand Prix victory with second place in this year’s edition of the prestigious F3 race. 

Confirming the team’s test driver line-up, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said: “It’s great to be able to announce the signing of Sebastien and Antonio for 2014. Next year sees the biggest change to the Formula One regulations for some time and the return of multiple in-season tests. To therefore be able to call on two such capable drivers is of huge benefit to the team.

“In Sebastien we have a great resource, a driver with extensive Grand Prix experience and that will be invaluable. Antonio, on the other hand, is an up-and-coming talent with whom we already have a good working relationship. I’m sure that his contribution will be just as important during what is sure to be an intensely busy season.”

haha...

kimis performance issue revealed

LOL

winning is the target for the drivers at forceindia

Sergio Perez says the combination of himself and Nico Hulkenberg will be targeting victories for Force India in 2014.

Following Hulkenberg's return to the team last week, Perez was confirmed as his team-mate at Force India on Friday having left McLaren. The 2014 regulations offer an opportunity for a change to the previous competitive order, and with the Mercedes engine - which Force India will use - rumoured to be strong, the team looks well-placed for next season.

Asked if he and Hulkenberg could be a winning combination, Perez replied: "That has to be the target.

We know our limitations but I think the team has very high targets for next year of which I'm part of - together with Nico - I'm looking forward to working really hard to bring the team as high up as possible. The whole combination is very hungry; the team, the drivers, so I think definitely we're going to be the most hungry cars out there! We have a lot to prove, so I'd say it can be a great year for the team and it can be a year that moves the team forward."

Perez stressed that both he and Hulkenberg have points to prove after Hulkenberg was also overlooked for the Ferrari and Lotus drives.

"I think we've got a very strong driver line-up for next year, definitely one of the strongest ones, and definitely the most hungry one, we both have a lot to prove. We're both very young and we're looking forward to a very big challenge."

With Force India having failed to beat McLaren in 2013, Perez said the pace shown by the team at the start of the season encouraged him to aim high.

"I've been watching the team. They've been very consistent in the midfield; they've have been the most consistent over the last few years. Now, with the change in regulations, I believe we can be a very strong team where we can move forward together with the team. I think it's a great opportunity for the whole team - now only myself - to put everything together in place to move forward and start fighting the big teams. I think there is very good potential. Before they changed the tyres this year the team has shown great pace, so I'm definitely very happy to be with the team and I think we'll have a strong season ahead of us."

Sauber announces 2014 F1 chassis has passed mandatory crash tests

Sauber has announced that its 2014 Formula 1 chassis has passed all the mandatory FIA crash tests.

As was the case a year ago, the Swiss team is the first to officially reveal that its new car has completed the homologation stage.

"The chassis of the C33 has passed all static and dynamic tests of the FIA and is officially homologated," said a team statement.

"The rear crash test, which is not part of the chassis homologation, will take place separately at a later date, as usual."

None of the 11 F1 teams have yet announced launch dates for their 2014 cars, which are the first built to the championship's new turbocharged engine regulations.

Winter testing commences at Jerez on January 28 2014.

Mallya admits Perez opens up 'a whole new opportunity'

Vijay Mallya admits the signing of Sergio Perez will open up commercial opportunities for Force India but says he was only hired for his driving talent.

Perez was announced as Nico Hulkenberg's team-mate on Thursday, joining Force India from McLaren. Despite an impressive season with Sauber before his McLaren move, Perez also comes with substantial Mexican backing and Mallya confirmed that Force India was looking at more global sponsors to get involved with the team.

"Obviously the signing of Sergio opens up a whole new opportunity for us in that part of the world," Mallya said. "We will certainly target sponsors from Mexico and other Latin American countries, so it's a new opportunity being opened up.

"Traditionally the cars and the team kit have carried a lot of the brands of the owners of Sahara Force India - the Sahara brands as well as UB Group brands - but that's changing and particularly with the new venues in Formula One that is likely to change even further going forward."

However, Mallya was keen to stress that driving ability was the primary factor in his decision and pointed to the team's year-on-year progress as proof that the approach works.

"I think that the track record of performance of Sahara Force India from when I bought the team speaks for itself. I'm very proud that amidst a lot of my sceptics and critics, when I set the road map going forward I think we've achieved everything we set, in fact we over-achieved. We have consistently punched above our weight; that is the mantra, the philosophy of this team.

"The fact that we have signed two of the most talented drivers in Formula One I think is a reflection of our own attitude. With Sergio wanting to prove what he really can do in a car - Nico is pretty much the same - and all of the engineers, designers and all of the folks at Force India feel literally the same way. We are hungry, we're out to prove a point."

FIA in search for new team for 2015 or 2016

The FIA has called for potential new teams to express their interest in joining the grid in 2015 or 2016.

Formula One had a 22-car field in 2013 following the demise of HRT at the end of the previous season, and the FIA has now announced via its official website that it is searching for a new team "to participate at a competitive level in the FIA Formula One World Championship from the start of the 2015 or 2016 season up to 2020 inclusive."

The FIA has called for initial interest to be registered by 3 January 2014 before a full application process will be required.

The release adds: "By way of indication only, the FIA anticipates that full applications will need to be submitted by 10 February 2014, leading to a decision on 28 February 2014. In the event that no applicant is considered suitable by both the FIA and the commercial rights holder, no additional team will be selected."

FIA kicks off Formula 1 driver number process

The FIA has contacted Formula 1 drivers to select the permanent race numbersthey will carry from next year.

AUTOSPORT understands that the FIA has requested all drivers to nominate their preferred number, along with a second and third choice, to be lodged before Christmas.

This will allow the numbers, which will be carried by drivers for the rest of their grand prix careers and will range from 2-99 with number one reserved for the world champion, to be allocated at the start of next year

Although Article 19.1 of the sporting regulations as published suggests that a random ballot would be used to allocate the numbers, FIA media delegate Matteo Bonciani has confirmed to AUTOSPORT that the method originally announced on Monday would be used.

This involved each driver having their choice based on championship order, meaning that if two or more drivers request the same number, the one placed higher in the 2013 standings will be granted it.

 Stats: F1's most successful numbers

The FIA is also keen to ensure that the choice of number is made by the driver, rather than the team that employs him, which is why they are being contacted directly.

The regulation states: "Prior to the start of the 2014 World Championship season race numbers will be permanently allocated to drivers by ballot, such numbers must then be used by that driver during every Formula 1 championship event he takes part in throughout his career."

"Any new drivers, either at the start of or during a season, will also be allocated a permanent number in the same way.

"The only exception to this allocation process will be for the reigning world champion who will have the option to use the number one.

"The number that was previously allocated to him will be reserved for him in subsequent seasons if he does not retain the title of world champion."

Few drivers have as yet commented on their preferred numbers, although at an event for IWC watches Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg stated that he has requested six, five and nine in that order of preference - six being the number father Keke carried to the 1982 world championship.

Force India's Sergio Perez said his first choice will be #11, which he carried in karting and in his first season in GP2.

The sporting regulations have also been modified to ensure that number visibility is improved.

Drivers will now have to carry the race number not only on the front of the car in a way that must be "clearly visible" but also on their crash helmet for the first time.

Formula 1 team bosses vote Sebastian Vettel as best driver for 2013

Sebastian Vettel has been voted the clear winner in AUTOSPORT's annual Team Principals' Top 10 Drivers poll.

In what has become an end-of-season tradition, AUTOSPORT once again enlisted the help of Formula 1's 11 team principals to get their views on which drivers they thought had done the best job in 2013.

Each team principal provided a secret top 10 list of drivers, with points being awarded using the current F1 scoring system (25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1) to come up with an overall winner.

The secrecy aspect is essential because it allows team bosses to offer their honest opinions on drivers up and down the field.

The job that Vettel did during what proved to be a dominant campaign was recognised as he secured a comfortable victory over closest challenger Fernando Alonso, with the pair well clear of third-placed man Kimi Raikkonen.

Although Vettel's crowning as this year's team principals' top driver comes after a spate of awards and accolades, he has admitted that getting the acknowledgement from those inside the paddock was important.

"It means a lot," he told AUTOSPORT. "Team principals generally have a lot of insight in F1, as usually they have been around quite a while and see a lot of drivers.

"As much as getting the respect and appreciation from outside people, it is very nice to get the same from people on the inside."

Red Bull boss Christian Horner reckoned that Vettel's performances this year set a new benchmark.

"It's been his best ever year and he's raised the bar continually," he said. "The exciting thing about him is that he's still only 26; he's only done just over 100 grands prix and he's a four-time world champion.

"He doesn't win by mistake or achieve the results he does by accident; he's achieved them through having an enormous amount of natural ability, utter commitment and a fantastic work ethic, where he continually looks at his own performances and analyses himself.

"He certainly deserves to win the Team Principals' Poll again."

AUTOSPORT'S TEAM PRINCIPALS' TOP 10 DRIVERS 2013

 1 Sebastian Vettel   248
 2 Fernando Alonso    213
 3 Kimi Raikkonen     158
 4 Lewis Hamilton     117
 5 Nico Rosberg       95
 6 Romain Grosjean    76
 7 Nico Hulkenberg    68
 8 Mark Webber       66
 9 Jenson Button      24
10 Felipe Massa       14