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With the Australian GP just around the corner, and the dust finally settled after the intensive pre-season tests at Jerez and Barcelona, the F1 season is all but ready to roar into action. While most of the teams have retained their drivers, a few major changes have occurred over the long gap after the previous season.
Exeunt HRT…
The 2012 season saw the demise of the Hispania Racing Team, with owners Thesan Capital putting the team up for sale in November. When the team failed to find any buyers to clear their dues, they went into liquidation to clear their dues and were ultimately sold to a firm dealing in recycling of automotive parts.
And we keep shuffling…
Most notably, when 7-time champion, Michael Schumacher made a sensational return to the sport with Mercedes GP, much was spoken about his abilities to deal with the new drivers in the fray. The big German had a disappointing comeback in many terms, and ultimately decided to retire permanently at the end of last season. Schumacher’s departure meant Mercedes signed Lewis Hamilton from British outfit, McLaren. Lewis Hamilton has gone on record defending his move to Mercedes, saying that it will be a step-up in his career, as he’ll be helping a struggling team rise to their fullest potential in F1.
On English shores, McLaren Mercedes sought the services of Sergio Perez to replace the outgoing Briton. Mexican racer, Checo Perez, who finished 10th overall in the drivers standings, was earlier a part of the famed Ferrari Academy and has confessed to being in talks with the Maranello outfit, if a seat were to open up. But ultimately, McLaren proved to be a more realistic prospect for the young Mexican.
Ferrari powered Sauber F1 filled up the void left by the departure of Sergio Perez by nicking Force India driver, Nico Hulkenberg, who left the Vijay Mallya-run team after just one year. He was also joined at Sauber by Esteban Gutierrez, who has formerly been Sauber’s test driver.
Force India swiftly replaced the departing Hulkenberg by signing Adrian Sutil, who last raced for them in 2011.
While Bruno Senna failed to secure a move to Force India, Williams replaced the legendary Ayrton Senna’s nephew by promoting test and reserve driver, Valteri Bottas. Bottas is a 2011 GP3 Champion and has made regular appearances for Williams in the Friday practice sessions.
Meanwhile at Caterham, Vitaly Petrov was forced to quit after failing to secure sponsorships and 2012-season team mate, Heikki Kovalainen had a fall out with the team towards the end of his days, according to team principal, Cyril Abiteboul. Caterham have managed to secure the services of Frenchman, Charles Pic, who joins Dutch driver, Giedo van der Garde. The duo have previously raced along side each other for Barwa Addax in the GP2 series.
Marussia turned out to be the most complex among the lot. While Timo Glock was expected to sign on until the 2014 season, the deal went kaput at the last moment, with team principal John Booth citing financial reasons for the same. Marussia then took on two newbies for the 2013 season, Max Chilton from GP2 team Carlin, and GP2 series runner up, Luiz Razia. Lack of financial sponsorship led to Razia’s abrupt termination, days after the announcement. 2009 Formula 3 Euro Series champion, Jules Bianchi will now take the second Marussia seat in 2013.
Also, Japan’s Kamui Kobayashi failed to secure a seat due to lack of sponsorship and will now race for AF Corse in the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship.
Full team line-up’s have been listed below:
Infiniti Red Bull Racing
Engine: RenaultDrivers: Sebastian Vettel, Mark WebberTest and reserve driver/s: Sebastien Buemi
Scuderia Ferrari
Engine: FerrariDrivers: Fernando Alonso, Felipe MassaTest and reserve driver/s: Marc Gene, Pedro de la Rosa
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
Engine: MercedesDrivers: Jenson Button, Sergio PerezTest and reserve driver/s: Gary Puffett, Oliver Turvey
Lotus F1
Engine: RenaultDrivers: Kimi Raikkonen, Romain GrosjeanTest and reserve driver/s: Davide Valsecchi, Nicolas Prost, Jerome D’Ambrosio
Mercedes AMG Petronas F1
Engine: MercedesDrivers: Lewis Hamilton, Nico RosbergTest and reserve driver/s: Not confirmed
Sauber F1
Engines: FerrariDrivers: Nico Hulkenberg, Esteban GutierrezTest and reserve driver/s: Robin Frijns
Sahara Force India F1
Engines: MercedesDrivers: Paul di Resta, Adrian SutilTest and reserve driver/s: Not confirmed
Williams F1
Engines: RenaultDrivers: Pastor Maldonado, Valteri BottasTest and reserve driver/s: Not confirmed
Scuderia Toro Rosso
Engines: FerrariDrivers: Jean Eric-Vergne, Daniel RicciardoTest and reserve driver/s: Not confirmed
Caterham F1
Engines: RenaultDrivers: Charles Pic, Giedo van der GardeTest and reserve driver/s: Alexander Rossi, Ma Qing Ha
Marussia F1
Engines: CosworthDrivers: Jules Bianchi, Max ChiltonTest and reserve driver/s: Not confirmed
