The lack of on-track testing in modern Formula 1 means teams rely more heavily on one particular tool – their simulator. It’s essentially a super-advanced computer game and a hydraulically controlled F1 chassis which replicates the experience of driving on-track. And thanks to Red Bull, you could be one of the few people in the world to have the opportunity to have a session in one with guidance from a team expert. It’s part of an initiative to support the reigning world champion’s charity Wings for Life, which funds worldwide research into spinal injury. The charity wants companies and groups More…

Championship leader Sebastian Vettel says the Sochi Olympic Park Circuit, which will host the inaugural Russian Grand Prix next year, is very impressive. Along with former F1 driver David Coulthard, Red Bull’s Vettel drove part of the track, which is still under construction, in an Infiniti road car a day after winning the Bahrain Grand Prix. The German three-time world champion then toured the venue in Sochi, a southern Russia Black Sea resort near the Caucasus Mountains, with officials from the Russian government. Russia’s first grand prix is scheduled to join the F1 calendar next year at some point after More…

Four-time world champion Alain Prost believes Sebastian Vettel will equal his own tally of championships with a fourth successive victory in the title race this season. Only three drivers – Juan Manuel Fangio, Michael Schumacher and Prost – have won four or more titles since the Formula 1 World Championship began in 1950. But Frenchman Prost, 58, who won his four championships with two teams – Williams and McLaren – over a nine-year period, said “Oh yes” when asked whether Red Bull’s Vettel could join that illustrious group. “Although I hope he doesn’t have a start to the season like More…

New triple title winner Sebastian Vettel’s signed race suit sold for three times its estimated value in the special ‘world champions’ auction organised by Red Bull’s spinal cord injury charity, Wings for Life. The suit, which the German wore during the season-opening Australian GP back in March, had been given an estimated value of £3,000-£4,000 prior to the auction by Bonhams in London but ultimately sold for £11,000, £5,000 more than any other item. With signed suits from all six world champions on the 2012 grid having been up for grabs, Vettel’s title rival Fernando Alonso’s sold for £6,000 with More…

A week after celebrating its third consecutive Constructors’ Championship, Red Bull Racing has today announced that its partner Infiniti is to become the title sponsor in 2013. With the global economy still not recovered from the financial crisis of the late 2000s, there are only four title sponsors currently among the 12 teams on the grid. This is quite a change from ten years ago. This latest move is significant as it means that less of the total budget, one of the highest in F1, is paid by the parent drinks company. It also shows that other brands can benefit More…

And so it comes to this: Two races in eight days to decide the outcome of the 2012 world championship. It’s been a long road to this point, but which of the two drivers has done a better job? Here we present an analysis of what has led us to this point. The margin between them is small at 10 points. But it will be all over this weekend if Vettel wins with Alonso 5th or lower. It can also be settled if Vettel is 2nd with Alonso 9th or lower or if Vettel is 3rd and Alonso is out More…