The driver changes for the 2013 F1 season – Formula 1 Special – Part 2
Kobayashi’s performance in 2012 included scoring points in nine races in which he also scored one podium during the Japanese GP. His points were valuable to Sauber F1 in securing the sixth standing in the constructors’ championship.
He gained a total of 60 championship points by the end of the season. It is disappointing that he could not maintain his position with Sauber F1 despite his noticeable performance.
Bottas replaced Bruno Senna as he failed to perform as compared to his teammate Maldonado. Senna is also the nephew of the late Brazilian Ayrton Senna. The driver is not expected to secure a race seat at this moment but there are still a few options open
with Caterham’s and Force India having not announced their driver line up yet. Senna scored points in ten races with only two retirements in the whole season although he admits that his performance was hurt due to missing out on the practice sessions that
were given to Bottas instead. He scored 31 points in the complete season with a 16th overall position in the drivers’ championship.
HRT as a team will not be entering the 2013 F1 season as it failed to find any buyer after it was put up for sale in November. It leaves De la Rosa and Karthikeyan without a race seat but still nothing has been confirmed. HRT was also formed in 2010 and
maintained their eleventh position on the constructors’ grid the following two seasons but fell to the twelfth this past season. The team had reported to be in contact with several buyers but when it failed to pay the entry fee for the new season, they were
not listed among the teams entering for 2013.
Last but not the least is the German driver Schumacher who announced to retire for the final time at the end of the 2012 F1 season. This being the driver’s second retirement, he has confirmed that he will not be returning to F1 after this neither will he
be seen on the track or in any other role.
Schumacher’s first retirement had been in 2006 when he was driving for Ferrari and chasing his eighth F1 world title in which he was not successful. He remained an advisor for the Italian team during his years of absence from racing. He returned to F1 in
2010 on a three-year deal with the Mercedes team which is first F1 squad from the company after they bought BrawnGP since 1955.
Schumacher was looking forward to fulfil his unachieved dream of the eighth title but the Mercedes team was unable to live up to the expectations as it could not provide a competitive car. The German who has been long since dubbed as ‘Schumi’ was witnessed
performing far off his usual pace which immensely disappointed his fans and the F1 community who had waited for him to return. His best achievement with Mercedes remains the single podium finish that came in the European GP in 2012. Schumacher will be remembered
for his outstanding seven championships and various other remarkable records.
Every new season begins with some changes and so is going to be the case with the 2013 F1 season. Having experienced much excitement in 2012, the F1 community waits for the new season with enthusiasm.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely of the writer’s and do not reflect bettor.com’s official editorial policy.
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