Mercedes wants BMW, Audi in F1

Mercedes would like to compete with BMW & Audi in Formula One.

Mercedes would like to compete and wants BMW and Audi in formula one next year, the well-known brands of Germany in car industry.

That is the claim of Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche, after Mercedes-Benz in 2014 finally succeeded in winning the drivers' and constructors' championships with a dominant display.

Zetsche told Germany's Sport Bild: "We share - and I'm talking about the premium business - about 80 per cent of the world market share with Audi and BMW.

"Of course," he added, "we greatly admire Red Bull and Ferrari and the other teams, nevertheless other manufacturer teams would be very much welcomed by us."

He said that the Mercedes team is now fully committed and part of the formula one.

"If we do something, we do it properly. Therefore, we have at no time asked the fundamental question, and nor do we have plans to change anything on that commitment now,” said Zetsche.

No crisis

Zetsche also talks about the FI involved in crisis.

"It is absurd to say Formula One is dead. I cannot think of a more exciting season,” said the 61-year-old

"All the criticism was led largely by those who were not successful," Zetsche added.

He clearly said that Bernie Ecclestone is responsible for taking formula one down in 2014.

"Most definitely we have not sufficiently exploited the potential of Formula One, because the official channels of communication have not been used in a professional way," said Zetsche.

"We are more committed than ever in contributing to professionalise the sport in this regard.

"Better engaging younger fans is a central question," he added.

Vettel make his 1st Ferrari test

Vettel makes his debut Ferrari test at Fiorano Circuit on Saturday.

Four time World Champion Sebastian Vettel make his debut at Ferrari test at the fiorano Circuit in Italy on Saturday. He is testing with Ferrari for the first time since singing with the Formula One. Vettel was replaced by Fernando Alonso at Ferrari which was announced last week.

He was denied permission from drive for the team at the post-race teat at Yas Marina. As he was announced as a Ferrari driver ahead of the Abu Grand Prix, he was not allowed to driven the F14 T by Red Bull during the post-race test while Kimi Raikkonen and Raffaele Marciello carried out testing duties for the team over the two days. 

Under Formula 1 regulations, teams are permitted to test two year old cars and while understanding of the 2012 model will not have aided the squad's development, it will have allowed Vettel to conduct a seat fitting and familiarise himself with his new surroundings.

Vettel, who wore a while helmet that had the words "My first day at Ferrari" written on it, also had the pleasure of driving a Ferrari 458 Speciale.

Vettel finished with 217 points at the end of the year just behind formula one champion lewis Hamilton of Mercedes and he also really struggled this year.

One more shot of Sebastian Vettel driving the Ferrari F2012 this morning at Fiorano. #F1 

via Gazzetta dello Sport pic.twitter.com/WmuY33nhAP

— Sebastian Vettel #1 (@sebvettelnews) 

November 29, 2014

Andy Murray will be back, says Cilic

US Open champion Marin Cilic believes that Andy Murray will be back to peak form soon after a difficult year in which the Scot also named a woman head coach. World number-nine Cilic of Croatia faces his fellow Grand Slam winner in the Philippine capital in the marque men's singles match-up when the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) debuts on Friday.

"I believe Andy's going to show next year the good form that he's been showing for the last few years," the Croat said of Murray, currently ranked sixth.

The former world number two and Wimbledon winner has been criticised by friend and British great Tim Henman for hiring former female world number-one Amelie Mauresmo in a ground-breaking partnership in place of former coach Ivan Lendl.

"Concerning his coaching team, I believe he knows the best. And I mean with having a woman coach, I don't see any problem there," said Cilic, the reigning US Open champion.

"Tennis is tennis and he's played the same," the Croat said of Murray, currently ranked sixth in the world. Murray faced most difficulty from his back injury at the end of the last year and later on ended with the surgery said by Croat.

The Croat said the IPTL, which will also have stops in Singapore, New Delhi and Dubai next month, "is going to make our sport very interesting".

"Everything is going to be quicker and I believe the preparations are going to be much sharper off the court, in the locker room and in the gym before the matches," said Cilic, part of the UAE Royals team of world number-one Novak Djokovic.

On Saturday, Sharapova plays world number-five Ana Ivanovic of the Federer-led Micromax Indian Aces, while Murray takes on Gael Monfils.

On Sunday, Murray faces Tomas Berdych of the Singapore Slammers, who also include world number one Serena Williams.

Williams plays Sharapova's and Murray's teammate Kirsten Flipkens on Sunday.

Wiliams: Wolff appointed official Test driver for 2015

Williams name Susie Wolff as their Official Test Driver for the 2015 season.

Susie Wolff will be driving the Williams Mercedes FW37 and promoted as an official test driver for formula one campaign next season. She is a British racing driver from Scotland who started her career in Karting, then moving up to Formula Renault and Formula Three. In 2012, she was signed by the Williams Formula One team to work as a development driver.

She will be driving for the first two practice sessions at grand prix in next year’s Williams FW37. She will also be conducting testing of the FW37 and FW38. She has been the part of the team for the past three years as a development driver and made her practice debut at this year's British Grand Prix.

In 2014, Wolff was the first woman to take part in a Formula One race weekend in 22 years, at the British Grand Prix, at Silverstone. Wolff is the first female driver to drive in a grand prix weekend for two decades.

"This is another step in the right direction for me," she said.

"I am delighted Williams are recognising my progression, hard work and that it is performance that counts. Williams is at a very exciting stage in its history and we are moving into 2015 with fantastic momentum, I'm proud to be part of the team.

 I'll be using my position to work closely with Felipe and Valtteri to make sure that the FW37 builds on the strong performance shown by the FW36," she added.

Claire Williams, deputy team principal of Williams, added; "We are delighted to have Susie continuing with the team next season in this new role. She continues to impress us with her strong technical knowledge, the feedback she delivers and the performance when she drives the car both on the track and in the simulator.

 She has steadily increased her time behind the wheel since she joined us in April 2012 and her appointment as Official Test Driver was a natural progression. We have a very strong and stable driver line-up for 2015 and this will be a key asset as we look to build on a positive 2014 season."

Williams ended this season third in this year’s Constructors’ Championship after finishing ninth in 2013.

Mattiacci: Happy To Brought Vettel To Ferrari

Vettel is Mattiaci's 'Parting Gift' to Ferrari.

Marco Mattiacci

Marco Mattiacci has broken his silence to suggest Sebastian Vettel was his “parting gift” to Ferrari. After just seven months in the job, the Italian has been replaced as Ferrari team boss by the Marlboro executive Maurizio Arrivabene.

“My best wishes to him are sincere,” said Mattiacci, as he spoke for the first time since his ousting to the well-known Ferrari insider Leo Turrini.

“He (Arrivabene) is a very competent person and I am sure the fans – and I include myself – will get the results they expect.”

But Mattiacci denied that his short F1 adventure had been an unpleasant one.

Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari

Whereas Vettel says he is not expecting to race a winning Ferrari in 2015 because he struggled this year. He was also beaten by new teammate Daniel Ricciardo.

“After the disappointing results of the first half of the season it became a possibility that I could leave Red Bull,” said Vettel.

“So this led to more detailed discussions with Ferrari. The interest was there. I think the timing was just right with everything,” he added.

He will be replaced by Fernando Alonso, F1’s most highly rated driver who has now decided to return to McLaren.

“I am very aware that we at Ferrari have a big job coming up that will take time — especially when Mercedes has such a huge competitive advantage.”

“I have seen pictures of Vettel in the Ferrari box for testing in Abu Dhabi and I can say I am happy to have brought him to Maranello where he already brings a new energy, a fresh enthusiasm,” said Mattiacci.

Asked if Vettel wearing red is Mattiacci’s parting gift to Ferrari, he said: “If you write that, I will not be sorry.” (GMM)

Jack Wilshere out for three months

Jack Wilshere will be out for three months after undergoing surgery on his left ankle

Jack Wilshere is an English footballer who plays for English club Arsenal as a central midfielder. The midfielder injured ligaments in his left ankle during Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Premier League rivals Manchester United at Emirates Stadium.

The incident happened when Wilshere was caught in a tackle by Manchester United defender Paddy McNair. Wilshere saw a specialist on Tuesday, and then had an operation on the troublesome ankle.

The Gunners boss Wenger was clearly unhappy at Paddy McNair’s tackle that caused the injury although he put it down to the Manchester United defender’s inexperience rather than any malicious intent

Jack Wilshere

Wenger said on earlier this week: “It does not look good. When you see the picture (of the tackle), it is very bad.
“I don’t think it was a tackle with the desire to hurt, I think he [McNair] went for the ball. But it was a late tackle, a tackle which a young player can do. It was a bad foul.
“It is so sad, because he just came back. You see in the big games he has the personality. It is more about his game, it shows you he is not scared to play and is ready to want to get the ball always.”

Wilshere keeping up the positive attitude said,”Ankle needed surgery in the end, went well thanks to the main man James Calder!”

He also wrote: “Work hard for what you want because it won’t come to you without a fight.
“You have to be strong and courageous and know that you can do anything you put your mind to.
“If somebody puts you down or criticizes you, just keep on believing in yourself and turn it into something positive.”

Jack Wilshere out for up to FOUR months after undergoing ankle surgery. Read more: http://t.co/vCuj6QfiIU #afc pic.twitter.com/vHMtxKIIY8
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) November 27, 2014

Sharapova & Ivanovic to compete at Brisbane International

Russian player Maria sharapova

Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic will compete at Brisbane International in the opening week of 2015, organisers confirmed Wednesday. She will be the top seed at the $1 million tournament, reports Xinhua.

Maria Yuryevna Sharapova Russian professional Tennis player who is ranked world No. 2 by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and is the top Russian player. Sharapova has won 33 WTA singles titles, including five Grand Slam singles titles. She became the world No. 1 for the first time on August 22, 2005.

By winning the 2012 French Open, she became the sixth woman in the Open Era to complete the career Grand Slam in singles.

"Brisbane is such a great tournament. I had tried to make it so many years and I finally made it in 2014 and it was such a great experience. The fans were wonderful and the tournament organisation was great," Sharapova said.

She was out of the action due to a right shoulder injury  in the past 4-5 months but she made her comeback last year here and made it all the way to the semi-finals but finally loose in a close contest against long-time rival Serena Williams.

Serbian player Ana Ivanovic

On the other hand Former World No.1 Ivanovic, who fell out of top-10 in 2009 and is trying to get back among the elite for more than five years, finally made it back there in 2014 and ended up finishing the year all the way up at No.5.

Ana Ivanovic is a Serbian professional tennis player who as of 27 October 2014 is ranked world No. 5 by the Women's Tennis Association. Ranked No. 1 in the world in 2008, Ivanovic has won 15 WTA Tour singles titles, including one Grand Slam singles title.

 She was named one of the "30 Legends of Women's Tennis: Past, Present and Future" by Time.

"I can't wait to return to Brisbane next year. It will be my first time competing at the tournament since 2012 and I'm really excited to have the opportunity to play there again," Ivanovic said.