← Back

March 14th, 2014

Anticipation builds ahead of new Formula 1 season

 

New Formula 1 season kicks off this weekend

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

The 2014 Formula 1 season kicks off this weekend with the Rolex Australian Grand Prix.

Anticipation builds ahead of new Formula 1 season - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

With a host of new changes, including engine updates, increase in car weight and new braking devices, this season promises to be one of the most exciting in recent years. There’s also a handful of rule changes that will keep everyone on their toes.

 

Some drivers have moved around and some have moved on, with British driver Lewis Hamilton tipped for the title in the BlackBerry-sponsored Mercedes AMG Petronas car (pictured).

 

The 2014 season will see the introduction of a new engine formula. The new engines will be a 1.6 litre V6 format with an 8-speed semi automatic gearbox, while the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS / ERS-K) will be incorporated into the design of the engine and its usage increased.

 

At the second practice of the season-opening Australian GP, Lewis Hamilton headed Nico Rosberg to a Mercedes one-two. Their performance underlined their status as favourites for this year’s championship as Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso took third.

Anticipation builds ahead of new Formula 1 season - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

Despite Red Bull’s troubled pre-season programme, Sebastian Vettel was fourth from McLaren’s Jenson Button.

 

Vettel’s team-mate Daniel Ricciardo was sixth from Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen and Williams’ Valtteri Bottas.

 

The Australian Grand Prix takes place at 4.30am UK time on Sunday (March 16th).

 

 

Here’s a full list of this season’s Grand Prix races:

 

  1. Mar 16 Australian Grand Prix
  2. Mar 30 Malaysia Grand Prix
  3. Apr 6 Bahrain Grand Prix
  4. Apr 20 Chinese Grand Prix
  5. May 11 Spanish Grand Prix
  6. May 25 Monaco Grand Prix
  7. Jun 8 Canadian Grand Prix
  8. Jun 22 Austrian Grand Prix
  9. Jul 6 British Grand Prix
  10. Jul 20 German Grand Prix
  11. Jul 27 Hungarian Grand Prix
  12. Aug 24 Belgian Grand Prix
  13. Sep 7 Italian Grand Prix
  14. Sep 21 Singapore Grand Prix
  15. Oct 5 Japanese Grand Prix
  16. Oct 12 Russian Grand Prix
  17. Nov 2 United States Grand Prix
  18. Nov 9 Brazilian Grand Prix
  19. Nov 23 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford 

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk