The 2014 Formula 1 season kicks off this weekend with the Rolex Australian Grand Prix, marking the return of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rossberg in the BlackBerry-sponsored Mercedes AMG Petronas car. This year looks to be a good one and is packed with plenty of changes that should make it an interesting one as well. Some drivers have moved around and some have moved on. There are a handful of rule changes that will keep everyone on their toes as well.
No matter who you're a fan of, the 2014 F1 season will be as exciting as ever. To make sure that you're prepped and ready to go, we've packed everything into our 2014 F1 Preview here so you stay ahead of the game.
BlackBerry App
Our pick right now for the best app for the best F1 BlackBerry app is Live24 Racing. There's sadly no sign of the official F1 timing app for BlackBerry this season (we've reached out to find out why) but Live24 is a great, free alternative. You can use it to follow news, standings, calendar, weather, timing and much more.
More information/Download Live24 Racing
Drivers
| Mercedes Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg |
Red Bull Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo |
| Ferrari Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen |
Lotus Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado |
| McLaren Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen |
Force India Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez |
| Sauber Adrian Sutil and Esteban Gutierrez |
Toro Rosso Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniil Kvyat |
| Williams Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas |
Marussia Jules Bianchi and Max Chilton |
| Caterham Kamui Kobayashi and Marcus Ericsson |
2014 Calendar
- Mar 16 Australian Grand Prix
- Mar 30 Malaysia Grand Prix
- Apr 6 Bahrain Grand Prix
- Apr 20 Chinese Grand Prix
- May 11 Spanish Grand Prix
- May 25 Monaco Grand Prix
- Jun 8 Canadian Grand Prix
- Jun 22 Austrian Grand Prix
- Jul 6 British Grand Prix
- Jul 20 German Grand Prix
- Jul 27 Hungarian Grand Prix
- Aug 24 Belgian Grand Prix
- Sep 7 Italian Grand Prix
- Sep 21 Singapore Grand Prix
- Oct 5 Japanese Grand Prix
- Oct 12 Russian Grand Prix
- Nov 2 United States Grand Prix
- Nov 9 Brazilian Grand Prix
- Nov 23 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Rule Changes
- 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.
- The Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS / ERS-K) will be incorporated into the design of the engine and its usage increased.
- Teams will be permitted to use electronic braking devices to manage the braking of the rear wheels as the increased power output from the ERS-K units will make regulating the brake bias much harder than it had been previously.
- Teams may no longer change their gear ratios from race to race to suit the individual demands of a circuit. Instead, they must nominate eight gear ratios ahead of the first race of the season, and these eight ratios will be used at every Grand Prix.
- Teams will no longer be able to use a beam wing at the rear of the car, a small carbon fibre wing mounted above the diffuser designed to generate low pressure as air passed over it, allowing teams greater control over the air that was being deliberately directed over the diffuser.
- In order to promote fuel efficiency, fuel will be flow restricted to 100 kg/h above 10,500rpm; below 10,500rpm a formula for the maximum flow must be applied based on the rpm in use.
- Drivers must be able to return to the pits under their own power after the checkered flag has fallen in a bid to stop drivers from pulling over in order to preserve the mandatory one-liter fuel sample required to pass post-race scrutineering.
- The position of the exhaust outlet will change so that it is now angled upwards toward the rear wing instead of downwards to face the rear diffuser so as to make the practice of using exhaust blown diffusers.
- The minimum weight of the cars will increase from 642 kg (1,415 lb) to 691 kg (1,523 lb) to account for the increased weight of the engine, energy recovery units, and 2014 specification of tires.
- The use of false camera mountings will be banned. Teams had previously exploited a loophole in the regulations that allowed them to add additional pieces of bodywork to the car in the place of camera mountings and take advantage of the aerodynamic benefits. From 2014, this loophole will be closed, with the regulations rewritten to only allow camera mountings to be used for cameras.
Helpful Links
Official Formula 1 site
Australian Grand Prix preview
Official live timing from Melbourne
Check out our Team Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 forum
Check out our Formula 1 topic page
Reader comments
2014 Formula 1 Preview
sadly there doesnt seem to be a decent app period and the android selection is not much better.
Well looking for the F1 Live Timing app for the BB10, it is still missing.
So I saw BlackBerry on the top step of the podium. Just too bad I had to use my iPhone for live timing.
I will be going to my first race in Montreal this year and will proudly be showing off my Z30 to anybody and everybody!! I used to follow F1 when Jacques Villeneuve was in it and I have been getting back into it. But now since I have tickets for this year's race, I'll be keeping tabs and get knowledgeable before June 8th. Can't wait.
NICO does it again!!!
Congrats on the win!!!
Congratulations to BlackBerry for winning the Australian Grand Prix with Team Petronas...Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi #TeamBlackBerry
I think the biggest looser is maldonado. Left Williams, talked bad about the team and left with his financial backing for lotus.
That just goes to show that money can't buy you happiness you spoil brat!
Posted via CB10
F1 starts life is normal , the best cars period
Will be very interesting season. Lots of people do not like the turbo sound. I commented to my brother that I had not seen anything negative on BBC Sports F1 and that Bernie probably told them to keep quiet or else. Brother says there are 8 pages on Ferrari Chat saying the same.
Go Lewis and Kimi!
Posted via CB10
Gf
Posted via CB10
Forza Ferrari!!!!
Posted via CB10
To any of the writers or editors on crackberry: Please do not post spoilers in the titles of blog posts!!! Not all of us can watch the race live and so we have to record it and watch it later. Please do not post any results without giving a *spoilers* warning in the post title!!!! I had a few results ruined last year just because I wanted to check out my daily crackberry! I'm sure there are a ton of people who would really appreciate this. Thanks!
I'm sure someone will put up a BBM channel for this.
Posted via CB10 on my Z10
The f1 oficial app is amazing but can't get downloaded over snap or Amazon, pleeeeaaaassseee crack berry talk to someone to bring it to BlackBerry.
Posted via CB10
I was able to download the lite version from Snap, you have to search "Official F1 App" and it will come up. What I want to know is how to purchase the full version.
Posted via CB10
Arriba Alonso!
Posted via CB10
Can't wait for the Start!!
Posted via CB10
Great preview guys. Shame about F1 timing app
Posted using my trusty Z30
I don't care what reaction this draws...but it's all about McLaren for me. Always has been, always will be. Fingers crossed for a better showing this season, though the Williams boys might be ones to look out for early on.
Williams also has THE BEST looking livery of all the teams.
Thanks Adam, very nice entree...Gentleman, start your engine! So happy the Circus is back. I am really wondering how the New Red Bull Team is working and how Vettel deals with frustration. I don't like him although he is one of the best drivers. Next interesting point to me Ferrari. And how they go along. It is maybe the last chance for Alonso. He deserves the World Champion title. Vamos Fernando and good luck Nico Rosberg.
FP1 on NBCSN in the states tonight
Posted via CB10
Great article,going to the Montreal Grand Prix for sure!! Go Mercedes!!!
Kind of ironic Mercedes doesn't apparently plan to offer BlackBerry car device but instead apple.
Posted via CB10
I'm going to miss Mark Webber. An excellent driver and a nice chap also
I don't like the changes, seems to be getting more eco friendly each year. F1 is not to make hybrid technology better, that is for the big auto companies. Also would like to see the return of clutched shifting. The driver would have a bigger impact on lap times.
Posted via CB10
I like the fact that everything is up in the air atm. Will make for an interesting season! Go BlackBerry :)
Posted with my gorgeous Z30
Thanks, just got F1Live yesterday and this couldn't have come at a better time as I'm a noobie fan trying to learn more about the sport. I do know I've gots of reasons to cheer for Team Petronas.
Aka S.Jizzle Z30STA100-5/10.2.1.2141
Posted via CB10
I can't wait for the season to start! I'll be attending the Canadian GP. by the way, how do you all watch the races? I typically download them afterwards... anyone suggest any sites?
Posted via CB10
TSN in Canada
The Mercedes powered teams will clearly have the advantage in terms of power and reliability, with Ferrari close behind. The Renault powered teams aren't even within site of the Mercedes team in terms of speed, power, reliability. Look for Mercedes, McLaren, Ferrari, Force India, and Williams to be the top teams all year, with Lewis the odds on favorite to take the Championship. But don't count Nico out. He could spoil Lewis' year.
Nov 9 will be watching live in Interlagos... :p
Posted via CB10
Lucky you.
I just downloaded the official F1 app from Snap, opens up and runs the lite version but am I correct in thinking you can't purchase the full version?
Posted via CB10
Ferrari
Posted via CB10
When did TSN add BlackBerry as a sponsor for F1?
Powered by BlackBerry
Why did you post a picture of the 2012 car for a post about 2014 Mercedes? :p
They have a very good chance of winning the opening race with their engines easily doing the most mileage during testing, and they have two top notch drivers in Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. I'd be so happy to see Lewis with another WDC, but I wouldn't mind if it were Alonso either.
Can't wait for early Sunday morning to see how the start of the season will pan out. Looks to be quite interesting with the new regulations. Looks like team Mercedes are the ones to beat but we could very well see a surprise like we saw in 2009 when Jenson Button & team Brawn surprised everyone. Williams was strong in the last tests but have a history of taking a while to adapt to changes. McLaren shouldn't be counted out either and Ferrari, well they're Ferrari and have a great tandem of former world champions in Raikkonen and Alonso. With the issues Red Bull has had so far, it just adds to the excitement. I can't wait for the lights go out in Australia Sunday!!!!!
Great article Adam, see you in Montreal in June?
I still don't get why BlackBerry does not have a Mercedes AMG design!!
Posted via Z10
I heard that Michael Schumacher is showing some small signs of improvement.
Posted via CB10
At least they didn't put a speed limit of 50mph on the cars probably be next season.
Tapping and flicking on my Zed 10
Can't wait for the season to start. For the first time in god knows how many yrs, we may see another team other than red bull win races. Hopefully it will be lewis Hamilton taking the title.
Posted via CB10
Is there an app for BlackBerry for the FIFA world cup coming up soon? Millions and Millions of people will be glued to their smartphones and tv for updates..
Now this is a CB quality post. Lots of good details and links. The RedBull youtube vid is simply amazing. Keep up the good work.
Can't wait for the first race to start, the F1 app does a pretty good job of keeping up with the race while it in progress.
Posted on my BlackBerry Q10, because I'm so Bloody Special.
Will be an interesting season with those new V6 power units.
Can't wait..... going to be a good season...
Posted with the sweet Zeeee10
I don't believe my eyes. Mercedes AMG Petronas with BlackBerry.
Finally I see a BlackBerry add.
Posted via CB10 on Z10
Awesome...cant wait.
Is that a Z30...yes, yes it is.
Rule changes are CRAZY these year. And looks awesome for Mercedes / BlackBerry that they may have the car to beat. Hope to see LOTS of the BlackBerry logo up there.
I'm crossing my fingers for lewis Hamilton but anyone except Vettel and I'll be OK!
Posted Via CB10 on my Zed 10
Vettel or Button. both of them drive me nuts (pun intended)
Outside of Team Mercedes, I think Button and Ferrari will adapt and fair well with the changes.
50 pounds heavier is pretty big. Will be fun watching the top speed leaders for the first few races.
Go Team Mercedes!!!
Button is awesome!
Since 2010
And the Mercedes gear with BlackBerry logo is finally available this year! - http://shop.mercedes-amg-f1.com/
yup, yup!
See here; good for Mercedes so far !!!
http://forums.crackberry.com/news-rumors-f40/mercedes-2-laps-ahead-compe...
Hey Kevin I tried to make a few posts about this last year but for this year can you please do not post spoilers in the titles of blog posts!!! Not all of us can watch the race live and so we have to record it and watch it later. Please do not post any results without giving a *spoilers* warning in the post title!!!! I had a few results ruined last year just because I wanted to check out my daily crackberry! I'm sure there are a ton of people who would really appreciate this. Thanks!
This season is going to be interesting due to the rules changes!
Posted via CB10
Rule changes*
Posted via CB10
Thank you for this!!
Posted via CB10
Thank you Adam, go team BlackBerry!
I think someone is a bit of an F1 fan.....
Actually, I think lots of people are F1 fans :)
Yeah buddy! I'm a huge fan of F1. And couldn't watch it easily on TV in Canada until BlackBerry sponsored the broadcast for TSN! Go #LewisHamilton Go!
Posted Via CB10 on my Zed 10
I became one again last year. I stopped watching after Gilles Villeneuve was killed in 82.
This post Powered by BlackBerry
PRACTICE 1 IS TONIGHT @ 9:30 PM EST!!
Lots of good commentary and previews are sure to please. Not sure if it will be televised but firstrow.eu should be streaming it straight from skysports (UK feed).