Starting grid for the 2014 German Grand Prix - MotorSportsTalk

For the fourth time in five races, Nico Rosberg will start from pole position after fending off the challenge of Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa during qualifying at Hockenheim yesterday.

His most likely opponent, Lewis Hamilton, was ruled out of contention for pole when he crashed hard during Q1 after to a brake failure. At turn eleven, the back-end of his car stepped out and slammed into the wall with some speed. Thankfully, he was unhurt except for some bruising.

The damage done to the W05 Hybrid car meant that Mercedes had to replace the gearbox on his car. As a result, Hamilton will drop back five places on the grid.

With the Williams duo second and third, and with the likes of Daniel Ricciardo, Sebastian Vettel, Kevin Magnussen and Fernando Alonso all vying for a podium finish, it promises to be an enthralling race. Rain could also interrupt proceedings at Hockenheim, so be sure to join us at 7:30am ET on CNBC and Live Extra for the German Grand Prix.

FROM THE STEWARDS’ OFFICE

As previously mentioned, Lewis Hamilton has taken a five place grid penalty after Mercedes replaced the gearbox on his car.
Esteban Gutierrez will drop three places on the grid thanks to his penalty from the British Grand Prix two weeks ago.
Marcus Ericsson is permitted to race by the stewards despite failing to post a time during Q1, and therefore missing out on the 107% requirement. However, he will have to start from the pits after Caterham failed to adhere to parc ferme procedure.

2014 GERMAN GRAND PRIX STARTING GRID

1. Nico Rosberg Mercedes
2. Valtteri Bottas Williams
3. Felipe Massa Williams
4. Kevin Magnussen McLaren
5. Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull
6. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull
7. Fernando Alonso Ferrari
8. Daniil Kvyat Toro Rosso
9. Nico Hulkenberg Force India
10. Sergio Perez Force India
11. Jenson Button McLaren
12. Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari
13. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso
14. Romain Grosjean Lotus
15. Adrian Sutil Sauber
16. Esteban Gutierrez Sauber
17. Jules Bianchi Marussia
18. Pastor Maldonado Lotus
19. Kamui Kobayashi Caterham
20. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
21. Max Chilton Marussia

PL. Marcus Ericsson Caterham

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The IndyCar Series has re-signed NTT as its title sponsor in a multiyear agreement starting in 2024.

NTT, a global information technology and communications company based in Japan, became the series’ title sponsor before the 2019 season after starting as a sponsor of the No. 10 Dallara-Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing.

NTT Data (a subsidiary of parent company Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp.) will remain the official technology partner of IndyCar, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indy 500 and the NASCAR Brickyard weekend.

With the extension, an IndyCar spokesman said NTT would become the second-longest title sponsor in series history. The longest title sponsor was PPG from 1980-97 (under the CART sanction of the Champ Car Series).

NTT replaced Verizon, which was IndyCar’s title sponsor from 2014-18 after IZOD from 2010-13.

“NTT is an excellent partner across our enterprise with strong expertise and a deep commitment to our sport,” Penske Corp. chairman and IndyCar owner Roger Penske said in a release. “From Smart Venue technology at the Racing Capital of the World to the reimagined Series mobile application, NTT is transforming the fan experience in new and innovative ways. We look forward to a bright future together.”

NTT has used artificial intelligence-enabled optical detection technology at IMS to provide information to the track’s operations and security teams, helping improve fan traffic flow and safety, the track said.

“IndyCar is a great partner for NTT Data because of our shared commitment to driving innovation, increasing sustainability and delivering amazing experiences,” NTT Data CEO Kaz Nishihata said in a release. “We also appreciate how IndyCar is so diverse, with drivers from 15 different countries, and races that range from short ovals and superspeedways to road and street courses. It’s both an incredible sport and a wonderful example for our world.”

NTT also has been instrumental in helping redesign the IndyCar app and providing more race and driver data for use in NBC Sports’ broadcasts by utilizing 140 data points from every car in the field.

“NTT is fully invested in the development and growth of our sport and has already established a terrific track record in our industry with problem-solving capabilities and access to top talent and tools,” Penske Entertainment president and CEO Mark Miles said.

Said NTT Data Services CEO Bob Pryor: “We’re thrilled to continue our collaborations that enhance and expand the fan experience for motorsports and serve as proof points for data analytics, AI, and other innovative digital technologies. For more than a century, this racing series has pioneered innovations making driving safer for everyone, and by continuing this relationship, we will accelerate the pace of innovations and new technologies, particularly related to sustainability that ultimately can benefit organizations, communities and individuals around the world.”

Starting as a Japanese telephone company, NTT grew into a $100 billion-plus tech services giant with U.S. operations based in Plano, Texas.