Kobayashi confirmed at Sauber

Posted on | December 17, 2009 | No Comments

Kobayashi at Sauber in 2010?

Posted on | December 16, 2009 | No Comments

Felipe Massa drives Ferrari F2007

Posted on | December 16, 2009 | No Comments

As part of his preparation for his return to Formula 1 racing in 2010 after missing the latter half of the 2009 season due to a head injury, Felipe Massa has driven the Ferrari F2007 at Fiorano and Mugello, yesterday recording 30 laps and today 60. He said:

“Although I was behind the wheel of a completely different car compared to the one for next year, I had a perfect feeling, which gives me hope for the upcoming season. I was very quick immediately and nothing seems to have changed in my driving style compared to before the accident. I want to thank Ferrari for this present, which, together with my son, makes this Christmas even more special.”

Kubica’s earlier confirmation at Renault may have been premature

Posted on | December 16, 2009 | No Comments

Robert Kubica’s management has asked for clarity of the Renault-Genii deal to assess the Pole’s position for 2010.
This could mean that Kubica is interested in shopping around if the deal isn’t to his liking. The clauses of his contract are unknown but with this deal there may be a loophole which allows him to leave.

If Kubica isn’t satisfied with Renault’s plans then he is fast running out of options. It’s early to call just where each team will be in terms of performance but the only team likely to be ahead of Renault and with a free seat is Mercedes GP.
Mercedes however, are allowing the Schumacher rumours to get very strong. There is still a lot to overcome to sign Michael as he hasn’t yet asked to be released by Ferrari but these rumours just refuse to go away.

Also waiting in the wings for the seat is Robert’s former BMW-Sauber teammate Nick Heidfeld. Heidfeld has beaten Kubica in 2007 and 2009 but for whatever reason it is Kubica who is the more highly rated. Mercedes seem to want two German drivers but if he does come on the market he will be hard to resist.

The new teams would be a big step down but ideally it would only be for a year. Massa’s and Webber’s contracts are up at the end of next season so he could fight for one of those seats (he is friends with Alonso and was approached by the Italian squad to stand in for Felipe Massa after his accident so Kubica could work well at Ferrari).

However, if only a year-long deal is wanted then Robert would be wise to stay where he is. Renault has a good team of people; they know how to win despite the slump of recent years and would greatly benefit from having him as team leader.

Kubica’s management has said they will at least need a few days to consider what has happened but with the silly season jigsaw beginning to slip into place they could run out of time.

IT’S ON: TONY FERNANDES vs RICHARD BRANSON

Posted on | December 16, 2009 | 1 Comment

…was the headline on the official website of the new Lotus F1 team in reaction to the challenge that has been accepted by team boss Tony Fernandes after Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Racing said that the loser in the Formula 1 stakes has to dress up as an airline stewardess on the winner’s airline – Fernandes’ AirAsia or Branson’s Virgin Atlantic.

“Bring it on, the sexier the better.”

…was Fernandes’ response, with the Lotus team even posting a spoof image shown above of Branson dressed up as an air hostess. He continued:

“It’s quite fitting, don’t you think? Our passengers will be delighted to be served by a Knight of the Realm. But, knowing Richard, the real challenge will be to prevent him from asking our guests ‘coffee, tea or me?’ That would be scary.”

My Thoughts

Well, who do I want to be the winner of the challenge? It has to be Fernandes after his genius quip about the matchbox car and the Branson comment. Sorry, but Lotus are my team of choice over Virgin!

Renault reveal F1 future

Posted on | December 16, 2009 | No Comments

There were worries that they were to follow Toyota out of F1 last month, but today it has been revealed that Renault will remain in the FIA F1 World Championship in 2010 after concluding a deal with Genii Capital, a Luxembourg-based investment firm specializing in new technologies, brand management and motorsport.

The full Renault statement read:

Renault has decided to maintain its commitment to Formula One and welcomes the perspective of a strategic partnership with Genii Capital, a Luxemburg based firm specialized in new technologies, brand management and motor sport. Following the proposed sale of a large stake of Renault F1 Team to Genii, both partners will operate the team together. The letter of intent signed by the two companies should be concluded in early 2010.

In 2010, the team will retain its name, its identity and the core ingredients that led to the successes achieved in 2005 and 2006. The team will continue to be supplied with engines by its sister company in Viry-Châtillon, which is also pleased to have received a renewed commitment from Red Bull Racing for the 2010 season.

After 35 years in the sport, Renault today announces a new phase for its F1 programme, consistent with Formula One’s drive for cost efficiencies. Formula One remains one of the biggest sporting spectacles in terms of annual television audiences and media exposure. Renault therefore believes that the impact of Formula One in terms of image, and brand awareness worldwide, particularly in new, emerging markets, will continue to play a key role in fulfilling the company’s growth objectives in years ahead.

Bernard Rey, Renault F1 Team President, said: “I am delighted to welcome Genii Capital as our new strategic partner as I am sure that their enthusiasm and business expertise will create a new dynamic for the team, the staff, and our partners. Altogether, we look forward to competing again at the highest level in Formula One. Today’s announcement also confirms Renault’s commitment and trust in the sport’s governing bodies to improve the green credentials of Formula One.”

Indeed, in making such a decision, Renault not only demonstrates its commitment to its fans across the world, its employees in Enstone and in Viry, and the FIA, FOA and FOTA but it also believes in the positive impact of promoting relevant technologies in synergy with its product plan. “With the ongoing evolutions of the Formula One regulations, Renault will be able to entertain its fans, while promoting a leaner and sounder Championship. We will show Renault’s skill when it comes to developing high-performance, fuel-efficient cars” said Bernard Rey, Renault F1 Team President.

The important cost reduction measures, made possible by the collective work within FOTA, have already improved significantly the operating cost base. With the anticipated sale of a stake in its F1 operational base in the United Kingdom to Genii Capital, Renault achieves today another step that will definitely bring F1 participation to an affordable level for the Group. In addition, the new partnership will contribute to procuring the team the resources to compete sustainably at the highest level, and creates a great opportunity to modernise its governance.

CEO of Genii Capital Eric Lux on the Renault deal:

“Our long-term vision for this challenging venture aims to return Renault to the forefront of Formula 1. Together with Renault, we intend to run the team with the same values as any of our other investments, prioritising ambitious performance targets without neglecting cost efficiency. We strongly believe that on-track performance can be compatible with business performance, and we will use all our entrepreneurial spirit and commercial know-how to achieve this goal.”

Virgin Racing completes driver line-up

Posted on | December 15, 2009 | 3 Comments

Virgin Racing today made its driver announcement in London, where it was confirmed that Manor have teamed up with Richard Branson’s Virgin brand, and that Lucas di Grassi will drive alongside Timo Glock at the team. di Grassi said:

“I could never imagine a F1 debut as perfect as this one. Entering F1 with John Booth and his crew, the same people with whom I won the 2005 Macau F3 race – one of the greatest successes in my career – is really beyond perfection I should say. And I believe I am ready for F1.

“I have worked a lot during these years to get here and I believe it happened just in time. I always had great expectations about the day I would enter F1, and I should thanks everyone who was with me all these years, and I shall say John and his team are among those very people I consider helped me to get there much before we signed the F1 contract.

“Being here with them makes more sense to me than to be with a veteran organisation. We will debut together, and that detail makes for a special bond too. I guess all that will make me stronger and more confident as I will be among old friends. I am ready to work twenty four seven and I am sure I will be able to contribute with the team efforts in every stage of our evolution in 2010.”

It was also revealed that Lucas di Grassi’s fellow GP2 graduates Alvaro Parente and Luis Razia will take on the role of test drivers with the team.

Glock sure Schu will return

Posted on | December 15, 2009 | No Comments

Virgin Racing driver Timo Glock is certain seven-times F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher will make a return to the sport.

The former Toyota driver, now partnered alongside Lucas Di Grassi at Virgin said:

“There’s still a lot of speculation, but in the end he is a crazy race driver, and he wants to come back to racing. It’s not enough for him to just do go-kart races, or go to the Race of Champions at the end of the year.

“The flame is still there, it’s still burning within him, and it will be great for Formula One if he comes back.
“For me, my personal feeling, it is quite obvious he is coming back.

“For Formula One and the fans it would be a big boost, a seven-time world champion coming back after three years out. It would be a mega highlight, and to drive for Mercedes, you would have a German driver in a German car.”

And Glock said he would relish the chance to race alongside his countryman, but realises it would be difficult.

“To beat Michael would be a good year for us, but we have to concentrate on ourselves, and not look at what others are doing.”

Virgin Racing have revealed Portuguese drive Alvaro Parente will be their reserve driver, and they have also made their new website live today.

To visit the the Virgin Racing website, click HERE

Campos keen on De La Rosa

Posted on | December 15, 2009 | No Comments

Campos are still holding talks with McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa over their remaining 2010 race seat.

The Spanish team have already signed Bruno Senna, and the team have confirmed they have not ruled out the possibility of the Spaniard being his team-mate, although a lack of Spanish sponsors has been cited as a potential stumbling block.

Team principal José Ramon Carabante said:

“There is a possibility that the seat which remains could be for a Spanish driver and, of course, it would be a dream for it to be Pedro de la Rosa – negotiations with Pedro have never stopped.

“If we are able to cover the budget, based on negotiations, the first option is to bring in Pedro.

“Being Spanish, we would be delighted to have him in our team, but it depends very much on sponsorship. As far as Spanish drivers go at the moment, de la Rosa is the only option

Other drivers in the frame are Campos GP2 drivers Pastor Maldonado and Vitaly Petrov.

Schumacher – he will, won’t he?

Posted on | December 14, 2009 | 3 Comments

It’s the one question on everyone’s lips – will Michael Schumacher return in 2010 with Mercedes?

And while there has been no official announcement, the rumours just won’t go away.

Does Schumacher want to race in 2010? The answer has got to be a solid yes.

The seven-times champion was gutted not to be able to fill in for Massa last year, and his passion for racing is obviously burning as bright as ever. A simple no would have put an end to all the rumours, but as there has been none, he must want to return.

In fact, all his quotes point to a willingness to get back behind an F1 car. With comments like:

“Who knows? Anything can happen.”

and earlier this year he said:

“From now to the end of the year, my neck injury will be healed to the point where I could drive again. I have nothing to prove to anyone, not even myself. I still slightly regret having retired three years ago but there’s no reason whatsoever for me to definitively announce that I will not come back.”

The major stumbling block seems to be his ties to Ferrari and their sponsors. But Ferrari appear to have now cleared the way for Schumacher to join the Mercedes F1 team.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said Schumacher’s role was “not binding”. He added:

“If he takes another road our agreement will no longer be valid. You can’t work with a competitor and with us at the same time. I still haven’t spoken to him about it. He is only a dear friend, not a team member. He is a consultant for our road cars.”

Mercedes are wanting to create a German superteam, and with Rosberg already in place, there’s only one seat to fill.

Before the Schumacher rumours started, Nick Heidfeld was tipped for the seat after BMW announced they were leaving F1, before selling the team back to Peter Sauber.

And it seems Heidfeld had pinned his hopes on a drive with The Silver Arrows, and he’s admitted to turning down other deals. He said:

“I have already turned down concrete opportunities and we are continuing to give other possibilities a lesser priority.”

It’s been a frustrating time for Heidfeld, who after learning BMW were leaving the sport must have been buoyed by the news on Mercedes. And now he’s hoping Schumacher will decide to stay on the sidelines. He said:

“I am not shy of my opinion about the speculation surrounding Michael’s possible comeback.

However, there is still a spare seat at Renault, which would see Heidfeld back with Robert Kubica if that move came off.

And it’s been a bad day for Mercedes, however, after a row over 90m euros in sponsorship money has developed with German consumer products firm Henkel.

It is understood that the team, then Brawn GP, believed it had a deal with the company earlier this year. However, Henkel now claims that the contract was put together by an ex-member of staff who was acting without the company’s authorisation. Henkel filed a law suit over the issue in November.

And so back to Schumacher, although I’m not going to put my neck on the line, he will be back, won’t he?

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ABU DHABI GP RESULTS
01 S Vettel
02 M Webber
03 J Button
04 R Barrichello
05 N Heidfeld
06 K Kobayashi
07 J Trulli
08 S Buemi

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01 J Button 95
02 S Vettel 84
03 R Barrichello 77
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05 L Hamilton 49
06 K Raikkonen 48
07 N Rosberg 34.5
08 J Trulli 32.5
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10 T Glock 24

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01 Brawn 172
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07 Williams 34.5
08 Renault 26
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