25-Mar-08: Qualifying Tweaks Expected After Malaysia
This is F1 Minute for the 25th March.
Mario Theissen is heading up the paddock voices expecting a change to the qualifying format after the dangerous situation with Heidfeld and Alonso at the weekend. It’s expected there just needs to be a tweak to avoid cars on hot laps meeting with those on a slow in lap.
Fernando Alonso has clarified his situation at Renault, saying that he could leave the team at the end of this year if performance does not increase. His contract has a get out clause meaning that he can move to another team as he always wants to be in the best car possible.
Ron Dennis has been speaking about his new signing Kovalainen’s performance, saying that McLaren have rebuilt his confidence after a disastrous rookie season at Renault. Dennis said Heikki was systematically taken apart last year, and now they have put him back together again. He also said it would only take a couple more races, and Kovalainen would be giving Hamilton a run for his money.
Finally, after convincing Malaysian organisers that they should hold a night race, Bernie Ecclestone has turned his attention to South Korea and China.
That’s all for today, please join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
me on Tue, 25th Mar 2008 19:30
so heikki is humpty dumpty, now is he?
suppose ron thinks he’s better than all the kings men, right?
heikki had a slow car last year. heikki has a fast car this year. ron dennis is a silly, silly man.
Christine on Tue, 25th Mar 2008 19:31
You can see what he means about last year, cos Renault were not kind to Heikki.
But at the same time, I would suggest McLaren systematically took Alonso apart, so it’s tit for tat really.
the Blue Orange Lion on Tue, 25th Mar 2008 20:23
Steve Nielsen and Pat Symonds already miss HK (they said it in the last two team podcasts, I think Pat said “I was sorry to see him leave”), I mean French Renault PR man admitted that Piquet decision was pure marketing, junior will now need another full season to get to HK’s level.
Ron’s payback time! No love lost between FA and RD there. Bernard’s website gave Flav interview the honour to be the headlining story of the day, Bernie doing a bit of PR for his chum. But Bernie also appeared at Macca launch! Sometimes you wonder who’s minding the store!
me on Wed, 26th Mar 2008 02:00
quite.